| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08677511B2 |
Apparatus for charged particle lithography system
The present disclosure describes an apparatus of leveling a substrate in a charged particle lithography system. In an example, the apparatus includes a cantilever-based sensor that includes an optical sensor and a cantilever structure. The optical sensor determines a distance between the optical sensor and a surface of the substrate based on light reflected from the cantilever structure. In an example, a first distance is between the cantilever structure and optical sensor, a second distance is a height of the cantilever structure, and a third distance is between the optical sensor and the surface of the substrate. The optical sensor determines the first distance based on the light reflected from the cantilever structure, such that the third distance is determined from the first distance and the second distance. |
| US08677509B2 |
Method and system for preventing copying of information from previews of webpages
A touch screen device may include: a touch panel receiving a touch signal; a noise measurement unit measuring a noise value input to the touch panel; a determination unit determining whether or not the measured noise value exceeds a threshold; and a control unit controlling an operation mode to be maintained or switched according to a determination result of the determination unit. |
| US08677508B2 |
Confidential information leakage prevention system, confidential information leakage prevention method and confidential information leakage prevention program
Provided are first monitoring unit 106a for monitoring whether service provision unit 102 has been called by an application, second monitoring unit 107a for monitoring whether a network access request is sent to a network, first access control unit 106b for controlling the network access request of the call detected by the first monitoring unit 106a, based on a security level assigned to the application program that has called the service provision unit, and second access control unit 107b for determining whether the first access control unit 106b has already performed access control on the network access request detected to have been sent by the second monitoring unit 107a, and, if the access control has been performed, controlling the network access request based on a security level assigned to the application program that has sent this network access request. |
| US08677507B2 |
Systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection
The present invention provides systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection. Electronic appliances such as computers equipped in accordance with the present invention help to ensure that information is accessed and used only in authorized ways, and maintain the integrity, availability, and/or confidentiality of the information. Such electronic appliances provide a distributed virtual distribution environment (VDE) that may enforce a secure chain of handling and control, for example, to control and/or meter or otherwise monitor use of electronically stored or disseminated information. Such a virtual distribution environment may be used to protect rights of various participants in electronic commerce and other electronic or electronic-facilitated transactions. Distributed and other operating systems, environments and architectures, such as, for example, those using tamper-resistant hardware-based processors, may establish security at each node. These techniques may be used to support an all-electronic information distribution, for example, utilizing the “electronic highway.” |
| US08677503B2 |
Mechanism for embedding device identification information into graphical user interface objects
A mechanism for protecting software and computing devices from unintentional pre-release disclosure (“leak”) is provided that includes applying a security enhancement to an object on the graphical user interface of the computing device such that the object can be used to visually determine the origin of the leak without obstructing the user's experience or being easily detected or defeated. |
| US08677490B2 |
Method for inferring maliciousness of email and detecting a virus pattern
Provided is a method of distinguishing an abnormal e-mail and determining whether an e-mail is affected with a virus. The method includes the steps of: decoding a received e-mail packet in a readable format and then analyzing and classifying a header of the packet according to header information; determining whether each classified piece of header information is normal or abnormal, and giving a specific value to the corresponding header information according to the determination result; distinguishing an abnormal e-mail using the specific values given to the respective pieces of header information according to a logical inference rule; and when there is an executable attachment file among the header information of the e-mail distinguished as abnormal, determining whether the abnormal e-mail is infected with a virus using distribution of similarity among data. The method effectively distinguishes an abnormal e-mail and determines whether an e-mail is infected with a virus without a database for spam filtering or a database of virus information, and thus is capable of stopping the propagation of new viruses. Therefore, an e-mail server can have a security technique and handle abnormal e-mail in a step before operation of a spam filter server or an antivirus server. Consequently, it is possible to manage a mail server more securely. |
| US08677487B2 |
System and method for detecting a malicious command and control channel
A method is provided in one example embodiment that includes detecting repetitive connections from a source node to a destination node, calculating a score for the source node based on the connections, and taking a policy action if the score exceeds a threshold score. In more particular embodiments, the repetitive connections use a hypertext transfer protocol and may include connections to a small number of unique domains, connections to small number of unique resources associated with the destination node, and/or a large number of connections to a resource in a domain. Moreover, heuristics may be used to score the source node and identify behavior indicative of a threat, such as a bot or other malware. |
| US08677481B1 |
Verification of web page integrity
Methods and systems for checking for malicious modifications in web pages. A web page may have corresponding portal page and web page verifier. To receive the web page in a client computer, the portal page is provided to the client computer. The portal page allows for checking of the web page for malicious modifications. For example, the portal page may include or download the web page verifier. The web page verifier may check the web page for signs indicative of malicious modifications. The web page itself may be verified by program code included in the web page. |
| US08677480B2 |
Anomaly information distribution with threshold
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques for distributing information about possible anomalies in a network. A sensor in a network may detect packets with payloads that match an anomaly signature. Address dispersion information, for example, in the form of source and address bitmaps, may be gathered at the sensor. The address dispersion information may be distributed to one or more peer sensors if the information indicates that the number of different addresses of the detected matching packets exceeds a threshold. |
| US08677479B2 |
Detection of adversaries through collection and correlation of assessments
An automated arrangement for detecting adversaries is provided in which assessments of detected adversaries are reported to a reputation service from security devices, such as unified threat management systems in deployed customer networks. By using actual deployed networks, the number of available sensors can be very large to increase the scope of the adversary detection, while still observing real attacks and threats including those that are targeted to small sets of customers. The reputation service performs a number of correlations and validations on the received assessments to then return a reputation back to the security device in the enterprise network that can be used for blocking adversaries, but only when multiple, distinct sources report the same adversary in their assessments to thus ensure that the reputation is accurate and reliable. |
| US08677474B2 |
Detection of rogue client-agnostic NAT device tunnels
Provided are techniques for the prevention of certain types of attacks on computing systems. The current disclosure, which describes one particular type of attack, is directed to the detection and prevention of an attack rather than the mechanics of the particular described attack. The claimed subject matter both detects and prevents an attack without exposing a network to denial-of-service (DoS) attacks by being too restrictive. |
| US08677473B2 |
Network intrusion protection
Improved techniques are disclosed for use in an intrusion prevention system or the like. For example, a method comprises the following steps performed by a computing element of a network. A packet of a flow is received, the flow comprising a plurality of packets, wherein the plurality of packets represents data in the network. A network intrusion analysis cost-benefit value is determined representing a benefit for analyzing the received packet for intrusions in relation to a cost for analyzing the received packet for intrusions. The method compares the network intrusion analysis cost-benefit value to a network intrusion analysis cost-benefit threshold to determine whether analyzing the received packet for intrusions before forwarding the received packet is warranted. Responsive to a determination that analyzing the received packet for intrusions before forwarding the received packet is not warranted, the received packet is forwarded, an indication is made that subsequent packets of the flow should be forwarded, and a determination is made whether the received packet indicates an intrusion after forwarding the received packet. |
| US08677466B1 |
Verification of digital certificates used for encrypted computer communications
A digital certificate may be extracted from communications between a web browser and a web server computer. The digital certificate may be verified independent of the web browser by comparing the digital certificate against contents of a database containing digital certificates of legitimate websites or by consulting a remotely located security server computer. For example, the digital certificate may be forwarded from a client computer running the web browser to the security server computer. The security server computer may obtain a digital certificate from the web server computer and compare it to the one received from the client computer to detect man-in-the-middle attacks, for example. |
| US08677462B2 |
Efficient and secure renewal of entitlements
A method for granting a grace period entitlement, the method comprising receiving a grace period entitlement message, establishing whether a grace period flag indicates that a grace period may be granted, granting a grace period to an expired entitlement based, at least in part, on the grace period entitlement message, only if the grace period flag is “off”, and setting the grace period flag to indicate that the grace period has been granted. Related methods and apparatus are also described. |
| US08677460B2 |
File transfer system
A file authentication requesting device that stores a computer program for requesting authentication of files in digital systems, the device comprises a confirmation request system that generates a request for a confirmation receipt from a third party authenticator authenticating the attributes of a file; a transferring system that transfers attributes of at least one file to be authenticated to the third party authenticator from the device that requested the confirmation; and a receiving system that receives the confirmation receipt comprising authenticated file attributes, after authentication by the third party authenticator; wherein, at least one file authentication is received from the third party authenticator. Corresponding processing devices, media, systems and methods are also provided. |
| US08677458B2 |
Hierarchical structure of a notification system including rights based on roles
A method for determining access privileges for transmitting mass notifications, is disclosed. The method includes storing information regarding user-level access privileges of a group to transmit a notification. The user group includes a user that inherits the user-level access privileges of the user group. The method also includes storing information regarding administrator-level access privileges of an administrator group, and permitting access to transmit the notification by the user based on the user's access privileges, the at least one notification, and the at least one recipient. The administrator group includes an administrator that inherits the administrator-level access privileges. The administration module is configurable by the administrator based on the administrator's access privileges. A system for determining access privileges for transmitting mass notifications is also provided. |
| US08677455B2 |
Authentication method
To provide an authentication technology acquiring high security with a simple configuration. In an information processing device utilizing a user's input operation for authentication, an input frame is displayed to the user, the user is prompted to input a keyword to within the input frame, a magnitude of the input by the user is judged, and the inputted keyword is judged, results of the judgments are used as authentication information for the authentication. A magnitude of the input may be a size of the input frame and a size of a character, which are designated by the user. |
| US08677452B2 |
System and method for remote management of a plurality of target computers from a common graphical interface
A computer system. In one embodiment, the computer system includes a remote management computer with a user input device and a display device, a plurality of target computers communicatively connected to the remote management computer over a communications link, and a computer-executable remote management application. Each target computer includes a baseboard management controller (BMC) executing a keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) redirection application and storing remote management data. The remote management application causes the remote management computer to perform functions that include receiving user authentication data for a user to remotely access particular target computers, sending a request for remote management data to each of the particular target computers, receiving remote management data from each of the particular target computers in response to the request, and causing the display device to simultaneously display the graphical user console for each one of the particular target computers in a common graphical interface. |
| US08677450B2 |
Systems and methods of controlling network access
A new approach to network security includes manipulating an access point such that an initial communication from an external device is passed to a restricted subset of a computing network including a gatekeeper. The gatekeeper is configured to enforce a security policy against the external device before granting access to a less-restricted subset of the computing network. If requirements of the security policy are satisfied, then the gatekeeper reconfigures the access point such that further communication from the external device may be received by elements of the less-restricted subset. Enforcement of the security policy optionally includes performing a security audit of the external device. |
| US08677444B2 |
Set-top box for receiving radio and television signals
A set-top box for receiving radio and television signals is disclosed in which there is the presence of at least one unit (2) for receiving a signal (S) and at least one unit (3) for sending the received and processed signal (S′) to an image and/or sound broadcasting apparatus (4) such as a television set, radio set, PC, iPOD, and any other existing and/or achievable apparatus; means for processing the signal (S) converts said signal (S)—into the signal (S′) to be sent through a circuit (5) adapted to allow passage towards the broadcasting apparatus' (4) of information, data, promotions or advertising depending on suitable scheduling of said circuit. |
| US08677441B2 |
Scanning algorithm for embedded network devices
A system and method is provided for selective filtering of transmissions based on information received from a tuner. An embedded diplexer in a consumer electronic device allows the device to be used in a variety of different signal environments. For example, a television with an embedded switching filter coupled to the television tuner is operable in environments where television signals are transmitted on frequencies up to 1 GHz and in environments where MoCA signals are transmitted on 1 GHz frequencies. |
| US08677440B2 |
Position determination using ATSC-M/H signals
Apparatus to determine the position of a user terminal, the apparatus having corresponding methods and computer-readable media, comprise: a receiver to receive at the user terminal an American Television Standards Committee Mobile/Handheld (ATSC-M/H) broadcast signal from a ATSC-M/H transmitter; and a pseudorange module to determine a pseudorange between the receiver and the ATSC-M/H transmitter based on the ATSC-M/H) broadcast signal; wherein the position module determines the position of the user terminal based on the pseudorange and a location of the ATSC-M/H transmitter. |
| US08677437B2 |
Systems and methods for calculating the delay between media signals
The embodiments described herein provide a method and system for determining the extent to which a plurality of media signals are out of sync with each other. The method includes: receiving a first input media signal and a second input media signal wherein the first and second input media signals are in sync with each other; extracting at least one first characteristic feature from the first input media signal; extracting at least one second characteristic feature from the second input media signal; receiving a first output media signal and a second output media signal wherein the first output signal corresponds to the first input media signal after being transmitted through a network, and the second output signal corresponds to the second input media signal after being transmitted through the network; extracting the at least one first characteristic feature from the first output media signal; extracting the at least one second characteristic feature from the second output media signal; calculating a first signal delay based on the at least one first characteristic feature extracted from the first input and output media signals; calculating a second signal delay based on the at least one second characteristic feature extracted from the second input and output media signals; and outputting a synchronization signal based on the difference between the first and second delay signals wherein the synchronization signal represents the extent to which the first and second output media signals are out of sync with each other. |
| US08677436B2 |
Stereoscopic video distribution system, stereoscopic video distribution method, stereoscopic video distribution apparatus, stereoscopic video viewing system, stereoscopic video viewing method, and stereoscopic video viewing apparatus
It is the object of the present invention to provide a stereoscopic video distribution system, a stereoscopic video distribution method, a stereoscopic video distribution apparatus, a stereoscopic video viewing system, a stereoscopic video viewing method, and a stereoscopic video viewing apparatus. In the stereoscopic video distribution system according to this invention, stereoscopic video signals provided by a plurality of video distribution source servers for distributing stereoscopic videos are once received by a transcoding server, so that the stereoscopic video signals can be reproduced by a BD player and a TV for stereoscopic viewing. |
| US08677433B2 |
Endurance testing of a content processing device
A content processing device is configured to selectively receive a media signal from a media signal provider. A distribution device is configured to selectively receive a media signal from the content processing device, and to selectively provide one or more command signals to the content processing device. A computer is configured to selectively receive the media signal from the distribution device, and to selectively provide commands to the distribution device. The distribution device is further configured to provide the received one or more commands to the content processing device via the one or more command signals. |
| US08677431B2 |
Technique for providing uninterrupted switched digital video service
A request is received from a subscriber of a video content network offering a switched digital video service. The request is to establish a new switched digital video session within a service group of the video content network. The service group includes both preferred and standard subscribers and has a plurality of existing sessions. It is determined whether adequate bandwidth is available to establish the new switched digital video session without tearing down any of the existing sessions. Responsive to the determination indicating that adequate bandwidth is not available without tearing down any of the existing sessions, at least one of the existing sessions is torn down. In this step, those of the existing sessions corresponding to the preferred subscribers are exempted from teardown. The new switched digital video session is established in accordance with the request. A switched digital video control apparatus, a set-top terminal, and a system are also disclosed. |
| US08677426B2 |
System and method for internet protocol television network status notifications
A method of running a network status module in a set-top box device is disclosed. A loss of a portion of a signal in an Internet Protocol television network is detected. When interference of the signal is cause over a connection between the set-top box device and the residential gateway, a first icon to indicate a first failure in a connection between the set-top box device and a residential gateway on a display device is displayed. When the interference of the signal is over the wide area network of the Internet Protocol television network, a second icon to indicate a second failure in a wide area network of an Internet Protocol television network is displayed. |
| US08677423B2 |
Digital residential entertainment system
A digital residential entertainment system is disclosed recording video data of an event. The apparatuses include a processor communicating with memory. The memory stores video data of the event captured by a camera, and the video data includes a series of picture frames of the event. A loop buffer also stores video data of the event captured by the camera. A rule-based engine stored in the memory uses a set of rules to store the contents of the loop buffer in the memory. The apparatus utilizes the loop buffer to provide video data prior to occurrence of the event. |
| US08677420B2 |
Personal monitoring and information apparatus
The present invention relates to portable video decoder devices that are used by sporting enthusiasts to monitor and access real time information concerning a sporting event. The present invention comprises a receiver which includes a touch screen display, keypad, audio and other media input and output ports which allows the user to monitor the statistics of a live sporting event and further access up to date information related to the event. A transmitter scheme is also disclosed for transmitting a plurality of media feeds related to an event where such media feeds are derived from source media feeds. |
| US08677416B2 |
Method, system and software for display of multiple media channels
A method, system, and software for improved display of multiple media channels are disclosed herein. A system may be used to select, independent of direct user input, a subset of a plurality of media channels based on a user's viewing pattern. The system can include one or more media sources, a media processing system, and a display device, as well as a method for its use. The media processing system receives a plurality of media channels from the one or more media sources. One or more attributes associated with each media channel are compared with a user's viewing pattern determined independent of direct user input by the media processing system. A surf list is generated from the plurality of media channels, where the surf list includes a subset of the plurality of media channels having one or more attributes that are congruent with the user's viewing pattern. A portion, such as a still image, of each media channel in the surf list is output to an output device, such as a display device or storage device. The portions can be displayed simultaneously in a grid on the screen of the display device; the portions can be displayed individually in sequence; or displayed using a combination thereof. |
| US08677412B2 |
Information descriptor and extended information descriptor data structures for digital television signals
A digital television (DTV) data stream includes an event information table (EIT), the EIT including: a descriptor including: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length field, and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream. |
| US08677411B2 |
Information descriptor and extended information descriptor data structures for digital television signals
A digital television (DTV) data stream includes a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT including: a descriptor including: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length field, and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream. |
| US08677409B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for categorizing/rating content uploaded to a network for broadcasting
Methods, systems, and computer program products that automatically categorize and/or assign ratings to content (video and audio content) uploaded by individuals who want to broadcast the content to others via a communications network, such as an IPTV network, are provided. When an individual uploads content to a network, a network service automatically extracts an audio stream from the uploaded content. Words in the extracted audio stream are identified. For each identified word, a preexisting library of selected words is queried to determine if a match exists between words in the library and words in the extracted audio stream. The selected words in the library are associated with a particular content category or content rating. If a match exists between an identified word and a word in the library, the uploaded content is assigned a content category and/or rating associated with the matched word. |
| US08677407B2 |
Image display apparatus and method for controlling the same
There is provided an image display apparatus that receives a broadcast program and displays video images relating to the broadcast program. The image display apparatus comprises, among other things, a communication interface for communicating with a rendering apparatus that is externally connected; an input unit that receives image data for displaying graphic images from the rendering apparatus, the graphic images being different from the video images relating to the broadcast program; and a control unit that gives an instruction to the rendering apparatus, via the communication interface, to generate the image data, and obtains, via the input unit, image data generated by the rendering apparatus according to the instruction. |
| US08677404B2 |
System and method for controlling video inputs to a computer
A system and method are disclosed for configuring video ports on a computer. An operating system is used to generate a visual user interface comprising a plurality of icons representing video input sources coupled to a tuner and a plurality of icons representing tuner output channels. A user provides input data to associate individual video input sources with individual tuner output channels, thereby generating a set of predetermined video source-channel associations. Appropriate control signals are then used to process video data in accordance with said predetermined video source-channel associations. |
| US08677400B2 |
Systems and methods for identifying audio content using an interactive media guidance application
Systems and methods for identifying audio using a media guidance application where a video program that includes one or more audio assets is received by user equipment. The user initiates a request to identify an audio asset playing within the video program and the audio asset is identified by processing data associated with the audio asset and data within a database of audio asset information associated with a plurality of known audio assets. The audio asset information associated with the identified audio asset is then provided to a user interface for display. |
| US08677397B2 |
Systems and methods for media packaging
The invention relates to a method for packaging media and data for transmission over a broadband communications network link for display at a terminal destination. Features of the method included creating desired media segments for transmission to the terminal destination and for creating targeting information, for example in whole or in part in the form of metadata, for transmission to the terminal destination. Other features include packaging the created media segments and the created targeting information in a single package and unpacking the single package for display of the targeted media at the terminal destination. In another aspect, the invention can provide a method for unpacking media and data for display at a terminal destination implementing, at the terminal destination, receiving a single package containing media segments and instructions regarding handling of the media segments, quickly unpacking the media segments and the instructions from the single package and, based on the unpacked instructions, assembling one or more of the media segments for display at the terminal destination. |
| US08677393B2 |
Methods and apparatus to verify consumption of programming content
Methods and apparatus to verify consumption of content are described herein. In an example method, a content library is generated within a data structure. The content library includes at least one content identifier associated with programming content. The programming content is insertable into content stream. A content stream including content for broadcasting on a broadcast device is received. To verify consumption of the programming content, a broadcast content identifier associated with the content for broadcasting is compared to the at least one content identifier of the content library. |
| US08677387B2 |
Adjusting a content rendering system based on user occupancy
User occupancy is monitored within a space in which a video display of a content rendering system is viewable. The user occupancy can be monitored based on physical user attributes. At least one of audio rendering and video rendering by the content rendering system is adjusted based on the monitored user occupancy. |
| US08677377B2 |
Method and apparatus for building an intelligent automated assistant
A method and apparatus are provided for building an intelligent automated assistant. Embodiments of the present invention rely on the concept of “active ontologies” (e.g., execution environments constructed in an ontology-like manner) to build and run applications for use by intelligent automated assistants. In one specific embodiment, a method for building an automated assistant includes interfacing a service-oriented architecture that includes a plurality of remote services to an active ontology, where the active ontology includes at least one active processing element that models a domain. At least one of the remote services is then registered for use in the domain. |
| US08677376B2 |
Expressing equivalency relationships with identity graphs across multiple environments to create change list to be traversed to conform the environments
A synchronization system is described herein that synchronizes two environments by correctly matching identity objects in a source environment with related objects in a target environment. In addition to matching identities based on primitive attributes, the system matches identities across multiple heterogeneous environments based on their relative positions in an identity graph. The system builds the identity graph by first matching some identity objects based on primitive attribute value comparisons. The system fills in the remainder of the identity graph by comparing references to/from the matched identity objects. The combination of attribute value comparisons and comparing references enables identity-aware applications to complete a single identity graph, determine the equivalency of identities in this graph, and apply policy based on this new relationship. |
| US08677370B2 |
Generating resource consumption control limits
A resource consumption control method and system. The method includes deploying by a computing system, a portlet/servlet. The computing system receives monitor data associated with a first resource consumed by the first portlet/servlet during the deploying. The monitor data comprises a maximum resource consumption rate value for the portlet/servlet and a mean resource consumption rate value for the portlet/servlet. The computing system generates a resource consumption rate limit value for the first portlet/servlet based on the monitor data. The computing system generates action data comprising an action to be executed if the resource consumption rate limit value is exceeded by a consumption rate value for the portlet/servlet. The computing system transmits the resource consumption rate limit value and the action data to the portlet/servlet. The resource consumption rate limit value and the action data are stored with the portlet/servlet. |
| US08677366B2 |
Systems and methods for processing hierarchical data in a map-reduce framework
Methods and arrangements for processing hierarchical data in a map-reduce framework. Hierarchical data is accepted, and a map-reduce job is performed on the hierarchical data. This performing of a map-reduce job includes determining a cost of partitioning the data, determining a cost of redefining the job and thereupon selectively performing at least one step taken from the group consisting of: partitioning the data and redefining the job. |
| US08677359B1 |
Compute-centric object stores and methods of use
Systems and methods for providing a compute-centric object store. An exemplary method may include receiving a request to perform a compute operation on at least a portion of an object store from a first user, the request identifying parameters of the compute operation, assigning virtual operating system containers to the objects of the object store from a pool of virtual operating system containers. The virtual operating system containers may perform the compute operation on the objects according to the identified parameters of the request. The method may also include clearing the virtual operating system containers and returning the virtual operating system containers to the pool. |
| US08677355B2 |
Virtual machine branching and parallel execution
A state branching system is described herein that allows parallel execution of complex state transitions while leveraging time invested to setup a starting state. By allowing branching at the virtual machine level, the state branching system allows setup of a particular condition or state in a virtual machine, then copying and branching to parallel instances of the virtual machine to explore different possible subsequent states. Upon detecting a large state change with unknown outcome, the state branching system instructs the hypervisor to copy the executing virtual machine into one or more separate virtual machines. The system then allows divergent branching between the two or more virtual machines to explore different states from a similar starting point. Once the executions have reached the next state, the system coordinates to determine which copies will continue execution. Thus, the state branching system allows faster exploration of complex state changes. |
| US08677351B2 |
System and method for delivering software update to guest software on virtual machines through a backdoor software communication pipe thereof
One embodiment entails delivering a software payload to guest software in a virtual machine so that the software payload is part of a file system accessible by the guest software, wherein delivery avoids a data path involving a network stack of the virtual machine. |
| US08677350B2 |
System and method for managing an application or software component for use in a device to be controlled in a home network
The present invention relates to a system and method for managing an application wherein a function of a controlled device can be dynamically extended by continually updating the application for use in the controlled device. According to the present invention, a framework capable of providing integrated support to a variety of home network middleware is loaded on an application server corresponding to a control device, and Internet access services and middleware services for accessing various kinds of devices are bundled into the framework. Thus, application installation and management can be performed within a home network environment regardless of the hardware, network protocol and operating system used. |
| US08677344B2 |
Software upgrade using single source channel
An automatic data downloader (ADD) causes a source device communicating with the ADD to download available software for destination devices using a single predetermined update channel. The software is received by the ADD from the source device and stored. Upon connecting to destination device that is compatible with downloaded software, the ADD sends the software to the destination device. |
| US08677340B2 |
Planning and optimizing IT transformations
A computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product for planning and optimizing information technology (IT) infrastructure transformations is presented. A predictive effort estimation model for transforming an existing IT infrastructure into a transformed IT infrastructure is initially created. The introduction of a new application into the existing IT infrastructure through a use of a decision tree as a transformation path determination is emulated to create a transformation path emulation. The use of a software factory is emulated for introducing the new application into the existing IT infrastructure to create a software factory use emulation for creating the transformed IT infrastructure. The predictive effort estimation model is accurized using results from the transformation path emulation and the software factory use emulation to create an accurized transformed IT infrastructure model. A physical transformed IT infrastructure is then deployed using the accurized transformed IT infrastructure model. |
| US08677337B2 |
Static profitability control for speculative automatic parallelization
A compilation method and mechanism for parallelizing program code. A method for compilation includes analyzing source code and identifying candidate code for parallelization. Having identified one or more suitable candidates, the profitability of parallelizing the candidate code is determined. If the profitability determination meets a predetermined criteria, then the candidate code may be parallelized. If, however, the profitability determination does not meet the predetermined criteria, then the candidate code may not be parallelized. Candidate code may comprises a loop, and determining profitability of parallelization may include computing a probability of transaction failure for the loop. Additionally, a determination of an execution time of a parallelized version of the loop is made. If the determined execution time is less than an execution time of a non-parallelized version of said loop by at least a given amount, then the loop may be parallelized. If the determined execution time is not less than an execution time of a non-parallelized version of said loop by at least a given amount, then the loop may not be parallelized. |
| US08677332B1 |
Executing multiple child code blocks via a single compiled parent code block
Systems and methods for compiling one or more code blocks written in programming language are provided. In some aspects, display associated with application is provided. Display includes plurality of graphical objects. That each of plurality of graphical objects is associated with child code block in one-to-one association between graphical objects and child code blocks is determined. Each child code block is written in programming language. The child code blocks associated with plurality of graphical objects are transformed into single parent code block. Parent code block, upon compiling, is configured to be reused across execution contexts and to allow injection of global scope. Parent code block, upon specific execution, includes execution context for specified child code block. Parent code block is configured to receive indication of specified child code block for initiating execution of parent code block. Parent code block is compiled. |
| US08677331B2 |
Lock-clustering compilation for software transactional memory
A lock-clustering compiler is configured to compile program code for a software transactional memory system. The compiler determines that a group of data structures are accessed together within one or more atomic memory transactions defined in the program code. In response to determining that the group is accessed together, the compiler creates an executable version of the program code that includes clustering code, which is executable to associate the data structures of the group with the same software transactional memory lock. The lock is usable by the software transactional memory system to coordinate concurrent transactional access to the group of data structures by multiple concurrent threads. |
| US08677327B2 |
Service testing method and service testing system
The present invention provides a service testing method and system using a surrogate. The service testing method comprises steps of: generating, according to service description of a service to be simulated, a service-specific surrogate for said service to be simulated; deploying the generated service-specific surrogate onto a runtime system; specifying a test case by referring to the generated service-specific surrogate, wherein said test case comprises test configuration; and setting, according to the test configuration, a configuration option of the deployed surrogate on the runtime system. In the service testing method and system according to the present invention, parameters of the surrogate are dynamically configured without necessity of rewriting and deployment, thereby reducing the burden of designing and generating Mock objects. |
| US08677326B2 |
Detecting applications in a virtualization environment
A method for allowing license tools to detect the installation of applications that are not physically installed on a machine when an Application Virtualization Environments is used. In one embodiment of the invention, the license tools may further detect application usage. In one embodiment of the invention, a virtual installation signature may be defined. Agents in a target computer may be used to compare the virtual installation signature of an application with a localized list of potential applications to detect whether the software is installed on the target computer. |
| US08677318B2 |
Management of composite software services
A computer implemented method, data processing system, computer usable program code, and active repository are provided for management of a software service. A request is received to deploy the software service in a computer network. A dependency analysis is performed for the requested software service to determine component software services and physical resources necessary to deploy and manage new software service as a composite in responsive to the software service being the new software service. An active object is created to manage the new software service using an active template based on the analysis. The new software service is deployed in the computer network using the active object. The new software service is managed using the active object. |
| US08677317B2 |
Simplified deployment modeling
A deployment modeling platform enables a user to model application characteristics of target software and to associate application modeling parameters to the modeled application characteristics. A user may also model environment characteristics of a target deployment environment and to associate environment modeling parameters to the modeled deployment environment characteristics. Still further, a user may create a deployment model that associates and maps selected parameters of the modeled application characteristics of the target software to associated parameters of the modeled environment characteristics of the deployment environment, and to verify that each parameter that relates to a requirement is mapped to and is fulfilled by an associated parameter that relates to a corresponding capability to determine whether validation problems exist in order to deploy the target software in the associated deployment environment. |
| US08677313B2 |
Functional design creation tool
A functional design creation tool generates a functional design diagram for visual presentation on a display. The functional design creation tool extracts content from a processed requirements specification including one or more processed requirement statements. The functional design creation tool applies one or more glossaries and a set of heuristic rules to the extracted content. Functional design diagram components may be generated by the functional design creation tool based on the application of the glossaries and set of heuristic rules. The functional design tool may generate a functional design diagram based on the functional design diagram components. The functional design diagram may be transmitted to a display. |
| US08677307B1 |
Method and system for implementing die size adjustment and visualization
Disclosed are improved methods, systems, and computer program products for visualizing and estimating IC die arrangement for an electronic design, and for performing chip planning and estimation based upon the estimated and visualized IC die arrangements. According to some approaches, an interface is provided for visualizing different die arrangement options for an electronic design, in which a filmstrip view is provided to display smaller images of different die arrangement options, and a central viewing area is provided to view a larger image of a selected candidate die arrangement. The different images, whether smaller or larger images, are maintained with design object information and not just static images. This allows for selection and highlighting of individual objects within the die arrangement images, as well as corresponding highlighting of that same object in other images. |
| US08677305B2 |
Designing a robust power efficient clock distribution network
An electronic automation design tool with a sink locator unit creates clusters of loads from a plurality of loads within a sector of a clock network design based on balancing magnitudes of the loads among the clusters of loads and based on minimal delays of each of the clusters and respective ones of a plurality of sink locations in the sector of the clock network design. The tool determines centers of the clusters of loads, and sink locations corresponding to the centers of the clusters for connecting output terminal points of sector buffers are determined. Each of the sector buffers drive a clock signal to a corresponding one of the clusters of loads. |
| US08677303B2 |
Electromigration compensation system
An integrated circuit is described. The integrated circuit, comprising: a central processor; a memory; and an electromigration compensation system associated with a plurality of leads within the integrated circuit, wherein the electromigration compensation system causes the plurality of leads to have interlocking, horizontally tapered ends that substantially reduces electromigration divergence and consequently lead resistance and circuit shorting. |
| US08677301B2 |
Method and system for model-based design and layout of an integrated circuit
A approach is described for allowing electronic design, verification, and optimization tools to implement very efficient approaches to allow the tools to directly address the effects of manufacturing processes, e.g., to identify and prevent problems caused by lithography processing. Fast models and pattern checking are employed to integrate lithography and manufacturing aware processes within EDA tools such as routers. |
| US08677293B2 |
Feasibility of IC edits
One embodiment relates to a computer method of evaluating proposed edits to a target layer of an integrated circuit. In the method, a number of editable regions is determined for metal layers overlying the target layer, where an editable region for a metal layer is laterally arranged between segments of the metal layer. The method identifies a number of possible vertical milling paths that extend from an exterior surface of the integrated surface to the target layer. Each possible vertical milling path passes through at least one editable region. The method generates a number of possible edit plans that are based on both the proposed edits and the number of possible vertical milling paths, where each edit plan places edits in a different combination of possible vertical milling paths. |
| US08677289B1 |
Method of generating assistant feature
A method of generating an assistant feature is provided. A plurality of main features is provided. A first main feature is selected from the main features. A plurality of rule-based features is disposed around the first main feature. A model-based feature is generated around the first main feature. An overlap Boolean feature is extracted from the rule-based features, wherein the overlap Boolean feature overlaps with the model-based feature in an overlap ratio up to a target value. The overlap Boolean feature serves as an assistant feature, and the assistant feature and the first main feature constitute a transfer feature. |
| US08677287B2 |
Display input device and navigation device
A display input device is comprised of a touch panel 1 for carrying out a display of information and an input of information, a vibration detection sensor (proximity sensors 12 or an acceleration sensor 23) for detecting a vibration of an object to be detected which is positioned opposite to the touch panel 1, and a control unit 3 for, when it is determined that a relative vibration between the touch panel and the object to be detected, which is detected by the vibration detection sensor, has an amount equal to or larger than a predetermined amount, carrying out a process of enlarging an image in a display area having a fixed range, which is displayed on the touch panel 1, to display the enlarged image. |
