| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08572761B2 |
Method and system for preventing unauthorized reproduction of electronic media
A method for selectively controlling access to electronic media disposed on a media storage device according to one embodiment is described. The method comprises creating a first list comprising a plurality of process identification values. Each of the plurality of process identification values of the first list is associated with a software application that is accessing the media disposed upon the media storage device. The method further includes creating a second list comprising a second plurality of process identification values. Each of the second plurality of process identification values is associated with a software application that is storing data. The method further includes determining that a particular software application is creating an unauthorized copy of the media disposed upon the media storage device. The method further includes preventing the particular software application from storing a usable copy of said electronic media. |
| US08572760B2 |
Systems and methods for secure agent information
Semantic information may be secured by an agent using one or more semantic security labels (e.g., security predicates). The agent may be configured to allow other agents to access the semantic information according to a set of semantically expressed policies, strategies, and/or rules. A request to receive information may be mapped to a negotiation policy of the agent. The agent may evaluate the request against a semantic information sharing policy. If the information is accessible under the information sharing policy, the information may be provided. If not, the agent may negotiate information sharing terms using the negotiation ontology, strategy, and rules. Similarly, the agent may request information from other entities. Terms of the information requests may be negotiated using the negotiation ontology, strategy, and rules. |
| US08572758B1 |
DLP-enforced loss scanning, sequestering, and content indexing
A system and method is disclosed for implementing a data loss prevention (DLP) system configured to protect sensitive data in conjunction with corresponding content indexing (CI) metadata. In response to detecting a data loss risk, such as to data at rest (e.g., stored on a file system) and/or to data in motion (e.g., data being transmitted across a network) the system may perform any number of data loss prevention actions, including sequestering the data. The system may utilize an interface to a content indexing system in order to discover CI metadata associated with the data and sequester the CI metadata associated with the data. One or more common sequestration rules may be applied to the sequestration of the data and of the metadata. For example, the data and metadata may be encrypted using the same key and/or sequestered in the same location. |
| US08572757B1 |
Seamless secure private collaboration across trust boundaries
Seamless, secure, private, collaborative file synchronization across trust boundaries, typically as a companion to a store and sync file service. Information needed to recover a file is stored within the file itself, without giving away secret data. User specific personal keys are preferably only stored on the users' device(s). A unique ID is also created for each protected file; a password is generated that depends on (a) a key value that can either be (i) the user's personal key in the case of a file that is to be private or (ii) a shared key in the case of a file that is to be shared with other users, and (b) the unique file ID. The password is then encrypted using a recovery key and also stored in the file itself. The file is secured using a format that supports password-based content encryption. |
| US08572746B2 |
Predictive blacklisting using implicit recommendation
A method is provided for determining a rating of a likelihood of a victim system receiving malicious traffic from an attacker system at a point in time. The method comprises: generating a first forecast from a time series model based on past history of attacks by the attacker system; generating a second forecast from a victim neighborhood model based on similarity between the victim system and peer victim systems; generating a third forecast from a joint attacker-victim neighborhood model based on correlation between a group of attacker systems including the attacker system and a group of victim systems including the victim system; and determining the rating of the likelihood of the victim system receiving malicious traffic from the attacker system at the point in time based on the first forecast, the second forecast, and the third forecast. |
| US08572744B2 |
Information security auditing and incident investigation system
An information security auditing and incident investigation method can include applying a correlation template to query different audit targets in an enterprise system to provide a complete result set for the query across different audit targets, receiving audit data provided in response to the query and rendering the audit data to produce an audit report. The applying step can include distributing one or more distributed audit and response tools to each of the targets in the enterprise and communicating with the targets in the enterprise to acquire audit data from each of the targets. The receiving step can include organizing the audit data in a hierarchy, and recursively walking the hierarchy as a directed, cyclic graph noting memberships and paths. Finally, the rendering step can include generating a graphical visualization interface, disposing a real-time object browser within the interface, and further disposing a differential report in the interface. |
| US08572743B2 |
Virus localization using cryptographic hashing
Methods for using integrity checking techniques to identify and locate computer viruses are provided. A method for virus localization for each of three types of virus infections is provided, including the steps of computing a sequence of file blocks, calculating hashes for the sequences of file blocks from a host file and calculating hashes for the same or related sequences of file blocks from an infected file, and comparing the hashes from host file to the hashes from the infected file from the same or related sequences of file blocks such that when some of said first hashes and said second hashes do not match, a location of a virus is output. Methods for computing the sequence of file blocks depending on the type of virus infection, and for calculating the hashes using a collision resistant hash function, a digital signature scheme, a message authentication code, or a pseudo-random function. |
| US08572741B2 |
Providing security for a virtual machine by selectively triggering a host security scan
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that protects an application from malware on a host system. During operation, the system receives a command to commence execution of the application on the host system. In response to the command, the system causes a security scan to be performed on the host system to detect malware, wherein the malware can compromise the security of the application. The system also restricts one or more operations associated with the application until the security scan successfully completes. |
| US08572738B2 |
On demand virus scan
A method and apparatus are provided for performing periodic virus scans on a computer system that mitigates utilization of system resources. All objects designated as non-recently used are placed in an archived format and rendered un-executable. The archived objects are omitted from periodic virus scans. At such time as a request for an archive object is received, or access to an archived object is otherwise required, the archived object is converted to a non-archived state. In addition, before the returned object is made available to a requester, the recently converted object is subject to a virus scan on-demand. Accordingly, the periodic virus scan omits all archived objects, which will only be subject to a virus scan upon receipt of request to the archived object. |
| US08572737B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for providing internet-based proxy services
A proxy server receives, from multiple visitors of multiple client devices, a plurality of requests for actions to be performed on identified network resources belonging to a plurality of origin servers. At least some of the origin servers belong to different domains and are owned by different entities. The proxy server and the origin servers are also owned by different entities. The proxy server analyzes each request it receives to determine whether that request poses a threat and whether the visitor belonging to the request poses a threat. The proxy server blocks those requests from visitors that pose a threat or in which the request itself poses a threat. The proxy server transmits the requests that are not a threat and is from a visitor that is not a threat to the appropriate origin server. |
| US08572736B2 |
System and method for detecting behavior anomaly in information access
The present invention provides a system and method for identifying anomaly in information requests. The information requests are modeled into a plurality of basic elements and association among the basic elements are tracked. The association of one information request is compared with a plurality of bitmap tables and counters representing a baseline information from a historical behavior information. If the association of this information request differs from the baseline information, an alert is issued. |
| US08572734B2 |
Geographical intrusion response prioritization mapping through authentication and flight data correlation
Preferred systems and methods for geographically mapping intrusions through network or authentication data and flight data correlation are described. In one aspect, methods and systems include receiving threat data, receiving network or authentication data, receiving flight location data, correlating the threat data and the network or authentication data with the flight location data to generate map data, and generating a map displaying a geographical location of the intrusion based on the map data. |
| US08572732B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for enabling communication between security systems
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for enabling communication between security systems. In use, a first communication protocol of a first security system and a second communication protocol of a second security system are identified, where the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol are different such that the first security system and the second security system are incapable of communicating therebetween. Further, the first security system is updated with a first security definition and/or the second security system is updated with a second security definition for enabling communication between the first security system and the second security system. |
| US08572731B1 |
Systems and methods for blocking a domain based on the internet protocol address serving the domain
A computer-implemented method to block a domain based on an Internet Protocol (IP) address serving the domain is described. A trigger event on a first domain is detected. The IP address serving the first domain is identified. The identified IP address is compared with a list of IP addresses. The trigger event is blocked based on a determination that the identified IP address matches at least one IP address on the list. |
| US08572729B1 |
System, method and computer program product for interception of user mode code execution and redirection to kernel mode
A system, method and computer program product are provided. In use, code is executed in user mode. Further, the execution of the code is intercepted. In response to the interception, operations are performed in kernel mode. |
| US08572724B2 |
Method and apparatus for network session validation
According to one embodiment, an apparatus may store a plurality of token-based rules. A token-based rule facilitates access to a resource. The apparatus may further store a plurality of tokens. The apparatus may receive a first token indicating that access to the resource has been requested and determine at least one token-based rule based at least in part upon the first token. The at least one token-based rule may condition access to the resource upon a second token. The second token may indicate that the resource is associated with a virtual private network of the link layer of the open systems interconnection model. The apparatus may determine that the plurality of tokens includes the second token associated with the at least one token-based rule and generate a session token based at least in part upon the first token and the second token. |
| US08572721B2 |
Methods and systems for routing packets in a VPN-client-to-VPN-client connection via an SSL/VPN network appliance
In a method and system for routing packets between clients, a packet is received from a first client connected to a secure sockets layer virtual private network (an SSL/VPN) network appliance. An identification is made, responsive to an inspection of the received packet, of i) a type of connection required for transmission of the received packet to a destination address identified by the received packet and ii) a second client connected via an SSL/VPN connection to the SSL/VPN network appliance and associated with the identified destination address. A request is made for establishment by the second client of a connection of the identified type within the SSL/VPN connection. The received packet is transmitted to the second client via the established connection of the identified type. |
| US08572717B2 |
Dynamic access control policy with port restrictions for a network security appliance
A network security appliance supports definition of a security policy to control access to a network. The security policy is defined by match criteria including a layer seven network application, a static port list of layer four ports for a transport-layer protocol, and actions to be applied to packet flows that match the match criteria. A rules engine dynamically identifies a type of layer seven network application associated with the received packet flow based on inspection of application-layer data within payloads of packets of the packet flow without basing the identification solely on a layer four port specified by headers within the packets. The rules engine is configured to apply the security policy to determine whether the packet flow matches the static port lists specified by the match criteria. The network security appliance applies the actions specified by the security policy to the packet flow. |
| US08572716B2 |
Integrating operating systems with content offered by web based entities
Example embodiments are provided for integrating operating systems with content offered by internet based entities. |
| US08572715B2 |
Method for use in a network based safety data storage system
In a method for use in a data storage system which applies high safety requirements for the storage of data on a server in a telecommunications network and for the retrieval of the files by the local computers linked with the server via the network, the applicant is provided with a user certificate and public and secret keys, preferably on a chip card. Once the server is dialed up via the Internet, a client program is forwarded to the user which controls authentication of the user and the transmission of additional safety-relevant features of proof such as biometrical systems, geographical positioning, time-dependent data, network and computer data, etc., to the server. The storage system on the server is provided with a locker-type characteristic by establishing folders comprising a specific file for the safety requirements related thereto. The lockers are distinguished by their specific function and are only displayed to the user when the safety requirements are met. This locker system thus also has virtual character. |
| US08572708B2 |
Method and arrangement for integration of different authentication infrastructures
A method that provides efficient integration of infrastructure for federated single sign on (e.g. Liberty ID-FP framework) and generic bootstrapping architecture (e.g. 3GPP GAA/GBA architecture) uses an integrated proxy server (IAP). The IAP is inserted in the path between a user and a service provider (SP). The IAP differentiates type of access and determines corresponding operative state to act as a liberty enabled server or as a GAA/GBA network application function. A Bootstrapping, Identity, Authentication and Session Management arrangement (BIAS) leverages on 3GPP GAA/GBA infrastructure to provide an integrated system for handling Liberty Federated SSO and 3GPP GAA/GBA bootstrapping procedures at the same time. This method and arrangement provides improved use of infrastructure elements and performance for authenticated service access. |
| US08572706B2 |
Policy engine for cloud platform
A policy engine is situated between the communications path of a cloud computing environment and a user of the cloud computing environment to comply with an organization's policies for deploying web applications in the cloud computing environment. The policy engine intercepts communications packets to the cloud computing environment from a user, such as a web application developer, for example, in preparation for deploying a web application in the cloud computing environment. The policy engine identifies commands corresponding to the communications packets and directs the communications packets to appropriate rules engines corresponding to such commands in order to execute rules to comply with an organization's policies. Upon completion of execution of the rules, the communications packets are forwarded to the cloud computing environment if they comply with the policies. |
| US08572695B2 |
Method for applying a physical seal authorization to documents in electronic workflows
A system and method for applying a pre-existing physical seal authorization to documents provides for authentication of electronic documents using physical seals and without interrupting the electronic workflow. The system of the present invention includes a seal capture device coupled to a computer, and the computer coupled by a network to a paper-like document server. The seal capture device detects depression of a seal thereon and outputs the image of the seal and other metadata to the computer. The computer stores the metadata in its local log using a logging module. The computer also adds the image of the seal and other metadata to the electronic document being displayed. Finally, the computer sends the metadata for storage in the global log of the paper-like document server, and the authorized document to the next step in the electronic workflow. The paper-like document server stores the metadata in other servers or entangles the global log with the logs of other servers for additional security. |
| US08572692B2 |
Method and system for a platform-based trust verifying service for multi-party verification
A method and system for a platform-based trust verifying service for multi-party verification. In one embodiment, the method includes a client platform accessing an service provider over a network. Upon accessing the service provider, the client platform receives a request from the service provider for platform measurement and verification. The client platform collects platform information and performs measurement and verification, including performing an integrity manifest comparison. If the integrity manifest comparison indicates a good client platform posture, then the client platform signs the client platform posture and sends an approval notification to the service provider indicating that the client platform has not been compromised. The client platform may then receive the service of the service provider. If the integrity manifest comparison indicates that the client platform posture is not good, then the client platform will send a failure notification to the service provider indicating that the client platform has been compromised. |
| US08572687B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing session validation
According to one embodiment, an apparatus may receive a first token indicating that access to the resource has been requested. The apparatus may determine at least one token-based rule based at least in part upon the first token, and determine that a plurality of tokens includes a second token associated with the at least one token-based rule. The apparatus may then generate a session token based at least in part upon the first token and the second token in response to the determination that the plurality of tokens includes the second token. The apparatus may terminate the session token based on a received third token. |
| US08572678B2 |
Security policy flow down system
A system and method are provided that distill an organization's information security plan into a detailed and unambiguous security object model. The developed security object model provides a visualization of complex relationships between individual elements and levels that is usable to carry into effect the organization's information security plan. Configuration control and a verifiable level of security compliance are provided through implementation of the organization's information security plan by the developed security object model. The developed security object model is hosted on a computing platform in communication with at least the organization's network to provide information security plan compliance, configuration control and gap analysis in a usable form to the organization. |
| US08572674B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for modular, string-sensitive, access rights analysis with demand-driven precision
A static analysis for identification of permission-requirements on stack-inspection authorization systems is provided. The analysis employs functional modularity for improved scalability. To enhance precision, the analysis utilizes program slicing to detect the origin of each parameter passed to a security-sensitive function. Furthermore, since strings are essential when defining permissions, the analysis integrates a sophisticated string analysis that models string computations. |
| US08572673B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method
There is a described a method of certifying compliance with a designated process defined by a plurality of rules which are specified in a public template, wherein at least one rule associated with a process includes a certification requirement which requires compliance with that rule to be certified by a rule certifying authority. A processing apparatus operating in a secure environment receives rule compliance data and checks the received rule compliance data to verify that any certification requirement has been satisfied. If the processing apparatus confirms that all the rules specified in the public template are satisfied, then the processing apparatus issues a process compliance certificate which is digitally signed by the process certifying authority. |
| US08572671B1 |
Signal processing apparatus and methods
A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming. |
| US08572670B2 |
Video distribution device, video distribution system, and video distribution method
To provide a video distribution device which can realize a smooth change of reproduction speed without increasing a data transfer rate from the time of a normal reproduction and decrease a decoding load even when the reproduction speed is changed.The video distribution device which distributes a video content composed of a basic signal and one or more extended signals that are hierarchically configured includes content read-out means for reading out the basic signal and the extended signal in the video content at mutually independent bit rates and reproduction speed change means for changing a content reproduction speed by specifying a read-out bit rate for each signal to the content read-out means. |
| US08572669B2 |
In-band data recognition and synchronization system
A method and apparatus for recognizing and synchronizing to in-band data at a multimedia device is provided. A content stream includes in-band data. The in-band data is processed and in-band data pattern data associated with the content stream are created. Metadata are attached to the event identification data. The event identification data are provided to multimedia devices which receive broadcasted multimedia content streams containing video programs with in-band data. The in-band data are processed and compared to the event identification data. If a match occurs, the multimedia device uses the metadata to perform specified actions. |
| US08572665B2 |
Selective distribution of cell based video streams over packet based networks
According to the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided to allow selective distribution of video information over packet based networks. Video information associated with a particular channel is received at an edge router from a cell based network. The edge router uses label switching to selectively distribute the video information to designated nodes in the packet based network. |
| US08572662B2 |
Method of providing customized hospitality media functions at a plurality of set-top boxes being connected to an RF coax network, and hospitality media system thereof
A hospitality media system includes a plurality of set-top boxes (STBs) coupled to a radio frequency (RF) coax network. Each STB has an identifier for identifying the STB. A content source broadcasts media content to the STBs utilizing the RF coax network and an update server distributes software data to the STBs. The software data causes a particular STB to perform a media function customized for the particular STB according to the identifier of the particular STB. |
| US08572658B2 |
Method for mapping between signaling information and announcement information and broadcast receiver
A method for mapping signaling information to announcement information and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of providing a Non-Real-Time (NRT) service, the method comprises extracting identification information of first signaling information and second signaling information based upon a program specific information/program and system information protocol (PSI/PSIP) table, receiving the first signaling information and second signaling information based upon the extracted identification information, constructing and displaying a service guide using the received first signaling information, acquiring first content identification information as a content selected from the displayed service guide, accessing a File Delivery over Unidirectional Transport (FLUTE) session using the received second signaling information, acquiring second content identification information matched with the acquired first content identification information from the accessed FLUTE session and receiving and storing one or more file constructing corresponding content based upon the acquired second content identification information. |
| US08572657B2 |
Controlling program guide in broadcast receiving device
A broadcast receiving device and a method for change one or more configurations of windows of a program guide displayed on a display unit of a broadcast receiving device according to a user input, are discussed. |
| US08572648B2 |
Transmitting/receiving system and method of processing data in the transmitting/receiving system
A receiving system and a data processing method are disclosed. The receiving system includes a receiving unit, a demodulator, a first handler, and a second handler. The receiving unit receives a broadcast signal including fast information channel (FIC) data, mobile service data, and a service signaling channel, the FIC data including a field indicating that a table signaling service guide bootstrap information to the service signaling channel is included therein, and the mobile service data and the service signaling channel are packetized into an RS frame belonging to a desired ensemble. The demodulator demodulates the received broadcast signal. The first handler acquires service guide bootstrap information from the table included in the service signaling channel. And, the second handler accesses a service guide announcement channel by using the service guide bootstrap information. |
| US08572647B2 |
Online ad placement based on user metrics for hosted media
The present invention provides methods for determining which ads to present to a user. An embodiment of the method comprises identifying one or more ads, at least one of the identified ads associated with a video. For each identified ad, a first score is calculated. The first score for the identified ad associated with the video is calculated based on one or more metrics representing user interactions associated with viewing the video. In one embodiment, the score for the ad associated with the video will be better (e.g., higher) the more viewers of the video hosting service interact with the associated video, since such interactions thereby indicate a higher over level of viewer interest in the video. One or more of the identified ads are selected to be presented to the user based at least in part on the first score of each of the identified ads. The one or more selected ads are transmitted to a device for presenting to the user. |
| US08572643B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for dynamic grouping and content distribution
In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for dynamic content distribution and grouping includes a server for providing a plurality of content channels, at least one tuning/decoding means for receiving/decoding at least one of the plurality of content channels, and at least one respective display means for displaying the at least one received/decoded content channel. In such embodiments of the present invention, the server is configured to dynamically configure the at least one tuning/decoding means to receive/decode at least one of the plurality of content channels. More specifically, in embodiments of the present invention, the server dynamically configures the at least one tuning/decoding means by communicating a channel change command to the at least one tuning/decoding means over a dedicated radio-frequency channel or, in an alternate embodiment, using an internet protocol. |
| US08572642B2 |
Customized program insertion system
A customized consumer advertisement module and process are provided for inserting a user selected object into a user selected category of program. The user stores model objects locally at the user site, or communicates the model objects to a remotely located broadcaster for storage at a broadcaster site. The user selects categories of programs in which the model objects, or portions thereof, will be inserted. The customized consumer advertisement module inserts the model objects, or portions thereof, into the selected categories of programs. |
| US08572640B2 |
Media data use measurement with remote decoding/pattern matching
Systems and methods are provided for identifying and/or measuring usage of media data gathered at a user location using remote decoding and/or pattern matching techniques. A data set is formed based on the media data, which includes some, but not all, of the information represented by the media data. The data set is communicated to a remotely located processing system for detecting a code based on the data set and/or conducting a pattern matching process based on the data set. |
| US08572632B2 |
Devices as services in a decentralized operating system
Various embodiments of the present invention transform devices into Web services or special-purpose servers that are capable of communicating with personal computers. Various embodiments of the present invention allow various low-level aspects of device drivers to reside in the devices, eliminating the need for the devices to be compatible with legacy specification. Various embodiments of the present invention allow various devices to be shipped from the factory with low-level software already built in so that users are liberated from having to deal with the experience of installing and upgrading device drivers. In various embodiments of the present invention, each device is preferably a network node identifiable by a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI). |
| US08572628B2 |
Inter-thread data communications in a computer processor
Inter-thread data communications in a computer processor with multiple hardware threads of execution, each hardware thread operatively coupled for communications through an inter-thread communications controller, where inter-thread communications is carried out by the inter-thread communications controller and includes: registering, responsive to one or more RECEIVE opcodes, one or more receiving threads executing the RECEIVE opcodes; receiving, from a SEND opcode of a sending thread, specifications of a number of derived messages to be sent to receiving threads and a base value; generating the derived messages, incrementing the base value once for each registered receiving thread so that each derived message includes a single integer as a separate increment of the base value; sending, to each registered receiving thread, a derived message; and returning, to the sending thread, an actual number of derived messages received by receiving threads. |
| US08572626B2 |
Symmetric multi-processor system
The present invention relates generally to computer operating systems, and more specifically, to operating system calls in a symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) environment. Existing SMP strategies either use a single lock or multiple locks to limit access to critical areas of the operating system to one thread at a time. These strategies suffer from a number of performance problems including slow execution, large software and execution overheads and deadlocking problems. The invention applies a single lock strategy to a micro kernel operating system design which delegates functionality to external processes. The micro kernel has a single critical area, the micro kernel itself, which executes very quickly, while the external processes are protected by proper thread management. As a result, a single lock may be used, overcoming the performance problems of the existing strategies. |
| US08572625B2 |
Method and system for application migration using per-application persistent configuration dependency
A system and method for determining application dependent components includes capturing interactions of an application stored in memory of a first environment with other components at runtime. The interactions are parsed and categorized to determine dependency information. The application is migrated to a new environment using the dependency information to reconfigure the application after migration without application-specific knowledge. |
| US08572624B2 |
Providing multiple quiesce state machines in a computing environment
A system, method and computer program product for providing multiple quiesce state machines. The system includes a first controller including logic for processing a first quiesce request. The system also includes a second controller including logic for processing a second quiesce request. All or a portion of the processing of the second quiesce request overlaps in time with the processing of the first quiesce request. Thus, multiple quiesce requests may be active in the system at the same time. |
| US08572623B2 |
Determining an optimal computing environment for running an image based on performance of similar images
Aspects of the present invention provide an approach that evaluates a locally running image (e.g., such as that for a virtual machine (VM)) and determines if that image could run more efficiently and/or more effectively in an alternate computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment). Specifically, embodiments of the present invention evaluate the local (existing/target) image's actual and perceived performance, as well as the anticipated/potential performance if the image were to be migrated to an alternate environment. The anticipated/potential performance can be measured based on another image that is similar to the existing/target image but where that image is running in a different computing environment. Regardless, the system would display a recommendation to the end user if it were determined that the image could perform better in the alternate environment (or vice versa). |
| US08572620B2 |
Resource management
The invention relates to a method, device and system for management of resource in a communication network having a resource owner (RO) providing the resource and at least one resource user (RU) using the resource. According to the present invention a resource broker is introduced between the resource owner and the at least one resource user. Said broker is arranged to perform a management procedure for deciding whether to perform a allocation, keeping or release of resource. In order to take a decision a resource usage measure (TTL) is used. In accordance with the present invention said measure is updated when user's usage measure (Keep Alive, InterestMsg) informing about the expected usage of the resource by a resource user is obtained. The update is performed by means of a cumulative algorithm taking into account current and past values of the resource usage measure (TTL). |
| US08572617B2 |
Processor-implemented systems and methods for event handling
Processor-implemented systems and methods are provided for synchronization of a thread, wherein the thread waits for one or more events to occur before continuing execution. A processor-implemented system and method can include a wait data structure which stores event conditions in order to determine when the thread should continue execution. Event objects, executing on one or more data processors, allow for thread synchronization. A pointer is stored with respect to a wait data structure in order to provide visibility of event conditions to the event objects. The thread continues execution when the stored event conditions are satisfied. |
| US08572611B2 |
Managing conflicts between multiple users accessing a computer system having shared resources assigned to one or more logical partitions and one or more appliance partitions
A management system for managing computer resources assigned by a hypervisor to one or more logical partitions and/or one or more appliance partitions in a multi-user computer system receives login information from a new user logging into the computer system through a service interface (e.g. a hardware management console) or a non-service interface, builds a conflict list, and sends the conflict list for presentation to the new user. The new user is notified of any users that are logged into any part of the computer system that could conflict with the new user's actions. Such users may be logged into the computer system through service and/or non-service interfaces. In one embodiment, the new user can choose to continue logging in irrespective of any conflicts shown. After choosing to continue, the new user is preferably requested to input an end-time. This end-time may be displayed, in turn, to all subsequent users that log into any part of the computer system that could cause conflict. The management system is preferably a component of the hypervisor. |
| US08572608B2 |
Methods and systems for converting a related group of physical machines to virtual machines
A computer implemented method for processing virtualization of physical computers that are part of a group into virtual computers is provided. The method includes obtaining relationship data from the physical computers, where the relationship data identifies parameters used to communicate within the group. Then, the method analyzes utilization parameters for each of the physical computers of the group. A visual model for proposed virtualization of the group of physical computers is then generated. The visual model identifies hosting machines designated to define a virtual computer for each of the physical computers, where the visual model provides a graphical illustration of the group of physical computers once converted to virtual computers. The method enables adjustment of the proposed virtualization of the group of physical computers. Then, an execution sequence of virtualization operations to be carried out is generated, if execution of the proposed virtualization is triggered, and the execution sequence is saved to storage and accessed upon execution. |
| US08572606B1 |
System and method for avoiding synchronization bugs through virtualization
A system and method for reducing the likelihood of concurrency errors by identifying vulnerable segments of computer code and stalling other virtual machine threads of execution. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the vulnerable segment is identified at runtime, for example in a dynamic translator. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the vulnerable segment is identified ahead of time, for example in a static translator. According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the vulnerable segment is identified in the binary translator of a virtual machine monitor. |
| US08572601B2 |
System and method for automatic installation and maintenance of hardware and software in a distributed computer system
The invention relates to a system and a method for automatic installation and maintenance of hardware and/or software in the system nodes (SK) of a distributed computer system, in particular in a distributed automation system, comprising a system installation and/or system maintenance tool (WZ), wherein the system installation and/or system maintenance tool (WZ) can be activated from a single arbitrary access in the distributed system. The system installation and/or system maintenance tool (WZ) selects a software package and/or a functional component, and automatically executes the maintenance steps of the selected software package and/or of the selected functional component as regards the distribution, installation and/or configuration of the software package and/or of the selected functional component in a defined sequence on the system nodes (SK) of the distributed system. |
| US08572597B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing an over-the-air software update in a dual processor mobile station
A wireless communication device for accessing a wireless network and downloading a software upgrade file. The wireless communication device comprises: i) a CPU for controlling wireless communications with the wireless network; ii) a first memory associated with the first CPU; iii) a CPU for executing at least one end-user application on the wireless communication device; and iv) a second memory associated with the second CPU. The first CPU downloads the software upgrade file from the wireless network and stores the downloaded software upgrade file in the second memory for subsequent execution. The first CPU and the second CPU share resources in order to carry out software upgrades for either or both CPUs. |
| US08572595B1 |
Methods and apparatus for aggressive scheduling in source code compilation
Computer-executed transformation of source code enables optimization of the code for one or more of parallelism, locality, and memory footprint of operations represented in the source code on a computing apparatus. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims. |
| US08572591B2 |
Dynamic adaptive programming
Creating and executing platform portable code. A method includes declaring an object as being a dynamic object in a program. The program is a program compiled using a static language, except that the dynamic object is excluded from static analysis on the object when the program is compiled. The dynamic object includes a dependent call to a platform specific API. The platform specific API is available on one or more platforms to which a compiled version of the program will be deployed, but not available on one or more other platforms to which the compiled version of the program will be deployed. |
| US08572583B2 |
Method and system for testing software for industrial machine
There are provided a method and system for testing software for an industrial machine with continuous test values reflecting actual environmental factors, using a simulator before the software for the industrial machine is embedded into an actual industrial machine. A method for testing software for an industrial machine, the method comprising the steps of: coding a program for a diagram through which the industrial machine is driven; compiling the program into an instruction with which the industrial machine is driven; downloading the compiled program onto a simulator for implementing a programming interface provided by the industrial machine; executing the compiled program in the simulator: generating a first data for testing the compiled program: transmitting the first test data to the simulator having the downloaded program from a testing tool; and outputting a result data obtained after executing the program having the transmitted first test data and then transmitting the result data to the testing tool. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a time taken for testing, to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the testing and to save cost required in the testing. |
| US08572580B2 |
Computer application packages with customizations
Applications operated within a virtual environment may be organized into a package containing various software components. Each software component or resource may have a specific name and other metadata, including a designator for overwriting or modifying the component. A policy may define how any changes to specific software components may be stored and retrieved based on the designator. One or more sets of changed components may be generated, persisted, and re-applied to create a customized version of the application based on the original package. The application may be operated within a virtual application environment or within a dedicated virtual machine environment. |
| US08572577B2 |
Monitoring changes to data within a critical section of a threaded program
A method, system and program product for monitoring changes to a variable within a critical section of a threaded program. The method includes establishing, using a debugging tool, a watch for monitoring changes to a variable that occur outside of the critical section and executing a portion of the threaded program with a debugger. Further, the method includes determining, using the tool, whether or not a thread has executed a start breakpoint set for the critical section, if the thread has executed the start breakpoint set, determining whether or not the thread has executed an end breakpoint set for the critical section, and if the thread has not executed the end breakpoint set, displaying any watches triggered responsive to updates to the variable that occur outside of the critical section, such that, only updates to the variable that occur outside of the critical section will trigger the displaying. |
| US08572570B2 |
Assisted compositional reasoning for test scripts
Assisted compositional reasoning for test scripts is implemented by a Type Inference of GUI Object References (TIGOR). TIGOR makes types of GUI objects explicit in the source code by using the properties of GUI objects as referred to in test script statements to access a GUI object repository for GUI objects that have matching GUI objects properties. TIGOR analyzes the GUI object types of the matching GUI objects in view of a sequence of operations performed on the GUI objects in the test script statements. TIGOR infers a GUI object type for a GUI object when that GUI object type is determined to be valid and/or compatible with a sequence of operations, such as API calls, executed in test script statements that perform actions on the GUI object. |
| US08572569B2 |
Modified implementation of a debugger wire protocol and command packet
A client debugger application or a virtual machine includes a receiving module configured to receive a command packet of a debugging protocol from a computer. The command packet includes an identifier (ID) field. The client debugger application or the virtual machine also includes a parsing module configured to parse an ID from the ID field. One byte of the ID field doubles as a command set value and another byte of the ID field doubles as a command value. The client debugger application or the virtual machine further includes a debugging module configured to use the parsed ID, command set value and command value to perform at least one debugging operation. |
| US08572557B2 |
Program code generation support device and method, program execution device and method, and program code compression processing device and method and program thereof
To obtain a program code generation support device, method, and the like, capable of generating a new program code, in particular, generating in accordance with an incorporating apparatus, by performing a further optimization on a program code. The device includes storage means for storing as data, an optimization rule that is composed of a conversion condition for converting data of a program code and a conversion content thereof, and code optimization means that includes a code analysis unit for analyzing the program code, a condition search unit for search a part matching the conversion condition in the program code through a collation with the optimization rule stored in the storage means on the basis of the analyzed program code, and an optimization unit for generating data of a new program code by converting the part matching the conversion condition on the basis of the conversion content. |
| US08572554B2 |
Method and system for integrating Java and JavaScript technologies
A method and system for integrating Java and JavaScript technologies is provided. An example system includes a JavaScript proxy generator and a runtime module. The JavaScript proxy generator may be configured to automatically generate a JavaScript proxy in a form of a Java application programming interface. The runtime module may be configured to call the JavaScript proxy from the Java module, pass control of execution to the JavaScript module, execute the JavaScript module to generate an output method or object, and pass control of execution to the Java module to continue execution of the Java module. |
| US08572553B2 |
Systems and methods for providing feedback for software components
