| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08745007B2 |
Method of handling large volumes of synchrophasor measurments for real time event replay
A method is provided for handling synchrophasor measurements relating to an electrical power system. The method includes: (a) acquiring a plurality of synchrophasor measurements containing data representing at least one power system event; (b) inserting and storing the event related synchrophasor measurements in a database as a partitioned binary large object (BLOB); (c) reading and transferring the synchrophasor measurements related to a user selected current or historical event from the database to a client computer partition by partition; and (d) processing the event data at the client computer on a partition-by-partition basis such that the client computer will be able to start a replay of the event replay as soon as processing of the first partition of the event BLOB data is completed. |
| US08745006B2 |
Computing system and backup method using the same
This invention provides a computing system in which multiple remote copy destination sites exist and, even if a failure occurs in a copy source volume in a remote copy source site, it becomes possible in at least one remote copy destination site to establish backup in which data must be determined at a certain point in time. The computing system of this invention is characterized by, before the in-storage copy function performing in storage copy in the remote copy source site, setting the pair status of the remote copy destination volume in at least one storage system in multiple remote copy destination storage systems and the remote copy source volume to the mode for terminating remote copy and, after the in-storage copy is completed, changing the above-mentioned pair status to the mode for starting remote copy. |
| US08745005B1 |
Checkpoint recovery using a B-tree intent log with syncpoints
A networked data storage system includes a primary volume and a pointer-based virtual secondary volume. The secondary volume has B-tree checkpoints of the state of a primary filesystem of the primary volume. Intermediate syncpoints are declared between checkpoint checkpoints. The syncpoints are logical locations on the secondary volume where the B-tree is known to be in a consistent state. The frequency of syncpoints may be set by an administrator in units of blocks, i.e., a syncpoint to be taken every n blocks. Before performing a B-tree split, entire images of the leaves and parent node involved in the split are written to an intent log in a relatively fast transaction that may comprise a single I/O operation to contiguous memory. Movement of data between leaf nodes and changes to the parent nodes as a result of the split operation proceed asynchronously. In the event of a reboot before the split operation is complete, the intent log is used to complete the split transaction from the most recent syncpoint. When a new syncpoint is declared, the intent log and dirty leaves are flushed. |
| US08745001B1 |
Automated remediation of corrupted and tempered files
A method, apparatus and computer-readable storage medium for ascertaining a set of preliminary characteristics of a first data structure and, responsive to determining that the set of preliminary characteristics matches a set of characteristics of a reference data structure, determining that a secondary characteristic of the first data structure indicates a replacement of the first data structure with the reference data structure is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention further include replacing the first data structure with the reference data structure, in response to determining that the secondary characteristic of the first data structure indicates the replacement of the first data structure. |
| US08744999B2 |
Identifier compression for file synchronization via soap over HTTP
As changes are made to a document, each change may be assigned an extended identifier comprising a globally unique identifier (GUID) component and an integer component. Upon determining that the same GUID component is used in identifiers for multiple changes, the GUID component may be mapped to a range of indices. Each index of the range of indices may then be used to represent the same GUID component in each extended identifier. |
| US08744996B2 |
Presentation of information elements in an analyst network
In an analyst network, at least representative data of information elements (i.e., discrete quantities of content suitable for analysis by one or more analysts), acquired by a routing controller, is provided to a workstation. Based on the representative data, displayed results are provided including information indicative of processing performed by at least a portion of a plurality of analysts using the analyst network. Indicia of treatment indicative of treatment statuses of individual information elements are preferably provided in the displayed data. Various occurrences may give rise to updated treatment statuses that cause the displayed data to be updated as well. In this manner, the present invention enables individual analysts to prioritize processing of information elements based on processing performed throughout the entire analyst network. |
| US08744990B2 |
Rule based, proactive web browsing
Method and apparatus for rule-based, proactive web browsing are provided. A set of rules is determined and stored in computer data storage, where each rule in the set of rules is a proactive browsing rule that indicates a web page. The occurrence of an event represented by event information is detected. In response to detecting the occurrence of the event, the set of rules is evaluated based on the event information to determine whether any rules are satisfied. While a web browser is in use, a determination is made that a particular rule is satisfied. In response to determining that the particular rule is satisfied, the web browser is automatically redirected to directly access a particular web page that is indicated in the particular rule. |
| US08744989B1 |
Ranking and vote scheduling using statistical confidence intervals
Method, computer-readable media, and systems for ranking content submissions and scheduling content submissions for additional voting in a distributed online community are disclosed. A statistical confidence interval is calculated for the approval ratio of each content submission based on one or more scaling formulae. A popularity ranking of the content submissions is generated based on the lower bounds of the confidence intervals calculated for the content submissions. Top-ranked content submissions in the popularity ranking are presented to users as the most popular content submissions. A voting priority ranking of the content submissions is generated based on the upper bounds of the confidence intervals calculated for the content submissions. Top-ranked content submissions in the voting priority ranking are selected as featured content submissions for additional voting. The selection of the top-ranked content submissions for additional voting is randomized based on a selected probability distribution. |
| US08744985B2 |
Monitoring state of health information for components
In one advantageous embodiment, a method is provided for managing data. Information about the plurality of components is identified using data to form a plurality of instances for a plurality of nodes in response to receiving data for a plurality of components. Each node in the plurality of nodes corresponds to a component in the plurality of components. A number of variables having a range of values are formed to form a data structure. Each value in the range of values indicates a point in time at which a change to the information for a node occurs between a first instance and a second instance in the plurality of instances. More than one change between two consecutive instances is absent. The data structure is used to identify probability information about the plurality of components associated with the plurality of nodes. |
| US08744984B2 |
Information terminal and control method that stores image time series data related to sales of commodities along with sales totals
According to one embodiment, an information terminal includes a storing unit configured to store image pickup data picked up in time series by an image pickup apparatus that picks up images of a sales floor and sales data obtained by recording sales of a commodity displayed in the sales floor and date and time of registration of the sales; a list display unit configured to list-display videos of a predetermined sales floor in time series at every predetermined time interval on the basis of the image pickup data; a totalizing unit configured to totalize, at the every time interval, list-displayed sales of the commodity of the sales floor on the basis of the sales data; and a sales display unit configured to display the totalized sales of the commodity at the every time interval. |
| US08744982B2 |
Gene-specific prediction
A gene-specific prediction tool for classifying and interpreting gene tests is described. The prediction tool includes a classifier trained and tested using databases of gene variants and their known phenotypes. The classifier uses differences between features of amino acids in obtaining attributes used to perform classification and generate predictions, including for benign and pathologic outcomes, for uncertain gene variants. |
| US08744980B2 |
Systems and methods for analysis of network equipment command line interface (CLI) and runtime management of user interface (UI) generation for same
Systems and methods are disclosed that may be implemented for network management system (NMS) configuration management support for network devices using a learning and natural language processing application to capture the usage and behavior of the Command Line Interface (CLI) of a network device with the aid of a CLI knowledge model, which in one example may be ontology-based. |
| US08744979B2 |
Electronic communications triage using recipient's historical behavioral and feedback
Triaging electronic communications in a computing system environment can mitigate issues related to large volumes of incoming electronic communications. This can include an analysis of user-specific electronic communication data and associated behaviors to predict which communications a user is likely to deem important or unimportant. Client-side application features are exposed based on the evaluation of communication importance to enable the user to process arbitrarily large volumes of incoming communications. |
| US08744975B2 |
Interactive media content display system
A system and method is provided including a central application server with a data storage unit including a plurality of client containers corresponding to a plurality of clients. Each client container stores client media content provided by a respective client. The client media content includes at least one of audio files, video files, and audio/video files. A plurality of computing devices is connected to the central application server. Each computing device receives client media content from at least one client container of the plurality of client containers. Each client container of the plurality of client containers is updated independently with client media content from each respective client. |
| US08744971B2 |
Dynamic redemption codes
Information regarding a redemption code may include at least one parameter associated with certain redeemable content. Requests may be received from a user. The request may concern access to redeemable content associated with a redemption code. The applicability of parameters is determined as is the redeemable content associated with the identified parameter. The user may then be granted access to the identified redeemable content. The determination of applicable parameters may include identifying an associated modification and applying the modification to the redemption code in order to identify the redeemable content. |
| US08744970B2 |
Information communication system, user management apparatus thereof, information providing apparatus thereof and user terminal apparatus thereof
In an information communication system, user personal information is batch-managed in a user management center apparatus. The center apparatus issues temporary information, which includes temporary user information and temporary authentication information, in response to a log-in request from a user terminal apparatus that designates a net-shop apparatus, and sends the information to the user terminal apparatus and the designated net-shop apparatus. Thereby, if the user terminal apparatus sends an authentication request to the net-shop apparatus on the basis of the information, the net-shop apparatus can authenticate the user terminal apparatus on the basis of the information from the user management center apparatus. At this time, the user personal information does not go to the net-shop apparatus, and there is no need for the net-shop apparatus to manage the user personal information. |
| US08744968B1 |
Providing automated initial and final payment for an activity based on determining the location of an activity participant's mobile communication device
Systems, methods and computer programs provide for automated initial and final payment for an activity based on determining the location of an activity participant's mobile communication device. The described embodiments provide for the activity participant to automatically pay for the activity based on their presence at the activity location and agreement to participate. As such, the need to check-in and/or pay for the activity at a conventional payment counter is eliminated. Further, the invention provides for an automatic final payment to be made at the conclusion of the activity as opposed to having to pre-pay for the activity prior to conducting the activity. By remitting final payment at the completion of the activity, activity pricing can be accurately determined based on the amount and/or time of the activity in which the activity participant participated. |
| US08744967B2 |
Method for authenticating financial transaction requests using a website or web portal
A method for authenticating a financial transaction request includes receiving first information where the first information includes first party identifying information, and a unique pseudorandom number of a pseudorandom sequence included with a check from a plurality of checks. A status of activating the plurality of checks is determined using a portion of the first information, a stored activation code, and stored information first party identifying information. The stored first party identifying information is stored with the pseudorandom sequence. The first party is authenticated with the received and stored first party identifying information. The unique pseudorandom number is authenticated with the received first party identifying information, a portion of the stored first party identifying information and the stored sequence. The first information is authenticated if the first party and the unique pseudorandom number included with the first information are authenticated and if the plurality of checks have been activated. |
| US08744965B2 |
Fund sharing method and apparatus
A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium configured to enable the pooling and sharing of funds to cover shared expenses. An electronic basket is created. The electronic basket includes a virtual prepaid payment card with a unique identifier and associated with a user. The user is prompted for potential contributors to the electronic basket. A network interface electronically contacts the potential contributors, and the electronic basket is stored in a user-card database. |
| US08744963B1 |
Method for transferring an amount to be paid
A method for transferring an amount to be paid is provided. The method includes searching for available wireless devices and selecting a payee via input provided through one of the available wireless devices. The method includes selecting a payment option for transferring a payment amount to the payee and entering the payment amount. The method includes authorizing payment instructions to the payee and receiving confirmation that the payment amount was received by the payee. |
| US08744960B2 |
Methods and systems for business-to-business electronic payment processing
Embodiments presented herein address the shortcomings and problems discussed above by providing systems and methods for a central system that conducts business-to-business (B2B) payments. In embodiments, a B2B gateway receives payment instructions from one or more buyers. The payment instructions may be received over one of several different systems, for example, a credit card association system or an electronic invoice presentment and payment (EIPP) system. The B2B gateway organizes the payment instructions according to the supplier being paid and the payment system that will be used for the payment. The payment systems may include, but are not limited to, credit card platforms, ACH payments, mailed checks, etc. The suppliers can receive two or more payments from two or more buyers through the B2B gateway. |
| US08744954B2 |
System and method for modifying trading strategies based on message usage
A system and method are provided for implementing an electronic exchange-based transaction message policy. One example method includes defining a message usage threshold to be used in relation to a client entity that utilizes one or more trading strategies and sends transaction messages to an electronic exchange. The method further includes dynamically monitoring the message usage at the client entity and comparing it to the defined message usage threshold. If the message usage exceeds the threshold limit, the method includes adjusting one or more trading strategies at the client entity in attempt to not violating the exchange-based transaction message policy. |
| US08744952B2 |
Method and apparatus for improved electronic trading
A method and apparatus for outputting data that represents the change in value of an options premium that would have resulted if the options traded in a direct linear volume relationship with its underlying security is provided. Input values utilized include a delta value, a gamma value, a value-weighted average price of an underlying stock, a reference price of the underlying stock, and an original order premium value. |
| US08744950B2 |
Method and interface for consolidating price levels on a trading screen
A trading screen may display price and quantity information for price levels in a static axis of prices. The static axis of prices may be divided into two or more different regions. The price and quantity information for one or more of the regions may be consolidated from price and quantity information from plurality of un-consolidated price levels. |
| US08744948B1 |
Mobile data import for a financial return
A method for obtaining financial data for use in a financial return of a tax paying entity, including: obtaining credentials of the tax paying entity; determining, by a computer processor, that the financial data is available for download from a data provider; sending a first text message to a mobile device of the tax paying entity indicating that the financial data is available for download; receiving, from the mobile device, a second text message requesting to import the financial data into the financial return; sending, to the data provider, a request to download the financial data, where the request includes the credentials; downloading, after sending the request, the financial data into a data repository; and sending, after downloading the financial data, the financial data to a tax preparation application, where the financial data is imported by the tax preparation application into the financial return. |
| US08744946B2 |
Systems and methods for credit worthiness scoring and loan facilitation
The present invention relates to methods, systems and computer readable media for generating a financial score. In an embodiment, the method for generating a financial score comprises collecting and aggregating sets of data, estimating income paths based on the collected data, determining risk associated with the income path and generating a financial score. Exemplary systems and computer readable media include program code for executing a method for generating a financial score and processing financial instruments on a network. |
| US08744942B1 |
Method, system and computer program product for managing funds in custodial deposit accounts
A method, system and computer program product for managing aggregate funds held in a custodial deposit accounts by a custodial agent on behalf of a plurality of individuals. According to the present invention, the custodial deposit accounts comprises an omnibus transaction account (“Omnibus TA”) and a Omnibus money market deposit account (“Omnibus MMDA”). A corresponding individual transaction account (“Individual TA”) and individual money market deposit account (“Individual MMDA”) are kept on the books and records of the custodial agent for each individual, representing the amount of the individual's funds deposited in the Omnibus TA and Omnibus MMDA, respectively. According to the present invention, limitations on transfers from the Omnibus MMDA to the Omnibus TA and limitations on transfers from the corresponding Individual MMDAs to the Individual TAs are managed by daily allocation of the funds in the Individual TAs and Individual MMDAs. |
| US08744941B2 |
Methods and systems for providing a decision making platform
A method for enriching the data associated with financial transaction card transactions using a computer system is described. The method includes receiving financial transaction data from a plurality of input channels, each input channel associated with a financial transaction data format, converting the received financial transaction data into a common data format, enriching the converted financial transaction data by scoring the converted financial transaction data across a plurality of scoring engines, converting the plurality of scores relating to the financial transaction data from the scoring engines into output data, and transmitting the output data using an output manager, the output manager operable to provide the data into a format appropriate for each intended recipient. |
| US08744938B1 |
Secure single-use transaction numbers
Methods for producing and applications for single-use transaction numbers. The transaction numbers are single-use in that the numbers are only valid for a single transaction. The transaction numbers can be generated just prior to being used, minimizing the amount of time during which they can be lost or stolen. The transaction numbers can be generated using encryption technology such as dynamic password technology. The encryption technology makes it very difficult if not impossible to predict what the next transaction number generated will be. The transaction numbers are unique to the user and can be validated or authenticated by an issuing institution that maintains an ability to generate the same transaction numbers issued to the user. |
| US08744932B2 |
Custodial inventory process optimization
Herein described is a computer based system, a computer-readable storage media, and a method for optimizing the amount of currency transferred to a custodial inventory vault of a depository institution. The currency comprises ten and twenty dollar bills. For example, the method comprises determining a first amount of ten and twenty dollar bills, subtracting a second amount corresponding to a minimum vault holding requirement from the first amount to yield a third amount. The third amount is transferred along with a predetermined fourth amount to the custodial inventory vault of the depository institution. The predetermined fourth amount may be chosen to minimize or obviate an occurrence of an ending cash balance of ten and twenty dollar bills being less than the second amount. The third and fourth amounts of ten and twenty dollars bills are held in the custodial inventory vault and provide a monetary benefit for the depository institution. |
| US08744928B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing a marketing service
Apparatus and method for providing a marketing service are described. In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium includes: (1) a preferences module that is configured to collect a set of preferences of a user; (2) a monitoring module that is configured to monitor a web site based on the set of preferences so as to identify relevant content; and (3) a notification module that is configured to generate a message alerting the user of the relevant content. |
| US08744925B2 |
Automobile transaction facilitation based on customer selection of a specific automobile
A system, methods, and apparatus for performing automobile transactions are disclosed. In an example embodiment, automobile market data representative of current automobile market characteristics is stored. The automobile market data may include pricing, inventory, and consumer interest information received from dealers, manufacturers, and consumers. A consumer may provide a request for a response regarding a specific automobile using an image of a vehicle identification number or a graphical user interface. Automobile market data may be provided to a dealer based on the request. Bids to sell the specific automobile may be requested from dealers based on the request. Dealer bids may be provided to the consumer with prices and a delivery options. The consumer may select a bid which specifies a pickup location at a first dealer. |
| US08744922B2 |
Generating multiple buy and sell transactions
A method and system for generating multiple buy/sell transactions during or prior to a completion of a buy/sell transaction of an item. The system comprises a server, a database and client devices. Each client device is associated with a unique user and connected to a communications network. The server connected to the communications network comprises a communications module and a transactions module. The communications module receives offers to buy the item from client devices associated with other purchasers before a first purchaser completes a buy/sell transaction of the item and receives an acceptance of one of the offers to buy from the first purchaser. The transaction module processes the offer accepted by the first purchaser during or prior to a completion of the buy/sell transaction of the item by the first purchaser, thereby facilitating multiple buy/sell transactions of the same item. |
| US08744915B2 |
System, program product, and method for debit card and checking account autodraw
A consumer is prequalified for a line of credit attached to a checking account by a lending institution computer responsive to consumer underwriting data. The lending institution computer makes available draws to the line of credit line in an authorization stream for a proposed payment from the checking account. When the line of credit is accessed, the checking account is credited with an additional value equal to one or more preselected loan increments so that the account then has a new amount totaling a previous amount plus the amount of value of the one or more preselected loan increments and so that the new amount exceeds or equals the value of a proposed payment. Next, a new value for the line of credit balance available is determined, accounting for value credited to the checking account and a preselected loan advance fee for each loan increment credited to the account. |
| US08744910B2 |
Parcel advertising system and method
A method and system provides a targeted advertisement on a package to be delivered to a recipient. The advertisement is specifically directed towards the recipient of the package. Advertisement information is received from an advertiser that includes one or more advertisements that the advertiser desires to be placed. The advertisement information is associated with advertisement selection criteria. A request for a package to be delivered to the recipient is received. The package has one or more package characteristics, and the recipient has one or more recipient characteristics including at least one location characteristic. The advertisement selection criteria associated with an advertisement are analyzed in conjunction with the package characteristics and recipient characteristics associated with the package and its recipient. An advertisement for the package is either selected or created in response to the analyzing of the advertisement selection criteria, package characteristics, and recipient characteristics. The advertisement is then placed on the package for delivery. |
| US08744907B2 |
Method and system for generating certificates having unique ID data
A method and system for the electronic distribution of product redemption coupons to remote personal computers located at users' homes are disclosed. A centrally located repository, such as an online service provider or web site on the Internet, stores packages of coupon data for downloading on demand to the user's computer. A coupon generated by the system and method of the present invention comprises an encoded area that consists essentially of a unique Coupon Id. The unique Coupon Id is also recorded in a database comprising a plurality of data tables. At least one of the data tables associates each Coupon Id with one or more of a Promotion Id and a Consumer Id. Preferably, the Print Id is also associated in a data table with a Session Id and information regarding the date/time of printing. The Ids other than the Coupon Id may not be printed on the coupon. |
| US08744906B2 |
Systems and methods for targeted advertisement delivery
In one aspect, a computing apparatus is configured to receive a request for a profile to customize information for presentation to a user identified in the request and, responsive to the request identifying the user, provide the profile that is generated based on transaction data of the user. The profile summarizes the transaction data of the user using a plurality of values representing aggregated spending in various areas. The information includes an advertisement selected, prioritized, adjusted, or generated based on the profile. The advertisement includes at least an offer, such as a discount, incentive, reward, coupon, gift, cash back, benefit, product, or service. |
| US08744902B2 |
Revenue management system and associated method for updating and limiting future sales of spaces of a travel-related service
A revenue management system comprising a first revenue management route which includes a forecast module and an optimization module and which calculates expected revenue for sales of inventor items based on historical data; a second revenue management route which is selected if the confidence in the forecasting in the first route is below a predetermined value. |
| US08744899B2 |
Systems and methods for migrating customers to alternative financial products
Systems and methods for migrating customers to alternative financial products are provided. A set of customers of a financial institution may be identified by a financial system that includes one or more computers. Each of the customers may be eligible for a migration from a first financial product to a second financial product. A pre-migration test may be conducted for a subset of the set of customers to determine an attrition risk associated with the migration of the set of customers to the second financial product. Based upon a determination that the attrition risk is acceptable, the migration of the set of customers from the first financial product to the second financial product may be directed. |
| US08744898B1 |
Systems and methods for user churn reporting based on engagement metrics
Methods and systems for user churn reporting based on engagement metrics are disclosed. In some embodiments, methods and systems may provide mechanisms for reporting the number of users or customers that are disengaged from a service or product. These embodiments may be employed, for instance, in cases where there is no “analytic footprint” marking discontinuation of service—e.g., where there is no explicit “subscription cancellation request,” “subscription expiration,” “opt-out,” or the like in connection with a user's disengagement. Other embodiments are applicable to subscription-based models, for example, where users have not “unsubscribed” from the service but should nonetheless no longer be considered engaged. As such, systems and methods disclosed herein may enable assessment and improvement of marketing campaign and retention efforts based on their effectiveness in reducing the number of churned users, re-engagement of users that have abandoned a particular product or service, etc. |
| US08744896B2 |
Extracting dimensions of quality from online user-generated content
The quality of a product may be an important driver of consumer satisfaction, competition, and long-term brand success. Identifying the right dimensions of product quality may be central to devising segmentation and positioning strategies, rankings brands, creating advertising content, improving current products, or designing new products. User-generated content, such as product reviews, may identify quality. Data in product reviews is analyzed across fifteen firms in five markets over four years to extract the dimensions of experienced quality using Latent Dirichlet Allocation. The face, external, and predictive validity of these dimensions is explored. Results suggest that a few dimensions may be enough to capture experienced quality, have good correspondence to other metrics of quality, and serve as reasonably good predictors of earnings and stock market returns. Dynamic analysis may enable tracking the importance of dimensions and of competitive brand positions on those dimensions over time. |
| US08744894B2 |
Method and system for assessing, managing, and monitoring information technology risk
A method for information technology (IT) and information asset risk assessment of a business relationship between a client and a third party. The method includes establishing a database. The database includes a plurality of IT information risk factors. The database is configured to receive IT risk information. The IT risk information is associated with the plurality of IT information risk factors. The plurality of IT information risk factors includes a subset of relationship risk factors. The subset of relationship risk factors are utilized for evaluating the business relationship risk between the client and the third party. The method also includes receiving IT risk information corresponding to the subset of relationship risk factors. The method continues with generating a relationship risk score. The relationship risk score is determined in response to evaluating the subset of relationship risk factors using the IT risk information corresponding to the subset of relationship risk factors. |
| US08744892B2 |
Automated generation of access control policies in cross-organizational workflow
A method and system to control an interaction of a plurality of participants in a workflow process. The method classifies the plurality of activities as (1) first activity of the workflow process, (2) first activity of a participant in an on-going workflow process, and (3) interaction activity. A set of access control policies is generated for each type of activity. The policies include workflow initialization policy, participation policy and interaction policies. The policies determine if a requesting participant is permitted to interact with a responding participant. In addition, the system includes a policy enforcement point for receiving a request from a requesting participant, wherein the request is for activating an activity of a responding participant. The policy enforcement point forwards the request to a policy decision point where the request is evaluated based on the set of access control policies. |
| US08744891B1 |
Systems and methods for dynamic business decision making
A system comprises one or more modules to access a business rule, deconstruct the business rule into a condition and an associated action, determine a set of questions relevant to the condition, place the set of questions into a question queue, order the question queue, and present the question queue to a user. A system comprises one or more modules to determine a subject of the request received from a user, use the subject to obtain a set of relevant questions, examiner each question and determine whether an answer to a current question is available in a storage area, and present the current question when the answer is not available. A system comprises one or more modules to access a decision tree, determine a current node, determine an estimated number of nodes between the current node and a leaf node, and present a representation using the estimated number of nodes. |
| US08744886B1 |
Systems and methods for recording defects
