| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08424111B2 |
Near-field optical microscope, near-field optical probe, and sample observation method
Provided is a scanning near-field optical microscope capable of obtaining, in a highly sensitive manner, optical information having a spatial frequency higher than a spatial frequency corresponding to a wavelength of irradiation light. A scanning near-field optical microscope 100 according to the present invention includes: a light irradiating part 102 for emitting illumination light toward a sample 107; a light receiving part 112 for receiving light; a microstructure for generating or selectively transmitting near-field light, the microstructure being disposed on at least one of an emission side of the light irradiating part 102 and an incident side of the light receiving part 112; and an ultrahigh-wavenumber transmitting medium 108 for transmitting near-field light, the ultrahigh-wavenumber transmitting medium exhibiting anisotropy in permittivity or permeability. |
| US08424109B2 |
Information processing apparatus, and computer readable medium
An information processing apparatus, includes: a registering unit for referring to a first storing unit for storing usage limitation information indicating a policy of usage limitation of a document which corresponds to a pair of a stamp image corresponding to an image representing that the document is limited in use, and the number of the stamp images, extracting the stamp image from document image information obtained by reading a paper document containing at least one of the stamp images, obtaining the usage limitation information corresponding to a pair of the extracted stamp image and the number of the extracted stamp images from the first storing unit, and registering the obtained usage limitation information and the document containing the document image information in correlation with each other into a second storing unit. |
| US08424106B2 |
Securing a communication protocol against attacks
A method, system, and computer usable program product for securing a data communication against attacks are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A segment in the data communication is received at a first application executing in a first data processing system. The segment is formed according to a data communication protocol and includes an option. The option includes a current clue and a next clue. The current clue is compared with a saved next clue, the saved next clue being a next clue in a previous segment. The segment is accepted as being a valid segment in the data communication if the current clue matches the saved next clue. A part of the segment is sent to a consumer application. |
| US08424100B2 |
System and method of vetting data
Systems and methods for vetting data include receiving a notification at a second processor that a first processor has written first output data to an output data buffer in an output device. A hardware-implemented buffer access flag controls a permission for the first processor to write data to the output data buffer. The second processor sets the hardware-implemented buffer access flag to a first setting that prevents the first processor from writing additional output data to the output data buffer while the first output data in the output data buffer is being inspected. The second processor has a read-write permission to the hardware-implemented buffer access flag. The first processor has a read-only permission to the hardware-implemented buffer access flag. |
| US08424099B2 |
PC secure video path
A system and method are disclosed for creating a secure video content path, or a protected media content bus, within an unsecure personal computer. A portable security module, or electronic key safe, may be inserted into a personal computer that has different internal components for processing secure and unsecured content. The security module may establish a secure encrypted link with a secure video processor of the personal computer, and may use the personal computer's network interface to request authority to receive secured content. The security module may provide content keys to the secure video processor to access secured content received over an external network. |
| US08424097B2 |
Information processing method and apparatus thereof
In an access rights managing system, an application that can set access rights is limited, and if an information apparatus that the user uses does not install any specific application, the system cannot set desired access rights in a digital document. To solve this problem, data is received externally, and first identification information associated with access rights control is extracted from a predetermined position of the received data. Second identification information corresponding to the first identification information is obtained, and is appended to the received data. The received data is then stored in a memory. |
| US08424093B2 |
System and method for updating antivirus cache
Disclosed are systems, methods and computer program products for updating antivirus cache during malware scan of a computer system. In particular, an antivirus cache stored in a non-volatile system memory may be updated with information from an antivirus database during execution of malware detection processes launched on the computer system. If a malware detection process use one or more sections of the antivirus cache which require updating, the system replicates those sections of the antivirus cache and updates them. Each update contains different types of data and code associated with different types of malware. During update, the same types of data for each type of malware is collected and stored as data files in corresponding sections of the antivirus cache and executable code sections are converted into platform-specific dynamic libraries and also stored in the antivirus cache. |
| US08424092B2 |
Electronic apparatus for authenticating a battery pack
A battery pack includes at least one rechargeable battery configured to output power; a remaining battery capacity detection unit configured to detect a remaining battery capacity of the at least one rechargeable battery; and a cryptographic unit configured to output a response word in response to an external request word by encrypting the external request word based on a cryptographic algorithm with a common code key. |
| US08424089B2 |
Virus immunization using prioritized routing
An apparatus, device, methods, computer program product, and system are described that determine a virus associated with communication data on a communications network, the communications network associated with at least one network policy device, associate an anti-viral agent with at least one identifier, prioritize transmission of the at least one identifier through the at least one network policy device, relative to the communication data, and provide the anti-viral agent on the communications network, in response to the prioritizing transmission of the at least one identifier through the at least one network policy device. |
| US08424088B1 |
Barricading a computer system when installing or migrating software
During a migration or installation of a software application (e.g., a security software application), a computer can be left vulnerable to attack by malicious code. However, a computer can be protected during an installation process by disabling routes through which a malicious attack might occur. More specifically, a determination module determines that the installation process for the security software application will be performed. When the installation process begins, a communication disabling module disables substantially all communication through external network connection ports for the computer that are unneeded for the installation process. In some embodiments, a process restriction module also restricts execution of processes which are not associated with the installation of the security software application. An installation module allows the installation process for the security software application to be performed on the computer. A communication reopening module then reopens the communication through the external network connection ports upon completion of the installation process. |
| US08424087B2 |
Updating an entry in an addressee-based whitelist
In some embodiments, techniques may include receiving an email message; determining a non-recipient email addressee associated with the email message, wherein the non-recipient email addressee has an address that is unaffiliated with a recipient for which the email message has been received; receiving a directive to whitelist the non-recipient email addressee; and responsive to receiving the directive to whitelist the non-recipient email addressee, adding the non-recipient email addressee to a whitelist. |
| US08424086B2 |
Suppression of malicious SIP messages using the resource priority header
An Internet Service Provider (ISP) node is configured to suppress malicious session initiation protocol (SIP) messages. The ISP node is coupled to receive a new session initiation protocol (SIP) message from a user agent client associated with the ISP. If the SIP message includes a resource priority header (RPH) indicating the new SIP message should be given priority within the network, the ISP node determines whether the user agent client previously sent an initial SIP message with an RPH that has not yet been authorized, and if so, places the new SIP message in a buffer. |
| US08424084B2 |
Electronic device for verifying validity of contents of storage medium
A disclosed electronic device for performing a process in accordance with contents of a removable storage medium includes: a storing unit obtaining verification data for verifying validity of the contents of the storage medium before shifting to a power supply state in which detection of installation and removal of the storage medium is disabled and storing the verification data in a storage unit as saving verification data; and a verification unit comparing, when the detection of the installation and removal of the storage medium is enabled, newly obtained verification data with the saving verification data read from the storage unit so as to verify the validity of the contents of the storage medium. |
| US08424080B2 |
Electronic device and authentication method of electronic device
An authentication method of an electronic device is disclosed. A plurality of key inputs is received from a user via activation of input keys. At least one key input from the key inputs is validated based on a predefined criterion to obtain a password. The password is compared to a registered password to obtain an authenticated password. |
| US08424076B2 |
Utilizing virtual private networks to provide object level security on a multi-node computer system
The disclosure herein provides data security on a parallel computer system using virtual private networks connecting the nodes of the system. A mechanism sets up access control data in the nodes that describes a number of security classes. Each security class is associated with a virtual network. Each user on the system is associated with one of the security classes. Each database object to be protected is given an attribute of a security class. Database objects are loaded into the system nodes that match the security class of the database object. When a query executes on the system, the query is sent to a particular class or set of classes such that the query is only seen by those nodes that are authorized by the equivalent security class. In this way, the network is used to isolate data from users that do not have proper authorization to access the data. |
| US08424075B1 |
Collaborative firewall for a distributed virtual environment
A virtual environment firewall receives a message having a request from a virtual environment entity intended for a virtual environment controller. The virtual environment firewall determines whether the request complies with one or more governance rules of the virtual environment controller. If the request does not comply with the one or more governance rules, the virtual environment firewall processes the message to prevent the request from being processed by the virtual environment controller. |
| US08424073B2 |
Refreshing a page validation token
Methods and computer-readable media are provided for refreshing a page validation token. In response to a request for a form from a client, a server responds with the requested form, a page validation token, and a page token refresh program. The client executes the page token refresh program in response to a request to post the contents of the form to the server computer. The page token refresh program determines whether a preset period of time has elapsed since server computer generated the page validation token. If the period of time has not elapsed, the form is posted to the server with the page validation token and processed by the server computer. If the page timeout has elapsed, the page token refresh program refreshes the page validation token prior to posting the form by requesting an updated page validation token from the server. |
| US08424068B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing application credentials
Methods and apparatus for providing an application credential for an application running on a device. In one embodiment, a method provides an application credential to an application running on a device, wherein the application credential is used by the application to authenticate to a data server. The method comprises receiving a request to generate the application credential, wherein the request includes an application identifier. The method also comprises generating the application credential using the application identifier and a master credential associated with the device. |
| US08424067B2 |
Smart password determination
A system and method for dynamically adjusting or modifying the password expiration period for a given user based upon how a user accesses the password-protected resource. The tighter the physical control of how a user can access a resource results in a loosening or maintaining of the password expiration period to be a relatively long period of time, whereas the looser the physical control of how a user can access a resource results in a tightening of the password expiration period to be a relatively short period of time. The password expiration period is adjusted based on both actual usage patterns as well as variances in such usage patterns. |
| US08424066B2 |
Information processing apparatus, authentication system, information processing method and storage medium
An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a first user identifier that identifies respective users in the information processing apparatus, and plural second user identifiers stored in respective authentication apparatuses and identify the users in each authentication apparatus, so as to correspond with each other; a first authentication request unit that transmits authentication information input by a user to at least one of the authentication apparatuses and requests authentication of the user; a first user identifier acquisition unit that, when authentication of the user has been successful, acquires the second user identifier of that user stored in that authentication apparatus; and a use allowing unit that specifies the first user identifier stored in the storage unit corresponding with the second user identifier acquired by the first user identifier acquisition unit, and allows the user identified by the specified first user identifier to use the information processing apparatus. |
| US08424065B2 |
Apparatus and method of identity and virtual object management and sharing among virtual worlds
A system for centrally managing credential information of a user and a virtual object of a user across a plurality of virtual world (or corresponding virtual world servers) is disclosed. The system includes an identity service module for managing an authentication request (e.g., verifying credential information of a user) from a user and an inventory service module for managing virtual properties of a user. Furthermore, a method for logging in a virtual world by using the system is disclosed. A method for teleporting a virtual property from a virtual world to another virtual world by using the system is disclosed. A method for logging out from a virtual world by using the system is also disclosed. |
| US08424064B2 |
Distributed device revocation
In a distributed revocation method, it is individually decided at each of a plurality of autonomous device nodes of a distributed network whether a suspect autonomous device node or suspect distributed key of the distributed network should be removed from the distributed network. A voting session is conducted at which the individual decisions of the plurality of autonomous device nodes are combined to decide whether the suspect autonomous device node or suspect distributed key should be removed from the distributed network. The suspect autonomous device node or suspect distributed key is removed from the distributed network responsive to the voting session deciding in favor of removal. |
| US08424062B2 |
Advanced access control for medical ad hoc body sensor networks
A secure wireless network (2) includes a network (22, 24, 26) that includes one or more wireless nodes (7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20). A list (5) includes security metadata, which describes access rights or groups of access rights granted to an entity within the wireless network (2) or groups of entities within the wireless network (2). |
| US08424059B2 |
Calculating multi-tenancy resource requirements and automated tenant dynamic placement in a multi-tenant shared environment
A method for assigning tenants of users to offering instances of an application or middleware includes representing a set of offerings as respective offering instances of the application or middleware available from a server, determining server resource capacity of the server, representing constraints associated with the tenants and the offering instances, generating a mapping of the tenants to the offering instances based on the server resource capacity and constraints, and assigning a tenant to an offering instance according to the mapping, wherein the offering instance is made accessible to the users of the assigned tenant. |
| US08424058B2 |
Security proxying for end-user applications
Methods and apparatuses enable a service mediator to provide security proxying services to an end-user application requesting a backend service of an enterprise network. The end-user application generates a request for a service of the backend system. The request does not have sufficient security information to enable access to the backend system. The service mediator can detect that one or more items of required security information are not present in the request and injects the necessary security information into the request. The end-user application need not even have access to the security information or even be aware that security information is needed to access the service. The request having the required security information is sent to the backend to enable access to the backend service. |
| US08424056B2 |
Workflow system and object generating apparatus
A workflow system which restricts improper operations on an object circulated in a workflow by dynamically modifying access rights for the object according to the working status of the workflow. For example, the workflow system is a system which processes an object according to a workflow having a plurality of working statuses. When the working status for the object is changed, a modifying unit modifies access rights applied to the object. A control unit then controls operations on the object based on the modified access rights. |
| US08424055B2 |
Deterministic user authentication service for communication network
A user authentication service for a communication network authenticates local users before granting them access to personalized sets of network resources. Authentication agents on intelligent edge devices present users of associated end systems with log-in challenges. Information supplied by the users is forwarded to an authentication server for verification. If successfully verified, the authentication server returns to the agents authorized connectivity information and time restrictions for the particular authenticated users. The agents use the information to establish rules for filtering and forwarding network traffic originating from or destined for particular authenticated users during authorized time periods. An enhanced authentication server may be engaged if additional security is desired. The authorized connectivity information preferably includes identifiers of one or more virtual local area networks active in the network. Log-in attempts are recorded so that the identity and whereabouts of network users may be monitored from a network management station. |
| US08424050B2 |
Broadcast receiving device
It is an object to provide a broadcast receiving device capable of shortening the time from turning-on until display of an IP broadcast. A broadcast receiving device 1, after its start-up, automatically performs setting related to an Internet protocol (IP) including setting of an address of a DNS server and receives an IP broadcast of a specified channel by multicast communication, wherein the broadcast receiving device starts to receive the IP broadcast from an IP broadcast server 53a through an IP network 4 by specifying a multicast address corresponding to the specified channel that is stored beforehand, before completion of the setting of the address of the DNS server. |
| US08424049B2 |
Measurement of video quality at customer premises
A video signal is provided to a set top box. An instruction to record a specified portion of the video signal, thereby creating a video sample, is provided to the set top box. The video sample is received from the set top box. Reference video corresponding to the video sample is obtained. A comparison of the video sample and the reference video is performed. |
| US08424048B1 |
Portable electronic device for receiving and playing feature length movies
One embodiment is a handheld portable cellular device that receives and plays feature length movies. In one exemplary embodiment, a multifunctional handheld portable cellular device (HPCD) has a body, a display and a processor. The processor plays a feature length movie on the display. The HPCD orders, via a wireless connection to a network, the feature length movie before a public release date of the feature length movie, and plays the feature length movie on the display before the public release date. |
| US08424047B2 |
Message transmission in an interactive television system
A method for controlling transmission of messages in an interactive television system comprising a network and a plurality of receiver units connected to the network; the method comprising: transmitting to the receiver units an trigger inviting a response from each receiver unit and indicating that a delay procedure is to be applied to the responses; and at each receiver unit: accepting from a user of the receiver unit data in response to the trigger; forming a response message for transmission to the network in response to the trigger, the response message including the data received from the user; determining the length of a delay interval to be applied to the response message; and transmitting the response message to the network after the delay. |
| US08424041B2 |
Method and system for downloading content to a content downloader
A content downloader system including a display for displaying a user interface enabling a user to select content to be downloaded and initiate downloading; a set-top-box coupled to the display for providing the user interface and for receiving an indication of the content to be downloaded; and a content downloader coupled to and separate from the set-top-box, the content downloader for receiving the content. The content downloader has at least one memory component for storing content, at least one input/output connection for communicating to electronic devices, optionally including a removable memory card and optionally including an encryption/decryption unit. The content downloader may have an identification whereby its identity is authenticated by the content provider. The content downloader downloads the content selected by the user after successful authentication whereby the selection is made using the display and the set-top-box, and the content downloaded to the content downloader separate than the set-top-box. |
| US08424040B2 |
Multi-source switching in a television system
The present invention provides a tuning scheme for coordinating schedule information and programs received from multiple sources (26, 28, 30 and 34). In the preferred embodiment, an identifier associated with the program's channel (52) is used to identify a source device (26, 28, 30 or 34). When a user selects a program (60 or 62) listed in displayed schedule information (50), the system (10) reads the source identifier attached to the program's channel (52). The system (10) then carries out an automatic switching/tuning such that the required source device (26, 28, 30 or 34) is input to the destination device (22), and a tuner is then tuned to the selected program's channel (52). |
| US08424035B2 |
Time shifting enhanced television triggers
Enhanced television broadcasts including triggers with expires attributes may be utilized in a variety of situations where the expires attribute may adversely affect the utilization of the trigger. For example, in situations where the broadcast is recorded, playback may be enabled even after the trigger expiration. Similarly, local affiliates or FNOCs may rebroadcast enhanced television content by adjusting the expires attributes of the original trigger. |
| US08424034B2 |
System and method for displaying commercials in connection with an interactive television application
In accordance with the present invention, commercials are provided to a subscriber at the start of or during their use of an interactive television application. Further in accordance with the invention, a subscriber may select to pay for use of the interactive television application by watching a specified amount of commercials in connection with use of the application. The subscriber can thereby reduce or avoid any additional payment for such services. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the subscriber is prompted to determine the payment method preferred by the subscriber payment method includes receiving commercials as an option in lieu of or in addition to traditional payment methods such as pay-per-view, pay-per-use pay-per-play and subscription based. |
| US08424033B2 |
Turntable device for detachably securing a disk
A turntable device and a disk driving device having the same are disclosed. The turntable device, for detachably securing a disk, may include: a centering part, in an inner perimeter of which slots are formed along a circumferential direction that provide an elastic force; and a base, on which a conical extension part is formed that is configured to slidably support an inner perimeter of the centering part. The turntable device can improve alignment between the centers of rotation of the motor and the disk, even for high-speed rotations. |
| US08424030B2 |
Optical pickup device and laser welding structure of optical components
To provide a reliable optical pickup device, a pickup case and an optical component including a lens are fixed by laser welding to increase the welding strength and reduce the positional displacement due to environmental changes. In a laser welded portion between a pickup case and an optical component including a lens, the optical component is provided with a joint portion having a convex protrusion at a portion to be joined to the pickup case. Laser beam irradiation is performed extending longer than the protrusion to form a thick welded portion at an end of the protrusion, in order to increase welding strength between the optical component and the pickup case. |
| US08424029B2 |
Optical disc device
A housing included in an optical disc device 1 includes a top case 2 and a bottom case 3. The top case 2 includes a ceiling plate 2a and side plates 2b. The bottom case 3 includes a bottom plate 3a and side plates 3b. The top case 2 and the bottom case 3 are assembled and fixed to each other so that the side plates 2b of the top case are located on the outer sides of the side plates 3b of the bottom case. The top case is formed with a groove 2d and flat portions 2e on an inner-side end portion of the ceiling plate 2a of the top case, the groove 2d and flat portions 2e extending along bent portions 2c of the side plates 2b of the top case. The flat portions shield the groove 2d. |
| US08424028B1 |
Tray locking device of optical disc drive with anti-shock mechanism
A tray locking device of an optical disc drive is adapted to lock and release a tray. The optical disc drive has an optical head engaged to a lead screw and driven to be moved by the lead screw. The tray locking device includes: a pushing member, disposed on the optical head; a first stop portion, disposed on the tray; a latching hook, adapted to latch and release a pin; and a transmission assembly, disposed between the pushing member and the latching hook and having a lever element and a weight block, wherein the lever element is movably disposed on the tray and has a second stop portion, and the first stop portion and the second stop portion can be coupled with each other. |
| US08424027B1 |
Optical disc drive and tray locking device thereof
An optical disc drive is provided. The optical disc drive includes a housing having a protruding pin, an optical head engaged to a lead screw, a tray slidably disposed in the housing and a tray locking device disposed on the tray. The tray locking device includes a pushing member, wherein the pushing member and the optical head are driven by the lead screw to move, a latching hook used to latch and release the protruding pin, and a transmission assembly disposed between the pushing member and the latching hook. The transmission assembly has a driving portion disposed on a moving path of the pushing member, wherein the pushing member pushes the driving portion so that the transmission assembly is actuated and drives the latching hook to release the protruding pin. |
| US08424025B2 |
Interface for displaying content supporting hardware acceleration
One or more application programming interfaces (APIs) are exposed by a host program running on a device to facilitate a control program displaying content in a window in which the host program displays content. As part of an API, a method is exposed that the control program can invoke to pass to the host program a definition of a surface presenter to be created by the host program. Additionally, the control program can store content that the control program desires to have presented in a buffer of the surface presenter, and invoke another method exposed as part of an API to pass to the host program an indication of the content that the control program desires to have displayed in the window in which the host program displays content. |
| US08424023B2 |
Program interface architecture
A method, system, and device embodiments for interfacing a program are disclosed. A computing device can include an application layer, an operating system layer, and an interface module. The operating system layer can include a first type of operating system and associated application program interfaces (APIs). The interface module can be coupled between the application layer and the operating system layer. The interface module can receive program instructions from a program in the application layer written for a second type of operating system and can process the instructions by directing the instructions to APIs that correctly execute the instructions. |
| US08424022B2 |
Device driver system
The invention relates to systems for driving computer peripherals having features, such as 3D sound capability, which are not envisaged by generic operating system for the computer. In order to adapt computers subject to existing operating systems, such as the Microsoft Windows family of systems, to such peripherals for which there is thus no driver capability, the invention provides a device driving system including additional driver, interposed between the operating system and an existing installed driver and configured to interface directly with the operating system. The additional driver is preferably also configured to interface with the existing installed driver. |
| US08424020B2 |
Annotating portions of a message with state properties
Embodiments described herein provide for allowing processing code of a message to attach state thereto. More specifically, as a SOAP message is processed, various states known as properties (e.g., message security, message identifier, etc.) can be attached to the message for various purposes. In other words, embodiments provide for a properties object that represents a set of processing-level annotations to a message. These properties (representing the processing state of the headers or other portions of the message) can then be used by other component or modules for further processing purposes. Typically, these properties can then be removed (or sustained if desired) prior to transporting the SOAP message on the wire. |
| US08424018B2 |
Executing an accelerator application program in a hybrid computing environment
Executing an accelerator application program in a hybrid computing environment with a host computer having a host computer architecture; an accelerator having an accelerator architecture, the accelerator architecture optimized, with respect to the host computer architecture, for speed of execution of a particular class of computing functions; the host computer and the accelerator adapted to one another for data communications by a system level message passing module, where executing an accelerator application program on an accelerator includes receiving, from a host application program on the host computer, operating information for an accelerator application program; designating a directory as a CWD for the accelerator application program, separate from any other CWDs of any other applications running on the accelerator; assigning, to the CWD, a name that is unique with respect to names of other CWDs of other applications in the computing environment; and starting the accelerator application program on the accelerator. |
| US08424012B1 |
Context switching on a video processor having a scalar execution unit and a vector execution unit
A method for context switching on a video processor having a scalar execution unit and a vector execution unit. The method includes executing a first task and a second task on a vector execution unit. The first task in the second task can be from different respective contexts. The first task and the second task are each allocated to the vector execution unit from a scalar execution unit. The first task and the second task each comprise a plurality of work packages. In response to a switch notification, a work package boundary of the first task is designated. A context switch from the first task to the second task is then executed on the work package boundary. |
| US08424011B2 |
Multiple instance management for workflow process models
A first instance and a second instance of an activity of a process model may be executed, the first instance, the second instance, and the activity being associated with activity state data describing one or more states thereof. A co-process associated with the first instance, the second instance, and the activity may be spawned, and the co-process may be executed based on the activity state data. |
| US08424009B2 |
Lock resolution for distributed durable instances
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for resolving lock conflicts. For a state persistence system, embodiments of the invention can employ a logical lock clock for each persisted state storage location. Lock times can be incorporated into bookkeeping performed by a command processor to distinguish cases where the instance is locked by the application host at a previous logical time from cases where the instance is concurrently locked by the application host through a different name. A logical command clock is also maintained for commands issued by the application host to a state persistence system, with introspection to determine which issued commands may potentially take a lock. The command processor can resolve conflicts by pausing command execution until the effects of potentially conflicting locking commands become visible and examining the lock time to distinguish among copies of a persisted state storage location. |
| US08424005B2 |
System and method for time-aware run-time to guarantee time
A method and system for achieving time-awareness in the highly available, fault-tolerant execution of components in a distributed computing system, without requiring the writer of these components to explicitly write code (such as entity beans or database transactions) to make component state persistent. It is achieved by converting the intrinsically non-deterministic behavior of the distributed system to a deterministic behavior, thus enabling state recovery to be achieved by advantageously efficient checkpoint-replay techniques. The system is deterministic by repeating the execution of the receiving component by processing the messages in the same order as their associated timestamps and time-aware by allowing adjustment of message execution based on time. |
| US08423996B2 |
Delivery system, server device, terminal device, and delivery method
A distribution system comprising a server device and a terminal device communicably connected to each other via a network. Wherein, the terminal device transmits an acquisition request of the distribution package to the server device, receives the distribution package from the server device and stores the distribution package, determines whether current date and time is the application start timing based on the application start timing information included in the distribution package, and applies the resource by executing the application script when the current date and time is determined to be the application start timing. And the server device receives the acquisition request of the distribution package from the terminal device, and transmits the distribution package to the terminal device when the acquisition request is received. |
| US08423995B2 |
Electronic device and user interface display method thereof
An electronic device and a user interface display method thereof are provided. The electronic device organizes a plurality of computer programs executable on the electronic device into a virtual book. Each page of the virtual book includes a user interface of one of the computer programs. The electronic device displays one of the pages as a current page so that the user interface of the current page is accessible to a user of the electronic device. The electronic device senses movement and/or pressure caused by the user and interprets the movement and/or the pressure as operating actions of the user on the virtual book. The electronic device downloads new computer programs from a download server and adds corresponding new pages into the virtual book. At lease one of the computer programs provides a service of a corporate operator of a wireless service network. |
| US08423989B2 |
Software parameter management
A method and apparatus is disclosed for allowing the updating and overriding of software parameters used by one or more software programs. The parameters are preferably in cache. When the system needs any such parameter, it first checks cache, then a preferably remotely located database, and then, preferably a flat file on the same computer as the cache. The checking is done in the foregoing order, and the parameter is used upon locating a current version of it. If the current version is obtained from anywhere other than the cache, it is put into cache. |
| US08423985B2 |
System, method and computer program for generating sequence diagram
A system, method and computer program for generating a sequence diagram that specifies processing among modules included in source code. First, a source code is acquired and then analyzed to generate a log acquisition code for acquiring an execution log. Then, a program including the generated log acquisition code is executed to acquire execution log information on the execution of the program. On the basis of the acquired execution log information, automaton information on states and transitions among the states is extracted, and then the extracted automaton information is converted into sequence diagram component information on components constituting a sequence diagram. Thereafter, a sequence diagram is generated based on the converted sequence diagram component information. |
| US08423983B2 |
Generating and executing programs for a floating point single instruction multiple data instruction set architecture
Mechanisms for generating and executing programs for a floating point (FP) only single instruction multiple data (SIMD) instruction set architecture (ISA) are provided. A computer program product comprising a computer recordable medium having a computer readable program recorded thereon is provided. The computer readable program, when executed on a computing device, causes the computing device to receive one or more instructions and execute the one or more instructions using logic in an execution unit of the computing device. The logic implements a floating point (FP) only single instruction multiple data (SIMD) instruction set architecture (ISA), based on data stored in a vector register file of the computing device. The vector register file is configured to store both scalar and floating point values as vectors having a plurality of vector elements. |
| US08423979B2 |
Code generation for complex arithmetic reduction for architectures lacking cross data-path support
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for compiling source code for performing a complex operation followed by a complex reduction operation. A method is determined for generating executable code for performing the complex operation and the complex reduction operation. Executable code is generated for computing sub-products, reducing the sub-products to intermediate results, and summing the intermediate results to generate a final result in response to a determination that a reduced single instruction multiple data method is appropriate. |
| US08423978B2 |
Configurable java server pages processing framework
A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for a configurable JavaServer pages processing framework to process JavaServer pages (JSP). A JSP document or page is translated into a document object model (DOM) object that encapsulates elements of the JSP. The syntax of the JSP is validated by a JSP translator with built-in classes and errors are returned if necessary. A JSP visitor configuration file, which defines user configured classes and sequence of execution, is used by the JSP translator to invoke methods of user-defined classes in the order specified by the user to process or visit elements of the DOM object. Result of user-defined class processing may be passed from one class to another within the set. |
| US08423973B2 |
Instrumenting an application with flexible tracers to provide correlation data and metrics
A technique for flexibly adding instrumentation to an application. A file is created which includes a dynamic parameter syntax. The file identifies a trace point in the application, such as a method, and the syntax includes one or more parameters which are evaluated when the method is invoked. The parameters can be used to provide cross-process correlation and/or performance metrics. A client process which calls a server process can include the parameter in a message header according to any desired transport protocol, such as HTTP or JMS. Different application protocols and implementation can be accommodated to track a transaction which executes on different platforms. The dynamic parameter syntax is interpreted as uncompiled code and is designed to be added by the user in the field to augment a package of pre-built instrumentation software after the package has been deployed. |
| US08423969B2 |
Inheritance breakpoints for use in debugging object-oriented computer programs
An apparatus and program product utilize an inheritance breakpoint to assist in debugging an object-oriented computer program having a method identified in a base class or interface and implemented by at least one method implementation in another class. Creation of an inheritance breakpoint for a particular method responsive to a user request typically results in the automated generation of a breakpoint for all or a subset of the implementations of that method, often freeing a user from having to manually determine what particular implementation(s) implement that method. In many environments, the automated generation of implementation breakpoints may be performed during initial loading of classes within which such implementations may be defined. |
| US08423968B2 |
Template-based vertical microcode instruction trace generation
Method, system and computer program product for template-based vertical microcode instruction trace generation. An exemplary embodiment includes an instruction trace generation method, including generating a testcase for a millicoded instruction in an instruction trace pool, wherein the millicoded instruction is included in a parent instruction trace, processing the testcase to generate a millicode instruction trace snippet, editing the millicode instruction trace snippet to generate a templatized millimode snippet, processing the parent instruction trace, accessing the templatized millimode snippet, updating the templatized millimode snippet with a value from the parent instruction trace, and generating a millicoded instruction trace from the updated templatized millimode snippet. |
| US08423965B2 |
Tracing of data flow
Embodiments for tracing dataflow for a computer program are described. The computer program includes machine instructions that are executable on a microprocessor. A decoding module can be configured to decode machine instructions obtained from a computer memory. In addition, a dataflow primitive engine can receive a decoded machine instruction from the decoding module and generate at least one dataflow primitive for the decoded machine instruction based on a dataflow primitive classification into which the decoded machine instruction are categorized by the dataflow primitive engine. A dataflow state table can be configured to track addressed data locations that are affected by dataflow. The dataflow primitives can be applied to the dataflow state table to update a dataflow status for the addressed data locations affected by the decoded machine instruction. |
| US08423963B2 |
Computer implemented API management mechanism for generating upgrade risk level handling
The present invention monitors usage of an operating system at an application program interface (“API”) level and monitors changes in API functionality associated with an upcoming release to manage the version change process. A computer system is configured to track a collection of API functions associated with a first version operating system currently installed and to record the subset of API functions that have been called by applications during operation of the first version operating system. The computer system is further configured to manage the subset of API functions and generate a comparison between the subset and a list of API functions that have changed between a second version and the first version operating system. Finally, the computer system is configured to report the result of the comparison back to the user. |
| US08423962B2 |
Automated test execution plan generation
A set of user-configured testing parameters for a software application under test can be received by a test execution plan generation tool. At least one testing objective for the software application can be defined by user-configurable testing parameters. A test execution plan can be automatically generated utilizing the user-configured testing parameters and a predefined test execution plan data model. The predefined test execution plan data model can include testing metadata representing software testing domain data for a software testing system being used to evaluate the software application under test. The testing metadata can specify details of finite shared resources of a test center shared by all projects under test. The generated test execution plan can detail specific allocation of the finite shared resources dedicated towards at least one phase of testing the software application to satisfy the at least one testing objective for the software application. |
| US08423961B2 |
Simulating operations through out-of-process execution
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for simulating operations through out-of-process execution. When a diagnostic operation is to be performed for a target execution context, a separate execution context is created based on the same executable code used to create the target execution context. An execution boundary separates the target execution context and the separate execution context such that execution in the separate execution context does not influence the behavior of the target execution context. State data from the target execution context is marshaled and transferred to the separate execution context. The separate execution context reconstitutes the state data and uses the state data to perform the diagnostic operation. Accordingly, performance of the diagnostic operation is simulated in the separate execution context without influencing the behavior of the target execution context. |
| US08423958B2 |
Method for managing configuration profiles of network elements deployed in a network
A method for a network having a network element with an original configuration profile stored therewith which specifies operation of the network element in the network includes connecting a server to the network such that the server is in communication with the network element via the network. The server retrieves the original configuration profile from the network element after the network element has been operating in the network. The server analyzes the original configuration profile for compliance with desired characteristics. If the original configuration profile is not in compliance with the desired characteristics, then the server manipulates the original configuration profile to generate a new configuration profile in compliance with the desired characteristics and forwards the new configuration profile to the network element for the network element to store therewith in place of the original configuration profile. |
