Document Document Title
US08474070B2 Resin-based composite sanitary ware and preparation method
The invention discloses a resin-based composite sanitary ware, which is characterized in that: the sanitary ware is made by mixing up and injecting the raw materials and then solidifying the mold; and the ingredients of the raw materials and their weight ratios are as follows: unsaturated polyester resin composition 14%-30%; unsaturated polyester anti-shrinking medium 6%-14%; reinforcing fiber 11%-37%; scale stone 10%-20%; calcium carbonate 25%-40%; initiator 0.8%-2.4%. And this invention also discloses the preparation method of the sanitary ware. Compared with the current technology, the invention has the advantages of strong strength, high tenacity, perfect self-cleaning capacity and low energy consumption.
US08474069B1 Barrier free shower pan with improved drainage paths
A shower pan (10), preferably having rectangular planform includes a central drain (20) that is centered in a floor portion that inclines at a shallow angle (i.e., 3 degrees or so) to front and back sides and opposite ends. The floor portion and includes a shallow channel (46) along the front edge of the shower pan (10) into which all or substantially all water is drained to a second channel (48) into a central drain (20). An apertured grill or cover plate assembly (36) is mounted in the channels and serves as a cover for the various channels. The shower pan (10) is typically installed so that a sill surface (50) is at the same elevation as the pre-existing floor (52) to provide an entry that does not have any type of ‘trip’ points or obstructions that could pose a hazard to the user or impede assistive aids, such as walkers or wheeled chairs.
US08474067B2 Spinal protective device
A spinal protective device includes a plurality of support members abutted in series with one another along a spine of a user. Each adjacent pair of support members has a respective pair of forward fulcrum contact areas where the support members abut one another for relative pivotal movement in a hyperflexion direction and a respective pair of rearward fulcrum contact areas where the support members abut one another for relative pivotal movement in a hyperextension direction. A rear tension member connected between the support members limits relative movement in the hyperflexion direction and a front tension member connected between the support members limits relative movement between the support members in the hyperextension direction. Straps about the torso secure the support members along the spine of the user.
US08474063B2 Glove with multi-element dorsal stiffeners
A glove includes two “H” shaped stiffening battens on a dorsal side. The battens terminate on a proximal side of the second through fifth fingers, and are formed from a non-rigid material. A one-piece protective panel is attached to the palmar side of the glove. The protective panel covers portions of the wearing hand palm corresponding to the distal ends of the second through fifth metacarpal bones, as well as palmar side portions of the second through fifth digits corresponding to the second through fifth proximal phalanx bones. Flex notch cut-outs in the protective panel correspond to portions of the palmar region which tend to bunch during gripping of a bar or other object and help prevent discomfort during such gripping.
US08479305B1 Method and system for managing a data object so as to comply with predetermined conditions for usage
A method and a system for managing a data object so as to comply with predetermined conditions for usage of the data object. To control the usage of the data object, a set of control data, defining usages of the data object which comply with the predetermined conditions, is created for the data object. The data object is concatenated with the user set of control data, encrypted and transferred to the user. When the user wants to use the data object, a special user program checks whether the usage complies with the control data. If so, the usage is enabled. Otherwise it is disabled.
US08479303B2 Method and system for scoring employment characteristics of a person
A first method and system includes receiving initial information related to a person; verifying the accuracy of the initial information; assigning a plurality of scores to the person, the plurality of scores having a plurality of score types, each of the plurality of scores having a score value and a score type; and setting the score value of at least one of the plurality of scores based on the verified initial information. A second method and system includes, for each person of a plurality of persons, assigning a plurality of scores, each of the plurality of scores having a score type and a score value, the score value of at least one of the plurality of scores being based on verified information; receiving a request for information related to a specific score type and a specific score value; and determining a portion of the plurality of persons which have scores related to the specific score type and specific score value.
US08479301B2 Offline access in a document control system
Systems and techniques to provide offline access in a document control system. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes: receiving a request from a client, and pre-authorizing the client, in response to the request, to allow actions by a user as a member of a group of users by sending to the client offline access information including a first key associated with the group, the first key being useable at the client to access an electronic document by decrypting a second key in the electronic document. Receiving a request can involve receiving a request from the client to take an action with respect to a second document. The technique can also include verifying the user at the client as an authenticated user, and the offline access information can include user-specific keys, group-specific keys, a policy, and a document revocation list.
US08479298B2 Method for encrypting and embedding information in a URL for content delivery
A method for accessing a remote network includes identifying a content server associated with the remote network, generating a uniform resource locator, embedding additional data in the uniform resource locator, encrypting the uniform resource locator, and accessing a server in the remote network identified by the uniform resource locator. The method further includes wherein the additional data comprises authentication data, a delivery session identification, a time stamp, or comprises subscriber identification data. The URL may provide access to the content server for a time period indicated by the time stamp. The method includes wherein at least the subscriber identification data prevents unauthorized sharing of the URL.
US08479293B2 Security technique for an open computing platform system
The present invention relates to a method for ensuring the security of an open platform. Specifically, the present invention pertains to a method of using a validation program, itself highly secure, to evaluate and securely flag files in software to be loaded and used on palmtop computing devices. The method prevents the infiltration and unauthorized installation of viruses, Trojans, and other known methods of compromising security in an open-platform system. Control of access to the operating system and the operation of applications and macros in a palmtop device is therefore maintained in the user.
US08479292B1 Disabling malware that infects boot drivers
A valid entry point for each boot driver running under an operating system is gleaned. When the operating system is rebooted, a security boot driver is loaded prior to loading other boot drivers. The security boot driver reads the actual entry points of each boot driver, before the boot drivers have run. The security boot driver compares the actual entry points to the corresponding valid entry points. Responsive to an actual entry point not matching its corresponding valid entry point, it is determined that the boot driver is infected. Infected boot drivers are corrected, by replacing their actual entry points with the corresponding, valid entry points. After infected boot drivers have been corrected, the infecting malicious code can be identified and disabled. Sections of boot drivers other than entry points can be gleaned, read and compared, up to entire boot drivers.
US08479289B1 Method and system for minimizing the effects of rogue security software
A method and apparatus for minimizing the effects of rogue security software leverages the fact that virtually all rogue security software generates malware alerts to scare the user/victim into submitting their payment information, and the fact that the malware alerts generated by rogue security software are almost never changed. In one example, a user computing system is monitored/scanned for any alerts being presented to the user. Once an alert is detected, the alert content is sampled and analyzed for defined keywords that indicate the alert is a malware alert and any alert including the defined keywords is considered a malware alert and is treated as being potentially generated by rogue security software. All malware alerts are therefore subjected to an initial malware alert analysis before the user is allowed to see, and/or respond, at least without a warning, to the malware alert. If it is determined that the malware alert is suspicious for any reason, then the malware alert is determined to be potentially generated by rogue security software and the user is prevented from seeing, and/or responding to, at least without a warning, the malware alert until a more definitive analysis can be performed.
US08479287B2 Method and apparatus for spam message detection
A method, apparatus and computer program product for spam message detection. The method includes collecting time domain transmission characteristic of a message source; computing frequency domain transmission characteristic of the message source with the time domain transmission characteristic of the message source; and identifying the message source to be a spammer in response to the frequency domain transmission characteristic of the message source satisfying predefined criteria; wherein the steps of the method are carried out using a computer device. An apparatus and computer program product for carrying out the above method is also provided.
US08479286B2 Systems and methods for behavioral sandboxing
Methods and system for behavioral sandboxing are described. In one example embodiment, a system for behavioral sandboxing can include a network and a computer. The network communicatively coupled to a source of an executable application. The computer communicatively couple to the network and including a behavioral analysis module and a plurality of execution environments. The behavioral analysis module is configured to perform behavioral analysis on the executable application downloaded over the network. The plurality of execution environments including a standard execution environment and a protected execution environment. The behavioral analysis module is configured to evaluate a plurality of behavioral characteristics of the executable application to determine whether the executable application should be executed within the protected execution environment prior to execution of the executable application. The behavioral analysis module also monitors execution of the executable application to determine whether the execution environment can be changed.
US08479285B2 Method, computer program and apparatus for controlling access to a computer resource and obtaining a baseline therefor
A plurality of computer messages are classified into clusters according to the behavior of the computer messages in the context of a computer resource. For a new message of the plurality of computer messages, it is determined whether the cluster to which the new computer message is classified has been seen previously. A measure is then obtained of the probability that the cluster to which the next new message will be classified has been seen previously.
US08479282B2 Denial-of-service attack defense system, denial-of-service attack defense method, and computer product
A monitoring device is provided on a LAN to which a communication device that is a target of a denial-of-service attack is connected, and monitors a packet transmitted to the communication device via an ISP network. A restricting device is provided on the ISP network, and restricts a packet to the LAN. The monitoring device detects an attack by the packet on the communication device, and transmits protection request information indicating a request for protection against the attack to the restricting device. The restricting device restricts a packet transmitted to the communication device via the ISP network based on the protection request information.
US08479277B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing system, and computer readable medium
An information processing apparatus includes: a connecting section; an information storage; a request accepting section; a searching section; a setting information storage; a determining section; and a process executing section.
US08479274B2 Personal verification device
Provided is a personal verification device capable of easily performing personal verification of a user. In the device, under the condition that a user grasps a case (110) of a game controller (10), a vibration control unit (152) causes a vibration motor (120) arranged inside of the case (110) to vibrate in different patterns. A triaxial acceleration sensor (140) detects vibration generated by the vibration motor (120) which vibrates in the different patterns, and a storage unit (153) stores a plurality of pieces of measurement data obtained by the detection for each of the users. A determination unit (154) performs the personal verification by comparing and collating the data in the storage unit (153) with the measurement data obtained by vibrating the vibration motor (120) under the condition that the user grasps the case (110).
US08479269B1 Method and system for redirecting unauthorized wireless communication devices away from a femtocell
Methods and systems are disclosed for reducing a number of unauthorized wireless communication devices (WCDs) using a femtocell. A femtocell may transmit a pilot beacon on a macro-network carrier, and may transmit one or more overhead channels on a femtocell carrier. Subsequently, the femtocell may receive a registration request from a WCD. The femtocell may then determine whether the WCD is authorized to receive wireless services from the femtocell, and if it is not so authorized, the femtocell may, during a subsequent slot associated with the unauthorized WCD in a periodically recurring slot cycle, responsively disable at least one of (i) its pilot channel and (ii) one or more of its overhead channels. As a result of the disabling, the unauthorized WCD may move away from the femtocell, perhaps handing off to the macro network.
US08479268B2 Securing asynchronous client server transactions
A system, and computer usable program product for securing asynchronous client server transactions are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A request including an application identifier and a version of a second application is received at a first application. A service identifier is generated if a session with the second application is valid. A registry is generated at the first application. A catalog is generated based on the registry and the service identifier and the catalog are sent to the second application. A sub-request including the service identifier is received as part of an asynchronous client server transaction. Validity of the sub-request is determined by determining whether the service identifier has expired, whether the sub-request requests a service that is permissible according to the catalog, whether the service identifier is used in conjunction with the second application, or a combination thereof. If the sub-request is valid, the service is provided.
US08479267B2 System and method for identifying unauthorized endpoints
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for identifying unauthorized endpoints. The present invention includes computer implemented methods and systems for actively polling and monitoring network devices, such as network routers and switches, to obtain information on any or all of the endpoints on a network with which the router or switch may have communicated. Address information acquired through polling is compared with an authorized endpoint list, which is generated from information reported to the store by security agents on the authorized endpoints and which is stored in a security compliance store, in order to identify unauthorized endpoints. Methods and systems disclosed herein also include remediation measures to be taken on the unauthorized endpoints. Related user interfaces, applications, and computer program products are disclosed.
US08479265B2 Usage based authorization
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for authorizing a request to access a resource based on a context of the request. According to one embodiment, a method of authorizing a request for a resource based on a context of the request can comprise receiving the request from a requester, identifying the context of the request, and determining whether to authorize the request based on the context of the request. In some cases, the request can include context information describing the context of the request. In such cases, identifying the context can be based at least in part on the context information from the request. Additionally or alternatively, context information describing the context can be requested and received in response to the request. In such a case, identifying the context can be based at least in part on the received context information.
US08479263B1 Method and system for detecting captive portals
A method and system for detecting captive portals includes a two phase captive portal detection process whereby an initial HTTP ping request is sent from the endpoint captive portal detection application on an end user computing system to an Internet accessible web server. The Internet accessible web server is expected to return an initial response token to the endpoint captive portal detection application in response to the initial HTTP ping request and if the expected initial response token is received, an initial HTTPS query request is then sent together with the returned initial response token that requires server/client mutual authentication. If mutual authentication is accomplished, then it is determined that the user is not in a captive portal. Follow up HTTP ping requests are then periodically generated by the endpoint captive portal detection application and if the responses to the follow up HTTP ping requests do not change, i.e., the token does not change, no new HTTPS query request is sent.
US08479260B2 Multi-level security controls system
A method and apparatus for processing information. First information is received from a first number of devices at a first number of interfaces configured to receive the first information in a first section of a programmable integrated circuit. The first information is sent to a second section in the programmable integrated circuit. Second information is received at a second number of interfaces in the second section from a second number of devices that generates the second information with a plurality of security levels. The first and second sections are partitioned from each other such that communication between the first and second sections is controlled by the second section. The first and second information are processed to form processed information that is sent to a number of network interfaces in which an identification of a security level within a plurality of security levels is associated with the processed information.
US08479259B2 Secure customer interface for web based data management
An integrated series of security protocols is disclosed that protect remote user communications with remote enterprise services, and simultaneously protect the enterprises services from third parties. In the first layer, an implementation of the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) version of HTTPS provides communications security, including authentication of the enterprise web server and the security of the transmitted data. The protocols provide for an identification of the user, and an authentication of the user to ensure the user is who he/she claims to be and a determination of entitlements that the user may avail themselves of within the enterprise system. Session security is described, particularly as to the differences between a remote user's copper wire connection to a legacy system and a user's remote connection to the enterprise system over a “stateless” public Internet, where each session is a single transmission, rather than an interval of time between logon and logoff, as is customary in legacy systems. Security for the enterprise network and security for the data maintained by the various enterprise applications is also described.
US08479258B2 Garage management system
A garage management and monitoring system defines and manages each operational event in a parking facility. Access events, management events, equipment operation events, equipment malfunction events, security events and defined anomaly events are labeled and parsed into a relational database, which is used for generating reports, creating logs, making management decisions, reconstructing accidents, and so on. The equipment includes a computer terminal, a reader, an identifying item or code capable of being read by the reader to control access to the facility, an IP camera, and a garage door or vehicle gate with safety sensors. Each defined event can be codified on the server and/or local controller to create an event library that is downloaded to the controller.A distributed intelligent system includes: units that gather information about garage, ingresses, and egresses; units that send data to the central server; the central server parses data sent from units and inserts it into a database; the central server formats data and presents it to users; units use unique keys to relate information from several actions the unit has taken to accomplish a task.
US08479255B2 Managing operational requirements on the objects of a service oriented architecture (SOA)
A registry for a service oriented architecture (SOA) comprising a plurality of processing objects. The registry may include a plurality of non-formalized operation requirements for the plurality of SOA objects, a plurality of technical assertions for the plurality of SOA objects, and a plurality of links, linking each non-formalized operation requirement to at least one technical assertion of the registry.
US08479253B2 Method, apparatus and machine-readable medium for video processing capability communication between a video source device and a video sink device
At one of a video source device and a video sink device, an indication of video processing capabilities of the other of the video source device and said video sink device is received. Based upon the indication and an indication of video processing capabilities of the one device, one of a plurality of video processing algorithms is selected for execution by the one device. The selecting may be based upon a set of precedence rules. Categories of video processing may for example include scan-rate conversion, interlacing, de-interlacing, de-noise, scaling, color correction, contrast correction and detail enhancement.
US08479251B2 System and method for synchronizing streaming content with enhancing content using pre-announced triggers
A client-server architecture synchronizes streaming content with enhancing content via pre-announced triggers. The architecture includes server-based components to generate announcements containing information specifying how and when to receive upcoming triggers that will be transmitted at a later time. The server transmits the announcements to a general broadcast or multicast IP address. Client-based components monitor the IP address to receive and filter the announcements. Selected announcements are stored in a guide database in correlation with the streaming content programs to indicate that the programs are interactive. When a user tunes to an interactive program, the client opens a container HTML page that contains controls to receive the streaming content program and to extract the announcements from the guide database. The latter control monitors the IP address at the times specified in the selected announcements to receive the triggers corresponding to the interactive program. The server delivers the triggers at times synchronized to the streaming content. When triggers arrive, the client control processes the triggers to coordinate presentation of the enhancing content with the streaming content program. The triggers may further be used to carry items that fill a ticker being displayed with the program.
US08479250B2 Apparatus and method for detecting a media device
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a mobile device having a controller to detect a location of a user by detecting at least one of a network associated with the user and a location of the mobile device, wherein the location of the user includes a media processor, transmit a request for an audio command intended for the media processor to a server on a communications network after detecting the location of the user, wherein the audio command is transmitted by the server to the media processor, detect an audio signal emitted from the media processor, wherein the audio signal is caused by the audio command, and determine an identity of the media processor by associating the detected audio signal with the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08479249B2 Display device, program and computer readable storage medium on which said program is stored
A television receiver for content with which genre information is associated includes: a basic picture quality information receiving section which associates, with a single piece of genre information, a plurality of candidates for picture quality information regarding the content with which the genre information is associated, and which receives basic picture quality information indicating which one of the plurality of candidates is based on; a picture quality correction information creating section which receives picture quality correction information for further correcting the picture quality, and which creates, in accordance with the basic picture quality information and the picture quality correction information, information for correcting the picture quality; and a picture processing section which corrects the picture quality and which creates a picture to be displayed by a liquid crystal display device.
US08479240B2 Remote management system for at least one audiovisual information reproduction device
Method for remote management of at least one audiovisual information reproduction device comprising a host server connected to each audiovisual information reproduction device, the host server comprising a database containing management information for each audiovisual information reproduction device, wherein the host server also comprises a site manager communicating with the database, and comprising a number of screens, at least one first screen comprising a menu displaying the list of audiovisual information reproduction systems, validating the choice of each audiovisual information reproduction device causing the display of a first series of screens that the operator can use to modify the operating parameters of at least one selected audiovisual information reproduction device and/or a second series of screens that the operator can use to order at least one song for downloading onto the audiovisual information reproduction systems from a chosen list of devices or to delete at least one song, and/or a third series of screens displaying information about the use of an audiovisual information reproduction device.
US08479237B1 Wireless set-top unit and related methods
Disclosed is a set-top box capable of delivering television, internet service, video phone service, video-on-demand, and other media services to a consumer. One portion of the set-top box interacts with a CDMA network for the purpose of receiving wireless internet, video-on-demand, videophone and other IP services. Another portion of the device is satellite-enabled. The satellite portion of the device enables the user to also receive satellite service. Because the set-top box works to receive satellite programming and wireless CDMA network communications, it is not terrestrially-bound. This means it is not bound to be included within a cable, telephone, or other wired circuit network.
US08479234B2 Method and system for monitoring and controlling a local collection facility from a remote facility using an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network
A system of local television signals includes a plurality of local collection facilities. Each a local collection facilities includes a plurality of primary receiver decoder circuit modules comprising a first receiver decoder circuit module. The first receiver decoder circuit module receives a first channel signal and forms a first decoded signal. The local collection facility also includes an encoder in communication with the first receiver decoder circuit module forming an encoded signal. A multiplexer multiplexing the first encoded signal into a multiplexed signal and a network switch communicating the multiplexed signal through a network. Collectively, the plurality of local collection facilities communicates a plurality of multiplexed signals through the network. The system also includes a remote collection facility in communication with the plurality of local collection facilities that generate an output signal in response to the plurality of multiplexed signals. The multiplexed signal may be formed into ATM signals before communication through the network.
US08479233B2 Interactive television program guide with selectable languages
An interactive television program guide is provided. The interactive television program guide provides a user with the opportunity to select a language for playing television programming and displaying program guide text. Television program audio in the desired language may be obtained from a SAP or digital audio track and played in the selected language. Television related information in the desired language may be obtained from a digital track. If television program audio or related information is not provided in the selected language, the program guide may use a default language. The program guide may coordinate program guide display screen text with languages available for television programs when the programs are broadcast to users.
US08479231B2 Program receiving apparatus, program transmission/reception system, program reception method, program, and recording medium
Provided is a program reception terminal that can more kindly remind the user of the existence of a forgot-to-view program. The program reception terminal comprises: a want-to-view program identifying unit 149 that identifies a want-to-view program of a viewer based on the viewing history; a not-yet-viewed program extracting unit 301 that extracts not-yet-viewed programs; a forgot-to-view program determining unit 148 that searches whether there is a want-to-view program in the not-yet-viewed programs and that determines the program found out by the searching as the forgot-to-view program; a related program determining unit 154 that determines whether a related program identified from the forgot-to-view program based on a predetermined rule exists in a program group in a predetermined period later than the predetermined time; and a program guide display control unit 144 that displays the existence of the forgot-to-view program if the related program exists.
US08479230B2 System and apparatus for managing media content
A system and apparatus for managing media content is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a terminal device can have a controller element that receives a media guide from a Set-Top Box (STB), and presents on a display unit of the terminal device the media guide without presentation of said media guide on a media device coupled to the STB. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08479226B1 Methods and apparatus to identify exposure to 3D media presentations
Methods and apparatus to identify exposure to three dimensional media presentations are disclosed. An example method includes detecting a first brightness level with a first sensor and a second brightness level with a second sensor at a first time. A third brightness level is detected with the first sensor and a fourth brightness level is detected with the second sensor at a second time later than the first time. A 3D media counter is incremented when either: the first brightness is greater than the second brightness and the third brightness is less than the fourth brightness, or the first brightness is less than the second brightness and the third brightness is greater than the fourth brightness. The media is identified as 3D media when the 3D media counter exceeds a threshold.
US08479224B2 Disk drive
A disk drive that includes (i) a main chassis, (ii) a tray that is configured to have a disk removably mounted thereon and that is installed to slide into/out of the main chassis, and that includes a pickup transporting unit configured to move a pickup base back and forth in a radial direction of the disk, and (iii) a lock releasing unit that is arranged on the tray, that is driven by the pickup transporting unit, and that releases a lock of the tray from the main chassis.
US08479217B2 Apparatus, system, and method for persistent user-level thread
Embodiments of the invention provide a method of creating, based on an operating-system-scheduled thread running on an operating-system-visible sequencer and using an instruction set extension, a persistent user-level thread to run on an operating-system-sequestered sequencer independently of context switch activities on the operating-system-scheduled thread. The operating-system-scheduled thread and the persistent user-level thread may share a common virtual address space. Embodiments of the invention may also provide a method of causing a service thread running on an additional operating-system-visible sequencer to provide operating system services to the persistent user-level thread. Embodiments of the invention may further provide apparatus, system, and machine-readable medium thereof.
US08479210B2 Evenly distributing workload and providing a predictable failover scenario in a data replication system
A method for more effectively distributing the I/O workload in a data replication system is disclosed herein. In selected embodiments, such a method may include generating an I/O request and identifying a storage resource group associated with the I/O request. In the event the I/O request is associated with a first storage resource group, the I/O request may be directed to a first storage device and a copy of the I/O request may be mirrored from the first storage device to a second storage device. Alternatively, in the event the I/O request is associated with a second storage resource group, the I/O request may be directed to a second storage device and a copy of the I/O request may be mirrored from the second storage device to the first storage device. A corresponding system, apparatus, and computer program product are also disclosed and claimed herein.
US08479209B2 Automated execution of virtual appliances
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for selecting a processor, such as a hardware provider, for executing a virtual appliance. In one aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method. The method may include receiving information representative of whether one or more processors are capable of executing at least one of a plurality of virtual appliances. The received information may further including one or more costs to execute the at least one virtual appliance at one of the processors. One of the processors may be selected based on the received information. The selection enables the processor to execute the at least one virtual appliance. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.
US08479207B2 Priority inheritance in multithreaded systems
A method includes determining that a first task having a first priority is blocked from execution at a multithreaded processor by a second task having a second priority that is lower than the first priority. A temporary priority of the second task is set to be equal to an elevated priority, such that in response to the second task being preempted from execution by another task, the second task is rescheduled for execution based on the elevated priority identified by the temporary priority.
US08479206B2 Workload scheduling method and system with improved planned job duration updating scheme
A method for scheduling execution of a work unit in a data processing system comprises assigning to the work unit an expected execution duration; executing the work unit determining an actual execution duration of the work unit; determining a difference between the actual execution duration and the expected duration; and conditionally adjusting the expected execution duration assigned to the work unit based on the measured actual execution duration, wherein the conditionally adjusting includes preventing the adjustment of the expected execution duration in case said difference exceeds a predetermined threshold. The method further includes associating to the work unit a parameter having a prescribed value adapted to provide an indication of unconditional adjustment of the expected execution duration: in case said parameter takes the prescribed value, the expected duration assigned with the work unit based on the measured actual execution duration even if the difference in durations exceeds the predetermined threshold.
US08479201B2 Processor with hardware solution for priority inversion
A method for preventing priority inversion in a processor system having an operating system operable in a plurality of contexts is provided. The method comprises: providing a plurality of context control registers with each context control register being associated with a corresponding one context for controlling execution of the context; providing a plurality of sets of hardware registers, each set corresponding to one context of the plurality of contexts; and utilizing the plurality of context control registers and said plurality of sets of hardware registers to prevent priority inversion.
US08479199B2 Nested virtualization performance in a computer system
A virtualization architecture for improving the performance of nested virtualization in a computer system. A virtualization instruction reads or writes data in a control structure used by a virtual machine monitor (VMM) to maintain state on a virtual machine (VM) to support transitions between a root mode of operation of a CPU in which the VMM executes and a non-root mode of operation of the CPU in which the VM executes. A privileged data access is made to a primary control structure according to the virtualization instruction if the CPU is in the root mode. A non-privileged data access is made to a secondary control structure according to the virtualization instruction if the CPU is in the non-root mode and a secondary control structure field in the primary control structure is enabled.
US08479196B2 Nested virtualization performance in a computer system
A virtualization architecture for improving the performance of nested virtualization in a computer system. A virtualization instruction reads or writes data in a control structure used by a virtual machine monitor (VMM) to maintain state on a virtual machine (VM) to support transitions between a root mode of operation of a CPU in which the VMM executes and a non-root mode of operation of the CPU in which the VM executes. A privileged data access is made to a primary control structure according to the virtualization instruction if the CPU is in the root mode. A non-privileged data access is made to a secondary control structure according to the virtualization instruction if the CPU is in the non-root mode and a secondary control structure field in the primary control structure is enabled.
US08479194B2 Virtual machine migration
Virtual machine migration is described. In embodiment(s), a virtual machine can be migrated from one host computer to another utilizing LUN (logic unit number) masking. A virtual drive of the virtual machine can be mapped to a LUN of a storage array. A LUN mask associates the LUN with a host computer. The LUN mask can be changed to unmask the LUN to a second computer to migrate the virtual machine from the host computer to the second computer.
US08479193B2 Method, apparatus and system for enhancing the usability of virtual machines
A method, apparatus and system for improving usability of virtual machines is described. A console module on a VM host may continuously monitor incoming data (e.g., files and/or attachments) and make automatic determinations regarding how and/or whether to intercept, route, redirect and/or deliver the data (e.g., where to store files, when and/or whether to deliver the files, execute the files, etc.). Additionally, in one embodiment, a unification console may be provided to enhance the usability of the VM host. The unification console enables the user to view the VM host via a unified desktop interface while handling the underlying switching and/or interactions between VMs.
US08479192B2 Dynamic XPS filter
A system and method enhances a default workflow path of a workflow system. The system provides access to policy rules and associated triggering conditions not available to the default workflow path of the workflow system. The configured rules are stored in a repository, and may be dynamically reconfigurable. Selected ones of the rules and triggering conditions are bound to at least one resource, such as a printer. An orchestrator is installed as a default workflow path, e.g., as an XPS filter, and is thus executed during default workflow path processing for a job submitted to the default workflow path. The orchestrator may then perform additional processing functions including accessing the configured policy rules and associated triggering conditions. A processing unit may be executed if the associated triggering condition is satisfied.
US08479191B2 Software installing method based on acquired equipment information and storage medium thereof
A software installing method for installing software to a computer is disclosed. The method includes reading a software program to the computer, the software program corresponding to an equipment connected to the computer. The method further includes acquiring equipment information of the equipment from the equipment connected to the computer. The method also includes displaying an image representing a combination of parts of the equipment based on the acquired equipment information of the equipment on a display section prior to installing the software program, and installing the software program to the computer.
US08479189B2 Pattern detection preprocessor in an electronic device update generation system
A generator for generating an update package for efficiently updating the software and/or firmware in an electronic device, and a method for operating such a generator are disclosed. An embodiment of the disclosed invention may produce a compact update package comprising a set of instructions that may be executed within the electronic device to produce an updated binary image of the software and/or firmware. Pre-processing of the existing or new binary image may result in a further reduction in the size of the update package, shortening the time needed to transmit the update package to the electronic device.
US08479186B2 Method for program code execution with memory storage controller participation
Method for executing application program code is provided. The method includes loading a first segment of the application program code from a memory storage device to a host system memory; executing the first segment, wherein a host system processor executes the first segment; and authenticating application program code execution by requiring a memory controller of the memory storage device to participate in application program code execution.
US08479181B2 Interactive capacity planning
Techniques for performing capacity planning for applications running on a computational infrastructure are provided. The techniques include instrumenting an application under development to receive one or more performance metrics under a physical deployment plan, receiving the one or more performance metrics from the computational infrastructure hosting one or more applications that are currently running, using a predictive inference engine to determine how the application under development can be deployed, and using the determination to perform capacity planning for the applications on the computational infrastructure.
US08479180B2 Maintenance of over the air upgradeable wireless communication device software
Disclosed is a system and method for maintaining software instructions stored in a wireless communications device memory. The software is organized using code sections, where each code section is in a contiguous portion of memory and relocatable independently of other code sections. Maintenance includes the ability to run a unique software component called a compactor while the normal system is not in executable form. The compactor expands, compresses, and relocates code sections to allow downloaded code to be incorporated into the system code base.
US08479166B2 Detecting locking discipline violations on shared resources
Detecting locking discipline violations on shared resources. For example, a method of detecting locking discipline violations of shared resources of a computing platform, by a testing process to be executed concurrently with one or more other processes on said computing platform, the testing process comprising: locking a shared resource of said computing platform; reading a value of the shared resource; locally storing the value of the shared resource; rereading the value of the shared resource after a predefined time period; and generating a locking discipline violation report if the value of said shared resource as reread by said rereading is different from the value of said resource as locally stored by said locally storing.
US08479165B1 System for testing operation of software
A system for implementing a method for processing test results from testing operation of software. A test result of pass, fail status, or unperformed is received for each test case of a test performed for each release of the software. A group to which each test belongs is ascertained. A test result stability index is calculated for each test case as being proportional to a total number of consecutive releases that include and are prior to the last release of the software such that the test result for each of the consecutive releases denotes a pass. A module stability index is calculated for each test case as being a summation over a product of a weight at each release and a binary stability indicator of 0 at each release for which the test result is changed from that of the immediately prior release and 1 at every other release.
US08479163B2 Simplifying maintenance of large software systems
An aspect of the present invention simplifies maintenance of a software system by indicating the additional bug fixes that are to be tested when a bug is indicated to be fixed. In an embodiment, a user is required to indicate a list of software units and a first bug to indicate that the list of software units have been modified to fix the first bug. An analysis tool identifies a list of use cases, with each use case requiring execution of at least one of the list of software units. The analysis tool then determines a set of dependent bugs fixed earlier in the software system, where each of the set of dependent bugs affects at least one of the list of use cases. The set of dependent bugs are displayed as requiring further testing in view of fixing of the first bug.
US08479162B2 Method and apparatus for locating memory leak in a program
A method and apparatus for locating a memory leak in a program code by a computer device using a combination of dynamic analysis and static analysis approaches. The method includes dynamically analyzing the program to determine a memory leak characteristic; filtering out items which do not match the determined memory leak characteristic of the program to reduce a static analysis range to certain suspicious parts of a source code; and statically analyzing the suspicious parts of the program to locate the memory leak in the program. The apparatus includes a dynamic analyzer device to determine memory leak characteristics; and a static analyzer device to filter out items which do not match the determined memory leak characteristic to reduce a static analysis range to certain suspicious parts of a source code and locate the memory leak in the program.
US08479159B2 System and method for automatically determining relationships between software artifacts using multiple evidence sources
A method (which can be computer implemented) for inferring whether at least a first relationship exists between at least first and second entities includes the steps of applying a first assessor to obtain a first confidence level pertaining to putative existence of said at least first relationship between said at least first and second entities, applying a second assessor to obtain a second confidence level pertaining to putative existence of said at least first relationship between said at least first and second entities, and combining said first and second confidence levels to obtain an overall inference whether said at least first relationship exists between said at least first and second entities.
US08479157B2 Methods and apparatus for integration of declarative rule-based processing with procedural programming in a digital data-processing evironment
The present invention provides methods and systems for integrating a procedural computational model with a declarative computational model. For example, in one aspect, the present invention provides a method for integrating a plurality of procedural instructions in a procedural computational system with a plurality of declarative rules in a declarative computational system. In such a method, for each of the procedural instructions operating on one or more variables, a hash table indexed by variable names is utilized to determine whether any of these variables participate in at least one of the declarative rules. Upon execution of a procedural instruction that changes a variable participating in a declarative rule, other variables associated with the rule are updated so as to maintain a relationship imposed by the rule among the variables. The updating of the other variables is performed prior to execution of other procedural instructions. Further, for each of the updated values, changes associated with to updated variable are propagated to other rules, if any, in which the updated variable participates. The propagation of the change can be accomplished by modifying values of variables other than the updated variable so as to maintain relationships defined by these other rules. The integrated computational systems of the invention can find applications, for example, in workflow processing.
US08479155B2 Hypergraph implementation
A hypergraph implementation system is described. The hypergraph implementation system provides for a hypergraph template library that contains many hypergraphs and many bulk data areas. The hypergraphs allow a developer to program an application such that the pointers to files are contained in the memory cache. The hypergraphs consist of hyperedges and vertices residing in tables of indices that point into each other in a flat organization. Bulk data is hung directly off hyperedges and vertices via a set of features. Thus, all the relationships among objects are contained within the hypergraphs and all the bulk data such as audio, large tables, geometry and images are directly tied to hyperedges or vertices with one link.
