Document Document Title
US08661599B2 Spherical brush
[Problem] Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a spherical brush having highly dense brush bristles for easy cleaning of periodontal pockets and a cylindrical brush having the brush bristles highly dense brush bristles at a ball portion of a tip thereof, and a brush manufactured by the manufacturing method.[Solution means] A fiber bundle, which is composed of a number of short fibers prepared by cutting long fibers, is gripped between a set of U-shaped wires arranged to crisscross with each other to form a loop. The open ends of the U-shaped wires are pulled and twisted in opposite directions, so that the fibers at the portion gripped by the U-shaped wires are compressed to reduce the size of their bundled areas. Elastic repulsion is established between the fiber bundles near a wire-gripped portion by the size differences of the cross sectional areas of the free end fibers at both ends of the wire-gripped portion, and is utilized so that the free end fibers diverge radially to the circumference from the wire-gripped portion.
US08661597B2 Brush head for a toothbrush
A brush head for an electric toothbrush is disclosed. The brush head includes a neck connectable to a handle of the electric toothbrush, and a bristle carrier pivotally supported by a pivot support at the neck about a pivot axis extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the neck. The bristle carrier is provided with a drive joint connectable to a swivel element swiveling about a drive shaft axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the neck, the drive joint being radially spaced apart from the pivot axis of the bristle carrier and adapted to allow pivoting movement of the swivel element relative to the bristle carrier about a drive joint axis substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the bristle carrier, such that the pivot support provides for transverse movability of the bristle carrier relative to the pivot axis and/or of the pivot axis relative to the neck along a transverse axis extending transverse to the pivot axis, and that the drive joint is adapted to transmit driving forces of the swivel element to the bristle carrier in the direction of the transverse axis.
US08661595B2 Automatic swimming pool cleaning machine
Described is an automatic cleaning machine for swimming pools comprising a body with at least two motorized wheels for moving on a drive surface, at least one suction inlet positioned on a lower surface of the body, at least one outlet mouth, at least one turbine, operating between the suction inlet and the outlet mouth, controllable by a respective electricity supply battery, an electronic control unit for operating the wheels and moving the cleaning machine along the drive surface and for operating the turbine for exerting a thrust able to keep the body in contact with the surface. The automatic cleaning machine also comprises at least one chopping element interposed between the suction inlet and the outlet mouth.
US08661591B1 Shoulder pain alleviating mattress assembly
A shoulder pain alleviating mattress assembly includes a mattress assembly frame, a foot mattress portion carried by the mattress assembly frame, a head mattress portion carried by the mattress assembly frame in spaced-apart relationship to the foot mattress portion and at least one depth-adjustable arm gap between the foot mattress portion and the head mattress portion.
US08661590B2 Air mattress
An air mattress including an inflatable compartment, strips, a connecting sheet and pillow strips is provided. The inflatable compartment includes a top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall surrounding peripheries of the top wall and the bottom wall. The strips are air-pervious and disposed in the inflatable compartment, wherein the strips are connected between the bottom wall and the top wall and located in a lying portion of the top wall. The connecting sheet is air-pervious and disposed in the inflatable compartment and facing a pillow portion of the top wall, wherein the connecting sheet is connected between the side wall and the strips adjacent to the pillow portion. The pillow strips are air-pervious and disposed in the inflatable compartment, wherein the pillow strips are connected between the connecting sheet and the pillow portion of the top wall.
US08661588B1 Slip cover for crib mattress
A slip cover for a crib mattress. The slip cover preferably comprises a mattress cover with a zippered end through which the crib mattress is easily insertable. Attached to one end of the mattress cover is a bolster, which may comprise a bolster cover and a foam insert. In most applications, the bolster will be generally U-shaped and will comprise an inclined back section and two arms. The slip cover allows continued use of a crib mattress after it is no longer needed in a crib or toddler bed. When placed on a standard crib mattress, the slip cover with its attached bolster forms an ideal portable toddler bed. Alternately, the slip cover converts the mattress into a child-sized chaise lounge ideal for reading or watching television. Still further, the slip-covered mattress may be used as a pet bed, especially for a large breed dog or for multiple smaller dogs.
US08661584B1 Device for controlling motion of anti-collision switch and medical diagnosis apparatus employing the same
In a device for controlling an operation of an anti-collision switch, the anti-collision switch is provided in a support close to a guide frame that is provided at at least one of both lateral sides of a table frame, to prevent collision of the table frame that is supported on the table support to be capable of moving in a lengthwise direction. The device includes a first lever coupled to the table support so that at least a portion of the first lever moves in a vertical direction according to deformation of the guide frame, and a second lever pressing the anti-collision switch in a normal state and, when a vertical movement of the first lever deviates from a preset height, being moved up by the first lever to remove pressing of the anti-collision switch and operate the anti-collision switch.
US08661583B2 Mounting device providing a pivotal interface for attachment of emergency equipment thereto and a method thereof
A mounting device which provides a pivotal interface for emergency equipment and a method of attaching the emergency equipment to a rescue transport, e.g., a foot of a litter, are disclosed. For example, the mounting device is releasably attachable to the litter and includes a fastening device operably attached to a mounting structure of the device. The mounting structure includes a tilt plate capable of pivoting. The mounting device also includes an adapter capable of securely mating with the tilt plate, providing a pivotal interface for the attachment of the emergency equipment thereto.
US08661581B2 Crib liner system
A crib liner is provided for a crib that includes a plurality of sides and four corner posts. The liner includes a body that has a pair of opposing first panel sections for placement along two sides and a pair of opposing second panel sections for placement along the other two sides. Each panel section is defined by a top edge and an opposite bottom edge, wherein a length of the top edge is different than a length of the bottom edge for each of the panel sections. The body is configured for placement inside of the crib along inner surface of the sides of the crib. The liner is attached to the inside of the crib by a plurality of fasteners, each fastener being configured to attach around one corner post for securely attaching the liner body to the crib.
US08661580B2 Patient positioning device
A patient positioning device provided to position, protect and secure a patient on a support surface for transfer to another support surface or for preparation for surgery. The positioning device includes a sheet with a first and second flexible substrate coupled to the sheet's top surface. The first and second flexible substrates may be padded. These substrates are capable of wrapping around an adjacent arm of the patient creating a wrapped engagement. This wrapped engagement may pad, protect, secure and elevate the arms from injury caused by pressure imparted thereon during surgery or transport. This positioning device may be lifted or slid from one support surface to another. Optionally, a third and fourth flexible substrate capable of wrapping around an adjacent arm of the patient creating a second wrapped engagement may be used for additional securing. Optionally, an inflatable support may be used with the device to aid when sliding or translating the device 10 with the patient thereon.
US08661578B2 Patient transfer tube and method for manufacturing the same
A patient transfer tube and method for manufacturing the same. In a polyethylene embodiment of the tube, there is at least a base layer that contains at least 85% by weight of polyetheylene, has an overall density of at least 0.935 g/cm3, and has a thickness in the range of 33-64 microns.
US08661576B2 Spas and bathing systems with upgradeable and interchangeable jet stations
A bathing system with a molded shell has hollows in the shell. A canister installed in each hollow with jets mounted upon the front jet plate of the canister. The canister is of simple construction that is mounted in a hollow and is removable and interchangeable for easy upgrading and repair of the bathing system.
US08661575B2 Swimming pool cover and associated opening and closing mechanism
Disclosed is a pool opening to be exposed and/or concealed based on low profile covers constituted by roof components juxtaposed in the direction of the length of the swimming pool and each comprising a cover in a translucent material and a rigid frame formed of two arches placed in transverse planes and braced by longitudinal crosspieces with two end crosspieces delimiting two longitudinal parallel edges to the roof component and which rest on the longitudinal edges of the pool of said swimming pool defining a support surface, the system comprising a storage area located at an end of said pool said storage area being sufficient to accommodate the ground surface of a roof component allowing said roof components to be stored in a stacked way, all of said storage area being horizontally displaced from said pool opening, a wheel configured to mobilize said roof components allowing said roof components to be displaced horizontally along the pool towards and/or away from said storage area, a lifter in the storage area, the lifter being configured to engage said roof components to vertically displace said roof components said storage area, to position one roof component over another roof component in a stacked position.
US08661570B2 Air cushion for attaching headband of welding mask
Disclosed is a headband with an air cushion pad, which is mounted on a welding mask, a working helmet, a safety mask or a protective mask. A plurality of air pockets is arranged at regular intervals or asymmetrical intervals within the air cushion pad mounted on the entirety or a part of the headband contacting the worker's head, a plurality of projections is formed on the front surface of the air cushion pad contacting the worker's head, the worker's forehead or the rear portion of the worker's head, and if the worker wears the headband, the amount of air filling air pockets is adjusted according to a shape of the worker's head or a pressing degree of the headband onto the worker's head so that the worker may firmly and comfortably wear the headband under the condition that the headband is completely adhered to the worker's head.
US08661569B2 Functional underpants for men
Functional underpants comprise a penis support member having a double structure comprising an outer cloth and an inner cloth, a scrotum support member having a single structure and being formed vertically under and connected to the penis support member, and a rear member connected to a lower end of the scrotum support member having the single structure. The outer cloth of the penis support member includes a first bending section, a second bending section having a horizontal length and formed under the first bending section, and a first curved portion formed between the first and second bending sections, which create a penis pocket along with the inner cloth of the penis support member. The scrotum support member includes the second bending section, a third bending section, and a second curved portion formed between the second and third bending sections, which form a scrotum pocket.
US08661567B1 Sweat management system
An interior layer has inner and outer surfaces. The interior layer is fabricated of an elastic sweat transferring material. An exterior layer is positioned overlying the interior layer. The exterior layer has inner and outer surfaces. The exterior layer is fabricated of an elastic sweat transferring material. A chamber is formed between the interior layer and the exterior layer. An intermediate layer is provided within the chamber in pressure contact with the interior layer. The intermediate layer is fabricated of a sweat-trapping and containing material.
US08667608B2 Persistent public machine setting
Disclosed herein are methods for protecting user information on a client device that may have a plurality of users. A user interface with a public machine designation portion is presented to a user prior to the start of the authentication process. The public machine designation removes web service account descriptions and any user specific information stored on the client device. Also, the client device is prevented from storing any new user specific information that is provided to the client device. The public machine designation is a persistent feature that may only be disabled by an affirmative action from the user.
US08667607B2 Trusted security zone access to peripheral devices
A method of trusted data communication. The method comprises executing a data communication application in a trusted security zone of a processor, wherein the processor is a component of a computer, commanding a controller of a peripheral device to execute a control application in a trusted security zone of the controller, wherein the controller is a component of the computer, commanding at least one of another peripheral device or a user interface device to not access a data bus of the computer, verifying that the controller is executing the control application in the trusted security zone of the controller, sending data from the processor to the controller over the data bus of the computer, and the controller one of transmitting the data sent by the processor on an external communication link, reading a memory storage disk, or writing to a memory storage disk.
US08667605B2 Method and system for determining the eligibility for deploying protected content
Methods and systems for using a flexible serialization technique to determine whether certain protected content items (e.g., software) are eligible to be installed on a target computer system during an installation procedure are described. Consistent with some embodiments of the invention, a serial number entered by an end-user is decoded to identify a product identifier that corresponds with a select folder in a folder hierarchy on a storage medium that contains various payloads for installing digital content items on a target computer system. The folder that corresponds with the product identifier includes license configuration information that specifies a set of digital content items eligible for installation, based on the serial number entered by the end-user.
US08667600B2 Trusted computing source code escrow and optimization
A software installation package includes encrypted source code. An installer receives an encryption key for decrypting the encrypted source code. The installer further causes the establishment of a temporary virtual machine. The encrypted source code is decrypted, using the encryption key, on the temporary virtual machine. A compiler executing on the temporary virtual machine compiles the source code into an application. The application is transferred from the temporary virtual machine to an operating environment. The temporary virtual machine is then destroyed, thereby also destroying any decrypted copies of the source code.
US08667590B1 Method and apparatus for protecting high availability devices from computer viruses and other malicious content
A technique for protecting a high availability device in a computer network includes deploying an appliance between the high availability device and a network connection. The high availability device may be a device configured for a manufacturing operation, such as wafer fabrication, for example. The appliance may be a transparent security appliance with a scanning engine for scanning packets for malicious content, such as computer viruses or worms, for example. Scanning control information can be supplied to the appliance by way of either a removable storage medium or a secure server coupled to the appliance, for example. The scanning control information can include a patch update, perhaps with signatures of viruses and associated control instructions. The appliance can then block any malicious content entering the appliance in response to the scanning control information. Among other advantages, the technique allows for low-cost, plug-and-play protection of high availability devices with good scalability to larger network configurations.
US08667589B1 Protection against unauthorized access to automated system for control of technological processes
A protection system for an automate process control system (APCS) includes a plurality of programmable anti-intrusion (PAI) modules. The PAI modules are places throughout the APCS used for: analyzing a system for presence of un-authorized devices or un-authorized connections; detection of undocumented (i.e., not declared) devices and suspicious commands from connected devices; filtering various types of activities (i.e., wrong packets, unidentified activities, certain types of commands etc.); analyzing different network layers for un-authorized data transmissions; and maintaining device behavior (heuristic) logs.
US08667588B2 Systems and methods for correlating and distributing intrusion alert information among collaborating computer systems
Systems and methods provide an alert correlator and an alert distributor that enable early signs of an attack to be detected and rapidly disseminated to collaborating systems. The alert correlator utilizes data structures to correlate alert detections and provide a mechanism through which threat information can be revealed to other collaborating systems. The alert distributor uses an efficient technique to group collaborating systems and then pass data between certain members of those groups according to a schedule. In this way data can be routinely distributed without generating excess traffic loads.
US08667587B1 Real-time website safety reputation system
A mechanism is provided for determining a safety reputation for a network site in a manner that provides both wide coverage of potentially malicious sites as well as improves the freshness of information from which the safety reputation is derived. Community-based information, such as reports from users related to recently-visited network sites, malware detected by reporting network nodes, non-specific information such as unusual CPU usage and network activity of visiting nodes, and information received from other types of external feeds is used in determining the safety reputation and updating the safety reputation. Such information is analyzed in order to determine network sites that are potential sources of malware, which can then be subjected to more detailed analysis. Historical information as to a site's reputation and other factors such as commercial importance can also be reviewed to make a determination as to whether information being currently gathered by a community of users is sufficient to trigger additional analysis of the network site. Thus, resources used for detailed analysis of suspect network sites is conserved.
US08667583B2 Collecting and analyzing malware data
A malware analysis system is described that provides information about malware execution history on a client computer and allows automated back-end analysis for faster creation of identification signatures and removal instructions. The malware analysis system collects threat information on client computers and sends the threat information to a back-end analysis component for automated analysis. The back-end analysis component analyzes the threat information by comparing the threat information to information about known threats. The system builds a signature for identifying the threat family and a mitigation script for neutralizing the threat. The system sends the signature and mitigation data to client computers, which use the information to mitigate the threat. Thus, the malware analysis system detects and mitigates threats more quickly than previous systems by reducing the burden on technicians to manually create environments for reproducing the threats and manually analyze the threat behavior.
US08667582B2 System, method, and computer program product for directing predetermined network traffic to a honeypot
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for directing predetermined network traffic to a honeypot. In use, predetermined network traffic originating from a node in a local area network and/or a virtual private network is identified. Further, the predetermined network traffic is directed to a honeypot.
US08667578B2 Web management authorization and delegation framework
Described is a technology in which a non-administrator computer/web user is allowed to perform an administrative-level task within a certain context and/or scope. An authorization store is queried based on information (e.g., a provider, a username, and a path) provided with an authorization request, e.g., from an application via an API. The information in the authorization store, set up by an administrator, determines the administrative action is allowed. If so, a credential store provides credentials that allow the action to be runs before reverting the user to the prior set of credentials. Also described is a pluggable provider model through which the authorization store and/or delegation store are accessed, whereby the data maintained therein can be any format and/or at any location known to the associated provider.
US08667576B2 Method for preventing data in a computer system from being accessed by unauthorized user
A computer system is provided comprising a non-volatile storage medium and a processor. The processor acquires authentication information from a first removable storage device, stores the authentication information into the non-volatile storage medium, and forbids data access of the computer system when detecting that a second removable storage device has been inserted and identification data of the second removable storage device is different from the authentication information.
US08667575B2 Systems and methods for AAA-traffic management information sharing across cores in a multi-core system
A method for propagating authentication session information to a plurality of cores of a multi-core device includes establishing, by an authentication virtual server executing on a first core of a device intermediary to at least one client and server, a session for a user, the authentication virtual server authenticating the session. A traffic management virtual server executes on a second core of device, and receives a request to access a server via the session. The traffic management virtual server may identify, responsive to a determination that the session is not stored by the second core, from an identifier of the session that the first core established the session. The second core may send to the first core a request for data for the session identified by the identifier. The second core may receive from the first core a response to the second request identifying whether the session is valid.
US08667571B2 Automated device provisioning and activation
A method comprising providing a plurality of links to a plurality of end-user devices communicatively coupled to a network system, a particular link of the plurality of links supporting control-plane communications between the network system and a particular end-user device of the plurality of end-user devices over one or more wireless access networks; receiving a message from a server communicatively coupled to the network system, the message comprising payload for delivery to the particular end-user device; generating an encrypted message comprising the payload and an identifier identifying a particular device agent of a plurality of device agents on the particular end-user device, the identifier configured to assist in delivering at least a portion of the payload to the particular device agent on the particular end-user device; and sending the encrypted message to the particular end-user device over the particular link.
US08667569B2 Credentials management
An encrypted file is decrypted to gain access to a stored hash value for a credentials setting component. A test hash value of the credentials setting component is formed. Before decrypting a set of encrypted credentials to form decrypted credentials, it is required that the test hash value of the credentials setting component match the stored hash value of the credentials setting component. The decrypted credentials are then passed to the credentials setting component to set credentials that instructions are to be executed under.
US08667564B1 Mobile internet protocol V6 SIP proxy bootstrapping
A method, system, and device are provided for bootstrapping a Session Initiation Protocol Proxy for a mobile device when the Home Agent is bootstrapped for the device. When an authentication server obtains a Home Agent address for the mobile device, it also obtains a Session Initiation Protocol Proxy address, associated with the Home Agent, for the mobile device. The Session Initiation Protocol Proxy address is sent to the mobile device along with the Home Agent address.
US08667554B2 Method and a device for supplying a decoder with data
A method and a device for supplying a decoder with data stream such as compressed video signal including both non-predictive and predictive data frames of a common data type. A device comprising a decoder for service data is provided with (1012, 1020) a specific frame that is a predictive frame indicating substantially no changes in the service data in relation to a possible previous service data frame supplied. A service data buffer is monitored (1014) and in case it's at least near an underflow condition according to a number of predetermined criteria (1016), the decoder is fed with the specific frame in order to prevent the decoder from being disturbed due to a lack of timely provided proper input data (1018).
US08667553B2 Automated input in an interactive television system
A method and mechanism for automating user input in an interactive television system. An interactive application is conveyed concurrently with a broadcast programming stream in an interactive television system to a receiver. The interactive application is configured to provide added content to a television viewer upon a request by the viewer. In order to request the display of the available added content, a viewer may provide an indication that the use of a script is desired. Subsequently, a script corresponding to the interactive application is utilized to provide input to the interactive application in lieu of the viewer actively providing the input necessary to display the added content. In addition, a viewer may configure the receiver to indicate default preferences for the use of scripts. The receiver may then utilize a standardized script to provide input to interactive applications having added content available for viewing. Further, a corresponding program, interactive application, added content, and script may be received and stored on a mass storage device. Subsequently, the stored material may be retrieved for display and execution.
US08667546B2 Method and apparatus for secure transfer and playback of multimedia content
A method and apparatus for secure transfer and playback of multimedia content enables the secure transfer of multimedia content from a digital video recorder (DVR) to a personal computer (PC) and further to a handheld device. A DVR determines which devices on a Local Area Network (LAN) are authorized to share and/or retrieve content from the DVR. The DVR receives a connection request from a PC on the LAN, authorizes the connection request and establishes a secure connection between the DVR and the PC. Once the secure connection is established, the DVR receives a request for multimedia content from the PC, prepares the multimedia content for transfer and transfers the multimedia content to the PC.
US08667545B1 Method and apparatus for storing user selected video content
A method and apparatus for enabling registered users to select and purchase video sessions from a network to be viewed from any video display devices connected to the network are disclosed. Specifically, these purchased video sessions can be stored within the network and accessed from any viewable display device connected to any video endpoint device at any time upon the users' request. In one embodiment, the stored video sessions can be downloaded and recorded onto a recording medium for future use.
US08667541B1 Intelligent handset remote control
A system is provided for intelligent handset remote control. The system includes a processor on a handset and a remote control component. When executed by the processor, the remote control component stores a list of media network providers, determines a location associated with the handset, retrieves an index associated with a media presentation device based on the location, and maps each of the media network providers in the list with at most one entry in the index. The remote control component also presents the list of media network providers to a user interface for the handset as a list of selectable inputs, receives a selection of one of the list of selectable inputs via the user interface, and transmits a command to the media presentation device to present media based on an entry in the index that corresponds to the selection.
US08667539B2 System for scanable icon detection and management
This invention enables Scanable Icons, which may be predetermined graphical images, and similar encoded information to be applied to video systems in a manner that is user-friendly and brings many of the advantages of easy information access and management to the video environment. The optical path normally required when using such encoded information is avoided. Supplementary information, including more details for advertisements, is provided in a non-invasive manner, allowing the user to access the supplementary information at convenient times and locations. The Scanable Icon adds a symbol to the existing advertisement without increasing its duration. Advertising is made substantially more effective for the advertiser and more useful for the consumer.
US08667536B1 Profiling and identification of television viewers
Profiling a television viewer by monitoring and processing, locally at a television viewing environment, the viewer's interactivity (e.g., via a remote control unit) with the television viewing environment. Generating one or more profiles for each viewer based on one or more of the multitude of interactions of each viewer and on, in general, the viewing habits and preferences of the viewer. Automatically and reliably, detecting or inferring at a particular time, which specific individual or individuals, are actually interacting with the TV in household comprising more than one individual. Such viewer identification and profile generation can be used to facilitate the delivery of targeted content, including targeted advertising.
US08667530B2 Method and system to provide interactivity using an interactive channel bug
A method and system are disclosed to provide interactivity using an interactive channel bug. The interactive channel bug (e.g., an “interactive broadcast channel branding logo”) allows a television user to access a variety of interactive services. The interactive broadcast channel branding logo may be configured to launch a functionality determined by a broadcaster. This functionality may change over time. The form of the interactive broadcast channel branding logo may also change over time in which the availability of new interactive services is indicated.
US08667529B2 Presentation of audiovisual exercise segments between segments of primary audiovisual content
A method of operating a video services system is presented here. The method presents an audiovisual stream to a user of a video services receiver. The audiovisual stream includes a first segment of primary audiovisual content, a second segment of primary audiovisual content, and a segment of secondary audiovisual content between the first segment of primary audiovisual content and the second segment of primary audiovisual content. The method continues by detecting presentation of the segment of secondary audiovisual content, obtaining a segment of audiovisual exercise content at the video services receiver, and presenting the segment of audiovisual exercise content concurrently with the segment of secondary audiovisual content.
US08667526B2 Providing content related to an item in an interactive data scroll
A system may present video content with a data scroll on a video display device. The data scroll may include data scroll items that are automatically and consecutively presented on the video display device. Each of the data scroll items may include information associated with a particular topic. The system may receive a selection of a softkey corresponding to one of the data scroll items, retrieve, in response to receiving the selection of the softkey, additional content corresponding to the particular topic associated with the one of the data scroll items, and present the additional content on the video display device.
US08667518B2 System and method for providing controlled access
A method for operating a signal receiver which authorizes controlled access, comprising providing an authentication token device having a predetermined usage limit stored therein, providing a reading device for reading the authentication token device, and for implementing the predetermined usage limit while deauthorizing the authentication token device for use with other reading devices, comprising a signal generator for communicating with a signal receiver through a wireless transmission, receiving the wireless transmission at the signal receiver, to permit access based on the received transmission, and upon exceeding the predetermined usage limit, deauthorizing further access.
US08667517B2 Objective lens holder, objective lens driving device using the same, optical pickup device, and method for manufacturing objective lens driving device
Provided is a compact-type objective lens (OBL) holder and the like provided with a bobbin making it possible to appropriately wind a coil therearound. An OBL holder of the present invention includes: a main surface portion provided with a fixing part on which an objective lens is fixed; and a first side-wall portion and a second side-wall portion provided with bobbins around which tracking coils for driving the OBL holder itself by using a magnetic effect are wound. Further, in the present invention, each bobbin includes a tubular portion and a through-hole penetrating the tubular portion in a thickness direction thereof. Thus, an adhesive can be supplied to the tracking coil through the through-hole.
US08667516B2 Optical disk drive with a cable protection device
An optical disk drive is disclosed to fix a main board in the casing and a second board under the tray. A flat cable on the bottom of the casing connects the main board with one end, and forms a bent portion to connect the connector of the second board at the other end. A cable protection device close to the connector is fixed under the tray to face the bent portion with an incline for preventing the bent portion from bending.
US08667515B2 Optical disc driver and casing structure thereof
A casing structure of an optical disc drive (ODD) includes an ODD case body and a panel part. The ODD case body includes a body and an embedded portion, where the embedded portion is located on the body and has a combination hole. The panel part includes a panel and a positioning portion, where the positioning portion is located on the panel and includes a positioning post and a limit part, the positioning post is disposed on the embedded portion and embedded in the combination hole, so that the panel is fixed to the body, and the panel and the limit part clamp the body. The panel masks a part of the body.
US08667513B1 Dormancy timer adjustment in a wireless access node based on wireless device application status
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for adjusting a dormancy timer in a wireless access node based on wireless device application status. In a particular embodiment, a method provides monitoring Application Programming Interface (API) calls from applications running on a wireless communication device for user interface functions and monitoring status of user interface components. The method further provides processing the API calls for the user interface functions and the status of the user interface components to set a dormancy timer threshold. The method further provides transferring the dormancy timer threshold to a wireless communication network that releases a wireless link to the wireless communication device if a dormancy timer for the wireless communication device reaches the dormancy timer threshold.
US08667505B2 Message queue management
Various embodiments provide message queue management techniques designed to reduce the likelihood of multi-component applications becoming nonresponsive and enable recovery options for individual components if they do become nonresponsive. In at least some embodiments, a message queue manager detects when a component of an application interface becomes nonresponsive and detaches the component from a shared message queue. The shared message queue can continue to process messages for other responsive components while messaging for the nonresponsive component is managed via a separate queue. The message queue manager can also notify a user regarding the nonresponsive component and provide the user with options to facilitate recovery of the nonresponsive component. Further, in at least some embodiments, the message queue manager can monitor a detached component and reattach the detached component when it becomes responsive again.
US08667503B2 Paradigm in multimedia services creation methodology, and new service creation and service execution environments
The present invention discloses a new paradigm in Multimedia Services Creation Methodology, and new Service Creation and Service Execution Environments, based on this methodology. A service designer can access the Service Creation Environment via a Web based Graphical User Interface (GUI), to design new service in an automated way. The design process includes creation of the Service Logic Script (SLS), and associated databases that are used for storage of service and subscriber related data. The service developer (user) assembles Language Graphical Objects (LGO) into Service Logic Script. LGOs are part of a new graphical language that has been developed to meet multimedia service creation needs. They represent service control and call control primitive functions that have to be performed, in order to provide a multimedia service to service subscribers.
US08667501B2 Performing a local barrier operation
Performing a local barrier operation with parallel tasks executing on a compute node including, for each task: retrieving a present value of a counter; calculating, in dependence upon the present value of the counter and a total number of tasks performing the local barrier operation, a base value of the counter, the base value representing the counter's value prior to any task joining the local barrier; calculating, in dependence upon the base value and the total number of tasks performing the local barrier operation, a target value, the target value representing the counter's value when all tasks have joined the local barrier; joining the local barrier, including atomically incrementing the value of the counter; and repetitively, until the present value of the counter is no less than the target value of the counter: retrieving the present value of the counter and determining whether the present value equals the target value.
US08667500B1 Use of dynamic entitlement and adaptive threshold for cluster process balancing
Processes are balanced among multiple computer systems. The allocation policies and resource demands of multiple processes executing on multiple computer systems are used to determine the resource imbalance of the computer systems. Resource imbalance can be used to determine whether a process should be migrated from one computer system to another. Resource imbalance of multiple resources can be combined to determine overall imbalance of the computer systems. Overall imbalance can be used to determine whether a process should be migrated from one computer system to another. Imbalance of resources can be determined for resources such as processor time, memory, network bandwidth, and storage. Virtual machines can be balanced among multiple computer systems operating in a cluster.
US08667495B1 Virtual resource provider with virtual control planes
Control planes of virtual resource providers may be customized in a secure, stable and efficient manner with virtual control planes. Control planes may be modularized. Control plane modules may be supplied with data from standardized sensors, and required to generate standardized resource configuration requests responsive to solicitations with specified response latencies. Custom control plane modules may be selected to replace or complement default control plane modules. Financial and computational costs associated with control plane modules may be tracked. Competing resource configurations may be mediated by a control plane supervisor. Such mediation may be based on control plane module reputation scores. Reputation scores may be based on customer feedback ratings and/or measured performance with respect to module goals. Mediated configuration parameter values may be based on a combination of competing configuration parameter values weighted according to reputation. Contribution of individual modules to goal achievement may be tracked and rewarded accordingly.
US08667491B2 Method and apparatus for executing a transition workflow between swim lanes of a workflow
A method of executing a workflow in a computer includes representing a main workflow of at least one computer as a series of steps which are linked to define the workflow, the steps being grouped in at least two groups. The method includes representing a transition workflow as at least one transition step, the transition step not being linked to the steps of the main workflow and defining a rule for executing the transition workflow based on transitions between steps of different groups. The method includes executing in at least one computer the steps of the main workflow in an order defined by the links. The method includes evaluating the rule to determine whether the rule applies when, during the executing, a step from one of the groups is followed by a step from another of the groups and executing in at least one computer the steps of the transition workflow when the rule applies.
US08667486B2 Automatic provisioning of a software platform to a device ecosystem
A method for automatically provisioning a platform implementation package to a client device may include receiving from an application executing on the client device, a request for functionality. The request may be received via a client library distributed with the application, and may be for functionality provided by the platform implementation package. The platform implementation package may provide functionality that is not provided by the client library. It may be further automatically determined, by the client device, that the functionality requires an update to the platform implementation package. In response, a request for the update to the platform implementation package may be communicated to a computing system. The update to the platform implementation package may be received from the computing system and installed on the client device. The requested functionality may be provided to the application by the updated platform implementation package.
US08667484B2 Method and related management architecture for managing bundles in an open services gateway initiative service platform
A method for managing a plurality of bundles in an open services gateway initiative service platform includes adding the plurality of bundles into a service list and generating configuration files corresponding to the plurality of bundles, storing the configuration files, updating a status corresponding to a first bundle of the plurality of bundles in the service list when the first bundle is initiated, and loading a configuration file corresponding to the first bundle.
US08667483B2 Device dependent on-demand compiling and deployment of mobile applications
To accommodate different types and versions of execution environments on mobile devices, requests for applications from a programmable device, such as a smart phone or other mobile device include status data about the characteristics of the device. Information about the display, memory, storage, and/or script engine may be forwarded with a request. At a fulfillment server, the information is evaluated so that an appropriately versioned and configured application can be custom built, or selected from a pre-built inventory of applications. This allows a user to postpone an upgrade and still receive appropriate versions of executable, optimized to the particular mobile device.
US08667481B2 Sensor node included in sensor network, update server updating the same, and method of updating sensor node
Provided are a sensor node included in a sensor network, an update server updating the sensor node, and a method of updating a sensor node. The update server updating a sensor node included in a sensor network includes an execution code manager managing execution codes for a plurality of sensor nodes included in the sensor network, a rule generator generating an update rule based on a result of comparing an existing execution code managed by the execution code manager with an update execution code required for a new function update of the sensor node, and a downloader causing the sensor node to download the update rule generated by the rule generator. Accordingly, an execution code can be updated by a small amount of data transmission.
US08667480B1 Automatically updating browser extensions, and applications thereof
Embodiments of invention relate to automatically updating browser extensions. In an embodiment, a method for updating browser extensions is provided. In the method, an input to execute a browser extension installed in a local browser extension database is received. In response to receipt of the input, a remote server is automatically communicated with to determine whether a portion of the browser extension should be updated. An updated portion of the browser extension is received if the browser extension should be updated. Finally, the updated portion of the browser extension is installed in the local browser extension database.
US08667475B2 Computer-readable storage medium and program-converting method
A program-converting module for a multi-axis cooperated machine and a program-converting method. Machining programs and mechanism data of a plurality of first machines are input to a first input module. Mechanism data of a plurality of second machines are input to a second input unit. A setting unit sets at least one of the first machines to be a source machine, and sets one of the second machines to be a target machine. A conversion unit uses a kinematical method to convert the machining program of the source machine into a machining program applicable to the target machine based on the mechanism data of the source and target machines, without requiring CAD/CAM software.
US08667474B2 Generation of parallel code representations
A generated grouped representation of existing source code can define regions of the existing source code. A set of the regions that can run in parallel can be identified based on the grouped representation. The grouped representation can be converted into a modified representation, such as modified source code or a modified intermediate compiler representation, which can be configured to be resolved or executed to self-schedule the set of regions to run in parallel as a set of tasks. Additionally, the source code can include one or more exception handling routines, and user input can be received to identify in one or more lambda expressions one or more regions of the source code to be run in parallel as one or more tasks.