| US08423957B2 |
Using the z/OS load module system status index to distinguish product tag files
A method, system, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for managing software product information in a z/OS environment. Product information associated with a software product is determined and then processed to generate product tag information. A System Status Index (SSI) attribute is generated with a unique identifier signifying that the SSI attribute comprises SSI product tag information. The SSI product tag information is then associated with the SSI attribute with the unique identifier. The z/OS environment is then scanned for SSI attributes. Those SSI attributes comprising a unique identifier are processed to read their associated SSI product tag information. The product tag information is then processed to generate software product information, which is then stored in a repository of software product information. |
| US08423956B2 |
Sharing resources among hierarchical containers of resources
Computer implemented method, system and computer usable program code for sharing resources among a plurality of containers in a data processing system. A computer implemented method includes creating a shared container for at least one resource to be shared. Then the at least one resource to be shared is moved from an original container of the at least one resource to the shared container, and a link is created between the original container and the at least one resource to be shared in the shared resource container. A link can also be created between a subject resource container and a shared resource in the shared resource container to enable the subject resource container to access and use the shared resource. A shared resource can also be removed from the shared resource container and returned to an original resource container when sharing of the resource is no longer desired. |
| US08423955B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting multiple business process languages in BPM
A method and apparatus for supporting multiple business process languages in business process management (BPM). The method may include receiving user input identifying a definition of a business process, and determining which business process language was used for the definition of the business process. The method further includes invoking a runtime environment associated with the used business process language, and executing the business process in the invoked runtime environment. |
| US08423952B2 |
Method and an apparatus for automatic extraction of process goals
A method and an apparatus for automatic extraction of process model comprising model elements named by natural language expressions and annotated with semantic linkages to a reference process ontology are disclosed. The process model is split into partial process models by which an annotated partial process model is created. Process goals are decoupled from each annotated partial and hierarchical process goal tree is generated for each annotated partial process model. |
| US08423951B1 |
Systems and/or methods for identifying corresponding elements in different models
Certain example embodiments relate to systems and/or methods for identifying corresponding elements in different models (e.g., two or more different models), where multiple non-unique elements are connected with one another. The techniques of certain example embodiments are suitable for comparing the different models and identifying corresponding elements, regardless of whether the different models are different versions of one another, represent transformed and/or merged models, and/or were copied and subsequently modified from a source model. The techniques also advantageously leverage a more deterministic approach that is more consistent across different comparisons and when the source and target models are swapped. |
| US08423947B2 |
Gridded glyph geometric objects (L3GO) design method
A method of gridded glyph geometric objects (L3GO) integrated circuit (IC) design, wherein at least one inter-level connect in a L3GO circuit design is represented as a point matrix glyph (PMG) on a L3GO grid. Each PMG connects a pair of conductors on the next adjacent (above and below) layer and includes an array (one or two dimensional) of point glyphs contained within a cage. The point glyphs may have uniform size and may be on minimum pitch. Each PMG may also include a flange on the above and below layer. A default flange insures adequate coverage of cut shapes represented by the point glyphs. |
| US08423943B2 |
Self-propelling decoupling capacitor design for flexible area decoupling capacitor fill design flow
A method of filling dcaps in an integrated circuit includes identifying a set of dcap-eligible areas of the integrated circuit for areas large enough to accommodate at least one dcap cell having a selected size smaller than a default size. The dcap cell includes at least one built-in power track. A set of dcap cells are filled in the identified set of dcap-eligible areas. Each of the built-in power tracks included in the set of dcap cells is connected to a corresponding power grid. An integrated circuit including a power grid channel formed between at least two power grids and a plurality of dcaps including a first dcap included in a dcap cell, the dcap cell including built-in power tracks, each one of the built-in power tracks being connected to a corresponding one of the at least two power grids is also described. |
| US08423941B2 |
Structural migration of integrated circuit layout
Methods and systems for migrating circuit layouts. A floorplan layout is built for a target circuit using a subset of constraints that characterize a layout structure of an original circuit. Shape-constraint-based scaling is used on the floorplan layout by scaling parts of the floorplan layout in accordance with a plurality of different scaling ratios such that portions of the floorplan layout are concurrently scaled with the plurality of different scaling ratios. Cells are placed at locations defined by the floorplan layout. The floorplan layout is checked with shape-constraint-based legalization using all of the constraints to produce a migrated layout. |
| US08423940B2 |
Early noise detection and noise aware routing in circuit design
A computerized method, data processing system and computer program product reduce noise for a buffered design of an electronic circuit which was already placed and routed. For all areas between a power stripe and a ground stripe (half bay) in the design, the shapes are divided in different criticality levels. The shapes are rearranged based on their criticality level such that shapes with higher criticality level are placed closer to the stripes than those with lower criticality level. |
| US08423937B2 |
Support program, design support device, and design support method
A design support program stored in a recording medium readable by a computer includes acquiring a first analysis result including information about an area included in circuit information of a design target circuit and a second analysis result relating to a path of the circuit information, the temperature of the area being equal to or higher than a certain temperature; determining an arbitrary cell on a non-critical path from among cells arranged in the area as a target cell for decreasing the area temperature; and outputting a result of the determination. |
| US08423935B1 |
Method and apparatus for verifying output-based clock gating
One embodiment of a method for verifying functional equivalency between a design of an integrated circuit and a corresponding clock-gated design utilizing output-based clock gating includes selecting a first one of a first plurality of internal state elements in the design and a corresponding first one of a second plurality of internal state elements in the clock-gated design, wherein an input to the first one of the first plurality of internal state elements serves as a first comparison point and an input to the corresponding first one of the second plurality of internal state elements serves as a second comparison point, and the design is to be compared against the clock-gated design at the first comparison point and the second comparison point and generating a test bench that identifies the first comparison point and the second comparison point as a set of comparison points. |
| US08423931B2 |
Support computer product, apparatus, and method
A computer-readable recording medium stores a design support program causing a computer to perform: detecting a data path and a clock path corresponding to the data path making up a partial circuit in a circuit-under-design; selecting an object cell from cells on the data path and the clock path detected in the detecting; replacing the object cell selected in the selecting with a cell having a function substantially identical to and characteristics different from the object cell; acquiring a plurality of types of characteristic information related to the partial circuit based on the data path and the clock path after the object cell is replaced in the replacing; determining whether the types of the characteristic information acquired in the acquiring is in violation of restrictions; and outputting a determination result determined in the determining. |
| US08423927B2 |
Simulation of the image projected by a mask
The disclosure concerns a method of simulating the image projected by a mask during photolithography including determining by a processor (702), taking into account the thickness of a masking layer of a mask, a near-field transmission amplitude curve of light passing through the mask across at least one pattern boundary in the initial mask layout; calculating by the processor, for each of a plurality of zones, average values of the curve; and simulating by a simulator (708) the image projected by the initial mask layout during the photolithography based on the average values. |
| US08423922B2 |
Photomask designing method and photomask designing program
In one embodiment, a photomask designing method for creating a pattern layout having an assist pattern placed around a design pattern is disclosed. The method can place a plurality of evaluation points around the design pattern and set an evaluation index for imaging properties of the design pattern on an imaging surface. The method can combine a light intensity distribution of the design pattern with light intensity distributions of the evaluation points to obtain a light intensity distribution on the imaging surface and evaluate the light intensity distribution on the imaging surface using the evaluation index to determine a region having an effective evaluation point placed. In addition, the method can determine a placement condition for the assist pattern based on the region where the effective evaluation point is placed and place the assist pattern around the design pattern based on the placement condition to create the pattern layout. |
| US08423920B2 |
Method of forming photomask by collecting verification data based on a layout of contour patterns
A method of forming a photomask includes providing a layout of design patterns, setting an optical proximity correction (OPC) with respect to the layout of design patterns, and forming a layout of correction patterns with respect to the layout of design patterns by using the set OPC. The method also includes collecting verification data about the layout of correction patterns by using a layout of contour patterns based on the layout of correction patterns, and verifying whether the layout of design patterns and the layout of correction patterns are substantially identical to each other by using the verification data. |
| US08423915B2 |
Terminal device, content displaying method, and content displaying program
Provided is a terminal device including: operation means for receiving an input operation by a user; non-operation detection means for detecting whether a non-operation state in the operation means has continued for a predetermined period of time; and icon display means used when it is detected that the non-operation state has continued for the predetermined time, for shifting to another mode different from the current mode and displaying an icon corresponding to the new mode. |
| US08423912B2 |
Selectable parent and submenu object display method with varied activation area shape
Selectable objects in a computer display are arranged in a cascading menu including parent menu and submenu objects in which an activation area is provided in association with each submenu displayed which spans between the submenu and the associated parent menu object. The activation area provides the function of maintaining display of a submenu associated with a selected parent menu object while the cursor remains in contact with the activation area. An override function is provided to minimize trapping of the cursor within the activation area. The shape of the activation area is generally triangular with opposing side edges extending from an apex and the parent object being curved inwardly towards one another to also minimize trapping. The characteristics of the activation area can also be varied according to user motion patterns. |
| US08423907B1 |
System and method for vertical path navigation
Methods, devices and systems are provided that display images in a manner that provides for effective space management. At least one item is horizontally displayed in a first display area. Upon selection by a user of at least one item from the first display area, an indication of the at least one item is vertically displayed in a second display area. |
| US08423905B2 |
Automatically populating recipients in an instant messaging or other computer communication system
A system and a method for automatically populating chat recipients in an instant messaging system in which chat recipients are automatically populated from external data sources, e.g. clipboard, spreadsheet, document, database, directory, etc., and a chat session started with the click of a single user interface button or the like. A pop-up window is generated that allows the user to select a data source from which the chat recipients are to be obtained. The data source may be scanned to identify candidate names matching a predetermined name format, or the user is prompted to provide at least a portion of a search string. The user can then select which of the returned names are to be used in initiating the chat session. The disclosed system then generates a user interface object allowing the initiating user to perform an action with the selected recipients, including initiating a chat session. |
| US08423904B2 |
Mobile terminal and control method thereof
Disclosed are a mobile terminal capable of executing web browsing with consideration of a user's convenience, and a control method thereof. The mobile terminal comprises: a wireless communication unit which accesses any web page; a display module for displaying the accessed web page; and a controller for automatically displaying popup windows in a virtual space when the accessed web page has any popup windows. Popup windows can be hidden at the time of web browsing, and the hidden popup windows can be displayed according to a user's necessity. This enhances the user's convenience. |
| US08423903B2 |
Aspect ratio hinting for resizable video windows
A method, apparatus and system for resizing a window in a video display include determining an optimal window edge position based upon an aspect ratio of input content. An on-screen cursor is positioned at a location to initiate a resizing operation. A determination of whether the location is proximate to the optimal window edge position is made. If the location is proximate to the optimal window edge location, a window edge position is adjusted to the optimal window edge position. |
| US08423899B1 |
Text field input
Techniques for providing a single text field and multiple different types of user input modes for inputting information into the single text field are described herein. In some instances, a user may enter a first portion of text into the text field in a first user input mode before inputting a second portion of text into the field in a second user input mode. The techniques may enforce a first set of rules associated with the first user input mode while the user enters the first portion of text. The techniques may then enforce a second, different set of rules associated with the second user input mode while the user enters the second portion of text. As such, the techniques enable a user to provide two or more different pieces of information into a single text field. |
| US08423897B2 |
Onscreen keyboard assistance method and system
An assistance method and system. The method includes retrieving by a computer processor of a computing system comprising a touch screen display, an enable command for enabling a keyboard configuration menu for a virtual touch screen keyboard presented by the touch screen of said computing system. The computer processor presents the keyboard configuration menu to the user. The computer processor receives a modify command for modifying specified configuration settings associated with each key of the virtual touch screen keyboard. The computer processor generates and saves modified configuration settings associated with said specified configuration settings. The computer processor disables the keyboard configuration menu. |
| US08423893B2 |
User interface for managing the operation of networked media playback devices
Described herein are systems and methods for managing the operation of networked media playback devices. One embodiment includes Graphical User Interface for coordinating playback of media via one or more networked wireless speaker devices. In particular, a user is able to “drag and drop” audio tracks to icons that are respectively indicative of one or more networked wireless speaker devices, thereby to affect playback of those audio tracks via those speaker devices. |
| US08423892B1 |
System and method for monitoring player interactions with branded virtual objects in a virtual environment
A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for monitoring player interactions with branded virtual objects in a virtual environment are presented. A game instance of a computer-implemented multiplayer online game is generated, where the game instance is associated with a virtual environment of a first player. A graphical user interface is provided to a second player, where the graphical user interface displays at least one branded virtual object, and where the branded virtual object corresponding to a real-world brand. Player engagement data is generated based on the second player's interaction with the branded virtual object in the virtual environment of the first player. The player engagement data of the second player is stored in a database. |
| US08423889B1 |
Device specific presentation control for electronic book reader devices
Techniques for delivering digital content to be rendered on electronic book (“eBook”) reader devices are described. The eBook reader devices have different technical features, particularly in terms of display capabilities and navigational capabilities. For instance, eBook reader devices may have differing screen sizes, use different types of display technologies, and have varying browser functionality. The techniques described in this disclosure provide for ways to efficiently and effectively deliver content to various types of reader devices, and to control presentation of that content on individual devices. |
| US08423888B2 |
Document conversion and use system
A document conversion and use system which converts a first structured document into a second structured document different in structure from the first structured document, comprising: a template storage unit storing a template indicating the structure of the second structured document; a structure specification unit for reading out the template from the template storage unit and causing a user to specify an element or an element content constituting the template; a correspondence definition specification unit for causing the user to define the correspondence definition specification indicating the correspondence between the element in the first structured document and the element in the template; and an unit for analyzing the template structure to specify the element or the element content specified by the structure specification unit, searching for the element defined by the correspondence definition starting from the element or the element content, and performing conversion processing according to the search result. |
| US08423883B1 |
Systems and methods of creating and editing electronic content including multiple types of graphics
Systems and methods for creating and editing content having graphics of different types. For example, bitmap-based image editing can be integrated within a vector-editing application allowing bitmap images to be edited within the context of the content in which they are used. Bitmap specific editing features can be made available concurrently with outer editing environment editing features. For example, a bitmap container used in an outer application may be cropped or resized while the outer editing application is in a specific bitmap editing mode that also allows editing of the actual pixels of the bitmap (e.g., to set the colors of the pixels and the pixel resolution). An editing application may also provide an integrated scale pixels to screen option to allow editors to selectively keep or discard image details (e.g., resolution information that is not needed for an images current size, etc.). |
| US08423873B2 |
Decoding techniques for correcting errors using soft information
Two levels of error correction decoding are performed using first and second level decoders. A composite code formed by combining an inner component code and an outer component code can be used to decode the data and correct any errors. Performing two level decoding using a composite code allows the size of the inner parity block to be reduced to a single Reed-Solomon symbol while keeping a good code rate. The first level decoder generates soft information. The soft information can indicate a most likely error event for each possible syndrome value of the inner component code. The soft information can also include error metric values for each of the most likely error events. The second level decoder generates corrected syndrome values based on the soft information using the outer component code. The most likely trellis path that corresponds to the corrected syndrome values is then selected. |
| US08423871B2 |
Transmitting device and transmitting method
A transmitting device and method enables improved reception quality on the receiving side when LDPC-CC (Low-Density Parity-Check Convolutional Codes) encoding is used. The transmitting device includes an LDPC-CC encoding section, a sorting section for sorting the encoded data acquired by the LDPC-CC encoding section into a first encoded data set corresponding to the column number of the column containing “1” in a part of an LDPC-CC check matrix H from which a protograph is excluded and a second encoded data set corresponding to the column numbers of the columns other than that, and a frame constructing section (control section) for constructing a transmission frame where the first and second encoded data sets are arranged in positions different in time or frequency in the transmission frame. |
| US08423869B2 |
Decoding apparatus, decoding method, and program
A decoding apparatus includes maximum decoding iteration count controller 52 which determines maximum decoding iteration counts of respective received code words based on modulation schemes and error-correcting coding ratios which are applied to the received code words and average error ratios of the received code words before the code words are decoded, and turbo decoding engine 53 which decodes each of the received code words according to a maximum decoding iteration count determined by maximum decoding iteration count controller 52. |
| US08423868B2 |
Method for correcting high-frequency characteristic error of electronic component
An electronic-component high-frequency characteristic error correcting method for allowing a calibration work to be performed on a two-terminal impedance component using the same correction-target measuring system as that used in actual measurement. At least three correction data acquisition samples having different high-frequency characteristics are measured by a reference measuring system and an actual measuring system. An equation for associating the value measured by the actual measuring system with the value measured by the reference measuring system using an error correction coefficient of a transmission line is determined. A given electronic component is measured by the actual measuring system. An estimated high-frequency characteristic value of the electronic component obtained when the electronic component is measured by the reference measuring system is calculated using the determined equation. |
| US08423861B2 |
Subwords coding using different interleaving schemes
In a communications system that demultiplexes user data words into multiple sub-words for encoding and decoding within different subword-processing paths, the minimum distance between bit errors in an extrinsic codeword can be increased by having corresponding interleavers/deinterleavers in the different subword-processing paths use different interleaving/deinterleaving algorithms. |
| US08423860B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating a parity check matrix in a communication system using linear block codes, and a transmission/reception apparatus and method using the same
A method and apparatus are provided for generating a parity check matrix used to generate a linear block code in a communication system. The method includes determining a basic parameter of a second parity check matrix satisfying a rule predetermined with respect to a given first parity check matrix, generating a submatrix corresponding to a parity part of the second parity check matrix, using the basic parameter; and generating a submatrix corresponding to an information word part of the second parity check matrix, using the first parity check matrix and the basic parameter. |
| US08423858B2 |
Method for effectively transmitting control signal in wireless communication system
A method of performing HARQ performed by a user equipment (UE) is provided. The method includes receiving a bundling indicator which indicates the number of bundled downlink subframes, determining whether at least one bundled downlink subframe is missed by comparing the bundling indicator with the number of detected bundled downlink subframes, generating a representative ACK/NACK signal when no bundled downlink subframe is missed, and transmitting the representative ACK/NACK signal on an uplink channel. Recovery capability is maximized and the packet loss is reduced in such a situation that less number of ACK/NACK signals are fed back than that of downlink packets. |
| US08423854B2 |
Communication retransmission based on transmission performance relative to expected quality of service
A method of communication retransmission based on performance relative to an expected quality of service is presented. In the method, data packets associated with the expected quality of service are transmitted. The transmission performance associated with the transmission of the data packets is determined in relation to the expected quality of service. A maximum number of retransmissions for one of the data packets to be transmitted is selected based on the transmission performance. The one of the data packets is transmitted using the communication retransmission scheme limited by the selected maximum number of retransmissions. |
| US08423853B2 |
Error correction for a persistent resource allocation
Methods and apparatus for communicating and utilizing persistent allocation of resources are described herein. A base station can allocate persistent resources to a client station, and can associate the client station or persistent resource allocation with a particular shared NACK channel. The base station can monitor the NACK channel for a NACK indicating a map error. The base station can also monitor the resource allocation to implicitly determine a map error. The base station can resend one or more persistent resource allocation information elements in response to the NACK or implicit error determination. A client station having a persistent resource allocation can monitor persistent resource allocation information elements in map messages and can indicate failure to receive a persistent resource allocation information element in a NACK message on a preassigned share NACK channel. |
| US08423852B2 |
Channel decoding-based error detection
Low latency and computationally efficient techniques may be employed to account for errors in data such as low bit-width, oversampled data. In some aspects these techniques may be employed to mitigate audio artifacts associated with sigma-delta modulated audio data. In some aspects an error may be detected in a set of encoded data based on an outcome of a channel decoding process. Upon determining that a set of data may contain at least one error, the set of data may be replaced with another set of data that is based on one or more neighboring data sets. For example, in some aspects a set of data including at least one bit in error may be replaced with data that is generated by applying a cross-fading operation to neighboring data sets. In some aspects a given data bit may be flipped as a result of a linear prediction operation that is applied to PCM equivalent data that is associated with the given data bit and its neighboring data bits. In some aspects a set of data including at least one bit in error may be replaced with data that is generated by performing linear interpolation operations on PCM equivalent data that is associated with neighboring data sets. |
| US08423851B2 |
Measured device and test system utilizing the same
A measured device coupled to test equipment providing at least two test factors and receiving a test result is disclosed. The measured device includes a combinatorial logic circuit and a main circuit. The combinatorial logic circuit includes a first storage module and a second storage module. The first storage module stores the test factors according to a first operation clock. The second storage module stores and outputs at least two output factors according to a second operation clock. The frequency of the second operation clock is higher than the frequency of the first operation clock. When the test factors are stored in the first storage module, the test factors stored in the first storage module are served as the output factors and the output factors are output and stored in the second storage module. The main circuit generates the test result according to the output factors output by the second storage module. The test equipment obtains information as to whether the main circuit is normal according to the test result. |
| US08423850B2 |
System debugging method, system debugging equipment, processor, wireless-communications interface IC and interface method thereof
A pulse transmission technique is used for wireless communication between a microcomputer (13) having a debugging support circuit (17) and a debugger (13). The pulse transmission technique is based on magnetic field coupling between a first coil (14) provided for the microcomputer and a second coil (8) coupled with the debugger. During an initialization operation, the microcomputer performs a process of configuring a communication condition of the wireless communication to perform the wireless communication. The microcomputer awaits control from the debugger when the microcomputer establishes communication with the debugger. The debugger awaits establishment of the communication and proceeds to control of the microcomputer in accordance with the wireless communication. It is possible to provide contactless interface for system debugging without the need for a large antenna or a large-scale circuit for modulation and demodulation. |
| US08423849B2 |
Device test data reuse for device simulation
A method and system reuse data logs generated from testing of programmable devices in order to provide an input file of parameter values and settings for use in automatically configuring a device simulator. The programmable device testing process generates a data log output with data formatted so that parameter data are associated with unique variable labels. The data log output file is processed in a parser operation that filters out private and unnecessary information, organizes the data and generates a simulation input file in a format compatible with the simulator. The process can be fully automated. |
| US08423847B2 |
Microcontroller for logic built-in self test (LBIST)
Built-in self-test (BIST) microcontroller integrated circuit adapted for logic verification. Microcontroller includes a plurality of hardware description language files representing a hierarchical description of the microcontroller, the plurality of hardware description language files including a library of circuit design elements, a plurality of library design circuit elements adapted to store a uniquely defined set of input and output signals to enable a logic BIST, and a plurality of latches adapted to store a plurality of values corresponding to a behavioral profile of a test clock. |
| US08423846B2 |
Integrated circuit with memory built-in self test (MBIST) circuitry having enhanced features and methods
Integrated circuits with memory built-in self test (MBIST) circuitry and methods are disclosed that employ enhanced features. In one aspect of the invention, an integrated circuit is provided having MIBST circuitry configured to serially test multiple arrays of memory elements within a component of the integrated circuit and to also conduct parallel initialization of the serially tested arrays. In another aspect of the invention, the MBST circuitry is used set the memory elements of the arrays to a first state and then to an inverse state during a burn-in operation to maintain each of the two opposing states for a desired time in order to either force a failure of the integrated circuit component or produce a pre-stressed component beyond an infancy stage. |
| US08423843B2 |
Method and system thereof for optimization of power consumption of scan chains of an integrated circuit for test
Scan blocks with scan chains are used to partition and test semiconductor devices using scan groups. The partitioning of the semiconductor device enables testing of all elements within each scan block, at speed, to provide fault coverage. A challenge in scan testing is keeping the power dissipation during testing under the allowed power capabilities of the tester power supplies, as the power used during scan test is much higher than that used during functional testing. A method for estimating the power dissipation of scan blocks in a circuit during the design stage is disclosed. Using the results generated, the circuit designer divides the design into an optimum number of scan blocks for test. Thus at-speed scan of the individual or groups of scan blocks can be estimated, during design, for optimizing test time while keeping the test power within acceptable limits. |
| US08423840B2 |
Pattern generator
An address signal generating circuit generates an address signal which designates the address in memory to be accessed. An inversion inhibition signal generating unit generates multiple patterns of inversion inhibition signals each having the same bit width as that of the address signal, and each having a function of preventing particular bits of the address signal from being inverted. A selector selects one of the multiple patterns of inversion inhibition signals generated by the inversion inhibition signal generating unit, and outputs the inversion inhibition signal thus selected. When an inversion control signal is asserted, an address signal inverting circuit inverts only the bits of the address signal which are not prevented from being inverted according to the inversion inhibition signal selected by the selector, and outputs the resulting address signal. |
| US08423835B2 |
System and method providing fault detection capability
A system and method for providing fault detection capability is provided which comprises a first node (2). The first node (2) comprises a first processing subsystem (5) generating data (14) to be transmitted. The first node (2) has a fault supervisor unit (13) adapted to gather and process fault indications arising in the first node (2). The first processing subsystem (5) and the fault supervisor unit are both integrated in the first node (2). The first node (2) is structured such that, when no fault indications are detected by the fault supervisor unit (13), the fault supervisor unit (13) provides a first key (15) as a validity key, and, when at least one fault indication is detected by the fault supervisor unit (13), the fault supervisor unit (13) provides a second key (16) as the validity key, and the data (14) to be transmitted are encrypted by overlaying the respective validity key (15; 16) on the data. |
| US08423833B2 |
System and method for multivariate quality-of-service aware dynamic software rejuvenation
A method for monitoring the quality-of-service (QoS) of high priority transactions in a software system includes receiving a specific QoS metric of a high priority transaction, where the QoS metric associated with a plurality of buckets and comparing the sampled specific QoS metric to an expected value for the specific QoS metric. If the sampled specific QoS metric exceeds the corresponding expected value, a bucket for the specific QoS metric is incremented, otherwise the bucket is decremented. If the bucket for the specific QoS metric overflows, the current bucket is reinitialized to zero, a depth of a next bucket for the specific QoS metric is computed, and a number of standard deviations from a mean value for the specific QoS metric is incremented. When the bucket for the specific QoS metric exceeds a threshold, a software rejuvenation routine is executed. |
| US08423831B2 |
System and method for performing auditing and correction
A method for auditing and correcting at least one component in a system, involving defining a first audit rule for the at least one component, wherein the first audit rule defines a check to be performed on the at least one component, defining a corrective action associated with the first audit rule, executing the first audit rule for the at least one component and the corrective action associated with the first audit rule, wherein the first audit rule and the corrective action are executed to identify and remove a problem in the system, and performing a system action upon successful execution of the corrective action. |
| US08423828B2 |
Predictive diagnostics and fault management
The present application discloses a preventative, diagnostic maintenance system designed for gaming systems. Sensor and software monitor, accumulate, store and share information for efficient maintenance of the gaming systems. Diagnostic and prognostic tests are run and results prioritized wherein minor and intermittent problems that indicate potential future problems are stored. When a technician visit is prescribed, the system will present via a GUI a visualization of the status of gamed devices, and, forearm the technician with the high and low priority information regarding the high priority problems along with the low priority problems for all the game devices at the same site. The technician will be able to bring the specific tools, programs and parts to service the high and the low priority problems of all the game devices. |
| US08423827B2 |
Topology based correlation of threshold crossing alarms
Method, apparatus and computer program product for correlating performance events in a data processing system. A first event is received at one of a first device and a second device of the data processing system, and a second event is received at one of the first device and the second device. A type of a connection between the first device and the second device is identified to form an identified type of connection, and a relationship between the first event and the second event is determined based on the identified type of connection between the first device and the second device. |
| US08423825B2 |
Data restoring method and an apparatus using journal data and an identification information
The storage system is coupled to a computer and includes a plurality of physical storages being used to configure a first logical storage and a second logical storage, a control unit receiving a read request and a write request from the computer; and a cache memory storing data which is sent to the computer. The control unit determines whether a request from the computer is a write request or a read request. If it is a read request, the control unit reads data from the cache memory or at least one of the plurality of physical storages based on the read request. If it is a write request, the control unit determines whether destination of the write request is the first logical storage. |
| US08423818B2 |
Disk array apparatus and method for controlling the same
A disk array apparatus capable of reducing a disk drive fault rate where a time-out failure has occurred. The disk array apparatus includes a plurality of disk drives, and a control unit for performing data input/output processing of the disk drives in response to a data input/output request from a host system. The control unit includes: a memory for storing control information for specifying a failure of at least one of the disk drives, and failure information of the faulty disk drive, a circuit for specifying, from the failure information, the disk drive in which a time-out failure has occurred, and issuing an instruction to retry a control command to the disk drive, and a circuit for outputting a control signal to the faulty disk drive in order to hard reset the disk drive if the disk drive does not recover from the failure. |
| US08423816B2 |
Method and computer system for failover
In a computer system wherein plural servers are connected with an external disk device via a network, each server incorporates therein a logic partition module for configuring at least one logic partition in the server, and the operating system stored in the logic partition is booted by the boot disk of an external disk device, the failover operation is performed only for the logic partition affected by a failure when the task being executed by a working server is taken over by another server at the time of the failure occurring in the working server. |
| US08423815B2 |
Information processing device capable of performing a timer control operation
An information processing device, such as cellular phone, includes a first timer set for executing count processing applied to a preassigned first processing, a second timer set for executing count processing applied to the preassigned first processing, a display state determination unit configured to determine a display state of a display unit, and a timer switching unit configured to select and set the first timer for the preassigned first processing at a time when the display state determination unit determines that the display unit is in an “ON” state and to select and set the second timer for the preassigned first processing at a time when the display state determination unit determines that the display unit is in an “OFF” state. |
| US08423814B2 |
Programmable drive strength in memory signaling
Embodiments of the invention relate to programmable data register circuits and programmable clock generation circuits For example, some embodiments include a buffer circuit for receiving input data and sending output data signals along a series of signal lines with a signal strength, and a signal modulator configured to determine the signal strength based on a control input. Some embodiments include a clock generation circuit for receiving clock reference and sending output clock signals along a series of signal lines with a signal character, and a signal modulator configured to determine the signal character based on a control input. |
| US08423813B2 |
Memory controller and device with data strobe calibration
A memory controller comprises a DQ path, a DQS path, a delay element, a flip flop, and an adjustment unit. The DQ path receives and passes a data signal, and outputs a delayed data signal. The DQS path receives and passes a data strobe signal. The delay element is coupled to the DQS path, receiving the data strobe signal to generate a compensated data strobe signal having a calibrated latency. The calibrated latency is determined by an adjustment signal. The flip flop is coupled to the data signal path and the delay element, sampling the delayed data signal by the compensated data strobe signal to generate an output data. The adjustment unit generates the adjustment signal according to the output data. The adjustment unit performs a calibration to adjust the adjustment signal, thus the calibrated latency is adjusted. |
| US08423810B2 |
Network interface apparatus
A network interface controller includes a first NIC connected to a LAN and a second NIC, which can proceed to a low power consumption status, connected to the first NIC via a bus. The first NIC includes a storing unit arranged to store response history information transmitted from the second NIC, a registration determining unit arranged to determine whether the received data has been registered in the response history information when network data is received and the status of the second NIC is the low power consumption status, a transmitting unit arranged to transmit response data registered in association with the received data when the received data has been registered, and an activation signal transmitting unit arranged to transmit an activation signal to the second NIC when the received data has not been registered. |
| US08423809B2 |
Power consumption measuring and power transmission monitoring for data transfer
An access control apparatus of a data storage device includes a first connecting unit configured to be removably connected with a power supply device, perform data transmission through a first data-transmission line, and be supplied with power through a first power-transmission line, a second connecting unit configured to be removably connected with the data storage device, perform data transmission through a second data-transmission line, and supply power through a second power-transmission line, a data transfer processing unit configured to perform data transfer between the power supply device and the data storage device, a power consumption measuring unit configured to measure power supplied from the power supply device through the first power-transmission line, and a power-transmission capability monitoring unit configured to control the data transfer processing unit in accordance with power consumption measured by the power consumption measuring unit. |
| US08423808B2 |
Control system for switching a control device to a power saving mode using a remote terminal
A control device includes a communication unit which has a switch function of switching the control device into an energy saving mode, the communication unit communicating with an upper terminal via a first network; and a mode control unit which controls switching the communication unit into the power saving mode, the control being made using a network control library which is generated by a programming language. |
| US08423797B2 |
Initialization of a chip card
In a method for reading initialization data (IND) into a chip card, the chip card receives an encrypted authentication value (EAV) and decrypts it to obtain at least one release key (ENK). The release key (ENK) is checked for a match with a release key (ENK′) stored on the chip card (14). If there is a match, the initialization data (EIND, IND) are received and written to a nonvolatile memory of the chip card. A method for generating a record for initializing a chip card. a chip card and a computer-readable data carrier have corresponding features. The invention is provided in particular for initialization of chip cards by external partners of the chip card manufacturer, whereby as few possibilities of attack as possible are to be offered. |
| US08423793B2 |
Data processing device, data management method, storage medium of storing computer-readable program, and program
A data processing device comprises a second storage unit for storing data accessed in a first storage unit, and compares data read from the first storage unit with the data stored in the second storage unit. Thus, the data processing device judges whether or not the first storage unit is a predetermined device. |
| US08423790B2 |
Module validation
A module validation system and methods are disclosed for use with graphical user interfaces provided by a workstation that, among other things, remotely monitor and/or control game and/or gaming devices and/or systems. Validation of modules used in shells that provide graphical user interfaces enables the module validation system to provide users with varying levels of access to a gaming system. |
| US08423788B2 |
Secure memory card with life cycle phases
A secure memory card with encryption capabilities comprises various life cycle states that allow for testing of the hardware and software of the card in certain of the states. The testing mechanisms are disabled in certain other of the states thus closing potential back doors to secure data and cryptographic keys. Controlled availability and generation of the keys required for encryption and decryption of data is such that even if back doors are accessed that previously encrypted data is impossible to decrypt and thus worthless even if a back door is found and maliciously pried open. |
| US08423787B2 |
Apparatus and method of measuring integrity
Provided are an apparatus and method of measuring integrity, in which unnecessary memory loading of an object for measuring integrity is avoided. The apparatus includes a mapping module loading at least one second object, among a plurality of second objects divided from a first object in accordance with an allocation unit of a memory, into the memory, a memory module storing a hash value of the divided second object, and a measurement module measuring integrity of the first object by comparing a hash value of the loaded at least one second object with the hash value stored in the memory module. |
| US08423786B2 |
