Document Document Title
US08468964B2 Methods and arrangements for redirecting thrust from a propeller
Methods and arrangements to redirect a forward thrust generated by a propeller of a watercraft to provide a non-forward thrust are disclosed. More specifically, embodiments comprise a control surface to redirect the forward thrust from the propeller. Based upon a position (i.e., distance and orientation) of the control surface with respect to the propeller, the redirection generates the non-forward thrust or thrusts. By redirecting a component of the forward thrust back toward the bow, the net forward or reverse, port or starboard thrusts and rotational thrust can be adjusted in fine increments. For instance, by adjusting the amount of prop wash hitting the control surface, the magnitude of the redirected thrust from the control surface can be adjusted. Further, adjusting the angle of the control surfaces adjusts the direction as well as magnitude of a reverse thrust component. The net thrust can be in any direction and rotational.
US08468962B2 Sewing machine with a thread holding device for holding needle thread remaining
A sewing machine includes a thread holding device disposed downstream of a thread take-up lever and upstream of a needle bar in terms of a threading path of a needle thread, and including a fixed first disc and a movable second disc movable by an electromechanical unit between holding and releasing positions to be closer to and remote from the first disc, respectively. The first and second discs respectively have first and second holding surfaces cooperatively defining a thread holding clearance to permit passage of the needle thread therethrough. The needle thread can be clamped in the thread holding clearance so as to prevent the needle thread being pulled out of the needle during a thread cutting procedure. A required amount of the needle thread remaining on the needle can be secured.
US08468959B2 Basket weave trestle table
An embodiment of the invention provides a support trestle comprising at least a first, second, and third generally vertically disposed support elements. A first set of stretchers is connected to at least two of the first, second, and third generally vertically disposed support elements, wherein the first set of stretchers include a top first stretcher, at least one middle first stretcher, and a bottom first stretcher. A second set of stretchers is connected to at least two of the first, second, and third generally vertically disposed support elements, wherein the second set of stretchers include a top second stretcher, at least one middle second stretcher, and a bottom second stretcher. The generally vertically disposed support elements that are connected to the second set of stretchers are different from the generally vertically disposed support elements that are connected to the first set of stretchers.
US08468957B2 Multi-orientation stacking riser
A multi-orientation stacking riser includes a main section; a protruding mating section extending from one surface of the main section; and a recessed mating section formed in an opposite surface of the main section, and wherein the recessed mating section accommodates insertion of a protruding mating section of an identical stacking riser in at least first and second positions.
US08468954B2 Side wall and boxcar of railway wagon
The present invention provides a side wall of railway wagon and a boxcar of railway wagon. The side wall of the railway wagon comprises an upper side plate, a lower side plate, an inner side stake and an outer side stake, wherein the said inner side stake is arranged at the inner side of the said upper side plate and the said lower side plate, and the said outer side stake is arranged at the upper part of the said side wall of railway wagon and is arranged at the outer side of the said upper side plate. By applying the side wall in the form of internal stakes, the side wall of railway wagon and the boxcar of railway wagon of the present invention can make full use of the width space between the outer surface of the side plate and the outer surface of the side stake on the basis that the external dimension of the railway wagon is not changed, thereby effectively improving the volume of the railway wagon and the transporting capability of the train.
US08468953B2 Device for pivoting a front hatch as well as a front hatch module
A device can be provided for pivoting a front hatch of a track-guided vehicle, which can a reduced weight, while at the same time being able to reduce susceptibility to failure. The device can include a first pivot lever connectable to the front hatch and a second pivot lever connectable to the front hatch, where the pivot levers can be rotatable about a common rotational axis, to pivot the front hatch relative the vehicle chassis. The device can also include a first actuating element connectable to the vehicle chassis which can interact with the first pivot lever. For example, upon the first actuating element being actuated, torque can be exerted on the first pivot lever. A second actuating element can be provided which is connectable to the vehicle chassis, and which interacts with the second pivot lever. Upon the second actuating element being actuated, torque can be exerted on the second pivot lever. The device can further include a synchronization element (e.g., in the form of a rod-shaped element) extending along the common rotational axis which is connected to the first pivot lever on the one side and to the second pivot lever on the other so as to synchronize the rotational movement of the pivot levers.
US08468947B2 Frangible, ceramic-metal composite objects and methods of making the same
In making frangible objects, including lead-free bullets and other projectiles, powdered metal primary and powdered ceramic secondary phases are mixed and densified at an elevated temperature such that the ceramic phase forms a brittle network. Any combination of metal and ceramic phases may be used to achieve desired chemical and physical properties. Any appropriate mixing, forming, and/or thermal processing methods and equipment may be used. Degrees of frangibility, strength, and toughness can be adjusted to suit a given application by precursor selection, degree of mixing, relative amounts of metal and ceramic phases, forming method, and thermal and mechanical processing parameters.
US08468939B2 Printing system employing deformable polymer printing plates
A printing plate has a substrate, an array of cells on the substrate, wherein each cell corresponds to an element of a print image, a deformable polymer material localized into the cells such that each cell is at least partially formed from the deformable polymer material, a reservoir corresponding to each cell to collect the deformable polymer material as needed when the deformable polymer material is one of either melted or softened, and a heater to cause the deformable polymer material to either melt or soften. A method of forming a printing plate provides an array of cells, first heats the array of cells such that the deformable polymer material does one of either melts or softens, actuates the cells in the array to assume a deformed state, cools the array of cells to solidify the cells in the deformed state, second heats the cells such that the deformable polymer material in selected ones of the cells does one of either soften or melt and return to a less deformed state to form a printing pattern, and cools the surface to solidify the deformable polymer material in the printing pattern. A method of forming a printing plate provides an array of cells, heats the array of cells such that the deformable polymer material softens, actuates selected ones of the cells to deform surfaces of the selected ones to form a printing pattern, and cools the array of cells to solidify the printing pattern into a printing plate.
US08468935B2 Liquid flow control and beverage preparation apparatuses, methods and systems
Apparatuses, methods and systems for liquid flow control and beverage preparation are disclosed. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention include liquid flow control and beverage preparation capsules, pods, cartridges, pouches, systems, and modules for controlling and directing flow streams of liquid through a beverage preparation process. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention may be used in combination with or included as an integral assembly of any apparatus, method or system for liquid dispension.
US08468933B2 Device for the preparation of drinks on board an aircraft
A galley drink preparation device (252) for the preparation of drinks on board an aircraft comprises a water supply device (360, 364) and at least one pot (10). In the pot (10) there is provided an inlet opening (40) for supplying water from the water supply device (360, 364) into the pot (10). Furthermore, the pot (10) has a receiving region (12) for receiving the drink to be prepared in the galley drink preparation device (252). Additionally present in the pot (10) is a holding device (22) which is arranged, in relation to a flow direction of the water supplied to the pot (10) by the water supply device (360, 364), downstream of the inlet opening (40) and is adapted to receive a coffee pad (32).
US08468928B2 Soft recoil system
One embodiment of a gun configured with the soft recoil system comprises a plurality of recoiling parts that initially moves in the direction of the projectile being fired before moving in a direction opposite to that of a projectile during the firing of the round. The soft recoil system throttles the movement of the recoiling parts such that the energy expended during the firing of the round is spread over a longer time period and a longer distance than would normally occur. The soft recoil system stores at least a portion of the energy transferred to the recoiling parts and the user may selectively release at least a part of that portion of energy to offset the energy imparted to the gun during the firing of the next round.
US08468925B2 Suicide bomber blast threat mitigation system
A non-lethal, sabot-deployed blast shield mitigates a suicide bomber by wrapping around the bomber and positioning a plurality of protective layers over an explosive device to absorb emitted heat, shock waves, and projectiles if the device is detonated. Stand-offs such as inflatable beams or pillows provide break-away zones between the protective layers, allowing some layers to expand to a point of failure and absorb the maximum possible energy. Inner layers absorb shock waves and heat. One or more outer layers resist projectile penetration. Protective layers can be positioned on opposing sides of a suspect in case two explosive devices are present. Shields can deploy with sufficient energy to knock down a bomber. In embodiments, a plurality of shields can be applied without interference therebetween. In some embodiments, a round shield includes bolas which spread the shield in flight in a cast-net dynamic and wrap around the suspect for shield attachment.
US08468922B2 Rail-guided power tool
A rail-guided power tool (1) has at least one carrying handle (24) and one device head (2) arranged on a guide carriage (12). The guide carriage (12) can be moved by an adjustment mechanism (23) from a locked position—in which the guide carriage (12) is engaged with a guide rail (9) via at least one adjustable guide roller (22)—into a released position—in which the at least one adjustable guide roller (22) is at a distance from the guide rail (9). The power tool (1) also has an unlocking mechanism (25) including an actuator (30), a transmitter (31) and an unlocking device (32), whereby the unlocking mechanism (25) is configured in one piece.
US08468920B2 Blade guide for a device for dispensing of paper sections
A device for the distribution of paper portions has a rotatable roller which is formed with a slot and over which a paper web is guided. A blade which is arranged on at least one carrier movable within the roller and is movable in and out through the slot over a part of the roller rotation. Each carrier is reciprocatable in the slot of the rotating roller and is guided rotationally along a non-circular stationary cam path.
US08468916B2 Biaxial foldout tool with multiple tools on a side and a rotational stop
A biaxial foldout tool includes a body with opposing ends and one or more sets of tool drivers. The opposing ends are rotated 90° from each other. A first set of tool drivers is positioned on/near a first end and rotates about a first hinge; a second set of tool drivers is positioned on/near a second end and rotates about a second hinge. A first portion of the first set opens in a direction counter to an open direction of a second portion of the first set of tool drivers. A first portion of the second set opens in a direction counter to an open direction of a second portion of the second set of tool drivers. When tool drivers are in an open position, internal stops prevent the tool drivers from opening past a predetermined angle. The tool drivers are contained within channels of the body when in a closed position.
US08468913B1 Magnetic bit holder with switch
The disclosure provides devices and methods for magnetizing or demagnetizing a bit inserted in a bit holder without removing the bit from the bit holder. More particularly, the invention includes a bit holder with a cavity containing a magnet. The magnet may be attached to a switch, which allows the magnet to be manually moved within the cavity to an “on” or an “off” position. The bit may be magnetized when the magnet is in the “on” position and demagnetized when the magnet is in the “off” position.
US08468908B2 Industrial robot
A joint of an industrial robot that includes attaching part (23) having positioning member (22) embedded in one or both of two relatively rotating members, and guide (24) through which positioning member (22) projectably slides. Meanwhile, the side of the positioning member is provided thereon with a reservoir groove for a lubricant and a projection position marker for indicating a given projection length. This makeup provides an inexpensive, highly accurate, and extremely trouble-saving origin adjusting device.
US08468903B2 Vehicle transmission
A shifting sleeve for selectively engaging a transmission gear in a vehicle transmission is provided. The transmission gear has at least one opening defined therein. The shifting sleeve comprises at least one tooth for selectively engaging the at least one opening defined in the transmission gear. The at least one tooth extends from the shifting sleeve body and has a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The first portion has a top surface disposed at a first height and the second portion has a top surface disposed at a second height, the first height being greater than the second height. The third portion is disposed between the first and second portions, and has a top surface disposed at an angle and extending between the top surfaces of the first and second portions.
US08468900B2 Pipette tip positioning for manually-directed, multi-channel electronic pipettor
A manually directed, multi-channel electronic pipettor includes a software biasing mode to assure proper alignment over wells in the 96-well plate and the 384-well plate. The system also includes manual repositioning levers for nesting receptacles which are customized for 96 well-plates and 384 well-plates respectively.
US08468896B2 Media cross-sectional and axial bend uniformity tester
A media tester including a test body having an axial bore configured to receive media having a minimum bend radius, an adjustment member connected to the test body, the adjustment member configured for rotation about the axial bore of the test body, and a media engaging member connected to the adjustment member, the media engaging member configured to receive the media.
US08468892B2 Ultrasonic sensor for detecting and/or scanning objects
An ultrasonic sensor for detecting and/or scanning an object includes a substrate and a piezoelectric sensor unit arranged on or at this substrate and/or connected to this substrate. The rear side of the substrate facing away from the piezoelectric sensor unit has a surface structure including a plurality of elevated portions and recesses, with this surface structure being configured so that a diffuse scattering of ultrasonic waves incident on the rear side from the direction of the sensor unit takes place by it; and/or in that its elevated portions and/or recesses have a mean lateral extent in the range of 0.05 μm to 1 mm, preferably from 0.1 μm to 200 μm, preferably from 0.2 μm to 20 μm, and/or a mean lateral extent which is smaller than or equal to the wavelength of an ultrasonic wave which can be produced by the piezoelectric sensor unit.
US08468890B2 Ultrasonic detection device, ultrasonic detection method, and atomic power plant nondestructive inspection method
Provided are an ultrasonic inspection device, an ultrasonic inspection method, and an atomic power plant nondestructive inspection method that are capable of efficiently generating ultrasonic waves having a sufficient intensity and that are capable of carrying out preferable inspection in a wide range. Provided is an ultrasonic inspection device including a laser device that emits output-adjusted laser light and a volumetric inspection ultrasonic-wave transmitting unit having a transmitting diaphragm that generates ultrasonic waves upon being irradiated with the laser light emitted by the laser device, inspection being carried out by radiating the ultrasonic waves generated by the transmitting diaphragm of the volumetric inspection ultrasonic-wave transmitting unit on a structural member, wherein the transmitting diaphragm is formed of titanium.
US08468888B2 MEMS sensor capable of sensing acceleration and pressure
A MEMS sensor capable of sensing acceleration and pressure includes a frame, a proof mass and flexible bridges connected between the frame and the proof mass in such a way that the proof mass is moveably suspended inside the frame. The proof mass is provided with a pressure sensing diaphragm and a sealed chamber corresponding to the diaphragm such that the proof mass is not only served as a moveable sensing element for acceleration measurement but also a pressure sensing element.
US08468883B2 Thermal type flow sensor having a humidity detection portion and an air flow detecting portion
A thermal type fluid flow sensor includes an air flow detecting portion and a temperature detecting portion formed above the same substrate, capable of correcting a humidity, and having a high measuring accuracy at a low cost, and a heat generating resistor, a temperature measuring resistor for the heat detecting resistor, a temperature measuring resistor for detecting an air flow, and a heat generating resistor for detecting a humidity are arranged in a diaphragm formed above a semiconductor substrate, an air cavity layer, and a protecting film above the air cavity layer are formed above the heat generating resistor for detecting the humidity, and the protecting film is provided with plural holes reaching the air cavity layer.
US08468881B1 Brake drum measuring and inspecting device
An apparatus for inspecting brake drums to quickly determine whether the drums pass or fail inspection comprising a housing dimensioned to be inserted between the brake shoes of a wheel and placed on the inner braking surface of a brake drum, whereby a sensor or switch means is utilized to determine whether or not the inner diameter has exceeded the maximum allowable diameter for such drum, and whereby a visual or audible signal is provided to indicated that the drum has passed or failed inspection.
US08468877B2 End cap for a hydraulic fitting
An end cap for an open end of a hydraulic fitting having a peripheral flange can be provided by a threaded ring and a threaded insert. The threaded insert can be rotatably engaged with the threaded ring to move axially back and forth. The threaded insert has a forward end face which can engage the open end of the hydraulic fitting to close the hydraulic fitting end or to couple with it. The threaded ring includes a locking member to embrace and engage the peripheral flange. The end cap can be used to prevent loss of oil from the hydraulic fitting during service of equipment on which the hydraulic fitting is utilized, and for other purposes.
US08468875B1 Pipe leakage detecting system
A pipe leakage detecting system includes a sink mounted on a wall. A plurality of pipes is fluidly coupled to the sink. A housing is mounted on the dwelling wall and is positioned below the pipes. The housing has a bottom wall and a perimeter wall that is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. The perimeter wall has an upper edge defining an opening into the housing. A weight sensor is mounted in the housing. A sound emitter is electrically coupled to the weight sensor and emits an audible sound when the weight sensor detects weight from water falling onto the weight sensor.
US08468869B2 Method for calibrating parameter of articulated coordinate measuring apparatus
A method of calibrating a group of parameters of an articulated coordinate measuring apparatus includes the use of primary and secondary standard units. These standard units each include one or more calibration reference portions, and the group of parameters include primary and secondary calibration parameters. Space coordinates of each reference portion of the primary standard unit is measured at a plurality of arm positions of the apparatus, and calibration is performed for the primary calibration parameters based on the measurements. Space coordinates of the reference portions of secondary standard unit is then measured and parameter calibration is performed for the secondary calibration parameters based on these measurements.
US08468868B1 Bucking bar devices and methods of assembling bucking bar devices
Bucking bar devices, and methods of assembling bucking bars devices, for use in riveting parts together are described. In one example embodiment, the bucking bar device includes a bucking bar and a sleeve positioned so that the bucking bar extends within the sleeve. One end of the sleeve is configured to be positioned adjacent to at least one of the parts.
US08468867B2 Threadrolling machine with device for unloading workpieces
A rolling machine comprises parallel guides delimiting a workpiece conveying channel extending from a plurality of per se known rolling tools to a machined workpiece unloading arrangement, wherein, upstream of the workpiece unloading arrangement, one of the channel delimiting guides is operatively coupled to a structural element swingably supported by a pivot pin, the structural element being integral with the piston rod of a cylinder-piston unit slidably driving the structural element together with the channel delimiting guide, thereby providing a side unloading opening for the workpiece.
US08468866B2 Die cushion device
In the die cushion device, a shock absorber device relieves shock between a cushion pad and a support section. The shock absorber device includes a damping section and an elastic section. The damping section generates reaction force in accordance with the relative speed of the cushion pad with respect to the support section. The elastic section generates reaction force in accordance with the relative displacement of the cushion pad with respect to the support section. The controller section controls a servomotor so that a speed difference between the speed of the slide member and the speed of the support section is set to be a predetermined target speed difference value that changes over time.
US08468864B1 Adjustment mechanism kit and rail structure kit along with methods incorporating the same
An adjustment mechanism kit to convert an existing machine having incumbent, or existing, mechanisms to incorporate replacement or upgraded mechanisms. Depending on the application, it may be necessary to adjust the elevation of the replacement mechanisms in order to accommodate tooling attached (or to be attached) thereto. For example, in the case where the replacement tooling and support bar assembly is taller than the existing, or incumbent, tooling and support bar assembly, the replacement support bar assembly may be mounted at a lower elevation relative to the existing equipment in order to provide clearance to a framework, for instance. As such, the kits include not only the replacement mechanisms but the necessary mounts and adaptors for adjusting the elevation of the mechanisms. Various portions of the kit may be combined and packaged as separate kits.
US08468858B2 Household cleaning appliance with a dispensing system operable between a single use dispensing system and a bulk dispensing system
An apparatus and method for operating a dispensing system as a non-bulk dispensing system or a bulk dispensing system in a household cleaning appliance.
US08468857B2 Apparatus for determining load size in a washing machine
A method for determining the laundry load size according to one embodiment of the invention in an automatic clothes washer comprising supplying water to a reference water level to define a first amount of water, supplying water from the reference water level to a second water level above the reference water level and sufficient to submerge the laundry load to define a second amount of water, and determining a load size for the laundry load based on the second amount of water such that errors associated with the first amount of water are not considered in the load size determination based on the second amount of water.
US08468846B2 Systems and methods for indirect evaporative cooling and for two stage evaporative cooling
Systems and methods for Indirect Evaporative Cooling and for Two Stage Evaporative Cooling for conditioning fluids such as air are disclosed. The Indirect Evaporative Cooling Systems comprise scalable indirect evaporative heat exchangers formed with polymer substrates that have been treated to render one surface substantially hydrophilic while the other is substantially hydrophobic, with channels for passage of primary (cooled) an secondary (cooling) air streams between them. The Two Stage Evaporative Cooling System comprise an indirect evaporation component where the fluid is pre-cooled indirectly with the abovementioned scalable heat exchangers, followed by a direct evaporation stage where the pre-cooled fluid is further cooled directly by adiabatic evaporative cooling. The device employing these systems is scalable, energy-efficient, uses aseptic materials, filters/clean incoming fluids (e.g. air), circulates disinfected evaporating liquid (e.g. disinfected water and has enhanced performance efficiency.
US08468845B2 Geothermal energy system
A geothermal energy system with reverse thermodynamic flow scheme that employs a pump or a compressor in series with a ground heat rejection or a ground heat absorber. The pumped geothermal energy system evaporates and condenses the working fluid at substantially the same pressure in the ground loop. The working fluid could be carbon dioxide, Freon, water or any other suitable refrigerant. The compressive geothermal system condenses the working from a vapor to a liquid above, below, and substantially equal to critical pressure using carbon dioxide as the working fluid.
US08468844B2 Removable air-baffle structure for refrigerated display cases with open shelving
An air baffle structure for refrigerated display cases having an open front and provided with openings at the back for the forwardly directed flow of refrigerated air. The display case has a display bar of non-circular cross section for mounting a plurality of display trays. A baffle support, formed of wire and having a front portion and spaced apart side portions, is mounted on the display bar and extends closely underneath the trays. A flat, plastic baffle plate is carried by the baffle support. The baffle support has rear portions of inverted U-shape engaging the display bar, formed in part by upwardly extending baffle positioning elements. Back edge portions of the baffle plate releasably engage the positioning elements to secure the baffle plate in position while accommodating easy removable and replacement for cleaning. A baffle plate typically will extend under a plurality of display trays positioned on the display bar.
US08468832B2 Combustor, method of supplying fuel to same, and method of modifying same
An object of this invention is to suppress adhesion of a flame to periphery of air hole outlets arranged on an air hole plate. A combustor includes a fuel nozzle for jetting out a fuel into a combustion chamber formed at a downstream side; an air hole plate of a flat-plate shape disposed between the fuel nozzle and the chamber, the air hole plate facing an upstream side of the chamber; and a plurality of air holes provided in the air hole plate, in a circumferential direction relative to a central axis of the air hole plate, such that a fuel flow and an air flow formed at an outer circumferential side of the fuel flow are blown out into the chamber from the respective air holes; wherein a clearance defined between any two circumferentially adjacent air hole inlets provided on a face of the air hole plate that is nearer to the fuel nozzle is wider than a clearance defined between any two circumferentially adjacent air hole outlets formed on a face of the air hole plate that is nearer to the chamber. According to the invention, adhesion of a flame to peripheral sections of the air hole outlets disposed on the air hole plate can be suppressed.
US08468825B1 Method for producing shaft horsepower using waste heat
One or more methods for generating electricity using waste heat are provided herein. The method can include providing an exhaust gas to a first silencing chamber within an inner housing of a heat recovery silencer, flowing the exhaust gas from the first silencing chamber to a second silencing chamber within the inner housing, flowing the exhaust gas from the second silencing chamber to a third silencing chamber within the inner housing and imparting a spiral flow path to the exhaust gas as the exhaust gas enters the third silencing chamber.
US08468824B2 Method of operating a vehicle equipped with a pneumatic booster system
An apparatus and method for improving vehicle performance by application of pneumatic boost to vehicle engines, including diesel engines having at least one turbocharger supplying air to the engine, in a manner which increases engine torque output while minimizing the potential for exceed various operating limits to the maximum practicable extent. The vehicle's pneumatic booster system controller implements strategies for shaping the rate of the air injection during a boost event, tailoring the air injection to obtain maximum engine torque output while respecting the operating limits, by controlling the timing, duration, quantity and/or injection pattern during a boost event to achieve a refined distribution of compressed air injection over the course of the boost event to provide desired engine torque output and fuel efficiency while minimizing the potential for exceeding a wide variety of operation limits, regulatory, engineering and passenger comfort limits.
US08468822B1 Charge preparation system for internal combustion engines
A process and electromechanical system for conditioning the incoming air or air/fuel charge for an internal combustion engine to result in an optimally prepared charge in terms of temperature of the charge and fuel dispersion in the charge. The process includes compressing intake air, bifurcating the compressed intake air stream to provide for heating one branch of the stream while not further purposely heating the other. The process further includes controlling the proportion between the bifurcated stream portions to provide for a desired set point temperature of the combined stream. The process includes selection of the set point temperature such that the temperature of the air is in the vicinity of the fuel self ignition temperature at the end of the compression stroke. Primary components include one or more of an air compressor, heat exchanger, bypass duct, proportioning valve, airflow director, and attendant control system including sensors, processor, and actuator(s).
US08468820B2 Brake actuating unit
Disclosed herein is a method of determining the brake pedal actuation force exerted by a vehicle driver on an actuating pedal in an electrohydraulic brake system which includes a brake master cylinder and an electromechanically driven booster stage connected upstream of the brake master cylinder. The brake pedal actuation force sought is determined according to the formula FPed,Bet=FBet,Hz−FVerst by evaluating output signals of a pressure sensor which detects the pressure induced in the brake master cylinder, and of an auxiliary force determining device which detects the boost force made available by the booster stage.
US08468819B1 Pump and engine configuration
A pump and engine combination having a pair of hydraulic pumps and at least a portion of the engine disposed in a portion of an engine housing that defines a sump, and the hydraulic pumps each have a trunnion that extends out of one of the sidewalls of the sump portion of the engine housing. The trunnions may be detachably connected to swash plate bodies engaged to the pumps in order to facilitate assembly of the combination.
US08468816B2 Hybrid working machine
In a hybrid working machine in which the maximum engine output is set at the average power and the maximum pump input is set to be larger than the maximum engine output in a normal state, in an abnormal state in which the level of charge of a battery decreases and assistance ability of a motor function of a power machine is lost, the minimum pump flow rate is reduced to a value equal to or smaller than a standby flow rate, the standby flow rate being the minimum pump flow rate used in normal state control, and a set value of the maximum pump input is changed such that the maximum pump input is smaller than the maximum engine output.
US08468815B2 Energy storage and generation systems and methods using coupled cylinder assemblies
In various embodiments, cylinder assemblies are coupled in series pneumatically, thereby reducing a range of force produced by or acting on the cylinder assemblies during expansion or compression of a gas.
US08468813B2 Snap-action valve for exhaust system
A muffler for an internal combustion engine exhaust system includes a housing having an inlet and outlet headers enclosing opposite ends of an outer shell. A partition divides a housing interior into first and second chambers, the first chamber having sound absorbing material positioned therein. The partition has an aperture allowing fluid communication between the first and second chambers. A through pipe extends through the inlet and outlet headers and the partition and has a plurality of perforations enabling fluid communication between the through pipe and the first chamber. A valve assembly has a valve flap positioned inside the through pipe for rotation with an axle pivotally coupled to the pipe between a closed position and an open position. The valve is positioned downstream of the pipe perforations such that all of an exhaust gas flowing through the muffler passes through the valve regardless of the valve flap position.
US08468811B2 Thermal diffuser
In a land vehicle of the type having an engine and an exhaust system including an exhaust pipe, a flow diffuser for the exhaust pipe generally includes a substantially tubular body having an outer wall, an interior, and first and second ends, the first end being an exhaust inlet configured to be attachable to an exhaust pipe, the second end being an exhaust discharge portion having an exit plane, a plurality of radial struts extending inwardly from the inner surface of the outer wall to the center of the exit plane for dividing the exhaust discharge portion divided into a plurality of exit channels, and a plurality of air channels extending from the outer wall to the interior of the tubular body configured for delivering air to the interior of the tubular body.
US08468810B2 NOx elimination injector firing control circuit
An NOx injection system for treating a vehicle exhaust system comprises an injector for injecting a select material into the vehicle exhaust system and including an electrical coil. An impedance element is connected in series with a flyback diode across the coil. An injector firing control circuit is electrically connected to the injector for driving the coil, the switching circuit operating in an on mode to fire the injector and in an off mode to turn off the injector. The impedance element increases reverse voltage to increase injector turn off response.
US08468809B2 System and method for removing particulate matter from a diesel particulate filter
A system is provided for removing particulate matter from a particulate filter. The system includes an engine controller coupled to a sensor and an engine, and a locomotive controller coupled to the engine controller. The sensor outputs a first alert signal to the engine controller, including the current load and the loading rate of one or more particulate filter units. The engine controller determines a projected load and projected loading rate of the one or more particulate filter units along a route, and a time gap or distance gap based on a trip plan until the one or more particulate filter units are fully loaded. The engine controller determines a time region or distance region to remove particulate matter from the filter unit.
US08468808B2 Optimization of active regeneration triggers based on ambient and vehicle operating conditions
A method of controlling the regeneration of a particulate filter includes defining a regeneration trigger limit for at least one operating parameter of the vehicle, modifying the regeneration trigger limit based upon a sensed ambient operating condition and a sensed vehicle operating condition to define a modified regeneration trigger limit, and regenerating the particulate filter when the modified regeneration trigger limit for the operating parameter is reached.
US08468803B2 Soot resistant diesel fuel reformer for diesel engine emissions aftertreatment
A soot resistant and efficient diesel fuel reformer for a diesel exhaust aftertreatment system has serially arranged first and second catalyst supports. The first support is nearer the inlet and has a monolith structure that is uniform in the direction of flow. The second support has a modified monolith structure that is non-uniform in the direction of flow. Preferably, the first support has straight channels. Preferably, the second support has internal leading edges spaced periodically through its length to break up the flow. The first support has a catalyst coating comprising at least an oxidation catalyst. The second support has a catalyst coating comprising at least a steam reforming catalyst.
US08468798B2 Process and device for the lambda control of an internal combustion engine with exhaust catalyst
The invention relates to a process for the lambda control of an internal combustion engine with exhaust catalyst, having a lambda probe mounted downstream from the exhaust catalyst as control probe, a probe by means of which a post-catalyst lambda value of an exhaust gas flow leaving the exhaust catalyst is registered. Furthermore, a lambda control mechanism is provided by means of which the post-catalyst lambda value is set to a predetermined value such that a specific, predetermined degree of oxygen charging of an oxygen reservoir of the exhaust catalyst is set, the value predetermined for the degree of charging with oxygen of the oxygen reservoir being predetermined as a function of a predetermined degree of conversion of the exhaust catalyst.
US08468797B2 Gas turbine engine systems and related methods involving vane-blade count ratios greater than unity
An exemplary gas turbine engine includes a turbine section operative to impart rotational energy to a compressor section. The turbine section includes at least a low-pressure turbine and a high-pressure turbine, and a ratio of a number of stages in the low-pressure turbine to a number of stages in the high-pressure turbine is 2.
US08468795B2 Diffuser aspiration for a tip turbine engine
A fan-turbine rotor assembly includes a diffuser section (114) which turns and diffuses the airflow from a radial core airflow passage (80) toward an axial airflow direction. Diffuser flow passages communicate with the diffuser passages (144) at a location which reduces separation of the airflow as the airflow is turned from the radial core airflow passage (80) toward an axial airflow direction through airflow aspiration at the potentially turbulent locations.
US08468794B1 Electric propulsion apparatus
An electric propulsion machine includes an ion thruster having an annular discharge chamber housing an anode having a large surface area. The ion thruster includes flat annular ion optics with a small span to gap ratio. Optionally, a second electric propulsion thruster may be disposed in a cylindrical space disposed within an interior of the annulus.
US08468793B2 Chain comprising links
The present invention relates to a chain comprising a plurality of first links (100) interconnected with a plurality of adjacent links, the first links comprising polymeric multifilament yarns (110) and having a thickness (Formula (I)), at least at the portion where they interconnect with the adjacent links wherein said adjacent links have a thickness (Formula (II)) at least at the portion where they interconnect with the first links and wherein the ratio (Formula (II)/Formula (I)) is at least 1.2. The invention further relates to the use of the chain for storing, securing, and handling cargo, e.g. in lifting, hauling and rigging.
US08468792B2 Fiber guide channel device for an open-end spinning mechanism
A fiber guide channel device for an open-end spinning mechanism with a fiber guide channel body, for fixation in an opening roller housing and having a receiving opening for a fiber guide channel insert in the region of a fiber guide channel entry defining a central fiber guide channel for pneumatically transporting individual fibers combed by an opening roller from a feed sliver to a high speed spinning rotor in a negative pressure rotor housing. The fiber guide channel body (14) is configured of a plastics material and the fiber guide channel insert (27) is manufactured as a sleeve-like annularly-closed component of a highly abrasion-resistant material.
US08468791B2 Texturing machine
A texturing machine is described comprising a plurality of processing points for texturing a plurality of multifilament threads. The texturing machine comprises a plurality of delivery mechanisms per processing point and a texturing system for guiding, drawing and texturing one of the threads. A central heating device is associated with the processing points for thermal treatment of a plurality of threads, wherein the texturing systems within the processing points downstream of the heating device each delimit a texturing distance. In order to treat all threads qualitatively the same, according to the invention the texturing systems of the processing points associated with a thread outlet of the heating device are held in a symmetrical arrangement with respect to the heating device such that the threads within the processing points can be guided in texturing distances of the same length.
US08468781B2 Stacking apparatus and method of multi-layer stacking of objects on a support
A stacking apparatus and method of multi-layer stacking of objects of different sizes on a support to form a stacked support includes providing a support handler. A support is elevated with the support handler and objects of different sizes and shapes are stacked on the support to form a stacked support. A stacked support is removed and an empty support supplied with the support handler. A placeholder is provided above the support handler. The placeholder has a first mode for receiving objects on the placeholder. The placeholder has a second mode for providing access to a support on the support handler. The placeholder is put in the first mode while the support handler removes a stacked support and supplies an empty support. The placeholder is put in the second mode when the support handler is elevating a support being stacked with articles. Objects that have been received on the placeholder during the first mode are deposited from the placeholder to the support when changing the placeholder from the first mode to the second mode.
