Document Document Title
US08489696B2 Instant messaging exchange incorporating user-generated multimedia content
A method for displaying multimedia content created by a user of a first computerized messaging device to a user of a second computerized messaging device communicatively coupled to the first computerized messaging device by a network includes: displaying, with the second computerized messaging device, a textual instant messaging exchange between the user of the first computerized messaging device and the user of the second computerized messaging device; receiving the multimedia content at the second computerized messaging device over the network; and dynamically embedding a player for the multimedia content in-line in the display of the textual instant messaging exchange at the second messaging device.
US08489694B2 Peer-to-peer collaboration of publishers in a publish-subscription environment
Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for an enhanced pub/sub environment whereby a peer group of publishers is defined and can collaborate to determine when to cache data being sent to a common broker or brokers. Specifically, in a typical embodiment, configuration data or the like will be read to define a peer group among the publisher systems in the pub/sub messaging environment. Once such a group has been identified, communication therebetween will be established. Once cacheable data has been identified, a unique identifier/set of cache keys will be generated corresponding thereto and associated with the set of data. A message comprising the set of data and corresponding unique identifier will then be sent to a broker system (e.g., from the publisher system(s)), which will store (or have stored) the set of data in a cache, and pass the underlying message along to applicable subscriber system(s).
US08489690B2 Providing cellular telephone subscription for e-mail threads
A method, system and computer-usable medium for providing a subscription to an e-mail message thread via a mobile device. A user may subscribe to an e-mail message thread utilizing a mobile device, based on a unique e-mail thread ID associated with the e-mail thread within the e-mail message itself. Updated data regarding the e-mail message thread can then be provided in response to activity associated with the e-mail message thread. The updated data can be provided in the form of, for example, a text message, a text-to-speech voicemail message, and so forth. Additionally, a telephone number associated with the mobile device can be added to a database stored in an e-mail server that manages the e-mail message and the e-mail message thread in order to subscribe to the e-mail message via a mobile device. SMS data associated with the user can also be added to the database. A user is permitted to subscribe or unsubscribe to the e-mail message/thread, in response to a selection of a particular option in the e-mail message itself.
US08489681B2 Digital plaque for displaying certificates, associated documents and current status
A digital plaque that can display one of several stored certificates that can also retrieve updates to a displayed certificate when needed. The digital plaque is used to display a certificate and associated information. Typically the certificate displayed is one of an award, a recognition, a score card, a picture, a transcript, a document, a sales deed, a ticket, a poster, a document cover, a book cover, a patent application, a granted patent and a graduation record. A collection of such certificates is stored in memory and displayed when selected by a user. Status information and supporting documents associated with the selected certificate can be retrieved from a remote server and portions of the retrieved information can be displayed.
US08489671B2 Dedicated shared byte cache
The present invention relates to methods, apparatus, and systems for providing peer-to-peer network acceleration. The system includes a content server configured to transfer content based on received requests for content. The system further includes a proxy server coupled with the content server. The proxy server is configured to receive content from the content server and to forward the received content. Furthermore, the system includes client systems coupled with the proxy server. The client systems each include a personal byte cache and are configured to receive content from the proxy server, to store content in the personal byte caches, to synchronize the personal byte caches with each of the plurality of client system's portions of a shared byte cache, and to retrieve content from the shared byte cache.
US08489668B2 Open platform for managing an agent network
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system for managing software agents. This system enables a user to configure agents and to specify wiring relationships between the agents and other system components. This system also includes a hub component, which is configured to route communications to and from the agents in accordance with user-specified wiring relationships.
US08489667B2 Network power administration system
A vertical-mount network remote power management outlet strip embodiment of the present invention comprises a long, thin outlet strip body with several independently controllable power outlet sockets distributed along its length. A power input cord is provided at one end, and this supplies AC-operating power to relays associated with each of the power outlet sockets. The relays are each addressably controlled by a microprocessor connected to an internal I2C-bus serial communications channel. The power-on status of each relay output to the power outlet sockets is sensed and communicated back on the internal I2C-bus. A device-networking communications processor with an embedded operating system translates messages, status, and controls between the internal I2C-bus and an Ethernet port, and other external networks.
US08489666B1 Method and apparatus for signal filtering and for improving properties of electronic devices
The present invention relates to nonlinear signal processing, and, in particular, to adaptive nonlinear filtering of real-, complex-, and vector-valued signals utilizing analog Nonlinear Differential Limiters (NDLs), and to adaptive real-time signal conditioning, processing, analysis, quantification, comparison, and control. More generally, this invention relates to methods, processes and apparatus for real-time measuring and analysis of variables, and to generic measurement systems and processes. This invention also relates to methods and corresponding apparatus for measuring which extend to different applications and provide results other than instantaneous values of variables. The invention further relates to post-processing analysis of measured variables and to statistical analysis. The NDL-based filtering method and apparatus enable improvements in the overall properties of electronic devices including, but not limited to, improvements in performance, reduction in size, weight, cost, and power consumption, and, in particular for wireless devices, NDLs enable improvements in spectrum usage efficiency.
US08489662B2 Systems and methods for sliding convolution interpolating filters
Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for implementing a multirate digital interpolating filter. According to an example embodiment of the invention, the method includes sampling symbol data from one sample per symbol to N samples per symbol, wherein sampling includes: convolving the symbol data with a decimated finite impulse response (FIR) aperture impulse response coefficient set, convolving the symbol data with one or more shifted decimated FIR aperture impulse response coefficient sets, and summing the convolution results to produce interpolated bandlimited data.
US08489660B2 Digital random number generator using partially entropic data
A hardware-based digital random number generator is provided. The digital random number generator is a randomly behaving random number generator based on a set of nondeterministic behaviors. The nondeterministic behaviors include temporal asynchrony between subunits, entropy source “extra” bits, entropy measurement, autonomous deterministic random bit generator reseeding and consumption from a shared resource.
US08489659B2 Pseudorandom number generation
A system and method of for obtaining a pseudorandom number generator are disclosed. A set of state modules, each with a limit value, may be provided. In an embodiment, each of the limit values may be relatively prime to the other limit values. In response to one or more events, the values of the state modules are incremented. At some frequency that may be statistically independent from the occurrence of the one or more events, the values of the state modules are obtained and combined to form a random number. The values may be combined as desired and, if desired, may be combined modulo 2w, where 2w represents the number of possible random values.
US08489652B2 Tracking object fields using relocatable object watchpoints
A method for managing an object watchpoint during a garbage collection cycle, including identifying an object having a field, where the object is associated with an original object location, where the field is associated with an original field location, and where the object and the field are located in a memory heap of a virtual machine memory, setting, within a debugger, the object watchpoint on the original field location, where the object watchpoint is a memory trap associated with the object, determining, after a relocation of the object by a garbage collector (GC), a new object location associated with the object, determining a new field location of the field based on the new object location, and setting, within the debugger, the object watchpoint on the new field location.
US08489651B2 Reconstruction of garbage collection information
The reconstruction of garbage collection information corresponding to an application. Upon accessing a portion of compiler generated application code, a computing system generates computational results that identifies one or more program state storage locations that track live references or memory pointers that can be displaced during garbage collection. This may be performed for multiple application code portions (such as methods or functions of an application), and may be performed just before garbage collection. To generate the computational results, the application code portion may first be subjected to a liveness analysis to generate liveness analysis results in the form of one or more live program state storage locations in the application code portion. The computational results may then be generated using the liveness analysis results and type information from a type service to provide the set of storage locations referencing live memory objects.
US08489648B1 System of systems and method for software component system design and optimization through testing
In one embodiment, the present invention is a computer-implemented system for designing software-based components for systems of systems including multiple software-based components saved in a relational database where the functions of each software component are defined by one or more examples of its operation using a natural language. Each software component is assigned a searchable, unique free-text field such that each of the components have multiple indexed levels in a literal restriction path. The system further includes means for retrieval, synthesis, substitution, reuse and modification of the components at every level of the multiple levels, including means for defining a new software component.
US08489645B2 Techniques for estimating item frequencies in large data sets
Techniques for estimating items (e.g., data item or objects) frequencies in large data sets are disclosed. For example, a technique for determining items and their frequencies at multiple levels of interest in a collection of nested bags includes the following steps. A hierarchy of a plurality of levels of nested bags and the levels of interest are inputted. Among the plurality of levels, a subset of bags is sampled from at least one level. At each level of interest, the frequency is counted of each distinct item in the bags obtained in the sampling step. At each level of interest, the item frequencies obtained in the counting step are extrapolated based on sampling ratios associated with the sampling step. At each level of interest, the items are sorted according to their frequencies obtained from the extrapolating step and those items with highest frequencies are retained. A bag may refer to one or more subsets or groups of data items or objects. Also, a bag may, itself, contain one or more other bags.
US08489642B2 Item switching method, man-machine interface and cordless phone handset
An item switching method for a man-machine interface having a plurality of objects includes generating a stack list for recording selecting information related to the plurality of objects, receiving a command for selecting an object from the plurality of objects, and determining a procedure to select the object according to the command and the selecting information recorded in the stack list.
US08489640B2 Field extensibility using generic boxed components
A system may include reception of a definition of an extension field to be added to a business object node, generation of metadata for a data type enhancement object associated with the extension field, and generation of an ABAP dictionary proxy object based on the data type enhancement object, wherein the ABAP dictionary proxy object describes the extension field in a sub-structure of a first field of the ABAP dictionary proxy object.
US08489639B2 Information source alignment
An information source alignment system may include a tree generation module executed by a computer system to generate a source category hierarchy tree for a source class in a first information source and a target category hierarchy tree for a target class in a second information source. The source and target category hierarchy trees may be constructed from a class hierarchy of a knowledge source. A class-similarity determination module may compare the source and target category hierarchy trees. An alignment module may determine whether the source and target classes are aligned based on the comparison of the source and target category hierarchy trees.
US08489638B2 Disk-resident streaming dictionary
A method, apparatus and computer program product for storing data in a disk storage system is presented. A dictionary data structure is defined and stored on the disk storage system. Key-value pairs can be inserted and deleted into the dictionary data structure, with full transactional semantics, at a rate that is faster than one insertion per disk-head movement. Keys can be looked up with only a logarithmic number of transfers, even for keys that have been recently inserted or deleted. Queries can be performed on ranges of key-value pairs, including recently inserted or deleted pairs, at a constant fraction of the bandwidth of the disk. The dictionary employs indirect logging for physical block logging.
US08489637B2 User-based DNS server access control
Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing access to a Domain Name Service (DNS) database. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable authorization of DNS request messages, such as queries and update requests according to user and network address information. The authorization functionality may be incorporated into existing DNS systems. The invention includes a method including receiving a DNS request message originated from a client by a user, the DNS request message comprising a request and identification information specific to the user; determining if the client is authorized to access a DNS database in dependence upon client address information and the user specific identification information contained in the DNS request message; and executing the request in response to determining the user is authorized. The method may further include extracting user specific identification information from a portion of the ID field of DNS messages.
US08489628B2 Phrase-based detection of duplicate documents in an information retrieval system
An information retrieval system uses phrases to index, retrieve, organize and describe documents. Phrases are identified that predict the presence of other phrases in documents. Documents are the indexed according to their included phrases. Related phrases and phrase extensions are also identified. Phrases in a query are identified and used to retrieve and rank documents. Phrases are also used to cluster documents in the search results, create document descriptions, and eliminate duplicate documents from the search results, and from the index.
US08489627B1 Combined semantic description and visual attribute search
An image search method includes receiving a first query, the first query providing a first image constraint. A first search of a plurality of images is performed, responsive to the first query, to identify a first set of images satisfying the first constraint. A first search result, which includes the first set of images identified as satisfying the first constraint, is presented. A second query is received, the second query providing a second image constraint with reference to a first image of the first set of images. A second search of the plurality of images is performed, responsive to the second query, to identify a second set of images that satisfy the second constraint. A second search result, which includes the second set of images identified as satisfying the second constraint, is presented.
US08489616B2 Identifying software
Software installed on a computer network is often inconsistently, or even incorrectly, identified. The same software may be identified in different ways. A catalogue of standardized identifiers is provided. The actual identifiers of software installed on the network are accessed and mapped to the standardized identifiers of the catalogue. The standardized identifiers are used to manage the installed software, monitor license compliance and/or, monitor maintenance agreements amongst other uses. Data relating to the use of the software is also be obtained and associated with the identification data. Identified software is uninstalled if it complies with a preset criterion. The usage data together with the standardized identifiers may be used to un-install un-used or under used software and licenses cancelled or reallocated. The standardized identifiers may be used to identify if forbidden software is being used and if so to compulsorily un-install the software.
US08489612B2 Identifying similar files in an environment having multiple client computers
To identify similar files in an environment having multiple client computers, a first client computer receives, from a coordinator computer, a request to find files located at the first client computer that are similar to at least one comparison file, wherein the request has also been sent to other client computers by the coordinator computer to request that the other client computers also find files that are similar to the at least one comparison file. In response to the request, the first client computer compares signatures of the files located at the first client computer with a signature of the at least one comparison file to identify at least a subset of the files located at the first client computer that are similar to the at least one comparison file according to a comparison metric. The first client computer sends, to the coordinator computer, a response relating to the comparing.
US08489611B2 Delta chunks and delta hashes
Example apparatus, methods, and computers control processing delta chunks with delta hashes. One example method includes computing a first hash for a chunk for which a duplicate determination is to be made. The first hash is suitable for making the duplicate chunk determination. The method also includes computing a delta hash for the chunk. The delta hash is suitable for making a delta chunk determination. The method controls a de-duplication logic to process the chunk as a duplicate upon determining that the first hash matches a stored first hash. The method controls the de-duplication logic to process the chunk as a delta chunk upon determining that the first hash does not match a stored first hash and that the delta hash matches a stored delta hash. Processing a chunk as a delta chunk may include storing a reference to a stored chunk and storing delta hash information.
US08489609B1 Indexing multimedia web content
A method of indexing multimedia content is disclosed. An element associated with a multimedia content is located in a display page. A potential multimedia content data file is identified through automated processing of data associated with the display page. An index data associated with one or more of the following: the display page, the multimedia content, and the potential multimedia content data file, is generated by processing the potential multimedia content data file.
US08489607B2 Methods and system for providing context sensitive information
A method and system are described for providing context sensitive data to a system user. The method includes the steps of identifying the user and querying databases to create a user context. Information is aggregated from the network databases and filtered using the user context. Providing the correct data needed by the user for that particular time, location and job function.
US08489604B1 Automated resource selection process evaluation
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for evaluating resource selection processes. One method includes receiving test queries and generating a first group of resources corresponding to a first automated resource selection process and generating a second group of resources corresponding to a second automated resource selection process for each query. Another method includes generating a query results table for use in generating the groups of resources. The query results table maps queries to resources matched to the queries, and maps each resource to a respective score for the resource and the query, and one or more index selection signals for the resource.
US08489596B1 Apparatus and method for profiling users
Provided is a process of profiling a user of a mobile computing device, the process including: obtaining a location history of a user, the location history being based on signals from a mobile computing device of the user; obtaining a location-attribute score of a location identified in, or inferred from, the location history; determining, with a computer, a user-attribute score based on the location-attribute score; and storing the user-attribute score in a user-profile datastore.
US08489591B2 Presentation of local results
A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method includes receiving from a remote device a search query, generating a local result set and one or more non-local result sets for the search query, determining a display location for the local result set relative to the non-local result set based on a position of the search query in a local relevance indicium.
US08489590B2 Cross-market model adaptation with pairwise preference data
Embodiments are directed towards generating market-specific ranking models by leveraging target market specific pairwise preference data. The pairwise preference data includes market-specific training examples, while a ranking model from another market captures the common characteristics of the resulting ranking model. In one embodiment, the ranking model is trained by applying a Tree Based Ranking Function Adaptation (TRADA) algorithm to multi-grade labeled training data, such as editorially generated training data. Then, contradictions between the TRADA generated ranking model and target-market specific pairwise preference data are identified. For each identified contradiction, new training data is generated to correct the contradiction. Then, in one embodiment, an algorithm such as TRADA is applied to the existing ranking model and the new training data to generate a new ranking model.
US08489588B2 Interactive visualization of sender and recipient information in electronic communications
An approach is provided that visually distinguishes between entity types in a communication system. A Data store with entities is queried, with entities connected to one another as senders and receivers, resulting in a query result. A node data structure corresponding to each of the entities is created and an edge data structure corresponding to each of the connections between the entities is also created. Nodes corresponding to the node data structures are displayed, along with edges (e.g., connection lines) corresponding to the edge data structures. A user selects one of the nodes that is displayed, and the selected node is visually highlighted. Different types of non-selected nodes are identified based on the selected node. Types of nodes may include sender type nodes, receiver type nodes, and sender/receiver type nodes. The types of identified nodes are highlighted in a manner that visually distinguishes each type from the other types.
US08489587B2 Citation index including citation context
A document, which may be referred to as a “citing document,” may include citations to one or more cited documents. An index of such documents may be referred to as a citation index or citator. Information used to present a citation index may be maintained in a computer-readable storage medium, and this information may include text in a citing document that immediately precedes a citation, immediately follows it, or both. Accordingly, one or more entries in a citation index may include display of one or more citations in the context in which the citations originally appeared. Computerized systems and methods for causing such display are also provided.
US08489586B2 Methods and systems for endorsing local search results
Methods and systems for improving user search experience with a search engine by providing a way for associated users to create and share personalized lists of local search results and/or advertisements through endorsements of such local search results and/or ads. Local search endorsements can be used to personalize the search engine's ranking of local search results by offering a way for users to re-rank the results for themselves and for those who trust them.
US08489585B2 Efficient document processing system and method
A document processing system and method are disclosed. In the method local scores are incrementally computed for document samples, based on local features extracted from the respective sample. A global score is estimated for the document based on the local scores currently computed, i.e., on fewer than all document samples. A confidence in a decision for the estimated global score is computed. The computed confidence is based on the local scores currently computed and, optionally, the number of samples used in computing the estimated global score. A classification decision, such as a categorization or retrieval decision for the document is output, based on the estimated score when the computed confidence in the decision reaches a threshold value.
US08489583B2 Techniques for retrieving documents using an image capture device
Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for retrieving electronic documents based upon images captured using an image capture device. One or more images captured by a user using an image capture device are used to search a set of documents to retrieve one or more documents that match the search query. The one or more documents retrieved by the search may then be provided to the user or some other recipient.
US08489582B2 Interconnected, universal search experience across multiple verticals
One or more query terms that were submitted by a user in connection with a first vertical of a plurality of verticals and not in connection with any other vertical of the plurality of verticals are received. A first set of search results that are both (a) indexed in the first vertical and (b) relevant to the one or more query terms is determined. A second set of search results that are both (a) indexed in a second vertical, but not in the first vertical and (b) relevant to the one or more query terms is also determined. A search results page that contains search results both sets of search results, and that visually distinguishes the sets from each other, is generated. According to one aspect, the results from the second set are shown on the search results page in what appears to be a yellow sticky note.
US08489580B2 Query optimization
A first query is received including a logical expression as a set of predicates in Disjunctive Normal Form. Each predicate from is represented as a bitwise predicate pattern to generate a set of bitwise predicate patterns. A set of valid bitwise patterns from the set of bitwise predicate patterns is identified using the first query. The set of valid bitwise patterns is parsed using logical operators to generate a logical bitwise expression. The logical bitwise expression is factored and the factored logical bitwise expression is mapped to corresponding predicates to generate a logical predicate expression. A second query is generated, which includes modifying the first query using the logical predicate expression and at least one logical operator. A subset of data is retrieved from the data repository using the second query.
US08489579B2 SQL adapter business service
A Structured Query Language (SQL) adapter business service that converts data from a data set to a common representation format used for all data sets with which the SQL adapter business service interacts. Hence the SQL adapter business service can communicate with various internal and external systems independently of the native format in which those systems maintain and store data. The SQL adapter business service optimizes operations to update data in the data sets by combining operations when possible and by using result sets from executing previous SQL statements to construct subsequent SQL statements. SQL adapter business service takes advantage of parent/child relationships between tables to construct SQL statements in an order such that the SQL statements process only a minimum amount of data, thereby making retrieval of data as efficient as possible.
US08489577B2 System and method for defined searching and web crawling
A computerized search engine for use in association with one or more networked social sites is disclosed. The computerized search engine includes a widgetized avatar representative of a user of at least two of the networked social sites, a crawler that crawls each of the at least two networked social sites for modification of information related to one or more contacts of the user on at least one of the at least two networked social sites, and a display of search results. The display includes the modified information from the at least two networked social sites.
US08489575B2 Advanced directory services
Included are embodiments for providing advanced directory services. One embodiment of a method includes receiving categorical data related to a desired listing, wherein the categorical data is configured to describe at least one category associated with the listing, wherein the at least one listing includes at least one communications address. Other embodiments include receiving sub-categorical data related to the desired listing, wherein the sub-categorical data is configured to describe at least one sub-category associated with the at least one category. Still other embodiments include sending a search request for at least one listing, wherein the at least one listing is associated with the received categorical data and wherein the at least one listing is associated with the received sub-categorical data.
US08489562B1 Deferred data storage
A method for deferred storage of data is disclosed. A packet comprising instructions and literal data for rebuilding packet data from a network device is received. The packet data is rebuilt according to the instructions and the literal data. The rebuilt packet data is rewritten to a temporary page in memory. A page utilization metric is calculated based on the contents of the temporary page, the contents comprising the rebuilt data packet. Whether the contents of the temporary page sufficiently match data in data storage is determined. The contents of the temporary page are discarded or stored based on the determination.
US08489561B1 Learning enterprise portal content meta-model
The disclosure generally describes computer-implemented methods, software, and systems for updating enterprise portal content meta-models. One computer-implemented method includes receiving a content analysis request associated with a content repository, analyzing, using at least one computer, the content repository content objects for inconsistencies with a meta-model, receiving meta-model modification suggestion data, modifying the meta-model using the meta-model modification suggestion data, and receiving modification status data.
US08489559B2 Methods and apparatus for conversion of content
In one embodiment of the invention, a utility may be installed (e.g., by a system administrator) on a storage system. The utility may read content units on the storage system that are stored in one data format, and convert the content units to a second data format. In one embodiment, in response to a read request for a content unit, a data format in which to return the content unit may be selected and the content unit may be returned in that data format. In another embodiment, mapping information may be created that specifies in which data format a content unit should be returned in response to a request for the content unit. The mapping information may be stored either on the storage system that stores the content unit, the computer requesting access to the content unit, or any other computer or device in the computer system.
US08489553B2 Managing storage of individually accessible data units
Managing data by: receiving a group of individually accessible data units, each data unit identified by a key value, with key values determined such that the key value identifying a first data unit received before a second data unit occurs earlier in a sort order than the key value identifying the second data unit; and processing the data units for storage in a data storage system. The processing includes: storing blocks of data, the blocks being generated by combining a plurality of the data units; providing an index with entries that enable location, based on a provided key value, of a block that includes a data unit corresponding to the provided key value; and generating one or more screening data structures associated with the blocks for determining, based on a given key value, whether to search the stored blocks for a data unit corresponding to the given key value.
US08489551B2 Method for selecting a processor for query execution
A method of determining whether a query can be redirected to an alternate evaluator in a directory system. The method includes the step of determining in any order, any one or a combination of: Availability of an alternate evaluator, First parameters of the query, Second parameters of the alternate evaluator, Third parameters which are pre-determined criteria.
US08489543B2 Customer relationship management system and method
A software-based customer relationship management system and method.
US08489541B2 Flexible access to metamodels, metadata, and other program resources
A system and method for enabling a Meta Object Facility (MOF) and a Java Metadata Interface (JMI) compliant service to access program resources. A system includes a metamodel repository and an application server. The metamodel repository is configured to store the program resources including metadata and one or more metamodels. The application server includes at least one application providing a first portion of the program resources. A first portion of the program resources are stored in a database associated with the application server. A second portion of the program resources are provided in at least one application of the application server, and programming language instances of the program resources are received by one or more applications independent of where the program resources are stored or provided.
US08489534B2 Adaptive content inspection
Methods and apparatus are provided involving adaptive content inspection. In one embodiment, a content inspection processor may identify information with respect to input data and provide the information to a host controller. The host controller may adapt search criteria or other parameters and provide the adapted parameter to the content inspection processor. Other embodiments may include a content inspection processor having integrated feedback, such that results data is fed back to the content inspection processor. The results data may be processed before being provided to the content inspection processor.
US08489533B2 Inferring view sequence and relevance data
Technologies pertaining to inferring a view sequence of a user are described herein. A view sequence is an order that graphical objects on a graphical user interface are viewed by a user. A view sequence with respect to graphical objects presented on a graphical user interface is inferred based upon historically observed user actions, such as selection of a link or hovering over respective graphical objects. The view sequence is inferred without employment of sensor equipment that tracks eye movements of users.
US08489532B2 Similarity matching of a competitor's products
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for identifying a classification scheme associated with product attributes of a grouping of products of an entity, receiving a record of data relating to an item of a competitor to the entity, the classification of which is uncertain, receiving a dictionary of attributes associated with products, and assigning a product code to the item, based on probabilistic matching among the attributes in the classification scheme, the attributes in the dictionary of attributes and at least one known attribute of the item.
US08489530B2 System and method for root cause analysis of the failure of a manufactured product
A system, method and computer program product for the root cause analysis of the failure of a manufactured product is disclosed. The present invention includes the development of a knowledge model, based on information obtained from historical warranty claim forms and various manufacturing data sources. The invention also includes processing text information in a free-form text that is obtained from warranty claim forms by using text-tagging and annotation techniques. Thereafter, the knowledge model is converted to a Bayesian network. The present invention provides a user interface to select parameters and corresponding instances from current warranty claim forms. The selected parameters and corresponding instances are used as input evidence for the Bayesian network. The present invention facilitates the process of drawing inferences for root cause analysis of the failure of manufactured products and corresponding probabilities.
US08489528B2 Systems and methods for training neural networks based on concurrent use of current and recorded data
Various embodiments of the invention are neural network adaptive control systems and methods configured to concurrently consider both recorded and current data, so that persistent excitation is not required. A neural network adaptive control system of the present invention can specifically select and record data that has as many linearly independent elements as the dimension of the basis of the uncertainty. Using this recorded data along with current data, the neural network adaptive control system can guarantee global exponential parameter convergence in adaptive parameter estimation problems. Other embodiments of the neural network adaptive control system are also disclosed.
US08489527B2 Method and apparatus for neuropsychological modeling of human experience and purchasing behavior
A system for accurately modeling of buyer/purchaser psychology and ranking of content objects within a channel for user initiated browsing and presentation contains a neuropsychological modeling engine, a ranking application, and a behavior modeler which communicate with each other and a presentation system over communication networks. The neuropsychological modeling engine utilizes metafiles associated with content objects, a purchaser/viewer model and a channel model to derive a value ψ representing an individual's mood and a value m representing an individual's motivational strength to select a content object. If the value ψ is within an acceptable predetermined range, the value m is used to determine a ranking for the content object relative to other content objects associated with the channel model. Also disclosed are a system and technique for simultaneously presenting multiple, s content object data streams on the user interface in a manner which encourages multidimensional browsing using traditional navigation commands.
US08489524B2 Systems and methods for turbo on-line one-class learning
Methods for one-class learning using support vector machines from a plurality of data batches are provided. A first support vector machine is learned from the plurality of data batches by a processor. A new data batch is received by the processor and is classified by the first support vector machine. If a non-zero loss classification occurs a new support vector machine is trained using the first support vector machine and the new data batch only. Data batches can be discarded if they are represented by the current support vector machine or after being used for training an updated support vector machine. Weighing factors applied to update the first support vector machine depend upon a parameter which is optimized iteratively. Support vectors do not need to be recalculated. A classifier is learned in a number of stages equal to the number of data batches processed on-line.
US08489514B2 Method, system and program product for generating a demanufacturing price quote
A method, system, and program product for generating a price quote to demanufacture a lot of electronic equipment is disclosed. Representative equipment groups are defined which include default values, based upon knowledge and experience, and study values, based upon dismantle studies. When a quote is requested to demanufacture a given lot of equipment, the equipment in the lot is categorized into representative equipment groups. As profit/loss is calculated for each equipment group, if study values are available, these are used, otherwise default values are used. Pricing contingency and profit may further be calculated to generate the price quote.
US08489509B2 Method for processing rights object in digital rights management system and method and system for processing rights object using the same
A message, method and system for processing rights object (RO) in a DRM system are disclosed. A message for requesting submission or return of an unused/partially consumed rights object (RO) is newly defined. When an authenticated device generates such a request message and transmits it to a right issuer (RI), the RI checks whether there exists an ID of a receiving device in the request message. If an ID of a receiving device exists in the request message, the RI performs a procedure for submitting the RO to the ID of the receiving device. If, however, the ID of the receiving device does not exist, the RI performs a procedure of returning of the RO or issuing of a different RO. Accordingly, the unused RO or partially consumed RO can be returned or submitted to a different device by using the request message.
US08489508B2 Service system
Multiple service servers can store identification tags, which identify each user, after associating the identification tags with the identification tags of other users; and can also store identification data, which uniquely identifies users across multiple service servers, after associating the identification data with an encryption key for each identification datum. A management server device stores as identification data the user address data encrypted by means of an encryption key that has been generated for each identification datum. A gateway server device receives the identification tags from a first service server, receives the other identification tags associated with the first identification tags, receives the encryption keys associated with the other identification tags, and obtains the encrypted data from the management server. The gateway server device then decodes the encrypted information, and commands delivery that uses the obtained address data.
US08489507B1 Alternative payment method for online transactions using interactive voice response
A method for performing payments in remote transactions between buyer and vendor is provided. The method includes receiving buyer information from a vendor's network outlet when the buyer indicates a desire to purchase a selection at a later time through an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) center; providing a token to the buyer; receiving information about the token from the buyer through the IVR center; verifying the information about the token; transferring funds from a buyer account to a vendor account. Also provided is a system for processing payments in remote transactions including an IVR center and a server to: receive a request for token from a buyer to purchase products from a vendor, and to receive information about the product; provide the token to the buyer; access a database, the database including information from vendor's and buyer's accounts; transfer funds from buyer's account to vendor's account upon buyer confirmation.
US08489506B2 Portable consumer device verification system
A method for verifying a portable consumer device. The method includes receiving an authorization request message associated with a transaction conducted using a portable consumer device. The portable consumer device includes a portable consumer device fingerprint. The authorization request message includes an altered portable consumer device fingerprint and an algorithm identifier. The method also includes selecting an algorithm from among a plurality of algorithms using the algorithm identifier, determining the portable consumer device fingerprint using selected algorithm and the altered portable consumer device fingerprint, determining if the portable consumer device fingerprint matches a stored portable consumer device fingerprint, and sending an authorization response message after determining if the portable consumer device fingerprint matches the stored portable consumer device fingerprint.
US08489502B2 Methods and systems for multi-credit reporting agency data modeling
Provided are methods and systems by which a data sample can be generated in order to create a true multi-Credit Reporting Agency model, eliminating the biases and variability in traditional multi-CRA models by allowing the creation of a single multi-CRA method which requires neither alignment nor translation to be applicable on all CRAs.
US08489493B2 Method and arrangement for changing market model in an automated exchange
In an automated exchange comprising a matching module and a dissemination module a market model state is controlled in the matching module and in the dissemination module, respectively. Hereby it is made possible to, during ongoing trading, change market model for the automated exchange.
US08489492B2 Automated encoding of increment operators
In one example a method includes: receiving a first input value associated with a first data field; responsive to determining that the first data field is associated with an increment operation, selecting a second input value associated with a corresponding second data field of a previously transmitted message; comparing the first input value and second input value to determine if the first input value includes a sum of the second input value and an increment value; when the first input value includes the sum of the second input value and increment value, generating a message that omits the first input value for the first data field, and providing an operator symbol indicating the increment operation to specify that the first data field of the message is to be associated with the sum of the increment value and second input value of the second data field in the previously transmitted message.
US08489490B2 Systems and methods for analysis of portfolio returns and trade cost measurement based on fiduciary roles
Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise, for example, a method for measuring trade costs, comprising (1) capturing trade data over a predetermined time period; (2) capturing time stamp data corresponding to said trade data, wherein said time stamp data comprises open events and close events, data regarding when an order is received by a buy-side trading desk from a portfolio manager; data regarding when execution of said order is completed, and data regarding when a manager decides to engage in trading regarding said order; and (3) performing an investment level analysis based on said trade data and said time stamp data. Further embodiments comprise systems and software for implementing the above method (and others) and utilizing information obtained therefrom.
US08489485B2 Method and system for equalizing debt balance and fixed asset value in reverse mortgages
A method and system for debt-to-asset-value balancing of a reverse mortgage benefiting both the lender and the borrower. Options and mechanisms are provided for equalizing borrower debt balance with appraised fixed assets of the reverse mortgage.
US08489479B2 Risk scoring system and method for risk-based data assessment
Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for determining risk. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method for determining risk. The method may include receiving historical information relating to tax return data of a taxpayer. The method may also include updating one or more profiles associated with the historical information. The method may also include receiving current information relating to tax return data of the taxpayer. The method may also include querying the updated historical information based on the received current information. The method may further include processing historical information, received in response to the querying, together with the current information to generate one or more risk scores.
US08489478B2 Virtual terminal for payment processing
In some embodiments, a process for performing transaction tasks using a virtual terminal comprises: presenting functions to a user, receiving a selected function, and performing the selected function. The presented functions may comprise: (a) activating at least one card; (b) deactivating a card; (c) generating a PIN; (d) inserting value; (e) generating an End of Day report; and (f) managing users.