Biometrics authentication method, media for individual authentication, and biometrics authentication device
A biometrics authentication device which detects body characteristics, performs verification against registered biometrics data, and performs individual authentication, by which confidentiality is improved even when biometrics data is separated, distributed and stored. A biometrics information key is created from biometrics data detected by a detection device, the biometrics data is divided into a plurality of portions, and the portions are stored on different media. The biometrics information key is stored on one media, and at the time of authentication, the separated biometrics data portions are combined and a biometrics information key is created and is compared with the biometrics information key, to judge the linked relationship. Hence confidentiality of the association of the individual separated data portions can be improved even when the biometrics data is separated, distributed and stored, contributing to prevent illicit use resulting from leakage or theft of biometrics data. |
| US08423784B2 |
Position registering method, program and apparatus for terminal equipment
Personal information is registered for each user by a personal information management unit, linking a subscribed terminal equipment number, terminal subscriber identification information and user charging identification information to biological information of a user possessing a mobile communication terminal equipment. When an authentication request receiving unit receives an authentication request containing user biological information and terminal subscriber identification information from the terminal equipment, a biological information authentication unit retrieves personal information having biological information matching the received biological information and changes terminal subscriber identification information in the personal information found into the received terminal subscriber identification information. A position registration proxy unit transfers the terminal subscriber identification information in the personal information found and the received terminal subscriber identification information to an exchange to request registration of position information which enables call out and reception as a terminal equipment having a subscribed terminal number. |
| US08423782B2 |
Method for authenticating a user accessing a remote server from a computer
The invention relates to a method for authenticating a user accessing a remote server from a computer. The method comprises connecting to the remote server from the computer; logging into the remote server using a user-specific identifier; authenticating the remote server in the computer; sending an unpredictable message from the remote server to the computer; establishing communication between the remote server and a terminal belonging to the user; authenticating the remote server in the terminal; authenticating the terminal in the remote server; inviting the user to enter the unpredictable message in the terminal; using the terminal to send the message entered by the user in the terminal to the remote server; and if the message entered by the user in the terminal matches the unpredictable message, authenticating the user in the remote server. |
| US08423781B2 |
Image forming apparatus, method for validating IC card holder, and computer program product thereof
A disclosed image forming apparatus includes a validating unit validating a holder of an IC card having a first security information set, login information set and first identifier information set, based on the first security information set; a login unit performing a login process for the IC card holder to log in based on the login information set; and a storage unit storing the first security information set as a second security information set and the first identifier information set as a second identifier information set obtained when the login process performed is successful. In the image forming apparatus, the validating unit validates, provided that first identifier information set from the IC card matches the second identifier information set in the storage unit, the holder of the IC card by reusing the second security information set in the storage unit when the first security information is requested using the IC card. |
| US08423776B2 |
Storage systems and data storage method
Proposed are a storage system and a data storage method capable of automatically and flexibly changing the redundant destination of data, and verifying the authenticity of data when a system is changed. A primary storage apparatus includes a search unit for searching a secondary storage apparatus for storing the redundant data, and a primary creation unit for creating primary-side authentic information showing that the data is authentic. A secondary storage apparatus includes a secondary creation unit for creating secondary-side authentic information showing that the redundant data is authentic. This storage system also includes a primary storage unit for storing the data in a storage extent of the primary storage apparatus and a secondary storage unit for storing the redundant data in a storage extent of the secondary storage apparatus when the primary-side authentic information and the secondary-side authentic information coincide. |
| US08423774B2 |
Integrity protected smart card transaction
Systems, methods, and technologies for configuring a conventional smart card and a client machine, and for performing a smart card authorization using the configured smart card and client. Further, the combination of methods provides for mutual authentication—authentication of the client to the user, and authentication of the user to the client. The authentication methods include presenting a specified token to the user sufficient to authenticate the client to the user and thus protect the user-provided PIN. Security is strengthened by using an integrity key based on approved client system configurations. Security is further strengthened by calculating a PIN′ value based on a user-specified PIN and a modifier and using the PIN′ value for unlocking the smart card. |
| US08423772B2 |
Multi-hop wireless network system and authentication method thereof
A multi-hop wireless network system and an authentication method thereof, wherein during initial mutual authentication between multi-hop nodes and a multi-hop wireless network, a shared key is acquired for hop-by-hop mutual authentication between the multi-hop nodes using a centralized authentication scheme. Using the acquired shared key, distributed authentication between the multi-hop nodes is performed. |
| US08423771B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method, setting apparatus and method, and program
An information processing apparatus for using key information calculated on the basis of predetermined information including information obtained from an IC chip as a communication party on the other end in order to perform encryption processing with the IC chip. The information processing apparatus includes: among a plurality of calculation modules for calculating the key information being individually different in accordance with predetermined algorithms, control means for causing the calculation module identified by identification information input from the outside to calculate the key information; and encryption means for encrypting data by the key information calculated. |
| US08423769B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating security context
A method and an apparatus for generating a security context are provided. The implementation of the method includes: receiving a first message carrying a network capability of a User Equipment (UE); and generating the security context according to the network capability of the UE carried in the first message if the network capability of the UE carried in the first message is inconsistent with the stored network capability of the UE. After the network capability of the UE changes, information carrying the network capability of the UE is sent to a network side, so as to inform the network side that the network capability of the UE changes; therefore the network side can obtain the network capability of the UE, generate the security context according to the changed network capability of the UE, and further trigger a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment process. |
| US08423768B2 |
Method for controlling the location information for authentication of a mobile station
The method is for authentication in a communication network. A mobile station and an authentication server give access to services in the network. A user of a mobile station first sends a request for a service or a password in a message from the mobile station. The authentication server controls the location information for the mobile station, and sends a password to the mobile station or grants access to the user as a reply to the request if the location information is accepted by the server. |
| US08423763B2 |
System and method for supporting multiple certificate status providers on a mobile communication device
A method and system for supporting multiple digital certificate status information providers are disclosed. An initial service request is prepared at a proxy system client module and sent to a proxy system service module operating at a proxy system. The proxy system prepares multiple service requests and sends the service requests to respective multiple digital certificate status information providers. One of the responses to the service requests received from the status information providers is selected, and a response to the initial service request is prepared and returned to the proxy system client module based on the selected response. |
| US08423762B2 |
Common access card heterogeneous (CACHET) system and method
What is disclosed is a system and method that allows a secondary certificate authority to rely on one or more existing primary certificate authorities to establish identity of a user and provide identity certificates. The secondary certificate authority applies business rules to those identity certificates to establish a community of privilege, and then issues and maintains new privilege certificates without issuing new private keys or smart cards. The new privilege certificates bind the original identity, the sponsor, i.e., the primary certificate authority, and the privilege. The new privilege certificates can be used on a Public Key Infrastructures (PKI) transaction basis, for example, to grant access to unclassified and Multi-Level Secure (MLS) resources without further reference to the existing primary certificate authorities. |
| US08423754B2 |
Computer system and method of booting the same
A computer system and a method of booting a computer system using a solid state drive (SSD) as a main storage device is provided. The method includes mapping an address of a memory included in the SSD to an address used by a central processing unit (CPU) to select a boot code, uploading the boot code of an operating system (OS) stored in a non-volatile memory block included in the SSD to the memory included in the SSD, generating an interrupt signal based on a progress rate of the boot code upload, and performing a boot operation based on the boot code uploaded to the memory included in the SSD in response to the interrupt signal. |
| US08423753B2 |
System and method for express execution of navigation function
A method for express execution of navigation function is provided. A computer system is installed with a first operating system in a data storage device therein. The method includes the following steps: the computer system executing the BIOS of the computer system; before loading and executing the first operating system, the computer system detecting and activating a touch-control display device; the touch-control display device displaying an executive item icon representing the navigation function; detecting the executive item icon selection by the user; based on the selection, loading and executing the first operating system; and executing the navigation function corresponding to the selected executive item icon. |
| US08423752B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing permutation operations in which the ordering of one of a first group and a second group of data elements is preserved and the ordering of the other group of data elements is changed
An apparatus for processing data is provided comprising processing circuitry having permutation circuitry for performing permutation operations, a register bank having a plurality of registers for storing data and control circuitry responsive to program instructions to control the processing circuitry to perform data processing operations. The control circuitry is arranged to be responsive to a control-generating instruction to generate in dependence upon a bit-mask control signals to configure permutation circuitry for performing permutation operation on an input operand. The bit-mask identifies within the input operand the first group of data elements having a first ordering and a second group of data elements having a second ordering and the permutation operation is such that it preserves one of the first ordering and the second ordering but changes the other of the first ordering and the second ordering. |
| US08423747B2 |
Copy equivalent protection using secure page flipping for software components within an execution environment
Embodiments of copy equivalent protection using secure page flipping for software components within an execution environment are generally described herein. An embodiment includes the ability for a Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM), Operating System Monitor, or other underlying platform capability to restrict memory regions for access only by specifically authenticated, authorized and verified software components, even when part of an otherwise compromised operating system environment. In an embodiment, an embedded VM is allowed to directly manipulate page table mappings so that, even without running the VMM or obtaining VMXRoot privilege, the embedded VM can directly flip pages of memory into its direct/exclusive control and back. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08423744B2 |
System and method of squeezing memory slabs empty
A system and method of squeezing slabs of memory empty are provided. A slab is a block of allocated memory space that is dedicated to holding one type of data. When it is determined that a slab of memory is to be squeezed empty, no object may be allocated from the slab. That is, new data is precluded from being placed in any unused space of the slab. Further, data is also precluded from being placed in any space in the slab that becomes unused anytime thereafter. When the slab becomes empty, the slab is de-allocated. |
| US08423737B2 |
Systems and methods for virtualizing storage systems and managing data independently
Method, data processing systems, and computer program products are provided for virtualizing and managing a storage virtualization system (SVS) in a storage management architecture. Source data is copied from the source storage media to target data in a target storage media based on a predefined copy policy in a copy mapping table. A relation between the source data and the target data is tracked in a copy mapping table. It is determined if a copy of the requested data exists using the copy mapping table. A least utilized storage system having a copy of the requested storage media is determined. Access to the requested storage media in the least utilized storage system is tested. If access is not possible, access to a copy of the requested storage media in another storage system is provided by updating a frontend-backend mapping table and forwarding all data access commands to the other system. |
| US08423736B2 |
Maintaining cache coherence in a multi-node, symmetric multiprocessing computer
Maintaining cache coherence in a multi-node, symmetric multiprocessing computer, the computer composed of a plurality of compute nodes, including, broadcasting upon a cache miss by a first compute node a request for a cache line; transmitting from each of the other compute nodes to all other nodes the state of the cache line on that node, including transmitting from any compute node having a correct copy to the first node the correct copy of the cache line; and updating by each node the state of the cache line in each node, in dependence upon one or more of the states of the cache line in all the nodes. |
| US08423732B1 |
Writable virtual disks of read-only snapshot file objects
A technique enables creation and use of a writable, read-only snapshot of an active file system operating on a storage system, such as a multi-protocol storage appliance. The writable, read-only snapshot comprises a read-only “image” (file) residing in a snapshot and a writable virtual disk (vdisk) residing in the active file system. The writable vdisk is a “shadow” image of the snapshot file image and, as such, includes an attribute that specifies the snapshot file as a backing store. |
| US08423729B2 |
Part information restoration method, part information management method and electronic apparatus
A part information restoration method is adapted to an electronic apparatus having first and second parts which are replaceable and are provided with a nonvolatile memory for storing part information unique to the part. The method includes storing, in a first nonvolatile memory of the first part, part information of the first part, and saving part information of the second part as a first reference information at least when replacing the second part, storing, in a second nonvolatile memory of the second part, the part information of the second part, and saving the part information of the first part as second reference information at least when replacing the first part. The method restores the first reference information in the second nonvolatile memory or restores the second reference information in the first nonvolatile memory, after replacing the first or second part. |
| US08423725B1 |
Multithreading implementation for flops and register files
A multithreading memory system, and a processor that incorporates a multithreading memory system, includes a main memory element, plural auxiliary memory elements, and a selector. The main memory element may be configured to receive a data signal and a select signal. The auxiliary memory elements may be configured to receive an output signal from the main memory element. The selector may be configured to receive an output signal from one of the auxiliary memory elements and a scan input signal. The selector may select the output signal from the auxiliary memory element or the scan input signal based on an advance thread signal. The selected one of the output signal from the at least one special memory element and the scan input signal may be forwarded to the main memory element as the control signal. |
| US08423715B2 |
Memory management among levels of cache in a memory hierarchy
A memory hierarchy in a computer includes levels of cache. The computer also includes a processor operatively coupled through two or more levels of cache to a main random access memory. Caches closer to the processor in the hierarchy are characterized as higher in the hierarchy. Memory management among the levels of cache includes identifying a line in a first cache that is preferably retained in the first cache, where the first cache is backed up by at least one cache lower in the memory hierarchy and the lower cache implements an LRU-type cache line replacement policy. Memory management also includes updating LRU information for the lower cache to indicate that the line has been recently accessed. |
| US08423714B2 |
Storage and reproduction apparatus
The storage and reproducing apparatus includes a signal processing block, a memory, a reproduction block, an operation block, and a control block. The signal processing block converts a sound signal entered, into a digital signal. The memory stores a digital signal outputted form the signal processing block and a management data of the digital data. The reproduction block at least converts a digital signal read out from the memory, into a hearable sound for reproduction output. The operation block is provided on an apparatus main body and includes a rotary operation block provided on the apparatus main body in such a manner that the rotary operation block can be rotated around a rotation center and shifted along plane which almost orthogonally intersects the rotation center. The control block, according to an input from the operation block, writes a digital signal and a management data into the memory and reads out a digital signal and a management data stored in the memory. The control block, according to a rotation direction of the rotary operation block, reads out a management data from the memory. When the rotary operation block is shifted along the plane, the control block reads out a digital signal from the memory according to a management information which is being read out from the memory. |
| US08423713B2 |
Cluster type storage system and method of controlling the same
The present invention can adjust the ratio between a global namespace storage area and a local namespace storage area. Each of the nodes adjusts the ratio between GNS storage areas and LNS storage areas of logical volumes according to the operating condition. When received a LNS-based access request as an access request for storing business affair data from each client, each of the nodes store the business affair data in their own LNS storage areas. When received a GNS-based access request, the node checks the unused capacity of the GNS storage areas of each of the nodes, and transfers the business affair data via a network switch to the node which comprises a logical volume with the largest unused capacity. |
| US08423710B1 |
Sequential writes to flash memory
This disclosure describes techniques for improving flash memory write performance using sequential writes. In some cases this is accomplished using a write buffer to store random writes. The stored random writes are written to the flash memory when sufficient random writes are stored to perform a sequential write. |
| US08423708B2 |
Method of active flash management, and associated memory device and controller thereof
A method of active Flash management is provided. The method is applied to a controller of a memory device, where the controller is utilized for accessing a Flash memory in the memory device, and the Flash memory includes a plurality of blocks. The method includes: extracting high level information of a file system of the Flash memory from contents stored in the Flash memory; and according to the high level information, managing operations that the controller performs on the Flash memory, in order to optimize at least one portion of the operations. An associated memory device and the controller thereof are further provided. |
| US08423704B2 |
Dynamic optimization of memory use in a digital recording device
A method for dynamically optimizing the memory use in a digital recording device. The disclosed method includes recording a plurality of digital files collected by said digital recording device on a recording medium and assigning each file of said plurality of recorded digital files a priority ranking of high, medium or low based on at least one predetermined criteria. The method also includes recording additional digital files on the recording medium and compressing the files assigned a low priority ranking when the recording medium reaches a first predetermined threshold of the recording medium's total storage capacity. The method further includes compressing the files assigned a medium priority ranking when the recording medium reaches a predetermined threshold in the recording medium's total storage capacity and deleting files designated as low priority files when the recording medium reaches a predetermined threshold in the recording medium's total storage capacity. |
| US08423703B2 |
Data transfer in memory card system
A memory card system includes a host that issues a read command and a memory card that upon receiving the read command sends read data to the host in synchronism with a read clock signal generated within the memory card. In addition, the memory card sends the read clock signal to the host, and the host receives the read data in synchronism with the read clock signal, for increasing the allowable setup time period at the host. |
| US08423701B2 |
Flash memory device with a low pin count (LPC) communication interface
The Flash memory device with a Low Pin Count (LPC) communication interface includes a memorization block or Flash core including a matrix of non volatile memory cells, with associated circuit portions for reading, modifying and erasing the data contained in the memory. An interface block associated with the LPC communication interface includes at least an address block, a data block and a state machine enabling the data flow from and towards the memorization block. Advantageously, the data block of the interface block is doubled in a portion provided to contain the read data and in a portion provided to contain write data. In the memorization block, respective address decoders are provided for the read and write steps of the memory matrix. The device includes an architecture of the multibank type and the logic necessary for the execution of a “Dual Operations” mode. In this way it is possible to simultaneously perform a modify operation in a memory bank and a read operation in another bank. |
| US08423698B2 |
Conversion of resets sent to a shared device
Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for converting resets in a shared I/O system. One embodiment includes a method that propagates a first type of reset from a host computer to a multi-function device that shares I/O operations with other hosts. The first type of reset is converted to a second type of reset to prevent the host from resetting functions bound to the other hosts at the multi-function device. |
| US08423696B2 |
Multimedia docking computer
The present invention relates to multimedia devices for different age groups with different ability to understand and control such multimedia devices. The invention relates more specifically to a computer device for multimedia functions, where the functions are provided in a control unit/peripheral device for the computer device. The control unit comprises all the essential functional parts and operational codes for its function and can operate alone through the display device or in combination with other peripheral devices. |
| US08423693B2 |
Circuit and method for pipe arbitration using available state information and arbitration
Provided is an arbitration circuit included in a host controller that can be connected to a plurality of external devices via a plurality of pipe control circuits. The arbitration circuit includes an available state information storage unit that stores available state information. The available state information indicates an available state of the plurality of pipe control circuits and is updated by the pipe control circuit by a unit of data transfer of a predetermined communication size. The arbitration circuit further includes an arbitration unit that refers to the available state information storage unit, selects the arbitrary pipe control circuit from the available pipe control circuit, and allocates the selected pipe control circuit to the external device, while updating the available state information storage unit. |
| US08423689B2 |
Communication control device, information processing device and computer program product
A communication control device includes a plurality of receive buffers each storing therein received information that corresponds to all or a part of a received message or an argument of a receive function, a hash-value generating unit that generates a hash value from a receive key contained in the received message in accordance with a hash-value generation rule, a storing unit that stores the received information in a selected one of the receive buffers corresponding to the hash value, and an output unit that outputs the received information from one of the receive buffers corresponding to the hash value in response to a transmission request from a receiving unit that performs a receiving operation by determining a matching based on a receive key specified by the receive function. |
| US08423682B2 |
Address space emulation
Apparatus and systems, as well as methods and articles, may operate to detect an input/output access operation associated with a configuration memory address and a first memory address bit size. The configuration memory address and associated configuration data may be combined into a packet having a second memory address bit size (e.g., 64 bits) greater than the first memory address bit size (e.g., 32 bits). The packet may be used to establish compatibility for legacy operating systems that attempt to communicate with peripheral component interconnect (PCI) interface-based peripherals, and similar platform devices, that have been integrated into the same package as the processor. |
| US08423680B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for inserting a gap in information sent from a drive to a host device
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for inserting a gap in information sent from a drive to a host device. In operation, one or more commands are received at a drive from a host device. Additionally, information is queued to send to the host device. Furthermore, a gap is inserted in the information to send to the host device such that the host device is capable of sending additional commands to the drive. |
| US08423679B2 |
Card and host apparatus
A host apparatus, into which a card having a nonvolatile semiconductor memory is inserted, issues a check command to the card. The check command instructs to send information on whether the card supports a termination process in which the card shifts into a state ready for a stop of power supply from the host apparatus. |
| US08423678B2 |
Resilient network database
This invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing a resilient network database. The invention relates particularly, but not exclusively, to the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). The invention is directed to an interface for a database node comprising: a port for receiving a request for information from a network node; a processor for determining if the database node can respond to said request; and a transmitter for forwarding the request to another database node if the particular database node cannot respond. The invention is also directed to a distributed database comprising a number of database nodes, wherein a request received by one node is forwarded to other nodes in the distributed database if the particular node cannot handle the request. |
| US08423674B2 |
Method and apparatus for process sync restart
A method and apparatus for process sync restart is described. A computer implemented method comprises receiving a first set of data from a network process, determining death of the network process, clearing the first set of data if a time period expires, and synchronizing the first set of data with a second set of data if the time period does not expire, the second set of data received from the network process after the network process restarts. |
| US08423671B2 |
Middleware device and method of supporting compatibility of devices in home network
A middleware device and a method of supporting compatibility of devices on a home network are provided, in which the compatibility of all kinds of devices based on UPnP and web service is supported by protocol conversion. The middleware device includes a discovery unit receiving discovery messages based on different protocols and converting each of the discovery messages to a message based on a protocol that can be processed by a device to which the messages are to be transmitted; a description unit creating a description file of a predetermined device requested from the UPnP and the web service and converting the created description file such that it can be processed by a device having requested the description file; and an information management unit managing service information and information on devices existing on the home network on the basis of the discovery message and the description file. |
| US08423670B2 |
Accessing distributed services in a network
A set of multiple servers in which each server (a) provides a service having a name or other identifier, and for which each server (b) has a network address that differs from the network addresses of the other servers in the set, and (c) is co-located with a resolution mechanism that maps a name or other identifier of the service that is received from a client to a network address that is local to the resolution mechanism. The resolution mechanisms are operated to enable a client to choose one of the servers as being currently operational and/or accessible to provide the service to the client, and to so choose the server without the client needing to first access the chosen server. |
| US08423667B2 |
Updating routing information based on client location
A system, method, and computer-readable medium for updating request routing information associated with client location information are provided. A content delivery network service provider receives a DNS query from a client computing device. The DNS query corresponds to a resource identifier for requested content from the client computing device. The content delivery network service provider obtains a query IP address corresponding to the client computing device. Based on routing information associated with the query IP address, the content delivery network service provider routes the DNS query. The process further includes monitoring performance data associated with the transmission of the requested resource and updating routing information associated with the query IP address based on the performance data for use in processing subsequent requests form the client computing device. |
| US08423665B2 |
Multi-host management server in storage system, program for the same and path information management method
Management arrangements receiving plural failure information from plural host computers for a predetermined period; storing the failure information; extracting one or more of the plural failure information, received from a first host computer among the plural host computers; retrieving the failure information about one path from the extracted failure information, about multiple paths; registering the first host computer via refresh information in the memory, refresh information indicating a host computer of which path information is to be updated; sending a request to the first host computer to acquire a status of a first path of the first host computer; updating a first path information in the plurality of path information of the first host computer, based on the status; and deleting the one or more of the plurality of failure information of the extracting from the failure reception information. |
| US08423663B2 |
Providing full point-to-point communications among compute nodes of an operational group in a global combining network of a parallel computer
Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for providing full point-to-point communications among compute nodes of an operational group in a global combining network of a parallel computer, each compute node connected to each adjacent compute node in the global combining network through a link, that include: receiving a network packet in a compute node, the network packet specifying a destination compute node; selecting, in dependence upon the destination compute node, at least one of the links for the compute node along which to forward the network packet toward the destination compute node; and forwarding the network packet along the selected link to the adjacent compute node connected to the compute node through the selected link. |
| US08423662B1 |
Forward request queuing in a distributed edge processing environment
An edge server in a distributed processing environment includes at least one process that manages incoming client requests and selectively forwards given service requests to other servers in the distributed network. According to the invention, the edge server includes storage (e.g., disk and/or memory) in which at least one forwarding queue is established. The server includes code for aggregating service requests in the forwarding queue and then selectively releasing the service requests, or some of them, to another server. The forward request queuing mechanism preferably is managed by metadata, which, for example, controls how many service requests may be placed in the queue, how long a given service request may remain in the queue, what action to take in response to a client request if the forwarding queue's capacity is reached, and the like. In one embodiment, the server generates an estimate of a current load on an origin server (to which it is sending forwarding requests) and instantiates the forward request queuing when that current load is reached. |
| US08423661B2 |
Packet communication device, packet communication system, packet communication module, data processor, and data transfer system
A transmit packet generated by a CPU 1 is held in a buffer 100a (100b). From among packets received from Ethernet 820a (820b), a packet, a destination of which is a communication device 800, is held in the buffer 100a (100b). A packet which should be transmitted is transmitted from a transfer judging circuit 200 to Ethernet 820a or 820b through a MAC unit 300a or 300b. If a transfer judging circuit 200 judges a packet from the Ethernet 820a to be a packet, a destination of which is another communication device, with reference to a destination MAC address, this packet is transferred to the Ethernet 820b through MAC 300b. If a usage rate of a transferring FIFO buffer 130a (130b) exceeds a threshold value in the process of transmitting a packet held in a transmitting FIFO buffer 120a (130b) on a priority basis, the priority order of a transfer packet is made higher than that of a transmit packet so that the transfer packet is transferred to the Ethernet 820a or 820b in preference to the transmit packet. This prevents a transfer buffer means from overflowing. |
| US08423655B2 |
Image display device, storage device, image display system and network setup method
An image display system 20 includes a projector PR1, a computer PC1 and a USB memory U1 which can be connected in an ad-hoc mode by using a wireless LAN. When a user connects the USB memory U1 to a USB interface 75 of the projector PR1, the projector PR1 writes network setup information in a setup information storage area 144 of the USB memory U1. Then, when the user removes the USB memory U1 from the USB interface 75 and connects it to a USB interface 125 of the computer PC1, the computer PC1 performs network setup by referring to the network setup information and establishes connection to start projection by an automatic start program. |
| US08423654B2 |
Methods and systems for preventing a local display device from displaying data generated by a remote computing device
A method and system for preventing a local display device from displaying data generated by a remote computing device is described. The system includes a local agent for facilitating a remote session; an operating system generating a request to enable a display device controlled by a display adapter; and a filter executing in a driver and in communication with the local agent, the filter intercepting the request generated by the operating system. The filter transmits the request to the local agent when a remote user is active or to the display adapter when the remote user is inactive. The filter will transmits a signal to the operating system that the display adapter has enabled the display device when the filter transmits the request to at least one of the local agent and the display adapter. |
| US08423652B2 |
Service templates for an IP multimedia subsystem
The present invention provides a call/session control function for an Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem where a service template may be invoked in lieu of a single multimedia service. The service template identifies a number of multimedia services and associated logic for invoking the multimedia services, once the service template is invoked. In operation, a signaling message is received and appropriate filtering criteria are retrieved for the signaling message. Filtering criteria define a set of rules identifying any multimedia services that need to be invoked in light of receiving the signaling message. The filtering criteria will identify a service template, and perhaps other multimedia services to invoke directly. If a service template is invoked, the service template is obtained and the logic controlling invocation of the associated multimedia services is applied to effect invocation of the multimedia services. |
| US08423651B1 |
Cross-domain communications with a shared worker application
Techniques are described herein that provide for inter-domain communications with one or more shared worker applications. A parent web application associated with a first domain may create a child web application associated with a second domain different than the first domain. The child web application may determine whether a shared worker associated with the second domain is operating. The shared worker acquires information associated with the second domain in response to one or more requests, and stores acquired information associated with the second domain in a memory of the local computing device. The parent web application may request, via the child web application, information associated with the second domain from the shared worker. In response to the request, the parent web application may receive, from the shared worker, information associated with the second domain stored in the memory of the local computing device. |
| US08423648B2 |
Method and system for verifying state of a transaction between a client and a service over a data-packet-network
A system for verifying communication established between a first and a second node over a data-packet-network includes a third network node accessible from the first node over the data-packet-network, the third node containing network location information of the second node and the network location information of at least one resource accessible there from; and a navigation agent directed by the third network node for navigating over the network to the second node and to the at least one resource to gather information. In a preferred embodiment, the information gathered includes indication of receipt of data sent from the first node at the second node and indication of confirmation or authorization to access services. |
| US08423647B2 |
Communication network method and apparatus having intelligent peripheral resource platform with variable number of ports assigned to concurrent different services
A service platform in a communications network connects callers to a service resource platform when implementing services requiring specialised resources. A number of different services use a common service resource platform. The service platform is programmed with respective maximum values for the number of calls originating from each service that may be connected to the service resource platform at one time and allows the call to be connected to the service resource platform at one time and allows the call to be connected to the service resource platform only when the count value for the respective service is less than the maximum count value. The service resource platform may have a single network address and a common range of ports that are freely allocated to calls generated by the different services running on the service platform. |
| US08423646B2 |
Network-aware virtual machine migration in datacenters
A method, information processing system, and computer program product manage virtual machine migration. A virtual machine is selected from a set of virtual machines. Each physical machine in a plurality of physical machines is analyzed with respect to a first set of migration constraints associated with the virtual machine that has been selected. A set of physical machines in the plurality of physical machines that satisfy the first set of migration constraints is identified. A migration impact factor is determined for each physical machine in the set of physical machines that has been identified based on a second set of migration constraints associated with the virtual machine that has been selected. A physical machine is selected from the set of physical machines with at least a lowest migration impact factor on which to migrate the virtual machine that has been selected in response to determining the migration impact factor. |
| US08423644B2 |
Method and computer program product for resource planning
According to a tendency of a resource allocation request from a customer, a resource configuration that a resource provider provides is changed. The resource allocation request from customer's client machine with respect to a resource that a local domain including a server, a network, and a storage provides is accumulated together with an allocation result, and, on the basis of the accumulated resource allocation information and resource configuration information that the local domain provides, a resource planning algorithm determining the resource configuration to be provided next is executed, and, on the premise that approval of a system manager is obtained via a manager's client machine, the resource configuration change that is a result of the resource planning is applied to a group of resources, and disclosure is made so as to cope with the next resource allocation request by a customer's client machine. |
| US08423642B2 |
System and method for controlled access to up-to-date contact information
A method and system for controlling a recipient's access to a user's information. The method includes receiving a plurality of contact information, registration information and access information from the user. Only person's knowing the user's registration information can update the contact and access information of the user. The contact information entered by a user is about that user. The access information defines accessible sets of contact information to be made accessible to recipients. A telephone exchange is associated with each recipient; and a local server is associated with each telephone exchange. The accessible set of information is stored in the local server for access by the recipient. The system handles updates to information on the local servers when a user updates their contact information. The system can automatically place calls for a recipient to a user that has granted the recipient access to a number for communicating with the user. |
| US08423640B1 |
Systems and methods for detecting click spam
A system detects spamming. The system identifies normal users visiting a web site and determines an occurrence of spamming on the web site based at least in part on the identified normal users. |
| US08423632B2 |
Method, network management center, and a related device for configuring a network policy for a virtual port
A method, a network management center, and a related device. The method includes: obtaining a physical network policy group and a media access control (MAC) address of a virtual port; associating the physical network policy group and the MAC address of the virtual port to form a virtual port policy association table; and selecting the physical network policy group corresponding to the MAC address carried by a request from the virtual port policy association table, and delivering the physical network policy group to a physical switch sending the request. When a virtual machine (VM) on the server is migrated, the method may be used to migrate the network policy for the virtual port on a real-time basis. Therefore, the real-time effect of services provided by the VM is improved in the virtualization process of the server. |
| US08423631B1 |
Intelligent sorting for N-way secure split tunnel
A method of intelligently sorting packets/datagrams for sending through appropriate branches of a N-way split VPN tunnel according to embodiments of the present invention allow for efficient movement of network traffic to and from a remote network location. Intelligent sorting may be based on a wide range of criteria in order to implement different policies. For example, datagrams may be sorted for sending through the branches of a 3-way split tunnel so that all traffic from a remote network location ultimately destined to servers at a central location may be sent via a secure VPN tunnel, all traffic that matches a “white-list” of trusted external sites may be sent directly to and from these sites to the remote network location, and all other traffic may be redirected through a Web service that scrubs and filters the traffic to/from questionable sites. Furthermore, the VPN tunnel may be chosen to minimize latency, to detour around network failures, or to conserve energy by minimizing the number of routers a datagram passes through. |
| US08423630B2 |
Responding to quality of service events in a multi-layered communication system
A method for providing broadband communications over a multi-layer network having a plurality of Open System Interconnection layers. The method stores information in a memory, the information indicating for each of a plurality of communication resources within the multi-layer network, one or more layers of the network with which that communication resource is associated. The method monitors the multi-layer network to detect a quality of service event that has occurred at a first of a plurality of communication resources, and in response to the monitoring, uses the information to determine a layer of the multi-layer network that is associated with the first of the plurality of communication resources. The method responds to the quality of the service event by changing provisioning of the multi-layer network at a layer that is different from the layer of the multi-layer network that is associated with the first of the plurality of communication resources. |
| US08423624B2 |
Maintaining referential integrity
