| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08408181B2 |
Throttle control module
A throttle control module for controlling a throttle, comprises: a BLDC motor; a gear train connecting the motor to the throttle; and a throttle position sensor. A PWM module is connected to the throttle position sensor and generates a pulse-width modulation sequence according to the signal from the throttle position sensor and a desired throttle position signal. A decoder module generates commutation logic for the motor based on the signal from the throttle position sensor. A motor controller controls commutation of the motor according to the pulse-width modulation sequence and the commutation logic. |
| US08408178B2 |
Engine crankcase firing deck having anti-distortion projections
A firing deck (16) for an engine crankcase includes a firing side surface (35) and a coolant side surface (34). A plurality of cylinder bores (18) are disposed through the firing deck (16) from the firing side surface (35) to the coolant side surface (34). The cylinder bores (18) form a centerline defining an intake side (26) of the firing deck (16) and an exhaust side (28) of the firing deck. A plurality of bosses (30) through the deck (16) from the firing side surface (35) to the coolant side surface (34) are disposed around each cylinder bore (18). A plurality of anti-distortion projections (36, 136) are disposed on the coolant side surface (34) of the firing deck (16) and provide the firing deck with a varied thickness. The anti-distortion projections (36, 136) are disposed on both the intake side (26) and the exhaust side (28) of the firing deck (16). |
| US08408177B2 |
Control method for internal combustion engine system, and internal combustion engine system
The invention relates to a control method for an internal combustion engine system, capable of preventing an internal combustion engine in a state after being automatically stopped, from falling into an unrestartable state. Upon satisfaction of a given automatic stop condition, the engine 10 being running is automatically stopped (Step 11). A value of current IEBAT flowing out of a starter battery 520 is compared with a given current value IEBAT—TH, in an automatically stopped state of the engine 10 (Step S30) to diagnosis a discharging status of the starter battery 520. If a result of the diagnosis indicates that the value of current IEBAT flowing out of the starter battery 520 is greater than the given current value IEBAT—TH, it is determined that a post-attached load is detected, and the engine 10 is restarted irrespective of the satisfaction or non-satisfaction of a given restart condition. |
| US08408171B2 |
Variable stroke engine assembly
In a variable stroke engine assembly for a front engine, front wheel drive vehicle, an engine output shaft (OS), a variable stroke control mechanism (63, 65, CR), an actuator (AC) and a starter motor (SM) are laid out in a favorable manner so that the general outer profile of the engine assembly can be made free from excessive protrusions, an increase in the engine room space requirement is avoided, layout freedom can be enhanced, and the cooling performance for the actuator can be improved. |
| US08408167B2 |
Piston of engine
A piston cooling apparatus of an engine may include a combustion chamber formed between a piston disposed in a cylinder block and a cylinder head disposed on the cylinder block, wherein a surface area-enlarging portion is formed inside the piston on bottom surface of a crown of the piston. |
| US08408166B1 |
System with a heat pipe
A system in an engine is provided. The system includes a piston spraying conduit including an inlet in fluidic communication with an oil reservoir, a nozzle in fluidic communication with the piston spraying conduit, the nozzle directing an oil spray toward an exterior surface of a piston positioned within a combustion chamber, and a heat pipe transferring heat from an evaporator section to the condenser section, the evaporator section coupled to the piston spraying conduit. In this way, more effective piston cooling is provided while maintaining lubrication effectiveness. |
| US08408164B2 |
System and method for release and dispersion of flies or other biological control
A system and method of release and dispersion of genetically altered flies or other insects to control insect population. The apparatus can be carried by an aircraft and includes removable fly chambers that contain fly containment cylinders. A refrigeration system operates to physically retard the fruit flies. The flies are then released from the fly containment cylinders and fall to the bottom of the fly chamber. Gates on the bottom of the fly chamber are opened manually or remotely to allow the refrigerated flies to fall through the nesting chute into the spiral release controllers. The spiral release controllers dispense the genetically altered flies into the exit chute. The genetically altered flies travel through the exit chute, fall to the earth below and mate with the population thus serving to decrease population by capitalizing on a weakness in the reproductive cycle of the fruit fly or other insect. |
| US08408163B2 |
Collar used for pet training
A pet training tool includes a pet collar configured to be placed around a neck of a pet, a balloon assembly used for stimulating the neck of the pet during training of the pet, and a movable neck plate. Two ends of the neck plate are movably connected to a lower part of the collar. The balloon assembly, the collar, and the neck plate are disposed together. The balloon assembly controls relative movement of the collar and the neck plate through inflation or deflation to tighten or loosen the collar. |
| US08408158B2 |
Coating/developing device and method
A coating/developing device includes a processing block having a plurality of coating unit blocks stacked and a developing unit block stacked on the coating unit blocks. Each of the unit blocks is provided with a liquid processing unit for coating a liquid chemical on a substrate, a heating unit for heating the substrate, a cooling unit for cooling the substrate and a transfer unit for transferring the substrate between the units. The liquid processing unit is provided with a coating unit for coating a resist liquid on the substrate, a first bottom antireflection coating (BARC) forming unit for coating a liquid chemical for a BARC on the substrate before the resist liquid is coated thereon, and a second BARC forming unit for coating a liquid chemical for the BARC on the substrate after the resist liquid is coated thereon. |
| US08408157B2 |
Painting apparatuses and methods
This document discusses, among other things, an apparatus for painting a work surface including a handle housing. A disposable painting module is configured to be removably engaged with the handle housing. The painting module includes a paint applicator configured to be removably engaged with the handle housing. The paint applicator is configured to apply paint to the work surface. A paint reservoir is fluidly coupled with the paint applicator and is configured to be removably engaged with the handle housing. An urging mechanism is coupled to the handle housing and configured to interact with the paint reservoir to substantially uniformly discharge the paint from the paint reservoir and supply the paint to the paint applicator. |
| US08408155B2 |
Fleet protection attack craft
A marine vessel comprising:a command module;first and second buoyant tubular foils; andfirst and second struts for connecting the first and second buoyant tubular foils to the command module, respectively;wherein the first and second buoyant tubular foils provide substantially all of the buoyancy required for the marine vessel; andwherein the marine vessel further comprises first and second engines enclosed within the first and second buoyant tubular foils, respectively, and first and second propulsion units connected to the first and second engines, respectively, for moving the marine vessel through the water. |
| US08408151B2 |
Watercraft hull and associated methods
A watercraft hull includes a lower portion, an upper portion, and a strake positioned between the lower portion and the upper portion. The lower portion may include a bow portion having a v-shape defined by a keel and sidewalls extending upwardly therefrom to the strake and an aft portion having a tunnel formed therein. The aft portion may be defined by a pair of opposing sidewalls extending downwardly from the strake to a bottom portion. The tunnel may be defined by a pair of opposing tunnel sidewalls that extend upwardly from the bottom portion to a tunnel top having a center rib. The lower portion may also include a medial portion that transitions the bow portion to the aft portion. The medial portion may have a vacuum chamber extending between and transitioning the keel of the bow portion to the tunnel formed in the aft portion. |
| US08408150B1 |
Sewing aid
A sewing tool is provided which has a plurality of apertures therein, each of which is trapezoidal in shape. The apertures are different sizes with respect to one another, each to be used for a different size box-bottom sewn item, such as a tote bag. A method of using such a sewing tool to create an item such as a box-bottom tote bag is also provided. |
| US08408147B2 |
Cards safe
A cards safe for the safe keeping of credit, debit, and switch cards, or any other small personal item used for making payments or for deposit/security purposes. A card is retained inside a box (30) which is retained by the seller. The box (30) is locked in a secure condition with two locking arms (88), which require a key (70) to unlock them. A locking bar (126) slides across the edge of the box (30) in a slot (46). The key has a protrusion (110), which stops at a correct location to bear against locking arms, which are otherwise biased to a locked state by springs. The key (70) enters the box (30) through a slot (106), and the lock releases. The box (30) can only be opened with the unique key. |
| US08408144B2 |
Hybrid locomotive regenerative energy storage system and method
An energy storage car for a locomotive includes a hydraulic energy storage system designed to capture and reuse energy normally lost in dynamic braking. The energy storage car is preferably configured to provide functions sufficient to replace one of multiple locomotives used to pull a freight train. Braking and other methods for improved efficiency of such trains are provided. |
| US08408140B2 |
Device for transporting an object in a cell
A device for entering an object into a cell comprises mainly a track for guiding the object and a lifting pod extending the track. It is then possible to use robots and lower them on the floor of the cell to carry out inspection work. |
| US08408139B2 |
Projectile
A projectile (1) is optionally used as a fragmentation projectile or as a projectile that utilizes a pressure wave effect created when the explosive charge (3) explodes. The projectile (1) contains an ejection charge (12), and an explosive charge (3) arranged in a jacket (4) that can be moved axially with respect to a fragmentation casing (5). The ejection charge (12) allows the explosive charge (3) and surrounding jacket (4) to be pushed at least so far out of the projectile casing (2) that, in the event of explosion, the explosive charge does not act on the fragmentation casing (5). In order to ensure that the jacket (4) of the explosive charge (3) does not develop any fragmentation effect, or develops only a small fragmentation effect, when the explosive charge (3) is ignited, a molded part composed of plastic or a light alloy is used as the jacket (4). |
| US08408137B2 |
Spiral case ammunition
A cartridge for a firearm comprises a case having a base located at one end and a projectile mounted at the other end. A specific volume of propellant is contained in the case and is ignitable via a primer located in the base. The ignition of the propellant causes the projectile to be propelled from the case. The case comprises a wall defining a plurality of circumferential flutes that extend around outer and inner surfaces of the case in a helical or vertical configuration. |
| US08408135B2 |
Apparatus and method for a low fragment explosive access tool using one piece of explosive sheet in the form of a simple geometric shape, a booster charge of explosive sheet in the form of a disk, a blasting cap, and inert materials
Apparatus and method for an explosive access tool using one piece charge of explosive sheet in the form of a simple geometric shape, a disk shaped booster charge, a blasting cap, and inert materials. The one piece charge of explosive sheet, envelopes an inert tamper block with its apexes meeting on the top side of the block facing away from the target. A smoothing layer, preferably in a mostly square shape, is placed between the target and the explosives covering the bottom side of the tamper block. An initiating means is connected to the apexes of the explosive charge so that upon initiation, a series of detonation waves are generated to meet in a manner that result in a plurality of petals cantilevered that are formed in the target material, substantially between the intersections of the meeting shock waves, to define a near fragment-free opening in the target material. |
| US08408132B2 |
Initiator modules, munitions systems including initiator modules, and related methods
Initiator modules for munitions control systems include a mounting portion for receiving a portion of an initiation device, a detonator device disposed within the initiator module, a connection portion configured to connect the initiator module with a munitions control system, and an electronics assembly configured to electronically couple with a munitions control system and transmit a signal to the detonator device. Munitions systems may include initiator modules received in a socket of a munitions control system. Methods of igniting explosive devices include coupling a shock tube to an explosive device, connecting an initiator module to a munitions control system, mounting a portion of the shock tube to the initiator module, and igniting the shock tube with a detonator device disposed within the initiator module. |
| US08408130B2 |
Method of making flexographic printing members
An imaging method provides a flexographic printing member used to transfer ink from an image area to a receiver element. This flexographic printing member has a relief image including an image area that is composed of an elastomeric composition that has an elastomeric topmost surface and a relief image floor. The relief image has a plurality of dots within a sub-area of the elastomeric topmost surface wherein each dot has a minimum receiver element contact area. A fraction less than 1 of the plurality of dots, known as (b) dots, have a topmost surface that is undercut below the elastomeric topmost surface. The (b) dots are undercut below the elastomeric topmost surface in a predetermined number and arrangement so that the (b) dots are still able to transfer ink to the receiver element. Each of the remainder of the plurality of dots in the sub-area, known as (a) dots, has a topmost surface that is essentially coincident with the elastomeric topmost surface. |
| US08408128B2 |
Method for operating a cleaning apparatus of a printing press and printing press for carrying out the method
A method for operating a cleaning apparatus, having a trough and a brush disposed in the trough, in a printing press, includes first, second and third steps. In the first step, a cylinder of the printing press is cleaned by the cleaning apparatus, with the brush bearing against the cylinder. In the second step, the brush is moved away from the cylinder, and a level of a liquid in the trough is changed, resulting in the liquid being brought into contact with the brush. In the third step, the brush is cleaned by the liquid in the trough. A printing press for carrying out the method is also provided. |
| US08408123B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling roller nip force
A device to provide a moment loading to one roller of a pair of nip rollers to counteract the bending moment created by a nip force between the rollers, the one roller being rotatably supported by a journal bearing at each end thereof, the device comprising a lever mechanism for imparting translational and torsional movement to the journal bearing with respect to a frame. |
| US08408120B2 |
Vertical rotisserie broiler
A generally vertically disposed rotisserie broiler. The broiler includes a metal housing with side walls, a floor, and an open end. One or more burners are disposed on opposite side walls of the housing. A generally vertically disposed spit is normally contained within the confines of the metal housing, but is movable towards the open end of the housing. The spit is rotated by a motor. The rotisserie broiler also includes an upper generally horizontal arm, and a lower generally horizontal arm, positioned adjacent an upper end and a lower end of the spit, respectively, for moving the spit transversely within the housing. |
| US08408116B2 |
Method of fitting a piston for use in an internal combustion engine
A piston assembly including a piston body having a crown and a skirt, the skirt including at least a major thrust face and a minor thrust face, wherein the piston body defines a bore between the major thrust face and the minor thrust face, and a wear coating applied to the major thrust face and the minor thrust face, the wear coating having a cured thickness of at least about 30 microns. |
| US08408113B2 |
Machine gun spent brass catch device
A catch device for collecting ejected cartridges and other spent brass from an automatic fire machine gun or the like mounted on a platform includes: (a) a frame portion including an open mouthed, rigid bag frame, and a latch assembly on the bag frame; and (b) a catch bag portion including a collection bag with a hollow interior, a zipper, or a bottom flap with hook and loop strip, closing a bottom slot of the collection bag, at least one attachment mechanism at the top of the collection bag, and at least one flexible cross member extending across the collection bag interior, the catch bag portion being attachable to the frame portion by the attachment mechanism. This simplified abstract is not intended to limit, and should not be interpreted as limiting, the scope of the claims. |
| US08408111B2 |
Adjustable punch assemblies and associated adjustment methods
A punch tool assembly includes an adjustment subassembly coupled to a canister sidewall of the assembly. The adjustment subassembly includes a punch head, which engages a punch holder, or body, of the punch tool, at a threaded interface, so that rotation of the punch head moves the punch body/holder along a central longitudinal axis of the punch tool assembly. The adjustment subassembly further includes a locking member, which is biased with respect to the punch head, in a first position, where the locking member is engaged with a locking feature of an engagement sidewall of the subassembly, to lock the punch head and prevent rotation thereof. The locking member may be released, to unlock the punch head, by applying a force to an externally accessible actuation interface of a release member of the subassembly, for example, to rotate the actuation interface about the central longitudinal axis. |
| US08408108B2 |
Systems and methods for slicing food products
Systems and methods are provided for cutting slices of food product from a larger portion of the food product, whereby the systems and methods can reduce down-time associated with some of the portions of the equipment during cleaning. Components of the system requiring more frequent cleaning can be readily disconnected from those components requiring less frequent cleaning. Further, substitute components can be connected to those components requiring less frequent cleaning to reduce their down-time while the other components are being cleaned. |
| US08408107B2 |
Power tool safety mechanisms
A sensing mechanism (12) for detecting user contact with an active portion (26) of the power tool (10) is provided. In addition, a safety mechanism (14) for preventing prolonged user contact with the active portion (26) of a power tool (10) is provided. The safety mechanism (14) is configured to actuate upon receipt of a signal from the sensing mechanism (12). According to a first aspect, the safety mechanism (14) is arranged to rapidly displace the active portion (26) away from a user extremity. Alternatively, according to a second aspect, the safety mechanism (14) is arranged to rapidly urge an extremity of the user away from the active portion (26) of the power tool (10). |
| US08408106B2 |
Method of operating power equipment with detection and reaction systems
Woodworking machines and safety methods for use with those machines are disclosed. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions and a reaction system associated with the detection system. The reaction system can include an explosive to trigger the system, and also can be configured to retract a cutting tool at least partially away from a cutting region upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system. |
| US08408105B2 |
Portable profiler for locomotive or railcar wheels
A portable apparatus for configuring a wheel associated with a track is provided. The apparatus is in a fixed position with respect to a rail associated with the track when in operation. The apparatus includes a tool configured to engage the wheel, a position system for positioning the cutting tool in at least two axis, and a computer control. The computer control is coupled to control the positioning system. The positioning system is controlled so that the wheel is configured in accordance with a profile. |
| US08408104B2 |
Screwdriver for exerting an adjustable maximum value of torque
A screwdriver includes a handle, a shaft, a torque-transmitting unit and a torque-adjusting unit. The shaft is partially inserted in the handle. The torque-transmitting unit is located in the handle and operable to transmit an adjustable maximum value of torque to the shaft from the handle. The torque-adjusting unit is partially located in the handle, connected to the torque-transmitting unit, and operable to adjust the adjustable maximum value of torque. |
| US08408103B2 |
Isolative torque-exerting apparatus
An isolative torque-exerting apparatus includes a wrench, a torque unit substantially located in the wrench, and an isolative unit provided on the wrench. The isolative unit includes a first isolative element for covering a portion of the wrench and a second isolative element for covering the remaining portion of the wrench. The first or second isolative element includes at least one cutout defined therein while the second or first isolative element includes a key located in the cutout. |
| US08408102B2 |
Wrench for engaging a workpiece having a plurality of flats
A wrench for engaging a workpiece comprises a pair of fixed jaws and a pair of movable jaws being movable relative to the pair of fixed jaws. The workpiece includes a plurality of flats which may be adjoined at a plurality of corners. The pairs of fixed and movable jaws may be configured to engage the workpiece in at least one of a flat engaging position and a corner engaging position. The flat engaging position comprises the pairs of fixed and movable jaws being engaged to one of the flats on each one of the opposing sides of the workpiece. The corner engaging position comprises the pairs of fixed and movable jaws being engaged to an adjacent pair of the flats on each one of the opposing sides of the workpiece. |
| US08408099B2 |
Tool with working heads and positioning unit
A tool includes a handle including a pivotal end, a holding end held by the user in use of the tool and a plurality of teeth formed on an outer periphery of the pivotal end. A first working head includes a pivotal end coupled to the pivotal end of the handle pivotally, a working end engaged with a work piece desired to be driven and an aperture between the pivotal end of the first working head and the working end. A positioning unit includes a positioning plate and an elastic element received in the aperture, with the positioning plate hooking the first working head and pressing the elastic element of the positioning unit respectively. A restricted portion protrudes from the positioning plate between two ends of the positioning plate toward the pivotal end of the handle. |
| US08408097B2 |
Screwing tool
The invention relates to a screwing tool that comprises a drive arranged in a housing and an output shaft connected to said drive, a screwdriver point being arranged at the front face of the output shaft. The aim of the invention is to provide a screwing tool with which different connecting elements, in particular actuating and clamping elements consisting of a screwable sleeve and an inner screw can be screwed with only a single screwing tool. In order to achieve this aim, the screwing tool comprises a receiving part (500) which surrounds the output shaft and is displaceably guided in the direction of the axis (202) of the output shaft (200) against the force of a return element (505). Furthermore, an annular screwing tool (400), which surrounds the output shaft (200) and the screwdriver point (201), is rotatably mounted on the receiving part (500) for detecting the drive contours (305) of the peripheral surface (304) of a connecting element (303), at least one shiftable clutch (600) being arranged between the rotatably mounted annular screwing tool (400) and the output shaft (200). |
| US08408096B2 |
Shaving/cutting device with directly deposited razor structures
A shaving/cutting device with directly deposited (formed) razor structures without the use of intermediate adhesives. The device is in the form of a substantially flat substrate with miniature razors that have been directly deposited and formed onto the surface of the substrate. The substrate is of a rigid or flexible nature. The substrate is substantially thin and is therefore flexible and its shape is rectangular, circular or oval in nature. The razors are substantially deposited in plurality as an array formation onto the surface of the substrate. In most cases the razor array formation is in the form of parallel, curved and concentric nature. Flat mesa structures that are substantially the same height as the razor structures are incorporated in the razor array formations. The methods of manufacturing one or more directly deposited razor structures and mesa structures is disclosed. |
| US08408091B2 |
Safety rotary operator assembly
A rotary operator assembly (1A) includes a grip member (4), a spindle member (6A), and an operator body member (8). The spindle member (6A) is attached to the operator body member (8), being rotatable with respect to the operator body member (8) about an operative axis of rotation (A). The grip member (4) is movably coupled to the spindle member (6A) and the operator body member (8) and is translatable between a first translational position and a second translational position with respect to the operator body member (8). The grip member (4) and the operator body member (8) include cooperating means for blocking rotation of the grip member (4) with respect to the operator body member (8) about the operative axis of rotation in the first position and for allowing rotation of the grip member (4) with respect to the operator body member (8) about the operative axis of rotation in the second position from a first angular position to a second angular position. The grip member (4) is configured to operably couple with the spindle member (6A) in at least the second translational position, and the grip member (4) comprises at least one portion cooperating with at least one portion of the spindle member (6A) for preventing translation of the grip member (4) between the first translational position and the second translational position in the first angular position. |
| US08408084B2 |
Dual clutch transmission device
In a dual clutch transmission with a main group and final shift group, with a coupling device for coupling a transmission element of the main group to a final shift group transmission element of the final shift group, the transmission comprises two transmission gears (V4L, V5L, V1 H, V2H) which can be formed simultaneously with one of the transmission gears (V4L, V5L) assignable to a lower group of the final shift group and another of the transmission gears (V1H, V2H) assignable to an upper group of the final shift group. |
| US08408078B2 |
Apparatus for removing samples from systems having flexible walls and for introducing fluids into the same
The invention discloses an apparatus for removing samples or introducing fluids from/into system(s) having flexible walls. A sampler/fluid dispenser (3) is fixed on the outside with a connecting area (4) of its base (5) on a sample removal region/fluid dispensing region (6) of the flexible wall (2) and, in its interior, has a severing element (8). At least the severing element (8) can be pushed forward in the direction of the sample removal region/fluid dispensing region (6) in order to remove the samples and in order to introduce fluids, in such a way that the wall (2) can be perforated within the sample removal region/fluid dispensing region (6). The system (1) comprises containers, bags or tubes for filling, mixing, transporting, storage of media, such as biological liquids, sera, buffers, ultra-pure water and can be used as biological reactors or cell culture vessels in the pharmaceutical and biotechnical industry. |
| US08408072B2 |
Coupling element for an ultrasonic flow measuring device
A coupling element for an ultrasonic, flow measuring device, wherein the coupling element has a pedestal with a bearing surface, on which bearing surface a piezoelement is applied. The pedestal is an integral component of the coupling element. |
| US08408071B1 |
Enhanced vortex-shedding flowmeter
A vortex-shedding flowmeter uses two flow obstacles to provide stable generation of vortices that are detected as they pass through an ultrasonic beam between two transducers. The deleterious effects of acoustic signals reflected from the obstacles are minimized both structurally and electronically. The shapes of the obstacles are selected to reflect incident acoustic signals away from the beam between the transducers. Ultrasonic signals are generated simultaneously by two phase-opposed transducers and are detected in a time-windowed fashion in which the time window excludes extraneous reflected signals that have a longer path length. |
| US08408069B2 |
Torsion spring test jig
A torsion spring test jig adapted to assist a torsion spring to show different elastic statuses includes a bottom holder, a sliding element slidably mounted on the bottom holder and a plurality of hinge pin assemblies. The bottom holder includes a first modulating fastener having a first groove and a second modulating fastener having a second groove perpendicularly positioned under the first modulating fastener. An intersection of the first and second groove forms a first locating perforation. The sliding element includes a third modulating fastener having a third groove and a fourth modulating fastener having a fourth groove perpendicularly positioned under the third modulating fastener. An intersection of the third and fourth grooves forms a second locating perforation. The torsion spring are fastened between the first and second perforations through the hinge pin assemblies. |
| US08408062B2 |
Stud scanner
A scanning device (36) is useful for scanning a body, especially a stud (10), from a bore (13) which extends through the body or stud (10) and is accessible from the outside. The scanning device (36) includes a probe (15) which is fastened on a cylindrical rod (14) and can be inserted into the bore (13) for scanning the body or stud (10), which probe, by displacing the rod (14) in its longitudinal direction is longitudinally displaceable in the bore (13), and by rotating the rod (14) around its cylinder axis (34) is rotatable around the bore axis. A compact and light construction, and flexible applicability, are achieved by a compact, controllable drive unit (20), through which the rod (14) extends and which longitudinally displaces and/or rotates the rod (14) depending upon selection, for displacing and rotating the rod (14). |
| US08408057B2 |
Measuring arrangement and measuring process for fluid pressure cylinders
A measuring arrangement for measuring the movement of a piston within a housing of a fluid cylinder includes a voltage generating arrangement for generating a reference voltage which is coupled to two locations of the cylinder which are spaced from each other in the direction of movement of the piston within the housing, these two locations being separately coupled to a piston movement evaluation arrangement which is also separately coupled to one or more further locations of the cylinder to which the two locations are electrically coupled so as to receive varying measurement voltage(s) as the two locations move relative to the further location(s). The evaluation arrangement uses the measurement voltage(s) to determine the piston movement. |
| US08408056B2 |
EGR ratio measuring device
An EGR ratio measuring device comprises a pair of nondispersive infrared gas analyzers that correct a water influence and measure a concentration of CO2 in a gas containing water, an intake air introduction line that is connected to an intake air pipe of an internal combustion engine and introduces a part of the intake air into one nondispersive infrared gas analyzer without removing the water, an exhaust gas introduction line that is connected to an exhaust gas pipe of the internal combustion engine and introduces a part of the exhaust gas into the other nondispersive infrared gas analyzer without removing the water, and a temperature adjusting mechanism that keeps a temperature of whole of the introduction lines and a temperature of the nondispersive infrared gas analyzers so as not to condense dew. |
| US08408052B2 |
Equipment for concentrating and analyzing components contained in a flowing medium and analyzing method
The invention relates to equipment for concentrating and analyzing components contained in a flowing medium, and an analyzing method applying said equipment. The analyzing equipment comprises a concentrator, including a porous sorbent bed, in which components can be absorbed or adsorbed from the medium flow, said bed being electroconductive, so that components can be desorbed to a washing flow by heating the bed with electric current; and to an analyzer defining the desorbed components, said analyzer being for instance a gas detector. According to the invention, the sorbent bed is in the flowing direction widened towards its outlet end, having for example the shape of a truncated cone. By means of the invention, the temperature in the sorbent bed is equalized by transferring heat in the washing flow towards the bed outlet end, which end receives a weaker heating effect per unit of volume, owing to the widening shape of the bed. |
| US08408048B2 |
Soft water monitoring apparatus
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for monitoring the soft water conducted in a main flow, which includes a hardness measuring cell, a first secondary flow line branching off from the main flow and leading to the hardness measuring cell, and a second secondary flow line leading away from the hardness measuring cell and feeding into the main flow, wherein the two secondary flow lines and the hardness measuring cell are connected to a multiway valve. |
| US08408046B2 |
System and method for in line in situ validation of exhaust filters
A system for in line in situ validation of an air filter of an exhaust filter system including a scan head, a means for facilitating movement of said scan head in the XY plane, a means for externally controlling the movement of the scan head from outside the plenum of the exhaust filter system in the XY plane, and a means for coupling the scan head to the means for externally controlling the movement of the scan head, is provided. The system can also include a scanning arm, inside and outside magnetic couples, and rolling means to facilitate movement of the inside and outside magnetic couples. A method for in line in situ validation of an air filter in an exhaust filter system is also described, which involves the use of the system for in line in situ validation of air filters of an exhaust filter system. |
| US08408044B2 |
Automated systems and methods for detection of chemical compounds
Automated systems and methods for processing liquid test samples are generally provided. Automated systems generally include a gas and liquid separator configured for removing at least one volatile component from the test sample, a first trapping vessel in fluid communication with the gas and liquid separator, wherein the first trapping vessel contains a trapping material capable of adsorbing at least one of the at least one volatile component to provide at least one adsorbed component, and a heat source configured to heat the trapping material to a temperature sufficient to release at least one of the at least one adsorbed component from the trapping material to provide at least one released component. |
| US08408043B2 |
Method and device for measuring the amount of a gas in a sealed liquid container
A method for measuring an amount of a determined gas, particularly oxygen, in a sealed container of a liquid, such as a carbonated beverage, in which a gas mixture is dissolved, involves piercing the sealed container, releasing the gas mixture contained in the pierced container, measuring an amount of the determined gas in the released gas mixture, determining, based on the measuring, an initial amount of the determined gas in the sealed container, and injecting an anti-foam agent into the pierced container before and/or during the gas releasing step. |
| US08408039B2 |
Microforming method and apparatus
Method of forming depressions (e.g. dimples) in a sheet material to form a textured surface thereon involves pressing one or more tool tips into a metallic or non-metallic sheet material while the sheet material is supported by a support layer that is relatively softer (e.g. having a lower Young's modulus) than the sheet material so as to allow plastic deformation and reduce pile-up of raised displaced material of the sheet material at the edges of the depressions. |
| US08408035B2 |
Method of and apparatus for hot rolling a thin silicon-steel workpiece into sheet steel
The invention relates to a method and a system for the production of hot-rolled strip silicon-alloy steel for further processing into grain-oriented sheets, such as electrical sheets, wherein a cast product, in this case a thin slab, for example, with a maximum thickness of 120 mm, is subjected to thermal pretreatment and to a subsequent rolling process on a hot-rolling line to set a desired recrystallization state. The invention proposes an intake temperature (Tin) of the cast product (2) into the hot-rolling line (9a or 9b) of at least 1200° C., and preferably in excess of 1250° C., which should be controlled during pretreatment by adding at least one preheating stage (3) and one intensive heating stage (6) to ensure the final rolling temperature (TFR). |
| US08408034B2 |
Hot bulge forming die apparatus
A hot bulge forming die apparatus forms a preheated tubular material 10a into a tubular material 10d. The hot bulge forming die apparatus includes a lower die 21B having a cavity surface 211B and an upper die 31B having a cavity surface 311B. An elongated hole 215 is formed in a circumferential edge portion 215 of the lower die 21B so as to extend outwards, and a projection 315 is formed on a circumferential edge portion 314 of the upper die 31B so as to fit in the elongated hole 215. When the dies are clamped together, the projection 315 formed on the circumferential edge portion 314 of the upper die 31B fits in the elongated hole 215 formed in the circumferential edge portion 214 of the lower die 21B. |
| US08408033B2 |
Autofrettage process and autofrettage apparatus
In the autofrettage process, a thick-walled workpiece (2) to undergo autofrettage is positioned in an autofrettage apparatus (1). The interior space (5) of the workpiece (2) is filled with a fluid and closed so as to be pressure-tight. The volume available to the fluid in the interior space (5) of the workpiece (2) is reduced by a displacement piston (19) which is moved into the interior space (5) of the workpiece (2) through a displacement piston opening (6) of the workpiece (2). The pressure is therefore generated in the interior space (5) of the workpiece (2). |
| US08408029B2 |
Method for thermally conditioning molten glass
An oblong conduit (13) for conditioning molten glass is disclosed. The wall (23) of the conduit is composed of a precious metal, e.g., a platinum-rhodium alloy, and can be equipped with precious metal tabs (29) for supporting the upper surface (25) of the wall so as to reduce sag of that surface at such times as the conduit is at an elevated temperature and is not filled with glass. The precious metal tabs (29) can be received in channels (31) formed in a refractory support structure (27). The refractory support structure (27) can be a laminate of two layers (33,35), where one of the layers (33) has a smaller grain structure than the other layer (35), the layers being held together by an adhesive (37). |
| US08408025B2 |
Raw material recovery method and trapping mechanism for recovering raw material
A raw material recovery method for recovering a raw material of an organic metallic compound, which has the property of being stable toward a specific refrigerant without being decomposed thereby, from exhaust gas discharged from a treatment container in which a metallic thin film is formed on the surface of an object to be treated by using source gas obtained by vaporizing the raw material is characterized by being provided with a solidification step for solidifying the unreacted source gas by cooling the exhaust gas by bringing the exhaust gas into contact with the refrigerant and reprecipitating the raw material, and a recovery step for separating and recovering the raw material reprecipitated in the solidification step from the refrigerant. To provide a method for controlling an exhaust gas flow rate so that flow of gas in a processing chamber becomes uniform. |
| US08408023B2 |
Refrigerator and ice maker
The present invention relates to a refrigerator and an ice maker thereof, and more particularly, to an ice maker provided in a refrigerating chamber of a refrigerator. An ice maker according to the present invention comprises a tray for storing a drinkable water to be used for making ice, an ejector for separating ice formed in the tray, an ice-making pipe provided in the tray, and a heating member provided in the tray. According to a refrigerator and an ice maker thereof according to the present invention, there is no need for forming an additional duct to supply cold air to the ice maker in order to make ice, whereby it is possible to simplify a manufacturing process of a refrigerator and to reduce manufacturing costs of a refrigerator. |
| US08408022B2 |
Hybrid cascade vapor compression refrigeration system
An exemplary system includes a first heat exchanger immediately after the compressor that provides direct, conduction-based cooling with condensate recovered from the evaporator. A second heat exchanger cools the forced air that passes over the condenser by evaporating recovered condensate, rainwater, and/or city water into the air as it passes through a breathable water-retaining medium. Finally, a third heat exchanger is described that utilizes recovered condensate, rainwater, and/or city water within an insulated enclosure to obtain additional cooling before the condensed refrigerant enters the expansion valve. Various alternative embodiments are described that include variations of each of these heat exchangers. Additionally, several alternative placements of the heat exchangers are disclosed. |
| US08408009B2 |
Cooling air bleed device in a turbine engine
Air bleed device for cooling components in a turbine engine, including an annular conduit (18) having a radially internal portion swept by an airflow (22) and which comprises at least one air inlet orifice (20) formed in an upstream radial wall (38) of the conduit (18), a flap valve (40) for controlling the airflow entering through the orifice (20) and of which the flapper (41) includes a plate (42) applied against the wall (38) and capable of being moved by sliding on said wall (38) by a maneuvering member (50) mobile in translation parallel to the wall (38) between a position in which the plate (42) closes off the orifice (20) and a position in which the plate (42) opens said orifice. |
| US08408006B2 |
Power plant with CO2 capture
A method is provided for operating a combined cycle power plant including a CO2 capture system and flue gas recirculation system. The method includes controlling a flue gas recirculation rate and a re-cooling temperature of the recirculated flue gases, depending on load, to optimize the overall plant efficiency including the CO2 capture system. Also provided is a combined cycle power plant including a CO2 capture system and flue gas recirculation system. The plant being configured to carry out a method in which a flue gas recirculation rate and a re-cooling temperature of recirculated flue gases is controlled depending on load to optimize the overall plant efficiency including the CO2 capture system. |
| US08408002B2 |
Gas turbine combustor
A gas turbine combustor includes a pilot burner, a plurality of main burners disposed around the main burners on the radially outer side. Each of the main burners (2) includes an extension tube disposed at the downstream end. The outlet of the extension tube is shaped to have a radial edge which is parallel to the radial direction. In this manner, occurrence of flashback is effectively prevented. |
| US08408000B2 |
Pendular engine
Pendular and differential periodic heat engines with theoretical efficiencies of ONE, and industrial efficiencies close to ONE, exclusively subordinate to the physical constraints inherent in any material device under ordinary conditions of use, operating with recirculation of the gases in closed loops between a thermodynamic pendulum (2/2, 2/4) made up of a chamber (1/2, 1/4) fitted with a piston (2/2, 2/4) connected to a free flywheel (3/2), and a regulated supply of heat (10/4, 10/4, etc.) positioned some distance away from the chamber of the thermodynamic pendulum (FIG. 2), with extension to turbine engines (FIG. 5) thanks to phase changes. |
| US08407999B2 |
Efficiency turbocharged engine system with bottoming cycle, and method of operation
A turbocharged engine system is configured to vaporize methanol using heat from exhaust gases and uses the vaporized methanol to drive the engine's turbocharger. The methanol may also be dissociated into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. After passing through the turbocharger, the vapor is injected into the engine by port injection. By selective timing of exhaust valves, the exhaust gases are separated into two streams, a first stream comprising gases ejected during exhaust blowdown, and a second stream of gases ejected during the remainder of the engine's exhaust stroke. The blowdown gases are employed to drive a separate turbine of the turbocharger. |
| US08407998B2 |
Waste heat recovery system with constant power output
A waste heat recovery system for use with an engine. The waste heat recovery system receives heat input from both an exhaust gas recovery system and exhaust gas streams. The system includes a first loop and a second loop. The first loop is configured to receive heat from both the exhaust gas recovery system and the exhaust system as necessary. The second loop receives heat from the first loop and the exhaust gas recovery system. The second loop converts the heat energy into electrical energy through the use of a turbine. |
| US08407997B2 |
Multistep turbocharger arrangement
The invention relates to a multistep turbocharger arrangement (1) for an internal combustion engine with a high-pressure step (2), with a low-pressure step (3) which can be brought into operative connection to the high-pressure step (2) over a fluid passage system (4) which can be opened and closed, and with a control unit (5) for controlling the operative connection between the high-pressure step (2) and the low-pressure step (3), wherein the control unit (5) and the fluid passage system (4) are integrated in an engine exhaust manifold (6) which is disposed between the high-pressure step (2) and the low-pressure step (3). |
| US08407995B2 |
Vehicle provided with torque damper
A torque shock or vibrations caused by the rotary inertia of a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission is reduced to improve ride quality of a vehicle when excessive torque occurs in a torque transmission path between a crankshaft and a drive wheel. A motorcycle includes a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission rotatably driven by torque of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. A rear wheel is rotatably driven by torque from the transmission. A torque damper absorbs excessive torque occurring in a torque transmission path from the crankshaft to the rear wheel. The torque dampers include an input side torque damper disposed in an input side torque transmission path between the crank shaft and the transmission and an output side torque damper disposed in an output side torque transmission path between the transmission and the rear wheel. |
| US08407993B2 |
Method for controlling a hydraulic cylinder in a work machine
A method is provided for controlling a hydraulic cylinder in a work machine, which hydraulic cylinder is arranged to move an implement in relation to a part of a vehicle, with the hydraulic cylinder being controlled by a hydraulic machine. The method includes the steps of detecting initiation of a movement of the implement that is such that the piston of the hydraulic cylinder is moved in a first direction, of driving the hydraulic machine in a first rotational direction, prior to the movement of the implement taking place, so that a line from the hydraulic machine is pressurized, which line is arranged to connect the hydraulic machine to the side of the cylinder toward which the piston will be moved during the movement of the implement. |
