Document Document Title
US08522132B2 Widget behavior customization via cascaded style sheets
A computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium to store a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform operations for customizing behavior of a JavaScript widget on a web page via a presentation definition language. The operations include: creating a HyperText Markup Language (HTML) Document Object Model (DOM) element; assigning a CSS class from the presentation definition language to the DOM element; obtaining a computed style for the DOM element, wherein the computed style is computed based on the CSS class assigned to the DOM element; extracting a styling property from the computed style; parsing the styling property to determine an option to be applied to the widget; and applying the option to the widget.
US08522131B1 Intermediation system and method for enhanced rendering of data pages
An intermediary system is disposed along a communication path between a user device, such as a Web-enabled mobile phone, and a content server. The user device sends a request, such as an HTTP GET request, for a data page at the content server. The data page may be, for example, the hypertext markup language (HTML) code of a Web page. The intermediary receives the request and determines whether the requested data page includes a data reference, such as a uniform resource locator (URL) of an embedded image in the Web page. If the requested page includes a data reference, the intermediary creates a preload instruction and sends the preload instruction to the user device in a response to the request for the data page. The preload instruction instructs the user device to load the referenced data. The preload instruction may be a hidden frame.
US08522129B1 Identifying a primary version of a document
A system and method identifies a primary version out of different versions of the same document. The system selects a priority of authority for each document version based on a priority rule and information associated with the document version, and selects a primary version based on the priority of authority and information associated with the document version.
US08522126B1 Blocking memory readback in a programmable logic device
A programmable logic device (PLD) is provided that includes: a configuration memory including a plurality of memory cells arranged according to rows and columns, wherein a subset of the rows are RAM rows, and wherein a subset of the columns in each RAM row are RAM columns and at least one column in each RAM row is a flag bit column, the memory cells corresponding to the flag bit column and RAM rows operable to store flag bit signals; a soft error detection (SED) circuit operable to read the configuration memory to derive a checksum; a logic circuit to determine if a RAM row is being read by the SED circuit that includes an asserted flag bit; and a blocking circuit that provides a known logical value to the SED circuit responsive to the logic circuit to block readback of the memory cells corresponding to the RAM rows and RAM columns.
US08522125B1 System and method for efficient horizontal maximum distance separable raid
In recent years, researchers have found that some XOR erasure codes lead to higher performance and better throughput in fault-tolerant distributed data storage applications. However, little consideration has been given to the advantages of parallel processing or hardware implementations taking advantage of the emergence of multi-core processors. An efficient horizontal MDS-like (Maximum Distance Separable) RAID-6 scheme, called EEO, is provided which significantly improves the performance of the decoding procedure in parallel implementations with little storage overhead. EEO is the fastest and most efficient double disk failure recovering algorithm in RAID-6, at the cost of only two more parity symbols. In practice, it is very useful for application where high decoding throughput is desired.
US08522123B1 Iterative decoder memory arrangement
The present disclosure includes apparatus, systems and techniques relating to iterative decoder memory arrangement. A described apparatus includes a single R memory component including R banks, a Q memory component including Q banks, a channel detector memory component to store channel extrinsic information associated with current and previous codewords, and an iterative decoder communicatively coupled with the single R memory component, the Q memory component, and the channel detector memory component. The apparatus can be configured to alternate among the R banks for storing R data associated with a current codeword. The apparatus can be configured to alternate among the Q banks for storing Q data associated with a current codeword.
US08522122B2 Correcting memory device and memory channel failures in the presence of known memory device failures
Correcting memory device (chip) and memory channel failures in the presence of known memory device failures. A memory channel failure is located and corrected, or alternatively up to c chip failures are corrected and up to d chip failures are detected in the presence of up to u chips that are marked as suspect. A first stage of decoding is performed that results in recovering an estimate of correctable errors affecting the data or in declaring an uncorrectable error state. When an uncorrectable error state is declared, a second stage of decoding is performed to attempt to correct u erasures and a channel error in M iterations where the channel location is changed in each iteration. A correctable error is declared in response to exactly one of the M iterations being successful.
US08522121B2 Low complexity error correction using cyclic redundancy check (CRC)
Communications between at communication devices, sometimes including at least one redundant transmission from a transmitter to a receiver, undergo low complexity error correction. CRC may be employed in conjunction with using any desired type of ECC or using uncoded modulation. Based on CRC determined bit-errors, as few as a singular syndrome associated with a singular bit-error or a linear combination of syndromes associated with two or more singular bit-errors within two or more received signal sequences are employed to perform error correction of the received signal. Real time combinations of multiple syndromes associated with respective single bit-errors (that may themselves be calculated off-line) are employed in accordance with error correction. In addition to CRC, any ECC may be employed including convolutional code, RS code, turbo code, TCM code, TTCM code, LDPC code, or BCH code.
US08522119B2 Reduction in decoder loop iterations
An embodiment of a method for decoding is disclosed. For this embodiment of the method, a decoder is limited to a set number of iterations for a decoding sequence. The set number of iterations is selected to be less than an optimal number of iterations for an optimal bit error rate (“BER”) resulting in a BER penalty. Inner loop decoding operations are performed within the decoder for the set number of iterations. Reliability information is output from the decoder to a data slicer. A symbol stream is output from the data slicer responsive to the reliability information.
US08522114B2 Memory controller and memory system
A memory system is provided. The memory system includes a nonvolatile memory and a controller. The nonvolatile memory includes a memory cell array and a read/write circuit configured to perform a read/write operation in the memory cell array during a read operation. The controller is configured to receive the read data from the nonvolatile memory, perform an error detection and correction operation on the read data. Upon detecting an error in a received portion of the read data, the controller is further configured to halt further transmission of the read data from the nonvolatile memory, perform the error detection and correction operation on the received portion of the read data to correct the detected error. After correcting the detected error in the received portion of the read data, the controller is configured to resume transmission of the read data from the nonvolatile memory.
US08522112B2 Method and apparatus for interleaving data in a mobile communication system
An interleaving method to which time-first-mapping is applied in a mobile communication system is provided. The interleaving method includes writing coded bits into an interleaver on a row-by-row basis, and reading the coded bits written in the interleaver on a column-by-column basis, wherein the coded bits are written by groups having a size according to a modulation order.
US08522111B2 Optimization of packet buffer memory utilization
A method performed by an I/O unit connected to another I/O unit in a network device. The method includes receiving a packet; segmenting the packet into a group of data blocks; storing the group of data blocks in a data memory; generating data protection information for a data block of the group of data blocks; creating a control block for the data block; storing, in a control memory, a group of data items for the control block, the group of data items including information associated with a location, of the data block, within the data memory and the data protection information for the data block; performing a data integrity check on the data block, using the data protection information, to determine whether the data block contains a data error; and outputting the data block when the data integrity check indicates that the data block does not contain a data error.
US08522104B2 Smart aging retry buffer
A method and controller for sending data frames over a lossy bidirectional link between integrated circuit chips is disclosed. Upon transmission, frames are stored in a buffer. The detection of errors is indicated and triggers retransmission of the erroneously received frame, but acknowledgement of correctly received frames is not indicated. Instead, the sending controller assumes that frames were correctly received if no error indication is received after a period of time. The period of time is the maximum amount of time that would be taken for the sending controller to receive an error indication if the frame was received with an error. After said period of time, the sent frame is discarded from the buffer.
US08522100B2 Radio communication apparatus and a method of transmitting a retransmission packet
A radio communication apparatus having a retransmission function includes a pattern storing unit configured to store a correspondence between resource blocks used for a transmission packet and resource blocks used for a retransmission packet; and a packet scheduling unit configured to arrange the retransmission packet based on the correspondence.
US08522099B2 Embedded processor
Electronic apparatus, systems, and methods of operating and constructing the electronic apparatus and/or systems include an embedded processor disposed in a logic chip to direct, among other functions, self-testing of an electronic device structure in conjunction with a pattern buffer disposed in the logic chip, when the electronic device structure is coupled to the logic chip. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08522098B2 Scan register and flip-flop alternately receiving SDI and mask data
The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus for providing expected data, mask data, and control signals to scan test architectures within a device using the falling edge of a test/scan clock. The signals are provided on device leads that are also used to provide signals to scan test architectures using the rising edge of the test/scan clock. According to the disclosure, device test leads serve to input different test signals on the rising and falling edge of the test/scan clock which reduces the number of interconnects between a tester and the device under test.
US08522095B2 Tap with address, state monitor and gating circuitry
The disclosure provides a novel method and apparatus for inputting addresses to devices to select the device TAP for access. Further, the disclosure provides a novel method and apparatus for inputting addresses for selecting device TAPs and for inputting commands for commanding circuitry within the device. The inputting of addresses or the inputting of addresses and commands is initiated by a control bit input on TDI that is recognized during the Run Test/Idle, Pause-DR or Pause-IR TAP states.
US08522094B2 Test access and scan test ports with lockout signal terminal
Connection circuitry couples scan test port (STP) circuitry to test access port (TAP) circuitry. The connection circuitry has inputs connected to scan circuitry control output leads from the TAP circuitry, a select input lead, and a clock input lead. The connection circuitry has outputs connected to a scan enable (SE) input lead, a capture select (CS) input lead, and the scan clock (CK) input lead of the STP circuitry. The connection circuitry includes a multiplexer having a control input connected with a clock select lead from the TAP circuitry, an input connected with a functional clock lead, an input connected with the clock input lead, an input connected with a Clock-DR lead from the TAP circuitry, an OFF lead, and an output connected with the scan clock input lead.
US08522089B2 Method of testing asynchronous modules in semiconductor device
A method of testing a semiconductor device that includes first and second mutually asynchronous modules, a buffer for storing transaction data for read/write operations from the first module and transferring it to the second module synchronously with the data rate of the second module, and an inhibit input. The second module receives the transaction data from the buffer and transfers the data to a data output when the inhibit signal is de-asserted and not when the inhibit signal is asserted. The method of testing includes repeatedly: asserting the inhibit signal; providing test transaction data to the first module and storing the data in the buffer while the inhibit signal is asserted; de-asserting the inhibit signal so that the second module transfers test transaction data received from the buffer to the data output synchronously with the data rate of the second module; and capturing deterministically test transaction data from the output of the second module.
US08522088B2 Method of transmitting data block and transmitter using the same
A method for transmitting a data block in a wireless communication system and a transmitter are provided. The transmitter transmits the data block to a receiver and generates a retransmission block for the retransmission of the data block if it is determined that the transmission fails. The transmitter determines whether the channel access is performed according to a transmit time of the retransmission block.
US08522087B2 Advanced converters for memory cell sensing and methods
A counter configuration operates in cooperation with a delay configuration such that the counter configuration counts an input interval based on a given clock speed and a given clock interval while the delay configuration provides an enhanced data output that is greater than what would otherwise be provided by the given clock speed. The counter configuration counts responsive to a selected edge in the clock interval. An apparatus in the form of a correction arrangement and an associated method are configured to monitor at least the delay configuration output for detecting a particular time relationship between an endpoint of the input interval and a nearest occurrence of the selected clock edge in the given clock signal that is indicative of at least a potential error in the enhanced data output and determining if the potential error is an actual error for subsequent use in correcting the enhanced data output.
US08522082B1 Method and apparatus for identifying remediation failures in year-2000 remediation programs
Object-code instruction traces are employed to analyze selected instructions of a year-2000 (Y2K) remediated application program for possible remediation failure when confronted by a year-2000 date. The analysis includes directly identifying one or more instructions of the remediated application program that may fail. A remediation-failure-pattern descriptor is assigned to each examined instruction which is indicative of whether the remediated instruction may fail when confronted by a date in the year-2000 range. The analysis employs user-specifiable run-control values, as well as predetermined filter-specification values in comparing traces of each selected object-code instruction to predefined remediation-failure patterns.
US08522081B2 Microcomputer outputting failure detection result
When a CPU executes a failure detection program, the CPU causes a program counter expected value register to store an expected value of an address which is stored in a program counter after a detection time passes from the start of execution of the failure detection program, and causes a detection time counter to start counting of the detection time. When the detection time counter finishes counting of the detection time, the first comparator outputs as a failure detection result a result of comparison between the address stored in the program counter and the expected value stored in the program counter expected value register.
US08522075B2 Storage system having storage devices for storing data and control devices for controlling the storage devices
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a storage apparatus comprising; a pair of control devices for controlling storage devices, each control device being connected with another control device; storage devices for storing data; switches being connected with the plurality of storage devices, the switches being connected between the control devices in series; wherein the control device for controlling the plurality of switches according to a process including detecting a fault in the connection of the switches, and; controlling the control devices to access the storage devices via the switches such that one of the control devices accesses a part of the storage devices via a part of the switches located between the one of the control devices and the fault, and the other of the control devices accesses remainder of the storage devices via remainder of the switches, respectively.
US08522071B2 Storage system for restoring data stored in failed storage device
A storage system including: a controller; and, a plurality of physical storage devices coupled to the controller and constituting a RAID group; wherein the controller provides one or more logical volumes belonging to the RAID group, each of the one or more logical volumes having a plurality of storage areas; one or more virtual volumes, wherein, when receiving a write request to a virtual volume of the one or more virtual volumes, the controller allocates a storage area in a logical volume to the virtual volume; and writes data to the allocated storage area, wherein, when a physical storage device of the plurality of physical storage devices fails, the controller selectively performs a RAID restore process to a storage area allocated to a virtual volume.
US08522058B2 Computer system with power source control and power source control method
A computer system with power source control and a power source control method are presented. The computer system at least includes a first storage unit and a second storage unit, and the first storage unit stores a system program required by the computer system in basic operation. A switch is disposed on a power supply path between a power supply module and the second storage unit, such that the power supply module provides an electric power for the second storage unit to operate through the switch. When the second storage unit is in an idle state, the switch is used to cut off the power supply to the second storage unit, so as to effectively reduce the power consumption of the computer system.
US08522043B2 Hardware-based computer theft deterrence
A hardware-based security module is used to protect an electronic device, especially a portable electronic device. The security module may determine either via timeout of a watchdog timer or via an explicit message to encrypt selected data on the electronic device. In addition, the electronic device may enter a limited function mode that only allows display of simplistic messages and supports network traffic with a recovery service. The recovery service may be able to use the network traffic to locate the electronic device. The security module may include a secure memory, a cryptographic function, a timer, and support for direct display of data on a monitor.
US08522042B2 Method and apparatus for enforcement of software licence protection
A method of enforcing software license protection in a computer system comprising; morphing the data prior to distribution, resulting in morphed data; wherein morphing of data is accomplished by applying a reversible morphing algorithm to modify data, wherein said reversible morphing algorithm is uniquely seeded and/or controlled with control information.
US08522034B2 Systems and methods for transparent configuration authentication of networked devices
Methods and systems are disclosed for providing secure transmissions across a network comprising a transmitting device and a receiving device. At the transmitting device, a stream of watermark bits is generated. Next, a plurality of watermarks is generated, each of the plurality of watermarks comprising an index number and a portion of the stream of watermark bits. The watermarks are inserted into each header of a plurality of outgoing packets. At the receiving device, the plurality of outgoing packets are received and it is determined if a received packet is valid based on the watermark in the header of the received packet. The stream of watermark bits may be generated using a stream cipher such as RC4, a block cipher such as 3DES in CBC mode, or other equivalent pseudo-random stream generating techniques.
US08522030B2 Verification and protection of genuine software installation using hardware super key
A device, system, and method are disclosed. In one embodiment the device receives a user key from a user application. The device then creates a management engine key by applying a management engine key creation algorithm to the user key. Then the device sends the management engine key to a remote server. Later, the device retrieves a server key from the remote server. The device next performs a hash combination of the user key, the management engine key, and the server key to create a super key. Once the super key has been created, the device authenticates the super key, and if the super key is valid, the device then sends a management engine certification to the user application.
US08522029B2 Secret-key exchange for wireless and sensor networks
A mechanism is provided for establishing a shared secret-key for secure communication between nodes in a wireless network. A first node in the wireless network provides a spreading code to a second node of the wireless network. The second node provides a first input for the key establishment to the first node using communication encoded with the spreading code. Responsive to obtaining the first input from the second node, the first node provides a second input for the key establishment to the second node using communication encoded with the spreading code. Then, the first node and the second node establish the shared secret-key using the first input and the second input.
US08522019B2 Method and apparatus to create trust domains based on proximity
Devices and methods use close range communication links, e.g., near field communication (NFC) links, to authenticate communication devices to one another to create or join a new device to a trust domain. Once two devices establish a close range communication peer-to-peer link the devices exchange credential information that provide an infrastructure for the trust domain. Medium or long range wireless or wired network communication links can then be used for secure and trusted communications. Proximity limits of the close range communication P2P link enables mutual trust to be presumed among devices, providing added security to the process of extending a trust domain and reducing the need for security and authentication signaling. Embodiments provide a variety of methods for extending credential infrastructure among devices. Embodiments further enable simple to use virtual cables that can provide secure point-to-point communications that are configured merely by touching two communication devices together.
US08522010B2 Providing remote user authentication
Providing a remote computer user authentication service involves providing a reference to a user authentication service in a host server's source code (e.g., website source code). Further, integration code that may be used in an application programming interface (API) on the host server for interaction with a user authentication service can be provided. Additionally, a user interface (UI) for user authentication on the host server, and an authentication-test message on the host server using the UI may be provided. Also, providing authentication can comprise sending an authentication-request message to a mobile device designated by the user; and/or can comprise the user responding with information from the authentication-test message. The host server can be notified of the user's authentication after a correct response is received by the user authentication service.
US08522008B2 Portable security device and methods of user authentication
Disclosed a portable security device and methods for secure user authentication. The security device stores operating system agents that enable communication with user devices that have different operating systems. The security device also stores user authentication data for accessing different Internet resources by the user devices. The security devices connects to the user device using an operating system agent corresponding to the operating system of the user device, and receives from the user device a request to access an Internet resource. The security device select user authentication data associated with the requested Internet resource, and obtains the requested Internet resource using the selected user authentication data.
US08522001B1 Fast restart on a virtual machine
Media, methods, and computer systems are provided for performing a quick restart of applications in a virtual machine of the computer system. The virtual machine is configured with a critical object array that identifies the critical applications. In response to a quick restart request, the garbage collector operates in a quick restart mode to remove all objects for each application that is not in critical object array.
US08521998B2 Instruction tracking system for processors
A method and apparatus for tracking instructions in a processor. A completion unit in the processor receives an instruction group to add to a table to form a received instruction group. In response to receiving the received instruction group, the completion unit determines whether an entry is present that contains a previously stored instruction group in a first location and has space for storing the received instruction group. In response to the entry being present, the completion unit stores the received instruction group in a second location in the entry to form a stored instruction group.
US08521993B2 Providing thread fairness by biasing selection away from a stalling thread using a stall-cycle counter in a hyper-threaded microprocessor
A method and apparatus for providing fairness in a multi-processing element environment is herein described. Mask elements are utilized to associated portions of a reservation station with each processing element, while still allowing common access to another portion of reservation station entries. Additionally, bias logic biases selection of processing elements in a pipeline away from a processing element associated with a blocking stall to provide fair utilization of the pipeline.
US08521990B2 Embedding global barrier and collective in torus network with each node combining input from receivers according to class map for output to senders
Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for embedding a global barrier and global interrupt network in a parallel computer system organized as a torus network. The computer system includes a multitude of nodes. In one embodiment, the method comprises taking inputs from a set of receivers of the nodes, dividing the inputs from the receivers into a plurality of classes, combining the inputs of each of the classes to obtain a result, and sending said result to a set of senders of the nodes. Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for embedding a collective network in a parallel computer system organized as a torus network. In one embodiment, the method comprises adding to a torus network a central collective logic to route messages among at least a group of nodes in a tree structure.
US08521980B2 Simultaneous read and write data transfer
A controller for an arrangement of memory devices may issue a write command without waiting for the receipt of a previously issued read command. An addressed memory device may read data out onto the data bus according to a read command while, simultaneously, writing data according to a write command received subsequent to the read command.
US08521976B1 Method and system for improving disk drive performance
A method of writing data to a storage device that uses a first data block size, from a host system that uses a second data block size, different from the first data block size, includes receiving a request from the host system to write a host data block to the storage device, reading a storage device data block from a first location on the storage device to a buffer, where the storage device data block corresponds to the host data block, modifying the storage device data block based on the host data block, restricting writing of the modified storage device data block into the first location, and storing the modified storage device data block to a second location, different from the restricted first location. After acknowledging success of the storing, the restricting of writing of the modified storage device data block into the first location may be lifted.
US08521972B1 System and method for optimizing garbage collection in data storage
The present invention is directed to systems and methods for optimizing garbage collection in data storage. The data storage may be a shingled disk drive or a non-volatile solid-state memory device. Garbage collection is optimized by selectively saving data read from certain locations of the data storage in response to host read commands and using the saved data for subsequent garbage collection operations. The decision of whether to save data may be based on a number of criteria, including whether the data is located in an area of the data storage that is due to be garbage collected in the near future. In this manner, certain garbage collection operations can be performed without having to re-read the saved data.
US08521968B2 Memory controller and methods
A memory controller that allows shared access to a memory device via a plurality of write ports and read ports. A write port includes a data buffer that allows data to be written to a first number of its storage locations at a pre-determined time. A write arbiter is able to read data from a second number of storage locations of a data buffer of a write port at a pre-determined time and write the read data to a memory device. A read port is configured to respond to requests to read data and includes a data buffer. A read arbiter is able to read, at a pre-determined time, data from the memory device on behalf of one of the read ports, and to write the read data into a second number of storage locations of the data buffer of the read port on whose behalf the data was read.
US08521967B1 Network computing systems having shared memory clouds with addresses of disk-read-only memories mapped into processor address spaces
Network computing systems are disclosed including a shared memory cloud coupled to one or more processor complexes. The shared memory cloud has an interconnect network coupled to disk-read-only-memories (disk-ROMs) each including a memory array that is read/write block accessible to access blocks of consecutive memory locations and random read memory accessible to access random memory locations. The processor complexes read and write blocks of data from/to the disk-ROMs to provide disk-like access to the shared memory cloud. Each processor complex maps the addresses of one or more of the disk-ROMs into processor address spaces, and reads from random memory locations of one or more of the disk-ROMs to provide main memory-like access to the shared memory cloud. The network computing systems may further include a power controller coupled to the processor complexes. The power controller can keep the disk-ROMS powered on while it powers off inactive processor complexes.
US08521966B2 VM inter-process communications
A method for enabling inter-process communication between a first application and a second application, the first application running within a first context and the second application running within a second context of a virtualization system is described. The method includes receiving a request to attach a shared region of memory to a memory allocation, identifying a list of one or more physical memory pages defining the shared region that corresponds to the handle, and mapping guest memory pages corresponding to the allocation to the physical memory pages. The request is received by a framework from the second application and includes a handle that uniquely identifies the shared region of memory as well as an identification of at least one guest memory page corresponding to the memory allocation. The framework is a component of a virtualization software, which executes in a context distinct from the context of the first application.
US08521963B1 Managing cache coherence
Managing data in a computing system comprising multiple cores includes: assigning a first set of data to caches within cores of a first subset of fewer than all of the cores in the computing system, and assigning a second set of data to caches within cores of a second subset of at least some remaining cores in the computing system not already assigned; and maintaining cache coherence among caches of respective cores in the first subset in response to data stored in at least one of the cores in the first subset being modified, and maintaining cache coherence among caches of respective cores in the second subset in response to data stored in at least one of the cores in the second subset being modified.
US08521959B2 Method and device for recovering description information, and method and device for caching data in database
A method for recovering description information, or a method for caching data in a database, includes: judging whether a database is closed normally after the last operation; if the database is not closed normally, traversing each data block in a level-2 cache, where corresponding disk location information is saved in a header of each data block; obtaining a data block in a disk according to the disk location information; and when the obtained data block in the disk is the same as a corresponding data block in the level-2 cache, establishing description information according to location information of the data block in the disk and location information of the data block in the level-2 cache, where the description information is used to describe correspondence between the location information of data in the disk and the location information of data in the level-2 cache.
US08521958B2 Internal processor buffer
One or more of the present techniques provide a compute engine buffer configured to maneuver data and increase the efficiency of a compute engine. One such compute engine buffer is connected to a compute engine which performs operations on operands retrieved from the buffer, and stores results of the operations to the buffer. Such a compute engine buffer includes a compute buffer having storage units which may be electrically connected or isolated, based on the size of the operands to be stored and the configuration of the compute engine. The compute engine buffer further includes a data buffer, which may be a simple buffer. Operands may be copied to the data buffer before being copied to the compute buffer, which may save additional clock cycles for the compute engine, further increasing the compute engine efficiency.
US08521954B2 Management computer and volume configuration management method
The configuration of volumes provided by a plurality of storage apparatuses with an external connection function is optimized.By associating a virtual volume provided to the host computer with a real volume of another storage apparatus other than their own, the plurality of storage apparatuses manage the real volume of the other storage apparatus as their own real volume, and a management computer comprises a detection unit which detects a correspondence relationship between the virtual volume of one storage apparatus among the plurality of storage apparatuses and the real volume of the one storage apparatus or of the other storage apparatus; and a modification unit which, if the real volume is added to any of the plurality of the storage apparatuses, modifies the correspondence relationship between the virtual volume and the real volume associated with the virtual volume, according to the correspondence relationship detected by the detection unit.
US08521953B2 Storage device and a method for expanding the same
In a storage device expandable through serially coupling two or more additional enclosures, each including a first additional controller and a second additional controller, to a controller enclosure, including a first controller and a second controller, a first route is formed by serially coupling the first controller of the controller enclosure to the first additional controllers of the additional enclosures in the order of adding the additional enclosures and a second route is formed by serially coupling the second controller of the controller enclosure to the second additional controllers of the additional enclosures in an order different from that of adding the additional enclosures.
US08521951B2 Content addressable memory augmented memory
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, and systems including a memory device including content addressable memory configured to store an address associated with one or more memory cells while an access operation is performed on the one or more memory cells. Other embodiments may be described.
US08521949B2 Data deleting method and apparatus
A data deleting method and apparatus is provided in embodiments of this application. The method comprises: when a file system detects a delete request for a target file, examining a security property of the target file, wherein the security property of a file comprises secret classified property; if the security property of the target file is secret classified property, executing an overwrite operation on the target file and then executing a delete operation to delete the target file; wherein the overwrite operation comprises sending a write command to a SSD, the write command being a predefined write command which is expanded by adding an immediate scrubbing flag, to cause the SSD to invoke a backstage garbage collection program according to the predefined write command to immediately delete data on garbage blocks corresponding to logical block addresses of the target file.
US08521948B2 Handling dynamic and static data for a system having non-volatile memory
Systems and methods are disclosed for handling dynamic and static data for a system having non-volatile memory (“NVM”). By determining whether data being written to the NVM is dynamic or not, a NVM interface of a system can determine where to initially place the data on the NVM (e.g., place the data on either a dynamic stream block or a static stream block). Moreover, this information can allow the NVM interface to improve the efficiencies of both garbage collection (“GC”) and wear leveling.
US08521946B2 Semiconductor disk devices and related methods of randomly accessing data
A computing system includes a host, a data source device, and a controller. The controller is configured to respond to a random access command from the host by setting information in a register that selects what data is to be accessed in the data source device. The controller then successively accesses the data in the data source device using the information that was set in the register.
US08521945B2 Portable data storage using SLC and MLC flash memory
A portable data storage device is disclosed that includes an interface (3) for enabling the portable data storage device to be used for data transfer with a host computer (5), and an interface controller (2) for controlling the interface (3). There is also a master controller (7) for controlling the writing of data to and reading of data from a non-volatile memory (8, 9). The non-volatile memory is at least one single level cell (SLC) flash memory (8) and at least one multiple level cell (MLC) flash memory (9). The at least one single level cell flash memory (8) and at least one multiple level cell flash memory (9) are able to operate simultaneously for improving the speed of operation over only multiple level cell flash memory.
US08521941B2 Multi-root sharing of single-root input/output virtualization
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method for multi-root sharing of a plurality of single root input/output virtualization (SR-IOV) endpoints is provided, the method comprising: CSR redirection to a management processor which either acts as a proxy to execute the CSR request on behalf of the host or filters it and performs an alternate action, downstream routing of memory mapped I/O request packets through the switch in the host's address space and address translation with VF BAR granularity, upstream routing of requests originated by I/O devices by table lookup indexed by Requester ID, and requester ID translation using a fixed local-global RID offset.
US08521933B2 Round robin arbiter with mask and reset mask
In order to provide a solution for performing priority arbitration, a mask and reset-mask are generated in concert with a priority arbitration scheme. A plurality of requestors may issue requests for a shared resource. The priority arbitration scheme may grant access to a single requestor for a single priority assignment period. The mask may assist the priority arbitration scheme to assign priority to the plurality of requestors by temporarily removing a subset of the plurality of requestors for a particular priority assignment period. If the mask allows for no allowable requestors during the priority assignment period, a reset-mask scheme is implemented to reset the mask to permit an increased number of requestors access to the priority arbitration scheme.
US08521931B2 Serial input output (SIO) port expansion apparatus and method
An expander device and method for transmitting serial input/output (SIO) data between an initiator device and a plurality of target devices. The expander device includes a processor/controller configured to receive a master data stream from an initiator device and to transmit a returning master data stream to the initiator device. The expander device includes a plurality of target master ports coupled to the processor/controller and configured to transmit split data streams to corresponding target devices coupled thereto and to receive returning split data streams from the target devices. The processor/controller splits the master data stream, based on its data, into a plurality of split data streams, and directs the split data streams to the target master ports based on the data in the split data streams. The processor/controller also assembles a plurality of returning split data streams into the returning master data stream and transmits the returning master data stream to the initiator device.
US08521929B2 Virtual serial port management system and method
A system and a method for virtual serial port management include setting a virtual universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (VUART) and a software multiplexer (MUX) and setting the VUART to perform functions corresponding to different values of the software MUX. The method further includes receiving commands sent to the server regularly and assigning a first predetermined value to the software MUX when the received command is not an Intelligent platform management interface (IPMI) command. The management method further includes assigning a second predetermined value to the software MUX when the received command is the IPMI command but not a serial over LAN (SOL) command, and assigning a third predetermined value to the software MUX when the received command is the SOL command.
US08521925B2 Method and communication system for determining the time of an event in an IO device
A method and communication system that provide an inexpensive approach that enables the times of events that are detected in IO device to be determined in a higher-level controller. The higher-level controller has a system clock and is connected to an IO link device to which multiple first IO devices are able to be connected. In addition, a second IO device is connected to the IO link device. The clock of the second IO device is synchronized by a synchronization device with the system clock of the higher-level controller. The status data that are provided by at least one of the first IO devices and the current time data that the second IO device supplies are transmitted simultaneously to the IO link device. The IO link device assigns the status data received to the received current time data, then transmits these data to the higher-level controller.
US08521914B2 Auxiliary writes over address channel
A method for communicating via a bus including a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel is disclosed. The method includes addressing a slave device via the first channel, receiving from the slave device via the second channel, and writing to the slave device via the third channel. The method further includes selecting between first and second bus transmission modes. In the first bus transmission mode, payload write data is to be sent to the slave device via the first channel or the third channel. In the second bus transmission mode, during a first clock cycle, second payload write data associated with a second write operation is to be sent to the slave device via the first channel and first payload write data associated with a first write operation is to be concurrently sent to the slave device via the third channel.
US08521909B2 Inferring server state in a stateless communication protocol
Server state objects are identified by an intermediate server among packets transmitted between an application server and a client device on a network based upon a stateless communication protocol, by monitoring and analyzing the packets transmitted between the application server and the client device. The packets are parsed into a plurality of name-value pairs. The entropy of the name-value pairs having a same name field is computed, and candidate data objects that are likely to be server state objects are selected based upon the computed entropy. Candidate data objects that were transmitted bi-directionally between the application server and the client device are identified as server state objects.
US08521908B2 Existent domain name DNS traffic capture and analysis
Systems and methods for scoring a domain web traffic based on DNS traffic requests received at an authoritative name server to resolve the domain name. A request to resolve the domain name is received at an authoritative name server. A counter, such as a server counter or a hit counter, for the domain name is incremented based on the received request. A score, such as a domain traffic score or a domain rank, is calculated based upon a count of the counter. Calculating the score may also include applying a weighting factor to the counters based on information about a requesting set of resolvers and other domains/websites that may be linking and driving traffic to the domain whose traffic score is being calculated. Examples of relevant set of resolvers information may include location, traffic levels, traffic type and architecture of the set of resolvers.
US08521906B2 System and method for message processing and routing
A message routing system that allows applications at either end of the system to run as-is without modification. The system functions in a multithreaded environment and is capable of handling complex routing rules and message transformation. It is also capable of learning and executing new routing rules and message transformations in formats previously unrecognized by the system. The system enables precise and reliable logging of messages throughout processing and supports publication of enterprise-wide broadcast messages. The system further preferably employs cooperating inbound and outbound transport processes for consuming, routing, processing, safely storing and publishing messages in batches of logical units of work to ensure that the logical units of work are not lost in system transactions. The system also preferably utilizes a replay server for preserving and replaying messages that might otherwise fail to reach their intended destinations.
US08521900B2 Remote audio-video sharing method and application program for the same
A remote audio-video sharing method and an application program for the same are provided. The method comprises a content provider device capturing screen frames and sounds of the content provider device. First encoding and second encoding are executed on the captured screen frames and sound to transmit to and play on a content displayer device and a content controller device. The content displayer device receives, decodes the data and smoothly plays the received data. The content controller device receives, decodes the data and plays the received data in synch with the content provider device. Additionally, a control command is generated by the content controller device to reply to the content provider device to manipulate operations of the content provider device.