A method, computer program product, and system for maintaining referential integrity is described. A method may comprise migrating a migration document in a migration shard from a first location to a second location. The method may further comprise adding a first location identifier associated with the first location of the migration document to metadata associated with the migration shard. The method may also comprise adding a second location identifier associated with the second location of the migration document to the metadata associated with the migration shard. The method may additionally comprise adding one or more shard identifiers to the metadata associated with the migration shard, each of the one or more shard identifiers corresponding to a shard that includes a document that may be referenced by one or more documents in the migration shard. |
| US08423622B2 |
Systems for communicating current and future activity information among mobile internet users and methods therefor
A computer-implemented method implemented via the Internet for coordinating a current or future event between a user of a mobile Internet device and other users communicating through the Internet. The method includes receiving the current or future activity information pertaining to the future event from the user via the mobile Internet device. The current activity pertains to an activity occurring at a current time relative to a time the future activity information is received. The future activity pertains to an activity occurring at a future time relative to a time the future activity information is received. The method further includes transmitting the current or future activity information to a backend database coupled to the Internet, the backend database being remote from the mobile Internet device. The method further includes rendering the current or future activity information accessible to at least one recipient via the Internet. The recipient represents a subset of the users coupled to the Internet and having access privilege to information pertaining to the current or future event involving the user. |
| US08423620B2 |
Apparatus and method for testing web service interoperability
An apparatus and method for testing web service interoperability. The apparatus includes a state model generator generating a state model of a composition system expressing an operation of exchanging a message when web services interoperate with each other as a state machine on the basis of content of a simple object access protocol (SOAP) service description language (SSDL) web service specification, a test structure generator generating a web service test structure by including information about an operating environment in which a web service test is carried out in a composition system structure that includes structured information about web services performing a message exchange operation, a test case generator generating a test case including definitions of execution functions for testing whether or not the web services interoperate with each other according to a message exchange operation sequence defined in the SSDL specification, from the state model of the composition system and information about the web service test structure, and a test case executor inputting a value to the test case to cause test target web services to execute the test case and testing whether the web services interoperate with each other according to the message exchange operation sequence defined in the SSDL specification. |
| US08423617B2 |
Method for transferring data from a sensor over a computer network, corresponding device, and computer program product therefore
The invention concerns a method for transferring data from a sensor over a computer network, wherein the method comprises the steps of receiving from the sensor a signal representing a physical quantity, encoding the signal, converting the signal into a message, and transmitting the message over the computer network, wherein the conversion of the signal into the message comprises the step of generating the message by combining a first message header with a message body, wherein the first message header comprises the encoded signal and the message body comprises application data. The invention further concerns a device and computer program product therefore. |
| US08423616B2 |
Identifying and correlating electronic mail messages
Technologies are described herein for identifying and correlating e-mail messages. The contents of the subject and recipients fields of e-mail messages received at and sent from a computing system are hashed and stored in a database. When an incoming e-mail message is received at the computing system, the contents of its subject and recipients fields are also hashed. A search is then made of the database to locate e-mail messages identified in the database that have a sufficient number of subject and address hash values that match the subject and address hash values generated for the incoming e-mail message so that the messages may be correlated. A correlation is made between the incoming e-mail message and the best matching e-mail message located during the search of the database. |
| US08423614B2 |
Transfer device
The user of a mobile station which is prepared to receive information providing services from unspecified IP (Information Providers) accesses a gateway server and performs a pre-registration procedure (S71). When an IP server has information to provide to users, it constructs the information in the form of electronic mail, appends user attribute data, and sends this to the gateway server (S72). Upon receiving electronic mail with attribute data, the gateway server stores the electronic mail in a third mailbox, makes a comparison of the user attributes, and calls the mobile stations of relevant users (S73). A user who has received a call requests a download of the electronic mail from the gateway server (S74). The gateway server sends electronic mail to the mobile station which made the request (S75, S76). |
| US08423613B2 |
System for messaging and collaborating in an intranet environment
A messaging system and associated computer program product. The messaging system includes a plurality of browsers connected through a common server. The server includes a message engine for receiving from a first user browser a request to enter chat mode with a second user browser; then receiving asynchronously from the second user browser a request to download any content from the common server or any other intranet or Internet server; and responding to the request from the second user browser with content modified to instantiate a chat session between the first and second user browsers. |
| US08423612B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for selectively accessing an application
In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses request an application; detect a user requesting the application; detect a profile associated with the user; and grant permission to access the application based on an access parameter. |
| US08423610B2 |
User interface for web comments
One or more server devices receive a request associated with a link, where the link is further associated with a comment and where the comment provides an opinion of, or remarks upon, a content of a document. The one or more server devices retrieve a content of the comment associated with the link from a database and retrieve the document. The one or more server devices generate another document that displays the content of the comment and includes a frame that further displays the document, and send the generated another document to the client device. |
| US08423603B2 |
Providing real time information in a visual information unit
Embodiments of the invention enable a person to easily and without having any specialized knowledge configure a webpage to automatically provide real time information. More specifically, embodiments of the invention are directed to a remotely hosted element which may be easily configured and placed in a webpage by an un-sophisticated publisher. The remotely hosted element provides the real time information. In certain embodiments, the real time information is stock quotes, charts and associated news items. In certain embodiments, the real time information unit is interactive. In other words, it allows webpage viewers to interact with it in order to cause it to show additional, or differently organized information. |
| US08423597B1 |
Method and system for adaptive matrix trimming in an inverse discrete cosine transform (IDCT) operation
A method and system for adaptive matrix trimming in an inverse discrete cosine transform (IDCT) operation. At least one row of an input matrix is accessed. At least one matrix element of the row having a value of zero is detected. During execution of an IDCT multiplication operation on the row for generating an output row, IDCT multiplication operation for a matrix element having a value of zero is skipped. |
| US08423593B2 |
Content distribution system
A contents distribution system distributes contents to the reproduction terminals (103). A contents distribution system comprises a first contents distribution server (101) and one or more contents storage servers (102). This system makes it possible that the CM contents recorded in each of CM distribution servers (101) is distributed to multiple CM storage servers (102) and the multiple CM storage servers (102) distribute the CM contents to the reproduction terminals (103). Using multiple CM storage servers (102), the processing load of CM distribution can be shared. Compared with the case in which the CM distribution server (101) directly distributes CM to the reproduction terminals (103), the processing load of each of CM distribution servers (101) can be reduced. |
| US08423592B2 |
Method and system for accessing a storage system with multiple file systems
In order to write data to a storage system accessible with a first and second file system, a manager receives a data write request associated with a file. The manager determines if a function supported by the second file system is needed to complete the write request. If so, the file is opened and extended with the first file system. The file is then opened and written to by the second file system. The file is truncated by the first file system, and closed by both file systems. If the second file system function is not needed, the file is opened, written, and closed by the first file system. In order to read data from a storage system using a function supported by the second file system, the second file system's cached storage system index is updated, and then the file is opened, read, and closed by the second file system. |
| US08423584B2 |
Conditional inclusion of resources in a computer system configuration
Creating a device tree is provided. It is determined whether more than one version of a resource for a data processing system exists in a resource location code array table. In response to determining that more than one version of the resource for the data processing system does exist in the resource location code array table, it is determined which version of the resource was installed in the data processing system. A presence detection procedure is performed for the resource in the data processing system. It is determined whether the resource is present in the data processing system. In response to determining that the resource is present in the data processing system, an entry is created in a device tree for the resource based on the determined version of the resource. The device tree is cached in firmware. |
| US08423581B2 |
Proxy support for special subtree entries in a directory information tree using attribute rules
A mechanism for providing proxy support for special subtree entries in a directory information tree by defining filters at the proxy level to indicate relationships between main subtree entries and associated special subtree entries. A proxy server receives a request from a client for a special subtree entry and determines whether the distinguished name of the main subtree entry can be built using information in the request and pre-defined relationships between the main subtree entry and the requested subtree entry. If so, the proxy server builds the distinguished name of the main subtree entry associated with the special subtree entry and applies a partitioning filter to the distinguished name of the main subtree entry to determine a target directory server in the plurality of backend directory servers that comprise the special subtree. The proxy server then sends the request to the target directory server. |
| US08423579B2 |
Disambiguation of tabular date
Creating data tables by identifying paths in a tree of data entities and relationships, the tree including data entities and relationships between the entities, where each of the paths originates from the same data entity, includes a terminal data entity that is at the to-many end of a one-to-many or many-to-many relationship with another data entity along the path, and includes no other of the data entities that lie along any path descending from the terminal data entity and that is at the to-many end of a one-to-many or many-to-many relationship with another of the data entities that lie along the path descending from the terminal data entity, and creating on a computer-readable medium a separate table for each of the paths, where each of the tables includes a column per each of the data entities of the path for which the table was created. |
| US08423569B2 |
Decomposed query conditions
A method, article of manufacture and apparatus for decomposing an initial query into smaller conditional groups for execution on a database is disclosed. A separate database query may be generated for each of the conditional groups, and the results of executing these separate database queries may be combined and returned as the result of the initial query. Typically, the initial query may be decomposed because it is otherwise too large and/or too complex to be executed directly. |
| US08423567B1 |
Dynamic query data visualizer
Fields in a query result of a query may be classified as numerical, date, or text according to their field type. Depending on the classification of the fields, different fields or functions applied to the fields may added to first dimension, second dimension, and/or filter menus in an interface. A user may make a selection of fields and/or functions from the menus, and additional query terms may be generated and appended to the query. The appended query may then be executed and the results may be displayed in a first and a second dimension of the interface depending on the selections made by the user. |
| US08423566B2 |
Facility retrieval device
A facility retrieval device includes: an input device 4 for inputting instructions; a map information storage device 5 that stores map information and facility information including facility names and facility types; a facility name extraction unit 11 that extracts a facility name in response to an instruction from the input device; a facility retrieval unit 12 that uses the facility name extracted by the extraction unit as a retrieval key to retrieve facilities having names that include the retrieval key from the facility information stored in the storage device; a list generation unit 13 that generates a list listing names of a plurality of facilities having identical names and identical types to the facility extracted by the extraction unit, from among the facilities retrieved by the retrieval unit, on respective single lines as shared facility names; and a display device 8 that displays the list generated by the generation unit. |
| US08423565B2 |
Information life cycle search engine and method
Search engine process operates on data collections to expand a user's knowledge about select content (SC) words, data objects, etc. A prioritized hierarchical taxonomic system (H-tax-sys) encompasses some SC is set, input data is classified thereto, and non-matching data (non-SC) is identified. The non-SC are used as a search terms. Additionally-optionally, the process identifies input data as SC per n priority H-tax, and uses these as search terms. Additionally-optionally, input data matching SC is added as search terms. Additionally-optionally, search terms are extracted from the input based upon H-tax. Supplemental documents are gathered, H-tax classified, mapped and represented with and without mapped search terms. |
| US08423557B2 |
Computer method and system for determining individual priorities of shared activities
A computer-implemented method and apparatus determines individual user priorities of collections of resources. The system represents collections of shared resources as end-user activities. An engine retrieves the activity access history of the user and the activity records and generates a description of each activity and a priority score. The engine may include a data collection component and a training and ranking component. Based on the activity descriptions and priority scores, the system generates and outputs for display an activity list ordered by individual user priority. |
| US08423556B2 |
Archive device
An archive device includes: a storage for storing divided data and attribute information, the divided data being received from an external device and divided from original data by a predetermined size, the attribute information being associated with a hash value and identification information, the hash value being calculated from the divided data, the identification information identifying the original data before being divided; and a controller for calculating a hash value for divided data that is received from the external device, writing the divided data and the attribute information corresponding to the divided data to the storage when the calculated hash value is not included in the attribute information stored in the storage, and adding the identification information corresponding to the calculated hash value to the attribute information when the calculated hash value is included in the attribute information stored in the storage. |
| US08423552B2 |
Method of calculating connectivity of N-dimensional space
A method for calculating connectivity of a space having a number of objects using a computer system includes establishing a character matrix having a number of elements in accordance with the objects. A label matrix is established, and the character matrix is divided into blocks. Connectivity of the elements of each of the blocks is calculated, and then the elements are grouped into regions based on the values of the elements. Each of the regions is labeled and enhanced. Connectivity of the regions is calculated, and the regions are grouped into larger regions based on the values of the elements. |
| US08423550B2 |
Storage medium for electronic information processing program, electronic information processing system, and electronic information processing method
A computer-readable medium includes a program including processes of correlating electronic information which is correlated to a first correlation location in a first correlation structure also to a second correlation location in a second correlation structure according to a correlation condition based on the first correlation location or the electronic information, and executing an operation on the electronic information or the first correlation location in the first correlation structure, wherein there can be switched permission and forbiddance of execution of at least a part of the operations, among the operations, which changes a correlation result in the correlating. |
| US08423547B2 |
Efficient query clustering using multi-partite graphs
Efficient search query clustering using tripartite graphs may enable a search engine developer to model information needs of users while expending less computing resources. The efficient clustering of search queries may involve multiple computing devices receiving a subgraph of a multi-partite graph that encompasses search queries, as well as receiving a global center vector table that includes cluster center entries for query clusters. At each computing device, the received global center vector table may be filtered to eliminate one or more cluster center entries that are irrelevant to the search queries. Subsequently, the search queries may be clustered into the query clusters by at least using the filtered global center vector table at each of the computing devices. In some instances, one or more comparisons between search queries and the cluster center entries in the global center vector table during the clustering may be eliminated. |
| US08423545B2 |
Providing user input suggestions for conflicting data using rank determinations
One embodiment includes: receiving profile data including first and second data changes corresponding to first and second client devices of a user, wherein the first and second data changes are conflicting; determining, via the first client device, a first rank for the first data change and a second rank for the second data change; and providing, via the first client device, a plurality of suggestions in response to a partial entry provided by the user, wherein the first plurality of suggestions is provided in a ranked order based on the first and second ranks. |
| US08423539B2 |
Advertising medium determination device method therefor
It is also an object of the present invention to provide objective advertisement plan(s). The target specifying information storage part 202 stores information for specifying target attribution including information for specifying information delivery medium of an object to contact with correspondently with searchers' id. The search term storage part 203 correspondently stores a searcher's id, the timing of search, and the term used for the search. The extraction part 204 extracts the timing of search for such search term for each searcher's id, segments the extracted search timing for each searcher's id into a predetermined number in chronological order and then extracts searcher's id belonging to each segment. The advertising medium data determination part 205 extracts information on candidate of information delivery medium for the each segment from the extracted each searcher's id using information for specifying a target and determines candidate(s) of information delivery medium from the extracted candidate of information delivery medium. |
| US08423534B2 |
Actively managing resource bottlenecks in a database system
A computer-implemented method, apparatus and article of manufacture for optimizing a database query. Resource usage of one or more resources of the computer system are monitored. A condition code representative of the monitored resource usage is stored. A cost model is modified using the stored condition code. A query execution plan is generated for the database query using the modified cost model. The query execution plan is then executed in order to retrieve data from a database stored on the computer system, wherein the retrieved data is presented to a user for subsequent use and analysis. |
| US08423530B2 |
Searching in a computer network
The invention allows a user to enter a search criteria in a search form once and search multiple web services, search engines and web pages without the need for repeatedly re-creating the search criteria for each web service or search engine because of different and varying supported formats. Once the user has defined their search query, the search query is passed to a query manager in the browser application for formatting the search criteria into a generic query format. The generic query format provides a unified and generic interface to all other query mechanisms supported by different web services, search engines and web pages. |
| US08423526B2 |
Linguistic assistance systems and methods
System and Methods determine a linguistic preference between two or more phrases. Each of the phrases is submitted to at least one search engine as a search string. Search results are retrieved from each of the at least one search engine for each submitted search string and total hit values of each search result are compared. One of the two or more phrases associated with the greatest total hit value are displayed to a user as the preferred phrase. |
| US08423521B2 |
Method and apparatus for storing document data in docbase management system
A method and an apparatus for storing document data in a docbase management system are provided. In the method, document data is described by using a tree structure, the document data is split into multiple data fragments based on the tree structure when the document data is being stored, and the data fragments are stored, and the relation of the data fragments is recorded, wherein, each data fragment corresponds to a subtree or a node in the tree structure. |
| US08423520B2 |
Methods and apparatus for efficient compression and deduplication
Mechanisms are provided for performing efficient compression and deduplication of data segments. Compression algorithms are learning algorithms that perform better when data segments are large. Deduplication algorithms, however, perform better when data segments are small, as more duplicate small segments are likely to exist. As an optimizer is processing and storing data segments, the optimizer applies the same compression context to compress multiple individual deduplicated data segments as though they are one segment. By compressing deduplicated data segments together within the same context, data reduction can be improved for both deduplication and compression. Mechanisms are applied to compensate for possible performance degradation. |
| US08423519B2 |
Data reduction indexing
Example apparatus, methods, data structures, and computers control indexing to facilitate duplicate determinations. One example method includes indexing, in a global index, a unique chunk processed by a data de-duplicator. Indexing the unique chunk in the global index can include updating an expedited data structure associated with the global index. The example method can also include selectively indexing, in a temporal index, a relationship chunk processed by the data de-duplicator. The relationship chunk is a chunk that is related to another chunk processed by the data de-duplicator by sequence, storage location, and/or similarity hash value. Indexing the relationship chunk in the temporal index can also include updating one or more expedited data structures associated with the temporal index. The expedited data structures and indexes can then be consulted to resolve a duplicate determination being made by a data reducer. |
| US08423514B2 |
Service provisioning
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods that can bridge the gap between business operations and data management operations. An interface layer provides customizable interfaces for interactions with a master entity index (MEI) system to accomplish association, storage, management or processing of data records based on user-defined business service operations. The interface layer allows a user to define business services, operations, and logical procedures according to a desired data model such that the inputs and outputs for each operation of the service correspond to the particular needs of the user and allow different terminology to be employed by the user. |
| US08423510B2 |
Real time backup system for computer users
This invention involves tracking and backing all the information that a user generates on its computer devices (including embedded devices) in real time. The local user server records all user actions and gestures (via various means that include TV cameras). All of this information (user actions and saved files in a computer) is then sent to a remote server via the Internet. This remote server has a virtual map of all the embedded devices on a computer that the person uses. The remote server immediately starts to interpret the user's actions (including user gestures). In one implementation, the invention stores user actions that are related to data generation (e.g. actions that called some links where data is stored, or executed some programs that generated data). In another variant the remote server generates and downloads the same files that are downloaded on the local user computer devices. For example, if a person begins to download a program, the server may also download the same program on a remote backup server. This way, if the user loses this program, it can be retrieved automatically through a provided server on the Internet. If user's files are backed up by regular backup periodically, relevant data that were stored by real time backup servers can be eliminated. |
| US08423508B2 |
Apparatus and method of creating and utilizing a context
An apparatus or method of context-aware communication comprises obtaining, by an access terminal, a plurality of terminal data from a plurality of access terminal subsystems, one or more terminal applications, or a combination of both. Further, the various embodiments may include determining at least one context corresponding to at least a portion of the plurality of terminal data. Also, various embodiments may include creating a context profile having a context identifier identifying each context, wherein each context profile comprises profile parameters corresponding to the respective portion of the plurality of terminal data determined to correspond to the respective context. Additionally, the aspects include storing each context profile. Optionally, other embodiments may further include monitoring for the occurrence of a context corresponding to a content profile, and performing a context action triggered by detecting the occurrence of a context. |
| US08423506B2 |
Embedded change logging for data synchronization
Embodiments of the present invention provide for embedded change logging for data synchronization. In an embodiment of the invention, an embedded change logging data processing system can include a change embedded database (EDB) disposed in a pervasive device. The EDB can store entries for notified changes in data for multiple different end-user applications in the pervasive device. The system also can include a change log service (CLS) disposed in the pervasive device and coupled to the EDB. The CLS can include program code enabled to register with multiple different end-user applications in the pervasive device to receive notifications of changes, and to write entries to the EDB responsive to the notifications. Finally, the system can include a synchronization client disposed in the pervasive device separately from the CLS. The synchronization client can include program code enabled to directly access the EDB to perform data synchronization with a remote host. |
| US08423505B2 |
Catalog reorganization apparatus and method
A method for reorganizing a catalog to improve I/O performance includes initially placing a shared lock on a source catalog. The method then makes a point-in-time copy of the source catalog to generate a target catalog. Once the target catalog is generated, the method reorganizes the contents of the target catalog. Optionally, while reorganizing the contents of the target catalog, the method temporarily releases the shared lock on the source catalog and mirrors I/O intended for the source catalog to a buffer. The buffered I/O may then be used to update the target catalog to bring it current with the source catalog. When the target catalog is reorganized and up-to-date, the method upgrades the shared lock on the source catalog to an exclusive lock, overwrites the source catalog with the target catalog, and releases the exclusive lock. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed and claimed herein. |
| US08423504B2 |
Method of and apparatus for analysing data files
A system including a server, a search engine, and one or more user devices is used to analyse data files. The user devices may be used to effect a search, such as a search for documents, websites or other material. A search request is effected on the user device and forwarded to the server. A subject data file is obtained which represents a document. The subject data file is searched for instances of data representing user selected target features. The detected instances which include one or more of features indicative of a list and features indicative of content relating to a casual convention, are changed to be perceptibly different from features which are not target features when the modified data files is provided to the user. |
| US08423503B2 |
Knowledge annotation result checking method and system
The present invention discloses a knowledge annotation result checking system and method. The knowledge annotation result checking system comprises: a receiving unit for receiving a knowledge annotation result; and a checking unit, for comparing the received knowledge annotation result with information within a tag registration database to obtain comparison information. According to the present invention, inconsistent tag information can be detected. |
| US08423502B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for permitting an upgrade of extract, transform, and load (ETL) processes, independent of a customization performed by a user
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for permitting an upgrade of extract, transform, and load (ETL) processes, independent of a customization performed by a user. In operation, one or more ETL processes are identified. Additionally, a user is permitted to customize the one or more ETL processes. Further, an upgrade of the one or more ETL processes is permitted and enabled. |
| US08423495B1 |
System and method for facts extraction and domain knowledge repository creation from unstructured and semi-structured documents
Provided are methods and systems that extract facts of unstructured documents and build an oracle for various domains. The present invention addresses the problem of efficient finding and extraction of facts about a particular subject domain from semi-structured and unstructured documents, makes inferences of new facts from the extracted facts and the ways of verification of the facts, thus becoming a source of knowledge about the domain to be effectively queried. The methods and systems can also extract temporal information from unstructured and semi-structured documents, and can find and extract dynamically generated documents from Deep or Dynamic Web. |
| US08423492B2 |
Predictive prompting and decision outcome
A system and method that provide for decision support and/or training support in crisis decision-making situations are provided. In one implementation, for example, a method identifies patterns from known cases based on information from a crisis event. Each of the known cases includes attributes and at least one outcome. The method also identifies a first subset of the known cases that relate to the identified patterns from the known cases. The method also analyzes the identified patterns to determine a cue that, if answered, will provide a second subset of the known cases including a more converged range of decision outcomes than the first subset. |
| US08423488B2 |
System and method for building a predictive score without model training
A system and method for building a predictive score without model training are disclosed. A set of predictive variables is defined based on raw data fields generated from raw data from one or more sources and domain knowledge. The raw data includes a historical set of transactions previously generated by one or more raw data sources. An scaled relative risk table to describe each predictive variable of the set of predictive variables is generated. The set of predictive variables is combined based on their associated relative risk tables to generate a predictive score for a future set of transactions. |
| US08423486B2 |
Learning device
A learning device learns a control parameter (e.g., injection start response delay), which is used for deciding a control content of an injector (controlled object), in relation to a criterion variable (e.g., fuel pressure). The learning device has a storing section for storing a learning vector consisting of the control parameter and the criterion variable. The learning device has a measurement vector obtaining section for obtaining a measurement vector consisting of a measurement value of the control parameter and a measurement value of the criterion variable. The learning device has a correcting section for correcting the learning vector based on the measurement vector and for performing storing and updating of the learning vector in the storing section. |
| US08423484B2 |
Prognostics and health management method for aging systems
The present invention provides a novel prognostic and health management method for natural aging systems. This prognostic and health management method can detect anomalies in a system in advance, and can determine whether the detected anomalies are due to natural aging or other aging processes. In this prognostic method, a moving window method for improving the performance of the conventional data-driven prognostic methods is described. This prognostic and health management method combines with the detections by the data-driven prognostic method based on the conventional training and moving window methods to determine whether the detected anomalies are due to natural aging or other aging processes and in so doing can reduce the number of false alarms; reduce cost of a system by decreasing the unnecessary maintenance, downtime, and inventory; can extend the life of systems; and can assist in the design and qualification of future systems to improve their reliability. |
| US08423482B2 |
Automated legal evaluation using a decision tree over a communications network
A method for legal knowledge modeling and automated legal evaluation, such as for online, questionnaire-based legal analysis, is provided. Information, such as facts and characteristics of a legal situation or legal scenario, as it relates to a legal conclusion or a legal result, are modeled in a decision tree. The decision tree may comprise a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges connecting the nodes, wherein each node is associated with a variable that represents either an answer to a legal inquiry or a legal conclusion, and an edge represents a conditional dependency between variables of nodes. The decision tree is automatically updated on a periodic basis to reflect new legislation or court decisions. Using the decision tree, a legal conclusion based on the user's answers to a questionnaire may be determined. The legal conclusion is modified upon the input of evidence, which is typically in the form of answers to a dynamic set of questions designed to identify a legal conclusion or a legal result. |
| US08423481B2 |
Self-learning method for keyword based human machine interaction and portable navigation device
A self-learning method for keyword based human machine interaction is disclosed. At least one of a plurality of keywords predetermined in a database is selected and a priority score of the selected keyword is updated and a weighted factor is generated for the selected keyword. A weighted score and the weighted factor of the selected keyword are transmitted to the keywords related to the selected keyword. The selected keyword is pushed to a keyword buffer and linkage strengths between the keywords in the keyword buffer are strengthened. When a keyword has been stored in the keyword buffer for over a predetermined reset time period, a reset operation is performed to remove the keyword from the keyword buffer. |
| US08423480B2 |
Image forming apparatus, billing amount determination method and billing system
An image forming apparatus that executes a job and determines a billing amount for the job depending on a parameter value given to a parameter that relates to the execution of the job, the image forming apparatus comprising: a storage that stores therein a first table and a second table, the first table defining billing amounts for a plurality of non-overlapping value ranges in one-to-one correspondence, the second table defining billing amounts for a plurality of specific values in one-to-one correspondence; and a determiner operable to refer to the second table before referring to the first table and judge whether the parameter value is identical to any one of the plurality of specific values in the second table (step S402), and if identical (Yes in step S402), determine the billing amount for the job according to the second table (step S403). |
| US08423475B2 |
Systems and methods for managing multiple accounts on a RF transaction device using secondary identification indicia
Systems and methods are configured to manage data sets associated with a transaction device. For example, a method is provided for facilitating the management of distinct data sets on a transaction device that are provided by distinct data set owners, wherein the distinct data sets may include differing formats. The method includes the steps of: adding, by a read/write, a first data set to the financial transaction device, wherein the first data set is owned by a first owner; adding, by the read/write device, a second data set to the financial transaction device, wherein the second data set is owned by a second owner; and storing the first data set and the second data set on the financial transaction device in accordance with an owner defined format. The first and second data sets are associated with first and second owners, respectively, and are configured to be stored independent of each other. The transaction device user may be permitted to select at least one of the multiple data sets for transaction completion using a secondary identifier indicia. Where the user selects multiple accounts for transaction completion, the user may be permitted to allocate portions of a transaction to the selected transaction accounts. The transaction request may be processed in accordance with the user's allocations. |
| US08423474B2 |
Method and apparatus for data recipient storage and retrieval of data using a network communication device
A system and method for data recipient invoked electronic commerce allowing data subjects to provide and data recipients to receive information over a network relating to the needs of a data subject such as purchases, distribution of application information and the like. The system includes a server having software which gathers the information from a data subject to complete a transaction. The system has a data subject data structure that stores information for registered data subjects. The software can access the data subject data structure and enter the data subject's information during subsequent transactions. Having the software obtain and enter the data subject's purchasing information, the data subject does not have to enter the same information every time the data subject desires to effect a transaction over the network. In alternate embodiments, the same technology can be applied to other arenas where a user enters the same repetitive information. |
| US08423473B2 |
Systems and methods for game activation
Techniques are provided for controlling the activation of computer games. In one embodiment, the technique may involve receiving a combination of a game identifier for the game and a device identifier for the device. The technique may further involve accessing a database of known game identifiers, each known game identifier being associated with a device count corresponding to a total number of known devices on which a known game was previously played or activated, and obtaining a usage policy for the game. |
| US08423471B1 |
Protected document elements
In some embodiments, techniques for computer security comprise displaying an electronic document, detecting a request to traverse a link, such as a hyperlink or a form submission, wherein the link is associated with an element of the document, evaluating an attribute, wherein the attribute is associated with the element of the document, and determining whether to perform the action based on the evaluation. Applications of these techniques include mitigating the effect of an attempt to modify web pages for fraudulent purposes, such as by a “phishing” attack incorporating malicious scripting. |
| US08423470B2 |
Distributed secure anonymous conferencing
A communications manager of an enterprise receives an add-conference request to host a conference by the enterprise from an organizer client, wherein the conference to enable an anonymous user that does not have enterprise credentials to join the conference. The communications manager sends an add-conference response to the organizer client indicating that the conference is organized. |
| US08423469B2 |
System and method for enhancing the efficiency of real estate transactions
A computer system and method, for real estate transactions concerning the purchase or sale of real property, comprises engaging a realtor and a mortgage originator for providing unified communication among a client, the realtor and the mortgage originator, providing a simplified loan process for the client and upon a sale and purchase of the property, distributing to the client a predetermined portion of money from the real estate commission received by the realtor and a portion of the mortgage origination proceeds to the realtor, such that upon any combination of a sale and purchase of the property, the client receives a predetermined portion of money from the purchase price of the property, the loan amount and the listing fee, the realtor receives the full amount of the predetermined real estate commission for the sale consummated, and the mortgage originator receives a proportionately smaller portion of the mortgage origination proceeds. |
| US08423468B2 |
Real time correlation of parallel charging events
A network providing service to an end user may include a first client, a second client and a charging system. A method implemented by the network may include the first client receiving a service event that is destined for an end user and retrieving a first logical clock value from memory, where the first logical clock value specifies a number of service events received at the second client. The first client may increment a second logical clock value based on receipt of the service event and may construct a first time stamp parameter based on the first logical clock value and the second logical clock value. The first client may send a charging request to a charging system, where the charging request includes the first time stamp parameter and where the charging request requests credit authorization associated with providing the service event to the end user. |
| US08423467B1 |
Merchant-specific shadow account numbers
Financial transactions, such as buying and selling, may be facilitated by merchant-based shadow account numbers. A master account may contain several associated shadow accounts. Each shadow account may in turn be associated with a specific merchant or group of merchants. Merchants and users may store and use the shadow account numbers rather than the master account numbers. Stolen or otherwise compromised shadow account numbers are useless with other non-associated merchants. Furthermore, the shadow numbers may be easily invalidated while leaving the master account untouched. |
| US08423462B1 |
Real-time mobile wallet server
Techniques and apparatuses for providing wallet server information to an entity using a real-time mobile wallet server (MWS) are disclosed herein. The MWS may receive a request for personal information from an entity. The MWS may then display to a user a summary of the request, a list of selections available in the wallet server that may satisfy the request, and a list of selectable response options for the user to choose to respond to the entity. In some aspects, the wallet server may store username and associated passwords, payment information, and/or contact information. In further aspects, the MWS may generate limited-use payment information associated with existing payment information. The MWS may communicate ad hoc messaging to the entity using voice-based or real-time text-based communications over an established communication link between the MWS and entity. |
| US08423461B2 |
Advanced payment management system
The present disclosure involves a method that involves: receiving a request to pay a bill having a billing date; identifying a plurality of funding instruments available for paying the bill; retrieving respective billing cycles of the funding instruments; and recommending one of the funding instruments to pay the bill based on the billing date of the bill and the respective billing cycles of the funding instruments. The present disclosure also involves a system that involves: means for receiving a request to make a payment, the payment having a payment deadline; means for identifying a plurality of different funding sources; means for retrieving billing period information associated with each funding source; and means for recommending using one of the funding sources to make the payment, wherein the means for recommending includes means for comparing the payment deadline with the respective billing period information of the funding sources. |
| US08423460B2 |
Method of settling commercial indebtedness
A method whereby vendors and purchasers settle invoices and account for sales taxes, integrated with the drawing, accepting, guaranteeing, endorsing, discounting, presenting, and cash settlement of electronic bills of exchange in all traded currencies (Ebill). Ebills are activated automatically as a direct consequence of the approval of one or more invoices for payment. Acceptance is against a guarantee with a managed credit risk limit or endorsed Ebills. Settlement is also activated by matching a purchase order to a goods received or delivery note or bill of lading. A single instance of each invoice and Ebill is held for all functions required by vendors, purchasers, risk managers, Ebill traders, discounters, guarantors and banks. Trading accounts are represented by a single ledger instance with automated updating of their back-office ledgers. Settlement reconciliation is supported by messages related to individual transactions and by quantified debit advice notes reconciled with credit notes. |
| US08423457B1 |
Anonymous mobile payments
Anonymous mobile payments enable a user to make and/or receive payments without disclosing personal or private information to another party. In some aspects, a provider of a payment may request an anonymous payment for a specified value from a host. In response, the host may transmit to the provider a code that is available for redemption. The provider may then relay the code to a recipient, who may redeem the code from the host. In other aspects, a recipient may request a temporary identifier (special code) from a host. The recipient may relay the temporary identifier to a provider, who may in turn transmit a payment, via the host, using the temporary identifier. The recipient may then claim the payment from the host. In additional aspects, the codes of the anonymous payments may include expiration times and/or restrictions on a number of uses of the code. |
| US08423450B2 |
System and method for processing data pertaining to financial assets