US08468780B2 Method for creating mailpieces from a single continuous web of printed material
A method for creating mailpieces from a single web of printed material. The web of printed material includes printed matter to be used on envelopes, and other printed matter to be used on mail content to be included in the envelopes. The method starts with cutting consecutive sections of the web into separated sheets. Some of the separated sheets are envelope sheets including envelope printed matter, and some of the sheets are mail content sheets including mail content printed matter. The method includes cutting variable sized sheets depending on whether a sheet is a mail content sheet, or an envelope sheet. The method further includes cutting variable sized envelope sheets depending on the size of the mailpieces.
US08468778B2 Single-hand self-contained cohesive stretch film baggage wrapping device
The invention is a do-it-yourself baggage wrapping, protection, anti-tamper and anti-pilferage device. The all-in-one device consists of the stretch film, a dispenser able to draw, stretch and wrap film up to 12 inches in width, consisting of a stopper-ring secured at the very beginning of the extended core followed by a semi-compressible sleeve with embedded guide rings encircling core extension contoured guide-rings or an anti-clockwise coiled and freely rotating spiral-shape flexible sheet to let freely rotate same when film is being drawn off roll, thus followed by a second stopper-ring secured about one inch from the remote end of core extension. Both stopper-rings are dimensioned to prevent the sleeve from separating from the extension at any position or angle and total spacing between the two is greater than the total length of the sleeve to provide free rotation of latter.
US08468777B2 Tablet filling device
Provided is a tablet filling device capable of continuing an operation without stopping the supply of the tablet container, filling with tablets, etc. even when the prescribed operations cannot be performed at the operating positions. The tablet filling device includes: a tablet supply unit (3) that fills a tablet container (12) with tablets; a carrying member (41) which carries the tablet cassette (12) from the tablet supply unit (3) to a standby position; a container holding member (65) provided at a delivery position and having a plurality of holding parts (67, 68) capable of holding the tablet container (12) according to a difference in outer diameter dimension; and another carrying member (52) which carries the tablet container (12) held by a container holding member (65) to an operating position.
US08468776B2 Flange for wind power generators
In a flange to adapt a wind power generator to a pre-stressed concrete tower, the flange includes an annular tapered pre-stressed concrete shell having a bulging which inwardly protrudes toward a central axis of the flange, and a steel component to be embedded within the pre-stressed concrete shell. The bulging includes a horizontal flat surface for settling the steel component. The steel component includes an annular tapered body having an upper and lower end, a plurality of vertical and radially extended fins joined to an external face of the steel component, a connecting ring joined to the body upper end and including a plurality of holes for introducing bolts to join the wind power generator, and an annular base joined to the body lower end, which is settled on the bulging.
US08468775B2 Moment resistant building column insert system and method
A moment resistant building column insert system is provided that enables the erection of beams to columns, and the installation and pretension of connection bolts possible in a single stop to each beam-column joint in the field. Included is a building column insert with pre-hardened structural filler inside, and a pattern of through-holes transverse to the insert length, where the insert has threaded elements disposed inside and concentric to erection holes in the pattern. The insert is disposed inside a building column. Erection bolts installed to the erection holes to hold the beam in place against the column with the holes in the beam mounting plate, the column and insert aligned. Connection through-bolts are installed and pretensioned to provide the connection strength needed to make a beam-column moment joint rigid. Without the pre-hardened structural filler in the insert the column would deform or crush due to the bolt pretensioning.
US08468772B2 Carpet tiles and carpet tile installations
Certain embodiments utilize carpet tiles of varying sizes and/or shapes that are connected together using connectors to form a carpet tile installation. In some instances, the carpet tiles used in the carpet tile installation have different colors, patterns, shapes, and/or styles. In some embodiments, carpet tiles of a standard size and shape, such as one-half square meter carpet tiles, are partitioned into carpet tile fractions. In certain embodiments, these carpet tile fractions are used in conjunction with larger carpet tiles in a carpet tile installation. In other embodiments, these carpet tile fractions may be connected to other carpet tile fractions to form a combination carpet tile that is then used in a carpet tile installation. Among other things, the use of different sized and/or shaped carpet tiles increases the randomness or diversity and/or improves other aspects of the appearance of the floor coverings formed by the carpet tile installations.
US08468771B2 System and method for floor covering installation
Connectors for joining adjacent modular floor covering units. Embodiments of the connectors include a film and an adhesive layer coated on one side of the film. The connectors can have a conductive component that allows electrical continuity to be maintained between adjacent tiles. In yet another embodiment, the connectors can be equipped as radio frequency identification tags by including radio frequency transponders. To install tiles using the connectors, a first tile is placed on the floor and a connector is positioned so that the adhesive layer faces upward and does not contact the floor. The connector is typically positioned so that only a portion of the adhesive layer adheres to the underside of the tile, leaving the remainder of the connector extending from the underside of the tile. One or more tiles are then positioned adjacent the first tile so that a portion of the connector adheres to the adjacent tiles. In this way, the connectors span adjacent tile edges. The tiles are assembled on an underlying flooring surface without the need to attach them to the floor surface. Rather, the tiles are linked to each other with the connectors, so that the tiles create a floor covering that “floats” on the underlying floor surface. Additionally, the tiles need not be installed directly on the floor surface. Rather, an underlayment, such as a film or cushion or cushion composite, may be positioned on the floor surface prior to the installation of tiles.
US08468767B1 Wall panel system and method of assembling the same
A wall panel system includes a first wall panel and a second wall panel. The first wall panel has a first groove extending along a first end portion and a second groove extending along a second end portion. The second wall panel has a third groove extending along a third end portion. The wall panel system further includes a spline including first and second spline tongues, wherein the first spline tongue is mateable with the first groove and the second spline tongue is mateable with the third groove.
US08468764B2 Load bearing wall formwork system and method
A load bearing wall formwork system and method are disclosed. The load bearing wall formwork system comprises a unique clip assembly for joining two or more substantially planar structures, such as a wall panel, in a spaced apart manner and providing a space there between for placement of a flowable material. The clip assembly comprises a first clip member having a first side for attachment to the wall panel, a second side and an opening positioned between the first and second sides, as well as a second clip member, engageable with the first clip member, having a first side for attachment to a second wall panel, a second side and an opening positioned between the first and second sides. The openings provided in the first and second clip members are aligned when the clip members are engaged. A connecting member is insertable into the aligned openings of the first and second clip members, connecting the first and second clip members together. A wall formed by the foregoing components and a method of assembling a wall formwork are also disclosed.
US08468761B2 Insulated concrete form
An apparatus for a concrete form of an insulated wall has opposed, spaced apart and parallel wall panels, each having an inner surface, upper edge surface and a lower edge surface. Plural retainers are secured within each of the panels at spaced apart intervals, each retainer including a connecting portion extending outwardly from the inner surface of each panel, and an anchoring portion. The anchoring portion includes a framework disposed within the panels, an upper connector extending upwardly from each panel's upper edge surface and a lower connector extending downwardly from each panel's lower edge surface. The upper and lower connectors respectively engage upper and lower connectors of the next vertically adjacent panel to securely attach the panels together. Plural cross webs extends between the panels to tie them together, the cross webs being connection to the connecting portions of opposed retainers in the panels.
US08468754B2 Shingled roof with integrated photovoltaic collectors
A solar insert for shingled roofs includes an insert with a generally wedge-shaped body designed to be installed beneath a shingle and a face that is exposed and extends along a lower edge of the shingle. The face preferably is angled with respect to the shingle and a solar collector in the form of a thin-film solar strip is mounted to and extends along the face. The inserts of multiple shingles are electrically coupled together to form an electrical grid for aggregating the electrical energy of the individual solar collectors and delivering it to a remote location for storage or use. In a second embodiment, a shingle has a solar collector strip mounted to its surface extending along a forward edge of the shingle, and in another, the solar collector surrounds the tabs of their shingles. The solar collectors not only generate electrical energy from the sun; they also enhance the appearance of a shingled roof by providing a look of increased thickness and texture.
US08468748B2 Sliding door system for a vehicle in particular for a motor vehicle with an energy supply guide chain
A sliding door system having a sliding door for being moved between a closed position and an open position, and an energy guide chain connected on one end to the sliding door and on the other end to a chassis of the vehicle. Electrical lines are disposed in and guided by the energy guide chain for transmitting electricity to components arranged in the sliding door. A curved region is formed between the ends of the energy guide chain, which moves with the sliding door and changes its radii of curvature depending on the position of the sliding door.
US08468743B2 Baby gate operable hands free by designated persons
A baby gate assembly which opens automatically only when detecting a designated person, by IR detection, RFID tagging or voice recognition. One or more IR detectors are mounted on a telescopic mast, enabling designation by height selection and the sensed signal compared with a datum or another IR facing in an opposite direct to provide signal operating reversible stepping motor to unlatch the gate. The control circuitry maintains the gate unlatched for sufficient time for the designated person to push open and walk through the gate in a hands free operation. A pedal release mechanism is also enabling unlatching during a power cut. The automatic and pedal unlatching mechanisms are linked for lost motion permitting independent operation.
US08468742B2 Planter
A planter having a body (1) suitable for receiving a volume of plant growth medium and the root structure of a plant (2), the planter having a lower opening (4), a retainer (6) which can removably engage the lower opening to reduce the effective size of the lower opening, and a reservoir (9) suitable for holding a body of fluid (10) such that the fluid can gradually move from the reservoir into the planter's body to water and/or nourish a plant when planted within the planter, the planter being formed such that when it is in use it can be secured in an elevated disposition with the root structure of a plant contained within the body and a stem and/or foliage of the plant passing through the lower opening (4) and through the retainer (6) such that the plant is oriented in a downwards disposition.
US08468737B2 Motion inducing member on fishing tackle
An apparatus for attracting fish including a fin that imparts motion to the tackle when the tackle is deployed and moves relative to water. A weighted body having a cabochon shape includes a fin member that extends past the body. The fin member includes an attachment portion and a fin that has a non-planar configuration. The attachment portion is secured to a flat surface of the body. In one embodiment the fin extends forward and forms an obtuse angle relative to the attachment portion. In another embodiment the fin has two members disposed laterally on opposite sides of the body. The fins are blades that cause the body to spin or rotate when moved relative to the water. In yet another embodiment the fin extends forward and aft relative to the body, and the fin has openings for connecting lines and hooks, thereby replacing the eyelet of other embodiments.
US08468733B2 Accessory rails with slot adapters and mechanisms of use
Accessory rails with slot adapters and mechanisms of use are disclosed. The accessory rail is mountable on a primary device, such as a firearm, for releasably attaching an auxiliary device directly to the accessory rail. The accessory rail generally includes a rail body and at least one slot adapter, which is integrally formed within the rail body, for receiving attachment means of the auxiliary device.
US08468720B2 Midsole element for an article of footwear
An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a midsole element that defines a void, and the void may extend substantially vertically through a central area of the midsole element. The void may also extend between an upper surface and a lower surface of the midsole element to define an interior surface. A plurality of bores are also defined in the midsole element. The bores may extend substantially horizontally through the midsole element, and the bores may extend between an exterior surface of the midsole element and the void.
US08468719B2 Transparent outsole with visible artwork
An article of footwear comprising an upper portion, an outsole portion disposed opposite the upper portion, and a midsole portion disposed intermediate the upper portion and the outsole portion, the midsole portion connected to the upper portion; and a sole artwork portion disposed intermediate the midsole portion and the outsole portion and connected to the midsole portion, the outsole portion configured and dimensioned to allow the sole artwork portion to be visible through a portion of the outsole portion, and a method for making the same.
US08468717B2 Method to detect an end of cycle in a clothes dryer
A method for determining an end of cycle in a clothes dryer having a drying chamber with an air inlet, an air outlet and operable according to a predetermined cycle of operation.
US08468711B2 Clothes dryer
Disclosed is a clothes dryer, comprising: a body; a drum rotatably installed at the body; a duct for guiding air exhausted from the drum; and a filter assembly for filtering lint included in the air exhausted from the drum. The filter assembly includes a lint filter and a cover filter, and a lint collector encompassed by the lint filter and the cover filter. The clothes dryer includes sensing means for sensing whether the lint filter has been mounted to a precise position or not. The sensing means consists of a magnet mounted to a mesh frame of the lint filter, and a reed switch mounted to a cover guide.
US08468709B2 Quick composite repair template tool and method
A composite repair template tool includes a tool body, a convex radius edge on the tool body and a concave radius edge on the tool body.
US08468707B2 Polycrystalline diamond elements having convex surfaces
A diamond element (10) having a convex surface is disclosed, the convex surface including a spherical segment for which the maximum peak to valley deviation from a perfect spherical surface is less than about 5 μm. The diamond element (10) may be a solid polycrystalline diamond material and/or may comprise base material which is coated with diamond. Alternatively or in addition, the RMS deviation from a perfect spherical surface may be less than about 500 nm, or the RMS roughness less than about 30 nm. A diamond element (10) with a radius of curvature less than about 20 mm is also disclosed. In one aspect a diamond element (10) having a conical half-angle greater than about 10° is described. Diamond elements (10) of this type are intended for use as metrology tips.
US08468702B2 Utility knife
A knife has a pair of housing parts relatively shiftable between an open position and a closed position and a base on one of the housing parts forming a blade seat. A holding arm mounted on the base is movable relative thereto between a blade-holding position retaining a blade in the seat and a blade-change position freeing the blade so that in the blade-change position the blade can be switched. Interengaging formations on the other housing part and on the arm shift the holding arm from the blade-holding position into the blade-change position on movement of the housing parts from the closed position into the open position.
US08468692B2 Method of manufacturing a variable resistance memory device
A variable resistance memory device has memory cells that are operated by Joule's heat and which are highly thermally efficient. Conductive patterns are formed on a substrate; sacrificial patterns exposing a portion of the top surface of each of the conductive patterns are formed on the conductive patterns, lower electrodes are formed by etching upper portions of the conductive patterns using the sacrificial patterns as an etching mask, then mold patterns are formed on the lower electrodes and cover exposed sidewall surfaces of the sacrificial patterns, and then the sacrificial patterns are replaced with variable resistance patterns.
US08468684B2 Method and apparatus for magnetizing a permanent magnet
A magnetizing coil unit and a method of making a magnetizing coil unit is provided. The coil includes a solenoid coil having a coiled copper sheet in which the width of the copper sheet is equal to the height of the solenoid coil. A magnetizing assembly includes a plurality of magnetizing coil units.
US08468667B2 Device for compressing a stent
The present disclosure relates to a device for compressing a stent or a stent with a prosthetic heart valve affixed thereto, as well as a method for loading a stent into a medical delivery system. The device may comprise a compressing mechanism designed so as to exert a compressive force in radial direction on at least parts of a stent accommodated within the compressing mechanism such that the cross-section of the stent is reduced to a predefinable value at least at certain areas. The device may further comprise a manipulating mechanism moveable relative to the compressing mechanism for moving at least one clamping means in the radial direction in order to adjust the internal cross-sectional diameter of the compressing mechanism.
US08468665B2 Methods for making capacitive microphone
A method of manufacturing a capacitive microphone comprises providing a substrate having at least one cavity. The method further comprises forming a backplate on the substrate, wherein the backplate has a plurality of holes, and forming a diaphragm on the backplate, wherein there are a first distance and a second distance between the diaphragm and the backplate. The method still further comprises forming an air gap between the backplate and the diaphragm through the first distance, and fastening the diaphragm to the backplate through the second distance.
US08468661B2 Latch for casket lid
A pin latch assembly for releasably securing a casket lid in a closed position includes a latch housing and inner latch member disposed along a side wall of the casket, and a pin member projecting from the casket lid. The latch housing and inner latch member each include a respective bore or through-hole for receiving the pin member when the lid is closed. The inner latch member is movable within the latch housing between a pin-engaging position and a pin-disengaging position.
US08468660B2 Ejector mechanism for rotary buckle assembly
A rotary buckle assembly for a harness. The assembly is adapted to selectively secure or eject the tongue plates for the straps of the harness. Although the invention finds particular application for use with a five point harness, it can be adapted for use with other harness arrangements.
US08468657B2 Reel based lacing system
A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.
US08468656B2 Concealed casement window hinge with roller and integral shipping block
A hinge for a hingedly movable sash in a window having a frame, including a track assembly having a track and a shoe engageable with the track and reciprocally movable along the track. The shoe presents a first rolling member at a first portion thereof and a bearing portion at a second portion. The shoe is shiftable between a window closed configuration in which the bearing portion contacts the track and transmits loads from the track to the sash arm and a window moving configuration in which the rolling member contacts the track and transmits loads from the track to the sash arm and rolls along the track as the shoe translates along the track.
US08468645B2 Cleaning robot having exhaust air feedback function
A cleaning robot having an exhaust air feedback function can utilize the vacuum suction force generated by a suction motor as well as spray exhaust air onto the surface to be cleaned by circulating the air using the suction motor, thereby improving foreign material removal efficiency. The cleaning robot includes a suction unit, a suction motor for drawing in foreign materials from the surface to be cleaned, along with air, through the suction unit, a dust collector for capturing the foreign materials, so that the air is exhausted through the suction motor, and an exhaust air feedback unit for feeding the air. The cleaning robot also includes a spray nozzle unit inserted into the suction unit and placed on the leading end of the suction unit, the spray nozzle unit spraying the air fed by the exhaust air feedback unit, to the surface to be cleaned.
US08468641B2 Wiper coupler and wiper assembly incorporating same
The present invention relates to a wiper coupler and wiper assembly that includes a wiping element and a tournament-style superstructure to support the wiping element. The wiper assembly further includes a wiper coupler that releasably attaches the superstructure to a wiper arm attachment member. The wiper coupler includes a pair of sidewalls each having a flange to engage a portion of the guides of the attachment member and further includes an elevated platform and a deck each disposed between the sidewalls. The deck and a portion of the sidewalls define a rest to receive the track of the attachment member. The wiper coupler further includes an aperture between the elevated platform and the deck. The aperture receives a portion of the bent tab of the attachment member to facilitate attachment between the superstructure and the attachment member conventionally employed for use with a beam blade-style wiper assembly.
US08468638B2 Musical apparatus
One or more embodiments of the present invention pertain to a toothbrush. The toothbrush includes a head comprising bristles and a body operatively connected to the head including two buttons configured to cause the toothbrush to play at least two different audio when pressed. The toothbrush also includes a lower body operatively connected to the body.
US08468637B2 Mechanically-actuated endotracheal tube cleaning device
Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for the cleaning of an endotracheal tube while a patient is being supported by a ventilator connected to the endotracheal tube for the purpose of increasing the available space for airflow or to prevent the build up of materials that may constrict airflow or be a potential nidus for infection. In one embodiment, a mechanically-actuated endotracheal tube cleaning device is configured to removably receive a visualization member to provide cleaning of the endotracheal tube under direct visualization.
US08468631B2 Method for controlling a laundry treating appliance based on a floor parameter
A method for controlling the operation of a laundry treating appliance resting on a floor and having a rotatable drum defining a treating chamber that includes creating an imbalance in the drum, rotating the drum at least one predetermined speed, determining an out of balance parameter, determining a floor parameter of the floor based on the out of balance parameter, and setting at least one operating parameter based on the floor parameter.
US08468629B2 Infant support device
An infant holding device, including an infant holding portion, including a ductile sheet covered with infant-compatible material and a stand portion, adapted to support the infant holding portion in a vertically diagonal position, so that the infant holding portion thereby has a top and a bottom. In one preferred embodiment the ductile sheet is made of aluminum.
US08468627B2 Elongated angular multiple position body pillow
An elongated angular multiple position body pillow embodying an enlarged center section having a curved top portion and a substantially straight base, two arms extending longitudinally from the center section and at an adjustable angle thereto, the terminal ends of each arm being provided with one half of a fabric tie which fabric ties, when brought into contact with one another, cause the pillow to be temporarily fixed in a semi-toroidal shape, the elongated angular multiple position body pillow being adapted to support a user when the user is lying on her side, in a seated position, reclining with her back elevated, or nursing an infant.
US08468622B2 Portable six-bar apparatus for lifting, lowering and self-propelled transit
Disclosed herein is a portable lifting apparatus that includes an actuator and a lifting mechanism, which includes a parallel bar, a first coupler, a second coupler, a first rocker, a second rocker, and a frame that are each rotatably connected, so that operation of the actuator moves the parallel bar in a J-shaped path while maintaining a constant orientation of the parallel bar.
US08468621B2 Adjustable furniture product with automatically-inflating mattress
A furniture product includes a folding mechanism that folds into a seat frame. The folding mechanism includes a rear section, a middle section, and a front section, with the rear and middle sections being received in a cavity in the back of the seat frame when the product is in a stowed, seating position. Upon receiving a user input, a position motor deploys the folding mechanism into a sleeping position. Upon achieving the sleeping position, an inflation switch is engaged. An air pump disposed in or near the furniture product is activated in response to engagement of the inflation switch. To return the product to a stowed, seating position, a user input causes the air pump to deflate the mattress and the position motor to fold the folding mechanism into the seat frame.
US08468619B2 Open/close device of a washing tank drain system
A open/close device of washing tank drain comprises an open/close controller having a sliding shaft and a fixed sleeve, a drain plug mechanism with an open/close function mechanism, and a connecting cable between the open/close controller and the open/close function mechanism. The open/close controller has a retaining hook to be connected with the sliding shaft. A first stop position and a second stop position, which are moveably connected with the retaining hook, are set on the surface of the sliding shaft, at different height, and the first one being closer to the head of the sliding shaft than the second one. The sliding shaft is provided with a first one-way slideway and a second one-way slideway. The open/close controller also has a spring for applying a force to the sliding shaft along the direction from the head to the tail of the sliding shaft. One end of the connecting cable is connected with the sliding shaft.
US08468613B2 Modular neck protection device
The invention further provides a device to protect the neck and the base of the skull of a person, the device comprises an impact-resistant substrate and a helmet. The impact-resistant pliable substrate is adapted to encircle an extended portion of the person's neck and lower cranium. The helmet is configured to cover the skull of the person, except for the occipital region of the skull. The helmet is adapted to receive the first impact-resistant pliable substrate such that the substrate substantially covers the occipital region of the skull and cervical vertebra of wearer.
US08468612B1 Scarf system with sleeve pockets
The present invention is a “Scarfie” or scarf with sleeves, which allows a person to wear it in place of a jacket, and would not have to take it off and carry it around when the environment turns warm. The present scarf has sleeves at the ends of the scarf for inserting arms and hugging themselves to keep warm when the weather turns cooler.
US08474061B2 Production scale fabrication method for high resolution AFM tips
A method of fabricating high resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) tips including a single semiconductor nanowire grown at an apex of a semiconductor pyramid of each AFM tip is provided. The semiconductor nanowire that is grown has a controllable diameter and a high aspect ratio, without significant tapering from the tip of the semiconductor nanowire to its base. The method includes providing an AFM probe including a semiconductor cantilever having a semiconductor pyramid extending upward from a surface of said semiconductor cantilever. The semiconductor pyramid has an apex. A patterned oxide layer is formed on the AFM probe. The patterned oxide layer has an opening that exposes the apex of the semiconductor pyramid. A single semiconductor nanowire is grown on the exposed apex of the semiconductor pyramid utilizing a non-oxidized Al seed material as a catalyst for nanowire growth.
US08474053B2 Data security in a multi-nodal environment
A data security manager in a multi-nodal environment enforces processing constraints stored as security relationships that control how different pieces of a multi-nodal application (called execution units) are allowed to execute to insure data security. The security manager preferably checks the security relationships for security violations when new execution units start execution, when data moves to or from an execution unit, and when an execution unit requests external services. Where the security manager determines there is a security violation based on the security relationships, the security manager may move, delay or kill an execution unit to maintain data security.
US08474050B2 System and apparatus for transferring data between communication elements
A system and apparatus for transferring data between communication elements is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller element to receive data from a web server to update one or more entries of an identity module coupled to the controller element. The data can be retrieved by the web server from a second communication device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08474048B2 Website content regulation
A method of facilitating the scanning of web pages for suspect and/or malicious hyperlinks that includes receiving at a content hosting website, user generated content. A web page or web page containing said content is then generated and, in the web page source code is included a detection code segment or a link from which a detection code segment can be downloaded. The detection code segment is executable by a web browser or web browser plug-in to scan the web page(s), or cause the web page(s) to be scanned, for suspect and/or malicious links.
US08474045B2 Method of detecting program attacks
A program data attack is detected during execution of an algorithm performed by an embedded system. The algorithm uses program data stored in the embedded system. The detection is performed by asserting a detection command signal, initializing a calculation register with a calculation result in response to assertion of the detection command signal, wherein the calculation result is produced by execution of the algorithm using the program data, and comparing the calculation result stored in the calculation register with a reference value included in the program data, wherein the reference value is a value of the calculation result expected to be obtained when the program data is not attacked from outside.
US08474034B2 Method and apparatus for fast check and update of anti-replay window without bit-shifting in internet protocol security
An apparatus comprising a processor configured to implement an anti-replay check for a plurality of received packets and a plurality of corresponding sequence numbers; and a circular buffer coupled to the processor and comprising a bitmap, wherein the bitmap is slided in a circular manner by updating a low index that points to a first sequence number for a first received packet and a high index that points to a last sequence number for a last received packet without bit-shifting, and wherein, when the update results in the new value of one of the low index and the high index exceeding the end of the circular buffer, the one of the low index and the high index wraps around from the beginning of the circular buffer.
US08474033B2 Computer or microchip with a master controller connected by a secure control bus to networked microprocessors or cores
A computer or microchip configured to be securely controlled through a secure control bus, including through a private network. The computer or microchip includes a secure private unit protected by an inner hardware-based access barrier or firewall; an unprotected public unit including at least one network connection configured to connect to a network; a separate private network connection located in the secure private unit; a microprocessor, core or processing unit configured for general purposes located in the unprotected public unit and separate from the access barrier or firewall; a secure control bus isolated from input from both the network and components of the unprotected public unit; and a master controlling device in the private unit being configured for securely controlling an operation executed by the microprocessor, core or processing unit via a connection to the secure control bus, including through the separate private network to the separate private network connection.
US08474032B2 Firewall+ storage apparatus, method and system
A storage firewall architecture, method and system that works in parallel with existing security technologies and, inter alia, provides application software authentication, user authentication & authorization in the execution of an application, examination, verification, and authentication of all storage access requests, monitoring of protected storage to detect & repair anomalous changes, encryption of protected storage, both data and software, provisioning (deployment) of patches, configuration changes, and software through a secure synchronization link to a configuration and patch management server, and server-based system administration & configuration to prevent malware from penetrating local configuration mechanisms.
US08474031B2 Access control method and apparatus
A method of controlling access to computing resources, comprising providing a first computing device with access to a database containing data indicative of computing resources access to which is controlled by the first computing device and a minimum security capability that a second computing device must possess to access the respective resources, assigning the second computing device a security capability, providing the second computing device with data indicative of the security capability, configuring the first computing device to respond to data indicative of the security capability and data indicative of a desired access from the second computing device by ascertaining the minimum required security capability corresponding to the desired access and by comparing the minimum required security capability with the security capability of the second computing device, and providing the desired access if the security capability of the second computing device meets the minimum security capability for the desired access.
US08474029B2 Method and system of user authentication using a portable authenticator
Systems and methods are provided for facilitating access to an electronic device. Password information is stored on the electronic device, and on a portable authenticator. When a user attempts to access the electronic device, the user is prompted to enter a password at the electronic device. The portable authenticator determines the validity of the entered password. The electronic device receives the results of the validity determination from the portable authenticator, and provides access to the electronic device based on the received validity determination.
US08474026B2 Realization of access control conditions as boolean expressions in credential authentications
A method, reader, and system are provided for performing group authentication processes. In particular, a group access decision can be made upon the analysis of a group rule. The group rule may contain a Boolean expression including one or more Boolean conditions. If an appropriate group of credentials are presented to a reader such that the Boolean expression is satisfied, then the group of credentials and the holders thereof are allowed access to a protected asset.
US08474024B2 Method and device for playing back media data with limited control
A method and apparatus for restricting a control operation with respect to reproduction of media data so as to commercially implement consumption of the media data, the method and apparatus including: restricting the control operation with respect to reproduction of the media data by using a predetermined Application Programming Interface (API); and reproducing the media data received from a media server, according to the restricted control operation.
US08474013B2 Securely managing password access to a computer system
A method, system or computer usable program product for providing initial access Lo the computer system in response to a user providing a first password, and upon detecting a condition meeting a predetermined criteria, providing subsequent access to the computer system in response to the user providing a second password wherein the first password has stronger security than the second password.
US08474010B2 System and method for facilitating the transfer of information relating to quality of an organization
A system and method transfers information relating to quality or standards of an organization from a server to a wireless handheld computing device and from the wireless handheld computing device to the server in real-time or near real-time. Each member of an organization can have the same policies and procedures as soon as any of the policies and procedures are updated. The inventive system can allow an organization to also measure compliance and conformance with the distributed policies and procedures. With the handheld computing devices, each member of an organization can complete tests that are closely tied to the distributed policies and procedures. The results of these tests can be transmitted in real-time or near real-time from the handheld computing devices to a central computer server so that an organization can track current performance of all its members relative to the policies and procedures and relative to each other.
US08474009B2 Dynamic service access
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to authenticate a desktop client to an identity service (IS), to receive a request, from an application, at the IS via the desktop client for a virtual service internet protocol (IP) address associated with a service. The IS may operate to build a routing token that includes an original physical IP address associated with the service when a policy associated with the IS permits access to the service by a user identity associated with the desktop client. After the routing token is validated, the application may be connected to the service via the desktop client. The application may comprise an e-mail application or a remote control application, such as a virtual network computing (VNC) application. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08474006B2 Retrospective policy safety net
These and other objectives are attained with a method and system for evaluating an access policy change. The method comprises the step of providing an access control mechanism having a first policy, and an audit log having entries of accesses made under that first policy. The method comprises the further steps of submitting a second policy to the access control mechanism, comparing the log entries to the second policy, and based on the results of the comparing step, taking one of a predetermined number of actions.
US08473999B2 Method and apparatus for providing a picture in picture service
A method of forming a picture in picture (PIP) service over an internet protocol (IP) transmission to one or more users, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a request for a PIP channel comprising a first predetermined channel superimposed with a second predetermined channel; determining if the PIP channel already exists; forming the PIP channel if it does not already exist; and transmitting the PIP channel on a dedicated channel to any users who have requested that PIP channel.
US08473997B2 Channel changing method, apparatus, and system
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a channel changing method, apparatus, and system. A network side device records in real time a timestamp of a media packet of a multicast media stream which enters a buffer, and a key frame which enters the buffer; when a terminal's channel changing request has been detected, obtains a first timestamp of a media packet which enters the buffer at a channel changing request moment, and a second timestamp of a media packet in which a key frame which is of the target channel and is the last to enter the buffer is located in the media packet; determines a timestamp difference between the first timestamp and the second timestamp; and transmits the timestamp difference and a burst media stream of the target channel to the terminal. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a delay in playing the multicast media stream by the terminal is reduced.
US08473990B2 System and method for local broadcasting
A video controller broadcasts input video through a premises media, such as a coaxial cable to one or more premises televisions or television channels. When a PC provides the input video, a mode change may occur to direct the video to the PC monitor or to the broadcast output. The video resolution of the PC is set to provide a desired digital television resolution with broadcast video. An audio driver may be used to provide USB audio output from the PC. When the PC monitor or broadcast output is selected for video output, the non-selected output is disabled or provided with a video indication that another video output is active. An EDID can be captured from the PC or PC monitor to assist with mode changes and setting PC video resolution. The input video may be provided directly from a digital video source and broadcast to selected televisions or channels.
US08473989B2 Enabling white space networks independent of low-threshold sensing
Described is a technology by which a remote or local geo-location service provides white space information that one or more client devices and/or base stations may use to determine which white spaces are available for use, e.g., for wireless networking. Because of the information, low-threshold sensing is not needed by the client devices and/or base stations to know which white spaces are available. The service computes the available white spaces for a given location based upon television transmitter parameters, elevation data, and information received regarding any operational wireless microphones.
US08473986B2 Electronic program guide
An apparatus 100 and method is provided for generating an EPG. The apparatus 100 is configured to output data to generate an EPG in which upcoming programs are shown as tiles with a uniform size, regardless of the duration of the program or how much of the program has elapsed. The EPG also has a highlighted portion that is associated with a particular channel at any given time. When a command is received to move forwards or backwards through the EPG, data is output to move the highlighted portion of the EPG in the corresponding direction. The tiles representing programs in the EPG are also shifted so as to be based on the start time of the next or previous (depending on the user input) program on the channel associated with the highlighted portion.
US08473985B2 Mobile terminal and method of managing broadcasting service information using digital broadcast reception function
A mobile terminal having a digital broadcast reception function is provided. The mobile terminal includes a digital broadcast reception unit receiving one or more digital broadcasting service information having different broadcasting modes via different paths; a memory storing the digital broadcasting service information received via the digital broadcast reception unit and a metadata interface for mapping the digital broadcasting service information according to semantics; a control unit extracting the digital broadcasting service information from the memory using the metadata interface and generating a control signal for displaying the extracted result in a form that can be recognized by a user; and a display unit displaying the extracted result according to the control signal from the control unit.
US08473979B2 Systems and methods for graphical adjustment of an electronic program guide
Systems and methods provide for displaying an electronic program guide (EPG) on a display generated by a set top box (STB) or other television receiver. The electronic program guide is presented in at least a portion of the display. A resize indicator is also provided on the display so that viewer inputs corresponding to the resize indicator can be received. The size of the electronic program guide presented on the display can be adjusted in response to the viewer input corresponding to the resize indicator.