US08521898B2 Method for structuring a bitstream for binary multimedia descriptions and a method for parsing this bitstream
For structuring a bitstream for binary multimedia descriptions, binary identifiers (BIDs) are positioned on at least one regular positioning grid. Parsing is performed by checking these binary identifiers (BIDs) on the positions defined by the positioning grid.
US08521892B2 Method and apparatus for controlling web page advertisement through incentives and restrictions
A method and apparatus for a cooperative process for negotiating the display of advertisements on a web page or web site. The user configures his preferences for advertisements that are displayed through a browser or plug-in interface when accessing a web page or web site. Each hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) request generated by the browser includes an indicator of the configured preferences. The web server and/or an advertisement server detect the indicator of advertisement preference and respond to the HTTP request by providing a compliant advertisement for a web page. The advertisement is then displayed by the browser.
US08521889B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for modifying bandwidth and/or quality of service for a user session in a network
Bandwidth and/or Quality of Service (QoS) for a user session may be modified in a network that includes a Regional/Access Network (RAN) that facilitates differentiated end-to-end data transport between a Network Service Provider (NSP) and/or an Application Service Provider (ASP) and a Customer Premises Network (CPN) that includes a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) by receiving a request at the NSP and/or the ASP to change the bandwidth and/or QoS associated with the user's session. An Application Programming Interface (API) is used at the NSP and/or the ASP to communicate with the RAN to modify the bandwidth and/or QoS associated with the user's session.
US08521886B2 Methods and apparatus for determining and/or using a communications mode
Methods and apparatus for determining whether two or more communications devices, e.g., wireless terminals, in a communications system should communicate using direct peer to peer communications or via one or more infrastructure elements, e.g., base stations, are described. The determination whether a given pair of communications devices should communicate using direct peer to peer communications, rather than via the infrastructure element(s), is determined by a control device. The control device instructs various wireless terminals to make various signal measurements and/or transmit signals to be measured. Based on the signal measurements the control device estimates interference caused by the direct peer to peer link to the existing communications devices, the direct peer to peer link channel quality and/or interference caused to such a direct peer to peer link by existing communications devices which are communicating using peer to peer signaling and makes a mode decision based on such information.
US08521884B2 Network system and method of address resolution
A network system and a method of address resolution are provided. The network system includes a network, a plurality of virtual machines, a routing module and a path directory module. Each virtual machine includes an internet protocol (IP) address and N media access control (MAC) addresses, so as to connect the network through N transmission routes. The routing module detects and calculates states of the transmission routes. The path directory module receives and decodes an address resolution protocol (ARP) request presented by at least one source virtual machine to reply path information, which includes N MAC addresses corresponding to an IP address of a destination virtual machine and states of the N transmission routes. Thus, the virtual machines present the ARP request without broadcast, so that the problem of network congestion is solved.
US08521882B2 Client/subscriber rotation using select write calls for server resiliency
A computer implemented method, system, and computer program product for managing client connections to a server among a plurality of clients. A messaging server detects, by a first server, an attribute of a client connection that exceeds a threshold, wherein the attribute is a select write operation. The messaging server selects a client that connects to a server, responsive to detecting the attribute of the client exceeding the threshold of select write calls. The messaging server selects a connect mechanism of a second server, responsive to selecting the client. The messaging server transmits a migrate message to the client, the migrate message comprising at least a uniform resource identifier (URI).
US08521873B2 System and method of emulating a network controller within an information handling system
A system and method of emulating a network controller within an information handling system is disclosed. In one form, an information handling system can include a host chipset operably coupled to a network interface controller of a first main circuit board, and a management controller operably coupled to the host chipset. The information handling system can also include an emulated network interface controller operable to be activated by the management controller. The information handling system can further include a communication bus coupled to the host chipset and the management controller. In one form, the communication bus is operable to activate a communication link between the host chipset and the emulated network interface controller.
US08521871B2 System and method for merging monitoring data streams from a server and a client of the server
A method, system, and computer program product for merging monitoring data streams includes: receiving a first monitoring data stream relating to a server containing first records, each first record has a first transaction identifier relating to a first transaction and first monitoring data, relating to a performance of executing the first transaction; receiving a second monitoring data stream relating to a client containing second records, each second record has a list of second transaction identifiers relating to one or more second transactions and second monitoring data, relating to a performance of executing the second transactions; buffering at least parts of the first and the second monitoring data streams; and merging the buffered first and second monitoring data streams by computing an outer-join with a join-condition that the first records have the first transaction identifier that occurs in the list of second transaction identifiers to provide a merged data stream.
US08521870B2 Measuring network traffic based on predicted amount of padding
A system measures traffic in a device. The system tracks an amount of data and the data units and predicts the amount of padding associated with the data units. The system determines the amount of traffic in the device based on the predicted padding, the amount of data, and the number of data units.
US08521867B2 Support for incrementally processing user defined aggregations in a data stream management system
A computer is programmed to accept a command for creation of a new aggregation defined by a user to process data incrementally, one tuple at a time. One or more incremental function(s) in a set of instructions written by the user to implement the new aggregation maintain(s) locally any information that is to be passed between successive invocations, to support computing the aggregation for a given set of tuples as a whole. The user writes a set of instructions to perform the aggregation incrementally, including a plus function which is repeatedly invoked, only once, for each addition to a window of a message. The user also writes a minus function to be invoked with the message, to return the value of incremental aggregation over the window after removal of the message. In such embodiments, the computer does not maintain copies of messages in the window for use by aggregation function(s).
US08521851B1 DNS query processing using resource identifiers specifying an application broker
A system, method and computer-readable medium for request routing based on application information associated with the requested resource are provided. A DNS nameserver at an application broker obtains a DNS query corresponding to a resource requested from a client computing device and associated with a first resource identifier. The first resource identifier includes application information associated with the requested resource. Based on the application information parsed from the first resource identifier, the DNS nameserver at the application broker selects either a second resource identifier which resolves to a domain of a network computing provider or an IP address associated with a network computing component for processing the requested resource. The DNS nameserver then transmits either the second resource identifier or IP address to the client computing device.
US08521849B2 Transmission control device and computer program controlling transmission of selected content file
An electronic device is connected to a communication network, to which a server and an external device are connected. The electronic device includes an interface which receives an instruction from a user; a processor which determines information to be transmitted and a destination of the transmission based on the user's instruction; and a communication module which transmits the information to the destination. In the case where a content file is selected via the interface, when the selected content file has not been uploaded on the server, the communication module transmits the content file to the server, and after the transmission, transmits location information indicating a location where the content file is stored in the communication network to the external device. When the selected content file has been uploaded on the server, the communication module transmits the location information indicating the location where the content file is stored to the external device.
US08521846B2 Mechanism for customized aggregation of system-specific information for post-installation suggestions
A mechanism for customized aggregation of system-specific information for Post-Installation Suggestions is disclosed. A method of embodiments includes determining identifying information of a computer system of an end user computing device communicably coupled to an update service computing device, aggregating a plurality of updates, suggestions, and information specific to the computer system of the end user computing device into a customized result list, the plurality of updates, suggestions, and information received from a repository of historical system results and a plurality of third-party vendors and associated with various components of the computer system including the hardware of the computer system and the software of the computer system, and providing the customized result list to the end user computing device.
US08521845B2 Multilingual domain name resolution
A method, system, and computer-readable medium are described for registering and using multilingual domain names that include characters outside the ASCII character subset supported by the DNS system. Such multilingual domain names can in some situations be registered by first being converted into appropriate ASCII-Compatible Encodings (ACEs) that represent the corresponding multilingual domain names and that use only characters within the ASCII character subset. In addition, a variety of binary variants may be generated at registration for each multilingual domain name and then used as equivalents for the multilingual domain name, such as by storing the variants in the registry as alternative domain names or by otherwise reserving the binary variants. When requests to resolve such a registered multilingual domain name into a corresponding IP address or URL are received, the stored binary variants and/or ACE information can then be used to respond in an appropriate manner.
US08521842B2 Delivering composite media to a client application
An approach is provided for generating composite media and delivering the composite media to a client application. Data is received from one or more external sources, and a portion of the data is selected to be used in the composite media according to the time period of delivery of the client application, user information, or the type of client application requesting the media, if a request has been made. The selected data is integrated into a pre-created template to generate the composite media, such as an advertisement, special offers, or weather and stock information. The composite media may be modified prior to being delivered to the client application. The selection of the pre-created template and the modification of the composite media are made according to requirements of the client application, user information, or the type of client application (e.g., gaming application) requesting the media.
US08521839B2 Auxiliary event packages
A method includes registering with a proxy for an auxiliary event-package, wherein the auxiliary event-package is provided by a plurality of auxiliary event-package servers. The method may further include subscribing to the auxiliary event-package through the proxy. The proxy forwards the subscription to the plurality of auxiliary event-package servers. The method may include receiving an initial notify from one of the auxiliary event-package servers and identifying the one of the auxiliary event-package servers as a primary handle for the auxiliary event-package. In addition, the method may include identifying others of the plurality of auxiliary event-package servers as secondary handles for the auxiliary event-package.
US08521837B2 Three-dimensional earth-formation visualization
Three-dimensional earth-formation visualization. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are a memory device stores a program that, when executed, causes the one or more processors to output from a queue, over a network connection, an encoded video stream of a three-dimensional earth-formation model. The processors are also caused to adjust a size of the queue based on a quality of the network connection.
US08521833B1 System and method for accessing and displaying internet content via an integrated application media package
A method for accessing and displaying Internet content employs a software component which includes a definition for rendering a graphical user interface within which Internet content may be presented outside of and without utilization of a web browser application. The component also includes a network reference, such as a URL, pointing to the Internet content such that the Internet Content may be downloaded and presented within said user interface. A component provider may thus create customized displays within which intended web-content may be rendered. An application component may be used in association with the software component to manage the collection, organization, sharing, and rendering of a plurality of such software components.
US08521821B2 Encrypted email based upon trusted overlays
Sending and receiving encrypted emails. At a web browser, user input is received requesting a compose email page user interface for a web-based email system. The compose email page user interface is requested from a server for the web-based mail system. Web page code is received from the server for the compose email page user interface. The web page code for the compose email page user interface is parsed to determine screen locations of one or more user input interface elements. The compose email page user interface is rendered in the browser. One or more browser-based interface elements implemented integral to the browser are overlaid onto the compose email page user interface. User input is received in the browser user interface elements. The user input received is encrypted. The encrypted user input is transferred into one or more elements of the compose email page user interface.
US08521818B2 Methods and apparatus for recognizing and acting upon user intentions expressed in on-line conversations and similar environments
Intentions of a user as expressed in an on-line conversation or other user generated content (UGC) are identified and subsequently acted upon, for example by bringing relevant or related content to the attention of the user and/or making others aware of the conversation. The intention signals derived from the UGC may be used to fashion or update a user profile or inform a broader view of the individual associated with the UGC.
US08521817B2 Social network system and method of operation
A method of forming unique, private, personal, virtual social networks on a social network system that includes a database storing data relating to corresponding user entities. The method includes: a first user entity sending an invitation to a second user entity, recording in the database the second user entity as a direct contact of the first user entity and determining that third user entities, directly connected to the second user entity, are indirect contacts. A unique, personal, social network formed from direct and indirect contacts is thereby created for each user entity. Each user entity is able to control privacy of its data with respect to other user entities depending on the connection factor to that other entity and/or that other entity's attributes. Each user entity is able to take the role of provider or participant in applications where the provider provides an item or service to the participant.
US08521816B2 Latency reduction in collaborative presentation sharing environment
A method and system for delivering a presentation created using a presentation application program are disclosed. One method includes initiating, from a presentation computing system, display of a presentation to one or more remote computing devices. The method also includes creating an initial display package based on the presentation that includes metadata describing the presentation and an image representative of the presentation, and uploading the initial display package to a presentation server. The method includes, after uploading the initial display package, creating an initial set of presentation slides from the presentation, and uploading the initial set of presentation slides to the presentation server. The method further includes, after uploading the initial set of presentation slides, uploading at least a remaining portion of the presentation to the presentation server for display at one or more of the remote computing devices.
US08521814B2 Apparatus and method for managing user interface
An apparatus for and method of managing a user interface. The apparatus for managing a user interface including: a packet generation unit that generates a notification packet indicating that one or more remote servers exist on a network, a web server that manages a command for storing a state of a user interface of a predetermined application transmitted through the network or an extract command received as a result of distributing the notification packet, a state storage unit that stores the state of the user interface according to the store command, and a communication unit that transmits the state of a predetermined user interface extracted according to the extract command from among the stored states of the user interface.
US08521810B1 Method and system for controlling a display buffer in a content distribution system
A system and method for displaying graphics in a content distribution system includes a client device and a server device that communicates an allocate buffer command signal to the client device. The client device reserves an off-screen buffer having buffer identifier associated therewith and communicates a buffer response signal comprising the buffer identifier to the server device. The server device communicates a write command signal comprising graphics data and the buffer identifier to the client device. The client device stores the graphics data in an off-screen buffer in response to write command signal, transfers the graphics data from the off-screen buffer to an on-screen buffer and displays graphics corresponding to the graphics data on a display associated with the client device. A bit blit command may be used to transfer the graphics data from the off-screen buffer to the on-screen buffer.
US08521805B2 Information processing apparatus and computer readable medium
An information processing apparatus includes an output unit and a determining unit. The output unit outputs a piece of information relating to a piece of storage subject information stored in first storage unit into a source of request. The determining unit determines, at each piece of subject information, which to store the piece of storage subject information or a corresponding piece of alternative information into the source of request based on a predetermined condition. The corresponding piece of alternative information contains location information indicating a location of the piece of storage subject information in the first storage unit and has a size smaller than a size of the piece of storage subject information. And the output unit outputs the piece of storage subject information or the corresponding piece of alternative information into the source of request in accordance with a determination result by the determining unit.
US08521801B2 Configurable hybrid adder circuitry
Hybrid adder circuitry is provided for integrated circuits such as programmable integrated circuits. The hybrid adder may combine the capabilities of multiple adder architectures. Hybrid adders may include carry select and carry ripple adder circuits. The adder circuits may be combined using a carry look-ahead architecture. Adder functionality may be implemented using the resources of logic regions on the programmable integrated circuits. Each logic region may include combinatorial logic such as look-up table logic and register circuitry. The hybrid adder circuitry may receive input words to be added from the combinatorial circuitry and may produce corresponding arithmetic sum output signals to the register circuitry.
US08521795B2 Random number generating device
A random number generating device is constructed such that it has improved random number generation rate and allows for construction of compact circuit with ease.The random number generating device includes a magnetoresistive element that has three layers consisting of a magnetization free layer, an interlayer, and a magnetization fixed layer, and has at least two resistance values depending on arrangement of magnetization in the magnetization free layer and the magnetization fixed layer, wherein the magnetoresistive element is subjected to be applied with a magnetization current so that the inversion probability of the magnetization free layer assumes a value between 0 and 1, through which the resistance value of the magnetoresistive element is extracted as random numbers.
US08521794B2 Signal processing circuit, AGC circuit, and recording and playback device
Disclosed herein is a signal processing circuit including: a main path configured to transmit an input signal and output an actual signal; and a negative feedback path configured to feed back the actual signal to an input stage of the main path, wherein the main path includes a main path block that receives an input signal and outputs an actual signal, the negative feedback path includes a negative feedback block that generates a control signal and supplies the control signal to an input part of an input signal of the main path; a replica block that is supplied with a control signal of the negative feedback block to output a pseudo actual signal, and imitates the main path block; and a signal delay block that delays a pseudo actual signal of the replica block by a dead time of a loop.
US08521785B2 System and method for efficient representation of dynamic ranges of numeric values
Embodiments of the present invention describe using a data structure to represent variable domains in solving a constraint problem. The data structure includes nodes that are configured to represent ranges of values in order to save memory space and processor power. Ranges of values and single values may be both added to and removed from the data structure such that the data structure does not include duplicate values. Operations may include detecting multiple nodes with adjacent or overlapping ranges that may be combined into a single node, and adding or removing all the values in the structure that are beyond a threshold value. In one embodiment the data structure may be a balanced binary tree. Constraint solvers may either add values to the data structure as the values are eliminated from the solution, or they may remove those values.
US08521783B2 Highly reliable and scalable architecture for data centers
The present invention provides a highly reliable and scalable architecture for data centers. Work to be performed is divided into discrete work units. The work units are maintained in a pool of work units that may be processed by any number of different servers. A server may extract an eligible work unit and attempt to process it. If the processing of the work unit succeeds, the work unit is tagged as executed and becomes ineligible for other servers. If the server fails to execute the work unit for some reason, the work unit becomes eligible again and another server may extract and execute it. A server extracts and executes work units when they have available resources. This leads to the automatic load balancing of the data center.
US08521782B2 Methods and systems for processing large graphs using density-based processes using map-reduce
Embodiments are directed to a density-based clustering algorithm that decomposes and reformulates the DBSCAN algorithm to facilitate its performance on the Map-Reduce model. The DBSCAN algorithm is reformulated into connectivity problem using a density filter method and a partial connectivity detector. The density-based clustering algorithm uses message passing and edge adding to increase the speed of result merging, it also uses message mining techniques to further decrease the number of iterations to process the input graph. The algorithm is scalable, and can be accelerated by using more machines in a distributed computer network implementing the Map-Reduce program.
US08521780B2 Methods and systems for sharing email in a multi-tenant database system
An email object is provided in a multi-tenant database system that can be related to multiple people (e.g., contact, lead, user) or any object represented for storage in the multi-tenant database system via sharing relationships. The email object follows a sharing model such that an email inherits the sharing model or attributes of a parent record specified via sharing relationships. In various aspects, a sharing model provides users with a true value of a multi-tenant database system as users are more informed about communications concerning people or other objects represented for storage in the multi-tenant database system.
US08521778B2 Systems and methods for permissions-based profile repository service
In some embodiments, provided is a method that includes storing, by a profile repository service, respective profile information for one or more users. The method includes receiving, by the profile repository service, permissions input from a particular one of the one or more users specifying content of the particular user's profile information accessible to content providers. Further, the method included receiving, by the profile repository service, a request from a content provider for profile information for the particular user, wherein the content provider is distinct from the profile repository service. The method also includes providing, by the profile repository service in response to the request, profile information for the particular user to the content provider, wherein the profile information is provided according to the permissions input from the particular user, and wherein the profile information is used to generate content delivered to the particular user remotely from the profile repository service.
US08521777B2 Methods and apparatus for presentation of software as a service applications
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for flexible presentation of Software As A Service (SAAS) applications to one or more client devices such as multi-function devices (e.g., MFPs). A management system receives presentation layout information for subscribed SAAS applications from users and administrators, generates a menu of subscribed SAAS applications for presentation to a user on a display of the client device, and transmits the menu to a client device for presentation to the user on a display of the client device. The management system may also provide for user/administrator customization of the menu of applications available to users, and for revocation of applications by an administrator of the management system.
US08521776B2 Accessing data in a multi-generation database
A method for accessing data in a multi-generation database is provided. The method comprises receiving a request to access first data in the database, wherein the first data is located on a first page of the database; reading an entry corresponding to the first page to locate a first track on the first page to access a newest version of the data; acquiring a first lock to synchronize accesses to the first track; and determining that the first track stores the newest version of the data, in response to reading the entry while holding the first lock.
US08521770B1 Method for distributed RDSMS
Distributed Data Stream Management System (DDSMS) and the optimization strategies and capabilities enabled therein, and embodiments of its stream processing nodes are provided. Data recovery both from local buffered data and through recursive recovery are possible.
US08521769B2 Locating ambiguities in data
A system comprising an associative memory, an input module, a query module, and a display module. The input module is configured to receive a value within a first perspective of the associative memory. The query module is configured to perform an open query of the associative memory using the value, perform the open query within at least one of an insert perspective and a second perspective of the associative memory. The at least one of the insert perspective and the second perspective has as many or more category associations for the value relative to the first perspective. The display module is configured to display a result of the query and to display a list of one or more potential ambiguities that result from the open query.
US08521768B2 Data storage and management system
Methods (600-900) for optimizing performance of systems (100, 200). The methods involve determining if a device (108, 1081, 1082, . . . , 108N) has been deployed as a standalone device or a cluster device. The determination can be based on a value of a flag stored in the device (e.g., an appliance) or contents of device registration information stored in a master device of a cluster of devices. The methods also involve automatically delegating data management operations to a centralized Memory Management System (MMS) or a distributed MMS (210) based on results of said determination. The centralized MMS (110) performs relational database management operations (e.g., SQL operations) in response to said data management operations being delegated thereto. The distributed MMS performs grid database management operations (e.g., non-SQL based operations or key-value based operations) in response to said data management operations being delegated thereto.
US08521761B2 Transliteration for query expansion
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for identifying candidate synonyms of transliterated terms for query expansion. In one aspect, a method includes identifying multiple transliterated terms in a target language. For each transliterated term of the multiple transliterated terms in the target language, the transliterated term is mapped to one or more terms in a source language. For a first transliterated term of the multiple transliterated terms in the target language, one or more second transliterated terms of the multiple transliterated terms in the target language are identified as candidate synonyms of the first transliterated term, where each of the one or more second transliterated terms is mapped to at least one term in the source language that is also mapped from the first transliterated term.
US08521758B2 System and method of matching and merging records
A system and method of matching and merging records is disclosed herein. Embodiments comprise receiving, a plurality of records from a feed, wherein a record in the plurality of records from the feed may be either partial or complete. A processor executes fuzzy matching logic to determine whether one or more records in the plurality of records from the feed match an existing record. The processor then executes a merged of the one or more matching records with the existing record to form a merged composite record. Finally, the merged composite record is stored.
US08521757B1 Method and apparatus for template-based processing of electronic documents
Method and apparatus for template-based processing of electronic documents is described. In some examples, text content of the electronic documents is analyzed to identify whether each of the electronic documents matches any of a plurality of document templates. A template index is generated that relates at least one of the electronic documents with at least one of the plurality of document templates associated therewith. A search query is generated using at least one of the plurality of document templates as a respective at least one search parameter. An archive having the electronic documents is searched using the template index to locate any of the electronic documents that match the at least one document template of the search query.
US08521753B2 Unified formats for resources and repositories for managing localization
Tools and techniques for unified formats for resources and repositories for managing localization are described herein. The unified resource repositories may include representations of any number of resources, the resources representing textual information that is displayable in user interface presented by software applications. The representations of the resources may include respective data tags that are associated with name attributes identifying the resources, value tags providing values of the resources. Meta tags provide recursive nesting mechanisms for associating the name attribute and the value tag with additional instances of name attributes and value tags.
US08521752B2 Systems and methods for arbitrary data transformations
Methods for organizing data. The methods may comprise the step of receiving a write request comprising a data unit. The methods may also comprise the steps of organizing the data unit into a sub-file and incorporating the sub-file into a data file according to a log-structured organization system. In addition, the methods may include the step of writing the data file to a data storage according to a second organization system.
US08521751B2 Search device, a search method and a program
A search device, a search method and a program, are provided, which improve the search speed in a longest prefix or suffix match search. At the time of registration, the search device stores an inputted registered pattern, generates one or more set of a first character string which has a length of a multiple of a predetermined number of characters and a remaining second character string by dividing the registered pattern into two, obtains a plurality of hash values by applying a plurality of hash functions to the first character string, and updates the contents which the plurality of hash values indicate. The search device extracts a partial character string of the length which is equal to the estimated length from the search key and determines whether the partial character string which is extracted is registered.
US08521749B2 Document scoring based on document inception date
A system may determine a document inception date associated with a document, generate a score for the document based, at least in part, on the document inception date, and rank the document with regard to at least one other document based, at least in part, on the score.
US08521747B2 System and method for selectively consolidating applications to a machine using resource utilization data
A system and method of selectively consolidating applications on a machine comprises retrieving resource utilization data for a plurality of applications over a plurality of cycles for designated resource dimensions. A representative utilization profile is calculated on each application for each resource dimension. Load mean and variance values of the applications are calculated for each resource dimension. Each application is assigned to a class based the mean and variance values. A consolidation algorithm is computed on each application for each resource dimension to determine if resource consumption of the consolidated applications potentially exceed an available capacity in a machine.
US08521744B2 Apparatus and method for authoring data in communication system
An apparatus for authoring data in a communication system includes: an extraction unit configured to receive media corresponding to contents and extract contents information regarding the contents from the received media; a generation unit configured to generate a DMB ECG XML-based metadata comprising the extracted contents information; and a processing unit configured to visualize particulars of the DMB ECG XML-based metadata through a user interface and process the user interface so that the DMB ECG XML-based metadata is generated and edited on a template.
US08521737B2 Method and system for multi-tier image matching in a mixed media environment
A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system and associated techniques are disclosed. The MMR system provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types (e.g., printed paper as a first medium and digital content and/or web link as a second medium). In one particular embodiment, the MMR system provides for multi-tier image matching.
US08521736B2 Managing hierarchies of components
Described are methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products for managing a hierarchy of modules. A user can select a first hierarchy or a second hierarchy, where the first hierarchy includes a module and a first sub-module. The module is associated with a component and the first sub-module is associated with a first sub-component of the component. The module is associated with the first sub-module using a first hierarchical reference of a first type. The second hierarchy includes the module and a second sub-module, where the second sub-module is associated with the first sub-component. The module is associated with the second sub-module using a second hierarchical reference of a second type that is different from the first type.
US08521735B1 Anonymous personalized recommendation method
A computer-implemented method for an anonymous personalized recommendation is provided. The method includes receiving select server fingerprints selected from server fingerprints based on predetermined metrics. The server fingerprints correspond to a plurality of public entities and each server fingerprint includes encoded information about a corresponding public entity. The method also includes generating a user fingerprint based on user information associated with a user, the user fingerprint comprising encoded user information. The method further includes comparing the user fingerprint with the select server fingerprints to select a server fingerprint for recommendation, and generating a recommendation of a public entity corresponding to the server fingerprint for recommendation. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.
US08521727B2 Search apparatus, search method, and computer readable medium
A search apparatus searches graph data representing a graph including nodes and links. The search apparatus includes the following elements. An input receiving unit receives an input of a reference node indicating a search reference position on the graph and an input of a search condition indicating a condition satisfied by a node, a link, or a combination of a node and a link. A searching unit searches the graph data for a node, a link, or a combination of a node and a link that satisfies the search condition. A search result data generating unit generates search result data indicating at least one search result obtained by the searching unit, together with path data showing a path on the graph from the reference node to each of the at least one search result.
US08521725B1 Systems and methods for improved searching
Methods and systems for improved searching are described. In one of the described methods, a user enters a search query, and in response, a search engine receives a substantially complete initial search result set having a plurality of ranked article identifiers. The search engine automatically selects at least one of the article identifiers and provides a final result set in which the selected article identifier is ranked higher than in the initial search result set.
US08521724B2 Processing search queries using a data structure
According to an embodiment, there is provided a method of generating a data structure stored in computer memory for processing a search query in a network of interconnected nodes, wherein the method comprises selecting landmark nodes by the following steps and storing the selected landmark nodes in the data structure: sampling from the network nodes a first sample of vertex pairs, computing the shortest path for each vertex pair, each shortest path comprising a set of vertices between each vertex in the vertex pair; identifying a first landmark node which occurs in more of the shortest paths more often than any other vertex; removing from the network vertices shortest paths including the first landmark node and identifying a second landmark node which occurs in more of the remaining shortest paths than any other remaining vertex.
US08521719B1 Searchable and size-constrained local log repositories for tracking visitors' access to web content
A method and system for tracking visitors' access to web content using a searchable and size-constrained local log repository is disclosed. A repository indexer receives visitor logs from a remote source and indexes the logs to include a usage field indicating when or how frequently an associated visitor log was accessed from a local log repository by a report request manager. The local log repository stores the logs and is size constrained. A repository manager removes a subset of the logs in the local log repository based on parameters within the subset of the logs' usage field. The report request manager receives a request from a requestor for a report indicating visitors' access to a content object, searches for logs within the local log repository pertinent to the request, aggregates data across the logs responsive to the search, and generates a report presenting the aggregated data.
US08521718B1 Pre-computed impression lists
Systems, methods, and computer program products identify one or more web page impressions satisfying one or more simply queries, each of the one or more web page impressions associated with a respective impression ID. Respective impression IDs of the one or more web pages satisfying the one or more simple queries are stored in an impression log. Subsequent to storing the respective impression IDs, a query is received from a client device, and a number of impression IDs for the one or more web pages satisfying the query are identified based on the identified one or more web page impressions satisfying the one or more simple queries.
US08521717B2 Propagating information among web pages
Web pages of a Website may be processed to improve search results. For example, information likely to pertain to more than just the Web page it is directly associated with may be identified. One or more other, related, Web pages that such information is likely to pertain to is also identified. The identified information is associated with the identified other Web page(s) and this association is saved in a way to affect a search result score of the Web page(s).
US08521712B2 Method and system to enable navigation of data items
There are provided methods and systems to enable navigation of data items based on aspect-value pairs extracted from the data items. First, a system receives a query, Second, the system identifies a plurality of data items found by the query. Third, the system identifies an aspect of at least one of the plurality of data items, Fourth, the system identifies a value of a plurality of values corresponding to the aspect. Fifth, the system receives a request to navigate to a set of data items within the plurality of data items, the request comprising the aspect and a requested value of the plurality of value. Each one of the set of data items has the aspect and the value. Sixth, the system presents, in a user interface, information about each one of the set of data items.
US08521704B2 System and method for filesystem deduplication using variable length sharing
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and system for filesystem deduplication that uses both small fingerprint granularity and variable length sharing techniques. The method includes accessing, within an electronic system, a plurality of files in a primary storage filesystem and determining a plurality of fingerprints for the plurality of files. Each respective fingerprint may correspond to a respective portion of a respective file of the plurality of files. The method further includes determining a plurality of portions of the plurality of files where each of the plurality of portions has the same corresponding fingerprint and accessing a list comprising a plurality of portions of files previously deduplicated. A portion of a file of the plurality of files not present in the list may then be deduplicated. Consecutive portions of variables lengths having the same corresponding fingerprints may also be deduplicated.
US08521702B2 Method for aggregating web feed minimizing redundancies
When aggregating syndicated Web content, updated content is retrieved from predetermined Web feeds. The updated content is compared with stored content previously retrieved. If the updated content is determined to be different from the stored content, the updated content is stored. If the updated content is determined to be identical to the stored content, the updated content is delete.
US08521701B2 Reducing data transfer for matching patterns
A device may receive a packet, obtain data from the packet, store the data in a memory, and send a request to match a portion of the data to a set of patterns, the request identifying the portion in the memory. In addition, the device may access the portion in the memory based on the request, compare the accessed portion to the set of patterns, generate a result by comparing the accessed portion to the set of patterns, and output the result.
US08521691B1 Seamless migration between replication technologies
Traditional methods for migrating between replication technologies require stopping the old replication technology and starting with the new replication technology from scratch. Replicated data sizes can be very large (e.g., on the order of a petabyte) which can take a considerable amount of time, often several weeks, to read. During this time, replication is unavailable. Example embodiments of the present invention provide a method, apparatus and computer-program product for seamless migration from a preexisting replication service to a new replication service by configuring the new replication service, disabling the preexisting replication service enabling the new replication service. Example embodiments of the present invention also provide for querying storage to determine available replication sets, presenting a graphical user interface to a user to enable the user to select a replication set for migration and automatically performing the migration.
US08521689B2 Generation of a set of pre-filters from a set of event subscriptions to more efficiently select events of interest
A method, system and computer program product for achieving a balance between pre-filter efficiency and pre-filter throughput. Event subscriptions are obtained for a given event consumer. The event subscriptions define the events to be routed to this event consumer. Pre-filters of varying complexity and filtering power are constructed based on these event subscriptions. A balance between pre-filter efficiency and pre-filter throughput may be achieved by selecting the best pre-filter out of these constructed pre-filters to filter events to its associated event consumer. The best pre-filter is selected by comparing a complexity threshold (e.g., a limit for the number of atomic Boolean expressions in a pre-filter) with the actual complexity (e.g., the actual number of atomic Boolean expressions) for each constructed pre-filter and selecting the most complex pre-filter without exceeding the threshold.
US08521686B2 Concurrency control in a file system shared by application hosts
A manager program for managing virtual machines includes a process which receives a notification message indicating an occurrence of an event affecting a data storage unit in a data storage system that supports a shared file system. The notification message might have come from a virtual machine host or resulted from a hardware reconfiguration. The manager program then determines whether another virtual machine host is sharing the data storage unit. The manager program might make this determination by polling each of the virtual machine hosts it manages or by checking information previously collected and stored in a database. If another virtual machine host is sharing the data storage unit, the manager program sends a refresh message to that virtual machine host that causes the virtual machine host to update information relating to the data storage unit in a cache associated with the virtual machine host.
US08521685B1 Background movement of data between nodes in a storage cluster
A method, system, apparatus, and computer-readable medium are described for the background movement of data between nodes in a storage cluster. According to one method, exception tables are generated that include data identifying the areas on each node that need to be migrated to another node and the areas on each node that are to be migrated from another node. The exception tables may be generated in response to the failure of a node in the storage cluster or in other circumstances. A background resynchronization thread utilizes the contents of the exception tables to migrate data between the nodes of the cluster, thereby synchronizing the data stored on the nodes. Input/output operations directed to an area that is to be migrated from another node are redirected to the other node in accordance with a timeout period associated with the input/output operations.