A method of processing data in connection with a security is provided. The security is collateralized by a plurality of home mortgage loans or by portions of the plurality of home mortgage loans. The method comprises generating payment projections regarding principal and interest payment projections for the plurality of home mortgage loans; determining that the payment projections have errors; and modifying loan characteristic data to eliminate errors in the loan characteristic data that cause errors in the payment projections. According to another embodiment, a method comprises receiving payment data regarding the plurality of loans a plurality of times separated by a plurality of days during the reporting cycle. Each time the payment data is received, the payment data is processed and the opportunity to make corrections is provided. |
| US08423449B2 |
Consolidated sales, marketing, and customer support system for financial products
A method includes accepting financial product information through a provider computer; accepting advisor information and client information; allowing access to a portion of the financial product information, based on the client information, through a client computer; allowing access to another portion of the financial product information not accessible through the client computer, based on the advisor information, through an advisor computer; and tracking and reporting the advisor information and the client information through metrics. |
| US08423448B2 |
Method and system of trading a standardized contract
A system, method, and corresponding computer program product facilitates trading of a standardized contract. The terms of the contract may be such that it provides a payout from one party to the other based on the price, yield, level or other measure of an asset, basket, index, financial contract, other financial instrument or some economically significant variable observed at or around two specified times, both such times being after the time that the standardized contract is first available for trading. Alternatively, the terms of the contract may be such that it provides that one party has the right but not the obligation either to purchase or to sell some asset at a price which is determined at a first specified time, such right to be exercised at some time not later than the second specified time, both such times being after the time that the standardized contract is first available for trading. These and other related contracts are described. |
| US08423443B2 |
Method and system for pricing financial derivatives
A method for providing a bid price and/or an offer price of an option relating to an underlying asset, the method including the steps of receiving first input data corresponding to a plurality of parameters defining the option, receiving second input data corresponding to a plurality of current market conditions relating to the underlying value, computing a corrected theoretical value (CTV) of the option based on the first and second input data, computing a bid/offer spread of the option based on the first and input data, computing a bid price and/or an offer price of the option based on the corrected TV and the bid/offer spread, and providing an output corresponding to the bid price and/or the offer price of said option. |
| US08423442B2 |
Visual representation and configuration of trading strategies
A system and method are provided to visually represent and configure trading strategies used in electronic trading. The system and method may be used to visually represent, among other things, an acceptable range of prices for a trading strategy in relation to a graphical user interface. The acceptable range of prices may be input by a trader to limit when one or more orders are moved from one price to another. The acceptable range of prices can be displayed on a graphical user interface using visual indicators. Using the visual indicators, the acceptable range of prices can also be configured and modified by a trader based on the trader's preferences. Other features and advantages are described herein. |
| US08423440B1 |
Systems and methods for facilitating transfers between accounts
A computer assisted method for facilitating transfers between financial accounts. The method includes accepting a funds transfer request via the selection of an icon, by a user, wherein the icon represents a designated transfer of a predetermined amount of funds between a funding account and at least one receiving account. The method further includes transferring the amount of funds from the funding account to the at least one receiving account. |
| US08423436B2 |
Data-driven customizable payroll element template
Various techniques can be used to customize payroll element templates. One method involves accessing a predefined payroll element template; receiving a template modification value, which is input by a payroll user in response to a question in a predefined payroll questionnaire; customizing the predefined payroll element template, based upon the template modification value, to create a customized payroll element template; and storing the customized payroll element template. |
| US08423429B2 |
Method, apparatus and program storage device for providing an advanced material management center
A method, apparatus and program storage device for providing an advanced material management center is disclosed. A segregated delivery delay/component buffer area is maintained at a manufacturing site for holding material before transfer to the manufacturer. The content of the buffer area is owned by the supplier. Materials may be provided to the buffer area by a just-in-time warehouse or by a supplier. The quantity of any particular material at the buffer area is smaller than normally held at the just-in-time warehouse or provided by a supplier and therefore requires much less storage space. However, the buffer area provides quick availability to inventory and allows for improved maintenance and availability of inventory. |
| US08423420B1 |
Method and media for duplicate detection in an electronic marketplace
A shared “universal” virtual shopping cart (“the cart”) may be provided by a host to enable information sharing between multiple disparate electronic marketplaces provided by various merchants. The host may obtain user information via the cart to improve interactions with a user. The host may recommend an item to the user that is offered at a lower price and related to an item retained in the user's cart. The host may also recommend items based on a user's purchase history, such as complementary items (e.g., up-sell items) and items other users may recommend. In some aspects, the host may compile best selling lists based on data from multiple electronic marketplaces. The host may also perform user specific operations such as indicate an item in a cart is a duplicate of a previous purchase and monitor a price and/or available quantities of an item in the cart. |
| US08423417B2 |
System and method for automatically selecting advertising data for stored content
A method for delivering advertising data, comprising receiving end user data at a server, the data indicating available advertising spots in content data stored at an end user device; and updating from the server advertising data in the available advertising spots for presentation of the advertising data during replay of the content data at the end user device. A system is disclosed for performing the method. A data structure embedded in a computer readable medium is disclosed for containing data for performing the method. |
| US08423409B2 |
System and method for monetizing user-generated web content
A system and method for monetizing user-generated web content are provided. The system includes a tracking engine operable to track user activity taking place a plurality of social networks. The tracking engine is in communication with an branding engine, which is notified when a user publishes content on a social network. The ad branding engine is configured to analyze user-published content and select at least one advertisement contextually related thereto. The ad branding engine incorporates the advertisement with the user-published content, and in turn, the user is compensated. |
| US08423402B2 |
Method and system for electronic exchange of reward points
A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns rewards from a plurality of independent reward issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned rewards. A trading server accumulates some or all of the user's earned rewards from the reward servers and credits the accumulated points rewards into a single reward exchange account associated with the user. The user may then select an item for purchase with the accumulated rewards. The item is provided to the user in exchange for a subset or all of the rewards. Reward points may also be redeemed in exchange for services, such as the playing of a video game or Internet access. |
| US08423401B2 |
System and method for redeeming vouchers
The invention includes an improved system and method for creating, distributing and storing vouchers. The method includes a loyalty system obtaining a loyalty card account having a unique identifier and loyalty points associated therewith, accessing a loyalty database utilizing the unique identifier, converting at least a portion of the loyalty points to a first value associated with a first merchant, saving the first value in a first database associated with the loyalty card, converting at least a portion of the loyalty points to a second value associated with a second merchant, saving the second value along with other voucher information as an electronic voucher in a second database associated with the loyalty card, redeeming the first value at a first merchant and redeeming the electronic voucher at a second merchant. |
| US08423392B2 |
Trusted participants of social network providing answers to questions through on-line conversations
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for facilitating online conversation. In one aspect, a method includes determining that a user has submitted a question to be viewed by trusted participants of an online conversation, wherein the trusted participants include the user, one or more advertisers and one or more social network friends of the user, obtaining a reply to the question from one of the trusted participants, and providing the reply to the trusted participants. |
| US08423389B2 |
Flight accident insurance
A system for providing flight accident insurance at low price and fixed coverage comprises means for limiting the number of policies that can be sold on any given flight to not more than a predetermined number. The predetermined number may be 20. The system comprises an input device for receiving information from a traveler and an output device for providing an insurance quote to said traveler. |
| US08423383B2 |
Contemporaneous, multi-physician, online consultation system
The computer-implemented system of providing online medical consultation services by a team of medical professionals begins when a user accesses the system website. The user selects the level of consultation services desired and a case submission form is provided to the user requesting information relating to desired medical consultation. The user provides the requested information on case submission form. If additional information is required, it is obtained. When the case is ready for submission, members of the medical professional team are selected for consultation on the case and forwarded the particulars of the submitted case via the Internet. The selected team members review the submitted case particulars and each member provides their medical opinion via Internet. The submitted opinions are recorded and displayed in real time on the system website, to which the user has access. In addition, the submitted opinions to structured questions are compiled to determine if there is a consensus. A graphical representation of the compiled opinions is generated and displayed in real time on the website, as well. This system can provide nearly instant information as to the sum of the opinions of medical experts for a variety of case scenarios and establishes whether, and to what extent, a consensus exists among the consulting medical professionals. |
| US08423379B2 |
Medical-information management network system
A medical-information management network system includes a medical-information management server to which a server-identification information is individually given. The medical-information management server is configured to, for example, manage patient information, examination information, and a diagnosis result. The medical-information management server includes a receiving device that stores an in-vivo image, which is captured by a body-insertable apparatus inserted into a subject, and information received from the body-insertable apparatus, and an image display device that is connected with the medical-information management server via a network and obtains the in-vivo image and the information received from the body-insertable apparatus that are stored in the receiving device. |
| US08423377B2 |
Medical case scheduling, logistics management and associated data management
Methods and systems enable the electronic scheduling of medical procedures. Schedulers log into a scheduling system to electronically submit medical procedure requests. Requests include entry of patient data together with at least one of: procedure date, procedure place, procedure time, required equipment, requested medical personnel, as part of the first medical procedure request. Once request is accepted by the scheduling system, electronic notifications about the request are automatically sent over a data network to parties associated with the medical procedure (e.g., medical facility, medical personnel, equipment distributors). System enables rescheduling or resolution where scheduling conflicts are indicated. |
| US08423375B2 |
Apparatus and methods for processing mail 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. |
| US08423374B2 |
Method and system for processing intelligence information
A method and system for routing intelligence information related to security. The security system provides rules that identify conditions and routing instructions that are to be applied to intelligence information. A security organization may create and modify rules to ensure the appropriate routing of intelligence information in a timely manner. The security system may receive intelligence information from various sources. Regardless of the form or source of intelligence information, the security system analyzes the intelligence information to determine whether any conditions of the rules are satisfied. When a condition of a rule is satisfied, the security system sends a notification of the intelligence information in accordance with the routing instructions for that rule. In this way, intelligence information can be automatically and quickly routed to the appropriate security personnel for further processing. |
| US08423373B2 |
System and method for coalescing market data at a client device
A client device coalesces data received from an exchange, and provides a client application such as a graphical user interface with the opportunity to process fewer, but up-to-date, data updates from an exchange when a large volume of prices becomes available. Accordingly, the trader can be assured of receiving updated information that are fed to the client applications at a rate that is cohesive with that client device's processing speed. |
| US08423361B1 |
Speech-to-text processing based on a time-ordered classification of audio file segments
This specification describes technologies relating to multi core processing for parallel speech-to-text processing. In some implementations, a computer-implemented method is provided that includes the actions of receiving an audio file; analyzing the audio file to identify portions of the audio file as corresponding to one or more audio types; generating a time-ordered classification of the identified portions, the time-ordered classification indicating the one or more audio types and position within the audio file of each portion; generating a queue using the time-ordered classification, the queue including a plurality of jobs where each job includes one or more identifiers of a portion of the audio file classified as belonging to the one or more speech types; distributing the jobs in the queue to a plurality of processors; performing speech-to-text processing on each portion to generate a corresponding text file; and merging the corresponding text files to generate a transcription file. |
| US08423360B2 |
Speech recognition apparatus, method and computer program product
A speech recognition apparatus, method and computer program product whereby noise is subtracted from an input speech signal by a plurality of spectral subtractions having differing rates of noise subtraction to produce plural noise-subtracted signals, at least one speech features is extracted from the noise-subtracted signals, and the extracted feature is compared with a standard speech pattern obtained beforehand to recognize the speech signal based on a result of the comparison. In addition, features can be extracted from at least one of the noise-subtracted signals and also the input speech signal for comparison with the standard speech pattern. Plural features can be combined into a single feature for the comparison. |
| US08423359B2 |
Automatic language model update
A method for generating a speech recognition model includes accessing a baseline speech recognition model, obtaining information related to recent language usage from search queries, and modifying the speech recognition model to revise probabilities of a portion of a sound occurrence based on the information. The portion of a sound may include a word. Also, a method for generating a speech recognition model, includes receiving at a search engine from a remote device an audio recording and a transcript that substantially represents at least a portion of the audio recording, synchronizing the transcript with the audio recording, extracting one or more letters from the transcript and extracting the associated pronunciation of the one or more letters from the audio recording, and generating a dictionary entry in a pronunciation dictionary. |
| US08423350B1 |
Segmenting text for searching
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for segmenting text for searching are disclosed. In one implementation, a method is provided. The method includes receiving text; segmenting the text into one or more unigrams; filtering the one or more unigrams to identify one or more core unigrams; and generating a searchable resource, including: for each of the one or more core unigrams: identifying a stem, indexing the stem, and associating one or more second n-grams with the indexed stem. Each of the one or more second n-grams is derived from the text and includes a core unigram that is related to the indexed stem. |
| US08423349B1 |
Filtering phrases for an identifier
Techniques for generating and providing phrases are described herein. These techniques may include analyzing one or more sources to generate a first corpus of phrases, each of the phrases for use as an identifier and/or for association with a user. The first corpus of phrases may be generated based on characteristics associated with phrases. Once a first corpus of phrases has been generated, these phrases may be filtered to define a second corpus of phrases. Phrases of this second corpus may then be suggested to one or more users. In some instances, the phrases suggested to a particular user are personalized to the user based on information previously known about the user or based on information provided by the user. |
| US08423348B2 |
Pattern generation
A method and system is disclosed herein for generating a plurality of equivalent sentence patterns from a declared sentence pattern for a specific language. The declared pattern is fed into a pattern selector. The pattern selector reads a predetermined library of equivalent pattern sets and selects an equivalent pattern set for the declared pattern. The selected equivalent pattern set corresponds to the declared pattern and represents a set of equivalent declared patterns. The set of equivalent declared patterns and the declared pattern are fed to a rules generator. The rules generator outputs executable semantic pattern recognition rules. The reader module, using the generated executable semantic pattern recognition rules, reads the given information source to determine the information of interest. |
| US08423346B2 |
Device and method for interactive machine translation
Provided are a device and method for interactive machine translation. The device includes a machine translation engine having a morphological/syntactic analyzer for analyzing morphemes and sentences of an original text and generating original text analysis information, and a translation generator for generating a translation and translation generation information on the basis of the original text analysis information, and a user interface module for displaying sentence structures of the original text and the translation, and a relationship between the original text and the translation to a user on the basis of the original text analysis information and the translation generation information, and for receiving corrections to the original text or the translation from the user. The device and method provide a user interface whereby the user can effectively recognize and correct a mistranslated part and a cause of the mistranslation, and rapidly provides a re-translated result according to the correction. Thus, it is possible to perform high-quality translation which satisfies the user. |
| US08423339B2 |
Visual analysis of a protein folding process
A method, information processing system, and computer readable medium, are provided for analyzing a protein folding process. The method includes conducting an incremental pattern discovery process. The incremental pattern discovery process includes judging multidimensional data from a simulation of a protein folding process. The incremental pattern discovery process captures at least one intermediate data point in at least one pattern associated with the protein folding process. |
| US08423334B2 |
Distributed model identification
A method and system for identifying a distributed model for a nonlinear system represented by a block diagram. The distributed model identification can be achieved by first replacing all signal links across the block diagram with elastic links by augmenting each input port of a plurality of blocks with a signal generator that produces a replacement signal value (sig) for the value received by each of the plurality of blocks. Thereafter, the difference between the received value and the replacement signal values can be calculated and outputted as an auxiliary signal to control elasticity of the elastic links. Then, instead of global identification of the block diagram parameters, i.e. treating the diagram as a whole, the block parameters are identified locally based on the local data. Simultaneously, the auxiliary output signals are forced to vanish. Consequently, the solution found is also a solution to the global identification method. |
| US08423333B2 |
System for managing objects of virtual space
A simulator system containing a plurality of individual simulators to simulate behavior of a predetermined simulation target, where: individual simulators select the simulation target satisfying a predetermined notification condition among simulation targets to send the information related thereto to an intercommunication control apparatus; and an intercommunication control apparatus executes the processing of the content determined according to a condition related to this notified simulation target to notify the result of the execution to individual simulators. |
| US08423327B2 |
Methods and systems of engineering analysis using a hybrid approach with FEM and adaptive SPH
Systems and methods of computer aided engineering analysis using hybrid approach of finite element method (FEM) and adaptive smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) are described. According to one aspect, a computer-aided engineering analysis is performed to simulate an impact event between structures. A FEM grid model is created to represent the structures using a plurality of solid elements which represents geometry and material properties. Once a contact between two structures resulted into a material or structural failure according to predefined material constitutive equation, solid elements representing the failed portion of the structure are removed. Each failed solid element is then replaced by a plurality of particles to be analyzed using the SPH analysis. The particles replacing the failed element inherit all of the states and properties of the failed element, such as location, mass, velocity, acceleration, etc. The replacement is conducted according to the principles of mass, momentum and energy conservation. |
| US08423326B1 |
Thin client graphical presentation and manipulation application
A distributed graphical presentation and manipulation application executes as a thin client application in a network. The networked graphical presentation and manipulation application can generally be used without requiring a user to install any specific software prior to using the application. In one embodiment, code may be received from a server via the network. A local environment may be generated based on the code, where the local environment may be configured to display a view of a graphical model. A request to manipulate the view may be received within the local environment. A request for a manipulated view may be transmitted to the server based on the received request. The manipulated view may be received from the server. The received manipulated view may be displayed within the local environment. |
| US08423325B2 |
Systems, methods, and tools for proofing a computer-aided design object
A plastic tolerance proofing tool adapted to be implemented with a computer system. The computer system includes a processor and a memory storing a CAD object of an apparatus to be manufactured with a material. The tool includes a criteria selector operable to prompt for and receive a type of plastic material for the apparatus to be manufactured in and an extractor operable to determine a nominal dimension and a related tolerance from the CAD object. The tool further includes a comparator operable to compare the tolerance with a first threshold and a second threshold, and a tagging module operable to tag the CAD object based on the comparisons. |
| US08423324B2 |
Process and device for passenger cabin layout
A process for determining the distribution of seats of a passenger cabin, whereby the cabin includes at least one row of seats arranged essentially one behind the other along a longitudinal axis, and the cabin includes element for arranging each seat in a position on the ground among a set of possible positions spaced longitudinally at known intervals, includes a phase for optimization of the spacing of seats according to an overall comfort function of passengers, taking into account bodily characteristics that are specific to at least some of the passengers, including the length of the front segment of the passengers' legs, and the purpose of the optimization is to maximize a comfort function taking into account in particular the space that is free for each passenger between his knees and the seat that is located in front of him. The purpose of the invention is also the related device. |
| US08423323B2 |
System and method for aiding product design and quantifying acceptance
Methods and systems for designing new products such as perfumes comprise having existing products in a product field rated according to product attributes; assigning each of the existing products a location in a multi-dimensional space according to the ratings; locating the existing products in a second multi-dimensional space; choosing reference products, which sample the second space, from among the existing products; having a consumer survey of the reference products conducted; creating a map of consumer responses in the second multi-dimensional space; and designing the new product based on the map of consumer responses. |
| US08423317B2 |
Temperature detection method of semiconductor device and power conversion apparatus
A temperature detection method for a semiconductor device and a power conversion apparatus are disclosed. A temperature detection device is used to detect the temperature for thermal protection of a power semiconductor device. The temperature detection device is placed in the proximity of a component having the power semiconductor device packaged therein, and either an emitter terminal or a collector terminal of the power semiconductor device. Since the temperature detection device is mounted on a circuit board, it does not require insulation from a cooling fin on which the power semiconductor device is mounted and lead wires can be eliminated. |
| US08423316B2 |
Camera based positioner for near-field measurement and method therefor, and near-field measurement system
A camera based positioner (CBP) for near-field measurement and a method therefor, and a near-field measurement system are provided. A measurement probe and an antenna under test (AUT) are automatically aligned to a position for near-field antenna measurement by recognizing a position and a rotation angle of the AUT based on an interval and an angle between neighboring laser sources represented in an image taken by emitting laser beams from at least two laser sources located with a predetermined interval and a predetermined angle. |
| US08423310B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for facility integrity testing
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for facility integrity testing. According to embodiments, a method for populating a watch list with circuits of a communications network to be monitored for repeat failures is provided. According to the method, a trouble ticket associated with one of the circuits and a trouble code and analysis code (TC/AC) combination associated with the trouble ticket is retrieved. Whether the trouble ticket meets a watch list criterion is determined. In response to determining that the trouble ticket meets the watch list criterion, the trouble ticket and the TC/AC combination are added to the watch list. |
| US08423309B2 |
Method for performing quality control on an organic light emitting diode device and a method for determining current leakage in an OLED sub-pixel
A method is provided for performing quality control on an organic light emitting diode (OLED) pixel comprising three sub-pixels formed in parallel. A method is provided for determining an weighted average current leakage for three sub-pixels of an OLED pixel. The method includes selecting a total luminance level, determining a first current flowing when a first sub-pixel is energized causing the OLED pixel to emit light having 1/3 total luminance. The method includes determining a second current flowing when the first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel are energized causing the OLED pixel to emit light having a 213 total luminance. The method includes calculating weighted average current leakage by multiplying the first current times two forming a first product, subtracting the second current from the first product forming a result, multiplying the result by two forming a second product, and dividing the second product by nine. A computer-readable medium is provided. |
| US08423307B2 |
Apparatus for analysis and evaluation of characteristics of series-connected solar battery cells
An apparatus for estimating and evaluating characteristics of large-area series-connected solar battery cells from a measured current-voltage characteristic of a small-area single cell, includes an analysis model construction unit, an analysis operation unit and an evaluation unit. The construction unit reads shape parameters and material physical properties of the cells and automatically constructs a finite element method model. The operation unit obtains a current at a voltage based on the measured characteristic, sets the current as a current load, calculates potential distributions of transparent electrode and rear electrode of the cells, corrects the current load based on a difference between the distributions and the measured characteristic, recalculates the distributions based on the corrected current load, and repeats the recalculation until the distributions converge. The evaluation unit evaluates whether a converged calculation result is a pattern exhibiting a desired current-voltage characteristic of the cells. |
| US08423306B2 |
Battery detection and user experience
A method and medium are provided for enabling reliable indication of the amount of time a battery will provide sufficient charge to power a computing device. In one embodiment, the time interval that lapses from the charge draining from the battery between two thresholds is determined, and the thresholds are adjusted based on the time interval. Other embodiments provide for classifying a battery as no longer capable of maintaining sufficient charge by comparing the maximum amount of charge the battery could store to the current maximum amount of charge the battery can currently store. Another embodiment determines how long a battery will provide sufficient charge to power a computing device based on profiles of user activity and associated battery drain rates. The current amount of charge stored in the battery is divided by the profile drain rate to determine how long the battery will provide sufficient charge to power the computing device. |
| US08423305B2 |
Wire system assessment
The advantageous embodiments provide a method, a computer program product, and an apparatus for monitoring a wiring system. A number of responses to signals transmitted in a portion of the wiring system are measured to form a measured signature. Design data for the portion of the wiring system is retrieved. A number of expected responses for the signals in the portion of the wiring system are identified using the design data to form a computed signature. The measured signature is compared with the computed signature. |
| US08423301B2 |
Lifetime assessment apparatus and method for oil-filled electrical device, and degradation suppression apparatus and method for oil-filled electrical device
An initial concentration of the residual concentration of a causative substance contained in an insulating oil is compared with a reference value. The causative substance reacts with a conductor forming a winding of an oil-filled electrical device to generate an electrically conductive compound. The reference value is defined as a value for determining whether a main determinant that determines the lifetime of the oil-filled electrical device is generation of the electrically conductive compound or degradation of insulating paper. Based on the initial concentration of the causative substance and the reference value, the lifetime of the oil-filled electrical device is assessed. |
| US08423300B1 |
Method and system for monitoring the structural integrity of structural members of a building
A system for monitoring the structural integrity of structural members of a building using radio frequency identification tags. A plurality of radio frequency modules are secured to structural members, each module including a radio frequency identification tag, a micro processor, a first memory, one or more sensors for measuring data related to the structural integrity of the building members and a transceiver for receiving operational instructions used to monitor the structural integrity of the building and for transmitting the measured data. There is also provided a computing system that transmits the operational instructions to the radio frequency modules and receives the measured data from the modules. In addition, the computing system stores the measured data in a second memory and processes the measured data from the modules. |
| US08423294B2 |
High resolution linear analysis of polymers
The invention provides methods and systems for improved spatial resolution of signal detection, particularly as applied to the analysis of polymers such as biological polymers. Some of the methods and systems comprise differentially tagging polymers in order to increase resolution. Some of the methods and systems comprise techniques for improving the precision of separation distance measurements, without necessarily requiring improvements in the known detection resolution of prior art systems. |
| US08423289B2 |
Inter-moving body interferometric positioning system, device and method thereof
An inter-moving body interferometric positioning system for carrying out positioning in coordination with three or more moving bodies that can mutually communicate, including: a reference vehicle decision unit for deciding on a single moving body to function as a reference vehicle from among three or more moving bodies, and a positioning unit for interferometrically determining respective relative positions of other moving bodies relative to the reference moving body that is to function as a reference vehicle decided on by the reference moving body decision unit using satellite wave monitoring data monitored in each of the three or more moving bodies. This inter-moving body interferometric positioning system specifies relative positions among the other moving bodies using positioning results of the positioning unit. |
| US08423285B2 |
Enhanced adaptive optimization and presentation of on-line map data
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for presenting map data on a computing device. The map may be dynamically adapted based on a physical characteristic, such as display resolution, of the computing device. The map may be further adapted based on a user activity, such as shopping, that is taking place. Input from a user in response to a rendered map may be used to create a manual override or a learned override to further adapt the map for the computing device. The input may be from the user of the computing device or from users of other computing devices. |
| US08423284B2 |
Monitoring, recording and testing of navigation systems
A testing system is described. The testing system is adapted to evaluate navigation systems. The testing system includes: a recording system adapted to collect and record signals received and interpreted by a navigation system during field operation; a time-synchronized database adapted to receive and store data representing the signals collected and recorded by the recording system: wherein the stored data is able to be used to test operation of one or more navigation systems under test. A method of testing navigation systems includes: gathering data that would be received and interpreted by a navigation system during field operation, wherein the gathered data includes data associated with received radio signals; storing gathered data in a time-synchronized database; and using the stored data to test the operation of one or more navigation systems. A system adapted to test navigation systems includes: a recording system; a playback system; and a simulation system. |
| US08423280B2 |
Vehicle collision avoidance system
A method for collision avoidance for a machine is disclosed. The method includes detecting an obstacle with an obstacle detection system and generating a corresponding signal. The obstacle detection system includes an operator input device. The method also includes providing an obstacle detection warning in response to the signal. The method further includes determining with a controller whether the operator input device has been activated in response to the obstacle detection warning. |
| US08423277B2 |
Vehicle running control method for avoiding that a vehicle collides with an obstacle
A vehicle controller selects a collision avoidance route corresponding to steering of a vehicle by a driver, to control the vehicle so that the vehicle runs based on the selected collision avoidance route. Accordingly, it can be prevented that a vehicle operation being performed by the driver is disturbed, in other words, a reaction of the driver is disturbed by collision avoidance control and the driver feels discomfort with respect to the collision avoidance control. |
| US08423275B1 |
Procedure for determining the probability of finding a parking place
A procedure for determining the probability of finding a parking place within a certain period of time on a pre-set stretch of road of an area with a multiplicity of stretches of road. With this procedure, motion profiles are detected and statistically evaluated of users of radiolocation-aided, especially satellite-aided, navigation aids in the area. For each user a) A “parking place found” event is determined; b) The stretch of road in which the “parking place found” event occurred is detected; c) The travel time is detected which the user expended in each of the stretches of the road until the “parking place found” event occurred. From the data thus acquired for a multiplicity of users, a probability is determined of finding a parking place within the set time span on the stretch of the road. |
| US08423269B2 |
Exhaust gas recirculation valve contaminant removal
An exhaust gas recirculation system including an exhaust gas passageway which routes a flow of exhaust gas from an exhaust gas source to an intake manifold; an exhaust gas passageway valve which controls flow to the intake manifold; a cooling system coupled with the exhaust gas passageway positioned at a location upstream of the exhaust gas source and downstream of the intake manifold and operable to transfer heat from the flow of exhaust gas to a coolant in flow communication with the cooling system; a bypass passageway coupled with the exhaust gas passageway and bypassing the cooling system; a bypass valve operable to control flow through the bypass passageway; at least one valve operation sensor; and a controller operable to control the bypass valve to direct the flow of exhaust gas to the bypass passageway during exhaust gas recirculation based on a signal from the valve operation sensor. |
| US08423267B2 |
Cetane number detection device and cetane number detection method
A cetane number detection device for an internal combustion engine includes: fuel injection devices that injects fuel individually into cylinders; control device that executes injection of fuel from at least one of the fuel injection devices at a predetermined injection timing when the internal combustion engine is started; combustion determination device; and detection device. The combustion state determination device determines whether the state of combustion in the combustion chamber of at least one cylinder into which fuel is injected by the at least one fuel injection device is an ignition state or a misfire state. The detection device detects the cetane number of the fuel on the basis of the state of combustion in the combustion chamber. |
| US08423265B2 |
Control system of internal combustion engine
A control system of an internal combustion engine in which a first fuel of ammonia and a second fuel which is easier to burn than ammonia are used as fuels. An ammonia ratio is usually set to a reference ammonia ratio which is determined in advance in accordance with an operating state of an engine. At the time when feed of the fuel is restarted after suspension of feed of the fuel at the time of deceleration, the ammonia ratio is temporarily made lower than the reference ammonia ratio in accordance with the operating state of the engine. |
| US08423264B2 |
Vibration damping control device of a diesel engine vehicle
The vibration damping control device which performs damping of vibration of a vehicle body through a driving output control of a diesel vehicle in accordance with the present invention comprises a compensation component computing portion which computes a compensation component which compensates a wheel torque to suppress an amplitude of vehicle body vibration; and a control gain determining portion which determines a control gain for the compensation component, wherein, at a time point of reversion of the sign of the value of the compensation component, the control gain determining portion decreases the control gain when, before that time point, the value of the compensation component has deviated from a restriction range for variation of a fuel injection quantity determined based on engine operational condition, and increases the control gain when the value of the compensation component has not deviated from a restriction range for variation of a fuel injection quantity. Thereby, in the execution of the restriction of the fuel injection quantity variation, the wave form of the compensation component of the vibration damping control is maintained, and also, the effect of the vibration damping control becomes as large as possible. |
| US08423262B2 |
Vehicle control apparatus
A vehicle control apparatus includes: an accessory that adjusts torque that is output from an internal combustion engine, by giving load to the internal combustion engine; an ignition timing control portion that is provided so as to adjust ignition timing of the internal combustion engine, and that adjusts the torque output from the internal combustion engine by performing a retardation control of the ignition timing; an accessory load adjustment portion that adjusts an accessory load that is the load given from the accessory to the internal combustion engine; and a catalyst that purifies exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine. The ignition timing control portion reduces the retardation of the ignition timing with increase in temperature of the catalyst. The accessory load adjustment portion increases the accessory load with increase in the temperature of the catalyst. |
| US08423261B2 |
Gearshift control method
In a method and a system for controlling the Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG) of a combustion engine during up-gear shift, the VTG is opened based on a prediction when exhaust gas pressure is stabilized. During up-gear shift the VTG is closed to a closed position (301) to build an exhaust gas pressure and reduce engine speed, and a parameter from which the engine acceleration can be deduced is recorded. The VTG is determined to be opened to an open positioning response to the recorded parameter and a target engine speed of the up-gear shift (303), and the VTG is opened at a time corresponding to said determination to reduce the exhaust gas pressure (305). Hereby the up-gear shift can be made in a short time and at smooth operational conditions. |
| US08423254B2 |
Control device for automobile
The proposed automatic deceleration device includes a recognizing section for recognizing the driving environment; a first target deceleration calculating section for obtaining the target deceleration depending on the recognized driving environment; a second target deceleration calculating section for obtaining the target deceleration irrespective of the driving environment; and a changeover section for switching between the deceleration obtained depending on the driving environment and the deceleration obtained irrespective of the driving environment on the basis of the vehicle information including the recognized driving environment. According to the proposed automatic deceleration device, the driver's vehicle can be decelerated even when the recognition section for recognizing the driving environment fails to detect an obstacle existing ahead of the driver's vehicle, and further the occurrence of a dangerous situation that may result from the driver's delayed application of the brake can be prevented even when the recognition section fails to detect such an obstacle contrary to the driver's false conviction that the vehicle is automatically decelerated. |
| US08423251B2 |
Method and device for operating a drive unit
A method and a device are provided for operating a drive unit having an engine and a transmission, which make possible an improved shifting strategy. In a first operating state, the engine is operated using a first number of active cylinders. In a second operating state, the engine is operated using a second number of active cylinders. The first number is different from the second number. A gear ratio is set as a function of at least one operating variable of the drive unit. The gear ratio is also set as a function of the current or the attainable operating state of the engine with respect to the number of the active cylinders. |
| US08423250B2 |
Vehicle control device, vehicle control method and computer program
An anti-collision control is provided under circumstances where it is determined that there is a risk of collision between a host vehicle and a preceding vehicle. The anti-collision control utilizes host vehicle information, preceding vehicle information, and surrounding road conditions to determine whether or not a collision with the preceding vehicle can be avoided through a steering operation. If avoidance is determined to be possible, then a shift-hold control is applied to the AT, whereas if avoidance is determined to be impossible, then a down-shift control is applied to the AT. |
| US08423245B2 |
Electric power steering control apparatus
An electric power steering control apparatus can reduce steering torque even in a steering holding state or a slight steering state without providing an unpleasant feeling to a driver. The apparatus includes a torque sensor for detecting steering torque generated by the driver for a vehicle, a motor for generating assist torque to assist the steering torque, a rotational speed detector for detecting the rotational speed of the motor, a torque controller for calculating an assist torque current corresponding to the assist torque based on the steering torque, and a damping control section for calculating a damping current to be added to the assist torque current to suppress vibrations generated in a steering system of the vehicle. The damping controller reduces a damping control gain to calculate the damping current when the rotational speed of the motor is equal to or less than a predetermined speed. |
| US08423235B2 |
Video recording device for vehicle and driving information providing method thereof