| US08677286B2 |
Dynamic sizing user interface method and system for data display
Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and devices for displaying information in a handheld device, comprising displaying information in a dynamically sizable cell in the display of the handheld device, wherein the cell comprises a portion of the display and the size of the cell is adjusted in response to the amount of information it contains. Embodiments of the present invention are enabled to display the information in plurality of dynamically sizable cells which display different categories of information. Embodiments are also enabled to adjust cell size in response to the size of other cells in the display. |
| US08677282B2 |
Multi-finger touch adaptations for medical imaging systems
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for presenting image slices in a windowing environment based on multi-touch user input, the image slices generated by an imaging system. A series of image slices may be provided that represent a view of an object. A gesture may be defined based on at least a count of fingers represented in multi-touch user input. Further, the defined gesture may be associated with a corresponding action for manipulating an image slice. Multi-touch user input may be received. Upon determining that the received multi-touch user input includes the defined gesture, the corresponding action may be performed on an image slice of the series to generate a resultant image slice. The resultant image slice may be output via an output device. |
| US08677281B2 |
System, apparatus and method for emotional experience time sampling via a mobile graphical user interface
A system, apparatus and method for experience time sampling via a mobile graphical user interface. A method includes receiving mood data from an individual in predefined time intervals via a mood mapping graphical user interface hosted by a mobile device. The mood mapping graphical user interface is comprised of a 2×2 diagram having a valence dimension and an intensity dimension. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08677280B2 |
Sprocket shaped user interface for navigating a dynamic collection of information
The sprocket shaped menu accepts selections of information from the menu, where selecting an item in the menu causes other parts of the look of the menu to change. In one embodiment, this can cause a break in the menu which shows a preview. In another embodiment, touching an item on the menu can cause an automatic update of the other items unless those other items have been automatically updated within a predetermined time before, such as within 15 minutes. |
| US08677279B2 |
Visual hierarchy explorer
A method and a system are described that involve generating a graphical tree hierarchy of a data structure and its accompanying metadata. In one embodiment, the method includes building a graphical tree hierarchy with a plurality of levels, wherein the graphical tree hierarchy includes at least a root node, a plurality of non-leaf nodes, and a plurality of leaf nodes. Further, the method includes aggregating at least a portion of the plurality of non-leaf nodes at a level of the graphical tree hierarchy, if a subset of the plurality of non-leaf nodes residing at the level exceeds a maximum number of nodes per the level. The method also includes scaling down the plurality of leaf nodes, if the plurality of levels of the graphical tree hierarchy exceeds a maximum number of levels. |
| US08677278B2 |
Package data format
A method, apparatus, and data structure provide the ability to author and maintain assets in a computer system. Assets belonging to disconnected applicative fields are defined and represented in a hierarchical structure. The structure includes data (i.e., physical resources), nodes that act as a container for the data and other nodes, and constructs that establish a template that defines a contextual structural view for the data and nodes. The constructs are bound to the data and nodes and access is provided to the assets to a user using a computer and display. |
| US08677270B2 |
Live companion user interface
An apparatus and method provide a companion application via a companion application corresponding to a host window provided by a host application, the companion window providing information or metadata descriptive of data in the host window. The host application and companion applications may be separate applications such that the host application is unaware of the companion application. The companion application may hook into the host application (e.g., via an application programming interface) and may monitor host application activities and/or data. Based on identification of data or events in the host application, the companion application may obtain information characterizing or providing a context for data provided by the host application. The host window and companion window may be attached to each other, the host window providing host application data and the companion window providing data describing the host application data. |
| US08677268B2 |
Device, method, and graphical user interface for resizing objects
A method for resizing a currently selected user interface object includes simultaneously displaying on a touch-sensitive display the currently selected user interface object having a center, and a plurality of resizing handles for the currently selected user interface object. The method also includes detecting a first contact on a first resizing handle in the plurality of resizing handles, and detecting movement of the first contact across the touch-sensitive display. The method further includes, in response to detecting movement of the first contact, when a second contact is detected on the touch-sensitive display while detecting movement of the first contact, resizing the currently selected user interface object about the center of the currently selected user interface object. |
| US08677266B2 |
Method for moving a Chinese input candidate word box and mobile terminal
The disclosure provides a method for moving a Chinese input candidate word box and a mobile terminal, wherein the method includes: creating a candidate word box and drawing the candidate word box in a position within the range of a screen; analyzing and calculating a moving distance after generating an input signal, through directly dragging the candidate word box by a user or through operating a direction key or a direction soft key by the user to move the candidate word box; and destroying the candidate word box in situ when the moving distance is not beyond the range of the screen, and redrawing a candidate word box in a new position which the candidate word box is moved to. The method and the mobile terminal of the disclosure enable the user to freely move the position of the candidate word box within the range of the screen according to the user's requirement when the user inputs Chinese, so that the user can acquire the view in the range of the whole screen, thereby improving utilization rate of the range of the screen. |
| US08677260B1 |
Abstraction-aware distributed window configurations in complex graphical user interfaces
A user interface to an application processing complex data of multiple data view abstractions allows selection, placement, size and other configurable characteristics of interface components to be controlled by a user and then associated with the data abstraction and processing task. Multiple configurations may be created to simplify the interface to include only necessary controls given an abstraction level of the data view and the task on that data. The configurations may be stored using symbolic references and subsequently loaded on demand into the interface. Mechanisms may be applied to ensure that similarly referenced configurations in storage are resolved and only the desired configuration is applied. |
| US08677256B2 |
Graphic-based electronic signature management system and method
A computer-implemented system for managing an electronic signature is provided. A data collector receives one or more contact information items. A signature builder builds a graphic-based electronic signature based on at least one of the contact information items. The graphic-based electronic signature includes a set of icons. Individual icons in the set of icons are respectively associated with at least one of the contact information items. Individual icons in the set of icons are configured to initiate a communication application when one of the icons is selected in order to communication via the communication application using the contact information item associated with the selected icon. |
| US08677253B2 |
Replicating recorded actions across computer systems in a collaborative environment
A first computer system in a collaborative environment receives a plurality of indications of actions executed on content of a second computer system in the collaborative environment. A mapping between the content of the second computer system and corresponding content of the first computer system is determined. A subset of the plurality of indications of the actions executed on the content of the second computer system that are to be executed on the corresponding content of the first computer system is identified. A preview of executing the subset of the plurality of indications of the actions is presented on the first computer system. The subset of the plurality of indications of the actions is executed on the corresponding content of the first computer system. |
| US08677252B2 |
Systems and methods for displaying to a presenter visual feedback corresponding to visual changes received by viewers
Methods for providing to the presenter visual feedback regarding the screen data received by one or more viewers in an online presentation environment having a presenter transmitting screen data to one or more viewers over a network may include: transmitting data representing changed visual data; receiving confirmation of receipt of the changed visual data from one or more viewers; generating a representation of the visual data received by one or more viewers responsive to the received confirmation data; and displaying the generated representation at the presenter. Corresponding systems may include: a transmitter which transmits data representing changed visual data; a receiver which receives confirmation of receipt of the changed visual data from one or more viewers; and a display generator which generates a representation of the visual data received by one or more viewers responsive to the received confirmation data, and which displays the generated representation at the presenter. |
| US08677250B2 |
System and method for switching between an instant messaging conversation and a game in progress
A system and method are provided for enabling a game to be played on an electronic device, comprising: enabling a game application on the electronic device to utilize a contact list for an instant messaging application, during a game in progress with a particular contact in the contact list, preparing game messages to be sent to the particular contact by including game progress data, communicating at least one game message during the game in progress with the particular contact using an instant messaging system used by the instant messaging application; displaying at least one instant message in an instant messaging conversation user interface; and displaying a game in progress user interface associated with the game play, after detecting a selection in the instant messaging conversation user interface to switch to the game in progress. |
| US08677246B2 |
User interface control apparatus, user interface control method, program, storage medium storing program, and integrated circuit
A user interface (UI) control apparatus connected to a remote appliance via a communication path. The UI control apparatus is capable of providing a suitable UI for a user which may be stored on the UI control apparatus or the remote appliance without the need of a data management server. The UI control apparatus including: a UI list obtaining unit configured to add information on a UI program stored in a remote appliance to a UI list which is information listing at least one UI program stored in the UI control apparatus, the remote appliance being connected to the UI control apparatus via a communication path; and a UI obtaining unit configured to (i) search the remote appliance and (ii) obtain, from the remote appliance, a UI program selected by a user from the UI list with the information on the UI program added to the UI list. |
| US08677244B2 |
Exclusive operation control apparatus and method
Provided is an exclusive operation control apparatus which, when input operations of a plurality of users compete with each other, displays a content on which the plurality of input operations are reflected, instead of performing only one of the input operations. An operation determination section receives input information from the plurality of users, and determines an operation. An exclusive operation determination section determines an exclusive operation concerning a new operation by using the new operation and a previous operation. The content copying section copies the content based on a result of the determination. The content management section receives the new operation from the operation determination section and, when the new operation is an operation on the copied content, generates and displays on a display device display data which is obtained by reflecting the new operation on the copied content. |
| US08677241B2 |
Method and system for multimedia messaging service (MMS) to video adaptation
A method and system are disclosed for adapting the media contained in a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, which may include a presentation, into a single media format such as an audio/video file or stream by creating a logical timeline from information found in the presentation, creating an adaptation pipeline from the logical timeline, and executing the adaptation pipeline. |
| US08677238B2 |
Navigation of electronic device menu without requiring visual contact
Methods, systems, and computer programs for controlling a device without requiring visual contact are presented. One method includes an operation for identifying available options for a user according to a state of a program executing on a device, where the available options correspond to possible menu items. Further, the method provides an audible output of the available options and the detection of a touch-based input, where the input is received at the device without providing an identifiable visual cue to the user. Further yet, the method includes operations for determining the selected option from the available options based on the timing of the input relative to the audible output, and for performing the selected option by the computer program. In another method, the options are presented to the user via different vibration patterns or via vibrations of a second device connected to the device. |
| US08677237B2 |
Integrated pinyin and stroke input
Integrated pinyin and stroke input may be provided. First, a first input may be received. Next, in response to the first input, an input mode may be determined. The input mode may comprise a pinyin input mode, a stroke order input mode, or a stroke number input mode. Once the input mode is determined, data may be received based on the determined input mode. Then the received data may be converted based upon the determined input mode. |
| US08677234B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating a web site using a multi-dimensional description of the website
A technique for generating a web site in accordance with received data entry by: determining at least one characteristic of at least one web site dimension of the web site based on the data entry; generating a multi-dimensional description of the web site based on the determined characteristics; retrieving web site data according to the generated multi-dimensional description of the web site; and generating the web site based upon the generated multi-dimensional description of the web site and the retrieved web site data. |
| US08677233B2 |
Shared document system that manages images including approval information
An information processing apparatus includes: an image management unit configured to manage a plurality of images; a priority information management unit configured to manage, associated with each image, priority information indicating a priority that has been instructed by a supplier of the image; an approval information management unit configured to manage, associated with each image, approval information indicating whether or not to approve sharing of the image instructed by a viewer of the image; and a selection unit configured to select images from among the plurality of images based on the priority information and the approval information. |
| US08677230B2 |
Network-based data consolidation, calculation and reporting engine
Methods and computerized apparatus for shared business modeling involving multiple spreadsheet-based business models in a network of computers, report generation involving consolidation from at least two different spreadsheet-based business models as well as report generation involving multiple different spreadsheet-based business models are described. |
| US08677227B2 |
Method and system for decoding
Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) codes offer error correction at rates approaching the link channel capacity and reliable and efficient information transfer over bandwidth or return-channel constrained links with data-corrupting noise present. They also offer performance approaching channel capacity exponentially fast in terms of the code length, linear processing complexity, and parallelism that scales with code length. They also offer challenges relating to decoding complexity and error floors limiting achievable bit-error rates. Accordingly encoders with reduced complexity, reduced power consumption and improved performance are disclosed with various improvements including simplifying communications linking multiple processing nodes by passing messages where pulse widths are modulated with the corresponding message magnitude, delaying a check operation in dependence upon variable node states, running the decoder multiple times with different random number generator seeds for a constant channel value set, and employing a second decoder with a randomizing component when the attempt with the first decoder fails. |
| US08677225B1 |
Low-density parity-check decoder
This disclosure describes a low-density parity-check (LDPC) decoder that is configured to decode a codeword using an iterative process. The decoder includes a memory to store the codeword and a first syndrome memory configured to store a syndrome result determined in a previous iteration. The decoder further includes circuitry to flip bits of the codeword based on the syndrome result and one or more parity-check equations, and a second syndrome memory configured to update a current syndrome result during a current iteration based on the bits of the codeword that are flipped by the circuitry. |
| US08677224B2 |
Convolutional code for use in a communication system
In a communication system, a transmitter receives an input bit, and in response thereto, generates at least an n-bit codeword, each bit of which is generated by a respective one of n generators of which m are exactly the same, m being greater than n/2. A receiver comprises: m detectors, each adapted to receive the bit generated by a respective one of the m generators, and provide a respective one of m partial detection signals if a strength of the received bit exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold; and a majority logic element adapted to receive each of the m partial detection signals, and provide an output bit indicative of the input bit only if more than m/2 of the received m partial detection signals exceeds the minimum threshold. |
| US08677218B2 |
LDPC decoding with on the fly error recovery
It is decided whether to adjust data associated with a decoder. In the event it is decided to adjust the data associated with the decoder, the data is adjusted to obtain adjusted data and decoding is performed using the decoder and the adjusted data. In the event it is decided to not adjust the data associated with the decoder, decoding is performed using the decoder and the data associated with the decoder. |
| US08677216B2 |
Stacked semiconductor memory device and related error-correction method
A stacked semiconductor memory device includes an error correction code (ECC) controller that controls the number of bits in an ECC word and corrects errors in memory cell array layers using the ECC word. |
| US08677211B2 |
Data bus inversion using spare error correction bits
In a memory system, a spare error correction bit is produced by processing data to be stored in sufficiently large chunks that the number of error correction bits required to protect each chunk are fewer than the available error correction signal lines on a memory bus and storage device. The spare bit is then used for an inversion bit in a parallel data bus inversion scheme, wherein data is selectively inverted to minimize bus switching. The transmission of data and error correction bits are spread over multiple phases, wherein parallel data bus inversion is applied to each phase. Alternatively, the transmission of data and error correction bits may be transmitted and stored in a single transaction. In either case, the spare bit is transmitted on a conventional memory bus and stored in a conventional memory module along with data and error correction bits. |
| US08677207B2 |
Method for transmitting and receiving signalling information
A method for protecting signalling information in a frame to be transmitted to a receiver in a communication system, comprising: encoding frame signalling information of the frame to protect the frame signalling information; and encoding Forward Error Correction FEC block signalling information of FEC blocks in the frame by using Reed-Muller codes to protect the FEC block signaling information. |
| US08677202B1 |
Generating a moving average
Devices, systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with generating a moving average are described. In one embodiment, a method calculates, using at least an accumulator, an average value of M sequential data values is calculated, where M is an integer. The M sequential data values are delayed before passing a delay output. The method detects a data value with an error in the M sequential data values that are delayed and controls the accumulator to correct the average value of the M sequential data values as a function of the error. |
| US08677197B2 |
Test apparatus
A test apparatus including a first buffer section and a second buffer section that each buffers fail data and address data; an address fail memory section that writes the fail data buffered in the first buffer section to an address of an internal memory indicated by the address data corresponding to the fail data, using an RMW process; and a control section that, in a state in which the fail data and address data output from the testing section are supplied to the first buffer section, when unused capacity of the first buffer section becomes less than or equal to a predetermined first threshold value, supplies the fail data and address data output from the testing section to the second buffer section instead of to the first buffer section. |
| US08677192B2 |
Information correction support system and method
An information correction support system includes a first information providing unit to provide first information that is input by a first user to a second user, a first information accepting unit to accept an error entry position in the first information and second information that is correct information for the input error entry that are input by the second user, an error entry position providing unit to provide the accepted error entry position to the first user without providing the accepted second information, a second information accepting unit to accept third information that is correction information for the error entry input by the first user, a correctness determination unit to determine whether the accepted third information is correctly input information based on the accepted second information, and a warning unit to warn the first user according to a determination by the correctness determination unit. |
| US08677189B2 |
Recovering from stack corruption faults in embedded software systems
A method and system for recovering from stack-overflow or stack-underflow faults without restarting software or hardware. At every task switch operation in an application program, a portion of the memory stack is copied to a backup location, so that portion of the stack can be restored if it is subsequently corrupted by a stack-overflow or stack-underflow fault during the execution of the next task. State variable data is similarly copied to a backup location, so that it can be used to restore or estimate the output of the next task if that task experiences a fault. Techniques are disclosed for selecting which state variable data and which portion of the memory stack to copy to backup, and for detecting a stack-overflow or stack-underflow fault and restoring state variable and memory data in the event of such a fault. |
| US08677187B2 |
Performing network core dump without drivers
Core dump is performed over a network without relying on network device drivers. Instead of network device drivers, firmware of network devices that is typically used during boot is preserved in memory post-boot, and one or more application program interfaces of the firmware are invoked to perform the network core dump. For ease of implementation, a network bootstrap program that has standard application program interfaces for calling into the firmware of network devices may be invoked when performing core dump over the network. |
| US08677184B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for gathering device information to enable identification of potential risks in a network environment
According to one embodiment, a system for creating a list of related defects in a network environment includes a processor, and a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith. The computer readable program code includes computer readable program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to acquire a device list related to devices in multiple paths of a network, computer readable program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to query one or more information sources using the device list to retrieve defect data from the one or more information, sources, computer readable program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to create a list of related defects based on the retrieved defect data, and computer readable program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to output the list of related defects. |
| US08677181B2 |
Storage apparatus and method of detecting power failure in storage apparatus
A storage apparatus includes a drive unit device including multiple storage drives, a drive interface unit and a power supply unit, a storage controller including multiple processing units and a drive control interface unit, a recording part recording whether a relevant data input/output process was successful for each of multiple data paths, and a failure detection unit performing a process which, when one processing unit determines the data input/output process not being performed successfully, determines whether a result of the data input/output process performed by other processing units is recorded in the recording part within a predetermined period of time after an abnormality of the relevant data input/output process is recorded, and, when the first processing unit detecting the abnormality determines that the data input/output process abnormality is recorded, provides an instruction to stop the data input/output processes to the drive unit device in which the abnormality is detected. |
| US08677179B2 |
Information processing apparatus for performing error process when controllers in synchronization operation detect error simultaneously
An information processing apparatus includes a degeneration control unit and a re-synchronization processing instructing unit. The degeneration control unit degenerates, of a first controller group including a first controller and a second controller group including a second controller, the second control device group when the first and second controller performing a synchronization operation with each other detect occurrence of errors. The re-synchronization processing instructing unit instructs a controller included in the first controller group to execute re-synchronization processing. When another controller different from the first controller receives the instruction for the execution of the re-synchronization processing, the another controller performs interrupt mask setting. When the first controller receives the instruction for the execution of the re-synchronization processing, the first controller withholds the execution of the re-synchronization processing, starts error processing, and instructs the controller that performs the interrupt mask setting to release the interrupt mask. |
| US08677177B2 |
Apparatus, a recovery method and a program thereof
An apparatus and method for automatically recovering a hardware when the hardware is not accessible from the processing unit. The hardware is recovered via a path different from a path which the processing unit uses when the processing unit fails to access to the hardware via the path initially used. |
| US08677176B2 |
Cable redundancy and failover for multi-lane PCI express IO interconnections
Method and apparatus for providing failover operation for a connection between a first PCIE bridge and a first input/output (IO) device are provided. A first set of bussed bits is exchanged between the first PCIE bridge and the first IO device over a first link using a first set of lanes of the first PCIE bridge. In response to detecting a failure in the first link, at a PCIE bridge end, the first set of lanes is swapped with a second set of lanes of the first PCIE bridge for exchanging a second set of bussed bits between the first PCIE bridge and the first IO device over a second link using the second set of lanes, the second link connecting a second PCIE bridge with a second IO device. In response to detecting the failure in the first link, at an IO device end, the first set of lanes is switched with the second set of lanes for exchanging the second set of bussed bits between the first PCIE bridge and the first IO device over the second link using the second set of lanes. |
| US08677169B2 |
Session redundancy using a replay model
A mechanism for synchronizing states of components in a first routing engine to corresponding components in a second routing engine is provided. In order to reduce the amount of data required to synchronize the state of the components and the time and resources required to perform the synchronization, the state-related information transmitted from the first routing engine to the second routing engine is limited to information used to build states of a subset of the components associated with the first routing engine. That subset of components is limited to those components that receive stimuli (e.g., data streams or data packets) from sources external to the routing engine. Other components on the second routing engine synchronize state by receiving information from those components on the second routing engine that received the external stimuli information. |
| US08677168B2 |
Allocating power in devices by reserving a static power allocation to be used by one or more predetermined subsystems and reserving a dynamic power allocation to be used when the static power allocation is insufficient
Management of power resources of an electronic device are disclosed. The electronic device has multiple subsystems in communication with a power supply, and an interface in communication with the subsystems. A directive is received with the interface to perform a function with the electronic device. A subset of the subsystems needed to perform the function are identified. For each identified subsystem and in response to receipt of the directive, a predicted power-resource quantity needed to perform the function is determined. A determination is made whether sufficient unallocated resources of the power supply are available to accommodate the predicted power-resource quantity for each identified subsystem. Respective portions of the available and unallocated resources of the power supply are accordingly allocated for use by respective identified subsystems in accordance with the determined power-resource quantities, with such allocation rendering the respective portions unavailable for use other than by the respective subsystems. |
| US08677167B2 |
Storage apparatus and power control method
To enable power saving control by putting storage areas of the same attribute together in a specific RAID group in a storage apparatus that includes storage areas of different access patterns.The storage apparatus manages attributes of the RAID groups, which form a pool area, and attributes of the respective storage areas, based on an access log for each of the storage areas allocated to virtual volumes. The apparatus enables a power saving operation for each RAID group by putting the storage areas of each attribute together in a specific RAID group. |
| US08677166B2 |
Semiconductor devices and systems-on-chip having the same
A semiconductor device includes a power gating unit, a combinational logic unit and a clamping unit. The power gating unit is turned on to output an internal signal at an output electrode based on an input signal or turned off according to operation modes. The combinational logic unit includes an input electrode directly connected to the output electrode of the power gating unit through a data line, and generates an output signal based on the internal signal received through the data line. The clamping unit is turned on to clamp the internal signal at a logic high level or at a logic low level or turned off according to the operation modes. The semiconductor device clamps the output electrode of the power gating unit without degrading an operation speed of the semiconductor device. |
| US08677165B2 |
Variably delayed wakeup transition
A computing system includes a controller to undergo a variably delayed wakeup transition. The controller is to transition a processing module from an idle state to an active state in response to successive assertions of a wakeup interrupt command. The system includes a variable delay module to vary delay lengths between assertion and execution of each of the successive wakeup interrupt commands during the wakeup transition to substantially cause power supply components to vibrate in a non-periodic manner. |
| US08677164B2 |
Microcomputer and control method thereof
A microcomputer according to the present invention includes: a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that has a plurality of modes including a usual operational mode and a STANDBY mode, a clock supply being stopped in the STANDBY mode; a clock generation circuit that generates a clock supplied to the CPU; and a control circuit that monitors a mode of the CPU, determines a mode to which the CPU should transit according to the mode of the CPU and a type of an interruption request to the CPU, and controls the clock generation circuit according to the determined mode. |
| US08677161B2 |
Optimizing power consumption and performance in a hybrid computer environment
A method for optimizing efficiency and power consumption in a hybrid computer system is disclosed. The hybrid computer system may comprise one or more front-end nodes connected to a multi-node computer system. Portions of an application may be offloaded from the front-end nodes to the multi-node computer system. By building historical profiles of the applications running on the multi-node computer system, the system can analyze the trade offs between power consumption and performance. For example, if running the application on the multi-node computer system cuts the run time by 5% but increases power consumption by 20% it may be more advantageous to simply run the entire application on the front-end. |
| US08677159B2 |
System and method for extending the USB power signal
A system and method for extending the USB VBUS power signal. A system for extending the USB VBUS power signal includes at least one PCA board. The system includes a USB host. The USB host outputs a new power signal compliant with USB VBUS power signal requirements. The VBUS signal may be connected to a voltage converter to change the voltage level to a desired enable signal for the voltage supply at the receiving end of the system. The VBUS signal may be connected to logic to change the polarity of the enable signal. The enable signal is routed across traces on the one or more PCA boards. A voltage supply is located on a PCA board and receives the enable signal. The enable signal causes the voltage supply to output a new power signal that is compliant with USB VBUS power signal requirements. |
| US08677157B1 |
Systems and methods for detecting power consumption of a computing device
A computer-implemented method to detect power consumption of a computing device is described. At least one component of the computing device is identified to monitor. A state of the identified component is determined. A database is accessed to determine a power consumption rate of the identified component. The power consumption rate is based on the determined state of the component. An overall power consumption value of the computing device is calculated based on a power consumption rate for each monitored component of the computing device. |
| US08677155B2 |
System for detecting intrusions by devices with openable casing
The invention comprises an intrusion-detection system based on a switch 1 that provides more effective protection by means of an innovative arrangement of three intrusion-detection contacts 16-17-18 on an electronic circuit, connected to two different intrusion-detection electronic circuit and an intrusion-detection switch 1 with a special design that provides three different interconnections between said contacts in response to different intrusion attacks. The special arrangement of the contacts on the electronic board provides protection against different sophisticated attacks even without the participation of the intrusion-detection switch. |
| US08677151B2 |
Content playback method and recording and playback device
Where a follow-up playback is realized for content data that is recorded by changing an encryption key at predetermined intervals for copyright protection, fast feed and playback operations are provided that can get close to a video scene of a present point of time. There are two areas on the memory in which to manage key information. The key information and seed information being written into a hard disk drive are held in memory in order to allow access to the key information and seed information even as they are written. |
| US08677149B2 |
Method and system for protecting intellectual property in software
A system and method for modifying material related to computer software. The system receives an original disclosure for a software system. A masquerading algorithm is applied to the original disclosure to generate a new disclosure. The subject matter of the new disclosure is different from the original disclosure but has the same functionality. The system also receives original source code for the software system and applies a camouflaging algorithm to the original source code to generate modified source code and conversion data for converting between the modified source code and the original source code. |
| US08677146B2 |
Computer implemented method for sending a message to a recipient user, receiving a message by a recipient user, a computer readable storage medium and a computer system
The invention relates to a computer implemented method for sending a message to a recipient user, wherein a recipient asymmetric cryptographic key pair is associated with the recipient user, said key pair comprising a public recipient key and a private recipient key, the method comprising sending the message to said recipient user with the recipient address to which the message is sent comprising the public recipient key. |
| US08677143B2 |
Playing method and device of digital right managing multimedia
A playing method of digital right managing multimedia is disclosed, in which the files of DRM multimedia to be played take a Page as a playing basic unit, when the operation of fast-forward/fast-reverse is triggered, the method comprises: determining time of fast-forward/fast-reverse; determining number of Pages of fast-forward/fast-reverse based on the time of fast-forward/fast-reverse; determining Page of target playing position based on the number of Pages of fast-forward/fast-reverse; calculating key stream of the Page of the target playing position based on prestored key data of the first Page; decrypting ciphertext of the Page of the target playing position based on the calculated key stream of the Page of the target playing position; and decoding the decrypted Page of the target playing position and playing the decrypted Page of the target playing position. A playing device is also provided. |
| US08677139B1 |
Method to provide authentication using a universal identifier
Once an individual is issued a Universal Identifier (UID) it uniquely identifies that person anywhere in the world. The UID could be embedded in any type of device, token or apparatus that is capable of transmitting it (only several bytes of data) to a reader device. Alternatively, for the purposes of authentication the UID could also be entered via a keypad or via any other means. The code scheme for a UID could be any type of symbol sequence that is capable of providing enough combination to cover the entire expected human population. Although it can also be used without biometric data the intended use of the UID is in conjunction with biometric authentication. The Universal Identifier is universal from two aspects: first it is a global or worldwide identifier for people around the world; second it is to be used most generally in any type of transactions, processes or scenarios where authentication is needed. UIDs are issued by an Identity Clearinghouse (IC) or Universal Authentication Authority (UAA) or a Centralized Identity Management Service (CIMS) after verifying the uniqueness of submitted biometric and personal data. |
| US08677136B2 |
Authenticating messages using cryptographic algorithm constants supplied to a storage-constrained target
The present invention provides for authenticating a message. A security function is performed upon the message. The message is sent to a target. The output of the security function is sent to the target. At least one publicly known constant is sent to the target. The received message is authenticated as a function of at least a shared key, the received publicly known constants, the security function, the received message, and the output of the security function. If the output of the security function received by the target is the same as the output generated as a function of at least the received message, the received publicly known constants, the security function, and the shared key, neither the message nor the constants have been altered. |
| US08677135B2 |
Digital signatures with error polynomials
Representations of polynomials a, s, t, e—1 and e—2 can be provided. Values of coefficients of the polynomials can be limited, and can be computed using randomization techniques. A verification key can be generated to include representations of polynomials a, b, and c. Computation of b can include computing a product using a and s, and adding e—1. Computation of c can include computing a product using a and t, and adding e—2. A signing key can represent s and t. The signing key can be used to produce a message signature that can represent a sum of t and a product of s and m, with m being derived from a message to be signed. The verification key can be used to verify the signature by checking coefficient sizes of a polynomial represented by the signature, and of a checking polynomial derived from the verification key and the signature. |
| US08677131B2 |
Method of securing data in 2D bar codes using SSL
Methods and apparatus authenticate a printed document associated with a source entity. The printed document includes a two-dimensional code (2-D code) that includes data encoded therein. The encoded data includes a resource locator to an intent. An image of the 2-D code is decoded to obtain the resource locator to an intent, and it is detected whether the resource locator to an intent includes a protocol identifier designating a secure 2-D code. If so, the protocol identifier is replaced with a protocol identifier used to access a secure server of the source entity located at a host portion of the resource locator. The secure server is accessed to obtain the intent. A certificate of the secure server is accessed and an electronic device displays an indicator of whether the certificate is valid and also displays the intent. The indicator may be used to decide whether the intent can be trusted. |
| US08677129B2 |
Consumer-driven secure sockets layer modulator
A software system and method for executing secure commercial transactions online is disclosed. A user's password is received to initiate secure socket layer (SSL) communications with a transaction site on a server. A web session associated with the SSL communications is encrypted by associating a domain name of the transaction site with its SSL public key. Then, the user's password is added to a hypertext markup language (HTML) header of a message within the web session. When added, the password is invisible to a hypothetical man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacker, who cannot read the encrypted message nor mimic the user. The MITM is thus unable to compromise the user's account as the MITM is unable to provide the correct password into any fraudulent message. |
| US08677122B1 |
Method for processing a secure system manager
Method and apparatus for secure processing. The method includes detecting communication among secure and non-secure data entities, prohibiting execution of non-secure executable instructions on secure data entities unless the non-secure executable instructions are recorded in a permitted instruction record, and prohibiting execution of non-secure executable instructions if the non-secure executable instructions are recorded in a prohibited instruction record. The apparatus includes a processor, at least one non-secure data entity, and secure data entities including: a communication monitor adapted to detect communication among secure and non-secure data entities; a permitted instruction record; a first prohibitor adapted to prohibit execution of non-secure executable instructions on secure data entities unless the non-secure executable instructions are recorded in the permitted instruction record; a prohibited instruction record; and a second prohibitor adapted to prohibit execution of non-secure executable instructions if the non-secure executable instructions are recorded in the prohibited instruction record. |
| US08677120B2 |
Communication between key manager and storage subsystem kernal via management console
System, computer program product, and method embodiments for communication between a kernel operational on a storage subsystem and a key manager (KM) through a hardware management console (HMC) to provide encryption support are provided. In one embodiment, an event request is initiated by the kernel to the KM to execute an event flow. Pursuant to a communication request by the kernel to the HMC, a socket of the HMC is opened along a communication path between the KM and the kernel according to an event flow type selected by the KM for the event flow. Pursuant to a data request by the kernel to the KM, data including a data payload is sent by the KM to the kernel, the data payload corresponding to the selected event flow type. |
| US08677116B1 |
Systems and methods for authentication and verification
Computer systems and methods are provided for authenticating a user seeking to conduct at least one interaction with a secured capability provided by a computer. The method includes receiving a first signal from the computer providing the secured capability. The first signal includes a reusable identifier corresponding to the secured capability. The method further includes receiving a second signal from an electronic device being used by the user. The second signal includes a copy of the reusable identifier and user verification information. The method further includes using a processor to evaluate, based at least on the first signal and the second signal, whether the user is authorized to conduct the at least one interaction with the secured capability. The method further includes, in response to an indication from the processor that the user is authorized to conduct the at least one interaction with the secured capability, transmitting a third signal including authorization information to at least one of the electronic device and the computer. |
| US08677109B2 |
Non-volatile memory device adapted to identify itself as a boot memory
Non-volatile memory devices and methods of their operation are provided. One such non-volatile memory device has an interface and a control circuit. The non-volatile memory device is adapted to identify itself as a boot memory in response to receiving an interrogation request on the interface. |
| US08677108B2 |
Method for finding next component to be booted based on booting status of current component to continue booting process by using a component look-up table
A method to allow a device to boot in a secure fashion, even though some of the components within the secure device's firmware may not be present, not correctly authorized, or not correctly operating. |
| US08677106B2 |
Unanimous branch instructions in a parallel thread processor
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a mechanism for managing thread divergence in a thread group executing a multithreaded processor. A unanimous branch instruction, when executed, causes all the active threads in the thread group to branch only when each thread in the thread group agrees to take the branch. In such a manner, thread divergence is eliminated. A branch-any instruction, when executed, causes all the active threads in the thread group to branch when at least one thread in the thread group agrees to take the branch. |
| US08677104B2 |
System for efficiently tracing data in a data processing system