US08667472B1 System and method of instrumenting code for in-production monitoring
A system and method configured to instrument code for in-production monitoring provides a polling thread. A main thread executes the code of an instrumented application program and the polling thread executes in the background. Therefore the polling thread does not reduce the performance of the application program execution while monitoring activities are performed. Additionally, the polling thread is configured to simplify the process of instrumenting code for Java management extensions (JMX) by navigating the application program structure to locate administrative objects to bind to JMX and registering the administrative objects with JMX to enable monitoring of the instrumented code.
US08667470B2 Traceability in a modeling environment
Exemplary embodiments employ a mapping among entities that are related to each other. The entities may include a graphical model, generated code, a generated report, a requirements document and/or an intermediate representation. The mapping may facilitate graphical identifications between parts of one entity that maps to part of another entity. The graphical identification may occur based on a selection of a part in one of the entities.
US08667469B2 Staged automated validation of work packets inputs and deliverables in a software factory
A method, system, and computer-readable medium for staged validation of work packets within a software factory are presented. In one embodiment, the method includes creating a preliminary work packet. A validation constraint is appended to the preliminary work packet to create a constrained work packet. The constrained work packet is submitted to the software factory, within which the validation constraint is validated at different stages to confirm that the validation constraint is proper for the constrained work packet. If a validation result fails to meet all requirements of the validation constraint at each stage, the validation constraint is resolved, and the constrained work packet is re-submitted at that stage.
US08667467B2 Dynamic test scripts
A method and apparatus for generating dynamic test scripts enables the design and use of testing scripts that are independent of an application and the user interface layout of the application. The method and apparatus store a set of test data, checks and an action list independent from a test script. The test script matches the properties of the test data, checks and action list items with the properties of user interface elements in an application at run-time. The run-time matching allows for the script to be utilized for different applications as well as altered or updated versions of those applications with minimal or no changes to the testing script. This method and system are particularly relevant for the testing of applications using the user interface rather than backend utilities (APIs, services etc.).
US08667466B2 Parameterized interface identifier techniques
Interface identifier parameterization techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a textual description is obtained of a parametric type represented in a binary standard of a programming model and an interface identifier is generated based at least in part on the obtained textual description of the parametric type.
US08667464B2 Company advanced programming interface
An approach which may be regarded as a company advanced programming interface (CAPI) applicable, for instance, to boiler displays and remote man-machine interfaces. CAPI may use a product software structure combined with a personal computer (PC) or web based program capable of creating an embedded microcontroller program without a need for programming capabilities or a program recompile. Implementation may be done at both the product microcontroller level and the PC or web based program to be used by an end customer to “customize” its product. The present approach may partially move development and final tuning processes to an original equipment manufacturers (OEM). Modifications of the product may be done without a need for specific and expensive software development tools for embedded devices such as a compiler and a debugger, and hardware tools for simulation and analysis, and other like items. The present approach may also provide immediate response to simple OEM requirements.
US08667457B2 System and method for validating download or configuration assignment for an EGM or EGM collection
A slot management system including a download and configuration server-based sub-system and method is disclosed for use with game devices, systems, and methods is provided to enable users to monitor, control, and modify different game devices and other related activities. The slot management system includes a validator that validates assignments to modify game devices.
US08667449B2 Flip-flop library development for high frequency designs built in an ASIC flow
A method, computer program storage device and system are provided for determination and selection of optimized circuit components. The method includes performing a timing analysis on at least a portion of an electronic circuit and determining a path in the at least a portion of an electronic circuit, where the path comprises at least one storage element and an operational attribute associated with the path. The method also includes determining an optimized storage element adapted to utilize the operational attribute. The system includes a processing device and at least one of a synthesis tool, a timing tool or a place and route tool communicatively connected to the processing device. The synthesis tool, the timing tool and the place and route tool are adapted to process or analyze an electrical circuit. The system also includes a gate library communicatively connected to the at least one of a synthesis tool, a timing tool and a place r route tool, as well as a substitution unit communicatively connected to at least one of the at least one of a synthesis tool, a timing tool or a place and route tool or the gate library. The substitution unit is adapted to substitute an optimized storage element for a storage element in the electrical circuit.
US08667448B1 Integrated circuit having local maximum operating voltage
Embodiments include a method for providing a local maximum operating voltage on an integrated circuit. The method includes determining a gate-to-contact reliability for each of the plurality of regions and calculating a local maximum voltage for each of the plurality of regions based on the gate-to-contact reliability. Based on a determination that the local maximum voltage in one of the plurality of regions is greater than a maximum voltage, the method includes setting the local maximum operating voltage to the maximum voltage. Based on a determination that the local maximum voltage in one of the plurality of regions is less than the maximum voltage, the method includes setting the local maximum operating voltage to the local maximum voltage.
US08667446B2 Extracting high frequency impedance in a circuit design using an electronic design automation tool
Exemplary impedance extraction methods, systems, and apparatus are described herein. In one exemplary embodiment, for instance, a signal-wire segment of a circuit layout is selected. A predetermined number of return paths are identified for the selected signal-wire segment. The selected signal-wire segment and the identified return paths are further segmented into a plurality of bundles, which comprise signal-wire subsegments and one or more associated return-path subsegments that are parallel to and have the same length as the signal-wire subsegments. Loop inductance values and loop resistance values are determined and stored for the signal-wire subsegments in the bundles for at least one frequency of operation. Computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform any of the disclosed methods or storing data or information created or modified using any of the disclosed techniques are also disclosed.
US08667442B1 Circuit simulation methodology to calculate leakage current during any mode of circuit operation
A method for calculating leakage current associated with an integrated circuit, includes selecting a sampling point at which an input signal for the integrated circuit is in a quiescent state and determining the leakage current associated with the integrated circuit using the selected sampling point.
US08667439B1 Automatically connecting SoCs IP cores to interconnect nodes to minimize global latency and reduce interconnect cost
Systems and methods described herein are directed to solutions for Network on Chip (NoC) interconnects that automatically and dynamically determines the position of various hosts in a NoC topology based on the connectivity, bandwidth and latency requirements of the system traffic flows and certain performance optimization metrics such as system interconnect latency and interconnect cost. The example implementations selects hosts for relocation consideration and determines a new possible position for them in the NoC based on the system traffic specification, and using probabilistic functions to decide if the relocation is carried out or not. The procedure is repeated over new sets of hosts until certain optimization targets are satisfied or repetition count is exceeded.
US08667438B2 Optimization of library slew ratio based circuit
Disclosed is a technique for providing minimal sequential overhead in a flip-flop circuit. Equalization of setup times is achieved in one embodiment. In addition, delays in clock to Q can be equalized for both rising data transitions and falling data transitions. Large setup times are not required since optimization techniques equalize setup times for both rising and falling data transitions.
US08667437B2 Creating a standard cell circuit design from a programmable logic device circuit design
A computer-implemented method of converting a circuit design for a programmable logic device (PLD) to a standard cell circuit design can include unmapping a PLD circuit design to a gate level netlist, mapping logic gates of the netlist to functionally equivalent standard cells, and including the standard cells within the standard cell circuit design. Design constraints for the standard cell circuit design can be automatically generated. The design constraints for the standard cell circuit design can be output.
US08667435B1 Function symmetry-based optimization for physical synthesis of programmable integrated circuits
A computer-implemented method of technology mapping a circuit design for implementation within a programmable logic device can include determining a plurality of cut sets for the circuit design, wherein each cut set includes a plurality of cuts. The method can include evaluating each cut set according to a cost function that depends, at least in part, upon a measure of inter-cut symmetry and selecting a cut set according to the cost function. Each cut of the selected cut set can represent an instantiation of at least one logic component within the programmable logic device. The circuit design specifying the selected cut set can be output.
US08667434B1 System, method, and computer program product for altering a hardware description based on an instruction file
A system, method and computer program product are provided for altering a hardware description based on an instruction file. In use, a hardware description is identified. Additionally, the hardware description is analyzed. Further, an instruction file is created based on the analysis. Moreover, the hardware is altered based on the instruction file.
US08667424B2 Method of spreading out and displaying closely located points of interest on a personal navigation device
A method of displaying points of interest in a personal navigation device includes displaying a map on a display of the personal navigation device, receiving touch input at a touched position of the display, displaying points of interest located near the touched position, wherein the points of interest are represented by icons, each icon being connected to its location on the map with a line extending out from the touched position, and spreading out the icons around the touched position to separate the icons from each other, the spread out icons being displayed in a pattern around the touched position, wherein a length of the line connecting each icon to its location on the map is not directly proportional to a distance from the corresponding point of interest to the touched position.
US08667423B2 Multi-touch wallpaper management
A method and apparatus for multi-touch wallpaper management for a mobile computing device are described wherein a first wallpaper image is displayed on a multi-touch-sensitive display of the mobile computing device and a multi-touch gesture is received indicating a request to change the first wallpaper image. In response to the multi-touch gesture, at least a portion of a second wallpaper image is displayed. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08667416B2 User interface manipulation for coherent content presentation
Functionality is implemented to determine that a first content presented by a first graphical user interface container is related to a second content presented by a second graphical user interface container. The first graphical user interface container and the second graphical user interface container are merged to generate a merged container that presents a merged content. The merged content comprises a first constituent content of the merged container that corresponds to the first content and a second constituent content of the merged container that corresponds to the second content. It is determined that a first action associated with the first constituent content can operate upon the second constituent content. The first action operates on the first constituent content when invoked. Computer program code that implements the first action is reconfigured to operate upon the first and the second constituent content of the merged container.
US08667415B2 Web widgets
A media authoring tool includes web widgets for creating page elements for various types of media (e.g., websites, blogs, broadcasts, slide shows, multimedia presentations). A widget inspector associated with the widget can be used to modify the behavior of the widget.
US08667414B2 Gestural input at a virtual keyboard
A computing device is operatively coupled to a presence-sensitive surface associated with a virtual keyboard. The computing device receives an indication of a gesture input on a portion of the presence-sensitive surface associated with the virtual keyboard. In response, the computing device defines a series of input points that represent a path of the gesture input across the virtual keyboard. In addition, the computing device defines anchor points for virtual keys of the virtual keyboard. The computing device then determines distance scores for the anchor points words based on distances on the presence-sensitive surface between the input points and the anchor points. The computing device identifies a word that corresponds to the gesture input based on the distance scores for the anchor points.
US08667411B2 Using style elements to copy and paste a selected area of a screen display
A copy and paste operation allows selection from a copy source display area to be copied from a display screen of a display unit and pasted to a paste destination display area without losing the original appearance and style. A processing unit determines from data generated on the style of a copy source and data on the paste destination style, whether the paste destination style would change the copy source style. If it is determined that the paste destination style would change the copy source style, the copy source style is processed into the paste destination style in order to make the paste destination style consistent with the copy source style. The paste destination display area then displays the copy source display area pasted therein with the copy source style.
US08667396B2 Master slave region branding
Methods and apparatus provide for a region brander configured to uniformly apply branding (i.e graphical modifications) upon both content data and application data to effectuate a seamless branding of an entire region of a graphical user interface (GUI). The region brander defines a hierarchy relationship between content and a branding extension (i.e. embedded modification information) with respect to a region in a Graphical User Interface (GUI). The region brander further defines a master region in the GUI to apply the hierarchy relationship to display the content and the branding extension in the master region. A slave region in the GUI can also be defined to apply the hierarchy relationship in order to: (i) display, in the slave region, the branding extensions related to content selected in the master region, and (ii) display episodic content related to content selected in the master region.
US08667392B2 Automated submission of folded print job
Techniques are provided for receiving user requests for a document job. The document job prints characteristics for making markings on a media sheet and an indication to perform fold operations for creating a folded piece. User inputs to identify the outside page designation of the folded piece, first fold direction, fold type, and an outside portion designation. The “outside page designation” indicates the side of the media sheet to contain markings to appear on the exterior of the folded piece. The input for the direction of the first fold includes whether the direction of the first fold is perpendicular to the relatively longer or shorter end of the sheet. After printing, automatic folding of the media sheet(s) into the folded piece is enabled using only the outside page designation, the direction of the first fold, the type of fold, and the outside portion designation.
US08667391B2 Handheld electronic device having multiple-axis input device, selectable language indicator, and menus for language selection, and associated method
A method of enabling input into a handheld electronic device comprises detecting as an ambiguous input an actuation of one or more input members, employing an operative input method language to output a number of objects that are selectable and that each comprise at least a portion of a language object that corresponds with the ambiguous input, outputting at a location adjacent the number of objects an indicator representative of the operative input method language, detecting an input from a multiple-axis input device as being a selection input with respect to the indicator and, responsive thereto, outputting a menu of input method languages selectable as alternate operative input method languages.
US08667390B2 Asynchronous access to structured data
Methods and apparatus implementing systems and techniques for asynchronously loading and accessing structured data. A random access interface can be provided to structured data while that structured data is asynchronously and simultaneously being loaded from a data source. A document, such as an Extensible Markup Language document, can be sequentially parsed and loaded into memory, and a tree data structure interface to the entire document can be provided to a client before the entire document has been fully parsed. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes: parsing structured data in sequence to produce a data object model representing at least a portion of the structured data in a memory, and simultaneously providing, to a client, read and write random access to the structured data through the data object model in the memory as the data object model is being produced.
US08667389B2 Transforming a hierarchical data structure according to requirements specified in a transformation template
Method for transforming an input data structure to an output data structure according to requirements specified in a transformation template. The method includes translating an input data structure in an input container format to an output data structure in a different output container format and converting an input data structure to an output data structure where the structures have the same container format. During transformation, modifications to the structure and/or content of the input data structure may be made. The resulting output data structure is dynamically determined based on the structure and content of the input data structure. The input data structure is represented by a data structure tree, each node of the tree having an associated scope dictionary containing zero or more key-value pairs. The tree is traversed downwards as scope dictionaries are created and/or modified and traversed upwards as data of the output data structure tree is created.
US08667388B2 Web document structure analysis and conditional element shifting and insertion
An information processing apparatus includes a selector unit that selects a character string, an element specifying unit that specifies a first element from among elements defined by a document structure definition controlling a document into which the selected character string is inserted, an insertion destination specifying unit that specifies an insertion destination within the document, and a shifting unit that determines whether the first element is able to have a character string as an element, searches the document structure definition for a second element that is lower than the first element and is able to have a character string, searches the document structure definition for an element to be inserted between the first element and the second element, generates an insertion element by interpolating between the first element and the second element with the element to be inserted, and shifts the insertion element to the insertion destination.
US08667386B2 Network client optimization
A method of rendering an optimized web page or other resource includes requesting a resource and receiving a response including a user interface control declaration and a data array containing properties for the user interface control. The data array is parsed to produce a first property value, and a property of the user interface control is modified to correspond to the first property value. Alternatively, the response may not include a user interface control declaration, but a user interface control may be instantiated having a property that corresponds to the first property value. The property value may have been determined dynamically based at least in part on information provided with the request.
US08667384B2 User interface for editing photo tags
There is disclosed a user interface for editing photo tags. In an embodiment, the user interface embodies a method of editing photo tags, comprising: displaying a photo on a display; providing a photo tagging mode for editing tags for the displayed photo; and for each tag used to tag a subject or object in the photo, identifying the tag type and associating a unique pointer for each tag type to highlight the corresponding tagged subject or object. The method may further comprise: displaying a tag list of tags used to tag a subject or object in the photo; and identifying the tag type of each tag in the tag list. In an embodiment, context sensitive information may be accessed for each tag depending on the tag type.
US08667375B2 Method and apparatus for error management
To derive a Hamming code to manage data errors a set of at least four parity bit positions is selected for parity bits which will protect a set of data bits (where each data bit has a data bit position in the data bit set). A syndrome is determined for each data bit position. This involves selecting a unique sub-set of at least three parity bit positions. The unique sub-set shares at least one parity bit position with at least one other unique sub-set of at least three parity bit positions. A parity bit value may then be calculated for each parity bit position based on the determined syndromes. The header of a packet may be provided with a word which defines the length of the packet and an error management code generated utilizing this word so that errors in the word may be detected and, possibly, corrected.
US08667370B1 Systems and methods for arbitrating use of processor memory
A system including a processor, a FIFO, and an arbiter module. The processor includes a processor core and a memory. The processor core processes data stored in a memory and executes instructions using the memory. The FIFO receives streaming data and outputs the streaming data to the memory. The arbiter module, in response to the FIFO not being filled to a predetermined threshold, allows the processor core to access the memory at a higher priority than the FIFO to permit the processor core to process data including any streaming data stored in the memory, and to execute instructions using the memory. The arbiter module, in response to the FIFO being filled to the predetermined threshold, allows the FIFO to access the memory at the higher priority than the processor core to permit the FIFO to output the streaming data, without having the FIFO overflow, to the memory.
US08667369B2 Memory controller and operating method of memory controller
A method of operating a memory controller to control a memory device includes reading a read vector from the memory device and correcting one or more errors in the read vector, where a power consumed at the correcting is varied according to the number of errors in the read vector.
US08667368B2 Method and apparatus for reading NAND flash memory
A page buffer for a NAND memory array has a data register and a cache register that are suitably organized and operated to eliminate gaps and discontinuities in the output data during a continuous page read. The cache register may be organized in two portions, and the page data in the cache may be output from the cache portions in alternation. ECC delay may be eliminated from the output by performing the ECC computation on one cache portion while the other is being output. The data register may also be organized in two portions corresponding to the cache portions, so that data may be transferred to one cache portion while the other is being output. In a variation, the continuous page read may be done without ECC.
US08667367B2 Memory cell supply voltage control based on error detection
Described herein is an apparatus for adjusting a power supply level for a memory cell to improve stability of a memory unit. The apparatus comprises memory circuitry including memory cells, error detection circuitry to detect error in data stored by memory cells of the memory circuitry, and supply voltage control circuitry to increase supply voltage for one or more memory cells of the memory circuitry based at least in part on detected error.
US08667358B2 Error correction and recovery in chained memory architectures
Electronic apparatus, systems, and methods to construct and operate the electronic apparatus and/or systems include a memory unit configured to receive data flow from two directions. The memory unit can be configured serially in a chain with other memory units. The chain can include an error check and correcting unit (ECC). Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08667353B2 Semiconductor chip and test method
A semiconductor chip having a functional block that performs a communication function includes an input circuit that supplies an oscillating test signal to the functional block, and a test circuit that detects the strength of an oscillating signal which the functional block outputs in response. A strength signal indicating the detected strength is output from the test circuit through an external terminal of the semiconductor chip to a test device. The test device evaluates the strength signal to decide whether an operating characteristic of the functional block is within a specified range. The strength information indicated by the strength signal is not affected by impedance on the signal transmission line between the semiconductor chip and the test device, so the test is not affected by impedance loss.
US08667346B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device, method of controlling the semiconductor integrated circuit device and information processing system
A debug system scans a scan memory element group having a plurality of scan memory elements which are connected in series in a semiconductor integrated circuit device and collects data in the scan memory element group. The semiconductor integrated circuit device has an end code register which is provided between an input terminal and an input side of the scan memory element group and holds an end code, a start code register which is provided between an output terminal and an output side of the scan memory element group and holds a start code, and a scan control circuit which controls shift operations of the scan memory element group, the end code register and the start code register, and outputs scan data to the output terminal.
US08667341B2 Apparatus and method for determining interleaved address of turbo interleaver
An apparatus and method for determining interleaved addresses of a turbo interleaver are disclosed. A new interleaving size of received data is compared with a previously-stored interleaving size. When the compared interleaving sizes are equal to each other, the received data is decoded using previously-stored interleaved addresses. When the compared interleaving sizes are different from each other, the received data is decoded using new interleaved addresses generated with the new interleaving size. The turbo interleaver generates interleaved addresses at minimum number of code blocks rather than every code block, resulting in reduction of decoding delay and improvement of decoding performance.
US08667333B2 Extensible testing system
A computer implemented system for testing electronic equipment where a plurality of types of systems can be tested using a single test specification.
US08667328B2 System and method for protecting windows system state
A method and system for protecting computer system state in one aspect generates signatures associated with system dump data, compares the signatures with those of the previous system dump data. Only those system dump data whose signatures are different from the previous dump are transferred for storing.
US08667326B2 Dual hard disk drive system and method for dropped write detection and recovery
A system is provided. The system detects a dropped write from a hard disk drive (HDD). The system includes two or more HDDs, each being configured to define a data block spread across the two or more HDDs. The data block is configured to regenerate a checksum across the full data block during a read operation to detect the dropped write.
US08667325B2 Method, apparatus and system for providing memory sparing information
Techniques for implementing memory sparing with a memory controller. In an embodiment, a memory controller stores memory sparing information which is specific to a first line of memory in a memory coupled to and controller by the memory controller. In another embodiment, the memory controller includes a second memory line which is to operate as a spare for the first line of memory, where accessing the second memory line is to be a substitute for accessing the first memory line.
US08667323B2 Proactive error scan and isolated error correction
Processing for file system volume error detection and processing for resultant error correction are separated to support system availability and user satisfaction. File system volumes for storing data structures are proactively scanned while the volumes remain online to search for errors or corruptions thereon. Found errors are scheduled to be corrected, i.e., spot corrected, dependent on the severity of the identified errors, error correction scheduling and/or at the determination of a file system administrator and/or user, to assist in maintaining minimal user and file system impact. When spot correction is initialized, one file system volume at a time is taken offline for correction. Spot correction verifies prior logged corruptions for the offline volume, and if independently verified, attempts to correct the prior noted corruptions. Volumes are retained offline only for the time necessary to verify and attempt to correct prior noted volume corruptions.
US08667316B2 Precision synchronisation architecture for superspeed universal serial bus devices
A method of providing a synchronization channel to a SuperSpeed USB device is provided. The method including a SuperSpeed communication channel connection to the SuperSpeed USB device with a USB cable that has USB 2.0 D+ and D− data signalling lines disabled or disconnected at an upstream connection point; multiplexing synchronization information onto the D+/D− data signalling lines at the upstream connection point; and demultiplexing the synchronization information from the D+/D− signalling lines at a downstream connection point of the cable; whereby the synchronization channel is maintained across the D+/D− data signalling lines.
US08667315B2 Synchronization control apparatus, information processing apparatus, and synchronization management method for managing synchronization between a first processor and a second processor
A synchronization control apparatus includes a counter that carries out a counting and outputs resulting count information, a timeout time holder that holds a predetermined timeout time and outputs the timeout time, a comparator that compares the count information output from the counter and the timeout time output from the timeout time holder, a synchronization controller that monitors a synchronization between a first processor and a second processor by comparing an output from the first processor and an output from the second processor and starts a counting, when a mis-match of the outputs from the first processor and the second processor is detected and wherein the comparator detects that the count information and the timeout time match, the comparator stops either the first processor or second processor in which a synchronization delay has occurred.
US08667314B2 Power switching circuit of portable electronic device
A power switching circuit of a portable electronic device is disclosed. The portable electronic device can be coupled to an expansion device. The power switching circuit includes a first power terminal, a second power terminal, a first switch module, a second switch module, and a power pin. The first switch module is coupled to the first power terminal. The second switch module is coupled to the second power terminal. The power pin is coupled to the first switch module and the second switch module, respectively. When the portable electronic device is not coupled to the expansion device, the first switch module and the second switch module are turned off, such that first power provided by the first power terminal and second power provided by the second power terminal fail to be provided for the power pin via the first switch module and the second switch module.
US08667312B2 Performing power management operations
A memory circuit power management system and method are provided. An interface circuit is in communication with a plurality of memory circuits and a system. In use, the interface circuit is operable to perform a power management operation in association with only a portion of the memory circuits.
US08667310B2 Circuit for indicating power level over a communication interface
A circuit is provided. The circuit includes a control circuit, a voltage sensor coupled to the control circuit, and an indicator signal coupled to the control circuit. The control circuit, responsive to the voltage sensor, is configured to detect a first classification voltage within a classification voltage range defined by a lower classification voltage limit and upper classification voltage limit, detect, after detecting the first classification voltage, an indexing voltage outside of the classification voltage range, and detect, after detecting the indexing voltage, a second classification voltage within the classification voltage range. The control circuit is further configured to set the indicator signal to a first predetermined state indicating a power type based on the detected first classification voltage, indexing voltage and second classification voltage.
US08667308B2 Dynamic voltage dithering
A request for a high voltage mode is received and a high voltage timer is started in response to determining that a remaining amount of high voltage credits exceeds a voltage switch threshold value. A switch to the high voltage mode is made in response to the request. A low voltage mode is switched to in response to an indication. The request may be received from an application running on a data processing system. If the indication is that the high voltage timer has expired, a low voltage timer is started in response to switching to low voltage mode. If the high voltage request is still active when the low voltage timer expires, a switch back to high voltage mode occurs and a new high voltage timer is started.
US08667304B2 Methods and apparatuses for secondary conditional access server
Conditional access to media content of primary security systems on a secondary networked environment. In one embodiment, a conditional access server is used to provide services to secondary CA clients (e.g., a bridge, a renderer, a storage, or their different combinations) through network connections. Containing data representing the subscriber, a conditional access server recovers entitlement data and/or decryption keys of a primary security system for the conditional access protected content, such as service keys and control words, and/or enforces conditional access to the content by secondary CA clients according to the authorization of the primary security system for the secondary CA clients. In one embodiment, a conditional access system provides delayed authorization for use so that the content can be recorded for later use when authorized and broadcasts rights for use on multiple secondary CA clients.
US08667302B2 Signature generating device and method, signature verifying device and method, and computer product
A signature generating device includes a receiving unit that receives a sequence of data; a summary data generating unit that generates summary data of the data upon reception of each of the data by the receiving unit; an obtaining unit that obtains, when the number of data included in a sequence of the generated summary data reaches a given number, the sequence of the summary data as a block; a setting unit that sets, as a signature subject, a current block constituted by the sequence of the summary data, and the summary data selected from at least one block contiguous to the current block; a digital signature generating unit that generates a digital signature concerning data summarized for the current block; and a sending unit that sends the generated digital signature, the signature subject associated with the digital signature, and the data summarized for the current block.
US08667299B2 Preventing unauthorized distribution of media content within a global network
One embodiment of the invention is a method for providing media content while preventing its unauthorized distribution. The method includes transmitting from a client to an administrative node a request for delivery of an instance of media content (IMC); determining which content source (CS) of a plurality of CSs to provide delivery of the IMC, provided the client is authorized to receive the IMC; transmitting to the client an access key and a location of the IMC; transmitting from the client to the CS a second request and the access key; in response to receiving the second request and the access key, transferring the IMC from the CS to the client; transmitting from the client to the administrative node an indicator indicating a successful transfer of the IMC; and generating a transaction applicable to the client and associated with the transfer of the IMC to the client.
US08667298B2 Module signing for unprivileged users to create and load trustworthy kernel modules
A module building system, hosted by a server, receives a user script to be run to monitor software on a client using an introspection tool. The server adds safety constraints to the user script and generates a client kernel module using the user script which includes the safety constraints. The server signs the client kernel module and sends the signed client kernel module to the client. The signed client kernel module allows a user to use the introspection tool to load and execute the client module on the client for monitoring the software on the client.
US08667297B2 Key with integral biometric input device
A key integrates with a biometric input device. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a fingerprint scanner may be integral with a spacebar.
US08667295B1 Encoding a validity period in a password
A password authentication mechanism is capable of determining whether a password has expired without referring to a database or other information repository. Additional information can be encoded in the password without unduly lengthening the password, so that the additional information can be extracted from the password when the user provides the password for authentication purposes. Thus, the password serves as an information-carrying data item as well as acting as an authentication mechanism. Such a password can be used, for example, to provide time-limited access to a vehicle in response to receipt of timely payment, and to disable the vehicle if payment is not made.
US08667294B2 Apparatus and method for preventing falsification of client screen
An apparatus and method for preventing falsification of a client screen is provided, in which a web server dynamically generates URIs and provides them to clients, thus preventing the falsification of client screens due to a web injection attack or a memory hacking attack. The apparatus includes a random web generation unit for converting an identical web page into random URIs that are randomly generated, at a request of a plurality of clients, generating different random web sources, and providing the different random web sources to the respective clients. A web falsification determination unit compares display web source eigenvalues respectively generated by the clients with respect to any one of the random web sources with a generative web source eigenvalue for the one of the random web sources, thus determining whether screens corresponding to the random web sources displayed on the respective clients have been falsified.
US08667292B2 Privacy-preserving metering with low overhead
Privacy-preserving metering with low overhead is described. In an embodiment consumption of a resource such as electricity, car insurance, cloud computing resources is monitored by a meter and bills are created in a manner which preserves privacy of a customer but at the same reduces bandwidth use between a meter and a provider of the resource. For example, fine grained meter readings which describe customer behavior are kept confidential without needing to send large cryptographic commitments to meter readings from a meter to a provider. In an example, meter readings are encrypted and sent from a meter to a provider who is unable to decrypt the readings. In examples a cryptographic signature is generated to commitments to the meter readings and only the signature is sent to a provider thus reducing bandwidth. For example, a customer device is able to regenerate the commitments using the signature.
US08667291B2 Unauthorized contents detection system
A data processing device for playing back a digital work reduces the processing load involved in verification by using only a predetermined number of encrypted units selected randomly from multiple encrypted units constituting encrypted contents recorded on a DVD. In addition, the data processing device improves the accuracy of detecting unauthorized contents by randomly selecting a predetermined number of encrypted units every time the verification is performed.
US08667290B2 Efficient, high volume digital signature system for medical and business applications
The system relates to a method for collecting signatures from pre-validated signers. In one aspect of the method, a pre-validated signer's signature is affixed to an electronic document in an appropriate location after the pre-validated signer authorizes the use of his or her signature.
US08667289B2 System for controlling the distribution and use of rendered digital works through watermarking
Method, apparatus, and media for embedding a watermark in digital content. An exemplary method comprises receiving digital content in an encrypted form, receiving a decryption key associated with the digital content, receiving permitted use information specifying conditions under which the digital content is permitted to be rendered and indicating that a watermark is to be embedded in a rendered copy of the digital content, determining whether the conditions are satisfied, and rendering the digital content if the conditions are satisfied based on the determining, the rendering including generating a watermark based on the permitted use information and creating a rendered copy of the digital content having the watermark embedded therein.
US08667282B2 Information processing device, computer program, and information processing system
An information processing device including a receiving unit that receives a first random number from another information processing device; a generating unit that generates a second random number; a time-variant-key generating unit that generates a time variant key for encryption according to the second random number; an encrypting unit that encrypts the first random number with the time variant key; and a transmitting unit that transmits the first random number encrypted by the time variant key and the second random number to the other information processing device.
US08667278B2 Information processing apparatus and data transmission method of information processing apparatus
An apparatus stores first divided trust information which is one portion resulting from division of trust information generated by a transmission target apparatus that is a transmission target for data, receives a transmission request for the data from the target apparatus and receives second divided trust information which is the other portion resulting from division of the trust information of the target apparatus and verification information generated using information indicating a state of the target apparatus that made the request, recovers the trust information using the first divided trust information stored and the received second divided trust information, verifies trustworthiness of the target apparatus using the recovered trust information and the received verification information, transmits the data indicated by the request to the target apparatus when the verification of trustworthiness is successful.
US08667277B1 Page encryption system
Text containing files are encrypted by first formatting the files for display. The display-formatted files are then coded to form files indicating the information. The files are encrypted. The coding can determine a distance of a transition between a first color and a second color in the display file, and code that distance to form coded distance information and encrypt the coded distance information.
US08667275B2 Economically secure digital mass media systems
Content is encoded with a watermark that associates it with a particular consumer. When presented for playback, the rendering equipment examines the watermark to confirm that the consumer with whom the content is associated, is also the consumer with whom the equipment is associated. If there is no watermark—or if the watermark is associated with a different consumer, then playback is refused. The equipment also desirably checks whether the content has a second watermark (or even a very feeble remnant thereof), indicating that the content has been derived from content earlier provided to a different consumer. If so, playback is again refused. Thus, this embodiment will refuse to play if there is no watermark; if there is one watermark not associated with the proprietor of the equipment; or if there are two or more watermarks.
US08667273B1 Intelligent file encryption and secure backup system
A method and apparatus for secure transparent backup and encryption of data including compression, elimination of redundant information, all working integrated whether data is stored locally or shared in networks. When data is shared in networks, several computers may access encrypted objects simultaneously with the same limitations as for non-encrypted objects. The method and apparatus can automatically and invisible take backups and can easily restore any object to the exact content as it existed for a selected point in time using a snapshot capability in combination with the user interface described that has its focus on making the use very easy for the end user. The invention offers security and performance enhancements when used with tables containing approved hashes for executables and other objects based on company policy and virus scanning. Specific objects may also be easily detected even if they are encrypted.
US08667269B2 Efficient, secure, cloud-based identity services
An Identity Ecosystem Cloud (IEC) provides global, scalable, cloud-based, cryptographic identity services as an identity assurance mechanism for other services, such as data storage, web services, and electronic commerce engines. The IEC complements these other services by providing enhanced identity protection and authentication. An IEC performs identity services using surrogate digital certificates having encryption keys that are never exposed to the public. An individual requesting other services must meet an identity challenge before access to these other services is granted. Service requests to the IEC, and responses from the IEC, are securely encrypted. An IEC integrates smoothly into existing services by layering on top of, or being used in conjunction with, existing security measures. Identity transactions may be logged in a manner that complies with strict medical and financial privacy laws.