US08521684B2 System and method for aligning data frames in time
A method and apparatus for merging data acquired by two or more capture devices from two or more points in a computer system, frames are compared for duplicates, then duplicate frames are analyzed to determine the time difference between the timestamps of a first capture device and a second capture device. If the duplicate frames are the first set of duplicate frames discovered, then all previous timestamps and all subsequent timestamps from the second capture device are adjusted by the time difference. If duplicate frames are again discovered, the time difference is recalculated and all subsequent frames from the second capture device are adjusted by the recalculated time difference. After all the frames have been analyzed and the timestamps adjusted, the frames are merged together and put into chronological order to simulate a single capture of data encompassing all of the points where the data was collected.
US08521683B2 Image input apparatus and information registration method
A disclosed image input apparatus is connected via a network to one or more information processing apparatuses and is capable of registering multiple service entries at once according to a registration request sent from any one of the information processing apparatuses. The disclosed image input apparatus includes a service entry storage space; a service entry area reservation unit configured to reserve service entry areas in the service entry storage space; and a service entry update unit configured to register the service entries in the reserved service entry areas if available and to register the service entries in non-reservation areas of the service entry storage space if the reserved service entry areas are not available.
US08521673B2 Parallel processing device and parallel processing method
A parallel processing device that computes a hierarchical neural network includes: a plurality of units identified by a characteristic unit numbers; a control section that outputs control data, including an input value and a selection unit number, to the plurality of units; and a storage section that stores a plurality of coupling weights, each of the coupling weights being associated with layer information. Each of the units includes: a data input section that receives control data from the control section; a unit number match judgment section that judges whether the selection unit number matches the characteristic unit number; a unit processing section that computes the output value; and a data output section that outputs the output value to the control section when the unit number judgement section judges that the selection unit number matches the characteristic unit number.
US08521669B2 Neural associative memories based on optimal bayesian learning
This invention is in the field of machine learning and neural associative memory. In particular the invention discloses a neural associative memory structure for storing and maintaining associations between memory address patterns and memory content patterns using a neural network, as well as methods for storing and retrieving such associations. Bayesian learning is applied to achieve non-linear learning.
US08521668B2 Model for reconstructing a causation process from time varying data describing an event and for predicting the evolution dynamics of the event
A method of reconstructing a causation process from time varying data describing an event, the data consisting in a certain number of entities each having a position in a space, and each of the entities being characterized by at least a quantity or value relatively to at least one feature and in the quantity or value relatively to at least one of the features of the entities at least at two different times or at each time instant of a sequence of time instants; the method describing the higher likelihood transition of all entities i, j from the time n to the time n+1 as a function of the position coordinate of the entity I and of the entity j and the quantity of the at least one feature of the entity I and of the entity j at the time n and at the time n+1: Mi,j[n,n+1]=ψ(xi,yi,qi[n],qi[n+1],xj,yj,qj[n],qj[n+1]). the function determining the strength of the connection between each entity i at time n and each other entity j at time n+1; the method determining the source causing changes in quantity of the entity j from the time n to the time n+1 as the entity i for which the strength of connection is a maximum. The invention relates also to a method of predicting the evolution dynamics of an event or process starting from the information about the causation process obtained from the above function.
US08521666B2 Case acquisition for incremental Case-Based Reasoning system
A method and system are presented that simplify acquisition of cases for an incremental Case-Based Reasoning system. Case acquisition closely follows the normal problem-solving process and cases are automatically created in a form suitable for the CBR runtime. The method and system rely on the fact that the CBR runtime is already capable of taking the input data and constructing a case in a form that corresponds to the library cases. The problem-solving mode is transformed into the case-acquisition mode by replacing the ‘choose next action’ step in the incremental CBR algorithm by a step that generates a set of all applicable actions given the current content of the session case and the model. From these the user can choose an action that corresponds to an action from the real-world case description. This is repeated as part of the incremental CBR loop until a full case has been acquired.
US08521663B1 Community-selected content
The value of a target variable is predicted by obtaining historical values for the target variable at each of several time points and obtaining previously predicted values and currently predicted values for each of several predictor variables, the predictor variables being different from the target variable. Values are assigned to parameters of a forecasting model to obtain the best fit of the previously predicted values for the predictor variables to the historical values for the target variable. Finally, a value of the target variable is predicted from the currently predicted values for at least a subset of the predictor variables using the forecasting model and the values assigned to the parameters of the forecasting model.
US08521657B2 Systems and methods for capturing mail for electronic bill presentment
A system and method of identifying a mailpiece (230) in an electronic bill presentment system is provided. The system identifies the mailpiece based on an identification mark. A method of identifying the mailpiece comprises (450) the steps of scanning the mailpiece for the identification mark (940). The system receives registration information (210, 410) from a customer and sorts the mailpiece based on the identification mark (950).
US08521656B2 Systems and methods for providing extended shipping options
Techniques for providing extended shipping options are described. In some embodiments, a user may specify extended shipping options that are not otherwise provided by or accessible via an existing shipment information specification user interface. In one embodiment, the user accesses a module configured to facilitate specification of extended shipping options and in response, provide an indicator of the specified extended shipping option, such as a tag or uniform resource identifier. The indicator of the extended shipping option is then incorporated into a user interface element, such as an address field, of the shipment information specification user interface. Once the user finalizes the order, the indicator of the extended shipping option is transmitted along with other shipment information items to a merchant and/or carrier system, where services specified by the extended shipping option are initiated.
US08521655B2 Engine, system and method for providing cloud-based business intelligence
An engine, system and method for providing cloud-based business intelligence data, responsively to received company information, including a local front end comprising a graphical user interface capable of locally querying a user for an electronic location of the received company information, and ones of the business intelligence data to be displayed on the graphical user interface upon upload of the received company information from the electronic location, and further including an at least partially remote back end, comprising an accessing engine capable of accessing the electronic location for uploading to the cloud of only ones of the received company information indicative of the ones of the business data intelligence to be displayed, and a charging engine for charging an account of a user of the front end $1 per the ones of the business intelligence data to be displayed.
US08521650B2 Method and service for providing access to premium content and dispersing payment therefore
A method and system for providing premium content and dispersing payment therefore. The method includes entering into an agreement with at least one partner that provides premium content and entering into an agreement with at least one customer that grants the customer access to premium content provided by at least one partner. The method further includes collecting defined parameter data of at least one customer accessing the premium content and dispersing payment to at least one partner where the payment is determined from the defined parameter data. The defined parameter data can be approximate time spent.
US08521647B2 Lock-and-key consumer billing data protection for telemarketing
A “lock-and-key” consumer billing data protection capability is provided to telemarketing systems which are based upon previously-acquired consumer lists. The lists contain only partial billing information for each consumer, which is insufficient to access the consumer's account. Thus, at the time a telemarketer employing this capability communicates with a consumer to offer them a product or service, the telemarketer, the seller and any entity hired to perform billing operations for such consumer purchases all remain “locked” out from accessing the consumer's account. When the consumer wishes to authorize the purchase of an offered product or service, the consumer must “reach into their wallet” to provide the “key” to their account, which is the missing billing information not acquired from the third-party list provider.
US08521646B2 System and method for assigning an initial transaction fee tier to a vendor in a payment system with a variable transaction fee
A system makes payments from a payer to a vendor and assesses a variable transaction fee to the vendor. The system comprises a database which associates, for each of a community of payers, identification a rate tier assigned to each vendor to which the payer makes payment. A tier assignment application determines a tier to assign to a vendor by determining: i) an industry sensitivity score based on the type of business the vendor operates; ii) a payer centric spend score; iii) a payer centric frequency score; iv) a network spend score; and iv) a network frequency score. The tier assigned to the vendor is a function of these scores. A payment application, when making payment from the payer to the vendor, determines a transaction fee to apply to the payment by multiplying the payment amount by a transaction rate associated with the tier assigned to the vendor.
US08521636B2 Automated spectrum exchange system and method
A method for the transfer of rights associated with spectrum between parties in which spectrum is a tradable commodity. In one embodiment, data is received from a spectrum holder that defines a spectrum offering by frequency, time, and geographic area to identify available spectrum from the holder. A spectrum query that defines aspects of spectrum being sought by a spectrum user is also received and matched to one or more spectrum offerings. A transactional process is hosted by receiving a bid or rebid from the spectrum user for a matched spectrum offering and receiving a counteroffer from the spectrum holder that posted the matched spectrum offering. Each spectrum offering, bid, rebid, and counteroffer specifies price, frequency, time, and geographic area information in a standardized format to allow parties to market, locate, and transfer spectrum use rights with relative ease, faster transaction time, and lower expense.
US08521630B2 Curve engine
Systems and methods for pricing financial instruments include constructing, via at least one computing device comprising one or more processors executing computer-executable instructions stored in memory, a virtual financial complex network comprising one or more interrelated financial markets. Market color data related to at least one of the financial markets is then blended with price data to determine blended pricing information. This blended pricing information is then used to define an objective function that when solved, via an optimization model, determines a minimum market price for each financial instrument across the one or more financial markets.
US08521629B2 Gift card services for mobile devices
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for gift card services. In general, data characterizing a request to provide a merchant credit service to an intended recipient is received and a message to be sent to the intended recipient is generated, where the message characterizes a phone number to call to activate the merchant credit service. Data characterizing authentication by a call to the phone number to activate the merchant credit service from the mobile phone number of the intended recipient is received, where the authentication includes checking caller identification of the call to ensure the call is from the mobile phone number of the intended recipient. The merchant credit service is activated. Credit associated with an account of a merchant credit service may be redeemed by providing an account number of the service. Redemption may be authorized based on caller identification of a mobile phone number associated with an account.
US08521627B2 Systems and methods for facilitating electronic securities transactions
A method for facilitating securities transactions is shown. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying, by a computer system from an OMS comprising a plurality of stored security orders, a subset of orders specifying at least a minimum available quantity; transmitting, by the computer system to an ETM, a non-binding indication corresponding to one order of the subset of orders, the non-binding indication comprising a security identifier and the order type; receiving, by the computer system, an indication that a match exists to the non-binding indication; determining, by the computer system, a total available quantity for the order corresponding to the non-binding indication; and transmitting, by the OMS, a binding order corresponding to the non-binding indication, the binding order comprising the determined total available quantity. Corresponding systems are also described.
US08521626B1 System and method for enhanced generation of invoice payment documents
Enhanced systems and methods for processing invoices, checks, and money transfers are described. Various aspects include the following: Invoices are compared to distinguishing features of known templates. Templates of matching features are used to extract data in the invoices. Enhanced payment documents are generated to include images of related invoices to ensure proper deposit. Payee information solicited from a payee is printed on an endorsement section of a check payable to the payee to ensure proper deposit. The payee information can be verified through a mock transaction. Unique invoice numbers and payor numbers are included in invoices to ensure proper accreditation of payments of the invoices. Money transfers among accounts of different banks are effected through master accounts in the different banks.
US08521624B2 Method for accounting information handling in an interworking
A method for accounting information handling in an interworking is provided. A method for processing accounting information by a gateway device includes sending an accounting request message to a first electronic device, and receiving a response message from a first electronic device, the response message responsive to the accounting request message. The accounting request message is related to a communications device attached to the first network. The method also includes processing accounting information. The processing is based on the response message, the gateway device and the first electronic device are part of the first network, the communications device is accessing a second network through the first network, and the communications device has a subscription only with the second network.
US08521622B2 Computer system for managing part order placement
A computer program is embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium. The computer program manages order of parts according to a production plan. The computer program, when run on a computer, controls the computer to execute functions comprising developing a plurality of parts necessary to produce a product which comprises at least one of a first product model and a second product model, and required volume of each of the parts according to the product model. The program also controls the computer to compare parts which were developed and required volume of the parts for the first product model with the parts which were developed and required volume of the parts for the second product model. A difference is calculated between volume of the parts necessary for production of the first product model and volume of the parts necessary to produce the second product model concerning each of the parts for the first and the second product models according to an input of a production change from the first product model for which parts have been ordered to the second product model. The program then controls the computer to display the parts and volume of the parts necessary to produce the second product model in association with the difference on a display screen.
US08521621B1 Consistent interface for inbound delivery request
A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to an inbound delivery request business object.
US08521618B2 Method and system for illustrating where a ticket is located in an event venue
A system accepts event criteria for at least one ticket and at least one event; accepts price criteria for the ticket(s) and the event(s); displays an interactive graphics-based event venue map illustrating a location of all sections at a venue with at least one ticket meeting the event and price criteria; accepts section selection criteria, at least one section being selected from the interactive graphics-based event venue map; displays ticket information to allow a user to drill down to a specific ticket, cause a location of the specific ticket to be displayed in the interactive venue map; and enable a capability to utilize the interactive venue map to choose a section of interest, causing corresponding ticket information to be displayed in the web browsing language.
US08521617B2 Related product system and method
Computer-implemented systems and methods for automatically creating a second customized product design incorporating information from a first customized product design. Information from a first custom product design is automatically combined with additional automatically selected content to create a new custom product to be promoted to the customer. When possible, information known about the customer, such as the customer's geographic location or business interests, is used to select the additional content for incorporation into the design.
US08521613B2 Expense tracking, electronic ordering, invoice presentment, and payment system and method
Systems and methods for tracking and billing expenses throughout a transaction, such as the sale or management of a real estate property. In one embodiment, a budget is created that details expected incomes on the property and costs associated with the sale or management of the property. The budget may be developed in accordance with specifications, such as line item maxima or total budget maxima, developed by the owner of the property. After a vendor has delivered goods or services described in the budget, the vendor creates an electronic invoice. Payment is delivered to the vendor through an Automated Clearing House system.
US08521609B2 Systems and methods for marketplace listings using a camera enabled mobile device
Computer-implemented systems and methods for generating marketplace listings using a camera enabled mobile device are described in which a request is received via a camera enabled mobile device to list one or more sale items. An image taken by the camera enable mobile device and depicting the one or more sale items is received. Image recognition is performed on the received image to identify the one or more sale items. Based on the identification of the one or more sale items depicted in the image, a set of descriptive data is automatically generated. The one or more sale items are listed on a marketplace using the image and the automatically generated set of descriptive data.
US08521607B2 Archiving system and process for transaction records
Systems and algorithmic processes directed to a user system, a provider system and a storage system. The provider system receives, from the user system, a request for a transaction to be performed by the provider system. The requested transaction includes a purchase of goods or a conduction of services between a user of the user system and a provider of the provider system. Upon completion of the request, the provider system transmits a record of the transaction to the storage system. The storage system is independent of the user system and the provider system. The record includes details of the transaction including the goods purchased or services conducted between the user and the provider.
US08521602B2 System and method of global electronic market of educational services in the internet
A system and a method of global electronic market of educational services in the Internet are provided. The method of operating a global electronic market of educational services for consumers of educational services and educational establishments via the Internet includes registering the consumers of educational services and the educational establishments; providing information regarding offers of the consumers of educational services and the educational establishments to the registered consumers of educational services and educational establishments accordingly; selecting partners in the market of educational services based on the provided information; holding competitions for student's vacancies; conducting contracts between consumers of educational services and educational establishments; providing additional services of the system of global electronic market of educational services.
US08521601B1 Marketing and selling feature length movies over networks
Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for marketing and selling feature length movies over one or more networks. One method of marketing includes placing, at plural different internet locations, advertisements to purchase a feature length movie (FLM) before the FLM is publicly available to buy on digital video disk (DVD); soliciting, before the FLM is publicly available to buy on DVD, public individuals not previously affiliated with the FLM to become salespeople who sell the FLM over network spaces belonging to the public individuals; and compensating a salesperson for each sale of the FLM that occurs as a result of an advertisement at network spaces belonging to the salesperson.
US08521594B1 Directed content to anonymized users
A computer-implemented method for identifying directed content without access to personally-identifiable information of a user includes receiving a group identifier that identifies a group to which the user belongs and an identifier for a device of the user; selecting content that is determined to be responsive to preferences of the group, without using information that identifies the user; and providing the selected content for display on the device of the user.
US08521591B1 Methods and systems for correlating connections between users and links between articles
Methods and systems for correlating connections between users and links between articles to identify search and/or ad spamming are disclosed. Social networks can be used to identify connections between users for correlation with links between articles, which can be identified through searches of article contents and/or back tracing accesses to articles. One disclosed method comprises identifying first associations between a plurality of users in a network of associated users; identifying second associations between one or more users and one or more articles; identifying third associations between at least some of the articles or between some of the users and access to some of the articles; and determining at least one of the third associations is correlated with one or more of the first associations.
US08521590B1 Systems and methods for assessing consumers' product brand loyalty
Disclosed are systems and methods for assessing consumers' emotional attachment to product brand for targeted advertising, development of new products, valuation of products, brand marketing and other purposes. A method for determining consumer product brand loyalty is provided by quantifying a consumer's emotional attachment to a consumer product brand. The consumer's emotional attachment to a consumer product brand is indicated by the consumer's willingness to give up the consumer product brand. The willingness to give up the consumer product brand is measured, and applied to commercial uses such as advertising, marketing, product research and development and valuation of brands.
US08521585B2 System and method for using voice over a telephone to access, process, and carry out transactions over the internet
A method for executing a transaction related to an item or a service using a telephone includes providing information identifying the item or the service, providing a query as to a transaction to be performed in which the transaction is related to the identified item or service, and sending to a server system a request to execute the transaction related to the identified item or service in response to a user answer. The transaction is executed without the user performing a single action on a computer interface.
US08521584B1 Co-sponsored content
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for distribution of co-sponsored content items. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a first bid from a first content distributor and a second bid from a second content distributor, where each of the bids specifying respective amounts that the different content distributors will pay for distribution of respective content. Using the first and the second bid, a total bid is computed for a co-sponsored content item that includes the first content and the second content. A request is received for content to be presented in a presentation slot of a publisher property and the co-sponsored content item is selected for presentation based on the outcome of an auction performed using the total bid as one of a plurality of bids. In turn, data that cause presentation of the co-sponsored content item in the presentation slot of the publisher property are provided.
US08521582B2 System and method for collaborative affinity marketing
In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and system for collaborative affinity marketing including a processor, an aggregator, a participant, and a merchant. The method and system include enrolling with the collaborative affinity marketing by the aggregator, participant, and merchant; assigning a participant identification code to the participant; storing enrollment information of the aggregator, participant, and merchant; providing the participant identification code to the merchant, when the participant initiates a purchase transaction with the merchant; storing the participant identification code and amount of purchase transaction by the merchant; sending the stored participant identification code, the amount of purchase transaction, and funds corresponding to a portion of the amount of purchase transaction to the processor; and sending a portion of the funds received by the processor from the merchant to the aggregator.
US08521580B2 Targeting promotional electronic coupons based on user item sampling ratings
Items—including gourmet products—are evaluated and rated by participants in a controlled event, which can be coordinated by software locally or at a dedicated website. Event data, including item scores and participant scores can be shared with vendors, merchants and other commercial entities associated with the products. Promotional incentives from such entities for the products (and related products) can then be directly targeted and provided to participants and other members of the public. The participant's activities can also be collected and disseminated to affiliates/friends of the participants through social networking sites, personalized web pages, etc.
US08521577B2 Method and system for paratransit run-cutting
A method and system for paratransit run-cutting is provided. A target number of paratransit vehicles is determined for each of a set of time intervals. A target number of trips corresponding to the target number of paratransit vehicles is generated for each time interval, each of said mock trips being defined such that a vehicle performing one of said mock trips in one of said time intervals is able to perform any of said mock trips in an immediately subsequent one of said time intervals. The target number of mock trips for each of the time intervals is entered into a fixed-route transit run-cutting application. Paratransit runs are created using fixed-route transit runs generated by said fixed-route transit run-cutting application.
US08521567B2 Insurance exchange
An insurance exchange for providing a neutral, unbiased and automated lead generating platform for interaction, relating to insurance products and services, between a set of users and a set of providers. The system integrates the processes involved in an insurance lifecycle including quote management, endorsement and claims assistance using a single unique code. The unique code captures minute details of the insurance product's lifecycle which can be tracked and retrieved for processing requisitions at any stage of the insurance lifecycle by the system. Moreover, the system gives a user the flexibility to use/enroll to the system at any time within the life of purchased Insurance product. Thus, the insurance exchange is a one-stop shop for a user for any insurance stream including life, non-life, takaful or micro to compare benefits and prices, choose and avail any insurance product or service and also to redress his grievances.
US08521563B2 Systems and methods for managing at-home medical prevention, recovery, and maintenance
A web-based method implemented by at least one computing device for automating a medical treatment plan is described. Content related to a program that is associated with a medical treatment is identified. The identified content is digitized. The digitized content is stored in a database. The identified content is provided to a patient via a user interface to assist the patient who is associated with the medical treatment.
US08521562B2 Illness specific diagnostic system
A method for diagnosing diseases in human subjects and a computer system implementing the method. The novel method uses historical patient medical records to create tables, which are used by a medical center to determine what diagnostic test is associated with confirmation of a disease in question. The method provides nonparametric, retrospective, disease cohort, rank ordered, weighted concatenation tables, which are unique to a disease and specific to the medical center where they are created, with prospective application. The method is more efficient and effective than presently used methods.
US08521556B2 Integration of physiological models in medical decision support systems
When generating a model of physiological systems in a patient, differential equations representing parameters and variables in the systems are linked together to form one or more sub-models (e.g., one for each physiological system), which in turn are linked together to form the patient model. Simulations of hypothetical clinical situations are then run on the model to solve for the variables, and the solutions are output as decision support data for review by a clinician to facilitate a determination of a treatment of diagnosis for the patient. Additionally, model predictions can be compared to actual measurements, when available, and the model can be refined or optimized as a function of the comparison.
US08521554B2 Presenting related results during medication administration documentation
Computerized methods and systems for receiving clinically-relevant discrete task assays related to a medication and for presenting results of the clinically-relevant discrete task assays during documentation of administration of the medication are provided. Medication identifiers are received and associated with discrete task assays, the results of which may be relevant to administration of the identified medication. Upon receipt of an indication that a clinician desires to administer the identified medication to a patient, the patient's electronic medical record is searched to determine if a result for any associated discrete task assays has been documented within a predefined time frame. If there is such a documented result, the result is presented in association with the location of the electronic medical record where administration of the medication is being documented.
US08521553B2 Identification of health risks and suggested treatment actions
Using a brokerage system, a consumer of services is matched with a service provider and a comprehensive health management plan is generated for the consumer during the consumer's interaction with the brokerage system. The brokerage system uses a rules engine to identify one or more conditions of the consumer's health and generate one or more follow-up actions based at least in part on the consumer's identified health condition. The consumer is notified of at least one of the identified conditions and the generated follow-up actions.
US08521552B2 System and method for providing a medical device to a patient
A computer-implemented system and method for providing a medical device to a patient, including recording, by medical personnel, information specific to a patient; automatically selecting a portion of the recorded patient information; transmitting the selected portion of the recorded patient information to a provider of the medical device; automatically selecting the medical device based on the transmitted patient information; transmitting information describing the selected medical device from the provider of the medical device to the medical personnel; and providing the selected medical device to the patient.
US08521545B2 Property sale application and tracking system
A property sate application system, such as for a tax deed, is provided that receives sale applications. The tax deed application can include information associated with a parcel, certificate information associated with a tax certificate associated with the parcel, and investor information associated with an investor associated with the at least one tax certificate. The system can enter data representative of the application into a database, transmit the application for review, and retrieve parcel information related to the identification information, the certificate information, or the investor information. The system may update the application data in the tax deed database based at least in part on the parcel information, receive a title search request based at least in part on the parcel information, transmit the title search request for processing, provide a status identifier representative of a current status of the tax deed application, and update the status identifier.
US08521544B2 Method to negotiate for wireless services
A system (100) and method (300) are disclosed to negotiate for wireless services. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method that operates in a communication device (116) for commercially negotiating (304-326) with a service provider for wireless services offered by way of a wireless access point (WAP) (114) managed by the service provider. Alternatively, the system may include a method that operates in a wireless services management system (WSMS) (102) for commercially negotiating with the communication device operated by the end user for wireless services offered by way of a WAP managed by the WSMS. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08521538B2 Voice assistant system for determining activity information
A system and method of assisting a care provider in the documentation of self-performance and support information for a resident or person includes a speech dialog with a care provider that uses the generation of speech to play to the care provider and the capture of speech spoken by a care provider. The speech dialog provides assistance to the care provider in providing care for a person according to a care plan for the person. The care plan includes one or more activities requiring a level of performance by the person. For the activity, speech inquiries are provided to the care provider, through the speech dialog, regarding performance of the activity by the person and regarding care provider assistance in the performance of the activity by the person. Speech input is captured from the care provider that is responsive to the speech inquiries. A code is then determined from the speech input and the code indicates the self-performance of the person and support information for a care provider for the activity.
US08521536B1 Mobile voice self service device and method thereof
A Mobile Voice Self Service (MVSS) mobile device and method thereof. A VoiceXML browser that is implemented directly on the MVSS mobile device may request a VoiceXML application from a VoiceXML application server and process it. A call data manager may also be implemented on the MVSS mobile device and may provide call data that, in conjunction with data from the VoiceXML application server, may authorize access to advanced Media Resource Control Protocol (MRCP) services, such as Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) or Text-To-Speech (TTS). A media resource gateway may then provide the advanced MRCP services to the VoiceXML application processed by the VoiceXML application browser. Hotkey navigations and bookmarked application points to VoiceXML applications may be created and applied through application analysis and state tracking. Therein, VoiceXML document transitions and user input are stored to maintain application state changes until the user requests creation of an application bookmark.
US08521531B1 Displaying additional data about outputted media data by a display device for a speech search command
A speech search method for a display device is discussed. The method includes the steps of outputting media data, receiving a speech search command from a user, and determining whether the speech search command includes a query term. If the speech search command does not include a query term, the method further comprises the step of extracting a query term which is full and searchable from audio data of the media data which is outputted immediately prior to the speech search command. Finally, the method includes the step of performing a speech search using the extracted query term.
US08521518B2 Device and method for acoustic communication
An acoustic communication method and device are provided that filter an audio signal to attenuate a high frequency section of the audio signal. A residual signal is generated that corresponds to a difference between the audio signal and the filtered signal. A psychoacoustic mask is generated for the audio signal based on a predetermined psychoacoustic model. A psychoacoustic spectrum mask is generated by combining the residual signal with the psychoacoustic mask, an acoustic communication signal is generating by modulating digital data according to the acoustic signal spectrum mask, the acoustic communication signal is combined with the filtered signal, and radiating, by a speaker, the combined acoustic communication signal and the filtered signal in a form of sound waves.
US08521511B2 Information extraction in a natural language understanding system
A method of extracting information from text within a natural language understanding system can include processing a text input through at least one statistical model for each of a plurality of features to be extracted from the text input. For each feature, at least one value can be determined, at least in part, using the statistical model associated with the feature. One value for each feature can be combined to create a complex information target. The complex information target can be output.
US08521509B2 Word association method and apparatus
A method for creating and using a cross-idea association database that includes a method for associating words and word strings in a language by analyzing word formations around a word or word string to identify other words or word strings that are equivalents or near equivalents semantically. One method for associating words and word strings includes querying a collection of documents with a user-supplied word or word string, determining a user-defined amount of words or word strings to the left and right of the query string, determining the frequency of occurrence of words or word strings located on the left and right of the query string, and ranking the located words.
US08521506B2 Computer-implemented method, computer software and apparatus for use in a translation system
A computer-implemented method for use in natural language translation comprises performing in software processes, the steps of: comparing source material with stored material in a first natural language, said stored material having previously been translated from said first natural language to at least a second natural language, identifying at least a part of said source material which has a relationship with at least a part of said stored material, outputting said identified part of source material and said identified part of stored material in a form suitable for review by a user, and replacing said identified part of source material with said identified part of stored material to assist full translation of said source material from said first natural language to at least said second natural language.
US08521505B2 String pattern conceptualization from detection of related concepts by analyzing substrings with common prefixes and suffixes
A reference string set including a group of strings is set. At least two specific tuples of substring triples is found inside the reference string set of strings. Each tuple is considered as a candidate for representing a related concept. Each concatenation of the substrings triples is an explicit member of the reference string set. Each middle substring of the substring triples is unequal to another middle substring within the substring triples found inside the reference string set. Each prefix substring is equal to all other prefix substrings within the substring triples found inside the reference string set. Each suffix substring is equal to all other suffix substrings within the substring triples found inside the reference string set. Either the prefix substring or the suffix substring is not empty.
US08521502B2 Passing non-architected registers via a callback/advance mechanism in a simulator environment
Embodiments of the invention provide a method of calculating performance counter data for a computer simulator, while minimizing the performance costs associated with cycle-accurate simulation. A callback may be associated with the instructions of a user program and, when the instructions are executed, the associated callbacks may be executed as well. Upon execution, the callbacks may calculate performance counter data related to the associated instruction.
US08521501B2 Real-time performance modeling of application in distributed environment and method of use
A system and method of managing computing systems and, more particularly, to a system and method for modeling applications in a network. The method includes determining dependency of components in a shared distributed computing environment and measuring consumption of the dependent components. The method further includes building a model to compare component behavior with a current load of the dependent components to optimize component performance or to find a deviation and hence a “troubled spot”. The system includes a local agent configured to perform the method and to provide data to a centralized storage.
US08521498B2 Simulation device and simulation method
A simulation method for a cascade communication system comprising a nodes sequence numbered as 1 to N from a transmitter to a receiver, comprises: acquiring simulation parameters; calculating reverse transfer functions of the nodes; determining a current node in the sequence; adding noise that should be added at the current node to a simulation signal of a previous node; simulating the current node to generate a simulation signal of the current node, by using the simulation signal of the previous node added with the noise that should be added at the current node, based on the reverse transfer function of the current node; judging whether simulations of all the nodes are completed; if yes, repeating the adding and the simulating; if not, determining a cost of the based on the simulation signal of the current node.
US08521485B1 Simulation of integrated circuit power grid networks
Approaches for analyzing a power grid of an integrated circuit are described. In one embodiment, a method includes selecting at least one portion of the integrated circuit to be analyzed. A power grid model corresponding to the integrated circuit is retrieved from a database, and a first simulation of the programmable integrated circuit is performed. The first simulation generates a respective waveform of an electrical characteristic over time for each connection of a component within the selected portion to voltage supply or voltage ground. A simulation is performed of the power grid model using the respective waveforms as input stimulus for each connection in the selected portion.
US08521483B1 Method and apparatus for concurrent design of modules across different design entry tools targeted to single simulation
A method of generating a representation of an electronic circuit across a plurality of design entry tools includes extracting a first partial circuit including a first plurality of first electronic components from a first partition, extracting a second partial circuit including a second plurality of second electronic components from a second partition, generating a simulation block in the first design entry tool including an interface between the first and second partitions, exporting a first netlist representing the interconnection of the first electronic components in the first partial circuit, populating the simulation block in the second design entry tool to include a second netlist representing the interconnection of the second electronic components in the second partial circuit and the interface between the first and second partitions, and exporting the second netlist to stitch the extracted first and second partial circuits using the interface between the first and second partitions.
US08521475B2 Detecting and recording performance events in a data processing system
A method and apparatus in a data processing system. The apparatus includes a performance event record generation component for generating a performance event record according to the system clock for a performance event monitored in the data processing system and a performance event record storage component for storing the performance event record generated by the performance event record generation component. The method in a data processing system according to the present invention includes the steps of: generating a performance event record based on the system clock for a performance event monitored in the data processing system; storing the generated performance event record; and arbitrating the storage conflict when multiple performance event records are generated at the same time in the step of generating a performance event record, in order to determine the storage order of the performance event records.
US08521472B2 Method to compute wait time
A requesting critical wait time of a given resource may be determined. The requesting critical wait time is the time spent by the one or more resources waiting for the given resource, wherein at least one of the resources waiting for the given resource can proceed if access to the given resource is granted. A requested by critical wait time for a resource is determined, the requested by critical wait time being time spent by the resource for waiting solely for the given resource, wherein if the resource were granted access to the given resource, the resource can proceed without further waiting.
US08521465B2 General purpose protocol engine
In one embodiment, a protocol aware circuit for automatic test equipment, which includes a protocol generation circuit constructed to retrieve protocol unique data and format the protocol unique data with a selected protocol definition corresponding to a device under test for testing the device under test. The protocol generation circuit may be constructed to retrieve the selected protocol definition from a protocol definition table.
US08521464B2 Accelerating automatic test pattern generation in a multi-core computing environment via speculatively scheduled sequential multi-level parameter value optimization
Systems and methods provide acceleration of automatic test pattern generation in a multi-core computing environment via multi-level parameter value optimization for a parameter set with speculative scheduling. The methods described herein use multi-core based parallel runs to parallelize sequential execution, speculative software execution to explore possible parameter sets, and terminate/prune runs when the optimum parameter value is found at a previous level. The present invention evaluates the design prior to the implementation of the compression IP so that it can define the configuration of DFT and ATPG to maximize the results of compression as measured by test data volume and test application time.
US08521460B2 Multi-domain test and measurement instrument
A test and measurement instrument including an input port configured to receive an input signal; a digitizer configured to digitize the input signal; a decimator coupled to the digitizer and configured to decimate the digitized input signal to generate a decimated input signal; a digital downconverter coupled to the digitizer and configured to frequency shift the digitized input signal to generate a frequency shifted input signal; and a memory configured to store the decimated input signal and the frequency shifted input signal.
US08521458B2 Apparatus and method for detecting charged state of electric storage device
Provided is an apparatus for detecting state of charge (SOC) of a battery. A voltage of a battery pack (100) is detected by voltage sensors (120-1) to (120-n). A determining unit (160) samples currents at times when the battery voltage reaches predetermined threshold voltages (Vth1, Vth2) respectively, and calculates an open end voltage (Vocv), based on representative values (I1, I2) of the sampled currents and threshold voltages (Vth1, Vth2). Furthermore, based on a correspondence relationship between the voltage (Vocv) and the state of charge (SOC) which is determined in advance, the state of charge (SOC) that corresponds to the calculated voltage (Vocv) is calculated.