US08479146B2 Utility computing system having co-located computer systems for provision of computing resources
System and method for providing computer resources to users. The system includes a plurality of co-located computing systems, e.g., blade computers, comprising a hierarchy of computer resources based on performance, and located at a first location, each computing system including a processor, a memory medium coupled to the processor, and a plurality of human interface systems, each located at a second location remote from the first location, and each including an interface device, and one or more human interface devices coupled to the interface device, where each human interface system is coupled to the co-located computing systems over a network, such as a LAN or a WAN, via the interface device. Computer resources are provided to users of the plurality of remote human interface systems over the network in accordance with the computer resource performance needs of the users. Charges may be assessed for usage of the computer resources.
US08479145B2 Method and system for determining a reuse factor
The present invention provides a method, system and computer program product for determining a reuse factor associated with a set of resources available for a project. The method includes identifying the set of resources from a repository. The predetermined saved-effort associated with the set of resources is also determined from the repository. The method further includes identifying one or more resources from the set of resources. The one or more resources are identified by a project leader to be used in the project. Thereafter, the reuse factor is estimated on the basis of the predetermined saved-effort associated with the set of resources and the effort saved by the use of the one or more resources.
US08479143B1 Signature based duplicate extraction
Methods and apparatus are described for electronic design automation (EDA) that effects the identification, and possibly removal, of certain duplicate circuit components. A signature value representing a circuit component is used to help identify potential duplicates. A signature table stores information about one or more components that share a corresponding signature value. The table is populated during the course of processing the design for duplicate extraction. As each component in the design is encountered, a signature for the component is determined and used to access the signature table information. The current component is compared to any component found by using the signature table and a circuit design modification is indicated to consolidate the components if they are duplicative. The signature table is maintained to reflect the most recent component encountered for a given signature.
US08479140B2 Automatically creating vias in a circuit design
Creating and detecting crossings of conductive traces on different layers of an integrated circuit or a conducting trace over a device contact in a system. Values are stored by a system simulator corresponding to a galvanic potential or same “net”. According to a set of rule based instructions vias are automatically displayed, correct-by-construction, and via connections between the traces, or the trace and device contact, to short circuit the paths. The via structure will not be created if it will short-circuit a conducting trace not associated with the net in question. By connecting traces on different layers using automatically created via structures so as not to short circuit other net traces, errors are eliminated and design cycles reduced when compared to a manual design scheme of inserting via connections. There is an interactive mode which allows the via to be easily resized by the use of familiar control handles.
US08479133B2 Method of and circuit for implementing a filter in an integrated circuit
According to an embodiment of the invention, a method of configuring a filter in a circuit to be implemented in an integrated circuit is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a high level design of the circuit; identifying a filter in the high level design; analyzing coefficients of the filter; and transforming the filter of the high level design to a filter using a processing block of the circuit configured to accommodate a common coefficient, wherein the processing block is coupled to receive taps associated with the common coefficient. A computer program product and a circuit for configuring a filter in a circuit to be implemented in an integrated circuit are also disclosed.
US08479130B1 Method of designing integrated circuit that accounts for device aging
A method of designing an integrated circuit (IC) includes simulating aging evolution of the IC by providing a standard cells library, and a device activity file of device electrical activity in the standard cells as a function of electrical activity at the pins of the standard cells, taking into account Hot Carrier Injection, Negative Bias Temperature Instability, and gate oxide breakdown. A standard cell evolution file is provided that stores electrical characteristic aging data of standard cells. An instance activity file is provided of simulated electrical activity at the pins of individual instances of the cells in the IC. The instance activity file and the device activity file are used to analyze device activity and consequent aging evolution of the devices, and then generate data for consequent aging evolution of the IC. The IC design can then be modified to account for the aging evolution.
US08479123B2 Accessing features provided by a mobile terminal
A terminal providing one or more features to a user is disclosed. The terminal comprises a control unit, a user input unit, display unit. The control unit provides, on a standby image of the terminal, an option to select type of an inputted character, an option to select one or more menus to execute features associated with the inputted character, or both. The user input unit enables the user to input the character and select type of the character or select one or more of the menus. The display unit displays the inputted character according to the selected type of the character and also displays the menus.
US08479122B2 Gestures for touch sensitive input devices
Methods and systems for processing touch inputs are disclosed. The invention in one respect includes reading data from a multipoint sensing device such as a multipoint touch screen where the data pertains to touch input with respect to the multipoint sensing device, and identifying at least one multipoint gesture based on the data from the multipoint sensing device.
US08479120B2 Navigation apparatus and navigation apparatus display method
Disclosed herein is a navigation apparatus for displaying maps on a display section based on map data held in a recording section, the navigation apparatus including: a current position detection section configured to detect the current position of the navigation apparatus; a touch-sensitive panel configured to be installed on a display screen of the display section; and a control section configured to control changes in what is displayed on the display section in response to operations performed by a user on the touch-sensitive panel.
US08479117B2 Intelligent window sizing for graphical user interfaces
A device displays a drop down detection area. When the computing device detects the presence of a cursor hovering over the drop down detection area, the computing device displays a tiling navigator on the display, which includes multiple window resizing options for a user to select in order to resize a window to particular display locations on the display.
US08479111B2 Simplified views of meta model entities of data objects
Simplifying views of meta model entities of data objects can include determining, using a distribution function calculated for each data element of a plurality of data elements available for use in executing a business process in an object-based software platform, a usage frequency ranking of the plurality of data elements. Based on the usage frequency ranking, a plurality of subsets of most frequently used data elements of the plurality of data elements can be identified. Each subset of the plurality of subsets can include a fraction of the plurality of data elements based on a threshold level of complexity. A selection of a desired complexity setting can be received from a user via a user interface. The desired complexity setting can correspond to the threshold level of complexity of one of the plurality of subsets. The user interface can display only the data elements included in the subset with the corresponding level of complexity. Computer program products, systems, and methods having similar features are also described.
US08479108B2 Methods and systems for shareable virtual devices
An intelligent virtual device, which is a widget, as well as a widget container that allows users and providers to manage the display, layout and navigation of widgets, and which is a part of a distributed infrastructure where users can freely subscribe, embed/publish, and organize a multitude of virtual devices according to their interests. In addition, the virtual device is also designed to facilitate a seamless content/information update or service access flow by integrating with other applications that control functions including but not limited to those related to content capturing, personal information management and communication management. The virtual device also serves as a flexible and internet-accessible device user interface and component platform for hardware and software providers to customize their hardware and software offerings.
US08479107B2 Method and apparatus for fluid graphical user interface
A method including causing, at least in part, display of selectable objects on a graphical user interface, where each of the selectable objects corresponds to data or an application accessible via the graphical user interface. The method further includes causing, at least in part, display of the selectable objects in motion travelling across the graphical user interface based on a category of the selectable object or context dependent data, and allowing user selection and manipulation of the selectable objects displayed on the graphical user interface.
US08479106B2 Method and device to simplify message composition
A method and device to simplify message reply composition on a communications device, using a partially transparent overlay to allow a user to freely scroll and move around to other sections of a message or message chain while still being able to see and edit the reply being composed. When the reply is scrolled such that the composition field is not visible on the display screen, the device displays the overlay when the user enters text or on user request. The user may then type text into the overlay while viewing the underlying portion of the reply message, such as previous messages in the string.
US08479105B2 Managing graphical user interface objects in a computing environment
Systems and methods for managing graphical user interface objects in a computing environment are provided. The method comprises monitoring activity status associated with a graphical user interface object instantiated in a computing environment in response to establishment of a communication session with a remote party; and changing display status of the graphical user interface object when a time threshold expires in relation to the activity status associated with the graphical user interface object.
US08479104B2 Methods, systems, devices and computer program products for collecting and sharing selected personal data
Methods, systems, devices and computer program products obtain and share personal data of celebrities and others over a communications network. The methods include; (a) electronically capturing personal data associated with a plurality of celebrities; (b) electronically storing the captured data in a database of electronic personal data records, the records being correlated to a respective celebrity; (c) accepting user input to request data of interest for a particular celebrity; (d) electronically automatically extracting records in the historical data base related to the user input; and (e) electronically publishing celebrity personal data to the user based on the extracting step.
US08479093B2 Metamodel-based automatic report generation
A metamodel-based system for automatically generating reports is provided. Much of the work involved in creating report designs and reports is automated, allowing developers to produce a broad variety of report designs and reports in a fraction of the time required with standard report development, according to one illustrative embodiment. Metamodels for data and style templates may be created, that allow for the automated design and manipulation of report models. The report models may be used to generate reports that include the indicated data, arranged according to indicated data field properties, settings, and style templates. Changes made in the metamodels can automatically be reflected in reports designed according to those metamodels.
US08479089B2 Constructing and applying a constraint-choice-action matrix for decision making
The present invention is an apparatus and method for constructing a Constraint-Choice-Action Matrix for making decisions based on constraints. Columns (in one matrix orientation) state conditions. The column header presents a partial boolean expression. Such variable expression may be any object or type, e.g., a number, string, or list. An entry in a cell, selected using a GUI pick-list, combines with the column header, to complete the boolean expression. The set of boolean expressions in a row may be combined into an action boolean statement. If that statement evaluates to true, some action, represented as a row header, is recommended or executed. The matrix is applied to an instance of a context domain, for decision-making. The context domain may be represented in a model representing an instance of that domain (e.g., a product specification for configuration of a machine) in data and rules.
US08479088B2 Opening network-enabled electronic documents
System(s), method(s), and/or technique(s) (“tools”) are described that enable a user to open a network-enabled electronic document in either a specific software application associated with the electronic document or a network browser. In some cases the tools do so using a single link. On selection of the link, if the user's computing device has access to the specific software application, the tools may load the electronic document using that application. Or, if the user's computing device does not have access to the specific software application, the tools may render the electronic document with a network browser. In so doing, the tools may make the document available to a larger set of potential users through their browsers, allow users the convenience of accessing the document within a browser, optimize users' experience in working with the document through a specific software application, or provide a simpler opening procedure.
US08479085B2 Memory system with error correction decoder architecture having reduced latency and increased throughput
A memory system includes: a memory controller including an error correction decoder. The error correction decoder includes: a demultiplexer adapted to receive data and demultiplex the data into a first set of data and a second set of data; first and second buffer memories for storing the first and second sets of data, respectively; an error detector; an error corrector; and a multiplexer adapted to multiplex the first set of data and the second set of data and to provide the multiplexed data to the error corrector. While the error corrector corrects errors in the first set of data, the error detector detects errors in the second set of data stored in the second buffer memory.
US08479082B2 Packet error correction in networks
An apparatus and a method for packet error correction in packet-switched networks is provided. Message packets to be transmitted on a network are subdivided into k symbols over GF(q), and the symbols are then encoded by a symbol-level encoder into a codeword of n>k symbols over GF(q). The codeword is transmitted on the network in a plurality of network packets to a symbol-level decoder, which recovers any symbols lost or corrupted in transmission. Encoding at the symbol level increases the amount of data that can be recovered in any single correction operation. The efficiency of the decoding is also enhanced because the location of symbol errors can be determined prior to decoding.
US08479080B1 Adaptive over-provisioning in memory systems
A method for data storage includes, in a memory that includes multiple memory blocks, specifying at a first time a first over-provisioning overhead, and storing data in the memory while retaining in the memory blocks memory areas, which do not hold valid data and whose aggregated size is at least commensurate with the specified first over-provisioning overhead. Portions of the data from one or more previously-programmed memory blocks containing one or more of the retained memory areas are compacted. At a second time subsequent to the first time, a second over-provisioning overhead, different from the first over-provisioning overhead, is specified, and data storage and data portion compaction is continued while complying with the second over-provisioning overhead.
US08479078B2 Distributed storage network for modification of a data object
A distributed storage network generates a plurality of data segments from a data object and stores each of the plurality of data segments as a plurality of encoded data slices generated from an error encoding dispersal function. When the distributed storage network receives a modification request for the data object, it determines a size of the plurality of data segments of the data object from a segment size field and identifies one of the plurality of data segments requiring modification. The identified data segment is reconstructed from the plurality of encoded data slices and modified in accordance with the modification request.
US08479075B2 System and method for preserving neighborhoods in codes
A system and method for preserving neighborhoods in codes are provided. A method for transmitting information includes receiving an information string to transmit, generating a first address and a second address from the information string, encoding the first address and the second address with a layered code encoder, thereby producing a codeword and transmitting the codeword. The generating is based on a linear block code.
US08479074B2 Method and module for correcting transmission errors in a datastream, communication system comprising said module
The subject of the present invention is a method for correcting transmission errors in a data stream transmitted by a communications system using a protocol stack. According to the invention, the method consists in utilizing the redundancy of sequences whose content is fixed across several layers in a stack of protocols so as to correct transmission errors; the method consisting to this end in searching at the level of the receiver for sequences corresponding to a known sequence present in the stream received and doing so by detecting sequences similar to this known sequence, non-similar sequences not being retained; the method consisting furthermore, when similar sequences are present, in detecting transmission errors in the known sequence and in modifying the similar sequences (erroneous sequences) with the aid of the known sequence.
US08479073B2 Method of transmitting and receiving ARQ feedback information
A method of transmitting and receiving Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) feedback information in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method of transmitting ARQ feedback information in a wireless communication system includes, at a transmitter, transmitting a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) including an extended header including an ARQ feedback Polling Request (APR) field indicating whether or not the transmitter makes a request for ARQ feedback polling, and receiving an Acknowledgement (ACK) from a receiver if the APR field indicates that the transmitter makes the request for ARQ feedback polling to the receiver.
US08479065B2 Adaptive, wireless automatic identification system pilot port interface
A remotely-accessible electronic circuit is provided, which, in wireless communication with a maritime pilot's Personal Pilot Unit (PPU), or other remote computer, is able to identify a common mis-wiring of an Automatic Identification System (AIS) Pilot Port in a maritime vessel. The circuit then is remotely controlled to electronically manipulate the connections that provide raw transmit and receive signals from the AIS Pilot Port. The electronic manipulation corrects the common mis-wiring without actual physical intervention of the pilot with the AIS Pilot Port, or other mechanical interface between that port and the pilot's PPU.
US08479063B2 Failure analyzing device and failure analyzing method
According to one embodiment, a failure analyzing device includes a classifying unit that classifies a failure type in a fail bit map corresponding to each layer, a storage unit that stores a rule to combine failed cells of different layers, and a determining unit that groups a classification result matched with the rule among classification results based on the classifying unit. The rule includes a base point failure, an association failure becoming a combination object of the base point failure, a combination condition defining a relationship between the base point failure and the association failure, and a combination failure name. The determining unit extracts the base point failure from the classification result of one layer, extracts the association failure matched with the combination condition from the classification results of the other layers, groups the extracted base point failure and association failure, and provides the combination failure name.
US08479058B2 Information processor and information processing method
An information processor is provided, for preventing an illegal operation from being caused by configuration information set in the information processor being updated, even if the information processor receives configuration information from outside during execution of a job. The information processor makes it possible to know and externally confirm that update has not been performed, and updates the configuration information as soon as possible after the job ends. If configuration information is input from an external device, the information processor included in, for example, a multi-function peripheral determines whether the information processor is executing a job. If it is determined that the information processor is not executing a job, then the received configuration information is recorded and the configuration information is updated. If it is determined that the information processor is executing a job, then the receiving operation is terminated.
US08479053B2 Processor with last branch record register storing transaction indicator
In one embodiment, a processor includes an execution unit and at least one last branch record (LBR) register to store address information of a branch taken during program execution. This register may further store a transaction indicator to indicate whether the branch was taken during a transactional memory (TM) transaction. This register may further store an abort indicator to indicate whether the branch was caused by a transaction abort. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08479052B2 Exposing application performance counters for .NET applications through code instrumentation
Disclosed is a method for adding performance counters to a .NET application after compilation of the .NET application to Common Intermediate Language code without a requirement for code changes to the original .NET application code or application recompilation from the development side. With regard to a further aspect of a particularly preferred embodiment, the invention may provide a method for adding the performance counters by declarative instrumentation of a .NET application at runtime or compile time, without the need for an application developer to hardcode instrumentation logic into the application. An instrumentation configuration file provides declarative definition for performance counters that are to be added to a particular application, and particularly includes a complete list of performance counters that need to be added and settings for each performance counter.
US08479051B2 System and method for customized error reporting
An error reporting system within the operating system of a computer that provides error reporting and/or debugging for managed applications. The error reporting service supports a registration programming interface through which applications that use non-native or non-standard error reporting functions can register runtime exception modules. A similar interface may be provided for applications to register debuggers. In response to a failure, such as a crash or an application hang, the error reporting service can poll the registered components to ascertain whether any is adapted for use in conjunction with such a failure. If so, the appropriate registered components can be used to collect failure data and/or debug the failed application. In this way, the error reporting service, and an existing framework that supports aggregation of application error reports, can be customized, including to allow error reporting and debugging of non-native applications.
US08479050B2 Identifying access states for variables
A method, apparatus, and computer instructions in a processor for selectively performing operations on data. An operation to be performed on data is identified to form an identified operation. A determination is made as to whether metadata identifying a state of the data is associated with the data. A determination is made as to whether the identified operation can be performed on the data based on the state of the data, in response to the metadata being associated with the data. The operation is performed on the data if the state of the data allows for the operation to be performed. The processor selectively performs the operations based on the state of the data.
US08479049B2 Electronic device and method for detecting power failure type
A method for detecting a power failure type of an electronic device sets a shutdown flag as a first value when the electronic device is turned on, modifies the shutdown flag to a second value if a shutdown status of the electronic device is detected, and modifies the shutdown flag to a third value when the electronic device keeps the shutdown status for a predetermined time. The method further determines the power failure type of the electronic device according to a value of the shutdown flag when the electronic device is turned on the next time.
US08479041B2 Disaster recovery failback
Pursuant to execution of a predetermined failback policy, if a storage device is not preexistent in a source storage system operable in the computing environment, and an owner of the storage device is one of a DR storage system and a storage system having previously withdrawn from a replication grid, and the DR storage system has authorization to transfer ownership of the storage device by a replacement operation, an instance of the storage device is replicated to the source storage system to generate a replicated instance of the storage device on the source storage system, and ownership of the storage device is designated as the source storage system for each of the instance and the replicated instance of the storage device.
US08479039B2 Memory errors
The present invention provides a method of protecting against errors in a boot memory, the method comprising initiating booting of a processor by executing primary boot code from a primary boot memory, and based on the execution of the primary boot code: accessing a data structure comprising a plurality of redundant portions of boot information stored on a secondary boot memory; performing an error check on a plurality of the portions to determine whether those portions contain errors and, based on the error checks, to identify a valid portion; and booting the processor using the valid portion of boot information.
US08479038B1 Method and apparatus for achieving high availability for applications and optimizing power consumption within a datacenter
A method and apparatus for achieving high availability for applications and optimizing power consumption within a datacenter is provided. In one embodiment, a method for providing high availability and optimizing power consumption within a datacenter comprises upon execution of an application at a target node amongst a plurality of nodes in a datacenter, selecting a failover target node amongst the plurality of nodes for the application, and reserving a failover capacity of at least one resource of the selected failover target node.
US08479036B2 Disaster recovery replication throttling in deduplication systems
Communication is arrested between a source data entity and a replicated data entity at a location declared in a DR mode. The DR mode is negotiated to a central replication management component as a DR mode entry event. The DR mode entry event is distributed, by the central replication management component, to each member in a shared group. The DR mode is enforced using at least one replication policy.
US08479031B2 System switching unit having a switch to switch on/off a channel for data interaction between a first system and the bus interface of a second system according to the operation state of the second system
Disclosed is a hybrid-system computer comprising a first system, a second system and a power supply unit, wherein the power supply unit is connected to the first system and the second system, respectively, and wherein power consumption in an operating state of the second system is lower than that in an operating state of the first system; the hybrid-system computer further comprises: a triggering unit configured for obtaining a switching command when the first system is in an operating state and the second system is in a non-operating state; and a switching unit connected to the triggering unit, the first system and the second system, respectively, and configured for receiving the switching command and controlling the first system to enter a non-operating state and the second system to enter an operating state based on the switching command. With the hybrid-system computer, in the case that only low power consumption applications are required, the first system is caused to enter a non-operating state, and the second system is put into an operating state. Therefore, the overall power consumption can be effectively reduced.
US08479028B2 Techniques for communications based power management
Techniques for communications based power management are described. An apparatus may comprise a managed power system having a communications sub-system and a computing sub-system, the communications sub-system to include a network state module operative to determine communications power state information, and send a power management message with the communications power state information. The apparatus may further comprise a power management module to receive the power management message, retrieve the communications power state information from the power management message, and manage power states for the computing sub-system based on the communications power state information. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08479025B2 Motherboard
A motherboard includes a power circuit, a system power supply, and a central processor unit (CPU). The power circuit includes a direct current (DC) voltage input terminal. A first control circuit receives a direct current (DC) voltage through the DC voltage input terminal and outputs a first control signal. A second control circuit receives the first control signal and outputs a second control signal to the CPU and output a third control signal. A switching circuit includes a number of switches. The second control signal controls the corresponding switches to be on or off. A voltage converting circuit receives the third control signal and converts the DC voltage from the DC voltage input terminal, and outputs the converted DC voltage to the system power supply. The CPU receives the second control signal and controls the motherboard operation.
US08479023B2 Power over Ethernet system and method for detecting disconnection of a device
A detection system to detect disconnection of a powered device from a link of a power over Ethernet system is disclosed. The detection system can include closed-loop control configured to supply a predetermined test current to an electrically conductive path that includes at least a portion of the link via which the powered device is connectable for receiving power. A detector is configured to monitor the closed-loop control, the loop detector providing a disconnect signal if the closed-loop control is outside of expected operating parameters, thereby indicating that the powered device has been disconnected from the link.
US08479022B2 Secure mode indicator for smart phone or PDA
A digital system is provided with a secure mode (3rd level of privilege) built in a non-invasive way on a processor system that includes a processor core, instruction and data caches, a write buffer and a memory management unit. A secure execution mode is thus provided on a platform where the only trusted software is the code stored in ROM. In particular the OS is not trusted, all native applications are not trusted. The secure mode is entered through a unique entry point. The secure execution mode can be dynamically entered and exited with full hardware assessment of the entry/exit conditions. A secure mode indicator is provided to tell a user of the digital system that the device is in secure mode. This indicator may be a small LED, for example. The user should not enter any secret information (password) or should not sign anything displayed on the screen if the secure mode indicator is not active.
US08479020B2 Method and apparatus for providing an asymmetric encrypted cookie for product data storage
A process may be utilized by a device to implement public key asymmetric encryption. The process encrypts a data set with a symmetric encryption key to form an encrypted data set. Further, the process encrypts the symmetric encryption key with a public key component of an asymmetric encryption key to form an asymmetric encrypted cookie. Finally, the process stores the encrypted data set and the asymmetric encrypted cookie in a non-secure area of a storage medium.
US08479018B2 System for making program difficult to read, device for making program difficult to read, and method for making program difficult to read
An obfuscating apparatus creates a table for inputting the same number of arguments for multiplying and squaring operations, and sets the output values of the table so that the outputs may depend on the arguments. With regard to the squaring operations, there are added and tabulated adding operations using the arguments necessary only for the multiplications, so that the number of arguments is equal to that of the multiplication operations. The outputs depend on all the arguments, so that the presence or absence of the added arguments is unknown unlike the case in which dummy arguments that are not processed are added.
US08479017B2 System and method for N-ary locality in a security co-processor
Enhancing locality in a security co-processor module of a computing system may be achieved by including one or more additional attributes such as geographic location, trusted time, a hardware vendor string, and one or more environmental factors into an access control space for machine mode measurement of a computing system.
US08479013B2 Secure portable data transport and storage system
A portable data transport device that provides security to data stored therein, and is configured to communicate data with a host computer for securing and transporting data. The portable data transport device includes a first processor and a biometric identification system. Upon successful biometric identification of an enrolled user, the first processor permits mounting of the data transport device to a host computer. However, prior to the commencement of read/write operations, cross-checking of stored identification codes of components of the portable data transport device occurs, including the use of a hash function. If any identifier does not match, no read/write data operations are permitted. The portable data transport device includes a file security program that includes a DLL encryption/decryption program having a self-check feature. Upon self check, if any changes were made to the encryption/decryption program, no read/write operations are permitted.
US08479012B1 Using biometrics as an encryption key
An image of an biometric part is used as encryption or decryption key. The biometric part image is obtained, and items within the biometric part are analyzed. Relationships between those parts are determined, e.g. ratios between different parameters of different parts. Those ratios are then used to form the key. A sequence of biometric information can used in which case both the information itself and the sequence are used to form to the key.
US08479008B2 Providing security services on the cloud
Embodiments are directed to the providing a cloud keying and signing service and to securing software package distribution on the cloud. In an embodiment, a computer system instantiates a signing service configured to sign software packages. The computer system receives a signing request from a computer user requesting that a selected software package be signed. The signing request includes a computed hash of the selected software package. The computer system generates a private and public key pair on behalf of the computer user and stores the private key of the generated key pair in a secure data store.
US08479006B2 Digitally signing documents using identity context information
Creating a token for use by an entity when digitally signing documents. In a computing environment, a digital identity representation for an entity is accessed. The digital identity representation includes information identifying identity attributes about the entity and capabilities of an identity provider that provides tokens for use by the entity. Context information is accessed. The context information includes information about one or more of which, how or where the attributes for the entity identified in the digital identity representation will be used. A security token is created from the information in the digital identity representation and the context information. The security token makes assertions by the identity provider. The assertions are based on the information in the digital identity representation. The token further includes information related to at least a portion of the context information.
US08478978B2 System and electronic device having multiple operating systems and operating method thereof
A system and an electronic device having multiple operating systems and an operating method thereof are provided. The electronic device includes a display and a system having a first operating system, a second operating system, and an embedded controller. The first operating system consumes less power than the second operating system. The embedded controller receives an input signal to switch between the first operating system and the second operating system and display an interface of the switched operating system on a screen of the display. The first operating system and the embedded controller remain in an alive state after the electronic device is turned on, and the second operating system enters a non-working state after a preset idle time.
US08478974B2 Method and system for reducing an impact of malware during a booting sequence
Methods for reducing the impact of malware during a booting sequence for an interrupt driven computing device are disclosed. One or more parameters associated with an interrupt vector table (IVT) are manipulated to force the computing device into a clean state following a system level portion of the booting sequence. In another embodiment, occurring prior to the loading of an operating system or a call to a non-returnable main( ) function, one or more unused interrupt vectors in an IVT are replaced. A function filter is implemented for one or more interrupt vectors in the IVT to disallow unnecessary interrupt functions from being executed. One or more required interrupt vector functions are replaced with one or more corresponding custom vector functions. One or more memory locations are wiped if the one or more memory locations do not hold at least a portion of the IVT and/or the interrupt vector functions.
US08478973B2 System and method for providing a secure application fragmentation environment
System and method for providing and using expanded memory resources secure application environment is disclosed. An embodiment comprises a system and method for providing secure application functionality comprising receiving a request for a secure operation; determining if required application code for the secure operation is present in an application fragment store; sequentially loading a plurality of fragments of the required application code from an external memory, if the required application code is not present in the application fragment store; sequentially executing the plurality of fragments of the required application code; and sending a reply to the request for the secure operation. The system and method may further comprise decrypting each of the plurality of fragments of the required application code using a secure key prior to execution of the fragment and verifying the integrity of the code fragment.
US08478972B2 Methods and apparatus for handling switching among threads within a multithread processor
A system, apparatus and method for handling switching among threads within a multithread processor are described herein. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for multithread handling that includes fetching and issuing one or more instructions, corresponding to a first instruction execution thread, to an execution block for execution during a cycle count associated with the first instruction execution thread and when the instruction execution thread is in an active mode. The method further includes switching a second instruction execution thread to the active mode when the cycle count corresponding to the first instruction execution thread is complete, and fetching and issuing one or more instructions, corresponding to the second instruction execution thread, to the execution block for execution during a cycle count associated with the second instruction execution thread. The method additionally includes resetting the cycle counts when a master instruction execution thread is in the active mode.
US08478969B2 Performing a multiply-multiply-accumulate instruction
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a processor having multiple execution units, at least one of which includes a circuit having a multiply-accumulate (MAC) unit including multiple multipliers and adders, and to execute a user-level multiply-multiply-accumulate instruction to populate a destination storage with a plurality of elements each corresponding to an absolute value for a pixel of a pixel block. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08478968B2 Synchronizing commands and dependencies in an asynchronous command queue
Provided are techniques for the managing of command queue dependencies and command queue synchronization. Incoming commands are actively tracked through their dependency relationships. Command dependencies may be tracked across multiple lists, including a submission list and a completion list. Each command on the submission list is prepared for processing and ultimately submitted to command processing logic. Command completion processing is performed on each command on the completion list, including by not limited to removing dependencies from pending commands and possibly queuing pending commands for submission to the command processing logic. Also provided as features of a command queue are a standby barrier, an active barrier and a marker. Standby and active barriers are employed to synchronize and track commands through the command queue. Markers are employed to track commands through the command queue.
US08478962B2 Tiered data management method and system for high performance data monitoring
A method for managing memory in a system for an application, comprising: assigning a first block (i.e., a big block) of the memory to the application when the application is initiated, the first block having a first size, the first block being assigned to the application until the application is terminated; dividing the first block into second blocks (i.e., intermediate blocks), each second block having a same second size, a second block of the second blocks for containing data for one or more components of a single data structure to be accessed by one thread of the application at a time; and, dividing the second block into third blocks (i.e., small blocks), each third block having a same third size, a third block of the third blocks for containing data for a single component of the single data structure.
US08478956B2 Computing system and method controlling memory of computing system
Provided is a computing system and method. The computing system may back up, based on an overlay scheme, a task of an internal memory in an external memory, and the task may be restored to the internal memory from the external memory. The computing system may include a first memory to store data associated with a first task processed in a processor, as a first data structure, a second memory to store backup data of the data associated with the first task, and a memory controller to copy, to the second memory, data other than data previously backed up in the second memory among the data associated with the first task, when the data associated with the first task is backed up in the second memory to process a second task in the processor.
US08478954B2 Prioritizing subgroups in a consistency group
A method which prioritizes the subgroups in a consistency group by usage and/or business process. Thereafter, in case of abnormal operation of the process for copying the consistency group from primary storage to secondary storage, only a portion of the subgroups of the consistency group are copied from primary storage to secondary storage.
US08478953B2 Buffer snapshots from unmodifiable data piece tables
A snapshots data structure provides compilers and other tools with snapshots of a buffer at different points in time. Snapshot heads identify trees within a directed acyclic graph (DAG) of nodes. Leaf nodes of a given tree collectively hold data elements representing information that was resident in the buffer at a particular point in time regardless of subsequent editing of the buffer. During buffer editing operations a new tree is created in the DAG with leaf nodes holding data elements that match one-to-one a subsequence of data elements held by leaf nodes of an existing tree.
US08478950B2 Data processing circuit with arbitration between a plurality of queues
Requests from a plurality of different agents (10) are passed to a request handler via a request concentrator. In front of the request concentrator the requests are queued in a plurality of queues (12). A first one of the agents is configured to issue a priority changing command with a defined position relative to pending requests issued by the first one of the agents (10) to the first one of the queues (12). An arbiter (16), makes successive selections selecting queues (12) from which the request concentrator (14) will pass requests to the request handler (18), based on relative priorities assigned to the queues (12). The arbiter (16) responds to the priority changing command by changing the priority of the first one of the queues (12), selectively for a duration while the pending requests up to the defined position are in the first one of the queues (12). Different queues may be provided for read and write requests from the first one of the agents. In this case, the priority raising request from the agent may be used to raise the priority level of the write queue temporarily to the level of the read queue, until all write requests issued before the priority raising command from the agent have been passed to the request handler.
US08478948B2 Method and system for efficient tracing and profiling of memory accesses during program execution
A system and method for performing efficient program instrumentation for memory profiling. A computing system comprises a memory profiler comprising a static binary instrumentation (SBI) tool and a dynamic binary analysis (DBA) tool. The profiler is configured to selectively instrument memory access operations of a software application. Instrumentation may be bypassed completely for an instruction if the instruction satisfies some predetermined conditions. Some sample conditions include the instruction accesses an address within a predetermined read-only area, the instruction accesses an address within a user-specified address range, and/or the instruction is a load instruction accessing a memory location determined from a data flow graph to store an initialized value. An instrumented memory access instruction may have memory checking analysis performed only upon an initial execution of the instruction in response to determining during initial execution that a read data value of the instruction is initialized. Both unnecessary instrumentation and memory checking analysis may be reduced.
US08478947B2 Memory controller
A method of controlling a memory and a memory controller are disclosed. The memory controller is operable to control a memory, the memory being operable in a plurality of modes, the memory controller comprising: memory interface logic configurable to interact with the memory in each of the plurality of modes; and memory mode change logic operable, in response to a memory mode change request instruction specifying a predetermined one the plurality of modes being issued by the memory interface logic to the memory, to request the memory interface logic to be configured to interact with the memory in the predetermined one of the plurality of modes and to prevent interaction between the memory interface logic and the memory until the memory interface logic confirms that it is configured to interact with the memory in the predetermined one of the plurality of modes. In this way, it will be appreciated that both the memory and the memory controller can be reconfigured to operate in a different mode using a single instruction which provides performance benefits, increases reliability and reduces infrastructure requirements.
US08478945B2 Dynamic management of destage tasks in a storage controller
Method, system, and computer program product embodiments for facilitating data transfer from a write cache and NVS via a device adapter to a pool of storage devices by a processor or processors are provided. The processor(s) adaptively varies the destage rate based on the current occupancy of the NVS for a particular storage device and stage activity related to that storage device. The stage activity includes one or more of the storage device stage activity, device adapter stage activity, device adapter utilized bandwidth and the read/write speed of the storage device. These factors are generally associated with read response time in the event of a cache miss and not ordinarily associated with dynamic management of the destage rate. This combination maintains the desired overall occupancy of the NVS while improving response time performance.
