Document Document Title
US08346596B2 Method for managing production system operations
Disclosed is a system and method for managing operations of a system. The method includes partitioning the system into a plurality of subsystems. The method further includes, for each subsystem, creating an agent to associate with the subsystem, providing to the agent one or more goals for the subsystem, and providing to the agent an overall objective function for the system. The method also includes using an optimization algorithm involving the agents to manage system operation based on the goals and the overall objective function. The system includes an agent module for providing a set of agents associated with the subsystems, a throughput target module for providing a throughput target for each agent, an objective module for providing, for each agent, a common production throughput objective.
US08346590B2 Automatically schedule and re-schedule meetings through search interface
A method and system for scheduling or re-scheduling calendar events is described. One aspect of the invention involves: receiving a calendar search request to schedule a calendar event including at least one participant and a time of meeting constraint; obtaining information identifying one or more preferences associated with the at least one participant, at least one of the preferences based on the at least one participant's historical calendar activity over a predetermined period of time; searching one or more databases in a calendaring system to obtain a set of candidate calendar events that meet at least a subset of the plurality of constraints; ranking the set of candidate calendar events based on the plurality of constraints and the one or more preferences; and preparing for presentation at least a subset of the ranked set of candidate calendar events, each candidate calendar event including a specified start time.
US08346586B1 Systems and methods for estimating employment levels
A method of estimating an employment level receiving a first set of payroll data that includes at least one payroll record associated with at least one entity and identifying a format associated with the at least one payroll record of the first plurality of payroll data. The format associated with the at least one payroll record of the first plurality of payroll data may be normalized to substantially conform to a format associated with a second set of payroll data. A regression coefficient associated with the normalized first set of payroll data may be calculated. An employment level is estimated based on the first set of normalized payroll data and the regression coefficient. The regression coefficient comprises a value indicative of a difference in growth rates between the first set of payroll data and the second set of payroll data and is based at least on a number of initial unemployment claims filed during a portion of a time period associated with the first set of payroll data.
US08346585B1 Data mining for targeted republishing
A system and method of data mining for republishing is described. In some embodiments products having a high potential for increased sales through republishing are identified based on relationships with products having consistent sales. In some embodiments products having a high potential for increased sales through republishing are identified based on sales in one language and availability of rights in another language. In one aspect, translations are facilitated via a translations marketplace.
US08346580B2 System and method for managing transfer of ownership rights to access to a venue and allowing access to the venue to patron with the ownership right
Certain embodiments of a multi-input access device and method for using which allow access to an event or venue include a detector for detecting authentication data for a person and a processor for authenticating the authentication data to verify that the person is allowed to access the event. The authentication data includes at least paperless authentication data for the person. The authentication data may include a printed ticket, a magnetic strip, a bar code, a credit card, an identification card, a smart card, a radio frequency identifier, an electronic device, biometric data, a signal, and/or other authentication data. The access device may include an access gate, a turnstile, a handheld access device, a retrofit unit, and/or other access device. In an embodiment, the access device includes a verification module generating access verification data for the person.
US08346577B2 Automation of auditing claims
Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for automation of auditing claims. A data file is received comprising one or more auditable items, each auditable item comprising a word string having one or more words. Each word string for each auditable item is translated using one or more translation steps into a translated item description. Each translated item description is compared to a plurality of terms to generate matching information. Each translated item description is associated with an item identifier based on the matching information. Each auditable item is accepted or rejected based on the item identifier and one or more rules associated with the data file.
US08346576B2 Apparatus, method, program and computer-readable recording medium for providing guaranteed minimum accumulated benefit contract funded with matching bond investments
A guaranteed minimum accumulated benefit (GMAB) variable annuity contract management apparatus stores contract data on GMAB variable annuity contracts having a predetermined contract duration. The apparatus also stores fund data on amounts paid to purchase the contracts. The apparatus computes a portion of the amounts paid that is to be allocated to a bond fund. The apparatus stores data on the portion of the amounts paid to be allocated to the bond fund. A substantial portion, or all, of the bond fund is invested in bonds that have a maturity date that matches the contract duration of the GMAB variable annuity contracts.
US08346575B2 System and methods of automated patient check-in, scheduling and prepayment
A system is provided that receives a first message from a patient device containing patient information comprising at least one of demographic, health insurance, medication, and medical history and requesting an appointment with a first health care provider. If the first message does not designate a provider for the requested appointment, the system lists providers for review and selection. The system determines that the first provider one of designated and selected is a subscriber to automated check-in services provided by the system. The system verifies patient health insurance coverage and determines patient deductible balance and insurer copayment requirement, contacts the first provider, provides the patient information, and requests available appointment dates and times and patient account information. The system sends a second message to the device providing available appointment dates and times and requesting payment for an amount owed and receives appointment selection and payment instructions for the amount owed.
US08346574B2 Systems and methods for tracking and providing workflow information
A tangible computer-readable storage device storing computer-executable program instructions that generate a user interface for displaying workflow information associated with a tissue specimen in a pathology laboratory. The program instructions may be configured to perform a method including displaying a virtual laboratory component representing a physical pathology laboratory having one or more laboratory stations for processing the tissue specimen, wherein the tissue specimen is processed by the one or more laboratory stations according to a workflow, and displaying a specimen indicator that indicates a current specimen state based on a current relationship of the tissue specimen to the workflow. The method may further include enabling a first active component associated with the virtual laboratory component, wherein the first active component is configured to receive a user selection of a laboratory station and generating a supplemental view component of the selected laboratory station in response to the user selection, wherein the supplemental view provides supplemental information on processing by the selected laboratory station of the tissue specimen.
US08346572B2 Providing clinical information to clinicians
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for providing clinical information to clinicians are provided. In embodiments, a patient's electronic health record is accessed to identify that a first clinician has requested a consult with a second clinician. Each clinician is associated with a clinician identifier that is identified by a plurality of sensors. A location for both the first and second clinician is received from the plurality of sensors. A determination is made whether the first and second clinicians are near one another. Upon determining that the first and second clinicians are near one another, a notification is presented to the first clinician. Such tracking of clinician location helps avoid missed opportunities and provides efficient communication among clinicians.
US08346569B2 System and method for creating a dynamic customized employment profile and subsequent use thereof
A system and method for dynamically generating a customized profile for a company for a selected profile type, the customized profile including a set of attribute types, each of the attribute types having a customized attribute range. The system comprises a receipt module for receiving a predefined profile having predefined attribute types corresponding to the set of attribute types. Each of the predefined attribute types has a predefined attribute range representing a range of attribute values for the selected profile type, and for receiving personal assessments of individuals related to the company. Each of the personal assessments has questions related to attributes. Each of the questions has a value assigned by the respective related individual.
US08346563B1 System and methods for delivering advanced natural language interaction applications
A system for delivering advanced natural language interaction applications, comprising a dialog interface module, a natural language interaction engine, a solution data repository component operating comprising at least one domain model, at least one language model, and a plurality of flow elements and rules for managing interactions with users, and an interface software module. Upon receipt of a request from a user via a network, the dialog interface module preprocesses the request and transmits it to the natural language interaction engine. The natural language interaction engine interprets the request using a plurality of language recognition rules stored in the solution data repository, and based at least determined semantic meaning or user intent, the natural language interaction engine forms an appropriate response and delivers the response to the user via the dialog module, or takes an appropriate action based on the request.
US08346557B2 Systems and methods document narration
Disclosed are techniques and systems to provide a narration of a text in multiple different voices. In some aspects, systems and methods described herein can include receiving a user-based selection of a first portion of words in a document where the document has a pre-associated first voice model and overwriting the association of the first voice model, by the one or more computers, with a second voice model for the first portion of words.
US08346549B2 System and method for supplemental speech recognition by identified idle resources
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for improving automatic speech recognition performance. A system practicing the method identifies idle speech recognition resources and establishes a supplemental speech recognizer on the idle resources based on overall speech recognition demand. The supplemental speech recognizer can differ from a main speech recognizer, and, along with the main speech recognizer, can be associated with a particular speaker. The system performs speech recognition on speech received from the particular speaker in parallel with the main speech recognizer and the supplemental speech recognizer and combines results from the main and supplemental speech recognizer. The system recognizes the received speech based on the combined results. The system can use beam adjustment in place of or in combination with a supplemental speech recognizer. A scheduling algorithm can tailor a particular combination of speech recognition resources and release the supplemental speech recognizer based on increased demand.
US08346544B2 Selection of encoding modes and/or encoding rates for speech compression with closed loop re-decision
In a device configurable to encode speech performing an closed loop re-decision may comprise representing a speech signal by amplitude components and phase components for a current frame and a past frame. In a first closed loop stage, a first set of compressed components and a first set of uncompressed components for a current frame may be generated. A first set of features may be generated by comparing current and past frame amplitude and/or phase components. In a second closed loop stage, a second set of compressed components for the current frame may be generated by compressing the first set of compressed components and compressing the first set of uncompressed components. Generation of a second set of features may be based on the second set of compressed components from the current frame and a combination of amplitude and/or phase components from the past frame.
US08346536B2 System and method for multi-lingual information retrieval
Multi-lingual information retrieval methods and systems are described.
US08346534B2 Method, system and apparatus for automatic keyword extraction
The present invention provides a method and a system for automatic keyword extraction based on supervised or unsupervised machine learning techniques. Novel linguistically-motivated machine learning features are introduced, including discourse comprehension features based on construction integration theory, numeric features making use of syntactic part-of-speech patterns, and probabilistic features based on analysis of online encyclopedia annotations. The improved keyword extraction methods are combined with word sense disambiguation into a system for automatically generating annotations to enrich text with links to encyclopedic knowledge.
US08346533B2 Compiling word usage frequencies
A system for assisting a user who is learning a language to prioritize words to be learned in order of usage frequency is disclosed. A frequency determination program running on a computer determines the frequency of usage of each word at a list of locations provided by the user. Different algorithms to identify what constitutes a word are employed depending upon the language of the source data. The total number of words at each location and their usage frequency found during the user session, along with a total number of words and their usage frequency for all user sessions performed regardless of location, are calculated and made available to the user. The user can view usage frequencies for words from a single location, a group of locations, or all user sessions performed.
US08346528B2 Equivalent device statistical modeling for bitline leakage modeling
Mechanisms are provided for modeling a plurality of devices of an integrated circuit design as a single statistically equivalent wide device. An integrated circuit design is analyzed to identify a portion of the integrated circuit design having the plurality of devices. For the plurality of devices, a statistical model of a single statistically equivalent wide device is generated which has a statistical distribution of at least one operating characteristic of the single statistically equivalent wide device that captures statistical operating characteristic distributions of individual devices in the plurality of devices. At least one statistical operating characteristic of the single statistically equivalent wide device is a complex non-linear function of the statistical operating characteristics of the individual devices. The integrated circuit design is modeled using the single statistically equivalent wide device.
US08346527B2 Simulating an operation of a digital circuit
A method for simulating an operation of a digital circuit (01) is described. The method utilizes cycle simulation, wherein in a cycle based simulation model (34) of the digital circuit (01) components (02, 03, 04, 05) of the digital circuit (01) are clocked synchronously every cycle (19) of a functional clock (Clk). According to the invention, real digital circuit (01), i.e. chip or combinatorial logic (01), timing information is included in the cycle simulation by inserting delay latches (15, 16, 17) into the cycle based simulation model (34) of the digital circuit (01), wherein a non-functional clock (Sim clock) is used to clock the delay latches (15, 16, 17), so that each delay latch (15, 16, 17) delays the propagation of a signal (I, J, K) by a cycle (20) of the non-functional clock (Sim clock).
US08346519B2 Chemical processing system
A method of optimising a processing system comprising a plurality of apparatuses includes defining a system model indicative of a predetermined range of apparatus options within a processing system, constraints indicative of feasible interconnections between each apparatus and another apparatus, and parameters indicative of performance criteria associated with each apparatus. The system model is analysed with respect to predetermined criteria to determine a preferred arrangement of apparatuses within the processing system.A parameter relating to at least one apparatus is indicative of the availability and/or the reliability of the apparatus expressed as a function of time.
US08346516B2 Predictive modeling
Predictive modeling, in which a first simulation model that simulates a first policy for managing a set of data is determined based on a pattern representative of the set of data and first operating variables for the first policy. The first simulation model is optimized and first prediction data that estimates performance of the first policy is computed using the optimized first simulation model. A second simulation model that simulates a second policy for managing the set of data is determined based on the pattern and second operating variables for the second policy. The second simulation model is optimized and second prediction data that estimates performance of the second policy is computed using the optimized second simulation model. The first prediction data is compared with the second prediction data, and a determination of whether the first policy is better than the second policy is made.
US08346515B2 Methods and apparatus for line system design
Line system design techniques are provided for use in performing routing and coloring operations associated with one or more demands. In one aspect of the invention, a technique for designing a line system comprises the following steps/operations. A set of one or more demands is obtained for use in computing the line system design. The line system design is then represented as a graph in accordance with a graph coloring operation wherein colors represent bandwidths such that bandwidths are assigned and the one or more demands are routed so as to attempt to achieve a minimum total design cost. The line system being designed may be an optical line system.
US08346508B2 System and method for diagnosing home appliance
A system and method for diagnosing a home appliance are disclosed. The home appliance outputs product information as a predetermined sound signal, and transmits the sound signal to a service center of a remote site over a communication network, such that a service technician of the service center can easily check a current status of the home appliance. When a diagnostic server of the service center analyzes the sound signal of the home appliance, it selects a plurality of preamble candidates and can effectively and correctly detect data using weights, so that it can quickly diagnose a faulty operation of the home appliance. An erroneous data analysis and its associated erroneous diagnosis are prevented, so that the diagnostic system provides a service for more correctly diagnosing a faulty operation of the home appliance and also increases user satisfaction and reliability of the home appliance.
US08346501B2 Industrial roll with sensors arranged to self-identify angular location
An industrial roll includes: a substantially cylindrical core having an outer surface; a polymeric cover circumferentially overlying the core outer surface; and a sensing system. The sensing system comprises: a plurality of sensors embedded in the cover, the sensors configured to detect an operating parameter of the roll and provide signals representative of the operating parameter, wherein one of the plurality of sensors is a tracking sensor and the remaining sensors are non-tracking sensors; and a processor operatively associated with the sensors that processes signals provided by the sensors. The sensors are arranged at a substantially equal radial distance from the core outer surface, such that they define a circle when viewed from an end of the roll. Each of the non-tracking sensors is further arranged at a substantially equal first angular distance from its immediate non-tracking sensor neighbors, two endmost non-tracking sensors defining an angular gap. The tracking sensor is disposed in the angular gap, such that a second angular distance defined by the tracking sensor and either of the endmost sensors differs from the first angular distance. In this configuration, the sensing system can identify from which sensor signals are generated without a trigger signal generator or accelerometer.
US08346494B2 Physical quantity measurement device
The physical quantity measurement device involves a terminal unit, a sensor, a storage unit, an output unit, a communication unit, a control unit, and a discriminating unit. The terminal unit has a power terminal, an output terminal, and a ground terminal. The communication unit uses the power terminal in order to receive a serial signal from an external device. The control unit has an adjusting mode and a normal mode. The discriminating unit decides that the external device requests either the adjusting mode or the normal mode based on whether or not an electrical potential of each of the power terminal and the output terminal satisfies a predetermined condition. The control unit selects the normal mode when the discriminating unit decides that the external device requests the normal mode, and selects the adjusting mode when the discriminating unit decides that the external device request the adjusting mode.
US08346492B2 Integrated acoustic leak detection system using intrusive and non-intrusive sensors
A system for detecting and locating leaks includes a pipeline, strain sensors positioned on the external surface of the pipeline, acoustic pressure sensors positioned at intervals along the pipeline, local processors connected to the strain sensors and acoustic pressure sensors, and a central processor connected to the local processors. The strain sensors measure a strain on the external surface of the pipeline indicative of changes in the pressure of the fluid within the pipeline. The acoustic pressure sensors sense acoustic signals within the pipline. Sensed acoustic pressure signals and sensed strain measurements are compared to each other and to stored profiles to detect and locate leaks.
US08346491B2 Sonar-based flow meter operable to provide product identification
An apparatus and method for identifying one or more fluid products flowing within a pipe are provided having a flow meter mounted on the pipe and a processing unit. The flow meter has a plurality of sensors operable to detect vortical disturbances flowing with the fluid products and acoustic waves propagating through the fluid. The sensors produce signals indicative of the vortical disturbances and acoustic waves. The processing unit is operable to determine the speed of sound and volumetric flow rate of the one or more fluid products using the signals from the flow meter. The processing unit includes a database having speed of sound data for a predetermined group of products. The processing unit is operable to identify the type of each product flowing within the pipe given a temperature and pressure value of the products within the pipe.
US08346489B2 Method and system for determining output torque capabilities in hybrid and electric powertrains
A method for determining output torque capabilities in a transmission having a first, second, and third node, each of which has a speed and acceleration. The method includes controlling the speed of the first node, calculating a real maximum long-term output torque capability (raw max LT) as a function of at least the acceleration and the speed of the first and second nodes, and calculating an inertialess maximum long-term output torque capability (inertialess max LT), which is identical to the raw max LT except that the inertialess max LT ignores torque capability due to acceleration of the first node. The raw max LT and the inertialess max LT are compared to determine an operating capability for the transmission. The first node may be an input node for the transmission. The method may include determining a new effective minimum long-term output torque capability (new effective min LT) by similar considerations.
US08346485B2 Methods and apparatuses for estimating initial target nucleic acid concentration in a sample by modeling background signal and cycle-dependent amplification efficiency of a polymerase chain reaction
Provided are methods for estimating the amount of initial target nucleic acid in a sample prior to nucleic acid amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The methods generally involve modeling signal intensity data generated across a range of PCR cycles with a phenomenological model in concert with a chemical model, to yield an estimate of the amount of initial target nucleic acid in the sample.
US08346479B2 System and method for providing geographic information in private webpage
A geographic information providing system in a personal webpage is disclosed. The geographic information providing system can include a GPS information storing unit, receiving GPS coordinate information related to a location of a user and additional information from a mobile communication terminal and storing the received GPS coordinate information and additional information; a map data loading unit, loading map data having a location corresponding to the GPS coordinate information if a request to access the stored GPS coordinate information and additional information is received; and a temporary layer generating controlling unit, generating a temporary layer to mark the location corresponding to the GPS coordinate information on a loaded map in a form capable of being identified by the user and providing control information for displaying the location corresponding to the GPS coordinate information.
US08346473B2 Lane determining device, lane determining method and navigation apparatus using the same
A lane determining device includes: a feature information obtaining unit for obtaining feature information F of a target feature existing in each lane in the traveling direction of a vehicle 30, based on vehicle position information; an image recognizing unit for conducting image recognition processing of a feature type of the target feature in a vehicle lane, with respect to image information; and a lane accuracy determining unit for determining a vehicle lane accuracy for the respective lanes based on a type of a recognized feature fa shown in an image recognition result, feature types Ft1 to Ft4 of the target feature of the respective lanes shown in the feature information F, in accordance with a level of probability for each of the feature types Ft1 to Ft4 of the target feature of the respective lanes is recognized as the type of the recognized feature fa.
US08346471B2 System, apparatus and method for mapping
The present invention provides a novel apparatus and method for mapping of urban regions. An apparatus includes the remote sensing equipment that is connected to a computer processor. The remote sensing equipment gathers imaging data about an urban region. The computer processor interprets the imaging data to generate a map of the urban region comprising representations that identify a first set of indicia representing physiographic characteristics, a second set of indicia representing different types of built forms, and a third set of indicia representing patterns of human activity associated with both the physiographic characteristics and the built forms. The map can also include a fourth set of indicia representing an intensity level that at least one of the other types of indicia occurs.
US08346467B2 Device for detecting an event in a vehicle or in the surrounds of a vehicle
A roof-cleaning device for moving side windows of a convertible vehicle an appropriate distance clear of a roof hinged to the vehicle body, and capable of detecting an event in or in the surroundings of the vehicle, includes: a first motion detector designed to occupy a first operational state and a second standby state, and a second detector coupled to the first detector and of lower power consumption, wherein I. with the first detector in the standby state, if the second detector detects an event to which it is sensitive, then the first detector switches into the operational state so that it can play a part in moving the window clear of the roof, II. and if, while in this operational state, the first detector detects the presence, intervention or action of the individual, then the windows are rolled down before the door is, or can be, opened.
US08346465B2 Method and apparatus for determining and displaying meaningful cross street for navigation system
A method and apparatus for a navigation system determines whether an upcoming cross street is meaningful for a user to be displayed. The includes the steps of searching upcoming cross streets that intersect with a current street on which a user's vehicle is running for a predetermined distance range ahead of a current vehicle position, retrieving data concerning the upcoming cross streets from the map data, determining whether a cross street is meaningful for the user to be displayed on a screen of the navigation system by applying predetermined rules to the data concerning the cross street, and displaying information on the cross street that has been determined to be meaningful for the user on the screen.
US08346464B2 Method and device for aiding the airport navigation
Disclosed is a method and device for aiding ground navigation of an aircraft on an airport in which a current position and current heading of the aircraft are determined by a set of information sources. A first determination unit determines, according to the determined current position and current heading, and according to information obtained from an airport database, a current traffic lane on which the aircraft is situated, and parameters relating to a next intersection of the current traffic lane. Parameters relating to the next intersection include the position of the next intersection; and the distance between the next intersection and the current position of the aircraft. A head-up display unit overlays, on an environment in front of the aircraft, a first symbol illustrating the determined current traffic lane and a set of second symbols illustrating the determined parameters of the next intersection.
US08346456B2 Method and apparatus for controlling traveling speed of a vehicle
In a method for controlling the driving speed of a vehicle that has a speed control device into which a set speed can be entered as driver command, a reference variable of the speed control device is varied within a specified or specifiable speed range of the set speed, based on an evaluation of a section of the road ahead of the driver and maintaining a minimum fuel usage in a first operating mode of the speed control device. To enable a better control of the driving speed, the method includes steps of i) detecting a change of the set speed; ii) changing over from the first operating mode to a second operating mode of the speed control device when a change of the set speed has been detected; iii) determining the reference variable in the second operating mode based on the change in such a manner that a tuning of the speed control device to a higher driving speed takes place with an increase of the set speed resulting from the change, and a tuning process of the speed control device to a lower driving speed takes place with a decrease of the set speed resulting from the change; and iv) changing back from the second operating mode to the first operating mode, if an interruption criterion is fulfilled.
US08346454B2 Method of maintaining optimal braking and skid protection for a two-wheeled vehicle having a speed sensor failure on a single wheel
The method of maintaining optimal braking and skid protection for a two-wheeled vehicle wheel with a wheel speed sensor failure involves providing pulsed braking pressure to the affected wheel with the wheel speed sensor failure. If an incipient or initial skid on another wheel with a functioning wheel speed sensor has occurred, the pulsed braking pressure to the affected wheel is limited to the brake pressure command that caused the last incipient or initial skid on the other wheel, scaled by a factor for safety. Otherwise the pulsed braking pressure to the affected wheel is limited to be no greater than the greatest commanded brake pressure to the other wheel. The pulsed braking pressure is also limited to be less than the brake pressure commanded to the affected wheel.
US08346450B2 Method and device for controlling slip in a tractor vehicle or the like
A method and a device for controlling the slip of a tractor vehicle or the like, in which the drive wheel slip is determined and, if the actual slip is different from a specified nominal slip, the gear ratio of a controllable transmission in the drivetrain is adjusted in the direction of slip optimization. The transmission is a geared-neutral transmission whose output speed, at full drive power, can be adjusted to an extremely small value close to zero.
US08346449B2 Method and apparatus to provide necessary output torque reserve by selection of hybrid range state and input speed for a hybrid powertrain system
A method for controlling a powertrain system includes determining a current transmission operating range state and engine state, determining at least one potential transmission operating range state and engine state, providing at least one operator torque request, determining preferability factors associated with the current transmission operating range state and engine state, and potential transmission operating range states and engine states, wherein determining preferability factors associated with potential transmission operating range states includes assigning biasing costs to operator torque requests which reside within a pre-determined range of possible operator torque requests for at least two of the potential transmission operating range states, preferentially weighting the preferability factors for the current transmission operating range state and engine state, and selectively commanding changing the transmission operating range state and engine state based upon stheaid preferability factors and the operator torque request.
US08346448B2 Output torque control device
Detection-time torque of a drive source is determined when a value that varies in accordance with depression of an accelerator pedal has exceeded a predetermined value, first torque is determined on the vehicle speed and the transmission gear ratio, second torque is determined on the detection-time torque and the first torque, third torque is determined on the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal and the second torque, and fourth torque is determined on the depression of the accelerator pedal, and the output torque is limited to the third torque as long as the third torque is less than the fourth torque. The third torque is determined such that in the case where the detection-time torque is greater than the first torque, an increase of the third torque is suppressed further than where the detection-time torque is not greater than the first torque.
US08346447B2 Feed-forward camshaft phaser control systems and methods
An engine control system includes an inertia phase detection module, a feed-forward (FF) engine speed module, a FF APC module, a FF phaser position module, and a phaser control module. The inertia phase detection module determines when an inertia phase of a gear shift is occurring within a transmission. The FF engine speed module predicts an engine speed for a future time when the inertia phase ends. The FF APC module predicts an air-per-cylinder (APC) for the future time based on the engine speed. The FF phaser position module determines a FF phaser position based on the engine speed and the APC. The phaser control module controls a camshaft phaser position based on the FF phaser position during the inertia phase of the gear shift.
US08346444B2 Real time transmission shift quality detection and evaluation utilizing transmission output shaft acceleration
A shift quality error detection system for an automatic transmission includes a vehicle acceleration determination module to determine a vehicle acceleration. An acceptance window module defines upper and lower limits of a desired vehicle acceleration. The shift quality error detection module compares the determined vehicle acceleration to the upper and lower limits of the desired vehicle acceleration. A shift quality error detection module selectively provides a shift quality error based on the comparison. A method of detecting shift quality error of an automatic transmission comprises determining a vehicle acceleration during a transmission gear shift. The method also includes comparing the vehicle acceleration to an acceptance window of desired vehicle accelerations and outputting an error signal based on the acceleration comparison.
US08346443B2 Method and system for managing the turning of a vehicle
A method and system for managing the turning of a vehicle comprises establishing a boundary of a work area. A location-determining receiver determines an observed position and velocity of the vehicle in the work area. An estimator estimates a first duration from an observed time when the vehicle will intercept the boundary based on determined position and velocity of the vehicle. An alert generator generates an alert during a second duration from the observed time. The second duration is less than or approximately equal to the first duration. An operator interface allows an operator to enter a command to control a path of the vehicle prior to or at the boundary.
US08346441B2 Motor vehicle with dynamic balancing occupant riding portion
A motor vehicle has a body, a wheel rotatably supported and coaxially disposed on the body, and an occupant riding portion supported by the body. The motor vehicle is provided with a body attitude detector for detecting an attitude of the body and a body attitude controller for controlling the body attitude detected by the body attitude detector, wherein, in response to an inertial force or a centrifugal force generated by acceleration, deceleration or a turning motion of the motor vehicle, the occupant riding portion is moved so as to balance the inertial force or the centrifugal force. The motor vehicle further includes an occupant attitude controller for controlling an attitude of the occupant riding portion in accordance with a detection value detected by the body attitude detector.
US08346437B2 Vehicle driving support device and vehicle driving support method
When a lane-width-direction lateral position (X2obst+X0) of a vehicle (MM) reaches a predetermined control start position (60) being a lane-width-direction lateral position (X2obst+X0) serving as an approach prevention indicator for the vehicle (MM), a control start is determined and a yaw moment (Ms) toward the center of a vehicle traveling lane (200) is applied to the vehicle (MM) to control the vehicle (MM). Then, when the lane-width-direction lateral position (X2obst+X0) of the vehicle (MM) moves from the outside to the inside of the control start position (60), the determination of control start is suppressed for a predetermined period, compared to a period before the movement to the inside of the control start position (60).
US08346434B2 Vehicle-body behavior control apparatus
When a vehicle is turning, it is determined whether an inside turning wheel has sufficient grip force. If the inside wheel has sufficient grip force, left and right forces orthogonally input to the vehicle body are calculated based on longitudinal and lateral tire forces, and are checked if there is a difference in the left and right forces. If there is such a left-right force difference and the vehicle is not undergoing a braking operation, the turning angle of the inside wheel is corrected using a left-right independent steering device that independently controls the turning angles of left and right wheels, so that the difference becomes zero. Thus, the difference in left and right forces laterally input to the vehicle body is reduced to minimize a jack-up force. This improves the driving stability and achieves a good roll feel by means of a jack-down force, thereby achieving improved driving feel.
US08346430B2 Method for the generating operating software on a control device for a motor vehicle as well as control device
A method for generating operating software on a control device for a motor vehicle by executing control software in a production line end computer or in the control device, has the following steps: a) Executing a diagnosis function in the motor vehicle, with which the configuration of the motor vehicle can be established so that the functions to be performed by the control device (1) are clearly defined, b) Selecting only from among the necessary software components from an external data source (2), so that the configuration of the motor vehicle can be mapped with the operating software on the control device (1), and c) Generating the component-individual operating software on the control device (1) by inclusion of the selected software components.
US08346429B2 Vehicle health monitoring system architecture for diagnostics and prognostics disclosure
A health monitoring system for a vehicle system includes an operational support system including a plurality of managers and a decision support module. Each manager corresponds to a different sub-system of the vehicle system, and comprises a plurality of reasoners and a fusion block. Each reasoner is configured to obtain data and provide preliminary output regarding a different component of the sub-system based on the data. The fusion block is coupled to the plurality of reasoners, and is configured to receive the preliminary output and generating manager output based on the preliminary output. The decision support module is coupled to the plurality of managers, and is configured to receive the manager output and provide a decision support output based on the manager output.
US08346427B2 Vehicle travel support device, vehicle, and vehicle travel support program with imaging device for recognizing a travel area
A vehicle travel support device is capable of properly controlling the operation of a steering device and the like from the viewpoint of supporting the travel of a vehicle stably even in a situation where a travel area is inappropriately demarcated by right and left lane marks at both sides. A virtual travel area can be set as a travel area when a first condition is satisfied, that is, when the separation between the right and the left lane marks in width direction of a road increases to an inappropriate extent from the viewpoint of demarcating the travel area because the separation therebetween gradually increases as the distance from the vehicle increases. The operation of a steering device and the like is controlled such that the vehicle will not depart from the virtual travel area set as the travel area.
US08346426B1 User interface for displaying internal state of autonomous driving system
Autonomous vehicles use various computing systems to transport passengers from one location to another. A control computer sends messages to the various systems of the vehicle in order to maneuver the vehicle safely to the destination. The control computer may display information on an electronic display in order to allow the passenger to understand what actions the vehicle may be taking in the immediate future. Various icons and images may be used to provide this information to the passenger.
US08346424B2 Method of monitoring in-use performance ratios of onboard diagnostic systems for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
A method of monitoring an onboard diagnostic system for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle includes incrementing the denominator of an N/D ratio for the onboard diagnostic system only when a total time criteria, a vehicle speed criteria and an idle criteria are satisfied after an internal combustion engine of the vehicle has been fueled. The diagnostic system performance is summarized into a single N/D ratio. When an underperforming ratio is identified, the system controls the engine to provide more engine operation and subsequent diagnostic observability. The denominator of the N/D ratio is compared to a verification denominator to identify vehicles that are typically operated in a manner such that an engine-on cycle does not begin, or is not identified, until very near the end of the drive cycle, thereby preventing the denominator and a numerator of the N/D ratio from incrementing, and thereby providing a false passing performance ratio.
US08346414B2 System and method for determining whether a locomotive in a consist is in leading mode or trailing mode
By taking a pressure reading at a particular port on a multiple-unit braking valve, e.g. the MU-2-A valve, and comparing such a reading to a main reservoir pressure, one can identify whether the locomotive in which the valve is situated is in trailing mode or leading mode. In particular, it was found that the pressure on port 63 of the MU-2-A valve is indicative of which mode the locomotive is in since port 63 is exhausted to atmosphere in lead mode whereas it is at or near the pressure in the main reservoir which is readily distinguishable from atmosphere.
US08346412B2 Method and device for assisting an aircraft flight control during landing approach
The inventive flight control assisting device comprises first means (4) for determining the actual aircraft flight conditions, second means (5) for determining, with the aid of said actual flight conditions and a predetermined pattern, a minimum approaching distance corresponding to a minimum distance between projections on the horizontal plane of the aircraft actual position and a touch-down point when said aircraft moves downwards and decelerates according to an optimised approach in such a way that stabilised approaching conditions are attained, and display means (7) for displaying at least said minimum approaching distance on a navigation screen (9) in the form of a first circular arc focused on a position relative to the aircraft which displays the touch-down position.
US08346404B2 Determining a bus bar voltage
A Substation Automation (SA) system in high or medium voltage power networks is provided for determining a bus bar voltage at a first node. The disclosure replaces a ‘real’ voltage transformer with an intelligent electronic device (IED) and/or a ‘virtual’ voltage transformer (VT), which determines the bus bar voltage at the first node from a first bay connected to the first node. The IED receives network message from a second IED of the SA system, indicating the bay voltage of the first bay connected to the first node. The IED also receives switch status of the switching device arranged between the first bay and the first node, from a third IED. Depending upon the switch status, the IED establishes the bay voltage as the bus bar voltage at the first node.
US08346403B2 In-wall occupancy sensor with mode selection features
An electrical wiring device operates in more than one operating mode and includes a microcontroller, an occupancy detection sensor communicably coupled to the microcontroller, and at least one accessible user interface communicably coupled to the microcontroller. The accessible user interface is accessible to an end-user without having to disassemble any portion of the device. The accessible user interface is manipulated to select one of several operating modes. In some embodiments, the device includes a night light that also can be an accessible user interface. In some of those embodiments, one of the operating modes includes a night light operating mode, wherein the device's operation is dependent upon the status of the night light. In some embodiments, an indicator is included to inform the end-user when to stop manipulating the accessible user interface.
US08346401B2 Smart charging value and guarantee application
A system and methods that enables smart charging for electric resources. A smart charging method may include smart charging customer guarantees. The charging behavior guarantee may comprise a guaranteed charging schedule that matches a regular charging schedule of an electric resource and provides power flow flexibility. In addition, a smart charging method may manage electric resources via a smart charging benefit analysis. A smart charging benefit may include an impact resulting from the energy management system which is beneficial to an electric resource. A smart charging method may manage the charging behavior of the electric resources on a grid based on the smart charging benefit. Further, a smart charging method may manage electric resources via a smart charging benefit analysis and smart charging customer guarantees.