US08473978B2 Channel navigation
Systems and methods may include providing, to a user device, first content corresponding to a first channel of a plurality of channels; receiving, from the user device or a device associated with the user device, selection of a second channel, of the plurality of channels, when advertising content is present in the first content; providing, to the user device and responsive to the selection, second content corresponding to the second channel; identifying a conclusion of the advertising content; and generating a notification indicative of the conclusion of the advertising content.
US08473972B2 Optical pickup and drive apparatus
An optical pickup includes a lens holder; an objective lens provided on the lens holder and having an effective region for collecting light from a light source and an edge located outer to the effective region; and a lens protector provided on the lens holder. The lens protector protrudes toward an optical disc more than the objective lens. The edge of the objective lens includes a convexed portion protruding toward the optical disc. An apex of the effective region of the objective lens protrudes toward the optical disc more than the convexed portion of the edge. A straight line connecting a part of the edge of the objective lens and a part of the lens protector is closer to the optical disc than the apex of the effective region of the objective lens.
US08473971B2 Type inference and type-directed late binding
Systems and methods that enhance and balance a late binding and an early binding in a programming language, via supplying an option component to opt-in (or opt-out) late binding, and wherein a late binding is triggered based on a static type for the variable (e.g., object or a type/string.) Additionally, the variable is enabled to have different static types at different regions (e.g., a program fragment) of the programming language.
US08473967B2 Systems and methods for providing a client-side application programming interface to access a networked telecommunication resource
The present application is directed towards systems and methods for interfacing a network-agnostic application to a networked telecommunication resource. An agent executing on a client receives a request from an application in the form of an API function call and establishes a connection to a networked telecommunications resource. The agent handles network processing of the request, a response or responses, and asynchronous events, and translates them into corresponding API callbacks for use by the application.
US08473966B2 Iterative exchange communication
An inter-processor communication approach is applicable to a message passing pattern called iterative exchange. In such patterns, two processors exchange messages, then perform a computation, and then this process is repeated. If two sets of send and receive buffers are used, then it is possible to guarantee that a receive buffer on the receiver's side is always available to receive the message. A message passing system controls which buffers are used for sending and receiving. These buffers are registered beforehand, thereby avoiding repeated registration at the time messages are sent. The sender is initially informed of all the possible receive buffers that the receiver will use, and the sender then uses these receive buffers alternately. Examples of this approach can avoid the use of multiple-step rendezvous protocols, memory copies, and memory registrations when a message needs to be sent.
US08473962B2 Service selection for composite services
A system for selecting services that are used for a composite service, may include an accessing unit and a processing unit. The accessing unit may be configured to access: tasks of the composite service, transactional requirements of the tasks, services that are configured to fulfill the tasks, and transactional properties of the services. The processing unit may be configured to: compute conditions for services that are configured to fulfill a task and select a service configured to fulfill the task and having transactional properties that fulfill the conditions, wherein the conditions are computed using data comprising the transactional requirements of the tasks.
US08473960B2 Vector throttling to control resource use in computer systems
Embodiments are provided for managing the system performance of resources performing tasks in response to task requests from tenants. In one aspect, a system that comprises at least one resource configured to perform at least one admitted task with an impact under the control of a computer system. The computer system provides services to more than one tenant. The computer system comprises a strategist configured to assess the impact of the admitted task to create a cost function vector containing multiple cost function specifications and a budget policy vector containing multiple budget policies and an actuator. The actuator receives the cost function vector and the budget policy vector from the strategist, receives a task request one of the more than one tenants, and calculates cost functions based upon the cost function vector to predict the impact of the task request on the resources for each of the task requests. The actuator throttles the task requests based upon the budget policies for the impact on the resources to create at least one of the admitted task performed by the resource and a delayed task request.
US08473959B2 Methods and apparatus related to migration of customer resources to virtual resources within a data center environment
In one embodiment, a processor-readable medium can be configured to store code representing instructions to be executed by a processor. The code can include code to receive an indicator that a set of virtual resources has been identified for quarantine at a portion of a data center. The code can also include code to execute, during at least a portion of a quarantine time period, at least a portion of a virtual resource from the set of virtual resources at a quarantined portion of hardware of the data center that is dedicated to execute the set of virtual resources in response to the indicator and not execute virtual resources associated with non-quarantine operation.
US08473958B2 Adjusting client display devices based on settings included in a notification from remote virtual machine host prior to connection establishment
A method and system for display device configuration in a VM environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes determining one or more display devices of a client and transmitting client display information to a host running one or more VMs. Further, a notification is received by the client from the host indicating that display settings of the VM were configured based on the client display information.
US08473950B2 Parallel nested transactions
A system for managing transactions, including a first reference cell associated with a starting value for a first variable, a first thread having an outer atomic transaction including a first instruction to write a first value to the first variable, a second thread, executing in parallel with the first thread, having an inner atomic transaction including a second instruction to write a second value to the first variable, where the inner atomic transaction is nested within the outer atomic transaction, a first value node created by the outer atomic transaction and storing the first value in response to execution of the first instruction, and a second value node created by the inner atomic transaction, storing the second value in response to execution of the second instruction, and having a previous node pointer referencing the first value node.
US08473947B2 Method for configuring a physical adapter with virtual function (VF) and physical function (PF) for controlling address translation between virtual disks and physical storage regions
A method is provided for use in a system that includes a host computing machine configured to implement a virtualization intermediary and that includes a physical storage adapter, the configures a virtual machine (VM) and a virtual function (VF) to support IO operations to physical storage through a direct IOV path to the VF of the physical storage adapter, the method comprises: creating by the virtualization intermediary mapping information that includes a first mapping between virtual disks and physical regions of physical storage and that includes a second mapping between virtual disks and virtual disk addresses; transmitting the mapping information from the virtualization intermediary over the physical storage adapter from a physical function (PF) of the physical storage adapter to the VF; associating a virtual port with the mapping information within the virtualization intermediary; binding the virtual port to the VF; communicating virtual disk addresses indicated within the second mapping within the transmitted mapping information for the allocated virtual disks to the VM.
US08473944B2 Applying social computing paradigm to software installation and configuration
A method for installation and configuration of a software product includes installing a software product and determining configuration settings of the software product based upon a social network of peers. A system for installation and configuration of at least one software product includes at least one client install package capable of utilizing a social network for at least one of installing software; transmitting configuration settings; transmitting post-installation configuration settings; or responding to post-installation configuration modifications; and a server that stores and aggregates the configuration settings of a plurality of users, forming at least one social network.
US08473939B2 Concurrent upgrade of all components in storage subsystems
A plurality of upgraded components associated with an upgraded storage subsystem replaces a plurality of existing components associated with an existing storage subsystem. Support for a verify I/O command is created. A target volume is created in the upgraded storage subsystem having a same volume identification as a source volume. For a command received on the at least one of the plurality of upgraded components, the verify I/O command is invoked on at least one of a comparable one of the plurality of existing components. If the command is verified, the command is driven. The at least one of the plurality of upgraded components disguises a true volume identification of the target volume from the at least one of the plurality of existing components.
US08473937B2 Method and array for changing software or source code
Selected components of a piece of software serve in a first variant, as variation points, are converted into a first XML code. The software, now in hybrid form, is shipped. The first code is converted on the customer side via one or more transformations, for example SLT, exclusively in accordance with transformation rules into a second XML code. In a second variant, a first XML code containing at least one language extension is converted in accordance with transformation rules into a more easily verifiable second XML code without said language extensions. In a third variant a source code formulated in XML is transformed in such a way that, following a back-conversion into the original programming language, a new source code is produced in which not only the representation, but also the actual program content and/or functionality has been changed. Alternatively, in a fourth variant a source code formulated in XML with, for example, initial states, code fragments to be replaced and foreign language modules tailored to the respective natural language of the user is mixed by transformation, as a result of which, following a back-conversion, a new source code is produced in which not only the representation, but also the actual program content and/or functionality has been changed.
US08473936B2 System and method for runtime class extracting
An application running on a virtual machine includes a plurality of runtime classes. A class loader can load one or more runtime classes of the plurality of runtime classes into the virtual machine to support an operation on the application. In addition, the class loader can record a context information for each runtime class of the one or more runtime classes. Based on the recorded context information of each runtime class, the one or more runtime classes can be extracted.
US08473935B2 Just-ahead-of-time compilation
Pre-compiling postdominating functions. Some embodiments may be practiced in a computing environment including a runtime compilation. For example one method includes acts for compiling functions. The method includes determining that a function of an application has been called. A control flow graph is used to determine one or more postdominance relationships between the function and one or more other functions. The one or more other functions are assigned to be pre-compiled based on the postdominance relationship.
US08473932B2 Relaxed and extended delegates
Systems and methods that enhance expressibility in a programming language (e.g., Visual Basic) via relaxation of artificial restrictions and extension of delegates associated therewith, without changing the runtime infrastructure. A stub is employed that can replace an impermissible expression in the programming language, to leverage the existing permissible expressions.
US08473929B2 Architecture tailoring system
According to one embodiment, an architecture tailoring system includes an architecture tailoring tool coupled to multiple architecture tools that each generates architectures according to its native architecture definition. Architecture tailoring tool receives an architecture from an architecture tool generated according to its native architecture definition and convert at least a portion of the architecture to conform a different architecture definition. The converted portion may then be exported to another architecture tool that is configured to manipulate the converted portion of the architecture according to its native architecture definition.
US08473925B2 Conditional dynamic instrumentation of software in a specified transaction context
Techniques for analyzing software in which un-instrumented components can be discovered and conditionally instrumented during a runtime of the software. Initially, software such as an application can be configured with a baseline set of instrumented components such as methods. As the application runs, performance data gathered from the instrumentation may indicate that the performance of some methods is below expectations. To analyze this, any methods which are callable from a method at issue are discovered, such as by inspecting the byte code of loaded classes in a JAVA Virtual Machine (JVM). To limit and focus the diagnosis, the instrumentation which is added to the discovered components can be conditional, so that the instrumentation is executed only in a specified context. The context can involve, e.g., a specified sequence of components in which a discovered component is called, and/or transaction data in which a discovered component is called.
US08473920B2 Application initiated tracing of its operation beginning with reset
This invention includes a state machine entering a first state upon cold reset of the data processing system. Trace information collection and trace information export are prohibited in the first state. The state machine transits from said first state to a second state upon a change in a predetermined bit to a first state. Direct memory access setup is enabled in the second state. The state machine transits from the second state to a third state upon set up of the direct memory access. Trace information collection is enabled in the third state. The state machine transits from the third state to a fourth state upon a direct memory access request corresponding to the direct memory access setup in the second state. Trace data export via direct memory access from the trace collection unit is enabled in the fourth state.
US08473919B2 System and method for repeating program flow for debugging and testing
A method for repeating program flow for debugging and testing purposes comprises storing function call data in one or more files and retrieving the recorded data from the one or more files. The method further comprises using the recorded data to recreate an execution path of a program. Additionally, the method comprises analyzing the execution path to determine a source of an error in the program.
US08473916B2 Method and system for providing a testing framework
An approach for enabling maintenance of a test bed for use in executing software testing is described. A test management platform collects production data relating to execution of a prior release of an application within a production environment. The test management platform extracts unique messages from the collected production data to create a test bed including a plurality of test cases. Input messages to be processed by the application are generated based on a determination of which unique messages require a change based on a current release of the application.
US08473915B2 Coverage analysis tool for testing database-aware software applications
Embodiments of the invention provide coverage analysis of database elements accessed by a software application, thus providing improved and more complete testing of database-aware applications. In one embodiment, database elements accessed by the software application are determined during a run-time test of the software application.
US08473914B2 Semi-automated update of application test scripts
An apparatus and method for maintaining a collection of test scripts. At least one test script module is identified that is common to at least two unmodularized test scripts that are each associated with a common application. The at least two unmodularized test scripts are divided into modularized test scripts that each comprise the at least one test script module. An update to the common application is received and at least one of the at least one test script modules is updated in response to the update of the common application. The updating of each of the at least one of the at least one test script module causes a corresponding update to the at least two unmodularized test scripts.
US08473913B2 Method of and system for dynamic automated test case generation and execution
An automated system randomly generates test cases for hardware or software quality assurance testing. A test case comprises a sequence of discrete, atomic steps (or “building blocks”). A particular test case has a variable number of building blocks. The system takes a set of test actions and links them together to create a much larger library of test cases or “chains.” The chains comprise a large number of random sequence tests that facilitate “chaos-like” or exploratory testing of the overall system under test. Upon execution in the system under test, the test case is considered successful if each building block in the chain executes successfully; if any building block fails, the test case, in its entirety, is considered a failure.
US08473912B2 Computer readable medium, system and method of debugging software applications modelled using flow paradigms
A debugger allows debugging of applications using a flow paradigm. Breakpoints may be set based on the flow model. Similarly, variables used by the flow model may be queried. Debugging information may be presented in a graphical user interface, in conjunction with a depiction of the application using a flow diagram.
US08473903B2 Code edit apparatus and recording medium
Each of first programs stored in a recording medium causes a computer to execute each specific type of edit process. A second program stored in the recording medium causes the computer to execute the following steps. A first step is a step of acquiring first information for designating a program file and an area to be edited and second information for designating the first program. A second step is a step of causing the computer to execute the process of editing the binary code of the area designated by the first information via the first program designated by the second information.
US08473902B2 Identifying source code elements for refactoring
A solution for identifying build errors associated with a source code file for determining source code elements for refactoring. An embodiment of the invention utilizes a source code management system in combination with build logs generated by a build environment to determine source code elements that would benefit from refactoring.
US08473900B2 Combining classes referenced by immutable classes into a single synthetic class
A system and method for creating synthetic immutable classes. A processor identifies first and second classes, instances of which include first and second data fields, respectively. The first data fields include a data field that references the second class. In response to determining that the first class is immutable and the second class is immutable, the processor constructs a first synthetic immutable class, an instance of which comprises a combination of the first data fields and the second data fields. The processor creates an instance of the first synthetic immutable class in which the first data fields and the second data fields occupy a contiguous region of a memory. In response to determining the first synthetic immutable class does not include an accessor for the second class, the processor combines header fields of the first and second data fields into a single data field in the first synthetic immutable class.
US08473898B2 Apparatus and method for building integrated distributed applications for use with a mesh network
Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for building integrated distributed applications for use with a mesh network. An example embodiment is configured to receive a shared view that is shared among a plurality of components of a network; generate a schema for the plurality of components from the shared view; use the schema to generate code components; and use the shared view and the generated schema to generate integration code for integrating the code components.
US08473896B2 Computer software development incorporating core and compound services
A method is provided for providing one or more services by a service provider to a service consumer. The method may include defining a meta-model describing at least one core service and at least one compound service; creating a model for the core service based on the meta-model; and implementing the core service on the service provider based on the model. The method may also include implementing the compound service on the service provider and implementing a generic access interface on the service consumer to dynamically access the core service and the compound service.
US08473885B2 Physical design system and method
A design system for designing complex integrated circuits (ICs), a method of IC design and program product therefor. A layout unit receives a circuit description representing portions in a grid and glyph format. A checking unit checks grid and glyph portions of the design. An elaboration unit generates a target layout from the checked design. A data prep unit prepares the target layout for mask making. A pattern caching unit selectively replaces portions of the design with previously cached results for improved design efficiency.
US08473884B2 Slack-based timing budget apportionment
A slack-based timing budget apportionment methodology relies not only upon timing analysis-based determinations of slack in the units in an integrated circuit design, but also potential performance optimization opportunities in the logic used to implement such circuits. Logic in various units of an integrated circuit design that is amenable to being replaced with comparatively faster logic may be identified during timing budget apportionment, such that the magnitude of the slack reported for those units can be adjusted to account for such potential performance improvements. Then, when timing budgets are reapportioned using the slack calculated for each unit, additional slack is available to be reapportioned to those units needing larger timing budgets.
US08473883B2 Abstraction for arrays in integrated circuit models
The illustrative embodiments provide a mechanism for abstraction for arrays in integrated circuit designs. The mechanism constructs abstract models directly from an analysis of the system. The abstract models are both sound and complete for safety properties: a safety property holds in the abstract model if and only if the property holds in the original model. The mechanism of the illustrative embodiments eliminates the need for iterative abstraction refinement. The mechanism of the illustrative embodiments can find small models that verify a system in some cases where other approaches are unable to find a small model. The approach constructs an abstract design from the original design. The abstracted design may have smaller arrays than the original design. The mechanism checks the correctness of the abstracted design by model checking.
US08473882B2 Method and system for scalable reduction in registers with SAT-based resubstitution
A method, system, and computer program product for reducing the size of a logic network design, prior to verification of the logic network design. The method includes eliminating registers to reduce the size of the logic network design; thereby, increasing the speed and functionality of the verification process, and decreasing the size of the logic network design. The system identifies one or more compatible resubstitutions of a selected register, wherein the compatible resubstitution expresses the selected register as one or more pre-existing registers of fixed initial state. The resubstitutions are refined utilizing design invariants. When one more resubstitutions are preformed, the system eliminates the selected registers to reduce the size of the logic network design. As a result of the resubstitution process, a logic network design of reduced size is generated.
US08473881B1 Multi-resource aware partitioning for integrated circuits
A method of partitioning a circuit design can include identifying a circuit design in which components of the circuit design are assigned to each of a plurality of regions, wherein each region corresponds to a physical portion of an integrated circuit. A maximum oversubscription region can be determined for a selected component type from the plurality of regions. A target region from the plurality of regions can be selected that is adjacent to the region of maximum oversubscription. The method also can include re-assigning, by a processor, a selected number of components of the maximum oversubscription region to the target region.
US08473875B2 Method and system for forming high accuracy patterns using charged particle beam lithography
A method and system for fracturing or mask data preparation for charged particle beam lithography are disclosed in which accuracy and/or edge slope of a pattern formed on a surface by a set of charged particle beam shots is enhanced by use of partially-overlapping shots. In some embodiments, dosages of the shots may vary with respect to each other before proximity effect correction. Particle beam simulation may be used to calculate the pattern and the edge slope. Enhanced edge slope can improve critical dimension (CD) variation and line-edge roughness (LER) of the pattern produced on the surface.
US08473872B2 Gradient-based search mechanism for optimizing photolithograph masks
A mechanism is provided for optimizing a photolithograph mask. A given target pattern is received. An initial fictitious mask is generated from the given target pattern and an initial value of α2 is selected where the initial value of α2 is used to determine a light intensity and a wafer image. The light intensity for each pixel in the initial fictitious mask and the wafer image for each pixel in the initial fictitious mask are then determined. A determination is then made as to whether a convergence has been achieved by comparing the wafer image generated from the fictitious mask to the given target pattern. Responsive to a convergence of the wafer image generated from the fictitious mask to the given target pattern, a final mask is generated to use to transfer an image to a wafer.
US08473871B1 Multiple seesawing panels
A computing device is described that receives an indication of a first gesture received at an input device. Responsive to receiving the indication of the first gesture, the computing device outputs, for display, a first information panel having a size. The computing device receives an indication of a second gesture received at the input device. The second gesture has a gesture length. Responsive to receiving the indication of the second gesture, the computing device outputs, for display, an updated graphical user interface that includes the first information panel and a second information panel. The second information panel has a panel length that corresponds to the gesture length of the second gesture.
US08473869B2 Touchless manipulation of images for regional enhancement
The invention provides a method and a system for manipulating an image displayed on a screen (11), where an operator uses e.g. a finger to identify a region of interest (ROI) without touching the screen (11). The spatial position of the finger relative to the screen (11) is detected, i.e. its x, y and z coordinates. A region of interest (ROI) on the screen (11) including the two coordinates (x, y) is selected, and an image property such as contrast in the selected region of interest is changed in dependence on the distance (z) of the movable object (13) from the screen (11). The invention is ideal for manipulating medical images such as X-ray images, but applications in consumer electronics are also conceivable where image processing is performed.
US08473866B2 Decision assistance device and methods of using same
A decision assistance device provides a user the ability to access and obtain actionable intelligence or other information to make tactical and strategic decisions. The decision assistance device allows the user to obtain information for future, near-future, and/or real time scenarios. The device advantageously provides the information to the user in a manner that minimizes an amount of attention and interaction required by the user while still permitting the user to rapidly manipulate the device while moving down a desired decision path. The decision assistance device may take a physical or virtual form.
US08473864B2 Virtual visual selection merchandising interface
A vending arrangement for computerized vending machines, retail displays, automated retail stores, or the like presents a physical display comprising a plurality of viewing windows or modules containing items to be vended. The physical windows or modules are organized into visually recognizable patterns of rows or columns physically apparent from the machine exterior. A controlling computer responds to software and provides a visual display controlled by the software for establishing screens for inputting customer selections and displaying machine options. The screen presents virtual representations of physical displays arranged in said recognizable patterns, whereby images appearing the virtual screen selected and viewed by customers correspond to actual items available in corresponding physical displays.
US08473855B2 Enhanced search results
A search tool graphical user interface comprises search criteria selected by an operator of the search tool. One or more search results that correspond to the search criteria are displayed on the search tool graphical user interface, and an indication of characteristics is displayed for one or more of the search results. The characteristics displayed may include the availability or maturity of content associated with the search results. The search results may be sorted or filtered based on the characteristics of content associated with the search results. The characteristics may be determined before or after the search results are identified and displayed on the search tool graphical user interface.
US08473853B2 Multiple document viewing apparatus and user interface
An apparatus for display of multiple electronic documents. The apparatus includes one or more tilting, rotatable, and detachable display devices coupled to a display stand, or to a personal computer or other data processing apparatus via a hinge or the like. A screen control user interface running on the data processing apparatus is provided for switching electronic documents between the various display devices. One or more of the display devices may include a local memory, power supply, and application software so that the screen can be detached from the multiple document display apparatus and still display an electronic document. The displayed electronic document may then be marked up by a second user and returned to a first user for editing purposes.
US08473851B2 Multi-party virtual desktop
In one embodiment, a method for sharing data displayed on a user's computer screen includes displaying a movable tile on the user's computer screen, the tile being positionable on the computer screen to identify data displayed on the user's computer screen and selected for sharing with one or more remote users. The method further includes transmitting the data identified by a position of the tile on the user's computer screen to the remote users, receiving shared data from one of the remote users, and displaying the shared data on the user's computer screen. The identified data includes only a portion of data displayed on the user's computer screen and the shared data corresponds to data displayed on a portion of said remote user's computer screen.
US08473848B2 Palette-based color selection within a user interface theme
Methods and devices that enable the customization of colors in a user interface by using a palette to define colors. The palette includes strings that have color values assigned to them. The strings are referred to in style sheets where color attributes are specified, such that colors can be redefined in the palette rather than in the style sheet.
US08473847B2 Methods and systems for comparing presentation slide decks
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for comparing two slide decks using a compare service. The compare service generates a comparison analysis for the two slide decks based on a comparison theme selected by the user. The result of the analysis is displayed in a comparison display that includes a slide selector section, a slide pair viewer section, and a navigable change summary section. In one embodiment, the compare service allows the user to select preferred slides from the two slide decks displayed in the comparison display, and subsequently generates a new slide deck that contains only the preferred slides selected by the user.
US08473842B2 Contour based flow layout
Various embodiments introduce the notion of a flow contour that is utilized to conduct layout processing. Flow contours are utilized to organize layout space in the presence of floating objects or geometries. In at least some embodiments, objects can float to the left and/or right in the layout space. Flow contours are abstractions that then represent collections of left-floating and/or right-floating objects.
US08473841B2 Independent visual element configuration
A system and a method are disclosed for a configuration in which any user interface feature that would otherwise have been hidden while the user is interacting with the rest of the web page are made available at the top of the web page. If the user scrolls up to the top of the page the bar will disappear again to make the entire browser window available for page content and not conflict with the top user interface elements.
US08473838B2 Website advertising inventory
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which syndication spaces for a webpage are identified, each syndication space defining a location on the webpage in which one or more advertisements are displayed at a client device, and each syndication space associated with one or more attributes. Display data is generated that causes each syndication space to selectively display a visual indication of one or more of the attributes on the webpage at the client device.
US08473836B2 Look ahead of links/alter links
A computationally-implemented method comprises retrieving at least a portion of data from a data source, determining an acceptability of an effect of the retrieved at least a portion of the data at least in part via a virtual machine representation of at least a part of an end user's real machine having one or more end-user specified preferences, and providing at least one data display option to the end user's real machine based on the determining acceptability of the effect of the retrieved at least a portion of the data.
US08473834B1 Dynamic portal menu and message system and method
A method for a dynamic portal menu and message system. The method includes receiving, in a web service, a web service call from a web part. The method also includes transmitting a procedure call, corresponding to the web service call, to a database server. The method also includes receiving, from the database server, unformatted data corresponding to the procedure call. The method also includes formatting the unformatted data to produce a formatted data. The method also includes transmitting the formatted data to the web part. A data processing system and a dynamic portal system are also discussed.
US08473816B2 Data verification using checksum sidefile
For facilitating data verification using a checksum in conjunction with a sidefile by a processor device in a computing environment, first block signatures having a first size are calculated for first blocks of a first volume stored on a storage device. The first block signatures are stored to a sidefile. Second block signatures having a second size different from the first size are calculated for second blocks of a second volume stored on the storage device. The second block signatures are stored to the sidefile.
US08473814B2 MLC self-RAID flash data protection scheme
A two-dimensional self-RAID method of protecting page-based storage data in a MLC multiple-level-cell flash memory device. The protection scheme includes reserving one parity sector across each data page, reserving one parity page as the column parity, selecting a specific number of pages to form a parity group, writing into the parity page a group parity value for data stored in the pages of the parity group. The parity sector represents applying a RAID technique in a first dimension. The group parity represents applying a RAID technique in a second dimension. Data protection is achieved because a corrupted data sector can likely be recovered by the two dimensional RAID data.
US08473813B2 Methods of cell population distribution assisted read margining
A memory using techniques to extract the data content of its storage elements, when the distribution of stored states is degraded, is presented. If the distribution of stored states has degraded, secondary evaluations of the memory cells are performed using modified read conditions. Based upon the results of these supplemental evaluations, the memory device determines the read conditions at which to best decide the data stored.
US08473811B2 Multi-chip memory system and related data transfer method
A multi-chip memory system comprises source and target memory devices, a memory controller configured to control operations of the source and target memory devices, and a data bus configured for data transfer of the memory controller and the source and target memory devices. The memory controller controls the source memory device to perform a read operation to output data to the data bus. Concurrently, the memory controller controls the target memory device to store the data from the data bus.
US08473804B2 Enhanced wireless communication with HARQ
A wireless communication system including a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver receives a frame of data, and sends an acknowledgement. The acknowledgement includes a positive acknowledgement (ACK) if the data is successfully decoded or a negative acknowledgement (NAK) if the data is unsuccessfully decoded. The acknowledgement is sent according to timing of an acknowledge mask. The transmitter is wirelessly coupled to the receiver, and receives the acknowledgement according to the acknowledge mask, and sends a response to the receiver according to the acknowledgement. The response includes, if an ACK is received before transmission completes of the frame, the transmitter terminates transmission of the frame; if a NAK is received before transmission completes of the frame, the transmitter continues to send the frame; and if an ACK is not received before a predefined frame early scheduling point, the transmitter retransmits the frame after transmission completes of the frame.
US08473801B2 Method for increasing efficiency of transferring packet of isochronous transfer type and device thereof
A method for increasing the efficiency of transferring packets of isochronous transfer type in USB 3.0 includes ignoring a packet of isochronous transfer type with an incorrect header. When the receiving end receives a packet of isochronous transfer type with an incorrect header, the receiving end does not send a retry signal to the transmitting end. Therefore, the transmitting end can more quickly transmit the following packets of isochronous transfer type.
US08473797B2 Circuits and methods for clock malfunction detection
Circuit for detecting malfunction of a primary clock in SoCs comprises a primary clock circuit having a GRAY code counter for generating a GRAY code sequence based on a number of clock pulses generated Primary clock. A secondary clock circuit is configured to output a secondary clock pulse on each saturation of a secondary clock counter. A clock gated register circuit is clocked by the secondary clock pulse, and is configured to store a plurality of values of the GRAY code sequence, and update the plurality of values of the GRAY code sequence on each saturation of the secondary clock counter. An error detection circuit is configured to output a detection signal for detecting the malfunction of primary clock based on a comparison of the updated plurality of values of the GRAY code sequence with at least one predetermined threshold associated with the malfunction of primary clock.
US08473794B2 First, update, and second TDI and TMS flip-flop TAP circuitry
A process and apparatus provide a JTAG TAP controller (302) to access a JTAG TAP domain (106) of a device using a reduced pin count, high speed DDR interface (202). The access is accomplished by combining the separate TDI and TMS signals from the TAP controller into a single signal and communicating the TDI and TMS signals of the single signal on the rising and falling edges of the TCK driving the DDR interface. The TAP domain may be coupled to the TAP controller in a point to point fashion or in an addressable bus fashion. The access to the TAP domain may be used for JTAG based device testing, debugging, programming, or other type of JTAG based operation.
US08473793B2 Low leakage boundary scan device design and implementation
A boundary scan circuit containing a freeze circuit and a transparency circuit that provides a capability to selectively place portions of a system logic in a sleep mode and thereby conserving power. There are two transparency circuit configurations, one that connects to an input pad cell and one that connects to an output pad cell. The circuitry in the transparency circuit is controlled in such a manner as to establish at the output of transparency circuit a known logic state to control leakage current resulting from the circuitry of the various pad cell configurations, which further conserves power during sleep mode.
US08473792B2 Logic BIST for system testing using stored patterns
A stored-pattern logic self-test system includes a memory, a device under test and a test controller. The memory stores test pattern data including test stimuli. The device under test includes a scan chain and a test access port configurable to control operation of the scan chain. The test controller is configured to test the device under test by controlling the memory to output the test stimuli to the device under test. The test controller controls the test access port to load the test stimuli into the scan chain, and receives and evaluates response data from the device under test.
US08473790B2 Method for correcting prediction errors of signal values with time variation subjected to interference by various uncontrollable systematic effects
A method for correcting the prediction of values of signal with time variation, in particular for navigation messages sent by the global satellite navigation systems, includes the following steps for the correction of the predictions of a parameter included in a received signal and varying in time: estimation of the prediction error based on a first batch of values estimated during a determined time period by comparing these values to the values previously predicted for the same determined time period, analysis of the predicted time-oriented series of prediction errors by a method for processing the signal and isolating the contributions of the systematic effects, and extrapolation of the behavior of the contributions of the systematic effects during the time period concerned and correction of the predictions using the duly extrapolated values.
US08473788B2 Monitoring program, monitoring apparatus, and monitoring method
A method for a computer, which is configured to access to hierarchical information indicating a hierarchical structure relating to processes executed by devices included in a network, includes receiving abnormal observation data from the network, detecting a transmission source device of the abnormal observation data and a process by which the abnormal observation data is issued, specifying a process relating, to the detected process in accordance with a kind of the detected transmission source device by referring to the hierarchical information, determining, by the computer, a failure occurrence point based on a status of the specified process.
US08473779B2 Systems and methods for error correction and detection, isolation, and recovery of faults in a fail-in-place storage array
Systems and methods for recovering from a fault in an array of data storage devices are provided. Fault recovery includes determining that a first data storage device of the array of data storage devices is more likely to fail that other storage devices of the array of data storage devices. A second data storage device in the array of data storage devices is selected to be used in recovering from a failure of the first data storage device. Data from the first data storage device is stored at the second storage device. In the event of a failure at the first data storage device, data storage operations are performed using the second storage device.
US08473775B1 Locality based quorums
Disclosed are various embodiments for distributing data items within a plurality of nodes. A data item update request is replicated from a master node in a plurality of nodes to a plurality of slave nodes within the plurality of nodes. The replicated data item update request is determined to be locality-based durable. Responsive to the determination that the replicated data item update request is locality-based durable, the data item update request is confirmed to a client, wherein the client had originated the data item update request. Upon failover of the master node to another node within the plurality of nodes, a fault-tolerant failover quorum ensures that all previously confirmed updates are found and recognized by the new master node.
US08473772B2 Method and system for providing a current time value
A method for providing applications with a current time value includes receiving a trap for an application to access a time memory page, creating, in a memory map corresponding to the application, a mapping between an address space of the application and the time memory page in response to the trap, accessing, based on the trap, a hardware clock to obtain a time value, and updating the time memory page with the time value. The application reads the time value from the time memory page using the memory map.
US08473770B2 Semiconductor device and data processing system
There is provided a serial reception circuit that can suppress the occurrence of a bit error due to long-period jitter while suppressing the power consumption. A serial reception circuit for receiving a serial signal in synchronization with a clock signal samples the serial signal in synchronization with multiphase sampling clock signals out of phase with the clock signal, determines based on sampled signals that a sampling phase having little effect of phase variation of the serial signal on a sampling result is an optimum phase, performs a reception operation in which a signal sampled by the optimum phase is reception data, and has, as determination operations for the optimum phase, a first mode and a second mode in which optimality of an optimum phase determined in the first mode is determined based on a sampling result of a reduced number of samplings.
US08473767B2 Electronic device and power management method thereof
A method for managing power of an electronic device receives a power signal of a peripheral device of the electronic device, determines if a data signal of the peripheral device is received at a preset time interval, and sends a time record command to a timer of the electronic device if the data signal is not received to obtain a recorded time of the electronic device. The method further displays an idle status of the peripheral device if the recorded time is greater than a first preset value, and stops supplying power to the peripheral device if the recorded time is greater than a second preset value.