Disclosed are various systems, methods, and other embodiments for processing and recording defects. In one embodiment, an application is executed in a server that processes and records defects detected by a user at a receiving station client. Based on a retrieved vendor profile, the application selects an inspection sequence for a user to execute. The inspection sequence is selected based on a history of defects specified in the vendor profile. The application also determines whether supervision is needed based on the performance of the user. |
| US08744883B2 |
System and method for labeling a content item based on a posterior probability distribution
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for the classification or scoring of content items. The method according to one embodiment comprises providing at least one labeled content item as input to an initial classification model, a given labeled item having at least one feature, a given feature being associated with a weight, computing a posterior probability of the initial classification model for the given labeled content item and generating an updated classification model using the initial classification model and the weight associated with the given feature in the given labeled content item. The updated classification model is applied to an unlabeled content item to determine a score for the unlabeled content item. |
| US08744880B2 |
System and method to provide for and communicate about safer and better returning asset-liability investment programs
A data processing system compiles information about account holders, holdings, and other investment-related information. A hypothetical portfolio is generated to provide for a specified payout stream over a defined period of time, statistically evaluated, and compared by means of scaling to determine the best fit scale of the portfolio to the defined criteria. The composition of this scaled portfolio in comparison with the composition of the available assets defines a series of trades. The composition of the level of payout that can be expected to be supported by the new composition of available assets defines a series of insurance trades. Insurance providers can impose limitations and requirements on the assets managed by limiting or stipulating certain settings that a given account can be allowed to have. |
| US08744879B2 |
System and method for insurance product development
Described are systems and methods for insurance product development. A method may include generating a product specification for an insurance product, compiling the product specification into a product model, inputting test data into the product model to generate output data, and comparing the output data to at least one predetermined benchmark. The product specification may include computer code. |
| US08744877B2 |
Methods and systems for providing GMWB hedging and GMDB reinsurance
In one aspect, the invention comprises computer processors operable to identify a block of idealized policies, computer processors operable to calculate risk related to the block of idealized policies based on specified actuarial assumptions; and computer processors operable to provide a customized option designed to pay guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits on the block of idealized policies; wherein the block of idealized policies is designed to replicate a current policy mix of an insurance company. In another aspect, the invention comprises computer processors operable to identify a block of idealized policies, computer processors operable to calculate risk related to the block of idealized policies based on specified actuarial assumptions; and computer processors operable to provide a reinsurance contract designed to pay guaranteed minimum death benefits on the block of idealized policies; wherein the block of idealized policies is designed to replicate a current policy mix of an insurance company. |
| US08744869B2 |
Interactive team portal system
A team communication platform that combines messaging, video, testing, reporting, work flow diagramming, presentations, and performance analysis into a portal system that is made mobile through the use of synchronization services. |
| US08744867B2 |
Method for selecting a clinical treatment plan tailored to patient defined health goals
The invention discloses a method by which the health care professional or patient may draw upon historical medical data concerning patients similarly situated in medical condition, to assist him/her in deciding on a clinical intervention procedure to select. This method is specifically tailored to the patient, as data is provided and evaluated from only similarly situated patients, and provides an expectation of potential outcome of the patient should one or the other of the options be selected. The invention further provides a database that may be used in order to provide this comparison based evaluation method. A computer based software system is further disclosed that implements the method. The invention more speiocifically provides a method by which a post-coronary event patient may make an informed decision of which post-coronary revascularization procedure to undergo in the future management of his disease. This method employs the patient's health status date (symptoms, function and quality of life), and provides projections of the patient's expected survival, risk, and 1-year health status outcome from the selection of revascularization procedure, such as Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). |
| US08744865B2 |
Apparatus and method for transportation and upselling of product
A system and method for using product profiling to maximize load capacity of a vehicle. The method comprises defining product profiles and retrieving product information associated with the product profiles. The method further includes performing cubing operations for products associated with the product information. The system includes components to perform the method steps. |
| US08744860B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing messages in a social network
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server including a controller to receive audio signals and content identification information from a media processor, generate text representing a voice message based on the audio signals, determine an identity of media content based on the content identification information, generate an enhanced message having text and additional content where the additional content is obtained by the controller based on the identity of the media content, and transmit the enhanced message to the media processor for presentation on the display device, where the enhanced message is accessible by one or more communication devices that are associated with a social network and remote from the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08744859B2 |
Operation method of interactive refrigerator system
An operation method of an interactive refrigerator system, includes displaying information about stored items corresponding to a speech input by a user, generating and outputting a response message for the information about the stored items, checking whether or not storage periods of the stored items are expired; and outputting expiration information about storage periods of the stored items or expected expiration information about storage periods of the stored items. |
| US08744857B2 |
Wireless server based text to speech email
An email system for mobile devices, such as cellular phones and PDAs, is disclosed which allows email messages to be played back on the mobile device as voice messages on demand by way of a media player, thus eliminating the need for a unified messaging system. Email messages are received by the mobile device in a known manner. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the email messages are identified by the mobile device as they are received. After the message is identified, the mobile device sends the email message in text format to a server for conversion to speech or voice format. After the message is converted to speech format, the server sends the messages back to the user's mobile device and notifies the user of the email message and then plays the message back to the user through a media player upon demand. |
| US08744856B1 |
Computer implemented system and method and computer program product for evaluating pronunciation of phonemes in a language
A computer implemented method, system and computer program product for evaluating pronunciation. Known phonemes are stored in a computer memory. A spoken utterance corresponding to a target utterance, comprised of a sequence of target phonemes, is received and stored in a computer memory. The spoken utterance is segmented into a sequence of spoken phonemes, each corresponding to a target phoneme. For each spoken phoneme, a relative posterior probability is calculated that the spoken phoneme is the corresponding target phoneme. If the calculated probability is greater than a first threshold, an indication that the target phoneme was pronounced correctly is output; if less than a first threshold, an indication that the target phoneme was pronounced incorrectly is output. If the probability is less than a first threshold and greater than a second threshold, an indication that pronunciation of the target phoneme was acceptable is output. |
| US08744849B2 |
Microphone-array-based speech recognition system and method
A microphone-array-based speech recognition system combines a noise cancelling technique for cancelling noise of input speech signals from an array of microphones, according to at least an inputted threshold. The system receives noise-cancelled speech signals outputted by a noise masking module through at least a speech model and at least a filler model, then computes a confidence measure score with the at least a speech model and the at least a filler model for each threshold and each noise-cancelled speech signal, and adjusts the threshold to continue the noise cancelling for achieving a maximum confidence measure score, thereby outputting a speech recognition result related to the maximum confidence measure score. |
| US08744848B2 |
Methods and systems for training dictation-based speech-to-text systems using recorded samples
A method and apparatus useful to train speech recognition engines is provided. Many of today's speech recognition engines require training to particular individuals to accurately convert speech to text. The training requires the use of significant resources for certain applications. To alleviate the resources, a trainer is provided with the text transcription and the audio file. The trainer updates the text based on the audio file. The changes are provided to the speech recognition to train the recognition engine and update the user profile. In certain aspects, the training is reversible as it is possible to over train the system such that the trained system is actually less proficient. |
| US08744846B2 |
Procedure for processing noisy speech signals, and apparatus and computer program therefor
Provided are a noise state determination method and an apparatus and a computer readable recording medium therefor. A noisy speech signal processing method according to the present invention includes calculating a transformed spectrum by transforming an input noisy speech signal to a frequency domain; calculating a smoothed magnitude spectrum by reducing magnitude differences of the transformed spectrum between neighboring frames; calculating a search spectrum which represents an estimated noise component of the smoothed magnitude spectrum; and calculating an identification ratio which represents a ratio of a noise component included in the input noisy speech signal, by using the smoothed magnitude spectrum and the search spectrum. Since a small amount of calculation is required and a large-capacity memory is not required, the present invention may be easily implemented as hardware or software. Also, since an adaptive operation is performed with respect to each frequency sub-band, the accuracy of determining a noise state may be improved. |
| US08744841B2 |
Adaptive time and/or frequency-based encoding mode determination apparatus and method of determining encoding mode of the apparatus
An adaptive time/frequency-based encoding mode determination apparatus including a time domain feature extraction unit to generate a time domain feature by analysis of a time domain signal of an input audio signal, a frequency domain feature extraction unit to generate a frequency domain feature corresponding to each frequency band generated by division of a frequency domain corresponding to a frame of the input audio signal into a plurality of frequency domains, by analysis of a frequency domain signal of the input audio signal, and a mode determination unit to determine any one of a time-based encoding mode and a frequency-based encoding mode, with respect to the each frequency band, by use of the time domain feature and the frequency domain feature. |
| US08744835B2 |
Content conversion method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for analyzing documents and thereby determining the association between words in a language. The method includes providing a collection of documents, selecting a first word or word string, and a second word or word string occurring in the documents. The method further involves associating first word or word strings and second word or word strings with common word or word strings based on frequency of occurrence of the common word or word strings within the ranges. |
| US08744834B2 |
Optimizing parameters for machine translation
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for language translation are disclosed. In one implementation, a method is provided. The method includes accessing a hypothesis space, where the hypothesis space represents a plurality of candidate translations; performing decoding on the hypothesis space to obtain a translation hypothesis that minimizes an expected error in classification calculated relative to an evidence space; and providing the obtained translation hypothesis for use by a user as a suggested translation in a target translation. |
| US08744833B2 |
Method and apparatus for creating a language model and kana-kanji conversion
Method for creating a language model capable of preventing deterioration of quality caused by the conventional back-off to unigram. Parts-of-speech with the same display and reading are obtained from a storage device (206). A cluster (204) is created by combining the obtained parts-of-speech. The created cluster (204) is stored in the storage device (206). In addition, when an instruction (214) for dividing the cluster is inputted, the cluster stored in the storage device (206) is divided (210) in accordance with to the inputted instruction (212). Two of the clusters stored in the storage device are combined (218), and a probability of occurrence of the combined clusters in the text corpus is calculated (222). The combined cluster is associated with the bigram indicating the calculated probability and stored into the storage device. |
| US08744831B2 |
Simulation apparatus, simulation method and recording medium for recording simulation program
According to one embodiment, a simulation apparatus includes a hardware model execution unit that executes a hardware model, a software model execution unit that executes a software model, a simulation time management unit that sets a first simulation time indicating a total elapsed time of a simulation time of the hardware model, ahead by the simulation time of which the HW model notified, and sets the second simulation time indicating a total elapsed time of a simulation time of the software model, ahead by the simulation time of which the SW model notified, and a scheduler that compares the first simulation time with the second simulation time, causes the SW model or the HW model to be executed based on the comparison result, and causes only the hardware model to be executed instead of execution of an idle loop when the SW model awaits an interrupt from the HW model. |
| US08744829B1 |
Computer aided design environment with electrical and electronic features
In one embodiment, a Computer Aided Design (CAD) environment is configured to maintain a model of a system. The CAD environment includes a plurality of predefined transducers, and a graphical user interface configured to permit a user to select one or more of the predefined transducers and connect the selected transducers to portions of the model. The CAD environment further includes a simulation engine to run a simulation of the model. A graphical programming environment is configured to execute a graphical program embodied in a block diagram. The graphical program receives one or more simulated transducer signals from the CAD environment and generates and sends one or more control signals to the CAD environment, to control the simulation. |
| US08744823B2 |
Computer aided design method for creating a surface in a complex system
A method for creating, from a first axisymmetrical surface, a second surface belonging to a sub-system of a complex system, in which the second surface observes at least one constraint, is disclosed. The method includes: modeling the first axisymmetrical surface, while observing the constraints with at least one parameter, the modeling step including a sub-step for discretizing the first axisymmetrical surface in several points, the parameter being a coordinate of one of these points in a reference system associated with at least one portion of this sub-system, and a sub-step for reconstructing the first axisymmetrical surface from the at least one point and from the at least one constraint; modifying the at least one parameter in the reference system for modeling the second surface; and recording the second surface in a memory of the computer. |
| US08744822B2 |
Pavement condition analysis from modeling impact of traffic characteristics, weather data and road conditions on segments of a transportation network infrastructure
A pavement condition analysis system and method models a state of a roadway by processing at least traffic and weather data to simulate the impact of traffic and weather conditions on a particular section of a transportation infrastructure. Traffic data is ingested from a plurality of different external sources to incorporate various approaches estimating traffic characteristics such as speed, flow, and incidents, into a road condition model to analyze traffic conditions on the roadway in order to improve road condition assessments and/or prediction. A road condition model applies these traffic characteristics, weather data, and other input data relevant to road conditions, accounting for heat and moisture exchanges between the road, the atmosphere, and pavement substrate(s) in a pavement's composition, as further influenced by traffic and road maintenance activities, to generate accurate and reliable simulations and predictions of pavement condition states for motorists, communication to vehicles, use by industry and public entities, and other end uses such as media distribution. |
| US08744817B2 |
Method for upscaling a reservoir model using deep reading measurements
A method of upscaling for reservoir simulation is disclosed, comprising: inverting a set of deep reading measurements constrained by upscaled multi-well data, and, in response to the inverting step, upscaling for reservoir simulation. |
| US08744816B1 |
Evaluation of database records
A system includes a database and one or more computer devices. The database is configured to store database records associated with a group of users. The one or more computer devices is/are configured to receive data from a user; store the data in a database record in the database, where the database record is associated with the user; automatically evaluate the data, in the database record, to generate a set of first recommendations, where each of the first recommendations relates to a recommended action to be taken by the user; select individuals based on the data in the database record; transmit the data, from the database record, to each of the individuals; receive a second recommendation from each of at least two of the individuals, where each of the second recommendations relates to another recommended action to be taken by the user; compile the second recommendations, from the at least two individuals, to generate a set of second recommendations, where the set of second recommendations is different from the set of first recommendations, and provide the set of first recommendations and the set of second recommendations to the user. |
| US08744815B2 |
Methods and systems for utilizing prediction models in healthcare
A method for providing decision support includes using a programmed computer to input a regression model specification, and to repeat the input a plurality of times to obtain and store a plurality of regression model specifications. The method further includes using the programmed computer to analyze selected regression model specifications to determine at least one of common variables and functions of common variables, to thereby determine a reduced-redundancy request for input of variables, when a plurality of the stored regression model specifications are selected for use. |
| US08744814B2 |
Arrangement and method for protecting a power supply circuit component
The invention relates to an arrangement for protecting a component in a power supply circuit. The arrangement comprises determination of an electric quantity constituting a load on the component, which electric quantity constituting a load on the component is determined repeatedly while the component is exposed to the load. The arrangement also comprises estimation of instantaneous load capacity of the component, which estimation of instantaneous load capacity is performed using a limitation criterion set for the load capacity of the component. This limitation criterion indicates the longest possible operating time of the component under a given loading condition. For the limitation criterion, a representation with respect to the electric quantity constituting a load on the component is provided, and a limitation criterion corresponding to the defined electric quantity constituting a load on the component is derived repeatedly from the said representation while the component is exposed to the load. The estimate of instantaneous load capacity of the component is thus determined on the basis of both the limitation criterion defined substantially at the estimation instant and the limitation criteria defined before this. |
| US08744813B2 |
Detection of anomalies in an aircraft engine
A method and system for detecting anomalies in an aeroengine. The method and system define a behavior model of a controller of the aeroengine using a time regression modeling the behavior of the controller as a function of a data set relating to the controller and including measurements of past behaviors and command and state measurements of the controller; continuously recalculate the behavior model for each new data set; and monitor statistical variation of the behavior model to detect a behavior anomaly of the controller representing an operating anomaly of the engine. |
| US08744808B2 |
Electroencephalogram (EEG) cluster electrodes
Embodiments described herein include a sensor electrode including a plurality of contacts positioned adjacent one another to form a pattern. Signal outputs are coupled to the plurality of contacts. A signal output is connected to each contact of the sensor electrode. One or more processors are coupled to the signal outputs. The processor separately processes each signal output of the plurality of signal outputs. |
| US08744807B2 |
Scalable and extensible framework for storing and analyzing sensor data
In a framework for acquiring and analyzing data from a network of sensors, plug-in software interfaces are used to provide scalability and flexibility. Data collection set-up data is exchanged through one or more first plug-in software interfaces with data collection devices, to configure the processor to collect measurement data from the data collection devices. Analysis set-up data is exchanged through one or more second plug-in software interfaces with one or more data analysis software packages, to configure the processor to provide a predefined subset of the measurement data to the data analysis software packages and to accept analysis results from the data analysis software packages. Measurement data and analysis results are subsequently exchanged through the plug-in interfaces. |
| US08744806B2 |
Scalable performance management system
A performance management system, having a peer-to-peer architecture, enables performance transparency in computer information systems, providing granular performance data and scalability. Peer appliances in a computer information system collect performance data. When a user requests a performance report, an originating peer appliance may determine which peer appliances contain the data required for the report and what data processing, if any, is required. The originating peer appliance may send requests indicating what data and what data manipulation processing is required. Each of the receiving peer appliances (including the originating peer appliance) may perform its own portion of the data processing. The originating peer appliance may receive resultant data from the peer appliances (including itself) and combine the resultant data into the requested report for the user. The performance management system distributes significant data processing across the peer appliances, avoids bottlenecks, and increases system scalability. |
| US08744802B2 |
Mobile terminal and step length-calculating method
A mobile terminal which makes it possible to automatically calculate a step length of a user with accuracy. A step count-acquiring section acquires a step count of the user of a mobile terminal. A position calculating section calculates a position of the mobile terminal. A center position-calculating section calculates a center position of a plurality of positions calculated by the position calculating section. A covered distance-calculating section calculates a distance covered by the mobile terminal based on a plurality of the center positions calculated by the center position-calculating section. A step length-calculating section calculates the step length based on the step count acquired by the step count-acquiring section and the covered distance calculated by the covered distance-calculating section. |
| US08744792B2 |
Measurement apparatus
A measurement apparatus is disclosed in which a barrier separates a chamber into a first region and a second region. The barrier is of a known thickness, and it comprises holes having a known radius. Gas flow means provide a flow of a carbon dioxide in the first region and a flow of a nitrogen in the second region. A gas detector measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in the second region and a processor calculates the theoretical diffusive flux from one region to another based on the known properties of the through-holes. The processor is arranged to calculate a calibration parameter in order to relate the measured parameter to the theoretical diffusive flux, based on the known properties of the through-holes. |
| US08744788B2 |
Micro-meter for electrical energy consumption
This invention is an encapsulated Micro-Meter-Manager for Electrical Energy Consumption (1), including: A current ring transformer +Voltage pickup on each wire by spikes which traverse the insulation of the wire as far as its metallic core or by screwed terminals +Miniaturized power supply source +Microprocessor/s +Button cell +Digital memory +Clock +Power Line Communication PLC Modem, which injects the data into the actual wire via the same spikes for the pickup of voltage or terminals +Solid state relay (SSR) for individually managing the actual load: From a ceiling light to a water heater or any industrial machine. Its aim is to provide own intelligence on the loads and to avoid undesired consumptions: controlling the stand-by, carrying out predictive maintenance according to its rated consumptions and managing any possible overloads, under a certain pre-established and reprogrammable logic. With this, an increase in the comfort and the safety of the entire installation is also achieved. |
| US08744785B2 |
Determination of a reception time of an ultrasonic signal by means of pulse shape detection
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic flow sensor equipped with at least one ultrasonic transducer (A, B) for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals (A0, B0) and one receiver unit (4) that is connected to the ultrasonic transducer (A, B) and detects a zero crossing (N) of the ultrasonic signal (A0, B0) as a reception time after the ultrasonic signal (A0, B0) has exceeded a predetermined threshold (SW). The measurement precision of the sensor can be significantly improved if the receiver unit (4) determines the time of a value characteristic of the ultrasonic signal (A0, B0) and determines the relative time shift (deltat) of the characteristic value (Ampmax, Ts) in relation to the zero crossing (N0, N1) that is detected as the reception time (t0). |
| US08744783B2 |
System and method for measuring power generated during legged locomotion
A system and method is provided for calculating power generated by a body during legged locomotion. The system includes at least one accelerometer to measure acceleration of the body during legged locomotion, at least one force sensor to measure a plurality of propulsive force impulses created by the body during legged locomotion, and a processor configured to calculate the power generated by the body during legged locomotion using output signals from both the at least one accelerometer and the at least one force sensor. |
| US08744778B2 |
Methods for characterizing agonists and partial agonists of target molecules
In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of determining whether an agent is more like a partial agonist of a target molecule than a full agonist of the same target molecule. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods to select a candidate compound that may reduce blood plasma glucose concentration in a mammal. Populations of genes are provided that are useful in the practice of the present invention. |
| US08744776B2 |
Method for determining analyte concentration based on complex index functions
A biosensor system determines analyte concentration from an output signal generated from a light-identifiable species or a redox reaction of the analyte. The biosensor system adjusts a correlation for determining analyte concentrations from output signals or determined analyte concentrations with one or more complex index function extracted from the output signals or from other sources. The complex index functions determine at least one slope deviation value, ΔS, or normalized slope deviation from one or more error parameters. The slope-adjusted correlation between analyte concentrations and output signals may be used to determine analyte concentrations having improved accuracy and/or precision from output signals including components attributable to bias. |
| US08744774B2 |
Cleanup production during sampling
Cleanup monitoring and prediction in real time targeting estimation of pumpout volume versus final contamination, including detecting breakthrough of formation fluid to a sampling tool and detecting transition of cleanup regime from a predominantly circumferential cleanup regime to a predominantly vertical cleanup regime. Similar workflow can be employed for estimating contamination at the end of cleanup production for a given pumpout volume. |
| US08744768B2 |
Method of planning, trajectory computation, predictions and guidance for compliance with an aircraft flypast time constraint
A method and device establishes trajectory planning, predictions and guidance so as to obtain the satisfaction of a time constraint (RTA). This objective is achieved by undertaking a computation of a trajectory up to the point where the flypast time constraint applies, on the basis of a profile of altitude and speeds, and then by computing the profile of speeds and altitudes making it possible, throughout the computed trajectory, to comply with the RTA. The method is also a method for readapting the trajectory and the vertical profile when during a mission, the data outside the aeroplane have caused the time predictions to drift and the constraint is no longer complied with under the initial speeds and trajectory assumptions. |
| US08744762B2 |
Automatic origin determination for faster route request initiation and resulting system response time
When a user enters, initializes, or otherwise starts using a navigation function, such as a navigation function on a mobile phone or a stand-alone device, a current location is automatically estimated, prior to or in the absence of a GPS fix, for use as an origin in route determination. The estimation of current location is performed using a database of GPS fixes that are mapped to cell tower identifiers. For example, the database can include one or more fixes associated with each cell tower that the mobile device has used. Thus, when navigation on the device is begun, one or more cell towers to which the device can communicate are identified. If any has a GPS fix in the database, then a location derived from such GPS fix(es) can be used as an origin for navigation functions. Such navigation functions can include estimating a time of arrival at a destination, producing a route to the destination, and checking for traffic updates. |
| US08744761B2 |
Method and system for providing travel time information
Location technologies are combined with other information systems to provide augmented information for individuals such as a traveler in an automobile. |
| US08744757B2 |
Real-time map data updating system and method
In a system and method for updating a real-time map, operating environment information of a terminal device, which is basic information for update condition determination, is collected, an update condition of a terminal device, which includes one or more of a state of travel, a travel speed, and a network state, is checked by comparing the collected operating environment information with preset criteria, and map data, which is stored in the terminal device, in a combination of one or more of level, tile, and layer units corresponding to the checked update condition, is partially updated. |
| US08744752B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting locations of vehicle and obstacle
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for detecting locations of a vehicle and an obstacle. The apparatus for detecting locations of a vehicle and an obstacle includes at least one distance measurement unit and a data processing unit. The distance measurement unit measures distance data relevant to a vehicle and an obstacle within a measurement area. The data processing unit maps the distance data on a grid layer, detects the location of the vehicle based on the result of the mapping, detects the location of the obstacle based on the detected location of the vehicle, and modifies the detected location of the vehicle using the distance data. |
| US08744743B2 |
Front structure and rear structure of vehicle
Provided is a front structure of a vehicle wherein damage on auxiliary equipment by a millimeter-wave radar is limited at the time of collision, and cooling efficiency for auxiliary equipment using traveling wind is not reduced. A front structure of a vehicle comprises a front right side radar for detecting an obstacle on the front right side of a vehicle by transmitting/receiving a radio wave, a front left side radar for detecting an obstacle on the front left side of a vehicle by transmitting/receiving a radio wave, a bumper reinforcement, right and left crush boxes, and a condenser cooled by traveling wind, wherein the front right side radar is disposed on the outboard side of the right end of the condenser, and the front left side radar is disposed on the outboard side of the left end of the condenser. |
| US08744742B2 |
Running control device, and running control method
A lateral object that exists on a side of the vehicle is detected. When an estimated later-arriving lateral position reaches a predetermined threshold value under the condition in which the lateral object is detected, a lane change of the vehicle in a direction to a side of the lateral object is suppressed. When detecting that the vehicle moves laterally in a direction opposite to a side of a side vehicle, an avoidance flag is set to Fa=1. Subsequently, when the vehicle starts a lateral movement in a direction to the side of the side vehicle, a return flag is set to Fr=1. When the return flag is set to Fr=1 in this way, a suppression flag is set to F=0 until a setting time elapses, then the suppression of the lateral movement is forbidden. |
| US08744741B2 |
Lidars
A Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) apparatus and method are disclosed having a rotatable light source enabled to emit a light ray, the light ray being emitted at a plurality of angular intervals; a reflection device, which can be parabolic in shape, and an analysis device for calculating a position at which one or more features are present based on the angle that the light ray was emitted and the time delay associated with the received reflected light, from a feature, wherein the analysis device takes into account the reflection of the light ray from the reflection device. In this manner, light rays may be reflected from heading in one direction to improve the resolution of the LIDAR in a second direction. Furthermore, where a parabolic reflector is used, positions of features can be calculated directly in a Cartesian coordinate system. Autonomous vehicles can use a LIDAR such as described herein to improve forward looking resolution in collision avoidance systems or terrain selection systems. |
| US08744737B2 |
Method of collision prediction between an air vehicle and an airborne object
A method of predicting collisions between a mission air vehicle and an airborne object of a plurality of airborne objects present in a flight scenario of the mission air vehicle is described. The mission air vehicle and the airborne object move along corresponding routes. The method acquires data representing the state of flight and flight parameters of the plurality of airborne objects and the mission air vehicle; assigns to each of said airborne objects a mode of calculating the collision prediction; determines a subset of airborne objects to be surveilled; calculates equivalent routes for the mission air vehicle and for each airborne object of the subset; synchronizes the equivalent route of the mission air vehicle with the equivalent route of each airborne object of the subset; and calculates, for each airborne object, a collision prediction based on the synchronized routes according to an assigned calculation mode. |
| US08744736B2 |
Method and apparatus for updating travel time estimation
A self-contained vehicular traffic travel time information system for a vehicle in an inter-vehicle ad-hoc network includes an on-board vehicular broadcasting unit for communicating with other vehicles within the inter-vehicle ad hoc network. A positioning device identifies the vehicle's position throughout a course of travel. An on-board vehicle processing unit stores road segments throughout the vehicle path of travel. The on-board vehicle processing unit determines a starting position and an ending position for each respective road segment. A length of time for traveling through each respective road segment is determined. A memory storage device stores the segmented road portions and the time of travel associated with each respective road segment. The on-board vehicular broadcasting unit disseminates the determined travel times of recently traveled road segments via a broadcast message to other vehicles within the inter-vehicle ad hoc network. |
| US08744734B2 |
Active traffic and demand management system
Systems and methods for providing incentives for the public to travel during time windows and routes that help alleviate traffic congestion. The systems described herein include at least two components: a computer server software system that includes various algorithms and database sub-systems; and a mobile device application. Generally, a user may enter an origin, destination, and preferred time of travel for an intended trip into the mobile device application, which transmits the information to a remote server. The server computes a route for the trip and provides the user with available incentives for traveling the route at one or more departure time windows. The user's mobile device transmits GPS data to the server, which allows the server to verify whether the user has traveled the route during the specified time window. If so, the server then provides the incentive to the user via the user's mobile device or through email. |
| US08744731B2 |
Electronic digital governor and method of assembly
An electronic digital governor assembly includes a case, a printed circuit board housed within said case, the printed circuit board having control circuitry configured for controlling at least one parameter of an energy production device, and a user interface including a digital display for displaying a value of the at least one parameter and at least one button for selectively adjusting the value. |
| US08744729B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting abnormal air-fuel ratio variation among cylinders of multi-cylinder internal combustion engine
An apparatus for detecting abnormal air-fuel ratio variation among cylinders of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes: a catalyst element that oxidizes hydrogen contained in exhaust gas to remove the hydrogen; a first air-fuel ratio sensor that detects an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas that has not passed through the catalyst element; a second air-fuel ratio sensor that detects an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas that has passed through the catalyst element; and a unit that determines whether abnormal air-fuel ratio variation among the cylinders has occurred based on an amount by which a value detected by the second air-fuel ratio sensor is leaner than a value detected by the first air-fuel ratio sensor. |
| US08744728B2 |
Fuel sulfur content-based operation control of a diesel engine
Over a diesel engine's lifetime, engine efficiency may be reduced and some of this may be attributable to sulfur deposit accumulation in the engine. A method for controlling operation of a diesel engine operating on a fuel is provided. The method may include adjusting an injection of fuel to the engine in response to a sulfur content of the fuel. |
| US08744725B2 |
Pressure control in the common rail system of a combustion engine
The apparatus and method according to the invention comprise a controller (7) to form a control signal, which controller is arranged to receive pressure data on the CR system, and into which controller pressure reference data is set. In addition, the apparatus also comprises a module (9) to form an internal pressure reference value to replace the set pressure reference value when forming the control signal. |
| US08744722B2 |
Snowmobile having electronically controlled lubrication
A snowmobile having an electronic oil pump fluidly connected to an oil tank thereof is disclosed. The electronic oil pump is fluidly connected to an engine of the snowmobile for delivering lubricant to the engine. An electronic control unit is electrically connected to the electronic oil pump for controlling actuation of the electronic oil pump. A method of operating an electronic oil pump is also disclosed. |
| US08744720B1 |
Inter-vehicle middle point maintaining implementer
The vehicle comprising a rear vehicle speed dependent ideal distance maintaining implementer, a front vehicle speed dependent ideal distance maintaining implementer, an inter-vehicle middle point maintaining implementer, a front vehicle activity notifying implementer, and a past accident occurred spot auto speed decreasing implementer. |
| US08744718B2 |
Method and module for controlling a vehicle's speed
A method for controlling a vehicle's speed includes adopting a desired speed vset for the vehicle; determining by means of map data and location data a horizon for the intended itinerary which is made up of route segments with at least one characteristic for each segment; effecting the following during each of a number of simulation cycles (s) each comprising a number N of simulation steps conducted at a predetermined frequency f: making a first prediction of the vehicle's speed vpred—cc along the horizon with conventional cruise control when vset is presented as reference speed, which prediction depends on the characteristics of said segment; comparing the predicted vehicle speed vpred—cc with vmin and vmax, which demarcate a range within which the vehicle's speed is intended to be; making a second prediction of the vehicle's speed vpred—Tnew along the horizon when the vehicle's engine torque T is a value which depends on the result of said comparison in the latest preceding simulation cycle (s−1); determining at least one reference value for how the vehicle's speed is to be influenced on the basis of at least one of said comparisons in that simulation cycle (s) and the predicted vehicle speed vpred—Tnew; sending to a control system in the vehicle said at least one reference value with respect to which the vehicle is thereupon regulated. The invention comprises also a module for controlling a vehicle's speed. |
| US08744715B2 |
Skid detection apparatus for vehicle
In a skid detecting apparatus for a vehicle having an engine and a CVT changing an output of the engine in speed to drive front wheels and rear wheels, it is configured to detect rotational speeds of one of the front and rear wheels, sequentially calculate accelerations (wheel accelerations var1, var2) of the one of the wheels based on the detected rotational speeds, calculate a ratio (var1/var2) between two accelerations of the same wheel calculated at different time points among the sequentially-calculated accelerations (S10), compare the ratio between the two accelerations with a predetermined value (S16) and determine that the one of the wheels has skidded or some or all of the wheels including the one have skidded when the calculated ratio between the two accelerations exceeds the predetermined value (S18). |
| US08744709B2 |
Vehicle clutch control method
A vehicle has an engine having a crankshaft, a hydraulically controlled multi-plate clutch operatively connected to the crankshaft, and an output shaft operatively connected to the clutch. The clutch selectively transmits power from the crankshaft to the output shaft. A propulsion element is operatively connected to the output shaft. A hydraulic fluid supply system is fluidly connected to the clutch for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the clutch. A controller is connected to the hydraulic fluid supply system. The controller receives a torque signal indicative of engine torque and controls the hydraulic fluid supply system based at least in part on the torque signal. A clutch control method and system are also disclosed. |
| US08744708B2 |
Control system for belt-type continuously variable transmission
Surplus pressure is obtained from a difference between a hydraulic pressure value detected by a hydraulic pressure sensor and a target supplied hydraulic pressure. A determination is made about whether or not a possible hydraulic pressure in a prescribed time will become lower than a minimum required hydraulic pressure based on a current surplus pressure and a changing rate of the surplus pressure. If the possible hydraulic pressure is lower than the minimum required hydraulic pressure, correction is conducted to increase supplied hydraulic pressure. Accordingly, control is conducted so that the regularly required surplus pressure can be reduced to a minimum required amount. |
| US08744706B2 |
Line pressure control device for automatic transmission
Mapped data of line pressure set to any of high pressure/low pressure regions on the basis of an engine load are stored in a storage section. A determining section 103 determines, on the basis of temperature of the hydraulic oil detected by an ATF temperature sensor 18, whether the mapped data the low pressure region is shifted in an enlarged direction. A state determining section 104 determines whether a throttle valve opening degree TH of the vehicle is totally closed or whether the line pressure is currently set to low line pressure. When the low pressure region is shifted in the enlarged direction and the throttle valve opening degree TH is totally closed or the line pressure is currently set to the low line pressure, a region changing section enlarges the low pressure region of the mapped data stored in the storage section. |
| US08744705B2 |
System and method for determining clutch gains in a transmission during a power downshift
A method of controlling an offgoing clutch in a transmission during a power downshift includes detecting the downshift, reducing a pressure command to the offgoing clutch, and introducing a calibrated error value to a pressure command for the offgoing clutch during the inertia phase. The method also includes synchronizing the speed of the offgoing and an oncoming clutch during the torque phase, determining the offgoing clutch pressure and torque after synchronizing clutch speeds, and then recording a clutch gain as a function of the offgoing clutch pressure and torque. The recorded clutch gains are used to control a subsequent power downshift of the transmission. A controller using proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control logic introduces the error as PID error in a pressure control signal, and controls slip across the offgoing clutch. A transmission is also disclosed having an offgoing clutch and controller configured to execute the above method. |
| US08744700B2 |
Reversing vehicle remote telematics detection
A device comprising a processor that detects an autonomously sensed change in a vehicle's operational state from an initial state characterized by a sensed vehicle speed equal to about 0; to an immediately succeeding vehicle state characterized by sensed vehicle speed being greater than about 0 and, verification from a reverse operating mode sensor that longitudinal vehicle speed is in a reverse direction; and presumptively signals the thusly detected change of vehicle operational state as an instance of reverse operation of the associated vehicle. |
| US08744697B2 |
Variator lockout valve system
A variator lockout valve system for a continuously variable transmission includes a pair of shift valves. Each shift valve has at least one port that is fluidly coupled to a variator of the continuously variable transmission. Electro-hydraulic actuators control the position of each of the shift valves. When the shift valves are in one position, pressure control valves supply fluid pressure to the variator. If one of the shift valves is in another position, one of the pressure control valves is blocked from supplying fluid pressure to the variator. |
| US08744691B2 |
Adaptive human-machine system and method
An adaptive, human-machine-interaction, system and method for executing system-actions at times in accordance with performance times of past user-actions to either accommodate user habits or to modify user behavior. |
| US08744688B2 |
Inverted pendulum type vehicle
An inverted pendulum type vehicle has a first travel operation unit and a second travel operation unit. A controller of the inverted pendulum type vehicle controls an actuator on the basis of a restricted desired value. The restricted desired value is obtained by restricting a basic desired value of the lateral travel velocity of the second travel operation unit by a limiting processor, the basic desired value being for bringing the actual turn angular velocity of the vehicle close to a desired value. The limit width of the limiting processor is variably set according to the actual travel velocity of the second travel operation unit. |
| US08744685B2 |
Lane departure control system
A lane departure control system is provided which steers a vehicle toward the center of a lane of a road at a first yaw rate by a controlled angle when the vehicle is determined to be about to deviate from the lane. Afterwards, when the vehicle is determined to be traveling toward a virtual line defined near a lane boundary, the system steers the vehicle by a correction angle so as to orient the vehicle parallel to the virtual line at a second yaw rate. The system changes the value of the first yaw rate at a first rate within the controlled angle and also changes the value of the second yaw rate at a second rate within the correction angle. An absolute value of the second rate is set smaller than that of the first rate, thereby minimizing an undesirable physical load on a driver of the vehicle. |
| US08744684B2 |
Parking assist system and method for varying parking area
Technology for a parking assist system and method for varying a parking area is provided. The parking assist system includes an occupant's build sensing unit configured to sense an occupant's build in a vehicle when parking the vehicle; a control unit configured to set a distance after parking the vehicle between the vehicle and a wall surface of a parking lot according to the occupant's build and to calculate a parking trace; and an automatic steering unit controlled by the control unit and configured to automatically control steering of the vehicle according to the calculated parking trace. |
| US08744680B2 |
Method for determining a movement of a vehicle body
A method for determining a vehicle body movement of a vehicle body of a vehicle (1) using a camera (3) arranged on the vehicle (1). Camera images of vehicle surroundings are thereby continuously recorded using the camera (3) and image position data of at least one static object (8) are determined by a processor in camera images recorded at different times. Using the time-based sequence of the determined image position data the vehicle body movement is determined by the processor. Further, a method for determining a spring compression movement of at least one wheel (7), mounted in a sprung fashion, of a vehicle (1) which comprises a camera (3) arranged on the vehicle (1). |
| US08744679B2 |
Tire pressure adjustment
A tire pressure adjustment method and system is provided. The method includes receiving from a plurality of sensors in a vehicle, tread depth data associated with tread depths at multiple points on a tire tread comprised by a tire on the vehicle. The tread depth data is analyzed. A tire pressure value for an internal portion of the tire is determined based on results of the analysis. The tire pressure value is associated with modifying a group of tread depths during operation of the vehicle. In response, a command signal is generated. The command signal is configured to command a tire pressure modification device to adjust a current tire pressure value of the internal portion of the tire to the determined tire pressure value. The command signal is transmitted to the tire pressure modification device resulting in the current tire pressure value being adjusted to determined tire pressure value. |
| US08744677B2 |
Regenerative control system for a vehicle
The present invention is intended to suppress a change in a braking force due to a change in the magnitude of friction of an internal combustion engine, in a regenerative control system for a vehicle in which kinetic energy of wheels is made to be converted (regenerated) to electrical energy, at the time of deceleration running of the vehicle with the internal combustion engine mounted thereon. In order to solve this subject, the present invention is constructed such that the change in friction of the internal combustion engine is offset by adjustment of a regenerative braking force by regulating an amount of excitation current supplied to an electric generator according to the magnitude of friction in the internal combustion engine, at the time of deceleration running of the vehicle. |
| US08744660B2 |
Collection and delivery support system for saddle-ride type electric vehicles
A collection and delivery support system for a saddle-ride type electric vehicle includes a managing terminal that outputs information of registered collection/delivery destinations of cargos and information on battery charging locations arranged within a collection/delivery range of the vehicle, a server that calculates a collection/delivery route passing through respective collection and delivery destinations in order based on a possible traveling distance of the vehicle, and a mobile terminal provided with the vehicle. The server calculates the route such that it includes a battery charging location in the middle thereof, as well as estimated collection/delivery times based on the possible traveling distance information. The display displays information of the calculated route and the estimated collection/and delivery times. |
| US08744657B2 |
Hybrid drive system
A hybrid drive system including a rotating electric machine; an input member drive-coupled to an internal combustion engine and the rotating electric machine; an output member drive-coupled to a wheel; a speed change device with a plurality of switchable shift speeds changes the rotational speed of the input member and transmits the changed rotational speed to the output member; and a control device that controls the rotating electric machine. The control device corrects the output torque of the rotating electric machine so as to cancel out a torque fluctuation of the input member that accompanies an initial explosion of the internal combustion engine; and, when the initial explosion of the internal combustion engine occurs during a shift operation of the speed change device, modifies the torque correction amount in a direction that suppresses a change in the rotational speed of the input member that advances the shift operation. |
| US08744653B2 |
Control apparatus
A control apparatus for controlling a transmission apparatus that includes: an input member that is drivably connected to a rotating electrical machine being capable of generating regenerative torque based on an engine and a deceleration request of a vehicle; an output member that is drivably connected to wheels; and a speed change mechanism that has a plurality of friction engagement elements that are controlled to be engaged and released so as to switch a plurality of shift speeds, and that shifts a rotation speed of the input member at one of gear ratios set for the shift speeds and outputs the shifted speed to the output member. |
| US08744650B1 |
Aircraft control system
A method and apparatus comprising a bus system and a plurality of control units connected to the bus system. The plurality of control units are each configured to control a same number of hardware systems in a vehicle, store a number of parameters used to control the number of hardware systems, and synchronize the number of parameter stored using the bus system in response to a change in the number of parameters at a selected control unit in the plurality of control units. |
| US08744649B2 |
Providing a description of aircraft intent
The present disclosure provides a computer-implemented method of generating a description of aircraft intent expressed in a formal language that provides an unambiguous description of an aircraft's intended motion and configuration during a period of flight. A flight intent description is parsed to provide instances of flight intent that span a flight segment, the flight segments together spanning the period of flight. The parsed flight intent is converted into parametric aircraft intent by generating an associated flight segment description for each flight segment that comprises instances of flight intent to close all associated degrees of freedom of motion and of configuration of the aircraft. At least some flight segment descriptions contain a parameter range, and the method further comprises optimizing the parametric aircraft intent by determining an optimal value for the parameter of each parameter range. |
| US08744647B2 |
Method and device for controlling and monitoring the surrounding areas of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
A method and a remote control for controlling and monitoring surrounding areas of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) by an operator with a remote control comprising a flight display are provided. The method and remote control provide an advantageously effect for the purposes of controlling and monitoring the surroundings of a UAV by combining the image captured by a UAV camera with a transparently overlaid positional and navigation map providing a perception enabling the operator to have a complete overall view of the situation, utilizing a common screen section of a flight display and thereby not having to shift eye view. Viewing images and positional and navigation information should not interfere with each other. |
| US08744637B1 |
Methods and apparatus for detecting the clearance of fault in shunt reactor compensated transmission lines
The objective of this patent is to describe novel methods and device systems for detecting the fault-cleared state in a shunt compensated transmission line. The methods are applicable in all types of transmission line types and faults, in any type of reclosure mechanism, and can be implemented in existing devices such as relays and not need sophisticated equipment. One application of detecting the fault-cleared state is adaptive reclosure in which case, substantial improvement in transmission system reliability and benefits in protection can be achieved. |
| US08744628B2 |
Autonomous moving floor-treating robot and control method thereof for edge-following floor-treating
An autonomous moving floor-treating robot and a control method thereof for edge-following floor-treating are provided. The control method includes the following steps: the floor-treating robot collides with an obstacle and is deflected toward the direction away from the obstacle by a basic angle after the collision, measures an initial signal strength value by a side-looking sensor after the deflection, and then moves on and treats the floor; a real-time signal strength value is acquired by said side-looking sensor alter the robot runs for a predetermined time; the difference value between said two signal strength values is compared, and whether the difference value is in a predetermined range is judged, if yes, the robot keeps moving and treating the floor, if not, the robot is driven to be deflected by an adjusting angle and acquires the current real-time signal strength value; the difference value between said current and the last real-time signal strength values is compared, and whether the difference value is in a predetermined range is judged, if yes, the robot keeps moving and treating the floor, if not, the steps of deflection, comparing and so on are implemented. The present invention is unaffected by the media of the obstacle, and can effectively treat the edge region of the obstacle. |
| US08744625B2 |
Robot controlling device
In the control of a multi-joint robot main body, it is necessary to execute intricate track calculations and synchronous operations in parallel, even if the track calculations are intricate and times required for the calculations are indefinite. For this purpose, a robot controlling device of the present invention includes a shared memory, and first and second processing units connected to the shared memory. The first processing unit performs track calculation processing which includes calculating operation command data indicating a series of command values to be output to arm motors, based on a command to operate the multi-joint robot main body to a desired position posture, and storing the calculated operation command data in the shared memory. The second processing unit performs synchronous processing which includes acquiring the operation command data stored in the shared memory, and synchronously outputting the command values to the arm motors at predetermined time intervals. |
| US08744621B2 |
Medical cabinet access belt optimization system
A cabinet for securely storing items includes a drawer enclosure, a drawer, a cover, an electric actuator, and a switch. The drawer is slidable at least partially into and out of the enclosure, and includes a compartment. A cover which is configured as a metal belt is designed to selectively block access to the compartments of the drawer when the cover is in a first configuration, and to allow access to the compartment when the cover is in a second configuration. The electric actuator is designed to move the cover from the first configuration to the second configuration in one of two directions. The actuator selects the direction to reduce the time required to make such movement. |
| US08744617B2 |
Component pane handler configured to handle component panes of multiple sizes
A component pane handling apparatus configured to handle component panes of multiple different sizes is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one component pane capture element that can be displaced between a number of different positions, each position corresponding to a particular component pane size. Therefore, the at least one component pane capture element can be positioned to different positions for allowing handling of component panes of corresponding sizes. The apparatus also includes a position alignment mechanism configured to control displacement of the at least one component pane capture element to the different positions. The apparatus can also include one displacement arm coupled to the component pane capture element. The displacement of the component pane capture element can be effectuated by a displacement of at least a portion of the displacement arm. A method for handling component panes of multiple sizes is also included in this disclosure. |
| US08744616B2 |
Storage tray populator and method for populating a storage tray with a plurality of biological sample containers
A storage tray populator configured to populate a storage rack with a plurality of biological sample containers is provided. The storage tray populator may include a randomizer configured to receive the biological sample containers and randomly distribute the biological sample containers. Further, a transport apparatus may transport the biological sample containers from the randomizer to the storage rack. Additionally, a controller may control at least the transport apparatus. Thereby storage trays may be populated, and access to a desired biological sample may be improved. Methods for populating storage racks with a plurality of biological sample containers are also provided. |
| US08744613B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium storing program
In a sheet processing apparatus which is able to control to stack a sheet on at least one of a plurality of stacking units which stack printed sheets, when a first sheet having a small size is stacked on a first stacking unit, and a second sheet having the small size is designated to be stacked on a second stacking unit different from the first stacking unit, it is determined whether a sheet is stacked on a stacking unit adjacent to the second stacking unit, and a third stacking unit, that is different from the second stacking unit and is adjacent to a stacking unit on which a sheet is stacked, is selected as a stacking unit for the second sheet if it is determined that no sheet is stacked on the stacking unit adjacent to the second stacking unit. |
| US08744611B2 |
Apparatus for controlling operational functions of a machine tool
An apparatus for controlling operational functions of a machine tool, comprising a device for switching on or off a main power supply and at least one device for determining a switch-off time of an operational function of the machine tool in dependence of a selectable criterion. |
| US08744609B2 |
System for maintaining unified access to SCADA and manufacturing execution system (MES) information
A system is disclosed that simplifies configuring an MES entity corresponding to a SCADA system object representing plant equipment. The system includes an equipment model builder (EMB) that receives a set of configured UCO information for a modeled piece of plant equipment in a SCADA system. The EMB extracts relevant MES information from the utilization capability object and invokes an application interface on an MES database to create a corresponding entity (e.g., a database element). Another aspect of the disclosed system and methods involves the enhancement of a SCADA system object, through a new MES facet, to support acquiring and reporting equipment status received via the SCADA system to a corresponding MES entity. A raw reason code configuration interface is provided by UCO configurator computer software executed on a computer. Each raw reason code is associated with a prioritized logical expression defining circumstances under which the reason code becomes true. |
| US08744608B2 |
Work management apparatus, picking carriage, work performance collection system, rework measurement system, workability management system, rework measurement measuring method, work performance collection method, workability management method and workability management program
Workability management system including operations of: storing resource identification information for identifying said resource and said work history information in association with each other in a storage medium; extracting said work history information corresponding to said resource identification information from said storage medium when a change occurs in said work history information, updating a change content and storing it into said storage medium; extracting said work history information corresponding to said resource identification information of said resource for judging workability of said resource from said storage medium, taking out total use information of said resource from said work history information, and creating a change with time of said total use information as said casual sequence information; and judging workability of said resource by said casual sequence information. |
| US08744607B2 |
Method and apparatus for self-learning and self-improving a semiconductor manufacturing tool
Performance of a manufacturing tool is optimized. Optimization relies on recipe drifting and generation of knowledge that capture relationships among product output metrics and input material measurement(s) and recipe parameters. Optimized recipe parameters are extracted from a basis of learned functions that predict output metrics for a current state of the manufacturing tool and measurements of input material(s). Drifting and learning are related and lead to dynamic optimization of tool performance, which enables optimized output from the manufacturing tool as the operation conditions of the tool changes. Features of recipe drifting and associated learning can be autonomously or externally configured through suitable user interfaces, which also can be drifted to optimize end-user interaction. |
| US08744605B2 |
Handheld device workout coach system
A handheld device workout coach system includes: at least a handheld device installed therein with a coaching program and having a near field communication (NFC) module and a ID recognition data; at least a fitness device having a master control unit, a near field communication (NFC) module corresponding in position and function to the master control unit, and a platform; and a server stored therein with workout prescriptions downloadable by the at least a handheld device and available to the coaching program. The master control unit has an equipment recognition data. The handheld device and the fitness device get connected by near field communication (NFC) technology as soon as the handheld device is positioned on the platform of the fitness device and recognize each other to thereby execute the coaching program instantly and automatically, such that a corresponding one of the workout prescriptions instructs a user to take exercise. |
| US08744603B2 |
Method for position feedback based control for overload protection
A method for executing mechanical overload protection to prevent commanding a control signal to a linear actuator that may mechanically overload the linear actuator when an overload condition of the linear actuator is detected, the linear actuator utilized for controlling a movable element associated with the linear actuator responsive to the control signal, includes monitoring an overload condition based on position change of the movable element associated with the linear actuator during an integration period and excess energy during the integration period, de-energizing the linear actuator when an overload condition has been detected, monitoring an overload retry counter based on the number of cycles the overload condition is detected, comparing the overload retry counter to an overload retry threshold, an reenergizing the linear actuator when the overload retry counter is less than the overload retry threshold and maintaining de-energizing of the linear actuator when the overload retry counter is at least the overload retry threshold. |
| US08744600B2 |
Medical device lead including a unifilar coil with improved torque transmission capacity and reduced MRI heating
A medical device lead includes an electrode, a helically coiled conductor electrically coupled to the electrode, and a polymer sheath formed over the helically coiled conductor. The helically coiled conductor includes a plurality of turns helically wound around a longitudinal axis of the conductor, and consists of one filar. |
| US08744596B2 |
Leads with X-ray fluorescent capsules for electrode identification and methods of manufacture and use
