| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08341760B2 |
Scanning probe microscope
An atomic force microscope (AFM) (1) is one type of SPM, and detects a resonance frequency shift as an amount of interaction between a probe and a sample. The AFM (1) performs distance modulation control while performing feedback control of a probe-sample distance so as to keep the amount of interaction constant. The distance modulation control varies the probe-sample distance at a distance modulation frequency higher than a response speed of the feedback control. The AFM (1) further acquires the interaction amounts detected during the variation of the probe-sample distance by the distance modulation control while performing relative scanning between the probe and the sample, and detects a distribution of the interaction amounts in a three-dimensional space having a dimension within a scanning range and a thickness within a variation range of the probe-sample distance. The present invention thereby provides a scanning probe microscope (SPM) capable of preferably measuring the distribution of the interactions between the probe and the sample in the three-dimensional space while performing stable probe position control. |
| US08341747B2 |
Method to provide a secure virtual machine launcher
A method of operating a virtual machine includes determining a virtual machine signature, receiving an execution request from an application, and determining an application signature based on the request. The method further includes validating the application signature to the virtual machine signature and executing the application based on the validation. |
| US08341746B2 |
Identifying malware
A method and apparatus for determining the identity of suspected malware on a client device. Information pertaining to the malware is sent from the client device to a server. The server determines a first required information set, and sends a request to the client device for the required information set. The client device compares the required information set with information stored at the client device, and returns the results of the comparison to the server. The server uses the results of the comparison to attempt to determine an identity of the malware. If the results of the comparison indicate that the suspected malware is one of a plurality of types of malware, a new required information set is determined, which is sent back to the client device, and the process repeated. Otherwise the identity of the suspected malware is determined, or it is determined that the suspected malware is unknown to the server. |
| US08341745B1 |
Inferring file and website reputations by belief propagation leveraging machine reputation
The probability of a computer file being malware is inferred by iteratively propagating domain knowledge among computer files, related clients, and/or related source domains. A graph is generated to include machine nodes representing clients, file nodes representing files residing on the clients, and optionally domain nodes representing source domains hosting the files. The graph also includes edges connecting the machine nodes with the related file nodes, and optionally edges connecting the domain nodes with the related file nodes. Priors and edge potentials are set for the nodes and the edges based on related domain knowledge. The domain knowledge is iteratively propagated and aggregated among the connected nodes through exchanging messages among the connected nodes. The iteration process ends when a stopping criterion is met. The classification and associated marginal probability for each file node are calculated based on the priors, the received messages, and the edge potentials associated with the edges through which the messages were received. |
| US08341739B2 |
Managing network security
Technology for network security is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of managing network security includes receiving sampled packets. The sampled packets represent packets being sampled from network packet traffic in at least one location in a network. The sampled packets are converted into an appropriate format for analysis to form converted packets. Moreover, the converted packets are sent to a first group including at least one security device for analysis. If an event message is generated by the at least one security device as a result of analysis of the converted packets, the event message is received from the at least one security device. Network security is evaluated based on the event message and security policies and is adjusted based on that evaluation. The method may be implemented with a network manager. |
| US08341728B2 |
Authentication device and authentication control method of a semiconductor chip
An authentication device and method of a semiconductor chip which sends and receives authentication information, performs a login process for permitting an input to the semiconductor chip and an output from the semiconductor chip, controls acquisition of the authentication information and controls installation or uninstallation of a loadable program, assignment of a session to the loadable program unit, and use of the loadable program unit based on the session. |
| US08341724B1 |
Blocking unidentified encrypted communication sessions
Techniques are described for blocking unidentified encrypted communication sessions. In one embodiment, a device includes an interface to receive a packet, an application identification module to attempt to identify an application associated with the packet, an encryption detection module to determine whether the packet is encrypted when the application identification module is unable to identify an application associated with the packet, and an attack detection module to determine whether the packet is associated with a network attack, to forward the packet when the packet is not associated with a network attack, and to take a response when the packet is associated with a network attack, wherein the encryption detection module sends a message to the attack detection module that indicates whether the packet is encrypted, wherein when the message indicates that packet is encrypted, the attack detection module determines that the packet is associated with a network attack. |
| US08341722B2 |
Load balancing and failover of gateway devices
Methods and systems for load balancing and failover among gateway devices are disclosed. One method provides for assigning communication transaction handling to a gateway. The method includes receiving a request for a license from a computing device at a control gateway within a group of gateway devices including a plurality of gateway devices configured to support communication of cryptographically split data. The method also includes assigning communications from the computing device to one of the plurality of gateway devices based on a load balancing algorithm, and routing the communication request to the assigned gateway device. |
| US08341721B2 |
Web-based traceback system and method using reverse caching proxy
Provided are a web-based traceback system and method using reverse caching proxy, which can effectively protect a web server against various attacks launched by illegitimate user by acquiring network information and location information of users who attempt to access the web server through an anonymous server, without a requirement of installing any agent program in the users' clients. The web-based traceback system may include a reverse caching proxy server receiving a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) packet transmitted to a web server by a client, analyzing the header of the HTTP packet and determining whether the client has attempted to access the web server through an anonymous server based on the results of the analysis; and a web tracking server generating a response page for the HTTP packet upon receiving the results of the determination performed by the reverse caching proxy server, inserting a tracking code in the response page, and providing the response page to the client through the reverse caching proxy server, wherein the tracking code is automatically executed in a web browser of the client and thus provides network information of the client to the web tracking server. |
| US08341720B2 |
Information protection applied by an intermediary device
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are disclosed for applying information protection. A particular method includes receiving a data file at a gateway coupled to a network. The data file is to be sent to a destination device that is external to the network. The method also includes selectively applying information protection to the data file at the gateway prior to sending the data file to the destination device. The information protection is selectively applied based on information associated with the destination device, information associated with the data file, and information associated with a user of the destination device. |
| US08341717B1 |
Dynamic network policies based on device classification
A dynamic network policies system based on device classification is provided. The system comprises a computer system, a configuration database, and a dynamic network policies application based on device classification that receives a message from a virtual local area network access component containing a device identity certificate. The application parses the device identity certificate to discover a device classification, references the configuration database to determine a network policy associated with the device classification, and associates the network policy with a virtual local area network definition. The application also sends a reply containing the virtual local area network definition to the virtual local area network access component in response to the request, wherein access to network services is made available by association with a virtual local area network, and wherein association with a virtual local network is specific to the device classification and the network policy. |
| US08341712B2 |
Method and system for authenticating a user of a mobile device
A method and system for authenticating a user of a mobile device is provided. A first message is received from a mobile device, the message including a mobile device identifier identifying said mobile device. An association between the mobile device identifier in the first message and a registered user is confirmed. A second message is generated and transmitted to the mobile device. The second message includes a user identifier identifying the registered user. A request for a service is received, the request including the user identifier. |
| US08341711B1 |
Automated login session extender for use in security analysis systems
A web application security scanner (WASS) includes a login manager configured to perform an automated login to a web site. The automated login may be performed when the login manager detects that a login session has ended. The login manager is configured to determine credentials for the web site to allow the WASS to access the web site. The WASS may then use the credentials to continue scanning the web site. Thus, previously unscannable web pages may be accessed in the web site because of the automated login process. |
| US08341707B2 |
Near real-time multi-party task authorization access control
A method and apparatus are used in determining authorization to perform tasks in a computer environment, and specifically requiring multiple parties to authorize a task before access is granted. The present system provides for substantially real time communication to a second party authorizer when a task owner is attempting to perform a task. |
| US08341706B2 |
Method of processing authorization messages destined for a plurality of mobile receivers and method of transmitting such messages
A method of transmitting authorization messages to a plurality of mobile receivers comprises the steps of defining at least one set of authorization messages, a first part of which, forming a first message category, is intended for a first group of mobile receivers, a second part of which, forming a second message category, is intended for a second group of mobile receivers; creating a first authorization message packet containing at least the first part of the set of authorization messages; creating a second authorization message packet containing at least the second part of the set of authorization messages; transmitting the first authorization message packet over a first service, without previously sending information indicating to which mobile receivers the message packets are directed; and transmitting the second authorization message packet over a second service without previously sending information indicating to which mobile receivers the message packets are directed. |
| US08341691B2 |
Policy based selection of remediation
A method, of automatically determining one or more remediations for a device that includes a processor, may include: receiving values of a plurality of parameters which collectively characterize an operational state of the device, there being at least one policy associated with at least a given one of the plurality of parameters, policy defining as a condition thereof one or more potential values of, or based upon, the given parameter, satisfaction of the condition potentially being indicative of unauthorized activity or manipulation of the device; automatically determining, from the received parameter values, whether the conditions for any policies are satisfied, respectively; and automatically selecting one or more remediations for the device according to the satisfied policies, respectively. |
| US08341690B2 |
Automatic reconfiguration device
The present invention provides a method and device that can easily configure an entertainment system automatically or semi-automatically. The reconfiguration of the entertainment system can be achieved by cycling through the possible configurations of the entertainment system (i.e. different combinations of operational states of the components that make up the entertainment system) by changing various operational states of certain components until an operable configuration is found. The invention may be implemented in any component of the entertainment system including a set-top-box, satellite receiver or a remote control. |
| US08341686B2 |
Backup and restore of network configuration data using a remote controller device
Presented here is a method of operating video services receivers in a network that includes a controller device and at least one member device. Also presented is a controller device that facilitates the method. The method obtains network configuration data at a first video services receiver, where the network configuration data is utilized by the first video services receiver to support data communication with the controller device and the at least one member device. The method continues by establishing a data communication link between the first video services receiver and the controller device, and uploading the network configuration data from the first video services receiver to the controller device via the data communication link. The controller device can thereafter be used to download the network configuration data to a second video services receiver. |
| US08341685B2 |
Methods, systems and computer program products for providing internet protocol television communication services
A method of providing communications services to customer premise equipment (CPE) coupled to a television. The method includes operating a network element as a communications terminal server, the network element being part of a communications network. The network element receives from the CPE a request to initiate communications with a diagnostic system coupled to the communications network. The network element accesses a communications application executing on a communications server coupled to the communications network and pushes a communications interface to the CPE. The network element receives message information from the CPE and routes the message information to the communications server to initiate delivery of a message to the diagnostic system. |
| US08341683B2 |
Convergence-enabled DVD and web system
Methods for integrating an authored DVD system and a WWW web browser are described. Universal Resource Locator (URL) information corresponding to sites accessible by the browser is stored in fields within the DVD data. When a user actuates a DVD element that has a corresponding URL, the web browser displays information from that site. When the user actuates an HTML menu or other browser-implemented feature, the DVD system accesses a portion of the DVD data specified in the menu. This arrangement provides for two-way communication, i.e., HTML in the browser is able to control DVD content and vice-versa. Having the WWW information embedded in the DVD brings a number of benefits, the foremost of which is the ability to write a “one size fits all” template web page that can interrogate the DVD for URL information and present WWW content corresponding to the URL synchronized with the DVD information. |
| US08341680B2 |
Video apparatus
When a user issues a bookmark setup instruction, bookmark information, which includes identification information for a reproduction point whereat video and audio data for currently reproduced content are recorded, identification information for the pertinent content and position information indicating the current reproduction point are generated and stored in a storage unit. And when a user issues a bookmark display instruction, the bookmark information is read from the storage unit and a list of bookmarks is displayed. When one of the bookmarks on the list is selected and its reproduction is instructed, a command is transmitted to a reproduction apparatus, indicated in bookmark information that corresponds to the selected bookmark, to reproduce content, indicated in the bookmark information, beginning at a reproduction point designated in the bookmark information. |
| US08341674B2 |
System for presenting media programming guides
A system for presenting media programming guides is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media receiver having a controller element to generate a Media Program Guide (MPG) that groups media programs according to a redundancy of media programs and a viewing history of a subscriber of the media receiver. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08341672B2 |
Systems, methods and computer readable media for instant multi-channel video content browsing in digital video distribution systems
Disclosed are a method, apparatus, system, and computer readable media containing instructions for preparing and displaying a plurality of audio-visual signals in a digital video distribution system (e.g., IPTV), which enables fast channel switching between channels. The system includes a server which sends a plurality of audio-visual signals coded in a base layer and enhancement layer format to an endpoint. The endpoint receives and decodes the base layer of a first channel, at least one second base layer of a second channel, and at least one enhancement layer of the first channel, and displays them on a video display. |
| US08341671B2 |
System and method for synchroning broadcast content with supplementary information
Disclosed herein is a system and method for providing a supplementary information associated with a broadcast content. The system provides a supplementary information associated with a specific broadcast program in the broadcast content by means of a supplementary information server, wherein the supplementary information server comprises a broadcasting receiving unit for receiving the broadcast content; a synchronization information unit for storing a synchronization information of the supplementary information associated with the specific broadcast program; a video comparison unit for comparing screens of the broadcast content with a previously stored scene change screen of the specific broadcast program and setting a start time of the specific broadcast program; a supplementary information extracting unit for calculating an elapsed time from the start time of the specific broadcast program to a specific screen and extracting the supplementary information corresponding to the elapsed time. The supplementary information associated with the specific broadcast program in the broadcast content is provided through the steps of receiving a synchronization information of the supplementary information associated with the specific broadcast program; setting a start time of the specific broadcast program by comparing screens of the broadcast content with a previously stored scene change screen of the specific broadcast program; calculating an elapsed time corresponding to a specific screen based on the start time; extracting the supplementary information corresponding to the elapsed time. |
| US08341670B2 |
Method and system for providing application service
A method and a system for providing application service are disclosed. The method of providing application service in a digital data broadcasting system coupled to at least one broadcasting terminal through a network includes generating a preview contents by using first data combined with an application for data broadcasting service, wherein the preview contents has second data provided when a user requests the application service, and transmitting the generated preview contents to the broadcasting terminal. Here, the broadcasting terminal outputs the preview contents before data broadcasting standby time. Accordingly, useful information may be provided to the user before the application is executed. |
| US08341669B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling an electronic device
The invention, in one embodiment, is directed to a controller apparatus for controlling an electronic device by sensing and processing a user's interactions with an object and, particularly, for controlling and interacting with a media guidance application implemented on an interactive user equipment device. The controller apparatus may include a platform, a liquid container, and a stirring rod. The platform may include sensors of various kinds for detecting a user's interactions with any one of the components of the user interface system. The controller apparatus may also include sensors for sensing environmental conditions and use the sensed conditions to interact with the media guidance application or any other applications or electronic devices. |
| US08341667B2 |
Advertising driven switched digital video
Advertising driven switched digital video may be provided. A plurality of content streams may be transmitted. In response to determining that an available transmission bandwidth has increased, at least one new content stream may be provided according to a bandwidth-based priority list. In response to determining that the available transmission bandwidth has decreased, at least one content stream may be removed according to the bandwidth-based priority list. |
| US08341660B2 |
Program promotion feedback
A user request to watch a program is received in response to a promotion for the program. One or both of recording the program and playback of the program is performed. Information regarding one or both of the recording and the playback is output, this information including an identifier of the promotion. Additionally, a report can be generated from this information output by multiple devices, the report describing the recording of the program and the playback of the program on the multiple device in response to the promotion. |
| US08341658B2 |
Turntable for a storage disk drive apparatus, a motor using the turntable, a storage disk drive apparatus using the same
A turntable for a storage disk drive apparatus includes a plate member made of a ferromagnetic material and a central resin member arranged at the center of the plate member and provided with an outer peripheral portion positioned above the plate member. The central resin member includes claws extending downwards from the outer peripheral portion and claw position holes overlapping with the claws in the direction parallel to the center axis of the central resin member. The claw position holes include inner surfaces spaced apart from an edge of the plate member. The inner surfaces are defined by the resin. The central resin member includes a resin layer extending in the direction perpendicular to the center axis. The resin layer exists between the portion of the edge of the plate member around the claw position holes and the claw position holes. |
| US08341653B2 |
Optical disc storage system
Embodiments provide methods and systems for handling optical discs in a media library appliance and for replacing optical drives in the field. In one embodiment, the media library appliance comprises optical disc handling robotics developed for slim form factor slot load drives in a vertical orientation located on both sides of the robotics within a 19 inch rackable appliance. On the system level, the optical disc storage system provides modularity and scalability. The drives reside in field replaceable units (“FRUs”) that are oriented vertically on a horizontal backplane. The disc handling robotics access discs on each side stored in horizontal stacks within large disc cartridges. A small disc shuttle cartridge attaches to a large disc cartridge to provide a means to import and export a smaller number of discs from the disc cartridge. |
| US08341652B2 |
Method for programmatic editing of configuration files
A file format corresponding to each configuration file is identified. Each configuration file is parsed into a single tree structure with the corresponding file format. The single tree structure is modified with an Application Program Interface (API). The configuration file is bidirectionally updated to reflect the modified single tree structure while preserving the file format of each configuration file. The file format includes instructions on how each entry in each configuration file is to be mapped into the single tree structure. |
| US08341647B2 |
System and method for querying historical bean data
A computer implemented method, apparatus and program product receives user input requesting historical data associated with an entity bean, and generates event information according to the user input. The event information is stored and used to determine the historical bean data. Where so desired, the determination may involve automatically performing statistical analysis relating to the bean. |
| US08341645B1 |
Workflow and exception system
An exception management system comprising a centralized exception engine for processing exception messages from a plurality of source systems across a firm (or enterprise) and for generating workflow items where needed from the exception messages. The centralized exception engine may comprise an exception backbone that receives the exception messages from the source systems and processes the exception messages based on business rules. The exception messages may adhere to an exception message definition format. Users may access the exception information via a user interface. The exception engine may send alerts to certain users in certain circumstances based on the business rules. A flow manager of the exception backbone may process the exception messages by: (i) enriching the exception messages with additional information; (ii) prioritizing the exception messages; (iii) routing the exception messages to one or more users; and/or (iv) persisting exception information extracted from the exception messages in a persistent store. A workflow engine may communicate workflow messages to the source systems or directly with the exception backbone when workflow is required for one of the exception messages. |
| US08341644B2 |
Resource allocation during workload partition relocation
A a system for relocating a workload partition (WPAR) from a departure logical partition (LPAR) to an arrival LPAR determines an amount of a resource allocated to the relocating WPAR on the departure LPAR and allocates to the relocating WPAR on the arrival LPAR an amount of the resource substantially equal to the amount of the resource allocated to the relocating WPAR on the departure LPAR. |
| US08341643B2 |
Protecting shared resources using shared memory and sockets
Shared memory and sockets are used to protect shared resources where multiple operating systems execute concurrently on the same hardware. Rather than using spinlocks for serializing access, when a thread is unable to acquire a shared resource because that resource is already held by another thread, the thread creates a socket with which it will wait to be notified that the shared resource has been released. The sockets may be network sockets or in-memory sockets that are accessible across the multiple operating systems; if sockets are not available, communication technology that provides analogous services between operating systems may be used instead. Optionally, fault tolerance is provided to address socket failures, in which case one or more threads may fall back (at least temporarily) to using spinlocks. A locking service may execute on each operating system to provide a programming interface through which threads can invoke lock operations. |
| US08341639B2 |
Executing multiple threads in a processor
Provided are a method, system, and program for executing multiple threads in a processor. Credits are set for a plurality of threads executed by the processor. The processor alternates among executing the threads having available credit. The processor decrements the credit for one of the threads in response to executing the thread and initiates an operation to reassign credits to the threads in response to depleting all the thread credits. |
| US08341638B2 |
Delegated virtualization across physical partitions of a multi-core processor (MCP)
This disclosure describes an apparatus, computer architecture, method, operating system, compiler, and application program products for MPEs as well as virtualization across physical boundaries that define physical partitions in a symmetric MCP. Among other things, the disclosure is applied to a generic microprocessor architecture with a set (e.g., one or more) of controlling/main processing elements (e.g., MPEs) and a set of groups of sub-processing elements (e.g., SPEs). The arrangement also enables MPEs to delegate functionality to one or more groups of SPEs such that those group(s) of SPEs may act as pseudo MPEs. Such delegation may occur across the physical boundaries. Regardless, the pseudo MPEs may utilize pseudo virtualized control threads to control the behavior of other groups of SPEs also across physical boundaries. |
| US08341637B2 |
Utilization management
Utilization management is provided. A utilization monitor is initiated to monitor a set of processes. Utilization data for an identified process of the set of processes is recorded to form recorded utilization data. It is determined whether the recorded utilization data exceeds a utilization threshold. In responsive to determining that the recorded utilization data exceeds a utilization threshold, an action is performed to manage utilization. |
| US08341635B2 |
Hardware wake-and-go mechanism with look-ahead polling
A hardware wake-and-go mechanism is provided for a data processing system. The wake-and-go mechanism looks ahead in a thread for programming idioms that indicates that the thread is waiting for an event. The wake-and-go mechanism performs a look-ahead polling operation for each of the programming idioms. If each of the look-ahead polling operations fails, then the wake-and-go mechanism updates a wake-and-go array with a target address associated with the event for each recognized programming idiom. |
| US08341633B2 |
Identifying executable process contents of flow executor(s) in flow generation system
The function restriction information of a designated flow executor is acquired. The acquired function restriction information is analyzed. An operation screen that identifiably displays process contents executable by the flow executor in association with setting target functions to be set in the flow is displayed on the basis of the analyzed function restriction information. Process contents of a setting target function to be set in the flow are selected on the basis of an operation in the operation screen. The flow of the flow executor is generated by combining the functions of the selected process contents. |
| US08341632B2 |
Composite task framework
A primary task manager, which is a local task manager, can perform a distributed task on a local server. If the performing of the task with the local task manager succeeds, the distributed task can then be propagated to at least one secondary task manager, which is a remote task manager. The remote task manager is capable of performing the distributed task. If the performing of the task with the local task manager fails, an undo task that is associated with the distributed task can be performed. |
| US08341629B2 |
Method and system for provisioning a virtual computer and scheduling resources of the provisioned virtual computer
A method for virtual computing that includes receiving a virtual computer specification, wherein the virtual computer specification defines a plurality of hardware and software configuration requirements for a virtual computer and a duration requirement for use of the virtual computer, requisitioning a plurality of computing resources based on the plurality of hardware and software configuration requirements, provisioning the plurality of computing resources from a pool of computing resources to obtain a provisioned virtual computer, and scheduling the plurality of computing resources of the provisioned virtual computer for use based on the duration requirement. |
| US08341628B2 |
Controlling depth and latency of exit of a virtual processor's idle state in a power management environment
A mechanism is provided in a logically partitioned data processing system for controlling depth and latency of exit of a virtual processor's idle state. A virtualization layer generates a cede latency setting information (CLSI) data. Responsive to booting a logical partition, the virtualization layer communicates the CLSI data to an operating system (OS) of the logical partition. The OS determines, based on the CLSI data, a particular idle state of a virtual processor under a control of the OS. Responsive to the OS calling the virtualization layer, the OS communicates the particular idle state of the virtual processor to the virtualization layer for assigning the particular idle state and wake-up characteristics to the virtual processor. |
| US08341627B2 |
Method and system for providing user space address protection from writable memory area in a virtual environment
A method in one example implementation includes identifying an address space in a memory element of a system configured to operate in a virtual environment. The address space includes at least one system address, and the address space is provided to a virtual machine monitor. The method also includes generating a page table entry for the system address in a shadow page table stored in the virtual machine monitor in response to a guest operating system initiating a process. The page table entry is marked as a page not being present in order to trigger a page fault for a system address access from the guest operating system. In more specific embodiments, the method may include evaluating a page fault to determine access to the address space, where access to a writeable area of the memory element is denied. |
| US08341621B2 |
Automatic detection and installation of client peripheral devices by a server
A server-client system is configured to automatically detect and install peripheral devices, such as printers, scanners, etc. that are attached to a client. The server is configured to detect the peripheral device and install a driver that is compatible with the peripheral device. The I/O queue created for the peripheral device is redirected to the port to which the peripheral device is connected. |
| US08341619B2 |
Simplifying installation of software modules on heterogeneous remote systems
An installer system provided according to an aspect of the present invention facilitates easy installation of software modules in a heterogeneous computing system in which many operating systems are installed in the remote systems. In an embodiment, the installer system performs different installation actions on different remote systems, depending on the specific operating system installed on the corresponding remote system and the specific software module being installed. Each installation action may be translated into one or more commands according to the syntax/semantics requirement of the respective operating system on the remote system. |
| US08341618B2 |
Information processor, software updating system, software updating method, and its program for updating modules on a user computer
Software is updated easily and efficiently and in the same time, thereby reducing the load imposed on the user side, the software vendor side and the center computer side. When the user computer sends user ID to the center computer, the center computer have the user computer obtain URL of the module-storing region that corresponds to the user ID and stores the modules that the user should obtain. The user computer accesses to the module storing portion using the URL, obtains a list of modules, compares the list to the modules that are currently installed in itself and judges whether it is necessary to obtain modules. When judged that modules are needed to be obtained, the user computer accesses to the module-storing region again and obtains the module. |
| US08341615B2 |
Single instruction multiple data (SIMD) code generation for parallel loops using versioning and scheduling
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to loop parallelization for a target architecture implementing a shared memory model and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for SIMD code generation for parallel loops using versioning and scheduling. In an embodiment of the invention, within a code compilation data processing system a parallel SIMD loop code generation method can include identifying a loop in a representation of source code as a parallel loop candidate, either through a user directive or through auto-parallelization. The method also can include selecting a trip count condition responsive to a scheduling policy set for the code compilation data processing system and also on a minimal simdizable threshold, determining a trip count and an alignment constraint for the selected loop, and generating a version of a parallel loop in the source code according to the alignment constraint and a comparison of the trip count to the trip count condition. |
| US08341612B2 |
Method and apparatus for run-time statistics dependent program execution using source-coding
Disclosed are a method and system for optimized, dynamic data-dependent program execution. The disclosed system comprises a statistics computer which computes statistics of the incoming data at the current time instant, where the said statistics include the probability distribution of the incoming data, the probability distribution over program modules induced by the incoming data, the probability distribution induced over program outputs by the incoming data, and the time-complexity of each program module for the incoming data, wherein the said statistics are computed on as a function of current and past data, and previously computed statistics; a plurality of alternative execution path orders designed prior to run-time by the use of an appropriate source code; a source code selector which selects one of the execution path orders as a function of the statistics computed by the statistics computer; a complexity measurement which measures the time-complexity of the currently selected execution path-order. |
| US08341611B2 |
Application interface on multiple processors
A method and an apparatus that execute a parallel computing program in a programming language for a parallel computing architecture are described. The parallel computing program is stored in memory in a system with parallel processors. The system includes a host processor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) coupled to the host processor and a memory coupled to at least one of the host processor and the GPU. The parallel computing program is stored in the memory to allocate threads between the host processor and the GPU. The programming language includes an API to allow an application to make calls using the API to allocate execution of the threads between the host processor and the GPU. The programming language includes host function data tokens for host functions performed in the host processor and kernel function data tokens for compute kernel functions performed in one or more compute processors, e.g. GPUs or CPUs, separate from the host processor. Standard data tokens in the programming language schedule a plurality of threads for execution on a plurality of processors, such as CPUs or GPUs in parallel. Extended data tokens in the programming language implement executables for the plurality of threads according to the schedules from the standard data tokens. |
| US08341610B2 |
Method and apparatus for authoring and optimizing flowcharts
A method and system for generating problem resolution flowcharts, whereby users do not author flowcharts directly but instead author a dependency matrix of questions and answers related by state or underlying problem cause. After creation of a matrix of questions and answers, a corresponding flowchart is then calculated based on the information in the dependency matrix, and also based on the likelihood of the various problems and their causes. The probabilities of problems and their causes may be estimated or may be calculated from historical data accumulated by use of the flow chart, or some combination of the two. These probabilities are incorporated into the answer cells of the dependency matrix. The resulting flowchart is tested and evaluated, and the results of testing and evaluation are used to make modifications in the matrix of questions and answers. The flowchart is then made available for execution by a problem determination engine, usable by staff at a help center or directly as self-help to a customer over a network. Experience from use of the problem determination engine is accumulated for use in further refinements of the dependency matrix and its probabilities. |
| US08341606B2 |
Method of invoking inlined method and java virtual machine using the method
Provided is a method of invoking an inlined method and a Java virtual machine using the method. The method includes, when a first method is invoked, generating a frame comprising information that is needed for execution of the first method, and, when a second method that satisfies a predetermined condition is invoked, executing the second method using the frame. |
| US08341604B2 |
Embedded trace macrocell for enhanced digital signal processor debugging operations
Techniques for the design and use of a digital signal processor, including (but not limited to) for processing transmissions in a communications (e.g., CDMA) system. The method and system improve software instruction debugging operations by capturing real-time information relating to software execution flow and include and instructions and circuitry for operating a core processor process within a core processor. A non-intrusive debugging process operates within a debugging mechanism of a digital signal processor. Non-intrusively monitoring in real time predetermined aspects of software execution occurs with the core processing process and occurs in real-time on the processor. An embedded trace macrocell records selectable aspects of the non-intrusively monitored software execution and generates at least one breakpoint in response to events arising within the selectable aspects of the non-intrusively monitored software execution. The present disclosure controls aspects of the non-intrusive debugging process in response to at least one breakpoint. |
| US08341601B2 |
Flexible SLA modelling and validation
A method for modeling, validating, and monitoring a service level agreement (SLA) associated with a business process is disclosed herein. Such a method may include providing a library of reusable SLA component types. Functionality may be provided to enable a user to create SLA components from the reusable SLA component types. Functionality may also be provided to enable the user to assemble the SLA components into an SLA model having a hierarchy. In the SLA model, events may be passed between the SLA components to trigger behavior by the SLA components. SLA components at the lowest levels of the hierarchy may be configured to receive events from the business process. The method may further validate the SLA model against the business process to ensure the business process can generate the events required by the SLA components. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed herein. |
| US08341600B2 |
Tagging and logical grouping of items in source code change lists
A tool facilitating organizing code review via tagging changes in the code such that developer reasoning and reviewer comments are captured during the development process; thus documenting the development process. The tool providing intuitive presentation of changes and change sets based on the purpose of the change. The tool enabling retrieval of the information documenting developer and reviewer rationale during development and after development is complete. |
| US08341599B1 |
Environments sharing remote mounted middleware
A system is provided for environments sharing remote mounted middleware. The system includes a plurality of hosts, a remote storage, an application, a shared middleware, a dedicated middleware, and a plurality of environments. The shared middleware is stored on the remote storage and remote mounted on each of the plurality of hosts. The dedicated middleware, which is associated with the shared middleware, is stored on the remote storage and remote mounted on each of the plurality of hosts. Each of the plurality of environments is on one of the plurality of hosts. Each of the plurality of environments includes the remote mounted shared middleware and the remote mounted dedicated middleware. Each of the plurality of environments executes one of the plurality of applications. |
| US08341598B2 |
Declartive commands using workflows
Declaratively implementing a command. A method includes declaring an input gesture in a declarative programming language. Declaring an input gesture includes declaring one or more user performed actions. A command name is declared in a declarative programming language. A workflow is declared in a declarative programming language. Declaring a workflow includes declaring schedulable activities that are to be performed without specific specifications of the low level algorithms that are used to accomplish the activities. In an alternative example, workflows may be declared by declaring a wrapper to wrap imperative programming commands. The declared input gestures are bound with the declared workflow through the declared command name. |
| US08341597B2 |
Editing source code
The present invention relates to the field of computer programming. More specifically the invention relates to a method and a data processing system for editing the source code of a computer program. It is an object of the present invention to provide an easy source code editing technique, by which programming errors and type errors can reliably be avoided in cases where changes to the program are supposed not to change the semantics of the program. This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for editing source code, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a modification to the source code, said modification being made by a user, determining whether the modification would change the semantics of the source code, and handling the modification depending on the result of the determining step. |
| US08341592B2 |
System and method for conducting dependency analysis of business components
A system and method is provided for the ontological representation of the meta-models of businesses and their processes, activities, and components in one or more semantic web markup languages to enable reasoning and analyzing of instances of enterprise business models to infer relationships of business entities which are previously unknown or not clear from the original business model instance. |
| US08341590B1 |
System for relating workflow status to code component status in a software project
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a configuration management (CM) system, method, and product adapted to carry out workflow management tasks, which integrates status of software projects and issues, such that software projects may be more easily and reliably tracked and management of software projects may be streamlined. In some embodiments of the invention, a CM system is adapted to maintain records of software projects and/or issues managed by the CM system, the records comprising an indicator of a workflow progress stage for the project/issue. The CM system may be further adapted to update concurrently and automatically, according to an input from a user, both (1) a workflow progress stage value for the project/issue and (2) a record for software code associated with a project/issue, the record for the software code indicating a version and the project/issue in which the version is included. |
| US08341588B2 |
Semiconductor layer forming method and structure
A method of forming and electrical structure. The method includes determining that a first semiconductor device requires an engineering change order (ECO). An additional structure layer required to implement the ECO is determined. A first insertion point location for inserting the additional structure layer within the first semiconductor device is selected. The first insertion point location is associated with a second insertion point location within a design for a second semiconductor device. The second semiconductor device is generated in accordance with the first ECO. The second semiconductor device comprises second structures. The second structures comprise same structures as first structures in the first semiconductor device. The second structures are formed in locations within the second semiconductor device that are associated with locations in the first semiconductor device comprising the first structures. The second semiconductor device comprises the additional structure layer located within the second insertion point location. |