US08346398B2 Data center thermal performance optimization using distributed cooling systems
The various embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods, circuits and devices for providing data center cooling while optimizing power usage effectiveness and/or compute power efficiency of the data center. The various embodiments can provide optimized thermal performance and can reduce power consumption of the data center by strategically locating sensor modules, preferably microsystems with MEMS technology, in the data center and using a processing circuit to acquire data from the sensors and to generate a control law for operating the air conditioning system efficiently. In particular the sensors are operable to measure and provide granular environmental data to further characterize the environmental conditions of the racks locally, and the data center as a whole. The processing circuit may also generate a profile of local racks and simulate a data center environment to develop and test control strategies for implementation in the actual data center.
US08346395B2 Ship rudder control (autopilot) with a CAN bus
Ship rudder control, so-called autopilot, includes a multiplicity of components connected with a bus interface to a CAN bus and via this also to each other. A further bus interface on each component of the control system is coupled to a separate, second bus, with the components being provided with unambiguous addresses and further information being assigned that mark the components as monitorable or non-monitorable. A device for emitting telegrams of component addresses and monitorability. A first comparator on all monitorable components start or switch off their own property as a monitoring component using the addresses of other components in received telegrams by comparison, and a second comparator on all monitorable components that use the number of received telegrams by comparison with the number of telegrams received on the other channel causing a change of the channel to that with the higher number of received telegrams under certain circumstances.
US08346394B2 Power plant with CO2 capture and compression
Power plant characteristics are operated in a flexible manner by controlling the power consumption of a CO2 capture and compression system. The impact of CO2 capture and compression on the capacity of a power plant can be minimized to maximize the electric power the plant can deliver to the power grid and the impact of CO2 capture and compression on the average plant efficiency can be reduced, by an operating method and a power plant, in which the power consumption of the CO2 capture system is used to control the net output of the plant.
US08346393B2 Control apparatus of multi-finger hand and grasping method using the same
A grasping method of a multi-finger hand including calculating positions of tips of plural actual fingers; calculating positions of tips of plural virtual fingers using the calculated positions of the tips of the plural actual fingers; judging that a central position among the calculated positions of the tips of the plural virtual fingers is a central position of a virtual object based on the calculated positions of the tips of the plural virtual fingers; and controlling joint torques of the respective actual fingers corresponding to the tips of the virtual fingers such that motions of the tips of the plural virtual fingers are carried out while uniformly maintaining the relative positional relationships of the tips of the plural virtual fingers based on the central position of the virtual object.
US08346392B2 Method and system for the high-precision positioning of at least one object in a final location in space
The invention relates to a method and a system for the high-precision positioning of at least one object in a final location in space. An object (12) is gripped and held by the industrial robot (11) within a gripping tolerance. A compensating variable, which corrects the gripping tolerance, is determined for the industrial robot (11). The object (12) is adjusted with high precision into a final location by the following steps, which repeat until reaching the final location at a predetermined tolerance: recording of image recordings by recording units (1a, 1b); determining the current location of the object (12) in the spatial coordinate system from the positions (Pa, Pb) of the recording units (1a, 1b), the angular orientations of cameras (2a, 2b) of the recording units (1a, 1b) which are detected by angle measuring units (4a, 4b), the image recordings, and the knowledge of features (13) on the object (12); calculating the location difference between the current location of the object (12) and the final location; calculating a new target position of the industrial robot (11) in consideration of the compensating variable from the current position of the industrial robot (11) and a variable which is linked to the location difference; adjusting the industrial robot (11) into the new target position.
US08346388B1 System and method for automated tactile sorting
A system and method for automated piezoelectric sensor-based tactile sorting of plurality of small objects. A high accuracy, high precision delivery system targets the sensor which accounts for softness and mass of individual objects by measuring a force exerted and total contact time for each object upon passing contact with a sensing surface of a piezo sensor, wherein a plurality of objects cascade onto the sensor in one-by-one fashion. The quantified force and contact time values are then analyzed and compared against two threshold values or a range of threshold values which are predetermined and preset based on data from optimal objects and undesirable objects or possibly a spectrum of objects which has been analyzed and recorded to assist in calibrating the system.
US08346386B2 Breadth spreading placement of data storage cartridges in multi-cartridge deep slot cells of an automated data storage library
An automated data storage library having a plurality of multi-cartridge deep slot cells, each configured to store a plurality of data storage cartridges arranged in sequential order of tiers from front to rear, and having accessor(s) to selectively extract, place and transport cartridges with respect to the cells; operating the accessor(s) to selectively extract, place and transport cartridges with respect to the multi-cartridge deep slot cells and with respect to other elements of the automated data storage library; filling at least the frontmost tier of vacant at least selected multi-cartridge deep slot cells in the selectively extracting, placing and transporting step in accordance with a predetermined algorithm, while leaving other tiers vacant. If the frontmost tier is full, a cartridge is placed into the one of the selected multi-cartridge deep slot cells having the factored greatest number of tiers available to place a cartridge.
US08346385B2 Early-warning apparatus for health detection of servo motor and method for operating the same
An early-warning apparatus for health detection of a servo motor and a method for operating the same are applied to estimate vibration phenomenon of a CNC tool machine. First, a vibration signal is produced through a vibration detecting unit. Afterward, the vibration signal is sequentially sent to a data buffer. Afterward, the vibration signal is transformed in time and frequency domains through a time-frequency transforming unit. Finally, a deterioration index is calculated through a deterioration index calculating unit to obtain a health index which is calculated through a health index calculating unit. Therefore, the build-in vibration detecting unit is provided to dispense with additional external sensors. Furthermore, the vibration phenomenon of the servo motor of the CNC tool machine is estimated according to the health index, thus analyzing non-linear and non-stationary characteristics of the estimated vibration phenomenon.
US08346383B2 Method for determining the machining quality of components, particularly for metal cutting by NC machines
The present invention relates to a method for determining a selected machining quality of components in a manufacturing process, particularly during metal cutting, having at least the following method steps of determining process-relevant variables by sensors and/or from the data stream in the machine controller, extracting variable curves characteristic for the respective machining process, selecting a number of different characteristics of the extracted variable curves, the linking of which enables a clear assignment to the selected machining quality, and multivariate linking of the selected characteristics to a characteristic pattern correlating with the selected machining quality.
US08346382B2 Hierarchical sample storage system
In one embodiment, a cold storage system for biological samples has one or more freezers, each freezer having one or racks, each rack receiving one or more boxes, each box receiving one or more sample containers. In addition to the biological sample, each sample container has a unique passive RFID tag. Control electronics in each box energize reader coils to query individual RFID tags. Control electronics in each rack communicate with and provide power to the control electronics of each corresponding box, and control electronics in each freezer communicate with and provide power to the control electronics of each corresponding rack, and a host computer communicates with the control electronics in each freezer. In each instance, communication and power provisioning is implemented using magnetic inductive coupling. The system is able to determine the identity of each sample container in the system and maintain that information in a database.
US08346381B2 Computerized system and method for recommending part materials
A computer-implemented method for recommending one or more materials used in designing and manufacturing parts may include receiving data from at least three data sources. The data sources may include a sourcing, manufacturing, and design data source. The data source data may be standardized to obtain a collection of data including a dataset of materials for consideration in recommending one or more materials for use in one or more parts. The method may also include receiving optimization metrics and constraints for the dataset of materials. Optimization values for each material based on the dataset of materials and the one or more optimization metrics may be determined. An optimization algorithm on each material may be performed based at least on the optimization values and the constraints to obtain one or more recommended materials from the dataset of materials for use in a design of one or more parts.
US08346376B2 Method and system for automatically verifying the possibility of rendering a lighting atomosphere from an abstract description
The invention relates to automatically verifying the possibility of rendering a lighting atmosphere from an abstract description, for example from a lighting atmosphere specified in XML (Extensible Markup Language) independent of a specific lighting infrastructure and of a room layout. A basic idea of the invention is to create for each addressable light unit of a light infrastructure a so called light infrastructure capability that generally describes the effect, measures the maximum possible effect and relates the effect to a location in a semantic area of a target environment. This allows to automatically verifying the possibility of rendering a lighting atmosphere from an abstract description in a lighting infrastructure at an early stage of the lighting atmosphere design process.
US08346369B2 Systems and methods for programming implantable medical devices
Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for programming implantable medical devices, amongst other things. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of programming an implantable medical device. The method can include gathering parameter data representing a set of previously programmed parameter values from a plurality of implanted medical devices. The method can further include performing association analysis on the parameter data to form a set of association rules. The method can further include suggesting parameter choices to a system user regarding a specific patient based on the set of association rules. In an embodiment, the invention can include a medical system including a server configured to perform association analysis on a set of data representing previously programmed parameter values from a plurality of implanted medical devices to derive a set of association rules. Other embodiments are also included herein.
US08346363B2 Blood glucose level control
A pancreatic controller, comprising: a glucose sensor, for sensing a level of glucose or insulin in a body serum; at least one electrode, for electrifying an insulin producing cell or group of cells; a power source for electrifying said electrode with a pulse that does not initiate an action potential in said cell and has an effect of increasing insulin secretion; and a controller which receives the sensed level and controls said power source to electrify said electrode to have a desired effect on said level.
US08346361B2 User interface for external charger for implantable medical device
User interface for external power source, recharger, for an implantable medical device. At least some of patient controls and display icons of an energy transfer unit are common with at least some of the patient controls and the display icons of a patient control unit. An energy transfer unit is operable by the patient with less than three operative controls to control energy transfer from the external energy transfer unit to the implantable medical device. An external antenna having a primary coil can inductively transfer energy to a secondary coil of the implantable medical device when the external antenna is externally placed in proximity of the secondary coil. An energy transfer unit has an external telemetry coil allowing the energy transfer unit to communicate with the implantable medical device through the internal telemetry coil in order to at least partially control the therapeutic output of the implantable medical device.
US08346358B2 Pacemaker which reestablishes or keeps the physiological electric conduction of the heart and a method of application
A pacemaker is disclosed which reestablishes or keeps the physiological electric conduction of the heart and a method of application. The pacemaker is a pulse generator, it has a ventricular output including at least two superimposed monopolar pulsewaves of reversed polarity between each other, with programmable configuration, with respect to a neutral which can be the pacemaker's metallic box or a third electrode in the case of a tripolar catheter. The catheter can have a deflectable sheath, with an electrode on its distal tip. The invention consists of a new pacemaker, and a method of application in the right ventricular septum, being able to use in order to facilitate the implantation and to avoid the connection and the disconnection, a sheath to check a proper place and then screw the catheter in said place. This method and the pacemaker are the responsible of reestablishing or preserving the physiological electrical conduction of the heart due to the creation of an alternative electric circuit and to the creation of a virtual electrode.
US08346350B2 Detecting hemodynamic stability during arrhythmia using the changes in atrial activation
Detected changes in atrial activation can be used to discriminate between hemodynamically stable and hemodynamically unstable tachyarrhythmias.
US08346346B1 Optical analysis system and approach therefor
Imaging, testing and/or analysis of subjects are facilitated with a capillary-access approach. According to an example embodiment, a capillary is implanted into a specimen and adapted to accept an optical probe to facilitate optical access into the specimen. In some applications, the capillary is implanted for use over time, with one or more different probes being inserted into the capillary at different times, while the capillary is implanted. Certain applications involve capillary implantation over weeks, months or longer. Other applications are directed to the passage of fluid to and/or from a sample via the capillary. Still other applications are directed to the passage of electrical information between the sample and an external arrangement, via an implanted capillary.
US08346343B2 Medical device magnetic guidance/position detection system
A medical-device magnetic guiding position detecting system that can prevent a decrease in the strength of a position detecting magnetic field in an operating area of a medical device is provided. The medical-device magnetic guiding position detecting system includes a medical device that is disposed in the body of a subject and that includes at least one magnet and a circuit including an internal coil, a first magnetic field generating unit for generating a first magnetic field in the operating area of the medical device, position detecting means for detecting an induction magnetic field induced in the internal coil due to the first magnetic field, and at least one pair of opposing coils for generating a second magnetic field that acts on the at least one magnet. The opposing coils forming each of the at least one pair are independently driven.
US08346342B2 Systems and methods of determining patient physiological parameters from an imaging procedure
A method of determining at least one patient physiological parameter from an imaging procedure includes at least the steps of measuring time enhancement outputs for at least two different regions of interest, and determining at least one difference between the time enhancement outputs to provide a measure of the at least one patient physiological parameter. The physiological parameter can be a parameter of the cardiopulmonary system. It can also be the cardiac output, the blood volume in a region, a rate transfer term or a transit delay. A first time enhancement output may be measured in the ascending aorta or the descending aorta and a second time enhancement output may be measured in the pulmonary artery trunk.
US08346336B2 Analyte monitoring device and methods of use
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor.
US08346335B2 Analyte sensor calibration management
Methods and devices to detect analyte in body fluid are provided. Embodiments include positioning an analyte sensor in fluid contact with an analyte, detecting an attenuation in a signal from an analyte sensor after positioning during a predetermined time period, categorizing the detected attenuation in the analyte sensor signal based, at least in part, on one or more characteristics of the signal, performing signal processing to generate a reportable data associated with the detected analyte sensor signal during the predetermined time period, managing if and when to request additional reference signal measurements, and managing if and when to temporarily not display results.
US08346334B2 Medical sensor
A medical sensor that allows wrapping about an applied part while maintaining the alignment of the detector and emitter is provided. The medical sensor includes a carrier band that can accommodate variably sized applied parts without misaligning the detector and emitter. The medical sensor can provide space between the skin of the applied part and the emitter and detector. The medical sensor carrier band can be designed with a flexible region and thicker mounting sections that act as spring-loaded mounts when the carrier band is secured in a wrapped position.
US08346333B2 Systems and methods for estimating values of a continuous wavelet transform
According to embodiments, techniques for estimating scalogram energy values in a wedge region of a scalogram are disclosed. A pulse oximetry system including a sensor or probe may be used to receive a photoplethysmograph (PPG) signal from a patient or subject. A scalogram, corresponding to the obtained PPG signal, may be determined. In an arrangement, energy values in the wedge region of the scalogram may be estimated by calculating a set of estimation locations in the wedge region and estimating scalogram energy values at each location. In an arrangement, scalogram energy values may be estimated based on an estimation scheme and by combining scalogram values in a vicinity region. In an arrangement, the vicinity region may include energy values in a resolved region of the scalogram and previously estimated energy values in the wedge region of the scalogram. In an arrangement, one or more signal parameters may be determined based on the resolved and estimated values of the scalogram.
US08346331B2 Deception detection and query methodology for determining deception via neuroimaging
Functional near-infrared (fNIR) neuroimaging is used to assess credibility, detect deception, and implement a query methodology for determining deception via neuroimaging. Oxygenation levels of portions of the brain are imaged via fNIR spectroscopy and utilized to determine if the subject is telling a lie or a truth. In an example configuration, oxygenation levels in the inferior and/or middle prefrontal cortical areas of the brain, such as the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal and/or inferior frontal cortex, are measured to determine if a subject is lying relative to telling the truth. An example system includes a portable, flexible, belt like sensing device that is positioned proximate the subjects scalp. Sensed neural activity is transmitted either through wired or wireless means, to a processor for analysis of the sensed neural activity. The query methodology utilizes an attestation assertion that mitigates variance in brain responses due to the length or form of a question.
US08346324B2 Holster for supporting and charging the wireless headset of handheld devices
A holster for use with a handheld device and a peripheral device is disclosed herein. The holster provides a mating structure for holding a peripheral device so that a mobile device charges the peripheral device. The holster removes the inconvenience of having to charge a peripheral off a battery charger at work or home by permitting the peripheral to charge off the handheld device. The holster can be used with any handheld device and peripheral device, such as a cellular phone and a wireless headset.
US08346323B2 Portable terminal device
A portable terminal device includes a first housing in which at least a display section is placed; a second housing in which at least an operation section is placed; a first circuit board on which a first connector is mounted; a second circuit board on which a second connector is mounted; and a connecting cable. A part of the first housing and a part of the second housing are placed one on top of another in a thickness direction. A first holding section and a second holding section are provided inside at least one of the first housing and the second housing, and when the first housing slides with respect to the second housing, a portion of the connecting cable between the first holding section and the second holding section is bent and extended.
US08346322B2 Terminal and sliding apparatus of terminal
A terminal may include a first body, a second body connected to the first body, and a sliding apparatus to operate the first body and the second body between a first position in which the second body is disposed on the first body, and a second position in which the second body is inclined with respect to the first body. The sliding apparatus may include a connection body having a first end connected to the first body and a second end connected to the second body, and an operator to semi-automatically operate the second body relative to the first body between the first position and the second position.
US08346320B2 Sliding structure for housing, sliding opening and closing housing, and mobile phone
A sliding structure includes a guide rail formed on a first housing, a groove for the guide rail formed on a second housing, wherein the first housing and the second housing can engage each other and slide, an elastic body that expands and contracts in a longitudinal direction of the guide rail in parallel with the guide rail, and two pressing members that are located on ends of the elastic body and subjected to opposite pressing forces from the elastic body, are provided in the groove, at least one-by-one notch is formed on each elastic-body-disposed side of the guide rail and the groove for the guide rail such that the notches can be opposed to each other in a sliding action process, and the two pressing members can take such positions that the pressing members press respective different housings in opposite directions through the notches.
US08346317B2 Electronic device having rotary input members
The present disclosure provides an electronic device having rotary input members. The device includes a substantially cylindrical main body, at least one hollow rotary input member rotatably connected to the main body, at least one pair of pads including two pads spaced from each other, arranged on the main body and beneath the at least one rotary input member, at least one selection contact arranged on an internal surface of the at least one rotary input member, and a processing unit. When a closed loop includes a pair of pads, a selection contact and the processing unit is formed, the processing unit determines input characters according to a relationship table.
US08346312B2 Battery authorization server
A mobile communication device is capable of communicating with a battery authorization server. Determining an authorization status of a smart battery currently powering the mobile communication device involves an initial authorization process and a subsequent authorization process. The initial authorization process is conducted between the mobile communication device and the smart battery. If the initial authorization process is successful, it is followed by a subsequent authorization process between the mobile communication device and the battery authorization server.
US08346305B2 Theft deterrent techniques and secure mobile platform subscription for wirelessly enabled mobile devices
Theft deterrence and secure mobile platform subscription techniques for wireless mobile devices are described. An apparatus may comprise a removable secure execution module arranged to connect with a computing platform for a wireless mobile device. The removable secure execution module may comprise a first processing system to execute a security control module. The security control module may be operative to communicate with a security server over a wireless channel on a periodic basis to obtain a security status for the wireless mobile device. The security control module may output control directives to control operations for one or more components of the computing platform based on the security status. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08346303B1 Communication device
The communication device comprising a voice communicating implementer, a bold formatting implementer, an italic formatting implementer, and a multiple language mode implementer.
US08346301B2 Calling method, device, and system
A calling method, device and system are disclosed. The calling method includes: obtaining, by a service platform, subscription information of a roaming prepaid subscriber, modifying and sending the modified subscription information to a visited mobile switching center (VMSC) of the roaming prepaid subscriber so that a call initiated by the roaming prepaid subscriber could be triggered to the service platform by the VMSC; receiving, by the service platform, the call to a called subscriber initiated by the roaming prepaid subscriber and triggered by the VMSC; and instructing, by the service platform, the VMSC to release the call and instructing a call connection device to connect the roaming prepaid subscriber to the called subscriber after determining from the call that the roaming prepaid subscriber has activated a callback service. User operation is simplified and user's experience is improved with the method, device and system in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.
US08346299B2 Dynamic thermal control for wireless transceivers
Methods and apparatus for dynamic thermal management and control within, e.g., small form-factor wireless devices such as laptop computers or cellular “smartphones”. In one embodiment, a thermal management system monitors the temperature (or other relevant criteria) for one or more components, and implements different operating states within the wireless transceiver (e.g., Wi-Fi™ or WiMAX transceiver) so as to both reduce thermal output and minimize disruption to the wireless link and/or user experience. In another embodiment, a wireless client may communicate with other clients, and/or access points, so as to cooperatively provide more options for thermal management. In addition, methods and apparatus employing “high performance” (e.g., high power output or high data rate) radios within aggressively small industrial designs are also disclosed.
US08346293B2 Radio communication device supporting a plurality of communication schemes
There are provided a plurality of systems of reconfigurable radio processing unit (102) whose function and performance can be modified. A control unit (104) collects quality information on the communication link in communication methods received at respective radio processing systems (102a, 102b). According to this, the control unit (104) selects an optimal communication method and transmission mode from a plurality of communication methods and transmission modes (for example, diversity transmission between a plurality of systems, diversity transmission by a single communication method, and MIMO channel multiplex transmission). By modifying configurations of the reconfigurable radio processing unit (102) according to the selected communication method and transmission mode, it is possible to communicate at a desired transmission mode. Thus, it is possible to perform an optimal transmission to the communication link according to the quality condition and other request condition.
US08346292B2 Method and system for reduction of peak-to-average power ratio of transmission signals comprising overlapping waveforms
The present invention provides a method and system for reducing the peak to average power ratio (PAP) of a signal with low computational complexity. According to one embodiment, the present invention is applied to reduce the PAP of an OFDM signal. According to an alternative embodiment, the present invention, is applied to reduce the PAP of a CDMA signal. Rather than seeking the optimum solution, which involves significant computational complexity, the present invention provides for a number of sub-optimal techniques for reducing the PAP of an OFDM signal but with much lower computational complexity.
US08346290B2 Uplink power control for wireless systems
Techniques are described that can be used to determine a transmitter power level of a mobile station at cell edge. To determine transmitter power level, the technique considers at least a balance of power transmitted by mobile stations near cell edge and power transmitted by mobile stations closer to cell center, target mean received power by the base station from mobile stations near center cell, target mean power transmitted from cell edge mobile stations, signal-to-interference-power ratio between signals transmitted from base stations of different cells to the mobile station at cell edge, and channel gain.
US08346284B2 Handheld electronic device
PDAs can be used to provide their users with a variety of functions. One function provided by PDAs is enabling their users to contact particular users of other devices who are stored as contacts, for example by a telephone call or text message. The present invention provides a PDA in which contacts that the user of the PDA may be more likely to want to contact at any given time can be determined and displayed. Whether or not a user may be likely to want to contact a user at any given time may be based on the status of the user of the PDA, and optionally also the status of the other user's PDA. For example, if the user of the PDA is listening to a particular genre of music, then they may want to contact other contacts who a also listening to that particular genre of music. Similarly, if the user is at their place of work, then they may want to contact a specific list of contacts related to work. In this way, the user of the PDA can be provided with a list of relevant contacts.
US08346281B2 System and method for detecting and controlling transmission devices
A method of detecting, controlling and managing transmission of a transmitting device within a facility is disclosed. The method involves transmitting information to the transmission device, detecting a response transmission from the transmission device by a least one transmission detection facility, extracting identification information associated with the transmission device in response to the transmitted information; and determining a location of the transmission device based on the response transmission received by the at least one received transmission detection facility, wherein the response transmissions are sorted by the identification information, determining an allowability of the located transmission device with the set area and interacting and manipulating transmission of the detected transmitting device.
US08346279B1 Mobile device navigation
A mobile station, and related methods, provide navigational assistance. The mobile station executes a local navigation application and can transition between network assisted navigation and stand-alone navigation that utilizes the local navigation application. Various events can cause the transition between the operational states.
US08346274B2 Method to control multiple radio access bearers in a wireless device
A method to control multiple radio access bearers is performed at a mobile wireless communication device when the mobile wireless communication device is connected to a radio network subsystem in a wireless communication network by first and second bidirectional radio access bearers. The mobile wireless communication device transmits a data packet on an uplink of the first bidirectional radio access bearer to the radio network subsystem. When the data packet is not correctly received by the radio network subsystem, the mobile wireless communication device retransmits the data packet repeatedly. After N retransmissions of the data packet, the mobile wireless communication device releases the first bidirectional radio access bearer while maintaining the second bidirectional radio access bearer. The first bidirectional radio access bearer provides a channel to transport packet switched data, and the second bidirectional radio access bearer provides a channel to transport circuit switched data.
US08346273B2 Dynamically managing and reconfiguring wireless mesh networks
A wireless network with multiple subscriber systems in a lobe pool may operate by determining a state of the wireless network, identifying a new condition, the new condition including a new demand condition or a new network health condition, determining whether the new condition has a threshold impact on operations of the wireless network or component subscriber systems of the wireless network, and if the threshold impact exists, reconfiguring the wireless network to accommodate the new condition.
US08346270B1 Method and system of avoiding missed tuneaways
A method and system for avoiding missed tuneaways from a first wireless link configured according to a first protocol to a second wireless link configured according to a second protocol. An access network providing the first wireless link may receive, from one or more of a group of hybrid access terminals assigned to given cycles/timeslots of the first wireless link, reports of missed tuneaways from the first wireless link to the second wireless link. Based on the received reports, the access network may determine that the group of hybrid access terminals (or a given one of the group) has missed a threshold extent of tuneaways. In response, the access network may decide to reduce an amount of control-channel data to send on the first wireless link during the given cycles/timeslots and then begin to send a reduced amount of control-channel data on the first wireless link during the given cycles/timeslots.
US08346268B2 Network controlled mobility route optimization for an IP base station transceiver architecture
A method in one example has: establishing communication between two mobile terminals in a base station routing architecture network; and optimizing routing between the two mobiles terminals without requiring all traffic to traverse an anchor point in the base station routing architecture network. An IP base station transceiver architecture utilizes network controlled mobility to provide a transparent connection between a mobile terminal and an anchor point in the network. This transparency hides the mobility associated with changing IP base station transceivers from the mobile terminal and reduces over-the-air signaling.
US08346266B2 Automatic operation of a wireless device based on physical speed
A wireless device operates in an operating state determined as a function of the wireless device's physical speed. In some implementations, the wireless device determines the physical speed using a GPS (global positioning system). If the wireless device determines based on the physical position and/or physical speed that the user is driving an automobile in a region in which using a wireless device is not permitted while driving, then the wireless device automatically disables device features. However, if the user is actually a passenger, then the user may over-ride the automatic disabling of device features. In some implementations, the wireless device also informs other wireless users that communication is inappropriate or impossible. In some implementations, the wireless device also informs a communications node to process communications directed to the wireless device.
US08346260B2 Supporting handover of mobile terminal
The present invention relates to supporting a handover of a mobile terminal. Preferably, the present invention performs a scan of a neighboring network different from a current network of the mobile terminal to determine the presence of an accessible link of the neighboring network for performing a handover, wherein the mobile terminal comprises a heterogeneous network handover module that is configured to provide convergence of information from at least one network interface module associated with one of a homogeneous and heterogeneous network into a unified presentation. An information message is then received from the neighboring network, wherein the information message comprises an information element associated with whether the neighboring network is capable of communicating with the heterogeneous network handover module of the mobile terminal.
US08346258B2 Communication system, threshold management server, radio communication device, and communication method
A radio terminal (100) includes a radio condition information acquisition unit configured to acquire radio condition information indicating a condition of a radio signal (RS) which is transmitted to or received from a radio base station (11), and a handover execution unit configured to execute handover to a radio base station (21) on the basis of the handover threshold included in the received threshold notification response and the radio condition information acquired by the radio condition information acquisition unit.
US08346254B2 Method for registering a mobile terminal in a mobile radio communication system
The present invention relates to a method for registering a mobile terminal in a mobile radio communication system. The mobile radio communication system comprises at least one mobile radio communication core network and at least one IMS core network. The mobile terminal is located within a radio access network associated to the at least one mobile radio communication core network and comprises at least a first and a second periodic registration timer for respectively registering the mobile terminal with the at least one mobile radio communication core network and the at least one IMS core network upon their respective expiry. The method comprises the step of registering the mobile terminal with the mobile radio communication core network and with the at least one second network as any one of the at least first and second periodic registration timers, which is first to expire, expires.
US08346253B2 Method, system and device for realizing user identity association
The present invention discloses a method for realizing user identity association, the method comprising: setting an equivalent behavior user identifier in a Home Subscription Server (HSS); associating IMS Public User Identities (IMPUs) with the equivalent behavior through the set equivalent behavior user identifier. The present invention also discloses a system and a device realizing user identity association. According to the embodiments of the present invention, the association of the IMPUs with the set equivalent behavior is realized, which improves the user experiences.
US08346251B2 System and method for time saving cell search for mobile devices in single and multiple radio technology communication systems
A cellular device has a stacked protocol, with an upper layer and a lower layer. The lower layer includes a multiple carrier detection unit, a memory and a digital processing system. The multiple carrier detection unit receives a plurality of wireless carrier signals and provides a respective plurality of output digital streams. The memory is used to store a target cell search list, and the digital processing system processes the digital streams in parallel based upon parameters within the target cell search list. The parameters may include a frequency indicator and a radio access technology (RAT) indicator. The lower layer controls the multiple carrier detection unit to detect the wireless carrier signals based upon the frequencies and RATs in the target cell search list.
US08346249B2 Providing location information for user equipment in a visited network
A method for establishing a media for communications in association with a location information service provided in association with a communication system is disclosed. In the method a user equipment is provided with information enabling the user equipment to communicate on a user plane connection with at least one location service entity when the user equipment is visiting a communication network other than a home network of the user equipment. This information may then be used for establishment of a user plane connection in the visited communication network between the user equipment and a location service entity.
US08346248B2 Wireless handset airplane safety interlock
A method and device for controlling the operability of a transmitter on a mobile communications device by determining if the mobile communications device is located within the cabin of an airplane. A condition parameter of the mobile communications device may be determined. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be disabled in response to the mobile communications device being located within an airplane and further in response to the determined condition parameter.
US08346242B2 Telecommunications system and method
The present invention overcomes the problem of S1 interface failure by redirecting user equipments to another radio basestation, or another RAT. This redirecting may be on a UE-by-UE basis, i.e. when a connection request is received, redirecting that UE, or may involve redirecting all UEs in a cell by broadcasting modified system information. The redirecting may be such that future traffic load, for example as caused by UEs performing tracking area updates, is minimized, by instructing UEs to redirect after a randomized period of time, or by locking the cell after a randomized period of time, for example. In yet further embodiments of the invention, the cell may be locked after a certain number of connection requests have been received. In this way, particularly busy cells can be locked sooner than would otherwise be the case.
US08346241B2 Controlled mobile communication in a socially sensitive environment
A method includes identifying, through a base station controller, a mobile device when the mobile device is within a coverage area of an antenna of a base station associated with the base station controller based on an identification data of the mobile device. The method also includes determining that the mobile device is within the coverage area based on a sequence of detection of the mobile device through the antenna and another antenna when the mobile device passes an access control point to enter the coverage area, and gaining, through the base station controller, control of an access of wireless communication associated with the mobile device based on the identification data when the mobile device is within the coverage area. The control is gained through the antenna generating a signal that is stronger than a wireless signal of a cell site associated with a wireless service to the mobile device.
US08346239B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for silence insertion descriptor (SID) conversion
Methods, systems, and computer program products for silence insertion descriptor (SID) conversion are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for silence insertion descriptor (SID) conversion. The method includes receiving a wireless frame, the frame identifying a first node as a frame source and a second node as a frame destination; determining whether tandem-free operation (TFO) is applicable; responsive to a determination that TFO is applicable, determining whether the frame is a SID frame; responsive to a determination that the frame is a SID frame, determining whether the SID format used by the first node is incompatible with the SID format used by the second node; and responsive to a determination that the SID format used by the first node is incompatible with the SID format used by the second node, converting the SID frame from the SID format used by the first node to the SID format used by the second node.
US08346236B2 Method for switching call mode of a mobile device and related mobile device capable of switching call mode automatically
A method for switching a call mode of a mobile device includes the steps of starting an accelerometer sensor to detect an acceleration of the mobile device, starting a proximity sensor to detect a distance between the mobile device and an object, generating a first judgment result according to the detected acceleration of the mobile device, generating a second judgment result according to the detected distance between the mobile device and the object, and setting the call mode of the mobile device according to at least the first judgment result and the second judgment result.
US08346235B2 DTMF signalling between mobile and server
In a method of processing an incoming sequence of one or more DTMF tones at a mobile device, the sequence is decoded to thereby identify any encoded message. Where the decoding does not identify a message, at least applying an error correction algorithm to the sequence to identify a message. Where the algorithm fails to correct the sequence, the sequence is compared to messages currently expected by the mobile device. If a message is not identified, a negative acknowledgement message may be sent. At a server, upon receipt of a negative acknowledgement message, it is determined if a message was sent to the mobile device in a previous pre-determined time window. If so, the message is re-sent. The server repeatedly sends certain messages to a mobile device until an acknowledgement message indicating receipt of the message by the mobile device is received.
US08346232B2 Interaction between network services and intelligent network services for controlling rerouting of a call
Rerouting, as specified by ITU-T Q.730 is a network service that is executed by and under control of switching nodes, whereas IN services are executed under the control of a service control entity and invoked for certain calls only. Because of the two levels of control that are also separate from each other, inconsistencies may occur when an IN service is invoked for a call that may be in addition subject to rerouting. This problem is solved-in that a service control entity is adapted to perform the steps of receiving information relating to the rerouting of the call from the service switching entity, selecting a rerouting procedure for the call according to the received information, and sending an instruction to the service switching entity to continue the call according to the rerouting procedure. The information relating to the rerouting of the call information is in particular information about a rerouting capability of a preceding switching node.
US08346227B2 Automatic gain control in a navigation device
In one example, a Bluetooth enabled navigation device pairs with a mobile phone and then sends a plurality of tuning transmissions, each at a different transmission power gain amount, to a remote server using the mobile phone. These tuning transmissions are encoded using frequency tones that synthesize speech for transmission through the mobile phone and a voice channel of its wireless telecommunications network. The navigation device then tunes transmit power settings according to a received response to the tuning transmissions and uses the tuned transmit power settings for subsequent transmission to the remote server using this particular mobile phone.
US08346220B2 Signaling for push-to-talk
In addition to other aspects disclosed, a data over signaling message that identifies a recipient access terminal is transmitted from a radio network controller to the sector in response to an attempt by an access terminal on a sector of a wireless network to access a service of the wireless network.
US08346213B2 Method of protecting AT commands
A method of protecting AT commands during the interaction between the AT command module of a mobile terminal and the serial communication unit of an external device, comprising the steps of: receiving AT command from the serial communication unit to the AT command module at an initial state; putting the AT command module into an ID verification mode, wherein the AT command module receives a username and password from the serial communication unit in turn, and verifies said received username and password; and putting the AT command module into an AT command processing state, when the ID verification is successful. Therefore, it's impossible for an illegal user to take the control of the mobile terminal through AT command.