A data processing apparatus is provided comprising prediction circuitry for predicting a response of the data processing circuitry at at least one given execution point to execution of a program instruction; tracing circuitry for tracing operation of the data processing apparatus for outputting a prediction indicator indicating whether or not the predicted response is correct; a data store configured to store information relating to the predicted response of said data processing circuitry at the given execution point for use by at least one of said prediction logic and said tracing circuitry a later execution point; and a history buffer configured to store historical information with regard to one or more entries of the data store at a corresponding execution point previous to the given execution point to enable restoration of said data store to a state corresponding to said previous execution point. |
| US08677102B2 |
Instruction fusion calculation device and method for instruction fusion calculation
An instruction fusion calculation device of the present invention includes an instruction fusion detection circuit, an instruction fusion circuit, and a calculator. The instruction fusion detection circuit determines whether or not a fusion of a preceding instruction and a subsequent instruction that have a flow dependence relationship between them can be made. The instruction fusion circuit fuses the preceding instruction and the subsequent instruction to which it is determined by the instruction fusion detection circuit that the instructions can be fused into one instruction. The calculator executes the fused instruction into which the instructions are fused by the instruction fusion circuit to output the calculation result and outputs at least one of the calculation results obtained by executing the preceding instruction and the subsequent instruction as an intermediate result. |
| US08677101B2 |
Method and apparatus for cooperative software multitasking in a processor system with a partitioned register file
A processor system executes multiple applet programs within a software application program in an information handling system. The information handling system includes operating system software that manages processor system hardware and software in a multi-tasking environment. In particular, the operating system software manages partitioning of a register file in the processor system to achieve a cooperative relationship among multiple applet programs within respective partitions of the register file. In one embodiment, the operating system software manages unique applet ID's to modify register file partition sizes and locations during applet program instruction text execution. In one embodiment, applet ID masking hardware provides sharing of register file space among multiple copies of applet program code. |
| US08677100B2 |
Serial memory interface for extended address space
An integrated circuit memory device has a memory array and control logic with at least a first addressing mode in which the instruction includes a first instruction code and an address of a first length; and a second addressing mode in which the instruction includes the first instruction code and an address of a second length. The first length of the address is different from the second length of the address. |
| US08677096B2 |
Storage system and storage control method that compress and store data elements
A pool is formed based on a plurality of storage devices. This pool is constituted by a plurality of real pages. Real pages of different lengths are included in this plurality of real pages. Among a plurality of virtual pages which make up a virtual volume, a controller compresses a write data element for a write destination virtual page, selects a real page of a real page length based on the data length of a data unit including the compressed write data element, and allocates the selected real page to the write destination virtual page. |
| US08677095B2 |
System and method for optimal dynamic resource allocation in a storage system
An apparatus and method to allocate memory in a storage system. Firmware running the method uses an iterative approach to find the best optimal memory configuration for a particular storage system given a variety of configuration data parameters stored as persistent data in non-volatile flash memory. The configuration data relates to resources in the environment that the storage system is found in, such as the number of virtual ports, targets and initiators supported by a storage system IOC. The configuration data is alterable, to allow flexibility in updating and changing parameters, and is employed at runtime when the storage system powers on, to enable the most flexible resource allocation. In a preferred method of determining the most optimal memory configuration for a given set of parameters corresponding to a given set of resources, an iterative method is employed to decrement parameter values from their maximum values, taking into account the minimums, and then testing the configuration by performing a memory allocation. If the allocation fails, because for example the wrong type memory or size of memory for any of the resources found, then the firmware resets the memory areas back to predetermined Start of Day (SOD) parameter values, decrements the values until a successful configuration of memory is found for the given set of parameters, and tries again, or until the firmware is caused to fault, whichever comes first. |
| US08677093B2 |
Method and apparatus to manage tier information
A method of tier management of data comprises performing a tier migration log information setup process which includes selecting an area specified by a virtual volume address and a logical volume address; determining a destination tier for the area based on a number of accesses to the area; and updating a tier migration log information by inputting the determined destination tier and a time; and performing a process using the tier migration log information to determine whether to migrate a specific area which includes loading a tier migration log from the tier migration log information by selecting a specific time; checking if a current tier of the specific area equals a destination tier specified by the tier migration log; and if the current tier is not equal to the destination tier, migrating the specific area to the destination tier. |
| US08677091B2 |
Writing data and storage system specific metadata to network attached storage device
A system and method for communicating, browsing, verifying and routing data in storage operation systems using network attached storage devices is provided. In some embodiments, the system may include a management module and a media management component connected to the management server, which interoperate with network attached storage devices to provide the communicating, browsing, verifying and routing functions. |
| US08677090B2 |
First storage apparatus and first storage apparatus control method
The object is to achieve a disaster recovery configuration in a short period of time. In a first storage apparatus 1P, a child-generation volume 3PB is created using a snapshot from a parent volume 3PA, and a grandchild-generation volume 3PC is created using a snapshot from the child-generation volume 3PB. Similarly, in a second storage apparatus 1S as well, a child-generation volume 3SB is created using a snapshot from a parent volume 3SA, and a grandchild-generation volume 3SC is created using a snapshot from the child-generation volume 3SB. The parent volumes form a normal remote copy pair. The child-generation volumes and the grandchild-generation volumes form virtual remote copy pairs without implementing an initial copy. |
| US08677089B2 |
Storage apparatus and storage system
A storage apparatus includes: an associating unit that associates a first memory area in which data to be copied are stored and a second memory area of a destination storage apparatus to which the data are copied; a detecting unit that detects a start or an end of copying the data from the first memory area to the second memory area associated by the associating unit; and an access control unit that controls access to the first memory area and the second memory area based on a result of detection performed by the detecting unit. |
| US08677082B2 |
Data mask system and data mask method
A data mask system includes a processor providing control signals including a command signal, an address signal, and a data signal, a data mask processor receiving the control signals and providing either write data or masked data in response to the control signals, and generating data mask information and a data mask selection signal from at least one of the control signals, and a data mask register unit receiving the data mask selection signal, storing the data mask information, selecting a subset of the stored data mask information in response to the data mask selection signal, and returning selected data mask information to the data mask processor. The data mask processor receives the selected data mask information from the data mask register unit and provides the masked data as a result of performing a data mask operation on the data signal according to the selected data mask information. |
| US08677081B1 |
Transferring and storing data in multicore and multiprocessor architectures
A processor includes a plurality of cache memories, and a plurality of processor cores, each associated with one of the cache memories. Each of at least some of the cache memories is associated with information indicating whether data stored in the cache memory is shared among multiple processor cores. |
| US08677080B2 |
Method of controlling total capacity of virtual volumes associated with pool and storage apparatus
The statuses of an actual area are (1) a first status which indicates that [the actual area] is already initialized and can be assigned to a virtual area, (2) a second status which indicates that [the actual area] is already assigned to a virtual area, and (3) a third status which indicates that [the actual area] cannot be assigned to a virtual area and initialization which is specified data write is to be performed. The storage controller limits the total virtual volume capacity which is the total capacity of one or more virtual volumes which are associated with the pool, in accordance with whether the pool comprises an actual page in the third status or not, to the capacity of the pool or smaller. |
| US08677079B2 |
Selecting a position where data is stored
An apparatus and method are provided for selecting a specific position from a plurality of positions in a memory to which data elements are cyclically written. A specific data element is stored in the plurality of positions. The apparatus comprises a determination unit for determining whether the plurality of positions include any position in a specific area of the memory to which data elements are written in a current cycle. The apparatus further comprises a selection unit for selecting at least one position in the specific area out of the plurality of positions as the specific position if the determination unit determines that the plurality of positions include any position in the specific area, and for selecting at least one position out of the plurality of positions as the specific position if the determination unit determines that the plurality of positions do not include any position in the specific area. |
| US08677076B2 |
System and method for tracking references to shared objects using byte-addressable per-thread reference counters
The system described herein may track references to a shared object by concurrently executing threads using a reference tracking data structure that includes an owner field and an array of byte-addressable per-thread entries, each including a per-thread reference counter and a per-thread counter lock. Slotted threads assigned to a given array entry may increment or decrement the per-thread reference counter in that entry in response to referencing or dereferencing the shared object. Unslotted threads may increment or decrement a shared unslotted reference counter. A thread may update the data structure and/or examine it to determine whether the number of references to the shared object is zero or non-zero using a blocking-optimistic or a non-blocking mechanism. A checking thread may acquire ownership of the data structure, obtain an instantaneous snapshot of all counters, and return a value indicating whether the number of references to the shared object is zero or non-zero. |
| US08677072B2 |
System and method for reduced latency caching
A reduced latency memory system that prevents memory bank conflicts. The reduced latency memory system receives a read request and write request. The read request is then handled by simultaneously fetching data from a main memory and a cache memory. The address of the read request is compared with a cache tag value and if the cache tag value matches the address of the read request, the data from the cache memory is served. The write request is stored and handled in a subsequent memory cycle. |
| US08677071B2 |
Control of processor cache memory occupancy
Techniques are described for controlling processor cache memory within a processor system. Cache occupancy values for each of a plurality of entities executing the processor system can be calculated. A cache replacement algorithm uses the cache occupancy values when making subsequent cache line replacement decisions. In some variations, entities can have occupancy profiles specifying a maximum cache quota and/or a minimum cache quota which can be adjusted to achieve desired performance criteria. Related methods, systems, and articles are also described. |
| US08677070B2 |
Cache memory control apparatus and cache memory control method
According to an aspect of the embodiment, an FP includes a plurality of entries which holds requests to be processed, and each of the plurality of entries includes a requested flag indicating that data transfer is once requested. An FP-TOQ holds information indicating an entry holding the oldest request. A data transfer request prevention determination circuit checks the requested flag of a request to be processed and the FP-TOQ, and when a transfer request of data as a target of the request to be processed has already been issued and the entry holding the request to be processed is not the entry indicated by the FP-TOQ, transmits a signal which prevents the transfer request of the data to a data transfer request control circuit. Even when a cache miss occurs in a primary cache RAM, the data transfer request control circuit does not issue a data transfer request when the signal which prevents the transfer request is received. |
| US08677069B2 |
Semiconductor storage device
Provided is a semiconductor storage device having a first interface section meeting a USB standard for connection to host equipment, a NAND memory section that is a first semiconductor memory section, a second interface section to which small memory cards can be connected, each small memory card having a second semiconductor memory section, and a controller capable of controlling the NAND memory section and the second semiconductor memory sections by one linear address. |
| US08677068B2 |
Scalable storage devices
Techniques using scalable storage devices represent a plurality of host-accessible storage devices as a single logical interface, conceptually aggregating storage implemented by the devices. A primary agent of the devices accepts storage requests from the host using a host-interface protocol, processing the requests internally and/or forwarding the requests as sub-requests to secondary agents of the storage devices using a peer-to-peer protocol. The secondary agents accept and process the sub-requests, and report sub-status information for each of the sub-requests to the primary agent and/or the host. The primary agent optionally accumulates the sub-statuses into an overall status for providing to the host. Peer-to-peer communication between the agents is optionally used to communicate redundancy information during host accesses and/or failure recoveries. Various failure recovery techniques reallocate storage, reassign agents, recover data via redundancy information, or any combination thereof. |
| US08677065B1 |
Transaction-based storage system and method that uses variable sized objects to store data
Aspects of the innovations herein are consistent with a storage system for storing variable sized objects. The storage system may be a transaction-based system that uses variable sized objects to store data. The storage system may be implemented using arrays disks that are arranged in ranks. Each rank may include multiple stripes. Each stripe may be read and written as a convenient unit for maximum performance. A rank manager may be provided to dynamically configure the ranks to adjust for failed and added disks by selectively shortening and lengthening the stripes. The storage system may include a stripe space table that contains entries describing the amount of space used in each stripe. An object map may provide entries for each object in the storage system describing the location (e.g., rank, stripe and offset values), the length and version of the object. |
| US08677053B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and method for operating the same
A nonvolatile memory device includes a selecting unit configured to select one of a read data or a program signal indicating a program period, an output unit configured to output an output signal of the selecting unit to the outside of a chip, and an output pin connected to the output unit. |
| US08677051B2 |
Memory system, control method thereof, and information processing apparatus
According to the embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory that includes a plurality of banks capable of operating in parallel, a command analyzing unit that, upon receiving a power management command from a host, analyzes the received power management command, and a recording control unit that dynamically and variably controls an upper limit of the number of banks to be operated in parallel at a time of writing in accordance with an analysis result by the command analyzing unit are included, thereby suppressing the upper limit of a power consumption in accordance with an instruction from the host. |
| US08677045B2 |
Transaction reordering system and method with protocol indifference
An embodiment of a transaction reordering arrangement is provided. The transaction reordering arrangement includes a queue into which respective responses to requests are writable and a controller configured to control a position in said queue to which said respective responses to said requests are written. The position is controlled such that the responses are read out of said queue in an order which corresponds to an order in which the requests are issued. |
| US08677044B1 |
Method and system for communication using multiple DMA channels
Method and system for sending data from a memory of a computing system interfacing with a device is provided. An input/output control block (IOCB) from the computing system for transferring the data from the memory of the computing system is received by the device. The device then allocates a plurality of DMA channels to the IOCB for transferring the data from the memory of the computing system when a number of pending input/output (I/O) requests when the IOCB is received is less than a number of available direct memory access (DMA) channels to receive the data from the memory of the computing system. |
| US08677037B1 |
Memory apparatus for early write termination and power failure
In one embodiment of the invention, a memory apparatus for improved write performance is disclosed. The memory apparatus includes a base printed circuit board (PCB) having an edge connector for plugging into a host server system; a card level power source to provide card level power during a power failure; a memory controller coupled to the card level power source and having one or more memory channels; and one or more non-volatile memory devices (NVMDs) coupled to the card level power source and organized to respectively couple to the memory channels controlled by the memory controller. Each memory controller provides queuing and scheduling of memory operations on a channel for each NVMD in the memory channels. Responsive to power failure, the memory controller receives card level power and changes the scheduling of memory operations to the NVMDs in each memory channel. |
| US08677036B2 |
Power control device
A power control device coupled to a power supply device and an information processing device, and configured to control a power supply from the power supply device to the information processing device, the power control device including: a first input/output unit configured to input/output data from/to the information processing device; a second input/output unit configured to input/output data from/to the power supply device by a change of state of signal lines; a storage unit configured to store data input from the first input/output unit and the second input/output unit; and a control unit configured to execute a conversion process for converting data input from the first input/output unit to a change of state of a signal line that can be output from the second input/output unit, and converting a change of state of a signal line input from the second input/output unit to a data format that can be output from the first input/output unit. |
| US08677033B2 |
Method for initializing registers of peripherals in a microcontroller
Embodiments described in the present disclosure relate to a method for initializing registers of peripherals of a microcontroller, including acts of: accessing initialization data in a non-volatile memory connected by a main bus to a processing unit of the microcontroller and to the peripherals, activating a peripheral including registers to be initialized, and transferring the data read into the registers of the activated peripheral, the initialization data being accessed in the memory by an initialization circuit distinct from the processing unit, the initialization data accessed being sent to the peripherals by an initialization bus distinct from the main bus. |
| US08677029B2 |
User input back channel for wireless displays
As part of a communication session, a wireless source device can transmit audio and video data to a wireless sink device, and the wireless sink device can transmit user inputs received at the wireless sink device back to the wireless source device. In this manner, a user of the wireless sink device can control the wireless source device and control the content that is being transmitted from the wireless source device to the wireless sink device. As part of establishing the communication session, the wireless sink device and the wireless source device may perform capability negotiation. |
| US08677027B2 |
Fibre channel input/output data routing system and method
A computer program product for performing input/output (I/O) processing is configured for performing a method including: obtaining information relating to an I/O operation at a channel subsystem; generating and storing in local channel memory at least one address control word (ACW) specifying one or more host memory locations for data transfer and including a field for storing header information; generating an address control structure specifying a location in the local channel memory of a corresponding ACW; receiving a data transfer request from a network interface that includes the address control structure; responsive to an input data request, routing the data to at least one host memory location specified by the corresponding ACW and storing header information in the corresponding ACW; and responsive to an output data request, routing the data from a host memory location specified by the ACW to the network interface and appending header information to the data. |
| US08677024B2 |
Aggregating shared Ethernet adapters in a virtualized environment
In a method for managing shared Ethernet adapters in a virtualized computer environment, a computer programmed with a hypervisor program receives a first request from a virtual client to transmit data. In response to receiving the first request, the computer programmed with the hypervisor program selects a first active virtual server from a first plurality of concurrently active virtual servers of the virtualized computer environment. The computer programmed with the hypervisor program copies the data from a memory of the virtual client to a trunk adapter of a first shared Ethernet adapter of the selected first active virtual server. |
| US08677021B1 |
Download in place
Systems and methods are presented for providing a persistable data decompression stream that enables large downloads to restart from a place other than the beginning if they are interrupted during the decompression process. |
| US08677018B2 |
Parallel, side-effect based DNS pre-caching
Embodiments of the present invention include methods and systems for domain name system (DNS) pre-caching. A method for DNS pre-caching is provided. The method includes receiving uniform resource locator (URL) hostnames for DNS pre-fetch resolution prior to a user hostname request for any of the URL hostnames. The method also includes making a DNS lookup call for at least one of the URL hostnames that are not cached by a DNS cache prior to the user hostname request. The method further includes discarding at least one IP address provided by a DNS resolver for the URL hostnames, wherein a resolution result for at least one of the URL hostnames is cached in the DNS cache in preparation for the user hostname request. A system for DNS pre-caching is provided. The system includes a renderer, an asynchronous DNS pre-fetcher and a hostname table. |
| US08677009B2 |
Massive structured data transfer optimizations for high-latency, low-reliability networks
Optimizations for data transmission may be provided. A portion of a data block may be read into a batch by a read thread on a first server. The batch may be passed to a transmission thread. The transmission thread may then transmit the first batch to a second server while the read thread asynchronously reads a second portion of the data block into another batch. |
| US08677006B2 |
Processing media streams
Method and communication system for processing media streams. A plurality of synchronized media streams are provided to a respective plurality of communication clients at a respective plurality of end points of a communication system. The communication clients output the media streams at the end points, wherein the amount of time required for said providing and outputting of the media streams is different for the plurality of end points. At least one of said providing and said outputting of at least one of the media streams is controlled so that the outputting of the plurality of media streams is synchronized at the plurality of end points. |
| US08676995B1 |
System and method for enabling pairing of a companion device with a mate device for performing a companion service
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes establishing a connection between a first client and a messaging fabric of a conductor element associated with a video system; receiving a request to perform a companion service with a second client; authenticating the first client via a client directory based on an identifier associated with the first client; receiving a pair message from the first client for the second client; and verifying whether the two clients can be paired in order to perform the companion service. Companion service commands can be authorized/policy checked and resulting commands on the second client may appear as-if they had been triggered locally. |
| US08676975B2 |
Virtual universe desktop exploration for resource acquisition
The present invention is directed to a system, method and program product that allows a user to acquire resources from a local computer during a session with a virtual universe. Disclosed is a system that allows a user to: invocate a local operating system session that displays an operating system interface onto a client computer during a virtual universe session; navigate the operating system interface using an avatar; and acquire resources from the client computer via the operating system interface using the avatar. |
| US08676973B2 |
Light-weight multi-user browser
A multi-user web browser is stored on a computer. The multi-user web browser permits more than one user to create and use a browser user account without requiring different users to log into different operating system user accounts. Instead, a browser user can log into the multi-user browser by providing a browser user name and browser password associated with the browser user name. This enables the multi-user web browser to support multiple users from within a single operating system user account. |
| US08676970B2 |
Methods and systems for managing device specific content
Methods and apparatus for managing content may include receiving feedback information for content associated with a device having a set of device characteristics. The methods and apparatus may further include determining a compatibility rating of the content based on the feedback information. The methods and apparatus may also include providing a message based on a portion of the compatibility rating of the content for an other device having a portion of the set of device characteristics. |
| US08676969B2 |
Network classification
Network DNA may be determined for a computer network that taxonomically classifies the computer network. Network DNA may include derived network DNA components and raw network DNA components. Raw network DNA components may be acquired from local or remote sources. Derived network DNA components may be generated according to derived network DNA component specifications. Derived network DNA component specifications may reference raw network DNA components. Network DNA determined for the computer network may include a network species component capable of indicating network species classifications for computer networks. Network species classifications may include enterprise network, home network and public place network. Network species classifications may be determined as a function of network security, network management and network addressing. One or more network DNA stores may be configured to store network DNA for computer networks. Network DNA stores may store network DNA history as well as current network DNA. |
| US08676968B2 |
Determining information about a computing system
In a method for determining information about a computing system, a designated process in the computing system is monitored. A determination whether a selected event has occurred in the designated process is made. State information and configuration information regarding the computing device is collected in response to a determination that the selected event has occurred. Meta information associated with the designated process is determined in response to a determination that the selected event has occurred. The state information, the configuration information and the meta information is recorded in an accessible file. |
| US08676965B2 |
Tracking high-level network transactions
A system and method of tracking high-level network transactions. At least one switching node on a network may collect low-level data packets, the low-level data packets forming collectively a corresponding stream of high-level messages as parts of high-level transactions involving network resources of the network. Identifiers of the network resources in the network serving the high-level transactions may be identified from the low-level data packets. The data content of the high-level messages may be determined. The high-level messages may be grouped into groups of high-level messages having similar data content. Commonalities in the occurrences of high-level messages having different data content may then be identified. |
| US08676961B2 |
System and method for web destination profiling
An improved system and method for web destination profiling for online population-targeted advertising is provided. A web destination profiler may be provided for generating web destination profiles. Traffic may be analyzed at a particular web destination in order to understand the population visiting the web destination. The analysis of user traffic, including differentiated clickstream data, may be applied for determining known characteristics of a web destination profile. Moreover, unknown characteristics of a web destination profile may be determined using a variety of techniques including inferring characteristics by modeling traffic flow through other web destinations, estimating characteristics from other web destination profiles by predicting traffic flow through other web destinations, propagating characteristics to a web destination profile by smoothing a joint distribution of characteristics of other web destination profiles, and so forth. Web destination profiles may be used by applications such as an online application for population-targeted advertising. |
| US08676958B1 |
System and method for monitoring the status of multiple servers on a network
A system and method for monitoring a plurality of servers by a monitoring server in a computer network. A list of servers and a plurality of services to monitor in the computer network is generated at the monitoring server. A status query is transmitted sequentially by the monitoring server to each of the plurality of servers, the status query including the plurality of services to monitor at each server. A status message report is received from each of the plurality of servers in response to each status query. An event is reported in an event log for each server that has an abnormal service status. The transmission of the status query to each server is performed by the monitoring server at a specified service time interval. |
| US08676957B2 |
Method and system for remote diagnostic, control, and information collection based upon a connection or connectionless communication method for sending messages to the resource manager
A method, system, and program product for communicating with machines connected to a network. Information sent to or from the machines is transmitted using electronic mail or via a direct connection. The electronic mail may be transmitted over the Internet to a service center or from a service center to a resource administrator, but also may remain within a local or wide area network for transmission between a machine and a resource administrator. E-mail messages may be transmitted from a computer which is attached to a device that is being monitored or controlled and include information regarding the status, usage, or capabilities of the attached device. The device may send status messages and usage information of the device to either a resource administrator or to a service center on the Internet through a firewall. The message may be sent directly to the resource administrator station if urgent service is needed by the device. For routine information, the service center may manage all the resources on an intranet and may send predetermined types of information to the resource administrator using e-mail. |
| US08676953B2 |
Use of aggregated groups for managing demand response resources
A demand response management system which may be used by utilities, independent system operators, intermediaries and others to manage operations of demand response programs relative to customers, clients, participants, and users of outputs from the utilities, independent system operators, and the like. The demand response management system may provide demand response signal propagation and generation from demand response events. There may be an aggregation of customers, clients, participants, users, and the like. The aggregation may be performed and managed by the utility, independent system operator, or the like, before a DR event is initiated and even before a DR signal is generated. |
| US08676943B1 |
Document based fleet management
Architectures and techniques are described to manage a site according to the content of a number of documents. In some cases, the number of documents may include a fleet state document that specifies aspects related to the site, such as performance metrics. Additionally, fleet creation documents may be created that indicate tasks to be executed in order to realize the aspects specified in the fleet state document. Further, task attribute maps specifying values for the attributes of each task upon execution may also be created. A workflow engine may execute the tasks of the fleet creation documents according to the values of the task attribute maps in order to configure computing devices of a fleet to realize the aspects of the fleet state document. |
| US08676937B2 |
Social-topical adaptive networking (STAN) system allowing for group based contextual transaction offers and acceptances and hot topic watchdogging
Disclosed is a Social-Topical Adaptive Networking (STAN) system that can inform users of cross-correlations between currently focused-upon topic or other nodes in a corresponding topic or other data-objects organizing space maintained by the system and various social entities monitored by the system. More specifically, one of the cross-correlations may be as between the top N now-hottest topics being focused-upon by a first social entity and the amounts of focus ‘heat’ that other social entities (e.g., friends and family) are casting on the same topics (or other subregions of other cognitive attention receiving spaces) in a relevant time period. |
| US08676932B2 |
System and method for automatic distribution and storage of digital media
In general, aspects of the invention relate to the automatic distribution and storage of digital media. Specifically, the invention relates to the automatic distribution and storage of digital media in the home environment. In one embodiment, a system and method are provided for retrieving data objects from sources like digital media input devices and sending those objects to destination digital media input devices. |
| US08676929B2 |
System and method for pushing information to a mobile device
A system and method for pushing information to a mobile device are disclosed herein. A triggering event is detected, and information relevant to the detected trigger event is determined. The information is located in one of a plurality of memory location channels, wherein the information is stored in the one of the plurality of memory location channels based on a category of the information matching a pre-defined category of the one of the plurality of memory location channels. When the information relevant to the detected triggering event comprises content information, a meta tag is inserted to the content information. The meta tag relates to display of specific one or more advertisements with the content information. The content information that includes the meta tag is transmitted to the mobile device. |
| US08676927B2 |
Method and apparatus of managing contact lists aware of user interests
A method of managing contact lists on a plurality of mobile devices, the mobile devices being connected to a network. The method sensing one or more communications provided by a plurality of broadcast services, the one or more communications including contact information; selecting the contact information of the sensed one or more communications in which a user of a mobile device is interested; adding the selected contact information in a contact list associated with the mobile device of the user; determining contact information that has expired; and removing the expired contact information from the contact list associated with the mobile device of the user. |
| US08676926B2 |
System and method for handling remote drawing commands
Examples of systems and methods are provided for handling remote drawing commands. A system may comprise a buffer module configured to receive, at the system from a remote server system over a remote access connection between the system and the remote server system during a remote connection session, remote drawing commands, according to a drawing command rate, of a remote application running on the remote server system. The buffer module may be configured to store the remote drawing commands. The system may comprise a timer module configured to facilitate sending at least some of the remote drawing commands in the buffer module to a graphics module according to a refresh rate that is less than the drawing command rate. The timer module may be application agnostic. |
| US08676923B2 |
Use of discovery scanning and method of IP only communication to identify owners and administrators of network attached devices
Method, system, and product for remotely communicating with and identifying owners of objects on an IP network by providing a database identifying owners of objects on an IP network, discovery scanning the IP network for logical objects, sending a message to an unlisted logical object requesting a registration action of the recipient, receiving the registration action indicating an owner of the logical object, and updating the database with the received indication of the owner of the object. The method, system, or product may be embodied in a software application (such as an operating system element), a dedicated processor, or a dedicated processor with dedicated code. |
| US08676915B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling peripheral in wireless communication system using an IP address
An apparatus and method control a connection between peripheral devices in a control server of a wireless communication system providing an IP-based communication service. The method for controlling the connection between peripheral devices includes registering at least one device in a group list classified by user identification information. The method also includes, if a control node including a user identifier of the group list requests a control of any one device included in the group list, checking an IP address of the device that is requested to be controlled by the control node. The method further includes sending a control command of the control node using the IP address. |
| US08676914B2 |
Synchronizing services across network nodes
A network-enabled device is synchronized with other nodes. Services are run on the device, including at least a node service and a service repository service. Peer nodes on a network are accessed, and a service list which includes services available locally at the network-enabled device and services available remotely at peer nodes is maintained at the service repository service. The node service manages synchronized access to the service list by multicasting a change notification responsive to a change in the services available locally, and by listening to multicasts of change notifications from peer nodes. Responsive to a change in local services, the node service collects a list of local services at the device, generates a SyncGUID by using a hash function applied to the list of services, formats a change notification message which includes the SyncGUID, and multicasts the formatted change notification message to peer nodes on the network. |
| US08676913B1 |
Discussion-topic, social network systems
Apparatus and methods for social media networking using devices configured to communicate in a data communications network where exchanged information is organized according to discussion topics. Users may exchange content with selected members of discussion-topic groups. Initiating comments and replies may be posted to a discussion topic for review by participants. Sub-discussion topics may be defined for discussion topics. A user may further flexibly define active tag and associated arguments for the active tags as a relational or linking structure for a discussion topic. Conventional email messages may be converted and ported into the discussion-topic system. |
| US08676912B2 |
Topic-based messaging using consumer address and pool
In a multicast publisher-subscriber environment, a configurator machine manages a consumer pool of multiple receiver machines. The consumer pool is dedicated to a topic. Each receiver machine has a unique consumer address within the consumer pool allocated by the configurator machine. The configurator machine receives registration data from a receiver machine to be added to the consumer pool and provides a consumer address to the receiver machine. The receiver machine transmits a multicast communication to advertise its availability to receive messages on the topic. The multicast communication includes the consumer address. A transmitter machine may publish a message on the topic. The message may be a multicast communication directed to any receiver machine in to the consumer pool, or the message may be a point-to-point communication directed to the receiver machine with the consumer address. |
| US08676908B2 |
Method and system for seamless interaction and content sharing across multiple networks
A system and method for communication between a plurality of users in a communication network are disclosed. Each of the plurality of users is associated with at least one communication device. The method includes receiving a message from a sender intended for at least one recipient in the communication network wherein the sender has initiated sending of the message using the associated communication device. The message may be selected from a group comprising text, audio, video and multimedia. The method further includes customizing the message for at least one communication device associated with the at least one recipient based on a set of rules. Additionally, the method includes delivering the customized message to the at least one communication device associated with the at least one recipient based on the availability of the at least one recipient on the at least one communication device. |
| US08676907B2 |
Relay apparatus, relay method and recording medium
Disclosed is a technique which prevents description offensive to public order and morals, included in an electronic mail, from meeting the eyes of a receiver. If an electronic mail message is included in a payload part of a data packet delivered from a communication interface 11-2, a control section 13 of a relay apparatus 10-m determines whether a character string offensive to public order and morals is included in a body text part thereof. If the character string offensive to public order and morals is included therein, the control section 13 generates hiding data by encoding the body text part in a mail body of the original electronic mail message. The control section 13 overwrites a hiding notification character string in the body text part in the original electronic mail message, generates a body text-hidden electronic mail message which describes the hiding data in a content body of a part different from the body text part, and transmits it to a terminal 20-i. |
| US08676905B2 |
Method for processing content and terminal thereof
A method for processing a DCD content in a DCD (Dynamic Content Delivery). When a DCD content is delivered between a server and a terminal in a DCD service system, a client of the terminal delivers the DCD content to a DECA (DCD Enabled Client Application) of the terminal. If the DECA cannot play (execute) the content, the DECA sends to the client an error notification message and a generated status value (information about device capabilities of the terminal), and the client sends the error notification message and the status value to the server. Accordingly, if an error informing that the content received from the server cannot be played has occurred, the error is processed between the terminal and the server from the point of the terminal. |
| US08676904B2 |
Electronic devices with voice command and contextual data processing capabilities
An electronic device may capture a voice command from a user. The electronic device may store contextual information about the state of the electronic device when the voice command is received. The electronic device may transmit the voice command and the contextual information to computing equipment such as a desktop computer or a remote server. The computing equipment may perform a speech recognition operation on the voice command and may process the contextual information. The computing equipment may respond to the voice command. The computing equipment may also transmit information to the electronic device that allows the electronic device to respond to the voice command. |
| US08676898B2 |
Communication apparatus, control method, and storage medium that can identify communication errors
A communication apparatus capable of notifying a receiver of a reception mail error or transmission mail error by printing or the like and preventing incorrect data or error notification mail from being transferred or stored without notifying the user of the error, and a control method and storage medium therefor. To accomplish this, when analysis of electronic mail data reveals a MIME analysis error, BASE64 decoding error, TIFF analysis error, or image decoding error, i.e., when data which cannot be handled by the communication apparatus is contained, a global variable FORWARD is set to “1”. Also, when the received electronic mail is an error notification mail, the variable FORWARD is set to “1”. When the variable FORWARD is set to “1”, transfer and BOX storage of the received mail are inhibited, and the mail is printed by a printer section (2). When the variable FORWARD is not set to “1”, the received mail is transferred to the designated transfer destination or stored by BOX storage. |
| US08676896B1 |
Network-based service for secure electronic mail delivery on an internet protocol network
A network is disclosed that includes a message originator computer and a message recipient computer, for secure electronic mail delivery. In accordance with the invention, the network includes a message delivery server that can distinguish between real and phantom messages. In operation, the message originator computer waits a random time and then transmits a first encrypted phantom message to the message delivery server. This message is to spoof an eavesdropper into believing that there is a steady stream of messages being sent from the originator computer. However, the message delivery server recognizes the message as a phantom message and discards it. When the message originator computer receives a user request to transmit a real message to the recipient computer, it waits a random time and then encrypts and transmits the real message to the message delivery server. The message delivery server recognizes the message as a real message and forwards the real message to the recipient computer. Meanwhile, the message originator computer can continue transmitting encrypted phantom messages to the message delivery server. In this manner, an eavesdropper will be tricked into believing that there is a steady stream of messages being sent from the originator computer. |
| US08676895B1 |
Interaction using content