| US08407992B2 |
Ammonia tank of an exhaust gas treatment system of a vehicle
The invention relates to an ammonia tank of an exhaust gas treatment system of a vehicle, having a tank wall. The invention provides that the tank wall is surrounded by a reagent reacting with regard to ammonia. |
| US08407986B2 |
Method for operating a lambda sensor during the heating phase
In a method for operating a lambda sensor disposed in an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine,—the heating element is subjected to a predefined heating power substantially with the start of the engine;—during the heating process, the sensor signal is detected and compared to a threshold value specified for a lean and/or rich fuel/air mixture ratio, wherein the threshold value correlates with a sensor temperature, which is below the water ingestion critical temperature, and to a valid lambda signal,—when one of the specified threshold values is reached for the first time, a measured variable correlating with the sensor temperature is determined and the lambda signal is set as valid and forwarded, and—the determined measured variable correlating with the sensor temperature is transferred to a closed heating element control loop as a target value that corresponds to a target temperature. |
| US08407983B2 |
Abnormality diagnosis device of internal combustion engine
A deviation amount of a downstream air-fuel ratio sensed with a downstream air-fuel ratio sensor, which senses an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas downstream of a catalyst, from a target air-fuel ratio is integrated during a period in which the downstream air-fuel ratio continuously shows deviations from the target air-fuel ratio while main feedback control and sub feedback control are performed based on outputs of an upstream air-fuel ratio sensor and the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor respectively. The thus-calculated continuous deviation amount of the downstream air-fuel ratio (deterioration degree of exhaust gas purification rate) is compared with an abnormality determination value to determine existence/nonexistence of an abnormal state where the exhaust gas purification rate is deteriorated by an air-fuel ratio variation among cylinders (i.e., state where control center of main feedback control has shifted). |
| US08407976B2 |
Grass catcher mounting device for reel mower cutting unit
A grass catcher mounting device is provided for a reel mower cutting unit, including a pair of outwardly extending pivot rods on the left and right sides of the grass catcher, and a pair of slots in the side panels of the reel mower cutting unit receiving the pivot rods such that the grass catcher can pitch with respect to the reel mower cutting unit. The mounting device also includes a forwardly extending center support on which the grass catcher rests and which supports most of the weight of the grass catcher. The center support allows the grass catcher to pitch, roll and steer or yaw. |
| US08407972B2 |
Apparatus and method for sealing a container
A container sealing apparatus 10 comprises an electrically conductive linearly displaceable cutting member 14 operable to cut a portion 18 of sealing material from a web 16 and an independently linearly displaceable transfer member 42 comprising an electrically insulating material and extendible relative to the cutting member 14 to transfer the cut portion 18 of sealing material to an open top of a container 12 to be sealed. An induction coil 52 produces an induction field 54 for heating the cut portion 18 of sealing material, either directly or indirectly, by induction heating to seal the cut portion 18 of sealing material to the open top of the container 12. The linearly displaceable transfer member 42 holds the cut portion 18 of sealing material against the open top of the container 12 during induction heating. A field concentrator 56 is provided to concentrate the induction field 54 in a desired region away from the linearly displaceable electrically conductive cutting member 14 and other electrically conductive component parts of the apparatus 10 to optimize the induction heating of the cut portion 18 of sealing material. |
| US08407965B2 |
System and method for construction wall panels
A multi-layer wood panel comprises a core segment, made up of a plurality of layers, and two external finishing layers. Each layer is comprised of several boards, joined at the edges with interlocking fingers or tongues and grooves. The layers of the core segment are joined using wood pegs at specified intervals, with the pegs penetrating all the board layers of the core segment at an angle other than perpendicular to the layers. The core segment and the external finishing layers of the panel are joined using key and groove mortise connections, where the key shape corresponds to the shape of the mortise grooves made in the outer surfaces of the boards of the core segment and in the inner surfaces of the outer finishing layer, which are oriented perpendicular or parallel to the direction of the board fibers. |
| US08407963B2 |
Floor covering
Disclosed is a floor covering consisting of a plurality of panel elements (1) that can be laid in combination with each other. On the front sides (2, 3) and longitudinal sides (4, 5), the panel elements (1) have locking strips (6, 7) that engage with each other in the assembled position in a covering in which panel elements (1) adjoin each other. The front sides (2, 3) of the panel elements (1) have grooves (19, 20). The grooves (19, 20) of two abutting front sides (2, 3) are aligned and form a locking channel (21) for accommodating a front spring (22) that is pre-assembled in one of the grooves (20). The front spring (22) projects from an end of the groove (20) that faces the longitudinal side (5) of the panel element (1) and can be moved in part from one groove (20) into the corresponding groove (19) of the adjoining panel element (1) by sliding the projecting end (24) of the front spring (22) into the groove (20). The groove (20) that accommodates the front spring (22) has at least one recess (45) within which a stop surface (25) is formed and into which a cam (43) of the front spring (22) engages. The front spring (22) has a wavy shape. The wavy sides of the front spring (22) face a decorative side and a bottom side of the panel elements (1). The orientation of the troughs (27) and crests (26) of the wavy zones (28, 29) should correspond to the direction of travel (V) of the front spring (22) when the front spring (22) is slid into the recess (45) and the cam (43) rests thereagainst. |
| US08407961B2 |
Connecting device for a frame structure
A connecting device for a frame structure made of support profiles and crossbars for the arrangement of solar panels, as well as a frame structure with a connecting device, is disclosed. The connecting device has a base element, a receptacle element, and a locking device by which the receptacle element can be fixed relative to the base element on the base element. The base element has a fastening section as well as a support section with a support side facing the receptacle element. The receptacle element has a receptacle for a crossbar of the frame structure as well as an application section with an application side facing the base element. The locking device has a clamping device as well as a bearing device. An application area and at least one depression area are provided between the clamping device and the bearing device. |
| US08407953B2 |
Window framing system
Pieces that are components of a frame for a window having a threat side and a safe side include a base and a pressure plate that together form part of one of a sill section, a head section, and a jamb section of the window. The base and pressure plate are elongated in a longitudinal direction. The base has (1) an L-shaped cross-section at a near portion of the base to receive an end of a glazing unit from the threat side of the window, and (2) a first pocket formed in a far portion of the base and running in said longitudinal direction. The rear portion is closer to the threat side than the far portion. The pressure plate is to be assembled with the base so as to secure the glazing unit in the corner. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08407947B2 |
Adjustable connector for securing a roof to a structure
A connector for securing a horizontally extending member of a sloped roof at a selected angle relative to an upright member of the sloped roof includes a first portion adapted for secure engagement with the upright member and a second portion adapted for secure engagement with the horizontally extending member. An angular measurement section extending from the first portion and having multiple visible features thereon is usable to secure the connector to the upright member at a selected angle by aligning a selected visible feature with a portion of the upright member. Each visible feature corresponds to a selected angular relationship, such that a desired angle between the horizontally extending member and the upright member can be provided through selective alignment of a corresponding visible feature of the connector with the upright member. |
| US08407946B1 |
Closet liner
A self-supporting, folding closet liner assembly for a closet that is both functional and decorative. The assembly is made up of two sets of hinged folding panel assemblies; a wall panel assembly to form the self-supporting, finished, vertical surfaces of the closet and door jamb, and a top panel assembly to form the ceiling, the horizontal upper portion of the door jamb, and the section of vertical wall between the ceiling and the horizontal upper portion of the door jamb. The folding closet liner assembles fold flat for shipping and unfold in the closet for easy assembly. |
| US08407943B2 |
Bleacher seating system
A bleacher seating system provides a compact, automatically extending and retracting set of seating rows, where each seating row can be set at two or more different heights or slopes to provide different sightlines for spectators of different events. The bleacher seating system may be extended, retracted, raised, and lowered by a single operator, and may be retracted into a compact storage configuration, such as a configuration that is only about two seating rows in depth. The seating rows are independently raised and lowered by lift mechanisms, which include lock mechanisms to stabilize and lock each seating row at the different preselected heights. Optionally, a controller is provided for coordinating the powered extension, retraction, raising, lowering, and locking sequences of the seating system. |
| US08407941B2 |
Driving device for driving two door panels to synchronously move
A driving device for driving two door panels to synchronously move has a rail rod, an endless cord and multiple clamping assemblies. The endless cord is parallel to the rail rod and is mounted at a position at inner sides of the door panels. The clamping assemblies are securely connected to the cord, are moveable relative to the rail rod and clamp the door panels. Each clamping assembly has a front clamping panel and a rear clamping panel. The front clamping panel is mounted on an outer side of a corresponding one of the door panels. The rear clamping panel is mounted on the inner side of the corresponding door panel and is connected securely to the front clamping panel and the cord. Accordingly, the conjunction positions between clamping assemblies and a cord are hidden by the inner sides of the door panels. |
| US08407940B2 |
Vehicle door driving apparatus
A vehicle door driving apparatus includes a driving mechanism fixed to a vehicle door and including a motor and a drum rotationally driven by the motor. A rope member is wound around the drum and linked to the vehicle body, and rotation of the drum is transmitted to the vehicle body by the rope member to open and close the vehicle door. The driving mechanism includes: a first small-diameter gear linked to the rotary axis of the motor to rotate together with the rotary shaft of the motor; a transmission gear rotatable around the axis extending in the vehicle width direction; a sun gear rotatable around such axis; a ring gear disposed on the same axis as the sun gear; and a carrier having a planet gear engaging the sun gear and the ring gear, and linked to the drum so that the carrier rotates together with the drum. |
| US08407933B2 |
Above-ground termite station
In an above-ground termite station for detecting and controlling termites above ground in an operating configuration of the termite station, a container of the termite station defines an interior space and is at least in part configured for abutting against and being mounted on an above-ground mounting surface. The container is configurable between a closed configuration and an open configuration in which the interior space of the container is accessible while the container is mounted on the mounting surface. A cartridge is sized and configured for insertion in and removal from the interior space of the container and is generally an aggregation member, a bait matrix separate from the aggregation member, and a holder at least in part holding the aggregation member and bait matrix in assembly with the holder for positioning of the cartridge relative to the interior space of the container as a single unit. |
| US08407931B1 |
Trapping method and apparatus
Snake trap primarily designed to capture relatively long and heavy snakes such as the Burmese Python. The trap is specifically configured to avoid inadvertently capturing non-targeted animals by using at least two weight/pressure-sensing plates. Each pressure plate has an independent release mechanism so that both pressure plates must be in a depressed position to spring the trap. |
| US08407929B2 |
Surf fishing rig
An apparatus provides a fishing rig designed for improved performance in bottom fishing applications such as surf fishing. This fishing rig includes a hoop attached to the top of a sinker. The rig line is attached at its bottom end to the hoop, and a hook-shaped member is attached to the rig line above the hoop. Above the hook-shaped member, one or more fish hooks are attached to the rig line, and a swivel is attached at the top end of the rig line. |
| US08407924B2 |
Device for multi-correcting the trajectory
Disclosed is an apparatus for multi-correcting a trajectory, the apparatus comprising a trajectory correcting unit in which a polygonal cam comprising a plurality of surfaces different in distance from a rotary center is rotatably installed between a dot sight or an optical signal and a firearm to adjust an angle between an optical axis of the dot sight or optical sight and a gun barrel axis of the firearm, wherein the trajectory correcting unit is installed to be movable in an axis direction, and coaxially provided with two or more polygonal cams to respectively set trajectory correcting angles corresponding to distances in accordance with calibers of a bullet and the kinds of bullet. With this, one dot sight or optical sight can be mounted to firearms using bullets different in the trajectory or firearms different in a caliber from one another, thereby enhancing equipment use efficiency. |
| US08407921B2 |
Backlit logo device
A backlit logo device includes an elongated light guiding member and two sources. The two light sources are arranged at opposite ends of the light guiding member. The light guiding member includes a display surface. The display surface includes a transparent logo so light from the light sources passes through the logo. The light guiding member further includes a light reflecting surface opposite to the display surface. The light reflecting surface includes a plurality of light diffusing portions formed in a middle portion of light reflecting surface. The light diffusing portions are configured to diffusely reflect the light from the light sources to the display surface. |
| US08407915B2 |
Tray assemblies and methods for manufacturing ceramic articles
Tray assemblies and methods for manufacturing ceramic articles are provided. In one embodiment, a tray assembly includes a tray body having a supporting surface operable to support a ceramic article for passage through a microwave drying apparatus during a microwave drying process and a microwave coupling cover associated with the tray body. The microwave coupling cover envelopes at least a portion of the ceramic article during the microwave drying process. The microwave coupling cover has a dielectric property such that a greater percentage of microwave energy is coupled into the ceramic article with the microwave coupling cover present during the microwave drying process than with the microwave coupling cover not present. Methods may include rotating the ceramic article when the ceramic article is about 40%-60 dry. |
| US08407911B2 |
Process and system for drying and heat treating materials
This invention discloses systems and methods for conversion of high moisture waste materials to dry or low moisture products for recycle or reuse. The equipment systems comprise a gas turbine generator unit (preferred heat source), a dryer vessel and a processing unit, wherein the connection between the gas turbine and the dryer vessel directs substantially all the gas turbine exhaust into the dryer vessel and substantially precludes the introduction of air into the dryer vessel and wherein the processing unit forms the dried material from the dryer vessel into granules, pellets or other desired form for the final product. Optionally, the systems and methods further provide for processing ventilation air from manufacturing facilities to reduce emissions therefrom. |
| US08407910B2 |
Rowing-boat gauges
A gauge (1) for rig-related measurements of a rowing boat involves a graduated slider (2) which is slidable longitudinally within a tube (3) that is parallel-mounted via pivoted links (6) on a bar (4). A head (9) of the slider (2) carries a laser (10) and is used with the bar (4) located in a seat-runner 21 to sight its beam B on the swivel-pin (24) or the face-of-work (27) of an oarlock (23). A reading of the slider-graduations is made and then again after the slider (2) has been extended with the head (9) turned down to bring the beam (B) onto the heel (25) of a rowing shoe (26) fixed in the boat. Difference between the readings gives the work-to-heel distance. Measurement of the distance-through-the-work is made from the swivel-pin (24) or face-of-work (27), to either the front end of the runners (21) or the front of the seat (22) when pushed fully forward. In an alternative gauge, the sighting device is a gun-sight mounted on a graduated slider (32) which slides on a mounting plate (37) that has feet (38) for engagement in a seat-runner (21) of the boat. |
| US08407908B2 |
Profile measurement apparatus
A profile measurement apparatus includes: a probe which includes a gauge head for measuring a profile of an object to be measured and which moves the gauge head within a given range; a movement mechanism which moves the probe; and a controller which measures the profile by controlling the movement mechanism to contact the gauge head against the object. The controller comprises: a movement amount acquisition section which acquires a movement amount of the gauge head from a reference position; a deviation acquisition section which acquires as a deviation the movement amount when the gauge head is in a non-contact state; a determination section which determines whether the deviation is greater than a first threshold value; and a resetting section which, when the deviation is greater than the first threshold value, resets the reference position to a position arrived at by combining the reference position and the deviation. |
| US08407897B2 |
Method of manufacturing a vibration isolator
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a vibration isolator (10), wherein in a sealing step in which a liquid mixture is sealed inside the interior of a first mounting component (11) in a vibration isolator main body (21), after the internal pressure inside the first mounting component (11) has been changed to a negative pressure which is equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of a first liquid (L1) which has the lower vapor pressure from among the first liquid (L1) and a second liquid (L2), the first liquid (L1) is injected into the interior of the first mounting component (11) so as to raise the internal pressure thereof, and, thereafter, the second liquid (L2) is injected into the interior of the first mounting component (11). According to the present invention, when a liquid mixture which contains a plurality of types of liquid which each have mutually different vapor pressures is sealed inside the first mounting component, it is possible to accurately and with superior reproducibility seal desired quantities of each of the plurality of types of liquid and at the same time prevent air from being retained inside the first mounting component (11). |
| US08407893B2 |
Method of repairing a gas turbine engine combustor
A method of repairing an annular sheet metal combustor liner of a gas turbine engine includes cutting circumferentially around combustor liner bands bounding an effusion patch extending circumferentially around the liner, the effusion patch having effusion cooling holes and being bounded on either side by at least one effusionless band free from effusion cooling holes, to thereby remove a portion of the combustor liner having the effusion patch. A replacement liner portion including an effusion patch is provided and welded to the liner assembly, the weld extending circumferentially around the cut band to provide a welded effusionless band. The welded effusionless bands is cooled during engine use using one of film cooling of an inner surface of the welded effusionless band and impingement cooling of an outer surface of the welded effusionless band. |
| US08407891B2 |
Method for providing a controlled spark plug orientation in an engine structure
A spark plug orientation method may include forming a spark plug housing by advancing a tool a first distance in a first axial direction into a spark plug bore to create a spark plug seat using a seat forming portion of the tool. The tool may be displaced a second distance in a second axial direction generally opposite the first axial direction to provide a predetermined axial orientation between the thread forming portion of the tool and the spark plug seat. The spark plug bore may be engaged at a first predetermined rotational position and the tool may be displaced in an orbital motion and in the second axial direction at a predetermined rate to form a threading on the spark plug bore providing a starting point of the threading at a second predetermined rotational position proximate the spark plug seat. |
| US08407889B2 |
Component mounting condition determination method
A component mounting condition determination method is used in a component mounter of mounting components onto a board using a mounting head having plural suction nozzles, and includes: a maximum suction component number determination step (Loop A, S11 to S16) of determining the maximum number of components to be suctioned by the mounting head so as to be greater than an upper limit of a suction power within which the suction nozzles do not drop components even when the mounting head moves at a predetermined speed; and a task determination step (S18 to S20) of determining a task which is a group of components to be mounted in one iteration of a series of operations that includes suctioning, transporting, and mounting components by the mounting head, based on the determined maximum number of components. |
| US08407882B2 |
Method for manufacturing thin film magnetic heads
According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a thin film magnetic head includes forming on a substrate magnetic head portions having a magnetoresistive element and resistance detection elements for measuring an amount of polishing; slicing the substrate to form at least one row bar; polishing the ABS of each row bar; forming rails on the polished ABS; and cutting each row bar to separate each magnetic head portion. The step of polishing the ABS includes measuring a resistance of each resistance detection element and a resistance of each magnetoresistive element; calculating an offset value between the resistance detection element and the magnetoresistive element; and calculating a final resistance of the resistance detection element by using the calculated offset value. When the resistance of the resistance detection element reaches the final resistance, polishing of the ABS of the row bar is terminated. Other methods are presented as well. |
| US08407881B2 |
Process of manufacturing a stator
An object of the present invention is to provide a small, high-power rotating electrical machine by suitably forming a distributed winding coil such that two stator magnetic poles each formed of in-phase coil turns are arranged within an electric angle of 360 degrees formed by magnetic poles of the rotor. The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a stator, the method including a first step of placing a distributed winding coil 207 composed of a wire wound around a reel 210, as a whole, inside a stator core 202, and a second step of moving an insertion blade 213 so as to spread the distributed winding coil 207 in the radial direction of the stator core 202, thus inserting the distributed winding coil 207 into a stator core slot 206. |
| US08407877B2 |
Device and method for blow molding plastic containers
A device for blow molding plastic containers includes an openable and closable blow mold for the conversion of tempered plastic preforms, whereby an inner blow pressure is applied to the plastic containers. The blow mold contains at least two shell like blow mold pieces that are arranged interchangeably at a blow mold carrier and that each contains cooling fluid pipes as conducts for a cooling fluid extending therein to temper the blow mold during and/or after blow molding of the plastic containers. The cooling fluid pipes in the blow mold are connected to a central cooling fluid supply. A coupling module that is associated with the blow mold carrier is arranged between the central cooling fluid supply and the cooling fluid pipes extending in the blow mold pieces. The coupling module and the blow mold carrier are associated spatially and/or structurally. |
| US08407874B2 |
Pulling pliers method and apparatus
Pulling pliers are provided. The pulling pliers include a pair of pliers having a set of jaws; and an attaching point connected to a jaw of the pliers for attaching a slide hammer mechanism. A method for pulling using pulling pliers is provided. The method includes gripping an object with the pliers; locking the pliers in a gripping position; and actuating a slide hammer attached to the pliers. |
| US08407873B2 |
System for loading collars onto bolts in large-scale manufacturing operations
The system includes a collar feed assembly which includes a channel within a step assembly at the end thereof, which defines a receiving cavity for the collar. The receiving cavity is configured so that the collar can move slightly therein, permitting a die portion of a die tool to engage a center opening of the collar, so that the collar can come into accurate alignment with the center axis of the die tool. The die tool is mounted to be movable slightly transversely to permit a reliable transfer of the collar onto the bolt. The collar is more compliant than the die tool during loading of the collar onto the die pin and the die tool is more compliant than the collar during transfer of the collar from the die pin onto the bolt. |
| US08407869B2 |
Carpet having a raschel fabric on the back face
A carpet is having a raschel fabric to the back face. The raschel fabric consists of wefts which are inlay-yarns and warps which are chain-stitched yarns. The warp consists of chain-stitched ground yarns 3a, 3b, and a pile yarn 4 which forms standing loop piles on specified courses and which is chain-stitched with the ground yarns except said specified courses. The pile yarn consists of two mono-filaments 5, 5. The two mono-filaments 5, 5 are twisted at least one time per the length of each loop pile. Cut piles are formed by mechanically cutting the each loop pile near the top thereof. The two mono-filaments in the cut pile are disjoining each other and standing with inclination at random direction on the raschel fabric. When the carpet is placed on the surface of a mat, each mono-filament which is formed on the back face of the carpet, bites into the surface of the mat. Therefore, it is prevented that the carpet is displaced. |
| US08407868B2 |
Manufacturing method for eyelet and structure thereof
The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing an eyelet for a tarpaulin, the eyelet having upper and lower eyelet bodies each provided with a plurality of fixing protrusions formed in a shape of concentric circles on one surface thereof in such a manner that the plurality of fixing protrusions formed on the upper eyelet body confront to the plurality of fixing protrusions formed on the lower eyelet body, the method comprising the following steps of: a step of positioning the upper and lower eyelet bodies by using a conveying means in such a manner as to place the tarpaulin there between; a step of punching a given position on the tarpaulin fabric by means of a punching machine with an integrally-formed ultrasonic horn; a step of conveying the upper and lower eyelet bodies to a position of the ultrasonic horn and fusing the upper and lower eyelet bodies to the tarpaulin through the compression of the ultrasonic horn; a step of fusing a protruded part extending upwardly from the circumference of a through-hole of the lower eyelet body by compression in the ultrasonic-fusing step to form an inner circumferential edge part; and a step of passing a rope through the through-hole of the eyelet mounted on the tarpaulin. |
| US08407865B2 |
Tie-down tension enhancer
A tie-down tension enhancer for in-situ tightening of an installed tie down having a locking mechanism. The tension enhancer generally includes a body having openings for transverse insertion and removal of a line or strap as well as longitudinal movement of the line or strap within the body. A cinch is provided and disposed on the body for engaging the line or strap upon longitudinal movement of the line or strap in one direction and a line or strap mechanism is provided and spaced apart from the cinch for enabling pulling of the line or strap past the cinch for providing further tension to the existing tie down. |
| US08407853B1 |
High place vacuum cleaner attachment
The present invention (High Place Vacuum Cleaner) relates generally to vacuum cleaners and, more specifically to a simple attachment for a vacuum cleaner so that the operator may reach high places with ease. The attachment is a wand with an elongated bent handle and a tool, which has a rotatable connection to the handle. The wand may have an adaptor so that the handle can be connected to the hose of a wet/dry vacuum cleaner. The wand may have an adaptor so that the handle can be connected to the hose of a wet/dry vacuum cleaner for dirty outside work. The wand with or without extender(s) may be utilized to clean ceiling fan housing and blades, high windows, light fixtures, high ceilings, air conditioner registers, as well as outside windows, eaves of a home, underside of elevated decks, etc. The present invention is also operable in both push or pull directions of motion. The tool has a brush to dislodge dust and other material while drawing suction from both sides of the brush while it is being utilized in a cleaning action. Additionally the present invention is adaptable and lockable to existing vacuum lines and allows for an extended reach for the user. |
| US08407852B2 |
Vacuum cleaner agitator clutch
A vacuum cleaner clutch assembly having an input driven by a motor, an output to drive an agitator, a starter clutch and a drive clutch. The starter clutch moves between an engaged position in which it receives a first drive torque from the input, and a disengaged position in which it receives substantially no torque directly from the input. The drive clutch is moveable between an engaged position in which it receives a second drive torque from the input, and a disengaged position in which it receives substantially no torque directly from the input. When engaged, the starter clutch is coupled to the drive clutch to transmit the first drive torque to the drive clutch to move the drive clutch into the engaged drive clutch position. When engaged, the drive clutch is coupled to the clutch assembly output to transmit the second drive torque to the output. |
| US08407847B1 |
Wet and dry disposable cloth sweeper
Disclosed is a wet and dry disposable cloth sweeper that has a cleaning head with a cleaning body and a ridged substrate, push fit zippers for securing a cleaning pad, an annular universal joint with a handle connector for pivotally securing the cleaning head to a handle, and a handle connected to the cleaning head. The wet and dry disposable cloth sweeper may be a cleaning kit having a cleaning head, a handle, and optionally cleaning pads. |
| US08407844B2 |
Pipeline pig
A device for travelling along a pipeline having fluid flowing along it comprises a turbine for extracting power from the fluid flow and using that power to move the device along the pipeline against the fluid flow. The device is arranged in a series of coupled modules. |
| US08407843B2 |
Clean device for cleaning goldfinger
A clean device for cleaning a goldfinger includes a positioning mechanism for transmitting a circuit board and fixing the circuit board on a predetermined position, a delivering mechanism for delivering a cleaning medium to the predetermined position, and a wiping mechanism for utilizing the cleaning medium to wipe a goldfinger of the circuit board after the positioning mechanism fixes the circuit board on the predetermined position. |
| US08407840B2 |
Self releasing cable system
An embodiment of a self-releasing cable lift system may include a latch coupled to a winch and operable to lift an object, such as a gangway, into a secured position before self-releasing after the object is locked into place. Such a latch may be biased to an open position when setting free, but biased to a closed position when acted upon by an outside surface. Thus, the latch includes a first biasing surface that is operable to bias the latch to the closed position when the latch is moved into contact with a latch receptacle in a first direction. Further, the latch includes a second biasing surface that is operable to bias the latch to a closed position when it is moved into contact with a sleeve, in a second direction. In this manner, the latch may engage a gangway, when lowered, but then self-release when the gangway has been raised. |
| US08407835B1 |
Configuration-changing sleeping enclosure
This invention is a sound-insulating enclosure that contains at least one bed, in which one or more people sleep, wherein the configuration of this enclosure automatically changes from a more-closed configuration to a more-open configuration over time, or vice versa. These changes in configuration can be in response to sounds or can occur in a pre-programmed manner. |
| US08407834B1 |
Sturdy, collapsible, folding mattress support having the appearance of a box spring
A foldable mattress support is made by covering a metal frame with a fabric covering. The metal frame includes two sections that fold together at two hinges. A first section includes first upper and lower frames, and a second section includes second upper and lower frames. Each of the upper and lower frames is pivotally attached to a hinge. A bolt that is oriented along a first axis passes through the first upper frame and through a plate of the hinge. The first upper frame pivots about a first axis; the second upper frame pivots about a second axis; the first lower frame pivots about a third axis; and the second lower frame pivots about a fourth axis. Each of the axes is orthogonal to the plate, and the third axis is spaced farther apart from the fourth axis than the first axis is spaced apart from the second axis. |
| US08407826B2 |
Bath apparatus
An apparatus for bathing a body part, such as the feet, includes a bath chamber for containing a fluid and receiving the body part therein. The bath chamber includes a bottom surface and a wall structure extending upwardly therefrom, where a motor is mounted on an underside of the bottom surface. At least one therapy center is disposed on the bottom surface and operably connected to the motor for providing therapy to the body part when the body part is placed on the at least one therapy center. |
| US08407824B2 |
Multiple position underwater birthing stool
A birthing stool is disclosed comprising a series of closed walls constructed from a non porous rigid material, molded into compound curves. The stool facilitates a range of physiologically effective positioning for labor and delivery and can be used submerged underwater during waterbirth. The stool ergonomically supports the body while also achieving structural integrity through a simple organic form that can be produced inexpensively using minimal material. All elements of the stool, including a seat portion that accommodates a laboring woman and her birthing partner, as well as handles and grips for carrying are integrated into a single part design, facilitating effective cleansing and disinfection of the apparatus.The invention includes the method of production of the stool, and describes method of using device. |
| US08407823B2 |
Spa with waterfall
A vessel for containing liquid includes a floor perimetrically surrounded by a plurality of upwardly projecting walls; at least one exit port incorporated into at least one of the walls proximate to an upper edge of the at least one wall; and a liquid circulation pump apparatus. The liquid circulation pump apparatus includes a first conduit in fluid communication with the vessel; a circulation pump positioned downstream from and in fluid communication with the first conduit; a supply conduit positioned downstream from and in fluid communication with the circulation pump; and a diverter valve positioned downstream of the circulation pump and upstream of the supply conduit. The circulation pump is adapted to pump liquid from the vessel through the first conduit and deliver liquid through the supply conduit to the exit port. The diverter valve is adapted to change a rate of flow of liquid supplied to the exit port. |
| US08407822B2 |
Method and compositions for bath
A bathing product for bathing comprises: a sodium hydrogen carbonate, commonly known as baking soda, being usable for softening the bathing water, removing body odor, revitalizing skin and facilitating enhanced body care or treatment, and a water sanitizing agent, being usable for effectively sanitizing the liquid and cleaning the bath apparatus without causing toxic effect to a bather for bathing in the liquid. The sodium hydrogen carbonate mixture may comprise 50-99% by weight sodium of hydrogen carbonate formed in powder form, and the water sanitizing agent may comprise about 1-10% by weight of trichloroisocyanuric acid. The bathing product may further comprise a bubbling agent to create a bubbling action for pleasure and soothing sensation for the bather. |
| US08407818B2 |
Method of manufacturing a hood for use with a personal protection system
A method of manufacturing a hood for use with a personal protection system. The hood includes a shell formed from at least partially out of a filter medium. At least one transparent layer is initially attached to a transparent face shield. The transparent layer-face shield assembly is sterilized with gamma radiation and attached to the shell to form the hood. The hood is then sterilized with ethylene oxide. |
| US08407815B2 |
Apparel incorporating tensile strands
An article of apparel may include a waistband for extending around a waist of the wearer. The waistband may have a first layer and a second layer that lay adjacent to each other, and the waistband may have a plurality of strand segments located between the first layer and the second layer. The strand segments extend at least partially around the waistband. Additionally, the strand segments may lay substantially parallel to surfaces of the first layer and the second layer for distances of at least five centimeters. In some configurations, the strand segments may be bonded to the first layer and the second layer along the distances of at least five centimeters. |
| US08407812B2 |
Knee pad constructions
Protective knee pads are comprised of a first shell member which fits over the patella and knee joint and a second member which is attached to the lower thigh and pivotally engaged with the knee pad shell so that they may articulate one with respect to the other while providing additional support and protection for the user of the knee pad. An additional shin pad may also be attached to the lower end of the shell which covers the knee. |
| US08413255B2 |
Digital rights management method and digital rights management-enabled mobile device
A DRM method and DRM-enabled mobile device are provided, in which determinations are made as to whether a playback request is input for replaying a media file, and, if so, whether the media file is a rights-protected media file on the basis of a file format of the media file. If the media file is a rights-protected media file, at least one sample playback part of the rights-protected media file is verified and replayed; otherwise, the entire rights-protected media file is replayed. |
| US08413251B1 |
Using disposable data misuse to determine reputation
A reputation system generates reputation scores for websites based at least in part on analyses of disposable data misuse associated with the websites. The reputation system receives reports describing disposable data misuses detected by clients and/or other entities, such as credit card issuers. The reputation system also detects certain types of misuse itself by analyzing received disposable data involved in a misuse detection to determine the websites or other entities that misused the data. The reputation system generates misuse statistics describing the amount of data misuse performed by websites. The reputation system generates reputation scores for websites based on the disposable data misuse statistics and, optionally, other reputation information for the websites, such as malware distribution associated with the websites. The reputation system reports the reputations of the websites to the clients. |
| US08413249B1 |
Threat assessment of software-configured system based upon architecture model and as-built code
A method comprising: providing in a non-transitory machine readable storage device a first information structure that includes respective elements that each respectively represent one or more components or communication channels or a combination thereof of a system that includes one or more machines configured with computer software; wherein the first information structure associates at least one element with at least one of an attribute indicative of a mitigation of one at least one known vulnerability of the at least one component or communication channel or combination thereof represented by the at least one element; using a computer system to produce and to store within a non-transitory machine readable storage device an analysis of as-built code used to configure one or more machines to implement the system; wherein the produced analysis includes an output log with respective entries that include respective code references and respective indicia of attributes corresponding to respective observation points within the as-built code that correspond respective elements of the first information structure; mapping at least one respective entry to at least the at least one element of the first information structure; and associating an attribute included within the at least one entry with an attribute associated within the first information structure with the at least one element. |
| US08413247B2 |
Adaptive data collection for root-cause analysis and intrusion detection
Endpoints in an enterprise security environment are configured to adaptively switch from their normal data collection mode to a long-term, detailed data collection mode where advanced analyses are applied to the collected detailed data. Such adaptive data collection and analysis is triggered upon the receipt of a security assessment of a particular type, where a security assessment is defined as a tentative assignment by an endpoint of broader contextual meaning to information (i.e., data in some context) that is collected about an object of interest. A specialized endpoint is coupled to the security assessment channel and performs as a centralized audit point by subscribing to all security assessments, logging the security assessments, and also logging the local actions taken by endpoints in response to detected security incidents in the environment. The specialized endpoint is arranged to perform various analyses and processes on historical security assessments. |
| US08413246B2 |
Evaluating shellcode findings
Concepts and technologies are described herein for evaluating shellcode findings. In accordance with the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, shellcode findings can be evaluated to determine if the shellcode findings are legitimate, or if the shellcode findings are false positive shellcode findings. Legitimate shellcode findings can be determined based not simply upon patterns associated with the suspected shellcode itself, but also based upon a pattern of bit-level entropy in the memory around the suspected shellcode. Mathematical models of the memory can be generated and analyzed to determine if the shellcode finding is legitimate. |
| US08413245B2 |
Methods and apparatus providing computer and network security for polymorphic attacks
A system detects an attack on the computer system. The system identifies the attack as polymorphic, capable of modifying itself for every instance of execution of the attack. The modification of the attack is utilized to defeat detection of the attack. In one embodiment, the system determines generation of an effective signature of the attack has failed. The signature is utilized to prevent execution of the attack. The system then adjusts access to an interface to prevent further damage caused to the computer system by the attack. |
| US08413242B2 |
External storage device and method of controlling the device
After an initialization process (S10), the access controller of the external storage device performs authentication using a password (S20, S30). If authentication is successful, the successfully authenticated state is saved, and the host computer is notified that the HD storage portion is accessible (S40). Subsequently, it is decided whether SOF packets are being periodically sent from the host computer (S50), and if periodic sending has been interrupted (S50: NO), the connection to the host computer will be deemed lost, and the saved authenticated state will be deleted (S60). |
| US08413241B2 |
Integrated intrusion deflection, detection and introspection
Methods and apparatus are provided for integrated deflection, detection and intrusion. Within a single computer system configured for operating system virtualization (e.g., Solaris™, OpenSolaris™), multiple security functions execute in logically independent zones or containers, under the control and administration of a global zone. Such functions may illustratively include a demilitarized zone (DMZ) and a honeypot. Management is facilitated because all functions work within a single operating system, which promotes the ability to configure, monitor and control each function. Any given zone can be configured with limited resources, a virtual network interface circuit and/or other features. |
| US08413237B2 |
Methods of simulating vulnerability
Methods of simulating vulnerability are provided. In an example, multi-stage vulnerability across multiple systems may be simulated by first simulating a probing of at least one intermediate entity, the at least one intermediate entity connected to a target system, second simulating a probing of the target system if the first simulated probing is successful and generating an attack graph based on the results of the first and second simulating steps. In another example, multi-system vulnerability may be simulated by receiving a plurality of attributes associated with vulnerabilities of a plurality of systems within a network, the plurality of systems including at least one target system and generating an attack graph including one or more attack chains based at least in part on the received plurality of attributes. In another example, system (e.g., single-system) vulnerability may be simulated by first simulating whether vulnerabilities exploited from a first system state cause a transition to a second system state, the second system state having a higher-privilege level than the first system state within a target system and generating an attack graph based at least in part on the results of the simulation. |
| US08413235B1 |
Malware detection using file heritage data
A security module on a client monitors file creations at the client and reports heritage data describing the monitored file creations to a security server. A file categorization module at the security server receives file heritage data reports from a plurality of clients. The heritage data reports identify parent files that created executable child files at the clients. The file categorization module filters the heritage data to identify and prioritize parent files that are not categorized. The file categorization module analyzes the uncategorized files in priority order to categorize the files as “expected executable file creators” or “executable file creators of interest.” The file categorization module reports the file categorization data to the security modules of the clients. The security modules use the file categorization data to identify malware at the clients. |
| US08413234B1 |
Communications-service fraud detection using special social connection