US08346212B2 Resource and utilization management of telecommunication devices
Methods and systems for resource and utilization management of telecommunications devices within an enterprise, where the enterprise contracts for telecommunications service from one or more service providers, comprising components configured to receive quantity data corresponding to the amount of telecommunications service used by the enterprise per period into a resource management system including a microprocessor executing programmed instructions, group telecommunications devices into pools of shared use for the telecommunications service, the pools of shared use including one or more telecommunication devices, analyze for each telecommunications device telecommunications services plans available from the service providers to determine the total quantity of telecommunications service provided by the service providers and the cost per unit of telecommunications service, select selected telecommunications service plans for each telecommunications device that accommodate a target quantity of projected telecommunications service use per period, and subscribe the telecommunications devices to the selected service plans.
US08346211B2 Reducing latency in a prepaid group communication session within a wireless communications system
Embodiments are directed to managing a prepaid server-arbitrated group communication session within a wireless communications system. A server receives, from a session originator, a request to setup a prepaid group communication session with at least one session target, the prepaid group communication session requiring each session participant to have an available prepaid account balance above a threshold level. The server sends a query to an online charging system to determine whether at least the session originator has a prepaid account with an available balance at least equal to the threshold level. The server initiates setup of the requested prepaid group communication session without waiting to receive a response to the query, thereby reducing latency associated with set-up of the prepaid group communication session.
US08346210B2 Method and apparatus for managing services using bearer tags
An approach is provided for managing one or more services corresponding to a bearer tag (e.g., near field communication (NFC) tag, radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, contactless card, or barcode). A request to manage a service is initiated by reading service information from a bearer tag corresponding to the one or more services. A services platform initiates management of the one or more services based on the service information according to a predetermined or recurring billing arrangement.
US08346208B2 Method and system for identifying mobile user cluster by call detail record
A system and method for identifying a mobile user cluster by call detail records (CDRs) is provided. The system and method identifies at least one mobile user cluster according to a plurality of CDRs generated by a plurality of mobile users during a first period and a second period of time. Each mobile user of the identified cluster generates at least one CDR at a same geographical location during the first period of time, and a mobile user sequence is formed between any two mobile users of the identified cluster. At least one CDR is generated between any two neighboring mobile users of the mobile user sequence during the second period of time. Examples for the mobile user cluster include cohabiting family members, familiar neighborhood, colleagues, schoolmates, etc.
US08346202B2 Digital intensive baseband chain of a receiver
In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an apparatus configured to perform channel filtering operations digitally, to reduce area and power consumption as compared to analog filtering. After passive filtering of downconverted analog baseband signals, the signals are provided to digitization circuitry to convert the filtered baseband signals into digital signals. Then a digital circuit, which may be implemented as a digital signal processor (DSP), may channel filter the digital signals and provide the filtered digital signals to conversion circuitry to convert the channel filtered digital signals back to analog signals.
US08346201B2 Asynchronous first in first out interface, method thereof and integrated receiver
An asynchronous FIFO interface having a readout clock asynchronous with a write clock is provided. The asynchronous FIFO interface includes a FIFO buffer, a clock controller, a reference source and a signal source. The FIFO buffer receives a digital signal from an ADC according to the write clock and outputs a digital signal to a processor according to the readout clock. The clock controller outputs a clock control signal according to the amount of data stored in the FIFO buffer. The reference source provides an oscillation frequency. The signal source divides the oscillation frequency by a first integer divisor to generate a reference frequency, divides the readout clock by a second integer divisor to generate an input frequency, and outputs a control signal by comparing the reference frequency with the input frequency.
US08346200B2 Low-noise block
A low-noise block converter comprises a low-noise amplifier, a local oscillator, a mixer, an IF-amplifier and a regulator. The low-noise amplifier amplifies a high-band received signal. The local oscillator generates a local-frequency signal. The mixer transforms the high-band received signal into an intermediate-frequency signal by mixing the high-band received signal with the generated local-frequency signal. The IF-amplifier amplifies the intermediate-frequency signal. The regulator is connected to the IF-amplifier to provide a steady current (or voltage) to the local oscillator, the mixer and the low-noise amplifier.
US08346195B2 Full spectrum time shifting device
A time shifting device receives a full broadcast band, such as the FM radio band, demodulates the received full broadcast band into each component broadcast channel, and stores the program signal received from each broadcast channel in a buffer, thereby enabling continuous time-shifting of the content without requiring any prior program pre-selection. The disclosed time shifting device includes an analog to digital converter which digitizes an analog broadband radiofrequency signal, which may include some or all allocated broadcast channels of the targeted broadcast band, into a digital broadband radiofrequency signal. A digital filter and demodulation circuit demodulates the digitized broadband signal into individual datastreams corresponding to the various broadcast channels contained in the broadcast band. The datastreams are stored in a circular buffer for selective playback by a user. Program metadata may be utilized to identify and select programs for playback.
US08346194B2 Radio broadcast receiver
A radio broadcast receiver includes a front end unit for tuning by changing a local oscillation frequency; and a control unit for managing by dividing the receiving band into a third frequency domain including a third frequency obtained by subtracting the intermediate frequency from an upper end frequency of the receiving band, a first frequency domain including a first frequency obtained by adding the intermediate frequency to a lower end frequency of the receiving band, and a second frequency domain where the first frequency domain and third frequency domain overlap, and for switching, when tuning is made across the frequency domains, the local oscillation frequency to an upper local oscillation frequency when the tuning frequency is higher than the third frequency by controlling the front end unit, and to a lower local oscillation frequency when it is lower than the first frequency by controlling the front end unit.
US08346193B2 Codebook with nested structure
A multi-rank beamforming (MRBF) scheme in which the downlink channel is estimated and an optimal precoding matrix to be used by the MRBF transmitter is determined accordingly. The optimal precoding matrix is selected from a codebook of matrices having a recursive structure which allows for efficient computation of the optimal precoding matrix and corresponding Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR). The codebook also enjoys a small storage footprint. Due to the computational efficiency and modest memory requirements, the optimal precoding determination can be made at user equipment (UE) and communicated to a transmitting base station over a limited uplink channel for implementation over the downlink channel.
US08346191B2 Wireless measurement transmitter with replaceable module
A measurement transmitter includes a main housing body with a first cavity closed by a first cover and a second cavity closed by a second cover. A measurement circuit assembly in the first cavity includes power and service communication conductors that extend through the main housing body to contacts in the second cavity. A replaceable module plugs into the contacts in the second cavity and includes a primary battery and a service communication connector. The service communication connector is exposed for connection to service equipment by removal of the second cover.
US08346190B2 Precompensating for undesired electrical responses of receiver components of an implantable medical device
This disclosure describes to techniques to compensate for distortions introduced into received signals by one or more receiver components that have undesirable electrical responses, such as nonlinear phase response, sloped (or non-flat) amplitude response or both. An external device or other device with more power resources than an IMD filters signals to be transmitted to the IMD to pre-compensate for distortions introduced by the undesired electrical responses of the one or more receiver components of the IMD. In this manner, at least a portion of the burden of digital processing to compensate for undesired electrical responses of the receiver components is shifted from the IMD to the external device, which is better equipped to perform such heavy computationally complex functions.
US08346188B2 Nonlinearity calibration scheme for a frequency modulation transmitter
A nonlinearity calibration system and method for a frequency modulation (FM) transmitter. A nonlinearity calibration system for a FM transmitter includes a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) with a variable capacitor array. The DCO receives a calibrated fine code for tuning the variable capacitor array to modulate a digitally encoded audio signal transmitted by the FM transmitter to a modulation frequency. The nonlinearity calibration system also includes a nonlinearity estimator for generating an approximation of an integral nonlinearity associated with processing of a fine code to tune the variable capacitor array. The nonlinearity calibration system further includes a subtractor for subtracting the approximation of the integral nonlinearity from the fine code to generate the calibrated fine code.
US08346187B2 Transmission circuit and communication device
A transmission circuit broadens a controlled bandwidth of a voltage controller while ensuring voltage withstanding ability of the voltage controller. The transmission circuit includes a phase modulator outputting a phase modulation signal and a power amplifier including a transistor. The transmission circuit also includes a collector controller controlling a collector voltage, a base controller controlling a base bias voltage, and a switching controller, which switches, when a level indicated by the power level signal is lower than a predefined value, to control the collector controller in accordance with an amplitude signal and a power level signal, and which switches, when the level indicated by the power level signal is equal to or more than the predefined value, to control the base controller in accordance with the amplitude signal and the power level signal.
US08346183B2 Seamless insert molding techniques
Methods and apparatus for using an insert molding process to form a tactilely seamless overall part from component parts that are made from different materials are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a housing includes a first part formed from a first material and a second part formed from a second material that is of a different type than the first material. The first part includes a first external surface and a first bonding surface, and the second part includes a second external surface and a second bonding surface. The second bonding surface can be integrally bonded to the first bonding surface so that the first external surface and the second external surface form a gap-free overall surface.
US08346182B2 Method and a device for dynamic reconfiguration of a radio communications system
A radio communications system having a processing circuit, comprising a freely programmable logic control and processing receiving signals and transmission signals. The programming of the freely programmable logic control is modified in order to adjust the same to the sending operation and the receiving operation. Said modification carried out by charging and discharging the functional blocks in the freely programmable logic control via a bus system. The adjustment occurs without any interruption of the function of the radio communications system.
US08346179B2 Push-pull low-noise amplifier with area-efficient implementation
An amplifier integrated circuit (IC) includes a push-pull configuration including a push stage and a pull stage. A first loop of wire is configured to form a first degeneration inductance of the push stage. A second loop of wire is configured to form a first degeneration inductance of the pull stage. The first and second loops are concentric.
US08346178B2 Radio communication method and radio communication terminal
The present invention is summarized as a radio communication method including the steps of: calculating a transmission power difference between transmission power values of the first carrier and the second carrier; determining whether the transmission power difference exceeds a threshold set on the basis of a maximum transmission power difference allowable between the first carrier and the second carrier; and stopping a transmission of reverse link data using one of the first carrier and the second carrier with a larger transmission power for a certain period in a case where the transmission power difference exceeds the threshold set on the basis of the maximum transmission power difference.
US08346176B2 Sequential sensing scheme for cognitive radio
A method and system for determining whether a given electromagnetic frequency is in use. An incoming signal is sampled and a test statistic is calculated based on the magnitude of the received samples and a predetermined constant. A determination is then made regarding whether the frequency is in use, based on whether the test statistic has exceeded a threshold.
US08346174B2 Detection and estimation of radio frequency variations
A system including a sampling module that generates samples of RF signals on a first channel during first, second, and third periods, which do not overlap. A difference module determines a first difference between i) a first count of polarity reversals during the first period and ii) a second count of polarity reversals during the second period; a second difference between i) the second count and ii) a third count of polarity reversals during the third period; and a third difference between the first and second differences. A third module determines a frequency of the RF signals based on at least one of the first and second counts, determines a frequency variation of the RF signals based on the first and second counts, and identifies a radar type of the RF signals based on at least one of the third difference and the frequency variation.
US08346172B2 Systems and methods providing wideband tuners controlling spurious signal placement in the capture bandwidth
Systems and methods which place a spurious signal within a capture bandwidth of a tuner. Placement of the spur is preferably controlled to dispose the spur within a spur placement window, such as may be defined between traffic channels of an input signal. A tuner system operating in accordance with embodiments may be controlled to select a particular input frequency band comprising a plurality of traffic channels for frequency conversion and to determine local oscillator frequencies which result in most relevant spurs being placed outside of the tuner capture bandwidth. The local oscillator frequencies may be shifted to place a relevant spur remaining within the capture bandwidth of the tuner between traffic channels of the plurality of traffic channels. Embodiments operate to determine frequency offset between a transmitter and a tuner to determine the midpoint between channels.
US08346163B2 Radio frequency signal distribution using data cable system
A system for distributing radio frequency signals using a data cable system includes a method and components that receive a radio frequency (RF) signal, identify at least one unoccupied channel on the data cable system, convert the RF signal to the frequency associated with an unoccupied channel as a converted signal, insert the converted signal into the cable, extract the converted signal from the cable as an extracted signal, convert the extracted signal to a transmission frequency as a transmission signal, and transmit the transmission signal at the transmission frequency.
US08346161B2 Satellite communication system
When a transmission request for new data is issued under a situation where a plurality of data are transmitted to a specific service area from a plurality of service areas, a feeder link station searches an available frequency to be allocated to the new data in a down-link frequency band of the specific service area, and when any of data communications is completed, allocates a down-link frequency band used in the data communication as a down-link frequency band for the new data. A satellite repeater arranges the new data on the down-link frequency band right after the data communication is completed following a relay control by the feeder link station.
US08346157B1 Content customization in asymmertic communication systems
Systems and methods for providing customization in asymmetric communication are disclosed. An excess of information is broadcast from a transmitter to multiple receivers in what is optionally a one-way transmission. The excess of information includes metadata used to select which subset of the excess of information is presented to a user and which subset of the excess of information is discarded. The metadata includes criteria that are compared with various, possibly different, customization factors stored on each of the multiple receivers. This comparison is used to determine which subsets of the excess information are presented and which are discarded. Because the customization factors can be different on different receivers, customization of the presented information is achieved. The customization factors optionally include geographic information resulting in customization based on a receiver location. The excess information optionally includes radio or television signals. In some embodiments, a nationally broadcast signal results in the presentation of advertisements, where the presentation is customized to a specific location.
US08346154B2 Transfer control mechanism for printer and transfer control method
A conveyance control mechanism for a printer including an image forming unit forming an image on a sheet being conveyed on a conveyance route, includes a curl detector configured to detect a curl of the sheet conveyed on the conveyance route, in an upstream of the image forming unit on the conveyance route. The conveyance route controller may drive and stop the conveyance route differently depending on whether the curl detector detects a curl at either a front end or at a position other than the front end. When the curl detector detects a curl of the sheet, an image forming route where the image forming unit performs an image formation may be separated and retreated from the conveyance route and the sheet being conveyed may be discharged onto the retreated image forming route.
US08346152B2 Automatic document feeder and image reading device
There is provided an automatic document feeder, comprising: a document tray; an output tray; a movable ejection flap configured to be movable between a first position where the document for which the image reading is finished is sunk into a position between the output tray and a bottom of a stacked document already staked on the output tray and a second position where the document is ejected on the output tray without being sunk into the position; a setting unit configured to set the movable flap to one of the first position and the second position; a change unit configured to change a position of the movable flap to the second position in response to a fact that a predetermined condition is satisfied in a state where the position of the movable flap has been set to the first position through the setting unit.
US08346150B2 Fixing device, image forming apparatus, and image forming method
In a fixing device, an opposing member contacts a heating member to form a fixing nip between the heating member and the opposing member. A driver rotatively drives at least one of the heating member and the opposing member. A sheet supplier supplies and conveys a sheet to the fixing nip. A recording medium bearing an unfixed toner image is conveyed through a gap between the sheet and the opposing member at the fixing nip with a side of the recording medium bearing the unfixed toner image facing the sheet. At least one of the rotating heating member and the rotating opposing member applies a driving force to the sheet supplied to the fixing nip while the sheet contacts the sheet supplier to apply tension to the sheet at a position upstream from the fixing nip in a sheet conveyance direction.
US08346147B2 Fixing unit and image forming apparatus
A fixing unit includes a heating roll, an endless belt and a pressing body having a hard pressing member and a soft pressing member. The hard pressing member is placed on a downstream of a passage direction of a record medium in a press contact part and forms higher hardness than an elastic layer of the heating roll. The soft pressing member is placed on an upstream of the passage direction from the hard pressing member, and forms lower hardness than the elastic layer. The press contact part is formed in a state in which a first press contact portion of the hard pressing member is longer than a second press contact portion of the soft pressing member. The hard pressing member has an end part opposed to the heating roll on the upstream. The end part has a face approaching the heating roll from the upstream to the downstream.
US08346146B2 Belt driving device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus
A belt driving device including a rotatable seamless belt wound around rotatable driven rollers and one or multiple rollers, and a driven roller unit including the rotatable driven rollers. The driven roller unit includes a detection roller rotatably driven, a surface of which contacts an inner surface of the belt to slide in a direction of a rotary shaft thereof when shifting occurs on the belt in a width direction thereof; a correction roller rotatably driven, a rotary shaft of which is rotatably supported to displace around any single point on the rotary shaft thereof while a surface thereof contacts the inner surface of the belt; and a conversion unit to convert displacement of the detection roller in the direction of the rotary shaft of the detection roller into angular displacement of the correction roller in a direction of rotation of the correction roller.
US08346145B2 Fixing unit and image forming apparatus comprising fixing unit
A fixing unit for fixing a toner image onto paper has a member to be heated and a pressurizing member configured to press against the member to be heated and fix the toner image to the paper. At least one coil surface is disposed along one surface of the member to be heated and includes a coil to generate a magnetic field for inductively heating the member. A magnetism shielding member is disposed near the coil surface. A switch includes a first member to allow passage of the magnetic field and a second member to prevent passage of the magnetic field. The amount of heat for the member when the switch is in a first position where the second member is close to the magnetism shielding member is smaller than when the switch is in a second position where the second member is distanced from the magnetism shielding member.
US08346144B2 Image forming apparatus having a cleaner movable toward and away from a rotatable member forming a fixing nip
An image forming apparatus includes an image former for forming an unfixed toner image on a recording material, and a fixer for fixing the unfixed toner image on the recording material. The fixer includes a rotatable member for forming a fixing nip for nipping and feeding the recording material, and a cleaner, movable toward and away from the rotatable member, for cleaning the rotatable member. The apparatus is operable in a blankless image formation mode for forming the toner image without a blank at least at one of a leading end and a trailing end of the recording material. The cleaner contacts the rotatable member when a portion of the rotatable member in a blankless range at the leading end or the trailing end of the recording material reaches a position where the portion opposes the cleaner.
US08346141B2 Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a transfer roller that has a gripping member that grips a transfer medium; and a transfer medium transport section that has a transfer medium transport surface that sucks the transfer medium upward in a vertical direction and a contact member that contact with the transfer medium, wherein a first position where the transfer medium starts to be sucked, a second position where the transfer medium is released from the gripping member, and a third position where the transfer medium is separated from the image carrier are disposed at positions having the relationship of L
US08346139B2 Belt unit and image forming device equipped therewith
There is provided a belt unit including: a fixed frame at which a transfer roller is provided; plural fixed side supporting rollers provided at the fixed frame; a movable frame that is swingably mounted to the fixed frame, and at which plural transfer rollers are provided; a movable side supporting roller provided at the movable frame; and an endless belt stretched around the fixed side supporting rollers and the movable side supporting roller, and contacting the transfer roller provided at the fixed frame and the transfer rollers supported at the movable frame, and contacting plural photoreceptor drums, wherein a swinging center of the movable frame is a center of belt portions at both sides of the swinging center, and in a monochrome mode, the movable frame is swung and moves the belt away from the photoreceptor drums other than the photoreceptor drum that is used in the monochrome mode.
US08346136B2 Electrode configuration for carrying developer in a developer carrying device and image forming device
There is provided a developer carrying device, including a first carrying body having a first electrode group configured to form a traveling electric field while being applied a voltage sequentially and to circulate charged developer through a facing portion with respect to a developer supply target; and a second carrying body having a second electrode group configured to form a traveling electric field while being applied a voltage sequentially and to circulate the developer through a facing part with respect to the first electrode group so that the developer being carried is supplied to the first carrying body.
US08346131B2 Image forming apparatus having a power transmission device
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including one or more rotary members rotatably arranged and a power transmission device operable to receive a rotary force and to transmit the received rotary force to one or more of the rotary members. The power transmission device transmits the rotary force to the rotary member(s) in a non-contact manner such that a vibration of one rotary member is not transmitted through the power transmission device to another component of the image forming apparatus.
US08346123B2 Image forming apparatus and photosensitive unit
An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus may include an image forming apparatus body and a photosensitive unit detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus body. The photosensitive unit includes: a frame; photosensitive bodies supported by the frame; cartridges including a developer carrier and detachably mountable to the frame; and a pressing portion provided on the frame for pressing the cartridges to direct the developer carrier toward the corresponding photosensitive body. Each cartridge can shift in the frame to a first attitude pressed by the pressing portion, and a second attitude released from the press of the pressing portion and detachable from the frame. The image forming apparatus body is provided with an abutment portion abutting the cartridge in the second attitude thereby bringing the cartridge into the first attitude when the photosensitive unit is mounted to the image forming apparatus body.
US08346115B2 Power supply circuit identification device for identifying a type of a power supply circuit and image forming apparatus
A power supply circuit identification device for identifying a type of a power supply circuit, the power supply circuit having an input terminal to which a control signal for controlling electrical power supplied to an electrical load is input and an output terminal from which a detection signal that indicates whether the electrical power corresponding to the control signal is supplied to the electrical load is output, at least one of the input terminal and output terminal being plurally provided and having a type-dependent correlation between the input and output terminals. The identification device includes: a control section configured to input the control signal to the power supply circuit via the input terminal; a reading section configured to read the detection signal from the output terminal; and an identification section configured to identify a type of the power supply circuit based on a reading result from the reading section.
US08346111B2 Image forming device
A main controlling part is configured to choose and execute either a constant belt speed control which controls a driving motor (a driving source for an intermediate transfer belt) to move the intermediate transfer belt at a predetermined target belt speed or a constant motor speed control which rotates the driving motor at a predetermined target rotational speed according to a print command, and then, prior to a first-time print job, after executing a writing position correcting process while moving the intermediate transfer belt under the constant belt speed control, forms a color shift detecting image by switching from the constant belt speed control to the constant motor speed control, measures a difference between amounts of color shift, and executes a speed correcting process for correcting the target rotational speed of the driving motor in the constant motor speed control based on the measurement result.
US08346110B2 Image forming apparatus
The image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum capable of bearing an electrostatic image, a development device having a developing sleeve capable of bearing a developer and a developer container capable of storing a magnetic toner, and a CPU controlling operation to discharge a developer having polarity opposite to a normally charged polarity to the photosensitive drum by enlarging a restoration electric field to force the developer having a normally charged polarity from the photosensitive drum to the development sleeve during image forming is not performed compared to that during normal image forming is performed, based on a weighted value (p×K) on an edge portion pixel number p of an edge portion of an output image.
US08346096B2 Amplifier, optical receiver circuit, optical module and data exchange system
When a conventional optical receiver circuit is used, it is difficult to achieve noise reduction or provide a multichannel capability due to a considerable circuit area increase. Disclosed is an amplifier for optical communications that includes a CMOS inverter, which has a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor; an input terminal, which inputs a signal into the CMOS inverter; an output terminal, which outputs a signal from the CMOS inverter; a power supply, which is connected to the CMOS inverter; a first element and a second element, which are respectively connected to the CMOS inverter; and two types of power supply paths, which are in opposite phase to each other.
US08346086B2 Optical signal processing device
A conventional optical signal processing device had a disadvantage where the temperature dependency of the spectroscopic characteristics of a spectroscopic element causes a deteriorated performance. In order to solve the temperature dependency, there has been a method to form a plurality of grooves for dividing a core on the array waveguide of the AWG. However, this method cannot avoid an excess loss and causes a high manufacture cost. By directly controlling the modulation characteristic profile formed by an element device of a spatial light modulator, athermalization can be achieved in a simpler and low-cost manner. This consequently provides a remarkable reduction of the light coupling loss in the spatial optical system of the optical signal processing device. More accurate temperature compensation can be realized that copes with an actual behavior of the device to a temperature fluctuation, including causing factors of a complicated temperature fluctuation of the optical system.
US08346077B1 Multi-domain systems and methods for fail secure information transfer
Systems and techniques for regulating the security of information flow can include multiple information receiving/transmitting domains where a device failure in one or more domains would not comprise the security of the systems. The systems and techniques may be implemented using a multi-domain checking approach in which the respective device operation status in each receiving/transmitting domain is independently monitored. The systems and techniques can advantageously prevent sensitive information from being inadvertently transferred to an untrusted or unauthorized entity.
US08346075B2 Satellite positioning for cameras
A method of receiving satellite signals for estimating the location of capture of a photograph by a camera. The method comprises receiving a signal relating to the timing of capture of the photograph; waiting for an interval of non-zero duration; and, after the interval, receiving the satellite signals.
US08346071B2 Camera system and method of correcting camera fitting errors
A camera system includes a detection unit that detects fitting errors of a camera as displacement quantities in a first direction, a second direction and an optical axis rotating direction of an image picked up by the camera, a selection unit that selects a rotation correcting quantity corresponding to the displacement quantity in the optical axis rotating direction from plural rotation correction maps prepared in advance, a computation unit that computes the correcting quantities in the first direction and the second direction respectively based on the detected displacement quantities in the first direction and the second direction using linear equations; and a correction unit that corrects the displacements in the first direction, the second direction and the optical axis rotating direction of the picked up image based on the selected rotation correcting quantity and the computed correcting quantities in the first direction and the second direction.
US08346065B2 Apparatus and method of storing video data
An apparatus for and method of storing video data comprising receiving an MPEG video stream comprising I-frames and P-frames, separating the I-frames from the P-frames, storing the I-frames and the P-frames separately, and providing information so that the I-frames and the P-frames can be combined to produce a full-motion video.
US08346061B2 Digital signal recording/reproducing apparatus, receiving apparatus
The digital signal recording/reproducing apparatus inputs a digital signal having a control flag as to a temporary copy permission, and records the digital signal temporarily into a recording medium in accordance with conditions in the control flag, then reproducing the digital signal temporarily from the recording medium in accordance with the conditions in the control flag. The recording/reproducing of the temporary copy is permitted, depending on the following conditions: The recording medium's type, the reproducing point-in-time, the reproducing time-period, and the reproducing frequency. With this method employed, even in a program permitting no recording, the temporary recording/reproducing is permitted under a condition of being limited to the time-shift recording on the receiving side.
US08346060B2 Audiovisual production and editing system and method
A system for creating customized audiovisual content is provided. The system includes a location cue system for providing a plurality of synchronized location cues to direct a plurality of movement sequences for an actor. A speech cue system for providing a plurality of synchronized speech cues to direct a plurality of spoken sequences for the actor. A sequence controller for receiving location cue data and speech cue data and controlling the location cue system and the speech cue system.
US08346059B2 Data processing device, data processing method, program, program recording medium, data recording medium, and data structure
A data reproducing apparatus, which is capable of reproducing stream data according to time stamps without need to have an independent time counting clock. At step S141, it is determined whether a received access unit has a time stamp. When the access unit has a time stamp, the flow advances to step S142. At step S142, a value of the time stamp is set. When the access unit does not have a time stamp. The flow advances to step S144. At step S144, a value corresponding to the previous pic_struct is added to the current time. Thereafter, the flow advances to step S143. At step S143, the current pic_struct is stored for the next process. The present invention is capable of being applied to for example a game device using a DVD.
US08346058B2 Replay apparatus
Disclosed is a replay apparatus including a reading unit, a display control unit, a storage unit to store a predetermined display limited letter string and a judging unit to judge whether the predetermined display limited letter string stored in the storage unit exists in the letter string which is based on the text data constituting the predetermined replay data read by the reading unit or not, and when the judging unit judges that the predetermined display limited letter string stored in the storage unit exists in the letter string which is based on the text data constituting the predetermined replay data read by the reading unit, the display control unit carries out a predetermined process to the judged display limited letter string in order not to display the judged display limited letter string in the predetermined display apparatus.
US08346057B2 Recording/reading apparatus, method of generating tag list for recording/reading apparatus, and control unit for recording/reading apparatus
According to one embodiment, there is provided a control block including a read control processor for reading designated content, a time information processor for processing time information. A controller returns, to a user terminal, a response signal, and information indicating a second absolute time point when an operation is executed in response to a request signal generated by the user terminal at a first absolute time point. The controller stores time difference information indicating a time difference between the first and the second absolute time points. When responding to a further request signal sent from the requester via the network, the controller sets, as tag time information, time information obtained by correcting, using the time difference information, a current relative time period for which the designated content is read.
US08346056B2 Graphical bookmarking of video data with user inputs in video surveillance
A method and apparatus are provided for processing video. The method includes the steps of a security system providing video of a secured area, a security person monitoring the provided video, the security person superimposing markings onto one or more frames of the monitored video through a display of the monitored video and the security system saving one or more video frames and markings within a set of respective files of a memory device where the video frames occupy a first file of the set of respective files and the markings occupy a second file of the set of files, where the first and second files are different and where the markings are related to the corresponding one or more video frames via a cross reference.
US08346055B2 Method of storing status information about content reproducing device, and method and apparatus for allowing content to be automatically reproduced using the status information
Provided are a method of storing status information in a first content reproducing device, and a method of allowing content to be automatically reproduced in a second content reproducing device based on the status information stored in the first content reproducing device. The method of storing status information includes: monitoring an operation of the first content reproducing device; generating status information about the monitored operation; and storing the status information in the first content reproducing device. The method of allowing content to be automatically reproduced includes: checking if the first and second content reproducing devices are connected to each other; reading a log file recording the status information from the first content reproducing device if the first and second content reproducing devices are connected to each other; interpreting the status information; and selectively performing an operation according to a result of the interpreting.
US08346054B2 Recording device, recording method and reproducing device
A satisfactory reproduction is still enabled with recorded MPEG2-TS having a jitter or the like. A recording/reproducing device includes: a reading unit that reads data to which a time stamp is added and for which reference information is multiplexed to permit the acquisition side to reproduce a clock; an output controller outputting data as read-out data at a timing depending on time stamp information; a selection unit changing the operation by the output controller; a time stamp deletion unit removing time stamp information; a separation unit separating the data; a detection unit that determines whether the reference information is unauthorized; and a buffer management unit controlling a starting/halting of reading in accordance with the remaining volume of a buffer for temporarily storing data.
US08346053B2 Contents recording system and contents recording method which transmits header information
A contents recording system and a contents recording method reducing a time taken for recording and editing of video content and other video contents. An optical disk device for recording video content and a computer are connected via a network. The computer is supplied with low resolution proxy AV data from the optical disk device, streaming reproduces it as live video and, at the same time, introduces essence marks as meta-data to any positions of the proxy AV data, and describes them in a meta-data file. The optical disk device transmits a header including a recording period of a captured clip to the computer after the end of the capture of the clip.
US08346044B2 Adapter panel with lateral sliding adapter arrays
An adapter panel arrangement including a chassis and a panel of adapters. The adapters defining rearward cable connections and forward cable connections of the panel arrangement. Openings permitting access to the rearward and forward cable connections of the adapters are provided. The chassis further including a removable rear chassis portion to provide access to cable routing areas within the chassis interior.
US08346043B2 Fiber tray
A fiber tray for routing and packaging an optical fiber is disclosed. The fiber tray includes a generally round central section, a lead-in section, and a lead-out section. All three sections are integrally formed out of a thin sheet of a material and coated with a tacky adhesive material for fiber retention. The adhesive allows for fiber removal and rerouting if required. The tray includes guiding walls, which establish the path of the optical fiber on the tray. The optical fiber is routed in a single layer on the tacky surface of the fiber tray. The optical fiber is supported and immobilized essentially along its entire length, including the length of the optical fiber routed on the lead-in and the lead-out sections.
US08346042B2 Apparatus and method for processing at least one optical waveguide
An apparatus for processing at least one optical waveguide comprises a combination of a stripper, a cleaner and a cleaver. The stripper, the cleaner and the cleaver are adapted to remove a coating of the optical waveguide, clean and cleave the at least one optical waveguide. The apparatus comprises at least one sensor to determine a feature of the at least one optical waveguide.
US08346039B2 Methods for three-dimensional nanofocusing of light and systems thereof
A nanofocusing system includes a dielectric waveguide having two opposing ends; and a metal-dielectric-metal layered waveguide having two opposing ends optically aligned at one end with one end of the dielectric waveguide, wherein the metal-dielectric-metal waveguide tapers in at least one dimension from the aligned end of the metal-dielectric-metal waveguide towards the opposing end, wherein light travelling through the dielectric waveguide is funneled into the dielectric layer of the metal-dielectric-metal waveguide, squeezed by the metal-dielectric-metal waveguide taper, and exits the metal-dielectric-metal waveguide as nanofocused light.
US08346037B2 Micromechanically aligned optical assembly
An optical assembly includes a combination of laser sources emitting radiation, focused by a combination of lenses into optical waveguides. The optical waveguide and the laser source are permanently attached to a common carrier, while at least one of the lenses is attached to a holder that is an integral part of the carrier, but is free to move initially. Micromechanical techniques are used to adjust the position of the lens and holder, and then fix the holder it into place permanently using integrated heaters with solder.
US08346032B2 POF strain sensor using phase measurement techniques
An optical fiber sensor has a measurement path and a reference path. Both paths each consist of two optical fibers and are fed with modulated light. The fibers of the reference path have a predefined difference in length, whereas the fibers of the measurement path are the same length. All fibers are at approximately the same temperature. An evaluation circuit determines the phase differences in each case between the fibers of the measurement path and of the reference path. A measurement value calculated from the phase differences is then output.
US08346025B2 Compact electrooptic modulator
An apparatus 100 that comprises a planar electro-optic modulator 110 being located on a substrate 105 and including a waveguide 115 and electrical contacts 120. The waveguide that includes first and second substantially straight segments 122, and a curved segment 126 that serially end-connects the first and second substantially straight segments such that light 130 travels in a substantially anti-parallel manner in the first and second substantially straight segments. The electrical contacts being located adjacent the first and second substantially straight segments and being connected to produce constructively adding phase modulations on an optical carrier passing through the segments.
US08346023B2 User control of computer peripheral apparatuses to perform tasks according to user input image file
A computer peripheral apparatus (CPA) provided for connecting to a computer. The CPA includes a CPA processor to execute a CPA program to independently and directly carry out a document processing function without receiving an instruction from a computer. In an exemplary embodiment, the CPA includes a scanner for scanning a document and the CPA processor executes a optical character recognition (OCR) program to directly recognize characters included in the document scanned by the scanner. In another exemplary embodiment, the characters recognized by the OCR program further include instructions for instructing the CPA processor to execute a subsequent program to process the document scanned by the scanner. In another exemplary embodiment, the characters recognized by the OCR program further includes instructions for instructing the CPA processor to send a facsimile of the document scanned by the scanner to a facsimile destination. In another exemplary embodiment, the characters recognized by the OCR program further includes instructions for instructing the CPA processor to save the document recognized by the OCR program as a text file in a data storage as part of the CPA processor.