A vehicle video recording device and a driving information providing method are provided. The vehicle video recording device includes: a sensing unit that includes one or more of a positioning unit, an inertia sensor unit, and an environment sensor unit so as to output sensed information; a vehicle information collecting unit that collects vehicle information from one or more of one or more sensors and a self-diagnosis device disposed in a vehicle; and a driving information generating unit that generates driving information depending on use or nonuse of the vehicle on the basis of one or more of the sensed information and the vehicle information. Accordingly, it is possible to continuously manage information on a driving time of a vehicle or the accident possibility in driving a vehicle, thereby giving an advantage or a disadvantage to a driver. |
| US08423234B2 |
Device for measuring the movement of a self-guided vehicle
The invention relates to a device for measuring the movement of a self-guided vehicle, that comprises onboard thereof: at least one accelerometer provided with a measurement axis arranged in the longitudinal direction of a potential main rectilinear movement of the vehicle, a first tachometer provided on an axle upstream from the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, a second tachometer provided on a second axle downstream from the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, wherein measure signals from the accelerometer and from the first and second tachometers are supplied to a computing unit. Accordingly, it is advantageously possible to determine the speed and the position of the vehicle on a vehicle route while taking into account an adhesion loss of at least one of the axles as well as an exact slope and turn effect on a vehicle route that does not remain rectilinear and changes horizontally and/or vertically. |
| US08423233B2 |
Degradation determining apparatus for power storage device and degradation determining method for power storage device
A vehicle identifying unit obtains an identification number of a vehicle from the vehicle. A first evaluation unit evaluates a degradation state of a power storage device based on the use history of the power storage device obtained from the vehicle, using data analyzed beforehand concerning the relation between the use history and the degradation state of the power storage device. A second evaluation unit evaluates a degradation state of the power storage device using data collected when the power storage device of the vehicle is charged from a power station or when power is fed from the vehicle to the power station. A degradation determining unit determines the degradation state of the power storage device based on the degradation states evaluated by the first and second evaluation units. |
| US08423225B2 |
Methods and systems for movement of robotic device using video signal
A method of navigating an area using a mobile robotic device may include receiving, from a video camera, information associated with an edge located on a surface, determining, by a mobile robotic device, a position of the mobile robotic device on the surface relative to the edge and using the received information to move the mobile robotic device from the determined position along a path. The path may be substantially parallel to the edge, and may be located a distance from a reference point on the mobile robotic device during movement of the mobile robotic device. |
| US08423221B2 |
Vehicle control device and method of controlling vehicle
In a hybrid vehicle, an ECU executes drive control of an EHC. For the control, the ECU first executes low-voltage drive in which a drive voltage is reduced to 50 V when an energization request of the EHC is made. Then, based on a resistance value of the EHC, the ECU detects whether or not electric leakage is caused by dew formation of condensed water in the EHC. Consequently, if the electric leakage is detected, the energization of the EHC is inhibited. If electric leakage is not detected, the drive voltage Vd is increased to 200 V for normal drive to heat a catalyst by the EHC. |
| US08423220B2 |
Control system for series-type hybrid vehicle
There are provided a hybrid control unit, an engine control unit that controls an engine based on command information received from the hybrid control unit and an operation status of the engine, and a communication abnormality detection means that detects an abnormality in communication between the hybrid control unit and the engine control unit. In the case where due to an abnormality in the communication between the hybrid control unit and the engine control unit, the engine control unit cannot receive command information from the hybrid control unit, each of the hybrid control unit and the engine control unit performs control in preliminarily set sequence. |
| US08423219B2 |
Electric drive vehicle
An electric drive vehicle includes a vehicle main body 10, a battery 12, a power generating unit 11 that charges to the battery 12, an operating condition setting switch 40 capable of setting an operating condition of the power generating unit 11, a power-generating-unit side ECU 113 that operates the power generating unit 11 on the basis of the operating condition, a navigation system 30 that acquires a vehicle traveling condition, and a vehicle-side ECU 50 that estimates the amount of charge consumed in the battery 12 during traveling under the vehicle traveling condition. The vehicle-side ECU 50 turns on an alarm lump 46 when an estimated time necessary for charging the battery to make up the amount of charge estimated is longer than a desired time it takes to charge the battery to make up the amount of charge estimated. |
| US08423218B2 |
Travel controller for industrial vehicle
A travel controller for a hybrid forklift includes an acceleration command reference value generation unit, an acceleration limit value generation unit, an acceleration command value determination unit, and a travel motor control unit. The acceleration command reference value generation unit obtains an acceleration command reference value. The acceleration limit value generation unit obtains an acceleration limit value that limits an acceleration command value to a range that prevents discharge power of the battery from exceeding a battery discharge power limit value. The acceleration command value determination unit determines the acceleration command value for the travel motor from the acceleration command reference value and the acceleration limit value. The travel motor control unit controls the travel motor with the acceleration command value. |
| US08423216B2 |
Engine controller of hybrid vehicle
To provide an engine controller of a hybrid vehicle that can perform a forced driving operation of an engine by performing the same inspection procedure as that of a vehicle using only an engine as a drive source even in the hybrid vehicle.The engine controller includes an operation control unit (ECM) that performs forced driving control of the engine to maintain an operation in a predetermined state suitable for an inspection if a determination that the inspection of the engine by a forced driving operation is requested is made, and an operation state determination unit (EVCM) that determines whether the cold start condition is satisfied or unsatisfied based on information containing at least with or without change from the disconnected state to the connected state of the battery. If the cold start condition is satisfied, the forced driving control of the engine is performed by the operation control unit. |
| US08423208B2 |
Rail communication system and method for communicating with a rail vehicle
A rail communication system includes: a communication management device capable of being communicatively coupled with a conductive pathway that extends along a track; and an on-board communication device capable of being coupled with a rail vehicle that travels along the track and with the conductive pathway, the communication management device and the on-board communication device configured to communicate a data signal between each other through the conductive pathway, where the data signal includes network data. A method for communicating with rail vehicles includes: coupling a vehicle management device with a conductive pathway that extends alongside a track; and coupling an on-board communication device disposed on a rail vehicle that travels along the track with the conductive pathway; where the communication management device and the on-board communication device communicate a data signal that includes network data through the conductive pathway. |
| US08423201B2 |
Enhanced azimuth antenna control
An assembly that has a rotator element, a sensor element coupled to the rotator element or assembly, and a controller element provides azimuth antenna control. The rotator element has a worm gear driven slewing ring having a through hole through which a feed line to an antenna may be inserted to accommodate continuous rotation of greater than 360 degrees or partial rotation in either direction of the antenna coupled to the rotator element. The controller element is coupled to the rotator element and to the sensor element, and the controller element receives feedback information concerning a current azimuth position of the antenna from the sensor element to control the rotator element to rotate to a future azimuth position of the antenna in accordance with a selected azimuth function and the feedback information provided by the sensor element. |
| US08423198B2 |
Energy response management—time of day method
An energy management system is provided for an appliance comprising: an interface to receive a schedule having an off-peak time segment and an on-peak time segment; a control to determine an operation to be performed by the appliance; a mode selecting device to select between an energy management mode and an immediate start mode. A controller includes a memory for storing the schedule and firmware to determine whether there is any off-peak time segments and other time sub-segments between a current time and a deadline for completing the operation. Upon selection of the energy management mode, the controller is arranged to initiate the operation, including a reduction in power consumption to complete the operation, when an amount of time required to complete the operation maximizes the off-peak time segment and sub-segments between the current time and the deadline. |
| US08423189B2 |
Robot system and control method
A robot system includes a robot arm driven by a motor, a collision detector that detects a collision between the robot arm and an obstacle, which is provided on the robot arm, and a stopping method selector that controls the robot arm by selecting any one of all stopping methods on the basis of the information obtained by the collision detector, thereby selecting a stopping method in accordance with the status of the collision. |
| US08423188B2 |
Control apparatus and control method for robot arm, robot, control program for robot arm, and integrated electronic circuit
After switching a control method for a robot arm based upon characteristic information containing pieces of information relating to a grabbed position of the robot arm by a person and a presence/absence of detection of a force as well as to presence/absence of influences from a drag, during an operation of the robot arm, by a control method switching unit, information relating to the force of operation information is corrected by an operation correcting unit in response to a manipulation of the person. |
| US08423185B2 |
Robot system
A robot system includes a robot control device connected to a plurality of robots each having a plurality of joints and a robot teaching device configured to communicate with the robot control device so as to teach and operate the robots. The robot control device automatically select one of the robots to be operated in accordance with a change in a display state of a display of the robot teaching device. |
| US08423184B2 |
Device and method for detecting and neutralizing hazardous goods
The invention relates to a method and a device for detecting and safely neutralizing hazardous goods to be selected from a quantity of non-hazardous goods, having the following characteristics: a) the consecutively delivered quantity of goods to be analyzed is examined for abnormalities in a sequence of control stations (9, 10, 11, 12), b) the respectively selected goods are delivered from one control station to the next by way of a gripper device controlled by at least one multiaxle robot (7, 8), c) the gripper device controlled by the at least one multiaxle robot (7, 8) is used to shift the goods in a control station (9, 10, 11, 12), d) the gripper device attached to the multiaxle robot (7, 8) has an activatable emission protection (13) for hazard potential emitting from the respective good, and a computer program and machine-readable carrier with the program code thereof. |
| US08423181B2 |
Tablet dispenser system
A tablet dispenser and a magazine therefore, said tablet dispenser being configured to receive said magazine adapted to contain a tablet, and to release the tablet in a controlled way is provided. The tablet dispenser or the magazine comprises a control unit configured to monitor, send or receive tablet dispenser information to or from an external device. A system and use is also provided. |
| US08423180B1 |
System for tracking and dispensing medical items from environmentally controlled storage area
The system for monitoring and dispensing medical items which are dispensed for administration to patients includes a data terminal (76, 338) which is connected through a network (82, 328) to at least one remote computer (84, 324) having a processor and a data store. The system also includes a reading device (348) which is connected to the network. A user of the data terminal or the reading device is enabled to select a patient for whom medical items will be used, and responsive to a request to dispense items the requested items are dispensed from dispensing devices (96, 100, 344, 346, 450, 527) connected to the data terminal. A report generating device (384) generates reports (388) which include machine readable indicia corresponding to patients and/or medical items. Users may select patients and dispense medications by reading the indicia from the reports using the reading device. Certain storage locations are also labeled with machine readable indicia which may be read to indicate the taking of items therefrom as well as to indicate inventory status information. One such dispensing device in the system is a refrigerator (450) which is retrofit with a refrigerator lock module (452) which selectively enable access to medical items stored in an interior area thereof. |
| US08423179B2 |
Computer program products for automated clipping packaging apparatus
Computer program products that operate packaging systems with an automated product pusher and clipper for attaching at least one closure clip to a product held in a covering such as netting. |
| US08423174B2 |
Method and laboratory system for handling sample tube racks
A method and laboratory system for handling sample tube racks are disclosed. The laboratory system includes a storage section (14) with a plurality of shelves (110) for storing a plurality of storage racks (SR), a disposal unit (18) for disposing sample tubes from the storage racks (SR), a robotic transfer system (510) for loading storage racks (SR) into the storage section (14), for retrieving storage racks (SR) from the storing section (14) and for bringing storage rack to the disposal unit (18) after a given storage time has elapsed. |
| US08423170B2 |
Sewing machine and computer-readable medium storing a program for sewing buttonhole
A sewing machine that includes an image capturing device and a sewing device. The image capturing device captures an image, and the sewing device sews a buttonhole having a length in accordance with a shape of the button, based on an image of a button captured by the image capturing device. |
| US08423167B2 |
Computer aided design and manufacturing of transtibial prosthetic sockets
For use in connection with evaluating prosthetic sockets (and other objects) designed and fabricated with computer aided design and manufacturing software, the shape of a socket is accurately scanned and digitized. The scanned data are then compared to either an electronic shape data file, or to the shape of another socket, a positive model of a residual limb (or socket), or a residual limb. Differences detected during the comparison can then be applied to revise the design or fabrication of the socket, to more accurately achieve a desired shape that properly fits the residual limb of a patient and can be used to solve the inverse problem by correcting for observed errors of a specific fabricator before a socket is produced. The digitizing process is implemented using a stylus ball that contacts a surface of the socket to produce data indicating the three-dimensional shape of the socket. |
| US08423166B2 |
Method for calculating grinding portion of pre-grinding denture
A jaw-relation reproduction condition is determined by measuring a jaw movement of a patient, and reproducing a jaw state of the patient on an occlusion-state reproducing apparatus in accordance with the jaw-relation reproduction condition. Dentures are arranged on the apparatus in accordance with the jaw-relation reproduction condition to prepare pre-grinding dentures. Denture data with reference points which is three-dimensional image data containing reference points that represents a positional relationship between the jaw-relation reproduction condition and the dentures and an occlusal surface of the dentures. An occlusion state of the denture data with the reference points is reproduced by using the jaw-relation reproduction condition on a three-dimensional image. Grinding data of a grinding portion is determined under a dynamic condition or set condition from a portion surrounded by an image of upper and lower jaws on the three dimensional image in a reproduced occlusal state. |
| US08423163B2 |
Mobile terminal and device control method for the same
A mobile terminal and device control method for the same are disclosed. The device control method for a mobile terminal having a touch screen, includes: downloading, during registration of a device capable of short-range wireless communication operating in a short-range communication mode, a user interface (UI) of the device; finding a list of registered devices, displaying the found list, selecting a device from the displayed list, calling the selected device, and connecting to the selected device; and displaying a device UI of the connected device on the touch screen, and controlling the connected device through the displayed device UI according to a touch operation. Electronic devices within a range can be easily and accurately controlled using a mobile terminal having a touch screen. In particular, the use of a user interface downloaded from an electronic device enables easy control of full functions of the device, enhancing user convenience. |
| US08423162B2 |
Control method for information processing system, information processing system, and program
An information processing system including a plurality of server apparatuses coupled to one another, wherein failover is executed. A management server is coupled to the server apparatuses, and is configured to, when detecting occurrence of a failure in an active server apparatus, execute failover from the active server apparatus to a standby server apparatus after turning on a power supply of the standby server apparatus. The management server is enabled to acquire information on the standby server apparatus after turning on the power supply of the standby server apparatus, turn off the power supply of the standby server apparatus after acquiring the information, and, based on the acquired information, judge whether failover to the standby server apparatus can be executed. |
| US08423157B2 |
Electrode contact configurations for cuff leads
A stimulation system is disclosed that may include a stimulator unit coupled to electrode contacts on a cuff. In one embodiment, the cuff may be placed at least partially around a nerve. The stimulation system may include at least two electrode contacts disposed on the cuff such that a distance between the at least two electrode contacts various along a length of the electrode contacts. In another embodiment, a plurality of electrode contacts are disposed on the cuff such that distances between at least one electrode contact within the plurality of electrode contacts and each electrode contact immediately adjacent to the at least one electrode contact are different. The stimulator unit may also be implantable. |
| US08423156B2 |
Drug eluting lead systems
Medical electrical lead systems and related methods are described. The lead systems may be configured to be at least partially implanted in neural tissue of a subject, such as a brain of a subject. Some variations of the lead systems may comprise a lead body, an electrode connected to the lead body, and a bioactive agent. The electrode and/or lead body may comprise a substrate, and the bioactive agent may be supported by the substrate (e.g., by a substantial portion of the area of the substrate). Methods described herein may comprise contacting the substrate of a lead body and/or an electrode of a medical electrical lead system with at least one bioactive agent, where the lead body and the electrode are connected to each other. |
| US08423152B2 |
Apparatus and method for selectively heating a deposit in fatty tissue in a body
An apparatus and method for providing hyperthermia treatments to a protruding body portion having fatty tissue surrounding a deposit in the protruding body portion is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cavity for receiving the protruding body portion. A radio frequency antenna array is used to direct a radio frequency signal at a selected frequency into the protruding body portion such as a breast so that the radio frequency signal will have a selected wavelength in the breast to create a circularly polarized radio frequency electromagnetic field to selectively heat the deposit to a temperature greater than the surrounding fatty tissue through resonant heating within the deposit when a diameter of the deposit is within a range of about 0.5 times to 0.16 times the wavelength of the radio frequency signal within the fatty mammary tissue. |
| US08423148B1 |
Method for treating cartilage defects
The present invention provides a method for treating at least one of the following: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, cartilage injury, and a cartilage defect containing the following steps. First, a defective cartilage tissue is provided. Second, a solution containing ions for treating defective cartilage tissue is provided. Third, the solution containing ions is introduced about the defective cartilage tissue. Fourth, an electrical source generates electricity. Fifth, the solution containing ions and an area about the defective cartilage tissue is contacted with the electricity from the electrical source. Sixth, the electrical source is powered on to provide electricity, whereby the ions move from the solution and into the defective cartilage tissue. |
| US08423143B2 |
Probe device for electrical stimulation and recording of the activity of excitable cells
A probe device is described having a substrate and a die on top of the substrate. The die has an array of stimulation/recording sites having at least one stimulation means and at least one recording means. The substrate comprising the die is folded into a cylindrical shape or a shape with a conical cross-section and, therefore, limits damage when it is implanted in tissue to be examined or treated, e.g., the brain of a patient in case of a neuro-probe device for use in deep brain stimulation. |
| US08423139B2 |
Methods, devices and systems for cardiac rhythm management using an electrode arrangement
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems, methods and devices for cardiac applications. One such device is directed to a catheter, and uses thereof, for capturing myocardium of a heart by delivering pacing signals to a location in the heart. The location is near a His Bundle of the heart. The catheter has a proximal end for interfacing with an electrical pacing signal source and a distal end. The distal end includes a fixation mechanism that attaches the catheter to heart tissue. First and second electrodes are also located at the distal end. Each electrode is individually addressable for providing pacing signals to the heart tissue and also arranged to physically contact the heart tissue when the fixation mechanism is attached to the heart tissue. |
| US08423136B2 |
Methods and implantable devices for inducing fibrillation by alternating constant current
Devices configured for and methods for inducing fibrillation in a patient using a controlled current AC signal applied via electrodes of an implanted ICD. In some embodiments, the AC signal is applied as a series of alternating constant current pulses. Some embodiments make use of a specialized H-bridge circuit for applying the AC signal. A low-side current controlling portion of an ICD's circuitry may make up part of the specialized H-bridge circuit. Further embodiments include devices embodying these methods. |
| US08423135B2 |
MRT-adjusted IEGM-scanning
A device and a method for working with electromagnetic fields, specifically those fields that occur in image-guided nuclear spin tomography examinations (MRT or MRI). More precisely, the invention concerns an at least partially implanted medical device (IMD) that permits the delivery of electrical stimulation impulses by an electrode only in timeframes, in which no electromagnetic interferences are recognized and/or the control unit performs a reconstruction of electrical measurements for the timeframes in which electromagnetic interferences are recognized. |
| US08423134B2 |
Therapy using perturbation and effect of physiological systems
Methods for treating a patient and further to devices for performing such treatment, e.g., methods and devices to perturb at least one physiological system and deliver therapy to the patient based on the effects of such perturbation. For example, a method for using an implantable medical device is disclosed that involves delivering electrical stimuli to an efferent nerve associated with the selected organ. Afferent electrical activity is monitored during delivery of electrical stimuli to the efferent nerve, the monitored afferent electrical activity includes an indirect component of a compound action potential (CAP). A status of the selected organ is assessed based upon the indirect component. A determination is made as to whether to deliver therapy to the selected organ in response to assessing the status of the selected organ. |
| US08423133B2 |
Switched protective device against electromagnetic interference
A device and a method for working in the presence of electromagnetic fields, in particular fields occurring in magnetic resonance tomography (referred to below as “MRT” or “MRI”) imaging devices. More precisely, the invention relates to a medical device (MD) in which an electrode is in contact with bodily tissue, and for detection of electromagnetic interference fields the input characteristic of the MD is automatically modified by a switching device in such a way that the influences of the electromagnetic interference fields are minimized. |
| US08423132B2 |
Efficient dynamic stimulation in an implanted device
A method for measuring impedance of a tissue (20), consisting of charging a capacitor (C15) to a potential, and discharging the capacitor for a discharge period through the tissue. The method further consists of measuring a voltage drop on the capacitor over the discharge period and determining the impedance of the tissue responsive to the potential, the voltage drop, and the discharge period. |
| US08423131B2 |
Corrosion resistant electrodes for iontophoretic transdermal delivery devices and methods of use
Embodiments of the invention provide electrode assemblies and associated methods for the iontophoretic transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents. Many embodiments provide a corrosion resistant electrode for the iontophoretic transdermal delivery of various therapeutic agents. Such embodiments allow for the iontophoretic transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents such as iron compounds for prolonged periods without any substantial corrosion of the electrode, impedance increases or discoloration or irritation of the skin. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the long term treatment of various chronic medical conditions such as iron deficient anemia. |
| US08423128B2 |
Cardiac arrest monitoring device
The embodiments herein relate to devices, implementations, and techniques for health monitoring, specifically cardiac arrest monitoring systems. A paramedical equipment locator may receive a periodically sent message configured to identify a location information corresponding to a paramedical equipment and determine whether to select the paramedical equipment based at least in part on the location information. |
| US08423124B2 |
Method and system for spine visualization in 3D medical images
A method and system for visualizing the spine in 3D medical images is disclosed. A spinal cord centerline is automatically determined in a 3D medical image volume, such as a CT volume. A reformatted image volume is then generated based on the spinal cord centerline. The reformatted image volume can be a straightened spine volume or a Multi-planar Reconstruction (MPR) based volume that follows the natural curve of the spine. The reconstructed volume can be displayed as 2D slices or 3D volume renderings. |
| US08423123B2 |
System and method for in-vivo feature detection
An in-vivo imaging system and method to screen for colorectal polyps in the GI tract may include an in-vivo imaging device for capturing a stream of image frames in a GI tract, a polyp detector for detecting and/or identifying one or more image frames from the stream of image streams that may show colorectal polyps, and a graphical user interface (GUI) to display image frames detected. |
| US08423120B2 |
Method and apparatus for positioning a biopsy needle
The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for positioning a biopsy needle relative to lesion tissue. A desired imaging modality can be used to image the human or animal tissue to locate lesion tissue. Such an image can be referred to as a diagnostic image. In a specific embodiment, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be utilized to locate one or more lesions in a human breast. An interventional instrument, such as a means for effecting a biopsy of the lesion tissue can then be positioned proximate the lesion tissue based of the location information about the location of the lesion tissue obtained from the diagnostic image. The desired imaging modality can then be used to confirm the accuracy of the position of the means for effecting a biopsy with respect to the lesion. In a specific embodiment, MRI can be utilized to confirm the accuracy of the position of a biopsy needle. In alternative embodiments, other imaging modalities, such as computer tomography (CT), can be used and/or tissue in other parts of the human or animal body can be imaged. |
| US08423116B2 |
Noninvasive measurements in a human body
A measurement system and method are presented for use for non-invasive measurements in a human body. Acoustic radiation is applied to a certain illuminated region in the body, with at least two different conditions of the applied radiation achievable by varying at least one characteristic of the acoustic radiation. Light scattered from the body part is detected, and measured data indicative of detected photons tagged and untagged by the acoustic radiation is generated. The measured data is analyzed to extract therefrom a data portion corresponding to the tagged photons and being therefore associated with a light response of said certain region, thereby enabling determination of tissue properties of said certain region based on a relation between the measured data portions corresponding to the at least two different operating conditions. |
| US08423112B2 |
Medical sensor and technique for using the same
According to embodiments, a medical sensor may be configured for use on mucosal tissue. Such a sensor may include a portion that facilitate the application of the sensor to the tissue and a portion that includes the optical components of the sensor. The two portions of the sensor may be reversibly coupled to one another. In embodiments, such sensors may be used to determine patient hematocrit. |
| US08423111B2 |
Probe holder mounting device for biological photometric device
A probe holder mounting device for a biological photometric device includes: a probe holder having a plurality of probe mounting parts to which optical fiber probes are mounted; a band-like mounting device body having a plurality of insertion holes into which the probe mounting parts are to be inserted to fix the probe holder in position by means of the insertion holes; belts whose one ends are respectively connected to both longitudinal ends of the mounting device body and whose other ends are engaged with each other; and an adjusting belt connected to the mounting device body at a position where the probe holder is fixed in position in a lateral direction of the mounting device body. |
| US08423109B2 |
Method for enhancing pulse oximery calculations in the presence of correlated artifacts
A method for determining a physiological parameter in the presence of correlated artifact, including obtaining two digital waveforms, x and y, the waveforms being representative of the absorption of two wavelengths of electromagnetic energy received from a blood-perfused tissue, and where each of the waveforms has a component corresponding to a plethysmographic waveform and a component corresponding to the correlated artifact; calculating several weighted difference waveforms of the form x−R*y, where R is a multiplier, by varying R over a range; evaluating the several weighted difference waveforms using a shape characteristic of the weighted difference waveform; identifying a weighted difference waveform most closely representative of and one most different from the plethysmographic waveform; determining a pleth-based physiological parameter using the waveform most closely representative of the plethysmographic waveform; determining at least one artifact-based physiological parameter using the waveform most different from the plethysmographic waveform; and rejecting other possible candidate values for the pleth-based physiological parameter using the artifact-based physiological parameter. |
| US08423103B2 |
Energy efficient data center
An energy efficient data center incorporating superconducting power transmission cables coupled with cryogenically cooled semiconductor inverters and converters, used to supply power to cryogenically operated or room-temperature computers and servers. Other options and features include a lighting system whose performance is enhanced by the cold temperatures, fiber optic connections operated at cryogenic temperatures, integrated renewable energy power sources, advanced energy storage technologies, cryogenically operated computers, and a number of other cryogenic hardware. The operating temperature of the cryogenic components can be anywhere in the range between 0 K and 200 K, with other components operating above 200 K. |
| US08423102B2 |
Error correction for DTMF corruption on uplink
Aspects relate to provision of enterprise call capabilities to mobile devices. For example, a mobile device can indicate, over a data channel, that a PBX is to make a call on its behalf to a called party. The PBX can call back the mobile device, call the called party, and bridge those call legs to establish the call. The mobile device can employ mechanisms that a particular incoming call is made by the PBX. These mechanisms can include using ANI information, sending, and receiving audible verification codes over the voice channel established after answering the incoming call. The verification codes can be selected based different behaviors of the mobile devices. |
| US08423091B2 |
Mobile telephone
A portable telephone is characterized in that it includes a ringing mechanism (1) including at least one sound element (10) and at least one actuator member (8) able to come into mechanical contact with the sound element (10) so as to make it produce a sound, and electronic elements of control of the ringing mechanism. |
| US08423090B2 |
Handheld wireless communication device with fish shape and moving eye alert
Disclosed is a wireless communication device for a user. The wireless communication device includes a first body portion and a second body portion pivotally coupled to the first body portion. The first body portion includes a keypad on a first side of the wireless communication device. Further, the first body portion includes a display screen positioned above the keypad on the first side of the wireless communication device. The second body portion of the wireless communication device is capable of vibrating in response to an occurrence of an event for alerting the user. Further disclosed is a vibration assembly configured to operate in the wireless communication device for alerting the user about the occurrence of an event. Also disclosed is a method for alerting the user about the occurrence of an event using the wireless communication device. |
| US08423089B2 |
Mobile terminal and method for controlling operation of the same
A mobile terminal and a method for controlling operation of the same are provided. A command input key including a command or an icon, which allows the user to input a command to execute an application to the mobile terminal, is displayed on the mobile terminal. The user may input a command to execute at least two applications to the mobile terminal through one command input key. The display state of the command input key is changed according to the pressure or duration of operation of the command input key. Through the changed display state of the command input key, the user can know which type of application is executed in response to operation of the command input key. |
| US08423087B2 |
Mobile terminal with touch screen and method of processing message using the same
A mobile terminal including a display unit configured to simultaneously display a message list region, a phonebook search region and a user input region on the touch screen, an activating unit configured to activate at least one of the message list region and the phonebook search region, an inputting unit configured to input contents in the user input region, and a control unit configured to control the display unit to display at least one message including the contents input through the user input region in the message list region when the user input region is activated, and to display at least one phonebook data item including the contents input through the user input region in the phonebook search region when the phonebook search region is activated. |
| US08423086B1 |
Service summary indicator
A method, system, and computer-readable storage media is provided for consolidating an operating status of a mobile device. APIs and applications operate in the mobile device to collect various data associated with the operation of the mobile device. The mobile device can be configured by a user or a service provider system to determine which data to collect. The collected data is consolidated through calculations resulting in a single value or variable that indicates the operating health of the mobile device. A visual representation of the single value or variable is provided in a display at the mobile device to illustrate the health of the mobile device to the user. |
| US08423085B2 |
Electronic apparatus, control method thereof, control program thereof, and recording medium
The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus having a displaying function in a housing unit thereof that is rotatable or can be opened/closed, and facilitates effective use of the displaying capacity in the lateral direction that the horizontally oriented screen elongated in the horizontal direction has. An electronic apparatus (a portable terminal apparatus 2) having a displaying function in a housing unit thereof that can be opened/closed or is rotatable, including a displaying unit 18 that displays a vertically oriented screen or a horizontally oriented screen 176, and a controlling unit (a CPU 90) that, when text information or information including a text is displayed in the displaying unit, sets a displaying column (a text displaying column 178) in the full lateral width that the horizontally oriented screen has and can be displayed, in the horizontally oriented screen 176 set on the displaying unit, and causes the information to be displayed in the displaying column. |
| US08423083B1 |
Handheld scanning device
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for a scanning device for use with a mobile device are described herein. The scanning device may include an image capture module to capture surface images of a medium to be scanned and a positioning module to determine positioning information based at least in part on navigational images and the captured surface images. A mobile device may include one or more features of the scanning device including the image capture module and the positioning module. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08423082B2 |
Imaging device, imaging method and program
An imaging device comprising: a camera; and a control unit that encodes an image photographed by the camera to form an encoded image, wherein re-booting of the camera and the encoding by the control unit are carried out in parallel to each other. |
| US08423057B1 |
Activating a message blocking function from a mobile communication device
A system, method, and computer readable media are provided for allowing a user to block messages by sending a text message containing the source address that is to be blocked to a provisioning component that updates a block list. Messages addressed to the requesting user that originate from the source address are then dropped by the network before they are communicated to the requesting user. Source addresses may also be removed from the block list by sending a second text message to the provisioning component with the source address. |
| US08423056B2 |
Sending time-sensitive information via a short message service
A method for informing at least one person of time-sensitive information via a short message service is disclosed. The technology initially accesses a data base of contact information related to at least one person in response to receiving a request to deliver the time-sensitive information via a short message service. The time-sensitive information is then assigned to at least one person. The time-sensitive information is then sent to at least one person. Then feedback is received as to at least one person's receipt of the time-sensitive information. |
| US08423052B2 |
Communication device, information presentation device, communication method, program, and recording medium
It is possible to present identification information of a sender in such a manner that the identification information is easily understood by a user. Included are: a wireless communication section (20) for carrying out data communication with the navigation device (50); and a line communication section (30) for carrying out data communication with the communication device (80), and an address sending section (22) for sending, to the navigation device (50) via the wireless communication section (20), first identification information for identifying the communication device (80); a position receiving section (26) for receiving position information from the communication device (80) via the line communication section (30); a position sending section (24) for sending the position information to the navigation device (50) via the wireless communication section (20); a message receiving section (32) for receiving a message from the navigation device (50) via the wireless communication section (20); an address adding section (34) for adding, to the message, second identification information for identifying the communication device (10); and a message sending section (36) for sending, to the communication device (80) via the line communication section (30), the message to which the second identification information is added. |
| US08423048B2 |
Mobile alerting network
Systems and methods for sending messages to a mobile device based on a location determined by a receive-only sensor network are described. A method can include receiving a signal from a mobile device, detecting contextual parameters associated with the mobile device, preparing a message for the mobile device, and transmitting the message to the mobile device. The signal from the mobile device can be received on a receive-only sensor array. The contextual parameters can include at least a location associated with the mobile device. The message can be prepared based on the contextual parameters. |
| US08423047B1 |
Statistical method for determining the location of a mobile device
An embodiment of the current invention is directed to facilitating a location-based service for use by a given mobile-device. A location of each of a number of base stations that makes up a portion of a wireless-telecommunications-network is identified. For a given base station, the probability that it provides a level of signal coverage to a geographical area that would enable the mobile-device in the first geographical area to communicate with the network is determined. A density of possible locations that the mobile-device may be within the geographical area is determined. A position for the mobile-device is approximated based on the density. A location-based service is facilitated for use by the mobile-device based on the position of the mobile-device. |
| US08423042B2 |
Method and system for positional finding using RF, continuous and/or combined movement
A system for determining location of an object, the system including a Master Unit having an RF transceiver and adapted to measure distance to the Tag. The Master Unit has a first input from which it can derive its current position. The Master Unit transmits instructions to the Tag for movement in a predetermined direction. The Master Unit measures distance to the Tag after the movement in the predetermined direction. The Master Unit determines position of the Tag after the movement in the predetermined direction. The Tag can include a compass, a pedometer, and optionally an accelerometer, a solid-state gyroscope, an altimeter inputs for determining its current position by the Master Unit. The Master can optionally include a compass as well as a pedometer, an altimeter, an accelerometer, a solid-state gyroscope, an altimeter and a GPS receiver. Also, the Tag movement does not have to follow the Master's direction. However, the Master Unit still will be able to determine the Tag location(s). Also, the roles of the Master Unit and Tag can be reversed. |
| US08423040B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing radio resources based on traffic pattern of user equipment
Provided are an apparatus and method for managing radio resources according to a traffic pattern of user equipment. The apparatus may include a memory, a QoS level setup unit, a transition condition setup unit, and a radio resource manager. The memory may be configured to collect and store quality of service (QoS) information of the user equipment. The QoS level setup unit may be configured to determine a QoS level of the user equipment based on the QoS information in the memory. The transition condition setup unit may be configured to set transition conditions associated with the user equipment based on the determined QoS level of the user equipment. The radio resource manager may be configured to manage radio resources associated with the user equipment by initiating transition between a first radio resource control (RRC) state and a second RRC state according to the setup transition conditions of the user equipment. |
| US08423039B2 |
Dynamic reconfiguration of communication resources in a multi-transceiver configuration
A system and method that provide dynamic reconfiguration of communication resources in a multi-transceiver configuration. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise communicating a first portion of a first communication using a plurality of transceivers. A determination may be made to reallocate at least one of the plurality of transceivers for a second communication. A second portion of the first communication may be communicated using the plurality of transceivers less the reallocated transceiver(s), and the second communication may be communicated using at least the reallocated transceiver(s). Various aspects of the present invention may also comprise communicating a first communication utilizing a first transceiver and a second communication utilizing a second transceiver. A determination may be made to utilize the first and second transceivers in a MIMO configuration to communicate next information. The next information may then be communicated utilizing the first and second transceivers in a MIMO configuration. |
| US08423032B2 |
Apparatus and method for serving cellsite selection
A method and apparatus use existing datafill information from macrocells to turn-up the cell site. A cell site includes a global position positioning system (GPS) receiver configured to determine a current location of the cell site. A transceiver subsystem in the cell site manages a wireless communication interface, and a controller, coupled to the GPS receiver and the transceiver subsystem. The controller is configured to send the current location of the cell site to a cell site manager, receive cell site identification data for existing macrocells and virtual macrocells from the cell site manager, and selects candidate macrocells based on a selection algorithm until one is validated by the switching center. Datafill information associated with the validated macrocell to create datafill entries for the cell site. |
| US08423029B2 |
Method for providing automatic cell access control to high-priority mobile users in overload and emergency situations
Method for providing automatic cell access control to high-priority mobile users in overload situation, said high-priority mobile users mapped to at least one of AC 11 to 15, comprising: detecting an overload situation in the mobile network, said overload situation being detected when at least one failure rate parameter exceeds a determined threshold TH1 for each type of failure rate; carrying out at least one action to give more priority to the AC associated with said high-priority mobile users. Said action can comprise dedicating PRACH resources specifically to the AC associated with said high-priority mobile users and/or activating access class barring for, at least, part of the users associated with any of AC 0 to 9. |