An implantable lead for an electrical stimulation system includes a lead body having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal length, and a circumference; a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal end of the lead body in an electrode array; a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end of the lead body; a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals; and at least one capsule including an x-ray fluorescent material and disposed along the distal end of the lead body relative to the electrode array to indicate, when viewed fluoroscopically, an orientation of the electrode array. The plurality of electrodes includes a plurality of segmented electrodes. Each of the plurality of segmented electrodes extends partially around the circumference of the lead body. |
| US08744594B2 |
Electromedical device for the non-invasive reduction or removal of subcutaneous adipose tissue
An electromedical device for the non-invasive reduction or removal of subcutaneous adipose tissue, comprising an energy source which provides a high-frequency alternating current, comprising at least two individual emitters which are fed by the energy source and which are designed to emit high-frequency electromagnetic waves into subcutaneous adipose tissue, and comprising a directivity control which is coupled with the individual emitters and which controls the individual emitters in such a way that, by direction and field concentration of the high-frequency electromagnetic waves emitted by the individual emitters, a total electromagnetic field with a desired field geometry can be produced in the subcutaneous adipose tissue. |
| US08744593B2 |
Gel formed battery
An apparatus includes a cathode chamber configured to store a gel cathode and an anode chamber configured to store a gel anode. A cathode dispensing channel is in fluid communication with the cathode chamber and allows at least a portion of the gel cathode to be dispensed. An anode dispensing channel is in fluid communication with the anode chamber and allows at least a portion of the gel anode to be dispensed. A portion of the gel cathode and a portion of the gel anode come into contact upon being dispensed to form an active battery that can be used to generate an electrical current. |
| US08744590B2 |
Configuring an electrically stimulating device to stimulate using a subset of electrode contacts
A method of configuring a prosthesis having two or more electrode contacts, including configuring the prosthesis to provide stimulation to a first tissue site from a subset of electrode contacts based on data based on a comparison of first data to second data, wherein the first data is based on respective estimated voltages for the first site and one or more of additional respective sites to be applied by the subset of electrode contacts, the respective estimated voltages being based on empirical stimulation data for the first and additional sites, and the second data is based on respective target voltages for the first and additional sites, respectively. |
| US08744588B2 |
Method and system for connecting an impaired nervous system to a muscle or a group of muscles based on template matching and intelligent end points
A method and system for connecting an impaired nervous system of a patient to a destination target of a muscle, group of muscles, or robotic device. A command module implanted within the patient's body: (i) samples analog electrical neural signals generated by neurons or nerve fibers of the patient; (ii) processes the neural signals to generate spatial digital data in sample matrices; (iii) processes multiple consecutive sample matrices in real time using sliding window method to generate a time dependent window matrix; (iv) and matches the window matrix to source movement templates to generate high-level movement command(s) which is wirelessly transmitted to driver module(s) within the patient's body and attached to the destination target. The driver module matches the high-level movement commands to destination movement templates to generate a digital stimulus. The digital stimulus is translated into an electrical stimulus which is applied to the destination target. |
| US08744584B2 |
Electrical stimulation of the colon to treat chronic constipation
The invention is directed to techniques for stimulating a colon of a patient to relieve chronic constipation. Specifically, a colon stimulation system applies one or more electrical stimuli to the colon of the patient in order to induce peristaltic activity in the colon to relieve chronic constipation. In accordance with the invention, the colon stimulation system induces peristaltic activity in the colon by applying an electrical stimulus to the colon to cause a portion of the colon to contract to a contracted state and removing the electrical stimulus to cause the colon to relax. While in the contracted state, the colon is substantially fully contracted. |
| US08744582B2 |
Implantable neurostimulator device with bellows-like element coupling first and second housing portions
The disclosure describes an implantable neurostimulator device for delivery of neurostimulation to treat head, neck, or facial pain or tension, including pain or tension caused by occipital neuralgia. The device may be a neurostimulation device having a miniaturized housing with a low profile that permits subcutaneous implantation at a stimulation site directly adjacent a neuralgic region at the back of the neck of a patient. For example, the device may be subcutaneously implanted at the back of the neck of a patient to relieve symptoms of occipital neuralgia. |
| US08744579B2 |
LV threshold measurement and capture management
The invention provides methods and apparatus for determining in a non-tracking pacing mode (e.g., DDI/R, VVI/R) whether a ventricular pacing stimulus is capturing a paced ventricle, including some or all of the following aspects. For example, increasing a ventricular pacing rate a nominal amount to an overdrive pacing rate higher than a most recent heart rate and evaluating a conduction interval from a first pacing ventricle to a second sensing ventricle and then continuing to monitor the underlying rate to ensure that a threshold testing pacing rate will not exceed a predetermined minimum interval and providing pacing stimulation to the first ventricle and sensing the second ventricle to determine whether the pacing stimulation to the first ventricle was one of sub-threshold and supra-threshold. The methods and apparatus are especially useful in conjunction with ensuring actual delivery of a ventricular pacing regime (e.g., cardiac resynchronization therapy or “CRT”). |
| US08744578B2 |
Staged sensing adjustments by an implantable medical device in the presence of interfering signals
An implantable medical device (IMD) receives an input associated with the presence of an environment having an external source that generates an interfering signal, such as an MRI device. The IMD adjusts a first set of one or more sensing parameters of a sensing module of the IMD in response to receiving the input associated with the presence of the environment. In this manner, the IMD operates in accordance with the adjusted sensing configuration in the presence of the interfering signal in an attempt to obtain a more detailed representation of the signal including noise caused by the interfering signal. The IMD analyzes the signals sensed using the first set of adjusted sensing parameters to determine if further adjustment is desired. If desired, the IMD adjusts a second set of one or more sensing parameters of the sensing module based on the analysis. |
| US08744577B2 |
Pulse detection apparatus, software, and methods using patient physiological signals
The presence of a cardiac pulse in a patient is determined by evaluating physiological signals in the patient. In one embodiment, a medical device evaluates two or more different physiological signals, such as phonocardiogram (PCG) signals, electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, patient impedance signals, piezoelectric signals, and accelerometer signals for features indicative of the presence of a cardiac pulse. Using these features, the medical device determines whether a cardiac pulse is present in the patient. The medical device may also be configured to report whether the patient is in a VF, VT, asystole, or PEA condition, in addition to being in a pulseless condition, and prompt different therapies, such as chest compressions, rescue breathing, defibrillation, and PEA-specific electrotherapy, depending on the analysis of the physiological signals. Auto-capture of a cardiac pulse using pacing stimuli is further provided. |
| US08744571B2 |
Method and system for the prediction of cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia, and other diseased condition of the heart associated with elevated sympathetic neural discharges
Methods and systems are provided for determining an increased likelihood of the occurrence of a cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia, congestive heart failure and other diseased conditions of the heart associated with elevated sympathetic neural discharges in a patient. The methods and systems comprise monitoring the sympathetic neural discharges of a patient from the stellate ganglia, the thoracic ganglia, or both, and detecting increases in the sympathetic neural discharges. The methods and systems may further comprise delivering therapy to the patient in response to a detected increase in the sympathetic neural discharge, such as delivering one or more pharmacological agents; stimulating myocardial hyperinnervation in the sinus node and right ventricle of the heart of the patient; and applying cardiac pacing, cardioversion or defibrillation shocks. Pharmacologic agents which may be used in connection with the delivery of include those which are known to exert anti-arrhythmic effect and anti-convulsant agents, such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproate, and phenobarbitone. Other pharmacologic agents may be used to treat impending myocardial ischemia and other diseased conditions of the heart associated with elevated sympathetic neural discharges. |
| US08744569B2 |
Iontophoretic system for transdermal delivery of active agents for therapeutic and medicinal purposes
An embodiment of a system includes a power source and at least two electrode assembles. The power source that an output current that alternates between a maximum current value and a minimum current value; a pair of electrode assemblies. Each electrode assembly is configured to be held in contact with a skin layer of a user. Additionally, each electrode assembly includes an electrode that is coupled to the power source to receive the output current from the power source. At least one of the electrode assemblies in the pair includes a medium that carries an active agent having a charge, the medium being provided on the at least one electrode assembly to enable the output current to repel the active agent into the skin layer for a duration in which the output current has a polarity that is the same as a polarity of the active agent. |
| US08744568B2 |
Medical device with electroactive polymer powered by photovoltaic cell
Medical devices comprising an electroactive polymer powered by a photovoltaic cell. In one embodiment, the medical device has an electroactive component comprising an electroactive polymer. The medical device further comprises a photovoltaic cell as a source of electrical power for electrically stimulating the electroactive polymer. The medical device further comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, both of which are electrically connected to the photovoltaic cell. The electroactive component covers over at least a portion of the first electrode. Also disclosed is a method of treating a patient using a medical device having an electroactive polymer powered by a photovoltaic cell. |
| US08744567B2 |
Galvanic skin treatment device
A galvanic device for treatment of skin is provided. The device comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of discrete galvanic couples, each galvanic couple comprising a first conductive electrode that is an anode in electronic communication with a second conductive electrode that is a cathode. |
| US08744560B2 |
Electrogram summary
The present disclosure is directed to generating and displaying an electrogram (EGM) summary for use by physicians or other clinicians. An implantable medical device (IMD) transmits EGM signal data for a number of cardiac episodes to an external computing device. The external computing device selects a subset of the cardiac episodes for which information or images are displayed to the user. In various examples, cardiac episodes may be selected for display based at least in part on a retrospective analysis classification of the cardiac episode. |
| US08744559B2 |
Methods, systems and devices for detecting atrial fibrillation
Disclosed herein are various embodiments of methods, systems and devices for detecting atrial fibrillation (AF) in a patient. According to one embodiment, a patient places his or her left and right hands around left and right electrodes and a hand-held atrial fibrillation detection device acquires an electrocardiogram (ECG) from the patient over a predetermined period of time such as, by way of example, one minute. After acquiring the ECG from the patient, the device processes and analyzes the ECG and makes a determination of whether the patient has AF. The device may further be configured to provide a visual or audio indication of whether the patient has AF, or does not have AF. The device may be employed in a health care provider's office without the need for complicated or expensive diagnostic equipment, and is capable of providing an on-the-spot and low-cost diagnosis of AF. The device may further be connected to a physician's computer in the office, which may be configured to store the results of the analysis and the patient's ECG, and which may further be configured to carry out additional processing and analyses of the acquired and processed data. Moreover, the physician's computer may be operably connected to a remote server configured to store, process and analyze the ECG and the results provided by the hand-held device. |
| US08744558B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing ipselateral therapy
Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided to control contraction of the heart. At least one sensing element receives signals indicating electrical activity of sinus rhythm of the heart. The electrical activity is monitored and analyzed to detect an event. In addition, the electrical activity is monitored to detect, for example, premature stimulation and contraction of a portion of the heart, such as the left ventricle. Contraction in the pre-excited portion of the heart is then suppressed using electrical pulses. The heart may then be allowed to contract naturally, or a stimulating pulse may be applied to assist the heart in contracting. |
| US08744555B2 |
Adaptive waveform appraisal in an implantable cardiac system
Methods and implantable devices for cardiac signal analysis. The methods and devices make use of waveform appraisal techniques to distinguish event detections into categories for suspect events and waveform appraisal passing events. When adjustments are made to the data entering analysis for waveform appraisal, the waveform appraisal thresholds applied are modified as well. For example, when the data analysis window for waveform appraisal changes in length, a waveform appraisal threshold is modified. Other changes, including changes in sensing characteristics with which waveform appraisal operates may also result in changes to the waveform appraisal threshold including changes in gain, sensing vector, activation of other devices, implantee posture and other examples which are explained. |
| US08744549B2 |
Subdermal needle electrode cable assembly having movable needle safety cover integral therewith
A cable assembly comprising a signal conductor, a needle electrode electrically connected to the signal conductor and a safety cover having a central passage therein. The signal conductor extends through the central passage. The safety cover is moveable along the signal conductor for allowing the needle electrode to become positioned within the central passage. |
| US08744545B2 |
Analyte monitoring device and methods of use
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor. |
| US08744543B2 |
System and method for removing artifacts from waveforms
A technique is provided for processing a physiological signal to compensate for artifacts. The technique includes identifying artifacts within the physiological signal. The technique also includes performing one or more multi-resolution decompositions, such as wavelet transformations, on the physiological signal and compensating for the identified artifacts in some or all of the respective decomposition components. The modified decomposition components may be reconstructed to generate an artifact-compensated signal which may be provided to a monitor or other device which is otherwise not configured to compensate for signal artifacts. |
| US08744542B2 |
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation monitoring apparatus
A cardiopulmonary resuscitation monitoring apparatus includes: a detecting unit configured to obtain a detection signal of a timing of chest compression during execution of cardiopulmonary resuscitation; a pulse oximeter configured to detect a change of a blood volume at the timing of the chest compression based on the detection signal, and configured to obtain an oxygen saturation from the change of the blood volume; an evaluating unit configured to perform evaluation related to the cardiopulmonary resuscitation based on the oxygen saturation; and an outputting unit configured to perform an outputting operation in accordance with a result of the evaluation. |
| US08744541B1 |
Superconducting multi-bit digital mixer
A superconducting multi-bit digital mixer, designed using rapid single flux quantum (RSFQ) logic, for multiplying two independent digital streams, at least one of these comprising a plurality of parallel bit lines, wherein the output is also a similar plurality of bit lines. In a preferred embodiment, one of the digital streams represents a local oscillator signal, and the other digital stream digital radio frequency input from an analog-to-digital converter. The multi-bit mixer comprises an array of bit-slices, with the local oscillator signal generated using shift registers. This multi-bit mixer is suitable for an integrated circuit with application to a broadband digital radio frequency receiver, a digital correlation receiver, or a digital radio frequency transmitter. A synchronous pulse distribution network is used to ensure proper operation at data rates of 20 GHz or above. |
| US08744539B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling radiation characteristics of transmitter of wireless device in correspondence with transmitter orientation
The invention provides an apparatus and a corresponding method for controlling radiation characteristics of a transmitter of a wireless device. The wireless device includes a transmitting portion that includes one or more antennas that are characterized by one or more radiation patterns. The wireless device further comprises a sensor system for determining an orientation of the transmitting portion and a control system that is operatively coupled to the sensor system and configured to control the supply of power to each antenna depending on the orientation of the transmitting portion. |
| US08744538B2 |
Fully flat slider
A device may include a lower panel, an upper panel, bi-stable shaft, and guide link. The lower panel may include four sides, a first surface, and a second surface. The upper panel may include four sides, a third surface, and a fourth surface, where the fourth surface overlays the first surface of the lower panel when the device is in a first configuration. A first end of the bi-stable shaft may be rotatably attached proximate to a first of the sides of the lower panel. A second end of the bi-stable shaft may be rotatably attached proximate to a first of the sides of the upper panel. The guide link may include two ends, a first end rotatably attached proximate to the first side of the upper panel and a second end slidably inserted in a track parallel to the first side of the lower panel. |
| US08744536B2 |
Holding device for a mobile telephone
The inventions refers to a holding device (1) for a mobile telephone, the holding device (1) having a mounting device (2) for accommodating the mobile telephone, the mounting device (2) comprising a contact surface (4) and at least two holding components (6) which protrude from the contact surface (4), the holding device (1) being characterized by the fact that at least one of the holding components (6) has an adjusting device for adjusting a length L, at which the holding component (6) protrudes from the contact surface (4) and wherein the receiving device (2) can be put in a hold position and a release position, wherein the receiving device (2) is arranged to interact positively with a mobile telephone mounted in the holding device (1) when the receiving device (2) is in the hold position. |
| US08744529B2 |
Enhanced mobile device having multiple housing configurations
An apparatus comprises a first housing having a top surface and a bottom surface, a second housing having a top surface and a bottom surface, and one or more supports coupling the first housing to the second housing such that the first and second housings are electrically connected and the bottom surface of the first housing overlays the top surface of the second housing. The one or more supports are configurable in at least a first configuration wherein the bottom surface of the first housing and the top surface of the second housing are substantially contiguous with one another and a second configuration wherein the bottom surface of the first housing and the top surface of the second housing are separated by a space. |
| US08744527B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, for selecting terminating communication notification handling at a communication device
An apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating alert handling at a communication device provides for selection at the communication device of the manner by which terminating communications at the communication device are handled. A terminating communication is detected at a receive part of the communication device, and an indication of its reception is displayed. Together with the displayed indication of the terminating communication, an actuation key is provided to permit selection of alert handling of the terminating communication and subsequent terminating communications. |
| US08744524B2 |
User interface tone echo cancellation
A multi-function communications device has a processor that generates a user interface audible tone signal. The device also has a downlink digital signal processor, and an uplink digital signal processor. A mixer has an input to receive the downlink signal and another input to receive the user interface tone signal. The uplink processor has an acoustic echo canceller having an input to receive the uplink signal and another input to receive an output from the mixer. The echo canceller may reduce the amount of both the far-end user's speech and the user interface tone that may be present in the uplink signal. The mixer may be positioned within the chain of audio signal processors, or it may be positioned outside the chain. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08744523B2 |
Method and system for interactive home monitoring
A method and system for interactive home monitoring includes detecting a visitor arriving at a premises of a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) client by an intercom unit installed at the premises. The intercom unit may be coupled to the MCDN client, which may be configured to wirelessly communicate with a user of the MCDN client. A captured image of the visitor may be used to determine if an identity of the visitor is known or unknown. Based on the identity, a communication channel between the visitor and the user may be established at the intercom unit. The intercom unit may further be configured to provide further information to the visitor based on the visitor identity. |
| US08744519B2 |
Multimodal phone data session management enhancement that alleviates dual transmission problems
One aspect of the present invention can include a dual transmit mobile communication device that includes multiple modems, a modem controller, and a data session manager. The modem controller can programmatically control the modems. The data session manager can manage data sessions of the mobile communication device. The data session manager can programmatically interact with the software modem controller to ensure that only one of the modems is transmitting at any one time. States of data communication sessions can be automatically adjusted as necessary. For example, the modem controller can block transmissions over a data traffic channel in order to use a modem other than one associated with the data traffic channel, such as using a modem to handle a dispatch session. The data session manager can preserve state information of blocked data sessions, so that the sessions can be resumed when a modem is available. |
| US08744517B2 |
Mobile terminal with the function of wired communication
A mobile terminal is provided including: a fixed network access control module for connecting the terminal with an analog user line and notifying the central processor that the mobile terminal is connected with the fixed telephone network in the situation where the analog user line is connected to the analog user line interface; a dual-tone multi-frequency processing module for identifying a selecting signal from analog user line and sending it to central processor; a call processing module for extracting a voice signal on the analog user line, sending it to an audio output device, and sending a voice signal from user to the analog user line; a mobile communication module for achieving communication between the mobile terminal and the exterior; and the central processor for processing the signaling from dual-tone multi-frequency processing module and sending the signaling to be transmitted via network to the dual-tone multi-frequency processing module. |
| US08744515B1 |
Communication device
The communication device comprising a voice communication implementer, a digital mirror implementer, a non-digital mirror implementer, a remote controlling implementer, and an audiovisual communication implementer. |
| US08744514B2 |
Wireless communication device and wireless communication method
A wireless communication device has a first wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with an external network, a management information storage configured to store application management information received through the first wireless communication unit, a second wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with an external communication device, and a management unit configured to control, based on the application management information stored in the management information storage, information wirelessly transmitted and received between the second wireless communication unit and the external communication device. |
| US08744510B2 |
Power control method and apparatus for wireless communications
Power control for wireless communication may involve determining the transmit power to be used by a wireless device. A wireless device using open loop power control may select a transmit power based on an open loop power equation where a parameter of the power equation may be based on one or more power control messages received from another wireless device. In some aspects, path loss may be estimated for open loop power control and a value for Offset_BSperSS may be obtained from information provided by a base station for closed loop power control. To facilitate a stable combined open-closed loop algorithm, open loop power control may be used to compensate channel changes based on reciprocity, and closed loop power control may be used to compensate interference variations (e.g., as compared to NI provided by a DCD message). |
| US08744508B2 |
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for connection establishment
A wireless communications device with a wireless module and a controller module is provided. The wireless module performs wireless transceiving to and from a service network. The controller module transmits a connection request message to the service network via the wireless module, and receives, on a downlink shared channel, a connection rejection message corresponding to the connection request message from the service network via the wireless module. Also, the controller module determines whether the connection rejection message indicates that congestion has occurred on the downlink shared channel, and retransmits the connection request message and waits to receive, on a forward access channel, a subsequent response message from the service network via the wireless module, in response to the connection rejection message indicating that congestion has occurred on the downlink shared channel. |
| US08744504B2 |
Distributed antenna system for MIMO communications
A method of deploying a distributed antenna system (DAS) is provided. The method comprises outputting first and second signals from a multiple-input and multiple-output base station (MIMO BTS) and coupling a master unit to the MIMO BTS. The method further comprises coupling first and second remote units to the master unit, the first remote unit communicating the first signal over a first air interface located within the environment at a first location, the second remote unit communicating the second signal over a second air interface within the environment at a second location. The first and second remote units are arranged at the first and second locations within the environment and configured to provide signal coverage of both the first signal and the second signal at a third location in the environment to provide the capacity for MIMO communications through the system at the third location. |
| US08744503B2 |
Wireless communication device, wireless communication system, and wireless communication method
A wireless communication device avoids unnecessary reduction of transmission capacity of a data signal to ensure the reliability of a pilot signal. A determination unit determines a reception modulation method for a received data signal according to the state of the transmission line. A transmission circuit generates a first pilot signal indicating the reception modulation method determined by the determination unit and, after adding an error correction code, modulates and transmits the first pilot signal. A reception unit receives a second pilot signal indicating a transmission modulation method that is the method for modulating a transmitted data signal. A switching unit, in accordance with the transmission modulation method indicated by the second pilot signal received by the reception unit, switches at least one of the modulation method of the first pilot signal transmitted by the transmission circuit and the redundancy of the error correction code of the first pilot signal. |
| US08744501B2 |
System and method for service invocation and response with a communication device based on transmitted code content recognition
A system and method for enabling a user to invoke a service over a signaling channel in a communication system with a communication device such as a mobile phone. The user dials a series of digits into their phone and enters them into the disclosed system, for example by pressing the send key on a mobile phone. The digits entered by the user include a prefix or routing code, and a data code. The dialed digits are transferred to a call switching system, which determines, based on the prefix code, a processing system to which a message is sent. The processing system further determines, based on the data code of the dialed digits, the service to provide and how the service should be fulfilled. The service can be fulfilled by content over the signaling channel or a transport channel, or both. |
| US08744497B2 |
Method and mobile communication device capable of avoiding interruption due to incoming call
A method capable of avoiding interruption due to incoming call is adapted to a mobile communication device. A subscriber identity module (SIM) card is installed on the mobile communication device. The method includes steps of setting a non-interruption period; retrieving an incoming call time of an incoming call signal when receiving the incoming call signal; determining whether the incoming call time is within the non-interruption period; stopping to supply power to the SIM card if the incoming call time is within the non-interruption period; and normally supplying power to the SIM card if the incoming call time is not within the non-interruption period. |
| US08744494B2 |
Satellite optimized air interface
A method is disclosed for establishing communication links in a satellite based wireless communication system. The method includes: establishing a forward link from the satellite to at least one of a plurality of subscriber wireless communication devices (WCDs) by use of a shared frequency multi-user communication protocol; applying an error correction code to use in the forward link, whereby the error correction applies to an aggregation of communications provided to multiple ones of the WCDs; and receiving communications in a return link signal by use of a protocol providing channels having dedicated frequency assignments and non-slotted channel assignment. |
| US08744491B2 |
Wireless network tour guide
Location based wireless services in a service provider's network are intertwined with a message database (text and/or audio) to automatically provide location information regarding the subscriber to the message database, without requiring the wireless device itself to provide the location information. A location management system is provided to perform the location management functions of determining subscriber location (e.g., by call/sector ID, angle of arrival (AOA), time difference of arrival (TDOA), time of arrival (TOA)), and of mapping the location to the desired text and/or audio. Speed information may also be determined by the location management system, or the subscriber may be prompted to input a particular mode of transportation, or generally indicate their speed. Of course, the slower the speed of the subscriber, the fewer location updates will be required, lessening the burden on the tour guide system in the wireless network. |
| US08744487B2 |
Methods and apparatus for determining mobile device location in a communications system
Methods and apparatus related to determining location of one or more mobile devices based on signals received by mobile device and signals received by fixed devices such as access points (APs) in a communications system are described. In accordance with various embodiments, mobile devices, e.g., peer devices, measure one or more signal characteristics, e.g., received signal power level, of signals received from peer devices and report this information along with information identifying the peer devices to which individual signal measurements correspond. The time of the signal measurements is also reported allowing a location determination server to time align signal measurements made by multiple different devices, e.g., mobile devices and access points, and use signals measurements from the multiple devices to determine the location of one or mobile devices, e.g., at one or more points in time, with more accuracy than if AP signal measurement alone were used. |
| US08744485B2 |
Efficient location discovery
Techniques are generally described for determining locations of a plurality of communication devices in a network. In some examples, methods for creating a location discovery infrastructure (LDI) for estimating locations of one or more of a plurality of communication nodes may comprise one or more of determining a plurality of locations in the terrain to place a corresponding plurality of beacon nodes, determining a plurality of beacon node groups for the placed beacon nodes, and determining a schedule for the placed beacon nodes to be active. Additional variants and embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08744478B2 |
Method and apparatus for executing location dependent application in a mobile handset
Methods and mobile handsets provide applications with access to locality identifier information heretofore not shared with applications. By accessing the locality identifier from memory, applications can provide location-specific services, such as alarms and location-specific themes. The locality identifier can be compared to a criteria table in memory to determine if an application should be notified or activated. The criteria table may include time and date criteria, so application notification can depend upon time, date and location information. |