A method, system, and medium are provided for detecting fraud, the method comprising: initializing a fraud hypothesis variable associated with a communications device, receiving data that describes a plurality of outgoing communication records that are associated with said communications device, wherein the data is related to activity that took place over a given period of time, extracting a plurality of destination identifiers from said plurality of communication records, for each of at least a portion of said plurality of destination identifiers, modifying said fraud hypothesis variable based on a fraud metric associated with said destination identifier, comparing said fraud hypothesis variable to a first predetermined threshold, and when said fraud hypothesis variable exceeds said first predetermined threshold, generating a fraud indication that is related to said communications device. |
| US08413233B1 |
Authorizing local application activity using remotely defined security data
Systems and methods, including computer software adapted to perform certain operations, can be implemented for preventing content received from non-trusted sources from accessing protected data. A sequence of instructions and multiple permission indicators associated with the sequence of instructions are received. One or more of permission indicators are associated with a protected activity. An instruction within the sequence of instructions associated with the protected activity is identified. A determination is made whether execution of the identified instruction is permitted based, at least in part, on the one or more permission indicators, and the protected activity is performed if execution of the identified instruction is permitted. |
| US08413230B2 |
API checking device and state monitor
An API checking device 300 includes an API check request reception unit 301 to receive a determination request to request determination of whether to permit the API call, a state information acquiring unit 303 to acquire state information showing a state of the device 100, a check mode setting unit 305 to set a check mode for the API call on the basis of the state information acquired, a determining unit 307 to determine whether to permit the API call on the basis of the check mode, and a check result outputting unit 309 to output the check result generated by the determining unit 307. |
| US08413225B2 |
Systems and methods for management of common application firewall session data in a multiple core system
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for efficiently an intermediary device processing strings in web pages across a plurality of user sessions. A device intermediary to a plurality of clients and a server identifies a plurality of strings in forms and uniform resource locators (URLs) of web pages traversing the device across a plurality of user sessions. The device stores each string of the plurality of strings to one or more allocation arenas shared among a plurality of user session. Each string is indexed using a hash key generated from the string. The device recognizes that a received string transmitted from a webpage of a session of a user is eligible to be shared among the plurality of user sessions. The device determines that a copy of the received string is stored in an allocation arena using a hash generated from the received string. The device uses the copy of the received string stored in the allocation arena in place of the string in the web page of the session of the user to process the web page. |
| US08413222B1 |
Method and apparatus for synchronizing updates of authentication credentials
A method and apparatus for synchronously changing authentication credentials of a plurality of domains comprising detecting an authentication credential change event for a particular domain, where the authentication credential is being changed from a first credential to a second credential, determining whether the particular domain is within a domain group, and, if the particular domain is within the domain group, changing the authentication credential of at least one other domain in the domain group from the first credential to the second credential. |
| US08413221B2 |
Methods and apparatus for delegated authentication
An authentication-delegating service implemented in an authentication server or other processing device is configured to receive a request from a relying party for delegated authentication information associated with a particular user, to determine a level of trust associated with the relying party, and to provide the delegated authentication information to the relying party if the relying party has a sufficient level of trust, so as to permit the relying party to authenticate the user based on the delegated authentication information. The delegated authentication information has the property that the user can be presently authenticated based on such information. The delegated authentication information may comprise, for example, at least one value derived from a one-time password or other authentication credential of the particular user. The authentication-delegating service may be graded to provide different types of delegated authentication information based on respective levels of trust that may be associated with relying parties. |
| US08413219B2 |
Verifying access rights to a network account having multiple passwords
A computer-implemented system and method for verifying access to a network account are provided. A first user communication portal is associated with a user network account. A request to access the user network account is received from a second user communication portal. Security criteria related to the second user communication portal is determined. Access to the user network account is enabled upon receipt of a communication associated with the first user communication portal when the security criteria is of a predetermined value. |
| US08413211B2 |
Access control policy compliance check process
A storage medium on which is recorded a program for causing an information processing device. The program executes, an access right management information obtainment process for obtaining access right management information, a violation detection process for obtaining a policy from a policy storing unit for storing the policy set for the resource or the access to the resource, for checking whether or not the access right management information complies with the policy, and for detecting access right management information, a policy compliance level calculation process for calculating a risk score in accordance with a degree of risk of the violation, and for calculating a level of compliance with the policy. |
| US08413206B1 |
Participating in television programs
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enabling viewers to participate in a television program. In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a linear television program that includes a request for viewer responses to be submitted using a user device and receiving, through a communication network, an electronic message including a viewer response to the request from a user. Consideration is received from the user, and the consideration is associated with the viewer response. Credits are allocated to the user in response to receiving the viewer response and consideration. A record of the one or more credits is stored in association with an identifier of the user, and in response to a request from the user, credits associated with the identifier of the user are redeemed in exchange for virtual goods or services associated with delivery of content over a network. |
| US08413202B2 |
Content reception apparatus, content transmission apparatus, and content transmission and reception control apparatus
According to one embodiment, a content reception apparatus includes a communication module and a communication controller. The communication module is configured to communicate with a content transmission and reception control apparatus. The communication controller is configured to communicate with the content transmission and reception control apparatus by the communication module, to receive content transmittable time information of a content transmission apparatus managed by the content transmission and reception control apparatus, to request content managed by the content transmission apparatus based on the content transmittable time information, and to receive the content. |
| US08413199B2 |
Communication system and method
A media device comprising: a memory storing a communication client application; a processor, coupled to the memory and operable to execute the communication client application, wherein the client application is programmed so as when executed to allow a user to establish a call with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network; and a remote control unit comprising wireless communication means arranged to transmit data to the processor, a control means coupled to the wireless communication means and configured to control the wireless communication means, user input means coupled to the control means and arranged to receive input commands from the user and provide the input commands to the control means, and a microphone coupled to the control means and arranged to receive audio signals from a user, wherein, responsive to the control means receiving a command to establish a call from the user input means, the control means is arranged to activate the wireless communication means from a deactivated state, establish a wireless connection with the processor, and transmit data comprising audio signals from the microphone using the wireless communication means to the processor for transmission in a call over the packet-based communication network. |
| US08413197B2 |
Video delivery device, video receiver and key frame delivery method
In this video delivery device including: a storage device storing key frame information including a key frame number included in a contents file and offset from the beginning of a file; and a delivery control unit, which executes delivery in a predetermined cycle, the delivery control unit refers to the key frame information cycle by cycle in executing the trick play, and transmits the key frame having the offset closest to the delivery time among the key frames included in the contents file. |
| US08413196B2 |
Audio visual architecture
Aspects of an audio/visual architecture are disclosed. In one aspect, a system is disclosed where the system has a media manager object, an audio/visual program, and a player/recorder object so that when the program is selected, the media manager dynamically loads the player/recorder object for either playing or recording the program. For example, with respect to the media manager object, it can manage a collection of related program entities and any corresponding player/recorder components. Also, the media manager can allocate share source ports and shared sink ports in order to dynamically create virtual circuit paths for selected program entries. |
| US08413191B2 |
Program guide with a digital storage device
An interactive television program guide system with digital storage is provided. The program guide gives users the ability to select a program for recording onto the digital storage device. The program guide may then provide the user a list of programs that includes at least one listing for a recorded program. The user may select a recorded program listing and the program guide will transfer the corresponding program from the digital storage device to a secondary storage device. |
| US08413186B2 |
Method for transmitting/receiving broadcasting signal and broadcasting signal receiver
A method for transmitting/receiving a broadcasting signal and a broadcasting signal receiver are disclosed. An identifier of a burst period is obtained from program table information of the broadcasting signal including mobile data and only the burst period in which a broadcasting program desired by a user is transmitted is received. Accordingly, when the broadcasting signal is received, only a desired burst period is received such that power consumption of the broadcasting signal receiver can be reduced. |
| US08413184B2 |
Media map for capture of content from random access devices
A method and apparatus for storing and displaying information about the capture and/or transfer of digital media is provided, wherein data is stored such that a visual representation indicating characteristics of video data, such as whether portions of the video data have been transferred to another device or captured to a storage device, may be generated and displayed. |
| US08413182B2 |
Mechanism for rendering advertising objects into featured content
Advertisements may be inserted into a streaming video at an intermediary system by receiving a data stream including a video content selection having scenes configured to accommodate insertion of advertising objects, identifying an advertising descriptor based on characteristics of a scene within the data stream, selecting an advertising object based on the identified advertising descriptor, modifying the video content selection by inserting the advertising object in the data stream such that the advertising object is integrated into a scene of the video content selection, where an image scene of the video content selection is modified to integrate and enable visual display of content from within the scene of the video content selection and the advertising object concurrently, and transmitting the content selection to a recipient. |
| US08413181B2 |
System and method for selecting and delivering ADS based on cross-platform activity
A cross-platform advertising system utilizes viewing data, browsing data, and telephone call data to establish subscriber account profile and, optionally, user profiles for users at the subscriber account. An ad selection processor selects ads based on subscriber account profile and, optionally, the user profile. An ad delivery processor delivers the selected ads to a device associated with the subscriber account. |
| US08413178B2 |
Disk device
A disk device includes a frame, an optical pickup and a shock absorbing component. The frame has a receiving component. The optical pickup is slidable with respect to the frame. The shock absorbing component is fixedly coupled to the optical pickup and arranged to selectively contact the receiving component of the frame. The shock absorbing component includes a support portion and a spring piece. The spring piece has a first end portion that is fixedly coupled to the optical pickup and a second end portion that is spaced from the support portion in an unloaded rest state and that contacts the support portion to support the spring piece at both the first and second end portions with respect to the optical pickup when the spring piece is pushed by the receiving component of the frame to a loaded state. |
| US08413176B2 |
Disk device having clamper lifters with different start of movement timing
A disk device is provided with a pair of slide cam members that start movement when a disk is conveyed to a replayable position, and a pair of clamper lifters respectively having clamper support portions supporting a clamper. The clamper lifters are moved in opposite directions to each other in a horizontal direction orthogonal to a thickness direction of the disk device in conjunction with the movement of the pair of slide cam members. They are arranged so that the timings of the start of movement in the opposite directions to each other are different from each other. The clamper support portions have inclined surfaces in contact with an outer peripheral part of the clamper so as to move the clamper in the thickness direction of the disk device in accordance with the movement of the pair of clamper lifters in the opposite directions to each other. |
| US08413168B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program product for providing an event scheme for context models
An apparatus for providing an event scheme for a context model may include a processor and a memory storing executable instructions that in response to execution by the processor cause the apparatus to at least perform operations including defining an event scheme comprising at least two phases and providing the event scheme for use in a topologically independent context model. One of the at least two phases defined may enable provision of a notification from a consumer application to a data provider and the other of the at least two phases may enable provision of a notification from the data provider to the consumer application. The context model may be configured to provide access by consumer applications to property information of data providers via the context model. |
| US08413165B2 |
Managing consistent interfaces for maintenance order business objects across heterogeneous systems
A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to a maintenance order business object. |
| US08413164B1 |
Presenting an interface to a computer system for use in conducting diagnostic tests
A system and method for performing diagnostics on a computer system having a plurality of physical hardware devices includes associating a logical device with a physical hardware device of the computer system. The logical device is provided with a programmatic interface that abstractly reproduces a functionality of the physical hardware device associated with the logical device and insulates the logical device from device-specific particulars needed to communicate with the physical hardware device. The logical device is associated with a translator that is capable of communicating with the physical hardware device associated with the logical device using the device-specific particulars needed to communicate with that physical hardware device. |
| US08413163B2 |
Program control device including per-timeslot switching of thread execution
Provided is a program control device which switches, per timeslot, between threads to be executed. The program control device includes: a first interrupt creation unit which creates a first interrupt signal which designates a timeslot as a destination; and a first receiving unit which [i] does not receive the first interrupt signal if the timeslot as the destination is not a current timeslot, and [ii] receives the first interrupt signal if the timeslot as the destination is the current timeslot. |
| US08413159B2 |
Classifying workload for a service
In one example embodiment, a machine implemented method is provided. The method comprises sampling a plurality of values of a parameter associated with a software service by monitoring said parameter; determining a workload signature for the software service based on statistical analysis performed during a first sampling period; and classifying the workload of said software service by selecting, based on said plurality of values, a first workload classification from a plurality of predefined workload classifications, wherein the workload of the software service is reclassified to a second workload classification, based on a workload signature calculated during a second sampling period. |
| US08413151B1 |
Selective thread spawning within a multi-threaded processing system
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for selectively spawning threads within a multiprocessing system. A computation work distributor (CWD), within the system, is responsible for performing the detailed work needed to spawn a thread grid. A request to the CWD to spawn a thread grid includes a predicate table, which includes an array of flags used to indicate which thread indices should have an associated thread block spawned and which should not. Greater efficiency is achieved by only spawning thread blocks that should perform useful computation. |
| US08413149B2 |
Priority based processor reservations
An information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an information processing system, and an information processing program are provided. The present invention can execute distributed processing effectively with certainty among different information processing apparatus connected through a common network. Each of first to fourth information processing apparatus includes a main processor and sub processors. When sub processor programs are to be executed by sub processors in response to an operation of a user, the first apparatus secures a necessary number of free sub processors if this is determined possible. If the necessary number of free sub processors are not available, then the first apparatus successively issues a request to secure sub processors to the other apparatus. If the necessary number of sub processors cannot be secured from among free sub processors in the entire network, those sub processors which are executing sub processor programs having a lower priority are secured for execution of the sub processor programs. |
| US08413147B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for making a decision about virtual machine migration
A method, an apparatus, and a system for making a decision about virtual machine migration includes a source host platform, configured to send a migration request to a Migration Authority (MA), and to migrate the virtual machine to a target host platform according to a received migration decision-making result. The MA is configured to perform security checks on the source host platform and the target host platform, to obtain a first evaluation result of the source host platform and a second evaluation result of the target host platform, acquire a third evaluation result of the virtual machine, and return a corresponding migration decision-making result to the source host platform. The corresponding migration decision-making result indicates whether the virtual machine is permitted to be migrated; and the target host platform of the virtual machine to be migrated, is configured to accept the virtual machine to be migrated. |
| US08413143B2 |
Dynamic network adapter queue pair allocation
A system receives a notification at an operating system image of a change in allocation of queue pair resources to the operating system image. The system queries a physical network adapter through a hypervisor to obtain a new queue pair resource count that will exist in the virtualized system after the change in allocation. The system performs a hashing operation in the operating system image using the new queue pair resource count to distribute transmit traffic among the queue pair resources that will exist in the virtualized system after the change in allocation. |
| US08413138B2 |
System and method to securely load a management client from a stub client to facilitate remote device management
Systems and methods are described for securely downloading management client software onto a device from an embedded stub in the device. In one embodiment, the stub client is activated by a message with credentials from a management server. The stub client, after verification of the credentials, downloads and activates a full management client. The management client then participates in any authorized management session with the device management server. The messages are preferably encrypted using a key that is based on the credentials. The credentials may be specific to the device and to the service provider associated with the device. |
| US08413135B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for controlling software application installations
Methods, systems, and computer program products that automatically control the installation of software applications on a device are provided. The installation of a software application on a device is detected. The installation is temporarily halted and information about the detected software application installation is collected. A danger level of the detected software application is assessed based upon the collected information. Installation of the detected software application is allowed to continue if the assessed danger level is below a threshold level and installation of the detected software application is terminated if the assessed danger level is above the threshold level. |
| US08413130B2 |
System and method for self policing of authorized configuration by end points
A system, method, and program product is provided that distributes authorized changes to the organization's entities and has the individual computer systems police configuration changes. A system receives change approval packages, each of the change approval packages including authorized change identification data that identifies authorized changes to the system. The authorized change identification data are stored in a storage area of the system. Subsequently, a change package is received by the computer system. The change package includes a change to the computer system and metadata that identifies the change. The metadata is compared with the authorized change identification data. If the metadata matches one of the authorized change identification data, then the change is installed, otherwise the change is rejected. |
| US08413129B1 |
Application repair system, method, and computer program product for generating an alert based on information describing at least one update
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for generating an alert based on information describing at least one update associated with an application to be repaired. In operation, a request to repair an application is received. Additionally, information describing at least one update associated with the application is identified. Furthermore, an alert is generated based on the information. |
| US08413124B2 |
System and method for compiling and matching regular expressions
A system and method for compiling and matching regular expressions is disclosed. The regular expression compiling system includes a syntax analyzing module and at least two types of compiling modules. The syntax analyzing module is configured to analyze syntactic characteristics of a regular expression and send the regular expression to an appropriate compiling module according to preset syntactic rules and the syntactic characteristics of the regular expression; and the appropriate compiling module is configured to receive the regular expression and compile the regular expression into a data structure of a specific form. |
| US08413122B2 |
System and method for demonstrating the correctness of an execution trace in concurrent processing environments
Since multi-core processors have become the standard architecture for general purpose machines, programmers are required to write software optimized for parallelism. Verification of correctness is an important issue for parallel code because of its complexity. There are still tools missing that provide verification for complex code, such as testing the execution of code provides. Consequently, described herein are systems and methods to evaluate the correctness of program traces. Furthermore, the systems and methods described herein do not demand excessive computational requirements and the size of the program trace being evaluated increases. |
| US08413118B2 |
Configuration diagram with connections that represent physical couplings between devices
A system and method for creating and using configuration diagrams for configuring distributed systems. The methods described herein may be used for various types of operations in configuring distributed systems, including creating programs, managing programs in the distributed system, deploying programs to various distributed devices, configuring remote execution or inter-operation of distributed programs, and executing distributed applications. Embodiments of the invention utilize graphical iconic-based techniques for performing the above operations. The configuration diagram may include device icons which represent devices and program icons which represent programs. Device icons and program icons may be associated with each other to accomplish various program creation and deployment operations. Device icons and program icons may also interact with graphical program nodes or icons. Context sensitive device connections and/or program connections are displayed. An asynchronous data flow node may be used to facilitate asynchronous data flow between two graphical programs. The distributed system may also support distributed graphical debugging. |
| US08413115B1 |
Specifying integration points of a system-of-systems
In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, specifying integration points of a system-of-systems includes identifying an integration point that associates interfaces of system components. The integration point is characterized according to the identification to generate a set of attributes describing the interfaces. The integration point is specified according to the set of attributes. |
| US08413114B1 |
Method to simplify developing software having localization
A method is provided for displaying a numeric property value. The method includes (a) reading a file from a tangible computer-readable storage medium, the file containing a set of property display patterns, (b) extracting a particular property display code from the file, the particular property display pattern corresponding to the numeric property value to be displayed, (c) extracting a unit of measure and a reference to a conversion function from the particular property display pattern, (d) calling the referenced conversion function to perform a unit conversion on the numeric property value to convert from an internal unit of measure into an display unit of measure, and (e) displaying the converted numeric property value and the extracted unit of measure to a user. In another embodiment, software is provided for executing this method. Additional methods are provided for developing software. |
| US08413112B2 |
Visualization of information using landmasses
The present invention relates to the visualization of complex information using a set of navigable landmasses. A method for generating a visualization of a programming code base using a set of navigable landmasses in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: representing each of a plurality of different code components using a respective landmass; adjusting a size of each landmass based on a number of lines of code in the code component corresponding to the landmass; and displaying the landmasses. |
| US08413110B2 |
Automating applications in a multimedia framework
The present invention provides a multimedia software framework system that allows development of customized multimedia plug-in applications for use within the system. Users can customize fields in the data entry, database, query and report forms without any programming effort. The information is packaged in an Application plug-in module which can be transported to any personal computer or network server. The information can be integrated into a core multimedia framework with features for video capturing, image processing, video and image broadcasting, entity work space elaboration, and instant multimedia messaging. The present invention also provides Internet Service Providers with a new opportunity for hosting application servers because the system resources in the core multimedia framework server can be partitioned for different applications and user accounts without any additional programming effort. |
| US08413108B2 |
Architectural data metrics overlay
A system and method for facilitating analysis of a software project. Intrinsic measures, activity-based measures, or dynamic measures associated with the project are received, including measures associated with physical program units and logical program units of the project. Mappings between physical program units and logical program units are generated. An architectural diagram including logical program units is received, and may include additional mappings of the logical program units. The mappings are used to roll up measures from physical project units to logical project units, and from logical project units to other logical project units. An overlay diagram is generated, including the rolled up measures. The overlay diagram includes the architectural diagram and a representation of rolled up measures associated with each logical project unit on the diagram. The representations employ a graphic format that facilitates a user determining risk areas of the software project. A user may view effects of project changes prior to checking them into source control. |
| US08413098B2 |
T-connections, methodology for designing T-connections, and compact modeling of T-connections
T-connections, methodology for designing T-connections, and compact modeling of T-connections. The T-connections include an electrically conductive T-junction comprising a body and first, second and third integral arms projecting from mutually perpendicular sides of the body, each arm of the three integral arms having a same first width abutting the body and a same length extending away from the body; an electrically conductive step-junction comprising a first section having the first width and an integral and abutting second section having a second width, the second width different from the first width, the first section smoothly abutting and integral with the first arm of the T-junction; and wherein top surfaces of the T-junction and the step-junction are coplanar. |
| US08413095B1 |
Statistical single library including on chip variation for rapid timing and power analysis
A statistical single library that includes on-chip variation (OCV) is created for timing and power analysis of a digital chip design. Initially, library values for all cells of a digital chip design, including ranges for environmental and process parameters, are subject to a statistical model to create statistical timing for the ranges of the parameters. A statistical timing tool is applied across the ranges of the parameters to determine statistical corners for delay and input power to a subset of cells. The statistically determined delay and input power to the subset of cells is entered into the statistical single library. Each delay of each statistical corner for the subset of cells is compared with a chip sign-off statistical delay requirement of a test macro. |
| US08413093B1 |
Method and mechanism for performing region query using hierarchical grids
Disclosed is an improved approach for managing, tracking, and querying hierarchical data in layouts. According to some aspects, hierarchical grids are employed utilizing a scheme that organizes physical objects into a set of gradually refined grids that avoids the need to maintain duplicates while enhancing the desirable characteristics of existing schemes, including fast query times, fast data structure initialization and reduced memory footprint. Each grid-cell may be further partitioned into sub-containers to more efficiently provide space pruning during query operations. According to one approach, structures maintained to track existence of objects in a descendent hierarchy. |
| US08413092B2 |
Circuit design supporting apparatus and circuit design supporting method
A circuit design supporting apparatus includes: an observation portion specifying section configured to specify a first portion with a high improvement effect of analysis easiness in failure analysis of an integrated circuit as an observation portion; and an element substitution performing section configured to substitute an element arranged in the observation portion by an analysis target element to which a failure analysis apparatus can appropriately conduct the failure analysis based on a data of the observation portion. The element substitution performing section includes a timing analyzing section configured to perform timing analysis of the integrated circuit shown by a netlist; a delay calculating section configured to calculate a delay in the integrated circuit based on a result of the timing analysis by said timing analyzing section and said netlist; a substitution element determining section configured to specify a fine element, which is arranged in said observation portion, of elements of the integrated circuit as a substitution candidate element; and an element substituting section configured to update said netlist to form a new netlist. |
| US08413089B2 |
Performing implication and decision making using multiple value systems during constraint solving
Methods and apparatuses are described for assigning random values to a set of random variables so that the assigned random values satisfy a set of constraints. An embodiment can receive a set of constraints, wherein each constraint is defined over one or more random variables from a set of random variables. Next, the embodiment can generate a circuit model based on the set of constraints, wherein assignable values for at least one node in the circuit model are represented in multiple value systems. The embodiment can then assign random values to the set of random variables based on the circuit model. |
| US08413088B1 |
Verification plans to merging design verification metrics
A method and apparatus for producing a verification of digital circuits are provided. In an exemplary embodiment on the invention, a plurality of verification scopes of an integrated circuit design as defined as part of a verification plan. A plurality of verification runs are executed within two or more verification scopes defined by the verification plan. At least two verification runs are selected to merge verification results together. Like named scenarios are merged together for each verification scope to generate merged verification results that are then stored into a merge database. A verification report is generated for the integrated circuit design from the merged verification results. A merge point may be specified so like named subtrees and subgroups may be merged across different verification scopes of selected verification runs. The merge point may combine check and coverage results obtained during simulation with check and coverage results obtained during formal verification. |
| US08413086B2 |
Methods and apparatus for adapting pipeline stage latency based on instruction type
Processor pipeline controlling techniques are described which take advantage of the variation in critical path lengths of different instructions to achieve increased performance. By examining a processor's instruction set and execution unit implementation's critical timing paths, instructions are classified into speed classes. Based on these speed classes, one pipeline is presented where hold signals are used to dynamically control the pipeline based on the instruction class in execution. An alternative pipeline supporting multiple classes of instructions is presented where the pipeline clocking is dynamically changed as a result of decoded instruction class signals. A single pass synthesis methodology for multi-class execution stage logic is also described. For dynamic class variable pipeline processors, the mix of instructions can have a great effect on processor performance and power utilization since both can vary by the program mix of instruction classes. Application code can be given new degrees of optimization freedom where instruction class and the mix of instructions can be chosen based on performance and power requirements. |
| US08413077B2 |
Input apparatus, handheld apparatus, and control method
An input apparatus includes: a motion signal output section to detect a movement of an object for controlling a movement of an image displayed on a screen and output a motion signal corresponding to the movement of the object; a control command generation section to generate a control command corresponding to the motion signal for controlling the movement of the image; an operation signal output section to detect a user operation unintended for the control of the movement of the image and output an operation signal based on the operation; an operation command generation section to generate an operation command based on the operation signal; and a control section to control the control command generation section to generate, in temporal relation with a generation timing of the operation command, the control command with a sensitivity of the movement of the image with respect to the movement of the object changed. |
| US08413070B1 |
Declarative resizeable list in electronic form
Some embodiments may provide a method comprising accessing a list descriptor declaratively specifying a resizeability indication, selecting, responsively to the resizeability indication, a first linear size for a first list rendering, the first list rendering being based on the list descriptor, and generating the first list rendering based on the list descriptor and the first linear size. |
| US08413069B2 |
Method and apparatus for the automatic completion of composite characters
The automatic completion of composite characters is supported by the generation of lists of candidate words or characters. Such lists may be generated by specifying letters or word shapes that are required to be included in candidate words or characters, independent of the order in which a specified letter or word shape is traditionally added to the completed word or character. In a subtractive mode, a user may exclude words or characters that include one or more letters or word shapes specified by the user. |
| US08413068B2 |
Visual interface element transition effect
In an electronic interaction space, transitioning between a first and second screen layout includes determining a difference between the first and second screen layouts, wherein the first and second screen layouts include at least one pod each, and rendering the difference as a dynamic and intermediate screen layout that uses a representation of physical motion to present a gradual change. |
| US08413067B2 |
Graphical icon presentation
Aspects of this disclosure may be directed to one or more techniques for a mobile device to present a graphical user-interface with different graphical user-interface layouts. The mobile device may present the different graphical user-interface layouts based on whether the mobile device is resting or not resting against a surface. For example, the mobile device may present a graphical user-interface layout that is more conducive for user interface when the mobile device is not held against a surface. The mobile device may present another graphical user-interface layout that is more conducive for user interaction when the mobile device is held against a surface. |
| US08413064B2 |
Method and apparatus for graphically indicating the progress of multiple parts of a task
In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for graphically indicating a progress of multiple parts of a task involves 1) dividing the task, as a whole, into a plurality of work units, and 2) as the task is executed, and for each of the work units, separately indicating, via a graphical user interface, whether work was performed for each task part during each work unit. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08413060B1 |
Methods and systems for visually distinguishing user attribute similarities and differences
Methods, computer-readable storage media, and systems are provided to facilitate visually distinguishing common attributes of users an electronic communication network or messaging service. In particular, user profile attributes are compared between a first and second user, and similar attributes are visually highlighted by assigning, for example, a distinct font, font size, color, font effect, and/or other visual effect to the user's screen name to designate which attributes are similar. In addition, or alternatively, when the first user views a user profile of the second user, common user attributes are visually highlighted. In one embodiment, the font, font size, color, and/or font effect assigned to the highlighted attribute indicates a degree of similarity of the attribute. Such implementations may allow users to more easily recognize and interact with others that have similar interests and attributes. |
| US08413059B2 |
Image based electronic mail system
An image based email system associates images with different electronic mail (email) senders. The email system receives email messages from different email senders and then looks through either website member profiles or user contacts for associated images. Any located image is displayed in a list of recent senders. This allows the email user to associate recently received email messages with particular sender images or photographs. The images can also be used in a list of favorite or most frequent email senders. Other features of the email system extract information from received email messages to better identify the email senders. These and other features of the email system provide more intuitive and easier to perform email operations. |
| US08413054B2 |
Graphical user interface for still image capture from video footage
A graphical user interface includes a first display area configured to display a first image. The first image is associated with a capture time. The graphical user interface also includes a second display area configured to display a second image and a third display area configured to display a third image. The graphical user interface further includes a user input device. |
| US08413052B2 |
Bidded marketplace for applications
Methods and systems for presenting application modules on a graphical display page are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, content to be displayed on a graphical display page is determined. Then, content features which describe the content that is to be displayed on the graphical display page, and user features which describe characteristics of users are determined. For each application in the plurality of application modules, the probability that specific users will select the application module when displayed on the graphical display page with the determined content is determined based on the content features and the user features. For each application module in the plurality of application modules, an overall score is determined based on the determined probability that the user will select the application module and a commercial value to be paid by a publisher of the application module when it is selected. The recommended application modules are determined to be those application modules in the plurality of application modules which have the highest overall score and which satisfy a set of constraints. Representations of the recommended application modules are displayed on the graphical display page. |
| US08413051B2 |
Contextually previewing fonts
Text may be contextually previewed in various fonts using preview panes with a level of transparency. Fonts or font groups may then be applied to a document using the preview panes. In one example, text to be inserted may be previewed in different fonts against the document in which the text is to be added. Once a user has selected a desirable font, the user may choose to insert the text into the document using the preview pane. Alternatively, a user may apply a font to existing text from the preview pane. Text in fonts of different types and/or sizes may be previewed in a variety of formats in a single preview area and/or with individual font preview panes. |
| US08413046B1 |
System and method for optimizing rich web applications
A system and machine-implemented method for optimizing the displaying of a rich web user interface (UI) to a user, the method including rendering a hidden base node and one or more child nodes within a Dynamic Object Model (DOM) tree structure determining if one or more nodes of the one or more child nodes and the base node represent a useful portion of the rich web UI based on whether the one or more nodes meet a pre-defined set of criteria, and exposing the base node if the one or more nodes represent a useful portion of the rich web UI, causing rendering of the useful portion of the rich web UI by displaying display elements corresponding to each of the base node and the one or more child nodes. |
| US08413041B2 |
Apparatus and method for parsing XML document by using external XML validator
Provided are an apparatus and a method for verifying the validity of an XML document when an XML application operates in an embedded device having a relatively low-performance processor and a small memory so as to prevent errors in the XML application due to wrong information. An XML parser using an external XML validator includes an XML receiver, an external XML validator caller, and a DOM/SAX tree generator. The external XML validator includes a schema/DTD receiver, an XML validator, and an XML validity result transmitter. |
| US08413039B2 |
Computer-implemented system and method for conducting field inspections and generating reports
A system for conducting inspections and generating reports comprising: a device equipped with a global positioning system, a camera and broadband wireless Internet access and on which is installed a client application that comprises an inspection form; a Web services layer; a server; and a browser for accessing a Web application. A field worker enters data into the inspection form, the client application creates one or more records based on the data entered by the field worker, and the Web services layer transmits the record(s) to the server in real time if Internet access is available. The Web application enables a user to view records in real time and create reports based on the records transmitted to the server. A method for conducting inspections and generating reports utilizing the system described above. |
| US08413038B2 |
System for downloading digital content published in a media channel
There is provided a system for downloading digital content to a portable media player, the digital content being published in a media channel by a content creator. The system may reside on a server accessible via the Internet. The system may comprise: a data receiver module to receive the digital content from the media channel via a communication medium; a conversion module to convert the received digital content to at least one format for consumption by the player; and a download module to copy the at least one file to the portable media player. The system may further comprise a player detection module to detect file formats compatible with the portable media player. A corresponding method is also disclosed. |
| US08413030B2 |
Wireless communication system, receiver and signal processing method for received signal
