Document Document Title
US08438654B1 Systems and methods for associating a virtual machine with an access control right
The present invention is related to associating a machine or virtual machine instance with an access control right in a cloud-based computing environment. In one aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus for or a method of associating a machine or virtual machine instance with an access control right in a cloud-based computing environment. In various embodiments, the apparatus is capable of, and the method includes, the following: receiving, in a cloud-based computing environment, a request to perform an action; using an identifier for the machine or virtual machine instance to determine that the received request was sent by, or on behalf of, the machine or virtual machine instance; and identifying an access control right associated with the machine or virtual machine instance making the request, to determine whether to perform the action on behalf of, or grant access by, the machine or virtual machine instance.
US08438644B2 Information system security based on threat vectors
A security system is provided. The system comprises a computer system, a memory accessible to the computer system, a data store, and an application. The data store comprises a threat catalog, wherein the threat catalog comprises a plurality of threat vectors, each threat vector comprising a plurality of fields, wherein each field is constrained to carry a value selected from a predefined list of enumerated values. The application is stored in the memory and, when executed by the computer system receives a threat report, wherein the threat report comprises an identification of at least one threat vector, determines a correlation between the at least one threat vector received in the threat report with the threat vectors comprising the threat catalog, and, based on the correlation, sends a notification to a stakeholder in an organization under the protection of the security system.
US08438633B1 Flexible real-time inbox access
Systems and methods for authenticating access to multiple data stores substantially in real-time are disclosed. The system may include a server coupled to a network, a client device in communication with the server via the network and a plurality of data stores. The server may authenticate access to the data stores and forward information from those stores to the client device. An exemplary authentication method may include receipt of a request for access to data. Information concerning access to that data is stored and associated with an identifier assigned to a client device. If the identifier is found to correspond to the stored information during a future request for access to the store, access to that store is granted.
US08438631B1 Security enclave device to extend a virtual secure processing environment to a client device
Disclosed are methods and devices to provide an end-to-end secure transaction over a software defined network (SDN). In one embodiment, a machine-implemented method includes: opening, through an enclave device, an in-band virtual secure channel (VSC) or an out-of-band VSC over the SDN; authenticating, through the enclave device, a user of a resource over the in-band VSC or the out-of-band VSC; facilitating, through the enclave device, an authorization of the user to access the resource over the in-band VSC or the out-of-band VSC; and accounting for a transaction conducted by the user accessing the resource, through the enclave device, over the in-band VSC or the out-of-band VSC.
US08438628B2 Method and apparatus for split-terminating a secure network connection, with client authentication
A method and apparatus are provided for split-terminating a secure client-server communication connection, with client authentication. During handshaking between the client and the server, cooperating network intermediaries relay the handshaking messages, without altering the messages. At least one of the intermediaries possesses a private key of the server, and extracts a set of data fields from the handshaking messages, including a Client-Key-Exchange message that can be decrypted with the private key. The intermediary uses the extracted data to compute the client-server session key separate from the client's and the server's similar computation, and may transmit the key to the other intermediary via a secure communication channel. The client and the server thus establish the end-to-end client-server connection, and may authenticate each other, after which the network intermediaries may intercept and optimize the client-server communications transparently to the client and the server.
US08438620B2 Portable device for clearing access
A portable device for activating access in or over a computer network that is connectable to a terminal, which is connected to the computer network at least temporarily. The portable device is configured to be insertable into a communication path between the terminal and the computer network, for authenticating a user, and for providing access data for activating access.
US08438617B2 User authentication based on voucher codes
An authentication server authenticates a first user, and generates a voucher code that is provided to the authenticated first user. The first user may provide the voucher code to a second user, responsive to a request by the second user for the first user to vouch for the second user, to thereby allow the second user to be authenticated. The authentication server receives the voucher code from the second user, and authenticates the second user based on the voucher code. The authenticated second user may be provided with a temporary password or other type of code utilizable for at least one additional authentication.
US08438616B2 Method for terminal configuration and management and terminal device
A method for terminal configuration and management includes: acquiring a configuration file, where the configuration file includes server account information; configuring the server account information in the acquired configuration file onto a Device Management Tree (DMT) of a terminal; based on the server account information, establishing a management session between the terminal and the server, and performing management and subsequent configuration on the terminal during the session. A corresponding terminal device and a corresponding system are also provided. Through the method, the terminal can determine, according to protocol version information supported by or corresponding to the corresponding server and carried in a configuration packet, a protocol that should be used for communication with a server, and perform configuration according to the correct protocol version, thus improving the operation efficiency.
US08438615B2 System and method for setting up security for controlled device by control point in a home network
A system and method for setting up security of a controlled device by a control point in a home network are provided, in which authority to perform a function intended by a user is acquired through authentication between the control point and the controlled device, a security channel is created for performing the function, and a credential setting used by the user is synchronized among controlled devices in the home network.
US08438610B2 Identity-based address normalization
In various embodiments, techniques for identity-based address normalization are provided. A principal attempts to access a resource via a principal-supplied address. A principal identity for the principal is used to acquire one or more address patterns. The principal-supplied address is compared against the one or more address patterns and when a match is detected, the principal-supplied address is normalized according to policy associated with the matched pattern. Additional access limitations and security restrictions are then enforced in response to the normalized address.
US08438609B2 Resource authorizations dependent on emulation environment isolation policies
A system, method, computer program product, and carrier are described for obtaining a resource authorization dependent upon apparent compliance with a policy of causing an emulation environment to isolate a first software object type from a second software object type; and signaling a decision whether to comply with the policy of causing the emulation environment to isolate the first software object type from the second software object type.
US08438603B2 Methods and apparatus for supporting content distribution
Methods and apparatus for supporting content delivery service are described. In accordance with the invention content can be supplied to temporary storage of a regional or local server used to supply the content to a customer's premises when the requested content is not already available in the regional or local server. A content server hierarchy may be implemented with servers higher up in the hierarchy including more content, e.g., titles, than the number of titles stored in the lower level servers. By storing less frequently accessed content in servers higher in the hierarchy and frequently requested titles lower in the hierarchy, a vast number of titles can be supported without overburdening the storage available at local and regional servers. In addition, a national or other server high in the hierarchy can be used to store, move, and distribute local or other content as part of an on demand service.
US08438601B2 Resource management for a networked personal video recording system
A networked personal video recording (“PVR”) system couples a plurality of clients to one or more PVR media servers over a network. One or more PVR media servers include television tuners to tune television signals. A storage medium buffers the television signals to implement PVR functionality. For example, the PVR media server records television programs for clients. Clients are assigned to television tuners, and the clients display television programs received at the assigned tuner. The network transfers the buffered television signals to the clients.
US08438600B2 Method of processing EPG metadata in network device and network device for controlling the same
A method of processing EPG (Electronic Program Guide) metadata in a network device includes performing a service discovery procedure utilizing multiple service discovery metadata components supplied by a service provider, receiving EPG metadata corresponding to a super group information element comprising both of a member element giving a group ID of another super group information element that has a higher level than a level of the super group information element and a level attribute giving a level of super group represented by the super group information element, wherein the member element is used to reference the other super group information element at a higher level, and processing the EPG metadata.
US08438598B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and information sharing system
There is provided an information processing apparatus communicable with a plurality of content viewing devices via a network, including a viewing information receiving unit for receiving viewing information of a user in the past, present, and future from each of the content viewing devices, a user viewing content management unit for managing a user viewing content DB based on the viewing information received from each of the content viewing devices and a program guide, the user viewing content DB associating, in a form of program guide, past, present, and future contents represented in the program guide and identification information of users who have viewed the past content, those who are viewing the present content, and those who will view the future content, and a viewing information transmitting unit for transmitting the extracted viewing information of another user to the requesting content viewing device.
US08438595B1 Method and apparatus for temporal correlation of content-specific metadata with content obtained from disparate sources
A method of correlating content-specific metadata to a point of interest in primary video content includes generating a series of content-specific temporal markers spaced throughout the play time of the primary video content and receiving input of the content-specific metadata intended for temporary display at the point of interest during playback of the primary video content. The content-specific metadata and point of interest are associated with at least one of the content-specific temporal markers. Additional methods of temporarily displaying metadata and apparatus for correlating content-specific metadata to a point of interest in primary video content are described.
US08438589B2 Obtaining metadata program information during channel changes
One embodiment provides a method and apparatus for obtaining metadata program information during channel changes. The method includes the capture of an on-screen display that is rendered by a rendering device such as, for example, a digital television system. The on-screen display may be generated by an access device such as a set-top box in response to a program selection event. Once captured, the on-screen display may be decoded to determine metadata for a program selected by the program selection event. In one embodiment, decoding may be provided using pattern matching, optical code recognition (OCR) or other like decoding technique for decoding a video frame to determine metadata for a program selected by the program selection event. In one embodiment, a copy of the program in conjunction with the captured metadata are stored within the persistent memory of a digital television device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08438580B2 Window server event taps
Methods, devices and an associated application programming interface are described that permits a user to register event tap routines (“ETRs”) with an application such as, for example, a window server application. Event tap routines permit events such as human interface device events to be processed at multiple points and in a manner not provided during normal window server operations. Event tap routines may effect passive or active event responses. Passive ETRs may merely record the occurrence of an event or the time between successive events without modifying or altering the event's processing sequence within a window server. Active ETRs, on the other hand, effect some programmatic response to an event. For example, active ETRs may modify the state of an event, delete the event, create one or more additional events or cause the event to be processed “out of sequence” by the window server application.
US08438579B2 System and method for time tracking
A method for tracking time, including obtaining a plurality of tasks; identify a first open event and a first close event associated with a first file; identifying a start idle event and an end idle event associated with the first file after identifying the first open event; generating a first open event time stamp for the first open event, a first close event time stamp for the first close event, a start idle event time stamp for the start idle event, and an end idle event time stamp for the end idle event; mapping the first file to a first task of the plurality of tasks; and presenting a report including the first task, the first open event time stamp, the first close event time stamp, the start idle event time stamp, and the end idle event time stamp.
US08438575B2 Method for equitable resource sharing between local and network filesystems
Computing resources shared by local and network filesystems may be used to maximum capacity by a single application, or equitably shared by multiple applications under heavy load. A portion of the resources are set aside for local filesystem use and a small number is reserved for each network filesystem. The remaining resources may be used by either local or network filesystems. An enforcement limit puts a ceiling on the number of resources that can be used by a single network filesystem. When the enforcement limit is applied to a filesystem, the number of executing resource acquisition requests from that filesystem is reduced, by completion of the requests, to the reserved number of resources for that filesystem before any more resources acquisition requests from that filesystem are executed.
US08438572B2 Task scheduling method and apparatus
A method of scheduling execution of a plurality of tasks by a processor, the processor having a processor memory, the processor being arranged to load into the processor memory, during execution of a current task, data for a task that is scheduled for execution after the processor has completed the current task, the method comprising the steps of scheduling a next task for execution by the processor after the processor has completed a current task, and determining whether there is a high priority task to be executed by the processor, if there is a high priority task to be executed by the processor: determining whether the processor has begun loading the data for the next task into the processor memory, and if the processor has not begun loading the data for the next task into the processor memory, scheduling the high priority task, instead of the next task, for execution by the processor after the processor has completed the current task.
US08438570B2 Resource allocator with knowledge-based optimization
An automated resource allocation technique for scheduling a batch computer job in a multi-computer system environment. According to example embodiments, resource allocation processing may be performed when receiving a batch computer job that needs to be run by a software application executable on more than one computing system in the multi-computer system environment. The job may be submitted for pre-processing analysis by the software application. A pre-processing analysis result comprising job evaluation information may be received from the software application and the result may be evaluated to select a computing system in the multi-computer system environment that is capable of executing the application to run the job. The job may be submitted to the selected computing system to have the software application run the job to completion.
US08438569B2 Broadcasting a condition to threads executing on a plurality of on-chip processors
The present invention provides for notifying threads. A determination is made whether there is a condition for which a thread is to be notified. If so, a notification indicia is broadcasted. A flag is set in at least one memory storage area as a function of the notification indicia wherein the setting the flag occurs without the intervention of an operating system. Therefore, latencies for notification of threads are minimized.
US08438566B2 Managing assignment of partition services to virtual input/output adapters
Automated management of partition service assignment to a virtual input/output (VIO) adapter is provided. Responsive to creation of a new partition service in a data processing system, a partition priority number is determined for the new partition service, and, for each VIO adapter, the partition priority numbers of the partition services currently assigned to that VIO adapter are summed. For a VIO adapter with a lowest sum of partition priority numbers, logic determines whether assigning the new partition service to that VIO adapter results in its summed partition priority number being above a predefined threshold, and the new partition service is assigned to a VIO adapter based, at least in part, on whether assigning the new partition service to the VIO adapter with the lowest sum of partition priority numbers results in that VIO adapter's summed partition priority number exceeding the predefined threshold.
US08438565B2 Virtual machine migration managing method, computer using the method, virtualizer using the method and computer system using the method
In a system including a plurality of physical machines to execute virtual machines (VM1, VM2), migration virtual machine information and definition information are saved in a physical machine executing a virtual machine (VM1) to be migrated and a storage of a physical machine as a migration destination. During the migration of the virtual machine, machine identification information of a migration partner, unique information assigned to the virtual machine, and information indicating whether the physical machine executing the processing is a migration-source or migration-destination physical machine are saved in a migration information storage area. A migration recovery section examines information stored in a definition information storage area and a migration information storage area to determine a recovery procedure to restore the virtual machine.
US08438562B2 One click deployment
Techniques are provided for deploying applications hosted by an application service provider. An application in a first environment is automatically deployed to a second environment in response to receiving a request over a network from the party for whom the second environment is being hosted. The first environment may be an environment where applications are developed by the party over the network. Deployment of the application may entail provisioning of an environment for the application.
US08438560B2 Resource assessment method and system
A resource assessment method and system. The method comprises identifying at least one information technology resource, providing characteristics of the information technology resource, maintaining a database of characteristics of at least one software product, generating a data collector software tool based on the characteristics of the information technology resource and the characteristics of the software product, composing a resource assessment agent that includes the data collector software tool, adapted for installation on the information technology resource to collect data pertaining to the information technology resource, to perform an analysis of the data by reference to the characteristics of the software product and to return at least one result of the analysis, deploying the resource assessment agent on the information technology resource, receiving the result of the analysis from the information technology resource, and outputting the result of the analysis.
US08438558B1 System and method of updating programs and data
A system and method are provided to (a) convert an older or base version of software into an alternate representation of the base version; (b) convert a newer or updated version of software into an alternate representation of the updated version; (c) compare the alternate updated version with the alternate base version (d) modify portions of the alternate updated version based on the comparison and (e) create a patch, where the patch represents the differences between the alternate updated version and the alternate base version.
US08438557B2 Reusing an application object
The present invention provides methods, apparatus and systems for reusing an application object for use with an application program, in which the object can be reused without causing nonconformity in the consistency or security, even if the object to be reused is updated. An example of a method includes detecting that the application program ends referring to the application object, detecting that the application object is updated by the application program, deciding to reuse the application object in response to detecting no update of the application object, making the application object reusable in response to the end of referring to the object, and decision to reuse the application object.
US08438556B2 Peripheral device control system, its control method, and information processing apparatus, and computer program and computer-readable storage medium
This invention has as its object to control a peripheral device by selecting optimal processing even when the version of the OS of an information processing apparatus is updated and when the version of firmware of the peripheral device is updated. To this end, according to this invention, the version information of the OS of an information processing apparatus, that of firmware of a printer, and that of a printer driver are acquired. A control method that acquires status information of the printer is set according to the acquired information.
US08438555B1 Method of using an encapsulated data signature for virtualization layer activation
A system and method for opening a file in a virtualization workspace of a host computer system. The host computer system includes a virtualization workspace including a virtualization agent and virtual software layers. The virtualization agent detects a request to open a file in the virtualization workspace. In response to detecting the request, the virtualization agent determines that the file includes embedded metadata. The virtualization agent uses the embedded metadata to identify a virtual software layer in which to open the file, activates the virtual software layer, and opens the file using an application that is included in the identified virtual software layer. The virtual software layer includes one or more applications and the embedded metadata includes a signature corresponding to one of the applications with which to open the file. The identified virtual software layer is installed on the host computer system subsequent to being identified.
US08438554B1 System, method, and computer program product for removing a synchronization statement
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for removing a synchronization statement. In use, synchronization statements are identified. Additionally, the synchronization statements are analyzed. Furthermore, the synchronization statements are removed based on the analysis.
US08438547B2 Address translation trace message generation for debug
A data processing system and method generates debug messages by permitting an external debug tool to have real-time trace functionality. A data processor executes a plurality of data processing instructions and uses a memory for information storage. Debug module generates debug messages including address translation trace messages. A memory management unit has address translation logic for implementing address translation to translate addresses between virtual and physical forms. The debug module includes message generation module that is coupled to the memory management unit for receiving notice when one or more address translation mappings are modified. The message generation module generates an address translation trace message in response to a detection of a modification of an address translation mapping occurs and provides the address translation trace message external to the debug module.
US08438543B2 Discovering multi-component software products
A solution for discovering shared software components (C1-C9) of software products (PRODa-PRODe) installed on a data processing system is proposed. In order to achieve this result, for each software product the corresponding software components are aggregated into groups (Ga1-Ge1); each group includes software components that must be linked by a corresponding relationship (such as a co-location on the same operating system image). In this way, it is possible to assign a software component available on the system to its software product even when it may be used by more of them. Particularly, the operation is performed deterministically when the available software component is included in a single valid group (i.e., a group including all the required software components); in this case, the available software component (C2) is assigned to the software product (PROD) associated with the single valid group (Gb1). Alternatively, when an (ambiguous) available software component (C4, C8, C9) is included in more valid groups, a score is calculated for each associated (eligible) software product according to the corresponding available software components; the eligible software product with the highest score (PROD) is then selected for assigning the ambiguous software component.
US08438533B2 Performance-related decision support for compositions of process modeling environments
Multiple development models of software applications utilizing different service environments may be annotated with additional information and transformed within a transformation chain into a resulting unified performance analysis model that may be used to evaluate the development models, for example, for simulations and/or analytical sensitivity analysis by utilizing different performance analysis environments. By relating elements of the development models through the transformation chain to elements of resulting unified models, the evaluation may be performed with respect to the resulting/transformed model, but provided to a user in terms of the original development models. In this way, a user of the development models may work with the more-familiar development models, utilizing multiple different performance analysis tools, without having to alter the development models directly in order to obtain the evaluation.
US08438531B2 Visualization and information display for shapes in displayed graphical images
Graphical viewing of shapes and descriptive information in displayed graphical images. In one aspect, shape information is displayed in a graphical interface using a computer system and includes causing a display of an image on a display device with or more shapes, and causing a display of multiple labels on the display device. Each of the labels is associated with a different one of the displayed shapes, and the labels are derived from stored connectivity information for the one or more shapes describing the connections of the shapes.
US08438526B2 Method for minimizing transistor and analog component variation in CMOS processes through design rule restrictions
Various embodiments provide an integrated circuit (IC) design method and design kit for reducing context variations through design rule restrictions. The design method can be applied to components (e.g., analog blocks) with a context variation in an IC design. By drawing a cover layer over such components, context-variation-reduction design rule restrictions can be applied to reduce the context variations.
US08438524B1 Hierarchical editing of printed circuit board pin assignment
An interface object library tool for manipulating interface objects for a printed circuit board (PCB) tool is disclosed. The interface object library tool includes a hierarchical interface display module, an input module, and a store. The hierarchical interface display module is configured to display an interrelation between a plurality of interface objects and a plurality of groups each including a plurality of signal, power and ground lines. The plurality of interface objects are configured to be associated with a plurality of block objects to define a plurality of component objects. The input module is configured to: accept association of the plurality of groups and the plurality of signal, power and ground lines without defining pin or pad assignments; and accept association between the plurality of interface objects and a plurality of groups. The store is configured to retain the plurality of interface objects; the plurality of groups; the plurality of signal, power and ground lines; and associations between these three.
US08438523B2 Integrated circuit manufacturing method and semiconductor integrated circuit
In layout design step of the semiconductor integrated circuit manufacturing method, when it is found that the wiring length between an external terminal and an IO block (external terminal I/F circuit) corresponding to the external terminal increases after a floorplan of a circuit including a functional block and the IO block is determined, placement of the IO block is determined such that the IO block is placed close to the external terminal to alleviate constraints on the wiring between the IO block and the external terminal, and timing adjustment circuits whose number is determined according to the wiring length of a bus (or a shared bus) connecting a data transfer circuit and the IO block is inserted into the bus.
US08438522B1 Logic element architecture for generic logic chains in programmable devices
A reconfigurable device includes an arrangement of a plurality of cells and routing resources for transmitting signals between the cells. The plurality of cells comprises carry-select reuse cells, each of the carry-select reuse cells configured to provide for performing non-arithmetic operations using a reuse arithmetic carry chain interconnecting adjacent cells.
US08438521B1 Methods and apparatus for implementing application specific processors
Methods and apparatus are provided for efficiently implementing an application specific processor. An application specific processor includes a data path and a control path. A control path is implemented using processor components to increase resource efficiency. Both the data path and the control path can be implemented using function units that are selected, parameterized, and interconnected. A tool uses the selected function units and interconnection information to provide data for implementing the application specific processor. Missing function units or interconnections can be identified and corrected.
US08438519B2 Via-node-based electromigration rule-check methodology
A method of method of manufacturing an integrated circuit. The method comprises performing an electromigration reliability rule-check for at least one of via node of an integrated circuit, including: calculating a net effective current density of the via node. Calculating the net effective current density including determining a sum of effective current densities for individual leads that are coupled to the via node. Leads configured to transfer electrons away from said via node are assigned a positive polarity of the effective current density. Leads configured to transfer electrons towards the via node are assigned a negative polarity of the effective current density.
US08438517B2 System and method for automatically managing clock relationships in integrated circuit designs
Systems and methods for identifying and managing the relationships between clock domains in an integrated circuit design are disclosed. A computer-implemented method analyzes the behavioral structure of the clock-to-clock logical relationships in a proposed integrated circuit design. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving as inputs a description of the design (in a synthesizable format or a synthesized gate-level netlist and definitions of the clock waveforms and timing constraints used in the design, and automatically identifying the relationships between the clocks specified in the description and categorizing the relationships into a plurality of behavioral categories. A list of timing exceptions may optionally also be provided as an input. The identified relationships between clocks and the behavioral categories may be used to verify any existing timing exceptions between clock pairs, and/or to create any missing exceptions between the clock pairs.
US08438512B2 Method and system for implementing efficient locking to facilitate parallel processing of IC designs
Disclosed is an improved method and system for implementing parallelism for execution of electronic design automation (EDA) tools, such as layout processing tools. Examples of EDA layout processing tools are placement and routing tools. Efficient locking mechanism are described for facilitating parallel processing and to minimize blocking.
US08438510B2 Partial hardening of a software program from a software implementation to a hardware implementation
System and method for developing an ASIC. A software program may be stored which includes program instructions which implement a function. The software program may be executed on a processing system at a desired system speed and may be validated based on the execution. A first hardware description of at least a portion of the processing system may be stored and may specify implementation of at least a portion of the processing system. A second hardware description may be generated that corresponds to a first portion of the first hardware description. The second hardware description may specify a dedicated hardware implementation of a first portion of the software program executing on the processing system. Generation of the second hardware description may be performed one or more times to fully specify the ASIC. An ASIC may be created which implements the function of the software program.
US08438508B2 Pattern selection for full-chip source and mask optimization
The present invention relates to lithographic apparatuses and processes, and more particularly to tools for optimizing illumination sources and masks for use in lithographic apparatuses and processes. According to certain aspects, the present invention enables full chip pattern coverage while lowering the computation cost by intelligently selecting a small set of critical design patterns from the full set of clips to be used in source and mask optimization. Optimization is performed only on these selected patterns to obtain an optimized source. The optimized source is then used to optimize the mask (e.g. using OPC and manufacturability verification) for the full chip, and the process window performance results are compared. If the results are comparable to conventional full-chip SMO, the process ends, otherwise various methods are provided for iteratively converging on the successful result.
US08438501B2 Apparatus and method for presenting menu items on user interface of consumer electronics device
A consumer electronics device has a video display, a processor controlling the display, and a computer readable storage medium accessible to the processor. The storage medium bears instructions executable by the processor to cause a user interface (UI) to appear on the display, where the UI includes plural alpha-numeric elements. Further, each element includes plural alpha-numeric characters arranged in a row. Even further, each element is characterized by a color, a row orientation, and a size, where at least the size is established at least in part by a frequency of selection of an element. Thus, at least a first element has a first color, first size, and first row orientation and at least a second element has a second color, second size, and second row orientation respectively different from the first color, first size, and first row orientation.
US08438500B2 Device, method, and graphical user interface for manipulation of user interface objects with activation regions
A computing device with a display simultaneously displays a plurality of user interface objects, a currently selected user interface object, and a plurality of resizing handles for the currently selected user interface object. Each respective resizing handle has a corresponding handle activation region with a default position relative to the respective resizing handle, a default size, and a default shape. The device detects a first input on a first handle activation region for a first resizing handle in the plurality of resizing handles. In response to detecting the first input, the device: resizes the currently selected user interface object, and for at least one resizing handle in the plurality of resizing handles, modifies a corresponding handle activation region by changing the position of the handle activation region relative to the resizing handle from the default position to a modified position.
US08438499B2 Indicating website reputations during user interactions
An aspect of the present invention relates to methods and systems involving receiving an indicator of an attempted interaction of a user with an item of website content and presenting one or more indicia of a website's reputation to the user attempting to interact with the website content. The act of presenting the indicia may be in response to the user's attempted interaction with the website.
US08438496B1 Content sensitive automatic scrolling
Tailoring automatic document scrolling to content and properties of the content increases readability of the document for a user. Instead of a user being forced to adjust to variations in content of a document while automatic scrolling proceeds at a constant rate or being forced to interrupt the automatic scrolling, the automatic scrolling shifts scroll speed for content variations. An application that presents a document and allows for automatic scrolling through the document, computes various scroll values for different document content and/or different properties of the same document content.
US08438489B2 System and method for document markup
The system and method as described herein can be advantageously used in a plurality of scenarios, two of which include field markup and data collection and collaborative review. The system and method handles the allocation of digital paper pattern background and the creation of required page definition files embedded into digital paper enabled PDFs. Optionally, action palettes can be automatically overlaid on the drawings as legend boxes to enable field personnel to select the operations they want to perform on the digital paper as they would on a computer interface. For instance letting users select the types of callouts and clouds to add to their markup. These drawings can be printed or plotted onto paper and sent to a work site for markup.
US08438488B2 Image-forming apparatus with customizable operation panel settings, method thereof, and recording medium
An Image-forming apparatus, which that can customize operation panel screens and customizes panel screen design information, having a communications unit that receives panel customizing information including sending origin identification information, user information, and panel customizing data from a server, user terminal or a plurality of Image-forming apparatuses. The panel customizing information control unit controls according to the type of sending origin determined by the sending origin determining unit and stores the received panel customizing information in the panel customizing information memory unit. The operation panel screen control unit controls the configurations of the operation panel screens and operating keys based on the stored panel customizing information, and standard screen design information.
US08438487B1 Method and system for one-click navigation and browsing of electronic media and their category structure as well as tracking the navigation and browsing thereof
Method and apparatus facilitate browsing of web pages or other electronic content stored over a network of remote and/or local storage devices. Browsing is performed without repeated intermediary clicking and page downloads. Pre-browsing of the category structure is provided via rolling the cursor from category to category, and level to level, to view each category's sub-categories, without clicking on a category or downloading web-page(s) linked to the category. When the user selects the content linked to a particular category, the user invokes the link-token corresponding to the content to retrieve the content. A dynamic tracking-string with an embedded one-click nested/cascading category browsing apparatus facilitates returning and/or changing path during browsing and examination of electronic media, and allows the user to review more than one path along the category structure while the browser is at a page linked to any category at any level.
US08438486B2 Automatically converting text to business graphics
A facility for generating a graphic image is described. The facility receives from a user a body of text whose creation is not subject to any rules or prototypes. The facility discerns from the body of text a textual organization. The facility then generates a graphic image conveying the discerned textual organization.
US08438484B2 Video preview module to enhance online video experience
A Video Preview Module, a fast and adaptable software module designed to generate an on-the-fly video storyboard that enhances the online video browsing experience of the user. The VP module is a client-side implementation. This allows the module to be scalable and adaptable in bringing a uniform online video browsing experience over multiple consumer devices.
US08438480B2 System and method for tracking an input device using a display screen in captured frames of image data
A system and method for tracking an input device uses positional information of a display screen in frames of image data to determine the relative position of the input device with respect to the display screen.
US08438479B2 Operation support apparatus and method of the same
The operation support apparatus includes: an operation load calculation unit (106) which calculates an operation load on a user in performing a selecting operation included in one of operation records, using the selecting operation and a previous selecting operation included in another one of the records, the calculation being performed for each of selecting operations included in the records; a non-thinking operation determination unit (107) which determines, for each selecting operation included in the records, whether or not it is a non-thinking operation that is a randomly-performed operation, by determining that the selecting operation is more likely to be the non-thinking operation when the operation load is smaller; and a target function inference unit (108) and a target function candidate storage unit (109) which provide the user with operation support based on the records of the selecting operations excluding the selecting operation determined as the non-thinking operation.
US08438476B2 Dynamic variable-content publishing
A product creator system includes a business application and a distribution utility. The business application enables a user to specify and/or edit (via a user client) a document. The business application generates a packet that is transmitted to the distribution utility. The packet describes the document, such as a document of a particular type (where the document is based on variable content and/or variable layout), and a distribution method for the document. Distribution methods include print, ship, mail, fax, email, and save. The distribution utility generates and distributes the document (via an output device) based on the packet. The business application, which can be used with a variety of distribution utilities, includes a web front-end and a packet generator. The distribution utility, which can be used with a variety of business applications, includes control logic and a document processor. The document processor helps generate the document.
US08438475B2 Systems and methods for producing user-configurable accented presentations
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for the production of accented presentations using pre-defined templates and material, which presentations may be in a printed or scrap-booked format. A server system may be made available to clients over a network, that server providing templates, patterns and associated material, the server providing a client with executable instructions enabling a user to make selections to a final accented presentation. The server system may receive an order including an identification of a template and user selections, and may include an interpretive and production system that fabricates a final accented presentation, or a part of fabrication and/or assembly thereof. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.
US08438471B2 System for speeding up web site use using task workflow templates for filtration and extraction
A system for speeding up rendering of and interacting with one or more web pages to accomplish some task using the internet. In a system comprising one or more client computers which can be cell phones, laptops or desktop computers coupled in any way to the internet and a template server and other web servers coupled to the internet, a microbrowser under control of a task workflow template is executed either by a client computer or the template server. The task workflow templates are custom defined workflows which define one or more web pages which need to be accessed and the data from each web page that needs to be extracted. The data defined in the task workflow template (and only that data) is extracted by the microbrowser and displayed on the client computer. Faster rendering results. Interaction by filling in of forms and extraction of data from the web pages that result when the form data is sent to the web server allows accomplishing of tasks using the internet much faster, especially using cell phones.
US08438469B1 Embedded review and rating information
A method of embedding evaluations in a document is described. An identifier tag is embedded in the document in response to a first user action. The document may include a web page. The identifier tag includes a review and an identifier associated with an entity that is a subject of the review. A rating tag is embedded in the document in response to a second user action. The rating tag includes a rating value corresponding to a user-selected rating of the entity that is the subject of the review. The rating value may be selected from a set of pre-determined rating values.
US08438468B2 Annotation management
The invention, which may be a kind of annotations processor, detects zero or more tagsets turned on or selected at runtime. The annotations adapter reads an abstract unit from a java file, and if an annotation of the abstract unit has a tag that is among the tags of a turned on tagset, then the annotations adapter may generate an artifact showing the influence of the annotation. Such a process may continue until there are no more abstract units to process. Comments or annotations that fail to be tagged with a tag of a selected tagset may, nevertheless, be mentioned with a kind of ‘place-holder’ indicating that such comments exist.
US08438457B2 Nonvolatile memory apparatus, memory controller, and memory system
Disclosed herein is a nonvolatile memory apparatus including, a nonvolatile memory section, a standard error correction code processing section, an extended error correction code processing section, and a control section.
US08438454B2 Semiconductor memory device and controlling method
According to an embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a nonvolatile memory; an input/output control unit to control input/output of data to/from the nonvolatile memory; an address translation table that associates first address information specifying a logical recording position of user data stored in the nonvolatile memory with second address information indicating a physical recording position in the nonvolatile memory; a translating unit to translate the first address information to the second address information according to the table; and a generating unit to generate redundant data for checking whether there is error in the user data and the first address information used as one data piece. The input/output control unit records, as data set, the user data, the first address information, and the redundant data, which are used as one data set, in the physical recording position in the nonvolatile memory indicated by the second address information.
US08438446B2 Method for transmitting/receiving broadcast or multicast service and terminal thereof
A method for receiving a multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) is provided. The method for receiving a broadcast or multicast service includes: attempting receiving of data via a channel for the broadcast or multicast service; transmitting a negative acknowledgement to a base station if the data is not received via the channel; and receiving the data.
US08438437B2 Structures and control processes for efficient generation of different test clocking sequences, controls and other test signals in scan designs with multiple partitions, and devices, systems and processes of making
A scannable integrated circuit (100) including a functional integrated circuit (P1, P2) having scan chains, multiple scan decompressors (120.1, 120.2), each operable to supply scan bits to some of the scan chains (101.k, 102.k), a shared scan-programmable control circuit (110, 300), a tree circuit (400) coupled with the functional integrated circuit (P1, P2), the shared scan-programmable control circuit (110, 300) coupled to control the tree circuit (400), and a selective coupling circuit (180) operable to provide selective coupling with the shared scan-programmable control circuit (110, 300) for scan programming through any of the multiple scan decompressors (120.1, 120.2). Other circuits, devices, systems, and processes of operation and manufacture are disclosed.