US08521457B2 User designated measurement display system and method for NDT/NDI with high rate input data
A user configured measurement display system and method for a non-destructive testing device and instrument (NDT/NDI) with high input data rate is disclosed. The system and the method provide the means for NDT/NDI instruments display measurement values that satisfies user designated measurement criterion occurring during any measurement time intervals (MTIs). The present disclosure overcomes the shortcomings of conventional ways of picking and displaying measurement values at fixed MTIs, by which the values truly satisfying the measurement criterion that occurs at random MTIs (other than scheduled MTIs) are often skipped.
US08521456B2 State estimation method and state estimation apparatus of electric storage element
A method includes the steps of calculating the temperature of a reference point in an electric storage element by using a detected temperature by a temperature sensor attached to an outer face of the electric storage element and a heat conduction equation, and estimating the internal state of the electric storage element by using the calculated temperature of the reference point. The reference point is a lattice point at which a temperature associated with the internal resistance of the electric storage element is shown, out of a plurality of lattice points provided in the electric storage element.
US08521452B2 Liquid level determination system
A liquid level determination system includes pressure determination components that include an interference dampener to mitigate interference originating from a bubbler air compressor. The system may include a pressure pipe with a pressure sensing pipe end located adjacent to the pressure determination components and a bubbler pipe end locatable at least partially in a wet well. The wet well may include a pump that has a volute. The pressure pipe may further include layered pipe sections, and the position of the bubbler pipe end may be calculated so that it is not lower than a level substantially equivalent to a center line through the volute. The bubbler air compressor may provide air pressure to the pressure pipe.
US08521439B2 Method of using a calibration system to generate a latency value
Methods are provided for calibrating stimulus-response test systems which include a stimulus output device for delivering a stimulus to a subject; and a response input device for receiving a response from the subject. One such method comprises: sensing the stimulus event output by the stimulus output device; recording a calibrator stimulus time associated with detection of the stimulus event in a calibrator separate from the stimulus-response test system; generating a calibrator response after sensing the stimulus event, the calibrator response causing a response input port of the stimulus-response test system to receive a calibrator response signal and to deliver a corresponding calibrator response signal to the test controller; recording a calibrator response time associated with generation of the calibrator response in the calibrator; and determining a latency value associated with the stimulus-response test system based at least in part on a difference between the calibrator response time and the calibrator stimulus time.
US08521437B2 Spatial interpolation of irregularly spaced seismic data
A method for spatially interpolating pressure values of seismic data uses known values of pressure and spatial derivatives of pressure at a plurality of irregularly spaced locations along the direction of interpolation. The interpolation preferably uses an interpolation operator calculated by assuming that an interpolated pressure value comprises a linear combination of the known pressure values at locations xi and the spatial derivatives at locations Xα, with operator coefficients wi and wα respectively, and calculating the coefficients by minimizing an error function.
US08521435B2 Estimating sigma log beyond the measurements points
The present disclosure relates to a method to determine the capture cross-section of a subsurface formation at a desired depth in the formation. A database of Sigma values for known lithologies, porosities, and salinities is provided, and multiple Sigma measurements are obtained from a downhole logging tool. Within the database, Sigma values are interpolated to determine the respective depths of investigation of the multiple Sigma measurements. A monotonic function is fitted to the multiple Sigma measurements at the determined depths of investigation, and the capture cross-section of the subsurface formation at any desired depth in the formation is determined using the fitted function. Similarly, a system to determine the capture cross-section of a subsurface formation at a desired depth in the formation and/or a depth of invasion of drilling fluids is also disclosed.
US08521433B2 Methods and systems for processing acoustic waveform data
Methods and systems for processing acoustic measurements related to subterranean formations. The methods and systems provide receiving acoustic waveforms with a plurality of receivers, deriving slowness of the formation based on the acoustic waveforms, and modeling dominant waveforms in the acoustic waveforms based on the formation slowness, wherein deriving the formation slowness comprises parametric inversion for complex and frequency dependent slowness and the derived complex slowness has real and imaginary parts.
US08521431B2 Cloud water characterization system
A system and method for indicating the presence of ice water. The system includes a first sensor responsive to liquid water and ice water and a second sensor responsive to liquid water, power sources having output powers responsive to changes in the liquid water and the ice water contacting the respective sensors. A processor determines a first measure indicative of the ice water and the liquid water contacting the first sensor, determines a second measure indicative of liquid water contacting the second sensor and subtracts the second measure from the first measure to indicate a presence of the ice water.
US08521429B2 Accuracy assessment for location estimation systems
Assessing the accuracy of location estimation systems. A mobile computing device provides location information including a device location (e.g., via GPS) and one or more wireless network beacons accessible by the computing device at the device location. The wireless network beacons accessible by the computing device are compared to stored post information including a plurality of beacon lists. An estimated device location is determined based on the comparison. The estimated device location is compared to the known device location. A difference between the estimated device location and the received device location is determined based on the comparison. An analysis of the determined difference is performed to generate accuracy maps and other insight into the relationship between accuracy and geographic area for the location estimation systems.
US08521426B2 System and method for weather mapping to road segments
A computer-implemented method for generating a weather index mapped to a road segment for a particular time frame includes receiving weather condition information for a plurality of time periods, parsing the weather condition information to determine weather conditions for a road segment defined by a starting point and an ending point for the plurality of time periods, and generating a plurality of weather indices for the road segment. Each weather index is associated with one of the plurality of time periods and is representative of a predicted traffic impact based on historical information of the received weather conditions for the road segment. The plurality of time periods includes at least one future time period and the weather condition information includes forecasted weather information.
US08521420B2 Method for route determination and device for it
A method is provided for determining a route for a route guidance, in which a first route is determined on the assumption of a first traffic situation, a second route is determined on the assumption of a second traffic situation, the second route being compared to the first route, and a route change difference being determined from the comparison, where the two routes are offered to a user for the selection for an additional route guidance only if the route change difference exceeds a first threshold value. A device for carrying out the method is also described.
US08521415B2 Traveling vehicle and method of controlling the same
A traveling vehicle includes an obstacle sensor; a controller which causes the traveling vehicle to perform a first avoidance operation so as to avoid an obstacle according to a result of the detection of the obstacle; a memory unit configured to store position information indicating a position of the obstacle in a traveling path and avoidance amount information indicating an amount of avoidance in a lateral direction performed by the traveling vehicle in the first avoidance operation; wherein, when the obstacle sensor detects an obstacle at the position indicated by the position information at a point when the obstacle is within a first distance from the traveling vehicle, the controller causes the traveling vehicle to start a second avoidance operation, before the distance from the traveling vehicle to the obstacle reaches a second distance, so as to avoid the obstacle based on the avoidance amount information stored in the memory unit.
US08521413B2 Location stamping and logging of electronic events and habitat generation
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for the detection, location stamping, and logging of electronic events and subsequent generation of habitat information. According to implementations, electronic events are detected and location stamped. Associated descriptions and other data corresponding to the electronic events is retrieved and stored along with the geographic locations of the electronic events in an activity log. The information in the activity log is used to generate visual representations of one or more geographic areas in which electronic events that meet user-defined or default criteria occurred within a predetermined frequency.
US08521411B2 En-route navigation display method and apparatus using head-up display
In an en-route navigation system such as for a vehicle, an image of a cable is presented as a navigation object in a head-up display to indicate a route that the vehicle should follow. In particular embodiments the cable appears to an observer to be a real cable existing in the landscape and extending higher than the head of the observer as would, for example, a trolley cable. The cable is illustratively displayed volumetrically and with an optic flow that is consistent with the optic flow of the landscape when the vehicle is moving, thereby creating the impression that it is real. As a result, the cable can be displayed without any accompanying images that correlate points on the cable with locations in the landscape and yet nonetheless serve as a very useful tool for indicating to a driver the route over which the vehicle should go. The cable may be in any of a number of forms including a continuous line, a line with non-closely-spaced gaps, a line having non-closely-spaced segments that have a different luminance from the rest of the line or a string of closely-spaced objects.
US08521407B2 System and method for ensuring a person reaches a destination on time
A system includes a first interface module and a route determining module. The first interface module interfaces with a scheduling program and retrieves from the scheduling program a meeting time and a meeting location for a meeting scheduled by a user using the scheduling program. The route determining module determines (i) a route from a first location to the meeting location and (ii) a departure time for the user to depart from the first location to reach the meeting location at the meeting time. The route determining module determines the route and the departure time based on (i) predicted traffic conditions and (ii) predicted weather conditions surrounding the first location and the meeting location prior to the meeting time.
US08521405B2 Air-fuel ratio diagnostic device for internal combustion engine
An air-fuel ratio diagnostic device for an internal combustion engine. The device includes an air-fuel ratio that detects oxygen concentration in the exhaust. A determination unit determines a variation in air-fuel ratio between engine cylinders based on a detection value of the air-fuel ratio sensor. A change amount in the detection value for a certain time when the detection value is changing from a lean side peak value toward a rich side peak value is defined as a rich change rate. A change amount in the detection for a certain time when the detection value is changing from a rich side peak value toward a lean side peak value is defined as a lean change rate. The determination unit determines a degree of variation between the cylinders based on the rich and lean change rates.
US08521404B2 Fuel injection apparatus for internal combustion engine
The fuel injection apparatus includes: a fuel injector having a leading end that has an internal space in which fuel is accumulated and has a fuel injection port; and an adsorbent, capable of selectively adsorbing an alcohol component in a blended fuel of gasoline and alcohol, disposed in the internal space. The fuel injection apparatus controls an injection amount from the fuel injector such that an air-fuel ratio is a controlled target air-fuel ratio based on an alcohol concentration of a blended fuel supplied to the fuel injector. In this fuel injection apparatus, a fuel pressure is brought to a predetermined high fuel pressure during cold starting of the internal combustion engine. At this time, an adsorbed amount of alcohol on the adsorbent is estimated and any deviation in the air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine is corrected based on the adsorbed amount of alcohol.
US08521403B2 System for disabling engine throttle response
A method and a device for interrupting unintended acceleration or unintended maintenance of vehicle speed comprising providing a driver operated fuel delivery disconnect system, said fuel delivery disconnect system comprising an electronic module programmed to temporarily disconnect electrical feed to a fuel delivery mechanism. The temporary interruption of the electrical feed places the vehicle in an idle mode without disrupting other vehicle control systems.
US08521401B2 Method and control unit for electric control of an actuator of an injection valve
A method for the electric control of an actuator of an injection valve in an injection facility for an internal combustion engine has the following steps: specifying a target value for a controlled variable (E) of the actuator, pilot controlling the controlled variable (E) according to a pilot control characteristic that is specified by an axis section (OffsCal, Offs-Real) and a characteristic gradient, wherein as part of the pilot control corresponding to the specified target value according to the pilot control characteristic a control variable for the electric control of the actuator is determined, and readjustment of the pilot control characteristic, wherein a control deviation (ΔE) is ascertained as part of the readjustment and the pilot control characteristic is adapted as a function of the control deviation (ΔE). It is proposed that as part of the readjustment the axis section of the pilot control characteristic is set.
US08521398B2 Method and control device for adapting a minimum valve stroke
A method for adapting a preset value for a minimum valve stroke in an internal combustion engine, has the following steps: Replace the previous value for the minimum valve stroke with a new value; Determine an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine; Restore the previous value for the minimum valve stroke if the operating parameter is outside of a defined value range; otherwise retain the new value.
US08521396B2 Control device of inverted pendulum type vehicle
To provide a control device of an inverted pendulum type vehicle capable of making an occupant perform boarding action or dismounting action easily. A traveling motion unit controlling element 50 of an inverted pendulum type vehicle 1 controls a traveling motion of a traveling motion unit 5 so that, in a mode for transition period at the time when the occupant intends to board or dismount from vehicle, a sensitivity of change of a traveling velocity or a sensitivity of change of a traveling acceleration of the traveling motion unit 5 with respect to a change in the actual tilt angle of a payload supporting part 3 (at least a tilt angle about an axis in one direction), at least in a part of the period, to be smaller than that in the during-boarding mode when the occupant is aboard.
US08521395B2 Control device of inverted pendulum type mobile apparatus
Provided is a control device of an inverted pendulum type mobile apparatus capable of support the body of a user on a base body with a foot of the user standing on the floor in a reclining state. If the reclining state where the user has the body supported by the base body with a foot thereof standing on the floor when the mobile apparatus 1 is in halt state is detected, a control unit 50 determines a manipulated variable for control (imaginary wheel rotational angular acceleration command) so as to drive a travelling motion unit 5 toward a direction for the base body 9 to support the body of the user.
US08521393B2 Cruise control device having a shutoff unit dependent on the operating speed of the gas pedal
A vehicle having a cruise control device, a manual shift transmission without synchronizer assembly, and a gas pedal provided with a pedal sensor, which produces a power request signal as a function of a power request of the driver. The cruise control device is deactivated as a function of a speed at which the power request signal of the pedal sensor changes.
US08521392B2 Computer program and numerical calculation apparatus
In order to cause a computer to execute integral calculation of an integrand, to thereby calculate a value of a second variable used at each calculation time point, the integrand being defined by: a first variable to which a value is given at all calculation time points; and the second variable to which only an initial value is given, the following processing is executed. First, a partial derivative which is obtained by partially differentiating the integrand for the second variable is read out from a storage device. At each calculation time point, the initial value or a value of the second variable calculated at a last calculation time point and a value of the first variable given at a current calculation time point are substituted into each of the integrand and the partial derivative, to thereby calculate a value of the integrand and a value of the partial derivative at the current calculation time point. After this, a value of the second variable used at a next calculation time point is calculated by using an exponential function in which: the calculated value of the integrand is used as an initial value; and a value obtained by multiplying the value of the integrand by the value of the partial derivative is used as a gradient. Accordingly, it becomes possible to solve a differential equation of a distributed parameter system with a reduced amount of calculation.
US08521386B2 Automatic stop-and-start device for engine
A vehicle is reliably prevented from rolling back during automatic start on a slope or the like. An automatic stop-and-start device includes an engine control unit 10 that automatically stops an engine 2 when a predetermined stop condition is fulfilled and automatically starts the engine 2 when a predetermined start condition is fulfilled; a brake device 3 that imparts a brake force to a vehicle that carries the engine 2; and a brake control unit 16 that holds a brake state produced by the brake device 3 when a predetermined brake hold request condition is fulfilled and releases the brake state produced by the brake device 3 when a predetermined brake release condition is fulfilled. The engine control unit 10 determines whether the brake control unit 16 holds the brake state produced by the brake device 3 and automatically starts the engine 2 when the determination is affirmed.
US08521382B2 Transmission oil temperature estimation systems and methods
A system for a vehicle includes a filter module and a coefficient determination module. The filter module generates a valve body oil temperature signal as a function of a transmission oil temperature signal, the valve body oil temperature signal, and a filter coefficient. The coefficient determination module varies the filter coefficient based on the valve body oil temperature signal. The transmission oil temperature signal corresponds to a first temperature of transmission oil measured at a location between a torque converter and a variable bleed solenoid (VBS). The valve body oil temperature signal corresponds to a second temperature of transmission oil provided to a clutch of a transmission from a valve body.
US08521378B2 Method for actuating the neutral position in an automatic or automated transmission of a motor vehicle, and corresponding motor vehicle
A method for shifting an automatic or an automated transmission of a motor vehicle to a “neutral” position such that the shift position of the transmission and a parking lock, provided for keeping the motor vehicle stationary, are engaged as a function of a shift position selected with a driver operated selector device and as a function of other operating parameters of the motor vehicle. A holding phase, in which the transmission is in the neutral position, free from friction force locking, can be activated by a separate operating device which is provided, in addition to the selector device, but only when the motor vehicle is simultaneously at least approximately stationary, an ignition current circuit that acts on a drive engine of the motor vehicle is electrically interrupted, and the “neutral” (N) shift position is specified by a selector device.
US08521377B1 OBD compliant rationality check system for adaptive cruise control
A system includes a vehicle speed module that determines a speed of a vehicle. An engine control module receives a first target speed signal and a torque request signal from an adaptive cruise control (ACC) module. The ACC module is separate from the engine control module. A first comparison module compares the first target speed signal to the speed of the vehicle to generate a first assessment signal. A first target speed module sets a second target speed signal equal to one of the first target speed signal and a predetermined value based on the first assessment signal. The engine control module controls an engine to provide an engine output torque based on at least one of the torque request signal and the second target speed signal.
US08521374B2 Hydraulic work machine
A hydraulic working machine, typically a hydraulic excavator has a travel speed control unit and a boost control unit. The travel speed control unit includes a traveling, hydraulic pressure oil feed unit capable of feeding pressure oil to actuate traveling tilt-angle control devices. The boost control unit includes a boosting, hydraulic pressure oil feed unit capable of feeding pressure oil to actuate an adjustable relief valve. A single hydraulic pressure oil feed unit is commonly usable as the traveling, hydraulic pressure oil feed unit and the boosting, hydraulic pressure oil feed unit, and includes lines communicating with both of the traveling tilt-angle control devices and the adjustable relief valve, a solenoid valve for opening or closing these lines, and a controller for outputting a control signal to control the solenoid valve.
US08521372B2 System and method for collecting and processing agricultural field data
A system and method for managing the collection and processing of agricultural field data from a single location is provided. The system includes functionality to create workorders for the taking of samples at a predetermined location, transmit the sampling workorders to the equipment or operators at a job site, e.g., an agricultural field, and log the results of a completed sampling workorder. The system also includes functionality to transmit log data related to the taken samples to a laboratory and receive analysis information on the taken samples from the laboratory. The system then combines log data and analysis information on the taken samples for use in determining additional actions at the predetermined location.
US08521370B2 Method and apparatus for selectively activated powered actuation of a hydraulic drive system
A method and apparatus for selectively activating a gravity down mode of a hydraulic system during operation of a lift gate. An electronic control circuit is added to hydraulic control circuitry and is configured to selectively interrupt the power down mode or gravity down mode of operation of the hydraulic system based on either a manual input (override) or a sensed condition and switch to the other mode of operation.
US08521369B2 Method and device for regulation or control of a restraint system in a vehicle
A method and a device for control or regulation of a restraint system in a vehicle having a safety belt and at least one of an operation or convenience function. The operation and convenience functions of the restraint system adapt in a situation-related fashion and set the belt retraction force that acts on the safety belt.
US08521368B2 Electric power steering device
There is provided a controller for a steering device that makes it possible to prevent sudden ceasing of steering assisting power by effectively utilizing an auxiliary power source. An electric power steering device that generates steering assist force by a motor includes a battery for supplying electric power to the motor, an auxiliary power source that supplies the motor with electric power, and a control circuit for controlling a power supply to the motor. In the event of a breakdown of the battery, the control circuit adjusts a power supply to the motor from the auxiliary power source according to an amount of energy remaining in the auxiliary power source so as to reduce steering assist force.
US08521365B2 Method and device for the lateral control of a taxiing aircraft
The invention relates to a device including elements for automatically controlling an aircraft on the ground along the lateral axis, by a dissymmetrical use of the engines and/or brakes of the aircraft.
US08521362B2 Vehicle stabilizer control devices, methods, and programs
Stabilizer control devices, methods, and programs obtain information indicating lateral acceleration operating on the vehicle and obtain information indicating a curve section existing in a traveling direction of the vehicle. The devices, methods, and programs control roll stiffness by a stabilizer mounted on the vehicle based on the obtained lateral acceleration information by setting a lateral acceleration threshold at a first value in the curve section and a second value in a section other than the curve section respectively, the first value being smaller than the second value. The devices, methods, and programs control the roll stiffness when the lateral acceleration is equal to or larger than the lateral acceleration.
US08521357B2 Impaired operation detection method
An impaired operation detection method is basically performed by sensing a yaw rate of a vehicle over a time period. Then time points are identified in which the yaw rate changes direction. A linear rate of change in the yaw rate is determined between two of the time points that are sequential in time. An actual rate of change is examined between the two time points. A difference between the actual rate of change and the linear rate of change to obtain a difference value. Then, the operator's impairment condition is determined based on the difference value.
US08521353B2 System for measuring the performance of a forest machine
A system and a method for monitoring the performance of a subsystem of a forest machine. The method comprises the steps of: collecting data relating to the function of said subsystem or the performing of said function; determining one or more characteristic values to describe the performance continually according to data; and monitoring the variation of said one or more characteristic values in time, wherein, for example, the variation of said one or more characteristic values in time is displayed in the form of a graphic presentation to the user.
US08521351B2 Creeping-cut control apparatus for electrically driven vehicle
A vehicle moves unintentionally in a downwardly-reverse direction with a forward creep torque being outputted as shown by a time variation of vehicle speed VSP, and a braking is applied at timing t3 in order to prevent this downward movement. In this case, the downward movement in the reverse direction is detected at timing t1, and then this state continues for a duration set corresponding to a timer value NTM1. At timing t2, a creeping-cut is prohibited by setting a creeping-cut-prohibition flag NFLAG at “1”. At timing t3, the braking is started in order to prevent the reverse-directional downward movement. Thereby, at timing t5, the vehicle speed VSP becomes near 0. In response thereto, a conventional creeping-cut permitting flag FLAG is set at 1. However, the creep toque continues to be outputted also after t5 without the creeping-cut, so that a torque reduction accompanied with strangeness feeling can be prevented.
US08521340B2 Device and method of automated construction of emergency flight path for aircraft
The invention relates to a flight management system for manned or unmanned aircraft having to face an emergency situation such as hijacking of the aircraft, medical emergencies, situations of failures affecting the propulsion, pressurization or communication functions for example. It provides for a device and process for automatically or semi-automatically generating a flight plan compatible with international regulations and their national or local adaptations with possibilities of optimization according to navigation parameters.
US08521336B2 Energy reduction
A power reduction aggregation system for controlling and measuring power usage at a plurality of individual user locations which includes a plurality of power reduction controllers and a power reduction module. Each power reduction controller is disposed at one of the plurality of individual user locations and includes a controller module and an energy consumption module. The controller module is configured to selectively control power to a plurality of loads associated with each of the individual user locations. The energy consumption module is coupled to the controller module and is configured to determine energy reduction indicia associated with at least one of the plurality of loads. The power reduction module is communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of power reduction controllers and is configured to determine an aggregate energy reduction estimate by combining the energy reduction indicia determined by the plurality of power reduction controllers.
US08521335B2 Gray water recycling apparatus and method
Instead of disposing gray water with sewage water, a gray water recycling apparatus uses a series of sensors and determines the acceptability of chemical concentrations and temperature of the gray water for use in irrigation purposes so as to ensure the recycled gray water is safe for irrigation. If it is, a three-way valve is positioned to direct the gray water to an irrigation pipe; otherwise, the three-way valve is positioned to direct the water to a public sewage system or septic tank.
US08521330B2 Map building apparatus and method
Disclosed are a map building apparatus and method using a distance measurement. According to an aspect, by creating a first map and a second map respectively using the characteristics of different characteristic areas based on a distance-voltage characteristics of a distance measurement sensor, and combining the first map with the second map, a grid map is created. Accordingly, since a map regarding a peripheral environment is created using plural areas of the distance-voltage characteristics, a more accurate map may be created.
US08521325B2 Drug delivery device and drug delivery method
A drug delivery device (1) delivers a stored drug to a conveyance receptacle (T) adapted to be attached with a card (RC) that displays desired information. The drug delivery device (1) includes card processor (10), a label printer (6), and a controller (5). The card processor (10) enters patient identification information on the card (RC) and attaches the card (RC) to the conveyance receptacle (T). The label printer (6) prints a first label that displays the patient identification information and that is inserted into the conveyance receptacle (T). The controller (5) causes the label printer (6) to print the first label according to a state of the card processor (10). With the drug delivery device (1), identification information is applied more reliably and quickly to the conveyance receptacle by which the drug is delivered, and the efficiency of drug delivery is improved.
US08521307B2 Implantable MRI compatible medical lead
A medical implantable lead is adapted to be implanted into a human or animal body for monitoring and/or controlling of an organ inside the body, and has in a distal end, a combined fixation means and electrode member in form of a helix, which is rotatable in relation to the lead and extendable out from the distal end by rotation of a tubular torque transferring member. The helix is electrically connected to a connector in the proximal end by at least one electrically conducting wire, which is formed as an electrically conducting coil, which is separate from the tubular torque transferring member and that includes one or more individual wires each having an electrically conducting wire core and a surrounding electrically insulating layer. The tubular torque transferring member has no electrically conducting function to or from the helix. The lead is arranged such that the electrical connection between the helix and the conducting wire is always maintained regardless of the rotational position of the helix while no electrical connection is present between the helix and the tubular torque transferring member although the helix is rotatable by the tubular torque transferring member.
US08521302B2 Thermal treatment apparatus
Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for ablating biological tissues, in which a cannula is configured to affect biological tissue and a heat transmitting end-effecter is coupled to the cannula. A source of electromagnetic energy is provided via an electro-magnetic energy emitter and a wall of the heat transmitting end-effecter is made of an electromagnetic-energy-absorbing material that absorbs electromagnetic waves.
US08521298B2 Electrical stimulation method and apparatus to stimulate nerve fibers
The present invention provides an electrical stimulation method and apparatus to stimulate nerve fibers, turning on suitable combination of adjacent electrodes simultaneously to form virtual channels based on predetermined rules, so that the stimulation signal will generate or evoke a nerve response spectrum that matches the original signal spectrum presented as the input sound. The method includes the steps of receiving a sound signal by a receiving unit; dividing the received sound signal into a plurality of frequency bands by a processing unit; extracting a spectral peak from each of the frequency bands and determining a stimulation sequence of frequency bands by the processing unit; and selectively driving a plurality of electrode groups in a plurality of cycles based on the stimulation sequence of frequency bands and a determination rule by the processing unit, so that the nerve response that matches the original signal will be generated.
US08521294B2 System and method for dynamically configurable deep brain stimulation
A DBS system and method for predicting future neurological activity in a subject and administering a corrective electrical stimulation signal to prevent anticipated pathological neuronal activity. The DBS system includes an implantable electrode configured to both record neuronal activity from a target brain area in a subject and administer the corrective electric stimulation signal to the target area. The DBS system also includes a controller configured to determine the characteristics of the corrective electrical stimulation signal based on point process models of healthy and pathological neuronal activity in the target area.
US08521291B1 Dual therapy electrical stimulation system for treating metabolic and eating disorders
An exemplary method for treating an eating or metabolism disorder includes calling for delivery of energy to the stomach using a pulse train that includes use of pulses with a pulse width less than approximately 20 ms, a duty cycle greater than approximately 20% and a pulse train duration of less than approximately 10 seconds and calling for delivery of energy to a vagal nerve. Various other methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.
US08521284B2 Cardiac response classification using multisite sensing and pacing
Methods and devices for classifying a cardiac pacing response involve using a first electrode combination for pacing and a second electrode combination for sensing a cardiac signal following pacing. The cardiac response to pacing may be classified using the sensed cardiac signal. One process involves using the sensed cardiac signal to detect the cardiac response as a fusion/pseudofusion beat. Another process involves using the sensed cardiac signal to classify the cardiac response to pacing as one of at least three cardiac response types.
US08521283B2 Trending of conduction time for optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy in cardiac rhythm management system
A method of optimizing cardiac resynchronization therapy delay over a patient's full range of activity for use in operating an implantable cardiac pacing device and such a device are disclosed. The method includes measuring selected conduction time between selected sites in the heart for a plurality of beats and logging the values on a periodic repeating programmable basis to produce cumulative data and constructing a current template of conduction time in relation to one or more other sensed parameters of interest over a desired range of patient activity levels. The current template is used to derive suggested optimum pacing timing.
US08521278B2 Smart delay for intermittent stress therapy
A pacing system delivers cardiac protection pacing to protect the heart from injuries. The pacing system receives a set of inputs and calculates parameters for delivering optimized cardiac protection pacing tailored for different stress levels. The system automatically adjusts heart rate to optimize cardiac protection pacing in a closed-loop system. In one embodiment, a method for delivering pacing pulses for cardiac protection is provided. Intrinsic atrioventricular (AV) intervals are sensed. The intrinsic AV interval and a predetermined equation relating the AV interval to an optimal AV delay are used to provide a maximum positive rate of left ventricular pressure change during systole. An AV delay is calculated using a predetermined percentage of the optimal AV delay to deliver ventricular pacing pulses to provide a desired level of stress for cardiac protective pacing therapy (CPPT) to provide a cardiac conditioning therapy to improve autonomic balance.
US08521277B2 Implantable systems and method for use therewith for tracking changes in hemodynamics and cardiac disease
Embodiments of the present invention relate to monitoring a patient's atrial stretch, heart failure (HF) condition, and/or risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), as well as methods for estimating a change in at least one of a patient's left atrial pressure (LAP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), and right pulmonary artery pressure (RPAP). Embodiments of the present invention also relate to selecting a pacing energy level. Such embodiments involve determining atrial evoked response metrics when a patient's atrium is paced, and monitoring changes in such metrics.
US08521274B2 Methods for non-thermal application of gas plasma to living tissue
Method for the non-thermal treatment of human or animal tissue with high-voltage electrical discharge plasma is disclosed. The disclosed method employs current through plasma and through tissue not for the purpose of heating the tissue, but instead to maintain the plasma proximate to the tissue being treated. Also disclosed is a method of limiting the current through plasma and through tissue to minimize tissue heating by placement of an insulator or semiconductor between an electrode and tissue resulting in generation of a high-voltage discharge similar to a dielectric barrier discharge. The disclosed non-thermal plasma treatment can be employed to promote coagulation of blood, sterilization, disinfection, re-connection of tissue, and treatment of tissue disorders without causing significant thermal tissue damage.
US08521269B1 Determining tachyarrhythmia detection parameters based on prior detected episodes
A system including a communication module, a processor and a medical device configured to sense cardiac signals and detect cardiac rhythm episodes is configured to retrieve stored episode data accumulated by the medical device and generate truthed episode classifications from the retrieved episode data. The processor is configured to perform a detection simulation for detecting and classifying cardiac rhythm episodes included in the retrieved episode data to obtain simulated episode classifications. Sensitivity and specificity data is generated in response to the detection simulation, and recommended detection parameter settings are identified in response to the sensitivity and specificity data.
US08521266B2 Methods for the detection and/or diagnosis of biological rhythm disorders
Method, system and apparatus to detect, diagnose and treat biological rhythm disorders. In preferred particularly desirable embodiment relating to the real-time detection of heart rhythm disorders, this invention identifies localized sources for complex rhythms including atrial fibrillation to guide the localized application of energy to modify the source and treat the rhythm disorder.
US08521262B2 Methods and apparatus for localization, diagnosis, contact or activity detection of bio-electric tissue
Methods and apparatus for localization, diagnosis, contact or activity detection of bio-electric tissue providing improved sensitivity to the distance between a sensing electrode and bio-electric tissue and providing the means to measure the impedance of the tissue between a sensing electrode and bio-electric tissue. In accordance with the method, a controlled effective input impedance is provided to the monitor, which input impedance can be set to cause a significant portion of the bio-electric tissue signal to be dropped across the tissue between a sensing electrode and the bio-electric tissue when the two are separated by a predetermined or arbitrary distance. Various illustrative embodiments and forms of construction are disclosed.
US08521261B2 Lesion extracting device and lesion extracting method
A lesion extracting device includes a light source for emitting an excitation light toward a subject body, a control unit for changing an amount of the excitation light, a light irradiating and receiving portion for irradiating the excitation light to the subject body and receiving fluorescence generated from the subject body, a distance holding member for holding a distance between the subject body and the light irradiating and receiving portion at a predetermined value, a measuring unit for measuring the intensity of the fluorescence received by the light irradiating and receiving portion, and an extracting unit for extracting a lesion part of the subject body based on relationships between measured values of changes in the fluorescence intensity with respect to changes in the amount of the excitation light and information regarding the changes in the amount of the excitation light, the information being obtained from the control unit.
US08521260B2 Characterization of arteriosclerosis by optical imaging
A method and system for detecting abnormalities in the properties of the walls of a subject's blood vessels by observing the characteristics of blood flow in vessels which are optically accessible, such as the retinal vasculature. A time sequenced series of images is taken, and the images are processed to eliminate the background and render erythrocyte motion visible. Information about the state of the inner wall of the blood vessel which has been imaged is obtained from the characteristics of this blood flow. This information can be extrapolated to provide information about the state of the blood vessels elsewhere in the subject. In addition, a system and method is described for detecting arteriosclerotic plaque on the walls of blood vessels by labeling the plaque with a molecular label having desired optical or radioactive properties, and directly imaging the plaque either in an optically accessible blood vessel, or by imaging radioactive label in the plaque in a blood vessel anywhere in the body.
US08521258B2 Correction method and magnetic resonance device
The invention relates to a correction method for correcting interference due to gradient injections in ECG signal data records recorded in a magnetic resonance device by an ECG measuring device. A first correction data record is determined with the ECG measuring device located in a first position. A second correction data record is determined by the ECG measuring device located in a second position. An ECG signal data record is measured by the ECG measuring device located in a defined position. A modified correction data record is defined as a function of the first correction data record and the second correction data record and the first and second position and the defined position of the ECG measuring device. The ECG signal data record is corrected based on the modified correction data record.
US08521257B2 Apparatus for insertion of a medical device within a body during a medical imaging process
A device, system, and method for entering a medical device such as a needle into the body inside a medical imager such as a MRI scanner, CT, X-ray fluoroscopy, and ultrasound imaging, from within a body cavity (such as the rectum, vagina, or laparoscopically accessed cavity). A three degree-of-freedom mechanical device translates and rotates inside the cavity and enters a needle into the body, and steers the needle to a target point selected by the user. The device is guided by real-time images from the medical imager. Networked computers process the medical images and enable the clinician to control the motion of the mechanical device that is operated within the imager, outside of the imager or remotely from outside the imager.