The error correction capability for wireless communication carried out involving propagation path fluctuation in time and frequency selectivity can be improved. A soft decision likelihood value inputted to an error correction decoder is multiplied by a weight determined according to the distance between the data symbol and pilot symbol corresponding to the soft decision likelihood value. Namely, the soft decision bit likelihood value corresponding to the data symbol is weighted according to the distances in time or frequency between the pilot symbol and data symbol. The weight is made smaller when the distance in time or frequency is larger. |
| US08413026B2 |
Forward error correction with configurable latency
A method of performing forward error correction with configurable latency, where a configurable latency algorithm evaluates a target Bit Error Rate (BER) against an actual BER and adjusts the size of a configurable buffer such that the target BER may be achieved when utilizing the smallest buffer size possible. When errors are corrected without the utilization of each of the configurable buffer locations, the algorithm reduces the size of the buffer by y buffer locations; the algorithm may continue to successively reduce the size of said buffer until the minimum number of buffer locations are utilized to achieve the target BER. If the buffer locations have been reduced such that the buffer size is too small and the target BER cannot be achieved, the algorithm may increase the size of the buffer until the minimum number of buffer locations are utilized to achieve the target BER. |
| US08413019B2 |
Computer-implemented method for correcting transmission errors using linear programming
A computer-implemented method for correcting transmission errors. According to the method, a transmitted vector corrupted by error can be recovered solving a linear program. The method has applications in the transmission of Internet media, Internet telephony, and speech transmission. In addition, error correction is embedded as a key building block in numerous algorithms, and data-structures, where corruption is possible; corruption of digital data stored on a hard-drive, CD, DVD or similar media is a good example. In short, progress in error correction has potential to impact several storage and communication systems. |
| US08413016B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and controller for judging a normal or anomalous condition of an error-corrected bit pattern
In a nonvolatile memory device of the present application, when data of each write unit is read from a nonvolatile memory, an all-clear detector detects whether the read data is already cleared, and a control portion judges whether a flag is already written into a written flag area of the data that has been descrambled by a descrambler and then corrected by an error detection and correction portion. Using a scramble pattern that is generated by a scramble pattern generator and corresponds to the written flag area, a predetermined bit pattern is scrambled to a state that differs from the cleared state. |
| US08413015B2 |
Nonvolatile memory controller with scalable pipelined error correction
A nonvolatile memory system includes a memory controller in communication with multiple memory dies through multiple memory interfaces. Multiple ECC blocks are provided to decode data from the multiple memory interfaces. ECC blocks are provided with a clock signal that may have a frequency that is lower than another clock signal that is provided to a host interface. |
| US08413014B2 |
Cycle slip detection and correction
A method of writing data to and reading data from a storage medium includes cycle slip detection and correction. An LDPC matrix includes a first area for cycle slip detection and correction. The first area satisfies a set of conditions such that a cycle slip at a particular position creates a pattern of parity check errors indicative of the position and polarity of the cycle slip. Writing user data to the storage medium includes encoding the user data with parity data according to the LDPC matrix. Reading the user data and the parity data from the storage medium includes decoding the user data and the parity data according to the LDPC matrix. Decoding includes, upon detecting a pattern of parity check errors indicative of the position and polarity of a detected cycle slip, correcting the detected cycle slip. |
| US08413012B2 |
Burst-error correction methods and apparatuses for wireless digital communications systems
Frames of data that have transverse Reed-Solomon (TRS) coding and subsequent cyclical-redundancy-check (CRC) coding are subjected to de-interleaving before concatenated convolutional coding (CCC). The de-interleaving is related to the symbol interleaving of the outer convolutional coding prior to the inner convolutional coding so as to result in implied interleaving of data bits in the CCC on which wireless digital transmissions are based. The CCC is turbo decoded in a receiver for the wireless digital transmissions and re-interleaved to reproduce soft data, hard data bits of which data are TRS coded. CRC coding is decoded during the turbo decoding procedures and used to influence the confidence levels of the soft data. The confidence levels of the soft data are used for locating byte errors when the TRS coded hard data bits of the soft data are decoded. |
| US08412999B2 |
Method for specifying transport block to codeword mapping and downlink signal transmission method using the same
A method for specifying a transport block-to-codeword mapping relationship and a method for transmitting a downlink signal using the same are described. If a swap flag has a first logic value, a first transport block is mapped to a first codeword and a second transport block is mapped to a second codeword. If the swap flag has a second logic value, the first transport block is mapped to the second codeword and the second transport block is mapped to the first codeword. If the size of any one of two transport blocks is 0, the swap flag is not used. |
| US08412998B1 |
Restart operation with logical blocks in queued commands
Methods and systems for performing a restart operation in a storage device include in response to receiving an unsuccessful status from the host indicating a transmission error occurred for the first command, determining in which one of the logical blocks the transmission error occurred and from which data needs to be resent, thereby identifying a restart logical block. The number of blocks in the restart logical block that were sent successfully are calculated, and it is determined that the block immediately following the blocks sent successfully is the block in which the transmission error occurred and from which the data needs to be resent, thereby identifying a restart block. An amount of data successfully sent in the restart block is determined; and an indication is provided to resend at least a portion of the data in the restart block to the host. |
| US08412997B2 |
Method and system for message retransmission and intersystem message delivery
The present invention discloses a method and a system for resending messages with a minimized number of retries and maximized timeliness of delivering the message to the receiving party. The method sets a retry period for a message that needs to be resent, determines a retry time according to the retry period, and sends the message after the retry time is reached. The retry period increases as the number of retries increases. The method and the system can ensure reliable delivery of notification messages and support many transmission protocols between different systems, does not require the receiving party to implement complicated interaction protocols to reliably receive a notification message, and is suitable for widespread use in the Internet. Moreover, the disclosure supports multiple transaction processing, can be used as a common business transaction application platform, and allows flexible expansion of multiple transactions and multiple protocols. |
| US08412991B2 |
Scan chain fault diagnosis
Embodiments related to identifying a reference scan cell locationally related to a fault condition exhibited by a scan chain in which the reference scan cell is included are provided. A method for identifying a reference scan cell is provided, the method including, in a capture mode, outputting combinational logic values to scan cells in the scan chain so that scan cell values for the scan cells are based on respective combinational logic values, the combinational logic values electrically connected with the scan chain. The method further includes, in a shift mod, sequentially determining the scan cell value for each scan cell, and identifying as the reference scan cell a scan cell last determined to be at an expected logical state for that scan cell. |
| US08412990B2 |
Dynamically tracking data values in a configurable IC
Some embodiments provide a method of dynamically tracking data values in a configurable integrated circuit (IC). The method, during a run time of the configurable IC, receives a request for a data value and dynamically configures the configurable IC to monitor the data value. In some embodiments, the method, in dynamically configuring the configurable IC, dynamically configures a debug network of the configurable IC. In some such embodiments, the method, in dynamically configuring the configurable IC, further dynamically configures a set of configurable routing circuits of the configurable IC. In some embodiments the configuration is performed while the IC is implementing a user design circuit. |
| US08412986B2 |
Storage system and control method thereof
Provided is a storage system, including: one or more disk drives storing data; a disk controller for controlling data access to the disk drive; a power supply controller for autonomously turning off a power source of the disk drive according to the data access status to the disk drive, and autonomously turning on the power source of the disk drive, which was turned off, after the lapse of a prescribed period from the time the power source was turned off irrespective of the data access status to the disk drive; and a media inspection unit for inspecting a failure in the disk drive in which the power source thereof was autonomously turned on irrespective of the data access status to the disk drive. |
| US08412982B2 |
Fault tolerant routing in a non-hot-standby configuration of a network routing system
Methods and systems for facilitating fault tolerance in a non-hot-standby configuration of a network routing system are provided. According to one embodiment, a failover method is provided. One or more processing engines of a network routing system are configured to function as active processing engines, each of which having one or more software contexts. A control blade is configured to monitor the active processing engines. One or more of the processing engines are identified to function as non-hot-standby processing engines, each of which having no pre-created software contexts corresponding to the software contexts of the active processing engines. The control blade monitors the active processing engines. Responsive to detecting a fault associated with an active processing engine the active processing engine is dynamically replaced with a non-hot-standby processing engine by creating one or more replacement software contexts within the non-hot-standby processing engine corresponding to those of the active processing engine. |
| US08412979B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for data storage using progressive raid
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for data storage with progressive redundant array of independent drives (“RAID”). A storage request receiver module, a striping module, a parity-mirror module, and a parity progression module are included. The storage request receiver module receives a request to store data of a file or of an object. The striping module calculates a stripe pattern for the data. The stripe pattern includes one or more stripes, and each stripe includes a set of N data segments. The striping module writes the N data segments to N storage devices. Each data segment is written to a separate storage device within a set of storage devices assigned to the stripe. The parity-mirror module writes a set of N data segments to one or more parity-mirror storage devices within the set of storage devices. The parity progression module calculates a parity data segment on each parity-mirror device in response to a storage consolidation operation, and stores the parity data segments. The storage consolidation operation is conducted to recover storage space and/or data on a parity-mirror storage device. |
| US08412976B2 |
Data negotiation using serial voltage identification communication
According to some embodiments, a method and system are provided to initiate communication at an integrated circuit that is electrically coupled to a plurality of voltage regulators, determine a slowest one of the plurality of voltage regulators that is electrically coupled to the processor, transmit address information to the plurality of voltage regulators that are electrically coupled to the processor at a first speed associated with the slowest one of the plurality of voltage regulators, determine a second speed associated with a voltage regulator to which the address information is associated, and transmit a second portion of the packet at the second speed associated with the voltage regulator to which the address information is associated. |
| US08412973B1 |
Detection of a characteristic of a periodic waveform
A method and apparatus for providing an interface between a communications device and a medium carrying an approximately periodic waveform are presented. The method includes providing a first signal in response to detecting a predetermined characteristic of the approximately periodic waveform using switching circuitry that draws a first amount of power drawn from the medium, and in response to the first signal, detecting the predetermined characteristic of the approximately periodic waveform using detecting circuitry that draws a second amount of power drawn from the medium, where the detecting circuitry detects the predetermined characteristic with greater accuracy in time than the switching circuitry detects the predetermined characteristic, and the second amount of power drawn from the medium is greater than the first amount of power. |
| US08412966B2 |
Voltage sensing circuitry for solid state power controllers
Solid state power controllers are described that include a switch controlled by a microcontroller and communication contacts. In one aspect of the invention, the microcontroller is galvanically isolated from the communication contacts using magnetoresistive isolation. In another aspect of the invention a number of solid state power controllers are connected to an external microcontroller to form a power distribution array. In addition, messages exchanged between the external microcontroller and the solid state power controllers can be used to configure the solid state power controllers and provide a user interface. |
| US08412961B2 |
Circuit and method for detecting a legacy powered device in a power over Ethernet system
In an embodiment, a power source equipment (PSE) device includes a network port configurable to couple to a network cable and a detection circuit coupled to the network port. The detection circuit is configured to apply a powered device (PD) detection voltage signal including first and second voltages to the network port and to sample a line current of the network port in response to the first and second voltages to detect a complex impedance indicating that a legacy PD is coupled to the network port. |
| US08412957B2 |
Encryption and decryption of records in accordance with group access vectors
According to some embodiments, a system, method, means, and/or computer program code are provided to facilitate an appropriate access to secure information by a plurality of users categorized into a plurality of groups. For example, a group access vector may be determined for each of a plurality of records in a data report, each group access vector including a plurality of indicators that indicate if an associated group is authorized to access that record. It may then be arranged for an encryption key to be assigned to each unique group access vector associated with the data report. It may further be arranged for each record in the data report to be encrypted in accordance with the encryption key assigned to the group access vector of that record, the combined encrypted records comprising an encrypted data report. |
| US08412952B1 |
Systems and methods for authenticating requests from a client running trialware through a proof of work protocol
A computer-implemented method for authenticating requests from a client running trialware through a proof of work protocol is described. A request received from a client running trialware is analyzed. A cryptographic puzzle is generated if an authentication token is not included with the request. The cryptographic puzzle is transmitted to the client. A solution to the cryptographic puzzle received from the client is analyzed. A response to the request is generated if the received solution to the puzzle is validated. |
| US08412951B2 |
Control system and a security checking method thereof
A control system and a security checking method thereof is used in an embedded system. The control system includes a process module and a first memory module. The first memory module is used to store a pre-loader code and a first secure key. The security checking method includes the following steps: loading the pre-loader code and the first secure key; executing the pre-loader code to download a first program from an in-system programming module; determining whether the first program corresponds to the first secure key or not; if yes, then downloading a second program from the in-system programming module; and programming an internal program and a second secure key by the second program. |
| US08412950B2 |
Defining classification thresholds in template protection systems
A method for configuring a biometric template protected authentication system wherein the desired classification threshold is first selected to optimize the trade-off between a false accept (FAR) and a false non match or reject rate (FRR) of the system, and then an error correcting code (ECC) used in the authentication process is chosen such that the number of errors which can be corrected is equal to or greater than the selected classification threshold. During authentication, the number of errors in a first codeword derived from biometric data associated with a physical object is determined and used in the decision process to accept or reject authentication. |
| US08412944B1 |
Document certification system and method
A professional subscriber station, a document authority station and a client station are provided. The professional subscriber station has a first electronic device for creating a document for being certified. The document authority station has a second electronic device adapted to receive the document and to certify the document and to transmit a document of certification and a cover sheet with codes to the professional subscriber station. The client station is adapted to receive the document and cover sheet with codes from the professional subscriber station. The client station has a third electronic device for viewing the certificate of authenticity at the client station and the document. |
| US08412939B2 |
System and method for mutual authentication between node and sink in sensor network
Disclosed a system and method for mutual authentication between a node and a sink in a sensor network. At least one sink periodically creates a neighboring sink list including information on at least one adjacent sink, and the sink requests node authentication to a base station when receiving an authentication request from the node and transmits its own neighboring sink list to the node when the node authentication has been completed. When the node moves and requests authentication to another sink, the another sink stores a neighboring sink list received from the node, determines if a node-authenticable sink exists in its own neighboring sink list according to the authentication request, and requests re-authentication of the node to the node-authenticable sink when the node-authenticable sink exists, so that re-authentication between the node and the sink is easily performed. |
| US08412936B2 |
Binding content licenses to portable storage devices
Systems, methods, and/or techniques (“tools”) for binding content licenses to portable storage devices are described. In connection with binding the content licenses to the portable storage devices (“stores”), a host may perform authentication protocols that include generating a nonce, sending the nonce to a store, and receiving a session key from the store, with the session key being generated using the nonce. The store may perform authentication protocols that include receiving the nonce from the host, generating a random session key based on the nonce, and sending the session key to the host. |
| US08412932B2 |
Collecting account access statistics from information provided by presence of client certificates
A method and system for collecting account access statistics from information provided by client certificates. In one embodiment, the method comprises requesting client certificates from remote terminals that request to access a computing resource. The method further comprises updating the account access statistics based on information provided by presence or absence of the client certificates and contents of the client certificates for the client certificates that are present. |
| US08412930B2 |
Device authentication within deployable computing environment
A deployable computing environment may facilitate interaction and data sharing between users and devices. Users, devices, and relationships between the users and devices may be represented within the deployable computing environment. A relationship between a user and a device may specify that the device is owned by the user and that the device is authorized to perform operations within the deployable computing environment on behalf of the user. Secure authentication of devices and users for interaction within the deployable computing environment is achieved by authenticating tickets corresponding to the user, the device, and the relationship. A device identification ticket and a user identification ticket are used to authenticate the device and user for interaction within the deployable computing environment. A device claim ticket allows the device to perform delegated operations (e.g., data synchronization, peer connectivity, etc.) on behalf of the user without the user's credentials (e.g., user identification ticket). |
| US08412927B2 |
Profile framework for token processing system
Embodiments of the present invention provide a profile framework for handling enrollment requests. In particular, when a token processing system receives an enrollment request, it selects an applicable profile based on information in the request. The profile may indicate a variety of parameters for fulfilling the enrollment request, such as the locations of the applicable certificate authority, token key service, and the like. The profile may also indicate items, such as the number of keys to generate on a token, a token label, and connection information to securely communicate with other components and the client making the enrollment request. |
| US08412922B2 |
On-site configuration of a hardware device module of a security system
A security system is provided. The security system comprises a plurality of hardware device modules and a plurality of sensor detection devices. At least one of the hardware device modules has a microcontroller coupled to a memory element that stores a configuration map for on-site configuration comprising configuration option information available for the at least one hardware device module. The plurality of sensor detection devices are capable of sending at least a signal to one or more of the hardware device modules. |
| US08412921B2 |
Control device for a vehicle and method for a data update for a control device for a vehicle
A control device for a vehicle and a method for a data update for a control device for a vehicle are provided, in which a first memory is provided that has a first area in which a bootloader is provided and that has a second area in which at least one application program is provided. Furthermore, a second memory is provided, in which first data for the at least one application program are provided. Furthermore, an interface is provided that provides second data for an update at least of one part of the first data. In addition, a control circuit is provided that calls up the bootloader for the update of the at least one part of the first data by the second data. The bootloader extracts from the second area of the first memory third data that indicate the third area of the second memory in which the second data for the update are to be written. |
| US08412919B2 |
Method for controlling multi-port network interface card
A method for controlling a multi-port Network Interface Card (NIC) is provided. In a computer using the multi-port NIC with a plurality of NIC ports, a plurality of control options is set into a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) setup menu, so that a user individually controls the NIC ports. Furthermore, due to the characteristic that after a reference code process in the BIOS restarts a system, the set of hardware becomes effective, an action of controlling the NIC ports is set before a reference code process restarts the system. |
| US08412913B2 |
Information processing system, information processing method, and program
An information processing system includes: a data processing unit that executes verification processing for a content recorded in a disk and reproduces the disk-recorded content under a condition that the verification succeeds, wherein the data processing unit randomly selects hash units, which are objects of collation, from among a plurality of hash units formed with component data items of the content, reads the selected hash units sequentially from the disk, calculates hash values, and collates the calculated hash values with collation hash values; and the data processing unit executes reading sequence determination processing so as to determine a reading sequence in which the selected hash units are sorted according to recording positions in a disk, and reads the selected hash units according to the determined reading sequence. |
| US08412910B2 |
Maintaining reverse mappings in a virtualized computer system
For a virtual memory of a virtualized computer system in which a virtual page is mapped to a guest physical page which is backed by a machine page and in which a shadow page table entry directly maps the virtual page to the machine page, reverse mappings of guest physical pages are optimized by removing the reverse mappings of certain immutable guest physical pages. An immutable guest physical memory page is identified, and existing reverse mappings corresponding to the immutable guest physical page are removed. New reverse mappings corresponding to the identified immutable guest physical page are no longer added. |
| US08412909B2 |
Defining and changing spare space and user space in a storage apparatus
A storage apparatus includes a memory unit and a controller to set up a memory space of the memory unit as a user data space and a spare space according to a signal representing at least one of the user data space and spare space. An electronic apparatus controls the storage apparatus, and a method controls at least one of the storage apparatus and the electronic apparatus to control a memory space of the storage apparatus. |
| US08412907B1 |
System, method and computer program product for application-level cache-mapping awareness and reallocation
A method of allocating resources in a data processing system is disclosed. The method includes an application designing a page reallocation scheme and sending said page reallocation scheme from said application to a kernel service that is responsible for allocation of storage locations. |
| US08412905B2 |
Storage system having secondary data store to mirror data
A storage system includes a secondary data store for backing up the primary data store, a deleted data store for retention of deleted data, and a data management application for managing the backing up of stored and deleted data of the primary data store. The deleted data store may be either separate from the secondary data store or implemented within the secondary data store. The data management application may automatically free up space for backup of data newly added to or deleted from the primary data store, by selectively removing data from the deleted data store, based application of appropriate criteria. |
| US08412900B1 |
Storage system and volume pair synchronization method
To inhibit the occurrence of communication failures in the system in which a secondary storage control apparatus acquires journal data from a primary storage control apparatus and writes the data to a secondary volume. The primary storage control apparatus comprises a command processing unit, a journal data creation unit, a journal data transfer unit which reads journal data to the secondary storage control apparatus, and a transfer control unit. In specified occasions, the transfer control unit controls at least either one of the journal data transfer amount by the journal data transfer unit and the width of the communication band utilized for journal data transfer. |
| US08412899B2 |
Real time backup storage node assignment
A method of assigning a storage node from a storage grid to a server is presented. The storage grid includes multiple storage nodes capable of backing up a policy stored on the server. The method includes receiving an assignment request which requests assignment of one of the multiple storage nodes of the storage grid to the server to backup the policy stored on the server. The method also includes performing a storage node assignment operation in an automated manner in response to the assignment request, the storage node assignment operation providing an assignment result identifying a storage node assigned to backup the policy stored on the server, the assignment result being based on an assessment of storage space requirements of the policy and available storage space resources of the storage grid. The method further includes notifying the server of the assignment result to effectuate backing up of the policy stored on the server by the storage node. |
| US08412896B1 |
Method and system for transparent restore of junction file types
A method and system for backing up and restoring data in a file system that includes junctions is provided. In a backup operation, a junction is encoded as a symbolic link (“symlink”) directive, and sent with a sequential image data stream in the backup operation and written to a tape or disk. In a restore operation, when the encoded symlink directive is encountered after data is read from the tape, the symlink is decoded by an administrator to obtain the embedded junction information contained in the symlink directive. The administrator can then recreate the junction using the information. The junction information is thereby transmitted as part of the backup and restore operation while remaining transparent to third party software performing the backup and restore processes. |
| US08412893B2 |
Data storage device and method for handling data read out from memory using a ping-pong buffer
The invention provides a method for handling data read out from a memory. In one embodiment, a controller corresponding to the memory comprises a ping-pong buffer. First, a first sector read time period required by the memory to read and output a data sector to the ping-pong buffer is calculated. A second sector read time period required by a host to read a data sector from the ping-pong buffer is calculated. A page switch time period required by the memory to switch a target read page is obtained. A total sector number is determined according to the first sector read time period, the second sector read time period, and the page switch time period. When the memory outputs data to the ping-pong buffer, a first buffer and a second buffer of the ping-pong buffer are switched to receive the data output by the memory according to the total sector number. |
| US08412888B2 |
Cache-based speculation of stores following synchronizing operations
A store request in enqueued in a store queue of a cache memory of the data processing system. The store request identifies a target memory block by a target address and specifies store data. While the store request and a barrier request older than the store request are enqueued in the store queue, a read-claim machine of the cache memory is dispatched to acquire coherence ownership of target memory block of the store request. After coherence ownership of the target memory block is acquired and the barrier request has been retired from the store queue, a cache array of the cache memory is updated with the store data. |
| US08412885B2 |
Searching a shared cache by using search hints and masked ways
In an embodiment of the present invention a method includes: sending request for data to a memory controller; arranging the request for data by order of importance or priority; identifying a source of the request for data; and if the source is an input/output device, masking off P ways in a cache; and allocating ways in filling the cache. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08412879B2 |
Hybrid implementation for error correction codes within a non-volatile memory system
Methods and apparatus for using different error correction code algorithms to encode and to decode contents of blocks within a non-volatile memory are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for storing data within a non-volatile memory includes identifying a first block into which the data is to be stored, and obtaining an indicator associated with the first block. A determination may then be made regarding whether the indicator indicates that the data is to be encoded using a first algorithm. The data is encoded using the first algorithm when it is determined that the data is to be encoded using the first algorithm, after which point the data encoded using the first algorithm is written into the first block. |
| US08412875B2 |
Switch and network bridge apparatus
A network system that is part of a main system includes: a first PCI express-network bridge with a first control unit and a first PCI express adapter terminating a first PCI express bus; and a second PCI express-network bridge connected to the first PCI express-network bridge through a network. The second PCI express-network bridge includes a second control unit and a second PCI express adapter terminating a second PCI express bus, wherein the first control unit detects a destination of a packet sent from the first PCI express adapter, searches a physical address of the destination from a packet encapsulating table, and encapsulates the packet in a frame so that the frame includes the physical address, and wherein the second control unit removes the encapsulation tagged to the packet, and transfers the packet to the destination through the second PCI express bus by referring to a PCI express configuration register. |
| US08412872B1 |
Configurable GPU and method for graphics processing using a configurable GPU
The present invention pertains to a graphics processing unit. The graphics processing unit includes a graphics processing core configured for graphics processing. A single-ended I/O interface configured to implement single-ended communication with a frame buffer memory is included in the graphics processing unit. The graphics processing unit further includes a differential I/O interface having a first portion and a second portion. In a first configuration, the first portion and the second portion implement a PCI-Express interface with a computer system. In a second configuration, the first portion implements a PCI-Express interface with the computer system and the second portion implements differential communication with a coupled device. |
| US08412863B2 |
Storage apparatus and virtual port migration method for storage apparatus
The object of the present invention is to provide a technique in which, in a storage apparatus using a PCI Express switch in an internal network, an EP can be shared among processors even if the EP is incompatible with the MR-IOV. A storage apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a first interface device which controls data input/output to and from a higher-level apparatus, and the first interface device is further provided with multiple virtual function units which provide virtual ports. The first interface device enables any of the virtual function units and does not enable any of the other virtual function units (see FIG. 14). |
| US08412861B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling USB switching circuit in portable terminal
An apparatus and method for automatically switching the operation mode of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) switching circuit in a portable terminal are provided. If an external device is connected to a USB interface unit, a signal is detected from the USB interface unit. The type of external device is identified by the detected signal. If the identified external device is a USB communication device, a communication mode is activated and a signal path is established between an internal module and the USB communication device during the communication mode. A determination is made as to whether an internal event occurs in the portable terminal and an external event occurs in the USB communication device, during the communication mode. The mode of the USB switching circuit is switched to a sleep mode if the internal and external events have not occurred. |
| US08412859B2 |
Methods and systems for interconnecting a peripheral device and an electronic system
A computer-implemented method for interconnecting a peripheral device and an electronic system includes analyzing an information (INF) file associated with the peripheral device, recognizing a resource conflict between the peripheral device and the electronic system based on the analyzing of the INF file, and resolving the resource conflict by modifying the INF file. |
| US08412856B2 |
File input/output scheduler using immediate data chunking
An input/output (I/O) method, system, and computer program product are disclosed. An incoming I/O request is received from an application running on a processor. A tree structure including processor-executable instructions defines one or more layers of processing associated with the I/O request. The instructions divide the data in the I/O request into one or more chunks at each of the one or more layers of processing. Each instruction has an associated data dependency to one or more corresponding instructions in a previous layer. The instructions are sorted into an order of processing by determining a location of each chunk and data dependencies between chunks of different layers of processing. One or more instructions are inserted into a schedule that depends at least partly on the order of processing. The I/O request is serviced by executing the instructions according to the schedule with the processor according to the order of processing. |
| US08412855B2 |
Write combining protocol between processors and chipsets
Systems and methods of processing write transactions provide for combining write transactions on an input/output (I/O) hub according to a protocol between the I/O hub and a processor. Data associated with the write transactions can be flushed to an I/O device without the need for proprietary software and specialized registers within the I/O device. |
| US08412853B2 |
Two pin serial bus communication interface
A two pin communication interface bus and control circuits are used with circuit boards, integrated circuits, or embedded cores within integrated circuits. One pin carries data bi-directionally and address and instruction information from a controller to a selected port. The other pin carries a clock signal from the controller to a target port or ports in or on the desired circuit or circuits. The bus may be used for serial access to circuits where the availability of pins on ICs or terminals on cores is minimal. The bus is used for communication, such as serial communication related to the functional operation of an IC or core design, or serial communication related to test, emulation, debug, and/or trace operations of an IC or core design. |
| US08412843B2 |
Network relay apparatus
A network relay apparatus which conducts data transfer by using a plurality of network LSIs includes a transfer engine unit having at least two network LSIs and a central control unit which controls the operation state of the network relay apparatus. The transfer engine unit includes the network LSIs capable of changing over at least one of a clock and an operation which differ every function block, a load judgment unit for judging a load laid upon each of function blocks in the network LSI, and a frequency voltage control unit for individually changing over at least one of the clock and operation voltage supplied to each function block on the basis of the load judged by the load judgment unit. |
| US08412842B2 |
Controlling streaming media responsive to proximity to user selected display elements
Methods, electronic terminals, and systems are disclosed for controlling the display of video streams on an electronic terminal. A plurality of the video streams are received at the electronic terminal from the media server. The received video streams are displayed in an ordered set of elements on a display device of the electronic terminal. A user selection of at least a first one of the elements is received. Commands are communicated, responsive to the user selection, from the electronic terminal to the media server to control the quality of service of the video streams that are displayed in each of the non-selected elements in response to their respective location within the ordered set of elements relative to the selected first element. |
| US08412833B2 |
Apparatus and method for inviting users to online sessions
An invitation service performs a series of transactions to enable P2P communication between two or more mobile data processing devices. Prior to attempting to establish a P2P network communication channel, the invitation service may first collect network information for each of the mobile devices and use the network information to determine if a direct P2P network communication channel is feasible. If a direct connection is feasible, then the invitation service provides for direct P2P communication, pushing the necessary network information to each of the mobile devices. If, however, a direct connection is infeasible or if a direct connection is attempted and fails, then the invitation service may identify network information associated with a relay service. The network information may then be used by any pair of mobile devices to establish a connection through the relay service. |
| US08412826B2 |
Message exchange between software components
Systems, methods, and devices are provided for message exchange between software components. One method includes receiving a message request from a software component to send a message to a destination address. The method includes creating a message object which can be exchanged between software components, regardless of a transport mechanism or a protocol employed by one or more software components, upon receiving the request. |
| US08412823B1 |
Managing tracking information entries in resource cache components
A system, method, and computer readable medium for managing resources maintained in resource cache components are provided. A network storage provider storing one or more resources on behalf of a content provider obtains client computing device requests for content. The network storage provider provides resources that are received and maintained on resource cache components. The network storage provider either processes requests or provides notifications to the resource cache components to facilitate the management of resources that need to be updated or are otherwise treated as invalid. |
| US08412822B1 |
Optimized job scheduling and execution in a distributed computing grid
An arrangement provides optimal job scheduling in a distributed computing grid having a network of nodes. As jobs enter the system, their requirements are matched against the capabilities at each node to determine (step 202) candidate nodes. From this set of candidate nodes, a subset of valid nodes is selected (step 204) that has sufficient bandwidth for the duration of the job on each link that will need to be used by the job if run at that candidate node. For each valid node, a total cost is computed (step 206) to run the job. The cost may include such factors as bandwidth cost, server cost, storage cost, delay costs, and the like. Finally, a lowest cost node is selected (step 207), and the job is scheduled for execution (step 208) and then run (step 209) on that lowest cost node. An arrangement combining job scheduling with bandwidth on demand (BoD) involves a system for scheduling at least one job for execution on a network of nodes joined by links having respective link capacities, each job associated with a transport capacity requirement. The system has a job scheduler (element 150) configured to schedule the at least one job to be executed on at least one selected node, and a link manager (element 140) configured to reserve at least some of the link capacity of at least one of the links connected to the at least one selected node, to match the job transport capacity requirement. |
| US08412817B1 |
Load balancing voicemail server system
A load balancing server system balances the load imposed by requestor requests for services across a set of service-providing servers. A network interface receives the requestor requests from a network communication system and sends server requests for services to the service-providing servers. A data processing system creates and maintains server status information indicative of whether each service-providing server is operational, and server pointer information identifying the service-providing server to which the next server request should be sent. In response to each requestor request, the data processing system causes the network interface to send one or more server requests for one or more services related to the requestor request to the service-providing server identified by the server pointer information and increments in a round-robin manner the server pointer information to the next operational service-providing server. |
| US08412815B2 |
Alert log activity thread integration
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to alert management in an activity-centric collaborative computing environment and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for activity thread integration of an alert log. In one embodiment of the invention, an alert log activity thread integration method can be provided. The method can include logging a reference to an alert for an activity in an activity thread, and, in response to the selection of the alert from within the activity thread, displaying the content of the alert. For instance, logging a reference to an alert for an activity in an activity thread can include creating a branch of the activity thread for inserting all alerts pertaining to the activity and inserting the reference to the alert in the created branch. |
| US08412812B1 |
Client-side measurement of load times
Document load times may be determined by (a) accepting a first set of one or more document identifiers, (b) for each of the one or more document identifiers of the first set, requesting the document, downloading the document, and rendering the document, and (c) determining a first elapsed time from about the time of requesting a first document identified by the first set of one or more document identifiers to about the time of completion of the rendering of a last document identified by the first set of one or more document identifiers. This may be repeated for a second set of documents. For example, a first set of document(s) may be located at a first serving facility and the second set of document(s) may be located at a second serving facility. |
| US08412810B1 |
Provisioning and managing a cluster deployed on a cloud
A system is provided to provision and manage cloud-based clustered application deployment. In one example embodiment, a cloud-based clustered application deployment uses a three tier topology that includes a load balancing tier, an application tier, and a database tier. Each tier comprises a set of nodes, where each node is implemented using a virtual instance of a machine running within a public virtualization space, such as, e.g., the virtualization space provided by Amazon's Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) service. A controller is provided to enforce sequential start sequence of a cluster using an asynchronous messaging system that provides notifications to cluster nodes as the individual nodes of the cluster become available. This messaging system is also used when the size of the cluster is increased or decreased. |
| US08412808B2 |
Method and framework for service-based remote support delivery
In a service-based remote support delivery system, service engineers supported by an analysis server receive incident reports from both personal computers and from unmanned servers within an enterprise. The incidents arise both from user-created reports of problems, from event annunciators that monitor hardware and software to report events as they occur, and from the periodic gathering of configuration data. These incident reports are combined with host information and contact information and are transmitted to the analysis server as the central site for processing. All incidents in large enterprises are first collected and stored on an SPOP node. Both proactive and reactive system monitoring is thus combined into a uniform system. |
| US08412798B1 |
Content delivery system and method