A method, computer-readable medium and system for interacting using content are disclosed. A web response may be executed on a first computer system and/or another computer system associated with the first computer system responsive to the initiation of a call over a voice channel between the first computer system and a second computer system. The web response may include automatically downloading content over a data channel so that it can be automatically presented at the first computer system and/or another computer system associated with the first computer system. The content may include video, audio, information from a social networking website, a blog, other content, some combination thereof, etc. In this manner, more and/or different types of content can be used to communicate with callers by causing content to be presented in conjunction with communication over a voice channel. |
| US08676892B2 |
Visibility inspector in social networks
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for transmitting a content data set to a computing device for displaying content to a non-author user, receiving user input from the non-author user, the user input corresponding to the content, and, in response to receiving the user input, transmitting first data and second data to the computing device for display to the non-author user, the first data comprising a number of contacts associated with an author user, the author user having authored the content, the second data being a sub-set of the first data and comprising a number of contacts associated with the non-author user. |
| US08676886B2 |
System and method for dynamically changing the content of an information display
A host Web page includes an evolving interactive dialog box wherein an Internet user may enter user data to be processed. When the user completes entering user data in a first revolution of the interactive dialog box, the first revolution is replaced with a second revolution of the evolving interactive dialog box without disturbing or affecting any other part of the host Web page being displayed. Beneficially, the first and second revolutions may be communicated to a user computer together with and at a same time as the host Web page. Also, the second revolution may include a variety of data which is selected or customized to match the user data submitted in the first revolution. Each revolution of the evolving interactive dialog box may be comprised of any combination of general textual data entry fields, category (pull-down) menus, contact information data entry fields, and opt-in/opt-out buttons. |
| US08676885B2 |
Methods and transmitting multimedia files and advertisements
The invention is directed to a method of transmitting a file having an advertising portion and a requested portion different from the advertising portion. The method includes receiving a request to transmit the file, via a streaming protocol allowing non-sequential access, transmitting the advertising portion of the file, receiving a request to transmit a portion of the requested portion of the file prior to completing transmitting the advertising portion of the file, completing the transmission of the advertising portion of the file, and transmitting the requested portion of the file. |
| US08676882B2 |
System and method for preloading content segments to client devices in an electronic network
A system and method for supporting content distribution in an electronic network includes a peer-to-peer network of electronic devices. The electronic devices are initially preloaded in a distributed manner with various content segments from corresponding content items. When a system user selects a particular content item on a corresponding electronic device, a download manager of the electronic device may automatically generate content segment requests to other appropriate electronic devices in the peer-to-peer network. The download manager may then download and automatically reassemble the content segments to produce the selected content item for utilization by the system user. |
| US08676878B2 |
Domain managing method, domain extending method and reference point controller electing method
A method of managing a domain, a method of extending a domain, and a method of selecting a reference point controller are provided. The method of operating the domain includes: receiving a request for authenticating a reference point controller from a reference point controller candidate; invalidating a membership of the stored reference point controller; generating a unique reference point controller membership for verifying that the reference point controller candidate is a new reference point controller; and transmitting the generated reference point controller membership to the reference point controller candidate. Accordingly, even when an error occurs in the reference point controller, the function of the reference point controller can be rapidly replaced by using the reference point controller candidate. |
| US08676871B2 |
Functional unit capable of executing approximations of functions
A semiconductor chip is described having a functional unit that can execute a first instruction and execute a second instruction. The first instruction is an instruction that multiplies two operands. The second instruction is an instruction that approximates a function according to C0+C1X2+C2X22. The functional unit has a multiplier circuit. The multiplier circuit has: i) a first input to receive bits of a first operand of the first instruction and receive bits of a C1 term of the second instruction; ii) a second input to receive bits of a second operand of the first instruction and receive bits of a X2 term of the second instruction. |
| US08676855B2 |
Distributed storage system, management apparatus, node apparatus, recording medium on which node program is recorded, page information acquisition method, recording medium on which page information sending program is recorded, and page information sending method
A node apparatus acquires root link information including a serial number of root page information, information for checking the root page information for tampering, and a digital signature for checking the root link information for tampering from a management apparatus or another node apparatus that stores the root link information through a network and determines a range of page information assigned to each node apparatus according to predetermined rules. The node apparatus determines whether page information that is a child of the root page information indicated by the acquired root link information is within the assigned range. If so, the node apparatus acquires the child page information and pieces of page information linked together from the child to leaf page information from the management apparatus or another node apparatus as page information assigned to the node apparatus and stores the acquired page information in a storage area. |
| US08676851B1 |
Executing transactions in distributed storage systems
A method of executing a transaction in a distributed storage system includes, for data chunks of a read set of the transaction, reading data of the data chunks of the read set through remote direct memory access and determining a validity of the read data by evaluating a version and a lock of each data chunk of the read set. For data chunks of a write set of the transaction, the method includes setting locks on the data chunks of the write set, writing data to the locked data chunks through remote direct memory access, releasing the locks of the locked data chunks, and incrementing a version number of each released data chunk. |
| US08676850B2 |
Prioritization mechanism for deletion of chunks of deduplicated data objects
A reference counter corresponding to a base chunk of a plurality of chunks of a deduplicated data object is maintained, where the reference counter is incremented in response to an insertion of any chunk that references the base chunk, and where the reference counter is decremented, in response to a deletion of any chunk that references the base chunk. A queue is defined for processing dereferenced chunks of the plurality of chunks. The dereferenced chunks in the queue are processed in a predefined order, to free storage space. |
| US08676839B2 |
Information processing device, contribution information evaluation system, contribution information evaluation method, and program
An information processing device includes a range of activity information acquisition unit which acquires information of the range of activity that is an area that a user who contributes contribution information on a facility visits, and a reliability level evaluation unit which evaluates the level of reliability for the contribution information based on the information of the range of activity. |
| US08676838B2 |
Adaptive clustering of records and entity representations
Disclosed is a system for, and method of, determining whether records and entity representations should be linked. The system and method include assigning to each pair of entity references a match value reflecting the likelihood that the entity references are related. Based on the match values, each entity reference may then associated with a preferred entity reference. Pairs of entity references that are mutually preferred may then be identified and linked. The process may be iterated to generate further links. |
| US08676836B2 |
Search capability enhancement in service oriented architecture (SOA) service registry system
A method for searching a web service registry system by use of a search controller. A first search of a service registry program product is performed with a service name received by the search controller from a user. It is determined that the received service name does not have a service description associated with the received service name in the service registry program product. A second search of the service registry program product is coordinated with a candidate service name by use of the search module, wherein the candidate service name is semantically and syntactically interchangeable with the received service name such that the candidate service name identifies the service description associated with the received service name within the service registry program product. The service description is discovered to be associated with the candidate service name within the service registry program product and is subsequently returned to the user. |
| US08676835B2 |
Annotation system for creating and retrieving media and methods relating to same
The invention described herein is generally directed to a method and apparatus for creating and retrieving audio data. In one implementation the invention comprises an annotation system configured to record, store, and retrieve media. The annotation system contains a set of client-processing devices configured to capture media for subsequent playback. Each client-processing device typically contains a record button to initiate the capture and is configured upon performing the capture operation to trigger an association of a unique ID with the media. The client-processing devices are further configured to upload the media and a unique ID to a server for purposes of storage. The server obtains the media and unique ID for subsequent retrieval and provides the media and the unique ID to at least one client-processing device from the set of client processing devices. |
| US08676834B2 |
Set-level comparisons in dynamically formed groups
Systems are disclosed of processing a set-level query across one or more attributes, the query being grouped by one or more attributes, whereby groups that satisfy the set-level query may be aggregated over one or more attributes. The systems use bitwise arithmetic to efficiently traverse bitmap and bit-slice vectors and indexes of a data relation to determine groups that solve the set-level query. |
| US08676833B2 |
Method and system for requesting social services from group of users
A system for transmission, reception and accumulation of the knowledge packets to plurality of channel nodes in the network operating distributedly in a peer to peer environment via installable one or more role active Human Operating System (HOS) applications in a digital devise of each of channel node, a network controller registering and providing desired HOS applications and multiple developers developing advance communication and knowledge management applications and each of subscribers exploiting the said network resources by leveraging and augmenting taxonomically and ontologically classified knowledge classes expressed via plurality search macros and UKID structures facilitating said expert human agents for knowledge invocation and support services and service providers providing information services in the preidentified taxonomical classes, wherein each of channel nodes communicating with the unknown via domain specific supernodes each facilitating social networking and relationships development leading to human grid which is searchable via Universal Desktop Search by black box search module. |
| US08676829B2 |
Methods and apparatus for generating a data dictionary
There is provided an ecommerce method and system to generate a data dictionary for searching data items stored in a database. In one embodiment, the system comprises a candidate list generator module to generate a list of keywords from search query information and generate a set of token pairs including a keyword from the list of keywords and a token, the token being a synonym of the keyword. Demand information retrieved from query logs maintained for user-provided query entries is used to apply candidate selection rules to token pairs. The system also comprises a validation module and a data dictionary module to receive validated token pairs as entries in a vocabulary. |
| US08676825B2 |
Systems and methods for extracting business process metrics from a UML model
The invention relates to a system and method for extracting business process metrics from a Unified Modeling Language (UML) model. This invention involves the use of Object Constraint Language (OCL) and custom stereotypes to extract the design metrics from a UML model. The business process parameters to be measured are defined and custom stereotypes for each design element present in the business process parameters are also defined. A UML diagram is generated to represent the steps required to complete the business process. The UML diagrams are based on UML 2.0 or its higher version. The queries are written in OCL and run on the activity or sequence diagram to extract the desired metrics. |
| US08676824B2 |
Automatic search query correction
A first search query is received from a user, the first search query having one or more characters, and a search result is determined based on the first search query. Based on the search result, the first search query is determined to have an incorrect input mapping. A first keyboard layout is identified for the first search query, and a second keyboard layout is identified. A corrected search query is generated from the first search query by mapping characters from the first keyboard layout to characters in the second keyboard layout. A corrected search result is determined based on the corrected search query, and the corrected search result is presented to the user. |
| US08676823B2 |
Efficient student record matching
A system and method for efficiently and intelligently matching student enrollment records is disclosed. The method may be used, for example, to track student progress from secondary to postsecondary institutions and generate statistics about aggregate college enrollment rates to inform policy decisions. In exemplary embodiments, the matching algorithm accounts for common variations in student names and geographical distances between secondary institutions and the student's current known address to generate higher confidence matches. |
| US08676819B2 |
Event searching
Events can be searched by identifying a query that includes a time interval and a search component, determining a time increment associated with the time interval, and partitioning the time interval into partitions based on the time increment. For each partition, a relevance of each event in a collection of events that occur at a time in the partition is determined based on the query. A pre-determined number of the relevant events are displayed. |
| US08676816B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method for recommending content to a user
An information processing apparatus is configured to search for and recommend content by considering both the feature quantities of content and the references of the user. A correction unit corrects item feature quantities of a recommendation target item by using user preferences of a recommendation target user. A matching unit compares the item feature quantities corrected by the correction unit with the item feature quantities of another item and searches for content having item feature quantities that resemble those of the recommendation target item. A recommendation unit recommends related items to the recommendation target user having features resembling those of the recommendation target item. |
| US08676812B1 |
Dynamic weighting of indicator values for item scoring
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for scoring items. One method includes generating a score for each of a plurality of items. The generating includes, for each item: obtaining a respective item-specific value of each of a plurality of indicators, determining a respective weight for the value of each of the plurality of indicators, wherein the respective weight for one or more of the plurality of indicators is derived from the value of the indicator, and generating the score for the item from the item-specific values and weights for the item-specific values. The method further includes providing the score for each item to a ranking engine implemented on one or more computers. |
| US08676811B2 |
Method and apparatus of generating update parameters and displaying correlated keywords
Provided is a method of generating updating parameters. The method obtains search keywords used by users within a predetermined time period; counts the search keywords to obtain primary keywords, related keywords, co-search frequencies of each primary keyword and the respective related keywords being searched together, and search frequencies of the primary keywords being searched alone; computes first feature values based on the search frequencies of the primary keywords being searched alone; and then computes second feature values based on the first feature values and the co-search frequencies of the primary keywords and the respective related keywords. The second feature values serve as updating parameters for determining displaying modes of the related keywords. An apparatus of generating updating parameters, and a method and an apparatus of displaying related keywords according to the updating parameters are also provided. The solution keeps abreast with the user trends to allow a better user experience and improve computing performance and efficiency. For a service provider, no special secret algorithm is needed, and the operation is easy with a low development cost. |
| US08676807B2 |
Identifying location names within document text
Concepts and technologies are described herein for identifying location names within document text. Through an implementation of the concepts and technologies presented herein, functionality can be provided for identifying location names within articles, websites, travelogues, or other such documents. For instance, documents containing the names of cities, regions, countries, landmarks, or other locations may be associated with those locations. The location names may be unambiguously identified even when the location names may also have common word meanings that are not location associated or when the location name may be associated with more than one location. |
| US08676806B2 |
Intelligent and paperless office
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates collecting and organizing electronic documents. An interface component can receive a document. A manager component can automatically file the document into a category based at least in part upon a portion of static metadata associated with the document and a portion of metadata dynamically generated from an inference related to the portion of static metadata associated with the document. |
| US08676805B1 |
System and method for probabilistic relational clustering
Relational clustering has attracted more and more attention due to its phenomenal impact in various important applications which involve multi-type interrelated data objects, such as Web mining, search marketing, bioinformatics, citation analysis, and epidemiology. A probabilistic model is presented for relational clustering, which also provides a principal framework to unify various important clustering tasks including traditional attributes-based clustering, semi-supervised clustering, co-clustering and graph clustering. The model seeks to identify cluster structures for each type of data objects and interaction patterns between different types of objects. Under this model, parametric hard and soft relational clustering algorithms are provided under a large number of exponential family distributions. The algorithms are applicable to relational data of various structures and at the same time unify a number of state-of-the-art clustering algorithms: co-clustering algorithms, the k-partite graph clustering, and semi-supervised clustering based on hidden Markov random fields. |
| US08676798B1 |
Query generation for searchable content
Query generation for searchable content is provided. In some embodiments, query generation for searchable content includes receiving searchable content (e.g., the searchable content can include a unique identifier for the searchable content, such as a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for a web site, and the web site can include one or more web pages); and generating a set of queries, the set of queries including one or more queries (e.g., the set of queries can include ranked queries) that are relevant to the searchable content. |
| US08676797B2 |
Managing and accessing data in web notebooks
A method of adding web-based content to a web notebook can include producing multiple search results responsive to a search request; generating in the multiple search results multiple corresponding icons, each of which, when invoked, causes content associated with a corresponding search result in the multiple search results to be placed in a web notebook associated with a user account; and forming a correlation between one of the multiple search results and the web notebook. |
| US08676792B1 |
Method and system for an invitation triggered automated search
A method for performing an invitation triggered search by a query engine, involving receiving an invitation message associated with a project, wherein the query engine is a recipient of the invitation message, extracting at least one attribute from the invitation message, searching a plurality of sources to identify a plurality of resources associated with the at least one attribute, and sending a reply message including a display of the plurality of resources associated with the at least one attribute to a sender of the invitation message. |
| US08676791B2 |
Apparatus and methods for providing assistance in detecting mistranslation
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing assistance in detecting mistranslation in a translated document obtained by performing machine translation of an original document. A word included in the translated document is obtained. Search results are obtained of searching both a first document data group and a second document data group including the first document data group for pieces of document data related to the obtained word. Based on the obtained search results, an index is generated. The index indicates the adequacy of the obtained word as a translated word in a field corresponding to the first document data group. The generated index is output. |
| US08676786B2 |
Computer product, data conversion apparatus, and conversion method
A computer-readable medium storing therein a data conversion program that causes a computer to execute a process that includes receiving after a schema of a database has been changed from a former schema to a new schema, a processing request concerning the database; judging based on difference information concerning the former schema and the new schema, whether in the processing request, a condition that specifies process data subject to processing, has been changed by the new schema; searching the database for conversion data whose format is to be converted from the former schema to the new schema, the searching based on judgment results obtained at the judging and on the processing request; and converting the format of the retrieved conversion data, from the former schema to the new schema. |
| US08676781B1 |
Method and system for associating an advertisement with a web page
A method and system for associating an advertisement with a web page are disclosed. Web pages associated with potential queries may be identified using a search engine. A mapping operation may be performed to obtain a map of the web pages as a function of the potential queries. A reverse mapping operation may be performed to obtain a grouping of potential queries as a function of one of the web pages. An active query may be selected from the grouping of potential queries to provide to an advertising service to associate an advertisement with the web page. |
| US08676780B2 |
System and method for citation processing, presentation and transport and for validating references
The present invention comprises a system and method for automatically processing one or more citations contained within a document while the document is presented by a document rendering application. The method of the present invention comprises scanning the document to identify an unformatted citation and parsing the unformatted citation to determine one or more citation terms. One or more citation libraries are queried to find citations comprising the one or more citation terms. A citation falling within the scope of the query is selected and inserted into the document. The present invention may further provide enhanced workflow solutions for authors and publishers in preparing documents in structured format for facilitating efficient and accurate validation of references cited or included in papers and other submissions for publication or for review. An author prepares a document containing a set of cited references using a formatting structure. A system includes a processor to process the document to extract embedded metadata associated with the set of cited references. The processor executes code associated with a reference validation software module and automatically recognizes the formatting structure and the embedded metadata. The processor automatically extracts the embedded metadata and compares the extracted metadata against an authority database to determine the validity of the set of cited references. |
| US08676777B1 |
Determining geographic areas of interest for a query
Methods, systems, and apparatus for selecting geographic areas of interest for a query. A method includes for each query stored in search log data, determining an origin location for each occurrence of the query, determining a content location for each occurrence of the query, for each of a plurality of catchment areas, determining catchment area matches for the query based on the origin location of each occurrence of the query and the content location of the occurrence of the query, determining, for each catchment area, a catchment area score that is indicative of an interest level for the catchment area for a query, the determination based on a number of catchment area matches for the catchment area for the query and selecting, for the query and based on the catchment area scores for the catchment areas, one of the catchment areas as a selected catchment area for the query. |
| US08676776B2 |
Multi-prefix interactive mobile search
A system and a method are disclosed for multi-prefix, interactive search capability on a mobile communications device. A keystroke is input into a search query field of a landing page and a multi-prefix search is performed. The landing page is refreshed to display the results. The landing page displays a first tier of search results, which can include channels or links to web pages associated with the user input. If the search result that is selected is a channel, the channel is displayed. If the search result that is selected is a web page, the web page is displayed. The landing page corresponding to the selected channel, or to the web page, may then be searched or explored. If the desired channel is not displayed within the first tier of search results, another keystroke may be input. The landing page refreshes accordingly and additional keystrokes may be entered. |
| US08676772B2 |
Systems and methods for improving database performance
Systems and methods for mapping and propagating a source dataset to a plurality of target tables in a target database are described herein. Embodiments include a physical database design with a template-based loader, and a method to propagate changes in the source dataset to a target database. Other embodiments include a database physical design with a plurality of small fact and summary tables. Still other embodiments include a method of extracting and loading data automatically into a target database, while simultaneously maintaining current summary tables. |
| US08676771B2 |
Multi-level version format
A system and method for maintaining version information. An identifier (“ID”) that identifies a collection of associated files is obtained. An index is generated that specifies the contents of the collection of associated files. The ID may be saved along with the index in a target version file to convey version information about the collection of associated files. Subsequently, the index may be extracted from the target version file to compare with a corresponding index extracted from a reference version file. The result of the comparison may be used to determine whether the contents of the collection of associated files match a reference. |
| US08676761B1 |
Preparation of a system image for rapid restore
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for efficiently backing up information are disclosed. In some embodiments, a source is analyzed, the source profile is generated based on the analysis, the source profile is then associated with a source image, and the source profile is stored in a storage device. In some embodiments, the source profile is stored in a source profile database. In some embodiments, the source image may be modified based on the source profile. The source image may have software components removed. |
| US08676760B2 |
Maintaining data integrity in data servers across data centers
A method, computer program product and system for maintaining data integrity of multiple copies of a piece of data in data servers of multiple data centers, includes maintaining a cluster of catalog servers, where one of the catalog servers is selected as the master catalog server, storing the piece of data in a primary data server chosen from the data servers, duplicating the piece of data to one or more backup data servers chosen from the data servers, recording a data state information to the master catalog server, duplicating the data state information to the cluster of catalog servers, and updating the data servers and the cluster of catalog servers when the primary data server fails. |
| US08676757B2 |
Application of a differential dataset to a data store using sequential change sets
Systems and methods are described herein for creating, maintaining and applying a dataset that can be used to synchronize multiple instances of a data store. The dataset includes a sequentially-ordered sequence of change sets associated with the data store, wherein each change set includes zero or more entries that specify how the state of certain entities in the data store have changed since state changes represented by a previous change set in the sequence were applied to the data store. When a new change set is added to the dataset, any entries in any previously-added change sets dealing with the entities identified in the new change set are removed. Consequently, the dataset provides a concise and complete representation of all the state changes that have occurred to the data store since a known origin state. |
| US08676753B2 |
Monitoring of replicated data instances
Replicated instances in a database environment provide for automatic failover and recovery. A monitoring component can obtain a lease enabling the component to periodically communicate with, and monitor, one or more data instances in the data environment, where the data instance can be a replicated instance including a primary and a secondary replica. For a large number of instances, the data environment can be partitioned such that each monitoring component can be assigned a partition of the workload. In the event of a failure of a monitoring component, the instances can be repartitioned and the remaining monitoring components can be assigned to the new partitions to substantially evenly distribute the workload. |
| US08676747B2 |
Document management apparatus, document management method, and computer-readable non-transitory storage medium storing document management program
A document management apparatus includes a document storing portion to store a document, a designated part accepting portion to accept any part designated by a user within the stored document as a designated part, an associating portion to associate the accepted designated part with a notification destination, an altering portion to alter the stored document, and a notifying portion to notify the notification destination associated with the designated part when at least a portion of an altered part altered within the stored document by the altering portion is included in the designated part. |
| US08676744B2 |
Physics-based, Bayesian sequential detection method and system for radioactive contraband
A distributed sequential method and system for detecting and identifying radioactive contraband from highly uncertain (noisy) low-count, radionuclide measurements, i.e. an event mode sequence (EMS), using a statistical approach based on Bayesian inference and physics-model-based signal processing based on the representation of a radionuclide as a monoenergetic decomposition of monoenergetic sources. For a given photon event of the EMS, the appropriate monoenergy processing channel is determined using a confidence interval condition-based discriminator for the energy amplitude and interarrival time and parameter estimates are used to update a measured probability density function estimate for a target radionuclide. A sequential likelihood ratio test is then used to determine one of two threshold conditions signifying that the EMS is either identified as the target radionuclide or not, and if not, then repeating the process for the next sequential photon event of the EMS until one of the two threshold conditions is satisfied. |
| US08676737B2 |
Detecting missing cases in business rules
A missing case of a fixed scope can be detected among a plurality of business rules of unrestricted forms. According to one or more embodiments, the described detecting includes building a rules inhibition graph for the plurality of business rules representing a constraint model comprising a plurality of nodes and describing a plurality of cases which make the plurality of business rules non-applicable; labeling the rules inhibition graph with values satisfying constraints of the constraint model by search and inference, and determining a missing case when a consistent labeling satisfying the constraints of the constraint model is obtained. Using one or more of the described embodiments missing cases which may result from unforeseen interactions of overlapping tests over an a priori unknown number of attributes among arbitrary business rules may be detected. |
| US08676736B2 |
Recommender systems and methods using modified alternating least squares algorithm
A system and method of providing personalized item recommendations in a communication system comprising a server and a plurality of client devices. At the server, a plurality of user rating vectors are received from a plurality of client devices and aggregated into a rating matrix that is factorized into a user feature matrix and an item feature matrix, with the product of the user feature and item feature matrixes approximating the user rating matrix. The factorization comprises the steps of the ALS1 or the IALS1 algorithm including: initializing the user feature matrix and the item feature matrix with predefined initial values; alternately optimizing the user feature matrix and the item feature matrix until a termination condition is met. The item feature matrix is transmitted from the server to at least one client device, and a predictive rating vector is generated as the product of the associated user feature vector and the item feature matrix. At least one item is selected for recommendation to a user from the items associated with the predictive rating vector. |
| US08676732B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing information of interest to one or more users
Methods and system of searching for content in a target set of content based on a reference set of content, a reference semantic network representing knowledge associated with the reference set of content, and a target semantic network representing knowledge associated with the target set of content. Techniques include receiving a user-specified search query, obtaining at least one concept semantically relevant to the user-specified search query by using the target semantic network and the reference semantic network, constructing a second query by augmenting the first search query with one or more terms associated with the at least one obtained concept; providing, to the at least one user, content associated with search results obtained based on searching the target set of content by using the second query, wherein any concept in the semantic network is represented by a data structure storing data associated with a node in the semantic network. |
| US08676731B1 |
Data extraction confidence attribute with transformations
A data extraction system for receiving and scanning documents to generate ordered input for storage in a database employs a non-linear statistical model for a data extraction sequence having a plurality of transformations. Each transformation transitions an extracted data value in various forms from a raw data image to a computed data value. For each transformation, a confidence model learns a confidence component for the particular transformation. The learned confidence components, generated from a control set of documents having known values, are employed in a production mode with actual raw data. The confidence component corresponds to a likelihood of transformation accuracy, and the confidence model aggregates the confidence components to compute a confidence for the extracted data value. A database stores the extracted data value labeled with the computed confidence attribute for subsequent use by an application employing the extracted data. |
| US08676727B2 |
Abnormality diagnosis filter generator
Provided is an apparatus determining values of N and K for an abnormality diagnostic logic which makes a diagnosis N times for each diagnosis target by using observation values collected therefrom, and generates a diagnosis result showing that the diagnosis target is abnormal if the diagnosis target is judged to be abnormal K or more times. A calculator calculates average false detection rate PFP, average overlooking rate PFN, bias level of false detection MFP, and bias level of overlooking MFN, based on diagnosis result data and inspection result data. A determiner calculates an optimization metric for each combination of values N and K by using the average false detection rate, the bias level of false detection, the average overlooking rate, and the bias level of overlooking, and selects a pair of N and K by which the optimization metric becomes minimum or a threshold value or less. |
| US08676726B2 |
Automatic variable creation for adaptive analytical models
A system and method for automated variable creation for adaptive fraud analytics are disclosed. A data structure for creation of rules is generated. The data structure represents nodes and associations between nodes from inputs for fraud/non-fraud conditions, and is generated from fraud and non-fraud data collected in an adaptive modeling process from past transactions. All unique paths between nodes of the data structure are determined to define a rule for each path. Each rule is then converted to a binary indicator variable to generate a set of binary indicator variables, and one or more complex variables is derived from the set of binary indicator variables. The one or more binary indicator variables and one or more complex variables can be provided to an adaptive scoring engine to score new transactions or to predict future behaviors. |
| US08676725B1 |
Method and system for entropy-based semantic hashing
Methods, systems and articles of manufacture for identifying semantic nearest neighbors in a feature space are described herein. A method embodiment includes generating an affinity matrix for objects in a given feature space, wherein the affinity matrix identifies the semantic similarity between each pair of objects in the feature space, training a multi-bit hash function using a greedy algorithm that increases the Hamming distance between dissimilar objects in the feature space while minimizing the Hamming distance between similar objects, and identifying semantic nearest neighbors for an object in a second feature space using the multi-bit hash function. A system embodiment includes a hash generator configured to generate the affinity matrix and train the multi-bit hash function, and a similarity determiner configured to identify semantic nearest neighbors for an object in a second feature space using the multi-bit hash function. |
| US08676716B2 |
System and method for managing information flow between members of an online social network
An online social network is provided in which members of the online social network control who may view their personal information and who may communicate with them. The members control who may view their personal information by setting a visibility preference. A member may not view another member's full personal profile if the measure of relatedness between the two is greater than the visibility preference of the other member. The members also control who may communicate with them by setting a contactability preference. A member may not communicate with another member if the measure of relatedness between the two is greater than the contactability preference of the other member. |
| US08676712B2 |
Computer architecture for managing courseware in a shared use operating environment
Methods, devices, and systems are provided in a multi-level computer architecture which provides improved capabilities for managing courseware and other content in a shared use operating environment such as a computer network. In particular, the invention provides a commercial networked instruction content delivery method and system which does not exclude synchronous sharing but is focused on asynchronous sharing. Security means in the architecture provide content property holders with the ability to know how many minutes of use an individual made of licensed material and with increased certainty that their material cannot be used, copied, or sold in usable form unless and until a user site is connected or reconnected to a minute-by-minute counter which is located off the premises of the user. This security link helps protect software and other works which are being sold or licensed to an individual, organization, or entity, and creates income opportunities for owners of such content. |
| US08676710B2 |
Providing security in a cloud storage environment
A method of providing security as a service in a cloud storage environment includes storing, through a cloud manager of the cloud storage environment, a security level of access of a storage controller associated with a customer of the security as a service, and receiving a request from the customer to access security information of the storage controller associated therewith. The method also includes providing, through the cloud manager, security information of the storage controller associated with the customer in accordance with the request and the stored security level of access of the storage controller associated with the customer. |
| US08676708B1 |
Methods and apparatus for facilitating a financial transaction
A method is provided for authorizing a financial transaction of a consumer, comprising: issuing a card to a cardholder by a card-issuing financial institution; creating a card account associated with the card and the cardholder; creating a deposit account associated with the cardholder; creating a liability payment remittance account associated with the cardholder; associating the card with the deposit account and the payment remittance account; and placing money in the deposit account; receiving a request for authorization for a transaction from a clearing system by the card-issuing financial institution; and if adequate resources exist, transferring funds from the deposit account to the payment remittance account; and authorizing the purchase transaction; thereby building an outstanding balance on the credit card account; applying a funds debit or charge to the payment remittance account; and crediting the credit card account for an amount of payment. |
| US08676706B2 |
Online check register using check imaging
Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for maintaining an updated check register in connection with an online banking account of a payor that tracks pending check payments using check imaging technology. Some embodiments of the present invention provide a computer-implemented method including the following steps: receiving an image of at least a portion of a paper check, wherein the portion comprises an indication of an amount of money to be drawn on a financial account, processing the image to determine the amount, identifying the financial account, and recording the amount in connection with the financial account, wherein the recording step occurs prior to receiving any indication that the check has been presented for payment. In addition, the method may also include making the financial account with an indication of the pending payment available to be viewed by the payor. |
| US08676704B2 |
Method for transferring funds
A method to transfer money to a payee's payment card account, without requiring an additional payment card or without acquiring the payee's payment card information is disclosed. A payee registers a payment card with a service provider. The payment card is associated with a payment card account. A payor transfers an initial amount of money to the service provider to be given to the payee, when payee uses the registered payment card for a specified spending category. The service provider stores the money until the payee uses the registered payment card to make a qualified purchase. |
| US08676703B2 |
Insurance policy revisioning method and apparatus
An insurance policy is stored (101) as a plurality of discrete temporally-sequential policy data revisions. A legally binding revision for a first given date is then determined (102) by identifying all policy data revisions effective on the first given date and choosing a most temporally recent policy data revision temporally prior to a second given date. When a new policy data revision is (103) temporally subsequent as compared to a first policy data revision and also comprises a legally effective date range preceding at least in part an effective date range of the first policy data revision, legally non-overlapping policy data revisions are created (104) for each legally overlapping effective date range as exists between the new policy data revision and all temporally preceding revisions. Each newly-created legally non-overlapping policy data revision comprises changes introduced by the new policy data revision and at least one temporally preceding policy data revision. |
| US08676702B1 |
Method and apparatus for generating a bill in a packet network
A method and apparatus for generating at least one bill in a packet network is described. In one embodiment, a request to change a billing cycle is received by an application server from a customer via a packet network. The billing cycle is subsequently changed to a modified billing cycle in accordance to the received request. Lastly, at least one bill is generated by the application server in accordance with the modified billing cycle. |
| US08676700B2 |
Methods and systems for handling currency
A bulk deposit can be made at a financial institution based on dealings between a remitter and the remitter's agent. Information concerning transactions between the agent and the agent's customers, is transferred by the agent to the remitter and, in turn, from the remitter to a service provider that is distinct from the agent, the remitter, and the remitter's bank. The service provider can generate a deposit slip and store in a database, information about the slip. This deposit slip is marked with (a) transaction amounts for the agent's customers, (b) the bulk cash to be deposited; and (c) a summary of any discrepancy between the two. The provider makes available to the financial institution at least some of the transaction information including (a) its correlation to the deposit slip, and (b) detail greater than that produced on the deposit slip. |
| US08676699B2 |
System and method for risk monitoring of rated legal entities
Methods and systems for risk monitoring and reporting impacts of credit ratings on rated legal entities are provided. In a method of reporting an impact of credit ratings on a rated legal entity, a plurality of credit rating terms related to a rated legal entity are converted to at least one logical trigger comprising one or more logical expressions. The credit rating terms may impact performance of a legal right or obligation associated with the rated legal entity. The trigger(s) are stored in a computer database. At least one trigger is retrieved from the database. A status for one of the retrieved triggers is evaluated based on predetermined values of the logical expression(s) of the retrieved trigger. Status information for at least one rated legal entity is displayed based on the evaluated status of the retrieved trigger(s). |
| US08676698B2 |
System and method for operating a gift certificate on the basis of credit card transactions
A system and method for operating a credit card gift certificate based on credit card transactions is disclosed. According to the method for operating the credit card gift certificate, a credit card gift certificate server adds the limit of the credit card gift certificate corresponding to an amount of money printed on the credit card gift certificate to the transaction limit of a credit card of a credit card user, and the credit card user uses the amount of money of the gift certificate through the credit card transactions within the additionally configured limit of the credit card transaction. An amount obtained by subtracting the limit of the gift certificate from an amount paid by the credit card is determined as a payment amount to be paid by the user on a credit card bill that is sent to the user. |