US08478944B2 Method and apparatus for adaptive cache frame locking and unlocking
Most recently accessed frames are locked in a cache memory. The most recently accessed frames are likely to be accessed by a task again in the near future and may be locked at the beginning of a task switch or interrupt to improve cache performance. The list of most recently used frames is updated as a task executes and may be embodied as a list of frame addresses or a flag associated with each frame. The list of most recently used frames may be separately maintained for each task if multiple tasks may interrupt each other. An adaptive frame unlocking mechanism is also disclosed that automatically unlocks frames that may cause a significant performance degradation for a task. The adaptive frame unlocking mechanism monitors a number of times a task experiences a frame miss and unlocks a given frame if the number of frame misses exceeds a predefined threshold.
US08478943B2 Content caching device, content caching method, and computer readable medium
A first acquisition unit acquires each of the resources defined by the scenario, from locations depending on identifiers of the resources. A judging unit judge, when a resource having same identifier and structure as the resource acquired is existent in the cache storage, erases the resource, the identifier thereof, and the receipt time information from the cache storage, and when not existent, stores the acquired resource in association with the identifier thereof and the receipt time information of the bookmark instruction, in the cache storage. A second acquisition, when the identifiers of the resources specified by a first scenario are existent in the cache storage, acquires the resources from the cache storage according to the receipt time information corresponding to the first scenario and identifiers of the resources, and when not existent, acquires the resources from a location depending on the identifiers.
US08478942B2 Method and apparatus for reducing processor cache pollution caused by aggressive prefetching
A method and apparatus for controlling a first and second cache is provided. A cache entry is received in the first cache, and the entry is identified as having an untouched status. Thereafter, the status of the cache entry is updated to accessed in response to receiving a request for at least a portion of the cache entry, and the cache entry is subsequently cast out according to a preselected cache line replacement algorithm. The cast out cache entry is stored in the second cache according to the status of the cast out cache entry.
US08478940B2 Controlling simulation of a microprocessor instruction fetch unit through manipulation of instruction addresses
Instruction fetch unit (IFU) verification is improved by dynamically monitoring the current state of the IFU model and detecting any predetermined states of interest. The instruction address sequence is automatically modified to force a selected address to be fetched next by the IFU model. The instruction address sequence may be modified by inserting one or more new instruction addresses, or by jumping to a non-sequential address in the instruction address sequence. In exemplary implementations, the selected address is a corresponding address for an existing instruction already loaded in the IFU cache, or differs only in a specific field from such an address. The instruction address control is preferably accomplished without violating any rules of the processor architecture by sending a flush signal to the IFU model and overwriting an address register corresponding to a next address to be fetched.
US08478939B2 Relative heat index based hot data determination for block based storage tiering
Disclosed is a process for determining a heat index for a block of data, such as an extent, for storage tiering. Weighted scores are used for read and write operations, since solid state devices operate better with read operations than write operations. The heat index associated with each extent is a function of a base score, rather than an absolute value. The base score is determined by adding the number of extents in a hot tier plus the access score, divided by the number of extents in the hot tier. In this fashion, the base score measures the weighted I/O activity relative to the size of the hot tier.
US08478938B2 Performing data writes in parity protected redundant storage arrays
A first and a second physical disk identifier, a physical Logical Block Address (LBA), a data length, and a span identifier are calculated from a data write operation. A first request command frame is created for retrieving the existing data block from the storage array, the first request command frame including at least one of the calculated parameters. At least one second request command frame is created for retrieving the at least one existing parity data block from the storage array, the at least one second request command frame including the calculated at least one second physical disk identifier and at least one of the calculated parameters. At least one new parity data block is calculated utilizing the existing data block, the new data block, and the at least one existing parity data block.
US08478935B2 Program, method, and device for communication processing
A path controller controls a plurality of paths, including switching between those paths in response to an error notice. Upon detection of a path connection timeout at the path controller, a target driver submits an I/O abort request to a disk array device. The target driver also forwards an error notice to the path controller when it is received. A Fiber Channel driver controls a Fiber Channel adapter. In response to an I/O abort request submitted by the target driver, the Fiber Channel driver blocks every operation on the disk array device, as well as sending an error notice to the target driver.
US08478931B1 Using non-volatile memory resources to enable a virtual buffer pool for a database application
A buffer pool for a database application is maintained in a volatile main memory component. A control portion that corresponds to a block of application data residing on a non-volatile, asymmetric memory component and that includes a reference to a location of the block of application data on the non-volatile, asymmetric memory component is added to the buffer pool maintained in the volatile main memory component. The control portion from the buffer pool maintained in the volatile main memory component that corresponds to the block of application data is accessed and the location of the block of application data on the non-volatile, asymmetric memory component is identified. Based on identifying the location of the block of application data on the non-volatile, asymmetric memory component, the database application is enabled to access the block of application data directly from the non-volatile, asymmetric memory component.
US08478930B1 Solid state drive power safe wear-leveling
A solid state drive includes a plurality of flash memory devices, and a memory controller coupled to the plurality of flash memory devices. The memory controller is configured to logically associate blocks from the plurality of flash memory devices to form zip codes, the zip codes associated with corresponding erase counters. The solid state drive further includes a processor and a computer-readable memory having instructions stored thereon. The processor may perform a wear-leveling operation by determining that blocks in a first zip code have been erased and incrementing a first erase counter associated with the first zip code. It may then be determined that a second erase counter associated with a second zip code is low relative to at least one other erase counter, and based on this determination, data from blocks in the second zip code may be written to new blocks as part of a wear-leveling operation.
US08478929B2 Data processing semiconductor device
To improve the reliability of controlling overwriting of a nonvolatile memory in a data processing semiconductor device.In a data processing semiconductor device, a control unit which controls reading, writing, or erasing of data in a rewritable nonvolatile memory area has an operation mode that, referring to the input temperature data, controls a temperature range in which writing or erasing of data is performed to be narrower than the temperature range that allows reading of data in the memory area.
US08478926B1 Co-processing acceleration method, apparatus, and system
An embodiment of the present invention discloses a co-processing acceleration method, including: receiving a co-processing request message which is sent by a compute node in a computer system and carries address information of to-be-processed data; according to the co-processing request message, obtaining the to-be-processed data, and storing the to-be-processed data in a public buffer card; and allocating the to-be-processed data stored in the public buffer card to an idle co-processor card in the computer system for processing. An added public buffer card is used as a public data buffer channel between a hard disk and each co-processor card of a computer system, and to-be-processed data does not need to be transferred by a memory of the compute node, which avoids overheads of the data in transmission through the memory of the compute node, and thereby breaks through a bottleneck of memory delay and bandwidth, and increases a co-processing speed.
US08478920B2 Controlling data stream interruptions on a shared interface
A mechanism for controlling data stream interruptions on a shared bus is provided. A first request is received to transfer data. High priority data components and low priority data components are determined for the first request. The high priority data components are transferred without interruptions. In response to receiving requests when transferring the high priority data components, the received requests are rejected.
US08478915B2 Determining extended capability of a channel path
A computer program product, apparatus, and method for determining extended capability of a channel path in an I/O processing system are provided. The computer program product includes a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes receiving a request to provide a channel path description for a channel path, where the channel path includes a channel coupled to a control unit. The method further includes outputting the channel path description for the channel path in response to the request. The channel path description includes a descriptor indicating that the channel path supports a link protocol for commanding an I/O operation, and an extension support indicator specifying whether the channel path supports an extension to the link protocol.
US08478914B2 Display apparatus, video signal transmission method for display apparatus, transmitting apparatus, and transmission method of video signal
Provided is a display apparatus including a first signal receiving unit that receives a non-compressed video signal from an external device via a first transmission path through a plurality of channels by means of a differential signal, an image display unit that displays images by processing the video signal received by the first signal receiving unit, a second signal receiving unit that receives a compressed video signal of a same video source as the non-compressed video signal by using a bi-directional communication path configured by predetermined lines of the first transmission path, and a signal transmitting unit that transmits a compressed video signal corresponding to the compressed video signal received by the second signal receiving unit to another external device different from the external device.
US08478913B2 Adapter for electronic devices
An adapter for connecting an accessory to a portable electronic device includes a first connector compatible with a connector of the portable electronic device and a second connector compatible with a connector of the accessory. The connectors of the accessory and the portable electronic device are otherwise incompatible with each other. The adapter provides two levels of authentication. First, the adapter authenticates itself to the portable electronic device. If this first authentication is successful, then the adapter authenticates the accessory to the adapter.
US08478911B2 Methods and systems for migrating data between storage tiers
Methods and systems for migrating data between storage tiers may include various operations, including, but not limited to: determining at least one activity index of at least one data storage region; receiving an input/output request addressing at least one data segment included in the at least one data storage region; qualifying a data segment addressed by the input/output request for migration to at least one higher-performing storage device; and adding a data segment reference associated with a qualified data segment to a priority queue according to the at least one activity index.
US08478910B2 Supply device and processing device as well as instruction method
According to one embodiment, there is provided an instruction method for providing an instruction from a supply device to a processing device via an HDMI cable, the method comprising detecting a signal from an operating switch in the supply device, generating a packet signal in which instruction information according to the detected signal is described, in an ASCII description area of source product description (SPD) of a packet signal for use in the HDMI standard, in the supply device, supplying the packet signal from the supply device to the processing device via the HDMI cable, and detecting the instruction information from the ASCII description area of SPD of the packet signal in the supply device, and performing a desired operation accordingly.
US08478909B1 Method and system for communication across multiple channels
Machine implemented method and system is provided. The method includes sending a packet to a device by a computing system; determining an address for the packet, where an interface logic for the device determines the address; updating a location associated with the address; where the interface logic for the device updates the location; updating a bitmap value associated with the location to indicate to a processor for the device that a location associated with the address has been updated; where the interface logic updates the bitmap value; clearing the bitmap value by writing a same value that is read by the processor for the device; and processing the packet received by the device.
US08478907B1 Network interface device serving multiple host operating systems
A network interface device for use with a host computer that includes a host processor and a memory, and which is configured to concurrently run a master operating system and at least one virtual operating system. The device includes a bus interface that communicates over a bus with the host processor and the memory, and a network interface, which is coupled to send and receive data packets carrying data over a packet network. A protocol processor is coupled between the bus interface and the network interface so as to convey the data between the network interface and the memory while performing protocol processing on the data packets under instructions from the at least one virtual operating system, while bypassing the master operating system.
US08478897B2 Process for communication between a device running a mobile device platform and a server over the air, as well as related system
Process of communication via HTTP or HTTPS between a device running Java ME® and a server over the air, said server receiving and transmitting SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) messages from/to an operator on a host over a network and being capable of exchanging SOAP messages under Application Protocol Data Unit (APDU) data form/with the device, characterized in that the SOAP messages are translated from/to binary messages according to a protocol in the server, said binary messages being exchanged with the device, the binary messages being binary request messages or binary response messages.
US08478896B2 Data packet encapsulation methods
A data encapsulation system and related methods. Implementations may include: forming at least one frame having a data payload, a data sequence, and one or more control bytes; evaluating data to be stored in the data payload and setting a value of the one or more control bytes, where the value of the one or more control bytes may be equal to: a first control byte value where one or more values of the data correspond with the first control byte value; a second control byte value indicating a size of the data; or a third control byte value where one or more values of the data continue beyond the frame. The value of each one of the one or more control bytes for each of the at least one frames may be equal to either the first, second, or third control byte values.
US08478891B1 Employing socket ranges to ascertain layer 2 addresses
Computer systems, computer-readable media, and computerized methods for determining a media access (MAC) address that corresponds with a network identifier in a wireless or wired network are provided. A dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server is employed to allocate a set of socket IP addresses that include a common IPv4 address paired with a selected group of ports, where none of the ports in the selected groups overlap. When assigned to a client device, the socket IP address uniquely identifies the client device within the network. A host device within the network is configured to broadcast an address resolution protocol (ARP) request to other devices within the network, such as the DHCP server, where the ARP request includes a socket IP address associated with recipient(s) of communications from the host device. In response to the ARP request, the appropriate device or DHCP server returns a MAC address of the recipient.
US08478887B2 Providing advertisements to a computing device based on a predetermined criterion of a wireless access point
A geographic-based communications service system has a mobile unit for transmitting/receiving information, and access points connected to a network. The access points are arranged in a known geographic locations and transmit and receive information from the mobile unit. When one of the access points detects the presence of the mobile unit, it sends a signal to the network indicating the location of the mobile unit and the information requested by the mobile unit. Based on the signal received from the access point, the network communicates with information provides connected to the network and provides data to the mobile unit through the access point corresponding to the location of the mobile unit.
US08478883B2 Session persistence management by a server in a content delivery network
A method and apparatus for establishing session persistence between a client and an origin server are provided. The session persistence can be managed by an intermediate cache server. The persistence is established by inserting an identifier and origin server address in a cookie or URL. Alternatively, the persistence is established by a table mapping a source IP address or a session ID to a specific origin server. Subsequent requests from the same client are mapped to the same origin server using these methods of establishing persistence.
US08478879B2 Optimizing it infrastructure configuration
A computer implemented method optimizes a configuration of an information technology (IT) infrastructure. A processor establishes a technology rule set, which defines technology weights of an IT infrastructure by mapping capabilities of IT infrastructure components to IT infrastructure attributes needed to execute a specific workload. A candidate IT infrastructure for executing the specific workload is then configured. The processor then receives responses, provided by a customer, to an attribute questionnaire. Each question in the attribute questionnaire is mapped to an IT infrastructure attribute of the candidate IT infrastructure, and the responses define a customer's level of agreement/disagreement with the technology weights. In response to the processor determining that the candidate IT infrastructure fails to meet the customer's expectations, the candidate IT infrastructure is reconfigured until the customer's expectations are met.
US08478878B2 Placement of virtual machines based on server cost and network cost
A method, information processing system, and computer program product manage server placement of virtual machines in an operating environment. A mapping of each virtual machine in a plurality of virtual machines to at least one server in a set of servers is determined. The mapping substantially satisfies a set of primary constraints associated with the set of servers. A plurality of virtual machine clusters is created. Each virtual machine cluster includes a set of virtual machines from the plurality of virtual machines. A server placement of one virtual machine in a cluster is interchangeable with a server placement of another virtual machine in the same cluster while satisfying the set of primary constraints. A server placement of the set of virtual machines within each virtual machine on at least one mapped server is generated for each cluster. The server placement substantially satisfies a set of secondary constraints.
US08478875B2 Method and apparatus for adaptive in-operator load shedding
One embodiment of the present method and apparatus adaptive in-operator load shedding includes receiving at least two data streams (each comprising a plurality of tuples, or data items) into respective sliding windows of memory. A throttling fraction is then calculated based on input rates associated with the data streams and on currently available processing resources. Tuples are then selected for processing from the data streams in accordance with the throttling fraction, where the selected tuples represent a subset of all tuples contained within the sliding window.
US08478873B2 Techniques for use of a system-unique identifier in an architecture having a file system utilizing distributed metadata servers
Use and generation of an identifier. An indication of a value to be used to generate system-unique identifiers is received. The indication and an associated count value are stored in a metadata server interconnected with one or more remote metadata servers. A modified value to be used to generate system-unique identifiers generated based, at least in part, on the indication and the associated count value is transmitted to a remote metadata server.
US08478867B1 Dynamic audio notifications
Provided are methods and systems for providing dynamic audio notifications, as well as computer programs encoded on computer storage devices and configured to perform the actions of the methods. A notification application executing on a device receives data from another application. The notification application selects a rule associated with the other application, from among one or more rules, and applies the data to the selected rule. The notification application provides a notification based on applying the data to the selected rule, where the notification comprises at least two components, and where at least one of the at least two components is associated with the data.
US08478862B2 Method and apparatus for internet traffic monitoring by third parties using monitoring implements
Disclosed is an internet traffic monitoring method that includes a network service provider analyzing an HTTP transaction involving an internet user client. The network service provider responds to the HTTP transaction by forwarding, to the internet user client, an interstitial web page including a monitoring implement. After forwarding the interstitial web page to the internet user client, the network service provider forwards web content, originally associated with the HTTP transaction, to the internet user client.
US08478861B2 Managing distributed devices with limited connectivity
A method of managing devices may include downloading information to a courier device from an enterprise. The information may be information for performing a device management operation. The method also includes communicating the information from the courier device to a monitored agent coupled to at least one of a disconnected device and an intermittently connected device.
US08478848B2 Multi-tiered media services using cloud computing for globally interconnecting business and customers
A multi-tiered communication system for provisioning a cloud computing system to host a media server. The system includes a data center including one or more Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR) functions that are configured for use with a caller who initiates contact with the data center. The system also includes a media server implemented in a cloud computing system. The media server is configured to route an incoming call from one subscriber to another, or in the case of a caller to the data center, to route one or more IVR messages to the caller and to connect the caller with an agent for real-time communication.
US08478845B2 End-to-end provisioning of storage clouds
Embodiments discussed in this disclosure provide an integrated provisioning framework that automates the process of provisioning storage resources, end-to-end, for an enterprise storage cloud environment. Such embodiments configure and orchestrate the deployment of a user's workload and, at the same time, provide optimization across a multitude of storage cloud resources. Along these lines, input is received in the form of workload requirements and configuration information for available system resources. Based on the input, a set (at least one) of storage cloud configuration plans is developed that satisfy the workload requirements. A set of scripts is then generated that orchestrate the deployment and configuration of different software and hardware components based on the plans.
US08478839B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing system, method for controlling information processing apparatus, and program
An information processing apparatus according to the present invention transmits first processing request data in accordance with the content of a user instruction through an operation screen displayed on a Web browser to a Web server, receives a request based on the first processing request data from the Web server, and executes processing in accordance with the received response data. Moreover, before completion of the execution of the processing, the information processing apparatus transmits second processing request data to the Web server at the timing specified by the Web server, and displays an operation screen indicating the state of the processing according to response data received from the Web server.
US08478837B2 Offline global address list
The present invention provides a method and system for providing a mobile device with a selected subset of global address list (GAL) contacts. The offline GAL contacts stored on the device are in sync with the master corporate GAL. The GAL contacts are automatically selected based on the user's emails or meetings and are not duplicates of the contacts within the user's personal contact list. The GAL contacts are browsed and searched seamlessly with the user's other contacts.
US08478836B1 Proxy cache technology
Proxy cache technology, in which a system determines a subset of content files to include in a proxy cache maintained by a network service provider that provides network service to user downloader devices included in a content delivery network. The system controls the network service provider to store the subset of content files in the proxy cache. The system also controls the user downloader devices to attempt to use the proxy cache as a peer to download a content file prior to using an external peer.
US08478831B2 System, method and program to limit rate of transferring messages from suspected spammers
Managing e-mails from a source suspected of sending spam. The e-mails are received at a firewall or router en route to a mail server. A determination is made whether a source has sent an e-mail which exhibits characteristics of spam. In response, subsequent e-mails from the source destined for the mail server are rate-limiting at the firewall or router such that the firewall or router limits a rate at which the subsequent e-mails are forwarded from the firewall or router to the mail server. The rate limit can be a limit on a number of e-mails per unit of time from the source that will be forwarded from the firewall or router to the mail server.
US08478830B2 Method and apparatus for processing digitally signed messages to determine address mismatches
A method and apparatus for processing digitally signed messages in which address mismatch errors are detected. In at least one aspect, the number of address mismatch errors reported to a user for a message may be minimized for messages that properly incorporate message portions signed by someone other than the sender of the message, as may be the case where the message contains a conversation thread for example, by performing at least one pre-determined action for digital signatures corresponding to signed data appearing after a message separator. The message separator may indicate that the message contains data from an older forwarded message or from an older message that has been replied to, for example. The at least one-predetermined action may comprise bypassing verification of address matches for those digital signatures, or verifying address matches for those digital signatures but suppressing user notification of any address mismatch errors, for example.
US08478826B2 Conditioning responses to emotions of text communications
A text communication, such as an email or blog posting from a user, is monitored to identify an issue. A score(s) of the text communication is determined by analyzing words/phrases in the text communication. A score can be based on various factors such as annoyance, language precision, help-ability, a communication length, and the like. A range for the score(s) is determined. When a response to the text communication is generated, a score(s) of the response to the text communication is determined. If one or more of the score(s) of the response is outside the range for the score(s), the response is rejected. Words/phrases are identified in the response to the text communication that can be changed in order to get the score(s) of the response within the range of the score(s) of the text communication. This information is displayed to an agent so an appropriate response can be formulated.
US08478822B2 Device and method of sharing contents based on time synchronization
A device and method of sharing contents based on time synchronization are provided. A first device may generate a time stamp with respect to contents being replayed by a second device and transmit the time stamp to the second device. In response, the second device may generate a contents list based on the time stamp and transmit the contents list to the first device. The first device may request contents selected by a user from among the contents list, and the second device may provide the requested contents to the first device.
US08478816B2 Transferring application state across devices
A first client device or system performs a method that includes retaining in memory registration information for a respective application indicating the respective application is registered for sharing application state with other client devices or systems. The method further includes storing an application state of a respective application, and detecting a transfer triggering condition. The transfer triggering condition includes presence of a second client device or system within a predefined proximity of the first client device or system, and the predefined proximity is a predefined proximity for near field communication. Furthermore, upon detecting the triggering condition, the first client device or system determines, in accordance with the stored registration information, that the respective application is registered for application state sharing, and transmits the application state of the respective application to the second client device or system.
US08478814B2 Method and system for remotely directing a fishing tournament
A method for remotely directing a fishing tournament makes use of a data network over which participants transmit submissions indicating sizes of fish caught. The submissions may include digital images of fish, and size may be determined from a scale established using a reference object depicted in the image. The data network may also be used to register participants and provide them with tournament results. Participants may register for a fishing period, or multiple fishing periods of the tournament, and may be issued a code to be displayed in images of fish. Validation of entries may include an examination of metadata in submitted digital images.
US08478810B2 Message hub apparatus, program product, and method
There is provided a message hub apparatus for efficiently processing service processing messages in an enterprise system. The message hub apparatus stores a value of minimum residence time as minimum time during which the service processing message is to reside in a message queue. The message present in the message queue is transmitted to a service provider on condition that the minimum residence time has elapsed. The apparatus performs a merge processing of the received service processing message and the service processing message which resides in the queue. A history of the merge processing stored in the apparatus is analyzed, and the value of the minimum residence time is modified based on an analysis result.
US08478808B1 Approximate calculation of 2D matrix entries via GPU
Minimizing memory access by converting a given matrix computation into a set of low-order polynomials. The low-order polynomials can be used by dividing the domain of the polynomials into smaller subregions. If the domain is divided into equal intervals, the low-order polynomial can be used to approximate results from the matrix computation. The set of polynomials is processed using parallel computational hardware such as graphical processing units.
US08478806B2 Method for determining sampling rate and device therefor
A method and a device for determining sampling rate are provided. The device receives an input signal of SPDIF. The method includes following steps. A plurality of multiple values between a plurality of bi-phase clock frequencies of the input signal and a system frequency are obtained, and a first weighted average and a second weighted average are calculated according to a first filter range, a second filter range and the multiple values. When a first difference is greater than a second difference, the sampling rate is set to a first sampling rate. Otherwise, the sampling rate is set to a second sampling rate. The first difference and the second difference are obtained according to the first weighted average, the second weighted average and a frequency threshold. The method determines the sampling rate rapidly according to weighted averages adjusted by filter ranges, reduces a probability of erroneous judgment and saves memory.
US08478800B1 Log streaming facilities for computing applications
To facilitate log streaming in a computing cloud, application service providers may dynamically provision one or more named log streams. A file-oriented interface to log streams may be made available to a plurality of virtual computer system instances used to provide the application services. Application service providers may further dynamically provision one or more sets of log stream processing agents arranged in one or more log stream processing graphs. Particular log streams may be assigned to particular log stream processing graphs for real-time processing. Processed log streams and/or associated data may be stored for later inspection. Such provisioning and/or configuration may be performed with a unified Web-based interface.
US08478795B2 Method and system for automatically defining organizational data in unified messaging systems
A method and system for automatically defining and provisioning organizational data in a unified messaging (UM) platform are disclosed. An adapter in a unified messaging platform connects to at least one client human resources database. Human resources information that is organized in an organizational hierarchy is retrieved from the human resources database, and hierarchical organizational data is automatically generated in the UM platform based on the organizational hierarchy of the human resources information retrieved from the human resources database. UM mailboxes are provisioned to messaging centers in the UM platform based on the hierarchical organizational data.
US08478792B2 Systems and methods for presenting information based on publisher-selected labels
Publishers define relationships between their own content items (e.g., World Wide Web pages) and content items created or maintained by other publishers. A central namespace manager provides grouping labels that publishers insert into their content items. Content items having matching grouping labels are identified as related. Different classes of grouping labels can be used to define different types of relationships, and multiple classes of grouping labels can co-exist. Grouping labels are made available to an information server such as a search server, which uses the labels in identifying content items related to a currently displayed content item.
US08478791B2 Interoperability across heterogeneous taxonomies
Interoperability across two or more heterogeneous clinical medical error taxonomies can be improved by associating categories in various taxonomies with one or more categories in a master taxonomy. These associations can be expressed using a unique identifier, e.g., a number that identifies one or more categories in the master taxonomy. Various aspects of the associations and/or one or more master taxonomies can be modified by users of a system employing embodiments of the technologies described herein. Searches of clinical medical error records can also be aided using the technologies described herein.
US08478789B2 Adapter architecture for mobile data system
A data architecture provides View objects that define an enterprise data source interface to an application through connectors, and also by Data Objects defined by Commands. Thus, a Data Object comprises a configurable request for data that is issued through Commands to the Adapters of the enterprise data sources. The architecture provides an application developer with the ability to create custom enterprise connectivity to disparate backend enterprise data sources.
US08478788B1 Centralized information technology resources analysis system
SecureFusion is a knowledge management system that integrates asset and risk management of Information technology resources for enterprises and provides metrics for the holistic representation of voluminous technical data. Integration of risk management, security operations and asset management creates an efficient and effective synergistic solution. SecureFusion is a solution that enables enterprises to perform real-time high speed operations research of Information Technology assets and security risks in a process-driven methodology. SecureFusion is comprised of modular, scalable components, utilizing web services to communicate with a centralized SecureFusion Portal. The myriad of data elements discovered and analyzed are converted into a knowledge-based information system. The knowledge-based system and portal provide real-time, dynamic reporting and graphic portrayal of management information for the enterprise. Metrics are used to provide a graphical global security status and scorecard. The security and asset data is summed up to provide key metrics for business leaders to understand and act on the data without having to understand the nuance of every bit and byte. The knowledge-based information system facilitates a hierarchical view of the enterprise assets and risk management data. Management is provided a score card on business unit vulnerabilities and can assign resources for corrective action as appropriate to the priority.
US08478780B2 Method and apparatus for identifying and classifying query intent
Linguistic analysis is used to identify queries that use different natural language formations to request similar information. Common intent categories are identified for the queries requesting similar information. Intent responses can then be provided that are associated with the identified intent categories. An intent management tool can be used for identifying new intent categories, identifying obsolete intent categories, or refining existing intent categories.
US08478779B2 Disambiguating a search query based on a difference between composite domain-confidence factors
A query may be ambiguous when the domain-confidence factors indicate a high likelihood that the search query may belong to two or more domains. A domain is a subject matter category such as shopping, sports, entertainment, music, or politics. A domain-confidence factor indicates the likelihood that a search query is related to a particular domain. Upon determining that a search query is ambiguous, embodiments of the present invention may present an interface that allows the user to place the search query into one or more domains. Updated search results, or other objects, may be returned based on the selection of a domain by the user.
US08478777B2 Gesture-based search
In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for performing searches with gesture-based input. A search system receives gesture data corresponding to one or more characters that have been drawn on a display of a client device. The search system recognizes the one or more characters that correspond to the gesture data. The search system formulates a search that includes the one or more characters as a query term. The search system communicates to the client device one or more search results for the search, and data identifying the one or more characters.
US08478776B2 Methods and systems for peer-to-peer network discovery using multi-user diversity
A collection of nodes in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network can have a larger aggregate coverage footprint than any given single node. This inherent multi-site property of P2P wireless networks can provide each node with benefits of multi-user diversity. This can improve the effective coverage of nodes within a P2P wireless network and improve discovery of devices in the P2P network.
US08478766B1 Unified data architecture for business process management
A computer-implemented method of processing business data, the method including storing data in SPO (subject-predicate-object) format in multiple databases; using a storage layer to connect to the multiple databases and maintaining a record of which data is stored in which database, the data comprising rules and axioms, the axioms representing user data; the rules and the axioms stored in the SPO format; at least one ontology representing a union of at least some rules and axioms that represent a particular data interpretation; a storage layer that permits working with data stored in different databases simultaneously and permits a user to use data from several storages simultaneously; transforming the user data based on context provided by a business application that works with specific objects and ontologies, the context being defined by a particular ontology; performing operations on the data based on triggers specified by the rules; generating new data in the same context; processing requests from a business layer to transform the data; and presenting the data to the user based on the context.
US08478762B2 Ranking system
Ranking systems are described. In an embodiment a large scale data center has peta bytes of items and a query engine is provided to find the top k most frequently occurring items. In embodiments, samples are taken from the data center at least until a specified number of samplings is met, or until a stopping rule is met. In examples, the samples form a sample sketch which is used to find the top k most frequently occurring items without the need to examine every item in the data center. In other examples, the number of samplings or stopping rule is varied to provide ranks or frequencies. In other embodiments the ranking system operates on items having values to find separators which divide the items into bins such that the proportion of the items in each bin is different. For example, a data set may be apportioned to different types of processor.
US08478759B2 Information presentation apparatus and mobile terminal
Information in which a user is interested when viewing a program and a situation and a behavior of the user are to be associated with each other. A keyword dictionary defining program information and a user behavior model are provided, and thereby the scene interesting the user is registered and stored, and information on the interesting scene is presented in a situation optimal to the user.
US08478758B2 Content management and delivery system
A content management and delivery system that works with a publisher website to deliver access to advertising content within Microsites relevant to content accessed by the user on the publisher website. The system includes a computer program product for determining relevance of the advertising content with regard to a selected item of editorial content, and for creating a link to the advertising content in accordance with the relevance thereof. The computer program product ensures that when a user navigates to the advertising content using the link, the user is not caused to exit from a publisher environment.
US08478757B2 Systems and methods for managing profiles
Methods and systems for managing profiles for electronic content. The methods and systems may involve profiles for a plurality of electronic content items. If a user interaction with an electronic content item of the plurality of electronic content items meets an event definition, the user interaction may be identified as an event associated with the electronic content and recorded in the profile.
US08478756B2 Contextual document attribute values
Metadata is generated that contains attribute values for a first document that in turn contains one or more key words. The attribute values of the first document are based on contextual information such as attribute values associated with other documents that contain at least one of the key words. Once generated, the metadata may be associated with the first document. Related techniques, apparatuses, and articles are also described.
US08478753B2 Prioritizing search for non-exact matching service description in service oriented architecture (SOA) service registry system with advanced search capability
A system and associated method for advanced searching of a service registry for a service description that is most closely matches a service name provided by a user. A Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) service registry system receives the service name and searches the service registry for the service description that is an exact match of the service name. Upon determining that the exact match does not exist in the service registry, the SOA service registry system generates an alternative service name list by use of a name parser, a dictionary, and a name composer of the SOA service registry system and calculates respective ranks of alternative service names. The service registry is searched pursuant to respective ranks of the alternative service names and the SOA service registry system returns the service description that is searched by a highest ranked alternative service name from the ranked alternative service name list.
US08478747B2 Situation-dependent recommendation based on clustering
Data relating to usage patterns of the user is stored, wherein the data includes an application portion having information as to items which were used and a context portion having information as to the context in which the items were used. The data is clustered into clusters of data points and centroid are computed, wherein the centroid includes an application portion and a context portion. Clusters similar to a current context of the user are selected by comparing a data point representing the current context of the user to the context portions of one or more of the centroids. For each of one or more items, a expectation value that the user wishes to use the corresponding item is computed, based on the application portions of the selected similar clusters, wherein the expectation values are used to recommend one or more of the items.
US08478746B2 Operationalizing search engine optimization
A method for managing reference to an entity on a network includes determining shares of voice for an entity and other entities across a plurality of channels with respect to a plurality of search terms. The method also includes correlating shares of voice for the entity and the other entities with respect the search terms to determine a relative change in share of voice for the entity with respect to the other entities. Thereafter, shares of voice for the entity across the plurality of channels may be correlated to determine relative changes in share of voice for the entity within each of the channels. The relative change in share of voice for the entity with respect to the other entities and the relative changes in share of voice for the entity within each of the channels may then be displayed.
US08478744B1 Dynamic query sequences for retrieval of negotiable instrument image
Determining sequences of queries for retrieving images of negotiable instruments such as checks. A request for a check image is received from a first computer such as an account holder computer at a second, intermediate computer that hosts an on-line banking program and is in communication with a third computer of a financial institution. A sequence program is executed to determine a first sequence of queries having respective query formats available to attempt to retrieve the requested image from an image server or data store. The first sequence is determined based on historical data of whether respective query formats were successfully used in the past to retrieve respective requested images from the data store and is dynamically updated to reflect whether queries were used to retrieve requested images. Thus, with embodiments, the order of queries to utilize is dynamic and can change as opposed to being pre-determined or static.
US08478729B2 System and method for controlling the storage of redundant electronic files to increase storage reliability and space efficiency
A storage control system including an overlap retrieval arrangement for retrieving overlap files, which are stored in at least one storage area of a plurality of storage areas, and which overlap one another, and a storage controlling arrangement for storing data of at least one overlapped part of the retrieved overlap files in a storage area having reliability that is greater than that of the storage area in which the data of this overlapped part is stored. A large number of files are stored in a plurality of storage areas, and the overlap retrieval arrangement retrieves overlap files from among a number of files, which is smaller than the number of stored files.
US08478725B2 Method and system for performing live migration of persistent data of a virtual machine
Persistent data of virtual machines are migrated between and across data stores using a method that provides for a bounded disk size, low performance overhead, arbitrarily low downtimes, atomic switch-over, and ability to build optimizations based around block level heuristics. The method includes the steps of copying the persistent data at the source data store to the destination data store, updating a bitmap data structure during the copying step to indicate which blocks of the persistent data have been modified during the copying step, identifying the blocks that have been modified during the copying step using the bitmap data structure, and copying the identified blocks to the destination data store. The method may further include the step of determining that the number of the identified blocks is below a predetermined threshold and suspending the virtual machine prior to the second copying step.