US08667268B2 Scalable distributed web-based authentication
Web-based authentication includes receiving a packet in a network switch having at least one associative store configured to forward packet traffic to a first one or more processors of the switch that are dedicated to cryptographic processing if a destination port of the packet indicates a secure transport protocol, and to a second one or more processors of the switch that are not dedicated to cryptographic processing if the destination port does not indicate a secure transport protocol. If a source of the packet is an authenticated user, the packet is forwarded via an output port of the switch, based on the associative store. If the source is an unauthenticated user, the packet is forwarded to the first one or more processors if the destination port indicates a secure transport protocol, and to the second one or more processors if the destination port does not indicate a secure transport protocol.
US08667266B2 System and method for sending encrypted messages to a distribution list
A system and method for sending encrypted messages to a distribution list. In one embodiment, the method comprises: identifying a distribution list address in a message; determining one or more member addresses associated with the distribution list address; for each member address, determining if a public key for a member identified by the member address is available on the computing device; and if so, encrypting the message to the member; sending the encrypted message to the distribution list address only if each of the one or more member addresses associated with the distribution list identifies a member for which a public key is available on the computing device.
US08667262B2 Information processing apparatus and its control method
An information processing apparatus includes: a first recording medium that stores a first system controller for allowing to execute boot processing of the information processing apparatus and is accessed by using a first access path in a tree structure or by using a second access path based on a first conversion table representing a correspondence between the first and second access path; a memory disk generation section allowing to secure a memory disk section that operates as a second recording medium and is accessed by using a third access path; a conversion table generation section allowing to generate a second conversion table representing a correspondence between the second and third access path; and a duplication controller allowing to copy the first system controller onto the memory disk section as a second system controller and allowing to duplicate the first and second system controllers based on the second conversion table.
US08667261B2 Systems, methods, and apparatus for utility meter configuration
Systems, methods, and apparatus for configuring utility meters are provided. A meter configuration application may be executed by a device that includes one or more computers and that facilitates utility meter configuration. A plug-in module associated with a utility meter type may be received by the device. Based at least in part upon providing the plug-in module to the meter configuration application, a configuration file may be built for the utility meter type. The utility meter may then be configured utilizing the configuration file.
US08667256B1 Systems and method for managing divergent threads in a SIMD architecture
One embodiment of a computing system configured to manage divergent threads in a thread group includes a stack configured to store at least one token and a multithreaded processing unit. The multithreaded processing unit is configured to perform the steps of fetching a program instruction, determining that the program instruction is a branch instruction, determining that the program instruction is not a return or break instruction, determining whether the program instruction includes a set-synchronization bit, and updating an active program counter, where the manner in which the active program counter is updated depends on a branch instruction type.
US08667252B2 Method and apparatus to adapt the clock rate of a programmable coprocessor for optimal performance and power dissipation
Clustered VLIW processing elements, each preferably simple and identical, are coupled by a runtime reconfigurable inter-cluster interconnect to form a coprocessor executing only those portions of a program having high instruction level parallelism. The initial portion of each program segment executed by the coprocessor reconfigures the interconnect, if necessary, or is skipped. Clusters may be directly connected to a subset of neighboring clusters, or indirectly connected to any other cluster, a hierarchy exposed to the programming model and enabling a larger number of clusters to be employed. The coprocessor is idled during remaining portions of the program to reduce power dissipation.
US08667249B2 Systems and methods exchanging data between processors through concurrent shared memory
A method and apparatus for matching parent processor address translations to media processors' address translations and providing concurrent memory access to a plurality of media processors through separate translation table information. In particular, a page directory for a given media application is copied to a media processor's page directory when the media application allocates memory that is to be shared by a media application running on the parent processor and media processors.
US08667248B1 Data storage device using metadata and mapping table to identify valid user data on non-volatile media
A data storage device is disclosed including a non-volatile media having a first and a second plurality of physical locations, the first plurality of physical locations storing user data and the non-volatile media storing first metadata associating each of the first plurality of physical locations with a logical block address (LBA), and a mapping table including a mapping of each LBA to a current physical location. The data storage device further includes control circuitry that reads the first metadata to obtain a first plurality of LBAs, reads the mapping table to determine a current physical location for the first plurality of LBAs, and compares the current physical location of each of the first plurality of LBAs to a corresponding one of the first plurality of physical locations to identify valid user data in the first plurality of physical locations for migration into the second plurality of physical locations.
US08667246B2 System for virtual disks version control
A system (10) for virtual disks version control includes a selectively read-only volume (12); at least one topmost overlay (141, 142, 143, 144, 145); and at least two intermediate, selectively read-only overlays (16, 16′, 16″, 16′″) configured as at least two mounting points. The at least one topmost overlay (141, 142, 143, 144, 145) is configured to store the results of redirected write operations. One of the at least two mounting points (16, 16′, 16″, 16′″) and the volume (12) form an image, and the other of the at least two mounting points (16, 16′, 16″, 16′″) and the volume (12) form another image. The at least two intermediate overlays (16, 16′, 16″, 16′″) are operatively located between the volume (12) and the at least one topmost overlay (141, 142, 143, 144, 145). Each of the at least two mounting points (16, 16′, 16″, 16′″) is configured to enable a plurality of client computers (18) to concurrently read the image or the other image and to concurrently write to a respective one of the at least one topmost overlays (141, 142, 143, 144, 145).
US08667242B2 Data access method and system, storage medium controller and storage system
A data access method for writing data into a storage apparatus is provided, wherein the storage apparatus has a storage unit, the storage unit has a partition, the storage property of the partition is set as a write protect mode and the storage apparatus is coupled to a host system having an operation system. The data access method includes transmitting a command from the host system to the storage apparatus through a human interface device path and setting the storage property of the first partition as a writable mode in response the command. The data access method also includes storing data into the partition by using built-in commands of the operation system. Accordingly, the data access method can write data into a partition that has been at the write protect mode when a user logins the operation system with a limited user authority mode.
US08667234B2 Data writing method, memory controller, and memory storage apparatus
A method for writing updated data into a flash memory module having a plurality of physical pages is provided, wherein each physical page is the smallest writing unit of the flash memory module. The method includes partitioning a physical page into storage segments and configuring a state mark for each storage segment, wherein the state marks indicate the validity of data stored in the storage segments. The method also includes writing the updated data into at least one of the storage segments and changing the state mark corresponding to the storage segment containing the updated data, wherein the state mark corresponding to the storage segment containing the updated data indicates a valid state, and the state marks corresponding to the other storage segments of the physical page not containing the updated data indicate an invalid state. Thereby, the time for writing data into a physical page is effectively shortened.
US08667233B2 Competition testing device
A competition testing apparatus for testing an access competition of an arithmetic unit includes a memory that stores a program, a first processor that executes the program by accessing the memory, a second processor that executes the program by accessing the memory, and an arbitration unit that arbitrates accessing the first processor and the second processor and reports a result of the arbitration upon the first processor and the second processor accessing the same address space in the memory, wherein the memory stores a odd number of programs, further comprises a controller that controls the first processor to process the plurality of test programs stored in the storage in predetermined order, and controls the second processor to process the plurality of test programs stored in the storage in order reverse to the predetermined order, and a recording unit that records the result of arbitration performed using the arbitrator.
US08667232B2 Memory device controller
A controller for a memory device and methods are provided. The controller has an updateable register bank adapted to send a first signal to an analog/memory core of the memory device for controlling operation of the analog/memory core. The analog/memory core has an array of flash memory cells and supporting analog access circuitry. A bus controller is coupled to the register bank. The bus controller is adapted to receive a second signal from the register bank and to send a third signal to the register bank for updating the register bank. A select register is coupled to the register bank. A processor is coupled to the bus controller and the select register.
US08667229B2 Data access method of a memory device
The invention provides a data access method of a memory device. In one embodiment, the memory device comprises a plurality of memories. First, a plurality of commands sequentially received from a host is stored in a command queue. A target command is then retrieved from the command queue. A target memory accessed by the target command is then determined. Whether the target memory is in a busy state is then determined. When the target memory is not in a busy state, access operations requested by the target command are then performed. When the target memory is in a busy state, a substitute command is selected from a plurality of subsequent commands stored in the command queue and access operations requested by the substitute command are performed, wherein the sequence of the subsequent commands in the command queue is subsequent to the target command.
US08667228B2 Memory system and method for controlling memory system
A memory system connected to another apparatus via a data crossbar, has a first memory, a second memory that forms a dual configuration together with the first memory, a first memory controller that transmits or receives data to be written into the first memory or data read out from the first memory to or from the other apparatus, a second memory controller that transmits or receives data to be written into the second memory or data read out from the second memory to or from the other apparatus, and a system controller that instructs the first memory controller and the second memory controller to read out, from the first memory and the second memory, data requested to be read out by the other apparatus if the system controller detects that any one of the first data crossbar and the second data crossbar being not capable of transmitting or receiving data.
US08667226B2 Selective interconnect transaction control for cache coherency maintenance
A data processing system (10) includes a first master (14) and a second master (16 or 22). The first master includes a cache (28) and snoop queue circuitry (44, 52, 54) having a snoop request queue (44) which stores snoop requests. The snoop queue circuitry receives snoop requests for storage into the snoop request queue and provides snoop requests from the snoop request queue to the cache, and the snoop queue circuitry provides a ready indicator indicating whether the snoop request queue can store more snoop requests. The second master includes outgoing transaction control circuitry (72) which controls initiation of outgoing transactions to a system interconnect. In response to the ready indicator indicating that the snoop request queue cannot store more snoop requests, an initiation hold signal is provided to the outgoing transaction control circuitry to prevent the outgoing transaction control circuitry from initiating any outgoing transactions to the system interconnect (12) within a subset of transaction types.
US08667222B2 Bypass and insertion algorithms for exclusive last-level caches
An apparatus and method are described for implementing an exclusive lower level cache (LLC) policy within a computer processor. For example, one embodiment of a computer processor comprises: a mid-level cache circuit (MLC) for storing a first set of cache lines containing instructions and/or data; a lower level cache circuit (LLC) for storing a second set of cache lines of instructions and/or data; and an insertion circuit for implementing a policy for inserting or replacing cache lines within the LLC based on values of use recency and use frequency associated with the lines.
US08667220B2 Computer system management apparatus and management method
The present invention measures an actual utilization frequency of data and controls a location of this data in a storage apparatus in a case where a host computer makes joint use of a storage apparatus and a cache apparatus. A portion of data used by an application program 1A is stored in a storage apparatus 2 and a cache apparatus 3. A management apparatus 4 detects an I/O load of a page (4A), and detects an I/O load of cache data (4B). The management apparatus 4 determines a corresponding relationship between the page and the cache data (4C), and adds the I/O load of the cache data to the I/O load of the page.
US08667219B2 Optimizing locations of data accessed by client applications interacting with a storage system
A method for optimizing locations of physical data accessed by one or more client applications interacting with a storage system, with the storage system comprising at least two redundancy groups having physical memory spaces and data bands. Each of the data bands corresponds to physical data stored on several of the physical memory spaces. A virtualized logical address space includes client data addresses utilizable by the one or more client applications. A storage controller is configured to map the client data addresses onto the data bands, such that a mapping is obtained, wherein the one or more client applications can access physical data corresponding to the data bands.
US08667213B2 Flash management techniques
Various flash management techniques may be described. An apparatus may comprise a processor, a flash memory coupled to the processor, and a flash management module. The flash management module may be executed by the processor to receive a write request to write data to the flash memory, write a first control sector with a sequence number to the flash memory, and write the sequence number, an address for a logical sector, and data to at least one physical sector corresponding to the logical sector of the flash memory. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08667210B2 Memory management method, memory controller and memory storage apparatus
A memory management method for managing physical units of a rewritable non-volatile memory module is provided. In the method, the physical units are grouped into at least a data area and a free area. The method includes obtaining empty physical units from the free area to configure a first global random area and obtaining empty physical units from the data area to configure a second global random area. The method further includes using the physical units of the first global random area to write updated data, and using the physical units of the second global random area to write other updated data after the physical units of the first global random area are written full of the updated data. Accordingly, the method can increase the storage space of a global random area, and thereby reduces data merging operations and shortens the time for executing a write command.
US08667197B2 Providing a fine-grained arbitration system
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for selecting a requester to service during an arbitration round, and updating counters associated with the selected requester including a command unit counter and a data unit counter, determining if the counters are in compliance with corresponding threshold values, and if so granting a transaction for the selected requester, and otherwise denying the transaction. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08667196B2 Interconnect congestion reduction for memory-mapped peripherals
A method and apparatus are provided for mapping addresses between one or more slave devices and at least one corresponding master device in a multilayer interconnect system including a plurality of bus matrices for interfacing between the one or more slave devices and the master device. The method and apparatus are operative for receiving an address map corresponding to the system, receiving information regarding connectivity of one or more slave devices through at least one of the bus matrices, determining whether the master device has more than one default slave unit associated therewith, and, when the master device has more than one default slave unit associated therewith, generating first and second address mappings and configuring the system to have no more than one default slave unit per master device.
US08667194B2 Two-wire interface in which a master component monitors the data line during the preamble generation phase for synchronization with one or more slave components
A two-wire interface in which upon determining that an operation is to be performed on a slave component, the master component monitors the data wire for a predetermined number of consecutive bits having a particular binary value. Upon detection such a sequence, the master component asserts a frame of a two-wire interface on the data wire. This detected predetermined number of consecutive bits will be considered to be the preamble. During at least some of the preamble phase, the master component is not asserting anything on the data wire. Instead, the data wire is pulled high (or low) by a weak pull-up (or pull-down) resistor. Furthermore, the frame is designed so that there are bits having a guaranteed binary value that is opposite what would be expected in the preamble, to thereby facilitate synchronization.
US08667189B2 Combined stream auxiliary copy system and method
A system and method for transferring data in a library storage system. The library storage system comprises a management server including a storage policy. A media agent is connected to the management server. A plurality of storage media and a data source are connected to the media agent. The data source is divided into at least a first and a second portion of data. The portions of data are transferred from the data source to a first and second primary storage medium using a first and a second data stream respectively. The media agent then causes the first and second portion of data to be transferred from the first and second storage medium to a third auxiliary storage medium using a third combined data stream. Auxiliary copying is performed in chunks and multiple streams are copied in parallel.
US08667188B2 Communication between a computer and a data storage device
A method for communicating between a computer and a data storage device comprises receiving, by a data storage device, information indicative of a plurality of commands and information indicative of a memory location in a computer associated with each of the plurality of commands. The method further comprises executing, by the data storage device, one of the plurality of commands. In one embodiment, executing the command comprises directly accessing the computer memory location associated with the command.
US08667187B2 System and method for reducing communication overhead between network interface controllers and virtual machines
Available buffers in the memory space of a guest operating system of a virtual machine are provided to a network interface controller (NIC) for use during direct memory access (DMA) and the guest operating system is notified accordingly when data is written into such available buffers. These capabilities obviate the requirement of using hypervisor memory as a staging area to determine which virtual machine to forward incoming data.
US08667186B2 IO control method and program and computer
The disclosed method includes obtaining a result concerning a busy rate and the number of accesses per unit time for a storage device including first and second storage areas; determining, from the result, whether an event that a first indicator value for the busy rate is reset occurs; when the event occurred, notifying a controller that makes the number of accesses for the second storage area not greater than the notified number of accesses of the first number of accesses less than the second number of accesses, which was notified immediately before; obtaining another result; updating the first indicator value based on another result; calculating the third number of accesses so that a sum of busy rates corresponding to the third number of accesses and corresponding to the designated number of accesses becomes equal to the updated first indicator value; and notifying the controller of the third number of accesses.
US08667185B2 Method and device for communication between a master and a number of slaves according to a serial communication protocol, in particular of the open drain type
According to one implementation, the slave identifier bits are tested recursively in groups of p bits. For these p bits, each slave will recognize, in its p corresponding identifier bits, one combination out of the 2p possible combinations. The slaves respond simultaneously (20) over the bus, for example an I2C bus, to a request from the master. The response is given by outputting a series of “1” bits in which each slave inserts a “0”, which is, for example, the priority logic value on the bus, the position of the “0” in the series of “1” bits being dependent on the binary value of the combination recognized by the slave in the group of p bits of its identifier. The master progressively determines on the fly, based on the bits of the frame received, the values of bits of these digital information items.
US08667182B2 User locating system, method and server in packet-based network
A user locating system, method and server in a Packet-based network. A plurality of management regions divided by terrains are included, and each of the management regions includes: an address management server adapted to collect and bind communication addresses and user identifiers of all network users in the management region, and to send information of the binding to a region locating server in the present management region; and a region locating server adapted to store and update the information of the binding of the user identifiers and the communication addresses of all the network users in the present management region, to send the information of the binding to a inquirer dependent upon a received inquiry request, and to send information of binding of a user identifier and a communication address found not belonging to the present management region to a home management region of the user.
US08667181B2 Communication device
A communication device may receive a first request packet from a first device and receive a second request packet from a second device. The communication device may send a first response packet to the first device in response to the first request packet and send a second response packet to the second device in response to the second request packet. The communication device may decide a timing for sending the second response packet to the second device. The timing may be decided such that a time period from receiving the second request packet to sending the second response packet in response to the second request packet is longer than a time period from receiving the first request packet to sending the first response packet in response to the first request packet. The communication device may send the second response packet to the second device at the decided timing.
US08667177B2 Interface grouping for media access control address pinning in a layer two network
An example network device includes a set of interfaces, a control unit, and a forwarding engine. The control unit includes an interface group information repository that stores data defining interface groups. Each interface group includes one or more interfaces. The forwarding engine includes a media access control (MAC) address repository that stores a mapping of a first interface to a source MAC address, and a MAC address management module that determines whether an interface group to which the first interface is assigned is the same interface group as the interface group to which a second interface is assigned. The control unit is configured to receive a layer two (L2) communication via the second interface, wherein the L2 communication includes the source MAC address. The forwarding engine dynamically updates the MAC address repository based on the determination of the MAC address management module.
US08667173B2 Performing multicast communication in computer networks by using overlay routing
An overlay protocol and system for allowing multicast routing in the Internet to be performed at the application level. The overlay protocol uses “native” Internet multicast and multicast routing protocols to route information, according to overlay routing tables. Overlay groups are mapped to native multicast groups to exploit native multicasting in regional or local forwarding domains. Use of the overlay protocol allows overlay distribution to be handled in a more intelligent and bandwidth-managed fashion. Overlay routers are placed at each of several local area networks, Internet service provider's point of presence, enterprise, or other cohesively-managed locations. The overlay computers are configured according to bandwidth and security policies, and perform application-level multicast distribution across the otherwise disjoint multicast networks by using the overlay routing. The result is an overlay multicast network that is effectively managed according to local network management policies. Application-level control can be applied to the transferred data at the overlay routers.
US08667171B2 Virtual data center allocation with bandwidth guarantees
A virtual data center allocation architecture with bandwidth guarantees that provides for the creation of multiple virtual data centers from a single physical infrastructure. The virtual data center allocation is accomplished in three steps. First, clusters are created from the servers in the physical infrastructure. Second, a bipartite graph is built to map the virtual machines to the servers located in a particular cluster and finally a path is calculated between two virtual machines. The virtual data centers may be dynamically expanded or contracted based on changing bandwidth guarantees.
US08667170B2 Address conversion method, access control method, and device using these methods
The conventional address translation techniques cannot allow multiple terminal devices to be accessed by using one identical port number because they can associates one port number with only one device if the terminals do not support encapsulation.According to the present invention, access from a global network to a private network is restricted in accordance with an access control rule established for each device or network sending a packet. Furthermore, address translation is performed in accordance with address translation rules established on a per sending device basis to provide communication between a global network and a private network.When a connection request is received from the global network and if authentication of the connection request is successful, an access control rule is established on a per sending device basis or on a per sending network basis and recorded. After the communication ends, the added access control rule and address translation rule are deleted.
US08667169B2 System and method for providing argument maps based on activity in a network environment
A method is provided in one example and includes receiving network traffic associated with a first user and a second user; evaluating keywords in the network traffic in order to identify a topic of discussion involving the first and the second users; determining a first sentiment associated with a first data segment associated with the first user; determining a second sentiment associated with a second data segment associated with the second user; and generating an argument map based on the first data sentiment and the second data sentiment.
US08667163B2 Systems and methods for projecting images from a computer system
Methods, systems and devices are described for place shifting media content from a computer system to a remotely-located display over a network. The media content to be place shifted is captured at the computer system, wherein the media content includes a portion of imagery presented on a local display associated with the computer system. The captured media content is transcoded or otherwise converted to a media stream in a format that is transmittable on the network. The media stream is then transmitted on the network for presentation on the remotely-located display.
US08667160B1 System and method for internet audio/video delivery
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for distributing audio/video convent via a network, comprising: a client software application, and a channel control software application, wherein the client software application and the channel control software application are operatively connected together via the network such that the client software application receives at least one control message from the channel control software application, wherein the at least one control message causes the client software application to access at least: i) a first audio/video data element and ii) a second audio/video data element, and wherein the at least one control message causes the client software application to composite together at least: i) the first audio/video data element and ii) the second audio/video data element and to render at least the composited first and second audio/video data elements at a client device running the client software application.
US08667154B1 Authentication of unknown parties in secure computer communications
Authentication of an unknown party in a secure computer communication may be performed even without consulting a public whitelist of trusted parties. A digital certificate from an unknown party not authenticated by a trusted certificate authority may be locally processed to determine if the digital certificate is a trusted, non-trusted, or unknown digital certificate. For example, a model may be created by training a support vector machine to classify a digital certificate. The model may be provided to a computer involved in secure computer communication. The computer may receive an incoming digital certificate, extract fields from the incoming digital certificate, and take a hash of the extracted fields perform input data that may be employed by the model to determine if the incoming digital certificate is a trusted, non-trusted, or unknown digital certificate.
US08667150B2 Method and apparatus for completing a circuit switched service call in an internet protocol network
A method and an apparatus for processing a session request in an Internet Protocol network are disclosed. For example, the method receives a session request, and queries an tElephone NUmbering Mapping (ENUM) server for a called party of the session request. The method determines if at least one Naming Authority Pointer (NAPTR) resource record associated with the called party is received from the ENUM server, and forwards the session request to a circuit switched network if the at least one NAPTR resource record is not received from the ENUM server. The method determines a Session Description Protocol (SDP) value of the session request if the at least one NAPTR resource record is received from the ENUM server, and processes the session request in accordance with the SDP value if the at least one NAPTR resource record is received from the ENUM server.
US08667148B1 Minimal effort network subscriber registration
An alternate access mechanism provides reduced cost Internet access using a streamlined sign-on procedure. The alternate access mechanism employs a specialized access medium including an array of nodes interconnected back to a trunk line access point. The trunk line access point allows greatly reduced cost because of competitive access to the Internet backbone. The interconnected nodes include readily available components, such as wireless routers, microwave radios, and routers, and/or integrated versions thereof which leverage close proximity to adjacent nodes for establishing a path back to the trunk line access point. Subscriber access is facilitated by a “one click” or “minimal click” sign on sequence by startup logic encoded in the components and through a web service for identifying the nearest adjacent node, establishing communication with the adjacent node via an access token such as an SSID, automatically reconfiguring the subscriber's newly connected node and reestablishing a traffic connection, all following user assent to the sign-on conditions.
US08667146B2 Systems and methods for configuration driven rewrite of SSL VPN clientless sessions
The present disclosure provides solutions for an enterprise providing services to a variety of clients to enable the client to use the resources provided by the enterprise by modifying URLs received and the URLs from the responses from the servers to the client's requests before forwarding the requests and the responses to the intended destinations. An intermediary may identify an access profile for a clients' request to access a server via a clientless SSL VPN session. The intermediary may detect one or more URLs in content served by the server in response to the request using one or more regular expressions of the access profile. The intermediary may rewrite or modify, responsive to detecting, the one or more detected URLs in accordance with a URL transformation specified by one or more rewrite policies of the access profile. The response with modified URLs may be forwarded to the client.
US08667143B2 Method and system for redirecting a client
A method and a system for redirecting a client are disclosed, the method including: sending by the client a request message to a redirect agent; returning by the redirect agent a first response message to the client, an identification of a second realm being carried in the first response message; sending by the client the request message to a second server in the second realm. The data are maintained and modified only on the redirect agent, so that the redirection service between different realms may be realized without upgrading or maintaining the client. In addition, because the number of redirect agents is much smaller than the number of clients, the operation and maintenance costs may be reduced greatly.
US08667140B1 Distinguishing tenants in a multi-tenant cloud environment
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for managing a cloud computing environment. In some embodiments, this includes designating a tenant space for a tenant, allocating resources to the tenant in the tenant space based on the tenant, associating the tenant with a tenant authentication, and storing the association in a storage device. The tenant is allowed access to the allocated resources upon successful authentication of the tenant.
US08667138B2 Distributed hierarchical rendering and provisioning of cloud services
Techniques are provided herein for distributed and hierarchical rendering and provisioning of cloud services. At a device in a cloud computing system comprising a plurality of hierarchical levels, a cloud service request is received for rendering and provisioning of a virtual data center. A determination is made as to which aspects of the cloud service request are to be satisfied by devices in a first hierarchical level and which aspects of the cloud service request are to be satisfied by devices in a second hierarchical level and in subsequent hierarchical levels. Rendering and provisioning commands are provided to one or more devices in the first hierarchical level that are selected to satisfy aspects of the cloud service request in the first hierarchical level. A subset cloud service request for aspects of the cloud service request that are to be satisfied by devices in the second hierarchical level is sent to a device in the second hierarchical level.
US08667136B2 Communication system
A method of updating a data record stored in a data store with information supplied by at least one of a plurality of users of a communication network includes storing a communication identifier in association with the data record; providing information to update the data record from a user together with a communication identifier associated with the user providing the information; and comparing the identifier stored in association with the data record to the communication identifier associated with the user providing the information. If the information is the first type of information, the data record is updated with the information only if the identifier associated with the user providing the information is the same as the identifier stored in association with the data record and if the information is the second type of information the data record is updated with the information.
US08667131B2 Service offer set publishing to device agent with on-device service selection
A network system comprising memory configured to store a service offer set identifying one or more service plans available to an end-user device, the one or more service plans enabling the end-user device to communicate over a wireless access network; and one or more network elements configured to obtain the service offer set from memory, send information associated with the service offer set to the end-user device over the wireless access network, the information enabling the end-user device to present, through a user interface, one or more service plan selection options associated with the one or more service plans available to the end-user device, receive an offer set user selection from the end-user device, the offer set user selection indicating a user selection of at least one of the one or more service plan selection options, and provision one or more functions based on the offer set user selection.
US08667129B2 Terminal differentiation server and network system using the same
Provided is a server including: a storage section for pre-storing information on routes between the server and each of a number of terminals; a transmission/reception section for transmitting/receiving messages to/from the number of terminals; a terminal information acquisition section for acquiring information differentiating the terminals and acquiring delay times for transmission between the server and each of the number of terminals; a transmission distance calculation section for calculating respective transmission distances between the server and the number of terminals, based on the transmission delay times acquired by the terminal information acquisition section; and a terminal installation location identifying section for identifying locations where the number of terminals are installed, based on the differentiating information acquired by the terminal information acquisition section, the transmission distances calculated by the transmission distance calculation section, and the route information stored in the storage section.
US08667118B2 Computer system, performance measuring method and management server apparatus
In a computer system including physical servers on which virtual servers for business use operate and a management server communicably connected to the physical servers, the management server requests physical servers that are targets of performance measurement to activate a performance measurement virtual server based on a virtual server image including an operating system and a performance measurement program. Performance information measured by the performance measurement virtual server activated on each physical server is fed to the management server. It is therefore possible in the communication system to measure a margin processing performance of each physical server according to the same criterion.
US08667117B2 Search ranger system and double-funnel model for search spam analyses and browser protection
An exemplary method for protecting web browsers from spam includes providing a multi-layer model that includes a doorway layer, a redirection domain layer, an aggregator layer, a syndicator layer and an advertiser layer; identifying domains as being associated with at least one of the layers; and, based at least in part on the identifying, taking one or more corrective actions to protect web browsers from search spam. An exemplary method for identifying a bottleneck layer in a multi-layer spam model includes providing a multi-layer spam model, collecting spam advertisements, associating a block of IP addresses with the collected spam advertisements and identifying a bottleneck layer based on the block of IP addresses. Other methods, systems, etc., are also disclosed.
US08667112B2 Selective interaction between networked smart devices
Selective interaction between networked smart devices is disclosed. One embodiment of the present disclosure pertains to an apparatus for interacting with associated smart appliances via a network, where the apparatus comprises a memory; and a processor. The processor is configured to identify one or more associated smart appliances upon activation of a smart device in a network, where the smart device and the associated smart appliances are configured to communicate with each other for notification or for executing one or more commands. The processor is also configured to determine a mode of the smart device upon receiving data from the associated smart appliances, where the mode of the smart device is set through configuring a user experience environment of the smart device. The processor is further configured to selectively process the data from the associated smart appliances based on the mode of the smart device.
US08667103B2 System and method for message traffic analysis, categorization, and reporting, within a system for harvesting community knowledge
A system and method for knowledge management is disclosed. The method discloses: monitoring messages transmitted over a peer-to-peer network; profiling the messages; receiving a messages report request; identifying message profiles corresponding to the message report request; selecting messages corresponding to the identified message profiles; and generating the requested messages report from the selected messages. The system discloses means for implementing the method.
US08667098B2 Cluster storage setting method, system, and management system
A storage cluster including a first storage apparatus and a second storage apparatus is defined. Communication between the first storage apparatus and the second storage apparatus uses a first network and an access request from a host computer uses a second network. Each of the first and second storage apparatuses defines internal LUs by using storage devices included in that storage apparatus. The first storage apparatus defines other internal LUs by using internal LUs of the second storage apparatus and the second storage apparatus defines other internal LUs by using internal LUs of the first storage apparatus.
US08667090B2 Delivering a webpage to a client
In certain embodiments, a server receives a request from a client for a webpage comprising portlets. A framework corresponding to the webpage is retrieved. The framework indicates whether a portlet is to be executed by the server or whether execution of the portlet is to be initiated by the client. The framework indicates that one or more first portlets are to be executed by the server. The server executes the first portlets to yield one or more first portlet markups. The first portlet markups are placed into the webpage. Execution of one or more second portlets is to be initiated by the client according to the framework. One or more placeholder tags for the second portlets are placed into the webpage. A placeholder tag allows the client to initiate execution of a second portlet. The webpage comprising the first portlet markups and the placeholder tags is sent to the client.
US08667088B1 Distribution network providing customized content at delivery
Objects in a content delivery network are modified at delivery to users. Individual content servers include copies of the content objects and receive requests from users for a copy of the object. The request includes a program from the content provider on how the content object is to be modified at delivery to the user. The program is executed on delivery of the object to provide the user with a modified content object. Modification can occur as the content is delivered from the content server to the user.
US08667084B2 Managing fate-sharing in shared-media communication networks
In one embodiment, a management device receives one or more fate-sharing reports locally generated by one or more corresponding reporting nodes in a shared-media communication network, the fate-sharing reports indicating a degree of localized fate-sharing between one or more pairs of nodes local to the corresponding reporting nodes. The management device may then determine, globally from aggregating the fate-sharing reports, one or more fate-sharing groups indicating sets of nodes having a global degree of fate-sharing within the communication network. As such, the management device may then advertise the fate-sharing groups within the communication network, wherein nodes of the communication network are configured to select a plurality of next-hops that minimizes fate-sharing between the plurality of next-hops.
US08667082B2 System and method for targeting channels to users
A comprehensive platform for merchandising intellectual property (IP) and conducting IP transactions is disclosed. A standardized data collection method enables IP assets to be characterized, rated and valuated in a consistent manner. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between the IP Marketplace participants throughout the IP transaction process. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards.
US08667081B2 Networked computer system for communicating and operating in a virtual reality environment
The present invention relates to interactive virtual reality networked computer systems and methods that facilitate communication and operation in a virtual reality environment. The virtual reality networked computer system has an infrastructure that includes a number of users, hosts and servers. The interconnected hosts and servers allow users to effectively locate, activate, access and interact within virtual reality environments in a variety of different ways. For example, users can establish user groups such that interaction within the virtual reality environment occurs between hosts (accessed by users) without the need of a central or dedicated server.
US08667079B2 Shared access to a local device
A method for providing a local device service over a network, where the local device service is not configured for network access. The method includes determining whether the local device is busy, and if the local device is not busy, broadcasting over the network an available first service provided by the local device. Then, if the local device is not busy and is selected by a computer, providing by the connecting station, the computer access to the local device.
US08667078B2 Systems and methods of extracting, storing, and serving device definition file information
In one embodiment, an industrial process control system includes a processor configured to translate a device definition (DD) file, extract device information for a field device from the DD file, and convert the device information into a first format. The process control system also includes a configuration server configured to receive the device information in the first format from the processor, store the device information in a memory, and respond to queries for the device information in the memory.
US08667075B1 System and method for implementing a subscription-based social media platform
Systems and methods for implementing a subscription-based social media platform are provided. A content creator generates live content on a mobile device and sends requests to a server for initializing a live stream from the mobile device. The server sends requests to encoding service providers. The encoded live content is send to a content storage server. Subscribers of the social media platform can access the live content on their mobile devices from the content storage server.
US08667074B1 Systems and methods for email tracking and email spam reduction using dynamic email addressing schemes
An email redirection server handles email sent by subscribers or intended for subscribers, obfuscating the subscriber's identity through replacement of the subscriber's native email address with a proxy address in the message header and forwarding the email with only the proxy address. Acquiring a proxy address includes assignment by the email redirection server of a child domain in the DNS namespace for the subscriber's exclusive use. When a subscriber intends to send an email to a particular recipient without revealing the subscriber's native email address to the particular recipient, the subscriber addresses the message by putting the recipient's full email address in the local part of the “To” field, replacing the “@” symbol with a known replacement character, and placing the subscriber's assigned subdomain in the domain part of the “To” field, assuring that the email gets to the email redirection server for appropriate readdressing and forwarding.