| US08676695B2 |
User interface, system and method for performing a web-based transaction
Disclosed is a computer with a user interface, the computer including central processing units, memories, and network interfaces, a program code that performs a search and transaction based on user input, the interface displaying in conjunction with code execution, an input environment adapted to search criteria input, the criteria defining a search for desired entities, the program code establishing a search engine that searches on different web sources to generate a search result, the engine searching using a combination of different input entities, a first entity and a second entity includable in the different entities, the engine searching for the configuration, the different entities being purchasable from different web sources, the engine searching on different web sources for the combination, and presenting found configurations, the engine providing at least one order input determined by at least one found configuration, the system taking mutual dependencies between the entities into consideration. |
| US08676694B2 |
Secure and efficient payment processing system
A method of processing commercial transactions carried out over the Internet (50) between account holders (30) and participating merchants (20) includes receiving a purchase request (352) of a buyer from a participating merchant (20) indicating that the buyer desires to carry out a transaction with the merchant (20). The transaction includes the buyer purchasing one or more selected items (340) from the merchant (20). The buyer is authenticated (310) as an account holder (30) and transaction fulfillment data (362) is established. The transaction fulfillment data (362) indicates a delivery destination for the selected items. In turn, the transaction fulfillment data (362) is communicated to the participating merchant (20), and transaction details (384) from the participating merchant (20) are received. The transaction details (384) include a cost for the selected items. Thereafter, completion of the transaction is authorized (390) and an authorization code (392) established therefor is communicated to the participating merchant (20). |
| US08676689B1 |
Financial status measurement and management tool
A system, method and software tool to measure and manage financial status. The tool produces a spreadsheet that summarizes the position of an individual or small business user by integrating net worth data with cash flow data and tracking against financial goals. These data are retrieved by linking with popular financial, tax preparation and budgeting software and the user's financial data stored on secure websites. The tool provides government statistics matched to the user to present a comprehensive financial position, comparing the user's position with similar households. The method integrates analysis of assets and liabilities with cash flow and assists the user in setting goals to achieve financial independence. The system supplies the user with written material explaining concepts of integrating net worth and cash flow, the software tool and access to a social networking website for exchange of ideas relating to wealth and cash flow measurement and management. |
| US08676687B2 |
Asset planning and tracking
A asset planning and tracking system plans and tracks progress towards a savings goal and analyzes the consumption of assets that are being used to satisfy the savings goal. The system may further be configured to analyze a user's periodic (e.g., monthly, quarterly, yearly) transactions and provide suggested transactions if the user has excess income for the period. An asset planning and tracking system may be implemented in the context of a retirement planning system to aid a non-retired user in planning for his or her retirement and to aid a retired user in tracking the consumption of retirement assets. |
| US08676684B2 |
System and method for evaluating risk in fraud prevention
A method of determining a risk score indicating a risk that an electronic transaction will involve fraud and/or abuse. The method includes receiving transaction data associated with a not yet completed transaction from a merchant. The transaction data includes one or more characteristics related to the transaction. A profile is selected that identifies network devices each associated with the characteristics and having a device reputation. Next, a profile-based risk factor is determined as a function of a percentage of the network devices having a negative reputation. The risk score is determined as a function of the profile-based risk factor. In some embodiments, a transaction-based risk factor may also be determined. In such embodiments, the risk score is determined as a function of the profile-based and transaction-based risk factors. The risk score is provided to the merchant to be used thereby to determine whether to proceed with the transaction. |
| US08676680B2 |
Automatically determining a current value for a home
A facility for valuing a distinguished home located in a distinguished geographic area is described. The facility receives home attributes for the distinguished home. The facility obtains valuation for the distinguished home by applying to the received home attributes evaluation model for homes in the distinguished geographic area that has been trained using selling price and home attribute data from homes recently sold in the distinguished geographic area. The facility reports the obtained valuation for the distinguished home. |
| US08676679B2 |
Counterparty credit limits in computerized trading
Systems, methods, and computer program products for establishing and using credit limits between counterparties and for managing risk in the trading of financial interests. A trading party may control the amount of future financial exposure that the trading party will incur with any counterparty in one or more future time periods in trades by the trading party during a trading session. Credit limits may be used to permit proposed trades to be completed or not depending upon available credit. Where there is insufficient credit, the trade may be blocked or otherwise prevented from progressing towards completion. If there is insufficient credit and if trading up to available credit is permitted, a partial trade for an amount up to the credit limit may be allowed. During a trading session, the credit remaining of a set credit limit between the trading party and the respective counterparty is changed according to trades executed between the trading party and the counterparty. After the end of the trading session, the remaining credit may be automatically reset to the set credit limit for each counterparty and future time period. |
| US08676676B2 |
Spending vehicles for payments
A system and method for associating payments with spending vehicles so that an individual who is entitled to receive periodic or special payments such as social security checks receives in place of the payment a spending vehicle such as a discount card, rebate, or coupon for use with purchases of the sponsor's products or services. Sponsors include companies and organizations interested in offering purchase incentives to their customers. An individual who wishes to receive a spending vehicle rather than the regular payment selects the spending vehicle he or she would like to receive. The individual then assigns his or her right to receive the payment to a third party. The third party then arranges to give a spending vehicle to the individual and to transfer the individual's payment to the sponsor of the spending vehicle. The third party may take a portion of the payment as compensation for the service. |
| US08676669B1 |
Providing confirmations for list modifications
Disclosed are various embodiments for providing confirmations for list modifications. A network page is sent to a client. The network page includes one or more components for requesting that one or more items be added to a list of items. The item(s) are added to the list of items in response to a request from the client. A display region is encoded for rendering in the client as a layer superimposed on the network page. The display region includes a confirmation that the item(s) have been added to the list of items. The display region includes one or more undo components for requesting that a last modification to the list of items be reversed. |
| US08676667B1 |
Parallel computer network and method for real time financial resource management, inventory control, and online purchasing
A method for simulating the entire superset of potential valid keyword regular expression requests constructed during an Internet browser search and converting the result sets into Environmental summary report to enable efficient and accurate searching without requiring Browser Engine supercomputer cluster searching capabilities. |
| US08676665B2 |
Method and medium for universal shopping cart order injection and payment determination
A universal shopping cart is provided that obtains and orders products and services from different merchants located on the Internet. The consumer completes all of their shopping on the shopping site and is not directed to another merchant's site to complete an order. The universal shopping cart provides a monitoring service that allows the consumer to monitor a product for specified criteria. The order injection system places orders for products contained within the universal shopping cart from affiliated and non-affiliated merchants. Specific ordering details required from merchants external to the shopping site are hidden from the consumer. For external merchant sites that require a consumer account before allowing the product to be purchased, the shopping site creates a new consumer account without intervention from the consumer. Once the products are ordered, the consumer may keep track of the ordered products from the shopping site. |
| US08676663B1 |
Providing recommendations to hospitality customers
Method, system, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed for providing recommendations to hospitality customers. Defining steps include establishing a connection with a customer's mobile device, obtaining information about the location of the customer's mobile device, determining recommended goods or services currently offered by one or more business locations, and outputting for display on the customer's mobile device a listing of the recommended goods or services navigable by category or subcategory. |
| US08676654B2 |
Method and system for facilitating a purchase process
A transaction system and method is provided for enabling potential buyers to purchase goods through reverse on-line auction process. The transaction system is configured to automatically receive periodic uploads of information regarding goods for sale by suppliers and to store this information in a database. A potential buyer can login to the transaction system and submit searches for goods based on a variety of parameters which may include condition, warranty, and revision. The potential buyer also submits an offer price for each requested item. The transaction system queries the database to determine if the requested goods are available. The transaction system selects the vendor so as to maximize the sales margin and then determines whether the buyer's offer can be accepted based on predetermined margin requirements. If the buyer's offer can be accepted, the system generates an acceptance to the offer from the buyer and generates a purchase order to the selected supplier. |
| US08676653B2 |
Use of optical images to authenticate and enable a return with an electronic receipt
A method is disclosed for authenticating and enabling returns at a physical store location and based off of an electronic receipt. The electronic receipt may be viewed on a mobile electronic device with electronic receipts software thereon. The electronic receipts software may use machine readable codes to verify whether a customer is present at a returns terminal at a physical store location. More particularly, the electronic receipts software may contain a bar code reader module and use the camera of the mobile electronic device to capture a machine readable code such as a bar code or QR code. The electronics receipts software may recover data from the machine readable code which identifies the store, retail location, etc. This information may be compared against known values to determine that the customer is present at a returns terminal. |
| US08676652B1 |
Sending a counter-offer to use an alternate payment option
In a method for sending a counter-offer in response to receiving an indication about a point-of-sale transaction, a computer receives from a point-of-sale program a point-of-sale transaction and an indication that the point-of-sale transaction is to be paid for utilizing a first payment option and is to be recorded using a second payment option. The computer determines that a counter-offer is appropriate. The counter-offer includes a request that the point-of-sale transaction be paid for utilizing the second payment option. The computer sends to the point-of-sale program the counter-offer. |
| US08676651B2 |
Interaction prompt for interactive advertising
Systems and methods for dynamically sizing, structuring and operating advertisements that include a variety of content, including interaction prompts and other elements, which enable an engagement-based revenue generation model. According to one embodiment, a computer implemented method comprises storing advertising content, serving an XML file from an advertising server to an advertisement manager in order to control a player on a user computer, dynamically generating the advertisement through the player based on directions from the advertisement manager and the stored content, and tracking and reporting a user's engagement with the advertisement in order to determine compensation for the publisher. |
| US08676649B2 |
Systems and methods to merchandise a product based on a compatibility
Methods and systems to merchandise a product based on compatibility are disclosed. The system receives a request over a network from a user. Next, the system associates the request with a user profile that is associated with the user, retrieves an application listing from the user profile that describes a first item and associates the first item with a plurality of candidate items based on item cluster information that is generated based on content data information that is received from a content data provider. Next, the system selects a second item from the plurality of candidate items, the second item being a component of the first item. Finally, the system communicates the merchandising information over a network, to merchandize the second item. |
| US08676646B2 |
Response attribution valuation
A computer-implemented method is described for determining a response attribution value that represents a credit assignment to a communication, for an associated response received from a recipient during a marketing campaign. |
| US08676643B2 |
System and method for inverted promotions
A method of extending promotional discounts and special prices on items for sale to identified consumers. After the identification of a consumer by a unique identifier; a selected item is promoted with a discount or special price to the identified consumer. The discount or special price is granted upon a purchase of the item by the identified consumer prior to the withdrawal or termination of the promotion to the identified consumer. The withdrawal or termination of the promotion is held in abeyance upon an acknowledgment of the promotion by the identified consumer. In other words, the identified consumer must take specific action to prevent a promotional discount from being withdrawn. This inverted promotion provides for greater incentives for the consumer to provide information about his or her purchasing habits. |
| US08676641B2 |
Online reward point exchange method and system with price, redemption and transacted value discount scheduling
An online reward exchange system and method of operation, which includes an exchange computer that interoperates via a computer network with user computers, reward point issuer computers, and merchant computers. The merchants' products may be purchased by a user by requesting an issuer(s) to redeem reward points in exchange for payment to the merchant for the product. The exchange computer is the gateway to the system and manages various transactions such as providing online product catalogs to users that list the merchants products, as well as displaying to the user the reward points he has available in his reward programs with the issuers. Once a user selects a desired product the exchange computer can mediate or manage the purchase transaction in which reward points are redeemed by the selected issuer and consideration is conveyed to the merchant in exchange for the merchant providing the product to the user. |
| US08676635B2 |
Method and system for managing transactions
A method and system for managing transactions. At least one resource manager (RM) for managing changes to respective system resources of a data processing system is provided. A resource manager coordinator (RMC) for coordinating commit-backout activities of the at least one resource manager is provided. The resource manager coordinator (RMC) is hosted by the data processing system. The data processing system receives a business service request from a remote computer system to perform a task. The task includes compliant processes complying with a commit/backout protocol and non-compliant processes not complying with a commit/backout protocol. The compliant processes are running on the data processing system and the non-compliant processes are running on a counterpart processing system that is coupled to the data processing system by a labile link. |
| US08676627B2 |
Vertical process merging by reconstruction of equivalent models and hierarchical process merging
Methods, systems and computer program products for improvement of vertical process merging by reconstruction of equivalent models and hierarchical process merging. Embodiments of the invention include a method for identifying and resolving differences between business process models, the method including receiving a first business process model project, identifying a second business process model project, performing changes to the second business process model project, merging the first and second business process model projects, creating a delta model configured to analyze the differences between the business process model projects, wherein an analysis of the differences between the first and second business process model projects are in the form of low-level changes and auto-applying the low-level changes of the first business process model project to generate a new business process model project. |
| US08676621B1 |
System and method for managing requests for pooled resources during non-contention
A computer system that provides pooled computing resources to clients may receive requests for resources, each of which includes a bid amount. While the supply of resources exceeds the demand, the system may adaptively determine a theoretical bid threshold for the resource pool that represents the predicted value of the lowest bid amount for which corresponding requests will be granted when demand for the resources exceeds supply. The determination may be dependent on a distribution of the bid amounts included in the requests for resources. The system may adaptively determine the lowest bid amount for which corresponding ones of the requests will be granted during non-contention dependent on changes in demand for the resources, the total capacity of the resource pool, and the theoretical bid threshold value, and may grant requests that include higher bid amounts. The use of some resources may be terminated in response to changes in demand. |
| US08676619B2 |
Online system enabling control of educational and advertising content
The computer apparatus and methods of the preferred embodiment uses computer technology in a unique way to motivate children to devote more time to educational and cultural enrichment. In the preferred embodiment, educational material is provided at a child's local computer under control of a central computer system connected to it over a computer network. On completing a particular educational task, the child is rewarded with a certain number of points. Points that the child accumulates are stored centrally, and at least some of the points can be redeemed towards the purchase of goods and services offered through the system of the preferred embodiment by its commercial participants. The purchasing transactions are also administered by the central computer. Parents, preferably, use the system to support their children's purchasing activity financially and to select content available for presentation to the child. In other embodiments, the disclosed apparatus and methods can be used for purposes unrelated to education of children, and distribution of functionality between the central and local computers may be different, including wholly local implementations. |
| US08676615B2 |
Methods and systems for computer aided event and venue setup and modeling and interactive maps
Described are systems and methods for designing certain aspects of an event venue and for communicating information regarding the event and the event venue to others. Certain embodiments provide a dynamic seat map via which an operator can assign certain characteristics to specific seats and/or seating sections. Certain embodiments generate interactive maps for users, via which information from a plurality of sources may be integrated and visually displayed. The user may specify certain criteria, and the interactive map may identify to the user seats and/or sections that match such criteria. Certain embodiments provide an interactive seat map via which users can select seats and share information. |
| US08676613B2 |
Methods for grid-based insurance rating
A method for rating insurance products using a programmed computer system having steps including receiving a coordinate pair comprising a longitude and a latitude of a location; determining a target coordinate grid block by truncating a decimal representation of the longitude and latitude of the location; querying a database for a first set of existing data associated with the target coordinate grid block; setting a ring counter to an initial value; determining a current ring of coordinate grid blocks grid adjacent to and surrounding the target grid block; querying the database for a second set of existing data associated with each coordinate grid block in the current ring of coordinate grid blocks; and calculating a rating for an insurance product based on an analysis of the data. |
| US08676612B2 |
System for adjusting insurance for a building structure through the incorporation of selected technologies
A method and computerized system is disclosed for managing the underwriting, quoting and binding an insurance policy with regard to the technology used to militate against the financial consequences of property losses. The invention utilizes a classifier for categorizing and weighing risk, composed of data representing in an identified building, a first unmitigated insurance risk and a second insurance risk, based upon the use of certain technology. A plurality of such weights are summed such that the weights generate a minimized risk for a building structure under consideration. Combinations of technologies employed in building structures are mapped to classifications, which then permits an underwriter to establish a premium. In another aspect of the invention, data structures representing the quantification of risk reduction attendant a given technology or product are chained into a plurality of decision trees that process a construction phase and a pruning phase. |
| US08676607B2 |
Obtaining patient survey results
Systems and techniques are disclosed for determining a health risk assessment score for a patient who did not complete a health risk assessment. In some implementations, the health risk assessment score can be determined for the patient who did not respond based on a behavior prediction score obtained for the patient who did not respond, behavior prediction scores for patients who did respond to the health risk assessment, and health risk assessment scores for the patients who did respond. |
| US08676605B2 |
Delphi method for medical coding
Systems and methods provide confirmation of accuracy of determining medical codes for medical records. The technology may include processor control instructions or steps for establishing a collection of medical documents as a test sample and for determining a convergence of assigned medical codes for the sample that have been assigned by a plurality of coders to establish a standard of one or more accepted medical codes for the sample. The technology may include instructions for applying the sample to a coding system to obtain a determined medical code for the sample; and for comparing the determined code to the accepted medical codes to rate the coding system's accuracy. In some embodiments, the determining a convergence of determined medical codes may be obtained by a software coding algorithm that automatically assigns medical codes to medical records. Moreover, the comparing step may be performed by an algorithm that automatically calculates a rate of the coding system. |
| US08676599B2 |
System and method for ordering patient specific healthcare services
A system and method for ordering healthcare services wherein a list of selectable orders for medical services for a given patient is dynamically generated based on medical information of the patient (e.g., the patient's condition or set of conditions) and presented to a user (e.g., a physician). In one aspect, a system for ordering patient specific healthcare services comprises a user interface that enables a user to input a medical condition of a patient and to select desired medical services from a list of orderable medical services presented to the user; a services database comprising a plurality of predetermined medical services that are each associated with a medical condition; and an engine for compiling the list of orderable medical services from one or more predetermined medical services in the services database that are associated with the input medical conditions of the patient. A clinical knowledge model is used by the engine to identify a medical condition that is potentially associated with a known or identified medical condition of the patient, based upon potential etiology, potential complication, clinical associations, or any combination thereof. |
| US08676597B2 |
Methods and systems for mapping healthcare services analytics for volume and trends
Certain examples provide systems and methods for analysis and graphical visualization of healthcare services data. Certain examples provide a healthcare services analysis and visualization system. The system includes a data store to store data related to healthcare services provided in at least one geographic region. The system also includes a processor to retrieve and sort data from the data store based on one or more criteria, analyze the sorted data, and transform the sorted data into a geographical map representation of the healthcare services data. The system includes a user interface to display the geographical map representation of the healthcare services data and facilitate user review and interaction with the geographical map representation and the underlying healthcare services data. |
| US08676593B2 |
Geographic governance of data over clouds
Methods and systems for controlling a geographic region of data in cloud computing are described. A method implemented in a computer infrastructure including a combination of hardware and software includes: receiving a request from a local computing device to save data on a network including a plurality of data storage locations in a plurality of different geographic regions; determining a specified geographic region of the plurality of different geographic regions by analyzing at least one of: (i) file attributes associated with the data, and (ii) predefined rules; identifying one of the plurality of data storage locations within the specified geographic region based on the determining step; and routing the data to the identified one of the plurality of data storage locations within the specified geographic region. |
| US08676591B1 |
Audio deceleration
An audio receiving system includes logic configured to reduce the accumulation of delays caused by the late arrival of audio packets. This logic is configured to accelerate or decelerate presentation of a resulting audio stream in response to the detection of late packets. The acceleration is discontinued once the effects of the late packets have been compensated for. The audio receiving system is typically applied to applications in which lag is undesirable. These can include web conferencing, telepresence, and online video games. |
| US08676590B1 |
Web-based audio transcription tool
A computer-implemented technique for transcribing audio data includes generating, along a vertical axis on a display of a client device, an image representing audio content. The technique further includes receiving, from a user of the client device, a selection of a portion of the image; and generating, via an audio module of the client device, an audio output corresponding to the selected portion of the image. The technique further includes receiving, from the user, a selection indicating a position along the vertical axis on the display to enter a text portion representing the audio output, wherein the position is aligned to the selected portion of the image. The technique further includes receiving, from the user, the text portion representing the audio output; and displaying, on the display, the text portion at the position, wherein the text portion extends along a horizontal axis on the display. |
| US08676589B2 |
Editing telecom web applications through a voice interface
Systems and associated methods for editing telecom web applications through a voice interface are described. Systems and methods provide for editing telecom web applications over a connection, as for example accessed via a standard phone, using speech and/or DTMF inputs. The voice based editing includes exposing an editing interface to a user for a telecom web application that is editable, dynamically generating a voice-based interface for a given user for accomplishing editing tasks, and modifying the telecom web application to reflect the editing commands entered by the user. |
| US08676587B1 |
Computerized information and display apparatus and methods
Computerized apparatus and methods for obtaining and displaying information, such as for example directions to a desired entity or organization. In one embodiment, the computerized apparatus is configured to receive user speech input and enable local performance of various tasks, such as obtaining desired information relating to entities, maps or directions, or any number of other topics. The obtained data may also, in various variants, be displayed in various formats and relative to other entities nearby. |
| US08676583B2 |
Belief tracking and action selection in spoken dialog systems
An action is performed in a spoken dialog system in response to a user's spoken utterance. A policy which maps belief states of user intent to actions is retrieved or created. A belief state is determined based on the spoken utterance, and an action is selected based on the determined belief state and the policy. The action is performed, and in one embodiment, involves requesting clarification of the spoken utterance from the user. Creating a policy may involve simulating user inputs and spoken dialog system interactions, and modifying policy parameters iteratively until a policy threshold is satisfied. In one embodiment, a belief state is determined by converting the spoken utterance into text, assigning the text to one or more dialog slots associated with nodes in a probabilistic ontology tree (POT), and determining a joint probability based on probability distribution tables in the POT and on the dialog slot assignments. |
| US08676582B2 |
System and method for speech recognition using a reduced user dictionary, and computer readable storage medium therefor
A speech recognition system for rapidly performing recognition processing while maintaining quality of speech recognition in a speech recognition device, are provided. A speech recognition system includes a speech input device which inputs speech and displays a recognition result, and a speech recognition device which receives the speech from the speech input device, performs recognition processing, and sends back the speech to the speech input device. The speech input device includes a user dictionary section which stores words used for recognizing the input speech, and a reduced user dictionary creation unit which extracts words corresponding to the input speech from the user dictionary and creates a reduced user dictionary. The speech recognition device has a speech recognition unit which inputs the input speech and the reduced user dictionary from the speech input/output device and recognizes the input speech based on the reduced user dictionary and a system dictionary provided beforehand. |
| US08676580B2 |
Automatic speech and concept recognition
A method, an apparatus and an article of manufacture for automatic speech recognition. The method includes obtaining at least one language model word and at least one rule-based grammar word, determining an acoustic similarity of at least one pair of language model word and rule-based grammar word, and increasing a transition cost to the at least one language model word based on the acoustic similarity of the at least one language model word with the at least one rule-based grammar word to generate a modified language model for automatic speech recognition. |
| US08676578B2 |
Meeting support apparatus, method and program
According to one embodiment, a meeting support apparatus includes a storage unit, a determination unit, a generation unit. The storage unit is configured to store storage information for each of words, the storage information indicating a word of the words, pronunciation information on the word, and pronunciation recognition frequency. The determination unit is configured to generate emphasis determination information including an emphasis level that represents whether a first word should be highlighted and represents a degree of highlighting determined in accordance with a pronunciation recognition frequency of a second word when the first word is highlighted, based on whether the storage information includes second set corresponding to first set and based on the pronunciation recognition frequency of the second word when the second set is included. The generation unit is configured to generate an emphasis character string based on the emphasis determination information when the first word is highlighted. |
| US08676575B2 |
Dialed digits based vocoder assignment
A system and method for providing voice communications with desired characteristics based upon the intended recipient of a voice communication. An apparatus includes a list of dial strings associated with parties having desired voice communication characteristics. A dial string entered by a user and associated with an intended recipient is compared to a list of preferred dial strings to determine the characteristics of an encoded voice signal to be sent to the recipient. The apparatus can include a vocoder having different bit rate modes and a bit rate mode is selected based upon the dial string entered by a user. Dial strings can be stored at the device or on a network. The apparatus can include a mode selector to select a desired vocoder mode to generate an encoded voice signal. |
| US08676574B2 |
Method for tone/intonation recognition using auditory attention cues
In a spoken language processing method for tone/intonation recognition, an auditory spectrum may be determined for an input window of sound and one or more multi-scale features may be extracted from the auditory spectrum. Each multi-scale feature can be extracted using a separate two-dimensional spectro-temporal receptive filter. One or more feature maps corresponding to the one or more multi-scale features can be generated and an auditory gist vector can be extracted from each of the one or more feature maps. A cumulative gist vector may be obtained through augmentation of each auditory gist vector extracted from the one or more feature maps. One or more tonal characteristics corresponding to the input window of sound can be determined by mapping the cumulative gist vector to one or more tonal characteristics using a machine learning algorithm. |
| US08676567B2 |
Automatic text skimming using lexical chains
Automatic text skimming using lexical chains may be provided. First, at least one lexical chain may be created from an electronic document. Next, a list of positions within the electronic document may be created. The positions may include where at least one concept represented by one of the at least one lexical chain is mentioned. In addition, a list of the position where the at least one concept is mentioned may be assembled. A selection of at least one concept may be received from the list. |
| US08676564B2 |
Method, program and system for finding correspondence between terms
A computer implemented method, system, and product for finding correspondence between terms in two different languages. The method includes the steps of: creating a technical term set and a general term set for each of i) a first language and ii) a second language, creating two bipartite graphs, where each graph corresponds to one of the two languages, and connects the technical term set and general term set of each language, respectively, with weighted links based on corpus information, creating a third bipartite graph by creating weighted links between general terms in the first language and general terms in the second language by using a translation dictionary, creating an association matrix M corresponding to the three bipartite graphs, calculating a similarity matrix Q by calculation of an inverse matrix, and outputting correspondence between the technical term sets of the first and second language on basis of the similarity matrix. |
| US08676562B2 |
Communication support apparatus and method
An input unit inputs a drawing information based on a first language on a display by at least one of a plurality of users each locating at predetermined position relative to the display. A conversion unit converts the drawing information based on the first language to an information based on a second language. A control unit presents the information based on the second language on the display according to a location of another user of the plurality of users as a person to present the information based on the second language. |
| US08676561B2 |
Analysis method for turbine-generator torsional vibrations affected by power transmission system
An analysis method for turbine-generator torsional vibrations affected by power transmission system, which is processed by a computer system with a simulation software, is proposed. This analysis method comprises: building structures of a first system model and a second system model to respectively simulate a first system and a second system; building detailed models of the first and second system model; and analyzing the detailed models of the first and second system model in frequency- and time-domain. |
| US08676560B2 |
Simulation method, system and program for simulating physical unit controlled by electronic control unit
In a normal operation, a physical unit simulator is allowed to speculatively perform high-speed continuous execution. Only when an actual input comes in, a speculative input and the actual input are compared with each other. Thereafter, in response to inconsistency between the inputs, the physical unit simulator is returned to a point closest to the point of the actual input and is allowed to execute a variable step module to reach the point of the actual input. Upon arrival at the point of the actual input, the simulator is shifted back to the high-speed continuous execution from there. Thus, a processing speed of the simulator can be significantly improved. |
| US08676558B2 |
Method of automatically controlling the trajectory of a drilled well
Steering behavior model can include build rate and/or turn rate equations to model bottom-hole assembly behavior. Build and/or turn rate equations can be calibrated by adjusting model parameters thereof to minimize any variance between actual response 118 and estimated response produced for an interval of the well. Estimated position and orientation 104 of a bottom-hole assembly along a subsequent interval can be generated by inputting subsequent tool settings into the calibrated steering behavior model. Estimated position and orientation 104 can be compared to a well plan 106 with a controller 108 which determines a corrective action 110. Corrective action 110 can be converted from a build and/or turn rate to a set of recommended tool settings 114 by using an inverse application 112 of the steering behavior model. As additional data 118 becomes available, steering behavior model can be further calibrated 102 through iteration. |
| US08676551B1 |
Multi-solver simulation of dynamic systems in a modeling environment
Two or more solvers used in a simulation of a dynamic system may exchange information during minor steps of at least one of the solvers. The information may be exchanged one way—that is, a first solver sending the information to a second solver after the second solver's minor step, or it may be exchanged two ways (or multiple ways in a case with more than two solvers). If the solvers are instances of the same type of solver, they may exchange information at each minor step. |
| US08676550B1 |
Modeling of passive multiplexers for signal filters
A system and method are described that model a passive multiplexer, which may be used for a junction of a plurality of signal filters (e.g., radio frequency, microwave, satellite, etc.). Illustratively, based on obtaining parameters for the individual signal filters, an initial resonant frequency offset vector estimation may be calculated and input into a convergence algorithm to determine a set of multiplexer parameters. In particular, the convergence algorithm is generally different from the initial resonant frequency offset vector estimation calculation, and the initial resonant frequency offset vector estimation assists in achieving better (e.g., faster, more frequent) convergence on a set of multiplexer parameters from the convergence algorithm. |
| US08676549B2 |
Method of maximizing shipping efficiency of absorbent articles
A shipping optimization process for articles having a substantially airfelt free absorbent core is provided. The process includes the steps of identifying an optimized diaper; identifying an optimized bag for holding two or more optimized diapers; identifying an optimized box for holding two or more optimized bags; identifying an optimized pallet and arranging the optimized boxes thereon; and identifying an optimized load plan for a vehicle and arranging the optimized pallets therein. The vehicle has a calculated Load Factor of from about 0.7 to about 1.0 when the vehicle is loaded with the optimized pallets. |
| US08676548B2 |
Support apparatus using objective function
A design support apparatus for determining a plurality of objective functions for modeling an object having a plurality of elements, each of the elements providing variable geometrical parameters, the design support apparatus includes a memory for storing the variable geometrical parameters and a processor for executing a process including: determining boundary information associated with specified geometrical parameters of the elements which indicate a state of contact between the elements, dividing the variable geometrical parameters into a plurality of groups on the basis of the boundary information, and determining the plurality of objective functions for each of the groups by using the variable geometrical parameters. |
| US08676538B2 |
Adjusting weighting of a parameter relating to fault detection based on a detected fault
A method, apparatus and a system, for provided for performing a dynamic weighting technique for performing fault detection. The method comprises processing a workpiece and performing a fault detection analysis relating to the processing of the workpiece. The method further comprises determining a relationship of a parameter relating to the fault detection analysis to a detected fault and adjusting a weighting associated with the parameter based upon the relationship of the parameter to the detected fault. |
| US08676537B2 |
Portable wireless sensor
The present disclosure provides an apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor device. The apparatus includes a portable device. The portable device includes first and second sensors that respectively measure first and second fabrication process parameters. The first fabrication process parameter is different from the second fabrication process parameter. The portable device also includes a wireless transceiver that is coupled to the first and second sensors. The wireless transceiver receives the first and second fabrication process parameters and transmits wireless signals containing the first and second fabrication process parameters. |
| US08676536B2 |
Method and apparatus for selecting voltage and frequency levels for use in at-speed testing
In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus for selecting voltage and frequency levels for use in at-speed testing. One embodiment of a method for selecting a set of test conditions with which to test an integrated circuit chip includes formulating a statistical optimization problem and obtaining a solution to the statistical optimization problem, where the solution is the set of test conditions. |
| US08676533B2 |
Touch trigger measurement probe
A measurement probe, for a co-ordinate positioning apparatus such as a machine tool, is described that includes a stylus holder that is deflectably mounted to a probe housing. One or more sensors are provided for sensing deflection of the stylus holder relative to the probe housing. A processor is included for producing a trigger signal when the deflection sensed by the one or more sensors meets a trigger condition, such as a deflection threshold. The probe also includes an accelerometer for measuring acceleration of the measurement probe. The trigger condition applied by the processor is alterable, during use, in response to the acceleration measured by the accelerometer. In this manner, false triggering can be suppressed. |
| US08676532B2 |
Fall detection device, magnetic disk drive, and portable electronic apparatus
A fall detection device that is allowed to reduce the processing load put when making a determination using software, to reliably determine the start of a fall, and to make a fall prediction as necessary, and a magnetic disk drive and a portable electronic apparatus that each include the fall detection device are configured. Accelerations are obtained in three orthogonal axis directions (ax, ay, az), and an evaluation value is obtained with respect to each of the accelerations (ax, ay, az) on the basis of an evaluation function, by which an evaluation value is increased as the difference increases between accelerations (ax0, ay0, az0) at a steady time and accelerations (ax, ay, az) at a fall determination time, and whether a fall has started is determined on the basis of whether this evaluation value exceeds a predetermined value. |
| US08676531B2 |
Method and device for living space added value efficacy index evaluation
A measured value for a PMV within a living space is sent to a comfort efficacy evaluating device. Occupancy information (the current number of occupants N) in the living space is sent to the comfort efficacy evaluating device. The comfort efficacy evaluating device calculates a comfort index P as P=1.0−|PMV|/3, and this comfort index P is weighted by the number of occupants N at the time that the comfort index P was taken. In this case, if the number of occupants is relatively high, the weighting is high, and if the number of occupants is relatively low, then the weighting is low. Additionally, the weighted comfort index P is integrated over an evaluation interval, and thus integrated value, or a weighted average based on this integrated value, is used as a comfort efficacy index TP. An evaluation of the efficacy of energy conservation can be performed in the same way, taking into account the current occupancy of the living space. |
| US08676527B2 |
Industrial machine
A coordinate measuring machine (industrial machine) includes: a column and a support that extend along the Z-axis; a beam being provided between the column and the support; a slider being movable on the beam; a ram being held on the slider movably along the Z-axis direction; a temperature detecting sensor and a temperature detector that detect the respective temperatures of the column, the support and the ram; and a shift amount calculator that calculates a Z-axis shift amount based on the respective temperatures of the column, the support and the ram, reference position data indicating a positional relationship between the column, the support and the ram at a reference temperature, and respective thermal expansion coefficients for the column, the support and the ram. |
| US08676524B2 |
System for computing machine parameters of an induction machine
A system for computing machine parameters of an induction machine includes a relation providing module and a circuit parameter computing module. The relation providing module is operable to provide a relationship between slip rates and primary side resistances of the induction machine and a relationship between the slip rates and primary side reactances of the induction machine. The circuit parameter computing module is operable to perform a parameter computing process according to the relationships obtained from the relation providing module. The parameter computing process includes the steps of: a) generating a set of initial values of equivalent circuit parameters of the induction machine; b) updating the initial values; c) calculating a cumulative resistance error and a cumulative reactance error; and d) repeating steps b) and c) until the cumulative resistance error and the cumulative reactance error are smaller than first and second error thresholds, respectively. |
| US08676519B2 |
Device and method for assisting inflation
A device and a method for aiding inflation for a vehicle involves obtaining access to vehicle tire pressure and temperature data, and utilizing an under-inflation detection module and an inflation condition testing module, thus making it possible to carry out a test for detecting a possible optimal inflation condition if the following criteria are met:—there is a non-critical under-inflation state for at least one of the vehicle tires;—the tires are not in an overheated state;—and the tire state is unchanged by sunlight. When the test module determines the optimal inflation condition, a signal is outputted. Such a method causes tire inflation to be carried out under favorable conditions actually corresponding to the reference value provided by the manufacturers. |