US08438435B2 Method for testing an address bus in a logic module
In a method for testing an address bus in a logic module, a logic module, a computer program and a computer program product, the method provides for a logic module to have at least one data register, into which addresses detected by the address decoder are written.
US08438434B2 N-way parallel turbo decoder architecture
Various embodiments relate to a memory device in a turbo decoder and a related method for allocating data into the memory device. Different communications standards use data blocks of varying sizes when enacting block decoding of concatenated convolutional codes. The memory device efficiently minimizes space while enabling a higher throughput of the turbo decoder by enabling a plurality of memory banks of equal size. The number of memory banks may be limited by the amount of unused space in the memory banks, which may be a waste of area on an IC chip. Using the address associated with the maximum value of the data block, the memory may be split into a plurality of memory blocks according to the most-significant bits of the maximum address, with a number of parallel SISO decoders matching the number of memory banks. This may enable higher throughput while minimizing area on the IC chip.
US08438431B2 Support element office mode array repair code verification
A support element for verifying an array repair code solution includes a memory subsystem element including product data read from multichip modules utilized in a mainframe computing device, a wafer test repair algorithm, and a system test repair algorithm. The support element also includes a CPU emulator that causes the support element to perform an initial microcode load that includes a memory test, the memory test applying the wafer test repair algorithm to the product data to generate a wafer test repair solution and the system test repair algorithm to the product data to generate a system test repair solution and one or more repair rings for storing the wafer test repair solution and the system test repair solution.
US08438427B2 Visualizing relationships between a transaction trace graph and a map of logical subsystems
A method for diagnosing problems in a computer system by providing a user interface for visualizing flows through subsystems of the computer system, and allowing a user to explore relationships between a triage map which graphically depicts subsystems, and a transaction trace graph, which depicts a time sequence of invoked components of the subsystems. In one aspect, in response to a user selecting a portion of the transaction trace graph which depicts an invoked component, the user interface visually distinguishes one of the subsystems which invokes the invoked component. In another aspect, the transaction trace can be played back so that subsystems in the triage map are highlighted in turn, in a time sequence, as components of different subsystems are invoked. A time marker can skip to selected time points which result in updating of the triage map.
US08438424B2 Assessing computer programs using stack frame signatures
A method of assessing a computer program under actual working conditions according to one embodiment comprises executing the computer program multiple times under actual working conditions, in response to each unhandled exception encountered during execution of the computer program, creating a corresponding stack frame signature to characterize the state of the program, and comparing the stack frame signatures to determine which unhandled exceptions are likely to have resulted from similar features.
US08438419B2 Fault management for a communication bus
A differential communication bus comprising a master module and a plurality of slave modules connected to at least first and second conductors whereby to communicate between the master and slave modules. The master module comprises a driver for applying first and second voltages respectively to the first and second conductors and for sourcing and sinking currents in the first and second conductors. The driver controls a difference between the first and second voltages and a common mode value of the first and second voltages. The driver includes first sourcing and sinking current limiters and second sourcing and sinking current limiters for limiting the currents in the first and second conductors. The master module is selectively responsive to a fault condition triggering simultaneous activation of the first and second sourcing current limiters or of the first and second sinking current limiters to disable the driver.
US08438417B2 Method and apparatus to simplify HA solution configuration in deployment model
A method, device and system for generating an HA group according to a user's HA requirement by retrieving an applicable HA pattern, according to a result of HA requirement analysis on the user's HA requirement; generating an initial HA group based on the retrieved HA pattern; performing context rebuilding on a member unit in the initial HA group to obtain a preliminarily configured HA group; generating a member unit based HA group variant for the preliminarily configured HA group according to an HA group redundancy obtained from the user's HA requirement; and performing structure configuration and attribute configuration on a member unit in the generated HA group variant to obtain an HA group that meets the user's HA requirement.
US08438416B2 Function based dynamic power control
A system and method for dynamic function based power control is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a bridge unit having a memory controller and a communication hub coupled to the memory controller. The system further includes a power management unit, wherein the power management unit is configured to clock-gate the communication hub responsive to determining that each of a plurality of processor cores are in an idle state and that an I/O interface unit has been idle for an amount of time exceeding a first threshold. The power management unit is further configured to clock-gate the memory controller responsive to clock-gating the communication hub and determining that a memory coupled to the memory controller is in a first low power state. The power management unit may also perform power-gating of functional units subsequent to clock-gating the same.
US08438415B2 Performing a perform timing facility function instruction for synchronizing TOD clocks
A system, method and computer program product for steering a time-of-day (TOD) clock for a computer system having a physical clock providing a time base for executing operations that is stepped to a common oscillator. The method includes receiving, at a processing unit, a request to change a clock steering rate used to control a TOD-clock offset value for the processing unit, the TOD-clock offset defined as a function of a start time (s), a base offset (b), and a steering rate (r). The unit schedules a next episode start time with which to update the TOD-clock offset value. After updating TOD-clock offset value (d) at the scheduled time, TOD-clock offset value is added to a physical-clock value (Tr) value to obtain a logical TOD-clock value (Tb), where the logical TOD-clock value is adjustable without adjusting a stepping rate of the oscillator.
US08438409B2 Operating system (OS) virtualisation and processor utilization thresholds for minimizing power consumption in mobile phones
A mobile phone that uses OS virtualization for minimizing power consumption in mobile phones is provided. Apparatus and methods may involve conserving processor power in a mobile phone according to the invention may include the following steps. A first step may be awakening a first processing core from a low power state in response to a first operating system (OS) thread. A following step may include processing the first OS thread using the first processing core. A next step may include determining whether utilization of the first processing core over a first time period has exceeded a predetermined threshold. The method may also include awakening a second processing core from a low power consumption state if utilization of the first processing core over a first time period has exceeded a predetermined threshold.
US08438407B2 Electronic device that operates in two modes based on connection to power supply and command information
An information processing system has a power supply section which detects a predetermined potential applied to a USB terminal and supplying the potential as a source potential, an information detection section which detects the predetermined information supplied to the USB terminal, and a processing section which executes, subsequent to the detection of the predetermined potential, the encoding process or the decoding process in accordance with at least the operating information supplied from the operation key arranged on the body and in accordance with the predetermined information supplied to the USB terminal after detection of the predetermined information. The recording and reproducing operation can be performed with the operating key on the body with power supplied only from the USB terminal.
US08438404B2 Main processing element for delegating virtualized control threads controlling clock speed and power consumption to groups of sub-processing elements in a system such that a group of sub-processing elements can be designated as pseudo main processing element
The disclosure is applied to a generic microprocessor architecture with a set (e.g., one or more) of controlling elements (e.g., MPEs) and a set of groups of sub-processing elements (e.g., SPEs). Under this arrangement, MPEs and SPEs are organized in a way that a smaller number MPEs control the behavior of a group of SPEs using program code embodied as a set of virtualized control threads. The arrangement also enables MPEs delegate functionality to one or more groups of SPEs such that those group(s) of SPEs will act as pseudo MPEs. The pseudo MPEs will utilize pseudo virtualized control threads to control the behavior of other groups of SPEs. In a typical embodiment, the apparatus includes a MCP coupled to a power supply coupled with cores to provide a supply voltage to each core (or core group) and controlling-digital elements and multiple instances of sub-processing elements.
US08438403B2 Storage apparatus
Provided is a storage apparatus capable of encrypting data without affecting the business performance. This storage apparatus includes a cache memory, a first controller for controlling the writing of data in the cache memory pursuant to the write command, a second controller for controlling the writing of the data written in the cache into the storage devices, and an encryption engine for encrypting data pursuant to the write command. When the second controller reads the data from the cache memory and writes the data in said storage devices, the encryption engine encrypts the data, and the second controller writes the encrypted data in said storage devices.
US08438401B2 Device and method for securely storing data
Devices and methods for securely storing data are provided. A device for constructing an encryption key comprising a tamper-protection barrier that encloses one or more memory devices is provided. The memory stores data for constructing the encryption key. The memory may include a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices. The tamper-protection barrier also encloses a security processor configured to combine the data stored in the memory based in part on a function, such as a logical exclusive-or (XOR) function, to construct the encryption key. The stored data in the memory may include partial keys. These partial keys may be created based in part on applying the XOR function to an encryption key.
US08438400B2 Multiple user desktop graphical identification and authentication
A multiple user desktop graphical identification and authentication configured as a loadable dynamic link library (DLL) intended to replace the default Microsoft graphical identification and authentication. It has the ability to create secure, private logon sessions for each user that logs on to the system. There can be up to at least thirteen users logged in at the same time and each user will have their own desktop environment. Auto log off functions may be set based on time of inactivity and/or number of individual users. The multiple user desktop graphical identification and authentication functions in a domain and non-networked environments and needs no added hardware.
US08438399B2 Storage method for a gaming machine
In a first aspect the invention provides a storage method for a gaming machine, including allocating program code to one of at least two program categories including a first category of program code that is expected to be modified more frequently than a second category of program code and storing program code from the first and second categories in logically separate storage areas.
US08438398B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, information processing program and information processing system
An information processing apparatus according to the present application includes a first application allowed to access the IC chip, including an IC chip in which predetermined data is recorded, an IC chip reading unit that reads the data recorded in the IC chip, and a signature data generation unit that generates signature data by performing encryption processing on the recorded data read by the IC chip reading unit and a second application not allowed to access the IC chip, including a server access unit that requests acquisition of content from an information providing server by receiving the signature data and the recorded data from the first application and transmitting the signature data and the recorded data to the information providing server that provides predetermined content.
US08438395B2 Digitally watermarking documents associated with vehicles
The present invention provides steganographically embedded auxiliary data in motor vehicle documentation. The auxiliary data is used to authenticate the documentation or provide additional or redundant information pertaining to the documentation. Examples of such documentation are license plates, vehicle titles, insurance cards, registration cards and emissions documentation. In one implementation of the invention, a title document is digitally watermarked for authentication. The digital watermark may include a digital signature related to a buyer and a digital signature related to a seller. In another implementation, the transfer of motor vehicles is facilitated via digital watermarking. In still another implementation, a document includes two or more digital watermarks. The digital watermarks are intertwined with each other and at least one of the watermarks is intertwined with the document.
US08438393B2 Quadratic residue based password authenticated key exchange method and system
A method is provided for use in secure electronic communication. The method may include obtaining a password shared with an intended key exchange entity and sending a key exchange request including a first value to the intended key exchange entity. The method may also include receiving a key exchange reply including a permutation of a first quadratic residue of the first value, and calculating a second quadratic residue of the first value based on the key exchange reply. Further, the method may also include determining a second value shared with the key exchange entity based on the first quadratic residue and the second quadratic residue.
US08438392B2 Method and system for control of code execution on a general purpose computing device and control of code execution in a recursive security protocol
Embodiments of systems and methods which provide highly specific control over the execution of general-purpose code block are disclosed. These embodiments may allow the exact circumstances under which a given code block is allowed to execute to be determined with specificity. Such a control mechanism may be coupled with embodiments of a data hiding system and method, based for example, on an ordered execution of a set of code segments implemented via recursive execution. When embodiments of these systems and methods are utilized together an unencumbered generality as well as a level of protection against attack that surpasses many other security systems may be obtained.
US08438391B2 Credential generation management servers and method for communications devices and device management servers
Systems and methods are described for establishing credentials at a device and at a device management server for the purpose of exchanging secure credentials in order to mutually authenticate the device and the server. A credential generation algorithm is described which uses a plurality of seeds, including the hardware identity of the device, the server identity, and a shared private key, to generate two sets of credentials, one to be used by the device and the other to be used by the device management server. The credentials are exchanged between the device and the server during any session, thereby assuring mutual authentication.
US08438386B2 System and method for developing a risk profile for an internet service
A method and system for controlling access to an Internet resource is disclosed herein. When a request for an Internet resource, such as a Web site, is transmitted by an end-user of a LAN, a security appliance for the LAN analyzes a reputation index for the Internet resource before transmitting the request over the Internet. The reputation index is based on a reputation vector which includes a plurality of factors for the Internet resource such as country of domain registration, country of service hosting, country of an internet protocol address block, age of a domain registration, popularity rank, internet protocol address, number of hosts, to-level domain, a plurality of run-time behaviors, JavaScript block count, picture count, immediate redirect and response latency. If the reputation index for the Internet resource is at or above a threshold value established for the LAN, then access to the Internet resource is permitted. If the reputation index for the Internet resource is below a threshold value established for the LAN, then access to the Internet resource is denied.
US08438385B2 Method and apparatus for identity verification
A method for identity verification includes receiving a request for proof of identity from a service provider and receiving biometric information associated with a user of a communication device. The method also includes determining that the received biometric information matches a biometric profile that contains biometric information associated with a registered user of the communication device. The method also includes unlocking a private key associated with the registered user in response to determining that the received biometric information matches a biometric profile and sending a request for a digital certificate that is signed with the private key associated with the registered user. The method further includes receiving the digital certificate that includes a public key associated with the registered user and satisfies the request for proof of identity. The method also includes with forwarding the digital certificate to the service provider.
US08438382B2 Credential management system and method
A centralized credential management system includes website credentials that are stored at a vault. The website credentials are encrypted based upon a key not available to the vault and are for authenticating a user to a third party website. Through a client, a user authenticates to the vault and retrieves the encrypted website credentials and parameters and code for properly injecting the credentials into a website authentication form. The website credentials are decrypted at the client and injected into the authentication form using the parameters and code.
US08438380B2 Method for controlling remote wireless device with a user device
A method for controlling a remote wireless device with a user device includes the user device sending a request message packet to the remote wireless device, where the remote wireless device verifies the request message packet and sends a reply message packet to the user device if the request message packet passes verification. The user device verifies the reply message packet and sends a control message packet to the remote wireless device if the reply message packet passes verification. The remote wireless device verifies the control message packet and sends an acknowledgment message packet to the user device if the control message packet passes verification.
US08438379B2 Method for verifying user changeable configuration settings and selectively modifying non-supported setting values to supported setting values in user selected and non-selected content units
A value of a configuration setting contained within a selected content unit of an application may be used as input for a configuration check algorithm to calculate a control parameter output. The algorithm may include logical operators, conditional statements, mathematical logic, and mathematical functions. The algorithm may be used to verify the correctness of the value. Different control parameter output values may be associated with different options in the automated configuration verification program. The options may include, but are not limited to, modifying an unsupported configuration setting value to a supported value, updating configuration setting values in non-selected content units, exiting the automated program and switching to a manual configuration setting change mode, and automatically updating a configuration setting value to a supported value without further intervention.
US08438378B2 Systems and methods for tuning an operating system, application, or network component
A method, system, apparatus, and media are directed to tuning a device. Values are stored for each of a plurality of device parameters based on device metrics. The device parameters are constraint-matched over changes to settings of the device parameters to identify at least one point within each range of the device parameters that optimizes a performance measure for the device. Tuning values are selected for each device parameter based on the identified point. The tuning values are provided for tuning the device. The device is tuned with roll-back based on the running values.
US08438375B1 Configuring media player
A media player is executed on an electronic device by implementing a runtime of a media player in a modular framework on the electronic device. The modular framework is configured to have each of multiple types of media player runtimes implemented therein and to host modules that configure any of the types of media player runtimes for respective device types. The runtime is configured for the electronic device using a module hosted by the modular framework. The module abstracts at least one resource in the electronic device available to the media player. The electronic device is prepared for execution of the media player on the electronic device, and the media player uses the resource during the execution based on configuration according to the module.
US08438369B2 Providing thread fairness by biasing selection away from a stalling thread using a stall-cycle counter in a hyper-threaded microprocessor
A method and apparatus for providing fairness in a multi-processing element environment is herein described. Mask elements are utilized to associated portions of a reservation station with each processing element, while still allowing common access to another portion of reservation station entries. Additionally, bias logic biases selection of processing elements in a pipeline away from a processing element associated with a blocking stall to provide fair utilization of the pipeline.
US08438367B2 Instruction extraction through prefix accumulation
An apparatus has a queue, each entry stores a different line of a stream of instruction bytes and accumulated prefix information associated with each instruction byte. Control logic: (a) detects a condition where an initial portion of an instruction partially within a first line stored in the bottom entry (BE) of the queue remains unextracted from the queue, wherein the initial portion instruction bytes are all prefix bytes; (b) saves away the initial portion length, shifts the first line in the BE out of the queue, and shifts a second line into the BE, in response to detecting the condition; (c) extracts instruction bytes of the unextracted instruction from the second line in the BE and extracts accumulated prefix information from the second line of the BE in place of the already shifted out initial portion prefix bytes; (d) calculates the unextracted instruction length using the saved length; and (e) extracts an instruction other than the unextracted instruction from the second line in the BE using the calculated length.
US08438361B2 Logical block storage in a storage device
In general, this disclosure relates to storage of logical blocks in a storage device. Aspects of this disclosure describe techniques to monitor the frequency of access of one or more logical blocks referenced by one or more logical block addresses. Based on the frequency of access, in non-limiting aspects of this disclosure, a controller may select one or more physical blocks of a common memory storage block. The storage device may store the logical blocks in the selected physical blocks.
US08438360B2 Distributed storage through a volume device architecture
A volume manager I/O method and system. The method includes determining a storage extent mapping of storage functionality of a plurality of storage devices and generating a logical disk extent based on the storage extent mapping. The logical disk extent is exported to a volume device component that is communicatively coupled to implement I/O for an application. An I/O request from the application is received via the volume device component. The I/O request is executed in accordance with the logical disk extent.
US08438359B2 Memory management method, information processing device, program creation method, and program
Provided is a method for managing a memory storage region used by a processor. The processor is connected to the memory that stores data accessed while a task is being executed. The memory management method including the steps of: dividing the memory area of the memory into blocks having a plurality of different sizes; selecting a block having a size matching a size of the data accessed while the task is being executed; and storing the data accessed while the task is being executed in the selected block.
US08438358B1 System-on-chip with memory speed control core
A system and method are provided for using a system-on-chip (SoC) memory speed control logic core to control memory maintenance and access parameters. A SoC is provided with an internal hardware-enabled memory speed control logic (MSCL) core. An array of SoC memory control parameter registers is accessed and a set of parameters is selected from one of the registers. The selected set of parameters is delivered to a SoC memory controller, to replace an initial set of parameters, and the memory controller manages an off-SoC memory using the delivered set of parameters.
US08438357B1 Method and apparatus for calculating number of memory access cycles when transferring data to or from a memory
A technique applicable during the transfer of data to and from a memory involves: operating a memory interface using memory access cycles that each transfer a quantity of data D across the memory interface; receiving a request to transfer a quantity of data Q across the memory interface; and calculating a value M as a function of a plurality of parameters, M being a minimum number of the memory access cycles needed to carry out the transfer of the quantity of data Q across the memory interface, wherein the calculating includes determining a logarithm of one of the parameters, and then determining the value M as a function of the logarithm.
US08438356B2 Flash memory controller
Methods, systems and computer program products for implementing a polling process among one or more flash memory devices are described. In some implementations, the polling process may include sending a read status command to a flash memory device to detect the ready or busy state of the flash memory device. A status register may be included in the flash memory device for storing a status signal indicating an execution state of a write (or erase) operation. A solid state drive system may perform the polling process by reading the status register of the flash memory device.
US08438352B2 Data replication from one-to-one or one-to-many heterogeneous devices
Embodiments of the system described herein can be implemented in a software application that runs on a host device or is embedded in a logic or memory device such as a gate array, EEPROM, a control, or dynamical system. The system embodiment allows a set of similar or dissimilar intelligent devices or sensors, which may be interconnected with any type of network or bus, to replicate data between themselves for the purpose of remote backup, redundancy, content distribution, or measurements. The attributes of the data, which may be changed or created on one device or passed through the device, are tracked and journaled in volatile or non-volatile storage in a first phase. This occurs in real-time as the data changes or passes through the device. In a second phase, the attributes that match patterns pre-specified in a configuration are used to decide what changes or the content to replicate to one or more devices. In a third phase, the data is replicated. In practice, the techniques described herein are independent of hardware, operating systems, and applications. The example embodiment is designed to be transparent for system redundancy and error recovery processes such as error correction, retransmission on links, and raid reconfiguration.
US08438347B1 Techniques for proactive synchronization of backups on replication targets
Techniques for proactive synchronization of backups on replication targets are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for proactive synchronization of a backup on a replication target comprising reading a stored replication request to obtain replication data address information, sending the replication data address information to a replication target, receiving the replication data address information at the replication target, and copying data associated with the received replication data address information to a backup.
US08438342B1 Automated application-based storage provisioning
Described are techniques for automatically provisioning storage for an application. A request to provision object-based storage for the application in a data storage system is received The request identifies the application and is received from a user interface interacting with the data storage system at a specified one of a plurality of user levels, each of said plurality of user levels being associated with a different level of abstraction with respect to first processing performed in implementing the request. The first processing is performed to provision object-based storage for the request. The first processing is determined in accordance with the application and includes a level of automation varying in accordance with the specified user level at which the user interface interacts with the data storage system. The automation includes selecting one or more default options in accordance with best practices of the application.
US08438334B2 Hybrid storage subsystem with mixed placement of file contents
A storage subsystem combining solid state drive (SSD) and hard disk drive (HDD) technologies provides low access latency and low complexity. Separate free lists are maintained for the SSD and the HDD and blocks of file system data are stored uniquely on either the SSD or the HDD. When a read access is made to the subsystem, if the data is present on the SSD, the data is returned, but if the block is present on the HDD, it is migrated to the SSD and the block on the HDD is returned to the HDD free list. On a write access, if the block is present in the either the SSD or HDD, the block is overwritten, but if the block is not present in the subsystem, the block is written to the HDD.
US08438322B2 Processing module with millimeter wave transceiver interconnection
A processing module includes a fetch and decode module, an instruction register, a data register, an execution module, and a millimeter wave (MMW) transceiver section. The fetch and decode module is operable to fetch and decode an instruction of a program and to identify data associated with the instruction. The execution module is operable to execute the instruction upon the data associated with the instruction. The MMW transceiver section is operable to wirelessly receive at least one of the instruction and the data associated with the instruction from memory.
US08438317B2 Electronic device and control method therefor
According to this invention, when initialization of a storage medium such as a flash memory is erase of the data area, the processing can be stopped. When the processing is stopped, at least initialization of the management area has been completed, and processing using the storage medium can be executed. If erase processing is not stopped but proceeds to the end, no erase processing need be performed in writing new data, and high-speed write is promised. For this purpose, when complete formatting is designated, the management area of the file system is first initialized. Then, erase processing for the data area of the file system is executed by a predetermined block size. If it is determined that stop is designated during the data area erase processing, the processing ends, but the management area has already been initialized.
US08438310B2 Systems and methods for configuring a website having a plurality of operational modes
A plurality of affiliated websites are configured to log user interactions. The logs comprise user identification information that allows a profile aggregation service to correlate user interactions across the affiliated websites and to generate respective user profiles. The user profiles may be used to configure the websites. A context aware platform (CAP) website may be configured to provide web services for entities in a business hierarchy. The CAP website may capable of presenting content in one of a plurality of operational modes associated with a geographical granularity of the business hierarchy. In addition, the CAP website may be configurable according to a user profile generated by a profile aggregation service.
US08438307B2 Method and device of load-sharing in IRF stack
The present invention provides a method and device of load-sharing in an IRF stack. The method includes: the Master device checking a congestion state of the main path, obtaining a path for forwarding service flow according the congestion state of the main path, where the path is the main path or a backup path, and forwarding the service flow to the egress device through the main path or the backup bath to implement the load-sharing in the IRF stack. In the embodiments of the present invention, by checking the congestion states of main path and the backup path in real-time, the load-sharing of the IRF stack is implemented. When new service flow is added, the data may be forwarded through another path, which can improve the efficiency of member devices in the IRF stack and solve the problem of forwarding bottleneck to which the member devices face.
US08438304B2 Method and system for automatically generating software and configuring application installation
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for automatically generating software and configuring software application installation. Some embodiments may include a method of configuring one or more hardware resources within an enterprise, the method comprising the acts of installing at least one software application on the one or more hardware resources, orienting one or more logical areas within the one or more hardware resources, implementing one or more communication protocols between the one or more logical areas, and generating infrastructure for the at least one software application during the act of installing, wherein the infrastructure is based on predetermined choices.
US08438299B2 Generic data collection plugin and configuration file language for SMI-S based agents
A system and method is provided for facilitating data collection from storage devices. A generic low level module may be provided that can handle data collection for devices that store data according to particular variants of a storage standard such as SMI-S storage standard, SNMP protocol, and/or other storage standard.
US08438297B1 Method and system for supplying media over communication networks
Methods and systems for supplying media over communication networks are described. In one embodiment, a media supplier determines whether a media object hosted on a web server will be supplied to a client by streaming or not by streaming. Preferably, if the determination is to stream, the media supplier streams the media object to the client. Otherwise, the media supplier preferably allows the host web server to supply the media object to the client. In some cases, the same media supplier may be capable of supplying clients with media objects hosted on any of at least two web servers.
US08438295B2 Declarative programming model for modeling and execution of triggers for resource oriented system
Data sets of various types may be accessible through a host according to a protocol, such as a RESTful HTTP interface. Various domains may involve domain-specific processes to be executed as pre-triggers or post-triggers of various protocol requests (e.g., an HTTP GET request specifying a Read operation on an access-restricted data set may involve an authorization operations set that verifies the access privileges of the requester.) A host of the data set may be configured to receive a resource script expressing the operations set in a script language, to store the resource script, and to associated it with at least one data set and at least one verb of the protocol. Upon later receiving a protocol request specifying the verb and the resource, the host may then execute the resource script (as a pre-trigger and/or as a post-trigger) in accordance with the business logic of the domain.
US08438290B2 Method for selecting a policy and charging rules function entity in the non-roaming scenario
A method for selecting a policy and charging rules function entity in the non-roaming scenario includes the following steps: when a diameter routing agent DRA receives an indication message of the IP connectivity access network IP-CAN session establishment, the indication message is forwarded to a PCRF according to the related relationship which is set up and saved for allocating the policy and charging rules function PCRF entity to the IP-CAN session; and the corresponding policy and charging control PCC policy, which is made for the IP-CAN session by the PCRF, is forwarded to the provider's IP application function AF and the network element, which has policy and charging enforcement function, corresponding to the IP-CAN session.
US08438289B1 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.
US08438287B2 System and method for management of mobile device
Described is a system and method for managing a mobile device by using a user device, wherein the mobile device includes a web server and one or more web pages including a home web page that is accessible via an assigned uniform resource locator (URL). The method includes establishing a local connection between the mobile device and the user device, and detecting the established local connection by the user device. The method further includes launching a web browser of the user device when the local connection is detected using an auto-launch application to access the home web page via the assigned URL using a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) request, and providing the home web page to the web browser by the web server in response to the HTTP request, wherein the home web page provides access to the mobile device and facilitates management of the mobile device.
US08438284B2 Network buffer allocations based on consumption patterns
A buffer manager allocates and logs network buffers for a non-uniform memory access (NUMA) machine is described. In one embodiment, the buffer manager receives information about an allocated network buffer. The buffer manager determines the allocation point of the buffer and logs information about the allocation point and a consumption profile information. This logged information is analyzed to determine a per-process buffer consumption profile. The NUMA machine is configured using the buffer consumption profile.
US08438281B2 Techniques for accounting for multiple transactions in a transport control protocol (TCP) payload
Techniques for separately accounting for multiple transactions in the same data packets communicated over a network using Transport Control Protocol (TCP) include receiving an Internet Protocol (IP) data packet that includes Transport Control Protocol (TCP) payload data. The TCP payload is parsed to determine boundary data that indicates a byte location on a boundary between a first transaction and a second transaction. A byte count that indicates a number of bytes in the TCP payload associated with the first transaction is determined based on the boundary data. Accounting data for the first transaction is determined based at least in part on the byte count. These techniques allow a service gateway to bill separately for different requests and responses carried in TCP data packets, such as those for Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP).
US08438276B1 Method of monitoring network and application performance by analyzing web clients and web servers
A system and method for monitoring network and application performance. In one embodiment the method comprises logging information on network interface card (NIC) events involving a web page transaction, logging information on web server events involving the web page transaction, logging information on client browser events involving the web page transaction, collecting the information on NIC events, the information on web server events, and the information on client browser events on a collector server, and correlating the information on NIC events, the information on web server events, and the information on client browser events. In a further embodiment, correlating the information may comprise correlating the information on NIC events with the information on web server events by grouping the events by a client address and by a server address and then matching pairs of NIC events and web server events by time and data transfer size. Correlating the information may also comprise correlating the information on client browser events with the information on web server events by a color ID.
US08438273B2 Network device management with self learning capability to extract information from a device
A method and apparatus for extracting information from a network device. The method includes retrieving first device information from the network device using a first communication protocol, and attempting to determine a parameter value of interest based on the first device information. When the step of attempting to determine the parameter value of interest based on the first device information is unsuccessful, second device information is retrieved from the network device using a second communication protocol, and an attempt is made to determine the parameter value of interest based on the first device information and the second device information.
US08438272B2 Methods and systems for managing quality of services for network participants in a networked business process
The present disclosure involves systems, software, and computer implemented methods for calculating a quality of service associated with a network participant associated with a networked business process. One method comprises identifying a profile of a potential network participant associated with a networked business process, the networked business process comprising a set of interrelated business processes performed by at least two different network participants. The profile defines at least one technical capability of the potential network participant. A set of criteria associated with the networked business process is identified, the criteria defining at least one technical capability metric. The identified profile of the potential network participant is compared with the identified set of criteria, and a determination of whether the profile of the potential network participant meets or exceeds the identified set of criteria is made.
US08438271B2 Performing services in a network data processing system
A method, computer, and computer program product for performing a service. A processor unit identifies information about a network data processing system for performing the service. The processor unit identifies a plurality of steps used to perform the service. The processor unit identifies a set of software tools needed in each step in the plurality of steps to perform the service on the network data processing system. The set of software tools is identified based on the information identified. The information comprises at least one of a type of optimization performance system, a type of cluster, and a configuration of the cluster.
US08438270B2 System and method for correlating network identities and addresses
The system and method for correlating network identities and addresses described herein may include a log correlation engine distributed on a network that identifies relationships between certain network identities and Internet Protocol (IP) and Ethernet addresses in the network. In particular, the log correlation engine may analyze various event logs that describe activity in a network to learn relationships between network identities and network addresses and generate alerts in response to discovering changes in the learned relationships. For example, the log correlation engine may identify authentication events described in the logs to map network identities to IP addresses, and may further analyze the logs to map the IP addresses to Ethernet addresses. Thus, the log correlation engine may discover new and changed relationships between the network identities, the IP addresses, and the Ethernet addresses.
US08438269B1 Method and apparatus for measuring the end-to-end performance and capacity of complex network service
The present invention includes a method of measuring performance and capacity of a network includes monitoring network activity using an application programming interfaces monitoring system with a web services definition language file and at least one probe. The web services definition language file provides instructions to a probe control system in the application programming interfaces monitoring system and the probe control system providing regular expressions to the at least one probe. Then, performance data is collected using the at least one probe. The performance data includes a date stamp and a collection of performance information. Next, using the at least one probe, performance data measurements are transmitted between the network and the application programming interfaces monitoring system. The application programming interfaces monitoring system stores the performance data measurements in a database of performance data monitored and analyzes the performance data measurements to determine performance and capacity of the network. After that, the application programming interfaces monitoring system reports information on performance and capacity of the network to a network operations center dashboard.
US08438267B2 Internet-wide scheduling of transactions
A method and system for distributing content on a network through network-wide transactions is disclosed. The method and system monitors the network using triggered measurement of the performance of an element of the network, dynamically computing, based on the monitoring, the regions of the network with available performance capacity for the transaction to proceed at a given time, determining, based on the computing, a scheduled time for the transaction to proceed, and distributing the content according to a schedule related to the scheduled time.
US08438262B2 Method and system for analysis of message transactions in a distributed system
The invention provides a method and system for fusing message paths that occurred in a first domain in a communication network, with message paths that occurred in a second domain in the communication network a communication channel exists between the two domains. A first message path that occurred in the first domain and included a message sent to the second domain along the communication channel is fused to a second path that occurred in the second domain that included the message received from the first domain. Each message that is transmitted in the communication channel between the two domains is assigned a message unique identifier that allows each domain to associate a message sent from one domain to the other with a response message sent in the opposite direction.
US08438261B2 Failover scheme with service-based segregation
A system provides a set of services. The system includes nodes that are in communication with each other. The system segregates the services into at least first and second groups of services, assigns the first group of services to a first set of the nodes, and assigns the second group of services to a second set of nodes. The first set of nodes provides the first group of services, and the second set of nodes provides the second group of services.
US08438259B2 Web application usage of accessory device directly connected to electronic device in non-networked manner
An accessory device is directly connected in a non-networked manner to an electronic device. The accessory device is to be used by a web application running on a computing device connected to the electronic device over a network. The accessory device has a shared context or an owned context. The shared context specifies that usage of the accessory device is shared among the web application and one or more other web applications. The owned context specifies that the usage of the accessory device is exclusive to the web application and not to any other web application.
US08438255B2 Unit and method for managing at least one channel in an access session for accessing a service in a network
A management unit for managing a channel in a telecommunications network includes a registering section configured to define and register a visibility attribute associated with a first channel, belonging to a first session, for accessing a service in the telecommunications network. A receiving section is configured to receive a request to obtain information on the first channel from a second channel. The second channel belongs to the first session or a second session for accessing the service. A sending section is configured to determine and send a response to the request to obtain information on the first channel, taking into account the visibility attribute associated with the first channel, and further taking into account whether the second channel belongs to the first session or the second session.
US08438253B2 Upgrading network traffic management devices while maintaining availability
A method, system, machine-readable storage medium, and apparatus are directed towards upgrading a cluster by bifurcating the cluster into two virtual clusters, an “old” virtual cluster (old active cluster) and a “new” virtual cluster (new standby cluster), and iteratively upgrading members of the old cluster while moving them into the new cluster. While members are added to the new cluster, existing connections and new connections are seamlessly processed by the old cluster. Optionally, state mirroring occurs between the old cluster and the new cluster once the number of members of the old and new clusters are approximately equal. Once a threshold number of members have been transferred to the new cluster, control and processing may be taken over by the new cluster. Transfer of control from the old cluster to the new cluster may be performed by failing over connectivity from the old cluster to the new cluster.