| US08341587B2 |
Method of managing process factors that influence electrical properties of printed circuit boards
In a method of managing process factors that influence electrical properties of printed circuit boards (PCBs), n process factors are arranged in an order according to different influence to one kind of electrical property of the PCBs. The different influence is determined by first experiments designed using the Taguchi method. M process factors that have important influence to the electrical property are obtained from the n process factors according to the order to design second experiments. A computing formula for the electrical property is fitted using the m process factors according to simulated results of the second experiments, and a variation range of each of the m process factors is computed according to the computing formula. |
| US08341585B2 |
Skewed placement grid for very large scale integrated circuits
A skewed placement grid for an integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. In one embodiment, an IC includes a placement grid which includes a plurality of cells. Each of the plurality of cells includes one of a corresponding plurality of circuits. A center point of each of the cells is located at a unique coordinate along a first axis and a second axis with respect to each of the other ones of the plurality of cells. The IC further includes a first plurality of signal interconnections, wherein each of the plurality of signal interconnections is coupled to a corresponding one of the first plurality of circuits. |
| US08341581B2 |
ASICs having programmable bypass of design faults
A relatively small amount of programmable or reprogrammable logic (pro-Logic) is included in a mostly-ASIC device so that such re/programmable logic can be used as a substitute for, or for bypassing a fault-infected ASIC block (if any) either permanently or at times when the fault-infected ASIC block is about to perform a fault-infected operation (bug-infected operation): The substitution or bypass does not have to be a permanent one that is in effect at all times for the entirety of the fault-infected ASIC block. Instead affected outputs of the faulty ASIC block can be disabled from working just at the time they would otherwise initiate or propagate an error. Such fault-infected operations of the temporarily deactivated ASIC block(s) may be substituted for by appropriately programmed pro-Logic at the appropriate times. |
| US08341579B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for analyzing operation of semiconductor integrated circuits
An operation analyzing apparatus (100) for semiconductor integrated circuits according to this exemplary embodiment includes a simulation analyzing unit (140), and the simulation analyzing unit (140) includes: a semiconductor characteristics extracting unit (110) that extracts the inductances L, resistances R, and capacitances C of a board, a package, and a semiconductor integrated circuit, from the semiconductor integrated circuit mounted on the board via the package; an individual network generating unit (111) that generates individual networks of the extracted inductance L, resistance R, and capacitance C with respect to each of said semiconductor substrate, said package, and said semiconductor integrated circuit; an integrated network generating unit (112) that generates an integrated network by integrating all of the generated individual networks; and an operation simulation running unit (113) that performs an operation simulation of the semiconductor integrated circuit by inserting a test noise pattern to an arbitrary position in the generated integrated network. |
| US08341578B2 |
Clock gater with test features and low setup time
A clock gater circuit comprises a plurality of transistors having source-drain connections forming a stack between a first node and a supply node. A given logical state on the first node causes a corresponding logical state on an output clock of the clock gater circuit. In one embodiment, a first transistor of the plurality of transistors has a gate coupled to receive an enable input signal. A second transistor is connected in parallel with the first transistor, and has a gate controlled responsive to a test input signal to ensure that the output clock is generated even if the enable input signal is not in an enabled state. In another embodiment, the plurality of transistors comprises a first transistor having a gate controlled responsive to a clock input of the clock gater circuit and a second transistor having a gate controlled responsive to an output of a delay circuit. The delay circuit comprises at least one inverter, wherein an input of the delay circuit is the clock input, and wherein a first inverter of the delay circuit is coupled to receive a test input signal and is configured to force a first logical state on an output of the first inverter responsive to an assertion of the test input signal. |
| US08341573B2 |
Modeling approach for timing closure in hierarchical designs leveraging the separation of horizontal and vertical aspects of the design flow
A method of designing an integrated circuit and a model of an integrated circuit block, an electronic design automation tool, an apparatus and a computer-readable medium are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method of designing an integrated circuit includes: (1) generating a timing budget for the integrated circuit employing designer input of the integrated circuit, (2) establishing design constraints for a block of the integrated circuit employing the timing budget, (3) creating an input and output timing budget for the block employing the design constraints, (4) combining implementation information for the integrated circuit based on designer knowledge with the input and output timing budget to generate an updated input and output timing budget and (5) generating a model of the block based on the updated input and output timing budget. |
| US08341572B1 |
Methods and apparatus for waveform based variational static timing analysis
A system and method are disclosed for waveform based variational static timing analysis. A circuit is divided into its linear circuit parts and non-linear circuit parts and modeled together, by a combination of linear modeling techniques, into linear equations that may be represented by matrices. The linear equations in matrix form may be readily solved by a computer such that an input waveform to an input pin of the circuit can be sequentially “pushed” through the various interconnects and logic networks of the circuit to an output pin. Output voltage waveforms are obtained at each stage of the waveform pushing and may be used to perform static timing analysis. |
| US08341570B2 |
Method and apparatus for executing a hardware simulation and verification solution
One embodiment of the present invention provides systems and techniques to execute a hardware simulation and verification solution on a multiprocessor system. The hardware simulation and verification solution can be partitioned into different modules which can include a simulation kernel to simulate changes in signal values, a value change dump module to store the changes in the signal values on a computer-readable storage medium, a functional coverage module to check functionality, a toggle coverage module to check signal toggling, an assertion engine to check complex behaviors, and a testbench module to generate test scenarios. Embodiments of the present invention can execute different modules on different processors, thereby improving performance. |
| US08341569B2 |
Statistical iterative timing analysis of circuits having latches and/or feedback loops
Statistical timing analysis methods for circuits having latches and feedback loops are described wherein the circuit yield, and/or the critical cycle mean (the largest cycle mean among all loops in the circuit), may be iteratively calculated with high speed and accuracy, thereby allowing their ready usage in the analysis and validation of proposed circuit designs. |
| US08341565B2 |
Task-based multi-process design synthesis with reproducible transforms
A task-based multi-process design synthesis methodology is reproducible, and relies on a plurality of child processes to assist a parent process in performing optimizations on an integrated circuit design. Objects from an integrated circuit design are grouped into subsets and assigned to child processes, with each child process performing a transform on each of the objects in the subset assigned to that child process and determining which of the objects in the subset are candidate objects for which performance of the transform has been successful. Each child process also undoes the transform performed for each object such that the same initial state of the integrated circuit design is used to perform each transform. In addition, the parent process tracks the results of performing the transform by each child process, and applies successful transforms in a controlled sequence. |
| US08341558B2 |
Gesture recognition on computing device correlating input to a template
A computer-implemented user interface method is disclosed. The method includes displaying information on a touchscreen of a computing device, receiving from a user of the device an input drawn on the touchscreen, correlating the input to a template, where the correlating includes employing a closed-form solution to find a rotation that reduces angular distance between the input and the template, and providing output based on a result of the correlating. |
| US08341557B2 |
Portable touch screen device, method, and graphical user interface for providing workout support
In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method is performed at a portable electronic device with a touch screen display while the portable electronic device is in a user-interface locked mode of a workout monitoring application with the touch screen display turned off. The method includes: monitoring a workout by a user with the workout monitoring application; detecting an interaction by the user with a first physical button on the portable electronic device; and determining whether the detected interaction by the user with the first physical button corresponds to a first predefined action. The method further includes, in response to determining that the interaction by the user with the first physical button corresponds to the first predefined action; turning on the touch screen display; providing an audio status report of the workout by the user; displaying a workout pause icon; and displaying an unlock image. |
| US08341555B2 |
Image managing apparatus, image managing method and image managing program
An image managing apparatus includes a storage part, an input part, a grouping-processing part, a representative image extraction part, a folding-button preparing part, a folding-screen preparing part and an output part. An image is stored in the storage part. A user's instruction is input by the input part. The grouping-processing part is configured to classify images displayed on a screen into a group for display based on the instruction. The representative image extraction part is configured to extract an image in the group as a representative image of the group. The folding-button preparing part is configured to generate a folding button for displaying the representative image of the group on the screen. The folding-screen preparing part is configured to generate an image-listing screen (“folding screen)”) on which the representative image of the group and an ungrouped image are displayed when the folding-button displayed on the screen is operated. |
| US08341554B1 |
Launch and edit user interface improvements
A system and method is described for editing, in its native application, a source file of an object or image in a first application, wherein the source file includes computer-readable code or script associated with the source file and editable in either the first or native applications. The first application graphically displays an edit option selectable by the user to launch the source file's native application. The native application opens the source file and code or script associated with the object or image in the first application. Within the workspace of the native application edit session, an end function or button is displayed to the user. Upon selection of the end function in the native application, the native application automatically saves the edited source file and associated code or script, sends the edited data to the first or calling application which then automatically reintegrates the edited source file and any edited script or code into the object or image associated therewith. The user then returns automatically to the first application as the active application. |
| US08341553B2 |
Selection interface systems and methods
A user selection interface system comprises one or more rotatable selectors linked to selectable characteristics, and a display linked to the selectors, for display of an image that corresponds to the selected characteristics. The interface is typically linked to a database comprising stored image and other information which corresponds to the selectable characteristics, whereby an image that corresponds to an item which meets a selected characteristic is retrieved and displayed. Information other than the image which corresponds to the selectable characteristics may also be retrieved and displayed. In some embodiments, the stored images comprise a single image, which matches all the selected characteristics. In alternate embodiments, the displayed image comprises a composite image that is based upon stored images which correspond to different selected characteristics. In some embodiments, the user selection interface comprises a graphic user interface. In alternate embodiments, the user selection interface comprises a mechanical interface. Some preferred embodiments of the user selection interface provide links for merchandising functions, such as for ordering, purchasing, inventories, and/or shipping. |
| US08341552B2 |
Translating events in a user interface
Systems and methods for translating events in a high definition video playback system are disclosed. A disc viewer is configured to read at least one user interactive program on a high definition optical disc defining an original menu of a user interface. The user interface defines a plurality of event handlers for user interaction with the user interface. An express menu renderer is configured to generate a menu populated with a plurality of selectable elements that are responsive to interaction with a mouse and/or pointing device. The selectable elements correspond to user interactive features of the user interface and have a corresponding visual identifier. |
| US08341549B2 |
Method for sorting and displaying symbols in a mobile communication terminal
A system for arranging symbols for display and selection in a mobile communication terminal is provided. The system comprises user interface configured for selecting a first symbol having a first display priority; and means for assigning a second display priority to a second symbol associated with the first symbol, wherein the second symbol is displayed according to the second display priority, in response to a request for displaying a symbol set. |
| US08341548B2 |
Image display system
A method of configuring an image for data storage on a storage device in an overlapping-tiled format and a method of displaying a desired image selected for viewing on a display are disclosed. The method of configuring an image for data storage includes formatting an image to include a plurality of image tiles, each image tile in the plurality of image tiles having at least a portion that is substantially identical to at least a portion of an adjacent image tile in the plurality of image tiles. The method further includes converting data of the image from data in a first color space into data in a second color space so as to reduce a size of the data of the image, and storing the image data in the second color space. |
| US08341543B2 |
Method and apparatus of scrolling a document displayed in a browser window
Methods and systems for performing a scroll operation are disclosed. A method may include displaying a first page of a portable document format (pdf) document on a browser window, associating respective thumbnails with each of the pages in the pdf document, and displaying two or more of the respective thumbnails overlaid on the first page. The method may also include receiving an indication to scroll the pdf document in a first direction, scrolling the pages of the pdf document at a first rate in the first direction, and scrolling the respective thumbnails of each of the pages at a second rate, different than the first rate, in the first direction. The varying scroll rate of the document and its corresponding thumbnails provides the user with different viewing options to view the document when performing a scrolling operation. |
| US08341538B1 |
Systems and methods for reducing redundancies in quality-assurance reviews of graphical user interfaces
A computer-implemented method for reducing redundancies in quality-assurance reviews of graphical user interfaces may include identifying a plurality of screenshots of a graphical user interface. The computer-implemented method may also include creating, for each screenshot within the plurality of screenshots, a fingerprint of the screenshot and a fingerprint of a set of text contained within the screenshot. The computer-implemented method may further include performing a consolidation operation that identifies, by comparing each screenshot fingerprint and comparing each text fingerprint, redundant screenshots and/or redundant sets of text. The computer-implemented method may additionally include displaying non-redundant screenshots and/or non-redundant sets of text. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08341536B2 |
Dynamic interface component control support
A system, computer program and method for developing a graphical user interface (GUI) in a computer program. The invention allows developers to control the properties of interface components according to the state of a program during execution. According to the invention, a GUI development environment may be configured to provide a GUI builder for creating the GUI, display an interface component with at least one interface component property to be instantiated in the GUI, display a property interface to input at least one value for the interface component property in response to an event detectable by the computer program during GUI program execution, and automatically generate GUI program code effectuating the value for the interface component property in response to the event detectable by the computer program during GUI program execution. |
| US08341532B2 |
Automated set-up of a collaborative workspace
An approach to setting up a collabortive workspace involves receiving a user's instructions to convert an object to a collaborative workspace. In response to this instruction, the approach creates the collaborative workspace in a substantially automated manner. The approach may thereby facilitate the provisioning of a collaborative workspace, eliminating or at least reducing the manual effort involved in setting up a collaborative workspace. |
| US08341530B1 |
Customer service center database management
Systems and methods provide customer service center database management. A management component may identify an application accessible at a location based on a user profile and hardware component requirements for the application. The component may promote upgrading hardware components if the location's hardware components do not meet the requirements. The component may identify a user profile for a location and a communication route for the user profile. The management component may promote a change in a communication route to the location for the user profile if the route to the location does not correspond to the route for the user profile. The component may identify a first location's user profile that is similar to a second location's user profile. The component promotes modification of the first user profile to match the second user profile and of a route for the second user profile to a route for the first user profile. |
| US08341529B1 |
Dynamically modifying displayed information
Techniques are described for facilitating access of computing system users to restricted or other functionality, such as internal functionality of a business or other organization. The functionality access may be facilitated by an access provider system that executes on a client computing system of an authorized user, such as a program operating in conjunction with another presentation program that presents publicly available information by modifying interactions available to the user when using the presentation program or otherwise providing additional information to the user. In some situations, the additional information is provided by temporarily modifying the information being presented by the presentation program, such as by modifying a temporary copy of the information in volatile memory that is used to generate a visual representation being presented to the user by the presentation program, and then later removing the modifications after the user has completed use of the additional information. |
| US08341527B2 |
File format method and apparatus for use in digital distribution system
A method of distributing media content and associated media information as a media package in a file format embodied as a data structure. A method of presenting media content such as Audio or Video including segmenting the media content into sections and storing data and information about the sections as part of media information with the media content in a media package. The presentation program uses information about the users preferences/profile and location and compares it to section information in order to present certain sections and skip others during the presentation. During presentation, informative messages are inserted between sections if sponsor supported presentation is chosen. Any part of the media content or media information can be embedded in the file or can be linked to from the file and can also be determined using a script or program. |
| US08341526B2 |
Method of reproducing interactive graphic streams from information storage medium
A method of reproducing one interactive graphics stream among one or more interactive graphics streams from an information storage medium, via a reproduction apparatus providing a visual display of interactive graphics, including obtaining attribute information in a player status register in the reproducing apparatus, and reading and reproducing one of the interactive graphics streams corresponding to the obtained attribute information among one or more interactive graphics streams from the information storage medium, the one interactive graphics stream being used to control reproduction of audio-visual data and being reproduced with the audio-visual data. With the method, text information written in a variety of languages and data shared by those languages are multiplexed and stored in one menu stream such that data is not redundantly stored and less storage space is wasted. |
| US08341523B2 |
Method and system for providing multiple levels of help information for a computer program
A method and system for providing help information for a computer program. The help system provides help information based on a schema that specifies the structure of a valid computer program. The schema provides definitions of program element types that are specific instances of a program element type derived from more general program element types. The help system identifies a “derivation” of program element types relating to the selected program element. The help system then displays the derivation to the user. The user can then select to display documentation associated with the displayed program element types. |
| US08341522B2 |
Enhanced contextual user assistance
In an approach, an exemplary method includes receiving a query related to an electronic device through a first user interface associated with the electronic device, sensing a context of the electronic device, and providing an assistance correlating to the query and the sensed context through a second user interface associated with the electronic device. In another approach, an exemplary system includes an electronic device having a context sensor, a first and a second user interface, and instructions. The instructions cause the electronic device to receive a query related to the electronic device through a first user interface associated with the electronic device, receive a context of the electronic device from the context sensor, and provide an assistance corresponding to the query and the context of the electronic device through a second user interface associated with the electronic device. |
| US08341514B2 |
Using static data in a markup language
Described herein are techniques for specifying and utilizing static data in the environment of a tag-based or meta-markup document description language such as XML. |
| US08341500B2 |
Detecting corrupted data for a system having non-volatile memory
Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for detecting corrupted data for a system having non-volatile memory, such as NAND Flash memory. In some embodiments, a non-volatile memory (“NVM”) package is provided, which can include a NVM controller and one or more NVM dies. Each NVM die can include one or more blocks, where each block can further include an array of memory cells. One or more of these memory cells can be configured as “multi-level cells” (“MLCs”). In some embodiments, in order to avoid transmitting data obtained from an improperly programmed page of a MLC, a NVM controller can be configured to detect if data obtained from the page is in fact data stored in a different page. |
| US08341497B2 |
Semiconductor storage
A semiconductor storage includes a receiver configured to receive a write request from a host device; a storage unit configured to hold redundancy data generation/non-generation information; a writing unit configured to write data in a semiconductor memory array and write redundancy data generation/non-generation information of the written data in the storage unit; a first data extracting unit configured to extract data whose redundancy data is not generated from among the data held by the semiconductor memory array; a first redundancy data generating unit configured to generate redundancy data; a first redundancy data writing unit configured to write the generated redundancy data in the semiconductor memory array; and a first redundancy data generation/non-generation information updating unit configured to update the redundancy data generation/non-generation information of the data whose redundancy data held by the storage unit is generated. |
| US08341490B2 |
Virtual limited buffer modification for rate matching
Virtual limited buffer modification for rate matching. A reduced-size memory module is employed within a communication device to assist in storage of log-likelihood ratios (LLRs) employed in accordance with turbo decoding. This architecture is also applicable to other types of error correction code (ECC) besides turbo code as well. The memory size is selected to match the number of coded bits (e.g., including information bits and redundancy/parity bits) that is included within a transmission. The received signals may be various transmissions made in accordance with hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) transmissions. When the LLRs calculated from a first HARQ transmission is insufficient to decode, those LLRs are selectively stored in the memory module. When LLRs corresponding to a second HARQ transmission is received, LLRs corresponding to both the first HARQ transmission and the second HARQ transmission are passed from the memory module for joint use in decoding. |
| US08341488B2 |
Accumulating LDPC (low density parity check) decoder
Accumulating LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) decoder. The accumulating decoding architecture described herein is applicable to LDPC codes operating on a parity check matrix, H, consisting of CSI (Cyclic Shifted Identity) sub-matrices (or matrix sub-blocks) or permuted identity sub-matrices (or matrix sub-blocks). In such a structure, the entire LDPC matrix is broken into square sub-matrices such that each sub-matrix consists of either a CSI sub-matrix or a permuted identity sub-matrix, or a null matrix. The iterative decoding process operates by updating of APP (a posteriori probability) or gamma (γ) values and check edge message (λ) values, and this by updating one or more individual rows within a number of sub-matrix rows (or all sub-matrix or sub-block rows) are processed in parallel. The amount of parallelism is specified by the designer and is typically an integer divisor of the sub-matrix (or sub-block) size. |
| US08341483B2 |
Data retransmission method and radio communication system using the same
A data retransmission method for a radio communication system, in which a plurality of data streams are transmitted from a plurality of transmission systems, the method includes when there is a transmission error in transmission data in any of the plurality of data streams, adaptively selecting beamforming or spatial coding for retransmission of the transmission data; and retransmitting the transmission data with transmission errors by using either of selected beamforming or spatial coding, wherein a criterion for adaptively selecting the beamforming or spatial coding is that by comparing a retransmission period with a prescribed fading speed, the beamforming is selected when the retransmission period is smaller than the prescribed fading speed, while the spatial coding is selected when the retransmission period is smaller than the prescribed fading speed. |
| US08341482B2 |
User equipment using hybrid automatic repeat request
A user equipment comprises a transmitter and an adaptive modulation and coding controller. The transmitter is configured to transmit data over an air interface in a single transmission time interval with a first specified modulation and coding scheme, where the single transmission time interval has a plurality of transport block sets. In response to receiving a repeat request for retransmission of at least one particular transport block set, the transmitter retransmits the at least one of the particular transport block sets. The adaptive modulation and coding controller is configured to change the specified modulation and coding scheme to a second specified modulation and coding scheme, enabling a combining of a particular transport block set transmitted at the first specified modulation and coding scheme with a retransmitted version of the particular transport block set transmitted at the second specified modulation and coding scheme. |
| US08341481B2 |
Method for performing hybrid automatic repeat request operation in a wireless mobile communication system
A method for performing a Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) operation in a wireless mobile communication system that uses Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) or Time Division Duplex (TDD) frames each having a plurality of subframes for communication are provided, in which an HARQ timing including a transmission time of a data burst and a transmission time of an HARQ feedback, for DL HARQ is determined according to data burst assignment information transmitted in a #l DownLink (DL) subframe of a #i frame, and an HARQ operation is performed according to the determined HARQ timing. At least one frame index and at least one subframe index that represent the HARQ timing are determined by using l and i. |
| US08341480B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing implicit negative acknowledgement
An approach is provided for utilizing implicit negative acknowledgement. A determination is made that a user equipment is out of synchronization (e.g., with respect to the uplink). A control signal specifying timing alignment information is generated for transmission to the user equipment. An implicit negative acknowledgement corresponding to retransmission of data is declared if an acknowledgement is not received within a predetermined time interval. |
| US08341478B2 |
Method and apparatus for selective acknowledgement
The present invention pertains to the field of data communications and is directed to providing ways and means for flexible receipt reporting. A transceiving unit (1) is operated (61) to receive at least one sequence of data blocks (9) where the data blocks each have a respective sequence number (31). The receipt of the data blocks is monitored (63) to establish whether the data blocks have been successfully received or not. A receipt report is selectively generated (65) based at least in part on the performed monitoring. The receipt report includes at least one data part in accordance with a predetermined data format, which includes at least a first data portion (41) with information (BSN_NACK) identifying a sequence number of one data block in the sequence that has not been successfully received and a second data portion (43) with information (BSN_MAP) on whether or not successful receipt has been achieved for a number of data blocks in the sequence having sequence numbers following directly after the identified sequence number. The receipt report is provided in a generated data block (11) that is transmitted from the transceiving unit (1). The invention is applicable to all forms of data communications, including wireless data communications. |
| US08341475B2 |
Microprocessor comprising signature means for detecting an attack by error injection
A method for monitoring the execution of a sequence of instruction codes in an integrated circuit comprising a central processing unit provided for executing such instruction codes. Current cumulative signatures are produced using deterministic address, control or data logic signals involved in the execution of the sequence and taken off at various points of the integrated circuit. A final cumulative signature is compared with an expected signature and an error signal is produced if the two signatures are not identical. Particularly useful to secure integrated circuits for smart cards. |
| US08341466B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating acknowledgement frame
Provided are a method and an apparatus for generating an acknowledgement (ACK) frame. The method includes: receiving a data frame; first determining whether sub-frames included in the received data frame are coded in an unequal error protection (UEP) mode; and based on the determination of the first determining, generating the ACK frame including a first ACK field indicating reception of each of the sub-frames or second ACK field indicating reception of each first type bit and second type bit in the sub-frames. |
| US08341464B2 |
Diagnostic dashboard for web pages
A diagnostic dashboard for web applications is provided. The dashboard is presented in a portion of a web page in response to activation of a control in form of a frame along with partially displayed web page contents. Designers and administrators are provided informative data to assist them in discovering root causes for page malfunctioning or slowness, and are enabled to access call stack and exception information in error messages. |
| US08341461B2 |
Image forming apparatus
There is provided an image forming apparatus which adopts a distributed control system and increases the error detection accuracy of each control unit. To accomplish this, the image forming apparatus includes a master control unit that controls the overall image forming apparatus, a plurality of sub-master control units that control a plurality of functions for performing image formation, and a plurality of slave control units that control loads for implementing a plurality of functions. The master control unit determines a diagnosis path for performing a diagnosis process for an error using the signal lines and a connection bridge connected to the respective control units. The master control unit performs the diagnosis process for an error in accordance with the determined diagnosis path. |
| US08341456B2 |
Method and apparatus of recording data on write-once recording medium
An apparatus of recording data on a recording medium includes an optical recording device and a microcomputer. The recording medium has a lead-in area, a lead-out area, and a data zone, where the data zone has a user data area and a spare area. When the microcomputer receives a command for physically overwriting first data in a first area within the user data area and determines that the first area is included in a pre-recorded area, it controls the recording device to record the first data in a first replacement area instead and to record a first entry in a TDMA, where the first entry specifies the locations of the first area and the first replacement area. In addition, when the microprocessor receives a command for recording second data in a second area within the user data area and finds the second area defective, it controls the optical recording device to record the second data in a second replacement area instead and to record a second entry in the TDMA, where the second entry specifies the locations of the second area and the second replacement area. |
| US08341455B2 |
Management method and system for managing replication by taking into account cluster storage accessibility to a host computer
A management system, which manages a host computer and a storage system, holds cluster information, specifies an active-state host computer and an inactive-state host computer based on a backup instruction specifying a virtual host identifier, determines the need for executing a replication for disaster recovery use, and when necessary, executes this replication for disaster recovery use in combination with a replication for backup use. |
| US08341454B1 |
Rendering a video stream based on digital clock generated based on timing information
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with clock generation are provided. In one embodiment, a precise timing protocol message is parsed to extract timing information. Timing waveform parameters are calculated based on the timing information and a digital clock is generated based on the waveform parameters. A video stream can then be decoded and rendered, where the rendering depends on the digital clock. |
| US08341450B2 |
Continuous timing calibrated memory interface
A system that adjusts the timing of write operations at a memory controller is described. This system operates by observing timing drift for read data at the memory controller, and then adjusting the timing of write operations at the memory controller based on the observed timing drift for the read data. |
| US08341448B2 |
Methods and systems for power supply management
System and methods for controlling power delivery to system components are disclosed. A controller is communicatively coupled to a point-of-load converter through a first communication path and a shared memory is communicatively coupled to the point-of-load converter through a second communication path. A third communication path communicatively couples the controller and the shared memory. Control data is communicated from the controller to the point-of-load converter through the first communication path and measurement data is written from the point-of-load converter to the shared memory through the second communication path. The controller is operable to read the measurement data from the shared memory through the third communication path. |
| US08341444B2 |
Minimization of power consumption in server environment
A method for minimizing power consumption in a computer server is provided. Collected data for an event is compared with an entry in a power consumption table. A power reduction mechanism is triggered if the collected data and the entry are within a specified range. The power consumption table is updated with the collected data if the collected data and the entry are not within the specified range. |
| US08341442B2 |
Energy load management method and system
A modification method and system. The method includes detecting and monitoring by a computing system, a frequency signal associated with an input voltage signal used for powering a plurality of power consumption devices at a specified location. The computing system compares the frequency signal to a predetermined frequency value. The computing system determines that the frequency signal comprises a first value that is not equal to the predetermined frequency value. The computing system calculates a difference value between the first value and the predetermined frequency value. The computing system compares the difference value to a second value. The computing system enables a load adjustment modification process associated with the plurality of power consumption devices. The computing system generates and stores a report associated with the load adjustment modification process. |
| US08341439B2 |
Power management apparatus and method thereof and power control system
A power management apparatus includes: a service request monitor block for receiving service requests by service groups to provide load information of service platforms belonging to the respective service groups; a platform information collection block for collecting a configuration information of the service platforms and collecting load information of the service platforms in a predetermined cycle; a platform power state alteration block for altering power states of the service platforms by request; and a management interface block for providing a setup interface for a load-based and a time-based power control and providing platform profile information generated based on the load information. |
| US08341437B2 |
Managing power consumption and performance in a data storage system
A method for managing power consumption in a data storage system is provided. The method comprises receiving a first input/output (I/O) request identifying an I/O operation to be performed by a storage device; delaying scheduling of the first I/O request to manage amount of power consumed by servicing the first I/O request; and forwarding the first I/O request to a storage controller associated with the storage device. The storage controller schedules the first I/O request using a scheduling mechanism, and the storage device services the first I/O request according to the scheduling mechanism. |
| US08341436B2 |
Method and system for power-state transition controllers
Power-state transitioning arrangements are implemented using a variety of methods. Using one such method, a power-state transitioning circuit arrangement is implemented having a processing circuit that does not include an arithmetic logic unit. A power-state transition script including instructions from an instruction set is stored in a memory circuit. The processing circuit implements the power-state transition script to facilitate a change in a power-state of another processor circuit. |
| US08341433B2 |
Method and system for managing the power consumption of an information handling system
A method for managing the power consumption of an information handling system including a processor and an associated cooling system. The method may include providing power to the cooling system based on a performance/power balance setting, accepting a user input to adjust the performance/power balance setting, and adjusting the power provided to the cooling system based on the adjusted performance/power balance setting. The performance/power balance setting may define a balance between performance of the processor and power consumption of the associated cooling system. |
| US08341425B2 |
Storage device and its control method
Provided is a storage device which partitions data from a host into multiple partitioned data and distributes, encrypts and stores them together with a parity to and in multiple memory mediums. This storage device executes processing of restoring the partitioned data or the parity stored in a memory medium to be subject to encryption re-key based on decrypted data of the partitioned data or the parity stored in each memory medium other than the memory medium to be subject to encryption re-key among the multiple memory mediums, storing the restored partitioned data or the parity in a backup memory medium while encrypting the restored partitioned data or the parity with a new encryption key, and thereafter interchanging the backup memory medium and the memory medium to be subject to encryption re-key so that the backup memory medium will be a memory medium configuring the parity group and the memory medium to be subject to encryption re-key will be the backup memory medium. |
| US08341423B2 |
Machine, machine management apparatus, system, and method, and recording medium
A machine management method includes installing software in a machine including a security device that holds a secret key unextractable from the security device and a public key extractable from the security device, encrypts input data with the public key, and decrypts the input data with the secret key; storing machine identification information of the machine in association with software identification information of the software installed in the machine in an external management apparatus; creating a device-encryption key to encrypt data stored on a first storage device of the machine; storing a device-encryption-key BLOB obtained by encrypting the device-encryption key with the public key on a second storage device of the machine; and storing the device-encryption key in association with the machine identification information in the external management apparatus. |
| US08341420B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for entering sensitive and padding data using user-defined criteria
Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer program products for identifying sensitive data from a user-entered input sequence based on user-defined criteria. According to one method, user-defined criteria for identifying sensitive data within user-entered input sequences that include sensitive data and padding data are received. A request for sensitive data from a requesting agent is presented. A user-entered input sequence that includes sensitive data and padding data is received in response to the request for sensitive data. Sensitive data is identified within the user-entered input sequence using the user-defined criteria. The identified sensitive data is provided to the requesting agent in response to the request for sensitive data. |
| US08341416B2 |
Assertion message signatures
The invention relates to a method for providing an assertion message (200) from a proving party (20) to a relying party (40), the method comprising the steps of: —creating an assertion (A) comprising one or more statements, —creating an assertion proof (p A), —creating a temporary private key and a corresponding temporary public key (K) from the assertion (A) and the assertion proof (p A), —creating a key proof (PK) for the temporary public key (K), —creating an assertion message signature (S) by means of the temporary private key, —creating the assertion message (200) comprising the temporary public key (K), the assertion proof (PA), the key proof (PK), the assertion (A), a message body (220) and the assertion message signature (S) to the relying party (40). |
| US08341415B1 |
Phrase matching
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for generating or using augmentation queries. In one aspect, a set of phrase terms of a phrase are received in first ordinal positions, and a set of first hashes for each of the phrase terms. Concatenated hashes from the set of first hashes are generated. Hashes of content terms for received content are compared to the concatenated hashes to determine if a phrase is detected in the content. |
| US08341411B2 |
Enabling use of a certificate stored in a smart card
If a smart card is to be used for a particular purpose, and there is no certificate initialized on the smart card for this purpose, a computerized device enables a user to select one of the certificates already installed in the smart card for the particular purpose. The selected certificate may be imported into the computerized device. |
| US08341410B2 |
Efficient certified email protocol
An exemplary optimistic protocol for a two-party transaction includes a setup sub-protocol that includes an authorized Diffie-Hellman key agreement, an exchange sub-protocol that includes sending a certificate from a sending party to a receiving party and sending a receipt from the receiving party to the sending party and a dispute sub-protocol that includes a dispute resolution mechanism for resolving disputes between the sending party and the receiving party due to sending of an invalid certificate, due to sending an invalid receipt, or due to abortion of the exchange sub-protocol. Other exemplary methods, systems, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US08341408B2 |
System and method for providing variable security level in a wireless communication system
A system and method for providing variable security levels in a wireless communication network. The present invention optimizes the often conflicting demands of highly secure wireless communications and high speed wireless communications. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, various security sensors are scanned to determine the likely presence of an intruder within a predetermined trust zone. If an intruder is likely present, the security level is changed to the highest setting, and consequently a lower data rate, while the intruder is identified. If the identified intruder is in fact a trusted node, the security level is returned to a lower setting. If the identified intruder is not a trusted node, the security level is maintained at an elevated state while the intruder is within the trust zone. |