US08489468B2 Online purchase of digital media bundles
Techniques for interacting with an online media store to obtain a media asset bundle, such as a digital boxset, are disclosed. These techniques involve, for instance, browsing for a media asset bundle that includes at least one non-playable media asset, purchasing the media asset bundle, obtaining the media assets contained in the media asset bundle, determining if a presentation request has been made for a media asset in the media asset bundle, and presenting the requested media asset. Further, these techniques involve playing the media assets in a media asset bundle by selecting a media asset in the media asset bundle, determining whether the media asset is playable or non-playable, presenting the media asset using an appropriate media asset viewer if it is playable, not playing (skipping) the media asset if it is non-playable, and selecting/playing other media assets in the media asset bundle until no more media assets are available to be played.
US08489467B2 Extended manufacturing environment
An extended manufacturing environment can receive, at a manufacturer's server, a communication from a customer of the manufacturer, automatically process the communication, and automatically transmit an order for supplies to a supplier of the supplies. The supplies, which are needed by the manufacturer to manufacture at least one product for the customer, can be directly ordered by the customer, without the customer having to wait for the manufacturer's approval.
US08489466B1 System and method for enhancing buyer and seller interaction during a group-buying sale
A method and system are provided that enable buyers and sellers to communicate with each other and to negotiate the purchase terms of featured merchandise in a group-buying opportunity. Sellers and buyers may use various forms of on-line group-buying mechanisms in conjunction with the negotiation features of the invention. Buyers may send various inquiries to sellers regarding merchandise offered for sale through the online group-buying sale. Sellers may respond to buyer questions and queries, and in some instances, sellers may communicate instructions to the on-line group-buying mechanism to alter the course of an on-line group-buying sale in progress, e.g., a further reduction in price. The method and system further provides a mechanism for calculating a demand curve based on received buyer offers and applying the demand curve to an on-line group-buying sale.
US08489463B2 Providing a marketplace for sensor data
In one embodiment, a method includes accessing first information identifying a sensor-data set that includes sensor-data from multiple sensor-data streams from multiple sensors over a period of time, with the sensor data from the sensor-data streams having been combined with each other based on a relationship of the sensor data to a sensor subject; accessing second information identifying one or more offers to purchase the sensor-data set; and matching one of the offers with the sensor-data set to facilitate a purchase of the sensor-data set based at least on the one of the offers matched to the sensor-data set.
US08489460B2 Method and apparatus for advertising bidding
Methods, articles, and systems for determining a bidding strategy for on-line query answer set or contextual advertisement positions for marketing options is described herein.
US08489458B2 Rebroadcasting of advertisements in a social network
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that receives at a server a first request to rebroadcast a first sponsored content item that was displayed on the social network to the first user to a second user. A second request to display at least one sponsored content item to the second user when the second user accesses an electronic document associated with the social network is received at the server. The first sponsored content item is retrieved for rebroadcast from one or more sponsored content items indicated for rebroadcast to the second user. The first sponsored content item is output to the second user of the social network in response to the second request to display and without requiring the second user to select the first sponsored content item for display.
US08489455B2 Enterprise data matching
A system and method for managing media advertising enterprise data including a process for learning enterprise data matching. An EDM (Enterprise Data Management) application module can be configured to include a set of rules at an enterprise level to manage disparate and disconnected records associated with an entity. A number of unmatched and enterprise entities that matches with respect to an active entity can be returned based on a fuzzy logic associated with various matching options stored in an EDM database. A matching process can then be performed to accurately match similar records regardless of manual input, location, and format of the records in a distributed system. Each unmatched record can then be assigned with a parent enterprise entity. Such an optimization mechanism can interactively manage and report records at the enterprise level in a simple and efficient manner.
US08489449B2 System and method for receiving and redeeming loyalty incentives
A system for managing loyalty incentives for a customer, including a personal loyalty account at a centralized server assigned to the customer for storing the balance of a first amount of loyalty incentives for the customer, a loyalty card carried with the customer for identifying and accessing the personal loyalty account and including a loyalty purse for storing a second amount of loyalty incentives, a first merchant terminal operable to interface with the loyalty card for awarding the customer an awarded amount of loyalty incentives by selecting whether to add the awarded amount to the loyalty purse or to add a first predefined amount of loyalty incentives to the loyalty account and receive the difference between the first predefined amount and the awarded amount from the loyalty purse.
US08489447B1 Adjusting price for a sales lead in an online market for sales leads
A computer enabled method adjusts a price to be offered to a buyer for a sales lead in an online market for sales leads based upon past performance of the buyer. The method determines a projected percent to cap value for the buyer based upon a rate at which the buyer is accepting sales leads in a current billing period, determines an opportunity performance value associated with the buyer based upon a ratio of received offers to accepted proposals for offers; determines a delta amount based upon the percent to cap value and the opportunity performance value; and adjusts the price to be offered for the sales lead by the delta amount. A maximum cost percentage value that limits the price to be offered is generated based upon the projected percentage to cap value and the number of sales leads the buyer is projected to purchase in a billing period.
US08489441B1 Quality of records containing service data
An embodiment of the invention, directed to assessing quality of recorded service data, comprises the step of receiving a record containing service data at a service record evaluator. The method further comprises selecting at least one information field of a plurality of information fields contained in the received record, and determining a numerical quality score for each selected information field. Each of the quality scores is used to compute a cumulative quality score for the record, and it is determined whether the cumulative quality score is no less than a minimum quality threshold.
US08489440B2 Earned value application
Obtaining an earned value includes storing a simulation version of a project baseline. The project baseline includes tasks that define a project associated with the project baseline. The simulation version is copied to create an operative version of the project baseline. The simulation version is augmented with an additional task such that the simulation version maintains separate baselines for the additional task and for pre-existing tasks. The additional task is mapped from the simulation version to the operative version such that the operative version incorporates the additional task and the pre-existing task into a single baseline. The earned value is obtained for the project using the operative version.
US08489438B1 Method and system for providing a voice review
A method for evaluating an entity that includes identifying an entity identifier for the entity, recording a voice review for the entity associated with the entity identifier, and submitting the voice review and the entity identifier to a review framework.
US08489436B1 System and method for an order handling data model with item-level granularity
Various embodiments of a system and method for an order handling data model with item-level granularity are described. Embodiments may include an order handling system configured to, for a given purchase order received from an ordering entity, generate within a data store a purchase order data object, item data objects for items of the purchase order, and message data objects for messages associated with item data objects. In various embodiments, the order handling system may also generate in the data store mapping information for mapping each of the different data objects for a given purchase order together. The order handling system may also provide to the ordering entity a notification for a particular item. The notification may be based on information accessed from the item data object corresponding to the particular item or information accessed from other data objects associated with that item data object according to the mapping information.
US08489434B1 System and method for establishing rates for an automobile insurance policy
Automobile insurance rates are established by performing calculations for defining a single tier placement dependent upon a combination of mutually exclusive factors based on applicant data. The factors include a household driving record gradient, a stability gradient and an operator driving record gradient. In the case of a new policy, the factors also include a named insured driving experience gradient and a prior insurance gradient. Alternately, in the case of a renewal policy, the factors also include a household claims record gradient, a member relationship gradient and an operator claims record gradient. No single factor is the sole determinant for placement in a tier.
US08489429B2 System and method for determining a person centric infection risk associated with encountering a healthcare provider
A system and method provide for determining a patient's infection risk associated with a specific healthcare provider encounter. The method incorporates the steps of assessing infection risk factors for a particular patient and comparing those factors to a set of benchmark infection risk factors derived from historical patient outcomes data. Based on the results of the comparison the infection risk assessment for the particular patient is determined and displayed.
US08489424B2 System for communication of health care data
An apparatus for communicating health care data from a sender to a receiver is provided. The apparatus has a first computer system, a second computer system, and a rules engine. The first computer system has health care data stored therein. The second computer system is in operable communication with, and is configured to extract the health care data from, the first computer system. The rules engine normalizes the extracted health care data to a predefined format.
US08489422B2 Apparatus and method for processing phone-in prescriptions
An apparatus and method are disclosed for processing phone-in prescription requests. The apparatus is in the form of a prescription processing network that includes a prescription processing system and a communication device remotely located from the prescription processing system. The communication device is used to establish a communication channel with the prescription processing system and submit a prescription request over the communication channel. A pharmacist, associated with the prescription processing system, prepares a completed prescription form based, at least in part, on the submitted prescription request. The prescription processing network also includes a pharmacy for receiving the completed prescription form, and filling the prescription request based on the completed prescription form.
US08489415B1 Systems and methods for the coordination of benefits in healthcare claim transactions
Systems and methods for the coordination of benefits in healthcare claim transactions are provided. A healthcare claim request including information associated with a plurality of prescription claims for a single healthcare transaction may be received from a healthcare provider computer and identified as a bundled healthcare claim request. A primary claim request for the healthcare transaction may be generated and communicated to a first claims processor computer for adjudication, and a first adjudicated reply may be received from the first claims processor computer. Based at least in part on the received first adjudicated reply, a secondary claim request for the healthcare transaction may be generated and communicated to a second claims processor computer for adjudication. A second adjudicated reply may be received from the second claims processor, and information associated with the first adjudicated reply and the second adjudicated reply may be communicated to the healthcare provider computer.
US08489413B1 System and method for facilitating applications for disability benefits
A system and method which facilitates the reliable collection of data during a single appointment through a plurality of queries configured to obtain responses or present further queries as necessary to ultimately obtain all of the information required for generating a report in a format which satisfies the applicable standards.
US08489412B1 Apparatus and methods for determining and processing medical outcomes
A data processing system is provided for determining clinical outcomes of medical data gathered by the system. The system can allow a person (e.g. a doctor) to define a medical study and can then administer the medical study and can collect and analyze data in real-time from potentially geographically diverse doctors, patients and other people associated with a study. The system can analyze the medical data in real-time according to any number of clinical algorithms that may be custom defined and edited before and during the study. The clinical algorithms produce clinical outcome data that can be used for treatment of patients participating in the study immediately after the data is input and analyzed. The medical outcomes can indicate such things as performance comparisons, composite outcomes, and risk stratification and assessments for such things as treatments, drugs, illnesses, doctors, patients and physicians groups.
US08489409B2 Automated newborn screening results reporting
Systems and methods are provided for facilitating the electronic collection and dissemination of newborn screening results to identified and/or default recipients of the results. A newborn screening manager may be provided to receive and store newborn screening results in an associated database. The newborn screening results may then be communicated electronically to any number of recipients of the results. In some cases, a notification may be provided to the recipients, indicating that the newborn screening results are available to be reviewed. The recipients may then access and review the results.
US08489407B2 Method of evaluating business components in an enterprise
A method of evaluating architectural fit of business software applications employed in an enterprise. The method comprises providing a computer tool with a defined rating system for each one of a set of business technology factors and with a set of defined keys having respective key values, inputting into the computer tool data for a plurality of business components using the respective key values, ranking one or more of the set of business technology factors according to the defined rating system, and conducting an analysis to evaluate architectural fit of the business software applications based on the data inputted using the respective key values and the ranked set of business technology factors. The conducting step further comprises providing at least one business or technology objective and executing an algorithm corresponding to the one business or technology objective provided to conduct the analysis.
US08489405B2 Compression coding and decoding method, coder, decoder, and coding device
The embodiments of the present invention relate to a compression coding and decoding method, a coder, a decoder and a coding device. The compression coding method includes: extracting sign information of an input signal to obtain an absolute value signal of the input signal; obtaining a residual signal of the absolute value signal by using a prediction coefficient, where the prediction coefficient is obtained by prediction and analysis that are performed according to a signal characteristic of the absolute value signal of the input signal; and multiplexing the residual signal, the sign information and a coding parameter to output a coding code stream, after the residual signal, the sign information and the coding parameter are respectively coded, so as to improve compression efficiency of a voice and audio signal.
US08489403B1 Apparatuses, methods and systems for sparse sinusoidal audio processing and transmission
The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SPARSE SINUSOIDAL AUDIO PROCESSING AND TRANSMISSION (hereinafter “SS-Audio”) provides a platform for encoding and decoding audio signals based on a sparse sinusoidal structure. In one embodiment, the SS-Audio encoder may encode received audio inputs based on its sparse representation in the frequency domain and transmit the encoded and quantized bit streams. In one embodiment, the SS-Audio decoder may decode received quantized bit streams based on sparse reconstruction and recover the original audio input by reconstructing the sinusoidal parameters in the frequency domain.
US08489401B1 Script compliance using speech recognition
A system and method for evaluating the compliance of an agent reading a script to a client comprises conducting a voice interaction between the agent and the client wherein the agent follows a script, and dividing data representing a portion of the voice interaction into a plurality of panels after being spoken by the agent, wherein the panels correspond to respective sections of the script, wherein the dividing is based upon timestamps of the panels, and wherein the panels correspond to a single offer of a good or service.
US08489399B2 System and method for verifying origin of input through spoken language analysis
An audible based electronic challenge system is used to control access to a computing resource by using a test to identify an origin of a voice. The test is based on analyzing a spoken utterance to determine if it was articulated by an unauthorized human or a text to speech (TTS) system.
US08489398B1 Disambiguation of spoken proper names
A method is performed by a communication device that is configured to communicate with a server over a network. The method includes outputting, to the server, speech data for spoken words; receiving, from the server, speech recognition candidates for a spoken word in the speech data; checking the speech recognition candidates against a database on the communication device; and selecting one or more of the speech recognition candidates for use by the communication device based on the checking.
US08489397B2 Method and device for providing speech-to-text encoding and telephony service
A machine-readable medium and a network device are provided for speech-to-text translation. Speech packets are received at a broadband telephony interface and stored in a buffer. The speech packets are processed and textual representations thereof are displayed as words on a display device. Speech processing is activated and deactivated in response to a command from a subscriber.
US08489396B2 Noise reduction with integrated tonal noise reduction
The system provides a technique for suppressing or eliminating tonal noise in and input signal. The system operates on the input signal at a plurality of frequency bins and uses information generated at a prior bin to assist in calculating values at subsequent bins. The system first identifies peaks in a signal and then determines if the peaks are from tonal effects. This can be done by comparing the estimated background noise of a current bin to the smoothed background noise of the same bin. The smoothed background noise can be calculated using an asymmetric IIR filter. When the ratio of the current background noise estimate to the currently calculated smoothed background noise is far greater than 1, tonal noise is assumed. When tonal noise is found, a number of suppression techniques can be applied to reduce the tonal noise, including gain suppression with fixed floor factor, an adaptive floor factor gain suppression technique, and a random phase technique.
US08489394B2 Method, apparatus, and computer program for suppressing noise
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program, which can suppress a low frequency range component with a small amount of calculation, and can achieve a noise suppression of high quality, are provided. The noise superposed in a desired signal of an input signal is suppressed by converting the input signal to a frequency domain signal; correcting an amplitude of the frequency domain signal to obtain an amplitude corrected signal; obtaining an estimated noise by using the amplitude corrected signal; determining a suppression coefficient by using the estimated noise and the amplitude corrected signal; and weighting the amplitude corrected signal with the suppression coefficient.
US08489393B2 Speech intelligibility
The perceived quality of a narrowband speech signal truncated from a wideband speech signal is improved by generating in a third frequency band third speech components matching first speech components in a first frequency band of the narrowband signal, and generating in a fourth frequency band fourth speech components matching second speech components in a second frequency band of the narrowband signal. A first gain factor is applied to the third speech components to generate adjusted third speech components, and a second gain factor is applied to the fourth speech components to generate adjusted fourth speech components, the gain factors being selected such that the ratios of the average powers of the adjusted third and fourth speech components to the average power of the first speech components are predetermined values.
US08489391B2 Scalable hybrid auto coder for transient detection in advanced audio coding with spectral band replication
A system method of reusing information in a low power scalable hybrid audio encoder are disclosed. The includes determining a state of an advanced audio coding (AAC) transient flag, performing spectral band replication (SBR) transient detection on at least two possible locations upon a determination that the AAC transient flag is equal to a first value, performing SBR transient detection on a high frequency upon a determination that the AAC transient flag is equal to a second value, and determining whether a transient exists. The system includes a spectral band replication (SBR) coding module configured to determine a state of an advanced audio coding (AAC) transient flag and perform SBR transient detection on at least one location based upon an energy in a signal upon a determination that the AAC transient flag is equal to a first value.
US08489388B2 Data detection
A method for detecting data in a sequence of characters or text using both a statistical engine and a pattern engine. The statistical engine is trained to recognize certain types of data and the pattern engine is programmed to recognize the grammatical pattern of certain types of data. The statistical engine may scan the sequence of characters to output first data, and the pattern engine may break down the first data into subsets of data. Alternatively, the statistical engine may output items that have a predetermined probability or greater of being a certain type of data and the pattern engine may then detect the data from the output items and/or remove incorrect information from the output items.
US08489386B2 Method and system for directing media streams during a conference call
A system for directing media streams during a conference call, including an enterprise, at least one network provided within the enterprise and in communication with a plurality of communication devices, a platform provided within the enterprise and in communication with the network, the platform comprising a protocol layer, a services layer and an application layer, and a conference call server in communication with the platform, wherein the platform is configured for receiving media streams from each of the communication devices and instructing the conference call server on how to direct the media streams to and from each of the communication devices.
US08489383B2 Text disambiguation in a handheld electronic device with capital and lower case letters of prefix objects
A method of disambiguating an input into a handheld electronic device includes, for example, detecting an ambiguous input, generating a number of prefix objects corresponding to the ambiguous input, generating a result, for at least a portion of prefix objects of the result, generating an output set of prefix objects, determining if the quantity of the prefix objects in the result is fewer than a predetermined quantity, and if it is determined that the quantity of the prefix objects is fewer than the predetermined quantity adding as an orphan prefix object to the output set at a position corresponding with a relatively low frequency a prefix object for which a corresponding word object is not identified.
US08489381B1 Method and system for simulating test instruments and instrument functions
Method and system to configure a common set of electronic components using software in order to simulate different electronic, mechanical and/or electro-mechanical instruments or instrument functions. For each instrument function or traditional mode of operation to be simulated, software models are created which when directed to the electronic components, cause the electronic components to respond to input in the same manner that the actual, traditional physical instrument would respond to satisfy the same test requirement input. The software models are preferably stored in a model repository which is searchable to enable a user to select the instrument function or traditional mode of operation to be simulated with the corresponding model being provided to the electronic components. Once the model, i.e., a function for each synthetic element, is downloaded and the electronic components configured according to the model functions, testing of the assemblies or other UUTs can begin.
US08489380B2 Satisfiability (SAT) based bounded model checkers
Systems and methods that use a solver to find bugs in a target model of a computing system having one or more finite computation paths are provided. The bugs on computation paths of less than a predetermined length are detected by translating the target model to include a state variable AF for one or more states of the target model, wherein AF(S) represents value of the state variable AF at state S; and solving the translated version of the target model that satisfies predetermined constrains.
US08489377B2 Method of verifying the performance model of an integrated circuit
A method of verifying a performance model of an integrated circuit is provided. The method comprises the following steps: obtaining statistical request numbers and corresponding latency values of memory access requests; developing functions of latency value based on the statistical request numbers and the corresponding latency values; bringing a random value to one of the functions to retrieve a latency value; and verifying the logic of the performance model using the latency value retrieved in the step above.
US08489376B2 Controller and fabric performance testing
In an embodiment, a model may be created using a register-transfer level (RTL) representation (or other cycle-accurate representation) of the controller and the circuitry in the communication fabric to the controller. The request sources may be replaced by transactors, which may generate transactions to test the performance of the fabric and controller. Accordingly, only the designs of the controller and the fabric circuitry may be needed to model performance in this embodiment. In an embodiment, at least some of the transactors may be behavioral transactors that attempt to mimic the operation of corresponding request sources. Other transactors may be statistical distributions, in some embodiments. In an embodiment, the transactors may include a transaction generator (e.g. behavioral or statistical) and a protocol translator configured to convert generated transactions to the communication protocol in use at the point that the transactor is connected to the fabric.
US08489373B2 Method and tool for simulation of the aerodynamic behaviour of an aircraft in flight close to the ground
A method of computer simulation of an aerodynamic behavior of an aircraft in flight close to the ground includes generating a volume mesh of a three-dimensional geometric domain. The volume mesh is at least partly delimited by a three-dimensional geometric model of the aircraft and by a plane modelling the ground. The volume mesh defines a computational domain. The method also includes imposing a uniform boundary condition on the plane comprising a predetermined speed vector with a non-zero tangential component and a non-zero normal component, and solving a discrete numerical model of the Navier-Stokes equations by computer on the volume mesh with the uniform boundary condition imposed on the plane to obtain a numerical solution of a fluid flow inside said computational domain.
US08489372B2 FEM-BEM coupling methods and systems for sliding contact interface
Systems and methods of numerically simulating physical phenomena of firing an electromagnetic rail-gun using a coupled FEM-BEM procedure are disclosed. Electromagnetic rail-gun includes a pair of parallel rails and a projectile located therebetween. Rails and projectile are represented by a FEM model, while the ambient air surrounding the rail-gun is represented by a BEM mesh for simulating the electromagnetic fields. The BEM mesh is generated from the FEM model as a surface encasing the projectile and rails. A sliding contact interface between each of the rails and the projectile causes the BEM faces in contact to be removed and thus resulting into a hole/gap in the BEM mesh. The hole/gap is patched up with new triangular BEM faces without adding new nodes in accordance with a predefined set of rules, such that the resulting BEM mesh is suitable for carrying out the coupled FEM-BEM procedure.
US08489371B2 Method and device for determining transfer functions of the HRTF type
The invention relates to a method for determining transfer functions of the HRTF type for an individual, that includes: measuring, for a first number of directions, the transfer functions of the HRTF type specific to the individual; matching the directivity functions associated with the measured functions of the HRTF type, with reference directivity functions associated with reference transfer functions of the HRTF type, the reference functions of the HRTF type being determined for a second number of directions higher that the first number of directions and reconstructing the measured directivity functions from the reference directivity functions.
US08489369B2 Methods for calculating multimode fiber system bandwidth and manufacturing improved multimode fiber
An improved algorithm for calculating multimode fiber system bandwidth which addresses both modal dispersion and chromatic dispersion effects is provided. The radial dependence of a laser transmitter emission spectrum is taken into account to assist in designing more effective optical transmission systems.
US08489366B2 System and method for radiation dose control
A system and method for determining a desired portion of a subject to receive a radiation dose includes iteratively choosing weight vectors to run to gradually build up a Pareto surface (PS). BY examining the current points that have been found on the PS along with the weights used to produce those points, a new vector is produced and run. This process is repeated until a geometric stop tolerance is met.
US08489365B2 System and method for measuring greenness of an information technology environment
A computer-implemented method for measuring the “greenness” of an IT environment is provided. The method comprises extracting asset data from a plurality of IT assets located on a network and extracting one or more greenness attributes from each of the plurality of IT assets. Key performance indicators are calculated, using the one or more greenness attributes, for each of the plurality of IT assets, and the key performance indicators are presented to a user in a graphical user interface. According to more particular embodiments, the greenness attributes comprise numerical values representing one or more of power requirements, power consumption, and resource utilization.
US08489362B2 Method for determining failure rate of an electrochemical sensor
A method for determining a failure rate of an electrochemical sensor type for a process, wherein the process is defined by determined values, or value intervals, of a plurality of specified process parameters, and wherein a plurality of defect types is specified for the sensor type, comprising steps as follows: assigning, by means of expert knowledge, a defect rate to each combination of one of the values, or value intervals, of the specified process parameters and one of the specified defect types; and calculating the failure rate of the sensor type according to a calculational specification with application of the defect rates assigned to the combinations of a value, or value interval, of a process parameter and a defect type.
US08489360B2 Multivariate monitoring and diagnostics of process variable data
A system and method of monitoring and diagnosing on-line multivariate process variable. Multivariate process data includes multiple process variables each having a multiple observations. On-line process data is collected from a process control system when the process is on-line. The on-line process data includes multiple observations of multiple process variables. A multivariate statistical analysis represents the operation of the process based on a set of the on-line process data. The representation a result. The representation and the set of on-line process data are stored. An output is generated based on a parameter of the representation. The parameter includes a result generated by the representation of the operation of the process, a process variable used to generate the representation of the operation of the process and/or the set of collected on-line process data.
US08489354B2 Vehicle speed determination system and method
A method for verifying the speed of a vehicle having at least a front axle and a rear axle, using sensors separated by a distance. The presence of the vehicle is sensed and an image of the vehicle is recorded to enable the vehicle to be identified. The sensors are triggered to emit signals which are received by the system to enable the speed of the vehicle to be determined. The signals are also used to determine a wheel base measurement for the vehicle. The determined wheel base measurement is compared to an actual wheel base measurement of the vehicle being sensed and any discrepancy between them is taken to be indicative of potential errors in the speed of the vehicle determined by the method. In one embodiment, the a database is provided, the database containing data relating to various vehicle types associated with vehicle specifications including a validated wheel base measurement for each vehicle type.
US08489352B2 Information recording medium, and process management apparatus and process management system using the information recording medium
Apparatuses and method capable of reliably tracking processes through which products have passed without calling for expensive setup are necessary in production and distribution processes of the products. A process management apparatus including a data transmission/reception unit to and from an RFID tag of an information recording medium and a data generation unit comprises a process data generation unit for representing a process, a process pass certificate data generation unit for generating process data pass certificate data and a transmission/reception unit for the process data with the information recording medium and the process pass certificate data can track the processes through which the object products have passed.
US08489351B2 System and method for frequency measurement based on quadratic forms
A system and methods for determining points for an algorithm to calculate the frequency of a waveform measured from a monitoring device. Data points are measured from the waveform. A last point of interest from the previous cycle of the waveform is referenced. Four points of interest at equally spaced phase angles from the current cycle of the waveform are determined by calculating the average of the data points around each of the respective equally spaced phase angles of the current cycle of the waveform. The average value of the points of interest in the current cycle is subtracted from the four points of interest and the last point of interest from the previous cycle to compensate for DC bias. A frequency of the waveform is determined based on the determined four points of interest of the current cycle and the last point of interest from the previous cycle. The correction factor for determining sample frequency may be reduced for subsequent cycles in order to increase stability.
US08489350B2 Frequency domain bitmap triggering using color, density and correlation based triggers
An RF test and measurement device, including a front end for receiving a time-varying signal and a real-time engine for generating digital frequency domain spectrums based on the time-varying signal. The device also includes a memory subsystem containing a frequency domain bitmap which is updated through sequential receipt and storage of the digital frequency domain spectrums. The real time engine is further configured to monitor the frequency domain bitmap for occurrence of a signal characteristic, and in response to detection of the signal characteristic, cause a capture of the time-varying signal into a storage location of the RF test and measurement device.
US08489349B2 Identifying a current drawn by a load
A method includes, in at least one aspect, receiving a digital voltage signal representing a voltage supplied to a circuit having a load, identifying a first time stamp associated with a voltage value representing an extrema in the digital voltage signal, receiving a digital current signal representing a current drawn by the load in response to the supplied voltage, identifying a second time stamp associated with the digital current signal, the second time stamp being within a threshold time of the first time stamp, and identifying a current value associated with the second time stamp as the current drawn by the load.
US08489347B2 Battery pack monitoring apparatus
The battery pack monitoring apparatus is for monitoring a battery pack constituted of battery blocks connected in series and each including battery cells connected in series. The battery pack monitoring apparatus includes a cell monitoring circuits provided respectively for the battery blocks, and a control circuit. Each of the cell monitoring circuits includes a cell voltage detection circuit to detect cell voltages of the battery cells included in a corresponding one of the battery blocks, and a block voltage detection circuit to detect a block voltage of the corresponding one of the battery blocks. The control circuit is configured to detect states of the battery cells based on the cell voltages and the block voltages transmitted from the respective cell monitoring circuits.
US08489346B2 Parametric multi-cycle averaging in an intelligent electronic device
A method and apparatus measures electrical power usage and quality, while mitigating the effects of noise on measured signals or parameters. Specifically, a digital electrical power and energy meter employs a method in which a processor averages a parameter, such as voltage or current, over a plurality of cycles of a time-varying signal, such as an AC electrical signal. The method employed by the meter samples a parameter over the plurality of cycles and computes the average of the samples corresponding to the same phase angle of the signal to produce an average signal.
US08489337B2 Rejuvenation or preservation of germ cells
Certain embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, at least one of compositions, methods, devices, systems, kits, or products regarding rejuvenation or preservation of germ cells or gametes. Certain embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, methods of modifying germ cells or gametes, or methods of administering modified germ cells or gametes to at least one biological tissue.
US08489334B2 Drug discovery methods
Method for identifying disease-related pathways that can used to identify discovery targets, to identify new uses for known drugs, to identify markers for drug response, and related purposes.
US08489327B2 Navigation device and method for providing alternative network connections
A method and device are disclosed for navigation. In at least one embodiment, the method includes connecting a navigation device to a server via a modem connection; receiving information from the server; determining whether or not criteria will be met for disconnecting the modem connection; and connecting the navigation device to the server via an alternative connection upon determining that criteria will be met for disconnecting the modem connection. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes a modem to connect the navigation device to a server a receiver to receive information from the server; a processor to determine whether or not criteria will be met for disconnecting the connection via the modem; and an alternative connection device (such as the Bluetooth device for paired mobile phone connection, for example) to connect the navigation device to the server, the alternative connection device being used upon the processor determining that criteria will be met for disconnecting the connection of the modem.
US08489326B1 Placemarked based navigation and ad auction based on placemarks
A system and method provides turn-by-turn directions including placemarks. Each placemark represents a geographically located object such as a business or landmark. A client device may transmit an initial and a final location. Upon receipt of the locations, a server may determine a route comprised of a plurality of route segments. For each route segment associated with one or more placemark, the server may conduct an auction to choose one of the placemarks. The server may receive a plurality of bids associated with a particular route segment. Each bid is associated with a particular placemark. The server selects the placemark by determining a highest bid or other auction criteria. The selected placemark is associated with the route segment and is used to generate a turn-by-turn direction for the route segment, where information associated with the placemark is displayed on a client device.
US08489325B2 Point of interest based directions in a mapping application
Systems and methods are provided for defining a route from a starting point to a destination. The route can include several steps, each including an instruction directing a user to move in a particular manner, and a reference around or near which to follow the instruction. To assist the user in following the directions, a step can include one or more points of interest serving as references. In particular, points of interest having high visibility (e.g., relative to street signs) can be selected to serve as references for the directions. The device can select which points of interest to use based on any suitable criteria, including for example based on the distance of a point of interest from a location where a step requires an instruction, as well as based on visibility attributes of the points of interest.
US08489317B2 System and method for stochastically predicting the future states of a vehicle
A method for predicting future states of a vehicle including the steps of selecting a model having n states reflecting dynamic features of the vehicle; inputting noisy sensor measurements representing a current state of the vehicle to generate (2n+1) sigma points Xi where i=0, . . . . 2n, each of the sigma points having n states; performing (2n+1) integrations, each integration includes propagating the n-states of the respective sigma points Xi through the non-linear function Yi=f(Xi); and combining the propagated sigma points to generate the predicted future states of the vehicle.
US08489316B1 Map matching method for vehicle safety warning system
A map matching method for a vehicle safety warning system (VSWS) is provided. The method includes the steps of a) determining if intelligent transportation system (ITS) map data is available, b) determining a vehicle location and a vehicle heading, c) determining an envelope area around a road feature defined by the ITS map data, d) determining a segment heading for a segment of the road feature, e) determining a separation distance between the vehicle location and the segment if the vehicle location is located within the envelope area, the segment heading is substantially similar to the vehicle heading, and optionally, the segment elevation is substantially similar to the vehicle elevation, and f) map matching the vehicle location to the segment if the separation distance is less than a threshold.
US08489309B2 Feedback control system
In a feedback control system in which a base gain having a constant value or a variable gain is set as a feedback gain in accordance with the state of the system and an input value is calculated based on a function having, as variables, a proportional term and an integral term, the integral term is recalculated when a discriminant value obtained by substituting a base proportional term calculated using the base gain for the proportional term and a normal integral term calculated using the feedback gain for the integral term in the function is larger than an upper limit value. The integral term is recalculated in such a way that a value obtained by substituting the base proportional term for the proportional term and the recalculated integral term for the integral term in the function becomes equal to or smaller than the upper limit value.
US08489305B2 Car-following controller and car-following control method
When a preceding vehicle (Vb) starts during deceleration of a vehicle (Va) which is trying to stop following the stopped preceding vehicle (Vb), if the vehicle (Va) accelerates following the preceding vehicle (Vb), the driver possibly mistakes that the vehicle is equipped with an automatic start function. A virtual preceding vehicle (Vb′) is set at the stop position of the preceding vehicle (Vb), so that the vehicle (Va) is temporarily stopped following the stopping virtual preceding vehicle (Vb′) even if the actual preceding vehicle (Vb) is started. As a result, the vehicle (Va) is not started until the driver indicates the intention to start by operating a start switch, and the driver can be prevented from mistaking that the vehicle is equipped with an automatic start function.
US08489304B2 Torque distribution control apparatus for four-wheel drive vehicle
A torque distribution control apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes a torque distribution controller configured to control a sub-driving-wheel distribution torque to be transmitted to right and left sub-driving wheels via right and left torque distribution clutches in accordance with a target distribution torque. A driving-torque calculator is configured to calculate a driving torque output from a driving source. A target-distribution-torque calculator is configured to calculate the target distribution torque to be distributed to the sub-driving wheels in accordance with the driving torque. A target-distribution-torque correction device is configured to correct the target distribution torque to increase when the target distribution torque is lower than or equal to a first threshold value and an increase rate of the target distribution torque is higher than or equal to a second threshold value.