US08438252B2 Managing network devices
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for managing network devices. A central management system stores shared configuration objects in a central configuration database. A network device stores shared configuration objects and device-specific configuration objects in a local configuration database. The local configuration database's shared configuration objects correspond to shared configuration objects in the central configuration database. The network device can be configured locally or using the central management system.
US08438249B2 Sensor-Net system and sensor node
A sensor-Net system includes sensor nodes which are in intermittent operation so as to save power by repeating activated state and inactivated state at a regular interval. Synchronization of time in the system is executed by aligning to the intermittent operation of the sensor nodes. A management server issues a setTime command for configuring the time to each gateway node at a specified interval. Each router node sets or corrects the time of it based on the time received from the gateway node and thereafter turns ON the time configuration flag for each sensor node in order to expand the setTime command to all of its sibling sensor nodes. The router node, upon reception of a polling, which is a command request, from the sensor node, obtains the time at that time, then uses the time to generate a setTime command to transmit to that sensor node.
US08438246B2 Device management using a RESTful interface
A Device Management system includes a device management server used by a network operator to manage one or more mobile devices operating in a wireless communications network. The device management server provides the mobile devices with Representational State Transfer (REST) commands to be executed by the mobile devices. The REST commands identify a location of one or more files on a network server that, when executed by the mobile devices, allows the devices to retrieve the files from the server, or directly from a data storage system accessible to the mobile device. The device management server may also provide the mobile devices with REST commands that allow the mobile devices to upload and store their files and information onto the network server at the specified location.
US08438242B2 Information-processing apparatus, server, information communication system, information-processing method, information providing method, and computer storage medium
The object of the invention is to provide the user with improved operatability of an information-processing apparatus and usability of application programs as well as to implement rendering of services to download the application programs from a server to the information-processing apparatus. If storage means employed in the information-processing apparatus does not contain a free area with a storage size large enough for accommodating a desired application program and a data file relevant thereto to be downloaded from the server, an information communication system comprising the information-processing apparatus and the server automatically transfers application programs and data files from the storage means to an external recording medium such as the server itself to be saved therein in order to secure a free storage area in the storage means. The free storage area is used for storing a desired application program and a relevant data file which are to be downloaded from the server.
US08438234B2 Content channels for electronic messaging
Techniques are described to provide content channels for electronic messaging. In an implementation, a content channel may be configured to contain multiple content portions having various types of content for delivery to one or more clients. The content channel may be associated with an electronic message such as an email or instant message. The content channel and updates to the content channel may be pushed to the clients as electronic messages in an electronic messaging environment. The clients may expose a user interface having one or more portions that are arranged to present and provide interaction with the content channel. The content channel may be pinned within a designated portion of the user interface to enable repeated access to the content channel via the designated portion.
US08438230B2 Method and system for contextual messaging as utilized for decision support
A method and system for contextual messaging as utilized for decision support is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method, comprises receiving and storing information from an administrative client that establishes memberships of a plurality of clients to a common contextual messaging system. Nomenclature information is received from the administrative client that establishes a nomenclature for the common contextual messaging system. A first client of the plurality of clients is permitted to accessing a contextual messaging host server via a web browser associated with the first client. A message is received from the first client. A message context is determined for the message using the nomenclature information. Messages are clustered based on the message context in a message database.
US08438229B2 System and method of supporting constructive discourse on computers and mobile devices
A system and method to allow a user to engage in a collaborative discourse embedded in messaging platforms such as email or instant messaging, and to visualize the structure of that discourse. The system provides the ability to create and modify tree-like structures, which can represent outlines or tables of contents employed in documents. These structures take the place of traditional documents in representing the work product of a knowledge worker. These structures are related to the discourse in that messages may refer to nodes of these structures, and hence be understood to be related. It is the interplay between the creation of a structured message-based discourse and the persistent outline-form knowledge structures that allows message-based correspondence, including the reading and writing of documents, to be performed with increased efficiency and at a higher level of integration.
US08438228B1 Computing device to broadcast mobile messages received by a mobile device
Some of the embodiments described herein generally relate to broadcasting mobile messages received by a mobile device onto a surface that is easier to read. Mobile messages generally refer to SMS, MMS, e-mail, and voice-mail messages. The mobile device communicates the mobile messages to a computing device that is affixed with a projector and lens, which together broadcast the mobile message onto the surface. In some embodiments, the mobile message may alternatively be broadcast out of a lens affixed to the mobile device for display on the surface. Additionally, a user may compose mobile messages on the computing device and send the composed messages to the mobile device for communication across a telecommunications network.
US08438226B2 Dynamic adjustment of user-received communications for a real-time multimedia communications event
A real time communication session can be defined in which more than two participants communicate with each other using at least two different types of bidirectional communication. In one embodiment, the different types of bidirectional communication can include audio and video. During communication session, demoting one of the participants can be demoted so that the demoted participant is still a participant of communication session but communicates using at least one less than the two different types. Responsive to the demoting, one of the participants can be promoted so that the promoted participant is permitted to participate in the communication session using at least two different types of bidirectional communication. The promoting would not be permitted due to a system constraint on the real time communication session in absence of the demoting.
US08438224B1 Methods and systems for community-based content aggregation
Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for managing elements and users of a community-based content aggregation system. An element is received that includes content associated with a community topic. The element is provided to a moderator and an approval of the element is received. The element is stored with elements attributes that can include a comment, a rating, and a label identifying a sub-topic of the community topic. A search request is received and the element is outputted in response to the request. A rating and a comment on the element is received and stored in the element attributes. Approval of the comment is received. In some embodiments, points may be awarded to a user for participating in the community and the user's user level may be modified based on the points of the user.
US08438221B2 Broadcast alerting message aggregator/gateway system and method
A message processing system and method providing a broadcast message to a plurality of user devices located within a geographically defined broadcast target area, the system including a broadcast service bureau communicatively coupled for receiving from a broadcast agent access system providing a broadcast request from an originating broadcast agent associated one broadcast agent message origination systems; the received broadcast request includes a broadcast agent identification, the geographically defined broadcast target area, and a broadcast message, the broadcast service bureau verifying the broadcast request as a function of the broadcast agent identification including an authority of the originating broadcast agent to send the broadcast message to the broadcast target area; the broadcast service bureau processing the verified broadcast request for transmission to one or more broadcast message networks providing broadcast message alerting service to at least a portion of the broadcast target area.
US08438220B2 Method for optimizing remote object implementations
A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for reducing overhead associated with exporting remote objects. A session context is generated when a remote or local session is respectively established by a remote or local client with a bootstrap remote object. The session context is then determined to be either remote or local and marked accordingly. If the session context is marked as remote, then the bootstrap remote object is exported as remote objects. However, if the session context is marked as local, then the bootstrap remote object is not exported as remote objects. Instead, they are provided for use by the local client as non-exported remote objects.
US08438215B2 Content delivery system, cache server, and cache control server
In a cache control assuming plural user terminals accessing identical content, cache delete priority assignment is performed from a position where a user finished playback based on whether the user intends to view the content later. A cache control server is provided, and a cache delete inhibit span is determined based on a playback stop position or a normal speed playback time. A cache server deletes the cache based on the delete inhibit span received from the cache control server. Traffic of the core network due to re-cache can thus be reduced.
US08438214B2 Method, electronic device, computer program product, system and apparatus for sharing a media object
A method, electronic device, computer program product, system and apparatus are provided for sharing a media object and, in particular for sharing the discussions and comments surrounding the media object. A user's device may automatically keep track of one or more comments and discussions surrounding a particular media object by, for example, storing information associated with those comments and discussions in a data source either internal to or external from the electronic device, such that the stored information is somehow linked to the corresponding media object. When the user attempts to transmit the media object (e.g., upload the media object to an online sharing server, transmit the media object to a friend, or the like), the user's device may automatically gather the stored information associated with that media object and then transmit that information along with the media object.
US08438213B2 Presence system and method for the telephone status information
A system for presenting telephone state information includes a presence server 10; a presence client end 20 and a presence contact end 30 which are respectively connected with the presence server 10 and communicate with each other through the presence server 10; a user telephone line monitoring device 40, used for monitoring the state of the user telephone line 50, and sending the monitored state to the presence client end 20. Wherein, the presence contact end 30 is used for displaying presence information of a corresponding telephone state of the presence client end 20 it subscribed. The present invention also provides a method for presenting telephone state information. Through the invention, a client can inform his/her telephone state information to the contacts in time. The system and method do not depend on special telephone switch, and have a low cost, can be used in any area.
US08438212B2 Message broadcasting control system and method
A system and method for providing broadcast messages to message specific broadcast target areas having a broadcast admission control module receiving records each having a broadcast message, a message specific broadcast target area, and a broadcast message originator identifier for each one broadcast message, validating each received broadcast message record as a function of the broadcast message originator identifier and the broadcast target area, and generating a validated broadcast message record for each successfully validated broadcast message record. The system includes a broadcast message distributor module receiving the validated broadcast message records, determining for each message record which message broadcast transmission network provides broadcast messaging service to at least a portion of the broadcast target area and transmitting each broadcast message and all or a portion of the broadcast target area, over an output interface coupled to the determined broadcast transmission network.
US08438205B2 Exponentiation calculation apparatus and method for calculating square root in finite extension field
In a computing device that calculates a square of an element in a finite field, a vector representation of the element in the finite field is accepted. The vector representation includes a plurality of elements. The computing device performs a multiplication operation on a base field using the accepted elements, and obtains a multiplication value. The multiplication operation is determined by a condition under which the element in the finite field is placed in an algebraic torus. The computing device performs an addition and subtraction operation using the obtained multiplication value and the accepted elements, and obtains a calculation result of the square of the element. The addition and subtraction operation is determined by the condition. The computing device then outputs the calculation result.
US08438203B2 Methods and systems for processing and displaying data
Methods and systems of processing and displaying data that include obtaining and processing time-time data to obtain an in-phase sum of the time-time data, and of providing and utilizing the in-phase sum of the time-time data to generate a graphical display of the Radon sum of the time-time data. The in-phase sum of the time-time data may be provided for display, for example, by outputting a data signal suitable for generating a graphical representation of the in-phase sum of the time-time data, and the output data signal may be utilized to generate a graphical representation of the in-phase sum of the time-time data.
US08438199B1 System and method for identifying and highlighting a graphic element
In one embodiment, improved techniques are provided for identifying and/or highlighting a graphic element. A multi-dimensional data structure corresponding to a visual representation of information may be created, wherein, for each active point in the visual representation of information, the multi-dimensional data structure has a corresponding location that stores a globally unique identifier (GUID) that indicates one or more graphic elements present at that point in the visual representation. A selection from a user of a selected point in the visual representation of information may be received. A location of the selected point may be used as an index into the multi-dimensional data structure to determine a particular location in the multi-dimensional data structure that coincides with the selected point. A particular GUID may be retrieved from the particular location and used to identify one or more graphic elements.
US08438195B2 File system operating method and devices using the same
A method of operating a file system in a host configured to store write data in a data storage device including a first region and a second region is disclosed, and includes; receiving a write data request for write data associated with a file, classifying the write data as hot data or cold data using file meta data for the file, and if the write data is classified as hot data, storing the write data in the first region, and otherwise if the write data is classified as cold data storing the write data in the second region.
US08438192B2 System and method for retrieving and storing industrial data
The invention provides a system and method for retrieving and storing industrial data, the system comprising a data retriever that includes a data retrieval manager and one or more watchers for monitoring data associated with one or more industrial devices, wherein if the data associated with the one or more industrial devices is new or modified, the one or more watchers notifies the data retrieval manager thereof and the data retrieval manager uploads the new or modified data. The system further includes a database manager for receiving the new or modified data in a first form from the data retrieval manager and for storing the new or modified data in a structural data form in one or more databases.
US08438187B2 System and method for dynamic display of summations in collapsible hierarchical tables
The system, method and machine-readable medium that provides an efficient presentation of a hierarchical table by providing an accurate summation of table line values when the table is expanded and collapsed.
US08438185B2 File storage apparatus and access control method
Proposed are a file storage apparatus and an access control method capable of facilitating the setting and change of an access right of a user for accessing a file.A first account which only authorizes referral of all files and a second account which authorizes referral and editing of all files are defined in advance as accounts in a file system, and if a workspace unit receives an access request from a client for accessing a file and the access right in the workspace of the user for accessing the target file of the access request and the access right in the file system are different, the workspace unit requests the file system unit to perform the access processing to the file upon switching the account of the user to the first or second account.
US08438180B2 Search and presentation engine
A contents display and search system for navigating and searching and exploring a collection of objects includes a database of Attributes; each of the Attributes being associated with one or more objects, and a database of Kinds, each Kind being associated with one or more Attributes. When a user enters a search query including at least one Attribute, an object is tested to determine whether it has Attributes of the Kind corresponding to the Kind of the at least one specified Attribute before function testing is performed. Search and contents investigation results are presented in a hierarchical format in which Kinds and Attributes rather than objects, are displayed until the search or content type is further specified by selecting additional Kinds and/or Attributes such that the number of objects satisfying the specified search is below a threshold. User interaction modifies the hierarchical order of Kinds and Attributes in the display.
US08438177B2 Graphical result set representation and manipulation
A graphical user interface in a database application includes a control for manipulating a result set of a query. The control is operable to display multiple graphical representations of a result ratio between a total number of rows in a database table returned in response to the query and a total number of rows of the database table. By interacting with the control, the user can switch (e.g., toggle) between graphical representations of the result ratio. The toggling can be achieved by automatically creating supplemental queries to the database. The graphical representations can be a pie chart, bar chart, eye chart or any other graphical representation that is suitable for displaying the result ratio.
US08438176B2 Information processing system, apparatus, method, and recording medium of program
An apparatus includes: an obtaining unit to obtain a plurality of addresses in order, and a storage unit to store a first group of addresses included in the plurality of addresses and obtained before a certain address is obtained by the obtaining unit, and to store a second group of addresses included in the plurality of addresses and obtained after the certain address is obtained by the obtaining unit. An extracting unit extracts one or more addresses from the first group of addresses when the obtaining unit further obtains an address that matches any address of the first group of addresses, or extracts one or more addresses of the second group of addresses when the obtaining unit further obtains an address that matches any address of the second group of addresses, wherein the one or more extracted addresses are other than the matched address.
US08438175B2 Systems, methods and articles for video analysis reporting
A macro video analysis system including a first connection to a first persistent database of a first video analysis system monitoring a first remote location, a second connection to a second persistent database of a second video analysis system monitoring a second remote location, a macro persistent database archiving a respective event generated by each the first remote video analysis system monitoring the first remote location and the second video analysis system monitoring the second remote location and wherein each respective event is respectively transmitted through the first connection and the second connection, and a database query module to evaluate the events.
US08438172B2 Information processing method, information processing program and information processing device
Provided are an information processing method, an information processing program, and an information processing device for copying or moving a file. The method includes a step for comparing file information and judging whether the file information coincide. The comparison element of the file information contains a file content. That is, the method includes: a step for comparing the file names of the copy source and copy destination or the movement source and the movement destination and judging whether a file of the same name exists in the copy destination or the movement destination; a step for comparing the file contents if a file of the same name exists in the copy destination or the movement destination so as to judge whether the file contents are identical; and a step for outputting the comparison results of the file contents.
US08438171B2 Media content voting, ranking, and playing system
Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for receiving a plurality of metadata associated with a plurality of media items. Each metadata includes a ranking score and a resource locator of the media item. Queuing media item identifiers based on the plurality of metadata and ordering the queue based on the ranking scores. Retrieving a portion of a highest-ranking unplayed media item and providing the portion to a content playback device. Receiving vote indications for an unplayed media item. The ranking score of the unplayed media is updated item based on the received vote indications. The unplayed media items are reordered in the queue based upon the updated ranking score of the unplayed media item. Retrieving a portion of a highest-ranking unplayed media item in the reordered queue and providing the portion to a content playback device.
US08438169B2 High-performance log-based processing
Each of a plurality of Worker processes are allowed to perform any and all of the following tasks involving logged work items: (1) reading a subset of the work items from a log; (2) sequentially ordering work items for corresponding data objects; (3) applying a sequentially ordered set of work items to a corresponding data object; and (4) transmitting a subset of work items to a Worker process running on another database server in a cluster, if necessary. These tasks can be performed concurrently, at will, and as available, by the Worker processes. An improved checkpointing technique eliminates the need for the Worker processes to get to a synchronization point and stop. Instead, a Coordinator process examines the current state of progress of the Worker processes and computes a past point in the sequence of work items at which all work items before that point have been completely processed, and records this point as the checkpoint.
US08438167B2 Method and device for recording media
A method and a device for recording media are provided. The method includes performing a media recording process. During the media recording process, periodically media index information are generated according to currently written media chunks. The generated media index information is saved.
US08438166B1 Pre-computed search results
Disclosed are various embodiments for pre-computing search results. A series of characters is captured as the characters are entered by a user into a search query form. The series forms a successive plurality of input strings. As each character in the series is entered into the search query form, a successive plurality of search query strings is generated. Each search query string corresponds to one of the input strings. As each search query string is generated, a request is sent to retrieve a search results document corresponding to the search query string. As a response to each request is received, at least a portion of the search results document is displayed if the response indicates success.
US08438162B2 Method and apparatus for selecting clusterings to classify a predetermined data set
A method for selecting clusterings to classify a predetermined data set of numerical data comprises five steps. First, a plurality of known clustering methods are applied, one at a time, to the data set to generate clusterings for each method. Second, a metric space of clusterings is generated using a metric that measures the similarity between two clusterings. Third, the metric space is projected to a lower dimensional representation useful for visualization. Fourth, a “local cluster ensemble” method generates a clustering for each point in the lower dimensional space. Fifth, an animated visualization method uses the output of the local cluster ensemble method to display the lower dimensional space and to allow a user to move around and explore the space of clustering.
US08438161B2 Autonomically regulating information transfer when accessing database resources
A database access facility for accessing databases includes a monitoring function which monitors accesses by requestors of database data. The monitoring function tracks which database fields are requested to dynamically determine the fields which the application needs. Once sufficient tracking data is obtained, subsequent accesses to the database on behalf of an application are automatically modified by the application server to request only the fields which are likely to be needed. Preferably, the database access facility is an application server for one or middle tier applications which access the database on behalf of multiple clients in a three-tier client-server environment.
US08438159B1 Method and system for selecting advertisements to be presented to a viewer
A rules evaluation engine operable to select optimal content for presentation to the viewer at each presentation opportunity. The engine evaluates segmentation rules associated with each particular content item in parallel, and then selects the best content to be presented. Priorities determined during evaluation sort out which content items will be presented. Real time dynamic enrichment of the decision making context occurs by retrieving additional information required to evaluate the rules. Logging and administrative processes for managing the segmentation rules are also realized.
US08438156B2 Location ranking using social graph information
In one embodiment, a user of a social networking system requests to check in a place near the user's current location. The social networking system generates a list of places near the user's current location, ranks the places in the list of places near the user's current location by a distance between each place and the user's current location, as well as activity of the user and the user's social contacts for each place, and returns the ranked list to the user.
US08438151B1 Bias free property reports
Methods, systems and computer readable instructions to provide unbiased real property information to an end-user based on the location of the end-user when the end-user initiates a request for the real property information. The real property information is unbiased because the provider of the real property information searches for information that may adversely affect a potential transaction and provides the information found in the search regardless of the potential effect on a transaction.
US08438148B1 Method and system for generating search shortcuts and inline auto-complete entries
Embodiments for generating search shortcuts and inline auto-complete entries are described herein. An embodiment includes, detecting text input in a browser, determining if the text input corresponds to an identifier from where a search was initiated and presenting one or more identifiers and an option to search content based on the determining step. Another method embodiment includes, determining if a user attempted to navigate to an identifier or if the user provided a search query, presenting one or more search results based on the search query, providing a HTTP request concurrently with the presenting step to retrieve content associated with the identifier, and presenting a user interaction area to determine if the user intended to navigate to the identifier.
US08438147B2 Media content searching and notification
A system and method for searching for media content. A user profile is received from a user. The user profile identifies preferred media sources. A search request is received from the user including at least one search criteria. The search for media content is based on the at least one search criteria and the user profile. Information regarding the media content found from the search is displayed to the user.
US08438143B2 Printing method and apparatus, print control method, and multimedia apparatus
A printing method and apparatus, a print control method, and a multimedia apparatus are provided. The printing method includes receiving a multimedia file or additional information of the multimedia file from a multimedia apparatus; interpreting the multimedia file or the additional information of the multimedia and obtaining at least one item included in the additional information; and printing the obtained at least one item.
US08438141B2 System and method for providing secure access to data with user defined table functions
Methods, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for providing secure access to data. Public UDTFs, private UDTFs and a metadata processor are utilized to facilitate secure access to data residing in a variety of data repositories.
US08438138B2 Multiple quality of service file system using performance bands of storage devices
The invention relates to a multiple QoS file system and methods of processing files at different QoS. The file system allocates VLUNs and using rules chooses an initial QoS for a file when created and moves files to different QoS using rules. Users see a single unified space of files, while administrators place files on storage according to file attributes. A file system enhances the descriptive information for each file to contain the chosen QoS for the file. The invention classifies volumes (e.g., file systems or LUNs) according to application requirements and allocates space for volumes. An IT administrator configures volumes specifying size, type and priority. The host schedules I/O requests in priority queues using the volume definition to match applications and reduce seek time between volumes of different priorities. The data storage system therefore places data on the performance band of a storage device that best supports needs.
US08438137B2 Automatic selection of source or target deduplication
Techniques for selecting between source and target deduplication include analyzing resource information related to resources available for deduplication, analyzing backup metadata of a backup job containing formation related to backup of data from the source to the target, and selecting between deduplication on the source or the target based on the analyzed resource information and the backup metadata.
US08438134B2 Computer-readable recording medium containing database copying program, and database copying apparatus and method
A computer-readable recording medium containing a database copying program for making a copy of a database on a remote computer being connected over a network, without causing a delay in replying to an application program. A mirroring unit copies data written on a plurality of local disks onto corresponding remote disks in the same sequence as the data was written. Upon reception of a data writing request, a data writing unit stores the data in a local disk selected as a current disk. When the data stored in the current disk reaches a maximum data capacity, the current disk manager switches the current disk to another local disk. In addition, when the data stored in the current disk reaches the maximum data capacity, an operation information manager stores operation information requesting backup of the data stored in the current disk, in a local disk selected as an operation information storage disk.
US08438133B2 Information processing apparatus, file management system, information processing method and computer readable medium
An information processing apparatus includes a file obtaining unit, a saving unit, a save-state information storage unit, an accepting unit, an updating unit, and a transmitting unit. The file obtaining unit obtains a first file from a file management apparatus that manages the first file. The saving unit saves the first file. The save-state information storage unit stores save-state information about a save state of the first file. The accepting unit accepts a manipulation performed on the first file saved in the saving unit. The updating unit updates the save-state information, when the save state of the first file is changed in response to the accepted manipulation. The transmitting unit transmits the save-state information to the file management apparatus.
US08438131B2 Synchronization of media resources in a media archive
A media archive comprising a plurality of media resources associated with events that occurred during a time interval are processed to synchronize the media resources. Sequences of patterns are identified in each media resource of the media archive. Elements of the sequences associated with different media resources are correlated such that a set of correlated elements is associated with the same event that occurred in the given time interval. The synchronization information of the processed media resources is represented in a flexible and extensible data format. The synchronization information is used for optimized synchronous search capability, for enhanced synchronous playback of the archive resources, and for unified access to, and modification of, the archive resources.
US08438130B2 Method and system for replicating data
Methods, computer systems, and computer program products for replicating data are provided. Meta-data and data associated with the meta-data are received at a first data server. A new portion of the data that is not already stored on the first data server is identified. The new portion of the data is stored on a second data server before the meta-data is stored on the second data server.
US08438128B2 Empirical modeling of confusion matrices
A method and system of estimating the performance of a classifier system based on a reported confusion matrix includes, in one embodiment, parameters fit to observed confusion matrices, such that the expected performance of decision detection versus the probability of not-in-library reports can be estimated based on the forced decision confusion matrix. The approach also lends itself to a general methodology for modeling classes of confusers in a statistical manner, which can be extended to modeling clutter severity.
US08438126B2 Targeted maximum likelihood estimation
A method for obtaining an estimator for a distribution pertaining to a dataset is provided. In an illustrative embodiment, the method includes obtaining a dataset; determining a question pertaining to the data; determining an initial estimator descriptive of a distribution of the data; and selectively modifying the initial estimator based on the question, yielding a targeted estimator in response thereto. In a more specific embodiment, selectively modifying the initial estimator includes applying an additional equation and/or a fluctuation function to the initial estimator to yield the targeted estimator, wherein the additional equation or fluctuation function parameter (ε) causes the initial estimator to fluctuate or change as a function of the parameter. The fluctuation function is chosen so that when the parameter ε is set to zero, the initial estimator is not fluctuated. The targeted estimator and a fluctuation function may be employed in an accompanying targeted Bayesian method that involves mapping a prior distribution of a target feature to a posterior distribution of the target feature.
US08438113B2 Automated digital express gateway for licensing and acquiring rights and permissions for 3rd party copyrighted content
The invention provides an end-to-end automated streaming workflow process which enables real-time or batch processing to grant licenses and to acquire licenses for 3rd party copyrighted content. Using a computer, the invention automates the permissions transaction process of procuring and processing licenses real-time or by batch, reducing lead-times from many weeks or months to hours, automatically transforming and translating requests and responses for global e-commerce among multi-vendor systems and non-standard rights semantics and languages, eliminating or reducing manual labor effort, negotiating licensing fees to conform with specifications, protecting rights-holders' intellectual property rights and assuring rights-holders they are fairly compensated and paid for their work, identifying “public domain” and/or “fair use” works, saving companies time and money, while providing a competitive advantage for publishers and the enterprise.
US08438112B2 Host device, portable storage device, and method for updating meta information regarding right objects stored in portable storage device
A host device, a portable storage device, and a method of updating an RO stored in the portable storage device are provided. The method includes receiving a predetermined bitmap from a host device, performing a bitwise operation on the received bitmap and meta information indicating a state of the RO, and updating the meta information using a result of the bitwise operation.
US08438100B2 Investment funds enabling a bond laddering strategy
An open-ended fund, such as an ETF, holds fixed-income securities and has a liquidation date. An order management system receives buy orders from a plurality of investors for purchasing shares of the fund receives and sell orders from a plurality of investors for selling shares of the fund. A fund management information system determines a yield for each investor based on the shares of the fund purchased by the investor and the fixed-income securities held by the fund at the time that the shares were purchased. The fund management information system also determines a plurality of distribution payments and a final liquidation payment for each investor so that the distribution payments and the final liquidation payment provide the yield determined for the investor when the investor purchased shares of the fund. This enables investors to use the fund in a bond laddering strategy.
US08438099B2 Periodic reset total return index futures contracts
A periodic reset total return index may be based on a standard index, such as an equity index. The value of the periodic reset total return index may be the sum of the standard index plus the income flow generated by the index, such as dividends generated by stocks. The periodic reset total return index valuation may be deployed as the basis for a futures contract. On a periodic basis, the income flow accrued for the preceding period are passed from the short to the long position holder, with a corresponding adjustment of the settlement price of the contract. The expiration of the contract may be settled at the sum of the underlying index quotation plus the income flow accrual for the previous period. A buyer of a futures contract based on a periodic reset total return index receives the performance of the index plus the intervening income flow accrual.
US08438087B2 System and method for displaying trading data
A system and method are provided for presenting trading information. One example method includes displaying a plurality of effective trade indicators corresponding to price levels at which effective trades have been initiated, and displaying trading information corresponding to each effective trade. The effective trades can be determined based on user-configured trade definitions. The trading information can include a traded quantity and profit/loss corresponding to each effective trade. In addition to the trading information, current market information could be displayed as well in relation to the plurality of effective trades.
US08438085B2 Communications techniques for an intelligent digital audiovisual reproduction system
Method for communication between a central server and a computerized juke-box which operates in a conference mode, including: sending a header before any transaction, which includes the identity of the destination together, the identity of the emitter, and the size of the packets; responding from the server in the form of a data packet, each packet sent by the server being encoded using the identification code of the juke-box software; and receiving a data packet by the juke-box, which decodes the packet, simultaneously performs a check on the data received by the CRC method and sends an acknowledgement of receipt to the server indicating the accuracy of the information received, to allow it to prepare and send another packet to the juke-box.
US08438080B1 Learning characteristics for extraction of information from web pages
A learning module of an information retrieval system is configured to automatically learn distinctive characteristics used by different web sites when presenting data variables of interest. The learned information can then be used to identify data variables of interest on arbitrary web pages of the web sites. In one embodiment, the learning process is guided by feeds provided by the web sites that list values for data variables of interest, and by web pages also provided by the web sites. The values of the feeds enable the learning module to identify candidate portions of the web pages that may represent a data variable of interest. Weights are computed for different values of various properties of the candidate portions, aggregated over all the analyzed pages, and used to identify one of the candidate portions as being the best candidates.
US08438074B2 System and method for electronic commerce and other uses
A computer system that includes a central server that is programmed to store an initialize business rule associated with a vendor and a DNS associated with the vendor. The central server is programmed to receive a first user query for a product or service of the vendor. The central server is programmed to dynamically form a universal code sequence forming a DNA field, having at least fields for a user identity, a transaction scope and a product definition. The central server is programmed to receive, from the vendor a first vendor response based upon execution by the vendor of the initialize business rule and to receive a second user query. The central server is programmed to dynamically add the universal code sequence to form a request DNA. The central server is programmed to dynamically form an offer DNA and determine if the offer DNA matches the request DNA.
US08438070B2 Exchanging value between a service buyer and a service provider
Described herein is technology for, among other things, exchanging value between a service buyer and a service provider. The technology involves establishing a virtual funds account associated with the service buyer. A request for services is received from the service buyer, which includes an amount that the service buyer is willing to pay for the services. An indication that the service provider will perform the services for the service buyer is received, and a hold is placed in the buyer's virtual funds account on an amount of virtual funds corresponding to the amount that the service buyer is willing to pay for the services.
US08438054B2 Apparatus and methods for generating and accessing arguments
In one embodiment, an analytical system for generating and accessing arguments is disclosed. Each argument is associated with a conclusion indicating whether a particular situation will likely have a negative or positive result. One embodiment of the analytical system includes a database for storing a plurality of templates, each template including a plurality of questions which may be answered to generate a particular argument having an associated conclusion that is based on those answers. The analytical system also includes an argument server that includes means for a user to select a template that is most relevant to a particular situation, means for receiving answers to one or more of the selected template's questions such that a new argument is generated having a conclusion based on those answers, and means for associating supporting evidence provided by the user with each answer.
US08438052B1 Automated selection of three of more items to recommend as a bundle
Automated processes are disclosed for identifying bundles of three or more items to suggest to users. In one embodiment, item action data, such as item purchase data reflective of the item purchases of a user population, is used to detect pairwise (item to item) associations between particular items represented in an electronic catalog. These pairwise associations are then used (optionally in combination with other information) to select bundles of three or more items to recommend to users. The bundles may, for example, be suggested on item detail pages of the electronic catalog.
US08438051B2 Rounding to transportation quantities
A method and apparatus to efficiently round requested quantities to efficient transportation quantities in the supply chain. Target locations are organized in a sequence. A tolerance interval around the requested quantity is calculated for each target location. The requested value is then rounded to an efficient transportation quantity for each target location in its sequential order.
US08438044B2 Systems and methods combining print and audio technologies to deliver and personalize health information
Systems and methods for delivering health information by combining print and audio information are provided. The systems utilize prerecorded audio systems, with or without recordable audio systems, in conjunction with print material to deliver individualized, patient-specific health information and/or instructions to a patient or caregiver. The method allows patients to collect and retain personalized, voice-recorded health material in the same location as printed and prerecorded health information. The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by to provide to a patient or caregiver the ability to store, record, and deliver audio voice-recorded material along with print material in order to deliver individualized health information.
US08438042B2 Instruments and methods for obtaining informed consent to genetic tests
This invention provides an instrument for obtaining consent for a genetic test that comprises three or more integrated elements including an information element for conveying information to an individual concerning a genetic test, and instruction element for use by a practitioner in instructing individuals on the genetic test and use of the instrument, a collection element for collecting an individual's medical and family history, a assessment element for assessing the individual's retention and understanding of information concerning a genetic test, a certification element for certifying the individual's consent to said tests, as well as housekeeping elements useful for recording a medical record, labeling a sample, and billing. Also provided is a method for obtaining informed consent for a genetic test using an integrated instrument. The instruments and methods disclosed have utility in obtaining informed consent for genetic tests.
US08438039B2 User customizable workflow preferences for remote patient management
A remote patient management system and method are provided including customizable workflow preferences. The method includes storing a user-programmed or “best practices” set of workflow operations, receiving a remote medical device data transmission, selecting a workflow preference in response to information contained in or relating to the data transmission, and performing remote patient management operations according to the selected workflow preference.
US08438036B2 Asynchronous sampling rate converter for audio applications
In recent years, it has become commonplace for portable devices to generate analog audio signals from numerous sources, meaning that the codecs employed in these portable devices need to be able to utilize various digital bit streams at different sampling rates. To date, however, the circuitry for asynchronous sampling rate conversions for multiple bit streams has been complex, rigid, and power hungry. Here, a codec is provided which uses miniDSP cores to perform asynchronous sampling rate conversion efficiently and with reduced power consumption compared to other conventional codecs.
US08438032B2 System for tuning synthesized speech
An embodiment of the invention is a software tool used to convert text, speech synthesis markup language (SSML), and or extended SSML to synthesized audio. Provisions are provided to create, view, play, and edit the synthesized speech including editing pitch and duration targets, speaking type, paralinguistic events, and prosody. Prosody can be provided by way of a sample recording. Users can interact with the software tool by way of a graphical user interface (GUI). The software tool can produce synthesized audio file output in many file formats.