US08667073B2 Method for presenting information contained in messages in a multimedia terminal, a system for transmitting multimedia messages, and a multimedia terminal
A method for presenting information contained in messages in a terminal (MS). In the method, the message includes at least one component. The message is transmitted to a terminal (MS) in a system for transmitting multimedia messages. In the method, a presentation model (SMIL) is formed to contain information related to the presentation of each component attached in the message. The aforementioned presentation model (SMIL) is supplemented with a reference about the location of each component in the message, and the aforementioned presentation model (SMIL) is attached to the aforementioned message.
US08667070B2 Storage medium storing a mail management program, and mail management apparatus and method
A storage medium storing a mail management program, the mail management program causing a computer to execute: receiving from a first user, a designation of a first electronic mail addressed to the first user as an open mail, which is made open to a second user, first setting a receiving date and time at which the designation is received as date and time information corresponding to the open mail, second setting another receiving date and time at which a second electronic mail which is not the open mail and is addressed to the second user is received by the computer, as the date and time information corresponding to the second electronic mail and outputting, upon receipt of an output instruction from the second user, the open mail and the second electronic mail in accordance with the date and time information.
US08667069B1 Filtering incoming mails
Techniques are described for determining how to handle inbound messages based on feedback from users. Feedback may relate to content of inbound messages and/or a source of inbound messages. In addition, feedback may be dynamically filtered based on groups and message recipients may become affiliated with one or groups causing feedback associated with the one or more groups to apply to inbound messages they receive. In displaying messages, an indication of feedback associated with the messages may be displayed to the message recipient.
US08667063B2 Displaying news ticker content in a social networking system
A social networking system displays raw stories about a user's friends' actions in a news ticker as those actions occur. The social networking system is monitored for actions associated with users connected with the target user. The social networking system may be continually monitored such that actions are identified in real-time as they are performed. The news ticker is updated such that stories including the identified actions and the associated connected users are displayed within a news ticker interface. The news ticker interface may be a dedicated portion of the social networking system interface, for example in a column next to a newsfeed. The news ticker interface may be updated in real time as actions associated with connected users are performed. The target user may select a displayed story in the news ticker, and additional information related to the selected story may be displayed, for instance in a separate interface.
US08667059B2 System and method for providing agent managed support via instant messaging
An approach is disclosed for providing a managed chat session. An agent establishes a chat session with a user for customer support. Information from the user is received via the chat session, wherein the information is used to determine customized content to be presented to the user over the chat session for duration of the chat session.
US08667054B2 Systems and methods for networked, in-context, composed, high resolution image viewing
Systems and methods are provided for viewing portions of an image in high resolution and in context with a full image, which is displayed at a base resolution that is lower resolution than the resolution of the high-resolution image. A client device can send a request to a server for a composed image comprised of the base-resolution image overlaid at the area of interest with a virtual lens showing the area of interest in high-resolution image. The request can include the coordinates of the area of interest relative to a reference point on the image, the desired resolution level for the high-resolution image, and the virtual lens size and shape. The desired resolution can fall into a range above the resolution of the base-resolution image and up to the resolution of the maximum-resolution image stored on, generated on, or input to the server.
US08667052B2 Business rule web service
A method and apparatus for providing transaction services to one of a plurality of organizations where such transaction services are provided for servicing contacts with clients of the organization through an independently operated contact processing system having a communication connection with the organization through the Internet. The method includes the steps of a contact controller of the organization providing contact control instructions for servicing the contacts to a control interface of the contact processing system and a web services publisher exchanging control information between the organization and contact controller through the Internet for the servicing the contacts with the clients of the organization.
US08667044B1 Iterative stage as dividend operand prescaler for fixed-radix division
Radix-based division is described. A dividend operand and a divisor operand are obtained. An estimate that is a reciprocal of the divisor operand is obtained. For a prescaling mode, a prescaling iteration is performed which includes: multiplying the divisor operand with the estimate to provide a prescaled divisor; apportioning the dividend operand into portions from most significant to least significant; providing the estimate to iteration blocks ordered from highest to lowest; providing the most significant to the least significant of the portions of the dividend operand respectively to the highest to the lowest of the iteration blocks; respectively multiplying the portions of the dividend operand with the estimate to provide first partial products; and parsing most significant residue portions and least significant residue portions as associated with order of the iteration blocks from the first partial products.
US08667039B2 Systems and methods for variance dependent normalization for branch metric calculation
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. As an example, a data processing circuit is disclosed that includes: a noise predictive filter circuit, a scaling factor adaptation circuit, and a scaling factor application circuit. The noise predictive filter circuit is operable to perform a noise predictive filtering process on a data input based on a filter tap to yield a noise filtered output. The scaling factor adaptation circuit is operable to calculate a scaling factor based at least in part on a derivative of the noise filtered output. The scaling factor application circuit is operable to apply the scaling factor to scale the noise filtered output.
US08667033B1 Persistent file system objects for management of databases
In a mirrored database system, a careful write of intentions to perform file system actions is recorded in a persistent file system objects table that is flushed to disk prior to the actions being taken. The table durably and accurately records identities of file system objects that were in use by the database to facilitate creation and deletion of physical file directories and files on a database during crash recovery and during mirror resynchronize. In the event of a failure, crash recovery may quickly and easily identify file system objects which need to be cleaned up by reference to the persistent file system objects table. Similarly, resynchronization of the mirror database can be performed quickly by referring to the persistent file system table data to detect changes since the last database checkpoint.
US08667030B2 Storage system and management method of file system using the storage system
When a management screen for conducting management operation of a file system in the NAS apparatus 10 of a file server is displayed by the administrator on a display device of the management console 30 by using the management console 30, if a disk device obtained from the storage apparatus 20 is in a power saving state, the NAS apparatus 10 has a function to change the operations hereafter. Specifically, a screen is displayed on the management screen, in which a creation or deletion of the file system becomes impossible with respect to the disk device in the power saving state. Therefore, the administrator can conduct management operations for services without referring to the power status, thereby resulting in easy management operation.
US08667027B2 Directed graph transitive closure
Disclosed are methods and systems to provide for using database triggers to maintain a relational persistence of the transitive closure and path structure of an object hierarchy in the form of an object hierarchy bridge table. In one embodiment, database triggers fire when objects or relationships are added or deleted from the hierarchy. Based on the additions and deletions, a delta can be calculated and applied to an object hierarchy bridge table and the graph transitive closure and path structure can be dynamically built and maintained as corresponding changes to the graph occur. Later, more efficient access and retrieval of a graph transitive closure and path structure can be retrieved without necessarily having to perform recursion to calculate the graph transitive closure and path at request time.
US08667023B2 General purpose data container method and apparatus for implementing AV/C descriptors
Disclosed herein is a data management system for AV/C descriptor data. The system includes a data container hierarchical structure. The system also includes a methodology for compiling data from the containers into a read buffer upon receipt of a request from a requestor. The data presented to the requestor will preferably be in a format that may be understood by other device requestors that may or may not be utilizing this same container system.
US08667021B2 Intelligent system for database retrieval
An intelligent system for database retrieval includes a computing device, an input device, a display device, and a storage device. A user initiates a free-form or structured inquiry of the storage device and the system executes a search for the free-form or structured inquiry and additionally for related knowledge if a free-form inquiry was initiated. The related knowledge search is system initiated and based upon the sensory information of the user and the user's behaviors. The free-form or structured inquiry and related knowledge results are returned to the computing device for formatting in a manner compatible with the user, the user's behavior, and the operating environment. The free-form or structured inquiry and related knowledge results are then displayed on the display device.
US08667014B2 Reusable packaging history tracking system and query interface
Disclosed are methods, apparatus, systems, and non-transitory, tangible computer-readable media associated with utilizing a central storage and maintainer which has knowledge of one or more reusable boxes, and maintains information about the boxes. The system maintains reusable box information with respect to a unique identifier or tracking code which is associated with each tracked box. The association between a unique identifier and a box allows future shipping using the box to be tracked using the identifier. This enables a narrative of the box's travels to be developed through the addition of narrative entries or comments provided by recipients of the box. The narrative may in turn be searched for and displayed via one or more web-based interfaces, providing a snapshot of the box's travels.
US08667009B2 Systems and methods for utilizing and searching social network information
Methods and systems for indexing, storing, recalling and displaying social network user profiles, event calendar postings and user feed postings are described. A single, discrete set of keywords, can be utilized and assigned to both user profiles and postings and can operate as a method of indexing. The assignment of these keywords may allow users to control the display of calendar and feed content by matching assigned posting keywords to assigned profile keywords via a matching algorithm. Matched event-related postings may also be automatically displayed in a user's calendar. Searches of profiles and postings may also be performed by constructing queries using the same set of discrete keywords attached to profiles and postings. Users may have the ability to control the display of specific profile information and postings via privacy settings, which utilize unique methods of tracking relationship segmentation and social distance.
US08667008B2 Search request control apparatus and search request control method
A search request control apparatus includes a processor to execute a process. The process includes splitting a search request set, which contains a plurality of search requests acquired in a predetermined period, into subsets in accordance with a degree of overlap of data searched by each of the search requests, calculating an average response of the search requests contained in the search request set in accordance with a processing order of the subsets that are obtained through the splitting, and processing collectively in accordance with the processing order, search requests contained in a plurality of subsets having a minimum average response calculated.
US08667007B2 Hybrid and iterative keyword and category search technique
Provided are techniques for providing recommendations to improve a query. A query with query keywords and selected categories is received. In response to determining that the selected categories are ranked high with reference to query relevance indicator values for each of the selected categories, a query relevance indicator of the query is calculated with each subcategory using keyword relevance indicators, each subcategory is ranked based on the query relevance indicators, and the ranked subcategories are provided for use in selecting new categories to be submitted with the query.
US08667002B2 System and method for querying heterogeneous data sources
A system and method for querying heterogeneous data sources is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system comprises a plurality of heterogeneously structured data sources, a plurality of query objects that represent queries to the data sources and that are independent of the structure of the data sources, and a user interface configured to query the plurality of query objects.
US08667000B2 Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An apparatus comprises a generation unit that newly generates a folder by a predetermined program; an association unit that associates the generated folder by the program other than the predetermined program with the predetermined program; a record unit that records management information, the management information being for identifying whether folders used by the predetermined program have been generated or associated; a selection unit that selects a desired folder from among the folders used by the predetermined program; an identification unit that identifies whether the selected folder has been generated or associated with reference to the information recorded in the memory; and a deletion control unit that performs control of when the selected folder is the generated folder, deleting the selected folder, and when the selected folder is the associated folder, cancelling the association without deleting the selected folder.
US08666993B2 System and method for social networking for managing multidimensional life stream related active note(s) and associated multidimensional active resources and actions
The present invention relates device, system and method for facilitating receiving active note(s) from active note(s) provider(s) from the client device and responding multidimensional active resources & actions(s) for said active note(s) by multidimensional active resources & actions(s) provider(s) to the client device. A real time and/or near real communication mechanism such as online, smart and mobile communication applications like web site, smart client, instant messaging, e-mail may be used to communicate with a client device and a community of responders or multidimensional active resources & actions(s) provider(s). One or more Active Note(s) are received from client devices, processed, and sent to responders. Responses from the responders are received, and response is sent to the client device.
US08666992B2 Privacy preserving method for querying a remote public service
A system and a method of querying a remote service without revealing a private document to the remote service are provided. The method includes receiving a signature of a user's private document, and querying an intermediate database with the signature of the private document to generate an intermediate result set comprising intermediate database documents, based on a computation of similarity of the signatures of the intermediate database documents to the signature of the private document. The remote service is queried, based on the intermediate result set and a final result set is received from the remote service based on the query, which can be output to the user or further processed.
US08666991B2 Combinators to build a search engine
A method of counting items in a database system. The database system having nodes comprising processors and memory where the memory stores programs to be executed by the processors. Identifying and counting M unique number of items. Determining and storing a logcount for M unique items.
US08666989B1 Adaptive distributed indexing of local adverts
Techniques for storing and retrieving content associated with a specific geographic location include identifying discrete regions included in a bounding region and initializing a list of discrete regions and a count of identified local content. For each identified region: determining a number of content items included in the region; updating the region list with an ID of the identified region if it contains at least one content item; and adding the determined number of content items to the count of identified local content. Deciding whether to proceed to a next identified region includes determining if unprocessed regions remain and if a predetermined content limit was reached. The next region is then processed if there is a next region and the content limit has not been reached. The regions are processed, content IDs for content items associated with processed regions are located in a content database for further selection or serving.
US08666986B2 Grid-based data clustering method
A grid-based data clustering method is disclosed. A parameter setting step sets a grid parameter and a threshold parameter. A diving step divides a space having a plurality of data points according to the grid parameter. A categorizing step determines whether a number of the data points contained in each grid is larger than or equal to a value of the threshold parameter. The grid is categorized as a valid grid if the number of the data points contained therein is larger than or equal to the value of the threshold parameter, and the grid is categorized as an invalid grid if the number of the data points contained therein is smaller than the value of the threshold parameter. The clustering step retrieves one of the valid grids. If the retrieved valid grid is not yet clustered, the clustering step performs horizontal and vertical searching/merging operations on the valid grid.
US08666984B2 Unsupervised message clustering
Unsupervised clustering can be used for organization of micro-blog or other short length messages into message clusters. Messages can be compared with existing clusters to determine a similarity score. If at least one similarity score is greater than a threshold value, a message can be added to an existing message cluster. If a message is not similar to an existing cluster, the message can be compared against criteria for starting a new message cluster.
US08666983B2 Architecture for generating responses to search engine queries
Architecture for generating responses to search engine queries. Question/answer pairs are used to provide a predefined question hierarchy to facilitate a search. Informative terms and one or more questions are associated with each question node of the hierarchy. A question posed is mapped into the hierarchy to the most similar question class node, as determined by passages of the question and/or comparing the informative terms of the question and the question/answer node. Weighted informative terms associated with that node are then returned, and can be used by an automatic question answering system to more effectively find an answer to a question.
US08666979B2 Recommending interesting content using messages containing URLs
A system and method for recommending interesting content is provided. A content profile including a vector of words extracted from messages associated with a user is obtained. One or more content pointer profiles each including a vector of words associated with a content pointer located within one or more messages are obtained. The content profile is compared with each of the content pointer profiles. A relevance score is determined for that content pointer by calculating a similarity between the user words and the content pointer words. The content pointers are ranked based on the relevance score. A threshold is applied to select the content pointers and those content pointers that satisfy the threshold are selected as the content pointers most relevant to the user.
US08666977B2 Needs-based mapping and processing engine
A mechanism is disclosed that dramatically minimizes the time it takes to gather needs, dramatically minimizes the expense it takes to gather those needs, and ensures those statements are formulated in manner that comply with a set of rules designed to ensure the right inputs are used in downstream strategy formulation, marketing, product development, and related company workflows. In addition, the mechanism may or may not minimize the time it takes for a company to acquire the capability to uncover these needs statements.
US08666975B2 Navigation device
Provided is a navigation device wherein when a first and a second character string are input (STEP 1), a search category to which the first character string pertains and to which the second character string pertains are recognized (STEP 2); each of combination patterns of the first and the second search category is assigned with a priority score (STEP 3, 4); a weighting is applied to the priority score of a combinations pattern related to a search item composed of a first search character string including the first character string and a second search character string including the second character string according to a distance from a self vehicle to a geographic area specified by the first or the second search character string (STEP 5); and a facility as a destination candidate in order from a search item having a higher priority is searched (STEP 6 to STEP 10).
US08666974B2 Methods and systems for performing high volume searches in a multi-tenant store
Method and systems for performing high volume searches are described. In one example a method includes receiving a query directed to a database, the database including a plurality of items, determining whether the query complies with one of a plurality of search criteria, each of the plurality of search criteria corresponding to a predefined index of the database, selecting a predefined index of the database corresponding to one of the plurality of search criteria if the query complies with said search criterion, the index containing entries that comply with the corresponding search criterion, applying the query to the selected index to find database items referenced in the index, selecting items based on applying the query to the selected index, building a report for the query, the report including only items of the selected index.
US08666973B2 Structured relevance—a mechanism to reveal how data is related
A machine receives a description of the relationships among members of a data set. The machine constructs a graph that represents the relationships among the members of the data set, organizing the members of the data set into groups. The groups are analyzed to determine their relative strengths. Unbalanced groups can be balanced by splitting off heavy sub-trees that include too large a percentage of the nodes in the group. The machine can then use the graph to answer queries about members of the data set.
US08666972B2 System and method for content management and determination of search conditions
A system, method and article of manufacture for managing, e.g., extracting and displaying, search condition result data, which has been modified since a previous search. Embodiments of the present invention associate search conditions and modification programs with unique identifiers (e.g., a keyword) and log every use of thereof. Thereafter, contextual relationships (e.g., where a search conditions and a modification program are linked to the same unique identifier) between the data modifications and search conditions are identified using search condition and modification program usage logs, and based on the contextual relationships, embodiments of the present invention extracts and displays the result data that has been modified since the search condition was last executed.
US08666970B2 Query plan enhancement
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for analyzing and enhancing query plans. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a query plan, automatically identifying, by one or more computers, one or more operations included within the query plan that may degrade the performance of a query, and providing a report that identifies the identified operations as performance degrading operations.
US08666969B2 Query rewrite for pre-joined tables
Various aspects of this disclosure are directed to receiving, by a computing device, a first table join query that may include a first group of table identifiers that identify the two or more tables. The computing device may determine whether the first table join query includes an outer join command. When the first table join query includes the outer join command, the computing device may compare the first group of table identifiers and a second group of table identifiers of one or more pre-joined tables to determine whether each of the first table identifiers matches at least one of the second group of table identifiers. The computing device may further determine whether a predicate associated with each table identifier matches a predicate associated with a matching second table identifier. When each of the predicates match, the computing device may rewrite the first table join query.
US08666965B2 Web search with visited web page search result restrictions
An Internet infrastructure supports searching of web links to select search results by processing browser activity information along with one or more of favorite lists, and related metadata, user profiles, and trends based on browser activity behavior and favorite behavior. A plurality of web browsers located on client device are incorporated with a browser activity-monitoring module that tracks user's Internet usage, processes this information, and sends this information periodically or upon user request to the server to aid in improving search operation results. The search engine server communicatively couples to the plurality of web browsers and supports delivery of search results/web links to the client device based upon a search string, browser activity information, and possibly the favorite lists and related metadata. The gathered browser activity information, favorite lists, and related metadata are stored in one or more server databases that are associated with the search engine server.
US08666964B1 Managing items in crawl schedule
Determining a schedule for recrawling pages is disclosed. A crawling schedule that specifies a due date at which each page is to be crawled is determined according to a first scheme. A set of pages that includes one or more pages each of which has a due date that has passed is determined. The set of pages is ordered according to a second scheme.
US08666961B1 Platform for generating, managing and sharing content clippings and associated citations
A content management system allows users to capture content from content sources such as web pages and hardcopy publications, by using a client application running on personal computers and even mobile devices. The client application creates bibliography citations for captured content by gathering information from and/or about the content sources. Captured content and corresponding citations can be stored in a cloud data storage and can be searchable by other users. The client application can include a document editor facilitating importation of captured content and bibliography citations into documents being edited. Embodiments are adapted for use by course instructors and students, to facilitate, e.g., sharing of captured content among students and plagiarism checks by instructors and students. Embodiments are integrated with social networking services to facilitate sharing of content with users' contacts. An online marketplace of providers (e.g., tutors) and tutorials may be provided to enrich the collaborative learning experience.
US08666957B2 Method or apparatus for locking shared data
Methods and apparatus are disclosed in which locks for shared data are acquired by specifying a pathname for the shared data. One embodiment, among others, includes a method for locking shared data. The method includes the steps of receiving a first request to acquire a lock for a first pathname, storing the first pathname in a lock store, searching the lock store for a corresponding pathname in response to a further request to acquire a lock for a second pathname, and if the second pathname corresponds to the first pathname in the lock store then denying the further request to acquire the lock for the second pathname.
US08666956B1 Sequenced modifications of multiple rows in a temporal table
A SEQUENCED request a) to apply a temporal Source table to a temporal Target table under a predicate is received. The Source table includes a plurality of rows that qualify to apply to a single Target table row under the predicate. The predicate specifies a Source table join column. Each of the plurality of Source table rows and the single Target table row include a ValidTime dimension. The plurality of Source table rows is b) ordered by the Source table join column and a period-to-be-modified. The next of the ordered plurality of Source table rows is c) applied by determining that the Target table row has a TransactionTime and, in response, closing out the TransactionTime of the Target table row. Applying the next of the ordered plurality of Source table rows includes identifying an RDIFF range as the period-to-be-modified of the Source table row being applied that is later than the ValidTime range of the single Target table row. Applying the next of the ordered plurality of Source table rows includes creating an RDIFF row being the same as the Target table row except the ValidTime of the RDIFF row is set to RDIFF range. A second of the ordered plurality of Source table rows d) is applied by applying c) to the RDIFF row as the Target table row.
US08666954B2 Reduced bandwidth cache coherency via checksum exchange
A server system receives a first request for a data item from a web application on a client device, wherein the first request includes an identifier of the data item. In response to the first request, the server system calculates a first checksum of the data item and sends the data item and the first checksum to the web application, for storage in the local database. The server system receives a second request for the data item from the web application, calculates a second checksum of the data item and compares the first and second checksums. The server system, determines that the data item has been updated by comparing the first checksum to the second checksum; and in response to determining that the data item has been updated, the server system a reply to the web application a indicating that the data item has been updated.
US08666953B2 Multi-level version format
A version file for maintaining version information is described herein. The version file comprises an identifier to identify a target collection of associated files and a target index specifying binary level contents of the target collection of associated files to compare with a reference index specifying contents of a reference collection of associated files. The version file farther comprises a checksum generated based on the identifier and the target index.
US08666948B1 Automatically generating a customer notification file status report
A customer communication system of a mobile communication network automatically generates a report concerning the location of a customer notification file within the customer communication system to allow for easier file review in response to an error message. In the examples, a file information database is accessed to obtain information regarding the expected file name or expected location of the customer notification file. Using the file information, a search is conducted for the location of the customer notification file. Error correction information is also collected regarding the customer notification file. The system then generates a report combining the information regarding the location of the customer notification file with the reference information regarding any error correction instructions. The report is published, thereby allowing any user responsible for the correction of an error message to access the file location information and the associated error correction instructions.
US08666946B2 Incremental quantile tracking of multiple record types
A method and apparatus are provided for incrementally tracking quantiles in the presence of multiple record types. A method for performing incremental quantile tracking includes receiving a first data record of a first record type and a second data record of a second record type, and updating a quantile probability for a quantile value, based on the first record type of the first data record and the second record type of the second data record, to obtain a new quantile probability for the quantile value.
US08666944B2 Method and system of performing a granular restore of a database from a differential backup
A system and method for performing a granular restore operation of a database from a differential backup of the database. A bitmask is created during a differential backup and stored with the differential backup file. When a user requests a granular restore operation, views of how the database existed at different points of time may be presented to the user. The objects the user wishes to restore may be selected from one of the views. Next, the bitmask may be read to determine if the objects should be retrieved from the differential backup file or a full backup file. Finally, the objects may be restored to the database from the proper file.
US08666938B1 Installed application cloning and failover to virtual server
An application installed on a computer system is cloned to provide quick recovery and/or failover should the application become corrupted or inoperable. The installed application is profiled to determine a footprint of files, system registry, data files, and configurations (or “application resources”) that are associated with the installed application. The installed application is then cloned as a virtualized application package that captures a plurality of application resources residing on the computer system. In an embodiment, the installed application is profiled by simulating a removal of the installed application from a virtual machine (VM) that is a copy of the computer system.
US08666934B2 System and method for managing activities in project management
A system, a method and a computer program product for managing activities in project management. The system includes an activity sensor for collecting activity data from user inputs and event logs; a model builder for creating a project model by integrating said activity data with project tasks; and a central repository for storing the project model created by said model builder. The method includes steps for collecting activity data from user inputs and event logs; creating a project model by integrating said activity data with project tasks; and storing the created project model. Accordingly, the project manager can track various activities that occurred during the project and team members can share information and knowledge.
US08666933B2 System and method for distributing assets to multi-tiered network nodes
Provided are methods and systems for distributing an asset to a multi-tiered network node. A pending notice is received from a distribution server. If the notice indicates that at least one asset is pending, i.e., awaiting deployment, an asset descriptor manifest is received from the distribution server. The asset descriptor manifest, which is stored in a memory on a node, identifies at least one asset to be deployed to the node and includes an offset associated with the asset identifier. A fragment, associated with the asset, is received and stored in the memory. The offset associated with the asset is marked with the end of the fragment and a second fragment, beginning at the offset, is received. Additional fragments are received, and the offset updated, until the entire asset is deployed to the node. Alternately, the entire asset or multiple assets are received in the first fragment.
US08666931B2 Regular expression matching using TCAMs for network intrusion detection
A method is provided for implementing regular expression matching using ternary content-addressable memory devices. The method includes: receiving a set of regular expressions (REs) that specify data elements to be extracted from data packets; constructing a deterministic finite automaton (DFA) from the set of regular expressions; building a state transition table for each node of the deterministic finite automaton; combining the state transition tables into a single lookup table; and instantiating the lookup table in a ternary content-addressable memory device. Additional techniques are provided to reduce the TCAM space and improve RE matching speed.
US08666930B2 String matching method
A string matching device extracts a string by shifting a start position from an input data stream, compares the extracted string with a sub-string included in a target string, and when a prefix of a target string is detected from the string extracted from the input data stream, it selects one of the strings output in the next stage based on the start position of the corresponding string and uses it to detect the sub-string. Also, the device can consecutively detect at least one target string from the input data stream by using a state transition process.
US08666925B1 Method for parallel computation of a finite state machine
A method for operating a plurality of processor to determine a sequence of states traversed by a finite state machine in processing an input stream that includes a plurality of characters. The method divides the input stream into a plurality of contiguous sections characterized by a beginning character and an end character. Each section is assigned to a different processor. Each processor determines an end state that the finite state machine would traverse after the end character in the section assigned to that processor has been processed. That end state is provided to a processor that did not process the section associated with that end state. Each processor determines a sequence of states that the finite state machine would traverse if the finite state machine processed the section assigned to that processor using one of said received end states.
US08666923B2 Semantic network clustering influenced by index omissions
Some links are omitted from indexes associated with semantic network elements and clustering is influenced by such omissions.
US08666922B2 Information processing systems, reasoning modules, and reasoning system design methods
Information processing systems, reasoning modules, and reasoning system design methods are described. According to one aspect, an information processing system includes working memory comprising a semantic graph which comprises a plurality of abstractions, wherein the abstractions individually include an individual which is defined according to an ontology and a reasoning system comprising a plurality of reasoning modules which are configured to process different abstractions of the semantic graph, wherein a first of the reasoning modules is configured to process a plurality of abstractions which include individuals of a first classification type of the ontology and a second of the reasoning modules is configured to process a plurality of abstractions which include individuals of a second classification type of the ontology, wherein the first and second classification types are different.
US08666920B2 Estimating shortest distances in graphs using sketches
Sketches are generated for each node in a graph. For undirected graphs, each sketch for a node may include an indicator of a node from a seed set of nodes and the shortest distance between the node and the indicated node. When a request is received for the shortest distance between two nodes of the graph, the sketches for each of the two nodes are retrieved, and nodes that are indicated in both of the sketches are determined. The distances between each of the two nodes and a determined node as indicated in the sketches is summed for each of the determined nodes, and the sum having the least distance is selected as the estimated shortest distance between the two nodes.
US08666917B2 Sequence learning in a hierarchical temporal memory based system
A hierarchy of computing modules is configured to learn a cause of input data sensed over space and time, and is further configured to determine a cause of novel sensed input data dependent on the learned cause. At least one of the computing modules has a sequence learner module configured to associate sequences of input data received by the computing module to a set of causes previously learned in the hierarchy.
US08666913B2 System and method for using pattern recognition to monitor and maintain status quo
The present invention relates to a method of checking data gathered from a content source comprising: receiving initial data from the content source; training a data profiler to generate a set of trusted constraint modules, said training comprising (1) selecting constraint modules having parameters that are applicable to the initial data, (2) adjusting the parameters of the applicable constraint modules to conform with new data from the content source, (3) identifying non-stable constraint modules, and (4) generating a set of trusted constraint modules by removing the non-stable constraint modules; applying the set of trusted constraint modules to subsequently received data from the content source to determine whether the subsequently received data meets the parameters of the set of trusted constraint modules; and signaling a failure upon the subsequently received data failing to meet the parameters of the set of trusted constraint modules.
US08666911B2 System and method for statistical measurment validation
An apparatus and method are disclosed for a measurement system that reports as a measurement result a confidence interval associated with a histogram bin into which a measurement value falls. The confidence interval is calculated from a subset of training values that also fall within the histogram bin. A training process may be performed in which a plurality of training values is obtained and a mean and standard deviation of the values determined. A plurality of histogram bins are defined from the mean and standard deviation and, for the subsets of training values that fall into each bin, confidence intervals calculated. A need to perform the training process may be determined from a plurality of measured values.
US08666910B2 Search device and associated methods
A search device and associated methods use music emotions to browse, organize and retrieve music collections. The search device comprises a processor and an interface. The processor uses machine learning techniques to determine music emotion according to music features and organizes music by emotions for browsing and retrieving music collections. The interface connects to the processor and allows a person to retrieve desired music from the processor. Methods associated with the search device comprise a processor initialization method, a method of loading new music into the search device and several methods of retrieving desired music from the search device.
US08666903B2 System and method for leveraging procurement across companies and company groups
A leveraged procurement network (LPN) system for leveraging purchasing across company and company groups includes a front-end requisition and catalog system accessible by users from a plurality of companies in different company groups. Access to procurement resources is controlled by user profiles and resource profiles specifying for each user and resource the applicable company group. Purchases against volume specific contracts are leveraged by requisitions for a plurality of company groups, while user access to procurement resources within the front-end system are controlled by company and/or company group.
US08666901B2 System and method for managing sponsorships
A system and method for managing sponsorships by a sponsor, in which the party requesting the sponsorship requests to use content owned and protected by the sponsor, such as trademarks, logos, and copyrighted material. An embodiment of the method involves receiving, at a computer network site, a request for sponsorship from a requester and responding to the request by sending either an approval or a rejection. If an approval is sent, the method further involves providing the requestor with access to content of the sponsor through the site. As part of providing this access, the method can involve requiring the requestor to accept an agreement posted on the site. The method can also include monitoring the requestor's actual use of the content.
US08666898B2 Visual information retrieval system for applying self organizing maps/SOM using five distinct modules that merge the best maps
A system for information retrieval within a database of large size includes a first module for extracting the descriptors associated with each object in the database, and for constructing a table containing the objects and the value of a descriptor associated with an object. The system also includes a second module for applying a number of classification algorithms, for each of the tables obtained from the module, a third module to fusion the results obtained from the module in order to determine, for each type of descriptor, a class number associated with an object, a fourth module for finding which column of a table is closest to the column obtained during the first fusion of the step, and for selecting the map that is closest contained in the table, or best map, and a fifth module to fusion the aggregate “best maps”, and applying an algorithm for searching for the best map to be transmitted to a display means.
US08666897B2 System and method for providing a financial transaction instrument with user-definable authorization criteria
Authorization limits on the use of a financial transaction instrument, such as a credit card and the like, may be set by an owner of a financial account corresponding to the financial transaction instrument. The owner provides information identifying the owner, the financial account, and the financial transaction instrument corresponding to the financial account to a computer, and also provides an owner-defined authorization limit on use of the financial transaction instrument to the computer. The authorization limit is stored in a database, which is accessed when there is a request to authorize a purchase to be made with the financial transaction instrument. The owner may communicate with the computer via a Web site, an automated call program, a kiosk, or the like.
US08666891B2 Mobile wireless financial instrument for automatically selecting a payment instrument
The specification and drawing figures describe and illustrate a point-of-sale payment system. The point-of-sale payment system includes a mobile wireless communications instrument having at least one data processor. The data processor is capable of automatically selecting a payment instrument for transmitting a payment sum across a mobile wireless communications network and, if necessary, a credit network. The point-of-sale payment system may also include a data transmission subsystem for receipt, storage, processing, and transmittal of data across the wireless communications network and/or the data transmission subsystem.
US08666888B2 Same-day settlement of financial transactions
A system and method to receive a financial transaction and transfer funds associated with the financial transaction into an account associated with an originator of the financial transaction to settle the financial transaction on the same day that the financial transaction is originated. The financial transaction may be one of a plurality of financial transactions and the financial transaction is identified as being eligible for same-day settlement using routing or transit numbers associated with an entity that receives the financial transaction.
US08666887B2 Financial account management
An automated account management system provides a user with the ability to establish rules that dictate how the account management system is to manage the user's accounts. Once the user specifies a set of rules, the system automatically manages multiple accounts across multiple financial institutions in accordance with the user-defined rules. Other features, such as an on-line bill payment system, a money transfer system, and a retirement planning system, may be integrated within the automated account management system to provide the user with even greater control over his or her financial assets.