US08478719B2 System and method for media file synchronization
Media files are drop box-synchronized to limit the amount of new functionality to which a user must grow accustomed in order to synchronize the content of a media player with a remote server within a cloud computing network. Thusly, users are not required to change the way they use their media player(s), but rather are required to use the familiar drag and drop functionality of their native media player. The present invention contemplates synchronizing host and nodal processing units via a server within native media player formats for quick access for the purpose of media playback, media modification, etc. This is achieved through the creation of a media file play list folder that acts as a drop box into which the user drops the desired play list to synchronize with the server. Certain methodology enhances and supports the synchronization process, which methodology incorporates the use of signature waveform metrics.
US08478713B2 Row-level security in a relational database management system
An access control system provides multilevel and mandatory access control for a database management system. The access control systems provide access control at the row level in a relational database table. The database table contains a security label column within which is recorded a security label that is defined within a hierarchical security scheme. A user's security label is encoded with security information concerning the user. When a user requests access to a row, a security mechanism compares the user's security information with the security information in the row. If the user's security dominates the row's security, the user is given access to the row.
US08478712B2 Method and apparatus to facilitate using a hierarchical task model with respect to corresponding end users
One automatically accesses (101) a hierarchical task model as corresponds to a particular task to be executed by a given end user to thereby identify one or more presently un-executed agenda elements. One also automatically accesses (102) characterizing information for that given end user. (By one approach, for example, this characterizing information can comprise information regarding the given end user's knowledge.) This information regarding the un-executed agenda elements and the characterizing information are then used (103) to identify a highest hierarchical level within the hierarchical task model as corresponds to the given end user's wherewithal to successfully execute without also needing lower hierarchical level content within the hierarchical task model. The identified highest hierarchical level within the hierarchical task model is then used (104) to generate a presentation to present to the given end user to thereby facilitate execution of the particular task by the given end user.
US08478705B2 Portable data management using rule definitions
Embodiments for methods, systems, and computer program products for creating and managing a portable data rule using an electronic computing device are presented including: causing the electronic computing device to create a rule definition including, defining an expression by a user, where the expression defines a logic of a rule, causing the electronic computing device to parse the expression into a logical variable associated with the expression, causing the electronic computing device to identify the logical variable, and causing the electronic computing device to store the rule definition, where the rule definition includes the expression and the logical variable. In some embodiments, the causing the electronic computing device to identify the logical variable includes: causing the electronic computing device to return a name of the logical variable; and causing the electronic computing device to return an expected type of the logical variable.
US08478704B2 Decomposable ranking for efficient precomputing that selects preliminary ranking features comprising static ranking features and dynamic atom-isolated components
Methods and computer storage media are provided for generating an algorithm used to provide preliminary rankings to candidate documents. A final ranking function that provides final rankings for documents is analyzed to identify potential preliminary ranking features, such as static ranking features that are query independent and dynamic atom-isolated components that are related to a single atom. Preliminary ranking features are selected from the potential preliminary ranking features based on many factors. Using these selected features, an algorithm is generated to provide a preliminary ranking to the candidate documents before the most relevant documents are passed to the final ranking stage.
US08478699B1 Multiple correlation measures for measuring query similarity
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining query suggestions from multiple correlation measures. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a first query and second queries, each of the first and second queries including one or more terms; for each second query and a linear model, receiving correlation scores measuring the correlation between the first query and the respective second query, each correlation score received from a respective correlation process, and each respective correlation process being different from the other respective correlation processes, and applying the linear model to the plurality of correlation scores to determine a combined correlation score that quantifies a combined correlation between the first query and the respective second query based on the plurality of correlation scores. The second queries are ranked in an order according to their respective combined correlations scores.
US08478698B1 Methods and systems for employing artificial intelligence in automated orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning
The methods and systems generally entail the use of a server that is configured to receive patient data through a website. The methods and systems further include the use of a database that has access to (i) information derived from textbooks and scientific literature and (ii) dynamic results derived from ongoing and completed patient treatments. The methods and systems further include the operation of at least one computer program within the server, which is capable of analyzing the patient data and identifying at least one diagnosis of the orthodontic condition. The methods and systems further entail assigning a probability value to the at least one diagnosis, with the probability value representing a likelihood that the diagnosis is accurate. The methods and systems further include instructing the computer program to identify at least one treatment approach, a corrective appliance, or a combination thereof for the at least one diagnosis.
US08478697B2 Determining whether to provide an advertisement to a user of a social network
Techniques are described herein for determining whether to provide an advertisement to a user of a social network. The determination is based on a click probability and a social network value for the user. The click probability indicates a likelihood of the user to select the advertisement if provided to the user via the social network. The social network value is based on a subscription probability of the user and further based on subscription probabilities of other users in the social network that are included in an affinity set of the user. Each subscription probability indicates a likelihood of a respective user to subscribe to a paid service with respect to the social network.
US08478695B2 Technique for effectively generating postage indicia using a postal security device
In a franking system, a postal security device (PSD) is used to account for postage dispensation, and generate digital signatures for inclusion in postage indicia to authenticate same. In accordance with the invention, the PSD includes multiple crypto processors which participate in franking transactions and generate the digital signatures in a multiplexed manner. Each crypto processor verifies the accounting of postage dispensation leading to and including the transactions in which the crypto processor participates. In addition, the crypto processors re-create transaction records and store them therein in a distributed manner.
US08478688B1 Rapid transaction processing
An improved technique identifies risky transactions from a set of transactions and updates risk scores only for those transactions identified as risky. Along these lines, a transaction sorting engine sorts the set of transactions according to risk score. The transaction sorting engine identifies as risky those transactions having risk scores above a specified percentile; for instance, the transactions having risk scores above the 90th percentile would be identified as risky. Some time later, a risk score engine adjusts, based on new historical transaction data, Bayesian weights which it uses to compute risk scores. The transaction sorting engine sends to the risk score engine only those transactions it identified as risky. The risk score engine computes new risk scores for the risky transactions and makes the new risk scores available to the transaction sorting engine so that it can sort all of current transactions (e.g., received within the past week).
US08478673B2 Using commercial share of wallet in private equity investments
Commercial size of spending wallet (“CSoSW”) is the total business spend of a business including cash but excluding bartered items. Commercial share of wallet (“CSoW”) is the portion of the spending wallet that is captured by a particular financial company. A modeling approach utilizes various data sources to provide outputs that describe a company's spend capacity. Private equity firms and other investors of small businesses can use the CSoW/CSoSW modeling approach to more accurately evaluate small and privately held companies, both during investment and for evaluating prospective investments. Over-the-counter securities trading systems can also use this modeling approach to provide more accurate information and/or rankings of listed companies to their customers.
US08478671B1 Method and system for community-based tax deduction advice
A method for community-based tax deduction advice involves displaying a suggestion input control in a networked tax preparation application, obtaining tax deduction suggestions from taxpayers using the suggestion input control, and displaying a live feed of tax deduction suggestions to a user of the networked tax preparation application.
US08478669B1 Systems and methods for modeling telecommunication switch investments
In one of many possible embodiments, a system is provided for modeling telecommunication switch investments. The exemplary system includes a telecommunication switch modeling application configured to determine equipment quantities having capacity to satisfy switch design parameters descriptive of at least one model telecommunication switch, and calculate model investments associated with the equipment quantities. The exemplary system also includes a telecommunication switch investment modeling application configured to weight the model investments in accordance with at least one of a network parameter descriptive of an actual telecommunication switch and a “what-if” input descriptive of a hypothetical telecommunication switch configuration to form weighted investments that are specific to at least one of the actual telecommunication switch and the hypothetical telecommunication switch configuration.
US08478666B2 System and method for processing data related to management of financial assets
A computer system for management of financial data relating to funds holding investments includes a data storage device and a server configured for execution of computer-readable instructions embodied in components. The components include an expense component for accessing and verifying fund expense calculation data, and storing the verified fund expense data in a common data format; a pre-trade component for receiving data relating to fund ownership, determining and storing data indicative of fund trading requirements in the common data format; a settlement component for accessing data indicative of instructions for execution of trades, determining data indicative of instructions for payment in settlement of trades consistent with the trade instructions data and providing output data signals indicative of the instructions for payment; and an accounting component for accessing accounting ledgers stored in the data storage devices and updating the accounting ledgers.
US08478664B1 Recommendation system with user interface for exposing downstream effects of particular rating actions
An interactive system generates personalized item recommendations for users based partly or wholly on ratings assigned by the users to particular items. The system includes an item rating user interface that enables a user to view, prior to rating an item, information regarding the types of items that will be recommended to the user if the user assigns a particular rating or type of rating to the item. The user interface thereby enables users to refrain from performing rating actions that will tend to result in low utility or “poor quality” recommendations from the users' perspectives.
US08478661B1 Gifting method using gift proxy
A system for purchasing and delivering a specific gift, in which, at the time of the purchase, the buyer, instead of being provided with the gift, is provided with a gift proxy or special package which includes a gift token which includes an authentication device. The gift proxy also includes a picture of the specific gift. The buyer delivers the gift proxy to the recipient. At a future time and place, not necessarily pre-determined, the recipient provides the gift proxy to the seller, the seller authenticates the gift proxy, and the recipient receives the gift from the seller. A centralized and networked order management system monitors the gift tokens. The system can be online and/or store oriented, and can be used to transact in goods and/or services other than gifts.
US08478660B2 Method and system for improving the selection of services in a service exchange environment
A method and a system for improving the selection of a group of services, in an exchange services environment, by a user of a telecommunication network. The following steps are comprised by the invention: defining a first set of requirements in a selection criteria manager module to be fulfilled by the services; performing a search among all services available, according to services functionalities defined in a service catalog and matching the first set of requirements; discarding services which do not fulfilled the first set of requirements; defining a second set of requirements in the selection criteria manager module, the second set of requirements indicates user preferences; assigning weights to the services taking into account the second set of requirements, data from an historical information module of previous selections of the user, data from a profile of the user with previous preferences; arranging all service combination according to the weights obtained, being the first one an optimal selection; storing the selection of the user at the historical information module.
US08478651B1 Automated ranking of online service or product providers
An online computer system is configured to receive requests from seekers for products or services and to provide the seekers and products a place to complete work once connected. The computer system searches through personal contacts of the seekers for trusted providers of the product or service request based on their proximity to the seekers. The computer system is configured to search through contacts within referral networks of the personal contacts for level-1 and level-2 providers of the product or service request. The level-2 providers might be more reliable because they are referred through the personal contacts of the seekers. The providers and referral contacts of the referrals can be rated and then provider candidates ranked according to the associated provider and referral ratings.
US08478642B2 System, method and device for predicting navigational decision-making behavior
A system method and device for predicting navigational decision-making behavior is provided. The location of a device is used to generate the current location of the device, and a history of past locations of the device. A behavior predicting application predicts the route a drive is going to travel based on driver preferences, such as left-hand turns, avoidance of bridges, etc., as well as the preferred destinations and/or routes traveled in the past. The preferences of a particular driver can be learned by the system to be implemented in the behavior predicting application, or manually input by the driver. The system can employ GPS or other positioning technology to determine the location of the device. The device can be a standard GPS-enabled in-car device, or other portable device such as a cell phone or PDA.
US08478638B2 Portable hand-held multi-function device with multiple transaction and reward accounts
A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns reward points from a plurality of independent reward points issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned reward points in a user reward point account stored on a multi-function card (such as a frequent flyer account or a credit card loyalty account). The multi-function card is adapted to aggregate some or all of the user's earned reward points from the reward accounts and credit the aggregated points into a single reward exchange account on the multi-function card. The user may then select an item for purchase with the accumulated reward points from the multi-function card. The item is provided to the user in exchange for a subset or all of the reward points from the multi-function card.
US08478637B1 Index for assessing discount potential
A computerized system and method of calculating a discount index value for a supplier can include receiving information related to a plurality of discount leverage factors for the supplier, calculating a discount index value for the supplier based on the information related to the discount leverage factors, receiving information related to an actual discount event for the supplier, recalculating the discount index value for the supplier based on the discount leverage factors and the information related to actual discount events, and displaying the discount index value for the supplier. The system and method can also include placing the discount index value on a discount index scale, defining a plurality of discount leverage regions on the discount index scale, and attributing a leverage value to the supplier based on the proximity of the discount index value to one of the discount leverage regions.
US08478632B2 System and method for defining a sales promotion
A method of defining a sales promotion for a plurality of products includes determining a group of sales promotion sites to be included in the sales promotion from a plurality of sites using a computerized system, wherein the plurality of sites have been previously organized according to a predetermined grouping structure, and wherein the group of sales promotion sites is independent of the predetermined grouping structure. The method also includes determining a list of products associated with the group of sales promotion sites, and determining the products to be included in the sales promotion from the list of products associated with the group of sales promotion sites.
US08478631B2 Market segmentation analyses in virtual universes
A computer system for market segmentation analysis includes program instructions to be executed. The program instructions are configured to collect virtual universe data about avatars, entities, and objects in a virtual universe. The program instructions are configured to perform a market segmentation analysis on the virtual universe data, wherein the market segmentation analysis comprises a first segmentation across multiple segments of the avatars that is based on an amount of time and an amount of money spent in the virtual universe. The market segmentation analysis further comprises a second segmentation across multiple segments of the avatars that is based on whether activity of the avatars includes social activity and business activity in the virtual universe relative to a time of day. The program instructions are configured to receive, from users, consent allowing collection of the virtual universe data and to present a reward to the users for giving the consent.
US08478627B2 Method for reducing risk associated with a task
A method and system of reducing risk in the life cycle of a product, in one aspect, obtain one or more tasks required to achieve an overall task, determine risk impact of each task, the risk impact being an impact of each task on the likelihood of failure for the overall task and compute risk of overall task based on risk impacts of the tasks. The method and system utilize said risk impact of each task to schedule the tasks in such a way so as to reduce said risk of overall task as rapidly as possible.
US08478621B1 Customer satisfaction dashboard
An instrument for measuring and presenting customer impressions of a company uses weighted response values of survey questions to develop a customer experience score and a customer interaction score. The two scores are added to produce a composite score. The three scores for a company may be presented with other score sets for other companies to provide a simple and consistent comparison of companies. When different businesses or even different industries have different customer experiences and interactions, weighting of response values can be adjusted to more accurately reflect the importance of that factor on the overall customer experience, which models customer satisfaction.
US08478614B2 System and method for ensuring accurate reimbursement for travel expenses
An Expense Verification System (EVS) checks for fraud and errors in reimbursement requests. The EVS stores requests including reference numbers, and receives travel reservation records from a payment clearinghouse system. Each record includes a reference number and associated reservation data. The EVS selectively denies stored reimbursement requests as a function of data contained in the travel reservation record. Alternatively, the EVS selectively issues an alert as a function of data contained in the travel reservation record. Further, the EVS may parse a received reimbursement request to identify a respective reference number, compare the parsed reference number to the stored reimbursement requests to determine whether the parsed reference number matches a stored reference number, and deny the received reimbursement request if the parsed reference number matches a stored reference number. The EVS may store the received reimbursement request if the parsed reference number does not match a stored reference number.
US08478612B2 System and method of providing an optimized-personalized health maintenance plan
Systems and methods for providing an optimized-personalized health maintenance plan are presented. The teachings include a method for creating an iteratively-optimized, personalized health maintenance plan for a user. The method includes producing a recognized health profile for a subject, developing a first personalized health maintenance plan from the recognized health profile, and converting compiled information into a presentation format for the first personalized health maintenance plan, or an optimized-personalized health maintenance plan based on at least a first iterated questionnaire. The personalized health maintenance plan is optimized to increase the level of specificity of the personalized health maintenance plan for the user.
US08478598B2 Apparatus, system, and method for voice chat transcription
An apparatus, system, and method to transcribe a voice chat session initiated from a text chat session. The system includes a chat server, a voice server, and a transcription engine. The chat server is configured to facilitate a text chat session between multiple instant messaging clients. The voice server is coupled to the chat server and configured to facilitate a transition from the text chat session to a voice chat session between the multiple instant messaging clients. The transcription engine is coupled to the voice server and configured to generate a voice transcription of the voice chat session. The voice transcription may be aggregated into a text chat history.
US08478597B2 Method and system for assessing pronunciation difficulties of non-native speakers
The present disclosure presents a useful metric for assessing the relative difficulty which non-native speakers face in pronouncing a given utterance and a method and systems for using such a metric in the evaluation and assessment of the utterances of non-native speakers. In an embodiment, the metric may be based on both known sources of difficulty for language learners and a corpus-based measure of cross-language sound differences. The method may be applied to speakers who primarily speak a first language speaking utterances in any non-native second language.
US08478596B2 Impairment detection using speech
A device may include logic configured to receive a first speech input from a party, to compare the first speech input to a second speech input to produce a result, and to determine if the party is impaired based on the result.
US08478592B2 Enhancing media playback with speech recognition
A method for enhancing a media file to enable speech-recognition of spoken navigation commands can be provided. The method can include receiving a plurality of textual items based on subject matter of the media file and generating a grammar for each textual item, thereby generating a plurality of grammars for use by a speech recognition engine. The method can further include associating a time stamp with each grammar, wherein a time stamp indicates a location in the media file of a textual item corresponding with a grammar. The method can further include associating the plurality of grammars with the media file, such that speech recognized by the speech recognition engine is associated with a corresponding location in the media file.
US08478588B2 Run-time simulation environment for voiceXML applications that simulates and automates user interaction
A method and system for testing voice applications, such as VoiceXML applications, is provided. The system provides a run-time simulation environment for voice applications that simulates and automates user interaction. A user simulation script is provided in a customized mark-up language. The voice application is processed to derive a nominal output of the voice application. The user simulation script is processed to generate a simulated output for the voice application corresponding to the nominal output. The user simulation script is also processed to generate a simulated input for the voice application corresponding to a pre-determined user input to the voice application. The simulated inputs and outputs are executed in conjunction with the voice application in real-time to test the application.
US08478585B2 Identifying features in a portion of a signal representing speech
Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for processing a signal representing speech. According to one embodiment, processing a signal representing speech can comprise receiving a region of the signal representing speech. The region can comprise a portion of a frame of the signal representing speech classified as a voiced frame. The region can be marked based on one or more pitch estimates for the region. A cord can be identified within the region based on occurrence of one or more events within the region of the signal. For example, the one or more events can comprise one or more glottal pulses. In such cases, cord can begin with onset of a first glottal pulse and extend to a point prior to an onset of a second glottal pulse. The cord may exclude a portion of the region of the signal prior to the onset of the second glottal pulse.
US08478581B2 Interlingua, interlingua engine, and interlingua machine translation system
An embodiment provides (a) a method and system for representing natural languages in a common machine-readable form, including the thorough design of the lexicon and grammar, the resulting representation called interlingua, (b) a method and system for using a computer to convert a text of a natural language into and out of a coded text of said interlingua representation, including a programming framework which is independent of other languages, said system is called interlingua engine, and (c) a method and system of machine translation using said interlingua engine, said system called interlingua machine translation system. Alternative embodiments are described.
US08478580B1 Model driven command language translator
An embodiment includes a method that includes receiving source commands to establish a configuration to control a computer networking function in a computer networking device, wherein the source commands are written in a source command language. The method selectively translates the source commands from the source command language to target commands written in a target command language, wherein the translation is based, at least in part, on a function-to-function translation model. The configuration is established in the computer networking device based on the target commands.
US08478579B2 Conditional translation header for translation of web documents
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for translation of web documents. The original language of document text in the web document is identified. A translation header is displayed with the web document text only if the original language is different from a user's preferred language. The translation header provides the user with an option of translating the document text or portions of the document text to the user's preferred language.
US08478576B1 Including variability in simulation of logic circuits
According to various techniques of the present invention, probability models for circuit simulation are generated as linear, piecewise linear, nonlinear, and/or continuous probability waveforms. These waveforms represent probability values for logic levels over some period of time. Probability models are defined according to characteristics of the electronic components being modeled, so as to capture variability in characteristics and performance of logic circuits and their components. The probability waveforms of the present invention can be used to predict circuit component behavior resulting from state changes; a range in response time can be indicated by a probability waveform indicating the probability that the response has taken place at a given time after an input state change. Construction of a probability model for a circuit with interconnected electronic components allows timing problems resulting from variability in component performance to be identified.
US08478571B1 Plug and play reconfigurable processor boards for use with mission spacecraft design tools in rapidly developable spacecraft
Systems and methods reduce development, integration and testing time of a spacecraft implemented with one or more reconfigurable processor boards. Mission spacecraft design tools design, configure, simulate and analyze the spacecraft based upon constraints of the mission requirements. The mission spacecraft design tools utilize a database of defined module specifications and firmware components. One or more RPBs are programmed based upon the configuration and interfaced to other end item components defined by the configuration to form the spacecraft.
US08478568B2 Prediction system and method
A system for predicting a condition includes an electric machine having slip rings and an exciter providing current and voltage to the electric machine through the slip rings. The system also includes a monitoring device that measures the current and voltage provided by the exciter to the electric machine and that forms a regression model from a current sample and compares values from a next sample to values predicted by the regression model.
US08478567B2 Systems and methods for measuring the effectiveness of a workload predictor on a mobile device
Systems and methods for measuring the effectiveness of a workload predictor operative on a mobile device are disclosed. A load manager includes a workload predictor, a sensor, an error generator and a controller. The workload predictor generates an estimate of the workload on a processor core operative on the mobile device. The sensor generates a measure of the actual workload on the processor core. The error generator receives the estimate of the workload and the measure of the actual workload on the processor core and generates an error signal. The controller receives the error signal and determines the effectiveness of the workload predictor as a function of the error signal over time.
US08478566B2 Systems and methods for computing emission values
A system and method for computing emission values. In one aspect, a system and method is described to include an input module operable to receive raw activity data to define a record for an activity; a data provisioning module operable to compute standardized activity data using the raw activity data; a location module operable to compute a location hierarchy for a given location; a factor data module operable to compute factor data for a given location hierarchy and time period; a reference data module operable to compute reference data; and an emission engine operable to compute at least one emission value for the activity based on the optimal emission equation.
US08478565B2 Method of monitoring soot mass in a particulate filter and monitoring system for same with correction for active regeneration inefficiency
A method of monitoring soot mass in a particulate filter of an exhaust system includes determining a pressure differential across the filter, obtaining a first soot mass estimate by fitting the determined pressure differential to a first stored database of measured or modeled pressure differentials and corresponding measured soot masses taken during filter regeneration using a substantially similar filter previously loaded following a complete filter regeneration, and obtaining a second soot mass estimate by fitting the determined pressure differential to a second stored database of measured or modeled pressure differentials and corresponding measured soot masses taken during filter regeneration using a substantially similar filter loaded following an incomplete filter regeneration. Actual soot mass is estimated by calculating a weighted sum of the first and second soot mass estimates with weighting based on operating parameters indicative of regeneration efficiency. A monitoring system for a particulate filter is also provided.
US08478564B2 Shape measuring apparatus
A 3D measuring apparatus includes a probe that has a spherical gauge head for measuring a measured object; a motion mechanism that holds and moves the probe; and a motion controller that controls the motion mechanism. The controller includes a contact point obtainer that obtains a contact point location of a surface of the measured object and the gauge head based on a central location of the gauge head; a radius of the gauge head; and a swing amount of the gauge head. The controller also includes a motion commander that calculates a location command value causing the motion mechanism to move the probe, based on the contact point location obtained by the contact point obtainer.
US08478563B2 Device and method for the dimensional characterization of a cylindrical object
A device for the dimensional characterization of an object comprising a cylindrical surface which is symmetrical about a longitudinal axle. The device comprises at least six probes used to emit six pulsed waves, each probe being respectively oriented towards a separate measuring point of the cylindrical surface, and to collect the pulsed waves reflected at each measuring point. The device calculates a position of each measuring point, and calculates a characteristic curve of the cylindrical surface by interpolation from the corresponding position of each of the points.
US08478562B2 Measuring instrument
A measuring instrument includes a main body, a stylus configured to be movable in relation to the main body, an encoder for detecting the amount of displacement of the stylus relative to the main body, a calculating section for calculating a measurement value from the amount of displacement detected by the encoder, a display section for displaying the measurement value calculated by the calculating section, an operation section for issuing a command to the calculating section, and a storage section that stores an effective measurement range larger than a lower limit and smaller than an upper limit of the movement stroke of the stylus. The calculating section makes a determination as to whether or not the amount of displacement detected by the encoder falls within the effective measurement range stored in the storage section and displays the result of such a determination on the display section.
US08478560B2 Three wire transformer position sensor, signal processing circuitry, and temperature compensation circuitry therefor
A three-wire transformer position sensor is provided that includes an excitation coil and an output coil. The excitation coil is adapted to be electrically excited with an excitation signal, and has a first end and a second end. The output coil includes a first coil and a second coil and is inductively coupled to the excitation coil upon electrical excitation thereof the excitation coil. The first end of the first coil is electrically connected to the second end of the second coil and to the second end of the excitation coil, and the second end of the first coil is electrically connected to the first end of the second coil. The output coil is configured, when it is balanced and the excitation coil is being electrically excited, to supply a null output signal.
US08478558B2 Method for processing a temperature sensor signal
A method for processing a pulse width modulated signal from a temperature sensor, wherein the signal varies non-linearly and non-exponentially with changes in temperature. An exponential equation is defined that is closely fitted to the relationship between a characteristic of the signal and the temperature. The signal from the sensor is processed by measuring the characteristic to produce a sensor value. That sensor value then is employed to solve the exponential equation which produces a value for the temperature.
US08478555B2 System and methods of improved tomography imaging
The present invention is a system and methods of improved tomography imaging such as microwave tomography (MWT). An improved inversion technique surrounds the imaging region with an electrically conducting surface to create field distortions producing an improved tomographic image. The improved inversion technique of the present invention creates a new physical situation for proposed imaging systems.
US08478554B1 Reducing eye monitor data samplers in a receiver
The present specification describes techniques and apparatus for reducing eye monitor data samplers in a receiver. A single eye monitor data sampler is used for multiple normal data samplers in a receiver.
US08478553B2 System for calculating resistive values for microelectronics CAD
A method for calculating resistive values of an electronic circuit represented in the form of masks and connections includes defining the circuit in the form of a first list of electrical components and connections between them, identifying circuit entry and exit ports, selecting part of the resistive components of the circuit alone, producing a matrix of resistances of the resistive components alone selected in the previous step, and calculating equivalent resistances.
US08478550B2 Generator set calibration controller
A calibration system for a generator set controller is disclosed. The calibration system may have a source of electric power, a controller in communication with the source and configured to monitor a parameter of the electric power and produce at least one output corresponding to the monitored parameter, and a power meter configured to measure the parameter of the electric power. The calibration system may also have a processor in communication with the source of electric power, the controller, and the power meter. The processor may be configured to direct electric power having a first test voltage from the source to the controller, and directly relate a value of the at least one output corresponding to the first test voltage and a value of the measured parameter to an offset error.
US08478549B2 Weld check stations
A method of manufacture for a portable computing device is described. In particular, methods and apparatus for assessing a quality of weld joints used to connect one or more components of the portable computing device are described. The weld joints can include one or more weld points. At a weld check station, using a vector network analyzer, a test signal generated can be passed through the weld joint and a response signal can be measured. The measured characteristics can be used to assess a quality of the weld joint. In one embodiment, the vector network analyzer can be used to generate a number of high frequency test signals that are passed through the weld to perform a time domain reflectometry measurement where the weld joint can be accepted or rejected based upon the measurement.
US08478548B2 User interface system and method for diagnosing a rotating machine condition not based upon prior measurement history
A vibration data collection and rotating machinery fault diagnostic instrument includes a machine setup engine, a measurement engine, a diagnostic engine, a measurement user interface module, a machine setup user interface module, and a diagnostic user interface module. The machine setup engine requests and receives parameters about the machinery through the machine setup user interface module. The measurement engine requests and receives sensor placement locations through the measurement user interface module and keeps track of locations that have been measured and locations that still need to be measured. The diagnostic engine diagnoses machinery faults and presents the information to the user through the diagnostic user interface module using an intuitive graphical severity scale.
US08478538B2 Selection of signal regions for parameter extraction
According to embodiments, techniques for extracting a signal parameter from a selected region of a generally repetitive signal are disclosed. A pulse oximetry system including a sensor or probe may be used to obtain an original photoplethysmograph (PPG) signal from a subject. A filter transformation may be applied to the original PPG signal to produce a baseline PPG signal. The baseline PPG signal may contain artifacts and/or noise, and a region of the baseline PPG signal suitable for extracting the signal parameter may be selected. A suitable region of the baseline PPG signal may be selected by applying one or more thresholds to the baseline PPG signal, where the values of the thresholds may be set based on derivative values, amplitude-based percentiles, and/or local minima and maxima of the baseline PPG signal. A portion of the original PPG signal corresponding to the selected region may be processed, and the signal parameter may be extracted from the processed region. In an embodiment, the signal parameter may correspond to the respiration rate of a patient.
US08478532B2 Testing additives for production enhancement treatments
Fluid tests may be performed to determine suitability of an additive for a production enhancement treatment. In one aspect, a measuring device is used to determine a result of adding a sample of solid material to a test fluid that includes an additive. The result may include, for example, a change in surface tension, a change in contact angle, and/or another result. The measured result is used to determine the suitability of the additive for use in a stimulation treatment for a subterranean formation. For example, the additive may be determined suitable for use during a pad phase of a fracture treatment, during a proppant-laden phase of a fracture treatment, and/or for other phases and/or types of stimulation treatments.
US08478531B2 Dip-based corrections for data reconstruction in three-dimensional surface-related multiple prediction
A best fitting trace in seismic data is determined for a desired trace to be reconstructed. A dip-based correction is calculated per trace and per sample for differences in azimuth, common midpoint coordinates, and offset between the best fitting trace and the desired trace. The dip-based correction is applied to the best fitting trace to reconstruct the desired trace for 3D surface-related multiple prediction.
US08478529B2 Visibility determination in environments containing airborne dust particles
Determining optical visibility in an environment that may contain airborne dust particles is described. In one aspect, a method determines an ambient relative humidity in the environment. A near infrared wave is transmitted through a portion of the environment. An optical visibility in the environment is calculated based on the ambient relative humidity and attenuation of the near infrared wave during transmission through the environment. Various contrast thresholds are employed in the determination of optical visibility in the environment.
US08478527B2 Method and system for displaying navigation information and mapping content on an electronic map
A method for displaying object vector indicators (“OVI”) and mapping-media content, referencing map-objects (“MO”) on an electronic map, the method including determining that at least one MO is outside a visible area of a displayed map, creating an OVI to reference the MO, displaying the OVI on the electronic map, receiving user input selecting the OVI, retrieving media-content associated with the MO and displaying the media-content. In various embodiments, the OVI may contain various navigation information referencing the OVI; the OVI may be displayed at the periphery of the displayed map; the OVI may be repositioned in response to a changing in position of an electronic device displaying the OVI and/or the MO, etc.
US08478526B2 Enabling a first mobile device to navigate to a location associated with a second mobile device
A method is described that allows a first mobile device to persistently lock onto a second mobile device, thereby allowing the first mobile device to not only constantly monitor the dynamic location of the second mobile device but also to adaptively navigate in real-time to the dynamic location associated with the second mobile device. The dynamic location may include a current location of the second mobile device or a final destination for travel of the second mobile device.
US08478524B2 Methods and apparatus for dispensing marking material in connection with underground facility marking operations based on environmental information and/or operational information
Methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating a marking operation to indicate a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility. Marking information relating to the marking operations, including one or both of environmental information representative of at least one environmental condition of an environment in which the marking operation is performed, and operating information representative of at least one operating condition of a marking device used to perform the marking operation, is electronically acquired. A marking material is dispensed to mark the presence or the absence of the at least one underground facility is dispensed, and the dispensing is controlled based at least in part on the acquired marking information.
US08478522B2 Map-updating-data creating method, and map updating method and apparatus
A map-updating-data creating apparatus performs, for each old map file, creating a map-updating file for rewriting the map file to a new map file, determining the serial number of each of the updated map files, creating a serial number management file in which marks are respectively written at positions corresponding to the serial numbers, and generating, as map-updating data, the map-updating file and the serial number management file. A navigation apparatus performs map-updating processing and determines, by referring to the serial number management file, whether a map file has already been updated. The navigation apparatus uses the map-updating file to execute navigation control if the map file has already been updated, and updates the map file and subsequently executes the navigation control if the map file has not been updated.
US08478520B2 Systems and methods for off-board voice-automated vehicle navigation
A method of providing navigational information includes processing destination information spoken by a mobile processing system user. The processed voice information is transmitted to a remote center wirelessly. The processed voice information is voice recognition analyzed to recognize components of the destination information spoken. The remote center generates a list of hypothetical recognized components of the destination information listed by confidence levels. The list of hypothetical recognized components is displayed with confidence levels at the remote center for selective checking by a human data center operator. A component set is selected based on the confidence levels and accuracy of the selected set is confirmed by interactive voice exchanges. A destination is determined from confirmed components of the destination information. Route information to the destination is generated at the remote center and the route information is transmitted wirelessly to the mobile processing system from the remote center.
US08478518B2 Traffic information processing system, statistical processing device, traffic information processing method, and traffic information processing program
A navigation device mounted in a vehicle determines a traffic condition when the vehicle travels in a road zone along a facility, and determines whether a payment terminal mounted in the vehicle has made a payment through communication with a facility terminal installed in the facility. If it is determined that a payment has been made through communication, then probe data is generated that associates the traffic condition in the road zone with a payment service of the facility.
US08478509B1 Method and apparatus for varying the duration of a fuel injector cycle pulse length
A voltage spike generated by the collapse of the magnetic field in a fuel injector coil is stored in a capacitor and sent to an engine control unit at a correct time regardless of when the magnetic field in the injector coil actually collapses.
US08478508B2 Controller for internal combustion engine
An ON-ignition signal is outputted from an ignition control portion in a period from a posterior time point of the power stroke to an valve opening timing of an exhaust valve so that a capacitor is charged. Then, when it is determined that the maximum value of an ion-output value detected during a negative valve overlap period becomes greater than or equal to a threshold, it is determined that the applied voltage between an center electrode and a ground electrode of a spark plug is dropped. The ON-ignition signal is outputted again to charge the capacitor before the intake valve is opened.