US08521254B2 MRT Lorentz vibrator
A device and a method for recognizing electromagnetic fields, specifically those fields that occur in image-guided nuclear spin tomography examinations (hereinafter MRT or MRI). In particular, it relates to an implantable medical device (IMD) containing a unit for detecting MRT activity, whereby the unit for the detection of MRT activity consists of at least one vibration transducer that transforms vibrations and/or oscillations caused by an MRT device into an electrical or optical signal and the unit for detecting MRT activity recognizes an MRT activity because of this signal.
US08521253B2 Prostate imaging
A device for registering prostate images, the device comprises an elongate element suitable for insertion into a body passageway, the elongate element comprising at least one marker readable by an ultrasound probe and at least one marker readable by a gamma camera.
US08521249B2 Method and apparatus for determining volume of a vessel
A method and apparatus for determining the volume of a pouch formed in a stomach during bariatric surgery comprises a balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon located at a distal end of a catheter for locating in the stomach. A pair of spaced apart stimulating electrodes are located on the catheter within the balloon and a plurality of spaced apart sensing electrodes are located on the catheter between the stimulating electrodes. The balloon in the stomach is inflated by a saline solution to define the interior of the pouch. By applying a constant current signal to the stimulating electrodes, the volume of the pouch is determined from signals read from the sensing electrodes.
US08521245B2 Method and apparatus for post-shock evaluation using tissue oxygenation measurements
A method and apparatus for controlling delivery of therapy that includes an emitting portion emitting light at a predetermined emitted light intensity to a volume of tissue at a plurality of wavelengths, and a detecting portion detecting the emitted light scattered by the volume of tissue to generate corresponding detected light intensity output signals. A control module adjusts the detected light intensity output signals for shifts in intensity corresponding to the emitted light intensity, and determines a tissue oxygenation index in response to only the adjusted detected light intensity output signals, and a therapy delivery module controlling therapy in response to the determined tissue oxygenation index.
US08521244B2 Physiological parameter monitoring apparatus
A tissue oximeter sensor includes a substrate with a non-zero finite depth and first and second major sides. At least a first material free region extends along the depth from one of the sides to the other of the two sides forming a first well in the substrate. One of the sides of the substrate is configured to be removeably affixed to a human or animal subject. The sensor also includes a first channel with first and second end portions. One of the end portions of the first channel is selectively positioned in the first well along the depth alternatively at one of a plurality of different depth positions. The first channel routes radiation at least one of from the first end portion to the second end portion or from the second end portion to the first end portion.
US08521240B2 Portable terminal
Provided is a portable terminal capable of ensuring satisfactory antenna characteristics regardless of a change in state, and of accommodating a plurality of frequency bands. A first circuit unit comprises: a first signal source; a first power feeding unit connected to a first antenna unit; a second power feeding unit connected to a first connection unit; a first switching unit which connects the first power feeding unit or the second power feeding unit to the first signal source by switching; and a first control unit which controls the first switching unit so as to connect the second power feeding unit to the first signal source when the portable terminal is transitioned to a second state. A first disconnection unit is disposed between the first connection unit and the first circuit unit and disconnects a first signal.
US08521235B2 Address book sharing system and method for non-verbally adding address book contents using the same
An address book sharing system includes a vehicle, a short-range enabled in-vehicle telematics unit embedded in the vehicle, and a short-range enabled wireless device. The short-range enabled wireless device is configured to be paired with the short-range enabled in-vehicle telematics unit when positioned in the vehicle, and to download an address book to the short-range enabled in-vehicle telematics unit in response to an address book request trigger generated by the short-range enabled in-vehicle telematics unit. Methods for non-verbally adding address book contents using the address book sharing system are also disclosed herein.
US08521232B2 Methods and apparatus to display service quality to a user of a multiple mode communication device
Methods and apparatus that relate to the display of network availability and quality of service (QoS) to a user of a multiple mode communication device are disclosed. An example method includes measuring, at a communication device, a quality of service metric from a call registration response message for a call, the call registration response message being a response to a call registration message routed through a first communication provider to a second communication provider, comparing the quality of service metric to a time interval in which the call registration response message is to expire, and selectively displaying a representation of the quality of service metric for the first communication provider to a user at the communication device based on the comparison.
US08521228B2 Mobile terminal and method of displaying standby screen thereof
A standby mode screen display method for a mobile terminal capable of receiving and displaying a multimedia broadcast program and a mobile terminal thereof, includes a broadcast receiving module for receiving a multimedia broadcast program, a user input unit for inputting at least one search identifier associated with searching multimedia broadcast programs and a display mode identifier, a controller for comparing the search identifier with program guide information associated with multimedia broadcast programs to find a matching multimedia broadcast program received wirelessly from a remote location, and a display unit for displaying, as a standby mode screen, the matching multimedia broadcast program on the mobile terminal in accordance with the display mode identifier.
US08521223B2 Common radio element application manager architecture for wireless picocells
A multi-modal multi-modulation base station such as a picocell is disclosed. The base station can include multiple radio devices that can be configured to communicate with user devices using different protocols and different frequencies. The base station includes a backhaul interface to core networks that can also operate according to multiple protocols. A common radio element application manager control operations of the radio devices including core network connectivity, mode-to-mode communications, and synchronization of picocell features.
US08521216B2 Wireless transmission system
A mobile wireless communication apparatus allows access to the internet by connecting to a public wireless communication network, based upon an internet access request from a wireless communication terminal. The apparatus performs wireless communication with the wireless communication terminal and with the public wireless communication network, and stores web pages that have been accessed in a first storage unit. When an Internet access request is made, the apparatus searches the web pages stored in the first storage unit for a web page that complies with the access request, and if found, transmits the web page to the wireless communication terminal. Web pages that have a higher frequency are stored in a second storage unit and notified to an external control apparatus.
US08521205B2 Preamble length for discontinuous control channel transmission
The specification and drawings present a new method, system, apparatus and software product for defining a preamble length of a preamble (e.g., a power control preamble) for a discontinuous control channel transmission using, e.g., a dedicated physical control channel (DPCCH) for transmitting the preamble. The preamble length can be optimized using a predetermined criterion depending on a transmission gap length (which can be variable) in the discontinuous control signal (e.g., transmitted on the DPCCH) or in a discontinuous data signal, e.g., transmitted on an enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH), and/or on a length of a transmission timing interval (TTI) of the discontinuous data. Furthermore, a power in the preamble can be changed in time using a further predetermined criterion.
US08521199B2 System and method for transparent coordinated beam-forming
A system and method for transparent coordinated beam-forming are provided. A method for transmitting information includes determining correlations between communications devices served by a communications controller and communications devices served by neighboring communications controllers, selecting a communications device from the communications devices served by the communications controller, adjusting a manner of transmission of a transmission containing information to the selected communications device based on a correlation for the selected communications device, and transmitting the transmission to the selected communications device.
US08521198B2 Dynamic LNA switch points based on channel conditions
Techniques for operating a receiver to linearity performance and higher receive signal to noise ratio are described. The receiver includes one or more circuit blocks, e.g., a low noise amplifier (LNA), having discrete gain states. The gain states are selected based on switch points, with each switch point indicating a specific received signal level at which to switch from one gain state to another gain state. The switch points may be dynamically selected based on channel conditions, which may be characterized by the presence or absence or strength or frequency of jammers. A first set of switch points may be selected when jammers are detected, and a second set of switch points may be selected when jammers are not detected. The gain states are selected in accordance with the set of switch points selected for use.
US08521192B2 Method and system for initiating location monitoring using near field communication
A method and device are provided for receiving a wireless location tracking activation signal. Location monitoring is initiated based on the received wireless location tracking activation. A geographic location is periodically determined and transmitted to a remote device.
US08521189B2 Changing settings of a mobile terminal
A device enabling a change of settings of applications is implemented in a mobile terminal. In order to facilitate a change of such settings, the device comprises a storage portion for storing a plurality of configurations. Each stored configuration is associated to at least one location and each stored configuration defines settings for applications implemented in the mobile terminal. The device further comprises a controlling portion for receiving information on a current position of the mobile terminal, for retrieving automatically a configuration associated to a location identified by the position information from the storage portion, and for changing settings of applications implemented in the mobile terminal according to the retrieved configuration. The device can be either a mobile terminal, or a module for a mobile terminal. The invention relates equally to a corresponding system and to a corresponding method.
US08521186B2 Method and device for determining location-enhanced presence information for entities subscribed to a communications system
System and method for determining location-enhanced presence information for a particular entity subscribed to a communications system. Location information indicative of a current location for the particular entity is obtained, as well as presence information indicative of a current activity status of the particular entity within the communications system. A combination of the current location and current activity status of the particular entity is applied as a condition to a set of conditional rules associated with the particular entity, for determining current location-enhanced presence information for the particular entity.
US08521184B2 Method for estimating the geographical latitude, longitude and elevation of a mobile electronic telecommunication device (TD)
A method for estimating the geographical latitude, longitude and elevation of a mobile electronic telecommunication device (TD) is provided. The method draws random information over a given time period from multiple responders. A triangulation and signal quality analysis is performed to determine the possible location of the TD. Using the statistical information and its analysis the location (x, y and z coordinates) as well as the velocity and acceleration of the device is estimated. The present invention provides extremely accurate location information.
US08521182B2 Method of canceling location information request
A method of canceling a location information request including receiving a request from a location service client for location information of a target terminal; performing location tracking of the target terminal; and sending a message to the location service client when a privacy profile state has changed. Further, the message indicates that the request from the location service client for location information of the target terminal is canceled.
US08521181B2 Time of arrival based positioning system
A TOA positioning system can be implemented that employs a calculated initial location of a wireless network device. For each of a plurality of reference wireless network devices, a distance between the wireless network device and the reference wireless network device is determined based, at least in part, on a round trip transit time between the wireless network device and the reference wireless network device. An initial location of the wireless network device can be calculated based, at least in part, on a location of each of the plurality of reference wireless network devices. A location of the wireless network device can be estimated based, at least in part, on the calculated initial location, the distance to each of the reference wireless network devices, and an initial distance calibration constant.
US08521179B2 Mobile unit's position measurement apparatus and mobile unit's position measurement method
A mobile unit's position measurement apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an observation data selection portion that calculates a plurality of estimated error values that correspond respectively to the plurality of pieces of observation data obtained by observing the signals received by the reception portion, that generates groups each of which includes estimated error values corresponding to at least a predetermined number of satellites, and then extracts, from the estimated error value groups generated, in which a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of the estimated error values included is less than a predetermined value, and that consequently selects pieces of observation data provided by the signals from the satellites that correspond to the estimated error values that are included in an estimated error value group whose standard deviation of the estimated error values is smallest among the estimated error value groups extracted.
US08521178B2 Method and system for location-based dynamic radio selection
A multi-radio mobile device comprises a plurality of different radios. When a location update occurs, the multi-radio mobile device, at a specific location, acquires location-based radio information from a remote location server. The multi-radio mobile device selects a radio for use in the specific location based on the acquired location-based radio information comprising available radios in the specific location and radio weights. The radio is selected from the available radios based on the radio weights in the specific location. Transmissions of a desired service are received in the specific location utilizing the selected radio. Location-based radio measurements reports to the remote location server are generated utilizing signal strength measurements for the received signals. Radio quality information of the available radios is calculated by the location server utilizing location-based radio measurement reports from associated users. The radio weights of the available radios are determined based on the calculated radio quality information.
US08521176B2 Transmission apparatus and frequency fluctuation compensation method
In a transmission apparatus, a comparison unit provides threshold values associated with an amount of data indicating a signal frequency, and compares an input parameter obtained by cumulatively adding a correction amount to the parameter with the threshold values. When the input parameter is within a range defined by the threshold values, a correction unit outputs a value of the input parameter. When the input parameter is out of the defined range, the correction unit outputs an associated one of the threshold values so as to eliminate an amount exceeding or falling short of the defined range, to thereby correct the input parameter. An addition unit detects the correction amount which is an amount of the immediately preceding value of the input parameter exceeding or falling short of the defined range, and cumulatively adds the correction amount to the input parameter used for the comparison of this time.
US08521174B2 Radio communication method and radio base station
When a frequency band is shared between a large cell system having a large cell base station and a small cell system having a small cell base station, the large cell base station dynamically controls dedicated resources for the large cell base station and shared resources for both the large cell base station and the small cell base station based on predetermined information, broadcasts allocation information of dedicated resources for the large cell base station and shared resources for both the large cell base station and the small cell base station, to the small cell base station belonging to the own cell, and the small cell base station belongs to at least one large cell base station and determines resource assignment in the own cell based on the resource allocation information broadcast from the large cell base station.
US08521173B2 Methods and systems for dynamic and configuration based fractional frequency reuse for uneven load distributions
Fractional frequency reuse systems and methods for assigning physical resource units of an available frequency band to sectors of cells are disclosed. In particular, the systems and methods permit adaptation of frequency configuration partitions to mobile station or throughput distribution within cells while at the same time ensuring mitigation of interference between neighboring sectors of different cells.
US08521172B2 Method and system for switching cellular base station capacity
A radio capacity management system (RCMS) and method are adapted to integrate within an existing network of cells that form a local cellular wireless communications network. The RCMS is not limited by the types or number of sites that form the cellular wireless communications network. Such sites have idle, redundant RF radio channel resources. The RCMS reallocates idle RF resources between the network of cells whether those resources are redundant or not. Reallocations are based on a dynamic, as-need basis or on historical quality-of-service data specific to each cell. The RCMS includes a master capacity management (MCMS) system that continuously communicates with a base station controller which provides resource capacity data from each site to the MCMS. The MCMS uses this date to determine when a cell requires additional radio transceiver capacity and where the capacity will be reallocated from.
US08521164B2 Apparatus and method for allowing femto base station to efficiently perform beaconing in wireless communication system
An apparatus and a method for allowing a femto base station to efficiently perform beaconing in a wireless communication system are provided. The method includes obtaining a System Information Block (SIB) message of a neighbor macro base station transmitted to a terminal by the neighbor macro base station. Information of the femto base station is added to the obtained SIB message of the macro base station and the SIB message is updated. The updated SIB message is transmitted to the terminal.
US08521163B2 Method, system, and device for user detachment when a handover or change occurs in heterogeneous network
A method for user detachment when a handover or change occurs in a heterogeneous network is provided. The method includes: a user equipment (UE) is handed over or switched from a source network to a target network; a network element on a network side determines whether to detach the UE from the source network, and if yes, the network element on the network side detaches the UE from the source network. A system and a device for user detachment when a handover or change occurs in a heterogeneous network, and another method for user detachment when a handover or change occurs in a heterogeneous network are also provided.
US08521162B2 Data integration for wireless network systems
Techniques relating to an apparatus in communications with a wireless terminal through a wireless network system are provided. The apparatus may include a wireless terminal communication unit in communication with the wireless terminal through the wireless network system and configured to receive a list of one or more data sources from the wireless terminal, a data source communication unit configured to receive source data from the one or more data sources in the list, and a source data integration unit configured to use the source data to generate integrated data for transmission to the wireless terminal.
US08521159B2 Apparatus and method for determining neighbor BS information in a wireless communication system
An apparatus and method determines neighbor Base Station (BS) information in a wireless communication system where a macro cell and a Femto cell coexist. The method includes, when a preamble scanning duration arrives, acquiring preamble information on at least one neighbor BS through preamble scanning. It is determined whether to scan a header for at least one neighbor BS among neighbor BSs for which the preamble information are acquired, in consideration of at least one of the acquisition or non-acquisition of new preamble information through the preamble scanning and a variation of an environment of a preamble acquired through the preamble scanning. And, in case that it is determined to scan the header, a header for a corresponding neighbor BS is scanned and header information of the neighbor BS is acquired.
US08521156B2 Terrestrial based high speed data communications mesh network
A network for providing high speed data communications may include multiple terrestrial transmission stations that are located within overlapping communications range and a mobile receiver station. The terrestrial transmission stations provide a continuous and uninterrupted high speed data communications link with the mobile receiver station employing a wireless radio access network protocol.
US08521147B2 Methods and systems for decentralized managing of neighboring femtocells
Methods and systems to decentralize managing of neighboring femtocells. The methods and systems include communication to a first femtocell from a second femtocell of next information that includes communicated information of: i) the interference requirement constraint of an active user of the second femtocell, and ii) one or more parameters characterizing a physical radio channel defined from the first femtocell to the at least one active user of the second femtocell; the self-configuration of the transmission parameters of the first femtocell based upon the communicated information i) and ii). Another method (and system to implement the method) includes the mutual adjustment of the interference requirement constraints between a first and a second femtocell, regarding their active users, in a decentralized manner, on the basis of not affecting the transmission performance of the rest of the plurality of femtocells.
US08521146B2 Mobile terminal and method of managing information in the same
A terminal includes a display, at least one storage area to store first content and second content, and a controller to identify the second content after the first content is selected and to control display information corresponding to the second content after the second content is identified. The controller identifies the second content based on a search of stored information, and the first content and the second content share at least one common feature. The terminal may also sort the first and second content based on selection from a list of options that control the display of icons or other information corresponding to the content.
US08521145B2 Software distribution between radio base stations
A method of operating a telecommunications network (20, 20′) comprises detecting an insufficient software situation for a target radio base station (28); a software source server (36) authorizing obtention of satisfactory software for the target radio base station from a source radio base station; and, the target radio base station obtaining the satisfactory software from the source radio base station. In example embodiments, the insufficient software situation can be either a missing software situation or an upgrade-required software situation.
US08521144B2 Location-based telephone conferences where a conference is associated with a coverage area
The application relates to location based telephone conferences. In a location based telephone conference, upon request from a user to join a telephone conference, his location is determined and he is joined to a conference according his location. However, in the prior art it is assumed that the user remains in the telephone conference even if he moves and changes his location. The application addresses a situation where a plurality of telephone conferences, each associated with a specific area (1.4), are provided and a user moves between these areas. The telephone conferences are managed in such a way, that when a subscriber leaves an area assigned to a specific conference, he is switched into another telephone conference which is assigned to the area the user is presently located.
US08521143B2 User interface methods and apparatus for use in communicating messages to multiple recipients
Methods and apparatus for use in communicating messages to multiple recipients are described. A wireless device receives a first input request for creating a new message, and also receives one or more second input requests for selecting a plurality of recipient identifiers for the new message. The wireless device also receives a third input request which indicates whether or not the message is for a group conversation. When the third input request indicates group conversation, the wireless device formats the recipient identifiers in first header fields (e.g., CC header fields) of an MMS message. When the third input request indicates no group conversation, the wireless device alternatively formats the recipient identifiers in second header fields (e.g., BCC header fields) of the MMS message. The MMS message is then transmitted to the recipient identifiers via a wireless network. Recipient devices may process the message as group or non-group (e.g., broadcast) depending on the field locations of the recipient identifiers.
US08521142B2 Method and apparatus for distributed data transfer over multiple independent wireless networks
Embodiments of the invention provide for methods and apparatus for fragmenting a single message and sending the message fragments over multiple independent networks to a single receiving unit. The receiving unit then reassembles the message fragments to generate the original message. One embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention is a wireless radio frequency modem that can both receive and transmit fragmented messages over multiple independent networks.
US08521141B2 Optimizing delivery of streams
A device receives, from one or more base stations, first information about bandwidth resources of the one or more base stations. The device further receives, from one or more content providers, second information about streams of content provided by the one or more content providers to user devices via the one or more base stations. The device generates third information based on the first information and the second information. The third information assigns a portion of the bandwidth resources to each one of the streams. The device transmits the third information to configure the one or more base stations.
US08521139B2 Transmission of notifications for broadcast and multicast services
To transmit notification indicators for broadcast and multicast services, a base station maps the services to random sequences based on their identifiers. The base station generates the random sequence for each service based on a hash function or a PN generator and the service identifier. Each random sequence is associated with a specific location for sending a notification indicator in each frame. The locations for the notification indicators for each random sequence are randomized with respect to the locations for the notification indicators for each remaining random sequence. This randomness characteristic reduces the likelihood of false alarm. For each service, the base station sets the notification indicators to the same notification value in each modification period. The base station transmits the notification indicators for each service at the random locations determined by the random sequence for the service.
US08521136B2 User interface methods and apparatus for use in communicating messages
Methods and apparatus for use in communicating messages from a communication device are described. The device receives, via its user interface, an input request for creating a new message. The device also receives, via its user interface, one or more input requests for selecting one or more message recipient identifiers for the new message. In response to receiving the one or more input requests, the device identifies whether a stored conversation thread is associated with conversation participant identifiers that match the conversation participant identifiers for the new message. If so, the device displays the identified conversation thread together with a message body input field of the new message, prior to entry of message body contents in the message body input field. The device then receives, via the user interface, the message body contents in the message body input field, and causes the new message to be transmitted to one or more communication devices identified by the one or more message recipient identifiers.
US08521132B2 Abnormality detecting apparatus for communication terminal and abnormality detecting method for communication terminal
An abnormality detection apparatus for communication terminal that detects an abnormality based on terminal information regarding operations and callings on the communication terminal, and an abnormality detection method are provided to prevent frauds using communication terminals such as a telephone set. A abnormality detection apparatus for communication terminal, including: a pattern model storage unit configured to store behavior pattern models as a probabilistic model of transition relations of events relevant to operations and calls on a communication terminal; a terminal information obtaining unit configured to detect terminal information about the operations and the calls on the communication terminal; a pattern determination unit configured to determine whether or not a current behavior pattern is a normal behavior pattern by comparing the terminal information detected by the terminal information obtaining unit with the behavior pattern models stored in the pattern model storage unit; and a warning generation unit configured to output predetermined warning information when the pattern determination unit determines that the terminal information detected by the terminal information obtaining unit is not within a normal behavior pattern.
US08521131B1 Mobile device security
Techniques for providing friction-free transactions using geolocation and user identifiers are described herein. These techniques may ascertain a user's location based on a location of a mobile device. A transaction between the user and a merchant may be completed with zero or minimal input from the user based on the geolocation of the mobile device and the user identifiers. In some implementations, a transaction initiated earlier is completed when the mobile device arrives at the merchant. Additionally, a parent-child or similar relationship may be established between multiple devices. Security on the mobile device based may be provided by biometric identification and calculation of variance from regular movement patterns. Advertisements may be sent to the mobile device based on bids from merchants near to the mobile device. Promotions may be sent to the mobile device when more than a threshold number of mobile devices are located at the same merchant.
US08521130B2 System and method of secure message processing
A system and method for handling message indicator processing on a wireless mobile communications device. Message state data is stored in a cache for use in generating message indicators.
US08521128B1 Method, system, and computer program product for obtaining crowd-sourced location information
Systems, methods, computer programs, and user interfaces are provided to receive a first location tag from a first user device, the first location tag including a first location category and a first device location of the first user device, receive a second location tag from a second user device, the second location tag including the first location category and a second device location of the second user device, determine that a distance between the first device location and the second device location is less than a distance threshold, and store the first device location as a first point of interest in a points of interest layer in response to determining that the distance is less than the distance threshold, the points of interest layer being associated with the first location category.
US08521125B2 Electronic communication systems and methods for real-time location and information coordination
The present disclosure provides electronic communication systems and methods for real-time location and information coordination between multiple people, such as, for example, in the context of medical emergencies. Specifically, the systems and methods may include a mobile device, a method of operating mobile devices, and a system including a plurality of mobile devices communicatively coupled therebetween for real-time location and information synchronization. In an exemplary embodiment, the systems and methods may be utilized in a medical emergency situation, i.e. for triage, enabling coordination of emergency personnel in an efficient manner. By way of the systems and methods described herein, a common reference point geographically defined, data is gathered with location referenced to the common reference point, and personnel may select patients based on the real-time gathered information.
US08521123B2 System and method for authoritative validation of mobile service permissions
In one embodiment of the present invention, a system and method may be provided for authoritative validation of mobile service permissions. The system and method may include receiving a preemption request from a first responder to preempt non-emergency communications. Determining whether the first responder is authorized to preempt communications. Prioritizing communications from the first responder, if the first responder is authorized to preempt communications. Alternatively the first responder may be notified if the first responder is not authorized to preempt communications.
US08521122B2 Mobile device user interface for displaying emergency information
A wireless communications device displays emergency information such as, for example, contact information for multiple next of kin or other contact persons as well as personal, medical or travel-specific information about the owner of the device. This emergency information is made accessible on a graphical user interface or display screen of the device to a first responder, paramedic or other person coming to the rescue of the owner of the wireless communications device. Multiple contacts, which may optionally be arranged in order of proximity to the current location of the device, are presented to the first responder so as to provide the first responder with alternate contacts. Where the contacts are dynamically re-prioritized in terms of relative distance to the current location of the device, the emergency contacts that are presented to the first responder have the added advantage of being more geographically relevant and easier to understand based on relevant content being translated to a language appropriate to the current location.
US08521120B2 Semiconductor device
In an RF tag, a mask ROM or a flash memory is used for storing data such as an ID number. Although the mask ROM can be realized at a low price, rewriting is not possible. In addition, in the flash memory, although electric rewriting is possible, production cost increases. Accordingly, it is difficult to provide an RF tag by which data rewriting is possible at a low price. An RF tag is provided with a power supply circuit having a function to generate a power supply voltage from a weak radio signal and a memory which can hold data stored in a data holding portion by the power supply voltage. With the above structure, a high-performance RF tag capable of rewriting data such as an ID number after production can be provided at a low price.
US08521116B2 Systems, methods and devices for dual closed loop modulation controller for nonlinear RF amplifier
In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, systems, methods and devices are configured to facilitate RF envelope amplitude control. For example, a RF envelope amplitude control system comprises: a RF amplifier, wherein the RF amplifier is associated with a feedback device that is configured to create a first feedback signal representing the power in an RF output signal; a transmit waveform generator configured to generate a reference waveform signal; an adaptive table waveform generator configured to compare the reference waveform signal and the first feedback signal and to create a second feedback signal based on that comparison; and a loop filter configured to combine the reference waveform signal, the first feedback signal, and the second feedback signal to form an amplifier control signal, wherein the amplifier control signal is provided to the RF amplifier to adjust the RF output signal to conform to a specified RF envelope.
US08521114B2 PIN-diode linearized automatic gain control circuits
Automatic Gain Control AGC circuit comprising a PIN-diode attenuator having an input and an output and a control circuit connected to the attenuator so as to read a signal at the attenuator output. The control circuit is configured to supply a feedback control signal to the attenuator based on an error signal between the signal read at the attenuator output and a reference signal, so as to modulate an attenuation level of said attenuator and maintain a substantially constant power level at the attenuator output. The control circuit particularly comprises at least a resistor and a capacitor which define a time constant of the AGC circuit, so that the AGC circuit features a main pole depending on such time constant and on a voltage of the feedback control signal. The control circuit also comprises a variable gain block, which receives the feedback control signal and which is configured to modulate the main pole proportionally to a variable gain (G) of the gain block. Such gain (G) is varied substantially inversely to the feedback control signal voltage.
US08521112B2 Quadrature mixer
This invention provides an quadrature mixer which does not require a long time to adjust the amplitude value at the time of demodulation of the IQ signal. The quadrature mixer, comprising a first frequency-conversion unit that outputs a sixth signal derived by multiplying a first signal by a second and a fourth signals, a second frequency-conversion unit that outputs a seventh signal derived by multiplying the first signal by a third and a fifth signals, a first amplitude adjustment unit that outputs a eighth signal derived by multiplying the sixth signal by the third and fifth signals and a second amplitude adjustment unit that outputs a ninth signal derived by multiplying the seventh signal by the second and fifth signals.
US08521108B2 Radio receiver apparatus and radio transmitter apparatus
A radio receiver apparatus that can effectively utilize GI to improve the reception quality. In this apparatus, a data extracting part extracts a data portion of a direct wave from a signal subjected to a radio reception process by a received RF part. A GI extracting part extracts, from the signal subjected to the radio reception process by the received RF part, GI having a length determined by an extracted GI length deciding part. The extracted GI is adjusted by a data position adjusting part such that its rear end coincides with the read end of the extracted data portion. A combining part combines the extracted data portion with the GI the data position of which has been adjusted. The combined signal is then supplied to a frequency axis equalizing part, which equalizes the signal distortions of the combined signal on the frequency axis.
US08521103B2 Method and system for a greedy user group selection with range reduction in TDD multiuser MIMO downlink transmission
Certain aspects of a method and system for processing signals in a communication system may include maximizing system capacity for a communication system, based on a signal for a user within a search range and at least one other signal for one other user within the search range. The search range may be generated by sorting a plurality of signals based on a channel gain corresponding to each of the plurality of signals. The signal for the user may be selected from the search range corresponding to a channel gain that is greater than a channel gain corresponding to a remaining portion of the search range.
US08521102B2 Tunneling control method and apparatus for coordinated multi-point transmission, and method for transmitting data
A tunneling control method and apparatus for a coordinated multi-point transmission, and a method of transmitting data, are provided. The tunneling control method and the data transmission method may minimize a time delay that occurs because of the coordinated multi-point transmission between base stations.
US08521098B2 Receiving apparatus, transmitting apparatus, receiving method, transmitting method, communications system, and communication method
A receiving apparatus in a communications system that performs header compression of audio data and has a plurality of operation modes that each have a different frequency of header compression, the receiving apparatus includes: a receiver that receives the audio data, which is transmitted from a transmitting apparatus that performs the header compression; a processor that controls the receiving apparatus in accordance with the process includes: determining a voice-communication state of the received audio data; and changing the operation mode, according to a determination result.
US08521091B2 Method of measuring a distance between two radio-communication devices and device adapted to implement one such method
The invention relates to a method of measuring a distance between two radio-communication devices (1, 2), consisting in measuring a radio signal exchange delay. According to the invention, the time-of-flight of the signals is calculated from the exchange delay and subsequently corrected using an analysis of a single channel measuring frame that is transmitted between the two devices. The corrected time-of-flight corresponds to the shortest propagation path followed by the radio signals. In the majority of radio transmission medium configurations, the corrected time-of-flight is a straight line measurement of the distance separating the two devices (1, 2).
US08521086B2 Pairing an accessory with a host device using accessory output device
A method for pairing an accessory with a host device includes placing an output device of the accessory into a randomly selected state N-times. The information about the current state of the accessory is provided to a host device after each state selection for N number of times. Thereafter, the host device generates an authentication code based on the N inputs and the accessory generates another authentication code based on the N selected states. The authentication codes can be then compared and can be used to “pair” the host device and the accessory, allowing secure communication.
US08521085B2 Integrated circuit with intra-chip and extra-chip RF communication
An integrated circuit includes a first integrated circuit die having a first circuit and a first intra-chip interface and a second integrated circuit die having a second circuit and a second intra-chip interface and a remote interface, wherein the first intra-chip interface and the second intra-chip interface electro-magnetically communicate first signals between the first circuit and the second circuit, and wherein the remote interface is coupled to engage in electromagnetic communications with at least one other integrated circuit. In an embodiment of the present invention, a shielding element shields the electromagnetic communications with the at least one other integrated circuit from the electromagnetic communication of the first signals. In other embodiments, antenna beam patterns or differing polarizations are used to isolate the electromagnetic communications with the remote device from the electromagnetic communication of the first signals.
US08521076B2 Image forming apparatus including cooling mechanism for cooling heated sheet
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion that forms an image on a recording medium, a fixing portion that heats and fixes an image on a recording medium after forming the image, a feed path that conveys a recording medium after heating and fixing by the fixing portion, a first pair of feed rollers composed of two feed rollers provided in the feed path, and a cooling mechanism that sends cooling air to a nip portion of the pair of feed rollers or to the vicinity thereof. The cooling mechanism increases a cooling air volume when a recording medium is held between the first pair of feed rollers in comparison to the time when the recording medium is not held between the first pair of feed rollers.
US08521075B2 Control apparatus and image forming system for applying a transparent toner in an area where an image is to be formed
A control apparatus configured to control an image forming system, in forming a transparent toner on a sheet having color toners formed and fixed thereon, applies a transparent toner on an area on which an image can be formed and which is other than an area that a user desires to reduce the glossiness thereof.
US08521074B2 Fixing device and image formation apparatus
A fixing device forms a fixing nip by pressing a first roller, which is inside a rotation path of a rotating belt, with a second roller via the belt, and thermally fixes an unfixed image formed on a sheet S by passing the sheet S through the fixing nip while heating the belt by electromagnetic induction. The fixing device includes an excitation coil positioned outside said path, and a fixed plate that (i) is inside the path, substantially facing the excitation coil via the belt, (ii) contacts an inner surface of the belt, and (iii) keeps the belt on the path. A base member of the belt is a conductive heat generation layer containing no magnetic shunt alloy. The fixed plate includes a conductive layer and a magnetic shunt alloy layer that is closer to the belt than the conductive layer.
US08521066B2 Automatic document transportation device and document scanning device equipped with the same
An ADF includes an ADF main body portion, a scanner frame, a gear portion, a resistance gear, a torque limiter, and an outer cover. The scanner frame is arranged to be supported at the ADF main body portion such that it is rotatable. The gear portion is arranged on a rotation axis line of the scanner frame to integrally rotate with the scanner frame. The torque limiter is arranged to apply a resistance to the resistance gear that meshes with the gear portion when the scanner frame rotates from an exposed position to a usage position. The outer cover is attached to the ADF main body portion to cover one portion of the gear portion. The outer cover includes a contacting portion arranged to regulate the movement of the gear portion.
US08521065B2 Fuser for image forming apparatus
A fuser includes: a rotational member configured to rotate; a press member configured to press the rotational member; an induction-current generator configured to generate induction current in the rotational member; and a separator configured to separate a leading end of a recording medium that passes through a nip from the rotational member, when a distal end is in a separating position, and move to an open position.