| US08676517B2 |
Signal processing method, signal processing apparatus, and coriolis flowmeter
A signal processing method for a Coriolis flowmeter including: performing frequency conversion of a first digital signal, the frequency conversion performed on the first digital signal modulating the frequency of the first digital signal so that the frequency of the first digital signal after the frequency conversion is 1/Nth of the frequency of the first digital signal before the frequency conversion, where N is an integer; performing frequency conversion of a second digital signal, the frequency conversion performed on the second digital signal modulating the frequency of the second digital signal so that the frequency of the second digital signal after the frequency conversion is 1/Nth of the frequency of the second digital signal before the frequency conversion; and measuring a phase difference between (i) the frequency converted first digital signal and (ii) the frequency converted second digital signal. |
| US08676516B2 |
Test circuit for bias temperature instability recovery measurements
A method and test circuit provide measurements to accurately characterize threshold voltage changes due to negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) and positive bias temperature instability (PBTI). Both the bias temperature instability recovery profile and/or the bias temperature shifts due to rapid repetitions of stress application can be studied. In order to provide accurate measurements when stresses are applied at intervals on the order of tens of nanoseconds while avoiding unwanted recovery, and/or to achieve recovery profile sampling resolutions in the nanosecond range, multiple delay or ring oscillator frequency measurements are made using a delay line that is formed from delay elements that have delay variation substantially caused only by NBTI or PBTI effects. Devices in the delay elements are stressed, and then the delay line/ring oscillator is operated to measure a threshold voltage change for one or more measurement periods on the order of nanoseconds. |
| US08676512B2 |
Method and device for determining the transmembrane pressure in an extracorporeal blood treatment
A method and device are provided for determining the transmembrane pressure during an extracorporeal blood treatment in which blood flows at a defined blood flow rate through an arterial blood conduit of an extracorporeal blood circuit into the inlet of a first chamber of a dialyzer, which is divided by a semipermeable membrane into the first chamber and a second chamber, and flows through a venous blood conduit from the outlet of the first chamber of the dialyzer, while dialysis liquid flows through a dialysis liquid supply conduit into the inlet of the second chamber of the dialyzer and flows through a dialaysis liquid discharge conduit from the outlet of the second chamber of the dialyzer. The method and the device for determining the transmembrane pressure are such that the pressure on the blood side and on the dialysis liquid side of the dialyzer is measured with relatively little technical outlay, specifically with fewer than four pressure sensors, and a preliminary uncorrected value is calculated for the transmembrane pressure and is thereafter corrected by a correction variable that is dependent on a variable correlating with the viscosity of the blood. |
| US08676505B2 |
Positioning system, communication device, positioning method
There is provided a positioning system including a communication device which includes a connector configured to engage with a connector provided to a vehicle, a vehicle communication section configured to receive vehicle speed information or travelling distance information of the vehicle from the vehicle via the connector, and an information processing device-communication section configured to transmit, to an information processing device, transmission information based on the vehicle speed information or the travelling distance information acquired by the vehicle communication section, and the information processing device which includes a communication section configured to receive the transmission information from the communication device, and a position calculation section configured to calculate a current position based on the vehicle speed information or the travelling distance information. |
| US08676501B2 |
Satellite navigation using long-term navigation information
An improved approach to satellite-based navigation (e.g., GPS) is provided. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first set of tracking information. A nominal orbital path for the navigation satellite is determined using the first set of tracking information. Ephemeris data corresponding to the nominal orbital path is computed and uploaded to the navigation satellite. Long-term navigation information corresponding to the nominal orbital path is transmitted to a communication system for broadcast to a plurality of navigation devices. A second set of tracking information is received, an orbital path of the navigation satellite using the second set of tracking information is predicted, and a difference between the predicted orbital path and the nominal orbital path is determined. Commands configured to instruct the navigation satellite to adjust an actual orbital path of the navigation satellite to substantially conform to the nominal orbital path are uploaded to the navigation satellite. |
| US08676498B2 |
Camera and inertial measurement unit integration with navigation data feedback for feature tracking
A navigation device is provided herein comprising an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a camera, and a processor. The IMU provides an inertial measurement to the processor and the camera provides at least one image frame to the processor. The processor is configured to determine navigation data based on the inertial measurement and the at least one image frame, wherein at least one feature is extracted from the at least one image frame based on the navigation data. |
| US08676496B2 |
Car navigation apparatus
A car navigation apparatus includes an intersection searching means 14 for searching for intersections in a vicinity of the current position of a vehicle from intersections which exist on a searched route and which exist between the current position and a destination, an intersection name outputting means 15 for outputting the names of the searched intersections, an intersection selecting means 17 for selecting an intersection from the intersection names outputted, an facility searching means 18 for searching for facilities which exist in a vicinity of the intersection selected through the map data, a facility name outputting means 19 for outputting the names of the searched facilities, a facility selecting means 20 for selecting a facility from the facility names outputted, and a facility information outputting means 21 for extracting facility information about the selected facility from the map data, and for outputting the facility information. |
| US08676495B2 |
Vehicle navigation apparatus
When a vehicle state changes from an off-road state (STEP S1) in which a current position of a vehicle is not represented in map information to an on-road state in which the current position of the vehicle is represented by the map information, a vehicle navigation apparatus records as the past arrived position an off-road position in a state changed from an on-road state to an off-road state (STEP S6), under the conditions that: the vehicle is parked in the off-road state (STEP S3); an identifier of a road at the off-road position is identical to an identifier of a road at the on-road position (STEP S4); and a traveling direction of the vehicle on the road before the off-road state is opposite to a traveling direction of the vehicle on the road after the on-road state (STEP S5). |
| US08676494B2 |
Multi-dimensional road representation
A method and system for representing multiple road properties with a single multi-dimensional parametric spline curve is disclosed. A B-Spline is generated to represent a first road dimension. The B-Spline is written mathematically in vector format. One or more road dimensions to be added to the B-Spline are selected. Depending on the selection, the road dimensions are created in a format compatible with the B-Spline. For example, the road dimensions may be created using curve fitting, B-Spline merger, or direct assignment. Once the road dimensions are created, they are added to the original B-Spline vector. The new B-Spline vector is then stored in a data storage unit for use by systems, such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. |
| US08676493B2 |
Systems and methods for better alarm management
A system and method of better alarm management is provided. The method includes importing a floor map of a monitored area onto a workstation, configuring the floor map, and generating an optimal guidance route map on the floor map. The optimal guidance route map provides a user with at least one route from the workstation to a designated device in the monitored area. |
| US08676491B2 |
Driver assist system for vehicle
A driver assist system for a vehicle includes a camera and a video display screen viewable by a driver of the vehicle. The video display screen is operable to display images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the camera. A visual cue is displayed by the video display screen in conjunction with display of the captured image data. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, image data captured by the camera is displayed by the video display screen as video images so as to assist the driver in reversing the vehicle. When a reversing maneuver of the vehicle is not being executed, the display screen may be operable to display information associated with at least one of (i) a navigational system, (ii) a telematics system and (iii) a vehicle information system. |
| US08676490B1 |
Geoposition determination from star and satellite observations
A method for geoposition determination from a platform involves using star observations to determine the orientation of the platform relative to an Earth-Centered Earth-Fixed (ECEF) frame. Observations are also made from the platform of azimuth, elevation, and possibly range of an orbiting Earth satellite. Platform orientation in an inertial frame fixed in time (IFFIT) is determined, and the satellite azimuth and elevation are transformed to the IFFIT. The satellite orbital ellipse is determined. Vectors extending from the platform frame to the foci of the ellipse are defined and converted into ECEF. The vector extending to the gravitational center of the Earth is identified and defines the location of the platform. |
| US08676489B2 |
Positioning map views to show more optimal route information
Described is a technology by which a more optimal map view with respect to route information is returned in response to an online mapping request. A start or end location is positioned away from the map center as appropriate to show as much route information as possible within the map view, given view size and zoom constraints. In one example, various-sized bounding boxes that contain the start or end location and one or more routes may be evaluated to determine a largest bounding box that meets the mapping size constraint; the center of that bounding box is the center of the map view. In one alternative, map views at various zoom levels may be scored against one another to determine which map view contains the most important route information, such as the most maneuver points and/or landmarks within each map view; the map view with the best score is returned. |
| US08676488B2 |
Vehicle surrounding monitor device and method for monitoring surroundings used for vehicle
A vehicle surrounding monitor device 10 includes a front area millimeter-wave radar 11 to a left dead angle millimeter-wave radar 18 which monitor different areas around a host vehicle 100, a vehicle speed sensor 21 and the like which detect the traveling state of the host vehicle 100, a winker signal sensor 31 which detect the state of a driver, and an obstacle detection method determination ECU 41 which controls the operation of the front area millimeter-wave radar 11 and the like and information processing. The obstacle detection method determination ECU 41 sets priority on the front area millimeter-wave radar 11 and the like on the basis of the traveling state of the host vehicle 100 and the state of the driver detected by the vehicle speed sensor 21, the winker signal sensor 31, and the like, and controls the operation of the front area millimeter-wave radar 11 and the like and the information processing on the basis of the priority. Therefore, control differs between a radar having high priority and a radar having low priority, such that, even when a plurality of radars are used, it becomes possible to monitor the surroundings the host vehicle 100 while reducing the load of a CPU or an in-vehicle LAN. |
| US08676487B2 |
Apparatus for predicting the movement of a mobile body
A movement region prediction apparatus includes a mobile body detection device that detects a mobile body around a host vehicle; a prediction device that predicts a movement region of the detected mobile body; and a degree-of-normality acquisition device that acquires degree of normality of a situation of movement of the detected mobile body. The prediction device has a plurality of movement prediction models for predicting the movement region of the mobile body, and selects a movement prediction model from the plurality of movement prediction models based on the degree of normality acquired by the degree-of-normality acquisition device, and predicts the movement region of the mobile body using the selected movement prediction model. |
| US08676482B2 |
Hybrid vehicle battery life evaluating apparatus
A hybrid vehicle battery life evaluating apparatus 1 includes an actual traveling measuring section 2 measuring, for each driving pattern, actual gasoline mileage data on a hybrid vehicle equipped with a battery as a power source, a test traveling storage section 3a storing test gasoline mileage data set for each driving pattern on the basis of a traveling test on the vehicle, a battery life evaluating section 5 comparing the measured actual gasoline mileage data with the test gasoline mileage data on the corresponding driving pattern to evaluate a degradation level of the battery on the basis of a value of a decrease in gasoline mileage set for each degradation level of the battery and transmitting information on battery degradation to a battery life display section 6, and the battery life display section 6 displaying the information on battery degradation. |
| US08676480B2 |
Three-dimensional traffic flow presentation
Traffic flow is viewed in mapping or navigation. A processor generates a two-dimensional map from a perspective view. The perspective view is at an angle, which is not a normal to the map, looking down on the two-dimensional map. At least one road or pathway represented on the two-dimensional map is identified. Traffic flow information is obtained for a plurality of locations along the at least one road or pathway. A line is projected along a third dimension on the two-dimensional map. The line is above the road or pathway from the perspective view. A height of the line is a function of the traffic flow information for the locations such that the height for a first of the locations is greater than for a second of the locations. The map is displayed with the line. |
| US08676476B2 |
Method for real-time, self-learning identification of fuel injectors during engine operation
A system and method for real-time, self-learning characterization of fuel injector performance during engine operation. The system includes an algorithm for an engine controller which allows the controller to learn the correlation between the fuel mass and pulse width for each injector in the engine in real time while the engine is running. The controller progressively perceives those pulse widths that achieve the desired fuel mass, while it can continuously adapt what it has learned based on various input variations, such as temperature and fuel rail pressure. The controller then uses the learned actual performance of each injector to command the pulse width required to achieve the desired quantity of fuel for each cylinder on each cycle. |
| US08676474B2 |
Machine control system and method
A control system for a machine may include a processor configured to communicate with a power source. The processor may also be configured to communicate with a transmission assembly. The processor may be configured to determine whether the power source is in a potential stall condition based at least in part on an actual speed of the power source and a requested speed of the power source. If the power source is in the potential stall condition, the processor may be configured to request that fuel be supplied to the power source although the fuel is not currently required by the power source, in anticipation of an increase in load on the machine. |
| US08676473B2 |
Method for the self-learning of the variation of a nominal functioning feature of a high pressure variable delivery pump in an internal combustion engine
A method for the self-learning of the variation of a nominal functioning feature of a high pressure pump in an internal combustion engine, which pump feeds fuel to a common rail and is controlled by a solenoid valve depending on an objective pressure inside the common rail and by using the nominal functioning feature which provides a delivery of fuel; in cut-off conditions of the engine, the method includes determining the value of the pressure leaks due to blow-by in the common rail; measuring the real pressure of the fuel inside the common rail; actuating the high pressure pump by controlling the solenoid valve with a predetermined closing angle; measuring the real pressure of the fuel inside the common rail again; determining a pressure deviation between the real pressure and an expected pressure of the fuel, and correcting the nominal functioning feature according to this deviation. |
| US08676472B2 |
Atmospheric pressure estimating apparatus
An atmospheric pressure estimating apparatus which estimates an atmospheric pressure applied to a calculation of control parameters of an internal combustion engine, is provided. An estimated intake air control valve passing air flow rate is calculated based on the estimated atmospheric pressure, the detected intake pressure, and the detected intake air control valve opening. The estimated atmospheric pressure is updated so that the estimated intake air control valve passing air flow rate coincides with the detected intake air control valve passing air flow rate. The estimated intake air control valve passing air flow rate is calculated using the updated estimated atmospheric pressure. The update of the estimated atmospheric pressure and the calculation of the estimated control valve passing air flow rate are sequentially performed. Consequently, the estimated control valve passing air flow rate follows the intake air flow rate, and the estimated atmospheric pressure follows the atmospheric pressure. |
| US08676470B2 |
Multicylinder engine and method for controlling the same
In some cylinder deactivation modes (e.g. virtual V-four operation mode in which two cylinders of a V-six engine are deactivated), ignition/combustion may take place in operating cylinders at uneven intervals. In this case, the output torque varies between the immediately subsequent operating cylinders after the deactivated cylinders in the firing order and the other operating cylinders. A multicylinder engine includes an ignition timing adjustment unit. When the ignition takes place in the operating cylinders at uneven intervals during cylinder deactivation, the ignition timing adjustment unit adjusts ignition timing in each of the operating cylinders to smooth the output torque of the operating cylinders. |
| US08676466B2 |
Fail-safe speed profiles for cooperative autonomous vehicles
A method for controlling speed of a vehicle based upon control messages received through a communications device within the vehicle includes monitoring communication of control messages to a propulsion controller wherein control messages includes a speed profile including a current speed command representing instantaneous desired speed of the vehicle and future speed commands representing a predetermined controlled vehicle stop through a speed profile period, detecting anomalous communications of the control messages, and controlling the speed of the vehicle during anomalous communications using the future speed commands. |
| US08676463B2 |
Travel controlling apparatus of vehicle
A travel controlling apparatus of a vehicle includes a slip ratio detecting unit that obtains a slip ratio of front wheels and rear wheels depending on a travel state of the vehicle, a friction coefficient detecting unit that obtains a friction coefficient of the front wheels and the rear wheels depending on the travel state of the vehicle, a slip ratio stable region setting unit that sets a slip ratio stable region in which the friction coefficient becomes a predetermined value or more depending on the travel state of the vehicle, a braking/driving force controlling unit that controls a braking/driving force in the slip ratio stable region, and a slip ratio stable region changing unit that changes an upper limit value and a lower limit value in the slip ratio stable region depending on a variation of the friction coefficient when the slip ratio increases and when the slip ratio decreases. |
| US08676446B2 |
Control unit for passenger protection and method for triggering passenger protection means
In a control unit for passenger protection and a method for triggering passenger protection devices, a Manchester-coded signal is supplied by an interface and the Manchester-coded signal is decoded by a coding unit, so that an analyzer unit performs the triggering of passenger protection devices as a function of the decoded signal. The decoding unit uses a shift register structure for decoding and oversampling for the Manchester-coded signal. |
| US08676442B2 |
In-vehicle drive pattern optimization for reduced road wear
The present principles are directed to in-vehicle drive pattern optimization for reduced road wear. A method includes monitoring statuses of various vehicle functions. The method further includes controlling the various vehicle functions to optimize the vehicle drive pattern for reduced road wear, responsive to an output of the monitoring step and known information at least about a road segment currently being or about to be traversed. |
| US08676441B2 |
Steering support device
An object of the present invention is to provide a steering assist device which can perform steering assist control having excellent capability to follow up a traveling path by increasing the steering amount in the steering control at a curve entrance. A steering assist device of the present invention is a steering assist device 1 for calculating a steering target value based on a shape of a traveling path on which a vehicle travels, and assisting steering according to the steering target value, wherein it is determined whether the vehicle is traveling a curve entrance of the traveling path, and when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling a curve entrance, a change in the steering target value is increased compared with the case of traveling a part of the path other than a curve entrance. As a result, a steering amount to turn the steering wheel can be increased at a curve entrance, and a delay in the turning of the steering wheel at a curve entrance can be suppressed. |
| US08676440B2 |
Semi-active snowmobile rear suspension
A snowmobile suspension system connected between a skid frame positioned below a chassis of a snowmobile. A limiter strap adjustment mechanism is connected between the chassis and the at least one limiter strap and selectively adjusts the length of the at least one limiter strap. A coupling arm adjustment mechanism is connected between the chassis and at least one coupling arm and selectively adjusts the length of the at least one coupling arm. A linear force device adjustment mechanism is connected between the chassis and the linear force device for adjusting the length and angle of the linear force device relative to the at least one rear arm resulting in control of the force displacement characteristics of the at least one rear arm. |
| US08676434B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhancing the robustness of a hybrid vehicle torque security diagnostic
A vehicle includes electrical components, current sensors which determine current flowing through the electrical components, and a control system. The control system calculates and records error index values over an interval using the currents. The control system increments a first counter with every sample in the series, increments a second counter whenever a given error index value exceeds a calibrated high threshold, and decrements the second counter whenever the given error index value is less than a calibrated low threshold. A control action, e.g., recording a PASS or FAIL value, executes when either the absolute value of the second counter or the present value of the first counter reaches a corresponding limit or threshold. A method enhances the robustness of a hybrid vehicle torque security diagnostic using the control system. The vehicle and method use a signed X of Y debouncing or error signal processing method as noted above. |
| US08676433B2 |
Control device for vehicle hydraulic control circuit
A control device for a vehicle hydraulic control circuit having a hydraulic switch disposed on a hydraulic control circuit of an automatic transmission, includes: a malfunction detecting portion configured to detect a malfunction of the hydraulic switch; and a malfunction removing portion configured to execute an operation for restoring a contact of the hydraulic switch when a malfunction of the hydraulic switch is detected. |
| US08676429B2 |
Autonomous mobile device
An autonomous mobile device is capable of taking action that is suitable to execute a task in accordance with a given situation includes and executes a predetermined task upon autonomously moving to a destination. The autonomous mobile device includes a storage unit that stores an environment map, a laser range finder that acquires peripheral obstacle information, an unknown information identification unit that identifies unknown obstacle information from the peripheral obstacle information, an assessment information acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of types of assessment information including movement information, relative position information, and attribute information that are related to the unknown obstacle, when the unknown obstacle information is identified, and a scenario selection unit that selects, based on the assessment information, one action scenario among a plurality of action scenarios including an action scenario which is defined to execute the task and is other than an action scenario to cancel or continue the execution of the task. |
| US08676424B2 |
Drive system for a motor vehicle and method for operating such a drive system
A drive system includes at least two drive devices, at least one of which is electric, that drive at least two drive axles, a power electronics system, an energy storage arrangement, and a control device. The control device includes a drive control module for providing a recuperation limiting value for each electric drive, a recuperation control module for combining the recuperation limiting values to form a maximum recuperation total limiting value, and a brake control module for providing a total braking torque requested by a driver or assistance system, such that it derives a recuperation total torque that is less than the recuperation total limiting value and also derives recuperation partial torques for each electric drive. In the case of a total braking torque that is greater than the recuperation total limiting value, the brake control module generates a hydraulic brake pressure and transmits it to the brake system. |
| US08676421B2 |
Method for organizing an electric energy and a kinetic energy of an electric vehicle
A method for organizing an electric energy and a kinetic energy of an electric vehicle includes the following steps. A plurality of electro-motor modules having different grade of kinetic energy are provided. A plurality of battery modules having different grade of electric energy are provided. A plurality of electric vehicle performances are preset, and one of the battery modules on the electric vehicle is arranged in accordance with the electric vehicle performances. One of the electro-motor modules on the electric vehicle is arranged in accordance with the electric vehicle performances and the one of the battery modules. |
| US08676417B2 |
Output torque management in a vehicle having an electric powertrain
A method for managing a threshold increase in output torque capability in a vehicle includes detecting the threshold increase in output torque capability using a controller, and automatically limiting, via the controller, a rate of change of an actual output torque from a transmission of the vehicle in response to the threshold increase. The actual output torque is provided via a traction motor solely using battery power from an energy storage system. The method may include calculating a difference between the threshold increase and the actual output torque, and limiting the rate of change using a rate that is proportional to the difference. A vehicle includes the ESS, a transmission, and a controller. An output member of the transmission is powered using electrical energy from the ESS. The controller manages an increase in output torque capability as noted above. |
| US08676415B2 |
Engine power demand load-leveling for a hybrid electric vehicle
A method for controlling a demand for engine power in a control for an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle with power-split characteristics. Following transitions from acceleration or deceleration operating modes to a steady-state operating mode, power demand excursions from road-load power are attenuated or avoided by filtering the power demand using a filter constant that changes within battery power constraints as a function of a normalized driver demand for power at traction wheels for the vehicle. |
| US08676412B2 |
Reactive suspension with an integrated braking and steering system for a boat
A boat with several stability and handling design improvements. It has an enhanced reactive suspension system positioned in the vessel between a set of separating hull and body components. The boat also has improved braking, steering and stabilizing systems designed around multiple pivoting mechanisms on the vessel hull that work individually or in unison to achieve the desired braking or steering effect. The stabilizing system is operated by a computerized, gyroscopic hydraulic control to maintain stability and comfort of ride, minimizing the roll, pitch and yaw commonly experienced in the passenger compartment. |
| US08676410B2 |
System and method for pacing a plurality of powered systems traveling along a route
A system is provided for pacing a plurality of powered systems traveling along a route. The plurality of powered systems include a constraining powered system and at least one trailing powered system traveling behind the constraining powered system along the route. The system includes one or more controllers configured to control the constraining powered system to travel along the route according to respective predetermined operating parameters at respective incremental locations along the route. The system further includes one of said controllers being configured to control the trailing powered system to travel along the route according to the respective predetermined operating parameters of the constraining powered system at the respective incremental locations along the route. A method is also provided for pacing a plurality of powered systems traveling along the route. |
| US08676404B2 |
Centralized navigation information management method and system
In a centralized navigation information management system installed on board an aircraft which is in a current position at a current time, the aircraft having a warning management system and a route management system with means for creating a route plan, the route plan having a future route plan corresponding with the part of the route plan beginning at the current position and at the current time, the system includes: means for creating a task comprising at least one task parameter relating to an item of navigation information, including a task variable corresponding to a condition of execution of the said task, the means for creating a task having means for determining a predicted time meeting the execution condition; and means for detecting a possible inconsistency between the created task and the route plan or the future route plan and for transmitting, when an inconsistency is detected, a message relating to the inconsistency to a first display means of a centralized warning management system to display the inconsistency message on a first man-machine interface. |
| US08676402B1 |
Sentry system with wireless interface for a docked boat
An electric sentry system provides utilities for the welfare of a docked boat. The sentry system serves as boat and lift control, and security, system that has a wireless interface for two-way communications with a mobile wireless device. The system is configured to receive commands sent from the mobile wireless device. The system is also configured to independently monitor conditions involving the boat, the lift, or the premises surrounding the docked boat slip, and provide notifications to the boat owner/relevant user upon the occurrence of certain report-worthy events. This includes having the system monitoring online sources for extreme weather and/or other climatic data. |
| US08676401B2 |
Door control and charge control for plug-in charge type vehicle
In a vehicle door control system, when a mobile terminal accepts door lock manipulation and a vehicle door control apparatus receives a door lock signal from the mobile terminal, the vehicle door control apparatus determines that a door should be locked and, at time of door locking, transmits the amount of charge of a secondary battery at that time. Then the door is locked. |
| US08676395B2 |
Communication terminal, computer-readable storage medium, and communication method
A communication terminal includes a first communication unit having a power supply function by electromagnetic induction, and a second communication unit having a communication capability higher than that of the first communication unit. When communicating with a communication partner terminal, it is determined whether to receive power from the communication partner terminal. Upon determining to receive the power by the power supply function of the first communication unit, communication with the communication partner terminal by the second communication unit is controlled using the power supplied from the communication partner terminal by the power supply function of the first communication unit. |
| US08676393B1 |
Power discovery and allocation within a power sharing group
Disclosed in an example embodiment herein is a technique for performing discovery and power budgeting for a power sharing group comprising a plurality of power supply modules configured for sharing power. Data is collected to determine members of the power sharing group, input power and load power for members of the power sharing group. A power budget is determined for members of the power sharing group and the power budget is distributed to members of the power sharing group. Load shedding inputs are calculated in the event that load power exceeds the capacity of the power sharing group. |
| US08676392B2 |
Wind-power generation system and operation control method therefor
An object is to improve the accuracy of power factor adjustment. Power-factor command values corresponding to individual wind turbines are determined by correcting a predetermined power-factor command value for an interconnection node using power factor correction levels set for the individual wind turbines. |
| US08676383B2 |
Device for carrying out chemical or biological reactions
The invention relates to a device for carrying out of chemical or biological reactions with a reaction vessel receiving element for receiving a microtiter plate with several reaction vessels, wherein the reaction vessel receiving element has several recesses arranged in a regular pattern to receive the respective reaction vessels, a heating device for heating the reaction vessel receiving element, and a cooling device for cooling the reaction vessel. The invention is characterized by the fact that the reaction vessel receiving element is divided into several segments. The individual segments are thermally decoupled from one another, and each segment is assigned a heating device which may be actuated independently of the others. By means of the segmentation of the reaction vessel receiving element, it is possible for zones to be set and held at different temperatures. Because the reaction vessel receiving element is suitable for receiving standard microtiter plates, the device according to the invention may be integrated in existing process sequences. |
| US08676382B2 |
Applying workspace limitations in a velocity-controlled robotic mechanism
A robotic system includes a robotic mechanism responsive to velocity control signals, and a permissible workspace defined by a convex-polygon boundary. A host machine determines a position of a reference point on the mechanism with respect to the boundary, and includes an algorithm for enforcing the boundary by automatically shaping the velocity control signals as a function of the position, thereby providing smooth and unperturbed operation of the mechanism along the edges and corners of the boundary. The algorithm is suited for application with higher speeds and/or external forces. A host machine includes an algorithm for enforcing the boundary by shaping the velocity control signals as a function of the reference point position, and a hardware module for executing the algorithm. A method for enforcing the convex-polygon boundary is also provided that shapes a velocity control signal via a host machine as a function of the reference point position. |
| US08676374B2 |
Substrate-processing apparatus and method of transferring substrate in the same
Provided is a substrate-processing apparatus including a transfer member loading and taking out a substrate to and from a storage member, and a control unit controlling the transfer member. The transfer member includes a plurality of transfer arms and an arm-driving part moving the respective transfer arms horizontally, and substrates are loaded on the respective transfer arms. The control unit controls a movement velocity and a position of the transfer member and compares movement velocity profiles of the transfer arms, so as to control movement velocities of the respective transfer arms. Accordingly, the simultaneously driven transfer arms simultaneously arrive at target points, and thus the substrate-processing apparatus reduces transfer time and improves productivity. |
| US08676373B2 |
Global offset compensation for a CNC machine
A method for offsetting a part on a CNC machine comprises clamping a part to a fixture on a table for the CNC machine and machining a plurality of features and surfaces on the part. A plurality of global offsets are calculated for the fixture and the table based on location data of the plurality of features and surfaces. An actual part position on a global coordinate system for the CNC machine is determined by translating the fixture and the table by each the plurality of global offsets to the coordinate system. The actual part position is compensated to a nominal part position for each of the controllable axes of the CNC machine and a controller is programmed with a global offset compensation based upon the calculated offset for each controllable axis of the CNC machine to adjust each of the controllable axes to the actual part position. |
| US08676370B2 |
Workpiece carrier and workpiece positioning system and method
A workpiece carrier for supporting a plurality of workpieces, the workpiece carrier comprising a supporting body including a plurality of workpiece support elements, each for supporting a workpiece and providing for individual positioning of the same, the workpiece support elements each including at least one biasing element for applying a biasing force to an edge of the respective workpiece, at least one first cam for acting on an edge of the respective workpiece at a first location against the bias of the at least one biasing element, and at least one second cam for acting on an edge of the respective workpiece at a second location against the bias of the at least one biasing element, wherein the at least one first cam and the at least one second cam are operable such as to enable the position of the respective workpiece to be set relative to the supporting body. |
| US08676369B2 |
Method for monitoring a production process
A method for monitoring a production process with regard to quality is disclosed. The method includes: a) breaking down the production process into a sequence of individual steps, defined by a sequence of control commands for a production program for carrying out the production process on a machine tool; b) generating at least one signal template per individual step of the production process from the control commands for the individual steps, each signal template corresponding to a theoretical signal curve for a parameter which may be measured upon executing the production process; c) measurement of a signal curve for at least one parameter per individual step during the execution; and d) comparison of the or each measured signal curve with the respective arithmetically generated signal template, wherein a qualitatively poor production process is determined if the measured signal curve deviates from the signal template by more than a given tolerance. |
| US08676365B2 |
Pre-echo attenuation in a digital audio signal
A method is provided for attenuating pre-echoes in a digital audio signal generated from a transform encoding, comprising, upon decoding and for a current frame of said digital audio signal: defining a concatenated signal from at least the reconstructed signal of the current frame, dividing said concatenated signal into subunits of samples having a predetermined length, calculating the time envelope of the concatenated signal, detecting the transition of the time envelope towards a high-energy area, determining the low-energy sub-units preceding a subunit in which a transition has been detected, and an attenuation step in said determined subunits. The attenuation is carried out according to an attenuation factor calculated for each of the determined subunits, based on the time envelope of the concatenated signal. The invention also relates to a device for implementing said method, and to a decoder including such a device. |
| US08676363B2 |
Information processing apparatus, audio signal processing method, and program product
An information processing apparatus includes a communication unit, an incoming data determining unit, and an audio processing command generator. The communication unit communicates with an external apparatus that splits outgoing audio data and sequentially sends transmission audio signals, each signal having a header and transmission audio data containing some of the split audio data with an appended first counter. The incoming data determining unit determines the existence of continuity-related errors in a received transmission audio signal, on the basis of the first counter, as well as a second counter contained in the header. The audio processing command generator selectively generates an audio processing command on the basis of the determination results in the incoming data determining unit, wherein the audio processing command stipulates audio data playback processing to be conducted in the event of an error. |
| US08676361B2 |
Acoustical virtual reality engine and advanced techniques for enhancing delivered sound
Techniques and systems for enhancing delivered audio signals are disclosed which may be employed in a delivery system at a server side, a client side, or both. The techniques include forming a processed audio signal by processing audio signals through multiple pathways which operate on different frequency bands using dynamic processing and other elements, and thereafter providing recording or listening environment enhancements and other sound enhancements to the processed audio signal. Also disclosed are techniques and systems for implementing the multi-pathway processing and environmental and sound enhancements. |
| US08676359B2 |
Field device management apparatus and computer program
A field device management apparatus that includes a device communication unit that provides a connection with a field device; an operation accepting unit that accepts an operation for the field device; an automatic-operation-program generating unit that generates an automatic operation program which is recorded information representing the accepted operation; a storage unit that stores the generated automatic operation program; and an automatic-operation-program executing unit that executes the automatic operation program stored in the storage unit. |
| US08676356B2 |
System and method for motor parameter estimation
A system and method for determining unknown values of certain motor parameters includes a motor input device connectable to an electric motor having associated therewith values for known motor parameters and an unknown value of at least one motor parameter. The motor input device includes a processing unit that receives a first input from the electric motor comprising values for the known motor parameters for the electric motor and receive a second input comprising motor data on a plurality of reference motors, including values for motor parameters corresponding to the known motor parameters of the electric motor and values for motor parameters corresponding to the at least one unknown motor parameter value of the electric motor. The processor determines the unknown value of the at least one motor parameter from the first input and the second input and determines a motor management strategy for the electric motor based thereon. |
| US08676351B2 |
MRI conditionally safe lead with low-profile multi-layer conductor for longitudinal expansion
An implantable electrical lead includes a lead body and a multi-layer coil conductor extending within the lead body. The multi-layer coil conductor includes a first coil layer and a second coil layer disposed about the first coil layer. The first and second coil layers are configured such that the multi-layer coil conductor has an axial stiffness substantially equal to an axial stiffness of the lead body adjacent to the multi-layer coil conductor. |
| US08676348B2 |
Iontophoretic and electroosmotic disc treatment
Apparatus for treating a body of a subject is provided. The apparatus includes (1) a first electrode, configured to be placed at a first site in the body of the subject, (2) a second electrode, configured to be placed at a second site in the body of the subject, (3) a pressure sensor, configured to detect a pressure at at least the first site, and (4) a control unit, configured to, at least in part responsively to the detected pressure, induce electroosmotic movement of a fluid between the first and second sites, by driving a current between the first and second electrodes. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08676347B2 |
Braided lead with embedded fixation structures
A therapy delivery element including a plurality of fibers braided to form an elongated braided structure with a lumen. At least one reinforcing structure is woven into the fibers of the braided structure. A portion of at least one reinforcing structure extends from the braided structure to form a fixation structure. A conductor assembly including a plurality of conductors is located in the lumen. An electrode assembly is located at a distal end of the conductor assembly. The electrode assembly includes a plurality of electrodes that are electrically coupled to the conductors. A connector assembly is located at a proximal end of the conductor assembly. The connector assembly includes a plurality of electrical contacts that are electrically coupled to the conductors. At least one of the braided structure or the reinforcing structure is attached to at least one of the electrode assembly or the connector assembly. |
| US08676346B2 |
Electrode having erectable lead
Disclosed is an electrode, such as an SCS paddle electrode, having a lead attached thereto along an interior portion of the electrode. The lead and electrode are configured such that the lead may be positioned generally coplanar with a top surface of the electrode, and may likewise be erected from such coplanar orientation up and away from the top surface of the electrode. Thus, the lead can maintain the typical configuration of emerging from the back end of the electrode, but because at least portions of the lead are not permanently bonded into the electrode paddle, the lead (when desired) can be pulled upward, with or without surrounding strain relief material, to emerge from the top surface of the paddle at an angle or curve to such top surface. This allows the base of the paddle to engage a bony opening, such as when the electrode is inserted into a patient's spine, skull, plane of fascia, etc. |
| US08676345B2 |
Electrodes for stimulation leads and methods of manufacture and use
An electrode has a unitary ring with an exterior surface, interior surface, and at least two edges. The electrode also includes a seat formed in at least the exterior surface of the unitary ring. The seat is configured and arranged for attachment of a terminal end of a lead wire, disposed in the seat, to the electrode. A lead includes a lead body; a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end of the lead body; and a plurality of lead wires. Each electrode includes a unitary ring and a seat in the unitary ring. The unitary ring has an exterior surface and an interior surface and defines a hollow center region. The seat is formed as a depression of a portion of the unitary ring. Each of the lead wires extends along the lead body and is attached to a corresponding electrode at the seat of the corresponding electrode. |
| US08676343B2 |
Multi-electrode leads for brain implantation
A lead for use in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and similar applications has a rigid lead tip with multiple electrodes thereon. The electrodes are formed by coating a lead tip core with a conductive material; selectively removing the conductive material to define the electrodes and conductive tracks leading therefrom; and then applying a layer of insulating material over the tracks to leave the electrodes exposed. Terminals are also left exposed on the tracks for connection to energy supply and/or data transmission lines. Such lines are preferably provided on or within a flexible lead body connected to the lead tip. |