US08346020B2 Automated generation of 3D models from 2D computer-aided design (CAD) drawings
The process and method for generating a 3D model from a set of 2D drawings is described herein. Traditionally, many structural components (objects) are communicated through a series of 2D drawings, wherein each drawing describes the components that are visible in a user-selected view direction. No machine-readable information in the drawings define a relationship between the drawings developed from various view directions or the objects' locations in 3D space. Considerable human effort and intervention is required to place objects defined in the 2D drawings into 3D space. With the ability to provide information in each drawing defining a relationship with the other drawings as well as its place in 3D space, the objects defined in 2D drawings can self-assemble in 3D space, thereby reducing a substantial amount of required human effort.
US08346019B2 Image generation method and apparatus, program therefor, and storage medium which stores the program
An image generation method for generating image information of a color signal Y of an image A by using a color signal X of image A, and color signal X and color signal Y of an image B. The presence or absence of a point in color signal X of image B corresponding to each pixel position of color signal X of image A, and the position of the relevant corresponding point are estimated. To each estimated pixel position in color signal Y of image A, image information of the corresponding position in the second color signal Y of image B is assigned. Color signal Y at a pixel position in image A for which it is estimated that there is no corresponding point is generated by using the image information of color signal Y assigned to pixels having a corresponding point.
US08346017B2 Intermediate point between images to insert/overlay ads
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates simulating a portion 2-dimensional (2D) data for implementation within a 3-dimensional (3D) virtual environment. A 3D virtual environment can enable a 3D exploration of a 3D image constructed from a collection of two or more 2D images, the 3D image is constructed by combining the two or more 2D images based upon a respective image perspective. An analyzer can evaluate the collection of two or more 2D images to identify a portion of the 3D image that is unrepresented by the combined two or more 2D images. A synthetic view generator can create a simulated synthetic view for the portion of 3D image that is unrepresented, the simulated synthetic view replicates a 2D image with a respective image perspective for the unrepresented portion of 3D image.
US08346015B2 Image processing method, program, and image processing apparatus arranging a plurality of images to make a uniform face size of person for layout image
The image processing method includes: (a) detecting a face area or face areas in each of the plurality of images; (b) setting an all-face-inclusion area that includes all of the face areas detected in the operation (a) for each of the plurality of images; (c) setting a plurality of unit areas where the images are to be arranged by dividing the layout area on the basis of the number of the images and the layout area itself; (d) selecting a maximum-face-number image, which is an image that includes the maximum number of the face areas detected in the operation (a).
US08346011B2 Reducing noise in an image
A computer-implemented method for reducing noise in an image includes receiving a first image in a computer system. The first image depicts an interior of an item and is generated using a technique that provides imaging at selected depths in the item. The first image represents a first interior section having a first thickness. The method includes determining a modification for the first image using a second image of the interior. The second image represents a second interior section encompassing the first interior section and has a second thickness greater than the first thickness. The method includes storing the modification in association with the first image.
US08346009B2 Automatic exposure estimation for HDR images based on image statistics
A method for tone mapping high dynamic range images for display on low dynamic range displays wherein high dynamic range images are first accessed. The high dynamic range images are divided the into different regions such that each region is represented by a matrix, where each element of the matrix is a weight or probability of a pixel value. An exposure of each region is determined or calculated by estimating an anchor point in each region such that most pixels in each region are mapped to mid grey and the anchor points are adjusted to a key of the images to preserve overall brightness. The regions are then placed or mapped to zones and exposure values are applied to the regions responsive to the weight or probability. The regions are fused together to obtain a final tone mapped image.
US08346008B2 Systems and methods for noise reduction in high dynamic range imaging
This is generally directed to systems and methods for noise reduction in high dynamic range (“HDR”) imaging systems. In some embodiments, multiple images of the same scene can be captured, where each of the images is exposed for a different amount of time. An HDR image may be created by suitably combining the images. However, the signal-to-noise ratio (“SNR”) curve of the resulting HDR image can have discontinuities in sections of the SNR curve corresponding to shifts between different exposure times. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a noise model for the HDR image can be created that takes into account these discontinuities in the SNR curve. For example, a noise model can be created that smoothes the discontinuities of the SNR curve into a continuous function. This noise model may then be used with a Bayer Filter or any other suitable noise filter to remove noise from the HDR image.
US08346007B2 Noise suppression in cone beam CT projection data
A method for suppressing noise in a diagnostic 3-D image, executed at least in part on a logic processor, captures, at each of a number of projection angles, 2-D image projection data, wherein each 2-D image projection has a central pixel and arranges the 2-D image projection data to form a 3-D data set. Each of the 2-D image projections is processed by performing a diffusion filtering process that obtains a homogeneity value for the 3-D data set, generates a diffusion conductance function according to an intensity gradient between adjacent digital image elements, and applies the diffusion filtering process to digital image elements according to the obtained homogeneity value, the generated diffusion conductance function, and a weighting value that relates to the distance of each pixel in the projection from the central pixel. The diagnostic 3-D image is reconstructed from the processed 2-D image projections.
US08346006B1 Real time auto-tagging system
Methods and apparatus provide for an output manager that receives an identification of content. The output manager receives an identification of a set of filters to be applied to the content where each filter in the set of filters defines a sequence of steps to be applied to the content. The output manager identifies shared steps that are common to the sequence of steps of at least two filters in the set of filters. Thus, upon a first execution of a shared step in a sequence of steps by a filter, the output manager caches output of the first execution to be used in place of execution of that shared step in a sequence of steps of another filter in the set of filters.
US08346004B2 Apparatus and method for removing motion blur of image
An apparatus for removing motion blur of an image is disclosed. The apparatus includes a motion-blur-function-estimation unit that estimates the motion-blur function of an input image, an image-restoration unit that restores the input image using the estimated motion-blur function, a cost-calculation unit that calculates the blur cost of the restored image, and a control unit that determines the re-estimation of the motion-blur function depending on the calculated blur cost.
US08346001B2 Image processing apparatus, printing apparatus, and image processing method
This invention is directed to efficiently compressing data used in an image process for an unprocessed line adjacent to a process line in an image data process for each line, and reducing the memory band. To accomplish this, processed image data is compressed, and it is determined whether the process direction of image data of the next line is the first direction or the second direction opposite to the first direction. The data organization of the compressed image data is changed in accordance with the determination result. A memory stores the compressed image data whose data organization has been changed. The compressed image data stored in the memory is read out and decompressed. An image process is performed using the decompressed image data and image data of a line adjacent to the line of the processed image data.
US08346000B2 Systems, methods, devices and arrangements for motion-compensated image processing and coding
A variety of methods, devices, systems and arrangements are implemented for processing and coding of video images. According to one such implementation, a method is implemented for encoding a sequence of images. A plurality of orthogonal transforms is implemented on a set of N images, where N is greater than one. The images are linked by motion fields that include sets of respective portions of the images. In particular, the construction of a motion-compensated orthogonal transform is accomplished for the important case where at least one portion of any of the N images—or any part of this portion—is used more than once to motion-compensate other portions of the N images—or parts thereof.
US08345992B2 Method and device of image encoding and image processing apparatus
Provided is an image encoding method and device capable of encoding moving image random allowing access with low delay and high compression. The image encoding method which inputs image data and encodes the image data using a reference picture about the image data and a difference between the reference picture and the image data, and performs the steps of: setting an image output availability parameter indicating that it is possible to decode the image data to output the same if past pictures fall within a fixed range have been decoded, when decoding the image data which has been encoded; calculating influenced range information indicating a range where pictures encoded in the past influence a target picture to be encoded when encoding the image data; and controlling a range of the reference picture upon encoding such that the influenced range information calculated does not exceed the image output availability parameter.
US08345988B2 Method and apparatus for recognizing 3-D objects
A method and apparatus for recognizing an object, comprising providing a set of scene features from a scene, pruning a set of model features, generating a set of hypotheses associated with the pruned set of model features for the set of scene features, pruning the set of hypotheses, and verifying the set of pruned hypotheses is provided.
US08345987B2 Method and program for creating analysis model
A method of creating an analysis model includes the steps of storing first shape information in association with instruction information that is used for creating the analysis model and that includes shape feature information about a connecting part in the first shape information; comparing second shape information with the first shape information associated with the instruction information; determining whether a difference between the first shape information and the second shape information is within an allowable range for the shape feature information included in the instruction information; and setting the instruction information if the difference between the first shape information and the second shape information is within the allowable range.
US08345986B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method and computer readable-medium
There is provided an image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus includes: an obtaining unit configured to obtain an image; a generating unit configured to generate a plurality of feature maps for a plurality of features of the image, wherein each of the feature maps corresponds to one of the features of the image; an imaging situation determining unit configured to determine an imaging situation of the image; a weighting unit configured to weight the feature maps in accordance with the imaging situation; and a detector configured to detect a region of interest from the image based on feature distributions of the weighted feature maps.
US08345984B2 3D convolutional neural networks for automatic human action recognition
Systems and methods are disclosed to recognize human action from one or more video frames by performing 3D convolutions to capture motion information encoded in multiple adjacent frames and extracting features from spatial and temporal dimensions therefrom; generating multiple channels of information from the video frames, combining information from all channels to obtain a feature representation for a 3D CNN model; and applying the 3D CNN model to recognize human actions.
US08345981B2 Systems, methods, and computer program products for determining document validity
A method according to one embodiment includes extracting an identifier from an electronic first document, and identifying a complementary document associated with the first document using the identifier. A validity of the first document is determined by simultaneously considering: textual information from the first document; textual information from the complementary document; and predefined business rules. An indication of the determined validity is output. Systems and computer program products for providing, performing, and/or enabling the methodology presented above are also presented.
US08345977B2 Document image processing method and apparatus
A method for processing a document image includes: performing horizontal and vertical text line extraction on the document image; providing an overlapping matrix, a value of an element of the overlapping matrix indicating an overlapping relation between horizontal and vertical text lines; merging the overlapping matrix in the vertical and horizontal direction; determining one or more text overlapping regions in the document image, based on the values of the elements of the merged overlapping matrix; counting the total number of strokes or pixel points in the horizontal and vertical text lines, respectively, within one of the one or more text overlapping regions; and determining an orientation of the text overlapping region is horizontal if the total number of strokes or pixel points in the horizontal text lines is larger than that in the vertical text lines, otherwise, determining the orientation is vertical.
US08345976B2 Systems and methods for segmenting digital images
Methods and systems disclosed herein provide the capability to automatically process digital pathology images quickly and accurately. According to one embodiment, an digital pathology image segmentation task may be divided into at least two parts. An image segmentation task may be carried out utilizing both bottom-up analysis to capture local definition of features and top-down analysis to use global information to eliminate false positives. In some embodiments, an image segmentation task is carried out using a “pseudo-bootstrapping” iterative technique to produce superior segmentation results. In some embodiments, the superior segmentation results produced by the pseudo-bootstrapping method are used as input in a second segmentation task that uses a combination of bottom-up and top-down analysis.
US08345974B2 Hierarchical recursive image segmentation
An image is segmented into image regions. Each of the image regions is represented by a respective vertex. A graph of the vertices interconnected by edges, each of which has a respective edge weight value, is built. The graph is partitioned into respective disjoint subgraphs based on the edge weight values. The partitioning of one or more of the subgraphs into respective subgraphs is repeated. A partition tree data structure that describes a partitioning hierarchy of parent-child relationships between the subgraphs is produced.
US08345970B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program stored on a computer readable medium
An image processing apparatus includes a red eye candidate detecting section, a red eye-gold eye separating section, a gold eye converting section, and a red eye correcting section. Herein, the red eye candidate detecting section detects a red eye candidate included in images. The red eye-gold eye separating section judges whether a red eye candidate detected by the red eye candidate detecting section is either red eye or a gold eye respectively specified in a predetermined color range. The gold eye converting section converts a color of the red eye candidate, which was judged as red eye by the red eye-gold eye separating section, into a color, which is judged as a red eye by the red eye-gold eye separating section. The red eye correcting section performs a red eye correction to a color of the red eye candidate converted by the gold eye converting section.
US08345968B2 Image encoding device, image decoding device, image encoding method and image decoding method
An encoding device includes a color component separating unit for separating an input bit stream for the respective color components, a block dividing unit for dividing an input color component signal into blocks to generate a signal of an encoding unit area, a predicted image generating unit for generating a predicted image for the signal, a determining unit for determining a prediction mode used for encoding according to a prediction efficiency of the predicted image, a prediction error encoding unit for encoding a difference between the predicted image corresponding to the prediction mode determined by the determining unit and the input color component signal, and an encoding unit for variable length-coding the prediction mode, an output from the prediction error encoding unit, and a color component identification flag indicating the color component to which the input bit stream belongs as a result of the color component separation.
US08345967B2 Apparatus and method of processing image, and record medium for the method
A method and apparatus for processing an image to create a grayscale image are provided. The method includes converting, in a color image consisting of a plurality of pixels, a pixel value of each pixel in a RGB color space into a pixel value in a new color space through color space conversion, extracting color information using the pixel value in the new color space, calculating a luminance change amount of each pixel using the extracted color information, calculating a luminance value for the grayscale image by combining an original luminance value of each pixel and the luminance change amount, and creating the grayscale image according to the calculated luminance value. In converting color image into grayscale image and representing the grayscale image, the luminance change amount is set according to a property of each color perceived by humans and added to original luminance value, thereby explicitly discriminating among objects.
US08345966B2 Color naming, color categorization and describing color composition of images
The invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for assigning color names to individual image pixels, and generating verbal description of color composition in images, suitable for a wide variety of information processing applications. For an isolated image pixel (individual color sample or color value) an illustrative embodiment of this invention uses a predetermined vocabulary of color names, and then generates a distance measure describing the best color match and corresponding color name for the given pixel. For the input image, an illustrative embodiment of this invention computes the simplified representation of the scene, consistent with human perception, and uses the predetermined vocabulary, syntax rules and metric to assign color names to all perceptually significant objects and regions and obtain the verbal description of the overall color composition. The invention is also applicable to other types of information signals, such as sequences of video frames, web pages, etc.
US08345964B2 Image generation method, device, and image synthesis equipment
An image generation method, image generation device, and image synthesis device include generating at least two images at different exposure times. Intensities of pixels in the images at different exposure times are respectively obtained. Reliabilities of the pixels in the images at different exposure times are respectively obtained. The intensities of the corresponding pixels in the images at different exposure times are respectively multiplied by the corresponding reliabilities, and then the products are summed, so as to obtain intensities of pixels in a synthesized image and thus generate the synthesized image. By using the technical schemes of the present disclosure, an image with abundant details can be generated in real time.
US08345958B2 Method and system for developing new-view image
A method and a system for developing a new-view image from an original image with a corresponding depth map is provided. The original image has a plurality of original pixels and the new-view image has at least a new-view pixel. The method for developing the new-view image comprises the following steps. According to a corresponding depth value of each original pixel, a corresponding position of each original pixel corresponding to the new-view pixel is estimated. An occupancy proportion of each original pixel occupying the new-view pixel is estimated according to the corresponding position of each original pixel. An estimated color of an estimated partial pixel of the new-view pixel is initially obtained according to the occupancy proportion of one selected original pixel. The estimated partial pixel is updated according to the occupancy proportions and estimated occlusion proportion of the other selected original pixels one by one.
US08345956B2 Converting 2D video into stereo video
Two-dimensional (2D) video is converted into multi-view video. The 2D video is segmented to generate a temporally consistent segmented 2D video which is made up of a sequence of segmented frames. The multi-view video is generated by employing user-guided operations to generate depth assignments for the segments associated with user-assigned regions of the segmented frames, where a user-assigned region is formed from a group of contiguous segments selected by the user.
US08345954B2 Method and apparatus for the three-dimensional digitization of objects
This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the three-dimensional digitization of objects with a 3D sensor, which comprises a projector and one or more cameras, in which a pattern is projected onto the object by means of the projector, and the pattern is detected with the one or more cameras. In accordance with the invention, the method and the apparatus are characterized in that at least three reference marks and/or a reference raster are projected onto the object with the 3D sensor and are detected with two or more external, calibrated digital cameras.
US08345953B2 Stereoscopic measurement system and method
A stereoscopic measurement system captures stereo images and determines measurement information for user-designated points within stereo images. The system comprises an image capture device for capturing stereo images of an object. A processing system communicates with the capture device to receive stereo images. The processing system displays the stereo images and allows a user to select one or more points within the stereo image. The processing system processes the designated points within the stereo images to determine measurement information for the designated points.
US08345952B2 Image processing system, image processing apparatus, image sensing apparatus, and control method thereof
A first process to be executed by an apparatus and a second process to be executed by an apparatus to obtain a composite image by compositing a real space image with a virtual space image are determined by negotiation. The apparatus (101) transmits data necessary for executing the second process to the apparatus. The apparatus executes the second process by using the data and transmits the process result to the apparatus. The apparatus receives the process result by the apparatus and executes the first process. The apparatus displays a composite image obtained on the basis of the result of the first process or a composite image obtained on the basis of the process result and the received process result.
US08345947B2 Paper-sheet recognition apparatus
A paper-sheet recognition apparatus recognizes a paper sheet, which is being transported, by using an optical line sensor and a magnetic line sensor. The paper-sheet recognition apparatus includes a memory unit that stores therein magnetic templates defined in advance for respective types and respective transport directions of paper sheets, wherein the magnetic templates are defined at optical resolution representing resolution of the optical line sensor; a selecting unit that selects a magnetic template based on a type and a transport direction of the paper sheet, the type and the transport direction being obtained by analyzing optical data acquired by the optical line sensor; and a comparing unit that divides magnetic data acquired by the magnetic line sensor into pieces of data each corresponding to the optical resolution, and compares the magnetic template selected by the selecting unit with the divided magnetic data.
US08345944B2 System and method for coronary digital subtraction angiography
A method and system for extracting coronary vessels fluoroscopic image sequences using coronary digital subtraction angiography (DSA) are disclosed. A set of mask images of a coronary region is received, and a sequence of contrast images for the coronary region is received. For each contrast image, vessel regions are detected in the contrast image using learning-based vessel segment detection and a background region of the contrast image is determined based on the detected vessel regions. Background motion is estimated between one of the mask images and the background region of the contrast image by estimating a motion field between the mask image and the background image and performing covariance-based filtering over the estimated motion field. The mask image is then warped based on the estimated background motion to generate an estimated background layer. The estimated background layer is subtracted from the contrast image to extract a coronary vessel layer for the contrast image.
US08345939B2 System and method for fingerprint recognition and collection at points-of-sale and points-of-entry
A method of apprehending a criminal, including scanning fingerprint images from a contact area of at least one item at a point-of-sale (POS) location and/or point-of-entry (POE) location and transmitting the fingerprint images to a local or remote electronic device to identify the criminal is presented. A fingerprint recognition and collection device is also presented including a fingerprint scanner for scanning fingerprint images from a contact area of at least one item; a transmitting unit for transmitting the fingerprint images; a receiving unit for receiving the fingerprint images; and an analyzing unit for analyzing the fingerprint images to identify persons of interest. The fingerprint scanner operates concurrently with a price scanner and/or ticket scanner. The fingerprint scanner is fixedly secured at the POS location and/or the POE location and operates concurrently with the price scanner and/or ticket scanner.
US08345938B2 Image taking apparatus and image taking method
An image taking apparatus according to an aspect of the invention comprises: an image pickup device which picks up an object image and outputs the picked-up image data; a face detection device which detects human faces in the image data; a face-distance calculating device which calculates the distance between the faces among a plurality of faces detected by the face detection device; and a controlling device which controls the image pickup device to start shooting, after a shooting instruction is issued, in the case where the distance between the faces calculated by the face-distance calculating device is not greater than a first predetermined threshold value. The image taking apparatus allows shooting the moment the distance between the faces is close enough not be greater than to a predetermined threshold value.
US08345932B2 Support vector machine for biometric data processing
A system, method and program product for processing biometric data. A biometric data processing system is disclosed that includes: at least one signal acquisition system for collecting biometric input; a feature extraction system for extracting feature vectors from the biometric input; and a support vector machine (SVM) having a plurality of kernel functions, wherein each kernel function is configured for mapping a feature vector to a high dimensional hyperspace structure.
US08345924B2 Electronic device and method for monitoring water level
An electronic device with a water level monitoring system monitors a buoy to determine if a water level is acceptable. The device separates level markers of the containment facility and the buoy floating therein. The device traces a trace of the movement of the buoy and compares the trace and security lines to determine if the water level is acceptable or not. If the water level is unacceptable, the device sends an alarm to an alarm mainframe to display a warning on a monitor array.
US08345920B2 Gesture recognition interface system with a light-diffusive screen
One embodiment of the invention includes a gesture recognition interface system. The interface system may comprise at least one light source positioned to illuminate a first side of a light-diffusive screen. The interface system may also comprise at least one camera positioned on a second side of the light-diffusive screen, the second side being opposite the first side, and configured to receive a plurality of images based on a brightness contrast difference between the light-diffusive screen and an input object. The interface system may further comprise a controller configured to determine a given input gesture based on changes in relative locations of the input object in the plurality of images. The controller may further be configured to initiate a device input associated with the given input gesture.
US08345919B2 Motion detecting device, motion detecting method, imaging device, and monitoring system
A motion detecting device, a motion detecting method, an imaging device, and a monitoring system are provided. The motion detecting device include a processing unit for performing a process of determining a presence or absence of motion by comparing brightness difference information with a detection parameter of a motion detection, the brightness difference information being obtained from a video signal outputted from an image sensor, and a controller for controlling the detection parameter using control information determined by property control of an imaging device including the image sensor.
US08345915B2 Multi-function micro speaker
A multi-functional subminiature speaker, namely a bone conduction speaker, which can generate vibration for a bone conduction function, bodily sensation of vibration, speaker attachment, and the vibration modes over the housing unit, without any projections, and which has an acoustic portion unit detachably mounted. The bone conduction is performed without the projections because the vibration can be generated over the whole surface of the multi-functional subminiature speaker, such that loss of the magnetic force transmitted to the vibration coil is minimized by disposing the magnets on both inner and outer sides with respect to the vibration coil.
US08345913B2 Headphone with restraint and methods
A headphone having reduced-tangling potential includes an audio plug for receive electrical signals from an audio device, coupled via wires to ear buds, wherein the ear buds are for receiving electrical signals and outputting audio, wires coupled to the audio plug and to the pair of ear buds, wherein the coupling wire is configured to provide the electrical signals from the audio plug to at least the pair of ear buds, and a restraint device having a pliable material body having an interior channel, wherein the channel restrains movement of the separate ear buds a first resistance, when the audio plug is inserted into the channel, and wherein the channel restrains movement the separate ear buds by a second resistance, when the audio portion is separated from the channel, wherein the first resistance amount exceeds the second resistance amount.
US08345912B2 Earphone having under hanger
An earphone having an under hanger reduces movement of the earphone from vibrations that occur while a user is typically in motion. The earphone preferably includes: a housing for housing a speaker therein; a protector installed in a front surface of the housing and having a mesh for delivering a sound from the speaker; and an under hanger provided at a lower part of the housing to closely contact along a lower part of the rear side of an earflap of a user. The provision of an under hanger in a lower part of the earphone prevents from being easily separated from a user's ear. Further, by providing an under hanger made of a soft material, as the earphone closely contacts with the user's ear, a sound quality is improved and a wearing feeling of the earphone is improved.
US08345909B2 Loudspeaker assembly
A loudspeaker assembly comprises a base supporting at least one electro-acoustic transducer and at least one waveguide segment detachably supported by the base.
US08345906B1 Ear plug having an adjustable shaft
An ear plug has a body member, an insert member and a shaft member. The body member has a central bore and the insert member projects into the central bore. A portion of the shaft member is threaded into the insert member and a portion of the shaft member bears against a portion of the bore. Rotation of the shaft relative to the insert causes an enlarged portion of the shaft to bear against the bore of the body member which is flexible and forces the body member to flex outwardly and to bear against the user's ear canal forming a seal against entry of water into the user's ear.
US08345904B2 Hearing device with a sound transducer and method for producing a sound transducer
In hearing devices, more particularly in hearing aids, it is desirable to be able to design an earpiece for generating sound in the audible range which is as small as possible. Such an earpiece can then be worn comfortably on an ear or in an auditory canal. A sound transducer for the hearing device disclosed here may be formed as a micro-electromechanical system and the transducer enables generation of an acoustic signal with little distortion. Provision is made for a hearing device with a sound transducer, which has a field generation apparatus for generating an electric or magnetic field and an emission apparatus for generating sound. Here, the emission apparatus has a multiplicity of fingers that are penetrated by the field of the field generation apparatus, wherein the shape of the fingers can be changed by means of the field of the field generation apparatus in order to generate the sound.
US08345903B2 Housing for a hearing device with securing element
A battery bay of a hearing device should be better protected against unwanted opening. A housing for a hearing device is therefore provided with: a battery bay that is mounted on the housing and can be moved into an open position as well as a closed position; a projection that is permanently attached to the housing, and a securing element to prevent a movement of the battery bay. The securing element is supported on the battery bay and can be pivoted between a secured position and an unsecured position. The securing element also engages behind the projection in the secured position and the closed position of the battery bay so that the battery bay cannot be moved into the open position. The securing element has a recess in which, in the secured position, a tool can be held to move the securing element into the unsecured position.
US08345901B2 Dynamic noise reduction in auditory prosthesis systems
An exemplary method of dynamically adjusting an amount of noise reduction applied in an auditory prosthesis system includes dividing an audio signal presented to a patient into a plurality of analysis channels each containing a signal representative of a distinct frequency portion of the audio signal, determining an overall noise level of the signals within the analysis channels, and dynamically adjusting an amount of noise reduction applied to the signals within the analysis channels in accordance with the determined overall noise level. The dynamic adjustment of noise reduction is configured to minimize the amount of noise reduction applied to the signals within the analysis channels if the overall noise level is less than a predetermined minimum threshold. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
US08345898B2 Transducer assembly
A transducer assembly includes a first electroacoustic transducer and a second electroacoustic transducer. The first and the second electrostatic transducers include an electrode and a counter electrode. An inner circumference of an outer diaphragm section lying within an outer circumference forms the counter electrode of the first electroacoustic transducer. An inner diaphragm section that lies within the inner circumference of the outer diaphragm section forms the counter electrode of the second electroacoustic transducer.
US08345897B2 Electromagnetic conversion unit
There is provided: first to fourth magnetic pole yokes 13-16 magnetized by the magnets 11, 12 having both poles on these opposite faces to establish a magnetic pole; and a vibrating membrane 17 disposed between the magnets 11, 12 and electromagnetically coupled to the yokes 13-16 by energizing a meandering coil pattern 17b thereon to vibrate in a predetermined direction. The yokes 13-16 include: abutting sections 13a-16a to be magnetized with abutting against the magnets 11, 12, and magnetic pole sections 13b-16b establishing the magnetic pole in a band shape. The sections 13b-16b each are disposed on the upper and lower sides of the vibrating membrane 17, and disposed with a gap (sound emitting hole 19) such that the magnetic poles different in magnetic polarity are positioned alternately in the lateral direction of the membrane 17 to form magnetic pole faces on the upper and lower sides thereof.
US08345890B2 System and method for utilizing inter-microphone level differences for speech enhancement
Systems and methods for utilizing inter-microphone level differences to attenuate noise and enhance speech are provided. In exemplary embodiments, energy estimates of acoustic signals received by a primary microphone and a secondary microphone are determined in order to determine an inter-microphone level difference (ILD). This ILD in combination with a noise estimate based only on a primary microphone acoustic signal allow a filter estimate to be derived. In some embodiments, the derived filter estimate may be smoothed. The filter estimate is then applied to the acoustic signal from the primary microphone to generate a speech estimate.
US08345887B1 Computationally efficient synthetic reverberation
A digital audio signal processor uses a matrix transform to produce a multi-channel synthetic reverberation signal based on variably-delayed versions of an input signal. The matrix transform outputs are mixed with the inputs to the signal delaying mechanisms, and some of the outputs are further processed to create the reverberation signal.
US08345885B2 Sound signal adjustment apparatus and method, and telephone
A telephone with a speaker and a microphone uses the speaker both as an electric-to-acoustic transducer, to reproduce the far end party's voice, and an acoustic-to-electric transducer, to capture external sound in the vicinity of the near end party. From the captured sound signal and the signal picked up by the microphone, a decision unit decides whether or not the external sound is being blocked. When the external sound is blocked, a volume control unit increases the volume of the far end party's voice as reproduced by the speaker. The near end party can accordingly turn up the speaker volume by moving the part of the telephone including the speaker close to the user's ear to block external sound, without having to manipulate any manual controls.
US08345879B2 Securing wireless body sensor networks using physiological data
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for securing wireless body sensor networks with a three party password protocol. The password protocol combines the Bellare-Rogaway 3PKDP (three-party key distribution protocol) and the Diffie-Hellman password protocol. The three party password protocol also uses physiological values in place of passwords in one of the key exchanges. The other key exchanges in the protocol use symmetric key cryptography. The combination of the Bellare-Rogaway three-party key distribution protocol and the Diffie-Hellman password protocol allows two sensors which do not measure the same environmental data to authenticate and establish keys.
US08345873B2 Methods and systems for N-state signal processing with binary devices
Linear Feedback Shift Registers (LFSRs) based 2p state with p>2 or p≧2 scramblers, descramblers, sequence generators and sequence detectors in binary implementation are provided. An LFSR may apply devices implementing a binary XOR or EQUIVALENT function, a binary shift register and binary inverters and binary state generator, wherein at least an output of one shift register element in a first LFSR is connected to a device implementing a reversible binary logic function is a second LFSR. They may also apply 2p state inverters using binary combinational logic are applied. Memory based binary 2p state inverters are also applied. Non-LFSR based n-state scramblers and descramblers in binary logic are also provided. A method for simple correlation calculation is provided. Communication systems and data storage systems applying the provided LFSR devices are also disclosed.
US08345870B2 Method and apparatus for encrypting encoded audio signal
Advanced solutions for encrypting multi-layer audio data are required, ie. audio data that comprise a base layer and one or more enhancement layers. A method for encrypting such an encoded audio signal comprises separating the base layer into two sections, encrypting the side information within frames of the second section of the base layer, and encrypting at least a part of the data of the enhancement layer, wherein the encrypted section of the base layer and the encrypted enhancement layer require different decryption keys for decryption. Thus, free preview zones are possible to implement.
US08345868B2 Data transfer system, data transfer method, data transmission device and data receiving device
A data transfer system. The data transfer system includes a first device and a second device. The first device is configured to encrypt a partial information group of the plurality of information groups and to transfer an encrypted information group to the second device, to generate an omission information group with information having a predetermined relation omitted from at least remaining information groups of the plurality of information groups, to encrypt and to transfer the omission information group to the second device, when a partial kind of information of the plurality of information groups has the predetermined relation. The second device is configured to decrypt the partial information group and the omission information group, to restore omitted information based on the omitted information having the predetermined relation included in a transferred partial information group, and to add the restored information to the transferred omission information group.
US08345867B2 Method and apparatus for generating pseudo random sequence in broadband wireless communication system
Provided are a method and an apparatus for generating pseudo random sequence to generate pseudo random sequences which have larger sizes and are different from each other in a wireless communication system; a method for generating pseudo random sequence in a wireless communication system, comprising generating a first output sequence, generating a second output sequence, and generating a third output sequence; and an apparatus to generate pseudo random sequence in a wireless communication system, comprising a first linear feedback shift register (LFSR), a second LSFR, and a third LFSR, a first initial value mapper, a second initial value mapper, a third initial value mapper, and an N delay operator.
US08345865B2 Block cipher aria substitution apparatus and method
A block cipher ARIA substitution apparatus, the apparatus includes a first Sbox operation unit for performing operations of a substitution box S1 and a substitution box S1−1; a second Sbox operation unit for performing operations of a substitution box S2 and a substitution box S2−1; and a control unit for determining modes of the first Sbox operation unit and the second Sbox operation unit. The first Sbox operation unit has a first inverse affine transformation unit for performing an inverse affine operation for obtaining S1−1; a finite field inverse element operation unit for computing an inverse element of GF(28) or a result value of the first inverse affine transformation unit; a first affine transformation unit for performing an affine operation for obtaining S1; and a first and a second multiplexer.
US08345860B1 Method and system for detection of onset of near-end signal in an echo cancellation system
A method, a system and a computer program product for fast detection of the onset of a near-end signal is provided. An Acoustic Echo Canceller (AEC) attenuates an acoustic echo present in a tele-communication network. The AEC includes an adaptive filter that estimates the acoustic echo and generates an error signal. The error signal is the difference between the acoustic echo and the estimate of acoustic echo plus a near-end signal, if present. The method comprises computing an onset indicator parameter from the error signal and the estimate of acoustic echo. Several other parameters are subsequently calculated by using the onset indicator parameter, the error signal and the estimate of acoustic echo. The presence of the near-end signal is detected with very low detection delay by using the parameters mentioned above and one or more threshold values.
US08345859B2 Method and apparatus for DSL line card power management
A XDSL line card including an allocator for allocating power to the multi-tone modulated communications on each of the subscriber lines, and for selecting control parameters sufficient to effect communications on each of the subscriber lines at a power level proximate to an allocated power level therefore. The line card also includes configurable components coupled to one another to form a transmit path and a receive path to couple to the digital subscriber lines. The configurable components are responsive to the control parameters selected by the allocator to initialize multi-tone communications over each of the plurality of subscriber lines at a power level proximate the allocated power level.
US08345857B2 Method for reducing non-value added time between calls serviced at a call center
A method for reducing non-value added time between calls serviced at a call center includes selectively enabling an after-call-work state that is configured to be activated during a call from a subscriber vehicle when an advisor at the call center indicates a need for the after-call-work state. If the advisor does not activate the after-call-work state during the call, then upon completion of the call, automatically setting an operator station of the advisor to a call ready state. If, however, the advisor activates the after-call-work state during the call, then upon completion of the call, the method includes activating the after-call-work state.
US08345854B2 Method and system using presence information to improve services provided by automatic call distribution centers
In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, a method using presence information to improve automatic call distribution includes receiving a call for connection with one of a plurality of agents. An indicator of a service level problem is detected, and presence information is used to identify one or more draftable agents that are not in a ready state in response to detecting the indicator. The call is distributed to a selected one of the identified one or more draftable agents.