| US08744477B2 |
System and method for locating a mobile terminal using secure user plane location
Disclosed is a method for determining the location of a targeted mobile set using SUPL (Secure User Plane Location) in a wireless communications network, including sending a target set location initiation message to the targeted mobile set in response to a request message, causing a home positioning server to exchange the capacities of positioning methods with the targeted mobile set to select and store a suitable positioning method, and determining the location of the targeted mobile set by using the selected positioning method previously stored whenever the location is requested. Accordingly it is unnecessary for the targeted set to resend the target set location initiation message to the positioning server whenever repeating the location calculation for the repeated deferred service. |
| US08744476B1 |
Non-cooperative spectrum sharing by smart frequency agile cognitive radios
A radio node in a radio network is disclosed. The radio node also includes signal processing hardware. The radio node also includes radio frequency (RF) transceiver hardware. Further, the radio node includes a smart spectrum sensor for feature detection capable of detecting multiple features including at least one of specific pilot signals, specific modulations, spectral widths, and symbol durations. |
| US08744475B2 |
Communications system
A method performed by a EUTRAN base station. The method includes generating a request for resource status information, sending the generated request to a neighboring EUTRAN base station, receiving one or more resource status update messages from the neighboring EUTRAN base station in response to the requested resource status information, performing load balancing operations in dependence upon the received one or more resource status update messages, and controlling handover of one or more associated mobile communication devices to another cell or base station in dependence upon the one or more received resource status update messages. |
| US08744472B2 |
Method for reporting channel quality information and system thereof
A method for reporting channel quality information in a wireless telecommunication network, wherein the network includes a radio base station in wireless communication with a plurality of user equipments by user transmission channels, and wherein the method includes the radio base station: detecting a coherence bandwidth associated to a total transmission channel, the total transmission channel including the user transmission channels of the plurality of user equipments; selecting one reporting technique for reporting channel quality information among a plurality of available reporting techniques, the selection being based on the coherence bandwidth; and transmitting a first message to each of the plurality of user equipments, the message reporting an indication of the selected reporting technique. A radio base station, a public mobile network and a user equipment suitable to implement the method are also disclosed. |
| US08744470B2 |
Optimization of data delivery in mobile networks
There is provided a method and system for optimizing delivery of data to a mobile device over a network. According to one embodiment, the invention includes a communication stack, such as a TCP/IP stack, which includes an application protocol interface (API) between an application layer and a transport layer. According to this embodiment, the method includes receiving delivery optimization information; determining the priority of the data using the delivery optimization information; providing the priority of the data to a physical layer in the communication stack; and delivering the data to the mobile device based on the priority. |
| US08744466B2 |
Sensing RF environment to manage mobile network resources
Using radio frequency sensing to manage a mobile network resource is disclosed. A radio frequency environment is sensed to detect one or more base transceiver stations. A resource assignment, such as a frequency or channel assignment, is determined based at least in part on the sensed radio frequency environment. |
| US08744456B2 |
Wireless communication method with packet scheduling
To reduce power consumption of a mobile station, this invention provides a wireless communication method for communicating between a base station and a plurality of terminals using a plurality of channels, the channels being slots obtained by dividing frequency-divided carriers by time, in which the base station allocates a set of the channels which is composed of a plurality of neighboring carriers and/or a plurality of successive slots for the each terminal, and the base station allocates at least one of the channels included in the channel sets for packet transmission the terminals. |
| US08744454B2 |
Enabling an assisted dialing on a mobile device
The instant application describes a method for enabling an assisted dialing on a mobile device. The method includes steps of receiving, at a mobile device, a number; automatically identifying a reference country and one or more parameters associated with the reference country; and automatically determining whether the received number should be modified based on the one or more parameters associated with the reference country. The method also includes steps of automatically modifying the received number upon determining that the received number should be modified; and transmitting the modified number to a wireless network servicing the mobile device. |
| US08744449B2 |
Mobility parameter adjustment and mobility state estimation in heterogeneous networks
Systems and methods for mobility parameter adjustment and mobility state estimation in heterogeneous networks are provided. The mobility parameters may be adjusted based on the cell change types associated with the mobility procedure. The mobility procedure may be a cell handover procedure or a cell reselection procedure. The cell change type may be dependent on the transmission power level of the UE's serving cell and neighboring cells. In some implementations, the UE may provide a speed information to the serving cell such that the serving eNB may prioritize or optimize the mobility procedure for the UE. The UE may also estimate its mobility state by counting the number of cell changes within certain period of time and applying scaling factors to the number of cell changes based on the associated cell change types. |
| US08744447B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for wireless connection
A wireless connecting method includes a connection monitoring step, a connection parameter retaining step, and a connection restoring step. The connection monitoring step monitors the wireless connection between the communication terminal device and the base station. The connection parameter retaining step sets a communication session retention time period that is longer than a connection parameter retention time period, and retains a connection parameter. A connection parameter when the wireless connection is disconnected is retained in at least one of the communication terminal device and the base station for the communication session retention time period exceeding the connection parameter retention time period. The connection restoring step executes, after the connection parameter retention time period has elapsed, when the communication session retention time period has not elapsed, an initial connecting process and restores the connection using the connection parameter stored when the wireless connection is disconnected. |
| US08744445B2 |
Method of handling handover message decoding and related communication device
A method of handling handover message decoding for a mobile device in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes via a first radio access technology (RAT), receiving a handover message associated with a handover from the first RAT to a second RAT supporting services of a packet switched (PS) domain and a circuit switched (CS) domain, wherein the handover message comprises type information and an inter-RAT message generated based on the second RAT, and determining a switched domain type of the inter-RAT message according to the type information. |
| US08744440B2 |
Method and apparatus for scanning base stations
Methods and apparatuses are provided for scanning base stations in wireless communications. The base stations can be scanned in order of distance from a device or a corresponding reference point so that base stations of a shortest distance are measured before those of a longer distance. In addition, scanning of base stations can be ceased according to one or more stopping criteria to improve efficiency of scanning. |
| US08744434B2 |
Area entertainment system including digital radio service and associated methods
An area entertainment system includes an antenna for receiving digital satellite radio signals, and an intermediate frequency (IF) down converter connected to the antenna for down converting the digital satellite radio signals. Electronic boxes are spaced throughout the area, and each electronic box includes at least one IF tuner in communications with the IF down converter. |
| US08744422B2 |
Systems and methods for terminating telephony communications to mobile telephony devices
Systems and methods for terminating telephony communications to a mobile telephony device that is roaming outside of its native service area make use of a mobile roaming termination service. The mobile roaming termination service causes the native mobile telephony service provider that provides service to the mobile telephony device to forward incoming telephony communications directed the native telephone number of the mobile telephony device to a forwarding access number. The mobile roaming termination service receives telephony communications directed to the forwarding access number, and then terminates the telephony communication to the mobile telephony device via any one of multiple different methods. The mobile telephony service provider can be instructed to implement and cancel call forwarding instructions by dialing a special character string on the mobile telephony device. |
| US08744421B2 |
Method of initiating a hands-free conference call
A method of operating a vehicle telematics unit includes storing a conference call access code; initiating a conference call from a vehicle based on verbal commands received from a vehicle occupant; receiving a request for the conference call access code from an automated telephone attendant (ATA) while initiating the conference call; determining that the ATA has requested the conference call access code using a speech recognition function at the vehicle; and sending the stored conference call access code to the ATA based on the determination of the speech recognition function. |
| US08744420B2 |
Establishing a video conference during a phone call
Some embodiments provide a method for initiating a video conference using a first mobile device. The method presents, during an audio call through a wireless communication network with a second device, a selectable user-interface (UI) item on the first mobile device for switching from the audio call to the video conference. The method receives a selection of the selectable UI item. The method initiates the video conference without terminating the audio call. The method terminates the audio call before allowing the first and second devices to present audio and video data exchanged through the video conference. |
| US08744418B2 |
Environment detection for mobile devices
Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to managing characteristics of a mobile device based upon capacitive detection of materials proximate the mobile device. One such method includes receiving a first capacitive sensor measurement with a first capacitive sensor of the mobile device. The method further includes determining a value indicative of a material adjacent to the mobile device based on a correspondence between the first capacitive sensor measurement and stored values corresponding to different materials. The method further includes sending instructions to adjust a characteristic of the mobile device based on the determined value indicative of the material adjacent to the mobile device. |
| US08744417B2 |
Method of inhibiting functions of a mobile communications device
A method of inhibiting a function of a multi-function portable personal communications device includes determining a first position of the personal communications device, after a predetermined time interval, determining a second position of the personal communications device, determining the distance between the first position and the second position, determining the time interval in which the personal communications device moved from the first position and the second position, calculating an average velocity of the personal communications device based on the first position, the second position and the time interval and, if the average velocity of the personal communication device exceeds a predetermined value, inhibiting a function of the personal communications device. |
| US08744413B2 |
Mobile terminal and method for displaying standby screen according to analysis result of user's behavior
A mobile terminal includes an input unit for receiving a command input by a user; a location information generator for generating location information on the mobile terminal; a time counter; a storage unit having a command processing information table and a standby screen display information table; and a control unit for analyzing the user's behavior by using command processing information stored in the command processing information table, storing the result of the behavior analysis in the standby screen display information table, and displaying a standby screen according to the result of the behavioral analysis with respect to the current location of the mobile terminal and the current time. Accordingly, using a history of the mobile terminal use provides an advantage of improved user convenience by predicting and actively reacting to a user's manner of using the mobile terminal. |
| US08744411B2 |
Informing mobile stations of an important message
A method for informing mobile stations in a geographic area of an important message is provided. The method includes identifying a geographic area, or zone, comprising at least one base station associated with a cell. A standard registration message associated with each cell in the zone is modified, which modifying results in a modified registration message with a command that is directed towards instructing mobile stations (MSs) that are already registered in the zone to re-register with the zone. The modified registration message then is broadcast from the base station. In response to the transmitting of the modified registration message, the method performs a processing of registration request messages sent from each of the MSs to the base station. In response to the processing, an acknowledge registration message is transmitted to each of the MSs, which acknowledge registration message includes data informing each of the MSs of the important message. |
| US08744410B2 |
Communication of position data via text message
A mobile application on a mobile computing device connected to a communications network is disclosed. The mobile application includes an initiation module for transmitting a request for a transaction identifier to an application server and receiving a transaction identifier from the server, a request module for transmitting to a second device an SMS message including a URL, a first receiving module for receiving an SMS message and activating a URL embedded in the SMS message, wherein upon activation of the URL, the first receiving module is further configured for transmitting an HTTP request to the server, a processing module for receiving program code from the server and executing the program code configured for reading position data of the device and transmitting the position data and the transaction identifier to the server, and a second receiving module for receiving position data of the second device and displaying the position data. |
| US08744407B2 |
Systems and processes to manage multiple modes of communication
A computer-implemented system and method to manage the communication of a user are disclosed. In one embodiment, when a person tries to electronically convey a message to the user, the status of the user, the identity of the person, and the urgency of the message can be identified. The access priority of the person can be determined based on the person's identity. Then, the message can be managed using one or more rules and in view of the status of the user, the access priority of the person and the urgency of the message. |
| US08744402B2 |
Alert system with controlled load of network
A method for preventing overload and blocking of a mobile network when sending of alert messages to a plurality of mobile phone users located in a specific geographical area, independently of any user preferences on mobile phones, wherein the method is performed in an optimizing message distribution component (A-SMSC) connected to the mobile network, has an alert initiating message receiving step of receiving an alert initiation message having information about content of the message and where the message is to be sent, represented as relevant cells, performed as a request from an LBAS Server to A-SMSC, and information about the relevant cells is determined by a LBAS GT by converting information of a specific geographical area to corresponding cell ids. |
| US08744399B2 |
Alarm system call-back number provision and retrieval
A control panel of an alarm system at a premises stores call-back numbers/addresses and provides these to a monitoring center, as required. In embodiments, the call-back numbers/address may be provided along with the signalling of an alarm condition. In other embodiments, call-back numbers/addresses may be retrieved from the panel at the request of an operator or installer, or periodically. Call-back numbers/address may be stored or updated at the panel by installers or occupants, or automatically. |
| US08744386B2 |
Method of tuning receiver having tunable amplifier with integrated tracking filter
A method of tuning a receiver includes: providing a tunable Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) having a plurality of LNAs and a plurality of LC loads coupled to the plurality of LNAs; selecting a desired LNA and a LC load corresponding to the desired LNA; isolating the desired LNA from the selected LC load; generating a local oscillation (LO) signal; routing the LO signal to the output of the tunable LNA to generate a filtered LO signal; determining a first signal power level of the filtered LO signal; changing the capacitance in the selected LC load and determining a second signal power level of the filtered LO signal; comparing the first filtered signal power level to the second filtered signal power level; and according to the comparison result, determining whether or not to adjust the capacitance in the selected LC load. |
| US08744381B2 |
Adjustment module, electronic device with the adjustment module, and antenna performance adjusting method thereof
An adjustment module, an electronic device with the adjustment module, and an antenna performance adjusting method thereof are disclosed. The adjustment module is used for adjusting an antenna module. The antenna module is disposed in the electronic device and used for radiating a wireless signal. The adjustment module includes a monitoring module, a determining module, and a capacitance adjusting unit. The monitoring module is used for detecting an alternating current signal waveform when the antenna module radiates the wireless signal. The determining module receives the alternating current signal waveform and is used for generating an adjusting voltage value when the alternating current signal waveform is a non-constant amplitude. The capacitance adjusting unit is used for changing a capacitance value according to the adjusting voltage value to adjust a resonance point coordinate of the antenna module. |
| US08744375B2 |
Method and system for sharing multiple antennas in mobile devices
A wireless device may comprise a plurality of antennas that may be utilized during communications via various wireless interfaces. The wireless interfaces may comprise mobile interfaces, wireless personal area network (WPAN) interfaces, and/or wireless local area network (WLAN). The plurality of antennas may be utilized during a communication via a wireless interface in the mobile device. The mobile device may switch among antennas in the plurality of antennas utilizing one or more RF switches to enable utilizing best path for transmitted and/or received RF signals during the wireless communication. The mobile device may also perform signal combining of RF signals received via the plurality of antenna, and to enable a receiving end to perform signal combining of RF signals transmitted via the mobile device. A multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) combiner may be utilized to perform signal combing; the MIMO combiner may utilize maximal ratio combining to perform signal combining and equalization. |
| US08744374B2 |
Method and apparatus for data communication in LTE cellular networks
Methods and apparatus for uplink data transmission in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) compliant communication system use beam-forming in the uplink to increase the range of LTE compliant wireless communication terminals. Methods are provided for steering the beam in an optimal direction towards the base station, both for time division duplex (TDD) and frequency division duplex (FDD) communication schemes. |
| US08744372B2 |
System and method of transmitting data from an aircraft
A system and method of transmitting data from an aircraft includes a PC card that acquires aircraft data and transmits the aircraft data over a radio frequency communications signal into the skin of the aircraft, which radiates the radio frequency communications signal to a location remote from the aircraft. |
| US08744369B2 |
Mobile communication method, subscriber management server, and mobility management node
A mobile communication method according to the present invention includes a step A of transmitting, by an operation and maintenance server EM, “MDT config” to a subscriber management server HSS, and a step B of instructing, by the subscriber management server HSS, the target mobile station UE to perform the MDT measurement process through a mobility management node MME and a radio base station eNB when it is determined that the MDT measurement process by the target mobile station UE is approved. |
| US08744367B2 |
Tail optimization protocol for cellular radio resource allocation
Systems and methods for increasing the power and resource efficiency of a mobile network device are presented herein. More particularly, described herein is a novel Tail Optimization Protocol (TOP) and/or other mechanisms, systems and methods for enabling cooperation between a mobile device and an associated radio access network to eliminate idle periods (e.g., tails) when possible. Various systems and methods described herein can leverage the ability of applications and/or their associated connections to accurately predict a long tail time, from which a mobile device can notify an associated cellular network on such an imminent tail in order to allow the cellular network to immediately release tail resources. Various other aspects provided herein realize TOP via fast dormancy and/or other similar notification mechanisms, which enable a handset or other device to notify a cellular network for immediate resource release. |
| US08744365B2 |
Mobile communication device, a printing control system, and a method for controlling printing using the mobile communication device
A mobile communication device storing a file to be printed, the mobile communication device including: a communication unit to receive printer information of a printer; a network interface unit to connect to a printer server corresponding to the printer information received through the communication unit; and a control unit to transmit the file to be printed to the printer through the printer server according to the received printer information. Accordingly, users can print files using a mobile communication device while traveling away from a fixed printer. |
| US08744359B2 |
Electronic equipment for a wireless communication system and method for operating an electronic equipment for a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to an electronic equipment for a wireless communication system comprising a near field interface (4) for exchanging contact information with at least one further electronic equipment via near field communication, said contact information serving for communicating within the wireless communication system, a group editing means (3) for creating a group of contact information comprising at least the received contact information, whereby each contact information of the group relates to an electronic equipment, and a communication means (8) for setting up a communication within the wireless communication system to the group of electronic equipments in accordance with the group of contact information. The present invention further relates to a method for operating such an electronic equipment. |
| US08744355B2 |
Communication method, and bluetooth device utilizing the communication method
A communication method for a Bluetooth device in a scatternet which may include several piconets is proposed. The method includes transmitting data to a peer device in the first piconet, determining whether there is any buffered data to be transmitted to the peer device in the first piconet, and switching from the first piconet to the next piconet to transmit data to a peer device in the second piconet according to the determination result. |
| US08744354B2 |
Wireless communication terminal, wireless communication method, and wireless communication system
A wireless communication terminal includes a tentative determination unit for tentatively determining a role of a display terminal, a transmission unit for transmitting wireless data including information indicating the result of the tentative determination and first information on presence or absence of a display unit and an input unit of the wireless communication terminal, a receiving unit for receiving response data including information indicating a terminal as a display terminal and second information on presence or absence of a display unit and an input unit of a wireless communication terminal having received the wireless data, and a determination unit for determining the role of the display terminal based on the information indicating a terminal as the display terminal and the second information. |
| US08744352B2 |
Automatic access point location, planning, and coverage optimization
A device receives distances between an access point, located on a floor of a building, and other access points located on the same floor, and determines, based on the distances, relative location information associated with the access point, where the relative location information provides a location of the access point relative to the other access points. The device also determines, using a triangulation method, an actual location of the access point based on the relative location information. The device further maps the actual location of the access point to a floor plan of the floor, and displays the floor plan with the mapped actual location of the access point. |
| US08744349B2 |
Multi-stack semiconductor integrated circuit device
The invention relates to a multi-stack semiconductor integrated circuit device where communication between semiconductor chips can be efficiently carried out by bypassing a number of chips. Each semiconductor chip that forms a multi-stack semiconductor integrated circuit device having a stack structure where four or more semiconductor chips having the same shape are stacked on top of each other is provided with: a first coil for transmission/reception for communication between chips over a long distance; and a second coil for transmission/reception for communication between chips over a short distance, of which the size is smaller than that of the above-described first coil for transmission/reception. |
| US08744348B2 |
Method of preselecting at least one application in a mobile communication device comprising an NFC system
The invention relates to a method for the preselection of at least one application hosted in a secure or non-embedded element in a mobile communication device comprising an NFC system, the said device being capable of accessing and reading data stored in a target NFC system, of the contactless tag or card type, the said NFC system being capable of operating in at least two communication modes including a reader mode, and a card emulation mode, or a Peer-to-Peer mode. When the NFC system is in the reader mode, an application is preselected during a stage wherein data stored in the said target NFC system are read. |
| US08744347B2 |
Method of routing incoming application data in an NFC chipset, for identification of the application
A method for routing incoming or outgoing application data in an NFC system includes an NFC interface circuit performing contactless data sending and receiving. The routing of incoming application data received by the interface circuit includes routing at least a first portion of the incoming application data to a destination point located in the NFC system and designated as arbitration point of incoming application data routing; analyzing by the arbitration point the first portion of the incoming application data to identify the application for which the data is sent to the NFC system; designating by the arbitration point a point of destination of the application data and application processing; and routing a second portion of the incoming application data to the destination and processing point. |
| US08744346B2 |
Method and system for improving the spectral efficiency of a data communication link
An apparatus for communicating between a mobile device, and a plurality of transceivers. The apparatus includes a first transceiver which transmits to the mobile device on any one of a plurality of channels. The apparatus further includes a second transceiver which transmits to the mobile device on any one of the plurality of channels. |
| US08744345B2 |
Communication apparatus and communication method therefor
To detect a provider of communication parameters, a communication apparatus executes control so that when a signal for searching for the provider of the communication parameters is sent, an apparatus which does not serve as the provider decreases the frequency of responding to the search signal and the provider increases the frequency of responding to the search signal. |
| US08744344B2 |
Satellite communication system constituted with primary and back-up multi-beam satellites
A satellite communication system for providing communications between user terminals and gateways constituted with m primary satellites. In one embodiment, n back up satellites are also provided. Further, each satellite, primary or back-up, is equipped to project N/m beams onto and across an area in a loosely-packed array manner. M of the m primary and n back-up satellites collectively create N beam spots to cover the area. Moreover, each sub-area is covered by a beam spot separated from another sub-area covered by another beam spot by one beam width. Each satellite is also equipped to facilitate communication over 1 of m band of frequencies on one beam. AS a result, any of the m primary satellites may be efficiently replaced on demand by a selected one of the n back-up satellites. The gateways and user terminals are configured to communicate signals through or with both or either the primary and back-up satellites. |
| US08744335B2 |
Image forming apparatus improved in operability for print job involving single-sided printing and double-sided printing
An image forming apparatus capable of improving productivity in a print job mixedly involving single-sided printing and double-sided printing. Sheets are fed one by one to an image forming section. When double-sided printing is to be performed, a sheet having an image formed on the first side thereof by the image forming section is re-fed thereto so as to have an image formed on the second side thereof. When a sheet for double-sided printing exists, which is posterior in page order to a sheet for single-sided printing, an image forming order is changed such that the first side of the sheet for double-sided printing is subjected to image formation prior to the sheet for single-sided printing. When it is predicted that a state will occur in which the sheet for single-sided printing cannot be fed, the image forming order is not changed. |
| US08744334B2 |
Electrostatographic apparatus having improved transport member
The present invention is an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus which includes a primary imaging member for producing an electrostatic latent image, a development station for applying toner particles to said latent image which forms a developed toner image, and a transfer station for transferring said developed toner image from the primary imaging member to a receiver. A fuser assembly is included for fixing the developed toner image to the receiver, to form a fused toner image on the receiver. An endless transport member is provided for transporting the receiver to or from the fuser assembly, the transport member having a substrate bearing an oil-absorbing porous layer that would tribocharge positively upon contact with negatively charged toner particles, and a porous overcoat outermost layer that does not tribocharge positively upon contact with negatively charged toner particles. |
| US08744332B2 |
Printer with wax management system
Printers are provided having wax management systems. In one aspect, a printer has a print engine provides a toner image on a receiver using a toner having a binder polymer and a wax and a fuser having a contact surface that heats the toner at least to a glass transition temperature for the toner and the wax at least to an incorporated melting temperature to cause at least some of the wax to separate from the toner. A controller allows the toner image to cool to form a fused toner image having a viewing surface and the wax to cool to form first portions of the viewing surface with wax globules and second portions without wax globules. A wiping system wipes the viewing surface to move at least some of the wax from the wax globules onto the second portion when the toner image and wax are cooled. |
| US08744331B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes a hollow, open-sided stationary heat roller, a flexible fuser belt, a fuser pad, a rotatable pressure member, a reinforcing member, and a sealing mechanism. The heat roller defines an elongated longitudinal side opening that opens into a hollow interior thereof. The fuser belt is looped for rotation around the heat roller to transfer heat radially outward from the roller circumference. The fuser pad is held substantially stationary along the roller opening outward from the roller interior and inward from the loop of the fuser belt. The pressure member is pressed against the fuser pad through the fuser belt to form a fixing nip. The reinforcing member is disposed within the roller interior to thrust against the fuser pad through the roller opening. The sealing mechanism is disposed on the roller opening to prevent foreign matter from entering the roller interior through the roller opening. |
| US08744330B2 |
Fixing device having a plurality of heat sources and a plurality of temperature detectors and image forming apparatus including same
A fixing device includes a heat conductive member; a flexible fixing belt looped around the heat conductive member, an inner circumference of the flexible fixing belt slidably contacting a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the heat conductive member; a rotary pressing member disposed opposing the heat conductive member; heat sources disposed in a circumferential direction of the fixing belt at a predetermined interval to heat the heat conductive member; and temperature detectors provided to detect a surface temperature of the fixing belt at a detection position at which heating intensity of a corresponding one of the heat sources is not affected by any other one. In operation, the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt contacts the heat conductive member at a position at which each temperature detector contacts the fixing belt as the detection position or a position proximal to the detection position of each temperature detector. |
| US08744326B2 |
Electro-conductive belt, fabrication method thereof, and image forming device