| US08341405B2 |
Access management in an off-premise environment
A system that can assist users to manage a personal active directory for all of their information maintained within a cloud-based environment is provided. The identity of a client that accesses data is monitored and recorded in a log. In turn, this information can be made available to the owner of the information in order to develop a desired access control list (ACL). Additionally, the system can employ a heuristic component that can automatically establish the ACL on the owner's behalf. As well, the system can track how information is being accessed (or attempted to be accessed) by other people therefore, giving the owner of the information the opportunity to restrict or allow access based upon any number of recorded factors (e.g., identity, context). |
| US08341401B1 |
Interoperable cryptographic peer and server identities
Techniques for interoperable cryptographic peer and server identities can include receiving a message, in a connection establishment transaction, from an endpoint, the message including an endpoint discriminator, selecting a certificate based on the endpoint discriminator, determining a cryptographic scheme based on the selected certificate, and establishing the requested connection with the endpoint using the determined cryptographic scheme. The techniques can also include accessing one or more hashes, each hash being a hash of at least a portion of a certificate, processing the endpoint discriminator for an identity object, and comparing the identity object with the one or more hashes to identify a matching hash. The selected certificate can correspond to the matching hash. These techniques can allow an endpoint to interoperate with other endpoints that use different or similar cryptographic schemes. |
| US08341390B2 |
Computer system and method for backing up BIOS settings
In a computer system including a server having a BIOS and a management module, the server includes therein a memory area and a server controller, and the management module includes therein a backup memory area and a management-module controller. When the BIOS changes the BIOS setting, the BIOS stores the BIOS setting into both of the memory area and the backup memory area by way of the server controller and the management-module controller. Here, the management module operates independently of the server. Accordingly, when a BIOS-setting read request is issued from the outside, the management-module controller makes the response to the request source by reading the data stored into the backup memory area. |
| US08341381B2 |
Twisted and wrapped array organized into clusters of processing elements
An array of processing elements (PEs) is logically twisted in a first direction, wrapped to form a cylindrical array, and grouped in a second direction to determine PEs that are to be located in clusters and implemented to form physical clusters of PEs. Inter-cluster communication paths are mutually exclusive. Due to the mutual exclusivity of the data paths, communications between the processing elements of each cluster may be combined in a single inter-cluster path, thus eliminating half the wiring required for the path. The length of the longest communication path is not directly determined by the overall dimension of the array, as in conventional torus arrays. Rather, the longest communications path is limited by the inter-cluster spacing. Transpose elements of an N×N torus may be combined in clusters and communicate with one another through intra-cluster communications paths. Transpose operation latency is eliminated in this approach. Each PE may have a single transmit port and a single receive port. Thus, the individual PEs are decoupled from the array topology. |
| US08341378B2 |
Data storage device and data access method
The invention provides a data access method for a flash memory. First, a write command, a write address, and target data are received from a host. A target block corresponding to the write address is then determined. Whether a storage space with the write address in the target block stores data is then determined. When the storage space does not store data, the target data is written to the storage space of the target block. When the storage space stores data, whether a file allocation table (FAT) block mapped to the target block exists in the flash memory is then determined. When the FAT block exists, the target data is written to the FAT block. When the FAT block does not exist, whether a child block mapped to the target block exists in the flash memory is determined. When the child block exists, the target data is written to the child block. |
| US08341374B2 |
Solid state drive and related method of scheduling operations
A solid state drive (SSD) comprises an input/output interface and a memory controller. The input/output interface stores a plurality of input/output commands. The memory controller comprises first and second input/output contexts and an input/output scheduler. The first and second input/output contexts process input/output commands from the input/output interface in an alternating sequence. The input/output scheduler schedules operations of the first and second input/output contexts. In particular, the input/output scheduler suspends execution of a first input/output command by the first input/output context upon determining that an execution time of the first input/output command exceeds an interval before a deadline time. After suspending execution of the first input/output command, the input/output scheduler transmits a second input/output command to the second input/output context. |
| US08341372B2 |
Emulated electrically erasable (EEE) memory and method of operation
A system has an emulation memory having a plurality of sectors for storing information. A controller calculates a number of addresses used divided by a number of valid records in a predetermined address range of the emulation memory. An amount of remaining addresses in a currently used space of the emulation memory which have not been used to store information is calculated. A determination is made whether the calculation is greater than a first predetermined number and whether the amount of remaining addresses is greater than a second predetermined number. If both the fraction is greater than the first predetermined number and the amount of remaining addresses is greater than the second predetermined number, any subsequent update requests are responded to using the currently used space of the emulation memory. Otherwise a compression of the emulation memory is required by copying valid data to an available sector. |
| US08341369B2 |
Providing protected access to critical memory regions
In accordance with disclosed embodiments, there are provided methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing hardware of a virtualized processor based system detecting a specified type of memory access to an identified region of memory and in response to the detecting generating an interrupt for a virtual machine monitor (VMM) of the virtualized processor based system. |
| US08341368B2 |
Automatic reallocation of structured external storage structures
A mechanism for automatic reallocation of shared external storage structures is provided. The shared external storage divides the dynamically allocable storage into fixed sized blocks referred to as allocation units. To create an object of a specific type, the shared external storage uses some number of allocation units. If the object will fit in one allocation unit, then it is placed in one allocation unit. If the object is larger than one allocation unit, then the appropriate number of allocation units is obtained and chained together to contain all of the information of the required object. When an object so allocated is no longer needed, the shared external storage breaks the object down to a set of one or more fixed sized allocation units. The shared external storage then returns the allocation units to the pool of available objects. |
| US08341367B2 |
Space reservation in a deduplication system
A calculated factoring ratio is determined as a weighted ratio of current nominal data to physical data based on at least one storage capacity threshold and a used storage space currently physically consumed by one of backup and replication data. A maximal nominal estimated space in the computing storage environment is calculated. A remaining space, defined as the maximal nominal estimated space minus a current nominal space in the computing storage environment, is calculated. If the remaining space is one of equal and less than a user-configured reservation space for backup operations, data replication operations are accepted and stored in the computing storage environment. |
| US08341365B2 |
Data backup system and method for virtual infrastructure
Systems for backing up the data of an IT system by utilizing server or storage virtualization technology to create and move logical IT infrastructures dynamically. A virtualized IT system provides a server resource pool and a storage resource pool composed from multiple physical devices either within a datacenter or a globally located plurality of datacenters. The virtual server and the storage volume provisioned from those pools will be paired to form the virtual infrastructure. In other words, the virtual infrastructure becomes a logical IT environment build with the required computing and storage resources needed in order to execute specific applications. The virtual infrastructure can also be migrated within/among datacenter sites. |
| US08341364B2 |
Maintaining asynchronous mirroring
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for maintaining asynchronous mirroring. A detection module detects insufficient storage space to store a snapshot of a logical volume in at least one of a primary storage system and a secondary storage system. The primary storage system comprises the logical volume. A write from a host to the logical volume is acknowledged, maintaining asynchronous mode mirroring between the primary storage system and the host. The mirror module mirrors the write to the logical volume at the secondary storage system using a backup synchronous mode in response to detecting the insufficient storage space. Under the backup synchronous mode, the primary storage system acknowledges the write to the host while concurrently mirroring the write to the secondary storage system. The secondary storage system acknowledges the mirrored write to the primary storage system. |
| US08341360B2 |
Method and apparatus for memory write performance optimization in architectures with out-of-order read/request-for-ownership response
A block of data may be transferred to memory through a plurality of write operations, where each write operation is preceded by a protocol request and a protocol response. A plurality of protocol requests issued in a first order may elicit a corresponding plurality of protocol responses in a second order, and the write operations may be performed in yet a third order. Chipsets implementing the data write methods are also described and claimed. |
| US08341359B2 |
Systems and methods for sharing media and path management in a computer network
A method of dynamically sharing a media volume in a network includes associating a first media management module with a first media volume of a first storage device, associating a second media management module with the first media volume, the second media management module mounting the media volume and creating an access path to the media volume, and delegating management of the created access path to the second media management module. |
| US08341357B2 |
Pre-fetching for a sibling cache
One embodiment provides a system that pre-fetches into a sibling cache. During operation, a first thread executes in a first processor core associated with a first cache, while a second thread associated with the first thread simultaneously executes in a second processor core associated with a second cache. During execution, the second thread encounters an instruction that triggers a request to a lower-level cache which is shared by the first cache and the second cache. The system responds to this request by directing a load fill which returns from the lower-level cache in response to the request to the first cache, thereby reducing cache misses for the first thread. |
| US08341354B2 |
Cache coloring method and apparatus based on function strength information
A method of performing cache coloring includes the steps of generating a dynamic function flow representing a temporal sequence in which a plurality of functions are called at a time of executing a program comprised of the plurality of functions by executing the program by a computer, generating function strength information in response to the dynamic function flow by use of the computer, the function strength information including information about runtime relationships between any given one of the plurality of functions and all the other ones of the plurality of functions in terms of a way the plurality of functions are called and further including information about degree of certainty of cache miss occurrence, and allocating the plurality of functions to memory space by use of the computer in response to the function strength information such as to reduce instruction cache conflict. |
| US08341351B2 |
Data reception system with determination whether total amount of data stored in first storage area exceeds threshold
A data reception system includes a data acquisition unit acquiring data from a predetermined transmission path, an access control unit storing the data acquired by the data acquisition unit in a predetermined storage area, and a plurality of storage areas. The plurality of storage areas includes a first storage area and a second storage area having a greater storable capacity and a lower storing speed compared to the first storage area. The access control unit further includes a transfer unit. The access control unit determines whether the total amount of data stored in the first storage area is in the excess of a predetermined threshold or not and causes a transfer unit to transfer the data acquired by the data acquisition unit to the second storage area to store the data in the second storage area when the total amount is in the excess of the threshold. |
| US08341349B2 |
System and method for loose coupling between raid volumes and drive groups
The present disclosure describes a system and method for allocating volume pieces across a redundant array of inexpensive discs (RAID).A method for allocating volume pieces across a redundant array of inexpensive discs (RAID) may comprise: (a) associating one or more volume pieces of a first logical volume with a first set of drives in a drive group; and (b) associating one or more volume pieces of a second logical volume with a second set of drives in the drive group, wherein the first set of drives in the drive group includes at least one drive which is not a member of the second set of drives in the drive group.A system for allocating volume pieces across a redundant array of inexpensive discs (RAID) may comprise: (a) means for associating one or more volume pieces of a first logical volume with a first set of drives in a drive group; and (b) means for associating one or more volume pieces of a second logical volume with a second set of drives in the drive group, wherein the first set of drives in the drive group includes at least one drive which is not a member of the second set of drives in the drive group. |
| US08341348B2 |
Computer system and load equalization control method for the same where cache memory is allocated to controllers
A computer system having a plurality of controllers for data input/output control is provided, wherein even if a control authority of a processor is transferred to another processor and the computer system migrates control information necessary for a controller to execute data input/output processing, from a shared memory to a local memory for the relevant controller, the computer system prevents the occurrence of unbalanced allocation of a control function necessary for data input/output control between the plurality of controllers; and a load equalization method for such a computer system is also provided. |
| US08341347B2 |
Storage controller
A storage controller of the present invention enables a larger number of storage devices to be mounted while keeping the installation size small. A plurality of sub-storage units are disposed inside a high density-type storage unit. The respective sub-storage units comprise a plurality of hard disk drives, controller, memory, power supply device, and display part. The respective sub-storage units operate independently of one another. A controller creates a management table based on management data acquired from the respective sub-storage units. The user is notified when there is an error in the table contents. A display part lights up in accordance with an indication from a storage unit specification part, notifying the user of the location of the sub-storage unit. |
| US08341345B2 |
System and method for providing content based anticipative storage management
A hierarchical storage management (HSM) system and method. A system is provided comprising: a data usage monitor for extracting data object information from data objects in a hierarchical storage complex that is managed by a content management system; a data relationship repository for storing data object information, wherein the data object information includes relationship data for data objects in the hierarchical storage complex; and a system that analyzes the relationship data and makes data management action recommendations for the hierarchical storage complex. |
| US08341338B2 |
Data storage device and related method of operation
A data storage device comprises a plurality of memory devices, a buffer memory, and a controller. The plurality of memory devices are connected to a plurality of channels and a plurality of ways. The buffer memory temporarily stores data to be written in the memory devices. The controller stores the data in the buffer memory based on channel and way information of the memory devices. |
| US08341337B1 |
Data storage device booting from system data loaded by host
A data storage device (DSD) is disclosed comprising a non-volatile memory (NVM) operable to store system data for accessing the NVM, and a semiconductor memory. Whether to receive the system data from a host is determined prior to attempting to read the system data from the NVM. When the system data is received from the host, the received system data is stored in the semiconductor memory. A command is received from the host to boot the DSD, and the system data is read from the semiconductor memory to boot the DSD. |
| US08341330B2 |
Method and system for enhanced read performance in serial peripheral interface
A method for reading data in an integrated circuit includes receiving a read command, which is associated with an enhanced data read, and receiving a first address from a plurality of input/output pins. The method includes receiving a first performance enhancement indicator and determining whether an enhanced read operation is to be performed based on at least information associated with the first performance enhancement indicator. The method includes waiting n clock cycles, where n is an integer, then outputting data from a memory array in the integrated circuit using the plurality of input/output pins concurrently. The method also includes performing an enhanced read operation, if it is determined that the enhanced read operation is to be performed. In an embodiment of the method, performing an enhanced read operation includes receiving a second address and a second performance enhance indicator without receiving a read command. |
| US08341327B2 |
Computer system and method for sharing PCI devices thereof
In order to provide an inexpensive way to share an I/O device loaded in an I/O drawer among a plurality of blades, in a server system including a plurality of servers, a PCI device, and a manager for initializing a PCI switch, the PCI device has a plurality of virtual functions (VFs). The PCI switch, which has VF allocation information which indicates association between the servers and the VFs, is configured to: receive a transaction from one of the servers or from the PCI device; when the received transaction is a transaction sent from the one of the servers, remove a server identifier with which a sender server is identified and transfer the received transaction to the PCI device; and when the received transaction is a transaction sent from the PCI device, attach a server identifier that is determined based on the VF allocation information. |
| US08341326B2 |
Software layer for communication between RS-232 to I2C translation IC and a host
A host controller having a first communication interface, or protocol, writes to and reads from one or more slave devices each having a second communication interface, or protocol, which is different from the first, through a translation device, or integrated circuit, that is responsive to command streams from the host controller. The present invention provides a high-level communications protocol by which command information and data are passed to a translation device, and the translation device interprets these commands and engages in the desired data transfer operation between the host controller and the slave devices. In a further aspect of the present invention, the high-level communications protocol also includes commands interpreted by the translation device to achieve data transfers between the host controller and the translation device, including accessing internal registers and I/O ports of the translation device. |
| US08341325B2 |
System and method for providing PCIE over displayport
An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing an extensible information handling system (IHS) bus implemented on predetermined channels of a digital video interface. IHS video signal information is multiplexed with IHS bus information by a host multiplexer for transmission across a digital video connector. The multiplexed IHS video signal and IHS bus information is received by a display multiplexer, where it is demultiplexed. Demultiplexed IHS video signal information is received by a video interface receiver, where it is used to generate an image on a digital display. Demultiplexed IHS bus information is received by a host bus interface transmitter/receiver, where it is used to support peripheral devices attached to the digital display. |
| US08341324B2 |
Serial peripheral interface and method for data transmission
A serial peripheral interface of an integrated circuit including multiple pins is provided. The pins are coupled to the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit receives an instruction through only one of the plurality of pins. The integrated circuit receives an address through the plurality of pins. The integrated circuit sends a read out data through the plurality of pins. |
| US08341320B2 |
System and method of transmitting data between devices connected via a bus defining a time slot during transmission for responsive output information from bus devices
A device and method are provided in which the data to be transmitted is transmitted in units together with information concerning the transmission and/or the use of the data. At least some of the units include at least one region which defines a time slot within which freely selectable devices can output onto the bus data representing freely selectable information at freely selectable points in time. |
| US08341318B2 |
Techniques for facilitating communication between an accessory and a mobile computing device using application specific protocols
Embodiments of the present invention provide various communication techniques for communication between a mobile computing device and an accessory. An accessory protocol that is generic to the mobile computing device can be used for some communication. An application executing at the mobile computing device can communicate with the accessory using an application communication protocol. In some embodiments, the application communication protocol can be different from the accessory communication protocol. In other embodiments the application protocol may only be recognized by the application and the accessory. In some embodiments, messages conforming to an application protocol can be communicated between the application and the accessory by packaging the messages inside a message conforming to the accessory communication protocol. |
| US08341317B2 |
Systems and methods for managing a network
A method of managing a network. The method includes receiving an activation key transmitted from a device connected to the network, automatically transmitting a configuration to the device, automatically maintaining the configuration of the device, and receiving log information from the device. |
| US08341316B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a translation lookaside buffer
A method and apparatus are provided for controlling a translation lookaside buffer in connection with the execution of an atomic instruction. The method comprises identifying load instructions within a plurality of instructions to be executed, and placing the identified load instructions in a queue prior to execution. An atomic instruction identified in the queue is prevented from executing until the atomic instruction is the oldest instruction in the queue. The apparatus comprises a queue and a translation lookaside buffer. The queue is adapted to: identify an atomic instruction within a plurality of instructions to be executed; prevent execution of the atomic instruction until it is the oldest instruction in the queue; and send a virtual address corresponding to the atomic instruction and an atomic load signal in response to determining that the atomic instruction is the oldest instruction in the queue. The translation lookaside buffer is adapted for maintaining at least one virtual to physical address translation, and is adapted to force a miss in the translation lookaside buffer in response to receiving the atomic load signal. |
| US08341311B1 |
System and method for reduced latency data transfers from flash memory to host by utilizing concurrent transfers into RAM buffer memory and FIFO host interface
A flash memory system having the capability of streaming data directly from flash memory to the interface of a host computer in order to substantially reduce latency of to-host transfers, while also maintaining the capabilities for caching and overlapped flash I/O provided by RAM DMA transfers. When data is read from the flash memory, the data is transferred into the RAM buffer and at the option of the memory controller, directly (via an intermediate FIFO) to the host interface. This results in a desirable reduction in the latency of data transfer because as soon as the first byte of data is read from the flash memory by the DMA engine, the data will be transferred directly to the host interface. Because the data is also being transferred to the buffer RAM, preferred embodiments of the present invention still provide the advantages of using an intermediate transfer buffer. |
| US08341309B2 |
Network system
A universal plug and play (UPnP)-based network system and a method of controlling the same. A UPnP device can operate according to a description of each control point (CP) when performing a command, by including the description, which is inherent information of each CP, in a command message transmitted from each CP to the UPnP device and allowing the UPnP device to analyze the command message to obtain the description of the CP. The UPnP-based network system includes a plurality of CPs, each of which stores a CP description, which is inherent characteristic information of each CP, and generates and transmits a command message including the CP description, and a UPnP device which is connected to the plurality of CPs over a network, analyzes the command message received from each CP to perform an operation according to the command message, and analyzes the CP description included in the command message to recognize each CP which transmits the command message. |
| US08341305B2 |
System and method for distributing user interface device configurations
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to collect a plurality of User Interface (UI) device configurations, receive a request from a computing device to download one or more of the plurality of UI device configurations, and transmit to the computing device the one or more UI device configurations requested to configure one or more UI devices of the computing device. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08341304B2 |
Flexible intelligent electronic device
An intelligent electronic device for a Substation Automation or Distribution Automation system as well as to a method and computer program product for providing it. The device has a structuring of its own functionality according to a communication standard and includes mechanically separable, replaceable hardware modules interconnected via an inter-module bus. The modules implement functionality related to function related elements of the standard and include a communication module and I/O modules. The device includes elements of the communication standard comprising one device related element and replaceable function related elements of all the functions provided by the modules. The communication module includes the device related element and function elements associated with the function of the communication module as well as functions provided by all the I/O modules. |
| US08341301B2 |
Device and method for testing a direct memory access controller
A device and a method for testing a DMA controller. The device includes: (i) a DMA controller that includes a first data transfer path and a second data transfer path, wherein the first data transfer path and the second data transfer path are mutually independent; (ii) a test unit, connected to the first and second data transfer paths, that is adapted to control a transfer of data between the first data transfer path and the second data transfer path during a test mode, while masking from a first memory unit coupled to the DMA controller, at least one control signal associated with the transfer of data. |
| US08341300B1 |
Systems for sustained read and write performance with non-volatile memory
In one embodiment of the invention, a memory system includes non-volatile-memory-devices (NVMDs) coupled to memory channels to share busses and a memory controller coupled to the memory channels in communication between the plurality of NVMDs. Each NVMD independently executes a read, write, or erase operation at a time. The memory controller includes channel schedulers to schedule control and data transfers associated with the read, write, and erase operations on the memory channels; and high priority and low priority queues coupled to the channel schedulers. The channel schedulers prioritize operations waiting in the high priority queues over operations waiting in the low priority queues. The channel schedulers further prioritize read operations waiting in either the high priority queue or the low priority queue over write and erase operations waiting in each respective queue. |
| US08341297B2 |
Latencies and weightings in a domain name service (DNS) system
A method for determining metrics of a content delivery and global traffic management network provides service metric probes that determine the service availability and metric measurements of types of services provided by a content delivery machine. Latency probes are also provided for determining the latency of various servers within a network. The latency probe calculates, for example, the latency from its location to a client's location using the round trip time for sending a packet to the client to obtain the latency value for that client. DNS servers use the latency test results, along with traffic weightings, to determine a server to return for a given DNS name. |
| US08341295B1 |
Server failover using IPV6 mobility features
Techniques are provided for using the mobility support features of IPv6 to allow client and server nodes to communicate without the continuing intervention of a load-balancing node that selected the server node. A load-balancing node intercepts a TCP SYN packet addressed to a virtual IP address. The load-balancing node selects a server node from among multiple server nodes, and sends the packet toward the server node. The server node sends an IPv6 packet toward the client node. The packet contains a Binding Update option that specifies the virtual IP address as a Home Address. This information causes the client node to replace destination addresses in outgoing IP packets so that packets that the client node would have sent toward the virtual IP address are sent toward the selected server node's IP address instead. Consequently, the IP packets are routed toward the selected server node instead of the load-balancing node. |
| US08341291B2 |
Network communications of application running on device utilizing virtual network connection and routing protocol based on application connection criteria
A method of providing network communications using virtualization includes steps of creating a virtual machine instance that runs on a device and that virtualizes network capabilities of the device such that a virtual network connection is provided, detecting a request for a network connection from an application running on the device, determining application-specific information associated with the application, using the application-specific information associated with the application, selecting a routing protocol from among a plurality of available routing protocols for communicating data from the application over a network using the virtual network connection, and, using the selected routing protocol, communicating data from the application over the network to a device using the virtual network connection of the virtual machine instance. |
| US08341290B2 |
Method and system for selecting a computing device for maintaining a client session in response to a request packet
A server farm for processing client requests comprising a first server having a first processor and a first network interface controller communicatively coupled to the first processor, and a second server comprising a second processor and communicatively coupled to the first server, wherein the first network interface controller is configured to maintain a state table associated with at least the first server and the second server and respond to receipt of a request packet from a client by, initiating by the first processor execution of a software application associated with the request packet when the state table corresponds to a first state, and selectively forwarding the request packet to the second server when the state table corresponds to a second state. |
| US08341288B2 |
Mechanism for sharing resources among different senders and receivers
A technique enables resources to be shared among data flows that may have different senders (sources) and/or different receivers (destinations) in a data network. Identifiers are associated with data flows and used to indicate whether resources may be shared between data flows. The identifiers are carried in signaling messages used to reserve resources for data flows. An existing data flow that is associated with an identifier that matches an identifier associated with a new data flow is allowed to share resources its resources with the new data flow. |
| US08341284B2 |
Method and system for selecting a delivery method for media on demand
Computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and systems are disclosed. A computer implemented method includes accessing a digital image including a plurality of faces including a first face and a second face. a computer-implemented method includes determining, from a receiving device, a connection speed between the receiving device and a host. The computer implemented method selects a method of delivery for specified media content based on the connection speed. The method of delivery is streaming when the connection speed satisfies a speed threshold. The method of delivery is downloading when the connection speed does not satisfy the speed threshold. The computer implemented method requests delivery of the specified media content from the host using the method of delivery. |
| US08341278B2 |
Secure content delivery system
A secure streaming content delivery system provides a plurality of content servers connected to a network that host customer content that can be cached and/or stored, e.g., images, video, text, and/or software. The content servers respond to requests for customer content from users. The invention load balances user requests for cached customer content to the appropriate content server. A user makes a request to a customer's server/authorization server for delivery of the customer's content. The authorization server checks if the user is authorized to view the requested content. If the user is authorized, then the authorization server generates a hash value using the authorization server's secret key, the current time, a time-to-live value, and any other information that the customer has configured, and embeds it into the URL which is passed to the user. A content server receives a URL request from the user for customer content cached on the content server. The request is verified by the content server creating its own hash value using the customer server's secret key, the current time, a time-to-live value, and any other related information configured for the customer. If the hash value from the URL matches the content server's generated hash value, then the user's request is valid and within the expiration time period and the content server delivers the requested content to the user. |
| US08341277B2 |
System and method for connecting closed, secure production network
A system and method for providing connectivity to a closed, secure production network, and computer program products for executing the same and, more particularly, to a system and method for creating a virtual network to provide communication with remote tools. The system includes a server configured to create a virtual network for tools in a production facility and provide authentication and tool routing information to a client in order to gain access to the tools in the virtual network. The virtual network isolates each tool of the tools from each other. |
| US08341276B1 |
Negotiating internet protocol addresses in a network
Methods are provided for negotiating a static IPv6 address with a mobile device such that the mobile device can use the address to establish a communications session. Initially, a static IPv6 address that the mobile device is proposing to use is received. It is determined that the static IPv6 address is stored in a database in association with the mobile device. As the static IPv6 address is stored, the mobile device is allowed to establish a communications session using the proposed IPv6 address. |
| US08341275B1 |
Access and control system for network-enabled devices
Systems and methods for remote access of network-enabled devices that provide seamless, firewall-compliant connectivity between multiple users and multiple devices, that allow collaborative operations by multiple users of remote devices, that allow point to multipoint control of multiple devices and which allow rapid, secure transmission of data between remote users and devices. In general terms, the system includes at least one connection server, and at least two computers operatively coupled to the connection server via a public or global network. In an example where at least one client computer is operatively connected to at least one network-enabled device through a connection server via the public or global network, the connection server is configured to route control instructions from the client to the network-enabled device, and route data from the network-enabled device to the client. |
| US08341272B2 |
Method for improving a TCP data transmission in case the physical transmission medium is disconnected
A method for the improvement of a TCP data transmission process in the case of an interruption of the physical transmission medium, wherein after the establishment of a TCP connection between a client (10) and a server (12) a data packet is transmitted from the server (12) to the client (10), wherein the receipt of the data packet from the server (12) is confirmed by the client (10) by the transmission of a confirmation message assigned to the received data packet, ACK message, wherein in the case of the transmission of the ACK message at the client (10) a timer (14) is started with a default time T1, and the same ACK message is repeatedly transmitted to the server (12), in case no further data packet has been received from the server (12) at the client (10) after expiration of the time T1. |
| US08341266B2 |
Method and system for load balancing over a set of communication channels
An approach for load balancing is disclosed. A user load is determined based upon data queued for transmission at each of the terminals. In addition, an inroute load corresponding to loading of inroutes serving the terminals is determined. A user-to-inroute distribution that minimizes variation of the inroute load is generated. The user-to-inroute distribution maps the user load to the inroutes. The user load is reassigned to the inroutes based on the determined user-to-inroute distribution. This arrangement has particular applicability to a satellite network that provides data communication services. |
| US08341265B2 |
Hybrid server overload control scheme for maximizing server throughput
Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for controlling server resources. An occupancy value of a buffer and a first utilization value of a first processor are measured. The buffer is configured to store one or more requests for service from at least a first client. The first processor is configured to receive and process the one or more requests from the buffer. A buffer size value is determined based on a processor throughput calculation, and a first service request limit for the first client is determined based on the occupancy value, the first utilization value, and the buffer size value. |
| US08341260B2 |
Method and system for identification of decisive action state of server components via telemetric condition tracking
A method for performing server monitoring via condition tracking and state identification of server components. In one embodiment, the method includes continuously monitoring a server, the server having a plurality of components, determining whether a component of the plurality of components has entered a maintenance state, and triggering a maintenance action for the component if it has entered the maintenance state. |
| US08341253B2 |
Method for performing SUPL based location service
A method for performing an SUPL-based triggered location service, comprising: sending a pause message for a triggered session to a server, starting the triggered session for a triggered location service with the server; and sending a end message to the server if a condition added to the triggered session is satisfied during pause of the triggered session. |
| US08341251B2 |
Enabling storage area network component migration
Enabling storage area network (SAN) component migration are provided. An end-to-end systems management console, referred to as the hardware migration assistant, is provided to simplify the migration steps for a SAN administrator to replace key SAN components. The hardware migration assistant provides a single interface suitable for stepping the SAN administrator through the reconfiguring task faster and with fewer sources of error than the known distributed manual process. The hardware migration assistant of the illustrative embodiments provides an interface through which a user may specify a type of SAN component that is being replaced and identifies the particular SAN components that are being replaced. The hardware migration assistant provides a knowledge base for guiding the user through the replacement operation and the reconfiguring of the SAN components, including the new SAN components, based on the previous configuration of the replaced components. |
| US08341245B1 |
Content-facilitated speculative preparation and rendering
Methods and systems for reducing web page load time include obtaining speculative information associated with a uniform resource locator (URL). The method and system also include determining whether to prefetch content of the URL based on the speculative information. The method and system further include providing an instruction to prefetch the URL content when a determination to prefetch results. |
| US08341244B2 |
Data distribution communication apparatus and data distribution system
An object of the present invention is to provide a communication apparatus and a data distribution system which are fast in the response speed of data distribution and require less space and less electric power. The present invention provides a communication apparatus which is provided with a broadband transmission module for reproduction by which a constant amount of data is transmitted from an initial data transmission server in a broad band immediately after a client instructs to distribute the data and then, subsequent data is transmitted from a subsequent data transmission server in a normal band, a load balancing module (a module for dispersing a distribution request from a client among plural servers accumulating the same file) and a file dispersion access module (a module for sorting a distribution request from a client into a server storing the file corresponding to the distribution request), and which includes a server arraying module for directly arraying plural servers without using a disk array to integrate resources of the servers into one. Further, the present invention provides a VOD distribution system including the communication apparatus and the plural servers. |
| US08341242B2 |
System and method for managing entitlements to data over a network
A system and method for determining entitlement to content residing on a server. A subscriber computing device operated by a subscriber generates a request for access to a requested content residing on a content access provider server. The subscriber has an account with a multi-channel video program distributor (MVPD) and the account comprises subscription information indicative of the services provided by the MVPD to the subscriber. The content request is received by the content access provider and forwarded to an entitlements server. The entitlement determines whether the subscriber is entitled to receive the requested content based on the subscription information and sends an access granted message to the content access provider server when the subscriber is entitled to receive the requested content. |
| US08341239B2 |
Method and system for providing runtime vulnerability defense for cross domain interactions
A runtime vulnerability defense method, system, and computer readable article of manufacture tangibly embodying computer readable instructions for executing the method for cross domain interactions for a Web application. The method includes: creating a first and second iFrame object by the Web application which belong to a lower domain; creating an object O by the first iFrame object; sharing the created object O by the second iFrame object; promoting the domain of the second iFrame object to an upper domain; creating in the shared object O a source accessing function for submitting to a third party server a request to access the content of the third party server; and creating in the shared object O a sanitization function for sanitizing the response received from the server. |
| US08341237B2 |
Systems, methods and computer program products for automatically triggering operations on a queue pair
Systems, methods and computer program products for automatically triggering operations on a queue pair (QP). Methods include receiving a command at a remote direct memory access (RDMA) capable adapter. A trigger event element associated with the command is determined. The trigger event element is posted on a triggered QP. A triggeror element on a triggeror QP is posted, where the triggeror QP includes a reference to the triggered QP. A notification that the triggeror element has completed is received. The trigger event element is automatically initiated in response to receiving the notification. |
| US08341233B2 |
Persisting a group in an instant messaging application
Various technologies pertaining to instant messaging are described herein. A persistent instant messaging group is created, wherein the persistent instant messaging group comprises a plurality of members and persists over a plurality of instant messaging sessions. Instances of an instant messaging application are installed on mobile telephones, and the instant messaging application is used to transmit instant messages between members of the persistent instant messaging group. Messages directed towards offline members of the persistent instant messaging group are transmitted to such members when they come online. |
| US08341232B2 |
Relationship identification based on email traffic
A method comprises identifying one or more relationships between a target individual and one or more persons based at least in part on a plurality of emails. The plurality of emails comprise one or more outbound emails, which may comprise emails sent to the target individual from the one or more persons. The plurality of emails further comprise one or more inbound emails, which may comprise emails sent from the target individual to the one or more persons. The method further comprises, for each of the one or more relationships, calculating an amount of outbound emails and an amount of inbound emails. The method further comprises assigning a classification to each of the one or more relationships based at least in part on the amount of outbound emails and the amount of inbound emails. The method further comprises sorting the one or more relationships based at least in part on the classification assigned to each of the one or more relationships. The method may further comprise storing information regarding the sorted relationships. |