Systems and methods for transforming applications to provide uniform mechanisms for commenting on application objects, and mechanisms for collecting and processing feedback are described herein. An aspect provides for analyzing application code for at least one user action event handler associated with at least one object; and for modifying each at least one user action event handler located within the application code to contain at least one action configured to handle feedback for the associated at least one object; wherein invoking the at least one user action event handler triggers the at least one action configured to handle feedback. Other embodiments and aspects are also described herein. |
| US08572549B2 |
Estimation of web accessibility assessment and remediation efforts
Tools and techniques are described for estimating web accessibility and remediation efforts. One or more web accessibility standards can be indicated to be included in the effort estimate. A user can indicate which individual guidelines are to be included in standard test effort estimates by selecting individual guidelines, sub-guidelines or priority or success criteria levels. Standard test effort estimates are calculated based on test factors associated with the indicated individual guidelines or sub-guidelines. A total test effort estimate is calculated based on the standard test effort estimates and one or more web page counts, and a web accessibility and remediation effort estimate is calculated based on the total test effort estimate. A framework implementing the effort estimation methods can comprise multiple spreadsheets for use within a spreadsheet application running on a computing device. |
| US08572545B1 |
Methods and mechanisms for extracting and reducing capacitor elements
A method of extracting capacitance from a layout record includes imposing voltages on conductors in a layout record, and determining a total charge for each of the conductors to obtain a capacitor element for the conductors. A method of extracting capacitance from a layout record includes matching a configuration of conductors in a layout record against a reference pattern, and determining an extracted capacitance for the conductors based at least in part on the reference pattern. A method of extracting capacitance from a layout record includes providing a layout record of a circuit design, the layout record having data representing conductors and metal fill, and extracting capacitance to determine a set of capacitors between the conductors, the set of capacitors accounting for the metal fill. |
| US08572543B2 |
Automation of tie cell insertion, optimization and replacement by scan flip-flops to increase fault coverage
A method for designing an integrated circuit is disclosed. The method generally comprises the steps of (A) splitting a design layout of the integrated circuit into a plurality of tiles, (B) adding a plurality of tie-to cells to the design layout, wherein at least one of the tie-to cells generating a tie-to signal at a particular logical level is added into each of the tiles having at least one gate with an input fixed to the particular logical level and (C) routing the tie-to signal to each of the inputs within each of the tiles. |
| US08572538B2 |
Reconfigurable logic block
A programmable logic device includes logic blocks such as a logic array blocks (LAB) that can be configured as a random access memory (RAM) or as a lookup table (LUT). A mode flag is provided to indicate the mode of operation of configuration logic such as a configuration RAM (CRAM) used during partial reconfiguration of a logic block. An enable read flag is provided to indicate if values stored in the configuration logic are to be read out or a known state is to be read out during a data verification process. Thus, exclusion and inclusion of portions of a region of configuration logic from data verification and correction processes allow a region of configuration logic to store both a design state and a user defined state. Moreover, the region of configuration logic may be dynamically reconfigured from one state to another without causing verification errors. |
| US08572536B2 |
Spare latch distribution
Aspects of the invention provide for spare latch distribution for an integrated circuit design. In one embodiment, aspects of the invention include a method of generating a computer system for spare latch distribution in an integration circuit design, the method including: providing a computer system operable to: receive design data for the integrated circuit design, the design data including a plurality of latches; segment the integrated circuit design into a plurality of equal sections; determine a latch density within each of the equal sections; and determine a number of spare latches, based on the latch density, for each of the equal sections. Further, it is understood that the above are performed for each clock domain within the integrated circuit design. |
| US08572534B2 |
System and method for designing multiple clock domain circuits
A Hardware Description Language (HDL) utilizing a Term Rewriting System (TRS) is provided that simplifies handling of clocks, and signaling between various clock domains of a multi-clock domain circuit specification. A specific clock data type is supplied for use with clock signals. Using the clock data type, and other requirements of a circuit specification, clock domain crossing between domains of clocks of the same clock family is handled implicitly. For clock domain crossing between clock domains driven by clocks of different clock families, a “hardware approach” and a “linguistic approach” are provided. A “hardware approach” provides facilities to explicitly specify a synchronizer, using, in part, TRS rules. A “linguistic approach” allows a designer to abstracts the instantiation of synchronizers and instead specify a circuit specification in terms of differently clocked interfaces. |
| US08572530B1 |
Method and apparatus for performing path-level skew optimization and analysis for a logic design
A method for designing a system including optimizing path-level skew in the system and analyzing path-level skew in the system. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08572527B1 |
Generating properties for circuit designs
An analysis tool that generates properties for a circuit design. The debugging tool receives a circuit design encoded in a hardware description language. The tool identifies portions of the circuit design that correspond to features of interest (e.g., counters, finite state machines, one hot vectors, etc) in the circuit design. Each portion of the circuit design has a cone of influence, and the tool identifies control signals from within the cones of influence. By identifying control signals in this manner, the tool can then generate the properties based on values for the control signals and the identified portions of the circuit design that are obtained from data describing the operation of the circuit design over a number of clock cycles (e.g., simulation data). The result is one or more properties that are likely to represent a relevant behavior of the circuit design. |
| US08572525B2 |
Partition response surface modeling
A group of models are developed to predict printed contour deviations relative to the corresponding layout edges for different classes of layout topologies. A plurality of calibration layouts with topologies belonging to a class of layout topologies are used to generate a model for the class of layout topologies. A standard least square regression is modified for model creation. The model error may be monitored dynamically. |
| US08572524B2 |
Statistical optical proximity correction
An optical proximity correction (OPC) model incorporates inline process variation data. OPC is performed by adjusting an input mask pattern with a mask bias derived from the OPC model to correct errors in the input mask pattern. |
| US08572520B2 |
Optical proximity correction for mask repair
Integrated circuit (IC) methods for optical proximity correction (OPC) modeling and mask repair are described. The methods include use of an optical model that generates a simulated aerial image from an actual aerial image obtained in an optical microscope system. In the OPC modeling methods, OPC according to stage modeling is simulated, and OPC features may be added to a design layout according to the simulating OPC. In the mask repair methods, inverse image rendering is performed on the actual aerial image and diffraction image by applying an optical model that divides an incoherent exposure source into a plurality of coherent sources. |
| US08572518B2 |
Predicting pattern critical dimensions in a lithographic exposure process
A method for predicting pattern critical dimensions in a lithographic exposure process includes defining relationships between critical dimension, defocus, and dose. The method also includes performing at least one exposure run in creating a pattern on a wafer. The method also includes creating a dose map. The method also includes creating a defocus map. The method also includes predicting pattern critical dimensions based on the relationships, the dose map, and the defocus map. |
| US08572517B2 |
System and method for modifying a data set of a photomask
The present invention provides a method for compensating infidelities of a process that transfers a pattern to a layer of an integrated circuit, by minimizing, with respect to a photomask pattern, a cost function that quantifies the deviation between designed and simulated values of circuit parameters of the pattern formed on a semiconductor wafer. |
| US08572512B2 |
Electronic document location indication and navigation method, system and program
While a user is viewing in a first display area a portion of an electronic document intended to be printed to produce a printed product, presenting to the user in a second display area a representation of the physical outline of the printed product and an indicator that indicates to the user the size and location of the electronic document portion relative to the printed product. When the user positions a cursor in the second display area, a second indicator image, visually distinctive from the first indicator image, is displayed. The user can position the second indicator at a desired location relative to the representation and request that the portion of the electronic document at that second indicator location be displayed in the first display area. |
| US08572507B2 |
Systems and methods for interacting with dynamic protocols
Systems and methods to provide users with a user interface at the point of use that provides customizable, interactive protocols, where a protocol is typically an instruction set, procedure, or methodology. |
| US08572506B2 |
Visualization tool for qPCR genotyping data
Systems and methods are used to display data obtained from a qPCR instrument. Each of two or more samples is probed with a first labeling probe and a second labeling probe. A first data set is received from a qPCR instrument at a first cycle number that includes for each sample a first labeling probe intensity, and a second labeling probe intensity. A second data set is received at a second cycle number that includes for each sample a first labeling probe intensity and a second labeling probe intensity. A first plot of first labeling probe intensity as a function of second labeling probe intensity is created using the first data set. A second plot of first labeling probe intensity as a function of second labeling probe intensity is created using the second data set. The first plot and the second plot are displayed in response to user defined input to provide dynamic and real-time analysis of genotyping data. |
| US08572504B1 |
Determining comprehensibility of a graphical model in a graphical modeling environment
In an embodiment, degree of comprehensibility of a graphical representation of a model is identified. The model is provided in a graphical modeling environment. The degree of comprehensibility of the graphical representation of model is identified based at least in part on one or more visual characteristics of one or more elements in the model. The one or more elements in the model include at least one of entities in the model, or relationships in the model. The degree of comprehensibility assigned to the model is communicated, for example, to a user. |
| US08572502B2 |
Building control system user interface with docking feature
Building control systems that include a user interface that is configured to help manage relatively large amounts of building control data in an efficient and intuitive manner. In some cases, subsets of building control information can be associated with display elements such as windows or tabs, which can then be docked to provide a convenient way to selectively display only certain subsets of the building control information. |
| US08572500B2 |
Application screen design allowing interaction
A screen design user interface that may operate in an interactive mode and a design mode. The user interface includes a screen presentation portion for presenting an application screen under design, and a mode control for selecting between the interactive mode and the design mode. When the user interface is in interactive mode, the user interface actually allows interaction with one or more application element of a screen displayed in the screen presentation portion such that interaction with the corresponding application element causes execution of a corresponding function and thus a corresponding change in state of the screen. When the user interface is in design mode, the user interface supports design of the application screen by recognizing design gestures, but disables the application elements. |
| US08572499B2 |
Visual depth-indicators for messages
Techniques are described for display and navigation of hierarchical messages, which displays include contextual data for the messages. Context information for a current message includes reply messages, parent messages, and metadata representations. Message representations are also associated with visual depth indicators that are independent of the text of the messages. |
| US08572496B2 |
Embedding variable fields in individual email messages sent via a web-based graphical user interface
Method and system of present invention provide a web-based graphical user interface to a remote user for sending electronic messages, where the interface comprises an element for selecting an option for sending individual electronic messages to multiple recipients in visible fields (“to” and “cc”), obtain a set of data, comprising a list of two or more recipients in visible fields, a message subject and/or a message body, where the message subject and/or the message body contain a markup indicating variable field, and generate and transmit individual electronic messages. |
| US08572495B2 |
Providing electronic distribution of filtered calendars
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing electronic distribution of filtered calendars. The disclosed systems and methods may include receiving control data. The control data may be configured to indicate a portion of master calendar data a user designates to transmit. Furthermore, the disclosed systems and methods may include filtering the master calendar data based on the control data to create filtered calendar data and transmitting the filtered calendar data. |
| US08572490B2 |
Embedded video player
A system, method and various user interfaces provide an embedded web-based video player for navigating video playlists and playing video content. A website publisher can create and store a video player with customized parameters (e.g., player type, appearance, advertising options, etc.) and can associate the player with a playlist of selected videos. The stored video player is associated with a player ID in a player database and can be embedded in a website using an embed code referencing the player ID. A user interface for the embedded player provides controls for controlling video playback and for controlling the selection of a video from the playlist. |
| US08572489B2 |
Handlebar audio controls
A vehicle audio system having handlebar mounted controls that permit an operator to control the audio system utilizing finger controls mounted on the handlebars. |
| US08572486B2 |
System and method for integrated presentation of information
There is provided a method and system to present event information to a user of an electronic messaging and organizing system. An integrated list of individual events is defined to include message-related events (e.g. email, SMS, phone logs, etc.) and time-organization-related events (future or current appointments, alarms). The integrated list is displayed in a graphical user interface on a display of an electronic device to provide a snapshot of the user's activities. |
| US08572485B2 |
Splitting and merging routing domains
Apparatuses and methods for merging multiple domains into a merged domain and splitting a single domain into multiple domains in an Automatically Switched Optical Network (ASON) are disclosed. For merging, a node in a first domain can be identified to be a new Routing Controller (RC) for the merged domain. A second domain can be identified to be merged with the first domain. Nodes, including old RCs, in the first domain and the second domain are notified of the identity of the new RC in the merged domain. The topology of the old RC's domain is sent to the new RC. The new topology is computed by the new RC from the topology information given by the old RCs. The updated topology is distributed to nodes in the merged domain via the new RC. |
| US08572481B2 |
Device, method, and graphical user interface for displaying additional snippet content
An electronic device concurrently displays snippets including a first snippet and a second snippet. The first snippet includes first displayed snippet content corresponding to a first portion of content from a document associated with the first snippet. The second snippet includes second displayed snippet content corresponding to a second portion of content from a document associated with the second snippet. The device detects a gesture associated with the first snippet, which includes detecting a first contact and a second contact and detecting movement of the first contact relative to the second contact. In response, the device modifies the first snippet to include an additional portion of content from the document associated with the first snippet that was not included in the first displayed snippet content and maintains display of the second snippet without adding any additional content from the document associated with the second snippet. |
| US08572480B1 |
Editing the sequential flow of a page
Editing the sequential flow of objects of a page is disclosed. The objects may have intended correct sequential order for processing or viewing, which may be difficult to detect by a computer algorithm. An initial flow may be created using an initial flow algorithm to provide an initial order of the objects. The initial flow may be visually represented on a page, such as by a curve drawn through the objects. A human editor may reorder the objects if the initial flow is not correct. In some aspects, the editor may trace a new order of the objects by controlling an input device to sequentially order the objects in an editor-assigned flow. In other aspects, the editor may sequentially select objects to create the editor-assigned flow. In response to the editor-assigned flow, a validation flow may be created, which may assist the editor in confirming accuracy of the edited flow. In other aspects, heuristics may learn from the editor-assigned flow to improve the initial flow over time. |
| US08572477B1 |
Web-based incremental computing
A method and a system implementing web-based incremental computing. A webpage updates when a data value relevant to displayed information is altered and updates only those affected elements. A watch system monitors relevant data values and in conjunction with a dependency tree, may execute functions to alter only altered elements of a webpage. A framework to automatically track data dependencies and propagate data changes is disclosed. |
| US08572472B2 |
Fault detection apparatus, fault detection method, and fault detection program
A comparison unit compares polarities of a plurality of redundant input signals. A comparison-result storing unit stores a comparison result of the comparison unit for each predetermined sampling cycle. A judgment unit judges whether the redundant input signals are normal using a plurality of comparison results for a predetermined number of samplings in a time-series order from a latest comparison result among a plurality of comparison results stored in the comparison-result storing unit. |
| US08572471B2 |
SOVA sharing during LDPC global iteration
Decoding is performed on input data to obtain first decoded data using a first error correction decoder. If decoding by a second error correction decoder on the first decoded data fails, decoding is performed using an output of the second decoder and using the first decoder. A reservation request is sent from the second error correction decoder to a memory prior to completion of the decoding on the first decoded data. Space is reserved in the memory in response to receiving the reservation request from the second decoder. |
| US08572466B2 |
Apparatuses, systems, devices, and methods of replacing at least partially non-functional portions of memory
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to determining that a portion of a memory is at least partially non-functional, replacing the portion of at least partially non-functional memory; and adjusting an error detection and/or correction process responsive to determining that the portion of the memory is at least partially non-functional and/or replacing the portion of at least partially non-functional memory. |
| US08572465B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory system having first and second error correction units
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory system includes a semiconductor memory, at least one first error correction unit and at least one second error correction unit. The semiconductor memory stores a data frame encoded with LDPC codes. The at least one first error correction unit performs a first error correction for the data frame according to a first iterative decoding algorithm. The at least one second error correction unit performs a second error correction for the data frame which is failed to correct error by the at least one first error correction unit. The at least one second error correction unit performs the second error correction according to a second iterative decoding algorithm which uses a message having a larger number of quantization bits than that of the first iterative decoding algorithm. |
| US08572461B2 |
Feedback signaling error detection and checking in MIMO wireless communication systems
A method of feedback in a wireless transmit receive unit includes providing a precoding matrix index (PMI), error checking the (PMI) to produce an error check (EC) bit, coding the PMI and the EC bit and transmitting the coded PMI and EC bit. |
| US08572456B1 |
Avoiding interleaver memory conflicts
Interleaving and deinterleaving schemes for operating in parallel on sections of a data block to load memories with respective segments of a reordered version of the block, in a manner which can avoid memory conflicts. |
| US08572452B2 |
Block code decoding method and device thereof
A block code decoding method and device thereof are provided. The procedure of the bounded distance decoding is simplified and the number of correlation calculating is reduced via a set of pre-established XOR masks. The decoding method includes: picking up the source code part of the received message; executing a XOR calculating for the source code part with the XOR masks, and encoding the results thereof to produce a set of compared codes; executing a correlation calculating for the set of compared codes and the received message; and determining a compared code having the maximum correlation result as the decision. |
| US08572442B2 |
Decoding error detection method and decoding device in radio communications system
A decoding device includes a decoding unit that decodes control data to generate decode data, the control data indicating a state of a radio propagation channel; a reliability calculating unit that calculates a reliability indicator indicating a reliability of the decode data; and an outputting unit that outputs decode data whose reliability indicator is larger than a specified threshold; wherein the reliability calculating unit calculates the reliability indicator of decode data to be decoded, based on a similarity indicator indicating a similarity between the decode data to be decoded and previous decode data whose reliability indicator is larger than the threshold. |
| US08572440B1 |
System and method for managing information stored in semiconductors
A system and method of identifying a memory includes detecting defects in regions of the memory, comparing the detected defects with defects contained in a previously-created defect map associated with the memory and stored in another memory of a device accessing the memory, confirming the identity of the memory where a result of the comparison indicates the detected defects match defects contained in the previously-created defect map; and denying the identity of the memory where the result of the comparison indicates the detected defects do not match the defects contained in the previously-created defect map. |
| US08572439B2 |
Monitoring the health of distributed systems
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for monitoring the health of distributed systems. Embodiments of the invention provide distributed, self-maintained, continuous health monitoring. Using XML and pluggable infrastructure, a logical view of an appliance can be provided. The logical view abstracts physical implementation details of the appliance. Monitoring agents can correlate different distributed system failures and events and reason over collected health information. |
| US08572436B2 |
Computing device and method for managing motherboard test
A system and method for managing a test of a motherboard can create a first test data consisting of test items. In the first test data, one or more selected test items to perform can be identified. A second test data is obtained by performing a logical NOR operation on the test bits corresponding to the selected test items. After performing the test items, a third test data is created by setting the test bits corresponding to the selected test items that pass the test to the test bits of the selected test items in the first test data, and by setting the test bits corresponding to the selected test items that fail the test to the test bits of the test items that have not been selected in the first test data. By comparing the third with the test data, a test result of the motherboard is obtained. |
| US08572428B2 |
Storage apparatus and control method for storage apparatus
A first controller stores externally input data to a memory of the first controller, reads data stored in the memory of the first controller and transmits the data to a second controller through a first controller bridge, detects a failure at the first controller bridge in transmission of the data. The second controller receives the data through a second controller bridge, writes the received data into a memory of the second controller, and determines whether the failure is caused by the first controller if a failure occurs in the memory controller and the second controller bridge. If a failure is detected in the first controller and the second controller and the failure is caused by the first controller, the first controller transmits the data causing the failure during transmission through the first controller bridge and the second controller receives the data through the second controller bridge. |
| US08572424B2 |
Semiconductor device to select and output data to a data bus
A semiconductor device that can transmit data in wide bus width regardless of the width of an external data bus connected thereto. In a semiconductor device on the data output side, m-bit internal data is divided into n blocks. A data selection circuit selects m/n pieces of data at a time and a data output section outputs these pieces of data to an external data bus of a width of L(=m/n) bits. At this time an output control circuit controls the selection of data by the data selection circuit and a synchronous signal output section outputs a synchronous signal indicative of selected data. In a semiconductor device on the data input side, a data input section accepts data transferred via an external data bus and a data get circuit outputs the data to an internal data bus corresponding to a synchronous signal a synchronous signal input section accepted. By getting data corresponding to all synchronous signals, the data get circuit will get m-bit data. |
| US08572421B2 |
Adjusting device performance based on processing profiles
Adjusting processor performance based on processing profiles. The method may determine that a process has entered a processing state after an idle state. In response to entering the processing state the processing time of the processor may be monitored. In response to the processing time exceeding a first threshold of time, the performance of the processor may be increased from a first level to a second level. In response to the processing time exceeding a second threshold time, the performance of the processor may be decreased from the second level to a third level. |
| US08572417B2 |
Storage system and power consumption reduction method for the same
In a storage system that includes two or more file servers each including an arbitrary number of operating virtual file servers, a management server: holds a load information table regarding a load on each virtual file server for each time period and redundancy information table for the storage system; judges, with reference to the load information table and redundancy information table, whether or not the loads on the virtual file servers can be handled by a smaller number of file servers than the number of currently-operating file servers; selects, if the judgment result is positive, a power-off target file server and makes another file server fail over a virtual file server in the power-off target file server; and turns off the power-off target file server. |
| US08572416B2 |
Low power computer with main and auxiliary processors
A processing device including first processors, second processors, a first chipset, and a second chipset. The first chipset is in communication with the first processors via a first bus. The second chipset is in communication with the first chipset via a second bus and is directly connected to the second processors. The first chipset and the second chipset are connected between (i) the first processors and (ii) a first non-volatile memory and a second non-volatile memory. The second chipset is connected between (i) the second processors and (ii) the first non-volatile memory and the second non-volatile memory. The first processors access the first non-volatile memory during a first power mode. The second processors access the second non-volatile memory during a second power mode that is different than the first power mode. |
| US08572412B1 |
Method and apparatus for warming up integrated circuits
Aspects of the disclosure provide an integrated circuit (IC) chip. The IC chip includes functional circuits configured to perform desired functions when a chip temperature is higher than a threshold, such as a room temperature. The IC chip includes a warm-up module configured to warm-up the IC chip in a warm-up mode to raise the chip temperature above the threshold. A method for warming up an IC chip prior to operation is also disclosed. |
| US08572411B2 |
Systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection
The present invention provides systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection. Electronic appliances such as computers equipped in accordance with the present invention help to ensure that information is accessed and used only in authorized ways, and maintain the integrity, availability, and/or confidentiality of the information. Such electronic appliances provide a distributed virtual distribution environment (VDE) that may enforce a secure chain of handling and control, for example, to control and/or meter or otherwise monitor use of electronically stored or disseminated information. Such a virtual distribution environment may be used to protect rights of various participants in electronic commerce and other electronic or electronic-facilitated transactions. Distributed and other operating systems, environments and architectures, such as, for example, those using tamper-resistant hardware-based processors, may establish security at each node. These techniques may be used to support an all-electronic information distribution, for example, utilizing the “electronic highway.” |
| US08572406B2 |
Integrated circuit protected against horizontal side channel analysis
An integrated circuit including a multiplication function configured to execute a multiplication operation of two binary words x and y including a plurality of basic multiplication steps of components xi of word x by components yj of word y is described. The multiplication function of the integrated circuit is configured to execute two successive multiplications by modifying, in a random or pseudo-random manner, an order in which the basic multiplication steps of components xi by components yj are executed. |
| US08572405B2 |
Collusion-resistant outsourcing of private set intersection
Implementations of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and computer-readable storage mediums for receiving an encrypted first data set from a first entity, storing the encrypted first data set in computer-readable memory, receiving an encrypted second data set from a second entity, storing the encrypted second data set in computer-readable memory, receiving public encryption information associated with the encrypted first data set and the encrypted second data set, storing the public encryption information in computer-readable memory, and processing, using the one or more processors, the encrypted first data set and the encrypted second data set to provide the set intersection, wherein an advantage of a first adversary in guessing data elements of the encrypted first data set is negligible in a security parameter. |
| US08572404B2 |
Security and safety manager implementation in a multi-core processor
A system includes a multi-core computer processor. One or more cores of the multi-core computer processor are configured as a security co-processor for the system and for other cores of the multi-core processor, and one or more cores of the multi-core computer processor are configured as a safety manager co-processor for the system and for other cores of the multi-core processor. An operating system of the security co-processor and an operating system of the safety manager co-processor are independent of operating systems of the other cores of the multi-core processor. The security co-processor and the safety manager co-processor are configured to boot before the other cores and to enforce security policy and/or safety policy on the other cores. |
| US08572403B2 |
Digital video guard
This invention relates to the veracity of information displayed to a user of a computer, and information provided to a computer by human input devices such as mice and keyboards. A digital video guard (DVG) device is a peripheral that is retrofitted to commodity computer devices. The DVG resides in-line with a digital display and enables secure end-to-end interactions between a user and a displayed (usually remote) application. In-band signalling within the digital video stream is used to carry encrypted information from a local or remote source, over untrusted network infrastructure through the digital video guard device to a user. The DVG decrypts and verifies the integrity of the digital video. The integrity of the displayed information is indicated by a trusted LED on the DVG hardware. Portions of the video signal may be designated as trusted, if the received data has been encrypted, signed, or labelled as trustworthy. |
| US08572395B2 |
Information processing apparatus, authentication method, and computer program
An information processing apparatus is configured to authenticate a user. In one embodiment, the information processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores user identification information in association with user authentication information. Identification information for identifying a user is inputted into the apparatus. If the inputted identification information matches the stored user identification information, the apparatus selects the user authentication information associated with the user identification information that matches the inputted identification information, and sends the selected user authentication information to an authentication server, so that authentication is executed. If the inputted identification information does not match the stored user identification information, the apparatus requires that authentication information be provided by the user. In this case, the apparatus sends the inputted user authentication information to the authentication server, so that authentication is executed; and upon authentication, the apparatus stores the inputted user identification information in association with the inputted user authentication information. |
| US08572392B2 |
Access authentication method, information processing unit, and computer product
An input personal identification number (PIN) is encrypted, identification information to identify a computer that has generated an encrypted PIN is associated with the encrypted PIN, and the associated information is sent to a recording medium. When the recording medium is again connected to the computer, it is checked whether the identification information is present in the recording medium. If the identification information is present in the recording medium, the encrypted PIN associated with the identification information is decrypted. These processes can be performed on both computer side and recording medium side. |
| US08572387B2 |
Authentication of a peer in a peer-to-peer network
A method of authentication of a verifying device by a confirming device includes the confirming device receiving and storing a shared secret derived from at least a password of a user and sending a challenge. The method further includes the confirming device receiving a response to the challenge using the shared secret; determining if the response to the challenge is correct and if the response to the challenge is correct, authenticating the verifying device. |
| US08572386B2 |
Secure device, information processing terminal, integrated circuit, terminal application generation apparatus, application authentication method
The present invention is designed to enable a secure device to authenticate a terminal application that operates on an information processing terminal and that accesses the secure device. An application issue request transmitter (301) of the information processing terminal (30) sends a request for issue of a terminal application to an application issuer (101). The application issuer (101) of an secure device (10) reads a terminal application (31) from an application storage (105) and embeds authentication information in the terminal application (31), associates an ID and the authentication information of the terminal application (31) and save them in an issue information storage (106), and sends the terminal application (31) to an application receiver (302) of the information processing terminal through an application transmitter (102). The application receiver (302) starts the terminal application (31). An application authenticator (311) of the terminal application (31) performs an authentication with the secure device (10) by means of the application authentication information. |
| US08572385B2 |
System and method for optimal verification of operations on dynamic sets
A system and method for cryptographically checking the correctness of outsourced set operations performed by an untrusted server over a dynamic collection of sets that are owned (and updated) by a trusted source is disclosed. The system and method provides new authentication mechanisms that allow any entity to publicly verify a proof attesting the correctness of primitive set operations such as intersection, union, subset and set difference. Based on a novel extension of the security properties of bilinear-map accumulators as well as on a primitive called accumulation tree, the system and method achieves optimal verification and proof complexity, as well as optimal update complexity, while incurring no extra asymptotic space overhead. The method provides an efficient proof construction, adding a logarithmic overhead to the computation of the answer of a set-operation query. Applications of interest include efficient verification of keyword search and database queries. |
| US08572382B2 |
Out-of band authentication method and system for communication over a data network
A method and system for out-of-band authentication of messages transmitted, e.g. as packets, on a communication network, whereby a first stream of data is received by a sender control module from a sender; the first stream of data is transmitted over a first channel, e.g. a non-secure data channel, toward a receiver control module; the sender control module generates authentication data of the first stream of data; the authentication data are transmitted from the sender control module to the receiver control module on a second channel, e.g. a secure data channel, distinct from the first channel; and a stream of data received by the receiver control module is checked using the authentication data. Before sending the authentication data, the sender control module transmits a control message including synchronization data to the receiver control module over the second channel. |
| US08572380B2 |
Streaming system and streaming method
A streaming system includes an authoring unit (2), a stream server (3) and a client terminal (5). The authoring unit generates a file composed of encrypted contents data and the ancillary information at least containing the packetizing control information for generating an RTP packet, a non-encrypted codec dependent header made up of the information pertinent to encoded contents data, and the encryption information for decrypting the encrypted contents data form packet to packet. The streaming server packetizes the encrypted contents data along with at least the codec dependent header and distributes the resulting data as a stream. The client terminal refers to the codec dependent header of the received packet, re-assembles the packet, and decrypts the encrypted contents data of the re-assembled packet to generate contents data. |
| US08572379B2 |
Private access to hash tables
A server and a client mutually exclusively execute server-side and client-side commutative cryptographic processes and server-side and client-side commutative permutation processes. The server has access to a hash table, while the client does not. The server and client perform a method including: encrypting and reordering the hash table using the server; communicating the encrypted and reordered hash table to the client; further encrypting and further reordering the hash table using the client; communicating the further encrypted and further reordered hash table back to the server; and partially decrypting and partially undoing the reordering using the server to generate a double-blind hash table. To read an entry, the client hashes and permute an index key and communicates same to the server which retrieves an item from the double-blind hash table using the hashed and permuted index key and sends it back to the client which decrypts the retrieved item. |
| US08572377B2 |
Method for authentication
A method for authentication of a first party, A, to a second party, B, by a trusted third party, C, is disclosed. A is registered at C, and the method comprises the steps of receiving a identification data of A from A; determining, based on the identification data, if A has the right to request a random private key, RPK; and generating a temporary RPK. Further, C combines the RPK and a random open key, ROK, to form a single use temporary master authentication code; transmits the RPK to A; and, upon receipt of the RPK and the ROK from B, determines if the received RPK and ROK matches a valid single use temporary master authentication code; and authenticates, in case of match, A to B. The first party, A, may be any handheld device, such as a mobile phone, or a PDA, or a stationary device, such as a stationary computer or an ATM. The communication between the parties may be wired or wireless. A corresponding system is also disclosed. |
| US08572376B2 |
Decryption of electronic communication in an electronic discovery enterprise system
Apparatus, methods and computer program products are described herein for automatically decrypting electronic communication that is harvested from custodians in an enterprise-wide electronic discovery system. Automatic decryption provides for electronic communication that is encrypted to be decrypted, even in instances in which the system is not provided the password and/or decryption key(s) from the encrypting custodian. The automatic decryption process, which ensues prior to delivering data to the third party data analysis provider or the requesting party, allows for data that may otherwise be unavailable or incomprehensible to the third party or requester to be readily accessible. Thus, decryption of such data in a relatively efficient and automated manner is highly beneficial. |
| US08572366B1 |
Authenticating clients
This disclosure provides a system and method for client authentication that allows a service provider to implement multiple authentication challenges to verify a user/client. The system includes an extractor, a comparer, and an attributer. The extractor receives an Internet protocol source address from a client and extracts a media access control address. The extractor also determines a source identifier of the client from the media access control address. The comparer compares the extracted media access control address with a client media access control address associated with the client, and signals execution of one or more client authentication challenges when the extracted media access control address fails to match the at least one client media access control address associated with the client. The attributer associates the source identifier with the client after successful execution of a client authentication challenge. |
| US08572365B2 |
Information gathering system, terminal unit, program for information gathering, and program for a terminal
A host computer adds a keycode to e-mail and a terminal unit leads an information gathering candidate to add reply information to the e-mail. When the host computer receives the e-mail to which reply information has been added, the host computer stores the reply information in one of data storage areas having a memory address corresponding to a memory address associated the keycode of the e-mail. |
| US08572362B2 |
Preinstalled operating system instances stored on removable storage devices
One or more removable storage devices inserted into a computing device store a number of different preinstalled operating system instances. The computing device has a number of logical partitions. Each logical partition is independently executed on the computing device. Each logical partition is mapped to and uses one of the different preinstalled operating system instances. As such, a given preinstalled operating system instance to which a given logical partition is mapped is used by the given logical partition without ever having to be installed on the given logical partition. |
| US08572359B2 |
Runtime extraction of data parallelism
Mechanisms for extracting data dependencies during runtime are provided. The mechanisms execute a portion of code having a loop and generate, for the loop, a first parallel execution group comprising a subset of iterations of the loop less than a total number of iterations of the loop. The mechanisms further execute the first parallel execution group and determining, for each iteration in the subset of iterations, whether the iteration has a data dependence. Moreover, the mechanisms commit store data to system memory only for stores performed by iterations in the subset of iterations for which no data dependence is determined. Store data of stores performed by iterations in the subset of iterations for which a data dependence is determined is not committed to the system memory. |
| US08572357B2 |
Monitoring events and incrementing counters associated therewith absent taking an interrupt
A monitoring facility that is operable in two modes allowing compatibility with prior existing monitoring facilities. In one mode, in response to encountering a monitored event, an interrupt is generated. In another mode, in response to encountering a monitored event, one or more associated counters are incremented without causing an interrupt. |
| US08572352B2 |
Virtualization controller and data transfer control method
System for controlling data transfer between a host system and storage devices. A virtualization controller implements the data transfer and includes first ports for connection with the storage devices, a second port for connection with the host system, a processor, and a memory configured to store volume mapping information which correlates first identification information used by the host system to access a first storage area in one of the storage devices, with second identification information for identifying the first storage area, the correlation being used by the processor to access the first storage area. When data stored in the first storage area is transferred to a second storage area, the processor correlates the first identification information with a third identification information for identifying the second storage area and registers the first identification information and the third identification information in the volume mapping information. |
| US08572351B2 |
Memory device with serial protocol and corresponding method of addressing
The memory device comprises a physical memory plane (PMP) comprising m first physical lines (RGP1i) extending along a first direction and n second physical lines (RGP2j) extending along a second direction, reception means for receiving a logical address (ADR) designating a first logical line (RG1i) and a second logical line (RG2j) of a matrix logical memory plane (PML), possessing 2p first logical lines extending along the first direction and 2q second logical lines extending along the second direction, in that m and n are each different from a power of two, m being a multiple of 2k, k being less than or equal to p, and the product of m and n being equal to the nearest integer above 2p+q, and in that it comprises means for addressing the physical memory plane (PMP) that are configured to address a first physical line and a part only of a second physical line on the basis of the content of the said logical address received and of the remainder of a Euclidean division of a part of the content of this logical address received by m/2k. |