There is provided an electro-conductive belt including a resin material and conductive particles, the electro-conductive belt including: an innermost layer that contains none of the conductive particles; a first conductive layer that is adjacent to the innermost layer at an outer side thereof, a concentration of the conductive particles being highest in the first conductive layer; and a second conductive layer that is adjacent to the first conductive layer at an outer side thereof, the second conductive layer containing the conductive particles in a concentration lower than in the first conductive layer and higher than in the innermost layer. |
| US08744325B2 |
Image forming apparatus for forming a detection toner pattern
A color image forming apparatus configured to form a combination toner pattern including a second toner image formed downstream in a conveying direction of an intermediate transfer belt on a first toner image and a third toner image formed upstream in the conveying direction of the intermediate transfer belt on the first toner image so that the second and the third toner images cover at least a portion of the first toner image. |
| US08744315B2 |
Systems and methods for remanufacturing imaging components
A drive gear for a generally cylindrical imaging component. The drive gear includes a body for engaging the generally cylindrical imaging component; a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and three prongs extending longitudinally outward from the end surface. |
| US08744313B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus driving unit includes a rotatable member which is rotatably supported, a pair of bearing portions for rotatably supporting the rotatable member, and a motor for driving the rotatable member. In addition, a driving gear is provided on a driving shaft of the motor, and a driven gear, provided outside the pair of bearing portions with respect to a rotational axis direction of the rotatable member, engages with the driving gear to be rotated integrally with the rotatable member. At least one of the driven gear and the driving gear has, with respect to the rotational axis direction of the rotatable member, a crown shape so that a central tooth surface of a tooth projects more than end tooth surfaces of the tooth at a side where the driven gear and the driving gear engage each other. During driving of the driving gear, a first position where a pressure received by the tooth surface is at a maximum and a second position where an amount of crowning formed on the driven gear or the driving gear is at a maximum are offset in a same direction. |
| US08744309B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a charger facing a rotatably supported image carrier, the charger being configured to charge the image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed; a movement mechanism configured to move the charger between a charging position at which the charger is close to the image carrier and a retracted position at which the charger is retracted away from the image carrier; a positioning structure including a first reference member that is provided on the charger and a second reference member that is provided on the image carrier, the first reference member and the second reference member are in contact with each other when the charger is at the charging position such that the charger is held in the charging position; and a pushing member configured to push the charger against the image carrier when the charger is at the charging position. |
| US08744308B2 |
Image forming device having detachable developing device unit
An image forming device includes a plurality of developing devices, and a plurality of sloping members disposed in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of developing devices. Each developing device includes a developer accommodating chamber and a developing roller disposed above the developer accommodating chamber. Each developing device is movable between a first position and a second position lower than the first position in a height direction generally parallel to a vertical direction. Each sloping member has a sloped surface movable in the height direction and a biasing member biasing the sloped surface upward in the height direction. Each sloping member is movable between a third position where the corresponding developing device is placed on the sloped surface and a fourth position where the corresponding developing device is released from being pressed by the sloped surface in a predetermined direction generally perpendicular to the vertical direction. |
| US08744307B2 |
Process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A process cartridge includes an image forming unit including an image carrier, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit, the image carrier carrying a latent image and a toner image formed by developing the latent image with toner, the image carrier transferring the toner image onto a transfer body, the developing unit forming the toner image by developing the latent image with the toner, the cleaning unit cleaning the image carrier by removing the toner that remains on the image carrier; a container attachment unit that is provided at a position separated from the image forming unit and to which a toner container is detachably attached, the toner container containing the toner to be supplied to the developing unit; and a toner receiving unit that extends in a space between the image forming unit and the container attachment unit and receives the toner removed from the image carrier. |
| US08744299B2 |
Image forming apparatus, control method, and control program
An image forming apparatus having a display unit for displaying a program which can be executed in the apparatus so as to be identified is disclosed. The apparatus has: an input unit for inputting a program into the image forming apparatus; a display control unit for controlling a process for displaying select keys including a plurality of select keys to instruct a selection of a desired one of a plurality of programs stored in the image forming apparatus onto a display screen displayed on the display unit; and a discriminating unit for discriminating whether the select key to instruct a selection of the program inputted by the input unit can be further displayed onto the first display screen to display the select keys corresponding to the programs registered in the image forming apparatus in response to the input of the program from the input unit or not. |
| US08744297B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a toner image forming unit, a sensor, and a control unit. The toner image forming unit is configured to form a toner image on the image bearing member. The sensor includes a light-emitting unit for emitting light, a light-receiving unit for receiving reflected light, an electrical circuit board in which the light-emitting unit is attached, and a frame supporting the electrical circuit board with the electrical circuit board bonded with three supporting portions. The sensor is configured to detect the toner image formed on the image bearing member. The control unit is configured to control a toner image forming condition of the toner image forming unit according to an output of the sensor. |
| US08744296B2 |
Image forming apparatus
The image forming apparatus includes a fixing portion, a temperature detection element, and a power control portion. The power control portion is capable of setting a first power supply control mode for supplying power according to the detected temperature for each one control cycle, a second power supply control mode for supplying power according to the detected temperature for each one control cycle and a third power supply control mode for supplying predetermined power, and switches, immediately before a leading edge of the recording material enters the fixing portion, a state of supplying the power in the first power supply control mode to a state of supplying the power in the second power supply control mode, and then switches the state of supplying the power in the second power supply control mode to a state of supplying the power in the third power supply control mode. |
| US08744293B2 |
Image forming apparatus configured to perform a light adjustment operation and method for controlling image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive element; a writing light source; a conveying unit; a light-emitting unit; a detection unit; a writing control unit; and an adjustment unit. The detection unit detects reflected light from a recording medium. The writing control unit controls the writing light source based on operational timing when a signal output from the detection unit turns to a fixed threshold. The adjustment unit acquires information of a gloss level of the recording medium, and adjusts light emission intensity of the light-emitting unit according to the acquired information of the gloss level in such a manner that a signal output from the detection unit when the light-emitting unit irradiates a plain region of the recording medium approximates a certain reference value. |
| US08744292B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for stopping driving image carrier
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier to carry a toner image; a driving unit to drive the image carrier to rotate; a transfer unit to transfer the toner image at a transfer position; a cleaner at a cleaning position to remove toner remaining on the image carrier after transfer; an obtaining unit to obtain information indicating a likelihood of the remaining toner adhering to the image carrier; a judging unit to judge whether or not the likelihood is equal to or lower than a predetermined value; and a controller to control the driving unit (i) to stop driving the image carrier before a rear end of an area of the image carrier on which the toner remains reaches the cleaning position, when the judging unit judges affirmatively, and, (ii) to stop driving the image carrier after the cleaner removes the remaining toner, when the judging unit judges negatively. |
| US08744288B2 |
Cartridge
A cartridge including: a housing including a first side wall and a second side wall which are opposed to each other; a driving input member provided to the first side wall and is configured to rotate; and a first rotary member provided at an outer side of the first side wall and is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis in response to a rotational driving force from the driving input member, wherein the first rotary member includes a protrusion protruding to the outer side, wherein the first rotary member is configured to be moved relative to the first side wall in a direction along the first rotational axis, and wherein an end portion of the first rotary member at an opposite side of the first side wall is configured to be displaced in a direction crossing the first rotational axis. |
| US08744284B2 |
Image forming apparatus, control method of image forming apparatus, and storage medium storing program
An image forming apparatus includes a printing unit configured to print an input print job including a plurality of pages, wherein, if it is determined that a remaining amount of a recording agent in a cartridge is less than or equal to a threshold value, the printing unit prints a portion of print data in the print job, temporarily stops printing, and displays a toner out message on a display unit to prompt a user to replace the cartridge, and repeats, if the user does not replace the cartridge after the toner out message is displayed, printing a portion of print data in the print job that is different from the print data that the printing unit has already printed, temporarily stopping printing, and displaying on the display unit the toner out message. |
| US08744283B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an identification-section detecting device configured to detect, on the basis of an identification section included in a developer cartridge, a type of a developer stored by the developer cartridge and detect, on the basis of an identification section included in a developing device, a type of a developer used by the developing device and a control section configured to determine, on the basis of an output of the identification-section detecting device, whether the type of the developer stored by the developer cartridge and the type of the developer used by the developing device coincide with each other, prohibit from performing image formation if the types of the developers do not coincide with each other, and set an image forming method according to the determined types of the developers if the types of the developers coincide with each other. |
| US08744281B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a detachably replaceable image forming unit for forming an image on a medium, the image forming unit including a component for forming the image on the medium and a first storage section for storing life information, use amount information, and use purpose information of the component; a read-write section for reading and writing information in the first storage section; a life management section for managing life of the image forming unit; and a second storage section for storing the life information and the use amount information read from the first storage section by the read-write section; the life management section rewriting the life information stored in the first storage section by the first storage section in accordance with the use purpose information stored in the first storage section and the use amount information stored in the second storage section. |
| US08744280B1 |
Method and apparatus for detecting an unsafe operating condition in an automatic document feeder
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method comprising loading a medium onto an input tray of a imaging device; staging the medium within the imaging device, wherein staging the medium includes moving the medium from the input tray to a staging area within the imaging device; during the staging of the medium, determining an average load current of a motor that is associated with an automatic document feeder of the imaging device; and based on the average load current, determining a threshold load current of the motor, wherein the threshold load current corresponds to the panel of the imaging device having been opened. |
| US08744276B2 |
Optical receiving apparatus and digital receiving circuit
An optical receiving apparatus includes a combining unit that combines signal light and reference light; a optoelectric converting unit that converts, into electrical signals, two or more optical signals that enable reconstruction of a complex electric field signal of the signal light obtained by the combining unit; and a sampling clock generating unit that generates a sampling clock that has a frequency preset based on a symbol rate of the signal light and is asynchronous with the signal light. The optical receiving apparatus further includes a digital converting unit that samples at the frequency of the sampling clock signal, an electrical signal obtained by the optoelectric converting unit and converts the electrical signal into a digital signal; and a digital signal processing unit that demodulates a received signal based on a complex digital signal obtained from the digital signal obtained by the digital converting unit. |
| US08744275B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for high-sensitivity optical detection
An apparatus transmits data using a format where information bits intended for transmission are mapped into symbols each carrying a plurality of bits, some of which are encoded through pulse position modulation (PPM) format and the rest of which are encoded through an additional modulation format on each PPM pulse. The additional modulation format for the PPM pulse may be at least one of a polarization-division-multiplexed (PDM) modulation, phase-shift keying (PSK) modulation, polarization shift keying (PolSK) modulation, amplitude modulation (AM), quadrature-amplitude modulation (QAM) modulation, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the additional modulation of the PPM pulses is through polarization-division-multiplexed quadrature-phase-shift keying (PDM-QPSK). The unique combined use of PDM-QPSK and PPM produces much higher receiver sensitivity than either PPM or PDM-QPSK alone. |
| US08744274B2 |
Optical transmitter device
An optical transmitter device includes a laser source, a driving circuit, and an optical modulator. The driving circuit is connected to the laser source. The driving circuit includes a thermistor configured for compensating the temperature variation of the laser source to stabilize the frequency of a laser beam output from the laser source. The optical modulator is configured for modulating the laser beam to form a plurality of second laser beams which have different frequencies. |
| US08744272B1 |
Scanning optical nanowire antenna
A method and apparatus comprising a signal generator, an array of wires, and a controller. The signal generator is configured to generate electrical signals. The electrical signals have amplitudes and first phases. The array of wires is connected to the signal generator. The array of wires is configured to emit photons having phases in response to receiving the electrical signals. The photons have frequencies based on the amplitudes of the electrical signals and second phases based on the first phases of the electrical signals. The controller is connected to the signal generator. The controller is configured to control the first phases of the electrical signals such that a desired radiation pattern for the photons emitted by the array of wires moves in a desired direction. |
| US08744267B2 |
Building illumination apparatus with integrated communications, security and energy management
An LED light and communication system includes one or more optical transceivers that have a light support having a plurality of light emitting diodes and one or more photodetectors attached thereto, and a processor in communication with the light emitting diodes and the one or more photodetectors. The processor is constructed and arranged to generate a communication signal. The one or more optical transceivers are engaged to a lighting fixture within a building. The one or more optical transceivers are constructed and arranged to communicate with a name tag. |
| US08744264B2 |
Optical relaying R-type and GR-type receiver system
Some embodiments of R/GR type fire alarm control system according to the invention comprises a plurality of detectors/transmitters for issuing alarm signals, a plurality of fire safety equipments for operating under control signals, a plurality of optical repeaters and an R/GR type fire alarm control panel. The optical repeaters are connected to each other in daisy-chain and connected to the plurality of the detectors/transmitters and the fire safety equipments, optically transmits the alarm signals upwardly and optically transmits the control signals downwardly, and are capable of electrically transacting the alarm signals with respect to the detectors/transmitters and the control signals with respect to the fire safety equipments. The R/GR type fire alarm control panel receives the alarm signals from one of the optical repeaters and transmits the control signals to one of the optical repeaters. |
| US08744262B2 |
Optical subchannel routing, protection switching and security
The present invention includes novel techniques, apparatus, and systems for optical WDM communications. Tunable lasers are employed to generate subcarrier frequencies representing subchannels of an ITU channel to which client signals can be mapped. Client circuits can be divided and combined before being mapped, independent of one another, to individual subchannels within and across ITU channels. Subchannels may be independently routed to a single subchannel receiver filter, such that each subchannel detected at the receiver may come from a different source location. Network architectures and subchannel transponders, muxponders and crossponders are disclosed, and techniques are employed (at the subchannel level/layer), to facilitate the desired optical routing, switching, concatenation and protection of client circuits mapped to these subchannels across the nodes of a WDM network. Subchannel hopping may also be used to increase the optical network security. |
| US08744254B2 |
Lens control device and image sensing device using same
There is provided a lens control device that feeds a motor current to a lens drive motor which drives lens according to the motor current, the lens control device including: a servo computation portion that calculates a motor current setting value such that a deviation of the position of the lens to which a correction offset has been adjusted from a target position is reduced; a motor driver that generates the motor current according to the motor current setting value; and a calibration computation portion that adjusts the correction offset such that an average value of the motor current approaches zero. |
| US08744249B2 |
Picture selection for video skimming
Some embodiments of the invention provide a video preview generator that quickly generates preview displays of different parts of a video. The preview generator includes a skimming tool and a picture generator. The skimming tool is moveable across a representation of a video clip in order to identify different video pictures within the video clip. As the skimming tool moves across the video clip representation, the picture generator identifies and displays different video pictures for different positions of the skimming tool on the video clip. For at least some of the positions of the skimming tool, the picture generator presents a video picture that is not at the location identified by the skimming tool, but rather is at a nearby location and is easier to present in the preview than the video picture at the identified location. |
| US08744248B2 |
Moving picture playback device, control method for same, and storage medium
When the playback speed of a moving picture is changed to a slower playback speed during playback of the moving picture, the playback at the slower playback speed starts from the top of the range which includes, out of the moving picture being played back, the frames being played back when an instruction to change the playback speed was received and in which frames having the same recording frame rate as the frames are continuously recorded. Consequently, when the playback speed is changed during the playback of a moving picture, the scene for which the user wishes to change the playback speed can be played back reliably. |
| US08744242B2 |
Time stamp creation and evaluation in media effect template
A method of creating a template data structure for a media effect involving a media data item to be presented during a presentation of the media effect is disclosed. The method comprises: defining a time stamp for an event of the template data structure, the time stamp comprising a relative time stamp component indicating a time span within the presentation of the media data item as a portion of a duration of the presentation, and an absolute time offset component indicating a time span independent from the duration of the presentation. A related method defines the processing of a media data item to be presented during a presentation, the related method using the above mentioned time stamps to determine a temporal position of an event to occur during the presentation. A corresponding template creator, a media data processor, and a computer readable medium are also disclosed. |
| US08744239B2 |
Teleprompter tool for voice-over tool
Some embodiments provide a method for a media editing application that creates a composite presentation from several different media clips. The method provides a set of editing tools for editing the composite presentation. The method provides a voice-over tool for receiving text for a voice-over that includes a transcript for a voice-over audio clip to be recorded by the media editing application as a clip of the composite presentation. The method provides a display area for scrolling the text when recording the voice-over audio clip. The display area in some embodiments is a preview display area that scrolls the text while displaying a preview of the composite presentation when recording the voice-over audio clip. |
| US08744238B2 |
Method and apparatus for automated content marking
Methods and apparatus for automatic content marking. In one embodiment, display information is recorded, a change in the computing environment is detected, and the recorded display information is marked in response to the detected change. A human-readable description of the change associated with the mark may also be stored. A change in the computing environment may be detected by detecting an event that reflects a change in the computing environment. |
| US08744235B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing additional data in broadcast signal, method and apparatus for recording broadcast signal, and method and apparatus for reproducing recorded broadcasting signal
A method and apparatus for processing additional data in a broadcast signal, a method and apparatus for recording a broadcast signal, and a method and apparatus for reproducing the recorded broadcast signal, which allow the normal display of additional data such as closed caption data on a screen during high-speed playback. The method includes extracting additional data from a video frame in an externally received broadcast signal, storing the extracted additional data in a transport stream generated from the broadcast signal, storing the transport stream containing the additional data, extracting the additional data from the stored transport stream according to a playback command, and separating a video signal and an audio signal from the transport stream and outputting the separate video signal and audio signal such that the extracted additional data is superimposed on the output video signal. |
| US08744234B2 |
Apparatus and method for utilizing a flash LED as a video indicator light
A method and an apparatus providing a visual indication of the occurrence of video recording operations on an electronic device. The video recording operations including recording a plurality of frames according to a number of characteristics. The method comprising providing a time interval between the recording of two consecutive frames by modifying at least one of the characteristics of the video recording operations and providing the visual indication of video recording operations during the time interval. |
| US08744232B2 |
Method for controlling video recorder, and video recorder adopting the method
A video recorder connected to a plurality of cameras and a plurality of client devices and a method of controlling the video recorder are provided. The method includes: setting a plurality of buffers, in a memory of the video recorder, corresponding to the plurality of cameras, respectively, and setting a plurality of positions in at least one buffer of the buffers for loading image data input from a corresponding camera of the plurality of cameras; loading, in the at least one buffer, the image data on given positions of the plurality of positions; and transmitting the loaded image data to the plurality of client devices so that each of the plurality of client devices receives the image data input from a same corresponding camera. |
| US08744226B2 |
Method of manufacturing optical fiber and optical fiber
A method of manufacturing an optical fiber includes a first step of drawing an optical fiber preform into a glass fiber and disposing a fiber coating on the outer circumference of the glass fiber to form a parent optical fiber; a second step of cutting the parent optical fiber into a plurality of individual optical fibers; a third step of determining, at, at least, one spot of the parent optical fiber, a failure strength F1 and a failure time T; a fourth step of determining a failure strength F2 of each of the individual optical fibers; and a fifth step of selecting an optical fiber having a failure strength F2 of 5.5 kgf or more from the individual optical fibers cut from the parent optical fiber whose failure strength F1 and failure time T satisfy the inequality T>2.6×10−11×exp(4.736×F1). |
| US08744225B2 |
Optical coupling device and optical coupling-branching device
In an optical coupling device, a main waveguide have a linearly extending portion and a tapered portion formed on a first clad layer. The waveguide has a width which is gradually reduced towards an incident side of the light wave. Auxiliary waveguides are formed on the both sides of the main waveguide, wherein each of the auxiliary waveguides has first and second tapered portions having widths which are gradually reduced toward both sides. A second clad layer is so formed as to cover the main and auxiliary waveguides and first clad layer, wherein the first clad layer guides the light wave introduced into the first clad layer or the second clad layer and gradually converge the light wave towards the main waveguide. |
| US08744220B2 |
Optical waveguide device and manufacturing method thereof
An optical waveguide device which is free from interference with an optical path between a light emitting element and an optical waveguide thereof, and to provide a method of manufacturing the optical waveguide device. A light emitting element (5) is provided on an upper surface of a first under-cladding layer (21), and a second under-cladding layer (22) is provided on the upper surface of the first under-cladding layer (21), covering the light emitting element (5). A core 3 which receives light emitted from the light emitting element (5) through the second under-cladding layer (22) is provided on an upper surface of the second under-cladding layer (22). The core (3) is located in a position such that the light emitted from the light emitting element (5) is incident on the core (3). |
| US08744219B2 |
Optical modulator module and method for modulating optical signal
The present invention provides a compact, broad-band, and low-drive-voltage optical modulator module capable of generating any multilevel optical modulation. The optical modulator module according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a digital segmented electrode structure optical modulator and m individual driving circuits. The digital segmented electrode structure optical modulator includes semiconductor optical waveguides and at least m waveguide-type optical phase modulator regions. An i-th individual driving circuit includes a driving circuit and a phase shift circuit. The driving circuit amplifies a digital input signal in synchronization with a clock signal and outputs the signal to an i-th waveguide-type optical phase modulator region. The phase shift circuit applies a delay to a signal branched from the clock signal. A j-th individual driving circuit receives an output signal from the phase shift circuit of a (j−1)-th individual driving circuit as a clock signal. |
| US08744217B2 |
Contextual variable attribute scaling
Embodiments for contextual variable scaling relate to selection of objects. For example, such objects may include text, audio, visual, and/or physical objects. In one or more examples, such objects may be selected for variable scaling. For example, variable scaling of such selected objects may be based at least in part on a beginning attribute value and/or an ending attribute value. |
| US08744216B2 |
Omnidirectional image processing device and method using warp processing for enhanced object visibility
An omnidirectional image processing apparatus enables the visibility of a specified monitoring object in an omnidirectional image to be improved while maintaining the continuity of that omnidirectional image. The omnidirectional image processing apparatus performs image processing on an omnidirectional image, and has a monitoring object specification section that specifies a monitoring object photographed in the omnidirectional image. The omnidirectional image processing apparatus also has an image rotating section that rotates the omnidirectional image so that the position of a specified monitoring object becomes upper-central, and a center position moving section that moves the center position of the omnidirectional image rotated by the image rotating section downward by means of warping processing. |
| US08744212B2 |
Image processing mask creating method, non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having image processing mask creating program recorded thereon, image processing device, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having image processing program recorded thereon
An image processing mask creating method includes calculating cluster energy of each point in an image processing mask, ranking the points in ascending order or descending order on the basis of the calculated cluster energy values, and allocating threshold values to the points in the image processing mask on the basis of the ranks as the process result of the ranking, wherein the cluster energy is defined as the sum of interaction values fr(∥x−y∥) having the distance ∥x−y∥ between a target point x and a point y belonging to a cluster not including the target point x as a parameter. |
| US08744211B2 |
Multi-modality image acquisition
One or more techniques and/or systems are described for automatically generating a transformation matrix for correlating images from an ultrasound modality with images from another modality (or with ultrasound images acquired at a different point in time). Ultrasound volumetric data and volumetric data yielded from another image modality are examined to identify and/or extract features. The transformation matrix is automatically generated, or populated, based at least in part upon common features that are identified in both the ultrasound volumetric data and the volumetric data yielded from the other image modality. The transformation matrix can then be used to correlate images from the different modalities (e.g., to display a CT image of an object next to an ultrasound image of the object, where the images are substantially similar to one another even though they were acquired using different modalities). |
| US08744208B2 |
Image binarization based on grey membership parameter of pixels
Briefly, in accordance with one aspect, a method of binarizing an image is provided. The method includes partitioning the image into a plurality of image segments, each image segment having a plurality of image pixels and partitioning each of the image segments into subsegments, each image subsegment having a plurality of image pixels. The method also includes estimating a grey membership parameter for each image pixel for each of the plurality of image segments and subsegments, combining the grey membership parameter for each of the plurality of image pixels from each of the plurality of image segments and subsegments to estimate a net grey membership parameter for each image pixel and assigning black or white color to each of the plurality of image pixels based on the estimated net grey membership parameter of the respective pixel. |
| US08744205B2 |
Apparatus for decomposing images and recomposing adjusted images
An apparatus for adjusting images is provided. The apparatus comprises an image decomposing unit for decomposing an input image I into high-pass images HP1, HP2, . . . , HPN and a low-pass image LPN, and an image adjusting values determining unit for determining high-pass image adjusting values ε1, ε2, . . . , εN for adjusting the high-pass images HP1, HP2, . . . , HPN and a low-pass image adjusting value δN for adjusting the low-pass image LPN. The apparatus further comprises an image adjusting unit for adjusting the high-pass images HP1, HP2, . . . , HPN using the high-pass image adjusting values ε1, ε2 . . . , εN and the low-pass image LPN using the low-pass image adjusting value δN, and an image recomposing unit for recomposing the adjusted high-pass images HP1*, HP2*, . . . , HPN* and the adjusted low-pass image LPN* into an adjusted image A. |
| US08744202B2 |
Apparatus and method for coding image
According to one embodiment, an apparatus codes each line of an image. The apparatus includes a segmentation unit and a coding unit. The segmentation unit is configured to segment the image into a first group including at least a head line and a second group including lines except for the first group. The coding unit is configured to code the first group so that a coding amount of the first group is smaller than a first target coding amount, and to code the second group so that a coding amount of each line of the second group is smaller than a second target coding amount smaller than the first target coding amount. |
| US08744201B2 |
Image encoding apparatus and method
A Joint Photographic Experts Group Extended Range (JPEG-XR) image encoding apparatus and method changes a quantized value or a coefficient prediction method for each block, thereby dramatically improving processing speed of the apparatus. |
| US08744198B1 |
Image compression and decompression