US08666886B2 System, program product, and method for debit card and checking account autodraw
A consumer is prequalified for a line of credit attached to a checking account by a lending institution computer responsive to consumer underwriting data. The lending institution computer makes available draws to the line of credit line in an authorization stream for a proposed payment from the checking account. When the line of credit is accessed, the checking account is credited with an additional value equal to one or more preselected loan increments so that the account then has a new amount totaling a previous amount plus the amount of value of the one or more preselected loan increments and so that the new amount exceeds or equals the value of a proposed payment. Next, a new value for the line of credit balance available is determined, accounting for value credited to the checking account and a preselected loan advance fee for each loan increment credited to the account.
US08666885B1 Customized consumer loan product search system and method
A method and system for using Loan Level Pricing Adjustments corresponding to specific consumer input to determine or calculate the interest rates of a plurality of loan products, comprising searching from a plurality of available, relevant loan products with associated pricing, wherein the searching is based on input consumer criteria, and includes creating and updating a centralized and searchable database of lenders' underwriting and pricing guidelines that can be utilized by a consumer; and matching and optimization of loan products or pricing for a consumer wherein the consumer's qualifications and needs are matched to the best available loan products with associated rate pricing and wherein the system comprises a single or plurality of wireless handheld devices each comprising an interactive interface through which are communicable customer attributes, and through which are returned results of determined or calculated customer eligibility.
US08666882B2 Computerized mortgage foreclosure-capping system
Computerized capping of mortgage foreclosures.
US08666880B2 System and method for flexible payment terms
A method is disclosed for offering transaction account consumers with payment term options to pay a minimum amount due early, defer payment into the following payment cycle, and pay a standard amount when due. When generating a periodic billing statement, the invention determines a consumer's eligibility to elect early payment, deferred payment, and regular payment. When a consumer is eligible for early payment, a received payment is compared to a discount rate tier, then a discount amount is calculated and credited to the consumer's account. When the consumer is eligible for deferred payment, the system calculates a new current minimum payment due by multiplying the current non-deferred balance by a predetermined percentage amount and adding the result to the deferred balance. When the consumer is not eligible for deferred payment, the system calculates a new current minimum due by summing the current non-deferred balance with the deferred balance.
US08666876B2 System and method for creating a customer account
In an electronic auction, bids may be received from each of a plurality of bidders for a plurality of commodities for online distribution, wherein each bid includes a price and information used to identify an appropriate commodity to which to apply the bid. Then a process is performed for each bid. This process includes: validating bid information from the bid, the validating occurring after a customer record has been created for a bidder corresponding to the bid, then based on a successful validation of the bid, entering the bid for the item in a bid database, then awarding one or more commodities from the plurality of commodities to each of a plurality of successful bidders of the plurality of bidders at different item prices based on the prices in the bid information for each of the plurality of successful bidders.
US08666875B1 Determination of banding start price for order evaluation
A banding start price may be generated using one of multiple subroutines. Each of the subroutines may generate a banding start price using a different algorithm and may have different input data criteria. Each of those subroutines may be ranked based expected accuracy of a price output by the subroutine. The banding start price may be generated by the highest ranking subroutine for which there is input data satisfying relevant criteria.
US08666874B2 Products and processes for establishing multi-transaction relationships with customers of vending machines
Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for improving the establishment and management of vending machine subscriptions, including systems and methods for constructing, communicating, and registering subscriptions, as well as various methods for processing the redemption of vending machine subscription items. Several additional embodiments are disclosed, including various alternate methods of promoting longitudinal machine-customer relationships.
US08666873B2 Systems and methods for open execution auction trading of financial instruments
In a computerized trading system, at least one passive order from a liquidity provider is placed on a book of orders. An order received from a liquidity consumer is held for a holding period. During the holding period the order from the liquidity consumer is checked and information relating to the received order from the liquidity consumer is sent to eligible ones of one or more liquidity providers. If, during the holding period, changes to the orders on the book of orders are made by the liquidity providers, those orders are modified on the book and the book of orders is revised. Upon expiration of the holding period, the order from the liquidity consumer is matched with orders that remain on the book after any revisions.
US08666866B1 Method and system for managing time-shifted financial instruments
A method and a system is disclosed for creating and managing financial instruments, which may be designed to increase the risk-adjusted return of investment portfolios and other collections of assets and/or liabilities. A computer may be used to access databases containing asset information, liability information, counterparty information, metric information, and swap agreement information. Swap information may be received including first counterparty information and first metric information comprising a future cash flow that is at least partially determined by a randomly selected outcome of returns from one or more defined time periods. A first swap agreement may then be executed. A metric value for the first metric information may be determined and cashflows value to be paid and/or received may be calculated. The calculated cashflows value may be exchanged.
US08666865B2 Payment entity account set up for multiple payment methods
A method begins with a payment entity device receiving payables process data from a client device. The payables process data includes a list of a plurality of creditors and associated payment data, wherein, for a creditor of the plurality of creditors, the associated payment data includes at least one payment scheme for paying at least a portion of debt owed to the creditor via at least one of: a client credit card, a funds transfer, commercial paper, tangible consideration, and a debit account. The method continues with the payment entity device determining level of service for a client associated with the client device. The method continues with the payment entity device generating a payables profile for the client based on the payables process data in accordance with the level of service.
US08666862B2 Automatic mapping and allocation of beneficial interests in trusts for portfolio analysis
The present invention relates to analysis of trusts that have multiple beneficiaries whose interests mature in different time periods or under different conditions. In particular, we disclose automatic mapping of interests in one or more trusts, optionally subject to user confirmation, to long and short positions in financial or derivative interests that have expected payouts and costs that can be offset against underlying trust assets. The underlying assets and long and short positions in the mapped instruments can be attributed to various beneficiaries and subjected to various risk and investment analysis.
US08666860B2 Method and system for currency exchange by point of conversion
In one embodiment, one use of the disclosed method/system is for any multinational entity or individual performing currency exchanges is for business or personal use. This embodiment will greatly enhance the Transparency of the Cash Conversion Process at the ACTUAL POINT OF CONVERSION (POC), revealing dealt and offset pricings and TIME thereof thus providing the customer with a complete report of conversion as with any commodity conversion. With the POC method, the client will have a substantially complete accounting of the value of the funds conversion from one region's currency to another.
US08666854B2 Providing a unified view of contract revenue and invoice details
Systems and methods are provided that provide a unified view of invoice and revenue information for a contract. One embodiment includes receiving a request to display information about a contract, and displaying, in response to the request, a financial summary interface including invoice and revenue information for the contract in the same financial summary interface. The invoice and revenue information for the contract may include contract value, invoiced amount, accrued revenue, and backlog amount.
US08666848B1 Continuous planning review system
Systems and methods for inventory planning. In some embodiments, automated real-time inventory replenishment planning is provided based on business inputs, such as vendor order-processing schedules. To this end, continuous inventory review of target inventory positions is performed to automatically derive inventory replenishment frequencies and corresponding buying schedules. Such systems and methods may increase efficiency by decoupling the generation of inventory replenishment plans and the execution of the generated inventory replenishment plans.
US08666846B1 Determining item availability
A facility for processing a request for information about a specified item is described. The facility receives the request from an originator. In response to receiving the request, the facility generates a response to the request that contains information about the specified item. The facility also determines a current level of availability of the specified item, and, based upon this determined level of availability, determines, for each of a number of ordering actions, whether the ordering action is currently available for the specified item. For each ordering action determined to be currently available for the specified item, the facility augments the generated response by adding a control for performing the ordering action. The facility sends the augmented response to the originator of the request.
US08666843B2 Systems and methods for generating a synchronous sales stack for customer dialog
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for generating a synchronous sales stack for a customer dialog. A user can visit a Web site and load selections into a checkout basket to prepare to purchase desired products and/or services. The user can select a live chat feature, which invokes an instant message, audio or video dialog with a sales representative. The sales representative can initiate a synchronous sales stack with the user, by which the user and sales representative can share a common view of purchase selections and potential alternatives or add-ons to the selections, as they are made. The customer and sales representative can continue their dialog as possible selections are explored, and the resulting sales stack is updated in real-time. When the user is satisfied with their selections, the sales stack can be stored as the customer's finalized checkout basket and the transaction can be completed.
US08666840B1 Computer methods and computer systems for facilitating automated sale transactions between buyers and sellers over the sale of fully pre-specified products and services
In one embodiment, the instant invention provides for a method that includes the following steps of: programming a computer system to perform the steps of: receiving, from a seller, seller information for an item that the seller offers to sell; determining from the seller information: identifying characteristics that specifically describe the item and specifically identify the seller; Minimum Acceptable Price (MAP) and Minimum Acceptable Price Range (MAPR), and Maximum Allowable Number of Negotiating Chances per each buyer (MANBCs); receiving, from the potential buyer, a buyer offer for the first item and consummating a sale transaction when: a monetary amount or a range of monetary amounts submitted by the buyer respectively matches the MAP or the MAPR, and the potential buyer has not previously submitted an other offer for the item so that a total number of offers made by the potential buyer is equal or less than the MANBCs.
US08666838B2 Electronic commerce transactions within a marketing system that may contain a membership buying opportunity
The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing complete electronic commerce (“E-Commerce”) transactions and solutions for a marketing company's products via the World Wide Web, including facilities for signing up new customers and recruiting, training and supporting new Independent Business Owners through an interactive online process. In another aspect, the present invention relates to the combination of a marketing business with a membership buying opportunity using both electronic commerce and face-to-face transactions. The present invention is also directed to a system and method for combining a marketing business with a membership buying opportunity, so that Independent Business Owners participating in the marketing plan can introduce customers to a membership buying opportunity and earn bonuses or commissions based on the purchases by those members, while Members in the buying opportunity can consume products or, at their option, qualify to become Independent Business Owners.
US08666836B2 Targeting items to a user of a social networking system based on a predicted event for the user
A social networking system predicts a life event (e.g., birthday, change in marital status, relationship status, etc.) for a target user based on information associated with the user. The social networking system identifies gift suggestions to provide to one or more friends of the user based on the predicted event. A gift suggestion may include an invitation to purchase or send an item, voucher, or other gift to the target user, wherein the gift may be determined based on information about the target user's interests obtained by the social networking system. The social networking system sends a gift suggestion to one or more friends of the target user, where the gift suggestion identifies the predicted life event and provides the gift suggestion to the target user's friend. The advertisement may require action by multiple of the target user's friends before the gift is sent to the target user.
US08666833B2 System and method for generating an enhanced index print product
The present invention is directed to a data driven methodology to construct index print products for photographic images. A system and method are provided for defining an index print product as a collection of regions which may be pieced together to present a final index product. The index product is customizable for and by any one or more retailers or integration partner providers for a unique appearance and offering to end customers. More specifically, the present invention relates to providing dynamic index print products of photographic images wherein the index print product may also include other content that is individually specified, provided and maintained by partner providers of a film processor or fulfillment center. Providers are able to leverage customized marketing and brand messaging or other advertisement to add value to their index print product.
US08666831B2 Power generation leveling system and power generation leveling method
A communication part of a purchased power management device transmits, in response to an instruction from a user, rate information indicating a rate of power that the user wants to purchase to a sales management device. A charging part of the purchased power management device charges the battery at a date and time designated by the sales management device. A power output part of the purchased power management device outputs power stored in the battery during a time period of high electric power demand. A sale destination decision part of the sales management device decides a sale destination of the power generated during a time period of low electric power demand on a basis of the rate indicated by the rate information. A sales date and time information transmission part of the sales management device transmits sales date and time information designating a date and time when power is sold to the sale destination decided by the sale destination decision part.
US08666830B1 Identifying top rated products
The top rated products in a product category are identified by computing a score for each product in the category. The score is computed by calculating a time decay factor for each product category. The time decay factor is utilized to decay the ratings of each product as a function of time. A relevance value is also computed for each product. The relevance value is utilized to modify the ratings for each product in view of the recency of the ratings. The score may be computed for each product using the ratings for the product, the computed time decay factor, and/or the relevance value. The computed scores are utilized to rank the products in the product category.
US08666829B1 Detecting fraudulent event listings
In one embodiment, a method includes accessing event information and payment information associated with an event listing on an event management system, and calculating a fraud risk score for the event listing based at least in part on the event information and payment information.
US08666826B2 Social network media sharing with client library
Concepts and technologies are described herein for providing media content sharing. The concepts and technologies disclosed herein can be employed to share media content with a social network, even for content subject to access control mechanisms and/or copyright laws. According to various embodiments disclosed herein, media content can be shared with a social network, or the like. An application running at or in conjunction with a computer can obtain information relating to media content displayed at or accessible to the computer, format the data, and transmit the data to a social networking site or other location in a format appropriate for the site. Contents and technologies for viewing the shared content also are disclosed.
US08666823B2 System for structured encryption of payment card track data
A system may include a point-of-sale system that gathers payment card track data from a payment card and a payment card gateway that processes the track data to authorize purchase transactions. The point-of-sale system may remove sensitive data such as a portion of a primary account number from the track data and may compress the removed data. The compressed version of the data may be appended to a discretionary field in the track data. The discretionary field may be encrypted following insertion of the compressed data. Track data that has been modified in this way may be conveyed to the payment gateway for processing.
US08666822B1 Managing online advertising campaigns
Techniques and tools are described for managing interaction with electronic advertisements. In some examples, user contact information is received from a user who has indicated interest in an electronic advertisement, where the user contact information comprises the user's phone number. A do-not-call status of the user is determined based at least in part on the user's phone number. Based on the do-not-call status, further action is taken, such as providing a message to the user. In some situations, the message provided to the user can include a click-to-call link for contacting the advertiser.
US08666821B2 Selecting advertisements based on serving area and map area
Methods and systems for selecting advertisements to present to a user of a computing device are provided. An advertisement system selects advertisements to display to a user based on the serving area of candidate advertisements. The advertisement system selects those candidate advertisements whose serving area encompasses the user's current location. The advertisement system may also select candidate advertisements to present to a user based on a map area currently being displayed to the user. The advertisement system may filter the candidate advertisements based on the provider location being within the map area that is currently being displayed to the user.
US08666819B2 System and method to facilitate classification and storage of events in a network
A system and method to facilitate classification and storage of events in a network are described. An event and associated content information are received from an entity over a network. The content information is further analyzed to determine one or more themes representing subject matter related to the content information. The event is further classified according to the themes into one or more corresponding categories. Finally, the event is stored into one or more corresponding databases of a data storage module according to the one or more corresponding categories.
US08666814B2 Advertising method and system adaptive to data broadcast
There is provided an advertising method comprising receiving a broadcast request signal from a video on demand (VOD) terminal to download data broadcast; receiving an advertisement request signal from a mobile communication terminal to download advertising broadcast including information on goods related to contents of the data broadcast; synchronizing the data broadcast with the advertising broadcast in such a way that an advertising broadcast scene corresponding to the data broadcast is displayed on the mobile communication terminal while replaying the data broadcast on the VOD terminal; sending the data broadcast to the VOD terminal; and sending the advertising broadcast to the mobile communication terminal.
US08666813B2 System and method using sampling for scheduling advertisements in an online auction with budget and time constraints
An improved system and method is provided for using sampling for scheduling advertisements in an online auction with budget and time constraints. A multi-armed bandit engine may be provided for sampling new advertisements by allocating advertisements for web page placements of equal quality and optimizing payments to maximize the welfare of the advertisers while remaining within advertiser's budget and time constraints. Advertisers may report their private information including arrival time, departure time, value per click, and budget. And the multi-armed bandit mechanism may approximate the maximal welfare that may be achieved under budget and time constraints by bounding the possible gain from any possible lie an advertiser might submit in reporting private information. Advertisers departing from the online auction may be charged using a payment method that may provide truthful guarantees on budget, arrivals, departures, and valuations for a budget-constrained online auction.
US08666811B1 Systems and methods for determining advertising activity
A system may provide an advertising link in association with a document. The content of the advertising link is unrelated to a content of the document. The system may also determine a rate at which the advertising link is selected and determine whether illegitimate activity occurred based, at least in part, on the determined rate of selection.
US08666808B2 Media content notification via communications network
The notification system identifies media content based on personal preferences of individual users and provides notification of identified media content to the users. In one embodiment, the system includes a number of user nodes that communicate with a registration site and a notification site via the interne. The notification site includes a media content database and a processor running contents election logic. The processor accesses the media content database in order to identify content that may be of interest to particular users of the user nodes. In this regard, content for a particular user may be identified by matching interest information obtained from the registration site with the content information of the media content database.
US08666804B2 Obtaining information from multiple service-provider computer systems using an agent
Systems and methods are provided for using an agent computer system to obtain information from multiple service-provider computer systems. The method comprises, in response to receiving search criteria at the agent computer system from a client computer system, determining one or more service-provider computer systems with which to communicate to obtain information satisfying the search criteria, determining, for each of said one or more service-provider computer systems, a communication protocol to use to communicate with the service-provider computer system to obtain information satisfying the search criteria, transmitting from the agent computer system to each of said one or more service-provider computer systems, using the communication protocol determined to be used with each service-provider computer system, a request to obtain information satisfying the search criteria, and receiving at the agent computer system from each of said one or more service-provider computer systems a response to the request.
US08666797B2 Information collection program, information collection apparatus, and information collection method
It is an object to provide a mechanism that can efficiently collect and accumulate unspecified large number of information as much as possible for marketing activities and that can make use of the information. An information collection program includes: an information receiving step that receives information provided from an information provider; an information collecting/managing step that manages the received information in association with the information provider; an information analyzing step that analyzes the managed information; an analysis information managing step that manages the analyzed information; a feedback information receiving step that receives evaluation based on a result of utilizing the analyzed information as feedback information; and an evaluating step that gives an evaluation point to the information provider or the provided information based on the received feedback information.
US08666796B2 Content item allocation
Methods, systems, and apparatus for content distribution. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining reservation data for a resource, the reservation data specifying a reservation period and a number of impression reservations for the reservation period; receiving, during the reservation period, content item request data specifying that the resource was requested; identifying candidate content item providers; determining an expected revenue that will be obtained by selecting one of the candidate content item providers to provide a content item providing, to a content item exchange, auction data including a reserve price; receiving positive response data specifying that the content item exchange will provide an exchange content item for a price that meets the reserve price; and in response to receiving the positive response data, selecting the exchange content item as the content item to be provided in response to receiving the content item request data.
US08666787B2 Method and apparatus for repricing a reimbursement claim against a contract
A method for repricing a reimbursement claim under at least one contract is provided herein. The method may include a combination of steps such as: converting each contract into a series of contractual terms; converting a claim into a series of claim lines, containing claim codes, unit numbers and corresponding charges for the claim codes; comparing claim codes and contractual terms and identifying matches therebetween; determining any priority conditions associated to the matching contractual terms, and eliminate any matching contractual terms that are excluded by the priority conditions; calculating the reimbursement amount for the claim by determining the reimbursement charges for the non-excluded matching contractual terms; and determining and making any adjustments depending upon any discount terms for the entire reimbursement amount.
US08666785B2 Method and system for semantically coding data providing authoritative terminology with semantic document map
A method and system is provided for validating claim submissions against a claim policy that can perform a comparative analysis by comparing structured or unstructured claim submissions to semantically structured policies to direct and optimize processing of the claim submission. A method and system is also provided for enabling semantic interoperability across different proprietary electronic transaction records. Semantic queries and semantic analysis can be performed on a collection of electronic transaction records originating from different proprietary systems.
US08666784B2 Systems and methods for administering comprehensive protection plans
Systems, methods, means and computer program code for administering comprehensive protection plans are provided which include a computer system to process an insurance claim, the system having a first policy database storing policy data associated with a first type of insurance, a second policy database storing policy data associated with a second type of insurance, a requestor device and a claims processing system for receiving an insurance claim associated with a customer, determining that the claim involves a single loss event and more than one type of property damage, retrieving from the first policy database, information associated with a first policy of the customer and at least a second policy of the customer, the information including a first deductible associated with the first policy and a second deductible associated with the second policy, determining which of the first and second deductible to apply to the claim, and updating the first and second policy databases based on the determined deductible.
US08666776B1 Method and system for delivering to a customer a plurality of prescriptions having aligned refill dates
The method and system allows alignment of refill dates associated with a plurality of prescriptions, such that the plurality of prescriptions all require refills on the same date, thus limiting the number of occasions on which a customer must visit the pharmacy to retrieve refills of the aligned prescriptions, and increasing the likelihood that the customer will comply with the recommended medication regimen. Further, the method and system provides various methods of delivery to the customer of the plurality of aligned prescriptions on the refill dates.
US08666774B1 System and method for gauging performance based on analysis of hospitalist and patient information
The present invention provides solutions to many of the problems face by hospitalist medicine providers by supporting the ability to manage patient workflow, improve physician communication, integrate with hospital information systems, identify and document accurate diagnosis codes and capture professional fee charges. The system and method of the present invention enforces discipline in the clinical decision making process by ensuring proper and specific diagnoses and documentation thereof. This system supports the diagnosis, reports patient progress, enhances continuity of care through enhanced communication and notification throughout the treatment episode with all clinical and operational providers, automates core measure compliance documentation and ensure proper notification of any program specific risk management initiatives.
US08666773B1 System and method for maintaining hospitalist and patient information
The present invention provides solutions to many of the problems face by hospitalist medicine providers by supporting the ability to manage patient workflow, improve physician communication, integrate with hospital information systems, identify and document accurate diagnosis codes and capture professional fee charges. The system and method of the present invention enforces discipline in the clinical decision making process by ensuring proper and specific diagnoses and documentation thereof. This system supports the diagnosis, reports patient progress, enhances continuity of care through enhanced communication and notification throughout the treatment episode with all clinical and operational providers, automates core measure compliance documentation and ensure proper notification of any program specific risk management initiatives.
US08666772B2 Process, system, method creating medical billing code letters, electronic superbill and communication
This invention is a method creating a machine readable language of medical billing codes from medical records by artificial intelligence and human intelligence both. The software related engine is achieved by converting difficult billing code numbers into and from easy code letters. Also, this software makes scheduling easier, with reappointments and sends letters by electronic means, messaging, voice over internet protocol and wireless connections using an unique implementation of other applications in combination with this novel medical software operation.
US08666771B2 Healthcare system planning tool
A system for planning at a healthcare facility employs a database that stores health care facility impacting data including demographic data describing a preselected set of aspects of a population residing within a defined geographic area. A simulator applies modeling tools to the health care facility impacting data and generates output data corresponding to selected data in the health care facility impacting data. The modeling tools include a protocols of care tool; a service configuration modeling tool; a financial analysis tool; and a facility modeling tool. A video monitor displays an image of a map with a visual representation of the geographic area and a plurality of dynamically configurable data display objects that are superimposed on the map. Each data display object is disposed adjacent to a location of a different healthcare facility and each displays output data generated by the simulator.
US08666762B2 Tissue management system
The present invention provides a comprehensive tissue management system for transplantable materials like tissues and organs. The tracking portion of the system prompts and verifies that staff members of a medical establishment like a hospital have handled, stored, transported, reconstituted, and used the tissue or organ materials in a safe and regulatory-compliant manner from the point of receipt to the point of issuance or surgical use throughout the hospital's organization. The tracing portion of the system creates an integral record that documents which hospital staff members have provided which processing steps to the tissue or organ, any associated materials used in conjunction with such tissue or organ, and an identification of the tissue or organ that was transplanted or implanted inside a patient. Such a system will enable adverse reaction investigations for transplant patients, and recalls of transplantable materials.
US08666760B2 Medication order processing and reconciliation
A system and method for managing medication orders, including verbal orders and changes to those orders, is described. A server receives mediation orders from a pharmacy and communicates those orders to an infusion pump. The infusion pump communicates status messages to the server and the server compares the status messages to the medication orders to determine if the there were any changes to the order, or if a medication was administered absent a medication order. The server assigns a new order identification number to the status message if needed. The system may also reconcile original medication orders with information associated with a new order identification number and stores the information in the eMAR of a patient.
US08666759B2 System and method for exchanging documents
A method of exchanging documents among multiple businesses relating to common customers, including publishing documents relating to a first customer of a first business in a secure medium, determining whether the first customer is the same person as a second customer of a second business, and if the first customer is the same person as the second customer, granting access to the second business to the published documents.
US08666758B2 Method of dispensing pharmaceuticals
A method for electronically assisting in dispensing pharmaceuticals to long-term patient care facilities is provided. The method includes entering data associated with a prescription order into a system including an intervention database. Based on features of the order, an intervention from the intervention database is associated with the order, the intervention being associated with a route through the system. Data associated with the prescription order is routed along the route associated with the intervention.
US08666756B2 Business and social media system
A business and social media system is provided for establishing communication services between people in different countries. The system includes a core system module, the core system module including a server for maintaining information regarding a client and a means for establishing communications services between a client and another person. The system further includes external modules in communication with the core system module, the modules including a telephony termination module, a telephone module service module, an SMS module, a contact center module, a mobile application module, a web application module, a retail module, a bank module, and the like.
US08666754B2 Audio signal encoding method, audio signal decoding method, encoding device, decoding device, audio signal processing system, audio signal encoding program, and audio signal decoding program
When a frame immediately preceding an encoding target frame to be encoded by a first encoding unit operating under a linear predictive coding scheme is encoded by a second encoding unit operating under a coding scheme different from the linear predictive coding scheme, the encoding target frame can be encoded under the linear predictive coding scheme by initializing the internal state of the first encoding unit. Therefore, encoding processing performed under a plurality of coding schemes including the linear predictive coding scheme and a coding scheme different from the linear predictive coding scheme can be realized.
US08666746B2 System and method for generating customized text-to-speech voices
A system and method are disclosed for generating customized text-to-speech voices for a particular application. The method comprises generating a custom text-to-speech voice by selecting a voice for generating a custom text-to-speech voice associated with a domain, collecting text data associated with the domain from a pre-existing text data source and using the collected text data, generating an in-domain inventory of synthesis speech units by selecting speech units appropriate to the domain via a search of a pre-existing inventory of synthesis speech units, or by recording the minimal inventory for a selected level of synthesis quality. The text-to-speech custom voice for the domain is generated utilizing the in-domain inventory of synthesis speech units. Active learning techniques may also be employed to identify problem phrases wherein only a few minutes of recorded data is necessary to deliver a high quality TTS custom voice.
US08666744B1 Grammar fragment acquisition using syntactic and semantic clustering
A method and apparatus are provided for automatically acquiring grammar fragments for recognizing and understanding fluently spoken language. Grammar fragments representing a set of syntactically and semantically similar phrases may be generated using three probability distributions: of succeeding words, of preceding words, and of associated call-types. The similarity between phrases may be measured by applying Kullback-Leibler distance to these three probability distributions. Phrases being close in all three distances may be clustered into a grammar fragment.
US08666738B2 Biometric-sensor assembly, such as for acoustic reflectometry of the vocal tract
A biometric-sensor assembly, e.g., for acoustic reflectometry of the vocal tract. In one embodiment, the sensor assembly includes a dental appliance for in-mouth mounting, an acoustic sensor attached to the dental appliance, and an optional headset. The dental appliance enables secure placement of the acoustic sensor in the mouth of the user, e.g., for tracking movements of the tongue and/or other internal articulators of the vocal tract. A boom arm of the headset can be used for holding an additional acoustic sensor and/or a miniature video camera, e.g., for tracking movements of the lips.
US08666736B2 Noise-reduction processing of speech signals
The present invention relates to a method for signal processing comprising the steps of providing a set of prototype spectral envelopes, providing a set of reference noise prototypes, wherein the reference noise prototypes are obtained from at least a sub-set of the provided set of prototype spectral envelopes, detecting a verbal utterance by at least one microphone to obtain a microphone signal, processing the microphone signal for noise reduction based on the provided reference noise prototypes to obtain an enhanced signal and encoding the enhanced signal based on the provided prototype spectral envelopes to obtain an encoded enhanced signal.
US08666734B2 Systems and methods for multiple pitch tracking using a multidimensional function and strength values
An apparatus includes a function module, a strength module, and a filter module. The function module compares an input signal, which has a component, to a first delayed version of the input signal and a second delayed version of the input signal to produce a multi-dimensional model. The strength module calculates a strength of each extremum from a plurality of extrema of the multi-dimensional model based on a value of at least one opposite extremum of the multi-dimensional model. The strength module then identifies a first extremum from the plurality of extrema, which is associated with a pitch of the component of the input signal, that has the strength greater than the strength of the remaining extrema. The filter module extracts the pitch of the component from the input signal based on the strength of the first extremum.
US08666730B2 Question-answering system and method based on semantic labeling of text documents and user questions
A question-answering system for searching exact answers in text documents provided in the electronic or digital form to questions formulated by user in the natural language is based on automatic semantic labeling of text documents and user questions. The system performs semantic labeling with the help of markers in terms of basic knowledge types, their components and attributes, in terms of question types from the predefined classifier for target words, and in terms of components of possible answers. A matching procedure makes use of mentioned types of semantic labels to determine exact answers to questions and present them to the user in the form of fragments of sentences or a newly synthesized phrase in the natural language. Users can independently add new types of questions to the system classifier and develop required linguistic patterns for the system linguistic knowledge base.
US08666726B2 Sample clustering to reduce manual transcriptions in speech recognition system
Techniques for grouping a plurality of samples automatically transcribed from a plurality of utterances. The method comprises forming clusters from the plurality of samples, wherein the clusters include two or more of the plurality of samples. One or more samples are selected from a cluster and manually-processed data samples for the one or more samples are obtained. A weighting factor may be assigned to the data samples based, at least in part, on the number of samples in the cluster associated with the selected data sample.
US08666720B2 Software extensions to a high level description language simulator to provide infrastructure for analog, mixed-signal, RF modeling and verification
An extension to a simulator (801) that allows the user to specify real numbers, voltages, and currents (808) on ports of an electrical net is presented. The computer using the analog wire functionality routines (805), the routines for determining nets (804), the net manager (803), and the pin manager (802) resolves unspecified values on said electrical nets. The user may specify at least one value on said port and may specify whether said port is driven. The extension includes additional math functions (1901).
US08666718B2 Structure of the C-terminal region of the insulin receptor α-chain and of the insulin-like growth factor receptor α-chain
The present invention relates generally to structural studies of the insulin binding site of the insulin receptor (IR) and the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R). More particularly, the present invention relates to the crystal structure of the low affinity insulin binding site of the IR ectodomain comprising the C-terminal region of the IR α-chain, as well as the corresponding region of IGF-1R, and to methods of using the crystal and related structural information to screen for and design compounds that interact with or modulate the function of IR and/or IGF-1R.
US08666717B2 Sand and fluid production and injection modeling methods
Methods for modeling subsurface reservoirs are provided. In at least one embodiment, the process includes building a numerical model of a reservoir having at least one injection well and at least one producing well, and incorporating at least one of an Eulerian boundary condition (EBC) into each of the at least one injection well and at least one producing well, an advanced constitutive model (ACM) int the reservoir, and an adaptive re-meshing technique (ART) into the reservoir model. Then generating a simulation result from the integrated reservoir model, wherein the simulation result includes at least a volume of produced fluids and produced particulate solids from the reservoir, a volume of injected fluids and injected particulate solids into the reservoir, and a simulation of movement of at least a volume of particulate solids and fluids in the reservoir.
US08666713B2 Method of simulating deformable object using geometrically motivated model
A method of stimulating a deformable object comprises modeling deformable elasticity for the object by defining an actual shape and a goal shape and pulling points in the goal shape towards corresponding points in the goal shape.
US08666712B2 Physical simulations on a graphics processor
The present invention is directed to a method, computer program product, and system for performing physics simulations on at least one graphics processor unit (GPU). The method includes the following steps. First, data representing physical attributes associated with at least one mesh are mapped into a plurality of memory arrays to set up of a linear system of equations that governs motion of the at least one mesh depicted in a scene. Then, computations are performed on the data in the plurality of memory arrays using at least one pixel processor to solve the linear system of equations for an instant of time, wherein modified data representing the solution to the linear system of equations for the instant of time are stored in the plurality of memory arrays.
US08666710B2 Method for calibrating the crystal-level detection efficiency
The present invention provides a method for calibrating the crystal-level detection efficiency, which is capable of evaluating the influences caused by the penetration effect of the crystals of a scintillation detector so as to calculate the difference of detection efficiency between crystals correctly and thereby calibrate the difference between crystals appropriately such that the quality of the imaging result is improved accordingly. The method of present invention is simple without modifying the hardware design and consequently the design cost, manpower cost and time cost can be reduced.
US08666707B2 Model simulating the evolutionary dynamics of events or processes and method of generating a model simulating the evolutionary dynamics of events or processes
A model simulating the evolutionary dynamics of events or processes includes a non-linear adaptive mathematical system simulating spatial and temporal dynamics by using measured values of parameters describing the evolutionary condition of an event or process at different times. The model enables the definition of a n-dimensional array of points in a n-dimensional reference system having an axis that represents the values of the parameters being measured. The displacements of each of the points are computed as a function of their displacements in the array of points between a first time a second time and as a function of the distance of each of the points of the array from each of the points representing the measured parameters. The evolution of the event and or the model in time is visualized by displaying the points of the array of points at different times.
US08666706B2 Material property distribution determination for fatigue life calculation using dendrite arm spacing and porosity-based models
A method to predict a distribution of material properties of a cast component. In one form, the method includes accepting at least one of dendrite arm spacing data and porosity data that have been previously determined, as well as accepting casting geometry data and structural analysis geometric data, calculating material properties of the casting based on one or both of dendrite arm spacing data and porosity data at each of the various nodes within the casting FEA or FD mesh and mapping the calculated material properties to the various nodes of the finished part FEA mesh. The method may be used as a basis for conducting fatigue or a related durability analysis on the component.