A content delivery system and method for use with plurality of digital multimedia data processing systems and legacy systems spanning across one or more network environments. The system and method enable users with freedom of mobility while maintaining access to the user's selected content while the user transitions from one device in one location to a different device in a difference location, substantially without interruption and without the need for user action to turn on and off these target data processing systems. The Instant Invention can provide high bandwidth content delivery solutions based upon hardware and software components by activating a Target device while the system is proximate to the Target device and, in one embodiment, automatically redirecting the content while the system is proximate to a new Target device without user intervention. The Target devices include digital multimedia data processing systems and legacy systems including, but not limited to, HDTVs, TV, Personal Computers, digital music systems, printers, radios, and fax machines. |
| US08412795B2 |
Control device for a system-on-chip and corresponding method
A system such as a “System-on-Chip” includes an interconnection network, a set of initiator modules for transmitting data towards the interconnection network and at least one communication arbiter for deciding, as a function of a set of configuration values, which transmissions of the initiator modules have access to the interconnection network. At least one configuration value is associated with each initiator module. A control device coupled to at least one of the initiator modules detects a communication status associated with the transmissions of the coupled initiator and generates a communication status signal whose value is representative of such status, determines a filtered value representative of a series of the values of the communication status signal, and selectively varies one of the configuration values as a function of the filtered value. |
| US08412793B2 |
Method, device and system for delivery resume of dynamic content
The present invention discloses a method for delivery resume of dynamic content comprising: after detecting a delivery channel to a client that receives dynamic content is recovered to normal, or receiving a request for delivering resume of dynamic content from the client, the dynamic content delivery server determines a delivery resume mode, and delivers the dynamic content to the client in the determined delivery resume mode. The present invention further provides a corresponding client, a corresponding server, and a corresponding dynamic content delivery system. The present invention can determine the delivery resume mode in accordance with dynamic information of the client and type of the dynamic content to be delivered, thereby it is ensured that the delivered dynamic content is the information that the client needs, and waste of network transmission resources is avoided. |
| US08412792B2 |
Network file transfer and caching system
A network file transfer and caching system is presented. The system provides multiple access utilities to select and transfer files to other users. The system is of particular use where the size of the files precludes transfer by other means such as e-mail attachments. The system is uniquely integrated into the operating systems by providing right click context menu file selection and process initiation. New utilities enable improved workflow by providing download information without the need to wait for completion of the network transfer process. Network transfer processes may progress in the background without user oversight or intervention. Files are cached and securely available to selected receivers of the files. The caching process may be managed by selected parameters related to number of downloads and time limits for availability of downloads. |
| US08412789B2 |
System and method for connecting a security system using a network
A system and method for connecting a security system using a network. The security system includes at least two discrete parts and is connected using a local area network. The security system also includes a first dedicated, hard-wired field bus, a first plurality of peripheral devices, a control panel, a first transfer device, a second transfer device, a second dedicated, hard-wired field bus, and a second plurality of peripheral devices. The control panel is configured to send data through the first field bus. Each of the first plurality of peripheral devices is coupled to the first field bus and is configured to receive the data from the control panel. The first transfer device is connected to the control panel and is configured to packetize the data from the control panel and send the packetized data through the local area network. The second transfer device is coupled to the second field bus and is configured to receive the packetized data from the first transfer device and depacketize the packetized data. Each of the second plurality of peripheral devices is coupled to the second field bus and is configured to receive the data from the second transfer device. |
| US08412788B2 |
System for facilitating thread-based message prioritization
To perform thread-based message prioritization, metadata may be extracted from a received electronic message. Based on the extracted message metadata and accumulated metadata extracted from previously received messages, a message thread to which the received electronic message belongs may be identified. Based on a set of thread priority assessment criteria, a priority level for the message thread may be determined. At least part of the message thread may be processed according to the priority level. The processing may be altering a notification behavior of an electronic messaging client for electronic messages of the message thread. Thread priority assessment may be based on user-configurable criteria that may be set via a graphical user interface. Message thread identification may also be based on user-configurable criteria that may be set via a graphical user interface. |
| US08412784B2 |
Storage model for maintaining structured document fidelity
Architecture that introduces storage of an extra (skeleton) property of a document as well as default document properties on a server. In a specific messaging implementation, a MIME skeleton property is stamped on an arriving MIME messages. An incoming MIME message is shredded and all content that is currently saved to MAPI properties continues to be saved. The remaining message content that is not saved to the MAPI properties is stored in the skeleton property. The skeleton property includes all body part headers and any body part content that was not saved as a property on the item by the server. On retrieval of this message by a MIME client, the MIME message is regenerated in full fidelity by using the default set of properties in combination with the skeleton (or extra) property and the stored body content. |
| US08412781B2 |
Image communication apparatus, image communication method, and memory medium
In an Internet facsimile apparatus, it is an object of the invention to provide means for notifying the user of details of a message disposition notification situation (MDN) of a transmission image. When E-mail data is sent, an MDN for E-mail to be sent is requested and communication management information of the sent E-mail is updated on the basis of a reception result of reply E-mail responsive to the MDN request. |
| US08412778B2 |
Junk electronic mail detector and eliminator
A method and system for parsing and analyzing incoming electronic mail messages to determine a confidence factor indicative of whether or not the messages are junk e-mail. The method and system utilize message services which attempt to contact the purported sender in order to verify that the identified host computer actually exists and accepts outgoing mail services for the specified user. The routing history is also examined to ensure that identified intermediate sites are also valid. Likewise, seed addresses can alert an e-mail provider to potential mass mailings by reporting when mail is received for ghost or non-existent accounts. |
| US08412777B2 |
Methods and systems for unifying data parameter passing in a data processing system
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide for servers processing input data regardless of whether the input data is located in an attachment to a message from a client. The server receives a message from the client instructing the server to process data. Then, the server determines whether the data is located in an attachment to the message, and if the data is located in the attachment, moves the data to another location other than in the attachment. |
| US08412776B2 |
Web-based groupware system
The present invention relates to a system and method for providing a communication network. The system comprises a network-connected server having input and access capabilities, a site builder, a transmitter, a communicator, and memory. The site-builder receives instructions input from a first user and creates a dedicated network site based on the received instructions. The transmitter communicates the existence of the dedicated network site to a nominated second user. The communicator provides accesses to the contents of the dedicated network site by the first and second users. The memory stores information input by the first and the second user in the dedicated network site. |
| US08412775B2 |
Peer to peer gateway
A method and system for interconnecting a number of peer to peer networks is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a peer to peer, gateway communicates with one or more peer to peer networks. The gateway communicates with these networks through the Internet, to which it is connected. The gateway may be configured to perform a number of functions on each of the connected networks, including but not limited to: data storage, searching, data transfer, and data translation. |
| US08412770B2 |
Providing an answer to a question from a social network site using a separate messaging site
A question is received on a first social network site from a first user. The question is sent to a second user of a second social network site who receives the question from the second social network site. The first social network site receives an answer to the question from the second user via the second social network site and provides the answer to the first user. |
| US08412769B2 |
Scalably imaging clients over a network
Techniques exist for imaging clients over a network, such as the preboot execution environment (PXE) protocol. However, such techniques may not scale well (e.g., using broadcast messages and having few facilities for distributing the imaging service over several servers) and limited capacity to choose a particular image for a particular client. Instead, a set of servers may be configured such that each server is assigned a set of clients, and when a client sends an imaging query, only the server to which the client is assigned sends a reply. For example, a PXE server also comprising a DHCP server may reply to queries only for clients having a DHCP reservation on the server. The servers may also be configured to refer to a network map (e.g., a manageability data store) in order to identify the role of the client and the appropriate image to direct the client to apply. |
| US08412767B2 |
Mobile content service
Standard content created for use on non-mobile platforms, such as personal computers, is made available and useful to mobile devices. A request for content from a mobile device is sent to a mobile server using the DNS or a redirect from a standard content server. The mobile server obtains the standard content and normalizes it for use on the mobile device. The normalized content is sent to the requesting mobile device. |
| US08412766B1 |
Method and apparatus for tracking client navigation among multiple resources in communication session information saved by a server
Techniques for tracking navigation by a client among multiple content provided by servers include receiving from the client a first request for first content. In response to receiving the first request, a first response identification is generated that is unique among all responses during a communication session. Information associated with the first request is stored in a data structure in a first record associated with the first response identification. A linking element in the first content is determined. Selection of the linking element causes the client to generate a second request for second content. The first response identification is associated with the linking element in a first response such that the second request includes the first response identification. The first response is sent to the client. The tracking succeeds with multiple windows and limitations on state information passed by a client. |
| US08412763B2 |
Podcast organization and usage at a computing device
Improved techniques that facilitate the use of podcasts are disclosed. The improved techniques can pertain to publishing, hosting, accessing, subscribing, managing, organizing, searching, browsing, transferring, and/or playing podcasts. According to one aspect, tags are embedded into syndication feeds (e.g., RSS feeds) that may be made available for distribution by an online media store to facilitate the management of podcasts. In accordance with one embodiment, an explicit tag may be embedded at the feed and/or episode level to indicate that the feed and/or episode includes explicit content. In accordance with another embodiment, a duration tag may be embedded at the episode level to indicate an estimated duration associated with the episode. Upon downloading the episode, the duration may be replaced by the actual duration of the episode. In accordance with yet another embodiment, a new feed-URL tag may be embedded in a syndication feed to identify a new URL at which the feed is to be accessed. |
| US08412756B1 |
Multi-operand floating point operations in a programmable integrated circuit device
A programmable logic device is programmed to add a plurality N of unnormalized numbers at once. Because the inputs are not normalized, they could all have different exponents. The largest exponent of the N exponents is found, and for each of the inputs, its mantissa is right-shifted at by the difference between the largest exponent and the exponent of that particular input. The N shifted mantissas are combined, optionally with sign data, in an (N+1):2 compressor to provide carry and save vectors which may be combined in a carry-propagate adder. Numbers may converted back to normalized form at the end of the operation. If necessary to avoid data loss, a number may be normalized after an intermediate step. |
| US08412754B2 |
Virtual system administration environment for non-root user
A virtual system environment in a computing system allows non-root users to perform administrative operations normally requiring root privileges. A virtual control module has a virtual file system with virtual directories corresponding to one or more of the system directories of a root file system. Each virtual directory contains one or more symbolic links symbolically linking to one or more system files as link targets. The symbolic links have non-root permissions that allow the non-root users to perform administrative operations in the virtual control module that delete, change or replace the symbolic links. A capability is provided to resolve the symbolic links within the virtual control module to allow the non-root users to execute the link targets via the symbolic links. One or more non-root users may be placed in the virtual control module by setting their apparent root directory to a root directory of the virtual file system. |
| US08412753B2 |
File creation API
An application program interface (API) provides means for dynamic filesystem creation, that allows complex filesystem hierarchies to be created and written on-the-fly without having to generate a complete on-disk representation. The filesystem is laid out in a one-parent many-children hierarchy of file and folder objects. The API recursively traverses the filesystem hierarchy beginning at the root node to determine the filesystem's structure. Callback functions for retrieval of file data are determined for each filesystem object and stored in memory. Output blocks are allocated for file data as needed. During the writing phase, the callback functions are executed to retrieve file data which is then written to the desired computer readable media. |
| US08412751B2 |
Determining whether a Java object has been scan-missed by a garbage collector scan
A Java object is scan-missed during the mark phase of a garbage collection cycle. A list of any unscanned objects, comprising all objects of a particular object type, is created during a sweep phase of the garbage collection cycle. After the garbage collection cycle is completed, and the application resumes, for every PUTFIELD/GETFIELD operation on the object type that is part of a specific parent object, a comparison is made with the relevant information in the unscanned objects list. A scan-miss is identified by determining whether the current object being referenced by the application is a part of the unscanned object list that has been created during the sweep phase of the garbage collection cycle. |
| US08412748B2 |
Metadata brokering server and methods
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for supplying rich multimedia metadata usable to generate, e.g., sophisticated entertainment user interfaces in the home. These methods and systems can be implemented as a server-based software application that feeds multiple, diverse clients. The server functionality could be distributed, even co-located physically with one or more clients, or centralized. The server aggregates, filters, validates, augments and links metadata from disparate sources. The server transforms the metadata into a more manageable and extensible internal format. The server communicates with client devices using a schema-independent protocol, providing metadata in the appropriate format that suites the clients needs. |
| US08412741B2 |
Product network management system and method
The invention is directed to an integrated computerized product lifecycle manager and requirements manager system for associating high-level requirements data with everyday product lifecycle management activities. The system includes a networked database comprised of one or more central computerized data servers, and a plurality of user computers (terminals, workstations) connected to the central server or servers by a computer data network. The server or servers will usually run multiple software modules such as database modules, various product lifecycle management modules, data viewer and decoder modules, and requirements management modules all operating in an integrated manner so that selected portions of the requirements tree, from the top high-level requirements to more detailed low level requirements, can be presented to users in a context relevant manner. The invention additionally includes context management module by which selected portions of the requirements data may be exposed or redacted according to organizational needs. |
| US08412739B2 |
Optimization of an upgrade process of an original system
In one general aspect, a computer system can include instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer system can include a upgrade portion identifier configured to identify a plurality of databases of an original system for upgrade, and a parameter module configured to calculate a plurality of parameter values representing aspects of the plurality of databases. The computer system can also include a fuzzy logic module configured to calculate, using fuzzy logic, a relative ranking of each database from the plurality of databases based on the plurality of parameter values, and a selection module configured to select at least a portion of the plurality of databases for upgrade during uptime of the original system based on a limitation of an upgrade resource and the relative ranking of each database from the plurality of databases. |
| US08412738B2 |
Portable infrastructure object for capturing machine images
A method for capturing an image of a machine having one or more disks is presented. The method comprises creating a snapshot of the machine, the snapshot including full machine encapsulation, querying the one or more disks on the machine to obtain information stored thereon, creating metadata able to access one or more files, one or more folders, and the application on the machine, and capturing the snapshot, the obtained information and the metadata in the image. The method may also comprise migrating the captured image and/or extracting one or more files and/or folders from the captured image on another machine. The migration can be between physical and physical, physical and virtual, physical and cloud, etc. The method may comprise capturing another image comprising the snapshot, the metadata and changed information different from the obtained information. |
| US08412735B2 |
Data quality enhancement for smart grid applications
A method, in one embodiment, can include encoding knowledge about a topic domain into a data modeling technique. Additionally, a set of candidate conditional functional dependencies can be generated based on a data set of the topic domain. Moreover, the set of candidate conditional functional dependencies and the data modeling technique encoded with the topic domain knowledge can be applied to the data set to obtain a plurality of data quality rules for the data set. |
| US08412733B1 |
Method for distributed RDSMS
Methods for processing streaming data records are provided that include facilities for defining and naming multiple input and output data streams using relational processing definitions and abstractions similar to those found in relational database management systems (RDBMS) and embodied as a set of communicating stream processing nodes. The result is a Distributed Data Stream Management System (DDSMS) which is also a kind of Relational Data Stream Management System (RDSMS). The former comprises a set of Relational Data Stream Management System (RDSMS) nodes, whereas the latter might contain only a single RDSMS node. |
| US08412731B2 |
File management method and system
The invention provides a file management method and system for managing file retrieval and access. The method operates at the operating system level within a file system of a computer device and allows creating file move links upon detection of a file move request. The file move link associates the file source location with the file target location and is stored within a file move link table of the file system for subsequent file access request. File path to target location is automatically retrieved and file reached transparently for the user. |
| US08412729B2 |
Sharing of presets for visual effects or other computer-implemented effects
This application describes a system and associated methods for enabling users of video editing, compositing, motion graphics, and other applications to easily store and retrieve presets, have presets modified for compatibility with other applications, share presets with each other, and search for shared presets. The users may utilize different applications that store presets according to different application-specific schemas. The system can automatically translate or conform presets from one application-specific schema to a neutral schema and from the neutral schema to another application-specific schema. This allows a user of one application to share his or her presets with users of different applications. Among other things, this cross-application sharing of presets allows the system implementor to create one user community (e.g., of users of different applications), rather than several individual ones (e.g., an individual user community for each different application). Other features of the system and associated methods are also described. |
| US08412727B1 |
Generating query refinements from user preference data
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for generating query refinements from user preference data. A group of query pairs are obtained. Each query pair includes a first query and a second query. A quality score is determined for each query pair from user preference data for documents responsive to both the first and the second query. A diversity score is determined for each query pair having a quality score satisfying a quality threshold, the diversity score determined from user preference data for documents responsive to the second, but not the first, query. For each query pair having a quality score satisfying the quality threshold and a diversity score satisfying a diversity threshold, the second query of the query pair is associated with the first query of the query pair as a candidate refinement for the first query. |
| US08412726B2 |
Related links recommendation
The related links recommendation technique described herein employs combined collaborative filtering to recommend related web pages to users. The technique creates multiple collaborative filters which are combined in order to create a combined collaborative filter to recommend web pages similar to a given web page to a user. One query-based collaborative filter is created by using query search clicks (e.g., user input device selection actions on search results returned in response to a search query). Another user-behavior-based collaborative filter is created by using query search clicks and user clicks while browsing websites (e.g., user input device selection actions while a user is browsing websites). Lastly, another content-based collaborative filter based on similar content of web pages is created by finding web pages with similar content. |
| US08412717B2 |
Changing ranking algorithms based on customer settings
Search term ranking algorithms can be generated and updated based on customer settings, such as where a ranking algorithm is modeled as a combination function of different ranking factors. An end user of a search system provides personalized preferences for weighted attributes, generally or for a single instance of the query. The user also can indicate the relative importance of one or more ranking factors by specifying different weights to the factors. Ranking factors can specify document attributes, such as document title, document body, document page rank, etc. Based on the attribute weights and the received user query, a ranking algorithm function will produce the relevant value for each document corresponding to the user preferences and personalization configurations. |
| US08412716B2 |
System and method of presenting relevant application components to a user
In one embodiment the present invention includes a computer implemented method of presenting relevant application components to a user of a computer system. The method includes capturing text displayed in open applications, determining key terms in the captured text based on a key terms catalog, and determining potentially relevant components by using the key terms to search a user interface dictionary. The user interface dictionary corresponds to a map between user interface strings and user interface components. The method further includes computing relevance scores for potentially relevant components, and presenting to the user the relevant components that correspond to relevant ones of the potentially relevant components, according to the relevance scores. |
| US08412713B2 |
Set function calculation in a database
A database system uses indexes to improve performance. The system can use one or more of the following: differentiated subfields for index clustering; set function calculations to reduce the amount of I/O; and/or using an inferred index in a circular table. |
| US08412708B2 |
System and method for modeling and analyzing complex scenarios
An embodiment of the present invention includes a method for analyzing and solving possibility tree. A possibility tree having a plurality of programmable nodes is constructed and solved with a solver module executed by a processor element. The solver module executes the programming of said nodes, and tracks the state of at least a variable through a branch. When a variable of said branch is out of tolerance with a parameter, the solver disables remaining nodes of the branch and marks the branch as an invalid solution. The valid solutions are then aggregated and displayed as valid tree solutions. |
| US08412707B1 |
Method and apparatus for distributing content
Some embodiments provide a system that provides a user interface (UI) for categorizing content. The UI includes (i) a first UI tool for receiving identification of a set of tags and associating the set of tags to the content and (ii) a second UI tool for receiving identifications of relationships between the tags within the set of tags in order to describe the content. In some embodiments, the set of tags includes one or more tag chains that are based on a hierarchy of the tags within the set of tags. In some embodiments, the set of tags includes one or more tag chains that are based on a set of operators. Each operator in the set identifies a relationship between two or more tags within the set of tags. In some embodiments, the UI also includes a UI tool for receiving content or presenting the list of content items through a communications network. In various embodiments, the communications network may be a network of networks (e.g., the Internet), a private network, a public network, a wireless cellular network, etc. |
| US08412703B2 |
Search engine for scientific literature providing interface with automatic image ranking
An information retrieval system for scientific literature provides a summary document for reviewing the results of a query that provides both a text-based summary and an image-based summary, the latter represented by a figure from the document that has a highest ranking indicating its centrality to the concept of the document. A ranking of figures may be done by an analysis of figure-associated text either by supervised machine learning or comparison of text similarities. |
| US08412692B2 |
Method and apparatus to insert a scanned document
A method of inserting a scanned document includes inputting a user command to select a position in a first document file where to insert a second document file, generating a file corresponding to the second document file, to have same format as the first document file, and generating a third document file in which the second document file is inserted in the first document file, at the selected position. |
| US08412691B2 |
Maintenance and access of a linked list
A method includes atomically reading a next field of a current element of the linked list to determine a first value that encodes a first pointer to the first element and a first indication of an owner of the first element. The first indication of the owner is stored in a first of a plurality of multi-field reservation data structures. The operation includes determining whether the next field of the current element still indicates the first value. The operation includes reading the first element of the linked list via the first pointer if the next field of the current element still indicates the first value. If the next field of the current element indicates a current value different than the first value, the first indication of the owner is removed from the first multi-field reservation data structure, and storing and determining with the second value is repeated. |
| US08412690B2 |
In-memory processing for a data warehouse
Embodiments of the present invention include in-memory processing for data warehouse applications. In one embodiment, data records from a data warehouse application are stored in a data storage structure of an in-memory database. Data received from the data warehouse may be stored in a queue and loaded into the data storage structure according to predefined rules. Stored data records are associated with in-memory database transactions that caused the stored data record to be stored, and may further be associated with transactions that caused the stored data records to be changed. A mapping is generated to associate requests from the data warehouse application with in-memory database transactions. The data warehouse application may retrieve data in a change data format calculated on-the-fly. |
| US08412689B2 |
Shared log-structured multi-version transactional datastore with metadata to enable melding trees
Architecture that includes an ordered and shared log of indexed transaction records represented as multi-version data structures of nodes and node pointers. The log is a sole monolithic source of datastore state and is used for enforcing concurrency control. The architecture also includes a transaction processing component that appends transaction records to the log from concurrent transactions executing on different processors. Each node of a record is assigned a log address. |
| US08412688B1 |
Delegated reference count base file versioning
A snapshot copy facility maintains information indicating ownership and sharing of child nodes in the hierarchy of a file between successive versions by delegating reference counts to the parent-child relationships between the nodes, as indicated by pointers in the parent nodes. When a child node becomes shared between a parent node of the production file and a parent node of a snapshot copy, the delegated reference count is split among the parent nodes. This method is compatible with a conventional data de-duplication facility, and avoids a need to update reference counts in metadata of child nodes of a shared intermediate node upon splitting the shared intermediate node when writing to a production file. |
| US08412687B1 |
System and method for delivering content to a communication device in a content delivery system
The present invention relates to a method, system, and a computer program product for delivering content to a communication device, in response to an image sent by the communication device. The received image is matched with a plurality of images, and, when a match is found for the received image, content corresponding to the image is delivered to the communication device. The plurality of images is stored in an image database, and the corresponding content is stored in a content repository. The present invention enables a content provider to automatically update the image database and the content repository without any human intervention. |
| US08412681B2 |
Content archival and retrieval
Content archival and retrieval, in which connections with multiple, different enterprise applications operated by an organization are established. In addition, a connection with a central archival system is established and content to archive is received from the multiple, different enterprise applications. The central archival system is controlled to archive, in a central location, the content received from the multiple, different enterprise applications such that content from a first type of enterprise application is archived in the central location together with content from a second type of enterprise application. |
| US08412680B1 |
System and method for performing backup operations and reporting the results thereof
Systems and methods are provided for performing a plurality of data operations as a batch process on a client computing device and then reporting on the results of the batch process. According to some embodiments, the batch process is a backup process, a backup server or backup client is provided that is configured to perform the backup process on the backup client; record a backup operation result for the backup operations performed as part of the backup process; and determine a backup process result based on the one or more backup operation results, wherein if no backup operation result indicates a failure, then the backup process result is determined to be a success, and wherein if a backup operation result indicates a failure, then the backup process result is determined to be a success if the plurality of backup operation results meets a predetermined level of success. |
| US08412675B2 |
Context aware data presentation
A context aware data application presents information about a first user's contact means and methodologies. The application organizes, filters and present the information taking into account multiple inputs regarding the specific context and the relationship and preferred communication means between the first user and other users seeking to contact the first user. The information allows the users seeking to make contact to quickly take an action that is expected given the context of the first user as presenting the most relevant data allows the contacting users to take actions quickly and effectively. |
| US08412673B2 |
Persistence of master data in a multi-tenant software delivery architecture
A first tenant-nonspecific database table on a repository accessible to an application server of a multi-tenant software delivery architecture can maintain a first record designating a first predefined generic field of a plurality of predefined generic fields. The first record can include an organization-specific master data field definition of the first predefined generic field maintained in a first tenant-specific definition field assigned to a first customer tenant of a plurality of customer tenants that are accessible via the application server. Each customer tenant of the plurality of customer tenants can provide a discrete organization-specific business configuration of a core software platform. A second tenant-nonspecific database table maintained on the repository can maintain a second record that can include a key value designating the first tenant, a record designator, and an organization-specific master data value corresponding to the first predefined generic field. A calculation or determination based on master data can be performed that is relevant to the discrete organization-specific business configuration provided by the first customer tenant using the organization-specific master data value. |
| US08412669B2 |
Systems and methods for determining muscle force through dynamic gain optimization of a muscle PID controller
Systems and methods for determining muscle force are presented. Proportional, integral, and derivative control is used to simulate muscle forces for multiple muscles contributing to a kinematic profile. The simulated muscle forces arc modified by dynamic gains that are calculated in order to achieve a muscle recruitment objective such as minimizing collective muscle effort while still achieving the kinematic motion. |
| US08412666B1 |
Method for logical processing of continuous-valued logical signals
The present invention provides computational means for calculating values of continuous-valued logical functions, which are uniquely defined and deterministic, while compatible with their discrete counterparts. The invention supports logical processing of arbitrary logical functions of arbitrary number of input variables. The proposed algorithm utilizes a series of multiplications, number of which is proportional to a number of input variables and a number of maxterms. It allows of minimizing the computation time while excluding a more elaborative disjunction operation. The present invention can be implemented in software of microprocessors, microcontrollers, DSP, or general computers, and it can also be built as a stand-alone or a set of digital, analog, or mixed-signal ICs. |
| US08412663B2 |
System and method for temporal correlation of observables based on timing ranges associated with observations
According to one embodiment, an electronic device may be configured to perform temporal correlation operations to determine if a plurality of observables correspond to a selected event of interest. The electronic device comprises a memory and a processor. The memory is adapted to store information representing a process template for a selected event, where the process template including a plurality of observation states. The processor is coupled to the memory. The processor is adapted to receive a plurality of observables and to automatically conduct a recursive comparison of time values associated with each of the plurality of observables to timing ranges associated with each observation state to produce a listing that is subsequently used to determine if the plurality of observables are associated with the selected event. |
| US08412661B2 |
Smart survey with progressive discovery
Embodiments of the invention collect data or information from a dynamic and adaptive target group selection. Sets of experts are selected that each have higher value metrics scores relative to scores of other, unselected experts of a population of known experts, and wherein the metric values are indicative of an expertise relevant to one or more questions in a survey. Responses to the survey are used to expand the set of experts by adding experts noted in answer referrals, and to automatically update the expert value metric scores as a function of response timeliness and of degrees of correlation of answers to an expected answer or other norm. The survey is updated by removing satisfied questions, and expert selections, answers analysis and survey updating and resending steps are iteratively repeated until each question is satisfied, wherein the expert sets are dynamically revised for each iteration. |
| US08412658B2 |
System and method for estimating long term characteristics of battery
A system includes a learning data input unit for receiving initial and long term characteristic learning data of a battery to be a learning object; a measurement data input unit for receiving initial characteristic measurement data of a battery to be an object for long term characteristic estimation; an artificial neural network operation unit for converting the learning data into first and second data structures, allowing an artificial neural network to learn the learning data based on each data structure, converting the measurement data into first and second data structures, and individually applying the learned artificial neural network corresponding to each data structure to calculate and output long term characteristic estimation data based on each data structure; and a long term characteristic evaluation unit for calculating an error of the estimation data of each data structure and determining reliability of the estimation data depending on error. |
| US08412654B2 |
Method and system for fully automated energy curtailment
Fully automated demand response may be implemented at end users, in accordance with terms agreed to by end users to reduce energy demand during demand response events. Demand reduction actions to implement the objectives of a demand response event at the end users may be determined, desirably using artificial intelligence and neural networks, based on energy demand curtailment objectives of the demand response event, hierarchy(ies) of demand reduction actions for respective demand response events ordered to minimize undesired impact at the end users, and monitoring data received from, or relating to implementing energy demand curtailment at, the end users. In addition, demand reduction actions may be automatically implemented at end users in the absence of a demand response event, to implement energy demand curtailment according to criteria of end users, where the demand reduction actions are determined based on monitoring data and a hierarchy(ies) of demand reduction actions and using artificial intelligence and neural networks. |
| US08412652B2 |
Apparatus and methods for operator training in information extraction
After receipt of a training and execution plan, a trainer operator is automatically trained based on specified training documents so as to generate a new trained operator for extracting information from documents. The new trained operator is a new version of the trainee operator. Both trainee operators are automatically retained for later use in extracting information from one or more unknown documents. After receipt of the training and execution plan, the new trained operator is automatically executed on one or more unknown documents so as to extract information from such one or more unknown documents. |
| US08412642B2 |
Transport scheduling for low microbial bulk products
Transport scheduling and transport processes for low microbial (“LM”) bulk products are described. The transport scheduling and processes facilitate low microbial activity in a LM bulk product during the transport of the LM bulk product. |
| US08412641B2 |
Surface air management systems and methods
Systems and methods are provided for assigning mail items to carriers, comprising at least one server containing a mail assignment engine. The mail assignment engine is operative to receive delivery data from the mail processors, determine routes for delivery using the delivery data and a set of business rules, assign the mail items to carriers based on the determined routes, and transmit mail item assignment information to the mail processors. The mail assignment engine may determine the routes using a database including files for active, planned, and closed routes. The mail assignment engine may also use business rules, which may comprise cost consideration, delivery options, and route delay information. |
| US08412637B2 |
System and method to facilitate and support electronic communication of request for proposals
A method and apparatus effectuates bilateral commerce in ideas. An originator and user-driven on-line commercial network system is designed to facilitate idea submission, purchase, and licensing, and is easily adapted to business-to-business transfers of innovation as well as consumer-to-business transfers of innovation. The invention allows originators of ideas to communicate nondisclosing synopses of ideas globally to potential users, for users conveniently to search for relevant ideas and for users potentially to bind an originator to a limited duration license granting user the exclusive right to access and consider confidentially the originator's fully disclosed idea. The invention also allows users to communicate confidentially or nonconfidentially unsolved problems or needs globally to potential originators, for originators conveniently to search for relevant unsolved problems or needs, and for originators to submit and communicate confidentially proposed solutions to the soliciting user. |
| US08412628B2 |
System and method for legal document authoring and electronic court filing
A system for legal document authoring for a legal action and electronic court filing of such legal documents provides an online network for subscribers. The system provides a direct mechanism (and a web portal mechanism) for submitting a claim file containing party and claim information necessary for automatic legal document generation based on an auto-selected destination court (in some embodiments) and further based on at least certain party and claim information. The automatically-generated legal documents are compliant with the requirements of the destination court, providing end-to-end automation for improved efficiency in judicial debt collection. The system also provides an online network for facilitating communications between subscribers (litigants) and the court systems. |
| US08412624B2 |
Multiple financial account transaction processing
A computer-implemented method of point of sale transaction processing can include determining an identity of a user at a transaction site, identifying a plurality of financial accounts associated with the user, and for each financial account, accessing account information associated with the account. The method can include identifying a vendor type for the transaction site, selecting a financial account with which to process a transaction according to the vendor type and the account information for each of the plurality of accounts, and outputting the selected financial account. A list of financial accounts and incentives may be presented from which a user may select a particular financial account for processing the transaction. |
| US08412623B2 |
Method and system for a multi-purpose transactional platform
The present invention relates particularly to a method and system for consolidating a plurality of a consumer's payment and non-payment source accounts into a consolidated platform with a customer identification or available proxy account numbers that can be assigned to source accounts. The source accounts can be, for example, credit card accounts, ATM accounts, debit card accounts, demand deposit accounts, stored-value accounts, merchant-loyalty card accounts, membership accounts, and identification card numbers. The consumer can access and modify any of the source accounts and manage funds across the source accounts by accessing the consolidated platform with a single access device or mode. |
| US08412620B1 |
Methods and systems related to trading engines
At least one exemplary aspect comprises a method comprising: (a) receiving electronic data describing a trading order; (b) receiving data describing a selection of one or more first trading algorithms from available stored algorithms for execution of the trading order; (c) commencing execution of the trading order via the one or more first trading algorithms; (d) evaluating quality of execution, during the execution, of the trading order via the one or more first trading algorithms; (e) comparing the evaluated quality of execution to a prediction of future performance of execution of the trading order by the one or more first trading algorithms; and (f) if the evaluated quality of execution compares unfavorably to the prediction of future performance, switching the execution of the trading order to one or more second trading algorithms. Other exemplary aspects comprise related computer systems and software. |
| US08412619B2 |
Systems and methods regarding targeted dissemination
One exemplary aspect comprises a computer-implemented method comprising: (a) electronically receiving, from a first securities market participant, data including information related to a first order and to one or more group rankings for dissemination; (b) electronically determining with one or more processors, based on data regarding a second securities market participant and the order information and group rankings, whether the second securities market participant has a second order, on the contra side of the first order, and whether, in accordance with the group rankings, the second securities market participant is qualified to receive information about the first order; and (c) after, and only if, the second participant is determined to be qualified, transmitting information sufficient to display to the second securities market participant the information about the first order. |