US08489303B2 Powertrain control system and methods with ECM-to-TCM parameter transfer protocols for TCM based control
A control system includes an engine control module and a transmission control module. The transmission control module communicates with the engine control module via a network. The engine control module generates a mean engine speed signal and a minimum engine speed signal. The engine control module transmits the mean engine speed signal and the minimum engine speed signal to the transmission control module via the network. The transmission control module controls operation of at least one of a torque converter and a transmission based on the mean engine speed signal and the minimum engine speed signal. The torque converter is connected between an engine and the transmission.
US08489300B2 Vibration control apparatus for automotive vehicle
An object of the present invention is to execute an optimum control of vibrations due to a driver's operation of an accelerator pedal, steering wheel and brake pedal. The operation instructions are inputted into a vibration calculating means (kinetic model) comprising a vehicle body model, suspension model and tire model. Conventional kinetic model controlled the suspension in order to suppress the vehicle body vibration. However, in the kinetic model of the present invention, the tire vibration due to a change in the engine output is first absorbed by the suspension, whereby a residual vibration which was not be absorbed yet by the suspension is transferred to the vehicle body. The operation inputs are compensated by the three feed-back loops between the outputs of the above-mentioned three portions and input of the tire portion, giving the highest priority on the vehicle body model.
US08489295B2 Up-shift control in an automatic transmission with negative input torque
A transmission control module including a shift control module that generates an enable signal when an up-shift is requested and the engine torque is below a threshold torque value. A turbine speed profile determination module that selectively generates a desired turbine speed profile. The shift control module controls a clutch pressure of an off-going clutch based on a measured turbine speed and the desired turbine speed profile when the enable signal is generated.
US08489290B1 Farm sidehill compensation
An apparatus and method using GNSS for dynamically adjusting side-to-side positioning of a farm implement along a geographical path.
US08489289B2 Converter for signals between a safety device and a safety control device for a vehicle
Disclosed is a converter (200) for signals between a safety device (300) and a universal safety control device (100) for a vehicle. At the converter (200) the safety control device (100) can be connected at a control device interface (200.1) and at least one type of safety devices (300.2) can be connected at at least one safety device interface (200.2) and wherein the converter (200) converts a signal of the safety control device (100) into a signal, which is suitable for the respectively connected type of safety device (300.2), to the respective safety device interface (200.2). It is proposed to embody the converter (200) such that it detects a condition at the safety device interface (200.2), in particular a diagnostics condition signal and converts it into a condition accordingly predefined at the control device interface (200.1), preferably in a manner which does not require an adaptation of the control device or of its software.
US08489288B2 Method and control device for the activation of a passenger safety arrangement of a vehicle
A method of activating a passenger safety arrangement of a vehicle, the method including reading in a roll rate of the vehicle and triggering the passenger safety arrangement when, at a first time, at least one roll rate value is present, which exhibits a positive sign and is larger than a roll rate positive threshold value and when, at a second time after the first time, at least one roll rate value is present, which exhibits a negative sign and is smaller than a roll rate negative threshold value.
US08489286B2 Vehicle operation supporting device and vehicle operation supporting method
When an obstacle on either of the two sides of a vehicle is detected, the future position of the vehicle after a prescribed time is predicted. When the future predicted vehicle position reaches a prescribed lateral position in the width direction of the lane, control start is determined such that obstacle avoiding control is carried out to prevent the approach of the vehicle to the obstacle. When an intention of the driver to enter the lane of the obstacle is detected, the start timing for obstacle avoiding control is shortened.
US08489278B2 Bicycle user interface system and method of operation thereof
A bicycle is disclosed having a control system with a user interface and an active suspension system. The control system includes a one or more sensors arranged to measure and transmit a signal indicative of the terrain over which the bicycle is being ridden. The active suspension system includes a valve box that is fluidly coupled to each chamber of the lower cylinder. An orifice in the valve box is changed in size in response to a signal from a sensor associated with the front wheel that changes the response of the suspension system due to changing terrain conditions. The user interface includes a selection device mounted to the handlebars that allows the user to change parameters of the active suspension system during operation of the bicycle.
US08489277B2 Electronic suspension control apparatus
An electronic suspension control apparatus is provided with a signal receiving section, a suspension lockout determination section and a signal output section. The signal receiving section selectively receives input signals. The suspension lockout determination section determines a suspension lockout state. The signal output section outputs a temporary lockout release signal in response to the signal receiving section receiving a suspension height adjustment signal as one of the input signals while the suspension lockout determination section determines that a suspension lockout state exists.
US08489275B2 Methods for selective activation of multimedia functions and vehicles incorporating the same
In one embodiment, a method for selective activation of vehicle multimedia functions may include receiving a passenger occupancy signal indicative of an occupancy of a passenger seat from a passenger detection sensor. A gear signal indicative of a gear ratio of a transmission may be received from a vehicle gear sensor. Access to a medium interaction level function of a vehicle multimedia system may be prevented, when the passenger occupancy signal indicates that the passenger seat is unoccupied and the gear signal indicates that the gear ratio of the transmission corresponds to a motive gear. Access to the medium interaction level function of the vehicle multimedia system may be allowed, when the passenger occupancy signal indicates that the passenger seat is occupied with a passenger and the gear signal indicates that the gear ratio of the transmission corresponds to the motive gear.
US08489273B2 Electric control unit
An electric control unit may include a behavior check unit, a drive information store unit, a classify unit, a count unit and a condition set unit. The behavior check unit determines whether a vehicle behavior is generated by comparing the vehicle behavior with a detection condition. The drive information store unit stores information of the vehicle behavior in a memory unit drive when the vehicle behavior is generated. The classify unit classifies the vehicle behavior into one of a plurality of behavior classes. The behavior classes are arranged to classify the vehicle behavior according to a magnitude of the vehicle behavior. The count unit controls a counter for each behavior class according to the classification of the vehicle behavior. Based on the counters of each of the behavior classes, the condition set unit sets the detection condition as a boundary condition of one of the behavior classes.
US08489267B1 Method and system for adapting engine coolant temperature (ECT) warm-up trajectory based on heater core loading to adjust cabin temperature
In a hybrid-electric vehicle that includes a cabin, methods and systems are provided for modifying a first curve for engine coolant temperature (ECT) warm-up trajectory. The system includes a processor configured to execute software instructions, and a memory configured to store software instructions accessible by the processor. In one embodiment, the software instructions comprise an offset lookup table that is configured to generate, based on a calculated thermal power loss across a heater core and an ambient air temperature, an offset value for modifying the first curve for ECT warm-up trajectory to produce a desired curve for ECT warm-up trajectory that is offset from the first curve. The desired curve for ECT warm up trajectory is used to adjust temperature in the cabin so that fuel consumption can be reduced.
US08489261B2 Method and device for aiding the piloting of an aircraft during a final approach phase
A device for aiding the piloting of an aircraft during a final approach phase includes a flight management system and an approach selecting device for automatically selecting an approach to be used during landing of the aircraft. A method for aiding the piloting of an aircraft includes automatically selecting an approach to be used during landing of an aircraft by selecting an approach with the smallest decision height that can also be technically implemented by the aircraft.
US08489259B2 Aircraft black box
Commercial aircraft (11) having a black box (41) comprising a flight data recorder (49) connected to suitable acquisition units (13, 14, 15) for recording information required for crash investigation purposes inside a container (43), wherein the aircraft (11) comprises a crash detection device (17); the black box (41) is installed in a suitable location for being ejected outside the aircraft in a crash event through a duct (21, 31) having its exit in a fuselage area where the ejected black box (41) would not impact on the aircraft; the aircraft (11) also comprises ejection means (23, 33), controlled by a black box ejection control unit (19) connected to said crash detection device (17), for ejecting the black box (41) through said duct (21, 31), when an impending crash is detected by said crash detection device (17).
US08489258B2 Propulsive guidance for atmospheric skip entry trajectories
The invention set forth herein describes propulsive guidance methods and apparatus for controlling and shaping an atmospheric skip reentry trajectory for a space vehicle. Embodiments of the invention may utilize a powered explicit guidance algorithm to provide a closed-loop control method for controlling a space vehicle during a skip reentry maneuver.
US08489257B2 Method and device for moveable tail trimming in an aircraft
The invention relates to a method for actuating an adjusting drive for adjusting an elevator (12) and an adjusting drive for adjusting a moveable tail (23) provided with the steps: Generation of an elevator command to actuate the elevator adjusting drive; Calculating a moveable tail command (IHC1) for actuating the moveable tail adjusting drive in such a manner that the moveable tail (23) is tracked to the elevator input signal (10); Depending on the adjusting states of the elevator (12) and/or the moveable tail (23) or flight states, retaining the adjusting state of the moveable tail adjusting drive or actuating the moveable tail adjusting drive with a moveable tail command (IHCMD) for changing the adjusting state of the moveable tail (23), during actuation of the elevator adjusting drive with an elevator command for changing the adjusting state of the elevator (23) and in the event of a deviation from the calculated moveable tail command (IHC1) and the commanded moveable tail command (IHCMD), acting upon the elevator command to compensate for retention of the adjusting state of the moveable tail adjusting drive and a control device for carrying out the method.
US08489256B2 Automatic parafoil turn calculation method and apparatus
A method is described that involves performing the following with a parafoil's control unit composed of electronic circuitry while the control unit is being transported with a parafoil: determining a desired exit of a turn; determining a desired time for the turn; determining the parafoil's actual entrance for the turn; determining an arc between the actual entrance and the desired exit; and, incorporating said arc as said parafoil's planned flight trajectory through said turn.
US08489255B2 Method and device for compensation of mechanical stresses in an aircraft structure
A method and a device are described for compensation of mechanical stresses in an aircraft structure. The method comprises the steps of producing signals that represent mechanical stresses occurring in the aircraft structure, and operating actuators, which absorb at least some of the mechanical stresses and are arranged in the aircraft structure, such that the mechanical stresses are compensated.
US08489254B2 Control system for equipment on a vehicle with a hybrid-electric powertrain
A vehicle equipped for power take off operation using direct application of power from a hybrid electric powertrain. A body computer connects to the controller area network to receive chassis input signals. A controller area network has an electronic control module, a transmission control module, and a hybrid control module. The electronic control module electrically connects to the transmission control module and the hybrid control module. A data link based remote power module is installed on the vehicle for generating body demand signals for initiating operation of the vehicle hybrid electric powertrain for a power take off operation. A plurality of PTO request switches are electrically connected to the controller area network. The body computer is programmable to accept a signal from at least one of the PTO request switches to change an operating state of the power take off operation.
US08489248B2 Portable backup power system
A portable power system for use with an electrical device. The system includes a portable power storage device, a motor, a controller, an alternator, an inverter, and a first monitor. The portable power storage device provides a DC voltage. The first monitor generates a first indication related to a characteristic of the portable power source. The controller monitors the primary power source delivering primary power to the electrical device, couples the portable power storage device to the inverter for generating an AC output, and selectively drives the motor in response to the first indication. The alternator is responsive to the motor for converting mechanical motion of the motor into an electrical signal for use to recharge the portable power storage device.
US08489244B2 Method, controller and system for controlling the slug flow of a multiphase fluid
A method of controlling the flow of a multiphase fluid through a pipeline that includes a riser pipe with a choke valve comprises receiving multiple signals dependent on fluid flow properties from a plurality of sensors in the topside area of the riser pipe, analysing the signals to establish a vector of measurement weights, the product of the vector of measurement weights and a corresponding vector of the signal values of a given time being dependent on the severity of a slug flow forming in the system. Further signals dependent on fluid flow properties are received from the plurality of sensors in the topside area of the riser pipe. A set position for the choke valve is then determined from the product of the vector of measurement weights and further values of signals to restrict characteristics of the flow in the topside from moving towards a severely slugging flow regime.
US08489243B2 Thermostat user interface
A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described, the thermostat having a user interface that is visually pleasing, approachable, and easy to use while also providing ready access to, and intuitive navigation within, a menuing system capable of receiving a variety of different types of user settings and/or control parameters. For some embodiments, the thermostat comprises a housing, a ring-shaped user-interface component configured to track a rotational input motion of a user, a processing system configured to identify a setpoint temperature value based on the tracked rotational input motion, and an electronic display coupled to the processing system. An interactive thermostat menuing system is accessible to the user by an inward pressing of the ring-shaped user interface component. User navigation within the interactive thermostat menuing system is achievable by virtue of respective rotational input motions and inward pressings of the ring-shaped user interface component.
US08489236B2 Control apparatus and control method for robot arm, robot, control program for robot arm, and integrated electronic circuit
There is provided a control apparatus and control method for robot arm, robot, control program for robot arm, and integrated electronic circuit, which can improve robot arm operability upon performing tasks such as cooperative conveyance and direct teaching. The grip portion separated from the end effector attached to the robot arm is provided. When a person grips and shifts the grip portion, a tracking control unit controls so that the robot arm follows the shift. A fixing switch unit switches between a fixing state where, upon switching to “playback mode”, a fixing portion is located at a fixed position to fix the end effector and the grip portion to maintain a gap distance therebetween and a relatively shiftable state where, upon switching to “teaching mode”, the fixing portion is located at an accommodated position to relatively shift them from each other without maintaining the gap distance.
US08489229B2 Method and device for automated loading of packages on a load carrier
A method and system for loading a loading carrier, in particular pallets, with packages by means of an automated manipulator, a model of a package stack on the loading carrier is automatically determined, an initial desired position for a package in the mode is determined, the package stack is detected on the loading carrier, a deviation between the detected package stack and the model is determined, the package is placed by the manipulator, and the steps are repeated until a termination criterion is reached.
US08489228B2 Path planning in a warehouse
A method of path planning for a working resource to access storage bins in a warehouse, the warehouse comprising a plurality of storage bins, the warehouse being divided into a set of activity areas, each activity area comprising a number of the bins of the warehouse; the method comprising the following steps: Selecting one out of a set of activities of a working resource in the warehouse; selecting a sort sequence which is associated with the selected activity, the sort sequence defining a path through the activity area the working resource has to follow when accessing the bins; determining, based on the selected activity area and the selected sort sequence, the path through the activity area to the bins.
US08489227B2 Transport method and transport apparatus
Provided is a transport method comprising judging whether there is a possibility that misalignment greater than or equal to a threshold value occurs between substrates to be layered that are held by a pair of substrate holders aligned and stacked by an aligning section, the misalignment occurring when the pair of substrate holders is transported from the aligning section to a pressure applying section; and if the judgment indicates that there is the possibility of misalignment, transporting the pair of substrate holders to a region other than the pressure applying section. Whether there is the possibility of misalignment may be judged based on at least one of an acceleration of the substrate holders, an acceleration of a transporting section that transports the substrate holders, relative positions of the substrate holders, or relative positions of the transporting section and one of the pair of substrate holders.
US08489221B2 Method and apparatus for reel building and roll runnability in moving web manufacturing
A method and apparatus are set forth for controlling and actuator in a moving web manufacturing process. The method includes: (1) measuring a plurality of actuator profiles and in response generating nominal response models thereof; (2) generating a multivariable profile prediction based on the nominal response models; (3) generating a multivariable control target based at least one of the actuator profile; and (4) adjusting control of the actuator by minimizing error between the multivariable control target and the multivariable profile prediction.
US08489214B2 Dock without a power source for digital devices
There is provided a dock without a power source for a portable digital device with at least one integrated speaker driver. The dock may include a platform for placement of the portable digital device; a protrusion located at the platform for connection of the portable digital device with the dock with the protrusion including a slot for egress of air from at least one hole in a casing of the portable digital device to the dock; and at least one primary chamber to receive air from the portable digital device with the at least one primary chamber having a vented port for the egress of air. Advantageously, sound from the at least one integrated speaker driver is amplified when the portable digital device is connected to the dock. The connection of the portable digital device with the dock may be securable. A horn may be included in an exterior facing opening of the vented port, as the horn advantageously improves aspects of sound such as, for example, sound directivity, radiation efficiency or both of the aforementioned.
US08489210B2 Electronic operator interface based controller and device automatic downloads
The invention relates to systems and/or methodologies for electronic operator interface based controller and device automatic downloads. More particularly, an electronic operator interface can determine if control logic or content used by an industrial controller has been updated, changed, or otherwise modified. If the content has been modified, then the electronic operator interface can automatically obtain the content and store a back-up copy in memory. Additionally or alternatively, the electronic operator interface can periodically update a backup copy of the content. Furthermore, the electronic operator interface can determine if the controller has lost its content, and restore the content from the most recent version saved in memory.
US08489203B2 Biostable neuroelectrode
A device for deriving electrical signals or for electrically simulating neuronal tissue. Neuroelectrodes form an interface between the biological tissue and technical systems. Existing neuroelectrodes for contacting low-lying neuronal layers diminish their properties by the interaction with biological tissue. In order to improve the long-time behavior, neuroelectrodes filled with bioactive substances are used. The neuroelectrode is formed on a flexible or rigid substrate with the aid of a line and of a microcapillary. The inside of the microcapillary serves as a container for the bioactive substance. The biostable neuroelectrode is used for deriving electrical signals or for electrically stimulating neuronal tissue in the fields of neurology and neurophysiology.
US08489202B2 Adherent metal oxide coating forming a high surface area electrode
An implantable electrode having a strong, adherent surface coating of iridium oxide or titanium nitride on a platinum surface, where the platinum surface has a surface area of at least five times that of a smooth shiny platinum surface of the same geometry. The iridium oxide coating may be formed on platinum by a physical deposition process, such as sputtering. A gradient coating of iridium oxide ranging in composition from pure platinum to pure iridium oxide is produced by sputtering.
US08489201B2 Shielded diathermy applicator with automatic tuning and low incidental radiation
An applicator supplying RF power for therapeutic diathermic treatment of a patient includes a radiation shielding device for shielding the applicator against misapplication of radiation to objects in the surroundings and unintended areas of the patient's body, and a coupling device for electrically coupling the radiation shielding device to at least one point of the body of a patient in a low impedance manner that reduces the potential drop from the grounded radiation shield to the body tissue.
US08489199B2 Bio-medical unit with power harvesting module and RF communication
A bio-medical unit includes a power harvesting module and an RF communication module. The power harvesting module generates a power supply voltage from the electromagnetic signal. The RF communication module interprets a predetermined pattern of the transmitting of the electromagnetic signal to determine null intervals; receives a downstream RF communication signal during at least one of the null intervals; converts the downstream RF communication signal into downstream information; converts upstream information into an upstream RF communication signal; and/or transmits the upstream RF communication signal during one or more of the null intervals.
US08489198B2 Antenna system with safety mode
An antenna system for an implantable device like a cardiac pacemaker or a cochlear implant. The antenna system includes at least two coil units coupled with their terminals to a control circuit which can selectively connect the coil units in series or in anti-series, corresponding to a “operational mode” and a “safety mode”, respectively. In the operational mode, magnetically induced voltages in the coil units add, while they subtract and therefore completely or partially compensate in the safety mode. Thus the implantable device can be protected from damage due to extraordinarily large changing rates of external magnetic fields as they exist for example during MRI examinations.
US08489195B2 Arrangement for the fixation of an implantable medical device
A medical implant, such as a cochlear implant, comprising a fixating point which is located remotely from the medical implant. This arrangement can reduce the risk of post operative infection in a patient in which the medical implant is implanted.
US08489194B2 Enhancing fine time structure transmission for hearing implant system
A system and method of signal processing for a hearing implant. The hearing implant includes at least one electrode, each electrode associated with a channel specific sampling sequence. An acoustic audio signal is processed to generate for each electrode a band pass signal representing an associated band of audio frequency. For each electrode, a sequence signal is determined as a function of the electrode's associated band pass signal and channel specific sampling sequence. An envelope of each band pass signal is determined. The envelope of each band pass signal is filtered to reduce modulations resulting from unresolved harmonics, creating for each electrode an associated filtered envelope signal. Each electrode's sequence signal is weighted based, at least in part, on the electrode's associated filtered envelope signal.
US08489187B2 Defibrillation shock output circuit
This document discusses, among other things, techniques for generating and delivering a high voltage defibrillation shock using an implantable cardiac rhythm management device. An output energy delivery bridge can be programmed to provide desired shock vectors or polarities. A bootstrapped fully solid-state switch control voltage generation circuit is described. Automatic polarity or vector reconfiguration embodiments are described, such as in response to an unsuccessful attempt to convert the heart to a normal rhythm.
US08489185B2 Timing control for paired plasticity
Systems, methods and devices for paired training include timing controls so that training and neural stimulation can be provided simultaneously. Paired trainings may include therapies, rehabilitation and performance enhancement training. Stimulations of nerves such as the vagus nerve that affect subcortical regions such as the nucleus basalis, locus coeruleus or amygdala induce plasticity in the brain, enhancing the effects of a variety of therapies, such as those used to treat tinnitus, stroke, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.
US08489179B2 Fluoroscopy apparatus, fluoroscopy system and fluorescence-image processing method
Provided is a fluoroscopy apparatus (1) including an illumination portion (4) provided with a light source (3) that radiates illumination light and excitation light; a fluorescence imaging unit (18) that acquires a fluorescence image by imaging fluorescence generated at an subject (X); a return-light imaging unit (17) that acquires a reference image by imaging return light returning from the subject (X); and an image-correcting unit (6) that corrects the fluorescence image imaged by the fluorescence imaging unit (18) by using the reference image imaged by the return-light imaging unit (17), wherein the image-correcting unit (6) performs the following processing: FLrevised=A×FLbeforex/B×RLbeforey, where FLrevised is a luminance value of a corrected fluorescence image, FLbefore and RLbefore are luminance values of acquired fluorescence image and reference image, A and B are constants, and x and y are exponents for staying within a permissible error.
US08489176B1 Radioactive emission detector equipped with a position tracking system and utilization thereof with medical systems and in medical procedures
A system for calculating a position of a radioactivity emitting source in a system-of-coordinates, the system comprising (a) a radioactive emission detector; (b) a position tracking system being connected to and/or communicating with the radioactive emission detector; and (c) a data processor being designed and configured for receiving data inputs from the position tracking system and from the radioactive emission detector and for calculating the position of the radioactivity emitting source in the system-of-coordinates.
US08489175B2 Method and device for imaging an organ
The invention relates to a method and device for imaging a cyclically moving organ of a human or animal body, with a device supported such that it can be rotated at an angular velocity around the body recording images of the organ from different angle positions, with the angular velocity being modulated with a reference signal representing the movement phase of the organ. During the rest phase of the organ images of the organ are recorded at nominal angular speed. In the movement phase of the organ the device is slowed down, turned back and accelerated again such that on entry into the next rest phase the device records images for the next angle range at nominal angular velocity without major angle gaps in respect of the previous angle range, to generate the most complete data record possible.
US08489171B2 Cardiac navigation system including electrode array for use therewith
A cardiac navigation system including a mapping catheter, a control system coupled to the mapping catheter, an electrode array, and means for driving an electrical current across the electrode array. The mapping catheter includes means for sensing an electrical field. The control system includes means for receiving sensed signals from the mapping catheter. The cardiac navigation system includes at least one electrode array including means for providing an electrical field across three axes. The three axes are approximately orthogonal with respect to one another. The means for driving an electrical current across the three axes includes means for providing a plurality of individual current sources to the electrode array. As such, the cardiac navigation system presented provides a more uniform sheet of current across an area of interest, the mapping catheter senses the electrical field across the area of interest, and the control system determines a three-dimensional location of the mapping catheter based on the sensed electrical field.
US08489169B2 Assembly methods for medical electrical leads
A method for making a medical electrical lead electrode assembly includes the steps of: forming an insulative carrier from an insulative material; coupling at least one conductive component to the carrier by inserting a pre-formed tab of the conductive component through the carrier, from a first side thereof to a second side thereof, so that the conductive component is secured to the carrier with the tab extending along a surface of the second side of the carrier and an inward facing surface of an electrode portion of the conductive component being disposed against a surface of the first side of the carrier; coupling an elongate flexible conductor to the tab of the component; and forming an insulative layer over the second side of the carrier, the tab and the conductor electrically coupled to the tab.
US08489162B1 Slot antenna within existing device component
A user device having a slot antenna formed in metallic material of a structural member is described.
US08489158B2 Techniques for marking translucent product housings
Techniques or processes for providing markings on products are disclosed. The markings provided on products can be textual and/or graphic. The techniques or processes can provide high resolution markings on surfaces that are flat or curved. In one embodiment, the products have housings and the markings are to be provided on the housings. For example, the housing for a particular product can include a housing surface and the markings can be provided on the housing surface such that the marking are visible to users of the products. The products can be electronic devices (e.g., portable electronic devices).
US08489154B2 Managing projected power outage at mobile radio base sites
Power management methods are provided for projecting the likelihood of forthcoming power outage at one or more mobile radio base sites and for mitigating the effects of such a projected power outage.
US08489149B2 Video communication terminal and method of displaying images
A mobile terminal includes a communication unit, a display, a camera for obtaining images, and a processor for causing an image to be displayed on the display and for causing images to be communicated via the communication unit. The processor may be further configured to obtain a first image from the camera, obtain a substantial mirror image of the first image to form a second image, display the second image on the display, and communicate the first image to a receiving device via a wireless communication link.
US08489140B2 System and method for providing product or service with cellular telephone
The present disclosure provides for a mobile communication device identifier, constituted of: a shielding defining a coverage area, the shielding arranged to attenuate radio signals originating externally of the coverage area to be less than a pre-determined signal strength; an antenna associated within the defined coverage area; a transceiver coupled to the antenna, the transceiver operative to communicate with a mobile station inserted within the defined coverage area utilizing a signal strength greater than the pre-determined signal strength; and a service control unit responsive to the transceiver, the service control unit operative responsive to the communication to output a signal indicative of an authorization to provide a product or service.
US08489139B2 Power sharing method and base station
The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a power sharing method and a base station, wherein the method comprises: according to a power demand of the communication systems of at least one mode among communication systems of different modes sharing a power amplifier, determining whether to perform power sharing among communication systems of different modes; if it is determined to perform power sharing among communication systems of different modes, adjusting an available power of communication systems of one or more modes therein. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is determined to perform the power sharing according to the power demands, power sharing is performed among communication systems of different modes, thereby realizing dynamic and flexible power sharing among communication systems of at least two modes.
US08489138B2 Method and apparatus for uplink power control during soft handover
The present invention provides a solution for maintaining a reliable power control in a telecommunications network during soft handover between a serving and non serving base station when a dedicated physical control channel power is boosted due to an increased data rate.
US08489137B1 Interference mitigation
Data is transmitted from a first base station using a first sub-channel at a first power level. An indication that a first wireless device is in a potential interference location is received. The first wireless device is receiving data from a second base station. Data is transmitted from the first base station using the first sub-channel at a second power level when a second wireless device receiving data from the first base station on the first sub-channel is associated with an indicator of lower priority. The second power level is lower than the first power level.
US08489134B2 System and method for providing presence based trunking in a network environment
A method is provided in one example implementation and the method includes interacting, via a first communication resource manager located in a first domain, with a second communication resource manager located in a second domain. The method further includes determining whether to establish a link for multicasting between users in the first domain and users in the second domain, and the link between the domains is established based on presence data of at least one user in the first domain and at least one user in the second domain.
US08489130B2 System and method for messaging content delivery
An integrated system for messaging content delivery for use in a wireless network that incorporates a messaging application broker that interfaces with messaging applications; management applications, a plurality of user devices, and external networks. The interfaces use the appropriate protocols to interact with the messaging applications, management applications, user devices and external networks.
US08489129B2 Transmission of text/multimedia messages over bearer connections
Systems and methods are disclosed for transmitting a text/multimedia message over a bearer interface of a mobile network. A first network element of the mobile network, such as an MSC for a Mobile Terminated (MT) text/multimedia message or a BSS for a Mobile Originated (MO) text/multimedia message, receives a text/multimedia message. The first network element communicates with a second network element of the mobile network using a signaling interface (e.g., an IOS A1 interface) to select a bearer connection on a non-voice circuit-mode bearer interface (e.g., an IOS A5 interface), and routes the text/multimedia message to the second network element over the selected connection on the non-voice circuit-mode bearer interface. The first network element may also select a bearer connection on a voice bearer interface (e.g., an IOS A2 interface) and route the text/multimedia message to the second network element over the selected bearer connection.
US08489126B2 Mobile communication system and mobile terminal
A mobile communication system is disclosed. An area information management server sends area information indicating a communicable peripheral area of a location where a mobile terminal exists, and out-of-service information indicating outside of an accessible region, to the mobile terminal. In the mobile terminal, a generating part generates a moving route and moving projection information. A planning part makes a plan for communication execution indicating a communication term in which the mobile terminal communicates with a base station and an interruption term in which the mobile terminal is outside of the accessible region, based on the moving projection information, and the area information and the out-of-service information. A suspension indicating part indicates suspending or restarting the communication of the mobile terminal and a communication partner before and after the interruption term indicated by the plan. A communication part communicates with the base station in accordance with the plan.
US08489124B2 Methods and apparatus for position location in a wireless network
Methods and apparatus for position location in a wireless network. In an aspect, a method is provided that includes determining whether a symbol to be transmitted is an active symbol, wherein the symbol comprises a plurality of subcarriers, and encoding identification information on a first portion of subcarriers if it is determined that the symbol is the active symbol. The method also includes encoding idle information on a second portion of subcarriers if it is determined that the symbol in not the active symbol. In an aspect, an apparatus includes detector logic configured to decode a plurality of symbols to determine identification information that identifies a plurality of transmitters, and to determine a plurality of channel estimate associated with the plurality of transmitters. The apparatus also includes position determination logic configured to calculate a device position based on the plurality of transmitters and the plurality of channel estimates.
US08489121B2 Information distribution method and device
The present invention provides an information distribution method based on geographical location information of a mobile terminal. The method includes obtaining current geographical location information of the mobile terminal; based on an acquiring mode used to obtain the current geographical location information, determining a positioning accuracy of the mobile terminal's current geographical location information; based on the determined positioning accuracy, determining a distribution mode used to distribute information to the mobile terminal, wherein the distribution mode includes a location-based distribution mode and the combination mode of location-based distribution and relation-based distribution; and distributing information to the mobile terminal using the determined distribution mode.This method may be used to accurately distribute to the mobile terminal user the information related to the nearby Points of Interest (POIs) within a predetermined distance range from the current geographical location of the mobile terminal or related to the similar POIs having the same type of the current POI of the mobile terminal user, such as coupons, advertisement information, and/or POI characteristic information.
US08489119B1 Method and apparatus for mediating among a plurality of profiles associated with users positioned in a shared location
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method is presented for mediating among a plurality of datagrams containing data, settings or preferences to produce ambience settings applicable to a location area that is shared by a plurality of users wherein at least one of said users is associated to one datagram among said plurality of datagrams.
US08489117B2 Real-time location estimation of a mobile station in a wireless communication system
An apparatus and method is provided for real-time location estimation of a mobile station (MS) on a map of roads using non-Global Positioning Satellite location data (300) of the MS and includes a step of determining (302) a mobility of the MS. A next step (306) includes identifying a region that covers all location data. A next step (310) includes dividing the region into smaller blocks, where each block constitutes a Hidden Markov Model state. A next step (312) includes determining a distance between blocks, to be used in a varied continuous probability distribution to determining a state transition probability of each block to represent a likelihood of the MS moving to any one block. A next step (314) includes using a univariate continuous distribution as a function of a distance between each block and a raw location data. A next step (316) includes finding a most likely state/block sequence of the MS motion using the HMM state transition probability and the univariate continuous distribution as the location of the MS.
US08489112B2 Method and system for location-triggered rewards
In some embodiments, techniques for rewarding presence include detecting a presence of a mobile phone within an enclosed space, transmitting information relating to the presence of the mobile phone within the enclosed space to a server computer, wherein the server computer processes an award for the presence of the mobile phone within the enclosed space, wherein the award is associated with a user account associated with the mobile phone; and receiving from the server computer information relating to the award.
US08489111B2 Real-time location and presence using a push-location client and server
A system for providing real-time always-on location is presented for maintaining the current location of a mobile device, while saving the battery by managing the GPS in a power-saving mode while the device is considered to be stationary. The system also provides a real-time location in an indoor environment where a GPS signal may not be available. Additionally, methods for driving detection are also presented.
US08489104B2 Combined base transceiver station and base station controller data call
A system, method, and computer readable medium for a data call setup comprises receiving an origination message by a radio call control (RCC) and by a main call control (MCC), receiving an assignment request message by the MCC and by the RCC, and receiving a traffic channel assignment message by a channel element control (CEC) and by the MCC.
US08489102B2 Methods of locating, paging and routing calls to wireless users in femto system
In a method for locating a mobile station, a first sub-paging zone for paging the mobile station is selected in response to an incoming call intended for the mobile station if a trigger code associated with a first femto cell matches a first trigger code associated with femto cells included in the first sub-paging zone. The first femto cell is a femto cell with which the mobile station has most recently registered. The first sub-paging zone is defined based on a location of ones of a subset of the plurality of femto cells. The mobile station within the first sub-paging zone is paged to locate the mobile station.
US08489099B2 User equipment and access method thereof
In the field of wireless network communications, in order to solve a problem in the prior art that a user equipment (UE) cannot be handed over in time between a mobile access point (AP) and a fixed access point, a UE and an access method thereof are provided. The method includes the following steps. A relative speed between a UE and each access point is calculated. The access point is selected to establish a communication connection if the relative speed between the UE and the access point is smaller than a threshold speed. Therefore, a beneficial effect that the UE can be handed over in time between the mobile access point and the fixed access point is achieved.