A computer-implemented method includes dividing an image into one or more image channels for image compression. The method also includes dividing one or more of the image channels into one or more blocks. At least one of the blocks includes floating point representations of pixel values included in the block. The method also includes converting the floating point representations of pixel values into integer representations such that the sign of each floating point representation is preserved. The method also includes storing the difference of adjacent integer representations as a compressed version of the image. |
| US08744195B2 |
Object detection metadata
A perimeter around a detected object in a frame of image data can be generated in a first coordinate system. The perimeter can be converted from the first coordinate system into a second coordinate system having the same aspect ratio as the first coordinate system. A first metadata entry can include dimensions of image data in the second coordinate system. A second metadata entry can provide a location and dimensions of the converted perimeter in the second coordinate space. Additional metadata can indicate matching objects between frames, position of an object relative to other objects in a frame, a probability that an object is correctly detected, and a total number of objects detected across multiple frames of image data. |
| US08744190B2 |
System and method for efficient image feature extraction
A system for efficient image feature extraction comprises a buffer for storing a slice of at least n lines of gradient direction pixel values of a directional gradient image. The buffer has an input for receiving the first plurality n of lines and an output for providing a second plurality m of columns of gradient direction pixel values of the slice to an input of a score network, which comprises comparators for comparing the gradient direction pixel values of the second plurality of columns with corresponding reference values of a reference directional gradient pattern of a shape and adders for providing partial scores depending on output values of the comparators to score network outputs which are coupled to corresponding inputs of an accumulation network having an output for providing a final score depending on the partial scores. |
| US08744187B2 |
Image identification apparatus and method
According to one embodiment, an image identification apparatus comprises an image pickup unit, an illumination unit, an illumination control unit and an identification unit. The image pickup unit configured to pickup an image of an identified object. The illumination unit configured to irradiate light towards the image pickup area of the image pickup unit. The illumination control unit configured to change the irradiation condition of the illumination unit in accordance with the image pickup timing of the image pickup unit. The identification unit configured to identify the identified object according to the image picked-up by the image pickup unit. |
| US08744186B1 |
Systems and methods for identifying a scene-change/non-scene-change transition between frames
Presently disclosed are systems and methods for identifying a scene-change/non-scene-change transition between frames. One embodiment takes the form of a method that, with respect to a current frame pair that includes first and second current frames, includes: (i) defining a first region of said first current frame and a second region of said second current frame; (ii) generating a first luma table based on said first region and a second luma table based on said second region, wherein said luma tables each have a luma counter for each luma in a luma range; (iii) for each luma in said luma range, calculating a first value based on said luma counters and adding said first value to an accumulator; (iv) calculating a second value based on said accumulator; and (v) identifying the current frame pair as having a scene-change transition responsive to the second value being less than a scene-change threshold. |
| US08744185B2 |
Efficient MCMC sampling with implicit shape representations
In an approach for sampling a distribution of segmentations of an image, the segmentations are based on a level set function. For each sample of the distribution, the sampling includes the following, for each of multiple iterations: randomly selecting a set of locations of the level set function, determining a domain of allowed perturbations of the level set function at the selected set of locations, and randomly accepting a perturbation of the level set function according to a criterion corresponding to a biased distribution over the domain of allowed perturbations of the level set function, wherein the bias is selected to increase a probability of accepting the perturbation. The sampling also includes determining the sample of the distribution of segmentations according to a perturbed level set function determined in a final iteration of the multiple iterations for the sample. |
| US08744184B2 |
Graphics processing method and system
The embodiments discussed herein involve flood filling a region with anti-aliasing. In forming a fill region, a candidate pixel can be included in the region based on a color of the pixel and also a color of a neighbor of the point. The inclusion basis may be a color distance between a seed color and the points, and a color distance between the seed color and the point's neighbor. Points in the region may be weighted according to their color distance relative to the seed color, where the color distance can also take into account alpha values. Flood filling may be anti-aliased by assigning alpha values to pixels in gaps between corners of the fill region, where an alpha value may be proportional to a point's contribution to the gap. Dimples in a fill region may be tested for and used to determine which of two flood fill algorithms to use. |
| US08744182B2 |
Image processing device and method
The present invention relates to an image processing device and method, which realize improvement in encoding efficiency for color difference signals and reduction in address calculations for memory access.In a case where a block size of orthogonal transform is 4×4, and a macroblock of luminance signals is configured of four 4×4 pixel blocks appended with 0 through 1, the four luminance signal blocks are corresponded with one color difference signal 4×4 block appended with C. At this time, there exist four motion vector information of mv0, mv1, mv2, and mv3, as to the four luminance signal blocks. The motion vector information mvc of the one color difference signal 4×4 block is calculated by averaging processing using these four motion vector information. The present invention can be applied to an image encoding device which performed encoding based on the H.264/AVC format, for example. |
| US08744181B2 |
Image processing apparatus and computer readable medium
Image processing apparatus of the embodiments includes a storage which stores data on any of color and brightness of a pixel represented in a first floating-point format including a significand represented in an integer-bit length and an exponent represented in a non-integer-bit length; and an image processor which processes the data. |
| US08744179B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and non-transitory computer readable medium that utilizes representative colors
Provided is an image processing apparatus including an extraction unit that extracts representative colors from a target image, a color difference calculation unit that calculates a color difference between the representative color and a pixel of interest of the target image, a change unit that changes a brightness component of the color difference depending on chroma of the representative colors, and a replacement unit that selects the representative color depending on the color difference changed in the change unit to replace a color of the pixel of interest by the representative color. |
| US08744177B2 |
Image processing method and medium to extract a building region from an image
Provided is a method of performing an image segmentation so as to extract a building region from an input color image. The method includes extracting a plurality of straight lines that pass through a vanishing point and determining the building region in the image based on color values around the plurality of straight lines. |
| US08744172B2 |
Image processing using random forest classifiers
A method of performing image retrieval includes training a random forest RF classifier based on low-level features of training images and a high-level feature, using similarity values generated by the RF classifier to determine a subset of the training images that are most similar to one another, and classifying input images for the high-level feature using the RF classifier and the determined subset of images. |
| US08744171B1 |
Text script and orientation recognition
A page layout module receives a page image displaying text in an unknown script and unknown orientation, determines a text section in the received image and transmits the text section to an orientation and script module. The orientation and script module comprises a training module, a classifier and a recognition module. The training module trains the classifier to identify connected components that include a connected portion of one or more characters of text. The recognition module uses the trained classifier to identify in the received text section a set of connected components. The recognition determines the likely orientation and script for the connected components and then uses the determined information to determine the orientation and script for the text section. The determined orientation and script for the text section is transmitted to the OCR module. The OCR module uses the determined orientation and script to recognize text in the text section. |
| US08744166B2 |
System and method for multiple simultaneous automated defect detection
A system and method for performing automated defect detection using multiple image capture devices is disclosed. The system and method may include providing a plurality of image capture devices, the plurality of image capture devices capturing and transmitting a plurality of images of an object. The system and method may further include determining a feature correspondence between the plurality of images of the plurality of image capture devices, creating mosaiced images of the plurality of images if the feature correspondence is found or known and performing at least of an automated analysis and a manual inspection on the mosaiced images to find any defects in the object. |
| US08744157B2 |
System and method for candidate generation and new features designed for the detection of flat growths
A method for generating candidates from a digital image includes considering at least one point x that may lie on a polypoid structure, determining whether the point x satisfies a first predetermined set of conditions, for each point x that satisfies the predetermined set of conditions, identifying each neighbor point y within a predetermined distance of point x that satisfies a second predetermined set of conditions, determining a gradient vector v1 for point x and identifying a first half-line to which the gradient vector v1 belongs, determining a gradient vector v2 for point y and identifying a second half-line to which the gradient vector v2 belongs, calculating an intersection score that represents how close the first and second half-lines come to intersecting, and identifying point x as a candidate when a candidate score is greater than a predetermined value, wherein the candidate score is the sum of intersection scores for all neighbor points y. |
| US08744155B2 |
Imaging or communications system utilizing multisample apodization and method
Methods, systems and system components for optimizing contrast resolution of an imaging or sensing system utilizing multiple channels of broadband data associated with an array of transducers. Channels or data are filtered by passing the channels of data through finite impulse response (FIR) filters on each channel. The filters each have multiple taps having tap weights pre-calculated as a function of distance of the array from an object that energy is being transmitted to or reflected from. The weights are pre-computed through a deterministic equation based on an a priori system model. |
| US08744154B2 |
System and method for acquiring magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data
A method for acquiring image data from a patient with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The proposed method comprises the steps of: a) predefining a number of scan geometries for acquiring the image data from at least one region of interest (ROI) relative to the patient, b) performing at least one scan for acquiring the image data in accordance with at least one of the predefined scan geometries, c) analysing in the image data a position of the region of interest to detect a deviation from the at least one predefined scan geometry, d) changing the at least one predefined scan geometry if said deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and e) repeating steps b) to d) until a predetermined number of scans has been performed. Thus, by means of the proposed method the utility of such predefined scan geometries is greatly enhanced. |
| US08744152B2 |
Echocardiogram view classification using edge filtered scale-invariant motion features
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for echocardiogram view classification is provided. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method comprises: obtaining a plurality of video images of a subject; aligning the plurality images; using the aligned images to generate a motion magnitude image; filtering the motion magnitude image using an edge map on image intensity; detecting features on the motion magnitude image, retaining only those features which lie in the neighborhood of intensity edges; encoding the remaining features by generating, x, y image coordinates, a motion magnitude histogram in a window around the feature point, and a histogram of intensity values near the feature point; and using the encoded features to classify the video images of the subject into a predetermined classification. |
| US08744149B2 |
Medical image processing apparatus and method and computer-readable recording medium for image data from multiple viewpoints
A target-viewpoint position in a first-medical-image having multiple viewpoints is determined. Information about an anatomical structure and/or a lesion in the first-medical-image is obtained, as first information. Further, information about an anatomical structure and/or a lesion in a finding with respect to at least one second-medical-image of the same examined person as the first-medical-image, the information being related to the first information, is obtained, as second information, from image-reading-report information including the finding. Each of the at least one second-medical-image has multiple viewpoints, and was obtained at different time from the first-medical-image. The image-reading-report information is correlated with an image of a viewpoint position at which the finding was prepared. An image of a corresponding viewpoint position, which corresponds to the target-viewpoint position, is determined based on the viewpoint position of the image correlated with the image-reading-report information from which the second information has been obtained. |
| US08744148B2 |
Method and apparatus regarding iterative processes as pertain to medical imaging information
A medical-imaging digital-computing platform serves to access a plurality of data objects and to execute an iterative process with respect to these data objects. The data objects themselves each at least generally pertain to portions of the human anatomy and may comprise, for example, both a source data object and a target data object. The platform executes the iterative process to determine at least one of a labeling of a portion of one of the data objects and a geometric relationship between at least portions of at least two of the data objects. This can be done, for example, by automatically employing both a segmentation module and a registration module as steps within the iterative process. This can also comprise determining when to automatically generate an intermediate data object to provide as input to at least one of these modules. |
| US08744143B2 |
Adding privacy protection to photo uploading/ tagging in social networks
An individual is identified in a photograph. A portion of the photograph is temporarily blurred to prevent the individual from being recognized. Once consent is received for the tag, the blur is removed. However, if consent is not received, the blur remains. |
| US08744142B2 |
Presenting information based on whether a viewer corresponding to information is stored is present in an image
According to one embodiment, an information reproducing method including, fetching facial image data of a viewer, extracting feature points on a face of the viewer from the fetched facial image data, and coding the feature points, comparing the coded feature points with viewer feature-point information stored in a management table, and presenting different pieces of information depending upon whether a viewer corresponding to the viewer feature-point information stored in the management table is present or not. |
| US08744141B2 |
Texture features for biometric authentication
In general, one aspect of the subject matter described can be embodied in methods that include obtaining one or more image regions from a first image of an eye. Each of the image regions may include a view of a respective portion of the white of the eye. The method may further include applying several distinct filters to each of the image regions to generate a plurality of respective descriptors for the region. The several distinct filters may include convolutional filters that are each configured to describe one or more aspects of an eye vasculature and in combination describe a visible eye vasculature in a feature space. A match score may be determined based on the generated descriptors and based on one or more descriptors associated with a second image of eye vasculature. |
| US08744136B2 |
Sound reproduction method and device
A sound reproduction program is provided which, in performing reading and sound reproduction of a musical score, precision of musical score recognition is improved. The sound reproduction program is stored in a terminal including the image pickup unit and a display unit and makes a computer execute a function of reading a musical score image at every predetermined time as a sampling image by a camera device, a function of detecting a staff in a simple manner from the sampling image, a function of displaying the sampling image and the simply detected staff in an associated manner on the display unit, a function of instructing detection of musical symbol information from the sampling image, a function of detecting the musical symbol information from the sampling image when the musical symbol information detection is instructed, and a function of emitting a sound based on the detected musical symbol information. |
| US08744130B2 |
Image processing device, object selection method and program
There is provided an image processing device including: a data storage unit that stores object identification data for identifying an object operable by a user and feature data indicating a feature of appearance of each object; an environment map storage unit that stores an environment map representing a position of one or more objects existing in a real space and generated based on an input image obtained by imaging the real space using an imaging device and the feature data stored in the data storage unit; and a selecting unit that selects at least one object recognized as being operable based on the object identification data, out of the objects included in the environment map stored in the environment map storage unit, as a candidate object being a possible operation target by a user. |
| US08744129B2 |
Image pick-up apparatus having a function of recognizing a face and method of controlling the apparatus
It is judged whether or not a human face detecting mode is set. When it is determined that the human face detecting mode is set, a two-dimensional face detecting process is performed to detect a human face. When it is determined that a human face has not been detected in the two-dimensional face detecting process, a three-dimensional face detecting process is performed to detect a human face. In addition, when an animal face detecting mode is set, a three-dimensional face detecting process is performed to detect a face of an animal corresponding to the set detecting mode. |
| US08744125B2 |
Clustering-based object classification
An example of a method for identifying objects in video content according to the disclosure includes receiving video content of a scene captured by a video camera, detecting an object in the video content, identifying a track that the object follows over a series of frames of the video content, extracting object features for the object from the video content, and classifying the object based on the object features. Classifying the object further comprises: determining a track-level classification for the object using spatially invariant object features, determining a global-clustering classification for the object using spatially variant features, and determining an object type for the object based on the track-level classification and the global-clustering classification for the object. |
| US08744123B2 |
Modeling of temporarily static objects in surveillance video data
A foreground object blob having a bounding box detected in frame image data is classified by a finite state machine as a background, moving foreground, or temporally static object, namely as the temporally static object when the detected bounding box is distinguished from a background model of a scene image of the video data input and remains static in the scene image for a threshold period. The bounding box is tracked through matching masks in subsequent frame data of the video data input, and the object sub-classified within a visible sub-state, an occluded sub-state, or another sub-state that is not visible and not occluded as a function of a static value ratio. The ratio is a number of pixels determined to be static by tracking in a foreground region of the background model corresponding to the tracked object bounding box over a total number of pixels of the foreground region. |
| US08744121B2 |
Device for identifying and tracking multiple humans over time
A system recognizes human beings in their natural environment, without special sensing devices attached to the subjects, uniquely identifies them and tracks them in three dimensional space. The resulting representation is presented directly to applications as a multi-point skeletal model delivered in real-time. The device efficiently tracks humans and their natural movements by understanding the natural mechanics and capabilities of the human muscular-skeletal system. The device also uniquely recognizes individuals in order to allow multiple people to interact with the system via natural movements of their limbs and body as well as voice commands/responses. |
| US08744120B2 |
Steganographic encoding and decoding
This patent document relates generally to steganography and digital watermarking. One claim recites, in a watermark encoder, a method of encoding auxiliary information in an image or video comprising: using a programmed electronic processor, computing a change in an attribute of an image or video sample to encode auxiliary information in the image or video; and changing color values of the image or video sample to effect the change in the attribute, in which changes to color values are determined based at least in part on both: i) visibility of the changes, and ii) anticipated watermark detection. Of course, other claims are provided too. |
| US08744117B2 |
High amplitude loudspeaker
A speaker. The speaker includes a housing, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a diaphragm. The housing has a first end, the first end which includes an acoustic aperture. The first electrode is positioned in the housing a first distance from the first end, and is biased to a first voltage. The second electrode is positioned in the housing a second distance, which is greater than the first distance, from the first end. The second electrode is biased to a second voltage. The diaphragm is positioned in the housing between the first electrode and the second electrode, and is biased to a third voltage. The speaker includes a valve. The valve opens when the diaphragm is moving away from the first end and closes when the diaphragm is stationary or moving toward the first end. When the valve is closed, the diaphragm forms an air-tight seal between the first end and the second electrode. |
| US08744116B2 |
Magnetic circuit for speaker and speaker using same
A bond magnet according to the present invention is anisotropic, and a magnetic field is oriented from a lowest edge of side surface of the bond magnet toward an upper section of side surface of the bond magnet. Further, the bond magnet is configured such that the upper section of side surface of the bond magnet is disposed closer to a yoke side surface of a yoke than the lower side surface of the bond magnet is, and the upper section of side surface of the bond magnet faces against the yoke side surface. With this, a magnetic gap is provided between the upper section of side surface of the bond magnet and the yoke side surface. Thus, it is possible to improve a magnetism characteristic of the bond magnet, and to achieve both of magnetic efficiency and productivity of a magnetic circuit for a speaker. |
| US08744109B2 |
Hidden microphones for a mobile computing device
A mobile computing device is disclosed. The mobile computing device comprises a first housing segment and a second housing segment that are slideably coupled to each other so that the mobile computing device can be in an extended position or a contracted position. The second housing segment includes a section that is overlaid by the first housing segment regardless of whether the mobile computing device is in the extended position or the contracted position. The mobile computing device also includes two microphones. A first microphone is provided with the second housing segment and is exposed to an opening of the second housing segment. A second microphone is provided at the overlaid section. |
| US08744108B2 |
Balanced momentum inertial duct
A duct design and methods for designing ducts are described herein. The duct has a profile described by an equation that balances momentum of the fluid flowing through the duct with an adverse pressure gradient. The duct profile is configured to: (i) maintain the fluid's momentum to be greater than the adverse pressure gradient present at any location within the duct, such that no boundary layer separation occurs; and (ii) achieve a fluid exit momentum of approximately zero. |
| US08744107B2 |
Hearing device with reduced acoustic wind sensitivity
A hearing device has reduced acoustic wind sensitivity. For that purpose, the hearing device has a surface formed with a shark skin structure. |
| US08744106B2 |
MRI safe actuator for implantable floating mass transducer
A floating mass transducer for a hearing implant includes a cylindrical transducer housing that is attachable to a middle ear hearing structure and that has an outer surface with one or more electric drive coils thereon. A cylindrical transducer magnet arrangement is positioned within an interior volume of the transducer housing and includes a magnetic pair of an inner rod magnet and an outer annular magnet. Current flow through the drive coils creates a coil magnetic field that interacts with the magnetic fields of the transducer magnet arrangement to create vibration in the transducer magnet which is coupled by the transducer housing to the middle ear hearing structure for perception as sound. Opposing magnetic fields of the transducer magnet arrangement cancel each other to minimize their combined magnetic field and thereby minimize magnetic interaction of the transducer magnet arrangement with any external magnetic field. |
| US08744105B2 |
Hearing aid with adaptive bulk biasing power management
A power management system for a digital processing core of a battery-powered hearing aid is adapted for providing power to the hearing aid circuit in a particularly efficient manner. The power management system comprises a first linear voltage regulator, and a second linear voltage regulator in series with a switched-capacitor 2:1 SC converter, a positive bulk biasing voltage supply, and a negative bulk biasing voltage supply, for controlling the switching speed, threshold voltage, and current leak from the semiconductor elements of the digital processing core when the core is operated at the reduced voltage provided by the power management system. The power management system may save between 50% and 70% of the power consumed by the digital processing core of the hearing aid circuit. The invention further provides a method for providing a supply voltage to a digital hearing aid. |
| US08744103B2 |
Fitting device and a method of fitting a hearing device to compensate for the hearing loss of a user; and a hearing device and a method of reducing feedback in a hearing device
A fitting device for fitting a hearing device to compensate for a hearing loss of a user is disclosed, the hearing device comprising a receiver and a microphone, wherein a feedback path exists between the receiver and the microphone, wherein the hearing device further comprises an adaptive feedback canceller configured to reduce feedback, the adaptive feedback canceller comprising a fixed filter corresponding to an invariant portion of the feedback path, and an adaptive filter corresponding to a variant portion of the feedback path, the fitting device comprising a processor configured to determine the invariant portion of the feedback path, wherein the processor is configured to provide the fixed filter with information relating to the invariant portion of the feedback path independently of the user using the hearing device. |
| US08744100B2 |
Hearing aid in which signal processing is controlled based on a correlation between multiple input signals
The user's personal intention is conveyed to a hearing aid using a method that does not place heavy physical and psychological loads. A hearing aid to be worn by a user for auditory compensation comprises: at least one microphone which converts a sound to an input signal; a hearing-aid signal processing unit configured to generate an output signal from the input signal; a receiver which outputs, as a sound, the output signal generated by the hearing-aid signal processing unit; and a hearing-aid processing control unit configured to generate control information for controlling signal processing, based on a non-audible sound which is made by the user and is hard to hear from outside, wherein, when the hearing-aid processing control unit generates the control information, the hearing-aid signal processing unit is configured to generate the output signal according to the generated control information. |
| US08744099B2 |
Battery compartment for condenser microphone
A battery compartment for a condenser microphone includes a battery space configured to hold a battery; a battery outlet open to a portion of a peripheral wall of the battery space and allowing removal of the battery in the battery space; a lid covering the battery outlet; and a ribbon having one end portion fixed to an internal wall of the battery space and the other end portion disposed to be pulled out from the battery outlet and wrapping around an external periphery of the battery. The ribbon is conductive and the fixed end portion is grounded. |
| US08744098B2 |
Using an audio cable as an inductive charging coil
The disclosed embodiments relate to a technique for inductively charging an electronic device. This technique involves winding an audio cable for the electronic device around a charging mechanism multiple times so that one or more conductors in the audio cable form an inductive receiving coil. Next, a magnetic field is created through the charging mechanism to induce a current in the inductive receiving coil. Finally, the induced current in the inductive receiving coil is used to charge a rechargeable battery for the electronic device. |
| US08744097B2 |
Microphone device
A microphone has a slide member and a push member. The slide member has a slide knob, and a conductive state and a nonconductive state are switched according to operation of the slide knob. The push member holds a switch in the conductive state while a push button is pushed. A mechanism interlocking of the slide member and the push member is provided and interlocks operation of the slide member with the push member by converting movement of the slide member in a sliding direction into movement of the push member in a pushing direction, the slide knob and the push button are separated from each other in the sliding direction. |
| US08744091B2 |
Intelligibility control using ambient noise detection
A communications device is configured to control the intelligibility of speech in a downlink voice signal during a call. The device determines a current noise level based on sampling ambient acoustic noise and based on a previously determined noise level. The device then determines an overall output gain and a frequency response based on the current noise level and based on a user-selected volume setting of the device. The device modifies the downlink voice signal during the call in accordance with the determined overall output gain and the determined frequency response. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08744089B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding stereo audio
A method of encoding stereo audio that minimizes a number of pieces of side information required for parametric-encoding and parametric-decoding of the stereo audio. The side information may include parameters about interchannel intensity difference (IID), interchannel correlation (IC), overall phase difference (OPD), and interchannel phase difference (IPD), which are required to restore the mono audio to the stereo audio. |
| US08744087B2 |
Wireless multi-user audio system
Various methods and devices are provided for a wireless audio system for a number of users. The system includes a base unit that is adapted to removably store, recharge and communicate with various communication modules, including personal microphone modules, table-top microphones, and audio adapters. The system also includes a plurality of personal microphone modules that are each adapted to be removable and coupled, for example, to a user's clothing, and further, are adapted to communicate wirelessly with the base unit, and table-top microphones that are adapted to communicate wirelessly with the base unit. |
| US08744086B2 |
Method and apparatus for distributing a quantum key
A method for distributing a quantum key is provided, including sending a first photon to a first receiver; sending a second photon to a second receiver, the first and second photons being a pair of time-energy entangled photons; and providing a coding scheme comprising a plurality of time bins and a plurality of frequency bins, wherein a combination of a time bin and a frequency bin corresponds to a character. |
| US08744082B2 |
System and method for securing wireless communications
A system and method for securing wireless communications are provided. A method for secure communications by a first user includes estimating a channel between the first user and a second user based on a pilot signal transmitted by the second user, determining a first threshold and a second threshold based on the estimate of channel, selecting a first subset of channel estimates, signaling the first subset of channel estimates to the second user, receiving a second subset of channel estimates from the second user, for each channel estimate in the second subset of channel estimates, quantizing the channel estimate based on a relationship between a gain of the channel estimate and the first threshold and the second threshold, generating a first secret key based on quantized channel estimates, verifying that the first secret key matches a second secret key generated by the second user, and transmitting information to the second user. |
| US08744081B2 |
System and method for implementing content protection in a wireless digital system