| US08572350B2 |
Memory management, memory control system and writing method for managing rewritable semiconductor non-volatile memory of a memory storage system
A memory management and writing method for managing a memory module is provided. The memory module has a plurality of memory units and a plurality of data input/output buses corresponding to the memory units. The method includes configuring a plurality of logical units, dividing each of the logical units as a plurality of logical parts, and mapping the logical parts of each of the logical units to physical blocks of the memory units. The method also includes respectively establishing mapping tables corresponding to the data input/output buses, and only using one of the data input/output buses to write data from a host system into the corresponding memory unit according to the mapping table corresponding to the data input/output bus. Accordingly, the method can effectively increase the speed of writing data into the memory module. |
| US08572346B2 |
Storage system and method for efficiently utilizing storage capacity within a storage system
In a storage system 1, a storage apparatus A having a first pool 1430 including segments as unit storage areas and a storage apparatus B having a second pool 1430 having the same configuration are communicably connected to each other. In the storage system, an external volume identifier is associated with a logical volume 1420 included in the first pool 1430, the external volume identifier being used by a controller 1500 in the storage apparatus B to identify and manage the logical volume 1420 as an external volume 1425 that is a virtual volume in the storage apparatus B. Moreover, a volume identifier 5110 of the logical volume 1420 included in the first pool 1430 is rewritten into the external volume identifier in order to enable the storage apparatus B to utilize the logical volume 1420 created from the first pool 1430. |
| US08572337B1 |
Systems and methods for performing live backups
A computer-implemented method for performing live backups may include identifying a request to perform a live backup on a volume of data. The computer-implemented method may also include creating a snapshot of the volume. The computer-implemented method may further include identifying each attempt to write to the volume during the live backup. The computer-implemented method may additionally include, for each write attempt, identifying a block of data that the write attempt will overwrite and copying the block of data to a backup queue before allowing the write attempt. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08572334B2 |
System and method for locking portions of a memory card
An improved integrated circuit is provided to facilitate communication between a microprocessor and a non-volatile memory. The integrated circuit comprises at least one lock status register, at least one control register and a memory controller. The lock status register comprises a plurality of lock status bits representing whether or not a corresponding unit of storage in the volatile memory has been locked. The control register stores configurable control information for the memory controller, including sizing information defining the size of the unit of storage. The memory controller is configured to receive a modification request to modify data in the non-volatile memory; determine a target unit of storage in the non-volatile memory based on a target memory address associated with the modification request; determine from the lock status register whether the target unit of storage has been locked; and implement the modification request only if the target unit storage has not been locked. A method to be implemented by the circuit is also provided. |
| US08572332B2 |
De-interleaving mechanism involving a multi-banked LLR buffer
A de-interleaver generates a plurality of De-interleaved Reorder Physical (DRP) addresses to simultaneously write a corresponding plurality of LLR values into a multi-banked memory such that not more than one LLR value is written into each bank of the multi-banked memory at a time. A sequence of such parallel writes results in the LLR values of a transmission of a sub-packet being stored in the memory. Address translation performed during generation of the DRP addresses causes the LLR values to be stored within the banks such that a decoder can read LLR values out of the memory in a de-interleaved sequence. Each memory location of a bank is a word-location for storing multiple related LLR values, where one LLR value is stored along with its parity values. The ability to simultaneously write to multiple LLR values is used to clear locations in a fast and efficient manner. |
| US08572319B2 |
Method for calculating tier relocation cost and storage system using the same
Conventionally, the fees for using services of a storage system was calculated based on the status of use or access performance of storage areas and not based on migration of data. The present invention provides a storage system in which multiple tiers composed of storage areas of various memory devices are assigned in page units and the assigned tiers are changed based on access frequency, wherein stored costs are calculated based on status of use of the storage areas constituting the tiers, and migration costs are calculated and charged based on the amount of migration of data among tiers and the I/O access counts after migration, according to which appropriate charging of cost for using the storage system is enabled. |
| US08572318B2 |
Method and system for distributing multiple storage devices to multiple tiers in a storage apparatus
A management system of a storage apparatus, which exercises control so as to arrange data in a storage device of a certain tier of multiple tiers, carries out a first tier definition process (a process for distributing multiple storage devices to multiple tiers based on respective storage device types of the multiple storage devices and type/tier information that denotes the corresponding relationship between multiple storage device types and multiple tiers). Subsequent to the first tier definition process, the management system acquires performance information denoting the performance of a storage device for each of the multiple storage devices. The management system carries out a second tier definition process (a process for distributing the multiple storage devices to the multiple tiers based on the performance information of multiple storage devices such that two or more storage devices of similar performance are distributed to the same tier). |
| US08572315B2 |
Smart optimization of tracks for cloud computing
Optimization of tracks on a hard disk includes: determining I/O characteristics for data clusters to be stored on the hard disk; generating a set of solutions for each possible placement configuration; for each solution, calculating a plurality of cost functions using the I/O characteristics for the plurality of data clusters; for each solution, calculating a membership value using the cost function values; for each solution, calculating a fitness value using the membership value; retaining the solutions with the fitness value greater than a predetermined threshold; determining whether at least one stopping condition has been met; if not, adding new solutions to the retained solutions to generate the next set of solutions; and repeating the calculating the membership value, the calculating the fitness value, and the retaining the solutions with the fitness value greater than the predetermined threshold until at least one stopping condition has been met. |
| US08572313B2 |
Methods and apparatus providing high-speed content addressable memory (CAM) search-invalidates
Embodiments of a Content Addressable Memory (CAM) enabling high-speed search and invalidate operations and methods of operation thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, the CAM includes a CAM cell array including a number of CAM cells and a valid bit cell configured to generate a match indicator, and blocking circuitry configured to block an output of the valid bit cell from altering the match indicator during an invalidate process of a search and invalidate operation. Preferably, the output of the valid bit cell is blocked from affecting the match indicator for the CAM cell array beginning at a start of the invalidate process and continuing until an end of the search and invalidate operation. |
| US08572312B2 |
Data de-duplication and solid state memory device
Example methods and apparatus concern identifying placement and/or erasure data for a flash memory based solid state device that supports de-duplication. One example apparatus include a processor, a memory, a set of logics and an interface to connect the processor, the memory, and the set of logics. The apparatus may include an SSD placement logic configured to determine placement data for a de-duplication data set. The placement data may be based on forensic data acquired for the de-duplication data set. The apparatus may also include a write logic configured to write at least a portion of the de-duplication data set to an SSD as controlled by the placement data. The forensic data may identify, for example, the order in which sub-blocks are accessed, reference counts, access frequency, access groups, and other access information. |
| US08572311B1 |
Redundant data storage in multi-die memory systems
A method for data storage includes, in a memory that includes at least N memory units, each memory unit including memory blocks, defining superblocks, each superblock including a respective set of N of the memory blocks that are allocated respectively in N different ones of the memory units, such that compaction of all the memory blocks in a given superblock is performed without any intervening programming operation in the given superblock. Data is stored in the memory by computing redundancy information for a selected portion of the data, and storing the selected portion and the redundancy information in the N memory blocks of a selected superblock. |
| US08572310B2 |
Invalidating storage area of non-volatile storage medium based on metadata
In one aspect, meta data corresponding to a non-volatile storage media is read from the non-volatile storage media. Meta data to be updated is detected from the read meta data. Based on the read meta data and the detected meta data to be updated, storage areas of the non-volatile storage media are invalidated. |
| US08572307B2 |
Memory controller, memory card, and nonvolatile memory system
A nonvolatile memory system includes a memory card (102) and host equipment (101). The memory card (102) includes a nonvolatile memory (106) including a plurality of physical blocks, and a memory controller (105) for writing data into the nonvolatile memory (106). The host equipment (101) provides to the memory card (102) an access instruction that designates a logical address and a channel number. The memory controller (105) has an address conversion function for converting the logical address into a physical address in the nonvolatile memory (106), a write destination determination function for determining in relation to the channel number a physical address in the nonvolatile memory (106) to which the data is to be written, and a channel management function for individually managing for each channel number a write state in which data of a smaller size than each physical block is written. |
| US08572305B2 |
Apparatus and method for configuring a bus system
The present invention relates to an apparatus for configuring a bus system which includes a plurality of participants as well as a bus master and a safety monitor having an input unit by means of which suitable configuration information can be entered and/or selected for the configuration of the bus system and having a configuration unit configured to configure both the bus master and also the safety monitor by means of at least a piece of identical common configuration information input or selected via the input unit. The invention further relates to a method which can be carried out by the apparatus in accordance with the invention. |
| US08572302B1 |
Controller for storage device with improved burst efficiency
A controller and a method for interfacing between a host and storage medium. A storage medium interface includes CH0 circuitry for performing a CH0 process to access a buffer memory on behalf of the storage medium. A host interface includes CH1 circuitry for performing a CH1 process to access the buffer memory on behalf of the host. Access to the buffer memory is arbitrated in sequential tenures to each channel of the multi-channel bus within a maximum arbitration round trip time defined by the time taken by the storage medium to move a distance corresponding to N sectors in which N is greater than one. In the CH0 tenure, the CH0 process transfers data corresponding to N sectors of the storage medium in a multi-sector burst. The length of the tenure of the CH0 channel is pre-designated so that the multi-sector burst is completed within the CH0 tenure. |
| US08572295B1 |
Bus traffic profiling
Methods and systems for analyzing bus traffic in a target device, such as a system on-a-chip (SOC) comprises capturing a processor event and generating an interrupt based on a threshold associated with the processor event. Based on at least the interrupt, a instruction pointer associated with the processor event that generated the interrupt is identified. An instruction analyzer identifies a memory address of the instruction associated with the processor event that generated the interrupt. At least the processor event and a associated instruction information are collected by a sample collector and transferred to a host for performance profiling. |
| US08572293B2 |
System and method for ordering haptic effects
A signal associated with multiple haptic effects is received, each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects being associated with a time slot from multiple time slots. Each haptic effect from the multiple haptic effects is associated with an effect slot from multiple effect slots at least partially based on the time slot associated with that haptic effect. An output signal is sent for each effect slot from the multiple effect slots, when the associated haptic effect is scheduled for its time slot. |
| US08572287B2 |
Method and apparatus for communicating compression state information for interactive compression
A method of determining, at a mobile device, side information including compression state information. The method includes receiving, from a server, a unique side information identifier identifying a unit of side information used by the server for compressing data, determining, based on the side information identifier, if the unit of side information is resident on said device, and if the unit of side information is resident on the mobile device, loading the side information for decompressing the data. Otherwise, if the unit of side information is not resident on the mobile device, the method includes requesting the unit of side information from one of the server and another device. |
| US08572286B2 |
Method and apparatus for mapping an appropriate service version for a client
Distributed data processing systems that provide services at two network addresses have their interfaces described in a published interface description document available at a Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”). The interface description of the second of the services replaces the interface description of the first of the services. Related methods, computer readable media, and systems to benefit from an embodiment of the invention are also described and claimed. |
| US08572283B2 |
Selectively applying network address port translation to data traffic through a gateway in a communications network
Network Address Port Translation (NAPT) may be selectively applied to data traffic through a gateway in a communications network. The data traffic may be received at a primary gateway in the communications network. The primary gateway may then analyze the received data traffic to determine a network path. The primary gateway may then determine whether to apply NAPT to the received data traffic based on whether the network path terminates at a first service provider network or a second service provider network. The primary gateway may apply NAPT on the received data traffic upon determining that the network path terminates at the first service provider network or bridge the received data traffic to a secondary gateway upon determining that the network path terminates at the second service provider network. |
| US08572279B2 |
System and method for transmission of data
A system and method for data communication connecting on-line networks with on-line and off-line computers. The present system provides for broadcast of up to the minute notification centric information thereby providing an instant call to action for users who are provided with the ability to instantaneously retrieve further detailed information. The notification centric portions of information is wirelessly broadcast to wireless receiving devices which are attached to computing devices. Upon receipt of the information at the personal computer, the user is notified through different multimedia alerts that there is an incoming message. Wirelessly broadcasted URL's, associated with the data, are embedded in data packets and provide an automated wired or wireless connection back to the information source for obtaining detailed data. |
| US08572276B2 |
Pipelining protocols in misaligned buffer cases
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for effecting a desired collective operation on a parallel computing system that includes multiple compute nodes. The compute nodes may pipeline multiple collective operations to effect the desired collective operation. To select protocols suitable for the multiple collective operations, the compute nodes may also perform additional collective operations. The compute nodes may pipeline the multiple collective operations and/or the additional collective operations to effect the desired collective operation more efficiently. |
| US08572275B2 |
Method, system and software for dynamically extracting content for integration with electronic mail
The invention is a system and method, with implementing computer program code, that automatically and dynamically formats an electronic mail (e-mail) message by extracting selected text and graphical components of a web page and “wrapping” the extracted computer data about the e-mail message. Thus the extracted data forms a border about the e-mail message. The invention provides for the use of company designs and trademarks in e-mail messages without the addition of local software components resident on the user's computer, and without compromising the functionality of standard e-mail software programs. The invention wraps the e-mail received through a gateway server and sends out the wrapped e-mail to the destination (recipient) designated by the sender in the original, unwrapped message. |
| US08572271B2 |
Multimedia management system for seamless multimedia content mobility
In general, techniques are described for providing a multimedia management system to facilitate multimedia content mobility. More specifically, an apparatus may implement the techniques. The apparatus may comprise one or more wireless modems and a control unit. The one or more wireless modems receive multimedia content in a first format from a first application over a wireless communication channel. The control unit includes a Multimedia Management System (MMS) that configures the control unit to provide a multimedia bridge between the first format and a second format, where the second format is supported by a second application. The configured multimedia bridge transforms the multimedia content from the first format to the second format concurrent to the one or more wireless modems receiving a portion of the multimedia content. |
| US08572270B2 |
Method and apparatus for backing up TCP connection
A method for backing up a TCP connection includes a data transmission process and a data receiving process. The data transmission process includes obtaining, by an AMB of a transmitting end, boundary information of data; and backing up the data and the boundary information of the data to a SMB of the transmitting end. The data receiving process includes backing up, by the SMB, data received from a peer side of the TCP connection and the boundary information of the data received by the peer side to the AMB; and deleting the data received by the peer side from the data backed up by the SMB during the transmission process according to the boundary information of the data received by the peer side. The disclosure also provides an apparatus for backing up a TCP connection. |
| US08572266B2 |
Group management and graphical user interface for associated electronic devices
Methods and systems are provided for managing a group of portable communication devices. In accordance with one implementation, a computer-implemented method is provided for managing a group of portable communication devices on an individual basis or an aggregate basis, the method comprising the steps of providing a list of the portable communication devices in the group, selecting a target portable communication device, determining the location of the target portable communication device, and presenting the location of the target portable communication device. The method may further comprise the step of determining whether the group has sufficient credit for acquiring the location of the portable communication devices in the group. |
| US08572265B2 |
Opportunistic network updates
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing opportunistic network updates. In one aspect, a method includes determining, by a queue manager on a mobile device that has a network interface, to fulfill one or more requests to upload or download data through the network interface, and in response to determining to fulfill the requests, applying, by the queue manager, one or more rules to the requests, to classify each request as a request that is to be fulfilled, or a request that is not to be fulfilled. The method also includes causing, by the queue manager, the requests that are classified as to be fulfilled to be fulfilled, or the requests that are classified as not to be fulfilled to not be fulfilled. |
| US08572264B2 |
Systems and methods for state awareness across communication channels and statefully transitioning between communication channels
A system for providing state awareness across communication channels and statefully transitioning a user between a source channel and a destination channel is disclosed. The method may comprise storing a unique identifier associated with the user and data associated with the user, retrieving the data associated with the user based upon the user identifier and in response to the user entering the destination channel that is different from the source channel, and populating the data associated with the user in the destination channel. The destination channel may comprise a display of a customer service representative, and the populating may occur automatically. Furthermore, the method may comprise placing a call to a telephone number associated with the user in response to at least one of: the user answering a requisite number of questions in the source channel and the user requesting a transition to a voice destination channel. |
| US08572263B1 |
Push gateway systems and methods
A push gateway includes a number of socket servers, a queue server, and arbiter serving, a mapping server and a number of worker servers. Each of the socket servers and the arbiter server includes a network interface. The queue server is coupled to the socket servers for bidirectional communication with the socket servers. The mapping server is coupled to the arbiter server and to the socket servers for bidirectional communication with the arbiter server and each of the socket servers. The worker servers are coupled to the queue server and the mapping server. The arbiter server is configured to facilitate communications over a network with the worker servers by at least partially balancing loads on the number of socket servers based, at least in part, upon the mapping server. |
| US08572259B2 |
Data communication terminal, proxy device, data communication system, and data communication method
A technique for easily realizing data communication without limiting the application layer protocol during data communication while maintaining the proxy function. A mobile communication terminal (2) includes a control protocol processing section (203) which transmits an address request to a proxy device (5) to acquire global address information using the HTTP that is preset so as to be used by the mobile communication terminal (2) and the proxy device (5), a TCP/UDP data transmitter/receiver section (205) which establishes a connection with the proxy device (5), and an application section (201) which transmits data via a communication path between the proxy device (5) and a server device (6) using the global address information as the transmitter address. The control protocol processing section (203) transmits information relating to the connection destination of the server device (6) to the proxy device (5) using the HTTP, and requests a connection between the proxy device (5) and the server device (6) using a predetermined transport layer protocol. |
| US08572256B2 |
Method for supporting multiple diversified data applications with efficient use of network resources
To enable applications to share an established data connection, communication configuration parameters identified by a new application are compared to the parameters requested by applications already sharing the data connection. If there are no conflicts with exclusive configuration parameter(s) required by a new application, a union rule is applied to each shareable configuration parameter of the new and currently executing applications using the data connection to determine a mutually acceptable configuration. Also determined is a measure of the degree to which all applications are supported by a compromise parameter determined by the union rule. The data connection best supporting the sharable parameters of the new and executing applications is assigned to the new application. When an application terminates, the union rules may be applied to parameters requested by the remaining applications to reconfigure the data connection. A similar process may be used when an application requests changes to configuration parameters. |
| US08572254B2 |
Systems and methods for establishing and validating secure network sessions
A method and system that employ a central server with an associated database and a Master Agent for establishing a TCP/IP connection between a client and an application server associated with a Remote Agent. The application server hosts one or more business software applications for the client, and the client accesses the one or more business software applications at the application server using the established TCP/IP session. Files created by the client using the one or more business software applications at the application server are maintained and backed-up periodically at the application server by a service provider on behalf of the client. |
| US08572252B2 |
Extensible dynamic performance instrumentation of pages
Gathering performance information with respect to delivering web resources as perceived by a user at the web client. A method includes receiving a request for a web page. As a result of receiving the request, a first set of executable instructions are sent. The first set of executable instructions are configured to indicate a plurality of resources required to be at least one of downloaded to or rendered at the client for the web page to be considered loaded at the client. The first set of executable instructions are also configured to determine when each individual resource in the required resources have been be at least one of downloaded to or rendered at the client. The first set of executable instructions are also configured to determine a length of time associated with at least one of downloading to or rendering at the client the resources in the plurality of resources. |
| US08572251B2 |
Hardware acceleration for remote desktop protocol
A method for offloading remote terminal services processing tasks to a peripheral device that would otherwise be performed in a computer system's processor and memory. In one embodiment, the disclosed method is utilized in a layered network model, wherein computing tasks that are typically performed in network applications are instead offloaded to a peripheral such as a network interface card (NIC). |
| US08572246B2 |
Method and apparatus for home network access
A manner of extending a home network to a mobile device. An FA (foreign agent) in the mobile device registers with an HA (home agent) in the home network, preferable exchanging static UIDs (unique identifiers) and certificates. The HA creates an address for the FA and maintains a registration table listing all registered FAs. The FA registration is in most cases performed while the FA is operating non-remotely and directly connected to a component of the home network. The HA registers with an SG (signaling gateway) in a secure manner and awaits a request for access to the home network. After registration with the SG, the HA initiates a heartbeat message that is acknowledged by the SG. When an FA access request is received from the SG, the HA determines whether the FA is registered with the HA and any applicable access limitations prior to granting or rejecting access. |
| US08572243B2 |
Video aware paths
Analytics describing video data published to one or more destination sites are calculated. Metrics describing performance of the video data, such as performance in different geographical areas, in different demographics and in different devices are calculated. An interface simplifies calculation of the video metrics to simplify analysis by allowing a user to identify different videos or sets of videos for analysis. Additionally, interaction with one or more web pages including the video data is also captured and combined with video data performance metrics. For example, the effect of video data on navigation between web pages within a website is described by one or more navigation paths accounting for interaction with video data. |
| US08572242B2 |
Leveraging passive networks
System and methods for leveraging passive networks are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a first data source, a first data descriptor, wherein the first data descriptor identifies an instance of contact between at least two persons. The method also includes determining a connection between the at least two persons, wherein the connection is based on an instance of contact between the at least two persons identified in the first data descriptor. The method further includes determining, with a processor, a first contact count for the connection, the first contact count based on a number of instances of contact between the at least two persons associated with the connection. The method also includes calculating, with the processor, a connection score for the connection, wherein the connection score is based at least in part on the first contact count. |
| US08572240B2 |
Monitoring system
A monitoring system includes a center device and terminal devices. The center device is configured to return a first response if receiving a first request from a terminal device. At this instance, if having a request to another terminal device, the center device includes designation information for designating said another terminal device in the first response. The terminal device receiving the first response, if the designation information is included in the first response, transfers the designation information to a corresponding terminal device. The corresponding terminal device transmits a second request to the center device if receiving the designation information. Thereby, the center device can promptly transmit the request with respect to said another terminal device to the terminal device. |
| US08572234B2 |
MPLS VPN fault management using IGP monitoring system
In an exemplary embodiment, a method for managing a network includes monitoring a network using an interior gateway protocol to detect change in the network, and determining effects of the detected network change on Multi Protocol Label Switching paths in the network. For example, the MPLS paths can be the same as IGP best paths. An exemplary embodiment includes managing a Multi Protocol Label Switching network by discovering edge routers in the Multi Protocol Label Switching network, determining possible combinations of Multi Protocol Label Switching path end points based on services provided within the network, selecting discovered edge routers for observation, based on the determined possible combinations, monitoring the selected edge routers, and determining status of Multi Protocol Label Switching paths in the network based on the monitoring. |
| US08572232B2 |
Image display apparatus and control method
A communication unit that communicates with an information terminal; a control unit that controls the image display unit that displays an image; a storage unit that stores model data defining a model of web screen information for instructing the control of the display unit; and a transmitter that transmits the web screen information for display in the information terminal by obtaining the model data and a control item that controls the display unit based on a request signal for the web screen information received from the terminal, and by configuring in the model an instruction unit for instructing the control item. The control unit controls the control item of the display unit based on an instruction signal received from the information terminal as a result of specifying the instruction unit of the web screen information displayed in the terminal. |
| US08572231B2 |
Variable-length nonce generation
Methods and systems for obtaining a scalable variable-length nonce are provided. An exemplary method for obtaining a scalable variable-length nonce includes obtaining an initial nonce candidate. The exemplary method also includes transmitting a query to determine whether the initial nonce candidate has already been assigned. When the initial nonce candidate has already been assigned, a combined nonce candidate is obtained. The combined nonce candidate includes characters appended to the initial nonce candidate. An exemplary system for obtaining a scalable variable-length nonce includes a transmitting engine that transmits a request associated with a current token. The exemplary system also includes a receiving engine that receives a message associated with the current token. The exemplary system further includes a token acquiring engine that obtains a new token, and an appending engine that appends the new token to the current token. |
| US08572226B2 |
Enhancing network details using network monitoring scripts
In some implementations, a method includes receiving a request to execute a plurality of transactions with an application of a server to evaluate one or more services using an executed LoadRunner script. In response to the service request, the plurality of transactions are automatically executed with the application using the LoadRunner script populated with values of variables transmitted between the application and a client during at least one transaction previously executed with the client. Values of the variables transmitted between the application and the executed LoadRunner script are determined during execution of the plurality of transactions. |
| US08572222B2 |
Communication apparatus and communication method
In a communication apparatus on a network where communication apparatuses perform direct communication with each other, a network management apparatus for managing the network based on message information transmitted and received on the network is determined. When the communication apparatus itself is determined as the network management apparatus, the apparatus collects information indicating device capabilities from other communication apparatuses. On the other hand, the communication apparatus receives information indicating device capabilities from another communication apparatus when the other communication apparatus is determined as the network management apparatus. |
| US08572219B1 |
Selective tunneling based on a client configuration and request
A system, apparatus, and method are directed to network communication over a tunnel by downloading selective tunneling (STM) components into memory of a client device. The STM components selectively employ tunneling to route network traffic to a requested resource. The STM components may include a network API, application, and a tunnel manager that have been modified based in part on a client configuration. As a network request is made it is evaluated against the client configuration. If the connection is to be tunneled, a network tunnel is selectively established. If the client configuration and/or the request indicate that the request is to be un-tunneled, an un-tunneled network connection may instead be established. The client configuration may also indicate that the client device is to be redirected to enable remediation. When the application component is closed, or otherwise terminated, the client's memory may be purged of the loaded STM components. |
| US08572214B2 |
System and method for discovering information objects and information object repositories in computer networks
An address of an information object repository that should service a client request for an information object is returned in response to a request therefor. The address of the information object repository which is returned is selected according to specified performance metrics regardless of whether or not the information object repository maintains a local copy of the information object that is the client request. In some cases, the address of the information object repository is further selected according to an address of a client making the client request. Further, the address of the information object repository is selected from a number of addresses of information object repositories. The specified performance metrics may include one or more of an average delay from the information object repository to the client, average processing delays at the information object repository, reliability of a path from the information object repository to the client, available bandwidth in said path, and loads on the information object repository. In some cases, the information object repository may be instructed to obtain a copy of the information object after the address of the information object repository is returned in response to the request therefore. |
| US08572213B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method for controlling the same to mediate the transfer of a process request from a client to a file server
An information processing apparatus includes a first reception unit receiving condition setting information which specifies a permission condition for permitting access to a file server and is sent from the file server when the processing apparatus transitions from a first power supply mode to a second power supply mode in which power consumption is less than that in the first power supply mode, a second reception unit receiving a process request with respect to the file server from a client computer, a determination unit determining whether the process request received by the second reception unit satisfies the permission condition specified in the condition setting information, and a transfer control unit sending a response indicating a refusal of access to the client computer without transferring the process request received by the second reception unit to the file server when the determination unit has determined that the permission condition is not satisfied. |
| US08572212B2 |
Communication device, program and communication control method
There is provided a communication device comprising: a detection unit that detects presence or absence of communication connection with a server storing data related to a communication environment of a communication area where a first communication service is provided; a data acquisition unit that acquires data related to a surrounding communication environment; and a determination unit that determines availability of usage of a second communication service using a part or whole of a spectrum assigned to the first communication service based on the data acquired by the data acquisition unit, wherein when communication connection with the server is not detected by the detection unit, the data acquisition unit senses a communication environment surrounding the communication device or receives data related to a communication environment from another communication device located near the communication device. |
| US08572203B1 |
Systems and methods for personalized customer messages
An identification of a customer and identification of a webpage to be transmitted to the customer from a first data system are received. Message content is selectively inserted from at least one second data system for the identified customer into the identified webpage. The first data system is thereafter notified to transmit the webpage from the first data system to a computer system associated with the identified customer. Message content may be generated by the at least one second data system relating to the customer's interaction with the at least one second data system. Selective insertion and notification may be achieved by a message system. The transmission of the customer/web page identification to the message system and the transmission of the identified web page to the customer may be achieved by the first data system. The display of the message content on the web page accessed by the customer via the first data system may notify the customer about the customer's interaction with the at least one second data system. |
| US08572200B2 |
Master/slave decision device and master/slave decision method applied to network device
A master/slave decision device applied to a first network device is provided, where the first network device is coupled to a second network device, and the master/slave decision device includes a seed distance detection unit and a decision unit. The seed distance decision unit is utilized for detecting a seed distance between a first seed utilized in a first scrambler of the first network device and a second seed utilized in a second scrambler of the second network device. The decision unit is coupled to the seed distance detecting unit, and is utilized for determining the first network device to be a master device or a slave device according to the seed distance. |
| US08572199B2 |
Dynamic instant comments
Dynamically providing instant comments. A first instruction is received for activating an instant commenting tool for enabling instant commenting on a web media object on an online environment. The web media object is identified by the activated instant commenting tool in response to the received first instruction. An instant comment session is provided for a first user to leave comments to the web media object. The comments from the first user from the provided instant comment session are recorded. The recorded comments are rendered as a persistent portion of the web media object on the online environment. |
| US08572197B2 |
Method of detecting compromised computers in a network
A method of detecting a compromised machine on a network. The method receives an email message from a machine on the network and classifies it as either spam or non-spam. A probability ratio is then updated, according to whether the message was spam or non-spam, by applying a sequential probability ratio test. If the probability ratio is greater than or equal to a first threshold, then the machine is compromised. If the probability ratio is less than or equal to a second threshold, then the machine is normal. The operations of receiving a message, classifying the message, updating the probability ratio, and indicating the machine is normal or compromised until the probability ratio is greater than or equal to the first threshold are repeated for a plurality of messages. Such repeated operations are performed on each of the messages one at a time, as each of the messages is received. |
| US08572196B2 |
Systems and methods for video messaging and confirmation
Various embodiments illustrated and described herein include systems, method, and software for video messaging generation, sending, view tracking, and automated follow-up. Such embodiments provide mechanisms allowing users to engage with recipients and to track and collect recipient information and their tendencies in order to increase communication effectiveness. Some embodiments include sending messages with links to video though various messaging platforms. For example, some embodiments include sending electronic messages via email or via an online hosted computer application system for delivery by the online hosted computer application. Examples of the online hosted computer applications include social networking websites such as FACEBOOK®, TWITTER®, and LINKEDIN®. Messages may be generated and sent by a video messaging system directly; through integration of a customer relationship management application with a video messaging system; through an email, text message, social networking message that includes a link to a video message; and other mechanisms. |
| US08572194B2 |
Selective linking of message accounts
The present application relates to message account linking that allows users to selectively link message accounts and customize those linked message accounts. In one embodiment, the user selects a number of message accounts for selective linking. A message application updates a message account database to selectively link the message accounts and create a combined message box. When a user selects the combined message box for display, all messages from the selectively linked message accounts are displayed. In one embodiment, a user can create multiple combined message boxes on a single device, and may assign names to each of the combined message boxes. In yet another embodiment, an icon associated with a combined message box is added to the device's home screen. |
| US08572189B2 |
Method and system for configuring E-mail for mobile devices
A software and/or hardware facility that allows users to enable e-mail on a mobile device in an automated fashion. Using a mobile device, a user selects an e-mail service that they desire to access. An access request is made from the mobile device to a configuration management server. The configuration management server sends an e-mail, SMS message, or other message to the user or to a system administrator with the access request. The user or system administrator is presented with a form that allows the user or administrator to provide sufficient information to enable e-mail service for the mobile device. The configuration management server may store the received information in a database so that the information can be re-used by other mobile device users having the same e-mail domain. The information is transmitted to the mobile device and is used to enable e-mail service on the device. |
| US08572188B1 |
Systems and methods for integrating the management of a temporary email address within an email client application
A computer-implemented method for integrating the management of a temporary email address within an email client application is described. An email client application is provided. A function of the email client application is modified. An attribute is added to the modified function. The attribute is configured to allow the selection of a temporary email address or a non-temporary email address. The selected email address is set as a default email address for the modified function. |
| US08572186B2 |
Gateway device, method for controlling the same, and program storage medium arranged to relay transmission and reception of E-mails
A method for controlling a gateway device arranged between a client terminal and a server, and arranged to relay transmission and reception of e-mails, includes the steps of receiving a first e-mail stored in the server, converting the first e-mail into a second e-mail for temporary storage, transmitting the second e-mail to the client terminal, and managing information on the first e-mail and second e-mail. |
| US08572185B2 |
Direct access electronic mail (email) distribution and synchronization system with external SMTP server support
A communications system includes a network engine that communicates with a plurality of user subscribed mobile wireless communications devices via a communications network for sending and receiving emails therefrom. A direct access server is operative with the network engine for polling electronic mailboxes of the user belonging to an email source hosted by an email provider and obtaining email from the electronic mailboxes and pushing any email through the network engine to selected user subscribed mobile wireless communications devices. It includes an internal SMTP server that is configured for outgoing email and operative for specifying an SMTP server for communication belonging to an email provider given a SMTP server and protocol combination for the email source of the email provider to which communication is desired such that the internal SMTP server of the direct access server is not used. |
| US08572184B1 |
Systems and methods for dynamically integrating heterogeneous anti-spam filters
In some embodiments, a spam filtering method includes computing the relevance of each of a plurality of anti-spam filters according to a relevance parameter set, and deciding whether an electronic message is spam or non-spam according to the relevancies and individual classification scores generated by the anti-spam filters. The relevance of an anti-spam filter indicates the degree to which a classification score produced by that particular filter determines the final classification of a given message. The relevance parameter set of each anti-spam filter may include, among others, a training maturity indicative of the degree of training of the filter, a filter update age indicative of the time elapsed since the latest update of the filter, a false-positive classification indicator, and a false-negative classification indicator of the anti-spam filter. |
| US08572183B2 |
Panoramic video in a live meeting client