US08666699B1 Optimum sensor layout for detecting an intruder
A method for optimum sensor layout for detecting an intruder may include selecting candidate sensor locations within a representation of an area of regard. The method may also include determining a sub-region of detection for each sensor based on a preset probability of detection of the intruder traversing a sub-region associated with each sensor. The method may additionally include determining each pair of sensors with overlapping sub-regions of detection and determining a lowest probability of detection for any path between each pair of sensors with overlapping sub-regions of detection. The method may further include determining an optimum layout of sensor locations or sensors from candidate sensor locations based on a path of the lowest probability of detection for any path between each pair of sensors with overlapping sub-regions of detection.
US08666698B2 Aircraft takeoff weight calculating method and system
A method of calculating the takeoff weight of an aircraft, characterized by including the steps of: recording a first and second value of a first quantity associated with the weight of the aircraft at least a first and second instant, in which the aircraft is in horizontal flight at constant height; and calculating the takeoff weight of the aircraft on the basis of the first and second value.
US08666694B2 Estimation of an initial condition inertial reference frame
An inertial device for determining an initial condition reference frame for a body is provided. The inertial device includes at least one inertial measurement unit, one or more processing devices, and one or more memory devices. The inertial measurement unit provides rotation information along at least one axis to the one or more processing devices. The one or more processing devices use the rotation information to estimate the current attitude of the body, based on estimates of a total rotation angle experienced by the body from the beginning of body motion to when the inertial measurement unit initialized.
US08666692B2 Method of estimating curie temperature distribution in a magnetic recording layer
In exemplary embodiments, first and second parameters are obtained for each of different temperatures of the magnetic recording layer. The absolute value of the first parameter for each magnetic grain has a minimum value when the temperature of each magnetic grain reaches a predetermined temperature that increases as the Curie temperature increases, and decreases as the Curie temperature decreases. The second parameter is related to the standard deviation of the coercivity distribution of the magnetic grains divided by the coercivity of the magnetic recording layer. The method calculates a value where the absolute measurement value of the first parameter has a minimum value and the temperature of the magnetic recording layer at which the standard deviation of the coercivity distribution of the magnetic grains divided by the coercivity of the magnetic recording layer has a maximum value.
US08666687B2 Battery pack control apparatus
A battery pack control apparatus is provided with first, second and third monitoring devices, a battery pack control device, first and second communication devices, and a first electric power consuming device. The monitoring devices are connected to the single battery cells of a battery pack to monitor a state of the single battery cells. The battery pack control device communicates data related with the third monitoring device through the first communication device having an electric insulating quality and with the first monitoring device through a second communication device having an electric insulating quality. The second monitoring device communicates data with the first and third monitoring devices. The first electric power consuming device consumes an amount of electric power at a single battery cell connected to the second monitoring device. The amount of electric power corresponds to a communication occurring at the second communication device.
US08666685B2 System of intelligent sensors in an electrical panelboard
According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a system for monitoring a plurality of circuit branches, the system comprising a plurality of current sensors, each configured to be coupled to at least one of the plurality of circuit branches and to produce a signal having a level related to a current level of the one of the plurality of circuit branches, a communications bus, a plurality of sensor circuits, wherein each one of the plurality of sensor circuits is configured to convert the signal from the associated one of the plurality of current sensors to a digital measurement signal and provide the digital measurement signal to the communication bus, and a controller configured to receive the digital measurement signal from each sensor circuit over the communication bus and transmit data related to the digital measurement signal from each sensor circuit to an external client.
US08666682B2 Rotational torque measurement device
A device for measuring torque applied through a rotating member. A first torsion reference member is fixedly coupled to the rotating member at a first axial position and a second torsion reference member is fixedly coupled to the rotating member at a second axial position. A first detector detects the passage of the first torsion reference member past the first detector upon each full rotation of the rotating member and to generate a first signal upon each passage of the first torsion reference member. A second detector detects the passage of the second torsion reference member past the second detector upon each full rotation of the rotating member and to generate a second signal upon each passage of the second torsion reference member. A controller calculates a phase difference between the first signal and the second signal relative during rotation of the rotating member under a torsional load.
US08666677B2 Automated, objective and optimized feature selection in chemometric modeling (cluster resolution)
A novel metric, termed cluster resolution, which compares the separation of clusters of data points while simultaneously considering the shapes of the clusters and their relative orientations. This metric, in conjunction with an objective variable ranking metric, allows for the fully-automated determination of the optimal number of variables to be included in a chemometric model of a system. Cluster resolution is based upon considering the minimum distance between (or the extent of overlap of) confidence ellipses constructed around clusters of points representing different classes of objects. This approach can be generally applied to feature selection for a variety of applications and represents a significant step towards the development of fully-automated, objective construction of chemometric models.
US08666674B2 Pairing processes for preparing reactive cytotoxic T cells
Provided in certain embodiments are methods for pairing patient cells and donor cells to prepare cytotoxic T cells, either in vitro or, when their formation is induced in a subject, in vivo. Such cytotoxic T cells could be administered to the patient for treating certain disorders, such as a cancer (for example, brain cancer).
US08666673B2 Identification and/or characterization of a microbial agent using taxonomic hierarchical classification
A method for identification and/or characterization of a microbial agent present in a sample includes a step of analytical test data (e.g., obtaining intrinsic fluorescence values over a range of emission wavelengths) from the microbial agent. The analytical test data is transformed thereby minimizing strain to strain variations within an organism group. With the aid of a programmed computer, a multi-level classification algorithm coded as a set of processing instructions operates on the transformed analytic test data. The multiple levels correspond to different levels in a taxonomic hierarchy for microbial agents suspected of being in the sample.
US08666670B1 Computational methods for transcription factor binding site analysis
The invention is a new method to computationally analyze nucleic acid-protein binding data in a systematic or statistical manner in order to determine the DNA binding sequence for proteins which bind to DNA and are usually involved in the regulation of the expression of genes, and may enhance, promote or repress the expression of the gene.
US08666668B2 Multiple anisotropic parameter inversion for a TTI earth model using well data
A method for determining values of anisotropic model parameters of a Tilted Transversely Isotropic (TTI) Earth model, the method including obtaining an initial TTI earth model that substantially flattens common-imaging-point gathers and substantially ties seismic data to well data; inputting checkshot data and/or VSP data to determine updated values of Vp0 near the well locations; determining an incremental improvement Δδ; extrapolating the relative change Δδ from near-well locations to the entire three dimensional TTI earth model; determining updated values of Vp0=Vp0 (1−Δδ); inputting near-to-mid-offset/angle and mid-to-far-offset/angle residual moveout information; and providing updated values of δ and η.
US08666667B2 Hydrocarbon production allocation methods and systems
Methods and systems are provided for allocating production among reservoir compartments by way of compositional and isotopic analysis. That is, where individual reservoir compartments contribute differing amounts of fluid to a commingled production stream, the methods herein determine the relative contribution of fluid volume from each reservoir compartment.Both a composition-based relative contribution and an isotope-based relative contribution of fluid from each reservoir compartment may be determined to allocate production to each reservoir compartment, the determinations respectively being based on composition mass balances and stable carbon isotope mass balances of components. The combination of both allocation analysis provides quality checks on the results that identify improper allocations that may arise. In addition to production allocation, other applications include, among others, determining the effectiveness of intervention operations and providing feedback for adjusting operations. Advantages include lower costs, higher accuracies, and ease of use as compared to conventional methods.
US08666666B2 System and a method for assessing and reducing air pollution by regulating airflow ventilation
Disclosed are means for monitoring the levels of air pollution in urban areas for the purpose of optimizing the conditions of airflow ventilation of buildings according to air pollution levels in their area. The invention supplies data in real time regarding local air pollution levels or relative levels, i.e. current air pollution levels in relation to previous ones. The disclosed system and method makes use of the fluctuations in air pollution levels in order to achieve optimal reduction of air pollution levels inside buildings. The system defines optimal times for ventilation in order to achieve a significant and persisting improvement of indoor air quality, in a routine manner, by using measurements of nondeterministic, continuous and effective fluctuations in air pollution levels at the surroundings of each building, specifically in locations which don't include monitoring stations.
US08666664B2 Electronic seal
An electronic seal of the present invention includes a bolt. The bolt is used to mount on a door latch of a cargo and inserts into a shell. The shell is provided with a control circuit to actively send a warning signal as the bolt is moved. As such, the user of the electronic seal can be properly informed to prevent theft.
US08666661B2 Video navigation
A system and method for video navigation are disclosed. Motion analysis can be performed upon camera images to determine movement of a vehicle, and consequently present position of the vehicle. Feature points can be identified upon a video image. Movement of the feature points between video frames is indicative of movement of the vehicle. Video navigation can be used, for example, in those instances wherein GPS navigation is unavailable.
US08666660B2 Method, system and apparatus for determining geofence data based on estimated time of arrival
An apparatus, method, and system for determining geofence data based on estimated time of arrival are provided. At a computing device, geofence data is determined, wherein geographic boundaries associated with the geofence data are based on a given estimated time of arrival (ETA) from one of the given location and a current location of a handheld communication device. Given location data associated with the given location is transmitted to the handheld communication device, via a communication interface, when the current location of the handheld communication device and the given location are each within the geographic boundaries such that the handheld communication device is transportable to the given location within the given estimated time of arrival.
US08666656B2 Object detection device and navigation device
An object detection device includes: an ultrasonic sensor for transmitting a signal and further receiving reflected signals of the transmitted signal; a delay-sum processing unit for generating two-dimensional distance information in which the reflected signals received by the ultrasonic sensor are delay-summed in a plurality of reference planes set in advance; a distance information integration unit for generating integrated distance information in which the two-dimensional distance information in the plurality of reference planes generated by the delay-sum processing unit is summed in a vertical direction to the reference planes; and an object detection unit for detecting an object at a position where an intensity in the vertical direction is equal to or larger than a threshold value by referring to an intensity in the vertical direction of the integrated distance information generated by the distance information integration unit.
US08666655B2 Systems and methods for navigation
The present invention relates to a navigation device. The navigation device is arranged to dynamically generate multi-dimensional (multidimensional) video signals based on location and directional information of the navigation device by processing at least one source video signal. The navigation device is further arranged to superimpose navigation directions and/or environment information about surrounding objects onto the generated multidimensional video feed.
US08666654B2 Point of interest search, identification, and navigation
A computer-implemented navigation method for identifying one or more points of interest (POI) in a geographic location includes calculating a navigation route and receiving a reference point input. The reference point input may be unrelated to the navigation route and usable for identifying one or more POIs. The method further includes receiving one or more search parameters for searching for one or more POIs with respect to the reference point and identifying the one or more POIs based on the search parameters and reference point. The method also includes presenting the one or more POIs on a vehicle computer display.
US08666653B2 Navigation system
A navigation system has a current position detecting unit 32 for detecting a current position, a map data acquiring unit 31 for acquiring map data including road data representing an HOV lane and an ordinary lane in a single link; a driving link decision unit 38 for identifying a link of driving from the current position information indicating the current position detected by the current position detecting unit 32 and from the road data included in the map data acquired by the map data acquiring unit 31, and for outputting as a driving link; and a driving lane decision unit 39 for making a decision as to whether the driving lane is the HOV lane or ordinary lane from the driving link identified by the driving link decision unit 38.
US08666652B2 System and method for running stored statistical processes using a web-based graphical information system
Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for displaying analytic geography data in a zero-footprint client environment. Data indicative of a geographic focus area is received via a first user interface region that displays a geographical map from a geographical information system that is executable on a first server, the geographical information system configured to capture, store, analyze, and manage data and associated attributes that are spatially referenced to earth. Data indicative of a selected analytic routine is received via a second user interface region that displays a plurality of candidate analytic routines. The selected routine and data indicated by the selected analytic routine are accessed from a second server. The selected analytic routine is executed using the accessed data and the geographic focus area to produce analytic results, and the analytic results are provided to the user interface display for presentation with respect to the geographic map, wherein the candidate analytic routines are statistical models for generating analytic results.
US08666651B2 In-vehicle apparatus and obstacle report system
In a left-hand traffic rule, a subject vehicle turns right at an intersection and then passes over a crosswalk, which is corresponded to by a pedestrian-use traffic signal. When the pedestrian-use traffic signal presents a green color as a currently indicating signal color, an obstacle report range is designated as covering both an area A and an area B so as to report an existence of an obstacle. In contrast, when the pedestrian-use traffic light presents a red color as a currently indicating signal color, an obstacle report range is designated as covering only the area A during a red light elapsed time ranging greater than a first marginal time and less than a time, which is obtained by subtracting a second marginal time from a red light cycle time.
US08666650B2 Method and device for assisting in the locating of aircraft
A method for assisting in the locating of a first aircraft includes a step of emission by the first aircraft of an identifier and of a time-stamped position reading, said method further including: the reception and the storage by at least one second aircraft of the identifier and of the time-stamped position reading, and the downloading by the second aircraft, after its landing, of the identifiers and of the time-stamped position readings to a database on the ground, and, in case of disappearance of the first aircraft, the determination of the last known position of the first aircraft based on the time-stamped position readings stored in the database on the ground.
US08666648B2 System and method for aircraft taxing and guidance using a communication network
A system and method for aircraft taxiing and guidance using ground station's communication network is disclosed. In one embodiment, in a method of aircraft taxiing and guidance, a communication link between an aircraft computing system and a ground station system is established using a communication network provided by the ground station system. An aircraft taxi selection and guidance application residing in the aircraft computing system is displayed on a display device upon establishing the communication link. Further, one or more pilot selectable taxiing and ground services are displayed upon selecting the aircraft taxi selection and guidance application. One of the displayed pilot selectable taxiing and ground services is selected by a pilot of an aircraft. Information associated with the selected pilot selectable taxiing and ground service is then displayed on the display device using ground station data. The aircraft is taxied and guided by the pilot using displayed information.
US08666646B2 Vehicle guidance device, vehicle guidance method, and vehicle guidance program
A vehicle guidance device includes: an inter- vehicle distance specification unit that specifies an inter-vehicle distance, which is an inter-vehicle distance in a prescribed lane, between vehicles up to a reference point of a lane change; a recommended section specification unit that ,based on the specified inter-vehicle distance, specifies a recommended section in which a lane change to the prescribed lane should be made before reaching the reference point; and a communication unit that, based on the specified recommended section, outputs guidance information pertaining to the lane change to the prescribed lane.
US08666638B2 Aircraft fuel optimization for multi-stop routes
Computer-implemented systems, methods, and computer-readable media for reducing operational costs relating to fuel burn of aircraft include receiving trip data specifying an origin, an intermediate destination, and a final destination from a client device; receiving operational data from one or more computing device; performing optimization logic to determine an optimized route having a minimized fuel cost, the optimized route specifying how much fuel to purchase at each of an origin airport, an intermediate destination airport, and a final destination airport; and transmitting the optimized route to the client device.
US08666635B2 Control device for internal combustion engine
A control device for an internal combustion engine provided by the present invention is a control device which can satisfy a requirement concerning exhaust gas performance of the internal combustion engine, a requirement concerning fuel economy performance, and a requirement concerning operation performance with an excellent balance by properly regulating a change speed of a required air-fuel ratio and an ignition timing. The present control device keeps the ignition timing at an optimal ignition timing if a predetermined permission condition is not satisfied. However, when the permission condition is satisfied, the present control device controls the ignition timing so as to compensate for a difference which occurs between torque which is estimated from an operation of an actuator for air quantity control and required torque by the ignition timing. Further, if a predetermined lessening condition is not satisfied, the present control device determines an original required air-fuel ratio directly as a final required air-fuel ratio. However, if the lessening condition is satisfied, the present control device processes a signal of the original required air-fuel ratio to lessen a change speed thereof, and determines a required air-fuel ratio the change speed of which is lessened as a final required air-fuel ratio. The permission condition includes the required air-fuel ratio changing in a rich direction, and a change amount thereof being larger than a predetermined determination reference value, and the lessening condition includes the change amount of the required air-fuel ratio being larger than a determination reference value, and the permission condition being unsatisfied.
US08666633B2 Engine systems with efficient start control logic
An engine system for starting a gas turbine engine is provided. The system includes a starter generator coupled to the gas turbine engine and configured to provide torque to the gas turbine engine and a controller coupled to the starter generator and configured to provide a command signal to the starter generator. The starter generator provides the torque to the gas turbine engine based on the command signal, and the controller is configured to command the starter generator at a dwell speed until ignition.
US08666628B2 Torque distribution control apparatus for four-wheel drive vehicle and four-wheel drive vehicle having the same
A torque distribution control apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes a vehicle-speed detector configured to detect a vehicle speed of the vehicle. A wheel-speed detector is configured to detect wheel speeds of main driving wheels and sub-driving wheels of the vehicle. A sub-driving-wheel distribution-torque calculator is configured to calculate a sub-driving-wheel distribution torque in accordance with a rotation speed difference between the main driving wheels and the sub-driving wheels calculated based on an output from the wheel-speed detector. A torque limiter is configured to limit an upper limit of the sub-driving-wheel distribution torque. A controller is configured to control the sub-driving-wheel distribution torque to be transmitted to the right and left sub-driving wheels by right and left torque distribution clutches in accordance with a driving state of the vehicle.
US08666619B2 Transmission systems and methods
A method includes: receiving M solenoids, each marked with a unique one of M identifiers, where M is an integer greater than one; receiving M lookup tables associated with respective ones of the M identifiers, wherein each of the M lookup tables establishes a relationship between input current and output pressure for only one of the M solenoids; assembling a transmission with a selected one of the M solenoids; selecting one of the M lookup tables based on one of the M identifiers marked on the selected one of the M solenoids; storing the selected one of the M lookup tables in memory of a transmission control module of a vehicle that is assembled with the transmission; and controlling output pressure of the selected one of the M solenoids based on the selected one of the M lookup tables and the input current using the transmission control module.
US08666616B2 Continuously variable transmission and control method therefore
A transmission control unit reduces a hydraulic pressure of a release-side frictional engagement element which is to be released of a sub-transmission mechanism and reduces this reduction amount as an input torque to the sub-transmission mechanism increases at the time of starting a shift when a manual mode is selected, the input torque is positive and the sub-transmission mechanism is to be shifted down.
US08666612B2 Control unit for earth moving equipment and the similar
Earth moving equipment and other heavy machinery for environmentally harsh conditions are controlled by a control panel supplied with a lock, and such panels are frequently removable to prevent theft or unauthorized operation. The interface is in the form of a plug-and-socket, the parts of which have to be sealed against dust and humidity when not interfacing. In order to prevent wear and to assure reliable control, according to the invention, no part of the connection between the control panel and a receptable is galvanic, the power supply for the control panel is wireless, such as inductive or optical, while communications may occur by means of a two-way radio protocol or by optical means.
US08666602B2 Method of protecting motor-driven power steering system from overheat
According a method of protecting a motor-driven power steering system from overheat, it is possible to prevent a steering motor and an ECU from being broken by overheat by controlling electric current supplied to the steering motor, by calculating an engine stop time from radiation temperature maps stored in a memory and changes in temperature of a temperature sensor when the engine having been stopped restarts without operating a specific protection logic when the engine stops, and calculating temperature of the steering motor and the ECU from the radiation temperature maps and the engine stop time.
US08666601B1 Visibility of a vehicle ignition location
Automatically rotating a steering wheel to provide improved locatability of an ignition if the steering wheel reduces ignition locatability and the vehicle is parked. Indications that the vehicle is parked may include when an automatic transmission is in park, a park brake is set, an autopark event concludes, or during a remote start event. Rotating the steering wheel to provide improved ignition locatability while turning the vehicle wheels less than 10 degrees.
US08666591B2 Vehicle system for navigation and/or driver assistance
Disclosed herein is assistance, safety and navigation technology for vehicles. In particular, the disclosure relates to a vehicle system and a method for controlling the vehicle system.
US08666587B2 Multi-vehicle high integrity perception
The illustrative embodiments provide a method for processing sensor data and controlling the movement of a vehicle. In one illustrative embodiment, a vehicle having a plurality of sensors attempts to receive sensor data. In response to an inability of the vehicle to obtain needed sensor data, collected sensor data is requested from a plurality of other vehicles to form alternate sensor data. The alternate sensor data is received and the vehicle is controlled using the alternate sensor data. In another illustrative embodiment, a request is received at a first vehicle for sensor data from a different vehicle. Sensor data is collected from a plurality of sensors at the first vehicle. The sensor data is then sent to the different vehicle.
US08666581B2 Bicycle motor control apparatus
A bicycle motor control apparatus includes a bicycle crank position detecting device, a bicycle crank position determining section, a stop determining section and a motor control section. The bicycle crank position detecting device detects a position of a bicycle crank. The bicycle crank position determining section determines if the bicycle crank is in a prescribed region including a bottom dead center position based on a detection result from the bicycle crank position detecting device. The stop determining section that determines a stopped state indicative of at least one a bicycle crank stopped state and a bicycle stopped state. The motor control section selectively outputs a motor driving command and stops the output of the motor driving command during a period in which the bicycle crank position determining section determines that the bicycle crank is in the prescribed region and the stop determining section determines that the stopped state exists.
US08666580B2 Hybrid vehicle and method for controlling the same
A crankshaft of an engine, an output shaft of a first electric motor, and an output shaft of a second electric motor are directly or indirectly connected to each other mechanically. When the engine is started, a vibration reduction torque is caused to act on the crankshaft that is set in the form of a periodic torque based on the crank angle, so that torque pulsation of the engine is suppressed. The output torque of the first electric motor is controlled in accordance with the sum of a motoring torque and a part of the vibration reduction torque. The output torque of the second electric motor is controlled in accordance with the sum of its essential output torque for causing the vehicle to travel and a torque for compensating for a shortage of the vibration reduction torque that occurs because a part of the vibration reduction torque is output from the first electric motor.
US08666579B2 Hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle is driven by a power unit which includes: a first rotating machine including a first rotor, a first stator, and a second rotor, wherein the number of magnetic poles generated by an armature row of the first stator and one of the first rotor and the second rotor are connected to a drive shaft; a power engine, wherein an output shaft of the power engine is connected to the other of the first rotor and the second rotor; a second rotating machine; and a capacitor. The hybrid vehicle includes: a state detector that detects a charge state of the capacitor; and a controller that controls the power unit. The controller controls the output of the power engine, based on a remaining capacity of the capacitor when driving the power engine in order to start the hybrid vehicle. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve reduction in the size and cost of the power unit and enhance the driving efficiency of the power unit.
US08666572B2 Charging control apparatus for power storage device and method for controlling charging of power storage device
In an external charging mode of a plug-in hybrid vehicle, electric power from an external power supply electrically connected to a connector is converted and supplied to a power line electrically connected to a battery and an electric air-conditioning device. If charge allowable power of the battery is smaller than or equal to a prescribed value when the electric air-conditioning device is operated, a DFR is opened to stop electric power supply from the external power supply and drive the electric air-conditioning device by electric power of the battery. As a result, even if the consumed power of the electric air-conditioning device is suddenly decreased, the inflow of surplus electric power that cannot be absorbed by the battery from the external power supply can be prevented.
US08666571B2 Flight control system for flying object
A flight control system for a flying object comprises a flying object, a navigating means provided in the flying object, a position measuring unit 17, a flight control unit 18 for controlling the navigating means, and a main arithmetic control unit 19 for controlling the position measuring unit and the flight control unit, and in the flight control system for a flying object, the position measuring unit has a GPS device 23 for measuring a ground coordinate of the flying object and a vertical camera 13 for taking a digital image below the flying object and measures an altitude of the flying object based on images at two points taken by the vertical camera, on ground coordinates of the two points measured by the GPS device, and on a focal length of the vertical camera, and the main arithmetic control unit controls the navigating means via the flight control unit based on the measured altitude and makes the flying object fly at a predetermined altitude.
US08666569B2 Methods and systems for health monitoring for aircraft
A method for health monitoring for an aircraft includes the steps of obtaining vibration data for the aircraft, obtaining navigation data for the aircraft, and determining a measure of health of the aircraft using the vibration data and the navigation data.
US08666568B2 Method and a device for performing a health check of a turbine engine of an aircraft having at least one such engine
A method of performing a health check of at least one turbine engine (3). During a development step (STP0), the installation losses (1) are quantified for a plurality of test values for a reduced speed of rotation (Ng′) of a gas generator (4) of the engine. During an acquisition step (STP1), the speed of rotation of said gas generator (4) is increased until said engine develops a maximum power, and then the speed of rotation of the gas generator (4) is decreased until the reduced speed of rotation (Ng′) reaches a test value. The aircraft is stabilized and at least one monitoring value is acquired. During an evaluation step (STP2) of evaluating the health check, at least one operating margin is determined by using a monitoring value and the effects of mounting the engine in an airplane.
US08666563B2 Determination apparatus for determining erroneous application of accelerator rather than brake
A determination apparatus is provided which is installed in a vehicle. A longitudinal acceleration calculation unit obtains acceleration applied in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, removes an acceleration component corresponding to gravity from the acceleration, and regards the resultant value as longitudinal acceleration. A selection unit selects criteria data, when considering a first case where the absolute value of the longitudinal acceleration is a first value and a second case where the absolute value is a second value larger than the first value, so that a range of accelerator-opening variation by which occurrence of an erroneous application of the accelerator is determined or a range of accelerator-opening by which the occurrence is determined in the second case becomes larger than that in the first case. A determination unit determines the occurrence by applying the current variation in the accelerator-opening or the current accelerator-opening to the selected criteria data.
US08666555B2 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 uses a daylighting procedure to adjust the amount of power delivered to the lighting load in response to the amount of daylight entering the window, and controls amount of daylight entering the window in order to attempt to reduce the power consumption of the heating and cooling system if the daylighting procedure is not causing the heating and cooling system to save energy. If the lighting load is consuming more energy when the fabric of the motorized window treatment is at a position above the fully-closed position than the lighting load would consume if the fabric was at the fully-closed position, the motorized window treatment moves the fabric to the fully-closed position.
US08666554B2 System and method for area coverage using sector decomposition
The different illustrative embodiments provide a method for generating an area coverage path plan using sector decomposition. A starting point is identified on a worksite map having a number of landmarks. A first landmark in the number of landmarks is identified. A path is generated around the first landmark until an obstacle is detected. In response to detecting the obstacle, the path is made linear to a next landmark. The path is generated around the next landmark.
US08666552B2 Method and device for the removal of a leaf from a crop
Method and device for the removal of a part of a crop, such as a leaf (14). To this end, the crop is approached from a low position with vision techniques and the stem (12) and the parts protruding therefrom are observed from beneath. Based upon the number of images observed, an arm is controlled and moved towards the relevant stalk (13). This movement is primarily parallel to the stalk and is performed from a low proximity position. When the stalk (13) is approached, the stalk (13) is positioned within an opening between two rotating parts (3). The stalk is grasped by way of rotation and the stalk is moved in respect of the arm so that the cutting point of the stalk is manipulated towards the arm. The stalk (13) is subsequently cut through and the leaf is disposed of.
US08666546B2 Autonomous robotic platform
The different advantageous embodiments may provide an apparatus that may comprise a number of robotic platforms, a wireless communications system, and a computer system. The number of robotic platforms may be configured to move to a number of locations in an assembly area and interact with a number of robotic devices. The wireless communications system may be configured to provide communication with the number of robotic platforms and the number of robotic devices within the assembly area. The computer system may be configured to exchange information with the number of robotic platforms and the number of robotic devices using the wireless communications system.
US08666544B2 Cooperative minimally invasive telesurgical system
Improved robotic surgical systems, devices, and methods include selectably associatable master/slave pairs, often having more manipulator arms than will be moved simultaneously by the two hands of a surgeon. Four manipulator arms can support an image capture device, a left hand tissue manipulation tool, a right hand tissue manipulation tool, and a fourth surgical instrument, particularly for stabilizing, retracting, tool change, or other functions benefiting from intermittent movement. The four or more arms may sequentially be controlled by left and right master input control devices. The fourth arm may be used to support another image capture device, and control of some or all of the arms may be transferred back-and-forth between the operator and an assistant. Two or more robotic systems each having master controls and slave manipulators may be coupled to enable cooperative surgery between two or more operators.
US08666543B2 Intelligent dispenser
A pill dispenser for dispensing pills of various sizes includes a pill storage section, a dispensing section located at a lower end of the storage section, an optical sensor, a memory and a controller. The dispensing section includes a device for adjusting a variable size cavity configured to adjust to various pill sizes. The controller adjusts the variable size cavity of the dispensing section depending on the individual pill specifications, and determines if the optical sensor has sensed presence of the pill to be dispensed.
US08666540B2 Color dispensing system and method
A paint creation and dispensing system includes a variety of components for creating paint of a selected color and paint type and for processing payment for the paint. The system may be configured to receive a color selection in a variety of ways including through customer selection and via an electronic color reader (portable or stationary). The paint system may allow a customer to obtain an amount (e.g., a sample or a full gallon) of paint without help from a store employee or other personnel. In one or more arrangements, the paint system may be networked so that a customer may pre-order paint, upload color selections, make a payment, and or order additional supplies of paint or other products based on the color chosen for final painting.
US08666537B2 Robotic storage library with queued move instructions and method of queing such instructions
A robotic tape library which queues two or more move instructions is described. Generally, the robotic system receives a first move instruction which commands a first robot to move a first tape cartridge from a shelf to a first tape drive to be loaded therein. Though the first move has not actually taken place, the library replies to the host computer that the first tape drive has been loaded with the first tape cartridge, at least to an acceptable level of engagement, at which point, the first move instruction is queued. After receiving a second move instruction from the host to move a second tape cartridge from the shelf to a second tape drive, the library reorganizes and physically carries out the move instructions with potentially different hardware in a preferred order.
US08666535B2 Fast-access self-repairing tape library using mobile robots
In some embodiments, a system includes a plurality of tape reels positioned on a lower surface, a tape drive for reading data from a tape on one of the plurality of tape reels, and at least one mobile robot configured for selectively retrieving at least one of the plurality of tape reels and transporting the at least one retrieved tape reel to the tape drive.
US08666533B2 System, method, and interface for virtual commissioning of press lines
A system, method, machine-readable medium for accurate simulation of automated machinery. A method includes loading a machine operating model. The method also includes receiving machine-specific data from an automated machinery controller. The method also includes simulating a machine operation using the machine-specific data and the machine operating model to produce optimized motion data. The method includes transmitting the optimized data to the automated machinery controller by the simulation data processing system.
US08666530B2 Silicon etching control method and system
An etching control system controls exposure of a silicon workpiece to a spontaneous etchant. The system determines an amount of material to be removed from the silicon workpiece, based on metrology information corresponding to the silicon workpiece. An estimated etch time duration is determined for removing the amount of the material upon exposing the silicon workpiece to the spontaneous etchant for the estimated etch time duration. In some embodiments, the system monitors a change in mass of the silicon workpiece caused by exposure of the silicon workpiece to the spontaneous etchant to determine when the amount of the material has been removed from the silicon workpiece. Exposure of the silicon workpiece to the spontaneous etchant is stopped when the change in the mass of the silicon workpiece indicates that the amount of the material has been removed.
US08666529B2 Controlling non-process of record (POR) process limiting yield (PLY) inspection work
A method of controlling a quantity of non-process of record (POR) process limiting yield (PLY) inspections in wafer processing includes setting aside planned capacity for non-POR work, upon receipt of a request for non-POR work, estimating a time required for completion of the request and comparing the estimated time against a remainder of the set aside planned capacity, approving the request in an event the comparison indicates that the estimated time is available in the set aside planned capacity and rejecting the request in an event the comparison indicates that the estimated time is not available in the set aside planned capacity.
US08666526B2 Transmission device, transmission system, transmission method, and computer program product for synthesizing and transmitting audio to a reproduction device
A transmission device includes: a reproduction audio producing unit which produces reproduction audio; a continuous audio producing unit which produces continuous audio; a synthesized audio producing unit which synthesizes the reproduction audio and the continuous audio to produce synthesized audio; a capture audio data producing unit which captures the synthesized audio to produce capture audio data; and a transmitting unit which transmits the capture audio data to a reproduction device.
US08666525B2 Digital media player and method for facilitating music recommendation
A portable digital media player and method for providing convenient music recommendation are presented. A collection of music is maintained and includes a multiplicity of music stored in digital media form. A music recommendation is automatically generated in response to a recommender input. An identifier for a recipient is provided. Music to be recommended is identified from one of the music collection and a sample of music in an ambient environment. Information to the music recommendation to describe the music to be recommended, to identify the recommender, to capture a context of the recommendation, and to specify a rating for the music to be recommended is ascertained and added to the music recommendation. The music recommendation is sent for electronic receipt by the recipient.
US08666524B2 Portable music player and transmitter
A hand-held music player for use in conjunction with radios, including a casing, a receiver socket on the casing through which digital audio data is received, a digital-to-analog audio converter housed within the casing, a first transfer socket on the casing through which a song is transferred to a radio transmitter, a second transfer socket on the casing through which meta-data for the song is transferred to the radio transmitter, and a dial on the casing for selecting a song for playback. A method and a computer-readable storage medium are also described.
US08666522B2 Controller for machine tool
A controller for a machine tool has a program storage section in which an NC program is stored, a program analyzing section analyzing the NC program block by block in sequence and extracts operation commands for a feed mechanism, an execution control section executing the extracted operation commands and thereby controlling the feed mechanism, e program editing section changing the NC program, and a change information storage section in which change information relating to the changed portion of the NC program is stored. The execution control section, when executing the operation commands, checks whether the block of each operation command is the block immediately preceding a block relating to the changed portion, and when judging that it is the immediately preceding block, temporarily stops the operation of the feed mechanism before or after the execution of the operation command.