| US08412616B2 |
Systems and methods for providing enhanced volume-weighted average price trading
Systems and methods for providing trading using an eVWAP price in an illiquid market are provided. In an illiquid market there may be little or no actual trades. During a trading period, the eVWAP price is therefore determined from not only trades, but also unmatched bids and offers. The eVWAP price is determined when new information becomes available or at a specified time interval. The final eVWAP price is determined when the sampling period ends. Once the final eVWAP price is determined, the value of the final eVWAP price is published for use as a price to settle a contract. |
| US08412613B2 |
Method of hedging retail transactions for fuel
A method of executing a transaction related to the purchase of fuel. A contract is entered into by a purchaser with a card service provider or financial institution for a certain amount of fuel at a fixed or capped price offered over a predetermined duration. The fuel is purchased from a retail merchant. A payment is made or received by the purchaser depending on the difference between a prevailing retail index price and the fixed or capped price. A premium may be paid for entering into a capped price arrangement. The fixed and capped prices may be related to a retail index price at or before the time the contract is entered into. In another embodiment, the method includes receiving retail price index data for fuel sales and determining fuel sale contract criteria, with a fuel sale contract proposed for a purchaser. |
| US08412612B2 |
Stock purchase indices
A method and system for providing a stock purchase index is provided. The system receives raw customer trading data. The raw customer trading data is segregated into buy and sell data per CUSIP to determine a number of buy CUSIP shares, a number of sell CUSIP shares, a total buy CUSIP market value, a total sell CUSIP market value, a total number of buy accounts, and a total number of sell accounts. The sorted data is processed to produce a stock purchase index report, wherein the stock purchase index report is a sell weighted index. The sell weighted index is then displayed in the stock purchase index report. |
| US08412610B2 |
Method and system for preparing an employee benefits plan
A system for preparing an employee benefits form for, e.g., ERISA includes a server in support of a website, and a processor in communication with the server and a memory. The memory includes a program for automatically preparing a benefits form and/or plan via the internet. The program includes instructions to the processor for retrieving previously filed data from a public database, converting and storing into a database, searching the database for a desired portion of the data, and populating the entries of the form. The website connection also allows a remote user to periodically update the benefit data. |
| US08412609B2 |
Regime-based asset allocation via adaptive risk premium
A method for identifying a regime-based asset allocation via an adaptive risk premium (ARP) involves receiving a financial data; receiving financial parameters; generating an ARP; determining risk regimes; calculating an expected return and a covariance matrix of assets; calculating a number of calculated weights for each risk regime; determining a current risk regime; determining a number of asset weights of a current portfolio; adjusting the asset weights of the current portfolio to match the calculated weights for the current risk regime; calculating a momentum, volatility, and a correlation (MVC) for each of the asset classes of the current portfolio; ranking each asset class of the current portfolio; adjusting the first adjusted asset weights of the current portfolio; determining one of the second adjusted asset weights for the current portfolio; and generating an investment portfolio based on one of the second adjusted asset weights for the current portfolio. |
| US08412607B2 |
Price earnings derivative financial product
A system for and method of using a financial instrument to take a view on a price-to-earnings ratio for a set of one or more equities. The system and method may be used to commodify the price-to-earnings ratio for one or more equities, such a as a stock or an index. The system and method may include a financial instrument that allows a user to take a view on an earnings, or ratio comprising price and earnings, for underlying equities. |
| US08412604B1 |
Financial account segmentation system
Disclosed is a method and system for optimizing an existing customer financial product account database for a financial institution. A customized product segmentation strategy based at least on the financial product account database identifies opportunities to cross-sell new credit and debit products, and increase the usage of credit and debit products among existing customers. |
| US08412600B2 |
System and method for pool risk assessment
A system and method for assessing risk is provided. The method comprises determining an investment index associated with investment by an insurance company in an insurance pool. Next, the method comprises determining a return index associated with an expected return to the insurance company from participating in the insurance pool; and determining a benefit index based on the investment and return indices. The system for assessing risk comprises an assessment module for assessing risks associated with an insurance company's participation in an insurance pool based on at least one of: an investment index associated with the costs of participating in the insurance pool, and a return index associated with the benefits of participating in the insurance pool. |
| US08412590B2 |
In-store wireless shopping network using hand-held devices
An example system includes a display, a communication circuit, a memory storing a shopping program, and a processor in communication with the display, the communication circuit and the memory. The processor is configured to execute the shopping program to access a product database including product information, to process inputs supplied to the system to generate a shopping list comprising one or more products from the product database and to provide guidance information on the display relating to product location in a store of the products on the shopping list. |
| US08412586B1 |
Method and system for crediting a retailer for an internet purchase
Systems and methods for crediting a retailer for an online purchase made by a consumer while the consumer is located within or in the proximity of a store location of the retailer are provided. After browsing a retail location for a product, a consumer can purchase the product from an Internet merchant different than that of the retailer using a mobile or networked client device. The client device can include a module for determining the location of the client device at the time of purchase and include the location information with information used to complete the purchase of the product. This location information can include an actual geographic location, a store identifier, or a retailer identifier. The online merchant can match the location information with retailer information to determine whether a credit for the purchase should be given to a retailer. |
| US08412585B2 |
Methods and systems for identifying, providing notice of and purchasing a gift in an online or electronic environment
System and Methods are disclosed relating to the online purchase of a gift or other item. A gift recipient may purchase one or more gifts or items and receive such one or more gifts or items immediately. Thereafter, others who would seek to purchase a gift or item for the gift recipient from an online retailer or web service provider may choose to contribute to the cost of the already received gift or item and the gift recipient is reimbursed his cost for purchasing of such immediately received gift or item as the purchasers make such contributions towards the received gift or item. |
| US08412583B2 |
Method for producing custom composite products
A method of producing a product composed of a set of components generally consisting of providing certain raw materials suitable to produce such components; providing a CNC machine operable upon suitable programming to produce the components from the raw materials; providing programming for the machine suitable for forming the components from the raw materials; soliciting the sale of the components to a prospective customer intended for assembly by the customer in producing the product; producing the components from the raw materials, utilizing the machine suitably programmed upon the sale of the components to the customer; and delivering the components to the customer for assembly thereof by the customer to produce the product composed of the components. |
| US08412575B2 |
Determining and/or managing offers such as bids for advertising
Offers, such as bids in an advertising network, may be determined and/or managed by accepting an ad budget and at least one ad serving constraint, and then generating offer information using the ad budget and the serving constraint(s). The offer may be generated by obtaining, for each of the ad serving constraint(s), a plurality of points, wherein each point includes a cost per event value and an event quantity value. These points collectively define a landscape. A convex landscape for each of the ad serving constraint(s) is then determined from the landscape(s). One or more points from at least one of the convex landscapes is then used to generate the offer information. |
| US08412573B2 |
Data processing system and data processing method
A method for distributing advertisement data to display terminal devices from a distribution server via a relay server. The relay server receives status notifications of the display terminal devices and transmits a tenor of receipt of the status notifications to the display terminal devices. The distribution server receiving status notifications and transmits the tenor of receipt of the status notifications to the relay server. The distribution server determines whether the reproduction schedule of the advertisement data has been changed and transmits a notification on a change. If the distribution server receives a request for acquisition of the as-changed reproduction schedule, the distribution server sends the as-changed reproduction schedule to the relay server. If the relay server determines that the reproduction schedule acquired from the distribution server has been changed, the relay server transmits the notification on the change of the reproduction schedule. |
| US08412568B2 |
Collecting media data descriptive of a product
A crowd-sourcing system performs a method that includes generating a request that a user provide candidate media data to the crowd-sourcing system. The candidate media is descriptive of a product, and the request includes information about the product. The crowd-sourcing system transmits the request to a user system and receives the candidate media data from the user system. The crowd-sourcing system selects the candidate media data as stock media data for the product. The selection of the candidate media data may be based on a selection criterion, such as a grade of the candidate media data determined by the crowd-sourcing system. The crowd-sourcing system provides a reward to the user based on the selecting of the candidate media data as the stock media data for the product. |
| US08412564B1 |
System and method for identifying excellence within a profession
The present invention provides for a system and method of identifying excellence within a profession. In one embodiment, excellent performing candidates within a profession group are identified by creating a candidate pool from independent research and a peer nomination process. Identified candidates then obtain a score according to an independent research and objective evaluation process. Peer evaluators contribute to this score by evaluating top-scoring candidates, and a total score is compiled for each identified candidate. Candidates with scores in a top percentage of the candidates are then recognized as demonstrating excellent performance in the profession group. |
| US08412562B1 |
Retail high performance capability assessment
A capability analysis structure helps a modern business meet the challenges of the global marketplace. As a result, the business can achieve the clarity, consistency, and well-defined execution of its core processes that reduce inefficiencies and waste due to unnecessary process complexity and exceptions. In addition, the capability analysis structure helps the business to identify specific areas in which improvements may be made and understand how to make the improvements, and establishes levels of capability along the way to reaching an ultimate capability goal. |
| US08412554B2 |
Method and system for describing consumer electronics using separate task and device descriptions
A method of representing user tasks to be performed by one or more of a plurality of electronic devices in a task orchestration system. Each device includes therein a function description specifying a function that the device can perform. The function descriptions are obtained from one or more of the devices, task descriptions that describe device functionalities required for certain tasks are obtained, and task suggestion are generated based on the obtained device function descriptions and task descriptions. Each task suggestion represents a user task as an abstraction of on or more of the obtained device descriptions and task descriptions. The tasks suggestion are displayed on a display for the user to select from, wherein the user selected task suggestion is to be performed by orchestration (automation) of one or more of the devices based on task descriptions that use device functionalities described in the device function descriptions. |
| US08412552B2 |
Trust lookup protocol
A trust look-up protocol is described that allows a meta-trusted third party, or trust directory, to mediate between parties of potential business collaborations and trusted third parties that are counted on to authorize or otherwise validate the business collaborations. The trust directory receives a trust request for a collaboration from one or more parties, and, based on the request, determines a specialty of a trusted third party that is suited to the request and the collaboration. The trust directory then obtains interface information for the trusted third party for forwarding to the requesting party. In this way, the trusted third party may make a determination as to whether the requesting party should proceed in the business collaboration. Afterwards, the trust directory may monitor communications that take place as part of the collaboration, for use in evaluating future requests and collaborations. |
| US08412547B1 |
Commerce server architecture and method for using same
A commerce router is disclosed. Such a commerce router includes a plurality of commercial transaction databases and an application server module. Each of the databases can contain commercial transaction information related to one of a number of offering types (e.g., categories of products, services and/or the like). Application server module is communicatively coupled to the each one of the databases. The application server module can be configured to receive a request by virtue of being configured to communicate information regarding the request to the database for inclusion in the commercial transaction information. The application server module can also be configured to allow review of the request by virtue of being configured to communicate information regarding the request from the database by accessing the commercial transaction information. Similarly, the application server module can be configured to receive a response by virtue of being configured to communicate information regarding the response to the database for inclusion in the commercial transaction information. The application server module can also be configured to allow review of the response by virtue of being configured to communicate information regarding the response from the database by accessing the commercial transaction information. |
| US08412542B2 |
Scoring system for monitoring or measuring adherence in medical treatment
Particular embodiments provide a quality adherence guide. In one embodiment, a plurality of medical records from a plurality of medical providers are received. A quality adherence guideline is used to determine if a standard of care is being adhered to by various medical providers. A quality adherence guideline is then generated using the selected standard of care. The quality adherence guideline includes a set of treatment steps that are defined by the selected standard of care. Information from the medical records associated with the patient is also used to populate the guide. During treatment of the patient, input may be received from a plurality of users from health care providers regarding the treatment steps. The patient-direct system automatically analyzes the information inserted in the guideline to determine the level of adherence that various users have achieved when compared with the industry standard for quality care. |
| US08412541B2 |
Method and system for intelligent qualitative and quantitative analysis for medical diagnosis
An Intelligent Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis (IQQA) system and method is disclosed that allows a user to specify certain identifying information used to search and obtain medically-related information from different sources. The medically-related information may be of different types and may be dynamically fused, when needed, to generate matrices of diagnostic information. Medical decisions such as a diagnostic decision may be made based on such matrices of diagnostic information. |
| US08412540B2 |
Healthcare eligibility transactions
Methods and systems permit registration of a service provider and permit eligibility information to be provided to the service provider. Registration information is received over a financial network from a point-of-sale terminal. The registration information has an identifier associated with the point-of-sale terminal and an identification of the service provider. The identifier is associated with information identifying a device disposed at a location of the service provider in a database, permitting a communication path to the device to be established. A confirmation of registration of the point-of-sale terminal is transmitted to the device over the communication path. |
| US08412539B2 |
Handheld medical information management device
A portable handheld medical information management device that includes a storage memory, a processor, an input device, a transceiver, a display, and software. The software includes programming instructions executable by said processor operative to communicate to a server over a network, said communication comprising sending messages to the server and receiving messages. The device can generate patient information screens on the display, using patient information from at least one received message from the server. The server can control the transceiver to interrogate proximate location devices and calculate a position based on location of proximate location devices. The device, in conjunction with the network and server, can route phone calls and other message-based communication over a local area network (LAN) enabling advanced logistic features such as reliable communication of critical messages; it can also interface effectively with traditional hospital extension based phone systems and the public phone network. |
| US08412537B1 |
System and method for episode service item cost estimation based on historical data
A system is implemented to collect data from a plurality of different sources. The data comprises information about episodes experienced by a plurality of consumers. The system is configured to receive a cost estimate request from a user for a specified episode. The may access the data to determine a plurality of service items for the specified episode and the associated cost of each service item. An episode may be associated with one or many service items. The network-based service may generate a response to the cost estimate request. The response may include the plurality of service items determined for the specified episode and the associated cost information. The system may send the response to the user. |
| US08412534B2 |
Apparatus and methods for processing mails using a manifest
Methods and apparatus for manifesting mailpieces. processing mailpieces from a mail system, and certifying a mail system are provided. A mailpiece is received at a manifest mailing system and mailing information from the mailpiece is obtained. A manifest of the mailpiece is created and the mailpiece is then delivered using the manifest. Based on a certification of the mail system. an accuracy of a portion of the manifest may be selectively determined. Based on the accuracy of the portion of the manifest. the mailpieces are then conditionally delivered using the manifest. To determine a certification. test information may be provided to a mail system. A manifest generated by the mail system is then received. The accuracy of the manifest based on the test information is determine and a certification level is then assigned to the mail system. |
| US08412528B2 |
Back-end database reorganization for application-specific concatenative text-to-speech systems
The present invention relates to computer-generated text-to-speech conversion. It relates in particular to a method and system for updating a Concatenative Text-To-Speech (CTTS) system with a speech database from a base version to a new version. The present invention performs an application-specific re-organization of a synthesizer's speech database by means of certain decision tree modifications. By that reorganization, certain synthesis units are made available for the new application, which are not available in prior art without a new speech session. This allows the creation of application-specific synthesizers with improved output speech quality for arbitrary domains and applications at very low cost. |
| US08412527B2 |
Automatic disclosure detection
A method of detecting pre-determined phrases to determine compliance quality is provided. The method includes determining whether at least one of an event or a precursor event has occurred based on a comparison between pre-determined phrases and a communication between a sender and a recipient in a communications network, and rating the recipient based on the presence of the pre-determined phrases associated with the event or the presence of the pre-determined phrases associated with the precursor event in the communication. |
| US08412526B2 |
Restoration of high-order Mel frequency cepstral coefficients
A method for estimating high-order Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients, the method comprising initializing any of N−L high-order coefficients (HOC) of an MFCC vector of length N having L low-order coefficients (LOC) to a predetermined value, thereby forming a candidate MFCC vector, synthesizing a speech signal frame from the candidate MFCC vector and a pitch value, and computing an N-dimensional MFCC vector from the synthesized frame, thereby producing an output MFCC vector. |
| US08412525B2 |
Noise robust speech classifier ensemble
Embodiments for implementing a speech recognition system that includes a speech classifier ensemble are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, the speech recognition system includes a classifier ensemble to convert feature vectors that represent a speech vector into log probability sets. The classifier ensemble includes a plurality of classifiers. The speech recognition system includes a decoder ensemble to transform the log probability sets into output symbol sequences. The speech recognition system further includes a query component to retrieve one or more speech utterances from a speech database using the output symbol sequences. |
| US08412518B2 |
Time warped modified transform coding of audio signals
A representation of an audio signal having a first frame, a second frame following the first frame, and a third frame following the second frame, is derived by estimating first warp information for the first and the second frame and second warp information for the second frame and the third frame, the warp information describing a pitch information of the audio signal. First spectral coefficients for the first and the second frame are derived using the first warp information and a first weighted representation of the first and the second frame, the first weighted representation derived by applying a first window function to the first and the second frames, wherein the first window function depends on the first warp information. Second spectral coefficients for the second and the third frame are derived using the second warp information and a second weighted representation of the second and the third frame, the second weighted representation derived by applying a second window function to the second and the third frames, wherein the second window function depends on the second warp information. The representation of the audio signal is generated including the first and the second spectral coefficients. |
| US08412515B2 |
System for normalizing a discourse representation structure and normalized data structure
A system and method for normalizing a discourse representation structure (DRS) are provided. The elements of the structure are rewritten and sorted in a way such that structures which may appear different but are nonetheless equivalent can be associated with the same, normalized representation. Various embodiments can also include a data structure for a DRS. The DRS may be represented by an array of boxes, each having a set of elements which in turn has a predefined structure suitable for representing a wide variety of linguistic information. |
| US08412513B2 |
Deep model statistics method for machine translation
In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for machine translation of a source document in an input language to a target document in an output language, comprising generating translation options corresponding to at least portions of each sentence in the input language; and selecting a translation option for the sentence based on statistics associated with the translation options. |
| US08412509B1 |
Interactive translation tool
The present invention provides an interactive system and method for effective and convenient language translation. The system and method provides a translation window that is opened in conjunction with a Web page window containing Web pages hosted on the Internet. The translation window and Web page window are automatically adjusted in size and position so that they fit on one user-viewable screen without overlapping. The translation window is linked to a translation dictionary database accessible through the Internet which provides accurate and comprehensive definitions of the words that are identified to be translated. |
| US08412507B2 |
Testing the compliance of a design with the synchronization requirements of a memory model
A method for compliance testing of a circuit design that includes at least one processor and a memory includes defining a memory model. The memory model includes synchronization mechanisms for synchronizing access to the memory by software instructions in different program threads running on the at least one processor. Synchronization-related parameters, which are applicable to at least one sequence of the software instructions in the different program threads, are specified. A coverage model is defined as a multi-dimensional cross-product of values of the synchronization-related parameters. At least one test program is generated using the coverage model, and a compliance of the design with the memory model is tested by subjecting the design to the at least one test program. |
| US08412506B2 |
Electromagnetic field simulation apparatus and computer readable storage medium storing electromagnetic field simulation program
A computer readable storage medium storing an electromagnetic field simulation program that causes a computer to execute receiving data defining, in virtual space, a shape of a conductor and an insulator included in a conductive layer and a dielectric layer of a printed circuit board; setting a plurality of cells in the virtual space by arranging nodes of the cells on a boundary between the conductive layer and the dielectric layer in a thickness direction of the printed circuit board and by arranging nodes of the cells at regular intervals in a plane parallel to the printed circuit board; giving, to each of the cells, an electric constant of a medium occupying an area of each of the cells; and determining a change over time in a an electromagnetic field strength in each of the cells. |
| US08412502B2 |
System and method for performing oilfield simulation operations
The invention relates to a method of performing an oilfield operation of an oilfield having at least one wellsite, each wellsite having a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation for extracting fluid from an underground reservoir therein. The method includes determining a time-step for simulating the reservoir, the reservoir being represented as a plurality of gridded cells and being modeled as a multi-phase system using a plurality of partial differential equations, calculating a plurality of Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy (CFL) conditions of the reservoir model corresponding to the time-step, the plurality of CFL conditions comprising a temperature CFL condition, a composition CFL condition, and a saturation CFL condition, simulating a first cell of the plurality of gridded cells with an Implicit Pressure, Explicit Saturations (IMPES) system, and simulating a second cell of the plurality of gridded cells with a Fully Implicit Method (FIM) system. |
| US08412499B2 |
Portable in-the-vehicle road simulator
The portable simulation system is a computer-based driving simulator, which uses an actual vehicle as an input device, and a portable display to present a Virtual Driving Environment (VDE) to the driver. Vehicle's steered wheels are placed atop of the turntables permitting free operation of the steering wheel. The vehicle remains immobile while its engine and power steering can be turned off during the simulation. External non-invasive sensors can be placed under the gas and brake pedals, permitting any vehicle to be used in the simulator, including the driver's own vehicle. A digital interface to the vehicle's systems, like OBD II, can be used to increase the fidelity of the simulation. A portable computer used for driving simulation and VDE presentation provides a low cost simulation option. A simple configuration of the portable simulator does not require an external power source and can be set-up and operated at any parking space. Possible applications of the simulation system include driver training and testing. |
| US08412497B1 |
Predicting simultaneous switching output noise of an integrated circuit
Predicting simultaneous switching output noise of an IC device is described. User input is obtained. The user input includes: an identification of an input/output bank of an integrated circuit die; an identification of a device package substrate to which the integrated circuit die is to be attached; and an identification of input/output interface to be used by the input/output bank. A noise factor and an impedance are selected responsive to the user input. The noise factor is multiplied with the impedance to provide a result. The result, which is output, is a prediction of the simultaneous switching output noise of the integrated circuit device. |
| US08412496B2 |
Simulation system, method, and program
A system, method and program to improve the processing speed of a simulation system. A processing system finds an entry point so that functional blocks cover a broad range. The processing system places code of a look-ahead dispatcher for assigning processing. The look-ahead dispatcher monitors an input state at the entry point to determine whether the input state is a stable state. If the input state is stable, the look-ahead dispatcher calls an adaptive execution module at some frequency or otherwise calls an idle execution module. The adaptive execution module performs processing on multiple timestamps at once. When a discrete system receives an input event, the look-ahead dispatcher calls a recovery execution module. Based on the input event on that occasion, the timestamp, and a value stored in a state vector, the recovery execution module calculates a state for which recovery is performed. |
| US08412492B2 |
System and method for fitting feature elements using a point-cloud of an object
A system and method for fitting feature elements is provided. The method first receives a point-cloud of an object from a point-cloud obtaining device and constructs a triangular mesh surface of the point-cloud. The method then determines a plurality of uppermost boundary points of the triangular mesh surface, and fits a feature element according to the uppermost boundary points. The method further creates the feature element, and outputs the feature element to a display. |
| US08412485B2 |
System and method of monitoring a load condition of a vehicle
A system and method for indicating the load condition of a vehicle having suspension components comprising: at least one of an inclinometer or an accelerometer mounted on at least one suspension component to measure the deflection angle of the suspension component; and a controller configured to use deflection angle and generate an output representative of the load condition of the vehicle. |
| US08412476B2 |
Travel support system, method, and program
A travel support system for a vehicle includes: a required power amount obtaining unit determining a required power amount in a rechargeable battery required for travel of a predetermined section of a route; a remaining power amount obtaining unit determining a remaining power amount as the amount of power currently remaining in the rechargeable battery; an excess power amount obtaining unit determining an excess power amount as a portion of the remaining power amount in the rechargeable battery in excess of the required power amount; and a communication unit notifying a user of the vehicle of information indicating the availability of an electrical component of the vehicle in traveling the predetermined section, based on the excess power amount. |
| US08412473B2 |
Event monitoring and detection in liquid level monitoring system
According to various embodiments disclosed herein, battery power may be conserved by reducing the number of transmissions made by a liquid level monitoring system. The efficiency of a liquid level monitoring system may also be improved by reducing or avoiding fuel outages and unnecessary replenishment. Certain embodiments may be configured according to a schedule for making measurements. The measurement may then be compared against one or more thresholds to determine whether to transmit the measurements. A variety of thresholds may be specified and utilized to determine when it is appropriate to transmit the measurements. Further, various embodiments may be configured to detect a change in a monitored condition. Upon the detection of a change in the monitored condition, a measurement may be made and compared to an established threshold for a tank. |
| US08412470B2 |
Change mapping for structural health monitoring
A method is present for mapping changes in a structure. A plurality of responses is collected from a set of transmitter and sensor pairs for the structure. Change metrics for pixels in a plurality of grids are identified from the plurality of responses, wherein a first grid in the plurality of grids is shifted in relation to a second grid in the plurality of grids. A map is generated for the structure using the change metrics. |
| US08412468B1 |
Method and apparatus for wavelet based elemental spectrum analysis
A method and apparatus for wavelet based elemental spectrum analysis is described. The system and method set forth allows for elemental decomposition of sampling spectral data to determine the presence of materials in the interrogated object. The method utilized and set forth implements wavelet decomposition of a spectrum and elemental analysis without requiring an empty background spectrum for subtraction of the background noise from the sampling spectrum. The system and method measures the presence of elements present in the sample being analyzed. The system may also measure the ratio of elements present in the sample being analyzed. |
| US08412466B2 |
Rapid method of pattern recognition, machine learning, and automated genotype classification through correlation analysis of dynamic signals
The present invention relates to methods and systems for the analysis of the dissociation behavior of nucleic acids and the identification of determining whether a genotype is present in a biological sample. This includes methods and systems for determining whether a genotype is present in a biological sample, through generating a dynamic profile an unknown genotype, correlating the dynamic profile to an average profile for a known genotype to generate a correlation value, and determining whether the correlation value falls within an acceptable threshold to determine if the unknown genotype is the known genotype. The present invention also relates to methods and systems for generating a training set to allow a machine to recognize a known genotype from within a class of known genotypes. The training set generated by these methods and systems may be used to assist in identification of unknown genotypes. |
| US08412465B2 |
Microarray-based gene copy number analyses
This invention contemplates an accurate and efficient estimation of gene copy number using oligonucleotide microarrays. The method integrates gene copy number data obtained from perfect match and mismatch probe sequence structure intensities and probe binding affinities. In one embodiment, an accurate determination of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) sequences is obtained. In another embodiment, an accurate detection and determination of DNA copy number alteration is obtained. In another embodiment, an accurate estimation for RNA gene expression is obtained. |
| US08412463B2 |
Methods of associating an unknown biological specimen with a family
The present invention provides at least three methods of predicting whether an unknown biological specimen originates from a member of a particular family. These methods compare DNA profiles from unknown biological specimens to DNA profiles of more than one family member, which significantly increases the methods' identification ability. In particular, the invention describes combining at least a ranked first family member list and a ranked second family member list to create a combined ranked list and identifying the unknown biological specimen as one contained among a list of specimens having the highest combined rankings representing the candidates that are most likely related to the family. A second method encompasses comparing test DNA profiles from unknown biological specimens to a family pedigree comprising target DNA profiles obtained from multiple biological specimens of family members. This method also embodies using a modified Elston Stewart algorithm to determine a pedigree likelihood ratio to rank and identify the test profile of the unknown biological specimen most likely to be the missing person sought after by the corresponding family represented by the family pedigree. A third method encompasses construction of a database or directed graph of discovered or known relationships between biological specimens and comparison to a graph representing a family pedigree to identify portions of the database or directed graph that correspond to portions of the family pedigree, in order to rank or identify one or more unknown biological specimens as most likely related to one or more family pedigrees. |
| US08412462B1 |
Methods and systems for processing genomic data
A computer implemented method may be used to receive a sequence of binary codes representative of a biopolymeric data sequence and process the sequence of binary codes using instructions that are at least implicitly defined relative to at least one controlled sequence and representative of a biological event affecting one or more aspects of a biopolymeric molecule. A machine readable medium may contain a set of such instructions. The machine readable medium may be part of a genomics data processing system. |
| US08412456B2 |
Loosely-coupled integration of global navigation satellite system and inertial navigation system: speed scale-factor and heading bias calibration
Techniques for loosely coupling a Global Navigation Satellite System (“GNSS”) and an Inertial Navigation System (“INS”) integration are disclosed herein. A system includes a GNSS receiver, an INS, and an integration filter coupled to the GNSS receiver and the INS. The GNSS receiver is configured to provide GNSS navigation information comprising GNSS receiver position and/or velocity estimates. The INS is configured to provide INS navigation information based on an inertial sensor output. The integration filter is configured to provide blended position information comprising a blended position estimate and/or a blended velocity estimate by combining the GNSS navigation information and the INS navigation information, and to estimate and compensate at least one of a speed scale-factor and a heading bias of the INS navigation information. |
| US08412451B2 |
Telemetry-based regeneration strategy for an engine exhaust after-treatment device
A method for timing performance of a maintenance function, in particular the timing of regeneration of a diesel particulate filter (22) to conserve fuel as a motor vehicle (10) travels along a projected travel route. Certain road data about roads in a roadway system is processed to develop data for anticipating certain modes of vehicle operation during travel of the vehicle along the projected travel route. The data for anticipating certain modes of vehicle operation along the anticipated route of travel and data geographically tracking vehicle travel along the projected route are interactively used to control timing of performance of the maintenance function as the vehicle travels along the projected route. |
| US08412449B2 |
Control and systems for autonomously driven vehicles
An autonomous controller for a vehicle. The controller has a processor configured to receive position signals from position sensors and to generate operation control signals defining an updated travel path for the vehicle. The controller has a programmable interface providing communication among the position sensors, the operation control mechanisms, and the processor. The controller is configured to normalize inputs to the processor from the position sensors and to generate compatible operation control signals applied as the inputs to the operation control mechanisms. The processor and the programmable interface define a self-contained unit configurable for operation with a variety of different remote sensors and different remote operation control mechanisms. |
| US08412445B2 |
Predictive routing system and method
A user of a telematics-navigation device in a vehicle requests a recommendation as to a route to take to reach a destination. Multiple routes are identified from a current location of the vehicle to the destination. For each route, traffic conditions of the route are predicted. Based on the traffic conditions predicted for each route, one route is chosen to recommend to the user for traveling to the destination. The recommended route is presented to the user along with the other identified routes. When the user selects to travel along one of the presented routes, directions to the destination are provided to a driver of the vehicle along the selected route. |
| US08412444B2 |
Engine control apparatus
There is provided an engine control apparatus that makes it possible that, even in the case where an abnormality occurs in a microcomputer and the operations of the injectors in a series of cylinders are interrupted, there is obtained continuous driving without interruption of the engine, when the microcomputer is restored to normal condition. The microcomputer stores in a backup RAM the injection cylinder and the injection fuel amount at a time when a main fuel injection control means sequentially outputs a drive signal to each of the injectors of the cylinders. After the microcomputer 11 is reset due to detection of an abnormality therein and then is restarted, the post-resetting injection cylinder determining means 31 in the microcomputer determines cylinders into which fuel could not be injected during reset period, based on an fuel injection cylinder that has been stored in a backup RAM 11a at a time immediately prior to the resetting, and fuel is immediately and asynchronously injected into the determined cylinders at an injection fuel amount that has been stored in the backup RAM 11a at a time immediately prior to the resetting. |
| US08412442B2 |
Method of engine starting
An engine starting method is disclosed. In one example, engine operation is adjusted to reduce catalyst light off time. Exhaust temperatures may be increased until a threshold engine temperature is reached. |
| US08412438B2 |
Dual state liquefied petroleum gas engine assembly
An engine assembly may include an engine structure, an intake manifold, and a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuel assembly. The engine structure may define a combustion chamber and the intake manifold may be in communication with the combustion chamber. The LPG fuel assembly may include a LPG fuel tank containing LPG fuel, a liquid LPG fuel injection system in communication with the LPG fuel tank and the combustion chamber, and a vapor LPG fuel injection system in communication with the LPG fuel tank and the intake manifold. |
| US08412436B2 |
Hill start assistance method for motor vehicles
A hill start assistance method for a user of a vehicle having a braking system and an electronic braking control, provided with at least one master cylinder pressure sensor, whereby the pressure on each caliper of the vehicle can be controlled. The method includes: estimating the torque transmitted by the clutch, recording information corresponding to the value of the master cylinder pressure resulting from a user's actuation of the brake pedal, and recording the information recorded corresponding to the value of the master cylinder pressure when the user actuates the brake pedal again by pressing harder on the pedal or partially releasing same. When the user releases the brake pedal fully, the braking system maintains the pressure on the calipers for a predetermined period of time, as a function of a pressure set value equal to the value of the last item of information recorded. |
| US08412426B2 |
Multi-mode hybrid transmission and method for performing a quasi-asynchronous shift in a hybrid transmission
Improved methods for executing a clutch-to-clutch quasi-asynchronous shift in a hybrid transmission, and a hybrid transmission using the same, are presented herein. The method includes: pre-filling the on-coming clutch; determining if the shift is completed using the on-coming or off-going clutch; slipping the off-going clutch first if the shift operation uses the off-going clutch; determining on-coming clutch slip speed and acceleration profiles; determining if the on-coming clutch is filled and whether the slip sign is correct; if using the off-going clutch, locking the on-coming clutch and exhausting the off-going clutch if the on-coming clutch is filled and the slip sign is correct; if using the on-coming clutch, determining whether the on-coming clutch slip is less than a slip threshold and exhausting the off-going clutch if the on-coming clutch is filled and the slip sign is correct; and locking the on-coming clutch if the slip is less than the slip threshold. |
| US08412424B2 |
Vehicle pneumatic booster system operating method and apparatus
An apparatus and method for improving vehicle performance by application of pneumatic boost to vehicle engines, including diesel engines having at least one turbocharger supplying air to the engine, in a manner which increases engine torque output while minimizing the potential for exceed various operating limits to the maximum practicable extent. The vehicle's pneumatic booster system controller implements strategies for shaping the rate of the air injection during a boost event, tailoring the air injection to obtain maximum engine torque output while respecting the operating limits, by controlling the timing, duration, quantity and/or injection pattern during a boost event to achieve a refined distribution of compressed air injection over the course of the boost event to provide desired engine torque output and fuel efficiency while minimizing the potential for exceeding a wide variety of operation limits, regulatory, engineering and passenger comfort limits. |
| US08412423B2 |
Alarm apparatus for automatic transmission using pedal force of accelerator pedal and method for controlling the same
An alarm apparatus for an automatic transmission may include a transmission control unit (TCU) controlling the automatic transmission of a vehicle, an accelerator pedal unit, a driving unit driving the accelerator pedal unit to perform a predetermined operation, and a control unit interworking with the TCU and controlling the driving unit such that the accelerator pedal unit performs the predetermined operation at a predetermined time before a speed change time, when the speed change time calculated and outputted by the TCU may be inputted to the control unit. |
| US08412419B1 |
System for mapping GIS layers