The present panoramic video technique embodied in the unified client provides panoramic video and other data from various sources for live web-based conferencing applications. In one embodiment, the panoramic video is provided by a panoramic collaboration and communication device, termed a RoundTable Device (RTD). The RTD is a collaboration tool with a 360-degree camera and a microphone or microphone array that, together with the unified client, delivers an immersive conferencing experience that extends the meeting room across multiple locations. This enables live network meeting scenarios that were not possible before. |
| US08572174B2 |
Personalizing a web page outside of a social networking system with content from the social networking system selected based on global information
A user device requests a web page from a web server of a third-party website, which is separate from a social networking system. The web server from the third-party website sends a markup language document for the requested web page to the user device which includes an instruction for a browser application running on the user device to incorporate information obtained from the social networking system within the web page. Based on the instruction in the received markup language document, the user device requests personalized content from the social networking system, which generates the requested personalized content based on social information about the user. The user device then renders the web page with the personalized content contained in a frame and displays the rendered web page and the frame to the user. |
| US08572167B2 |
Multimedia aggregation in an online social network
Multimedia content is featured on user pages of an online social network using embed codes that are generated using a configuration file associated with the source ID for the multimedia content and a content ID for the multimedia content. The configuration file, the source ID and the content ID are stored locally by the online social network so that any changes to the embed codes can be made by changing the configuration file associated with the source and regenerating the embed codes. By managing multimedia content in this manner, greater control can be exercised by the online social network over the multimedia content that are featured on its user pages. |
| US08572166B2 |
System and method for delivering web content to a mobile device
A system and method or delivery web content to a mobile device. A system includes a content delivery program associated with a webpage, where the webpage includes at least one content item. The content delivery program is configured to receive a user selection signal related to the at least one content item, receive an identifier of the mobile device, and initiate a delivery of the at least one content item to the mobile device based on the user selection signal and the identifier. |
| US08572163B1 |
Systems and methods for deduplicating data based on performance of a deduplication system
A computer-implemented method for deduplicating data is disclosed. The method may include identifying a request to transfer data from a client in a deduplication system to a server in the deduplication system. The method may also include determining, based at least in part on performance of the deduplication system, whether to deduplicate the data before transferring the data from the client to the server. The method may further include performing the following, the order of which is based on the determination: deduplicating the data and transferring the data from the client to the server. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08572162B2 |
Adaptive screen painting to enhance user perception during remote management sessions
Systems and methods are presented for screen painting updates on a client display to reflect changes in a remote server display. According to a method embodiment, an FBUR is sent from a virtual network computing (VNC) client through a network connection to the VNC server. The FBUR requests the VNC server to identify changes in a display of the VNC server. An FBU is received from the VNC server at the VNC client. The FBU identifies changes in the display of the VNC server. A screen painting algorithm implemented by the VNC client to update a display of the VNC client is dynamically modified based on a speed of the network connection. The display of the VNC client is updated using the screen painting algorithm. |
| US08572159B2 |
Managing device models in a virtual machine cluster environment
Machine-readable media, methods, apparatus and system are described. In some embodiments, a client platform may determine that an input/output operation related to a hardware device may happen in a virtual machine of the client platform and request a server platform via the network to handle the input/output operation related to the hardware. The server platform may receive the request from the client platform through the network; and identify a software device from a plurality of software devices in the server platform to handle the request, wherein the identified software device corresponds to the hardware device related to the input/output operation. |
| US08572158B2 |
Distributed computing by carrier-hosted agent
A method for operating a host layer of a distributed computing system on a wide area network includes attaching an agent to a client-requested carrier. The method includes receiving a request for specified content from a client node via the wide area network, and sending the content and an embedded agent to the client. The agent has program instructions configured to execute on the client node to perform a processing function that operates on raw data to produce process data. The method further includes sending the raw data to the client node and receiving the process data from the client node as it is processed by the agent. The host layer may comprise a web server hosting a web site containing consumer-oriented web pages, and the carrier may comprise an HTML page containing user content. The agent may comprise a web page-enabled application embedded in the HTML page. |
| US08572157B2 |
Configuration based approach to unify web services
Brokering requests between a user and a content provider. Methods include receiving, at the middleware system, a request for data from a user that is formatted in a first request format and requests data from a content provider. The request is translated to a second request format that is compatible with the content provider and sent to the content provider. A response is received from the content provider that includes hierarchically-structured content. The hierarchically-structured content is converted into tabular content by performing first queries on the hierarchically-structured content to identify repeating nodes, and mapping the repeating nodes to rows in the tabular format, and by performing second queries on the hierarchically-structured content to identify individual columns in the tabular format. |
| US08572156B2 |
Enhanced connectivity in distributed computing systems
Techniques are provided for exchanging configuration settings in a distributed software system in which interrelated software processes execute on both a client system and a service provider. Automation scripts are generated and used by the client system and the service provider to establish and initiate respective test environments. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described. |
| US08572154B2 |
Reduced-level two's complement arithmetic unit
A processor includes a two's complement arithmetic unit that reduces a level of complexity in the critical path by eliminating the addition of the “1” to the carry in of the two's complement arithmetic unit. To execute a subtraction instruction using two's complement arithmetic, the subtraction as disclosed herein is performed in accordance with the identity “A−B=not (not (A)+B),” where A is a first operand and B is a second operand that is to be subtracted from A. Accordingly, the addition of the “1” term into the carry in is eliminated, and reduces a level of complexity that would otherwise slow down and/or limit the speed at which a subtraction instruction can be performed. |
| US08572153B1 |
Multiplier circuit configurable for real or complex operation
A configurable multiplier circuit for multiplying both real and complex numbers is included in a PLD. In one embodiment, the circuit includes two adder trees. Multiplexers are used such that a conventional multiplier component is not required. The circuit is programmable to operate in one of two modes. In a first mode, the circuit multiplies the four parts of two complex numbers and outputs two values, the real portion of the product and the imaginary portion of the product. In a second mode, each of two portions of the circuit multiplies two pairs of real numbers and outputs the products. |
| US08572151B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for cordic processing
A CORDIC engine includes an N-stage CORDIC processor for performing N micro-iterations of a CORDIC algorithm and generating a 3-vector CORDIC output responsive to a 3-vector CORDIC input. A counter counts a number of M macro-iterations for the CORDIC algorithm and indicates a start of the cycle iterations. A multiplexer selects an input to the N-stage CORDIC processor as the 3-vector CORDIC input at the start of the cycle iterations or the 3-vector CORDIC output at other times. The CORDIC algorithm is complete after N*M clock cycles by generating N micro-iterations for each of the M macro-iterations. In some embodiments, the CORDIC engine is coupled to programmable logic blocks as part of a programmable logic array. |
| US08572145B2 |
Signal processing apparatus, digital filter and recording medium
Provided is a signal processing apparatus for compensating for a non-linear distortion of a digital signal, including: an analysis signal generating section that converts the digital signal into a analysis signal of a complex number, using a digital filter; and a compensation section that compensates for the analysis signal, using a compensation coefficient of a complex number corresponding to the non-linear distortion, where the digital filter divides data of the digital signal into “n” data sequences, assigns (n*L+k)th data of the digital signal to a k-th data sequence, performs filtering on each of the data sequences using a same filter coefficient, and combines each of the data sequences after the filtering, thereby generating an imaginary number portion of the analysis signal, where “n” is an integer equal to or greater than 2, L=0, 1, . . . , and k=1, 2, . . . , n. |
| US08572144B2 |
Signal mapping
A circuit includes a signal processing circuit for accepting an input and for generating a set of outputs. The input is provided in an input range that has a set of representative values, and each output represents a measure of an association of the input with one or more of the representative values. The signal processing circuit includes a group of output sections, each output section being responsive to the input of the signal processing circuit. Each output section includes one or more sigmoid generators. Each sigmoid generator is responsive to an input of the output section to generate an output that represents a sigmoid function of the input of the output section. Each output section also includes a circuitry for combining the outputs of the one or more sigmoid generators to form one of the set of outputs of the signal processing circuit. An input transformation circuit is coupled to the plurality of output sections. The input transformation circuit is configurable to transform the input of the signal processing circuit for controlling a mapping characteristic from the input to the set of outputs. |
| US08572141B2 |
Execution of fixed point instructions using a decimal floating point unit
A decimal floating point (DFP) unit is used to execute fixed point instructions. Two or more operands are accepted, wherein each operand is in a packed binary coded decimal (BCD) format. Any invalid BCD formats are detected by checking the operands for any invalid BCD codes. It is determined if an exception flag exists and, if so, outputting the flag; it is determined if a condition code exists and, if so, outputting the code. An operation is performed on the two or more operands to generate a result; wherein the operation takes place directly on BCD data, thus using the DFP unit to perform a BCD operation; appending a result sign to the result of the operation; and providing the result of the operation and the appended result sign as a result output in a packed BCD format. |
| US08572140B1 |
Deterministic lookup using hashed key in a multi-stride compressed trie structure
An input lookup key is hashed and the hashed key divided into stride bits into a multi-level Trie structure. A compression function logically combines the stride bits to generate the compressed index bits into the stride tables. The bucket in the last stride table found by the hashed key may have several keys that collide at the same hash value. Discriminant bits are read from the key and select a stored key in the bucket table for verification of its result. Since the hashed key is a compression of the longer input key, more information is contained per bit of the hashed key than in the long key. The multi-stride lookup is performed first on the hashed key, allowing a faster convergence to the lookup result. The first stride can index a single hash table, with the remaining hash bits and discriminant bits used to select from among colliding keys. |
| US08572138B2 |
Distributed computing system having autonomic deployment of virtual machine disk images
One or more control nodes provide for the efficient and automated allocation and management of computing functions and resources within the distributed computing system. The distributed computing system includes a software image repository storing: (i) one or more image instances of a virtual machine manager that is executable on the application nodes, wherein when executed on the applications nodes, the image instances of the virtual machine manager provide one or more virtual machines, and (ii) one or more image instances of one or more software applications that are executable on the virtual machines. The distributed computing system also includes a control node that comprises an automation infrastructure to provide autonomic deployment of the image instances of the virtual machine manager on the application nodes and to provide autonomic deployment of the image instances of the software applications on the virtual machines. |
| US08572136B2 |
Method and system for synchronizing a virtual file system at a computing device with a storage device
A method of synchronizing a virtual file system is implemented at a computing device. The virtual file system has a hierarchical tree structure including a plurality of tree nodes, each tree node having associated metadata and corresponding to a respective component of the virtual file system. Upon receipt of a request to generate a revision of a virtual file system in at least one storage device, the computing device serializes each tree node's associated metadata into an object, generates an object ID from the serialized object, and stores the object in the storage device if the object ID is not found in an object-storage mapping table associated with the virtual file system. Finally, the computing device inserts the object ID into the object-storage mapping table and stores the object-storage mapping table in the storage device after processing the last tree node. |
| US08572132B2 |
Dynamic content assembly on edge-of-network servers in a content delivery network
Content is dynamically assembled at the edge of the Internet, preferably on content delivery network (CDN) edge servers. A content provider leverages an “edge side include” (ESI) markup language that is used to define Web page fragments for dynamic assembly at the edge. Dynamic assembly improves site performance by caching objects that comprise dynamically-generated pages at the edge of the Internet, close to the end user. Instead of being assembled by an application/web server in a centralized data center, the application/web server sends a page template and content fragments to a CDN edge server where the page is assembled. Each content fragment can have its own cacheability profile to manage the “freshness” of the content. Once a user requests a page, the edge server examines its cache for the included fragments and assembles the page on-the-fly. |
| US08572129B1 |
Automatically generating nodes and edges in an integrated social graph
In one embodiment, a method includes maintaining access to a data store of information corresponding to nodes and edges; receiving a user-generated character string comprising one or more characters of text entered by a user in an input form as they are entered by the user; searching the stored information for matches between the user-generated character string and existing nodes; determining whether or not a match between the user-generated character string and an existing node exists; and when it is determined that at least one match exists, generating an edge between the node corresponding to the user and the node for which the best match is determined; and when it is determined that no match between the user-generated character string and an existing node exists, generating a new node based on the user-generated character string, and generating an edge between the node corresponding to the user and the new node. |
| US08572124B2 |
Simplified entity relationship model to access structure data
Data may be modeled as an undirected graph. A set of entities and a set of attributes may be defined. A set of relationships may be defined to represent semantic associations with each association connecting at least two entities. Attributes may be associated with entities rather than with relationships. A hierarchical query language with a set of atomic operations on modeled data may be employed. The modeled data may be displayed on a display unit. |
| US08572123B2 |
Database system, particularly for multimedia objects
A database system stores data relating to media objects and includes a meta table, a supplementary meta table, a content table, a supplementary content table, each supplementary content data record being linked to a supplementary metadata record and to a content data record. An object type link table links together records in the meta table, and a content data link table links together records in the content data table. An information retrieval system analyzes the tables and provides, for a selected instance of an object, information about that object's attributes and relationships with other objects in a hierarchical form. |
| US08572121B2 |
Blocking of unlicensed audio content in video files on a video hosting website
A system, method and various software tools enable a video hosting website to automatically identified unlicensed audio content in video files uploaded by users, and initiate a process by which the user can replace the unlicensed content with licensed audio content. An audio replacement tool is provided that enables the user to permanently mute the original, unlicensed audio content of a video file, or select a licensed audio file from a collection of licensed audio, and insert the selected in place of the original audio. Where a video file includes unlicensed audio, the video hosting website provides access to video files to a client device, along with an indication to the client device to mute the audio during playback of the video. |
| US08572118B2 |
Computer method and apparatus of information management and navigation
Computer method and apparatus manages and navigates computer implemented information. A first source information and second source information are related as parent-child information. Keywords are extracted from the first and second source information and are used to relate second source information to the first source information. This produces dynamic sets or groupings of second source information related by keywords. Display of a listing of the keywords enables user navigation of the information especially according to the groupings of second source information. |
| US08572114B1 |
Determining proximity to topics of advertisements
The present disclosure includes a system and method for determining proximity to topics of content items (e.g., an advertisement or “ad”). In some implementations, a method includes identifying search criteria associated with keywords of a content item. The keywords used in determining whether or not to embed the content item in Web pages including search results. Numerical scores for the search criteria is determined based, at least in part, on a topic of the content item, the numerical score indicative of proximity to the topic of the content item. |
| US08572113B2 |
Network calling privacy with recording
Compliance with a privacy database and call-specific applications is provided within a network. A service control function (SCF), in communication with a privacy database, selectively establishes a call between an origin and a destination. Based on origin or destination identifiers, call parameters are determined for further operations associated with the call. A server, responsive to the call parameters, performs monitoring of the call or post-call disposition to update the privacy database. |
| US08572111B2 |
Method and system for displaying search results
Methods and systems related to the display of primary and secondary search results are provided. Search results are displayed to the user without requiring the user to perform any tasks to view the entire set of search results. The user may then request secondary searches based on the displayed primary search results through performing a single action. Secondary search results are displayed along with the primary search results. |
| US08572110B2 |
Textual search for numerical properties
A textual search index is used to identify data objects that have numerical properties that satisfy search queries. As described herein, a search index contains search index entries, each of which specifies a reference string and a set of data object identifiers. When an original search query is received, the search query is transformed into a transformed search query such that numerical comparison query elements in the original search query are transformed into equivalent textual comparison query elements. The search index is then used to identify ones of the data objects that satisfy the transformed search query. A list of the identified data objects may then be provided in response to the original search query. |
| US08572104B2 |
Sales of collections excluding those already purchased
The invention provides a method and system capable of allowing users to complete collections of objects without unwanted duplication thereof. The system automatically, and in response to user direction, determines if objects are available that would complete a user's collection. The system can automatically purchase and obtain delivery of objects identified as being needed to complete a collection. The system allows a user to statically define and derive the parameters of a desired collection of objects and can create, and suggest to the user, collections of which the user already has a portion. The system includes functionality that provides user-definable collections. |
| US08572099B2 |
Advertiser and user association
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes generating content-based keywords based on content generated by users of a social network. The method includes labeling nodes comprising user nodes, which are representations of the users, with advertising labels comprising content-based keywords that coincide with advertiser-selected keywords that are based on one or more terms specified by an advertiser. The method also includes outputting, for each node, weights for the advertising labels based on weights of advertising labels associated with neighboring nodes, which are related to the node by a relationship. |
| US08572098B2 |
Client playlist generation
Client playlist generation is described. In embodiments, relationships between media assets are determined to identify similar media assets that can be included in an automatic playlist of the similar media assets. Projection vectors of the asset-to-asset relationships can be generated for each of the media assets, where a projection vector for a media asset identifies the similar media assets. The projection vectors are then communicated to a client device that utilizes the projection vectors to generate the automatic playlist for any one of the media assets that is selected as a starting media asset of the automatic playlist. |
| US08572096B1 |
Selecting keywords using co-visitation information
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for selecting keywords for resources. In one aspect, a method includes identifying a particular online resource that includes non-text content. Co-visitation data are obtained for the particular resource. The co-visitation data specify one or more co-requested online resources for the particular online resource. Each of the co-requested online resources were requested by a user device within a threshold period of the request for the particular online resource by the user device. Keywords are identified for each of the co-requested online resources, and can include keywords that were selected based on text content of the co-requested online resource. One or more of the identified keywords are selected as keywords for the particular resource. |
| US08572095B2 |
Adaptive object identification
A adaptive object identification mechanism provides an object description of an object of an application that is executed by a processor, where the object description is based on attributes associated with the object. When an operation on the object is detected, the attributes of the object are sampled at the time of the operation and compared with the object description to assess whether the attributes have changed. The object description is then adjusted based on the assessment. |
| US08572093B2 |
System and method for providing a license description syntax in a software due diligence system
Described herein is a system and method for providing a condensed license description syntax for use in a software due diligence system. In particular, the license description syntax may employ a limited number of verifiable attributes to provide precision and lack of redundancy in describing various software licenses relevant to software due diligence. For example, the software due diligence system may identify licenses in software under review and invoke a compiler configured to perform various operations on the license description syntax to check for permissions and obligations associated with the identified licenses (e.g., name translation, operator translation, logical expression evaluation, etc.). Thus, the license description syntax may enable the license database to be established as a global public or private license database, in addition to providing licenses attributes useful in software due diligence review. |
| US08572091B1 |
System and method for partitioning and indexing table data using a composite primary key
A system that implements a scaleable data storage service may maintain tables in a non-relational data store on behalf of service clients. Each table may include multiple items. Each item may include one or more attributes, each containing a name-value pair. The system may provide an API through which clients can query tables maintained by the service. Items may be partitioned and indexed in a table according to a simple or composite primary key contained in all items in the table. A composite primary key may include a hash key attribute, and a range key attribute. The range key attribute may be usable to order items having the same hash key attribute value, and to partition them dependent on a range of range key attribute values. A query request may specify a logical or mathematical expression dependent on range key attribute values and may be directed to multiple partitions. |
| US08572090B2 |
System and method for executing program in local computer
Disclosed herein is a method and system for executing a program in a local computer, in which a shortcut index data is indexed and recorded by using the title name of a shortcut file stored in a local computer, a query is received from a user, and then a shortcut file associated with the query is immediately executed. According to exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises an index component configured to index data associated with a shortcut file stored in a local computer, a shortcut index database configured to record the indexed shortcut index data, an input component configured to receive a query from a user, a retrieval component configured to retrieve the shortcut index data associated with the query from the shortcut index database, and an executing component configured to execute a shortcut file associated with the retrieved shortcut index data. |
| US08572082B2 |
Method and device for generating a similar meaning term list and search method and device using the similar meaning term list
In a generation device, a term determiner, for reference terms and a similar meaning term that has similar meaning to any of the reference terms, determines if each of the reference terms and the similar meaning term are both included in a document data group. An extractor extracts a reference term and the similar meaning term of the reference term that were both determined to be included in the document data group. A priority determiner determines an output priority to the extracted similar meaning term on the basis of appearance of at least either of the similar meaning term and the reference term in the document data group. And a list generator generates a the similar meaning term list in such a way that the extracted reference term, the similar meaning term of the extracted reference term, and the output priority are associated with one another. |
| US08572077B2 |
System and method for displaying information in response to a request
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for generating an online listing, such as a yellow pages listing, that includes information about an object, such as a business, and also includes at least one image of the structure containing the object. For example, the image may be a digital image of the store front of a business taken at a street view. Additionally, a user may select an image from a plurality of images that the user perceives as being an appropriate representative image for the business. Based on votes received a default representative image may be identified that is provided in response to a request for information about the business. |
| US08572075B1 |
Framework for evaluating web search scoring functions
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for testing web search scoring functions. A query is received. A first and a second scoring function are selected by receiving search results responsive to the query; applying candidate scoring functions to the search results to determine scores for the search results for each candidate scoring function; identifying pairs of the candidate scoring functions, and calculating a diversity score for each of the pairs. A pair of candidate scoring functions is chosen from the one or more pairs of candidate scoring functions based on the diversity scores, and the alpha function is selected as the first scoring function and the beta function is selected as the second scoring function. The plurality of search results are presented in an order according to scores from the first scoring function and are presented in an order according to scores from the second scoring function. |
| US08572068B2 |
Evaluation of set of representative query performance using robustness mapping
Computer-implemented systems and associated operating methods use atomic query maps to identify and evaluate database query plan robustness landmarks. The computer-implemented system comprises logic that evaluates robustness of a selected atomic query by measuring performance of atomic query execution in a predetermined range of runtime conditions that include data characteristics. The logic produces a set of measurements that can be displayed as one or more performance maps and analyzes the measured performance to identify landmarks indicative of database atomic query performance degradation greater than a predetermined amount. |
| US08572063B2 |
Computer-implemented method for operating a database and corresponding computer-system
The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for operating a database comprising the step of updating a binary status of a tuple in the database. The binary status field either contains a null value or a time stamp. The update can be done in-place or by using an insert-only approach. |
| US08572062B2 |
Indexing documents using internal index sets
Provided are techniques for retrieving a document that includes for each page an area that is ignored by applications that process the document and that includes a different internal index set associated with each subset of pages of the document, wherein each different internal index set is associated with an area and stores indexes, and wherein each of the indexes consists of a name-value pair. Then, for each page in the document, it is determined whether the page is associated with an internal index set; and, in response to determining that the page is associated with an internal index set, one or more name-value pairs from the internal index set are extracted, wherein each of the one or more name-value pairs provides specific information about the document for use in identifying the document. |
| US08572060B2 |
E-mail based semantic web collaboration and annotation
Semantic Web attributes are transmitted via an electronic message such as an email message. The attributes are extracted from the message by a program agent according to a predetermined plan. The extracted attributes are saved in storage wherein the storage is optionally an annotation store. |
| US08572056B2 |
System with multiple conditional commit databases
A system for processing a transaction is disclosed. The system comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to check a condition using data in a first database, wherein the data is associated with a transaction, wherein the data in the first database is latched before checking the condition and is unlatched after checking the condition. The processor is further configured to indicate to a second database to check the condition using data in the second database, wherein the data is associated with the transaction. The data in the second database is latched before checking the condition and is unlatched after checking the condition. The memory is coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions. |
| US08572051B1 |
Making parallel execution of structured query language statements fault-tolerant
Parallel execution of SQL statements is made fault-tolerant. Specifically, during parallel query processing, a new row source is created that allows checkpoints to be stored at certain points in the query processing. If a failure occurs, then the query can be restarted from the most recent checkpoint (rather than from the very beginning of the query). The checkpoints are implemented at operation boundaries where rows need to be redistributed among processes. These are natural checkpoint locations because (1) each subsequent operation can proceed from the output of the previous operation, which is stored as a checkpoint, and (2) these operation completions tend to be points in the computation where the query state is minimized, thus minimizing checkpoint storage requirements. |
| US08572045B1 |
System and method for efficiently restoring a plurality of deleted files to a file system volume
Various embodiments of a system and method for restoring a plurality of files previously deleted from a volume are described. For each respective file of the plurality of deleted files, the method may operate to determine a time at which the respective file was last modified and a time at which the respective file was deleted. These times define a respective recovery time window for the respective file. The method may further comprise determining a particular point in time that is within the recovery time windows for two or more of the plurality of deleted files. A temporary version of the volume as it existed at the particular point in time may be created, and each file of the two or more files may be restored to the volume from the temporary version of the volume. |
| US08572042B2 |
Manipulating the actual or effective window size in a data-dependant variable-length sub-block parser
Example systems and methods concern a sub-block parser that is configured with a variable sized window whose size varies as a function of the actual or expected entropy of data to be parsed by the sub-block parser. Example systems and methods also concern a sub-block parser configured to compress a data sequence to be parsed before parsing the data sequence. One example method facilitates either actually changing the window size or effectively changing the window size by manipulating the data before it is parsed. The example method includes selectively reconfiguring a data set to be parsed by a data-dependent parser based, at least in part, on the entropy level of the data set, selectively reconfiguring the data-dependent parser, based, at least in part, on the entropy level of the data set, and parsing the data set. |
| US08572038B2 |
Systems and methods for performing data replication
Preparing source data to be replicated in a continuous data replication environment. Certain systems and methods populate a file name database with entries having a unique file identifier descriptor (FID), short name and a FID of the parent directory of each directory or file on a source storage device. Such information is advantageously gathered during scanning of a live file system without requiring a snapshot of the source storage device. The database can be further used to generate absolute file names associated with data operations to be replayed on a destination storage device. Based on the obtained FIDs, certain embodiments can further combine write operations to be replayed on the destination storage device and/or avoid replicating temporary files to the destination system. |
| US08572034B2 |
Method of managing a distributed storage system
A method of managing a distributed storage system (1) comprising a plurality of storage devices (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) on a network (N), wherein an autonomous function can be assigned to any storage device (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) of the distributed storage system (N), which autonomous function comprises collecting content according to a configurable profile (3) for the storage device (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) to which the autonomous function is assigned, and wherein a first storage device (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) of the distributed storage system (1), before leaving the network (N), delegates the responsibility for an autonomous function of that first storage device (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) to a second storage device (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) of the distributed storage system (1), and wherein the second storage device assumes responsibility for the autonomous function of the first storage device (D1, D2, . . . , Dn), and wherein the second storage device transfers data, accumulated due to its responsibility for the autonomous function of the first storage device (D1, D2, . . . Dn), to the first storage device (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) when the first storage device (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) returns to the network (N). The invention also relates to a storage device (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) for use in a distributed storage system (1), and to a distributed storage system (1) comprising such storage devices (D1, D2, . . . , Dn). |
| US08572029B2 |
Methods and systems for synchronizing data in a multi-tenant database environment
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for synchronizing data in a database network system. These mechanisms and methods for synchronizing data in database network system can enable embodiments to provide users a synchronization button on a UI or synchronization field through an API for specifying data for synchronization. The ability of embodiments to provide users a synchronization button on a UI or synchronization field through an API for specifying data for synchronization can enable users to easily and efficiently change and update data in a database system. |
| US08572028B2 |
Synchronizing structured web site contents
Techniques to synchronize structured web site content are described. An apparatus may include a server having a server synchronization module to identify structured content types shared by the server and a client, and synchronize structured content corresponding to the structured content types. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08572027B2 |
Performing synchronization among relational database tables with minimal contention
A method, system and computer program product for performing synchronization between source and target tables. An external data source inserts a new row in a first table as it modifies or creates a row in the source table where each new row in the first table includes a primary key value associated with the modified/created row in the source table. An application copies the distinct values for the primary keys listed in the first table and inserts them in a second table. The application performs uncommitted read operations on the source table for each row corresponding to the primary key values stored in the second table. The application inserts the data read into the corresponding rows of the target table. In this manner, a platform agnostic application may be able to synchronize the relational source and target tables in an efficient manner while minimizing the contention at the source table. |
| US08572026B2 |
Data synchronisation across multiple data storages when processing transactions received on a network
A synchronization unit examines the packets on a network to determine the changes being caused to a database server, and propagates the same changes to corresponding backup server(s). As the synchronization is implemented in a separate unit, the throughput performance of database servers may not be impeded due to the synchronization requirement. |
| US08572025B2 |
Data management system for portable media devices and other display devices
The present invention includes a method of navigation/manipulation and display of media or data residing on a media player type device or other limited display system. The method includes a non-hierarchical intelligent associative reorganization of the media player database as stored on the media device. The method implements a technique to display the database entries that promotes the application of associative connections by the user to the database entries during the navigation of the database. Therefore, the selection of media objects or data entries that make up a play list as it is generated by the user is constructed using associative connections while the user traverses the non-hierarchical presentation of the database. The present invention also includes a remote control data management system that includes a docking station and a remote control unit that maintain and manipulate metadata in one or more databases even after a media player has been disconnected. |
| US08572020B2 |
System, process and software arrangement for providing multidimensional recommendations/suggestions
A process, system and computer software are provided to facilitate at least one recommendation to one or more users and/or one or more applications using multidimensional data. In particular, a multidimensional space is defined, wherein each dimension is capable of providing variable information. At least one dimension corresponds to user profiles. The multidimensional space is filled with multidimensional data corresponding to dimensions of the multidimensional space. Then, information from the multidimensional space is retrieved. Further, the recommendation is generated based on the retrieved information. In addition, it is possible to generate a recommendation-specific query. This can be performed by generating the recommendation-specific query to access a multidimensional cube and retrieve data stored therein. Then, the recommendation can be issued based on the data retrieved from the multidimensional cube. |
| US08572016B2 |
Match engine for detection of multi-pattern rules
Methods, systems and computer program products are disclosed for detecting patterns in a data stream that match multi-pattern rules. One embodiment of the invention provides a method of recognizing a specified group of patterns in a data stream. The method comprises identifying a rule for said specified group of patterns in the data stream, and using a first array of finite state machines to scan the data stream for at least some of the patterns in the specified group. For patterns in the specified group that are found in the data stream by the first array of finite state machines, pattern identifiers are sent to a second array of finite state machines. The second array of finite state machines determines if the specified group of patterns is in the data stream in accordance with the identified rule by, at least in part, using said pattern identifiers. |
| US08572012B2 |
Universal data discernment
An contextual artificial intelligence system is disclosed. Intelligent business objects enable dynamic data object interaction and encapsulation of user context. Data is rationalized and data objects evolve by way of an artificial intelligence assisted process of self-discovery. Significant data is identified based upon factors such as cost, revenue and outcome and contextually significant result sets are automatically generated for users. |
| US08572011B1 |
Outcome estimation models trained using regression and ranking techniques
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for outcome estimation and content item selection. In one aspect, a method includes training an outcome estimation model using both regression prediction quality measures and ranking prediction quality measures. In response to receiving a request for one or more content items; a predicted outcome is computed for each content item in a set of content items, each respective outcome being computed using the outcome estimation model and feature values associated with each respective the content item. Selection scores are computed for the content items using the predicted outcome. In turn, one or more content items are selected for presentation based on the selection scores; and data are provided that cause presentation of the one or more content items at a client device. |
| US08572010B1 |
Deciding whether a received signal is a signal of interest
A method of deciding whether an observed received signal is a particular signal of interest (SOI) includes the steps of: providing a statistical model of the particular signal of interest and a statistical model of the environment when the particular signal of interest is not present, and processing the observed received signal in accordance with a decision rule that uses the provided statistical models to decide whether the observed received signal is the particular signal of interest. The decision rule is: decision = { SOI if LLR ( y ) > + λ ~ SOI if LLR ( y ) < - λ unsure otherwise where LLR ( y ) = log P ( a 1 ( y ) · a 2 ( y ) , … | SOI ) P ( a 1 ( y ) · a 2 ( y ) … | ~ SOI ) , where LLR is log likelihood ratio, P denotes a probability, a1(y) and a2(y) are functions of first and second attributes of the observed signal y in a sequential order that said attribute functions are presented for computation of LLR(y), and +λ and −λ are real numbers, wherein the statistical model of the particular signal of interest includes functions of attributes that individually have a probability distribution function f1 when the observed received signal is the particular signal of interest such that KL(f1,f0)>0, where f0 is a probability distribution function of the respective individual attribute when the observed received signal is not a signal of interest. |
| US08572005B2 |
Representation of a set of numeric values in a computerized environment
A set of numeric values may be represented using a data structure. The data structure is a graph having a root and leaves. A route in the data structure may represent a mask that represents a set of values. A mask may represent a term in a DNF representation of numeric values. A mask may represent numeric values that correspond to limitations set by the mask, such as having a predetermined value in a predetermined digit. The data structure comprises edges and nodes, each may be associated with a label. The label may represent a portion of a mask. |
| US08572004B2 |
Space solution search
A statistical approach can be used to efficiently supply an initial population that provides a good global description of a design space. The SI based simulation can then find a global best design within a reduced number of simulations. The statistical approach can be utilized to determine a plurality of potential best and worst case designs from a design space. The plurality of potential best and worst case designs from the design space seed or prime a SI based simulation. The best case designs are based on design parameters than can be controlled. The worst case designs are based on design parameters than cannot be controlled due. SI based simulations can then be run on the best case designs with respect to the worst case designs to determine probability of failure of the best case design. |
| US08572003B2 |
Standardized computer system total cost of ownership assessments and benchmarking
A method of collecting data used in assessing total cost of owning enterprise computing systems is provided. The method includes distributing, to an enterprise computing system, an electronic data file that identifies, for use by a data extraction tool, predefined data source fields within the enterprising computing system and that relate to costs included in a predefined cost model that defines costs to be included in an analysis of a total cost of owning an enterprise computing system. The method also includes receiving, from the enterprise computing system, cost information aggregated using data extracted using the distributed data file, wherein the cost information is structured in conformity with the predefined cost model. The method further includes using the received cost information to formulate benchmark total cost of ownership cost information that is structured in conformity with the predefined cost model. |