| US08676341B2 |
Multi durometer reinforced suture sleeve
Suture anchors for securing therapy delivery elements, such as stimulation leads or catheters, within a living body. The suture anchor includes an inner sleeve constructed with an inner layer of a softer, more pliable material that easily conforms to the therapy delivery element to reduce slippage and an outer layer constructed from a harder, stiffer durometer material that protects the therapy delivery elements from damage due to over-tightening the tie down sutures. A suture material located in the suture groove is tensioned to apply a radial compressive force. The reinforcing structure spreads the radial compressive force along a greater surface area of the therapy delivery element. |
| US08676338B2 |
Combined modality treatment systems, methods and apparatus for body contouring applications
Systems and methods that enable delivery of radiofrequency energy and cryotherapy applications to adipose tissue for reduction and contouring of body fat are described herein. Aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods for reducing surface irregularities in a surface of a subject's skin resulting from an uneven distribution of adipose tissue in the subcutaneous layer. The method can include delivering capacitively coupled or conductively coupled radiofrequency energy to a target region of the subject at a frequency which selectively heats fibrous septae in a subcutaneous layer of the target region to a maximum temperature less than a fibrous septae denaturation temperature. Furthermore, the method can include removing heat such that lipid-rich lobules in the subcutaneous layer are affected while non-lipid-rich cells and lipid-rich regions adjacent to the fibrous septae are not substantially affected. |
| US08676337B2 |
Recharge system and method for deep or angled devices
Techniques are disclosed for recharging an Implantable Medical Device (IMD). In one embodiment, a first external coil is positioned on one side of a patient's body, such as on a front side of the torso in proximity to the IMD. A second external coil is positioned on an opposite side of the patient's body, such as on the back of the torso. A recharging device generates a current in each of the coils, inductively coupling the first and the second coils to the secondary recharge coil of the IMD. According to another aspect, each of the two external coils may wrap around a portion of the patient's body, such as the torso or head, and are positioned such that the IMD lies between the coils. According to this aspect, current generated in the coils inductively couples to a second recharge coil that is angled within the patient's body. |
| US08676336B2 |
Methods and devices for detection of context when addressing a medical condition of a patient
Methods and devices detect context related to a patient when monitoring a physiological condition of the patient and/or when applying one or more modes of therapy. The context may be a patient context such as posture or an environmental context such as ambient conditions. The context may be used in various ways in relation to the physiological measurement, such as to control when the physiological measurements are made, to appropriately flag physiological measurements, to be recorded in association with the physiological measurements, and/or to correct the physiological measurements based on a reference context. A device such as a beacon transmitter is used in detecting the context and a measurement device such as an implantable cardiovascular device is used to capture the physiological measurements. |
| US08676335B2 |
On-demand retransmission of data with an implantable medical device
An apparatus comprises a transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with an IMD and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver. The processor is configured to detect an error in a data unit received from the IMD, transmit a series of synchronization signals during an uninterrupted communication sequence, and receive, for each synchronization signal, a new data unit and the number of requested duplicate data units from the IMD. Each synchronization signal includes an echo code, wherein the echo code corresponds to a request for a number of duplicate data units to be sent in response to detecting the error in the data unit received during said uninterrupted communication sequence. The number of duplicate data units corresponds to a value of the echo code, and a duplicate data unit corresponds to a data unit previously transmitted by the IMD during said uninterrupted communication sequence. |
| US08676330B2 |
Electrical and magnetic stimulators used to treat migraine/sinus headache and comorbid disorders
Non-invasive electrical nerve stimulation devices and magnetic stimulation devices are disclosed, along with methods of treating medical disorders using energy that is delivered noninvasively by such devices. The disorders comprise migraine and other primary headaches such as cluster headaches, including sinus symptoms that resemble an immune-mediated response (“sinus” headaches), irrespective of whether those symptoms arise from an allergy that is co-morbid with the headache. The disclosed methods may also be used to treat other disorders that may be co-morbid with migraine headaches, such as anxiety disorders. In preferred embodiments of the disclosed methods, one or both of the patient's vagus nerves are stimulated non-invasively. In other embodiments, parts of the sympathetic nervous system and/or the adrenal glands are stimulated. |
| US08676329B2 |
Dorsal column stimulation therapy
In some examples, the disclosure relates to system, devices, and techniques for delivering dorsal column stimulation. One or more locations for dorsal column stimulation may be identified based on sensed signals evoked by delivery of stimulation to a dorsal root and/or peripheral nerve of a patient. In some examples, an IMD may deliver dorsal column stimulation in combination with dorsal root stimulation to a patient to treat a patient condition. |
| US08676328B2 |
Transcranial securing device for deep brain stimulation leads
A transcranial securing device for deep brain stimulation leads comprising: a principal part for securing inside an opening formed in the cranium of a patient; and at least one first securing part housed inside said principal part; said or each securing part comprises at least one axial bore adapted to allow the passage of one or more deep brain stimulation leads; said or at least one securing part is arranged so as to be capable of passing from a first position in which the lead or leads can slide axially in the respective bores, to a second position in which it grips the lead or leads in the respective bore or bores, preventing said sliding. |
| US08676326B1 |
Implantable device with responsive vascular and cardiac controllers
Exemplary methods are described for providing responsive vascular control with or without cardiac pacing. An implantable device with responsive vascular and cardiac controllers interprets physiological conditions and responds with an appropriate degree of vascular therapy applied as electrical pulses to a sympathetic nerve. In one implementation, an implantable device is programmed to deliver the vascular therapy in response to low blood pressure or orthostatic hypotension. The device may stimulate the greater splanchnic nerve, to effect therapeutic vasoconstriction. The vascular therapy is dynamically adjusted as the condition improves. In one implementation to benefit impaired physical mobility, vascular therapy comprises vasoconstriction and is timed to coincide with a recurring segment of the cardiac cycle. The vasoconstriction assists circulation and venous return in the lower limbs of inactive and bedridden individuals. In various implementations, cardiac pacing therapy that is synergistic with the vascular therapy may be added to augment treatment. |
| US08676323B2 |
Ventilatory assist system and methods to improve respiratory function
Systems and methods are provided to improve respiratory function. Systems include an external electrical stimulator coupled to electrodes that stimulates diaphragm contraction and may optionally include a positive pressure mechanical ventilator. The system further includes an electrode suitable for temporary implantation. Electrical stimulation is provided to specific portions of the diaphragm, such as one hemidiaphragm preferentially over another. By preferentially contracting one hemidiaphragm, a specific portion of a lung may be expanded, such as a posterior portion. By the provision of the negative intrathoracic pressure from diaphragm contraction, greater expansion of specific portion of lung is achieved in relationship to air pressure within the lung, thereby improving compliance. Supplementation of stimulated diaphragm contraction with positive pressure driven air flow from a PPMV directs the air flow to specific portions of the lung. Such portion may include a posterior portion of a lung, and may cause a clearing of atelectasis in that portion. |
| US08676318B2 |
Efficient external charger for charging a plurality of implantable medical devices
An improved external charger for a battery in an implantable medical device (implant), and technique for charging batteries in multiple implants using such improved external charger, is disclosed. During charging, values for a parameter measured in the implants are reported from the implants to the external charger. The external charger infers from the magnitudes of the parameters which of the implants has the highest and lowest coupling to the external charger, and so designates those implants as “hot” and “cold.” The intensity of the magnetic charging field is optimized for the cold implant consistent with the simulation to ensure that that the cold implant is charged with a maximum (fastest) battery charging current. The duty cycle of the magnetic charging field is also optimized for the hot implant consistent with the simulation to ensure that the hot implant does not exceed the power dissipation limit. As a result, charging is optimized to be fast for all of the implants, while still safe from a tissue heating perspective. |
| US08676317B1 |
System and method for estimating defibrillation impedance based on low-voltage resistance measurements using an implantable medical device
Techniques are provided for estimating defibrillation impedance of an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD). Briefly, at least two low-voltage resistance values are measured at different voltages using a pair of stimulation electrodes connected to the ICD. High-voltage defibrillation impedance is then estimated by the ICD based on a weighted combination of the measured resistance values. In one example, a set of weight coefficients, calculated during an initial calibration procedure, are applied to the measured resistance values to produce the estimate of the high-voltage defibrillation impedance. The weight coefficients are updated whenever a defibrillation shock is delivered, based on actual defibrillation impedance values measured during the shock. |
| US08676314B2 |
Method and apparatus to ensure consistent left ventricular pacing
A method of operating a cardiac therapy system to deliver cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacing that includes pacing both ventricles or pacing only the left ventricle is described. Delivery of the CRT pacing to one or both ventricles is scheduled for a cardiac cycle. If an intrinsic depolarization of a ventricle is detected during a pacing delay of the ventricle, then the scheduled CRT pacing to the ventricle is inhibited for the cycle. The intrinsic interval of the ventricle, such as the intrinsic atrioventricular interval concluded by the intrinsic depolarization, is measured. During a subsequent cardiac cycle, the pacing delay of the ventricle is decreased to be less than or equal to the measured intrinsic interval. Capture of the ventricle is verified after pacing is delivered during the subsequent cardiac cycle. |
| US08676312B2 |
Medical devices alerting user about potential interruption of wireless patient data transfer
An external defibrillator can receive wirelessly a data signal transmitted by a transmitting device over a communication link. The defibrillator can include a processor configured to monitor a reception parameter of the communication link while the data signal is being received and to set an alert flag if the processor determines from the reception parameter that reception of the data signal may be discontinued prematurely. The defibrillator can also include a user interface capable of outputting an alerting user notification responsive to the alert flag being set. |
| US08676307B2 |
Electrical energy delivery tissue site validation
Electrical energy delivery tissue site validation systems and methods can determine an indication of a tissue type at a tissue site. This information can be used to enable or inhibit electrical energy delivery to the tissue site. The tissue type at the tissue site can be determined such as by delivering a test electrical energy and sensing a responsive electrical energy. An electrical connectivity to the tissue site can also be determined, such as by using a sensed intrinsic electrical signal at the tissue site. Tissue type information may be communicated externally, such as to allow user confirmation or override of the determined indication of tissue type at the tissue site, such as by a physician, user, or other operator. |
| US08676298B2 |
Medical image alignment apparatus, method, and program
Generating, with respect to each of the three-dimensional image and the three-dimensional comparison image, a plurality of tomographic images orthogonal to a central axis of each vertebra of the subject along the central axis, calculating a first characteristic amount representing a profile in a direction orthogonal to the central axis at each point on the central axis based on the tomographic images, calculating a second characteristic amount representing a profile in a direction of the central axis at each point on the central axis based on the tomographic images, calculating a third characteristic amount representing regularity of disposition of each vertebra at each point on the central axis based on the calculated first and second characteristic amounts, and aligning positions of the third characteristic amount calculated from the three-dimensional image and the third characteristic amount calculated from the three-dimensional comparison image along the central axis. |
| US08676293B2 |
Devices, systems and methods for measuring and evaluating the motion and function of joint structures and associated muscles, determining suitability for orthopedic intervention, and evaluating efficacy of orthopedic intervention
An apparatus and process for measuring the motion of internal joint structures during and for measuring the function of muscles involved with the motion of a joint of a subject are disclosed. The apparatus can be configured in three forms: a horizontal, vertical, or butterfly motion control device. Each configuration comprises a static member and a moving member, in which the moving member operates to move or be moved by the subject being studied. Also disclosed are processes for using each apparatus to measure of the relative motion of a skeletal structures in a subject, in which the subject is positioned in the apparatus and commanded to move while diagnostic medical images are taken or captured. Additionally, processes for using each apparatus to specifically measure and collect data on the function of the subject's muscles are disclosed. |
| US08676292B2 |
Multi-dimensional image reconstruction
Apparatus for radiation based imaging of a non-homogenous target area having distinguishable regions therein, comprises: an imaging unit configured to obtain radiation intensity data from a target region in the spatial dimensions and at least one other dimension, and an image four-dimension analysis unit analyzes the intensity data in the spatial dimension and said at least one other dimension in order to map the distinguishable regions. The system typically detects rates of change over time in signals from radiopharmaceuticals and uses the rates of change to identify the tissues. In a preferred embodiment, two or more radiopharmaceuticals are used, the results of one being used as a constraint on the other. |
| US08676285B2 |
Methods for validating patient identity
This disclosure describes systems and methods for monitoring a patient on a ventilator-oximeter system. The disclosure describes a novel approach determining if the oximeter and the ventilator are attached to the same patient and if not providing a warning. |
| US08676266B2 |
Control system for antenna of mobile communication base station and image data offer system and method to use the control system
A system for controlling a mobile communication antenna is provided, which includes a plurality of antenna systems each installed in a BS, and a remote control system for monitoring and controlling the plurality of antenna systems. In each of the antenna systems, an antenna module includes a radiation plate and a radiation device for transmitting and receiving radio signals for a mobile communication service, a sensor unit senses the inclination and horizontal rotation of the antenna module, a transceiver transmits data sensed by the sensor unit to the remote control system and receives a control signal from the remote control system, and a controller controls an operation of the antenna system according to the remote control signal received from the transceiver. In the remote control system, a BS monitoring information DB server accumulates the sensed data received from the plurality of antenna systems on a BS basis and an antenna system basis, and a remote control center outputs control signals to the antenna systems to monitor the antenna systems remotely. |
| US08676264B2 |
Method and apparatus for power sharing among multi-carrier modules of a multi-carrier base station
A carrier processing method, a communication device and a communication system are provided according to the embodiments of the present invention. The method includes: acquiring control information of each multi-carrier module associated with carriers; according to the acquired control information, determining a carrier used by each multi-carrier module; and performing processing by each multi-carrier module according to the determined carrier. The communication device includes: a processing unit, configured to acquire control information of each multi-carrier module associated with carriers, and according to the acquired control information, determine a carrier used by each multi-carrier module; and a notification unit, configured to instruct each multi-carrier module to perform processing according to the determined carrier. The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present invention enable at least two multi-carrier modules to cooperatively implement processing. |
| US08676262B2 |
Self-configuring cellular basestation
A basestation for a cellular wireless communications network is able to configure itself for operation in the network, by selecting appropriate operating frequencies (in the case of GSM network) or scrambling codes (in the case of a UMTS network), and appropriate transmit powers. This makes it practical for a large number of such basestations to be deployed in a network, within customers' premises, without requiring network intervention in each case. |
| US08676261B2 |
Base station for mobile communication system
A base station (100) devised for indoor use in a WCDMA network, comprising a support unit (401) including a power supply unit (303), said support unit (401) being adapted to be attached to a support structure, and a complete base station unit (402) mechanically supported by said support unit. |
| US08676256B2 |
System and method for user profiling from gathering user data through interaction with a wireless communication device
A system, method, and wireless communication device that profiles a user thereof, or a user at a second wireless communication device in communication therewith. The wireless communication device gathers user data for a user thereof, or from a user at a second wireless communication device, and either directly generates, or has generated elsewhere, a user profile, such as a personality or psychological profile, or medical diagnosis of the user, and can display the user profile to the user and/or alter the wireless communication device functionality based upon the user profile. The gathered user data can be from physical user interaction with the wireless communication device, or from other equipment resident at the wireless communication device, such as a camera and medical diagnostic devices. |
| US08676254B2 |
Cellular phone line replacement adapter
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for automated processing and routing of data messages or packets, via a cellular network, from analog or digital data devices where said routing is accomplished without a need for call origination on the cellular network. The present invention includes a fixed cellular communication device and may also include a fixed wireless RF communication device and/or a mobile wireless RF transceiver. The fixed cellular communication device provides a means for formatting and transmission of data packets received from data devices directly connected to the fixed cellular communication device, or the fixed cellular communication device may receive signals from the fixed wireless RF communication device and/or from the mobile wireless RF transceiver. |
| US08676251B2 |
Dual modem device
A dual modem device is disclosed. The present invention includes a first processor configured to communicate with a first communication network, a second processor configured to communicate with a second communication network, and a subscriber identity module configured to store a user equipment identifier corresponding to the first communication network, at least one authentication parameter corresponding to the first communication network and an authentication algorithm corresponding to the first communication network, the subscriber identity module performing the authentication algorithm corresponding to the first communication network, wherein the subscriber identity module is connected to the second processor. The first communication network is an LTE (long term evolution) communication network. And, the second communication network is an eHRPD (enhanced high-rate packet data) communication network. |
| US08676246B2 |
Information communication terminal provided with security control function, communication system, and communication method performed by the terminal
A position information obtaining section 102 obtains position information indicating the current position of an information communication terminal 100. A safety area storing section 103 stores in advance a safety area considered as being safe because the security risk such as information leak is low. A safety determination section 104 determines, based on the position information and the safety area, the security risk of wireless communication performed by the information communication terminal 100 at the current position. The communication control section 105 controls a wireless communication section 106 so as to transmit a radio signal at a larger radio wave intensity when the safety determination section 104 has determined that the risk is low, and to transmit a radio signal at a smaller radio wave intensity when the safety determination section 104 has determined that the risk is high. |
| US08676245B2 |
System and method for controlling the transmission power of a node
A system (10) and method (50) for controlling the transmission power of a node (14) that includes at least one base station (12), at least one node (14), a sensor (16), and a control unit (20). The node (14) is in communication with the base station (12). The sensor (16) is integrated with each of the nodes (14), wherein the sensor (16) collects data that includes at least the amount of combustible material (18) proximate to the node (14). The control unit (20) is integrated with each node (14) and configures the transmission power of each of the nodes (14) based upon the data collected by the sensor (16). |
| US08676243B2 |
Method and apparatus for dual/multi-watch for group PTT services
A communication system (100) provides dual-watch and multi-watch capability for group PTT services. Incoming PTT calls are prioritized and played out in accordance with prioritized devices (130). A user of multiple communication devices can hear received audio traffic being played out in accordance with the priority assigned to the group call and the priority assigned to the communication device. Numerous calls can be simultaneously received and managed. |
| US08676239B2 |
Wireless communication system, wireless communication device, and wireless communication method
A wireless communication system including a master station, and slave stations that execute a predetermined operation based on an operation instruction transmitted by the master station, in which the master station includes a normal frame processor that generates an operation instruction, and a Go/Stop signal processor that generates an execution instruction signal instructing to execute the operation instruction to transmit the signal when a response to the operation instruction is obtained from all the slave stations during a predetermined response waiting time, each of the slave stations include an execution-instruction-signal receiving unit that receives the execution instruction signal, and the execution-instruction-signal receiving unit executes an operation corresponding to the execution instruction signal when receiving the execution instruction signal or waits execution of the corresponding operation until the execution instruction signal corresponding to the operation instruction is received. |
| US08676237B1 |
Multimedia enhanced services
Techniques for providing information to users implemented through personal mobile devices such as cell phones, PDAs, electronic book readers, and other such devices are described herein. The described techniques and systems allow users to request searches, perform information seeking, purchasing, or other types of transactions with a provider via a mobile or wireless network using the messaging service capabilities of the users' mobile devices. Messages may be compiled in a manner customized to a user request and may be provided without the user authenticating to the provider in some instances. |
| US08676236B1 |
System, method, and computer program for generating a short message service (SMS) message using template codes
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for generating a short message service (SMS) message using template codes. In use, a message to be sent as a short message service (SMS) message is received. Additionally, a template associated with the message is identified. Further, at least one code associated with the template is identified. Moreover, the SMS message is generated using the at least one code. |
| US08676234B2 |
Personal networking node for tactical operations and communications
A tactical network includes a radio that provides communications and situational awareness for a given user. The radio includes a screen, a communications module for linking the user with a network server, a knowledge management (KM) module for receiving alerts from the server and the communications module, and a map application that displays menu options for the user and receives the alerts from the server through the KM module. A communications interface initiates communications with the network server through the communications module, and sends information to the server from the map application. A user location module sends data corresponding to the user's location and targets identified by the user to the communications module for forwarding to the network server, and provides data originating from the server to the map application to show the locations of other radio users, their availability to exchange messages, and any targets they identify. |
| US08676232B2 |
Locating mobile contacts using a geo-contact list
A system including a memory for storing a contact list of records each record including a contact name, a mobile device phone number, and a list of location entries, each entry comprising a location name, a location phone number, a location address, and location geographic coordinates, and a locator for receiving as input a designated contact name, for obtaining current geographic coordinates of the designated contact's mobile device, for obtaining current geographic coordinates of at least one other mobile device, and for generating as output at least one proximal entity, each proximal entity including either the name of a contact whose mobile device is currently located close to the designated contact's mobile device, or the name of a contact and the name of a location associated with the contact, the location being currently close to the designated contact's mobile device. |
| US08676229B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling whether to provide location information in broadband wireless access system
A method and an apparatus for an operation of a Mobile Station (MS) in a wireless access system are provided. The method includes receiving a request to report measurement data required for location determination, determining whether it is in a state in which providing of location information is rejected, and if it is determined that it is in the state in which providing of location information is rejected, transmitting a message for reporting that providing of the location information is rejected. |
| US08676226B2 |
Method of handling location service and related communication device
A method of handling location service for a mobile device compatible with a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs) in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method comprises utilizing a first RAT of the plurality of RATs to communicate with a network of the wireless communication system, receiving a first message including positioning support information of the network from the network, and determining whether to initiate a location service in the first RAT or in a second RAT of the plurality of RATs according to the positioning support information. |
| US08676224B2 |
Speakerphone control for mobile device
A speakerphone system integrated in a mobile device is automatically controlled based on the current state of the mobile device. In one implementation, the mobile device is controlled based on an orientation or position of the mobile device. In another implementation, the control of the speakerphone includes automatically controlling one or more graphical user interfaces associated with the speakerphone system. |
| US08676220B2 |
Apparatus and method for operating hierarchical cell in broadband wireless communication system
An apparatus and method for operating a hierarchical cell in a wireless communication system are provided. A femto BS transitions into a sleep mode if there is no accessed MS for a predefined time. The femto BS transmits a FEMTO-ADV message in the sleep mode to notify of the presence of the femto BS. The femto BS releases the sleep mode upon receiving a MOB-FEMTO-AWAKE-REQ message from an MS receiving the FEMTO-ADV message. Thereafter, the femto BS communicates with the MS. |
| US08676216B2 |
Method and apparatus for mitigating interference in femtocell deployments
Methods and apparatuses are provided for determining one or more parameters of an access point that can be set or adjusted to mitigate interference to other access points. A rise-over-thermal (RoT) threshold can be set at an access point based on one or more parameters, such as pathloss measurements, location of the access point, etc., such that interference from devices communicating with the access point can be mitigated. In addition, a noise floor, RoT threshold, etc., can be adjusted based on determining a transmit power difference, out-of-cell interference, and/or similar measurements. |
| US08676209B2 |
Handoff selection for wireless communication systems
Techniques for selecting serving sectors and performing handoff for a terminal on the forward and reverse links are described. The terminal may obtain pilot measurements for pilots transmitted on the forward link and may update an active set based on the pilot measurements. The terminal may send a transmission (e.g., for pilot, signaling, etc.) on the reverse link and may receive channel quality information indicative of reverse link channel quality for the terminal at multiple sectors in the active set. The transmission may include pilot, and the channel quality information from each sector may include a pilot carrier-over-thermal ratio (pCoT) determined by that sector based on the pilot. The terminal may select a serving sector based on the channel quality information, interference information, and/or other information and may send a request for handoff (e.g., via a signaling message an/or an access probe) to the selected serving sector. |
| US08676207B2 |
Mobile communication method
A mobile communication method according to the present invention is a mobile communication method in which a mobile station is handed over from a cell #B and is subordinate to a radio base station to a cell #C and is subordinate to a radio base station, and includes a step of transmitting “Measurement Configuration” for instructing to measure and report a desired radio quality to the mobile station, a step of transmitting, by the radio base station, “HO Request”, which includes identification information assigned to the cell #B, to the radio base station, a step of transmitting, by the radio base station, “HO Request Ack” including “HO Command” not including “Measurement Configuration” to the radio base station in response to the identification information assigned to the cell #B, and a step of transmitting, by the radio base station, the “HO Command” to the mobile station. |
| US08676205B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling interference in wireless communication system of hierarchical cell structure
An apparatus and a method of a macro terminal for controlling interference in a wireless communication system of a hierarchical cell structure are provided. The method includes setting measurement reporting configuration for a blanking trigger per measurement identifier allocated by a macro base station, measuring a receive signal strength of a neighbor base station, comparing the measured receive signal strength value with a reference receive signal strength value of the measurement reporting configuration for the blanking trigger, and according to a comparison result, transmitting to the macro base station, a measurement report message comprising a measurement identifier corresponding to the measurement reporting configuration for the blanking trigger of a pico base station. |
| US08676204B2 |
Mobile communication system, base station device, mobile station device and mobile communication method
A mobile station device that communicates with a base station device, the mobile station device including: a determination unit which determines whether to request the base station device to provide control information of a small base station device accessed by the mobile station device or not; a first transmission unit, when the determination unit determines that the control information is to be requested, which sets information of the small base station device in a control information request message and transmits the control information request message to the base station device; a first reception unit which receives a response message transmitted from the base station device; and a measurement control execution unit which executes measurement control according to control information set in the response message received by the first reception unit. |
| US08676199B2 |
Tertiary connection strategy for vehicle originated cellular communication to a call center
A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems. |
| US08676198B2 |
Method of supporting location privacy
A method of supporting location privacy of a mobile station includes receiving, from a base station, a message including a temporary station identifier (TSTID) during an initial ranging procedure, wherein the TSTID is temporarily used to protect the location privacy of the mobile station; performing, with the base station, a basic capabilities negotiation procedure after the initial ranging procedure; performing, with the base station, an authentication procedure after the basic capabilities negotiation procedure; performing, with the base station, a registration procedure after the authentication procedure; and releasing the TSTID after receiving a station identifier (STID) which is assigned during the registration procedure, wherein the STID uniquely identifies the mobile station in the base station. |
| US08676195B2 |
Fixed mobile roaming service solution
The present invention is directed to systems for and methods of using dual mode handsets or softphone client for voice, sms, and data services. In one embodiment of the present invention, a mobile handset uses a SIP User Agent to register on a visiting network. The mobile handset generates SIP REGISTER messages. The SIP REGISTER messages are translated into corresponding MAP registration (or RADIUS message) and authentication commands, allowing system to contact the HPLMN HLR (or home AAA) associated with the mobile device to authenticate the mobile device and register it on a VLR of a visiting network. MAP responses (or RADIUS response) are translated to corresponding SIP commands that are forwarded to the mobile device, thereby completing the connection set up. |
| US08676189B2 |
Converged mobile-web communications solution
A converged mobile-Web communications solution interfaces to both a mobile phone network and an Internet or Intranet network, so that services that are provided to mobile phones in the mobile phone network are also provided to Web clients in the Internet or Intranet network. |
| US08676187B2 |
Dynamic binding of service on bearer
Methods that facilitate automatic selection of service bearers in a mobile based on user-initiated policies and service-provider-initiated policies set forth in a policy document are described herein. The mobile device initially receives a policy document from either the mobile device manufacturer or the service provider before the mobile device is provisioned on a communications network. The mobile device user and the service provider may make subsequent changes to the policy document. When a user-initiated policy change conflicts with a service-provider-initiated policy, the user-initiated policy change is disregarded in favor of the service-provider-initiated policy. The mobile device automatically selects an appropriate bearer based at least on the availability of service bearers in the current environment and the policies set forth in the policy document. |
| US08676186B2 |
Cell load balancing method, cell load measuring method, and devices thereof
A cell load balancing method, a cell load measuring method, and devices thereof are provided. The cell load balancing method includes: acquiring information of the load of a current cell and information of the load an adjacent cell; determining a target cell in which a mobility parameter needs to be modified thereof according to the information of the load of the current cell and the information of the load of the adjacent cell; sending a parameter modification request to the determined target cell; and performing a corresponding operation according to information indicating whether the parameter is successfully modified and fed back from the adjacent cell. With the above solution, a load balancing solution can be better implemented in a network, thereby improving a capacity of the network, improving a success rate of user access, and reducing access delay. |
| US08676180B2 |
Virtual SIM monitoring mode for mobile handsets
A system and methods that inform users of calls placed to a mobile device via a currently disabled VSIM subscription include identifying the VSIM subscription that is currently enabled on the mobile device and sending an alert to the mobile device via the currently enabled VSIM subscription informing the user of the received call attempt. In an embodiment, the user may switch the enabled VSIM subscription in order to receive the incoming call. If the user switches enabled VSIM subscriptions to the subscription corresponding to the dialed number, the caller's service provider network may be informed so that a communication can then be established between the caller and the mobile device. |
| US08676178B2 |
Method and system for managing changes to a contact database
Described is a system and method for updating a contact and adding a new contact from a call log in a communications device. The system includes a contact manager that is directed towards creating and updating call contact cards in a contact database with information retrieved from call logs of phone calls made to or from the communications device. In one embodiment, information is pre-populated into a predetermined data field of the contact card, thereby reducing workload to a user. The method includes determining if a request is for updating an existing contact card or for adding a new contact card to the contact database. The update or addition is made with information retrieved from call logs. Call information is pre-populated into a predetermined data field of the contact card, when it is determined that the request is to add a new contact card to the contact database. |
| US08676172B2 |
Generating relational indicators based on analysis of telecommunications events
A system for generating a relational indicator based on analysis of at least one telecommunications event between a first party and a second party, comprises: a relation management engine which is configured to process first content characteristics extracted from a plurality of telecommunications events to produce a first relation parameter and to process second content characteristics extracted from the plurality of telecommunications events to produce a second relation parameter; a terminal device configured to use the first and second relation parameters to generate the relational indicator. |
| US08676166B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for managing messages at a mobile electronic device
According to embodiments described in the specification, a method, system and apparatus for managing messages at a mobile electronic device is provided. The method comprises: receiving a message and storing the message in a memory of the mobile electronic device; determining, at a processor of the mobile electronic device, if the message passes at least one filter criterion maintained in the memory, the filter criterion for use in generating a primary message view; when the message does not pass the filter criterion, adding a device-side label to the message; generating the primary message view according to the filter criterion; detecting an interaction with the message; and in response to detecting the interaction, automatically removing the device-side label from the message. |
| US08676160B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling UE supporting dual mode
A method and an apparatus control a UE that supports a dual mode for controlling power consumption. A wireless local area network (WLAN) modem of a user equipment (UE) automatically turns on when the UE detects that the UE has entered into an area (e.g. home) that employs a home network including a femto Node B and a WLAN access point (AP). The method and apparatus may also determine whether a femto identifier received from a Node B of a home network is an identifier registered in a WLAN turn-on list stored in the UE. If the femto identifier is registered in the WLAN turn-on list, the WLAN modem of the UE is turned on. |
| US08676150B2 |
Wake-up method for a multi-channel receiver and multi-channel wake-up receiver
A wake-up method for a multi-channel receiver comprises the following steps: checking for activity on every available channel by switching from one channel to the next thereby activating and subsequently deactivating one channel after the other; when activity is detected at least on one of the available channels, switching on all channels, measuring a respective received signal strength in every channel and performing a comparison of received signal strengths between all channels; and selecting the channel with the highest received signal strength. Further a multi-channel wake-up receiver is presented. |
| US08676149B2 |
Prolonging internal power supply life in a mobile communication device
A method of communicating between a mobile communication device including a power supply, and a base station. The mobile device has first and second alternative communication modes, the first communication mode having higher quality of service and higher power consumption than the second communication mode. The second communication mode is adopted in response to a characteristic of the mobile device power supply indicative of a reduced reserve of power in the power supply, and a state indication is transmitted from the mobile device to the base station. The base station can respond to the state indication from the mobile device by modifying a communication characteristic of the base station with the mobile device, whereby to tend to compensate for the mobile device switching between the first and second communication modes. |
| US08676144B2 |
Adaptive interference nulling for MIMO receiver based on interference characteristics
Interference in an unlicensed frequency band is spatially filtered out from received signals at a wireless device operating in the unlicensed frequency band. Energy received at a plurality of antennas of the wireless is device is analyzed to detect interference in the unlicensed frequency band. The detected interference is classified by type. Parameters for a nulling filter are generated or selected based on the type of interference detected in the received energy. During a time interval when it is expected to receive desired signals, the nulling filter is applied using the parameters to signals obtained from energy received at the plurality of antennas during the time interval. |
| US08676141B1 |
Power control based on mobile receive diversity
A power control method in a mobile station having at least two antennas. The mobile station operates in a receive-diversity state in which the mobile station wirelessly receives communications with multiple antennas. The mobile station determines a relative gain of operating in the receive-diversity state versus operating in a non-receive-diversity state in which the mobile station wirelessly receives communications with one antenna rather than with multiple antennas. The mobile station uses the determined gain as a basis to set one or more power characteristic(s). The one or more power characteristic(s) may include (i) an initial power control setpoint for use by the mobile station to evaluate strength of received transmissions and (ii) an initial power level at which a remote entity transmits to the mobile station. |
| US08676140B2 |
Efficient scheme for automatic gain control in communication systems
A system for controlling an RF gain of a receiver that reduces a time taken to maintain an input signal level at an optimum dynamic range is provided. The system includes a tuner that receives a radio frequency (RF) signal and down-converts the RF signal to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal, and a demodulator. The tuner includes a radio frequency programmable gain amplifier (RF_VGA), a filter and an IF programmable gain amplifier (IF_VGA). The demodulator includes an analog to digital converter (ADC), and an Automatic Gain Control (AGC) unit that (i) receives a digital signal and an IF gain of the IF_VGA. The ADC samples a filtered IF signal under oversampling conditions to obtain an oversampled signal that includes an in-band signal and an out-of-band signal. The AGC unit (ii) controls the RF_VGA, the IF_VGA and (iii) measures an RF energy of the RF signal. |
| US08676139B2 |
Method and system for mitigating the effects of pulling in multiple phase locked loops in multi-standard systems
Certain aspects of a method and system for mitigating effects of pulling in multiple phase locked loops in multi-standard systems may include selecting an input frequency range of operation at a voltage controlled oscillator based on a particular wireless band of operation in a system that handles a first wireless communication protocol and a second wireless communication protocol. An image rejection mixer may be enabled to generate an output signal for the particular wireless band of operation based on mixing a plurality of received signals within a selected frequency range. An in-phase (I) component and a quadrature (Q) component of the generated output signal may be generated by utilizing a RC-CR quadrature network. |
| US08676138B2 |
Method of handling system information reception and related communication device
A method of handling system information reception for a mobile device capable of receiving and transmitting on a plurality of component carriers in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method comprises receiving system information of a secondary component carrier of the plurality of component carriers via a first dedicated signaling, and maintaining the system information of the secondary component carrier valid until an update of the system information of the secondary component carrier is received via a second dedicated signaling. |
| US08676134B2 |
Highly reliable receiver front-end
A receiver front-end for use in a transceiver station of a wireless communication network. The transceiver station is associated with an antenna assembly having a primary and at least a secondary antenna. The receiver front-end is adapted for insertion between the antenna assembly and signal processing sections of the transceiver station. The receiver front-end includes a primary and at least a secondary receiving branch, the primary receiving branch being adapted for coupling to the primary antenna and to the signal processing sections of the transceiver station, the secondary receiving branch being adapted for coupling to the secondary antenna and to the signal processing sections. The primary receiving branch has nonsuperconducting components, including at least a non superconducting filter while the secondary receiving branch has at least a superconducting component. |
| US08676130B2 |
Method, system and mobile device for prioritizing a discovered device list