| US08423028B2 |
Active antenna array with multiple amplifiers for a mobile communications network and method of providing DC voltage to at least one processing element
The present disclosure teaches an active antenna array for a mobile communications network. The active antenna array comprises a plurality of antenna elements, a first port, a first DC voltage supply and at least one DC voltage extractor. The plurality of antenna elements relays at least first protocol radio signals. The first port is connected to at least one individual first protocol relay path. The first port relays a general first protocol receive signal to a first protocol link. The first DC voltage supply provides a first DC voltage to at least a portion of the first protocol link. The at least one DC voltage extractor, is located in the at least one individual first protocol relay path. The DC voltage extractor extracts at least one individual DC voltage to supply an at least one amplifier. |
| US08423026B2 |
Cell/carrier redirecting and reverting control at the time of RRC connection
A cell redirection process in accordance with load balancing and user terminal conditions, and a prompt cell reverting at the time of redirection failure are provided. A cell redirection control method under a situation where a base station controls two or more cells, the method comprising steps of: transmitting a response acknowledgement for a connection set-up to a redirected cell in accordance with a redirection instruction that instructs a redirection to another cell controlled by a base station and is transmitted from the base station at the time of an RRC connection in a user terminal; determining in the user terminal whether a connection to the redirected cell is successful within a range of a maximum number of retransmissions; and performing a reverting process for reverting back to an originating cell when the connection to the redirected cell fails, in the user terminal. |
| US08423021B2 |
Location registration method, mobile communication system and radio base station
A location registration method according to the present invention, includes: transmitting, at a mobile station (UE), a TA signal, when detecting that the mobile station (UE) has moved out of a TA list with which the mobile station (UE) is already registered by location registration processing; and transferring, from a radio base station (eNB) to an exchange (MME) identified by an exchange ID included in the TAU signal. An exchange ID assigned to a mobile station (#a) belonging to a first layer is different from an exchange ID assigned to a mobile station (#b) belonging to a second layer, even though the same exchange is identified by the exchange IDs. A TA list and a pool area set for the mobile station (#a) is different from a TA list and a pool area set for the mobile station (#b). |
| US08423016B2 |
System and method for providing operator-differentiated messaging to a wireless user equipment (UE) device
In one embodiment, a scheme is disclosed for providing operator-differentiated messaging to a user equipment (UE) device that is operable in wide area cellular network (WACN) bands as well as in wireless access network bands (e.g., GAN bands and/or UMA bands). A network node (e.g., a GAN controller (GANC) or UMA network controller (UNC)) is equipped with logic for resolving service requirements as well as network information gathered by the UE device. Based thereon, a response message is transmitted to the UE device, the response message including supplementary fields for carrying operator-differentiated information in free-form text. |
| US08423015B2 |
Relay system and method for cellular communication
A relay method is disclosed in a cellular communication system including an access node for providing an access service using resources of a licensed band to a particular terminal among a plurality of terminals with a partial licensed band of the full frequency spectrum, and a relay station for relaying communication between the terminal and an access node. The relay method includes performing base station-led resource allocation on a licensed band for a terminal and a relay station located in a service area of the base station, and performing relay station-led resource allocation on the licensed band and an unlicensed band for a terminal located in a service area of the relay station. |
| US08423014B2 |
Method and system for quality of service (QoS) monitoring for wireless devices
Method and apparatus to monitor MQoS of wireless mobile devices is described. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method to monitor the health of 3G mobile devices and provide a status check of such health to network technicians, supervisors, and management. In one aspect, mobile devices on the network perform measurement of MQoS factors that are reported to a quality of service backend. The MQoS data is combined to show current and historical network status. In another aspect, alarms may be set to notify specific managers when manager programmable conditions occur, such as low system performance, or specific error conditions occur. Reports may be generated summarizing and illustrating performance in tabular and graphical form. Parameters used for testing and monitoring mobile devices may be input to specific mobile devices or groups of mobile devices in a system. In one aspect, customer care or call centers may be enabled to request specific tests from specific mobile devices and utilize the overall network status to diagnose and/or resolve customer issues. |
| US08423013B2 |
Minimizing measurements during carrier aggregation in a wireless communication system
A method in a mobile station including configuring the mobile station for carrier aggregation on at least a primary serving cell and a secondary serving cell, configuring the mobile station to perform measurements of cells operating on at least the primary carrier frequency and the secondary carrier frequency, refraining from triggering a measurement report when a neighbor cell operating on the primary carrier frequency is better than the primary serving cell only if a signal level of the primary serving cell is better than a first threshold, and triggering a measurement report when a neighbor cell operating on the secondary carrier frequency is better than the secondary serving cell only if the signal level of the primary serving cell is worse than a second threshold. |
| US08423012B1 |
Mobile device diagnostic and remediation
A portable electronic device is provided. The device comprises a radio transceiver, a processor, a memory, and an application stored in the memory. When executed by the processor, the application sends a chat message via the radio transceiver identifying a problem of the device. The application further receives a request for one of a version identity of a preferred roaming list (PRL) stored on the device, an identity of a firmware version installed on the device, an identity of the device model, and a mobile equipment identity (MEID) of the device. The application further transmits one of the version identity of the preferred roaming list (PRL) stored on the device, the identity of the firmware version installed on the device, the identity of the device model, and the mobile equipment identity (MEID) of the device via the radio transceiver. |
| US08423011B2 |
Wireless handheld device, system, and method of detecting and storing email settings
A method and apparatus for changing settable email parameters in a system supporting email using a wireless device, the system including a wireless electronic device and a wireless network. Provided is a way of changing email settings on the wireless device, and storing those changes on both the device and, as needed or desired, on the wireless network. The wireless network and wireless device are adapted to wirelessly communicate with each other. |
| US08423008B2 |
Signaling UE measurement restrictions for inter-cell interference
A network access node eNB sends to a user equipment UE a pattern of subframe measurement restrictions and an indication of how to utilize the pattern for measuring subframes. The indication may select from among: the UE's own-cell measurements; the UE's neighbor-cell measurements; both same and neighbor-cell measurements, and no measurement restrictions. The eNB may generate the pattern from an almost-blank subframe ABS pattern for the UE's own-cell and of its neighbor-cell. The pattern and indication may be sent in separate RRC messages, or if sent in one message there is a second indication sent in a second RRC message instructing the UE to terminate utilizing the pattern and indication for restricting its subframe measurements. Embodiments are particularly useful for inter-cell interference mitigation eICIC for the LTE-Advanced system. |
| US08423005B2 |
Method and apparatus for interactive audience participation at a live entertainment event
The present invention relates to methods and systems for providing interactive audience participation at live entertainment events. The method includes providing audience members with 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. |
| US08423004B2 |
System and method for delivering geographically restricted content, such as over-air broadcast programming, to a recipient over a network, namely the internet
A system and method for delivering geographically restricted content, including but not limited to over-air broadcast programming, to a recipient over a computer network, namely the Internet. The content is only delivered over the computer network if the recipient's computer or network device requesting the content over the network is verified to be located in the geographically restricted area. A conventional tuner is employed by the recipient's computer to receive one or more over-air signals having a broadcast range deemed to be synonymous with the geographically restricted area for the requested content. If the tuner is able to receive such over-air signal(s), the requested content is delivered over the network to the recipient's computer. This is because the recipient is known to be physically located in the geographically restricted area by the ability of the tuner to receive the over-air signal(s). |
| US08423003B2 |
System for serving targeted advertisements over mobile messaging services
A system is described for serving targeted advertisements over mobile messaging services. The system may include a processor, a memory and an interface. The memory may store a request for an advertisement and an advertisement. The interface may be operatively connected to the memory and the processor and may communicate with mobile network operators. The mobile network operators may be capable of providing mobile services users. The processor may be operatively connected to the interface and the memory and may receive a request for an advertisement from a mobile network operator via the interface. The request for an advertisement may be related to a mobile message sent from a first user to a second user via the mobile network operator. The processor may retrieve an advertisement based on the request for an advertisement. The processor may communicate the advertisement to the mobile network operator via the interface. |
| US08423001B2 |
Method for accessing a telecommunications service by means of an electronic address
A method is disclosed with which a telecommunication user can access a telecommunications service by means of a telecommunications terminal and an electronic address. The telecommunications user reads an electronic code (100) stored in an RFID element (1) by means of an RFID reader device (2), said electronic code (100) is transmitted to a name service server (6) over a telecommunications network (4), said name service server (6) replies with the electronic page address of a page corresponding to the code and that can be used to determine the electronic address, the electronic address is made available to the telecommunications terminal and said telecommunications service is accessed. |
| US08422998B2 |
Speech/multimedia mode switching technique in a wireless communications network
A technique is provided for use by a user terminal or mobile services switching center (MSC) for responding to a request to switch an on-going call from speech mode to multimedia mode within a wireless communication network conFig.d to automatically disconnect a call if a requested mode switch is not confirmed within a predetermined period of time specified by a call drop timer. In one example, the terminal or MSC activities an automatic response timer upon receipt of a request from a user to switch an on-going call from speech to multimedia, with the timer set shorter than the call drop timer. The user receiving the request is then prompted to accept or decline the request. If no response is received before expiration of the automatic response timer, the terminal or MSC automatically declines the request on behalf of the user so that the call drop timer does not expire. |
| US08422990B2 |
Switching system and corresponding method for unicast or multicast end-to-end data and/or multimedia stream transmissions between network nodes
A method for setting up a data link including requesting an identity of an IP network node by a registration module, transmitting an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) stored on a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card of the IP network node to the registration module, storing the received IMSI in a user database of the registration module, complementing an IP data channel to form signal and data channels of a GSM network by a signaling gateway module, using the complemented IP data channel as a basis for generating the necessary SS7/MAP functions for authenticating the IP network node, authenticating the IP network node by using the IMSI of the SIM card of the IP network node, receiving an entry in the user database of the registration module upon successful authentication, and setting up a data link to at least some of the network nodes. |
| US08422989B1 |
Method and system for encoding telecommunications user information
A computer system comprises a communication interface and a processing system. The user interface is configured to receive a plurality of communications requesting location information for a plurality of mobile devices engaged in communication sessions with a communication network. The processing system is configured to generate a plurality of records associated with the plurality of communications wherein the plurality of records comprises user information expressed in an initial format, process the plurality of records with a plurality of keys to encode the user information to generate encoded user information, and process the encoded user information to verify that the encoded user information satisfies the initial format. Upon determining that the encoded user information satisfies the initial format, the communication interface is configured to transfer the encoded user information for analysis. |
| US08422987B2 |
Prompting and directing users to safety during emergency situations
A method and wireless device augment and manage, respectively, emergency alert messages with additional emergency information. An emergency alert message is determined to have been sent (404) to one or more wireless devices (102) in a given area. The emergency alert message is analyzed (406) to determine a type of emergency associated with the emergency alert message. Optionally, a current location of at least one wireless device (102) within the given area is determined. A message is generated (412), based at least in part on the type of emergency and logistics of the given area, including additional emergency information for augmenting the emergency alert message. The message that has been generated is transmitted to the at least one wireless device (102). This message is, optionally, adjusted based on the location of the device and the logistics of the given area. |
| US08422986B1 |
Systems, methods, devices and arrangements for emergency call services using non-traditional endpoint devices
A variety of methods, systems, devices and arrangements are implemented for emergency call centers. According to one such method, a location database is populated from a plurality of endpoint devices. The location database determines locations for nodes in a data transmission route from information received from the endpoint devices. Emergency calls using these nodes are located using the populated database. |
| US08422985B2 |
Mobile telephone
A mobile telephone 2 stores a telephone number and address for data communication of an emergency service in a storage unit, and has a function for acquiring position information showing its own position. If the mobile telephone 2 is outside the range of a 1× network 4 when a telephone number of another party is designated, the mobile telephone 2 checks whether or not the designated telephone number is a telephone number of an emergency service. When the designated telephone number is confirmed to be the telephone number of an emergency service, the mobile telephone 2 retrieves the address of the emergency service from the storage unit, and sends an emergency notification that includes the position information over the EVDO network 5 with the retrieved address as the destination. The emergency notification message reaches a server 3b of the emergency service via the EVDO network 5. |
| US08422977B2 |
Programmable filter
The invention relates to a programmable filter for a radiofrequency receiver, embodiments disclosed including a filter (600) comprising an input (601) for receiving a radiofrequency signal, an output (602) for providing a filtered version of the input radiofrequency signal and a plurality of filter paths (603a-c) connected in parallel between the input (601) and output (602), each filter path comprising a buffer (604a-c) connected between the input (601) and one or more polyphase filters (605a-f), wherein each of the plurality of filter paths (603a-c) is configured to be individually selectable by providing an enable signal to a corresponding one of the buffers (604a-c). |
| US08422971B2 |
Spur mitigation for wireless communication systems
A receiver for a wireless communication device comprising a mechanism for performing spur mitigation. A spur mitigation unit of the receiver is operable to determine a current estimate of a spur signal from an ADC output signal using a growing box filter. The spur mitigation unit can determine a power of the current estimate of the spur signal and a power of a previous estimate of the spur signal using a power measurement unit. The spur mitigation unit can determine whether the power of the previous estimate of the spur signal is greater than the power of the current estimate of the spur signal. If the power of the previous spur signal estimate is greater than the power of the current spur signal estimate, the spur mitigation unit can remove the spur signal from the ADC output signal based on the previous spur signal estimate. |
| US08422966B2 |
Transmission power calibrating method and system applied to wireless apparatus
A transmission power calibrating method and a system are provided for a wireless apparatus. The wireless apparatus are controlled by a computer host to be tested at several channels and gains, and a simplified transmission power calibration table is established accordingly. The simplified transmission power calibration table is compared with each of complete transmission power calibration tables in a database. A match is detected between a first complete transmission power calibration table and the simplified transmission power calibration table. When the match is detected, a mapping table is obtained from the first complete transmission power calibration table and stored in a memory of the wireless apparatus. When the match is not detected, the wireless apparatus is controlled by the computer host to establish a second complete transmission power calibration table from which the mapping table is obtained and the mapping table is stored in the memory of the wireless apparatus. |
| US08422963B2 |
Rate selection for a quasi-orthogonal communication system
A selected rate is received for an apparatus based on a hypothesized signal-to-noise-and-interference ratio (SINR) for the apparatus, and characterized statistics of noise and interference observed at a receiver for the apparatus. Data are processed in accordance with the rate selected for the apparatus. |
| US08422954B2 |
Methods for use in conjunction with a handheld wireless communication device having an adjunct device coupled thereto
A method includes executing a homing application of the handheld wireless communication device for finding at least one personal object coupled to at least one remote wireless device. The homing application includes generating data to present for display on the handheld wireless communication device a graphical user interface that receives an indication of a user to locate the at least one personal object and that generates a location signal in response thereto. The location signal is communicated to an adjunct device via the communication port of the handheld wireless communication device to cause the adjunct device to transmit an RF paging signal to at least one remote wireless device via a short-range wireless transceiver of the adjunct device. |
| US08422952B2 |
Wireless communication terminal and sound volume control method
A wireless communication terminal comprising a network communication unit, short distance wireless communication unit, an input unit and a control unit. The network communication unit transmits radio signals to communication network via a base station. The short distance wireless communication unit transmits radio signals to and from an external device. The short distance wireless communication unit establishes a voice link between the wireless communication terminal and the external device to transmit sound data. The input unit inputs a volume control instruction. The control unit controls the short distance wireless communication unit to send a signal based on the volume control instruction if the voice channel is established between the wireless communication terminal and the external device. |
| US08422951B2 |
Wireless communication system and method for wireless signal communication in flight vehicles
Systems and methods for wireless signal communication in flight vehicles are disclosed. In an embodiment, a system includes a first portion that generates a first wireless zone. A second portion is decoupleable from the first portion and generates a second wireless zone. The first wireless zone and the second wireless zone communicate flight-related information while the first portion and the second portion are coupled, and discontinue the communication subsequent to the separation of the first portion from the second structural portion. In another embodiment, a method includes establishing a first wireless zone in a first portion of a flight vehicle, and establishing a second wireless zone in a second decoupleable portion of the flight vehicle. Flight-related information is communicated between the first wireless zone and the second wireless zone while the first portion and the second portion are coupled, and communication is discontinued after decoupling. |
| US08422948B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device including wireless-based availability detector and associated methods
A wireless communications system includes a wireless communications network and a plurality of wireless communications devices. The wireless communications devices are each configured to communicate via the wireless communications network. At least one of the plurality of wireless communications devices has a portable housing, a wireless transceiver carried by the portable housing, and a wireless-based, availability detector carried by the portable housing. A processor is carried by the portable housing and is configured to determine a first availability status based upon the NFC device at a first time. The processor is further configured to activate the wireless-based, availability detector based upon the NFC device to thereby determine a second availability status based upon the wireless-based, availability detector at a second time after the first time. The processor is additionally configured to communicate the first and second availability status to the wireless communications network via the wireless transceiver. |
| US08422943B2 |
Relay station in mobile communication system, mobile station, and relay transmission method
Provided is a mobile communication system capable of eliminating the use of a control channel for transmitting specific area information and suppressing the overhead caused by a frequency change process for a mobile station to receive the specific area information. In the mobile communication system, a relay station (20) has a coverage area (21) (specific area) and relays and transmits, in the coverage area (21), a signal received from a base station (10) to a mobile station (30). The relay station (20) adds, to the signal received from the base station (10), the offset of any of a frequency offset, a time offset, and a power offset depending on a risk indicated by risk information in the coverage area (21) (specific area) and transmits the signal after the addition of the offset to the mobile station (30) located in the coverage area (21). |
| US08422937B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
There are provided a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus which can adjust adhesive strength by a simple configuration.A toner image for adhesive strength adjustment is formed on a toner image of a sheet to be bonded by an image forming portion provided in a copying machine body. An adhesive is applied onto a bonding portion of the sheet by a gluing device provided in a finisher. The bonding portion of the sheet onto which the adhesive is applied and the toner image having the toner image for adhesive strength adjustment of the sheet are bonded together by a second pushing-out member and a pair of second folding rollers provided in the finisher. The amount of toner forming the toner image for adhesive strength adjustment formed by the image forming portion is adjusted to adjust the adhesive strength of the adhesive. |
| US08422930B2 |
Safe radiant toner heating apparatus with membrane
Apparatus for heating toner on a receiver having an ignition energy, having an energy source for providing input energy; and a membrane disposed adjacent to the receiver. The membrane receives the input energy from the energy source; stores a portion of the input energy; and radiates emitted energy that is absorbed by the toner, the receiver, or a combination thereof, wherein the absorption causes the temperature of the toner to rise above a desired temperature. The stored portion of the input energy is less than the ignition energy. |
| US08422928B2 |
Fixing unit with auxiliary heating member and surface recovery member, and image forming apparatus
A fixing unit is provided with a fixing member to heat a recoding medium and to fix a toner image on the recording medium; a pressure member to press the fixing member to form a nip portion in which a recording medium carrying a toner image is nipped; an auxiliary heating member to heat the surface of the fixing member; and a surface recovery member, arranged at a downstream side of the first auxiliary heating member in a rotational direction of the fixing member, for recovering damage to a surface of the fixing member by making contact with and sliding on the fixing member. |
| US08422920B2 |
Image forming apparatus including toner transporting member and toner container including toner transporting member
An image forming apparatus includes: a cylindrically-shaped feed portion that is fed with toner from above; a transport path including an inlet through which the toner transported from the feed portion enters and transporting the toner therethrough; and a transporting member including a rotary shaft provided to extend from the feed portion to the transport path, the rotary shaft being provided with a small-diameter portion on an upstream side thereof and a large-diameter portion on a downstream side thereof in the toner transport direction, and transports the toner along the transport path, the large-diameter portion being provided inside the transport path, the large-diameter portion having an end portion on the upstream side thereof in the toner transport direction to be connected to the small-diameter portion, the end portion being provided on a side of the feed portion of the inlet of the transport path in the toner transport direction. |
| US08422919B2 |
Supplying electrophotographic toning member using ribbon blender
A toning apparatus for an electrophotographic marking engine using multi-component developer includes a magnet for producing a magnetic field through the surface of a toning member, so that carrier particles in the developer in a receiving zone are attracted to the toning member. A rotatable ribbon blender includes an axle, a first inner ribbon and a first outer ribbon having opposite handednesses of twist and arranged to rotate with the axle, and a paddle connected to the first outer ribbon. The ribbon blender is disposed at least partially in the developer in a sump, so that when the ribbon blender rotates, the paddle transports developer from the sump to the receiving zone. No feed roller or supply roller is required; the ribbon blender mixes and transports developer. |
| US08422916B2 |
Charge device and image forming apparatus having the same
A charge device including an electrode arranged to face an object to be charged, and an image forming apparatus having the same. The electrode includes an electrode body made of a conductive material, a first layer made of carbon and formed on an outer surface of the electrode body, and a second layer made of a metal and formed between the electrode body and the first layer, to reduce and/or impede oxidization thereof. |
| US08422915B2 |
Developer cartridge, developing device, and image forming apparatus having the same
A developing cartridge and a developing device capable of preventing developer leak which may occur during replacement of a developer containing unit, and an image forming apparatus having the same are provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus body where a transfer path for a printing medium is formed, and a developing device for developing a visible image. The developing device may include, for example, developing cartridge, a developer containing unit, which contains a supply of developer therein, and which is detachably disposed in the developing cartridge to form a developer transfer path fluidly communicating with the developing cartridge, and a shutter unit which closes the developer transfer path when the developer containing unit is removed from the developing cartridge. |
| US08422914B2 |
Developing cartridge
A developing cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes: a frame; a developer carrying member for carrying a developer; a regulating member for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrying member; a supporting member provided on the frame in a state in which the supporting member supports an end of the regulating member at a first end portion thereof; a grip portion, provided with a spacing from a second end portion of the supporting member opposite from the first end portion of the supporting member, for gripping the developing cartridge; and a sheet member, provided on the supporting member so as to extend from the second end portion toward the grip portion, for covering the second end portion by being bent by an operation for gripping the grip portion. |
| US08422912B2 |
Image forming cartridge and image forming device
An image forming cartridge includes a photoconductor; a charger with a charging member contactable with the photoconductor; a case that accommodates the photoconductor and the charger; a cover which is detachably attached to the case and covers at least a part of the photoconductor; and a separating member which is located, on the cover, between a region other than the region of the photoconductor where an image is formed and the charger and separated them from each other. |
| US08422911B2 |
Retaining clip for printer cartridge
In one embodiment there is provided a toner cartridge retaining clip. The retaining clip has a first end configured to engage a portion of a contact end cap of a toner cartridge, a second end configured to engage a portion of a toner hopper of the toner cartridge, and a body portion connecting the first end to the second end. The body portion has an abutting surface configured to abut a toner sensor contact on the toner cartridge. When the first end is securely engaged to the portion of the contact end cap, and the second end is securely engaged to the portion of the toner hopper, the first end and the second end exert opposing pressures on the toner cartridge to secure the contact end cap to the toner hopper. |
| US08422910B2 |
Sealing member for use with a toner or developer supply container
A sealing member for unsealably sealing a toner opening of a toner or developer container mountable to an image forming apparatus. In one embodiment, a sealing member has a base member, a first coupling engagement portion and a second coupling engagement portion protruding away from the base member axially, a central member protruding away from the base member axially, wherein the central member has a cylindrical portion defining an opening therein, and at least one supporting member projected radially outwardly from the peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, wherein the central member is formed to be concentric with the base member axially and positioned between the first coupling engagement portion and the second coupling engagement portion. |
| US08422908B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus including the same
A developing device includes a toner storage area containing toner, a developing portion in which a developing roller is installed, and a housing including a toner supply window to connect the toner storage area and the developing portion. A pair of rails is disposed on the toner supply window to extend in a lengthwise direction of the developing roller, and a blocking member including a blocking portion is provided to open and close the toner supply window when the blocking member is removed from and inserted into the pair of rails from outside of the housing, respectively. |
| US08422907B2 |
Image forming apparatus, control device, detecting method of reference index on transfer body, and computer readable medium
An image forming apparatus includes: a latent image forming unit forming a latent image; a transfer body on which a reference index for setting an output start time point of image data is formed; a detecting unit outputting a detection signal changing according to passing of an adhesion material on the transfer body; a controller that starts a first period during which change of the detection signal is ignored, according to first change of the detection signal, starts a second period after the first period, regards second change of the detection signal occurring first in the second period as a reference of the output start time point, and ignores change of the detection signal after the second change, to control outputting the image data; and a cleaning information outputting unit outputting information on cleaning the transfer body according to the number of changes of the detection signal in these periods. |
| US08422900B2 |
Apparatus and method of controlling an image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is provided with a controller that determines whether a first toner image to be firstly transferred to a transfer body has a portion that is not superimposed by a second toner image to be subsequently transferred to the transfer body so as to be superimposed on the first toner image to generate a determination result, and controls a transfer bias supplied to a transfer device that causes the second toner image to be transferred to the transfer body and an amount of toner to be adhered to form the second toner image, respectively, based on the determination result. |
| US08422896B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method configured to adjust toner image density
An embodiment of an image forming apparatus may include a photosensitive member, a development unit, a transfer member, a sensor, and a correcting unit. The development unit may form a toner image on the photosensitive member. The toner image member may be transferred onto the transfer member. The sensor may detect light from a surface of the transfer member. The correcting unit may correct a toner density in a first area of the transfer member after transfer of a toner image of a test pattern to the first area. The correcting unit may correct the toner density on the basis of a difference between an output value of the sensor from a second area before the transfer of the toner image of the test pattern and an output value of the sensor from the second area after the transfer of the toner image of the test pattern. |
| US08422874B2 |
Position controller for optical element
A position controller for an optical element of an optical system includes a first movable member supported by a support member to be movable relative thereto in a first direction orthogonal to an optical axis, a second movable member holding the optical element and supported by the first movable member to be movable relative thereto in a second direction nonparallel to the first direction, an electromagnetic actuator that produces a driving force for moving at least the second movable member in the second direction, and an insertion/removal drive mechanism for moving the second movable member between an anti-shake driving position, where a position control for the second movable member can be performed using the electromagnetic actuator, and a removed position where the second movable member is positioned outside a range of the position control that uses the electromagnetic actuator. |
| US08422859B2 |
Audio-based chapter detection in multimedia stream
A multimedia processing system identifies chapter breaks in a program represented by multimedia data through an analysis of audio content of a portion of the multimedia data so as to identify an interval that potentially represents a chapter break. This audio analysis can include an analysis to identify changes in high frequency edges in the audio content, an analysis to identify changes in the total energy in a central frequency band of the audio content, an analysis to identify patterns of sequentially repeating values in the audio content, an analysis to identify changes in bitrate, or some combination thereof. One or more variances in the audio information at (e.g., before) the start of the interval and the audio information at (e.g., after) the end of the interval then may be used to identify or otherwise characterize the interval as representing an actual chapter break. Further, a chapter represented by two consecutive chapter breaks can be identified as an advertisement based on the duration between the two consecutive chapter breaks and thus the multimedia processing device can implement a “commercial skip function” by omitting playback of the portion of the multimedia data representing the chapter responsive to the chapter being identified as an advertisement. |
| US08422858B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for coordinating playing of media streams
Methods and systems are described for coordinating playing of media streams. In one aspect, an access by a media player to a presentation device to play a media stream is detected. Additionally, presentation focus information is accessed for determining whether the media player has presentation focus for playing the media stream. Further, it is determine, based on the presentation focus information, that the media player has presentation focus for playing the media stream. Still further, in response to determining the media player has presentation focus, it is indicated that the media player is allowed to play the media stream via the presentation device. |
| US08422852B2 |
Automated story generation
Automatic story production is implemented by the utilization of theme scripts with user assets to generate a quality finished product with minimum user input or direction. A user chooses a predesigned theme script to be applied to the user's assets to automatically create a story with a particular look and feel. Metadata and feature information, when available, is automatically gathered from the user assets to personalize the generated story. A user can include additional information and/or alter any aspect of the generated story to further personalize the resultant finished product. |
| US08422845B2 |
Optical input/output device for photo-electric integrated circuit device and method of fabricating same
A photo-electric integrated circuit device comprises an on-die optical input/output device. The on-die optical input/output device comprises a substrate having a trench, a lower cladding layer disposed in the trench and having an upper surface lower than an upper surface of the substrate, and a core disposed on the lower cladding layer at a distance from sidewalls of the trench and having an upper surface at substantially the same level as the upper surface of the substrate. |
| US08422838B2 |
Cover for covering a reflection-surface-formation recess of an optical path changing member
An optical path changing member is assembled at ends of optical fibers and placed to face a substrate including an optical input/output terminal having optical axes inclined with respect to optical axes of the ends. The optical path changing member is made of a transparent material and includes a member body having a reflection surface for optically connecting the ends to the optical input/output terminal. The member body has optical fiber insertion holes and an end placement portion to which the insertion holes are open and in which the end faces of the optical fibers are placed. The reflection surface is formed so that light entering from the end faces of the optical fibers into the member body will be internally reflected toward the optical input/output terminal in the member body. The end placement portion is filled with an adhesive by which the ends are fixed to the member body. |
| US08422835B2 |
Optical waveguide feedthrough assembly
An optical waveguide feedthrough assembly passes at least one optical waveguide through a bulk head, a sensor wall, or other feedthrough member. The optical waveguide feedthrough assembly comprises a cane-based optical waveguide that forms a glass plug sealingly disposed in a feedthrough housing. For some embodiments, the optical waveguide includes a tapered surface biased against a seal seat formed in the housing. The feedthrough assembly can include an annular gold gasket member disposed between the tapered surface and the seal seat. The feedthrough assembly can further include a backup seal. The backup seal comprises an elastomeric annular member disposed between the glass plug and the housing. The backup seal may be energized by a fluid pressure in the housing. The feedthrough assembly is operable in high temperature and high pressure environments. |
| US08422827B2 |
Image correction apparatus and image correction method
An input image containing multiple kinds of blur is corrected without using multiple images, resulting in a target image with less blur than the input image. An image correction apparatus (100) for correcting an input image to generate a target image with less blur than the input image is provided, which includes: an adaptive region division unit (110) that divides the input image into a plurality of adaptive regions based on pixel values of pixels included in the input image; a PSF interpolation unit (120) that interpolates a point spread function for a pixel located between representative pixels each representing a corresponding one of the adaptive regions, using a PSF representing characteristics of image blur calculated for each of the adaptive regions; and an image correction unit (130) that corrects the input image using the point spread functions available after the interpolation, so as to generate the target image. |
| US08422825B1 |
Method and system for geometry extraction, 3D visualization and analysis using arbitrary oblique imagery
Embodiments of the invention relate to the visualization of geographical information and the combination of image information to generate geographical information. Specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a process and system for correlating oblique images data and terrain data without extrinsic information about the oblique imagery. Embodiments include a visualization tool to allow simultaneous and coordinated viewing of the correlated imagery. The visualization tool may also provide distance and measuring, three-dimensional lens, structure identification, path finding, visibility and similar tools to allow a user to determine distance between imaged objects. |
| US08422822B2 |
Fourier transform deflectometry system and method
The present invention relates to a Fourier transform deflectometry system (1) and method for the optical inspection of a phase and amplitude object (2) placed in an optical path between a grating (3) and an imaging system (4), at a distance h of said grating 3. The grating (3) forms a contrast-based periodic pattern with spatial frequencies μ0, v0 in, respectively, orthogonal axes x,y in an image plane, and the imaging system (4) comprises an objective (5) and an imaging sensor (6) comprising a plurality of photosensitive elements. Spatial frequencies μ0, v0 are equal or lower than the Nyquist frequencies of the imaging system in the respective x and y axes. According to the method of the invention, a first image of said pattern, distorted by the phase and amplitude object (2), is first captured through the objective (5) by the imaging sensor (6). Then, a Fourier transform of said first image in a spatial frequency domain is calculated, at least one first- or higher-order spectrum of said Fourier transform is selected and shifted in said frequency domain, so as to substantially place it at a central frequency of said Fourier transform, and a reverse Fourier transform said at least one shifted first- or higher-order spectrum of said Fourier transform is performed so as to obtain a complex function g(x,y)=l(x,y)eiφ(x,y), wherein l(x,y) is an intensity and φ(x,y) a phase linked to optical deflection angles θx, θy in, respectively, the directions of the x and y axes, in the following form: φ(x,y)=−2ττh(μ0 tan θx+v0 tan θy). |
| US08422818B2 |
Method and apparatus for image processing
A method and apparatus for image processing are provided. The method may include generating a first restoration image by removing distortion components from an original image; determining a mixing ratio between the original image and the first restoration image based on distortion information of a region of interest in the original image; and generating a second restoration image by mixing the original image and the first restoration image according to the mixing ratio. |
| US08422815B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method and image processing program
In an image processing technology, an original image is inputted by accepting an input of an original image to be image-processed; a local area is set, with a pixel of which brightness is to be converted being a center of the local area, from the original image; a local histogram relating to brightness of the local area is calculated; a local cumulative histogram is calculated by accumulating the local histogram; first and second monotone increasing functions are determined, respectively, corresponding to cumulative frequency values in first and second classes of the local cumulative histogram; first and second weighting functions are determined, respectively, corresponding to the first and second monotone increasing functions; a conversion function relating to brightness of the pixel is produced from the first monotone increasing function weighted by the first weighting function and the second monotone increasing function weighted by the second weighting function; and the brightness of the pixel is then converted by the conversion function. |
| US08422811B2 |
Image processing apparatus
Characteristics of image data from a reading unit are unified for storage. The state of the image data is recognized and retained as auxiliary information. The auxiliary information is checked, and an image skew and the like are detected according to a target output format to perform a correction process. At that time, an optimum image processing path is selected for processing according to the state of implementation of hardware and software. A simple process can be performed at an image processing apparatus, while a complex process is performed at a network-connected PC. Since a unit configuration can be selected according to the purpose of image processing, processing can be performed with a simple configuration at high speed. |
| US08422809B2 |
Image encoding method, image decoding method, image encoding apparatus, image decoding apparatus, image encoding program, and image decoding program
Image encoding apparatus 10 according to the present invention is an image encoding apparatus 10 for dividing image signals into blocks, performing an orthogonal transform of each block, reading resultant orthogonal transform coefficients to obtain a coefficient string, and performing entropy coding, which has block selector 14 for selecting a size of a block for the orthogonal transform, out of a plurality of blocks of different sizes; coefficient string divider 12 for, when a block of a size larger than a minimum size is selected by block selector 14, dividing a coefficient string in the block into a plurality of coefficient strings of a length equal to that of a coefficient string in a block of the minimum size; and encoder 13 for performing entropy coding adapted to the coefficient string in the block of the minimum size. This substantializes the image encoding apparatus capable of achieving efficient entropy coding in the orthogonal transform of variable sizes. |
| US08422801B2 |
Image encoding method for stereoscopic rendering