A system obtains agricultural attribute data from the field. The agricultural attribute data is classified into a plurality of spatially distributed regions across the field. Samples are obtained to provide a second set of agricultural attribute data. A subset of the second set of agricultural attribute data is associated, by georeferencing, with one class of the spatially distributed regions. The subset is subclassified into respective zones, as may be done by interpolation to define contours. The classification process operates without regard to data that is not in the subset but is also taken from the second set of agricultural attribute data, i.e., the subclassification ignores data in the second set that is georeferenced to classes other than the class associated with the subset. The subclassification is repeated for all classes. An agroproduct prescription map is prepared for the application of agroproducts to the respective zones. |
| US08412417B2 |
Seatbelt device of vehicle and method controlling the seatbelt device of vehicle
A seatbelt device of a vehicle, the seatbelt device comprising: a belt reel around which a webbing, used to tie down a passenger seated in the vehicle, is wrapped up; a motor transmitting a driving force to the belt reel; an electric current detection unit detecting an electric current flowing through the motor; a vehicle-condition detection unit detecting a condition of the vehicle; a rotation detection unit detecting a rotational position of the belt reel; and a control unit that sets a target electric current corresponding to a predetermined vehicle condition detected by the vehicle-condition detection unit and controls the motor so that the electric current detected by the electric current detection unit equals the target electric current. |
| US08412412B2 |
Vehicle communication system and electronic control unit
A vehicle communication system including a master ECU and multiple slave ECUs is disclosed. Each slave ECU initializes its storage medium if an abnormality occurs in the storage medium, and transmits a stored vehicle common information element. Some of the multiple slave ECUs are volatile memory slave ECUs in which the storage medium is a volatile memory. If the master ECU receives the common information elements from all of the volatile memory slave ECUs, and if at least one but not all of the received common information elements has an initialized initial value, the master ECU determines that a memory abnormality has occurred in the storage medium of the volatile memory slave ECU in which the common information element has the initialized initial value. |
| US08412410B2 |
Feedback control method and unit of a servo controlled system which affects the psychophysical state of a user
An embodiment of a feedback control method and unit of a servo controlled system which acts on the environment surrounding a user for adjusting at least one feature of the environment which affects the psychophysical state of the user; the control unit has: a memory device in which there is stored a desired optimal value or a range of desired optimal values of a psychophysical feedback parameter of the user correlated with the perception that the user has of the feature of the environment adjusted by the servo controlled system; an estimation device for cyclically estimating a real value of the psychophysical feedback parameter of the user by means of at least one measurement performed directly on the user; and a driving device for cyclically driving the servo controlled system for seeking the optimal desired value of the psychophysical feedback parameter. |
| US08412409B2 |
Integrated microprocessor system for safety-critical regulations
Disclosed is an integrated circuit arrangement for safety-critical applications, such as for regulating and controlling tasks in an electronic brake system for motor vehicles. The arrangement includes several electronic, cooperating functional groups (25, 25′), with electric lines (30) provided to interconnect the functional groups (25, 25′). The functional groups consist of a first type and a second type, with the functional groups of the first type having at least the functional group redundant microprocessor system (1) or the functional group input/output devices (19). The functional groups of the second type have at least the functional groups actuator drivers (11, 15, 24, 35) and safety circuits (5, 5′, 7, 7′). The functional groups of the first type and the second type are grouped on a joint chip or chip support member (23). The arrangement can be used in electronic brake systems for motor vehicles, in electronic control systems for governing the driving dynamics of motor vehicles, or for controlling electronically controlled parking brakes, or for controlling vehicle restraint systems. |
| US08412406B2 |
Method and system for performing diagnostics or software maintenance for a vehicle
A method and system for performing diagnostics or software maintenance on a vehicle comprises a data processor for performing a particular task. A resource monitor is arranged for determining if resource consumption of the data processor for the respective particular task exceeds a threshold amount of resource consumption. A loop counter is arranged to increment a loop counter in a data storage device associated with the data processor if the resource consumption for the respective particular task exceeds the threshold amount. A poison task module is capable of designating the particular task as a poison message if the data processor has been rebooted a maximum number of times as indicated by the loop counter. |
| US08412404B2 |
Crash sensor system and method for a vehicle
A crash sensor system and method used for determining when a vehicle is involved in a frontal impact crash. The crash sensor system including at least one pressure sensor coupled to a vehicle frame member. The vehicle frame member having a cavity and the at least one pressure sensor being configured to generate a pressure signal indicative of a pressure change within the cavity. The crash sensor system further including a controller configured to compare the received pressure signal against a predetermined pressure threshold. The controller also being configured to determine that a frontal impact crash has occurred when the pressure signal exceeds the predetermined pressure threshold. |
| US08412403B2 |
Method and device for increasing the precision of the position determination of a motor-driven closure element of a vehicle
In a method and a device for increasing the precision of the position determination of a motor-driven closure element of a vehicle, the data corresponding to a force-displacement reference curve and the data corresponding to a force-displacement actual value curve are used, a correlation function is calculated, the maximum thereof is found, and the counter status of a position counter is corrected by using the position offset associated with the determined maximum. |
| US08412400B2 |
System and method for coordinating movement of mobile drive units
A method for moving one or more mobile drive units within a workspace includes receiving, from a first mobile drive unit, a reservation request requesting use of a first path segment to move in a first direction. The method further includes determining that a second mobile drive unit is currently located on the first path segment and determining whether the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction. Additionally, the method includes transmitting a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is denied, in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is not moving in the first direction. The method also includes transmitting a reservation response indicating that the reservation request is granted, in response to determining that the second mobile drive unit is moving in the first direction. |
| US08412394B2 |
Railroad signal message system and method
A railroad signal message system is provided. The system includes: an input circuit to receive railroad data from a railroad signaling device, an aspect converter operatively coupled to the input circuit to convert the railroad data into a machine-readable message that includes an indication of the railroad signaling device, and a message translator operatively coupled to the aspect converter to translate the message into a human-perceivable message. |
| US08412389B2 |
Integrity monitoring of inertial reference unit
Systems, methods, and machine-executable programming products adapted for the control of aircraft or other vehicles by receiving from at least one Inertial Reference System (IRS), including a plurality of Inertial Reference Units (IRUs), signals representing vehicle state data; receiving from at least one Augmented Direct Mode Sensor (ADMS) signals representing independently-acquired vehicle state data corresponding to at least a subset of the signals received from the IRS; performing signal selection and fault detection processes on the signals received from the at least one IRS and on the corresponding signals received from the ADMS; based at least partly on the signal and fault detection processes, determining whether at least one component of at least one of the IRS and ADMS is in a fault condition; and based on the fault condition, providing to at least one vehicle control system device one or more vehicle control command signals. |
| US08412381B2 |
HVAC control system
A method controls a heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) system by determining a travel time from a mobile site to a fixed site, and determining a conditioning time for a HVAC system at the fixed site. The HVAC is maintained in an ON state if the travel time is less than the conditioning time, and otherwise maintaining the HVAC in an OFF state, and wherein the conditioning time is determined using a building thermal model. |
| US08412379B2 |
Robot system
A robot system having a manual guide device connected to the robot in wireless data communication with a portable terminal for use in programming the robot. |
| US08412375B2 |
Medication dispensing apparatus
A medication dispenser provides automation to the steps of locating and acquiring medications or supplies to be administered to a patient. The medication dispenser includes one or more modules housing one or more compartmentalized drawers. Access to each drawer is controlled by a lockable door, and each the drawer may only be slid from the module housing the drawer in response to a signal. A series of lights direct the user to the appropriate drawer and the appropriate compartment of the relevant drawer to remove the appropriate medication or supply. |
| US08412368B2 |
Method and apparatus for routing dispatching and routing reticles
A method includes generating a reticle transport job using a computing device. The reticle job identifies a selected reticle. A reticle pod available for transporting the reticle is autonomously identified using the computing device. The reticle transport job is updated suing the computing device with an identifier of the reticle pod. |
| US08412364B2 |
Method and device for sending and playing streaming data
A method and a device for sending and playing the streaming data are disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. The method for playing the streaming data includes: receiving the streaming data from the client and buffering the data; and exporting the buffered streaming data according to the predefined rhythm. The statistics about the streaming data in the buffer is collected; and the rhythm is adjusted according to the amount of streaming data. The transmitting end can send the streaming data to the client as soon as possible and buffer only a little data; the client controls the rhythm to reduce the effect of network jitter on delay, thus shortening the delay of streaming play. |
| US08412355B2 |
System for transferring controlling authority of a device
Systems and method for controlling a device are provided, including at least one controlling device and at least one controlled device. The controlling system includes a first controlling device which has controlling authority over the controlled device and a second controlling device which requests and receives the controlling authority over the controlled device from the first controlling device. Therefore, a controlling device may more easily and intuitively receive controlling authority from other devices. |
| US08412354B2 |
Controllable light source having a plurality of light elements
A light source having a plurality of light elements and a control system for controlling the light elements. The control system comprises a plurality of light element controllers, each connected to a respective light element, and arranged to obtain light element data; and a bus interface, which is connected to the light element controllers via a light source bus. The bus interface provides the light element controllers with a general command, and the light element controllers generate light element drive signals on basis of the general command and the light element data. |
| US08412348B2 |
Intravascular self-anchoring integrated tubular electrode body
An expandable intravascular medical device is provided. The medical device comprises an expandable tubular body that includes an integrated resilient support structure that forms a plurality of electrically conductive regions to which the lead(s) is coupled. The tubular body further includes at least one electrically insulative element disposed between the conductive regions. In one embodiment, the support structure is skeletal in nature, e.g., it can be formed of a mesh, braid, or coil. The conductive regions can be variously formed by the support structure. For example, the support structure may comprise electrically conductive sub-structures that form the conductive regions. In this case, the sub-structures may be mechanically linked together by the insulative element(s), or they can be directly linked together, and the insulative element(s) can take the form of insulative layer(s) disposed on one or more of the conductive sub-structures. As another example, the support structure can have a conductive core and insulative material disposed over portions of the conductive core. In this case, the exposed core portions form the conductive regions, and the unexposed core portions form the insulative element(s). |
| US08412346B2 |
Induction heating for the delivery of thermal therapy
An induction heating apparatus includes a first interventional device and a second interventional device. The first interventional device includes an electrically conductive material. The first interventional device is adapted for implantation inside a body and for receiving an alternating current. The second interventional device comprises a magnetically conductive material. The second interventional device is adapted for implantation inside the body in close proximity to the first interventional device. With both devices placed inside the body, the second interventional device magnetically couples with the first interventional device and the second interventional device generates heat upon the application of the alternating current to the first interventional device thereby heating the body site. |
| US08412343B2 |
Channel specific gain control including lateral suppression
A method is described for generating electrode stimulation signals for a plurality of stimulation electrodes in an implanted electrode array. An acoustic audio signal is processed with a bank of filters to generate a set of band pass signals where each band pass signal corresponds to a band of audio frequencies associated with one of the filters. A lateral suppression network is used to perform channel specific dynamic amplitude mapping of the band pass signals to generate a set of compressed band pass signals. Stimulation information is extracted from the compressed band pass signals to generate a set of stimulation timing signals, and the stimulation timing signals are developed into a set of electrode stimulation signals to the stimulation electrodes. |
| US08412342B2 |
Implantable acoustic sensor
An implantable sound pickup system. The system comprises an intracochlear acoustic sensor implantable in a recipient's cochlea comprising: an elongate core conductor, and a piezoelectric element disposed on the surface of the core conductor configured to detect pressure waves in the perilymph of the cochlea when the acoustic sensor is at least partially implanted in the cochlea, and to produce electrical signals corresponding to the detected pressure waves. |
| US08412338B2 |
Devices and methods for optimizing electrode placement for anti-inflamatory stimulation
Described herein are methods, devices and system for selecting an optimum position of a stimulation electrode, and particularly methods, devices and systems for optimizing the position of a stimulation electrode for stimulating the inflammatory reflex and thereby inhibiting inflammation. The methods, devices and systems described herein may generally include the analysis of one or more artifact modalities arising after the application of a stimulation pulse. One or more of these artifact modalities (e.g., EMG, ECG, etc.) may be detected and used to generate a comparable indicator of the fitness of the position of the electrode relative to a target, such as a portion of the inflammatory reflex like the vagus nerve. |
| US08412337B2 |
Systems and methods for treating pain using brain stimulation
The invention comprises systems and methods for treating nociceptive pain including at least one force-regulatable device in mechanical, electrical, or chemical communication with at least one brain area identified as processing nociceptive pain signals. The force-regulatable device acts to alter the nociceptive pain signals in a brain area to alleviate nociceptive pain. |
| US08412335B2 |
Systems and methods for automatically optimizing stimulus parameters and electrode configurations for neuro-stimulators
System and method for automatically optimizing the stimulus parameters and/or the configuration of electrodes to provide neural stimulation to a patient, the system includes an electrode array having a support member configured to be implanted into the patient and a plurality of therapy electrodes carried by the support member. The system can also have a pulse system operatively coupled to the therapy electrodes to deliver a stimulus to the therapy electrodes, and a sensing device configured to be attached to a sensing location of the patient. The sensing device generates response signals in response to the stimulus. The system can also include a controller that generates command signals that define the stimulus delivered by the pulse system, evaluates the response signals from the sensing device, and determines a desired configuration for the therapy electrodes and/or a desired stimulus to be delivered to the therapy electrodes. |
| US08412334B2 |
Treatment of mood and/or anxiety disorders by electrical brain stimulation and/or drug infusion
A system and method for introducing one or more stimulating drugs and/or applying electrical stimulation to the brain to treat mood and/or anxiety disorders uses an implantable system control unit (SCU), specifically an implantable signal/pulse generator (IPG) or microstimulator with one or more electrodes in the case of electrical stimulation, and an implantable pump with one or more catheters in the case of drug infusion. In cases requiring both electrical and drug stimulation, one or more SCUs are used. Alternatively and preferably, when needed, an SCU provides both electrical stimulation and one or more stimulating drugs. In a preferred embodiment, the system is capable of open- and closed-loop operation. In closed-loop operation, at least one SCU includes a sensor, and the sensed condition is used to adjust stimulation parameters. |
| US08412321B2 |
Method of identifying strategies for treatment or prevention of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia
The present invention relates to evaluating the effect of physiological conditions on the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation, identifying strategies for treatment or prevention of ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, and evaluating a subject for induction of ventricular fibrillation from a condition of ventricular tachycardia. |
| US08412316B2 |
Atrial tachyarrhythmia detection system and method
A system and method provide for detecting atrial arrhythmias within an implantable medical device capable of sensing and pacing at least an atrium of a heart. Arrhythmia of the atrium is detected. In response to detecting atrial arrhythmia, delivery of pacing signals to the atrium is inhibited under certain conditions. While delivery of the pacing signals to the atrium is inhibited, the detected arrhythmia of the atrium is confirmed during a period of further evaluation. Delivery of pacing signals to the atrium is enabled upon ceasing of the atrial arrhythmia. Inhibiting delivery of the pacing signals during atrial arrhythmia evaluation advantageously provides for an increase in the rate at which the detected arrhythmia is confirmed. |
| US08412314B2 |
Location and displaying an ischemic region for ECG diagnostics
A method for locating an ischemic region in the heart of a subject includes establishing three dimensional coordinates axes with respect to the torso of the subject as a reference; establishing as a reference a multi-dimensional representation of the heart defining at least three dimensional coordinate axes of the heart, the multi-dimensional representation defining at least the base of the heart and a middle section of the heart to thereby prescribe a surface of the heart on the reference multi-dimensional representation of the heart; and orienting the three dimensional coordinate axes of the heart from an initial position offset with respect to the three dimensional coordinates with respect to the torso of the subject to an imaginary position wherein at least one axis of the heart is parallel to or coincident with at least one of the three dimensional coordinate axes with respect to the torso of the subject. Corresponding displays are disclosed also. |
| US08412309B2 |
Medical device guiding system, medical device guiding method, and method for creating look-up table to be used in medical device guiding system
The accurate position detection without being affected by an unnecessary second magnetic field can be realized by calculating the unnecessary second magnetic field induced and generated at positions of magnetic field sensors by a guiding coil arranged the position detection area of the medical device due to an action of a first magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generator, at the time of position detection, and the second magnetic field is subtracted from the first magnetic field detected by the magnetic field sensors to calculate corrected magnetic-field information. Further, LUTs that store beforehand numerical information having a correlation with the second magnetic field induced and generated at the positions of magnetic field sensors are used to calculate the second magnetic field, thereby enabling to reduce an amount of calculation performed each time and realize high speed processing. |
| US08412307B2 |
System and method for marking an anatomical structure in three-dimensional coordinate system
The present invention is a device localization system that uses one or more ultrasound reference catheters to establish a fixed three-dimensional coordinate system within a patient's heart using principles of triangulation. The coordinate system is represented graphically in three-dimensions on a video monitor and aids the clinician in guiding other medical devices, which are provided with ultrasound transducers, through the body to locations at which they are needed to perform clinical procedures. In one embodiment of a system according to the present invention, the system is used in the heart to help the physician guide mapping catheters for measuring electrical activity, and ablation catheters for ablating selected regions of cardiac tissue, to desired locations within the heart. |
| US08412305B2 |
Mobile multiple modality containment suite
There are occasions when a medical facility has the need to image subject that have been contaminated with a hazardous or communicable chemical or biological agent. Occurrences of such conditions are often too remote to justify having diagnostic scanners dedicated to such imaging. A contaminated or “hot” chamber (20) interfaces with one or more uncontaminated imaging suites or “cold” chambers (22). The hot chamber (20) includes barrier walls (16) with selectively deployable containment tubes (14) that when deployed, are sealed with the barrier wall (16) and extend from the barrier wall into the gantry of the cold chamber scanners. The tubes (14) extend the hot chamber (20) can be extended into the cold chambers (22) for imaging while remaining sealed, isolating the hot subjects from the cold imaging equipment. The imagers can thus be used for both normal clinical scanning and hot patient scanning. |
| US08412303B2 |
Electrode for use with a template cap
An electrode attached to the straps of and use with a template cap in making neurophysiological measurements. The electrode is configured to allow the user to quickly and accurately slide an electrode needle at a shallow adjustable angle into the scalp of the patient. The base of each electrode attaches to the cap at locations where measurements are to be made. The base supports a ramp that may be snapped into a clip on the base for storage and then springs resiliently from the clip when released. The electrode needle is carried by a slidable holder secured to the ramp at its slot and is slid forward following that slot when driving the needle down and through a small hole in the base of the electrode to insert it into the patient's scalp at the appropriate depth and angle. |
| US08412301B2 |
Systems and methods for replacing signal artifacts in a glucose sensor data stream
Systems and methods for minimizing or eliminating transient non-glucose related signal noise due to non-glucose rate limiting phenomenon such as ischemia, pH changes, temperatures changes, and the like. The system monitors a data stream from a glucose sensor and detects signal artifacts that have higher amplitude than electronic or diffusion-related system noise. The system replaces some or the entire data stream continually or intermittently including signal estimation methods that particularly address transient signal artifacts. The system is also capable of detecting the severity of the signal artifacts and selectively applying one or more signal estimation algorithm factors responsive to the severity of the signal artifacts, which includes selectively applying distinct sets of parameters to a signal estimation algorithm or selectively applying distinct signal estimation algorithms. |
| US08412300B2 |
Arterial flashback confirmation chamber
The present invention relates to an arterial flashback confirmation chamber. Generally, the confirmation chamber is used with a vascular access device to allow an operator to see active arterial flashback confirmation for a period of time that is long enough to permit the operator to properly place the cannula of the vascular access device within a patient's artery. In some instances, the confirmation chamber comprises a flashback compartment, means for prolonging active arterial flashback confirmation, and a vent. Some examples of suitable prolonging means comprise a flashback compartment with a relatively large internal volume, circuitous tubing, an absorbent material, an orifice and/or tubing with a smaller inner diameter than the inner diameter of the cannula, and the like. Where the vascular access device comprises a catheter assembly, the catheter assembly and confirmation camber are optionally used with a guide wire and/or a blood sensor. |
| US08412299B2 |
Biological information measurement device capable of accurately conducting measurement, that can safely be used
A biological information measurement device is constituted of an upper cover and a lower cover and a main body portion. Then, the upper cover and the lower cover are assembled such that they partially overlap with each other. A fingertip insertion portion is formed of a holding member, on which a substrate and a line of the main body portion are placed. By covering the whole main body by assembling the upper cover and the lower cover, the substrate and the line of the main body portion arranged on a side surface of the main body in the inside cannot externally be seen. |
| US08412292B2 |
IMD-selective design of HTS-based filters
Intermodulation distortion (IMD) is known to be an impediment to progress in superconductor-based filter technology. The present invention's methodology for reducing IMD can open doors to heretofore unseen practical applications involving high temperature superconductor (HTS) filters. Typical inventive practice includes (a) increasing the thickness d, and/or (b) changing the operation temperature T, of the filter's HTS film. The film's thickness d is increased in such a way as to decrease the IMD power PIMD in accordance with the material-independent proportionate relationship PIMD∝1/d1.5-6. The film's operation temperature T is bettered or optimized in accordance with the material-independent proportionate relationship PIMD∝(λO(T))10(K(2)(T))2/(ΔO(T))6, and further in accordance with three individual material-dependent relationships, namely, between operation temperature T and each of linear penetration depth λO, gap maximum ΔO, and kernel K(2). Some inventive embodiments include oxygen overdoping of the film as an additional/alternative IMD-reductive measure. |
| US08412291B2 |
Detection, selection and provision of external antennas for a mobile device
A mobile device can detect, select and use an external antenna supported by an attached accessory device. The mobile device queries the accessory device whether it supports an external antenna and receives an indication of whether the accessory device supports external antennas. The indication can comprise a list of accessory device pins operatively coupled to supported external antennas. The mobile device selects an external antenna for use by the mobile device. The selection can comprise selecting a mobile device pin operatively coupled to the selected external antenna. The selected mobile device pin can be a predetermined pin or a pin that is both operatively coupled to a supported external antenna and configured to operate as an external antenna pin. The mobile device can use the selected external antenna. The mobile device can switch between an internal antenna and an external antenna operatively coupled to a selected mobile device pin. |
| US08412290B2 |
Miniaturized, low power, wireless transmitter and receiver with on-chip antenna, and wireless coupling of on-chip and off-chip antenna
A miniaturized, low power RF transmitter with a dual mode active on-chip antenna/inductor is disclosed in which antenna also serves as the oscillator inductor. Also disclosed is a miniaturized low power RF receiver with an on-chip antenna; and a RF transmitter system wherein an on-chip antenna is wirelessly coupled to an off chip patch antenna are disclosed. Advantageously, the TX chip is housed in a low loss, e.g. Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) package with a patch antenna to provide a System-on-Package implementation comprising electromagnetic coupling between a RF TX chip comprising an integrated on-chip antenna and a package antenna. The on-chip antenna feeds the LTCC patch antenna through aperture coupling, thus negating the need for RF buffer amplifiers, matching elements, baluns, bond wires and package transmission lines, and significantly increases the gain and range of the module with respect to the on-chip antenna alone, without deterioration of the circuit performance and power consumption. Exemplary embodiments are disclosed which may be fabricated using standard CMOS technology, for operation in the 5 GHz U-NII band for applications such as miniaturized, low cost, low power wireless devices and sensor systems. |
| US08412289B1 |
Expendable and collapsible sound amplifying cellular phone case
A cell phone protective case, with expander of sound outlet located on the right and left sides and the bottom perimeters, of a cell phone is invented. The frame interior is comprised of a circular throat member for sound impedance, matching to create an improved coupling effect between the original speaker, and the air, where the frame interior is comprised of sectional chambers covering both the horizontal and vertical coverage axis' to change the directional characteristics of sound waves to amplify and channel the sound en route towards the outer perimeters of the device. |
| US08412285B2 |
Speaker module of portable terminal and method of execution of speakerphone mode using the same
A speaker module of a portable terminal and a method of execution of a speakerphone mode using the same are provided. The speaker module includes a nondirectional microphone, a directional microphone, at least one speaker, and a controller. The nondirectional microphone is applied to one side of the portable terminal. The directional microphone is applied to another side of the portable terminal. The at least one speaker is installed in the same direction near the directional microphone. When the portable terminal is in a speakerphone mode, the controller controls to detect voice signal levels and/or frequency characteristics input to the two microphones, sets a transmission/reception mode of the portable terminal, and mute-processes a corresponding microphone. |
| US08412282B2 |
Haptic generation method and system for mobile phone
A haptic generation method and system for a mobile phone is provided. A vibration event is detected in an operation mode. A vibration code corresponding to the vibration event is retrieved from a mapping table. A control message containing the vibration code is generated, and the control message is transmitted to at least one destination mobile phone. |
| US08412281B2 |
Portable terminal device
A mobile phone of the present invention includes a first cabinet; a second cabinet that is slidable along an upper surface of the first cabinet; a first touch sensor that enables input by touching the upper surface; a projection that projects from the second cabinet toward the upper surface; a second touch sensor that detects a position of contact of the projection with the upper surface; and a CPU that controls input by the first touch sensor in accordance with output from the second touch sensor. The CPU enables input by the first touch sensor when the second cabinet is in a first position or OP position where the second case exposes a detection area of the first touch sensor to the outside, and disables input by the first touch sensor when the second cabinet is out of the first position. |
| US08412279B2 |
Handheld electronic communication device including touch-sensitive display
A handheld electronic communication device includes a body including an input device and a display assembly including a display. The display assembly is connected to the body and moveable relative to the body, between a first position in which a first portion of the display is covered by the body and a second portion of the display is exposed, and a second position in which the display assembly is displaced such that the first portion of the display and the second portion of the display are exposed and the display assembly is generally flush with the body. |
| US08412278B2 |
List search method and mobile terminal supporting the same
A list search method and a mobile terminal that implements the list search method are provided. In the list search method, a plurality of search areas for outputting a plurality of index groups respectively are output in a display area where at least one list is output. The index groups include independent indexes or indexes linked with each other. Such operation occurs without screen switching and thereby enables a mobile terminal to implement a list search quickly and easily. |
| US08412271B2 |
Boosted, dedicated reference signal
A base station includes a reference signal generator, a boost selector, and a transmitter. The reference signal generator provides a dedicated reference signal to be transmitted over a plurality of antennas to a dedicated user device. The boost selector selects a dedicated boost level that is specific for the dedicated reference signal. The boost selector applies the dedicated boost level to the dedicated reference signal and not to a data signal to be transmitted to the dedicated user device. The boost selector generates a boosted dedicated reference signal. The transmitter transmits the boosted dedicated reference signal and the data signal to the dedicated user device after beamforming weights are applied to the boosted dedicated reference signal and to the data signal. |
| US08412266B2 |
Portable terminal device, image display system, image display method, and computer-readable storage medium
An image data obtaining unit (102) obtains image data picked up by an image-pickup device. An identification information obtaining unit (101) obtains identification information of a device that is wirelessly communicated when the image data is obtained. An image data memory unit (104) stores, in association with each other, the obtained image data and the identification information obtained when the image data is obtained. The identification information obtaining unit (101) obtains the identification information of the device wirelessly communicated at a predetermined timing after the image data memory unit (104) stores the image data and the identification information in association with each other. A searching unit (106) searches image data associated with the obtained identification information among pieces of the image data stored in the image data memory unit (104). A display control unit (107) displays the searched image data on a display unit. |
| US08412261B2 |
Coupling apparatus for dividing receiving and transmitting signals and control method thereof
The present invention is directed to reducing leakage of a transmitting signal to a receiving unit in a wireless communication system with a transmitting unit and the receiving unit sharing an antenna. A coupling apparatus for dividing a radio frequency (RF) transmitting signal and an RF receiving signal in a transceiver with a transmitting unit and a receiving unit sharing an antenna, includes: a four-port circuit having port 1, port 2, port 3, and port 4, a through path being formed between the port 1 and the port 2, a first signal input to the port 1 being coupled to the port 4, a second signal input to the port 2 being coupled to the port 3, and an isolation path being formed between the port 1 and the port 4 and between the port 2 and the port 3; and an attenuator attenuating and outputting a signal output from the port 3 of the four-port circuit, and the RF transmitting signal is input to the port 1 of the four-port circuit, the RF receiving signal is input to the port 2 of the four-port circuit, and outputs of the attenuator and the port 4 of the four-port circuit are provided the receiving unit. Leakage of a transmitting signal of a transmitting unit to a receiving unit in a communication system sharing an antenna can be isolated. Furthermore, an isolation effect of a leakage signal of a transmitting unit to a receiving unit can be maximized while adaptively changing an attenuation value of a variable attenuator. |
| US08412260B2 |
Method and system for data communication
There is provided a system and method for multi-user detection by a plurality of base stations situated at different geographical locations through base station cooperation. An exemplary method comprises exchanging detected data iteratively while performing separate detection and decoding of received data streams. |
| US08412253B2 |
Push to talk over cellular (POC) server capable of changing session priority settings when receiving authorized override message
The present invention related to a Push to talk Over Cellular (PoC) Server for providing PoC communication services in communications system, the PoC Server being arranged to simultaneously perform a first PoC Session between a first PoC Client and at least a second PoC Client, and at least one second PoC Session between the first PoC Client and at least a third PoC Client in accordance with a priority setting. The Push to talk Over Cellular (PoC) Server is characterized in that it is further arranged to: receive, from said at least second PoC Client, a first information indicating that a user of said at least second PoC Client wants to alert the user of said first PoC Client about relevant Media being shared in said first PoC Session; or receive, from said at least third PoC Client, a second information indicating that a user of said at least third PoC Client wants to alert the user of said first PoC Client about relevant Media being shared in said at least second PoC Session; and if the received information is a notification, forward said received information to said first PoC Client; or if the received information is an override message, change said priority setting for said first and/or said at least second PoC Sessions associated with said first PoC Client in accordance with said override message. The present invention also relates to a method for providing PoC communication services, a mobile terminal comprising a PoC Client and methods thereof, a communications system and a computer program product. |
| US08412251B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating access to a home, or other public network
An apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating home, or other public network access by a wireless device. The access is made in order to access public-network services by the wireless device when connecting to the public network by way of another network. Access availability by way of 802.1x-capable wireless local area networks, if any, is determined A listing is made of networks through which connections are able to be made. And, if operator policy permits, a public-network access attempter attempts to make communication connections by way of non-802.1x-capable wireless local area networks, if any. Identification is made of network access availability, and such identified network access is displayed to provide a user of the wireless device with an opportunity to select in what manner to connect to the public network. |
| US08412250B2 |
Methods and systems for slow associated control channel signaling
Methods and systems for slow associated control channel signaling are disclosed. An example method for securing communications in a mobile network disclosed herein comprises transmitting a first variant of a message of a first type on a first slow associated control channel (SACCH) before ciphering is started on the first SACCH, and after ciphering is started on the first SACCH, transmitting a second variant of the message of the first type on the first SACCH, and subsequently transmitting the second variant of the message of the first type on the first SACCH, wherein the subsequently transmitted second variant of the message of the first type is the next transmitted message of the first type on the first SACCH. |
| US08412249B2 |
Resource allocation based on interference mitigation in a wireless communication system
The present invention provides a method involving at least one base station and at least one mobile unit. The method includes determining, based on an interference mitigation pattern, a plurality of transmission powers associated with a corresponding plurality of subcarriers available to said at least one base station. The method also includes determining a plurality of priority metrics associated with the plurality of subcarriers and the at least one mobile unit, and assigning at least one of the plurality of subcarriers to the at least one mobile unit based on the plurality of priority metrics and the interference mitigation pattern. |
| US08412244B2 |
Receive diversity and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) using multiple mobile devices
A mobile device that includes an antenna, an interface, and an application. The antenna is capable of receiving a signal. The interface is capable of receiving a second signal in synchronization with the signal and the application is configured to perform receive diversity processing using the signal and the second signal. Further, is included a mobile device that includes the antenna, the interface, and a second application where the second application is configured to perform multiple input multiple output (MIMO) processing using the signal and the second signal. Increased bandwidth and processing gain is achieved for the received signal by the receive diversity processing and the MIMO processing. |
| US08412243B2 |
Power control method and apparatus for inter-cell interference removal
A power control method performs a scheduling on user terminals and then allows the user terminals to calculate power of interference by neighboring sectors, generates interference information to indicate how much the base stations in neighboring sectors, which interfere with each other, reduce transmission power based on the calculated power of interference, and informs a serving base station thereof. The base stations calculate throughput gain and throughput loss based on the interference information, and determine whether the reduction of the transmission power is performed based on the calculated throughput gain and throughput loss. |
| US08412242B2 |
Method and apparatus for sending and receiving channel state information in multiple-input multiple-output network wireless communication systems
A method and an apparatus for sending and receiving channel state information in network Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) wireless communication systems are provided. Hybrid feedback technology is provided to transfer complete Channel State Information (CSI) to a transmitter by efficiently combining limited amounts of long-term channel information and short-term channel information are in a down link MIMO network system. |
| US08412237B1 |
Method and system for launching and preparing applications on mobile computing systems based on geo-location data
A user mobile computing system is provided and geo-location data indicating the position of the user mobile computing system is monitored. When an application or feature is activated or used on the user mobile computing system, activation/use data indicating the application or feature activated and use location data indicating the position of the user mobile computing system at the time of the activation/use of the application or feature is obtained and linked, mapped, and/or otherwise associated with each other, and stored. When, and if, current geo-location data for the user mobile computing system later indicates the user mobile computing system is within a defined distance of the use location associated with the application or feature, the application or feature is automatically launched and any preparation required for use of the application or feature are performed so that the application or feature is ready for use when the user mobile computing system reaches the use location. |
| US08412229B1 |
Position determining entity request filter
A method of operating a position determining entity filter comprises receiving a request for location assistance data transmitted from a wireless communication device, wherein the request is associated with a source packet address and includes a user identifier, and processing the request to determine if the user identifier is associated with the source packet address. The method further comprises, if the user identifier is not associated with the source packet address, initiating a count to track a number of requests for the location assistance data transmitted from the wireless communication device, and removing data previously associated with the user identifier and the source packet address. The method further comprises, if the user identifier is associated with the source packet address, incrementing the count and determining if a flag is assigned to the user identifier, inhibiting future requests if the flag is assigned to the user identifier, and if the flag is not assigned to the user identifier, determining if the count exceeds a threshold, and if the count exceeds the threshold, assigning the flag to the user identifier. |
| US08412224B2 |
RSSI estimation in multi-technology communication terminals
A method used in a receiver includes measuring first Received Signal Strength Indications (RSSIs) in respective first communication channels, which are located in a given frequency band and which each have a first channel bandwidth. Based on the first RSSIs, second RSSIs are computed for respective second communication channels, which are located in the given frequency band and which each have a second channel bandwidth that is larger than the first channel bandwidth. At least one of the first and second communication channels over which to receive signals at the receiver are selected using the first and second RSSIs. |
| US08412223B2 |
Method of allocating radio resource in broadband wireless access system
A method and device for allocating resource regions in a broadband wireless access system. The method includes receiving a message from a base station by a mobile terminal. The message includes allocation information used to collectively and consecutively allocate identical resource regions of consecutive frames. The identical resource regions include identical Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) symbols and identical subchannels within each of the identical resource regions. The identical OFDMA symbols are a subset of a total number of OFDMA symbols within each of the identical resource regions. The identical subchannels are a subset of a total number of subchannels within each of the identical resource regions. The method also includes transmitting or receiving data by the mobile terminal through the allocated identical resource regions. |
| US08412219B2 |
Base station, upper node, radio communication system and radio communication method