The described embodiments relate generally to methods, systems and computing devices, including at least a mobile device, for ordering a discovered device list according to a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) of each device in the discovered device list. Thus, the discovered device list has at the top of the list the device that has the highest RSSI, with the remaining devices in the discovered device list presented in descending order of RSSI. |
| US08676125B2 |
Systems and methods of reducing interference
A system and method of reducing interference on a communication channel between an access terminal and a serving cell or node are disclosed. A cooperation request may be sent to an interfering cell or node to reduce and/or mitigate interference on the communication channel caused by the interfering cell or node. The interfering cell or node may perform beamforming, may intermittently transmit its wireless signal, or may move at least one antenna to mitigate and/or reduce interference on the communication channel. |
| US08676116B2 |
Electronic device with NFC antenna adjacent display and related methods
An electronic device may include a housing having a display opening therein, processing circuitry within the housing, and wireless transceiver circuitry within the housing and coupled to the processing circuitry. The electronic device may also include NFC transceiver circuitry within the housing and coupled to the processing circuitry, a display within the housing and coupled to the processing circuitry, the display having an external surface exposed through the display opening and having an internal surface within the housing, and an NFC antenna positioned within the housing behind and aligned with the internal surface of the display and coupled to the NFC transceiver circuitry. |
| US08676110B2 |
Hinge apparatus for cover of image forming apparatus
A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus. |
| US08676106B2 |
Image heating member, and image heating apparatus having image heating station
An endless fixing belt includes a heat generation layer configured to generate heat by energization, a rubber layer provided on the heat generation layer, a fluorine resin layer provided on the rubber layer, a first electroconductive layer provided at one longitudinal end portion of the fixing belt, and a second electroconductive layer provided at the other longitudinal end portion and configured to form an energizing path cooperatively with the first electroconductive layer through the heat generation layer. The fluorine resin layer extends to cover a part of the first electroconductive layer and a part of the second electroconductive layer. |
| US08676105B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus using the same
In an image forming apparatus for forming a lenticular lens structure when using a light-transmissive recording medium, including: photoreceptor drums; chargers; an exposure unit; developing devices; an intermediate transfer belt unit; and a fixing unit, further includes a resin layer forming device for forming a transparent resin layer on a pressing roller and a controller, and a multiple number of grooves are formed in parallel to each other on the surface of the pressing roller so as to create a lenticular lens structure on the pressing member and, the recording medium is pressed between the fixing roller and the pressing roller so as to form a lenticular lens structure on one surface of the recording medium while an unfixed toner image is fixed to the other surface of the recording medium. |
| US08676104B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device, including a fixing member; a pressure member; a nip forming member; a reinforcing member; a heating member; and a flange member including a cylinder inserted in an inner circumference at an edge of the fixing member in an axial direction thereof and a flange fixed on a frame of the fixing device, wherein the cylinder of the flange member includes a notch storing the nip forming member at a part on the circumference, has an arc-shaped outer circumferential cross-section at an area corresponding to an area where the fixing member is heated by the heating member, having a predetermined radius equivalent to a radius of the fixing member, and the arc has a center located at an upstream side in a recording medium feeding direction relative to a center line of the nip forming member in the recording medium feeding direction. |
| US08676102B2 |
Fixing device having temperature detection element
A fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet includes: a flexible fusing member; a heater; a nip member; a backup member; and a temperature detection element. The flexible fusing member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space. The heater is disposed in the internal space and radiates radiant heat. The nip member is disposed in the internal space and receives the radiant heat from the heater. The inner peripheral surface is in sliding contact with the nip member. The backup member provides a nip region in cooperation with the fusing member upon nipping the fusing member between the backup and nip members. The backup member confronts the nip member in a confronting direction. The temperature detection element is disposed in a superposed region of the nip member superposed with the nip region in the confronting direction and detects a temperature of the region. |
| US08676101B2 |
Fixing device having metal pipe with rough section and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes a tubular, stationary metal pipe, a flexible fuser belt, a rotatable pressure member, a fuser pad, and a lubricant. The metal pipe is subjected to heating. The flexible fuser belt is looped for rotation around the metal pipe to transfer heat radially outward from the heated metal pipe. The rotatable pressure member extends opposite the metal pipe with the fuser belt interposed between the metal pipe and the pressure member. The fuser pad is held stationary inside the loop of the fuser belt to press against the pressure member through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The lubricant is of a given particle size and deposited between the metal pipe and the fuser belt. The surface of the metal pipe has a rough section which exhibits a surface roughness equal to or greater than the particle size of the lubricant. |
| US08676098B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus
A developing device includes a developer carrier that holds a developer on a surface thereof, rotates around a rotation axis, and supplies the developer to an image carrier at a facing portion at which the developer carrier faces the image carrier; a transport member that transports the developer in a transport direction along the rotation axis while supplying the developer to the surface of the developer carrier; and a guide member that includes a guide portion that guides, toward downstream in the transport direction, the developer that has passed the facing portion without being supplied to the image carrier, the guide member making an amount of the developer that reaches the transport member on an upstream side of the guide portion in the transport direction be smaller than an amount of the developer that reaches the transport member in on a downstream side of the guide portion. |
| US08676088B2 |
Unit provided above an image forming apparatus which is pivotably movable through a rotation fulcrum axis
A compound apparatus is provided that includes an image forming apparatus forming an image on a record medium, an operation panel and a unit provided on an upper part of the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a casing section, an image forming mechanism section provided in the casing section and a discharging mechanism section discharging the record medium having an image formed thereon in a front and rear direction of the image forming apparatus as viewed from a user facing the operation panel and wherein the unit is supported in a manner pivotally movable through a rotation fulcrum axis extending in the front and rear direction of the image forming apparatus as viewed from the user facing the operation panel. |
| US08676085B1 |
Dismounting and mounting methods for coupling and electrophotogphaphic photosensitive drum unit
An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof and a drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder. The drum flange includes at least two projections provided inside of the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange, with a space diametrically between the two projections. Each of the two projections projects radially inwardly of the drum flange to a greater extent at a position farther from the cylinder than it does at a position closer to the cylinder. Each of the two projections is provided with a recess to facilitate deformation of the projection. |
| US08676082B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: a photoreceptor drum that is provided along a paper path of transfer paper; a discharging unit including a light emitting body that emits discharging light, the discharging unit eliminating electrical charge on a surface of the photoreceptor drum; a blast unit that is provided to blow air toward the discharging unit; and a air duct that is provided in the vicinity of the light emitting body, and is configured such that the air from the blast unit toward the discharging unit is configured to blow to a side of the paper path through the air duct. |
| US08676080B2 |
Image forming apparatus which forms images on one side or both sides of a sheet
An image forming apparatus capable of selectively discharging a sheet having an image formed with toner on one surface thereof and a sheet having images formed with toner on both surfaces thereof includes a fixing unit configured to fix a toner image on a sheet, a sheet stacking portion configured to stack sheets each having the toner image fixed thereon, and a control portion configured to control a maximum sheet stacking amount of sheets stacked in the sheet stacking portion. The control portion controls the maximum sheet stacking amount set when sheets, at least one of which has the toner images formed on both surfaces thereof, are stacked to be smaller than the maximum sheet stacking amount set when sheets each having the toner image formed on one surface thereof are stacked. |
| US08676068B2 |
Image forming apparatus and fixing unit control method thereof
An image forming apparatus including: an image forming unit which forms an image; a fixing unit which fixes the image transferred to a printing medium; a power supply which supplies operation power to the fixing unit; a contactless sensor sensing a temperature of the fixing unit and respectively outputting a sensor-sensing voltage and a sensor-compensating voltage; and a contactless-sensing protector which shuts off the power if the sensor-sensing voltage is higher than the sensor-compensating voltage. The fixing unit can be protected from overheating and control error through the contactless-sensing protector for sensing the fixing temperature and shutting off the power. |
| US08676066B2 |
Image forming apparatus having control unit
An image forming apparatus includes a consumable supply detachably attached to an apparatus main body; a detection unit for detecting that the consumable supply is exchanged; a display unit for displaying the consumable supply detected with the detection unit; and an input unit for receiving an input operation for confirming whether the consumable supply detected with the detection unit is correctly exchanged. |
| US08676061B2 |
Signal output device, and output apparatus of signal source of signals and of laser beam pulses
A frequency converter includes a first direct digital synthesizer that receives a signal having a predetermined frequency f_master as a clock signal and further an internal frequency setting signal, and outputs an internal signal having a frequency based on the internal frequency setting signal, and a second direct digital synthesizer that receives the internal signal as a clock signal, and further an output frequency setting signal, and outputs an output signal having a frequency f_slave (=f_master−Δ) based on the output frequency setting signal. A difference between the predetermined frequency f_master and the frequency of the internal signal is larger than a difference between the predetermined frequency f_master and the frequency f_slave of the output signal. |
| US08676060B2 |
Quadrature amplitude modulation signal generating device
A quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signal generator, which can obtain optical signals such as QAM signals without handling multilevel electrical signals, can be produced by using a plurality of parallel Mach-Zehnder modulators (MZMs), such as quadruplex parallel MZMs (QPMZM). The quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signal generator includes a first waveguide, a first quadrature phase-shift-keying (QPSK) signal generator provided on the first waveguide, a second waveguide connected with the first waveguide at a wave-combining point, and a second quadrature phase-shift-keying (QPSK) signal generator provided on the second waveguide. |
| US08676059B2 |
Optical signal processing apparatus and optical communication system
In an optical signal processing apparatus, carrier light propagates through a nonlinear optical medium. An optical combiner optically combines output control light for generating idler light of the carrier light with the carrier light. An optical splitter splits the idler light from the carrier light. A receiver acquires a signal multiplexed on the carrier light from the idler light split by the optical splitter. |
| US08676057B2 |
Optical transmission device, operational wavelength number restricting method, and program
An optical transmission device that is connected to transmission paths of a network, that performs optical communication according to a wavelength division multiplex format and that transmits optical signals over the transmission paths according to path types that have been set to wavelengths of the optical signals, including an upper limit value storage section that stores an upper limit value of the number of operational wavelengths that is the number of wavelengths to which the path types are set; an acceptance section that accepts a changing request that requests that the number of operational wavelengths be changed; and a license determination section that decides the number of operational wavelengths, wherein if the number of wavelengths that has been changed according to the accepted changing request is equal to or smaller than the stored upper limit value, the license determination section newly sets the changed number of wavelengths for the number of operational wavelengths. |
| US08676055B2 |
Data transmission system and method
A method of transmitting data using electromagnetic waves, comprising the steps of providing (101) a first electromagnetic signal (S1) having a first wavelength (λ1) and a second electromagnetic signal (S2) having a second wavelength (λ2) different from the first wavelength; dividing (102) each of the first (S1) and second (S2) electromagnetic signals into a first polarization component (S1x; S2x) having a first polarization direction and a second polarization component (S1y; S2y) having a second polarization direction orthogonal to the first polarization direction; modulating (103) the first polarization component (S1x) of the first electromagnetic signal (S1) to encode a first data stream (DS1); modulating (104) the second polarization component (S2y) of the second electromagnetic signal (S2) to encode a second data stream (DS2); and transmitting (105) a combined electromagnetic signal (Scomb) comprising the first and second polarization components of the first electromagnetic signal (S1) and the first and second polarization components of the second electromagnetic signal (S2). |
| US08676053B2 |
Method for monitoring fiber line state, repeater, submarine cable system
The present invention relates to communications technologies, and discloses a method for monitoring the state of a fiber line, a repeater, and a submarine cable system. The repeater includes a first optical amplifier (OA), a second optical amplifier, a first gating unit, a second gating unit, a first coupler, a second coupler, a third coupler, and a fourth coupler. The first coupler, the fourth coupler, and the first gating unit form an in-to-in loopback path between the input end of the first OA and the input end of the second OA; and the second coupler, the third coupler, and the second gating unit form an out-to-out loopback path between the output end of the first OA and the output end of the second OA. |
| US08676052B2 |
Image capturing device and activation method therefor
An image capturing device includes a first controller operable to control image capturing; an operation section including a switch; a detector operable to detect a change to an image capturing mode and to send a signal representing the change; a second controller operable to monitor and process the sent signal, the second controller having a power consumption less than that of the first controller; and a power supply operable to supply power to the first controller, the second controller, and a functional section of the device. When the second controller receives the signal sent from the detecting section in a power saving state in which power is supplied from the power supply to the second controller, the power saving state is changed to a power supplying state capable of image capturing by supplying power from the power supply to portions of the device including the first controller. |
| US08676051B2 |
Focus detection device, focus detection method, and camera
A focus detection device includes a focus detector, an object detector, a selector, a divider, and a controller. The focus detector is configured to detect a plurality of focus adjusting states at focus detecting positions in an image plane of an optical system. The object detector is configured to detect image information corresponding to a specified object in an image of the optical system. The selector is configured to select focus adjusting states among the plurality of focus adjusting states based on the image information detected by the object detector. The divider is configured to find variation in the selected focus adjusting states and configured to divide the selected focus adjusting states into a plurality of groups based on the variation. The controller is configured to find a final focus adjusting state based on a pre-final focus adjusting state in a group selected from the plurality of groups. |
| US08676046B2 |
Fingerprint scanning systems and methods
Embodiments relate to methods and systems for gathering, archiving, transmitting, and processing forensic and latent fingerprints. An integrated forensic fingerprint scanning system is provided that includes a number of features for use with forensic-quality fingerprinting. One set of features of embodiments of the portable forensic fingerprint scanning system provides real-time feedback for accurate fingerprinting and training, including visual and/or audio feedback. Another set of features provides cadence-based functionality for improving fingerprinting results. Another set of features provides cryptographic-based approaches to secure highly sensitive collected fingerprint information against loss, theft, or surreptitious modification or tampering. Yet another set of features provides latent fingerprint collections and processing. Still another set of features provides various databasing functions, including centralized storage, data sharing, secure networking, etc. And another set of features provides compatibility with a large variety of jurisdiction-specific inputs and/or outputs, including linguistic interactivity, alerts, print cards, etc. |
| US08676040B2 |
Recording medium, reproduction apparatus, and recording method
A BD-ROM has recorded therein an AV Clip generated by multiplexing a video stream and a graphics stream. The graphics stream represents an interactive display to be overlayed with the video stream, and includes a sequence of three Button State groups. The interactive display includes a plurality of buttons, each of which changes from a normal state to a selected state, and from the selected state to an active state, according to a user operation. In the three Button State groups in the graphics stream, the first-order group (N-ODSs) is made of a plurality of pieces of graphics data, which represent normal states of the buttons, the second-order group (S-ODSs) is made of a plurality of pieces of graphics data, which represent selected states of the buttons, and the third-order group (A-ODSs) is made of a plurality of pieces of graphics data, which represent active states of the buttons. |
| US08676037B2 |
Recording medium having data structure for managing reproduction of still pictures recorded thereon and recording and reproducing methods and apparatuses
The recording medium includes a data structure with at least one playlist file stored in a playlist area of the recording medium. The playlist file includes at least one playitem, at least one sub-playitem and mark information. The playitem provides navigation information for reproducing at least one still picture from a first file. The sub-playitem is associated with the playitem and provides navigation information for reproducing audio data from a second file. The mark information includes at least one mark pointing to the still picture. |
| US08676033B2 |
Method and apparatus for extracting key frames from a video
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for extracting key frames from a video. The method includes: dividing the video into multiple levels of video segments, wherein each video segment at a non-lowest level comprises one or more video segments at the next lower level, the multiple levels range from a first level to an N-th level, N is an integer greater than 1, the first level is the lowest level, and the N-th level is the highest level; extracting from video segments of the video at a non-highest level candidate frames at the non-highest level; for each level from a next higher level to the highest level, selecting zero, one or more candidate frames at the level from candidate frames at the next lower level in each video segment at the level; and outputting the candidate frames at the highest level as the key frames of the video. |
| US08676032B2 |
Playback apparatus
A playback apparatus plays back, from a recording medium, a plurality of information files, and a modified file which is generated using a portion of the plurality of information files. If modified data specified in playback description data for specifying a playback procedure for the plurality of information files including the modified file is not recorded on the recording medium, the playback apparatus changes the playback operation for the information files. |
| US08676028B2 |
Method for reproducing data recorded on an interactive recording medium in conjunction with associated auxiliary data
A method for reproducing data recorded on an interactive recording medium in conjunction with associated auxiliary data is disclosed. An interactive recording medium reproducing apparatus reproduces A/V data recorded on an interactive recording medium such as an interactive DVD in conjunction with contents data provided by a contents providing server using navigation information for the contents data also provided by the contents providing server, thereby allowing synchronized reproduction of data from different sources. |
| US08676027B2 |
Method for event initiated video capturing and a video camera for capture event initiated video
A method and a video camera for recording an event initiated video sequence includes storing captured video frames in a video buffer, detecting a first event, and in response, initiating a video sequence recording session for recording of a video sequence in a non-volatile memory. Pre-event video frames and post-event video frames related to the first event are recorded, where the post-event time period starts at the detection of the first event. A first event delay time period is started in response to the expiration of the post-event time period. The video sequence recording session is closed if a delay period expires and no other event process is in progress. |
| US08676026B2 |
Data recording apparatus
A data recording apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a first type data and a second type data, and a recording unit configured to record the first type data or the second type data acquired by the acquisition unit in a recording medium. The recording unit refers to a first pointer which indicates a logical position regarding the first type data in the recording medium to determine a position to start recording the first type data based on the logical position indicated by the first pointer. The recording unit refers to a second pointer which indicates a logical position regarding the second type data in the recording medium to determine a position to start recording the second type data based on the logical position indicated by the second pointer. |
| US08676025B2 |
Method of timebase management for MPEG decoding with personal video recording functionality
Systems and methods that provide time-based management for MPEG decoding are provided. In one example, a method for live decoding in a personal video recorder system includes the steps of receiving at least one data packet; determining at least one program clock reference (PCR) using the at least one data packet; and locking a timing mechanism to the at least one determined PCR. |
| US08676024B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating data representing digests of pictures
Video data pieces are classified into groups according to prescribed rules. A cut number assigned to each of the groups is decided on the basis of the length or lengths of a video data piece or pieces in each of the groups and the number of the video data piece or pieces in each of the groups. A cut or cuts are extracted from the video data piece or pieces in each of the groups. Regarding each of the groups, the number of the extracted cut or cuts is equal to the decided cut number. Digest data is generated from the extracted cuts for all the groups. |
| US08676023B2 |
Method of fabrication for an asymmetric Bragg coupler-based polymeric wavelength filter with single-grating waveguide
The present invention discloses a method for fabricating polymeric wavelength filter based on an asymmetric Bragg coupler with single-grating waveguide. The asymmetric waveguide coupler is formed firstly on a negative photo-resist mold. PDMS film is injected into the narrow waveguide of the coupler to act as a protection layer. The gratings pattern is exposed on the alternative waveguide and subsequently transferred to PDMS stamp mold. The PDMS stamp mold is used as a stamp to transfer the gratings pattern of the ABC wavelength filter onto UV cured polymer to form the final ABC filter. Whereby, the fabrication process is reliable and accurate, and can offer great potential for mass production of the ABC filter with single-grating waveguide. |
| US08676018B2 |
Optical fiber stripper for a fiber optic connection termination system
An optical fiber stripper that may cooperate with an optical fiber handler for stripping one or more coating from an optical fiber is disclosed. The stripper is used as a part of a termination system for preparing the optical fiber for an optical connection, thereby providing the craft with a simple, reliable, and easy termination of the optical fiber. By way of example, the stripper cooperates with an optical fiber handler having an optical fiber secured therein for preparing the end of the optical fiber for a mechanical splice in a fiber optic connector. |
| US08676017B2 |
Light control element and optical waveguide circuit
A light control element includes three or more silicon thin-film layers (522, 524, 526) placed on a first dielectric layer (521), second dielectric layers (523, 525) placed between the three or more silicon thin-film layers (522, 524, 526), and a third dielectric layer (529) placed to surround the silicon thin-film layers and the second dielectric layers. The three or more silicon thin-film layers are arranged to partially overlap with one anther. In the part where the silicon thin-film layers overlap, the second dielectric layers are placed between the silicon thin-film layers. In the three or more silicon thin-film layers, the silicon thin-film layers adjacent to each other have different conductivity types. |
| US08676015B2 |
Non-zero dispersion shifted optical fiber having a short cutoff wavelength
A non-zero dispersion shifted optical fiber (NZDSF) includes a central core, an inner cladding, and an outer cladding. The central core has an outer radius r1 and a maximum refractive index difference Dn1 with respect to the outer cladding. The inner cladding includes a first intermediate cladding and a buried trench. The first intermediate cladding has an outer radius r2 and a refractive index difference Dn2 with respect to the outer cladding. The buried trench has an outer radius r3, a width w3, and a negative refractive index difference Dn3 with respect to the outer cladding. In some embodiments, the inner cladding includes a second intermediate cladding having an outer radius r4 and a refractive index difference Dn4 with respect to the outer cladding. For a radius of curvature of 30 millimeters at a wavelength of 1625 nanometers, the optical fiber typically exhibits bending losses of about 0.5 dB/100 turns or less. The optical fiber's 22-meter cable cutoff wavelength (22 m-λcc) and effective cutoff wavelength at two meters are typically less than 1150 nanometers. |
| US08676013B2 |
Imaging system using and related techniques
A method and apparatus for imaging using a double-clad fiber is described. |
| US08676009B2 |
Monolithic photonic integrated circuit
An optical device includes a waveguide slab, first and second input port couplers, and first and second output port couplers located over a planar optical substrate. The waveguide slab has a plane of symmetry. The first and second input port couplers extend from the waveguide slab and have an input coupler pair axis located about midway between the first and second input port couplers. The input coupler pair axis is offset at a nonzero first distance from the plane of symmetry. The first and second output port couplers extend from the waveguide slab and have an output coupler pair axis located about midway between the first and second output port couplers. The output coupler pair axis is offset at a different nonzero second distance from the plane of symmetry. |
| US08676004B1 |
Optical circuit switch optimization using optical circulators
Systems and methods for optimizing port usage in an optical circuit switch are disclosed herein. A plurality of optical circulators can be coupled to the plurality of input and output ports of an optical circuit switch. An optical circulator coupled to an input port and an optical circulator coupled to an output port can form a bidirectional pair capable of communicating with any other bidirectional pair of the optical circuit switch. In this regard, the number of bidirectional ports of an optical circuit switch can be increased allowing additional bandwidth to flow through the optical circuit switch. Increasing the efficiency and capabilities of optical circuit switches within a large scale communications network can offer increased functionality and performance with little trade off. |
| US08676003B2 |
Methods and systems for reducing polarization dependent loss
A photonics integrated circuit for processing radiation includes a first-dimensional grating coupler for coupling in radiation, a second two-dimensional grating coupler for coupling out radiation and a waveguide structure having two distinct waveguide arms for splitting radiation received from the first grating coupler and recombining radiation in the second grating coupler. A phase shifting means furthermore is provided for inducing an additional phase shift in at least one of the two distinct waveguide arms thereby inducing a relative phase shift of π between the two distinct waveguide arms so as to provide a TE/TM polarization switch for radiation between the first grating coupler and the second grating coupler. |
| US08675999B1 |
Apparatus, system, and method for multi-patch based super-resolution from an image
Embodiments of the present invention include apparatuses, systems and methods for multi-patch based super-resolution from a single video frame. Such embodiments include a scale-invariant self-similarity (SiSS) based super-resolution method. Instead of searching HR examples in a database or in LR image, the present embodiments may select the patches according to the SiSS characteristics of the patch itself, so that the computational complexity of the method may be reduced because there is not any search involved. To solve the problem of lack of relevant examples in natural images, the present embodiments may employ multi-shaped and multi-sized patches in HR image reconstruction. Additionally, embodiments may include steps for a hybrid weighing method for suppressing artifacts. Advantageously, certain embodiments of the method may be 10˜1,000 times faster than the example based SR approaches using patch searching and can achieve comparable HR image quality. |
| US08675998B2 |
Method and apparatus for high frequency component smoothing, and image display apparatus
A method and apparatus for processing images, and an image display apparatus are provided that can produce favorable images even when digitized image are partially magnified (enlarged) or reduced (shrunk). The apparatus for expanding or reducing input image data supplied thereto, for each area of the image data, comprises a high frequency (HF) component smoothing processor that generates smoothed-HF-component image data by smoothing HF components of the input image data; a partial magnification/reduction controller that generates partial magnification/reduction control information that designates positions of pixels in image data obtained after expanding or reducing the input image data for each image area; and a pixel data generator that generates pixel data of pixel positions designated by the partial magnification/reduction control information in the smoothed-HF-component image data, by using pixel data in a neighborhood of the designated pixel positions. |
| US08675994B1 |
High performance warp correction in two-dimensional images
An apparatus generally having a first memory, a second memory and a circuit is disclosed. The first memory may be configured to store a warp table. The warp table is generally accessed through a single data port of the first memory. The second memory may be configured to buffer an input image. The input image may have a plurality of input pixels arranged in two dimensions. The circuit may be configured to generate an output image by a warp correction of an input image. The warp correction may be defined by the warp table. The output image may include a plurality of output pixels. At least one of the output pixels maybe generated during each clock cycle of the circuit. |
| US08675993B2 |
Methods and apparatus for patch-based shape from shading
Methods and apparatus for patch-based construction of an object shape from the shading of an image are disclosed. An image is divided into a set of image subregions. For each image subregion, a set of subregion dictionary entries is identified. Each of the set of subregion dictionary entries includes a subregion entry appearance matching an appearance of the respective image subregion and a subregion entry geometry. A set of optimal subregion dictionary entries is identified. Identifying the set of optimal subregion dictionary entries includes minimizing an energy function of the sets of subregion dictionary entries for all image subregions. Each optimal subregion dictionary entry is, for a respective one of the image subregions, a subregion entry associated with a minimum of the energy function. The shape includes a shape construction parameter from a subregion geometry entry of each optimal subregion geometry entry of the set of optimal subregion geometry entries. |
| US08675992B2 |
Digital microscope slide scanning system and methods
Provided herein are systems methods including a design of a microscope slide scanner for digital pathology applications which provides high quality images and automated batch-mode operation at low cost. The instrument architecture is advantageously based on a convergence of high performance, yet low cost, computing technologies, interfaces and software standards to enable high quality digital microscopy at very low cost. Also provided is a method based in part on a stitching method that allows for dividing an image into a number of overlapping tiles and reconstituting the image with a magnification without substantial loss of accuracy. A scanner is employed in capturing snapshot images. The method allows for overlapping images captured in consecutive snapshots. |
| US08675991B2 |
Modification of post-viewing parameters for digital images using region or feature information
A method of modifying the viewing parameters of digital images using image feature detection for achieving desired parameters based on one or more sub-groups of pixels that correspond to one or more selected image features such as a face, body, pets, or a background region or a foreground region. Such methods may be used for animating still images, automating and streamlining application such as the creation of slide shows and screen savers of images containing selected image features. Two or more features such as a foreground region and a background region may be separated and independently processed. |
| US08675990B2 |
Composite evaluation
A method of evaluating a composite structure in which a portion of the structure is imaged and subsequently transformed to provide a 2D output of the angular distribution of features, eg a 2D FFT. A weighting function is applied to the output to compensate for variation in the angular density of pixel population. The weighted output is then used to provide an angular distribution of feature intensity. The structure can be imaged in two or more intersecting planes to allow a 3D determination of feature direction to be obtained. |
| US08675989B2 |
Optimized orthonormal system and method for reducing dimensionality of hyperspectral images
A method for reducing dimensionality of hyperspectral images includes receiving a hyperspectral image having a plurality of pixels. The method may further include establishing an orthonormal basis vector set comprising a plurality of mutually orthogonal normalized members. Each of the mutually orthogonal normalized members may be associated with one of the plurality of pixels of the hyperspectral image. The method may further include decomposing the hyperspectral image into a reduced dimensionality image, utilizing calculations performed while establishing said orthonormal basis vector set. A system configured to perform the method may also be provided. |
| US08675985B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing image
Provided are an apparatus and method for processing an image. The apparatus includes a detector configured to form one group with pieces of pixel information on an edge of a received image, detect line segments, and generate a plurality of curves using the detected line segments, an optimizer configured to apply a weight to a cost function based on the plurality of generated curves according to distance from the center of the image, define a curve having a shorter length than a threshold value as an outlier and a curve having a greater length than the threshold value as an inlier, remove the outlier, and estimate a distortion level parameter, and a corrector configured to correct a position of a pixel with a correction value using the distortion level parameter. Accordingly, it is possible to correct lens distortion of even an image that has not been directly photographed, and to correct images generated by devices equipped with any lens rather than a specific camera or photographing apparatus. |
| US08675984B2 |
Merging multiple exposed images in transform domain
Techniques are provided to generate high or wide dynamic range image from two or more input images of different exposure settings by directly merging coefficients derived from the input images in a transform domain. Energy values may be determined from coefficients blocks derived from the input images. The energy values may be compared with thresholds to determine weight factors for the coefficient blocks. An output coefficient block in the transform domain, used in or used to generate the output image, may be determined as a weighted combination of the coefficient blocks in the transform domain derived from the input images. If input images are compressed in transform domain, an output image can be generated without performing decompression in transform domain. |
| US08675981B2 |
Multi-modal gender recognition including depth data
Gender recognition is performed using two or more modalities. For example, depth image data and one or more types of data other than depth image data is received. The data pertains to a person. The different types of data are fused together to automatically determine gender of the person. A computing system can subsequently interact with the person based on the determination of gender. |
| US08675976B2 |
Image encoding apparatus and method for handling intra-image predictive encoding with various color spaces and color signal resolutions
The present invention is directed to an image information encoding apparatus adapted for performing intra-image encoding based on resolution of color components and color space of an input image signal. An intra prediction unit serves to adaptively change block size in generating a prediction image based on a chroma format signal indicating whether resolution of color components is one of 4:2:0 format, 4:2:2 format, and 4:4:4 format, and a color space signal indicating whether color space is one of YCbCr, RGB, and XYZ. An inverse orthogonal transform unit and an inverse quantization unit serve to also change orthogonal transform technique and quantization technique in accordance with the chroma format signal and the color space signal. An encoding unit encodes the chroma format signal and the color space signal to generate a prediction image corresponding to the chroma format signal and the color space signal. |
| US08675973B2 |
Signal classification apparatus
An acquisition unit acquires feature vectors (the number is N). A first selection unit selects first neighbor features (k (1≦k≦N)) of each feature vector in order of higher similarity from the feature vectors. A second selection unit generates a plurality of groups each including similar feature vectors from the feature vectors, and selects second neighbor features (u (1≦k+u≦N−2)) of each feature vector in order of higher similarity. Each of the second neighbor features is differently included in a group. A determination unit calculates a density of each feature vector by using a threshold, the first neighbor features and the second neighbor features, and determines feature vectors to be classified into the same class as each feature vector by using the density and a threshold. A classification unit classifies the feature vectors into a plurality of classes by using the selection result. A control unit controls each threshold. |
| US08675972B2 |
Method and device for determining the pose of a three-dimensional object in an image and method and device for creating at least one key image for object tracking
The invention relates to a method and a device for determining the exposure of a three-dimensional object in an image, characterised in that it comprises the following steps: acquiring a three-dimensional generic model of the object, projecting the three-dimensional generic model according to at least one two-dimensional representation and associating to each two-dimensional representation an exposure information of the three-dimensional object, electing and positioning a two-dimensional representation onto the object in said image, and determining the three-dimensional exposure of the object in the image from at least the exposure information associated with the selected two-dimensional representation. |
| US08675971B2 |
Method and apparatus for classifying image pixels
A method of classifying pixels in an image is described that includes calculating for each target pixel in the image, a functional value based on a median value of a block of pixels including the target pixel and storing the functional value for each pixel. Pixels in the image are then analyzed to determine if they correspond to edges in the image and if so, are classified as edge pixels. Next the stored functional values are analyzed to define a flat area delimiting function for the image. The stored functional values that do not correspond to edge pixels are then analyzed to define an image detail delimiting function and the non-flat area pixels are classified as being either flat area pixels or detail pixels based on the flat area delimiting function and the detail delimiting function. |
| US08675967B2 |
Pose estimation
In a pose estimation for estimating the pose of an object of pose estimation with respect to a reference surface that serves as a reference for estimating a pose, a data processing device: extracts pose parameters from a binarized image; identifies a combination of pose parameters for which the number of cross surfaces of parameter surfaces that accord with surface parameter formulas, which are numerical formulas for expressing a reference surface, is a maximum; finds a slope weighting for each of cross pixels, which are pixels on each candidate surface and which are pixels within a prescribed range, that is identified based on the angles of the tangent plane at the cross pixel and based on planes formed by each of the axes of parameter space; and identifies the significant candidate surface for which a number, which is the sum of slope weightings, is a maximum, as the actual surface that is the reference surface that actually exists in the image. |
| US08675964B2 |
Image fusion using intensity mapping functions
Techniques to improve image fusing operations using intensity mapping functions (IMFs) are described. In one approach, when a reference image's pixel values are within its' IMF's useful range, they may be used to generate predicted secondary image pixel values. When the reference image's pixel values are not within the IMF's useful range, actual values from a captured secondary image may be used directly or processed further to generate predicted secondary image pixel values. The predicted and actual pixel values may be used to construct predicted secondary images that may be fused. In another approach, the consistency between pixel pairs may be used to generate consistency-based weighting factors that may be used during image fusion operations. |
| US08675963B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatic brightness adjustment of image signal processor
An automatic brightness adjusting method and apparatus for image signal processor (ISP) is provided. The image processing apparatus may include a histogram generating unit, a cumulative distribution function calculator, and a histogram equalization (HE) unit. The histogram generating unit may generate a histogram of brightness values of pixels in an input image. The cumulative distribution function calculator may generate a cumulative distribution function and an inverse cumulative distribution function, based on the generated histogram. The HE unit may generate a conversion function based on the cumulative distribution function and the inverse cumulative distribution function, and may apply HE to the input image based on the conversion function so as to generate an output image. |
| US08675962B2 |
Image correction processing circuit, semiconductor device, and image correction processing device
The image correction processing device (100) disclosed in the description is configured by integrating a first external terminal (CAMDI) [7:0] to which digital input image data is inputted from outside of the device, an image correction processing circuit (200) applying predetermined image correction processing on the digital input image to create digital output image data, a second external terminal (CAMDO) [7:0] outputting the digital output image data to the outside of the device, an encoder circuit (300) converting the digital output image data to analog composite video-type output image data, and a third external terminal (VOUT) outputting the analog composite video-type data to the outside of the device. |
| US08675959B2 |
Computer-readable recording medium and image processing apparatus
A computer-readable recording medium has stored therein an image processing program for causing a computer to execute a process including identifying, on a taken image of a jig having a plurality of first color regions and a plurality of second color regions different in color from the first color regions, the first color regions, comparing each of the identified first color regions with a predetermined convex shape and retracting each of the first color regions until it is determined that each of the first color regions has a similarity in shape to the predetermined convex shape, and determining a feature point of the jig on the image on the basis of a positional relationship of a plurality of first retracted regions on the image, the first retracted regions being obtained from the first color regions as a result of retraction at the retracting. |
| US08675958B2 |
Subject determination method, computer program product for determining subject, and camera
A photographic subject determination method includes: a binarization step of creating a plurality of binarized images of a subject image, based upon color information or luminance information in the subject image; an evaluation value calculation step of, for each of the plurality of binarized images, calculating an evaluation value that is used for specifying at least one of a position, a size, and a shape of a photographic subject within the subject image; and a photographic subject specification step of specifying at least one of the position, the size, and the shape of a photographic subject within the subject image, based upon the evaluation value. |
| US08675955B2 |
Method and system for transparency adjustment and occlusion resolution for urban landscape visualization
According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a graphical presentation is generated from a data representation. A lens is applied to reveal a region-of-interest occluded by an occluding portion of an image. The lens includes an extent of the lens, a focal region including a magnification and a transparency to reduce occlusion of the region-of-interest by the occluding portion, and a shoulder region between the extent of the lens and the focal region. The shoulder region provides context for the focal region with respect to a portion of the image outside of the extent of the lens by preserving visibility of information surrounding the focal region. The shoulder region also has decreasing transparency as depth decreases from the focal region to the portion of the image outside of the extent of the lens. |