US08478507B2 Control device for internal combustion engine
A control device used for an internal combustion engine and capable of determining an actuator operation amount is provided. The control device includes a computation element that uses engine status amounts to compute the actuator operation amount. The computation element uses a model that includes a plurality of submodels arranged in a hierarchical sequence. The computation element computes the actuator operation amount by using a parameter calculated by the lowest level submodel and changes the number of higher-level submodels to be used in combination with the lowest level submodel in accordance with the operation status of the internal combustion engine.
US08478504B2 Skid steer machine with automatic operating ratio change system
A skid steer machine having separate left and right hydraulic propulsion units includes an operating ratio change system by which the ratio of the propulsion speed of at least one of the hydraulic propulsion units versus the hydraulic flow directed to the propulsion units can be changed from at least a first ratio to a second ratio and inversely. The operating ratio change system includes an operating ratio change ECU which controls an operating ratio change device to operate in at least a first ratio configuration or a second ratio configuration, and the operating ratio change system operates in an automatic operating mode where the operating ratio change ECU selects the operating ratio according to machine parameters received by the operating ratio change ECU.
US08478495B2 Shift control device for continuously variable transmission
A requested cruise-control horsepower calculator obtains a requested cruise-control horsepower from a speed difference between a target cruising vehicle speed and an actual vehicle speed. A requested cruise-control torque calculator obtains a requested cruise-control torque on the basis of the requested cruise-control horsepower and an engine rotation speed. A cruise-control accelerator-opening calculator sets a cruise-control accelerator opening by referring to an engine torque map in which a cruise-control accelerator-opening characteristic curve is set along an equal horsepower line on the basis of the requested cruise-control torque and the engine rotation speed. A target primary rotation-speed calculator sets a target primary rotation speed by referring to a shift-line map on the basis of the cruise-control accelerator opening and the actual vehicle speed. A shift controller obtains a target gear shift ratio on the basis of the target primary rotation speed and the actual vehicle speed so as to perform shift control.
US08478492B2 Method and system for performing non-contact based determination of the position of an implement
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and system for performing non-contact based determination of the position of an implement. In one embodiment, a non-contact based measurement system is used to determine the relative position of an implement coupled with a mobile machine. The geographic position of the mobile machine is determined and the geographic position of said implement based upon the geographic position of the mobile machine and the position of the implement relative to the mobile machine.
US08478488B2 Impact event countermeasure control method and system for automotive vehicle
An impact event countermeasure control method and system for an automotive vehicle includes management of impact countermeasures using not only variable timing responsive to impact severity, but also event control as a function of the displacement of a vehicle's occupant with respect to the passenger cabin environment, including various countermeasure devices.
US08478484B2 Control of vehicle rollover
A motor vehicle includes a body characterized by a center of gravity, a plurality of wheels for maintaining contact with a road surface, and a roll-reduction apparatus. The apparatus is configured to resist an impending rollover of the vehicle via at least one of i) applying a force between the body and at least one of the plurality of wheels and ii) lowering of the center of gravity of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a sensing device configured to detect a roll moment acting on the vehicle and having a threshold magnitude. The vehicle additionally includes a controller configured to trigger the roll-reduction apparatus to generate a moment on the body opposite to the detected threshold moment such that an angle of the vehicle relative to the road surface during rollover is reduced. A method of reducing the angle of the body during rollover is also disclosed.
US08478482B2 Position detection for activation of device and methods thereof
Embodiments of position detection devices for vehicles and methods of position detection are provided. One embodiment of a detection device comprises a wireless device inside a vehicle, a mobile communication device paired to the wireless device, such that the wireless device automatically activates when it senses the mobile communication device within an operable range of the wireless device, a position sensing system configured to generate an output indicative of the mobile communication device's presence within the vehicle and a controller responsive to the output and configured to deactivate the wireless device when the output indicates that the mobile communication device's presence is not within the vehicle but is still within the operable range.
US08478480B2 Vehicle evaluation using infrared data
A solution for evaluating a vehicle using infrared data is provided. In particular, evaluation data for the vehicle is obtained, which includes infrared data for a plurality of sides of the vehicle as well as vehicle identification data for distinguishing the vehicle from another vehicle. The infrared data is processed to enhance a set of signal features. Additional non-infrared based data also can be obtained for evaluating the vehicle. The evaluation data is analyzed to determine whether one or more anomalies are present. The anomaly(ies) can be correlated with a possible problem with a component of the vehicle. Data on the anomaly, problem, and/or vehicle identification can be provided for use on another system, such as a remote inspection station, maintenance system, and/or the like.
US08478477B2 Method of organizing aircraft maintenance
A method of managing maintenance of an aircraft. The method includes defining a recommended maintenance program for the aircraft. Maintenance deadlines for the recommended maintenance program are determined by using primary data from a testing of at least one of pieces of equipment and elements of the aircraft. Utilization data for the aircraft is used and stored. A calculation device is used to implement at least one algorithm to recalculate the maintenance deadlines as a function of the actual utilization data. The recommended maintenance program is updated.
US08478475B2 Vehicle-mounted electronic appliance
A vehicle-mounted electronic appliance has a vehicle state detection portion which detects a vehicle being parked, a sound indication portion, and a sound indication control portion. When the vehicle state detection portion detects that the vehicle is parked, the sound indication control portion makes the sound indication portion indicate a warning to watch out for theft.
US08478474B2 Diagnostic apparatus and diagnostic method for belt squeezing force adjusting mechanism
A diagnostic apparatus and a diagnostic method are provided for a belt squeezing force adjusting mechanism of a continuously variable transmission in which a belt is wound around a primary sheave that receives driving force and a secondary sheave that outputs force to a drive line, and which continuously changes the output rotation speed by adjusting the width of the groove the primary sheave and the secondary sheave by shift control. This diagnostic determines, as a precondition, whether a target control value calculated in shift control is in a low region, and performs a diagnostic on the belt squeezing force adjusting mechanism based on the relationship between an actual control value and the target control value during control to reduce a control value when it is determined that the precondition is satisfied. According to this diagnostic apparatus and diagnostic method, an erroneous diagnosis can be prevented so the diagnostic can be performed accurately.
US08478473B2 Method and systems for controlling gas turbine engine temperature
A method and systems for controlling an engine are provided. The system includes an engine model programmed to receive engine operating condition values from a plurality of sensors on an engine. The engine model is programmed to determine a plurality of engine operating parameter values. The system also includes a processor configured to compare the operating parameter values to a predetermined allowable range for the operating parameter and control the operation of the engine to facilitate returning the determined operating parameter to the allowable range or maintaining the determined operating parameter within the allowable range, output the determined operating parameter values to a user, and/or generate maintenance requests based on the comparison.
US08478472B2 System and method for simultaneous localization and map building
An autonomous vehicle comprises at least one image sensor to provide measurements of landmark position for a plurality of landmarks; and processing functionality to estimate the position of the plurality of landmarks in a global frame and in the autonomous vehicle's frame, and to estimate the kinematic state of the autonomous vehicle in a global frame based, at least in part, on the measurements of landmark position from the at least one image sensor. The processing functionality is further operable to calculate errors in the estimated positions of the plurality of landmarks in the global frame and in the estimate of the kinematic state of the autonomous vehicle in the global frame by using a plurality of unit projection vectors between the estimated positions of the plurality landmarks in the autonomous vehicle's frame and a plurality of unit projection vectors between the estimated positions of the plurality of landmarks in the global frame.
US08478471B2 Cart cluster detection and estimation
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.
US08478467B2 Method and apparatus for controlling output torque of a motor for an electric vehicle in uphill mode
A method and an apparatus for controlling output torque of a motor for an electric vehicle in uphill mode, the method comprises: detecting a tilt angle value U, a current vehicle speed value V and an accelerator-pedal travel value Gain of the vehicle, determining whether the vehicle is in uphill mode or not, and if the result is positive, then calculating a minimum torque T1 required for preventing the vehicle from slipping backward under the tilt angle value 0 and the current vehicle speed value V, obtaining a maximum output torque T2, calculating an output torque T of the motor based on T1, T2 and Gain, and controlling the motor to output the calculated output torque T. With the method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention, when the electric vehicle is in uphill mode, even if the accelerator-pedal travel value is zero, the vehicle will not slip backward.
US08478465B2 Electronically assisted reverse gate system for a jet propulsion watercraft
An automatic trim system for a jet propulsion watercraft is provided. Control electronics are in communication with a steering angle sensor to monitor the steering angle of the watercraft, and evaluate a target setting for the trim taking the steering angle into consideration. Control signals are sent to an appropriate actuating device for adjusting the trim angle accordingly.
US08478464B2 Systems and methods for orienting a marine vessel to enhance available thrust
Systems and methods for orienting a marine vessel enhance available thrust in a station keeping mode. A control device having a memory and a programmable circuit is programmed to control operation of a plurality of marine propulsion devices to maintain orientation of a marine vessel in a selected global position. The control device is programmed to calculate a direction of a resultant thrust vector associated with the plurality of marine propulsion devices that is necessary to maintain the vessel in the selected global position. The control device is programmed to control operation of the plurality of marine propulsion devices to change the actual heading of the marine vessel to align the actual heading with the thrust vector.
US08478462B2 Vehicle identification tag and train control integration
An identification tag reader reads identification tags on vehicles of a train consist. Identification tag identifiers are used to retrieve weights and lengths of the vehicles, and the weight and length information is used by an onboard train control system either to verify weight and length information already stored in the system or input the information initially, in either case for use in controlling the train such as in the calculation of braking curves. In another embodiment, an identification tag reader is paired with a sensor capable of detecting a condition on a train vehicle requiring maintenance, and the condition and an identification tag identifier are transmitted to maintenance personnel. The identification tag is preferably an AEI tag.
US08478458B2 Method and device for activating an automatic piloting mode of an aircraft
A method and a device for activating an automatic piloting mode of an aircraft are disclosed. The device can include means for engaging an automatic pilot mode, when (i) the current distance of the aircraft with respect to a reference position on the ground belongs to a determined distance range, and (ii) the current height of the aircraft is at most equal to a reference height associated to the automatic pilot mode.
US08478454B2 Vehicle movement control apparatus and vehicle movement control method
A vehicle movement control apparatus for setting control requirement values for a plurality of control objects controlling movement of a vehicle, if control target values for movement of the vehicle are input, the apparatus includes: a first requirement value setting unit setting a first control requirement value for a first control object; a first estimating unit acquiring a first movement estimated value if the first control object is activated based on the first control requirement value; a calculating unit calculating an estimated delay amount which is a shortage amount generated based on response delay of the first control object; a second requirement value setting unit setting a second control requirement value for a second control object, based on the result of the calculation; and a second estimating unit acquiring a second movement estimated value if the second control object is activated based on the second control requirement value.
US08478451B2 Method and apparatus for dynamically allocating power in a data center
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to the field of power management of computer systems, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for dynamically allocating power to servers in a server rack. The method comprises: measuring power consumption of a computer system having one or more servers; estimating probability distribution of power demand for each of the one or more servers, the estimation based on the measured power consumption; estimating performance loss via the estimated probability distribution; computing power capping limits for each of the one or more servers, the computation based on the estimated probability distribution and the performance loss; and dynamically allocating the power capping limits to each of the one or more servers by modifying previous power capping limits of each of the one or more servers.
US08478448B2 Control device for wind power systems having power failure detection
A wind energy installation control device includes a wind rotor, a generator driven by the wind rotor, a torque control unit configured to control a torque of the generator, and a control system. The control system includes a detector configured to identify a grid dip and an end of the grid dip, a residual torque transmitter configured to provide a set point for a torque of the generator after identification of the grid dip, and an initializer configured to initialize a component of the torque control unit at the set point. Accordingly, upon return of grid power after a grid dip, the vibration behavior of a wind power system can be significantly improved. Overload of a drive train upon return of grid voltage can thus be reduced.
US08478446B2 Oxygen control system for oxygen enhanced combustion
A method of configuration of combustion process control. The method includes providing a combustion system having a plurality of burner elements, a plurality of gas injection points and a controller. The gas injection points are configured to provide a support gas. One or more tasks for operation of the combustion system are determined. A plurality of groupings of the gas injection points are determined for each of the one or more tasks. An individual ranking for each of the plurality of groupings is determined in response to the one or more tasks. A composite ranking of injection points in response to the individual rankings and the controller is configured to operate the plurality of gas injection points in response to the composite ranking. A combustion system and a method for operating a combustion system are also disclosed.
US08478443B2 Robot system
The present invention provides a robot system including a robot having a plurality of move axes and a safeguard apparatus provided independently of a control system of the robot and adapted for limiting a movable range of the robot. The safeguard apparatus includes at least two individual-axis-detection external sensors configured to be respectively turned ON/OFF in response to a rotational position or a transfer position of respective at least two move axes among the plurality of move axes of the robot, and an apparatus body configured to limit a move of the robot based on a combination of ON/OFF conditions of at least two output signals obtained from the at least two individual-axis-detection external sensors.
US08478441B2 Method and apparatus for storage and dispensing of pharmaceutical products in unit doses or administration units
A method and automated apparatus (1) for dispensing pharmaceutical products in unit doses or administration units wherein the unit doses (2) suitably arranged and/or separated within the apparatus (1) can be dispensed into the compartments (5) of an associated cart (4), to fill patient-specific medication prescriptions for patients of a ward. A telescopic manipulator unit (6, 106, 206) has elements (16) adapted to select and pick up the doses required to fill patient-specific medication prescriptions from a matrix (10) of unit doses (2) and elements (7, 107) for coupled interaction with the compartments (5) to directly release the picked up doses (2) therein.
US08478439B2 Numerical control device for tool machine
A numerical control device includes a primary distribution pulse calculator that calculates primary distribution pulses obtained by distributing movement amounts in first and second directions included in a movement command of a work or a tool for each of predetermined calculation cycles. A secondary distribution pulse calculator calculates, for each movement direction, secondary distribution pulses obtained by distributing the primary distribution pulses of each calculation cycle calculated by the primary distribution pulse calculator, before and after corresponding calculation cycles within ranges of distribution sections across the corresponding calculation cycles and having an acceleration-deceleration time constant of the corresponding movement direction as a section width, and then accumulating the primary distribution pulses for each calculation cycle. A drive controller drives at least one of a tool moving device and a work moving device on the basis of the secondary distribution pulses calculated by the secondary distribution pulse calculator unit.
US08478433B2 Fault detection systems and methods for self-optimizing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning controls
A fault detection system for detecting a fault in a process system includes a first circuit configured to modify an input of the process system with a modifying signal. The fault detection system further includes a second circuit configured to receive an output from the process system and configured to determine whether the fault exists based on at least one of a reduction of a signal component and an unexpected transformation of the signal component, wherein the signal component corresponds to a function of the modifying signal.
US08478432B2 Agents and methods for relieving muscle spasms
A method of affecting metabolic function is presented which utilizes a conductive coating, film, or covering on a body tissue to distribute electrical charge, either passively or in conjunction with applied electrical energy.
US08478429B2 Extendable/retractable fixation lead with distal travelling seal and related devices
An implantable lead having a distal assembly including a coupler, a fixation helix secured to the coupler, a housing in which the fixation helix and the coupler are disposed, and a resilient seal that is fixedly secured to the coupler between proximal and distal ends thereof and able to translate with the coupler relative to the housing. The seal is positioned to sealingly engage an internal surface of the housing. When the coupler is translated such that the fixation helix is in a fully extended position, the seal is positioned to substantially seal off the housing to prevent tissue ingrowth.
US08478428B2 Helical electrode for nerve stimulation
A helical electrode for nerve stimulation includes an insulative helical substrate, having an inner surface, configured to wrap around a nerve. An electrical conductor is disposed upon the inner surface of the substrate. The conductor defines a helix of about one revolution and produces an electric field in which an injected current in similar axons varies by no more than about 25%. The conductor may include tapered end sections, which may be counter-tapered.
US08478420B2 Implantable medical device charge balance assessment
A method is provided including delivering at least one electrical signal to tissue of a patient through an electrode. The method further includes assessing whether a net charge remains on the electrode a predetermined period of time after the delivery of the electrical signal. Systems for delivering such a signal, and assessing whether a net charge remains on the electrode providing the signal, are also provided.
US08478419B2 Modulation and analysis of cerebral perfusion in epilepsy and other neurological disorders
A system including an implantable neurostimulator device capable of modulating cerebral blood flow to treat epilepsy and other neurological disorders. In one embodiment, the system is capable of modulating cerebral blood flow (also referred to as cerebral perfusion) in response to measurements and other observed conditions. Perfusion may be increased or decreased by systems and methods according to the invention as clinically required.
US08478413B2 Bilateral phrenic nerve stimulation with reduced dyssynchrony
A system and associated method deliver a respiration therapy. Stimulation pulses are delivered to activate a right portion of a patient's diaphragm and to activate a left portion of a patient's diaphragm. A control processor determines dyssynchrony of a respiratory response to the stimulation pulses and adjusts a stimulation control parameter controlling the delivering of the stimulation pulses in response to dyssynchrony of the respiratory response.
US08478407B2 Methods for promoting intrinsic activation in single chamber implantable cardiac pacing systems
Cardiac pacing methods for an implantable single chamber pacing system, establish an offset rate for pacing at a predetermined decrement from either a baseline rate (i.e. dictated by a rate response sensor), or an intrinsic rate. Pacing maintains the offset rate until x of y successive events are paced events, at which time the offset rate is switched to the baseline rate for pacing over a predetermined period of time. Following the period, if an intrinsic event is not immediately detected, within the interval of the offset rate, the rate is switched back to baseline for pacing over an increased period of time. Some methods establish a preference rate, between the offset and baseline rates, wherein an additional criterion, for switching from the offset rate to the baseline rate, is established with respect to the preference rate.
US08478404B2 Output circuit for both cardiac contractile electrostimulation and non-contractile neural modulation
An apparatus comprises an electrostimulation energy storage capacitor, a circuit path that provides pacing stimulation from the capacitor through the load, a constant current neural stimulation circuit that is switchable into the circuit path to provide neural stimulation through the load and switchable out of the circuit path to provide the pacing stimulation through the load, and a control circuit configured to selectively enable delivery of the pacing stimulation or the constant current neural stimulation.
US08478402B2 Determining intercardiac impedance
A system and method for determining complex intercardiac impedance to detect various cardiac functions are disclosed involving a signal generator means for providing an adjustable direct current signal, a modulator for modulating the adjustable direct current signal to produce a modulated signal, at least one electrode for propagating the modulated signal across a myocardium, at least one sensor for detecting an outputted modulated signal from the myocardium, and at least one circuit to reduce the influence of process noise (aggressors) in the outputted modulated signal. The at least one circuit comprises an amplifier, a demodulator, and an integrator. The amplitude and phase of the final outputted modulated signal indicate the complex impedance of the myocardium. Changes in the complex impedance patterns of the myocardium provide indication of reduced oxygen and blood flow to the myocardium. The apparatus can be employed in implantable devices, including cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
US08478401B2 Synchronization of defibrillation and chest compressions
A resuscitation system for use by a rescuer for resuscitating a patient having a ventricular arrhythmia, comprising circuitry and processing configured for detection of chest compression/phase timing information indicative of the start of the decompression phase, circuitry and processing configured for delivery of electromagnetic therapy for the termination of ventricular arrhythmias, wherein the circuitry and processing for the delivery of electromagnetic therapy utilizes the chest compression phase timing information to initiate delivery of the electromagnetic therapy within 300 milliseconds of the start of the decompression phase.
US08478398B2 Method and system for modulating eating behavior by means of neuro-electrical coded signals
Method and systems modulating eating behavior comprising (i) generating at least one confounding neuro-electrical signal that is adapted to modulate the sense of taste in the body, (ii) generating at least one confounding neuro-electrical signal that is adapted to modulate the sense of smell in the body, and (ii) transmitting at least one of the confounding neuro-electrical signals to a subject to modulate the subject's sense of taste or smell. In a preferred embodiment, both confounding neuro-electrical signals are transmitted to the subject to modulate the subject's sense of taste and smell.
US08478390B2 Method and apparatus for determing the coronary sinus vein branch accessed by a coronary sinus lead
Systems and methods for determining the coronary sinus vein branch location of a left ventricle electrode are disclosed. The systems and methods involve detecting the occurrence of electrical events within the patient's heart including sensing one or more of the electrical events with the electrode and then analyzing the electrical events to determine the electrode's position. The determination of electrode position may be used to automatically adjust operating parameters of a VRT device. Furthermore, the determination of electrode position may be made in real-time during installation of the electrode and a visual indication of the electrode position may be provided on a display screen.
US08478386B2 Practitioner-mounted micro vein enhancer
The present invention is a Miniature Vein Enhancer that includes a Miniature Projection Head. The Miniature Projection Head may be operated in one of three modes, AFM, DBM, and RTM. The Miniature Projection Head of the present invention projects an image of the veins of a patient, which aids the practitioner in pinpointing a vein for an intravenous drip, blood test, and the like. The Miniature projection head may have a cavity for a power source or it may have a power source located in a body portion of the Miniature Vein Enhancer. The Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to one of several improved needle protectors, or the Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to a body similar to a flashlight for hand held use. The Miniature Vein Enhancer of the present invention may also be attached to a magnifying glass, a flat panel display, and the like.
US08478384B2 Intravascular optical coherence tomography system with pressure monitoring interface and accessories
An optical coherence tomography system and method with integrated pressure measurement. In one embodiment the system includes an interferometer including: a wavelength swept laser; a source arm in communication with the wavelength swept laser; a reference arm in communication with a reference reflector; a first photodetector having a signal output; a detector arm in communication with the first photodetector, a probe interface; a sample arm in communication with a first optical connector of the probe interface; an acquisition and display system comprising: an A/D converter having a signal input in communication with the first photodetector signal output and a signal output; a processor system in communication with the A/D converter signal output; and a display in communication with the processor system; and a probe comprising a pressure sensor and configured for connection to the first optical connector of the probe interface, wherein the pressure transducer comprises an optical pressure transducer.
US08478383B2 Probe tracking using multiple tracking methods
A method, including: receiving an input indicative of respective apparent locations of a plurality of points disposed along a length of a probe inside a body of a subject, and applying a model of known mechanical properties of the probe to the respective apparent locations so as to minimize a first cost function with respect to shapes that can be assumed by the probe in the body. The method further includes choosing a shape responsively to the minimized first cost function and determining preliminary coordinates of the apparent locations responsively to the shape, minimizing a second cost function with respect to differences between the apparent locations and the preliminary coordinates, and generating corrected coordinates of the points along the length of the probe based on the minimized second cost function.
US08478381B2 MRI guidewire
A guidewire (100) for use with interventional magnetic resonance imaging has a guidewire body (102) having a distal end and a proximal end and reserving a space therein, a dipole antenna (108) disposed in the space reserved within the guidewire body, the dipole antenna being adapted to be electrically connected to a signal processing system through a first signal channel (110) through the proximal end of the guidewire body, and a loop antenna (112) disposed in the space reserved within the guidewire body toward the distal end of the guidewire body, the loop antenna (112) being adapted to be electrically connected to the signal processing system through a second signal channel (114) through the proximal end of the guidewire body. The dipole antenna and the loop antenna are each constructed to receive magnetic resonance imaging signals independently of each other and to transmit received signals through the first and second signal channels, respectively, to be received by the signal processing system. An interventional magnetic resonance imaging system includes an active guidewire.
US08478371B2 Mobile wireless communications device with user navigation using an antenna and related methods
A mobile wireless communications device may include a housing, a display carried by the housing, a wireless transceiver carried by the housing, a display navigation input device carried by the housing and including an antenna and an oscillation circuit coupled to the antenna, and a controller coupled to the display, wireless transceiver, and display navigation input device.
US08478369B2 Mobile device
A mobile device includes a first housing and a second housing. The first housing includes a first track surface parallel to a first direction, and a first housing first flat surface perpendicular to the first direction. The second housing includes a first pin, and a second housing first flat surface facing to the first housing first flat surface. The first pin protrudes from the second housing first flat surface. The second housing first flat surface slides along the first housing first flat surface, and the first pin slides along the first track surface, therefore the second housing slides with respect to the first housing. The mobile device is provided, in which smooth sliding without backlash is possible.
US08478365B2 Mobile terminal apparatus
A mobile terminal apparatus includes a casing 8, an operation key member 10 disposed on one external face 9a of the casing 8, a circuit board 11 disposed inside the casing 8 so as to face the operation key member 10, and a battery 12 disposed inside the casing 8 so as to face the circuit board 11 on a side opposite the operation key member 10. The battery 12 includes board supporting parts 15 for supporting the circuit board 11, the board supporting parts 15 having tip portions 15a abutting against the circuit board 11 at positions facing the circuit board 11.
US08478360B2 Facilitating power conservation in wireless client terminals
A novel power conservation scheme is provided for conserving power in client terminals by using a proxy server. The client terminal, having a low-power communication interface and a high-power communication interface, may power down its high-power communication interface, to conserve power. Prior to shutting off its high-power communication interface, the client terminal may assign a host terminal to act as a proxy for the client terminal. The host terminal monitors the paging channels for the client terminal via a high-power communication interface. If the host terminal detects a paging message for the client terminal, it forwards at least a portion of the paging message to the client terminal via a low-power communication interface. Upon receipt of the paging message from the host terminal via its low-power communication interface, the client terminal may power up its high-power communication interface and directly respond to an access terminal that initiated the paging message.
US08478359B2 User interface tone echo cancellation
A multi-function communications device has a processor that generates a user interface audible tone signal. The device also has a downlink digital signal processor, and an uplink digital signal processor. A mixer has an input to receive the downlink signal and another input to receive the user interface tone signal. The uplink processor has an acoustic echo canceller having an input to receive the uplink signal and another input to receive an output from the mixer. The echo canceller may reduce the amount of both the far-end user's speech and the user interface tone that may be present in the uplink signal. The mixer may be positioned within the chain of audio signal processors, or it may be positioned outside the chain. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08478356B2 Audio amplifier
An audio amplifier (3) for a mobile telephone (1) is disclosed. The audio amplifier (3) comprises first and second output stages (11, 12), each for coupling to a respective one of first and second loudspeakers (4, 5), and switching circuitry (10) adapted to respond to a switching signal by switching an output signal from a common input stage (7, 8, 9) to the first output stage (11) when the switching signal is in a first state and to the second output stage (12) when the switching signal is in a second state.
US08478353B2 Mobile device display management
The display of a mobile device is managed during a voice communication session using a proximity sensor and an accelerometer. In one example, the display of a mobile device is turned off during a phone call on the mobile device when a proximity sensor detects an object is proximate the device and an accelerometer determines the device is in a first orientation.
US08478350B2 Distribution method, operation method and system of application system in mobile communication network
A distribution method and an operation method and system of application system in mobile communication network are disclosed. The methods are adapted to mobile information field, which include: a mobile communication terminal establishes connection with an application system distribution platform through a mobile communication network; the mobile communication terminal uses the application system by an application system human-computer interaction module installed on the application system distribution platform; the application system and the human-computer interaction module run; an output process module of the application system distribution platform obtains a screen display image data of the human-computer interaction module, and sends it to the mobile communication terminal; the mobile communication terminal displays the screen display image of the human-computer interaction module, and sends an input information to the human-computer interaction module; step C and step E are repeated until the mobile communication terminal exit from the operation of the application system. The present invention can make an application system distributed on a mobile communication terminal, therefore, the network requirement is little, and the experience of the user is high.
US08478349B2 Method for executing menu in mobile terminal and mobile terminal using the same
The present disclosure is related to a method for executing a menu in a mobile terminal, the method comprising; inputting a drawing pattern on a touch screen of the mobile terminal; displaying a menu corresponding to the drawing pattern and a sub menu thereof on the touch screen by comparing a pre-stored drawing pattern table with the drawing pattern; and executing the sub menu by selecting the sub menu and a mobile terminal thereof.
US08478347B2 Mobile terminal and camera image control method thereof
A method of controlling a mobile terminal, and which includes displaying, via a display on the mobile terminal, a captured or a preview image in a first display portion, displaying, via the display, the same captured or a preview image in a second display portion, zooming, via a controller on the mobile terminal, the captured or preview image displayed in the first display portion, and displaying, via the display, a zoom guide on the image displayed in the second display portion that identifies a zoomed portion of the image displayed in the first display portion.
US08478343B2 Method and apparatus for base station self-configuration
Disclosed is method and apparatus for operation of a base station in wireless communications, including self-configuration of the base station for secure and authenticated communications with other base stations.
US08478342B2 Inter-cell interference coordination
A system and method for coordinating interference in cellular systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a cellular base station interference coordinator includes an interference estimator. The interference estimator estimates a level of interference caused by transmissions controlled by a host base station for each of a plurality of radio resources, and provides interference estimates corresponding to the radio resources to a target base station. Each interference estimate is based on transmit power and channel strength to the target base station for each transmission controlled by the host base station for a radio resource.
US08478339B2 Method for accessing at least one service and corresponding system
The invention relates to a method for accessing at least one service. A host device is coupled to a chip. The chip stores data relating to at least one test Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) type application and/or data relating to at least one SIM type application. The host device sends to the chip a command for switching from a first application to a second application. The first application is either a test SIM type application or a SIM type application. The second application is either a SIM type application or a test SIM type application. And the chip carries out an activation of the second application and a de-activation of the first application. The invention also relates to a corresponding system for accessing at least one service.
US08478336B2 Baseband / RFIC interface for high throughput MIMO communications
Analog signal paths are utilized between a baseband processor and a radio front end to support high throughput communications for a multiple in multiple out radio transceiver that support communications over two or more antennas. Specifically, analog differential I and Q path communication signals are exchanged between a radio front end core and a baseband processor to maximize throughput capacity for high data rate signals. Along the same lines, the impedances of traces and the interface are matched to reduce I/Q imbalance.
US08478334B2 Wireless terminal device
A first casing and a second casing movably connected to the first casing are provided. PAs amplify a transmit signal. FET switches are provided between the ground and respective transmission paths connecting the PAs and an antenna. When an intermediate voltage is applied, the FET switch has a capacitance according to the applied intermediate voltage. An open or close detection unit acquires the impedance of the antenna corresponding to the positional relationship of the first casing and the second casing. A control unit turns one of a plurality of switches ON and applies the intermediate voltage to the FET switches to achieve a capacitance whereby the impedance of the PA arranged on the transmission path where the switch is ON and the impedance of the antenna are matched based on the impedance of the antenna acquired by the open or close detection unit.
US08478332B2 Receiver for signal communication system with disturbance rejection circuit
A receiver of a signal communication apparatus; the apparatus having a transmitter for transmitting the signals, the receiver for receiving the signals and a galvanically isolated wireless interface interposed between the transmitter and the receiver and having a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna. The receiver including a disturbance rejection circuit coupled to the receiving antenna and capable of compensating for the parasite currents flowing between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna at the potential variations between the input and output of the galvanic isolation interface.
US08478321B2 Apparatus and method for allocating channel and power in communication system
An apparatus and method for allocating a channel and power by a Base Station (BS) in a communication system are provided. The method includes, performing one of a first scheduling, which uses inter-cell cooperation information received from at least one neighboring BS and a data rate received from each User Equipment (UE), and a second scheduling, which uses both an average data rate for each subchannel computed by accumulating the data rates for a preset time period and the inter-cell cooperation information, selecting a UE to be allocated each subchannel in each subframe based on results of the performed scheduling, computing a power metric for each of the selected UE and a non-selected UE by using the inter-cell cooperation information, the average data rate, an amount of performance change of the selected UE, and the results of the performed scheduling; and allocating power to all UEs including the selected UE and the non-selected UE by preset subframe periods by using the computed power metric.
US08478320B2 Collaborative radio resources allocations to applications of mobile units
Collecting state information about the resources of radio access networks (RANs) and the Access Point Names (APNs) enables this information to be provided to mobile stations which employ this information to determine which radio access technology (RAT) to employ for connecting to the wireless access network, and to determine which APN to use. This decision is made relative to each application that the mobile station is executing, and these decisions are, optionally, revisited periodically, or as significant changes in the state information are recognized.
US08478308B2 Positioning system for adding location information to the metadata of an image and positioning method thereof
A positioning system includes a first mobile device and a second mobile device. The first mobile device includes a first wireless communication unit and an imaging unit. The second mobile device includes a second wireless communication unit and a location information obtaining unit. When an image is captured by the first mobile device, the first mobile device can communicate with the second mobile device to obtain position information, which is then included in EXIF of the just captured image.
US08478307B1 Communicating based on navigation destination
In general, this disclosure describes techniques for providing a user of a source computing device with the ability to communicate with a destination communication device, while using a navigation application that provides directions to a geographical location associated with the destination communication device. Specifically, the source computing device may provide within the navigation application a mechanism, such as a selectable item, that upon selection allows the user to communicate with the destination communication device without exiting the navigation application that is providing directions to the geographical locations associated with the destination communication device.
US08478306B2 Self-aware profile switching on a mobile computing device
In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes detecting, by a mobile computing device, a current context associated with the mobile computing device, the current context being external to the mobile computing device and indicating a current state of the mobile computing device in its surrounding environment. The method can also include identifying, based on at least a first portion of the current context, a location description for the mobile computing device, wherein the location description includes a textual description of the location; and determining, based on the identified location description and at least a second portion of the current context, whether to switch the mobile computing device from operating using a current profile to operating using a second profile, wherein the current profile and the second profile each define one or more settings of the mobile computing device.
US08478302B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving location based service resource allocation information in a mobile communication system
A method, an Advanced Base Station (ABS) and an Advanced Mobile Station (AMS) for transmitting Location Based Service (LBS) resource allocation information by an ABS in a mobile communication system are provided. The ABS transmits LBS resource allocation information including LBS zone configuration information representing an LBS zone transmission period. The LBS zone configuration information includes at least one of first information indicating that LBS zone transmission is switched off, second information indicating that the LBS zone transmission period corresponds to a first number of super frames, third information indicating that the LBS zone transmission period corresponds to a second number of super frames, and fourth information indicating that the LBS zone transmission period corresponds to a third number of super frames.
US08478301B2 Communication device, communication system, program, and data selection method
The present invention aims to enable appropriate selection of data to be transmitted/received based on the distance between communication devices. A communication device including, a memory unit that stores a plurality of data, a distance information obtaining unit that obtains distance information on a distance from a radio communication device and a data selection unit that selects data from the plurality of data stored in the memory unit based on the distance information obtained by the distance information obtaining unit is provided. The distance information obtaining unit may estimate and obtain the distance information based on a field intensity of a radio signal determined to satisfy a predetermined condition about a noise component among radio signals received from the other radio communication device.