| US08572001B2 |
Simultaneous vehicle routing, vehicle scheduling, and crew scheduling
A method for generating a transportation plan. A set of transportation requests are identified. An initial transportation plan having a set of vehicle routes, a set of vehicle schedules, and a set of crew schedules that satisfy the set of transportation requests is created. A set of vehicle routes, a set of vehicle schedules, and a set of crew schedules are simultaneously modified repeatedly using a policy to generate a new transportation plan until an objective is met. |
| US08572000B1 |
Method and system for electronic management of recruiting
A terminal may be configured to display a list of recruiting events. In response to selection of one of the recruiting events, the terminal may be configured to display a list of a plurality of candidates associated with the selected one of the recruiting events. The terminal may be configured to select one of said candidates from the list of candidates based on an identifier read, by the terminal, from a computing device associated with the selected candidate. The terminal may be configured to, subsequent to the selection of the candidate, display a profile of the selected candidate. The terminal may be configured to display an interactive form via which a user of the terminal can input an assessment of the selected particular candidate. |
| US08571993B2 |
Reprogrammable security for controlling piracy and enabling interactive content
Technologies are disclosed to transfer responsibility and control over security from player makers to content authors by enabling integration of security logic and content. An exemplary optical disc carries an encrypted digital video title combined with data processing operations that implement the title's security policies and decryption processes. Player devices include a processing environment (e.g., a real-time virtual machine), which plays content by interpreting its processing operations. Players also provide procedure calls to enable content code to load data from media, perform network communications, determine playback environment configurations, access secure nonvolatile storage, submit data to CODECs for output, and/or perform cryptographic operations. Content can insert forensic watermarks in decoded output for tracing pirate copies. If pirates compromise a player or title, future content can be mastered with security features that, for example, block the attack, revoke pirated media, or use native code to correct player vulnerabilities. |
| US08571992B2 |
Methods and apparatus for title structure and management
A title management apparatus resident on a first computer including a memory for storing a control program and data, and a processor for executing the control program and for managing the data. The apparatus includes user data resident in the memory including a set of user security indicia. The apparatus also includes a first title object resident in the memory including a title structure, the title structure further comprising a content element, a set of attributes, and a set of title object security indicia. The apparatus further includes a set of stub objects coupled to the title object, wherein the set of stub objects can further optimize the title structure; an authorization structure configured to selectively redeem the content element based at least in part of the user security indicia; and, a title management structure configured to associate a user with the first title object based at least in part of the user data and the title attributes. |
| US08571989B2 |
Decoding systems with a decoding engine running on a mobile device and coupled to a social network
A decoding system has a decoding engine running on a mobile device. The decoding engine decodes signals produced from a read of a first party's financial transaction card, accepts and initializes incoming signals from a read of a first party's financial transaction card, and detects a read of the first party's financial transaction card. The transaction engine receives as its input decoded first party's financial transaction card information from the decoding engine, and serves as an intermediary between the first party and a second party, so that the first party does not have to share his/her financial transaction card information with the second party. A social network is in communication with the transaction engine. |
| US08571988B2 |
Electronic money system, electronic money terminal device, and information card
An electronic money system includes a plurality of electronic money terminals for withdrawing a sum of money which is spent by a user from money data which has been deposited into an information card. Utilization-history data including the number of times the information card has been utilized, and accumulated in the information card is read out at the time when data relating to the spent money is also withdrawn from the information card. Utilization-history data read out from each of the electronic money terminals are gathered and coordinated, so as to coordinate and tabulate the utilization-histories of the information card which has been utilized on any of the plurality electronic money terminals. |
| US08571983B1 |
Gift card combination
Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for enabling gift card combination. An exemplary apparatus is configured to: receive information associated with a first gift card; associate the first gift card with an account; receive information associated with a second gift card; associate the gift card with the account; and enable combining the first gift card and the second gift card into an asset determined by a user of the account. |
| US08571982B2 |
Capacity customization for fraud filtering
A multi-stage filtering process and system for fraud detection is disclosed. The multi-stage filtering process allows for the ability to dynamically increase/decrease server capacity, as well as application capacity to support fraud detection activities. The system monitors the queues of the transactions being made using various channels, and responds by adjusting the server and application resources needed for performing pre-filtering on the transactions in the queues. The invention allows for the fraud detection systems to maintain the capacity necessary to examine, at some level, if one or more of the transactions being processed by a financial institution are potentially fraudulent. The capacity can be changed during times of high and low volumes, thus allowing the allocation of resources based on transaction volume, which reduces the computing, energy, labor, etc. costs associated with fraud detection systems without losing the ability to detect almost all of the fraudulent transactions occurring. |
| US08571980B1 |
System, method and computer program product for transferring money
A system, method and computer program product are provided for transferring money. In use, requests from a plurality of senders are received utilizing a network. Each request is utilized for transferring money from a first account associated with a corresponding sender to a single second account associated with the receiver. In addition, a queue of the requests is displayed to the receiver. Further, the money is transferred to the single second account. The first account and the single second account are each associated with at least one first entity independent from a second entity that receives the requests and displays the queue of such requests. |
| US08571978B2 |
Method and system for providing assurance and financing services
A system for conducting commercial transactions between buyers and sellers is disclosed. The system includes a transaction processing system for facilitating payment for transactions between buyers and the sellers. In addition to the buyer and the seller, the transaction processing system also interacts with issuers and acquirers. The transaction processing system monitors and manages payment information relating to transactions conducted between buyers and sellers. Using such information, the transaction processing system further offers a number of additional financing services including, for example, buyer payment assurance, buyer bank payment assurance, buyer bank payable discounting, buyer bank payable discount aggregation, seller/receivable financing and seller bank receivable discount aggregation. |
| US08571977B2 |
Method and system for providing seller bank receivable discounting aggregation services
A system for conducting commercial transactions between buyers and sellers is disclosed. The system includes a transaction processing system for facilitating payment for transactions between buyers and the sellers. In addition to the buyer and the seller, the transaction processing system also interacts with issuers and acquirers. The transaction processing system monitors and manages payment information relating to transactions conducted between buyers and sellers. Using such information, the transaction processing system further offers a number of additional financing services including, for example, buyer payment assurance, buyer bank payment assurance, buyer bank payable discounting, buyer bank payable discount aggregation, seller/receivable financing and seller bank receivable discount aggregation. |
| US08571975B1 |
System and method for sending money via E-mail over the internet
A method and system for transferring money from a sender to a receiver utilizing a computer network such as the Internet. The sender visits a web site and identifies, to-the server over the Internet, the receiver, an e-mail address of the receiver, an amount of money to be transferred and a withdraw account from which money is to be transferred. The withdraw account can be a checking account, a checking account secured by a credit card account, or a credit card account. Money is transferred from the withdraw account and preferably deposited into a holding account. The server automatically sends an e-mail to the receiver, over the Internet, to inform the receiver that the sender has transferred money and to request the receiver to visit the web site of the server to receive money. The receiver visits the web site of the server in response to the e-mail and identifies a deposit account to which money is to transferred. |
| US08571974B1 |
Methods and systems for automated data collection and analysis
A method for processing documents in a database having at least one record therein. Asset-related data contained on at least one document is reviewed pursuant to securitization of multiple assets. The at least one of the multiple assets comprises a commercial mortgage loan. The document is received into the database on a flow basis including receiving information from the document into the database as the document information becomes available for entry into the database. The flow basis includes collecting data from the document independently of an end use of the document. The contents of the document are analyzed to ensure compliance with at least one standard. The output data is provided from the record in the database. The output data includes at least data related to multiple assets associated with a securitization of the multiple assets. System, computer readable memory, and computer readable memory storage embodiments also are provided. |
| US08571965B2 |
Techniques for reducing delta values of credit risk positions in online trading of credit derivatives
Techniques for reducing delta values of credit risk positions in online trading of credit derivatives are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, a method for reducing delta values may comprise: receiving, in an online trading system of credit derivatives, a plurality of credit risk positions submitted by a plurality of trader clients, each credit risk position having a delta value and a maturity date, wherein each trader client's submission is unknown to other trader clients: identifying, from the plurality of trader clients, at least two trader clients who hold offsetting credit risk positions on at least two maturity dates; determining delta offsets to be applied to delta values of the credit risk positions held by the at least two trader clients and having the at least two maturity dates, such that an overall delta of each of the at least two trader clients' credit risk positions remains substantially unchanged after the application of the delta offsets; calculating, based on the determined delta offsets, notional amounts of credit derivative trades needed to realize the delta offsets; and executing the credit derivative trades among the at least two trader clients. |
| US08571962B1 |
Systems and methods for automatically reinvesting certificate of deposits with an increase of the investment
A system implemented on one or more computer processors may comprise at least one subsystem configured for automatically purchasing a first certificate of deposit for an investor for a specified amount of money having a predetermined term, at least one subsystem configured for waiting a predetermined period of time no longer than the term of the first certificate of deposit, at least one subsystem configured for automatically purchasing another certificate of deposit for an investor for the specified amount of money and having the same predetermined term, at least one subsystem configured for repeating actions for which each subsystem above is configured until a second specified amount of money has been spent. |
| US08571960B1 |
System and method for allocation to obtain zero activity in one or more selected aggregated deposit accounts
A method, program product and system, the comprising: one or more computers, configured for accessing databases comprising: aggregated deposit account information for a plurality of FDIC-insured interest-bearing aggregated deposit accounts held in depository institutions participating in program, and client account information; obtaining via an internet interface transfer data; allocating first amount to and/or from one depository institution, comprising: selecting sub-set of aggregated deposit accounts to deposit or to withdraw funds, while avoiding withdrawing funds for a respective sub-period one or more of other aggregated deposit accounts based on criteria; allocating funds to an aggregated deposit account held in one or more other depository institutions; allocating second fund amount from client accounts among the aggregated deposit accounts to substantially match the first amount; generating data for instructions to transfer funds to or from the sub-set of depository institutions. |
| US08571959B2 |
System and method for coalescing market data at a network device
A network device coalesces data received from an exchange, and provides a user with the opportunity to receive fewer, but up-to-date, data updates from an exchange when duplicate prices become available or a large volume of prices becomes available suddenly. Accordingly, the trader can be assured of receiving non-duplicated prices that are fed at a rate that is cohesive with that trader's connection speed. The present invention is designed to conserve on bandwidth thereby increasing the likelihood that bandwidth will be available to receive desirable market information. |
| US08571954B2 |
Customer exposure view and income statements (cevis)
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method comprises receiving a request to aggregate data associated with a customer. The method determines a first identifier associated with the customer that identifies the customer and a second identifier that identifies a household associated with the customer. Data associated with the second identifier is aggregated and communicated in response to the request. |
| US08571952B2 |
Automated transaction machine
An automated retail terminal in which a plurality of goods and/or services are provided in an integrated system. The integrated system generally avoids duplicating hardware or functions in the course of delivering the goods or services offered, so for example in a combination ATM and Internet kiosk the same credit card or smart card reader is used for both the ATM and the Internet kiosk functions, the same control screen activates the ATM functions and the Internet functions, and etc. |
| US08571946B2 |
Creation of export file to facilitate creating and updating of affiliate website
The present disclosure is directed to techniques for creating an export file comprised of product codes retrieved from a Vendor Website. A search of the Vendor Website is conducted based on a keyword list created by a registered affiliate and product codes are acquired including graphic data and descriptive text for products obtained in the search. A unique identification code is inserted into the product codes, which are stored in a products database and displayed along with manually activatable editing buttons which allow the registered affiliate to edit the products database. The edited products database forms the export file to be used in creating and/or updating an affiliate website. |
| US08571944B2 |
System of distributing commissions within a relationship network
A system for distributing commissions within a relationship network comprising a network manager, at least one network affiliate that has an affiliate relationship with the network manager, and at least one network member that has a member relationship with the network manager, wherein a transaction between a network affiliate and a network member generates a commission by the network affiliate, a first portion of the commission being retained by the network manager, a second portion of the commission being distributed to the transacting network member, and a third portion of the commission being distributed as a donation to at least one donation beneficiary that promotes environmental or social concerns that is external to the relationship network. |
| US08571943B2 |
Systems and methods for providing transferable item prices
Systems and methods are provided to associate a transferable item price with a first consumer and to determine that a second consumer is entitled to purchase an item in exchange for payment of an amount based on the transferable item price. In one embodiment, the first consumer arranges to purchase an item at a first price. The merchant transmits a transferable item price code to the first consumer. The first consumer sends the transferable item price code to the second consumer, such as by including the transferable item price code in an e-mail message. The second consumer transmits the transferable item price code to the merchant to establish that he or she is entitled to purchase the item at the first price. |
| US08571942B2 |
Method of product demonstration
A method of demonstrating an appliance by customizing a multimedia presentation in real time based on the consumer information. |
| US08571939B2 |
Two phase payment link and authorization for mobile devices
Aspects of the invention are directed to a two phase payment link and authorization method and system for mobile devices. A method for payment and authorization according to an embodiment includes: requesting and receiving, at a mobile device, a transaction identifier from a payment service; displaying the transaction identifier on a display of the mobile device, wherein the transaction identifier is in a machine readable format; scanning the transaction identifier at a point of sale system; sending the transaction identifier and transaction information associated with items to be purchased from the point of sale system to the payment service; creating, at the payment service, a logical link between the mobile device and the point of sale system, based on the transaction identifier; and sending the transaction information from the payment system to the mobile device. |
| US08571936B2 |
Dynamic integration and non-linear presentation of advertising content and media content
Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for dynamic integration and non-linear presentation of advertising content and media content. The method includes receiving a request for media content; combining the requested media content and advertising content to provide an interactive advertising unit; and transmitting the interactive advertising unit for presentation on the remote computing device, wherein the advertising content and media content are presented concurrently. The interactive advertising unit includes a first content layer including the requested media content and a media player, a second content layer including the advertising content, and an integration module for coordinating interaction between the layers. Coordinating interaction between the layers includes: managing the spatial presentation of the requested media content and the advertising content, synchronizing the temporal presentation of the requested media content and the advertising content, and controlling the presentation priority of the requested media content and the advertising content. |
| US08571932B2 |
Using search query information to determine relevant ads for a landing page of an ad
Advertisers can generate revenue (or credits) from an advertising network by allowing relevant ads to be shown with their properties (e.g., a document such as a Web page), and allow an ad delivery system to serve relevant ads. For example, the advertiser document may include at least one supplemental advertisement determined using search query information entered earlier by a user device. As another example, the advertiser document may include at least one supplemental advertisement determined using a correlation or association of the advertiser's advertisement and the supplemental advertisement. |
| US08571930B1 |
Strategies for determining the value of advertisements using randomized performance estimates
Strategies are described for conducting an advertising campaign using a cost-per-transaction (CPT) pricing model. In this model, the advertiser is charged when an end-user takes some express action in response to viewing the advertisement, such as by clicking on the advertisement, purchasing the advertised asset, performing a registration procedure, and so forth. Various solutions allow for the computation of the expected value of a CPT advertisement when there is a scarcity of data pertaining to the actual performance of the CPT advertisement. |
| US08571929B2 |
Non pre-approved channel filtering for card acquisition
Information can be shared across a pre-approved (PA) channel and a non pre-approved (NPA) channel to reduce unnecessary offers of a transactional instrument or transactional instrument upgrade to prospects. All prospects listed in the NPA channel that have been evaluated in the PA channel may be removed from a NPA offeree list. This may be done by matching the NPA prospect list with a list of prospects who have been evaluated in the PA channel. The list of prospects evaluated in the PA channel may include, for example, prospects who were pre-approved for an offer as well as prospects who were considered for a pre-approved offer but who were denied the offer. Prospects in the NPA channel that are removed from the NPA offer list may be dropped from further NPA processing, as such prospects are either unprofitable or do not meet a transactional account company's standards for credit. |
| US08571926B2 |
System and apparatus for linking multiple rewards programs to promote the purchase of specific product mixes
A method and system for linking multiple pre-existing reward programs is disclosed. The method includes receiving information about a first pre-existing reward program for a first product, where the first reward program provides for a first reward, and receiving information about a second pre-existing reward program for a second product, wherein the second reward program provides a second reward. A combination reward program is provided, and the combination reward program provides a combination reward that is greater than each of the first reward and the second reward. |
| US08571924B2 |
High performance personalized advertisement serving by exploiting thread assignments in a multiple core computing environment
A method, apparatus and computer program product for high performance advertisement serving by exploiting processor thread assignments in a processor having multiple threads. The method commences by receiving digital advertisements, an instance of the digital advertisement being associated with a plurality of decision trees (to relate a user to an advertisement), where the evaluation of a decision tree results in a tree score. After determining a number of cores within the processor, the decisions trees are assigned to processor cores or processor threads by iteratively assigning to a next one of the number of cores, a next decision tree, and iteratively accumulating a plurality of the tree scores to form a tree score subtotal. The tree score subtotals can be compared quantitatively to rank a first digital advertisement against a second digital advertisement, and a ranked advertisement displayed to a user. Some decision trees comprise demographic, behavioral and context quantifiers. |
| US08571923B2 |
Advertisements driven by user
Systems, methods and computer-storage media are provided for distributing advertising content with improved accessibility for users and with a reduced-cost architecture for the web site provider. An advertising service directory (ASD) intercepts advertising requests containing registered words and phrases so that their location can be determined in a data structure. Through user profile, web site preference or additional information in the reference data structure, the delivery format of the content can also be detected. The request is then forwarded to the provider, removing the need for the first web site provider to actually serve the advertising content. Users can use a phrase or format in order to “push” for advertising content. Thus, brand names and products can be accessible without the need to bid for ad placement. The effectiveness of advertising across many platforms can be increased by offering users an easier-to-remember retrieval method. |
| US08571921B1 |
E-commerce price index
An e-commerce price index is constructed and maintained based on consumer actions in connection with one or more e-commerce websites. A data collector software module collects information regarding products sold or available for sale online, including a price and rate of clicks received for each product on the website(s). An index software module analyzes the collected information to construct the price index. Specifically, the index software module scrubs the collected information to remove outliers and fill in gaps and calculates a click-weighted average price by product category and day. The index module generates the price index by aggregating and normalizing the calculated click-weighted average prices. The index software module can compute the e-commerce price index on a virtually real-time basis. Thus, the e-commerce price index can provide useful information about online pricing trends far earlier than traditional indices. |
| US08571918B2 |
Estimation of transit demand models for enhancing ridership
A method of estimating a transit demand graph includes collecting conditional information that includes at least one condition that when satisfied converts at least one non-rider into a rider, generating a non-rider transit demand graph by satisfying one of the conditions, and generating a normalized transit demand graph from the non-rider transit demand graph and a rider transit demand graph. The riders use public transit and the non-riders do not use public transit. The non-rider transit demand graph shows the demand of the non-riders for a public transit route. The rider transit demand graph shows the demand of riders for the same public transit route. |
| US08571914B2 |
Executing a business process by a standard business process engine
Executing a business process can include providing a context data object including a payload data structure for storing a payload data and automatically splitting an annotated context data object into one or more utility data objects. Responsive to creating a second utility data object, a pre-processing task can be injected into the business process, the pre-processing task using a copy of a first mapping to read data from the predefined data structure instance and to store the read data as payload data in the payload data structure of the first utility data object. Responsive to creating a third utility object, a post-processing task can be injected into the business process. The post-processing task can use a copy of the second mapping to write the payload data of the first utility data object to elements of a predefined data structure instance. |
| US08571911B1 |
Facility life management method
An improved method of selecting and planning the performance of various maintenance activities on a facility such as a nuclear power plant includes determining the net present value of a number of future net savings that are expected to result from performance of the maintenance activity at a given time, and selecting and planning the maintenance activities in a fashion that maximizes net present value. The method includes, for each of a number of components and a number of time periods, determining a change in the probability that a component will fail within a time period, with the change resulting from an assumption that a maintenance activity is performed. The change in probability is multiplied with the losses associated with a failure in order to determine a gross savings from which costs are subtracted to determine net savings. The probabilities of failure may be determined from a probability failure model that has been derived from multiple sets of failure data that are characterized by Weibull distributions and are mathematically combined according to Bayes' Theorem. The maintenance activities may also be optimized according to a number of budget figures. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed. |
| US08571909B2 |
Business intelligence system and method utilizing multidimensional analysis of a plurality of transformed and scaled data streams
A method is provided for qualifying and analyzing business intelligence. At a first part of a data management system receives first, second and third streams of data. The first stream is client provided source data, the second is public source data and the third is data management system internal data previously collected and managed source data in the data management system. The three streams of data are organized into items and their attributes at the data management system. The source data is transformed at a data warehouse where it becomes normalized. Logic is applied to provide multi-dimensional analysis of transformed source data relative to a scale for at least one business intelligence. The data warehouse includes updated data from the multi-dimensional analysis. A user interface communicates with the data management system to create statistical information that illustrates impact over time and value. |
| US08571908B2 |
Allocating commodity shelves in a supermarket
A method of and a system for allocating commodity shelves including obtaining shopping paths of customers, classifying the customers according to a predetermined standard, determining one or more shopping paths adopted by more customers in each kind of customers as frequent shopping path(s) of this kind of customers, calculating a see-buy rate of a commodity for each class of customers. The see-buy rate of a commodity for a class of customers refers to a probability to purchase the commodity for the class of customers. Calculating a shelf where each commodity in a set of commodities is located when the total expected benefits for set of commodities are maximized during a certain period of time. The total expected benefits include a sum of an expected benefit for the each commodity based on the see-buy rate and the frequency shopping path when each commodity is located in its own shelf. |
| US08571907B2 |
Systems and methods for weather-based estimation, auditing, and exception reporting
Weather information from one or a variety of locations is used to estimate costs for providing weather-dependent work, to audit weather-dependent work allegedly performed, and to improve billing and provide exception reporting for unbilled weather-dependent work such as snow removal and landscaping. A variety of stand-alone and networked computer systems, sensors, weather information sources, and historical data are used to provide such functions. To estimate costs to perform weather-dependent work at a first location, a weather information source providing weather information relating to a second location estimated to have weather similar to weather occurring at the first location is located, and a correlation is made between the weather information and a history of weather-dependent work at the first location to generate an estimated need for future weather-dependent work at the first location. Current weather information is used to perform auditing of invoiced work and to perform exception reporting. |
| US08571906B2 |
Monitoring the progress of a task set within a hierarchy
A system for monitoring a flow of related tasks by supervisors of an organization stores information that defines a hierarchy within an enterprise, the hierarchy including a tree structure where each of a plurality of supervisors is placed in a supervisory position over one or more subordinates and each supervisor is sub ordinate to at most one other supervisor. The system also assigns a task for each of the plurality of supervisors to perform, wherein performing the task by a first supervisor depends in part on completion of the task by each of the one or more respective subordinates. The system also determines if one or more subordinates are causing a delay in the progress towards completion of the task within the hierarchy. The system further generates a report identifying the subordinates, if any, who are causing a delay in the task completion progress. |
| US08571901B2 |
Automated self-storage reservation and management system
An automated self-storage reservation and management system is disclosed. The system enables customers to make a reservation for a self-storage unit, view a map for a storage facility, enter or update customer information, make a payment, view payment history and print receipts. Facility personnel can utilize the system to manage inventory and client accounts, generate reports, track sales, vacancies and delinquencies. The automated system preferably includes a communications feature that enables facility personnel to communicate with each other or with customers regarding customer accounts. Upon the occurrence of a predetermined event, the system automatically generates notices to customers or facility personnel. |
| US08571900B2 |
System and method for processing data relating to insurance claim stability indicator
The invention relates generally to data analysis, and to systems and methods for the computation of the volatility of a loss. The system comprises a module for receiving a data parameter, a database for storing the parameter, a computerized predictive model, and a business logic processor for executing the predictive model. The volatility is used to, among other things, determine an appropriate work flow for handling the loss. |
| US08571898B2 |
Computerized method, apparatus and system for issuing surety bonds
A method, system and apparatus for obtaining a bond is disclosed. The invention employs a computer system that has a work station in communication with a server to provide information on a contractor that is required by a surety over the computer system. The server is provided with owner/obligee information concerning a bond over the network A surety is selected to provide the bond and the identity of the surety is presented over said computer network. The type of bond sought is identified. Approval of the bond is requested over the computer network and a decision on the bond request is obtained over the network. The approval decision includes an authorization code that is presented at a bid letting along with the contractor's bid. The authorization code permits an owner/obligee to view an approved bond through the computer network. |
| US08571894B1 |
Method and process for obtaining consent to access and populate a personal health record
An electronic method and system for obtaining consent to access and populate a personal health record is disclosed. The system and method allows healthcare providers to obtain consent and automatically create and/or populate a personal health record chosen by a patient. The system and method also allows for information from billing records concerning the patient or the patient's visit to be extracted to create a billing file which can be electronically sent for importing into the patient's personal health record. |
| US08571893B2 |
Clinical data monitoring and alarming apparatus and methods
Clinical data monitoring and alarming devices may have enhanced sensitivity by using sliding median filters on a clinical data stream. This enhanced sensitivity may be realized without introducing an increase in false negative alarm activation. |
| US08571890B2 |
System and method for generating a medical history
A system and method for generating a medical history that is determined based on the patient's medication list. Medications are taken for specific indications, i.e., disease and/or symptom, and the system includes a knowledge base of all known medications and associated indications. Preferably, an expert system allows the patient, nurse or other user, to enter all or part of the name of the patient's medications, and creates a list of probable medications by determining which of the known medications the patient most likely takes. Based on a user selected probable medication, the system creates a list of probable medical indications associated with the selected medication. Based on a user selected probable indication, the system generates a medical history for the patient. The probable medications and probable medical indications are determined preferably based on the patient's demographic data, historical data for other patients, and responses to follow-up questions generated by the system. |
| US08571889B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing incentives to physicians under an accountable care model
The present invention provides a method of providing a monetary incentive to a health care provider, typically a physician, responsible for treatment decisions of a patient with a condition during an episode of care. Once the patient identity and condition are obtained, a baseline value related to treatment of the condition can be associated. Thereafter, all the claims processed during the episode of care of the patient for the condition can be summed to obtain a total treatment cost. If the total treatment is less than the baseline value, then a monetary incentive can be provided to the provider based upon that episode of care. The healthcare provider may be a member of a managed care organization, such as an accountable care organization, and the monetary incentive may be modified based on time interval for the episode of care. |
| US08571887B2 |
Business method and system for ordering, purchasing and storing stem cells
An online business method and system enables donors or parents or guardians of donors to order and purchase stem-cells extracted from biological tissue sampled from the donor, such as, for example, cord-blood stem cells of a newborn baby, wherein the ordering process interfaces directly with the attending medical services, and the service steps include collection, extraction, preservation, containment, packaging, delivery and storage of the stem cells in a storage medium that can be cost-effectively maintained in a storage facility or by the donor, parent or guardian at home. In one embodiment, preservation is by freeze-drying, containment is in a vacuum vial, and storage is at room temperature. |
| US08571880B2 |
Personal health management device, method and system
The present invention generally provides personal health management devices, and corresponding systems and methods. The personal health management device generally include an electronic controller and at least one memory device which cooperate to store at least temporarily weight management data for managing the weight of at least one user, such as a user's weight, a user's body fat percentage, exercise data, food consumption data, or a combination thereof, obtained from at least one component for obtaining such data, such as a keypad, a body fat percentage sensor for measuring a user's body fat percentage, a scale for measuring a user's weight, an exercise machine, a food scale, etc, and a communications unit for communicating the data obtained to a healthcare provider for monitoring progress with respect to a weight management program over a communications network. |
| US08571878B2 |
Speech compression and decompression apparatuses and methods providing scalable bandwidth structure
A speech compression apparatus including: a first band-transform unit transforming a wideband speech signal to a narrowband low-band speech signal; a narrowband speech compressor compressing the narrowband low-band speech signal and outputting a result of the compressing as a low-band speech packet; a decompression unit decompressing the low-band speech packet and obtaining a decompressed wideband low-band speech signal; an error detection unit detecting an error signal that corresponds to a difference between the wideband speech signal and the decompressed wideband low-band speech signal; and a high-band speech compression unit compressing the error signal and a high-band speech signal of the wideband speech signal and outputting the result of the compressing as a high-band speech packet. |
| US08571874B2 |
Speech interactive apparatus and computer program product using output prompts and user responses
According to an embodiment, a speech interactive apparatus includes an output unit to output a first prompt; a receiving unit to receive a start instruction of a speech input as a reply to the first prompt; a response control unit to stop the output of the first prompt when the start instruction is received while the first prompt is being output; and a deciding unit to decide on a first determination period, which is used in determining whether a silent state has occurred, based on whether the start instruction is received while the first prompt is being output or based on the timing of receiving the start instruction. When the response is not input during a period starting from the reception of the start instruction till an elapse of the first determination period, the response control unit instructs the output unit to output the first prompt again. |
| US08571873B2 |
Systems and methods for reconstruction of a smooth speech signal from a stuttered speech signal
Described herein are methods, systems, apparatuses and products for reconstruction of a smooth speech signal from a stuttered speech signal. One aspect provides for accessing a stored speech signal having stuttering; identifying at least one stuttered region in the stored speech signal; modifying the at least one stuttered region in the stored speech signal; and responsive to modifying the at least one stuttered region, reconstructing a smooth speech signal corresponding to the stored speech signal. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08571871B1 |
Methods and systems for adaptation of synthetic speech in an environment
Methods and systems for adaptation of synthetic speech in an environment are described. In an example, a device, which may include a text-to-speech (TTS) module, may be configured to determine characteristics of an environment of the device. The device also may be configured to determine, based on the one or more characteristics of the environment, speech parameters that characterize a voice output of the text-to-speech module. Further, the device may be configured to process a text to obtain the voice output corresponding to the text based on the speech parameters to account for the one or more characteristics of the environment. |
| US08571870B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating synthetic speech with contrastive stress
Techniques for generating synthetic speech with contrastive stress. In one aspect, a speech-enabled application generates a text input including a text transcription of a desired speech output, and inputs the text input to a speech synthesis system. The synthesis system generates an audio speech output corresponding to at least a portion of the text input, with at least one portion carrying contrastive stress, and provides the audio speech output for the speech-enabled application. In another aspect, a speech-enabled application inputs a plurality of text strings, each corresponding to a portion of a desired speech output, to a software module for rendering contrastive stress. The software module identifies a plurality of audio recordings that render at least one portion of at least one of the text strings as speech carrying contrastive stress. The speech-enabled application generates an audio speech output corresponding to the desired speech output using the audio recordings. |
| US08571869B2 |
Natural language system and method based on unisolated performance metric
A natural language business system and method is developed to understand the underlying meaning of a person's speech, such as during a transaction with the business system. The system includes a speech recognition engine, and action classification engine, and a control module. The control module causes the system to execute an inventive method wherein the speech recognition and action classification models may be recursively optimized on an unisolated performance metric that is pertinent to the overall performance of the natural language business system, as opposed to the isolated model-specific criteria previously employed. |
| US08571867B2 |
Method and system for bio-metric voice print authentication
A method (700) and system (900) for authenticating a user is provided. The method can include receiving one or more spoken utterances from a user (702), recognizing a phrase corresponding to one or more spoken utterances (704), identifying a biometric voice print of the user from one or more spoken utterances of the phrase (706), determining a device identifier associated with the device (708), and authenticating the user based on the phrase, the biometric voice print, and the device identifier (710). A location of the handset or the user can be employed as criteria for granting access to one or more resources (712). |
| US08571865B1 |
Inference-aided speaker recognition
Systems, methods performed by data processing apparatus and computer storage media encoded with computer programs for receiving information relating to (i) a communication device that has received an utterance and (ii) a voice associated with the received utterance, comparing the received voice information with voice signatures in a comparison group, the comparison group including one or more individuals identified from one or more connections arising from the received information relating to the communication device, attempting to identify the voice associated with the utterance as matching one of the individuals in the comparison group, and based on a result of the attempt to identify, selectively providing the communication device with access to one or more resources associated with the matched individual. |
| US08571863B1 |
Apparatus and methods for identifying a media object from an audio play out
In one example, a device captures a segment of audio played out over an audio source in response to a control signal from a user interface of the device. The device causes any speech of the captured segment to be converted into a text segment using a local or remote speech-to-text component. The device causes the text segment to be provided to a remote network device for analysis. In response to the providing, the device receives back a tag that identifies an electronic media object. The electronic media object may correspond to, for example, an electronic book, and the device may use the tag to purchase and download the book. The device may be configured to convert text of the downloaded electronic book to synthesized speech, and then cause the synthesized speech to be played out over a local or remote speaker. |
| US08571859B1 |
Multi-stage speaker adaptation
A first gender-specific speaker adaptation technique may be selected based on characteristics of a first set of feature vectors that correspond to a first unit of input speech. The first set of feature vectors may be configured for use in automatic speech recognition (ASR) of the first unit of input speech. A second set of feature vectors, which correspond to a second unit of input speech, may be modified based on the first gender-specific speaker adaptation technique. The modified second set of feature vectors may be configured for use in ASR of the second unit of input speech. A first speaker-dependent speaker adaptation technique may be selected based on characteristics of the second set of feature vectors. A third set of feature vectors, which correspond to a third unit of speech, may be modified based on the first speaker-dependent speaker adaptation technique. |
| US08571857B2 |
System and method for generating models for use in automatic speech recognition
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for generating a model for use with automatic speech recognition. These principles can be implemented as part of a streamlined tool for automatic training and tuning of speech, or other, models with a fast turnaround and with limited human involvement. A system configured to practice the method receives, as part of a request to generate a model, input data and a seed model. The system receives a cost function indicating accuracy and at least one of speed and memory usage, The system processes the input data based on seed model and based on parameters that optimize the cost function to yield an updated model, and outputs the updated model. |
| US08571848B2 |
System and method of network emlation for test of on-line server processing heavy traffic
In a network emulation system of the present invention, a packet transmitted from a user-mode application program is intercepted at a kernel-mode network driver and transferred to a user-mode emulation module to perform emulation, and, thereafter, the corresponding packet is returned to the network driver. The emulation module emulates a network characteristic of a multi-node environment through configuration of virtual network topology. At this time, the emulation module classifies the intercepted packets for each flow, stores the classified packets in a plurality of real queues, stores a virtual packet corresponding to the real packet in a virtual queue, and transfers the virtual packet to a virtual network including a plurality of virtual nodes to emulate the network. |