US08438030B2 Automated distortion classification
A method of and system for automated distortion classification. The method includes steps of (a) receiving audio including a user speech signal and at least some distortion associated with the signal; (b) pre-processing the received audio to generate acoustic feature vectors; (c) decoding the generated acoustic feature vectors to produce a plurality of hypotheses for the distortion; and (d) post-processing the plurality of hypotheses to identify at least one distortion hypothesis of the plurality of hypotheses as the received distortion. The system can include one or more distortion models including distortion-related acoustic features representative of various types of distortion and used by a decoder to compare the acoustic feature vectors with the distortion-related acoustic features to produce the plurality of hypotheses for the distortion.
US08438026B2 Method and system for generating training data for an automatic speech recognizer
The invention describes a method and a system for generating training data (DT) for an automatic speech recogniser (2) for operating at a particular first sampling frequency (fH), comprising steps of deriving spectral characteristics (SL) from audio data (DL) sampled at a second frequency (fL) lower than the first sampling frequency (fH), extending the bandwidth of the spectral characteristics (SL) by retrieving bandwidth extending informationOBE) from a codebook (6), and processing the bandwidth extended spectral characteristics (SLE) to give the required training data (DT). Moreover a method and a system (5) for generating a codebook (6) for extending the bandwidth of spectral characteristics (SL) for audio data (DL) sampled at a second sampling frequency (fL) to spectral characteristics (SH) for a first sampling frequency (fH) higher than the second sampling frequency (fL) are described.
US08438024B2 Indexing method for quick search of voice recognition results
A method, system and computer program product for receiving a spoken request to obtain indexed results from a database. Like result types are assigned to categories, and within each category is a plurality of result entries. The result indices are hexadecimal encoded, and each hexadecimal encoding is preceded by an initial character representing the result category. A speech recognition system is engaged, which processes the spoken request. When a item is requested, the respective category is implicitly known by the index returned, and the index provides direct access within a database to the corresponding result based on the phonetics of the request.
US08438021B2 Signal classifying method and apparatus
A signal classifying method and apparatus are disclosed. The signal classifying method includes: obtaining a spectrum fluctuation parameter of a current signal frame determined as a foreground frame, and buffering the spectrum fluctuation parameter; obtaining a spectrum fluctuation variance of the current signal frame according to spectrum fluctuation parameters of all buffered signal frames, and buffering the spectrum fluctuation variance; and calculating a ratio of signal frames whose spectrum fluctuation variance is above or equal to a first threshold to all the buffered signal frames, and determining the current signal frame as a speech frame if the ratio is above or equal to a second threshold or determining the current signal frame as a music frame if the ratio is below the second threshold. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the spectrum fluctuation variance of the signal is used as a parameter for classifying the signals, and a local statistical method is applied to decide the type of the signal. Therefore, the signals are classified with few parameters, simple logical relations and low complexity.
US08438020B2 Vector quantization apparatus, vector dequantization apparatus, and the methods
A vector quantizer which improves the accuracy of vector quantization in switching over a vector quantization codebook on a first stage depending on the type of feature having the correlation with a quantization target vector. In the vector quantizer, a classifier generates classification information representing a type of narrowband LSP vector having the correlation with wideband LSP (Line Spectral Pairs) of the plural types. A first codebook selects one sub-codebook corresponding to the classification information as a codebook used for the quantization of the first stage from plural sub-codebooks corresponding to each of the types of narrowband LSP vectors. A multiplier multiplies the quantization residual vector of the first stage inputted from an adder by a scaling factor corresponding to the classification information of plural scaling factors stored in a scaling factor determiner and outputs it to an adder as the quantization target of a second stage.
US08438019B2 Classification of audio signals
An encoder comprising an input for inputting frames of an audio signal in a frequency band, at least a first excitation block for performing a first excitation for a speech like audio signal, and a second excitation block for performing a second excitation for a non-speech like audio signal. The encoder further comprises a filter for dividing the frequency band into a plurality of sub bands each having a narrower bandwidth than the frequency band. The encoder also comprises an excitation selection block for selecting one excitation block among the at least first excitation block and the second excitation block for performing the excitation for a frame of the audio signal on the basis of the properties of the audio signal at least at one of the sub bands. The invention also relates to a device, a system, a method and a storage medium for a computer program.
US08438017B2 Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding audio signal using adaptive LPC coefficient interpolation
Provided are a method and apparatus for encoding or decoding an audio signal by adaptively interpolating a linear predictive coding (LPC) coefficient. In the method and apparatus of encoding or decoding an audio signal, LPC coefficient interpolation is selectively performed depending on whether a transient section is present in a current frame, thereby preventing noise from occurring when interpolating LPC coefficients in the transient section.
US08438016B2 Silence-based adaptive real-time voice and video transmission methods and system
A client for silence-based adaptive real-time voice and video (SAVV) transmission methods and systems, detects the activity of a voice stream of conversational speech and aggressively transmits the corresponding video frames if silence in the sending or receiving voice stream has been detected, and adaptively generates and transmits key frames of the video stream according to characteristics of the conversational speech. In one aspect, a coordination management module generates video frames, segmentation and transmission strategies according to feedback from a voice encoder of the SAVV client and the user's instructions. In another aspect, the coordination management module generates video frames, segmentation and transmission strategies according to feedback from a voice decoder of the SAVV client and the user's instructions. In one example, the coordination management module adaptively generates a key video frame when silence is detected in the receiving voice stream.
US08438015B2 Apparatus and method for generating audio subband values and apparatus and method for generating time-domain audio samples
An embodiment of an apparatus for generating audio subband values in audio subband channels includes an analysis windower for windowing a frame of time-domain audio input samples being in a time sequence extending from an early sample to a later sample using an analysis window function including a sequence of window coefficients to obtain windowed samples. The analysis window function includes a first number of window coefficients derived from a larger window function including a sequence of a larger second number of window coefficients, wherein the window coefficients of the window function are derived by an interpolation of window coefficients of the larger window function. The apparatus further includes a calculator for calculating the audio subband values using the windowed samples.
US08438010B2 Efficient stemming of semitic languages
A system for stemming words of Semitic languages, the system including an affix scanner configured to scan a word of a Semitic language for at least one affix according to a predefined scanning sequence and determine if at least one predefined scanning criterion is met, and a stemmer configured to remove the affix from the word if the predefined scanning criterion is met.
US08438008B2 Method of generating a transliteration font
The method of generating a transliteration font allows for the generation and display of a word in a transliteration font, the word including at least one character displayed in an alphabet of a first language, and the transliteration font including at least one embedded character representing a phonetic pronunciation of the word in an alphabet of a second language.
US08438002B2 System and method of generating equation-level diagnostic error messages for use in circuit simulation
A mechanism for providing equation-level diagnostic error messages for system models undergoing circuit simulations is discussed. The components in a model of a system being simulated are converted into multiple numerical equations where each equation corresponds to a component in the system being simulated or a topology equation for the system model. Each numerical equation is numerically analyzed in order to identify illegal configurations in the system. Upon detection of an error, an error message listing the components associated with the illegal configuration is generated for the user.
US08438001B2 Method and apparatus for improving noise analysis performance
Method and apparatus for improving performance of noise analysis using a threshold based combination of noise estimation and simulation. The method includes classifying a circuit into one of four defined groups, determining if an input noise is small enough to skip simulation, estimating an output noise wave, scaling down a generated wave by a scaling factor depending on the circuit type, and determining if the estimated output noise is small enough to propagate or instead requires simulation.
US08438000B2 Dynamic generation of tests
Generation of a test based on a test template comprising of branch instructions. The test template may be a layout test template, defining a set of possible control flows possibilities between template instructions in the layout test template. The test is generated by a test generator which may simulate a state of a target computerized system executing the test. The simulation may be performed during generation of the test. The test generator may further verify previously generated instructions. The test generator may further generate instructions associated with leftover template instructions.
US08437998B2 Hybrid method for full waveform inversion using simultaneous and sequential source method
Method for simultaneous full-wavefield inversion of gathers of source (or receiver) encoded geophysical data to determine a physical properties model for a subsurface region, especially suitable for surveys where fixed receiver geometry conditions were not satisfied in the data acquisition. First, a shallow time window of the data (202) where the fixed receiver condition is satisfied is inverted by simultaneous encoded (203) source inversion (205). Then, the deeper time window of the data (208) is inverted by sparse sequential source inversion (209), using the physical properties model from the shallow time window (206) as a starting model (207). Alternatively, the shallow time window model is used to simulate missing far offset data (211) producing a data set satisfying the stationary receiver assumption, after which this data set is source encoded (212) and inverted by simultaneous source inversion (214).
US08437989B2 Circuit simulation method
A exemplary aspect of the present invention is a simulation method for a semiconductor circuit that includes: a well resistor comprising a terminal region and a main body; and a plurality of contacts formed above the terminal region, the simulation method comprising: modeling a parasitic resistance Rt0 of the terminal region between the plurality of contacts and the main body by the following formula, where ρ0, L′0, W′0 are fitting parameters; L′ is a length of the terminal region in the longitudinal direction of the well resistor; and W′ is a width of the terminal region in the width direction of the well resistor. Rt ⁢ ⁢ 0 = ρ 0 × ( L ′ + L 0 ′ ) L ′ × ( W ′ + W 0 ′ )
US08437987B2 Method and system that optimizes mean process performance and process robustness
A method, system and computer readable medium are disclosed. The method, system and computer readable medium comprises providing a mathematically linked multi-step process for simultaneously determining operating conditions of a system or process that will result in optimum performance in both mean performance requirements and system robustness requirements. In a method and system in accordance with the present embodiment, the steps can be applied to any data array that contains the two coordinated data elements defined previously (independent variables and response variables), and for which a response prediction model can be derived that relates the two elements. The steps are applied to each row of the data array, and result in a predicted Cp response data set. In the preferred embodiment the array is a statistically rigorous designed experiment from which mean performance prediction models can be derived for each response evaluated. The data are applied to each row of the data array.
US08437986B2 Method for detecting and filtering a random noise signal
A random noise signal detecting and filtering method includes: (a) calculating a difference value of data currently being input from a sensor in comparison with previous data stored in a register; (b) comparing the calculated difference value with a critical value; (c) determining whether the calculated difference value is greater than a maximum critical value or less than a minimum critical value; and (d) if the calculated difference value is greater than the maximum critical value or less than the minimum critical value, determining the current data be constitute a random signal and substituting the previous data for the current data.
US08437983B2 Method for determining definite clock and node apparatus
A clock determination method executed by a first one of apparatuses included in a system includes receiving a list including first definite clock values of respective apparatuses, the list being circulated among the apparatuses; determining the first clock value of the first apparatus at a point in time based on a smallest of logical clock values regarding corresponding commands on which processing is not completed, the commands being included in commands received by the first apparatus and the logical clock values being obtained at a time of receiving the corresponding commands and being stored, and updating the first clock value, the updated first clock value being included in the list, by using the determined first clock value; specifying, as a second clock value for the system, a smallest of the first clock values included in the updated list; and transmitting the updated list to a second one of the apparatuses.
US08437978B2 Deactivatable measurement apparatus
Measurement apparatus is described that comprises a measurement portion for acquiring object measurements and an output portion for outputting measurement data relating to the acquired object measurements. A deactivation portion is provided for inhibiting normal operation of the measurement apparatus such that output of the measurement data is prevented. The deactivation portion, in use, reads apparatus usage information from an apparatus usage module and inhibits normal operation of the measurement apparatus if said apparatus usage information fails to meet one or more predetermined criteria. The apparatus usage module may be provided as an integral part of the measurement apparatus or as a separate activation button. The measurement apparatus may comprise a measurement probe such as a touch trigger measurement probe.
US08437970B2 Restoring and storing magnetometer calibration data
Responsive to a recalibration trigger event, magnetometer data output by a magnetometer can be compared to historical magnetometer data previously output by the magnetometer. If a match is determined, a confidence of the match can be determined using theoretically constant data related to Earth's magnetic field. The constant data can be calculated from the historical magnetometer data. If the confidence of the match exceeds a confidence threshold level, historical calibration data can be used to calibrate the magnetometer. If the confidence of the match does not exceed the confidence threshold level, a calibration procedure can be performed to generate new calibration data, and the new calibration data can be used to calibrate the magnetometer.
US08437967B2 Method and system for inspecting multi-layer reticles
A method of and system for inspecting multi-layer reticles. The method includes: selecting a multi-layer reticle having an array of cells arranged in R rows and C columns; defining a full inspection region that includes all cells of the array of cells; and when R is equal to one (or is greater than two) and C is greater than two (or is equal to one) and a cell of the array of cells is a dummy cell in a first or last position of a row (or of a column) of the array of cells, then reducing the full inspection region to generate a shrunken inspection region that does not include the dummy cell, and then inspecting the shrunken inspection region for defects. If the dummy cell is between two non-dummy cells, then the dummy cell is a copy of one of the non-dummy cells, but is not inspected.
US08437966B2 Method and system for transferring analyte test data
A system for transferring data includes an analyte test instrument (ATI) adapted to store data, a wirelessly enabled data management device (DMD) for comprehensively analyzing data, and an adaptor removably connected to the ATI for transferring data stored on the ATI to the DMD. The adaptor includes a data communication device capable of removable connection with the ATI, a microprocessor electrically connected to the data communication device, a wireless controller electrically connected to the microprocessor and a wireless transceiver electrically connected to the wireless controller. In use, data transfer is executed between the ATI and the DMD by electrically and mechanically connecting the adaptor to the ATI. Data stored on the ATI is then automatically downloaded into adaptor memory. Upon completion of the download, the user activates an externally accessible input device on the adaptor which, in turn, wirelessly transmits data from the adaptor memory to the DMD.
US08437964B2 Systems and methods involving data patterns such as spectral biomarkers
The present invention is generally related to the separation, fractionation, and/or characterization of molecules and/or biomolecules in one or more mixtures. After fractionation, different phases of a partitioning system can be analyzed via an analytical technique such as spectral analysis, chromatography, or the like, to produce a spectrum or other symbolic representation of the species after fractionation, and the spectra of the various fractions/phases compared to define a comparative spectrum as a marker or otherwise providing information about the sample, including such information that is independent of the original level of abundance of the molecules in the mixture. Comparative spectra of various samples can be compared to each other and/or to controls or reference spectra and/or comparative spectra to determine a variety of information. In some embodiments, the methods can be used for discovering and/or identifying patterns in a mixture of species and/or corresponding patterns of species in a second mixture, where each mixture of species originates from biological systems with different physiological conditions as markers associated with specific diagnostics, and can be used for screening for such markers once discovered and identified during diagnostics screening.
US08437963B2 Method, computer program product and system for enabling clinical decision support
A method enables clinical decision support based on test results for a plurality of tested biomarkers. The method is executed by a data reduction module (15) and comprises the steps of receiving the test results from a testing facility (11); accessing a predefined structure in which available biomarkers are associated with hosts, at least one host being associated with a plurality of biomarkers; identifying a set of hosts by mapping the tested biomarkers to the structure; assigning a host value to each host in said set of hosts based on the test results of the tested biomarker(s) mapped to the host; and providing input data indicative of the set of hosts and the assigned host values for input to a computer-based decision engine (13) for generating the clinical decision support (12). The data reduction module (15) may be included in a system and implemented by computer-executable instructions running on a data processing device, such as a PC or a web server.
US08437962B2 Generating probabilistic information on subterranean fractures
Systems, methods, and instructions encoded in a computer-readable medium can perform operations related to generating probabilistic information on characteristics of natural fractures of a subterranean formation. Fitted fracture models are generated based on microseismic event data for a subterranean region. The fitted fracture models represent estimated locations of fractures in the subterranean region. A distribution of fracture parameter values is generated based on the fitted fracture models. The distribution includes fracture parameter values and a probability associated with each fracture parameter value. Generating the fitted fracture models may include, for example, fitting a plane, a line or another type of equation to the measured locations of microseismic events. In some implementations, an injection treatment may be simulated and/or designed based on the probability distribution.
US08437961B2 Time lapse analysis with electromagnetic data
Method for determining time-dependent changes [73] in the earth vertical and horizontal electrical resistivity and fluid saturations from offshore electromagnetic survey measurements. The method requires both online and offline data, which should include at least one electromagnetic field component sensitive at least predominantly to vertical resistivity and another component sensitive at least predominately to horizontal resistivity [62]. Using a horizontal electric dipole source, online Ez and offline Hz measurements are preferred. For a horizontal magnetic dipole source, online H2 and offline E2 data are preferred. Magnetotelluric data may be substituted for controlled source data sensitive at least predominantly to horizontal resistivity. Maxwell's equations are solved by forward modeling [64,65] or by inversion [66,67], using resistivity models of the subsurface that are either isotropic contrast, and [64,66] or anisotropic [65,67]. Fluid saturation is determined from the vertical and horizontal resistivities using empirical relations or rock physics models [70].
US08437958B2 Method and system for providing wireless connection conditions along a navigation route
A method for providing wireless connection conditions to a mobile vehicle, including receiving navigation route information at a call center; determining wireless connection conditions associated with the received route; and transmitting a message including wireless connection conditions associated with the navigation route to the mobile vehicle. Another example provides a computer usable medium and program code, including program code for receiving navigation route information at a call center; program code for determining wireless connection conditions associated with the received route; and program code for transmitting a message including wireless connection conditions. Another example provides a system including means for receiving navigation route information at a call center, means for determining wireless connection conditions associated with the received navigation route, and means for transmitting a message including wireless connection conditions.
US08437953B2 Navigation apparatus and route distribution server
A navigation apparatus associates a tentative searching condition for searching for a tentative route with each of a plurality of server searching conditions which are used by a route distribution server to search for a server route from a departure point to a destination. The navigation apparatus includes a tentative route searcher which searches for the tentative route under the tentative searching condition that is associated with one of the server searching conditions which is sent to the route distribution server.
US08437951B2 Methods, device and systems for determining route metrics using stored route information
The disclosure is directed to a method, computer program product, mobile device or a system allowing for determining various route metrics based on stored route records associated with routes traversed by the mobile device. The determination of a route metric may utilize processing of a single route record or multiple route records. Exemplary route metrics include route timing metrics such as lap times, or route record metrics. Configurations of computer program products, mobile devices and systems for enabling the determination of various route metrics are also described.
US08437943B2 NOx control during load increases
A method of controlling a diesel engine connected to a load, the method including the steps of detecting an increased torque requirement and matching a fuel flow with an airflow. The detecting an increased torque requirement step detects an increased torque requirement for the engine, the increased torque requirement taking place during a period of time. The matching a fuel flow step matches a fuel flow with an airflow going to the engine during the increased torque requirement, the matching step keeps the airflow and the fuel flow during the period of time at a substantially stoichiometric level enabling the use of a three-way catalyst to reduce NOx emissions during transients.
US08437939B2 Road information detecting device and vehicle cruise control device
A representative point corresponding to geometry of the road on which the vehicle is traveling is calculated based on positional information on a stationary target detected by a radar, and based on positional information of the calculated representative points, left and right side corresponding straight lines that correspond to left and right side edges of the road are calculated. With one of the corresponding straight lines that has a most distal end more proximal to the vehicle than that of the other being set as a reference corresponding straight line, information on curving geometry of the road is detected based on positional information on a representative point within a process targeted area that is sandwiched between the left and the right side corresponding straight lines and extends in the traveling direction of the vehicle and is also distal to the most distal end of the reference corresponding straight line.
US08437934B2 Temperature and wear and tear sensor for brake or clutch devices
A temperature and/or wear sensor for brake or clutch devices is designed as a thermocouple in which the conductors (20, 22) that are electrically insulated from each other are arranged inside a friction lining (14) and can be connected to each other so as to be electrically conductive by means of a rotatably mounted brake element (12), clutch element or the like, with which the friction lining can be engaged in order to brake or to depress the clutch (FIG. 1). The conductors can be coupled to an electric oscillating circuit.
US08437933B2 Vehicle control apparatus and vehicle control method
A hybrid electric vehicle has a first mode in which slippage of a clutch between an electric motor and a driving wheel is allowed and controlled by rotational speed control of the electric motor and a second mode in which the slippage of the clutch is allowed and controlled by rotational speed control of an engine. When the vehicle is stationary in the first mode, a controller reduces a control setpoint of hydraulic pressure of the clutch from an initial point. The controller identifies a reference point of the control setpoint with which actual output torque of the electric motor is substantially constant with respect to the reduction of the control setpoint. Then, the controller increases the control setpoint to a precharge point, and reduces the control setpoint to a corrected point that is lower than or substantially equal to the initial point and higher than the reference point.
US08437930B2 Method for controlling TCU fail-safe using electronic shift lever
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a TCU fail-safe using an electronic shift lever. A failure state of TCU is verified through CAN BUS (serial communication, or hardware wire) using an electronic shift lever unit, and a parking sprag is forcibly unlocked from a parking gear by pulling an override cable for parking by the an electronic shift lever unit when TCU being in the failure state, so that the implementation of fail-safe according to a failure of TCU is accomplished with higher control stability than using a transmission and without an addition of a component or a change of design.
US08437927B2 System and method for determining engine friction
An engine control system includes a combustion torque determination module, a friction torque determination module, and a control module. The combustion torque determination module determines a combustion torque of an engine based on pressure inside a cylinder of the engine during an engine cycle. The friction torque determination module determines friction torque of the engine based on the combustion torque, acceleration of an engine crankshaft, effective inertia of the engine crankshaft, and a pumping loss in the cylinder during the engine cycle. The control module adjusts an operating parameter of the engine based on the friction torque.
US08437924B2 Performance-based haulage management system
A method for managing haul routes in work environments comprises collecting performance data associated with a machine operating in a work environment. The method also includes determining a drive axle torque of the machine and estimating a total effective grade associated with the machine based on the drive axle torque. The estimated total effective grade is compared with a threshold level and, if the estimated total effective grade exceeds the threshold level, a design performance of the machine may be simulated based on the calculated total effective grade. Design performance data is compared with the collected performance data, and a payload limit of the machine is adjusted if the design performance is inconsistent with collected performance data.
US08437922B2 Systems and methods for detection of piston pump failures on mobile machines
A method and system for monitoring and predicting failure in pumps on operating vehicles is disclosed. The method may comprise measuring a plurality of a pressure drops across an orifice in a case drain line of a vehicle operating in drive gear, determining an actual case drain flow rate for each measured pressure drop, selecting a plurality of the actual case drain flow rates, estimating for each selected actual case drain flow rate an estimated flow rate for the case drain line and displaying the difference between the actual case drain flow rate and the estimated flow rate for each selected actual case drain flow rate.
US08437920B2 Dual monitor information display system and method for an excavator
The operator of a excavator sits in a seat that has a one computer monitor on the left side and another computer monitor on the right side. A control system produces first and second sets of information regarding operation of the excavator with the first set of information being particularly relevant to the digging operation. The selection of which computer monitor displays which of the first and second sets of information depends on a direction that the excavator swings between a digging site and a dumping site and that selection changes as the direction changes. This presents the first set of information on the computer monitor that is easily observable by the excavator operator during the digging operation.
US08437916B2 Universal garage door opener and appliance control system
A control module may be configured to support wireless transmission and/or receipt of signals used to direct universal garage door openers and other appliance control systems. The control module may be operable to prevent certain garage door opener and/or application control requests in the event certain security measures are not met. The control module may be integrated into a smart junction box, body control module, and/or other module in the event the control module is adapted for use within a vehicle.
US08437914B2 Electric motor enhanced driveability in vehicle handling and stability control events
A system and method are disclosed for controlling a vehicle during a turn in which a braking torque is applied to an inside wheel of the vehicle when understeer is detected and to an outside wheel when oversteer is detected. Electrical energy commanded to an electric motor coupled to a first axle of the vehicle is increased in response to application of the braking torque to compensate for the applied braking torque.
US08437907B2 Method for determining a roadway state
In a method for determining a roadway state (STATE) of a roadway on which a vehicle (10) is travelling which has at least one wheel (14) and an acceleration sensor (24) which is assigned to the wheel (14), in order to determine a vertical component of an acceleration of the wheel (14), a characteristic value which is representative of the roadway state (STATE) is determined as a function of a measured signal (AC_VERT) of the acceleration sensor (18).
US08437902B2 Technical information management apparatus and method for vehicle diagnostic tools
A technical information management device includes an information manager, a data manager, a user interface builder, and a vehicle technical information database. The information manager accesses the database in order to provide a segment of the vehicle technical information to the user interface builder. The data manager receives conditioned input data from a vehicle diagnostic tool and sends it to the user interface builder. The user interface builder includes a graphics generator and a display screen formatter. The graphics generator converts the vehicle diagnostic data into graphical coordinate data and the display screen formatter formats the graphical coordinate data for real time display in a digital multimeter mode or in a scope mode. The user interface builder further can display a dual-display screen wherein half of the screen is a vehicle diagnostic data display and the other half of the screen displays vehicle technical information.
US08437899B2 Method and apparatus for programming parameters of a power driven wheelchair for a plurality of drive settings
A method of programming parameters of a power driven wheelchair for a plurality of drive modes comprises: displaying a menu image on an interactive display screen, the menu image including settings of a plurality of wheelchair parameters for a plurality of drive modes of the wheelchair; selecting a wheelchair parameter for a drive mode from the displayed menu image; and programming the setting of the selected wheelchair parameter to a desired setting.
US08437898B2 Vehicle control apparatus and vehicle control method
In a vehicle control for a vehicle that includes: an internal combustion engine; a vehicle-driving rotary electric machine that generates drive force on a drive wheel; and an electricity storage device that supplies electric power to the vehicle-driving rotary electric machine, the internal combustion engine includes an exhaust passageway, a catalyst provided in the exhaust passageway, and a heater device that heats the catalyst by using electric power from the electricity storage device. The vehicle control includes determining whether an execution condition that a state of the drive wheel is changing between a slipping state and a gripped state is satisfied; and executing a control for causing the electric power generated by the vehicle-driving rotary electric machine to be consumed by the heater device if the execution condition is satisfied.
US08437897B2 Method and device for controlling an electrical machine of a hybrid drive with increased availability
A method for controlling an electrical machine of a hybrid drive includes: ascertaining at least one operating parameter value of the electrical machine; identifying an error, if the at least one operating parameter value does not correspond to the standard state of an operating parameter; and at least partially restricting the operation of the electrical machine as a propulsion unit if an identified error exists. The electrical machine is operated at least temporarily as a starter when an identified error exists, independently of the operation of the electrical machine as a propulsion unit.
US08437890B2 Integrated framework for vehicle operator assistance based on a trajectory prediction and threat assessment
Various types and levels of operator assistance are performed within a unified, configurable framework. A model of the device with a model of the environment and the current state of the device and the environment are used to iteratively generate a sequence of optimal device control inputs that, when applied to a model of the device, generate an optimal device trajectory through a constraint-bounded corridor or region within the state space. This optimal trajectory and the sequence of device control inputs that generates it is used to generate a threat assessment metric. An appropriate type and level of operator assistance is generated based on this threat assessment. Operator assistance modes include warnings, decision support, operator feedback, vehicle stability control, and autonomous or semi-autonomous hazard avoidance. The responses generated by each assistance mode are mutually consistent because they are generated using the same optimal trajectory.
US08437887B2 Method for optimizing a fuel consumption of an aircraft during the flight thereof
The invention relates to a method for optimizing the fuel consumption of an aircraft during flight. At a given point of the flight, a fuel excess (EXTRA) is determined relative to the statutory loads depending on the flight profile and weather conditions forecast for the rest of the flight. If the excess (EXTRA) is less than a given value (EXTRA-mini), for at least one of the forthcoming flight phases ({circle around (1)}, {circle around (2)}, {circle around (3)}), the speed of the aircraft is adjusted so as to increase the excess (EXTRA).
US08437886B1 Vehicle use control system and method thereof
A vehicle use control system and method are provided. The vehicle use control system includes a vehicle unlocking unit, a vehicle control unit, and at least one mobile communication unit. One mobile communication unit transmits a request to use a vehicle to the vehicle unlocking unit. The vehicle unlocking unit receives the request and generates a first prompt to a key holder which prompts whether to accept the request, and if an approval is received, the vehicle unlocking unit generates a first authentication information to the vehicle control unit and the mobile communication unit. The mobile communication unit acquires a second authentication information in response to user input to the vehicle control unit. If the second authentication information matches the first authentication information, the vehicle control unit unlocks the vehicle and allows the vehicle to be started up.
US08437885B1 System and method for a launch control console for communication with unmanned underwater vehicles
A system and method of use is provided that includes: receiving configuration information from an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV); automatically configuring a launch control console (LCC) according to the configuration information; and providing a graphical interface for a user to command the UUV to perform at least one task. The automatic configuration includes formatting commands and the graphical interface to suit a vehicle type and components of the UUV. Other embodiments include: aligning a navigation system in the UUV; selecting a mission; activating components in the UUV corresponding to the mission; and launching the UUV on the mission. Further embodiments include: downloading at least one preset associated with the UUV; modifying the presets; and displaying a status of components and a log of messages on the graphical interface.
US08437877B2 System recovery in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning network
The disclosure provides a system and method of retrieving data for an active subnet controller of a subnet in an HVAC network. In an embodiment, a device on said subnet reports a loss of internal memory settings to said active subnet controller. The device is recognized by the active subnet controller. At least one list of parameters is requested from the device by the active subnet controller. An order of said at least one list of parameters is employed to convey corresponding stored values of these parameters from the active subnet controller to the coupled device.
US08437876B2 Patient health based support apparatus configuration
A person-support apparatus operates according to a set of default operating parameters, processes information corresponding to an occupant of the person-support apparatus from a receiver to determine if an optimal value for an operating parameter is different from the default value, modifies a default operating parameter to an optimal value based on the information corresponding to the occupant of the person-support apparatus to create a modified operating parameter, and operates the person-support apparatus utilizing the modified operating parameter.
US08437875B2 Outdoor home cleaning robot
An autonomous all weather outdoor cleaning robot that identifies and cleans various outdoor household objects including but not limited to personal automobiles and other vehicles. The robot autonomously navigates to a designated area and scans a vehicle or object to determine the optimum cleaning routine. The robot learns its working environment by comparing scanned vehicles and outdoor objects with its existing database for future reference. The robot compares and stores navigation data regarding areas previously visited to increase efficiency for future work by reducing travel and scanning times. The robot can perform many different functions. Specifically, the robot incorporates micro-processors to control cleaning, navigation and perception. The robot uses multi-segmented arms to perform chores. The robot adapts and learns from its environment while performing useful tasks.
US08437874B2 Transfer station for plant material sampling and tracking system
Systems and methods for processing plant material samples and a transfer station designed for use in such systems and methods. In one embodiment, the system includes a controller, a plant-material sampling device, and a transfer station. The plant-material sampling device is configured to communicate with the controller and to read an identifier of a plant. The sampling device also has a removable magazine, and is designed to take at least one plant sample from multiple plants, place such samples in the magazine, and track the identity of the plant from which each sample is taken. The transfer station is configured to hold, at multiple positions, multiple magazines and multiple trays such that the positions of the magazines are mirrored by the positions of the trays, read an identifier of each magazine, read an identifier of each tray, map storage locations for each one of the magazines to storage locations of one of the trays, and sequentially unload plant samples from the magazines to the trays.
US08437871B2 Method for taking body measurements with digital clothing
A method comprises steps of: providing body-outlining parameters; editing the body-outlining parameters; creating a body with the edited body-outlining parameters on a window for the digital clothing; and visualizing the created body on the window for the digital clothing. The step of providing the body-outlining parameters may comprise steps of providing: a stature; a crotch height; a head length; an arm length; a bust girth; a waist girth; a head girth; a upper arm girth; a lower arm girth; a knee girth; and a lower leg girth. The step of editing the body-outlining parameters may comprise steps of editing: providing a number for setting a parameter value; and sliding a visual bar on the window for the digital clothing.
US08437870B2 System and method for implementing a virtual metrology advanced process control platform
System and method for implementing a VM APC platform are described. In one embodiment, the VM APC system comprises a process tool for processing a plurality of wafers, a metrology tool for measuring a sample wafer of the plurality of wafers and generating actual metrology data therefor, and a VM model for predicting metrology data for each of the plurality of wafers. The actual metrology data is received from the metrology tool and used to update the VM model. Key variables of the virtual metrology model are updated only in response to a determination that the VM model is inaccurate and parameters of the VM model are updated responsive to receipt of the actual metrology data for the sample wafer of the plurality of wafers. The system also includes an APC controller for receiving the predicted metrology data and the actual metrology data and controlling an operation of the process tool based on the received data.
US08437864B2 Medical electrical lead with embedded electrode sub-assembly
A medical electrical lead that includes a lead body and at least one tubular electrode sub-assembly positioned over and attached to the lead body. The lead body includes at least one elongated conductive element, such as a cable, that is electrically connected to a coiled electrode of the tubular electrode sub-assembly. The tubular electrode sub-assembly includes a tubular liner and an electrode embedded in the outer surface of the liner. In some embodiments, only a portion of the inner surface of the tubular liner is attached to the lead body in order to improve flexibility of the medical electrode lead in the area occupied by the tubular electrode sub-assembly.
US08437862B2 Magnetic field detection using magnetohydrodynamic effect
An IMD may transition to an MRI mode automatically in response to detecting one or more conditions indicative of the presence of a strong magnetic field. Large static magnetic fields, such as those produced by an MRI device, may interact with the blood of a patient as it flows through the magnetic field to produce a voltage, a phenomenon referred to as the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effect. The voltage produced by the MHD effect is proportional to the strength of the magnetic field. As such, the voltage produced by blood flow in the strong magnetic field of an MRI device may result in a change in a characteristic of an electrogram (EGM). The IMD may detect the change in the characteristic of the EGM caused by the MHD effect and transition to operation in the MRI mode in response to at least the change in the EGM.
US08437860B1 Hearing assistance system
A hearing assistance system includes a hearing assistance unit, with an interface for receiving a removable module, and a removable module configured to be retained in the interface.