US08478296B2 Automatic remote communication using network telephony
The present invention is a method and apparatus to provide remote communication using network telephony. In a transmitter, an activation message is decoded to generate an activation command. The activation message is sent from an activator via a communication medium in response to a telephony call. An information message is transmitted, responsive to the activation command, to a receiver using a communication protocol. In a receiver, an activation message is decoded to generate an activation command. The activation message is sent in response to a telephone call. An information message is received, responsive to the activation command. The information message is sent from a transmitter according to a communication protocol via a communication medium.
US08478294B2 Method and system for mobile station location
A system and method for locating mobile stations in a wireless communication system such as a cellular system based on at least one received wireless signal and a database of geographical information.
US08478286B1 Method and apparatus of informing UE access barring
A method of informing a user equipment about access barring includes the steps of: determining a bit set for the access barring, wherein the bit set includes at least two bits and discloses at least whether the access barring is on or off; placing at least a first bit of the bit set in a starting message, the starting message being one the following messages: a master information block message or a paging message; and transmitting the bit set in a message set via radio interface to the user equipment, the message set including at least the starting message. The starting message may disclose whether the remaining access barring information need to be read.
US08478284B2 Apparatus and method for scheduling packets
An apparatus comprising a controller for controlling radio communication using communication resources for user data communication, and control resources for controlling communication on the communication resources, an allocator for allocating mobile stations to use at least one of a dynamic allocation and a persistent allocation, each allocation defining a different utilization of the control resources and communication resources, a monitor for monitoring one or more reallocation conditions associated with at least one of the dynamic allocation and the persistent allocation, and a reallocator configured to reallocate at least one mobile station if one of the one or more reallocation conditions is fulfilled.
US08478282B2 Method and apparatus for managing frequencies used by devices
The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed to a method and apparatus for managing frequencies used by devices. In one embodiment, the process detects a set of frequencies from a set of devices to form a set of assigned frequencies. The process may also detect a first frequency used by a first device. The process may determine whether the first frequency interferes with the set of assigned frequencies. The process may also identify an unassigned frequency for use by the first device in response to determining whether the first frequency interferes with the set of assigned frequencies.
US08478281B2 Cell phone extension using wireless piconet
In accordance with the principles of the present invention utilizing the BLUETOOTH specification Cordless Telephony profile, incoming calls to a cell phone including a Gateway role can be routed to another piconet device (e.g., another cell phone including a Terminal role. Two cell phones with BLUETOOTH capability each include the Cordless Telephony Profile. The cell phone receiving the call acts as a PSTN cordless telephone Gateway cell phone via the cellular network, while the other cell phone acts as a cordless telephone Terminal cell phone. The cordless telephone Terminal cell phone then acts as an extension to the Gateway cell phone allowing both calls to the Gateway cell phone to be answered at the Terminal cell phone, and even allowing calls by the Gateway cell phone to be originated by the Terminal cell phone.
US08478263B1 System and method for determining wireless chipset performance
A performance indicator for uplink traffic is measured a plurality of times under a plurality of conditions to generate a set of uplink performance indicators. The performance indicator for downlink traffic is measured a plurality of times under the plurality of conditions to generate a set of downlink performance indicators. The performance indicator for bidirectional traffic is measured a plurality of times under the plurality of conditions to generate a set of bidirectional performance indicators. The plurality of conditions comprise: a set of center frequency parameters; a set of attenuation factor parameters for each one of the set of center frequency parameters; a set of channel model parameters for each one of the combinations of attenuation factor parameters and center frequency parameters; and, a set of modulation coding scheme parameters for each one of the combinations of channel model parameters, attenuation factor parameters, and center frequency parameters.
US08478262B2 Method and apparatus for delegating signal quality handover measuring of a user equipment in wireless communication to a neighbouring user equipment
The invention presents a method for measuring signal quality of a user equipment (UE) in wireless communication networks, comprising: communicating UE sends a cooperative measurement request to its neighboring UEs to delegate the neighboring UEs to carry out cooperative measurement; if at least one of the neighboring UEs agrees to carry out the cooperative measurement, the neighboring UE utilizes idle timeslots to perform corresponding cooperative measurements according to the received cooperative measurement request; then, the neighboring UE sends measurement result to the communicating UE or the network according to the request to finish the whole measurement process. By adopting the cooperative measurement method in the present invention, communicating UE can delegate the measurement task to its neighboring UEs, so that it can be extricated from overloaded measurement and therefore it avoid the impact of measurement operation on current communication speed and QoS.
US08478260B2 Callback tokens for dropped calls
A method and system that support re-establishing a dropped call or communication is disclosed. A terminal may publish its parameters to other terminals through in-band or out-of-band signaling. Token values may then be determined by a weighted sum of parameters, where the terminal having the largest weighted sum possesses the token. If the call or communication drops, the terminal possessing the token then initiates communication to the other terminals. In addition, a plurality of tokens may be used when there are more than two terminals in a call. The terminals may be partitioned into groups, where one of the terminals in each group possesses a token.
US08478255B2 Portable terminal device, address book transfer device, information display method and address book transfer method used in portable terminal device, and computer program
A mobile phone terminal (1) is provided with an address book table (TLA) storing an address book indicating names and telephone numbers or electronic mail addresses of other parties of communication, a concealed address book table (TLB) generating a concealed character string in which a part or a whole of characters of the names and the telephone numbers or the electronic mail addresses of the other parties of communication is concealed and storing a plurality of the generated concealed character strings, and an address book display process portion (104) displaying, in a real name display mode, a name and a telephone number or an electronic mail address of other party of communication designated by a user based on the address book table (TLA) without concealing characters of the same, and displaying, in an anonymous display mode, the same as the concealed character string in which a part or a whole of the characters is concealed based on the concealed address book table (TLB).
US08478254B2 System and method for profile filtered advertisements
Embodiments of the present invention include improved communication system and methods. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a wireless communication method comprising, on a first wireless device, receiving one or more wireless device identifications associated with one or more other wireless devices, and transmitting at least one of the one or more wireless device identifications from the first wireless device to a remote computer system, and on the remote computer system, receiving the at least one wireless device identification, and accessing information associated with the at least one wireless device identification. Embodiments of the present invention may be used for electronic dating, social networking and other communication applications.
US08478253B2 Dynamic identity association within a wireless network
A method of providing access to telecommunication services involves receiving a routing information request for terminating a communication with a mobile station located within a visited geographic region, the routing information request including a directory number local to the visited geographic region. A subscriber identity associated with the received directory number is then dynamically selecting from an evaluation of a decision tree, the decision tree associating a reference directory number with a plurality of reference subscriber identities. Each reference subscriber identity is associated with a telecommunications service user, each user being registered to receive telecommunication services within a respective home geographic region, the home geographic region being different from the visited geographic region. The mobile station receives access to the telecommunication services within the visited geographic region via the selected subscriber identity.
US08478251B1 Event response apparatus and method
A specially programmed computer and method supported by the use of individual mobile communication devices manages, organizes and automates responses to events. The responses are taken by third parties that address activities related to the events. The computer: receives ownership data concerning a new mobile phone account; receives a request from the user to participate in the automated system with respect to any event response automated by the computer; enables the user to activate the system by sending an action relating to any such event; creates a template for the user of the mobile phone account; creates an activity block that holds a matrix of information associated with each such event; and automatically implements responding action as dictated by the event responder.
US08478250B2 Interactive media management server
An interactive media management server that facilitates management of interactive media and delivery of such interactive media. It comprises a first interface to an interactive media distribution server communicatively coupled to a plurality of mobile devices, and a second interface to a service provider system or a content provider system. It comprises a manager module for managing creation, distribution and tracking of a plurality of interactive media. The manager module, via the second interface, manages the delivery of the plurality of interactive media from the service provider system or the content provider system, and the communication of user responses to the plurality of interactive media to the corresponding service provider system or content provider system.
US08478247B2 System and method for portable profiles
Embodiments of the present invention include improved communication system and methods. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a wireless communication method comprising, on a first wireless device, receiving one or more wireless device identifications associated with one or more other wireless devices, and transmitting at least one of the one or more wireless device identifications from the first wireless device to a remote computer system, and on the remote computer system, receiving the at least one wireless device identification, and accessing information associated with the at least one wireless device identification. Embodiments of the present invention may be used for electronic dating, social networking and other communication applications.
US08478244B2 Mobile device, and apparatus and method for transmitting content for the mobile device
A mobile device and an apparatus and method for the mobile device, in which intercept information about contents intercepted by a user is stored in the mobile device and is transmitted together with a request for contents from the user, so that the user can use only the selected contents. The mobile device includes a content analysis unit analyzing predetermined contents and extracting selection information by which a user can determine whether to intercept the predetermined contents; an intercept information storage unit storing intercept information about intercepted contents intercepted by the user based on the extracted selection information; and a control unit transmitting the stored intercept information to a content-providing device.
US08478242B2 Emergency ringing facility for mobile phones
Systems and methods for an emergency ringing facility able to remotely override a silent mode of a wireless communication device are disclosed. The systems comprise profile-management applications residing on wireless devices and allowing one user of a wireless device to override a silent mode of a remote wireless device. The profile management application executed on the wireless device queries whether the silent mode of the remote wireless device can be overridden, and if so, communicates with a profile-management application executed on the remote device and overrides the silent mode of that device. In an alternative embodiment, a silent mode of a wireless device can be overridden by a profile management server. A profile-management application is executed on a profile-management server communicating with a profile-management application executed on a wireless device and requests the overriding of the silent mode of a remote wireless device.
US08478238B2 Global platform for managing subscriber identity modules
Disclosed is method comprising: storing in a home location register (HLR) at least one subscription record of a mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices, the mobile device having a subscriber identity module (SIM) identified by a currently activated first international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), the currently activated first IMSI belonging to a set of IMSIs allocated to the system, wherein the provisioning server is operative to: receive a notification that the mobile devices has moved into a first one of the wireless networks; confirm that an allocation rule is satisfied; add and activate a second one of the IMSIs in the set of IMSIs to the HLR and remove the currently activated first IMSI from the HLR; and send the second IMSI to the mobile device to enable the mobile device to communicate wirelessly in the first wireless network as a local device.
US08478226B2 Updating a request related to an IMS emergency session
A network component is provided that includes a processor configured to inspect requests sent to the network component to determine if the requests are related to emergencies. If one of the requests is determined to relate to an emergency, the processor is further configured, based on configurations and regulator policies, to update the request.
US08478225B2 Method for geo-targeting wireless emergency alerts
Geo-targeting may be used in combination with wireless alert capabilities to provide alerts to a more granulated geographical area. Disclosed herein is a system and method for performing geo-targeting for various alert areas such that emergency messages may be delivered to mobile and static devices of different types in a localized area. In an example embodiment, geo-targeting supports the delivery area for wireless emergency alerts by identifying the cell sites that are in a specified geographic area that have technology capable of delivering wireless emergency alerts. The components of the telecommunications system that support a wireless emergency alert system may be identified and mapped to any geographical area. The method and system of geo-target mapping may provide an efficient and more robust way of determining the telecommunication components to be employed for broadcasting emergency alerts.
US08478223B2 Methods and apparatus for receiving radio frequency signals
Radio frequency signals having a plurality of frequency ranges are received and coupled to a plurality of transmission lines, each of the plurality of transmission lines being formed in a corresponding plurality of generally parallel planes. Circuitry is formed for each of the plurality of transmission lines to define substantially low impedances for all of the plurality of frequency ranges except for a frequency range or ranges to be carried by the corresponding transmission line. Signals are coupled to the plurality of transmission lines so that signals with the plurality of frequency ranges are received and distributed with substantially decreased reflection and substantially high impedance matching by the plurality of transmission lines.
US08478219B2 Heterodyne receiver
A down-conversion module for a heterodyne receiver comprises a first mixer circuit, a second mixer circuit and an interconnection. The first mixer circuit includes first and second differential control terminals and is arranged to produce a first down-converted differential voltage signal at a first down-converted frequency as a function of a first RF differential input signal applied to the first differential control terminals and of a first RF differential reference frequency signal applied to the second differential control terminals. The second mixer circuit includes two differential pairs of second amplifier elements and the second amplifier elements comprise second differential control terminals and cross-connected pairs of second amplifier output paths for producing a second down-converted differential voltage signal at a second down-converted frequency as a function of the first down-converted differential voltage signal and of a second RF differential reference frequency signal applied to the second differential control terminals. The interconnection includes transmission line elements and is arranged to apply a differential current signal which is a function of the first down-converted differential voltage signal to differential input terminals of the second mixer circuit common to respective pairs of the second amplifier elements.
US08478218B2 Frequency modulation (FM) clear channel scanning system and method of using same
A scan system receives signals within a band from an antenna and divides the band into sub-bands and scans the channels of each sub-band to determine a candidate channel based on the lowest figure of merit (FOM) and includes an on-channel selection block responsive to a received digital signal and operative to select only the on-channel frequencies and to substantially disregard the out-of-channel frequencies from the digital signal. The scan system generates a FOM on-channel signal representing a measurement of the signal quality of the on-channel signal and includes an out-of-channel selection block responsive to the digital signal and operative to select only the out-of-channel frequencies and to substantially disregard the on-channel frequencies from the digital signal and operative to generate a FOM out-of-channel signal representing a measurement of the signal quality of the out-of-channel signal.
US08478217B2 Radio scanner for sporting events
A scanner for monitoring signals at one or more frequencies having a processor for performing various functionalities of the scanner in accordance with a set of instructions including a menu of selectable menu items; a display for displaying the menu items; and at least one variable selector operatively coupled to the processor for selecting menu items. The scanner also includes a receiver for receiving serial data regarding an event from a local transmitter.
US08478210B2 Apparatus and method of digital predistortion for power amplifiers with dynamic nonlinearities
Power amplifiers (PAs) using a Doherty or other power output level sensitive configuration have been employed for several years in telecommunications (as well as other applications) to take advantage of efficiency gains. For many of these applications, baseband signals are predistorted to compensate for nonlinearities in the PAs, but because there is a “switching event” in a Doherty-type amplifier (for example), the nonlinearities become dynamically varying. As a result, digital predistortion (DPD) becomes increasingly difficult to perform. Here, DPD modules are provided that adapt to changes in dynamically varying PAs based on a determination of the average power or other relevant metric prior to transmission.
US08478209B2 Method and apparatus for multimedia content promotion in vehicular wireless networks
A multimedia content dissemination system is provided for mobile vehicles. A wireless vehicle communication network provides communication among mobile vehicles in the network. At least one host vehicle within the wireless vehicle communication network is selected by an authorized entity for disseminating multimedia content received by the authorized entity. The at least one host vehicle transmits an inquiry to target vehicles in the wireless vehicle communication network. The inquiry comprises a content profile that includes descriptors associated with the multimedia content for allowing target vehicles to determine whether an interest exists in the multimedia content. The at least one host vehicle transmits the multimedia content in encrypted form to an interested target vehicle for sampling the multimedia content. The interested target vehicle requests ongoing use of the multimedia content from the authorized entity in response to sampling the multimedia content. The authorized entity provides to the interested target vehicle a decryption key for authorizing ongoing use of the multimedia content.
US08478204B2 System and method for antenna training of beamforming vectors having reuse of directional information
A system and method for reusing existing directional information to configure antennas in a wireless network is disclosed. The method includes retrieving existing directional information, the existing directional information having been established in a previous antenna training session with a receiver. The method further includes performing a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimation procedure comprising: transmitting an SNR estimation probe message to the receiver via a directional antenna tuned with the existing directional information, and determining whether an estimated SNR value associated with the SNR estimation probe message is equal to or greater than a threshold SNR value. The method further includes transmitting a data message to the receiver via the directional antenna tuned with the existing directional information if it is determined that the estimated SNR value is equal to or greater than the threshold SNR value.
US08478203B2 Phase synchronization of base stations via mobile feedback in multipoint broadcasting
Multipoint broadcasting requires the base stations to be phase-synchronized. Methods and apparatus are described that provide phase synchronization of base stations with the downlink-channel phase feedback by mobile users. Also described are methods and apparatus that make phase synchronization of base stations independent of multipoint-broadcast sessions, thus reducing the synchronization overhead and improving network capacity. The methods and apparatus utilize model-based downlink-channel phase feedback that reduces most of the feedback overhead. Applications of the described methods and apparatus include wireless multipoint broadcast systems, also known as coordinated multipoint transmission, or CoMP, in LTE-A (long-term evolution, advanced) systems, and frequency and phase synchronization of a cluster of base stations, or more generally, of a cluster of wireless devices.
US08478198B2 Interference management messaging involving termination of a request for reduction in interference
A set of nodes may communicate in a manner that is asynchronous with respect to the communication between other sets of nodes. To facilitate reservations of resources by different nodes, a node may transmit a message that requests neighboring nodes to limit their interfering transmissions on a given resource and then transmit another message to inform the neighboring nodes that the node is no longer using the resource. To address problems that may be caused by concurrent asynchronous transmissions by different nodes, a messaging scheme may be used to enable a first node to acquire control information transmitted by asynchronous neighboring nodes while the first node was transmitting, and was thereby unable to receive control messages.
US08478195B1 Two-factor user authentication using near field communication
A user is authenticated to a mobile computing device using an NFC tag. The NFC tag may be initially associated when an NFC reader of the device senses the NFC tag and wirelessly retrieves a tag identifier from the tag. The tag identifier is stored for subsequent retrieval. The authentication process begins after receiving a valid password and then positioning the device proximate the object such that the NFC reader of the device retrieves the tag identifier from the NFC tag without receiving input at the mobile computing device. In the event that the retrieved tag identifier matches the stored tag identifier, the mobile computing device is unlocked and the user may access the mobile computing device. If the retrieved tag identifier does not match the stored tag identifier, the user is not authenticated and the mobile computing device remains locked.
US08478194B2 Radio base station, relay station and radio communication method
A relay station has a reception unit receiving a signal sequence indicating a connection request, from among a predetermined signal sequence group; a control unit generating a ranging request message indicating that a radio terminal newly requesting connection exists; and a transmission unit transmitting the ranging request message to a radio base station.
US08478190B2 Multi-cell coordinated transmissions in wireless communication network
A method is described for fast coordinated transmissions in a multi-point system, which involves a UE receiving known pilot signals sent from a set of transmission antennas and determining, based on the known pilot signals from the set of transmission antennas, a recommended first subset of transmission antennas from which transmissions are not intended for the wireless communication device, and a recommended second subset of transmission antennas from which transmissions are intended for the wireless communication device. The UE also determines a recommended transmission power setting of each of the first subset of transmission antennas; sending information to the base station, wherein the information pertains to the recommended first and second subsets of transmission antennas and the recommended transmission power setting of each of the first subset of transmission antennas.
US08478189B2 Relay communication system and a method for transmitting data in the same system
A relay communication system and a method for transmitting data in the same system, wherein the method for transmitting data comprises: a relay station notifying a transmitting terminal and a receiving terminal of air interface resources which are required when the transmitting terminal transmits data and when the receiving terminal receives the data (S102); the transmitting terminal transmitting the data to the relay station on the air interface recourses, and the relay station forwarding the data to the receiving terminal on the air interface resources (S104). By using the present invention, the times of forwarding the data along a data transmission path can be effectively reduced, and thus improves data transmission efficiency.
US08478183B2 Image forming apparatus
A transferring unit transfers a toner image from an image carrier to a recording medium. A fixing unit fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording medium. A conveying unit conveys the recording medium from the transferring unit to the fixing unit along a conveyance surface. A guiding member receives the recording medium from the conveying unit and guides the recording medium to a fixing nip of the fixing unit along a guiding surface. An angle changing unit changes an angle between the conveyance surface and the guiding surface according to the type of the recording medium.
US08478182B2 Printing medium alignment device with rollers attached and image forming apparatus having the same
A printing medium alignment device and an image forming apparatus having the same, the image forming apparatus includes a printing medium supply unit to supply a printing medium, a printing unit to print an image on the printing medium supplied from the printing medium supply unit, and a printing medium alignment device to align the printing medium fed toward the printing unit. The printing medium alignment device includes: a register roller; an idle roller to form a nip with the register roller, to feed the printing medium to the printing unit; a register shutter to move to a first position to block the printing medium from entering the nip, to align the printing medium, and to move to a second position to allow the printing medium to enter the nip; and a shutter roller mounted in the register shutter. When the register shutter is in the second position, the shutter roller rolls while in contact with the printing medium, to decrease a friction between the printing medium and the register shutter.
US08478176B2 Fixing apparatus
A fixing apparatus fixes an image formed on a recording material and includes a guiding member for guiding movement of the recording material, provided in a recording material passing opening of the apparatus, a rib projecting from a recording-material passing surface of the guiding member, for being contacted by the recording material, a shutter provided at a position opposing the guiding member and movable between a position for opening the passing opening and a position closing the passing opening, and a projection provided at a position of the shutter opposing a portion of the guiding member not having the rib with respect to a direction perpendicular to a recording material feeding direction. When the shutter takes the closing position, the clearance between the rib and the shutter is larger than the clearance between the guiding member and the projection.
US08478174B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a separation supporting unit for forming undulations on a recording material bearing member, and a roller disposed between the separation supporting unit and a transfer nip and configured to stretch the recording material bearing member.
US08478168B2 Charging roller for an imaging device
A charging roller for an imaging device may include a shaft having a shaft length; a cylindrical foam layer partially covering the shaft and having a foam thickness, a first foam end and a second foam end, the cylindrical foam layer having a foam length less than the shaft length; a skin layer covering the cylindrical foam layer; and first and second retention members, the first retention member disposed adjacent to the first foam end and the second retention member disposed adjacent to the second foam end.
US08478162B2 Image forming apparatus
A protruding portion that protrudes further toward a process cartridge than a contact portion coming in contact with a recording medium is provided at a contact terminal. A slide contact surface portion of the process cartridge is in a state of being in sliding contact with the protruding portion of the contact terminal by action of inserting the process cartridge, and the protruding portion is pressed in a direction being apart from the recording medium to limit contact between the contact terminal and the recording medium. The protruding portion fits in a fitting concave portion at a predetermined mounted position to make the contact terminal come in contact with the recording medium. The protruding portion is pulled out from the fitting concave portion by action of taking out the process cartridge to be in sliding contact with the slide contact surface portion.
US08478161B2 Electrophotographic image forming apparatus with locking member for spacing components of the apparatus and preventing movement of components of the apparatus
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a drum cartridge with an image bearing drum and charger for charging a surface of the drum. The apparatus further includes a rotary supporting a plurality of developing devices each having a developer carrying member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the drum, with the rotary being swingably mounted to the main assembly through a supporting member and being rotatable, relative to the supporting member, to bring the developing device to a developing position for developing the latent image. A locking member is provided for spacing between the developing device positioned in the developing position and the image bearing member, the locking member being demountably mounted between the drum cartridge and the rotary, and the locking member being effective to prevent an urging member from moving from a position urging the drum cartridge to the main assembly.
US08478160B2 Methods and devices for remanufacturing printer cartridges
Methods and devices for remanufacturing printer cartridges are provided where the printer cartridges comprise a photoconductive drum, the photoconductive drum comprises a drum gear end, and the drum gear end of the photoconductive drum is configured to be attached to a laser printer via a rotational force transmitting assembly. In an embodiment, the method comprises removing the rotational force transmitting assembly from the photoconductive drum, providing a replacement photoconductive drum, and attaching the rotational force transmitting assembly to the replacement photoconductive drum.
US08478157B2 Image forming device that executes reverse-transfer operation
An image forming device in a continuous mode forms monochrome images on a plurality of recording media in succession. A transfer member is disposed in confrontation with a plurality of photosensitive members. In the continuous mode, a control unit controls a reverse-transfer unit to perform a reverse-transfer operation on at least one of a plurality of collecting members such that the excrescences are transferred from the at least one of the photosensitive members onto the transfer member in a medium interval. A switching unit sets a contact state to a first contact state during the reverse-transfer operation in the continuous mode such that one of the developing rollers for black contacts one of the photosensitive members for black and that remaining ones of the developing rollers are separated from remaining ones of the photosensitive members.
US08478156B2 Image forming apparatus having air duct facing fixing member
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing member having a cylindrical or annular shape for fixing an image onto a sheet which is in pressure contact with an outer surface thereof; and a heating source for heating the fixing member to a fixing temperature. A duct is provided in a position facing the fixing member with respect to a width direction perpendicular to a circumferential direction of the fixing member and which has an inlet for taking in fine particles generated from the fixing member. An exhaust fan is provided inside the duct or in an outlet of the duct for generating an air flow going from the inlet to the outlet of the duct. A first filter member is provided upstream or downstream from the exhaust fan inside the duct and the first filter can trap the fine particles which flow through the duct getting on the air flow. A control section controls an amount of the air flow passing through the first filter member according to initial burst conditions under which the fine particles are emitted from the fixing member.
US08478154B2 Multifunction peripheral carrying out a cooperative process in cooperation with application selected form plurality of applications
The multifunction peripheral registers (i) function information indicative of a type of function executed in a past cooperative process in cooperation with an application and (ii) a URL which was being set when an execution start instruction on the function was received from the application so that the function information and the URL are associated with each other. In a case where (i) a first URL, which is identical to a second URL which is currently set, is registered and (ii) a function indicated by function information associated with the first URL requires a warm-up, a device control section starts the warm-up of, an image forming section.
US08478153B2 Methods, apparatus, and systems for fuser assembly power control
A fuser assembly stepped power control system includes a controller that outputs control signals to independently control individual lamps in the fuser assembly. Multiple lamps are turned on with a delay between actuation of each lamp to reduce in-rush current. Control signals are output by the controller as a function of temperature error.
US08478147B2 Exposure timing determining method and image-forming apparatus
A toner image on a photosensitive drum exposed with an LED light beam radiated from an LED section and developed by an image-forming unit is transferred by an image-forming apparatus to a printing paper when the printing paper, which is fed from a paper feed tray or a manual feed tray and which is transported by a transport mechanism by a feeder section, passes through a process section. A control unit of the image-forming apparatus determines an exposure timing at which the LED section starts the exposure, depending on a supply source of the printing paper sheet to be subjected to the transfer by the process section. Therefore, the error of the photosensitive member arrival time, which is caused by the change of the transport route, is absorbed, and the deviation of the transfer start position, which results from the error, is suppressed.
US08478146B2 Developing apparatus and image forming apparatus
A developing apparatus includes a developer container, a developer carrying member for feeding developer to a position opposing an image bearing member to develop a latent image formed on the image bearing member; a first chamber, provided in the container, for supplying developer to the carrying member; a second chamber, provided adjacent to the first chamber; a first feeding member, provided in the first chamber, for feeding developer; a second feeding member, provided in the second chamber, for feeding developer in a direction opposite to a feeding direction of the first feeding member; a partition member provided between the first and second chambers; an opening provided in each of opposite ends of the partition member; and a sensor, provided between the first and second feeding members at a position facing one of the partition openings, for detecting information relating to temperature or moisture of developer in the container.
US08478145B2 Apparatus for forming durable combination prints
A printer is provided for forming a durable combination of printed receivers having a printer controller cooperating with a print engine, a receiver transport system, an overlap positioning system and a fuser to cause a first toner image on a first side of a first receiver with toner in an overlap area proximate to a first edge of the first receiver to overlap the first edge of the first receiver with a second edge of the second receiver having a thickness and to fuse the overlapped first receiver and second receiver to cause the toner in the overlap area to bond to the receivers. A toner edge shield forms a first end confronting a second edge that extends from a first side of the first receiver to at least about 50% of the thickness and that has a deflection surface that slopes toward a second end.
US08478144B2 Method for forming a combination print with continuous imaging
Methods are provided for forming a combination print having an image thereon. In accordance with one aspect, a first receiver is provided having a first side with a toner in an overlap area and the first receiver is overlapped with a second receiver overlapping the first receiver; and the first receiver and second receiver are moved in the overlapped position past a print engine so that an image is formed on the combination of the first receiver and the second receiver with contiguous application of toner forming the image applied across the first receiver and the second receiver, the first receiver and second receiver are fused to bind the prints together and to fix the toner to form a combination print having a continuously applied image.
US08478129B2 Optical communication device, optical transceiver using the same and manufacturing method of optical communication device
An optical communication device, including a module board which includes at least the optical module inputting or outputting an optical signal, and the peripheral circuit connecting electrically with the optical module; a connector board which includes an electric connector inputting or outputting an electric signal: and a flexible board which adjusts a relative position of the module board and the connector board, and transmits the electric signal among these boards.
US08478127B2 Burst mode optical media converter with fast analog conversion
A media converter for interfacing an optical fiber bus to an electrical interface of an electronic device is described. The media converter includes an interface circuit configured to convert electrical signals received from a transmitting channel of the electrical device in a voltage doublet format to positive logic electrical pulses and convert received electrical signals for application to a receiving channel of the electrical device from positive logic electrical pulses to a voltage doublet format, a DC coupled receiver comprising an optical interface operable for receiving optical signals from the optical fiber data bus, the receiver operable for converting the optical signals to positive logic electrical pulses for application to the interface circuit, a laser diode operable to transmit optical signals onto the optical bus, and a laser diode driver operable for receiving the positive logic electrical pulses from the interface circuit and converting the electrical signals to signals compatible for operating the laser diode.
US08478125B2 Optical PON network using passive DPSK demodulation
An optical PON network comprises a central office which generates N DPSK modulated optical signals, where N is an integer greater than 1, an optical coupling which connects the N signals to at least one optical fiber, a passive distribution node located remotely from the central office which has at least one input port that is coupled to the fiber and a plurality of output ports, the node being arranged to transmit a first wavelength of the N signals to at least one of its output ports, and at least one optical network unit connected through a respective optical fiber to the first output port of the passive distribution node. The passive distribution node comprises an arrayed waveguide grating which provides a passive optical connection between its input port and the first output port and which for that connection functions as a bandpass filter having a profile and bandwidth selected such that the DPSK optical signal passed to the input node is converted to an intensity modulated signal at the output port.
US08478117B2 Heating device and heat exchanger
The invention relates to a heating device having a heating arrangement in a housing through which a fluid medium can flow in a longitudinal direction, wherein the at least one heating arrangement comprises at least two grid elements as heat exchanger plates with openings through which the medium flows, the grid planes of which are embodied for the exchange of heat energy between the plate and the fluid medium, at least one heating element, in particular a PTC element, arranged between the grid elements, wherein the at least one heating arrangement is arranged in the housing in such a way that the grid planes of the grid elements are arranged substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, so that the flow of medium is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the grid planes, wherein the grid elements and the at least one heating element are arranged braced relative to one another by means of at least one tensioning element so that they touch, and wherein the grid elements each have at least one contact region and are arranged in such a way that they absorb the heat energy from the at least one heating element substantially via the contact region.The heating device can be manufactured in simplified production and at low costs, environmental aspects also being taken into account during operation of the heating device.
US08478110B2 Recording interactive services
A digital television recorder to record television programs, having a recording section to record data onto a storage medium, a filter to identify from a received transport stream, data of a television program for recording, a timer to be set with a time and, at that time, to start the recording onto the storage medium, data of the television program received from the filter, and a cache to store data of the interactive services associated with the television programs and provided in the respective transport streams. The filter identifies data of interactive services associated with the television programs, the timer starts, at a predetermined interval before the time, acquisition of the data of interactive services and storing acquired data of interactive services in the cache, and the recording section records, immediately prior to starting recording the data of the television program, the content of the cache to the storage medium.
US08478107B2 V-chip data processing for decoder with personal video recording functionality
Systems and method for processing v-chip data for an MPEG-2 decoder with personal video recording functionality are provided. In one example, a system that processes V-Chip data with personal video recording functionality may include a data transport engine and a video decoder. The video decoder may be coupled to the data transport engine and may be adapted to parse out V-Chip data.
US08478105B2 Media player and content ID determination method
A media player according to an embodiment includes: a data retriever configured to retrieve, from data recorded on a medium from which a content is run, data including an address that indicates a recording position on the medium of the content provided by the medium; and an ID determination unit configured to determine an ID for identifying the provided content in accordance with the retrieved data in order to acquire, from an external device that stores information related to the content, the information associated with the ID and related to the provided content, by communicating the ID to the external device.
US08478103B2 Video apparatus, video output control method, and reproduction control method
A video apparatus includes signal control unit that outputs an image signal in a plurality of formats. An interface unit connects the video apparatus to a computer, and an interface control unit controls transmission of the image signal to the computer. When the video apparatus has been connected to the computer through the interface unit, when the format of the image signal is switched, the interface control unit controls the interface unit so that the connection to the computer is disconnected without changing a physical connecting state. After the elapse of a predetermined period, the video apparatus is connected to the computer again without changing the physical connecting state.
US08478100B2 Optical cable gripping member
An optical cable gripping member which prevents the kinds of splicing devices from being diversified, thereby enabling reduction of the labor of component management and lowering of the production cost to be realized is obtained. In a cable gripping member 5 which is to be attached to a splicing device 1 to hold an optical fiber cable 121 from its outer sheath, a spacer 17 which fills a gap between one inner wall surface 15a of a tubular space 15 through which the optical fiber cable 121 is to be passed, and the spacer 17 in the tubular space 15 is formed monolithically with one end of the one inner wall surface 15a in a manner that the spacer 17 is attachable to and detachable from the one inner wall surface 15a. The spacer 17 is attached to or detached from the one inner wall surface 15a, thereby enabling a plurality of optical fiber cables of different sizes to be held.
US08478095B2 Optical fiber cable for wiring in premises
This optical fiber cable is provided with a covering resin including an outermost layer. The outermost layer is formed by a resin composition including: (a) a base resin prepared by adding at least one copolymer selected from an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and an ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer to a high density polyethylene; (b) 25 to 90 parts by weight of a phosphate salt with respect to 100 parts by weight of the base resin; and (c) 0.75 to 15 parts by weight of either a silicone dispersed polyethylene or a silicone grafted polyethylene with respect to 100 parts by weight of the base resin.
US08478089B2 Optical switch and optical-switch control method
An optical switch according to the present invention includes a multiple-stage optical-switch unit that includes one input port and a plurality of output ports that are configured by connecting multiple stages of optical switching elements each of which includes three or more optical input-output ports; and a switching control circuit that, when receiving a switching instruction to switch an output destination of light input from the input port, executes at first a first control that changes setting of an optical switching element that is included in part not overlapping with an optical transmission channel reaching an optical output port before switching in an optical transmission channel reaching an optical output port after switching and is positioned at a point other than a branch point from an overlapping part, and then executes a second control that changes setting of an optical switching element that is positioned at the branch point.