US08473766B2 Optimizing power usage by processor cores based on architectural events
A method and apparatus to monitor architecture events is disclosed. The architecture events are linked together via a push bus mechanism with each architectural event having a designated time slot. There is at least one branch of the push bus in each core. Each branch of the push bus may monitor one core with all the architectural events. All the data collected from the events by the push bus is then sent to a power control unit.
US08473764B2 Methods and systems for power efficient instruction queue management in a data processing system
Methods and systems for managing power consumption in data processing systems are described. In one embodiment, a data processing system includes a general purpose processing unit, a graphics processing unit (GPU), at least one peripheral interface controller, at least one bus coupled to the general purpose processing unit, and a power controller coupled to at least the general purpose processing unit and the GPU. The power controller is configured to turn power off for the general purpose processing unit in response to a first state of an instruction queue of the general purpose processing unit and is configured to turn power off for the GPU in response to a second state of an instruction queue of the GPU. The first state and the second state represent an instruction queue having either no instructions or instructions for only future events or actions.
US08473760B2 Memory system and server system
According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a NAND flash memory includes a memory cell array includes pages, and a volatile data register with a storage capacity of one page, and configured to write page data to the memory cell array through the data register, each of the pages includes nonvolatile memory cells and being a unit of data write, a volatile RAM, and a controller includes a power saving mode in which power consumption of the RAM is reduced, and configured to transfer data of the RAM to the data register before entering the power saving mode.
US08473756B2 Systems and methods for securing data using multi-factor or keyed dispersal
A secure data parser is provided that may be integrated into any suitable system for securely storing and communicating data. The secure data parser parses data and then splits the data into multiple portions that are stored or communicated distinctly. Encryption of the original data, the portions of data, or both may be employed for additional security. The secure data parser may be used to protect data in motion by splitting original data into portions of data, that may be communicated using multiple communications paths. A keyed information dispersal algorithm (keyed IDA) may also be used. The key for the keyed IDA may additionally be protected by an external workgroup key, resulting in a multi-factor secret sharing scheme.
US08473755B2 Application installing method
An application installing method according to the present invention in which an application file includes at least two application encrypting data in which the executable files are respectively encrypted using different encryption algorithms, and a license file includes at least two license encryption data in which application decryption keys for decrypting the application encryption data are encrypted using respectively different encryption algorithms. The process execution apparatus includes a calculation unit configured to execute the executable file, and a storage unit configured to store the application file and the license file. The method includes a step of decrypting the application encryption data by use of the application decryption key with the calculation unit based on the level of priority of the predesignated application encryption data stored in the storage unit, and installing the executable file corresponding to the application encryption data.
US08473754B2 Hardware-facilitated secure software execution environment
A hardware-facilitated secure software execution environment provides protection of both program instructions and data against unauthorized access and/or execution to maintain confidentiality and integrity of the software or the data during distribution, in external memories, and during execution. The secure computing environment is achieved by using a hardware-based security method and apparatus to provide protection against software privacy and tampering. A Harvard architecture CPU core is instantiated on the same silicon chip along with encryption management unit (EMU) circuitry and secure key management unit (SKU) circuitry. Credential information acquired from one or more sources is combined by the SKU circuitry to generate one or more security keys provided to the EMU for use in decrypting encrypted program instructions and/or data that is obtained from a non-secure, off-chip source such as an external RAM, an information storage device or other network source. In a non-limiting illustrative example implementation, the EMU decrypts a single memory page of encrypted instructions or data per a corresponding encryption key provided by the SKU. Although instantiated on the same chip, the CPU core does not have direct access to the SKU circuitry or to encryption key information generated by the SKU.
US08473748B2 Mobile device-based authentication
Mobile device-based authentication is disclosed. A first biometric input corresponding to a first biometric feature of the user is captured on the mobile device. A first set of biometric data is derived from the captured first biometric input. The first set of biometric data is transmitted to a remote authentication server. Thereafter, a secondary authentication instruction is transmitted to the site resource in response. Access to the site resource is permitted based upon a validation of the first set of biometric data, and a second biometric input that is captured on the site resource in response to the secondary authentication instruction received thereon. The first set of biometric data and the second set of biometric data are validated by remote authentication server substantially contemporaneously.
US08473743B2 Mobile device management
Methods and apparatuses that enroll a wireless device into an enterprise service with a management server addressed in a management profile are described. The enrollment may grant a control of configurations of the wireless device to the management server via the management profile. In response to receiving a notification from the management server, a trust of the notification may be verified against the management profile. If the trust is verified, a network session may be established with the management server. The network session may be secured via a certificate in the management profile. Management operations may be performed for management commands received over the secure network session to manage the configurations transparently to a user of the wireless device according to the control.
US08473741B2 System and method for comparing private data
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods including accessing a first private value, generating a first intermediate value based on the first private value, receiving a second intermediate value that is based on a second private value, generating a first comparison value based on the second intermediate value, receiving over the network a second comparison value that is based on the first intermediate value, comparing the first comparison value and the second comparison value to generate a result, and displaying the result, the result indicating that the first private is greater than the second private value when the first comparison value is less than the second comparison value, and the result indicating that the first private value is less than or equal to the second private value when the first comparison value is greater than the second comparison value.
US08473740B2 Method and system for secured management of online XML document services through structure-preserving asymmetric encryption
A system and method for encrypting/decrypting a document is provided. The encryption method includes encrypting portions within the document containing structural information with an asymmetric public key, encrypting portions within the document containing content information with a symmetric private key, and outputting the document, whereby a service provider provided with a public key is able to access and process only the structural information.
US08473739B2 Advanced content authentication and authorization
An interactive multimedia presentation playable by a presentation system includes a media content component and an interactive content component. The interactive content component includes one or more applications, which provide instructions for organizing, formatting, and synchronizing the presentation of interactive objects to a user. Prior to playing the interactive multimedia presentation, an entity responsible for authoring or publishing one or more of the applications is digitally identified and authenticated, or it is determined that the applications are unsigned. Prior to and/or during play of the interactive multimedia presentation, authorization for performing certain actions (such as executing certain application instructions, especially those that access functionality of the presentation system, computer-readable media, or external networks) is granted via a permission-based model. User input and application requests may be considered in determining whether an application is granted permission to perform certain actions.
US08473737B2 Authentication device and method using electronic certificate files having hierarchical relationship
This authentication device includes: a volatile memory; a non-volatile memory which stores a plurality of electronic certificate files; a unit which refers to the non-volatile memory upon start-up, and which stores a hierarchical relationship between the plurality of electronic certificate files in the volatile memory; a unit for searching for a desired electronic certificate file based upon the hierarchical relationship between the plurality of electronic certificate files in the volatile memory; and an authentication unit which performs authentication using the electronic certificate file which has been found by the search unit.
US08473736B2 Method for making security mechanisms available in wireless mesh networks
A method for making safety mechanisms available in wireless mesh networks which have a plurality of nodes that are interconnected by multi-hop communication in a wireless network meshed by mesh routing in the MAC layer, every node being active as a router to forward the data traffic of the other nodes. At least two differentiated levels of confidence are defined by a type of protection (ToP) the value of which represents a specific level of confidence for the nodes and data packets, the data packets being labeled with a ToP value in the mesh header, and at least one ToP value being allocated to the participating nodes, the nodes forwarding the data packet in the mesh network using the ToP values of the node and of the data packet if this ToP value combination is admissible in the node.
US08473731B2 System and method for physical to virtual disk re-layout
A method and device may, in a computing system executing a operating system and having a mass storage device, rewrite the boot sector of the operating system on the storage device to execute a hypervisor operating system in a boot process, copy a file including the hypervisor kernel to a first sub-area on the storage device, copy software components of the hypervisor to a second sub-area on the storage device, boot to execute the hypervisor as an operating system, execute the operating system, retrieve information indicative of absolute mapping of sectors used by the operating system on the storage device, allocate for the sectors on a third sub-area of the mass storage device, perform a second boot to run the hypervisor as a host operating system, and execute the operating system as guest operating system.
US08473721B2 Video instruction processing of desired bytes in multi-byte buffers by shifting to matching byte location
Disclosed herein is a processing unit configured to process video data, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the processing unit includes a buffer and an execution unit. The buffer is configured to store a data word, wherein the data word comprises a plurality of bytes of video data. The execution unit is configured to execute a single instruction to (i) shift bytes of video data contained in the data word to align a desired byte of video data and (ii) process the desired byte of the video data to provide processed video data.
US08473719B2 Data packet arithmetic logic devices and methods
New instruction definitions for a packet add (PADD) operation and for a single instruction multiple add (SMAD) operation are disclosed. In addition, a new dedicated PADD logic device that performs the PADD operation in about one to two processor clock cycles is disclosed. Also, a new dedicated SMAD logic device that performs a single instruction multiple data add (SMAD) operation in about one to two clock cycles is disclosed.
US08473718B2 Java hardware accelerator using microcode engine
A hardware Java accelerator is comprised of a decode stage and a microcode stage. Separating into the decode and microcode stage allows the decode stage to implement instruction level parallelism while the microcode stage allows the conversion of a single Java bytecode into multiple native instructions. A reissue buffer is provided which stores the converted instructions and reissues them when the system returns from an interrupt. In this manner, the hardware accelerator need not be flushed upon an interrupt. A native PC monitor is also used. While the native PC is within a specific range, the hardware accelerator is enabled to convert the Java bytecodes into native instructions. When the native PC is outside the range, the hardware accelerator is disabled and the CPU operates on native instructions obtained from the memory.
US08473708B1 Method and system for managing storage units
Method and system for managing storage units are provided. A free space module scans a storage unit data structure and a reference data structure to generate an intermediate data structure that identifies storage units that are not referenced by any storage unit client. A lookup module is initiated and the storage unit clients are notified that all new references to any storage unit should be verified with the lookup module. The free space module then verifies if any of the storage units in the intermediate data structure have been referenced since the intermediate data structure was created. Any referenced storage units are removed from the intermediate data structure and a data structure identifying unreferenced storage units is generated. The data structure is then used to allocate the identified storage units.
US08473707B2 Method for achieving sequential I/O performance from a random workload
Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods, computer media encoding instructions, and systems for receiving write requests directed to non-sequential logical block addresses and writing the write requests to sequential disk block addresses in a storage system. Some embodiments further include overprovisioning a storage system to include an increment of additional storage space such that it is more likely a large enough sequential block of storage will be available to accommodate incoming write requests.
US08473705B2 Memory access apparatus
A memory access apparatus is provided with a processor, an interface (I/F) circuit, and a memory control circuit. The processor is provided with an access-request generating circuit which issues a memory access request. The I/F circuit is provided with a flip-flop (F/F) circuit which holds the memory access request outputted from the processor in response to a clock signal. The memory control circuit is provided with an access processing circuit which executes an access process that complies with the memory access request held by the F/F circuit.
US08473703B2 Storage system and management method of the storage system
Even if no port of the attribute communicable with communication ports which the other storage control apparatuses comprise exists among the communication ports which the storage control apparatus comprises, connecting the respective storage control apparatuses as communicable.Among communication ports, the migration source communication port and the migration destination communication port are selected. The path connected to the migration source communication port is migrated to the migration destination communication port, and the migration source communication port is made a free communication port. The attribute of the free communication port is changed to a specified attribute, and the communication port of the other storage control apparatus is connected to the communication port.
US08473700B2 Providing versioning in a storage device
Provided are a computer program product, system and method for managing Input/Output (I/O) requests to a storage device. A first entry is located in a volume control table for the logical address to write indicating a version number and a first physical location. The write data is written to a second physical location in the storage device. A second entry is added to the volume control table for the logical address in response to preserve mode being enabled. In response to determining that the preserve mode is enabled, the volume control table is updated to have one of the first and second entry for the logical address point to the second physical location and indicate a current version and to have the first or second entry not indicating the current version to indicate the first physical location and a previous version.
US08473696B2 Adaptive buffer device and method thereof
An adaptive buffer device includes a plurality of entries each including an address field and a record block, and a control unit for selectively setting each entry to one of a normal status and a transformed status. When the control unit sets a first one of the entries to the normal status, the address field thereof records a first address, and the record block thereof records data corresponding to the first address and data corresponding to addresses adjacent to the first address. When the control unit sets a second one of the entries to the transformed status, the control unit reconfigures the address field and the record block thereof into a plurality of units, each of which includes a second address, data corresponding to the second address, and data corresponding to addresses adjacent to the second address. In addition, an adaptive buffer method is also disclosed.
US08473685B2 Cache memory device, processor, and control method for cache memory device to reduce power unnecessarily consumed by cache memory
A cache memory device that is connectable to an instruction controlling unit for outputting a memory access request and a storage device. The cache memory device includes a data memory unit, a tag memory unit for holding status information of data, a search unit for searching for a cache line of the tag memory unit, a comparison unit, and a controlling unit. The controlling unit, when the comparison unit detects a cache miss, stops the supply of a clock to the data memory unit, if the cache line storing the data requested at the storage device is not present in the data memory unit, according to the status information.
US08473682B2 Cache unit and processing system
According to one embodiment, a cache unit transferring data from a memory connected to the cache unit via a bus incompatible with a critical word first (CWF) to an L1-cache having a first line size and connected to the cache unit via a bus compatible with the CWF. The unit includes cache and un-cache controllers. The cache controller includes an L2-cache and a request converter. The L2-cache has a second line size greater than or equal to the first line size. The request converter converts a first refill request into a second refill request when a head address of a burst transfer of the first refill request is in the L2-cache. The un-cache controller transfers the second refill request to the memory, receives data to be processed corresponding to the second refill request from the memory, and transfers the received data to the L1-cache.
US08473681B2 Atomic-operation coalescing technique in multi-chip systems
A cache-coherence protocol distributes atomic operations among multiple processors (or processor cores) that share a memory space. When an atomic operation that includes an instruction to modify data stored in the shared memory space is directed to a first processor that does not have control over the address(es) associated with the data, the first processor sends a request, including the instruction to modify the data, to a second processor. Then, the second processor, which already has control of the address(es), modifies the data. Moreover, the first processor can immediately proceed to another instruction rather than waiting for the address(es) to become available.
US08473680B1 Hotspot detection and caching for storage devices
A system includes a counting module, a region defining module, and a caching module. The counting module is configured to count a first number of accesses to a first region of a storage medium during a first time period. The counting module is configured to count a second number of accesses to the first region during a second time period following the first time period. The region defining module is configured to selectively define a second region and a third region within the first region when the second number of accesses is greater than the first number of accesses by a predetermined amount. The caching module is configured to selectively cache the second region into a cache memory when a third number of accesses to the second region during a third time period following the second time period is greater than a fourth number of accesses to the third region during the third time period.
US08473679B2 System, data structure, and method for collapsing multi-dimensional data
A system and method of data transfer that collapses a multi-dimensional data array while preserving neighboring connectivity. One or more program instructions may be received that request input data comprising a sub-set of data elements from a first data array in an external memory. The sub-set of data elements may be transferred from the first data array in the external memory to a second data array in an internal memory. The retrieved sub-set of requested data elements may be stored in the second array in respective positions translated from the positions in the first array by a plurality of omitted rows and columns from the first data array from which no data elements are requested.
US08473678B1 Managing multi-tiered storage pool provisioning
A method is used in managing multi-tiered storage pool provisioning. One or more physical devices of a data storage system are configured for use in connection with provisioning a storage pool. A provisioning specification is received describing a RAID type and an auto-tiering selection. A rule is received describing one or more sets of data storage system best practices. Each of the one or more sets specifies data storage system best practices for a different type of data storage system including a first type associated with the data storage system. Configuration processing is performed in connection with initialization of the data storage system to configure a first portion of the one or more physical devices for use with auto-tiering in the storage pool. A rules engine and best practices for the first type of data storage system specified in the rule are used in performing the configuration processing.
US08473677B2 Distributed storage network memory access based on memory state
A distributed storage unit determines how to handle a read or write request for a data slice based on a state of the memory the data slice is to be read from or written to. When receiving a request to retrieve a data slice, the distributed storage unit, determines a state of the memory in which the data slice is stored. Based on the memory state, one of multiple different methods for obtaining the data slice is selected. The methods include, among others, a direct read from the memory, and reconstructing the data slice using other memories and parity values. In response to a write request, the distributed storage unit can determine whether to use the currently selected memory for writing, or rotate the memory used for writing, based on a state of the memory.
US08473675B2 Memory system and information processing device
A memory system includes a first memory that is used as a main memory of a target device, a second memory that has an access speed lower than that of the first memory, a securing section that secures a predetermined area of the first memory as a temporary storage area of the second memory, and a memory control section that receives an instruction to write data into the second memory, temporarily stores the data into the first memory and also transfers the stored data from the first memory to the second memory.
US08473671B2 Semiconductor memory card access apparatus, a computer-readable medium, an initialization method, and a semiconductor memory card
A predetermined number of erasable blocks positioned at a start of a volume area in a semiconductor memory card are provided so as to include volume management information. A user area following the volume management information includes a plurality of clusters. A size of the partition control area of an area from a master boot record & partition table sector to a partition boot sector is determined so that the plurality of clusters in the user area are not arranged so as to straddle erasable block boundaries. Since cluster boundaries and erasable block boundaries in the user area are aligned, there is no need to perform wasteful processing in which two erasable blocks are erased to rewrite one cluster.
US08473668B2 Memory device and wear leveling method
The memory device selects any one of a first memory cell and a second memory cell based on a number of times that the first memory cell is erased, an elapsed time after the first memory cell is erased, a number of times that the second memory cell is erased, and an elapsed time after the second memory cell is erased, and program data in the selected memory cell. The memory device may improve distribution of threshold voltage of memory cells and endurance of the memory cells.
US08473660B2 Method and apparatus for arbitration on a data bus
A method and apparatus for arbitrating on a high performance serial bus is disclosed. The invention provides for a plurality of arbitration phases and an arbitration advancing means.
US08473659B2 Time division multiplexing based arbitration for shared optical links
A method for arbitration including selecting, for an arbitration interval corresponding to a timeslot, a sending node from a plurality of sending nodes in an arbitration domain, where the plurality of sending nodes include a plurality of source counters; broadcasting, by the sending node and in response to selecting the sending node, a transmitter arbitration request for the timeslot during the arbitration interval; receiving, by the plurality of sending nodes, the transmitter arbitration request; incrementing the plurality of source counters in response to receiving the transmitter arbitration request; and sending, during the timeslot, a data item from the sending node to a receiving node via an optical data channel.
US08473658B2 Input output bridging
In one embodiment, a system comprises a memory, and a first bridge unit for processor access with the memory. The first bridge unit comprises a first arbitration unit that is coupled with an input-output bus, a memory free notification unit (“MFNU”), and the memory, and is configured to receive requests from the input-output bus and receive requests from the MFNU and choose among the requests to send to the memory on a first memory bus. The system further comprises a second bridge unit for packet data access with the memory that includes a second arbitration unit that is coupled with a packet input unit, a packet output unit, and the memory and is configured to receive requests from the packet input unit and receive requests from the packet output unit, and choose among the requests to send to the memory on a second memory bus.
US08473657B2 High speed packet FIFO output buffers for switch fabric with speedup
Described embodiments provide a first-in, first-out (FIFO) buffer for packet switching in a crossbar switch with a speedup factor of m. The FIFO buffer comprises a first logic module that receives m N-bit data portions from a switch fabric, the m N-bit data portions comprising one or more N-bit data words of one or more data packets. A plurality of one-port memories store the received data portions. Each one-port memory has a width W segmented into S portions of width W/S, where W/S is related to N. A second logic module provides one or more N-bit data words, from the one-port memories, corresponding to the received m N-bit data portions. In a sequence of clock cycles, the data portions are alternately transferred from corresponding segments of the one-port memories in a round-robin fashion, and, for each clock cycle, the second logic module constructs data out read from the one-port memories.
US08473656B2 Method and system for selecting a communications bus system as a function of an operating mode
The invention relates to a communications entity for communications via a bus-oriented communications network with a control device (101) that is constructed to communicate via the communications network in response to a selection signal according to a first communications bus sub-system or according to a second communications bus sub-system, and a selection device (103) for generating the selection signal as a function of an operating mode of the communications entity, in order to select the first communications bus sub-system or the second communications bus sub-system.
US08473655B2 Method and apparatus for dividing a single serial enclosure management bit stream into multiple enclosure management bit streams and for providing the respective bit streams to respective midplanes
A controller is provided that receives a single enclosure management (EM) serial bit stream from an expander or other device and divides the EM serial bit stream into multiple EM serial bit streams for delivery to multiple respective midplanes or backplanes. In this way, a separate EM serial bit stream is provided to each midplane or backplane without having to increase the number of ports that are available on the expander or other device that interfaces with the backplane or midplane.
US08473654B2 Computer input switching device
A switching device for automatically sharing a pointing input device between a plurality of computers is described. The switching device includes an input for receiving relative pointer position data from the pointing input device and a plurality of outputs, each connectable to a respective one of a plurality of computers. A controller receives the input relative position data and converts the relative pointer position data to absolute pointer position data. Which of the plurality of computers to route input data to is determined based on the absolute pointer position data. Input data is routed to one of the plurality of computers so that a cursor position on a display device of the computer can be controlled by the pointing input device. Switching apparatus is also described that combines video data from the plurality of computers for display on a single display device and the cursor position on a portion of the display device corresponding to a one of the computers is controlled by the input pointing device.
US08473644B2 Access management technique with operation translation capability
Access management techniques have been developed to specify and facilitate mappings between I/O and host domains in ways that provide flexibility in the form, granularity and/or extent of mappings, attributes and access controls coded relative to a particular I/O domain. In some embodiments of the present invention, operation translations coded relative to a particular logical I/O device, domain or sub-window seek to optimize functionality, isolation or some other figure of merit without regard to needs or limitations of another. In this way, operation translations need not be uniform and need not reduce supported operation semantics to correspond to that of a lowest common denominator I/O device. In some embodiments, the form of mappings (e.g., of operation translations) may be specialized on a per-logical-device basis (or even a per-sub-window basis), thereby offering individual logical I/O devices (or sub-windows thereof) immediate, indexed, and/or untranslated operation mapping frameworks appropriate to their individual requirements or needs. In general, flexibilities and efficiencies afforded in some embodiments of the present invention can be desirable, particularly as the diversity of I/O device types and richness of transaction semantics supported in interconnect fabrics increase. Some embodiments may be leveraged in support of sophisticated system partitions or I/O virtualizations.
US08473642B2 PCI express enhancements and extensions including device window caching
A method and apparatus for enhancing/extending a serial point-to-point interconnect architecture, such as Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) is herein described. Temporal and locality caching hints and prefetching hints are provided to improve system wide caching and prefetching. Message codes for atomic operations to arbitrate ownership between system devices/resources are included to allow efficient access/ownership of shared data. Loose transaction ordering provided for while maintaining corresponding transaction priority to memory locations to ensure data integrity and efficient memory access. Active power sub-states and setting thereof is included to allow for more efficient power management. And, caching of device local memory in a host address space, as well as caching of system memory in a device local memory address space is provided for to improve bandwidth and latency for memory accesses.
US08473641B2 Facilitating transport mode input/output operations between a channel subsystem and input/output devices
A computer program product is configured for performing a method including: generating at least one command message by a channel subsystem of the host computer system, the at least one command message including one or more device command words (DCWs), wherein at least one DCW of the one or more DCWs includes a suppress-length indication (SLI) configured to instruct a control unit to continue to perform the I/O operation in response to the control unit detecting that the data count does not match an amount of data required; receiving an incorrect length (IL) value, the IL value being a first IL value in response to the SLI being a first SLI value and the data count not matching the amount of data required; and responsive to receiving the IL value from the control unit, storing an IL indicator in a subchannel-status word.
US08473640B2 System and method for implementing a single chip having a multiple sub-layer PHY
A system and method are disclosed for supporting 10 Gigabit digital serial communications. Many of the functional components and sublayers of a 10 Gigabit digital serial communications transceiver module are integrated into a single IC chip using the same CMOS technology throughout the single chip. The single chip includes a PMD transmit/receive CMOS sublayer, a PMD PCS CMOS sublayer, a XGXS PCS CMOS sublayer, and a XAUI transmit/receive CMOS sublayer. The single chip supports both 10 Gigabit Ethernet operation and 10 Gigabit Fiber Channel operation. The single chip interfaces to a MAC, an optical PMD, and non-volatile memory.
US08473635B1 Provisioning tool for a distributed computer network
The present invention describes a tool that allows a CDN customer, partner, or other authorized entity to create a DNS canonical name (CNAME) on the content delivery network without having to contact the content delivery network service provider directly.
US08473630B1 Adaptive video streaming using time-to-offset mapping
Systems and methods are provided herein relating to adaptive video streaming. A time-to-offset mapping, also known as a seek index, associated with a set of video blocks can be used to more accurately estimate bandwidth for sections of a video. A video block among the set of video blocks can be dynamically selected as a function of client capabilities. Client capabilities can be dynamically monitored and a stream can be dynamically selected based on the dynamic monitoring. The benefits in using time-to-offset mapping to better estimate bandwidth can better maximize client performance and reliability when playing a video stream.
US08473628B2 Dynamically altering playlists
In general, in one aspect, streams associated with a playlist are received from a server. The playlist includes an ordering of streams that are queued for client-side playback from the server according to the ordering. Information associated with the receipt and playback of at least one of the streams is accessed. The client-side application requests to alter the streams of the playlist in response to the accessed information. The request identifies a desired playlist alteration and includes information that controls the playlist alteration. The streams of the playlist are displayed according to a playlist alteration made in response to the request.
US08473626B2 Method and system for providing a session in a heterogeneous environment
Method and system for providing a user with a consistent view of user session requiring a conversation between an external device and application servers in a distributed computing environment. The conversation may be established by receiving a call at a routing device from one of the application servers or the external device to reach the other to establish communication therebetween, opening a session for the conversation, creating a session ID that uniquely identifies the session, adding the session ID to the call, storing the session ID, and routing the call to the other of the application server or the external device. If the call already includes a session ID, then the conversation may be established by routing the call to the other-of the application server or the external device, and allowing the conversation to join an already opened session that is uniquely identified by the session ID.
US08473619B2 Security network integrated with premise security system
An integrated security system is described that integrates broadband and mobile access and control with conventional security systems and premise devices to provide a tri-mode security network (broadband, cellular/GSM, POTS access) that enables users to remotely stay connected to their premises. The integrated security system, while delivering remote premise monitoring and control functionality to conventional monitored premise protection, complements existing premise protection equipment. The integrated security system integrates into the premise network and couples wirelessly with the conventional security panel, enabling broadband access to premise security systems. Automation devices (cameras, lamp modules, thermostats, etc.) can be added, enabling users to remotely see live video and/or pictures and control home devices via their personal web portal or webpage, mobile phone, and/or other remote client device. Users can also receive notifications via email or text message when happenings occur, or do not occur, in their home.
US08473615B1 System and method for customer provisioning in a utility computing platform
A utility computing platform includes a virtualization control system coupled to physical server, disk drive and networking resources and configured to partition the physical resources into virtual resources including virtual processor, memory and storage resources. The utility computing platform comprises a customer console application coupled to the virtualization control system, and accessible via an Internet connection to a customer computing system operating a web browser interface. The customer console application enables the customer, through the web browser interface, to create and manage one or more virtual servers within a customer environment by associating an amount of virtual processor, memory and storage resources with the one or more virtual servers.
US08473613B2 Transparent redirection of resource requests
A plurality of repeater servers form a shared content delivery network (CDN) to serve resources to clients on behalf of a plurality of content providers. First and second resources are associated with a first content provider, the first resource referencing the second resource. The second resource is associated with a domain of the shared CDN. Responsive to a request that causes the first resource to be served to a client from a server in a domain associated with the first content provider, a CDN server is identified in the domain associated with the shared CDN to serve the second resource to the client. The CDN server is selected based, at least in part, on load conditions on at least some of the CDN servers, and on the client's location. Responsive to the CDN server being requested to serve the second resource: if a copy of the second resource is available on the CDN server, the copy is served to the client from the CDN server; otherwise, the second resource is replicated on the CDN server and then served to the client from the CDN server.
US08473611B1 Referrer cache chain
A request for content is received at a content filter of a computer system, and a determination is made, based on a referrer included in the request, regarding a root site directly or indirectly associated with the request. Thereafter, the content is permitted or not permitted according to whether or not the root site is a permitted site and a site associated with the content is categorized in a semantically equivalent content category with the root site. The determination regarding the root site may involve consulting a referrer chain cache storing lists of referrers which associate referring Web sites with root sites from which referrals originate.
US08473610B2 Proactive data storage in a distributed network
A method of proactive seeding of data in a peer-to-peer computer network is provided. The method may include the following steps: monitoring, in a peer-to-peer computer network, a plurality of agents and a plurality of files by tracking an availability of each agent and tracking a status of each file respectively; evaluating each agent, based at least partially on respective past performance and specified rules; encoding each file into portions; matching the portions into agents to yield a specified distribution of loads among the agents based at least partially on their respective evaluation, wherein at least one of the monitoring, the evaluating, the encoding, the and the matching is executed by at least one processor.
US08473609B2 Data transmission method and server for substation monitoring control system
According to one embodiment, a server 11 performs aggregate signal processing for n-to-one signal transmission. The processing includes waiting processing and time adjusting processing. In the waiting processing, from a time point where a first constitutional element signal constituting a specific aggregate signal bound for the upper level control center reaches the server until a wait time that is based on a preset condition elapses, the server waits for another constitutional element signal of the specific aggregate signal to arrive (S202-S208). In the time adjusting processing, the server extracts an earliest generation time from generation times attached respectively to constitutional element signals arriving during the waiting processing, and attaches the extracted time as a generation time of the specific aggregate signal (S210).
US08473601B2 Multiple ping management
A method of testing connectivity of networks includes pinging multiple devices on the network upon a single command. The devices to be pinged are pre-arranged in one or more catalogs (lists) and stored in the memory of a connectivity test instrument. A ping catalog is selected, and each device in the list automatically is pinged three times from a single ping command. Data from the network devices is parsed, stored and formatted for display to a user.
US08473598B1 Systems and methods for monitoring and reporting on virtual application delivery
Embodiments include systems and methods for systems and methods for displaying an electronic document on multiple output devices. In one embodiment, a method may include acquiring session data associated with a remote access server for a user; acquiring session data associated with at least one server that provides virtual application delivery services to a plurality of remote devices associated with a user account; acquiring disconnect data associated with the least one server providing virtual application delivery services to the plurality of remote devices associated with the user account; updating a session file associated with the user account and a disconnect file associated with the user account with the acquired session data and disconnect data, respectively; acquiring parameters to define, at least in part, a report that presents both session data and disconnect data in a single presentation; and generating the report for the user account based at least in part on the parameters and the session file and disconnect file.
US08473597B2 Network database control device and method thereof
A network device control unit and method are provided in which, not all MIB objects under the control of the network management software are simultaneously acquired during startup of the network management software so the almost simultaneous flow of a large volume of SNMP packets in the LAN will not occur and along with a simultaneous reduction in the load on communications lines, the load on devices such as the printer and network board processing their SNMP packets will also become small. To accomplish this, windows allocated to individual network peripheral devices on a one to one basis and controlling the network device are utilized as device windows, and information to be displayed on the initial screen of the device window is acquired as the initial sheet and displayed. Device windows also acquire and display different sheet information on the device window when determined an entry has been made by the user requesting display of a different type of sheet information.
US08473595B2 Method and system to automatically adapt web services from one protocol/idiom to another protocol/idiom
A method and system to convert an existing web service from a first web services implantation type to a second web services implementation type. Example implementation types include SOAP and Representational State Transfer (REST). This conversion is achieved by recognizing and classifying available information from each of the distinct implementation types. After proper recognition and classification as disclosed herein, a deterministic process may be utilized to assist in converting or translating the exposed interface; thereby assisting in developing an interface, based on a different interface type than the one already exposed, may be provided.
US08473594B2 Multitenant hosted virtual machine infrastructure
A multi-tenant virtual machine infrastructure (MTVMI) allows multiple tenants to independently access and use a plurality of virtual computing resources via the Internet. Within the MTVMI, different tenants may define unique configurations of virtual computing resources and unique rules to govern the use of the virtual computing resources. The MTVMI may be configured to provide valuable services for tenants and users associated with the tenants.
US08473587B1 System and method for caching server images in a hosting system
Some embodiments provide a method that, at a caching network of a hosting and storage system that includes several nodes for hosting virtual machines for users, receives a request for an image of a particular computer system configuration for deployment as a virtual machine on a particular node of the hosting system. The method determines whether the requested image is presently stored on the caching network. When the image is present on the caching network, the method streams the image to the particular node of the hosting system for deployment as a virtual machine on the particular node. When the image is not presently stored on the caching network, the method retrieves a copy of the image from a permanent storage network and then streams the image to the particular node of the hosting system for deployment as a virtual machine on the particular node.
US08473586B2 Method for determining aesthetic preferences to define a style guide and transforming a presentation based thereon
A method for determining visual preferences and defining a design based on the ascertained visual preferences. The method includes administering a questionnaire over a computer network, collecting selections made in response to the network and processing the selections into a style-guide. The visual preferences encoded in the style guide can be used to define presentations, customize messages, or be matched to existing images, allowing effective and cost effective development of designs.
US08473585B1 Multi-threaded optimization for data upload
A method may include receiving, at a first computing device, a command, from a second computing device, to upload a file to a storage region; negotiating, with a third computing device, a destination for the file, where the destination correlates to a storage location at the storage region; monitoring upload of at least a first chunk of the file and a second chunk of the file to the destination, where the first chunk is logically contiguous with the second chunk; determining that a threshold portion of the second chunk has been uploaded prior to upload of an entirety of the first chunk; initiating suspension of upload of the second chunk; determining upload of the entirety of the first chunk has completed; initiating continuation of upload of the second chunk; and reporting success of upload of the first chunk to the second computing device.