US08489098B2 Method and arrangement for real-time difference determination for mobile terminal positioning
In a method of providing real time difference determination for a mobile terminal in a telecommunication system, comprising a plurality of eNodeBs in communication with a core network, each eNodeB having a plurality of associated cells, each cell potentially servicing one or more mobile terminals, determining S1O a first timing advance value representative of a first geographical distance measure between the mobile terminal and a first serving eNodeB prior to a handover to a second serving eNode B, determining S20 a second timing advance value representative of a second geographical distance measure between the mobile terminal and the second eNodeB after the handover. Subsequently, determining S30 a time of arrival measure between the mobile terminal and at least two eNodeBs, and signaling S40 representations of the determined first and second geographical distance measures and the determined time of arrival measures for said mobile terminal to at least said second eNodeB, together with a respective unique identification parameter of the at least two eNodeBs, wherein determination of real time differences is enabled based on at least the signaled representations.
US08489097B2 Method for transmitting signals from a plurality of base stations to a mobile station
A method of transmitting signals from a plurality of first stations to the same second station, said method comprising the steps of transmitting first signals comprising a first communication and first associated information from one of said plurality of first stations to said second station; transmitting second signals comprising said first communication, a second communication and second associated information, said second associated information differing at least partially from said first associated information, from another of said plurality of first stations to said second station; and receiving at said second station said first and second signals, wherein said second station processes said first and second signals in accordance with the first and second associated information.
US08489088B2 Reliability of information exchanged among access nodes
Wireless channel interference information is determined (e.g., a background interference matrix BIM constructed from multiple user equipment measurements). Reliability of the interference information is classified and sent with the interference information to a neighbor network access node such as a HeNB. In various embodiments there are three layers of reliability, the above being the first. The second layer utilizes variability of a plurality of such reliability indications received from the same neighbor HeNB, which is updated as new interference information and reliability indications are received from that same neighbor HeNB. The third layer utilizes a peer review/update process on the neighbor HeNBs themselves, where each HeNB's performance is shared among all and updated by one another as different HeNBs utilize one another's BIM and assesses how reliably it reflected actual interference conditions. This addresses concerns for data/source reliability since communication interfaces among HeNB groups may not be controlled by a single network operator.
US08489087B2 Apparatus and method for controlling small base station
An apparatus and a method for controlling a small base station using a macro base station may reduce interference between the small base station and the macro base station. The method includes determining whether a small base station is in a blank state; transmitting a deactivation request message to the macro base station if the small base station is in the blank state; and operating the small base station in an inactive mode if a deactivation response message is received from the macro base station. The inactive mode being a mode of the small base station in which a synchronization channel or a minimal channel is transmitted to enable a terminal in the cell area of the small base station to identify the small base station.
US08489085B2 Remote vehicle start system with advance dynamic scheduling system
A system and method is described for a vehicle remote starter with an advanced dynamic scheduling system. The system and method utilizes a cellular telephone, interfacing with standard scheduling software, and capable of communicating with the Internet to gather real time data and communicating through a wireless telecommunication network with a vehicle to send vehicle remote start and other commands; an electronic scheduling system utilized within or accessible by the cellular telephone; a cellular telephone based and/or vehicle based GPS location module for determining the location of the vehicle and the cellular telephone at any particular point in time; a set of coded instructions that actively queries the Internet for real time data and that queries the electronic scheduling system to determine the time and location of a scheduled meeting, evaluating various vehicle operational parameters, the distance of the cellular phone from a vehicle, various environmental parameters, the distance from a vehicle to meeting location, the travel time required to timely travel and attend the scheduled meeting, and either prompting the user to actively send a remote start command signal to the vehicle or automatically sending the remote start command signal.
US08489080B1 Concierge for portable electronic device
A system is provided. The system comprises a processor, a memory, and an application stored in the memory. When executed by the processor, the application activates a concierge function in response to a first trigger, and deactivates the concierge function in response to a second trigger. While the concierge function is active, the application analyzes a first digital signal encoding voice content from the portable electronic device to identify a context and, in response to identifying the context, transmits a second digital signal encoding a voice message to be presented by the portable electronic device based on the context keyword.
US08489079B2 Content identification and retrieval based on device component proximity
The invention provides proximity based content retrieval. A proximity element is provided for each of a plurality of components associated with a primary device. Identification information of each proximity element for an associated particular proximity space is communicated to a mobile wireless device. Upon the mobile wireless device being located within the associated particular proximity space of a particular proximity element, the mobile device receives associated identification information of the particular proximity element. The mobile device retrieves video content based on the associated identification information.
US08489077B2 System for targeting advertising content to a plurality of mobile communication facilities
A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving respective requests for advertising content corresponding to a plurality of mobile communication facilities operated by a group of users, wherein the plurality includes first and second types of mobile communication facilities with different rendering capabilities; (b) receiving a datum corresponding to the group; (c) selecting from a first and second sponsor respective content based on a relevancy to the datum, wherein each content includes a first and second item requiring respective rendering capabilities; (d) receiving bids from the first and second sponsors; (e) attributing a priority to the content of the first sponsor based upon a determination that a yield associated with the first sponsor is greater than a yield associated with the second sponsor; and (f) transmitting the first and second items of the first sponsor to the first and second types of mobile communication facilities respectively.
US08489063B2 Systems and methods for providing emergency messages to a mobile device
The present invention is directed to systems and methods for providing emergency messages to a mobile device. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for communicating emergency messages is provided comprising a mobile device comprising an emergency message application and a personal emergency message transceiver, an emergency message control center, wherein the emergency message application is enabled to receive a plurality of emergency messages generated by the emergency message control center.
US08489059B1 Wearable access point
An apparatus including a wireless local area network transceiver, a wireless wide area network transceiver, and a portable power source. The wireless local area network transceiver is configured to wirelessly communicate with a client station using a wireless local area network protocol. The wireless wide area network transceiver is configured to wirelessly communicate with a base station. The portable power source has a state of charge and is configured to provide power to the wireless local area network transceiver and the wireless wide area network transceiver. The wireless wide area network transceiver is configured to suspend wireless communication with the base station in response to no packets of data having been received at the wireless wide area network transceiver from the base station for more than a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period of time is adjusted based on the state of charge of the portable power source.
US08489056B2 Frequency agile filter using a digital filter and bandstop filtering
The present invention is a hybrid RF-digital signal processor-based filter for multiband radio architectures, systems capable of spectrum re-farming and software defined radios It performs low-loss frequency agile multiple notch filtering at RF where a large dynamic range exists at a filter input between signals in a stopband and passband It is a frequency dependent signal attenuation apparatus having two paths connected together by directional couplers The first path comprising a component such as a delay component or duplexer The second path comprising, in series, a down converter, a digital filter, an up converter, and a bandstop filter At the output of a power amplifier, the invention can be used to attenuate spurs, or noise within bands with strict emission constraints At the input of a low noise amplifier, the invention can be used to attenuate blockers and transmitter noise outside of the receiver passband.
US08489046B2 Signal decomposition methods and apparatus for multi-mode transmitters
A multi-mode communications transmitter includes a signal decomposer that converts rectangular-coordinate in-channel and quadrature channel signals into polar-coordinate amplitude and angle component signals and form therefrom first and second modulation signals. The signal decomposition process performed by the signal decomposer combines envelope-reduction and restoration (ERR) with filtering to reduce the bandwidths of the first and second modulation signals compared to the bandwidths of the unmodified amplitude and angle component signals. The reduction in signal bandwidths eases the design requirements of the electrical components needed to process and generate the signals applied to the power supply and radio frequency (RF) input ports of the multi-mode communications transmitter's power amplifier (PA). It also makes the multi-mode communications transmitter more forgiving to gain and delay mismatches between the signals applied to the power supply and RF input ports of the PA, compared to conventional polar modulation transmitters.
US08489045B2 Method and system for adjusting transmission power
A system and method for measuring transmission power distortion in a wireless communication device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises reading an operating temperature of the wireless communication device and enabling a loopback path between a transmission circuit and a receiver circuit of the wireless communication device. Using the loopback path, the wireless communication device can calibrate the transmission power output by storing data for compensating the distortion of the transmission power. The data can be stored in a calibration look up table for use by the wireless communication device.
US08489042B1 Polar feedback linearization
A system and method for providing a polarization feedback linearization to correct a non-linear amplitude error of an amplitude and phase detector or polar detector is disclosed. The method involves correcting a non-linear phase error of an amplitude detector via a look up table (LUT) that is driven by a radio frequency (RF) signal. The LUT provides values that are usable to correct an RF output that is a function of the RF output signal and is not a function of a device that incorporates the open loop modulation system of the present disclosure. Specifically, a detection of the corrected RF output amplitude is usable to drive a phase correction so that the RF output with corrected phase is a function of the RF output alone and not a function of a system or circuit that generates the RF output signal.
US08489040B2 Double clipped RF clock generation with spurious tone cancellation
A clock generator circuit generates a wanted RF clock signal by using an up-converter, a spurious tone cancellation circuit, a controller, and at least two clock driver/dividers. The spurious tone cancellation circuit includes a tone detection circuit and a tone generation circuit. The up-converter mixes modulation signals with local quadrature RF clock signals to create an up-converted signal having a frequency tone equal to a desired frequency of the wanted RF clock signal. The first clock driver/divider amplifies and clips the up-converted signal into a first-clipped clock signal. The tone detection circuit detects the amplitude and phase of unwanted tones of the first-clipped clock signal in the baseband domain and provides information to the controller, which controls the tone generation circuit to cancel the unwanted tones and create a compensated version of first-clipped clock signal. The second clock driver/divider further amplifies and clips the compensated version of first-clipped clock signal to generate the wanted RF clock signal.
US08489037B2 Power amplifying apparatus with bandwidth limitation processing on variable power supply
A power amplifying apparatus has a bandwidth limitation process circuit to which an envelope signal included in a transmission signal is inputted, and which performs a bandwidth limitation process on the envelope signal, a variable power supply circuit for generating a power amplifier supply voltage based on a voltage control signal generated by the bandwidth limitation process circuit, and a power amplifier which is fed an input signal, and which is driven in accordance with the supply voltage from the variable power supply circuit.
US08489036B2 Mobile phone for controlling diversity
A mobile phone to transmit and receive a radio frequency signal through a first antenna and a second antenna in a radio communication system includes a first radio frequency signal receiving unit to convert the radio frequency signal received through the first antenna into a baseband signal to be transmitted to a controller, a second radio frequency signal receiving unit to convert the radio frequency signal received through the second antenna into a baseband signal to be transmitted to the controller, and a radio frequency signal transmitting unit to convert a baseband signal transmitted from the controller into a radio frequency signal, to distribute the radio frequency signal, and to selectively output the distributed radio frequency signal to the first antenna and the second antenna.
US08489029B2 Reference signal interference management in heterogeneous network deployments
Methods and apparatus for enabling interference coordination in a communication network. A base station includes a plurality of antenna ports. Each antenna port is configured to transmit a reference signal, and each antenna port is associated with a respective cell. The base station determines a set of cells where transmissions of reference signals is to be performed from a reduced set of the plurality of antenna ports. The base station determines a subset of antenna ports in at least one cell of the determined set of cells to enable interference coordination in the network, and transmits the reference signal from the subset of antenna ports.
US08489024B1 Determining chain configuration for a wireless protocol in a wireless device supporting multiple wireless protocols
Arbitration between two wireless protocols in a wireless device. The wireless device may include first wireless protocol circuitry, configured to receive and process first signals according to a first wireless protocol and second wireless protocol circuitry, configured to receive and process second signals according to a second wireless protocol. The wireless device may also include coexistence circuitry. The coexistence circuitry may be configured to receive a request from the first wireless protocol circuitry to perform transmission or reception and arbitrate the requested transmission or reception between the first wireless protocol circuitry and the second wireless protocol circuitry. The decision may be based on current or future priority information, current configuration, or other factors. The coexistence circuitry (or other circuitry) may be configured to determine position of switches controlling antennas or transmission using shared or unshared antennas (or chains). The two wireless protocols may be WLAN and Bluetooth.
US08489023B1 Adaptive antenna configuration for multiple wireless protocols in a wireless device
Arbitration between two wireless protocols in a wireless device. The wireless device may include first wireless protocol circuitry, configured to receive and process first signals according to a first wireless protocol and second wireless protocol circuitry, configured to receive and process second signals according to a second wireless protocol. The wireless device may also include coexistence circuitry. The coexistence circuitry may be configured to receive a request from the first wireless protocol circuitry to perform transmission or reception and arbitrate the requested transmission or reception between the first wireless protocol circuitry and the second wireless protocol circuitry. The decision may be based on current or future priority information, current configuration, or other factors. The coexistence circuitry (or other circuitry) may be configured to determine position of switches controlling antennas or transmission using shared or unshared antennas (or chains). The two wireless protocols may be WLAN and Bluetooth.
US08489020B2 NFC communicators implementing coil voltage reduction circuitry
An NFC communicator has an antenna circuit to enable inductive coupling, via an RF H field, of the NFC communicator and another near field RF communicator in near field range. The antenna circuit has an antenna element coupled in parallel with a first capacitor to form a parallel LC circuit. The antenna element has an antenna coil in series with a second capacitor to reduce the voltage to which circuitry of the NFC communicator is subjected by a received RF H field. Alternatively or additionally, receive circuitry of the NFC communicator may be coupled to only a proportion of the antenna coil to reduce the voltage to which circuitry of the NFC communicator is subjected by a received RF H field.
US08489018B2 Transmit frequency precorrection for satellite terminals
A method for determining a frequency correction and a symbol rate correction for transmissions from a user terminal in a satellite communications system comprises determining a frequency of a signal received at the user terminal, and determining a symbol rate of the signal received at the user terminal. The method also comprises computing an error associated with an oscillator at an outdoor unit of the user terminal, and computing an error associated with an oscillator at an indoor unit of the user terminal. The method also comprises computing a transmit frequency correction for the user terminal based on the error of the oscillator at the outdoor unit and the error of the oscillator at the indoor unit, and computing a transmit symbol rate correction for the user terminal based on the error of the oscillator at the indoor unit.
US08489017B2 Wireless communication system, wireless communication method, relay device, and wireless terminal device
There is provided a wireless communication system which causes a wireless terminal to select a relay device among plural relay devices connected together via a communication line when the wireless terminal attempts to communicate with another wireless terminal. The relay device has an information acquiring unit, a calling determining unit, and an information adding unit. The wireless terminal has an information analyzing unit which analyzes whether or not the own device is included in a communication counterparty of calling information when the calling information is included in communication information, a priority comparing unit which determines whether or not a priority level of the calling information is higher than that of a current communication when the own device is included, and a channel changing unit which changes a channel to that of another relay device of the calling information when the priority level of the calling information is higher.
US08489014B2 Data processing terminal system and transmitting and receiving method using the same
An information processing terminal system includes an information processing terminal (6); and a transmitting and receiving unit (5) which is attached to the information processing terminal. The transmitting and receiving unit (5) converts a reception wave signal from a network into a reception analog baseband signal. The transmitting and receiving unit (5) converts the reception analog baseband signal into a reception digital baseband signal in synchronization with a clock. The information processing terminal (6) converts the reception digital baseband signal into a reception data in synchronization with a clock, and a transmission data into a transmission digital baseband signal in synchronization with the clock. The transmitting and receiving unit (5) converts the transmission digital baseband signal into a transmission analog baseband signal in synchronization with the clock. The transmitting and receiving unit (5) converts the transmission analog baseband signal into a transmission modulation wave signal to output to the network.
US08489008B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes an endless fuser belt, a contact member, a pressure member, a heater, a heater support, and a belt tensioner. The endless fuser belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration extending in an axial direction thereof. The contact member extends in the axial direction inside the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member extends in the axial direction with the belt interposed between the contact member and the pressure member. The pressure member is pressed against the contact member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The heater is disposed inside the loop of the fuser belt to heat the fuser belt. The heater support is disposed inside the loop of the fuser belt to hold the heater in position. The belt tensioner is disposed inside the loop of the fuser belt to tighten the fuser belt.
US08489007B2 Fixing device
In a fixing device, a nip plate is disposed on an inner surface of a tubular flexible fusing member which is flexibly deformable, and configured to be heated by a heating element disposed inside the fusing member. The fusing member is nipped between the nip plate and a backup member to form a nip portion. First and second portions of the nip plate which are located in positions upstream and downstream, respectively, with respect to a recording sheet conveyance direction and to be supported by a stay are each configured to be a flat plate extending along the recording sheet conveyance direction. A central portion between the first and second portions of the nip plate is in a position shifted from those of the first and second portions in a direction perpendicular to flat surfaces of the first and second portions.
US08488999B2 Developing device and image forming apparatus having a developer conveying section with a spiral blade
A developing device that is capable of securing an amount of developer that can be stored in a developer tank while suppressing the bending of a developer conveying section, as well as an image forming apparatus are provided. In a developer tank of a developing device, there is provided a first developer conveying section that includes a first rotation shaft member having a columnar shape in which grooves extending in an axial line direction are formed, and a first spiral blade that is spirally wound around the first rotation shaft member and conveys the developer by rotation around the axial line of the first rotation shaft member.
US08488993B2 Image forming device having process unit that can be pulled out thereof
The process unit includes a casing, a developer unit, and a switching unit. The developer unit is movable between an image-forming position and a detached position. The developer unit includes a drive force input unit and a drive force transmitting unit. A drive force is inputted into the drive force input unit from outside of the developer unit. The drive force transmitting unit transmits the drive force. The switching member is for switching the drive force transmitting unit between a transmitting state and an interrupting state. The switching member switches the drive force transmitting unit to the transmitting state when the developer unit is at the image-forming position, and the switching member switches the drive force transmitting unit to the interrupting state when the developer unit is at the detached position.
US08488986B2 Controlling speed to reduce image quality artifacts
A method for reducing artifacts on a toned sheet caused by buckling during fusing includes providing two compliant rollers that form a fusing nip for fusing the toned sheet. A control drives at least one of the rollers at a nominal speed to cause the rollers to rotate and there after increasing the roller speed to high speed prior to the sheet arriving at the fusing nip and after the sheet is in the nip decreasing the drive speed back to the nominal speed.
US08488984B2 Toner concentration controller and image forming apparatus including the toner concentration controller
An image forming apparatus includes: a developing device; a toner supply device; and a toner supply detecting sensor; and a toner concentration controller that directs toner supply. The toner concentration controller includes: a memory that stores the difference between the outputs from toner supply detecting sensor before and after toner supply; a toner supply quantity determinater that determines that the amount of toner remaining in the toner supply device is low and the amount of toner supply is low when the output difference or output ratio of the sensor is lower than a supply reference value; and an image quality adjustment controller that shortens the interval of time between adjustment of electrical potential on toner concentration correction in the above case.
US08488983B2 Method and device for processing a measured signal for recording a property of a toner mark
In a method or system for processing a measurement signal to detect a property of a toner mark, the toner mark is generated with aid of an image generation device. The toner mark is detected with aid of a measurement unit in that sample values determined by the measurement unit at sample points in time are output as the measurement signal for detecting the property of the toner mark. A function is determined to describe at least one part of a signal curve of the measurement signal on a basis of at least one part of the output sample values. At least one extreme value of the function is determined.
US08488980B2 Image forming apparatus capable of forming high quality toner image on uneven surface sheet
An image forming apparatus for forming a visual image on a recording medium includes a toner replacing device that replaces toner stored in a developing device with fresh toner, and a determiner that determines if a recording medium selected by a user necessitates replacement of the toner. The toner replacing device replaces the toner with fresh toner when the determiner determines that the recording medium necessitates replacement of the toner before the latent image is formed on a photoconductive member.
US08488978B2 Optical signal processor
A probe light source produces probe light having a second wavelength different from a first wavelength of signal light. To a light modulator, the probe light and signal light produced from the probe light source are supplied. The light modulator multiplexes the probe light and signal light produced from the probe light source, and supplies it to a nonlinear optical medium. Further, the light modulator modulates the probe light by an intensity change of the signal light in the nonlinear optical medium, and outputs modulated light having the second wavelength based on the data of the signal light.
US08488975B2 Optical transmitter, optical transmitter and receiver system, optical transmitting method and optical transmitting and receiving method
An optical transmitter includes: a pre-compensator calculating an electrical field of an optical signal subjected to an electronic pre-compensation with respect to an input digital signal; a parallelizer parallelizing the electrical field of the optical signal calculated by the pre-compensator; a plurality of optical modulators modulating an optical signal based on each of parallelized electrical fields of optical signals; and a time-division multiplexer time-division-multiplexing an optical signal output from the plurality of the optical modulators.
US08488973B2 Signal processing within an optical microphone
Method for performing signal processing for an optical microphone. First and second signals corresponding to at least two beams may be generated or received. The first and second signals may be complementary, and may be based on signals provided by one or more photo detectors that receive the at least two beams after the beams return from a sensing structure. The first signal and the second signal may be subtracted to produce a third signal. A position of the sensing structure may be adjusted to cause the third signal to reach a first value, where the adjusting may be performed based on the third signal, and an audio output signal may be provided based on the third signal.
US08488970B2 Microwave transmission apparatus, signal processing method and device in microwave transmission apparatus
In the field of signal processing technologies, a microwave transmission apparatus, a signal processing method and device in a microwave transmission apparatus are provided, which are capable of improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the service signal and the reliability of the communication signal, and increasing the distance between an indoor unit (IDU) and an outdoor unit (ODU). In the technical solutions, a signal processing method in a microwave transmission apparatus includes: directly multiplexing at least a service signal and a non-service signal, and converting the multiplexed electric signal into a multiplexed optical signal; and sending the multiplexed optical signal to an ODU.
US08488968B2 Programmable optical interconnect for multi-node computer systems
A device for connecting a plurality of assemblage-mounted optical transmitters to a plurality of assemblage-mounted optical receivers mounted on a selected side of an assemblage includes a planar frame configured to be coupled to the selected side of the assemblage. A plurality of first redirecting structures is affixed to the planar frame and each is configured to receive a first optical signal from a different assemblage-mounted optical transmitter. Each first redirecting structure transmits a second optical signal, corresponding to the first optical signal, along a preselected path. A plurality of second redirecting structures is affixed to the planar frame and each is configured to receive the second optical signal from a different one of the first redirecting structures. Each of the second redirecting structures transmits a third optical signal, corresponding to the second optical signal, to a different one of the assemblage-mounted optical receivers.
US08488966B2 Data transmission method of optical access network, and system and device thereof
An optical access network (OAN) system is provided. In the system, a remote radio unit (RRU) receives and sends a wireless signal and implement conversion between the wireless signal and a first frequency signal; an optical network device receives and sends the wireless signal, and implement conversion between the wireless signal and the first frequency signal and conversion between the first frequency signal and a fiber transmission signal; an optical distribution network (ODN) connected to the optical network device transmits the fiber transmission signal; an optical line terminal (OLT) device receives and sends the fiber transmission signal, and implements conversion between the fiber transmission signal and a second frequency signal, conversion between the second frequency signal and a base band signal, and conversion between the base band signal and a signal of another standard protocol.
US08488962B2 Bit error generation system for optical networks
A system may include an optical bit error generator comprising a high instantaneous power light source. An optical coupler may couple an output of the optical bit error generator to a traffic fiber. A device under test receives a traffic signal via the traffic fiber. A performance monitor is coupled to the device under test to determine responsiveness of the device under test to a bit error condition simulated by the optical bit error generator, wherein the high instantaneous power light source in the optical bit error generator is configured based on a protocol of a traffic signal in the traffic fiber and the bit error condition.
US08488959B2 Method and system for monitoring optical channels
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for optical signal dispersion and parameter monitoring comprises a tunable filter configured to filter a portion of one channel of an optical signal. The system comprises a polarization beam splitter configured to split the portion into first and second polarization beams and further comprises first and second photodetectors configured to respectively convert the first and second polarization beams into first and second electrical signals. Also, the system comprises a control unit configured to determine optical dispersion in the portion based on the first and second electrical signals when the portion includes a test signal. The control unit is configured to determine optical signal parameters of the portion such as channel power, channel wavelength, optical spectrum analysis (OSA) and optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) based on the first and second electrical signals when the portion does not include the test signal.
US08488958B2 Scene adaptive auto exposure
Systems, methods, and a computer readable medium for an improved automatic exposure algorithm attempt to classify an image into a particular “scene category,” and, based on the determined scene category, meter the scene according to a generated metering weighting matrix. In one embodiment, the average luminance is calculated for a central exposure metering region of the image and a plurality of peripheral exposure metering regions surrounding the central exposure metering region. Based on comparisons of the average luminance values of the peripheral exposure regions to the average luminance of the central exposure region, a target metering weighting matrix may be generated. In another embodiment, the scene category corresponds to a predetermined metering weighting matrix. In video applications, it may be desirable to reduce oscillations in metering parameter values to limit any visually jarring effects on the camera's preview screen by only adjusting metering parameter values when predetermined criteria are met.
US08488954B2 System and method for obtaining photographic and/or videographic images
A photographic system and integrated methods thereof that makes use of four frames and light heads on robotic brackets, which can be positioned automatically using a mechanical gantry device. The lights can be positioned, rotated and adjusted automatically in response to a user input selection based on a desired photographic result selected at a user interface.
US08488950B2 Reproducing apparatus and reproducing method, data structure, recording medium, recording apparatus and recording method, and program
The present invention relates to a reproducing apparatus and a reproducing method, a data structure, a recording medium, a recording apparatus and a recording method, and a program that enable, in a case where offset information of a sub-image is arranged in a stream of a main image, easy realization of 3D display of the sub-image based on the offset information.A right-eye video stream includes offset metadata for generating offset information. In a data portion of each TS packet of the right-eye video stream, only any one of video data of an encoded right-eye main image and offset metadata is arranged. In a header of each TS packet of the right-eye video stream, transport priority, which indicates whether data arranged in the data portion of the TS packet is video data of an encoded right-eye main image or offset metadata, is described. The present invention can be applied to, for example, a reproducing apparatus that displays a sub-image in a 3D manner.
US08488940B2 Video information recording method and video information reproducing apparatus
The amount of data stored in a video buffer (3) that temporarily stores multi-angle streams (A, B) is controlled from information giving the distance between the angle blocks (A—1, B—1, A—2, B—2, . . . ) of the multi-angle streams and an audio stream (C) on a recording medium (10). In multi-angle playback, in which multiple files are read simultaneously, this can shorten the time from when the user switches the angle until the image reproduced by a video display apparatus changes to the intended angle.
US08488938B2 Braided fiber optic cross-connect switches
This invention discloses a highly scalable and modular automated optical cross connect switch comprised of large numbers of densely packed fiber strands suspended within a common volume. In particular, apparatus and methods enabling programmable interconnection of large numbers of optical fibers (100's-1000's) having structured and coherent braid representations are provided.
US08488936B2 Fiber retainer for cable trough member
Systems and methods for the management and routing of telecommunication cables include cable trough members. Generally, the trough members include a plurality of retainer members coupled to sidewalls of the trough members. The retainer members assist in maintaining cables within an interior of the trough members.
US08488932B2 Optical fiber with increased mechanical strength
An optical fiber having increased mechanical strength is provided. The optical fiber includes an over cladding layer that has a compressive stress of at least 100 MPa.
US08488931B2 Single mode optical fiber with depressed trench
An optical fiber having a core and an outer cladding, the core including from its center outward a central core having a radius and a refractive index difference with respect to the outer cladding, and a depressed inner cladding. The depressed inner cladding includes at least a first portion having a radius and a refractive index difference with respect to the outer cladding, the first portion preferably being adjacent to the central core, and a second portion adjacent to the first portion constituting a depressed trench having a radius, and a refractive index difference with respect to the outer cladding. The first portion of the inner cladding has a refractive index below the refractive index of the outer cladding, and the depressed trench has a refractive index that is lower than the refractive index of the first portion of the depressed inner cladding. The outer radius of the depressed inner cladding of the optical fiber is between 28 μm and 40 μm, the LP01 mode leakage losses at a wavelength of 1550 nm are less than 0.01 dB/km and the cable cut-off wavelength is less than 1530 nm.
US08488928B2 Opto-electro hybrid harness and method of manufacturing the same
The An opto-electro hybrid harness includes, at locations away from first and second connectors, a first relay segment having an EO conversion device, and a second relay segment having an OE conversion device. First and second electric cables lie between the first connector and the first relay segment and between the second connector and the second relay segment. An opto-electric hybrid cable segment lies between the first and second relay segments. An optical fiber is connected at one end to the E0 conversion device and at the other end to the OE conversion device. A first electronic wire of the first electric cable is connected at one end to the first connector and at the other end to the E0 conversion device. A second electronic wire of the second electric cable is connected at one end to the OE conversion device and at the other end to the second connector.
US08488927B2 Optical component having a waveguide array heterostructure
The invention relates to an optical component including an array of coupled waveguides, wherein said waveguide array includes: a first area made of parallel waveguides coupled according to a first coupling coefficient; a second area adjacent to the first area and made of parallel waveguides coupled according to a second coupling coefficient lower than the first coupling coefficient; a third area adjacent to the second area and made of parallel waveguides coupled according to a third coupling coefficient higher than the second coupling coefficient; a fourth area adjacent to the third area and made of parallel waveguides coupled according to a fourth coupling coefficient lower than the third coupling coefficient; and a fifth area adjacent to the fourth area and made of parallel waveguides coupled according to a fifth coupling coefficient higher than the fourth coupling coefficient.
US08488925B2 Adiabatic coupler for coiled optical fiber devices
An optical fiber coupler is formed of a section of optical fiber that is positioned between a conventional input fiber (for example, a single mode fiber) or waveguide and a coiled optical fiber device. The adiabatic coupler is coiled (or, at least, curved) to assist in transforming a conventional fundamental mode optical signal propagating along the longitudinal axis of the input fiber to an optical signal that is shifted into a peripheral region of the coiled optical fiber. Moreover, the pitch of an inventive coiled optical fiber coupler can be controlled to assist in the adiabatic transformation process.
US08488924B2 Optical waveguide and bi-directional optical transceiver
An optical waveguide and a bi-directional transceiver are provided. A single mode optical fiber has one end coupled to one end of a hollow optical fiber and an opposite end having a slope plane, thereby separating optical signals travelling in opposite directions from each other. Manual alignment for an optical system is easily realized without the need for additional optical elements, so that the light transmission/reception performance of the optical waveguide is improved and the structure of the optical waveguide is smaller.
US08488917B2 Electro-optic modulator
A doping profile for a modulator facilitates rapidly changing the carrier density in a waveguide. The carrier density change causes rapid changes in the index of refraction of the waveguide. Example modulators include a ring modulator and a Mach Zender modulator. A charge reciprocating section may be provided to control the amount of injected charge.
US08488913B2 Method and system for example-based face hallucination
A method for example-based face hallucination uses manifold learning to project a plurality of training images in a training database and an input low resolution (LR) face image into a same manifold domain, then iteratively refines the reconstruction basis by selecting a training set having k projected training images which best match the parts of the projected LR face image, where k≦N and N is the number of projected training images. Through the best-match training set, a set of prototype faces are learned, and the set of prototype faces are used as the reconstruction basis to reconstruct a high resolution face image for the input LR face image.
US08488908B2 System and method for capturing adjacent images by utilizing a panorama mode
A system and method for capturing adjacent images includes an imaging device with a panorama manager that performs various procedures to manipulate one or more image parameters that correspond to adjacent frames of captured image data. An image-stitching software program may then produce a cohesive combined panorama image from the adjacent frames of image data by utilizing the manipulated image parameters.
US08488907B1 Hybrid images for maps combining low frequency map data and high frequency satellite image data
Hybrid images merge the benefits of map views and satellite images. A geographic information system includes a geographic information server and at least one database containing a plurality of map views and satellite images. A decomposition module of the geographic information server decomposes the map views and the satellite images into at least high frequency components and low frequency components. A map view and satellite image hybridization module blends the high frequency components from the map view and the high frequency components from the satellite image. Then, the hybridization module combines the low frequency components of the map view with the blended high frequency components from both the map view and the satellite image to form a hybrid image. The hybrid image can subsequently be stored in a database of the geographic information system and/or served to a client device via a network.
US08488906B2 Methods and apparatuses for pixel transformations
Methods, apparatuses, systems, and machine readable media for pixel transformations. One exemplary method includes: determining a state of a pixel format transformation, wherein a pixel format includes a predetermined number of pixel data components and a predetermined number of bits for each of the pixel data components and wherein the state includes a source pixel format and a destination pixel format and at least one intermediate pixel format; converting pixel data in the source pixel format to pixel data in the intermediate pixel format; and converting the pixel data in the intermediate pixel format to pixel data in the destination pixel format. In certain embodiments, a method includes building and compiling a function, at run-time, for the pixel format transformation based upon the state.
US08488897B2 Method and device for image filtering
The invention discloses a method and device for image filtering in the field of communication technologies, the method including: acquiring image data of a pixel dot of a current row to be filtered and a corresponding pixel dot of at least one adjacent row; obtaining contrast information containing a transparency value, of the pixel dot of the current row and the pixel dot of the adjacent row respectively by resolving the image data of the pixel dot of the current row and the pixel dot of the adjacent row; generating a filter coefficient according to the transparency value of the pixel dot of the current row and the transparency value of the corresponding pixel dot of the adjacent row; and performing filtering on the pixel dot of the current row with the filter coefficient. The embodiments of the invention effectively avoid image flickering due to a difference between contrasts by adopting the method of at-least-two-row vertical filtering, and by generating the filter coefficients according to the transparencies in filtering.