A base station includes a scheduling unit and a call reception control unit. The call reception control unit includes a managing unit that updates total resource usage amount based on total resource allocation amount and manages the total resource usage amount, and a decision unit that adds an initial radio resource to be allocated to a new call to the total resource usage amount and decides whether the new call can be accepted. The managing unit updates the total resource usage amount by subtracting a radio resource in response to the release of an existing call that radio resource allocation being not controlled at each transmission time interval. The managing unit manages the total resource usage amount without subtracting a radio resource in response to the release of an existing call that radio resource allocation being controlled at each transmission time interval. |
| US08412216B2 |
Initial connection establishment in a wireless communication system
A method, user equipment, network equipment and a system for initiating a wireless connection and subsequent communication over a shared physical resource in a wireless communication system between user equipment and network equipment comprising: processing a UE-derived temporary identifier; determining a set of channels that the user equipment will monitor; implicitly or explicitly communicating this channel set; communicating the temporary identifier as an identifier to the network equipment; communicating a downlink message on a channel belonging to the determined channel set conveying the temporary identifier and a description of a scheduled resource on a shared channel, the scheduled resource comprising a resource allocated to the user equipment by the network equipment; and communicating data on the scheduled resource in response to the downlink message. |
| US08412215B2 |
Initial connection establishment in a wireless communication system
A method, user equipment, network equipment and a system for initiating a wireless connection and subsequent communication over a shared physical resource in a wireless communication system between user equipment and network equipment comprising: processing a UE-derived temporary identifier; determining a set of channels that the user equipment will monitor; implicitly or explicitly communicating this channel set; communicating the temporary identifier as an identifier to the network equipment; communicating a downlink message on a channel belonging to the determined channel set conveying the temporary identifier and a description of a scheduled resource on a shared channel, the scheduled resource comprising a resource allocated to the user equipment by the network equipment; and communicating data on the scheduled resource in response to the downlink message. |
| US08412213B2 |
Initial connection establishment in a wireless communication system
A method, user equipment, network equipment and a system for initiating a wireless connection and subsequent communication over a shared physical resource in a wireless communication system between user equipment and network equipment comprising: processing a UE-derived temporary identifier; determining a set of channels that the user equipment will monitor; implicitly or explicitly communicating this channel set; communicating the temporary identifier as an identifier to the network equipment; communicating a downlink message on a channel belonging to the determined channel set conveying the temporary identifier and a description of a scheduled resource on a shared channel, the scheduled resource comprising a resource allocated to the user equipment by the network equipment; and communicating data on the scheduled resource in response to the downlink message. |
| US08412207B2 |
Method of providing a mobility service
A method comprising running an application on user equipment; providing a mobility service; using a packet switched connection when said mobility service is unavailable; and using said mobility service when said mobility service becomes available. |
| US08412206B2 |
Communication system having network access structure
A communication system with an improved network access structure for inter-cell cooperation is provided. The communication system includes a central unit and at least one radio access unit. The at least one radio access unit may form at least one virtual cell by merging or separating cells of radio access units according to a distribution of terminals, statuses of channels, an amount of traffic, and the like. |
| US08412204B1 |
Elevation-based control of a wireless communication device
A wireless communication device determines a latitude indicator, longitude indicator, and received signal strength for its current location. The devices processes the latitude indicator, longitude indicator, and received signal strength to estimate its elevation at the location. The device also processes its handover history to determine a handover probability factor. The device then processes the estimated elevation and handover probability factor to estimate if the device is located in a building above an elevation level. If the estimate indicates that the device is located within the building above the elevation level, then the device modifies a handover parameter to inhibit handover attempts. |
| US08412203B2 |
Next generation cell phone
A system and method are disclosed. The system includes a wireless headset. The wireless headset includes a network receiver to receive beacon signals from wireless access points. A beacon table contains data extracted from the received beacon signals. A wireless network selector selects a wireless access point based on the data in the beacon table. The system further includes a voice agent application coupled to the wireless headset and a special-purpose application coupled to the voice agent application. |
| US08412202B2 |
Method for accessing a service from a user's terminal via a heterogeneous network in which several types of access are available
The invention relates to a method for accessing a service from a user's terminal (1) through a heterogeneous network (3) in which several access types (5, 7, 9, 11) are available. The method comprises the following steps: upon reception of a request outputted by the terminal (1) for accessing a service, selecting through an access selection server (17) an access of the heterogeneous network (3) for the terminal (1), said access selection step including a resources reservation step (61) at the selected access; and sending (65) a selected access identifier to the terminal (1) through the access selection server (17). |
| US08412194B2 |
Wireless terminal device and method of controlling the same
An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless terminal device and a method of controlling the same, which can receive a broadcast message transmitted from a base station, without increasing the load on a base station that refuses location registration and on the communication line thereof. The cellular telephone device includes: a search unit that searches for a base station, from which a signal can be received; and a reception control unit in which, in a case in which location registration was not permitted in all of the base stations found, the reception control unit performs synchronous processing for a reception signal from one of the base stations in which location registration was not permitted, without performing location registration, and enters a reception stand-by state for a broadcast message from the one of the base stations. |
| US08412191B2 |
Cellular telephone service management
A system and method are provided for the management of user terminal (UT) cellular network services. The method includes: registering a UT in a cellular telephone network; accessing a management server; receiving UT-specific management instructions for cellular network services; and, requesting cellular network services for the UT in response to the UT-specific management instructions. In one aspect, the management server is embedded in the UT. Alternately, the management server is accessed via the cellular network. The UT-specific management instructions can be uploaded in a message received via a common control channel, such as Short Message Service (SMS) message or a paging channel message. As another alternative, the management server can be accessed via a UT Broadband subsystem with a hardwire management server interface, or a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) subsystem with a wireless management server interface, such as WiFi, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, or IEEE 802.15. |
| US08412190B1 |
Apparatus and method for wireless device
A wireless device is arranged to switch the radio access technology it is using. The wireless device disconnects from using a first radio access technology and at least attempts to connect to use a second radio access technology. It is determined that the wireless device should revert to using the first radio access technology. At expiry of a predetermined period of time after the determining, the wireless device is caused to cease using or attempting to use the second radio access technology and to revert to using the first radio access technology. |
| US08412188B2 |
Managing session information in a wireless communications system
In an embodiment, a network communication entity (NCE) determines that an access terminal has re-entered a serving area of an access network, and also determines whether a given period of time, associated with a previous session of the access terminal in the serving area, has expired. If the NCE determines no expiration, the NCE re-activates session information associated with the previous session, including re-activation of an identifier that uniquely identifies the access terminal within the serving area. If the access terminal had a session in another serving area before re-entering the serving area, the NCE stores the session information for the access terminal in the other serving area in association with a period of time indicative of a duration during which the session information continues to be valid within the other serving area. The NCE may either correspond to the access terminal or a portion of the access network. |
| US08412178B2 |
Mechanism for facilitating dynamic and segment-based monitoring of cellular network performance in an on-demand services environment
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for facilitating dynamic and segment-based monitoring of cellular network performance. In one embodiment and by way of example, a method includes dividing a cellular network path of a cellular network into a plurality of network segments, and monitoring performance of the cellular network at a first network segment of the plurality of network segments. The first network segment is associated with a first segment point includes a first computing device. The method may further includes generating first metrics based on first monitoring data relating to the first network segment, and forwarding the first metrics to a second segment point coupled with the first segment point over the first network segment. The second segment point includes a second computing device. |
| US08412177B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving system information in broadband wireless communication system
A method and an apparatus for transmitting and receiving System Information (SI) of a femto base station in a wireless communication system are provided. In the method, an SI transmission point is determined using unique identification information of a femto base station itself and unique identification information of a macro base station with which the femto base station is associated. Each of user equipment and the macro base station generate a measurement gap pattern representing an SI reception point using the unique identification information of the femto base station and the unique identification information of the macro base station. SI is received from the femto base station according to the generated measurement gap pattern. |
| US08412172B2 |
Method and apparatus for interactive audience participation at a live entertainment event
The present invention relates to a method for providing interactive audience participation at live entertainment events. The method includes use of an interactive device that presents a promotional message and includes a user interface, broadcasting audio programming to the audience member through the interactive device, querying the audience members, wherein answers to the querying may be entered by the audience member via the user interface of the interactive device, transmitting the answers to a central processor, storing the answers as audience data, processing the audience data into results, storing the results of the processing of the audience data and broadcasting the results of the processing of the audience data. |
| US08412170B2 |
Apparatus for a receiving party
Apparatus comprising at least one processor configured to compare an identifier of a calling party with one or more contacts of a receiving party to determine privilege information associated with the calling party, the privilege information providing one or more authorised receiving party location-based responses. The apparatus further comprising at least one processor configured to determine a location of the receiving party and provide an associated authorised response to the calling party. |
| US08412166B2 |
Location based system with contextual locator and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a location based system includes: detecting an event; establishing a geofence associated with the event; setting a search time window associated with the event; identifying an event participant that is associated with the event; and identifying a matching target as the event participant located within the geofence during the search time window for displaying on a device. |
| US08412161B2 |
“I am driving/busy” automatic response system for mobile phones
A cell phone which has been modified by the addition of software which responds to the press of one or more Busy keys by automatically sending a pre-typed text message to the sender of the latest text message just received or automatically answering an incoming call immediately upon pressing the Busy key and playing a pre-recorded audio message. The outgoing text or audio message can inform the sender of the incoming text or the caller that the user is driving or otherwise engaged and cannot respond immediately. In some embodiments, one or more Busy keys can be added keys or one or more existing keys on the cell phone or on the keypad of the cell phone or on a touchscreen or a visual depiction of a keypad on a touchscreen of the cell phone. |
| US08412158B2 |
Mobile device having increased security that is less obtrusive
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for a mobile device to provide increased security that is less obtrusive. A mobile device includes a display device, a user interface, and a processor. The processor may be configured to execute instructions to: implement a monitoring function to monitor the operation of the mobile device and to implement a plurality of monitor functions; and implement an authentication process to compare the plurality of monitor functions to a time period to determine an authentication value, wherein if the authentication value exceeds a threshold, a lock screen is implemented on the display device, and a user is required to enter a valid passcode through the user interface for authentication. Each monitor function may be associated with a pre-determined weight such that different monitor functions are given different priorities. |
| US08412156B2 |
Managing automatic log in to internet target resources
A system and a method for managing automatic log in to Internet target resources are disclosed. The system comprises a mobile phone with a storing device to store private identities and a computer with a client browser and a browser plug-in. The browser plug-in is configured to, upon receiving information containing a login form from a target resource being accessed: request a user identifier; and send an identity request to an identification server. Furthermore, the identification server is configured to obtain a phone number associated to the user identifier and send an identity message to the phone. The phone is provided with a client application which looks up the private identities associated to the target resource and sends the selected private identity to the identification server and then to the client browser to log in to the target resource using the selected private identity. |
| US08412155B2 |
Systems and methods to accelerate transactions based on predictions
Systems and methods to accelerate transactions made via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes: a data storage facility to store information associated with past payment transactions and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats, and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor includes a risk engine and a transaction engine. The risk engine estimates a risk in a billing process; and the transaction engine determines whether or not to notify a merchant of the predicted result of billing based on the suggestion from the risk engine and/or other information, such as the status of the wireless telecommunications network. |
| US08412154B1 |
System and method for managing a mobile device
A system and method for managing a mobile device(s) to provide for a notification(s) when specified thresholds are reached and/or execute defined rules for the mobile device(s). The rules can relate to any function of the mobile device(s), including but not limited to, notification when a percentage of voice/data/SMS is reached during a billing cycle, notification when a mobile device(s) leaves a geo-fence, and restrict a mobile device(s) when a threshold is reached. The system provides a versatile management system allowing a user to effectively control use of a mobile device(s) and manage costs. |
| US08412152B2 |
System and method for sending threshold notification in real time
A mobile station user is informed in real time of reaching of a threshold of data usage via a wireless communication network. An account of the user has a maximum data plan limit defined by the user's plan and a data usage balance reflecting an amount of data usage remaining under the plan. When data usage corresponding to the requested data session does not cross the threshold level, a slice of data for the data session is allocated. When required data usage corresponding to the requested data session would cross the threshold level, a reduced slice of data is allocated. Data usage is counted in real time during the data session, and a notification of reaching the threshold level of data is sent to the mobile station in real time, at the time when data usage under the user's account reaches the threshold level. |
| US08412150B2 |
Transitional data sets
A set of applications on a mobile device can be specified, presented and automatically populated with transitional data sets. The transitional data sets can be stored on a network to facilitate computations of differences between transitional data sets and other data sets, and the differences can be presented on the mobile device by one or more location-aware applications. |
| US08412143B2 |
Doubled balanced mixer with improved component matching
An improved passive double balanced mixer with reduced capacitor voltage mismatch is described. A passive double balanced mixer includes two sets of mixer circuits, each comprised of switches. Each switch is separately divided into a first portion and a second portion of unequal number of fingers. A first and second LO AC coupling capacitors associated with a given switch are coupled at one end to an LO signal. The outputs of the first LO AC coupling capacitors are coupled to the first portion of the first switch and the second portion of the second switch, respectively, while the outputs of the second LO AC coupling capacitors are coupled to the second portion of the first switch and the first portion of the second switch, respectively. In one embodiment, the unequal number of fingers is defined by an n−1 and an n+1 number of fingers, respectively. In an alternate embodiment, the mixer is an ADB mixer with a transconductance amplifier and two sets of mixer circuits as above. |
| US08412140B2 |
Method of canceling noise contained in received signal
A multiplication section multiplies a signal output from a GPS antenna by a local oscillation signal generated by a local oscillation signal generation section to down-convert the signal output from the GPS antenna into an intermediate-frequency signal. A sampling circuit section samples a generated signal generated by a portable electronic circuit using a sampling clock signal having a frequency lower than a frequency of the generated signal. An attenuation section generates a cancellation signal by attenuating the sampled signal, and an addition section adds the cancellation signal to the signal output from the multiplication section to cancel in-band noise superimposed on the received signal. |
| US08412135B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling power of transmitter in a mesh network
A method and apparatus for controlling power of a transmitter in a mesh network. A controller, if it sets a reference power to one of a first measured transmission power and a maximum power, compares the reference power with a first power in level, and compares the first power with a second power in level. A cumulation factor calculator calculates a cumulation factor by comparing the first power with the second power. A reference power setter sets the reference power according to a scope to which a value obtained by adding a reference power to a sum of the calculated cumulation factors belongs. A power controller controls transmission power according to the set reference power. |
| US08412130B2 |
Millimeter wave transceiving system and reflecting plate
A millimeter wave transceiving system 100 for transmitting and receiving a millimeter wave includes a transmitting apparatus 1 for transmitting a millimeter wave, a reflecting plate 41 for reflecting a millimeter wave transmitted from the transmitting apparatus 1, and a receiving apparatus 2 for receiving a millimeter wave reflected by the reflecting plate 41. The reflecting plate 41 includes a metal plate, a metal sheet, or a metal film, as a reflecting surface 43 for reflecting a millimeter wave. This makes it possible to realize a millimeter wave transceiving system which allows an easy installation. |
| US08412120B2 |
Phase-locked circuit and radio communicating device
Disclosed herein is a phase-locked circuit including: a phase-locked section including a voltage controlled oscillator having a capacitance bank and changing oscillation frequency according to voltage information, the phase-locked section phase-locking an oscillating signal of the voltage controlled oscillator to a reference signal; and a calibration section having a voltage correcting function for supplying an appropriate calibration voltage to the voltage controlled oscillator in performing frequency calibration for the voltage controlled oscillator; the calibration section including a counter circuit, a first storage circuit and a second storage circuit, a comparator circuit, a control circuit, a voltage generating circuit, and a processing circuit. |
| US08412116B1 |
Wireless transceiver
A system and method are disclosed for transmitting and receiving signals. The method includes receiving a received signal; demodulating the received signal by mixing the received signal with a receiver local oscillator signal generated by a voltage controlled oscillator configured to generate the receiver local oscillator signal; switching the configuration of the voltage controlled oscillator to generate a transmission signal for use by a transmitter; and transmitting a modulated signal derived from the transmission signal. |
| US08412114B2 |
Adaptive method of transmitting and receiving a signal in a multi-antenna system, corresponding transmission and reception devices, computer program products and signal
A method is provided for receiving a signal, corresponding to a data signal transmitted by a transmitter to a receiver via a transmission channel. The method includes the following steps: analyzing the signal received, delivering an information item representative of the transmission channel; determining, periodically and/or as a function of a variation of the transmission channel: at least one distribution of the transmission antennas into at least one group of at least one antenna as a function of the information item representative of the transmission channel, wherein at least one group includes at least two transmission antennas for at least one of the determinations; and specific efficiencies assigned respectively to each of the groups of antennas for each distribution as a function of the information item, and transmitting to the transmitter a parameterization signal defining the at least one distribution and the specific efficiencies. |
| US08412112B2 |
Systems and methods for simulating a multipath radio frequency environment
Embodiments include systems and methods for simulating a multipath environment for testing a device. In one embodiment, a plurality of antennas are placed around a device under test in an anechoic chamber. Each of a plurality of the antennas is connected to a path of a variable path simulator capable of generating multiple paths between the antennas and external wireless communication test equipment. The variable path simulator introduces a delay spread into each path. In this way, a multipath environment is simulated with signals appearing to arrive from different angles and different distances. Each of a plurality of antennas may be adapted to produce substantially plane waves at the device under test. |
| US08412109B2 |
Method for characterizing the radio link of RFID tags
The method relates to a method of characterizing a radio link. In the method, a radio frequency interrogator and a first radio frequency transponder, the response of which in an essentially anechoic chamber is known, are utilized. According to the invention, the response of the first radio frequency transponder is measured in a target environment in the chosen interrogator-transponder geometry and the responses of the radio frequency transponder in the target environment and in an essentially anechoic chamber are compared for characterizing the actual radio link. The invention provides information on multi-path propagation of radio waves characteristic to the target environment, which can be further taken into account in, for example, RFID system design. |
| US08412104B2 |
Method and apparatus of controlling inter cell interference based on cooperation of intra cell terminals
Provided is a method and apparatus for controlling inter cell interference based on cooperation between intra cell terminals. The intra cell terminals may exchange interference channel information, and may determine a receive beamforming vector based on the exchanged interference channel information. At least one intra cell terminal may feed back, to a neighboring cell base station, information associated with an effective interference channel using the receive beamforming vector. A base station may determine a transmit beamforming vector based on information associated with an effective interference channel using receive beamforming vectors of neighboring cell terminals that are received from at least one neighboring cell terminal. |
| US08412103B2 |
Methods and apparatus for generating, reporting and using interference cancellation information
Apparatus and methods for power control for mitigation or control of interference in a wireless communications environment. Power control techniques can consider the effectiveness of interference cancellation before making power control determinations. For example, where interference with a base station from an interfering wireless terminal is being canceled such that the effects of that interference are not adversely affecting operations of the base station, the offending terminal can be left unchanged, or its transmit power can be increased. On the other hand, where the interference cancellation operation is not able to cancel the effects of the interfering signal sufficiently, the operation can lower the uplink transmit power of the offending signal so as to not cause interference to the other base station. |
| US08412102B2 |
Method, apparatus and storage medium for provisioning WLAN parameters via a cordless phone protocol
A method and apparatus for provisioning a communication device is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller element that establishes wireless communication with a base unit operating according to a short-range cordless phone communication protocol, and receives from the base unit provisioning information that enables a communication device to establish wireless communications with an access point operating according to a wireless fidelity (WiFi) communications protocol. Additional embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08412101B1 |
Optimally controlling short-range wireless communication on mobile communication devices
The short-range wireless communication on a mobile communication device is optimized to balance between preserving battery power and processing urgent data without delay. A wireless access schedule identifying time periods during which the mobile communication device is assumed to have access to short-range wireless communication is created or provided. Data to be transmitted or received by the mobile communication device is classified as being urgent or non-urgent. When data is to be transmitted or received by the mobile communication device, the transmission or receipt of the data is managed according to 1) whether or not the data is urgent, and 2) whether the current time is within a time period during which the mobile communication device is assumed to have access to short-range wireless communication. |
| US08412098B2 |
Electronic equipment for a wireless communication system and method for operating an electronic equipment for a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to an electronic equipment for a wireless communication system comprising a near field interface (4) for exchanging contact information with at least one further electronic equipment via near field communication, said contact information serving for communicating within the wireless communication system, a group editing means (3) for creating a group of contact information comprising at least the received contact information, whereby each contact information of the group relates to an electronic equipment, and a communication means (8) for setting up a communication within the wireless communication system to the group of electronic equipments in accordance with the group of contact information. The present invention further relates to a method for operating such an electronic equipment. |
| US08412095B2 |
Apparatus for minimizing amplifier oscillation in an antenna system
Embodiments of an apparatus for minimizing oscillation of an amplifier in an antenna system are provided. These embodiments can comprise passive circuitry in the form of a coupling simulator that includes passive elements selected and combined to generate an output with properties that can cancel or substantially reduce a coupled input as between two antennas in the antenna system. In one example, the coupling simulator may include a phase-shifting device and an attenuating device, each of which have properties with values selected based on parameters that result from the relationship between the antennas of the antenna system. |
| US08412091B2 |
Image erasing apparatus and method of carrying recording medium in image erasing apparatus
An image erasing apparatus includes a recording medium height sensor sensing the height of recording mediums stacked on a discharge tray, a discharge tray lifting and lowering mechanism lifting and lowering the discharge tray, a shifting mechanism shifting and discharging the recording mediums, and a controller controlling a discharging operation so that the height of recording mediums on the discharge tray is equal to a desired height on the basis of the output of the recording medium height sensor. |
| US08412088B2 |
Image alignment procedure
This is an alignment system where precise alignment of a reproducible image is obtained with respect to the paper. An imaged paper to be reproduced is placed on a light table having a right angle fitting or marking. The paper is placed on top of the light table and is aligned with this right angle marking. A transparent platen with marked scales is placed over the imaged paper and also aligned with the right angle fitting. The scales are placed over the corners of the image and image corner location readings are taken from the scales. These readings are then entered and fixed into a marking system such as an electrophotographic printer for reproduction of copies from the aligned and fixed original image. |
| US08412085B2 |
Fixing device, image forming apparatus, and toner image fixing method
According to an aspect of the invention, a fixing device includes a laser beam irradiation unit and a conveying unit. The laser beam irradiation unit includes a plurality of laser beam sources and emits a plurality of laser beams to a surface of a recording medium. The conveying unit conveys the recording medium and/or the laser beam irradiation unit so that irradiated regions irradiated with the laser beams are moved in a given direction. When the plurality of laser beams is emitted to a toner image to fix the toner image, the plurality of laser beams satisfies conditions (A) and (B). The condition (A) is that the plurality of laser beams has substantially the same beam power and substantially the same width. The condition (B) is that the plurality of laser beams is independently emitted to the toner image. |
| US08412073B2 |
Image forming apparatus having tension-providing mechanism for belt
To enable not only releasing pressurization by a pressurization mechanism for pressurizing a belt thereby preventing a deformation therein but also easily and securely releasing the pressurization mechanism held in the pressure release state, thereby facilitating the installation operation of an apparatus. A pressurization mechanism for pressurizing a belt is in a released state prior to the use of the main body of the apparatus. Prior to the initial use of the main body, the pressurization of the pressurizing mechanism for the belt is exerted in linkage with a user operation of placing a recording material in a feed tray. |
| US08412065B2 |
Image forming apparatus with developing roller cleaning capability
An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a developing roller, a toner supply roller, and a charging member. The toner supply roller supplies single-component non-magnetic toner to the developing roller for developing a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum. In a toner cleaning mode, the toner supply roller removes the toner from the developing roller. To this effect, the charging member charges up the toner held on the developing roller. A bias circuit and a controller are further provided, wherein the bias circuit applies bias voltages to the developing roller, supply roller, and charging member, and the controller controls the bias circuit to produce the bias voltages such that a potential difference between the charging member and the supply roller is greater than a potential difference between the developing roller and the supply roller in the toner cleaning mode. |
| US08412055B2 |
Automatic paper management and color profile utilization
Methods and systems herein provide for calibration of a production printing system that accommodates a plurality of different print paper types, including new paper types with no ICC profiles or optical density curves on file. One exemplary method includes printing test patches of primary colors on a first print medium, measuring colors of the test patches printed on the first print medium to determine an optical density of the first print medium, and comparing the optical density of the first print medium to a plurality of optical density curves to identify a comparable optical density curve of a different print medium. The comparable optical density curve is one of a plurality of optical density curves installed on the production printing system. The method further includes automatically selecting the comparable optical density curve to calibrate the production printing system to the different print medium for use in printing to the first print medium. |
| US08412054B2 |
DQPSK/DPSK optical receiver with tunable optical filters
An optical receiver includes a first interferometer having a plurality of arms. The optical receiver further includes first tunable optical filters connected in series with the arms of the first interferometer, where each first tunable optical filter is tuned to filter a region of overlap in the optical frequency spectrum between adjacent optical channels. |
| US08412053B2 |
Radioisotope powered light modulating communication devices
The present disclosure relates to a light modulating communication device comprising a housing comprising at least one inner chamber, and an opening, at least one quantum dot positioned inside the at least one inner chamber, a high-energy emitting source positioned within the at least one inner chamber, a modulator positioned proximal to the opening of the housing, and optionally, at least one reflector positioned within the at least one inner chamber. The present disclosure also relates to a method comprising providing at least one quantum dot, contacting the at least one quantum dot with high-energy particles such that light is produced from the at least one quantum dot, and modulating the light produced from the at least one quantum dot. |
| US08412052B2 |
Surface mount (SMT) connector for VCSEL and photodiode arrays
Self alignment of Optoelectronic (OE) chips, such as photodiode (PD) modules and vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) modules, to external waveguides or fiber arrays may be realized by packaging the OE chips directly in the fiber optic connector. |
| US08412051B2 |
40G/100G optical transceivers with integrated framing and forward error correction
The present disclosure provides integrated performance monitoring (PM); optical layer operations, administration, maintenance, and provisioning (OAM&P); and alarming in optical transceivers, such as multi-source agreement (MSA)-defined modules. The present disclosure includes an optical transceiver defined by an MSA agreement with integrated PM and alarming for carrier-grade operation. The integration preserves the existing MSA specifications allowing the optical transceiver to operate with any compliant MSA host device. Further, the host device can be configured through software to retrieve the PM and alarming from the optical transceiver. The optical transceiver can include CFP and variants thereof (e.g., future CFP2, CDFP, CXP), OIF-MSA-100GLH-EM-01.0, CCRx (Compact Coherent Receiver), Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable (QSFP) and variants thereof (e.g., future QSFP+, QSFP2), 10×10 MSA, XFP, XPAK, XENPAK, X2, XFP-E, SFP, SFP+, 300-pin, and the like. |
| US08412050B2 |
Coaxial free space optical telescope and systems using the same
Example embodiments may include a coaxial Free Space Optical (FSO) telescope providing a simplified and more precise structure. Example embodiment telescopes include a prism structure having at least two parallel surfaces associated with a filter and mirror. The filter may reflect or transmit optical signals based on their electromagnetic characteristics. Example embodiment systems include example embodiment coaxial FSO telescopes and transmitters and receivers for receiving and transmitting optical signals. A V-groove and/or lens array may be included in example embodiment FSO systems. |
| US08412047B2 |
Polarization multiplexed light transmitter and control method thereof
The polarization multiplexed light transmitter takes out a part of a polarization multiplexed light to be transmitted as a monitor light; makes orthogonal polarization components contained in the monitor light to interfere with each other, to generate a polarization interfering light; converts the polarization interfering light into an electric signal; measures the power of an alternate current component contained in the electric signal after eliminating a direct current component thereof; and feedback controls delay amount varying sections so that an inter-polarized channel delay time judged based on a change in the measured power reaches a predetermined value. Thus, the delay time between the orthogonal polarization components in the polarization multiplexed light can be varied flexibly at a high speed with a simple configuration, and thus, it becomes possible to suppress transmission characteristics degradation of the polarization multiplexed light due to a change in system state. |
| US08412042B2 |
Innovative architecture for fully non blocking service aggregation without O-E-O conversion in a DWDM multiring interconnection node
According to one general aspect, an interconnection node may be configured to dynamically provide interconnection access between a first optical network (e.g., a core optical network) and at least either a second optical network (e.g., an access optical network) or a third optical network (e.g., another access optical network) in a purely optical fashion. The interconnection node may include a first network portion and a second and third network portions. The first network portion may be coupled with the first network that includes a first pair of wavelength cross-connect (WXC) units coupled between a first transmission path of the first network, and providing a plurality of add and drop ports, and a second pair of wavelength cross-connect (WXC) units coupled between a second transmission path of the first network, and providing a plurality of add and drop ports. The second network portion may be coupled with the second network and the first network portion of the interconnection node such that optical signals may be routed between the second network and the first network. The third network portion may be coupled with the third network and the first network portion of the interconnection node such that optical signals may be routed between the third network and the first network. |
| US08412041B2 |
Subscriber premises side optical network unit and optical transmission system
A subscriber premises side optical network unit, and an optical transmission system having the same, is provided that monitors whether or not a communication condition is established with a center side optical line termination and halts signals to be outputted to external nodes when the communication condition is not established. In an optical network unit (ONU), a signal output control means monitors whether or not the communication condition with an OLT is established and when it determines that the communication condition is not established, outputs an output halting request to loopback setting sections to control to assume a loopback state. Thereby, it becomes possible to halt the output of the signals from an interface module to a switch. |
| US08412039B2 |
Method for estimating bandwidth limiting effects in high frequency transmission communication systems
A method for estimating a bandwidth limiting penalty of a chain of bandpass optical filters in an optical telecommunication system. The method is advantageous for systems carrying an optical signal at a bit rate of about 10 Gb/s, wherein average bandwidth of the filters in the chain is of the same order of magnitude as bandwidth of the optical signal. The method comprises selecting a worst case filter, checking the system by testing and/or simulating it as being provided with the selected worst case filter instead of the chain of filters, and then judging about the bandwidth limiting penalty of the chain of filters based on results of the checking. |
| US08412038B2 |
Optical transmission device, optical transmission system including the same, and optical transmission method
An optical transmission device includes a wavelength multiplexing/demultiplexing unit, a plurality of transponders, an optical switch unit and a controller. The controller includes a table in which a plurality of items at least including priority order, a transmission label, a receiving label and a receiving label expected value correspond to the respective transponders. And the controller rewrites the transmission label of the transponder corresponding to the client device of the lower priority order than the priority order of the client device connected to the transponder of the irregular input, upon the optical signal provided by the wavelength multiplexing/demultiplexing unit to one of the transponders being irregular, and controls the label-changed transponder for which the transmission label has been rewritten so that the label-changed transponder provides the wavelength multiplexing/demultiplexing unit with the optical signal including the rewritten transmission label. |
| US08412036B2 |
Imaging apparatus and method of controlling the apparatus
An imaging apparatus (1000) includes: an imaging device (110), a lens (120), an initial focal point detecting unit (130) detecting a positional relationship between the imaging device (110) and the lens (120) to specify an initial focal point which is a focal point found when an exposure start instruction is received from a user; a shift pattern determining unit (140) determining a shift pattern of the focal point, such that the focal point in an exposure time moves from the initial focal Point, passes through both of a nearest end and a farthest end of a predetermined range of focus at least once, and returns to the initial focal point, the initial focal point being specified by the positional relationship between the imaging device (110) and the lens (120); and a shift control unit (150) moving one of the imaging device (110) and the lens (120) based on the shift pattern, such that the focal point moves from the initial focal point as soon as exposure starts, and arrives at the initial focal point again as soon as the exposure ends. |
| US08412034B2 |
Camera body, interchangeable lens, accessory, camera system, and method for rewriting information
A camera system includes a camera body, an interchangeable lens, and an accessory to be mounted between the camera body and the interchangeable lens, wherein the accessory includes a signal processing unit configured to process a signal input into the accessory, a storage unit configured to store information used for performing the signal processing, and a blocking unit configured to prevent direct communication from the camera body to the interchangeable lens when the information stored in the storage unit is rewritten via the camera body. |
| US08412032B2 |
A/D conversion circuit, signal processing circuit, and shake detection device
The A/D conversion circuit may include A/D conversion units each of which converts input analog signals into digital signals, a switch unit that receives a first and second analog signals among the analog signals, the switch unit alternately switching output destinations of the first and second analog signals input in the same period to the A/D conversion units in each sampling cycle of the A/D conversion units; and an arithmetic unit that performs a differential operation between a result of addition of the digital signals output from the A/D conversion units to which the first analog signal is input and a result of addition of the digital signals output from the A/D conversion units which the second analog signal is input, the arithmetic unit outputting a third digital signal corresponding to a result of the differential operation. |
| US08412025B2 |
Information recording method, information recording medium, and information reproducing method, wherein information is stored on a data recording portion and a management information recording portion
With this invention, at least one of a video file containing video information, a still picture file containing still picture information, and an audio file containing audio information and a management file having management information on a control method of reproducing the information in the file are recorded on an information storage medium. This realizes a data structure that causes the recording and deleting places on the information storage medium to correspond spuriously to places on a single tape, such as a VTR tape. Use of the data structure provides users with an easy-to-use interface. |
| US08412015B2 |
Segmented gain-doping of an optical fiber
The present disclosure provides an approach to more efficiently amplify signals by matching either the gain materials or the pump profile with the signal profile for a higher-order mode (HOM) signal. By doing so, more efficient energy extraction is achieved. |
| US08412014B2 |
Optical fiber ribbon capable of branching and method for making fiber ribbon branch
An optical fiber ribbon is capable of branching by means of any tool. The optical fiber ribbon is comprised of a plurality of optical fibers running in parallel, each of the optical fibers having an allowable radius of curvature; a blanket sheath totally covering the plurality of the optical fibers; one or more concavities formed at any one or more intermediates among the optical fibers; and slits respectively arranged in series at a regular interval along the concavities, the slits penetrating the blanket sheath and allowing the tool to be inserted and the blanket sheath to split by means of movement of the tool along the concavities. The length of each slit prior to insertion of the tool is so determined that flexures of the optical fibers induced by the tool widening the slits do not exceed the allowable radius of curvature. |
| US08412010B2 |
Compact optics for concentration and illumination systems
An optical concentrator having a concentrating element for collecting input light, a redirecting element for receiving the light and also for redirecting the light, and a waveguide including a plurality of incremental portions enabling collection and concentration of the light onto a receiver. Other systems replace the receiver by a light source so the optics can provide illumination. |