US08521061B2 Image forming apparatus having support frame from which cartridges are detachable
A color multifunction printer as an example of an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of cartridges each containing a photoconductor; a support frame configured to support the cartridges arranged in tandem, the support frame being allowed to be pulled out horizontally from a casing of the apparatus to a position in which each of the cartridges is detachable from the support frame; and a plurality of exposure units mounted to the support frame, wherein each of the exposure units is disposed opposite to a corresponding photoconductor and is configured to expose the photoconductor to light to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. Each of the cartridges is configured to be detachable in such a direction that the photoconductor in the cartridge moves away from the corresponding exposure unit upon detachment.
US08521060B2 Cartridge with a protecting member and a sealing member for sealing a developer supply opening
A developing cartridge detachably mountable to image forming apparatus includes a developer carrying member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member; a protecting member, demountable in the axial direction of said developer carrying member from said frame; an accommodating portion accommodating the developer to be supplied to said developer carrying member; a sealing member sealing an opening for permitting the developer to be supplied from said accommodating portion to said developer carrying member; and a grip portion, provided at one longitudinal end of said sealing member, for being gripped when said sealing member is removed from said opening, said grip portion being movable between a first position on a movement locus of said protecting member when said protecting member is dismounted from said frame, and a second position outside the movement locus.
US08521056B2 Developing device and image forming apparatus
A developing device includes a developing roller; a housing that retains the developing roller such that the developing roller has exposed and unexposed portions, end portions of the housing having first faces curved along the unexposed portion and second faces facing inward; a layer-thickness regulating member having an edge near the developing roller; a first magnet including a first magnetic pole that attracts the developer and a second magnetic pole located downstream of the first magnetic pole and upstream of the exposed portion in a rotational direction of the developing roller, the second magnetic pole having a magnetic force of about 60 mT or less; second magnets retained on the first faces; and magnetic plates retained on the second faces and arranged such that developer chains formed thereon at the downstream ends in the rotational direction extend to positions upstream of the edge of the layer-thickness regulating member.
US08521049B2 Heater controller, image forming apparatus, method for controlling heater
A heater controller performs on/off control of a plurality of heaters and includes a storage unit that stores therein a plurality of pattern sets. Each of the pattern sets includes a plurality of heater-on/off patterns for respectively controlling the heaters. The heater controller calculates a reference value representing an average of values of electric power supplied to the heater controller over a predetermined period of time; calculates, for each of the pattern sets, an output power value to be supplied to the heaters when the heaters are turned-on according to the heater-on/off patterns included in the pattern set; calculates, for each of the pattern sets, a difference between the reference value and the output power value; selects, from the pattern sets, one pattern set having a smallest difference; and performs on/off control of the heaters according to the heater-on/off patterns included in the pattern set thus selected.
US08521046B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a recording medium transport belt which is suspended by a plurality of roller members. An image is secondarily transferred from a first image carrier through an intermediate transfer body to a recording medium. An image is directly transferred from a second image carrier to the recording medium. The image forming apparatus further includes a pattern image sensing unit which senses a pattern image transferred from the first image carrier and the second image carrier finally to the recording medium transport belt. Each of a distance from a secondary transfer position to a sensing position and a distance from a direct transfer position to the sensing position in a recording medium transport belt rotation direction is a natural number times a circumferential length of a roller member causing a speed change in the recording medium transport belt among the plurality of roller members.
US08521043B2 Image forming apparatus having a waste toner container
An image forming apparatus is configured to form an image on a recording sheet by transferring toner onto the recording sheet. The image forming apparatus may include a container having an inlet configured to receive waste toner, the container defining a storage area having a horizontal dimension greater than a vertical dimension. Also, the image forming apparatus may include a first pump disposed adjacent to the inlet of the container on an inlet side, the first pump configured to feed waste toner from the inlet to an outlet side of the first pump, and a second pump disposed adjacent to the outlet side of the first pump, the second pump configured to feed the waste toner fed by the first pump to an outlet side of the second pump on a side opposite the inlet in the storage area.
US08521041B2 Image forming apparatus with controller controlling an image forming operation
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a plurality of developing cartridges including respective toner accommodating portions for accommodating toners for forming an image on the image bearing member; a discriminating portion for discriminating color of the toner accommodated in each of the plurality of developing cartridges; a controller capable of controlling an image forming operation in a state in which the developing cartridges, of the plurality of developing cartridges, accommodating the toners of the same color are mounted; and a storing portion for storing lifetime information of the plurality of developing cartridges, respectively. When the developing cartridges accommodating the toners of the same color are mounted, the controller determines the developing cartridge, of the developing cartridges accommodating the toners of the same color, to be used for performing the image forming operation, on the basis of the lifetime information.
US08521040B2 Optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing receiver and optical signal receiving method thereof
Provided is an optical OFDM receiver. The optical OFDM receiver receives an optical signal dependent on the nonlinearity of a transmitter. The optical OFDM receives includes an optical down converter, a nonlinearity compensator, and an OFDM demodulator. The optical down converter converts the optical signal into an electrical signal. The nonlinearity compensator filters the electrical signal, for compensating distortion which is added to the optical signal when the transmitter performs optical modulation. The OFDM demodulator demodulates the distortion-compensated electrical signal in an OFDM scheme.
US08521037B2 Optoelectronic logic gate
Systems and methods for implementing and using optoelectronic gates are disclosed. One such method includes superimposing an electrical data bit onto a first optical input to produce a pair of first-stage optical outputs. The first one of the pair of first-stage optical outputs carries the electrical data bit and the second carries the complement of the electrical data bit. The method further includes comparing an electrical target bit with the electrical data bit conveyed by the first first-stage optical outputs and with the complement of the electrical data bit conveyed by the second first-stage optical outputs, to determine whether the electrical target bit and the electrical data bit are same or different.
US08521035B2 Systems and methods for visible light communication
Systems and methods for visible light communication are disclosed. In part, illumination devices and related systems and methods are disclosed that can be used for general illumination, lighting control systems, or other applications. The illumination devices synchronize preferentially to the AC mains to produce time division multiplexed channels in which control information can be communicated optically by the same light source that is producing illumination. Such illumination devices preferentially comprise LEDs for producing illumination, transmitting data, detecting ambient light, and receiving data, however, other light sources and detectors can be used. The physical layer can be used with a variety of protocols, such as ZigBee, from the Media ACcess (MAC) layer and higher.
US08521034B2 Apparatus and method for interference mitigation and channel selection for visible light communication
A device and method for device association, interference mitigation and channel selection for use in a visible light communication (VLC) network. The method includes transmitting on every one of a plurality of supported color channels of a first device to estimate an ambient interference on each supported color channel. The method also includes receiving a transmission on at least some of the supported color channels, where the number of receiving color channels is less than or equal to the number of supported color channels of the transmitter. The method further includes calculating a channel quality index for each of the receiving color channels. The method still further includes selecting at least one of the receiving color channels of the first device to be used as a communication channel. The method also includes reporting the at least one communication channel to a second device in the VLC network. In certain embodiments, the method includes establishing guard color channels for each of the supported color channels.
US08521032B2 Optical fiber interface system and connector
A media converter to converts digital fiber optic signals to electronic analog signals in the form of voltage doublet and vice-versa. The media converter includes a differential transmit transformer, a transmit stub interface and an optical fiber transmit interface arranged in serial flow communication in a first communication path; and a differential receive transformer, a receive stub interface and an optical fiber receive interface in serial flow communication in a second communication path. The first communication path converts a voltage doublet signal received from the electronic component to a digital optical signal for transmission to a passive optical star via the optical fiber coupler, and the second communication path converts a digital optical signal received from the passive optical star via the optical fiber coupler to an voltage doublet signal for transmission to the electronic component.
US08521031B2 Optical transceiver modules and systems and optical transceiving methods
An optical transceiver module includes a receiving unit, a transmission driving unit, and a terminal control unit. The receiving unit outputs a receiver lost signal. The transmission driving unit includes a positive receiving signal terminal and a negative receiving signal terminal. The terminal control unit is coupled between the positive receiving signal terminal and the negative receiving signal terminal. The terminal control unit controls whether a differential terminator impedance is coupled between the positive receiving signal terminal and the negative receiving signal terminal according to the receiver lost signal.
US08521030B2 Transceiver apparatus, communication control method, and concentrator
In order to reduce the power consumption of a transceiver apparatus, In a transceiver apparatus that comprises a plurality of transmitting sections that divide input data and sends the divided data using a plurality of parallel transmission channels, at least one parallel transmission channel is determined from the plurality of parallel transmission channels in accordance with an amount of data, and a power source is supplied to the transmitting section from the plurality of transmitting sections which sends the divided data using the determined parallel transmission channel, while not supplying a power source to transmitting sections from the plurality of transmitting sections which do not send the divided data.
US08521027B2 System and method for demultiplexing optical multi-wavelength signals
A demultiplexer and a method of demultiplexing a multiplex of spatially separable multiple wavelength streams, where an incoming multiplex of multiple wavelength streams is separated into a first stream of wavelengths and a second stream of wavelengths according to at least one predetermined separation criterion. The first stream and the second stream are respectively input into a first and a second input port of a multi-input port, multi-output port frequency demultiplexer where the first stream and the second stream are separated into a first group of single wavelengths and a second group of single wavelengths respectively. The first group of single wavelengths is coupled to respective output ports and the second group of single wavelengths are coupled to respective output ports.
US08521025B2 Scheduling WDM PON with tunable lasers with different tuning times
Technologies are generally described for network traffic scheduling in a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) passive optical network (PON). Dynamic wavelength assignment and time allocation in hybrid WDM/TDM PONs with tunable lasers as optical light generators is accomplished by mapping the scheduling into a multi-processor scheduling problem with wavelength channels as machines and ONU requests as jobs. Wavelengths may be considered as parallel identical machines. Taking laser tuning time into consideration preemptive and non-preemptive scheduling with the objective of minimizing the latest job completion time is computed employing a number of heuristic algorithms. The algorithms compute two extreme cases of zero and infinity laser tuning time, respectively. Using the results from these two extreme cases, the heuristic scheduling schemes for the case of arbitrary laser tuning time yield close average latest job completion times for both schedule types.
US08521024B2 Long reach optical network
An optical network includes a first optical network for carrying a plurality of optical channels in an optical fiber, wherein each of the plurality of optical channels comprise a discrete wavelength in a first range of wavelengths. A second optical network coupled to the first optical network by a first tunable filter. A first customer location coupled to the second optical network by a second tunable filter. The first tunable filter is configured to pass a first set of optical channels from the first optical network to the second optical network. The first set of optical channels includes a subset of the plurality optical channels within a second range of wavelengths less than the first range of wavelengths. The second tunable filter is configured to pass a particular channel within the first set of optical channels from the second optical network to the first customer location.
US08521022B1 Dynamic assignment of wavelengths in agile photonic networks
In an automatically switched optical network, the wavelengths are assigned to optical path based on their intrinsic physical performance and on the current network operating parameters. The wavelength performance information is organized in binning tables, based primarily on the wavelength reach capabilities. A network topology database provides the distance between the nodes of the network, which is used to determine the length of the optical path. Other network operating parameters needed for wavelength selection are also available in this database. Once a bin corresponding to the path length is identified in the binning table, the wavelength for that path is selected based on length only, or based on the length and one or more additional parameters. The optical path performance is estimated for the selected wavelength, and the search continues if the estimated path performance is not satisfactory. Several available wavelengths are searched and of those, the wavelength that is most used along the optical path in consideration or alternatively network-wide is selected and assigned. This method helps minimize wavelength fragmentation. The binning tables may have various granularities, and may be organized by reach, or by reach, wavelength spacing, the load on the respective optical path, the fiber type, etc.
US08521019B2 Method and system for closed loop control of an optical link
A method of closed loop control for an optical link is presented, utilizing a copper feedback connection between the optical transmitter and optical receiver, suitable for short distance applications. An architecture is provides that may be used to define and maintain an optimum optical launch power for a defined bit error rate, guaranteeing extinction ratio and absolute optimum operating power. The invention also includes the use of such a loop in achieving fast link initialization and dynamic optimization to compensate for all effects of time and temperature for all components within the link.
US08521017B2 MEMS actuator alignment
A method for aligning an actuator device relative to an adjacent component, such as a rear cover of an actuator module or a stationary lens, includes disposing a plurality of radially extending tabs around an outer periphery of the actuator device, disposing a corresponding plurality of pairs of raised mounting features on a front surface of the adjacent component, each pair defining a slot having sidewalls that are complementary in configuration to respective sidewalls of corresponding ones of the tabs, and inserting respective ones of the tabs into corresponding ones of the slots.
US08521016B2 Camera system
In a camera system including an interchangeable lens and a camera body, a body controller performs control a drive signal transmission unit to drive a focus lens in a predetermined direction, and transmit a timing signal to the interchangeable lens. The lens controller performs control to detect a position of the focus lens in synchronization with the timing signal received from the camera body and store the detected position in a storage unit.
US08521015B2 Autofocus apparatus and method for controlling the same
An autofocus apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to capture an object image entered through a focus lens and output image data, a detection unit configured to detect a focus signal based on the image data, a focus adjustment unit configured to perform a focus adjusting operation for adjusting a position of the focus lens based on the detected focus signal, an acquisition unit configured to acquire information relating to a distance to an object, and a change unit configured to change at least one of a time interval, a movable range of the focus lens in acquiring the focus signal in the subsequent focus adjusting operation, and an amount of movement of the focus lens in acquiring the focus signal in the subsequent focus adjusting operation, according to the information relating to the distance to the object.
US08521014B2 Fuel gas conditioning system with cross heat exchanger and scissor baffles
A feed gas conditioner.
US08521012B2 Recording medium for storing real time recording/reproduction information, method and apparatus for recording and reproducing in real time, and file operating method using the same
A recording medium for storing real time recording/reproduction information, a real time recording and reproducing method and apparatus, and a file operating method using the information. Real time recording/reproduction information for ensuring real time recording/reproduction is stored in a file control information area, in each real time file, or in a separate file, and real time recording/reproduction attributes are assigned to the file. Thus, real time recorded files can be continuously reproduced without interruption. Also, there are methods of creating a file to which real time recording/reproduction attributes are assigned, extending a data area, and recording and reproducing the file to which real time recording/reproduction attributes are assigned.
US08521011B2 Receiving apparatus and its control method, computer program, and storage medium
An apparatus and method allow playback of transferred moving image data by a receiving apparatus for confirmation of the received contents even when the transfer rate of moving image data for normal playback is high and when the processing capability and displaying capability of the apparatus on the receiving side are low. To this end, when the transfer rate of moving image data for normal playback is high and when the processing capability and displaying capability of a personal computer are low, received image data for high speed playback is displayed in place of decoding and displaying received moving image data for normal playback.
US08521008B2 Image recording apparatus and image capture apparatus
An image recording apparatus (e.g., a hard disk and so on) comprises (a) a recording unit adapted to record moving image data from an external device (e.g., a video camera and so on) on a recording medium; (b) a detection unit adapted to detect an occurrence of a dropout which occurs when the moving image data is recorded onto the recording medium; and (c) a transmitting unit adapted to transmit control data for notifying the presence and absence of a dropout to the external device.
US08521006B2 Boundary detection in media streams
Encoded data decoding techniques. A data decoding agent determines a data segment size for a packet that includes a header and a data segment. The data decoding agent determines a segment end location based, at least in part, on the data segment size. The data decoding agent processes subblocks of data from the data segment. The data decoding agent compares a current location to the segment end location to determine if a current subblock of data from the data segments contains the segment end location. The data decoding agent triggers an exception handler if the current subblock contains the segment end location.
US08521005B2 System and method for disposal of digital media
A system and method are described for rendering Compact Discs (CDs) and Digital Video Discs (DVDs) unreadable. Embodiments comprise a frame, a guide for constraining motion of the frame with respect to a disc, and at least one scraping element. Scraping elements may be positioned to damage the disc volume descriptor while the frame moves in a constrained manner relative to the disc. The guide may comprise a spindle which engages the center hole of a disc to hold the frame in a radially-fixed position. A scraping element on the frame damages the disc as the disc rotates relative to the frame. The guide may be integrated, such that the frame comprises a slot through which the disc passes. A scraping element inside the slot damages a disc as it passes through. Embodiments are hand operated, not motorized, and some have no moving parts. Embodiments also function with non-optical media.
US08521004B2 Methods and apparatuses for managing assets stored in local memory of an optical disc player device
Methods and apparatuses are provided, which may be implemented for use in managing data assets stored in local memory of the optical disc player device.
US08521003B2 Recording apparatus and recording medium
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a record medium for recording a data read time, a seek time, a successive reproduction time, a successive record length, and a correlation among data pieces. A recording apparatus of the present invention is a recoding apparatus for recording data to a rewritable record medium, comprising an encoding means for encoding the data corresponding to a predetermined compressing and encoding system, a converting means for converting a data structure of encoded data that is output from the encoding means into a file structure that a computer software program that synchronously reproduces a moving picture and so forth can handle without need to use a special hardware device, and a recording means for recording data having the file structure to the record medium, wherein the file structure has a first data unit, a second data unit, and a data portion, the second data unit being a set of a plurality of first data units, the data portion describing management information, wherein the plurality of second data units is correlated with a successive record length of the record medium, and wherein the data portion contains a time length and a data length of the second data unit recorded in the successive record length.
US08520998B2 Raceway with media retaining offset slots
A raceway including a base, a first side wall extending from the base, and a second side wall extending from the base opposite the first side wall. At least one of the first side wall and second side wall includes at least one media retention opening having a bottom surface spaced away from the base and configured to receive at least one media. An offset slot is adjacent the media retention opening and extends from a free edge of the side wall to a depth below the free edge of the media retention opening, such that the offset slot is in communication with the media retention opening.
US08520996B2 Removably mountable fiber optic terminal
A zero-U, high-density fiber optic terminal for data centers and central offices is disclosed. The terminal may be used for optical fiber interconnection and/or optical fiber and fiber optic cable storage. The terminal is removably mountable to a cable tray above fiber optic equipment, in a subfloor below fiber optic equipment or on a wall in proximity of fiber optic equipment. Additionally, the terminal may have an adapter panel with fiber optic adapters for optically connecting the optical fiber of a first fiber optic cable received from the cable tray and the optical fiber of a second fiber optic cable. The second fiber optic cable is intended to extend to the fiber optic equipment. The adapter panel and the fiber optic adapters are angled generally in the direction in which the second fiber optic cable is intended to extend. Angling the fiber optic adapters in this manner accommodates routing of second fiber optic cable, and provides ease of access to the fiber optic adapters for connecting and disconnecting fiber optic connectors and to slack storage components for cable management mounted in the terminal.
US08520992B2 Optical fiber cable ready for mid-span access and method of mid-span access thereof
An optical fiber cable is comprised of: a slotted core (7) elongated along an axis of the optical fiber cable, the slotted core including a slot (11) running in parallel with the axis and a groove (5) accessible through the slot; one or more optical fibers (3) placed in the groove; a sheath (9) enclosing the slotted core and the optical fibers; a bonding portion (15) where the slotted core is bonded with the sheath; and two or more strength members (17) embedded in the slotted core, the strength member running in parallel with the axis, and being aligned on a plane including the axis.
US08520990B2 High-power collimating lens assemblies, and methods of reducing the optical power density in collimating lens assemblies
The present invention provides improved collimating lens assemblies (32) which include: a singlemode fiber (38) terminating in a distal end; a step-index multimode fiber (44) having a proximal end abutting to the singlemode fiber distal end, and having a distal end; a graded-index multimode fiber (45) having a proximal end abutting the step-index multimode fiber distal end, and having a distal end; and a collimating lens (34) longitudinally spaced from the graded-index multimode fiber distal end by an intermediate air gap (43), and operatively arranged to collimate light rays emanating from the graded-index multimode fiber distal end. The improved collimating lens assembly is characterized by the fact that there is no epoxy, silicone gel or index-matching material between the graded-index multimode fiber distal end and the collimating lens.
US08520981B2 Document retrieval of feature point groups using a geometrical transformation
The arrangements of feature points are computed based on feature points acquired from checking target images. The feature amount having invariants as elements regarding a geometrical transformation is generated for each of the checking target images based on a computed result. And when checking whether or not the feature point arrangements of the checking target images are the same feature point arrangements by using the feature point amounts of the checking target images, at least each of the feature point arrangements that are bases for generating the feature amounts is stored, and a parameter regarding the geometrical transformation is computed based on the feature point arrangements of the checking target images. By utilizing the computed parameter regarding the geometrical transformation, whether or not the feature point arrangements of the checking target images are the same feature point arrangements is checked.
US08520977B2 Architectures and methods for creating and representing time-dependent imagery
The present invention pertains to geographical image processing of time-dependent imagery. Various assets acquired at different times are stored and processing according to acquisition date in order to generate one or more image tiles for a geographical region of interest. The different image tiles are sorted based on asset acquisition date. Multiple image tiles for the same region of interest may be available. In response to a user request for imagery as of a certain date, one or more image tiles associated with assets from prior to that date are used to generate a time-based geographical image for the user.
US08520972B2 Image decomposition
A computer-implemented method includes segmenting an input image into a plurality of image cues, each image cue representing a unique set of pixels of the input image. For each image cue, the method includes determining a set of image components, wherein each image component is associated with at least one adjustable factor to represent at least one characteristic of the image cue.
US08520970B2 Infrared resolution and contrast enhancement with fusion
The present disclosure relates to a method of improving an IR image comprising capturing a visual image and an IR image of an object, altering a resolution of at least one of said visual image and IR image, high pass filtering said visual image to generate a processed visual image, low pass filtering said IR image to generate a processed IR image, and combining information from said processed visual image and said processed IR image to generate a combined image.
US08520963B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program for processing content based on user viewing situation
An image processing apparatus includes a viewing situation analyzing unit configured to obtain information representing a user's viewing situation of 3D content stored in a certain storage unit, and, based on a preset saving reference in accordance with a viewing situation of 3D content, determine a data reduction level of content data of the 3D content stored in the storage unit; and a data conversion unit configured to perform data compression of the content data of the 3D content stored in the storage unit in accordance with the determined data reduction level.
US08520961B2 Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding multi-view image
Provided is a method and apparatus for encoding and decoding a multiview image. By predicting a current picture based on at least one of an intra (I) picture of a previous image processing block and an I picture of a current image processing block, which is generated for a different view than a view at which the I picture of the previous image processing block is generated, and encoding the current picture based on the prediction, it is possible to prevent display quality degradation that may occur in images at views other than a base view.
US08520960B2 Method for decoding a stream of coded data representative of a sequence of images and method for coding a sequence of images
A method for decoding a stream of coded data representative of a sequence of images divided into blocks is described. It comprises the following steps for a current block: reconstructing a residual block of residual data from the decoding of a first part of the coded stream of data relating to the current block, determining a prediction block, and reconstructing the current block by merging the residual block and the prediction block, According to the invention, the decoding method comprises in addition a step of reorganization of residual data in the residual block before the reconstruction of the current block according to the content of the prediction block.The invention also relates to a method for coding.
US08520959B2 Method and device for determining image quality
In a method and a device for determining an image quality of an image sequence comprising several images, the images are reconstructed from a data stream encoded by a predictive encoding process, and a respective flicker indicator is determined for an image range of the respective images of the image sequence, wherein the respective flicker indicator displays by two states whether flickering occurs or not in the image range of the respective image, an overall flicker indicator being generated such that the overall flicker indicator corresponds to that number of flicker indicators which display flickering, and the image quality being generated by division of the overall flicker indicator by a number of specific flicker indicators.
US08520958B2 Parallelization of variable length decoding
Parallelization of decoding of a data stream encoded with a variable length code includes determining one or more markers, each of which indicates a position within the encoded data stream. The determined markers are included into the encoded data stream together with the encoded data. At the decoder side, the markers are parsed from the encoded data stream and based on the extracted markers. The encoded data is separated into partitions, which are decoded separately and in parallel.
US08520955B2 Object detection apparatus and method
The present invention discloses an object detection apparatus and method. A feature extracting section of the present invention comprises: a feature point extracting section, for extracting a combination of predetermined feature point pairs from an image; a pixel value obtaining section, for obtaining a pixel value of each feature point in the combination of feature point pairs; a feature point comparing section, for comparing, in accordance with the pixel values obtained by the pixel value obtaining section, two feature points in each feature point pair to obtain a logical value; and an feature obtaining section, for determining the feature of the image in accordance with the logical value.
US08520952B2 System and method for defining a search window
A system and method for defining a window to search a region of interest for processing a road image, the search window having a longitudinal orientation directed according to the height of the image and being laterally delimited by two edges. The shape of the search window is adapted to the road configuration by defining at least one non-vertical portion on one of the edges. A preferred application is the processing of road images for determining visibility distances in foggy weather.
US08520950B2 Image processing device, image processing method, program, and integrated circuit
The image processing device includes: a storage unit (211) holding intensity gradient vectors Vr, position vectors Rr, and voting vectors Ur of a reference image; an intensity gradient vector calculation unit (212) which calculates intensity gradient vectors Vs of a search image; and a position determination unit (213) which determines a position of the reference image in the search image. The position determination unit (213) includes: a sampling unit (214) which thins out a part of the intensity gradient vectors Vs and/or the voting vectors Ur; an origin position estimation unit (215) which locates voting vectors Ur at each starting position of intensity gradient vectors Vs and estimates ending positions of the voting vectors Ur as candidate points; and a re-verification unit (216) which locates the position vectors Rr at each candidate point and determines a candidate point having most intensity gradient vectors Vs at ending positions of the position vectors Rr as an origin position.
US08520949B1 Self-similar descriptor filtering
According to an embodiment, a method for filtering feature point matches for visual object recognition is provided. The method includes identifying local descriptors in an image and determining a self-similarity score for each local descriptor based upon matching each local descriptor to its nearest neighbor descriptors from a descriptor dataset. The method also includes filtering feature point matches having a number of local descriptors with self-similarity scores that exceed a threshold. According to another embodiment, the filtering step may further include removing feature point matches. According to a further embodiment, a system for filtering feature point matches for visual object recognition is provided. The system includes a descriptor identifier, a self-similar descriptor analyzer and a self-similar descriptor filter.
US08520943B2 Method and apparatus for block based image compression with multiple non-uniform block encodings
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for block based image compression with multiple non-uniform block encodings. In one embodiment, an image is divided into blocks of pixels. In one embodiment the blocks are four pixels by four pixels, but other block sizes are used in other embodiments. In one embodiment, a block of pixels in the original image is compressed using two different methods to produce a first and second compressed block. Thus, each block in the original image is represented by two, typically different, compressed blocks. In one embodiment, color associated with a pixel is determined by combining the compressed information about the pixel in the first compressed block with information about the pixel in the second compressed block. In another embodiment, global information about the image is combined with the information in the first and second compressed blocks.
US08520937B2 Method of automatically creating natural image by using optimization technique
A method of automatically creating a natural image which may reduce the torment of creation which is a burden to a designer when creating a new image. To this end, the method includes an initial setting operation of setting an initial condition; a pre-process operation of setting a variable for a phase optimization process; a phase optimization operation of dividing an image to be created into finite elements, assigning values of material properties to the finite elements, performing filtering on the assigned values of the material properties, optimizing a design variable by using an optimization technique, updating a design variable obtained through the optimization process into a new design variable, determining whether the new design variable satisfies a preset convergence criterion, and if it is determined that the new design variable satisfies the preset convergence criterion, outputting a resultant structure; and a post-process operation of converting a final value of a design variable obtained through the phase optimization process into an RGB value of a digital image.
US08520935B2 2D to 3D image conversion based on image content
A method for converting a 2D image into a 3D image includes receiving the 2D image; analyzing content of the received 2D image; determining a 2D-to-3D image conversion method based on a result of the content analysis; generating the 3D image by applying the determined method to the received 2D image; and providing the generated 3D image.
US08520934B2 System and method for marking a stereoscopic film
A system and method for marking a stereoscopic film with colors are provided. The system and method provides for marking a left image with a mark and a right image with a mark having complementary colors, wherein upon viewing, the marks are not visible under certain conditions. The system and method provide for acquiring a stereoscopic image, the stereoscopic image including a first image and a second image, applying a first mark to the first image in a predetermined location, the first mark having a first color, and applying a second mark to the second image in substantially the same predetermined location as in the first image, the second mark having a second color that is different than the first color of the first mark, wherein when viewed in three-dimensional mode, the first mark and the second mark combine into a single mark of one color.
US08520927B2 Medical image processing apparatus and ultrasonic imaging apparatus
A tumor region setting section sets a liver tumor region for a plurality of ultrasonic image data along a time series acquired by ultrasonically capturing a subject to which a contrast agent has been administered. A TIC generator obtains a time change indicating a time change of the pixel values in the liver tumor region based on the plurality of ultrasonic image data along the time series. A peak-detection section specifies a peak point of the time change and obtains the time and pixel value of that peak point. A first determination section determines the degree of malignancy of the liver tumor based on the time and pixel value of the peak point. A display controller displays the degree of malignancy on a display section.
US08520923B2 Reporting organ volume for a medical digital image
A method for providing a calculated volume data value for an organ of a patient acquires image data for a first volume image series and for at least a second volume image series for the patient and displays the first volume image series. The method responds to an instruction to generate the volume data value by identifying a seed point in the first volume image series, correlating the seed point to the second volume image series, segmenting the organ in at least the second volume image series according to the correlated seed point, and calculating the volume data value for the organ using at least the segmented second volume image series. The calculated volume data value can be displayed.
US08520922B2 Method and apparatus for detection of caries
A method for forming an enhanced image (60) of a tooth (20) making use of the tooth (20) fluorescence and/or reflectance effects, employs a morphological image processing technique, and reduces susceptibility to overall intensity variations in the image (60).
US08520918B2 Medical diagnostic image change highlighter
Systems and methods are disclosed which enable more accurate examination of medical diagnostic images, for example x-ray, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. The systems and methods highlight anomalies that have changed between the collection times of two or more diagnostic images, and can also provide objective scoring of the degree of change.
US08520917B2 Method and device to automatically determine the rest phase of the heart
In a method and device to automatically determine a rest phase of the heart of an examination person in an imaging device, multiple images of the heart are acquired during a cardiac cycle and the rest phase of the heart is automatically determined by post-processing of the acquired images, and the determined rest phase is used for subsequent measurements.
US08520913B2 Apparatus and method for reducing noise in fingerprint sensing circuits
An apparatus for reducing noise in fingerprint sensing circuits is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a fingerprint sensing area onto which a user can apply a fingerprint. An analog front end is coupled to the fingerprint sensing area and is configured to generate an analog response signal. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) samples the analog response signal and converts the sample to a digital value, which may be received by a digital device such as a processor or CPU. To reduce the amount of the noise that is present in the analog response signal and therefore reflected in the digital value, the digital device may be shut down while the ADC is sampling the analog response signal.
US08520912B2 Fingerprint recognition device
A fingerprint recognition device, applicable to retrieving a fingerprint image, includes a light guiding plate, a finger plate, an imaging piece, and at least one light source. The light guiding plate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other and a sidewall surface connected between the first surface and the second surface. The finger plate is adjacent to the first surface of the light guiding plate. The imaging piece is adjacent to the second surface of the light guiding plate, and the light source is adjacent to the sidewall surface of the light guiding plate. The light source emits a light towards the sidewall surface and the light enters the light guiding plate. The light guided by the light guiding plate is emitted out of the first surface, and the imaging piece retrieves the fingerprint image on the finger plate.
US08520911B2 Low power fingerprint capture system, apparatus, and method
The present invention provides a large format fingerprint capture apparatus, system and method that is low power, compact, and lightweight and has a platen area greater than 3.0 square inches. The present system is typically powered, controlled, and exchanges data over a single data/control/power connection to a host PC, e.g., a desk top computer, PDA, or laptop computer although the system can also be used in a wireless fashion with a power subsystem so no physical connections are required. In a preferred embodiment the large format fingerprint device is directly connected to a completely disconnected portable PC, such as a laptop having only a battery power source. The primary system components of the present invention combine to minimize power, size and weight and, thus, enhance portability and battery life. The system typically includes a light source, a prism, a camera (including the lens), and a case. Optional elements comprise holographic elements such as gratings and holographic optical elements (HOEs), a battery subsystem, magnetic stripe reader, barcode reader, platen heater, platen blower, and mirrors to divert the image beam.
US08520909B2 Automatic and semi-automatic image classification, annotation and tagging through the use of image acquisition parameters and metadata
A method for characterizing image contents automatically or semi-automatically using image acquisition parameters and metadata is presented. The method establishes probabilistic and deterministic relationships between different types of metadata and the semantic attributes and contents of images. It furnishes a mechanism that enables the automatic and semi-automatic classification, annotation, tagging, indexing, searching, identification or retrieval of images based on their contents, semantic properties and metadata characteristics. The method uses, but is not limited to, image capture metadata such as focal length, exposure time, relative aperture, flash information, ISO setting, angle of view, subject distance, timestamp, GPS information as well as other forms of metadata, including but not limited to, captions, keywords, headings, tags, comments, remarks, titles which may be automatically, semi-automatically, or manually generated. The present invention can be applied to image databases, web searching, personal search, community search, broad-based or vertical search engines for internet, intranet, extranet or other usages.
US08520904B2 Methods and systems for protection of identity
The present invention relates to a method to the creation and management of a secondary identification to avoid identify theft. Identity theft may occur over the internet, the purchase of goods and services by credit, and many other forms not yet known. The present invention creates a secondary identification for a person by creating one or more of the following secondary identifications which include a secondary email address, a secondary postal address, a secondary phone number, and any other identifying secondary information. The present invention describes methods and systems to create a secondary identification. Further, the present invention may be used to create a credit card containing the requestor's secondary identification.