US08437859B1 Dual microphone EAS system that prevents feedback
A hearing prosthesis includes both a hearing aid adapted to sense and amplify low frequency acoustic sound signals and a cochlear implant system adapted to sense high frequency acoustic sound signals. The hearing aid has a first microphone adapted to sense the low frequency acoustic sound signals, amplify these sensed low frequency acoustic sound signals, and present the resulting amplified low frequency acoustic sound signals in the ear canal of a user, thereby enabling the user to better hear these amplified sounds using his or her normal hearing processes. The cochlear implant system includes a second microphone adapted to sense the high frequency acoustic sound signals and selectively stimulate the inner ear with electrical stimulation that will be perceived as high frequency acoustic sound signals. Both the cochlear implant system and the hearing aid system are coupled to operate on the same ear of the user. Feedback within the hearing aid portion of the system is eliminated by positioning the first microphone at a location that is acoustically remote from the ear canal where the amplified low frequency acoustic sound signals are presented. High frequency acoustic sound signals are better sensed by placing the second microphone at a location that is in or near the ear canal where the amplified low frequency acoustic sound signals are presented.
US08437857B2 Multiple tunable central cathodes on a paddle for increased medial-lateral and rostral-caudal flexibility via current steering
A neurostimulation paddle lead, method of neurostimulation, and neurostimulation system are provided. The neurostimulation paddle lead carries a plurality of electrodes comprising at least four columns of electrodes having a spacing between two inner electrode columns less than a spacing between the inner electrode columns and adjacent outer electrode columns. The inner electrode columns may also be longitudinally offset from the outer electrode columns. The methods and neurostimulation systems steer current between the electrodes to modify a medial-lateral electrical field created adjacent spinal cord tissue.
US08437852B2 Change log for implantable medical device
A method and system for recording changes to programmable parameters in an implantable pulse generator. An executable program is stored in an implantable pulse generator. A parameter log is maintained in the implantable pulse generator, where the parameter log is used to record changes to the state of one or more programmable parameters of the executable program. When a change is detected in the state, from a first state to a second state, of the one or more programmable parameters the first state of the one or more programmable parameters changed to the second state are recorded in the parameter log. The parameter log is retrievable to allow for analysis of when and how changes took place to the executable program.
US08437851B2 Diagnosis and therapy of bigeminy and frequent premature contractions
The disclosure describes techniques for diagnosing premature contractions of a patient's heart. This system may differentiate premature atrial contractions (PACs) and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) from atrial fibrillation by identifying changes in R-wave intervals, i.e., R-R intervals, on a Lorenz plot, measuring a coupling interval between R-waves, and analyzing a morphology of the premature contractions, e.g., the QRS complex. These techniques may also identify when severe premature contractions, or bigeminy, are present. In response to the type of premature contractions detected, the system may alert a user of the premature contractions and/or deliver cardiac pacing at an increased pacing rate to eliminate the abnormal intrinsic contractions. The system may also adjust the pacing rate and pacing rate duration for persistent premature contractions.
US08437850B2 Automatic enabling of post long pause overdrive pacing
A method and apparatus for controlling an atrial overdrive pacing therapy include detecting an atrial arrhythmia episode and determining if the atrial arrhythmia episode is an early recurring episode. Delivery of the atrial overdrive pacing therapy is enabled in response to the early recurring episode and commences upon detection of an atrial arrhythmia episode or a long pause.
US08437846B2 Pre-sutured anchor for implantable leads
A pre-sutured anchor including a deformable anchor sleeve with a lumen sized to receive the therapy delivery element. An outer surface of the anchor sleeve including one or more annular compression grooves oriented generally co-axial to the lumen. At least one compression member is located in a compression groove in an open configuration. The compression member includes at least one stop. A suture material pre-tied in a self-locking compression knot extends around each compression member. The suture material includes distal ends adapted to receive a tension force that is transmitted as a radial compression force to deform the compression members and substantially engage the stop in a compressed configuration. The anchor sleeve compressively engages the therapy delivery element in the compressed configuration.
US08437845B2 Electrical methods for detection and characterization of abnormal tissue and cells
An apparatus for the diagnosis of a biological sample is disclosed. An embodiments of the apparatus includes a probe, a probe head distally connectable to the probe, the probe head further comprising a plurality of electrode elements thereby forming an electrode array where each electrode element is variably actuatable to apply an electrical signal to the biological sample; an RF signal source for applying the electrical signal to the electrode array; an electrode selector adapted and configured to switch the electrical signal from the RF signal source between the plurality of electrode elements; and a detection circuit for analyzing a dielectric property received from the biological sample. Methods and kits for diagnosing a biological sample are also disclosed.
US08437841B2 Living body inspection apparatus, and relevant method and program product
In a living body inspection apparatus to inspect RLS (Restless Legs Syndrome), a pulse interval is obtained from a pulse wave signal, thereby performing a frequency analysis of the obtained pulse interval using CDM. From a result of the frequency analysis, the low frequency components ranging from 0.04 to 0.15 Hz and the high frequency components ranging from 0.15 to 0.4 Hz are extracted. A value of low frequency components (LF)/high frequency components (HF) is obtained as an index to which an amendment based on age is applied. It is then determined whether LF/HF is equal to or greater than a predetermined determination value indicating RLS. For example, it is determined whether LF/HF is equal to or greater than 0.65, which suspects RLS. It is determined whether a signal is accurately calculated which indicates an activity of autonomic nerve. A state of RLS is determined using LF/HF.
US08437836B2 Reverse data reconstruction for optimal time sampling of counts in physiological list-mode nuclear imaging
A diagnostic imaging device includes detector elements (16) for detecting y-rays indicative of nuclear decay events. Pairs of concurrently detected γ-rays define lines of response (LORs) which are collected, time stamped, and compiled in list-mode. In tissue perfusion studies, it is beneficial to use the data that concurrently maximizes contrast and signal-to-noise ratio in the reconstructed images. Using the list-mode data, events in an adjustable temporal window (33) are reconstructed and the reconstructed images are analyzed to determine a figure of merit based on contrast and signal-to-noise properties of the image. By iteratively adjusting the temporal window, extending its start point (36) backwards in time, and repeating the reconstructing, analyzing, and adjusting steps, an image with an optimal figure of merit is obtained.
US08437832B2 Catheter with bendable tip
A medical probe includes a flexible insertion tube, having a distal end for insertion into a body cavity of a patient, and a distal tip, which is disposed at the distal end of the insertion tube and is configured to be brought into contact with tissue in the body cavity. A coupling member couples the distal tip to the distal end of the insertion tube and includes a tubular piece of an elastic material having a helical cut therethrough along a portion of a length of the piece.
US08437829B2 Biosensor membranes
Novel membranes comprising various polymers containing heterocyclic nitrogen groups are described. These membranes are usefully employed in electrochemical sensors, such as amperometric biosensors. More particularly, these membranes effectively regulate a flux of analyte to a measurement electrode in an electrochemical sensor, thereby improving the functioning of the electrochemical sensor over a significant range of analyte concentrations. Electrochemical sensors equipped with such membranes are also described.
US08437827B2 Extruded analyte sensors and methods of using same
The present disclosure provides electrode structures and integrated electrode structures having one or more conductive materials coextruded with one or more dielectric materials. The disclosed electrode structures can be configured for use as analyte sensors. Also provided, are methods of making and using the electrode structures and integrated electrode structures described herein.
US08437823B2 Noninvasive living body measurement apparatus and noninvasive living body measurement method
An easily wearable noninvasive living body measurement apparatus is provided. The noninvasive living body measurement apparatus (1) is composed of an apparatus body (3) and a wristband (40). The apparatus body (3) is composed of a body section (31) and a body section retention member (4). The body section (31) is retained by the wristband (40) via the body section retention member (4). By allowing the wristband (40) to be attached to a position in the vicinity of a wrist of a forearm of a human, the apparatus body (3) is attached to a human body. An imaging section (5) is retained at a position protruding outside from a width D of the wristband (40). This allows, when the wristband (40) is worn around the arm, the imaging section (5) to be located at a position at which the imaging by the imaging section (5) can be performed.
US08437822B2 System and method for estimating blood analyte concentration
There is provided a system and method for estimating blood analyte concentration using a non-invasive medical device. The method includes detecting light from a plurality of light sources and generating signals representative of observed absorption of the light from the plurality of light sources. Blood analyte concentrations are then estimated using support vector regression analysis.
US08437820B2 Signal processing method, signal processing apparatus, and pulse photometer using the same
A method of processing first and second signals obtained by measuring a medium, to obtain a pulse wave signal and an artifact signal which are separated, includes: separating vectors of the first and second signals by using a separation matrix into a vector of the pulse wave signal and a vector of the artifact signal, the separation matrix including a norm ratio of a stable zone of the pulse wave signal and a compensated norm ratio of an artifact zone.
US08437818B1 System and method for providing multi-conductive layer metallic interconnects for superconducting integrated circuits
Superconducting integrated circuits require several wiring layers to distribute bias and signals across the circuit, which must cross each other both with and without contacts. All wiring lines and contacts must be fully superconducting, and in the prior art each wiring layer comprises a single metallic thin film. An alternative wiring layer is disclosed that comprises sequential layers of two or more different metals. Such a multi-metallic wiring layer may offer improved resistance to impurity diffusion, better surface passivation, and/or reduction of stress, beyond that which is attainable with a single-metallic wiring layer. The resulting process leads to improved margin and yield in an integrated circuit comprising a plurality of Josephson junctions. Several preferred embodiments are disclosed, for both planarized and non-planarized processes. These preferred and other methods may be applied to digital circuits based on Rapid Single Flux Quantum logic, and to quantum computing using Josephson junction qubits.
US08437815B2 Superconducting rotary motor
A motor and a method of operating the motor are provided. The motor includes a stator including a high-temperature superconductor material at a temperature. The superconductor material is in a superconducting state in the presence of an external magnetic field below a critical field strength, wherein the critical field strength is a function of the temperature of the superconductor material. The motor further includes a rotor including a plurality of permanent magnets and configured to rotate about an axis, wherein each magnet of the plurality of permanent magnets has a magnetic field that interacts with the superconductor material. A sum of a non-zero time-invariant magnetic field strength and a time-varying magnetic field strength cycles between at least a first field strength below the critical field strength for the superconductor material at the temperature and at least a second field strength above the critical field strength for the superconductor material at the temperature, such that the portions of the material cycles between a superconducting state and a non-superconducting state. A time-varying force is applied to the rotor by an interaction of the rotor's magnetic field with the portions of the superconductor material. In certain embodiments, a motor is provided.
US08437811B2 Input and output hall structure for sound device in a portable terminal
An input/output hall structure for a sound device in a portable terminal includes a main hole and a plurality of sub-holes. The main hole is provided in a case frame forming the exterior of the portable terminal to be exposed to the exterior, and inputs/outputs sound. The plurality of sub-holes is branched from the main hole and communicates with the main hole. The sub-hole and a corresponding sound device communicate sound. The structure reduces the number of holes for inputting/outputting sound of a sound device and provides a more elegant appearance with improved function. A plurality of sound devices can input/output through the main hole and branched configuration of sub-holes.
US08437809B2 Mobile communication terminal and control method thereof
A mobile communication terminal in accordance with the present invention includes a first wireless communication unit 102 corresponding to a first wireless communication system, an interface 107 detachably connecting an external apparatus 200, a determination unit 111 for determining whether or not the external apparatus 200 connected to the interface 107 corresponds to a second wireless communication system and is a second wireless communication unit 202 consuming less power than the first wireless communication unit 102, a battery voltage detection unit 104 for detecting battery voltage of a power supply unit 103 containing a battery and a control unit 111 for controlling the first wireless communication unit 102 to be in a disabled state when the first wireless communication unit 102 is communicating and the battery voltage detected by the battery voltage detection unit 104 is equal to or less than the predetermined value in the case where connection of the second wireless communication unit 202 is determined by the determination unit 111. Thus multimode communication depending on the battery voltage can be executed efficiently without causing unexpected circumstances to the user.
US08437805B2 Method and apparatus for transforming images to accommodate screen orientation
A method and apparatus for transforming a display image on a display from a first orientation to a second orientation, the method having the steps of: breaking up the display image into multiple sub-images; and transforming each of the multiple sub-images individually, the transforming step including selecting a pixel, determining a transformed location for the pixel, and writing the pixel to a display buffer.
US08437803B2 Base station and mobile station
A base station and a mobile station, the base station includes common antennas configured to transmit signals to all mobile stations (UEs) served by the base station; a special antenna to transmit a signal to a UE which is served by the base station and supports the special antenna; a sub-frame selecting unit to select a sub-frame for transmitting a common pilot of the special antenna in the current frame; a resource block (RB) selecting unit to select a RB for transmitting the common pilot, in the sub-frame for transmitting the common pilot selected by the sub-frame selecting unit; a notifying unit to notify the sub-frame and RB for transmitting the common pilot antenna selected by the UE supporting the special antenna in a cell; and a transmitting unit to transmit a signal having the common pilot in the RB selected by the RB selecting unit.
US08437799B2 System and method for temporarily reconfiguring a communications system to provide selected services
A system and method for temporarily reconfiguring a communications system to provide selected services are provided. A method for temporarily providing selected services by a cell of a communications system includes receiving a first command, changing an operating mode of the cell responsive to the first command, and indicating the operating mode to a first selected device and a first non-selected device. The cell operating in the operating mode serves the first selected device based on the first command, and the first non-selected device is a selected device prior to the change in the operating mode and is capable of accessing the cell before the cell changes the operating mode responsive to the first command and is not capable of accessing the cell after the cell changes the operating mode responsive to the first command.
US08437798B2 Uplink scheduling support in multi-carrier wireless communication systems
A method in a wireless communication terminal that supports aggregated carrier access including determining power headroom for a first carrier based on first carrier control information, determining power headroom for at least one additional carrier based on the first carrier control information, and transmitting a power headroom report based on the power headroom of the first carrier or the power headroom of the at least one additional carrier.
US08437796B2 Transmission level control method and transceiver apparatus in wireless local loop system
A transmission level control method in a wireless local loop system capable of suppressing occurrence of an unnecessarily high transmission level, comprises a step of generating a required reception level corresponding to a classification of data, a step of detecting the reception level of data at a receiver side transceiver apparatus, a step of finding a level difference between the detected reception level and the required reception level corresponding to the classification of the related received data, and a step of controlling a change of the transmission level at a transmitter side transceiver apparatus according to this level difference.
US08437793B2 Wireless transmitter calibration using absolute power requests
Test systems are provided for performing testing and calibration operations on wireless circuitry in electronic devices. The electronic devices may include cellular telephones and other portable electronic devices. Wireless circuitry in a device may include a radio-frequency transceiver that is controlled based on radio-frequency transceiver control signals. The wireless circuitry may also include power amplifier circuitry. The power amplifier circuitry may receive radio-frequency signals from the transceiver and may produce correspondingly amplified radio-frequency output signals for wireless transmission with an antenna. The power amplifier circuitry may be powered by a bias voltage. The test systems may provide the electronic device with a transmit power request that directs the electronic device to produce a desired output power. The test systems may measure the actual resulting power. After sufficient measurements have been made, the test systems may calibrate the transceiver and power amplifier settings.
US08437788B2 Method and apparatus for allocating radio resources in wireless communication system
Disclosed are method and apparatus for allocating radio resources. The method for allocating radio resource includes: determining, by a base station, a group of downlink sub-channels and transmission parameters related to the group of downlink sub-channels according to downlink channel characteristics and downlink interference characteristics of each resource block and a downlink bandwidth requirement of a terminal reported by the terminal, and transmitting the group of downlink sub-channels and the related transmission parameters determined to the terminal. The method and apparatus are able to allocate radio resources and determine transmission parameters based on user service requirement and system channel conditions, which greatly optimizes the system performances and improves efficiency.
US08437785B2 Communication apparatus and method of displaying received e-mail in communication apparatus
A communication apparatus includes: an e-mail creating unit configured to create the e-mail with specifying an e-mail address of a destination; an e-mail transmitting/receiving unit configured to transmit/receive the e-mail; a display unit provided with a received mail display area for displaying a received e-mail set if necessary and a created mail display area for displaying an e-mail being created; and a control unit configured to set the received mail display area and display the received e-mail if the e-mail is received during creating the e-mail and the e-mail address of a sender of the received e-mail matches with the e-mail address of the destination of the e-mail being created.
US08437782B2 Method for contacting a group of terminals within a communication network, arrangement and terminal within a communication network
The present invention relates to the field of paging terminals within a communication network. In order to contact a group of terminals, a common group identification is allocated to each of the terminals within said group. Thereafter, a paging message is created comprising said common group identification. The paging message is then transmitted to all terminals within said group by a single paging operation.
US08437779B2 Modification of dynamic contact lists
In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems and program products for dynamically generating contact list. A computer system identifies a geographic location of a mobile computing device that is associated with a user. A local contact list is generated by selecting, for inclusion in the local contact list, one or more contacts that are from a contact list that is stored for the user and are within a first predetermined geographic location. The local contact list is generated by selecting, for inclusion in the local contact list, one or more contacts that are not in the contact list that is stored for the user and are within a second predetermined geographic location. The local contact list is provided for display on the mobile computing device.
US08437776B2 Methods to determine the effectiveness of a physical advertisement relating to a physical business location
In general, the invention relates to methods that record the location of a user based upon their current and past location information. A network is configured to include a server programmed with a database of location information, a database of user information, a database relating to physical advertisement locations, and a wireless communication system capable of communicating with the user's mobile device. The location of the mobile device is ascertained and recorded. The location information is analyzed to determine if the user was in proximity to a physical advertisement, and the businesses visited by the user. The location information is analyzed to determine the effectiveness of physical advertisements, such as print and billboard advertisements, by determining whether a user viewed a physical advertisement and subsequently visited a business locations associated with that physical advertisement.
US08437775B2 Methods and arrangements for enabling estimation of a position of a mobile terminal
Methods and arrangements in a first network node, a second radio network node and a mobile terminal for enabling estimation of a position of a mobile terminal are provided. The first network node receives a request for estimating the position of the mobile terminal. The first network node determines a first set of radio network nodes including the second radio network node and two additional radio network nodes. The first network node determines positioning signals for transmission from radio network nodes of the first set to the mobile terminal. The first network node instructs each of the radio network nodes of the first set to transmit the positioning signal, associated therewith, to the mobile terminal.
US08437774B2 Method and user equipment for mobile device registration
A method and apparatus for a registration update of a mobile device (UE) in a communication network is described. The location of the mobile device (UE) is registered in a first registration area (A) and associated with a list of further registration areas (B). A registration area update is triggered when the mobile device (UE) is detecting a change of location to a second registration area. The registration area update is initiated with a random time delay after the mobile device (UE) detects the change to the second registration area if the second registration area is in the list of further registration areas (B).
US08437773B2 Hierarchical information dissemination for location based systems
Techniques are provided which may be implemented in various methods and/or apparatuses that support information dissemination for and/or within location based systems to control information dissemination.
US08437769B1 Method and system for selecting a length of a preamble transmitted in an access probe
A mobile station transmits a message by transmitting an access probe that includes the message preceded by a preamble. The mobile station selects the length of the preamble from among a first preamble length and a second preamble length. The second preamble length is greater than the first preamble length. The mobile station makes the selection based, at least in part, on the distance between the mobile station and the mobile station's primary base transceiver station (BTS). If the distance is greater than a threshold distance, the mobile station selects the second preamble length. If the distance is less than the threshold distance, the mobile station selects the first preamble length, provided that an idle handoff to a neighboring BTS that is more than the threshold distance away is unlikely.
US08437768B2 Interference balancing in a wireless communication system
A method for balancing the distribution of interference between radio cells in a wireless communication system including cells in which subcarrier blocks are used for communication, a number of adjacent cells building a cell cluster. A corresponding method is for use in a system using multi beam antennas or multiple antennas. Base stations perform the above method and a communication system includes the base stations. To reduce the large average SIR variations without causing additional SIR estimation, measurement and calculation problem as introduced with power control, subcarrier blocks are grouped into a plurality of subcarrier block sets in each cell of a cell cluster, to determine transmission power levels for each of the cells of the cell cluster, and to assign transmission power levels to the subcarrier block sets.
US08437767B2 Apparatuses, method and computer program for adapting a telecommunication service to traffic load in the network
There is disclosed improvements of the access stratum layer for adapting a telecommunication service to traffic load on the network.
US08437761B2 Method and system for soft handoff in mobile broadband systems
The present invention provides a method and system for facilitating efficient handoff and data throughput in mobile broadband communication systems. Methods implemented by a system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention include selectively enabled soft handoff, performing Layer 2 bearer functions at the base station and using the mobile device to coordinate soft handoff and interference avoidance without the need for a centralized coordination function.
US08437760B2 Method and system for soft handoff in mobile broadband systems
The present invention provides a method and system for facilitating efficient handoff and data throughput in mobile broadband communication systems. Methods implemented by a system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention include selectively enabled soft handoff, performing Layer 2 bearer functions at the base station and using the mobile device to coordinate soft handoff and interference avoidance without the need for a centralized coordination function.
US08437758B2 Method and apparatus for performing media independent handover measurement and reporting
The method and apparatus are used for media independent handover (MIH) measurement and reporting in wireless communications. A periodicity for measurement and reporting is set on the MIH function through an MIH protocol message or an MIH SAP primitive and on the link layer device through an MIH_LINK_SAP primitive. A new MIH_SAP primitive, MIH protocol message or MIH_LINK_SAP primitive is added to configure the periodicity. A new information element (IE) field for measurement reporting period may be added.
US08437757B2 Systems for providing peer-to-peer communications
Improved systems and methods for establishing peer-to-peer calls such as voice over IP calls and video over IP calls. In various embodiments of the invention, SMTP messages are exchanged between devices using a SMTP server, with the SMTP messages including IP address information. With this arrangement, the need for SIP service providers can be eliminated. In other embodiments of the present invention, SMS messages including IP address information are transmitted between devices during a GSM or other type of telephone call, enabling the call to “migrate” to a VoIP or video over IP call.
US08437753B2 Method for managing neighbor base station information in mobile communication system and system thereof
There are provided a method for managing neighbor Base Station (BS) information in a mobile communication system, and a system thereof. A femto Access Service Network-Gateway (ASN-GW) controls at least one femto BS, manages scan information that an MS served by a macro BS requires in measuring at least one signal strength by scanning the at least one femto BS, creates the scan information in a format of Downlink Channel Descriptor (DCD) and Uplink Channel Descriptor (UCD) information, and transmits the scan information to the macro BS. The macro BS periodically broadcasts neighbor BS information of the femto BS, which includes the scan information, to MSs in its coverage using a Neighbor Advertisement (NBR-ADV) message.
US08437749B2 Method, system, and apparatus for network time and date determination
A wireless device searches for a network to establish a connection, and, when a network is found, the wireless device attempts to establish a connection. The wireless device receives a PLMN code from the network. The wireless device receives the current GMT time from a GPS satellite. The wireless device determines the time zone that the wireless device is located in using the PLMN code. The wireless device determines the daylight saving time settings using the PLMN code and/or the GMT time. The wireless device determines the current time and date for the present location of the wireless device using the received GMT time and the determined time zone and day light saving time settings. The wireless device is updated to reflect the current time, date, time zone, and daylight saving settings.
US08437748B2 Method for managing multiple radio access bearers in a single handset
A method for managing a voice call while simultaneously running a data application on a handset having a display includes determining whether the display on the handset is on or off; and if the display is off, then suspending data transfer supporting the data application. Other conditions for suspending data transfer include whether an application is in the foreground of the display; whether the handset is in proximity to a user's head, or if network reception quality exceeds a threshold.
US08437743B2 Access network discovery and selection function, ANDSF, node distributing closed subscriber group, CSG, information
The invention relates to a method in an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function, ANDSF, node for distributing Closed Subscriber Group information. The CSG information comprises an Allowed CSG List of a first UE and cell information indicating position of a cell with controlled access associated to the Allowed CSG List. The method comprises retrieving an Allowed CSG List of the radio cell from a CSG Database over a first network 10 interface (CSGi) between the ANDSF node and the CSG Database. Furthermore, the ANDSF node triggers the first UE to establish a connection to the ANDSF node over a second network interface (ANDSFi) between the ANDSF node (90) and the first UE. In addition, the ANDSF node receives cell information indicating the position of the cell with controlled access and the Allowed CSG List is sent to the first UE.
US08437737B2 Device and method for recharging SIM card
A method for recharging a first SIM card through a mobile phone using a second SIM card is described. The method includes: receiving identifying information; generating a first short message containing the identifying information; receiving recharging information containing a phone number associated with the second SIM card and charge amount; generating a second short message containing the recharging information; and sending the first short message and the second short message to a mobile service provider, such that the mobile service device can accordingly recharge the first SIM card.
US08437734B2 System and method for providing contact information of a mobile device to a reverse 911 database
In one embodiment, when a mobile device is powered on, a mobile switching center acquires the contact information, such as, but not limited to, a phone number and the physical location associated with the mobile device. If the mobile device is a new device to the area, the contact information of the mobile device is passed to a reverse 911 database in order for a user of the mobile device to receive local alert messages transmitted by a reverse 911 system.
US08437732B2 Emergency call notification for network services
Enhanced services, such as call restriction, call forwarding, anonymous call rejection, and proprietary services, may interfere with an emergency callback potentially preventing the callback from reaching the intended destination. Systems and methods for processing emergency calls to eliminate emergency callback failure in response to an emergency call being disconnected are provided herein.
US08437725B2 Digital interface between a RF and baseband circuit and process for controlling such interface
Process for controlling the switching of the data rate at a digital interface exchanging data and control messages between a Radio Frequency (RF) circuit and a digital circuit, comprising the steps of: setting by default the data rate to a low speed (LS) rate having a density presenting a first lobe being inferior to the frequency band considered in said RF circuit so as to prevent desensitization of the LNAs by the noise produced by said digital interface; storing the data and control messages message into a FIFO and monitoring the level of said FIFO; whenever the level of said FIFO reaches a predetermined threshold value, then controlling said interface to switch to a second high speed (HS) rate in order to flush said FIFO. In one embodiment, the LS frequency is set to a value of 832 MHz, thus preventing simultaneously desensitization of the GSM band and also the GPS band.
US08437724B2 Method and system for output common mode control for reducing DC offset for an IF mixer that downconverts a received signal to DC without introducing additional offset
A method and system for output common mode control for reducing DC offset for an IF mixer that downconverts a received signal to DC without introducing additional offset is provided. Aspects of the method may comprise averaging signals having an output common mode DC level, which are generated from an output of the mixer. This determined average may then be compared to a reference voltage. The reference voltage may be an output common mode DC level required for baseband processing. The output common mode DC level may be corrected at an input of the mixer for signals that may subsequently be generated from an output of the mixer by utilizing results from the comparison. The corrected common mode DC offset level may be fed back to an input of the mixer.
US08437722B2 Multiple frequency band multiple standard transceiver
A transceiver includes a receiver section and a transmitter section. The receiver section converts an inbound Multiple Frequency Bands Multiple Standards (MFBMS) signal into a down converted signal, wherein the inbound MFBMS signal includes a desired signal component and an undesired signal component. In addition, the receiver section determines spectral positioning of the undesired signal component with respect to the desired signal component and adjusts at least one of the MFBMS signal and the down converted signal based on the spectral positioning to substantially reduce adverse affects of the undesired signal component on the desired signal component to produce an adjusted signal. The transmitter section converts an outbound symbol stream into an outbound MFBMS signal.
US08437721B2 Jammer detection based adaptive PLL bandwidth adjustment in FM receiver
A frequency synthesizer within an FM receiver employs a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) to generate a Local Oscillator (LO) signal. The LO signal is supplied to a mixer. The FM receiver also includes jammer detection functionality. If no jammer is detected, then the loop bandwidth of the PLL is set to have a relatively high value, thereby favoring suppression of in-band residual FM. If a jammer is detected, then the loop bandwidth of the PLL is set to have a relatively low value, thereby favoring suppression of out-of-band SSB phase noise. By adaptively changing loop bandwidth depending on whether a jammer is detected, performance requirements on sub-circuits within the PLL can be relaxed while still satisfying in-band residual FM and out-of-band SSB phase noise requirements. By allowing the VCO of the PLL to generate more phase noise due to the adaptive changing of loop bandwidth, VCO power consumption can be reduced.
US08437709B2 Wireless apparatus
A wireless apparatus includes a display, a display case encasing the display, a body supporting the display case capable of rolling sideways the display, a first antenna element arranged in the display case, a second antenna element arranged in crossed direction of the first antenna element direction in the display case, and an antenna switch configured to switch between the first antenna and the second antenna in accordance with rolling positions of the display case with the body.
US08437704B2 System and method for resuming power control after interruption
System and method for controlling the transmit power of a mobile terminal. In some embodiments, a transmit power correction factor for a mobile terminal is set to the average transmit power correction factor for all active mobile terminals in the same cell as the mobile terminal.
US08437700B2 Protocol reference model, security and inter-operability in a cognitive communications system
Various cognitive communications system architectures and their corresponding Protocol Reference Models (PRMs) are disclosed. Such PRMs incorporate a Cognitive Plane in addition to conventional Data and Management Planes. The additional Cognitive Plane functionality may include, for example, spectrum sensing, spectrum management, geolocation, and security functions. The Cognitive Plane may further include a Policy Engine and a Learning and Reasoning Module. In some embodiments, Management Plane functions may be effectively combined to form a database of primitives (and their respective values) called a Management Information Base (MIB). In addition, techniques are provided by which various components of cognitive and non-cognitive, as well as mesh-enabled and non-mesh-enabled nodes in a network, inter-operate with each other. The architectures allow a Spectrum Manager (or Signal Space Manager) to combine information from various network layers (e.g., PHY/MAC Layers, Spectrum Sensing Function, Geolocation Function, and/or Security Sublayers), and to make informed decisions on spectrum utilization.
US08437698B2 Method and apparatus for estimating time of arrival
Method and apparatus are provided for estimating Time of Arrival (“TOA”). The method includes: performing channel estimation according to a Normal Burst (“NB”) free of interference and a local training sequence and generating a channel estimate, performing TOA estimation according to the channel estimate, and adjusting a synchronization position of the current NB according to a TOA estimation result. Interference to signals is cancelled before the TOA estimation, thus overcoming energy estimate deviation arising from interference in a strongly interfering radio environment, as occurs in the prior art, and preventing the impact on the TOA estimation. The disclosed methods and apparatus provide for more accurate energy estimates in a strongly interfering radio environment. The technical solution under the present invention does not require adjustment of the method of adjusting the search window.
US08437696B2 Low power near-field communication devices
Power consumption of near-field communication devices is regulated by waking the device for communications when a potential external near-field device is detected, and by adjusting the resonant antenna circuit to account for the detected change in antenna environment. Such near-field communication devices, which may be used to detect and read external RFID tags, include a resonant loop antenna circuit having an antenna and a variable component, the antenna circuit being tunable by adjusting the variable component. The antenna has a target range of operation for near-field communication, and an inductance that is susceptible to interference that can alter the target range. The resonant loop antenna circuit is connected to an integrated circuit that includes a controller for controlling near-field communications via the resonant loop antenna circuit, an inductance detection circuit to detect changes in the antenna inductance, a wake-on circuit responsive to a sufficient change in antenna inductance to transition the controller from a low power sleep mode to a communications mode, and an antenna tuning circuit to adjust the variable component of the resonant loop antenna circuit to compensate for changes in antenna inductance and to maintain the target range of operation.
US08437695B2 Power bridge circuit for bi-directional inductive signaling
An inductive signal interface comprises a coil assembly including one or more inductive coils, a bridge circuit including a plurality of switches, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to individually operate the plurality of switches to enable the inductive signal interface to dynamically switch between a power-transmit mode and a power receive mode.
US08437694B2 Communication between portable apparatus and counterpart apparatus
A portable apparatus, a counterpart apparatus and communication method are disclosed. The communication method comprises: communicating wirelessly an identifier from a portable apparatus to a counterpart apparatus by an induction-based magnetic field; executing a pairing protocol utilizing the identifier between the radio transceiver of the portable apparatus and a radio transceiver of the counterpart apparatus by electric radiation; and communicating information between the radio transceiver of the portable apparatus and the radio transceiver of the counterpart apparatus by electric radiation.
US08437693B2 Synchronizing a radio network with end user radio terminals
A wireless communications device comprises a communication receiver and a positioning system receiver in the wireless mobile communication device. An absolute time signal is received at the positioning system. A network time signal is received at the communication receiver of the wireless mobile communication device. A controller is in signal communication with the position system receiver and the communication receiver. The controller is configured to determine an offset of the absolute time signal from the network time signal and generates a timing mark. The timing mark is tagged by the positioning system receiver with an internal clock value wherein the timing mark has a known relationship with the absolute time signal. A memory stores the offset of the absolute time signal from the network time signal. A transmitter in the wireless mobile communication device transmits the offset for receipt by another wireless mobile communication device.
US08437687B2 Calculating booklet sheet length using toner thickness
A booklet is produced including an outer sheet and an inner sheet folded and nested together. A print image having a thickness is printed where it is between the two sheets when they nest together. A cut length is calculated using the thicknesses of the sheets and the thickness of the print image, so that when the sheets are folded and the inner sheet is nested into the outer sheet, the edges of the inner sheet will not protrude beyond the edges of the outer sheet. The inner sheet is cut to the calculated cut length either before or after printing. The cut inner sheet and the outer sheet are folded and nested together to produce the booklet.
US08437686B2 Image forming system and image forming apparatus
An image forming system includes: a decurl section which corrects a curl on a sheet on which an image has been formed; a sheet ejection section on which the sheet to be ejected is stacked; a finishing section which conducts post processing on the sheet on which the image has been formed and ejects the sheet on the sheet ejection section; and an operation and display section having a setting screen for setting a post-processing condition and a selection screen for selecting a decurl direction to be corrected by the decurl section. A selection section that selects the decurl direction given by the decurl section, and a decurl image that shows a decurl direction on the sheet ejection section for the sheet, are indicated on the selection screen, and the selection section and the decurl image are displayed on the same selection screen.