US08488893B2 Image compression apparatus and image compression method
An image compression apparatus performs image compression on high-resolution image data of various resolutions while reducing the circuit size. A generation unit generates complementary information based on an arrangement pattern of pixel values in each of the divided blocks each including 2 by 2 pixels. Further, image data of 1/(2^M) times the resolution is compressed using a first compression method, and image data of 1/(2^N) times the resolution is compressed using a second compression method. The apparatus determines whether to cause a combination of the complementary information and first compressed data to be output, or a combination of the complementary information and second compressed data to be output, based on the data size of each.
US08488889B2 Image encoder and image decoder, image encoding method and image decoding method, image encoding program and image decoding program, and computer readable recording medium recorded with image encoding program and computer readable recording medium recorded with image decoding program
An image encoder including: a predicted-image generating unit that generates a predicted image in accordance with a plurality of prediction modes indicating predicted-image generating methods; a prediction-mode judging unit that evaluates prediction efficiency of a predicted image outputted from the predicted-image generating unit to judge a predetermined prediction mode; and an encoding unit that subjects an output of the prediction-mode judging unit to variable-length encoding. The prediction-mode judging unit judges, on the basis of a predetermined control signal, which one of a common prediction mode and a separate prediction mode is used for respective color components forming the input image signal, and multiplexes information on the control signal on a bit stream, multiplexes, when the common prediction mode is used, common prediction mode information on the bit stream, and multiplexes, when the common prediction mode is not used, prediction mode information for each of the color components on the bit stream.
US08488883B2 Robust and efficient image identification
Apparatus for matching a query image against a catalog of images, comprises: a feature extraction unit operative for extracting principle features from said query image; a relationship unit operative for establishing relationships between a given principle feature and other features in the image, and adding said relationships as relationship information alongside said principle features; and a first comparison unit operative for comparing principle features and associated relationship information of said query image with principle features and associated relationship information of images of said catalog to find candidate matches.
US08488882B1 Non-linear transformation of images in web browsers
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving an image file including image data corresponding to a digital image, the digital image being provided in a first space, and projecting the digital image using a non-linear invertible map projection to generate a projected image, the projected image being provided in a second space, projecting the digital image is achieved by: dividing the digital image into segments, scaling each segment to provide modified segments, and generating the projected image using the modified segments.
US08488880B2 Image capture and identification system and process
A digital image of the object is captured and the object is recognized from plurality of objects in a database. An information address corresponding to the object is then used to access information and initiate communication pertinent to the object.
US08488878B2 Sky detection system used in image extraction device and method using sky detection system
Disclosed is a sky detection system that detects sky in an image collection device. The system includes an image collection unit that collects information of a color image; a color-feature extraction unit that extracts a color feature of each pixel from the collected image; a distance measurement unit that measures a distance between each pixel of the collected image and a lens; a first classification unit that classifies each pixel of the collected image as either a sky pixel or a non-sky pixel based on the color feature; and a second classification unit that further classifies each pixel of the collected image as either the sky pixel or the non-sky pixel based on the distance and a result of the first classification unit.
US08488877B1 System for object recognition in colorized point clouds
Described is a system for object recognition in colorized point clouds. The system includes an implicit geometry engine that is configured to receive three-dimensional (3D) colorized cloud point data regarding a 3D object of interest and to convert the cloud point data into implicit representations. The engine also generates geometric features. A geometric grammar block is included to generate object cues and recognize geometric objects using geometric tokens and grammars based on object taxonomy. A visual attention cueing block is included to generate object cues based on 3D geometric properties. Finally, an object recognition block is included to perform a local search for objects using cues from the cueing block and the geometric grammar block and to classify the 3D object of interest as a particular object upon a classifier reaching a predetermined threshold.
US08488875B2 Color selection and/or matching in a color image
A method or computer program product for color selection in a color image, including operations or instructions for selecting a base color in a base color portion of a color image; computing a perceptual color difference between the base color and a respective second color in the color image; comparing the perceptual color difference to a tolerance; and, identifying whether the color difference satisfies the tolerance.
US08488873B2 Method of computing global-to-local metrics for recognition
A method of computing global-to-local metrics for recognition. Based on training examples with feature representations, the method automatically computes a local metric that varies over the space of feature representations to optimize discrimination and the performance of recognition systems.Given a set of points in an arbitrary features space, local metrics are learned in a hierarchical manner that give low distances between points of same class and high distances between points of different classes. Rather than considering a global metric, a class-based metric or a point-based metric, the proposed invention applies successive clustering to the data and associates a metric to each one of the clusters.
US08488869B2 Image processing method and apparatus
An image processing method including: obtaining points on left-eye and right-eye images to be generated from a two-dimensional (2D) image, to which a predetermined pixel of the 2D image is to be mapped, by using the sizes of holes to be generated in the left-eye and right-eye images; and generating the left-eye and right-eye images respectively having the obtained points to which the predetermined pixel of the 2D image is mapped.
US08488866B2 Method of inspecting mask pattern and mask pattern inspection apparatus
A inspection image data of the chip A is captured and the data representing the amount of correction of flare corresponded to the chip A is appropriately loaded from the map storage block. Next, a inspection image of the chip A′ is captured, and the data representing the amount of correction of flare corresponded to the chip A′ is loaded from the flare map storage block as the amount of shifting of the edge of the contour of the pattern. The amount of correction is converted, by a correction data generation block which is a correction data generator, into the amount of geometrical correction of pattern which provides correction data. In the comparison block, the images of the geometry of two chips are compared and corrected on the amount of correction of flare generated by a correction data generation block, to thereby judge whether defect is found or not.
US08488860B2 Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
MRI signal data is received individually by multiple element coils. For each channel assigned to each element coil at a positioning image taking time, the collected magnetic resonance signal data is entered into a storage unit. An image is reconstructed from the magnetic resonance signal data stored in the storage unit, by referring the storage unit regarding the channel selected at the positioning image taking time. The reconstructed image is displayed. When a channel selection change command is received, an image is reconstructed using the magnetic resonance signal data stored in the storage unit, by referring to the storage unit regarding the changed channel. The after-change corrected image is displayed.
US08488857B2 Automated diagnosis and alignment supplemented with positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance (MR) flow estimation
A scanner (10) is used to provide images for automated diagnoses of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimers disease. The images are registered (90) to a template (78). The aligned image is analyzed (60) in relation to reference image data (76, 80) which has been registered to the template which is contained in a knowledge maintenance engine (70) for similar patterns of hypo-intensity that would indicate (in the case of an FDG tracer) reduced glucose uptake in the brain. The most appropriate reference images for the analysis of the present study are chosen by a filter (74). The present study is then given a dementia score (84) as a diagnostic feature vector that indicates to a clinician the type and severity of the ailment based on the analysis. The scanner (10) can produce PET or other metabolic and MR images for diagnosis. The MR can be used to measure blood flow rate into the brain. From the blood flow rate and the metabolic image, tracer, e.g. FDG, uptake maps can be generated for use in the automated diagnoses.
US08488854B2 System and apparatus for classifying x-ray energy into discrete levels
A system and apparatus for classifying x-ray energy into discrete levels include an imaging system comprising an x-ray source, a detector, and a DAS having a discriminator assembly configured to count photon hits in the detector. A computer causes the discriminator assembly to count photon hits in the detector having an energy level greater than or equal to first and second threshold levels during an imaging scan, wherein the second threshold level is distinct from the first threshold level. The computer further modifies the counted photon hits having an energy level greater than or equal to the first threshold level based on the counted photon hits having an energy level greater than or equal to the second threshold level and reconstructs an image based on the modified photon hits and based on the counted photon hits having an energy level greater than or equal to a second threshold level.
US08488853B2 X-ray imaging apparatus
An X-ray imaging apparatus is configured to subtract a first X-ray image from a second X-ray image to generate a first subtraction image showing information on a blood vessel, calculate an amount of pixel shift between the first X-ray image and the third X-ray image, subtract the first X-ray image from the third X-ray image to generate a second subtraction image showing information on an insertion instrument, and combine the first subtraction image with the second subtraction image to generate a synthetic image by performing a pixel shift correction based on the amount of pixel shift.
US08488852B2 Medical imaging system for segementing blood vessel
A medical imaging system to segment an original blood vessel of a body part represented by an original medical image is provided. The system includes an image analyzer for receiving and the original medical image to analyze the original medical image to provide a Hessian Eigen analysis comprising a first data and a second data mapped to each pixel of the medical image, and an image identifier for receiving the Hessian Eigen analysis and for identifying seed points from the pixels by processing the first data and the second data along with a vesselness property, wherein the seed points are used for segmenting the original blood vessel to provide a corrected medical image representing a corrected blood vessel.
US08488846B2 Expedient encoding system
An encoding system for an iris recognition system. In particular, it presents a robust encoding method of the iris textures to compress the iris pixel information into few bits that constitute the iris barcode to be stored or matched against database templates of same form. The iris encoding system is relied on to extract key bits of information under various conditions of capture, such as illumination, obscuration or eye illuminations variations.
US08488844B2 Device and a method for providing information about animals when walking through an animal passage
The invention relates to a device and method for providing information about animals walking through an animal passage (I), the information comprising at least the number of animals walking through the animal passage, using a detection device having a sensor device connected to a processor for capturing animal data about animals walking through the animal passage, and an analysis device for recognizing animals in the data/signals captured by the sensor device for the purpose of outputting counter impulses when animals are detected in said signals, the sensor device being designed for producing 3D images, and the analysis device being designed for detecting animals in the 3D data of the 3D images and for counting the animals using said detection.
US08488843B2 Method for automatically following hand movements in an image sequence
A method for following hand movements in an image flow, includes receiving an image flow in real time, locating in each image in the received image flow a hand contour delimiting an image zone of the hand, extracting the postural characteristics from the image zone of the hand located in each image, and determining the hand movements in the image flow from the postural characteristics extracted from each image. The extraction of the postural characteristics of the hand in each image includes locating in the image zone of the hand the center of the palm of the hand by searching for a pixel of the image zone of the hand the furthest from the hand contour.
US08488842B2 Systems and methods for tracking and authenticating goods
Systems and methods for identifying, tracking, tracing and determining the authenticity of a good include an imaging system, a database, and an authentication center. The imaging system is configured to capture an image of a unique signature associated with a good. The unique signature can be, for example, a random structure or pattern unique to the particular good. The imaging system is configured to process the image to identify at least one metric that distinguishes the unique signature from unique signatures of other goods. The database is configured to receive information related to the good and its unique signature from the imaging system, and to store the information therein. The authentication center is configured to analyze the field image with respect to the information stored in the database to determine whether the unique signature in the field image is a match to the captured image stored in the database.
US08488836B2 Methods, apparatus and programs for generating and utilizing content signatures
The presently claimed invention generally relates to deriving and/or utilizing content signatures (e.g., so-called “fingerprints”). One claim recites a method comprising: obtaining a sequence of content identifiers, the sequence of content identifiers corresponding to one or more segments of a media signal; and utilizing at least a processor or electronic processing circuitry, carrying out a convolution operation based on the sequence of content identifiers and content signatures housed or stored in a database to identify the media signal. Of course, other claims and combination are provided as well.
US08488835B2 System for extracting a fingerprint data from video/audio signals
A system for extracting a fingerprint data from video/audio signals, comprising a frame buffer for storing the video frame images, which accepts a new video frame image and discards the oldest video frame image in a first in first out (FIFO) fashion; a sub-sampler for sampling the video images, which operates on one video frame image at a time, so that the output of the sub-sampler contains data samples obtained from multiple video frame images while the video image content itself is discarded, and after each video frame image is sampled at the head of the frame buffer, it is discarded after the sampling; a divider through which the data samples go, in order to divide the data samples into groups of video frames so as to be organized as one fingerprint segment after another one; a formatter which incorporates optional information to the fingerprint segment so as to form the fingerprint data, and at the output of the formatter, the video image content is discarded, only the fingerprint data and the associated optional information remain; and a transfer buffer which transfers the fingerprint data and the associated optional information by to the fingerprint database. According to the present invention, the system for extracting a fingerprint data from video/audio signals facilitates the automatic identification, archiving and search of video content without the need for human visual inspections.
US08488833B2 Electronic apparatus
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a housing including a top wall, a keyboard supported on the top wall, and a speaker contained in the housing. A region of the top wall positioned on the front side of the keyboard comprises a palm-rest surface on which a user's hand is to be placed, and a speaker exposure surface including an opening part exposing the speaker to an outside of the housing. The speaker exposure surface is depressed and lower than the palm-rest surface.
US08488831B2 In-ear monitor with concentric sound bore configuration
A in-ear monitor is provided that is coupleable to an external audio source and that may be configured as a custom fit IEM or configured to accept a removable eartip, the in-ear monitor including at least two drivers and at least two concentric sound delivery tubes that acoustically couple the audio output from each of the drivers to the acoustic output surface of the in-ear monitor.
US08488828B2 Unidirectional condenser microphone unit
A unidirectional condenser microphone unit includes a unit casing formed of a metallic cylindrical body and having a front acoustic terminal on a front surface thereof and a rear acoustic terminal on a side surface thereof, an electrostatic acousto-electric converter disposed inside the unit casing, and a shield member put on the rear acoustic terminal from an inside of the unit casing in a cylindrical shape. The shield member has a length approximately equal to an inner periphery length of the unit casing and a width covering the rear acoustic terminal. Also, the shield member is formed of a metal plate having spring elasticity, and includes a large number of holes for electromagnetic shield substantially throughout the entire surface thereof.
US08488825B2 Hearing aid and hearing aid system
A hearing aid includes: a first microphone configured to generate a first input signal from an input sound; a second microphone configured to generate a second input signal from the input sound; a signal processing unit configured to generate an output signal from the first input signal and the second input signal; and a receiver configured to play an output sound from the output signal. The signal processing unit determines time responses of the first input signal and the second input signal based on a contact sound generated when the hearing aid is contacted in a predetermined time period, and distinguishes a plurality of settings of the hearing aid and changes the setting based on the time responses.
US08488821B2 Snap-on fastening device for hearing device
With housing elements of a hearing device which are fastened to a frame for accommodating internal components of the hearing device, the use of a large number of additional parts is problematic because of the risk of losing parts. In accordance with the invention a snap-on fastening means is used to fasten a housing element to the frame of the hearing device, with an opening being provided in the housing element and the frame for accommodating the snap-on fastening means.
US08488816B2 Electro-acoustic transducer with multi-faced diaphragm assembly
One mode of the present invention provides an electroacoustic transducer composed of a multifaced diaphragm assembly and a multifaced speaker housing assembly that is housed inside the multifaced diaphragm assembly. The multifaced speaker housing is configured by combining the outer peripheral surface of a plurality of individual speaker drive units into a nearly spherical shell. The multifaced diaphragm assembly, which has thereinside the multifaced speaker housing assembly, is configured to have a plurality of regular pentagonal diaphragm segments that are combined together into a nearly spherical shape shell, and a plurality of speaker drive units opposing the diaphragm segments from inside in one-to-one relation. Each speaker drive unit has a bobbin, the one end portion of which is adhered to the center portion of the inner surface of each diaphragm segment.
US08488814B2 Acoustic headset
This acoustic headset (2) comprises: two lateral acoustic modules (4, 6) comprising a mechanical bone excitation transducer (20, 22) which is capable of transmitting the sound signal to the auditory nerve by bone conduction, a flexible upper curved member (8) and a rigid rear curved member (10) for connecting the acoustic modules (4, 6). Each acoustic module (4, 6) comprises: a plate (16, 18) for lateral abutment against the sides of the skull, an articulation (24, 26) between the abutment plate (16, 18) and the transducer (20, 22), a spring for return movement, in terms of rotation about the axis of articulation (24, 26), of the transducer (20, 22) relative to the plate (16, 18) towards a rest position.
US08488813B2 Reconfigurable acoustic transducer device
A device comprises: a first acoustic transducer; a second acoustic transducer; one or more transducer drivers; one or more signal receivers; and a transducer configuration device for selectively configuring connections between: (1) at least one of the first and second acoustic transducers; and (2) the one or more transducer drivers and the one or more signal receivers, according to a selected operating mode for the device among a plurality of possible operating modes.
US08488812B2 Biasing circuit for a microelectromechanical acoustic transducer and related biasing method
A biasing circuit for an acoustic transducer is provided with: a voltage-booster stage, which supplies, on a biasing terminal, a boosted voltage for biasing a first terminal of the acoustic transducer; and filtering elements, set between the biasing terminal and the acoustic transducer, for filtering disturbances on the boosted voltage. The biasing circuit is further provided with switches, which can be actuated so as to connect the first terminal to the biasing terminal of the voltage-booster stage, directly during a start-up step of the biasing circuit, and through the filtering elements at the end of the start-up step.
US08488810B2 Audio processing chip and audio signal processing method thereof
An audio processing chip includes a connecting port, an audio amplifier module and a pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit. The connecting port receives a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal; the audio amplifier module amplifies an audio signal according to a control signal to thereby output an audio output signal; and the pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit is coupled between the connecting port and the audio amplifier module, and outputs the control signal to the audio amplifier module according to the PWM signal to thereby control an operation of the audio amplifier module.
US08488808B2 Method of powering down an audio amplifier with timing circuit to power down bias control and amplifying circuits in sequence
An audio amplifier includes a timing control circuit, an amplifying circuit, and a bias control circuit. The timing control circuit generates a first power down signal and a second power down signal, in which the first power down signal is asserted before the second power down signal is asserted. The amplifying circuit receives a bias voltage to amplify an audio signal and is deactivated when the first power down signal is asserted. The bias control circuit provides the bias voltage for the amplifying circuit and is deactivated when the second power down signal is asserted.
US08488804B2 System and method for a headset combining a microphone and an antenna
A headset comprises an audio output device, an audio input device, and a wire. The audio output device plays outgoing audio data. The audio input device receives incoming audio data. The wire connects the audio input device to a sound device that interprets the incoming audio data. The wire is further configured to be an antenna to one of transmit and receive radio frequency signals. The wire is further connected to a transceiver.
US08488803B2 Wind suppression/replacement component for use with electronic systems
Systems and methods to reduce the negative impact of wind on an electronic system include use of a first detector that receives a first signal and a second detector that receives a second signal. A voice activity detector (VAD) coupled to the first detector generates a VAD signal when the first signal corresponds to voiced speech. A wind detector coupled to the second detector correlates signals received at the second detector and derives from the correlation wind metrics that characterize wind noise that is acoustic disturbance corresponding to at least one of air flow and air pressure in the second detector. The wind detector controls a configuration of the second detector according to the wind metrics. The wind detector uses the wind metrics to dynamically control mixing of the first signal and the second signal to generate an output signal for transmission.
US08488801B2 Audio compensation unit and compensating method and audio processing device thereof
An audio compensation unit includes a detection subunit and a compensation subunit. The detection subunit is for detecting an audio signal to obtain an original frequency. The detection subunit defines a predetermined low frequency band and a predetermined high frequency band. The detection subunit is also for generating a first control signal when the original frequency is within the low frequency band, and a second control signal when the original frequency is within the high frequency band. The compensation subunit includes an electronic switch, a first compensation circuit, and a second compensation circuit. The electronic switch enables the first compensation circuit according to the first control signal, for compensating the audio signal. The electronic switch is further enables the second compensation circuit according to the second control signal, for compensating the audio signal.
US08488798B2 Matrix decoder
This audio matrix surround decoder requires minimal digital processing, useful in portable applications, particularly in playback from a portable player using a headphone or loudspeaker virtualizer. In one embodiment it pans inputs Lt and Rt to outputs associated with front directions in response to a measure of the sum of Lt and Rt being greater than a measure of the difference between Lt and Rt, and pans Lt and Rt to outputs associated with rear directions in response to a measure of the sum of Lt and Rt being less than a measure of the difference between Lt and Rt. Lt and Rt are modified to shift the direction of reproduced signals.
US08488797B2 Method and an apparatus for decoding an audio signal
A method for processing an audio signal, comprising: receiving a downmix signal and a downmix processing information; and, processing the downmix signal using a downmix processing information, comprising: de-correlating the downmix signal; and, mixing the downmix signal and the de-correlated signal in order to output the processed downmix signal, wherein the downmix processing information is estimated based on an object information and a mix information is disclosed.
US08488795B2 Method for providing a symmetric key for protecting a key management protocol
Cryptographic material is generated for a protocol for the encrypted transmission of media data between a subscriber device and a provider device. A first symmetric key of the subscriber device and the provider device is inserted in a symmetric key protection mechanism of a network protocol of a control layer to establish a communication session between the subscriber device and the provider device. A first time-variable parameter is transmitted from the provider device to the subscriber device. A second symmetric key for protecting the key management protocol is calculated by both the provider device and the subscriber device using a defined function depending at least on the first symmetric key and the first time-variable parameter.
US08488790B2 Quantum key distribution system
A first signal is received from an initial quantum key generating transmitter via a single combined channel that includes a first quantum signal and a public data signal alternating in a time shared manner. The first signal is split into first and second split signals. A low attenuation is applied to the first split signal when the first split signal includes the first quantum signal. A high attenuation is applied to the first split signal when the second split signal includes the public data signal. The first split signal is received at an intermediate quantum key generating receiver (QKGR) when the low attenuation is applied and a first quantum key is generated. A second quantum signal is transmitted to a recipient QKGR and a second quantum key is generated. The first quantum key is encoded using the second quantum key and transmitted to the recipient QKGR.
US08488784B2 Organic keyed encryption
An encryption technique that creates a unique encryption key or fingerprint based on unique physical and electrical characteristics of a target electronic assembly to be protected. The encryption key can be constructed by exploiting the manufacturing variances present in all electronic elements including active elements and passive elements. Active elements include, for example: oscillators/clocks, internal I/O controllers, external I/O controllers, memory, processors, and digital power converters. Passive elements include, for example: internal I/O interconnects, external I/O interconnects, memory buses, and power buses. The encryption key can also include one or more environmental condition thresholds.
US08488779B2 Method and system for conducting high speed, symmetric stream cipher encryption
A method is provided for processing a digital information set having a plurality of information bytes. The method comprises receiving the information set, determining a set of initialization parameters, initializing a set of state variables using the set of initialization parameters, and generating a plurality of cryptors, each cryptor being a virtual dynamic array containing a monoalphabetic cipher. The method further comprises modifying the state variables and one or more of the cryptors, setting the index value for each cryptor in the plurality of cryptors; and selecting an ordered cryptor subset to be applied to an information byte. The information byte is processed using the ordered cryptor subset to produce a processed information byte. If the information byte is a plaintext byte, the processed byte is an encrypted byte, and vice versa. The actions of modifying, setting, selecting, and processing are then repeated for each remaining information byte.
US08488775B2 Method and system for recording automatic call distributor calls
A method for recording automatic call distributor calls includes receiving from a caller a call for distribution to one of a plurality of agents and distributing the call to a first agent of the plurality of agents for handling. The method includes creating a call signature associated with the call for recording verification and recording communications of the call to a recording file. The method also includes embedding the call signature in the recording file.
US08488773B1 System for geographic agent routing
A call center system in which agents are geographically dispersed based on agent skill-set, agent location and caller location that results in a call being delivered to the best available agent. The call center system is comprised of a call center application module coupled to a database module with a communications network being used to couple incoming calls from customers, as well as various call center agents, to the system. The database contains a ranking of available agents, based on a dataset including information regarding skill-set, previous interaction with the customer, proximity to the customer, language capability, current availability, and so forth. The system then chooses the best available agent to service a customer call based on the agent rankings. In the case where the customer has a preference for proximity of the agent to the customer, the system adjusts the agent rankings according to the agent's distance from the customer prior to making a selection.
US08488771B2 System and method for prompt modification based on caller hang ups in IVRS
In a method for use in Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems, an IVR is configured such that voice prompts provided to a caller vary systematically and caller hang-up activity is attributed to the particular version of a prompt played to the caller. Voice prompt modifications are chosen based on how long the caller willingly listens to the voice prompt. A relatively short time listening to a prompt before hang-up, indicates dissatisfaction with that prompt. The system compares caller hang-up rates for each of the phrases in a prompt and chooses the optimum solution, which is the variant of the prompt with the longest caller listening time. Optionally, the system compares hang up rates to a threshold and contingent on that comparison chooses an alternative version of the prompt.
US08488769B1 Non-scheduled training for an agent in a call center
Call center agent training is provided on a non-scheduled basis and is characterized as having a duration that is less than a scheduling interval used to schedule the agent for their work shift, as well as schedule other activities in the work shift. The delivery of snippet training content may be triggered by various conditions, including in response to: a request for training originating from the agent, a period of continuous call processing activity of the agent, various agent performance metrics, or probabilistically assigned to an agent in a group. Various parameters may selectively limit provision of a snippet training session. The agents provided with training are placed in an unavailable state prior to the snippet training session, and placed back into an available state afterwards. The snippet training content may be variously structured and can be grouped together to form an e-learning course delivered to the agent.
US08488766B2 Methods and systems for multiuser selective notification
Methods and systems are provided for managing a communications line associated with two or more users. These methods and systems include receiving first user line management information regarding handling of calls to the communications line from one or more contacts in a first address book, the first address book associated with the first user. Further, these methods and systems include receiving second user line management information regarding handling of calls to the communications line from one or more contacts in a second address book, the second address book associated with the second user. Additionally, the methods and systems are capable of receiving from the communications network information regarding a call received on the communications line associated with the two or more users, determining handling of the call based on the received first user and second user line management information, and forwarding to the communications network instructions regarding the handling of the call, such that the communications network handles the call in accordance with the determined handling.
US08488763B2 Method and system for conference call scheduling via e-mail
A method and system for conference call scheduling using e-mail. The method and system can receive and parse an e-mail received from a conference moderator, containing scheduling and participant information and schedule a conference call with minimal further user intervention. In essence, the method and system can operate as a virtual administrative assistant to identify and collect telephone contact information for each of the proposed conference call participants, using a customizable hierarchy of internal and external sources of contact information. In this manner, the conference moderator does not need know telephone contact information for each conference call participant.
US08488761B2 Methods and systems for a call log
A call log associated with outgoing calls originating from calling devices may be established and maintained. Filter parameters may be set to specify which outgoing calls to log. Outgoing call information associated with calls originating from a user's calling devices may be obtained and transmitted to a service center. A server in the service center may determine whether or not to log the outgoing call information based on the filter settings. The outgoing call information may be stored in the call log, which may reside in a database in the service center. The user may access the call log from a user terminal and/or the calling devices. The call log may be used to add contacts to a contact list and facilitate data analyses.
US08488758B1 Method and system for documenting interactions with professional service providers
The present invention is a graphical interface for predetermining the means by which incoming telephone calls are directed. Buttons on a telephone keypad are assigned to particular professionals who determine the method by which they wish to receive the incoming call. The incoming calls can be tagged to be automatically billed, recorded, or both.
US08488754B1 IP-enabled information delivery
A method, system, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for providing Internet protocol enabled information delivery are provided. Information from a calling party is received at an Internet protocol enabled device. A lookup of information relating to the calling party is performed in a database via an Internet protocol connection. A message is received from the database comprising information relating to the calling party.
US08488753B2 Location based format selection for information services
In a communication system, a wireless transceiver receives a request message from a caller system for an information service. The information service is associated with an Internet address and an image format. A control system determines a location of the caller system. The control system selects a text message format for the information service based on the location of the caller system. The control system transmits a setup message to the information service indicating the selected text message format. In some examples, the control system receives a text message from the information service responsive to the set-up message, and the wireless transceiver transfers the text message to the caller system.
US08488752B1 System and method for recording voicemail
A system and method for recording voicemail. The system includes a first phone, a second phone, and a server. A call is placed from the first phone to the second phone. The server is configured to transmit a notification to the first phone to initiate recording of a voicemail at a location local to the first phone, receive a file of the voicemail recorded by the first phone, store the recorded voicemail, and establish a session between the server and the second phone to access the recorded voicemail.
US08488750B2 Method and system of providing interactive speech recognition based on call routing
A speech recognition process and system are used for interactive telecommunication. A caller is prompted for input. Each of the phrases represents a destination for routing the call. The response utterance is matched by the system to one of the phrases and the call is routed to the corresponding destination. If the call thereafter has been redirected to a destination representing another of the phrases, speech recognition training data are generated for mapping the utterance to the redirected destination.
US08488747B1 Modified protector module with an integrated splitter
The disclosed embodiments include a surge protection module that includes an integrated signal splitter configured to combine a signal from a DSL tip wire with a signal from the POTS tip pin to generate a DSL/POTS tip output signal, and combine a signal from a DSL ring wire with a signal from the POTS ring pin to generate a DSL/POTS ring output signal. The integrated signal splitter is configured to be in electrical communication with an overvoltage protection component and to output the DSL/POTS tip output signal and the DSL/POTS ring output signal to the overvoltage protection component.
US08488746B1 Method and system for silent trunk failure detection
A system and method for performing a first diagnostic test on a first class of service on a network link during a current measurement period, performing at least one further diagnostic test on a second class of service on the network link during the current measurement period, determining whether an alert was present during a previous measurement period and generating a current failure alert based on results of the first and the at least one further diagnostic tests if an alert was present during the previous measurement period.
US08488745B2 Endpoint echo detection
Architecture that employs a signal (e.g., audible or inaudible sounds) to detect if endpoints of a communications session are sufficiently close to each other to induce echo, and then control (e.g., muting) is applied to one or more of the endpoints to prevent echo. The signals can be played and detected from the endpoints or a central conferencing component such as a multiple control unit (MCU). The MCU can provide support for legacy endpoints as well. When echo is detected, the offending endpoint(s) can be controlled to mute one or more onboard devices such as a speaker or microphone. The device(s) can be muted from a remote component or for a local component or locally by the endpoint user. A notification can be sent that notifies the endpoint user that the mute operation has been applied or should be applied to one or more of the local devices.
US08488744B2 X-ray measurement apparatus
An X-ray measurement apparatus includes an X-ray source configured to emit an X-ray to irradiate a specimen with the X-ray, a collimator configured to shape a beam of the X-ray emitted from the X-ray source into a sliced fan-shaped beam x-ray, a flux shield configured to block a part of a flux of the fan-shaped beam X-ray so as to suppress beam hardening while adjusting an energy intensity distribution of the flux, the flux shield being placed between the collimator and the specimen, and an X-ray detector configured to detect a dose transmitted through the specimen.
US08488740B2 Diffractometer
A compact powder diffractometer has one or more detectors arranged no more than 300 mm, in an example 55 mm, from a sample stage for mounting a powder sample. High resolution is nevertheless obtained in spite of the small dimensions using a geometry that achieves a suitable divergence of X-rays incident on the sample and a small spot size using a grazing exit condition on a monochromator crystal.
US08488739B2 Linear kinematics system with rotatable treatment head
A radiotherapy installation is described, with a treatment head which is arranged on a treatment head support and which has an exit port for a beam generated in a beam generator, and with a patient table. The treatment head support is guided on a first rectilinear guide, which is guided on a second rectilinear guide arranged perpendicular to the first rectilinear guide, in order to move the treatment head relative to the patient table during the radiotherapy.
US08488738B2 Radiographic apparatus
A radiographic apparatus includes a radiation source for emitting radiation, a radiation source control unit for instructing the radiation source to emit the radiation, and a radiation detector for detecting the radiation. The radiation detector outputs real-time detection data when the radiation source emits the radiation intermittently or continuously, and outputs quiescence detection data when the radiation source emits still radiation. The quiescence detection data is acquired by the radiation source control unit controlling the radiation source to start emitting the radiation at a time earlier than a predicted point of time by a predetermined time calculated based on an estimated irradiation time.
US08488736B2 Stacked flat panel x-ray detector assembly and method of making same
An x-ray detector assembly includes a first flat panel digital projection detector and a second flat panel digital projection detector. The x-ray detector assembly further includes a first detector mounting structure configured to align the first flat panel digital projection detector in a first position to block the second flat panel digital projection detector from receiving x-rays emitting from an x-ray source toward the second flat panel digital projection detector in an x-ray penetration direction.
US08488733B2 Irradiation target retention assemblies for isotope delivery systems
Example embodiments are directed to methods of producing desired isotopes in commercial nuclear reactors and associated apparatuses using instrumentation tubes conventionally found in nuclear reactor vessels to expose irradiation targets to neutron flux found in the operating nuclear reactor. Example embodiments include assemblies for retention and producing radioisotopes in nuclear reactors and instrumentation tubes thereof. Example embodiments include one or more retention assemblies that contain one or more irradiation targets and are useable with example delivery systems that permit delivery of irradiation targets. Example embodiments may be sized, shaped, fabricated, and otherwise configured to successfully move through example delivery systems and conventional instrumentation tubes while containing irradiation targets and desired isotopes produced therefrom.
US08488732B2 Communication receiver and a receiving method
A communication receiver and a receiving method are disclosed. An analog front-end device samples a receiving signal and generates a sampled signal. A signal detector detects presence of the receiving signal according to the sampled signal. A symbol timing recovery (STR) unit determines an optimal symbol sampling point according to a zero-crossing point of the sampled signal when the receiving signal is present, and then generates a recovered symbol based on an optimally chosen sampled value according to the optimal symbol sampling point.
US08488729B1 Deskew across high speed data lanes
Methods and structures are disclosed for aligning high speed data across a plurality of lanes. In one embodiment, a method and integrated circuit (“IC”) is provided for receiving and aligning scrambled training data across a plurality of data lanes before the data is descrambled. In some implementations, a known scrambled training pattern is different in each lane and alignment includes comparing incoming training data in each lane to different known scrambled training patterns in each lane. In some implementations, after scrambled data is aligned and then descrambled, it is checked against a known unscrambled training pattern to make sure that alignment of the scrambled training data was correct. In an alternative embodiment, data is descrambled before being aligned, but deskew circuitry output is monitored to determine if a training pattern ends at the same time across the plurality of lanes being aligned. If not, then data in a lane for which the training pattern ends earliest is delayed by an amount corresponding to the length of one or more cycles of the training pattern.