US08473580B1 Content management system for integrated display substrates
A system is provided that includes a content management system, a controller, and an electronic display. The electronic display is integrated into an object, such as the packaging of a consumer product. The content management system sends instructions to the controller for determining content to display. The instructions depend in part on status information obtained by the controller from an external source. At least one instruction pertains to extended periods when the controller is unable to communicate with the content management system.
US08473579B2 Data reception management apparatus, systems, and methods
Apparatus, systems, and methods to manage networks may operate to receive a packet into an element of an array contained in a memory while a low resource state exists, and to truncate the array at the element responsive to at least one of an indication that the array is full, or an indication that no more packets are available to be received after receiving at least the packet. The receiving and the truncating may be executed by a processor. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08473577B2 Continuous application execution between multiple devices
In one example, a device includes a display, an interface configured to exchange data with external devices, a control unit configured to execute an application to cause the display to display a current visual representation of the application, determine a current application state of the application, wherein the current application state includes at least a portion of the current visual representation of the application, and means for sending, without user intervention, an indication of the determined current application state from the device to a second, different device via the interface, wherein the indication of the determined current application state comprises information for recreating at least the portion of the current visual representation of the application, wherein the control unit is configured to prevent subsequent indications of the current application state from being sent to the second device in response to an indication that a third device is executing the application.
US08473576B2 Communication system for process-oriented acquisition, storage, transmission, and provision of data
A communication system for process-oriented acquisition, storage, transmission, and provision of data includes at least one server device and a plurality of data processing devices connected through a communication network. The at least one server device is configured to provide a predefined data container for at least one process. At least one of the plurality of data processing devices is configured to download the data container so as to perform a first process step of the at least one process and to provide at least a one-time initiation of the at least one process. The data container includes at least a module configured to automatically check for the presence of the at least one additional process step in the at least one process by evaluating the directory with the at least one additional process step.
US08473573B2 Method for providing contents to client and server using the same
A method for providing one or more contents to a client is disclosed. The method comprise receiving a request for one or more specific contents from the client; transmitting, to the client, a contents reproducer, which allows a user of the client to define at least one new command and to define an external appearance of the contents reproducer, wherein the external appearance includes an object to be represented as the new command; and transmitting, to the client, the requested contents thereby to be reproduced using the contents reproducer.
US08473572B1 State change alerts mechanism
A communications system including one or more alert gates and an alert controller. Each alert gate is configured to detect a different type of alert feed corresponding to a particular kind of alert. The alert controller is connected to the alert gates and operable to receive detected alerts from the alert gates and to deliver the detected alerts to a user of the communications system.
US08473569B2 Apparatus and method for consumer-oriented distribution of information processing capability
In order to provide a home user with cost-effective PC processing capability, the home user is provided with a terminal which has only sufficient processing capability to communicate with a service provider over a network. Any processing and program execution is performed, in response to requests from the home user's terminal, by the service provider and the results are returned to the terminal. In addition to the processing capability, data is stored in the service provider. Because the processing and data storage is performed by the service provider, changes to the programs and/or hardware can the confined to the processing resources of the service provider. In addition, the service provider can be provided with virus and hacking protection, protection that will then not be necessary for the home user's terminal. In this manner, the home user can be charged for only the facilities and software that are actually used, while having available the full capability of a personal computer without the initial cost of a home computer, the on-going cost of maintenance, and the cost of upgrading hardware and software. The communication link can be a secure link.
US08473567B2 Generating a packet including multiple operation codes
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a processor that can generate data packets for transmission to an agent, where the processor can generate a data packet having a command portion including a first operation code to encode a transaction type for the data packet and a second operation code to encode a processor-specific operation. This second operation code can encode many different features such as an indication that the data packet is of a smaller size than a standard packet, in order to reduce bandwidth. This operation code can also identify an operation to be performed by a destination agent coupled to the agent. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08473565B2 Abstracting special file interfaces to concurrently support multiple operating system levels
Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter are directed to detecting a request to access a symbol via a special file that accesses kernel memory directly. The request can come from an application from a first instance of an operating system (OS) running a first version of the OS. A second instance of the OS, which manages the first OS, receives the request. The second instance of the OS includes a kernel shared between the first and second instances of the OS. The second instance of the OS runs a second version of the OS. Some embodiments are further directed to detecting data associated with the symbol, where the data is in a first data format that is compatible with the second version of the OS but is incompatible with the first version of the OS. Some embodiments are further directed to reformatting the data from the first data format to a second data format compatible with the second version of the OS.
US08473564B2 Contention detection and resolution
A multiple computer system is disclosed in which n computers (M1, M2 . . . Mn) each run a different portion of a single application program written to execute only on a single computer. The local memory of each computer is maintained substantially the same by updating all computers with every change made to addressed memory locations. Contention can arise when the same memory location is substantially simultaneously updated by two or more machines because of transmission delays and latency of the communications network interconnecting all the computers. In particular a method of detecting and resolving contention is disclosed which utilizes a count value indicative of the number of the sequence of occasions on which each memory location has been updated. Contention is indicated if the currently stored count value and the incoming updating count value are the same. The contention can be resolved by providing a further rule. One such further rule is that in the presence of contention the updating message from the higher numbered computer is to be accepted and the updating message from the lower numbered computer is to be rejected. Other further rules are also disclosed.
US08473560B2 System and method for improved synchronization between a server and a client
A system and method for improved client and server communications, more particularly, an improved protocol that may be used for communication between a client and a server, such as in an email environment. Many features are provided for improved communications. An email server may provide the best message body available for an email message, may transfer an entire data object if requested property or properties are not well defined within the data object, may provide progress data for use in tracking download progress, and may send error information for a data object having an error. Email changes may be optimized at an email server component, even if the email changes occurred at another email server component. An email server may maintain a table of changes that occur to folders at an associated data store, and may notify a subscribed email client component of changes that occur in the table.
US08473551B2 Confidential presentations in virtual world infrastructure
Methods and apparatus for forming and presenting confidential presentations within a computing environment associated with a virtual application are presented. For example, a method for forming a confidential presentation includes obtaining a correspondence indicator from an asset server, obtaining a first texture from the asset server, and overlaying the first texture onto a first object. The correspondence indicator indicates the first texture corresponds to the first object. The first object is within the computing environment associated with the virtual application. The first texture and the asset server are inaccessible by the computing environment associated with the virtual application. The confidential presentation comprises the first texture.
US08473550B2 Content sharing using notification within a social networking environment
Example systems and methods of content sharing using notification within a social networking environment are presented. In one example, an indication is received from a first user device associated with a first user, the indication indicating that the first user device is available for supplying media content over a communication network. Social network information regarding the first user is retrieved. A second user of a second user device is identified based on an association between the first user and the second user according to the social network information. The second user device is notified of the availability of the first user device for the supplying of the media content.
US08473548B2 Intelligent network system and method and computer-readable medium controlling the same
An intelligent network system including a client unit and a server unit providing a service to the client unit, and a method and computer-readable medium controlling the same are disclosed. If the server unit copies a process that performs a service requested by the client unit into the client unit, and the server unit cannot provide the service any longer, the process is copied to another available server unit so that the service can be continuously provided. Also, if there is no available server unit, the client unit receives the service using the copy process pre-stored in the client unit itself. Therefore, although the network or the peripheral device is in the worst state, the client unit can stably receive the service.
US08473547B2 Methods and structure for utilizing dynamic capabilities in client/server software interaction
Methods and structure for improved client/server program communication by transmitting dynamically maintained service capabilities information from the server program to the client program. The client program generates a service request based on the received service capabilities information. Since the service capabilities information is retrieved from the server program and is dynamically maintained by the server program, the client program need not be updated when available services from the server program are modified. In one exemplary embodiment, the client program may be a print application client program and the server program may be a print server program. The print client program retrieves the current printer device capabilities (service capabilities information) and generates a print job ticket (service request) based on the retrieved, dynamically maintained printer device capability information. The job ticket is then transmitted to the server program to cause the printing of the document specified by the job ticket.
US08473545B2 Distributing presence information
A method of distributing availability information from a first user terminal to at least one further user terminal connected via a communication network, comprising: executing a communication client at the first user terminal; the communication client accessing schedule data stored on a storage means relating to a user of the first user terminal; the communication client analysing the schedule data to determine a current status of the user; mapping the current status of the user to a selected one of a group of predefined availability settings at the communication client; and transmitting a message comprising the selected availability setting over the communication network to the at least one further user terminal.
US08473544B2 Image display system, display apparatus, and display method
If a user specifies a location on a map image, he or she can see an image shot at that location. An imaging apparatus (an imaging/display apparatus 1 or an imaging apparatus 30) placed on a movable body transmits shot image data to a server apparatus together with additional data that includes location information about a photographing point, so that they are stored in the server apparatus. That is, the server apparatus accumulates pieces of image data obtained by photographing in various places by a great number of imaging apparatuses together with the location information thereof. A user of the display apparatus (the imaging/display apparatus 1 or the display apparatus 40) specifies a location on the map image. Then, the display apparatus transmits location specification information to the server apparatus, and the server apparatus searches for the image data based on the location specification information, and transmits the image data corresponding to the location specification information to the display apparatus. The display apparatus receives and displays the image data.
US08473540B1 Decoder and process therefor
A decoder, such as for example an MMSE MIMO decoder, and a method for decoding are described. An input channel matrix is obtained, and an extended channel matrix of the input channel matrix is generated. The extended channel matrix is triangularized to provide a triangularized matrix, and the triangularized matrix is inverted to provide an inverted triangular matrix. A left matrix multiplication result matrix associated with multiplication of the input channel matrix and the inverted triangular matrix is generated, and a weight matrix from the left matrix multiplication result matrix and the inverted triangular matrix is generated. A received symbols matrix is obtained, and a weighted estimation is generated and output using the weight matrix and the received symbols matrix to provide an estimate of a transmit symbols matrix for output of estimated data symbols.
US08473536B2 Algorithm for adiabatic pulse design using the Shinnar Le-Roux transform
A method for providing an adiabatic RF pulse that is an inversion or refocusing pulse for a RF pulse sequence is provided. A linear phase frequency profile (Flp(ω)) is determined for the adiabatic RF pulse. A quadratic phase is applied to the linear phase frequency profile for the adiabatic RF pulse to obtain F(ω), wherein the applying the quadratic phase comprises setting F(ω)=Flp(ω)eikω2. A polynomial β is set to equal a Fourier Transform (F(ω)). A corresponding minimum phase α polynomial is determined for the β polynomial. (α,β) are set as inputs to an inverse Shinnar Le-Roux transform to generate an adiabatic RF waveform. The adiabatic RF waveform is truncated to produce the adiabatic RF pulse, wherein k>0.03π/(ω5−ωp)/(N+1) and k
US08473535B2 High-speed pulse shaping filter systems and methods
A first system and method relates to an analog current-mode method using branch systems. In the analog current-mode implementation, multiple branches systems can be scaled according to filter coefficients and switched using known data points. Positive coefficients can add current to the summing node, while negative coefficients can remove current from the summing node. Switches can be implemented with quick charge/discharge paths in order to operate at very high data rates. A second system and method relates to a digital look-up table based high-speed implementation. In the digital implementation, outputs can be pre-calculated as an n-bit output word that drives an n-bit DAC. Each bit of the n-bit word can then described as an independent function of the known data points. Each such function can be implemented as a high-speed combinational logic block. Both systems and methods enable the implementation of pulse shaping filters for multi-gigabit per second data transmission.
US08473534B2 Method for use in a digital frequency synthesizer
A method for use in a digital frequency synthesizer, the method comprising phase to amplitude conversion of an output value of a phase accumulator in said synthesizer, said conversion being carried out as an approximation (y) of a phase value (x) which corresponds to said output amplitude value, the method being characterized in that the approximation comprises a combination of a linear interpolation value and a second order sinusoidal value, the second order sinusoidal value being used as an error term to correct for errors in the linear interpolation value.
US08473532B1 Method and apparatus for automatic organization for computer files
A method and apparatus to automatically organize computer files or web pages into meaning categories, to acquire new computer files or web pages, and to maintain the resulting organization in hierarchical directory tree structure. The method allows a user to provide a large number of unorganized files or an initial directory. The method partitions the unorganized files into hierarchically arranged categories that form an initial directory or allows a user to provide the initial directory. The method creates a description to summarize the contents of each of the categories in the directory. The method uses the descriptions in a classification step that assigns a newly given computer file to one of the categories. When the number of files in a category exceeds a user predefined limit, the method partitions some of the files into additional categories. The method updates the descriptions of a category and all its parent categories whenever additional files or categories are added into or removed from the category.
US08473525B2 Metadata generation for image files
A system for associating content-relevant metadata with digital image files. The system searches memory for at least one image file deficient of content-relevant metadata and analyzes the at least one image file for determining existing content-relevant metadata. The at least one image file and at least a portion of candidate content-relevant metadata is presented to the to a user. The user is allowed to acknowledge the portion of the candidate content-relevant metadata presented, which can then be stored in a database.
US08473517B2 Privacy-sensitive cooperative location naming
A location database may be configured to store a set of subjective, arbitrary, and/or ephemeral names assigned to a location by various users. When a user of a device arrives at a particular location, the device may retrieve and present to the user the set of names assigned to the location. Moreover, the names may be associated with a privacy designation, which may permit an author of a location name to indicate whether the name of a location should be shared with the public or restricted to access by the user (or to a specified group of users, etc.) Other access criteria may also be specified, e.g., read-only access to a name for the public and read/write access to a particular group of users. Within the set of names of a location, particular names may be designated as authoritative, and may be presented to users with emphasis.
US08473516B2 Computer storage apparatus for multi-tiered data security
A computer storage apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: (1) primary file storage, (2) a controller coupled to said primary file storage and configured to provide an interface by which data is communicated therewith, (3) formula/offset file storage coupled to said controller and configured to store at least one formula/offset and (4) pointer file storage coupled to said controller and configured to store at least one pointer, said controller further configured to provide said interface based on interaction with said formula/offset file storage and said pointer file storage.
US08473514B2 Media validation system
A media validation system including a plurality of media storage devices which contain a quantity of content thereon, a user computer processor assembly structured to operatively access a select media storage device, a verification module, and a communicative link between the verification module and the user computer processor assembly. Each of the media storage devices includes a unique unit identifier, the verification module identifying the unique unit identifier of the select media storage device and receiving user information associated therewith. The verification module is also structured to apply a reward credit in association with only a first user whose user information is associated with the unique unit identifier for the select media storage device.
US08473512B2 Dynamic profile slice
Systems and methods are provided for maintaining a dynamic profile slice of a user profile of a user. In one embodiment, a real-time user-generated context of the user is monitored over time to accumulate keywords in the dynamic profile slice of the user that are representative of dynamic interests of the user. Weights are assigned to the keywords in the dynamic profile slice using a time and/or location weighting function.
US08473509B2 Systems, methods, and apparatus for utility common pool database
Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for providing for utility common pool database. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for utilizing a common pool database. The method may include transmitting, by one or more networks, one or more queries comprising location data from a mobile device to a server in communication with a database; receiving, from the database by the one or more networks, localized field information based at least in part on the one or more queries; and outputting the localized field information via the mobile device.
US08473507B2 Tokenized search suggestions
Embodiments of tokenized search suggestions include generating, by at least one suggestion engine executing on a data processing system, first suggestions based on first text input in a text input field. The first suggestions are displayed on a display device and a selection of one of the first suggestions is received. The first text input is replaced with a first token corresponding to the selected one of the first suggestions. The at least one suggestion engine generates second suggestions based on second text input in the text input field and filters the second suggestions using the selected one of the first suggestions. The filtered selections are displayed on a display device.
US08473504B2 Stabilized binary differencing
An apparatus and method for stabilized binary differencing are provided. The method includes obtaining a first report file for a first image corresponding to a current firmware version and a second report file for a second image corresponding to an updated firmware version, each report file containing information about a plurality of sections of the corresponding image, generating a first object array corresponding to the first report file and a second object array corresponding to the second report file, comparing the first object array to the second object array, updating the second object array to reflect the results of the comparison, generating a steering file based on the updated object array, performing a binary differencing on the first image and the second image based on the steering file, and generating a delta file based on the binary differencing.
US08473500B2 Inferring user interests
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes determining, for a portion of users of a social network, label values each comprising an inferred interest level of a user in a subject indicated by a label, associating a first user with one or more second users based on one or more relationships specified by the first user, and outputting a first label value for the first user based on one or more second label values of the one or more second users.
US08473493B2 System and method for selective information and resource sharing
A method and system of automatically identifying a set of relevant and qualified recipients to share electronic data is disclosed. The system includes an electronic network configured to store and transmit the electronic data files. The electronic data files include one or more data tags defining a sharing condition that targets potential recipients of the data files or permits access to the data files. A people-tagging system provides an electronic platform including keyword lists (tags) defined by recipient users collaboratively. A matching tool includes software matching recipient users to the data files when the recipient users are associated with keyword lists that satisfy the sharing condition. The method includes tagging a data file by one or more keywords and using a people-tagging system where the recipient users define a list of tags on topics of interest. Recipient users are matched to data files when user lists of tags satisfying the sharing condition.
US08473485B2 Organizing search history into collections
Computer-storage media, methods, and systems for improving the ability of a user to accomplish a task that is pending during a search session are provided. This pending task can be distilled by identifying a current searching intent associated with a recently submitted query and by determining which candidate tasks are most comparable to the current searching intent of a user. The candidate tasks are mined from a search history of the user by categorizing those navigation events that appear to share a semantically common concept. Upon performing a comparison, the candidate task that captures the user's true current searching intent is designated as the pending task. When a user invokes the pending task, a collection of elements that are associated with the pending task are dynamically organized into a sharable content page, thereby providing a collaborative experience that involves exposing the collection to contacts and accepting feedback therefrom.
US08473483B2 Performing parallel joins on distributed database data
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for performing parallel joins on distributed database data. Embodiments of the invention include a phased semi-join reduction strategy using replication and shuffle operations to join a first and a second data source. A filter building phase uses replication and pushes down a “Distinct” (e.g., SQL) operator to produce a list of join keys for the first data source (one side of the join). A shuffle phase for the second data source is modified to join to the key list produced in the first phase as a row filtering mechanism. A join phase then joins the first and second data sources.
US08473481B2 Object recognition and library
An image may be received, a portion of which corresponds to a surface of an object, such as a book, a CD, a DVD, a wine bottle, etc. The portion of the image that corresponds to the surface of the object is located. The portion of the image is compared with previously stored images of surfaces of objects to identify the object. A record of the object is created and added to a library. The record of the object may comprise the image of the object, the portion of the image which corresponds to the surface of the object, and/or the received image itself. The record may comprise an indicator of a location of the object.
US08473479B2 Media package format for submission to a media distribution system
The disclosed embodiments relate generally to the submission of media content to a media distribution system and the generation of media items from the media content. The media items may include, for example, audio, video, image, or podcast data. In accordance with one embodiment, a package for use in generating a downloadable digital media content asset includes metadata content that describes how the media content in a plurality of data files including media content can be processed to generate a downloadable digital media content asset, where the package includes information identifying the plurality of data files.
US08473474B1 Granularity-adaptive extraction of correlation structures in databases
Implementations include generating a first plurality of univariate distributions based on known data stored in a computer-readable database, each univariate distribution of the plurality of distributions comprising an arbitrary distribution, processing the univariate distributions and the known data to generate an empirical ACR provided as a multi-dimensional histogram, storing the empirical ACR in the computer-readable database, retrieving, from computer-readable memory, a second plurality of univariate distributions, each univariate distribution in the second plurality of univariate distributions being associated with a respective set of uncertain values that are to be correlated to a respective set of uncertain values associated with one or more other univariate distributions in the second plurality of univariate distributions, processing the empirical ACR and the second plurality of univariate distributions to generate a correlation histogram that represents a correlation between the respective sets of uncertain values and storing the correlation histogram in the computer-readable database.
US08473471B2 Information processing apparatus, method, program and storage medium
An information processing apparatus comprises: a receiving unit adapted to receive designation of a plurality of types of attribute values, which indicate characteristics of data, from a user; a presenting unit adapted to selectably present data having a characteristic that matches at least any one of the attribute values for which a designation has been received, from among a plurality of items of data that have been stored in a storage unit for storing the plurality of items of data and each of the attribute values of the plurality of items of data; and an updating unit adapted to update an attribute value, which has been stored in the storage unit, of data that has been selected by the user from among the presented data, the updating being performed based upon an attribute value for which a designation has been received.
US08473468B2 System and method for transactional deployment of J2EE web components, enterprise java bean components, and application data over multi-tiered computer networks
Provided is a computer system and method for transactional deployment of component(s) over a multi-tier network with J2EE application server program(s) stored on a memory(ies) of the system and which are executed by a central processing unit(s) (CPUs). A J2EE application(s) can be executed by the J2EE application servers, and a J2EE application container(s) are contained within each J2EE application server. Each J2EE application container contains a J2EE application container component(s) and a Java EJB container(s) or Java web containers are contained within each J2EE application container. A J2EE component(s) are delivered to the J2EE application server over one or more tiers of the network. There are one or more logical connections to one or more databases located on the network. This defines a sphere of control managing transactional deployment of the delivered J2EE component(s) and an update of the database to keep the data consistent with the J2EE application.
US08473467B2 Content profiling to dynamically configure content processing
Some embodiments provide a method that receives an unstructured document including a number of primitive elements. The method identifies a default set of document reconstruction operations for reconstructing the unstructured document to define a structured document. The method performs at least one of the document reconstruction operations from the default set. Based on results of the performed document reconstruction operations, the method identifies a profile for the unstructured document. The method modifies the set of document reconstruction operations for reconstructing the unstructured document according to the identified profile.
US08473463B1 Method of avoiding duplicate backups in a computing system
A system and method for avoiding duplicate backups of data in a volume backup image. A cluster of nodes is coupled to a data storage medium configured to store data corresponding to a shared volume. A node receives a request for the backup of the shared volume. In response to this request, the node queries all other nodes in the cluster for identification of a subset of the shared volume data that should be excluded from the backup. The identified subset of the data may correspond to at least a file under control of a database application or other particular application. It may be known that this identified subset of the data will be backed up by a subsequent agent-based backup operation after the volume backup. In response to receiving all query responses, the node initiates a backup corresponding to the data in the shared volume excluding the identified subset of the data.
US08473456B2 Synchronizing resource type and property structures
Extracting and synchronizing an Enterprise Portal application resource types and properties of business objects located in repository is disclosed. The repository is queried without human intervention to determine business object type information and for each business object type its associated properties. A representation of the business object types and associated properties in a format that facilitates synchronization with the enterprise portal application is generated.
US08473454B2 System and method of on-demand document processing
A document processing method includes receiving, at a server with a network interface, electronic documents from a user. The server includes a software application adapted to recognize a class of electronic documents to which the electronic documents belong. The method also includes processing the electronic documents received from the user to extract data therefrom based on a recognition that the electronic documents belong to the class of electronic documents. The extracted data corresponds to a service being provided to the user. The method also includes automatically mapping the extracted data from the processed electronic documents to a data repository on the server. The data repository is accessible by the user through the network interface. The method also includes electronically generating output data based on the mapped data from the data repository to the user. The output data corresponds to the service being provided to the user.
US08473451B1 Preserving privacy in natural language databases
An apparatus and a method for preserving privacy in natural language databases are provided. Natural language input may be received. At least one of sanitizing or anonymizing the natural language input may be performed to form a clean output. The clean output may be stored.
US08473450B2 Relational database management system (RDBMS) employing multi-dimensional database (MDDB) for servicing query statements through one or more client machines
A relational database management system (RDBMS) for servicing query statements through one or more client machines. The RDBMS comprises a query interface adapted to receive query statements from the client machines. The query handling mechanism (i) receives each request from the query interface, (ii) extracts a set of dimensions associated with the request, (iii) uses the dimensions to retrieve aggregated fact data from a multi-dimensional database (MDDB), and (iv) forwards retrieved aggregated fact data to the query processing mechanism for subsequent processing. When the query processing mechanism determines that servicing of one or more query requests require data stored in the relational tables, then the query processing mechanism automatically routes the requests to the relational data tables, so that data can be accessed from the relational tables and forwarded to the query processing mechanism for use in servicing the requests, in a manner transparent to the client machine.
US08473448B2 Compound property prediction apparatus, property prediction method, and program for implementing the method
A compound property prediction apparatus includes a memory storing a training sample library in which a parameter value and a value for a prediction item are preregistered for each individual one of a plurality of training samples and an input device inputting data concerning an unknown sample. Also included is a processor programmed to generate a parameter of the unknown sample, calculate the degree of similarity between the unknown sample and an individual training sample, construct a sub-sample set by extracting training samples whose degree of similarity to the unknown sample is not smaller than a predetermined threshold value, construct a prediction model from the sub-sample set, and calculate the prediction value of the unknown sample based on the prediction model. If necessary, the threshold value is changed until a predetermined minimum number of training samples are included in the sub-sample set.
US08473446B2 Method and apparatus for hypothesis testing
A decision stream in a hypothesis testing problem may be obtained by comparing a received data stream to a threshold. The threshold may be generated from a noise subset of the data stream based on certain characteristics of observed data. The probability distribution of the noise subset along with characteristics of the data stream may be used in determining the threshold. The determination of the threshold may be adaptive to maintain a user prescribed probability of error. A decision state machine may be used to control the manner in which noise characteristics are used to guide the hypothesis testing, increase the detection rate, and reduce the probability of error. The decision state machine evaluates the decision stream to determine falsely classified data samples and reclassify such items appropriately. The decision state machine may filter the decision stream to ensure that a lower decision error rate is achieved.
US08473444B1 Management of actions in multiple virtual and non-virtual environments
A system and method for controlling interaction among environments including virtualized environments and a system environment. A process issues a request to perform an action on a resource or a second process. A virtualization environment manager operating in the system environment detects the request and in response, retrieves data associated with the request identifying the first process, a base environment corresponding to the process, and the resource, and retrieves a first rule from a programmable database of rules. A base environment of a process is an environment in which a process is running. The first rule corresponds to at least one of the first process, the base environment, and the resource and identifies a target environment in which to process the request. The target environment is different from the base environment of the process. The virtualization environment manager directs the request to the target environment.
US08473441B2 Translating paralinguistic indicators
Paralinguistic indicators are translated at a paralinguistic translation server by receiving from a source a first set of data related to a first paralinguistic indicator that is configured to enable non-verbal communications between a source and a destination. The source is one of an instant messaging system and a virtual world system and the destination is one of the textual instant messaging system and a virtual world system but differs from the source. The first set of data related to the first paralinguistic indicator is translated into a second set of data related to a second paralinguistic indicator, such that the second paralinguistic indicator that is at least partially synonymous to the non-verbal communications associated with the first paralinguistic indicator. The second set of data related to the second paralinguistic indicator is transmitted to the destination.
US08473439B2 Integrate and fire electronic neurons
An integrate and fire electronic neuron is disclosed. Upon receiving an external spike signal, a digital membrane potential of the electronic neuron is updated based on the external spike signal. The electric potential of the membrane is decayed based on a leak rate. Upon the electric potential of the membrane exceeding a threshold, a spike signal is generated.
US08473433B2 Systems and methods to facilitate local searches via location disambiguation
Systems and methods use machine learning techniques to resolve location ambiguity in search queries. In one aspect, a dataset generator generates a training dataset using query logs of a search engine. A training engine applies a machine learning technique to the training dataset to generate a location disambiguation model. A location disambiguation engine uses the location disambiguation model to resolve location ambiguity in subsequent search queries.
US08473431B1 Predictive analytic modeling platform
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on one or more computer storage devices, for training a predictive model. In one aspect, a method includes receiving over a network predictive modeling training data from a client computing system. The training data and multiple training functions obtained from a repository of training functions are used to train multiple predictive models. A score is generated for each of the trained predictive models, where each score represents an estimation of the effectiveness of the respective trained predictive model. A first trained predictive model is selected from among the trained predictive models based on the generated scores. Access to the first trained predictive model is provided over the network.
US08473419B1 Dependency resolution in publish/subscribe
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for enforcing dependencies in an account management system using publish/subscribe. Messages containing account information may be published and received by one or more account servicers. Account servicers may not perform account management tasks based on a message unless the message satisfies a keyword, which may express dependencies of the account servicer. Keywords may be based on the content of received messages. If a received message matches a keyword, the account servicer may perform an account management task, and cause a subsequent message to be published with an additional keyword related to the account servicer.
US08473414B2 System and method including chip-based device processing for transaction
Present embodiments are directed to a server computer. The server computer establishes a first channel of communication to receive payment device data in a first format (e.g., chip type) and establishes a second channel to receive the payment device data in a second format (e.g., legacy type). The server computer receives an authorization request message in the second format from a merchant and generates a new authorization request message in the first format. The server computer then forwards the new authorization request to the issuer for approval.
US08473411B2 Bulk activation of portable consumer payment devices
Portable Consumer Payment Devices (PCPDs), such as gift cards, can be bulk activated and thereby be made ready to use in a commercial transaction. The bulk activation is provided through a web service giving a user experience that includes an online interactive user interface that receives an order for PCPDs and a request to activate all PCPDs in the order. The respective accounts of the PCPDs in the order are funded upon activation and a fee is assessed for the activations. Thereafter, each activated PCPD can be used in a transaction with a merchant who submits the transaction to an acquirer for processing by a transaction handler who requests an issuer of the account of the PCPD to obtain payment for the transaction from the account corresponding to the PCPD.
US08473410B1 Systems and methods for identifying financial relationships
Improved systems and methods are provided for identifying financial relationships. In particular, financial relationships may be identified by associating tradelines with one or more people who sign or co-sign on the tradeline. In various embodiments a method is provided comprising, receiving, at a computer-based system for credit data analysis comprising a processor and a tangible, non-transitory memory, credit reporting data relating to a tradeline, parsing, by the computer-based system, the credit reporting data to yield primary debtor data and secondary debtor data, and linking, by the computer-based system, the tradeline with the primary debtor data and the secondary debtor data.
US08473408B2 Investment structure and method having fixed and contingent components
An investment structure and method including a fixed component and a contingent component for investing funds. The fixed component invests a portion of the funds in fixed income securities and generates principal plus fixed interest. The contingent component invests another portion of the funds in non-fixed income investments and generates contingent interest. The fixed interest is selectively distributed or re-invested in the fixed component, and the contingent interest is re-invested in the contingent component in order to boost the trading pool for that component and potentially increase the return on investment. One or more limited partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations or other limited liability entities invests the contingent component.
US08473405B2 System and method for providing market data in an electronic trading environment
A system and methods are developed for providing market data in an electronic trading environment. One example method includes determining a probability model comprising a probability corresponding to a change in relation to a market data parameter, then, using the probability to generate a compressed bit stream representing the market data parameter, and providing the compressed bit stream to the client terminal.
US08473402B2 Perpetual futures contracts with periodic reckonings
Systems and methods that provide for a perpetual futures/derivatives contract with periodic reckoning are disclosed. An embodiment may include a method of receiving a new perpetual contract and managing that contract through to its termination. The perpetual futures contract may comprise an option to terminate the contract at recurring predetermined intervals. The exchange may allow or prohibit exercise of the option based on particular parameters.
US08473400B1 Electronic trading system and method for pricing transactions to account for risk
An electronic trading system and method are described in which credit risk associated with a transaction is captured as a price adjustment on a trade-by-trade basis. In one preferred embodiment, a “request for quote” (RFQ) trading model is presented in which each dealer receiving an RFQ determines a base price as well as an additional credit risk adjustment amount by which the base price should be modified to account for credit risk. In other preferred embodiments, an exchange trading model is presented in which traders submit buy and sell orders whose prices are appropriately adjusted for presentation to each potential counterparty to account for credit risk associated with potential transactions. System designs are also presented to address the technical challenge of permitting each trading participant to apply its own credit risk algorithms and methodologies while avoiding their disclosure to other trading participants.
US08473394B2 System, method, and computer program product for issuing automatic payments linked transaction account
An enrolling system verifies an enrollee, counter-offers a second transaction account in response to a decline of a first account, wherein the second transaction account includes more restrictions than a first transaction account, associates an enrollee's main and overdraft account, and issues a transaction account. Enrolling in the second transaction account may include enrolling in a second transaction account automatic payment program; and/or associating a demand deposit account to the second transaction account. The method may also include relaxing use restrictions of the transaction account based upon at least one of: receiving payment of a pre-selected amount, receiving payments over a pre-selected period, and receiving payment on or before a pre-selected date.
US08473391B2 Method and system for an integrated approach to collections cycle optimization
Methods and systems are provided for an integrated approach to collections cycle optimization including optimizing personnel, communications, and collection resolutions, resulting in reducing the variability of the collections cycle, reducing instances of foreclosure in collections, while increasing borrower satisfaction with the collections process. Candidate loan officers are selected based on behavioral attributes, personnel history, and human resources information, among other factors. Scripts that improve the effectiveness of communication between loan collection staff and borrowers are generated. An optimized collection program to best suit the needs of a particular borrower is determined.
US08473390B2 Computerized method and system for managing a financial portfolio relative to market volatility
The system and method for managing a financial portfolio relative to market stability includes determining a first allocation of assets in the portfolio and a level of equity exposure, the portfolio including a plurality of funds; monitoring a quantitative risk indicator for market signals, determining whether the quantitative risk indicator meets a predetermined risk threshold value and if the risk indicator meets the risk threshold value, adjusting the level of equity exposure by selling a first position on a first set of options associated with a first fund and purchasing a second position on a second set of options associated with a second fund.