US08437685B2 Post-processing apparatus and image forming system
In a post-processing apparatus in which sheets are stacked in a stacker section and arranged to be subject to post-processing, the stacker section is provided with a sheet ejection section which subsequently ejects the sheets one by one or two or more sheets overlapped with each other, wherein the sheet ejection section is provided with a corrugation application member to apply corrugation onto the sheet to be ejected and to change extent of the corrugation to be applied.
US08437683B2 Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus
A sheet feeding device including: a sheet feeding tray; a first air blowing section which blows air against a lateral side of the sheet bundle; a second air blowing section which blows air against a leading edge of the sheet bundle; a sheet adsorption conveyance section which conveys sheets one by one; a sheet type information transmission section; a shielding member arranged to open or shield the ventilating path; a shielding state switching section which switches to any one state of opening, partial shielding and overall shielding, wherein in the partial shielding state, less amount of air is allowed to pass than the opening state; a sheet adsorption detecting section; and a control section which controls to switch among the state of opening, partial shielding and overall shielding of the ventilating path, in accordance with the information from the sheet type and the sheet adsorption detection.
US08437673B2 Image heating apparatus
An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable image heater including: an electroconductive layer; a pressor, press-contacting the heater, for forming a nip in which an image on a recording material is to be heated; an urging member, provided inside the heater, for urging the heater toward the pressor; and an excitation coil for induction-heating the electroconductive layer. When the length of the heater with respect to a rotational axis direction thereof is Lb, the length of the pressor with respect to the rotational axis direction is Lr, the outside distance of bent portions of the coil at both end portions thereof with respect to the rotational axis direction is LcoilA, and the inside distance of the bent portions with respect to the rotational axis direction is LcoilB, the lengths Lb and Lr and the distance LcoilA and LcoilB satisfy the following relationship: LcoilA>Lb>Lr>LcoilB.
US08437671B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming method for image forming apparatus, and computer program product
An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit that directly transfers an image onto a transfer sheet; an intermediate transfer member onto which an image is transferred; a secondary image forming unit that transfers an image onto the intermediate transfer member; a secondary transfer unit that transfers the image on the intermediate transfer member onto the transfer sheet; a fixing unit that fixes an image on the transfer sheet at a fixation position; and a guide member that guides the transfer sheet to the fixation position.
US08437669B2 Electrophotographic image forming apparatus, developing apparatus, and coupling member
A developing device used with an image forming apparatus has a driving shaft with a rotating force applying portion, and a movable member on which the developing device is mountable. The developing device includes a developing roller and a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller. The coupling member includes a rotating force receiving portion and a rotating force transmitting portion for transmitting a force received through the rotating force receiving portion to the developing roller. The coupling member can be in a rotational force transmitting angular position, a pre-engagement angular position, and a disengaging angular position. In response to movement of the movable member the coupling member moves from the pre-engagement angular position to the rotational force transmitting angular position, and by moving from the rotational force transmitting angular position to the disengaging angular position the coupling member is disengaged from the driving shaft.
US08437668B2 Image forming agent storage container, image forming apparatus, method of mounting/detaching image forming agent storage container and method of filling/refilling image forming agent
A storage container includes a container body formed with a discharge hole and a filling hole, an opening and closing part opening and closing the discharge hole, a lid member sealing the filling hole, and an operating member having a facing portion facing the filling hole and used to operate the opening and closing part. The operating member moves between a first position where the discharge hole is brought into an opened state, a second position where the discharge hole is brought into a closed state, and where the facing portion is arranged at a position which overlaps the container body, and a third position where the discharge hole is brought into a closed state, and where the facing portion is arranged at a position which does not overlap the container body in the direction of gravity in which the sealing part is attached to the container body.
US08437667B2 Developing apparatus capable of stirring old and new developer and image forming apparatus having the developing apparatus
A casing of a developing apparatus defines a developing chamber and a developer accommodating chamber, that accommodates developer, therein. The developing chamber and the developer accommodating chamber are arranged side by side. The casing is formed with a replenishing port for supplying new developer from a developer replenishing unit into the developing chamber. The replenishing port is located right above a supply roller when the developing apparatus is disposed in an orientation in which the developing apparatus is intended to be placed in a main casing of an image forming apparatus. The control unit controls the supply roller to rotate when the developing apparatus is mounted in the main casing. The supply roller stirs old developer that have already been located in the developing chamber and the new developer, and transports the old developer and the new developer from the developing chamber into the developer accommodating chamber.
US08437658B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an operating portion that moves between a first operating position in which each of positioning members is moved to each of positioning positions and a second operating position in which each of the positioning members is moved to each of releasing positions through each of transmitting members and each of transmitted members when a first transmitting member and a first transmitted member are coupled to each other, and that carries out the movement to a first operating position to move a second positioning member to a second positioning position through a second transmitting member and a second transmitted member and carries out the movement to a second operating position to move the second positioning member to a second releasing position when the first transmitting member and the first transmitted member are decoupled from each other.
US08437651B2 Image forming apparatus and method for displaying reserved jobs on a list
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, which makes it possible to visually recognize a suitable time when an operator should stay at the machine side, even if a reserved job includes a job continuous implementation impeding factor. The image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section to implement the reserved job; an operating section to accept operations for inputting a plurality of reserved jobs; a controlling section to extract a specific reserved job, which includes the job continuous implementation impeding factor, from the plurality of reserved jobs inputted through the operating section, so as to set discrimination information representing the job continuous implementation impeding factor into the specific reserved job; and a displaying section to display the specific reserved job to which the discrimination information is set and other reserved jobs to which the discrimination information is not set, on the same screen in a synopsis manner.
US08437650B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus may include a sensor which detects a density of a patch image formed on an image carrier; an image quality control section which controls an image forming condition based on a detection value of the sensor; and a judging section which judges if the detection value has a tendency of increasing or decreasing, or not, wherein, the image quality control section compensates the image forming condition with a first compensating amount in case when the detection value does not have the tendency of increasing nor decreasing, and compensates the image forming condition with a second compensating amount of which absolute value is larger than an absolute value of the first compensating amount corresponding to the second compensating amount, in case when the detection value has the tendency of increasing or decreasing.
US08437647B2 Image forming apparatus and method of giving alarm of consumable supply near-end state in image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit; a toner bottle and a paper feed tray; sensors rendered operable immediately after the image forming apparatus is powered on, outputting detection signals that assume different values depending on whether remaining amount of toner or recording paper is lower than a prescribed value; a main control unit, rendered operable after a prescribed activating process after power-on of the image forming apparatus, for controlling the image forming unit; and an alarm device including an LED that is turned on to give an alarm if any consumable supply such as toner is in a near end state, in response to an output from the sensors.
US08437640B2 Non-contacting signal transfer for rotating interface
An apparatus comprises a housing, a bearing member, and a transmission system. The housing has a channel in communication with an opening at a first end of the housing and a first surface at a second end of the housing. The first surface is substantially perpendicular to a rotation axis through the channel. The bearing member is capable of rotating in the channel around the rotation axis. The bearing member has a second surface substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis and substantially parallel to the first surface. The transmission system is coupled to the first surface and the second surface. The transmission system has a transmitter and a receiver. The transmission system is capable of emitting an electromagnetic radiation in a beam that is capable of being received by the receiver, while a rotation occurs between the transmitter and the receiver about the rotation axis.
US08437637B2 Methods and systems for multicast control
Disclosed are a system and a method for controlling multicast data. The system may comprise: a plurality of transceivers, each of which comprises a laser configured to generate an optical carrier, the generated optical carrier being modulated by electrical downstream p-t-p data so as to generate optical downstream p-t-p IRZ signal; a PM configured to modulate the generated optical downstream p-t-p IRZ signal by electrical multicast data so as to generate orthogonally modulated signal; and a DI configured to demodulate the orthogonally modulated data and has a frequency response peak or dip in response to the demodulating, wherein an offset of a laser center wavelength of the laser from the frequency response peak or dip is adjustable so as to selectively enable or disable the multicast data.
US08437631B2 Imaging device and optical device
An imaging device includes a laminated member, a vibration member, a driving portion. The laminated member is arranged to face an image pick-up portion that is configured to obtain an image from an optical system. The laminated member includes a plurality of light transmissive layers that are laminated each other. The vibration member is provided on the laminated member and vibrates the laminated member to cause bending vibration. The driving portion is electrically connected to the vibration member so as to drive the vibration member. At least one light transmissive layer among the light transmissive layers is larger than other light transmissive layers. The at least one light transmissive layer has a laminated part and a non-laminated part. The vibration member is mounted on the non-laminated part.
US08437630B2 Underwater camera housing
A camera housing for underwater use comprising a turbulence-reducing design, a recess for mounting a camera, attachment means, and stabilizing outer shell and keel design.
US08437628B1 Method and apparatus of heat treating an integrally bladed rotor
A process for heat treating selected portions of an integrally bladed rotor (IBR) having a plurality of blades, the process using an IBR on a fixture having a rotor engaging portion that moves the IBR into an environmental chamber. An IR heater is placed on one of the IBR blades and heat treated after air has been removed from the chamber and an inert gas is added. The IR heater is lifted from the blade and indexed to position another blade on the IBR. The process is repeated until all the IBR blades are heat treated.
US08437619B2 Method of processing a sequence of coded video frames
A method of modifying a digital data stream composed of a sequence of frames, where each frame represents an image and includes a data field specifying a presentation time stamp value for the frame. If there is a discontinuity in presentation time stamp value between a next frame and a first frame, a value representing a stream time stamp of interest is assigned to a variable for representing the value of the stream time stamp of interest at a point of discontinuity in presentation time stamp, and a value of the presentation time stamp is assigned to a variable for representing the first frame's clock time based on presentation time stamp, and the next frame is stored in a database using as an index the value representing a stream time stamp of interest.
US08437617B2 Method and apparatus for modifying the presentation of content
Described herein are methods and apparatus for the identification of locations in a presentation stream based on metadata associated with the presentation stream. Locations within a presentation stream are identified using location information and/or signature data associated with the presentation stream. The identified locations within a presentation stream may be utilized to identify boundaries of segments within the presentation stream, such as segments of a show. The boundaries of the segments may then be utilized to change the volume of segments or playback a segment at a non-real time presentation rate.
US08437612B2 Storage medium recording text-based subtitle stream, reproducing apparatus and reproducing method for reproducing text-based subtitle stream recorded on the storage medium
A non-transitory computer readable storage medium and apparatus to reproduce from a storage medium are provided. The apparatus has a video decoder to decode audio-visual data and a subtitle decoder to receive text-based subtitle data having dialog presentation units and a dialog style unit defining a set of output styles to be applied to the dialog presentation units, converting the dialog presentation units into bitmap images based on the dialog style unit, and controlling an output of the converted dialog presentation units synchronized with decoded audio-visual data. Each dialog presentation unit has dialog text information, time information indicating a time for the dialog text information to be output, palette information defining colors to be applied to the dialog text information, and a color update flag indicating whether only the palette information has changed as compared with a graphical composition of a previous dialog presentation unit.
US08437611B2 Reproduction control apparatus, reproduction control method, and program
A computer-implemented method for slow-motion reproduction of video data including a plurality of frames stored on a storage device. The method includes receiving a frame from the plurality of frames stored on the storage device. The method further includes extracting at least one feature from the received frame. Additionally, the method includes comparing the at least one extracted feature with a plurality of pre-determined features. The method also includes reproducing the received frame at a slow-motion reproduction rate upon determination that the at least one extracted feature corresponds to at least one pre-determined feature from the plurality of pre-determined features. Further, the slow-motion reproduction rate is lower than a normal reproduction rate used for viewing the plurality of frames during normal playback.
US08437608B2 Information recording method, information recording medium, and information reproducing method, wherein information is stored on a data recording portion and a management information recording portion
With this invention, at least one of a video file containing video information, a still picture file containing still picture information, and an audio file containing audio information and a management file having management information on a control method of reproducing the information in the file are recorded on an information storage medium. This realizes a data structure that causes the recording and deleting places on the information storage medium to correspond spuriously to places on a single tape, such as a VTR tape. Use of the data structure provides users with an easy-to-use interface.
US08437604B2 Information process apparatus and method, program, and record medium
To improve the convenience of a record medium and allow a record process and reproduction process to be more easily performed than before. When a clip edit list update process 121 that updates video data and audio data recorded on a disc 32 is executed, an index file management section 72 manages and updates an index file held in an index file hold section 51 as the video data and audio data are updated. At this point, a search section 92 searches disc internal IDs assigned to clips or edit lists contained in the index file for the maximum value. A disc internal ID generation section 91 generates a disc internal ID according to the maximum value. An index file management section 72 updates the index file with the disc internal ID generated by the disc internal ID generation section 91.
US08437601B2 Method of reproducing interactive graphic streams from information storage medium
A method of reproducing one interactive graphics stream among one or more interactive graphics streams from an information storage medium, via a reproduction apparatus providing a visual display of interactive graphics, including obtaining attribute information in a player status register in the reproducing apparatus, and reading and reproducing one of the interactive graphics streams corresponding to the obtained attribute information among one or more interactive graphics streams from the information storage medium, the one interactive graphics stream being used to control reproduction of audio-visual data and being reproduced with the audio-visual data. With the method, text information written in a variety of languages and data shared by those languages are multiplexed and stored in one menu stream such that data is not redundantly stored and less storage space is wasted.
US08437599B2 Recording medium, method, and apparatus for reproducing text subtitle streams
A method of reproducing text subtitle streams, the method includes receiving at least one text subtitle stream from an external source, each text subtitle stream including a style segment defining a group of region styles and presentation segment, each presentation segment containing at least one region of text linked to a selected one of the group of region styles, wherein a current presentation segment contains a continuous presentation flag to indicate whether the continuous presentation is required between current presentation and previous presentation; and decoding the text subtitle stream using the presentation segment defining the continuous presentation flag.
US08437596B2 System for an internal rotating storage spool combined with top and bottom cable access in a fiber distribution terminal
A fiber distribution terminal for use in an environmentally sealed enclosure can include a rotatable spool for housing input fiber cable. The spool is configured to be mounted in the environmentally sealed enclosure. The fiber distribution terminal can also include an adapter pack that secures the connections between fibers of the input fiber cable and fibers of the output fiber cable. The fiber distribution terminal can include an adapter plate that guides the routing of both the input and output fiber cables internal to the enclosure. The fiber distribution terminal can also include a spool lock that can direct the cable routing to a first side or a second side of the fiber distribution terminal.
US08437593B2 Mobile radio station and hybrid cable for a mobile radio station
There is provided a hybrid cable that comprises a coaxial cable with an outer conductor and a hollow inner conductor that encloses an inner space. The hybrid cable according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may comprise a data line that is arranged in the inner space of the inner conductor.
US08437592B2 Optical channel tap assembly
An optical channel tap assembly comprises a first N by M waveguide array including a first set of optical channels to convey optical signals along a first set of conveyance paths. The optical channel tap assembly also comprises a second N by M waveguide array including a second set of optical channels to convey the optical signals along a second set of conveyance paths, the optical signals received from the first set of conveyance paths. Additionally, the optical channel tap assembly comprises a beam splitter, disposed between the first N by M waveguide array and the second N by M waveguide array, to divert a first portion of power from the optical signals away from the second N by M waveguide array while allowing a second portion of power from the optical signals to propagate into the second N by M waveguide array.
US08437591B1 Reusable biochemical agent sensor and method using optical micro-resonator grid arrays
A system includes at least two optical fibers crossing to form a vertice. The optical fibers comprise a core, a cladding surrounding the core, and a conductive coating at least partially surrounding the length of the cladding. A portion of the core of each of the fibers is exposed proximate to the vertice. An optical microsphere whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator is positioned to cover exposed core portion of each fiber and in contact with the conductive coating of each fiber. The optical fibers may be orthogonal to each other or offset by a non-orthogonal and non-zero angle. The WGM resonator may be positioned between each of the fibers. An optical energy source may be coupled to an end of the optical fibers, with an optical detector coupled to the other end. A voltage source may be connected to the conductive coating of each of the optical fibers.
US08437590B1 High-speed self-adjusting photonic converter
A device is disclosed. The device contains a first electro-optical waveguide comprising at least one first grating, a second electro-optical waveguide comprising at least one second grating, a plurality of electrodes disposed adjacent to the first grating and configured to impose an electric field through the first electro-optical waveguide to modify spectra of the first grating, a fiber amplifier configured to propagate a laser radiation between the first electro-optical waveguide and the second electro-optical waveguide, and at least two circulators associated with the fiber amplifier and the first electro-optical waveguide and the second electro-optical waveguide and configured to provide unidirectional propagation of the laser radiation along the fiber amplifier.
US08437580B2 Artifacts measurement on video decomposable properties by dynamic fuzzy reasoning
To determine if a pixel exhibits artifacts, statistics are generated for the pixel and its neighbors. These statistics are compared with thresholds. If the comparison of the statistics and the thresholds suggests that the pixel exhibits a pixel artifact, then recourse can be taken, either to adjust the pixel value in some way, or to reject the angle of interpolation used in computing the value for the target pixel.
US08437578B2 Digital anti-counterfeiting software method and apparatus
This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus, as implemented by a software program on a computer system, for digitally producing counterfeit-deterring scrambled or encoded indicia images. This method and system are capable of combining a source image with a latent image so the scrambled latent image is visible only when viewed through a special decoder lens. The digital processing allows different latent images to be encoded according to different parameters. Additionally, latent images might be encoded into single component colors of an original visible image, at various angles from each other.
US08437568B2 Automated underwater image restoration via denoised deconvolution
A method for calculating an image quality metric for evaluating the quality of a digital image including the steps of denoising the data of the image, identifying edges in the denoised data, determining an edge profile of the edges, determining a grayscale angle for each identified edge in the edge profile that is associated with the edge, and calculating the image quality metric based on a weighted average of the grayscale angles for all the edges.
US08437563B2 Vector-based image processing
A block (300) of image elements (310) is compressed by determining multiple base vectors (510, 520, 530, 540) based on the feature vectors (312) associated with the image elements. Additional vectors (560, 570) are calculated based on defined pairs of neighboring base vectors (510, 520, 530, 540). A vector among the base vectors (510, 520, 530, 540) and the additional vectors (560, 570) is selected as representation of the feature vector (312) of an image element (310). An identifier (550) associated with selected vector is assigned to the image element (310) and included in the compressed block (500) which also comprises representations of the determined base vectors (510, 520, 530, 540).
US08437562B2 Intra-prediction mode optimization methods and image compression methods and devices using the same
An intra-prediction mode optimization method and image compression method/device are disclosed. To properly determine an intra-prediction mode for a target block of an image, a control block is selected from reference blocks of the target block, and an intra-prediction mode adopted in the control block is regarded as a control mode. Assuming that the target block is encoded according to the control mode as well, the prediction efficiency of the target and control blocks is assessed. When the intra-prediction efficiency, under the control mode, of the target block is better than that of the control block, the control mode is determined to be the intra-prediction mode of the target block and an intra-prediction pattern of the target block can be obtained. Otherwise, another one of the reference blocks is selected to be the control block and the control mode is refreshed, to repeat the intra-prediction efficiency assessment.
US08437559B2 Computer-implemented visualization method
A method, system and computer product for visualizing affinities between objects. The method includes the steps of: forming a representation of a minimum spanning tree where the minimum spanning tree connects the plurality of objects based on a pairwise distance between the plurality of objects; forming a hierarchical cluster of the plurality of objects where the hierarchical cluster includes a level; agglomerating the plurality of objects based on the pairwise distance; displaying a view of the representation of the minimum spanning tree in a graphical user interface; receiving a user selection of a parameter containing a hierarchical level; and identifying, in the view, a target cluster that corresponds to the hierarchical level; where at least one of the steps is carried out using a computer device so that affinities between the plurality of objects are visualized.
US08437554B2 Method of extracting three-dimensional objects information from a single image without meta information
Disclosed herein is a method of extracting 3-dimension object information by a shadow analysis from a single image without meta information, and a technical problem to be solved is to extract three-dimension information of an object such as a height of the object and a footprint surface position of the object from a single image without meta information.
US08437549B2 Image processing method and image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus robustly performs segmentation on an image including an object such as a moving person with its deformation. The image processing apparatus includes: an image inputting unit which receives temporally successive images; a motion analyzing unit which calculates motions of blocks using at least two temporally different images and calculates, based on the motions of the blocks, temporal motion trajectories of the blocks in the temporally successive images; a distance calculating unit which calculates a distance indicating a similarity of the motions of the blocks, using a temporal motion trajectory of a block i and a temporal motion trajectory of a block other than the block i calculated by the motion analyzing unit; and a nonlinear space processing unit which projects the distance calculated by the distance calculating unit into a nonlinear space and performs the segmentation on a result of the projection in the nonlinear space.
US08437548B2 Moving image extracting apparatus, program and moving image extracting method
There is provided a moving image extracting apparatus including a blur value obtaining unit to obtain a blur value which indicates a blur degree of each frame constituting a moving image, a segment determining unit to discriminate the moving image between a stable segment of which variance of the blur values obtained by the blur value obtaining unit is lower than a first value and an unstable segment which is not the stable segment, and an extracting unit to perform segment extraction from the moving image based on the stable segment or the unstable segment obtained by the segment determining unit.
US08437547B2 Device and method for determining an edge histogram, device and method for storing an image in an image database, device and method for finding two similar images and computer program
A device for determining an edge histogram of an image based on information about a gradient strength and a gradient direction of a local gradient in an image content of a partial image of the image includes an allocator which is implemented to allocate the information about the gradient strength and the gradient direction based on an allocation regulation to an edge image in order to obtain edge type information. The allocation regulation is selected such that with a predetermined gradient direction at least three different allocated edge types exist mirroring the different gradient strengths. The device further includes an edge histogram determiner which is implemented to determine the edge histogram based on the edge type information so that in the edge type histogram at least three edge types having different allocated gradient strengths may be differentiated.
US08437541B2 Color correction coefficient generating apparatus, color correction coefficient generation method, and computer readable medium storing program
A color correction coefficient generating apparatus includes a first color information obtaining unit that obtains pieces of color information to be corrected in a color space made up of plural color components including a specific color component, a second color information obtaining unit that obtains pieces of color information used for correction corresponding to the pieces of color information to be corrected in the color space, a weighting coefficient obtaining unit that obtains weighting coefficients corresponding to the pieces of color information to be corrected, on the basis of a position relationship between colors represented by the pieces of color information to be corrected and a specified color region and weights that are based on densities of the colors represented by the pieces of color information to be corrected, and a generating unit that generates color correction coefficients for correcting specific density values.
US08437539B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus is configured to reduce a color blur in a color image, and includes a color blur process determination part configured to change at least one of a color blur that serves as a reduction object and an estimation method of an amount of the color blur according to at least one of a characteristic of an image and an imaging condition.
US08437532B1 Apparatus and system for imaging currency bills and financial documents and method for using the same
A first prompt is displayed to insert a deposit slip that includes declared information. The deposit slip is received, transported at a first speed, and imaged. A total declared cash-in amount and a total declared check amount are extracted from image data associated with the deposit slip. The total declared cash-in amount is determined to be a non-zero number. A second prompt is displayed to insert currency bills. The currency bills are received, transported at a second speed, and imaged. Deposit information is generated from image data associated with each of the currency bills. The deposit information at least includes a calculated total cash deposit amount. The deposit information is compared with the declared information to determine if the deposit transaction is balanced.
US08437531B2 Check and U.S. bank note processing device and method
A check and U.S. bank note processing device configured to process both checks and U.S. bank notes. According to one embodiment, the device comprises an input receptacle configured to receive checks and U.S. bank notes and an output receptacle. The device further comprises a transport mechanism configured to transport the checks and U.S. bank notes from the input receptacle past an image scanner. The image scanner is configured to obtain an image of each check and U.S. bank note transported past the image scanner. The device is configured to determine the denominations of transported U.S. bank notes. The device is configured to capture information from checks transported past the image scanner. The device further comprises a memory configured to store the information captured from checks transported past the image scanner.
US08437520B2 Medical image processor and medical image processing method
A medical image processor includes: an extraction unit configured to extract a longitudinal line from three-dimensional volume data for a medical image, the longitudinal line representing how a tubular structure runs; a longitudinal cross-sectional image generator configured to generate multiple longitudinal cross-sectional images extending along the longitudinal line, the longitudinal cross-sectional images being cross-sectional images of the tubular structure; a short-axis cross-sectional image generator configured to generate multiple short-axis cross-sectional images intersecting the longitudinal line, the short-axis cross-sectional images being cross-sectional images of the tubular structure; a structure element detector configured to detect a specific structural element of the tubular structure from each of the plurality of short-axis cross-sectional images; and a correction unit configured to correct the specific structural element detected from each of the multiple short-axis cross-sectional images on a basis of the multiple longitudinal cross-sectional images.
US08437519B2 Automated image data subtraction system suitable for use in angiography
An image data subtraction system suitable for use in Angiography or other medical procedure enhances vessel visualization. An imaging system subtracts data representing a first mask image from data representing temporally sequential individual images of patient vessels to provide first digitally subtracted images. The sequential individual images encompass introduction of a contrast agent. An image processor automatically, processes the data representing the first digitally subtracted images to identify a first image indicating presence of the contrast agent and a second image preceding the first image by determining a measure representing a net presence of contrast agent in an individual digitally subtracted image. The second image is substantially exclusive of an indication of presence of the contrast agent. The image processor automatically, selects the second image as a second mask image and subtracts data representing the second mask image from the data representing images of the temporally sequential individual images to provide second digitally subtracted images. A user interface presents the second digitally subtracted images for display while the patient is undergoing a medical procedure.
US08437516B2 Facial expression recognition apparatus and facial expression recognition method thereof
A facial expression recognition apparatus and a facial expression recognition method thereof are provided. The facial expression recognition apparatus comprises a gray image generating unit, a face edge detection unit, a motion skin extraction unit, a face contour generating unit and a facial expression recognition unit. The gray image generating unit generates a gray image according to an original image. The face edge detection unit outputs a face edge detection result according to the gray image. The motion skin extraction unit generates a motion skin extraction result according to the original image, and generates a face and background division result according to the motion skin extraction result. The face contour generating unit outputs a face contour according to the gray image, the face edge detection result and the face and background division result. The facial expression recognition unit outputs a facial expression recognition result according to the face contour.
US08437514B2 Cartoon face generation
A face cartooning system is described. In one implementation, the system generates an attractive cartoon face or graphic of a user's facial image. The system extracts facial features separately and applies pixel-based techniques customized to each facial feature. The style of cartoon face achieved resembles the likeness of the user more than cartoons generated by conventional vector-based cartooning techniques. The cartoon faces thus achieved provide an attractive facial appearance and thus have wide applicability in art, gaming, and messaging applications in which a pleasing degree of realism is desirable without exaggerated comedy or caricature.
US08437513B1 Spoof detection for biometric authentication
This specification describes technologies relating to biometric authentication based on images of the eye. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include obtaining images of a subject including a view of an eye. The methods may further include determining a behavioral metric based on detected movement of the eye as the eye appears in a plurality of the images, determining a spatial metric based on a distance from a sensor to a landmark that appears in a plurality of the images each having a different respective focus distance, and determining a reflectance metric based on detected changes in surface glare or specular reflection patterns on a surface of the eye. The methods may further include determining a score based on the behavioral, spatial, and reflectance metrics and rejecting or accepting the one or more images based on the score.
US08437510B2 System and method for identifying an individual
The present invention provides a system for identifying an individual provided with a portable communication device. In a system for identifying an individual using a portable communication device with a display, the display is a sensor-incorporated display, the sensor-incorporated display reads the biological information of a user, and, based on the read information, identifies an individual.
US08437505B2 Detection of local motion between image frames
A system and method for detecting local motion between image frames are presented. Each image frame may include a plurality of pixels. A first image frame and a second image frame may be received. Values of a first plurality of pixels at first pixel locations of the first image frame may be read. Values of a second plurality of pixels at second pixel locations of the second image frame may be read. The first pixel locations of the first image frame may correspond to the second pixel locations of the second image frame. A first delta function, based on differences between pixel values between the first and second image frames, may be calculated to produce a first output. The first output may be compared to a first one or more thresholds. It may be determined whether local motion has occurred in the second image frame based on said comparing.
US08437503B2 Method for detecting a moving object in an image stream
The invention relates to a method for detecting a moving object in a stream of images taken at successive instants, of the type comprising, for each zone of a predefined set of zones of at least one pixel of the image constituting a current image, a step of determining whether the zone belongs to the moving object. The method also comprising a step of searching in at least one preceding image of the stream and along at least one predefined direction and orientation, for another zone determined as belonging to a moving object, and a step of negating the fact that said zone belongs to a moving object if the search is negative.
US08437502B1 General pose refinement and tracking tool
Per one embodiment, a method is provided for refining a pose estimate of a model. The model is coarsely aligned with a run-time image, and it represents a 2D pattern. The pose estimate includes at least one pose estimate parameter. The model has a plurality of model features, and the run-time image has a plurality of run-time features. A given distance value is determined representing a given distance between a given one of the plurality of the model features mapped by a given pose estimate and a corresponding given run-time feature. A two-dimensional model description of the two-dimensional model pattern is provided. The two-dimensional model pattern is mapped using the given pose estimate to create a transformed version of the two-dimensional model pattern. The transformed version represents a non-linear movement of at least portions of the two-dimensional model pattern in a direction orthogonal to a plane of the two-dimensional model description.
US08437501B1 Using image and laser constraints to obtain consistent and improved pose estimates in vehicle pose databases
A system for pose generation consisting of a trajectory system, a pose generation system, an intersection extractor, an object identifier, a constraint generator, and a posegraph solver. The trajectory system identifies a number of trajectories based on input positional data of a bounded area. The pose generation system generates one or more poses based on the trajectories. The intersection extractor identifies one or more possible intersections in the one or more poses. The object identifier identifies an object pair for each possible intersection that represents two positional points at each possible intersection. The constraint generator computes and applies one or more intersection constraints to generate an energy value for each object pair based on their geometric relationship. The posegraph solver then minimizes a total energy value by modifying one or more poses and then generates an improved set of pose trajectories based on the modified one or more poses.
US08437499B2 Preemptive change verification via electronic signatures in industrial automation systems
The subject invention relates to a system and methodology facilitating automated manufacturing processes in a regulated industrial controller environment. In one aspect, a system for automated industrial processing is provided. The system includes an interface component to facilitate processing of one or more electronic signature components and a verification component that operates with the interface components and the electronic signature components to validate requested or proposed process changes before actual system implementation of the process changes.
US08437495B2 Tensioned adjustment mechanism for mounted loudspeaker system
A compensation assembly for a mounted loudspeaker system includes a mounting frame having a spherical front socket; a retaining ring; a compensating back socket having a spherical back socket; and a woofer frame having a spherical ball structure that fits between the front and back sockets. The compensating back socket has an array of matching slots that align with and partially surround bosses of the mounting frame such that the compensating back socket is free to float in a vertical axis but is restrained from rotating around a central axis. The ball structure is held by a force applied to the compensating back socket by compressing deformable elements around the outer perimeter of the compensating back socket. The deformable elements may be integrally formed as molded-in-place polymer tensioning springs or separately formed as metallic elements.
US08437492B2 Earpiece and method for forming an earpiece
An earpiece is provided containing a thermal activator layer comprised of a first polymer, the thermal activator layer being separated from the tympanic membrane of the user's ear by an air gap, and an acoustical reflector layer, containing a second polymer and pigment particles, adjacent to the thermal activator layer. The earpiece may be produced by sequential introduction of various liquefied components in layers within the ear canal, with the components being cured to provide the thermal activator layer and the acoustical reflector layer.
US08437487B2 Method for suppressing acoustic feedback in a hearing device and corresponding hearing device
A hearing device (HD) incorporates a method for adaptive cancellation of acoustic feedback (AF). The method comprises generating an estimated feedback signal (EF) and subtracting the estimated feedback signal (EF) from the microphone signal (MS) before feeding it to a signal processor (SP) providing the primary hearing device function. The estimated feedback signal (EF) is generated in an adaptive filter (FE1), which is controlled using a least-mean-square algorithm, which operates on an error signal (E) and a reference signal (R). The algorithm may behave erroneously if the feedback path changes while a signal with low HF content, such as speech, is received. In this case, the hearing device (HD) will not be able to quickly adapt the HF characteristic of the adaptive filter (FE1) to the changed conditions. The adaptive filter (FE1) may thus have an incorrect HF gain when a subsequent signal with high HF content is received. This may lead to whistling or, alternatively, to an unwanted suppression of the subsequent signal. The problem is solved by modifying a filter function (H) applied to the error signal (E) and to the reference signal (R) in dependence on estimated relative amounts of high- and low-frequency signal content in the microphone signal (MS).
US08437484B2 Switching circuit and electronic device using the same
An electronic device includes an audio power amplifier used to output a left and a right channel audio signal, an earphone jack assembly, and a switching circuit automatically switching between a speaker mode and an earphone mode. The audio power amplifier includes a control pin enabling the audio power amplifier to be electrically connected to the speaker. The control pin activated at a low level and disabled at a high level. The switching circuit is capable of enabling the control pin to switch between the low level and the high level. The switching circuit includes a power supply, a first resistor, a second resistor, a third resistor, and a diode. The resistance of the third resistor far exceeds that of the first resistor.
US08437482B2 Method, apparatus and computer program for calculating and adjusting the perceived loudness of an audio signal
One or a combination of two or more specific loudness model functions selected from a group of two or more of such functions are employed in calculating the perceptual loudness of an audio signal. The function or functions may be selected, for example, by a measure of the degree to which the audio signal is narrowband or wideband. Alternatively or with such a selection from a group of functions, a gain value G[t] is calculated, which gain, when applied to the audio signal, results in a perceived loudness substantially the same as a reference loudness. The gain calculating employs an iterative processing loop that includes the perceptual loudness calculation.