An image encoding method that allows stereoscopic rendering basically comprises the following steps. In a primary encoding step (VDE1), a visual image is encoded in accordance with a standard. In an auxiliary encoding step (GRE), stereo-enabling data that is associated with the visual image is encoded as if the stereo-enabling data was an auxiliary image that can be combined with the visual image in accordance with the standard concerned. The stereo-enabling data comprises respective values that indicate respective distances between respective areas in the visual image and a virtual observer. In a composition definition step (CTR1), a composition definition is provided that causes a decoding device, which operates in accordance with the standard, to include the stereo-enabling data as a graphics image in at least one specific area of an output image, which can be transmitted to a display device. |
| US08422800B2 |
Deblock method and image processing apparatus
A deblock method for processing at least one image including a plurality of pixels. The method comprises the step of determining a shift amount of block boundary by pixel data differences between adjacent pixels and thereby determining block boundaries between macroblocks in the image, and the step of optionally performing a deblock process on the block boundaries. |
| US08422794B2 |
System for matching artistic attributes of secondary image and template to a primary image
A system for automatically selecting a template and a number of secondary images for display with a primary preselected image based on analyzing the primary image's attribute information and comparing the template's required image attributes and secondary image's attribute information. The attribute information is used to evaluate and arithmetically score a compatibility of the images and template so that a best compatibility fit can be obtained when displaying the image. |
| US08422792B2 |
Angle invariant visual analysis
Technologies are generally described for performing image analysis of an image using a repeating geometric sequence. In some examples, a computing system accesses image data that defines an image for image analysis. The computing system determines a repeating geometric sequence that generates variously oriented edges or sub-regions in the image data. The computing system applies the repeating geometric sequence to the image data, thereby generating a series of coordinates that represent the image data defined by the variously oriented edges or sub-regions. The coordinates are determined by the variously oriented edges or sub-regions and not by horizontal or vertical Cartesian lines. The computing system organizes the image data represented by the series of coordinates into a set of one or more arrays and performs image analysis on the set of one or more arrays to produce an image analysis result for the image data. |
| US08422788B2 |
Automatic image straightening
Tilt is reduced or eliminated in captured digital images. Edges in a first image are detected. Angles corresponding to the detected edges are determined. A dominant angle is selected from the determined angles. The first image is rotated according to the selected dominant angle to generate a second image. The second image is a de-tilted version of the first image. |
| US08422785B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus obtains an image of an original area on the basis of a platen image obtained by reading an entire surface of a platen including an original placed on the platen. The image processing apparatus extracts a plurality of image areas included in the platen image, and determines whether each of the extracted image areas has a specific characteristic. The image processing apparatus judges that a rectangular area including all of the plurality of image areas is an original image in a case where at least one of the plurality of image areas has the specific characteristic, and judges that each of the plurality of image areas is an original image in a case where none of the plurality of image areas has the specific characteristic. |
| US08422784B2 |
Method for the image compression of an image comprising 3D graphics information
An embodiment of a method is disclosed for compressing digital images which can be displayed by a graphics card. An embodiment of the method includes providing an image by the graphics card; marking out a foreground region in the image provided on the basis of depth information provided in the graphics card; compressing the marked-out foreground region; simplifying the image by smoothing the foreground region marked out in the image; and separately compressing the simplified image. |
| US08422783B2 |
Methods and systems for region-based up-scaling
Aspects of the present invention are related to systems and methods for region-based up-scaling, and in particular, for up-scaling still images and video frames that contain graphical elements. |
| US08422780B2 |
Method and apparatus of correcting hybrid flash artifacts in digital images
A method for digital image eye artifact detection and correction include identifying one or more candidate red-eye defect regions in an acquired image. For one or more candidate red-eye regions, a seed pixels and/or a region of pixels having a high intensity value in the vicinity of the candidate red-eye region is identified. The shape, roundness or other eye-related characteristic of a combined hybrid region including the candidate red-eye region and the region of high intensity pixels is analyzed. Based on the analysis of the eye-related characteristic of the combined hybrid region, it is determined whether to apply flash artifact correction, including red eye correction of the candidate red-eye region and/or correction of the region of high intensity pixels. |
| US08422775B2 |
Automatic video image segmentation
A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium for automatic segmentation of a video sequence. A segmentation shape prediction and a segmentation color model are determined for a current image of a video sequence based on existing segmentation information for at least one previous image of the video sequence. A segmentation of the current image is automatically generated based on a weighted combination of the segmentation shape prediction and the segmentation color model. The segmentation of the current image is stored in a memory medium. |
| US08422770B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program product for displaying normalized medical images
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to process a compressed image, such as a normalized DICOM image. A method may receive a compressed image having pixels that each have by a pixel value having a predefined number of bits in a grayscale format. The method may decompress the image by mapping the pixel value into two channels of a multi-channel output buffer, such as a red-green-blue (RGB) output buffer, such that each channel has fewer than the predefined number of bits. The method may render a scene of the image based upon camera coordinates and, for a rendered pixel, sample a plurality of RGB values, convert the plurality of RGB values to the grayscale format having the predefined number of bits, perform an interpolation of the RGB values following conversion to the grayscale format and perform a window level operation on the result of the interpolation. |
| US08422764B2 |
Method and apparatus of reconstructing 3D image from 2D images
An apparatus and method of reconstructing a three-dimensional (3D) image from two-dimensional (2D) images are disclosed. Three dimensional (3D) data may be reconstructed in an x-ray generation tube at a limited angle, and repeatedly updated for each pixel. A median from among each pixel of reconstruction data may be selected. Backprojecting may be performed using a search direction weight calculated using a reprojection image and residual image. A 3D image satisfying a Level 1 (L1) norm fidelity and sparsity constraint of the reconstruction data may be reconstructed. |
| US08422756B2 |
Method of generating nuclear magnetic resonance images using susceptibility weighted imaging and susceptibility mapping (SWIM)
A method of generating a susceptibility map of an object utilizes a regularizing inverse function, oversampling k-space, removing external phase noise and rapid phase change effects, accounting for the known geometry of the object, and using modified SWI phase data to generate reasonable susceptibility maps and digital images therefrom, such as SWI images. The inventors refers to the inventive methods set forth herein as Susceptibility Weighted Imaging and Mapping (SWIM). |
| US08422752B2 |
Diagnosis assisting apparatus, diagnosis assisting method, and storage medium in which a diagnosis assisting program is recorded
One or more blood vessel regions that represent one or more blood vessels that govern the function of an organ are extracted from a three dimensional anatomical image that represents the three dimensional shape of the organ. Next, blood vessel governed regions, the functions of which are governed by a single blood vessel, are estimated, based on each blood vessel region, while regions other than the blood vessel governed regions are estimated to be non governed regions. Index values to be indices of diagnosis are calculated by analyzing evaluation values that constitute a three dimensional functional image, without using the evaluation values included in the non governed regions. Then, the calculated index values are output to a display screen or the like. |
| US08422751B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating virtual teeth, and recording media storing program performing the method
The present invention relates to a recording medium a method and an apparatus for generating virtual teeth and recording media storing a program performing the method. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for generating virtual teeth includes (a) acquiring a tooth image having three-dimensional information from teeth including a damaged tooth; (b) determining an image of a virtual tooth to be inserted into a position of the damaged tooth in a tooth image library having predetermined three-dimensional information and inserting the determined virtual tooth image into the acquired tooth image; and (c) modifying the virtual tooth image by considering tooth images positioned at upper and lower sides or right and left sides of the virtual tooth image. According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to produce a prosthesis most suitable for the state of patient's teeth only once and an operator can minimize post-processing of the produced prosthesis. Further, a patient can minimize a clinic time and decrease the number of times of hospital visits. |
| US08422750B2 |
Retinal scanning
A method and apparatus of producing a three-dimensional image of at least a part of the retina of an eye is provided. The method including obtaining a two-dimensional wide-field image of said part of said retina, determining a three-dimensional shape for said part of said retina and using the three-dimensional shape for said part of said retina to modify said two-dimensional image to produce a three-dimensional image of said part of said retina. The apparatus including an imaging system adapted to provide a two-dimensional wide-field image of said part of said retina, a three-dimensional shape determination module adapted to determine a three-dimensional shape for said part of said retina, and a two-dimensional image modification module adapted to modify said two-dimensional wide-field image of said part of said retina using said three-dimensional shape to produce a three-dimensional image of said part of said retina. |
| US08422745B2 |
Method of modelling an underground heterogeneous medium from multipoint statistics
A method of constructing an image representing the distribution of a categorical physical property representative of an underground zone having applications for petroleum reservoir development. A first training image representative of a geometrical structure of the categorical property is constructed. Training images representative of the distributions of several auxiliary properties are then constructed from the first training image. A probability law of the categorical property and a probability law of each auxiliary property are determined, from each training image, for a given pixel according to the values of the neighboring pixels. A probability law of the categorical property is calculated from these laws and from the images representative of the distribution of the auxiliary physical properties in the zone, and for each pixel of the image to be constructed. Finally, the value of the categorical property is determined by carrying out a random selection for the calculated probability law. |
| US08422744B1 |
Computer based method and system for determining a parameter for a material
A computer based method for determining a characteristic of a material, including accepting as input to a specially programmed portable computer, and using a processor for the computer, image data, for a surface of a material. The image data is accepted from a device including a light source and a magnifying element. Using the processor, the method: creates a binary image from the image data such that each pixel in the plurality of pixels has one of two possible values; segments the binary image such that an object occupying an area of the surface is located in the binary image and boundaries surrounding the object are located in the binary image; and generates, using the segmented binary image: one or more parameters regarding features of the material, or at least one statistical parameter regarding at least one feature in the image data. |
| US08422735B2 |
Imaging apparatus for detecting a scene where a person appears and a detecting method thereof
An imaging device for detecting a scene where a person appears, and a detecting method thereof, are provided. The imaging device compares a representative image of a person, with persons detected in the generated images, to detect scenes where the person appears. Information about the detected scene is stored, along with the generated images. A list of the detected persons is provided to a user, to enable the user to select and edit images that include the selected persons. |
| US08422732B2 |
Information processing apparatus, verification apparatus, and methods of controlling the same
An apparatus and method specify the presence/absence of an alteration and an alteration position of an image. A block-division unit divides image data into image data of a first unit including a predetermined number of pixels. A block calculation unit calculates an image data coefficient of the first unit. A cell-division unit divides one image data of the first unit into image data of a second unit. A cell calculation unit calculates an image data coefficient of the second unit. First verification data is generated by selecting two image data coefficients of the first unit and generating, for one pair, data representing the magnitude relation of the image data coefficients of the first unit. Second verification data is generated by selecting two image data coefficients of the second unit and generating, for one pair, data representing the magnitude relation of the image data coefficients of the second unit. |
| US08422726B2 |
Ironless and leakage free coil transducer motor assembly
The present disclosure relates to a coil transducer motor structure (20) including at least one coil (22), at least one magnetic element (23) arranged in use to provide a path for magnetic flux between the ends of said coil (22), wherein the magnetic element (23) has a structure providing a curvilinear path therethrough for said magnetic flux. |
| US08422725B2 |
Bobbin and loudspeaker using the same
A bobbin for a loudspeaker includes at least one base and at least one carbon nanotube structure. The at least one carbon nanotube structure is positioned on at least one surface of the base. A loudspeaker includes a magnetic circuit, a bobbin; a voice coil, and a diaphragm. The magnetic circuit defines a magnetic gap. The bobbin is located in the magnetic gap and includes at least one carbon nanotube structure. The voice coil is wounded on the bobbin. The diaphragm includes an inner rim fixed to the bobbin. |
| US08422721B2 |
Sound reproduction systems and method for arranging transducers therein
Loudspeaker system including a housing and at least four transducers arranged therein. Each transducer includes a substantially circular diaphragm and the diaphragms are constructed with specific sizes such that the ratio of a diameter of each diaphragm to the diameter of an immediately larger diaphragm is between 1:1 and 1: Phi2(Phi=(1+√5)/2), preferably 1:Phi, and the ratio of the diameter of each diaphragm to an immediately smaller diaphragm, is between 1:1 and 1:(1/Phi), preferably 1:1/Phi. Moreover, the diaphragms are arranged such that centers thereof lie on a spiral, clockwise or counterclockwise, in ascending size order with the center of the smallest diaphragm being closest to the pole of the spiral. A microphone and single-diaphragm loudspeaker in which the diaphragm has a spiral shape are also disclosed. |
| US08422719B2 |
Miniaturized receiver assembly for in-ear noise-isolating earphones
An in-ear device comprises inter alia a miniaturized receiver assembly of a sealed sandwich construction with a front plate and a back plate and an electro-dynamic receiver therebetween, the assembly providing a bass-reflex design with a front resonator. |
| US08422716B2 |
Dual locking boom pole
A telescoping boom pole for an electrical conductor is disclosed. The boom pole includes at least a top cylindrical conduit slidably assembled within a second cylindrical conduit. A top clamping means is included for selectively clamping the top conduit to the second conduit. The top clamping means includes an annular cylindrical collar having a threaded portion proximate a bottom edge on an inside surface thereof, and a collet restraining means proximate a top edge thereof. An annular, compressible collet is resiliently captured by the collet restraining means of the collar at a cooperative restraining means of an outside surface of the collet. The collet further includes an inclined lower portion on an outside surface thereof. The top clamping means further includes an annular sleeve fixed to a top end of the second conduit, and has an outside surface that includes a threaded portion that cooperates with the threaded portion of the collar. A top edge of the sleeve is formed into an upwardly-projecting wedge for pushing the collet inwardly at its inclined lower portion as the collar is threaded onto the sleeve. As such, the collet, the sleeve, and the collar force the top and second conduits to become mutually and immovably fixed together. Additional cylindrical conduits may be included and successively slidably assembled over the second conduit, additional clamping means being included between each conduit. As such, the conductor and electrical connectors thereof may be positioned through each conduit and each clamping means and be supported thereby. |
| US08422708B2 |
Adaptive long-term prediction filter for adaptive whitening
A method of estimating acoustic feedback in a hearing instrument in order to reduce the impact of tonal components of acoustic feedback. The hearing instrument comprises an input transducer, an output transducer, a forward path being defined between the input transducer and the output transducer, a signal processing unit defining an input side and an output side of the forward path, and a feedback loop from the output side to the input side. The feedback loop comprises a feedback path estimation unit receiving first and second estimation input signals from the input and output side of the forward path, respectively, wherein the first and second estimation input signal paths comprise first and second long term prediction filters P(z), the feedback cancellation system being adapted to provide that the variable parameters of at least one of the long term prediction filters are estimated based on the filter input signal. |
| US08422705B2 |
Apparatus and method for operating a hearing aid
A programmable hearing aid including means for receiving and transmitting data wirelessly from and to a portable module being in proximity to said hearing aid. Said portable module has means for transmitting audio signals, fitting data or special instructions to the hearing aid processor and including means for receiving data transmitted from said hearing aid, including data representing a monitoring of real-time signal processing parameters in the hearing aid. A preferred embodiment of the hearing aid/portable module combination utilizes Miller-coded direct sequence spread-spectrum radio signal transmitters and receivers for transmitting and receiving data between the heading aid and the portable module. This enables remote controlling or monitoring of, transmitting audio to, or programming of a hearing aid without the need for external connectors. |
| US08422692B1 |
Audio distribution system
Speaker control systems are implemented using a variety of systems and methods. In one such system, an audio signal is distributed to at least one speaker selected from a set of speakers. The system includes a set of audio-distribution circuits for distributing the audio signal to the set of speakers. Logic circuitry is used to automatically determine an impedance-based parameter for use in distributing the audio signal to the at least one selected speaker based at least partly on a load-tolerance parameter for an audio source and on an impedance of the at least one selected speaker. The logic circuitry controls distribution of the audio signal to the selected speakers based at least partly on the impedance-based parameter. One or more of the set of audio-distribution circuits are used by the logic circuitry to distribute the audio signal to the at least one selected speaker. |
| US08422691B2 |
Audio outputting device, audio outputting method, noise reducing device, noise reducing method, program for noise reduction processing, noise reducing audio outputting device, and noise reducing audio outputting method
Disclosed herein is an audio outputting device for switching a plurality of processes to perform a process on an audio signal, and acoustically reproducing and outputting the audio signal, the audio outputting device including, a control section for, when changing a process performed on an audio signal from one process to another process, stopping the one process on the audio signal, outputting sound based on the audio signal unprocessed by either of the one process and the other process, and performing the other process on the audio signal after passage of a predetermined period of time. |
| US08422685B2 |
Method for elliptic curve scalar multiplication
The method for elliptic curve scalar multiplication may provide several countermeasures to protect scalar multiplication of a private key k by a point P to produce the product kP from power analysis attacks. First, the private key, k, is partitioned into a plurality of key partitions, which are processed in a random order, the resulting points being accumulated to produce the scalar product kP. Second, in each partition, the encoding is randomly selected to occur in binary form or in Non-Adjacent Form (NAF), with the direction of bit inspection being randomly assigned between most-to-least and least-to-most. Third, in each partition, each zero in the key may randomly perform a dummy point addition operation in addition to the doubling operation. The method may be implemented in software, smart cards, circuits, processors, or application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) designed to carry out the method. |
| US08422680B2 |
Method for validating encrypted communications via selection and comparison of source transmitter and destination receiver associated encryption keys
A first communication unit receives an encrypted transmission from a second communication unit. The encrypted transmission was encrypted by the second communication unit using a first encryption key. The first communication unit compares the first encryption key to an encryption key associated with the first communication unit. If the first encryption key matches the encryption key associated with the first communication unit, the first communication unit processes the encrypted transmission further. If the first encryption key does not match the encryption key associated with the first communication unit, the first communication unit compares the first encryption key to an encryption key associated with the second communication unit. If the first encryption key matches the encryption key associated with the second communication unit, the first communication unit processes the encrypted transmission further; otherwise, the first communication unit does not process the encrypted transmission further. |
| US08422678B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for protecting security keys on a wireless platform
A method, apparatus and system enable security keys to be processed in a dedicated partition on a secure wireless platform. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention may utilize a secure processing area (i.e., a dedicated partition) to generate security keys and to utilize the security keys to perform a 4-way handshake to provide confidentiality and integrity protection for all data communication between the wireless node and an access point. |
| US08422677B2 |
Storage virtualization apparatus comprising encryption functions
A storage virtualization apparatus comprises a judgment portion. The judgment portion judges whether encryption functions are present in an external storage subsystem having an external logical volume identified based on a write request received from a higher-level device. When the result of the judgment is negative, the storage virtualization apparatus uses its own encryption functions to encrypt the data of the write request before transmission to the external storage subsystem, but when the result of the judgment is positive, the storage virtualization apparatus transmits the data of the write request as-is to the external storage subsystem, without using its own encryption functions to perform encryption. |
| US08422676B2 |
Read/write encrypted media and method of playing
A new media device including a decryption device that is operable to create a decryption key to read media. The decryption device is itself a read/write device that allows reducing or decrementing each time the decryption key is used. |
| US08422669B2 |
Method and apparatus for elliptic curve cryptographic processing
An apparatus includes a data storage to store a window table storing a table value with an index value mapped to the table value, the index value having same number of bits as a window width, the table value being a sum of a basic table value and a non-zero table correction value, the basic table value being obtained by multiplying a point G on an elliptic curve. An arithmetic processor generates the index value by reading from a scalar value at a bit position assigned to each bit of the window with the window being shifted, reads the table value from the window table according to the index value, and performs a doubling operation and an addition operation using the read table value. A corrector performs a correction on arithmetic results with a specific correction value responsive to the table correction value. |
| US08422668B1 |
Table lookup operation on masked data
Processing of masked data using table lookups is described. A mask is applied to input data to generate masked input data. The mask and the masked input data are used in combination to locate an entry in a lookup table. The entry corresponds to a transformed version of the input data. |
| US08422667B2 |
Method and apparatus to facilitate transmission of an encrypted rolling code
An encrypted rolling code (11), a plurality of differing data bit order patterns (13), and a plurality of differing data inversion patterns 14) are provided. One then selects (15) a particular one of each of these patterns and uses those selected patterns as transmission characteristics when transmitting (16) at least part of the encrypted rolling code. |
| US08422663B1 |
Structure and method for echo reduction without loss of information
An echo reduction method stores a received audio information stream. A sound detection flag is activated following detection of locally generated sound. Output based on the received audio information stream is muted in response to the activating the sound detection flag. Rendering status of the received audio information stream is saved, in response to the activating the sound detection flag, to reduce loss of audio information. At least a portion of the stored received audio information stream is rendered following inactivation of the sound detection flag. |
| US08422662B2 |
Splitter wall plates for digital subscriber line (DSL) communication systems and methods to use the same
Splitter wall plates for digital subscriber line (DSL) communication systems and methods to use the same are disclosed. An example apparatus comprises a splitter to separate a digital subscriber line (DSL) signal from a plain old telephone signal (POTS) signal, and a switch to selectively couple a VoIP signal received via a first jack or the POTS signal to a second jack. |
| US08422659B2 |
Call processing system
A system that is configured for determining the value of one or at least one incoming call and routing the call for processing based on this determined value. In one embodiment, the system routes very low value calls to an automated system for processing, and directs all other calls to human operators for processing. In another embodiment, the system assigns at least one agent to one or more of a plurality of groups of agents based on the agent's past performance in executing a particular task. For example, the highest performing agents at handling a particular type of call are assigned to a first group, and the second highest performing agents at handling this type of call are assigned to a second group. In one embodiment, the most important calls are routed to the first, “highest performing” group for processing, and less important calls are routed to the second group for processing. |
| US08422658B1 |
System and method for the automatic selection of interfaces
The automatic selection of interfaces can result in the optimization of interaction between entities. Such selection of interfaces can be applied specifically in the context of interactive voice response systems, and can allow the interface presented to a caller to be optimized based on factors including the caller's usage of the system. |
| US08422652B2 |
Device and method for managing communication credits associated to use of services by a terminal
This client device (20) is able to use a service on a telecommunications network (1). It includes means (21) for storing a call credit (C_S1, C_S2) associated with that service and means (30) for updating that credit as a function of the use of that service by the client (20) on reception of a request from a service provider (FS1, FS2). |
| US08422651B2 |
Revenue management systems and methods with re-rating and rebilling
A revenue management system for telecommunication systems is disclosed. The revenue management system can have multiple integrated modules. The modules can include a revenue generation module, a revenue capture module, a revenue collection module, a revenue intelligence module, and others. The revenue management system can also be configured to simultaneously manage revenue for prepaid, postpaid, now-paid payment models. |
| US08422650B2 |
Authentication in communication systems
A user of a first packet-based communication network is authorized to access a second packet-based communication network. In at least some embodiments, an authorization request is received from a user terminal of the user at a first network element of the first packet-based communication network, the authorization request comprising a first user identity. Responsive to the authorization request, a request is transmitted to create a second user identity from the first network element to a second network element of the second packet-based communication network. The second network element creates the second user identity for use in the second packet-based communication network, the second user identity being derivable from the first user identity according to a predetermined rule. The second user identity in the second packet-based communication network is stored for use with subsequent communication events over the second packet-based communication network. |
| US08422647B2 |
Signal transmission method
A signal transmission method includes using a signal integrating device to receive a first digital signal from a network line or to transmit a second digital thereto; feeding the power transmitted from the network line into the first digital signal to form an integrated signal; using a signal converting device to restore the integrated signal back to the network line power and the first digital signal; converting a first digital signal into a first analog signal or a second analog signal received from outside into a second digital signal; and using a coiled-wire cord connecting the signal integrating device and the signal converting device to transmit the integrated signal from the signal integrating device to the signal converting device or transmit the second digital signal from the signal converting device to the signal integrating device. The invention thereby achieves transmission of digital signals by a coiled-wire cord. |
| US08422643B2 |
Playback of media recordings
A media system is provided. The media system may include a media player, an input, and a processor. The media player may have a scrub bar and a playhead. The scrub bar may be operable to represent a time line of a media recording that is being played back and the playhead may indicate a portion of the media recording that is being played back. The input may be operable to receive user behavior. The processor may be operable to dynamically adjust a speed of playback of the media recording based on the user behavior. |
| US08422639B2 |
Communication apparatus
A communication apparatus including: a semiconductor DAA which performs line closing and opening processings; and a controller including; an adjustment controlling section which controls the semiconductor DAA such that a line voltage and a line current upon closing a line fall within a predetermined range; an adjustment-control starting section which starts the control; an adjustment-control stopping section which stops the control; and a change detecting section which detects a change of conditions of supply of the line voltage, wherein the adjustment-control starting section starts the control where the line closing processing has been performed and where the change has been detected, and wherein the adjustment-control stopping section stops the control when a predetermined length of time has passed, in at least one of where the line closing processing has been performed and the control is being performed, and where the change has been detected and the control is being performed. |
| US08422636B2 |
Photon counting and energy discriminating detector threshold calibration
An imaging system includes an x-ray source, a detector that receives x-rays emitted from the x-ray source, a DAS configured to count photon hits in the detector that occur at photon energies above at least a low keV threshold, a medium keV threshold, and a high keV threshold, and a computer operably coupled to the DAS. The computer is programmed to vary each of the medium keV threshold and the high keV threshold over a continuous keV range during data acquisition to define low, medium, and high keV bins that are based on the low, medium, and high keV thresholds, obtain photon counts in the low, medium, and high keV bins in a plurality of keV threshold combinations, calculate a noise variance as a function of at least one of the keV thresholds, and identify a noise minimum and low, medium, and high keV thresholds that correspond thereto. |
| US08422634B2 |
Automated medical imaging system fault detection
A system automatically detects and reports a hardware and/or software error in an X-ray system. A system automatically detects and identifies failed components of a distributed X-ray imaging system. Multiple different subsystems of an X-ray imaging system individually include, an executable procedure for detecting a failed component in a respective subsystem and a communication interface for initiating generation and communication of a message identifying the failed component and identifying the respective subsystem including the failed component. A repository stores data identifying failed components within the multiple different subsystems in response to the communicated message. An error processor accesses the repository of data and provides composite information enabling a user to identify failed components within an X-ray imaging system. |
| US08422626B2 |
Computed tomography apparatus for geological resource core analysis
A computed tomography apparatus for geological resource core analysis, more particularly to a computed tomography apparatus for geological resource core analysis in that it can conveniently utilize a computed tomography apparatus for industrial use, the movement between the CT beam transmitter and the detector is decreased, thereby performing an accurate measurement and breaking down infrequently, and especially, it can easily perform a CT scan on a cylinder type (or rod shape) sample having a very long major axis such as a geological resource core sample. |
| US08422623B2 |
Exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method
A method of exposing a substrate to a pattern using an exposure apparatus. The method includes performing an update of a parameter, necessary for processing in the exposure apparatus, through measurement, in which the measurement is performed for each update of the parameter, setting a validity period for the updated parameter, in which the validity period represents a period in which the updated parameter is valid for the processing, predicting a completion time for a next exposure processing segment to be performed by the exposure apparatus, determining whether the predicted completion time is after expiration of the validity period, in which the setting of the validity period is performed after the performing of the update and before the determining step, and causing the update of the parameter to be performed if it is determined in the determining step that the predicted completion time is after the expiration of the validity period. |
| US08422622B2 |
Shift register and display device
To provide a shift register and a display device each capable of satisfactorily preventing noises of individual stage outputs without increasing circuit complexity, each stage of the shift register includes: a first output transistor; a first capacitor; an input gate; a first switching element; a second switching element; a third switching element; a fourth switching element; and a fifth switching element. |
| US08422621B2 |
Shift register
A shift register is provided in which leakage of charges from a voltage at a set node is prevented to stabilize an output from a stage. The shift register includes stages for sequentially outputting scan pulses. An nth one of the stages includes a node controller for controlling voltages at nodes, and an output unit for outputting any one of a corresponding one of the scan pulses and a first discharging voltage according to the voltages at the nodes. The nodes include set and reset nodes. The node controller of the nth stage includes a first switching device controlled by a voltage supplied to the reset node for supplying a second discharging voltage to the set node, and an inverter circuit controlled by a voltage supplied to the set node for supplying any one of a charging voltage and a third discharging voltage to the reset node. |
| US08422620B2 |
Shift registers
A shift register is provided and includes a first shift registering unit and a second shift registering unit. The first shift registering unit generates a first trigger signal at a first output terminal and includes a first pull-down circuit. The second shift registering unit receives the first trigger signal and generates a second trigger signal at a second output terminal. The first trigger signal and the second trigger signal are sequentially asserted. The second shift registering unit includes a second pull-down circuit. The first pull-down circuit and the second pull-down circuit perform pull-down operations at different times. When the first pull-down circuit does not perform the pull-down operation, the second pull-down circuit performs pull-down operations to the first output terminal. |
| US08422618B2 |
Apparatus and system for restricting the movement of a component
An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus and system for repairing and/or maintaining a position of a first component in relation to a second component. The first and second components may be located within a reactor pressure vessel of a nuclear powerplant. The apparatus and system may attach at least one bearing plate to a horizontal surface of the first component. The apparatus and system includes structure to apply a pre-load to the first component. This may assist in maintaining the position of the first component relative to the second component. |
| US08422615B2 |
Fast powering-up of data communication system
A data communication system has a transmitter with a first clock-generation circuit, and a receiver with a second clock generation circuit. At least a specific one of the clock-generation circuits is powered-down between consecutive data bursts. The system expedites the starting up of operational use of the system upon a power-down of the specific clock-generation circuit. The system presets at a predetermined value an operational quantity of the specific clock-generation circuit at the starting up. |
| US08422614B2 |
Methods and apparatus for determining timing in a wireless communication system
Methods and apparatus for setting timing of sampling of one or more symbols. The disclosed methods account for at least three types of effective interference (EI) and are used to set the timing of a sampling window for sampling received symbols. The methods includes setting timing based on determining an energy density function accounting for both static and dynamic EI, determining the minimum of a total energy profile and sliding the sampling window to ensure that the minimum point is at a predetermined point, and determining and using a composite energy profile accounting for short term and long term fading effects. The disclosed apparatus include a transceiver employing one or more of the disclosed methods for setting timing when receiving the symbols. |
| US08422613B2 |
Clock-synchronous communication apparatus and communication system
In a clock-synchronous communication system, a clock pulse as a communication clock is outputted from a master device to a slave device so as to synchronize the master device and slave device. The transmitting side transmits a data to a data line with a first edge timing of the clock pulse, and the receiving side receives the data from the data line with a second edge timing of the clock pulse. A microcomputer as the master device is configured to enable separate setting of high-level duration and low-level duration of a clock pulse to be outputted, using a program. High-level duration and low-level duration are each set to a minimum value that satisfies the requirements for constituting communication with a communication destination. Uprating not only the cycle of a clock pulse but also the communication baud rate, efficient clock-synchronous communication can be performed. |
| US08422611B2 |
Analog equalizer systems and methods for baseband video signals
An equalizer and methods for equalizing a cable-borne signal are described. The cable-borne signal includes a digital signal and a baseband analog signal separated by frequency. Distortions are removed from the digital signal and an analog equalizer compensates for attenuations of the analog signal caused by the cable based on equalization settings of a digital equalizer. A baseband analog filter can be selected based on an estimate calculated by the digital equalizer of difference in attenuation at different frequencies. |
| US08422608B2 |
Wireless receiver
A wireless receiver including receiving antennas, frequency-space transformers, noise wave removers, a back-end signal processor, a pattern detector, a broadcast interruption detector, and a back-end controller. The frequency-space transformers convert signals received by the antennas into frequency-space signals. The noise wave removers each at least perform the calculation of a transmission line coefficient matrix and the calculation of an inter-antenna covariance matrix on the frequency-space signals. A controller controls the back-end signal processor to operate when the multicarrier transmission waves have been detected to be interrupted. The noise wave removers each perform the calculation of the inter-antenna covariance matrix when a broadcast interruption detector has detected the interruption of the multicarrier airwaves. Thus, the wireless receiver removes noise generated within it, thereby having high reception sensitivity. |
| US08422604B2 |
Method for detecting frame synchronization and structure in DVB-S2 system
Provided is a method for detecting frame sync and frame structure in a satellite broadcasting system, which acquires an estimated value for detecting frame structure and frame sync and overcomes distortion of correlation analysis values by summing differential correlation values for SOF positions in consideration of the variable frame length, and selecting a maximum value in a channel environment with low signal-to-noise ratio and high frequency error. SOF is a sync word indicating the start point of a frame. The method includes the steps of: acquiring SOF differential correlation value sequences; acquiring sums (di,t) of the correlation values normalized for SOF positions based on the number of symbols per frame by using the above-generated SOF differential correlation value sequences; and selecting a maximum value (dz,x) among the sums of correlation values, detecting z as a frame sync position, and detecting x as a frame structure index. |
| US08422597B2 |
Method for processing received signal by applying channel status information based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing
A method applies channel status information (CSI) to a soft-decided signal. The method performs adjustment suitable for a soft-decided and received signal in applying pre-estimated CSI to a decoder, thereby enhancing performance and enabling adaptive application. The method includes calculating a second value CSINEW for enhancing reliability of a received first CSI CSIRECEIVED, and applying a weight value to the calculated second CSI value CSINEW to calculate a third CSI value CSIWEIGHTED; applying the third CSI value CSIWEIGHTED to a first soft-decision value SSOFTDECISION of an actually-received signal to calculate a second soft-decision value SSOFTDECISION+CSI adjusted; and restrictedly controlling an output range of the calculated second soft-decision value SSOFTDECISION+CSI to obtain a third soft-decision value SSOFTDECISION+CSI—Bounded. |
| US08422595B2 |
Channel estimation for communication systems with multiple transmit antennas
According to an embodiment, a receiver, system and method for channel estimation in a communications system utilizing multiple transmit antennas are provided. The receiver comprises an antenna node operable to receive a signal that includes a superposition of at least a first signal corresponding to a first sequence and a second signal corresponding to a second sequence; and a channel estimator, coupled to the antenna node, operable to correlate the received signal with at least one of the first and second sequences, to determine at least one boundary between at least two waveforms resulting from the correlation, and to calculate using the boundary and the at least two waveforms a first channel response corresponding to the first signal and a second channel response corresponding the second signal. Channel estimates are determined based on determined boundaries and may be smoothed by a Savitzky-Golay filter in the frequency domain. The variance of additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) may also be estimated. |
| US08422594B2 |
Circuit for demodulating a phase modulated signal
A demodulator is provided for demodulating a phase-modulated data signal. The demodulator includes a phase frequency detector to output a voltage representing a phase difference between a received phase-modulated data signal and a reference clock signal. The voltage is input to first and second phase change detectors, which are provided to measure the phase difference of the phase-modulated data signal during first and second time periods, respectively. |
| US08422591B2 |
System and method for high speed communications using digital signal processing
Various systems and methods related to equalization precoding in a communications channel are disclosed. In one implementation precoding is performed on signals transmitted over an optical channel. In one implementation precoding and decoding operations are performed in parallel to facilitate high speed processing in relatively low cost circuits. Initialization of the precoders may be realized by transmitting information related to the characteristics of the channel between transceiver pairs. |
| US08422590B2 |
Apparatus and methods for differential signal receiving
A differential signal receiver 106 implements intra-pair skew compensation for improving data transfer on a differential channel. In an embodiment, the receiver implements sampling by—multiple clocks with different phases such that the signals of the differential channel may be separately or individually time adjusted to account for skew between them so that they may be differentially compared for data resolution. In one embodiment, a positive sampler and negative sampler are controlled by distinct clock signals to permit, at different times, sampling and holding of the positive and negative signals representing a data bit on the differential channel. A differential decision circuit may then differentially resolve the data using a latter one of the distinct clock signals. Timing generation circuitry for producing the offset clocks may include a skew detector that permits dynamic adjustment of the different clock signals according to skew associated with the signals of the differential channel. |
| US08422588B2 |
Variable-size mixer for high gain range transmitter
Implementations of a high gain range transmitter with variable-size mixers are described. |