US08473389B2 Methods and systems of purchase contract price adjustment calculation tools
Allowability, allocability and adjustment of contract prices are determined using a computer system, based on SERVICE CONTRACT ACT wage determination rules. Upon receiving a request for a contract price adjustment from a contractor, the contractor is required to submit the proposed price adjustment in an electronic spreadsheet format. Information from the spreadsheet is stored and made available electronically to the program. If the proposed price adjustment contains DAVIS BACON ACT hours, then the DBA hours are filtered using a governing wage determination raw data field for separate calculations using applicable rules and regulations. Payroll taxes and appropriate adjustment entitlement values are automatically calculated and the program determines, appropriate price adjustments. Pivot tables are used to summarize and visualize the adjustments and helpful tips are provided on worksheets for ease of understanding and confirming allowability, allocability and accuracy of the request for price adjustment.
US08473388B2 Facilitating compensation arrangements providing for data tracking components
Systems and methods for data brokering, and more specifically, data brokering regarding a data provider's search-related activities are described. In particular implementations, various aspects of arranging for compensation to be received from the data consumer in exchange for at least one of installation of or access of a data tracking component related to at least one user interface associated with the data provider, are described.
US08473386B2 Systems and methods to facilitate real time communications between members of a social network
Methods and systems to facilitate real time communications and/or commerce via a social network. In one embodiment, communication references are provided to facilitate the requests for real time communications with a member of the social network via a connection provider, which performs scheduling, filtering, payment processing, etc. for the member of the social network. In one embodiment, a method includes, responsive to a request from a first member of a social network, determining a preference of a second member of the social network based at least in part on a characteristic of a social connection between the first and second members who are not socially directly connected in the social network; and facilitating real time communications between the first and second members in accordance with the preference. In one embodiment, the presentation of the advertisement or the advertiser is at least partially based on the social network.
US08473385B2 Format in computer-provided user interface for entering transaction fee structure
Data entry fields for entering a transaction fee structure are laid out in a grid of rows and in three or four columns. Data entered in a field in the second column defines the end point amount for a tier of transactions and is automatically populated into the field in the first column in the next row to define the starting point for the next tier of transactions. Data entered into a field in the third or fourth column defines a fee level for the tier of transactions defined by the amounts in the fields in the same row and in the first and second columns.
US08473384B2 Investment model for formation of capital and value creation
A method for fostering technological innovation utilizing a competitive format is disclosed. The method includes establishing a contest entity organized to achieve a desired goal, organizing a financing entity to finance a prize associated with the contest entity, recruiting competitors to compete to achieve the desired goal, and establishing a compensation obligation between a plurality of competitors and the financing entity, such that each of the plurality of competitors assumes responsibility for the compensation obligation in order to compete to achieve the desired goal.
US08473380B2 Pay yourself first budgeting
The invention encourages users to not only pay themselves first, but to pay themselves first in the largest amounts possible, even if they are not able to fully pay outstanding debts. In general, the invention obtains information related to the user's income, income sources, user's debts (e.g., bills) and user's goals, then provides recommendations related to the prioritization of paying certain bills and the amount to pay for each bill based upon, for example, savings goals, minimum amounts due, due dates and available income. The invention also determines a payment hierarchy which includes transferring funds to the user's savings account prior to paying all or a portion of certain bills. The invention also monitors a consumer's purchasing activity based upon an established budget.
US08473373B2 Feedback control theoretic parts inventory management model
A system and method for calibrating an inventory planning model in a parts supply chain. The inventory planning model is determined based on certain input. A performance monitor measures the parts supply chain and provides performance metrics. The movement of parts through the parts supply chain is also monitored by a supply chain visibility system that keeps track of actual supply chain conditions. Both information on the actual supply chain conditions and the performance metrics is sent to a feedback filter that formats the information into an appropriate form. The feedback from the feedback filter is sent to a feedback controller. Based on the feedback information and the input, the feedback controller adjusts the input of the inventory planning model while determining how frequently the inventory planning model is calibrated and how the inventory planning model is calibrated.
US08473370B1 Method and apparatus for generating an order for purchase
A method and apparatus for use by a buyer for a store includes a software application computer that is provided to the buyer at a buyer show. The application displays product features and pricing information and receives product order information from the buyer. The application displays information regarding sales of the products by the store. After completing an order, the application submits the order, and prints or transmits confirmation copies. The buyer leaves the computer the show prior to departing. A virtual shopping cart is displayed on the computer into which goods are placed prior to submittal of the order. Multiple shopping carts can be opened by the user with differing shipping priorities and different shipping destinations for each cart. Multiple shopping carts can be used while the user is browsing an on-line catalog of products to be ordered.
US08473366B1 Method, medium, and system for providing leads to an agent in exchange for credits
A system, method, and computer readable medium for authorization of independent agents for processing calls and distribution of calls to authorized agents are provided. An independent agent may purchase or otherwise acquire credits for leads related to commerce transactions. The credits may be maintained by a call center and accessed by a device responsible for routing calls to agents. Calls or other transactions leads may then be directed to the independent agent, and the independent agents credits may be deducted accordingly.
US08473361B2 Method and system for assisting users during online
A method, system, and computer program product for assisting a user in one or more activities during online shopping. The method facilitates tracking of at least one activity of the user during online shopping. Thereafter, the method identifies a suitable promotion for the user based on the tracked activity. Subsequently, the method displays the promotion in a predefined format on a portion of the browser.
US08473360B2 Suggested item category systems and methods
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to offer items for sale, wherein at least some of the items for sale have been matched to item categories and/or item attributes. The categories and attributes may be derived from token weights determined in accordance with a ratio of a total number of the items for sale and the number of items for sale that are associated with a common token. Additional activities may include locating some of the items for sale associated with the common token by executing a navigation application. Additional apparatus, methods, and systems are disclosed.
US08473357B2 Enhanced supplier catalog collaboration
One embodiment of the invention includes a computer-implemented method for supplier update of a procurement system. The method includes providing a customizable procurement entity to a supplier, receiving a modified procurement entity from the supplier, wherein the modified procurement entity comprises an update made by the supplier to the customizable procurement entity, reviewing and approving the modified procurement entity, and publishing the modified procurement entity to the procurement system.
US08473356B2 System and method for tagging objects for heterogeneous searches
A system and method in a virtual universe system for tagging objects in one virtual world so that avatars in other virtual worlds can search for, review, purchase, and exchange real goods and virtual objects. In a virtual universe having more than one virtual world, an object in one virtual world may be tagged with a seller identification, an advertising location, an item type, and details of the item. The object may then be externalized to other virtual worlds within the virtual universe for searching.
US08473354B2 Evaluating public records of supply transactions
A platform facilitates buyers, sellers, and third parties in obtaining information related to each other's transaction histories, such as a supplier's shipment history, the types of materials typically shipped, a supplier's customers, a supplier's expertise, what materials and how much a buyer purchases, buyer and shipper reliability, similarity between buyers, similarity between suppliers, and the like. The platform aggregates data from a variety of sources, including, without limitation, customs data associated with actual import/export transactions and facilitates the generation of reports as to the quality of buyers and suppliers, the reports relating to a variety of parameters that are associated with buyer and supplier quality.
US08473350B1 Apparatus, methods and systems for ad-hoc applications based on advertisement
The disclosure details the implementation of apparatuses, methods and systems for a Framework for Ad-hoc Applications Based on Advertising (FAABA). The FAABA may employ short-range radio-frequency communications. The disclosure teaches mechanisms for providing targeted advertising in connection with ad-hoc applications/point-to-point (P2P) communications between user terminals. In a manner, the invention teaches general collection components for user terminals, which is responsible for collecting and maintaining a dynamic set of advertisements as a background operation. This allows the user terminals to initiate applications that are based on P2P communication, and furthermore, allows collections of pre-loaded advertisements to be provided to the user terminals along and/or during the P2P communications. Also, the FAABA teaches that after advertisements are stored in the receiving device, the advertisements can be tailored more closely to the interests of the user of the device and the advertisements can be filtered based on current context of the user.
US08473346B2 Ad network optimization system and method thereof
A system and method for optimizing advertisements. To maximize revenue, a plurality of ad networks are tiered based on their pricing data, and more preferably, their cost per thousand impressions (CPM). Each tier includes a pricing data range. Periodically, the system increases and decreasing frequency caps for the plurality of ad networks to raise the plurality of ad networks to a higher tier. Frequency caps are increased for an ad network when the CPM for the ad network is above the CPM range for the ad network's tier. The frequency caps are decreased for the ad network when the CPM for the ad network is below the CPM range for the ad network's tier. For each ad network request received, the system traverses through the tiers of the plurality of ad networks for an ad network that is capable of serving an ad based on the ad network's frequency cap.
US08473344B2 Contact history for promotion management
A computer implemented method for producing a contact history for a marketing campaign is described. The method includes producing a promotion version history table for the marketing campaign, with the promotion version history table recording promotion attribute values for each promotion version at runtime, producing a treatment history table for the marketing campaign, with the treatment history table representing promotion instances given to a group, producing a contact history table for the marketing campaign, the contact history table recording which contact entities were in which groups at runtime, linking the promotion version history table, the treatment history table, and the contact history table, wherein the linking preserves referential integrity between the promotion version history table, the treatment history table, and the contact history table, and producing the contact history from the promotion version history table, the treatment history table, and the contact history table.
US08473342B1 Method and system for generating certificates having unique Id data
A method and system for the electronic distribution of product redemption coupons to remote personal computers located at users' homes are disclosed. A centrally located repository, such as an online service provider or web site on the Internet, stores packages of coupon data for downloading on demand to the user's computer. A coupon generated by the system and method of the present invention comprises an encoded area that consists essentially of a unique Coupon Id. The unique Coupon Id is also recorded in a database comprising a plurality of data tables. At least one of the data tables associates each Coupon Id with one or more of a Promotion Id and a Consumer Id. Preferably, the Print Id is also associated in a data table with a Session Id and information regarding the date/time of printing. The Ids other than the Coupon Id may not be printed on the coupon.
US08473338B2 Methods and systems to facilitate keyword bid arbitrage with multiple advertisement placement providers
A system and method are directed towards identifying advertisement keywords within a variety of content types, identifying similarity rankings of advertisements based on the keywords, and to the guiding of keyword purchases. In one embodiment, a search is performed based in part on defined selection criteria, and/or scheduling rules. Content that may include advertisements is processed to identify advertisement keywords. A similarity ranking of different advertisements based on keywords therein may be determined. The similarity rankings may be used, with keyword pricing data, to identify instances of keyword arbitrage, guide purchase of keywords, and to control traffic flow to and from advertisements to obtain a benefit from price differentials between what one keyword seller charges for a keyword and what a click buyer will, pay for traffic directed to advertisements with the same or related keyword. In one embodiment, a three-dimensional representation is provided indicating relationships between advertisements across websites.
US08473329B1 Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for developing, analyzing, and managing initiatives for a business network
A system, method, and article of manufacture is disclosed for developing and managing a the test of a business initiative for a business network including business locations. In one aspect of the invention, a method is performed that includes performing a process for developing a business initiative to apply to the business network and performing a process for designing a test for the initiative. Further, the method includes executing the initiative at a set of test sites in accordance with the designed test, each test site corresponds to a selected business location in the business network. Also, performance results of the executed initiative may be analyzed and a rollout plan is created for implementing the initiative at a first set of business locations.
US08473327B2 Target marketing method and system
A marketing method and system. The method includes receiving by a computing system total population data. A peer group is selected from the total population data. The peer group is associated with a first marketing action. A list of attributes characterizing the peer group is generated. The attributes are associated with the marketing action, demographic data, and additional purchasing habits of the peer group. A target group of individuals of the total population data is selected. The attributes are associated with the individuals of the target group. Scores associated with the individuals of the target group are generated. The individuals of the target group are ranked based on said scores. A ranking list based is generated. The ranking list includes the individuals of the target group in a ranked order. The ranking list is stored.
US08473326B1 Courier management
Disclosed are various embodiments for courier management. For example, in one embodiment, a courier application is executed on a mobile computing device to retrieve a list of stops associated with a courier from a computing device over a network. The list of stops includes a plurality of orders to be delivered, wherein a customer location is associated with each order. The courier application generates user interfaces to facilitate a confirmation that items associated with orders have been delivered, to facilitate an input of a review of the performance of the courier, and to perform other functions.
US08473317B2 Managing consistent interfaces for service part business objects across heterogeneous systems
A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to a service part demand forecast, a service part demand history, a service part inventory replenishment rule, a service part order history, and/or a service part supply plan business object.
US08473313B2 System and method for communicating product recall information, product warnings or other product-related information to users of products
An automated system and method for communicating product information to consumers through a central computer using a distributed computer network. The system acquires and stores data including product identification data and consumer biological variables and, using a processor, determines if the data received interacts with products being stored in memory. Interactions that are determined include product-to-product interactions and biological variable-to-product interactions. The system is also configured to transmit information to a user about an alternative product to a harmful or recalled product.
US08473311B2 Computer system and method for generating healthcare risk indices using medical claims information
A healthcare risk index is generated using a patient or individual's medical claims. The index may be used to explain and predict variation in pharmacy-related costs and variation in total healthcare costs or utilization. In particular, one example of such a method involves first generating a medical condition score using the individual's medical information for each medical condition possessed by the individual. From there, each medical condition score is modified according to a regression coefficient, to result in one or more modified medical condition scores. Finally, the risk index may be generated by summing the medical condition scores. This risk index is indicative of at least one of the individual's medical costs, chronic medical conditions, and variation in medical costs.
US08473307B2 Functionality for providing clinical decision support
An information management system (IMS) is described herein that provides supplemental information to a user who is interacting with an application module. In one implementation, the IMS includes a collection system, an information extraction module, and a notification system. The collection system provides collected information from one or more information sources. The information extraction module extracts application information from the application module, even though the application module may lack a native interface for providing the application information. The analysis engine determines supplemental information to present to the user based on the collected information and the application information. And the notification information provides notification information which alerts the user to the existence of the supplemental information. In one scenario, the IMS can be applied in a healthcare-related domain.
US08473304B2 Systems and methods for providing and obtaining validated customer feedback information
Systems and methods for providing validated customer feedback information about a service provider. Generally, the method includes providing a customer with a digital ratings device, such as digital pen, that is capable of receiving feedback information from the customer and uploading the information to a third-party provider. As the customer uses the digital ratings device to provide the information, the device may associate the information with temporal data, such as the time, date, and location at which the customer provided the information. In some cases, the temporal data is checked to ensure that the customer is actually one of the provider's customers. Because the information is validated as coming from a verified customer, the information is often more reliable than it would be if it were submitted anonymously. Thus, the validated information may present a substantially fair representation of the provider and be useful to potential customers.
US08473291B2 Sound processing apparatus, apparatus and method for controlling gain, and computer program
A sound processing apparatus is provided for estimating the power of background noise using a directional sound receiving technology using a plurality of sound receiving units, computing a gain control value on the basis of the estimated power of background noise and a predetermined power target value, and outputting the gain control value, so that a delay time of starting gain control can be reduced, and a slow response of a speech recognition application program or degradation of the speech quality of a voice communication program can be prevented.
US08473290B2 Voice barge-in in telephony speech recognition
An interactive voice response system is described that supports full duplex data transfer to enable the playing of a voice prompt to a user of telephony system while the system listens for voice barge-in from the user. The system includes a speech detection module that may utilize various criteria such as frame energy magnitude and duration thresholds to detect speech. The system also includes an automatic speech recognition engine. When the automatic speech recognition engine recognizes a segment of speech, a feature extraction module may be used to subtract a prompt echo spectrum, which corresponds to the currently playing voice prompt, from an echo-dirtied speech spectrum recorded by the system. In order to improve spectrum subtraction, an estimation of the time delay between the echo-dirtied speech and the prompt echo may also be performed.
US08473286B2 Noise feedback coding system and method for providing generalized noise shaping within a simple filter structure
A noise feedback coding (NFC) system and method that utilizes a simple and relatively inexpensive general structural configuration, but achieves improved flexibility with respect to controlling the shape of coding noise. The NFC system and method utilizes an all-zero noise feedback filter that is configured to approximate the response of a pole-zero noise feedback filter.
US08473283B2 Pitch selection modules in a system for automatic transcription of sung or hummed melodies
The technology disclosed relates to audio signal processing. It includes a series of modules that individually are useful to solve audio signal processing problems. Among the problems addressed are buzz removal, selecting a pitch candidate among pitch candidates based on local continuity of pitch and regional octave consistency, making small adjustments in pitch, ensuring that a selected pitch is consistent with harmonic peaks, determining whether a given frame or region of frames includes harmonic, voiced signal, extracting harmonics from voice signals and detecting vibrato. One environment in which these modules are useful is transcribing singing or humming into a symbolic melody. Another environment that would usefully employ some of these modules is speech processing. Some of the modules, such as buzz removal, are useful in many other environments as well.
US08473279B2 Lemmatizing, stemming, and query expansion method and system
A method of stemming text and system therefore are described. The method comprises removing stop words from a document based on at least one stop word entry in an array of stop words and flagging as nouns words determined to be attached to definite articles and preceded by a noun array entry in an array of stop words preceding at least one noun; adding flagged nouns to a noun dictionary; flagging as verbs words determined to be preceded by an verb array entry in an array of stop words preceding at least one verb; adding flagged verbs to a verb dictionary; searching the document for nouns and verbs based on the flagged nouns and the flagged verbs; removing remaining stop words subsequent to searching the document; applying light stemming on the flagged nouns; applying a root-based stemming on the flagged verbs; and storing the stemmed document.
US08473277B2 Translation station
An interactive electronic translation and communications process is provided for use in a translation station that provides a mobile or stationary fixed interactive facility for interviews or interrogations to be carried out between two persons speaking in different languages. The process can be assisted by animated virtual characters (avatars) realistically created and displayed on a computer screen to represent ethnic looks from around the globe. The avatars can be lip synchronized to deliver messages to the interviewee in the interviewee's languages and can guide the users and interviewee through a series of questions and answers. Biometric conditions of the interviewee and electronic identification of the interviewee can also be readily accomplished by the novel process. The process is particularly useful for hospitals, law enforcement, military, airport security, transportation terminals, financial institutions, and government agencies.
US08473275B2 Method for integrating event-related information and trace information
A method for emulating and debugging a microcontroller is described. In one embodiment, an event thread is executed on an emulator that operates in lock-step with the microcontroller. Event information is sampled at selected points. Trace information is also recorded at the selected points. As such, the event information and trace information are effectively pre-filtered. Accordingly, it is not incumbent on a designer to read and understand the event and trace information and sort out the information that is of interest. Instead, this task is essentially done automatically, helping the designer and reducing the probability of error. Furthermore, because only selected event and trace information is recorded, the resources of the in-circuit emulator system are not taxed.
US08473273B2 Fault support in an emulation environment
An emulator is disclosed that allows for diagnoses of failures or defects within the emulator. A map of faulty resources is generated to identify which resources should be avoided during compilation. Thus, in a transparent and automated manner, defects found during diagnostics are stored in a database of unusable emulator resources. A compiler has access to the database and compiles the design taking into account unusable resources. In another embodiment, the defects of an emulator board are stored on the emulator board itself. This allows each board to store its own maintenance information that can be used at the manufacturing site for changing defective chips. Defects stored on the board itself allow the defects to be obtained independent of a position of a board within the emulator to simplify identification of the faulty resource.
US08473272B1 Analysis of the operation of a reconfigurable system
Approaches for preparing a system that is reconfigurable to implement a plurality of optional hardware functions are disclosed. In one approach, a method includes simulating the operation of the system during a time interval. The system is reconfigurable to implement a subset of the optional hardware functions, and the simulating determines which of the optional hardware functions are active and which of the optional hardware functions are inactive during a plurality of subintervals of the time interval. Respective circuit resource sets are estimated for the subintervals of the time interval. For each of the subintervals, the respective circuit resource set implements the system including the optional hardware functions that are active during the subinterval. Information describing the respective circuit resource sets for the subintervals is stored for preparing partial reconfigurations of the system.
US08473271B2 Fast photolithography process simulation to predict remaining resist thickness
A lithography model uses a transfer function to map exposure energy dose to the thickness of remaining photoresist after development; while allowing the flexibility to account for other physical processes. In one approach, the model is generated by fitting empirical data. The model may be used in conjunction with an aerial image to obtain a three-dimensional profile of the remaining photoresist thickness after the development process. The lithography model is generally compact, yet capable of taking into account various physical processes associated with the photoresist exposure and/or development process for more accurate simulation.
US08473266B2 Method for simulating a physical property of a technical structure by a component model
In a method for simulating a physical property of a component model in the form of a computer accessible construction model of a technical structure, a mesh of a component model is automatically generated. The component model is first described by a fine mesh of finite elements, and, based on the fine mesh, the natural oscillation behavior of the component model is determined. Based on the natural oscillation behavior, at least one area of the component model is determined, whose finite elements are less deformed than those of another area of the component model. The determined area of the component model is then described by a coarser mesh of finite elements.
US08473265B2 Method for designing raised floor and dropped ceiling in computing facilities
A system and method for design aspects of a cooling system for a data center is provided. In one example, a method is provided including acts of receiving an indication to position a perforated tile in a model, calculating cooling available in a model space adjacent to the tile, and displaying an indication of cooling availability within the context of the model on a computer system. In another example, a method is provided for manipulating representations of data elements in a model of a data center. The method allows a user to move multiple representations by adjusting the position of a layer of the model space relative to another layer in the model space.
US08473263B2 Multi-infrastructure modeling and simulation system
A system for simulating interdependencies between multiple critical physical infrastructure models includes a first infrastructure data model that models a first physical infrastructure; a second infrastructure data model that models a second physical infrastructure, wherein the second physical infrastructure is a different physical infrastructure from the first physical infrastructure; a simulation engine adapted to automatically produce a change in the second infrastructure data model in response to a change in the first infrastructure data model; a user interface permitting a user to interact with the simulation engine; wherein the user interface and the simulation engine are configured such that the user can disable an element of the first physical infrastructure, and subsequently re-enable the element of the first physical infrastructure; wherein the first infrastructure data model comprises a transport network; and wherein the second infrastructure data model comprises a channel network.
US08473262B2 Self-cleaning submerged instrumentation
Techniques and apparatus inhibit, limit, or remove biofouling and certain inorganic accumulations, to increase the longevity of accurate in-situ oceanographic and other underwater measurements and transducing processes. The invention deters formation of an initial bacterial layer and other precipitation, without harming the environment. The invention integrates an ultrasonic source into a sensor or other device, or its supporting structures. The ultrasonic source vibrates one or more critical surfaces of the device at a frequency and amplitude that dislodge early accumulations, thus preventing the rest of the fouling sequence. The ultrasonic driver is activated for short periods and low duty cycles, and in some cases preferably while the device is not operating.
US08473257B2 System and method for constraining curves in a CAD system
A CAD system, method, and computer readable medium. A method includes receiving a graphic model and a selection of a symmetric constraint. The method includes receiving a selection of first and second curves of the graphic model, the selections indicating respective points on the first and second curves. The method includes determining a user's intent and applying a symmetric constraint between the first and second curves according to the user's intent. The method includes storing and displaying graphic model.
US08473256B2 System and method for providing a digital three-dimensional data model
The present invention is directed to a method and a system for providing a digital three-dimensional data model of a component. Thereby, modifications which are accomplished on the component, for instance a cable, are being captured by means of photogrammetry for the creation of a digital three-dimensional modifications data model. The digital three-dimensional data model of the component is afterwards automatically updated as a function of the generated modifications data model.
US08473255B2 Method and aids for modelling 3D objects
A method for aiding modelling 3D objects permits production of a parameterizable instantiate model of a 3D object from a generic model of the object and a specific model of a second object including at least a part of first object. Certain characteristic data are extracted from the specific model of the second 3D object according to the parameters of the generic model of the first 3D object. A parameterizable instantiate model is produced from the generic model of the first 3D model by matching this model to the extracted data.
US08473250B2 Monitoring of distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources
A monitoring system and method for monitoring performance of individual powers sources in a distributed power source system. A monitoring module is coupled to each of the power sources, or to each string of serially connected power sources, to monitor and collect data regarding current, voltage, temperature and other environmental factors at the power source. The collected data is transmitted over a power line to a central analysis station for analysis. Data collected from each source indicates malfunction or degradation at the source. Comparison of data collected from adjacent sources filters for environmental factors impacting neighboring sources such as cloudy days for a solar panel. Comparison of data collected from the same source at different times indicates soiling or degradation of the source with time or periodic events such as a moving shade from an adjacent building.
US08473240B2 System and process for controlling a person
System for controlling a person (P), characterized in that it comprises: a kiosk (10) with an analysis zone (16) destined to accommodate a person (P) to control, a frame (30) disposed inside the kiosk (10), the frame having a hollow (32), a plurality of sensors (31) disposed on the frame (30), each sensor being able to collect information from a portion of the hollow (32) and to generate signals representative of the information, an actuator (20) for translating the frame (30) inside the kiosk (10), a frame envelop (33) being defined by the translation of the hollow (32) when the frame (30) is translated, the analysis zone being included in the frame envelop, a processing unit (60) for analysing the signals generated by each of the plurality of sensors (31) and to detect from the signals the possible presence of searched items within the analysis zone (16).
US08473238B2 Temperature measurement correction using multiple temperature sensors
Correcting a temperature measurement of a target sensed at one temperature sensor in an asset tracking device by using another temperature sensor. The asset tracking device includes at least one heat source that affects the temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the target. The other temperature sensor measures temperature at a location in the asset tracking device. The relationships between an actual temperature of the target and the temperature measured at the two sensors are established through experiments or model. Using the relationships, the measured temperature of the target can be corrected to obtain a corrected temperature of the target.
US08473237B2 Method for calibrating a specimen stage of a metrology system and metrology system comprising a specimen stage
A method for calibrating a specimen stage of a metrology system is provided, in which a specimen that has multiple marks is positioned successively in different calibration positions, each mark is positioned in the photography range of an optical system by means of the specimen stage in each calibration position of the specimen, and the mark position is measured using the optical system. A model is set up that describes positioning errors of the specimen stage using a system of functions having calibration parameters to be determined. The model takes into consideration at least one systematic measurement error that occurs during the measurement of the mark positions. The values of the calibration parameters are determined based on the model with consideration of the measured mark positions.
US08473236B2 Managing non-destructive evaluation data
Methods manage non-destructive evaluation (“NDE”) data. NDE data for an asset is received and at least one alignment algorithm to align the NDE data to a simulated model associated therewith is determined. The NDE data is automatically aligned to the simulated model, a display representation that visually represents the aligned NDE data on the simulated model is generated, and information about the aligned NDE data is exported. Additionally, second NDE data associated with the at least a portion of the asset may also be received, at least one alignment algorithm to align the data determined, and the second NDE data aligned. Respective indications associated with the first and second NDE data may be determined and visually represented on the simulated model. Moreover, a shot descriptor file may be analyzed to determine whether additional NDE data is required to complete an alignment of NDE data.
US08473235B2 Metal detector
The present invention provides apparatus for scanning a product to detect metal in that product. The apparatus comprises a drive coil (4), for generating an electromagnetic field in the product, and a detection coil arranged to detect fluctuations in the magnetic field caused by the presence of a metallic particle in the product. A drive circuit (26) for the drive coil (4) comprises a plurality of switches (19 to 22) driven by a controller (16), which switch alternately connect the drive coil across a potential difference to cause the drive coil to be driven at an operating frequency determined by operation of the switches. Using a switching circuit to drive the drive coil (4) greatly increases the number of frequencies at which the drive coil may be operated. The invention has particular application to the food industry.
US08473229B2 Storage device energized actuator having diagnostics
A system having unified diagnostics where an electrical energy storage device may supply an actuator. Various techniques may be used to determine energy storage capacity and actuator current usage. Measured storage capacity and actuator current may indicate the health of the energy storage device and the actuator, respectively. Also, operation of a service switch for the actuator may be checked relative to its state.
US08473225B2 Flow meter
A simple, passive and rugged device for measuring the flow rate of liquid. A variable area obstruction valve, a differential pressure sensor and a densitometer are combined in a single housing to provide for a highly accurate and precise measure of mass flow.
US08473224B2 Compensating for frequency change in flowmeters
Motion is induced in a conduit that contains a fluid. The motion is induced such that the conduit oscillates in a first mode of vibration and a second mode of vibration. The first mode of vibration has a corresponding first frequency of vibration and the second mode of vibration has a corresponding second frequency of vibration. At least one of the first frequency of vibration or the second frequency of vibration is determined. A phase difference between the motion of the conduit at a first point of the conduit and the motion of the conduit at a second point of the conduit is determined. A quantity based on the phase difference and the determined frequency is determined. The quantity includes a ratio between the first frequency during a zero-flow condition and the second frequency during the zero-flow condition. A property of the fluid is determined based on the quantity.
US08473218B2 Refining HLA data
A system described herein includes a receiver component that receives an HLA data set, wherein the HLA data set comprises low resolution HLA data. An HLA refinement component comprises a statistical model that automatically refines the HLA data set to transform the low resolution HLA data to high resolution HLA data.
US08473215B2 Method for clustering data items through distance-merging and density-merging techniques
A method and/or system for analyzing data using population clustering through density based merging.
US08473214B2 Thickness-independent computation of horizontal and vertical permeability
A method for determining permeability of a reservoir using a packer-probe formation testing tool. The elements of the method include generating, using a dual packer tool module, fluid flows from the reservoir into a wellbore, obtaining pressure data associated with the fluid flows using an observation probe tool module, wherein the packer-probe formation testing tool comprises the dual packer module and the observation probe tool module, identifying a portion of the pressure data corresponding to a spherical flow regime, determining horizontal permeability based on the portion of the pressure data, and displaying an output generated using the horizontal permeability.
US08473213B2 Method for generating anisotropic resistivity volumes from seismic and log data using a rock physics model
A hydrocarbon exploration method is disclosed for generating anisotropic resistivity models of a subsurface reservoir from seismic and well data using a rock physics model. In one embodiment, the method comprises: selecting wells within a region of interest (101); obtaining a plurality of rock properties (102) and adjusting selected rock parameters (103) in the calibration of the rock physics model at the well locations; inverting porosity and shale content from seismic data (107); propagating the calibrated rock physics model to the region of interest (109) and calculating effective resistivity for the entire region of interest (109). The inventive method also provides for analyzing the uncertainty associated with the prediction of the resistivity volume.
US08473209B2 Marking apparatus and marking methods using marking dispenser with machine-readable ID mechanism
Marking devices for dispensing markers on the ground and marking methods are provided. The marking devices and marking methods use a marking dispenser having a machine-readable ID mechanism. The ID mechanism has data storage capability. In one embodiment, the marking dispenser may be provided with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. In another embodiment, the marking dispenser may be provided with a barcode. The type of information that may be encoded in the ID mechanism may include, but is not limited to, product-specific information, user-specific information, other predetermined information of interest, and any combination thereof. The ID information encoded in the ID mechanism may be collected and used for various purposes, such as, but not limited to, real-time product verification, tracking which user location received a batch of marking paint, tracking marking paint inventory, tracking marking paint problems, and tracking marking paint usage.
US08473208B2 Velocity calculating device, velocity calculating method, and navigation device
Provided is a velocity calculating device including a vertical acceleration detector mounted on a moving body that travels on a predetermined travel surface, the vertical acceleration detector detecting an acceleration in a vertical direction generated due to an undulation of the travel surface; a horizontal angular velocity detector mounted on the moving body, the horizontal angular velocity detector detecting an angular velocity around a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to a direction of travel of the moving body, the angular velocity being generated due to the undulation of the travel surface; a velocity calculator that calculates a velocity of the moving body in the direction of travel of the moving body on the basis of the acceleration in the vertical direction and the angular velocity around the horizontal axis; and a velocity corrector that corrects the velocity in accordance with the velocity.
US08473205B2 Procedure for searching for position determination signals using a plurality of search modes
A method of and system for searching for position determination signals using a plurality of progressively more sensitive search modes comprising a first level mode, a second mode, and at least one higher level mode. If any of the search window parameters exceed prescribed limits, a first level search is performed, and the search window parameters are refined responsive to the ensuing search results so they are within the prescribed limits. Then, the second level search is performed, and measurements derived from the ensuing search results. If the measurements satisfy selected measurement sufficiency criteria, additional searching within the position fix attempt is avoided. If the measurements do not satisfy the selected measurement sufficiency criteria, a higher level, more sensitive search is performed.
US08473203B2 System for power facility navigation
A system for power facility navigation is disclosed. For rapid dispatch in the field service including power failure recovery and maintenance, the destination location can be set using various items such as pole numbers, computerization codes, customer names, trade names, equipment numbers and GIS coordinates. Destination location setting and path finding can be performed in order of priorities assigned to these items and in consideration of characteristics of field service activities. Location coordinates are received through a GPS receiver, coordinate conversion is performed according to a facility GIS coordinate system, and map matching is processed when GPS coordinates do not match facility GIS coordinates. The road network database is composed of linear array structures and the structure of a link is configured to include information regarding all other links connected to the start node and end node in a manner that link information and node attributes are integrated together.
US08473199B2 Mobile location aware search engine and method of providing content for same
A method includes identifying a geographic position of a wireless device. Data input by a user while the user is located at the geographic position of the wireless device is received. The data is associated with a landmark at the geographic position. The data is provided to a database based on the geographic position. A wireless device includes a transmitter configured to transmit a geographic position of the wireless device to a database. A receiver is configured to receive data input by a user of the wireless device while the user is located at the geographic position of the wireless device. The data is associated with a landmark at the geographic position of the wireless device. The receiver is configured to automatically receive information associated with the landmark from the database.