US08437481B2 Adapter for connecting accessories to an electronic device
Users with headsets may share an electronic device such as a portable computer or handheld device. The electronic device may have a connector such as an audio jack for receiving mating audio plugs on headsets. During normal operation with a single user, audio signals may be conveyed through the audio jack to the headset of the single user. When more than one user wishes to share the electronic device, an adapter accessory may be inserted into the audio jack of the electronic device. The headset of each user may be plugged into mating audio jacks in the adapter accessory. Circuitry in the adapter accessory may receive and process user input from each of the users. User input may be used to make local audio adjustments in the adapter accessory. User input may also be provided from the adapter accessory to the electronic device for processing.
US08437480B2 Adaptive loudness levelling for digital audio signals
A time-domain method of adaptively levelling the loudness of a digital audio signal is proposed. It selects a proper frequency weighting curve to relate the volume level to the human auditory system. The audio signal is segmented into frames of a suitable duration for content analysis. Each frame is classified to one of several predefined states and events of perceptual interest is detected. Four quantities are updated each frame according to the classified state and detected event to keep track of the signal. One quantity measures the long-term loudness and is the main criterion for state classification of a frame. The second quantity is the short-term loudness that is mainly used for deriving the target gain. The third quantity measures the low-level loudness when the signal is deemed to not contain important content, giving a reasonable estimate of noise floor. A fourth quantity measures the peak loudness level that is used to simulate the temporal masking effect. The target gain to maintain the audio signal to the desired loudness level is calculated by a volume leveller, regulated by a gain controller that simulates the temporal masking effect to get rid of unnecessary gain fluctuations, ensuring a pleasant sound.
US08437477B2 Key information issuing device, wireless operation device, and program
A wireless apparatus including a button; a wireless communication interface; a processing unit to output encryption key information to another wireless apparatus using the wireless communication interface with lower transmission output than transmission output of information other than the encryption key information, responsive to detection of user's operation for the button; and a memory to store the output encryption key information corresponding to the another wireless apparatus. The wireless communication interface receives wireless signals from the another wireless apparatus and the processing unit decodes the information contained in the wireless signals and encrypted with the encryption key information. Also disclosed is an encryption key information managing method of managing encryption key information and a non-transitory readable-by-computer recording medium recorded with a program executed by a computer to manage encryption key information.
US08437474B2 Public key encryption for groups
A system is comprised of a user and a group, wherein the group is comprised of a group leader and a group of M members where M is equal to or greater than one. The group leader generates a group public key and a group leader “master” private key. The group leader creates a personalized watermarked or decryption key, also referred to as an individual private key, for each group member. The individual private key uniquely identifies each group member. The group leader distributes the individual private keys to each of the group members. Each group member receives from a user a message encrypted using the group public key. Each of the group members uses its individual private key to decrypt the encrypted message sent by the user to the group.
US08437471B2 System for scrambling and methods for use therewith
A system includes a key path generator that generates a key path based on a plurality of encryption keys. A block coding unit generates a plurality of codewords based on a plurality of data blocks. A block scrambling unit scrambles the plurality of codewords to generate a plurality of encrypted blocks by entropy processing, chaos processing and permutation processing each of the plurality of codewords, based on the plurality of encryption keys.
US08437470B2 Method and system for block cipher encryption
A method of encrypting a block of data, is described, the method including providing a combining unit operative to combine a key with a block of data, the block of data expressed as a block of bits, providing a mix and condense unit operative to mix bits included in the block of bits among themselves, receiving an input including the block of data expressed as the block of bits, combining, at the combining unit, the block of bits with a key, and mixing, at the mixing and condensing unit, the combined block of bits, wherein the mix and condense unit includes a plurality of layers, each layer among the plurality of layers including a plurality of mini-functions. Related apparatus and methods are described.
US08437469B1 Electrical protection device configured to reduce crosstalk caused by fuses
In accordance with a non-limiting example, an electrical protection device includes a fuse housing and a plurality of fuses carried by the fuse housing and arranged in a plurality of Tip/Ring fuse pairs. The Tip/Ring fuse pairs are arranged in vertical and horizontal orientation of Tip/Ring fuse pairs and spaced to each other such that differential crosstalk among the Tip/Ring fuse pairs is cancelled.
US08437468B2 Methods, systems and products for providing modem functions
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed that describe a network interface to a data network. A modulator-demodulator receives a modulated carrier signal from an input connection. A power circuit connected to the input connection receives electrical power from a loop plant and provides the electrical power to the modulator-demodulator.
US08437467B2 Method and apparatus for non-disruptive telecommunication loop condition determination
In one embodiment, a low cost, simple circuit for detecting an off-hook condition of a telecommunication line comprising tip and ring signal lines is provided. The circuit comprises a voltage divider for coupling between the tip and ring lines without an intervening transistor and having a node at which is presented a scaled version of a voltage across the voltage divider. The circuit further comprises a transistor having a control terminal coupled to the node, a first current flow terminal coupled to a voltage source, and a second current flow terminal coupled to an output terminal, wherein the output terminal bears a value that is indicative of a voltage across the tip and ring lines and thus whether the telecommunication line is off-hook.
US08437466B2 Method and apparatus for resuming the sessions between client device and IVR system
A method and apparatus for resuming a session between a client device and an IVR system in customer service. The method includes the following steps: reestablishing the session in customer service; determining whether there is status information of an abnormally terminated session corresponding to the reestablished session in customer service; retrieving the status information of the abnormally terminated session in customer service; and resuming the session between the client device and the IVR system in customer service according to the retrieved status information.
US08437462B2 Synchronization of multiple target system data
A method and apparatus are provided for exchanging configuration information within a call center system between a central server and a plurality of dissimilar contact centers. The method includes the steps of the central server monitoring an contact center of the plurality of dissimilar contact centers for a configuration change message and converting the configuration change between a format of the central server and a format of a subscribing contact center of the plurality of contact centers, where the subscribing contact center is different than the monitored contact center.
US08437461B1 Conference participant finder method and apparatus
Conference participant finder methods and apparatuses are provided. The conference participant finder maintains a record of expected conference participants. After the scheduled start time of a conference, expected conference participants are automatically contacted and reminded to join the conference. The contact address used to contact an expected conference participant can be obtained with reference to presence information. In addition, information regarding the status of conference participants can be displayed to a conference host.
US08437457B1 System and method for call routing based on source of call
A system and method routes a call within a communications network. A call routing device is interconnected to a plurality of trunks forming trunk groups and receives a call. A database stores a dialing plan having data related to restrictions as to which outbound trunk from the call routing device can be used based on an originating account as either a station or trunk of a caller or the number of a caller. A call router processor determines an outbound trunk from the call routing device to which a call from a caller is routed at the call routing device if the configured dial plan permits the originating account or number of the caller to access the selected outbound trunk. A call router routes the call from the caller onto the selected outbound trunk.
US08437455B2 System, method and computer program product for globally portable interactive voice response (IVR) systems
A server receives a customer service request and customer identification information associated with the customer service request. A home location of the customer is identified based, at least in part, on the customer identification information. An interactive voice response application is selected based, at least in part, on the home location. The selected interactive voice response application is provided to a voice portal, wherein the voice portal services the customer service request.
US08437454B2 Method and system for recording an audio message
The system and method of the present invention allows a customer to contact a vendor in person at a vendor's store or via a telephone or online through an internet connection to the vendor's computer for the purpose of adding a personalized voice message to a gift. The customer is directed to the vendor's computer which instructs the customer through a series of record-playback-rerecord-save commands until the customer's message is captured by the vendor's computer in a digital format. The voice message is saved in an audio file such as a .wav or .mp3 file and tagged with a unique identifier assigned by the system and associated with a unique order. The vendor can then download the audio message from the computer to a greeting card, gift, or the like using a direct connection from the computer to a small playback unit manufactured into the card, gift, or the like. The direct connection can be a USB cable, or other suitable connection between the computer and the playback device. The card, gift, or the like with the playback device incorporated therein and the sender's message downloaded into the playback device is delivered to the recipient, who can then activate the playback device such as by manual pressure on a button to play the customer's greeting.
US08437446B2 Steam generator flow by-pass system
A nuclear reactor module includes a reactor vessel and a reactor housing mounted inside the reactor vessel, wherein the reactor housing comprises a shroud and a riser located above the shroud. The nuclear reactor module further includes a heat exchanger proximately located about the riser, and a reactor core located in the shroud. A steam generator by-pass system is configured to provide an auxiliary flow path of primary coolant to the reactor core to augment a primary flow path of the primary coolant out of the riser and into the shroud, wherein the auxiliary flow path of primary coolant exits the reactor housing without passing by the heat exchanger.
US08437442B2 Method and apparatus for generating a carrier frequency signal
A method and apparatus for generating a carrier frequency signal is disclosed. The method includes generating a first frequency signal; injecting a modulation signal at a first point of the two-point modulation architecture; generating a second frequency signal from the modulation signal; introducing the second frequency signal by mixing the first frequency signal and the second frequency signal to generate a mixed frequency signal and outputting the carrier frequency signal selected from the mixed frequency signal.
US08437440B1 PHY frame formats in a system with more than four space-time streams
A method for generating a data unit for transmission via a communication channel includes generating a preamble of the data unit, including generating a set of more than four training fields and applying a different spatial mapping to each training field in the set of training fields; and generating a data portion of the data unit, wherein the data portion is transmitted using more than four space-time streams, so that a receiver device can receive the data portion via the more than four space-time streams using channel information derived from the set of training fields.
US08437438B2 Diversity reception device
A diversity reception device includes a power combiner to combine electric powers of OFDM signals, each OFDM signal being received by a first antenna and second antenna, a switch to change connections between branched output-ports of the first and second antennas, in mid-stream of effective symbol periods, the effective symbol periods are assigned respectively in each of symbol periods of the OFDM signals, a receiver to demodulate the OFDM signals, a phase shifter to shift phases of the OFDM signals received by the second antenna, and an arithmetic and control processing circuit to calculate complex correlation coefficient between a guard interval, assigned in each of the symbol periods associated with the first antenna, and a copy-source interval, assigned in each of the symbol periods associated with the second antenna, and to determine rotation angle on the basis of the complex correlation coefficient.
US08437432B2 Receiver for use in an ultra-wideband communication system
In an ultra-wideband (“UWB”) receiver, a received UWB signal is periodically digitized as a series of ternary samples. The samples are continuously correlated with a predetermined preamble sequence to develop a correlation value. When the value exceeds a predetermined threshold, indicating that the preamble sequence is being received, estimates of the channel impulse response (“CIR”) are developed. When a start-of-frame delimiter (“SFD”) is detected, the best CIR estimate is provided to a channel matched filter (“CMF”) substantially to filter channel-injected noise.
US08437430B2 Remote transmit IQ imbalance calibration and correction at multicarrier receivers
Transmit IQ imbalance is calibrated and compensated for within a receiver. In at least one embodiment, a Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) Type II probe signal is transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver for use in performing transmit IQ imbalance calibration.
US08437427B2 Arbitrary frequency shifter in communication systems
This invention describes a programmable, digital implementation to shift an arbitrary frequency, or various frequencies in various communication systems of the original signal in the frequency domain. The correspondent phase accumulation to perform the desired frequency shift per sampling instant is perfectly tracked by counting up or down a simple integer. Several arbitrary frequency shifters with different mathematical models are provided. The correspondent implementations with Look-Up-Tables (LUT) are derived for high-speed implementations without further calculations of the values of the sine and cosine functions every sampling instant. Furthermore, a simple shift-and-add phase rotation is described to replace the four required real multiplications. If the original complex signal contains only one-bit each from real part and imaginary part, a surprisingly simple implementation is derived and disclosed for the overall arbitrary frequency shift operation. Further simplifications are also disclosed to make this invention feasible for high sampling frequencies and small frequency drifts.
US08437426B2 Receiving apparatus, receiving method, and program
Disclosed herein is a receiving apparatus including: first to third position determination sections configured to determine the start position of an FFT interval which serves as a signal interval targeted for FFT by an FFT section; a selection section configured to select one of those start positions of the FFT interval which are determined by the first through the third position determination section; and the FFT section configured to perform FFT on the OFDM time domain signal by regarding the start position selected by the selection section as the start position of the FFT interval in order to generate the first OFDM frequency domain signal.
US08437424B2 Robust transmit/feedback alignment
Performing digital predistortion (DPD) for widely spaced narrowband signals, such as the signal used in multi-carrier GSM, can be very difficult. Here, a system is provided the performs DPD for widely spaced narrowband signals. In particular, this system uses a polynomial curve for values of a cross-correlation function (above a predetermined threshold) to determine a delay estimate, which allows for a more robust and accurate system.
US08437420B2 Multiple output discrete digital transmitter
A transmitter includes a conversion module, a sample and hold module, and a discrete time bandpass filter module. The conversion module is operable to convert a first outbound baseband signal into a first outbound frequency domain pulse signal and to convert a second outbound baseband signal into a second outbound frequency domain pulse signal. The sample and hold module operable to sample and hold the first outbound frequency domain pulse signal and the second outbound frequency domain pulse signal to produce a frequency domain sample pulse train. The discrete time bandpass filter module is operable to filter the frequency domain sample pulse train to produce a first outbound wireless corresponding to the first baseband signal and to produce a second outbound wireless signal corresponding to the second inbound baseband signal.
US08437416B2 Coordinated cyclic shift and sequence hopping for Zadoff-Chu, modified Zadoff-Chu, and block-wise spreading sequences
A reference signal cyclic shift (CS) is quantized as a combination of a cell specific CS with an outcome of a pseudo-random hopping, and an indication of the cell specific CS is broadcast in the cell. In one embodiment the CS is quantized as a modulo operation on a sum of the cell specific CS, the outcome of the pseudo-random hopping, and a user specific CS, in which case an indication of the user specific CS is sent in an uplink resource allocation and a user sends its cyclically shifted reference signal in the uplink resource allocated by the uplink resource allocation. The CS may also be quantized according to length of the reference signal as cyclic_shift_symbol=(cyclic_shift_value*length of the reference signal)/12; where cyclic_shift_value is between zero and eleven and cyclic_shift_symbol is the amount of CS given in reference signal symbols.
US08437414B2 Common wave and sideband mitigation communication systems and methods for increasing communication speeds, spectral efficiency and enabling other benefits
Common wave and sideband mitigation communication systems and methods are provided that can be used with both wireless and wired communication links. The systems and methods provided can enable faster data rates, greater immunity to noise, increased bandwidth/spectrum efficiency and/or other benefits. Applications include but are not limited to: cell phones, smartphones (e.g., iPhone, BlackBerry, etc.), wireless Internet, local area networks (e.g., WiFi type applications), wide area networks (e.g., WiMAX type applications), personal digital assistants, computers, Internet service providers and communications satellites.
US08437411B2 Receiving apparatus
A receiving apparatus includes: an electronic device; a connector provided to the electronic device; and a transmission cable connected to the connector. The electronic device includes a tuner unit that receives broadcast waves; and a differential signal processing unit that sends and receives data with the use of differential signals. The tuner unit and the differential signal processing unit are connected to the connector. The transmission cable includes at least two transmission lines that transmit differential signals, and the at least two transmission lines are capacitively coupled with each other at high frequency bands owing to capacitances among the at least two transmission lines. In addition, there is at least one common mode choke across two differential signal transmission lines inside the electronic device.
US08437409B2 System and method for capturing, editing, searching, and delivering multi-media content
Various acquisition streams are delivered, synchronously or asynchronously, to a server. Those streams having local time indicia are synchronized with the global timeline and the various acquisition streams are then stored. Low bit rate streams corresponding to the stored acquisition streams are generated for use in subsequent editing of the acquisition streams. The editing of the acquisition streams entails reviewing the various acquisition streams and selecting portions for replay. The portions selected for replay are identified through metadata which is then stored. The replay or distribution mode begins by editing the global timeline using the metadata generated in the editing mode so as to produce an edited timeline. The various acquisition streams are then rendered or played back according to the edited timeline to produce a distribution stream.
US08437408B2 Decoding with reference image stored in image memory for random playback
With a decoding method for decoding an encoded stream using a predetermined storage region where input of reproduction information indicating an reproduction state of the encoded stream is received, reference picture information indicating a reference picture necessary for performing decoding processing of a relevant picture in the encoded stream is obtained, based on the reproduction information input by the reproduction information input processing, whether the reference picture is stored in a predetermined storage region is determined, based on the reference picture information obtained by the reference picture information obtaining processing, the reference picture not stored in the storage region is obtained from the encoded stream and decoded, and storage thereof to the storage region is controlled, and the reference picture stored in the storage region is used to perform decoding processing of the relevant picture in the encoded stream, thereby generating image data which is stored in the storage region.
US08437405B1 System and method for intra refresh implementation
The present invention includes a method and system for encoding video data by accessing a picture to be encoded, wherein the picture comprises a plurality of macro-blocks. A plurality of programmable counters are associated with each macro-block to be encoded. A counter associated with a macro-block of the plurality of macro-blocks is accessed and a value of the counter is determined. The method further includes determining whether to encode the macro-block as an Intra or non-Intra based on the value of the counter. If the macro-block is encoded as Intra, its counter is reset. If the macro-block is encoded as non-Intra, its counter value is updated. The counter value may be reset with a random number. Counters can be programmed such that a region of interest is defined for updating associated macro-blocks with greater frequency.
US08437403B2 Device and method for analysing images by calculating the variance for each pixel of a high-frequency image
A method and device for analysing video images by obtaining high frequency components. The device includes means for obtaining high-frequency components of a video image and means for obtaining a high-frequency image on the basis of the high-frequency components. Means for calculating the variance for each pixel of the high-frequency image. Means for associating a coefficient with each pixel of the video image as a function of the variance. The coefficient is representative of the visual sensitivity of each pixel for the human eye. The invention relates to a method and a device for analysing video images.
US08437402B2 Image information encoding method and encoder, and image information decoding method and decoder
An image decoding method includes decoding encoded image data to generate a decoded image signal including a luma signal and a chroma signal. The method further includes scaling, when a reference field is a bottom field while a current field is a top field for motion estimation and when the decoded image signal is in a format in which the number of chroma pixels is vertically different from the number of luma pixels, a chroma motion vector of the chroma signal by mv/2−¼, where mv is a vertical component in a luma motion vector of the luma signal. The method also includes performing motion compensation of the decoded image signal using the scaled chroma motion vector.
US08437397B2 Block information adjustment techniques to reduce artifacts in interpolated video frames
In general, this disclosure is directed to decoding techniques for interpolating video frames. In particular, this disclosure describes techniques for analyzing block information associated with one or more blocks of pixels and adjusting the block information associated with the block of pixels based on the analysis to reduce artifacts in the interpolated frame. As an example, an interpolation decoder module may analyze and adjust block information associated with one or more blocks of pixels in an interpolated frame. As another example, the interpolation decoder module may adjust block information associated with one or more blocks of pixels in a reference frame that is used for interpolating a skipped video frame. The block information adjustment techniques described in this disclosure may result in a reduction of shaking static background artifacts, blocky artifacts or other types of artifacts in the interpolated frame.
US08437396B2 Motion search module with field and frame processing and methods for use therewith
A motion compensation module, that can be used in a video encoder for encoding a video input signal, includes a motion search module that generates a motion search motion vector for each macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks by contemporaneously evaluating a top frame macroblock and bottom frame macroblock from a frame of the video input signal and a top field macroblock and a bottom field macroblock from corresponding fields of the video input signal. A motion refinement module, when enabled, generates a refined motion vector for each macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motion search motion vector.
US08437389B2 Statistical remultiplexing of compressed video segments
Compressed digital video bitstreams are segmented into video segments. A staging processor performs transrating on the original video segments and generates several transrated output video segments. The output video segments are combined into a video block for further distribution. A bit rate switch selects among the transrated video segments from the video block to provide a statistically multiplexed output bitstream. The bit rate switch can also select local stream segments, such as advertisements, for content insertion purposes. A transprocessor including multiple encoder output features is also provided.
US08437386B2 Communication system
A method for reducing ringing in a signal output from a filter comprising inputting a signal into a filter; filtering a first portion of the input signal to generate a filtered portion of the output signal; analyzing the filtered portion of the output signal; detecting if ringing is present in the filtered portion of the output signal based on said analysis; and adjusting the filter characteristics to reduce ringing in a subsequent filtered portion of the output signal if it is determined that ringing is present.
US08437377B2 Pulse generator, transmitter-receiver, and pulse generation method
A pulse generator with a filter section limiting a band of an input signal, and a pulse generating section generating a plurality of pulses which are sequentially delayed one after another by a time period (τ) substantially equal to a reciprocal of a center frequency of the band of the filter section, and inputting the plurality of pulses to the filter section.
US08437375B2 Semiconductor laser element
A semiconductor laser element may include an n-type clad layer; an n-type waveguide layer adjacent to the n-type clad layer; an n-type carrier blocking layer adjacent to the n-type waveguide layer; an active layer; and a p-type clad layer adjacent to the active layer. The n-type clad layer may have a bandgap width greater than a bandgap width of the n-type waveguide layer. The n-type carrier blocking layer may have a bandgap width greater than or equal to bandgap widths of the first and second barrier layers. The p-type clad layer may have a bandgap width greater than the bandgap widths of the first and second barrier layers and the bandgap width of the n-type waveguide layer. The active layer may include a quantum well layer and barrier layers.
US08437373B2 Transmitting enhancement data for video
The invention provides a method and apparatus that addresses and resolves the issues currently affecting the ability to offer Enhanced TV, in particular, those issues concerning timing and synchronization, interaction with other modules in the STB, and distribution.
US08437368B2 System and method for handing over a call from a packet-switched network to a circuit-switched network
A communications system and method are provided for handing over a call from a packet-switched network (e.g., IP network) to a circuit-switched network (e.g., PLMN, PSTN, etc.). The system includes a first terminal capable of communicating via a packet-switched network and a circuit-switched network, and a second terminal capable of communicating via a circuit-switched network. The system also includes a gateway capable of mapping communications between a packet-switched network and at least one circuit-switched network. The gateway can support communication between the first terminal and the second terminal such that the first terminal has a packet-switched connection with the gateway and the second terminal has a circuit-switched connection with the gateway. The first terminal can then establish a circuit-switch connection with the gateway. Thereafter, the gateway can connect the circuit-switched connection established between the first terminal and the gateway with the circuit-switched connection between the gateway and the second terminal.
US08437366B2 Method and system for 10GBASE-T start-up
Certain aspects for the start-up procedure of transceivers supporting higher data rates over twisted-pair copper cabling are provided for 10 Gbit/sec Ethernet links (10GBASE-T). During a PMA (physical medium attachment) training period of the start-up procedure, long PMA training frames are exchanged periodically between link partners. A significant portion of each PMA training frame consists of known pseudo random sequences simultaneously transmitted over four wire pairs. PMA training frames include an InfoField for exchanging parameters and control information between link partners. For example, the InfoField's payload comprises fields for indicating current transmit power backoff (PBO), next PBO, requested PBO, transition count, control information, and for communicating precoder coefficients. Information in InfoFields is repeated and is not necessary that a link partner decodes every InfoField. For example, by occasionally reading the transition count, a link partner can determine when a change in transmit PBO and/or a state transition is to occur.
US08437365B2 Method and apparatus for providing mobile and social services via virtual individual servers
A method, computer readable medium and apparatus for providing a virtual individual server service within a communications network are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request from a subscriber of the communications network to subscribe to the virtual individual server service, provides a virtual individual server to the subscriber in response to the request and executes at least one application via the virtual individual server using at least one piece of personal information associated with the subscriber.
US08437354B2 Method and apparatus for realizing unicast reverse path forwarding
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for realizing unicast reverse path forwarding. In this method, an access equipment snoops into and obtains an announcement message from a router, wherein the announcement message contains address prefix information; the access equipment establishes a prefix table based on the obtained address prefix information, receives an access request message from a customer premises equipment, determines whether a source IP address of the access request message exists in the prefix table, and decides whether to forward the message to the router based on a result of determining. According to the technical solution provided by the present invention, the message from the customer premises equipment is processed through the obtained routing information of the router interface, thus a pseudo data packet can be filtered out, and address filter control is realized at the access equipment.
US08437351B2 Method and system for multicast path switching, corresponding network and computer program product
Multicast signals are transmitted from a source to user terminals via multicast paths through a set of nodes in a network. A first node, such as a ‘last-hop’ router, may send toward the source corresponding join and prune messages, the join message to establish a new multicast path from the source to a user terminal, and the prune message to discontinue the old multicast path from the source to the user terminal. The router sends the join message and the prune message over the new multicast path and the old multicast path. A second node located at the bifurcation of the new multicast path and the old multicast path detects the reception of both the join message and the prune message and steers, either directly or via delegated downstream nodes, the switch from the old multicast path over to the new multicast path without loss or undue duplication of packets sent from the source to the user terminal.
US08437350B2 Access control for an IP access network to multicast traffic
A method and arrangement are proposed for controlling access by a client node to multicast traffic via an access network. When a client node sends a message to an access node of the access network requesting access to a multicast channel, the access node modifies this request by adding identification information to the message for identifying the client node before forwarding it to a router capable of routing multicast traffic streams. The router uses the identification information to consult access data stored for the client node and returns an acknowledgement message to the access node, indicating whether access is permitted. If access is granted, the access node streams the multicast channel to the client node. Modifying the multicast request message using the access node to include identification information allows the access control to be performed in a more centralized manner while retaining the security of a port-based access control.
US08437348B2 Method and system for controlling transmission of multicast packets over a local area network, related network and computer program product therefor
Transmission of multicast packets over a local area network is controlled by: identifying the condition where only a single receiver exists within the local area network for a given multicast group of packets, and allowing, upon occurrence of that condition, Automatic Repeat Request of the packets multicast towards said single receiver. A preferred field of application is wireless local area networks for use in a home environment.
US08437343B1 Optimized link training and management mechanism
In one embodiment, a converged protocol stack can be used to unify communications from a first communication protocol to a second communication protocol to provide for data transfer across a physical interconnect. This stack can be incorporated in an apparatus that includes a protocol stack for a first communication protocol including transaction and link layers, and a physical (PHY) unit coupled to the protocol stack to provide communication between the apparatus and a device coupled to the apparatus via a physical link. This PHY unit may include a physical unit circuit according to the second communication protocol. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08437342B2 Providing location information in an IP multimedia subsystem network
A method and apparatus for providing location information to a CSCF in an IMS network. An S-CSCF registers a first contact associated with an IMPU, and receives location information associated with the first contact. A second contact associated with the same IMPU, and also with a mobile access, is then registered at the S-CSCF. The S-CSCF receives location information associated with the second contact.
US08437338B2 Automatic termination path configuration
There is provided herein a system and method for automatic configuration of data routings for use with electronic data such as phone calls, faxes, etc. In the preferred embodiment, when more than one carrier might potentially terminate the transmission, the carriers are ordered based on some screening criterion (e.g., transmission price). Data transmissions are then assigned to the carriers based on the sorting order, with the second place and lower carriers (e.g., the higher priced carriers) not being selected unless the first carrier cannot complete the transaction. The switch instructions necessary to implement this scheme are generated automatically.
US08437335B2 Method for transmitting response information in mobile communications system
A method for a user equipment (UE) to perform a random access to a network includes transmitting a random access preamble to the network; receiving control information via a downlink control channel from the network, wherein the control information includes downlink resource location information for a downlink shared channel and information for decoding the downlink shared channel; receiving a response to the random access preamble via the downlink shared channel from the network corresponding the control information, wherein the response has a variable size; and decoding the response based on the information for decoding the downlink shared channel.
US08437333B2 Contention based period beamforming
Contention based period beamforming includes the establishment of synchronized communications between a beamforming initiator and a beamforming responder to precisely define a start time for beamforming training. Synchronization between the beamforming initiator and beamforming responder begins with the sending of control information to the responder so that the start of the beamforming process will be synchronized. With beamforming training synchronized, beamforming is initiated using the sector sweep process.
US08437328B2 Method of processing data in a medium access control (MAC) layer
A method of processing data in a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer through which at least one first channel is mapped to a second channel in a transmitting end of a wireless communication system is disclosed. More specifically, a MAC layer data block is configured by including at least one higher layer data block received through the at least one first channel and adding a header thereto which includes at least one field which indicates at least two types of information. Furthermore, the MAC layer data block is transferred to a lower layer through the second channel.
US08437325B2 Wireless communication terminal, air interface apparatus and method for participating in wireless network
A game device is provided with a processor and an air interface apparatus. In a wireless communication environment such as that of IEEE802.11, a CPU of the air interface apparatus selects, in a search process, an SSID that includes at least in a portion thereof a predetermined pattern. Network information including the selected SSID is retained in a memory unit as a BSS list registering wireless networks that are targets for connection. The processor refers to the BSS list and determines a wireless network to participate in.
US08437319B2 Wireless network system and method of configuring the same
Provided are a wireless network system and a method of configuring the same, in which stations that perform directional communication in a high-frequency band can share information regarding their communication capabilities with each other. An apparatus for managing stations that transmit/receive data using millimeter wave (mmWave) includes a communication capability information management module which receives an association request frame and determines the communication capability of an associating station that has transmitted the association request frame based on the association request frame; an information-frame-generation module which generates a wireless video area network (WVAN) information frame specifying the communication capability of the associating station; and a communication module which transmits the WVAN information frame, wherein the apparatus serves as a wireless network coordinator.
US08437318B2 Reliable and low-latency sensor network MAC system and method using superframe
Provided are a reliability-based, real-time sensor network medium access control (MAC) communication system and method using a superframe. The superframe includes an active duration which is a time duration in which a communication is established, and a sleep duration which is a time duration in which no communication is established. The active duration includes a beacon block in which a plurality of beacon transmission nodes are respectively allocated beacon slots for transmitting a beacon frame, and a forwarding block in which each of sinks nodes is allocated a slot for unifying data regarding the sink node and data regarding sensor nodes managed by the sink node and transmit the result of unifying in order to establish a communication between the sink nodes and between each of the sink nodes and a base station.
US08437317B2 Data communication method based on multi-receiver aggregation
A wireless communication system including transmitters for determining a transmission rate for an associated receiver according to channel state information fed back from associated receivers, and transmitting packets at the determined transmission rate. In a communication method, a transmitter groups packets to be transmitted to the receivers according to transmission rates, and generates frames configured by packets with an identical transmission rate. The transmitter aggregates frames with different transmission rates into one transmission burst, and sends the transmission burst. The data communication method based on packet aggregation can efficiently manage resources by determining transmission rates for reception stations (STAs) on the basis of feedback channel state information in a transmission STA, aggregating packets to be transmitted to the reception STAs to form a packet group, and transmitting packet groups with different transmission rates using one multi-rate aggregation (MRA) burst.
US08437310B2 Handover control
The signal strength available to a mobile unit is periodically monitored (21), and if it falls below a threshold value X(off) the handset (40) determines whether the signal strength on an alternative network is greater than a value Y(on). If such a connection is available, a handover attempt is initiated (3). If the handover attempt (3) fails (step 4), the relevant threshold value X(off) and Y(on), depending on the cause of failure, is then raised (40) so that future handoffs are not attempted in those same conditions. If the call fails in these circumstances, the caller will have to establish a new call (step 1). If the handover is successful, (step 5) then one or both of the handover thresholds (X(off), Y(on)) may be lowered (step 51), allowing future handovers to take place more promptly. Lowering may be done in smaller increments than increases, or less frequently. By varying the threshold values empirically more efficient handover can be achieved than by pre-setting a permanent value.
US08437308B2 Handover measurements in a mobile communication system
A cellular communication system has an air interface divided into frames, each consisting of sub-frames at least two of which are synchronization sub-frames. For each cell, different cell-related synchronization signals are transmitted to user equipments (UEs) in different synchronization signal sub-frames. The UE detects cell identities of first and second cells. Weights then control generation of weighted handover measurements made from the first cell's synchronization signals received during synchronization sub-frames, wherein each of the weights is a function of the cell identity of the first cell, the cell identity of the second cell, and which ones of the first and second cells' cell-related synchronization signals are transmitted in the respective one of the plurality of synchronization sub-frames during which the weight is applied. A filtered handover measurement, upon which a handover decision can be made, is generated from the weighted handover measurements.
US08437295B2 Fast random access for an enhanced uplink dedicated channel
The present invention relates to fast random access methods and arrangements for the enhanced uplink dedicated channel of E-UTRAN (Evolved Universal terrestrial radio access network). A user equipment (UE) being in a low activity state sends a random access request comprising a preamble on a physical random access channel (PRACH) to a NodeB. The NodeB receives the request and sends in response to the received random access request a response comprising information associated with detection of the preamble on an acquisition indicator channel (AICH). The response comprises further in an extension of the AICH an indication of an action to be taken by the UE. In an embodiment of the present invention the action is to access the E-DCH and the response comprises configuration parameters to the E-DCH.
US08437293B2 Methods and systems for scheduling resources in a telecommunication system
Aspects of the present invention relate to the scheduling of resources in a telecommunication system that includes a mobile terminal and base station. In one embodiment, the mobile terminal sends an initial scheduling request to a base station. Subsequently, the mobile terminal does not transmit a scheduling request to the base station unless and until a scheduling request triggering event is detected.
US08437291B2 Method for configuring different data block formats for downlink and uplink
A method for establishing a radio bearer in a User Equipment (UE) in a mobile communication system is disclosed. The method includes receiving configuration information about a specific protocol layer, the configuration information indicating separate configuring of a downlink data block format and an uplink data block format for an entity of the specific protocol layer, wherein the entity of the specific protocol layer has both a transmitting side and a receiving side, and configuring the downlink data block format and the uplink data block format separately for the entity of the specific protocol layer according to the received configuration information.
US08437288B2 Network selection by wireless terminals
Techniques for efficiently performing network selection using information stored at a terminal are described herein. The terminal may store coverage information for previously detected wireless networks, cell information for previously detected cells in wireless networks, usage information for previously accessed wireless networks, availability information for previously detected wireless networks, almanac information for cells in wireless networks (e.g., information on cells available at different locations and information for acquiring the cells), and/or other information that may be useful for network selection. The terminal may select a wireless network to attempt acquisition based on the stored coverage information and its current location, the stored cell information and information for the current location (e.g., an identity of a cell detected at the current location), the stored usage information, the stored availability information, and/or the stored almanac information.