US08478088B2 Optical switch and manufacturing method thereof
The object is to provide an optical switch capable of efficient operation and a manufacturing method thereof. The optical switch according to the present invention is a Mach-Zehnder interferometer type optical switch composed of a line defect waveguide of a photonic crystal. Further, the optical switch according to the present invention includes two directional couplers 20 and 23, and two paths of waveguides 30 and 32 therebetween. Furthermore, between the two paths, group velocity of guided light differs in the first path waveguide 20 and the second path waveguide 32.
US08478085B2 Inkjet head chip and inkjet print head using the same
An inkjet head chip and an inkjet print head including the inkjet head chip includes a plurality of nozzles, a plurality of discharging units which discharge ink through the plurality of nozzles, a main pad which is electrically connected to the plurality of discharging units in order to supply a driving signal to the plurality of discharging units, and a test pad which supplies a test driving signal to some of the discharging units. The test driving signal is supplied to the test pad to determine similar printing characteristics of a plurality of inkjet head chips.
US08478082B2 Sagnac interferometric switch utilizing faraday rotation
A fiber-based, magneto-optic (MO) optical modulator or switch based on Sagnac interferometry is provided. The system uses a magneto-optic Faraday rotator (MOFR) to produce optical modulation with low magnetic fields. The Sagnac geometry allows for increased modulation at lower fields than traditional MO modulators. This switch uses the MOFR to create different states of polarization in counter-propagating waves, which results in interference at the output port. A magnetic field is used to control the amount of rotation in the state of polarization (SOP), and therefore, the ON-OFF extinction ratio.
US08478081B2 Monolithic image perception device and method
The present invention is directed to an apparatus which can acquire, readout and perceive a scene based on the insertion, or embedding of photosensitive elements into or on a transparent or semi-transparent substrate such as glass or plastic. The substrate itself may act as the optical device which deflects the photons of an incident image into the photosensitive elements. A digital neural memory can be trained to recognize patterns in the incident photons. The photosensitive elements and digital neural memory elements may be arranged with light elements controlled in accordance with the patterns detected. In one application, intelligent lighting units provide light while monitoring surroundings and/or adjusting light according to such surroundings. In another application, intelligent displays display images and/or video while monitoring surroundings and/or adjusting the displayed images and/or video in accordance with such surroundings.
US08478079B2 Scan conversion apparatus, image encoding apparatus, and methods of controlling the same
In this invention, scan conversion processing of changing the scan order for each block is used. Parallel scan conversion processing is executed if possible, thereby making the number of scan conversion target blocks per unit time larger than before. To do this, a scan status holding unit holds statistical information based on the appearance frequency values of coefficients in a block. A scan order holding unit holds coefficient position information in which the coefficient positions in a block are arranged based on the scan order. A parallel number determination unit determines the number of blocks processable in parallel based on the statistical information held in the scan status holding unit and supplies the result to a scan conversion unit as a control signal. If the control signal from the parallel number determination unit indicates parallel processing, the scan conversion unit executes scan conversion of two input blocks in parallel.
US08478078B2 Pattern-searching condition determining method, and pattern-searching condition setting device
Provided is a method for determining the magnification of a pattern searching template of a scanning electron microscope. The determining method comprises: acquiring a first image initially at a first magnification; then acquiring a second image which contains a pattern image displayed on the first image at a second magnification lower than the first magnification; making the size of the first image coincident with the size of a third image which cut out a portion of the second image; thereafter determining the correlation value between the first image and the third image; and setting the second magnification as the magnification of a pattern searching template, in the case where the correlation value is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. As a result, a condition for acquiring a search area can be properly set, when pattern recognition is performed by means of the template.
US08478077B2 Optimal gradient pursuit for image alignment
A method for image alignment is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes acquiring a facial image of a person and using a discriminative face alignment model to fit a generic facial mesh to the facial image to facilitate locating of facial features. The discriminative face alignment model may include a generative shape model component and a discriminative appearance model component. Further, the discriminative appearance model component may have been trained to estimate a score function that minimizes the angle between a gradient direction and a vector pointing toward a ground-truth shape parameter. Additional methods, systems, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.
US08478074B2 Providing multiple and native representations of an image
Various embodiments are disclosed relating to providing multiple and native representations of an image. According to an example embodiment, multiple realizations of an image may be generated and provided, rather than only a single realization, for example. Also, in another embodiment, the generation and output of multiple realizations may use one or more native objects to natively perform the transforms or image processing to provide the images or realizations.
US08478071B2 System and method for constructing a motion-compensated composite image
A method for constructing a motion-compensated composite image of a scene includes acquiring a plurality of images of a scene over time, the plurality of images including an earlier-acquired image of the scene and a later-acquired image scene. The relative motion between the earlier and later acquired images are estimated, and an exposure parameter is computed based upon the estimated relative motion occurring between the earlier and later acquired images. A new image of the scene is acquired using the computed exposure parameter, and the earlier, later, and newly acquired images are combined to produce a motion-compensated composite image of the scene.
US08478066B2 Image-correction method and image pickup apparatus
An image-correction method is realized, in which, by utilizing a table having small storage area, high-accuracy shading correction can be implemented, that does not undergo deterioration of performance, even when shading properties dynamically change.An image-correction method according to the present invention includes a distance calculating step of calculating the distance between the coordinates of an image-constituting pixel and predetermined reference coordinates, a distance-correction value calculating step of calculating a distance-correction value, by inputting for the variable in an N-order function (N being a positive integer) the distance that has been calculated in the distance calculating step, a correction coefficient calculating step of calculating, based on a table that represents correspondences between distance-correction values and correction coefficients, a correction coefficient corresponding to the distance-correction value that has been calculated in the distance-correction value calculating step, and a pixel signal correcting step of correcting a signal for the pixel, based on the correction coefficient that has been calculated in the correction coefficient calculating step.
US08478062B2 Reducing signal-dependent noise in digital cameras
A method for producing a noise-reduced digital image captured using a digital imaging system having signal-dependent noise characteristics, comprising: capturing one or more noisy digital images of a scene, wherein said at least one noisy digital image has signal-dependent noise characteristics; defining a functional relationship to relate the noisy digital images to a noise-reduced digital image, wherein the functional relationship includes at least two sets of unknown parameters, and wherein at least one of the sets of unknown parameters relates to the signal-dependent noise characteristics; defining an energy function responsive to the functional relationship which includes at least a data fidelity term to enforce similarities between the noisy digital images and the noise-reduced digital image, and a spatial fidelity term to encourage sharp edges in the noise-reduced digital image; and using an optimization process to determine a noise-reduced image responsive to the energy function.
US08478059B2 Arbitrary ratio image resizing in the DCT domain
To resize a compressed image, first and second scaling parameters P and Q are determined in accordance with the block numbers L and M and the scaling ratio L/M or M/L. A non-uniform, or uneven, sampling in the DCT domain is then applied to coefficients of successive blocks in the compressed image in accordance with the scaling parameters. In an embodiment, P blocks are sampled and transformed from a given block length to |P| according to a |P|-point IDCT, while Q blocks are sampled and transformed from a given block length to |Q| according to a |Q|-point IDCT. The non-uniformly sampled and transformed pixel domain samples are then regrouped into a predetermined block size and transformed back to generate the DCT coefficient of the compressed image. The proposed method significantly reduces the computational complexity compared with other DCT domain arbitrary ratio image resizing approach.
US08478056B2 Method of and apparatus for detecting error in image data stream
A method is provided for detecting an error in an image data stream in a device environment where digital image data is reproduced, especially, in a wired/wireless network such as a personal portable device. The method comprises determining whether or not an error is present in an input image data stream; determining a similarity between patterns of transform coefficients that are generated in the course of decoding the input image data stream; and detecting the starting position of the error based on the similarity determination. Accordingly, a decoder can independently detect the position of the error accurately, and the quality of an image which is replaced and restored using error concealment can be improved.
US08478053B2 Image sorting apparatus
An image sorting apparatus provided with an image inputting unit that inputs an image; a distribution function preparing unit that prepares a distribution function of pixel values of the image; a describing unit that performs series expansion on the distribution function by using base functions that form a complete set and are orthogonal to each other due to different weights in a distribution area and describing the distribution function by expansion coefficients, an evaluating unit that evaluates features of the shape of the distribution function based on the expansion coefficients, and a sorting unit that sorts the image to images of at least two categories based on results of the evaluation.
US08478050B2 Video signature generation device and method, video signature matching device and method, and program
A problem of degradation in the accuracy of video matching, which is caused when videos contain video patterns commonly appearing in various videos or video patterns in which features cannot be acquired stably, is solved. In order to solve this problem, a visual feature extraction unit extracts a visual feature to be used for identification of a video based on features of a plurality of pairs of sub-regions in the video, and a confidence value calculation unit calculates a confidence value of the visual feature based on the features of the plurality of pairs of sub-regions. When matching is performed, visual features are compared with each other in consideration of the confidence value.
US08478047B2 Object information derived from object images
Search terms are derived automatically from images captured by a camera equipped cell phone, PDA, or other image capturing device, submitted to a search engine to obtain information of interest, and at least a portion of the resulting information is transmitted back locally to, or nearby, the device that captured the image.
US08478040B2 Identification apparatus and method for identifying properties of an object detected by a video surveillance camera
The present invention deals with an identification apparatus (100) in a video surveillance system for identifying properties of an object captured in a video sequence by a video surveillance camera. The identification apparatus comprises: an object identification unit (102) for identifying a specific object in a video sequence; a color histogram generator (104) for generating a color histogram in at least two dimensions of a color space based on color and intensity information of the specific object identified in the video sequence, the color and intensity information originating from a plurality of images of the video sequence; and an object properties identificator (106) for identifying properties of the object based on the generated color histogram. The identified properties can then be used in a tracking device (200) of the video surveillance system for tracking an object between different video sequences, which may be captured by two different video surveillance cameras. The present invention also deals with a corresponding method for identifying properties of an object captured in a video sequence and a method for tracking the object in a video surveillance system.
US08478032B2 Segmenting an image
A technique includes representing an image to be segmented using a graph including vertices and edges, where a subset of the vertices is marked as belonging to a plurality of objects. The technique includes assigning weights to the edges based at least in part on color probability densities associated with the objects derived from the subset of vertices marked as belonging to the plurality of objects; and segmenting the image, including identifying boundaries of the objects based at least in part on the weights and the graph.
US08478031B2 Image processing using colored colorant amounts and colorless colorant amounts
Image processing in which input image signals are converted into output image signals represented as a combination of colored and colorless colorant amounts. For each pixel of an input image represented by the input image signal, it is determined whether the pixel belongs to a high or low density range. For each pixel belonging to the high density range, it is specified whether the pixel belongs to a high or low frequency region of the input image. Color conversion with a 1st conversion parameter is applied to an input image signal corresponding to a pixel belonging to the high frequency region, and color conversion with a 2nd conversion parameter is applied to an input image signal corresponding to a pixel belonging to the low frequency region.
US08478025B2 Computing genus and homology groups in 3D digital space
The invention concerns the calculation of genus of digital or cubic three-dimensional object (3D), said genus is the number of tunnels indicating holes such as in donates. The invention is characterized in that said method comprises a step in selecting (counting) numbers of different types of points on the boundary of the object then obtaining genus.
US08478024B2 Depth map generation module for foreground object and method thereof
The present invention discloses a depth map generation module for a foreground object and the method thereof. The depth map generation method for a foreground object comprises the following steps: receiving an image sequence data, wherein the image sequence data includes a plurality of image frames; selecting at least one key image frame from the image sequence data; providing at least one depth indicative information and a contour of a first segment in the at least one key image frame; and performing a signal processing steps by a microprocessor.
US08478023B2 Method of measuring geometric variables of a structure contained in an image
The invention relates to a method of measuring geometric variables of a three-dimensional structure contained in an object from at least on image representing the object, having the following steps:—use of a deformable first model describing the structure, the shape of which model can be described by parameters,—adjustment of the first model to the structure in the image,—determination of the parameters at which the first model exhibits optimum conformity with the structure,—use of a deformable second model describing the structure, which second model in shape corresponds to the first model, and which in addition contains at least one geometric variable,—modification of the second model according to the parameters determined, and—derivation of the geometric variable(s) from the modified second model.
US08478022B2 Failure analysis method, apparatus, and program for semiconductor integrated circuit
A failure analysis method for a semiconductor integrated circuit includes deriving a coordinate in a device coordinate system in analysis data for abnormal signal data included in the analysis data of a semiconductor integrated circuit, deriving a correspondence between a coordinate in the device coordinate system and a coordinate in a design coordinate system in design data of the semiconductor integrated circuit for a plurality of reference points in the semiconductor integrated circuit, deriving a coordinate conversion formula between the device coordinate system and the design coordinate system, deriving a position error between a coordinate in the device coordinate system converted by the coordinate conversion formula and a coordinate in the design coordinate system, and extracting a circuit related to an abnormal signal in the design data based on coordinates of the abnormal signal in the device coordinate system using the coordinate conversion formula and the position error.
US08478017B2 Method for distinguishing living cells during cell observation, image processing program for cell observation, and image processing device
An image processing program for cell observation in which living cells can be distinguished from foreign matter other than living cells during cell observation under wide observation conditions. The image processing program includes a step for capturing first and second images of an object positioned in the observation field of view at a predetermined time interval, a step for extracting a representation of the object shown in the obtained images, steps for aligning the rotational angular orientation of the object in the image plane and computing a correlation value, a step for determining whether the object is a living cell on the basis of the computed correlation value, and steps for outputting the result of the decision made with regard to the object.
US08478016B2 Radiographic data interpretation
A method and apparatus are described for the collection and interpretation of radiographic data from an object scanned by a suitable radiation source. A radiation detector system is provided that is detecting and collecting spectroscopically resolved information. An object is scanned from a plurality of perspectives, and the resultant data from each perspective resolved into at least three spectroscopic energy bands. For each such resolved spectroscopic energy band an image analysis is performed to derive depth slicing to produce a series of output datasets each comprising a 2-D dataset of intensity information resolved to a single energy band and depth slice.
US08478011B2 Image segmentation method
An image segmentation method. An image is defined by voxels representing at least two different structure types A and B, by having corresponding different intensities that may be subject to intensity inhomogeneities. A basic method comprises (a) selecting a first voxel to be classified; (b) defining criteria by which a comparison of the intensity associated with the first voxel with an intensity associated with a second voxel is to be considered to indicate that the first voxel represents structure type B assuming the second voxel represents structure type A; (c) determining a path of voxels passing through the first voxel; (d) defining a maximum distance along the path; and (e) determining whether there is a second voxel on the path, within the maximum distance of the first voxel, such that the intensities associated with the first and second voxels together satisfy the criteria, for potentially classifying the first voxel as representing structure type B.
US08478010B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing program recording medium, and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes: a model estimator that models gradient variations of pixel values in an image of a captured object, which is an in-vivo image, according to the pixel values in the image; and an abnormality candidate detector that detects an abnormality candidate area on the object shown in the image according to a difference between a pixel value of each pixel constituting the image and an estimated pixel value of each pixel, the estimated pixel value being determined according to the modeled gradient variations of the pixel values.
US08478005B2 Method of performing facial recognition using genetically modified fuzzy linear discriminant analysis
The method of performing facial recognition using genetic algorithm-modified fuzzy linear discriminant analysis (LDA) is based on the Fisherface LDA, with a modification being made in calculation of the membership function. Particularly, the membership function is computed using a pair of parameters α and β, which are optimized by a genetic algorithm in order to minimize the recognition error.
US08477998B1 Object tracking in video with visual constraints
Embodiments of the present invention relate to object tracking in video. In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method tracks an object in a frame of a video. An adaptive term value is determined based on an adaptive model and at least a portion of the frame. A pose constraint value is determined based on a pose model and at least a portion the frame. An alignment confidence score is determined based on an alignment model and at least a portion the frame. Based on the adaptive term value, the pose constraint value, and the alignment confidence score, an energy value is determined. Based on the energy value, a resultant tracking state is determined. The resultant tracking state defines a likely position of the object in the frame given the object's likely position in a set of previous frames in the video.
US08477992B2 Document processing system control using document feature analysis for identification
The present subject matter relates to controlling of mail processing equipment. More specifically, the present subject matter allows for unique recognition of a printed document from all other similar documents, without the inclusion of additional purposeful identifying marks, data or barcodes. A document processing system, such as an inserter, printer, postage meter, sorter or other document processing system is controlled based on document identification which does not depend on unique identifiers. Similarly if a document is identified with a unique identifying mark on the first page, the present subject matter allows for identification of each subsequent page in the document without requiring identifying marks on each page. The identification data is then used to control the processing of the printed document based upon the recognition and enables the performance of quality checks. Further, each subsequent page in the document, as part of a quality check, can be verified without requiring identifying marks on each page.
US08477987B2 Method for repositioning a numerically controlled device
The invention relates to a method for repositioning a numerically controlled device by using an image taken of an object as an aid. According to the method, the system is taught in such a way that a child image is defined for the camera's image, either its own set of co-ordinates is formed for the element or a set of coordinates is retrieved from elsewhere, and the image thus obtained, together with its co-ordinates, is stored in the data system, and, in the repositioning situation, the real-time image is compared with the child image stored in the data system, in order to determine the real-time position of the imaging device relative to the stored image. The set of co-ordinates used is a set of co-ordinates retrieved using satellite positioning, or the device's own internal set of co-ordinates. In the repositioning situation, the image stored in the teaching situation is sought as the co-ordinate point of the image stored in the memory is approached.
US08477986B1 Audience participation gloves
An audience interaction device is provided in the form factor of a glove. The glove can include a light emitting circuit including a series of lights disposed long finger receptacles of the glove. The light emitting circuit includes a series of lights, a portable power source, a switch, and wires providing electrical communication between the components. The circuit can include controls to provide a steady light output, a flashing output, a sequencing output, etc. The lights can be of a single color or multi colored. Chemiluminescence's can also be used for producing light. The device can include a noise generating device disposed upon a palm section of the glove. The noise generating device can be a mechanical device or an electrically drive noise generating apparatus. The electrically driven apparatus can be continuous, time based, or based upon proximity to an opposing glove.
US08477985B2 Customized earphone
An earphone and method for forming the same are provided. The earphone includes an earphone housing, a speaker, and an earcap. The earphone housing includes a speaker mounting portion. The speaker is fixed to the earphone housing, and has a cable that passes through the body and is drawn from the body. The earcap is installed to at least partially enclose the speaker and the housing, and has at least one speaker sound emitting hole therein. The earcap is made of a material that solidifies after a predetermined time elapses, and is manufactured by inserting the material into an ear of a user, and then solidifying the material such that it is suited for a shape of the ear of the user.
US08477975B2 Hearing system with joint task scheduling
The hearing system (1) comprises a first processing unit (2A); a second processing unit (2B); and a scheduling unit (3) for jointly scheduling tasks to be executed in said first processing unit (2A) and tasks to be executed in said second processing unit (2B). Preferably, the hearing system (1) comprises a first device (1A) comprising said first processing unit (2A); and a second device (1B) comprising said second processing unit (2B).The method for operating a hearing system (1) comprising a first (2A) and a second (2B) processing unit, comprises the step of jointly scheduling at least one task to be executed in said first processing unit (2A) and at least one task to be executed in said second processing unit (2B). If, during scheduling of a task to be executed in said first processing unit, tasks to be executed in said second processing unit can be considered, an improved performance of the hearing system (1) can be achieved, e.g, an improved time synchronization or an improved handling of obsolete tasks.
US08477973B2 Hearing assistance system with own voice detection
An example of an apparatus configured to be worn by a person who has an ear and an ear canal includes a first microphone adapted to be worn about the ear of the person, and a second microphone adapted to be worn at a different location than the first microphone. The apparatus includes a sound processor adapted to process signals from the first microphone to produce a processed sound signal, a receiver adapted to convert the processed sound signal into an audible signal to the wearer of the hearing assistance device, and a voice detector to detect the voice of the wearer. The voice detector includes an adaptive filter to receive signals from the first microphone and the second microphone.
US08477971B2 Hearing device with supporting hook recognition
The fitting of hearing aids and other hearing devices is intended to be made more comfortable. For this, provision is made for a hearing device with a housing which contains a signal processing unit and has a sound outlet. A supporting hook for attaching the hearing device to an ear or a head can be fixed on the sound outlet of the housing such that sound emanating from the sound outlet is guided through the supporting hook. A sensor for detecting the type of supporting hook is arranged in or on the housing. The sensor controls the signal processing unit as a function of the detected type of supporting hook. Thus, the user can for example use different types of supporting hooks without having to decide on a type of supporting hook during the first fitting. Moreover, the degree of mass production of the hearing aid can be further increased by the automatic recognition of the type of supporting hook.
US08477969B2 Condenser microphone
There is provided a condenser microphone including a microphone capsule having a diaphragm and a capsule mounting, and a sound guide unit for guiding sound. The sound guide unit is provided at at least one side of the capsule mounting.
US08477967B2 Acoustic reflector and energy storage for media assemblies
A speaker assembly is provided with a housing, a speaker mounted to the housing, and a reflector spaced apart from and facing the speaker. The reflector is symmetrical and has an arcuate central convex region for reflecting pressure back to the speaker for amplifying back pressure to the speaker. The reflector has a secondary region with an arcuate cross-section for reflecting acoustic vibrations past and outboard of the housing. The reflector is partially translucent, and a light source is provided adjacent the reflector for conveying light to the reflector, past and outboard of the housing for illuminating a region that receives acoustic vibrations reflected from the reflector. A media assembly is provided with a fan operably connected to a generator so that air that passes into a housing through an inlet and out of an outlet, causes the fan to rotate thereby providing a power source to a media device.
US08477966B2 In-wall sub-woofer with high-volume displacement
An in-wall speaker system having at least one pair of active transducers mounted in a wall section. The active transducers may be mounted in at least one enclosure. Each active transducer has a sound radiating surface. Each active transducer is also mounted substantially perpendicular to a surface of the wall section with the sound radiating surfaces substantially parallel to each other. The sound radiating surfaces may be facing each other or away from each other. The in-wall speaker system may also include one or more pairs of passive radiators to generate sound from sound pressure generated by the active transducers. The pairs of speakers in the wall section may be mounted vertically or horizontally within the wall, with a slot or a vent at the opening at the space between the speaker pairs.
US08477965B2 System and method for audio mixing
Methods and systems for assigning functionality to a plurality of physical input controls of an audio mixing system involve: providing an interface for enabling an operator to select one of a plurality of audio channels and one of a plurality of mixing functional areas, wherein each of the plurality of mixing functional areas includes a plurality of audio mixing functions associated with the functional area; receiving an indication of a selection of one of the plurality of channels by an operator using the interface; receiving an indication of a selection of one of the plurality of audio mixing functional areas by an operator using the interface; and for each of the plurality of physical controls: assigning the physical control to control, for the selected channel, one of the plurality of audio mixing functions associated with the selected audio mixing functional area; and displaying a visual indication of the assigned function.
US08477964B2 Method and device for phase-sensitive processing of sound signals
A method and device for phase-sensitive processing of sound signals of at least one sound source may include arranging two microphones at a distance d from each other, capturing sound signals with both microphones, generating associated microphone signals, and processing the sound signals of the microphones. During a calibration mode, a calibration-position-specific, frequency-dependent phase difference vector φ0(f) between the associated calibration microphone signals may be calculated from their frequency spectra for the calibration position. Then, during an operating mode, a signal spectrum S of a signal to be output is calculated by multiplication of at least one of the two frequency spectra of the current microphone signals with a spectral filter function F.
US08477958B2 Networked sound masking system
A sound masking system for shaping the ambient noise level in a physical environment. The sound masking system comprises a networked and distributed system having a number of master units coupled together and to a control unit. One or more of the master units may include satellite sound masking units which function to reproduce the sound masking signal generated by the master sound masking unit. Each of the master units is addressable over the network by the control unit enabling the control unit to program the contour, spectral band, and gain characteristics of the sound masking output signal. The system may also include a remote control unit which provides the capability to tune and adjust each master sound masking unit in situ without requiring physical access through the ceiling installation.
US08477953B2 Portable media delivery system
An improved media delivery apparatus is disclosed. The media delivery apparatus can, for example, be a portable speaker system. In one embodiment, the media delivery apparatus is used with a portable media player. According to one aspect, audio output characteristics of a media delivery apparatus can be controlled based on whether a removable component is attached or detached. Another aspect pertains to improved techniques to attach a removable component to a media delivery apparatus. According to still another aspect a portion of a housing of an electrical device, such as a media delivery apparatus, can be utilized as part of a connector or plug.
US08477948B2 Method and apparatus for forming security channel in short range communication
A channel connection of a device that performs short range wireless communication is provided. If a public key that is broadcast by a specified device is received, the device encrypts its own UID (Unique Identifier) using the public key to transmit the encrypted UID to the specified device, transmits a pairing request to the specified device, and safely receives a key seed from the specified device using a security address included in a pairing device and the UID to form a security channel with the specified device.
US08477946B2 Method and apparatus for protecting encryption keys in a logically partitioned computer system environment
In a logically partitioned computer system, a partition manager maintains and controls master encryption keys for the different partitions. Preferably, processes executing within a partition have no direct access to real memory, addresses in the partition's memory space being mapped to real memory by the partition manager. The partition manager maintains master keys at real memory addresses inaccessible to processes executing in the partitions. Preferably, a special hardware register stores a pointer to the current key, and is read only by a hardware crypto-engine to encrypt/decrypt data. The crypto-engine returns the encrypted/decrypted data, but does not output the key itself or its location.
US08477943B2 Automatic detection of wireless network type
A system and method for facilitating automatic detection of a type of wireless network is provided. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, wireless network client(s) can automatically detect the “type” of a network (e.g., method of authentication and encryption) without requiring input from the user. For example, unencrypted network, WEP encrypted network requiring a WEP key, WPA encrypted network requiring a pre-shared key, an IEEE 802.1x enabled network supporting WPA and/or an IEEE 802.1x enabled network not supporting WPA. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a wireless network detection system having a connection component and a detection component is provided. The connection component facilitates connection of a client system to at least one of a plurality of wireless networks. The detection component identities a type of an available wireless network. Identification can be based for example, upon information received in an information element and/or iterative probing of the wireless network beacon.
US08477938B2 Method and apparatus for authentication of portable electronic devices
A mobile communication terminal connected to the portable electronic device encodes a system serial number and an authentication key, generates an integration secrete key, and transmits the integration secrete key to an authentication center computer. The authentication center computer decodes the integration secrete key, performs authentication registration, encodes a temporary service approval key and a temporary integration authentication key, and transmits the temporary service approval key and the temporary integration authentication key to the mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal decodes the temporary integration authentication key, obtains approval for the relay, and transmits the temporary service approval key to the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device decodes the temporary service approval key, performs authentication for utilizing a service, and applies the temporary service approval key to an application service.
US08477931B2 Case for electronic device with surface for attaching building elements
A case for a portable electronic device includes a cavity and one or more studded surfaces. The cavity can receive at least a portion of the portable electronic device such that the portable electronic device is removable from the cavity through an opening in the cavity. The studded surfaces can be coupled with one or more building elements
US08477930B2 Case assembly for electronic appliance
A case assembly for electronic appliance includes a first case having a plurality of engaging members and each engaging member includes two clamping protrusions. Each clamping protrusion includes a supporting portion and a protruding portion. A space is defined between the two clamping protrusions. A second case includes multiple ports and each port has a shoulder defined in an inside thereof and the shoulder is located corresponding to the protruding portions of the clamping protrusions. Multiple positioning members each have an insertion portion and a head. A transverse width of the opening of the space is smaller than a width of the insertion portion. When the insertion portion of each of the positioning members is inserted into the space corresponding thereto, the clamping protrusions are expanded outward by the positioning member, and the protruding portions are engaged on the shoulder of the second case.
US08477929B2 Method, device and system for line management
A method for line management includes: acquiring running parameters of a subscriber line; computing a transmitting power spectral density, PSD, and reference virtual noise of the subscriber line according to the running parameters; activating the subscriber line according to the transmitting PSD and the reference virtual noise. A device and system for line management are provided correspondingly. Reference virtual noise needed by virtual noise technology is set rationally according to the information provided by dynamic spectrum management, DSM, Level 2 algorithm. The utilization of the virtual noise technology improves the line stability under the DSM Level 2 algorithm, and has an effect of optimizing the subscriber line.
US08477927B2 Proactive telephone number mapping configuration management
Efficient telephone number mapping (ENUM) based call routing during area code splits is described. An ENUM domain management component can associate an ENUM domain name with multiple records when a numbering plan area code split links an old area code of a telephone number corresponding to the ENUM domain name with a new area code. An ENUM provisioning component can perform permissive dialing of the old and new area code during ENUM based call routing by utilizing the multiple records.
US08477926B2 Cloud computing call centers
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a cloud computing call center that may provide a multi-tenanted platform for scalable, dynamic allocation of telephony, PBX, and call center capabilities. Embodiments of the invention include implementations of a software telephony switch in a cloud computing environment that may dynamically allocate software based PBXes, virtual interactive voice responses (IVRs), and other system components to particular calls.
US08477919B2 Interactive content for click-to-call calls
In a click-to-call (C2C) communication environment, a web client of a computing terminal is configured to initiate a C2C call when a user selects a call tag provided in a web page being presented to the user. The call is intended to be established between a remote endpoint associated with the call tag and one of either the computing terminal or another terminal associated with the user. If the C2C call is directed to an automated system and placed in a queue or on hold, the present invention allows supplemental content intended for the user to be delivered to the web client from which the C2C call was initiated. The web client may present the supplemental content to the user.
US08477918B2 Multimedia providing service
At one of the timings: during a period between the moment when one of terminals which performs transmission calls out a communication partner and the moment of response and at the timing after the communication between the terminals is complete; a server reads out content data from a database, converts the read out content data according to the conversion information based on reproduction at the terminal, and transmits the converted content data to the terminal. At this timing, the terminal reproduces the content data transmitted from the server.
US08477916B2 Authorizing access between communication networks
Methods and systems of authorizing a user of a first packet-based communication network to access a second packet-based communication network are disclosed. A call setup request is received from a user terminal of the user at a first network element of the first packet-based communication network, the authorization request comprising a first user identity. Responsive to the call setup request, a request is transmitted to create a second user identity from the first network element to a second network element of the second packet-based communication network. The second network element creates the second user identity for use in the second packet-based communication network. The second user identity is derivable from the first user identity according to a predetermined rule. The second user identity is stored in the second packet-based communication network for use with establishing a call associated with the call setup request over the second packet-based communication network.
US08477915B1 System and method for enforcing a recording preference
A system and method are provided for allowing a user to consent to call recording. A user is prompted to make a recording preference. The recording preference is stored in a table indexed by UCID (universal call ID) or as part of a UUI (user-to-user information) field of the call. A recording module and/or a compliance manager, both associated with a call center, are configured to record or not record the call based on the recording preference. The recording preference can be enforced on incoming and outgoing calls to and from the call center. Advantageously, the user's recording preference is enforced throughout the call, regardless of how the call is routed/transferred within the call center.
US08477912B2 Content sharing through multimedia ringback tones
Communication networks and associated methods are disclosed that provide a content sharing service through multimedia ringback tones. The communication network comprises a network node and a multimedia ringback system. The network node receives a call from a calling party to a subscriber of the content sharing service, and routes the call to the multimedia ringback system. The multimedia ringback system identifies a multimedia ringback tone for the call where the multimedia ringback tone includes a message prompting the calling party to share content of the subscriber, and provides the multimedia ringback tone to the calling party. The multimedia ringback system then receives a request for the content indicated in the multimedia ringback tone from the calling party, and initiates the transfer of the content to the calling party responsive to the request.
US08477911B2 Personal emergency response system with alternative voice line capability
A communication system comprises a transmitter, a console in operative communication with the transmitter, an audible communication device and a tone simulator. The transmitter is in operative communication with the console and operative to send a first signal to the console. The console is operatively connected to a communication network and is operative to send a second signal over the communication network to at least two response systems. The console comprises a receiver operative to receive the first signal from the transmitter, a controller operative to compare the first signal from the transmitter with a set of pre-determined values, access a communication network and dial one of the at least two pre-programmed voice line addresses, and a communication interface operative to connect the receiver to a communication network. The audible communication device is coupled to the controller and the communication interface. Each pre-programmed voice line address corresponds to one of the two different response systems. The tone simulator generates a first tone upon connection of a voice line communication to one of the two different response systems and a second tone upon termination of audible communication on the voice line between a user of the communication system and an individual at one of the two different response systems. The first tone signals to the console that the voice line communication has begun, and the second tone signals to the console that the voice line communication has ended.
US08477910B2 System and method for location identification
A telecommunications outlet providing location identification in a local area network, the telecommunications outlet constituted of: a network side connection adapted to be connected to a networking device via horizontal cabling; a data terminal side connection adapted to be connected to a data terminal equipment; a control circuitry; a memory adapted for storage of multi-bit data; a transmitter in communication with the memory; and a first switch responsive to the control circuitry, the first switch arranged in a first mode to connect data from the network side connection to the data terminal side connection and in a second mode to connect data from the transmitter to the network side connection and disconnect data from the network side connection to the data terminal side connection.
US08477907B2 Solid-state image pickup apparatus and X-ray inspection system
A solid-state image pickup apparatus 1A includes a photodetecting section 10A, a signal readout section 20, and a controlling section 40A. In the photodetecting section 10A, M×N pixel units P1,1 to PM,N each including a photodiode and a readout switch are arrayed in M rows and N columns. Charges generated in each pixel unit Pm,n are input to an integrating circuit Sn through a readout wiring LO,n, and a voltage value output from the integrating circuit Sn in response to the charge amount is output through a holding circuits Hn. When in a first imaging mode, a voltage value according to an amount of charges generated in the photodiode PD of each of the M×N pixel units P1,1 to PM,N in the photodetecting section 10A is output from the signal readout section 20. When in a second imaging mode, a voltage value according to an amount of charges generated in the photodiode PD of each pixel unit Pm,n included in consecutive M1 rows in the photodetecting section 10A is output from the signal readout section 20.