| US08341218B2 |
Technique for enabling a plurality of software components to communicate in a software component matrix environment
A technique for enabling a plurality of software components to communicate in a software component matrix environment is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized by a method for enabling a plurality of software components to communicate in a software component matrix environment comprising the steps of encoding a request at a client side; communicating the request to a server at a server side via a communication interface; comparing the request to a plurality of operations supported at the server side; determining whether a function match exists at the server side; and returning a response comprising the function match to the client side in response to the request via the communication interface wherein the response is mapped to a data model of a client. |
| US08341214B2 |
System and method for communicating with a network of printers using a mobile device
A mobile client coupled to a network and a method for the mobile client to interact with nodes, including printer devices, which are coupled to the network, are provided. One or more respective nodes includes a software application executable by a host processor associated with the respective node on a software platform executed by the host processor. The application can interact with one of the printer devices to cause the printer device to perform a function. The mobile client includes an software platform executable by its processor for discovering the applications. The discovering of an application includes ascertaining that the application is available for execution and having the ability to activate the application. |
| US08341213B2 |
Method for improving boot time of a client having a virtualized operating environment
Techniques for improving boot time of a client having a virtualized operating environment are described herein. According to one embodiment, a controller identifies a virtual machine (VM) associated with a client in response to a message received by the controller from a client over a network indicating that the client is starting up. The controller automatically launches the associated VM at a remote node. The associated VM is being started up at the remote node while the client is being started up at the client concurrently, such that a starting time for the client and the associated VM as a whole is reduced. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. |
| US08341209B2 |
System and method for processing information via networked computers including request handlers, process handlers, and task handlers
Systems and methods for processing information via networked computers leverage request handlers, process handlers, and task handlers to provide efficient distributed processing of processing jobs, the processing jobs comprising a process flow, each process flow including (1) a plurality of processing tasks to be performed by task handlers and (2) state information associated with the processing tasks. |
| US08341208B2 |
Methods and systems for providing, by a remote machine, access to functionality associated with a resource executing on a local machine
A method for providing, by a remote machine, access to functionality associated with a resource executing on a local machine includes receiving, by a remote agent executing on a remote machine, an identification of a shell extension associated with a resource provided by a local machine. The remote agent installs a proxy handler associated with the identified shell extension. The proxy handler receives a request for access to the shell extension and redirects the request to a shell extension invoker executing on the local machine. |
| US08341207B2 |
Apparatus and method for matching users for online sessions
An apparatus, method, and machine-readable medium are described for establishing peer-to-peer (“P2P”) communication channels. In particular, in one embodiment, a matchmaker service performs a series of operations to service match requests received from a group of mobile devices. In one embodiment, the matchmaker service groups the match requests into matchable sets based on the application for which the requests are received and one or more variables associated with the application. Match requests within each match set can then be matched based on variables such as the NAT type, connection type and language associated with each of the mobile devices. Other variables such as geographical location, experience level, and age of the match requests may also be used to render match decisions. |
| US08341205B2 |
Fast singular value decomposition for expediting computer analysis system and application thereof
The present invention uses a computer analysis system of a fast singular value decomposition to overcome the bottleneck of a traditional singular value decomposition that takes much computing time for decomposing a huge number of objects, and the invention can also process a matrix in any form without being limited to symmetric matrixes only. The decomposition and subgroup concept of the fast singular value decomposition works together with the decomposition of a variance matrix and the adjustment of an average vector of a column vector are used for optimizing the singular value decomposition to improve the overall computing speed of the computer analysis system. |
| US08341200B2 |
Protecting a web application against attacks through shared files
A method of downloading a file from a Web application to a client computer equipped with a Web browser including: the Web browser sending an original request to download the file to a first front server, the original request being addressed to a URL comprising a hostname portion that is independent of the file, the first front server sending a redirection response to the original request, the response specifying a URL comprising a hostname portion that is dependent on the file, the Web browser sending a follow-up request to download the file to a second front server, the follow-up request being addressed to the URL specified in the redirection response, and the second front server downloading the requested file in response to the follow-up request. |
| US08341199B2 |
Storage system, a method of file data back up and a method of copying of file data
A storage system manages the total capacity of a shared storage medium to store block-basis data and file-basis data. When block data and its address are input through a fiber channel port, an input/output unit converts its data format to a data format that is internally applied by the storage system. When file data and its address are input, a file system converts its data format to a block data format internally applied by the storage system. The file system derives a file logical volume address from the received file address and translates file data to block data. A managing unit derives the address of a block logical volume from the block address delivered from the input/output unit. The managing unit translates block logical volume address or the file logical volume address to a physical address, and writes data to or reads data from the shared storage medium. |
| US08341197B2 |
Encoder, decoder, their methods, programs thereof, and recording media having programs recorded thereon
In encoding for putting one or more files and/or one or more files in a folder into a single archive file, original hierarchy information and standard hierarchy information generated by converting characters in a special character coding in each file name to characters in a standard character coding are recorded in the archive file. If the character coding used in the original hierarchy information in the archive file cannot be used in the system environment used in decoding, a file name in the standard character coding is generated from the standard hierarchy information and is converted to a character coding that can be used in the system environment. |
| US08341196B2 |
Method and apparatus for creating a contextual model based on offline user context data
An approach is provided for providing a contextual model based upon user context data. A context modeling platform collects context data on offline activities of a user. The context modeling platform maps the collected user context data as context data points into a multidimensional contextual model. The context modeling platform causes, at least in part, actions that result in reception of at least one multidimensional contextual model of another user. The context modeling platform compares the multidimensional contextual model of the user with the multidimensional contextual model of the another user. |
| US08341191B2 |
Methods and structures for utilizing reusable custom-defined nestable compound data types to permit product variations within an existing taxonomy
Methods and structures for utilizing reusable custom-defined nestable compound data types to permit product variations within an existing taxonomy are described. Multi-attribute Tuples representing individual product variations provide an efficient way to represent an irregular subset of all attribute permutations. Tuples, using the system, methods and structures of one or more embodiments of the invention, provide an elegant solution to efficiently represent the many variations. |
| US08341186B2 |
Smart energy network configuration using link key database
Various embodiments include a method and system for configuring a smart energy network using a link key database. An energy services interface, on the smart energy network, extracts a unique identifier associated with a smart energy device from a communication with the smart energy device. The energy services interface may then use the unique identifier to receive information associated with the smart energy device from the link key database. |
| US08341185B2 |
Method and apparatus for context-indexed network resources
Techniques to provide context-indexed network resources include determining a network resource that is associated with first data in response to receiving first data that describes a context feature. A context token is determined, which indicates a probability, in the first data, of a topic from a context vocabulary. The context vocabulary includes concepts describing temporal, spatial, environmental or activity circumstances of consumers. Second data is stored, which indicates the network resource in association with the context token. In some embodiments, determining a network resource associated with the first data includes sending a topic based on the feature context token to a network resource search engine; and, the network resource is determined based on data returned from the network resource search engine. |
| US08341184B2 |
Communications network system and service provider
In order to help system users organize the user data and communications, a service provider system organizes the user data according to a specific system data architecture using W4 technology to facilitate organization of user communications, content, and data. The system provides a data structure that organizes data using the human metaphor and provides a user interface to access and manipulate the data using a human metaphor. As a result, users may intuitively interact with, manipulate, and create data without having to learn specific rules and steps based on of file-size, format, and directory structures, among others. In addition, the service provider system provides a single, intuitive to manipulate interface to manage all user communications. |
| US08341182B2 |
Systems and methods of media management, such as management of media to and from a media storage library
A system and method for determining media to be exported out of a media library is described. In some examples, the system determines a media component to be exported, determines the media component is in the media library for a specific process, and exports the media component after the process is completed. |
| US08341180B1 |
Risk analysis for data-intensive stochastic models
A risk analysis system and method are provided. The system includes an analyzer for analyzing database instances by executing a query on each database instance and selecting a cutoff value. The analyzer also discards the sets of uncertainty data that yield query-result values below the cutoff value and retains the database instances that yield query-result values above the cutoff value as elite sets. The system also includes a cloner to replicate the elite sets, and a sampler to modify the elite sets so that each elite set is mutually statistically independent while still yielding query-result values above the cutoff value. |
| US08341174B2 |
Method and arrangement for providing context information
A method and apparatus for obtaining context information from a context server maintaining a context for an object of interest in a telecommunication network. The context server receives raw context data from sensors associated with the object of interest. A request is received from a requesting party for refined context information with reference to the object of interest. Individual context data is collected for at least one individual entity of the requesting party. A customized rule is created on the basis of the received individual context data. The rule defines conditions in an adapted request for refined context information regarding the object of interest, which is sent, including the customized rule, to the context server of the object of interest. Context data refined according to the customized rule is then received from the context server. |
| US08341172B2 |
Method and system for providing aggregate data access
A method and apparatus for defining and processing aggregate data is disclosed. Using database abstraction techniques, a set of logical fields may be used to compose queries of a set of underlying physical data sources. In one embodiment, a logical field may represent an aggregate data value calculated from the elements appearing in a column of a relational table in an underlying physical data source. The elements may be divided into to subsets to calculate multiple aggregate values. An abstract derived entity is a data object present in a database abstraction model that may be accessed as though it were a relational table contained in an underlying physical data source. In one embodiment, columns of the table defined by the abstract derived entity may be populated with aggregate data values joined to other data as specified by a composition rule included in the definition of the abstract derived entity. |
| US08341170B2 |
Apparatus and method for visualizing technology change
A technology transition visualization apparatus includes: bibliographic database integrating heterogeneous resources; technology information database storing information in technology lifecycle; interface module receiving technology from user; feature set creation module calculating feature values by searching bibliographic database and creating feature set for each technology; answer feature set creation module calculating common feature value of feature sets of technologies belonging to the same stage in technology lifecycle and creating answer feature set of each stage; stage determination module acquiring feature-related information, creating representative feature set and year-specific feature set of technology, determining representative stage or year-specific stage by comparing the representative feature set or year-specific feature set with the answer feature set, and estimating development speed of the technology; visualization module visualizing the technology lifecycle; and year-specific stage acquisition module acquiring current stage, year-specific stage and estimated next stage of the technology and visualizing the stages. |
| US08341167B1 |
Context based interactive search
A method for searching within a product context. The method includes receiving a first search phrase for a search within the product context, and evaluating the first search phrase based on the product context. Evaluating the first search phrase includes obtaining a plurality of keywords from the first search phrase, and identifying a facet using the plurality of keywords. The facet is contextually related to a keyword of the plurality of keywords, and the facet and the plurality of keywords are used to obtain a plurality of search terms. The evaluating the search phrase further includes applying a backward filter to revise the plurality of search terms into a second search phrase. The method further includes displaying the second search phrase. |
| US08341164B1 |
Apparatus and methods for organizing data items having time of life intervals
A data structure for storing items of information having a time of life includes a time of life interval for each item of information. The items of information are organized in a data structure having nodes and edges connecting the nodes. This data structure is preferably a directed acyclic graph structure. The data structure includes parent nodes and child nodes. The time interval specified for any child node must always be contained within the time interval specified for that child node's parent node, such that the data structure includes no child nodes with a time of life interval that falls outside of the time of life interval of its parent node. |
| US08341163B2 |
Techniques for filter sharing
Techniques for filter sharing are described. An apparatus may comprise a shared filter manager component for an application program. The shared filter manager component may be operative to manage shared filtering operations for the application program. The shared filter manager component may comprise a shared filter interface module operative to receive a selection for a shared filter component to filter multiple source data objects, and assign the shared filter component to the multiple source data objects. The shared filter manager component may further comprise a shared filter control module communicatively coupled to the shared filter interface module. The shared filter control module may be operative to filter data from the multiple source data objects using the shared filter component. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08341161B2 |
Index database creating apparatus and index database retrieving apparatus
An index database creating apparatus includes a feature extracting unit for extracting features from a content; an index creating unit for creating feature indices of the extracted features; an index selector for selecting one or more of the feature indices based on frequency-based importance levels thereof; and a feature index database for storing therein the selected feature indices along with locations thereof in the content. The index selector obtains the frequency-based importance levels based on frequency distributions of the feature indices in the content and in other contents to be stored in the feature index database. |
| US08341156B1 |
System and method for identifying erroneous business listings
A system and method is provided that detect a business listing having erroneous geospatial data. In one aspect, it is determined whether a first location and a second location are at least partially situated within a cell, the cell representing a geographic region having a predetermined area. If the first location and the second location are at least partially situated within the cell, it is determined whether a geospatial coordinate of the first location is within a predetermined radius of the second location. If it is determined that the geospatial coordinate of the first location is within a predetermined radius of the second location, the first location is flagged for inspection. |
| US08341154B2 |
Extending types hosted in database to other platforms
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to extending types hosted in a database to other platforms. In aspects, a database may store objects according to a one type system while an application accessing the database may store objects according to another type system. To allow the application to understand the types, a mapping mechanism may be employed that maps from the types of type system of the database to types of a type system of the application. The mapping mechanism may utilize metadata associated with the data in mapping between types. In conjunction with mapping a source type to a target type, a target object may be instantiated and populated with properties of a source object of the source type. |
| US08341150B1 |
Filtering search results using annotations
A search engine system accepts queries that include query terms and labels applicable to certain documents. A domain filter is constructed that is used to filter search results to certain domains, where the domains are determined based on the labels included in the query. The filtered search results are processed to ensure that certain portions of the results are from domains included in the filter. The results are further processed to include the query labels with certain ones of the results. |
| US08341143B1 |
Multi-category searching
Methods and apparatus for rendering search results are described. In one aspect of the invention, a search request is received from a computerized client. A search is performed based on the search request in at least two different categories of information to obtain search results in the searched categories. Selected search results are returned to the client to facilitate rendering the search results at the client. Search results from different search categories are returned in a manner configured to be presented in different panes of a graphical user interface rendered on the client. In another aspect, what searches to perform can be determined based at least in part upon search results display settings associated with the client, such that searches are performed only in categories of information that are associated with a pane that is in an open state on the client. |
| US08341142B2 |
Methods and apparatus for searching the Internet
Some embodiments relate to performing a search for content via the Internet, wherein user input specifying a search query is supplied to a mobile communications device, such as, for example, a smartphone. The mobile communications device separately issues the search query to a plurality of search engines and can receive the results from each search engine and display the results to the user. Thus, the user does not have to separately issue the query to each of the plurality of search engines. |
| US08341141B2 |
Method and system for automated document registration
A method and system for automated document registration. The method and system provide an automatic document registration system that creates a secure transformed electronic document with an unalterable time and date stamp. Multiple third-parties are provided an ability to view a given original document in secure transformed electronic document format and each original individual document is provided with a unique set of approved third-party viewer/receivers/auditors via a virtual matrixed file system. |
| US08341140B2 |
Configuration management system and configuration management method for storage system
A configuration management system for a storage system including a host computer, a storage device providing a storage area for data processed by the host computer, and a communication network connecting the host computer and the storage device communicatively is disclosed. The configuration management system comprises a system condition table storing a system condition, a storage configuration table storing storage configuration information, a performance table storing a performance condition indicating a storage performance. searching the system condition table is searched using the required system condition and the performance table is searched using the required performance condition. If the storage system satisfying the required conditions fails to be extracted, content of the required system condition is changed and searching of the system condition table and the performance table is carried out. |
| US08341137B2 |
Search engine for video and graphics
A method of selecting graphic or video files having corresponding locators used to locate such graphic or video files using a computer. Identifiers are created by searching an area within a web page near a graphic or video file for searchable identification terms and searching an area within a web page near links to a graphic or video for searchable identification terms. The identifiers are stored in a database. User requests for graphic or video file content are received and the database of identifiers is searched to find graphic and video files corresponding criteria of the user. Graphic or video file content is then provided to the user. |
| US08341133B2 |
Compressed transactional locks in object headers
A software transactional memory system is provided that generates and stores compressed transactional locks in a portion of object headers. The software transactional memory system allocates preferred write log memory with a predefined size of memory that corresponds to a number of bits in the compressed transactional locks. The compressed transactional locks identify write log entries in corresponding write logs in the preferred write log memory. If the preferred write log memory becomes full, additional write log memory is allocated for write log entries and subsequent transactional locks are stored uncompressed in an auxiliary memory. A pointer that may be used to locate the uncompressed transactional lock is stored in the header. If an object header with a compressed transactional lock is needed for another use, the compressed transactional lock is uncompressed and stored in the auxiliary memory. A pointer that may be used to locate the uncompressed transactional lock is stored in the header. |
| US08341129B2 |
Methods of coding and decoding a structured document, and the corresponding devices
A structured document is coded as a bit stream. The structured document can be described in Extensible Markup Language (XML). The structured document can be decoded to access a subpart of the document. Hierarchized events included in the structured document are coded as corresponding events using at least one encoding table, which is updated during the coding. Hierarchized events involved in an update of the at least one encoding table are determined. Marking information is associated with the coded events corresponding to the hierarchized events determined to be involved in the update of the at least one encoding table. |
| US08341124B2 |
Sales support system, sales support method and sales support program
A sales support system, a sales support method and a sales support program are disclosed. The sales support system which includes a content database, a viewing history database, an authentication unit, an application updating unit, a storage medium storing content specifying unit, a recording position information extraction unit, a corresponding content existence determination unit, a recording position data transmission unit and a recorded content relevant data transmission unit. |
| US08341122B2 |
Restore of full system backup and incremental backups using multiple simultaneous device streams
A technique for restoring file systems by applying full and incremental backups together while streaming them from multiple devices provides a faster system restore from a full backup where incremental backups must also be applied. A first storage device streams the full backup while at least one second storage device streams at least one incremental backup. As files are detected in the incremental backup, they are written instead of the corresponding file in the full backup. Incremental backups can be pre-merged to reduce their number to one less than a number of storage devices available to stream the backups, so that the full backup can be streamed along with the pre-merged incremental backup(s) to restore the file system. |
| US08341120B2 |
Apparatus and methods for transferring database objects into and out of database systems
Techniques for transferring objects between database systems. A transfer is controlled by a master table in the RDBMS that is performing the transfer operation. The master table specifies the kind of transfer operation to be performed, a set of objects to be transferred, operations to be performed on the objects as they are being transferred, and filters for selecting a subset of the objects. During execution of the transfer, the transfer mechanism maintains and updates state in the master table and thereby makes it possible for the entity that is doing the transfer to determine the current status of the transfer and to restart the transfer after it has been stopped. The entity that is performing the transfer may also detach from the transfer without stopping the transfer and later again attach to the transfer. |
| US08341118B2 |
Method and system for dynamically replicating data within a distributed storage system
A server computer at a first storage sub-system of a distributed storage system receives from a client a first client request for an object. If the object is not present in the first storage sub-system, the server computer identifies a second storage sub-system of the distributed storage system as having a replica of the requested object, the requested object including content and metadata. The server computer submits an object replication request for the requested object to the second storage sub-system and independently receives the content and metadata of the requested object from the second storage sub-system. The server computer generates a new replica of the object at the first storage sub-system using the received metadata and content and returns the metadata of the new replica of the object to the client. |
| US08341116B2 |
Systems and methods for updating an LDAP
A system updates a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) database based on changes made to a second database. The system determines differences between Internet Protocol (IP) communication service records stored in the second database and IP communication service records stored in the LDAP database and creates a transaction file based on the differences. The system updates the LDAP database using the transaction file. |
| US08341114B2 |
System for updating information stored on a remote device
In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for storing data is provided. The system includes a processor that receives an application request to update a file on a server storage device, and generates, based on the request, a command to update the file on a server storage device. The system also includes a communications module that provides, to the server storage device, the command to update the file on the server storage device. The request is formatted for a file storage protocol of a client storage device, and the command is formatted for a file storage protocol of the server storage device. The command to update the file on the server storage device is not specific to the application generating the application request. Methods and computer-readable mediums are also provided. |
| US08341112B2 |
Annotation by search
Annotation by search is described. In one aspect, a data store is searched for images that are semantically related to a baseline annotation of a given image and visually similar to the given image. The given image is then annotated with common concepts of annotations associated with at least a subset of the semantically and visually related images. |
| US08341111B2 |
Graph pattern recognition interface
In some example embodiments, a system and method are illustrated as including receive pattern data that includes transaction data relating to transactions between persons. Next, the system and method may include building at least one secondary network based upon the pattern data. Additionally, the system and method may include displaying the at least one secondary network. |
| US08341105B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for applying a rule to associated events
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for applying a rule to associated events. In use, a plurality of events is associated based on at least one identifier. Additionally, at least one rule is applied to the associated events. Further, a reaction is performed based on the application of the at least one rule. |
| US08341102B2 |
User state presumption system, user state presumption method, and recording media storing user state presumption program
A user state presumption system and method determines whether a user has exhibited a specific intended behavior that is an aim of service(s) provided by analyzing data of a series of accesses of the user made relative to the service(s). An intended behavior probability calculator is provided which calculates, every predetermined period, a proportion of users who have exhibited the intended behavior among the plurality of users and records the obtained proportion calculated to implement the user state presumption system and method. |
| US08341100B2 |
Epithelial layer detector and related methods
An epithelial detector and method for automatically identifying epithelial portions of a tissue sample, includes: staining the tissue sample with at least two dyes; applying a color transformation to a color image of the tissue sample to obtain one or more color channels; and applying a trained convolutional neural network to the color channels to obtain a decision for position in the tissue as to whether it is inside or outside an epithelial layer. Also, a method for training the convolutional neural network. |
| US08341098B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method, and program thereof
There is provided an information processing apparatus including: evaluation information extracting means extracting evaluation information from evaluation of every user for an item; preference information creating means for creating preference information indicating a preference of every user on the basis of the evaluation information extracted by the evaluation information extracting means and an item characteristic amount indicating a characteristic of the item; space creating means for creating a space in which the user is located, according to the preference information; and display control means for controlling display of the user located in the space, according to the space created by the space creating means and the preference information. The apparatus may be applied to, for example, an image display apparatus which displays server images for providing a variety of items and information. |
| US08341096B2 |
System, method and computer program product for incremental learning of system log formats
A computer program is disclosed including but not limited to instructions to input an initial description of a data format and a batch of data comprising data in a new data format not covered by the initial description, instructions to use the first description to parse the records in the data source, instructions to discard records in the input data that parse successfully, instructions to collect records that fail to parse, instructions to accumulate a quantity, M of records that fail to parse, instructions to return a modified description that extends the initial description to cover the new data, instructions to transform the first description, D into a second description D′ to accommodate differences between the input data format and the first description D by introducing options where a piece of data was missing in the input data and introducing unions where a new type of data was found in the input data; and instructions to use a non-incremental format inference system such as LEARNPADS to infer descriptions for the aggregated portions of input data that did not parse using the first description D. |
| US08341093B2 |
Method of performing non-secure franking with stamps from books
A method of performing non-secure franking by means of a communications terminal comprising means for communicating with a franking service provider's server, a non-secure memory for recording identification numbers and associated postage amounts received in the franking service provider's server. The communications terminal can further comprise print command means for instructing a standard printer to print one of the identification numbers corresponding to the desired postage amount and extracted from the non-secure memory on a mail item to be sent. |
| US08341092B2 |
Packaging system and method with freight rate analysis
A packaging method includes the step of comparing a total package weight to a freight rate schedule and thereby determining a normal freight rate. The total package weight includes the weight of a container (22), an article (24) to be shipped and a normal amount of dunnage. If predetermined criteria are met, the method also includes the step of reducing the amount of dunnage dispensed below that of the normal amount of dunnage such that the total package weight falls within a freight rate that is less than the normal freight rate. The predetermined criteria include one or more of a predetermined percentage above a change in freight rate, a predetermined weight above a threshold weight for an increase in freight weight, and dunnage requirements including void-volume, degree of fill for the void-volume, type of article, weight of article and type of dunnage. |
| US08341086B2 |
End-to-end secure payment processes
Systems and method for performing secure electronic payment transactions to allow merchants to perform payment processing such that the merchant payment system is not required to store data specific to a particular payment device. |
| US08341085B2 |
Methods and apparatus for playback of an electronic file
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for facilitating online storage of files (e.g., audio tracks, video, etc.) for playback/access or sale/exchange by the owners of the files without violating copyrights that copyright holders have in the files. For example, by providing a playback service that does not store additional versions of an audio file when the file is transmitted to, and immediately played on, a user device without buffering, the present invention avoids violating copyright laws by not making copies of the file. Numerous other aspects are disclosed. |
| US08341084B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for topping up prepaid payment cards for offline use
A card holder carries out an initial top-up of a balance of a pre-paid payment card. The prepaid payment card is configured for use in an infrastructure in accordance with a payment specification requiring different behavior for normal transactions in the infrastructure versus that required for topping-up of the balance. Contemporaneously with the initial top-up, the card holder registers risk mitigation information in association with the pre-paid payment card. Subsequent to the initial top-up, an indicator is written to the pre-paid payment card during a transaction with the pre-paid payment card outside the infrastructure. The indicator identifies the pre-paid payment card as having the risk mitigation information associated therewith. During subsequent presentation of the pre-paid payment card to the infrastructure, the pre-paid payment card is treated as a token backed up by the risk mitigation information, based on presence of the indicator on the pre-paid payment card. |
| US08341080B2 |
Offsite financial account onboarding
Offsite financial account onboarding is provided which creates a more streamlined process for a customer. The customer accesses a money services business business electronic system to request financial account setup. The onboarding system establishes account access to a pooled custodial account managed by the money services business business based on preliminary identification (ID) data from the customer. With only preliminary ID data, account access limits are assigned which reduces the risk of fraud or criminal activity with the customer's account access. Because account access is established with just the preliminary ID data, the customer may fully obtain account access directly from a mobile device. The money services business business provides additional graduated access levels depending on additional ID data provided by the customer. Thus, depending on the type of ID data provided by the customer, the customer's account access will have corresponding access level rights to the custodial account. |
| US08341077B1 |
Prediction of future funds positions
A method for predicting client funds positions includes predicting an expected future change in funds for a selected party, and creating a funds estimate for the selected party at a specified time. The predicted future change in funds is based on a transaction history of the selected party, and the calculation is based on the expected future change in funds. The change in funds can be a deposit or withdrawal. Such deposits or withdrawals can be in the form of monetary packages, which enables incorporation of monetary package tracking features into the method. |
| US08341076B1 |
Automatic overdraft attached to prepaid debit card accounts
A system for managing financial accounts includes one or more account holders. An account holder data structure is associated with one or more financial accounts. The financial accounts are defined to flexibly respond to the needs of the account holders. A balance is also associated with each of the one or more financial accounts, and an overdraft balance is associated with at least one of the one or more financial accounts. The balances, including the overdraft balance, are accessed through the accounts by one or more access methods, such as prepaid debit card or stored value financial cards. When a transaction initiated with an access method attempts to access an amount in a balance which exceeds the available amount of the balance, the access method accesses an amount in the overdraft balance through the overdraft account to complete the transaction. |
| US08341073B1 |
Customized consumer loan product search system and method
A method and system for searching from a plurality of available, relevant loan products with associated pricing, wherein the searching is based on input consumer criteria, includes creating and updating a centralized and searchable database of lenders' underwriting and pricing guidelines that can be utilized by a consumer and matching and optimization of loan products or pricing for a consumer wherein the consumer's qualifications and needs are matched to the best available loan products with associated rate pricing. |
| US08341072B2 |
MLP financing system
The MLP Financing System extends the properties of shares in a publicly traded entity that does not generate UBITs to create a new asset class that permits the underlying assets to be specifically structured for financing. MLP Financing System requires a minimum of three markets entering into transactions involving a company, a publicly traded entity, and a third entity in the financial industry. Each market establishes an asset value, price, yield, and risk. Asset price differentials between markets identify arbitrage opportunities. The market asset value, price, yield, risk, and financial constraints of entities operating in those markets provide the initial transaction specifications between company-MLP, financier-MLP, and company-financier. |
| US08341071B2 |
System and method for providing latency protection for trading orders
A system for managing trading orders comprises a memory operable to store an order associated with a first price. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to identify a latency value. The processor is further operable to receive a counterorder and to identify a potential trade associated with the order and the counterorder, the potential trade based at least in part on the first price. If the latency value satisfies a configurable condition, the processor is further operable to initiate a configurable period of time. If the potential trade is not valid upon expiration of the configurable period, the processor is further operable to prevent the execution of the potential trade. |
| US08341069B2 |
Method and system for creating and trading derivative investment instruments based on an index of collateralized options
Collateralized option index derivative investment instruments and methods for creating a collateralized option index are disclosed herein based on changes in a performance of collateralized option strategies. According to an aspect of the disclosure, a method for calculating a collateralized option index is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method for calculating a collateralized option index includes calculating a value of a portfolio invested in a collateralized short strategy according to the relation: Vt=Mt−NlastPt where Mt is a value of a LIBOR component of the portfolio at the close of date t, Nlast is a number of put options sold at a last roll date, and Pt is a price of the underlying option portfolio based on arithmetic averages of the last bid and ask prices of all options in the underlying option portfolio reported before a time on date t. |
| US08341065B2 |
Continuous betting interface to prediction market
A user participates in trading securities in a prediction market which represent different outcomes of an event, using an interface which allows the user to understand a trade in terms of a bet. The interface also allows the user to explore different bet amounts while receiving feedback on potential payoffs in real time. In one approach, a tool is used which is moved in one direction by the user to indicate a larger trade for an outcome, or in the opposite direction to indicate a larger trade against the outcome. A bet for an outcome can be translated into a purchase of a corresponding security which represents the outcome. A bet against a particular outcome can be translated into a purchase of securities which represents all other outcomes. The user interfaces hides complexities of the market from the user while surfacing relevant information. |
| US08341057B1 |
System and method of analyzing and monitoring a customer's financial condition
Systems and methods for a financial health meter system are provided. Additionally, computer-implemented methods for analyzing and monitoring a customer's financial condition are provided. These methods may include storing a financial profile associated with a customer, determining a peer group of financial profiles for the customer, comparing the financial profile associated with the customer to the peer group of financial profiles, developing one or more financial plans based the financial profile and comparison information, implementing a financial plan, and monitoring the financial plan. The financial profile includes at least financial information about the customer and financial goals of the customer. |
| US08341053B2 |
Credit-default swap trustee and collateral manager
Systems and methods are provided for a CDS trustee and collateral manager. In some embodiments, the systems and methods of the invention may provide a holistic approach to CDS transactions which facilitates such transactions, enables the management of such transactions, streamlines the resolution of these transactions, improves market information relating to these transactions, and provides other advantages. In some embodiments, a CDS trustee is provided that manages CDS documentation throughout the CDS transaction market and therefore can determine the positions and exposure of all market players. In some embodiments, the CDS trustee may also monitor for and process credit events of a reference entity to a CDS transaction. Furthermore the CDS trustee may facilitate payments to and from counterparties to CDS transactions, facilitate unwinding of CDS transactions, facilitate settlement of CDS transaction in the event of a credit default, and/or provide other features and functions. In some embodiments, a collateral manager is provided to enable the use of securities as collateral and other collateral management for CDS transactions. |
| US08341049B2 |
Method for controlling feature upgrades
A method for controlling feature upgrades on a plurality of payment system devices, onsite, in a distributed network, involves a web service at each of the plurality of payment system devices. An upgrade utility program communicates with the web service at each of the plurality of payment system devices, and presents a list of available payment system devices to the user. The list of available payment system devices identifies each device by location. A group of payment system devices is selected for receiving feature upgrades, and for each payment system device in the selected group, at least one feature upgrade is selected. A request file is created that contains information indicative of the payment system devices selected for receiving feature upgrades and indicative of the at least one feature upgrade for each selected payment system device. |
| US08341046B2 |
Payment entity device reconciliation for multiple payment methods
A method begins by storing payment request data, which, for a client, includes a payables profile and an accounts payable data file. The method continues by receiving payment remittance information subsequent to initiation of a payment in accordance with the payment request data. The method continues by storing the payment remittance information. The method continues by consolidating the payment remittance information and the payment request data to produce consolidated payment data. The method continues by generating at least one report based on the consolidated payment data. |
| US08341044B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for rating and re-rating events
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for re-rating events, in use, a plurality of events associated with at least one customer is rated. Additionally, at least one of the events associated with the customer(s) is re-rated, in parallel with the rating. |
| US08341043B2 |
Dynamic prepayment risk management