US08473194B2 System and method for conducting a location based search
A system and method for conducting a location based search for event cartridges is provided. A database of cartridges is maintained. Each cartridge includes a sequence of triggerable events and origin geolocational data for a start location for execution of the triggerable events. A server is operatively coupled to the database and interfaces to a user device having a display and user input controls. A user request from the user device is processed. The user request, including a location of the user device, is received. The cartridges are searched by comparing the location of the user device and the start location for each cartridge. Those cartridges with the start location proximate to the location of the user device are selected. The selected cartridges are provided to the user device as a menu on the display and are further selectable through the user input controls.
US08473192B2 Antenna-based zone creation for controlling movement of vehicles
A vehicle tracking system includes a wheel containing sensor circuitry capable of sensing various types of conditions, such as wheel rotation, wheel vibration caused by skidding, and specific electromagnetic and/or magnetic signals indicative of particular wheel locations. The sensor circuitry is coupled to an RF transceiver, which may but need not be included within the wheel. The wheel may also include a brake mechanism. In one embodiment, the wheels are placed on shopping carts and are used to collect and monitor shopping cart status and location data via a wireless network. The collected data may be used for various purposes, such as locking the wheel of an exiting cart if the customer has not paid, estimating numbers of queued carts, stopping wheel skid events that occur during mechanized cart retrieval, store planning, and providing location-based messaging to customers.
US08473185B2 System and method for detecting engine oil aeration and starvation based on engine vibration
An engine control system includes a determination module and a detection module. The determination module, based on an engine vibration signal generated by an engine vibration sensor, determines a frequency of engine vibration and determines a crankshaft position corresponding to the engine vibration. The detection module detects engine oil aeration and starvation when the frequency and crankshaft position are greater than predetermined thresholds, respectively.
US08473181B2 Emissions reductions through multiple fuel injection events
A method is disclosed including operations to interpret an engine load level for a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine. In response to determining the engine load level is less than 40% of a maximum engine load level, the method further includes operations to performing a first fuel injection event including less than 25% of a combustion fuel amount, the first fuel injection event occurring before 10 degrees after top dead center (TDC), to perform a second fuel injection event including between 15% and 65% of the combustion fuel amount, the second fuel injection event occurring after 10 degrees after TDC, and to perform third fuel injection event comprising between 10% and 85% of the combustion fuel amount, the third fuel injection event occurring before 63 degrees after TDC.
US08473179B2 Increased fuel economy mode control systems and methods
An engine control system includes a desired manifold absolute pressure (MAP) module, a MAP to torque module, a threshold determination module, and a fuel economy (FE) mode module. The desired MAP module determines a desired MAP for operation of an engine in one of a cylinder deactivation mode and a low-lift mode based on a difference between a desired vacuum and an air pressure upstream of a throttle valve. The MAP to torque module determines a desired torque output of the engine for operation in the one of the cylinder deactivation mode and the low-lift mode based on the desired MAP. The threshold determination module determines an entry torque based on the desired torque output. The FE mode module selectively triggers operation in the one of the cylinder deactivation mode and the low-lift mode based on a comparison of the entry torque and a torque request.
US08473177B2 Apparatuses, methods, and systems for thermal management of hybrid vehicle SCR aftertreatment
Some exemplary embodiments include hybrid vehicle systems including an engine operable to output exhaust, an exhaust aftertreatment system configured to receive the exhaust from the engine, the exhaust aftertreatment system including an SCR catalyst operable to reduce NOx in the exhaust and an electrical heater operable to heat the SCR catalyst, a motor/generator operable in a braking mode to receive torque to slow the vehicle and output electrical power, an energy storage device operable to output electrical power to drive the motor/generator and receive electrical power from the motor/generator, and a controller operable to control the electrical heater to heat the SCR catalyst using electrical power from the motor/generator in the braking mode.
US08473175B2 Controlling movement of a vessel traveling through water during a seismic survey operation
To perform control of movement of a marine vessel traveling through water during a seismic survey operation, input information relating to factors that affect a speed of the marine vessel is received. The speed of the marine vessel is adjusted in response to the received information relating to the factors that affect the speed of the marine vessel.
US08473174B2 Method for determining the vehicle longitudinal velocity in a vehicle
In a method for determining the vehicle longitudinal velocity in a vehicle, a wheel longitudinal force is determined in an estimation equation as a function of the wheel speeds and the vehicle longitudinal velocity is ascertained as a function of the wheel longitudinal force.
US08473172B2 System and methods for assisted direct start control
Systems and methods for assisted direct start control are provided. An example method varies engine torque, forward clutch engagement pressure, and wheel brake pressure during a vehicle launch responsive to longitudinal vehicle grade to improve launch performance.
US08473171B2 Apparatus and method for optimizing a vehicle collision preparation response
A vehicle has wheels, sensors for generating an input data set, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the sensors, including a first sensor for detecting an obstacle on a road surface in a first manner, and adapted to monitor a boundary of the road surface to determine when the wheels are crossing the boundary. A second sensor detects the obstacle in a second manner, and additional sensors determine inertial data of the vehicle. The controller compares the input data set to calibrated thresholds, and determines an appropriate control response such as autonomous braking based on the results. A method optimizes a collision preparation response in the vehicle by measuring the inertial data, detecting the obstacle using a radar or LiDAR device, and monitoring the boundary using an electro-optical device. A supplemental braking force is automatically applied when the vehicle crosses the boundary while the obstacle is detected.
US08473168B2 Seed planter data acquisition and management system
The present invention provides a system and method for generating a planting profile for seeds planted in a field using a seed planter that includes a seed transfer device. In various embodiments, the planting profile may be generated via a processor that communicates with a timing device and a seed sensor. The timing device is configured to provide timestamps associated with the presence of one or more seeds on a seed carrying feature of the seed transfer device as indicated by the seed sensor. Some embodiments further comprise a speed measuring device that is configured to measure and provide to the processor a speed of the seed planter as it travels through the field. Other embodiments further comprise a second seed sensor that senses seeds after exiting from the drop tube.
US08473167B2 Lift gate control system
A lift gate system includes a lift gate assembly comprising an actuator system for actuating a lift gate, an interface device for receiving lift gate operation information from an operator, and a main controller device comprising a solid state relay switch for controlling electrical power to the actuator system. The main controller device further includes a microcontroller configured for determining that one or more conditions are satisfied, and upon satisfaction of said one or more conditions, then controlling the actuator system via the solid state relay switch based on the received information from the operator for controlling operation of the lift gate assembly accordingly.
US08473165B2 Turning drive control apparatus and construction machine including the same
A turning drive control apparatus that controls a drive of a turning mechanism of a construction machine driven to turn by an electric motor, includes: a drive command creation part that creates a drive command to drive the electric motor based on an amount of operation input through an operation part of the construction machine; a turning motion detection part that detects a turning motion of the turning mechanism; and a drive command correction part that corrects the drive command, when a turning motion in a direction opposite to a turning operation direction input to the operation part is detected by the turning motion detection part, to suppress the turning motion in the direction opposite to the turning operation direction in response to a degree of the turning motion in the direction opposite to the turning operation direction.
US08473164B2 Shutter with offset louver pivot
A shutter system for controlling an airstream through a grille opening in a vehicle includes a plurality of louvers. Each louver has a pivot axis, and a louver face offset from the pivot axis. The shutter system also includes a mechanism configured to select a position for the shutter system by rotating each of the plurality of louvers about its respective pivot axis. Each of the plurality of louvers rotates in tandem with every other of the plurality of louvers during the selection of the position for the shutter system. The louver face of each of the plurality of louvers is rotated to a position parallel to the airstream when the shutter system is fully opened, is positioned to restrict the airstream through the grille opening when the shutter system is partially closed, and is positioned immediately adjacent to the grille opening when the shutter system is fully closed.
US08473163B2 Method of determining impact severity and adaptive impact attenuation
An adaptive energy absorption system for a vehicle seat is disclosed, utilizing an adaptive energy absorber or variable profile energy absorber (VPEA) for mitigating occupant injury due to extreme vehicle movement (e.g., during a vehicle shock event), and/or for mitigating vibration experienced by an occupant of the vehicle seat during normal vehicle operating conditions. The adaptive energy absorption system achieves the aforementioned objectives for a wide range of occupant weights and load levels. An alternate configuration of a dual-goal energy absorption system is also disclosed that enables both shock mitigation and vibration isolation.
US08473151B2 Excursion prevention methods and systems
Excursion prevention methods and systems may include transmitting a speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor to the electronic control unit; transmitting a transmission signal from the transmission sensor to the electronic control unit; transmitting an accelerator pedal signal from the accelerator sensor to the electronic control unit; transmitting a brake pedal signal from the brake sensor to the electronic control unit; executing a machine readable control logic with the electronic control unit to determine if an excursion condition is present based on the speed of the vehicle, the status of the transmission, the application of the accelerator pedal of the vehicle, and the application of the brake pedal of the vehicle; and, transmitting an alert signal from the electronic control unit when the excursion condition is present.
US08473146B2 Method of managing malfunctions of a modular-architecture control system of a motor vehicle power plant and corresponding control system
A method of managing information interchanged within a modular-architecture control system of a motor vehicle power plant and values of which are liable to be affected by malfunctioning of the control system and/or of the power plant. In the method an indication of the validity of the value of the information is allocated to each of the information items, this indication of validity being formulated by a module that generates the information on the basis of input indications received by the generating module and representative of a potential malfunctioning of this generating module or of another module.
US08473144B1 Controlling vehicle lateral lane positioning
Methods and systems for controlling vehicle lateral lane positioning are described. A computing device may be configured to identify an object in a vicinity of a vehicle on a road. The computing device may be configured to estimate, based on characteristics of the vehicle and respective characteristics of the object, an interval of time during which the vehicle will be laterally adjacent to the object. Based on the characteristics of the vehicle, the computing device may be configured to estimate longitudinal positions of the vehicle on the road during the interval of time. Based on the respective characteristics of the object, the computing device may be configured to determine a lateral distance for the vehicle to maintain between the vehicle and the object during the interval of time at the longitudinal positions of the vehicle, and provide instructions to control the vehicle based on the lateral distance.
US08473141B2 Robot system
A robot system includes camera, a distance direction sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to store a plurality of instruction images obtained as a target of the real-time image at each of a plurality of discrete instruction points provided on a predetermined running path. The controller is configured to switch, on the basis of predetermined switching conditions, between an image guidance mode in which the controller controls a running subsystem on the basis of a comparison result between the real-time image and the instruction image, and a measurement distance guidance mode in which the controller controls the running subsystem on the basis of a detection result of the distance direction sensor.
US08473137B2 Method for managing hybrid vehicle air conditioning system
The invention relates to a method for managing a hybrid vehicle air conditioning system that includes a compressor (8) generating coolness that is storable in a cold reserve (10), the heat engine having access to a control (34) that automatically controls the starting and stopping thereof. Said management method is characterized in that it has the power needed to pull the vehicle (6) and a level of coolness in the cold reserve (10) such that: when the heat engine (2) is on, the stopping (82) thereof is enabled if the charge level (92) in the cold reserve (10) is greater than a minimum threshold and the necessary pulling power is below a maximum threshold, both of said thresholds correlating with each other; and when the heat engine (2) is off, a command for the starting (84) of said heat engine is made if the charge level of the cold reserve (10) is less than a maximum threshold and the necessary pulling power is above a minimum threshold, both of said thresholds also correlating with each other.
US08473135B2 Information and telecommunications system, vehicular device, center device, and method for controlling the system
A vehicle-side storage unit of a vehicular device associates and stores an already-traveled route and power consumption when a self vehicle has traveled the already-traveled route, as traveling history data. A vehicle-side control unit of the vehicular device transmits the traveling history data to a center device. A center-side storage unit of the center device stores the traveling history data transmitted from multiple vehicles. A center-side control unit of the center device calculates a necessary electric power for traveling a first route in a guide route, based on the traveling history data of an other vehicle stored in the center-side storage unit, the first route being not overlapping with the already-traveled route of the self vehicle stored in the center-side storage unit.
US08473133B2 Transient operation energy management strategy for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain
A method and system for providing a dynamic torque band for hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) transient management includes determining a torque band indicative of an engine torque operation region representing efficient operation of the powertrain across a range of engine speeds. An engine torque command based on an actual speed of the engine is generated. The engine torque command is outputted to the engine if the engine torque command is within the torque band. The engine torque command is modified to be within the torque band if the engine torque command is out of the torque band and the modified engine torque command is outputted to the engine.
US08473131B2 Method and system for charging electric vehicles
An electric vehicle charger determines the presence of an electric vehicle when the electric vehicle is in proximity to the charger. Validation of account data associated with the electric vehicle occurs over a network. A docking interface on the charger aligns to a receptacle on the electric vehicle. The docking interface and the receptacle are coupled when the docking interface is within a predetermined distance to the receptacle. The charger supplies power to the electric vehicle.
US08473130B2 Folding bicycle with electric power train assist
The invention is directed to a foldable electric bicycle with power assist having a front portion attached to a rear portion via a central pivot post. The front portion maintains a steering column, handle bar system and a front wheel assembly having a front wheel and an electric power train. The rear portion includes a rear connecting arm to maintain the rear wheel. The central pivot post includes a first end that connects with the front portion and a second end which connects with the rear portion. A peddle assembly connects below the central pivot post and communicates with the rear wheel through a drive chain. A rechargeable battery capable of providing electricity to the electric power train is shaped to fit within a cavity and is located within the central pivot post. The rechargeable battery is positioned proximate the user so as to vertically align with the user's girth.
US08473129B2 Track brake controller
A track brake control system for providing braking of a railway vehicle operates upon receipt of an emergency braking command. The control system includes a member for receiving deceleration information from one or more sensing devices. The control system further includes a member for comparing the deceleration information with a reference value or reference profile. Further, the control system includes at least one regulating device for continuously adjusting a braking demand signal to a track brake so as to cause deceleration of the railway vehicle based on the comparison.
US08473123B2 Programmable surface
In exemplary embodiments of this invention, a programmable surface comprises an array of cells. Each of the cells can communicate electronically with adjacent cells in the array, can compute, and can generate either normal thrust or shear thrust. Distributed computing is employed. The programmable surface may cover all or part of the exterior of a craft, such as an aircraft or marine vessel. Or, instead, the programmable surface may comprise the craft itself, which may, for example, take the form of a “flying carpet” or “flying sphere”. The thrust generated by the programmable surface can be employed directly to provide lift. Or it can be used to control the orientation of the craft, by varying the relative amount of thrust outputted by the respective cells. The number of cells employed may be changed on a mission-by-mission basis, to achieve “span on demand”. Each cell may carry its own payload.
US08473120B2 Method for assisting in the management of the flight of an aircraft in order to keep to a time constraint
The invention relates to the field of civil aviation and, more specifically, relates to the flight management systems, more commonly known by the English acronym FMS. The method for assisting in the management of the flight of an aircraft in order to keep to a time constraint according to the present invention allows for a control of the keeping to the time constraint that presents a rapid dynamic, by avoiding as far as possible having the estimated time of arrival (ETA) at a particular point (P) able to drift relative to a required time of arrival (RTA) at said particular point (P), thanks to the use of a maneuvering margin (M) granted to the guidance module of the aircraft.
US08473107B2 Offered actions for energy management based on anomalous conditions
Systems and devices for, and methods of, energy management via prompted response options based on detected anomalous conditions.
US08473106B2 System and method for monitoring and evaluating equipment operating parameter modifications
A method and system is provided that includes receiving a current setpoint value from a controller that operates at least one piece of equipment according to the current setpoint value, the current setpoint value being set by a first user, comparing the current setpoint value with a benchmark setpoint value, and outputting the current setpoint value and the benchmark setpoint value on a terminal when the current setpoint value is different than the benchmark setpoint value. The method and system also includes receiving, with the terminal, input from a second user indicating one of approval of the current setpoint value or rejection of the current setpoint value, notifying the first user that the current setpoint value has been rejected when the input from the second user indicates rejection of the current setpoint value, and communicating, to the terminal, input from the first user indicating one of agreement or disagreement with the rejection of the current setpoint value.
US08473105B2 Feedback control method and device using the same
The present invention provides a method for feedback control and a device using the same, wherein the device comprising a sensing layer for generating a plurality of sensing signals with respect to the at least one kind of characteristics on the sensing layer, and a driving layer for changing the surface status of the sensing layer. The control method is started a step of acquiring the plurality of sensing signals within a first specific time interval and establishing a first prediction model accordingly, then predicting a distribution status with respect to the at least one kind of characteristic on the sensing layer at a specific time point according to the first prediction model, and finally, determining whether to change the surface status of the sensing layer according to the distribution status.
US08473102B2 Robot controller, robot control method, and legged robot
A robot controller in accordance with the present invention is a robot controller that makes a robot including a plurality of legs walk by driving joints of the robot, the robot controller being configured to determine a permissible range for a trunk vertical position of the robot based on measured environmental parameters, the measured environmental parameters being information of an environment around the robot, and to make the robot walk based on measured posture parameters representing a posture of the robot so that the trunk vertical position remains within the permissible range. In this way, a legged robot with high robustness as well as its controller and control method can be provided.
US08473101B2 Coordinated action robotic system and related methods
A coordinated action robotic system may include a plurality of robotic vehicles, each including a platform and at least one manipulator movable relative thereto. The robotic system may also include a remote operator control station that may include a respective controller for each manipulator. The remote operator control station may also include a mapping module to map movement of each manipulator relative to its platform. Operation of the controllers for manipulator movement in a given direction produces corresponding movement of the respective manipulators in the given direction such that the robotic vehicles may be controlled as if they were one robotic vehicle. The coordinated movement may result in increased operational efficiency, increased operational dexterity, and increased ease of controlling the robotic vehicles.
US08473096B2 Substrate transfer robot, substrate transfer device, semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, and method for producing semiconductor
A substrate transfer robot includes a substrate gripping portion, an arm unit, and a controller. The substrate gripping portion is configured to hold a substrate. The arm unit includes a plurality of arms which are capable of turning in a horizontal plane. The arm unit has the substrate gripping portion at a leading end of the arm unit and is configured to transfer the substrate between a plurality of taught positions taught beforehand. When the taught positions are taught, the controller is configured to generate an access standby position corresponding to each of the plurality of taught positions and configured to generate and store a plurality of routes from the access standby position to a minimum turning posture of the substrate transfer robot.
US08473093B2 Methods and apparatus for online calorimetry
In exemplary implementations of this invention, a network of nodes controls and senses the cure of a thermosetting plastic in a component that is made of fiber composite material. The network comprises multiple nodes, which are separated spatially from each other. Each of the nodes, respectively, comprises a heat transfer device for actively transferring thermal energy, a temperature sensor for taking local temperature measurements, and a processor. In each of the nodes, respectively: (a) the processor locally performs closed loop control over the temperature of the heat transfer device, and (b) the closed loop control is based at least in part on the local temperature measurements and on estimated or measured input current to the heat transfer device.
US08473091B2 Control apparatus of machine tool and method of controlling operation of the same
A control apparatus of a machine tool is adapted to detect whether or not an NC program is stopped at an end of a block and whether or not a rotation of a handwheel for a manual pulse generator is stopped and restarted when both a manual pulse mode and a single block mode are selected. The NC program is accordingly automatically restarted from the next block in conjunction with the restart of the handwheel rotation. The operator thus can restart an operation of an NC unit only by rotating the handwheel when the operation is automatically stopped at the end of a block of the NC program.
US08473084B2 Audio crossfading
Techniques are presented for dynamically controlling an audio crossfade from a first audio track to a second audio track. The first audio track may be decoded and buffered to a first buffer. A user may select a second audio track at some point during playback of the first audio track. The second audio track may be decoded, and a processor may access the decoded second audio track and the buffered first audio track and mix the two audio tracks. The mixed audio track may be inserted in the same first buffer near or at the read pointer of the first buffer, such that latency between the user selection and the crossfade into the selected audio track may be minimized. The insertion of the mixed audio track may depend on various factors, including the type of audio file and/or the decoder type used to decode the second audio track.
US08473083B1 Synthesized audio parameters
In some embodiments, techniques for audio processing may include receiving a first characterization of a first audio device, including a first audio parameterization that includes at least one parameter relating to characteristics of the first audio device; receiving a second characterization of a second audio device, including a second audio parameterization that includes at least one parameter relating to characteristics of the second audio device; determining a processing parameterization that includes a combination of a plurality of audio processing factors, wherein the audio processing factors include the first characterization and the second characterization; receiving a first electronic audio signal, as the input signal; generating a second electronic audio signal, as the output signal, wherein generating the second electronic audio signal includes processing the input signal using the processing parameterization; and providing the output signal via an electronic audio output interface.
US08473079B2 Fast algorithm for model predictive control
An improved process and corresponding controller provide a model predictive control approach that can be implemented with less computational resources and/or with greater speed than conventional MPC, while at the same time retaining all or a substantial portion of the robustness and advantages of conventional MPC. According to one aspect of the invention, the process provides an improved initial estimate of the MPC model trajectory to reduce the number of iterations to find the optimal one. The improved trajectory is obtained by applying a correction to the computed MPC manipulated value trajectory, and using the corrected manipulated value trajectory as the starting point for the next iteration of MPC manipulated value trajectory computation. As set forth in more detail below, the correction is determined from the LQR feedback control strategy. Since the sequence of control laws for the LQR feedback control strategy can be computed off-line and stored, the real time part of the LQR control strategy needed to determine the correction can be retrieved with relatively little computational resources.
US08473076B2 Lead for stimulating the baroreceptors in the pulmonary artery
An apparatus includes a flexible lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, an expandable electrode coupled proximate the distal end, the expandable electrode having an expanded diameter dimensioned to abut a wall of a pulmonary artery, and an implantable pulse generator electrically coupled to the expandable electrode. The expandable electrode includes a plurality of electrode zones. The plurality of zones can be tested to determine which zone delivers the best baroreflex response. At least one of the electrode zones can be selected to deliver a stimulation signal based on the testing. The implantable pulse generator is adapted to deliver a baroreflex stimulation signal to a baroreceptor in the pulmonary artery via the electrode.
US08473074B2 Lead identification system
A lead identification system for tracking a plurality of neurostimulation leads during implantation in a patient, and a method of using the same. The lead identification system includes a plurality of lead indicators each adapted to attach to one of a plurality of epidural needles to identify the leads. At least one clip adapted to releasably attach to proximal ends of the leads is provided with corresponding lead indicators. The trial cable for conducting trial stimulation includes connectors with corresponding lead indicators. A plurality of lead indicator stylets are provided for insertion into lumens at the proximal ends of the leads. The pulse generator also has connectors with corresponding lead indicators. The various lead indicators permit a surgeon to track a particular lead to the corresponding connectors on the pulse generator.
US08473071B2 Method of improved vein closure
There are disclosed methods of vein closure. In an embodiment, a method includes elevating a leg of a patient during a vein closure procedure so as to effect substantial emptying of the vein. The method also includes applying radio-frequency energy to a vein within the leg of the patient to cause the vein closure. In another embodiment, a method includes elevating a leg of a patient during a vein closure procedure within a range of about 30 degrees to about 45 degrees from a horizontal position. The method also includes applying radio-frequency energy to a vein within the leg of the patient. In one embodiment, a method includes elevating a leg, and emptying of a segment of the vein prior to applying radio-frequency energy. In another embodiment, the method includes elevating a leg of a patient, and applying energy to a vein. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08473069B2 Integrated circuit implementation and fault control system, device, and method
Apparatus and methods enable robust, reliable control for implantable medical devices, including cardiac pacemakers, defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization devices. Integrated circuits in the devices have minimized interfaces, can derive power from the interface signals, and have high voltage and latch-up protection. A device lead has a power generation circuit and a switching circuit using cascaded PMOS transistors for operating with a stable voltage despite fluctuations in the supplied voltage. The lead has control electronics that provide a very low impedance between an electrode and a lead conductor during most of the duration of a pacing pulse, but during a brief initial portion of the pacing pulse, provide a very high impedance to permit charging up a power supply that is local to the control electronics. A method of stabilizing the external impedance and a system for fault detection and fault recovery for an implantable device are also provided.
US08473068B2 Subcardiac threshold vagal nerve stimulation
In one embodiment, an implantable stimulation apparatus includes a vagal nerve stimulator configured to generate electrical pulses below a cardiac threshold of a heart, and an electrode coupled to the vagal nerve stimulator which is configured to transmit the electrical pulses below the cardiac threshold, to a vagal nerve so as to inhibit injury resulting from an ischemia and/or reduce injury resulting from an ischemia. In another embodiment, an implantable stimulation apparatus includes a vagal nerve stimulator configured to generate electrical pulses below a cardiac threshold, and includes an electrode, which is coupled to the vagal nerve stimulator and configured transmit electrical pulses to a vagal nerve so as to reduce a defibrillation threshold of the heart.
US08473066B2 External charger for a medical implantable device using field sensing coils to improve coupling
By incorporating magnetic field sensing coils in an external charger, it is possible to determine the position of an implantable device by sensing the reflected magnetic field from the implant. In one embodiment, two or more field sensing coils are arranged to sense the reflected magnetic field. By comparing the relative reflected magnetic field strengths of the sensing coils, the position of the implant relative to the external charger can be determined. Audio and/or visual feedback can then be communicated to the patient to allow the patient to improve the alignment of the charger.
US08473062B2 Method and device for the treatment of headache
A method is provided for the suppression or prevention of pain, movement disorders, epilepsy, cerebrovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, sleep disorders, autonomic disorders, abnormal metabolic states, disorders of the muscular system, and neuropsychiatric disorders in a patient. The method comprises inserting an electrode into a patient. The electrode can be positioned on or proximate to a neural structure, and the electrode can detect an ENG signal. In some embodiments, the neural structure can be the patient's sphenopalatine ganglia (“SPG”), sphenopalatine nerves (“SPN”), or vidian nerves (“VN”). Placement of the electrode can be tested by detecting a characteristic ENG. If the characteristic ENG indicates that the electrode is not positioned on the target neural structure, the electrode can be repositioned.
US08473059B2 Method for treating dementia
A description is given of a method to treat dementia, in particular Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia and vascular dementia, by means of electrical brain stimulation.
US08473057B2 Shunt-current reduction housing for an implantable therapy system
Techniques for minimizing interference between first and second medical devices of a therapy system may include providing an outer housing for at least one of the medical devices that comprises an electrically insulative layer formed over at least the electrically conductive portions (e.g., an electrically conductive layer) of the housing, or providing an electrically insulative pouch around an electrically conductive housing of at least the first medical device. The electrically insulative layer or electrically insulative pouch may reduce or even eliminate shunt-current that flows into the medical device via the housing. The shunt-current may be generated by the delivery of electrical stimulation by the second medical device. In some examples, the techniques may also include shunt-current mitigation circuitry that helps minimize or even eliminate shunt-current that feeds into the first medical device via one or more electrodes electrically connected to the first medical device.
US08473055B2 Systems and methods for optimizing multi-site cardiac pacing and sensing configurations for use with an implantable medical device
Techniques are provided for use with an implantable cardiac stimulation device equipped for multi-site left ventricular (MSLV) pacing using a multi-pole LV lead. In one example, referred to herein as QuickStim, cardiac pacing configurations are optimized based on an assessment of hemodynamic benefit and device longevity. In another example, referred to herein as QuickSense, cardiac sensing configurations are optimized based on sensing profiles input by a clinician. Various virtual sensing channels are also described that provide for the multiplexing or gating of sensed signals. Anisotropic oversampling is also described.
US08473054B2 System and method for detecting pulmonary edema based on impedance measured using an implantable medical device during a lead maturation interval
Techniques are provided for use by implantable medical devices such as cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices for detecting pulmonary edema based on transthoracic impedance sensed using cardiac pacing/sensing leads, wherein detection can be performed while lead maturation occurs. Briefly, the implantable device determines whether the leads are within an initial post-implant interval following implant during which lead maturation generally occurs. The device then detects pulmonary edema or related medical conditions within the patient based on transthoracic impedance using a set of detection parameters adjusted for use during the post-implant interval. Thus, rather than “blanking” impedance data during lead maturation, the device instead detects and processes impedance during this period to identify possible episodes of pulmonary edema so that appropriate measures can be undertaken, such as delivery of warnings or titration of appropriate medications.
US08473052B2 Implantable pacemaker
A pacemaker comprises an implantable pacemaker housing and a pacemaker electrode provided to transmit stimulation impulses, and a detector for a current which can be induced by an external magnetic field and flowing through the pacemaker electrode. A circuit element is provided to interrupt this inducible current.
US08473050B2 Thoracic or intracardiac impedance detection with automatic vector selection
Vector selection is automatically achieved via a thoracic or intracardiac impedance signal collected in a cardiac function management device or other implantable medical device that includes a test mode and a diagnostic mode. During a test mode, the device cycles through various electrode configurations for collecting thoracic impedance data. At least one figure of merit is calculated from the impedance data for each such electrode configuration. In one example, only non-arrhythmic beats are used for computing the figure of merit. A particular electrode configuration is automatically selected using the figure of merit. During a diagnostic mode, the device collects impedance data using the selected electrode configuration. In one example, the figure of merit includes a ratio of a cardiac stroke amplitude and a respiration amplitude. Other examples of the figure of merit are also described.
US08473046B2 Diffusion-based magnetic resonance methods for characterizing bone structure
A method of in vitro or in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance and/or magnetic resonance imaging, to determine bone properties by measuring the effects of molecular diffusion inside the bone specimen to derive parameters that are related to the structure of the trabecular bones. The method is a non-invasive probe that provides topological information on trabecular bone without requiring a full high-resolution image of its structure, and is compatible with clinical use.
US08473043B1 Neuro-behavioral test method for screening and evaluating therapy for ADHD and system
A new neuro-behavioral test with analysis algorithms has been developed for use in screening individuals for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and for the quantitative evaluation of ADHD medication/therapy in diagnosed patients. This technique combines a 15 minute auditory-based test of attention with simultaneous EEG monitoring by a wireless, portable data acquisition device. This system acquires both behavioral response (i.e., reaction times to target stimuli, as well as errors of omission/commission) and EEG waveforms. All of the data is simultaneously processed by the algorithms to produce several representative indices. These indices are then combined to produce an overall neuro-behavioral index that represents the degree by which both “behavioral” and “EEG” attention is maintained throughout the test.
US08473042B2 Tachyarrhythmia detection using dynamic duration
An apparatus comprises an implantable cardiac signal sensing circuit configured to produce a sensed cardiac signal representative of cardiac activity of a subject and a controller communicatively coupled to the cardiac signal sensing circuit. The controller includes a sensing module configured to detect a cardiac depolarization using the sensed cardiac signal and an arrhythmia detection module. The arrhythmia detection module is configured to detect a depolarization rate or interval that satisfies a first tachyarrhythmia detection rate zone threshold, adjust a specified detection duration threshold for the tachyarrhythmia detection zone according to the detected depolarization rate, declare that the detected depolarization rate is an episode of tachyarrhythmia when the detected depolarization rate is sustained for the adjusted detection duration threshold, and provide an indication of the tachyarrhythmia to a user or process.
US08473040B2 Electrocardiographic device and method
A hand-held device for acquiring electrocardiographic (ECG) signals from a patient comprises an electrode array with a gripping handle (15) and four electrodes (11-14). The electrodes typically form a quadrilateral array, the array being adapted for placement on the patients thoracic region without the need for upper clothing or underwear to be removed. The device can be used in a method to rapidly acquire ECG data relating to atrial fibrillation and/or flutter without the need for a conventional 12-lead ECG apparatus. The data can be transmitted to a computer for further manipulation and analysis. A kit for putting the method into effect includes the device, a means for communication with a computer and a computer program for running on the computer.
US08473039B2 System and a method for cardiac monitoring
A system for monitoring a heart of a patient, the system includes: (i) a physiological data input interface, operative for receiving signals indicative of cardiac activity of the patient; (ii) a processor configured to process the signals to provide monitoring results; and (iii) an output interface operative to provide the monitoring results; wherein the monitoring results include information indicative of: (a) a heart rate of the patient during a monitoring period; (b) at least one first time period in which the heart rate of the patient exceeded a first threshold; and (c) at least one second time period in which the heart rate of the patient exceeded both the first threshold and a second threshold.
US08473034B2 System and method for feeding tube placement
A system and method for monitoring the placement of a feeding tube in the jejunum of a patient includes a system comprising a feeding tube and a tubular member received in a passageway extending through the feeding tube. The tubular member is sized relative to the feeding tube such that an echogenic distal length of the tubular member extends distal to the open distal end of the feeding tube. The distal end of the assembly is advanced into the small intestine of the patient, and a negative pressure is drawn through an opening in the distal length of the tubular member to draw the tubular member distal length into juxtaposition with a wall of the small intestine. The position of the assembly in the small intestine may be observed in real time via ultrasound visualization of the echogenic portion.
US08473033B2 Method and system for determining tracheal and location information for a tracheal tube
According to various embodiments, a tracheal tube may include signal sources for providing information at various locations on the tube or in an inflated cuff. The signals from the signal sources may be triangulated to determine the location of the tube in relation to a reference point on the body. The location information may provide an indication as to whether or not the tracheal tube is properly placed within the trachea.
US08473032B2 Feature-based registration method
Methods for registering a three-dimensional model of a body volume to a real-time indication of a sensor position that involve analyzing scanned and sensed voxels and using parameters or thresholds to identify said voxels as being either tissue or intraluminal fluid. Those voxels identified as fluid are then used to construct a real-time sensed three-dimensional model of the lumen which is then compared to a similarly constructed, but previously scanned model to establish and update registration.