| US08571846B2 |
Electronic device and method of generating composite electrical signals
In an electronic device and a method of generating composite electrical signals, a plurality of post-processing software is installed. An output file, which comprises times and voltages of data points that represent an electrical signal, of an electronic circuit simulation software is loaded, and is read using the installed post-processing software. A time interval of outputs of the electrical signal is obtained by selecting an output type of the electrical signal. The worst bit combination of outputs of the electrical signal is analyzed according to the times, the voltage, and the time interval, and a composite electrical signal is generated according to the worst bit combination. |
| US08571845B2 |
Model-based scanner tuning systems and methods
Systems and methods for tuning photolithographic processes are described. A model of a target scanner is maintained defining sensitivity of the target scanner with reference to a set of tunable parameters. A differential model represents deviations of the target scanner from the reference. The target scanner may be tuned based on the settings of the reference scanner and the differential model. Performance of a family of related scanners may be characterized relative to the performance of a reference scanner. Differential models may include information such as parametric offsets and other differences that may be used to simulate the difference in imaging behavior. |
| US08571844B2 |
Method and system for characterizing tumors
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to determining the spatial extent, aggressiveness, and other characteristics of various types of tumors, including glioma tumors that occur in brain tissue. Various embodiments of the present invention use parameterized computational models to characterize tumor growth and employ medical imaging technologies to generate images and other types of data from which values of parameters of the computational models are derived. Having obtained the parameters for a particular tumor, the extent of the tumor is estimated, with high accuracy, and other characteristics of the tumor are derived from the parameterized computational models. |
| US08571843B2 |
Methods of hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation
A method is provided for performing a fracture treatment on a subterranean formation. The method includes acquiring subterranean formation layer geomechanical properties, which include well completion and reservoir data for the subterranean formation. The method also includes inputting geomechanical properties of the formation into a model, and simulating propagation of a network of fractures in the formation. The method further includes predicting a flow rate and pressure distribution throughout the network of fractures by solving governing deformation and flow equations, and predicting a result of the fracture treatment. The model is adjusted if the predicted result is not satisfactory. |
| US08571842B2 |
Method of determining parameter from sparse measurement data
A method of simultaneously determining multiple parameters or a parameter distribution characterizing material properties of a volume under investigation using an inversion process of sparse measurements is described including the step of defining an initial model of the volume and modifying the initial model by matching the multiple parameters or parameter distribution with the measurements using alternatingly an iterative inversion method and a probabilistic inversion method, and determining the multiple parameters or parameter distribution after one or more iterations of the alternating inversions. |
| US08571841B2 |
System and method of sub-surface system design and installation
The system and method of the present invention provides comprehensive design and installation management for agricultural water management systems. Maps and grade profiles are created from data collected by Global Positioning devices in the field. Latitude, longitude, and elevation are triangulated from GPS data to develop contour, grade, and profile maps, used to design drainage systems in real time. Customer billing information and vendor pricing information are produced from map and grade profile data. Interfacing and machine control for machines used to install drainage and/or irrigation systems are generated from contour, grade and profile data. Data is exported and imported in common file formats for efficient data exchange. |
| US08571840B2 |
Constraint reduction for dynamic simulation
Methods, program products and systems for preparing a mechanical model for a dynamic simulation. A first plurality of bodies in a mechanical model are identified including at least one grounded body and at least one free body, each of the bodies in the first plurality of bodies being related to at least one other body in the plurality of bodies by at least one constraint that removes or limits at least one degree of freedom for that body in relation to another body. The bodies in the first plurality of bodies are merged into a minimum number of rigid groups needed for a dynamic simulation where the minimum number of rigid groups includes at least one grounded group and at least one mobile group. Constraints that relate bodies within a group are removed from each of the rigid groups. |
| US08571839B2 |
System for simulating automated industrial plants
Automation technology facilities are used for automating industrial processes such as the control of conveyor belts. A high-level control device with a logical model of the plant stored in the control device is disclosed. Simulation models and control programs are generated by the control device. The generated control programs have special data blocks which contain the parameters that are to be optimized by the simulation. The generated simulation models generate the parameters as result values of the simulation evaluation algorithms and supply the values in an automated manner to the special data blocks of the generated control programs. |
| US08571835B2 |
Vibration powered impact recorder (VPIR)
A vibration-powered impact recording device that harvests power from vibrations that affect the device is provided. The recording device is affixed to an object and includes a vibration limit detection and recordation system. The system can include a suitable part that is fixed to the object, and a mass (or other suitable part) that is less firmly attached, with the relative motion between the two parts producing an electrical voltage. The electrical voltage can be used to power an information storage unit that records the details of the impact and optionally other sensors which record other parameters such as temperature, humidity etc. at the time of impact. |
| US08571833B2 |
Field device maintenance apparatus
A field device maintenance apparatus includes a field device connection unit that communicates with a field device whose operation contents are defined by parameters; a work-information acquisition unit that acquires parameter attribute information including whether or not the individual parameters are displayable and work instruction information that shows work contents; a display unit that displays one or more of the parameters of the field device depending on whether or not the individual parameters are displayable according to the parameter attribute information; an operation accepting unit that accepts a changing operation for changing one or more of the parameters displayed by the display unit; and an operation-history-information recording unit that records a history of operations accepted by the operation accepting unit. |
| US08571832B2 |
Approach for monitoring energy consumption and preventive maintenance of a system based on control loop efficiency
An approach for monitoring energy consumption and detecting preventive maintenance issues in a system having control loops and associated devices. Settling time and error value in a control loop may be indicative of the loop's efficiency. Error value may be a difference between a measurement of a parameter and a setpoint for the parameter. Degradation of a loop's efficiency may be an indication of increased energy consumption by the system. Such degradation may also be indicative of a future defect in a control loop or devices associated with the control loop. Thus, the present approach may provide for energy monitoring and preventive maintenance of the system. |
| US08571831B2 |
Determination of the gap size of a radial gap
A method for determining the size of a radial gap between rotating and torsion-proof parts, particularly the parts of a turbomachine is provided. According to the method, an original signal emitted by a transmitter device located on the surface of the rotating part is received in a modified manner by a receiver device disposed on the torsion-proof part and is redirected to an evaluation unit. The evaluation device determines and displays the size of the radial gap from the received signal by determining the parameters of the trajectory of the rotating transmitter device. |
| US08571830B2 |
Method and system for detection of collector flashover
A system, method and computer program product for predicting collector flashover is disclosed. The method includes receiving a frame of measured data from a data acquisition system, fitting a statistical model to the measured data wherein the measured data includes a plurality of measured variables measured at multiple time instances. The statistical model and the measured data are used for estimating one or more parameters for the frame wherein the one or more parameters include at least one of field circuit impedance and field current noise. A flashover is predicted based, at least in part, upon the one or more estimated parameter for the frame. |
| US08571828B2 |
Method and computer readable media for determining orientation of fibers in a fluid
One aspect of the present invention provides a method for determining orientation of fibers in a fluid having polymer chains, characterized in that the determining of the orientation of the fibers is performed by taking into consideration an interaction between the fibers and the fluid, wherein the interaction between the fibers and the fluid comprises changes in configuration of the polymer chain to cause the entanglement or adsorption between the fibers and the polymer chains. Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for determining orientation of fibers in a fluid having polymer chains, the fibers in the fluid including a transitional movement and a rotatory movement, the method being characterized in that the determining of the orientation of the fibers is performed by taking into consideration a steric barrier effect on a rotary movement of the fibers. |
| US08571827B2 |
Smart footwear and operating method thereof
Smart footwear includes: a film type insole sensor measuring a change of force applied by a user's foot, as a resistance value; an acceleration sensor measuring an acceleration value according to a change in the motion of the user's foot; and a microcontroller estimating the user's current condition and the quantity of motion based on the resistance value and the acceleration value, and generating user condition information and quantity of motion information. |
| US08571825B2 |
Design-dependent integrated circuit disposition
A method of integrated circuit (IC) disposition includes the steps of determining one or more disposition criteria based at least in part on statistical timing of a given IC design; and determining whether a given IC according to the given IC design satisfies the one or more disposition criteria based at least in part on one or more measurements of at least one test structure. |
| US08571821B2 |
Method for determining the closing time of an electromagnetic fuel injector
A method for determining the closing time of an electromagnetic fuel injector including the steps of applying at a starting time of the injection a positive voltage to the coil of the electromagnetic actuator in order to circulate through the coil an electric current which causes the opening of an injection valve; applying at an ending time of the injection a negative voltage to the coil in order to annul the electric current flowing through the coil; detecting the trend over time of the voltage across the coil after the annulment of the electric current flowing through the coil; identifying a perturbation of the voltage across the coil; and recognizing the closing time of the injector that coincides with the time of the perturbation of the voltage. |
| US08571820B2 |
Method for calculating energy efficiency of information technology equipment
The present invention provides a METHOD TO CALCULATE AN ENERGY EFFICIENCY RATING for information technology equipment. This method specifically pertains to information technology equipment that doubles its capabilities in a predetermined timeframe according to Moore's Law. This method uses a formula to calculate an energy efficiency rating based on power consumption and transactions per second. It further calculates a normalized rating where the absolute rating is adjusted based on Moore's Law prediction of improvements. As a result the method invented is the first and only method to compare information technology from various generations of hardware, processor and component architecture with each other in terms of their energy efficiency. |
| US08571819B2 |
Coriolis mode processing techniques
Flowmeters are described in which a sensor signal received from a sensor that is attached to vibratable flowtube, so as to determine properties of a fluid within the flowtube, contains a drive signal component and a Coriolis mode component. The flowmeters are operable to determine drive parameters of the drive signal component, as well as Coriolis parameters of the Coriolis mode component. By analyzing the sensor signal based on the drive signal parameters, and not on the Coriolis signal parameters, the flowmeters are able to provide stable and accurate determinations of the properties of the fluid. |
| US08571816B2 |
Electromagnetic flow meter
Gain switching is performed by a DC amplifying circuit. The DC amplifying circuit is provided with individual gain generating circuits and a gain selecting circuit, and saturation preventing circuits are provided in earlier stages than the individual gain generating circuits. The individual gain generating circuit generates a gain G1, the individual gain generating circuit generates a gain G2 (where G2>G1), and the individual gain generating circuit generates a gain G3 (where G3>G2). The gain selecting circuit selects, as a used gain generating circuit, one of the individual gain generating circuits, and sends the output thereof to an A/D converting circuit in a later stage. A gain switching instruction is sent to the DC amplifying circuit, which controls the enabling/disabling of the saturation preventing operations of the saturation preventing circuits and the selecting operation for the gain selecting circuit, to prevent the occurrence of saturation in the individual gain generating circuits that generate higher gains than the gain generated by the used gain generating circuit. |
| US08571813B2 |
Fiber optic sensor system for detecting surface wear
One or more optical fibers (20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D), each with a second end (21) with a phosphor (26) disposed in a substrate (32) at a given depth (Dn) below a wear surface (34). A first photonic energy (52) is injected into a first end (19) of the optical fibers. The phosphor (26) emits a second photonic energy (54) into the fiber in response to the first photonic energy (52) incident on the phosphor from the fiber. When wear removes the phosphor (26) from one or more fibers, a detector (48, 49) detects a proportional reduction of the second photonic energy, indicating that wear has reached the given depth. A band-pass optical filter (46) may block wavelengths of the first photonic energy (52) from reflecting into the detector. The substrate temperature may be determined using a temperature-dependent emission of the phosphor. |
| US08571812B2 |
Method for mapping oxygen concentration
A method for determining the oxygen concentration of a sample made of a semiconductor material includes a heat treatment step of the sample to form thermal donors, the measurement of the resistivity in an area of the sample, the determination of the thermal donor concentration from a relation expressing the charge carrier mobility according to an ionized dopant impurity concentration, by adding to the dopant impurity concentration four times the thermal donor concentration, and from the measured resistivity value. The method finally includes determining the oxygen concentration from the thermal donor concentration. |
| US08571804B2 |
Disease treatment by predicting drug association
The present invention relates to methods for drug repositioning. More particularly, this invention relates to methods for selecting approved drugs or combinations of approved drugs for use in new therapeutic indications. This approach is situated in a cross section between drug repositioning and disease treatment by combinations of drugs with additive or synergistic action. The invention also allows to define drugs or drug combinations for treating the unmet medical need in diseases neglected by majority of Pharma companies, such as orphan diseases. |
| US08571802B2 |
Method for determining optimum intraocular locations for drug delivery systems
A method for determining the optimum location for placement of an intraocular implant containing used to treat an ocular condition, particularly implants comprised of a biodegradable polymer and a therapeutic agent for the treatment of retinal tissue. |
| US08571800B2 |
User interactive actual time networked survey system
A method for providing user interactive actual time networked surveying is disclosed. In one embodiment, a network connection is established between a survey instrument and a central computing device. In addition, a user session is established with the central computing device. Survey measurement data obtained with the survey instrument is transmitted to the central computing device. In addition, correction data from a virtual reference station (VRS) is received at the central computing device. The user session is allowed to direct the processing of the received survey measurement data including one or more real time kinematic calculations at the central computing device. The output of the processing of the received survey measurement data is provided to one or more authorized devices having a connection to the central computing device, the output provided in a concrete and tangible format. |
| US08571799B2 |
Method for cost effective sampling and characterization of heterogeneous unconventional hydrocarbon regions
A methodology improves sampling and characterization of heterogeneous, unconventional hydrocarbon-bearing regions. The methodology is designed to integrate consistently across measurements and scales. Additionally, the methodology involves characterizing various scales, such as regional-scale heterogeneity, wellbore-scale heterogeneity, core-scale heterogeneity, sample-scale, and pore-scale heterogeneity. The results are integrated across the multiple scales based on results obtained from the characterization of the scales. The methodology further comprises determining data propagation across the multiple scales in a hydrocarbon-bearing region. |
| US08571795B2 |
Navigation apparatus and navigation information calculation method
A navigation apparatus includes: a section that calculates a mobile object's acceleration in the direction of the motion, based on the mobile object's speed calculated from information received from a satellite; a section that calculates lateral acceleration whose direction is perpendicular to the mobile object's motion, based on the mobile object's speed and direction calculated from information received from the satellite; an acceleration sensor that observes motion acceleration of the mobile object and gravity acceleration; a section that calculates an altitude difference of road based on an atmospheric pressure value supplied from a barometric sensor; a section that calculates an inclination angle of the road in the direction of the motion, based on the altitude difference and a travel distance corresponding to the mobile object's speed; and a section that calculates an attachment angle of the acceleration sensor with respect to the mobile object by using a multidimensional function formula. |
| US08571790B2 |
Method for switching reference map data in navigation device, computer readable medium for the same, and navigation device
A method for switching a reference map data in a navigation device having a map data memory for storing a plurality of map data, the navigation device executing a navigation function with using a first map data among the plurality of map data stored in the map data memory as the reference map data, the method includes: reading out a second map data from a memory medium; determining whether the map data memory already stores a same map data as the second map data; and switching the reference map data from the first map data to the same map data as the second map data when the map data memory already stores the same map data as the second map data in the memory medium. |
| US08571789B2 |
Navigation system
A navigation system includes: an angular velocity sensor 1 for detecting a change in an advancement direction of a vehicle; a vehicle azimuth calculation unit 13 for calculating a vehicle azimuth on the basis of angular velocity sensor information obtained from the angular velocity sensor; an on-board camera 2 for shooting a periphery of the vehicle; an image recognition unit 19 for recognizing an image obtained from the on-board camera; and an offset voltage correction unit 21 for performing a drift correction on the angular velocity sensor in accordance with an angle error between the vehicle azimuth calculated by the vehicle azimuth calculation unit and a vehicle azimuth determined from a white line on a road recognized by the image recognition unit. |
| US08571787B2 |
Dynamic routing
An apparatus and method for providing navigation information via electronic equipment includes dynamically displaying a first route from a current location to a desired location; and dynamically displaying a second route to at least one point of interest. The first route is automatically displayed at a first zoom level, and the second route is automatically displayed at a second zoom level, wherein the first and second zoom levels are independent of one another. The apparatus and method can further use electronic equipment to identify at least one point of interest along a planned route, including comparing a user selected characteristic to at least one characteristic of a plurality of potential points of interest, said potential points of interest being within a predetermined range of the planned route; and identifying as a point of interest any of the plurality of potential points of interest that have at least one characteristic that satisfies the user selected characteristic. |
| US08571785B2 |
Universal tracking air-fuel regulator for internal combustion engines
A fuel control system of an engine system comprises a pre-catalyst exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) sensor, a setpoint generator module, a sensor offset module, and a control module. The pre-catalyst EGO sensor generates a pre-catalyst EGO signal based on an air-fuel ratio of an exhaust gas. The setpoint generator module generates a desired pre-catalyst equivalence ratio (EQR) signal based on a desired EQR of the exhaust gas. The sensor offset module determines an offset value of the pre-catalyst EGO sensor. The control module generates an expected pre-catalyst EGO signal based on the desired pre-catalyst EQR signal and the offset value. |
| US08571784B2 |
Method for controlling a fuel injector of a diesel engine
A method for controlling a fuel injector of a diesel engine having a predefined control time from a control start, in which a setpoint value of a combustion start of a combustion chamber charge of the diesel engine is ascertained. The method is characterized in that an ignition delay between the control start and the combustion start is estimated from performance parameters of the diesel engine using a computing model, and the control start is formed on the basis of the setpoint value of the combustion start and the estimated ignition delay. A control unit controls the sequence of the method. |
| US08571783B2 |
Controlling cylinder mixture and turbocharger operation
A method for controlling differences in exhaust gas residual amount for a two cylinder bank engine having at least one turbocharger is presented. In one example, the description includes a method for adjusting valve timing to reduce cylinder exhaust gas residual variation. |
| US08571777B2 |
Independent trailer sway controller
An independent trailer sway controller and method for mitigating trailer sway. The independent trailer sway controller is a modular unit swappable between different trailer types. The independent trailer sway controller includes a trailer length input for receiving length data indicating a length of the trailer and a sway sensor for measuring sway movement of the trailer. The independent trailer sway controller also includes a trailer sway detector module that receives the length data and sway data and determines a level of trailer sway based on the length data and sway data. If the level of trailer sway exceeds the predetermined threshold, a brake controller outputs control signals that activate trailer brakes, which are part of an electric brake system or hydraulic brake system. |
| US08571770B2 |
Automatic transmission control system and control method
Automatic transmission control system and control method have the functions or steps of: controlling shifting of an automatic transmission installed on a vehicle, in one of an automatic shift mode in which shifting of the automatic transmission is carried out based on a shift diagram, and a manual shift mode in which shifting of the automatic transmission is manually carried out; detecting at least one shift command of an upshift command for shifting up the automatic transmission and a downshift command for shifting down the automatic transmission, the shift command being manually entered; measuring a shift command time for which the shift command is detected; and switching from the automatic shift mode to a shift inhibition mode in which shifting of the automatic transmission is inhibited, without switching to the manual shift mode, based on the measured shift command. |
| US08571769B2 |
Control method of the position of a solenoid valve using dithering
The present subject matter includes a control method to position a solenoid valve using dithering. The control method provides the steps of: determining a target current across the solenoid valve which is expressed in digital form with a given minimum quantization interval, adding a dithering square wave to the target current, controlling the voltage applied to the solenoid valve to cause the current across the solenoid valve to track the target current added to the dithering square wave, jiggling the dithering square wave with a frequency which is a sub-multiple with respect to the maximum variation frequency of the current across the solenoid valve, and varying the amplitude of the dithering square wave. |
| US08571767B2 |
Method of controlling a friction clutch in a motor-vehicle transmission
The method comprises the steps of: storing a curve or characteristic of torque transmitted by the friction clutch as a function of the position of the clutch, calculating a desired value of the torque to be transmitted by means of the clutch, and modifying the position of the clutch so as to bring it to the position to which the desired transmitted torque value corresponds according to the stored curve or characteristic, upon the occurrence of predetermined operative conditions, estimating the value of the torque transmitted by the clutch, by means of an algorithm, as a function of the detected instantaneous values of the torque delivered and of the angular velocity of the shaft of the engine, and detecting the corresponding instantaneous position or estimate position of the clutch, and then modifying the previously stored curve or characteristic in accordance with predetermined procedures in dependence on the difference between the estimated value of the torque transmitted and that value of the torque transmitted which corresponds to the estimate position according to the previously stored curve or characteristic. |
| US08571766B2 |
Controlling a digging operation of an industrial machine
Systems, methods, devices, and computer readable media for controlling a digging operation of an industrial machine that includes a dipper and a crowd drive. A method includes determining an acceleration associated with the industrial machine, determining a crowd retract factor based on the acceleration, comparing the crowd retract factor to a threshold crowd retract factor, setting a crowd speed reference and a crowd retract torque for the crowd drive for a period of time based on the comparison of the crowd retract factor to the threshold crowd retract factor. |
| US08571763B2 |
Construction vehicle provided with work equipment
The construction machine includes a propulsion device, the working equipment, and a controller that controls the propulsion device. The controller performs attitude determination of determining whether or not the present attitude of the working equipment corresponds to a predetermined attitude, performs propulsion determination of determining whether or not the present propulsive operation of the propulsion device corresponds to a predetermined propulsive operation performed while performing a predetermined construction task that applies an over load to the working equipment, performs driving force determination of determining whether or not the magnitude of the present propelling force corresponds to a predetermined magnitude at which an over load is applied to the working equipment, and reduces the propelling force outputted from the propulsion device when the results of attitude determination, propulsion determination, and driving force determination are affirmative. |
| US08571762B2 |
Real time method for determining the spatial pose of electronic mining shovels
Knowing the global pose of mining excavators provides a range of benefits for managing and automating mining operations. A method for globally locating the pose of an electric mining shovel is described. The system takes measurements from an arbitrary number of RTK-GPS antennas mounted on the machine house and a resolver fitted to the machines' swing axis. A Kalman filter is used to produce estimates of the global locations pose. |
| US08571759B2 |
Electric power steering compensation for vehicles
Methods and systems are provided for controlling steering in a vehicle having an electric power steering system (EPS) with a steering wheel, the EPS configured to attenuate smooth road shake (SRS) for the vehicle. A first relationship is determined between a torque of the steering wheel and motions of the steering wheel while free of SRS excitation. A second relationship is determined between the torque and the motions with SRS excitation. A mapping is generated based on the first relationship and the second relationship via a processor for use in adjusting steering control. |
| US08571756B2 |
Wheel suspension for a vehicle
Wheel suspension for vehicle, with support, steering knuckle connected in articulated manner with the support via interconnected joints, a vehicle wheel rotatably supported on the steering knuckle, a connecting element extending between a first joint and a second joint which is connected in an articulated manner via the first joint to the steering knuckle and via the second joint to the support, an angle detection device , for measuring the rotation angle of one of the joints and for generating an angle signal characterizing the rotation angle, an evaluation device, for evaluating the angle signal, and which is coupled with the angle detection device. The connecting element is a chassis actuator with an adjusting means, with which the length of the chassis actuator and thereby the position of the vehicle wheel is varied. The length of the chassis actuator is determined with the evaluation device by evaluating the at least one angle signal. |
| US08571754B2 |
Securable cover for vehicle lights and method
A cover for use in connection with one or more vehicle lights is provided. A lens of the cover contains an electrically activatable material that prevents the transmission of visible light from entering into and reflecting out from the one or more vehicle lights when the electrically activatable material is set to a light inhibiting state. A device holds the lens with the device configured to be releasably or removably secured over one or more vehicle lights. The electrically activatable material of the lens is configured to get to the light inhibiting state such that the lens prevents the transmission of visible light from entering into and reflecting out from the one or more vehicle lights to reduce the observability of the one or more vehicle lights. |
| US08571751B1 |
Method and apparatus for data acquisition, data management, and report generation for tractor trailer subsystem testing and maintenance
Techniques for operating, testing, and generating a testing report for the electrical and air subsystems of a vehicular trailer, without the use of an associated truck tractor are disclosed. The system includes a portable testing unit with self-powered electrical and air subsystems which are interconnected to the corresponding subsystems of the vehicular trailer under test. The portable testing unit can be rolled about on a stand and functions as a mini-truck tractor, in the sense that it selectively provides electrical power and air to the VUT. The testing unit is controlled by a small, portable hand held radio frequency remote control that communicates test and data signals to a radio receiver in the portable testing unit. The system acquires testing data from both automatic and manual means from disparate sources. The system stores the testing data and automatically generates testing reports. The system manages the testing data and generated reports. |
| US08571750B2 |
Diagnostic tool with advanced diagnostic capabilities
A diagnostic tool for a vehicle, includes a signal translator communicating with the vehicle in at least one protocol, an input unit for inputting information, a processor controlling a software according to the input information and communication with the vehicle, the processor controlling a recording of diagnostic data of the vehicle through the signal translator, a memory storing a software including a database controlled by the processor, the memory storing baseline data of the vehicle and recorded diagnostic data in the database, the processor comparing the stored baseline data and recorded diagnostic data, and a display unit displaying information according to the comparison between the stored baseline data and recorded diagnostic data. The comparison can also be made on a separate computer storing the baseline data and receiving the recorded data from the diagnostic tool. |
| US08571744B2 |
Guidance method for agricultural vehicle
An automated method and system includes an automatic guidance system (AGS) and swath pattern. The AGS steers a vehicle towing a rotary baler in an “S”, or oscillatory pattern around a predetermined approximate centerline of the swath path. The oscillatory pattern may be user defined. By steering the vehicle in an oscillatory pattern referenced to the A-B line, a windrow of crop material may be distributed into an even and optimal bale size and density by the baler. Bale chamber sensors detect an imbalance of crop density and in response, AGS adjusts an interval or amplitude of oscillatory pattern. |
| US08571740B2 |
Vehicle system for varied compliance benefits
Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that is subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a possible consequential result related to a user-selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding administrative compliance states and their respective benefits, as well as regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode. |
| US08571739B2 |
Drive system for a plug-in hybrid motor vehicle
A drive system for a plug-in hybrid motor vehicle, having an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a high-voltage source, in particular a high-voltage battery which has a minimum setpoint state of charge, a generator, a clutch, at least one transmission, at least one drive axle and a control unit, with the internal combustion engine being mechanically connected to at least one drive axle, with a first drive mode, “depleting mode”, and a second drive mode, “sustaining mode”, being provided in the control unit, with a third drive mode, “increasing mode”, which can be manually activated being provided, said third drive mode providing a load point increase at the internal combustion engine in such a way that the high-voltage source can be charged during driving and therefore the first drive mode can be activated. |
| US08571737B2 |
Hybrid vehicle and control method thereof
A hybrid vehicle which runs on power from at least one of an electric motor and an engine. When a required output exceeds a sum of an output of the electric motor which is driven by electric power supplied from a battery and an output of the engine while the hybrid vehicle is running on a drive mode in which at least the engine works as a drive source with a clutch engaged, a transmission ratio changing unit increases a ratio of electrical transmission to mechanical transmission of the output of the engine, and an engaging/disengaging control unit releases the clutch at a time point when the mechanically-transmitted output of the engine becomes 0, with the clutch engaged. |
| US08571736B2 |
Method for operating a drive device of a motor vehicle and drive device for a motor vehicle
A method for operating a drive device of a motor vehicle, which includes at least one internal combustion engine and at least one electric machine, a driving resistance, in particular an uphill gradient, being ascertained and the internal combustion engine being operated as a function thereof. The internal combustion engine is operated as a function of a driving resistance to be expected, which is determined as a function of an instantaneous driving resistance. A drive device for a motor vehicle is also described. |
| US08571734B2 |
Power supply system for electrically powered vehicle and method for controlling the same
A power supply system includes a main power storage device and a plurality of sub power storage devices. A converter is connected to selected one of the sub power storage devices to convert voltage between the selected sub power storage device and an electric power feeding line bidirectionally. In the case of a switching-forced region where the SOC of the selected sub power storage device in use is lower than a lower limit reference value, the sub power storage device is forced to be switched regardless of the vehicle's state. In contrast, in the case of a switching-permitted region where the SOC is higher than that in the switching-forced region, a switch request is generated based on the vehicle's state under the condition that does not influence the vehicle's drivability. |
| US08571733B2 |
Hybrid vehicle and method for controlling the same
A power supply system includes a main power storage device and a plurality of sub power storage devices. A converter is connected to a selected one of the sub power storage devices to convert voltage between the selected sub power storage device and an electric power feeding line bidirectionally. In response to decrease in SOC of the selected sub power storage device being used, a request to switch the sub power storage device is generated and accordingly a switching process for a relay is performed. Here, while a process for starting or stopping an engine is being performed, the request to switch will not be generated even when decrease in SOC is detected. Likewise, while a process for switching the sub power storage device is being performed, the process for starting or stopping the engine will not be started even when a request to start or stop the engine is generated. |
| US08571731B2 |
Hybrid vehicle qualification for preferential result
Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that may be subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a possible consequential result related to a user-selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode. A further aspect may provide correlation between a selective operation mode of an electric/combustion hybrid vehicle during an applicable travel period and a preferred consequential result available to a qualified recipient associated with the hybrid vehicle. |
| US08571729B2 |
Wind calculation system using a constant bank angle turn
A method and apparatus for operating an aircraft. The aircraft is flown at a constant bank angle in which the aircraft crosses an intended ground track for the aircraft. Information is identified about a wind using positions of the aircraft flying at the constant bank angle. |
| US08571727B1 |
Energy-angular momentum closed-loop guidance for launch vehicles
An improved method for launch vehicle guidance is disclosed. A pre-computed energy-angular momentum (E-J) curve to place a launch vehicle into a target orbit is received and stored. An energy, angular momentum, radial distance, velocity magnitude, and flight path angle of the launch vehicle are computed from state vector data while the launch vehicle is traveling to the target orbit. The pre-computed E-J curve and the computed energy, angular momentum, radial distance, velocity magnitude, and flight path angle of the launch vehicle are used to determine pitch and pitch rate of the launch vehicle. |
| US08571726B2 |
Method for reducing outside air inflow required for aircraft cabin air quality
A method for calculating an aircraft fuselage leakage calculation of an aircraft is provided. The method comprises determining a calculation period for an aircraft fuselage leakage value and inputting the calculation period into a computer to obtain a first input data. The method further comprises obtaining one or more outside air inflow rates and inputting the one or more outside air inflow rates into the computer to obtain a second input data. The method further comprises obtaining one or more air outflow rates and inputting the one or more air outflow rates into the computer to obtain a third input data. The method further comprises accumulating the first input data, the second input data, and the third input data in the computer to obtain an accumulated input data. The method further comprises processing the accumulated input data with a process software to obtain an output data in the form of a calculated aircraft fuselage leakage value. The method further comprises sending the output data to a data file. The method further comprises using the calculated aircraft fuselage leakage value to calculate an aircraft fuel savings potential value. |
| US08571723B2 |
Methods and systems for energy management within a transportation network
A method includes determining whether use of an energy management system (EMS) associated with a vehicle traveling in a transportation network is allowed within a region of the transportation network. The EMS obtains a trip plan for the vehicle that designates operational settings of the vehicle as a function of at least one of distance or time along a trip of the vehicle. The method also includes determining whether the EMS is being used by the vehicle when the vehicle is within the region, and sending a message to an off-board location when the EMS is not being used by the vehicle within the region. |
| US08571721B2 |
Power metadata transfer over power lines
The transfer and usage of a modulated carrier signal within a power signal on a power line communication system is described. The modulated signal comprises metadata which is transmitted at a different frequency than the transmitted power. The metadata, including such elements as energy costs, providers, renewable source status and originating location, may be used by consumers to make subsequent purchasing decisions. Additionally, the energy costs of any given computer node commonly distributed in a grid architecture may be collected by a workload dispatcher in order to make more accurate cost and energy source based dispatch decisions. The consumer may be able to communicate directly back to the power provider. The use of computer-readable medium and product containing instructions that are implemented on a computer is also covered. Finally, the invention may be deployed on behalf of the consumer by a third party service provider. |
| US08571720B2 |
Supply-demand balance controller
A first predicting unit predicts a power demand required by each customer. A first reliability value calculator calculates the reliability value of the predictive power demand for each customer. Predicted power supply from a power system is calculated with respect to each power generating unit. A second reliability value calculator calculates the reliability value of the predictive power supply for each power generating unit. A balancing unit obtains a supply-demand margin level based on the difference between: a first weighted sum obtained by performing weighted sum on the predictive power demand and a weight depending on the reliability value; and a second weighted sum obtained by performing weighted sum on the predictive power supply and a weight depending on the reliability value. A plan creator creates a plan for controlling power used by the controllable appliance of the customer based on the supply-demand margin level. |
| US08571719B2 |
Load control system having an energy savings mode
A load control system for a building having a heating and cooling system and a window located in a space of the building controls amount of daylight entering the window in order to attempt to reduce the power consumption of the heating and cooling system, and adjusts amount of daylight entering the window if the heating and cooling system is not saving energy. A motorized window treatment of the load control system is operable to move a fabric covering the window in a first direction, and a temperature control device is operable to subsequently determine if the heating and cooling system is consuming more energy than when the fabric was in the initial position. The motorized window treatment then moves the fabric in a second direction opposite the first direction if the heating and cooling system is consuming more energy than when the fabric was in the initial position. |
| US08571716B2 |
Integration of LED lighting with building controls
An LED-based light can be installed in a conventional light fixture. The LED-based light can include a sensor operable to output a first signal indicative of whether an area of one or more of the rooms is in an occupied state or a non-occupied state, and the LED-based light can also include an LED controller operable to control at least one LED in the light in response to the first signal. Additionally, the LED-based light can include a transmitter operable to output a second signal indicative of whether the area is in the occupied state or the non-occupied state to a building environment regulator. |
| US08571711B2 |
Modular robotic crawler
A modular robotic crawler can be formed by intercoupling a selected plurality of segment modules from a preexisting collection of differing compatible segment modules. The segment modules can have at least one intercoupleable interface. The selection can be based on a planned operational scenario of functions to be performed. |
| US08571709B2 |
Remote controlled vehicle
A method of directional drilling includes forming first and second pits on corresponding first and second sides of a barrier, forming a pilot bore from the first pit to the second pit, enlarging the pilot bore to a final bore, and extending a cable through the final bore between the first and second pits by attaching the cable to a remote controlled vehicle and driving the remote controlled vehicle through the final bore from one of the pits to the other pit. The method also includes pulling a pipeline through the final bore using the cable. |
| US08571705B2 |
Vending machine service scheduling
Techniques are provided for calculating vending machines' service priorities and scheduling the vending machines for service taking into account a number of factors and thresholds (520). In some embodiments, the machines (110) are subdivided into subroutes (320). Each subroute has one or more machines, and at least one subroute has a plurality of machines. The vending machine service schedule is generated by selecting the highest priority subroute (410) and selecting the machines in that subroute (420). Other subroutes can be selected (430, 440) if there is time left in the Service Period. |
| US08571702B1 |
Pick-to-tote optimization
Technologies are described herein for optimizing pick-to-tote operations. Each pick location for items in an inventory picking area is assigned a sequence number representing a relative position along a pick path through the inventory picking area. A number of tote pick lists are selected from a set of pending pick lists for the pick-to-tote operation, such that the range of sequence numbers across all the pick locations identified in the selected pick list is minimized. In this way, the required distance inventory personnel must travel along the pick path while picking the specified items and placing them into totes is reduced. |
| US08571699B2 |
System and method to reduce pre-back-grinding process defects
Processing defects arising during processing of a semiconductor wafer prior to back-grinding are reduced with systems and methods of sensor placement. One or more holes are bored into a chuck table for receiving semiconductor wafers, or a support table next to the chuck table. One or more sensors are disposed in the holes for monitoring parameters during a pre-back-grinding (PBG) process. A control box converts a set of signals received from the sensors. A computer-implemented process control tool receives the converted set of signals from the control box and determines whether the PBG process will continue. |
| US08571698B2 |
Simple techniques for three-dimensional modeling