US08488727B1 System and method of selecting antennas based on signal-to-noise ratios and signal quality values
A system includes a receiver, a processor and a decision device. The receiver receives a first signal via a first antenna, and one of the first signal and a second signal via a second antenna. The processor determines: based on the first signal as received at the first antenna, a first signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and a first signal quality value; and based on the one of the first and second signals as received at the second antenna, a second SNR and a second signal quality value. The decision device selects one of the first and second antennas based on (i) a difference between the first SNR and the second SNR if the first SNR is greater than the second SNR, or (ii) the first signal quality value and the second signal quality value if the difference between the first SNR and the second SNR is less than a predetermined threshold.
US08488715B2 Destuff circuit and transmission device
In a destuff circuit, after invalid data included in each data signal assigned to a plurality of lanes in a stuff shifter is collected to one side within the same column, then in a data rotator the number of stuffs of the respective data signals of each column is detected, and the data of the respective columns are operated to rotate in one direction, according to the detection results. Then, effective data included in the data signal of each lane that has been rotated is stored in FIFO, to thereby output signals for which ineffective data has been removed and only effective data has been extracted. As a result, it becomes possible to perform destuffing processing for parallel data signals with simple logical circuits at high speed.
US08488703B2 Method for determining MIMO transmission techniques, base station and mobile terminal
The present invention relates to a method for determining the appropriate combination of at least two MIMO transmission techniques for a radio link in between a transmitter (10) and a receiver (20). The MIMO transmission techniques use at least two antennas (12, 14, 16, 18) with at least two polarizations. According to the invention the appropriate combination is the combination of beamforming and at least one of polarization time coding, closed loop coherent combination of polarization beams and polarization multiplexing. The appropriate combination is chosen dependent on at least one of radio conditions of the radio link (20) and relative velocity in between the transmitter (10) and the receiver (30). The invention further relates to a method for receiving a transmission of a radio link (20) in between a transmitter (10) and a receiver (30). The invention also relates to a base station comprising a transmitter, a mobile terminal comprising a receiver and a communication network.
US08488701B2 Wireless communication method, wireless transmitter and wireless receiver
A wireless communication method by which unnecessary retransmission request is suppressed and feedback information is reduced at the same time in a MIMO communication system. The wireless communication method is provided for transmitting signals by using a plurality of antennas, and has a step of applicably selecting the group configuration of the antennas, and a step of adding data to be used for error detection to a signal to be transmitted by using the antennas, by following the results of the selection.
US08488700B2 Discrete digital receiver with sample memory
A receiver includes a sample and hold module, sample memory, a discrete time filter module, and a conversion module. The sample and hold module is operable to sample and hold an inbound wireless signal to produce a frequency domain sample pulse train. The sample memory is operable to store sample pulses of the frequency domain sample pulse train to produce a stored sample pulse train. The discrete time filter module is operable to filter the stored sample pulse train to produce a filtered sample pulse. The conversion module is operable to convert the filtered sample pulse into an inbound baseband signal.
US08488699B2 Synchronous network device
A physical layer device including a plurality of ports and a clock synchronization module. Each port of the plurality of ports is programmable to receive a grandmaster clock. The clock synchronization module is configured to i) receive the grandmaster clock from a first port of the plurality of ports (wherein the first port has been programmed to receive the grandmaster clock), and ii) clean up the grandmaster clock, wherein cleaning up the grandmaster clock includes one or more of removing jitter from the grandmaster clock, controlling a voltage swing or the grandmaster clock, or establishing fixed edge rates of the grandmaster clock. Other ones of the plurality of ports, not including the first port, are programmed to receive the cleaned up grandmaster clock for use when transmitting data.
US08488693B2 Wireless communication systems and methods using reference signals
A method used in a wireless communication apparatus based on reference signals is provided. The method may include obtaining a plurality of pilot rules and obtaining radio channel information of a radio channel between the wireless communication apparatus and another wireless communication apparatus. The wireless communication apparatus may be in an area including at least one cell and using one or more data streams. Further, the method may include selecting applicable pilot rules from the plurality of pilot rules based on the radio channel information, creating at least one pilot structure to be used in the radio channel; and using the created at least one pilot structure to transmit data over the radio channel.
US08488692B2 Radio transmission device and radio transmission method
Provided are a radio transmission device and a radio transmission method capable of improving downlink and uplink throughput even when performing dynamic symbol allocation. In the device and the method, BS and MS share a table correlating a basic TF as a combination of parameters such as TB size used for transmitting only user data, an allocation RB quantity, a modulation method, and an encoding ratio, with a derived TF having user data of different TB size by combining L1/L2 control information. Even when multiplexing L1/L2 control information, Index corresponding to the basic TF is reported from BS to MS.
US08488688B2 Communication method and radio transmitter
Radio transmission is performed even to a communication party whose bandwidth that can be used for transmission and reception is limited without having an influence of an offset of a DC component. A radio transmitter applied to an OFDMA communication system in which a plurality of different terminals performs communication using OFDM signals at the same time that includes a mapping part that allocates transmission power to each subcarrier, and also selects a subcarrier to which minimum power of the transmission power to be allocated is allocated and modulates transmission data in units of communication slots to output the modulated data; and a transmission part for transmitting radio signals including the modulated data using each of the subcarriers.
US08488687B2 Weighting circuit for a multi-carrier signal receiver
The invention relates to a weighting circuit for a receiver (1), which is designed to receive a multi-carrier signal consisting of carrier signals. According to the invention, the carrier signals are weighted by the weighting circuit (18) in such a way that the parasitic signal energy has the same intensity in all weighted carrier signals. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the weighting circuit comprises at least one multiplier that multiplies an assigned a carrier signal by a stored weighting co-efficient. The stored weighting coefficients constitute reliability information for the various carrier signals.
US08488685B2 Active bidirectional splitter for single ended media
An active bidirectional splitter (212) for transmission and reception of data signals over a single ended transmission medium (105) comprises an input port (150), an output port (152) and a differential combined input/output port (151), a first differential output driver (115) for receiving an input signal (144) from the input port (150) and transmitting this signal to the differential input/output port (151), a second differential output driver (116) for receiving the input signal (144) from the input port (150), a first averaging circuit (121) for averaging the differential signal (146, 147) at the differential input/output port (151), a second averaging circuit (120) for averaging the differential signal (144, 145) at the output of the second differential output driver (116), and a receiver (117) for receiving both averaged signals (118, 119) from the first averaging circuit (121) and the second averaging circuit (120) and for generating therefrom an output signal on the output port (152).
US08488680B2 Encoding and decoding methods and apparatus, signal and computer program product therefor
A video sequence including images in the form of digital samples is encoded by: subsampling the video sequence to produce: a number N of multiple descriptions of the video sequence, each multiple description including 1/N samples of the video sequence, and a subsampled version of the sequence, the subsampled version having a resolution lower or equal to the resolution of the N multiple descriptions. The N multiple descriptions and the subsampled version are subjected to scalable video coding (SVC) to produce an SVC encoded signal having a base layer and N enhancement layers predicted from said base layer. The subsampled version of the sequence and the N multiple descriptions of the video sequence constitute the base layer and the enhancement layers, respectively, of the SVC encoded signal.
US08488672B2 Mode uniformity signaling for intra-coding
Techniques for efficiently signaling one or more prediction modes for blocks in a macroblock. A mode uniformity indicator is provided for each macroblock to indicate whether all blocks in the macroblock are to be predicted using the same prediction mode. In an embodiment, an encoder signals a mode uniformity indicator and a prediction mode. In another embodiment, a decoder receives a mode uniformity indicator and a prediction mode, and predicts at least two blocks of the macroblock using the prediction mode if the mode uniformity indicator is true.
US08488670B2 High precision encoding and decoding of video images
Methods, systems, and computer programs for improved quality video compression. Image quality from MPEG-style video coding may be improved by preserving a higher number of bits during intermediate encoding and decoding processing steps. Problems of inverse discrete cosine transform (IDCT) mismatch can be eliminated by exactly matching the IDCT function numerical algorithm of the decoder to the IDCT function numerical algorithm used for the decoding portion of the encoder. Also included is an application of high precision compression to wide dynamic range images by extending the range of the “quantization parameter” or “QP”. The extension of QP may be accomplished either by increasing the range of QP directly, or indirectly through a non-linear transformation. Also included is an application of extended intermediate processing precision and an extended QP range to reduced contrast regions of an image to extend the precision with which the low-contrast portions are compression coded.
US08488665B2 Delta frame buffers
Presented herein is a system and method for reducing the total size of the frame buffer portion of a decoding circuit. The reduction in size is possible because first portions of B-pictures are displayed while second portions occurring later in the raster order are decoded. The foregoing allows the second portions occurring later in the raster order to overwrite third portions of the picture that have already been displayed. As a result, the frame buffer for providing the frame from a decoder to the display engine need only store the portion that is being displayed and the portion that is being decoded.
US08488660B2 Signal analyzing apparatus for LTE system
A signal analysis apparatus of an LTE system includes a radio frequency reception unit for receiving a radio frequency signal of the LTE system and converting it into a signal of an intermediate frequency, a digital signal conversion unit for converting an analog signal, processed by the radio frequency reception unit, into a digital signal, a baseband conversion unit for converting the signal of the intermediate frequency into a baseband signal, a baseband signal simple analysis unit for decoding the baseband signal in real time in accordance with an LTE standard, a signal depository for storing the baseband signal, a baseband signal precision analysis unit for decoding and analyzing the baseband signal in accordance with the LTE standard and analyzing various items derived in the decoding process, two switching units for alternatively connecting the baseband conversion unit or the signal depository to the baseband signal simple analysis unit or the baseband signal precision analysis unit, and a control unit for controlling the switching units.
US08488659B2 Remote transmission system
A transmission apparatus includes a plurality of modems, which are configured to communicate via respective wireless communication channels and includes at least first and second modems configured to communicate respectively over separate first and second wireless communication networks. The transmission apparatus also includes a stream processor, which is configured to receive and process an incoming media stream so as to provide multiple upload streams for transmission by different ones of the modems, including first and second upload streams for transmission by the first and second modems, respectively.
US08488656B2 Oversampled synthesizer systems and methods
Systems and methods for combining digital input signals in an oversampled synthesizer system are provided. An inverse Fourier transform component is configured to receive a plurality of digital input signals, having a first sampled rate, and produce a corresponding representation of a wideband signal as a plurality of parallel outputs. A plurality of digital filters are each configured to apply a transfer function to an associated one of the parallel outputs to produce a filtered output. A number of filters in the plurality of digital filters is less than a number of parallel outputs of the inverse Fourier transform component, such that at least one of the parallel outputs is not provided to any filter of the plurality of digital filters. An interpolation component combines the plurality of filtered outputs into a wideband digital output signal having a second sampled rate.
US08488651B1 Encoding scheme for data transfer
A spread spectrum slip time encoding scheme encodes data values with one or more Pseudo Noise (PN) codes and generates a corresponding PN encoded data stream. Other data values are encoded into the PN encoded data stream by varying a slip time between the 10 encoded data values.
US08488650B2 Pre-phase error correction
A CDMA communication system includes a signal processor which encodes voice and nonvoice signals into data at various rates, e.g. data rates of 8 kbps, 16 kbps, 32 kbps, or 64 kbps as I and Q signals. The signal processor selects a specific data rate depending upon the type of signal, or in response to a set data rate. When the signal is received and demodulated, the baseband signal is at the chip level. Both the I and Q components of the signal are despread using the conjugate of the pn sequence used during spreading, returning the signal to the symbol level. Carrier offset correction is performed at the symbol level. A lower overall processing speed is therefore required.
US08488649B2 Code converting apparatus, receiver, and code converting method
A code converting apparatus is designed to estimate the incoming time and the like of a signal modulated by a spreading sequence composed of m elements in a set A having n kinds of symbols as elements accurately. A symbol sequence memory section 102 stores a converted sequence of symbols obtained by concatenating consecutive 2d symbols at the center of each sequence pattern pi composed of 4d elements in the set A. The converted sequence of symbols is structured so that d symbol immediately preceding the 2d symbols and d symbol immediately following the 2d symbols are identical to d symbol immediately preceding corresponding 2d symbols and d symbol immediately following the corresponding 2d symbols of a corresponding sequence pattern. A symbol sequence specifying section 103 specifies a matching sequence pattern for every consecutive 2d symbols in a symbol sequence obtained by assigning a symbol to the signal in a coding cycle of the spreading sequence. A signal generating section 104 adds a portion to which the 2d symbols are assigned of the signal. A signal converting section 105 concatenates each pattern signal added for each sequence pattern, in an order equivalent to an order of the 2d symbols at the center of each sequence pattern concatenated in the converted sequence of symbols.
US08488648B2 Apparatus and method for symbol error correctable modulation and demodulation using frequency selective baseband
Provided are a method and apparatus using a frequency selective baseband. Symbol-error correction modulation and demodulation is performed by generating a plurality of subgroups by dividing 2N spread codes or orthogonal codes used for frequency spreading into 2M (M
US08488638B2 Method of forming a single common laser resonator cavity and an optically segmented composite gain medium
A compact solid state laser that generates multiple wavelengths and multiple beams that are parallel, i.e., bore-sighted relative to each other, is disclosed. Each of the multiple laser beams can be at a different wavelength, pulse energy, pulse length, repetition rate and average power. Each of the laser beams can be turned on or off independently. The laser is comprised of an optically segmented gain section, common laser resonator with common surface segmented cavity mirrors, optically segmented pump laser, and different intra-cavity elements in each laser segment.
US08488635B2 UV illumination for mitigation of cold temperature pyroelectric effects in lithium niobate
An actively Q-switched laser based on UV illumination mitigates pyroelectric effects in lithium niobate. An exemplary embodiment comprises a pump source; a dichroic mirror having one end optically facing said pump source; a gain medium optically facing another end of said dichroic mirror; a polarizer having one end optically facing another end of said gain medium; a quarter wave plate having one end optically facing another end of said polarizer; and a electro-optic crystal having one end optically facing said quarter wave plate, at least one side of said electro-optic crystal being electrically connected to Q-switch driver to have the crystal function as a Q-switch. A UV illumination source illuminates a side surface of said electrical-optic crystal with UV light. An output mirror receives an output from said Q-switch and produces a laser emission.
US08488634B2 Use of first and second preambles in wireless communication signals
A method and system for a method of transmitting data within a signal frame. The method comprises inserting a first synchronization preamble into a first location within the signal frame and inserting a second synchronization preamble into a second location within the signal frame, wherein the first synchronization preamble conveys information indicative of the second location. The method further comprises issuing the signal frame towards a receiving device in a wireless communication environment.
US08488632B2 Optimizing VoIP for satellite connection
A method and system for reducing the total bandwidth and number of packets utilized to transmit a voice transmission over a satellite connection is provided. RTP allows packets to store different sizes of an audio signal, including 40 and 60 millisecond. By increasing the amount of an audio signal that is stored in packets from 20 ms to 60 ms, the actual network bandwidth utilized by a compression algorithm, such as G.729, is decreased from over 25 Kbits to fewer than 17 Kbits and the amount of packets utilized to transmit the audio signal is reduced.
US08488631B2 Differential delay compensation
In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a plurality of data frames representing at least one virtually concatenated data stream, storing the plurality of data frames in a memory; and recording, for each of a plurality of data frames, a physical write address that indicates a position in the memory and a virtual write address that includes a multiframe indicator and a byte number indicator.
US08488630B2 Transmission device and transmitting method
A transmission device which capsules and decapsules data of a frame and/or a packet includes a decapsuling circuit, wherein the decapsuling circuit includes a bit de-stuff processor configured to perform bit de-stuffing processing on an input data; a byte de-stuff processor configured to perform byte de-stuffing processing on duplicated data of the input data; a check processor configured to perform frame check sequence (FCS) processing on output from the bit de-stuff processor and the byte de-stuff processor; and a mode determination circuit configured to determine a stuffing mode of an opposite transmission device, based on a code conversion result from the bit de-stuff processor and the byte de-stuff processor and the stuffing mode in which the check processor detects the input data with a normal FCS.
US08488627B2 Multi-communications-media network device
A network device may include a processor executing higher layer processes including layers of a protocol stack higher than a media access layer, a first physical interface (PHY) coupled to a first communications medium, a second PHY coupled to a second communications medium, and a media access controller (MAC) to execute the media access layer of the protocol stack, the MAC coupled to the higher layer processes, the first PHY, and the second PHY. Media selection logic may select one of the first PHY and the second PHY for communication with a target device designated by a target MAC address provided by the higher layer processes.
US08488625B2 QoS control system and method of VoIP media packet received from broadband port in router/gateway-integrated VoIP system
A Quality-of-Service (QoS) control system and method of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) packet received from a broadband port in a router/gateway integrated VoIP system, which can process an incoming VoIP call by detecting in real-time an available bandwidth of the VoIP packet through interaction with a QoS module, determining whether to allow the VoIP call based on the result of the detection, and responding to the VoIP call based on the result of the determination. The QoS can be ensured according to the size of a VoIP media packet received through a broadband port.
US08488624B2 Method and apparatus for providing an area network middleware interface
A method and apparatus for implementing a protocol-neutral middleware interface in a home area network. The method comprises receiving one or more data packets from a client device using a first communication protocol, and decoding the data packets into a set of platform independent data objects. The data packets are decoded into the platform independent data objects by utilizing a metadata mapping located within one or more field classes. The apparatus comprises a frame engine, and one or more field classes. The frame engine receives a data packet in a first communication protocol. The frame engine decodes the data packet into a set of platform independent data objects. The frame engine uses a metadata map contained within the one or more field classes to decode the data packet into the set of platform independent data objects.
US08488622B2 Jitter control apparatus
A jitter control apparatus used in a multiplexing apparatus multiplexing a plurality of signals by asynchronous mapping, includes: a detection unit configured to detect a frequency of timing compensation processes in the asynchronous mapping for each of the plurality of signals; and a selection unit configured to select, on basis of a detection result by the detection unit, a clock signal to be used as a carrier clock for the plurality of signals, from a plurality of clock signals including clock signals extracted from at least one of the plurality of signals.
US08488621B2 Communication network system and error verification method
At least one node on a network acquires boundary violation information and frame state information concerning a reception slot and adjacent slots. Based on the boundary violation information and frame state information concerning the slots, the node verifies an error factor in the reception slot. Based on verification of the error factor, the node determines that data of a frame received in the reception slot can be used. When determining that the data of the received frame can be used, the node uses the received frame for control.
US08488620B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving RACH
A method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving a Random Access Channel (RACH) signal in a communication system. A User Equipment (UE) selects one of Contention Resolution (CR) channels allocated for collision detection, and transmits the selected CR channel and a connection request message to an Evolved Node B (E-NB), and receives a response signal from the E-NB. The UE transmits the RACH signal, if a collision indicator is included in the response signal. The E-NB receives from each of UEs a connection request message and a CR channel, decodes the connection request message, and detects a collision between the UEs using the CR channel. The E-NB generates a response signal to the connection request message according to the decoding result, generates a collision indicator according to the collision detection result, and transmits to the UEs at least one of the generated response signal, the generated collision indicator, and a unique ID of a corresponding UE.
US08488619B2 Allocating interlace multiplex pairs for multicast services
The present invention provides a method implemented in a control entity within a wireless communication system. The method includes selecting, at the control entity, a plurality of sectors in response to receiving requests for a multicast service from mobile units located within the plurality of sectors. The method also includes allocating, at the control entity, one or more interlace-multiplex pairs for providing the multicast service to the mobile units within the plurality of sectors. One or more of the interlace-multiplex pairs are allocated based on a priority list that ranks priorities of the plurality of interlace-multiplex pairs according to how many of the plurality of sectors provide the multicast service using the corresponding interlace-multiplex pair. The method also includes establishing a call flow over an air interface to the mobile units using the allocated interlace-multiplex pair(s).
US08488618B1 Dual-connect service box with router bypass
A system and method provide both inline services and in-network services for a dual-connect service box interposed between a modem and a router. The method transceives communications between a service box wide area network (WAN) port and a local area network (LAN) port of a WAN-connected broadband modem, and between a service box WAN-proxy port and a WAN port of a router. The method also selectively transceives communications between the service box WAN port and a LAN port. A service box binding module monitors messages transceived between the router and the modem to determine the service box WAN IP address, and registers at least one service box WAN IP addresses with a WAN network-connected account server. The method selectively transceives communications in response to an authentification means, which may be identifying an authorized port number in the communications, or identifying an authorized command in the communications.
US08488617B2 Railway-train communication apparatus
A railway-train communication apparatus transmits a first transmission signal flowing through an inter-car network between cars of a railway train and a second transmission signal flowing through an in-car network in each of the cars. A node device includes a first signal converter and a second signal converter that perform a signal conversion between the first transmission signal and the second transmission signal and a layer 2 switch arranged between the first signal converter and the second signal converter for connecting the first signal converter and the second signal converter. A first controller is connected to the layer 2 switch.
US08488613B2 Systems and methods for low complexity user scheduling
Systems and methods for scheduling multiple user equipments such as mobiles for transmission in the downlink of a cellular communications system. At each scheduling instant the systems and methods return a set of users who should be scheduled based on the past scheduling history of the users, the current individual link gains of the users to the base station, and how the simultaneous scheduling of multiple users affect each other's performance. Since optimal scheduling for communication systems require high computational complexity, low complexity systems and methods are utilized with a performance that is close to the theoretical optimal solution.
US08488608B2 System and method for traffic distribution in a multi-chassis link aggregation
A pair of aggregation switches is connected to an edge node by a multi-chassis link aggregation group, wherein the aggregation switches are connected by a virtual fabric link (VFL) for exchange of information between the Aggregation Switches. The VFL includes a plurality of subsets of VFL physical links, wherein each subset is connected to a different pair of network interface modules on the Aggregation Switches. Traffic distribution across the plurality of subsets of VFL physical links is based on destination hardware device information in a pre-pended header of packets and/or based on a load balancing identifier in the pre-pended header.
US08488607B2 Method for WLAN link aggregation and system for using the same
A system with WLAN link aggregation comprises an access point, a station and a remote host. The station is equipped with a first network interface unit and a second network interface unit. The first network interface unit and the second network interface unit are configured to forward packets to or receive packets from the access point. After receiving packets from the first network interface unit, the second network interface unit or the remote host, the access point modifies headers of the packets and forwards the packets to the first network interface unit, the second network interface unit or the remote host.
US08488599B2 Auto-switching method and device for dual mode analog-VoIP device
The embodiments of the present invention provide for methods, systems, and devices adapted to configure a dual-mode device to the appropriate mode(s). The dual-mode device is adapted to provide analog/POTS service, digital/VoIP service, and multimedia terminal adapter (MTA) service, typically based on the enabled mode(s). A device is also provided providing MTA service to an analog or legacy phone connected to an on-premises phone wiring system via an inactive POTS line.
US08488598B2 Call flow system and method for use in a VoIP telecommunication system
A method of establishing a communication link between a mobile terminal of a wireless network and a subscriber of a network, such as an enterprise network, and/or a residential network.
US08488597B2 Apparatus for collecting charging information of a data service and charging method thereof
The present invention discloses an apparatus for collecting charging information of data service and charging method thereof. The apparatus comprises: a protocol distribution processing module, for classifying service data received from a gateway service node in the wireless network by the protocol type, and sending the classified service data to a protocol processing module of the corresponding protocol type; receiving service data from said one or more than one protocol processing module and sending the service data to the gateway service node; at least one protocol processing module, for receiving the classified service data from the protocol distribution processing module, obtaining charging information of the service data and sending the charging information to a charging system, and transparently transmitting the service data to a packet switched domain network; receiving the service data from a packet switched domain network, obtaining the charging information of the service data and sending the charging information to the charging system, and transparently transmitting the service data to the protocol distribution processing module. This invention can accurately collect the charging information of service data of various classes.
US08488595B2 System for dialing from internet extension to conventional extension
A system for dialing from Internet extension to conventional extension is disclosed. A VoIP gateway or an IP auto attendant is used for dialing from Internet extension to conventional extension. The phone number of the Private Branch Exchange and the voice guidance are not needed. The calling number of SIP message is interpreted directly and converted into DTMF (Dual-tone multi-frequency) messages for dialing into a conventional extension.
US08488593B2 Apparatus and system for controlling signal filtering
According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus and system for controlling signal filtering. According to some non-limiting embodiments, a selective filtering apparatus is provided. The selective filtering apparatus comprises an input interface connectable to a source of a composite signal within a first frequency range and a filtering device, coupled to the input interface. The filtering device comprises a filter and an output interface, the filter being operable to filter the composite signal and output an output signal within a second frequency range, the second frequency range being a subset of the first frequency range; the output interface being connectable to at least a portion of an in-premises telephone wiring. The selective filtering apparatus further comprises a triggering module being operable to cause the output interface to selectively output one of the output signal and the composite signal responsive to detection of a triggering event.
US08488590B2 Method and device using data objects and their replications for carrying out communications in a distributed system
A method and device are provided for conducting a real-time, voice over IP media type of communication session between at least two peer users, each associated with a platform comprised in a distributed communication network. The method and device comprise providing at least one replication of at least one data object to all other platforms associated with that distributed communication network.
US08488588B1 Methods and apparatus for indexing set bit values in a long vector associated with a switch fabric
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a loopback module configured to receive a first copy of a target vector during a clock cycle. The target vector can include a quantity of set bit values and can be defined based on a portion of data. The loopback module can be configured to define a loopback vector that has a quantity of set bit values that is less than a quantity of set bit values included in the first copy of the target vector. The apparatus also can include an index module configured to receive a second copy of the target vector during the clock cycle. The index module can be configured to define, during the clock cycle, an index vector based on the second copy of the target vector. The index vector can be configured to trigger an element associated with a switch fabric to process the data.
US08488587B1 Method and apparatus performing automatic resource distribution
A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing automatic resource distribution is presented. A number of ports of a resource to hold (H) as needed for each Multi Media Platform (MPP) is determined. Further, the maximum number of ports of a resource that can be acquired (M)—M−H of which are borrowed from other MPPs—for each MPP is also determined. The ports are then allocated for an MPP from at least one server in accordance with the number of ports to hold as needed and the number of ports that can be borrowed.
US08488582B2 Minimal GAN RTP packet length via multi-level header compression
The present invention involves a method for IP header compression for Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP) packets that includes header compression for the outer IP layer that carries IPsec ESP tunnel traffic. The preferred embodiment of the invention involves a method of producing minimal VoIP packet size in a GAN user plane by defining an ESP/UDP/IP profile for ROHC; using the ESP/UDP/IP profile to compress the outer layers carrying IPsec ESP tunnel traffic in the GAN user plane; and using a ROHC RTP/UDP/IP profile between IPsec ESP tunnel endpoints for additional compression.
US08488578B1 Identifying a CDMA scrambling code
An apparatus for identifying a scrambling code used in the received CDMA-based signal. The apparatus includes a frame timing estimation unit configured to estimate a frame timing of the received CDMA-based signal, a searching unit configured to search for and select a scrambling code seed based on at least the estimated frame timing, and a seed evaluation unit configured to determine if the selected scrambling code seed is the correct seed used in the received CDMA-based signal. The searching unit is further configured to provide an identified scrambling code seed based on an indication from the seed evaluation unit that the selected scrambling code seed is the correct seed. The apparatus may also include a scrambling code generator configured to generate the scrambling code from the identified seed.
US08488577B1 Apparatus for controlling the availability of internet access to applications
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for controlling network access that includes receiving, at a network layer of a protocol stack of a mobile computing device comprising two or more communications interfaces, one or more data packets from an application executing on the mobile computing device, wherein the two or more communication interfaces comprise a cellular communication interface and a wireless network interface; identifying, at the network layer upon receiving the data packet, one or more rules that specify at least one of a plurality of networks to utilize to transmit the data packet, based on the one or more rules, selecting, in the network layer, a communication interface from the two or more communications interfaces associated with the at least one of the plurality of networks for transmitting the one or more data packets.
US08488574B2 Wireless network system and association control method thereof
Provided is an association control method for maximizing a message in message (MIM) function in a WLAN environment. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when all SINR values of transmission links to two or more first clients associated with the first access point are equal to or more than a predetermined capture threshold, SINR value of a transmission link to a second client associated with the second access point is less than the capture threshold, and at least one of the first clients, referred to as a third client group, can be associated with the second access point, associations are modified so that the third client group is associated with the second access point to enable concurrent transmission.
US08488570B2 Communication method, communication apparatus, and computer program
A method and apparatus for communicating between devices by selectively using a plurality of communication methods including a centralized control method, in which each communication apparatus sends and receives data under control of a control apparatus, and a distributed control method, in which each communication apparatus sends and receives data in an autonomous and distributing manner. The method and apparatus include detecting radio frequency interference, and switching between the centralized control method and the distributed control method according to a result of detecting the radio frequency interference.
US08488566B2 Control channel assignment in a wireless communication network
The disclosed embodiments provide for methods and systems for allocating a plurality of users on a control channel in a wireless communication network. In one aspect, a method for allocating a plurality of users on a control channel includes assigning a first number of modulation symbols to a hop region for a control channel, and allocating a second number of users to the first number of modulation symbols.
US08488565B2 Acquisition of timing information in wireless communication systems
A method for identifying a reference point in time in a wireless communication system includes: receiving a first repeated sequence of symbols; receiving a second repeated sequence of symbols; performing an autocorrelation between the first and second sequences of symbols; and identifying as the reference point in time an autocorrelation null between the first and second repeated sequences of symbols. Apparatus for identifying a reference point in time in a wireless communication system includes: means for receiving a first repeated sequence of symbols; means for receiving a second repeated sequence of symbols; means for performing an autocorrelation between the first and second sequences of symbols; and means for identifying as the reference point in time an autocorrelation null between the first and second repeated sequences of symbols. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.
US08488563B2 Methods and apparatus for providing information indicative of traffic delay of a wireless link
Embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing information indicative of traffic delay of a wireless link are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08488561B2 Mobile communication system, base station apparatus, and method to reduce inter-cell interference for same
To improve throughput of the whole system while reducing power consumption, in a mobile communication system comprising a mobile station apparatus and a base station apparatus, the base station apparatus creates an interference information table based on channel quality of an uplink channel, and transmits the interference information indicator table to the mobile station apparatus. The mobile station apparatus determines a state of interference in an uplink frequency band based on the interference information indicator table, determines a frequency band of a measurement pilot channel used to determine received quality, and makes a request to the base station apparatus for a transmission resource. For example, the mobile station apparatus determines a frequency band with lowest interference among the uplink frequency bands as a frequency band of the measurement pilot channel.
US08488558B2 PCP/STA capability handover in a wireless network
Handover of the role of a personal basic service set coordination point (PCP) in a personal wireless area network occurs with the issuance of a PCP handover request by the existing PCP station. A response from a PCP handover capable station within the BSS includes attributes of the responding station pertinent to its ability to carry out the role of a PCP. Once a new PCP station has been identified, handover steps are undertaken to modify beacon filtering and beam-forming in other non-PCP stations within the BSS to facilitate interruption free transition from the old PCP to the new PCP.
US08488556B2 System for voice and/or data communication
The invention relates to a system for speech and/or data communication between a mobile telephone on board an aircraft and terminals in communication networks outside the aircraft. The invention allows communication with third parties on the ground during a flight, with calls handled in a manner that is largely or completely automatic for the user of the mobile telephone, such that the user can use his mobile telephone just as well as if he were in the area of his home network on the ground. The communication is handled directly via the satellite communication path between the aircraft and the ground, bypassing the mobile radio operator with whom the user of the mobile telephone has completed a contract.
US08488552B2 Downlink solution for seamless and lossless cell change in a cellular system
The present invention relates to a UE, base station network node and methods thereof in a cellular mobile communication system. One method concerns handover from a first radio base station to a second radio base station wherein, it comprises the steps receiving a notification from the first radio base station that currently serves said UE, said notification indicating the last packet to be transmitted to this user equipment from said first radio base station on a first connection; and informing the second radio base station by a request to commence transmission from this second radio base station when the notified last packet is received at the UE.
US08488548B2 Hybrid scheme for DL link adaptation
A system and method of a hybrid scheme of DL link adaptation in a network having mobile stations (MSs) in communication with a base station (BS). The system may include a mode decision module associated with the base station. The mode decision module may include one or more processors configured to select a first mode configuration for use during transmission of a first communication from the base station. The BS may receive first feedback information associated with the first communication, where the first feedback information includes a first mode recommendation and first channel information. Based on the first feedback information, the BS may generate a BS-derived mode configuration based on the first channel information and compare the first mode recommendation and the BS-derived mode configuration. Based on the comparison, the BS may determine a second mode configuration to use to configure a second communication.
US08488546B2 Method for detecting a downlink control structure for carrier aggregation
This invention relates with a method for detecting a downlink control structure for carrier aggregation in communication network in which data transmission is scheduled by a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). An UE receives higher layer signaling enabling carrier aggregation for the UE. The UE reads the PDCCHs of component carriers (CCs), wherein the downlink control information (DCI) in the PDCCHs of each CC is read according to one of a plurality of predefined formats derived from the higher layer signaling.