US08477901B2 Method of and apparatus for continuous wave tomosynthesis using photon counting
Tomosynthesis data may be acquired from a radiation source that substantially continuously emits radiation while its position is varied relative to a photon counting x-ray detector. The detector detects photons comprised within the radiation and photon data indicative of the detected photons is generated. The photon data may comprise data related to a detected photon's detection time, detection location on the detector, energy level, and/or trajectory from the radiation source, for example. The photon data of various photons may be compiled into a plurality of bins and, through reconstruction and tomosynthesis techniques, produce synthesized images of various tomography planes of an object under examination. In this way, the tomosynthesis techniques rely on counting photons rather than measuring their energy to create synthesized images.
US08477897B1 Bit slip circuitry for serial data signals
Circuitry for use in aligning bytes in a serial data signal (e.g., with deserializer circuitry that operates in part in response to a byte rate clock signal) includes a multistage shift register for shifting the serial data signal through a number of stages at least equal to (and in many cases, preferably more than) the number of bits in a byte. The output signal of any shift register stage can be selected as the output of this “bit slipping” circuitry so that any number of bits over a fairly wide range can be “slipped” to produce or help produce appropriately aligned bytes. The disclosed bit slipping circuitry is alternatively or additionally usable in helping to align (“deskew”) two or more serial data signals that are received via separate communication channels.
US08477891B2 Noise estimation for wireless communication
Techniques for deriving and using noise estimate for data reception in a wireless communication system are described. A noise estimate may be derived for each packet received in a data transmission. The noise estimate may be derived by determining a phase offset between a first and second sample sequence, applying the phase offset to the first sample sequence to obtain a third sample sequence, and deriving the noise estimate based on the second and third sample sequences. Data detection may then be performed for each packet using the noise estimate for that packet. At least one weight may be derived for each packet using the noise estimate for the packet. Data detection is then performed for each packet with the at least one weight for the packet.
US08477889B2 Estimating and filtering multiple sets of MIPS from different frequencies
A method and apparatus for compensating a modulation imbalance effect in a communication device. In one embodiment, at least three sets of modulation imbalance parameters (MIPs) are estimated by executing an auto balance sequence. The at least three sets of MIPs correspond to a baseband signal configured to have at least three configurable frequencies, each of the at least three sets of MIPs corresponds to one of at least three configurable frequencies. The auto balance sequence is configured to provide an offset signal generated within a communication device to trigger generation of each one of the at least three configurable frequencies. The at least three sets of MIPs are filtered to select a filtered set. The modulation imbalance effect is compensated by using the filtered set to reduce distortion of the baseband signal in the communication device.
US08477885B2 Recursive frequency estimation
A system for receiving signals is set forth. The system includes an open loop frequency offset updating system adapted to receive an input signal. The open loop frequency offset updating system updates a frequency offset recursively, using a real time update value for value Γ(f,N). The system samples the signal and calculates an alternate quantity based on Γ(f,N) to determine a maximum value of the alternate quantity.
US08477872B2 Multi-antenna system and method for transmitting and receiving information in multi-antenna system
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for transmitting information in a multi-antenna system. The method may include: a transmitting end receives information transmitted by a receiving end, wherein the information includes information of index of a precoder; the transmitting end selects a precoder from a two-layered codebook based on the information of the index of the precoder; the transmitting end precodes to-be-transmitted data by using the precoder; the transmitting end transmits the precoded data to the receiving end. The technical scheme of the present invention obtains codebooks most matching with channel distribution characteristics of dual-polarized antennas and minimizes performance loss brought by codebook quantization to remarkably improve the performances of precoding systems.
US08477870B2 Transmitter including polar modulation circuit
Provided is a transmitter including a polar modulation circuit which adjusts a timing lag between an amplitude component and a phase component more accurately than a conventional art. The polar modulation circuit includes: a first calculator for performing an exclusive OR logical operation between the amplitude component before and after being inputted to the first processing section; a second calculator for performing an exclusive OR logical operation between the phase component before and after being inputted to the second processing section; and a delay fluctuation detection/compensation section for obtaining a delay time of the amplitude component based on an amount of output accumulation of the first calculator; obtaining a delay time of the phase component based on an amount of output accumulation of the second calculator; detecting an amount of delay fluctuation by using the delay times; and adjusting timings of the amplitude component and the phase component.
US08477868B2 Method and apparatus of transmitting information in wireless communication system
A method and an apparatus of transmitting information in a wireless communication system are provided. The method includes transmitting first information based on a first resource index through a first antenna and transmitting second information based on a second resource index through a second antenna.
US08477863B2 Precoded pilot transmission for multi-user and single user MIMO communications
The disclosed method and apparatus include an WTRU-specific reference signal scheme that provides efficient precoded pilot transmission and effective channel estimation using dedicated pilot signals. The disclosed methods are efficient for both a single user (SU) and a multi user (MU) Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system.
US08477858B2 Method and apparatus for processing data for transmission in a multi-channel communication system using selective channel inversion
Techniques to process data for transmission over a set of transmission channels selected from among all available transmission channels. In an aspect, the data processing includes coding data based on a common coding and modulation scheme to provide modulation symbols and pre-weighting the modulation symbols for each selected channel based on the channel's characteristics. The pre-weighting may be achieved by “inverting” the selected channels so that the received SNRs are approximately similar for all selected channels. With selective channel inversion, only channels having SNRs at or above a particular threshold are selected, “bad” channels are not used, and the total available transmit power is distributed across only “good” channels. Improved performance is achieved due to the combined benefits of using only the NS best channels and matching the received SNR of each selected channel to the SNR required by the selected coding and modulation scheme.
US08477857B2 Efficient cartesian transmitter using signal combiner
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a transmitter having a baseband, a multiplexer, a digital-to-analog converter unit, and/or a Chireix combiner. The baseband transmits components of an in-phase signal and a quadrature-phase signal to the multiplexer. The multiplexer generates a first signal and/or a second signal which have a phase difference which matches only a single predetermined phase difference. The single predetermined phase difference should be selected to ensure that the Chireix combiner is optimized for efficiency. Thus, a phase of the first signal or the second signal can have a phase of the in-phase signal or the quadrature-phase signal to ensure that the phase difference between the second signal and the first signal matches only the single predetermined phase difference. The Chireix combiner receives the first analog signal and the second analog signal.
US08477854B2 Coding device and method, decoding device and method, recording medium, and program
An encoding apparatus and an encoding method, a decoding apparatus and a decoding method, a recording medium, and a program suitable for encoding image signals with a higher compression ratio for transmission or accumulation. In an arithmetic coding section, from among the syntax elements of input image compression information, the frame/field flag is first encoded by a frame/field flag context model. When the macroblock to be processed is subjected to frame-based encoding, a frame-based context model, specified in the current H.26L standard, is applied. On the other hand, when the macroblock to be processed is subjected to field-based encoding, a field-based context model is applied for the syntax elements described below. The present invention is applied to an encoder for encoding image information and a decoder for decoding image information.
US08477853B2 Method and apparatus for encoding and/or decoding bit depth scalable video data using adaptive enhancement layer prediction
A scalable video bitstream may have an H.264/AVC compatible base layer (BL) and a scalable enhancement layer (EL), where scalability refers to color bit depth. The SVC standard allows spatial inter-layer prediction, wherein a residual in the EL is generated which is then intra coded. Another spatial intra-coding mode for EL is pure intra coding (I_N×N). The invention discloses a new intra-coding mode and two new inter coding modes, particularly for bit depth scalability. The new intra coding mode uses encoding of the residual between upsampled reconstructed BL and original EL, using mode selection. Two possible modes are residual prediction from BL and additional intra-coding of this residual. The new inter coding modes use also prediction of EL from reconstructed BL. In a first inter coding mode, the residual is encoded using Motion Estimation based on this residual. In a second inter coding mode, the residual is encoded using upsampled motion information from the BL.
US08477852B2 Uniform video decoding and display
Described herein are embodiments for decoding and displaying video data. Several of these embodiments utilize a unified frame buffer management system, to facilitate better memory management in decoding and displaying compressed video. One approach describes a method of decoding and displaying compressed video data. The method involves receiving a compressed video frame, and allocating a frame buffer for use in decoding the compressed video frame. A frame identifier is assigned to the allocated frame buffer. The compressed video frame is decoded into the frame buffer, and the frame identifier is passed to a display module.
US08477848B1 Picture rate conversion system architecture
Systems and methods for converting a picture frame rate from a source video at a first rate to a target video at a second rate via interpolation of an intermediate frame. In one implementation, the system includes a phase plane correlation calculator including a low pass filter and a high pass filter for receiving previous frame data and current frame data where the phase plane correlation calculator is configured to generate a first motion vector based upon low pass representations and high pass representations. The system may also include a motion compensated interpolator that receives the first motion vector and an additional input motion vector and determines a final motion vector for use in interpolation. The system may further include an intermediate frame generator configured to generate the intermediate frame utilizing the final motion vector.
US08477847B2 Motion compensation module with fast intra pulse code modulation mode decisions and methods for use therewith
A video encoder includes a mode decision module that determines a final macroblock cost for each macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks based on costs associated with a plurality of motion vectors. An intra pulse code modulation (IPCM) module, when enabled, selects an IPCM mode when the final macroblock cost compares unfavorably to an IPCM threshold. A reconstruction module generates residual pixel values for each macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks and a transform and quantization module, transforms and quantizes the residual pixel values when the IPCM mode is not selected.
US08477845B2 Predictive adaptive scan ordering for video coding
An apparatus comprising an inter-prediction motion compensation unit, a transform unit coupled to the inter-prediction motion compensation unit, a quantization unit coupled to the transform unit such that the transform unit is positioned between the inter-prediction motion compensation unit and the quantization unit, a scanning unit coupled to the quantization unit such that the quantization unit is positioned between the transform unit and the scanning unit, and an adaptive scan order predictor unit coupled to the inter-prediction motion compensation unit, the quantization unit, and the scanning unit. An apparatus comprising an entropy decoding unit, an inverse scanning unit coupled to the entropy decoding unit, an inverse quantization unit coupled to the inverse scanning unit such that the inverse scanning unit is positioned between the entropy coding unit and the inverse quantization unit, and an adaptive scan order predictor unit coupled to the entropy decoding unit and the inverse scanning unit.
US08477839B2 Network packet aware data encoding
A communication device is operable to manage communication of data streams, which comprise data encoded utilizing scheme that generate plurality of frames with logical grouping and/or inter-frame dependencies, based on determination of network payload parameters that are utilized for the data transmission. Exemplary encoding schemes comprise MPEG encoding, which generates data streams comprised I-frames, P-frames and/or B-frames. Network packets that are utilized to perform data communication are generated such that packet payloads comprise only data corresponding to a single frame and/or logical grouping within the encoded data stream. Feedback from networking subsystem in the communication device may be provided during processing of the data streams to enable use of network payload parameters during encoding operations. Frame sizes may be adjusted, for example, so that a size of each frame is multiple of a size of a payload of the network packets that are utilized in data communication.
US08477838B2 Moving picture coding method and moving picture decoding method
A coding method for coding a picture in a moving picture with a processor configured to code, on a block-by-basis, each picture in the moving picture, to generate a coded stream. The processor transforms each picture into coefficients representing spatial frequency components and quantizes the coefficients with a quantization matrix. Identification information identifying the quantization matrix is provided in the coded stream in predetermined units to reduce the amount of data to be coded. The processor is configured to use a coded quantization matrix for a chroma component rather than a default quantization matrix.
US08477837B2 Video-information encoding method and video-information decoding method
A video-information encoding apparatus and decoding apparatus with a guarantee of a fixed processing time. By limiting the amount of data to be input into/output from a CABAC encoding unit and decoding unit on a unit-of-encoding basis, such as one picture, slice, macroblock or block, and by encoding uncompressed video data, it is possible to provide a video-information encoding apparatus and decoding apparatus with a guarantee of a fixed processing time. Thereby, an apparatus with a guarantee of the processing time can be mounted.
US08477834B2 Partial response decision-feedback equalization with adaptation based on edge samples
A device (102) implements data reception with edge-based partial response decision feedback equalization. In an example embodiment, the device implements a tap weight adapter circuit (114) that sets the tap weights that are used for adjustment of a received data signal (104). The tap weight adapter circuit (119) sets the tap weights based on previously determined data values and input from an edge analysis of the received data signal using a set of edge samplers. The edge analysis (116) may include adjusting the sampled data signal by the tap weights determined by the tap weight adapter circuit. A clock generation circuit (220) generates an edge clock signal to control the edge sampling performed by the set of edge samplers. The edge clock signal may be generated as a function of the signals of the edge samplers and prior data values determined by the equalizer.
US08477833B2 Circuits and methods for DFE with reduced area and power consumption
A 1/n-rate decision feedback equalizer (DFE) and method include a plurality of branches. Each branch includes a summer circuit configured to add a feedback signal to a received input, and a latch configured to receive an output of the summer circuit in accordance with a clock signal. A feedback circuit includes a multiplexer configured to receive as input, an output of each branch, the multiplexer having a clocked select input and configured to multiplex the output of each branch to assemble a full rate bit sequence, and a filter configured to provide cancellation of intersymbol interference (ISI) from the received input to be provided to the summer circuit of each branch.
US08477832B2 Load insensitive quadrature power amplifier power detector
A power detector includes a first phase shift element implemented to shift a phase of a first input signal to generate a first phase-shifted signal, a second phase shift element implemented to alter a phase of a second input signal to generate a second phase-shifted signal, a combiner for combining the first phase-shifted signal and the second phase-shifted signal to generate a combined single-phase signal, and a single element power detector for determining a power of the combined single-phase signal.
US08477826B2 Wireless communication system
In a wireless communication system, a portable device transmits a first signal spread based on a reference period indicated by a synchronization signal transmitted from an in-vehicle device and transmits a second signal spread based on an operation by a user. The in-vehicle device sets a search period based on a variation range in a delay time from when the synchronization signal is transmitted to when the spread first signal is transmitted and sets a residual period that starts at an ending point of the search period and ends at an ending point of the reference period when a starting point of the reference period is set at a starting point of the search period. When the in-vehicle device fails in a synchronous acquisition for the search period, the in-vehicle device performs a synchronous acquisition process for the residual period.
US08477825B2 Polarization maintaining multi-pass imaging system for thin-disk amplifiers and oscillators
Multi-pass optical imaging apparatus includes a concave mirror in combination with two retro-reflecting mirror pairs and at least one reflective surface. The mirror, the retro-reflecting mirror pairs and the reflecting surface are arranged such that a light-ray input into the apparatus parallel to and spaced apart from the optical axis of the concave mirror and incident on the concave mirror is caused to be incident on the thin-disk gain-medium at least four times, with each of the four incidences on the gain-medium being from a different direction. If the input ray is plane-polarized, the arrangement provides that the polarization orientation of the ray on each incidence on the gain-medium is in the same orientation.
US08477822B2 Compact transistor outline packaged laser with optical monitoring function
An apparatus comprising a header comprising a platform for attaching opto-electronic components, an optical element, a laser diode (LD) configured to emit an optical signal that passes through the optical element, and a cap affixed to the header such that the cap is coaxially aligned with the header, wherein the cap and header encase the optical element and the LD.
US08477820B2 Semiconductor laser device and method for producing the same
A semiconductor laser device includes a first semiconductor stack portion that includes a grating layer and an active layer provided on the grating layer. The grating layer has a first region and second region; a diffraction grating provided in the first region; a semiconductor ridge structure portion provided on the first semiconductor stack portion and extending in a first direction; and a pair of first trenches provided along both side faces of the semiconductor ridge structure portion with the first region of the grating layer being located between the trenches. The first trenches penetrate through the grating layer. The first region of the grating layer has an end extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The end of the first region of the grating layer reaches a trench.
US08477811B2 Radio access network (RAN) level keep alive signaling
In a wireless communication system, a mobile station performs “keep-alive” signaling with a serving radio access network (RAN), transmitting its identity without necessarily an accompanying data portion. The serving RAN does not necessarily acknowledge. Thereby, the mobile station maintains state synchronization with the serving RAN, which also benefits in being able to timely release a context when the “keep-alive” transmission is not continued. In one aspect, the mobile station utilizes random access procedures (RACH) for uplink data arrival with a 0-byte MAC buffer status report whose identifying Cell Radio Network Temporary Identity (C-RNTI) can be used by the serving RAN for keep alive purposes. In another aspect, the mobile station can perform non-access stratum (NAS) signaling containing identification for the mobile station that is supported by underlying access stratum (AS) signaling via the serving RAN. This identifying NAS signaling is detected or a downstream recipient alerts the serving RAN.
US08477806B2 Method and system for transmission control packet (TCP) segmentation offload
A method for processing packets includes performing by a plurality of processors integrated in a single NIC chip, the plurality of processors including at least a hardware processor and a firmware processor, receiving information identifying at least one packet to be processed. The method may include determining whether the identified packet is a large send offload packet. If the identified packet is a large send offload packet, the method may include selecting between at least the hardware processor and the firmware processor to process the large send offload packet. If the identified packet is not a large send offload packet, the method may include bypassing the hardware process and the firmware process, and read DMA processing the identified packet from a host memory.
US08477798B1 Selectively enabling network packet concatenation based on metrics
A method, system, and apparatus are directed towards selectively concatenating data into a packet to modify a number of packets transmitted over a network based on a combination of network and/or send-queue metrics. In one embodiment, Nagle's algorithm is used for concatenating data into a packet. The concatenation may be selectively enabled based on heuristics applied to the combination of metrics. In one embodiment, the result may indicate that there should be a concatenation, or that data should be sent immediately, or that a current state for whether to concatenate or not should be maintained. The heuristics may include an expert system, decision tree, truth table, function, or the like. The heuristics may be provided by a user, or another computing device. In another embodiment, the concatenation may be enabled based on a conditional probability determined from the combination of metrics.
US08477796B1 System, method, and computer program product for processing different content each stored in one of a plurality of queues
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for processing different content each stored in one of a plurality of queues. In use, a plurality of different content is identified for processing. Additionally, each of the different content is stored in one of a plurality of queues based on a classification thereof. Furthermore, the plurality of different content stored in the plurality of queues is processed.
US08477791B2 Method and apparatus for locally implementing port selection via synchronized port state databases maintained by the forwarding plane of a network element
A method, apparatus and computer program product for implementing port selection via synchronized port state databases maintained by the forwarding plane of a network element is presented. Each Forwarding Data Unit (FDU) within the forwarding plane of the network element maintains a respective port state database, each port state database containing a synchronized view of the port state for all ports within the network element. A port selection process is performed by each port state database upon request of its associated FDU, to identify an available port in an UP state associated with a Multi-Link Trunk (MLT) to enable fast reroute between ports associated with the MLT in the event of port failure. The process returns an identified port to the FDU for use by the FDU to forward the packet.
US08477789B2 Transmission device and reception device
A transmission device (100) outputs, to a reception device (200), a stored amount of packets in a first transmission buffer (105) just before a certain packet has been written to the first transmission buffer. A first reception buffer amount read unit (206) in the reception device reads a stored amount of packets in a first reception buffer just before the certain packet has been read from the first reception buffer. A storage amount addition unit (207) adds the stored amount of packets in the first transmission buffer and the stored amount of packets in the first reception buffer, and a correction unit (208) adjusts the frequency of a variable frequency oscillator in a reception timestamp timer 209 so that the resulting added value is a constant value.
US08477783B2 Wireless communication method and apparatus thereof
A wireless communication apparatus includes a header recognition section that recognizes a header included in a packet. The apparatus also includes a packet determining section that determines whether the packet is directed to the wireless communication apparatus itself, and a table to recognize a next transmission destination based on a destination of the packet. The apparatus further includes a relay station packet determining section that determines a packet to be relayed through the table and the header recognition section. The apparatus additionally includes a security table to store security data for a recognition of a communication counterpart. The header recognition section neither transmits the corresponding packet from the wireless communication apparatus nor a reception completion confirmation packet, if the received packet is from a station from which a packet reception is not required as determined by security information included in the received packet and information stored in the security table.
US08477778B2 Applying multicast protocols and VPN tunneling techniques to achieve high quality of service for real time media transport across IP networks
As prior art systems fail to produce end-to-end transport and routing mechanisms capable of secure, accurate, and timely delivery of real-time media, the present invention prescribes the method and process to facilitate server-less, IP based sessions across all of public and private network infrastructure without regard for network hardware or carrier makeup. The method and process claimed herein defines the application of well known standards in a unique fashion so as to facilitate transportation of TCP and UDP packets associated with a real-time multicast session in a secure manner while achieving unencumbered access through firewalls and across multiple carrier, public networks through IPSec based virtual networking.
US08477777B2 Bridge apparatus and communication method
A bridge apparatus including a first line card and a second line card is provided. The first line card includes a first memory storing an association between a line card and a destination address, a first receiver receiving a frame from the second line card including a flag indicating whether a memory of the second line card stores the destination address of the frame, a determination circuit determining whether the first memory stores the destination address of the received frame, when the first flag added to the received frame indicates that the second memory does not store the destination address of the frame, and a first transmitter transmitting, when the determination circuit determines the first memory stores the destination address of the frame, address information associated with at least the destination address of the frame to the second line card, the destination address being stored by the first memory.
US08477775B2 Unifying local and mobility network identifiers
In a mobility domain providing wired and wireless network transport to an enterprise or campus environment, a mobility switch maps a logical network identifier, such as a VLAN ID, to a “home” or wired network VLAN ID so that a mobile device is mapped to the wired VLAN for user identification, IP address consistency, and network policy enforcement. Propagation of the mapping to mobility switches ensures that a roaming user is mapped to the wired network VLAN from a remote L2 switch, and mobility tunnels across L3 boundaries allow roaming into a different broadcast domain or L3 switch connectivity in the mobility domain. Users are assigned to mobility VLAN(s) which are mapped to a VLAN in the wired domain at a mobility switch. The wireless users can roam within the wireless enterprise, or mobility domain, and the network maintains access to the user assigned mobility VLAN(s).
US08477769B2 Flexible shared mesh protection services for intelligent TDM-based optical transport networks
A system includes one or more active/working circuit groups to transfer information through a protection domain, the protection domain defined by a plurality of network devices and a plurality of links connecting the network devices between a start point and an end point; and a protection circuit group through the protection domain, the protection circuit group being disjoint from the one or more active/working circuit groups to provide shared protection for the one or more active/working circuit groups, where the protection circuit group is comprised of an individual protection circuit and where a capacity of the protection circuit group is dynamically adjusted based on a capacity of the one or more active/working circuit groups.
US08477766B2 Method for collect call service based on VoIP technology and system thereof
One embodiment of the present invention provides a collect call method and system thereof, more particularly, in order to charge the called party with a uniform toll for collect call, which is determined by only the type and location of called party terminal. In one embodiment, the collect call method, system and a counsel service providing method use a free VoIP network for part of the voice call link and a charge PSTN network for the rest of the voice call link. In one embodiment, if the first link corresponding to the collect call request is established, the collect call switch calls the called party terminal to establish the second link, and billing on the second link is initiated.
US08477764B2 Method and system for a gigabit Ethernet IP telephone chip with no DSP core, which uses a RISC core with instruction extensions to support voice processing
Methods and systems for processing data are disclosed and may comprise receiving packetized data comprising voice data and network data via an Ethernet switch integrated within a single gigabit Ethernet IP phone chip. The received packetized data may be processed via a single main processor core integrated within the single gigabit Ethernet IP phone chip. The single main processor core may comprise circuitry that is controlled by an instruction set for handling processing of the voice data for a plurality of voice channels without the use of a separate DSP. It may be determined whether data to be processed by the single main processor core is voice data or network data. If the data to be processed by the single main processor core is voice data, at least one modified instruction may be selected from the modified instruction set for processing the voice data.
US08477762B2 Self-forming VoIP network
A self-forming VoIP connection capability is described that may be superimposed over wired networks, wireless networks, or combinations thereof. As described herein, a local network cluster forms while isolated from a conventional SIP server, or alternately may exist as a cluster of network nodes and clients that later becomes isolated from a conventional SIP server by a break in the network. Either way, each network node thus enabled with distributed SIP registry functionality according to this invention independently constructs a local SIP registry and SIP server capability within that node. Subsequently, while isolated from a conventional SIP server, VoIP conversations among client devices connected to nodes within an isolated cluster will continue, and nodes and clients may join or leave an isolated cluster with conversations able to be initiated or continued while a node has network connectivity to the cluster.
US08477760B2 Method and apparatus for performing active packet bundling in a voice over IP communications system based on voice concealability
A method and apparatus for performing a active packet bundling in a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) based on a measure of voice concealability of one or more speech packets to be transmitted. Voice concealability is a property of a speech packet which indicates the likelihood that a given speech segment will meet the “quasi-stationary” (QS) behavior assumed by conventional Packet Loss Concealment (PLC) algorithms used to compensate for transmission loss of speech packets. By ensuring that only well-concealed frames are delayed for bundling, it is more likely that the receiver will run the PLC algorithm when it is most effective (i.e., when it is likely to perform well at reconstructing the missing speech frame), rather than when it is more likely to be ineffective. This allows for a reduction in bandwidth while minimizing any potential negative impact on quality.
US08477759B2 Filtering of malformed data packets in wireless communication
Packet filtering is performed to detect for and discard malformed data packets that would be discarded by a wireless network if received from a wireless device. A cdma2000 network may restart a PPP session upon receiving (1) malformed data packets with source IPv4 addresses different from IPv4 addresses (if any) assigned to the wireless device or (2) malformed data packets with source IPv6 addresses having prefixes different from prefixes (if any) associated with the PPP session. The wireless device may receive data packets from a terminal equipment coupled to the wireless device and/or applications running at the wireless device. The wireless device may filter these data packets with packet filters to detect for malformed data packets with invalid IPv4 addresses, invalid IPv6 address prefixes, and so on. The wireless device discards malformed data packets and sends the remaining data packets to the wireless network.
US08477756B2 Method for transmission of data and method for corresponding reception
The invention relates to a method for transmission of data in a wireless network comprising a plurality of base stations broadcasting data at a same frequency and a plurality of mobile terminals. In order to overcome inter-cell transfer at the level of mobile terminals, the method comprises: assignments of first and second sub-sets of base stations at respectively at least a first and at least a second mobile terminal, the assignments varying in time according to first and second parameters, the two sub-sets having at least one base station in common and each at least having a specific base station, synchronized transmissions of respectively the base stations of the first and second sub-set of first and second specific data modulated with first and second modulations to respectively the at least first and second mobile terminals. The invention also relates to the corresponding method for reception of data.
US08477755B2 Method and device for processing data in dedicated physical data channel
A method and a device for processing data in a dedicated physical data channel, comprising, when data on which softer handover is performed is extended DPDCH data, sending, after completing the softer merging of the data for one timeslot, a request for secondary despread, where the request contains channel numbers; acquiring the request for secondary despread, determining channels according to the channel numbers contained in the request for secondary despread, determining a channel having the highest priority from the channels according to a predetermined channel priority order, and secondarily despreading, framing and outputting data of the channel having the highest priority. Due to the arrangement of the extended DPDCH, embodiments of this invention process the data carried by the extended DPDCH at the frequency of timeslots, and thus reduce the time delay of the second despreading and support services having higher requirements for logic processing delay without affecting the process for the existing normal DPDCH data.
US08477753B2 Wireless LAN device
The present invention provides a LAN device 20 having an internal function of controlling communication. A management representative of the LAN device 20 sets a protocol applicable for communication with regard to each of MAC addresses or IP addresses allocated to transmitter terminals and each of IP addresses allocated to receiver terminals. The LAN device transmits data in the case of the protocol applicable for communication, while not transmitting data in the case of any protocol inapplicable for communication.
US08477752B2 Deactivating existing bearer/context for emergency bearer establishment
A user equipment UE with an active connection (radio or logical) with a wireless network needs to establish an emergency service. The UE unilaterally deactivates an active session or context with the wireless network, and thereafter sends to the wireless network signaling to establish the emergency service, in which the signaling specifically identifies the service as an emergency service. In one embodiment (FIG. 1) the UE locally detaches from an active packet domain communication and sends an emergency attach so as to clear resources. In another embodiment (FIG. 2) the UE deactivates one or more contexts and sends an extended service request which identifies one or more context which remains active after the deactivating. In another embodiment (FIG. 3), after the signaling to establish the emergency service (SERVICE REQUEST) the UE sends a deactivation message explicitly indicating which context(s) is/are deactivated (PDN CONTEXT DEACTIVATION or PDN DISCONNECT REQUEST).
US08477750B2 Classification of wireless LAN signals
A system and method for classifying an input signal suspected of being a wireless LAN signal. Bursts are isolated based on an analysis of an average power signal that is derived from the input signal. A correlation-based test is performed to determine if the input signal contains a Barker code typical of DSSS transmissions. Another correlation-based test is performed to determine of the input signal contains a long training sequence typical of OFDM transmissions. The results of the two tests are used to classify the input signal as being DSSS, OFDM or neither.
US08477749B2 Wireless communication system, management server, wireless terminal, and network selection method in which networks that satisfy condition requested by wireless terminal that has requested a connection based on network information including a latest transmission speed is selected
A wireless terminal that can connect to a plurality of networks makes a request for a connection to a management server. The management server holds network information about unchanging service characteristics of a plurality of networks constituting a wireless communication area. The management server selects networks satisfying a request condition of a wireless terminal that has requested a connection based on the network information and notifies the selected networks, as candidates for connection, to the wireless terminal. The wireless terminal measures changing service characteristics of the candidates for connection notified from the management server, selects a network from the candidates for connection based on a measurement result, and connects to the selected network.
US08477748B2 Base station and data transfer method
A base station forms a communication area enabling communication with a mobile communication network through a local network that includes the base station. The base station includes a monitoring unit that monitors an address for data communication with the mobile communication network and assigned to a mobile terminal in the communication area; a storage unit that stores combination information indicating a combination of the address monitored and identification information of the mobile terminal; a receiving unit that receives, from a communication terminal in the local network, data having the identification information; a comparing unit that compares the combination information with a combination of a destination address of the data and the identification information in the data; and a transmitting unit that transmits the data to the mobile terminal if the combination and the combination information coincide, and performs error processing if the combination and the combination information do not coincide.
US08477746B2 Base station apparatus, wireless communication system, and wireless transmission method
Allocation of transmission power is carried out adaptively without affecting adjacent cells. Included are a reception part that receives information from a mobile station apparatus, a transmission power determination part that determines transmission power when transmitting a wireless signal to a mobile station apparatus based on the received information, an acquisition part that acquires information about communication environment in each time channel or each frequency channel from the received information, a scheduling part that identified a time channel or frequency channel the relationship of which between transmission power and communication environment satisfies the condition for allocation and allocates transmission data and transmission power for transmission to a mobile station apparatus to a communication slot in the time channel or frequency channel, and a transmission part that transmits a wireless signal using the communication slot to which the transmission data and the determined transmission power have been allocated.
US08477741B2 System and method for adjusting monitoring of timeslots during data transmission
A method for coordinating communications between a user equipment and a base station is presented. The method includes receiving an assignment of a first set of timeslots for at least one of uplink and downlink communications between the user equipment and the base station, and reducing a number of timeslots monitored by the user equipment to less than the first set of timeslots for communications. The method includes, after reducing the number of timeslots monitored by the user equipment to less than the first set of timeslots for communications, transmitting a block to the base station, the block signaling a resumption of timeslot monitoring by the user equipment, wherein the block includes at least one of a dummy block format, a specified block format, and a predetermined communication, and increasing the number of timeslots monitored by the user equipment.
US08477733B1 Method and system for providing multiple reverse activity bits
Disclosed herein is a method and system for providing multiple reverse-activity bits (RABs) in a coverage area. An exemplary method involves (a) providing EV-DO service in a wireless coverage area; (b) measuring reverse noise rise (RNR) in the wireless coverage area; (c) comparing the measured RNR to each of a plurality of RNR thresholds, wherein each RNR threshold corresponds to one of a plurality of RABs; (d) using the RNR threshold corresponding to each RAB as compared to the measured RNR as a basis for determining whether to set or clear the particular RAB; and (e) providing the plurality of RABs in the wireless coverage area.
US08477725B2 Method, device and system for implementing optimized inter-RAT handover
A method, device and system for implementing optimized inter-RAT handover are disclosed. When a user equipment or a source network prepares for a handover to a target network, a corresponding target network ID is obtained from a configured mapping between cell IDs and target IDs according to a received cell ID, target network bearers are established following identification of an access node of the target network, and the user equipment is connected to the target network after handover preparation is complete. With the present invention, when a user equipment is handed-over from a source network to a target network, service continuity can be maintained with an enhanced quality of user experience.
US08477719B2 Systems and methods for in-order delivery in downlink during handover
Systems and methods that manage effects of discarded SDUs during handover. Aspects of the subject innovation maintain order for arrival of PDCP SDUs when a UE encounters a lost PDCP, which has resulted from a dropped SDU at the source eNB—before assignment of an associated PDCP SN. By initially assigning all SDUs corresponding PDCP SNs, a PDCP SN gap or hole can then be encountered upon dropping of a PDCP SDU. To manage PDCP SN gaps or holes thus generated, an internal time out can be designated to terminate an associated UE's delay for such SN hole(s) via a time out. Other aspects enable the source eNB to send a PDCP Status Message to the UE (via the target eNB) to abort the SN gaps or holes resulting from a dropped PDCP SN.
US08477717B2 Base station of mobile communication system
A base station of a mobile communication system which allocates a bandwidth for handover ranging or bandwidth request ranging in response to a code transmitted from a mobile station that is selected by the mobile station from a plurality of codes includes a ranging allocating unit configured to allocate, to a mobile station performing handover, at least one of a dedicated ranging code and a dedicated ranging slot that are exclusively used and not used by any mobile stations other than the mobile station, and that are provided separately for each of a plurality of base stations to which the mobile station is to be possibly connected.
US08477716B2 Method for facilitating sharing of channel information in a wireless communication network
A method of operation of a node for obtaining channel information in a wireless communication network is disclosed. The method includes receiving periodically, information related to channel assessment capability of plurality of nodes of the wireless communication network, maintaining a metric characterizing the channel assessment capability for each of the plurality of nodes based on the received channel assessment capability, selecting at least one node from the plurality of nodes by comparing the metric of each of the plurality of nodes, sending a request for channel information to the selected node and receiving channel information from the selected node.