US08345851B2 Randomized digit prompting for an interactive voice response system
A system and method that provides a user with the ability to transmit confidential information to an IVR system in a secure manner includes invoking an interactive voice response (IVR) routine, the IVR routine determining each of the digits in the sequence by making successive queries and/or digit guesses. A user of the voice communication device need only make an affirmative response or a negative response to each query or digit quess. Once determined, each of the digits in the sequence is sent to the destination system. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08345849B2 Telecommunications endpoint that prompts a user to focus on a monitored call
A telecommunications endpoint and method are disclosed that involve the monitoring of a conference call by the endpoint, on behalf of a call participant who is either at the endpoint or elsewhere, and the prompting of the participant when his/her presence is needed. The monitoring of the call involves determining whether certain phrases that are relevant to and initialized by the participating endpoint user are spoken during the call. Such phrases might comprise the user's name, the name of a relevant project, the name of a relevant work item, and so forth. At a point in the call when one of the phrases has been spoken, the endpoint prompts the user of the event and provides relevant information that enables the user to refocus attention towards the call.
US08345843B2 Method and arrangement for handling communication requests from unknown parties
A method and apparatus for performing a caller investigation in order to provide relation information to a called party (200) regarding an unknown calling party (202), when implemented in a service entity (204) serving said called party. A relation query for the calling party is received from the called party, and it is then determined whether the calling party is known and related to any third party directly or indirectly known to the called party by checking a contact list (210-214) defined for said third party. The reliability of the calling party can then be better assessed based on how the calling party is related to the called party, if related at all. The called party may use this information for deciding how to respond to a communication request from said calling party.
US08345840B2 Fast detection and reliable recovery on link and server failures in a dual link telephony server architecture
Methods for detecting and recovering from client-link, server-link, and server-node failures are disclosed. One method comprises providing a dual link architecture. A Link-Status-Notice (LSN) message detailing at least one phone client associated with the client-link failure is sent from a primary telephony server to a secondary telephony server via a server-link. A type of redirect command is sent from the secondary telephony server to the at least one phone client associated with the client-link failure via a secondary client-link. The type of redirect command is based on a content of the LSN message.
US08345837B2 Preventing unintended users from accessing a re-routed communication
A method, system, and computer-readable medium embodying a computer program for securing a communication against access by unintended users is presented. A communication is initiated from a person using an originating telecommunication device to an intended receiving wireless telecommunication device. In response to the communication failing to connect to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device, a telecommunications host carrier provider may re-route the communication to an alternate telecommunication device. A business authentication logic of the host carrier then determines any security or quality of service filters established by the user of the originating telecommunication device prior to the communication being initiated to prevent unintended users from accessing the communication. Upon the business authentication logic of the host carrier authorizing the communication, the communication is encrypted and re-routed to the alternate telecommunication device. Upon receipt, the user of the alternate telecommunication device may then decrypt and access the secured communication.
US08345836B2 Telecommunication and multimedia management method and apparatus
A communication device configured to receive messages containing media over a communication network and to receive locally created messages containing media created using the communication device. The device also includes a time-shifting buffer to store in a time-based format the media contained in both the messages received over the communication network and the locally created messages. The time-shifting buffer enables on the communication device to either (i) render the media received over the network in a near real-time mode; or (ii) render both the media received over the network and the locally created media in a time-shifted mode by retrieving the stored media from the time-shifting buffer. The communication device also includes a message management system, which enables the communication device to transition the rendering of the media between the time-shifted mode and the near real-time mode without interrupting the ongoing storage of media of received messages into the time-shifting buffer.
US08345835B1 Systems and methods for visual presentation and selection of IVR menu
Embodiments of the invention provide a system for generating an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) database, the system comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory comprising a list of telephone numbers associated with one or more destinations implementing IVR menus, wherein the one or more destinations are grouped based on a plurality of categories of the IVR menus. Further the memory includes instructions executable by said processor for automatically communicating with the one of more destinations, and receiving at least one customization record from said at least one destination to store in the IVR database.
US08345834B2 System and apparatus for managing calls
A system and apparatus for managing calls to voice mail is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a voicemail system having a controller element that receives a call redirected away from a targeted communication device without providing the targeted communication device notice of the call responsive to a voicemail redirection request supplied by signaling information associated with the call. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08345826B2 Systems and methods for monitoring voice service feature failures in a telecommunication network
A method includes receiving multiple alarm messages, each being associated with a failure associated with a service feature available within a telecommunication network. A failure rate for a type of failure having a common set of service feature failure characteristics is determined from the alarm messages received. When the failure rate exceeds a threshold, a maintenance ticket is generated automatically.
US08345825B2 Telecommunication diagnostic information management
A diagnostic tool is adapted to include the capability of initiating one or more diagnostic tests, collecting the raw data from the diagnostic test(s) and transporting the raw diagnostic data to an OSS. The OSS interprets the raw diagnostic data and stores the results in a database. The stored results can be searched, sorted, manipulated, analyzed, and the like. The results of any of these operations can then be, for example, displayed to one or more entities such as customer support, network operators, network planners, or the like.
US08345822B2 X-ray optical configuration with two focusing elements
An X-ray optical configuration (1), comprising a position for an X-ray source (2), a position for a sample (3), a first focusing element (4) for directing X-ray radiation from the position of the X-ray source (2) via an intermediate focus (5) onto the position of the sample (3), and an X-ray detector (6) that can be moved on a circular arc (7) of radius R around the position of the sample (3), is characterized in that the configuration also comprises a second focusing element (8) for directing part of the X-ray radiation emanating from the intermediate focus (5) onto the position of the sample (3), and an aperture system (9) for selecting between illumination of the position of the sample (3) exclusively and directly from the intermediate focus (5) (=first optical path (10′)), or exclusively via the second focusing element (8) (=second optical path (10″)). The configuration facilitates changing between reflection geometry and transmission geometry, in particular, wherein modification and adjustment devices are minimized or unnecessary.
US08345821B2 Radiation treatment planning and delivery for moving targets in the heart
Method and systems are disclosed for radiating a moving target inside a heart. The method includes acquiring sequential volumetric representations of an area of the heart and defining a target tissue region and/or a radiation sensitive structure region in 3D for a first of the representations. The target tissue region and/or radiation sensitive structure region are identified for another of the representations by an analysis of the area of the heart from the first representation and the other representation. Radiation beams to the target tissue region are fired in response to the identified target tissue region and/or radiation sensitive structure region from the other representation.
US08345818B2 Tomosynthesis system for digital X-ray imaging and method of controlling the same
Disclosed herein are a tomosynthesis system for digital X-ray imaging and a method of controlling the tomosynthesis system. The tomosynthesis system includes an X-ray source, a detector, and a terminal. The X-ray source continuously moves during a scan period, and maintains a uniform X-ray focus in each capture section in which capture is performed by adjusting the direction of an emitted electron beam. The detector detects an image of X-rays having passed through an area of interest of an object in the capture section. The terminal controls the adjustment of the direction of the electron beam, creates a three-dimensional (3D) X-ray image by synthesizing detected X-ray images, and then displays the 3D X-ray image.
US08345816B1 RAM-based event counters using transposition
Methods and structures that implement an event counter in a RAM are provided. A method includes providing a count-RAM, a carry-RAM, and a pre-counter corresponding to an event source. A column in the count-RAM and a column in the carry-RAM represent a value of a value of the event counter. The method further includes storing a count of the event counter received via the pre-counter in the count-RAM and the carry-RAM in a transposed, bit-serial format, such that location zero of the count-RAM and the carry-RAM counts the least significant bit (LSB) of the event counter.
US08345813B2 Apparatus, system and method for low profile translation of high level radioactive waste containment structure
An apparatus, system and method for handling and translating a spent nuclear fuel storage cask. The apparatus comprises a body for supporting the cask close to the ground so that the cask and the apparatus can pass underneath over head doors. The apparatus further comprises rollers for translating the cask, the rollers adapted to move between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein when the rollers are in the retracted position, the rollers do not contact a ground surface. The apparatus additionally supports the storage cask during spent nuclear fuel transfer procedures.
US08345807B2 Demodulation device
A demodulation device comprises at least a diversity combiner, an elimination parameter storage, an elimination parameter investigator, a noise eliminator, and a noise collection means. The elimination parameter storage stores elimination parameters used for eliminating a noise, as elimination parameters for each of antennas, the noise collection means receives a noise and outputs the received noise as a collected noise signal, and the diversity combiner outputs a combined signal along with combining parameters, each representing a parameter related to the combining for each of the antennas. The noise eliminator eliminates the noise by using the elimination parameters for all the antennas as well as the combining parameters for all the antennas.
US08345806B2 Apparatus and method for detecting signal based on QR-decomposition in multiple input multiple output wireless communication system
An apparatus and a method are provided for detecting N number of TX signals in a MIMO wireless communication system. The apparatus includes an RF processor, a channel estimator, and a signal detector. The RF processor converts signals, received through multiple antennas, into baseband signals. The channel estimator estimates channel information of the respective antennas by using the received signals. The signal detector arranges the baseband signals of the respective antennas on the basis of the channel information, calculates a threshold value of each stage, and selects symbols with a cumulative metric smaller than or equal to the threshold value as candidates at each stage, to detect a TX signal vector with N number of symbols.
US08345804B2 Simplified RACH preamble detection receiver
A low complexity RACH preamble detector is described herein. The RACH preamble detection algorithm uses the peak detection of the time domain correlation function through frequency domain processing. The frequency domain processing considers the reference signals generated directly from frequency domain CAZAC sequence or time domain CAZAC sequence with DFT conversion. A low-complexity poly-phase LPF along with down sampling is implemented before the FFT to reduce the required length of the long FFT operation N-folded.
US08345794B2 Encoded control channel information interleaving
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate interleaving encoded control channel information for transmission over an uplink channel. The encoded control channel information, for example, can include encoded Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) information, encoded Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI) information, and/or Rank Indicator (RI) information. CQI information, PMI information, and/or RI information can be encoded at an access terminal, for instance, by applying a punctured Reed Muller block code to generate a sequence of encoded bits. The encoded bits can be interleaved to reorder the sequence utilizing one or more interleaving approaches. Examples of interleaving approaches that can be leveraged include prime number based interleaving, generalized bit reversal interleaving, column-row interleaving with column bit reversal, and/or M-sequence based interleaving. Further, the reordered sequence of encoded bits can be transmitted to a base station over an uplink channel.
US08345792B2 Method of transmitting data for digital broadcasting in wireless communication system
A method of transmitting data in a wireless communication system includes mapping first data to first symbols on a signal constellation, mapping second data assisting the first data to second symbols on the signal constellation, modulating the first symbols and the second symbols, and transmitting the modulated first symbols and the second symbols, wherein the distance between the first symbols is longer than that between the second symbols on the signal constellation.
US08345790B2 Method and apparatus for transmission within a multi-carrier communication system
Multiple transmit antenna transmission together with preferably pseudo-random, antenna-specific, scrambling (PRAS) is utilized to scramble incoming data differently on different antennas for those users requiring frequency diversity type transmissions. When PRAS is activated for a particular allocation, each transmit antenna applies a different scrambling sequence to the data symbols that are transmitted in the allocation.
US08345787B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting signals in a multi-hop wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for transmitting signals in a multi-hop wireless communication system are provided. A first BS transmits a signal including a first common information codeword and a first private information codeword. A second BS transmits a signal including a second common information codeword and a second private information codeword. A first RS joint-decodes the first common information codeword and the second common information codeword and decodes the first private information codeword. A second RS joint-decodes the first common information codeword and the second common information codeword and decodes the second private information codeword.
US08345781B2 Channel quality assessment method in OFDM(A) communications and a corresponding system
A method and apparatus for determining a channel quality indicator (CQI) to be used in link adaptation for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) communications. In one embodiment of the invention, the CQI is based on a set of capacity values for subcarrier components in a received OFDM signal. In another embodiment, a minimum value from a running average of the set of capacity values is used to determine the CQI.
US08345778B2 High bandwidth data transport system
A method of data transmission includes representing data using at least one amplitude modulated impulse based on an ultra wideband impulse, sending the at least one impulse over an electrically conductive guided media, receiving the at least one impulse over the electrically conductive guided media, recovering the data from the at least one amplitude modulated impulse after receiving the at least one impulse over the electrically conductive guided media. The at least one impulse coexists on the electrically conductive guided media with wave based transmissions sent over the electrically conductive guided media.
US08345777B2 Deblocking filtering apparatus and method
Provided is an image deblocking filtering method and apparatus. The method includes: determining whether at least one of two adjacent blocks is encoded using illumination compensation, adjusting a filtering intensity of a deblocking filter based on the determination, and deblocking filtering the two adjacent blocks based on the adjusted filtering intensity.
US08345775B2 System and method for masking visual compression artifacts in decoded video streams
A technique is provided for processing decoded video data to mask visual compression artifacts resulting from video compression. In accordance with this technique, a hardware block is provided for generating and adding random noise to the decoded video stream. In one embodiment, a random number is generated for each pixel of the decoded video data and compared against one or more threshold values to determine a threshold range. In such an embodiment, a noise addend value is selected based upon the threshold comparison and summed with the current pixel. While the present technique may not eliminate the compression artifacts, the addition of random noise renders the compression artifacts less noticeable to the human eye and, therefore, more aesthetically pleasing to a viewer.
US08345770B2 Video coding and decoding method for selective coding distortion removal using a filter
A method for coding a picture segmented into a plurality of blocks. The method decodes the coded blocks to produce a reproduced image. A filter selection parameter determines a threshold value for each quantization parameter, so as to change between a mode to effect coding distortion removal by a filter and a mode not to effect the coding distortion removal. The determined filter selection parameter is coded. A difference between pixel values of pixels in the adjacent blocks on both sides of a boundary between adjacent blocks forming the reproduced image is compared with the determined threshold value determined by the filter selection parameter, and the coding distortion is removed using the filter when the difference is smaller than the threshold value, and not removed when the difference is larger than the threshold value.
US08345767B2 Video encoding method, video encoding device, and video encoding program
A video encoding method comprises the steps of converting syntax data of an image block into a binary sequence; encoding each symbol of the binary sequence subject to its corresponding context; estimating the number of bits required for the binary arithmetic encoding of the syntax data of the image block; deciding whether to encode the syntax data of the image block to output it responding to the estimated bit number; and updating the context corresponding the syntax data decided to be encoded and to be outputted and not updating the context corresponding to the syntax data decided not to be encoded and not to be outputted. The estimating step uses the maximum value of the number of arithmetic encoding output bits for its input symbols as the aforementioned number of bits.
US08345764B2 Motion estimation device having motion estimation processing elements with adder tree arrays
In a motion estimation device and a video encoding device including the same, a motion estimation device provides a motion vector by performing a motion estimation algorithm, and includes a motion estimation unit including a processing elements that perform a calculating operation on pixel data of a block of a current frame and reference data in a search area of a reference frame and that output operation results on candidate blocks in the search area, in parallel; and a comparison and selection unit that compares the operation results provided from the motion estimation unit to each other, and that generates and outputs a motion vector corresponding to the block of the current frame.
US08345761B2 Motion vector detection apparatus and motion vector detection method
A motion vector detection apparatus is configured to calculate a temporal distance between a frame to be coded and each of a plurality of reference candidate frames referred to by the frame to be coded. The motion vector detection apparatus searches for a candidate motion vector between the frame to be coded and each the plurality of reference candidate frames and detects a motion vector for the frame to be coded from the candidate motion vectors. In searching for and detecting a candidate motion vector, the motion vector detection apparatus changes an amount of the calculation performed during the detection of a candidate motion vector according to the calculated temporal distance between the frame to be coded and the reference candidate frame, and a coding type of the reference candidate frame.
US08345760B2 Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An information processing apparatus that decodes a coded stream includes a memory storing the coded stream, a decoder generating image data by decoding the coded stream stored in the memory, a memory-transfer controller controlling transfer so that the coded stream is transferred to the memory prior to timing for outputting the image data, and a decoding controller controlling decoding by the decoder so that, in the coded stream stored in the memory, a reference picture that is referred to in picture decoding is preferentially decoded.
US08345757B2 Method of deriving a motion vector of a bi-predictive block based on a list o motion vector of a co-located block in a reference picture
In one embodiment, the method includes selecting the list0 motion vector of the co-located image block for the bi-predictive image block as a motion vector for deriving motion vectors of the bi-predictive image block regardless of whether the co-located block includes a list1 motion vector. The selected motion vector of the co-located block in the reference picture is scaled based on a temporal distance between a current picture and the reference picture. The current picture includes the bi-predictive block. The motion vector of the bi-predictive block is derived based on the scaled motion vector of the co-located block.
US08345754B2 Signaling buffer fullness
Techniques and tools are described for signaling hypothetical reference decoder parameters for video bitstreams, including signaling of buffer fullness. For example, a buffer size syntax element indicates a decoder buffer size, and a buffer fullness syntax element indicates a buffer fullness as a fraction of the decoder buffer size. As another example, buffer fullness is signaled in one or more entry point headers and other hypothetical reference decoder parameters are signaled in a sequence header.
US08345752B2 Method and apparatus for entropy encoding/decoding
A method and apparatus are provided for performing entropy encoding on a fine granular scalability layer. A method of entropy encoding on a plurality of current coefficients of a quality layer among a plurality of quality layers of an image block divided into the plurality of quality layers, includes determining a coding pass with respect to each of the current coefficients, selecting a context model with respect to each of the current coefficients using at least one lower coefficient corresponding to each of the current coefficients if the coding pass is a refinement pass, and performing arithmetic encoding a group of coefficients having a same selected context model among the current coefficients by using the selected context model.
US08345742B2 Method of processing moving picture and apparatus thereof
A method of processing moving picture and an apparatus thereof are disclosed. A method of processing a moving picture comprising: calculating a color distribution vector for each of plural sub-frames which are generated by dividing a frame of the moving picture; generating a first order differential of the color distribution vector based on the color distribution vector; generating a second order differential of the color distribution vector based on the first order differential of the color distribution vector; and generating a feature vector of the frame based on the color distribution vector, the first order differential of the color distribution vector and the second order differential of the color distribution vector, is provided. The moving picture processing method can provide an efficient mean to determine commonality between moving pictures by extracting a feature from a frame of the moving pictures.
US08345740B2 System, transmitter, receiver, method and software for transmitting and receiving ordered sets of video frames
When distributing a set 101 of frames 102 each with encoded data 103 from a transmitter 104 to a receiver 105, a dependent frame 108 requires an independent frame 107 for decoding, and the transmitting 111 of the frames 102 from a buffer 110 at the transmitter 104 is reordered such that the dependent frame 108 is sent after the independent frame 107. In particular, a transmission policy wherein buffering 109 a further frame 125 takes into account both: if the further frame 125 requires zero, one or two frames 102 of the set 101 for decoding, and the current frames 102 buffered at the first and the second position 123 of the transmit buffer 110.
US08345739B2 Method, medium, and apparatus controlling bit rate in image data encoding
A method, medium, and apparatus controlling a bit rate in image data encoding. The method for controlling a bit rate in image data encoding includes setting a reference bit amount for encoding a block group composed of a predetermined number of blocks created by dividing image data of a frame, encoding pixel values of the blocks according to a bit depth used to quantize the pixel values of the blocks, checking whether encoding of the frame is completed, and comparing a group bit amount indicating the amount of encoded bits of the block group with the set reference bit amount to adjust the bit depth if encoding of the unit frame is not completed and accordingly repeating the setting of the reference bit amount, encoding pixel values of the blocks, and checking whether encoding of the frame is completed.
US08345737B2 Detection of network impairments through tilt-normalized measurement data
A method and apparatus are provided for detecting network impairments through tilt-normalized measurement data, the method including: collecting data for a network signal; computing a best-fit tilt for the collected data; performing tilt-normalization of the collected data responsive to the computed best-fit tilt; and determining whether the tilt-normalized data crosses a threshold, and if so, pattern matching the tilt-normalized data to detect a network impairment; and the apparatus including: an input unit for collecting data from a network signal; a tilt unit connected to the input unit for computing a best-fit tilt for the collected data and performing tilt-normalization of the collected data responsive to the computed best-fit tilt; and a pattern matching unit connected to the tilt unit for determining whether the tilt-normalized data crosses a threshold, and if so, pattern matching the tilt-normalized data to detect at least one network impairment.
US08345731B2 Methods and apparatus for reducing a sampling rate during a sampling phase determination process
Control circuitry is configured to control a sampler, in a sampling phase determination process, to sample a signal at a sampling period of T±T/n for outputting a sample set for each one of n phases of the sampled signal. Each one of n correlators has a first input configured to receive one of the sample sets, a second input configured to receive a PN signal, and an output which provides a correlation result from a correlation process between the sample set and the PN signal. The control circuitry is further configured to identify, from the correlation results, one of the phases associated with the optimal correlation result. The control circuitry is then configured to control the sampler, in a communication mode, to sample a received signal at a sampling period of T at the phase associated with the optimal correlation result.
US08345730B2 Interference signal reduction method and receiver
A method and receiver for reducing a signal (B) interfering with a broadband spread-spectrum signal (A) reaching a receiver (100), the receiver (100) including an interference signal (B) reduction system (20) incorporating an automatic gain controller (21), said method characterized in that the controller (21) continuously carries out a normalization (B′) of an instantaneous peak amplitude of the signal (B), wherein said instantaneous peak amplitude is constant in time for the signal thus normalized (B′).
US08345726B1 Architecture for receiving data from a multiplicity of frequency hopping emitters
A method of receiving a plurality of simultaneously transmitted data streams is disclosed. Each data stream is divided into portions and transmitted at predetermined frequencies and times according to a frequency-hopping pattern. The portions are received using a plurality of receivers. Each receiver is configured to receive portions transmitted on one of the predetermined frequencies. The received portions are temporarily stored in a memory such that the received portions are stored as a function of receiver and time. The stored portions are compared to the frequency-hopping pattern. It is determined if any combination of the stored portions corresponds to the predetermined frequencies and times of the frequency-hopping pattern.
US08345716B1 Polarization diverse antenna array arrangement
An antenna array includes pairs of antenna elements, each responsive to mutually orthogonal first and second polarizations for producing streams of analog signals. The number of transceivers is halved by time-division multiplexing the analog signals onto a single path and transceiving the stream in that path. The transceived analog signals are digitized, to produce streams of digital samples, alternate ones of which represent the first and second polarizations. Alternate samples of the stream of digitized signals represent the analog received first and second polarizations. Simple processing identifies the polarization of the received signals, and can be used for weather evaluation or for polarimetric identification.
US08345712B2 Method, apparatus and system for maintaining mobility resistant IP tunnels using a mobile router
A method, apparatus and system enable a mobile device to roam while maintaining a persistent IP tunnel. Specifically, a mobile router may be utilized to enable a mobile device to maintain a persistent IP tunnel while the device roams. In one embodiment, the mobile device is a virtual host and the mobile router is a virtual mobile router.
US08345711B2 Communication systems and QSIG communications methods
This invention relates to communication systems and QSIG communication methods. According to a first aspect, a communication system includes a control component; and a data network configured to communicate packets of information intermediate an originating location and a terminating location, the originating location being configured to receive a QSIG communication including a content portion and a signaling portion, wherein the data network is configured to communicate the signaling portion to the control component and the control component is configured to establish a connection within the data network intermediate the originating location and the terminating location responsive to the signaling portion, and wherein the data network is further configured to communicate the content portion of the communication within a plurality of packets intermediate the originating location and the terminating location using the connection.
US08345708B2 Method and system for increasing the switching capacity in telecommunications networks by transmission or activation of software
A method and system for running and/or organizing at least one telecommunications network is provided. A software for organizing and/or carrying out the switching of telecommunications connections and/or services is run down by a central server of the telecommunications network. When the switching capacity of the switchboards is not sufficient, the software may be transmitted at least temporarily to at least another server of another selectable telecommunications network and/or is activated in said server at least temporarily. This may be effected in order to increase the transmission capacity.
US08345707B2 Method for synchronizing data maintained at a plurality of nodes
A method for synchronizing data maintained at a plurality of data objects. The method involves assembling source and destination trees, each of the source and destination trees including a root node and one or more dependent nodes associated with source and destination data maintained at the plurality of data objects respectively. After the trees are assembled, a checksum calculation is performed for the nodes of the source tree and the destination tree based on the associated source data and the associated destination data maintained at the plurality of data objects respectively. The destination tree and the destination data are synchronized with the source tree and source data based on the comparison of the checksum calculations of corresponding nodes in the source tree and the destination tree. Missing nodes or nodes having mismatching checksums in the destination tree are identified and either added or modified to match the corresponding node or nodes in the source tree, while the data in the source data objects are fetched and copied by the destination data object corresponding to the added and/or modified nodes in the destination tree.
US08345704B2 Method and system for multi-radio coexistence and a collaborative interface
Aspects of a method and system for multi-radio coexistence and a collaborative interface may include exchanging information between a plurality of radio transceivers integrated within a single device to enable coexistence, and coordinating sharing of transmit and receive resources between the plurality of radio transceivers by controlling access to the transmit and receive resources, where any one of the plurality of radio transceivers may be enabled to be selected to control the access based on the exchanged information. Selecting one of the radio transceivers for the controlling of the access band may be based on processing capability or priority of communication. The resources may comprise frequency bands, time slots, and antenna access. The information may be exchanged via a serial bus between the plurality of radio transceivers, where the serial bus may conform to an I2C (I-square-C) multi-master serial bus. Each of the radio transceivers may conform to one or more radio frequency technology.
US08345695B1 Systems and methods for implementing network gateway in catastrophe context or the like
A system has a plurality of communications devices within a geographic area. Each device is capable of communicating from within the geographic area with any other device proximate the device, and is also capable of communicating from within the geographic area with a communications service having access to an area external to the geographic area if such communications service is operational and available to the device. At least one of the devices is a gateway device that communicates from within the geographic area with the communications service, and at least some of the devices are non-gateway devices that communicate from within the geographic area with the gateway device. Each non-gateway device communicates from within the geographic area with the area external thereto by way of the gateway device and the communications service communicated with by the gateway device.
US08345694B2 Network address translation for tunnel mobility
An access terminal identity based mobility is provided in which a first network tunnel is established between an access gateway and a first access router, and a second network tunnel is established between the access gateway and a second access router. At the access gateway, source addresses of packets sent from an access terminal to a remote correspondent node are translated by replacing the local address of the access terminal with the public address of the access terminal. The access terminal continuously maintain a communication session with the correspondent node as the access terminal moves from a first location to a second location and switches from accessing the first access router to accessing the second access router. A mapping between the local address and the public address is updated as the access terminal switches from the first access router to the second access router.
US08345693B1 Cooperative spatial multiplexing
A cooperative spatial multiplexing scheme in which the transmitter (source), equipped with a single antenna, forms virtual antenna arrays from a collection of distributed antennas belonging to different wireless terminals, and transmit a high-rate data stream to those terminals (relays). Each relay detects only a subset (called sub-stream) of the data stream and all relays forward their sub-streams simultaneously over the same physical channel. Then the receiver (destination) nulls and cancels the interference from different relays in order of the magnitude of log-likelihood ratio and detects the signal transmitted from the source.
US08345689B2 System and method for identifying upper layer protocol message boundaries
Systems and methods that identify the Upper Layer Protocol (ULP) message boundaries are provided. In one example, a method that identifies ULP message boundaries is provided. The method may include one or more of the following steps: attaching a framing header of a frame to a data payload to form a packet, the framing header being placed immediately after the byte stream transport protocol header, the framing header comprising a length field comprising a length of a framing protocol data unit (PDU); and inserting a marker in the packet, the marker pointing backwards to the framing header and being inserted at a preset interval.
US08345688B2 System and method for managing flow of packets
A method for managing flow of packets comprises inputting a plurality of flow rules of various priorities to a router having a plurality of hardware resources, the plurality of hardware resources having varying levels of capability relative to each other. A first rule, for example a rule having a lowest priority, may be selected from among the plurality of flow rules, and it may be determined whether the first rule conflicts with any lower priority rules stored in the hardware resource with a highest capability. If the first rule conflicts with a lower priority rule in the hardware resource with the highest capability, the first rule may be stored in the resource with the highest capability. If the first rule does not conflict with a lower priority rule in the hardware resource with the highest capability, the first rule may be processed to identify the hardware resource with a lowest capability that can support the first rule, and the first rule may be stored in the identified resource.
US08345687B2 High security backplane-based interconnection system capable of processing a large amount of traffic in parallel
An inter-network connection system is provided with a plurality of interface boards capable of processing traffic in a lower layer, an upper layer processing board capable of processing traffic in an upper layer, and an inter-board connection board capable of intervening in information transfer between the interface board and the upper layer processing board. The interface board has its input/output ports paired as port groups. When traffic is input through one input/output port of a port group, the traffic is output through the other input/output port of this port group. Only when the traffic is to be processed in the upper layer, the traffic is transferred from the interface board to the upper layer processing board. The inter-network connection system allows the amount of traffic processed in parallel to be increased with a high security configuration.
US08345685B2 Method and device for processing data packets
A device and a method for processing a data packet. The method includes: receiving a key, applying multiple hash functions to provide multiple hashed values; accessing a group of hash tables using the multiple hashed values; associating between the key and an accessed vacant entry of an hash table out of the group of has tables. The device includes a communication controller connected to at least one memory bank; wherein the communication controller is adapted to receive a key associated with a data packet, apply multiple hash functions to provide multiple hashed values; access a group of hash tables stored within the at least one memory bank, using the multiple hashed values; and determine a data packet processing operation in response to a content of accessed entries of the multiple hash tables.
US08345684B2 Network linking device and method for transferring data packets by the same
A network linking device in communication with a computer host and an external network is disclosed. The network linking device includes a media access controller (MAC), a buffer and a feature value evaluator. The MAC in communication with the external network receives a data packet from the external network, and stores the data packet in the buffer in communication therewith. The feature value evaluator in communication with the buffer determines whether the data packet complies with a transfer condition according to a feature value included in the data packet, and actuates the MAC to assert an interrupt signal to the computer host when the feature value indicates the data packet complies with the transfer condition. A method for transferring a data packet between a computer host and an external network is also disclosed.
US08345678B2 Communication method, communication message processing method, program for executing these methods on computer
A technique for flexibly performing processes depending on the type of a path for providing an additional service when there are a plurality of paths for providing additional services for the same session between terminals communicating with each other over a network is disclosed. According to the technique, when a mobile terminal (MN 100) establishes a QoS path using NSIS to a corresponding node (CN 124) on different types of data communication paths, a signaling message including information (MIE) representing the path type is created and transmitted. Each node (QNE) with an NSIS QoS function, which has received the message, identifies a plurality of QoS paths by comparing the MIE, a session identifier and a flow identifier, and performs processing of the QoS paths according to control information (CI) from MNs or/and the policy which the QNE has.
US08345677B2 Digital program mapping
Rather than utilizing fixed point-to-point remapping of PIDS, the present invention utilizes the type of stream that the PIDS are associated with and the related program services IDs to specify the associations between input and output programs. This permits mapping at the program level and, therefore, allows dynamic responses to input program changes based upon the program mapping references. Resolving PID mapping based upon programs and the included services allows output PIDs to remain constant service-by-service even as the input programs change.
US08345676B2 Method for charging of data reaching a network element of a communication network during a data session
Embodiments of the invention provide a method and device for charging of data reaching a network element of a communication network during a data session, the data session comprising a plurality of data flows, with each flow being distinguishable by a set of flow parameters. The method includes enforcing a charging policy at the network element to be applied to the data, wherein the charging policy defines charging rules per flow, observing the data reaching the network element and detecting at least one flow of data, matching the detected flow of data to an enforced charging policy, and applying the matching charging policy to the data flow, thereby generating charging information. A method and device is also provided for supplying a network element with a charging policy to be enforced at the network element for charging of data reaching the network element of a communication network during a data session.
US08345674B2 Network system and audio signal processor
An audio network system that performs transport of audio signals between nodes by cascading a plurality of nodes each including two sets of transmission I/Fs and reception I/Fs, and circulating among the nodes in each fixed period an audio transport frame generated by a master node, the audio transport frame including a plurality of storage regions for audio signals, is configured such that when the configuration of the system is changed, loopback of the audio transport frame in each node and release thereof are automatically controlled to automatically loop back the transport of the audio transport frame at nodes at both ends and not loop back it at the other nodes to thereby form a loop transmission route among the nodes.
US08345671B2 System and method for managing call routing in a network environment including IMS
In one embodiment, a scheme is disclosed for managing call routing in a network environment including a circuit-switched (CS) network and an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) network. When a call is originated by a user equipment (UE) device in the CS network, call information associated with the call is provided to a call continuity control function (CCCF) network node disposed in the IMS network. At the CCCF node, a pool of E.164 numbers are maintained as IP multimedia routing numbers (IMRNs) which are mapped to or otherwise associated with called party numbers. The CCCF node dynamically allocates a select IMRN with respect to a called party number received from the UE device and returns it to the UE device. The dynamically allocated IMRN is then utilized for routing the call towards the called party.
US08345663B2 Distributed cabin interphone system for a vehicle
In one aspect, cabin interphone handsets and passenger announcement speakers in the cabin of a vehicle communicate over an internet protocol data network. Each handset of the system has an internet protocol presence and each passenger announcement speaker of the system has an internet protocol presence. Each handset includes announcement and call management functions so that each handset can communicate with one or more handsets over the network as well as make passenger announcements via one or more passenger announcement speakers. The call setup function and PA function may utilize voice over internet protocol. In another aspect, methods are provided for making interphone calls and passenger announcements using the system.
US08345661B2 Method for sending physical hybrid ARQ indicator channel signals in a downlink pilot time slot
A method for sending physical hybrid ARQ indicator channel signals in a downlink pilot time slot, characterized in: the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of the PHICH signals sent in the DwPTS by a base station differs from the OFDM symbols used for sending the P-SCH signals or the S-SCH signals. According to the method, not only the problem of the confliction between the PHICH signals and the synchronization channel signals in the DwPTS is solved, but also the time delay for sending the PHICH signals is reduced as much as possible, thus an influence on other channels is reduced, and processing of other channels is facilitated.
US08345659B2 Unified synchronous ranging channel structure and ranging code generation and detection in wireless OFDMA systems
A unified synchronous ranging channel is provided. The unified synchronous ranging channel has a ranging cyclic prefix length that is the same as a cyclic prefix length of a data channel. The unified synchronous ranging channel is used for one of initial ranging, handover ranging, and periodic ranging between a mobile station and a femto base station. In one embodiment, the synchronous ranging channel spans over a two-dimensional radio resource region having a first number of subcarriers along frequency domain, a second number of OFDM symbols along time domain, and a third number of time-domain repetition. At the transmit side, a ranging code sequence is generated by applying a fixed time-domain cyclic shift per OFDM symbol to a root sequence. At the receive side, the ranging code sequence is decoded by using a summation module, a likelihood-combining module, and a modified peak test module that normalizes a peak value.