A system and method are disclosed for monitoring, managing and reporting credit card prepayment risk for an issuing bank. Sales data, corresponding payment data and data indicating the fulfillment of orders are monitored. The amount required as security by the bank is dynamically adjusted, for example on a daily basis, in response to the quantum of prepayment exposure determined by the data. |
| US08341042B2 |
On-demand and configurable earned value measurements reporting
A method and system for uniformly displaying and reporting uniform project completion information, such as uniform earned value measurements (EV), of a large-scale project having a number of individual subprojects. A set of EV Calculation Rules are defined and used as a guide in creating the uniform EVs. The uniform EVs are calculated, then reported. The EV Calculation Rules used to calculate the uniform EVs include an identification of components of the databases required, the locations of these components and the mathematical formulae used to combine these components. On-demand, scheduled and/or event agents implement the rules to create the EV reports. |
| US08341040B1 |
System and method for stow management of similar items
Various embodiments of a system and method for stow management of similar items are described. Various embodiments may include a control system and/or an electronic stow component configured to determine whether a bin is eligible to stow a unit of a particular item. For instance, an agent tasked with stowing items as inventory in a materials handling facility may use such electronic stow component and/or the control system to determine whether a bin is eligible to stow a unit of a particular item. For instance, the electronic stow component may identify a bin to evaluate, identify a unit of a particular item, and determine whether the bin is eligible to store the unit of the particular item according to various methods and techniques for preventing the stowage of like items in nearby bins. |
| US08341039B2 |
Mixed source media playback
Playlists having media items from more than one source are described. Media items in a first library are mapped to media items from an online media item store. Media items within the playlist that can be found in the first library will be played from the first library, while media items not within the first library will be played from the online media store. By identifying media items present in both libraries and playing them only from the first library, the described method can reduce the royalties needing to be paid by the online media store. Further methods are disclosed for setting limits on the number of media items that can be shared by a second library. |
| US08341038B1 |
Methods for viral marketing with visual communications
Methods for providing a payment account enabling an accountholder of the account to obtain discounts on purchases made at point of sale terminals of a plurality of different merchants and to pay for the purchases with the provided account. Methods further include providing an accountholder of the payment account an online user-account that enables the accountholder to access websites corresponding to the plurality of different merchants and to obtain a discount on each online purchase made at said websites by virtue of said access to a website at which said online purchase is made from said online user-account. The methods further include providing payment accounts to persons sponsored by the accountholder and to individuals sponsored by such sponsored persons and paying commissions to the accountholder based upon purchases made at point of sale terminals of the plurality of different merchants by persons or individuals within such a sponsored network. |
| US08341037B2 |
Mixed source media playback
Playlists having media items from more than one source are described. Media items in a first library are mapped to media items from an online media item store. Media items within the playlist that can be found in the first library will be played from the first library, while media items not within the first library will be played from the online media store. By identifying media items present in both libraries and playing them only from the first library, the described method can reduce the royalties needing to be paid by the online media store. Further methods are disclosed for setting limits on the number of media items that can be shared by a second library. |
| US08341028B2 |
Methods and systems for searching for goods
A method and apparatus for creating a computerized market for used and collectible goods by use of a plurality of low cost posting terminals and a market maker computer in a legal framework that establishes a bailee relationship and consignment contract with a purchaser of a good at the market maker computer that allows the purchaser to change the price of the good once the purchaser has purchased the good thereby to allow the purchaser to speculate on the price of collectibles in an electronic market for used goods while assuring the safe and trusted physical possession of a good with a vetted bailee. |
| US08341021B2 |
System, program product, and method for debit card and checking account autodraw
A consumer is prequalified for a line of credit attached to a checking account by a lending institution computer responsive to consumer underwriting data. The lending institution computer makes available draws to the line of credit line in an authorization stream for a proposed payment from the checking account. When the line of credit is accessed, the checking account is credited with an additional value equal to one or more preselected loan increments so that the account then has a new amount totaling a previous amount plus the amount of value of the one or more preselected loan increments and so that the new amount exceeds or equals the value of a proposed payment. Next, a new value for the line of credit balance available is determined, accounting for value credited to the checking account and a preselected loan advance fee for each loan increment credited to the account. |
| US08341013B2 |
System and method for analyzing agent interactions
A system and method for analyzing agent interactions is provided. An interaction between an agent and a business is provided to analysts. Performance scores for the interaction are received from each of the analysts and compared. A deviation between the performance score is determined. The deviation is compared to a threshold. Further interactions are provided to at least one of the analysts when the deviation falls below the threshold. A further performance score for the interaction is received from the analyst and provided to the agent associated with the interaction. |
| US08341006B2 |
System and method for product recommendation and automatic service equipment thereof and computer readable recording medium storing computer program performing the method
A system for product recommendation comprises several automatic service equipments which are mutually linked via a communication network. Each of the automatic service equipments obtains data of other user groups, data of other product groups and other, relation matrixes from other automatic service equipments. Each of the automatic service equipments integrates data of other user groups into data of local user groups stored in itself, and also integrates data of other product groups into data of local product groups stored in itself. Each of the automatic service equipments revises a local relation matrix stored in itself, such that the revised local relation matrix records correlation coefficients between the integrated local user groups and the integrated local product groups. Each of the automatic service equipments performs product recommendation according to the integrated data and input data received through an input device. |
| US08340995B2 |
Method and system of using artifacts to identify elements of a component business model
A method and system are described for using business artifacts to identify elements of a component business model. Artifacts operated upon by the business are first identified, and then used to analyze the business into business operations. This is done by identifying every business activity that acts on an artifact, creating directed graphs for the business activities, and decomposing the directed graphs into sub-graphs, each sub-graph representing a business operation and being annotated by a verb expression, the annotated sub-graph representing a business service. The business services are then clustered into non-overlapping components, using common affinities reflected in the verb expressions, and organized by partitioning into internal and external operations, exposing a business service for each external operation. The components are then clustered into non-overlapping business competencies, and arranged by accountability level. |
| US08340994B2 |
Process for creating media content based upon submissions received on an electronic multi-media exchange
In a process for creating media content, media submissions are requested and electronically received from end users and stored in a computer database. The submissions are searched for material to be included in the media content, and cross-checked against the other submissions for originality and timeliness. After the material is selected from one or more submissions, the content is developed and released to an audience for review. The end users whose submission material was included in the released content are rewarded. In one embodiment, third parties are permitted to access and search the submissions on an open exchange. The third parties can bid for rights in submissions on the open exchange. After receiving these bids, they are forwarded to the particular submission's end user for acceptance or rejection. Appropriate billing and payment processes are used to bill and pay the parties involved. |
| US08340992B2 |
Method and system for an assessment initiative within a multi-level organization
A system of hardware and software provides a systematic and systemic method for performing assessment of the effectiveness of different levels within an institution. The system includes template driven definitions that span multiple tiers of hierarchically arranged operating units within the institution thereby providing flexibility and customization to handle a user-definable model of the institution's organization. In particular, one or more concurrently active assessment projects may be associated with an assessment initiative. In this way, portions of data collection and reporting may be shared within the program initiative and its various, associated assessment projects. |
| US08340991B2 |
Method and system for flexible modeling of a multi-level organization for purposes of assessment
A system of hardware and software provides a systematic and systemic method for performing assessment of the effectiveness of different levels within an institution. The system includes template driven definitions that span multiple tiers of hierarchically arranged operating units within the institution thereby providing flexibility and customization to handle a user-definable model of the institution's organization. In particular, modeling of different nodes of the institution is performed in a flexible manner that may apply to various institutions regardless of their particular organizational structure. |
| US08340988B2 |
Program for alternative funding of employee and retiree benefits
An insurance program for funding benefits by maintaining assets in the insurance program that includes an employer or employee owned trust account and at least one life insurance contract or non-cancelable accident and health insurance contract obtained directly or indirectly from a captive insurance company. The life insurance contract or non-cancelable accident and health insurance contract is purchased with assets from the trust account and the captive insurance company is at least partially owned by the employer. When paying or reimbursing benefits, the employer or the trust may pay the benefit and if the employer pays the benefit, the trust may reimburse the employer. |
| US08340981B1 |
Method, system, and computer program product for physician efficiency measurement and patient health risk stratification utilizing variable windows for episode creation
A method for measuring physician efficiency and patient health risk stratification is disclosed. Episodes of care are formed from medical claims data and an output process is performed. Physicians are assigned to report groups, and eligible physicians and episode assignments are determined. Condition-specific episode statistics and weighted episode statistics are calculated, from which physician efficiency scores are determined. |
| US08340977B2 |
Compensation technique for audio decoder state divergence
A system and method is described for compensating for the effects of a corrupted Continuously Variable Delta Slope Modulation (CVSD) decoder memory state on a decoded audio signal. In accordance with the system and method, a first estimated step size associated with a first frame of the decoded audio signal is calculated and a second estimated step size associated with a replacement frame generated to conceal bit errors in the first frame of the decoded audio signal is calculated. At least a second frame of the decoded audio signal is then modified based on the first estimated step size and the second estimated step size. |
| US08340975B1 |
Interactive speech recognition device and system for hands-free building control
A self-contained wireless interactive speech recognition control device and system that integrates with automated systems and appliances to provide totally hands-free speech control capabilities for a given space. Preferably, each device comprises a programmable microcontroller having embedded speech recognition and audio output capabilities, a microphone, a speaker and a wireless communication system through which a plurality of devices can communicate with each other and with one or more system controllers or automated mechanisms. The device may be enclosed in a stand-alone housing or within a standard electrical wall box. Several devices may be installed in close proximity to one another to ensure hands-free coverage throughout the space. When two or more devices are triggered simultaneously by the same speech command, real time coordination ensures that only one device will respond to the command. |
| US08340972B2 |
Psychoacoustic method and system to impose a preferred talking rate through auditory feedback rate adjustment
The use of SOLA speech time compression/expansion in the present invention method as a means to alter a speaker's talking rate by adjusting the speech rate at which people hear their own voice. A person speaks at a certain comfort rate, which is established and maintained by their own auditory system's capability to hear their own voice as they speak i.e., it is a self-auditory feedback mechanism. Changing the rate (112) at which a talker hears their own voice (130, 2012, 2024) will accordingly change their talking rate. This effect is achieved in this invention by employing a real time processing method (110, 402-416, FIG. 10) that temporarily adjusts the speech rate in an effort to impose this psychoacoustic condition which coerces the speaker into changing their talking rate. This invention permits users to adjust the comfort rate at which they normally speak (124) or to adjust the rate at which others speak to them through the use of a speech processing device or system. |
| US08340967B2 |
Speech samples library for text-to-speech and methods and apparatus for generating and using same
A method of recording speech for use in a speech samples library. In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises recording a speaker pronouncing a phoneme with musical parameters characterizing pronunciation of another phoneme by the same or another speaker. For example, in one embodiment the method comprises: providing a recording of a first speaker pronouncing a first phoneme in a phonemic context. The pronunciation is characterized by some musical parameters. A second reader, who may be the same as the first reader, is then recorded pronouncing a second phoneme (different from the first phoneme) with the musical parameters that characterizes pronunciation of the first phoneme by the first speaker. The recordings made by the second reader are used for compiling a speech samples library. |
| US08340965B2 |
Rich context modeling for text-to-speech engines
Embodiments of rich context modeling for speech synthesis are disclosed. In operation, a text-to-speech engine refines a plurality of rich context models based on decision tree-tied Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) to produce a plurality of refined rich context models. The text-to-speech engine then generates synthesized speech for an input text based at least on some of the plurality of refined rich context models. |
| US08340961B2 |
Beamforming codebook generation system and associated methods
A codebook generation system and associated methods are generally described herein. For instance, a codebook generation agent (CGA) may implement techniques for generating one or more matrix codebooks from vector codebooks. The CGA may be implemented in mobile devices (e.g., stations, subscriber units, handsets, laptops, etc.). In this regard, the dynamic generation of matrix codebooks rather than having them stored on the mobile device enables the mobile device to utilize the memory normally consumed by the matrix codebooks in support of other features and/or services. |
| US08340956B2 |
Information provision system, information provision method, information provision program, and information provision program recording medium
An information provision system capable of providing attribute information to a contextually appropriate portion as well as a linguistic unit including a specific character string expression is provided. The information provision system includes analysis means 21 for dividing a linguistic expression into predetermined linguistic units, a dictionary 31 for extracting vocabularies each of which determines attribute information and selecting a linguistic unit to which the attribute information is to be provided, attribute information determination means (first attribute information determination means) 22 for extracting a predetermined vocabulary from the linguistic unit and determining the attribute information using the dictionary, and attribute information provision linguistic unit selection means (second attribute information determination means) 23 for determining the attribute information on an adjacent linguistic unit, based on the attribute information determined by the first attribute information determination means 22 and a connecting relationship between the respective linguistic units. |
| US08340954B2 |
Multi-language support in preboot environment
Systems and methods for providing multi-language support in a pre-boot environment are supplied. User interface type information, such as keyboard type information and translation tables, are ascertained and provided to the pre-boot environment of the apparatus, allowing the apparatus to properly receive and/or translate multi-language inputs in an appropriate fashion. |
| US08340953B2 |
Memory circuit simulation with power saving capabilities
A system and method are provided including a component in communication with a plurality of memory circuits and a system. The component is operable to interface the memory circuits an the system for simulating at least one memory circuit with at least one aspect that is different from at least one aspect of at least one of the plurality of memory circuits. The component is further operable to perform a power saving operation. |
| US08340947B2 |
Single quantification method of external event PSA model containing multi-compartment propagation scenarios
Provided is a single quantification method of an external event PSA model containing multi-compartment scenarios, including: loading an internal event PSA logic model having core damage as a top event; constituting a mapping table comprising external events containing the multi-compartment scenarios in consideration of information regarding external event occurrence frequencies, external event-induced initiators, and equipments damaged by external events; reflecting the mapping table in the internal event PSA logic model to establish an external event PSA model; calculating a final minimum cut set (MCS) based on the external event PSA model; and calculating a core damage frequency (CDF) value according to the final MCS. |
| US08340946B2 |
Circuit design support computer product, apparatus, and method
A computer-readable recording medium stores therein a program causing a computer that accesses a simulator to execute receiving a measured yield distribution that expresses an actually measured yield distribution concerning leak current of a circuit-under-design, and model data for leak current of a cell of the circuit-under-design; providing the simulator with the model data and values for a normal distribution concerning variation components of the leak current of the cell; acquiring the leak current of the circuit-under-design; calculating, based on the acquired leak current, an estimated yield distribution concerning the leak current of the circuit-under-design; calculating values for the normal distribution that minimize error between the measured yield distribution and the estimated yield distribution; setting an initial value to the normal distribution and the calculated values for the normal distribution to the normal distribution; and outputting the estimated yield distribution that is based on the leak current of the circuit-under-design. |
| US08340945B2 |
Method for joint modeling of mean and dispersion
The present invention describes a method and system for joint modeling of a mean and dispersion of data. A computing system derives a loss function taking into account distributional requirements over the data. The computing system represents separate regression functions for the mean and the dispersion as stagewise expansion forms. At this time, the stagewise expansion forms include undetermined scalar coefficients and undetermined basis functions. Then, the computing system chooses the basis functions that maximally correlate with a corresponding steepest-descent gradient direction of the loss function. The computing system obtains the scalar coefficients based on a single step of Newton iteration. The computing system completes the regression functions based on the chosen basis functions and obtained scalar coefficients. |
| US08340943B2 |
Method and system for separating musical sound source
Provided is an apparatus of separating a musical sound source, which may re-construct mixed signals into target sound sources and other sound sources directly using sound source information performed using a predetermined musical instrument when the sound source information is present, thereby more effectively separating sound sources included in the mixed signal. The apparatus may include a Nonnegative Matrix Partial Co-Factorization (NMPCF) analysis unit to perform an NMPCF analysis on a mixed signal and a predetermined sound source signal using a sound source separation model, and to obtain a plurality of entity matrices based on the analysis result, and a target instrument signal separating unit to separate, from the mixed signal, a target instrument signal corresponding to the predetermined sound source signal by calculating an inner product between the plurality of entity matrices. |
| US08340942B2 |
Identifying opportunities to improve multiprocess system performance
Expert system may utilize multiple metrics to estimate whether a performance improvement activity has a potential to improve performance in respect to a predetermined performance metric. The multiple metrics may be propagated based on whether or not they may be affected by the activity and based on an associated value that may take into account the current value of the metric. An Index Propagation Graph may be further utilized to represent a propagation function which may propagate the potential of improvement of each metric in respect to the predetermined performance metric. |
| US08340940B2 |
Multiply apparatus for semiconductor test pattern signal
An apparatus for multiplying a semiconductor test pattern signal, which firstly encodes a plurality of pattern signals to have different pattern types, and multiplies the encoded pattern signals according to an exclusive-OR (XOR) scheme in order to generate a single pattern signal, thereby recognizing a relationship between a pattern signal before the multiplication and the other pattern signal after the multiplication. A pattern-signal segmenting/outputting unit segments a semiconductor test pattern signal into a plurality of pattern signals, and simultaneously outputs the segmented pattern signals. A pattern-signal restoring/multiplying unit restores the segmented pattern signals received from the pattern-signal segmenting/outputting unit to the semiconductor test pattern signal, outputs the restored result to a driver which records a test pattern in an objective semiconductor to be tested, and multiplies the signal outputted to the driver by a predetermined frequency band rather than a frequency band of the segmented signals. |
| US08340938B2 |
Computer system for evaluating safety critical sensor variables
A computer system for safety critical sensor variables includes first and second sensors which respectively output first and second sensor variables, a computer, and an independent comparator. The computer calculates an output variable from the first sensor variable by a first function. The computer calculates a comparison variable from the output variable by a second function. The comparison variable and the second sensor variable are applied to the input of the comparator. The second sensor variable is not an input variable of the computer and differs from the first sensor variable in terms of its qualitative value. By calculations of the computer and, if appropriate, of the comparator, an expected comparison variable for the second sensor variable is determined from the calculated output variable, and the correspondence of the two variables is checked by the comparator. Specific internal errors of the computer can thereby be discovered. |
| US08340936B2 |
Methods and systems for locating targets
A system target location includes one or more sensors operable to determine a location of a target and generate a set of coordinates corresponding to the target. The system further includes a system controller operable to receive one or more sets of coordinates from the one or more sensors, generate a combined estimate of the target location, and validate that each of the sets of coordinates correspond to the same target. |
| US08340934B2 |
Method of performance analysis for VRLA battery
This invention discloses a method of performance analysis for VRLA battery which applies the method of using the float voltage dispersion ratio of the battery to evaluate the battery performance from a new perspective, and it is an online real-time test which applies several ways to evaluate the performance of the VRLA battery. According to the relevance between the dispersion of the float charge voltage of the battery and its performance, the method gets the result of the battery performance through calculating the battery float charge voltage dispersion ratio and making it relevant with the battery performance. It has small workload, convenient operation and no danger to the system when doing online testing. It also won't affect the cycle life of the VRLA battery. |
| US08340933B1 |
Method and apparatus for performing power supply self-diagnostics in redundant power architectures
A system for detecting latent defects within a redundant power architecture includes a plurality of redundant power supplies, each having one or more output power rails, connected in a redundant fashion to a system load; each power supply output having fault-isolating OR'ing circuitry that prevents reverse current flow when free of defects; each power supply having means for adjusting its output voltage; each power supply having means for monitoring an internal voltage therein, and, based on characteristics of the monitored internal voltage, determining the presence of latent defect/s in the fault-isolating “OR'ing” circuitry. Further, the system operates to shift the load demanded from power supplies in redundant power architectures to allow the power supplies to run at their optimum electrical efficiency. |
| US08340928B2 |
Sensor and method for detecting oil deterioration and oil level
A capacitive sensor in its simplest form has three identical plated spatial electrodes, which are positioned equally spaced apart, in order, alignment and parallel with each other. The first and third electrodes are the outer electrodes and connected in parallel by a first lead wire serving as a first electrical pole to be a group of the integrated electrodes. The second electrode is the middle electrode and connected by a second lead wire serving as a second electrical pole. The sensor is applied with an alternating current (AC) excitation signal from an AC device. The present invention method includes application of referencing and sensing capacitive sensors to obtain a measured temperature compensated electrical property of the oil to thereby obtain a measured remaining usage so as to a predicted remaining usage of the oil. Therefore, the top oil level, or the normal, or the abnormal oil deterioration can be concluded according to the measured remaining usage which is respectively larger than, or similar to, or less than the predicted one of the oil. |
| US08340926B2 |
Internal combustion engine control apparatus
An internal combustion engine control apparatus according to the present invention includes storage for storing a plurality of air flow rate conversion tables T1 and T2 used to convert a signal of a heating resistor 2 to an air flow rate, a selector for selecting a conversion table to be referred to from the plurality of conversion tables T1 and T2 stored, and a converter for converting a signal of the heating resistor into an air flow rate by referring to the conversion table selected by the selector. The selector performs selection of the conversion table according to a state value, which directly or indirectly indicates the state of air flow pulsation generated in a passage. |
| US08340923B2 |
Predicting remaining useful life for a computer system using a stress-based prediction technique
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for predicting a remaining useful life (RUL) for a component in a set of components within a computer system. The system starts by collecting values of at least one degradation-related parameter associated with the operation of a monitored component within the computer system. Note that the degradation-related parameter is a direct measurement of a degree of degradation of the monitored component. The system additionally collects values of at least one stress-based parameter from the computer system. Note that the stress-based parameter measures an accumulative stress in the operating environment of the set of components which can cause degradation of the set of components. The system then uses the values of the at least one degradation-related parameter and the values of the at least one stress-based parameter to predict an RUL for a component in the set of components. |
| US08340921B2 |
Measuring arrangement for registering chemical and/or physical, measured variables, as well as measuring device therefor
A measuring arrangement of the invention includes: At least one measuring device, which generates, repeatedly during operation, measured values, especially digital, measured values, representing the at least one measured variable to be registered; as well as an electronic data processing system superordinated to the at least one measuring device, especially a data processing system which is spatially distributed and/or spatially remote from the measuring device. Measuring device and data processing system are connected together by means of at least two line-pairs, through each of which an electrical current flows, at least at times, during operation. According to the invention, the measuring device transmits the internally generated, measured values to the data processing system via both line-pairs. In this way, it is then possible to transmit a plurality of measured values simultaneously, when each of the two line-pairs is embodied as part of a two-conductor current-loop. |
| US08340918B2 |
Determination of melting temperatures of DNA
Numerical determinations of the first derivatives of a melt curve data set are made. A model function, such as a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) function, with parameters determined using a Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) regression process is used to find an approximation to the first derivative curve. The maximum values of the numerically determined first derivative values are used as initial conditions for parameters of the model function. The determined parameters provide one or more fractional melting temperature values, which can be returned, for example, displayed or otherwise used for further processing. |
| US08340912B2 |
Seismic attributes for structural analysis
Embodiments of methods and systems for analysis of geological structures using seismic attributes are described. In some embodiments, a method includes computing a similarity function using one or more seismic attributes at a location within the geological structure along an I direction and a J direction; computing a total optimal similarity function in at least one plane defined by the I and J directions; computing a minimum possible value of the total similarity function for a defined range of rotations; and calculating a discontinuity measure based at least partially on the minimum possible value of the total similarity function. |
| US08340904B2 |
Transmission of wireless messages of current vehicle location and estimated arrival time to requestors
A wireless communication device disposed on a moving vehicle. The wireless communication device further includes a geographic location determination processor for determining a geographic location on a city map. The wireless communication device further receives a vehicle location and arrival schedule request for sending a message to a passenger waiting for the vehicle for providing the geographic location on the city map and an estimated arrival time of the vehicle to a passenger waiting for the vehicle. |
| US08340900B2 |
Navigation device and alerting method thereof
The present invention discloses a navigation device and the alerting method thereof. The alerting method of the navigation device comprises (a) determining a current location and a destination and displaying corresponding map information; (b) planning possible routes by computing cost of each possible route, selecting the minimum cost route as the optimized route among the possible routes, regarding other possible routes having a relatively higher cost as deviation routes; (c) computing a turning cost for each deviation route, wherein the turning cost represents cost difference between each deviation route and the optimized route respectively in an upcoming intersection, on which the possible routes are branched; (d) at a prompter location issuing a voice guidance about how to follow the optimized route, wherein if the upcoming intersection has a turning cost greater than a warning threshold, then the upcoming intersection is a decision point, and additional alertness is issued before the upcoming intersection. |
| US08340897B2 |
Providing contemporaneous maps to a user at a non-GPS enabled mobile device
An exemplary method for providing contemporaneous maps to a user at a non-GPS enabled mobile device comprises obtaining a request from the mobile device, decoding the request to obtain multimedia data, analyzing the multimedia data to obtain location information, accessing a map database using the location information, generating a map image based on data from the map database, generating a response including the map image, and sending the response to the mobile device to enable a display of the map image at the mobile device. |
| US08340894B2 |
Method of dynamic intersection mapping
A motor vehicle is provided having a collision warning system that can map an upcoming road section for the motor vehicle. The system can evaluate potential paths for the road section based on vehicle travel history information through it. The system can receive the information from a transmitter proximate the road section, such as a roadside transmitter or one or more nearby vehicles having traversed the road section. The road section can include an intersection and the system can determine a lane configuration for at least a portion of it based on vehicle travel history information. The system can calculate a threat of collision for the motor vehicle with a target vehicle based on map data obtained from estimated paths or lane configurations for the road section. Methods pertaining to mapping a road section and operation of the system are also provided. |
| US08340893B2 |
Mobile object support system
An apparatus mounted on a mobile object includes a first receiver for receiving a plurality of information regarding a move of the mobile object, a second receiver for receiving identification information determining a moving position of the mobile object, and a display for displaying indication information in the plurality of the information regarding the move of the mobile object received by the first receiver on the basis of the identification information received by the second receiver. |
| US08340892B2 |
Onboard aircraft weight and balance system
An onboard system and method for determining the instantaneous weight and balance of an aircraft simply, reliably, accurately, and requiring a minimum amount of calibration includes a memory for storing previously determined breakout friction data of the aircraft's landing gear shock struts, sensors for sensing the pressures in the struts, the vertical loads exerted by the landing gear on the aircraft, and the attitude of the aircraft relative to the horizontal during loading or unloading thereof, and a computer for computing the vertical load in each of the landing gears from the stored calibration breakout friction data and the shock strut pressures, landing gear vertical loads and aircraft attitude sensed during the loading or unloading. The computer then computes the gross weight of the aircraft and the location of its center of gravity (CG) using the computed vertical loads in the landing gears. |
| US08340888B2 |
System and method for reducing powertrain disturbances based on system energy
A control system for a powertrain includes an energy determination module and a speed control module. The energy determination module determines a rotational energy input to the powertrain during a first period of a negative lash event of the powertrain. The speed control module selectively limits an increase in a rotational speed of the engine to a first predetermined rate based on the rotational energy during a second period of the negative lash event following the first period. The rotational energy is based on an acceleration rate of the rotational speed, and the speed control module limits the increase when the acceleration rate is greater than a predetermined acceleration rate. The speed control module further selectively increases the rotational speed at a second predetermined rate during a third period beginning at an end of the second period. A related method is also provided. |
| US08340882B2 |
Method of controlling drive request torque in hybrid electric vehicle
The present invention provides a method of controlling a driver request torque in a hybrid electric vehicle, in which a driver request torque is calculated by determining that a driver has an intention to accelerate, if an accelerator opening degree detected by an accelerator pedal position sensor (APS) is greater than 0% when the accelerator pedal is depressed by the driver who intends to re-accelerate after coasting or decelerating, and a torque discontinuity, which may be caused when the APS is turned on→off→on according to the depression operation of the accelerator pedal by the driver, is controlled using an up/down torque rate limit logic, thus preventing deterioration of driving performance.For this purpose, the present invention provides a method of controlling a driver request torque in a hybrid electric vehicle, the method including: monitoring a vehicle speed; calculating a maximum torque with respect to the vehicle speed; monitoring an APS; and calculating a driver request torque by determining that a driver has an intention to accelerate and recognizing a minimum request torque as 0 Nm, if an opening degree of the APS is greater than 0%. |
| US08340877B2 |
Engine speed synchronizer and engine speed synchronization method for manual transmission with engine clutch
An engine speed synchronizer for a manual transmission with an engine clutch, synchronizes rotation of the engine side of the engine clutch with rotation of the transmission side of the engine clutch by engine speed control with reference to operation of a shift lever under condition that the engine clutch is disengaged. The engine speed synchronizer determines whether or not a transmission input speed has started to change in a direction conforming to the operation of the shift lever; permits the synchronization in response to determination that the transmission input speed has started to change in the conforming direction; and inhibits the synchronization in response to determination that the transmission input speed has not started to change in the conforming direction. |
| US08340873B2 |
Machine control and guidance system incorporating a portable digital media device
A machine control and guidance system for an earthmoving machine, includes one or more sensors and a portable digital media device mounted on the earthmoving machine. The portable digital media device may comprise an iPhone, an iTouch, or other similar device. Each of the sensors senses the position or orientation of a portion of the earthmoving machine and provides a wireless output signal indicating the position or orientation. The portable digital media device is in wireless communication with each of the sensors. The device has an associated display and a memory in which is stored an application program which permits the device to determine the position of one or more portions of the earthmoving machine and to display the position of one or more portions of the earthmoving machine on the display. |
| US08340872B2 |
Control system and method for capturing partial bucket loads in automated loading cycle
An automated bucket loading control method includes determining a bucket tilt parameter for a bucket of the machine which corresponds with a partial bucket load, and capturing a partial bucket load by controllably tilting the bucket in a pile of material according to the determined bucket tilt parameter. A control system includes a sensor configured to monitor a bucket tilt parameter and output a bucket tilt signal, and further includes an electronic payload controller coupled with the sensor which is configured to output bucket tilting control commands. The electronic payload controller is further configured to determine a value for the bucket tilt parameter that corresponds with a target partial bucket load and output corresponding bucket tilting control commands during moving a bucket of the machine in a material pile to capture a partial bucket load. |
| US08340871B2 |
Vehicle steering control device and method
Under an automatic turning control, a steering controller defines a value of steering angle set according to a target turning angle of the automatic turning control, as a value of steering angle at which a reaction force is equal to 0. Thereby, the steering controller controls a steering reaction force on the basis of a difference between an actual steering angle and the value of steering angle at which the reaction force is equal to 0. |
| US08340870B2 |
Vehicle maneuver assistance device
The vehicle maneuver assistance device includes: a plurality of external environment imaging units; a converter that performs a view point conversion; a display unit provided in an interior of the present-vehicle; a steering angle status value detector which detects status values of the steering angle representing an actual steering angle of the present-vehicle, and outputs a steering angle status value; a display controller that causes the display unit to display the converted image, and, overlaid thereon, a guidance display which assists a parking maneuver of the present-vehicle, wherein the display controller controls the guidance display according to the steering angle status value, so that the guidance display includes: an initial positioning guide line representing an initial location of the present-vehicle at the beginning of the parking maneuver; and a steering-switching start positioning guide line representing a starting location of a quick steering direction switching. |
| US08340869B2 |
Riding type vehicle and method of controlling riding type vehicle
A vehicle includes a contact-position-dependent type operational intention determining unit that detects a change in posture of a rider using posture sensors for a backrest disposed in areas of a backrest with which left and right shoulder blades of the rider come into contact, and thereby determines whether there is an operational intention of the rider; and a left-right amount-of-change comparison type turn intention determining unit that determines, only when it is determined that there is an operational intention, whether there is a left or right turn intention of the rider from a difference between sensor output values located left-right symmetrically. |
| US08340865B2 |
Apparatus and method of controlling vehicle wheel spin
The present invention provides a vehicle wheel spin control apparatus that, when it is determined that a wheel spin occurs, reduces engine torque to prevent the wheel spin, including: detecting driving control information and information on the state of a vehicle and determining whether basic conditions required to perform engine torque limit control to prevent the wheel spin are satisfied; when the basic conditions are satisfied, calculating a speed variation and the speed gradient value, and comparing the speed gradient value with a predetermined speed gradient value to determine whether a spin occurs; when it is determined that the spin occurs, using a torque gradient map set according to the current engine torque to perform the engine torque limit control; and when the vehicle speed is reduced by the engine torque limit control and cancellation conditions are satisfied, canceling the engine torque limit control and returning to normal control. |
| US08340864B2 |
Vehicle vibration damping control device
There is provided a vibration damping control device which suppresses pitching and bouncing vibration of a vehicle through a drive output control based on a wheel torque estimated value estimated with a wheel speed, etc., which device uses the estimated value of a wheel torque while taking into account conditions where no good estimation of the wheel torque is executable. The vibration damping control device comprises a wheel torque estimated value acquisition portion which acquires a wheel torque estimated value; and a driving torque control portion which controls a driving torque of the vehicle to suppress pitching or bouncing vibrational amplitudes based on the wheel torque estimated value, wherein the absolute value or the sign of the wheel torque estimated value is corrected in accordance with the degree of a slip of the wheel or the direction of movement of the vehicle. Further, there is provided a torque estimating device suitable for a vibration damping control and other running, motional or braking-driving force controls for a vehicle, etc. |
| US08340862B2 |
Agricultural working vehicle and display unit therefor
A display unit is provided in an agricultural working vehicle to display at least one operating parameter of the working vehicle, so that it is possible to change the operating parameter as a function of one or more setting parameters of the working vehicle. The display unit is designed to display a change in the operating parameter resulting from a change made to at least one of the setting parameters. |
| US08340861B2 |
Docked/undocked vehicle communication interface module
A diagnostic system that includes a vehicle communication interface (VCI) and a diagnostic tool is provided. When the VCI and the diagnostic tool are coupled together through a wired connection, the VCI and the diagnostic tool can communicate with each other and provide power, as needed, to each other. The VCI and the diagnostic tool can also communicate with each other wirelessly when the are not directly coupled to each other. The VCI and the diagnostic tool are configured so that communication is uninterrupted when going from the wired connection to the wireless connection and vice versa. |
| US08340860B2 |
Acceleration detection device, acceleration detection method, and neutral control device employing same
An acceleration detection device for detecting detected acceleration of a vehicle is provided with a stopped acceleration detector, an acceleration change detector, an acceleration estimating unit and a correcting unit. The stopped acceleration detector detects a detected stationary acceleration value when the vehicle is stopped on a sloping road based on an acceleration sensor signal from an acceleration sensor mounted on the vehicle. The acceleration change detector detects an acceleration change associated with the vehicle transitioning from a stationary state to a driving state on the sloping road based on the acceleration sensor signal. The acceleration estimating unit estimates an estimated stationary acceleration value based on the acceleration change that was detected by the acceleration change detector. The correcting unit corrects the detected stationary acceleration value based on a deviation between the estimated stationary acceleration value and the detected stationary acceleration value. |