US08437286B2 Signaling for multi-hop relay in wireless communication systems
Systems and techniques for signaling between a subordinate base station and a superordinate base station in a wireless network with wireless relay stations to inform the superordinate base station of a failure in establishing an uplink related to the subordinate base station and scheduling wireless resource allocation between a base station and one or more relay stations.
US08437284B2 Systems and methods for additional retransmissions of dropped packets
Systems and methods for utilizing transaction boundary detection methods in queuing and retransmission decisions relating to network traffic are described. By detecting transaction boundaries and sizes, a client, server, or intermediary device may prioritize based on transaction sizes in queuing decisions, giving precedence to smaller transactions which may represent interactive and/or latency-sensitive traffic. Further, after detecting a transaction boundary, a device may retransmit one or more additional packets prompting acknowledgements, in order to ensure timely notification if the last packet of the transaction has been dropped. Systems and methods for potentially improving network latency, including retransmitting a dropped packet twice or more in order to avoid incurring additional delays due to a retransmitted packet being lost are also described.
US08437282B2 System and method of multi-endpoint data conferencing
A multi-endpoint (EP) conferencing system, including a decentralized scalable network of endpoints, includes a source EP configured to connect to a non-virtual target EP. The source EP being configured to transmit to the non-virtual target EP a conference list for distributing to non-virtual EPs and virtual EPs associated with the target EP. The source EP is further configured to receive a conference list of the non-virtual target EP, integrate the received conference list with its conference list to obtain an integrated conference list and distribute the integrated conference list, or parts thereof, to the virtual EPs and the non-virtual EPs. The source EP being further configured to receive a positive selection notification indicative of a requesting EP from EPs that would like to get data from the source EP. In response to receipt of the positive selection notification, the source EP is configured to transmit data to the requesting EP.
US08437279B2 Control frame handling by a provider backbone bridge
A method and Bridge in a Provider Backbone Bridge Network (PBBN) for enabling frames from a Higher Layer Entity attached alternatively to a Provider Instance Port (PIP) on an I-Component of a Backbone Edge Bridge or to a Customer Backbone Port on a B-Component of the Backbone Edge Bridge, to reach an intended entity in the PBBN. A Virtual Instance Port Service Access Point (VIP SAP) is configured for every VIP and every Higher Layer Entity configured on the I-Component. An Enhanced VIP Port Connectivity function utilizes the VIP SAP to tunnel customer-initiated Layer 2 Control Protocols (L2CPs). A Special Multiplexed SAP handles the frames of the Higher Layer Entity. A Service Instance Multiplex Entity utilizes the Special Multiplexed SAP to transfer frames between the PIP or the Customer Backbone Port and the entity inside the PBBN.
US08437277B2 Automatic network mapping from a host control device
Disclosed are methods, and control devices (110, 210, 310) having programmable processors configured to implement methods, of communicating with a network (100, 300) having an initially unknown topology and a plurality of unknown devices. The methods use set and get configuration commands to discover the unknown devices on the network using one or more host ports of the control device, enumerating the discovered devices by using the one or more host ports to assign a different network address to each discovered device, so that the enumerated devices correspond to the network topology.
US08437276B2 Control systems, commissioning tools, configuration adapters and method for wireless and wired networks design, installation and automatic formation
Design and control systems, commissioning tools, configuration adapters and a method for wireless and wired networks design, installation and automatic formation, including binding of the networks devices are provided. In the design system a scheme that uniquely identifies each network device by its type and its physical location is created and information for logical binding between the devices is prepared. In the design system is also created a device mapping that maps between the devices on the scheme and their network configuration data such as, radio IDs and startup attribute sets and wired communication link address. The data prepared in the design system is transferred to or accessed by a master controller and dedicated commissioning tools in the control system. According to devices' physical locations, appropriate configuration data is loaded from the commissioning tools into the devices through dedicated configuration adapters. The devices and their configuration adapters not necessarily have to be powered-up during configuration data loading. After power-up, the devices automatically update themselves with the loaded configuration data and the control system may initialize itself and identifies all the devices. The master controller in the control system uses the design system defined binding information and transmits binding commands for creating logical links between the devices and so networks may be automatically formed.
US08437270B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting reference signal
The present invention provides a method for transmitting reference signals comprising: during carrier aggregation, a user equipment sending physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) on one or more component carriers, and sending demodulation reference signals (DM RS) for the PUSCH on each section of bandwidth occupied by the PUSCH on each component carrier, wherein a DM RS sequence on a section of bandwidth is an independent sequence or part of an independent sequence and forms an independent sequence with DM RS sequences on multiple sections of bandwidth other than the section of bandwidth; the section of bandwidth is a section of continuous bandwidth occupied by the PUSCH on any component carrier, or is any of the multiple sections of bandwidth occupied by the PUSCH on any component carrier. The Present invention further provides a corresponding apparatus.
US08437268B2 System and method for intra-cell frequency reuse in a relay network
A method for communicating using a wireless communication network is presented. The method may include receiving a channel quality indicator (CQI) from a first UE. The first UE is served by a base station. The CQI characterizes a channel quality between the first UE and the base station when the base station transmits at a high power. A first modulation and coding scheme (MCS) may be determined for when the base station transmits at a low power based on the received CQI. When the spectrum efficiency of the first MCS is equal to or higher than the spectrum efficiency of a pre-determined MCS, first UE may be communicated with using a low power transmission. In some cases, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) downlink control information (DCI) message is transmitted to the first UE to identify a power spectral density (PSD) level.
US08437264B1 Link microbenchmarking with idle link correction
Measuring the speed of a link is disclosed. An initial packet train having an initial length over the link is sent. A speed result is determined based at least in part on an actual time of reception of individual packets in the packet train. The quality of the speed result for the initial packet train is evaluated according to a constraint. A determination is made as to whether to send a subsequent packet train based at least in part on the quality of the speed result.
US08437263B2 Tracing an access point in a wireless network
An access point in a wireless network is traced by sending an internet protocol (IP) packet from a detector to the access point through the wireless network. The detector and the access point are connected through a private wired network. The IP packet is sent with the source IP address field and the destination IP address of the IP packet set to the wireless IP address and wired IP address, respectively, of the detector. The IP packet is routed back to the detector through a switch in the private wired network. When the IP packet is received at the detector, a source IP address, which corresponds to the port on the switch used to send the IP packet, is determined from the received IP packet.
US08437261B1 Adaptive data stream sampling
A facility for transmitting data items in a data stream is described. The facility compares the rate at which data items in the data stream are being generated to a threshold rate. When the rate at which data items in the data stream are being generated is no greater than the threshold rate, the facility transmits all of the data items in the data stream to a destination. When the rate at which data items in the data stream are being generated is greater than the threshold rate, the facility transmits only a randomly selected proper subset of the data items in the stream to the destination, such that data items are transmitted to the destination at a rate approximately equal to the threshold rate.
US08437251B2 Methods and apparatus for communicating transmission backlog information
An uplink dedicated control channel reporting structure includes a plurality of different bit size reports, e.g. 1 bit, 3 bit and 4 bit reports, for reporting a wireless terminal's backlog information of uplink traffic request group queues. Smaller bit size reports are transmitted more frequently than larger reports. A 1 bit request report indicates whether or not there are any MAC frames of information to be communicated in a set of two request group queues. A 3 bit request report indicates an amount of backlog information corresponding to a first set of request group queues and a second set of request group queues. A 4 bit request report indicates an amount of backlog information corresponding to a set of request group queues. The 4 bit request report is capable of reporting information on any of a plurality of uplink traffic channel request group queues being maintained by the wireless terminal.
US08437250B2 Determining paths that satisfy a reliability requirement
Methods for determining paths that satisfy a reliability requirement are generally described herein. The methods may include receiving path information. A reliability requirement is established, and paths that satisfy the reliability requirement are determined. Each path comprises nodes. Configuration of the nodes of the paths according to the reliability requirement is facilitated. A code rate may be determined that corresponds to the reliability requirement. The code rate may indicate network coding to be performed by least a subset of the nodes. The method may also include sending the code rate to the nodes of the paths.
US08437249B2 Method for communicating channel operation information within a wireless communication system
A node in a wireless communication system detects a requirement to discontinue communications on a primary channel. In response, the node sends a message to a plurality of nodes, which includes a reason for discontinuation of communications on the primary channel and availability of immediate operation of a secondary channel. The secondary channel is a channel the node was currently using for its communication. Another node receives a message including a requirement to discontinue communications on a primary channel and also the availability of immediate operation on a secondary channel. The receiving node detects the feasibility of moving the operation of its associated network to the secondary channel. When feasible, the node sends a message to other nodes to make the secondary channel its primary channel.
US08437248B2 Method, system, and apparatus for network device to access packet switched network
A method for a network device to access a packet switched network is applied to a system in which the network device accesses the packet switched network by connecting to PEs in an active-standby mode. The method includes: an active PE and a standby PE each sends a fault detection message to the network device through an interface connected to the network device; the active PE sets the state of the interface to “up” and advertises a route to a remote PE if a fault detection response returned by the network device is received through the interface within a preset period; otherwise, the active PE sets the state of the interface to “down” , and withdraws the advertised route; and the standby PE sets the state of the interface to “up” and advertises another route to the remote PE after receiving a fault detection response through the interface connected to the network device.
US08437243B2 Optical information recording medium
An optical information recording medium (1) includes on a substrate (50), a ROM layer (20), a RE layer (40), an intermediate layer (30) separating the ROM layer (20) and the RE layer (40), and a light transmitting layer (10) provided farthest from the substrate (50). The RE layer (40) is an information recording layer provided most farthest from the light transmitting layer (10), and is a recording layer of BCA recorded in a format easily determinable as compared to an information recording format used in the ROM layer (20), and antifouling property of a surface of the light transmitting layer (10) is set based on the RE layer (40). This makes it easy for the recording and reproducing apparatus to confirm a disc type, allows for sharing one recording and reproducing apparatus with other types of optical discs, and simplifies the disc production. Furthermore, an optical information recording medium is accomplished, in which outdated data on the ROM layer is replaced by recording, on the RE layer, updated data obtained while Internet connection can be established.
US08437242B2 Optical recording medium for writing data using multiple pulses
An optical recording medium including a plurality of recording layers to record/reproduce information using light with a predetermined wavelength, the information being recorded on one of the recording layers using a mark and a space, wherein a channel clock period T is provided for recording the mark on one of the recording layers. A plurality of pulses, including a last pulse arranged at an end of the pulses, are used to record the mark with length 3T, the mark being recorded with a condition that a width of the last pulse is minimum OT and maximum 1.10T, in which a first subsequent level lower than a peak power level of the last pulse is arranged next to the last pulse, and a second subsequent level lower than the peak power level but higher than the first subsequent level is arranged next to the first subsequent level.
US08437239B2 Optical pickup, optical disk drive device, optical information recording device, and optical information reproduction device
An optical pickup, an optical disk drive device, an optical information recording device, and an optical information reproduction device in which a reproduction signal, a focus error signal, and a gap error signal can be detected with high accuracy when information is recorded/reproduced on/from an optical information medium having a plurality of information recording layers.
US08437238B2 Diffraction grating, aberration correction element and optical head device
There is provided a diffraction grating including a convex portion and a concave portion which are used for lights having different wavelengths λ1, λ2 and λ3 and are alternately disposed on at least one surface of a substrate with a predetermined pitch. An average refractive index of the convex portion is smaller than an average refractive index of the concave portion. A phase difference in the lights having the wavelength λ1 which transmit the convex portion and the concave portion and a phase difference in the lights having the wavelength λ2 which transmit the convex portion and the concave portion are both substantially the integral multiple of 2π, and a phase difference in the lights having the wavelength λ3 which transmit the convex portion and the concave portion is substantially the non-integral multiple of 2π.
US08437231B2 Servo control device and optical disc device
A servo control device includes a plurality of reproduction channels, a plurality of analog/digital (A/D) converters, a servo error detecting circuit that generates a servo error signal, a servo signal processing device that executes predetermined processing for the servo error signal to generate a control signal, and a sampling frequency converter that converts the sampling frequency between the servo error detecting circuit and the servo signal processing device. A first clock is included as a sampling clock of the A/D converters and a processing clock of the servo error detecting circuit. A second clock is included as a processing clock of the servo signal processing device. The sampling frequency converter converts the sampling frequency by processing the servo error signal by the servo error detecting circuit in synchronization with the first clock and processing the signal processed in synchronization with the first clock in synchronization with the second clock.
US08437229B2 Transducer assembly having grating slits parallel to longitudinal axis of waveguide
An apparatus having a transducer assembly that includes a waveguide having first and second cladding layers and a core layer between the first and second cladding layers, and a grating structured to couple electromagnetic radiation into the waveguide. The grating has a plurality of elongated slits that are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the waveguide. The apparatus further has a light source mounted adjacent the waveguide to direct light onto the grating.
US08437228B2 Thermally-assisted magnetic recording head
A thermally assisted magnetic recording head with highly efficient optical coupling, while guiding a laser beam from a semiconductor laser element, i.e., a light source, to a leading end thereof, eliminating an influence due to heat generated by the element, and having excellent floating characteristics. The thermally assisted magnetic recording head includes a substrate 2 having a first optical waveguide 1, a semiconductor laser element 100, and a slider 4 having a second optical waveguide 3 formed on an end surface. The semiconductor laser element 100 is fixed on the substrate 2 so that light emitted from the element 100 propagates through the first optical waveguide 1 and a slider 4 is fixed on the substrate 2 so that light emitted from the first optical waveguide 1 propagates through the second optical waveguide 3. High optical coupling efficiency is then achieved, while ensuring both heat-dissipating and floating characteristics.
US08437227B2 Electronic timepiece
An electronic timepiece that receives satellite signals transmitted from positioning information satellites includes: a satellite signal reception unit that receives satellite signal(s); a satellite capturing unit that executes a process of capturing at least one of the satellites within a capture time based on the satellite signal(s) received by the reception unit; a time adjustment information generating unit that acquires satellite information from the satellite signal(s) transmitted from the captured satellite(s), and generates time adjustment information based on the satellite information; a time information adjustment unit that adjusts internal time information based on the time adjustment information; and a time information display unit that displays the internal time information. The capture time is from the start of reception of the satellite signal(s) to capture of at least one satellite, and if no satellite is captured within this time period, the satellite capturing unit stops reception of the satellite signal(s).
US08437223B2 System and methods for detecting shooter locations from an aircraft
The systems and methods described herein relate to an airborne shooter detection system having a plurality of sensors coupled to the body of an aircraft such as a helicopter. The system includes at least five sensors configured and arranged to disambiguate the location of a shooter. By measuring the arrival times of the shockwaves of projectiles at each of the sensors and determining the differences in the arrival times among sensors, the systems and methods may determine the location of one or more sources of the projectiles. A distance of at least ten meters separates two or more of the sensors. Such a separation is advantageous because it allows the system to disambiguate multiple shooters by resolving the curvature of the shockwave.
US08437222B2 System and method of range estimation
A system and method of range estimation are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises transmitting beams through a medium towards a surface, receiving reflected signals from the surface, and estimating range to the surfaced based on the reflected signals and an estimate of sidelobe coupling of the beams.
US08437221B2 Terminal and method and system for automatically controlling terminal
A system and method of automatically controlling a terminal are disclosed. In one aspect, there is a method comprising: installing a sensing device in a terminal; and automatically controlling operations of the terminal when a certain object is detected by the sensing device within a predetermined range. According to certain aspects, a hard disk may be subjected to a full protection, power supplied to peripherals such as a keyboard or a mouse is saved. Furthermore, in other aspects, an automatic power-up/down operation to the terminal, automatic forward and backward operations of a browser and an automatic page-flipping operation of application software may be implemented. In another aspect, there is a control system for the terminal and the terminal equipped with such a control system.
US08437218B2 Correcting geometry-related time and amplitude errors
A method for predicting a plurality of surface multiples for a plurality of target traces in a record of seismic data acquired in a survey area. The method includes selecting a target trace and identifying two or more desired traces for multiple prediction based on the target trace. After identifying the desired traces, the method identifies one or more recorded traces for each desired trace. Each identified recorded trace is described as being substantially close to one of the desired traces. The method then includes correcting the identified recorded traces for one or more geometry-related effects associated with the survey area and convolving the corrected recorded traces to generate a plurality of convolutions. After convolving the corrected recorded traces, the method then stacks the convolutions.
US08437217B2 Storing operational information in an array of memory cells
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, modules, and systems for storing operational information in an array of memory cells. One method embodiment includes storing data units of operational information in memory cells of at least one row of a first block of memory cells. The method also includes using a column scramble to shift the order of the data units. The method includes storing the data units in memory cells of at least one row of a second block of memory cells, wherein an order of the data units stored in the at least one row of the second block is different than an order of the data units stored in memory cells of the at least one row of the first block.
US08437216B2 Data write training method and semiconductor device performing the same
Embodiments may be directed to a method of operating a semiconductor device, the method including receiving a first write training command, receiving a first write data responsive to the first write training command through a first data line, and transmitting the first write data through a second data line. Transmitting the first write data is performed without an additional training command.
US08437213B2 Characterization of bits in a functional memory
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an integrated circuit including a functional memory and methods of characterizing a component or a defect of a memory cell in the functional memory. In one embodiment, the functional memory includes row and column periphery units having periphery sourcing and sinking voltage supply ports, an array of memory cells organized in rows and columns and a word line controlled by a word line driver that provides row access to a memory cell of the array. Additionally, the functional memory also includes a bit line controlled by a direct bit line access circuit that provides direct bit line access to the memory cell through a bit line analog access port and an independent voltage supply port.
US08437207B2 Apparatus for measuring data setup/hold time
An apparatus for measuring data setup/hold time is capable of effectively measuring a setup/hold time of data, and includes a data generating unit for delaying an external clock signal according to counting signals and generating an internal clock signal and data signals from the delayed external clock signal in response to test signals, a flag signal generating unit for generating flag signals according to the internal clock signal and the data signals, and a counter for producing the counting signals in response to the flag signals.
US08437205B2 Semiconductor memory apparatus
Various embodiments of a semiconductor memory apparatus are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the semiconductor memory apparatus may include: a column control signal generator configured to generate a column control signal for a pair of bit lines corresponding to a data mask during a data mask operation; and a bit line sense amplifier configured to sense and amplify a voltage difference between the pair of bit lines and electrically couple the pair of bit lines to a pair of segment input/output lines in response to the column control signal.
US08437204B2 Memory array with corresponding row and column control signals
Some embodiments regard a method comprising: controlling a row of cells of a memory array with a first signal; controlling a column of cells of the memory array with a second signal; transferring data from a cell activated by both the first signal and the second signal to a pair of bit lines associated with the cell; and using the data from the pair of bit lines as read data and as data written back to the cell to ensure the cell stores valid data.
US08437203B2 Nonvolatile memory apparatus and method for processing configuration information thereof
A nonvolatile memory apparatus includes a memory device having a configuration information storage block for storing a first configuration data group and a second configuration data group having fewer bits than the first configuration data group and a configuration information processing circuit configured to determine a majority of the first configuration data group outputted from the memory device, during a first period of a power-up operation, and determine a majority of the second configuration data group outputted from the memory device, during a second period after the first period.
US08437202B2 I/O circuit with phase mixer for slew rate control
An apparatus includes a terminal, a first plurality of driver lines, and a first phase mixer. The driver lines drive the terminal to a first logic state responsive to a first enable signal. The first phase mixer is coupled to a first one of the first plurality of driver lines. The first phase mixer is operable to receive the first enable signal and a first delayed enable signal derived from the first enable signal and generate a first signal on the first driver line having a first configurable delay with respect to the first enable signal by mixing the first enable signal and the first delayed enable signal.
US08437201B2 Word-line level shift circuit
A dual word-line level shifter circuit and associated SRAM. A circuit is disclosed that includes a first transistor gated by a data input at the lower voltage, and a second transistor gated by a restore input at the higher voltage, wherein the first and second transistors are coupled along a series path to a source at the higher voltage; a control node along the series path; an output node coupled to the control node via a first pair of parallel transistors; and a feedback circuit having a second pair of parallel transistors and a feedback transistor, wherein the feedback transistor couples the second pair of parallel transistors to the control node and is gated by the output node.
US08437200B1 Zeroization verification of integrated circuit
Methods and circuits for zeroization verification of the memory in an integrated circuit (IC) are provided. One method includes sequentially reading frames from a block of the memory, and sequentially performing a logical operation between each of the frames and the content of a signature register. The result of the logical operation is stored back in the signature register. In another operation, a hardware logical comparison is made between a device hardwired signature block and the content of the signature register, after the logical operations for all the frames have been performed. The device hardwired signature block is a hardware implemented constant that is unavailable for loading in registers of the IC. The block of the memory is verified to hold a fixed value when the result of the hardware logical comparison indicates that the device hardwired signature block is equal to the content of the signature register.
US08437197B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory and method of operating the same
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes memory cells arranged in a memory cell array in the form of a matrix, the memory cell storing data having two or more levels associated with two or more threshold levels, respectively, a buffer circuit including latch circuits and sense amplifier circuits, each latch circuit and each sense amplifier being associated with each column in the memory cell array, and a control circuit configured to control operations of the memory cells and the buffer circuit, the control circuit executing data writing with respect to the memory cells and first verification using judgment information indicative of a result of the data writing in a write sequence with respect to data from the outside. The judgment information is assigned to two or more threshold levels, which are not adjacent to each other, in common.
US08437191B2 Flash memory device and operating method thereof
A flash memory device includes a memory cell string including a plurality of memory cells serially coupled to one another between a bit line and a source line, a page buffer configured to perform a precharging operation and a sensing operation with respect to the bit line, and a power supply unit configured to supply a certain supply voltage through the source line before the precharging operation.
US08437183B2 Auxiliary parity bits for data written in multi-level cells
Methods of writing data to and reading data from memory devices and systems for writing and reading data are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method includes writing data bits a first time into a memory. Auxiliary parity bits are written in the memory, where the auxiliary parity bits are computed based on the data bits. Subsequent to writing the data bits a first time and writing the auxiliary parity bits, the data bits are written a second time into the memory. Writing the data bits the first time and writing the data bits the second time are directed to one or more storage elements at a common physical address in the memory. Subsequent to writing the data bits the second time, the auxiliary parity bits are discarded while maintaining the data bits in the memory.
US08437180B2 Memory and write control method
A memory includes: a memory device that has a memory layer storing data as a magnetization state of a magnetic body and a magnetization fixed layer whose direction of magnetization is fixed through a nonmagnetic layer interposed between the memory layer and the magnetization fixed layer and stores the data in the memory layer by changing a magnetization direction of the memory layer when a write current flowing in a stacked direction of the memory layer and the magnetization fixed layer is applied; and a voltage control unit that supplies the write current configured by independent pulse trains of two or more to the memory device by using a write voltage that is configured by independent pulse trains of two or more.
US08437179B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device with reduced leakage current
The gate tunnel leakage current is increased in the up-to-date process, so that it is necessary to reduce the gate tunnel leakage current in the LSI which is driven by a battery for use in a cellular phone and which needs to be in a standby mode at a low leakage current. In a semiconductor integrated circuit device, the ground source electrode lines of logic and memory circuits are kept at a ground potential in an active mode, and are kept at a voltage higher than the ground potential in an unselected standby mode. The gate tunnel leakage current can be reduced without destroying data.
US08437177B2 Nonvolatile latch circuit and nonvolatile flip-flop circuit
A nonvolatile latch circuit of the invention includes a variable resistance element which is formed by interposing an oxide layer between electrodes, and changes to a low resistance state by applying a voltage to cause current flow in the direction from the first to the second electrode, and changes to a high resistance state by applying a voltage to cause current flow in the reverse direction, wherein a first terminal of a transistor, a first terminal of other transistor, an output terminal of an inverter circuit, and an output terminal of other inverter circuit are respectively connected to one electrode, the other electrode, a second terminal of the transistor, and a second terminal of the other transistor, and a current flowing through the variable resistance element when changed to a low resistance state is smaller in absolute value than a current therethrough when changed to a high resistance state.
US08437170B2 Semiconductor storage device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor storage device includes memory cells including serially-connected variable-resistance layer and diode. A memory cell array includes the memory cells arranged on a plane including a first and second axes and has a first region lying along an edge of the array and a second region lying opposite to the edge with respect to the first region. A first wiring is continuous along the first axis between both ends of the array, partly lies in the second region, and is connected to the first ends of the memory cells. A second wiring lies along the first axis only in the first region, is connected to the first ends of the memory cells, and is divided between adjacent memory cells. A third wiring is continuous along the second axis between both ends of the array, and connected to the second ends of the memory cells.
US08437168B2 Josephson quantum computing device and integrated circuit using such devices
A Josephson quantum computing device and an integrated circuit using Josephson quantum computing devices which can realize a NOT gate operation controlled with 2 bits will be provided. The Josephson quantum computing device (1) comprises: a superconducting ring member (10) having a π-junction (6) and a 0-junction (7); and a quantum state detecting member (20) constituted by a superconducting quantum interference device arranged outside of the superconducting ring member, wherein a bonding and an antibonding state brought about by a tunneling effect between a |↑> and a |↓> state as two states degenerate in energy of the superconducting ring member (10) are regarded as quantum bits. The bonding and antibonding states as the quantum bits are read out by the quantum state detecting member (20). The two bit controlled NOT gate operation can be performed by the two quantum bits comprising said quantum bits.
US08437163B2 Memory dies, stacked memories, memory devices and methods
Memory die, stacks of memory dies, memory devices and methods, such as those to construct and operate such die, stacks and/or memory devices are provided. One such memory die includes an identification configured to be selectively coupled to an external select connection node depending on how the die is arranged in a stack. The identification circuit can determine an identification of its respective memory die responsive to how, if coupled, the identification circuit is coupled to the external select connection node.
US08437162B2 Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device comprises a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of memory cell arrays stacked on the semiconductor substrate, each memory cell array including a plurality of first lines paralleled with each other, a plurality of second lines paralleled with each other and formed crossing the first lines, and a plurality of memory cells arranged at intersections of the first lines and the second lines, each memory cell having one end connected to the first line and the other end connected to the second line; a first control circuit provided on the semiconductor substrate immediately beneath the memory cell arrays and having one end connected to the first line to select and drive the first line; and a second control circuit provided on the semiconductor substrate immediately beneath the memory cell arrays and having one end connected to the second line to select and drive the second line.
US08437161B1 Information storage system for buildings, structures, or tombstones
A memory storage system for installing in a wall, building, structure, or tombstone. The system features a microprocessor and memory storage component for storing pictures, videos, audio files, personal information, building plans, building information, inspection information, or a combination thereof. The system can be connected to a computer system via a cable so that the information can be accessed.
US08437158B2 Active rectification output capacitors balancing algorithm
An active rectification system includes an active rectifier that converts an alternating current (AC) input to a direct current (DC) output. The active rectifier includes a plurality of switching devices and at least a first output capacitor and a second output capacitor connected at the DC output of the active rectifier. A controller includes a DC output regulation portion and an output capacitor balancing portion, wherein the DC output regulation portion monitors the DC output and in response generates control signals for regulating the DC output to a desired value. The output capacitor balancing portion monitors first and second output capacitor voltages associated with the first and second output capacitors, respectively, and generates an accumulated adjustment value that modifies the control signals provided by the DC output regulation portion to balance the first and second output capacitor voltages.
US08437157B2 Power line current fed power supplies producing stable load currents and related methods
Power line current fed power supplies producing stable load currents and related methods are described. The power supplies may include a current transformer coupled to an inductive network. In some embodiments, the current transformer operates in saturation mode. In some embodiments, a substantially constant DC current is generated having a magnitude that remains substantially constant despite variations of the magnitude of AC current in the power line.
US08437156B2 Mirror-image voltage supply
A voltage supply incorporates two voltage supplies connected in a mirror-image series arrangement to generate a DC voltage between the respective common terminals of the voltage supplies.
US08437155B2 Device for power factor correction in three phase power supply and control method thereof
A device correcting a power factor caused by an input current delay of a three-phase inverter and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. In case of a product having a high-current power environment and a high-capacity inverter, a three-phase power factor correction (PFC) device detects any erroneous PFC operation of the three-phase inverter using a current sensor located at a common potential terminal. So, if the input current delay occurs, the three-phase PFC device delays an ON time of a switching element from a zero-crossing point of the input voltage, and performs an optimum switching operation caused by the input-current delay, resulting in the implementation of an increased power factor.
US08437154B2 Method and apparatus for varying a duty cycle of a power supply controller responsive to multiple linear functions over a range of values of a feedforward signal
An example power supply controller includes a switch duty cycle controller coupled to receive a feedback signal and a duty cycle adjust signal. The switch duty cycle controller is coupled to generate a drive signal coupled to control switching of a switch, which is coupled to an energy transfer element, to regulate energy delivered from an input of a power supply to an output of the power supply. The power supply controller also includes a gain selector circuit coupled to receive an input voltage signal, which is representative of an input voltage to the power supply, to generate the duty cycle adjust signal received by the switch duty cycle controller. The duty cycle of the drive signal to be varied in response to a plurality of linear functions over a range of values of the input voltage signal.
US08437152B2 Switching power source device
A pseudo-resonant switching power source device is provided which comprises a primary winding 2a of a transformer 2 and a main MOS-FET 3 connected in series to a DC power source 1, a voltage-resonant capacitor 12 connected in parallel to main MOS-FET 3, a rectification smoother 4 connected to a secondary winding 2b of transformer 2 and having a rectification MOS-FET 51 and a smoothing capacitor 6, a synchronized rectification controller 52 for turning rectification MOS-FET 51 on after turning-off of main MOS-FET 3 and turning rectification MOS-FET 51 off before turning-on of main MOS-FET 3, a pulse width elongation circuit 55 for extending on-pulse width of rectification MOS-FET 51, and a main control circuit 8 for producing main drive signals to turn main MOS-FET 3 off and on with operation frequency responsive to on-pulse width of rectification MOS-FET 51 extended by pulse width elongation circuit 55 to vary operation frequency of main MOS-FET 3 so as to restrain noise by high frequency components in main drive signals from main control circuit 8.
US08437151B2 Self-excited switching power supply circuit
There is provided a self-excited switching power supply circuit which shifts to continuous oscillating operation immediately after the self-excited switching power supply circuit is connected to an AC power supply and started and which does not cause start-up failure while using a start-up resistor of a high resistance value to maintain standby power consumption at a low level. A bypass charging circuit connected in series to a start-up resistor is connected between a high-voltage side terminal of a DC input power supply and the gate of an oscillation field effect transistor. A charging current flowing in the start-up resistor, and additionally, a charging current to charge a start-up capacitor through the bypass charging circuit flow in a transitional period during which the voltage of the DC input power supply increases.
US08437150B1 Dual frequency heating, melting and stirring with electric induction power
A dual frequency output is provided from a DC to AC inverter. An H-bridge inverter is provided with switching arranged to reconfigure the inverter from half-bridge to full bridge so that the inverter's output can be switched from high frequency to low frequency, respectively. A resonant load tuning capacitance is utilized across the input of the inverter subsequent to the DC link input (for example from an AC utility fed rectifier) to the inverter. The inductive load circuit at the output of the inverter may be one or more induction coils surrounding a crucible in which an electrically conductive material is placed, or susceptor, or one or more inductors used to heat treat an electrically conductive material. In an alternative arrangement an H-bridge inverter is utilized in both the high and low frequency modes while a tank capacitance is in the circuit, or shorted out of the circuit, respectively, in the high or low frequency modes.
US08437140B2 Electronic package, display, and electronic device
An FPC board (1) is mounted on a front bezel (BZ1) and a rear bezel (BZ2). The outer claw (CW1) of the front bezel (BZ1) and the inner claw (CW2) of the rear bezel (BZ2) are engaged with each other while holding the ground portion (12) of the FPC board (1) therebetween.
US08437139B2 Expansion card
An expansion card has at least one connector electrically coupled with at least one expansion slot of a server, and includes a shell defining at least one through slot, a main body, and a transmission element received in the shell. The transmission element includes a locating element, a connecting pole, and a fixing shaft. The connecting pole includes a head portion and a tail portion. The head portion defines a notch sleeving on the locating element. The tail portion extends outwards from the shell and defines a first hole. The fixing shaft is fixed on the shell and extends through the first hole. When the tail portion is pushed, the connecting pole rotates around the fixing shaft, the head portion drives the at least one connector to extends outwards or inwards from the at least one through slot, to electrically connected or disconnected to the at least one expansion slot.
US08437135B2 Hybrid drive of a hybrid vehicle
A hybrid drive has first and second electrical machines (12, 11) and an energy store (13). A converter (14) is assigned to the energy store (13). First and second converters (16, 15) are assigned to the first and second electrical machines (12, 11) and combine to form a modular unit (17) with a basic module (18) and a supplementary module (19). The basic module (18) has the first converter (16), cooling connections (20, 21), fasteners (24) for attachment to a body, a connection (22) for the converter (14) of the energy store (13) and a connection (23) for the first electrical machine. The supplementary module (19) is coupled to the basic module (18) and has the second converter (15) and a connection (25) the second electrical machine (11). The supplementary module (19) is cooled via the basic module (18) and coupled to the converter (14) of the energy store (13).
US08437130B2 Medium drive unit and electric apparatus
In a medium drive unit, a flexible portion of a frame body deflects toward a tray when pressed. Then, the tip of the protrusion disposed on the back surface of the frame body, which surface is directed toward the tray, pushes a button disposed on the front surface of the tray, thereby causing the tray to slide out from a housing body.
US08437127B2 Fixing mechanism for fixing a portable device and related computer system
A fixing mechanism for fixing a portable device includes a casing. A track is disposed on the casing for guiding the portable device to slide. At least one hole is formed on the casing. The fixing mechanism further includes a resilient component, which includes a wedging part fixed on the casing and at least one bending part. An end of the bending part passes through the hole and inserts into an opening of the portable device so as to fix the portable device inside the casing. The resilient component further includes at least one torsional part. An end of the torsional part is connected to the wedging part, and the other end of the torsional part is connected to the other end of the bending part. The torsional part is for providing torsional force to drive the end of the bending part to pass through the hole of the casing.