US08520895B2 System and method for range and velocity estimation in video data as a function of anthropometric measures
A system and method calculate a range and velocity of an object in image data. The range calculation includes detecting a contour of the object from the image data, forming a template from the image data based on the contour; and calculating a range to the object using pixel resolution and dimension statistics of the object. A three-dimensional velocity of the object is determined by calculating a radial component and an angular component of the velocity. The radial velocity component is calculated by determining the range of the object in two or more image frames, determining a time differential between the two or more image frames, and calculating the radial velocity as a function of the range of the object in the two or more image frames and the time differential between the two or more image frames. The angular component is calculated using spatial-temporal derivatives as a function of a motion constraint equation.
US08520893B2 Method and system for detecting object
Provided are a system and method for detecting an object. The method includes selecting a macroscopic scan mode in which there are a small number of divided regions or a microscopic scan mode in which there are a large number of divided regions according to complexity of a background including an object to be detected, dividing an input image into one or more regions according to the selected scan mode, merging adjacent regions having similar characteristics among the divided regions, extracting a search region by excluding a region having a high probability that the object to be detected does not exist from the divided or merged regions, extracting feature data including a feature vector for detecting the object in the search region, and detecting the object in the search region using the extracted feature data.
US08520892B2 Method and apparatus for detecting objects
A method for detecting an object on an image representable by picture elements includes: “determining first and second adaptive thresholds for picture elements of the image, depending on an average intensity in a region around the respective picture element”, “determining partial objects of picture elements of a first type that are obtained based on a comparison with the first adaptive threshold”, “determining picture elements of a second type that are obtained based on a comparison with the second adaptive threshold” and “combining a first and a second one of the partial objects to an extended partial object by picture elements of the second type, when a minimum distance exists between the first and the second of the partial objects, wherein the object to be detected can be described by a sum of the partial objects of picture elements of the first type and/or the obtained extended partial objects”.
US08520891B2 Method of predicting crop yield loss due to N-deficiency
A method for determining the yield loss of a crop using remote sensor data is described. The yield loss is determined using the reflectivity of green light by the crop canopy measured from remote sensor data such as an aerial photograph that is digitized and spatially referenced to the field's longitude and latitude. Green pixel values from the aerial photograph, expressed relative to green pixel values from well-fertilized areas of the field, are transformed to yield losses using a linear transformation that was developed using empirical data. A similar method is described to determine recommended nitrogen fertilization rates for the crop fields. The yield loss data is useful for nitrogen fertilization management, as it allows a producer of crops to weigh the expense of fertilization against the loss of revenue due to yield loss.
US08520888B2 Apparatus, method and programmable product for identification of a document with feature analysis
The present application relates to a method, apparatus and programmable product for uniquely identifying a document. More specifically, the application allows for the identification of the document through collection of minutiae data at various points throughout the document's lifecycle without reliance upon or requirement for any unique identification characters, barcodes and/or objects that were added to the document specifically for the purpose of identification.
US08520885B2 Composite speaker
A composite speaker is disclosed that can more easily be made thin and small, and is configured so that the assembly process of the speaker is easy. A first space that opens to the rear is formed in a main yoke that forms a magnetic field emitter, and a magnetic gap is formed in the first space. A first voice coil, connected to an inner peripheral end of a first diaphragm whose surface area is large, is inserted into the first magnetic gap toward the front direction. A second space that passes through from front to back is provided in the main yoke, a second magnetic field emitter is mounted therein, and a second diaphragm whose surface area is small is provided in front thereof. Because of the structure in which the second magnetic field emitter is housed within the first magnetic field emitter, the front-to-back dimension of the speaker can be reduced.
US08520884B2 Audio/video device
An audio/video device including a plurality of walls together forming a case, wherein one wall of the plurality of walls includes an inner peripheral edge. A surface extends from the inner peripheral edge inwardly of the case and defines an open-sided outwardly facing cavity. At least one item of connection is located within the cavity. A tongue is provided having a base and an outer peripheral edge. The inner peripheral edge of the one wall is divided into a first portion and a second portion. At the base, the tongue joins with the first portion of the inner peripheral edge of the one wall. The tongue extends substantially parallel with the one wall from the base to the outer peripheral edge so as to partially close the cavity and define a gap around the tongue, the gap extending between the outer peripheral edge of the tongue and the second portion of the inner peripheral edge of the one wall.
US08520881B2 Hearing apparatus with low-interference receiver control and corresponding method
A power-saving control of the receiver in hearing devices with wireless transmission to other devices is also to be possible without significant interferences. Provision is thus made in accordance with the invention for a hearing apparatus, in particular a hearing device, with a transmission facility for wireless data transmission in a main frequency band, a loudspeaker and a control facility for controlling the loudspeaker with a control signal, with the frequency spectrum of the control signal having a significant notch in the range of the main frequency band. A “noise-shaping” of this type can be achieved by pulse-density modulated receiver control signals.
US08520880B2 Boundary microphone
A boundary microphone is provided to effectively reduce noises caused by external electromagnetic waves by providing electrostatic shielding, including on the portion of lead wires from a microphone unit to a circuit board. The boundary microphone has a base plate, a cover, a circuit board, and a microphone unit mounted in the opening with a metallic holder. A shield pattern for electrostatically shielding inside of the recess with the base plate is formed on the circuit board. The holder is configured to include a cylindrical section into which a rear end side of the microphone unit is fitted, and a D-cut section in which a part of a circumferential surface and a base surface of a cylinder with a base integral with the cylindrical section are cut away in parallel to a board surface of the circuit board, and the lead wire is routed within the D-cut section.
US08520877B1 Resonant structure for loudspeaker
A resonant structure for loudspeaker includes a basket defining a front opening and having an annular magnet mounted therein; a voice coil suspended inside the magnet; a diaphragm connected at a suspended flange to the front opening of the basket; at least one flexible suspension member spaced behind the diaphragm for connecting to a rear opening of the basket; and an inner frame having a front end glued to a rear wall surface of the diaphragm, a central area to the voice coil and a rear wing member to the flexible suspension member. When the voice coil moves forward and backward on the inner frame, best possible harmonic resonance between the diaphragm and the flexible suspension members can be obtained. The loudspeaker is effectively reduced in height, and bass response is enhanced to ensure upgraded sound quality.
US08520874B1 Hearing aid with an operational based switch
A hearing aid device includes ear engagement structure, including a speaker, which actuates the hearing device when pressed against the ear of a user. Withdrawing the ear engagement structure from the ear deactuates the hearing aid device.
US08520873B2 Audio spatialization and environment simulation
Methods are disclosed for improving sound localization of the human ear. In some embodiments, the method may include creating virtual movement of a plurality of localized sources by applying a periodic function to one or more location parameters of a head related transfer function (HRTF).
US08520872B2 Apparatus and method for sound processing in a virtual reality system
An apparatus to perform sound processing in a virtual reality system includes a sound processing unit to process and produce sound output in sound areas divided into a focus area within a predetermined visual field and a non-focus area out of the predetermined visual field in a virtual reality space for sound sources; and a control unit to divide the sound areas into the focus area and the non-focus area, and to control the sound output of the sound processing unit such that a volume of sound in a first space is gradually decreased while a volume of sound in a second space is gradually increased when a space shift from the first space to the second space in the virtual reality space is detected.
US08520870B2 Transmission device and transmission method
A transmission device includes: a communication unit performing communication with one or more receiving devices; a distance measurement unit measuring direct distances to the receiving devices; a transmission data setting unit setting transmission data including content data including audio and time information indicating the time when reproduction of content data is started for the receiving devices whose distances are measured based on the measured distances; and a transmission processing unit transmitting transmission data set by the transmission data setting unit to corresponding receiving devices of transmission targets all at once. The transmission data setting unit sets time when the device itself starts reproduction of the content data as a reference time, and sets the time information for synchronizing audio indicated by the content data reproduced in the device itself with audio indicated by the content data reproduced in the receiving devices for each receiving device using the set reference time.
US08520860B2 Modular mobile computing headset
A system comprises an accessory, a mobile unit module, and a battery pack module. The accessory is worn one of on and near a portion of a body of a user. The mobile unit module removably couples to the accessory. The battery pack module removably couples to one of the mobile unit and the accessory.
US08520859B2 System for comfort noise injection
A noise injection system adds comfort noise to an audio signal. The system includes a background noise estimator that determines a spectral content of a background noise associated with the audio signal. A comfort noise generator generates a comfort noise signal having a random phase. A gain circuit adjusts the comfort noise signal based on the spectral content of the background noise. A combining circuit combines a gain-adjusted comfort noise signal and the audio signal to generate an output signal.
US08520856B2 Controlling the validity period of a decryption key
The invention provides a method and a system for allowing access to a digital broadcast stream on a client device in a conditional access system, wherein the start time and end time of events in the broadcast stream are predefined. If entitled, a server system transmits for an even the start time and end time to the client device. As long as the current time, which is also transmitted from the server system to the client device, is within the range from the start time to the end time, the client device is allowed to decrypt the broadcast stream. To allow events to extend in time without requiring the generation of a new end time, the start time and end time on the one hand and the current time on the other hand are defined on different timescales.
US08520854B2 Sharing a secret using polynomials over polynomials
A method and system distributes N shares of a secret among cooperating entities by representing the secret as a secret polynomial, and forming a splitting polynomial with the secret polynomial as one or more of the coefficients. In one embodiment, the method represents the secret as a secret polynomial over GF(q), where q is a prime number or a power of a prime number. A splitting polynomial of degree (K−1) over GF(qm) is constructed, where K is the number of shares to reconstruct the secret and m is a positive integer. The coefficients of the splitting polynomial are formed with the secret polynomial and random information. The method further evaluates the splitting polynomial at N points with arithmetic defined on GF(qm) to generate the N shares of the secret.
US08520853B2 Wireless communication device, method for wireless connection, and computer usable medium therefor
A wireless communication device to be wirelessly connected to a wireless network is provided. The wireless communication device includes an encryption examiner to examine as to whether communication in the wireless network is encrypted, a password obtainer to obtain a password designated by a user for connecting the wireless communication device to the wireless network if the encryption examiner determines that the communication in the wireless network is encrypted, and a wireless connector to connect the wireless communication device to the wireless network with the use of the obtained password. The wireless connector sequentially selects one set from a plurality of sets, and sequentially attempts to connect the wireless communication device to the wireless network with the use of the sequentially selected one set. Each set of the plurality of sets has an authorization method and an encryption method.
US08520852B2 Method and apparatus for store and replay functions in a digital radio broadcasting receiver
A method includes: receiving a plurality of audio frames, assembling groups of the audio frames into logical recording units, storing a plurality of the logical recording units, retrieving the stored logical recording units, and decoding the retrieved logical recording units. An apparatus that performs the method is also provided.
US08520849B2 Encryption by pixel property separation
A method of encrypting a digital file composed of a sequence of bytes, each byte defined by a relative position within the digital file and a value, the method comprising: using an encryption key to encode the relative position separately from the value of each byte; and producing an encrypted digital file in which the correlation between relative position and value of each byte in the original digital file is concealed in the encrypted digital file.
US08520846B2 Method and device for key generation
A method of generating a segment key KSmt from a given basic key KmT and a given modification key K′MT in a key space with M*T keys. The basic key KMT is split into two parts LmT, RmT onto which a one-way function is applied M−m and T−t times, respectively, and the results are combined again to form a target basic key. A one-way function is applied to the modification key K′MT a number of times that corresponds to a distance value z between the given basic key and the segment key; in one preferred embodiment z=(M−m)+(T−t). This result is XOR-ed with the target basic key to obtain the segment key KSmtAlso provided is a device.
US08520839B2 Data transmitter with a secure and efficient signature
An encryption device encrypts a first block of user data to obtain a first encryption result and encrypts a second block of user data, which follows the first block of user data, to obtain a second encryption result. The encryption device uses the first encryption result for encrypting the second block of user data. An extractor extracts a first portion of the first encryption result, the first portion being smaller than the first encryption result, and a second portion of the second encryption result, the second portion being smaller than the second encryption result. A message formatter combines the first block of user data and the first portion as a signature for the first block to produce a first transmission packet, and combines the second block of user data and the second portion as a signature for the second block to produce a second transmission packet.
US08520838B1 Combination cellular telephone stand and safety spacer
A device for providing a stand with legs to support a cell phone on a flat surface, which stand may be pivoted into a spacer to maintain spacing between the phone and a user's head.
US08520836B2 Projection headset
An apparatus and method are provided for displaying data or an image from a headset and acquiring data with a headset. In one example, a headset includes a processor, an acoustic transducer operably coupled to the processor, and a projector/scanner operably coupled to the processor for displaying an image on a surface exterior to the headset. The projector may also be used to acquire or capture data from a surface exterior to the headset. Advantageously, data and images may be displayed and acquired with a headset without requiring the headset to be taken off.
US08520835B2 Method and apparatus for providing power to a network interface device via telephone lines
A method, apparatus, and system in which one embodiment includes a network interface device (NID) located outside a building and a power supply unit located inside the building. The power supply unit has an electrical isolation component and one or more ports that couple via a first phone line and a second phone line to the NID to provide isolated DC power to the NID.
US08520830B2 Guiding calls via graphical user interface
A user device may display, via a graphical user interface, questions associated with a voice menu that is used by an interactive voice response (IVR) system to forward calls. The user device may obtain, via the graphical user interface, user responses to the questions. In addition, the user device may send information corresponding to the user responses to the questions to a remote device. The remote device may query the IVR system to identify a call agent, in a call center, whose profile matches the information, obtain contact information of the call agent from the IVR system, and send the contact information to the user device. Furthermore, the user device may receive the contact information from the remote device and display the contact information via the graphical user interface.
US08520829B2 Technique for communication commands and parameters in an information assistance system to provide services
A message is received from a first device in an information/call center, wherein the message identifies a second device in an information/call center capable of providing a requested service and includes a command directed at he second device to activate the service. The first device may comprise, e.g., an operator terminal, The message may comprise a uniform resource locator (URL), and may additionally identify a software application residing on the second device. The message may also include one or more parameters used to provide the requested service. The command is retrieved from the message, and the command is transmitted to the second device, thereby causing the second device to provide the service.
US08520828B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing telecommunications services between a session initiation protocol (SIP) network and a signaling system 7 (SS7) network
Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing telecommunication services between a SIP network and an SS7 network are disclosed. In one method, SIP/SS7 gateway receives an INVITE message from a SIP proxy server. The SIP/SS7 gateway extracts a called party number from the INVITE message and determines whether a telecommunications service is required and a type of service required for the INVITE message based on the called party number. The SIP/SS7 gateway then formulates an SS7 query to a database corresponding to the identified service type. The SIP/SS7 gateway receives a response from the database and uses data from the response to facilitate completion of the call. In one example, the SIP/SS7 gateway may forward a routing number extracted from the response back to the originating SIP proxy server. In another example, the SIP/SS7 gateway may generate a new INVITE message and forward the new INVITE message to a terminating SIP proxy server. In yet another example, the SIP/SS7 gateway may formulate a second query to the same database or to a different database to obtain further information for facilitate completion of the call.
US08520827B1 Method and apparatus for controlling a network device
A personal communications device may be placed in, or removed from, a docking station. In response, a predetermined command may be selected from a plurality of predetermined commands and transmitted from the docking station to at least one of a plurality of network devices. Each predetermined command may include the address of the network device and may be configured to cause the network device to respond. In this way, a user's communication infrastructure may be reconfigured in a simple and intuitive manner.
US08520826B2 System and method for real-time blocking of a telephone call
A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a call blocking service to which a user subscribes. The preferred call blocking service includes maintaining an updateable list of calling parties that the user wishes to block from being able is complete telephone calls to the user, maintaining a buffer for storing information associated with the most recent calling party placing a telephone nail to the user, and recognizing a signal that the user activates to automatically add the most resent calling party to the list of calling parties blocked torn being able to complete telephone calls to the user.
US08520822B2 Method for designating of hosting control for a conference call
A conference calling system and method for designating of hosting control from a server device. In a conference call session, one of the client devices may be designated as a host device, wherein that host device is permitted to implement hosting functions. In some instances, the required host device may not be available for the scheduled conference call, but may be available prior to the conference call. The host device may provide hosting control commands to the server device prior to the conference call. Such hosting control commands may include such commands as delegating of hosting control functions in relation to the designated host device. This may allow the presently designated host device to end communications with the server device prior to starting a conference call, while having the server device implement the specific hosting control commands.
US08520817B2 System for identifying a calling party
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media content processor having a controller adapted to establish communications with a voicemail system, receive a caller identification (ID) associated with a voicemail message stored in the voicemail system, detect a match between the caller ID and one among one or more communication identifiers recorded in an entry of an address book, retrieve an image excerpt associated with the entry of the address book, present the image excerpt at a media device to identify a calling party that recorded the voicemail message. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08520816B2 Method and apparatus for providing end-to-end call completion status
The present invention enables a method for following the state of a call and generating defects as function of call completion success as opposed to discrete events that happen at individual network elements during the call. In one embodiment, the invention uses Call Detail Records (CDR) to analyze the end-to-end completion status to measure per call basis defects instead of using defect codes generated by network elements on a per equipment basis. CDR is data associated with a telephone call, including the calling and the called numbers, the date and timestamp, the duration, the call setup delay, and the final handling code of the telephone call.
US08520815B2 Facsimile machine and facsimile forward method
A facsimile machine and a method for forwarding facsimile data are disclosed. The facsimile forward method, the facsimile forward method comprises receiving facsimile data from a facsimile sending machine over a telephone network; extracting identification information from the facsimile data; determining whether the identification information matches a plurality of predetermined identification information; and forwarding the facsimile data to a destination E-mail address over a communication network other than the telephone network, when the identification information matches any of the plurality of predetermined identification information.
US08520814B2 Communications device and method for selecting a missed call reminder alert
A communications device and method for selecting a missed call reminder alert by comparing an identifier associated with a telephone number of an unattended received communications call with a database of alert profiles stored a memory of the communications device. The comparing identifies a call reminder alert time profile for the unattended received communications call. Next, there is performed a selecting, from the database of alert profiles, an identified call reminder alert time profile for the unattended received communications call. Thereafter, the communications device and method provide for emitting the missed call reminder alert based on the identified call reminder alert time profile.
US08520813B2 System and method for transmitting voice messages via a centralized voice message server
A system and method for transmitting voice messages via a centralized voice message server is provided. A plurality of communication devices are interfaced over a data network, and each communication device is associated with a user. At least one of the users is associated with a plurality of discussion groups. The user is identified as signed-in to two or more of the discussion groups. At least one of the two or more discussion groups to which the user is signed-in is identified as active. A voice message is received on a voice message server from the user. The voice message is transmitted to all members signed-in to the active discussion group from the voice message server. The voice message server further transmits voice messages to the user from members signed-in to the discussion groups to which the user is signed-in.
US08520812B2 Method and apparatus for serializing an asynchronous communication
A method and apparatus for scalable handling of communications with varying numbers of participants over a telephone interface is described. The approach treats the different participants recorded communications as part of a larger asynchronous communication and provides a serializing (voice) user interface for participating in the conversation. This can be used to provide services ranging from phone-based discussion boards to more orderly teleconferences. Features may include moderation of comments, automatic removal of comments, and/or other features tailored to the specific use of the serializing approach.
US08520811B2 Method and apparatus for providing special call handling for valued customers of retailers
The present invention enables users of a network service to register with the network as valued shoppers, thereby allowing them to receive specialized treatment when calling registered retailers. The present invention enables retailers to register with the network, thereby allowing them to set preferred service logic for handling valued customer calls by the network.
US08520808B2 System and method for robust evaluation of the user experience in automated spoken dialog systems
A single, subjective numerical rating to evaluate the performance of a telephone-based spoken dialog system. This CE rating is provided by expert human listeners who have knowledge of the design of the dialog system. Different human raters can be trained to achieve a satisfactory level of agreement. Furthermore, a classifier trained on ratings by human experts can reproduce the human ratings with the same degree of consistency. More calls can be given a CE rating than would be possible with limited human resources. More information can be provided about individual calls, e.g., to help decide between two disparate ratings by different human experts.
US08520807B1 Phonetically unique communication identifiers
Systems, methods performed by data processing apparatus and computer storage media encoded with computer programs for receiving from a user information including a phonetic communication identifier that other users can speak into their respective communication devices to initiate communication with a communication device associated with the user, comparing the received phonetic communication identifier with a repository of phonetically unique communication identifiers each registered to an associated entity, registering the received phonetic communication identifier in the repository if, based on a result of the comparison, the received phonetic communication identifier is determined to be phonetically unique relative to all other phonetically unique communication identifiers in the repository, and making the repository available to initiate communications with registered entities.
US08520805B2 Video E911
E911 call routing technology that employs pseudo Automatic Number Indicators (pANI) is enhanced to provide video E911 services. Digital photos or video from a camera-equipped phone are associated with a pseudo Automatic Number Identification (pANI), e.g., an emergency service routing key (ESRK), or an emergency service query key (ESQK) in the VoIP scenario, and a dedicated email address is associated with each pseudo Automatic Number Indicator (pANI) for the emergency caller to email the image content to. A video E911 web database containing associations between pANIs and staged image content associated with the emergency caller relating to the pANI, is maintained at an appropriate video E911 web site hosted by a mobile positioning center (MPC) or VoIP positioning center (VPC).
US08520802B2 Method for determining the quantitative composition of a powder sample
A method for automatic determination of the quantitative composition of a powder sample, comprises the following steps: (a) predetermining a list of phases; (b) calculating a theoretical diffraction diagram or theoretical energy-dispersive spectrum; (c) fitting the theoretical diffraction diagram or theoretical energy-dispersive spectrum. In step (a), a list is predetermined which is composed of phases that are actually contained in the powder sample and also phases that are possibly not contained in the powder sample, a threshold value for the phase content is predetermined for each phase, and the following further steps are carried out: (d) elimination of all phases, having phase contents which are below the threshold value, from the list in step (a); (e) repeating steps (b), (c) and (d) with the new list until all phase contents are above their predetermined threshold values; and (f) outputting the composition of the powder sample. This method permits automatic exclusion of amorphous or crystalline phases with phase contents below a user-definable threshold value in profile adjustment methods based on Rietveld or Pawley methods.
US08520800B2 Method and apparatus for radiation resistant imaging
The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for radiation resistant medical imaging. A scanning beam x-ray source and x-ray detector are used. A detector shield is utilized to shield the x-ray detector from radiation.
US08520792B2 Phase adjusting device and camera
A determining unit of a phase adjusting device determines whether or not a data stream to be detected included in serial transfer data can be detected in each output (first output to fourth output) of a first data obtaining unit and a second data obtaining unit. A phase adjusting unit adjusts a delay amount given to the serial transfer data to be output based on a determination result of the determining unit.
US08520791B2 STTC encoder for single antenna WAVE transceivers
An encoder in a transmitter uses space-time trellis coding. An input bitstream is multiplexed to produce in parallel a set of output bitstreams. A multiplier applies a code generating weight to each output bitstream, which are combined, mapped and transmitted by a single antenna.
US08520787B2 Apparatus and method for deskewing serial data transmissions
Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as those involving deskewing serial data transmissions. One such apparatus includes a plurality of receivers, each of which is configured to receive a serial data stream. Each of the receivers includes a shift register including a plurality of stages arranged in sequence to propagate a stream of characters. Each of the stages is configured to store a character, and shift the character to a next stage in response to a clock signal. The receiver also includes a multiplexer having a plurality of inputs, each of the inputs being electrically coupled to a respective one of the stages of the shift register, and to select one of the stages to generate an output such that the outputs of the multiplexers in the receivers are deskewed.
US08520778B2 System and method for estimation and correction of carrier frequency offset in MIMO-OFDM based wireless communications systems
This invention relates to a Multi-Input Multi-Output Orthogonal Frequency Divisional Multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) is a transmission technology for many current and next generation wireless communication systems. Carrier Frequency Offset (CFO) Estimation and Correction is one of the most important requirement of the proper reception of MIMO-OFDM Signals. The invention provides a null subcarrier based scheme to accomplish this task. The CFO is estimated by employing the covariance matrix of the signals on all receiving antennas with a cost function which minimizes the energy falling on the null subcarrier locations due to frequency offset. The proposed approach results in very low computational complexity as it uses a two step procedure, making it very attractive for real time applications. Also a new null subcarrier allocation scheme based on Fibonacci series is proposed which ensures a frequency offset estimation range equal to the maximum possible range equal to the OFDM bandwidth.
US08520774B1 Generation of radio frequency outputs
Methods, systems, and apparatus can provide a plurality of RF outputs using a single digital to analog convertor (DAC) for digitally modulated data. In various examples, an intermediate frequency (IF) containing one or more digitally modulated channels is frequency down converted to meet the radio frequency (RF) specifications of a communication system.
US08520768B2 Sequence generating method for efficient detection and method for transmitting and receiving signals using the same
A method of communicating signals between a transmitter and a receiver in a mobile communication system, and the transmitter and the receiver for the same are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method of transmitting signals by a transmitter in a mobile communication system includes: mapping, by the transmitter, a sequence generated by using a Zadoff-Chu sequence having a root index to frequency domain indexes; and transmitting, by the transmitter, the mapped sequence. The root index is selected from a predetermined index set consisting of three indexes. The three indexes include a first index and a second index. A sum of the first index and the second index corresponds to a length of the Zadoff-Chu sequence.
US08520764B2 Link layer multicasting systems and methods
Beamforming systems and methods are disclosed. In accordance with one method, indications of channel matrices for a plurality of receivers are obtained. Further, a beamformer matrix is formulated as a linear combination of columns of hermitians of the channel matrices. In addition, coefficients of the hermitians in the linear combination are determined to compute the beamformer matrix such that a lowest reception rate among reception rates of each of the receivers is maximized. Data signals are transmitted to the receivers by applying the computed beamformer matrix to data symbols to maximize the lowest reception rate.
US08520762B2 Robust linear precoder designs for multi-cell downlink transmission
Methods and systems for optimizing the utilities of receiver devices in a wireless communication network are disclosed. Precoder design formulations that maximize a minimum worst-case rate or a worst-case sum rate are described for both full base station, cooperation and limited base station cooperation scenarios. In addition, optimal equalizers are also selected to optimize the worst-case sum rate.
US08520759B2 Apparatus and method for detecting signal based on lattice reduction to support different coding scheme for each stream in multiple input multiple output wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for detecting signals based on a Lattice Reduction (LR) algorithm in a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) wireless communication system are provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of operators for determining soft-decision values for respective streams by performing a soft modulo operation on respective symbol values included in a Receive (Rx) signal block multiplied by a lattice transformation matrix T, a plurality of inner decoders for determining Log Likelihood Ratio (LLR) values of codewords according to coding schemes for the respective streams by decoding the soft-decision values for the respective streams according to identical decoding scheme, a passer for restoring the LLR values representing the codewords generated in a transmitting end using the LLR values, and a plurality of outer decoders for determining LLR values of Transmit (Tx) bitstreams for the respective streams by decoding the LLR values representing the codewords generated in the transmitting end for the respective streams according to decoding schemes for the respective streams.
US08520755B2 Channel quality determination of a wireless communication channel based on received data
The invention refers to a method of determining a channel quality of a communication channel between a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver, comprising receiving a transport block with one or a plurality of a modulation symbols (y1, . . . , ym) comprising a plurality of encoded information bits (x1, . . . , xn), de-mapping the modulation symbols to a plurality of soft values (LLR1, . . . , LLRn), calculating a mutual information—MI—measure (MI) as a function of the plurality of soft values (LLR1, . . . , LLRn), wherein the MI measure is indicative of a mutual dependence between the information bits (x1, . . . , xn) and the corresponding soft values of said transport block, and determining a channel quality indication value (CQI-Index) as a function of the MI measure (MI). The invention further refers to a program and to a wireless receiver for performing the method.
US08520754B2 Reception apparatus and method, program and reception system
Disclosed herein is a reception apparatus, including: a reception section adapted to receive an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) signal obtained by modulating a first frame configured so as to include packets of a common packet sequence configured from a packet common to a plurality of streams and a second frame configured so as to include packets of a data packet sequence configured from packets individually unique to the plural streams; an acquisition section adapted to acquire specification information for specifying a combination of a first frame and a second frame obtained by demodulating the received OFDM signal; and a detection section adapted to detect a combination of a packet of the common packet sequence which configures the first frame and a packet of the data packet sequence which configures the second frame, whose combination is specified based on the acquired specification information.
US08520753B2 Systems and methods for code sequence extension over transmission in wireless communication environments
A transmitter for transmitting signals to a receiver is provided. The transmitter generates a padded code sequence comprising a plurality of symbols. The padded sequence is generated by padding the first symbol to the end of a code sequence. The padding method can be applied to Zadoff-Chu code, generalized chirp like code, CAZAC sequence to acquire extra code property, e.g. orthogonal in terms of differential detection. The padded code sequence can be allocated on sub-carriers of an OFDM symbol in frequency domain in increasing or decreasing order to resist linear phase shift due to time domain delay. If multiple OFDM symbols are used, the padded code sequence may be divided into multiple sections and each section may be padded in the same padding manner. Latter on, the transmitter transmits the padded code sequence to a receiver via an air interface. Upon receiving the padded code sequence via the air interface, the receiver may detect the padded sequence according to its structure, e.g. differential detection.
US08520751B2 Channel estimation apparatus and method using linear/nonlinear average in wireless telecommunication system
Provided is a channel estimation apparatus and method using a linear/nonlinear average in a wireless communication system. The present research provides a channel estimation apparatus and method for estimating a channel between a transmitter and a receiver from a pilot-inserted OFDM signal and linearly or nonlinearly averaging the estimating channel, thereby preventing the equalizer performance from being degraded by noise component of the estimated channel and noise amplification caused by deep fading. The channel estimation apparatus includes: a channel estimation unit configured to estimate a channel coefficient of a channel between a transmitter and a receiver from a pilot-inserted carrier signal according to pilot arrangement; and a linear/nonlinear averaging unit configured to linearly or nonlinearly averaging the estimated channel coefficient, thereby preventing an equalizer performance from being degraded by noise component existing in the channel and noise amplification caused by deep fading.
US08520748B2 Transmitter, OFDM communication system, and transmission method
In a cellular system using an OFDM scheme, a transmitter multiplies subcarriers for channel estimation by codes and transmits them, the codes being such that a phase difference φ of the code multiplied with consecutive subcarriers for channel estimation is constant, and a code of every M consecutive subcarriers (M being 2 or an integer greater than 2) is mutually orthogonal with a code multiplied with same subcarriers of another transmitter.
US08520746B2 Maximum ratio transmission
An arrangement where a transmitter has a plurality of transmitting antennas that concurrently transmit the same symbol, and where the signal delivered to each transmitting antenna is weighted by a factor that is related to the channel transmission coefficients found between the transmitting antenna and receiving antennas. In the case of a plurality of transmit antennas and one receive antenna, where the channel coefficient between the receive antenna and a transmit antenna i is hi, the weighting factor is h*i divided by a normalizing factor, a, which is ( ∑ k = 1 K ⁢  h k  2 ) 1 / 2 ⁢ , where K is the number of transmitting antennas. When more than one receiving antenna is employed, the weighting factor is 1 a ⁢ ( gH ) H , where g=[g1 . . . gL), H is a matrix of channel coefficients, and α is a normalizing factor ( ∑ p = l L ⁢ ∑ q = l L ⁢  ∑ k = l K ⁢ h pk ⁢ h qk *  ) 1 / 2 .
US08520742B2 Moving image compression-coding device, method of compression-coding moving image, and H.264 moving image compression-coding device
A moving image compression-coding device has a pixel determination module configured to determine whether a color of each pixel in a macro block having a plurality of pixels in an input image is a predetermined color, a pixel counter configured to count a number of the pixels having the predetermined color in the macro block, a macro block determination module configured to determine whether a color of the macro block is considered to be the predetermined color according to the count result, and a compression-coded data generator configured to compression-code the input image with a compression ratio depending on the determination result.
US08520741B2 Multiple pass video decoding method and device
The present invention relates to a video decoder (DEC) for decoding a bit stream (BS) corresponding to pictures (P) of a video signal, coded pictures being likely to include macroblocks coded in a progressive and in an interlaced way, said decoder including a decoding unit (DEU) for decoding macroblocks coded in a progressive way. A video decoder according to the invention includes a decoding configuration unit (DCU) for activating said decoding unit several times for decoding a single picture and for configuring the read and/or write stride at each pass of said picture in said decoding unit.
US08520740B2 Arithmetic decoding acceleration
Mechanisms for performing decoding of context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) encoded data. The mechanisms receive, in a first single instruction multiple data (SIMD) vector register of the data processing system, CABAC encoded data of a bit stream. The CABAC encoded data includes a value to be decoded and bit stream state information. The mechanisms receive, in a second SIMD vector register of the data processing system, CABAC decoder context information. The mechanisms process the value, the bit stream state information, and the CABAC decoder context information in a non-recursive manner to generate a decoded value, updated bit stream state information, and updated CABAC decoder context information. The mechanisms store, in a third SIMD vector register, a result vector that combines the decoded value, updated bit stream state information, and updated CABAC decoder context information. The mechanisms use the decoded value to generate a video output on the data processing system.
US08520737B2 Video processing system for scrambling layered video streams and methods for use therewith
A video processing system includes a video encoder that encodes a video stream into an independent video layer stream and a first dependent video layer stream that requires the independent video layer for decoding. A scrambling module scrambles the independent video layer stream to produce a scrambled independent video layer stream and leaves the first dependent video layer stream unscrambled.