| US08340859B2 |
Shift-by-wire system
A shift-by-wire system, connected to a manual shaft in a vehicle, includes: an electric motor having a rotary shaft which rotates the manual shaft; an angle-of-rotation sensor that detects angle position of the rotary shaft for control of the electric motor; a shaft position sensor that detects angular position of the manual shaft; and a control unit that, when the angle-of-rotation sensor functions normally, controls the electric motor according to the sensed angular position of the rotary shaft, so that the sensed angular position of the shaft comes within a predetermined range, and when the angle-of-rotation sensor does not function normally, initiates sensor-less control of the electric motor while estimating the direction of rotation of the rotation shaft, based on the sensed angular position of the shaft, and ceases sensor-less control when the sensed angular position is within the predetermined range. |
| US08340857B2 |
Enhanced electronic assembly
Remote sensor units for a vehicle are described. A remote sensor unit may comprise an electronic assembly. The electronic assembly may comprise an electronic component. The electronic assembly may comprise one or more signal terminals coupled to the electronic component. The electronic assembly may comprise a protective enclosure arranged to encapsulate the electronic component. The protective enclosure is arranged to isolate the electronic component from thermal energy, pressure or residual material stress associated with one or more satellite housings. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08340852B2 |
System and method for simultaneous localization and map building
An autonomous vehicle comprises at least one image sensor to provide measurements of landmark position for a plurality of landmarks; and processing functionality to estimate the position of the plurality of landmarks in a global frame and in the autonomous vehicle's frame, and to estimate the kinematic state of the autonomous vehicle in a global frame based, at least in part, on the measurements of landmark position from the at least one image sensor. The processing functionality is further operable to calculate errors in the estimated positions of the plurality of landmarks in the global frame and in the estimate of the kinematic state of the autonomous vehicle in the global frame by using a plurality of unit projection vectors between the estimated positions of the plurality landmarks in the autonomous vehicle's frame and a plurality of unit projection vectors between the estimated positions of the plurality of landmarks in the global frame. |
| US08340850B2 |
Mislocking preventing apparatus
In a hybrid vehicle in which a fixed speed change mode can be realized by the locking of a rotational element, the mislocking of the rotational element is prevented. A hybrid drive apparatus which has an engine, a MG1 and a MG2 and which functions as a power unit of a hybrid vehicle is provided with a brake mechanism of a cam-lock type which can control the MG1 in a lock state and a non-lock state by changing the state of a sun gear between the lock state and the non-lock state. In mislocking prevention control, an ECU calculates MG1 angular acceleration Dωg, which is the absolute value of angular acceleration of the motor generator MG1, on the basis of a MG1 rotational speed Ngm1 and judges that the sun gear S1 is in a mislocking state if the MG1 angular acceleration Dωg is greater than a criterion value Dωgth. |
| US08340848B2 |
Method and system for sensorless control of an electric motor
Methods and systems for controlling an electric motor are provided. A signal comprising at least first and second cycles is provided to the electric motor. A first flux value for the electric motor associated with the first cycle of the signal is calculated. A second flux value for the electric motor associated with the second cycle of the signal is calculated based on the first flux value. |
| US08340847B2 |
Navigation control system for ship
To propose a ship navigation control system that can easily and automatically switch between a target throttle opening for constant velocity navigation control and a target throttle opening corresponding to a lever operation amount of an operation lever. Throttle control means includes first computation means that computes a first target throttle opening for constant velocity navigation control of a ship based on a constant velocity navigation command using at least a ship velocity signal and a target ship velocity command signal, second computation means that computes a second target throttle opening corresponding to the lever operation amount, and a selection and output means that selects one having a smaller value of the first target throttle opening and the second target throttle opening and outputs the one as a throttle opening. |
| US08340846B2 |
Boat propelling system
A boat propelling system capable of determining operation accuracy of a transmission mechanism includes an outboard engine main body, a swivel bracket arranged to allow the outboard engine main body to pivot in a right-left direction with respect to a hull, an electric motor provided in the swivel bracket to pivot the outboard engine main body in the right-left direction, a pivot sensor provided in the electric motor to detect a pivot angle of a motor shaft, a transmission mechanism provided in the swivel bracket to transmit a driving force of the electric motor to the outboard engine main body, a pivot sensor arranged to detect an actual pivot angle of the outboard engine main body, and an Electronic Control Unit arranged and programmed to control an operation of the boat propelling system. |
| US08340841B2 |
Method of estimating an angle of attack and an angle of sideslip of an aircraft
A method for estimating an angle of attack and an angle of sideslip of an aircraft having a plurality of control surfaces each adjustable with respect to an associated reference surface. The method includes measuring quantities representative of the angle formed by each control surface with respect to the associated reference surface, and measuring an effective rolling speed, an effective pitching speed, and an effective yawing speed of the aircraft. A linearized model of a state observer is defined according to the following equations: { x . = Ax + Bu + L δ y y = Cx + Du wherein u is a vector containing the values of the quantities of each control surface, x is a vector including an estimated angle of attack, an estimated angle of sideslip, an estimated rolling speed, an estimated pitching speed and an estimated yawing speed, δy is an error vector including the errors between the measured speeds and the respective estimated speeds, y is a measure vector including the values of the measured speeds, A,B,C,D are matrices representative of the behavior of the aircraft in unperturbed motion and L is a feedback matrix including the gains of a predetermined numeric control filter. The estimated angle of attack and the estimated angle of sideslip are obtained from the model to use as an actual angle of attack and an actual angle of sideslip of the aircraft. |
| US08340839B2 |
Aircraft communications radio tuning aid system and method
Methods and apparatus are provided of displaying air traffic control communication information in an aircraft having an aircraft communications radio. Each air traffic control (ATC) communication station that is within a predetermined distance of an aircraft position is identified. Indicia representative of the identified ATC communication stations that are determined to be within the range of the aircraft communications radio are rendered on a display device. |
| US08340838B2 |
Differential braking system
A braking system for the landing gear of an aircraft, which landing gear includes a bogey containing at least four wheels, each equipped with a brake, with the bogey having at least two axles that are connected to the aircraft by a telescoping strut, wherein when the aircraft makes a low-speed turn around a center of rotation, the straight line linking the center of rotation of the turn to the barycenter of the landing gear does not pass between the front wheels and the rear wheels of the landing gear which system further includes means for applying differential braking between the front wheels and the rear wheels of the landing gear. |
| US08340837B2 |
Methods and systems for generating en-route visible terrain displays
Methods and systems for displaying an en-route visible terrain display for an aircraft are provided. The method includes representing each pixel of a terrain display using a geographical location and an elevation above the location, each pixel further represented using at least one of a color value and a grayscale value, receiving a minimum elevation value, setting the at least one of a color value and a grayscale value of the pixels represented by an elevation value less than the received minimum elevation value to a uniform value, and displaying the en-route visible terrain display such that pixels representing terrain that includes an elevation value less than the minimum elevation value are displayed with the uniform value such that non-terrain-impacted, primary-navigation areas of the display are more easily readable. |
| US08340833B2 |
Control distribution transformer and method of making same
A method, system, and apparatus including a distribution transformer having a communications module. The distribution transformer is configured to convert a first high voltage electricity from a high voltage distribution line to a first low voltage electricity and convey the first low voltage electricity along a low voltage line to an electrical device. The communications module is configured to transmit a load reduction request along the low voltage line to the electrical device. |
| US08340831B2 |
Non-intrusive load monitoring system and method
In accordance with one embodiment, a system for non-intrusive load monitoring includes an output device, a data storage device including program instructions stored therein, a sensing device operably connected to a common source for a plurality of electrical devices, and an estimator operably connected to the output device, the data storage device, and the sensing device, the estimator configured to execute the program instructions to obtain data associated with a sensed state of the common source from the sensing device, obtain at least one model of each of the plurality of electrical devices, solve a Mixed Integer Programming problem for the at least one models over a fixed time horizon using the obtained data to determine a combination of operational stages of the plurality of electrical devices, and store operational data based on the solved Mixed Integer Programming problem. |
| US08340830B2 |
Onboard management of movable asset for asset protection
A solution for managing an asset, such as a movable asset, deployed to a fixed location, is provided. Location and/or power information is periodically acquired for the asset and assessed to determine whether the asset has moved from a desired physical area and/or the power is insufficient to continue with planned operations. In response to either condition, the operation of various devices on the asset can be adjusted to minimize an inferred risk caused by the asset moving outside of the physical area and/or maximize an inferred probability of recovering the asset. |
| US08340829B2 |
Method and apparatus of detecting and compensating for DC residual fault currents on electrical systems
This invention relates to a method and apparatus of detecting and compensating for DC residual fault currents on electrical systems. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus which is capable of accurately detecting one or more parameters of the fault current waveform and generating a compensation factor which compensates for specific pulsed DC fault components present. In this way, trip sensitivity is optimized for all types of fault current waveforms. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention operates by detecting one or more parameters of the encoded fault current waveform and generating a measure of symmetry comparing the mean squared values of negative and positive sections of said encoded fault current waveform. In use, various bands of the ratio of the mean squared sum of the positive and negative sections of said encoded fault current waveform are obtained, and a compensation factor is determined from a look-up table stored in a processing means. |
| US08340824B2 |
Sootblowing optimization for improved boiler performance
A sootblowing control system that uses predictive models to bridge the gap between sootblower operation and boiler performance goals. The system uses predictive modeling and heuristics (rules) associated with different zones in a boiler to determine an optimal sequence of sootblower operations and achieve boiler performance targets. The system performs the sootblower optimization while observing any operational constraints placed on the sootblowers. |
| US08340820B2 |
Robot arm and method of controlling robot arm to avoid collisions
A method of automatically controlling an extendable robot arm to avoid collisions while returning to a first position from a second position includes periodically storing locations of the robot arm as the robot arm moves along a forward path from the first position to the second position; applying heuristic algorithms to the stored locations to determine a return path to the first position, the return path including at least a portion of a retrace path retracing the stored locations of the forward path; and controlling the robot arm to return to the first position using the determined return path. |
| US08340818B2 |
Method of accurate mapping with mobile robots
A robotic mapping method includes scanning a robot across a surface to be mapped. Locations of a plurality of points on the surface are sensed during the scanning. A first of the sensed point locations is selected. A preceding subset of the sensed point locations is determined. The preceding subset is disposed before the first sensed point location along a path of the scanning. A following subset of the sensed point locations is determined. The following subset is disposed after the first sensed point location along the path of the scanning. The first sensed point location is represented in a map of the surface by an adjusted first sensed point location. The adjusted first sensed point location is closer to each of the preceding and following subsets of the sensed point locations than is the first sensed point location. |
| US08340816B2 |
User preference inferring apparatus, user profile inferring apparatus, and robot
An object of the present invention is to infer a user's preference or profile with a good precision.A user preference inferring apparatus 100 includes a receiving means 2 which receives information related to an article from a tag attached to the article, an article name determining means 3 obtaining an article name of the article on the basis of the information related to the article received by the receiving means 2, and a preference determining means 4 which infers a user's preference on the basis of the information related to the article received by the receiving means 2. On the basis of the article name obtained by the article name determining means 3, the preference determining means 4 obtains preference information corresponding to the article name from a database that stores the article name and the preference information corresponding to the article name, and determines the user's preference. |
| US08340815B2 |
Systems and methods for facilitating consumer-dispenser interactions
Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for dispensing consumable products. In one embodiment, a product dispenser is provided. The product dispenser can include a user interface operable to receive consumer inputs and to present product selection information. In addition, the product dispenser can include a reader configured to obtain identification information associated with a consumer. The product dispenser can include a controller in communication with the reader and user interface, and operable to execute a set of instructions to receive from the reader identification information associated with a consumer. The controller can also be operable to execute a set of instructions operable to retrieve consumer information based at least in part on the identification information, and provide product selection information at the user interface based at least in part on the consumer information. |
| US08340811B2 |
Substrate supporting apparatus, substrate processing apparatus, substrate supporting method, control program of substrate supporting apparatus, and recording medium
A substrate supporting apparatus includes a pallet on which a substrate is mounted, a pallet double-end holding mechanism holding both ends of the pallet in a diameter direction while the pallet is in a vertical posture, a pallet center holding mechanism rotatably holding a center section of the pallet, and a moving mechanism moving an apparatus body, wherein the pallet double-end holding mechanism is a mechanism that grips both ends of the pallet in the diameter direction from both sides of a thickness direction, the pallet double-end holding mechanism holds the pallet during movement, the pallet is held by both of the holding mechanisms during delivery from the pallet double-end holding mechanism to the pallet center holding mechanism, and the pallet center holding mechanism rotatably holds the center section of the pallet and holding by the pallet double-end holding mechanism is released during substrate processing. |
| US08340810B2 |
Robotic storage library with queued move instructions and method of queuing such instructions
A robotic tape library which queues two or more move instructions is described. Generally, the robotic system receives a first move instruction which commands a first robot to move a first tape cartridge from a shelf to a first tape drive to be loaded therein. Though the first move has not actually taken place, the library replies to the host computer that the first tape drive has been loaded with the first tape cartridge, at least to an acceptable level of engagement, at which point, the first move instruction is queued. After receiving a second move instruction from the host to move a second tape cartridge from the shelf to a second tape drive, the library reorganizes and physically carries out the move instructions with potentially different hardware in a preferred order. |
| US08340808B2 |
Targeted product distribution system and method
A targeted product distribution system is described herein with respect to an exemplary management of product flow through a distribution center. Specifically, the system and method described herein is directed to the management and display of direct and easily-understood instructions, such that average individuals, as well as those with mental disabilities, will be able to contribute equally to the overall process. |
| US08340806B2 |
Surface compression of a toothed section
The invention relates to a method for compressing the surface of a toothed section. The method is characterized by iteratively calculating the number of compression movements of a form tool to be repeated for compressing the surface of an area of a blank. |
| US08340804B2 |
Embroidery data creation apparatus and non-transitory computer-readable medium storing embroidery data creation program
An embroidery data creation apparatus includes a storage portion that stores pattern information for a first pattern, a first point specification portion that specifies first feature points, a first area specification portion that specifies first partitioned areas bounded by line segments linking the first feature points, an image acquisition portion that acquires a second image, a second point specification portion that specifies second feature points that correspond to the respective first feature points, a second area specification portion that specifies second partitioned areas bounded by line segments linking the second feature points, a conversion portion that, based on positional relationships between the first and second feature points, converts information of the pattern information that corresponds to the first partitioned areas into information that corresponds to the plurality of second partitioned areas, and a first creation portion that creates embroidery data for sewing the second pattern based on the information. |
| US08340801B2 |
Systems for generating representations of flatness defects on wafers
Systems and computer-readable media having computer-executable components are disclosed for generating a representation of flatness defects on a wafer. Data is received describing the thickness of the wafer at a plurality of points on a wafer divided into a plurality of sites. A reference plane is defined for each of the plurality of sites. For each of the sites, an upper plane and a lower plane are defined relative to the reference plane. A determination is made as to which of the plurality of points on the wafer represents a flatness defect by identifying which points are not disposed between the upper plane and lower plane. A representation is then generated depicting a location of each of the flatness defects on the wafer. In some embodiments, a single representation is generated depicting the location of flatness defects on a plurality of wafers. |
| US08340799B2 |
Automated optical lens processing system, such as a system for providing supplemental information to laboratory technicians
An electronic lens processing system receives a lens prescription and performs lens calculations to create a work ticket for manufacturing the lens. Information that the system used to create the work ticket, such as data files for lens materials and machine settings for controlling lens manufacturing equipment, are stored. The work ticket includes a form that specifies work ticket calculations and/or a graphic of the lens or lenses to be manufactured. The system displays the work ticket on an electronic screen, and a laboratory technician can select elements from the work ticket to receive supplemental information on those elements to aid in processing the lens or determining why a lens prescription is not manufacturable. |
| US08340796B2 |
Digital media player and method for facilitating social music discovery and commerce
A portable digital media player and method for providing convenient music discovery are presented. Music is maintained and includes a multiplicity of music stored in digital media form on a portable digital media player. A music recommendation is displayed to a recipient. A message included is processed for information to describe the music recommended, to identify the recommender, to capture a context of the recommendation, and to specify a rating for the music recommended. At least part of the information is integrated into a display of the music on the portable digital media player. The information is displayed to the recipient as integrated. Action upon the music recommended is facilitated through one or more of playback and addition of the music to the music on the portable digital media player through an external source. |
| US08340790B2 |
Methods and apparatus to adjust control loop timing in a process control system
Example methods and apparatus to adjust control loop timing in a process control system are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a first input signal generated via a first process control device within a process control system, determining within the process control system if the first input signal is received during a first scheduled time period of a control loop, and adjusting within the process control system a timing of a subsequent input signal received from the first process control device to cause the subsequent input signal to be received during a subsequent scheduled time period of the control loop, wherein the timing of the subsequent input signal is based on at least when the first input signal was received. |
| US08340789B2 |
System for monitoring and optimizing controllers for process performance
A control system (1) for a complex process, particularly for controlling a combustion process in a power plant, a waste incinerator plant, or a cement plant, has a controlled system (14) and at least one controller (36), wherein the control system (1) is divided hierarchically into various levels (10, 20, 30, 40). The first level (10) represents the complex, real process to be controlled and is implemented by the controlled system (14). The second level (20) represents an interface to the process and is implemented by a process control system. The third level (30) represents the control of the process and is implemented by the at least one active controller (36). The fourth level (40) represents a superordinate overview and is implemented by a principal controller (44). |
| US08340787B2 |
Monitoring and control device
In a monitoring and control device for use in a remote monitoring and control system, a device housing has a socket located behind a display panel and an external storage medium including a rewritable memory is removably mounted in the socket. The device housing is attached in an attachment hole formed in a wall in a state that the external storage medium is mounted in the socket. A control unit performs a setting operation for a graphic image displayed on the display panel and for the load control in accordance with setting information stored in the external storage medium. The external storage medium is inserted in the socket through an insertion slot formed in a side portion of the device housing, at least a portion of the insertion slot being received in the attachment hole in a state that the device housing is attached to the wall. |
| US08340786B2 |
Incontinence treatment device
An apparatus for treatment of fecal incontinence comprises at least one electrode placed in contact with a pelvic muscle of a patient and a control unit that is coupled to the electrode. The at least one electrode comprises a flexible intra-muscular electrode that conducts electromyographic (EMG) signals from the muscle. The control unit comprises a processor that analyzes the EMG signals conducted through the at least one electrode, determines whether the EMG signals are indicative of fecal incontinence and, responsive to the signal being indicative of fecal incontinence, applies an electrical waveform to the muscle through the at least one electrode. |
| US08340782B2 |
Systems and methods of making and using support elements for elongated members of implantable electric stimulation systems
An implantable lead includes a lead body. A plurality of conductors are disposed within the lead body and electrically couple at least one electrode to at least one terminal. At least one of the conductors includes a plurality of units. Each of the units includes a first conductor segment extending along the lead body from a beginning point to a first position, a second conductor segment extending from the first position to a second position, and a third conductor segment extending along the elongated member from the second position to an endpoint. The conductor segments are arranged so as to form alternating single-coil regions and multi-coil regions. At least one support element is disposed along at least a portion of at least one of the single-coil regions and is configured and arranged to increase the stiffness of the at least one of the single-coil regions. |
| US08340773B2 |
Neurostimulator
Methods and devices of stimulating nerves are disclosed. In one embodiment adapted for stimulating excitable tissue, the invention includes drive circuitry (12), an acoustic transducer (14) and a pair of electrodes (28). |
| US08340767B2 |
Implantable lead and coronary venous pressure sensor apparatus and method
A cardiac rhythm management system comprises a medical electrical lead, a pressure sensing element, and an implantable pulse generator. The lead is sized to be advanced through the right atrium and coronary sinus into a coronary vein adjacent to the left ventricle. The lead includes an opening intermediate its proximal and distal ends, and a lumen extending longitudinally within the body in communication with the opening. The pressure sensing element is movably disposed in lead lumen and is dimensioned to extend through the opening in the lead, and includes a flexible, elongated conductive member having a distal end, and a pressure transducer coupled to the distal end of the conductive member. The pulse generator is configured to receive cardiac rhythm signals from the electrode and fluid pressure signals from the pressure transducer. |
| US08340765B2 |
System and method for controlling ventricular pacing during AF based on underlying ventricular rates using an implantable medical device
Techniques are provided for controlling ventricular pacing during an episode of atrial fibrillation (AF) for use by a pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or other implantable medical device. In one example, upon detection of AF, the underlying intrinsic ventricular rate of the patient is determined prior to delivering any ventricular pacing. Then, a ventricular pacing procedure—such as dynamic ventricular overdrive (DVO) pacing—is activated to reduce ventricular rate variability to mitigate the adverse effects of AF. The ventricular pacing procedure employed during AF is controlled based on a maximum ventricular rate set relative to the underlying intrinsic ventricular rate so as to keep an overall ventricular rate below the maximum rate. |
| US08340762B2 |
Pulse generation techniques for implantable pulse generator systems
The invention is directed to tri-phasic pulse generation techniques that make use of a pre-stimulus phase, a stimulus phase, and a post-stimulus phase in a pulse generation cycle. During the pre-stimulus phase, an output capacitor is charged to a desired voltage level. During the stimulus phase, the capacitor is discharged, and during the post-stimulus phase recharging of the capacitor begins again. In accordance with the invention, charging of the output capacitor can be terminated during the post-stimulus phase after a measured voltage in the patient is greater than or equal to a threshold. |
| US08340759B2 |
Large-pitch coil configurations for a medical device
Techniques related to coils for medical device are disclosed. One example coil may comprise multiple filars, each being formed of a biocompatible beta titanium alloy having an elastic modulus ranging from 30 GigaPascals (GPa) to 90 GPa and comprising at least two elements from a group consisting of titanium, molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, zirconium, chromium, iron and tin. At least one of the multiple filars may be electrically insulated one from another. A structural body, such as a lead body, may carry the coil. One or more filars may carry a low-resistance core. |
| US08340757B2 |
System and method for providing therapy by altering the motion of a person
A method for providing motor control therapy for a user by altering a user's motional response is generally described. The method includes directing a user to perform a specified motion in accordance with a schedule. The method also includes detecting the user's motions and providing vestibular stimulation in an effort to teach a proper response. |
| US08340754B2 |
Method and a device for determining the hydration and/or nutrition status of a patient
The invention relates to the field of monitoring the hydration and/or nutrition status of a patient. According to the invention a method is provided to determine at least one of a mal-hydration component, an adipose tissue component and a lean tissue component of a patient comprising the steps of determining chemical or physical properties of the patient and deriving the at least one component on the basis of the determined chemical or physical properties of the patient and previously determined values of a mass or volume fraction of water in lean tissue and a mass or volume fraction of water in adipose tissue. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method according to the invention and to a computer program product to be used on such a device. |
| US08340753B2 |
Binaural beat augmented biofeedback system
A biofeedback system that incorporates binaural beat technology to augment the EEG feedback provided to the trainee. Specifically, the system will provide binaural beats at the frequency of the brain's naturally occurring peak energy in the EEG band or bands subject to the biofeedback. |
| US08340751B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining tracking a virtual point defined relative to a tracked member
An volume of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of a volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of other imaging devices. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data. |
| US08340747B2 |
Method and apparatus for trending a physiological cardiac parameter
The present invention relates to an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or pacemaker whose standard circuitry is used to trend a physiological cardiac parameter using intra-cardiac impedance measurements. The trend information may be used to predict the onset of a sudden cardiac death (SCD) event. By being able to predict the onset of an SCD event, patients and their physicians may be forewarned of a life-threatening event allowing them to respond accordingly. The trend information may also be used to predict the efficacy of cardiac-related medications, monitor progress of congestive heart failure, detect the occurrence of myocardial infarction, or simply track changes in sympathetic tone. |
| US08340741B2 |
System and micro-catheter devices for medical imaging of the breast
A method of scanning breast tissue involves inserting an imaging element into a breast via a carrier inserted into a breast duct. The imaging element may be for example a receiver, a transmitter or a mirror. A signal is transmitted between one imaging element within the breast duct and a second imaging element outside the breast. |
| US08340740B2 |
Garment for monitoring physiological properties
A garment enables the monitoring of physiological properties of a person wearing the garment. The measuring sensors are integrated into the garment and are positioned by wearing the garment to the correct position of the body of the person wearing the garment. The device for monitoring the physiological properties containing the measuring electronics is located in the back portion of the garment. This device is either fixedly integrated into the garment or it can be removed. |
| US08340739B2 |
Monitor device and biological component-measuring device
This invention provides a monitor device capable of detecting possible abnormalities in body fluid withdrawal by a body fluid sampler and variations in the dilution when a withdrawn body fluid is diluted, and a living organism-measuring device with this monitor device. The former device includes a first optical sensor disposed on a diluent channel through which a diluent is introduced into a body fluid sampler for withdrawing a body fluid; a second optical sensor disposed on a diluted body fluid channel through which the diluted body fluid is transferred to a living organism-measuring sensor, and close to the first optical sensor; and a controlling unit for judging whether variations in a dilution to which the body fluid is diluted are within predetermined limits, from data outputted by the first optical sensor and data outputted by the second optical sensor. The latter device has the monitor device incorporated thereto. |
| US08340738B2 |
Method and system for non-invasive optical blood glucose detection utilizing spectral data analysis
Systems and methods are disclosed for non-invasively measuring blood glucose levels in a biological sample based on spectral data. A variety of techniques are disclosed for improving signal-to-noise ratio in the acquisition of spectral data and calculating attenuance of light attributable to blood in a sample. Disclosed techniques include (1) using a standard deviation operation in conjunction with the logarithm function, (2) using a normalization factor, (3) using a ratio factor, (4) accounting for the effect of temperature on various system components such as resistors, and (5) accounting for dark current in a light detector by performing a calibration. |
| US08340737B1 |
High temperature superconductor current lead for connecting a superconducting load system to a current feed point
A current lead (1) for connecting a superconducting load system (5), in particular, a magnet coil, to a current feed point (3a) that is at a higher temperature than the load system (5) comprises a flat, elongated carrier (6) and a plurality of mechanical and electrical parallel high-temperature superconductors (HTSC) (10), wherein the HTSCs (10) are disposed side by side on the carrier (6). The carrier (6) is made of stainless steel, and a plurality of HTSCs (10) are each disposed side by side on two opposite carrier (6) sides of the carrier. The carrier (6) is constituted in the shape of a plate with cut-outs (15; 15a-15d). The current lead has a high current capacity and low thermal conductivity and provides improved emergency conduction properties in case of failure of the superconductivity in the HTSC. |
| US08340731B2 |
Automatic recharging wireless headset
A wireless headset has a body, an ear clip, and at least two devices for converting at least two different sources of energy into electrical power. The body includes an RF integrated circuit in electrical communication with an antenna and a baseband circuit, the baseband circuit being in electrical communication with a microphone and a speaker. The at least two devices for converting at least two different sources of energy into electrical power are in electrical communication with the RF integrated circuit and the baseband circuit. The ear clip is engaged to the body. The at least two sources of energy are selected from the group consisting of solar energy, thermoelectric energy, piezoelectric energy, and vibration energy. |
| US08340728B2 |
Incoming call indication in a mobile telecommunication system
Incoming call indication method and system in a call initialization process in a mobile telecommunication system, whereby a user (caller, USER1) having a calling mobile telecommunication terminal device (MOBILE1) makes a call to another user (recipient, USER2)) having a called mobile telecommunication terminal device (MOBILE2), in which the call initialization process the calling user dials or selects the called user's telephone number and the calling mobile phone contacts the called mobile phone according to the mobile telecommunication system protocol and preferably alarms (alerts) the called mobile phone for an incoming call, and wherein the calling user's ID, preferably the phone number, is transmitted to the called mobile phone, and wherein media, such as a tag, specified by the calling user (USER1) is steered to and displayed and/or otherwise processed in the called mobile telecommunication terminal device at least during the call initialization process. |
| US08340725B2 |
Mobile terminal and touch recognition method therefor
Disclosed is a touch recognition method for preventing an execution of a function associated with an icon by unintentionally touching the icon when a slide-type mobile terminal performs a sliding motion and a mobile terminal implementing such method. If a pre-command is inputted by a touch through the touch screen of the mobile terminal, a pre-command operation that is predetermined is performed. If a sliding motion is detected while the pre-command is performed, the pre-command operation is cancelled. |
| US08340723B2 |
Small cell base station, and method of controlling a small cell base station
In one embodiment, the method includes switching, at the base station, from a sleep state to a receive active state to detect whether service should be provided for an authorized mobile terminal. The base station disables transmission and associated processing and disables reception and associated processing in the sleep state. The base station disables transmission and associated processing in the receive active state, and the base station enables reception and associated processing in the receive active state. The method further includes switching, at the base station, from the receive active state to a full active state if the base station detects that service should be provided for an authorized mobile terminal. The base station enables transmission and associated processing and enables reception and associated processing in the full active state. |
| US08340720B1 |
Communication device
The communication device comprising a voice communicating implementer, an auto time adjusting implementer, a camera video displaying implementer, a calculating implementer, a font formatting implementer, a start up software implementer, a stereo audio data output implementer, a device vibration implementer, a photo quality setting implementer, a multiple language implementer, a caller's information displaying implementer, and an icon displaying implementer. |
| US08340718B2 |
Method and system for estimating road traffic
A method of estimating road traffic on a roads network, comprising: receiving information from at least one information source, wherein the information received from the at least one information source is one among a first information type and a second information type; defining at least two different information processing methods, each one associated with a respective one of said information type; selecting the information processing method based on the available information type and on predefined criteria; and processing with the selected information processing method the corresponding available information type; and providing an estimation of the road traffic based on the result of said processing. |
| US08340713B2 |
Method and devices for supporting message services to a dual mode mobile station via a session initiation protocol
The invention relates to methods and devices for supporting the sending of a message to a dual mode mobile station. |
| US08340710B2 |
Domain ID mapping for wireless device identifiers
A wireless telecommunication device and method of generating a domain ID from the wireless telecommunications network identifier of other communicating devices, such as a telephone number or mobile identification number (MIN), and creating a SIP URL to direct communications across a TCP/IP capable network. The wireless telecommunication device can generate more than one domain ID for same network identifier, and can include geographic information in the domain name to provide additional information about the other communicating device within the SIP URL address. |
| US08340709B2 |
Wireless communication device
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless communication device including: a cable port to which an external device is connected; a reading unit that reads identification information from the external device; a determination unit that determines whether the external device is the source-side wireless communication device; an authentication memory unit that performs an authentication process with the source-side wireless communication device; a wireless communication unit that performs a wireless communication with the source-side wireless communication device; and a physical address processing unit that controls the source-side wireless communication device to store a physical address of a source-side device calculated based on from the read identification information of the sink-side device. |
| US08340704B2 |
Resource allocation method and apparatus for multi-mode terminal
In a resource allocation method for a multi-mode terminal, a control network element of a first network technology type obtains information about a radio resource of a second network technology type. The radio resource of the second network technology type is used by the multi-mode terminal and the information about the radio resource of the second network technology type indicates a carrier frequency. The control network element of the first network technology type determines that a carrier frequency allocated to the multi-mode terminal serves as a radio resource of the first network technology type according to the carrier frequency indicated by the information of the radio resource of the second network technology type and according to a maximum spectral width between a service of the first network technology type and a service of the second network technology type. |
| US08340703B2 |
Methods and apparatus for use in a wireless communications system that uses a multi-mode base station
A multi-mode base station includes a transmit standby mode and an active mode. Transmit standby mode of base station operation is a low power/low interference level of operation as compared to active mode. In transmit standby mode at least some of the synchronization signaling such as pilot tone signaling is reduced in power level and/or rate with respect to the active mode. In transmit standby mode, the base station has no active state registered wireless terminals being serviced but may have some sleep state registered wireless terminals being serviced. Mode transitions from active to transmit standby may be in response to: a detected period of inactivity, scheduling information, base station mode change signals, and/or detected wireless terminal state transition. Mode transitions from transmit standby to active may be in response to: scheduling information, access signals, wake-up signals, hand-off signals, wireless terminal state change signals, and/or base station mode change signals. |
| US08340701B1 |
Methods for user-interface over SMS messages based on a reusable context model
Configurations providing a reusable context model for a user interface over SMS for interacting with different levels of a user interface (UI) within an interactive system are described. An SMS server can implement the reusable context model in which an available number from a sequence of numbers (e.g., a block of numbers) is assigned to a first level of the UI. The first level of the UI can include a set of options corresponding to different operations within the interactive system. When an SMS message, which includes a selected option from the set of options from the first level of the UI, is received over the assigned number, the SMS server can determine whether to assign an additional number from the sequence of phone numbers for responding to the received SMS message. The additional assigned number can correspond with a second level of the UI within the interactive system. |
| US08340696B2 |
Mobile terminal device
A mobile terminal device including a communication processor that conducts wireless communication processing, an operation unit that receives an instruction input from a user for selecting a communication contact, a displacement detector that detects a magnitude of displacement in orientation of the mobile terminal device, and a controller that causes the communication processor to conduct the wireless communication with the selected communication contact according to the detected magnitude of displacement. |
| US08340686B2 |
Positioning systems
We describe a device that is able to compute its range and time offset relative to another similar device, and thereby also a three-dimensional position, speed and time relative to other similar devices provided that at least four are present and within range. It does so by transmitting at least two signals at different frequencies and by receiving similar signals transmitted by the other devices. The signals are constructed so that they are independent of the radio band used and so that they lead to cancellation of common-mode effects in the transmitter and receiver circuits. No fixed infrastructure of transmitters, receivers or local measurement units is required and the devices do not need to be synchronized. The system scales to very large networks of devices in which they work collectively each solving a part of the problem that describes the relative positions of all interconnected devices. |
| US08340683B2 |
System and method for a high throughput GSM location solution
A system and method for estimating a location of wireless devices transmitting signals on channels in a communications system having a plurality of nodes and a plurality of Location Measurement Units (“LMU”). A first plurality of signals from a first channel may be received by one or more of the plural LMUs and a second plurality of signals from a second channel may be received by one or more of the plural LMUs. The received first and second plural signals may be converted into first and second digital signals and then divided into first and second sets of frequency bins, the first and second sets of bins corresponding to the respective channel. Each of the divided signals may be correlated with one or more reference signals, and the correlated signals stored in a database for estimating a location of one or more wireless devices. |
| US08340680B2 |
Method and apparatus for planning mobile switching centers in a wireless network
A method and apparatus for providing planning of a plurality of mobile switching centers in a wireless network are disclosed. For example, the method obtains input data, and determines a limit for at least one mobile switching center parameter in accordance with the input data. The method determines if the limit for the at least one mobile switching center parameter is exceeded and determines an optimal output for an objective function, wherein the objective function is based on a plurality of penalty factors, if the limit for the at least one mobile switching center parameter is exceeded. |
| US08340679B1 |
Adaptive power control with an overall power control command