US08345656B2 Recalculating airtime quota in WLAN to use up bandwidth
In a wireless communication channel, the time per a service interval is distributed among multiple data services. The data services have been allocated airtime quotas in order to comply with their QoS requirements. These airtime quotas are scaled by a factor that is the ratio between, on the one hand, the time available per service interval for accommodating data of these services and, on the other hand, the total of the airtime quotas. This allows the services to use more airtime in case not the entire service interval has been allocated.
US08345649B2 Method for indication of consecutive data units in a RAN
An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for improving the performance of a radio access network. The object is achieved by a data packet (200) in a first network node (110). The first network node (110) is adapted to transmit the data packet (200) to a second network node (120), over a radio link (130). The first network node (110) and second network node (120) are comprised in a wireless communications network (100). The data packet (200) comprising a data packet header (210) and a data packet payload (220). The data packet header (210) comprising at least one length indicator (211, 212, 213, 214, 215). The data packet payload (220) comprising a number of consecutive packet data units (221, 222, 223), of the same specific size. The number of consecutive data units (221, 222, 223), of the same size is indicated in the data packet header (210) using a first length indicator of the at least one length indicators (211, 212, 213, 214, 215).
US08345645B2 WLAN access controller packet buffering
Traffic pending delivery to sleeping Mobile Units is buffered in an Access Controller. When a particular sleeping Mobile Unit wakes up, the Access Point with which the Mobile Unit is associated signals to the Mobile Unit indicating that traffic is buffered for that Mobile Unit. In response to signaling from the Mobile Unit via the Access Point, the Access Controller forwards the traffic buffered for that Mobile Unit. In particular, the traffic is transmitted from the Access Controller to the Access Point, and then from the Access Point to the Mobile Unit. A limit may be placed on the amount of time during which the Access Controller buffers traffic for a particular Mobile Unit.
US08345640B2 Method and device to use a mobile terminal with a new subscription
The invention relates to a method and device to use a locked mobile terminal with a new subscription. This method is based on presentation of several IMSI and detection of an IMSI with valid MCC and/or MNC code replaced by another IMSI so that the end-user can use his new SIM card with the locked mobile terminal.
US08345636B2 Base station, mobile station, and propagation path measuring signal transmission control method
A base station includes a transmission method determining portion that determines whether to allow a mobile station to transmit a propagation path measuring signal by one of a multi-carrier method and a single carrier method; and a transmission method sending portion that sends information indicating the determined transmission method with the mobile station. A mobile station includes a data mapping portion that maps a signal sequence of a propagation path state measuring signal in accordance with transmission information that a base station sends in order to indicate the propagation path state measuring signal is transmitted by either one of a single carrier method and a multi-carrier method.
US08345633B2 Method of identification of a femtocell base station as a handover target, and apparatus therefor
A method is provided of identifying which one of a plurality of femtocell base stations neighboring a first femtocell base station is to be the target for handover of a call connection with a user terminal from the first base station. The neighbor femtocell base stations use the same primary scrambling code as each other. The femtocell base stations use code-division multiple access, CDMA. Each of the neighbor femtocell base stations transmits a respective broadcast signal that include timing information such that each neighbor femtocell base station transmits a broadcast signal having different timing information to that of the other neighbor femtocell base stations. The user terminal receives broadcast signals, determines the timing information of at least one of the received broadcast signals and reports the timing information to the first femtocell base station. The first femtocell base station identifies the target femtocell base station for handover from the timing information.
US08345631B2 Mobile communication system, wireless base station, and transmission rate allocation method
In the present invention, a base station comprises: an RTWP measurement unit that measures RTWP of the base station; a monitoring unit that monitors the start and the removal of the Gating state by each of a plurality of mobile stations; a threshold setting unit that lowers a threshold by the amount of an offset, which is equivalent to the difference in the transmission rate of the mobile station that is decreased as the mobile station starts the Gating operation, if any of the plurality of mobile stations starts the Gating operation; and a scheduling unit that allocates a transmission rate, which is equivalent to the difference between the RTWP of the base station and the threshold, to a mobile station other than the mobile station in the Gating state among the plurality of mobile stations if the RTWP of the base station is less than the threshold.
US08345629B2 Method for ARQ-enabled pre-transmissions in multicast and broadcast services of relay networks utilizing the idle periods
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for transmitting data in a network (e.g., a relay network). In one embodiment, the method comprises performing pre-transmission of a packet to hops to enable the base station and the plurality of hops to transmit the packet synchronously to one or more mobile stations in the wireless communication system; and performing one or more re-transmissions of the packet at a first set of one or more hops in the system during a delay due to pre-transmissions at a second set of one or more hops in the system.
US08345628B2 Method and apparatus for mobile internet protocol registering or deregistering
A method for implementing MIP registration or deregistration includes obtaining, by a physical entity in which a destination MIP Foreign Agent (FA) resides, an identity of a mobile terminal (MT ID) and address information of an anchor proxy mobile node or an authenticator; sending a message carrying the MT ID to the anchor proxy mobile node or the authenticator; and implementing MIP registration or deregistration for the mobile terminal corresponding to the MT ID using a credential, in which the credential corresponding to the MT ID is acquired from the anchor proxy mobile node or authenticator.
US08345625B2 Apparatus and method of handover for mobile node
Provided are an efficient handover apparatus and method in a mobile node. In the method in which a handover is performed in a mobile node which establishes a data communication through a point of attachment (PoA), the method including receiving information regarding capabilities of a new PoA; determining whether Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) prefix is available at the new PoA, based on the information regarding the capabilities of the new PoA; and generating an address which is to be used by the mobile node in a data communication with the new PoA, according to a method determined based on whether IPv6 prefix is available at the new PoA. Thus, it is possible to determine whether IPv6 prefix is available at a new point of attachment prior to receiving a router advertisement (RA) message.
US08345624B2 Methods and apparatus to provide extended voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services
Methods and apparatus to provide extended voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services are disclosed. An example residential gateway comprises a radio frequency (RF) detector to detect a presence of a cellular communication device, a service controller to enable a VoIP communication device when the cellular communication device is present, wherein the VoIP communication device and the cellular communication device are different devices.
US08345622B2 Method for transmitting and receiving MAP in wireless mobile communication system and system therefor
An apparatus and method for transmitting MAP by a base station in a wireless mobile communication system using a frame that includes a plurality of mini frames occupying a specific time period, each of the mini frames including a plurality of Resource Blocks (RBs) occupying a specific frequency band are provided. A number of RBs to be occupied by a data burst to be transmitted is determined. A first variable indicative of a number of mini frames to be occupied by the data burst is determined based on a resource amount corresponding to the number of RBs and an available resource amount of the mini frame. A second variable is determined based on the number of RBs and the first variable. MAP is transmitted that includes the first variable, the second variable, and information indicating RBs where a resource is allocated in a mini frame first located in a time domain among the mini frames to be occupied by the data burst. Each of the RBs where the resource is allocated represents an RB where one of packets segmented from the data burst is allocated.
US08345620B2 Method and apparatus for frequency hopping with frequency fraction reuse
A method and apparatus for a wireless communication system, for frequency hopping using frequency fraction reuse scheme. The frequency hopping pattern is generated by dividing a portion of frequency into plurality of sub-bands, dividing a portion of time into plurality of sectors, each sector comprising the divided sub-bands, designating one of the divided sub-band within one of the sectors as the restricted sub-band, and allocating a location the designated sub-band as a restricted sub-band.
US08345618B2 Data transmission method in a multi-carrier system, and transmitter
A transmitter includes a plurality of transmit antennas, a processor configured to process user data, and a single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) signal generator configured to receive the user data and generate SC-FDMA symbols transmitted through the plurality of transmit antennas. The SC-FDMA signal generator independently performs inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) for each transmit antenna, and each of the plurality of transmit antennas is associated with each of a plurality of carriers.
US08345617B2 Sending an uplink order to active set base stations
A method for sending an uplink order to active set base stations is disclosed. A new mode of operation for a wireless communication device is determined. A transmission is sent on an uplink control channel to active set base stations that indicates the new mode. The transmission from the wireless communication device is received on the E-DPCCH. It is determined if the transmission is an uplink order. The new mode of operation is transitioned to. Subsequent transmissions from the wireless communication device are interpreted using the new mode of operation if the transmission is an uplink order.
US08345612B2 System and method for communicating using internet protocol
Disclosed is a system and a method for communication using different IPs, i.e. a mobile IP supporting mobility and a simple IP, according to the service by a UE. The method includes network initiated IP allocation (i.e. the network allocates different IPs to the UE) and UE initiated IP allocation (i.e. the UE directly requests an IP corresponding to a specific service). As such, the IP is selected and used based on consideration of continuity of the service to be supported by the UE.
US08345611B2 Method of transmitting a data block in a wireless communication system
A method of transmitting a data block in a wireless communication system is disclosed. A method of transmitting a data block in a user equipment of a wireless communication system comprises receiving upper layer data through at least one upper layer channel, generating a data block including at least a part of the upper layer data, at least one channel indicator indicating each of the at least one upper layer channel, and information associated with quality of a service provided through the at least one upper layer channel established in the user equipment, and transferring the generated data block to a lower layer.
US08345610B2 Method and apparatus for mapping pilot signals in multiplexing mode of unicast and broadcast/multicast services
Disclosed is a method for mapping pilot signals in a multiplexing mode of unicast service and Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS). The method comprises the steps of: generating pilot symbols for the unicast service and the MBMS service, respectively; mapping the pilot symbols for the MBMS service to multiple transmit antennas such that, in a subframe, the pilot symbols for the MBMS service for each antenna are arranged in a same time domain and adjacent to each other, the pilot symbols for the MBMS service for the same transmit antenna are spaced from each other by a predetermined number of subcarriers in the frequency domain and by a predetermined number of OFDM symbols in the time domain, and the pilot symbols for the MBMS service for the same transmit antenna are arranged in a staggered form along the time domain, and mapping the pilot symbols for the unicast service at the same time.
US08345608B2 System and method for transmitting downlink schedule in WiMax/WiBro relay system
A system and method for transmitting downlink schedule in a WiMax/WiBro relay system is proposed in present invention. In present invention, the task of transmitting the schedule is dispersed from the BS to both of the BS and RS so that several RS may transmit the schedule items simultaneously and therefore the resource of the system is saved.
US08345606B2 Methods and apparatus for data transfer in a packet-switched data network
Apparatus for and methods of enabling a gateway node of a first packet-switched data network to select a first channel for transferring a data packet to a destination packet data protocol address of a correspondent node provided service in the first network are disclosed. The gateway node is configured to select the first channel from a plurality of channels configured to transfer data packets to the destination packet data protocol address of the correspondent node, wherein the data packet is sent from a mobile node of a second packet-switched data network external to the first network, and wherein the mobile node has been in a communication session with the correspondent node while provided service in a third packet-switched data network different to the second network.
US08345600B2 Reducing processing resources incurred by a user interface
A method, program and apparatus for limiting processing resources incurred due to refreshing a user interface of a first terminal. The method comprises: at a first terminal, receiving a plurality of event indications which indicate respective events, each of the event indications being received at a different time; and based on the event indications, refreshing the user interface of the first terminal to reflect each of the respective events. Refreshing comprises determining a plurality of time periods, and during each of those time periods postponing the user interface from being refreshed to reflect any outstanding ones of the event indications until that time period has elapsed. The time periods are each determined having a length set in dependence on a timing of the receipt of one or more of the event indications, wherein the length of a later time period is set to an increased value relative to an earlier time period in response to the receipt of one or more of said event indications within a time limit.
US08345599B2 Pre-evaluation of multiple network access points
The present application describes, inter alia, novel techniques to perform pre-evaluations of multiple Wi-Fi Access Points (AP) and Access Networks (AN). A pre-evaluation determines whether or not an AP is connected to the Internet and measures the path performance that the AN, via that particular AP, can offer between the mobile device and a pre-specified Internet host. In addition, the invention also discloses methods to determine whether the AN requires a user to actively authenticate themselves through a redirect log-on page.
US08345589B2 Method and apparatus for determining timing for initial ranging of user equipment using ranging of adjacent pieces of user equipment in multi-hop mobile relay system
Provided is a method and apparatus for determining timing for initial ranging of user equipment by using ranging of adjacent pieces of user equipment in a multi-hop mobile relay (MMR) system, and more particularly, a method and apparatus for determining timing for initial ranging of user equipment in which a power value and a timing value for periodic ranging of adjacent pieces of user equipment are measured so as to minimize an uplink timing error of a base station. In the MMR system, user equipment transmits an initial ranging code to the base station with irregular timing while not knowing an exact start point of an uplink of the base station. In particular, if the user equipment attempts the initial ranging at the same time as when adjacent pieces of user equipment attempt the periodic ranging and the handover ranging, an error occurs between transmission timing of the initial ranging and uplink timing, thereby acting as an inter-symbol interference (ISI) and inter-channel interference (ICI) of different ranging. As a result, the initial ranging acts as an interference signal in a ranging process of adjacent pieces of user equipment. However, the apparatus and method can minimize a timing error of the initial ranging code of user equipment by avoiding the initial ranging acting as the interference signal.
US08345588B2 Apparatus and method for wireless communication
A wireless communication apparatus which can simultaneously conduct communication on at least two frequency channels is described. The apparatus includes a communication unit which refers to a connection management table to determine a communication system which can be used by a wireless communication terminal using an identifier of the wireless communication terminal, and conducts communication with the wireless communication terminal on a second frequency channel using the communication system, when a request from the wireless communication terminal to change the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel is permitted.
US08345583B2 Method for enhancing ethernet channel impairment and apparatus using the same
A method for enhancing Ethernet channel impairment comprises the steps of sending a sequence to a receiver in a slave transceiver by a master transceiver, and training cancellation filter coefficients of an echo canceller and a near-end cross talk canceller in the master transceiver before the receiver of the slave transceiver converges.
US08345580B2 Method and arrangement for virtual meeting
The present relates to a method and arrangement for controlling streams of participants of a virtual meeting, wherein at least a first participant and a second participant are located in a first location and at least a third participant is located in a second location. The arrangement comprises means for receiving location information associated with identity information for each participant, means for receiving a stream from each participant whereby the stream comprises at least audio and an identity of the respective participant, means for controlling transmission of each received stream separately to said participants based on said location information and identity information such that streams between the participants in the same location are blocked.
US08345575B2 Traffic analysis apparatus and analysis method
A traffic analysis apparatus includes: a packet transmitter/receiver; a packet aggregating unit, for adding the number of packets that employ the same values for items in a combination that includes one arbitrary item or multiple items in packets obtained by the packet transmitter/receiver; a variety aggregating unit, for adding the number of appearances of different values in the items that are not included in the combination; and a packet estimation unit for, when the total number of packets is greater than a designated threshold value, employing a relationship between the values of the items of the combination formed of one arbitrary item or multiple items, the number of appearances of different values and the threshold value, and estimating the characteristics of the packets for which the number has exceeded the threshold value.
US08345572B2 Communication apparatus and communication system
A communication apparatus includes a first storage portion storing an address control table registering a MAC address which each of a plurality of communication devices connected to the same local area network has, a comparison portion distinguishing each of the registered MAC addresses by comparing the MAC addresses corresponding to the plurality of communication devices registered in the address control table sequentially in a bit-by-bit manner until the MAC addresses can be distinguished from each other and a control portion determining whether or not data transmitted in the local area network is acquired on the basis of a comparison result.
US08345570B2 Network impairment metrics for timing over packet
The invention is directed to providing a system and method for monitoring a clock synchronization metric in a timing-over-packet system to provide a metric for service-level agreements (SLA), by providing a measure of the stability of the packet transfer delay relative to a representative statistic such as a median or minimum.
US08345567B2 Route data collection technique in network
A route data collection method includes: a transmission source apparatus transmitting a request packet to request at least layer-2 apparatuses on a route to a destination apparatus to reply a response packet including predetermined setting data of the layer-2 apparatus to the transmission source apparatus; upon receiving the request packet, the layer-2 apparatus that can respond to the request packet, reading out the predetermined setting data stored in a storage device of the layer-2 apparatus, transmitting the response packet including the predetermined setting data to the transmission source apparatus, and outputting the request packet to the destination apparatus; and upon receiving the response packet, the transmission source apparatus displaying the predetermined setting data included in the response packet on a display device.
US08345562B2 Transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus and multiplex number controlling method
A spatial multiplex number controlling method and others wherein streams can be separated for each of receivers and the transmission efficiency can be improved. In a receiving apparatus, a PER is calculated from a history of CRC test results per stream multiplex number. A reception quality and an offset corresponding to the calculated PER are fed back to a transmitting apparatus. The transmitting apparatus assigns, based on the fed-back reception quality and offset, the streams, thereby controlling the stream multiplex number.
US08345556B2 Congestion control system, service edge node, guidance server, congestion control method, program therefor, and recording medium recorded therewith
In an edge region between an access network for connection to an IP communication terminal of a subscriber via a gateway and a core network for providing the subscriber with an IP telephone service, a service edge node and a guidance server are disposed. The service edge node controls a call initiation request received from the subscriber based on a congested state of the core network and a priority given to the subscriber. The guidance server transmits guidance to the subscriber without the intermediation of the core network.
US08345553B2 Apparatus and methods for reduction of transmission delay in a communication network
Apparatus and methods for reducing latency in coordinated networks. The apparatus and methods relate to a protocol that may be referred to as the Persistent Reservation Request (“p-RR”), which may be viewed as a type of RR (reservation request). p-RR's may reduce latency, on average, to one MAP cycle or less. A p-RR may be used to facilitate Ethernet audiovisual bridging. Apparatus and methods of the invention may be used in connection with coaxial cable based networks that serve as a backbone for a managed network, which may interface with a package switched network.
US08345551B2 Transmission rate control method and communication device
There is provided a transmission rate control method. In this method, data is transmitted to a receiver at the most recent transmission rate RSNDt−1, and an RTCP packet including a reception rate RRCVt of the data is received from the receiver. When a network is in a congestion state, or when the network is in a non-congestion state and the most recent reception achievement rate RARt−1 is higher than the reception rate RRCVt, a reception achievement rate RARt is calculated as a long-term EWMA of the reception rate RRCV. When the network is in the non-congestion state and the most recent reception achievement rate RARt−1 is lower than the reception rate RRCVt, or when a time-out of the RTCP packet occurs, the reception achievement rate RARt is calculated as a short-term EWMA of the reception rate RRCV. A transmission rate RSNDt is set based on the reception achievement rate RARt.
US08345546B2 Dynamic machine-to-machine communications and scheduling
A method may include obtaining traffic loading and resource utilization information associated with a network for the network time domain; obtaining machine-to-machine resource requirements for machine-to-machine tasks using the network; receiving a target resource utilization value indicative of a network resource limit for the network time domain; calculating a probability for assigning each machine-to-machine task to the network time domain, wherein the probability is based on a difference between the target resource utilization value and the traffic loading and resource utilization associated with the network; calculating a probability density function based on an independent and identically distributed random variable; generating a schedule of execution of the machine-to-machine tasks within the network time domain based on the probabilities associated with the machine-to-machine tasks and the probability density function; and providing the schedule of execution of the machine-to-machine tasks.
US08345544B2 Information processing system and method, information management apparatus and method, information processing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program product
An information management apparatus for managing mutual exchange of information performed by a plurality of information processing apparatuses via a network, including a receiving means for receiving a request for registration from the information processing apparatus connected to the network, as a representative apparatus; a determination means for determining presence or absence of the registration of the representative apparatus; a registration means for registering the information processing apparatus for which the request for the registration has been received, as the representative apparatus, when it is determined that the representative apparatus is not registered; and a rejecting means for rejecting the registration of the information processing apparatus for which the request for the registration has been received, as the representative apparatus, when it is determined that the representative apparatus is registered.
US08345538B2 Apparatus and method for finding a pair of disjoint paths in a communication network
There is provided topology information including connection states among nodes in a network, and port information including restriction conditions on connectivity among ports within a restricted node. A path search apparatus finds a first path having the minimum total link-cost among a plurality of paths. The topology information is changed so that the first path is not searched for as a path having the minimum total link-cost among the plurality of paths, and the port information is changed based on a port connectivity change rule. Then, the path search apparatus finds a second path different from the first path, based on the changed port information and the changed topology information, and reconfigures a pair of link-disjoint paths satisfying the restriction conditions imposed on the restricted node, by removing a link shared by both the first and second paths from the original topology information.
US08345534B1 Scalable MIMO-OFDM PHY for high throughput WLANS
A transceiver including a frame formatter configured to generate a frame including orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols for transmission on a plurality of antennas. The frame includes a short preamble including a short training symbol including a plurality of adjacent tones, wherein at least a plurality of the adjacent tones in the plurality are mapped to different ones of the plurality of antennas; a long preamble including at least a first set of long training symbols; a header including at least a first SIGNAL symbol; and a data field.
US08345533B1 Frame synchronization techniques
Frame synchronization techniques are described. In an implementation, a method implemented by a device includes using an objective function to form a list of values for a plurality of time trials, the time trials taken from a scan of a wireless signal having a plurality of channels. A single one of the values is selected for each of the plurality of channels to detect a preamble of a frame in the wireless signal. If the preamble is not detected as a result of the selecting, at least one additional value is chosen from the list for a respective channel to detect the preamble of the frame in the wireless signal.
US08345525B2 Disc recording medium, disk drive apparatus, reproduction method, and disk manufacturing method
A recording and reproducing area and a reproduction-only area are formed by wobbling a groove formed in a spiral fashion to form a track to be tracked on a disk. The recording and reproducing area has address information recorded by wobbling of the groove and information recorded and reproduced by phase change marks on the track formed by the groove where the address information is recorded. The reproduction-only area has prerecorded information recorded by wobbling of the groove.
US08345523B1 Method and apparatus for optimizing optical recording
Aspects of the disclosure can provide a method to optimize optical recording. The method can include recording a pre-defined pattern on an optical medium according to a first write strategy, measuring edge timings corresponding to the pre-defined pattern recorded on the optical medium, determining a second write strategy including at least timing modifications to the first write strategy. The timing modifications can be determined based on means and variances of the measured edge timings, edge timing means and variances targets for desired edge timings, and edge timing sensitivities to the timing modifications.
US08345518B2 Near field optical recording system having negative index of refraction structure
High density-information storage is accomplished by the use of novel, near-field optical devices in combination with high-density storage media. The near-field optical devices are configured to focus light to nanoscale spot sizes and may employ negative index of refraction materials for focusing. The high-density storage media may include protein-based storage media, such as photochromic proteins, and high-coercivity magnetic storage media. Light energy provided the optical devices may enable exposed protein molecules to transition between stable molecular states that may be distinguished on the basis of their respective spectral maxima. Light energy provided by the optical device may also be used to heat localized regions of magnetic media to a selected temperature, effecting local changes in coercivity of the magnetic media. Information may be written to the magnetic storage media within this localized region using a magnetic recording device, while leaving the magnetic state of the remaining portion of the magnetic storage media unchanged.
US08345503B2 Booster circuit and semiconductor memory
A booster circuit includes a first capacitor and a second capacitor serially coupled between a first node and a second node through a third node; a third capacitor and a fourth capacitor serially coupled between a fourth node and a fifth node through a sixth node; a first switch coupling the third node with a power supply line when the fourth node is set to a first level; a second switch coupling the sixth node with the power supply line when the first node is set to the first level; a third switch transferring a plurality of electric charges of the sixth node to the second node; a fourth switch transferring a plurality of electric charges of the third node to the fifth node; a fifth switch coupling the second node with a voltage line; and a sixth switch coupling the fifth node with the voltage line.
US08345501B2 Semiconductor memory device correcting fuse data and method of operating the same
A semiconductor memory device and method of operating same are described. The semiconductor memory device includes a first anti-fuse array having a plurality of first anti-fuse elements that store first fuse data, a second anti-fuse array having a plurality of second anti-fuse elements that store error correction code (ECC) data associated with the first fuse data, and an ECC decoder configured to generate second fuse data by correcting the first fuse data using the ECC data.
US08345499B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device to improve layout uniformity may include an active region formed in a substrate, a dummy active region formed in the substrate and separated from the active region, a word line crossing over the active region, and a dummy word line. The dummy word line is formed over the dummy active region to overlap at least part of the dummy active region and may have an end positioned within the dummy active region.
US08345493B2 Semiconductor memory device
In a semiconductor memory device which performs a repair method of replacing a repair target word line and one adjacent word line at the same time by a repair operation through an efficient decoding operation for selecting a repair target address, a test operation of enabling only a word line corresponding to a cell coupled to a bit line or a bit line bar is stably performed.
US08345491B2 Memory cell write
Embodiments of a memory cell comprising a voltage module configured to supply a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage, a data node programming module configured to receive the first supply voltage and to program a data node based at least in part on a write data line, and a complementary data node programming module configured to receive the second supply voltage and to program a complementary data node based at least in part on a complementary write data line, wherein the voltage module is configured such that the first supply voltage is substantially different from the second supply voltage for a period of time while the memory device is being programmed. Additional variants and embodiments may also be disclosed and claimed.
US08345488B2 Flash memory array of floating gate-based non-volatile memory cells
A flash memory array comprises a plurality of memory cells organized in a matrix of rows and columns. Each of the memory cells includes a floating gate memory transistor having a source region and a drain region, and a coupling capacitor electrically connected to the memory transistor. A plurality of word lines are each electrically connected to the capacitor in each of the memory cells in a respective row. A first set of bit lines are each electrically connected to the drain region of the memory transistor in each of the memory cells in a respective column. A plurality of high voltage access transistors are each electrically connected to a bit line in the first set of bit lines. A second set of bit lines are each electrically connected to the source region of the memory transistor in each of the memory cells in a respective column. Various combinations of voltages can be applied to the word lines and the first and second sets of bit lines in operations to erase, program, inhibit, or read the logic state stored by the memory transistor in one or more of the memory cells.
US08345485B2 Erase ramp pulse width control for non-volatile memory
A method of erasing a memory block of a non-volatile memory, including setting a pulse width of erase pulses to an initial width, repeatedly applying erase pulses to the memory block until the memory block meets an erase metric or until a maximum number of erase pulses have been applied, gradually adjusting a pulse voltage magnitude of the erase pulses from an initial pulse voltage level to a maximum pulse voltage level, and reducing the width of the erase pulses to less than the initial width when the pulse voltage magnitude reaches an intermediate voltage level between the initial pulse voltage level and the maximum pulse voltage level. Thus, narrow pulses are applied at higher voltage levels to reduce the amount of over erasure of the memory block.
US08345484B2 Nonvolatile memory device and system, and method of programming a nonvolatile memory device
A method of programming a non-volatile memory including N-bit multi-level cell (MLC) memory includes executing an incremental step pulse programming (ISPP) operation on the MLC memory cells, where the ISPP operation includes a programming sequence of first through Nth page programming operations, where N is an integer of 2 or more. The programming sequence further includes an erase programming that is executed after the (N−1)th page programming operation and before the Nth page programming operation, where the erase page programming increases a threshold voltage distribution of erase cells among the MLC memory cells.
US08345482B2 Methods for segmented programming and memory devices
Methods for segmented programming, program verify, and memory devices are disclosed. One such method for programming includes biasing memory cells with a programming voltage and program verifying the memory cells with a plurality of ramped voltage signal segments, wherein each ramped voltage signal segment has a different start voltage and a different end voltage than the other ramped voltage signal segments.
US08345477B1 Non-volatile memory devices having uniform error distributions among pages
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to non-volatile memory. A described systems, for example, includes a non-volatile memory structure that includes memory cells configured to store information based on four or more charge levels associated with four or more states respectively. The four or more states can be indicative of information that includes first bit information in a first bit position and second bit information in a second bit position. The described system includes a controller configured to use at least one of four or more programming voltages associated with the four or more states, respectively, to affect a charge of a memory cell. The programming voltages can be selected to reduce differences among bit error rates of individual bit positions in a state determined by reading a charge of a memory cell.
US08345473B2 Ferromagnetic thin wire element
The present invention uses a ferromagnetic thin wire having a domain wall inside, with the magnetic moment at the center thereof being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the thin wire. With the domain wall being fixed by a domain wall fixation device (e.g. antiferromagnetic thin wires) so that the domain wall is prevented from moving in the ferromagnetic thin wire, when a direct current is supplied, the magnetic moment rotates in the immobilized domain wall. This rotation of the moment can be detected by a TMR element or the like. This configuration of the ferromagnetic thin wire element can be directly used to create a microwave oscillator or magnetic memory.
US08345472B2 Three-terminal ovonic threshold switch as a current driver in a phase change memory
A three-terminal Ovonic Threshold Switch (OTS) is used to provide current to a Phase Change Memory Switch (PCMS) cross point array. The current is started by sending a small current into the second terminal of the three-terminal OTS allowing a larger current to flow from the first terminal to the third terminal of the three-terminal OTS. A method of making the three-terminal OTS is also presented.
US08345471B2 Magneto-resistance element and semiconductor memory device including the same
A magneto-resistance element is provided. The magneto-resistance element includes an underlying layer including a main metal selected from electrically conductive metals and an auxiliary metal selected from transition metals, a first magnetic layer stacked on the underlying layer, an insulation layer stacked on the first magnetic layer, and a second magnetic layer stacked on the insulation layer.
US08345465B2 Driving method of variable resistance element, initialization method of variable resistance element, and nonvolatile storage device
A method of driving a variable resistance element includes: a writing step performed by applying a writing voltage pulse having a first polarity to a variable resistance layer to change a resistance state of the layer from high to low; and an erasing step performed by applying an erasing voltage pulse having a second polarity to the layer to change the state from low to high. Here, |Vw1|>|Vw2| where Vw1 represents a voltage value of the writing voltage pulse for first to N-th writing steps (N≧1) and Vw2 represents a voltage value of the writing voltage pulse for (N+1)-th and subsequent writing steps, and |Ve1|>|Ve2| where Ve1 represents a voltage value of the erasing voltage pulse for first to M-th erasing steps (M≧1) and Ve2 represents a voltage value of the erasing voltage pulse for (M+1)-th and subsequent erasing steps. The (N+1)-th writing step follows the M-th erasing step.
US08345464B2 Resistive memory devices having a stacked structure and methods of operation thereof
A memory device includes a stacked resistive memory cell array comprising a plurality of resistive memory cell layers stacked on a semiconductor substrate, wherein respective memory cell layers are configured to store data according to respective program modes comprising a number of bits per cell. The memory device further includes a control circuit configured to identify a program mode of a selected memory cell layer responsive to an address signal and to access the selected memory cell layer responsive to the address signal according to the identified program mode. The program modes may include a single-level cell mode and at least one multi-level cell mode.
US08345462B2 Resistive memory and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing resistive memory includes depositing a first conductive material layer on a substrate; etching the first conductive material layer to form a first signal line with a first surface; forming a memory material layer with a second surface coupled to the first signal line via the second surface contacting the first surface; depositing a second conductive material layer coupled to the memory material layer; etching the second conductive material layer to form a second signal line, wherein the area of the second surface is substantially larger or equal to the area of the overlapping region of the first signal line and the second signal line.
US08345461B2 Ferroelectric capacitor and its manufacturing method
A ferroelectric capacitor includes: a ferroelectric film, and a lower electrode and an upper electrode interposing the ferroelectric film, wherein the ferroelectric film includes a first ferroelectric layer of ferroelectric material having a perovskite type crystal structure expressed by a general formula ABO3 formed by a metal organic chemical vapor deposition method, a second ferroelectric layer of ferroelectric material in which a part of B site element in ferroelectric material having a perovskite type crystal structure expressed by a general formula ABO3 is replaced with Nb, and a third ferroelectric layer of ferroelectric material having a perovskite type crystal structure expressed by a general formula ABO3 formed by a sol-gel method, which are sequentially laminated from the side of the lower electrode.
US08345458B2 Semiconductor device
In order to reduce parasitic inductance of a main circuit in a power supply circuit, a non-insulated DC-DC converter is provided having a circuit in which a power MOS•FET for a high-side switch and a power MOS•FET for a low-side switch are connected in series. In the non-insulated DC-DC converter, the power MOS•FET for the high-side switch is formed by a p channel vertical MOS•FET, and the power MOS•FET for the low-side switch is formed by an n channel vertical MOS•FET. Thus, a semiconductor chip formed with the power MOS•FET for the high-side switch and a semiconductor chip formed with the power MOS•FET for the low-side switch are mounted over the same die pad and electrically connected to each other through the die pad.
US08345454B1 Architecture and control method for dynamically conditioning multiple DC sources to driven an AC load
A power electronics and control architecture for powering an AC load from a multi-source power system through a single conversion stage is disclosed. A controllable DC-to-AC inverter accepts a DC output voltage range from a DC power source at a DC input, and outputs an adjustable AC at an AC output. A sensor measures an output power of the DC power source to obtain a measured output power, and a processor sets a power level at the DC input based on the measured output power. The processor sets the power level to control the output power of the DC power source, and synchronizes the adjustable AC to a common AC output of the multi-source power system.
US08345450B2 Resonant converter having over-current protection apparatus and controlling method thereof
The configurations of a DC/DC resonant converter and a controlling method thereof are provided. The proposed converter includes an over-current protection apparatus including a first switch element having a first and a second terminals, and a first voltage element having a negative terminal coupled to a positive terminal of a DC input voltage source and a positive terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first switch element.
US08345448B2 Mobile terminal having noise shielding structure for electronic circuit board
A mobile terminal includes a noise shielding structure for an electronic circuit board for shielding noise generated from the at least one electronic part. The mobile terminal includes a lower case and an upper case slidably moving on the lower case. The mobile station also includes an electronic circuit board installed in the lower case and having at least one electronic part mounted on its front surface. The noise shielding structure includes a front cover installed on the front surface of the electronic circuit board and formed with an opening for receiving the at least one electronic part and a sliding hinge installed between the upper case and the lower case. A shielding wall installed between the rear surface of the front cover and the front surface of the electronic circuit board and elongated around at least a part of a periphery of the opening.
US08345445B2 Heat sink assembly for a pluggable module
A heat sink assembly is provided for a pluggable module. The heat sink assembly includes a heat sink having a module side and an end surface that intersects the module side. The module side is configured to thermally communicate with the pluggable module. A holder extends from the end surface of the heat sink. A thermal interface material (TIM) layer extends on the module side of the heat sink. The TIM layer is configured to engage the pluggable module. The TIM layer includes an end that is engaged between the end surface and the holder of the heat sink.