Techniques which employ structure-from-motion modeling techniques to produce 3-D models of any desired accuracy of any surface I the techniques, a pattern is applied to the surface to be modeled The pattern includes elements which are unique within the pattern as applied to the surface and which have a density in the pattern such that when two-dimensional images are made of the surface, correlatable features having the density required for the desired accuracy may be extracted from the two dimensional images In one example of the techniques, a consumer may make the images required to produce a model of his or her body by donning a garment with a pattern having the necessary uniqueness and density, and then using any digital camera to take pictures of their body wearing the garment The model may then be produced from the pictures. |
| US08571696B2 |
Methods and apparatus to predict process quality in a process control system
Example methods and apparatus to predict process quality in a process control system are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving process control information relating to a process at a first time including a first value associated with a first measured variable and a second value associated with a second measured variable, determining if a variation based on the received process control information associated with the process exceeds a threshold, if the variation exceeds the threshold, calculating a first contribution value based on a contribution of the first measured variable to the variation and a second contribution value based on a contribution of the second measured variable to the variation, determining at least one corrective action based on the first contribution value, the second contribution value, the first value, or the second value, and calculating a predicted process quality based on the at least one corrective action at a time after the first time. |
| US08571693B2 |
Method, system and computer program product for management of roping contestant entries
A method is disclosed for collecting fees from, managing, and remunerating contestants in a livestock roping and/or rodeo competition. Contestants in a competition are remunerated after being eliminated in successive runs of the competition in accordance with a predetermined criteria. The remuneration may be monetary and based on total revenue generated, based on the entry price, based on the costs of travel, or in the form of commercial products, such as hardware, music productions, software and the like, as disclosed herein. The object of the present invention is to provide contestants with a way of mitigating the inherent risk of being eliminated from most roping competitions after one, two, or a short amount of runs and having to bear the complete loss of entry fees, travel, board and other incidental expenses. A further object of the present invention is to provide a way of recognizing the membership of contestants from multiple organizations in a single event provided they announce the intention of competing in an event open to all memberships before entering and winning qualifying competitions. |
| US08571690B2 |
Nonlinear model predictive control of a biofuel fermentation process
A system and method are provided for managing batch fermentation in a biofuel production process. A nonlinear control model of yeast growth and fermentable sugar concentration for biofuel (e.g., fuel ethanol) production in a batch fermentation process (pure and/or fed-batch fermentation) of a biofuel production process is provided. Process information for the batch fermentation process is received, and the nonlinear control model executed using the process information as input to determine values of one or more fermentation process variables for the batch fermentation process, e.g., fermentation temperature and/or enzyme flow, for substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations. The batch fermentation process is then controlled in accordance with the determined values for the one or more fermentation process variables to substantially maximize yeast growth and achieve target fermentable sugar concentrations, where substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations substantially maximizes biofuel production in the batch fermentation process. |
| US08571686B2 |
Fixing for implantable electrodes and catheters
The invention concerns a fixing for implantable electrodes and catheters. The object of the present invention is inter alia to provide a fixing which takes account of the different demands in the course of time of ordinary use of the implantable electrodes or catheters. For that purpose the fixing includes at least one first structural element comprising a biodegradable material, namely a biodegradable magnesium alloy. |
| US08571684B2 |
Implantable lead assembly having a position tracking sensor and method of manufacturing the lead assembly
A lead assembly of an implantable medical device includes an elongated body, electrodes on the body, and a tracking sensor located in the body. The body extends between a connector end and a leading end and has conductors disposed in the body. The connector end of the body includes terminals coupled with the conductors. The electrodes disposed on the body can be located at or near an anatomy of interest in a patient and are conductively coupled with the terminals of the body by the conductors. The electrodes are configured to sense electric activity of the anatomy of interest and/or deliver stimulus pulses to the anatomy of interest. The tracking sensor is conductively coupled with the terminals of the body by the conductors. The tracking sensor generates an electric position signal representative of a position of the tracking sensor in the heart when the body is in the patient. |
| US08571683B2 |
MRI RF rejection module for implantable lead
A high Q self-resonant inductor and method for manufacturing the same is disclosed herein for use in an implantable medical lead. The method of manufacture includes depositing a first conductive material over an elongated ceramic member and removing portions of the conductive material to leave a continuous helical metallic pattern on an elongated ceramic structure. The helical metallic pattern has a first terminal end located at a proximal end of the elongated ceramic member and a second terminal end located at a distal end of the ceramic member. The method also includes covering the helical metallic pattern with a ceramic material to form a first ceramic layer and forming vias in the ceramic material. At least one electrode is coupled to the helical metallic pattern through the vias in the ceramic material. |
| US08571682B2 |
Connecting apparatus and methods
Included herein, amongst other things, is a stimulation lead adapter. The stimulation lead adapter can include a stimulation lead socket configured to electrically engage and retain the proximal end of a stimulation lead. The stimulation lead adapter can also include an adapter plug configured to electrically engage a stimulation lead port of an implantable medical device. The stimulation lead adapter can also include a connector configured to provide electrical communication between the stimulation lead socket and the adapter plug. In an embodiment, the invention includes an implantable cardiac rhythm management device configured to perform at least one pacing system analyzer function. In an embodiment, the invention includes a programmer system for an implantable medical device, the programmer system configured to display pacing system analyzer function data within a single tabbed window of a graphical user interface. Other aspects and embodiments are also provided herein. |
| US08571681B2 |
Method for controlled shutdown of an implantable medical device
An improved implantable pulse generator (IPG) containing graceful shutdown circuitry is disclosed. A magnet sensor senses the presence of an emergency shutdown magnet. Output of the magnet sensor is conditioned by a signal conditioning circuit. Output of the signal conditioning circuit is delayed by a delay element before being fed to a power cut-off switch, which cuts-off power to the IPG circuitry. An interrupt signal is routed from before the delay element to the IPG processor as an indicator of imminent shutdown. The processor launches shutdown routine that carries out shutdown operations such as logging the emergency shutdown event, saving and closing open files, saving data from volatile memory to non-volatile memory, etc., before the power cut-off switch is activated upon elapsing of delay provided by the delay element. The magnet sensor, signal conditioning circuit, and delay element are powered separately from the rest of the circuitry of the IPG. |
| US08571680B2 |
External charger usable with an implantable medical device having a programmable or time-varying temperature set point
An improved external charger for charging the battery within or providing power to an implantable medical device is disclosed. The improved external charger includes circuitry for detecting the temperature of the external charger and for controlling charging to prevent exceeding a maximum temperature. The external charger in some embodiments includes a user interface for allowing a patient to set the external charger's maximum temperature. The user interface can be used to select either constant maximum temperatures, or can allow the user to choose from a number of stored charging programs, which programs can control the maximum temperature to vary over time. Alternatively, a charging program in the external charger can vary the maximum temperature set point automatically. By controlling the maximum temperature of the external charger during charging in these manners, the time needed to charge can be minimized while still ensuring a temperature that is comfortable for that patient. |
| US08571677B2 |
Programming techniques for stimulation with utilization of case electrode
This disclosure describes techniques that support delivering electrical stimulation via an electrode on a housing of an implantable medical device (IMD) while substantially simultaneously delivering electrical stimulation via one or more electrodes, having the same polarity as the electrode on the housing, on one or more leads engaged to the IMD. The stimulation may be constant current-based or constant voltage-based stimulation in the form of pulses or continuous waveforms. Delivery of stimulation via both a housing anode and one or more lead anodes, for example, may allow a user to control current paths between the housing electrode and the lead electrode(s) in a relative manner to achieve different electric or stimulation field shapes. |
| US08571670B2 |
Mimicking neural coding in retinal ganglion cells with short pulse electrical stimulation
A method, device and system for stimulating visual tissue, typically in the retina or visual cortex, to achieve an artificial percept of light or image. The method includes providing stimulating electrodes suitable for placement in proximity to the visual tissue and generating a series of short-duration stimulation signals having a duration of less than about 0.5 milliseconds each. The short-duration stimulation signals are applied through the stimulating electrodes with varying frequencies that are substantially matched to a spiking range of frequencies of at least one ganglion cell for perceiving brightness or image. |
| US08571667B2 |
Active current control using the enclosure of an implanted pulse generator
An electrical stimulation apparatus including a medical device. The medical device includes: a housing component having at least one electrically conductive area. The medical device includes a plurality of conductors configured to be electrically coupled to a distal electrode array. The electrode array are implantable in a human body. The medical device includes a stimulation circuit positioned inside the housing component. The stimulation circuit includes a plurality of controllable stimulation channels. A first subset of the stimulation channels is electrically coupled to the conductors. A second subset of the stimulation channels is electrically coupled to the electrically conductive area of the housing component. The stimulation circuit is operable to simultaneously create a first stimulation path in the electrode array and a second stimulation path that extends from the electrode array to the housing component. |
| US08571661B2 |
Implantable medical device responsive to MRI induced capture threshold changes
Energy delivered from an implantable medical device to stimulate tissue within a patient's body is controlled. An electrical signal used to stimulate the tissue is changed from a first energy state to a second energy state during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. The energy delivered is maintained at the second energy state after the MRI scan. A capture threshold of the tissue is then measured, and the energy delivered to the tissue is adjusted based on the measured capture threshold of the tissue. |
| US08571656B2 |
Ventricular pacing to augment atrial natriuretic hormone production
Intermittent delivery of ventricular pacing pulses synchronized to occur during an atrial diastole time period can be used to provide atrial stretch therapy and augment the production and release of atrial natriuretic hormone. |
| US08571654B2 |
Vagus nerve neurostimulator with multiple patient-selectable modes for treating chronic cardiac dysfunction
A vagus nerve neurostimulator system with multiple patient-selectable modes for treating chronic cardiac dysfunction is provided. An implantable neurostimulator includes a pulse generator coupled to a therapy lead terminated by a pair of helical electrodes positioned over a cervical vagus nerve. The pulse generator is configured to deliver through the helical electrodes continuously-cycling, intermittent and periodic electrical stimulation that is parametrically defined to bi-directionally propagate through nerve fibers in the cervical vagus nerve. The implantable neurostimulator includes a magnetic switch configured to switch the pulse generator between a plurality of operating modes that are each separately selectable in response to a unique and remotely-applied magnetic signal. An external controller includes patient-actuatable controls configured to enable selection of one of the operating modes of the pulse generator. The external controller includes an electromagnetic transmitter configured to output the magnetic signal uniquely associated with the operating mode as selected with the controls. |
| US08571652B2 |
Adaptive determination of patient specific optimal AV delay during elevated heart rates based on cardiac output measurements
Adaptively creating a table of optimal, patient-specific atrioventricular (AV) delays for a an implantable medical device (IMD) begins as the IMD detects the patient entering a target heart rates within a defined range of elevated heart rates. On detection, the device begins testing AV delays by pacing the heart at a number of different AV delays. The IMD selects the optimal AV delay based on a comparison of measurements of cardiac output obtained during each delay's test pacing period. The optimal AV delay corresponds to the one which resulted in the highest cardiac output. The device selects this optimal AV delay and stores it in an AV delay table on the device. The process continues as the device detects the patient entering the other target heart rates in order to complete the table. |
| US08571647B2 |
Impedance based anatomy generation
Methods and systems for determining anatomical information based on signals measured by multiple, spatially distributed electrodes on a catheter are disclosed herein. In some examples, methods and systems disclosed herein can include causing current to flow between at least some of the electrodes, measuring an electrical signal at each of one or more measuring electrodes, and determining anatomical information based on the measured signals. |
| US08571645B2 |
System and method for evaluating cardiovascular performance in real time and characterized by conversion of surface potential into multi-channels
A system and method for evaluating cardiovascular performance in real time and characterized by conversion of a surface potential into multi-channels are introduced. The system includes an electrocardiographic signal measuring unit, a reconstruction unit, and a parameter computation and assessment unit. The reconstruction unit reconstructs electrocardiographic signals (ECG signals) recorded by the electrocardiographic signal measuring unit, such that the ECG signals are reconstructed as ones located at different spatial positions but actually not having a channel. The method includes calculating a variation manifested spatially during an interval between a Q wave and a T wave of an ECG signal against time with a parameter computation and assessment algorithm, to evaluate its discreteness degree and thereby diagnose cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and locate lesions thereof. |
| US08571644B2 |
Method, computer readable medium, and system for analyzing ECG morphology and time series
A method and apparatus for analyzing characteristics of ECG signal data having a succession of waveforms produced by the beating of the heart. ECG signal data is obtained from a patient. A depolarization feature and a second feature of the waveforms of the ECG signal data are determined. Waveforms of the ECG signal data having a stable heart rate are selected for use in determining the second feature. Waveforms selected are those having minimum depolarization feature standard deviation and minimum depolarization feature dispersion. The depolarization feature and second feature for the heart beats of the selected waveforms are displayed. |
| US08571642B2 |
Pre-ejection interval (PEI) monitoring devices, systems and methods
Provided herein are implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, for monitoring a patient's pre-ejection interval (PEI). A signal indicative of cardiac electrical activity and a signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume are obtained. One or more predetermined features of the signal indicative of cardiac electrical activity and the signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume are detected. The patient's PEI is determined by determining an interval between the predetermined feature of the signal indicative of cardiac electrical activity and the predetermined feature of the signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume. |
| US08571639B2 |
Systems and methods for gating medical procedures
A method of performing physiological gating in a medical procedure includes acquiring a sequence of images having at least a first image and a second image of a target region, determining a first composite image based on the first and second images, and gating a medical procedure based on the composite image. A method of performing a medical procedure includes providing a plurality of templates, each of the templates having an image and treatment data, acquiring an input image, registering the input image with one of the templates, and performing a medical procedure based on the treatment data of the one of the templates that is registered with the input image. |
| US08571637B2 |
Patella tracking method and apparatus for use in surgical navigation
An apparatus for use in tracking movement of a patella through a range of motion during a surgical navigation procedure, comprising a frame fixed in relation to the patella, a patella trial component associated with the frame for fixing the frame relative to the patella, and a reference array configured to attach to the frame, the reference array having first, second and third markers, the first, second and third markers being detectable by a surgical navigation system when exposed to a measurement field of the surgical navigation system. |
| US08571634B2 |
Method to diagnose and measure vascular drainage insufficiency in the central nervous system
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, may be caused or aggravated by insufficient venous draining from the central nervous system. Functional MRI measures the surge of blood flow into localized regions of cerebral cortex in response to activation of those regions by performing visual, auditory or executive tasks. These fMRI measurements are based on blood-oxygen-level dependence. The resulting fMRI/BOLD data is converted to hemodynamic response data and analyzed to determine any abnormality in the hemodynamic response data. Vascular drainage insufficiency is identified in the presence of abnormal hemodynamic response data. Abnormal hemodynamic response data can be determined by a negative trough in a graph of the HDR data or by the duration, depth, or area of the negative trough. |
| US08571632B2 |
Open architecture imaging apparatus and coil system for magnetic resonance imaging
Apparatus and method for using radio frequency coil systems for magnetic resonance imaging within an open architecture apparatus is provided. The MRI coil system includes a support structure with an open architecture in which secondary support structures, compression systems and plates containing RF coil systems may be introduced. These structures and RF coils can be moved relative to the patient, or removed entirely from the system. In one embodiment the system consists of a tabletop coil system, while another embodiment consists of a dedicated stretcher design. |
| US08571631B2 |
Method for contrast-agent-free angiographic imaging in magnetic resonance tomography
A method for contrast-agent-free non-triggered angiographic imaging in magnetic resonance tomography that includes the steps of (S1) 2D or 3D measurement of a bodily region having a flow of blood, using a flow-insensitive SSFP sequence, (S2) measurement of the same bodily region using a flow-sensitive SSFP sequence, (S3) registration of the measurement results obtained in steps S1 and S2 to one another, (S4) unweighted or self-weighted subtraction of the registered measurement result obtained in step S2from the registered measurement result obtained in step S1, (S5) execution of a 2D or 3D image correction of the image obtained in step S4by removing image distortions caused by gradient field inhomogeneities and/or magnetic basic field inhomogeneities, and (S6) representation of the angiogram obtained in step S5 in the form of an MIP or segmented 2D or 3D vessel tree representation. |
| US08571629B2 |
Detection of deception and truth-telling using fMRI of the brain
Methods for deriving an indication of truth or deception are disclosed. Some methods include (a) monitoring the activation of a plurality of regions of a subject's brain, while the subject responds to questions and (b) measuring one or more physiological parameters while the subject responds to questions and combining the results of (a) and (b) to form a composite evaluation indicative of truth or deception in the subject's response. Another method further includes (c) measuring one or more behavioral components while the subject responds to questions and then combining the results of (a), (b), and (c) to form a composite evaluation indicative of truth or deception in the subject's response. Methods for scoring, weighting, and combining the measurements for (a), (b), and (c), and combinations thereof, are also disclosed. |
| US08571625B2 |
Transcutaneous analyte sensor
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host. |
| US08571611B2 |
System and method for wirelessly providing multimedia
System and method for wirelessly providing multimedia. A system includes a headset and a wireless communications device. The wireless communications device controls the operation of the headset with transmissions over a first wireless network. The headset includes a first ear piece, a second ear piece, and a connecting piece. The first ear piece has a first speaker, a first network interface to send and receive transmissions over the first wireless network, a second network interface to receive transmissions over a second wireless network, and a connecting piece. The connecting piece is coupled between the first ear piece and the second ear piece. The connecting piece includes a wire to electrically couple the second ear piece, the first ear piece, and the second network interface and to receive transmissions over the second wireless network. The wire may be made to any length since it may be embedded inside the connecting piece. |
| US08571608B2 |
Entering a battery power down mode using over-the-air command for wireless devices
A wireless electronic device includes a rechargeable battery, a receiver, and a shut down module. The rechargeable battery is at least partially charged. The receiver is configured to enable wireless communications for the wireless device. The receiver is capable of receiving wireless commands configured to cause corresponding functions to be performed in the wireless electronic device, which may include test functions, calibration functions, and shut down functions. The shut down module is configured to cause the wireless electronic device to initiate a shut down protocol according to a shut down command received by the receiver. |
| US08571606B2 |
System and method for providing multi-modal bookmarks
A system for enabling multi-modal bookmarks comprises a bookmark repository coupled to two browsers. A user bookmarks content using a first browser, and a bookmark is stored in the bookmark repository. The user subsequently uses a second browser and requests that the bookmark be de-referenced to point the second browser to the bookmarked content. The second browser accesses the bookmark in the content repository and is directed to the bookmarked content. The first and second browsers may be visual and voice browsers that render Wireless Markup Language (WML) and Voice Extensible Markup Language (VXML) content, respectively, wherein a mapping is provided that links a given piece of visual content to an equivalent piece of voice content. |
| US08571602B2 |
Universal mobile print agent
Methods and apparatus for enabling output from a mobile device are described herein. A mobile device having an image capture device can selectively generate a hard copy output of a captured image by interfacing with an output device. The mobile device can selectively interface with the output device directly or indirectly via one or more intermediate devices and/or systems. The mobile device can interface directly with an output device using a wired or wireless connection, and can selectively operate as a host or client. The mobile device can selectively couple the stored image to a remote output device via a wireless connection. The mobile device can select the remote output device from a predetermined list of devices, or can be supplied a dynamic list of remote output devices. The dynamic list of output devices can be updated, for example, based on a location of the mobile device. |
| US08571598B2 |
Method and apparatus for location-based wireless connection and pairing
A method for wireless communication between a first device and a peripheral device comprises providing a storage device adapted to store communication information for the peripheral device and being readable by the first device, the storage device being spatially separated from the peripheral device. The method also comprises positioning the device so that the first device can read communication information for the peripheral device before communicating with the peripheral device. An apparatus comprises a storage device including data for wireless communication between a first device and a peripheral device within a location, the apparatus being positioned in or near the location and adapted for storing communication information for the peripheral device. The communication information can be read by the first device, allowing the first device to communicate with the peripheral device. |
| US08571597B2 |
Mobile information terminal executing application program
In order to control the resetting operation, a mobile phone is provided with a CPU capable of executing an application program, a power switch to receive an instruction for switching power between the ON state and the OFF state, and a reset detecting circuit to output a resetting signal for rebooting the CPU when the power switch is closed for a predetermined period of time. The CPU outputs a state signal denoting either a resettable state or a non-resettable state of the CPU. The reset detecting circuit includes an AND element to output to a resetting circuit a high signal (resetting signal) on condition that the state signal denotes the state of the CPU as resettable. The resetting circuit outputs to the CPU a low signal (resetting signal) upon input of the high signal (resetting signal) from the reset detecting circuit. |
| US08571595B2 |
Method and system for adjusting WLAN radio receiver gain in a wireless device
A method for adjusting a gain level for a receiver of a first radio simultaneously operational with a transmitter of a second radio, comprising: determining a signal-to-noise ratio (“SNR”) value for signals received by the receiver from an access point (“AP”); and, when the first radio is associated with the AP and the transmitter is not transmitting, if the SNR value exceeds a SNR threshold, reducing the gain level for the receiver from an initial level and initiating transmission from the transmitter, otherwise maintaining the gain level for the receiver at the initial level and initiating transmission from the transmitter; wherein the SNR threshold is a SNR value above which beacon signals from the AP can be successfully received by the receiver. |
| US08571588B2 |
Method and apparatus for conferencing of text messages
A system and method are provided which provide a text messaging conference among at least three users who communicate on different first communication channels. A message initiated by a first user is received on one of the first communication channels. The message seeks to initiate a text message conference and includes identities of a plurality of additional users to participate in the messaging conference. Conference participants are identified by a two part identifier, which allows a single participant to participate in multiple ongoing simultaneous conferences. |
| US08571587B2 |
Methods and devices for including a plurality of users in a conversation over a communication network
Methods and devices are disclosed for including a plurality of users in a conversation over a communication network. A conversation is initiated when a text message is received requesting the conversation. A conversation is established using conversation gateways currently unused by users to be included in the conversation. Communication may occur across gateways in order to conserve conversation gateway resources. |
| US08571585B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for updating a terminal profile
A method, system and apparatus for maintaining a terminal profile of a mobile communication device. The system comprises a first network node operable to establish with the mobile communication device a wireless data path, to send to the mobile communication device via the wireless data path a terminal profile modification instruction and to receive from the mobile communication device via the wireless data path an acknowledgment. The terminal profile is communicated to a subscriber identity module operable to compare pending instructions to the terminal profile in order to identify and forward authorized instructions. |
| US08571584B1 |
Delivery of voice data from multimedia messaging service messages
Delivering the content of an audio-only Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) message to a recipient without requiring the recipient device to be MMS-enabled. A sender creates an MMS message, and sends it to the device of the intended recipient. If the recipient device is not MMS-enabled and the MMS message contains only audio content, the message is conveyed to a message server, where the audio content is transcoded and stored in an IVR system or other location accessible to the recipient. If the intended recipient device supports the SMS protocol, an SMS notification alerting the recipient to the arrival of a new message is transmitted. If the recipient device is neither MMS- nor SMS-enabled, the recipient can be alerted of the receipt of an MMS message by voicemail, email, instant message, page, or another medium able to effect delivery. The notification includes instructions for accessing the message from the IVR system. |
| US08571582B2 |
LTE smart paging list
A device receives, at a particular time, instructions to send a page to user equipment. The device determines, based on a paging list, if the user equipment is associated with a particular serving base station for the particular time. When the user equipment is associated with the particular serving base station for the particular time, the device sends the page to the user equipment via the particular serving base station. When the user equipment is not associated with a serving base station for the particular time, the device sends the page to the user equipment via all base stations associated with a tracking area list for the user equipment. |
| US08571580B2 |
Displaying the location of individuals on an interactive map display on a mobile communication device
Embodiments of a location-based social network manager process are described. The process is executed on a server computer coupled to a plurality of mobile communication devices over a wireless network. Each mobile device is a location-aware mobile communication device. The process determines the geographic location of a mobile communication device operated by a user within an area, displays a map representation of the area around the mobile communication device on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device, and superimposes on the map the respective locations of one or more other users of mobile communication devices coupled to the mobile communication device over the network. The user can build a database of friends among the one or more other users whose location can be displayed on each respective mobile communication device. A privacy function allows a user to define who among his or her network of friends can view the location information of the user on their mobile communication devices. Messaging and alert functions using the communications capability of the mobile device can incorporate the location information resulting in interaction among users based on user identity as well as relative position to one another. |
| US08571574B2 |
System and method for providing wireless network services using three-dimensional access zones
A system and method for providing wireless network services using three-dimensional access zones is provided. One or more sensors may determine signal strength information, distance, or other positional information for wireless devices. An agent may provide information relating to fixed wireless reference points, and may control underlying operating systems for the reference points based on policies defined by a manager. For example, the manager may be coupled to the sensors and to the agent, and may define a three-dimensional coordinate system for a managed environment. By collecting information from the sensors and the agent, the manager may triangulate three-dimensional locations of the wireless devices, and may enforce three-dimensional access zone policies for the wireless network via the agent. |
| US08571572B2 |
System and method for providing friend's location information
A system and method of providing friend location information is provided. More particularly, when a friend appears in a region desired by a user, it is possible to track a travel route of the friend and display for the user a map where the travel route is marked and thereby enable the user to understand preferred places of the friend. |
| US08571569B2 |
Base transceiver station and channel rate control method based on radio quality, channel quality and CPU load
To provide a base transceiver station and channel rate control method for enabling the base transceiver station to execute stable processing in a radio communication system compliant with an HSDPA communication scheme, a base transceiver station 5 compliant with high speed downlink packet access is comprised of a Uu rate calculating section 16 that obtains radio quality between a radio access network 2 and a mobile terminal 6, a Ui rate calculating section 15 that obtains channel quality between the station 5 and a radio network controller 4, a CPU utilization measurement function section 17 that measures the CPU utilization of the station 5, and a CA calculating section 14 that calculates a permissible data amount using the radio quality, channel quality and CPU utilization. |
| US08571561B2 |
Connection switching between a plurality of access technologies
A mobile communication method according to the present invention includes: transmitting, from a mobile station (100) to an access node (200) in a first radio access technology, a connection request signal including a desired call type for communication and a radio access capability of the mobile station (100); determining, at the access node (200) in the first radio access technology, whether or not to perform handover to a second radio access technology on the basis of the desired call type for communication and the radio access capability of the mobile station included in the connection request signal; and transmitting, from the mobile station (100) to an access node in the second radio access technology, a connection request signal, when it is determined that the handover to the second radio access technology is to be performed. |
| US08571560B1 |
Selecting a wireless access point based on status information
What is disclosed is a method of operating a wireless communication device. The method includes detecting a plurality of beacon signals, wherein each of the plurality of beacon signals is associated with each of a plurality of wireless access nodes. The method also includes receiving status information from each of the plurality of wireless access nodes, wherein the status information comprises a modulation level of a wireless link associated with each of the plurality of wireless access nodes. The method also includes selecting one of the plurality of wireless access nodes based on at least the modulation level of the wireless link associated with the one of the plurality of wireless access nodes, modulating user communications based on the modulation level of the wireless link associated with the selected one of the plurality of wireless access nodes, and exchanging the modulated user communications with the selected one of the plurality of wireless access nodes. |
| US08571558B1 |
Mobile communication device initiated hand-off based on air interface metrics
A mobile communication device wirelessly transfers user communications to a first wireless base station. The mobile communication device determines a first metric based on a load indicator for the first base station. The mobile communication device identifies a second wireless base station and determines a second metric based on a load indicator for the second base station. If the second metric is superior to the first metric, the mobile communication device determines if the second base station has sufficient performance characteristics for communication with the device. If the performance is sufficient, the mobile communication device initiates a hand-off from the first base station to the second base station. The mobile communication device may use additional factors to determine the first and second metrics. |
| US08571557B2 |
Relay station and base station
A relay station is capable of relaying communication between a radio communication terminal and a base station, and includes a communication quality acquisition unit which, when communication between the radio communication terminal and the base station is relayed, acquires communication quality in communication between the self-station and the radio communication terminal; an interference determination unit, which determines whether the communication between the self-station and the radio communication terminal is receiving interference based on the acquired communication quality; and an interference notification unit which, if it is determined that the communication is receiving interference, notifies the base station of interference information informing of the interference in order to prompt handover of a radio communication terminal, which is communicating with the base station. |
| US08571553B2 |
Methods and apparatus for resolving pilot pseudorandom noise code conflicts in a communication system
Automated PilotPN code conflict resolution using an access point with the assistance of one or more access terminals is disclosed. An exemplary method includes determining a set of access points, as well as determining a set of PilotPN codes used by the set of access points. Detection is then made concerning whether at least two access points of the set of access points have conflicting PilotPN codes. A first PilotPN code is allocated to one of the at least two access points having conflicting PilotPN codes. Additionally, one or more other PilotPN codes, which are distinct from the first PilotPN code, are allocating to remaining access points of the at least two access points having conflicting PilotPN codes. Corresponding apparatus and other exemplary methods are also disclosed. |
| US08571550B2 |
Managing access control to closed subscriber groups
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate managing access control to Closed Subscriber Groups (CSGs) in a wireless communication environment. A user equipment (UE) can store an operator CSG list, which can be read only and controlled by an operator. Further, the operator CSG list can lack synchronization to a CSG subscription for the UE retained in the network. Thus, upon selecting to access a CSG cell associated with a CSG with a corresponding CSG Identifier (ID) included in the operator CSG list of the UE, a reject message that indicates that the UE lacks authorization for the CSG can be received. Moreover, the CSG ID can be stored as a forbidden CSG ID of the UE in a set of forbidden CSG IDs in response to receipt of the reject message when the CSG ID is included in the operator CSG list. |
| US08571544B2 |
System with wireless earphones
A system comprising a wireless network adapter and a pair of earphone. The wireless network adapter is external to a digital audio player and configured to connect to the digital audio player via an audio jack of the digital audio player. The wireless network adapter is for encoding analog audio received from the digital audio player into digital format and wirelessly transmitting the digitally-formatted audio. The pair of earphones is in direct wireless communication with the wireless network adapter and are configured to be worn simultaneously by a user. Each earphone in the pair of earphones comprises: (i) a transceiver that is for receiving the digitally-formatted audio from the wireless network adapter via the wireless network, and converting the digitally-formatted audio received via the wireless network to analog audio signals; and (ii) at least one acoustic transducer connected to the transceiver, wherein the at least one acoustic transducer is for outputting the analog audio signals. |
| US08571542B2 |
Mobile communication device, service network, and methods for MDT log reporting
A mobile communication device and an associated method for MDT log reporting are provided. The method can be used in the mobile communication device which communicates with a service network through a first signaling radio bearer and a second signaling radio bearer. The method first receives a request message on the first signaling radio bearer from the service network, and then determines whether the request message requests for an MDT log. At last, the method transmits a response message containing the MDT log on the second signaling radio bearer to the service network when the request message requests for the MDT log. |
| US08571538B2 |
Web-based parental controls for wireless devices
Methods, systems and devices to dynamically generate community based parental controls for cell devices based on most common parental control settings selected by members of the community. Communities may establish sponsored profiles on a parental control server that contains a community-based set of parental control settings. Parents may select a community based setting and modify each of the settings in accordance with the parents' personal preferences. The parental control server continually monitors the modifications to those settings and generates new community-based settings reflecting the most common modifications that may be selected by other parents. |
| US08571536B2 |
System and method for generic mobile phone configuration
A method of providing wireless communication service to a mobile phone is provided. The method comprises identifying common mobile phone applications and selectively supported mobile phone applications, installing the common mobile phone applications and the selectively supported mobile phone applications in read only memory of the mobile phone, each of the selectively supported applications associated with a selection switch initially disabled. The method further comprises, when activating the mobile phone, enabling at least one of the selection switches and writing at least one reference to branded content to a random access memory of the mobile phone based on a service plan associated with the mobile phone. |
| US08571529B2 |
Method and communication system for continuously recording sounding information
A method is disclosed for continuously recording surrounding information by a mobile device (11). The mobile device (11) of a user (1) continuously records surrounding information such as surrounding noises or surrounding image data and at least one file (7) is generated from the recording and sent to a remote server (4). Said file or a file derived therefrom (7) is automatically subdivided and/or indexed automatically depending on the contents of the file (7) and/or on metadata (M1, M2, M3) generated from external events (e1, e2, e3) in relation to the mobile device (11) and/or by the user (1). Advantageously, the user (1) searches the subdivided and/or indexed file (7) so that he can easily retrieve the recorded information. |
| US08571527B2 |
System and method for real time self-provisioning for a mobile communication device
A system and method of provisioning services for a mobile communication device are disclosed. A provisioning request including provisioning information and specifying a provisioning operation and a first communication service is prepared on the mobile communication device and sent to a provisioning system. Processing of the provisioning request is dependent upon whether or not a second communication service has been activated for the mobile communication device. If the mobile communication device is outside a coverage area of a wireless communication network when a provisioning request is prepared, the request is stored at the mobile communication device and sent to the provisioning system when the mobile communication device enters the coverage area. The provisioning system preferably manages service provisioning for multiple services, any of which may be hosted by different service providers. |
| US08571525B2 |
Reassigned mobile message notifications
The instant application describes a method of managing a customer's mobile station and providing a notification of a resultant change. The method includes steps of communicating over the air through a mobile communication network with a subscriber device management application running on the customer's mobile station; causing the subscriber device management application to attempt to change an operational control parameter of the customer's mobile station, via the over the air communication; and determining an outcome of the attempted change of the operational control parameter of the customer's mobile station. The method also includes a step of sending a mobile messaging service message, providing notification of the attempted change of the operational control parameter of the customer's mobile station, through the mobile communication network to another mobile station associated with the customer. |
| US08571522B2 |
Authentication method for the mobile terminal and a system thereof
A method and a system for authenticating a mobile terminal, and the method comprises: the mobile terminal using a pre-set password P to decrypt a key A stored in a subscriber information file to obtain a key Ki which is used in authentication; in a process of authentication, the mobile terminal using the key Ki and a random number sent by a network side to generate encrypted authentication response data, and sending the encrypted authentication response data to the network side; and the network side verifying the encrypted authentication response data sent by the mobile terminal, and returning an authentication success acknowledgement to the mobile terminal after the verification succeeds; wherein the subscriber information file is stored in a local memory of the mobile terminal, or a mobile memory device connected with the mobile terminal. |
| US08571514B2 |
Mobile device and method for providing location based content
A mobile device and method are disclosed to provide location based content to a user of a mobile device based on the current location, wherein the provision of location based content depends on obtained location data. The mobile device comprises a location obtaining section for obtaining location data based on locations of the mobile device, location based content section for obtaining location based content, and a controller adapted to compare presently obtained location data with previously obtained location data and to select between a first operation mode and a second operation mode according to the comparison, wherein in the first operation mode the location based content section is adapted to provide location based content to a user of the mobile device according to the current location of the mobile device and in the second operation mode providing of location based content is suppressed. |
| US08571510B2 |
High linearity low noise receiver with load switching
A receiver includes a low noise amplifier (LNA) and multiple pairs of mixers. The LNA receives and amplifies an LNA input signal and provides at least one LNA output signal. Each pair of mixers downconverts one of the at least one LNA output signal when enabled. Each pair of mixers may be selectively enabled or disabled, e.g., based on a mode selected from among multiple modes. In one design, the LNA includes multiple load sections coupled in parallel. Each load section may be selectively enabled or disabled, e.g., based on the selected mode. In one design, first and second pairs of mixers and first and second load sections may be enabled for a high linearity mode. The first pair of mixers and the first load section may be enabled and the second pair of mixers and the second load section may be disabled for a low linearity mode. |