Methods and computer-readable media are provided to determine which sector the mobile device will bias during soft handoff. Signals are received from multiple sectors, and for a first quantity of time slots of a frame, the signals are inspected to determine whether a quality threshold is met. Based on whether the quality threshold is met, each sector is assigned a power control command indicating that either a decrease or increase of output power is recommended when a subsequent signal is sent to the mobile device. For a second quantity of time slots, the overall power control command sent to the sectors corresponds to the power control command assigned to the sector that has communicated the highest quality signals for the first quantity of time slots of the frame. |
| US08340673B2 |
Call delivery to a dual mode wireless device
Communication networks and methods are disclosed that provide call delivery to a dual mode wireless device served by a wireless data network (e.g., WiFi/IMS network) and a wireless voice network (e.g., cellular network). A call control function in the wireless data network is adapted to receive a call to the dual mode wireless device. The call control function transmits a ping message to the dual mode wireless device over the wireless data network to determine if the device is available over the wireless data network for the call. If the call control function receives a response to the ping message from the device, then the call control function attempts to set up the call over the wireless data network. If the call control function does not receive a response to the ping message, then the call control function may attempt to set up the call over the wireless voice network. |
| US08340669B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing cell selection to home cell or private network in a mobile communication system
An apparatus and method for performing cell selection to a Home cell or a Private network in a mobile communication system are provided, in which a User Equipment (UE) determines a candidate cell by measuring a serving cell and neighbor cells, receives an indicator indicating a Home cell or a Private network in system information from the candidate cell, determines whether the candidate cell is included in a Home cell or Private network list set in the UE, and selects the candidate cell if the candidate cell is included in the Home cell or Private network list. |
| US08340668B2 |
Method, device and system for paging terminal device across heterogeneous networks
A method for paging a terminal device across heterogeneous networks, where networks using different wireless standards send paging messages and location management information, and thus the load terminal devices can be alleviated and wireless resources occupied can be reduced. The method includes: selecting, by a current network, another network to execute a paging procedure, when receiving user data and determining a corresponding communication interface of the terminal device in the current network to be in a Dormant Mode, where the another network uses wireless standards different from the current network; sending, by the another network, a paging message to the terminal device to enable the terminal device to reconnect to the current network. A terminal device and network system is also provided. |
| US08340667B2 |
System and method to control wireless communications
Methods and systems to control wireless communications are provided. A particular network communication system includes a plurality of distributed mobile architecture gateways. Each distributed mobile architecture gateway includes at least one interface to communicate with one or more legacy communication networks and each distributed mobile architecture gateway also includes a data network connection. The data network connection is adapted to connect to at least one other distributed mobile architecture gateway of the plurality of distributed mobile architecture gateways. Additionally, the system includes a private Internet Protocol (IP) network connecting each distributed mobile architecture gateway to a respective set of distributed mobile architecture (DMA) servers. Each DMA server is coupled to a respective base transceiver station, and the private IP network also connects each DMA server in a particular set of DMA servers to the DMA servers in the other sets of DMA servers. |
| US08340666B2 |
Managing sponsored content based on usage history
Improved search capabilities are disclosed for mobile communications devices such as cell phones, as well as improved techniques for delivering sponsored content in a mobile communication environment. |
| US08340665B2 |
Fast active scanning wireless network apparatus and method
In a fast active scanning wireless network apparatus and method for quick determination of available access points, information about a candidate set of available access points is obtained, and a candidate access point is identified from the candidate set. A mobile station then queries the candidate access point with a probe request that designates the candidate access point as a sole responder. The probe request prevents other access points from contending for the medium of communication between the mobile station and the designated sole responder access point by excluding the attempt by other access points to transmit probe responses. The apparatus and method thus increases the probability of a fast and successful probe request from the mobile station and subsequent response from the designated access point. The designated access point may also respond with a probe response of high priority, preventing intervention of communication. |
| US08340664B2 |
Cell reselection in a wireless communication system
Techniques for performing cell reselection in a wireless communication system are described. A user equipment (UE) may initially camp on a first cell. While camped on the first cell, the UE may identify second and third cells deemed to be better than the first cell. The UE may move from the first cell to the second cell without performing cell reselection to camp on the second cell. After moving to the second cell, the UE may obtain at least one cell reselection parameter for the second and/or third cell and may update the rankings of the second and third cells based on the cell reselection parameter(s). The UE may then perform cell reselection from the first cell to the second or third cell based on the updated rankings, e.g., perform inter-frequency cell reselection from the first cell to the third cell without actually camping on the second cell. |
| US08340659B2 |
Apparatus and method of performing minimization of drive tests
A method and corresponding apparatus for performing minimization of drive tests (MDT) in a mobile communication system are provided. The method may include receiving, by a base station, a control message from a user equipment (UE). The control message may be one of a MDT prohibit indication configured to indicate the base station should not select the UE for performing MDT, a UE status indication including at least one first UE parameter to be used by the base station when selecting MDT UEs, and a MDT measurement rejection when at least one second UE parameter differs from a predetermined UE parameter threshold. |
| US08340656B2 |
Systems and methods for synchronizing data transmission over a voice channel of a telephone network
Various embodiments facilitate data communication between a client device and a remote device over a voice channel of a telephone system. In one embodiment, the data communication over the voice channel is synchronized to align with voice frames utilized by the telephone system to transmit communicated data between the devices. In some embodiments, the synchronization is performed by determining an offset between a received synchronization audio signal and the voice frames used by the telephone system to process the synchronization audio signal, such as based on an amount of energy present in the received synchronization audio signal. |
| US08340655B2 |
Data transmission
A communications device (1) communicates with an access point (7) to gateway (21) and local area network (13) by a wired or wireless communications link (9). These components may, for example, be accommodated on a train or serve some other predefined area. Gateway (21) receives data packets from device (1) representing information for transmission via that device's “home” communication system (15) to a destination device. The gateway (21) creates packet data protocol channels (27,29,31) with a plurality of communication systems (15,23) and (25) and sends the data packets received from the device (1) selectively over each of these communications channels (27,29,31). A link between a communications systems (23) and (25) allows the data packets to be forwarded to the communications system (15) where they are compiled by concentrator (49) for onward transmission. The communication systems (15,23,25) may be mobile or cellular communications systems. |
| US08340653B2 |
Communication terminal apparatus and communication method
A communication terminal apparatus that includes a personal information obtaining unit configured to obtain contact information about one or a plurality of persons that are a subject of an image; a storage unit configured to store the image in an image address book as an image-attached personal information list item after being added with the contact information obtained by the personal information obtaining unit; a display unit configured to display the image stored in the storage unit; and a control unit configured to cause the display unit to display the image stored in the storage unit when an operation of reading the image-attached personal information list item is performed, and perform a process related to the contact information added to the image in the storage unit when an operation of selecting the one or plurality of persons on the displayed image is performed by a user. |
| US08340648B2 |
Methods and systems for delivering travel-related information
Methods and systems are provided for delivering travel related information with an intelligent network. One method embodiment includes establishing a communication with the intelligent network through an access device, determining a location of the access device, and obtaining the travel-related information with the access device through the intelligent network, wherein the travel-related information includes data related to a location of the access device. Additional system and computer-readable media embodiments of the present methods and systems are also provided. |
| US08340647B2 |
System and method for in-band modem to modem communication
Systems, methods and programmed instructions are disclosed useful for transmitting signals representing data messages to and from a wireless handheld telephony device along a first call leg of a communication session previously established between the wireless handheld telephony device and at least one second telephony device, the communication session being controlled by a call control server. |
| US08340645B2 |
User-controlled routing of phone calls to voicemail
In accordance with one or more aspects, a notification of an incoming phone call is received from a phone system. An indication of the incoming phone call is presented to a user, and the user can control the incoming phone call in different manners. The user can request to delay routing the incoming phone call to voicemail, to route the incoming phone call to voicemail without further delay, and to stop ringing of one or more phone handsets of the phone system. One or more of these control requests can be input by the user via a mobile phone and/or a television system. |
| US08340643B2 |
Response message transmitter and response message transmitting method in cellular mobile telephone apparatus and recording medium recording program for executing the method
A cellular mobile telephone apparatus has circuits for generating messages, a storage circuit for storing messages, and transmitter/receiver circuit for transmitting a message. When the user of the cellular mobile telephone apparatus cannot immediately respond to an incoming call, a desired one of a plurality of previously generated and stored messages can be transmitted to a calling party through simple key manipulations or by other means. |
| US08340639B2 |
Message processing system, device and method
A message processing system includes message center and user subscription data center. The subscription data center stores user subscription data of calling number anonymity service. The message center queries if calling number is anonymous when it transfers message that is transmitted by subscription user, and determines if calling number is anonymous in process of transfer message based on query respond. Interest and mystery of message are increased, personality demand of user is satisfied, and load of message center is decreased. Flexibility and scalability are improved. Additional, the present invention discloses a user subscription data center, a short message center and message processing method. |
| US08340637B2 |
Securely establishing presence on telecommunication devices
In some embodiments, a user may associate a first communication type (e.g., Wi-Fi calling application) with a second communication type (e.g., standard ten-digit mobile telephone number), so that the user may have calls directed to an active communication type in a predetermined preference. In various embodiments, communication devices may become available (e.g., initiated) based on an activity of the user, such as by a location or proximity of the user, use of a device by the user, or for other reasons. |
| US08340634B2 |
Enhanced roaming services and converged carrier networks with device assisted services and a proxy
Enhanced roaming services and converged networks with device assisted services and a proxy is provided. In some embodiments, enhanced roaming services and converged networks with device assisted services and a proxy includes collecting device generated service usage information for one or more devices in wireless communication on the wireless network; and providing the device generated service usage information in a syntax and a communication protocol that can be used by other network devices to augment or replace network generated service usage information for the one or more devices in wireless communication on the wireless network. |
| US08340633B1 |
Mobile activity intelligence
In various embodiments, a method is described that includes receiving mobile device usage data directly from each of a plurality of mobile devices associated with a particular enterprise, aggregating the usage data from each of the plurality of mobile devices at a central database, and generating one or more mobile device usage reports based on the aggregated usage data. |
| US08340631B2 |
Deferred communication and relationship management
Techniques to defer an incoming communication and schedule a follow up communication and techniques to provide reminders to communicate with a selected contact in order to maintain a level of connectivity with the contact are disclosed. A communication recipient can defer an incoming communication and schedule a return communication time. The return communication may be manually deferred by a user and/or automatically deferred based at least in part on availability of a user on an appointment calendar. Also, the communication recipient can receive reminders of the scheduled return communication or reminders to communicate with a selected contact based on a level of connectivity. |
| US08340627B2 |
Support of voice call continuity (VCC) for wireless emergency calls
Apparatus and methods to support Voice Call Continuity (VCC) for emergency calls in a wireless access environment are operable to receive, at a serving domain, a message containing emergency and domain transfer information from a user equipment (UE). The apparatus and methods are further operable to determine a need for emergency call origination or domain transfer based on the emergency and domain transfer information. Additionally, the apparatus and methods are operable to perform the emergency call origination or the domain transfer based on the determining. |
| US08340623B2 |
Self-mixing receiver and forming method thereof
This invention is primarily a circuit structure of self-mixing receiver, and the methodology of circuit structure is described as follows. The first stage is a high input impedance voltage amplifier utilized to amplify the received RF carrier signal from the antenna. Besides, there are no any inductors required. The second stage is a multi-stage amplifier to amplify the output signal of first stage to rail-to-rail level, which is quite the same with supply voltage. The third stage is a mixer adopted to lower the signal frequency. The fourth stage is a digital output converter, which is proposed to demodulate the electric signals and convert the demodulated signal to digital signal. |
| US08340619B1 |
Phase synchronization of phased array or multiple receiver/transmitter systems
In one embodiment, a local oscillator (LO) is configured to generate an LO signal. A transmission line receives the LO signal from the local oscillator and transmits the LO signal. A first set of taps and a second set of taps tap the transmission line to receive the LO signal. A plurality of transceiver blocks are configured to receive and transmit a plurality of phase-shifted radio frequency signals. Each transceiver block is coupled to a first tap and a second tap. Each LO signal received for a transceiver block is received with a different phase. However, the same reference phase may be calculated from a first LO signal received from the first tap and a second LO signal received from a second tap. Each transceiver block receives the reference LO signal having the reference phase determined from the first LO signal and the second LO signal. |
| US08340618B2 |
Method and system for down-converting an electromagnetic signal, and transforms for same, and aperture relationships
Methods, systems, and apparatuses, and combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for down-converting an electromagnetic (EM) signal are described herein. Briefly stated, in embodiments the invention operates by receiving an EM signal and recursively operating on approximate half cycles (½, 1½, 2½, etc.) of the carrier signal. The recursive operations can be performed at a sub-harmonic rate of the carrier signal. The invention accumulates the results of the recursive operations and uses the accumulated results to form a down-converted signal. In an embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is down-converted to a baseband information signal. In another embodiment, the EM signal is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, which is down-converted to a non-FM signal, such as a phase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal. |
| US08340616B2 |
Tracking filter for tuner
A tuner uses a bank of tracking filters to preselect a channel to be received. Each tracking filter covers a range of frequencies. The tracking filters are tunable in frequency using switched capacitors and are tunable in gain by using switched resistors. The switched resistors can be controlled by an automatic gain control circuit that monitors the selected signal and adjust the tracking filter gain to achieve a desired signal level. A switch directs the received signal or signal from a test tone generator into the tracking filters. The test tone, generated by a frequency agile circuit, can be used to calibrate the filters, both in frequency and gain. |
| US08340615B2 |
Selectable capacitance circuit
A voltage-controlled capacitor and methods for forming the same are described. A mechanical conductor membrane of the voltage-controlled capacitor is movable to and from a first position and a second position. An amount of capacitance can vary with the movement of the mechanical conductor membrane. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) voltage-controlled capacitor can be used in a variety of applications, such as, but not limited to, RF switches and RF attenuators. |
| US08340608B2 |
Dual-mode mobile phone and method of the same for inhibiting GSM/CDMA mutual interference
The present invention discloses a GSM/CDMA dual-mode mobile phone and method of the same for inhibiting a GC mutual interference, wherein the mobile phone comprises a dual-port antenna connected respectively with a duplexer and a GSM RF circuit and configured to access the signals of the GSM and the CDMA; a RF switch provided in the CDMA RF receiving circuit, wherein the RF switch is controlled by a GSM baseband chip and configured to cut off a CDMA signal (i.e., cutting off a receiving path of the CDMA) transmitted/received by the dual-port antenna when a GSM operational frequency and a CDMA operational frequency belong to close frequency band during a transmitting timeslot of the GSM, to enhance the isolation between a GSM signal and a CDMA signal. The present invention inhibits interference of GSM transmission with the CDMA receiving in the circuit, achieves high isolation, and also simplifies design of the antennas, lowers requirements of the double antennas on the appearance and volume of the overall machine, and improves the flexibility in the design of the dual-mode mobile phone. |
| US08340607B2 |
Dual-band transceiver
A dual-band transceiver is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a first mixer circuit that generates a first signal having a first frequency that is within a first predefined frequency range. The system also includes a second mixer circuit that generates a second signal having one of a second frequency that is within a second predefined frequency range and a third frequency that is within a third predefined frequency range, and wherein each of the first mixer circuit and the second mixer circuit are used for at least two frequency bands. |
| US08340604B2 |
RF power amplifier controller circuit including calibrated phase control loop
An RF power amplifier system comprises an amplitude control loop and a phase control loop. The amplitude control loop adjusts the supply voltage to the power amplifier based upon the amplitude correction signal indicating the amplitude difference between the amplitude of the input signal and an attenuated amplitude of the output signal. The phase control loop adjusts the phase of the input signal based upon a phase error signal indicating a phase difference between phases of the input signal and the output signal. The phase control loop may comprise one or more variable phase delays introducing a relative phase delay to allow the phase differences between the input and output signals of the PA circuit to be within a range compatible with a phase comparator generating the phase error signal, and a low frequency blocking module that removes the larger extent, lower frequency components of the phase error signal. |
| US08340595B2 |
System and method for controlling radio frequency transceiver and method thereof
A system and a method of controlling an RF transceiver are provided. The system includes a key input unit for detecting a key selection, a memory unit storing control data required for operating the RF transceiver and a code table matching with a key value, a liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying operational information of the RF transceiver, a controller for turning off the LCD that is in an on-state when a data transmitting/receiving request is detected from the key input unit and turning on the LCD when the data transmitting/receiving is completed, and an RF transmitting/receiving unit for modulating a transmitting signal, power-amplifying the transmitting signal, transmitting the amplified signal as an RF signal to an object device through an antenna, and receiving a response signal as an RF signal from the object device. |
| US08340590B2 |
Method for conducting radiated performance tests of a wireless device
A test apparatus for conducting a radiated performance test on a wireless device under controlled test conditions, the test apparatus having an anechoic chamber; a test computer; and an interface, the interface adapted to connect the test computer to the wireless device, the test apparatus being adapted to: establish a data connection on the interface between the test computer and the wireless device; initialize and start a timer for a predetermined interval on the wireless device; subject the wireless device to the radiated performance test in the anechoic chamber after the predetermined interval; and analyze test results on the test computer from a test log stored on the wireless device during the radiated performance test, wherein the interface between the test computer and the wireless device is adapted to be removed during the predetermined interval; for conducting a radiated performance test on a wireless device. |
| US08340589B2 |
Radio communication apparatus and radio communication method
A radio communication device capable of lightening the influence of a frequency selective fading in the wide-band transmission of a single carrier thereby to prevent deterioration of error rate characteristics. In this device, an FFT unit subjects a modulated signal inputted from a modulation unit to a Fourier transformation. A pilot insertion unit inserts a pilot symbol into a plurality of individual frequency components of the modulated signal. Weight multiplication units multiply the individual frequency components and the pilot symbols inserted into the individual frequency components, by weight coefficients set at a weight coefficient setting unit. IFFT units subject the frequency components to an inverse Fourier transformation, thereby to convert the frequency components into time domains. |
| US08340581B2 |
Noise cancellation for RFID backscatter
Methods and apparatuses for removing unwanted noise by a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogator are provided. The interrogator transmits a transmitted signal while receiving a received signal. The received signal can include backscatter modulated signals from one or more RFID tags, as well as unmodulated reflections of the transmitted signal from the environment. The unmodulated reflections are undesirable and may make tag signal extraction difficult. A canceling signal is summed with the received signal to cancel or reduce the unmodulated reflections prior to tag signal extraction. In a specific embodiment, a phase shifted, amplitude adjusted reflection of the transmit signal is used by a directional coupler as the canceling signal. |
| US08340580B1 |
Method and apparatus for managing coexistence interference
The present disclosure provides for a wireless device that can include a transceiver that communicates with a network through an access point using a radio frequency (RF) signal on a channel. The RF signal propagates through an RF environment shared by multiple interference-susceptible wireless devices. The wireless device can also include an interference determination module that 1) detects a coexistence interference profile involving the wireless device and the multiple interference-susceptible wireless devices and 2) determines a channel change for the transceiver to communicate with the network. The wireless device can also include a channel adjuster that changes the channel accordingly to increase the integrity of signals of interference-susceptible wireless devices. |
| US08340578B2 |
Methods and apparatus for enhanced coexistence algorithms in wireless systems
Methods and apparatus for mitigating the effects of interference between multiple air interfaces located on an electronic device. In one embodiment, the air interfaces include a WLAN interface and PAN (e.g., Bluetooth) interface, and information such as Receiver Signal Strength Index (RSSI) as well as system noise level information are used in order to intelligently execute interference mitigation methodologies, including the selective application of modified frequency selection, variation of transmitter power, and/or change of operating mode (e.g., from multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) to single-in, single-out (SISO)) so as to reduce isolation requirements between the interfaces. These methods and apparatus are particularly well suited to use cases where the WLAN interface is operating with high data transmission rates. Business methods associated with the foregoing technology are also described. |
| US08340577B2 |
Communications device using electromagnet and activated communications circuit
A communications device includes a processor and Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry that includes a communications module. An electromagnet is connected to the communications module and the processor. The electromagnet is configured to couple magnetically to a second communications device having a magnetic sensor and to transmit from the electromagnet to the magnetic sensor electromagnet pulses containing data regarding a wireless communications protocol. The processor and communications module are configured to establish a wireless communications connection with the second communications device. |
| US08340572B2 |
System and method for selecting repeaters
A method is described for selecting repeaters comprising: transmitting a first signal from a first node to a second node; measuring signal strength of the first signal at the second node; transmitting a second signal from the second node to the first node; measuring signal strength of the second signal at the first node; and selecting the second node as a repeater based on the signal strength of the first signal and/or the signal strength of the second signal.Another embodiment of the method comprises: calculating signal strength of a signal transmitted to each of a plurality of nodes (the signal strength being measured at each node of the plurality); and selecting one or more of the nodes to be a repeater if the signal strength is below a maximum threshold value and above a minimum threshold value. |
| US08340565B2 |
Image forming device having detachable drum unit
An image forming device includes a frame having an opening, a cover for the opening, a drum unit, a belt unit and a pair of registration rollers. The drum unit has a plurality of photosensitive drums defining an axis and being juxtaposed in line in a direction orthogonal to the axis. The belt unit has a plurality of rollers and an endless belt mounted over the plurality of rollers. The drum unit is movable in a first direction and accessible through the opening. The pair of registration rollers nips the recording sheets to correct skew in the recording sheets and to convey each recording sheet toward the belt unit. The pair of registration rollers is disposed at a side opposite to the drum unit. The pair of registration rollers defining a nip point located at a position aligned with the belt unit. |
| US08340561B2 |
Cleaning arrangement for a moving element to be cleaned in an electrographic printing apparatus
In a cleaning arrangement for a moving element to be cleaned in an electrographic printing apparatus, a cleaning element is provided that has a cleaning member for cleaning which rests on a surface of the moving element to be cleaned. A drive unit for the cleaning element is provided that actuates the cleaning element such that the cleaning member cleans the surface of the moving element to be cleaned region-by-region. |
| US08340560B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device including: a heated fixing member to fix a toner image on a recording medium; a pressing member to form a nip portion between the pressing member and the fixing member; a first blowing unit that blows air to a position close to a leading edge of the recording medium; and a second blowing unit that blows air to the recording medium, wherein a discharge pressure of the air discharged by the first blowing unit is larger than that of the air ejected by the second blowing unit; a discharged air volume discharged by the first blowing unit is less than that discharged by the second blowing unit; and a first discharge port from which air is blown by the first blowing unit is arranged upstream of a second discharge port from which air is blown by the second blowing unit. |
| US08340557B2 |
Torsion flexible donor roll drive and method
A donor roll assembly for a developer unit including a donor roll for delivering toner onto a moving photoconductive member. The donor roll is supported for rotation and has an input shaft, a gear slideably received on the input shaft, and a torsion damper for rotationally coupling the gear to the input shaft of the donor roll for torsion damping. The torsion damper includes a resilient member adapted to deform under torsion to damp speed error (jitter) of a driving component, such as a motor. |
| US08340544B2 |
Printing apparatus and control method wherein a maintenance temperature is determined based on preset temperatures
A printing apparatus includes a memory used for storing a preset temperature value indicating a preset temperature of a heating portion controlled by a CPU when print processing including transfer processing and fixing processing is performed in association with a plurality of types of sheets that are usable by the printing apparatus. The CPU of the printing apparatus calculates a maintenance temperature value, which is a temperature value to be maintained by the heating portion when the print processing is not performed, based on a plurality of preset temperature values that are set in association with the plurality of types of sheets, and controls the temperature of the heating portion to become equal to the maintenance temperature value. |
| US08340539B2 |
Constant current-type high-voltage power supply apparatus and method of controlling power output from the same
A constant current-type high-voltage power supply apparatus which is used in an image forming apparatus includes a leakage current detection unit that detects a leakage current leaked from at least one output terminal of the constant current-type high-voltage power supply apparatus and outputs the detected leakage current, a direct current voltage output unit that outputs different direct current (DC) voltages according to whether the leakage current detected by the leakage current detection unit is input, and a power control unit that controls power supply to the constant current-type high-voltage power supply apparatus according to the output DC voltage. |
| US08340538B2 |
Method and apparatus to control electronic power of coil which performs induction heating in imaging apparatus
Provided is a method of controlling electric power of a coil which performs induction heating in an imaging apparatus. The method includes: detecting an input current of the coil; detecting a resonant current of the coil; calculating a difference between the detected resonant current and the detected input current; and controlling electric power supplied to the coil based on the difference. These operations are repeatedly performed whenever the detected input current is changed. |
| US08340535B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing unit fixing an unfixed toner image formed by an image forming unit and transferred by a transfer unit on a recording medium; a discharge unit provided above the fixing unit and discharging the recording medium; a fixing jam processing cover rotating with respect to an apparatus main body so as to open or close a part of a paper conveyance path from the fixing unit to the discharge unit; a conveyance guide member swingably provided on the fixing jam processing cover and guiding the recording medium to the discharge unit; and a supporting member having an inclined surface with which the conveyance guide member makes contact and along which, as the fixing jam processing cover is being opened, the conveyance guide member slides to become less inclined with respect to a horizontal direction. |
| US08340531B2 |
Method and apparatus for improved SBS suppression in optical fiber communication systems
Methods of transmitting an optical signal through optical fiber in a manner suppressing stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) are provided. A light beam emitted from a light source is modulated by driving either the light source or a separate phase modulator or both simultaneously with a separate high frequency signal dithered by one or more low frequency dithering signals of a frequency or frequencies lower than that of the high frequency signal. Thereafter, the light beam is further modulated externally with an RF information-carrying signal. The high frequency signal is at least twice a highest frequency of the RF information-carrying signal. The light beam modulated with the RF information-carrying signal is coupled into optical fiber. The high frequency signal dithered by the one or more low frequency dithering signals spreads the optical power of the light beam in a wider spectral range thereby raising the SBS threshold power level for purposes of suppressing SBS while the undesired induced spurious frequency component level is controlled. The form of the spread spectrum is also controlled and adjusted. An optical transmitter is also disclosed. |
| US08340525B2 |
Method and device for stabilizing multi-channel optical signal wavelengths
A method for stabilizing multi-channel optical signal wavelengths includes the following steps. A first detecting signal is stacked on a plurality of driving signals in sequence. A plurality of optical signals generated after being driven by the plurality of driving signals is combined into one optical total signal. A wavelength detection is performed on the optical total signal. A second detecting signal with a frequency band the same as that of the first detecting signal is extracted from the signals obtained after the wavelength detection. The wavelength of the optical signal in the corresponding channel among the multiple channels is controlled according to the second detecting signal. A device for stabilizing multi-channel optical signal wavelengths is also provided. Using the above method or device, the multi-channel optical signal wavelengths can be stabilized, which requires less elements, and has a simple circuit structure, a high integration level, and a low cost. |
| US08340523B2 |
Tunable optical filter
A tunable PLC optical filter having sequentially connected thermally tunable Mach-Zehnder (MZ) interferometers is described. The MZ interferometers, having free spectral ranges matching ITU frequency grid spacing, are tuned so as to have a common passband centered on the frequency of the signal being selected, while having at least one of the stopbands centered on any other ITU frequency. Any other optical channel that may be present at any other ITU frequency is suppressed as a result. The PLC chip, including a zero-dispersion lattice-filter interleaver stage, a switchable fine-resolution stage and, or a retroreflector for double passing the filter, is packaged into a hot-pluggable XFP transceiver package. A compensation heater is used to keep constant the amount of heat applied to the PLC chip inside the XFP package, so as to lessen temperature variations upon tuning of the PLC optical filter. |
| US08340521B2 |
Optical transmission system
An optical transmission system is provided. The optical transmission system includes a user side optical repeater device, a central office side optical repeater device, and wavelength multiplexing and wavelength de-multiplexing functions. The user side optical repeater device is to be connected with a user side optical network unit, transmits data in two ways, and is used for wavelength division multiplexing. The central office side optical repeater device is to be connected with a central office side optical line terminal, transmits data in two ways, and is used for wavelength division multiplexing. The wavelength multiplexing and wavelength de-multiplexing functions are used for relaying between the user side optical repeater device and the central office side optical repeater device. |
| US08340520B2 |
Optical network unit
ONU 2A for P-P includes a signal-type discriminating unit 22A that discriminates whether a type of a downstream signal transmitted from OLT is for the P-P or not, and outputs an enable/disable control signal that controls an optical transmitter to an enable state or a disable state, and a control unit 21 that controls the optical transmitter to the enable state or the disable state according to the enable/disable control signal, wherein the signal-type discriminating unit 22A outputs to the control unit 21 a disable control signal that controls the optical transmitter to the disable state under an initial state before the type of the downstream signal is discriminated, and outputs to the control unit 21 an enable control signal that controls the optical transmitter to the enable state after the downstream signal is discriminated to be for the P-P. |
| US08340514B2 |
Opening/closing mechanism for cover and imaging device
An opening/closing mechanism for a cover of an imaging device includes a cover that is moved between a closed position and an inclined position in such a manner that the cover is inclined with respect to an outer housing of an imaging device, is moved in a straight line with respect to the outer housing, and has a pressing operation portion and an portion to be locked, a slide base that supports the cover slidably between the inclined position and the open position, and has a locking portion which is engaged with the portion to be locked to lock the cover at the open position, and a tilting base that supports the slide base tiltably between an initial position and a tilted position. When the cover is placed at the closed position, the slide base is placed at the initial position. |
| US08340513B2 |
Camera and method for performing auto-focusing
A camera and a method for performing auto-focusing applying thereto are provided. The camera adjusts a focus using two auto-focusing methods if specific photographing conditions are satisfied. |
| US08340510B2 |
Implementing channel start and file seek for decoder
A video bit stream with pictures comprising inter-coded content can be decoded upon receiving a channel start or file seek instruction. Pictures for beginning decoding and display of the bit stream can be selected based at least in part on one or more tuning parameters that set a preference between a latency of beginning to display video and possible defects in the displayed video. In some embodiments, to implement decoding upon a channel start or file seek, one or more types of data are generated for one or more pictures. For example, picture order counts are generated for pictures after a channel start or file seek operation. As another example, a decoder generates a frame number value that triggers re-initialization of a reference picture buffer before decoding after a channel start or file seek operation. |
| US08340509B2 |
Method and device for controlling playing speed of a compressed digital video sequence (trickmode)
A method of playing a compressed digital video sequence, comprising steps comprising attributing to each frame a display duration determined as a function of a playing speed set point, and at each period of a frame synchronization signal: if a display duration cumulative value is equal to or greater than a threshold value corresponding to the period of the synchronization signal, playing a previously acquired decoded frame and decreasing the cumulative value of the threshold value; and if the present cumulative value is less than the threshold value, acquiring a new decoded frame and adding the display duration attributed to the newly acquired frame to the cumulative value, until the cumulative value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, playing a last decoded frame acquired and decreasing the cumulative value of the threshold value. |
| US08340504B2 |
Entertainment device and method
An entertainment device for generating augmented reality environments comprises an input for a captured video signal, an image analyser to detect a predetermined marker object location within the captured video signal, a graphics generator to generate a graphics object for integration with the video signal at a selected position to generate an augmented reality image, a controller to positionally couple the graphics object to the detected marker object location within the captured video signal, and a detection failure logic to signal when the image analyser cannot adequately detect the marker object's location within the captured signal. If the logic signals the image analyser cannot detect the location of the marker object within the captured video signal, then the controller positionally decouples the graphics object from the last detected location of the marker object within the video signal, and instructs the graphics generator to modify a characteristic of the graphics object. |
| US08340503B2 |
Overlay to augment quality of currently playing media
Overlay to augment quality of currently playing media. The overlay operates to enhance the quality format of media so that it is output in a different quality format. As one example, when playing media content encoded in accordance with a standard definition television (SDTV) quality format, an appropriate overlay would operate to upgrade the quality format thereof to enhanced definition television (EDTV) quality format, high definition television (HDTV) quality format (or some other quality format). An appropriate overlay may also operate in accordance with audio content (e.g., upgrading a quality format of the audio content). With the advent of Blu-Ray discs (and other higher quality format discs), many individuals presently have libraries of media that are encoded with legacy/previous quality formats. An appropriate overlay that operates in conjunction with media encoded with a legacy/previous quality format allows the same content to be enjoyed in accordance with a newer/improved quality format. |
| US08340502B2 |
Movie reproducing apparatus and method
If a movie reproducing apparatus detects an error during reproduction of encoded movie data, based on management information that includes a recording position of an intra-picture coded picture included in the encoded movie data, the movie reproducing apparatus determines a position used when the error is recovered by searching for an intra-picture coded picture subsequent to a frame including data with the error as well as updates elapsed time information to be displayed based on a frame number of the searched intra-picture coded picture at the time the error is recovered. |
| US08340499B2 |
Recording control apparatus and control method for the same
To select a recording device for recording a program in a digital television receiver to which a plurality of recorders (recording devices) are connected, control is performed to acquire image quality information about the program to be recorded and to compare the program image quality to be recorded with the recording image quality of a recording medium for each connected recording device. Based on the result of this comparison, a recorder is selected that can secondarily record the program onto a recording medium without compromising the program image quality. |
| US08340498B1 |
Extraction of text elements from video content
Video content comprising a plurality of frames containing textual and non-textual elements is processed. A portion of the plurality of frames is selected for analysis to identify textual elements in the frames corresponding to pre-defined textual elements. The identified textual elements are stored along with their location within the video content. In some embodiments, each of a subset of frames included in the portion is analyzed until the pre-defined textual element is identified in a start frame. A plurality of successive frames subsequent to the start frame is analyzed to identify pre-defined textual elements in the frame. Analyzing the frames includes filtering the frames to remove non-textual elements and increase the visibility of the textual elements contained therein. A confidence rating is calculated for the identified textual elements according to some embodiments. |
| US08340490B2 |
Adapter panel with lateral sliding adapter arrays
An adapter panel arrangement including a chassis and a panel of adapters. The adapters defining open rearward cable connections and open forward cable connections of the panel arrangement. The adapters being arranged in arrays that slide independently of other adapter arrays to provide access to the open rearward and open forward cable connections. |
| US08340487B2 |
Rare earth-doped core optical fiber and manufacturing method thereof
A rare earth-doped core optical fiber of the present invention includes a core comprising a silica glass containing at least aluminum and ytterbium, and a clad provided around the core and comprising a silica glass having a lower refraction index than that of the core, wherein the core has an aluminum concentration of 2% by mass or more, and ytterbium is doped into the core at such a concentration that the absorption band which appears around a wavelength of 976 nm in the absorption band by ytterbium contained in the core shows a peak absorption coefficient of 800 dB/m or less. |
| US08340485B2 |
Laser-shaped optical fibers along with optical assemblies and methods therefor
Disclosed are optical assemblies such as field-installable connectors having a laser-shaped optical fiber along with methods for laser-shaping the optical fiber. The field-installable connector includes a ferrule having front and rear opposed faces and at least one fiber bore defined longitudinally therethrough, a stub optical fiber having a distal end with a laser-shaped end face is disposed within the at least one fiber bore of the ferrule and extends a predetermined distance beyond the rear face of the ferrule, and an alignment feature operable for aligning the stub optical fiber with the field optical fiber. One method of laser-shaping the optical fiber includes rotating the optical fiber and sweeping a beam of a laser across the optical fiber and then essentially stopping the rotation of the optical fiber and sweeping the beam through the optical fiber to cut the same with a tapered and angled end face. Other methods may include shifting the laser relative to the optical fiber to create a “pencil-tip” end on the optical fiber. |
| US08340484B2 |
Compact multi-port optical signal processor