US08488545B2 Region-based clustering mechanism for channel access in vehicular Ad Hoc networks
In a Vehicular Ad Hoc Network (VANET) a hybrid method combines SDMA (Space Division Multiple Access) and dynamic TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) that divides the roadway into regions (whose size is larger than the SDMA unit) where each region is allocated a pool of radio channels based on SDMA and may contain a limited number of vehicles. Vehicles within the same region compete for and access the channels using dynamic TDMA. A channel allocation scheme that maps the pool of channels to the regions such that when a vehicle acquires multiple channels (time slots) in a region, the intervals among the channels are as uniform as possible, thus minimizing the waiting time of the messages to be broadcast by the vehicle, which is critical for safety related applications. This solution is referred to as R-SDMA (Region based SDMA).
US08488537B2 Method of transmitting channel information in multiple antenna system
A method of transmitting channel information in a multiple antenna system includes receiving the channel information comprising rank information, and transmitting a confirm message through a downlink control channel as a confirmation for the channel information, wherein the confirm message comprises overriding rank information which overrides the received rank information in an open loop scheme and also comprises information indicating whether the received channel information is used without alteration in a closed loop scheme. A rank indicator (RI) and a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) can be carried on a dedicated control channel (DCCH) and be specified through a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).
US08488536B2 Mode selection for MIMO in wireless communication
A method for transmission mode selection in a MIMO radio system between a spatial diversity (A-matrix) mode and a spatial multiplexing (B-matrix) mode comprises: obtaining a channel condition number; if the channel condition number is above a selected threshold, and a signal to interference plus noise ratio exceeds a predetermined threshold then selecting spatial multiplexing; and otherwise selecting spatial diversity.
US08488535B2 Apparatus and method to allocate communication resources for an aperiodic data packet in a communication system
Apparatus and methods for allocating communication resources for an aperiodic data packet in a communication system. A transmission time interval for an aperiodic data packet including a channel quality indicator report is allocated during at least one of a first transmission time interval and a second transmission time interval in an uplink scheduling window in accordance with an uplink scheduling grant by a network entity, and a message is assembled including said aperiodic data packet for transmission to said network entity during said at least one of said first transmission time interval and said second transmission time interval.
US08488529B2 Efficient information mapping for transmission grants
Methods and apparatus for signaling an implicit signaling bit in a scheduling grant message are disclosed, including the implicit signaling of parameters related to the configuration of sounding reference signals. In various embodiments, implicit signaling is achieved by observing that certain codepoints in downlink control information formats are unused for certain scheduling assignments. The information content of certain information fields in the DCI format are redesigned to exploit this unused bandwidth, allowing the implicit signaling of one or more bits that can be used to extend the number of SRS configurations that can be specified in the DCI. In alternative embodiments, the implicit signaling concept is exploited in order to reduce the signaling payload while maintaining flexibility in dynamically assigning different SRS configurations by way of scheduling grant messages.
US08488527B2 Apparatus and method for facilitating radio resource dimensioning for communication services
An example apparatus is provided that receives at least one parameter value, for each of one or more communication bearers, where the at least one parameter value, for a communication bearer, describes a data rate probability distribution, for the same bearer, associated with time intervals with a fixed time duration. The apparatus estimates an amount of radio resources to allocate to at least one communication bearer of the one or more communication bearers, based at least in part on the received parameter values and the fixed time duration. The apparatus then allocates the estimated amount of radio resources to the at least one communication bearer of the one or more communication bearers.
US08488524B2 Method and system for dynamically assigning channels across multiple radios in a wireless LAN
In a fixed channel wireless network system with a limited number of channels, assignment of the fixed channels between remote client elements and access elements is made systematically according to a set of criteria accounting for network loading and interference, then channel assignments are dynamically updated according to a priority to maintain optimal network performance with changing conditions of load and interference. The channel utilization problem is address at a system level rather than at a local level by treating the system as a three dimensional color mapping problem. All noise is treated as having a source in virtual access elements with an appropriate performance metric. The performance metric is used to select a channel set that minimize chances of interference and maximize user performance. Specifically, there are several parameter matrices which are managed and updated by a central resource management element, namely signal strength between elements, interference, and load. These matrices are used to find the optimal channel assignments for a predetermined limited set of assignable channels. In one implementation, the channel assignment methodology takes into account the interference associated with access elements operating on a selected channel, as well as the interference or energy that spills over (or is otherwise observable) on physical channels adjacent to the selected channel.
US08488523B2 Method of transmitting and processing data block of specific protocol layer in wireless communication system
A method of transmitting a data block at a transmitting side in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The present invention generates a data block including polling information but no upper layer data, the polling information requesting a transmission of acknowledgement information (status report) on at least one data block transmitted to a receiving side and then transmits the data block to the receiving side, thereby it is possible to raise efficiency in wireless transmission.
US08488522B2 Method and system to manage wireless communications of high-occupancy vehicles
A system and method for managing wireless communications for a plurality of devices in a high occupancy vehicle is presented. The method comprises steps of creating a global bandwidth usage map across all vehicles, routes, and passengers, transmitting the global bandwidth usage map to a vehicle controller, interpreting the global bandwidth usage map and creating a local usage map, and commanding a wireless concentrator to manage the wireless communications for the devices in accordance with the local usage map. Further, the global map can be created by gathering ticket and route information, obtaining customer productivity data from a network, and parsing obtained data into canonical form. A step of inputting the ticketing information by one of the user, and a ticketing agent can be included. A step of displaying messages using a wireless access application residing on the device can be included.
US08488521B2 Behavior for wireless transmit/receive unit and MAC control elements for LTE DRX operations
A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) stops discontinuous reception (DRX) timers that are running and that are related to uplink and/or downlink transmissions during a DRX time period. The WTRU stops the DRX timers in response to receiving a medium access control (MAC) control element signal from an eNode-B.
US08488517B2 Digital repeater module and method for relaying digital data
There is provided a digital repeater module and method for relaying digital data. The digital repeater module comprises a data reception unit configured to receive digital data from several broadcast devices concurrently, a data transmission unit configured to transmit digital data using a multiple transmission protocols concurrently, and a routing application. The routing application can receive digital data through the data reception unit, identify available data paths for relaying the digital data to desired destinations, and determine transmission metrics for each of the available data paths for relaying the digital data to the desired destinations. The routing application can also select data paths for transmission based on the determined transmission metrics, and transmit the digital data using the selected data paths through the data transmission unit. There is also provided a method for resolving assignment of limited broadcast frequencies using the digital repeater module.
US08488512B2 Resource scheduling method for multi-hop relay wireless network
The present invention discloses a resource scheduling method for multi-hop relay wireless network comprising: for each of a base station and relay stations, acquiring the minimal resource requirement of each of connections to all MSSs which are covered by said station and have direct signal transmission with said station, and then summing up the acquired resource requirement to obtain the minimal resource requirement of said station; and acquiring interference status between the relay stations, using different partition strategies to classify the relay stations into different independent sets, each of which can occupy the same resource, according to the minimal resource requirement of the base station and the relay stations as well as the interference status between the relay stations, and determining and comparing the total resource requirement under each of the partition strategies to obtain an optimized partition strategy for resource reuse scheduling. This resource scheduling method can meet the QoS requirement on each connection better and is applicable to dynamic and asymmetric multi-hop network.
US08488510B2 Stochastic communication protocol method and system for radio frequency identification (RFID) tags based on coalition formation, such as for tag-to-tag communication
Data carriers (such as RFID tags) are formed into clusters of data carriers. Each cluster has at least one bridge data carrier that can communicate with a bridge data carrier of another cluster, thereby allowing data carriers in each cluster to communicate directly or indirectly with each other using a stochastic communication protocol method. Direct tag-to-tag communication capability is provided between data carriers in each cluster and/or between clusters. The data carriers can backscatter and modulate a carrier wave from a source, thereby using the backscattered and modulated carrier wave to convey data to each other.
US08488509B2 Method of minimizing an unnecessary scheduling information reception in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and a user equipment (UE) providing wireless communication services, and more particularly, a method of minimizing an unnecessary MSI (MCH Scheduling Information) reception by a terminal (UE) during a reception of a MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service) service in an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (E-UMTS), a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, and a LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system that have evolved from a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), thereby preventing an unnecessary battery consumption of the terminal.
US08488507B2 Apparatus and methods for managing access and update requests in a wireless network
Methods and apparatus that enable a wireless network to detect and manage impending congestion events caused by a plurality of mobile devices attempting to access the network in a brief space of time. In one embodiment, the network comprises a 3g (UMTS) cellular network, and includes a congestion management and avoidance entity that preemptively triggers a collision mode upon detecting an impending congestion event. This mode advantageously reduces processing burden on the base station by causing the mobile devices (UEs) to halt current access attempts, and invoke a multiple access scheme (e.g., wait a random amount of time before attempting further access attempts). The comparatively early detection and avoidance of collisions reduces the mobile device's power consumption, while addressing congestion events early in the wireless communication process so as to maintain optimal network conditions.
US08488496B2 Wireless local area network (LAN) system
A situation is circumvented where wireless communication becomes impossible in a wireless LAN system under the influence of a blocking object, noise caused by an electromagnetic wave, or the like. A wireless LAN system comprises: a relay which can communicate with an external system; a master which can communicate with the relay; and a plurality of slaves which can wirelessly communicate with the master, the plurality of slaves including a first group and a second group, the first group comprising an alternative slave having a function of transmitting, when a portion of the slaves cannot receive a synchronization signal from the master, an information signal received from the master to the portion of slaves, and the second group comprising non-alternative slaves and not having the function of transmitting the information signal to the portion of slaves.
US08488493B2 Apparatus and method for automatic access in a wireless communication system
An apparatus and a method for automatic access in a wireless communication system are provided. The apparatus includes a scanner for scanning surrounding Access Points (APs) by receiving beacon messages from the APs, a determiner for detecting an AP, a WPS button of which has been pressed, from one or more scanned APs and for determining if there are two or more detected APs, and a configurator for, when there are two or more detected APs, transmitting a message including a Medium Access Control (MAC) address of an AP, which has been selected among the detected APs by an input of a user, to the AP and for performing a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) with the selected AP, thereby accessing a wireless Local Area Network (LAN).
US08488489B2 Scalable packet-switch
A scalable packet switch possessing a multiport memory, a multiport memory manager, two or more input/output (I/O) ports, and two or more switch engines. Each switch engine is associated with one or more I/O ports, and is adapted to receive inbound packets and transmit outbound packets via the associated I/O ports. Inbound packets are stored in a shared packet buffer. Each switch engine is further adapted to (i) determine (i.e., bridge) the outbound I/O port(s) for received inbound packets by consulting a shared bridging table and (ii) schedule outbound packets for transmission, independently and in parallel with other switch engines. The shared packet buffer and shared bridging table are stored in the multiport memory and shared by all switch engines. The multiport memory manager allocates/de-allocates memory blocks within the multiport memory.
US08488487B2 Method and apparatus for fast other sector interference (OSI) adjustment
Systems and methods that facilitate management of interference and communication resources are provided. A differential approach is devised in which other-sector interference (OSI) and communication resources are managed by adjusting an offset (delta) value associated with the resources in response to receiving an indication of other-sector interference. An OSI indication can be issued based on a short and a long time scale, and effective interference metrics over time-frequency resources. The adjusted delta value is communicated to a serving access point, which reassigns communication resources in order to mitigate other-sector interference.
US08488483B2 Method for a radio base station and a radio base station in a communication network system for assisting in or obtaining assistance in the UL reception of signals
In cellular radio systems it is a problem to provide service to UE (user equipment) on the cell border. In systems that apply a frequency re-use of one, and OFDM access technology, the uplink direction need be improved. One embodiment of this application relates to a radio base station that is equipped with one or more FFT processor/s in addition to the FFT-processor that is adapted for being adjusted to the timed aligned arrival of signals from UE served by the radio base station. The additional FFT processor/s is adapted for being adjusted to the arrival of one or more signals from UE that are served by other radio base station/s. The radio base station is further adapted to send Fourier processed signal information relating to the UE of the other radio base station/s and thereby assist the other radio base station in signal reception. The application also relates to a method for assisting another radio base station in signal reception, and to a method for receiving assistance from another radio base station in signal reception.
US08488481B2 System reliability evaluation method for transmission by two minimal paths in time restriction
A system reliability evaluation method for transmission by two minimal paths in time restriction is disclosed. The minimal path includes plural arcs between a start node and a terminal node in a flow network. The method includes the steps of providing a virtual network in a computer for simulating the flow network; inputting a transmission requirement and a time restriction; distributing the transmission requirement in a first minimal path and a second minimal path to make the first minimal path have a first throughput and the second minimal path have a second throughput; finding a plurality of feasible solutions satisfying the relation that the first throughput plus the second throughput equals the demand in the time restriction; finding a lower boundary vector by applying the comparative method; and computing a system reliability by applying set theory.
US08488477B2 Encoding information in beacon signals
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate transmitting at least two different types of information in a single signal, whereby the different types of information can be encoded and decoded independently. Thus, changes to one type of information does not affect a second type of information.
US08488474B2 Feed line monitor apparatus
A power reception apparatus receives feed information from a predetermined line of a communication cable and judges a state of the power reception apparatus. If the state is normal, it transmits the feed information by returning it to a line which is a pair with the predetermined line.
US08488472B2 Automated cable identification and verification system
A method for configuring components in a networked computer system comprising providing a configuration map that includes installation locations and sequences for network components. The configuration map is used to indicate component installation locations and sequences through a series of indicators. The component installation locations and sequences are confirmed after the components are configured according to the configuration map by an electrical connectivity test of each affected component.
US08488470B2 Withdrawing multiple advertised routes based on a single tag which may be of particular use in border gateway protocol
Advertised routes are associated with a particular tag in a routing database in a second router. A first router subsequently sends one or more messages associated with a route withdraw operation that specifies the particular tag, such that second router can identify, based on the particular tag, a set including multiple routes, and remove those multiple routes from its routing database. For example, the tag may be a Border Gateway Protocol attribute, a Border Gateway Protocol communities attribute, or some other indication, numeric quantity, or opaque value.
US08488467B2 Method and system for a gigabit ethernet IP telephone chip with 802.1p and 802.1Q quality of service (QoS) functionalities
A method for processing data may include receiving packetized data via at least one of a plurality of input ports in an Ethernet switch. Each of the plurality of input ports may be partitioned into a plurality of virtual local area network (VLAN) port domains with an assigned port domain identification (ID) for processing 802.1 Class of Service (CoS) priority and Quality of Service (QoS) packetized data. The Ethernet switch may be integrated within a single gigabit Ethernet IP telephone chip, the received packetized data having assigned at least one priority class. One or more bits in at least one of a plurality of registers in the Ethernet switch may be used to filter at least one ingress frame in the packetized data, based on at least one packet header attribute of the at least one ingress frame.
US08488465B2 Intercept flow distribution and intercept load balancer
A system and method for intercepting and load-balancing information including one or more mediation devices configured to receive intercept instructions for intercepting information for a predetermined period of time, an intercept access device configured to receive the intercept instructions from the one or more mediation devices, wherein the intercept access device may identify and intercept information based on the intercept instructions and may encapsulate the intercepted information, and an intercept load balancer configured to receive the intercepted information and transmit the intercepted information to the one or more mediation devices for distribution to one or more law enforcement device.
US08488464B2 HSDPA flow control data frame, frame sequence number
A radio base station (RBS) is described herein that detects when a high-speed downlink shared channel (HS-DSCH) data frame (110) is lost after it was transmitted by a radio network controller (RNC) over a transport link (Iub) towards the RBS (104). To accomplish this, the RBS (104) upon receiving a HS-DSCH data frame (110) inspects a frame sequence number (302) located within the received HS-DSCH data frame (110) to determine if the frame sequence number (302) is in sequence with a frame sequence number (302) located within a previously received HS-DSCH data frame (110). If the two frame sequence numbers (302) are not in sequence, then one or more HS-DSCH data frames (110) that were previously transmitted towards the radio base station (104) have been lost. If the radio base station (104) detects to many lost HS-DSCH data frames (110a), then it can correct the problem by reducing the bit rate of a certain HS user flow or by reducing the maximum bit rate for all of the HS traffic which is going to be sent by the radio network controller (102) over the transport link (106) to the radio base station (104).
US08488463B2 Wireless communication apparatus, method for controlling the same, and program therefor
A method for controlling a wireless communication apparatus includes request processing for requesting information regarding traffic to an access point, measurement processing for performing data transmission and reception wirelessly on the basis of the information regarding traffic requested by the request processing and measuring traffic during the data transmission and reception, and re-request processing for updating the information regarding traffic to be requested to the access point so as to correspond to the traffic measured by the measurement processing and re-requesting the updated information.
US08488455B2 Method and apparatus for fair scheduling of broadcast services
A method for fair scheduling of broadcasting services includes receiving, at a base station from a core network entity, data packets scheduled for transmission during a scheduling period and synchronization information for service bearers. It is determined whether there is an overflow condition based on the received synchronization information and transmission resources reserved for the plurality of service bearers for the scheduling period in a single-frequency network. Upon determining that the overflow condition is present, among the service bearers, at least one service bearer is selected based on a bearer selection function. The bearer selection function results in selecting the service bearer with a highest value or a lowest value of a ratio of two quantities each with a specific value for each service bearer. The bearer selection function does not directly compute any ratio. A data packet is then dropped from the selected at least one service bearer.
US08488451B2 System and method for allocating processing bandwith in a residential gateway utilizing transmission rules and data mapping
A system and method of networking with configurable data mapping is disclosed. Data mapping can be utilized to match data transmission types with devices that can efficiently utilize the data transmission type. In one configuration, the data mapping teachings disclosed herein may be utilized to increase the processing efficiency of a home network and insure correct programming is allowed to pass to the correct device by applying a set of data transmission rules to data transmissions between a residential gateway and it's clients. An exemplary method may include receiving a communication at a residential gateway from a client and identifying the client or the source of the transmission. The client may be identified by recognizing one or more of a data transmission type, a client identifier embedded in the transmission, and an identification of a network device hosting the client. The identification may, in some cases, be made automatically upon reception of a data transmission. The transmission type is then compared to the contents of a look-up table and the transmission can be modified according to a predetermined configuration. In one embodiment a bandwidth allocation of a client request is utilized to either allow the data stream or block the data stream from being passed to a particular network client.
US08488447B2 System and method for adjusting code speed in a transmission path during call set-up due to reduced transmission performance
A system and method for establishing a phone call over a packet network. The process may receive a call request from an originating call device to a termination call device. A determination may be made to determine whether the terminating call device is available. If the terminating call device is determined to be available, transmission path status information between the originating and terminating call devices may be retrieved. Status of the transmission path on the packet network between the originating and terminating call devices may be determined. If the status of the transmission path is determined to be within a first range, a call may be established between the originating and terminating call devices via an encoder/decoder (CODEC) having a first data rate. Otherwise, the call may be established between the originating and terminating call devices via a CODEC having a second, lower data rate.
US08488446B1 Managing failure behavior for computing nodes of provided computer networks
Techniques are described for providing managed computer networks. In some situations, the techniques include managing communications for computing nodes of a managed computer network by using one or more particular computing nodes of the managed computer network that are configured to operate as intermediate destinations to handle at least some communications that are sent by and/or directed to one or more other computing nodes of the managed computer network. In addition, the techniques may include managing the communications in accordance with configured failure behavior specified for one or more computing nodes of the computer network, such as specified failure behavior for a computing node configured to operate as an intermediate destination that indicates how communications that would otherwise be routed via the intermediate destination computing node are to be handled if the intermediate destination computing node fails or is otherwise unavailable (e.g., to block or allow such communications).
US08488443B2 Method for handling radio line failure in multiple carrier system
A method of handling a radio link failure in a multiple-carrier system performed by a user equipment (UE) is provided. The method includes transmitting, to a base station (BS), a first message indicating a first radio link problem (RLP) in a first carrier when the first RLP is detected, transmitting, to the BS, a second message indicating a second RLP in a second carrier when the second RLP is detected, and transmitting, to the BS, a final message requesting a connection re-establishment with the BS. By using a plurality of different timers on CCs configured for one UE, the meaning of RLF in a multiple-carrier system for triggering radio connection re-establishment procedure is clarified and defined in detail.
US08488442B1 Compensation for residual frequency offset, phase noise and I/Q imbalance in OFDM modulated communications
A method including downconverting an analog radio frequency signal into an analog baseband signal; recovering an analog in-phase signal and an analog quadrature signal from the analog baseband signal; converting the analog in-phase signal into a corresponding digital in-phase signal; converting the analog quadrature signal into a corresponding digital quadrature signal; compensating the digital in-phase signal and the digital quadrature signal; converting the compensated digital in-phase signal and the compensated digital quadrature signal into a frequency domain digital Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol; generating a plurality of channel estimates, wherein each channel estimate corresponds to an estimate of the channel for a corresponding sub-carrier of the frequency domain digital OFDM symbol; and generating (i) a most likely estimate of the imbalance between the digital in-phase signal and the digital quadrature signal and (ii) a most likely estimate of a common phase error in the plurality of channel estimates.
US08488440B2 Coordinated linear beamforming in downlink multi-cell wireless networks
System and methods are disclosed for optimizing wireless communication for a plurality of mobile wireless devices. The system uses beamforming vectors or precoders having a structure optimal with respect to the weighted sum rate in a multi-cell orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) downlink. A plurality of base stations communicate with the mobile devices and all base stations perform a distributed non-convex optimization exploiting the determined structure.
US08488437B2 Information recording medium, address generation and detection method, and reproducing and recording apparatuses
In a recording medium, an extension address is obtained without changing the number of bits of the address embedded in the wobble. The wobble address is partially or wholly encoded to embed the address information. At the time of reproducing the address information, the original address information is obtained by restoring the embedded information by the decoding process.
US08488434B2 Objective lens, optical pickup apparatus using the same, and method for manufacturing objective lens
Provided is an objective lens manufactured well by using a mold and an optical pickup apparatus including the same. The objective lens of the present invention includes a first region that focuses laser beams of a BD, DVD, and CD standards, a second region that focuses the laser beams of the DVD and CD standards, and a third region that focuses the laser beams of the BD and the DVD standards are provided in this order from a center portion of the objective lens. A first annular zone step provided in the first region has a step amount larger than step amounts of annular zone steps provided in other regions.
US08488433B2 Modulated signal detecting apparatus and modulated signal detecting method
When ld0 denotes an initial optical path length that is a length of an optical path, along which the signal light travels, as converted using a refractive index in vacuum, lm0 denotes an initial optical path length that is a length of an optical path, along which the reference light travels, as converted using a refractive index in vacuum, Δl denotes a fluctuation width of a difference in optical path lengths between the signal light and the reference light as converted using a refractive index in vacuum, λ0 denotes a central oscillation wavelength of the wavelength-variable laser, and Δλ denotes an oscillation wavelength variable range of the wavelength-variable laser, then an initial optical path difference |ld0−lm0| satisfies |ld0−lm0|>(Δl/Δλ)λ0.
US08488430B2 Recording medium and reproducing apparatus
A recording medium includes a photosensitive layer, a nonphotosensitive layer, and a recording layer formation region in which the photosensitive layer and the nonphotosensitive layer are laminated. The photosensitive layer includes a recording layer in which interference fringes formed in parallel with a recording medium surface are deleted or changed within a portion irradiated with focused light to record information or light reflected during irradiation of focused light is used to reproduce information.
US08488428B2 Enhanced security of optical article
An optical article comprising a first file encoded on the optical article comprising data structure information; a second file encoded on the optical article comprising a backup of the first file; wherein at least one of the first file or the second file must be fully readable for the player to read the data on the optical article; and a mark disposed on at least a portion of the optical article where the first file is encoded and at least a portion of the optical article where the second file is encoded; wherein the mark comprises an optical state change material; wherein the optical state change material undergoes a change in its optical state when exposed to an activation signal selected from one or more of a laser, thermal energy, infrared rays, X-rays, gamma rays, microwaves, visible light, ultraviolet light, ultrasound waves, radio frequency waves, electrical energy, chemical energy, magnetic energy, and mechanical energy; wherein the optical article is transformed from a pre-activated state to an activated state when an authorized activation method is used; and wherein the optical article is transformed from a pre-activated state to an incorrectly activated state when an unauthorized activation method is used.
US08488425B2 Optical pickup device and optical disc apparatus
An optical pickup device including: a laser diode for emitting laser light; an objective lens which irradiates an optical beam emitted from the laser diode; an actuator which displaces the objective lens in a radius direction of the optical disc; a grating for branches an optical beam reflected by an information recording layer into plural regions; and one photodetector having plural light receiving parts for receiving the branched optical beams, wherein the photodetector has a first light receiving part which detects zero-th order grating diffracted light and plural second light receiving parts which detecting grating diffracted light having an order not less than that of ±first order grating diffracted light; a detected signal of the zero-th order grating diffracted light is defined as a reproduction signal; and a detected signal of the grating diffracted light is defined as a signal for servo controlling.
US08488424B1 Write strategy calibration for optical drives
Laser write parameters in an optical drive are calibrated. A parameter range for the write parameters is set based on a recordable medium, and a number of test runs are recorded on the recordable medium while varying the write parameters. Write performance characteristics over the test runs are measured. Based on the measured performance characteristics, actual write parameters are selected for use in writing actual data.
US08488417B2 Time adjustment device, timekeeping device with a time adjustment device, and a time adjustment method
A time adjustment device having a time information generating unit that generates and outputs time information containing internal time data; a reception unit that receives satellite signals transmitted from a positioning information satellite in subframe information units; an external input unit that generates, through manual operation thereof, command information that instructs the reception unit to enter a reception mode; a reception timing start setup unit that, when in the reception mode, sets the start time of reception so that the subframe information units are acquired at the time determined by the internal time data; and a corrected time information storage unit that stores the satellite-time-related information as corrected time information. A determination unit determines whether the satellite-time-related information received in a particular segment of subframe information unit(s) is correct or erroneous, and if correct, is used as time adjustment information to correct the generated time information.
US08488412B2 Underwater detection device
An underwater detection device includes a transceiver module for transmitting underwater an ultrasonic pulse signal that is frequency-modulated and receiving an echo signal corresponding to the transmitted signal, a pulse compression module for pulse-compressing the signal received by the transceiver module and outputting a signal pulse-compressed, a suppression range determining module for determining a suppression range where a range side lobe suppression process is performed for the pulse-compressed signal, an echo determining module for determining whether the data of the pulse-compressed signal at each depth corresponding to a range side lobe, a suppression value determining module for determining a suppression value for the data of the pulse-compressed signal at each depth, a suppression conducting module for performing a calculation to suppress the range side lobe based on the suppression value for the data determined to be data of the pulse-compressed signal corresponding to the range side lobe by the echo determining module among a plurality of data of the pulse-compressed signals that fall into the suppression range, and a display processing module for generating a signal for display based on the signal outputted from the suppression conducting module to display a generated signal as detected information.
US08488410B2 Underwater detection device
An underwater detection device for detecting underwater by transmission and reception of an ultrasonic signal is provided. The device includes a transmission module for transmitting the ultrasonic signal underwater, a reception module for receiving an echo signal of the transmitted ultrasonic signal, a bottom detection module for detecting a bottom based on the echo signal from the bottom, a bottom-sediment determination module for calculating probabilities of the bottom sediment on how much the bottom sediment contains each of predetermined bottom sediment types based on the echo signal and a bottom-sediment display module for displaying a texture representing each of the bottom sediment types below the bottom being displayed based on the probabilities.
US08488409B2 Acquiring azimuth rich seismic data in the marine environment using a regular sparse pattern of continuously curved sail lines
A method for determining a sail plan for a towed-array marine seismic survey, includes: dividing a survey area into a regular grid of tiles; and identifying a subset of the tiles as nodes around which continuously curved sail lines are defined. The nodes define regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern. In alternative aspects, a computer-readable program storage medium may be encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform the method, or a computing apparatus may be programmed to perform the method. A method for conducting a towed array marine survey includes: traversing a plurality of continuously curved sail lines across a survey area, each sail line being relative to a node; and acquiring seismic data while traversing the continuously curved sail lines. The set of nodes defining a regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern.
US08488408B1 Systems and methods including clock features such as minimization of simultaneous switching outputs (SSO) effects involving echo clocks
Systems and methods are disclosed relating to semiconductor memory devices. According to some exemplary implementations, there are provided innovations associated with power and ground pads in devices such as static random access memory (“SRAM”) devices and dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) devices. Moreover, the systems and/or methods may include features such as minimization of simultaneous switching outputs (SSO) effects relating to echo clock circuitry.
US08488406B2 Semiconductor device and control method thereof
A semiconductor device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes first and second power-supply circuits each of which generates an internal power-supply voltage by converting a voltage value of a power-supply voltage into a different voltage value, a first internal circuit that receives a supply of the internal power-supply voltage from the first power-supply circuit through a first line, a second internal circuit that receives a supply of the internal power-supply voltage from the second power-supply circuit through a second line, an inter-block line that connects the first and second lines to each other, and a control circuit that operates the first and second internal circuits in a predetermined operating cycle, and controls a length of a period during which the first and second internal circuits operate simultaneously.
US08488405B2 Process variability tolerant programmable memory controller for a pipelined memory system
In an embodiment of the invention, an integrated circuit includes a pipelined memory array and a memory control circuit. The pipelined memory array contains a plurality of memory banks. Based partially on the read access time information of a memory bank, the memory control circuit is configured to select the number of clock cycles used during read latency.
US08488404B2 Counter control signal generator and refresh circuit
A counter control signal generator comprises a first pulse signal generator configured to generate a first pulse signal including a pulse generated when a self-refresh period is terminated, a second pulse signal generator configured to generate a second pulse signal including a pulse generated in sync with a cyclic signal generated during a refresh period, and a signal generator configured to generate a counter control signal counting an address of a memory cell, corresponding to a memory cell on which a refresh operation is conducted, in response to the first and second pulse signals.
US08488403B2 Sense-amplification with offset cancellation for static random access memories
An offset cancellation scheme for sense amplification is described. The scheme consists of group of transistors which are selectively coupled to high and low voltage levels via multi-phase timing. This results in a voltage level on sensing nodes of interest which are a function of transistor mismatch. The resulting voltage levels act to compensates for the transistor mismatch, thereby improving the reliability of the sense amplifier in the presence of process non-idealities. The offset cancellation scheme is applicable to numerous types of sense amplifiers, amplifiers, and comparators.
US08488401B2 Semiconductor storage device
According to one embodiment, a memory cell stores therein data. In a bit line, a potential changes according to write data to be written in the memory cell. A precharge circuit precharges the bit line. A precharge control circuit controls precharge of the bit line based on the potential of the bit line and the write data.
US08488400B2 Multi-port memory device
A multi-port memory device includes: a bank having a plurality of matrices; a plurality of test data input/output units where data is input/output using a test mode for detecting a defective memory cell; a plurality of ports converted into a decoding device for decoding a command/address at the test mode; a plurality of data transfer lines for transferring data between the matrices and the test data I/O units, wherein the data transfer lines is grouped into the number of matrices; and a plurality of temporary storing units included between the data transfer lines and the matrices for temporarily storing data.
US08488397B2 Increased capacity heterogeneous storage elements
Providing increased capacity in heterogeneous storage elements including a method for reading from memory. The method includes receiving a read word from a block of memory cells, where physical characteristics of the memory cells support different sets of data levels. The read word is separated into two or more virtual read vectors. For each of the virtual read vectors, the codebook that was utilized to generate the virtual read vector is identified and a partial read data vector is generated. The generating includes multiplying the virtual read vector by a matrix that represents the codebook. The partial read data vectors are combined into a read message and the read message is output.
US08488396B2 Dual rail static random access memory
A static random access memory (SRAM) macro includes a first power supply voltage and a second power supply voltage that is different from the first power supply voltage. A precharge control is connected to the second power supply voltage. The precharge control is coupled to a bit line through a bit line precharge. At least one level shifter receives a level shifter input. The level shifter converts the level shifter input having a voltage level closer to the first power supply voltage than the second power supply voltage to a level shifter output having a voltage level closer to the second power supply voltage than the first power supply voltage. The level shifter output is provided to the precharge control.
US08488394B2 Semiconductor device
An object is to provide a semiconductor device with a novel structure, which can hold stored data even when power is not supplied and which has an unlimited number of write cycles. The semiconductor device is formed using a memory cell including a wide band gap semiconductor such as an oxide semiconductor. The semiconductor device includes a potential change circuit having a function of outputting a potential lower than a reference potential for reading data from the memory cell. When the wide band gap semiconductor which allows a sufficient reduction in off-state current of a transistor included in the memory cell is used, a semiconductor device which can hold data for a long period can be provided.
US08488392B2 Semiconductor memory device and method of operating the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells, circuits configured to receive program data when a program operation is performed and output a random signal in response to the program data, and a page buffer configured to logically combine the program data and the random signal and to store the logically combined data in the memory cells.
US08488387B2 Thermally assisted dielectric charge trapping flash
A memory device includes an array of dielectric charge trapping structures memory cells including word lines and bit lines. Control circuitry is coupled to the array arranged to control read, program and erase operations. A controller is arranged with supporting circuitry thermally annealing charge trapping structures in the memory cells in the array. Word line drivers and word line termination circuits can be used to induce current flow on the word lines to induce heat for the annealing. The thermal annealing can be applied interleaved with normal operations for recover from cycling damage. Also, the thermally annealing can be applied during mission functions like erase, to improve performance of the function.
US08488385B2 Reducing noise in semiconductor devices
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, modules, and systems for reducing noise in semiconductor devices. One method embodiment includes applying a reset voltage to a control gate of a semiconductor device for a period of time. The method further includes sensing the state of the semiconductor device after applying the reset voltage.