US08345444B2 Structure with electronic component mounted therein and method for manufacturing such structure
A structure with electronic component mounted therein includes a wiring board on which an electronic component is mounted at least on its first face, resin provided at least between the electronic component and the wiring board, and a plurality of holes formed in the wiring board at region corresponding to a mounting position of the electronic component. The holes are filled with the resin. This suppresses warpage of the structure with electronic component mounted therein, and also improves reliability by reducing a stress applied to a bonding section between the wiring board and the electronic component.
US08345434B2 High frequency circuit having multi-chip module structure
According to one embodiment, there is a high frequency circuit having a multi-chip module structure, including a semiconductor substrate set formed with discrete transistors connected in series, a first dielectric substrate set formed with capacitors, and a second dielectric substrate set formed with strip lines.
US08345429B2 Mobile terminal having detachable sub-module
A mobile terminal having a detachable sub-module is disclosed. The mobile terminal includes a sub-module having a sub-function configuration unit formed with parts for performing a function and a main terminal having a display unit at a front surface and a connection unit at a rear surface for coupling the sub-module to the main terminal. A magnet is installed at a side surface of the connection unit or the sub-module, and the sub-module is coupled to the main terminal or is detached from the main terminal through the magnet. Enhancement of the portability and function quality of mobile terminals that support various functions is achieved by coupling a sub-module for performing a function to the main terminal having a display unit that allows user interactivity with the mobile terminal.
US08345428B2 Data acquisition module and system
The present invention relates to units or modules for data acquisition that may either be used as stand alone units or be used to form a modular system where a plurality of modules are mounted together in a frame or rack structure as well as combinations of such stand-alone units and frames. More specifically the invention relates to a module for data acquisition comprising a detachable front unit (3) for releasable attachment to said module (1) comprising one or more first electrical connector means (4) for receiving data or signals from external units, such as microphones and/or accelerometers, and/or for providing data or signals, such as control signals, to external units; a main body comprising means (6) of establishing electrical connection to said one or more connector means (4) in said front unit (3), when said front unit (3) is connected to said module (1); and where the main body being furthermore provided with data output connector means (10); whereby data or signals provided to the module (1) via said one or more first electrical connector means (4), or processed versions of such signals or data, can be provided from said module (1) to one or more external units, such as a PC, via said data output connector means (10).
US08345426B2 Guide system for a card module
A guide system is provided for an electronic device having a card module mated with a header. The guide system includes a guide rail configured to guide the card module for mating with the header of the electronic device. The guide rail includes a main wall extending along a longitudinal axis between a front end and a rear end positioned proximate to the header. The guide rail also includes board guides extending from the main wall along the longitudinal axis that are configured to engage a card module circuit board or board guide of the card module to guide the card module to the header. The guide rail also includes heat sink flanges extending from the main wall along the longitudinal axis that are configured to engage a heat sink of the card module to dissipate heat from the heat sink to the main wall.
US08345424B2 Optical interconnection device
Provided is an optical interconnection device in which a volume required for cooling is reduced. In the optical interconnection device, a plurality of optical modules (12) are arranged on a periphery of an LSI (11) electrically connected to an electric wiring board (10), and liquid cooling mechanisms (13, 14) are respectively placed on the LSI (11) and the optical modules (12). The plurality of optical modules (12) may be arranged only on a surface of the electric wiring board (10) where the LSI (11) is mounted, only on a surface opposite to the surface where the LSI (11) is mounted, or on both the same surface as and the opposite surface to the surface where the LSI (11) is mounted.
US08345422B2 Latching mechanism and electronic device using same
A latching mechanism for a portable electronic device includes a housing, a cover, a button, a latching member and at least one elastic member. The housing defines a latching hole. The cover defines a guide slot along a first direction. The button is assembled in the cover and movable along the guide slot. The latching member is secured with the button in a first direction and movable along a second direction, perpendicular with the first direction. The at least one elastic member is assembled between the button and the latching member. The latching member latches into the latching hole to secure the cover with the housing in the first direction. The button is pushed and slides along the guide slot. The latching member slides out the latching hole to unlatch the cover in the first direction.
US08345421B2 Removable cover assembly for sealing opening of housing
A removable cover assembly for sealing an opening of a housing includes a case, a latch, and an elastic member. The latch is movably disposed in the case, and includes a connection portion, a push portion, and a latching portion. The connection portion is disposed along a moving axis. The push portion is disposed at one end of the connection portion and exposed out of the case through an operation hole. The latching portion is disposed at the other end of the connection portion, and has a first position to protrude out of the case through an aperture and a second position to be retracted in the case. The elastic member is disposed in the interior space for pushing the latch along the moving axis, such that the latching portion protrudes out of the case consciously, thereby fixing the removable cover assembly to the housing and sealing the opening.
US08345418B2 Cooling configuration for communication boards
A cooling configuration is provided for chassis-mounted electronics boards. In one embodiment, the chassis comprises a housing and at least two electronics boards. The electronics boards may comprise communication boards having a plurality of ports. Cooling air spaces are defined above and below each board, permitting cooling air to be drawn over both sides of each board. Baffles may be provided at both sides of the boards for controlling the flow of air through the various air spaces, such as baffles extending down from a top of the housing or up from a bottom of the housing, or baffles located between the boards.
US08345412B2 Wrist band for portable electronic devices
A wrist band for holding a portable electronic device, namely an Apple® iPod® Nano™ device, having a display screen and control buttons. The wrist band includes a band portion for engaging with a user's wrist, and a case portion formed of soft and pliable material with a cavity sized to receive and retain the electronic device, a perimeter rim with button controllers that are aligned with the control buttons of the electronic device, and a retainer to retain the electronic device in place in the cavity. The case portion includes an earphone jack aperture and a jack clip which is detachably attachable with the earphone jack aperture, and which jack clip is adapted to be inserted into the earphone jack aperture and block a jack plug of the portable electronic device when in a first position, and which is adapted to be removed from the earphone jack aperture and the jack plug of the portable electronic device when in a second position.
US08345408B2 Method for producing solid electrolytic capacitor
A method for producing a solid electrolytic capacitor, which comprises the steps of:laying a plurality of solid electrolytic capacitor elements in proximity to each other in parallel on a cathode lead portion of a lead frame with a conductive adhesive, andelectrically connecting the solid electrolytic capacitor elements to the cathode lead portion so that the conductive adhesive gets into a gap between the solid electrolytic capacitor elements.
US08345403B1 Portable HVAC solenoid power kit
An apparatus to aid in the removal of refrigerant from direct expansion air-conditioning systems is herein disclosed. The apparatus enables the manual activation of solenoid valves or check valves typically provided on direct expansion air-conditioning systems. A solenoid valve must be energized to allow complete access to the refrigerant in order to allow complete evacuation of the system. The apparatus is connected to a power source and a plurality of switches enables selection of 120V operation or 24V operation. The apparatus further comprises transformers, fuses, and the like to provide complete protection to the user. Final connection to the solenoid valve is made through the use of a long power lead supplied with alligator clips. The apparatus is housed in a convenient enclosure allowing for easy storage and transportation.
US08345401B2 Semiconductor device
To provide a highly reliable semiconductor device (an RF tag) which operates normally even when a communication distance is extremely short, a protection circuit (a limiter circuit) for protecting an element which forms a semiconductor device (an RF tag) capable of wirelessly communicating data is provided. When the DC power supply potential which is generated in a rectifier circuit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (a reference value), the protection circuit is made to operate, and the value of the generated DC power supply potential is reduced. On the other hand, when the DC power supply potential which is generated in the rectifier circuit is equal to or less than the predetermined value (reference value), the protection circuit is made not to operate, and the value of the generated DC power supply potential is used without change.
US08345398B2 Integrated variable output power supply protection circuit
A solid state power supply control circuit is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention discloses a power coupler enclosing a power supply control circuit, where the power control circuit enables transient increases in current in response to a demand from an active load device, while preventing overvoltage conditions from damaging the power coupler or the active load device. The power supply control circuit further prevents output faults in the power cable or a failure in the active load device from creating conditions which would damage the power coupler and/or the active load device.
US08345394B2 ESD protection circuit for a switching power converter
An ESD protection circuit for a switching power converter which includes a high-side switching element connected between a supply voltage and the switching node, and a low-side switching element connected between the switching node and a common node. A current conduction path couples an ESD event that occurs on the switching node to an ESD sense node, and an ESD sensing circuit coupled to the sense node generates a trigger signal when an ESD event is sensed. A first logic gate keeps the high-side switching element off when the trigger signal indicates the sensing of an ESD event, and a second logic gate causes the low-side switching element to turn on when an ESD event is sensed such that the low-side switching element provides a conductive discharge path between the switching node and common node.
US08345390B2 Magnetoresistive effect element in CPP-type structure and magnetic disk device
An MR element according to the present invention has the superior effects that further improve an MR ratio because a structure of a spacer layer 40 is configured of a certain three-layer structure with certain materials, and at least one of a first ferromagnetic layer 30 and a second ferromagnetic layer 50 contains a certain amount of an element selected from the group of nitrogen (N), carbon (C), and oxygen (O).
US08345386B2 Bearing device and information recording and reproducing apparatus
A bearing device has a sleeve that encircles a shaft, and two side-by-side roller bearings rotatably support the sleeve coaxially on the shaft. A spacer portion protrudes radially inwardly from the sleeve and extends between the two roller bearings. The sleeve axially overlaps a minor portion of one roller bearing but does not overlap a race surface thereof, and the sleeve axially overlaps a major portion of the other roller bearing including a race surface thereof.
US08345384B1 Magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording having a main pole and a shield
A main pole has a top surface and a bottom end that each include first, second, and third portions arranged contiguously in this order of increasing distance from a medium facing surface. A first virtual plane and a second virtual plane are assumed. The first virtual plane passes through an end of an end face of the main pole located forward in the direction of travel of a recording medium and is perpendicular to the medium facing surface and to the direction of travel of the recording medium. The second virtual plane passes through an end of the end face of the main pole located backward in the direction of travel of the recording medium and is perpendicular to the medium facing surface and to the direction of travel of the recording medium. The first and third portions are inclined relative to the first and second virtual planes and the medium facing surface. The second portion is parallel to the first and second virtual planes.
US08345381B1 Magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording having a return path section
A magnetic head includes a coil, a main pole, a shield, a return path section, and an accommodation part that are disposed above the top surface of a substrate. The accommodation part accommodates at least part of the return path section. The return path section lies between the main pole and the top surface of the substrate, and connects the shield and part of the main pole away from a medium facing surface to each other so that a space through which part of the coil passes is defined. The accommodation part includes an interposer interposed between the return path section and the medium facing surface. The interposer has an inclined surface facing toward the return path section. The return path section includes an inclined portion located between part of the coil and the inclined surface and extending along the inclined surface.
US08345380B2 Spin torque oscillator and magnetic recording head and magnetic recording device mounted with the spin torque oscillator
The present invention provides a spin torque oscillator that can realize stable oscillation and has high reliability. A laminated structure including a first magnetic layer 1 having a bcc crystal structure and having in-plane magnetic anisotropy and a second magnetic layer 2 having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy laminated on the first magnetic layer 1 and including a multilayer film of Co and Ni is used.
US08345378B2 Air pump in a hard disk drive (HDD)
An air pump for generating air pressure in a hard disk drive (HDD) including a rotor disposed inside the HDD. The rotor comprises a first air pressure generating feature. The air pump further includes a stator. The stator includes a second air pressure generating feature. The first air pressure generating feature corresponds with the second air pressure generating feature and the air pressure is generated at a location where the first air pressure generating feature rotates in proximity to the second air pressure generating feature.
US08345377B2 Aerodynamic device directing pressurized airflow to ports in the device for aerostatic sealing in a hard disk drive(HDD)
An aerodynamic device for aerostatic sealing in a hard disk drive (HDD) including an exterior surface configured to modify airflow in the HDD and proximate at least one magnetic disk and an inlet port configured to receive pressurized airflow. The aerodynamic device also includes a plurality of outlet ports disposed on the exterior surface configured to discharge the pressurized airflow directly onto the at least one magnetic disk and aerostatically seal the aerodynamic device with the at least one magnetic disk.
US08345376B2 Magnetic disk device, magnetic disk, and magnetic disk manufacturing method
A magnetic disk is provided wherein a non-magnetic substrate, a magnetic layer, a protection layer, and a lubrication layer are sequentially stacked. The surface of the lubrication layer has irregular structure patterns along a circumferential direction of the magnetic disk that have circumferential lengths that each correspond to a central angle. The irregular structure patterns may be formed by an adsorption between the lubrication layer and the surface of the protection layer. When a natural frequency of a magnetic head slider used to record to the magnetic disk is f and the magnetic disk rotation speed is R0, the central angle is set so as not to coincide with an angle θ0 expressed by θ0=360 ×(R0/60)/(f×1000).
US08345375B2 Storage apparatus, carriage shifting method and program thereof
A storage apparatus includes carriages that are arranged in a matrix and store and transport objects, and a carriage shifting mechanism that is fixed to the storage apparatus and shifts the carriages.
US08345367B1 Recording defects on a hard drive
A method for recording defects on a hard drive is provided. The method includes mapping a plurality of primary windows. Each primary window contains a respective plurality of data sectors on a disk of a hard drive. Each of the respective plurality of data sectors contains at least one defect. The method includes recording a location of each primary window in a defect log of the disk, and mapping a plurality of secondary windows if recording the location of each primary window fails. Each secondary window contains a respective plurality of data sectors containing at least one defect. The number of data sectors contained in each of the plurality of primary windows is different from the number of data sectors contained in each of the plurality of secondary windows. The method includes recording a location of each secondary window in the defect log of the disk.
US08345364B2 Optical limiting using plasmonically enhancing nanoparticles
There is provided an optical limiter device for protecting an object from incident light having a wavelength in the visible, infrared or ultraviolet spectrum. The device comprises a plurality of nanoparticles of a metallic material including free electrons that undergo collective oscillations when exposed to the incident light. The plurality of nanoparticles of the metallic material include a plurality of nanoparticles of a non-spherical particle geometry, which may include a geometry having a plurality of sharp protrusions on a spherical body. The metallic material may include gold, silver, aluminum, indium or copper. The device further comprises a structurally rigid transparent medium in which the plurality of nanoparticles of the metallic material are embedded; and a mechanical support mounting the transparent medium between the incident light and the object.
US08345359B1 Lens system
A lens system includes, from an object-side to an image-side, a first lens with positive refractive power, an aperture stop, a second lens with positive refractive power, a third lens with negative refractive power, a color filter, and an image plane. The first lens includes a first surface facing the object-side and a second surface facing the image-side. The second lens includes a third surface facing the object-side and a fourth surface facing the image-side. The imaging lens satisfies the following conditions: 0.26
US08345354B2 Lens for projection and projection-type display apparatus
A negative first lens having a concave surface facing the reduction side of a lens for projection, a positive second lens having a convex surface facing the magnification side of the lens for projection, a negative third lens having a concave surface facing the magnification side, a positive fourth lens having a convex surface facing the reduction side, a positive fifth lens, and a positive sixth lens are arranged in this order from the magnification side, and the reduction side of the optical system is telecentric. Further, the following formula (A) is satisfied: 1.2≦Bf/f≦2.5 (A), where Bf: back focus in air of the entire lens system of the lens for projection, and f: focal length of the entire lens system.
US08345344B2 Multicolor photovoltaic electrochromic apparatus
A multicolor photovoltaic electrochromic apparatus is provided, including a first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate opposite to the first transparent substrate, a photovoltaic electrochromic device on the first transparent substrate, and a chromogenic device between the first and the second transparent substrates. The photovoltaic electrochromic device includes thin-film solar cells and an electrochromic material on the thin-film solar cells. The thin-film solar cells have different potential differences, and each of the thin-film solar cells includes an anode, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a cathode. The chromogenic device includes two electrodes and a chromogenic material thereon. The cathodes of the thin-film solar cells, which have distinct potential differences, are connected to the first electrode and the second electrode of the chromogenic device respectively.
US08345337B2 Polygon mirror device with discontinuous angles of reflections
Disclosed is a polygon mirror device with discontinuous angles of reflections discontinuously to reflect a light beam from a light source with at least one angle. The polygon mirror device with discontinuous angles of reflections comprises a motor connecting with a base to rotate the base around a rotation axis. The base has an axial end surface to form a reference plane. The reference plane is approximately perpendicular to the rotation axis. A plurality of reflectors is positioned on the reference plane circularly around the rotation axis. The reflectors tilt relative to the reference plane with respective angles to form respective included angles. When the base is rotated around the rotation axis, at least one of the reflectors is moved to a reflecting location for receiving the light beam from the light source and reflects the light beam with an angle of reflection to form an image at a specific place.
US08345335B2 All-optical reconfigurable cascadable logic with linear preprocessing by lightwave interference and post-processing by nonlinear phase erasure
There is provided a new architecture for all-optical logic architecture. In this architecture the gate is partitioned into a linear front-end followed by a nonlinear back-end. The logic calculation is practically performed within the linear stage, easing the requirements placed on the non-linear part and thus reducing the gate complexity. The new structures provide flexibility and improved performance for the all-optical logic. The proposed scheme may be integrated optics/electronics. An important additional attribute of our all-optical logic family is reconfigurability, i.e. the ability of the hardware architecture or devices to rapidly alter the functionalities of its components and the interconnection between them as needed.
US08345334B2 Mastering and replication of micro-holographic data storage media
A system and method for replicating optical data storage discs (e.g., holographic data storage discs) having multiple layers of data. Master discs providing for respective single layers of data are utilized, and each respective single layer of data from the master discs are replicate onto the optical data storage disc.
US08345328B2 Scanner with auto document feeder
The present invention relates to a scanner with auto document feeder including a housing, an auto document feeder and a connecting mechanism for connecting the housing and the auto document feeder. The connecting mechanism includes a first connecting structure and a second connecting structure. The first connecting structure let the auto document feeder rotates with respect to the housing to a first angle and the second connecting structure let the auto document feeder rotates with respect to the housing to a second angle. The second connecting structure makes the auto document feeder stop at any angle within the second angle.
US08345323B2 Image reading lens system and image reading apparatus
Provided is a fast image reading lens system capable of achieving compactness and satisfactorily correcting various aberrations. The image reading lens system includes, in order from an object side: a positive first lens of which a convex surface faces toward the object side; a second lens formed as a biconcave lens; a third lens formed as a biconvex lens; a positive fourth lens of which a convex surface faces toward an image side; and a negative fifth lens of which a convex surface faces toward the image side. Assuming that a focal length of the whole lens system is f, a focal length of the fourth lens is f4, and a space between an image side surface of the fourth lens and an object side surface of the fifth lens on an optical axis is D8, the lens system satisfies the following conditional expressions: 0.06
US08345320B2 Image reading device and image forming apparatus having the same
An image reading device and an image forming apparatus having the same, that can prevent unnecessary wear of components or damage of a document when a simplex scanning operation is carried out. The image reading device includes a first reading unit and a second reading unit. The first reading unit includes a first scan unit to scan a first surface of a document, a first press member mounted while opposing the first scan unit, and a first elastic member to bias the first scan unit or the first press member to closely contact the document with the first scan unit. The second reading unit includes a second scan unit to scan a second surface of the document, a second press member mounted while opposing the second scan unit, and a second elastic member to bias the second scan unit or the second press member to closely contact the document with the second scan unit. The second scan unit and the second press member are separated from each other by a lifting device. The first elastic member to bias the first scan unit or the first press member has an elastic force different from an elastic force of the second elastic member to bias the second scan unit or the second press member.
US08345315B2 Method and device for making documents secure using unique imprint derived from unique marking variations
The document identification method includes: a step of generating an image, a step of marking a plurality of documents to form the image on each document with unique variations on each document, the majority of the images formed on the documents presenting a physical anti-copy characteristic satisfying a predefined criterion such that the characteristic of the majority of the copies that can be produced based on these images do not satisfy the pre-defined criterion, a step of characterizing the variations to form a unique imprint of the mark formed, for each document and a step of memorizing the unique imprint.
US08345306B1 Handheld image translation device including an image capture device
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for a handheld image translation device including an image capture device are described herein. The handheld image translation device may include an image capture device configured to capture an image, one or more navigation sensors configured to capture a plurality of navigational measurements, and a print head configured to deposit a printing substance on a first medium. The image translation device may also include a control block configured to determine a position of the apparatus relative to a reference point based at least in part on the plurality of navigational measurements, and to control the print head to deposit the printing substance based at least in part on the image captured by the image capture device and the determined position of the apparatus. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08345303B2 Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus has a function of printing pieces of image data to be printed arranging them on one printing paper sheet. In a preview display screen of the image processing apparatus, when a specific piece of image data is selected by a user's operation from a plural piece of image data, the specific piece of image data is displayed being distinguished. Pieces of image data in the same shooting orientation as that of the specific piece of image data are searched for and their display is similarly varied. At this time, when rotation of the images is selected using a dialogue, the orientation of the pieces of image data is rotated at once by 180°. Thereby, the orientations of pieces of image data shot in a portrait-like posture may easily be adjusted to be the same and their images may be printed according to the preview display.
US08345302B2 Image processing method
There is provided a method for image processing to transfer scanned data of a document read by an image reading apparatus to an application which is operated in an information processing apparatus connected to the image reading apparatus. The method includes obtaining an execution path of an application which is currently operated in the information processing apparatus, and transferring the scanned data to the image reading apparatus by using the execution path.
US08345299B2 Image forming apparatus and method for printing index sheets by selecting image files stored in a plurality of directories
An image forming apparatus that can read data from a storage medium having hierarchically structured directories includes a first directory and a second directory which is stored in the first directory. The apparatus includes: a display portion that displays designation information of the first directory; an operation portion configured to receive a designation of the second directory based on the first directory designation information displayed on the display portion; a display control portion that controls the display portion to display designation information of the second directory when the second directory is designated; and a printing portion that index-prints images on a print medium based on files stored in one of the first and second directories, the designation information of which is currently displayed on the display portion.
US08345296B2 Image processing apparatus for determining appropriateness of combination of control software, activation method, and storage medium storing control program that causes computer to perform the method
An image processing apparatus includes an apparatus main unit control software storage unit configured to store new apparatus main unit control software used to control a main unit of the image processing apparatus on a non-volatile storage device, a combination appropriateness determination unit configured to determine whether a combination of the new apparatus main unit control software and post-processing apparatus control software that currently operates on a post-processing apparatus is appropriate based on version information about the post-processing apparatus control software used to control the post-processing apparatus, which is operable in combination with the new apparatus main unit control software, and version information about the post-processing apparatus control software that currently operates on the post-processing apparatus, a determination result storage unit configured to store a result of the determination by the combination appropriateness determination unit, and an activation unit configured to activate the apparatus main unit control software according to the determination result.
US08345294B2 Document administration system, document administration apparatus, and recording medium
A document administration system includes a server connecting document storing apparatuses via a network. Each document storing apparatus includes a plurality of boxes, and a document storing portion for making the document storing apparatus store a document in one of the boxes. The server includes a storing destination deciding portion for deciding one of the document storing apparatuses and one of the boxes thereof for storing the document, based on one or more of information including information on the document corresponding to the storing request, information on the document storing apparatuses registered in a document storing registering portion, and information on the boxes obtained by a box information obtaining portion, and a controller for transmitting the document to the document storing apparatuses having the one of the boxes selected by the storing destination deciding portion and making the document storing portion store the document in the one of the boxes.
US08345291B2 Data communication apparatus, control method thereof, and computer readable storage medium
An apparatus includes a connection unit configured to connect to a network, a switching unit configured to switch a communication speed when data communication is performed via the connection unit, and a limitation unit configured to limit switching of the communication speed to set a fixed communication speed when a connection form of the network is a specific connection form.
US08345289B2 Automated document processing audit system with cost tracking and estimation system, apparatus and method
A system, apparatus and method are provided to automate an audit of an information technology (IT) system.
US08345288B2 Image forming system and image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a data storage device that stores list data, and a simple object access protocol (SOAP) processor. When a partial-list-data-request message is received from a client apparatus by a communication processor, the SOAP processor generates a response message including a partial list data items that have not been sent among the plurality of partial list data items that are generated by dividing the list data, and causes the communication processor to send the response message to the client apparatus. The client apparatus includes a SOAP processor that causes a communication processor to send the partial-list-data-request message to the image forming apparatus, and that, when the response message including the partial list data item is received from the image forming apparatus by the communication processor, extracts the partial list data item from the response message.
US08345284B2 Information processing system, information processing device, and computer-readable record medium storing information processing program
An information processing system comprises a device with which network settings are associated, information processing devices connected to the device via a network, a registration unit in which identification information (specifying each information processing device storing the network settings of the device and controlling it using the network settings) is registered, a change information generating unit which generates change information (for incorporating a change in the network settings associated with the device into the network settings stored in each information processing device) upon a change in the network settings associated with the device, a first transmission unit which transmits the change information to each information processing device specified by the identification information registered in the registration unit, and an addition unit which additionally registers identification information specifying an information processing device in the registration unit upon installation of an application regarding control of the device in the information processing device.
US08345282B2 Image forming system and image forming apparatus
In an image forming system, a server includes (a) a transmitting/receiving unit that receives consumable-goods shortage information and consumable-goods stock information via a network and transmits the consumable-goods stock information and stock retrieval information for retrieving the consumable goods via a network, the consumable-goods shortage information indicating a shortage of consumable goods in an image forming apparatus, the consumable-goods stock information indicating an available stock in an image forming apparatus, and (b) a management control unit that causes the transmitting/receiving unit to transmit the stock retrieval information to the other image forming apparatuses than one of the image forming apparatuses that transmits the consumable-goods shortage information to the server, and causes the transmitting/receiving unit to transmit the consumable-goods stock information obtained from the other image forming apparatuses as a result of retrieving the consumable goods via the network.
US08345280B2 Image forming apparatus and method to search for and print images on network
An image forming apparatus includes an input unit to receive a network resources address where a document exists, a web information receiving unit to read information on the document existing at the received address, an image path extracting unit to extract a path and a name of an image file consistent with predetermined reference data from the document information, an image receiving unit to receive the image file through the network using the extracted path and name of the image file, and a printing unit to print the image file.
US08345279B1 System for establishing event rules for sales management databases
Information stored in a corporate database is monitored and used to determine when certain business-related events have occurred. Event information is transmitted over the Internet to a print production facility, where it is used to fire one or more event rules, which in turn automatically generate print requisitions or print production orders. In one variation, print requisitions are routed through an existing and commercially available procurement system before a print production order is generated. The system can monitor and handle events from multiple corporations, each having its own business-related event rules, and each potentially having its own procurement approval system.
US08345276B2 Printing priority jobs when sheet count is limited
A printing system and a printing method are provided that automatically determine a preferentially executed print job to perform printing when a requested number of prints exceeds an upper limit value of permitted number of prints. The printing system and method include a user terminal, a print apparatus, a manager terminal, and a management server connected to a network, and an upper limit value of permitted number of prints is set thereon for each user. The printing management server includes a print number calculating portion that calculates the printable number of sheets from the remainder of the permitted number of prints of a user and the number of prints necessary for a plurality of print job requests from the user, and a print job determining portion that automatically determines a prioritized print job if the printable number of sheets is insufficient.
US08345275B2 Image forming apparatus for replacing page data expressed by unsupported format
An image forming apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires a file stored in a storage medium, an expansion unit that expands the acquired file, an expansion control unit that controls the expansion unit to skip expanding of unexpanded data that is found to be impossible to expand from the file and to continue the expanding of the file, and a print unit that executes printing in accordance with expanded data from the file.
US08345272B2 Methods and systems for third-party control of remote imaging jobs
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for third-party control of remote imaging jobs.
US08345270B2 Print data generation apparatus and computer-readable medium storing print data generation program
A print data generation apparatus generates print data to be used for printing a print result including a plurality of lines on a tape-shaped print medium. The print data generation apparatus includes an input device that inputs a plurality of character strings for the plurality of lines to be printed on the print medium, a storage device that stores the plurality of character strings for the plurality of lines, and a print data generation device that generates the print data in which each of the plurality of character strings are repeatedly arranged in a predetermined character size defined for each of the plurality of lines and at predetermined spacing in each of the plurality of lines until the print result reaches a predetermined length.
US08345268B2 Beam irradiation device
A beam irradiation device includes a photodetector which receives servo light and outputs a detection signal depending on a light receiving position of the servo light, and a signal processing section which obtains the light receiving position based on the detection signal. In the above arrangement, the signal processing section has an A/D conversion circuit which converts the detection signal into a digital signal, and an error signal adjusting circuit which converts an error component signal to be outputted from the photodetector when the photodetector is not irradiated by the servo light, into a signal within a processable range of the A/D conversion circuit, and supplies the converted signal to the A/D conversion circuit. A first digital signal derived from the detection signal is corrected with a second digital signal derived from the error component signal.
US08345267B2 Apparatus for microlithographic projection exposure and apparatus for inspecting a surface of a substrate
An apparatus (10) for microlithographic projection exposure, which includes: an optical system (18) for imaging mask structures (16) onto a surface (21) of a substrate (20) by projecting the mask structures (16) with imaging radiation (13), the optical system (18) being configured to operate in the EUV and/or higher frequency wavelength range, and various structure defining a measurement beam path (36) for guiding measurement radiation (34), the measurement beam path (36) extending within the optical system (18) such that the measurement radiation (34) only partially passes through the optical system (18) during operation of the apparatus (10).
US08345260B2 Method of detecting a movement of a measuring probe and measuring instrument
A method of detecting a movement of a measuring probe provided between an objective lens adapted to image an object plane on a predetermined image plane and the object plane is disclosed. Additionally, a measuring instrument comprising an objective lens and a measuring probe is disclosed. An input beam of light is split into a measurement beam and a reference beam. The measurement beam is focused on a reverse focal plane of the objective lens such that the measurement beam is collimated by the objective lens. The collimated measurement beam is reflected at the measuring probe. The reflected measurement beam is directed towards the objective lens such that the objective lens focuses the reflected measurement beam on the reverse focal plane. The reflected measurement beam is collimated. The collimated reference beam and the reference beam are superimposed to form a superimposed beam and an interference between the reflected measurement beam and the reference beam is detected.
US08345259B2 Cylindrical grating rotation sensor
Disclosed is a Rotation sensor with a light source, a light detector, an internal part having a first lateral surface, which is globally cylindrical and convex, and an external part having a second lateral surface which is globally cylindrical and concave. The first and second lateral surfaces both have a same central axis defining a rotation axis for a relative rotation between the internal part and the external part the angle of which this rotation sensor can measure. A first grating is arranged at the first lateral surface with its grating lines parallel to the rotation axis, and a second grating is arranged at the second lateral surface with its grating lines parallel to said rotation axis.
US08345257B2 Swept source optical coherence tomography (OCT) method and system
A method and apparatus are provided for a swept source optical coherence tomography (OCT) system utilizing a fast scanning mechanism in the sample arm and a slowly swept light source. The position data is collected rapidly while the wavelength of the source is swept slowly. The system reduces the sweep speed requirements of the light source enabling higher power, greater imaging range, and linear sweeps of the source frequency. The OCT components (or most of them) may be implemented within a hand held imaging probe. In operation, a triangulation scan may be used to orient the imaging probe with respect to a fixed coordinate system; preferably, OCT data captured by the device is then transformed to that same orientation with respect to the fixed coordinate system to improve the scanning results.
US08345256B2 Method for calibrating interpixel gains of an interferometer
A method is provided to calibrate a detection array used for acquiring an image of an interferogram at an instrument. A first interferogram and at least two shifted interferograms are elaborated at the instrument by creating a number of optical path differences, so at least three samples are on a sine wave portion for each optical path difference. A function coinciding with the sine wave portion is determined by interpolation. A calibration coefficient is determined from the function for each optical path difference.
US08345252B2 Method and system for enhanced formulation and visualization rendering
An apparatus for measuring a spatially under-sampled Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) of a surface. The apparatus may comprise a first light source directed to illuminate the surface from a first illumination direction, and a plurality of sensors positioned to receive light reflected by the surface. The plurality of sensors may comprise first, second and third sensors positioned to receive light reflected by the surface in first, second and third non-coplanar directions. In various embodiments, the apparatus may also comprise a computer in communication with the plurality of sensors. The computer is configured to convert light sensed by the plurality of sensors into a first appearance property of the surface considering the first, second, and third reflectance directions.A method of calculating xDNA, the vector sum of the observed reflectance intensity over a plurality of wavelengths and angles. Methods of using the calculated xDNA for formulating recipes for a surfaces colors. Furthermore, a method for using the calculated xDNA for rendering the surface color.
US08345250B1 System and method for detecting chemical species from a remote sensing platform
A remote sensing system includes a transmitter for transmitting an online signal and first and second offline signals toward a target. A receiver receives a returned online signal and first and second returned offline signals from the target. A processor is provided for determining (a) a first ratio based on the returned online signal and first offline signal, and (b) a second ratio based on the returned online signal and second offline signal. A filter is also provided for correlating the first ratio with the second ratio for determining whether the returned online, first offline and/or second offline signals are useable. The returned online, first offline and second offline signals are used to compute first and second concentration path lengths (CPLs) of a column of air between a target and the remote sensing platform.
US08345247B2 Device for detecting signs of bacterial infection of the root channel of teeth
The invention relates to a device for detecting signs of bacterial infection of teeth, comprising a light source, a receiving unit, an evaluation unit, coupled to the receiving unit, at least one emission fiber, coupled to the light source, and at least one detection fiber, coupled to the receiving unit. The invention is characterized in that the common distal front face of the at least one emission fiber and the at least one detection fiber is connected to a front face of a flexible plastic optical wave guide, the diameter of the plastic optical wave guide being less than 400 μm, preferably less than 300 μm.
US08345245B2 Lithographic apparatus with multiple alignment arrangements and alignment measuring method
A lithographic apparatus has a plurality of different alignment arrangements that are used to perform an alignment measurement on the same mark(s) by: detecting a first alignment mark located on an object and producing a first alignment signal by a first detector; detecting the first mark and producing a second alignment signal by a second detector using a different alignment measurement than the first detector; receiving the first alignment signal from the first detector; calculating a first position of the at least first mark based on the first alignment signal; receiving the second alignment signal from the second detector; calculating a further first position of the at least first mark based on the second alignment signal.