US08666521B2 Method for operating an automation system
A method for operating an automation system which executes, as an automation solution, a control program having a plurality of software modules, where the method comprises replacing at least one software module comprising an old software module at the runtime of the control program with a new software module wherein the new software module is loaded into a memory of the automation system, an old data area associated with the old software module is compared with a new data area associated with the new software module, program code instructions for converting data for or from the old data area into data for or from the new data area is generated, and a program code instruction for invoking the old software module is replaced with program code instructions for invoking the generated program code instructions for data conversion and for invoking the new software module.
US08666520B2 Methods, systems, and apparatus for shedding loads from an electrical grid
A load shedding system for operating at least one circuit breaker positioned within an enclosure is described. The load shedding system includes a processor configured to receive a demand signal and to provide a predetermined load shedding signal. The load shedding system also includes at least one load shedding apparatus configured to receive the load shedding signal from the processor. The load shedding apparatus is configured to be coupled to a door of the enclosure. The load shedding apparatus is further configured to be operatively coupled to the at least one circuit breaker and further configured to actuate the at least one circuit breaker in response to the load shedding signal.
US08666515B2 Statistical impact analysis machine
A computer-implemented initial run module processes manifest variable data using computer-defined model specification parameters stored in a database to provide initial estimates of weights that are associated with latent variables. The initial run module employs a unique value-based weighting partial least squares computer-implemented process. A final run module then operates upon the manifest variable data to determine the importance of the predictor values that are then used to control the industrial, manufacturing or commercial process. The final run module implements a unique patient partial least squares regression model utilizing a boosting learning technique.
US08666513B2 Implantable lead with shielding
Medical device leads with magnetic shielding and methods of shielding medical device leads from magnetic fields during medical procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are described. An illustrative implantable medical device includes a lead including a lead conductor having a length and a helically coiled ribbon shield radially surrounding the lead conductor along at least a portion of the length of the lead. The ribbon shield can include one or more inner ribbon conductors and/or one or more outer ribbon conductors. The outer ribbon conductor can have a variable width (e.g., a necked-down configuration, an arrowhead configuration, or an undulating configuration) along the length of the lead. In some cases, the helically coiled ribbon has a variable pitch along the length of the lead that may be the same as or different from that of the lead conductor pitch.
US08666504B2 Communication and charging circuitry for a single-coil implantable medical device
Communication and charging circuitry for an implantable medical device is described having a single coil for receiving charging energy and for data telemetry. The circuitry removes from the AC side of the circuit a tuning capacitor and switch traditionally used to tune the tank circuitry to different frequencies for telemetry and charging. As such, the tank circuitry is simplified and contains no switchable components. A switch is serially connected to the storage capacitor on the DC side of the circuit. During telemetry, the switch is opened, thus disconnecting the storage capacitor from the tank circuit, and alleviating concerns that this capacitor will couple to the tank circuit and interfere with telemetry operations. During charging, the switch is closed, which allows the storage capacitor to couple to the tank circuitry through the rectifier during some portions of the tank circuitry's resonance.
US08666503B2 Parameter adjustment device and method thereof
A parameter adjustment device and method thereof for a stimulator is disclosed. The parameter adjustment device comprises a generation unit, a user interface and a process unit. The generation unit generates a test MAP based on a current MAP. The user interface displays the current MAP and the test MAP for choosing one of them as the preferred MAP, and displays a major and a minor for choosing again, the major and the minor is defined as a significant difference and a little difference between the test MAP and the current MAP respectively. The process unit computes the acceptance probability of the preferred MAP based on a major or minor probability correspondence relationship and determines a next MAP by comparing the acceptance probability with the test probability. When one of the termination conditions is satisfied in an iterative operation, the next MAP is outputted as the best MAP.
US08666501B2 Methods, systems, and devices for treating tinnitus with VNS pairing
A method of treating tinnitus comprising measuring a patient's hearing, determining the patient's hearing loss and the patient's tinnitus frequency using the measurements of the patient's hearing, programming a clinical controller with the measurements of the patient's hearing, selecting a plurality of therapeutic tones, where the therapeutic tones are selected to be at least a half-octave above or below of the patient's tinnitus frequency, setting an appropriate volume for each of the plurality of tones, repetitively playing each of the plurality of therapeutic tones, and pairing a vagus nerve stimulation pulse train with each playing of a therapeutic tone, thereby reducing the patient's perception of tinnitus.
US08666500B2 Electrode array for even neural pressure
The present invention is an electrode array for neural stimulation. In particular it is an electrode array for use with a visual prosthesis with the electrode array suitable to be positioned on the retina. The array includes multiple attachment points to provide for even pressure across the electrode array surface. The attachment points are arranged so as to not damage retinal tissue stimulated by the electrode array.
US08666497B2 Coupling module of a modular implantable medical device
In an implantable medical device having individual modules, a coupling module couples the modules to one another. The coupling module supports electrical and/or mechanical coupling of the modules. The coupling module may assume a variety of shapes or configurations. The various embodiments of the coupling module may offer the modules varying degrees of freedom of movement relative to one another.
US08666495B2 Gastrointestinal methods and apparatus for use in treating disorders and controlling blood sugar
A method of glucose level control comprising providing at least one electrode adapted to apply an electric field to a pancreas; and applying an electric field to the pancreas using said at least one electrode such that blood glucose levels are significantly reduced and blood insulin levels are not significantly increased compared to a regular insulin response in a same person.
US08666494B2 Header for implantable pulse generator and method of making same
A header for use in implantable pulse generator devices. The header is part of electrical connector assembly having one or more openings designed to receive the terminal pin of an electrical lead wire or electrode. The header is designed to provide and sustain long-term electrical and mechanical lead wire connections between the electrodes of a terminal pin and the implantable pulse generator device.
US08666483B2 System for cardiac medical condition detection and characterization
A system and method provides monitoring for atrial fibrillation. A data acquisition processor acquires a cardiac signal data stream from a patient and a wave detector detects an R-wave in a cardiac signal of the data stream. A T-wave in the cardiac signal occurring after the detected R-wave and a Q-wave in a subsequent cardiac signal of the data stream is also detected by the wave detector. A filter provides signal gating and extraction of data representing a Region of Interest (ROI) time window from the detected T-wave to the Q-wave. An integration processor detects characteristics of a P wave signal occurring within the ROI time window. At least one of the detected P wave characteristics is compared to characteristics derived from data representing at least one P wave signal and generating an output signal in response to the comparison for use in determining if the patient is in atrial fibrillation.
US08666479B2 Optical spectroscopic injection needle
An optical spectroscopic injection needle assembly may include an injection needle, a light source, a spectrometer, a computer and an indicator. The injection needle may include a hollow outer needle, a hollow inner needle, a pair of fiber optical fibers, an inner catheter, an outer catheter, an inner hub, and an outer hub. A proximal end of the outer needle may be fixedly mounted within a distal end of the inner catheter. A distal end of the inner hub may be fixedly mounted on a proximal end of the inner catheter. The inner needle and distal ends of the optical fibers may be positioned within the outer needle. The inner needle and the outer needle may be slidably mounted within the outer catheter to permit the outer needle to be selectively extended or retracted from a distal end of the outer catheter.
US08666477B2 Method and system for tracking of a virtual electrode on a coronary sinus catheter in fluoroscopic images
A method and system for detecting a virtual electrode (VE) on a coronary sinus (CS) catheter in a fluoroscopic image sequence is disclosed. User inputs indicating locations of CS catheter electrodes and a location of a VE are received. A catheter electrode model and a VE part model is initialized in a first frame of the fluoroscopic image sequence. The VE is tracked by detecting electrode position candidates and catheter body point candidates in the subsequent frames of the fluoroscopic image sequence using respective trained detectors, tracking the catheter electrode model in the subsequent frames based on the detected electrode position candidates, generating VE part hypotheses in the subsequent frames based on detection of the most proximal electrode (MPE) in each subsequent frame, calculating a probability score for each of the VE part hypotheses, and selecting an VE part hypothesis with the highest probability score.
US08666475B2 Images of language-sensitive neurocircuitry as a diagnostic for autism
The disclosed subject matter provides on ore more imaging techniques during passive auditory stimulation to objectively provide a diagnostic indicator of ASD. These techniques include functional MRI (fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tractography, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that uniquely provides an objective (imaging) physiological technique to diagnose early autism and to monitor progress following therapeutic intervention.
US08666467B2 System and method for SPO2 instability detection and quantification
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for analyzing data. An exemplary method comprises the acts of receiving data corresponding to at least one time series, and computing a plurality of sequential instability index values of the data. An exemplary system comprises a source of data indicative of at least one time series of data, and a processor that is adapted to compute at least one of a plurality of sequential instability index values of the data.
US08666466B2 Device and method for monitoring of absolute oxygen saturation and tissue hemoglobin concentration
A method and medical device for detecting signals that detects emitted light scattered by a volume of tissue delivered along a first pathway and a second pathway different from the first pathway, detects emitted light scattered by a volume of tissue delivered along a third pathway and a fourth pathway different from the third pathway, determines a first uniformity corresponding to the emitted light detected along the first pathway and the second pathway, determines a second uniformity corresponding to the emitted light detected along third pathway and the fourth pathway, determines a total uniformity in response to the determined first uniformity and the determined second uniformity, and alters sensing by the device in response to the determined total uniformity.
US08666456B2 Handheld electronic apparatus
A handheld electronic apparatus including a casing, a cover, a motherboard, an in-cell touch display module, a light guide member, and a touch module is provided. The cover covers a casing opening, and constitutes an accommodation space with the casing. The cover has a first area and a second area having a light transmissive icon. The motherboard is electrically connected with the in-cell touch display module and the touch module. The in-cell touch display module has a display area disposed beneath the first area. The light guide member is disposed within the accommodation space, and capable of guiding a light generated from a light emitting element to the light transmissive icon. The light guide member has a sheet-shaped portion disposed beneath the second area by corresponding to the light transmissive icon. The touch module is disposed within the accommodation space and beneath the second area.
US08666450B2 Antenna and multi-input multi-output communication device using the same
A antenna for transmitting radio signals of a lower frequency and a higher frequency includes a driven element comprising two first radiating units for a lower frequency band and two radiating units for a higher frequency band, and a reflector element comprising a first reflecting unit for the lower frequency band and a second reflecting unit for the higher frequency band. The second radiating units are disposed at a side of the first radiating units and respectively coupled to a corresponding first radiating unit. The first reflecting unit is disposed at the other side of the first radiating units, and the second reflecting unit is disposed between the first radiating units and the first reflecting unit.
US08666449B2 Portable telephone set
A portable telephone set includes a case having first and second sides opposite to each other, a group of keys is located on the first side of the case, and a card loading mechanism. The case includes first and second portions located on the second side. The first portion can accommodate a battery pack, and the second portion is next to the first portion and accommodates the card loading mechanism. A card in which information is stored can be loaded to the card loading mechanism.
US08666443B2 Method and apparatus for muting a sounder device
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for muting a sounder device, the method comprises steps of binding a network terminal with the sounder device via a network; generating a muting requirement; sending a muting signal to the sounder device via the network, the muting signal is generated based on the muting requirement; wherein the sounder device is configured to perform a muting process upon the muting signal. The method further comprises a step of sending a recovery signal to the sounder device via the network if the muting requirement becomes invalid, and the sounder device is configured to recover the status before the muting process upon the recovery signal. When it is necessary to remove unwanted background sound, all the sounder devices can be controlled via a network to perform a muting or volume-lowering process. In this way, the mobile terminal can easily and rapidly have the unwanted background sound be removed or lowered at the time of answering or making a call.
US08666440B2 Signal transmission method and related device thereof
A signal transmission method and related mobile terminal and base station thereof. The method includes: the base station determines a special transmit time interval (TTI) in a downlink carrier (S301); the corresponding time length for which a first type mobile terminal has sent an uplink sounding reference signal to the base station is included in the special TTI; the first type mobile terminal is a mobile terminal which sends the uplink sounding reference signal to the base station in the special TTI; the base station sends a first control signal within a first time length in the special TTI (S302); the first control signal enables a second type mobile terminal to determine that the base station hasn't sent a downlink signal within the remainder time length in the special TTI; the second type mobile terminal is a mobile terminal which does not send the uplink sounding reference signal to the base station in the special TTI. Using the method and the related device enables the future mobile communication system which uses the downlink carrier to introduce the uplink transmission to be compatible with the existing mobile terminals and the future mobile terminals.
US08666436B2 Location based system with contextual locator and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a location based system includes: detecting an event representing a gathering of event participants; establishing a geofence associated with the event; and identifying a matching target from the event participants located within the geofence during the search time window for displaying on a device.
US08666432B2 Method and system for indoor RF mapping
A method is disclosed for determining a location of a mobile electronic device. The mobile electronic device receives an RF signal providing RF fingerprint data and receives a third party location estimate from a third party service. Location data is collected by a dead reckoning system and corresponds to RF fingerprint data and third party estimates collected for a plurality of locations. A correlation between the RF fingerprint data, the third party location estimates, and location data is determined providing a transform for transforming the third party location estimates into a more accurate location estimate of the mobile electronic device.
US08666431B2 Water-quality measurement system using a smartphone
This invention relates to a system for measuring water quality using a smartphone, and more particularly to a system for measuring water quality using a smartphone, in which, to solve problems of hand-operated and manual water quality measurement methods and in order to increase reliability and accuracy, a water quality meter and a smartphone, which mutually communicate with each other, are utilized, and also, the smartphone is provided with a memory unit, a calculation unit, a GPS unit, etc., thus enabling water quality to be measured in real time and water quality data to be stored and transferred to the outside, so that reliability and accuracy of the measured water quality data may be improved.
US08666429B1 Location signature extraction on a wireless communication network
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for extracting location signatures from data received from mobile devices on a wireless communication network. In a particular embodiment, a method provides, upon determining a location of a wireless communication device, receiving data generated by an application executing on the wireless communication device and using the location to determine whether the data contains information pertaining to the location of the wireless communication device. If the data contains the information pertaining to the location of the wireless communication device, the method provides identifying a location signature specific to the application and using the location signature to determine whether subsequent data transferred from a plurality of wireless communication devices contains information pertaining to a location of any of the plurality of wireless communication devices.
US08666427B2 Method for mobile communication and system thereof
A method for mobile communication and a system thereof are provided. The system for mobile communication includes a main base station and a plurality of sub-communication devices. The sub-communication device is one of a sub-base station and a user equipment. The sub-base stations and the user equipments are located in the macrocell of the main base station. The method includes the following steps. First, locations of the sub-communication devices are obtained. Then, the sub-communication devices are grouped based on the locations of the sub-communication devices. And, an allocation of resource blocks is obtained according to the grouping results. The sub-communication devices receive the allocation of resource blocks for control signaling and data transmission. And, the usage of same resource blocks are enabled by the sub-base station allocated in the same resource blocks in response to receipt of the allocation.
US08666422B2 Method and apparatus for setting a transmit power level
An access point for supporting communication in a femto cell of a cellular communication network. The access point comprises transceiver circuitry arranged to enable communication with at least one cell subscribed wireless communication unit located within the femto cell, and signal processing logic module. The signal processing logic is arranged to configure a transmit power level of a Common Pilot CHannel (CPICH) for transmission based at least on cell subscribed wireless communication unit information.
US08666420B2 Building wireless routing structures using out of band signaling
In an example embodiment, an access point (AP) uses out-of-band signaling on a single non-DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) frequency band radio in an N-radio system to synchronize information with neighboring APs and to learn about their radio interfaces. This enables the AP to be able to acquire information about neighbor APs on different frequency bands and to build and maintain mesh routing structures while minimizing backhaul down-time.
US08666418B2 Method and system for implementing the soft unload of multi-homing core network element
The present invention discloses a method and system for softly unloading a core network element in a multi-homing networking mode, for solving the technical problem of high call loss rate caused by unloading the multi-homing core network element due to reasons like upgrading, failure, or removal. In the present invention, the to-be-unloaded multi-homing core network element is set into an office direction blockage state, and the multi-homing core network element will not be distributed with a new service; and the to-be-unloaded multi-homing core network element is unloaded when the existing services thereon are processed into a predetermined state. The present invention reduces the call loss rate and mitigates the impact on the existing services when the multi-homing core network element needs to be unloaded.
US08666415B2 Method for canceling call initiation in radio access technology change
A method for canceling a cell initiation in radio access technology, hereafter called RAT, change for a mobile device is disclosed. The method comprises initiating a call in a first RAT, receiving a command redirecting the mobile device to a second RAT, moving from the first RAT to the second RAT in response to the command, and canceling the call by aborting a connection establishment to the second RAT before establishing a connection to the second RAT when the mobile device moves to the second RAT.
US08666412B2 Communications terminal, connection destination display method, and computer program
In a communications terminal, a wireless portion receives, from each PLMN, notification information including a name that specifies the PLMN and communication speed information that indicates communication speed for that PLMN. A generation portion generates a list of names included in each of the notification information received by the wireless portion, in order of communication speed shown in the communication speed information associated with the relevant name. A display portion displays the list generated by the generation portion.
US08666409B2 Registration or unregistration method for home information machine and home information machine hereof
The disclosure discloses a registration method or an unregistration method for a home information machine and a home information machine thereof, to solve the problem of low security and reliability in the prior art when a Portable Part (PP) machine is registered on the home information machine. The registration method comprises: a Fixed Part (FP) module of the home information machine receives a registration command and first verification information sent by a Mobile Internet Device (MID) module of the home information machine, wherein the first verification information is used to verify verification information input by the PP machine to be registered; the FP module enters a registration state, and receives a registration request and second verification information sent by the PP machine to be registered; the FP module verifies the second verification information by the first verification information, determines whether the registration of the PP machine to be registered is successful according to the verification result, and exits the registration state when determining that the registration of the PP machine to be registered is successful. When the technical solution of the disclosure is used, security and reliability during the registration process of the PP machine can be improved.
US08666408B2 Method of supporting location privacy
A method of supporting location privacy of a mobile station includes receiving, from a base station, a temporary station identifier (TSTID) during an initial ranging procedure; transmitting a registration request (REG-REQ) message requesting a registration to the base station, the REG-REQ message including a real medium access control (MAC) address of the mobile station; and receiving, from the base station, a registration response (REG-RSP) message including a station identifier (STID) assigned to the mobile station. The TSTID is temporarily used to protect a mapping between the real MAC address of the mobile station and the STID, and the TSTID is used until the STID is assigned to the mobile station.
US08666404B2 Method and apparatus for unloading terminal quickly
A method and an apparatus for quickly unloading a terminal are provided. The method comprises: paging a user terminal which is registered in a mobile switch to unload through a wireless access node after the mobile switch to unload receives a command of unloading the user terminal; the mobile switch to unload detecting whether a paging acknowledgement returned from the user terminal is received, if yes, sending a message to notify that the user terminal is to be unloaded, and then releasing the current signaling connection with the user terminal.
US08666403B2 Systems, methods, and apparatuses for facilitating device-to-device connection establishment
Methods, apparatuses, and systems are provided for facilitating device-to-device connection establishment. A method may include directing broadcast of an indication of a device-to-device registration area identification in each of one or more cells forming a device-to-device registration area identified by the device-to-device registration area identification. The method may further include directing receipt of a device-to-device registration request originated by a first terminal apparatus in response to the broadcast indication. The first terminal apparatus may be located within the registration area. The method may additionally include registering the first terminal apparatus based at least in part upon the device-to-device registration request. Corresponding apparatuses and systems are also provided.
US08666397B2 Area event handling when current network does not cover target area
Area event triggers are handled by receiving an original area event trigger with an initial target area within a given mobile network, for a given target mobile device. When the target mobile device is outside the mobile network serving the target area, a first changed area event trigger based on entry into the given mobile network is transmitted to the given target mobile device. When the first changed area event trigger becomes satisfied, a second changed area event trigger is generated based on entry into the initial target area, and transmitted to the given target mobile device. The second changed area event trigger may be based on entry into a region larger than, but including, the initial target area. Then when the second changed area event trigger becomes satisfied, the original area event trigger may be transmitted to the target mobile device.
US08666395B2 System and method for speeding call originations to a variety of devices using intelligent predictive techniques for half-call routing
A mobile application gateway configured to interconnect mobile communication devices on a cellular network with an enterprise network is provided. The mobile application gateway includes a voice and data signaling gateway configured to provide routing functionalities, service functionalities and admission control. A gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) is configured to establish a secure data session between one or more of the mobile communication devices and the enterprise network by establishing a GPRS tunneling protocol (GTP) tunnel between a carrier-hosted serving GPRS support node (SGSN) and the GGSN.
US08666388B2 Geographic-based measurement and logging of radio coverage related information by mobile devices
Providing for automated wireless network signal analysis by mobile devices as a function of their geographic locations is described herein. By way of example, a wireless network can transmit a set of geographic data defining a geographic region to a mobile device. The mobile device can compare its current location to the geographic region, and begin measuring downlink signals, or recording such measurements when within the geographic region, and terminate the recording when the mobile device leaves the geographic region. Recorded measurements can be subsequently uploaded to the wireless network for analysis. In some aspects, the mobile device can refrain from uploading the measurements until within a defined reporting region. By providing mobile device network analysis triggered on device geographic location, analysis data that is well tailored to a particular problem area can be obtained, increasing quality of the analysis data and significantly reducing cost of acquiring such data.
US08666385B2 Data download method and terminal
The present invention provides a data downloading method and a terminal, wherein the data downloading method includes: a communication processor receiving an open channel request from a universal integrated circuit card, and sending a connection request message to an application processor according to the open channel request; the communication processor sending a connection success message to the universal integrated circuit card, so as to instruct the universal integrated circuit card to download data The present invention not only enables a process of downloading an application over the air to the UICC by using the BIP (bearer independent protocol) protocol to be completed in a single processor, but also supports the process to be completed in multiple processors.
US08666384B2 Cordless telephone set
Disclosed is a cordless telephone set capable of suppressing power consumption during power failures to lengthen the time for a call. A cordless telephone (1) receives power supply from a handset (3) placed on a charging section (26) of a base unit (2), during power failures. In order to suppress current consumption of a secondary battery (BT) of the handset (3), the base unit (2) instructs a base unit radio section (21) to be switched to a transmission power-saving mode in which transmission power of the base unit radio section (21) is reduced down to a level at which no communication error occurs, according to radio wave information transmitted from the handset (3) and indicates the received signal strength of a radio signal from the base unit radio section (21) of the base unit (2), received by a handset radio section (39) of the handset (3).
US08666381B2 Devices, systems and methods for managing custom alpha tags
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for a subscriber of services on a network to display a custom operator name or alpha tag on the subscriber mobile communications device. The custom alpha tag (or operator name) is selected or defined by the subscriber via an interface on a communications device, and a custom operator name request is submitted to a provisioning logic on the network. The provisioning logic communicates with a business rule logic on the network, the business rule logic being configured to retrieve and/or update a first account associated with the subscriber with the custom operator name. A billing logic within a billing subsystem may be invoked to debit a second account associated with the subscriber. A programming logic on the network then updates one or more mobile devices with the custom alpha tag. The several logic units may be part of an Over-the-air (OTA) platform on the network.
US08666379B2 Communication terminal
There is provided a communication terminal comprising: a readout unit which reads out, from a plurality of storage media each storing an identifier concerning a communication line, the identifiers; a communication unit which determines the communication lines based on the identifiers read out by the readout unit, and performs communication using the determined communication lines; a display unit; and a display control unit which displays, on the display unit, information corresponding to the identifiers, wherein the display control unit generates a plurality of display screens for displaying information corresponding to the plurality of communication lines determined based on the plurality of identifiers, and displays the plurality of display screens after dividing a display area of the display unit.
US08666378B2 Mobile device applications for computer-telephony systems
On a mobile telecommunications device, computer-executable code executes to facilitate interactions between the user of the mobile telecommunications device and a call center or other computer-telephony integration equipment. The computer-executable code includes instructions that request at least one operation to be performed at a call center, where the call center includes a call center controller, an interactive voice response system component, and at least one agent. At least in part, a wireless network transmits the request from the mobile telecommunications device to the call center controller.
US08666377B2 Method, system and computer-readable medium for synchronizing spot information
A method, a system, and a computer-readable medium for synchronizing spot information, adapted to synchronize a plurality of spot information displayed on a mobile device and a terminal device, are provided. In the present method, when the mobile device logs in to a service end device, the spot information in a spot database of the mobile device is synchronized to the service end device. When the terminal device logs in to the service end device, the spot information synchronized from the mobile device to the service end device is downloaded to the terminal device and displayed in a spot information browsing webpage. When the mobile device receives spot information edited by a user, the mobile device synchronizes the edited spot information to the service end device, and the service end device updates the spot information displayed in the spot information browsing webpage of the terminal device.
US08666369B2 Mobile phone provided with a secured identification system
A mobile phone of the type including a connection, able to allow the connection to a webpage with a particular URL, the connection to said webpage requiring the entry of a particular identifier specific to said webpage, a first storage able to store, in a database, the particular identifiers, each associated with a corresponding webpage.The mobile phone also includes a trigger able to systematically and automatically trigger, after the entry of a particular identifier, the implementation of a selector for choosing a primary identifier shared by all webpages requiring that a particular identifier be entered, if no primary identifier has been chosen yet, and a second storage able to store a security datum depending on the primary identifier after the entry of the primary identifier.
US08666366B2 Device activation and access
Remote access management for a mobile device includes an activation process where a digitally signed activation record is created by a remote activation service and provided to the mobile device. The activation record is used to determine an activation state for the mobile device. Upon activation, a security process running on the mobile device enforces a security policy regarding remote access to the mobile device.
US08666363B2 System and method for downloading user interface components to wireless devices
A method of processing a user interface component is provided and includes receiving one or more user interface components that can be communicated to a wireless device. A component risk level for each of the one or more user interface components is determined and assigned to each of the one or more user interface components. Each of the one or more user interface components can be digitally signed using an embedded risk code that indicates the assigned risk level. Further, the component risk level can be selected from a plurality of component risk levels. In a particular embodiment, the component risk level can be determined based on the type of the user interface component. Further, the component risk level can be determined based on a developer of the user interface component.
US08666359B2 Notification method, system and apparatus for an emergency area ID
The disclosure provides a notification method for an Emergency Area ID, including: an evolution node B (eNB) acquires an eNB-supported Emergency Area ID and an E-UTRAN cell global identifier (E-CGI) list included in it, and when S1 is set up, carries the acquired emergency area ID and the E-CGI list included in it in an S1 setup request message to transmit to a mobility management entity (MME); the MME stores the received emergency area ID and the E-CGI list included in it. The disclosure further provides a notification system for an Emergency Area ID. With the disclosure, the complexity of manual operation and the error rate are decreased, the reliability and operating efficiency of the system are improved, and the stability and maintainability of the system are enhanced.
US08666346B1 Robust FM modulation detector using signal autocorrelation
An FM receiver is unaware of the modulation level (frequency deviation) of the signal and has to make an estimate of it, or some reasonable time-average of it, and accordingly set the input filter's bandwidth. We calculate modulation by measuring the autocorrelation of the recovered audio signal instead of its peaks, and then applying a peakhold detector. Since FM noise can be modeled to be somewhat uncorrelated, we can expect to get an accurate estimate of signal power while rejecting noise power substantially if we measure a one-sample delayed autocorrelation estimate. Since the above measurement is alike a power measurement, we compute its square root, gain adjust it to obtain a cleaner peak measurement, and then track these clean peaks using a leaky integrator. This gives an estimate of modulation that subdues the effect of the noise.
US08666345B2 Filter for an indoor cellular system
The invention relates to a filter (20) filtering a downlink signal of an antenna (13) of an indoor cellular system, the filter comprising a signal determining unit (24) determining a signal strength of an uplink signal received by said antenna (13), the filter adjusting a signal strength of the downlink signal of said antenna (13) in accordance with the signal strength of the uplink signal.
US08666341B2 Multi-mode communication unit
There is described a method of operating a multi-mode communication unit. For each radio frame of a radio communication frame structure, the unit selectively sets a mode of radio frequency operation for one of transmission and reception for a selected radio frame duration, for operation in a radio communication mode of operation or in a sensing mode of operation. The unit may also interrupt a transmission task within a given radio frame at a time selected in accordance with a sensing instant of a second communication unit to which the data being transmitted and perform a different task for a duration of the sensing instant of the second communication unit.
US08666339B2 Radio frequency power amplifier with low dynamic error vector magnitude
Embodiments provide a multi-stage radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA) having a low dynamic error vector magnitude (EVM). A first stage of the RF PA may include a first active device configured to receive an enable signal and to turn on in response to the enable signal, thereby activating the first stage. The RF PA may further include a second active device coupled in series with the first active device and configured to receive a main supply voltage. The second active device may provide a first supply voltage across the first active device that is less than and independent of the main supply voltage. One of the first active device or the second active device may be configured to receive an RF input signal and to pass an amplified RF output signal to a second stage of the RF PA circuit.
US08666336B1 Digital pre-distortion with model-based order estimation
An embodiment of an integrated circuit is disclosed. This embodiment includes a processor programmed with a behavior model associated with power amplification. A calibration signal generator is coupled to the processor and configured to generate a digital calibration signal. The processor is coupled to receive a digital feedback signal. The processor is configured to determine at least one parameter associated with the power amplification in response to the digital feedback signal using the behavior model. The at least one parameter is selected from a group consisting of a nonlinearity order and a memory length. A digital predistorter is coupled for parameterization responsive to the at least one parameter.
US08666335B2 Wireless device with N-phase transmitter
Methods and systems for an n-phase transmitter utilizing a leaky wave antenna (LWA) are disclosed and may include transmitting an n-phase wireless signal at a first frequency via the LWA utilizing a plurality of second frequency signals from one or more signal sources, and the second frequency may be lower than the first frequency. Each of the second frequency signals may be configured with a phase difference and may be communicated to the LWA utilizing one or more power amplifiers (PAs). The PAs may be operated in switching mode, thereby generating a square wave. The LWAs may be integrated on the chip, on a package to which the chip is affixed, and/or on a printed circuit board to which the chip is affixed. Square wave signals may be generated utilizing the signal sources. The transmitted wireless signal may be amplitude modulated utilizing a bias voltage applied to the LWAs.
US08666333B2 Using antenna arrays to produce omni-directional transmissions
Diversity arrays of antenna elements and phased arrays of antenna elements can be used to produce omni-directional transmissions. Communication signaling is produced based on a desired communication signal that is to be transmitted omni-directionally. In response to the communication signaling, the antenna elements cooperate to effect approximately omni-directional antenna transmission of the desired communication signal.
US08666332B2 Waterproof-type electronic equipment
A waterproof-type electronic equipment includes first and second case parts together forming a housing. A seal material is provided between the first and second case parts. The seal material has a first surface including a fixed portion fixed to an inner surface of the first case part. The seal material has a contacting portion that makes a convex shape on a side opposite to the first surface to contact with the second case part. A recessed portion is provided on the inner surface of the first case part and outer side of the fixed portion of the seal material. The recessed portion is located at a position where the first surface of the seal material covers an opening of the recessed portion. A passage connects the recessed portion of the first case part and an exterior of the first case part to each other.
US08666329B2 Radio device
According to one embodiment, a radio device comprises a differential antenna that has a pair of differential power supply terminals, a transmitter that transmits a first signal via the differential antenna, a receiver that has a pair of differential input terminals and receives a second signal via the differential antenna, a first control unit, and a second control unit. The first control unit causes a signal conduction state between the differential antenna and the receiver when the receiver receives the second signal. The second control unit switches from a signal conduction state to a signal block state between one of the differential input terminals and one of the differential power supply terminals based on a reception state when the receiver receives the second signal.
US08666321B2 Signal measurement on component carriers in wireless communication systems
A method in a wireless communication terminal including generating a first averaged signal measurement on a first carrier frequency, wherein the first averaged signal measurement is based on a first averaging period, producing a first filter output based on the first averaged signal measurement weighted by a first weight, generating a second averaged signal measurement on the first carrier frequency, wherein the second averaged signal measurement is based on a second averaging period, and producing a second filter output based on the first filter output and based on the second averaged signal measurement weighted by a second weight, wherein the first weight is less than the second weight if the second averaging period is greater than a threshold.
US08666312B2 Electric-field communication device
A signal electrode (11A) and a ground electrode (11B) are disposed respectively on surfaces of a case (10). In this way, the signal electrode (11A) and the ground electrode (11B) do not come into contact with any electric component, such as a transmission circuit (21), disposed inside the case (10), and thus a reduction in an electric field (Ec) induced in an electric-field transmission medium can be prevented. In addition, a certain distance between the signal electrode (11A) and the ground electrode (11B) is kept, and thus a reduction in the electric field (Ec) induced in the electric-field transmission medium can be prevented. Furthermore, the contactability between the signal electrode (11A) and the electric-field transmission medium is improved, and thus the electric field (Ec) induced in the electric-field transmission medium can be increased.
US08666309B2 System for distributed beamforming for a communication system employing relay nodes
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a method, apparatus and system for learning antenna weighting factors in a communication system including relay nodes. In one embodiment, an apparatus (e.g., a relay node (325)) for use with a communication system includes a first antenna (330) configured to receive a first signal including a pilot training sequence from a source node (305) and a second signal including a power-based feedback signal or a signal-to-noise based feedback signal from a destination node (350). The apparatus also includes a second antenna (335) configured to transmit at least a portion of the first signal with an antenna weighting factor (e.g., a perturbed antenna weighting factor). The apparatus further includes an antenna weighting factor module (340) coupled to the first antenna (330) and configured to iteratively adjust the antenna weighting factor in response to the second signal.