US08520736B2 Real-time superresolution and video transmission
A method and system of performing real-time video superresolution. A decoder receives a data stream representing a low resolution video and including global motion vectors relating to image motion between frames of the low resolution video. The decoder uses the global motion vectors from the received data stream and multiframe processing algorithms to derive a high resolution video from the low resolution video. The sharpness of the high resolution video may be enhanced.
US08520725B2 Data equalizing circuit and data equalizing method
A data equalizing circuit includes an equalizer configured to control a gain of data according to a value of a control code and output a controller gain; and a detection unit configured to divide n cycles of the data into N periods, count data transition frequencies for n/N periods while changing the value of the control code, calculate dispersion values of data transition frequencies for 1/N periods of the data from the data transition frequencies for the n/N periods, and finally output the value of the control code corresponding to a largest dispersion value, wherein n is equal to or greater than 2 and is set such that boundaries of the respective n/N periods of the data have different positions in the 1 UI data.
US08520724B2 Pipelining and sub-rate operation for memory links
A method for sending data to a memory chip includes receiving data at a data transmitter disposed on a memory hub chip, applying Tomlinson-Harashima precoding (THP) equalization to the data prior to transmitting the data; and transmitting the data from the transmitter to a memory chip.
US08520717B2 GNSS receiver with cross-correlation rejection
Radiolocalization receiver having a plurality of correlation taps, and including a module of cross-correlation detection in which spurious correlation terms are detected by statistical analysis of the frequencies of the candidate peaks. The system can restrict further integration to those taps whose frequency is outside the cross-interference signal, or trigger new acquisition of different space vehicles, upon detection of a cross-interference situation.
US08520716B2 Method and apparatus for multiple access over a communication channel
A communication technique based on direct sequence spread spectrum signaling employs, for all users sharing an access channel, a single spreading code that has a duration sufficiently longer than the symbol length that the likelihood of confusion between users is minimized if not eliminated. The length of the spreading code is sufficiently long that contention events can occur only when two bursts occur at the receiver within one chip time of one another.
US08520713B2 Optical pumping of solid-state laser material using addressable laser array
An array of Surface Emitting Laser (SEL) elements can be used to efficiently pump a disk or rod of solid-state laser glass or crystal, or harmonic-generating crystal. Placing the laser array chip against or near the surface of this solid-state material provides very high and uniform optical power density without the need for lenses or fiber-optics to conduct the light from typical edge-emitting lasers, usually formed in a stack of bars. The lasers can operate in multi-mode output for highest output powers. Photolithography allows for an infinite variety of connection patterns of sub-groups of lasers within the array, allowing for spatial contouring of the optical pumping power across the face of the solid-state material. The solid-state material may be pumped either within (intra-cavity) or externally (extra-cavity) to the SEL laser array.
US08520705B2 Device and method for serial data transmission between a position-measuring device and a control unit
In a device and a method for serial data transmission between a position-measuring device and a control unit, made up of an interface unit on the control side and an interface unit on the measuring-device side, which are connected to each other for the transmission of serial data packets with the aid of a bidirectional data channel, the interface unit on the control side includes a control-side transmitter unit for transmitting serial data packets via the data channel to a measuring-device-side receiver unit disposed in the interface unit on the measuring-device side. The interface unit on the measuring-device side includes a measuring-device-side transmitter unit for transmitting serial data packets via the data channel to a control-side receiver unit disposed in the interface unit on the control side. Data packets transmitted by the control-side transmitter unit include a clock sequence at the beginning, from whose time characteristic it is possible to derive the frequency of a control-side transmitter clock signal underlying the transmission. The receiver unit on the measuring-device side includes a measuring-device-side clock-recognition unit which evaluates the clock sequence and, in order to read in control-side output data included in the data packet, generates a measuring-device-side receiver clock signal, whose frequency corresponds to a great extent to that of the transmitter clock signal on the control side.
US08520703B2 Enhanced electronic service guide container
An aspect of the invention provides an efficient transportation of ESG fragments to a receiver through the formation of containers. A container comprises at least one ESG fragment, but may contain a plurality of fragments. A fragment may be also carried by more than one container. Aspects of the present invention utilize a simple and extensible header structure apart from the fragments and independent of the type and format of the individual fragments. In an aspect of the present invention, compression is applied over the entire container, including the fragments and any headers. In an aspect of the present invention, a 3GPP metadata envelope is carried within the container without the need for unnecessary repetition of parameters, such as for example, version, validity time, and identification. In an aspect of the present invention, a simplified container system allows for the updating of previously received fragments.
US08520702B2 Method and device for providing a service
A method for providing a service comprising a plurality of coding layers in a communication network is provided, and wherein each one of said plurality of layers is associated with a unique identifier, the method uses a single message containing necessary information for a receiver to derive all identifiers for several layers within a single service; the method allows to reduce the messages exchange in such a communication system.
US08520699B2 Apparatus and methods for providing a communication quality feedback of an end-to-end communication path
The apparatus and methods described herein are used to provide a communication quality feedback of an end-to-end communication path between an application transmitter and an application receiver. One method includes transmitting data from the application transmitter to the application receiver via the end-to-end communication path, the end-to-end communication path having at least one wireless link with a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver, generating, at the wireless transmitter, a first communication quality feedback message, and transmitting the first communication quality feedback message from the wireless transmitter to the application transmitter in a standardized format.
US08520697B2 System and method for connecting bluetooth-enabled devices to a personal computer
An interface which effects communication between first and second systems and includes a first arrangement for communicating with the first system using a first protocol and a second arrangement for communicating with the second system using a second protocol. At least one of the arrangements includes a mechanism for effecting wireless communication. In accordance with the invention, a third arrangement is included for translating data received from the first system in accordance with the first protocol into data adapted for the second system in accordance with the second protocol. In the illustrative embodiment, the inventive interface further includes an arrangement for translating data received from the second system in accordance with the second protocol into data adapted for the first system in accordance with the first protocol. In the illustrative embodiment, the second system is a Personal Computer, the first system is a peripheral adapted to be connected to the computer, the first protocol is a Bluetooth protocol and the second protocol is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol. In the illustrative embodiment, the inventive interface leverages Universal Serial Bus technology, particularly “plug and play” capability, to simplify the installation and use of Bluetooth-enabled peripherals.
US08520696B1 Terminal selection diversity for powerline communications
Powerline communication networks can be subject to burst interference resulting in loss of throughput and data corruption. A transmitting network device and a receiving network device of a powerline communication network can be configured to select a best performing powerline terminal coupling configuration for powerline communications. The transmitting network device can determine performance measurements associated with each of a plurality of powerline communication channels. The transmitting network device can select a best performing powerline communication channel based on the performance measurements, and can provide an indication of the best performing powerline communication channel to the receiving network device. The transmitting and the receiving network devices can each configure their respective terminal connections to switch to the best performing powerline communication channel. Subsequent communications between the transmitting and the receiving network devices can be initiated via the best performing powerline communication channel.
US08520683B2 Managing communications over a shared medium
Communicating between stations over a shared medium includes: monitoring the shared medium for signals received at a first station that is identified with a local network; storing information at the first station that represents characteristics of the signals received at the first station associated with capacity of the shared medium; monitoring the shared medium for signals received at a second station that is identified with the same local network as the first station; storing information at the second station that represents characteristics of the signals received at the second station associated with capacity of the shared medium; and determining whether a stream of data is allowed to be transmitted over the shared medium between the first station and the second station based on at least one of the stored information from the first station and the stored information from the second station.
US08520681B2 Broadband access for virtual private networks
A method for communicating between a source and a destination in a service provider internet protocol network includes receiving, at an egress edge device from an ingress edge device on the service provider internet protocol network, an upper layer packet comprising data received in turn from the source and encapsulated in accordance with a service provider format into the upper layer packet. The upper layer packet includes a virtual private network identification identifying a destination. The method also includes authenticating the upper layer packet at the egress edge device using the virtual private network identification. Upon authentication, the upper layer packet is decapsulated into a lower layer packet for the destination.
US08520679B1 Trunking distribution systems and methods
A multiport switch distributes conversations over links in a trunk. The multiport switch includes receiver ports, transmitter ports, and a routing engine. The receiver ports receive data frames belonging to one or more of the conversations. The transmitter ports transmit the received data frames over the links in the trunk. The routing engine distributes the conversations over the links in the trunk by identifying at least one field in each of the received data frames, assigning each of the received data frames to a corresponding one of the one or more conversations based on the identified fields, and selecting the links in the trunk over which to transmit the received data frames based on the conversation assignments.
US08520674B2 Campus audio-visual control and communication system
A method and system for distributing audio, visual, data, annunciator and other information within an educational facility utilizes a bit-wise addressing scheme to route UDP message packets to individual classrooms. The audio/video network system includes a central processor that controls a plurality of audio/video sources (e.g., DVD players, cable TV receivers, etc.). Output from audio/video sources is encoded by audio/video encoders for transmission via a local area network. Classroom control hubs within each classroom recognize data packets addressed with the bit-wise addressing scheme and in combination with a video decoder, recover the encoded audio/video signal for presentation within the classroom, such as by a video projector and classroom speakers. Transmitting audio/video information in UDP packets addressed with the bit-wise addressing scheme enables near simultaneous presentation of audio and video programs throughout the educational facility. The system can also manage traditional school bells and public address functions.
US08520673B2 Method and communication device for routing unicast and multicast messages in an ad-hoc wireless network
A method and communication device for routing unicast and multicast messages. The method for routing a unicast message includes receiving a first control packet including routing parameters from a group header node, updating a routing table based upon the routing parameters, receiving a second control packet including additional routing parameters from a group node, updating the routing table based upon the additional routing parameters and generating a forwarding table from the routing table when both of the updated steps are completed. The unicast message is routed based upon the forwarding table. A method for routing a multicast message comprises receiving the multicast message, determining if a multicast group destination for the multicast message is in a multicast forwarding table (MFT), determining if the multicast message has been previously forwarded and forwarding the multicast message if the message was not previously forwarded and the multicast group destination is in the MFT.
US08520670B1 Automated operation and security system for virtual private networks
A node device provides secure communication services over a data network, such as the Internet or another public or private packet switched network, to multiple computers that are coupled through the node device and multiple other node devices. The node device includes a network communication interface for coupling the node device to the data network. The node device includes a data storage containing cryptographic information including information that is unique to the node device. The node device also includes a tunneling communication service coupled to the network interface configured to maintaining an encrypted communication tunnel with each of multiple other node devices using the cryptographic information. For example, the encrypted communication tunnels are implemented using the IPsec or PPTP protocols. The node device includes a routing database for holding routing data and a router coupled to the tunneling communication service and to the routing database. The router can pass communication from one communication tunnel to another. A centralized server can be used to control the node devices in a centralized manner, thereby reducing or eliminating on-site administration of node devices.
US08520669B2 High data throughput wireless local area network receiver
A method for receiving a frame in a high data throughput wireless local area network begins by receiving a preamble of the frame via a channel in accordance with a default receiver filter mask. The processing continues by validating the preamble. The processing continues by, when the preamble is validated, interpreting the preamble to determine a high data throughput channel configuration. The processing continues by reconfiguring the default receiver filter mask in accordance with the high data throughput channel configuration to produce a reconfigured receiver filter mask. The processing continues by receiving a data segment of the frame in accordance with the reconfigured receiver filter mask.
US08520666B2 Communication method for voice calls
A communication method capable of providing voice communication between a first apparatus and a second apparatus includes establishing a voice call between the first apparatus and second apparatus to provide voice communication between the first and second apparatus. An identifier is generated to identify the voice call. During a first portion of the call, the voice communication is provided using a packet switched technique that includes conveying packets of voice data between the first and second apparatus via a communication connection. The communication connection is labelled with the identifier. During a second portion of the call, the voice communication is provided using a circuit switched technique that includes allocating a defined route to convey voice data between the first and second apparatus. Also during the second portion of the call, the identifier is used to manage said call.
US08520663B2 Systems and methods to select peered border elements for an IP multimedia session based on quality-of-service
Systems and methods to select peered border elements for a communication session based on Quality-of-Service are disclosed. In particular, an example method for peered border element assignment is disclosed, comprising determining a composite Quality-of-Service result based on a plurality of Quality-of-Service parameters associated with a communication session, querying a telephone number mapping server for a status of each of a plurality of peered border elements, and assigning the communication session to be handled by one of the plurality of peered border elements based on the composite Quality-of-Service result and the status of each of the plurality of peered border elements.
US08520659B2 Absolute time recovery
A method includes receiving from a server, information that is based on an offset between a boundary of a synchronous capsule in a control channel cycle occurring at an access point and a boundary of a periodic pseudo-noise sequence, and synchronizing an access point to an absolute time based on the information. In addition, the method includes transmitting to the server a difference between a first boundary of a PN short code of a current sector and a second boundary of a PN short code of a reference sector.
US08520657B2 RF bus controller
A radio frequency (RF) bus controller includes an interface and a processing module. The interface is coupled for communicating intra-device RF bus access requests and allocations. The processing module is coupled to receive an access request to an RF bus via the interface; determine RF bus resource availability; and when sufficient RF bus resources are available to fulfill the access request, allocate, via the interface, at least one RF bus resource in response to the access request.
US08520652B2 Asynchronous coexistence arbitration
A method for interpreting timing information at a communication support entity operable to communicate wirelessly, includes the steps of: at a first time at the communication support entity, receiving an indicator of a predetermined form over a link from another communication support entity; receiving over the link data representing one or more relative times; interpreting each such relative time represented by the received data as indicating the absolute time that is offset after the first time by the respective relative time together optionally with a latency value; and determining in dependence on the received data the manner in which the communication support entity is to communicate wirelessly at that absolute time.
US08520650B2 Methods and apparatus for OFDM peer discovery
A method of wireless communication includes splitting data into n data sets, where n is greater than or equal to two. In addition, the method includes selecting n different resources associated with a resource identifier based on a hopping pattern for sending each of the data sets within a set of resources of one full set of transmissions. The selected n resources have a hopping pattern such that there is at least one resource of the n resources that is non-overlapping in time with resources associated with resource identifiers other than said resource identifier. Furthermore, the method includes sending m data sets on m selected resources in m transmissions within the one full set of transmissions, where m is less than or equal to n.
US08520649B2 Mobile communication method and radio base station
A mobile communication method includes: a step which establishes a second radio access link between a mobile station and a radio communication data combining device for “an area limit service” via a radio base station for “a public area service” when a first radio access link is established between the mobile station and the radio communication data combining device for “the area limit service” via the radio base station for “the area limit service”; and a step in which the radio communication data combining device for “the area limit service” combines the data for “the area limit service” transferred from the radio base station for “the area limit service” and the data for “the area limit service” transferred from the radio base station for “the public area service.”
US08520648B2 Beacon transmission techniques in directional wireless networks
Techniques for the generation of beacons are disclosed. For instance, embodiments may establish a delay time that is based at least on a directional beacon transmission characteristic of a wireless communications device. In turn, embodiments may determine whether a beacon transmission is received from a remote device during a time period. This time period begins at a start of a beacon interval in a distributed wireless communications network, and has a duration of the delay time. When a beacon transmission is not received from a remote device during the time period, one or more directional beacon transmissions may be sent upon completion of the time period.
US08520645B2 Method of controlling a mobile terminal, and an associated mobile terminal
A method is disclosed for controlling a mobile terminal having a first wireless interface for cellular communication in a mobile telecommunications network and a second wireless interface for non-cellular wireless communication, such as wireless local area network (WLAN) communication, in at least one frequency band. In the mobile terminal, the following steps are performed. Information is received from the mobile telecommunications network, and the information is processed. Then, based on an outcome of the processing of the information, the second wireless interface is disabled from wireless communication in at least one frequency band.
US08520642B2 Wireless communication system, and apparatus and method for wireless communication
An embodiment of the invention provides a wireless communication system for carrying out a spatial multiplexing communication between a transmitter, and a receiver, the system including: a channel information matrix acquiring section for acquiring a channel information matrix; a weighting factor matrix arithmetically operating section for obtaining a weighting factor matrix based on the channel information matrix thus acquired; a normalizing section for executing processing for normalizing the weighting factor matrix; a detecting section for detecting whether there is presence or absence of an abnormality in the processing; a weighting processing section for executing weighting processing based on the weighting factor matrix for each of transmission signals transmitted from the transmitter in accordance with a detection result obtained from the detecting section; and a transmitting section for transmitting the transmission signals for which the weighting processing section executes the weighting processing from the transmitter to the receiver.
US08520639B2 Apparatus and method for performing handover in advanced mobile communication system
An apparatus for performing handover in an advanced mobile communication system which provides traffic service to a mobile terminal in a multiple cell environment, the apparatus includes: a handover control unit for recognizing cell determination parameters based on terminal status information collected from the mobile terminal and/or information on traffic provided to the mobile terminal; a handover determination unit for assigning predetermined weights to each of the cell determination parameters when handover is required; a cell selection control unit for determining importance of each of the cell determination parameters based on the assigned weights and generating cell selection information for selecting a candidate cell for handover, which is the most optimal for the cell determination parameters in the order of the importance, among cells adjacent to a serving cell to which the mobile terminal belongs; and a handover execution unit for executing the handover based on the cell selection information.
US08520637B2 Mobile communication system, network device, and mobile communication method
A mobile communication system having a first communication system and a second communication system forwards forwarding data from the first communication system to the second communication system when switching from the first communication system to the second communication system is determined, the forwarding data being a data that the first communication system has already received from a core network device. A network device transmitting direct data to a mobile communication terminal via the second communication system is configured to count the number of switching times that the switching from the first communication system to the second communication system has been determined, for every user. The network device is configured to count the number of successful reception times that information identifying a user has been received via a forwarding path of the forwarding data, for every user. The network device is configured to judge whether the forwarding path of the forwarding data is normal or not on the basis of a ratio between the number of switching times and the number of successful reception times.
US08520635B2 Method and system for intra base station carrier handover
A method and a system for intra-BS carrier handover are provided. The method comprises: a mobile station scanning predetermined carriers within the base station based on predetermined rules; obtaining a scanning report comprising channel quality information of part of or all of the predetermined carriers; and sending the scanning report to the base station; the base station obtaining the channel quality information in the scanning report; selecting a target carrier from the predetermined carriers; and informing the mobile station of the selected target carrier via a message; and the mobile station handing over to the target carrier in a predetermined manner in response to the message. By using the method, seamless handover of intra-BS carriers can be performed in a multi-carrier system for ensuring the service continuity of the mobile station to eliminate carrier handover time delay.
US08520630B2 Method and apparatus for predicting handover in wireless communication network
A method and apparatus for predicting a handover of a Mobile Station (MS) of a plurality of MSs to one or more target Base Stations (BSs) of a plurality of BSs in a wireless communication network. The method includes predicting a need for a handover of a MS to one or more target BSs selected from the plurality of BSs based on a handover threshold. The handover threshold is associated with a quality of a signal received by the MS. The method further includes transferring datapath associated with the MS to one or more of the one or more target BSs and one or more gateways prior to the handover of the MS. The one or more gateways are associated with one or more of a serving BS associated with the MS and the one or more target BSs. The plurality of BSs includes the serving BS.
US08520629B2 Method and apparatus for performing piconet coordinator handover in wireless personal area network
Provided are a method and an apparatus for performing a piconet coordinator (PNC) handover in a wireless personal area network (WPAN) in which devices using various PHY transmission modes coexist. A device that enters the WPAN transfers information about its PHY transmission mode to the PNC through an association request message so that a problem that conventional services are not provided to a user in the WPAN due to a difference in PHY transmission modes of the devices during the PNC handover can be solved.
US08520626B2 Method for transmitting non-user-specific control information in a wireless communication system
A method for transmitting non-user-specific control information in a wireless communication system includes: in a downlink time period which includes one or more time zones, a base station sends non-user-specific control information in a time zone in which user specific control information is sent; and a terminal obtains and decodes the non-user-specific control information, then obtains information needed to decode user specific control information according to the obtained non-user-specific control information.
US08520625B2 Transmit antenna subset selection for retransmission
A transmit switched antenna system utilizes one of several antennas selection protocols combined with feedback from a receiving device to take advantage of time and space transmission for the same information. A transmit device transmits first information over a first subset of a set of antennas and receives an ACK or NACK from the receiver along with a channel quality indicator. If a NACK is received, the transmitter selects a next antenna subset for transmission, based on the antenna selection protocol utilized. One protocol randomly selects the next subset and does not require the channel quality indicator. Another protocol determines the next antenna subset based on channel quality history, and a third protocol selects the next antenna subset based on expectation of retransmissions for different protocols.
US08520624B2 Wireless communication sharing in a common communication medium based on voice traffic prediction
Performing wireless communication using first and second wireless communication protocols. The first and second wireless communication protocols may operate in a common communication medium. The wireless communication may be performed using the protocols over the common communication medium, e.g., in a time sharing fashion. Properties of voice traffic on current frames of the second wireless communication protocol may be measured. The method may further include predicting whether one or more subsequent frames of the second wireless communication protocol will have voice traffic. If the prediction indicates that the one or more subsequent frames of the second wireless communication protocol will not have voice traffic data may be transmitted using the first wireless communication protocol on the common communication medium during a subsequent second wireless communication protocol time slot.
US08520623B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving downlink signal for which guard band is configured in cellular radio communication system supporting band scalability
Disclosed is a configuration of a guard band for a radio communication system formed of consecutive sub-bands. Particularly disclosed are designs of a middle guard band for preventing interference between adjacent sub-bands and regulating a difference in frequency between signals transmitted in each sub-band in a radio communication system such as a multi-carrier OFDM system and a multi-carrier CDMA system that forms a wideband through carrier aggregation. Related transmission/reception method and apparatus are further disclosed.
US08520622B2 Controlling uplink and downlink transmission power during asynchronous switching of control states by user equipment
A network node is disclosed that communicates with a user equipment node in a communications system. The network node repetitively transmits first uplink transmission power control, TPC, commands on a first physical channel with a first channel configuration while repetitively transmitting second uplink TPC commands on a second physical channel with a second channel configuration. The first and second uplink TPC commands control uplink transmission power from the user equipment node to the network node. Related user equipment nodes and methods are disclosed.
US08520619B2 Method of transmitting and receiving control information based on spatial-multiplexing gain
A control information transmission and reception method based on a spatial-multiplexing gain, are provided. The control information may be transmitted by obtaining the spatial-multiplexing gain using an E-PDCCH region, and thus, a transmission efficiency of the control information may be improved. The common control information used for decoding the E-PDCCH may be transmitted via a PDCCH, and thus, a base station supporting both a general terminal and an enhanced terminal may effectively transmit the control information. Information associated with an indicator indicating whether the E-PDCCH is to be used during a subsequent resource allocation period may be transmitted, and thus, whether decoding with respect to the E-PDCCH is to be performed during the subsequent allocation period may be determined.
US08520618B2 Method and apparatus of downlink subchannelization in wireless communication system
A method of downlink subchannelization in a wireless communication system includes: transmitting a network entry and network discovery information including an open loop (OL) region parameter; and mapping a physical resource unit (PRU) to a contiguous resource unit (CRU) or a distributed resource unit (DRU) with respect to ith frequency partition based on the OL region parameter, wherein a permutation sequence used for mapping a PRU of the ith frequency partition (PRUFPi) to a CRU of the ith frequency partition (CRUFPi) or a DRU of the ith frequency partition (DRUFPi) is determined by a seed value, and the seed value is set to be a particular value according to the value of the OL region parameter.
US08520615B2 Breakout gateway for mobile data traffic
In general, the invention is directed to techniques for breaking out mobile data traffic from a mobile service provider network to a packet data network. For example, as described herein, a breakout gateway device (BGW) receives a first service request and data traffic for a data session associated with the requested service from a mobile device in a radio access network, wherein the first service request is addressed to a serving node of a mobile core network of the mobile service provider network, and wherein the data traffic is destined for the PDN. A control packet analysis module forwards the first service request from the breakout gateway device to the serving node. A breakout module of the BGW bypasses the serving node by sending the data traffic from the breakout gateway device to the PDN on a data path from the radio access network to the PDN.
US08520613B2 Optimization of the presence information refresh for a wireless device
Techniques for optimizing presence information update requests for wireless devices on a wireless communication network by reducing the amount of access-network resources are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, presence information updates can be optimized by a presence module that is a single point of contact on a mobile device for presence requests from presence aware applications.
US08520607B2 Hopping structure for control channels
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate transmitting and receiving control data according to hopping patterns where the hopping patterns are defined based in part on bandwidth capabilities of a device transmitting the control data and bandwidth of the network on which the data is being transmitted. In this regard, devices having lower bandwidth capabilities than the network can hop within given frequency blocks reserved for control data assuming the blocks are no greater than the bandwidth of the device. Devices having greater or substantially equal bandwidth capabilities as the network can hop across disparate frequency blocks of the network reserved for control data as the device can handle substantially any hop in frequency. This preserves frequency diversity for control channels in multiple device types regardless of device bandwidth capabilities.
US08520604B2 Method and system for controlling the provision of media content to mobile stations
A media service controller controls how one or more base stations transmit media content from one or more media servers to mobile stations. The media service controller may control whether a mobile station receives media content via a unicast or a multicast connection, e.g., based on a predefined schedule and/or on whether other mobile stations served by the same base station are receiving the same media content. The media service controller may provide a content discovery service through which a first media server may determine whether other media servers are providing the same media content. The media service controller may facilitate changing a source of media content received by a mobile station, e.g., by changing the source from a first media server to a second media server when the mobile station moves from an area associated with the first media server to an area associated with the second media server.
US08520603B2 System and method for monitoring and optimizing network performance to a wireless device
The disclosed embodiments include a method for monitoring and optimizing network performance to a wireless device that includes determining network performance information of a wireless router and communicating data packets containing the network performance information to a network management device. The network management device is configured to transmit instructional data packets to the wireless router that include instructions for optimizing network performance to said wireless device in response to identify a network performance problem associated with the wireless router.
US08520601B2 Method and apparatus for acquiring antenna information in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and discloses a method and apparatus for acquiring antenna information. According to the present invention, a method in which user equipment acquires information of a transmission antenna of an eNB comprises the steps of: receiving a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) including information which indicates whether or not the eNB supports an extended transmission antenna configuration; decoding the received physical broadcast channel, and checking the transmission modes of the physical broadcast channel; and acquiring information of the transmission antenna of the eNB from one or more of the transmission modes checked in the previous step and information which indicates whether or not the eNB supports an extended transmission antenna configuration.
US08520600B2 Method of transmitting channel quality information of downlink multi carriers in a wireless communication system
A method of transmitting channel quality information in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method of transmitting channel quality information from a mobile station in a wireless communication system includes generating channel quality information of a downlink multi carrier including N number of downlink component carriers; and transmitting the generated channel quality information to a base station through at least one of a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) on a single uplink component carrier.
US08520599B2 Master station of communication system and access control method
A communication bandwidth is divided into a beacon period in which all master stations compete for transmission of a beacon packet, a first carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) period in which only authorized specific stations are allowed to compete for access, and a second CSMA period in which all stations are allowed to compete for access. The master stations exchange information with each other about a communication bandwidth being used in the first CSMA period, thereby calculating a communication bandwidth which can be used by each communication system in the first CSMA period, based on the information.
US08520598B2 Data transmission apparatus using multiple antennas and method thereof
An apparatus for transmitting data includes a data processing unit for generating a data symbol by channel-coding and constellation-mapping on information bits, a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) unit for generating a frequency domain symbol by performing DFT on the data symbols, a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) processing unit for generating a first transmission symbol by applying a first transmission diversity scheme to the frequency domain symbol and generating a second transmission symbol by applying a second transmission diversity scheme to the first transmission symbol, a Single Carrier-Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) modulation unit for generating an SC-FDMA symbol by performing Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) on the first transmission symbol and the second transmission symbol, and a plurality of transmission antennas for sending the SC-FDMA symbol.
US08520593B2 Method of bearer deletion, device, and system
A method of bearer deletion is provided to improve the universality of the bearer deletion process. The method includes: receiving, by the original intermediate NE, the cancellation type indication parameter sent by the HSS, and deleting the bearer between the serving gateway (S-GW) and a packet data network gateway (P-GW), if the original intermediate network element obtains an attach type according to the cancellation type indication parameter indicating an attach type and a corresponding bearer exists on the original intermediate NE. This method helps efficiently improve the universality of the bearer deletion flow.
US08520591B2 Mobile radio terminal and radio communication method
A mobile radio terminal UE performs starting PNG, detecting a best cell, and starting generation of Long Code and receives various types of messages from a 1×RTT CS Access on the basis of System Information supplied from an E-UTRAN.
US08520590B1 Efficient in-band backhaul
A first service flow and a second service flow are combined into a backhaul service flow. One or more data structures within a first downlink frame are defined. The first downlink frame comprises an access region and a backhaul region. The one or more data structures are in the backhaul region. The one or more data structures are also defined within a second downlink frame. The second downlink frame comprises the access region and the backhaul region and the one or more data structures are in the backhaul region. The backhaul service flow is distributed into the one or more data structures. The first downlink frame and the second downlink frame are sent. The first downlink frame and the second downlink frame comprise an access map and a backhaul map. The access map has a size that is larger than the backhaul map.
US08520589B2 Mobile device and method for intelligently communicating data generated thereby over short-range, unlicensed wireless networks and wide area wireless networks
A mobile device is provisionable for service on a wireless wide area network (WWAN) operated by a licensed network operator and is further operable on at least one shorter-range, unlicensed wireless network (UWN). The mobile device stores applications that generate data when executed, including at least one application that generates data for communication over the WWAN. The mobile device executes a stored application and classifies data generated by the executed application into one of at least two categories based upon a domain of a target network to which the data is to be sent. A first category relates to data requiring communication at least partially over the WWAN and a second category relates to data not requiring communication over the WWAN. The mobile device establishes communication with a target device in the target network over at least the UWN based upon classification of the data generated by the executed application.
US08520584B2 Data over signaling (DOS) optimization over wireless access networks
The present invention supports a communication protocol on a wireless communication network to transmit application data on the control channel to an access terminal. Base transceiver stations are grouped and configured into paging zones. The radio network controller transmits a page message and application data to the base transceiver stations in the paging zone where the access terminal is located. Each of the base transceiver stations transmits a page and buffers the application data. The buffered application data is only transmitted by the base transceiver station receiving a response to the page.
US08520583B2 Method, apparatus, and computer program product for roaming partner discovery
Method, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments of the invention are disclosed to improve the discovery of wireless networks having desired service offerings. In example embodiments of the invention, a method comprises: transmitting a wireless generic advertisement service request to a multicast address of a multicast group of wireless devices or to a broadcast address, specifying one or more required characteristics; and receiving one or more wireless generic advertisement service responses from only one or more of the plurality of wireless devices having the specified characteristics.
US08520582B2 Method for allocating multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) resources and receiving non MBMS data
The present invention discloses a method for allocating MBMS resources and a method for receiving non MBMS data, wherein said method for allocating MBMS resources comprises: way 1: a transmitter using parts on the MBMS resources allocated for the MBMS to send a non MBMS, and informing a receiver of usage state of resources which are used to send the non MBMS in said parts of the MBMS resources through system information; or way 2: a transmitter using parts of the MBMS resources allocated for the MBMS to send a non MBMS only for one or more receivers which are not power limited. The present invention can avoid configuring the MBMS for the over allocation MBMS subframes using complex scheduling algorithms, and implements the flexible allocation of the MBMS subframes.
US08520563B2 Interface device, communications system, non-volatile storage device, communication mode switching method and integrated circuit
A host device and a slave device are set to a full-duplex mode by temporarily switching the communication direction of a first transmission channel or a second transmission channel after completing transmission and reception of a predetermined number of data packets in the half-duplex mode. The host device or the slave device can thus transmit an interrupt request, such as a request associated with a wait status or a busy status, to its communication target using the temporary full-duplex mode. This enables the host device or the slave device to process such an interrupt request during high-speed data transfer performed in the half-duplex mode.
US08520562B2 Master/slave transceiver power back-off
An apparatuses and methods of setting power back-off of a master transceiver and a slave transceiver is disclosed. One example of a method includes the master transceiver determining a master power back-off, and the slave transceiver determining a slave power back-off based on signals received from the master transceiver, and based on the master power back-off. One example of an apparatus includes a master transceiver and slave transceiver system. The slave transceiver is connected to the master transceiver through a cable. The master transceiver includes means for determining a master power back-off. The slave transceiver includes means for determining a slave power back-off based on signals received from the master transceiver, and based on the master power back-off.
US08520560B2 Generation of HARQ-ACK information and power control of HARQ-ACK signals in TDD systems with downlink of carrier aggregation
Methods and apparatus are provided for a User Equipment (UE) configured to have multiple cells in a DownLink (DL) of a Time Division Duplex (TDD) communication system so as to determine a power of an acknowledgement signal that the UE transmits in a control channel and to determine a number of acknowledgement information bits that the UE multiplexes with data information bits in a data channel. A transmission power of the control signal is determined based on DL Assignment Index (DAI) Information Elements (IEs) in DL Scheduling Assignments (SAs) that the UE detects through multiple transmission time intervals and through the multiple configured DL cells. The number of acknowledgement information bits in the data channel is determined based on a DAI IE of an UpLink (UL) SA associated with the transmission of the data channel.
US08520558B2 Quality of service securing method and apparatus
A quality of service (QoS) securing apparatus and method using a communication protocol is provided. The QoS securing method is performed by a reception side that is receiving data from a transmission side. The method includes generating information about a changed communication environment according to a change in a communication environment of the reception side, and transmitting the information to the transmission side. An exchange of information about a communication environment using the communication protocol between the reception side and the transmission side can inform the transmission side about resources of the reception side, link characteristics, characteristics of a link on a transmission path, etc., thereby securing a QoS of data communication between the reception side and the transmission side.