In a method and system to fabricate a compact optical device, a periodic group-delay device (PGDD) includes N optical input ports, N being a positive integer number, each port being configured to include one or more wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) channels; N corresponding optical output ports, each port being configured to include one or more WDM channels. The PGDD also includes a first slab waveguide region (FSWR) coupled to the N optical input ports, a second slab waveguide region (SSWR) coupled to the said N optical output ports, a first optical grating coupled to the FSWR, a second optical grating coupled to the SSWR, and; a third slab waveguide region (TSWR) coupled to at least one of the first and second optical gratings. The TSWR is configured to provide a configurable amount of dispersion to the N optical output ports. Optical signals carried by each WDM channel are processed concurrently and independently. |
| US08340483B2 |
Optical interconnection structure and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to an optical interconnection structure and a method for manufacturing the same. The optical interconnection structure includes a silicon substrate on which at least one groove formed with a lens is formed to have a curvature radius on the upper surface thereof; and a silica layer that is formed on the silicon substrate including the groove formed with the lens to retain a shape of the groove formed with the lens. As a result, there are effects that the optical interconnection structure can be manufactured in great quantities by performing most of the processes using a semiconductor processing equipment and have better thermal characteristics than that of the existing PCB substrate. |
| US08340481B2 |
Optical bus
An optical bus. Optical sub-assemblies are used to connect lengths of optical fiber to form a single optical fiber that is a bus. A master transceiver may be connected to one end of the fiber and nodes can be connected to the optical sub-assemblies. Each optical sub-assembly includes a center fiber with a mirror that enables each connector to reflect optical signals out of the fiber and that enables a node to launch optical signals on the optical bus. The optical bus can also be connected with a second transceiver that may be used to deliver optical power to the attached nodes. Some nodes include two optical subassemblies to enable bidirectional communication on the optical bus. |
| US08340477B2 |
Device with automatic image capture
In some embodiments, provided are methods and reading devices with image capture capabilities for efficiently capturing multiple images. |
| US08340476B2 |
Electronic acquisition of a hand formed expression and a context of the expression
Embodiments include an apparatus, device, method, and computer program product. In an embodiment, a device includes a handheld writing device that includes a writing element, and a writing detector module operable to generate information indicative of a handwriting movement of the writing element. The device also includes a context detector module operable to generate information indicative of a content portion of a document proximate to the handwriting movement of the writing element. |
| US08340474B2 |
Apparatus and method of browsing contents
A method of browsing contents and an apparatus for browsing the same are provided. The method includes providing a plurality of characteristic vector types and a plurality of characteristic value types that correspond to a reference characteristic vector type selected from the plurality of characteristic vector types, and determining an arrangement order of preview information of contents according to a reference characteristic value type that is selected from the plurality of characteristic value types, and providing the preview information in the arrangement order. |
| US08340472B2 |
Pixel interpolation apparatus and method
In a pixel interpolation apparatus for interpolating pixels, an edge pixel detection unit detects edge pixels constituting an edge among pixels on lines positioned above/below the interpolation pixel. A continuous edge detection unit detects edge pixels in which two pixels or more consecutively line up among edge pixels detected by the edge pixel detection unit as a continuous edge. A continuous edge pair detection unit determines the combination of the continuous edges detected on each of the lines above and below the interpolation pixel among the continuous edges detected by the continuous edge detection unit. An edge direction determination unit determines the edge direction of the interpolation pixel on the basis of the positional relation of one set of continuous edges determined by the continuous edge pair detection unit. An interpolation pixel calculation unit calculates an interpolation pixel using the edge direction determined by the edge direction determination unit. |
| US08340456B1 |
System and method for depth from defocus imaging
An imaging system includes a positionable device configured to axially shift an image plane, wherein the image plane is generated from photons emanating from an object and passing through a lens, a detector plane positioned to receive the photons of the object that pass through the lens, and a computer programmed to characterize the lens as a mathematical function, acquire two or more elemental images of the object with the image plane of each elemental image at different axial positions with respect to the detector plane, determine a focused distance of the object from the lens, based on the characterization of the lens and based on the two or more elemental images acquired, and generate a depth map of the object based on the determined distance. |
| US08340450B2 |
Successively refinable lattice vector quantization
A vector quantizer includes a lattice quantizer (10) approximating a vector x by a lattice vector belonging to a lattice Λ0. A lattice vector decomposer (14) connected to the lattice quantizer successively decomposes the lattice vector into a sequence of quotient vectors y, and a sequence of remainder vectors ri on successive lattices ΛI−1 by lattice division with a corresponding predetermined sequence of integers pi≧2, where i=1 . . . k and k is a positive integer representing the number of elements in each sequence. |
| US08340445B2 |
Image encoding device, image encoding method, image encoding/decoding system
An image encoding device comprises: a predicted value generation means for predicting target pixel data which is the pixel data of an encoding target pixel to generate predicted value data; a subtractor for calculating the difference value between the target pixel data and the predicted value data to generate difference value data; an encoding mode decision means for determining an encoding mode based on the difference value data and temporarily holding it in a buffer; an encoding target decision means for determining which data of the target pixel or the difference value is used as encoding target data to be encoded based on the encoding mode; a quantization means for applying a quantization processing to the encoding target data based on the encoding mode to generate quantized data; and a fixed-length code generation means for adding the encoding mode to the quantized data to generate a fixed-length code. |
| US08340444B2 |
Image encoding and decoding apparatus and method for effectively transmitting large capacity image
Provided are an image encoding and decoding apparatus and method, which can effectively transmit a large capacity image. The image encoding apparatus generates a plurality of actual images with respect to an input image, and generates a difference image capable of predicting another actual image using one actual image, thereby effectively reducing an amount of data before encoding the input image. |
| US08340442B1 |
Lossy compression of high-dynamic range image files
A high dynamic range (HDR) image can be lossy compressed by first mapping floating point image data values of the HDR image from a light linear space to a perceptually linear space using a first non-linear mapping function. A value in the light linear space is proportionate to the power of a light source, and a value in the perceptually linear space is proportionate to a visual perceived brightness. Floating point discrete cosine transform (DCT) frequency coefficients of the floating point image data values of the HDR image are determined. The floating point DCT frequency coefficients are quantized. The quantized floating point DCT frequency coefficients are compressed. The compression of the quantized floating point DCT frequency coefficients is lossless. The compressed quantized floating point DCT frequency coefficients are stored. |
| US08340439B2 |
Image conversion method and apparatus, and pattern identification method and apparatus
In an image conversion method, a value which reflects the mutual relationship between the classes of pixel patterns each formed from a pixel classified as one of a plurality of classes and peripheral pixels is set as a converted value corresponding to each of the plurality of classes, a pixel of interest is sequentially selected from the input image, and a pixel pattern formed from the selected pixel of interest and a predetermined number of pixels around it is classified as one of the plurality of classes in accordance with a neighboring pattern obtained based on the relationship between the value of the pixel of interest and the values of peripheral pixels located at predetermined relative positions with respect to the pixel of interest. The value of the pixel of interest is converted into a converted value set for a class to which the pixel of interest has been classified. |
| US08340437B2 |
Methods and systems for determining optimal features for classifying patterns or objects in images
Provided are methods for determining optimal features for classifying patterns or objects. Also provided are methods for image analysis. Further provided are methods for image searching. |
| US08340435B2 |
Method and system for object recognition search
A method for object recognition using shape and color features of the object to be recognized. An adaptive architecture is used to recognize and adapt the shape and color features for moving objects to enable object recognition. |
| US08340434B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing system and computer readable medium
A computer readable medium storing a program causing a computer to execute a process for image processing, the process includes: inputting first image data as a reference and second image data to be compared with the first image data; selecting a plurality of first sequences from different positions of the first image data, each of the plurality of first sequences includes first unit-image elements; determining whether or not a second sequence including second unit-image elements, having identity in an alignment of shapes with respect to the plurality of first sequences, exists in the second image data; and detecting from the second sequence determined not to exist in the second image data, a unit-image element not having the identity in the alignment of shapes with respect to the first image data among the second image data. |
| US08340433B2 |
Image processing apparatus, electronic medium, and image processing method
An image processing apparatus include: a storage unit storing an image of a processing target; a tangent calculating unit extracting contours as a bent lines represented by sets of contour points from an image read from the storage unit and computing tangents to the extracted contour; a projecting unit projecting computed tangents to axes in directions orthogonal to the corresponding tangents, and computing coordinates of intersections where the tangents intersect the axes; and a rectangle calculating unit selecting intersections with maximum values and minimum values of coordinates among intersections computed by the projecting unit for each direction of the axis, and computing a rectangle formed by a pair of parallel tangents passing through two intersections with maximum values and minimum values selected for a first axis and another pair of tangents passing through two intersections with maximum values and minimum values selected for a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. |
| US08340432B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting a tilt angle from a depth image
A depth image of a scene may be received, observed, or captured by a device. A human target in the depth image may then be scanned for one or more body parts such as shoulders, hips, knees, or the like. A tilt angle may then be calculated based on the body parts. For example, a first portion of pixels associated with an upper body part such as the shoulders and a second portion of pixels associated with a lower body part such as a midpoint between the hips and knees may be selected. The tilt angle may then be calculated using the first and second portions of pixels. |
| US08340430B2 |
Methods and systems for identifying digital image characteristics
Aspects of the present invention relate to methods and systems for determining image characteristics in a digital image. |
| US08340429B2 |
Searching document images
Disclosed is a method of searching a digital image of a document for a predetermined keyword. The method identifies a word in the digital image, the word comprising one or more shapes. A test matrix comprising a difference vector for each character of the word is generated, and a template matrix comprising a difference vector for each shape of the keyword is also generated, wherein a difference vector represents the differences between the visual features of a respective shape and the visual features of a collection of reference shapes. A measure of similarity between the word and the keyword is generated by comparing the test matrix and the template matrix. |
| US08340428B2 |
Unsupervised writer style adaptation for handwritten word spotting
A word spotting system includes a semi-continuous hidden Markov model configured to model a handwritten word of interest. A writing segments extractor is configured to extract writing segments generally comprising images of handwritten character strings from a received document image. A word model adaptation processor is configured to adjust a shared pool of Gaussians of the semi-continuous hidden Markov model respective to the extracted writing segments. A modeler is configured to model extracted writing segments using the semi-continuous hidden Markov model with the adjusted shared pool of Gaussians to identify whether each modeled writing segment matches the handwritten word of interest. |
| US08340425B2 |
Optical character recognition with two-pass zoning
An image of a paginated document is zoned to identify text zones. First-pass character recognition is performed on the text zones to generate textual content corresponding to the paginated document. The image of the paginated document is re-zoned based on the textual content to identify one or more new text zones. Second-pass character recognition is performed on at least the new text zones to generate updated textual content corresponding to the paginated document. |
| US08340424B2 |
Visualization program, visualization method and visualization apparatus for visualizing reading order of content
A visualization program, method and apparatus for determining reading order of content in a structured document. The method includes generating, for each of a plurality of elements, a directed segment; storing, in the reading order, the generated directed segments of the elements into a storage device; reading from the storage device; linking together the directed segments for the elements in accordance with the reading order; and displaying the linked directed segments overlaid on the structured document which is displayed on the screen. A computer implemented program and an apparatus for carrying out the above method are also provided. |
| US08340423B1 |
Enhancing digital image mosaics using region-statistics
Methods and systems for updating mosaics of digital source images are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for updating a mosaic of digital source images includes segmenting the mosaic to regions, generating a plurality of region-statistics where each region-statistics correspond to image characteristics of one region, organizing the plurality of region-statistics in a database, and updating the mosaic using at least one target region-statistics from the organized plurality of region-statistics. Updating the mosaic can include color correcting. The method for updating a mosaic of digital source images can also includes optimizing the organized plurality of region-statistics, wherein the optimizing is based on one or more reference region-statistics from the organized plurality of region-statistics. |
| US08340422B2 |
Generation of depth map for an image
An image processing unit comprises a first processing unit (101) which generates a depth indication map for an image. The depth indication map may be, for example, an image object separation mask or a predetermined depth profile or background depth map. A second processing unit (103) generates a modified depth indication map by filtering the depth indication map in response to image characteristics of the image. The image adaptive filtering may, for example, provide a more accurate separation mask and/or may modify the predetermined depth profile to reflect the specific image. A third processing unit (105) generates an image depth map for the image in response to the modified depth indication map. The image depth map comprises data representing a depth of at least one image region of the image. The invention leads to the generation of an improved depth map for an image. |
| US08340420B2 |
Method for recognizing objects in images
A method for recognizing objects in images is disclosed. The method of the present invention comprises the following steps. First, acquire a digital image. Then, select one or more objects from the image according to a certain characteristic. Next, generate an x-axis histogram and/or a y-axis histogram from the segmented image. Then, find the zeroes and maxima for the x-axis histogram and/or the y-axis histogram and use the polynomial regression analysis to determine the shape, shape and location of each of the objects in the segmented image according to the zeroes and maxima. If the two curves linking two zeroes and one maximum in the x-axis histogram and the y-axis histogram are two sloped line, the corresponding object may be determined to be a triangle. If each of the four curves linking two zeroes and two maxima is a line, the corresponding object may be determined to be a rectangle. |
| US08340415B2 |
Generation of multi-resolution image pyramids
Embodiments are described for a system and method for generating a multi-resolution image pyramid. The method can include obtaining an image captured as a coarse image of a defined subject and a fine image of the defined subject. The fine image can be downsampled to create a temporary image. A further operation is applying a structure transfer operation to the temporary image to transfer color detail from the coarse image. The structure transfer takes place while retaining structural detail from the temporary image. A blending operation can be applied between the temporary image and the fine image to construct an intermediate image for at least one intermediate level in the multi-resolution image pyramid between the fine image and the coarse image. |
| US08340414B2 |
Method for enhancing contrast in infrared images
A method for image processing comprising filtration and conversion to a radiometric color image based on an original image. The method gives the processed image high spatial resolution combined with high dynamic resolution. The original image is made available in digital format. Contrast-increasing filtration is performed on the original digital image. The original digital image is converted into a radiometric pseudocolor image based on a chosen color range in which each color corresponds to an absolute measured, radiated or reflected quantity of energy within a certain wavelength band and where the images are represented in a format containing a luminance component. The filtered contrast-increased original image is scaled in terms of the luminance component in the radiometric color image. The luminance component in the radiometric color image is replaced with the scaled, filtered contrast-increased luminance component of the original image. |
| US08340411B2 |
Smart image resizing with color-based entropy and gradient operators
A system and method for resizing a digitally represented color image are presented. A color image with pixels defined by luminance and at least one chrominance value is received. For each pixel of the color image, a luminance spatial variation and respective chrominance spatial variations in the respective neighborhood of the each pixel are computed. The luminance spatial variation and the respective chrominance spatial variations are combined to produce a respective importance value for each pixel. Selected pixels are identified based upon their respective importance values and are removed by seam carving of the color image. The seam carving identifies seams of pixels based upon the respective importance values of pixels within the seams of pixels to create a resized color image. The resized color image is produced to an image output device. |
| US08340404B2 |
Image processing device and method, learning device and method, program, and recording medium
An image processing device includes: a smoothing section configured to extract a smoothing tap and smooth a target image on the basis of pixel values within the tap, the smoothing tap being of variable size and including plural pixels centered on each target pixel of the image; a class tap extracting section configured to extract a class tap including plural pixels centered on each target pixel in the smoothed image; a class code determining section configured to generate a code corresponding to a characteristic of variation of pixel values within the class tap, and determine a class code including a size of the smoothing tap and the code; and a pixel value computing section configured to read tap coefficients corresponding to the determined class code, and multiply pixel values forming a prediction tap extracted from the smoothed image, by the tap coefficients to calculate pixel values of a processed image. |
| US08340401B2 |
Method and system for aligning three-dimensional surfaces
A method for associating a three-dimensional surface representing a real object and a three-dimensional reference surface, said reference surface being represented by a set of reference points, the method comprising: obtaining a set of real points representing the real surface, determining the normal vector of each point of said obtained set of real points, selecting, among the set of real points, control points according to the determined normal vector by converting the set of real points to a bi-dimensional space of normal vectors, generating sets of points having similar normal vector among the points of the set of real points and selecting, for each set of points with similar normal vector, one point that is a control point of the real surface, determining correspondence points close to the set of reference points that are determined to correspond to the control points of the real surface, and determining the motion that minimizes the distances between the control points of the real surface and the correspondence points. |
| US08340400B2 |
Systems and methods for extracting planar features, matching the planar features, and estimating motion from the planar features
A method of controlling an actuator based on a set of three-dimensional (3D) data points is provided. The method includes obtaining a first set of 3D data points for a scene and a second set of 3D data points for a scene with a sensor. At least a first set of planar features is extracted from the first set of 3D data point. At least a second set of planar features is extracted from the second set of 3D data points. A motion is determined between the first set of 3D data points and the second set of 3D data points based on a rotation and a translation from the at least a first set to the at least a second set. At least one actuator is controlled based on the motion. |
| US08340397B2 |
Extensible system and method for stereo matching in real-time
Disclosed are a system and a method extensible for performing, in real-time, stereo snatching for calculating depth images with a result of searching for points of similarity by using images taken with two cameras. The system includes a coordinate creating module, a census transform module, a delay XOR calculation module, a stereo matching module, and a control module. Accordingly, by using the system extensible for performing stereo matching, depth information of corrected images can be acquired in real-time without using computer systems or software programs for special purposes. Furthermore, since the system extensible for performing stereo matching can be simply realized by hardware, the system and the method of the present invention can be easily applied to actual intellectual-type robots, industrial settings, etc. |
| US08340396B2 |
Color trapping on a halftoned bi-level bitmap
What is disclosed is a novel system and method for determining whether a pixel resides along a two-color edge in a halftoned bi-level bitmap. In one embodiment, a bitmap having a plurality of colored pixels is received. For each pixel in the bitmap, a window of size n×m is defined centered on the current pixel. The window is partitioned into a plurality of regions with each region having an orientation direction with each orientation direction having an associated numeric value. A number of pixels are counted for each of the first and second colors in each of the associated orientation directions. A determination is made as to the respective orientation direction having the maximum and minimum pixel counts for each of the first and second colors. Thereafter, a determination is made whether the pixel resides along a two color edge based upon the max/min counts and each associated orientation direction. |
| US08340393B2 |
Advanced roughness metrology
A method for evaluating a feature. The method includes receiving an image of the feature and determining respective coordinates of a plurality of points on an edge of the feature in the image. A figure having a non-circular and non-linear shape is fitted to the plurality of points, and respective distances between the plurality of points and the figure are determined. A roughness parameter for the feature is computed using the respective distances. The method may be applied in the analysis of critical dimensions (CD) of integrated circuits and, particularly, in the measurement of the edge roughness of their features and components as imaged using electron scanning microscopy (SEM). |
| US08340388B2 |
Systems, computer-readable media, methods, and medical imaging apparatus for the automated detection of suspicious regions of interest in noise normalized X-ray medical imagery
Systems, computer-readable media, methods, and a medical imaging apparatus for improving the automated detection of suspicious regions of interest in x-ray images of anatomical organs under study are disclosed. Noise effects in x-ray images are suppressed to predetermined levels by filtering the original x-ray images and then combining the original images with the filtered images in such a way that the predetermined noise value is met. The resulting modified x-ray images then may be analyzed to automatically detect suspected breast microcalcifications or other suspicious regions of interest. In addition, three-dimensional digital images of anatomical organs may be computed from a plurality of such modified x-ray images of an anatomical organ taken from different angles, as in CT imaging, and the three-dimensional digital images may be processed to automatically detect suspicious regions of interest. |
| US08340386B2 |
System and method for measuring hole orientation for SPECT collimators
A method for measuring a SPECT collimator's hole orientation angles includes (a) providing a plurality of parallel spaced apart line radiation sources at a distance from a detector; (b) positioning a first collimator between the plurality of spaced apart line radiation sources and the detector; (c) obtaining a set of line images of the plurality of line radiation sources by scanning/stepping the plurality of line radiation sources across the first collimator in a first direction; (d) obtaining a second set of line images of the plurality of line radiation sources by scanning/stepping the plurality of line radiation sources across the first collimator in a second direction thai is perpendicular to the first direction; (c) repeating the steps (c) and (d) for a second collimator, wherein one of the two collimators is a reference collimator and the other of the two collimators is a collimator being measured. |
| US08340385B2 |
Method and system for left ventricle detection in 2D magnetic resonance images using ranking based multi-detector aggregation
A method and system for left ventricle (LV) detection in 2D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images is disclosed. In order to detect the LV in a 2D MRI image, a plurality of LV candidates are detected, for example using marginal space learning (MSL) based detection. Candidates for distinctive anatomic landmarks associated with the LV are then detected in the 2D MRI image. In particular, apex candidates and base candidates are detected in the 2D MRI image. One of the LV candidates is selected as a final LV detection result by ranking the LV candidates based on the LV candidates, the apex candidates, and the base candidates using a trained ranking model. |
| US08340382B2 |
Medical image processing apparatus and medical image processing method
In a medical image processing apparatus according to an embodiment, an image inverting unit generates a first inverted image obtained by inverting a first medical image in a left-and-right direction of an examined subject and generates a second inverted image obtained by inverting a second medical image that is different from the first medical image in the left-and-right direction of the examined subject. A displacement detecting unit detects a displacement between the first medical image and the first inverted image. A registration unit generates, based on the displacement detected by the displacement detecting unit, a corrected image obtained by correcting the second medical image or a corrected inverted image obtained by correcting the second inverted image. A difference image generating unit generates a difference image between the second inverted image and the corrected image or a difference image between the second medical image and the corrected inverted image. |
| US08340379B2 |
Systems and methods for displaying guidance data based on updated deformable imaging data
Presented herein are methods, systems, and computer-readable medium for presenting imaging data related to an anatomical site. These include obtaining a first set of imaging data related to the anatomical site and tracking units at the anatomical site and, thereafter, optionally, obtaining a second set of imaging data related to the anatomical site. A deformed version of the first set of imaging data is then determined based on the relative arrangements of one or more of the tracking units at the time when the first set of imaging data is obtained and when the second set of imaging data is obtained. Then the relative emplacements of the second set of imaging data set and of the deformed version of the first set of imaging data set are determined and used, along with the second set of imaging data set and the deformed version of the first set of imaging data, as a basis for displaying image guidance data. |
| US08340378B2 |
Ribcage segmentation
A technique for segmenting a ribcage, e.g., in a chest radiograph, may involve determining whether or not the top of the image cuts through the lungs. The process may then proceed to segment the top and the sides of the ribcage. A dynamic programming technique may be used to perform the segmentation. |
| US08340375B2 |
Medical diagnostic imaging apparatus, medical image processing method, and computer program product
An operator designates a reference plane on a medical image or a region of a patient, and a setting unit specifies whether the reference plane is an axial plane, a sagittal plane, or a coronal plane. The setting unit also specifies vertical, horizontal, and anteroposterior directions on the reference plane based on an anatomical characteristic of the region. Information about relationship between a patient coordinate system and a region coordinate system is stored in association with the medical image in a first storage unit. |
| US08340374B2 |
3-dimensional diagnostic imaging system
A 3-dimensional diagnostic imaging system for acquiring and displaying 3-dimensional images includes an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus configured to display any cross section of a 3-dimensional image extracted from volume data including an affected part of a subject; a 3-dimensional medical diagnostic imaging apparatus configured to display a cross section of a 3-dimensional image extracted from volume data obtained by medical diagnostic imaging modalities other than the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus, the cross section being substantially identical to the cross section displayed by the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus; and an image processing/display unit configured to synchronously display substantially identical cross sections of a plurality of 3-dimensional images from both the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus and the 3-dimensional medical diagnostic imaging apparatus, or to synchronously display substantially identical cross sections of a plurality of 3-dimensional images extracted from volume data obtained by the same medical diagnostic imaging modality at different times. |
| US08340373B2 |
Quantitative image reconstruction method and system
A technique is provided for generating quantitative projection images from projection images. The pixels of the quantitative projection images correspond to quantitative composition estimates of two or more materials. The quantitative projection images are reconstructed to generate a quantitative volume in which each voxel value corresponds quantitatively to the two or more materials or a mixture of the two or more materials. |
| US08340371B2 |
Contactless biodetector
A biodetector permits formation of an image of the inner face of the hand or of a finger of a user when the hand or the finger (101) is placed in front of an image-forming device (11), at a defined height (F). The height is adapted such that the biodetection image is sufficiently clear and is indicated to the user by means of a sign (40) projected onto the outer face of the hand or of the finger. Such a biodetector does not require the hand or finger to be applied to a support surface, and it permits intuitive and rapid use of the biodetector. |
| US08340369B2 |
Face detection method and digital camera
A face detection method is provided, including: classifying into levels time-wise continuously captured images by increasing/reducing the total number of pixels; selecting sequentially and reading out image data for all of the levels using read-out units of the same size of pixels, or a smaller size of pixels, as those of the image with the smallest size of pixels; carrying out face detection processing by extracting candidate levels in which face image data is present, based on the read-out image data for each of the levels; and, when repeating the face detection processing, setting the number of candidate levels for face detection processing from the second time onward as less than the total number of levels. A digital camera incorporating the face detection method is also disclosed. |
| US08340363B2 |
System and method for efficient interpretation of images in terms of objects and their parts
The present application is a method and system of interpreting an image by finding a configuration of multiple variables which optimizes an objective function with a factorizable upper bound, by applying an iterative algorithm that relies on efficient dynamic ordering of candidate configurations, in a priority queue, in a descending order of an upper bound score. As an example, consider a constellation model for an object. It specifies the appearance models for individual parts of objects, as well as spatial relations among these parts. These are combined into a single function whose value represents the likeness of the object in an image. To find the configuration in which the object is present in the image, we maximize this function over all candidate configurations. The purpose of the iterative algorithm mentioned above is to find such optimal configurations efficiently. |
| US08340362B2 |
Image acquisition apparatus and biometric information acquisition apparatus
An image acquisition apparatus includes an image pickup device that includes a plurality of pixels, and a filter layer that blocks propagation of an incident light ray which comes from an object side to the pixel side in accordance with an increase in incident angle of the incident light ray. |
| US08340361B2 |
Biometric authentication system, authentication client terminal, and biometric authentication method
A biometric authentication system, authentication client terminal, and biometric authentication method are provided to reduce an expected value of the number of inputs of biometric data for authentication, while effectively preventing forgery. In a biometric authentication system, prior probabilities of enrolled users un and non-enrolled user u0 are previously set. 1:N matching is performed between feature data of a claimant v and matching feature data. The matching score is calculated for each enrolled user un. A ratio of the likelihood v=un to the likelihood v≠un is calculated for each enrolled user un using the calculated matching scores. Posterior probabilities of the enrolled users un and non-enrolled user u0 are calculated, using the likelihood ratios, and the prior probabilities of both the enrolled users un and the non-enrolled user u0. Then, determination is made by comparing each posterior probability with a first threshold. |
| US08340359B2 |
Electronic manifest of underground facility locate marks
A manifest including an electronic file associated with a geographic location and a portion of the geographic location indicating a dig area is provided. The manifest includes indicia noting a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within the dig area. |
| US08340356B2 |
Method for producing a known fixed spatial relationship between a laser scanner and a digital camera for traffic monitoring
Method for producing a known fixed spatial relationship between a laser scanner and a digital camera for monitoring traffic, wherein the laser scanner axis and the optical axis of the digital camera are aligned relative to one another only roughly, and the spatial relationship between a scanner coordinate system (1) defined by the position of the laser scanner and orientation of the laser scanner axis and a camera coordinate system (3) defined by the position of the digital camera and orientation of the optical axis of the digital camera is calculated computationally based on the measured values and the image of a vehicle driving through the monitoring area. |
| US08340354B2 |
Method and apparatus for object detection in an image
A method and apparatus for detecting at least one of a location and a scale of an object in an image. The method comprising distinguishing the trailing and leading edges of a moving object in at least one portion of the image, applying a symmetry detection filter to at least a portion of the image to produce symmetry scores relating to the at least one portion of the image, and identifying at least one location corresponding to locally maximal symmetry scores of the symmetry scores relating to the at least one portion of the image, and utilizing the at least one location of the locally maximal symmetry scores to detect at least one of a location and a scale of the object in the image, wherein the scale relates to the size of the symmetry detection filter. |
| US08340351B2 |
Method and apparatus for eliminating unwanted objects from a streaming image
A method and apparatus for eliminating unwanted objects in a streaming image. The method includes recognizing unwanted objects in a streaming image and eliminating the recognized unwanted objects from the streaming image. |
| US08340348B2 |
Methods and apparatus for thwarting watermark detection circumvention
Methods and apparatus for thwarting circumvention of watermark detection are provided. When content is received at a device that is equipped with a watermark extractor, an attacker may disguise the form of the received content in an attempt to circumvent detection of watermarks that are embedded in the content. A signal processing operation is performed on the received content such that the signal processing operation does not significantly degrade the perceptual quality of the content if the content is indeed in the form that is purported to be. The signal processing operation, however, significantly degrades the perceptual quality of the content if the content is in a different form, thereby discouraging the attacker's attempts to thwart watermark detection. |
| US08340347B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
This invention provides a technique of preventing determination of image alteration when digital image data has undergone, e.g., rotation without any substantial change in contents. To do this, an area separation processing unit separates image data into areas. For each of the separated areas, an area feature value calculator calculates an area feature value independent of the coordinate information of the image. An area order sorter sorts the separated areas in accordance with the calculated area feature values. A validation data generation processing unit generates validation data based on the sort result. |
| US08340340B2 |
Loudspeaker driver suspension
A loudspeaker driver has a diaphragm connected to a surrounding frame by a roll suspension which extends around the diaphragm and within the frame. The roll suspension connects the outer edge of the diaphragm to the inner edge of the frame and flexes as the diaphragm is displaced to and fro axially relative to the frame. In order to provide for better integrity of the roll suspension during its displacement, and reduce unwanted deformation and concomitant distortion, the suspension roll is provided with pleats extending across the roll suspension transversely to the direction of axial movement of the diaphragm to create a series of undulations (peaks and troughs) around the perimeter of the roll suspension. In transverse cross-section, the roll suspension is parabolic. The roll suspension varies continuously between each peak and adjacent trough. Preferably, outer surfaces of each peak and adjacent trough merge to a common point on the outer edge of the roll, while their inner surfaces merge to a common point on the outer edge of the roll, such that the peaks and troughs effectively disappear. |
| US08340339B2 |
Headset systems and related methods
In one embodiment, a headset system comprises a headset comprising a body and an earpiece, and a docking station comprising a receiving mechanism sized to receive a portion of the body. The earpiece can be located outside of the receiving mechanism when the portion of the body is coupled to the receiving mechanism. Other examples and embodiments are described herein. |
| US08340330B2 |
Audio apparatus for wirelessly transmitting audio signal, audio system, and audio signal transmission method thereof
An audio apparatus includes a main unit to extract audio signals for at least two channels from a multichannel audio signal; and a transmitter to wirelessly transmit at least one audio signal of the extracted audio signals to a first receiver, and to wirelessly transmit at least one other audio signal of the extracted audio signals to a second receiver. |
| US08340329B2 |
Piezoelectric speaker
A purpose of the invention is to provide a piezoelectric speaker that can serve as an antenna and can be used for frequencies in the MHz band, thereby it is possible to suppress enlarging of the size due to use of the piezoelectric speaker also as the antenna to a minimum level. The antenna (4) is provided on a frame (2a) that is a peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm (2). With this configuration, enlarging of the size can be suppressed to a minimum level while using the piezoelectric speaker also as the antenna, and it is possible to achieve space saving in a miniature electronic apparatus such as a mobile phone or the like when the piezoelectric speaker is adopted to the miniature electronic apparatus. In addition, the antenna (4) is a loop antenna formed in a loop shape. With this configuration, the piezoelectric speaker can be used for frequencies in the MHz band, which is used in, for example, a noncontact IC card technology. Further, a magnetic material sheet (5) is provided on the other face of the frame (2a) so as to oppose to the antenna (4). With this configuration, it is possible to suppress reduction of the reception sensitivity at a time when a metallic material is placed in the vicinity of the antenna (4). |
| US08340327B2 |
Home theater
An acoustical window assembly for a vehicle includes a transparent glass window panel and mounting portions for mounting respective perimeter regions of the window panel to a vehicle structure. A first mounting portion substantially fixedly mounts a first perimeter region of the window panel relative to the vehicle structure, while a second mounting portion mounts a second perimeter region of the window panel to the vehicle structure and includes a flexible element to allow for movement of the second perimeter region of the window panel toward and away from the vehicle structure. An actuating assembly is positioned at an actuating region of the window panel and has a substantially rigid interface element that engages the actuating region of the window panel. The actuating assembly is operable to vibrate the window panel via vibration of the substantially rigid interface element relative to the vehicle structure. |
| US08340326B2 |
Addressable amplified speaker assembly and method for addressing the same
Addressable amplified speakers assembly, and method for addressing the same, suitable for any permanent or temporary public address paging application. Amplified speakers assembly may incorporate VHF and UHF radios to provide wireless, one-way paging from a few feet to many miles away. These speakers can be added to any existing radio system with minimal effort or cost. The need for routing signal cable is eliminated, greatly reducing installation costs. Each speaker can be programmed for individual, group, or all-page access via DTMF or 2-Tone coding (up to 8 different addresses). The volume of each speaker can also be controlled remotely. |
| US08340325B2 |
Method and an apparatus for decoding an audio signal
A method for processing an audio signal, comprising: receiving a downmix signal, an object information, and a mix information; generating a multi-channel information including at least one gain modification factor using the object information and the mix information, wherein the gain modification factor corresponds to a time-subband-variant factor for controlling gain of the downmix signal is disclosed. |
| US08340324B2 |
Device for setting parameters of mixer
When a copy mode is set, all channel selecting switches on a control panel are set to valid for a parameter copy operation, in which, when an operation of the channel selecting switch is detected while the copy mode is set, (a) in a case where the operation of the channel selecting switch is determined to be a setting operation of a copy-source channel, the channel corresponding to the operated channel selecting switch is set as a copy-source channel and channel selecting switches corresponding to the channel of a different type from a type of the copy-source channel is set invalid so that only the channel selecting switch corresponding to the channel of the same type as of the copy-source channel is placed into a valid state, and (b) in a case where the operation of the channel selecting switch is determined to be the setting operation of a copy-destination channel, the channel corresponding to the channel selecting switch operated is set as a copy-destination channel. |
| US08340323B2 |
Sound outputting apparatus, sound outputting method, sound outputting system and sound output processing program
Disclosed herein is a sound outputting apparatus, including: an electro-acoustic conversion section disposed in a housing and configured to acoustically reproduce a first sound signal; a sound collection section configured to collect sound outside said housing and output a second sound signal; a surrounding noise evaluation section configured to evaluate surrounding noise outside said housing based on the second electric signal; and a control section configured to perform predetermined control based on a result of the evaluation of said surrounding noise evaluation section. |
| US08340321B2 |
Method and device for phase-sensitive processing of sound signals
A method and device for phase-sensitive processing of sound signals of at least one sound source may include arranging two microphones at a distance d from each other, capturing sound signals with both microphones, generating associated microphone signals, and processing the sound signals of the microphones. During a calibration mode, a calibration-position-specific, frequency-dependent phase difference vector φ0(f) between the associated calibration microphone signals may be calculated from their frequency spectra for the calibration position. Then, during an operating mode, a signal spectrum S of a signal to be output is calculated by multiplication of at least one of the two frequency spectra of the current microphone signals with a spectral filter function F. |