US08666305B2 Method and system for transmitting and/or receiving advertisement and data contents on a mobile communication device with a display mechanism
The various embodiments herein provide a method and system for advertising on a user screen of a mobile communication device. The method comprising of installing a cell broadcasting system (CBS) application in the mobile communication device, uploading at least one advertisement on a portal, sending the uploaded advertisement to a cell broadcast system and transmitting the uploaded advertisement to the communication device. The CBS application provides for receiving and displaying at least one advertisement on the user screen. The system comprising a cell broadcast manager to receive at least one advertisement from a plurality of cell broadcast entities, a cell broadcast system to store the at least one advertisement, a plurality of base station controllers, a cell broadcast centre to address an appropriate base station controller for processing the requests and one or more base transceiver stations for transmitting the uploaded advertisement to the mobile communication device.
US08666302B2 System and method for education including community-sourced data and community interactions
A system and method for education including community-sourced data and community interactions. The method can include registering a plurality of users in a database, presenting educational material to a user of the plurality of users, recording the performance of the user in regards to the educational material, collecting personal statistics regarding the performance of the user, compiling the personal statistics for the plurality of users to generate community statistics regarding the performance of the plurality of users, comparing the personal statistics of a user to the community statistics or to a subset thereof, collecting personal information from each user of the plurality of users, subdividing the plurality of users into a plurality of communities based on the personal information of each user, facilitating interactions between the users within a community of the plurality of communities, and generating a credibility score for each user within the community.
US08666301B2 Participant response system and method
A participant response system comprises a plurality of handsets for allowing a participant of an event to input a response. Each handset comprises a wireless handset having a keyboard for allowing a user to input a response. The handsets are configurable either as a participant response handset to allow a participant to enter a response, or as a base station. The handset also includes audio capability to allow participants to receive and input audio.
US08666299B2 Early alert system and method for identifying and assisting students in need at an educational institution
The present invention is a system and method that proactively identifies a student in need at an educational institution. The system allows for the educational institution to connect with the student, gather information, and provide assistance. Student needs that may be addressed are various and include academic, social, emotional, and spiritual. Because student needs are addressed in a timely and effective manner, the present invention may be used as a tool to increase retention rates at the educational institution.
US08666296B2 Media stripper mechanism, fixing device, and image forming apparatus
A media stripper mechanism includes a shaft, one or more first stripping members, and one or more second stripping members. The shaft extends in an axial direction thereof parallel to a rotational axis of the rotary member. Each of the one or more first stripping members is a pneumatic nozzle that has a proximal end thereof supported on the shaft, and a distal, free end opposite the proximal end thereof pointing toward the rotary member to direct compressed gas toward the nip along the rotary member for stripping the recording medium from the rotary member. Each of the one or more second stripping members is a non-contact finger that has a proximal end thereof supported on the shaft, and a distal, free end opposite the proximal end thereof pointing toward the rotary member to assist in stripping the recording medium from the rotary member without contacting the rotary member.
US08666293B2 Cap configuration for a toner cartridge
Aspects described herein relate to a cap for a toner cartridge. In one example, the cap may be configured to close a toner supply opening of the toner cartridge. According to one or more aspects, the cap may include a sealing or covering portion configured to cover the toner supply opening and a shaft portion for rotatably supporting a to-be-detected rotary member. The to-be-detected rotary member 56 is rotatably supported around and fitted onto the shaft portion. Therefore, even if a toner supply opening of a cartridge is provided in a sidewall of the housing on a side where the to-be-detected rotary member is provided, e.g., a left sidewall, the toner supply opening and the to-be-detected rotary member can be provided in such a manner as to overlap each other.
US08666291B2 Developer container and image forming apparatus
A developer container 1 includes (i) a developer vessel 2, having a cylindrical shape, that carries and discharges toner contained therein through its first discharge opening 31 while the developer vessel 2 is being driven to rotate, and (ii) a developer supply section 3 which (a) supports the developer vessel 2 such that the developer vessel 2 can rotate, (b) temporarily stores the toner discharged from the first discharge opening 31, and (c) discharges the toner outside of the developer supply section 3 from a second discharge opening 5. The first discharge opening 31 is formed in an inclined surface 31a of an edge part of the developer vessel 2. The inclined surface 31a inclines, upstream of a direction in which the toner is carried along a shaft line L1, so as to be at angles with a surface perpendicular to the shaft line L1.
US08666289B2 Feed auger with paddles
A development system (10) for an electrophotographic printer with multiple augers containing a development roller (11) and a first channel contains a feed auger (13) and developer, with a plurality of paddles (12) attached to the feed auger, at least some the paddles increase in size with respect to a previous paddle along a direction of developer flow (18). This arrangement of paddles ensures that a uniform layer of developer is formed on the development roller despite the volume of developer in the first channel decreasing along the length of the first channel in the direction of developer flow.
US08666288B2 Developing device and image forming apparatus
A developing device in the embodiment includes: a developer carrier that carries a two-component developer, moves the surface, and supplies the toner to a latent image on a surface of a latent image carrier; a first conveying member that conveys the developer in a first conveying path; a second conveying member that conveys the developer in a second conveying path; and a developer passing unit that conveys upward the developer which has reached at a conveying-direction posterior end of the second conveying path and passes the developer to the first conveying path. The developer passing unit includes a plurality of pushing members that push up the developer. The developer can pass through from upper surfaces of the pushing members to lower surfaces of the pushing members.
US08666286B2 Image reading device and image forming apparatus having the same
An image reading device is provided, which includes a controller configured to, when a carriage reaches a turn-around position in a moving direction, control a motor to once stop, then rotate in a second direction opposite to a first direction such that a planetary gear swings to a position separated from an output gear and that an intermediate gear moves to an engagement position to engage with the output gear, and thereafter again rotate in the first direction so as to transmit a driving force from the motor to the output gear via an input gear, a planetary gear, and the intermediate gear.
US08666284B2 Image forming apparatus
An upstream end of a guide surface of a recording material guide in the recording-material conveying direction is located on the same side as a separation belt-stretching roller with respect to an extension of the belt surface from the separation belt-stretching roller to a recessed portion formed in the belt surface by the separation assistance rollers.
US08666282B2 Image formation apparatus and developer cartridge
An image formation apparatus is provided, to which developing devices, each having an opening, and developer cartridges for respectively supplying a developing agent to the openings of the developing devices are mountable. The apparatus includes developing device shutters, each configured to open and close a respective one of the openings of the developing devices mounted to the apparatus; and a link mechanism configured to move the developing device shutters linked with each other.
US08666280B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording material, and detachably mounts process cartridges having photosensitive drums. The apparatus includes a main assembly, a rotatable openable member, a belt receiving an image or carrying the recording material, supporting members supporting the process cartridges at different levels and movable between drum-contacting and retracted positions, and a connecting member moving the supporting member when the openable members moves to position the supporting member at the drum-contacting position when the openable member is closed, and position the supporting member at the retracted position when the openable member is opened, and including a shaft whose axis crosses the openable member rotational axis, first connecting portions rotatably connected with respective supporting members, and a second connecting portion engaging the openable member and fixed to the shaft closer to the openable member than the first connecting portions are fixed to the shaft.
US08666278B2 Image forming apparatus having a door path regulating member
In an image forming apparatus including a door 10 openable with respect to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, a drum cartridge 8 detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus main assembly, and detachably mountable developing cartridges 4k-4y provided above the drum cartridge 8, wherein the door 10 includes a positioning urging portion 26 contacting the developing cartridges in a state in which the door 10 is closed, the door 10 includes drum cartridge mounting and demounting guides 28R and 28L for regulating the drum cartridge 8 so as to pass along a non-interference path with the positioning urging portion 26 in contact to the drum cartridge 8 when the drum cartridge 8 is demounted from the image forming apparatus.
US08666276B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having an opening, a cover, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, a primary-transfer member, a secondary-transfer roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is movable along a predetermined direction to be removably installed in the chassis through the opening and stores residual toner, a connector, and a feed roller, which is arranged within the feeding path to feed the recording sheet in the feeding path. The feed roller is arranged in a position to at least partially fall within a vertical range of the waste toner container and to be aligned with the waste toner container along an axial direction of the second feed roller.
US08666275B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a drum for bearing a toner image; a rotatable belt onto which the toner image is to be transferred from the drum; a primary transfer member for primary transferring the toner image from the drum onto the belt; a secondary transfer member for secondary transferring the toner image from the belt onto a transfer material; and a charging member for electrically charging toner remaining on the belt. The image forming apparatus is capable of executing a belt cleaning mode in which the toner remaining on the belt is electrically charged, and a charging member cleaning mode in which the toner is transferred from the charging member onto the belt and then onto the drum. When the charging member cleaning mode is executed, the charging member is moved at least once from a belt separation position or away from a belt contact position.
US08666270B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an imaging unit, a fixing unit, a first thermometer, and a controller. The imaging unit forms a toner image on a recording medium conveyed along a media conveyance path. The fixing device is disposed downstream from the imaging unit along the media conveyance path to fix the toner image in place on the recording medium. The fixing device includes a fuser roller, a heat roller, an endless, fuser belt, and a pressure roller. The fuser roller has a cylindrical core of metal. The pressure roller presses against the fuser roller via the fuser belt to form a fixing nip therebetween. The first thermometer detects a first temperature at the cylindrical core of the fuser roller. The controller controls conveyance of the recording medium through the fixing nip according to the first temperature.
US08666269B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a developing device for developing with toner an electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive member, a temperature/humidity sensor, and a storing portion for storing environmental information. In addition, a controller controls an image forming condition so that when a second temperature/humidity environment, measured by the temperature/humidity sensor, is different from a first temperature/humidity environment and when the image forming condition is changed to a second image forming condition different from a first image forming condition, a change amount of the image forming condition when the developing device is driven before the image forming condition is changed is larger than a change amount of the image forming condition when the developing device is not driven before the image forming condition is changed. The controller controls the image forming condition on the basis of environmental information and time information relating to the environmental information which is previously stored in the storing portion and on the basis of environmental information and time information relating to the environmental information which is obtained after being stored in the storing portion.
US08666267B2 Image forming apparatus, method of controlling image forming apparatus, program, and storage medium
An image forming apparatus having a development unit which develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier to form a visible image and includes an input unit adapted to accept input of a print job, an analysis unit adapted to analyze the print job, and a prediction unit adapted to predict, based on an analysis result by the analysis unit, a consumption amount of a developing material for printing the print job. In addition, a generation unit generates a schedule for supplying the developing material to the development unit, based on the predicted consumption amount of the developing material, and a supply control unit controls, when a first image data included in the print job has been formed and a second image data included in the print job is formed using the development material having a higher density than a density of the development material needed for forming the first image data, a supply of the development material to the development unit to allow time for stabilizing a density of the development material before image forming of the second image data, based on the schedule generated by the generation unit.
US08666261B2 Photoelectric encoder
A photoelectric encoder includes a scale; a detector; alight application section; a pair of origin signal reception sections; and a signal processing section adapted to provide the maximum value of the signal level output from the origin signal reception sections by side lobe light occurring as reflected on the origin mark as a stipulated value, provide an effective area of origin detection between the first position at which output of one of the origin signal reception sections for outputting a larger signal level than the stipulated value earlier than the relative displacement becomes a larger signal level than the stipulated value and the first position at which output of the other origin signal reception section exceeds the stipulated value and then becomes a smaller signal level than the stipulated value, and configured to generate the origin detection signal in the effective area.
US08666260B2 Burst mode laser transmitter having an extremely fast response time when triggered from a totally off state
A burst mode laser transmitter includes a burst mode laser diode and a controller having an input for receiving an RF data signal. The controller includes a triggering arrangement and a modulation arrangement. The triggering arrangement is configured to bias the laser diode to an on-state bias level when an RF data signal is present at the input to the controller and to an off-state bias level when no RF data signal is present at the input to the controller. The modulation arrangement is configured to modulate the on-state bias level at which the laser diode is biased with the RF data signal only when the RF data signal is present at the input of the controller.
US08666258B2 EMI shroud for a plastic optical subassembly
The principles of the present invention provide for a plastic ROSA that has a metallic EMI shroud covering a portion of the plastic ROSA. The combination of the plastic ROSA and the EMI shroud provides the unexpected result of having EMI shielding substantially similar to a metal ROSA.
US08666257B2 Optoelectronic devices with intelligent transmitter modules
An optoelectronic device can implement an intelligent transmitter module (“ITM”), rather than a conventional TOSA, for the transmission of optical data signals. The ITM can include an optical transmitter, a CDR and driver IC, and a microcontroller and/or linear amplifier. Space available in the optoelectronic device due to using an ITM rather than a TOSA and PCB-bound CDR, driver, microcontroller, and/or linear amplifier can be used for the inclusion of one or more electronic and/or optical components. Electronic components that can be included in a device with an ITM include: an FPGA, a DSP, a memory chip, a digital diagnostic IC, a video IC, a wireless interface, and an RF interface. Optical components that can be included in a device with an ITM include: a VOA, an SOA, a MUX, a DEMUX, a polarization controller, and an optical power monitoring device.
US08666250B2 Optical access network and nodes
An optical network terminal (ONT) for use in an optical access network and comprising: an optical transceiver arranged to communicate with an optical line terminal using a wavelength which is modulated to carry sub-channels; a second transceiver arranged to communicate with a number of subscriber equipment using respective subscriber equipment channels; the ONT arranged to automatically map each subscriber equipment channel to a respective sub-channel of the wavelength without using an address associated with the respective subscriber equipment.
US08666248B2 Method for data frame reduction in a photonic-based distributed network switch
A photonic-based distributed network switch and method where the switch is designed to reduce or filter optical data frames entering a port of the switch so that only data frames that are appropriate for the port are forwarded from the port. This reduces the amount of data that needs to be handled by the port interface, which is especially important where the port may be using legacy interface technology that may be incapable of handling the volume of data entering the port.
US08666246B2 Path computation element method to support routing and wavelength assignment in wavelength switched optical networks
A network component comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising transmitting a request to compute a routing assignment, a wavelength assignment, or both, wherein the request comprises a lightpath constraint indicator is disclosed. Also disclosed is an apparatus comprising a Path Computation Client (PCC) configured to transmit a request to and receive a reply from a Path Computation Element (PCE), wherein the request comprises a lightpath constraint, and wherein the reply comprises a routing assignment, a wavelength assignment, an error message, a no-path indication, or combinations thereof. Included is a method comprising receiving a request comprising a request parameter (RP) object comprising a lightpath constraint, sending a reply comprising a routing assignment, a wavelength assignment, an error message, a no-path indicator, or combinations thereof, wherein the request is received and the reply is sent using path computation element protocol (PCEP).
US08666243B2 Optical transmission device, optical transmission method, and recording medium thereof
An optical transmission device that is installed at a node of a network and that performs transmission of an optical signal transmits the optical signal to an optical transmission device at the next node without amplifying the optical signal. The optical transmission device generates an adjustment optical signal used by a reception-side optical amplifier in the optical transmission device at the next node to adjust gain for a transmission loss of the optical signal. At the time of booting of the optical transmission device, the optical transmission device transmits the generated adjustment optical signal to the reception-side optical amplifier in the optical transmission device at the next node. Upon receiving a gain-adjustment-completion signal for notifying completion of gain adjustment using the adjustment optical signal from the reception-side optical amplifier, the optical transmission device controls the transmission of the adjustment optical signal to be stopped.
US08666233B2 Gas range usable as electric range
The present invention relates to a gas range usable as an electric range, wherein the simultaneous supply of gas and electricity can be prevented, and the replacement and use thereof are more convenient due to having a simple configuration. The present invention provides a gas range usable as an electric range, comprising: a burner portion at the inside of a case; and an accommodation portion for accommodating a gas container supplying gas to the burner portion, at one side, wherein a heating element placed at the corresponding position of the burner portion and a heating member comprising a body coupled to one side of the heating element are coupled in a separable manner inside the case and the accommodation portion. Therefore, since it is possible to mount a portable gas container and/or a heating member to the accommodation portion, gas and electricity are not simultaneously supplied, thereby preventing the occurrence of fire, and the configuration of the heating member is simple, thereby allowing the replacement of a portable gas container and use thereof to be convenient.
US08666232B2 Image and sound reproducing apparatus for reproducing an audio visual interleaving file from recording medium
An image voice play apparatus for playing an AVI file includes: a control portion that when an instruction for a time search is issued, estimates the “number of voice chunks in one movi chunk,” determines in which AVI chunk a voice chunk for the time search is situated, reads an idx1 chunk in the “determined AVI chunk” without reading an idx1 chunk in an AVI chunk other than the “determined chunk,” and determines a play start position that corresponds to the time search.
US08666231B2 Recording medium, reproduction device, and integrated circuit
Provided is a recording medium in which extents for a base-view and a dependent-view are arranged alternately. The lower limit of the size of the base-view extents is the larger of a first lower limit value and a second lower limit value. The lower limit of the size of the dependent-view extent is a third lower limit value. The first lower limit value is determined so that, in monoscopic video playback, buffer underflow does not occur during jump periods between base-view extents. The second lower limit value is determined so that, in stereoscopic video playback, buffer underflow does not occur during read periods from each base-view extent to a next dependent-view extent. The third lower limit value is determined so that, in stereoscopic video playback, buffer underflow does not occur during read periods from each dependent-view extent to the next base-view extent.
US08666227B2 Information processing apparatus, effect program, and content correction processing method
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a capture module which acquires video data and audio data output from a first module to a second module, a time stamp module which respectively adds time information to the video data and audio data acquired by the capture module, an effect module which performs correction processing of at least one of the video data and audio data acquired by the capture module, and a synchronization output module which synchronizes and outputs the video data and audio data at least one of which has undergone the correction processing by the effect module to the second module based on the time information added by the time stamp module.
US08666221B2 Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus includes a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature associated with a case of the imaging apparatus, a moving image recording unit configured to generate moving image data based on one of a plurality of recording methods which determines image quality of a recording image, and records the moving image data in a recording medium, and a controller configured to control the recording method set on the moving image recording unit. The controller changes the recording method to be set on the moving image recording unit, according to a result of the sensing by the temperature sensor.
US08666217B2 Fiber tray
A fiber tray for managing and organizing fiber distribution is disclosed. The fiber tray includes a housing and a drawer received in the housing. The housing is secured to an equipment rack. The housing includes inner sides with a glide mechanism extending the length of each inner side. The glide mechanism includes a first end and a second end. The glide mechanism also includes at least one curved path located at one of the first end and the second end. The drawer includes a bottom, a first side, a second side, a front and a back. The first and second sides of the drawer have a pin. The pins extending from the sides of the drawer slide within the glide mechanism to enable the drawer to be retracted, extended or removed from the housing.
US08666210B2 Liquid crystal displays and panels
A liquid crystal (LC) display panel including a lower substrate with pixel structures, an upper substrate, and an LC layer is provided. Each of the pixel structures includes a transistor and a pixel electrode. The pixel electrode includes first and second pixel electrodes insulated from each other, respectively including a first pattern and a second pattern that different and complementary to each other. Each of the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode has at least a trunk with a width smaller than or equal to 10 microns and a plurality of branches. The LC layer is positioned between the upper and the lower substrates and includes a plurality of LC molecules and a plurality of polymers, which are formed on surfaces of at least one of the upper and the lower substrates to cause the plurality of LC molecules to have a pretilt angle.
US08666209B2 Delivering light via optical waveguide and multi-view optical probe head
Techniques, apparatus and systems that use an optical probe head to deliver light to a target and to collect light from the target for imaging, monitoring, medical diagnostics and medical treatment applications.
US08666203B2 Optical fibre sensor assembly
An optical fiber sensor assembly comprises a source of a plurality of different frequency substantially monochromatic signals (1, 2, 3, 4); a modulator connected to the output of the source to produce a train of output pulses of the monochromatic signals; a plurality of sensor sub-assemblies connected to the output of the modulator, each sub-assembly comprising an optical drop multiplexer (ODM) (13), a sensor array (14) comprising a plurality of sensor elements and an optical add multiplexer (OAM) (15); a wavelength demultiplexer (WDM), having an input coupled to the sub-assemblies output; a plurality of detectors, each detector having an input connected to receive a respective output of the WDM and providing at an output thereof a signal corresponding to a respective frequency of the modulated monochromatic signals; and an interrogation system, having a plurality of inputs connected such that each input receives the output signal from a respective detector.
US08666202B2 System and method for measuring properties of a thin film coated glass
A system for measuring properties of a thin film coated glass having a light source, a spectrometer, at least one pair of probes, a first optical fiber switch and a second optical fiber switch. The pair of probes includes a first probe located on one side of a glass sheet and a second probe located on the opposite side of the glass sheet, directly across from the first probe. The first and second optical fiber switches are adapted to couple either probe to the light source and/or the spectrometer. Because the design of the system is optically symmetrical, calibration may be performed without the use of a reference material such as a tile or mirror.
US08666193B2 Geometric method of transforming a two-dimensional image
Geometric method of transforming a first two-dimensional image into a second two-dimensional image through an image processing applied to the first images or to the second image. In this method, one of said first and second images is divided into several surfaces, each of the surfaces of the divided image is transformed by a bilinear transformation specific to each surface, and the transformed surfaces are grouped together.
US08666186B1 Lossy compression of high dynamic range video
A high dynamic range (HDR) video can be compressed using inter-frame or intra-frame compression. The compression results in multiple encoded macroblocks and associated residual images. The residual images can be lossy compressed by mapping floating point image data values of the residual image from a light linear space to a perceptually linear space using a first non-linear mapping function. A value in the light linear space is proportionate to the power of a light source, and a value in the perceptually linear space is proportionate to a visual perceived brightness. Floating point discrete cosine transform (DCT) frequency coefficients of the floating point image data values of the residual image are determined. The floating point DCT frequency coefficients are quantized. The quantized floating point DCT frequency coefficients are compressed. The compression of the quantized floating point DCT frequency coefficients is lossless. The compressed quantized floating point DCT frequency coefficients are stored.
US08666185B2 Compression of digital images of scanned documents
A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for creating a binary mask image from an a inputted digital image of a scanned document, comprising the steps of creating a binarized image by binarizing the inputted digital image, detecting first text regions representing light text on a dark background, and inverting the first text regions, such that the inverted first text regions are interpretable in the same way as dark text on a light background. A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for comparing in a binary image a first pixel blob with a second pixel blob to determine whether they represent matching symbols, comprising the steps of detecting a line in one blob not present in the other and/or determining if one of the blobs represents an italicized symbol where the other does not.
US08666183B2 System and method for quality-aware selection of parameters in transcoding of digital images
Several quality-aware transcoding systems and methods are described, in which the impact of both quality factor (QF) and scaling parameter choices on the quality of transcoded images are considered in combination. A basic transcoding system is enhanced by the addition of a quality prediction look-up table, and a method of generating such a table is also shown.
US08666182B2 Method for generating thumbnail image in image frame of the H.264 standard
The present invention relates to a method for generating a thumbnail image for a video image, and more particularly, to a method for generating a thumbnail image for a video image that includes directly computing a DC coefficient of a prediction block for the video block constituting a video image from a prediction reference pixel of the video block of a spatial domain, and computing a DC coefficient of the video block from the computed DC coefficient of the prediction block and from a DC coefficient of an residual block for the video block. The method for generating a thumbnail image according to the present invention directly computes a DC coefficient of the video block from the DC coefficient of the residual block for the video block and the DC coefficient of the prediction block for the video block, thus generating a thumbnail image for a video image of the H.264 standard without transforming the video block between the spatial domain and a transform domain constituting a video image, and quickly searching a specific video image through the thumbnail image in a multimedia terminal where a plurality of video images are stored.
US08666179B2 Image encoding apparatus and decoding apparatus
A picture encoding apparatus divides an input picture into a plurality of regions and produces quantized transform coefficients of one of the regions. A zero/non-zero coefficient information encoding unit included in the picture encoding apparatus encodes information representing the respective quantized transform coefficients of the one region as either a zero coefficient or a non-zero coefficient. A non-zero coefficient encoding unit included in the picture encoding apparatus encodes non-zero quantized transform coefficient included among the quantized transform coefficients of the one region. The non-zero coefficient encoding unit is configured to select, from a probability model composed of a plurality of estimated probabilities, an estimated probability used to encode an absolute value of a next non-zero quantized transform coefficient of the one region. The estimated probability is selected from the probability model based on a quantity of already encoded non-zero quantized transform coefficients of the one region.
US08666175B2 Method and apparatus for detecting objects
A method and apparatus for detecting an object are provided. The method calculates a feature value based on features extracted from an input image by using a classifier of an ith stage, compares the calculated feature value with a first threshold value of the ith stage, compares the feature value with a second threshold value of the ith stage according to a result of the comparison between the feature value and the first threshold value of the ith stage, and jumps to a classifier of an i+2th stage according to a result of the comparison between the feature value and the second threshold value of the ith stage. By doing so, the method can avoid repeated calculations and can rapidly detect the object in the input image.
US08666172B2 Providing multiple symmetrical filters
Input image data may be subjected to a spatial convolution to produce a plurality of different filter matrices or kernels. Thus, a single system may be capable of producing a plurality of different filter sizes which may be selected based on particular circumstances, uses and described precision. Thus, a single system may provide variable spatial filtering. By reducing the input data matrix size and by reusing components, in some cases, the computational complexity of producing a plurality of symmetrical filters is not significantly greater than that involved in producing only a single filter.
US08666171B2 Image processing apparatus and pixel interpolation method
A periodicity determining unit determines whether an image region including a target pixel is a periodic region in which pixel values vary periodically. A first generating unit generates a pixel value using a first interpolation method. A second generating unit generates a pixel value using a second interpolation method. A control unit determines, based on the determination result of the periodicity determining unit, which one of the first and second generating units is to be used for generating a pixel value of the target pixel. A pixel value inserting unit inserts the generated pixel value to the target pixel. The periodicity determining unit includes a cycle estimating unit to estimate, using pixel values of pixels within the image region, a variation cycle of the pixel values, and/or a determining unit to determine whether each region positioned at left and right sides of the target pixel is the periodic region.
US08666166B2 Method and system for performing two-dimensional transform on data value array with reduced power consumption
A method and system for performing a 2D transform is disclosed. The 2D transform may include a row transform and/or a column transform. When performing the row or column transform, it may be determined whether each of different subsets of the data values including a partition of a row or column includes at least one zero value, whether each of different subsets of a first subset of the partition includes at least one zero value, and whether each of different subsets of at least one other subset of the partition includes at least one zero value. When performing the row or column transform, at least one transformation operation on at least one zero value may be bypassed or performed in a reduced-power manner, where such transformation operation would otherwise be performed in a manner consuming full power if the zero value were a non-zero value.
US08666162B1 Advanced sensor binning correction
A system, method, and computer program product for improving digital images and video by reducing or eliminating artifacts created by sensor binning, i.e. channel displacement of downscaled image pixels. Red and blue pixels are shifted to corresponding ideal pixel locations using for example bi-linear interpolation for each color. Green pixels are shifted to corresponding ideal pixel locations using one-dimensional cubic interpolation along a diagonal direction in which the green pixels are aligned. Pixel values are replaced by weighted pixel value averages of groups of pixels, preferably four, and the weights used vary inversely with shifted distances. Cubic interpolation results may be separately weighted pairwise among pixels with a weighting parameter favoring pixels near the ideal pixel location. The embodiments noticeably improve image and video quality, particularly by treatment of jagged edges of diagonal image features without compromising image sharpness or creating false colors along edges.
US08666161B2 Multimedia color management system
A color management system is described herein. Various embodiments of a method described herein can include receiving source color content that is associated with a source device, and transforming the source color content into destination color content for rendering on one or more destination devices. Various embodiments of an apparatus described herein can include a color infrastructure transformation engine that further includes a sequential transform component, which is adapted to receive source color content and to create a transform to facilitate mapping the source color content to destination color content. The color infrastructure transformation engine can also include a transform optimization component that is adapted to receive the transform and to create an optimized transform table based on the transform, and a transform execution component that is adapted to receive the optimized transform table and to generate the destination color content based thereon.
US08666156B2 Image-based backgrounds for images
In accordance with one or more aspects of the image-based backgrounds for images, an image is analyzed in order to identify a color that represents the image. An enhanced background is generated based at least in part on the identified color, and both the image and the enhanced background are output on a screen. In addition, or alternatively, the identified color can be saved as being associated with the image in order to be used to generate an enhanced background for the image when the image is displayed.
US08666154B2 Interpolation
A method of pixel interpolation in which a two-dimensional digital filter is arranged so as to interpolate an output pixel from a two-dimensional array of color input pixels by aligning a filtering operation with a detected direction of an image feature at a pixel position to be interpolated comprises detecting image activity within respective color components of a group of input pixels around the pixel position to be interpolated; generating monochromatic test pixels by combining the color components of input pixels in relative proportions dependent upon the detected image activities; detecting the direction of an image feature in a group of the monochromatic test pixels around the pixel position to be interpolated; and interpolating an output pixel using the two-dimensional filter, according to the detected image feature direction.
US08666150B2 Pixel processing method and apparatus thereof
A pixel processing method includes: selecting a first plurality of color component values of a first plurality of pixels within a pixel block in a buffering device, performing a first color component process upon a first target pixel in the first plurality of pixels to determine a first target color component value of the first target pixel; and selecting a second plurality of color component values of a second plurality of pixels within the pixel block at the same time as the first color component process is performed, and performing a second color component process upon a second target pixel in the second plurality of pixels according to the second plurality of color component values to determine at least one underdetermined target color component value of the second target pixel, wherein the second target pixel has been processed by the first color component process.
US08666149B2 Method for editing a multi-point facies simulation
A computer system and a hybrid method for combining multipoint statistic and object-based methods include creating a multi-point statistics (MPS) model using a MPS method that satisfies conditioning data and constraints, the multi-point statistics being derived from a training image created using training-image generation parameters; generating one or more object-shape templates and depositional coordinates of each facies type using the parameters; positioning the templates within the MPS model such that the templates maximally correlate to the MPS model; assigning to each of the positioned templates a unique event; determining which cells are available for editing; and assigning the cells that are available for editing to facies if the cells are contained by a facies template positioned within the MPS model at its optimally correlating location.
US08666148B2 Image adjustment
Techniques are disclosed relating to automatically adjusting images. In one embodiment, an image may be automatically adjusted based on a regression model trained with a database of raw and adjusted images. In one embodiment, an image may be automatically adjusted based on a model trained by both a database of raw and adjusted images and a small set of images adjusted by a different user. In one embodiment, an image may be automatically adjusted based on a model trained by a database of raw and adjusted images and predicted differences between a user's adjustment to a small set of images and a predicted adjustment based on the database of raw and adjusted images.
US08666137B2 Apparatus and method for processing projection data
The invention relates to a projection values processing apparatus (1) for processing acquired projection values. A first image is reconstructed from acquired projection values under consideration of a reconstruction assumption by a reconstruction unit (13). A simulated projection values determining unit (14) determines simulated projection values by simulating a projection through the reconstructed first image under consideration of the reconstruction assumption, and inconsistency values are determined for the acquired projection values by an inconsistency determining unit (15), wherein an inconsistency value is indicative of a degree of inconsistency of a respective acquired projection value with the reconstruction assumption, by comparing the acquired projection values and the simulated projection values. The inconsistency values can be used for different purposes, for example, improving the quality of a reconstructed image or indicating image elements being affected by an inconsistency between reconstruction assumption and acquired projection values.
US08666133B2 Calibration phantom and method for measuring and correcting geometric distortions in medical images
Calibration phantom and method for measuring and correcting geometric distortions in an image of a body part of a patient Calibration phantom (5) for a medical imaging system, comprising a plurality of separate detection elements (20) arranged in a determined pattern, each detection element (20) containing a product that is visible by the medical imaging system.
US08666132B2 Data compression method and data compression apparatus
One embodiment provides a data compression apparatus for compressing Doppler data including a plurality of types of measurement data obtained by ultrasound measurement, the apparatus including: a first compression unit configured to compress first measurement data according to a first compression parameter to thereby generate first compressed data; a second compression unit configured to compress second measurement data according to a second compression parameter different from the first compression parameter to thereby generate second compressed data; and a combining unit configured to combine the first compressed data and the second compressed data.
US08666131B2 Biometric self-capture criteria, methodologies, and systems
A system for capturing specified biometric self-capture specimens to create a record used for verification comprising a processor, scanner, printer, and secure database. The processor is programmed to 1) activate the scanner to create a digital image of the biometric self-capture specimens in a uniquely flexible predetermined format, 2) link the image to information assigned to the specimens, 3) assign a score to individual components of the image based on quality according to a standard for that component, 4) display the score to a user, 5) retain the components with the highest scores, 6) arrange the retained components and the linked information in the predetermined format to create a record, active the printer to print the record either as an electronic file or a paper file, and 7) transmit the electronic file to a secure database in a secure manner.
US08666129B2 Contrast intensification of CT images by way of a multiband filter
A method is disclosed for processing an output image of an examination object, with the output image having been reconstructed from measuring data acquired during a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the examination object. An image frequency division of an output image takes place in at least a first and a second image. In at least one embodiment, the first image is changed by way of a first function, with the first function effecting a contrast intensification within the first image, and the changed first image and the second image are merged together.
US08666127B1 Method and apparatus for fake fingerprint detection
Methods and Apparatus are provided for fake fingerprint detection. In one embodiment, an apparatus for fake fingerprint detection includes a prism having a first side configured to be touched by a fingerprint, an IR LED located near the second side of the prism, a light source located near the third side of the prism, where both the IR LED and the light source are configured to illuminate the fingerprint simultaneously to produce a captured image of the fingerprint, one or more lenses configured to direct the captured image of the fingerprint for storage, one or more CMOS sensors configured to collect the captured image of the fingerprint for analysis, and a controller configured to determine validity of the fingerprint using the captured image.