US08473031B2 Medical robotic system with functionality to determine and display a distance indicated by movement of a tool robotically manipulated by an operator
A medical robotic system has functionality to determine and display information of a distance indicated by movement of one or more tools being robotically manipulated by an operator. The distance is determined using sensed robotic manipulation of the one or more tools. Information of the distance is displayed on the monitor so as to be visually associated with the movement and/or positions of the tools, such as a virtual tape measure that extends along with or between images of the one or more tools on the monitor or as a virtual ruler with the distance being indicated by a pointer. Alternatively, information of the distance may simply be indicated on a digital read-out shown on the monitor that is displayed and continually updated with the movement of the one or more tools.
US08473030B2 Vessel position and configuration imaging apparatus and methods
One or more markers or sensors are positioned in the vasculature of a patient to facilitate determining the location, configuration, and/or orientation of a vessel or certain aspects thereof (e.g., a branch vessel), determining the location, configuration and/or orientation of a endovascular devices prior to and during prosthesis deployment as well as the relative position of portions of the vasculature and devices, generating an image of a virtual model of a portion of one or more vessels (e.g., branch vessels) or devices, and/or formation of one or more openings in a tubular prosthesis in situ to allow branch vessel perfusion when the prosthesis is placed over one or more branch vessels in a patient (e.g., when an aortic abdominal artery stent-graft is fixed to the aorta superior to the renal artery ostia).
US08473029B2 Catheter electrode that can simultaneously emit electrical energy and facilitate visualization by magnetic resonance imaging
A catheter comprises an elongate body extending along a first longitudinal axis and having an outermost radial surface; a coil wound in a substantially cylindrical shape and extending along a second longitudinal axis that is coincident with the first longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the coil is proximate to the outermost radial surface of the elongate body.
US08473026B2 System for monitoring a position of a medical instrument with respect to a patient's body
A system for monitoring a position of a medical instrument with respect to a patient's body, including a medical instrument, a reference mount attachable to the patient's body for movement with the patient's body, and an electromagnetic unit for association with the reference mount and the medical instrument for monitoring movement of the medical instrument relative to the reference mount. The electromagnetic unit includes a first member attachable to the patient's body and a second member attachable to the medical instrument. The first and second members communicate by electromagnetic radiation.
US08473024B2 Flexible headset for sensing brain electrical activity
A headset for detecting brain electrical activity is disclosed. The headset may have a flexible band having a first end and a second end. The flexible band may have at least one expansible region permitting a distance between the first end and the second end to selectably vary. The headset may also have flexible circuitry in the flexible band. The flexible circuitry may be operatively connected to at least one sensor configured to sense brain electrical activity. The headset may further have a stimulus emitter coupled to the flexible band.
US08473023B2 Catheter with flexible pre-shaped tip section
A catheter for mapping and/or ablating continuous linear or circumferential lesions at the intersection of a generally flat structure, such as the left atrium, and the ostium of generally cavernous regions of the heart, including pulmonary vein and the pulmonary venous antrum, comprises a catheter body with an intermediate section that is connected to a tip assembly by a highly flexible section. The intermediate section has at its distal end a preformed section, e.g., a curve, the intermediate section being deflectable in a direction opposite to the curve. The highly flexible section presets the tip assembly at an off-axis and/or off-plane angles from the preformed section. Accordingly, the preformed section is adapted to sit in the region and the preset angles of the ablation assembly enable contact with surrounding tissue. A high bending modulus enables the flexible section absorb displacement force applied to the ablation assembly, such as when the tip assembly encounters uneven tissue surface, without displacing the curve from the region. The tip assembly can be irrigated as enabled by a plurality of irrigation ports, a coil electrode, and a porous covering to disperse fluid over the outer surface of the tip assembly.
US08473020B2 Non-invasive physiological sensor cover
A sensor cover according to embodiments of the disclosure is capable of being used with a non-invasive physiological sensor, such as a pulse oximetry sensor. Certain embodiments of the sensor cover reduce or eliminate false readings from the sensor when the sensor is not in use, for example, by blocking a light detecting component of a pulse oximeter sensor when the pulse oximeter sensor is active but not in use. Further, embodiments of the sensor cover can prevent damage to the sensor. Additionally, embodiments of the sensor cover prevent contamination of the sensor.
US08473019B2 Patient interface for spectroscopy applications
A patient interface and method of locating the patient interface for use particularly in spectroscopy applications. The patient interface includes a concave region and first and second convex regions. A wing extends from the concave region to help locate the patient interface properly. The convex regions provide additional adhesion support, particularly when used on the thenar eminence. The patient interface may be placed in a number of locations on a patient to determine an optimum location for measurement prior to affixing the interface to the patient.
US08473016B2 Communication apparatus, and data transmission method
Provided is a communication apparatus including a wireless communication unit for performing wireless communication by using a predetermined communication band, a data transmission unit for transmitting serial data through a predetermined transmission path, a jamming determination unit for determining whether or not a transmission band used for transmission of the serial data by the data transmission unit jams the communication band used for the wireless communication by the wireless communication unit, and a rate control unit for switching a transmission rate of the serial data to low by controlling the data transmission unit, in a case the jamming determination unit determines that the transmission band used for transmission of the serial data jams the communication band used for the wireless communication.
US08473015B2 Stopper device for sliding swing type portable communication device
Provided is a stopper device for a sliding swing type portable communication device, in which a stopper is made up of a small number of parts capable of restricting the swinging operation after sliding operation as well as the sliding operation after the swing operation. The stopper device includes a body housing and a sliding housing opened or closed by sliding or swinging in relation to the body housing, a first sliding member coupled to the sliding housing, a second sliding member coupled to the first sliding member to enable the first sliding member to slide, a swing member coupled to the body housing, installed between the first and second sliding members, to allow the first and second sliding members to swing, and a stopper unit provided to each member, restricting the swinging of the sliding housing when the sliding housing slides and the sliding of the sliding housing when the sliding housing swings before sliding.
US08473011B2 Method and apparatus allowing for user-selectable acoustic equalizer settings for voice calls
A user is allowed to select an acoustic equalizer setting from among a plurality of predetermined acoustic equalizer settings. Upon receiving an indication of a selection of a given acoustic equalizer setting, a handheld telephony device processes voice call downlink audio, based on the given acoustic equalizer setting and drives an audio output device with the processed audio signal.
US08473008B2 Wireless enabled memory module
A wireless-enabled memory module provides host devices access to a memory via a standard memory expansion interface and further incorporates embedded processing capability and a wireless network capability. The wireless-enabled memory module can be used in any host device providing a compatible memory card controller and interface. Host devices so equipped become wireless-memory enabled devices and can provide memory access to any other remote device enabled for compatible wireless communications. It is thereby possible for a remote device to access the memory content of the memory module, and cause transfers of either full-size or scaled versions of the content to the remote device through a first network, and optionally further transfer the content from the remote device through a second network to the Internet in the form of an e-mail message or MMS attachment.
US08473005B2 FM transmitter for mobile communication device
A mobile communication device for transmitting media content to a receiver assembly in proximity to the mobile communication device includes a transceiver assembly for communicating information with a wireless communication network, and a transmitter assembly for transmitting media content received via the wireless communication network to a receiver assembly in proximity to the housing of the mobile communication device. Media content may be received via a GPRS bearer service, an EDGE bearer service, a UMTS bearer service, and the like. The transmitter assembly is coupled with a software module for configuring the media content for reproduction as sound and/or video. For example, streaming audio data downloaded from the Internet may be configured via frequency modulation (FM) for radio frequency (RF) transmission to an RF receiver in proximity to the mobile communication device.
US08473003B2 Method and apparatus for receiving short message service (SMS) in dual mode terminal
A method of controlling a dual mode mobile terminal, and which includes receiving, via a wireless communication unit of the mobile terminal, synchronous time information from a first communication network, the synchronous time information being used for a system time of the mobile terminal and for system time synchronization of the mobile terminal with the first communication network; receiving, via the wireless communication unit, asynchronous time information from a second communication network, the asynchronous time information not being used for system time synchronization of the mobile terminal with the second communication network; calculating, via the controller, an average of a calculated difference between the synchronous time information and the asynchronous time information; receiving, via the wireless communication unit, a message from the second communication network; and setting, via the controller, a reception time stamp of when the message is received based on time information contained in the message received from the second communication network and the calculated average difference.
US08473000B2 Communication device, integrated circuit and method therefor
A communication device is capable of supporting communication compliant with a Dual-Mode 2.5G and 3G interface baseband-radio frequency interface standard and comprises a data interface operably coupled to a number sub-systems and a clock circuit generating a plurality of clock phases for supporting communication there between. At least one of the number of sub-systems comprises a line driver and a line receiver; wherein the communication device is characterized in that the line receiver determines an end of a received data frame sent across the data interface and in response thereto switches itself off.
US08472997B2 Power amplification method and apparatus
A method for implementing power amplification processing includes: obtaining power amplifier feature information and service requirement information of a power amplifier, where the service requirement information includes requirement information of a real-time service and requirement information of a non-real-time service; determining a regulation parameter and a scheduling parameter of the power amplifier according to the service requirement information and the power amplifier feature information; and performing, by the power amplifier, transmit power regulation according to the regulation parameter to obtain amplified transmit power.
US08472988B2 2-way texting through hosted applications
The invention is apparatus for communicating between a subscriber and a second party in a 2-way texting system. The apparatus includes a hosted application system, having a host application server, storage, communication apparatus and a hosted application. A subscriber's 2-way communication device is coupled to the communication apparatus and assigned a unique designator. The hosted application system is coupled to receive a message and designated recipient from a message originator's 2-way communication device. The message originator is one of the subscriber and the second party, and the recipient is the other of the subscriber and the second party. The hosted application converts the message to a designated format and delivers the message using the unique designator, to the recipient's 2-way communication device. The message can be responded to by the recipient using the unique designator.
US08472981B2 Shared image database with geographic navigation
There is disclosed a method and device for operating an image database shared by a plurality of users. In an embodiment, each image captured by a user and stored in a shared image database is associating with the geographic coordinates of the location at which the image was captured. A search engine for the image database is configured to accept geographic coordinates as a search criterion for locating at least one captured image stored in the shared image database. The images having location coordinates within a predefined range of geographic coordinates is displayed to the user.
US08472980B2 Flexible architecture for location based crowdsourcing of contextual data
A system for the collection, aggregation and analysis of location based crowdsourcing data includes a server that server that controls the distribution of crowdsourcing requests and workloads to a plurality of external mobile platforms. The server receives crowdsourcing queries from multiple parties and provides measurement requests to the mobile platforms, e.g., based on the location of the mobile platforms. Upon receipt of the measured contextual data from the mobile platforms, the server may distribute information, such as the raw measured contextual data or an analysis of the measured contextual data, to the appropriate requesting parties in a secure manner. The mobile platform may receive a plurality of measurement requests from a remote server, wherein the plurality of measurement requests are based on crowdsourcing queries from a plurality of parties. The mobile platform may measure and provide to the remote server contextual data in response to the plurality of measurement requests.
US08472979B2 System and method for scheduling and reservations using location based services
A system and method for providing reservation services to users of mobile devices. The system is implemented in a reservation computer device having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium. The reservation computer device is operable to prioritize a reservation schedule of a service establishment based on a route and projected arrival time of one or more subscribing users such that earlier arriving users and users that have already arrived at the service establishment are given priority in the reservation schedule regardless of prearranged reservations.
US08472970B2 Radio communication system, radio terminal, radio base station, and information collection method
Disclosed is a radio communication system provided with an information collection apparatus (300) for collecting: location information which indicates the location of a radio terminal (100a); downlink radio quality information which indicates a measurement result for the radio quality of the downlink between the radio terminal (100a) and a radio base station (200a); and uplink radio quality information which indicates a measurement result for the radio quality of the uplink between the radio terminal (100a) and the radio base station (200a). The radio terminal (100a) measures the radio quality of the downlink when an outgoing call is made therefrom. The radio base station (200a) measures the radio quality of the uplink when the radio terminal (100a) makes an outgoing call.
US08472955B2 Network selection methods and apparatus with multiple home networks
In one illustrative example, a technique for use in selecting a wireless communication network for a mobile station is described. The mobile station receives a plurality of Mobile Country Code (MCC) and Mobile Network Code (MNC) pairs corresponding to a plurality of available wireless networks. The mobile station selects and registers with an available wireless network from the plurality of available wireless networks that corresponds to a home public land mobile network (HPLMN) of a HPLMN list which identifies a plurality of HPLMNs. If none of the available wireless networks correspond to an HPLMN of the HPLMN list, the mobile station selects and registers with an available network that corresponds to a preferred PLMN of a preferred PLMN list which identifies a plurality of preferred PLMNs.
US08472946B2 Open to all prepaid roaming systems and methods
Some embodiments include a method for providing roaming service for a wireless device of a person that is both a prepaid subscriber of a local network and a subscriber of a home network with which the local network has a roaming agreement. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.
US08472943B1 Method and system for using multiple channel elements
A radio access network (RAN) includes a plurality of reverse-link channel elements for receiving signals and a plurality of forward-link channel elements for transmitting signals. The RAN may detect a fault condition in a signal transmitted by a mobile station and received through a reverse-link channel element or in a signal transmitted through a forward-link channel element and received by a mobile station, for example, based on a frame error rate in the received signal exceeding a threshold. The RAN may determine whether a radio frequency (RF) condition accounts for the fault condition. If the RF condition does not account for the fault condition, the RAN may allocate a second channel element such that the signal is received or transmitted through two different channel elements. If the second channel element improves the quality of the received signal, the BTS may discontinue use of the first channel element.
US08472941B1 Polling methods for use in a wireless communication system
Polling methods for use in a communication system, such as a fixed wireless communication system, are described. The fixed wireless communication system includes at least one wireless base unit and a plurality of fixed-location wireless transceiver units, where each transceiver unit is, for example, located at a home residence and coupled to a personal computer (PC). In one particular polling method, a wireless transceiver unit detects a failure of a primary energy source, switches to a battery backup for power, and sends a message to the wireless base unit indicating such failure. The message initiates the wireless base unit to poll the wireless transceiver unit on a periodic basis for status information. During the failure, a data traffic channel established between the units is torn down to conserve power at the wireless transceiver unit. Once the primary energy source is restored, the data traffic channel is brought back up and the periodic polling is terminated. Similar methods are applied in connection with the detection of a communication failure over the data traffic channel.
US08472938B2 Radio communication station and radio communication device, and methods of operating same
A radio communication station in a radio communication system having a plurality of radio communication devices, derives a quantization parameter and transmits the quantization parameter to the radio communication devices for use in subsequent quantization of a channel state metric. The radio communication devices receive the quantization parameter, determine a channel state metric, quantize the determined channel state metric by applying quantization ranges indicated by the quantization parameter, determine a data value indicative of the quantized channel state metric, and transmit a signal conveying the determined data value as a random access transmission.
US08472935B1 Communication device
The communication device comprising a voice communication implementer and a location dependent program executing implementer.
US08472934B2 Portable apparatus, method and user interface
A method for handling a plurality of processes running on a portable apparatus including: receiving a first user input and in response to the first user input suspending a subset of the plurality of processes. Corresponding portable apparatus, computer program product and user interface are also presented.
US08472927B1 Dynamically configurable mobile device, cellular phones, and wireless networks
A wireless communication and control system including a wireless device. There is a central server for storing communication protocols and control protocols and communicating the communication protocols and selectively communicating the control protocols between the wireless device and the central server. A communication protocol configures the system for communication and control protocols configure the system as one of a selection of intelligent appliance controllers. Alternately the control protocols configure the system as one of a selection of Internet terminals. The wireless device is any hand-held communication device, such as a hand-held computing device, wireless telephone, or cellular phone.
US08472918B2 Multiple access internet portal revenue sharing
Multiple access internet portal billing systems are provided. A representative system, among others, includes a communication facility, a wireless internet server, and a transaction billing system. The communication facility includes a billing platform, and is operable to connect to a plurality of wireless device platforms through a mobile network, and to connect to the wireless internet server. The wireless internet server provides internet access to the wireless devices and communicates at least one billing information record including a usage time to a transaction billing system. The transaction billing system receives the billing information record from the wireless internet server, formats the billing information record, and communicates the formatted record to the communication facility billing platform. Methods and other systems for multiple access internet portals are also provided.
US08472915B2 Emergency personal protection system integrated with mobile devices
A mobile device includes a camera unit, a location unit, a transmitting unit, a self-defense mechanism, and a panic button. The camera unit location unit obtains at least one of image data and audio data, and the location unit obtains location data. The transmitting unit transmits at least one of the image data, the audio data, the location data, and specific information including owner identification information. The panic button is adapted to activate the camera, the location unit, the transmitting unit, and the self-defense mechanism.
US08472913B2 Method for transmitting data in a blood glucose system and corresponding blood glucose system
A method for wireless transmission of data between a master controller (2, 2′) having a receiver (10) and a transmitter (9), and at least one slave device (3) having a receiver (19) and a transmitter (18), and to a corresponding blood glucose system (1, 1′). The slave device (3) is normally operated in a power saving mode in which its receiver (19) is only activated intermittently at a receiver activation frequency for a predetermined listening period. The controller (2, 21) transmits a communication initiation data frame to the slave device (3) by means of a signal comprising a preamble signal transmitted for a preamble period. Upon receipt of the communication initiation data frame, the slave device (3) is switched to a communication mode in which it transmits a response to the controller (2, 21), and the slave device (3) is switched from the communication mode to the power saving mode.
US08472912B2 Low-complexity diversity using preequalization
A diversity receiver includes a first RF front end module for receiving a first RF signal, and frequency converting the first RF signal and outputting a first diversity signal, a second RF front end module for receiving a second RF signal, frequency converting the second RF signal and outputting a second diversity signal, a first converter for converting the first diversity signal to a first time-domain signal, a second converter for converting the second diversity signal to a second time-domain signal, a first transformer for translating the first time-domain signal to a first frequency-domain signal, a second transformer for translating the second time-domain signal to a second frequency-domain signal, a first pre-equalizer for equalizing the first frequency-domain signal, a second pre-equalizer for equalizing the second frequency-domain signal, and a combiner for combining the first and second pre-equalized frequency-domain signals. The diversity receiver further includes a channel estimator having a mirror window.
US08472907B2 Antenna device and communication device
An antenna device includes: a substrate; a radiating electrode formed on the substrate, a ground electrode formed on the substrate and disposed opposite the radiating electrode, a feed line as a distributed constant transmission line connected via a feed point to the radiating electrode, at least one impedance matching element for impedance-matching the radiating electrode at a prescribed signal frequency by being connected in parallel with the radiating electrode to the feed line at a position a prescribed distance away from the feed point, and a switch, interposed between the at least one impedance matching element and the feed line, for connecting or disconnecting the at least one impedance matching element to or from the feed line in accordance with a prescribed control signal.
US08472903B2 Entertainment systems with enhanced functionality
An entertainment systems having enhanced functionally and methods therefor are provided. Embodiments of the system allow an operator to assign multiple groups of radio stations to the radio station presets of the system according to different geographical regions located along a calculated route. As the system travels along the calculated route, the radio station presets of the system are updated to correspond to the present location of the system.
US08472902B2 Radio broadcast receiving apparatus and radio broadcast receiving method
A radio broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes a reception unit for receiving a broadcast signal from a broadcast station of a predetermined frequency; a content information extracting unit for extracting content information related to a content the broadcast station is broadcasting from the broadcast signal being received by the reception unit and storing the content information in a storage unit; a frequency control unit for sequentially switching the frequency to be received by the reception unit; and an electronic program guide generating unit for generating an electronic program guide showing content information related to a content the broadcast station is currently broadcasting based on the content information stored in the storage unit.
US08472900B2 Method and system for enhancing the discontinuous transmission functionality
The invention allows improving the control of transmission of the silence detection (SID) frames to prevent annoying effects in the music sent to the calling terminal instead of ringback tones. This can be achieved by disabling the discontinuous transmission functionality during the period of call establishment. There are many different ways to accomplish the idea behind the present invention.
US08472894B2 Signal transmitting/receiving circuit including an impedance matching circuit
A signal transmitting/receiving circuit includes a transmitter, a receiver, a balun and an impedance matching circuit. The transmitter is utilized for transmitting an output signal. The receiver is utilized for receiving an input signal. The balun includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal and an output terminal. The impedance matching circuit, which is coupled between the transmitter, the receiver, and the balun, provides transmitting impedance when the transmitter transmits the output signal such that an output signal may be output at an output terminal of the balun via a transmitting path. Also, the impedance matching circuit provides transmitting impedance when the receiver receives the input signal such that the input signal may be transmitted from the output terminal of the balun to the receiver via a receiving path.
US08472890B2 Adjustable local oscillator path in a communication device with a transmitter
A communication device includes a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver mixes a local oscillator (LO) signal with the received signal to downconvert the received signal to an intermediate frequency (IF). The LO path that feeds the LO signal to the downconverting mixer is controlled based on the transmit power of the transmitter. For high transmit power, the drive of the LO path is increased, thereby increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of the LO signal input into the mixer. For low transmit power levels, the drive to the LO path is decreased, reducing power consumption in the communication device. In this way, receiver path noise due to mixing of the LO phase noise with the self-generated transmitter signal is selectively controlled while incurring lower power consumption penalty. The communication device may be an access terminal configured for communication with a cellular radio network.
US08472886B2 Mobile and base station transceiver apparatus for communicating
A mobile transceiver apparatus being adapted for communicating radio signals from/to a base station transceiver. The mobile transceiver apparatus has a receiver module for receiving an information signal from an other base station transceiver, wherein the information signal being received with an information signal strength. The mobile transceiver apparatus further has a transmitter module for communicating a transmit radio signal with a transmit power to the base station transceiver, wherein the transmit power being dependent on the information signal strength received from the other base station transceiver.
US08472884B2 Terahertz phased array system
Microelectronics have now developed to the point where radiation within the terahertz frequency range can be generated and used. Here, an integrated circuit or IC is provided that includes a phased array radar system, which uses terahertz radiation. In order to accomplish this, several features are employed; namely, a lower frequency signal is propagated to transceivers, which multiplies the frequency up to the desired frequency range. To overcome the losses from the multiplication, an injection locked voltage controlled oscillator (ILVCO) is used, and a high frequency power amplifier (PA) can then be used to amplify the signal for transmission.
US08472883B2 Self calibration method for radio equipment with receive and transmit circuitry
A self-calibration circuit for testing an RF device includes the RF device to be tested having transmit and receive sections, and a built-in self test (BIST) circuit coupled to the transmit and receive sections of the RF device on the same chip. The self-calibration circuit is configured to calibrate the receive section of the RF device in a receive test mode, and calibrate the transmit section of the RF device in a subsequent transmit test mode using the calibrated receive section to measure a transmit output signal from the transmit section and to provide calibration data therefrom used in the transmit section calibration. The self-calibration circuit may include a duplex filter coupled between the transmit and receive sections and the BIST circuit, and a multiplexor coupled between the RF device, and the BIST circuit, configured to select one or more of a plurality of RF devices to be tested.
US08472882B2 Channel quality information reporting method, base station, and user equipment
A channel quality information reporting method of reporting channel quality information from user equipment to a base station is disclosed. The channel quality information reporting method includes a format determination step in which the base station determines a channel quality information format based on information of the user equipment, a format transmission step in which the base station transmits the determined channel quality information format to the user equipment, and a channel quality information generation step in which the user equipment generates the channel quality information based on the received channel quality information format.
US08472877B2 Iterative interference cancellation system and method
A system and method for Interference Cancellation (IC). One aspect relates to iterative interference cancellation with iterative finger delay adaptation. The interference cancellation method comprises receiving multi-paths of a signal; and performing iterative interference cancellation to remove multi-path interference, wherein the performing iterative IC comprises estimating a Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) at each of a plurality of pre-determined rake receiver finger delays, and performing successive Channel Estimation (CE) and IC on rake receiver fingers according to their estimated SINRs, and wherein the CE of a next finger does not start until interference of a previous finger is removed from a sample buffer. The method may further comprise improving estimated rake receiver finger delay, and each iteration decreases the amount of interference observed by each finger.
US08472876B1 Methods and systems for presenting the time of the most recently detected presence of a personal area network device
Methods and systems are provided for determining the absence of a personal area network (PAN) device and for responsively presenting the time of the last detected presence of the PAN device. In an exemplary embodiment, a PAN device encounters a triggering event and responsively checks and determines that another PAN device is absent. Upon detecting the absence of the other PAN device (such as by detecting an absence of communication from the other PAN device), the exemplary PAN device presents via a user interface an indication of the time that it last detected presence of the other PAN device. By presenting the time of the last detected presence of the other PAN device, the user of the PAN device may be able to recall where he or she was at that time, which may help the user find the misplaced PAN device, hopefully at that location.
US08472873B2 Near field communication and frequency modulation coexistence concealment system and method
A system for determining a frequency modulated audio output of a mobile communication device during a near field communication transaction includes a transceiver providing a first frequency modulated audio signal. The device also is configured to determine when the near field communication transaction is occurring; a memory configured to store a replacement sound; and a selection circuit coupled with the transceiver and the memory to select the replacement sound when the near field communication transaction is occurring and select the first frequency modulated audio signal when the near field communication transaction is not occurring. There is also a signal path coupled with the selection circuit and configured to provide a second frequency modulated signal based on the selection circuit. In this way, the replacement sound is the audio output when the NFC transaction is occurring and the regular audio is output when the NFC transaction is not occurring.
US08472870B2 System and method for extension of wireless footprint
A system and method for communicating through a host repeater. Data is received from a remote repeater communicating with a wireless device. The host repeater registers as the wireless device on a wireless network. The data is reformatted for transmission between the wireless devices and the wireless network.
US08472868B2 Method and apparatus for MIMO repeater chains in a wireless communication network
In one or more embodiments taught herein, a multi-band MIMO repeater is configured to translate normal wireless mobile bands into other frequency bands in the physical layer. An advantageous, multi-hop repeater chain includes two or more such repeaters, for propagating downlink signals from a base station, and for propagating uplink signals to the base station. Each such repeater may use paralleled homodyne structure transceivers for better SNR, spectrum combiners for uplink signal aggregation, spectrum separators for downlink signal de-aggregation, water mark signal inserters for optimization, and, among other things, spectrum analyzers for frequency band selection. In at least one such embodiment, a multi-hop repeater chain is configured for MIMO operation in an LTE Advanced or other MIMO network, to deliver high data rate over larger distances—e.g., further away from cell base stations.
US08472866B1 Themed ornaments with internet radio receiver
Apparatuses for playing signals received from the Internet or other information highway on one or more speakers are described. The apparatus has a receiver for receiving information from a preselected address; a processor for interpreting the signals; and at least one sound emitting device for playing the processed signal. The apparatus has an ornamental design on the outside which is related to the topic of the signals received from the address. The apparatus could include a smartphone as the receiver.
US08472864B2 Database construction system and broadcast receiving system
A database construction system constructs a database storing broadcast channels which are receivable in each area. A receiving unit receives probe information from a plurality of broadcast receiving apparatuses, the probe information including reception intensity of each of the broadcast channels and positions of the broadcast receiving apparatuses. An information storage unit stores the probe information received by the receiving unit. An extracting unit extracts the probe information with the same broadcast channel as that of new probe information, which is the probe information newly received by the receiving unit, among the probe information transmitted from a transmission area of the new probe information, from the information storage unit. A determining unit determines whether the new probe information is valid on the basis of the reception intensity included in the probe information extracted by the extracting unit and the reception intensity included in the new probe information. A database update unit updates the database using the new probe information that is determined to be valid by the determining unit.
US08472863B2 Method and apparatus for heavy-tailed waveform generation used for communication disruption
The present invention has application to countering IEDs which are triggered remotely through a RF signal directed at, or the same operating environment as, receiver components embedded in, or part of, commercially manufactured cell phones or remote control devices. The invention exploits those situations where the underlying device (i.e., a commercial cell phone) is designed to operate in an environment where noise is characterized by an additive Gaussian noise model. The invention exploits the optimization of the matched filter for Gaussian noise by introducing a specific non-Gaussian noise. Further, the invention is directed to a family of jamming waveforms which exhibit increased effectiveness against a variety of digital and analog communications systems.
US08472859B2 Paper sheet humidifying device, paper sheet post-processing apparatus and image forming system
A paper sheet humidifying device including a humidifying roller to convey a paper sheet and apply water to the paper sheet; a water supply roller to supply water to the humidifying roller; a water supply plate to contain the water for dipping the water supply roller, and to eject excessive water by overflowing; a water feeding section to feed the water to the water supply plate; a drain tank to receive the water ejected from the water supply plate, the drain tank comprising a drain outlet to eject the received water; a water level sensor to output a signal when a water level in the drain tank reaches a prescribed level; and a controller to execute a control to prevent overflowing of the water from the drain tank based on the signal from the water level sensor.
US08472857B2 Image forming apparatus containing a recording sheet guide member for bending the recording sheet at the center
According to an example structure, an image forming apparatus includes a belt having a conveying surface on which a recording sheet is conveyed; an image forming unit disposed opposite to the belt and forming an image on a surface of the recording sheet conveyed by the belt; a conveying unit conveying the recording sheet onto the belt; and a guiding member disposed opposite to the conveying surface of the belt and configured to at least partly guide the recording sheet toward the conveying surface of the belt while the guiding member comes into contact with a first back surface opposite to a surface of which the recording sheet comes into contact with the conveying surface of the belt. The recording sheet is guided by the guiding member while being bent at a center of tip end portion with respect to a width direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of the recording sheet so as to protrude toward the conveying surface of the belt.
US08472851B2 Imaging forming apparatus and method of controlling same
An image forming apparatus has a function for adjusting the position at which a toner image is formed on a printing material, based upon amount of light reflected from a toner image that has been formed on an image carrier. The light-emitting unit emits light that irradiates the image carrier, and the detecting unit detects an amount of substrate-light reflected from the substrate of the image carrier. The determining unit determines whether the difference between the amount of substrate-light detected at a first point in time and the amount of substrate-light detected at a second point in time later than the first point in time is greater than a predetermined threshold value. The light-power control unit increases the amount of light in the light-emitting unit if the difference is greater than the predetermined threshold value.
US08472847B2 Developing device and image forming apparatus
Provided is a developing device capable of, with a simple structure, preventing occurrence of image degradation ascribable to a distribution of an amount of fall in a longitudinal direction due to developer replenishment within a developer container. An upper rim portion of a developer regulating wall for adjusting an amount of a developer falling along a developer transport direction of a developer transport path is inclined so as to become low in height in the developer transport direction of the developer transport path. A width of a surface in the developer transport direction of the developer transport path is enlarged along the developer transport direction of the developer transport path. A wall is formed by the developer transported on the developer transport path, and the developer transported in a longitudinal direction is transported in the longitudinal direction while breaking a wall of the developer itself.
US08472846B2 Developer collection container having first and second developer conveyance members
A developer collection container includes: a developer collection container main body that forms a developer collection chamber in which developer is collected; a first developer conveyance member, provided inside the developer collection container main body, that conveys the developer by rotating about a shaft; and a second developer conveyance member, provided below the first developer conveyance member with respect to a gravitational direction in the developer collection container main body, that conveys the developer by rotating about a shaft, the developer collection container main body having a collected developer introduction member that introduces the developer to the developer collection chamber being provided between the first developer conveyance member and the second developer conveyance member with respect to the gravitational direction.
US08472843B2 Compound apparatus
A compound apparatus is supplied in which the manuscript reading apparatus easily moves and rotates. The compound apparatus includes a printer section for forming an image onto record paper and a scanner section that is furnished in the printer section for reading out a manuscript. The printer section includes a box body that has an open mouth on the top and an image forming mechanism section that is furnished in the box body, and the scanner section is capable of rotating between a position closing the open mouth and a position opening the open mouth through a rotation fulcrum axis that is furnished on the left end part of the printer section and that extends to the front and back directions.
US08472841B2 Photoconductor drum support structure, image forming apparatus, and method of manufacture for photoconductor drum support structure
A photoconductor drum support structure includes a photoconductor drum that is supported to rotate about a rotation axis; a drum shaft that passes through the photoconductor drum, and is disposed along a rotation axis; a notch formed on the first end in the rotation axis direction of the drum shaft; a drum frame that retains the photoconductor drum to rotate, the drum frame including an opening that is formed on the first end in the rotation axis direction on the drum frame, and enables insertion of the first end of the drum shaft, an engaging portion that is engaged with the notch formed on the drum shaft inserted into the opening, and that regulates displacement of the drum shaft towards the second end.
US08472839B2 Process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearing member on which an image is to be formed; a rotatable roller which is rotated and contacted to the image bearing member at least during image forming operation; and a supporting device for rotatably supporting a shaft of the rotatable roller at least during the image forming operation, the supporting device including an urging member for urging the rotatable roller toward the image bearing member, a bearing member having a holding portion for holding the shaft of the rotatable roller in a position where the rotatable roller is contacted to the image bearing member by the urging member, wherein a relative movement between the rotatable roller and the supporting device is possible by an external force between a first position in which the shaft of the rotatable roller is urged by the urging member while being held by the holding portion, and a second position in which the shaft of the rotatable roller is not held by the holding portion and in which a distance between a rotation axis of the image bearing member and an axis of the rotatable roller is longer than that in the first position.
US08472829B2 Measuring apparatus, measuring method and image forming apparatus
A toner amount measuring unit irradiates a toner image formed on an image carrying member with light, and an image capturing unit captures an image of a reflected waveform according to light reflected by the toner image. Then, an amount of applied toner is calculated based on the peak position or peak height of the reflected waveform in accordance with information associated with the density of the toner image to be formed.