US08488382B1 Erase inhibit for 3D non-volatile memory
An erase process for a 3D stacked memory device performs a two-sided erase of NAND strings until one of more of the NAND strings passes an erase-verify test, then a one-sided erase of the remaining NAND strings is performed. The two-sided erase charges up the body of a NAND string from the source-side and drain-side ends, while the one-sided erase charges up the body of the NAND string from the drain-side end. The NAND strings associated with one bit line form a set. The switch to the one-sided erase can occur when the set meets a set erase-verify condition, such as one, all, or some specified portion of the NAND strings of the set passing the erase-verify test. The erase operation can end when no more than a specified number of NAND strings have not met the erase-verify test. As a result, erase degradation of the memory cells is reduced.
US08488381B2 Non-volatile memory device having vertical structure and method of operating the same
Provided is a method of operating a non-volatile memory device. The method includes applying a turn-on voltage to each of first and second string select transistors of a first NAND string, applying first and second voltages to third and fourth string select transistors of a second NAND string, respectively, and applying a high voltage to word lines connected with memory cells of the first and second NAND strings.
US08488378B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to one aspect includes a semiconductor substrate, a memory string, a plurality of first conductive layers, a second conductive layer, and a third conductive layer. The memory string has a plurality of memory cells, a dummy transistor and a back gate transistor connected in series in a direction perpendicular to the semiconductor substrate. The plurality of first conductive layers are electrically connected to gates of the memory cells. The second conductive layer is electrically connected to a gate of the dummy transistor. The third conductive layer is electrically connected to a gate of the back gate transistor. The second conductive layer is short-circuited with the third conductive layer.
US08488374B2 Memory arrays
Some embodiments include memory arrays. The memory arrays can have global bitlines extending along a first horizontal direction, vertical local bitlines extending perpendicularly from the global bitlines, and wordlines extending along a second horizontal direction which is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. The global bitlines may be subdivided into a first series at a first elevational level, and a second series at a second elevational level which is different from the first elevational level. The global bitlines of the first series can alternate with the global bitlines of the second series. There can be memory cell material directly between the wordlines and the vertical local bitlines. The memory cell material may form a plurality of memory cells uniquely addressed by wordline/global bitline combinations. Some embodiments include cross-point memory cell units that have areas of about 2F2.
US08488370B2 Differential threshold voltage non-volatile memory and related methods
Embodiments and examples of differential threshold voltage non-volatile memories and related methods are described herein. Other embodiments, examples thereof, and related methods are also disclosed herein.
US08488366B2 Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device in accordance with an embodiment includes: a memory cell array having memory cells disposed at respective intersections of first lines and second lines; and a control circuit configured to apply a first pulse voltage multiple times to selected one of the first lines and selected one of the second lines, such that a certain potential difference is applied to a selected memory cell thereby causing transition of a resistance state. The control circuit is configured to, when the selected memory cell is not caused to undergo transition of the resistance state even after application of the first pulse voltage a certain number of times, execute a rescue operation where a second pulse voltage is applied to the selected memory cell subsequent to application of the first pulse voltage, the second pulse voltage having a pulse width longer than that of the first pulse voltage.
US08488365B2 Memory cells
Some embodiments include methods in which a memory cell is formed to have programmable material between first and second access lines, with the programmable material having two compositionally different regions. A concentration of ions and/or ion-vacancies may be altered in at least one of the regions to change a memory state of the memory cell and to simultaneously form a pn diode. Some embodiments include memory cells having programmable material with two compositionally different regions, and having ions and/or ion-vacancies diffusible into at least one of the regions. The memory cell has a memory state in which the first and second regions are of opposite conductivity type relative to one another.
US08488360B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit including a logic circuit module with a plurality of photodetectors
A semiconductor integrated circuit capable of protection from card hacking, by which erroneous actions are actively induced by irradiation with light and protected secret information is illegitimately acquired, is to be provided. Photodetectors, configured by a standard logic process, hardly distinguishable from other circuits and consumes very little standby power, are mounted on a semiconductor integrated circuit, such as an IC card microcomputer. Each of the photodetectors, for instance, has a configuration in which a first state is held in a static latch by its initializing action and reversal to a second state takes place when semiconductor elements in a state of non-conduction, constituting the static latch of the first state, is irradiated with light. A plurality of photodetectors are arranged in a memory cell array. By incorporating the static latch type photodetector into the memory array, they can be arranged inconspicuously. Reverse engineering by irradiation with light can be effectively prevented.
US08488358B2 Semiconductor storage device
In a semiconductor storage device, either two memory cell gates TG or a memory cell gate TG and a bit-line connecting gate SW are formed in every set of n-type doped regions OD at the intersections with word lines WL or bit-line selecting lines KS. A portion near the center of the set of n-type doped regions OD serves as a source/drain region shared by two gates, whereas portions near both ends thereof serve as source/drain regions for respective gates. Each of the source/drain regions is connected to a storage electrode SN of a memory cell capacitor via a storage contact CA or is connected to a sub bit line or a main bit line via a sub-bit-line contact CH and/or a via of a metal interconnection. A pattern formed of four memory cell gates TG and four bit-line connecting gates SW is repeated.
US08488357B2 Reference cell architectures for small memory array block activation
Systems and methods for realizing reference currents to improve reliability of sensing operations of segmented semiconductor memory arrays have been achieved. Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise MRAM arrays but the invention could be applied to any other memories requiring access on small, segmented arrays. All embodiments of the invention comprise a folded bit lines scheme, either in adjacent bit lines or in segment-to-segment folded bit lines. In two embodiments alternate strapping of Poly-Si Word Lines in every second segment is achieved by metal layer of Read Word Line and Write Select Line. An embodiment has stored 1 and 0 cells on both sides of a selected segment to be read.
US08488356B2 Memory system with multi-level status signaling and method for operating the same
A memory system includes a status circuit having a common status node electrically connected to a respective status pad of each of a plurality of memory chips. The memory system also includes a plurality of resistors disposed within the status circuit to define a voltage divider network for generating different voltage levels at the common status node. Each of the different voltage levels indicates a particular operational state combination of the plurality of memory chips. Also, each of the plurality of memory chips is either in a first operational state or a second operational state. Additionally, the different voltage levels are distributed within a voltage range extending from a power supply voltage level to a reference ground voltage level.
US08488355B2 Driver for a synchronous rectifier and power converter employing the same
A driver for a switch, method of driving a switch, and a power converter employing the same. The driver for the switch includes a first driver switch coupled to a terminal of the switch. The driver also includes a second driver switch inverted with respect to the first driver switch and coupled to another terminal of the switch, wherein the first and second driver switches are configured to provide a drive signal to a control terminal of the switch.
US08488354B2 Eighteen pulse rectification scheme for use with variable frequency drives
An AC/DC converter system comprises an input circuit for connection to a three phase AC source. An isolation transformer comprises a set of primary windings and first and second sets of secondary windings magnetically coupled to the set of primary windings. The first and second sets of secondary windings are phase shifted by select amounts from the set of primary windings. The set of primary windings is connected to the input circuit. An AC/DC converter comprises first, second and third three phase rectifiers, the first three phase rectifier being powered by the first set of secondary windings, the second three phase rectifier being powered by the second set of secondary windings, and the third three phase rectifier being powered by the input circuit. An impedance matching inductor is electrically connected between the input circuit and the third three phase rectifier. An output circuit is connected between the AC/DC converter and a DC load.
US08488353B2 Control integrated circuit with combined output and input
A control circuit for a voltage converter including a power switch for providing power to a load in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a driver circuit operable to provide a first control signal to the power switch to turn the power switch on and off such that a desired voltage is provided to the load, an output terminal connected to the driver circuit and operable to connect the driver circuit to the power switch; and a controller operable to control the driver circuit. The output terminal operates as an input terminal to receive external data under predetermined conditions, and the controller controls the driver circuit based on the external data.
US08488348B2 Switch mode power supply apparatus having active clamping circuit
A switch mode power supply apparatus includes a transformer, a main switching device to adjust a power supply supplied to a primary coil of the transformer, an active clamping circuit to suppress a voltage stress of the main switching device, and a control circuit to control a clamping operation of the active clamping circuit when the switch mode power supply apparatus is in a standby mode. Therewith, it is possible to significantly reduce power consumption of the switch mode power supply apparatus in the standby mode and improve efficiency of the switch mode power supply apparatus.
US08488347B2 Semiconductor device using DC/DC converter
It is an object to provide a DC/DC converter that can stabilize power supply potential in use. It is another object to provide a semiconductor device in which circuit operation is stabilized. In addition to a power supply that supplies potential to be reference potential of boosting in a DC/DC converter, a power supply for charging a capacitor in the DC/DC converter is provided. Accordingly, loads to the power supply that supplies the reference potential of boosting can be reduced. Further, as power for charging the capacitor in the DC/DC converter, power supplied from not an antenna but a secondary battery is used. More specifically, a secondary battery is used as a power supply that supplies power to a buffer circuit or an inverter circuit. Thus, power supplied from the antenna can be stabilized. In other words, operation of a logic circuit and an analog circuit can be stabilized.
US08488342B2 Systems and methods for constant voltage mode and constant current mode in flyback power converters with primary-side sensing and regulation
System and method for regulating a power converter. The system includes a first signal generator configured to receive a first sensed signal and generate an output signal associated with demagnetization. The first sensed signal is related to a first winding coupled to a secondary winding for a power converter, and the secondary winding is associated with at least an output current for the power converter. Additionally, the system includes a ramping signal generator configured to receive the output signal and generate a ramping signal, and a first comparator configured to receive the ramping signal and a first threshold signal and generate a first comparison signal based on at least information associated with the ramping signal and the first threshold signal. Moreover, the system includes a second comparator configured to receive a second sensed signal and a second threshold signal and generate a second comparison signal.
US08488341B2 Switching mode power supply for reducing power consumption in a waiting mode
A switching mode power supply (SNIPS) includes a rectifying unit transforming AC power input from outside to DC power, a main transformer transforming and outputting the rectified DC power, a pulse width modulation control unit controlling output voltage by applying a pulse signal to a primary winding of the main transformer, and a feedback control unit controlling an output signal of the pulse width modulation control unit by detecting output voltage of the main transformer, including: a first state transform unit, including: a second photo diode; and a second photo transistor included between an AC power input unit and the pulse width modulation control unit to form a photo coupler with the second photo diode, and a second state transform unit, including: a comparator connected to a secondary winding of the main transformer to apply the output voltage and reference voltage to an inverting terminal and a noninverting terminal, and compare the output voltage with the reference voltage and output the voltage through an output terminal.
US08488337B2 Offline AC-DC controller circuit and a converter comprising the same
An offline AC-DC converter circuits including an overvoltage detection module, a current limiting module, a PWM module and a switch control module coupled to the above modules. The overvoltage detection module, the current limiting module and the PWM module share a common input terminal. The sampled current signal and the sampled voltage signal are provided at the common input terminal by way of time-division multiplexing. With the time-multiplexed terminal, overvoltage detection for the output voltage is performed during the period when the power transistor is cut off and a current through the power transistor is detected during the period when the power transistor conducts. The two signals are input by way of time-division multiplexing, which are not affected by each other. Accordingly, overvoltage in the output voltage can be precisely detected without additional terminals, and thus the overvoltage can be controlled.
US08488336B2 Converter device comprising at least five DC voltage levels and uninterruptible power supply provided with said device
A multi-level converter to at least convert an AC switched voltage available on a switched voltage point into at least five DC voltage levels available on positive and negative DC voltage lines, said converter comprising two separate switching units to convert respectively positive and negative half-waves of said switched voltage, connected to the DC voltage lines respectively presenting positive and negative DC voltage levels, and wherein each switching unit comprises a switching point connected to said switched voltage point by means of change-over means.An uninterruptible power supply comprising said converter.
US08488335B2 Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
An electro-optical device includes: a frame that has a conductive portion; an electro-optical panel that is housed in the frame; and an electronic component that is mounted in a mounting area of the electro-optical panel, wherein a shield member having a conductive layer that covers at least a part of the mounting area is brought into contact with the electronic component through an insulating layer, and wherein the conductive layer of the shield member is electrically connected to the conductive portion of the frame.
US08488332B2 Function expansion device, manufacturing method thereof and electronic apparatus system
A function expansion device is electrically connected to an electronic apparatus by being inserted in a socket included in the electronic apparatus and expands a function of the electronic apparatus. The function expansion device includes a substrate on which a component is mounted, a first connecting terminal that is formed at an end portion of the substrate and is electrically connected to a first signal line that connects the electronic apparatus and the component in a one-to-one fashion, a second connecting terminal that is formed at the end portion of the substrate and is electrically connected to a second signal line that connects the electronic apparatus and the component redundantly, and a protection member that is formed to cover only the second connecting terminal.
US08488330B2 Circuit module
In a circuit module, a chip element is mounted on a mount electrode, with an outer electrode interposed therebetween. The chip element is arranged such that a cut surface thereof is oriented toward a side of a circuit module that is adjacent to the mount electrode. A gap that is observable from outside of the circuit module is provided between a bottom surface of a base of the chip element and a top surface of a circuit board.
US08488329B2 Power and ground vias for power distribution systems
A system for providing power and ground vias for power distributions systems includes first and second conductive layers on a microelectronic package. The conductive layers may include one or more conductive components such as, but not limited to, power planes, ground planes, pads, traces, and the like for electrically connecting to electronic components. A via may electrically connect the first and second conductive layers. The via may have a cross-section of at least three partially-overlapping shapes. Each of the shapes partially overlaps at least two of the other shapes. The shapes may be, for example, circular, triangular, rectangular, square, polygonal, rhomboidal shape, or any other shape.
US08488328B2 Electronic device comprising a flexible area with a specific bending region
The invention relates to an arrangement 10 comprising a flexible carrier 6 having a front surface and a back surface; a component 2 adhered to the front surface of the flexible carrier, and a stiffener 8 extending at least partially over said front surface or said back surface for protecting at least a portion of the front surface or the back surface of the flexible carrier 6, wherein the stiffener 8 comprises a first region 8c extending over an area covered by the component 2 and a second region 8a, 8b extending over an area not covered by the component 2, the second region being more flexible than the first region.
US08488324B2 Electric control unit having a housing part and a cooling part
An electrical control unit has a printed circuit board substrate, on which an electronic circuit is situated, which circuit includes multiple electrical components which are interconnected via printed conductors of the printed circuit board substrate, as well as housing parts for covering the electrical components on the printed circuit board substrate, and at least one device plug connector part situated on the printed circuit board substrate outside the section of the printed circuit board substrate covered by the housing parts. Outside the section covered by the at least one housing part and outside the section of the printed circuit board substrate provided with the device plug connector part, at least one contact point for an additional electrical component is situated on the printed circuit board substrate.
US08488321B2 Assembly for liquid cooling electronics by direct submersion into circulated engine coolant
An assembly for liquid cooling electronics by direct submersion into circulated engine coolant that includes an epoxy material dispensed around leads of electronics devices in a manner effective to mechanically secure the electronics devices to the assembly and prevent engine coolant leakage around the leads, and a Parylene™ coating layer deposited in a manner effective to protect the electronic device from electrically conductive engine coolant such as ethylene glycol. Such an assembly is useful in hybrid electric vehicles that have engine coolant available from the vehicle's internal combustion engine.
US08488319B2 Modularly constructed power converter arrangement
A modularly constructed power converter arrangement has two end-side elements and at least one power converter module arranged therebetween. One end-side element has, a fan of an air cooling device, while the other end-side element has, aligned with the fan, cutouts acting as air passages. At least one end-side element has an electrical connection device. The at least one power converter module has, as part of the cooling device, a heat sink, through which air can flow from one end-side element to the other and on which is arranged at least one power semiconductor module connected to a control device and to a capacitor device. For this purpose, the at least one power converter module has a housing, which is open at the end sides and which can be connected in each case at the end sides to an end-side element or a further power converter module.
US08488318B2 Cooling system for computer, cooling apparatus and cooling method
A cooling system for computer, a cooling apparatus and a cooling method are described. The cooling system includes a computer casing, a fan and the fan-less cooling apparatus. The fan-less cooling apparatus has an air passage with two open ends and a closed circumference. The air passage passes a heat dissipating part of the apparatus, one end of the air passage communicates with air outside the computer casing and the other end communicates with air inside the computer casing. a plurality of blowholes for the fan and the air passage are formed in the computer casing. There is at least one fan. Air is blown inside or outside through the blowholes, which causes a pressure difference between the interior and the exterior of the computer casing. The pressure difference leads an air flow to flow through the blowholes to dissipate heat.
US08488317B2 Image pickup apparatus and electronic device
An image pickup apparatus that does not give a user, who grips an apparatus body with his/her hand when he/she uses the imaging apparatus or the electronic device, a sense of discomfort due to a heat, and that can efficiently diffuse heat generated from a heat source inside the apparatus body to suppress a local temperature rise inside the apparatus body. An image pickup apparatus comprises an outer cover that forms an exterior of a device body, the device body having a grip at one end thereof and having a heat source therein. A first thermal conductive path from a first circuit unit to a first heat storage member via a first heat conductive member and a second thermal conductive path from a second circuit unit to a second heat storage member via the second heat conductive member are separated from each other.
US08488314B1 Vacuum latch assembly
An example of an electronic device is disclosed herein that includes a housing and a lid joined to the housing and movable between a closed position adjacent the housing to define an enclosed space and an open position. The electronic device additionally includes a vacuum latch assembly to exhaust air in the enclosed space to create a substantially fluid-tight environment within the enclosed space and to help retain the lid in the closed position. Additional features and components of the electronic device and vacuum latch assembly are disclosed herein, as are other examples thereof.
US08488313B2 Container data center having high heat dissipating efficiency
A container data center includes a container, servers, a monitoring device, a cooling system, and a controller. The container is divided into first regions and a second region which are separated from each other. The servers are received in the respective first regions. The monitoring device is for monitoring the servers and received in the second region. The cooling system includes a first generator for generating a first cool airflow, a second generator for generating a second cool airflow for the second region, an air pipe connecting the first regions and directing the first cool airflow to the first regions, and valves arranged in the air pipe. Each valve is positioned between each two adjacent first regions. The controller controls the first generator, the valves and the second generator.
US08488312B2 Systems and methods for thermal management for telecommunications enclosures using heat pipes
Systems and methods for thermal management for telecommunications enclosures are provided. In one embodiment, a method for thermal management for modular radio frequency (RF) electronics housed within an electronics enclosure comprises: distributing heat generated from an RF electronics component installed on a first thermal region of an electronics module base plate across the first thermal region using at least one primary heat pipe that laterally traverses the first thermal region; distributing heat generated from the RF electronics component to a second thermal region using at least one secondary heat pipe not parallel with the at least one primary heat pipe; conductively transferring heat across a thermal interface between the electronics module back-plate and a backplane of an electronics enclosure that houses the electronics module, wherein the backplane comprises a plurality heat sink fins aligned with the at least one primary heat pipe and the at least one secondary heat pipe.
US08488310B2 Thin data storage device
The present invention is to provide a thin data storage device with a support pad's length positioned at a USB port's height in a way for a supporting segment securely supported and a USB metal contact effectively and electrically connected to a female connector of the USB port without problems such as invalid electrical connection or poor contact between a USB metal contact and a female connector of a computer's USB port affected by the integrated circuit module's thinned thickness. Relying on the lowered thickness of the integrated circuit module, the present invention is effective in extensive applications to other products.
US08488306B2 Secondary computing device display system
A secondary computing device display system includes a removable attachment mechanism operable to removably attach a secondary computing device display to a primary computing device display. The removable attachment mechanism comprises a first attachment member, operable to slideably attach to the secondary computing device display, and a second attachment member, comprising a clamping trench and a clamp locking lever. The second attachment member is operable to removably clamp the primary computing device display by inserting a clamping ridge of the primary computing device display in the clamping trench and engaging a notched surface of the clamping ridge with the clamp locking lever. The first and second attachment member are frictionally rotatable with respect to each other along a first axis and a second axis.
US08488296B2 Multilayer capacitor
A multilayer capacitor which can control ESR in a wide frequency band is provided. In a multilayer capacitor 1, inner electrodes 8a, 8b oppose each other as different polarities through a dielectric layer 7 in a capacitance unit 10, inner electrodes 8c to 8f oppose each other as different polarities through dielectric layers 7 in ESR control units 11A, 11B, and the inner electrodes 8a, 8b of the capacitance unit 10 connected to the outer electrodes 3, 4 and the inner electrodes 8c, 8f of the ESR control units 11A, 11B connected to the outer electrodes 3, 4 are kept from opposing each other as different polarities through the dielectric layer 7 at boundaries between the capacitance unit 10 and the ESR control units 11A, 11B.
US08488295B2 Selectively rigidizable and actively steerable articulatable device
A selectively rigidizable and actively steerable device is described. In one aspect, an articulatable device is described that includes a flexible inner tube having a first lumen, a flexible outer tube that receives the inner tube, and a multiplicity of overlapping, rigidizable scale-like strips. Each scale-like strip is coupled with the inner tube and positioned between the inner and outer tubes. Of particular note, the overlapping strips are actuatable between a non-rigidized state in which overlapping strips are slideable relative to one another and a rigidized state in which overlapping strips are not slideable relative to one another.
US08488290B2 Protective device
A device for protecting a radio frequency transmission line from transient voltages includes an inner conductor for transmitting communication signals of a desired frequency band and a grounded, coaxial outer conductor electrically insulated from the inner conductor by a pair of annular insulators. As one feature of the invention, a tap conductor for discharging transient voltages carried by the inner conductor that fall outside the desired frequency band is coupled at one end to the inner conductor through a press-fit connection. As another feature of the invention, a pair of high-quality contacts are mounted onto opposite ends of the outer conductor and serve, together with the inner conductor, as the only electrical contact surfaces for the protective device that transmit the desired communication signals. As another feature of the invention, each insulator has a constant outer diameter along the entirety of its length and a variable inner diameter.
US08488287B2 Overcurrent protection circuit and method of protecting power supply circuit
In some embodiments, an overcurrent protection circuit is configured to operate in accordance with operation modes including a first operation mode in which when the power supply circuit is activated, the capacitor is charged until the terminal voltage reaches a first voltage, a second operation mode in which depending on a time period in which a current flowing through an output transistor of the power supply circuit exceeds a predetermined value, the capacitor is charged so that the terminal voltage increases from the first voltage toward a second voltage, and the power supply circuit is shut down when the terminal voltage reaches the second voltage, and a third operation mode in which when the power supply circuit is shut down, the capacitor is discharged until the terminal voltage reaches a third voltage, and the shutdown of the power supply circuit is released when the terminal voltage reaches the third voltage.
US08488283B2 Load drive device
The load drive device of the present invention comprises a load drive unit for switching on/off output current that flows to an inductive load; and an overcurrent protection circuit for detecting whether the output current is in an overcurrent state, wherein the load drive unit has an output transistor connected to one end of the inductive load; and a pre-driver for generating a control signal of the output transistor in accordance with an input signal, and the pre-driver has a first drive unit for switching on/off the output transistor during normal operation; and a second drive unit for switching off the output transistor more slowly than the first drive unit during overcurrent protection operation.
US08488282B2 Magnetic sensor, magnetic detector, and magnetic head
A magnetic sensor comprises a channel, a ferromagnetic body and first and second reference electrodes on the channel, a magnetic shield covering a part of the channel opposing the ferromagnetic body, and an insulating film disposed between the channel and the magnetic shield, while the magnetic shield has a through-hole extending toward the part of the channel opposing the ferromagnetic body.
US08488273B2 Magnetic recording/reproduction device for metal-thin-film magnetic tape
There is provided a magnetic recording/reproduction device which can appropriately supply lubricant to a metal-thin-film magnetic tape (1) containing no binder in a recording/reproduction surface even when the magnetic recording/reproduction device needs to be continuously performing recording/reproduction by using the magnetic tape (1) for a long time. The magnetic recording/reproduction device includes a lubricant supplier (10) which can supply lubricant to the magnetic tape (1) while the magnetic head (2) performing recording/reproduction on the magnetic tape (1). With this configuration, the lubricant supplier (10) can appropriately supply lubricant during recording/reproduction even to the magnetic tape (1) used in a magnetic recording/reproduction device that needs to keep continuously operating for a long time.
US08488270B2 Disk drive having a sheet metal clamp with a stamped annular protruding disk contact feature
A disk drive includes a spindle motor attached to a disk drive base. The spindle motor includes a hub that rotates about a spindle rotation axis. An annular disk is mounted on the hub. A clamp is attached to the hub. The clamp has a body portion that is stamped from a metal sheet. The clamp also includes an annular rib that protrudes from the stamped sheet metal body portion towards the annular disk. The annular rib includes an annular contact surface that may be lapped to enhance flatness and that contacts the annular disk. The annular rib also includes inner and outer side walls that are each normal to the annular contact surface.
US08488268B2 Disk device
In a positioning control system for a head of a magnetic disk device etc, a frequency of a disturbance oscillation having a specific oscillation component whose amplitude changes with a head position, is selected as a target frequency. Next, a resonance filter is so designed that it has a resonance characteristic at the target frequency and a variable gain device A having the gain changing with head position and a variable gain device B having inverse characteristics to the device A are connected to input and output terminals of the resonance filter, respectively. Input to the filter is made 0 during seek operation and an error signal is used as the input to the filter through the device A after the end of the seek operation. The variable gain devices A and B are controlled so that their product becomes 1.
US08488261B2 Replacement apparatus for an optical element
A replacement apparatus for an optical element mounted between two adjacent optical elements in a lithography objective has a holder for the optical element to be replaced, which holder can be moved into the lithography objective through a lateral opening in a housing of the same.
US08488256B2 Indirect vision system enabling blind spots to be minimized without distorting the formed image
A rear-view system for a motor vehicle including a catadioptric assembly of at least one external or internal rearview mirror including a non-planar mirror and at least one diopter forming part of a side window of the vehicle or integrated thereto. The mirror and the diopter are configured and designed such that the image of the object restored by the mirror-diopter assembly is not substantially deformed and such that the blind spot or zone not covered by the system is minimized.
US08488255B2 Image pickup optical system
An image pickup optical system, sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side, comprises the first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface, the second lens element with negative refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, the third lens element with refractive power, the fourth lens element with refractive power having a concave image-side surface, at least one of the surfaces being aspheric, the fifth lens element with refractive power having a concave image-side surface, at least one of the surfaces being aspheric and having at least one inflection point. Each of the five lens elements may be made of plastic with aspherical surfaces. The image pickup optical system satisfies conditions related to the reduction of the total length and the system sensitivity for use in compact cameras and mobile phone cameras functionalities.
US08488251B2 Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the zoom lens
A zoom lens includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a rear lens group including one or more lens units. During zooming, the first lens unit moves along a locus convex towards the image side, and the second lens unit and the third lens unit move such that an interval between the first lens unit and the second lens unit becomes larger at a telephoto end than at a wide-angle end and an interval between the second lens unit and the third lens unit becomes smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide-angle end. The third lens unit includes a positive lens and a negative lens. Image forming magnifications β2W and β2T of the second lens unit at the wide-angle end and at the telephoto end, image forming magnifications β3W and β3T of the third lens unit at the wide-angle end and at the telephoto end, a focal length f2 of the second lens unit, and a focal length fT of the entire zoom lens at the telephoto end are appropriately set.
US08488249B2 Optical element, imaging device, and method of driving the optical element
An optical element includes a first liquid having polarity or electrical conductivity, a second liquid that is immiscible with the first liquid, a first substrate portion, a second substrate portion, a sidewall portion connecting the first substrate portion to the second substrate portion, and an accommodating portion constituted by the first substrate portion, the second substrate portion, and the sidewall portion and sealing the first liquid and the second liquid therein. The first substrate portion includes a first electrode, the second substrate portion includes a second electrode, and the sidewall portion includes a third electrode.
US08488248B2 Immersion microscope objective
An immersion microscope objective includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group having positive refractive power for converting the luminous flux from an object into convergent luminous flux, a second lens group having the refractive power lower than that of the first lens group, and a third lens group, and satisfies the following conditional expression where NA indicates the numerical aperture on the object side, and d0 indicates a working distance: 3 mm
US08488245B1 Kilowatt-class diode laser system
A system and method for producing a kilowatt laser system having a post resonator including a polarization multi-plexer, optical reconfiguration element, anamorphic element and fiber-optic module configured to arrange a multi-wavelength profile for coupling into an optical fiber.
US08488243B2 Head-tracking enhanced stereo glasses
Stereoscopic display systems including a position-tracking system that determine the position of the stereoscopic eyewear worn by a viewer. An exemplary embodiment of the eyewear includes retro-reflective reflectors that are illuminated by an infrared illuminator proximate to or optically co-axial with a capturing camera. Suppression reflections from other reflective features in the vicinity may be achieved by control of the polarization of the infrared light.
US08488242B2 Optically variable device with diffraction-based micro-optics, method of creating the same, and article employing the same
A security device includes an optically variable device (OVD) having diffraction-based micro-optics including at least one moiré magnified visual representation of a micro-object. A diffractive structure provides micro-objects with unique optical effects when the OVD is viewed through the micro-object structure from a predetermined relative observation point. In addition to magnifying the micro-objects, the diffractive structure can impart optical effects such as change in observed color, enhanced contrast, animation of the observed visual representation, and change in size or shape of the observed visual representation. The micro-objects and the diffractive structure can be disposed on the same or different portions of a substrate. A method of making OVDs, and an article employing such OVDs are also disclosed.
US08488240B2 Polarization preserving projection screen with engineered pigment and method for making same
Polarization preserving projection screens provide optimum polarization preservation for 3D viewing. The projection screens additionally provide improved light control for enhanced brightness, uniformity, and contrast for both 2D and 3D systems. Generally, the disclosed method for providing a projection screen comprises stripping an optically functional material from a carrier substrate, thus creating engineered particles from the optically functional material. The engineered particles may then be deposited on a second substrate to create a substantially homogeneous optical appearance of the projection screen.
US08488235B2 Multi-channel fiber laser amplifier combining apparatus including a tapered fiber bundle having multiple fiber outputs
An optical system including a plurality of fibers each providing a fiber beam and at least one tapered fiber bundle. The tapered fiber bundle includes a plurality of input end fibers, a plurality of output end fibers and a center bundle portion, where each input end fiber is coupled to a separate one of the fibers, and where the bundle portion combines all of the fiber beams received by the input end fibers into a single combined beam and each output end fiber is capable of receiving the combined beam separately from the other output end fibers. The optical system also includes a plurality of optical output channels where each optical output channel is coupled to a separate one of the output end fibers.
US08488232B2 Operating method for stimulated Raman adiabatic passage and operating method for phase gate
An operating method for stimulated Raman adiabatic passage to change probability amplitude in a three-level system including states of |0>, |1> and |e>, includes the following two steps. One is to direct a first laser beam and a second laser beam which have frequencies in the vicinity of resonance frequencies corresponding to energy differences between |0> and |e> and between |1> and |e>, respectively. The other is to change temporally two-photon detuning to be a difference between first detuning and second detuning. The first detuning is a difference between a first energy difference and a frequency of the first laser beam. The first energy difference is a difference between energy of |0> and energy of |e>. The second detuning is a difference between a second energy difference and a frequency of the second laser beam. The second energy difference is a difference between energy of |1> and energy of |e>.
US08488231B2 Generator of polarization entangled photon pairs and method of generating the same
A wavelength-multiplexed polarization entangled photon pair generator (1) includes: a pump light source (2); a polarization entangled photon pair generating body (4) on which pump light (3) outputted from the pump light source (2) falls; and a spectrometer (7) on which a wavelength-multiplexed parametric photon pair (5) outputted from the polarization entangled photon pair generating body 4 falls. The polarization entangled photon pair generating body (4) made of a nonlinear optical crystal (11) generates wavelength-multiplexed photon pairs by subjecting the pump light 3 to type II phase matching. As a nonlinear optical crystal 11, lithium tantalate of periodically poled structure (11A) can be used, and as a spectrometer (7), an arrayed-waveguide grating can be used. Wavelength-multiplexed polarization entangled photon pairs (5) can thus be generated with simple equipment.
US08488229B2 Method for calibration of optically variable filter array apparatus
In a wavelength selection element employed in an optically variable filter array apparatus, pixels in a line form are placed into a light reflection state so that wavelength-scanned light can be incident on the optically variable filter array apparatus. On the basis of the wavelength of scanned reflection light and the location of the pixel in a light reflection state at a timing of acquisition of output, the relationship between the x coordinate of the wavelength selection element and wavelength is determined. This makes it possible to achieve calibration of the optically variable filter array apparatus capable of selection of a desired wavelength with respect to a desired channel from multi-channel WDM light.
US08488227B2 Light modulating device
To include a light modulator having an anode electrode, a matching resistor, a first wire that is connected to the anode electrode and transmits to the anode electrode an input electric signal to the light modulator, a first conductor pad having a capacitor connected to the first wire, a second wire that connects the anode electrode and the matching resistor, and a second conductor pad having a capacitor connected to the second wire.
US08488226B2 Optical apparatus
The optical apparatus includes plural stop blades, an opening/closing mechanism moving the stop blades in opening and closing directions, an actuator driving the opening/closing mechanism, and a controller controlling drive of the actuator. The controller calculates, when moving the stop blades from a first position to a second position in video capturing, a control driving amount of the actuator that is a sum of a target driving amount corresponding to a moving amount of the stop blades from the first position to the second position and a driving correction amount that varies depending on a position and a moving direction of the aperture blades, the position being at least one of the first and second positions. The controller controls the drive of the actuator based on the control driving amount.