US08345236B2 Method and apparatus for determining the particles contained in a particle stream
A method and an apparatus for determining the particle content of a particle stream using a source of light and two receivers arranged offset from one another in the flow direction of the particle stream. The receivers provide an electrical signal to an evaluation unit as a function of the radiation intensity which they receive, and this signal makes possible a determination of the flow velocity and particle size. Coincident passage of two particles is indicated by a pulse occurring in the signal due to a “roof collapse” in the pulse caused by a weakening of the radiation intensity as the particles pass a receiver.
US08345232B2 Optical inspection system and method
An inspection system includes imaging optics for imaging an object plane into an image plane. The imaging optics include an objective lens having positive optical power, a first lens group having negative optical power, and a second lens group having positive optical power. The optical elements are arranged along a common unfolded optical axis with a pupil plane of the imaging optics located between the first lens group and the second lens group.
US08345228B2 Measuring device and method for determining optical characteristic variables for verifying photochemical and electrochemical degradative reactions
A measuring device for quantitative determination of optical characteristic values for detecting photo- and/or electrochemical decomposition reactions taking place on surfaces of photocatalytically active substrates.
US08345225B2 Controllable radiation lithographic apparatus and method
A lithographic arrangement allows for controlling radiation characteristics. An illumination system provides a beam of radiation from radiation provided by a radiation source. The radiation source includes an array of individually controllable elements, each individually controllable element being capable of emitting radiation. A support structure supports a patterning device. The patterning device imparts the radiation beam with a pattern. A projection system projects the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of a substrate held by a substrate table. A radiation peak intensity detection apparatus detects a peak in the intensity of an emission spectrum of one or more of the individually controllable elements of the radiation source.
US08345217B2 Liquid recovery member, exposure apparatus, exposing method, and device fabricating method
An exposure apparatus comprises a recovery member that recovers a liquid. The recovery ability with which the recovery member recovers the liquid differs in accordance with the region of the recovery member.
US08345210B2 Gate signal transmission circuit structure
A gate signal transmission circuit structure is provided which is disposed on a peripheral circuit region of a display panel and includes at least a driver bonding pad, at least a transmission line and a plurality of connection lines. The transmission line is disposed around the driver bonding pad. The connection lines are connected between the driver bonding pad and the transmission line, wherein a plurality of holes exist between the connection lines, and the thickness of each connection line is substantially the same as the thickness of the transmission line.
US08345209B2 Display device
A display device in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a non-rectangular display area, a frame area surrounding the display area, a plurality of picture elements arranged in the display area, and a plurality of effective display areas having respective colors provided in the picture elements, wherein each of the plurality of effective display areas having respective colors provided in the picture element located in a boundary portion of the display area (display-area edge) is formed such that aperture ratios are the same within one picture element and that center lines in terms of a second direction (longitudinal direction) perpendicular to a first direction along which each color of the effective display areas having respective colors is lined up are located on an extension line of the center line of effective display areas provided in the picture element adjacent in a first direction (lateral direction).
US08345202B2 Antiglare film, manufacturing method thereof, and transmissive liquid crystal display
An antiglare film includes a transparent substrate, and an antiglare layer formed on the transparent substrate. The antiglare layer includes a binder matrix and acrylic-styrene copolymer particles, and the binder matrix includes an acrylic material having a hydroxyl group. A quotient RA/H, which is obtained by dividing the average diameter RA of the acrylic-styrene copolymer particles by the average thickness H of the antiglare layer, is within a range of 0.30 to 0.80. A product in |nA−nM|×wA×H, which is the product of: the absolute value |nA−nM| obtained by subtracting the average refractive index nM of the binder matrix from the refractive index nA of the acrylic-styrene copolymer particles; the content wA of the acrylic-styrene copolymer particles when the content wM of the binder matrix in the antiglare layer is 100 parts by weight; and the average thickness H of the antiglare layer, is within a range of 0.70 to 3.00.
US08345197B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes: a vertical alignment liquid crystal layer; first and second substrates facing each other with the liquid crystal layer interposed; first and second electrodes arranged on the first and second substrates to face the liquid crystal layer; and at least one alignment film in contact with the liquid crystal layer. A pixel region includes a first liquid crystal domain in which liquid crystal molecules are tilted in a first direction around the center of a plane, and approximately at the middle of the thickness, of the liquid crystal layer responsive to a voltage applied. The first liquid crystal domain is close to at least a part of an edge of the first electrode. The part includes a first edge portion in which an azimuthal direction, perpendicular to the part and pointing toward the inside of the first electrode, defines an angle greater than 90 degrees to the first direction. The first or second substrate has an opaque member including a first opaque portion for selectively shielding at least a part of the first edge portion from incoming light.
US08345196B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display with better visibility and transmittance. The liquid crystal display includes a first plate having a first field-generating electrode, disposed in a pixel area on an insulating substrate, comprising a plurality of sub-electrodes which are separated from each other by a predetermined distance and arranged parallel to each other, and a connecting electrode electrically connecting the sub-electrodes. An alignment film that is rubbed in a first direction covers a first field-generating electrode and an alignment film that is rubbed in a second direction covers a second field-generating electrode to achieve a predetermined orientation of the liquid crystals when no field is applied and more uniform rotation of the liquid crystal molecules when a field is applied.
US08345192B2 Multiple cell gaps transreflective LCD and fabricating method thereof
A LCD having multiple cell gaps and a method producing the same are provided. By stacking various numbers of dielectric layers and/or a photosensitive organic layer with various thicknesses on a display array substrate, various cell gaps for pixels of various colors can be obtained.
US08345190B2 Polarization optical system and projection-type liquid-crystal display device
A polarization optical system includes a first polarization plate, arranged at the light incident side of a liquid-crystal light valve, for transmitting first polarized light (s-polarized light) included in light incident on the liquid-crystal light valve from an illumination optical system and a second polarization plate, arranged at the light exit side of the liquid-crystal light valve, for transmitting second polarized light (p-polarized light), different from the first polarized light (s-polarized light), included in imaging light emitted from the liquid-crystal light valve to a projection optical system, in which the second polarization plate is configured in such a way that its light-incident face is concave toward the liquid-crystal light valve.
US08345189B2 Diffractive display device, finder device and camera
A diffractive display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, first illuminating means, second illuminating means, and an optical material layer. The optical material layer includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first diffraction display section in which first refractive index isotropic regions and first refractive index anisotropic regions are inclined with respect to the output surface of the first substrate. The second portion includes a second diffraction display section in which second refractive index isotropic regions and second refractive index anisotropic regions are inclined with respect to the output surface of the first substrate.
US08345187B2 Liquid crystal display device
Provided is a liquid crystal display device including: an optical switching member; a light guide panel; and a light source, the light guide panel including, on at least one of a front surface and a back surface thereof, a plurality of surface structures including: a first raised surface extending outward being formed as a free surface; a first light reflection surface entering inside from the first raised surface; a second light reflection surface extending outside from the first light reflection surface; and a second raised surface which continues from the second light reflection surface and is formed as a free surface, whereby a liquid crystal display device may be obtained, which includes a thin light guide panel with a thickness of, for example, 1 mm or less.
US08345182B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device including lenticular lenses and color separation filters, associated with a subpixel row direction, on the backlight side with respect to lenticular lenses. In a RGW row, a color separation filter reflecting B wavelengths is arranged, and in a GBW row, a color separation filter reflecting R wavelengths is arranged. Together with collecting light in transmissive aperture parts with lenticular lenses and improving the transmitted quantity of light, the light reflected by color separation filters is returned to the backlight and re-utilized.
US08345181B2 Light emitting device and liquid crystal display device
A fluorescent tube (LP1) and a fluorescent tube (LP2) in a liquid crystal display device (79) emit light when the tubes are positioned at turning angles within a prescribed range to a hold pedestal (59). A fluorescent tube (LP3) and a fluorescent tube (LP4) also emit light when the tubes are positioned at prescribed turning angles within the prescribed range to the hold pedestal (59).
US08345178B2 Liquid crystal display and repairing method thereof
A liquid crystal display includes a plurality of data lines and a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, wherein the plurality of pixels include a first pixel and a second pixel, and each of the first pixel and the second pixel includes a first subpixel electrode and a second subpixel electrode, a first switching element, a second switching element, a third switching element, and a voltage-changing capacitor, wherein a first source electrode on the first switching element and a second source electrode on the second switching element from the first pixel are connected to a data line, the first source electrode and the second source electrode of the second pixel are disconnected from the plurality of data lines, and the two terminals of the voltage-changing capacitor of the second pixel are shorted to each other.
US08345177B2 Via design for use in displays
A liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided having transistors disposed within via holes having elongated (e.g., rectangular or oval) contact areas. The use of via holes having elongated contact areas allows an opaque mask defining an aperture for light transmission to be lengthened, thereby increasing the overall area of the aperture. The increase in the area of the aperture may increase the amount of light that can pass through the aperture.
US08345176B2 Liquid crystal display device
A LCD device that includes a gate driver transferring a plurality of gate signals to a plurality of gate lines, a gate driver transferring a plurality of gate signals to a plurality of data lines, and a pixel unit including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form. The pixel unit includes a plurality of pixel pairs in each of which two corresponding pixels included in two neighboring pixel columns, respectively, and in the same pixel row, from among the plurality of pixels, are connected in common to a corresponding data line of the plurality of data lines and a corresponding gate line of the plurality of gate lines, and wherein a gate signal transferred to a predetermined pixel row through a corresponding gate line is transferred to a pixel on one side and a pixel on the other side from among a plurality of pixel pairs included in two pixel rows different from the predetermined pixel row, thereby controlling a switching operation.
US08345166B2 Broadcast receiving circuit and broadcast receiving apparatus
A broadcast receiving apparatus in the present invention includes: a first audio data characteristics extracting unit extracting a first soundless period and first interval information from first audio data included in the first service; a second audio data characteristics extracting unit extracting a second soundless period and second interval information from second audio data included in the second service; a simulcast determining unit determining whether or not the broadcast waves are simulcast by comparing the first interval information with the second interval information; and a broadcasting switching control unit switching between (i) the output of the audio data and the video data included in the first service and (ii) the output of the audio data and the video data included in the second service based on a result of the determination by the simulcast determining unit.
US08345150B2 Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit operable to capture a subject image via an optical system and generate image data, a regulating unit operable to regulate an exposure amount for the imaging unit; a shake detector operable to detect a shake of the imaging apparatus; an operation unit capable of being in a first operating state and a second operating state; and a controller operable to control the recording unit to record the image data generated by the imaging unit in the recording medium, when the operation unit is in the first operating state. The controller determines whether or not the operation unit is in the second operating state before the first operating state, and regulates an exposure time of the regulating unit based on the determination result and the shake of the imaging apparatus detected by the shake detector.
US08345147B2 Image pickup apparatus
An image pickup apparatus that can decrease the probability of an image in which a main subject is not in focus being captured is provided. An image pickup apparatus 1A includes two image pickup devices 5 and 7 that capture an image relating to a subject image made incident through an image capturing lens, a main subject detecting unit 122 that detects a main subject in the captured image, a phase difference AF control unit 121 that performs focus control on the basis of a phase difference detection signal acquired from a ranging area set in an imaging area, a determination unit 123 that determines whether the main subject is present in the ranging area, and a warning control unit 126 that, if the determination unit 123 determines that the main subject is not present in the ranging area, performs predetermined control for preventing a state in which the main subject is not in focus.
US08345146B2 Automatic focus imaging system using out-of-plane translation of an MEMS reflective surface
The present invention provides an automatic focus imaging system comprising a lens unit, an image sensor, and a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) unit fabricated by microfabrication technology to improve the portability and focusing speed of the automatic focus imaging system. The MEMS unit for automatic focusing comprises a substrate having a control circuitry, at least one reflective surface movably connected to the substrate, and at least one actuation unit comprising a micro-actuator having a large in-plane translation and at least one micro-converter configured to convert the large in-plane translation of the micro-actuator to the large out-of-plane translation of the reflective surface. The MEMS unit changes a distance between lens unit and the image sensor by controlling the out-of-plane translation of the reflective surface in order to form an in-focus image on the image sensor.
US08345145B2 Mobile communication terminal and focusing method using the same
The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal and a focusing method using the same. The mobile communication terminal includes an input unit for generating one or more input signals, a camera unit for capturing an image of a subject, a display unit having the image of the subject displayed thereon and having a screen divided into one or more regions in order to focus specific regions of the image, wherein a focusing region indicator to indicate the specific region is displayed on the screen, but region demarcation lines to demarcate the regions are not displayed on the screen, a controller for controlling each of the regions to be divided in response to the input signals in order to select the specific region, and the specific regions corresponding to the generated input signals to be focused, so that another images corresponding to the specific regions are generated, a communication module for selectively transmitting the generated images to the outside.
US08345141B2 Camera system, camera body, interchangeable lens unit, and imaging method
An imaging device that is able to display an image with an aperture value at the time when actually photographing on a liquid crystal display monitor for displaying an image, in a single-lens reflex digital camera is provided. In a depth-of-field preview mode, a quick return mirror (4) is retracted from an optical path and light is incident on an imaging sensor (11). Then, an imaging optical system is controlled to be in an actual aperture state, and by displaying an image data obtained at the imaging sensor (11) on the liquid crystal display monitor (16) for displaying an image, a plurality of images with aperture values at the time of actually photographing, in other words, actual aperture live view images, can be concurrently displayed simultaneously on the liquid crystal display monitor (16) for displaying an image. By doing so, it is possible to easily compare images with different depths of field, and it is possible to simultaneously photograph images with different depths of field.
US08345139B2 Eyepiece lens for viewfinder
An eyepiece lens includes, in order from an image display surface side to an observer side, a positive first lens, a negative second lens, and a positive third lens. A surface on the image display surface side of the positive first lens has a refractive power stronger than a refractive power of an opposite surface thereof. The negative second lens has a meniscus shape, and a surface on the image display surface side of the negative second lens has a convex shape. Both surfaces of the positive third lens have a convex shape. In the eyepiece lens, during diopter adjustment, the first through the third lenses move along an optical axis. A focal length (f) of the entire eyepiece lens and a diagonal length (H) of the image display surface satisfy the following conditions: 0.45
US08345137B2 Solid-state image pickup apparatus and camera with two-dimensional power supply wiring
A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a pixel area in which pixels each having at least a photoelectric conversion unit and an amplification transistor for amplifying and outputting a signal of the photoelectric conversion unit are two-dimensionally arranged in horizontal and vertical directions, wherein a power supply wiring, which extends in a vertical direction along pixel boundaries of horizontal and vertical directions while meandering, is arranged on one of two pixel lines adjoining to each other in the horizontal direction in the pixel area, and the power supply wiring is connected to one of a source and a drain of the amplification transistor on each of the two pixel lines. Thus, it is possible to provide a high-sensitivity and high-image-quality amplified solid-state image pickup apparatus in which a difference of sensitivities at one-line intervals is small.
US08345135B2 Solid-state image sensing device containing electron multiplication function
A solid state imaging device with an electron multiplying function includes an imaging region VR formed of a plurality of vertical shift registers, a horizontal shift register HR that transfers electrons from the imaging region VR, a multiplication register EM that multiplies the electrons from the horizontal shift register HR, and an electron injecting electrode 11A provided at an end portion of a starting side of the imaging region VR in an electron transfer direction. A specific vertical shift register (channel CH1) into which the electrons are injected by the electron injecting electrode 11A is disposed in a thick part of a semiconductor substrate, and is set in such a way as to be blocked from incident light.
US08345132B2 Image sensor with dual element color filter array and three channel color output
A color image sensor is disclosed. The color image sensor includes a pixel array including a color filter array (“CFA”) overlaying an array of photo-sensors for acquiring a color image. The CFA includes first color filter elements of a first color overlaying a first group of the photo-sensors and second color filter elements of a second color overlaying a second group of the photo-sensors. The first color filter elements contribute to a first color channel of the color image and the second color filter elements contribute to a second color channel of the color image. The color image sensor further includes a color combiner unit coupled to combine the first color channel with the second color channel to generate a third color channel of the color image based on the first and second color channels. An output port is coupled to the pixel array to output the color image having three color channels including the first, second, and third color channels.
US08345131B2 High-frame rate image acquisition, processing and display to produce smooth movement
An image pickup apparatus and method is disclosed by which moving pictures of a high frame rate can be displayed. The image pickup apparatus for picking up moving pictures, includes: a distribution section for distributing light incoming through an optical lens to n directions; n image pickup elements for converting the light distributed by the distribution section into signals at time intervals of 1/m second to pick up images; and a control section for controlling timings at which the light is to be converted into the signals by the image pickup elements; the control section controlling the n image pickup elements to convert the light into the signals at timings successively displaced by 1/m×n second to pick up images.
US08345126B2 Solid-state image pickup element and camera system having mechanism for canceling potential drop on signal line
A pixel driving portion 102 can carry out first read drive with which a transfer element is turned OFF in accordance with a drive signal TG to output a signal at an output node, and second read drive with which the transfer element is turned ON in accordance with the drive signal TG to transfer signal charges to the output node, thereby outputting a signal at the output node. A pixel signal reading portion 103, 104 outputs a signal corresponding to a difference between the signal read out in accordance with the second read drive and the signal read out in accordance with the first read drive.
US08345125B2 Object detection using an in-sensor detector
Systems and methods are provided for detecting an object of object class, such as faces, in an image sensor. In some embodiments, the image sensor can provide a scan sequence that scans a scene over multiple time intervals. The image sensor can scan, in succession, portions of a scene, where each of the portions covers a different amount or location of the scene. This way, the scanned portions can be saved in an image buffer that is sized significantly smaller than an entire frame. In some embodiments, when the image sensor detects the presence of an object of the object class, the image sensor can store positional information (e.g., location and size of the object) in a region of interest buffer. The image sensor can output the positional information to aid an electronic device, such as a camera, perform various functions, such as automatic exposure and color balancing.
US08345124B2 Digital camera controlled by a control circuit
A digital camera of the present invention comprises a control circuit executing an initialization processing of a recording medium mounted thereon and a series of photographing processings. The control circuit starts the initialization processing of the recording medium when a power of a camera body is turned on, and thereafter, determines presence/absence of an image recording operation regardless of whether or not the initialization processing has been completed. The control circuit starts the series of photographing processings when it is determined that the image recording operation has been performed, then, when either the exposure processing or one or more steps of signal processing is completed, suspends the series of photographing processings to determine whether or not the initialization processing of the recording medium has been completed, and resumes the series of photographing processings when it is determined that the initialization processing of the recording medium has been completed.
US08345122B2 Image playback method, music processing method, image playback apparatus, and computer program product
An image playback method that performs a sequential display of a plurality of image data including a moving image stored in a memory unit while each being switched at predetermined time intervals, includes converting a format of moving image data for the sequential display into a predetermined format for the sequential display prior to the sequential display.
US08345121B2 Image processing apparatus, method, and program
An image processing apparatus, including a region setting unit for setting regions on a processing target image in which each pixel of the image is included according to a level of each pixel, a low frequency image generation unit for generating a low frequency image of the processing target image, a gain calculation unit for calculating a gain for each pixel of the processing target image such that the lower the level the greater the gain, wherein the unit calculates the gain such that pixels in each of the regions in which each pixel of the processing target image is included have substantially the same gain based on a region setting result and a level of each pixel of the low frequency image, and a processing unit for generating a processed image by performing dynamic range compression on the processing target image based on the gain.
US08345119B2 Image pickup device, image processing method, and storage medium storing program
A method includes specifying an image area which is contained in the subject-present image taken and in which nonflatness is less than or equal to a predetermined value, determining whether or not a range of the specified image area in the subject-present image in which the nonflatness is less than or equal to a predetermined value is greater than or equal to a predetermined range, generating an extraction background image used to extract a subject area in the subject-present image containing the subject, from the image area when the range of the image area in which the nonflatness is less than or equal to a predetermined value is determined to be greater than or equal to the predetermined range, and extracting the subject area from the subject-present image based on information on a difference between each pixel in the extraction background image and a corresponding pixel in the subject-present image.
US08345117B2 Terminal outputting monochrome image data and color image data
There is provided an imaging terminal comprising an image sensing and processing circuit that includes a hybrid monochrome and color image sensor pixel array having a first subset of pixels provided by monochrome pixels without color filter elements and a second subset of pixels provided by color pixels having color filter elements. The terminal can be operative so that the image sensing and processing circuit can output a frame of image data for storing in a CPU addressable image frame memory. The image sensing and processing circuit can be operative so that a frame of image data output by the image sensing and processing circuit for storing in a CPU addressable image frame memory can include monochrome pixel values that correspond to color pixel positions of the image sensor pixel array.
US08345114B2 Automatic face and skin beautification using face detection
Sub-regions within a face image are identified to be enhanced by applying a localized smoothing kernel to luminance data corresponding to the sub-regions of the face image. An enhanced face image is generated including an enhanced version of the face that includes certain original pixels in combination with pixels corresponding to the one or more enhanced sub-regions of the face.
US08345112B2 Image pickup apparatus, image capturing system, method for driving image pickup apparatus
An image pickup apparatus has a pixel array including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in column and row directions, a first output unit configured to be driven by a first driving signal and to output first signals fed from at least some of the photoelectric conversion elements in the pixel array, and a second output unit configured to be driven by a second driving signal and to output second signals fed from at least some of the photoelectric conversion elements in the pixel array. The first driving signal and the second driving signal are asynchronous.
US08345109B2 Imaging device and its shutter drive mode selection method
An imaging device includes a MOS image sensor that shoots an image of a subject, and a control unit that selects one of plural shutter drive modes and drives the MOS image sensor in the selected shutter drive mode. The control unit analyzes a through image of a subject that is obtained by the MOS image sensor before main shooting (step S3) and performs the selection automatically based on a result of the analysis (steps S6, S9, and S10).
US08345102B2 Image processing system and method for object tracking
An image processing method can be performed on a video image that includes an initial frame and a plurality of subsequent frames. An object is located within the initial frame of the video image and a histogram related to the object is generated. A foreground map that includes the object is also generated. For each subsequent frame, a mean shift iteration is performed to adjust the location of the object within the current frame. The histogram related to the object and the foreground map can then be updated.
US08345101B2 Automatically calibrating regions of interest for video surveillance
Techniques for automatically calibrating one or more regions of interest for video surveillance are provided. The techniques include at a user-defined frequency, determining if one or more regions of interest (ROIs) are present within a field of view of a camera, if one or more ROIs are present within the field of view of the camera, automatically calibrating the one or more ROIs within the field of view of the camera, and if one or more ROIs are not present within the field of view of the camera, sending an alert to a user.
US08345100B2 Shadow removal in an image captured by a vehicle-based camera using an optimized oriented linear axis
A method is provided for removing an illumination generated shadow in a captured image. Each pixel of the captured input image is plotted on a two dimensional logarithmic graph. A linear axis for the plurality of color sets is determined that is substantially orthogonal to a respective illumination direction of each respective color set. A log-chromaticity value of each plotted pixel is projected on the axis. An orientation of the linear axis is selected to minimize an illumination effect and provide optimum separation between each of the respective color sets on the linear axis. Edges in the input image and illumination invariant image domain are identified. The identified edges of the input image are compared to identify edges in the illumination invariant image domain. A determination is made whether a shadow edge is present in response to the comparison. A shadow-reduced image is generated for scene analysis by a vehicle vision-based system.
US08345093B2 Method for adjusting lightness of image obtained by microscope
The automatic adjustment method of a microscopic image for automatically adjusting an image on the basis of the lightness of the microscopic image includes distinguishing an observation pixel being an observation target in the image from a non-observation pixel not being an observation target on the basis of the lightness of each pixel of the image, determining a representative value for representing the lightness of the image on the basis of the lightness of a selection pixel identified as the observation pixel and adjusting the lightness of the image on the basis of the representative value.
US08345089B2 Receiving apparatus and intra-subject information acquiring system
To acquire much accurate image information having no noise, without increasing load in the post-processing of the image information, a receiving apparatus 3 includes: a synchronization signal detector 34 that detects a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal; an image processor 35 that performs an image generation process of each frame based on the horizontal synchronization signal and the vertical synchronization signal detected by the synchronization signal detector 34; and an image deletion controller 36a that controls to delete an image of the current frame, when a horizontal synchronization signal within one frame detected by the synchronization signal detector 34 is not continuously detected by a first predetermined number or more, or when a horizontal synchronization signal within one frame detected by the synchronization signal detector 34 is not continuously detected by a second predetermined number or more, or when a vertical synchronization signal detected by the synchronization signal detector 34 is not continuously detected by a third predetermined number or more.
US08345087B2 Image enhancement for three-dimensional displays
A three-dimensional (3D) display apparatus includes an image generation subsystem (IGS) for generating at least one two-dimensional (2D) image and providing filtered rays derived from the at least one 2D image to an optical element for modulating the filtered rays and producing a 3D image, wherein the filtered rays comprise limited overlap of pixel information. A method and a computer program product for generating 3D images are provided.
US08345083B2 Dynamic management of picture quality in a video conference with diversified constraints
In one embodiment, a method dynamically configures a BL bandwidth in a conference based on bandwidth capabilities in the video conferencing network. In one embodiment, the conference may include any combination of endpoints characterized as BL endpoints and SVCL endpoints. The method includes determining one or more bandwidth capabilities for a plurality of endpoints participating in a conference. The bandwidth capabilities for each respective endpoint may be based on its video decoding capability, the maximum bit-rate it can accept, the video encoding capability of the other endpoints, or a bandwidth constraint manifestation in a portion of the network, etc.
US08345069B2 Display apparatus, driving method for display apparatus and electronic apparatus
Disclosed herein is a display apparatus, including: a display panel having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix thereon, each of the pixels including an electro-optical element, a writing transistor, a driving transistor, and a storage capacitor connected between the gate electrode and the source electrode of the driving transistor for storing an image signal written by the writing transistor, each of the pixels carrying out a mobility correction process for applying negative feedback to a potential difference between the gate and the source of the driving transistor with a correction amount determined from current flowing to the driving transistor; a temperature detection section configured to detect the temperature of the display panel; and a control section configured to control the period of the mobility correction process based on a result of the detection by the temperature detection section.
US08345067B2 Volumetrically illustrating a structure
A 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.
US08345064B2 Method and system for tile binning using half-plane edge function
A tile binning method including: dividing a scene for rendering a triangle, into a plurality of tiles; determining identification values of tile nodes of each of the tiles; and identifying a tile including an entirety or a part of the triangle from the tiles, based on the identification value of the tile nodes for each of the tiles.
US08345059B2 Methods, systems, and data structures for generating a rasterizer
Methods, systems and data structures produce a rasterizer. A graphical state is detected on a machine architecture. The graphical state is used for assembling a shell rasterizer. The machine architecture is used for selecting replacement logic that replaces portions of shell logic in the shell rasterizer. The machine architecture is used for selectively inserting memory management logic into portions of the shell logic to produce.
US08345057B2 Context coordination for an artistic digital template for image display
An apparatus and method for creating a coordinated image display. A computer system comprising stored digital templates for said image display can be operated by a user to generate the image display. The templates each have a plurality of digital openings for displaying digital images and each of those openings has a required image attribute. The group of required attributes for the openings are stored as a template recipe. The template recipe includes a required image attribute for a dependent opening. The dependent opening is dependent on an image attribute of an image captured by a capture device coupled to the computer system, which includes scanners and cameras. The captured image can be of a paint swatch, a fabric, furniture, carpeting, or any other item or image.
US08345055B2 Image display device
An image display device includes a timing controller capable of overdriving. The timing controller has three line buffers, an image reverse processing unit, and an overdrive unit. The first line buffer buffers first line data of a second frame, wherein the second frame is generated later than a first frame. The second line buffer buffers first compressed data. The image reverse processing unit estimates first and second line data of the first frame according to the first compressed data. According to the first and second line data of the first and second frames, the overdrive unit outputs first and second lines of interleaving data for an interleaving frame. The interleaving frame is inserted between the first and second frames. With the third line buffer, the timing controller outputs the first and second lines of interleaving data at different time point.
US08345045B2 Shader-based extensions for a declarative presentation framework
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for controlling a shader declaratively. A declarative programming model enables declarative statements to be used that control an instantiation of a shader in a declarative presentation framework. A shader-based effect that was specified declaratively is instantiated programmatically for rendering graphic effects for a software application. Declarative statements are sent to a shader processor to enable a shader to render the graphical effect customizations for the software application. A method is also described for utilizing a declarative programming model as a multiple pass effect that controls and encapsulates a set of shaders to be run during a multiple pass operation.
US08345042B2 Mesh-based shape retrieval system
A retrieval method targeted for partial characteristic shapes existing in a polyhedral shape is provided. The method converts inputted shape model data into triangular mesh data, extracts and classifies triangular mesh data groups that form the partial characteristic shapes. The method calculates the characteristic amount of the triangular mesh data groups that represent the classified partial characteristic shapes and then calculates the difference between the characteristic amount of the triangular mesh data groups and the characteristic amount of a query shape to display a partial characteristic shape that has a small difference in the characteristic amount or the query shape. Furthermore, the method displays a list of candidates for similar shapes based on the difference value of the characteristic amount.
US08345041B2 Method for displaying a three-dimensional image and three-dimensional image display device for performing the method
A three-dimensional image display device includes a three-dimensional image generator and a display panel. The three-dimensional image generator includes a memory part, a control part, and an output buffer part. The memory part has a lookup table storing pixel-shift data corresponding to a plurality of viewpoints and depths. The control part stores image data and depth data in an internal memory, and outputs shifted image data based on the pixel-shift data. The output buffer part outputs three-dimensional image data based on the shifted image data. The display panel displays the three-dimensional image data.
US08345038B2 Methods and systems for backlight modulation and brightness preservation
Elements of the present invention relate to systems and methods for image enhancement for color enhancement, brightness enhancement and/or backlight modulation compensation. Some elements comprise backlight illumination level selection.
US08345032B2 Display apparatus, display-apparatus driving method and eletronic instrument
Disclosed herein is a display apparatus including a pixel matrix section including pixel circuits laid out to form a pixel matrix to serve as pixel circuits each having an electro optical device, a signal writing transistor, a signal storage capacitor, and a device driving transistor, and a power-supply section configured to change a power-supply electric potential appearing on a power-supply line for providing a driving current flowing to the device driving transistor from one level to another in order to control transitions from a light emission period of the electro optical device to a no-light emission period of the electro optical device and vice versa, and stopping an operation to assert the power-supply electric potential on the power-supply line during a portion of the no-light emission period of the electro optical device.
US08345027B2 Image display device and driving method of image display device
Disclosed herein is an image display device for displaying input image data on a display section formed by arranging pixel circuits in a form of a matrix by driving the pixel circuits by a signal line driving circuit and a scanning line driving circuit via a signal line and a scanning line of the display section.
US08345026B2 Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a display panel, a flexible printed circuit board, a first data driver, and second data driver. The display panel includes a display area in which an image is displayed in response to a data voltage and a peripheral area adjacent to the display area. The flexible printed circuit board is attached to the peripheral area and includes a plurality of flexible circuit lines. The first data driver is mounted on the flexible printed circuit board to directly receive image data through a part of the flexible circuit lines and convert the image data into the data voltage. The second data driver is mounted on the peripheral area to directly receive the image data through a remaining part of the flexible circuit lines and convert the image data into the data voltage.
US08345025B2 Computation device incorporating motion detection and method thereof
Information from an accelerometer integrated at a computation device is received. An orientation of a display of the computation device, or other attribute, can be determined based upon the received information based upon an assumed reference, such as a desktop surface that is perpendicular to a gravitational vector, or based upon information from another accelerometer, such as an accelerometer within a base portion of a laptop computer. An operation is performed based upon the information.
US08345015B2 Sensor apparatus and method for generating signals indicative of the position or change in position of limbs
A sensor apparatus for generating electrical signals which indicate the position or movement of limbs relative to a reference area has a transmitter electrode apparatus, a voltage generator for applying an alternating voltage to the transmitter electrode, a first receiver electrode apparatus, a second receiver electrode apparatus, and a third receiver electrode apparatus, wherein the first, second, and third receiver electrode apparatuses are each connected to high-impedance tapping systems. The first, second, and third receiver electrode apparatuses are preferably each connected to high-impedance inputs of an impedance transformer system, wherein information indicative of a location or movement is obtained on the basis of differences between the electrical events present at the outputs of the respective impedance transformer.
US08345014B2 Control of the operating system on a computing device via finger angle using a high dimensional touchpad (HDTP) touch user interface
A high dimensional touchpad (HDTP) controls a variety of computer windows systems and applications by detecting a user's finger movement in the left-right, forward-backward, roll, pitch, yaw, and downward pressure directions. One or more of the detected finger movements are then used to control specific computer applications including focusing a user's attention to one of several web pages, gesture recognition, magnification control, 3D-polyhedral menu selection, Internet browsers, navigation applications, games, media players, spreadsheets, and controlling the functions of mobile devices.
US08345012B2 Method and interface device for operating a security system
An interface device includes at least one programmable device and a display portion coupled to the at least one programmable device. The display portion is configured to convey a hierarchical relationship of a plurality of screen images that at least partially overlap each other. The hierarchical relationship includes the plurality of screen images defined in a series of logically related, ordered, and ranked groupings.
US08345010B2 Movable barrier operator system display method and apparatus
A movable barrier operator system operational component includes an integral display comprising at least one of a numeric display, an alphanumeric display, and a graphics display. The display can comprise an active display or an active interactive display and can further operate in conjunction with adjacent user-input interface opportunities. So configured, numerous user interface events can be highly leveraged to contribute to ease of installation and ease and reliability of use.
US08345007B2 Methodology of reading
A method for reading mapping on electronic documents, the method including: showing a text to be read on an electronic display; showing a mouse cursor on the electronic display to be used by a reader as a reading assist; storing on a memory device, in association with the text to be read, a state of the mouse cursor moved by the reader who reads the text, as information reflecting the reader's reading state; showing, on an electronic display, an already read text whose state of the mouse cursor has already been stored on a memory device; and mapping onto the already read text, the stored state of the mouse cursor read out from a memory device, as a trace reflecting the reading state of the previous reading.
US08345004B1 Methods and apparatus for differentially controlling degrees of freedom of an object
An input device for controlling an object includes a joystick and a modal switch. A user may use the modal switch to select a subset of degrees of freedom of the object. The joystick may then be used to control a change over time of the selected subset, where the change over time is functionally depend on both a motion of the joystick and a state of the selected subset. A method for controlling an object via the input device is also provided. The method includes receiving inputs indicating a selection by the modal switch of a subset of degrees of freedom of the object, and a motion of the joystick. A configuration of the selected subset is then caused to be changed based on the motion of the joystick and a state of the selected subset.