| US08571509B2 |
Dynamic selection of oscillation signal frequency for power converter
In one embodiment, a method is provided for providing power to a radio-frequency (RF) component capable of operating under multiple communication standards, wherein each standard has a respective operating frequency. The method includes: receiving a communication standard signal indicative of which of the multiple communication standards the RF component is currently operating under; selecting a frequency for a power converter system in response to the communication standard signal, wherein the selected frequency is higher than a baseband frequency of the current communication standard for the RF component; generating an oscillation signal having the selected frequency; and operating the power converter system with the oscillation signal having the selected frequency to provide power to the RF component, wherein the operation of the power converter system causes minimal interference with the RF component operating under the current communication standard. |
| US08571506B2 |
Systems and methods for sharing an oscillator between receivers
Systems and methods for sharing an oscillator between receivers are disclosed. A representative method (among others) of responding to a change in frequency of a voltage-controlled temperature-compensated oscillator (VCTCXO), includes: determining a new value for VCTCXO frequency; determining a time at which the new value will be applied to the VCTCXO; transmitting the time and the new value to a subsystem that uses a second receiver which shares the VCTCXO with a first receiver; and in the subsystem, updating channel context data to use the time of the change in frequency and the new value. |
| US08571502B2 |
Adjusting PLL clock source to reduce wireless communication interference
Adjusting a phase locked loop (PLL) clock source to reduce wireless communication (e.g., radio frequency (RF)) interference within a device. The PLL may be included in a high speed serial interface, e.g., coupled to a display, and may be initially driven by a first clock. Later, when a second clock is available and aligned with the first clock, the PLL may be driven by the second clock. The second clock may be configured to change its frequency over time such that the PLL does not lose lock and also does not interfere (or reduces interference) with wireless communication of the device. For example, the second clock may be programmable or may dynamically vary its operating frequency, thereby reducing its interference with the wireless communication of the device. |
| US08571500B2 |
Emergency broadcast receiver
Disclosed is an emergency broadcast radio receiver. The receiver can comprise a signal detector circuit adapted to detect, when powered, a predetermined emergency broadcast signal, and a timing generator circuit adapted to couple a battery to the signal detector circuit to periodically power the signal detector circuit. The receiver also can comprise a demodulator circuit adapted to demodulate, when powered, an audio signal modulated on a radio frequency signal at a tuning frequency. The signal detector circuit can be adapted, on detection of the predetermined emergency broadcast signal, to couple the battery to the demodulator circuit to power the demodulator circuit. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08571498B2 |
Multi-mode/multi-band power management system
A power management system for a radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA) load is disclosed. The power management system includes a first switching power supply that is adapted to output a relatively constant voltage, an electronic switch for selectively coupling the first switching power supply to the RF PA load, and a second switching power that is adapted to output a dynamic DC voltage to the RF PA load. The power management system further includes a control system that is adapted to close the electronic switch to supply the relatively constant DC voltage in addition to the dynamic DC voltage to the RF PA load in a first mode and to open the electronic switch wherein the relatively constant DC voltage is not supplied to the RF PA load in a second mode. |
| US08571496B2 |
Semiconductor device for signal amplification
A semiconductor device for transmitting-signal amplification which has a fine resolution, a high dynamic range, a small occupied area, and low power consumption, is realized. An input signal amplitude is reduced every one half by a ladder network, and a transconductance amplifier stage is arranged corresponding to each node of the ladder network. An output of the transconductance amplifier stage is coupled to an output signal line in common. According to a control word WC<21:0>, the transconductance amplifier stage is enabled selectively, and the output current which appears in the output signal line is added. |
| US08571495B2 |
Distortion compensation apparatus and method
A distortion compensation apparatus includes a distortion compensation signal generation unit that performs, on a transmission signal, distortion compensation processing using a series operation; a coefficient updating unit that updates series operation coefficients used for the series operation based on a feedback signal of a power amplification output which is output through power amplification processing of a distortion compensation signal output from the distortion compensation signal generation unit, and based on the distortion compensation signal; a memory that stores the distortion compensation signal corresponding to a transmission signal having a given power value and the feedback signal of the power amplification output as restraint information; and a control unit that performs control so that, in accordance with the power value of the transmission signal, restraint information corresponding to a power value different from the power value of the transmission signal is read and used for updating the series operation coefficients. |
| US08571491B2 |
Systems and methods for enabling wireless functionality in electronic devices
Modules, systems, and methods for enabling wireless functionality in electronic devices are disclosed. A module comprises a housing, a plurality of module terminals, a wireless transmitter, a first electronic component, and a power source. The housing is sized to be removably inserted in a power source receptacle of the electronic device. The plurality of module terminals contact a corresponding plurality of device terminals of the electronic device. The first electronic component is operable to receive outbound device data from the electronic device via the module terminal and transmit the outbound device data using the wireless transmitter. The power source is operable to provide power to the electronic device. The method comprises inserting a module in the power source receptacle of the electronic device, receiving outbound device data from the electronic device, and transmitting the outbound device data using the wireless transmitter. |
| US08571480B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for minimizing co-channel interference
Methods and apparatuses for minimizing co-channel interference in communications systems are disclosed. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises scrambling a first frame using a first scrambling code, attaching a first header to the first frame to create the first signal, scrambling a second frame using a second scrambling code, attaching a second header to the second frame to create the second signal, and transmitting the first signal and the second signal over different channels of the communication system. |
| US08571479B2 |
Short-range wireless communication
The present specification describes techniques and apparatus that enable wireless devices to communicate effectively at short ranges. In one implementation, the transmit power of a transmitting device is reduced to permit a receiving device to demodulate a signal. |
| US08571474B2 |
Performing routing of a phone call through a third party device
A method, system, and computer program for routing an outgoing communication in real time is presented. A communication is received from a caller to an intended receiving wireless telecommunication device. In response to the communication failing to connect to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device, a host carrier initiated query of third party priority of contacts routing preferences of the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device is initiated to determine if other communication devices are available for receiving a re-route of the original communication. If third party routing preferences of the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device have previously been established, then the call is rerouted through one or more alternate telecommunication devices to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device. The priority of contacts is stored with the host carrier. |
| US08571472B2 |
Proximity sensor module and electronic device using same
A proximity sensor module used in an electronic device includes a combination sensing element and antenna, and a detecting circuit electrically connected to the combination sensing element and antenna. The combination sensing element and antenna is used to detect whether an external object is in vicinity of the combination sensing element and antenna according to capacitance changes of the combination sensing element and antenna in presence or absence of an external object in the vicinity, the detecting circuit detects the capacitance changes, and generates a signal associated with the changes to decrease or increase transmission power transmitted to the combination sensing element and antenna. |
| US08571463B2 |
Systems and methods for computerized interactive skill training
The present invention is directed to interactive training, and in particular, to methods and systems for computerized interactive skill training. An example embodiment provides a method and system for providing skill training using a computerized system. The computerized system receives a selection of a first training subject. A training challenge related to the first training subject is accessed from computer readable memory. The training challenge is provided to a user via a terminal, optionally in verbal form. A first score related to the correctness and/or completeness of a verbalized challenge response provided by the user is stored in memory. A second score related to how quickly the trainee provided the verbalized challenge response is stored in memory. A third challenge score related to the confidence and/or style with which the trainee verbalized the challenge response is stored in memory. |
| US08571460B2 |
Calculation of correction factors for lead edge sensor measurement in duplex registration
A method and system for insuring printing accuracy in simplex imaging or duplex imaging, including a media sheet in a media path adapted to move the media sheet through the system. The media path includes sensors and a datum. The sensors include a leading edge sensor and a trailing edge sensor adapted to record the time of arrival of the edge. The edge arrival time difference is determined between the arrival time of the edge using output from the trailing edge sensor and the arrival time of the edge using output from the leading edge sensor. A correction factor is based upon the time difference. The time of arrival of the media sheet at the datum is determined using the correction factor to align items printed on both side of the media sheet. |
| US08571459B2 |
Image forming apparatus with first and second gloss modes
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to form and heat-fix a toner image on a recording material; a re-conveying path configured to re-convey the recording material having the toner image on a front side, to the image forming portion to form and heat-fix a toner image on a back side of the recording material; a glossing portion configured to increase glossiness of the toner image; and an executing device configured to execute a high-gloss mode for glossing the toner image on the back side into a high-gloss toner image, and a partial-gloss mode for forming a partial-gloss toner image having glossiness lower than glossiness of the toner image in the high-gloss mode without glossing the toner image on the back side, wherein the glossing portion is provided in the re-conveying path. |
| US08571457B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes a stationary at least partially tubular thermal member, a flexible fuser belt, a fuser pad, and a rotatable pressure member. The thermal member has a tubular portion thereof extending in an axial direction and defining a closed axial cross-section. A circumference of the thermal member is subjected to heating. The fuser belt is looped for rotation around the thermal member. An inner circumference of the fuser belt at least partially faces the thermal member. The fuser pad is held stationary inside the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member extends opposite the thermal member in the axial direction with the fuser belt interposed between the fuser pad and the pressure member. The fuser pad is pressed against the pressure member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The thermal member is spaced apart from the fuser pad. |
| US08571451B2 |
Image forming apparatus calculating an amount of deviation of an image forming position from a reference
An image forming apparatus is capable of more accurately detecting the relationship between an actual amount of color deviation and an estimated amount of color deviation. The image forming apparatus forms a color deviation detection mark at timing when the estimated amount of deviation reaches a threshold value. The timing is different from the timing when it is determined that it is necessary to perform normal calibration. The image forming apparatus determines the relationship between the actual amount of deviation of an image forming position from a reference and the estimated amount of deviation to set an estimating unit for estimating the amount of deviation. |
| US08571449B2 |
Development device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A development device includes a developer containing part containing two-component developer, a cylindrical developer carrier to carry by rotation the developer to a development range, a first developer transport member disposed in the developer containing part, to supply the developer to the developer carrier while transporting the developer in an axial direction of the developer carrier, and a magnetic field generator disposed inside the developer carrier, having three developer-carrying magnetic poles, consisting of a development pole to generate a first magnetic field in the development range, a pre-development pole to generate a second magnetic field to transport the developer supplied from the developer containing part to the development range, and a post-development pole to generate a third magnetic field disposed between the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field, to transport the developer to a release position where the developer is separated from the developer carrier. |
| US08571448B2 |
Developing device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A developing device includes: a first conveying unit provided within a developing agent storage chamber and that is configured to convey a developing agent from one end of the developing agent storage chamber to another end of the developing agent storage chamber in a longitudinal direction of a developing agent carrier that is disposed with in a developing chamber and to supply the developing agent from the developing agent storage chamber to the developing chamber; a second conveying unit provided within the developing chamber and that is configured to convey the developing agent from the other end of the developing chamber to the one end of the developing chamber in the longitudinal direction and to supply the developing agent toward a developing agent carrier; and a third conveying unit provided between the one end of the developing agent storage chamber and the one end of the developing chamber. |
| US08571445B2 |
Cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus
A cartridge is provided to be used in a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The main assembly includes a rotatable driving coupling member including a driving force transmitting portion for transmitting a driving force and a driving side abutment. The cartridge is demountable in a direction substantially perpendicular to a rotational axis of the driving coupling member, and includes a rotatable driven coupling member with a driving force receiving portion for receiving the driving force. The cartridge also includes a driven side abutment to be abutted by the driving side abutment. The driven coupling member is slidable in a predetermined direction that is substantially parallel with a rotational axis of the receiving coupling member. At least one of the driving side abutment and the driven side abutment is inclined so that the driven coupling member is retractable away from the driving coupling member in the predetermined direction by a force received by driven side abutment from the driving side abutment. |
| US08571441B2 |
Image forming apparatus and developing agent cartridge
An image forming apparatus may include a casing, and a plurality of image carriers arranged in parallel along one direction in the casing and formed with an electrostatic latent image. The apparatus can further include a plurality of developing agent carriers opposed to the image carriers, for visualizing the electrostatic latent image by feeding a developing agent to the image carriers, and a plurality of developing agent cartridges, arranged in parallel in the one direction to be opposed to the developing agent carriers in the longitudinal direction of the developing agent carriers, and configured to be together attachable/detachable to/from the casing along the one direction, for accommodating the developing agent fed to the developing agent carriers. |
| US08571438B2 |
Charging device and image forming apparatus
A charging device includes a charging member that charges an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical latent-image carrier; an electrode member including a curved portion that is formed by press working so as to extend along the outer peripheral surface of the latent-image carrier, the curved portion having an electrode to which a voltage is applied, the electrode being disposed between the charging member and the latent-image carrier; a cleaning member that is movable along the curved portion in an axial direction of the latent-image carrier and that cleans the electrode; and a receiving portion formed in the curved portion at a position outside the electrode, the receiving portion receiving the cleaning member to release a contact pressure between the curved portion and the cleaning member. |
| US08571437B2 |
Cooling device and image forming apparatus
A cooling device includes a heat receiving unit disposed to contact a surface of a temperature-increasing part the temperature of which increases during an image forming process; a radiation unit transferring heat from a cooling liquid; a tube for circulating the cooling liquid between the heat receiving unit and the radiation unit in a liquid circulation direction; a conveying unit conveying the cooling liquid through the tube; a coupling having an internal flow path and including a first end to which a first part of the tube is connected and a second end to which a second part of the tube is connected; and an outlet for draining the cooling liquid from the tube. At least one of the first part of the tube and the second part of the tube extends to a position lower than the position of the coupling. |
| US08571434B2 |
Image forming apparatus having detachable developing device
At least one of driving motors that drive a developing device independently of each other is provided on a door capable of opening and closing to allow the developing device to be attached to or detached from a main body of an apparatus. An electrical contact portion that can be electrically connected to or disconnected from an electrical circuit provided in the main body is provided for the driving motor provided on the door. |
| US08571433B2 |
Roll supporting mechanism, image forming apparatus and assembly body
A roll supporting mechanism rotatably supports an electrically-conducted roll. The roll supporting mechanism includes an electrically-conducting portion that contacts with a circumferential portion of an outer periphery of the electrically-conducted roll to conduct electricity to the electrically-conducted roll, and an insulating portion that contacts with the other circumferential portion of the outer periphery of the electrically-conducted roll at a contact portion smaller than a contact portion of the electrically-conducting portion and that is formed by an insulating material. |
| US08571431B2 |
Image forming apparatus including transfer roller mechanism
An image forming apparatus includes a belt member bearing a toner image, a contact member disposed inside loop formed by the belt member, a rotary pressing member to contact the contact member through the belt member and form a nip between the contact member and the rotary pressing member via the belt member through which a recording medium is conveyed, and a transfer device to transfer the toner image onto the recording medium. An amount of winding of the belt member around the rotary pressing member is changeable between a first state in which the belt member is wound around the rotary pressing member upstream from the nip in the direction of move to the nip and a second state in which the amount of winding of the belt member around the rotary pressing member is reduced from the first state while contacting the belt member. |
| US08571426B2 |
Toner supply method, development device, process unit, and image forming apparatus
A toner supply method includes detecting whether a remaining toner amount in the development device is equal to or greater than a first remaining amount, supplying a first supply amount of toner to the development device in a first supply mode when the remaining toner amount is not greater than the first remaining amount, detecting whether the remaining toner amount in the development device is equal to or greater than a second remaining amount smaller than the first remaining amount, and supplying a second supply amount, smaller than the first supply amount, of toner to the development device in a second supply mode when the remaining toner amount is reduced to or below the second remaining amount. |
| US08571424B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus that reduces a time period during which no image is formed due to a margin in leading end portion, by calculating the margin in leading end portion from position information of an image and moving forward output timing of a /TOP signal according to the margin in leading end portion. |
| US08571419B2 |
Method and system for flexible optical signal aggregation and transmission
In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for spectrally spacing carrier waves comprises determining a frequency offset between a first frequency of a first optical carrier wave and a second frequency of a second optical carrier wave. The method further comprises adjusting the second frequency of the second optical carrier wave according to the frequency offset. The method additionally comprises combining a first optical signal associated with the first carrier wave and a second optical signal associated with he second carrier wave into a multi-frequency signal. |
| US08571418B2 |
High resolution optical waveform shaping device having phase shift compensation associated with optical intensity modulation
It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical waveform shaping device of high resolution.The above-mentioned problem is solved by an optical waveform shaping device (10) comprising a branching filter (11) for dividing the light beam from a light source into light beams of each frequency, a condensing part (12) for condensing a plurality of light beams divided by the branching filter (11), a polarization separation means (13) for adjusting the polarizing planes of the light beams having passed through the condensing part (12), and a spatial light modulator (14) having a phase modulation part and an intensity modulation part where the light beams having passed through the polarizing plate (13) are incident. |
| US08571415B1 |
Regenerators placement mechanism for wavelength switched optical networks
The method of placing regenerators along a trail connecting a source network node with a destination network node of an automatically switched optical network first identifies N tentative regeneration sites and n+1 optical paths along the trail. Wavelengths are assigned to each optical path; and the performance of the trail is assessed based on regenerator placement data and wavelength assignment data. The data identifying this regenerator path, namely regenerator placement data, the wavelength assignment data and the performance parameter of the trail are stored in a list, if the performance parameter is over a threshold. Selection of the tentative sites is revised whenever the initial placement fails due to a reach problem, a wavelength-blocking problem or a path quality problem. If the time for revising the initial placement, or the cost of a regenerator path is unacceptable, the regenerator path is abandoned and a further placement is initiated. Next, a further regenerator placement is attempted for the same trail using n+1 regenerators, and the further regenerator path is stored in the list, etc. Still further, regenerator placement is attempted for another trail, and so on, until a specified number of regenerator paths are stored in the list. |
| US08571412B2 |
Bi-directional, compact, multi-path and free space channel replicator
An apparatus for simulating radio frequency (RF) signal propagation characteristics in a wireless communication network is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first RF terminal and a second RF terminal. A first optical modulator is in electrical communication with the first RF terminal. An optical delay line is in optical communication with the first optical modulator. A first optical demodulator is in optical communication with the optical delay line and in electrical communication with the first RF terminal. A second optical demodulator is in optical communication with the optical delay line and in electrical communication with the second RF terminal. A second optical modulator is in electrical communication with the second RF terminal and in optical communication with the optical delay line. |
| US08571410B2 |
Mutual wavelength locking in WDM-PONS
Methods and apparatuses to provide wavelength locked WDM Passive Optical Networks (“PONs”) are described. A first transceiver transmits a set of optical signals in a first direction along a wavelength channel. A second transceiver transmits another set of optical signals along the same wavelength channel in another direction. The wavelength of the first transceiver is locked using an optical power of the optical signals of the second transceiver. The wavelength of the second transceiver is locked using the optical power of the optical signals of the first transceiver. A WDM MUX/De-MUX is coupled between the first transceiver and the second transceiver. An in-line gain element can be coupled to the WDM MUX/De-MUX to amplify the optical signals. The first transceiver and the second transceiver operate in a saturated gain condition. |
| US08571407B2 |
Optical coherent receiver, apparatus for and method of monitoring performance thereof
The present invention relates to an optical coherent receiver and an apparatus for and a method of monitoring performance thereof. The apparatus for monitoring performance of the optical coherent receiver makes use of a first signal and a second signal from the optical coherent receiver to monitor performance of the optical coherent receiver, and comprises a first subtracter, for subtracting the second signal from the first signal to obtain a first subtraction result; a squarer, for obtaining a square of the first subtraction result; a delayer, for delaying the first subtraction result; a multiplier, for multiplying the first subtraction result with the delayed first subtraction result; and a second subtracter, for subtracting the result of the multiplier from the result of the squarer. |
| US08571404B2 |
Digital photographing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and a computer-readable medium storing program to execute the method
Provided are a digital photographing apparatus, a method of controlling the same, and a computer-readable medium for storing a program for executing the method. In the method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus, at least one target subject is determined from an input image. A target subject focus value of the at least one target subject is extracted while auto-focusing the at least one target subject. It is determined whether the target subject focus value stays within an in-focus range for a reference time or longer. The at least one target subject is auto-photographed when the target subject focus value is stays within the in-focus range for the reference time or longer. |
| US08571403B2 |
Autofocus system
In an autofocus system, a focus measurement unit receives an image, and accordingly generates an associated focus value. A focus transform unit receives and then transforms the focus value provided by the focus measurement unit, therefore generating an associated transformed focus value. An in-focus position estimation unit obtains an in-focus position, in an analytical manner, according to some transformed focus values and some associated lens positions. |
| US08571402B2 |
Image tracking device, imaging device, image tracking method, and imaging method
An image tracking device comprises an image pickup device that takes an image formed by an imaging optical system and outputs image information, a focus detector that detects a focusing state of the imaging optical system, a recognizer that stores reference information related to a reference image and recognizes a position of an image corresponding to the reference information, within an image corresponding to the image information, and a controller that performs first focus detection in which the focusing state is detected by the focus detector, before the position is recognized by the recognizer, and second focus detection in which the focusing state is detected for the position that has been recognized by the recognizer. |
| US08571400B2 |
Methods and apparatus for flash intensity value management in a photographic environment
Methods for providing a flash management feature (“FMF”) in a camera system include obtaining a flash intensity value calculated for a flash device by a camera, saving the calculated flash intensity value in memory, accepting a user-provided adjustment of the calculated value, saving the adjusted flash intensity value in a memory, and providing, when the camera transmits the calculated value to the flash device for use during image acquisition, the adjusted value to the flash device instead of the calculated value. A communication device to provide a FMF includes a microprocessor configured to obtain a calculated flash intensity value from a camera, a memory, and a user interface configured to display and allow a user to adjust the calculated value. The microprocessor stores the adjusted flash intensity value in memory, and signals the flash device to emit light at the adjusted value during image acquisition by the camera. |
| US08571395B2 |
Track system for heater assembly
A heater assembly includes a heating element assembly having a resistive heating element connected to a housing member. First and second guide members are oppositely and outwardly positioned with respect to the heating element assembly and extend away from the housing member. A patch plate includes an installation aperture and first and second wings extending away from the patch plate. The first and second guide members are positioned to individually slidingly engage with one of the first and second wings thereby defining a track system to permit the heating element assembly to be slidingly received through the installation aperture without contact between the resistive heating element and the patch plate. |
| US08571394B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling the position of an electric motor
A method is provided for controlling a position of an electric dc brush motor (22, 24) including the steps of supplying drive current (104) to drive the electric motor and calculating (70, 108) a coast constant for the motor. Current through the motor is monitored (80) and motor speed (66) is determined in response to monitored motor current. Electrical current to the motor is interrupted (50) in response to the calculated coast constant (70, 106) and motor speed when it is desired to stop the electric motor so that a brush of the motor will come to rest at a location on a commutator segment of the motor (22, 24). |
| US08571391B2 |
Information storage medium storing multi-angle data and method and apparatus for reproducing the multi-angle data
An apparatus and method for reproducing multi-angle data in a seamless manner, even during a change of angle, and an information storage medium on which the multi-angle data is recorded. AV data divided into clips, which are recording units, is recorded on the information storage medium. Additional information regarding jump points is recorded on a space of the information storage medium other than where the clips are recorded. The apparatus for reproducing the multi-angle data includes a reading unit which reads data from the information storage medium, and a reproducing unit which reproduces the data read by the reading unit by searching for and reproducing clips corresponding to the read data when the read data is multi-angle data, and, if there is an angle change command, reproducing clips for a new angle from a jump point of the clip for the new angle. |
| US08571381B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes a display control unit displaying a segment map, in which segment-representing images representing video segments obtained by dividing content into video segments which are collections of frames of one or more temporally continuous frames, are arranged on a display apparatus and a reproduction control unit controlling reproduction of the video segments corresponding to the segment-representing image according to a reproduction operation of a user requesting reproduction with respect to the segment-representing image, in which, when, during reproduction of a video segment of content, a reproduction operation is performed with respect to a segment-representing image of another video segment of the content, the reproduction control unit reproduces the other video segment corresponding to the segment-representing image for which the reproduction operation was performed, while still maintaining the reproduction of the video segment being reproduced. |
| US08571380B2 |
Object image display apparatus, object image display method and object image display program
The total number of object images is “N”. Object images whose the number is less than “N” are displayed on a display among the N-object images according to a previously defined display rule. When a selected object image is shifted by n-object images, a position obtained by shifting by a distance becomes a new position of the selected object image, wherein the distance is obtained by multiplying by “n” a value obtained by dividing the distance between a display position of an object image and a display position of the selected object image by a value obtained by subtracting “1” from “N”. |
| US08571378B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and recording method
When setting of marking on recording data is performed, the marking is automatically performed at a suitable position corresponding to a status during image capturing. While recording of captured images is being performed, a status of a zoom operation, a moving pattern of a camera, and a feature value of video/audio signals are monitored, and a time point at which a predetermined change has occurred regarding this monitored state is detected. A predetermined data position based on this detected time point is then set as a marking position. Setting information of the marking position is stored in a structure of management information, and is stored in a storage section together with the recording data. |
| US08571373B2 |
Photonic crystal band-shifting device for dynamic control of light transmission
An active device for dynamic control of lightwave transmission properties has at least one photonic crystal waveguide that has anti-reflection photonic crystal waveguides with gradually changed group refractive indices at both input and output side. An alternating voltage or current signal applied to two electrically conductive regions changes the refractive indices of the photonic crystal materials, introducing a certain degree of blue-shift or red-shift of the transmission spectrum of the photonic crystal waveguide. The output lightwave with frequency close to the band-edge of the photonic crystal waveguide is controlled by the input electric signal. Devices having one or more such active photonic crystal waveguides may be utilized as an electro-optic modulator, an optical switch, or a tunable optical filter. |
| US08571369B2 |
Optical-fiber module having improved accessibility
The present invention relates to optical-fiber modules having improved accessibility. In a typical embodiment, the optical-fiber module includes one or more optical fibers surrounded by an intermediate layer. The intermediate layer typically includes a polymeric medium with a liquid lubricant dispersed therein. A buffer tube encloses the optical fibers and the intermediate layer. |
| US08571365B2 |
Apparatus and method for micromanipulation of microscale objects using laser light delivered through a single optical fiber and axicon lens
A single optical fiber having a distal end is optically coupled to the laser and distilling terminated with an axicon lens optically coupled to the single optical fiber to form a microscopic distal tip to provide a spatially shaped elongated laser focused spot for microprocessing and/or microdissection of a microscale object. A pulsed or continuous laser beam or superposition of pulsed and continuous laser beams is generated, controllably spatially shaped, selectively oriented, selectively moved via movement of a single optical fiber terminated with the axicon lens, and the oriented, spatially shaped laser beam applied via the single optical fiber terminated with the axicon lens to a living or nonliving microscopic object for manipulation, micro-dissection, alteration/ablation, and excitation of the living or nonliving microscopic object. |
| US08571363B2 |
Ring resonator with inductance coupled heat tuning
A ring resonator has a first optical waveguide arranged in a loop, a second optical waveguide tangentially connected to the first optical waveguide, and an electrical coil inductively coupled to the first optical waveguide. |
| US08571361B2 |
Combined optical and electrical flexible wiring and production method therefor
A combined optical and electrical flexible wiring includes a first film substrate, a plurality of conductors aligned parallel on a surface of the first film substrate, an optical fiber provided on the surface of the first film substrate and aligned parallel to the plural conductors, a second film substrate with which the plural conductors and the optical fiber are covered in such a manner as to include an exposed portion, a resin mount provided over the exposed portion in such a manner as to cover the plural conductors and the optical fiber, the resin mount being formed with a light inlet or outlet groove including a mirror surface therein, an optical-electrical conversion component formed on a surface of the resin mount, and a wiring pattern formed on the surface of the resin mount. |
| US08571356B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program
The present invention relates to generation of an appropriate high-resolution image with respect to a plurality of input images.An image processing apparatus including a unit for acquiring a relative movement amount for each first image between a reference image selected from a plurality of first images and the first images; a unit for generating a fourth image having a first resolution for each first image in accordance with a third image having a second resolution, the relative movement amounts, and image capture characteristics of an image capture device; a unit for acquiring, for each fourth image, an evaluation value indicating a difference between the fourth image and the first image corresponding to the fourth image; and a unit for generating a second image having the second resolution by updating the third image using an update value that is determined using the fourth images in accordance with the evaluation values. |
| US08571351B2 |
Evaluating mapping between spatial point sets
A computer implemented method for evaluating a one-to-one mapping between a first spatial point set and a second spatial point set in nD comprising the steps of receiving a first and a second spatial point sets and a one-to-one mapping between the two spatial point sets; defining a spatial agent; generating multiple mapped (n+1)-combinations in the first point set; computing multiple affine transformations that transform the multiple mapped (n+1)-combinations to correspondents in the second point set; applying the multiple affine transformations to the spatial agent to generate multiple transformed spatial agents; and computing a distance measure using the multiple transformed spatial agents. |
| US08571347B2 |
Reducing digital image noise
Devices, systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with reducing digital image noise are described. In one embodiment, a method includes determining, on a per pixel basis, mosquito noise values associated with pixels of a digital image. The method determines, on a per pixel basis, block noise values associated with the digital image. The method filters the digital image with a plurality of adaptive filters. A compression artifact in the digital image is reduced. The compression artifact is reduced by combining filter outputs from the plurality of adaptive filters. The filter outputs are combined based, at least in part, on the mosquito noise values and the block noise values. |
| US08571346B2 |
Methods and devices for defective pixel detection
In a method of image signal processing, defective pixels are determined on-the-fly in a digital image representation based on a comparison of a pixel under evaluation with its surrounding pixels, with reference to a known resolving capability of a lens-sensor arrangement that captured the digital image representation. In response to the determination of defective pixels, the defective pixels are corrected. |
| US08571340B2 |
Efficient fixed-point approximations of forward and inverse discrete cosine transforms
Techniques are described to approximate computation of an inverse discrete cosine transform using fixed-point calculations. According to these techniques, matrixes of scaled coefficients are generated by multiplying coefficients in matrixes of encoded coefficients by scale factors. Next, matrixes of biased coefficients are generated by adding a midpoint bias value to a DC coefficient of the matrix of scaled coefficients. Fixed-point arithmetic is then used to apply a transform to the matrixes of biased coefficients. Values in the resulting matrixes are then right-shifted in order to derive matrixes of pixel component values. Matrixes of pixel component values are then combined to create matrixes of pixels. The matrixes of pixels generated by these techniques closely resemble matrixes of pixels decompressed using the ideal inverse discrete cosine transform (“IDCT”). |
| US08571338B2 |
Image file generation device, image processing device, image file generation method, and image processing method
An image hierarchy generation unit reads image data stored in a hard disk drive, generate images with a plurality of resolutions, and hierarchizes the images. An image dividing unit divides the image in each layer into tile images. A redundancy detection unit analyzes the image in each layer so as to detect redundancy between images within the same layer or images from different layers. A tile image reference table creates a tile image reference table that maps area numbers to tile numbers, in view of the redundancy. An image file generation unit creates an image file that should be ultimately output and includes image data and the tile image reference table. |
| US08571337B2 |
Encoding method, encoding device, and encoding program for encoding interlaced image
It is an object of the present invention to provide an encoding method, an encoding device, and an encoding program for encoding an interlaced image in a simple and effective manner. The encoding method includes: a frequency conversion step (s101) of converting the interlaced image to coefficients of frequency domain having predetermined frequency ranges in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, respectively; and a weighting step (s102) of weighting the coefficients of frequency domain for each frequency band. In the weighting step, a weighting factor used for weighting a coefficient of a frequency band exceeding a predetermined frequency in the vertical direction is substantially equal to or larger than a weighting factor used for weighting a coefficient in a frequency band exceeding the predetermined frequency in the horizontal direction. |
| US08571336B2 |
Image processor for inhibiting noise
An image processor includes an encoder and a decoder. The encoder includes a frequency transform unit, a pre-filter, and a color conversion unit that converts a pixel signal of a first color space inputted from outside into a pixel signal of a second color space including a luminance signal and chrominance signals. The decoder includes a frequency inverse transform unit, a post-filter, and a color inverse conversion unit that inversely converts a pixel signal of the second color space into a pixel signal of the first color space. The pre-filter performs prefiltering on one or plural specific signals among the luminance and chrominance signals. The post-filter does not perform postfiltering on the above specific signals. |
| US08571335B2 |
Calculation method for prediction motion vector
A method for calculating a prediction motion vector of a block to be coded, by performing a median operation using motion vectors of neighboring blocks. If one of the neighboring blocks has motion vectors MV1 and MV2, direction (forward or backward) information of reference pictures referred to, respectively, by the motion vectors are acquired and one of the motion vectors is selected with reference to the acquired direction information. Then, the median operation including the selected motion vector is performed to obtain the prediction motion vector of the block to be coded. |
| US08571330B2 |
Video thumbnail selection
A method for selecting a video thumbnail includes generating a visual theme model for a sample set of images that are representative of textual information corresponding to a video file. Each of a set of candidate key frames is distinguished according to similarities shared between the candidate key frames and the visual theme model. A display is caused of a selected one of the distinguished candidate key frames as a video thumbnail for the video file. |
| US08571328B2 |
Determining correspondence between image regions
Determining correspondence between image regions can include: selecting first and second regions of visual content including pixels in a computer system, the first region comprising a first patch to be mapped to the second region; selecting at least two heuristics for use in mapping the first patch to the second region, the heuristics selected from the group consisting of: (i) nearby-pixel mapping evaluation; (ii) random-perturbation mapping evaluation; (iii) evaluation of multiple mapping candidates identified in an iterative search process; and (iv) enrichment to increase a collection of mapping candidates; and identifying, using the selected heuristics, at least one patch in the second region for the first patch. |
| US08571327B2 |
Method for controlling the quality of printed documents based on pattern matching
A method for controlling the quality of printed documents, such as banknotes, in which only part of the surface of the printed documents is available for inspection, comprising the steps of (i) storing a reference image; (ii) acquiring a sample image of a sample printed document to be controlled, which sample image covers only a limited portion of the sample printed document; (iii) selecting a search pattern within the acquired sample image; (iv) searching the reference image for a match with the selected search pattern, (v) determining control parameters linked to the position of the search pattern within said sample image and within said reference image, (vi) comparing the control parameters linked to the position of the search pattern within the sample image with the control parameters linked to the position of the search pattern within the reference image; and (vii) based on the results of the comparison of the control parameters, accepting or rejecting the sample printed document. |
| US08571325B1 |
Detection of targets from hyperspectral imagery
Provided is a process and system for detection of sparse or otherwise weak targets in a hyperspectral image. The method includes receiving a hyperspectral image having a plurality of pixels, with each pixel having a respective spectrum. Multiple mean spectra are selectively determined for respective sub-regions of the hyperspectral image. The subset mean spectra are selectively removed from respective pixels, thereby improving image fidelity due to sensor artifacts. Additionally, target detection of such an adjusted image can be determined by one or more of matched filter techniques or by partial un-mixing. In some embodiments target detection is enhanced by combining a measure of target match with a measure of un-match. Target detection can be further improved by application of rules, for example, related to target detection threshold. |