A system includes a line-based receiver for receiving protected content from a source and a line-based transmitter for providing the protected content to a destination. The protected content is secure, such as by using a High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) mechanism. Between the line-based transmitter and receiver is a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. The wireless transmitter establishes an encrypted wireless link with the wireless receiver according to a second encryption mechanism. The wireless transmitter is further configured for receiving the protected content from the line-based receiver, encrypting the protected content according to the second encryption mechanism, and wirelessly transmitting the encrypted protected content. The wireless receiver is further configured for receiving the wirelessly transmitted protected content from the wireless transmitter and decrypting the protected content according to the second encryption mechanism. |
| US08744080B2 |
Encrypted data recording apparatus
An encrypted data recording apparatus is disclosed. The encrypted data recording apparatus includes: analyzing means for analyzing encrypted data inputted; decrypting means for decrypting the encrypted data analyzed by the analyzing means; encrypting means for encrypting the data decrypted by the decrypting means using key information peculiar to the encrypted data recording apparatus; and recording control means for recording the data encrypted by the encrypting means in plural recording means with redundancy given to the data. |
| US08744077B2 |
Cryptographic encoding and decoding of secret data
Methods and apparatus are provided for cryptographically encoding secret data in a data processing system. The secret data is encoded in accordance with a verifiable encryption process to produce a cryptographic construction (θ) having a decryption constraint dependent on the occurrence of a predetermined event. An event-dependent decryption constraint is thereby built into the cryptography, so that there is an intrinsic restriction on the ability to decrypt the encoded secret data which is dependent on occurrence of the predetermined event. Decoding apparatus for such a cryptographic construction is also provided, as well as distributed trust data processing systems providing accountable privacy based on use of such cryptographic constructions. |
| US08744075B2 |
Quantum public key encryption system
Provided is a key generation apparatus that generates, based on a generated random number, quantum gates Ui, L and R corresponding respectively to m types of unitary operations Ui corresponding to n qubits and two types of unitary operations L and R corresponding to m qubits, generates a quantum gate CU whose control is enabled such that operation of the quantum gate Ui is controlled according to an input state of the m qubits, generates a quantum gate G by adding the quantum gates L and R to the quantum gate CU, generates a public key P by obfuscating the quantum gate G, generates a quantum gate CU† and a quantum gate R*, and generates a private key S by connecting the quantum gate CU† and the quantum gate R*. |
| US08744071B2 |
Dispersed data storage system data encryption and encoding
A computing system securely stores data to a dispersed data storage system. The computing system includes a processing module and a plurality of storage units. The processing module includes an encryptor and error encoder to encrypt and encode the data for dispersal utilizing a write command to the storage units. The storage units store the encrypted and encoded data when receiving the write command and the encrypted and encoded data. |
| US08744063B2 |
Playing expected wait time on agent's notification
Systems and methods for providing estimated wait times are provided. More particularly, an estimated wait time is calculated based at least in part on agent availability information entered by the agent. The agent availability information may be obtained from the agent through a user interface provided by a contact center communication device. The user interface may include soft keys. In addition, the estimated wait time can be provided to client communication devices. |
| US08744059B2 |
Method and system for providing intelligent call rejection and call rollover in a telephony network
A system and method may include receiving a call connection request associated with a calling device over a telephony network, the call connection request requesting establishment of a telephone call. The system and method may further include presenting a plurality of call rejection options, each of the plurality of call rejection options being associated with separate call rejection messages, and determining which one of the plurality of call rejection options is selected, where the plurality of call rejection options permit a called party to intelligently reject a phone call. |
| US08744056B2 |
Communication identifier list configuration
A device is provided that may initiate a communication with a communication device; log the communications initiated with respective communication devices; determine a likelihood that any one of the communication devices will be a next communication device with which communication will be initiated based on the logged information; and order, in a displayable list based on the determined likelihoods, identifiers associated with at least two of the communication devices. |
| US08744052B2 |
System and method for detecting false caller ID
A system and method for detecting a false caller ID. The system receives caller identification data and signaling system data from the call, compares the caller identification data to the signaling system data, and determines if the call has a false caller ID based on the comparison. The signaling system data may include signaling system 7 data. The system may also alert the intended recipient by modifying the properties of the call or by enacting a peripheral system to contact the intended recipient. |
| US08744051B2 |
Translation of fees for value added services in a communication network
A method (300) for translating fees for a value added service in a communication network, and a charging gateway (116) that translates fees for a value added service in a communication network. A request (130, 134) for a communication device to access the value added service can be received and, in real time, translated to a first pseudo telephone number. In real time, a first telephone call (136) to the first pseudo telephone number can be simulated to generate a first call request (138) that inquires whether credit for the value added service is available. An acknowledgement (140) to the first call request can be received that indicates whether a sufficient amount of credit to access the value added services is available. Access or denial to the value added services can be based on whether the sufficient amount of credit is available. |
| US08744035B1 |
Reactor vessel coolant deflector shield
A power module includes a reactor vessel containing a coolant and a reactor core located near a bottom end of the reactor vessel. A riser section is located above the reactor core, wherein the coolant circulates past the reactor core and up through the riser section. In one embodiment, a coolant deflector shield includes flow-optimized surfaces, wherein the flow-optimized surfaces direct the coolant towards the bottom end of the reactor vessel. In another embodiment, the reactor housing includes an inward facing portion that varies a flow pressure of the coolant and promotes a circulation of the coolant past a baffle assembly and towards the bottom end of the reactor vessel. |
| US08744030B2 |
Data transmission system, data transmission method, and transmission device
A data transmission system includes a plurality of signal lines, a signal line determination unit, and a data transmission unit. The plurality of signal lines transmit data transmitted from a transmission-side device to a reception-side device. The signal line determination unit determines which signal line among the signal lines is used to transmit reception adjustment data to the reception-side device. The data transmission unit uses the signal line determined by the signal line determination unit to transmit the reception adjustment data to the reception-side device and uses another signal line to transmit transmission data to the reception-side device. |
| US08744026B2 |
Method and apparatus for interference suppression using a reduced-complexity joint detection
A method of detecting a desired signal within a composite signal provides for suppression of interfering signal(s). The method, implemented in a wireless communication apparatus, for example, includes receiving the composite signal and obtaining sample values therefrom. At least some of the sample values include desired and interfering signal components. The method further includes generating an interfering signal channel estimate by: forming sample pairs for some or all of the sample values; identifying sample pairs of interest as those sample pairs in which the interfering signal component is the same; and calculating the interfering signal channel estimate as an average value determined from one or more of the sample pairs of interest. The method further includes detecting desired signal symbols from the composite signal in a joint detection process that functionally depends on the interfering signal channel estimate. |
| US08744025B2 |
Digital signal conditioning
Methods, systems and other embodiments associated with pre-processing a signal for spectral analysis are presented. A system for pre-processing a digital input signal includes a digital down converter (DDC), an interpolator, and a series of down samplers. The DDC modulates the digital input signal to create a down converted signal. The interpolator re-samples the down converted signal to produce a re-sampled signal. The series of down samplers produces down sampled signals. The multiplexer selects one of the digital input signal, the down converted signal, and the down sampled signals and routes the selected signal to an output line. |
| US08744024B2 |
Clock-data recovery with non-zero h(−1) target
In a receiver circuit, a node receives a signal that carries data from a transmitter circuit. Moreover, a clock-data-recovery (CDR) circuit in the receiver circuit recovers an at-rate clock signal from the received signal. The CDR circuit recovers the clock signal without converging a first pulse-response precursor of the signal relative to a pulse-response cursor of the signal to approximately zero (e.g., with the first pulse-response precursor h(−1) converged to a non-zero value). Furthermore, the first pulse-response precursor corresponds to at least one precurosor or postcursor of the pulse-response other than the current sample. |
| US08744023B1 |
Interference whitening filters for MIMO maximum likelihood receivers
Systems and methods are provided for whitening noise of a received signal vector in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission or storage system. The whitening filter may be designed to whiten an interference component of the received signal vector, where the interference component is derived from modeling transmitter and receiver imperfections as a first coupling between MIMO transmitter outputs and a second coupling between MIMO receiver. The whitening filter may be computed based on the covariance matrix of the interference component. |
| US08744020B2 |
Frequency offset estimation
A frequency offset of a received signal comprising a number of subsequently received data symbols is estimated. A first estimate is determined from a calculated change in phase of the received signal between two received symbols having a first time distance between them. At least one further estimate is determined from a calculated change in phase of the received signal between two received symbols having a different time distance. A frequency periodicity is determined for each estimate from the distance between the two received symbols from which the estimate was determined. A set of integer values is determined for each estimate so that frequency values calculated for each estimate as the frequency periodicity multiplied by the integer value added to the estimate are at least approximately equal to each other, and a corrected estimate of the frequency offset is determined from the integer values. |
| US08744019B2 |
Delay detector circuit and receiver apparatus
The present invention provides a delay detector circuit that delivers performance at low cost and can reduce power consumption, and a receiver apparatus that uses this delay detector circuit. The delay detector circuit according to the present invention performs a part of the decoding processing for decoding data transmitted by a transmitter apparatus based on a received wave. The receiver apparatus according to the present invention uses the delay detector circuit described above. Therefore the delay detector circuit and receiver apparatus of the present invention deliver performance at low cost and can reduce power consumption. |
| US08744014B2 |
Method and apparatus for coordinated MIMO signal transmission among multiple cells in wireless OFDM systems
A FFR (fractional frequency reuse)-based network MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) transmission architecture in a cellular system that employs cell sectoring using directional antennas. Each cell is sectorized into three outer sectors using three directional antennas which transmit in three different directions using three different frequency subbands. The cell sectors are arranged based on a frequency partition scheme so that three sectors in three neighboring cells form a coordinated group for network MIMO transmission. A regular and a rearranged frequency partition are described. Further, a practical implementation of SON (self organizing network)-based three-cell FFR-based network MIMO for a wireless OFDM system is described. In this implementation, a server connected to multiple base stations (BSs) defines multiple coordinated groups for coordinated MIMO transmission, and the BSs within each coordinated group negotiate a common radio resource region (a composite time-frequency region), and selects a serving mobile station to participate in the coordinated MIMO transmission. |
| US08744012B1 |
On-chip eye viewer architecture for highspeed transceivers
System, methods, and devices for determining an eye diagram of a serial input signal to an integrated circuit without an oscilloscope are provided. For example, one embodiment of an integrated circuit device may be capable of determining an eye diagram associated with a serial input signal either during or after equalization. The device may include an equalizer and eye viewer circuitry configured to select a node of the equalizer for eye monitoring of the input signal, which may be during or after equalization. In one embodiment, the eye viewer circuitry may provide a separate sampler for each respective node, while sharing a control logic and phase interpolator among the samplers. The eye viewer circuitry may determine horizontal and vertical boundaries of the eye diagram associated with the serial input signal, as seen from the selected node of the equalizer. |
| US08744008B2 |
Multi-transport stream (TS) generating apparatus and method, and digital broadcasting transmission and reception apparatuses and methods
A multi-transport stream (TS) generating apparatus and method, and digital broadcasting transmission and reception apparatuses and method are provided. The multi-TS generating apparatus includes an adaptor to generate an adaptation field in some packets of a normal stream; an interleaver to interleave the normal stream; a turbo processor to turbo-code a plurality of turbo streams; a stuffer to generate a multi-TS by stuffing the plurality of the turbo streams into the adaptation field; and a deinterleaver to deinterleave the multi-TS. Accordingly, the plurality of the turbo streams can be transmitted far more easily. |
| US08744004B2 |
High power pulse generator
A systems, pulse generators, apparatus and methods for generating a high power signal are presented. A pulse generator includes a generator and a modulator unit. The generator generates a bipolar signal. The modulator unit modulates the bipolar signal with oscillating signals to generate a modulated bipolar signal with oscillating portions. The frequency spectrum of the modulated bipolar signal contains very little to no direct current (DC) component. |
| US08744003B2 |
Multi-mode transmitter for highly-spectrally-efficient communications
A transmitter may comprise a symbol mapping circuit that is configurable to operate in at least two configurations, wherein a first of the configurations of the symbol mapping circuit uses a first symbol constellation and a second of the configurations of the symbol mapping circuit uses a second symbol constellation. The transmitter may also comprise a pulse shaping circuit that is configurable to operate in at least two configurations, wherein a first of the configurations of the pulse shaping circuit uses a first set of filter taps and a second of the configurations of the pulse shaping circuit uses a second set of filter taps. The first set of filter taps may correspond to a root raised cosine (RRC) filter and the second set of filter taps corresponds to a partial response filter. |
| US08744002B2 |
Peak power suppressing circuit and communication device having the same
A peak power suppressing circuit can suppress a peak power of an IQ (In-phase and Quadrature-phase) baseband signal more assuredly. In particular, the peak power suppressing circuit performs a clipping process on an IQ baseband signal. The suppressing circuit includes a power calculation section that calculates an instantaneous power P of an IQ baseband signal, a pulse retention section that retains a cancellation pulse S that has a frequency component in a frequency band B of the IQ baseband signal and a frequency component outside the frequency band, and a clipping processing section that subtracts, from an IQ baseband signal whose instantaneous power P that has been calculated is greater than a predetermined threshold Pth, cancellation signals Ic and Qc obtained by multiplying increments ΔI and ΔQ of the IQ baseband signal from the threshold Pth by the cancellation pulse S. |
| US08743999B2 |
Digital signal processor, communication device, communication system and method for operating a digital signal processor
The present invention provides a digital signal processor, a communication system comprising such a digital signal processor and a method for operating such a digital signal processor. The digital signal processor for a communication system in an aircraft cabin of an aircraft comprises a provision means for providing a predeterminable digital signal suitable for forming a respective wave form for mapping a respective pre-determined service signal and a pre-determined noise signal. |
| US08743993B2 |
Communication device
Improving the accuracy of estimation of channel responses in receiving signals from a plurality of antennas is disclosed. A transmitting device of a base station includes a preamble A generating unit 010, a preamble B generating unit 011, phase rotating units 012 and 013, multiplexing units 014 and 015, an forward error correction coding unit 016, an S/P converting unit 017, a mapping unit 018, a changeover switch 019, IDFT (or IFFT) units 020 and 026, P/S converting units 021 and 027, GI (Guard Interval) inserting units 022 and 028, D/A converting units 023 and 029, radio transmitting units 024 and 030 and antenna units 025 and 031. In the preamble A generating unit 010 and the preamble B generating unit 011, a preamble A and a preamble B (see the packet format in FIG. 1) are generated, respectively. The preamble A is outputted to the multiplexing units 014 and 015, while the preamble B is outputted to the phase rotating units 012 and 013. The phase rotating units 012 and 013 to which the preamble B has been inputted give continuous phase rotation to subcarriers of the preamble B. In the transmitting device of the base station according to this embodiment, the phase rotating unit 012 does not give phase rotation, but only the phase rotating unit 013 gives phase rotation to the preamble B. |
| US08743990B2 |
Method for transmitting an information sequence
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for applying successive multi-rank beamforming strategies (e.g., successive precoding strategies) for the design of precoders over a set of parallel channels. Successive beamforming is applied to a narrow band channel model and is also applied for finer quantization of a single beamforming vector (e.g., recursive beamforming). A first embodiment provides the optimal approach with high complexity. An alternative embodiment provides successive beamforming for near optimal precoding selection with medium complexity. A low complexity method for precoder selection is also provided wherein a channel representative matrix for the set of parallel channels is determined and successive beamforming on the calculated channel representative is applied. |
| US08743985B2 |
Method and apparatus using a base codebook structure for beamforming
Techniques for a precoding scheme for wireless communications are described. A method and apparatus may comprise a first device for a communications system to determine a beamforming structure for a closed loop transmit beamforming scheme using channel information, one or more scaling factors and one or more integers to represent a complex vector. The beamforming structure may include a codeword, a codebook and a codeword index. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08743984B2 |
Multidimensional hybrid modulations for ultra-high-speed optical transport
Systems and methods are disclosed with a spatial-domain-based multi-dimensional coded-modulation scheme that improves dramatically OSNR sensitivity and tolerance to fiber nonlinearities by using D-dimensional signal constellations, where D=2(2+M)N. The factor 2 originates from two polarizations, 2+M electrical basis functions are selected (2 in-phase/quadrature channels and M pulse-position like basis functions), and N represents the number of orbital angular momentum (OAM) states used in FMFs/MMFs. For single mode fiber applications N is 1. |
| US08743981B2 |
Modulation method and apparatus
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a modulation method and apparatus. The modulation method includes: processing at least two data blocks, and outputting at least two single-carrier Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex (OFDM) signals, where the at least two data blocks include a first data block and a second data block, the at least two single-carrier OFDM signals include a first single-carrier OFDM signal corresponding to the first data block and a second single-carrier OFDM signal corresponding to the second data block, a difference between a carrier center frequency RF1 of the first single-carrier OFDM signal and a carrier center frequency RF2 of the second single-carrier OFDM signal is an integral multiple of an F0, and the F0 is a subcarrier bandwidth; and transmitting the at least two single-carrier OFDM signals. |
| US08743980B2 |
Method of designing reference signal pattern and related communication device
A method of designing a reference signal pattern for a network in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method comprises transmitting a plurality of cell-specific reference signal (CRSs) in a subframe, the subframe comprising a plurality of resource elements that are divided in time across a plurality of subcarriers to form a plurality of orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) symbols, each of the plurality of resource element occupying a predetermined amount of time on a respective one of the plurality of subcarriers. wherein, a first set of the plurality of CRSs is allocated to a first set of the plurality resource elements on a first symbol and a second symbol over a third subcarrier, a sixth subcarrier, a ninth subcarrier and a twelfth subcarrier. |
| US08743978B2 |
Methods for transmitting and receiving a multicarrier signal comprising a guard interval, corresponding computer program products, transmitting and receiving devices, and signal
A method is provided for transmitting a multiple-carrier signal. The method includes modulating data symbols representative of a data signal to be transmitted, which includes a filtering by at least one prototype function using at least two different filtering coefficients, thus providing a modulated signal including a time sequence of multiple-carrier symbols. A hold interval is inserted in front of at least one multiple-carrier symbol of the modulated signal, thus providing the multiple-carrier signal. |
| US08743977B2 |
Efficient tuning and demodulation techniques
Techniques for the reception and processing of wireless signals are disclosed. For instance, an apparatus may include a first hardware module (e.g., a mixed signal module) and a second hardware module (e.g., a digital signal module). The first hardware module may convert an analog signal corresponding to a received wireless signal into a digital signal having a first sampling rate. In turn, channel filtering may be performed on this digital signal. Following this, the filtered digital signal may be resampled from the first sampling rate to a second sampling rate. At this point, the resampled signal may be transferred across an interface from the first hardware module to the second hardware module. Upon receipt, the second hardware module may correct a sampling rate error in the second sampling rate, and demodulate the digital signal into one or more symbols. |
| US08743976B2 |
Techniques and systems for communications based on time reversal pre-coding
Techniques, apparatuses and systems for providing communications based on time reversal of a channel impulse response of a pulse in a transmission channel between a transmitter and a receiver to enhance reception and detection of a pulse at the receiver against various effects that can adversely affect and complicate the reception and detection of the pulse at the receiver. |
| US08743973B2 |
Receiver resistor network for common-mode signaling
A receiver circuit to receive signals from first and second pairs of transmission lines includes first and second interfaces, each with first and second input nodes to receive respective signals. The receiver circuit also includes a resistor network with first, second, third, and fourth resistive elements. The first and second resistive elements are each connected between the input nodes of a respective interface. The third and fourth resistive elements each include a pair of resistors connected in series between the input nodes of a respective interface, and an intermediate node between the resistors. The intermediate nodes are connected to an AC ground. The receiver circuit further includes a differential amplifier with first and second inputs coupled respectively to the first and second interfaces and an output to provide a signal derived from common mode components of the signals received at the input nodes. |
| US08743972B2 |
Coding adaptive deblocking filter and method for use therewith
A deblocking filter module can be used in a video processing device that processes a video input signal in accordance with a plurality of coding parameters. The deblocking filter module includes an adaptive deblocking filter that receives a plurality of samples and produces a plurality of filtered samples in response thereto, the adaptive deblocking filter having at least one filter parameter that is controllable in response to a filter control signal. A filter control module generates the filter control signal based on the plurality of coding parameters. |
| US08743971B2 |
Digital television system
Disclosed is a digital television system carrying out modulation/demodulation by VSB (vestigial side band). A VSB transmitter includes an additional error correction encoder designed in a manner that a signal mapping of a TCM encoder is considered, a multiplexer (MUX), a TCM encoder operating in a manner corresponding to state transition processes of the additional error correction encoder, and a signal transmission part including an RF converter. And, A VSB receiver includes a signal receiver part receiving a signal transmitted from the transmitter, a TCM decoder, a signal processing part including a derandomizer, and an additional error correction decoder part. |
| US08743970B2 |
Video decoding with error detection and concealment
A system and method of decoding input video information is disclosed which includes performing error detection for each video block of a frame, determining whether a scene change occurs for the frame, and when an error is detected in a video block, performing spatial concealment by concealing error of the erroneous video block using neighboring video information within the frame when the erroneous video block is intraframe encoded or when a scene change is detected for the frame, or performing temporal concealment by replacing the erroneous video block with a reference video block from a reference frame when the erroneous video block is interframe encoded and when a scene change is not detected for the frame. The method may further include detecting false frames based on comparing current and new frame number and picture order count values of a new slice. |
| US08743966B2 |
Block error compensating apparatus of image frame and method thereof
An apparatus and method are provided for compensating a block error in an image frame. This may include a video codec decoder for decoding an inputted image frame, and outputting a decoded image frame. An error concealment block may detect an error-generated block in the decoded image frame and compensate the detected error block through a median filter, and output the compensated image frame. |
| US08743963B2 |
Image/video quality enhancement and super-resolution using sparse transformations
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for a quality enhancement/super resolution technique. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a first version of media at a first resolution and creating a second version of the media at a second resolution higher or equal to the first resolution using at least one transform and adaptive thresholding. |
| US08743961B2 |
Method and device for coding a video sequence including an improved motion vector calculation
To code a video sequence, the similarity is calculated (10) between a block of pixels to code of a current image of the sequence and blocks of pixels of a reference image and at least one motion vector per block of the sequence is determined on the basis of at least one similarity value calculated previously. Furthermore, for at least one block of pixels to code, a prediction (16) is determined of at least one motion vector from neighboring motion vectors that have already been calculated; a final motion vector is determined (18) from similarity values calculated previously for the block to code and on the basis of the predicted motion vector; and the block to code is coded (20) using the final motion vector. |
| US08743950B2 |
Method for filtering, transmitting and receiving scalable video streams, and corresponding programs, server, intermediate node and terminal
A method is provided for filtering a scalable video stream, organized in the form of data unit blocks, each of which comprises a base data unit and a set of data units distributed according to two types of enhancement data, corresponding respectively to time and/or space and/or quality characteristics and making it possible to define several quality levels. The method defines at least two distinct filtering profiles, or paths of each block data units, wherein each path defines a row of successive foldover positions and each foldover position uses at least by one less data units than a previous position, and selects one of the paths according to a predetermined criterion, taking into account the type of content of the stream and/or at least one information item representing the capacities of a terminal receiving the stream. |
| US08743949B2 |
Video coding / decoding with re-oriented transforms and sub-block transform sizes
Techniques and tools for video coding/decoding with sub-block transform coding/decoding and re-oriented transforms are described. For example, a video encoder adaptively switches between 8×8, 8×4, and 4×8 DCTs when encoding 8×8 prediction residual blocks; a corresponding video decoder switches between 8×8, 8×4, and 4×8 inverse DCTs during decoding. The video encoder may determine the transform sizes as well as switching levels (e.g., frame, macroblock, or block) in a closed loop evaluation of the different transform sizes and switching levels. When a video encoder or decoder uses spatial extrapolation from pixel values in a causal neighborhood to predict pixel values of a block of pixels, the encoder/decoder can use a re-oriented transform to address non-stationarity of prediction residual values. |
| US08743946B2 |
Frequency-domain equalization and combining for single carrier transmission
A communication receiver including a time domain receive filter to provide a filtered output, the filtered output including colored noise. The receiver also includes a frequency domain, fractionally-spaced equalizer (FSE) unit to receive the filtered output from the receive filter. The FSE unit determines a separate weighting factor for each subcarrier, and the weighting factor is determined based on a noise variance of the subcarrier. |
| US08743944B2 |
Decision feedback equalizing method and equalizer
A decision feedback equalizer is provided for correcting ISI on a first postcursor without using received decision data of a preceding bit. The decision feedback equalizer includes an amplifying circuit that is to be supplied with received data, a duobinary signal decision device for determining an output signal from the amplifying circuit, the duobinary signal decision device including a flip-flop, a shift register for successively shifting a decision result held by the flip-flop, and a plurality of current control blocks that are to be supplied with respective output signals from the shift register, and feeding back output signals to an output terminal of the amplifier to control the potential thereof. |
| US08743939B2 |
Nonlinear echo compensator for class B transmitter line driver
A nonlinear echo compensator comprises a mapping circuit that includes a weighting circuit that generates a weighted signal based on a current symbol and a prior symbol and a function generating circuit that selects one of N functions based on the weighted signal, where N is an integer greater than one. The mapping circuit generates a driving signal based on the selected one of the N functions and the weighted signal. A canceling circuit generates a nonlinear echo compensation signal based on the driving signal. |
| US08743936B2 |
Systems and methods for determining noise components in a signal set
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for estimating noise components in a received signal set. For example, one embodiment of the present invention provides a noise estimation circuit that includes a data detector circuit and a noise component calculation circuit. The data detector circuit receives a series of data samples and provides a detected output, and the noise component calculation circuit provides an electronics noise power output and a media noise power output each calculated based at least in part on the detected output and the series of data samples. |
| US08743935B2 |
Wireless communication system, wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication method
In a wireless communication system performing wireless communication via a wireless transmission path, a first wireless communication apparatus includes a receiver that receives a wireless signal via a wireless transmission path, a disconnection detector that detects disconnection of a wireless line connected to a second communication apparatus, a modulation controller that selects a modulation scheme, enabling communication under poor conditions in a transmission path, rather than a modulation scheme which has been used in wireless communication, and a transmitter that notifies the modulation scheme selected by the modulation scheme controller to the second wireless communication apparatus. The second wireless communication apparatus includes a receiver that receives the selected modulation scheme from the first wireless communication apparatus, and a transmitter that transmits signals to the first wireless communication apparatus based on the selected modulation scheme which is received by the receiver. |
| US08743932B2 |
Impulse noise management
A discrete multitone transceiver (DMT) includes a deinterleaver operable to de-interleave a plurality of bits. The DMT further includes: a forward error correction decoder operable to decode the plurality of bits, a module operable to determine, during Showtime, an impulse noise protection value, wherein the impulse protection value specifies a number corrupted DMT symbols that can be corrected by the forward error correction decoder in combination with the deinterleaver, and a receiver coupled to the deinterleaver. The receiver receives using a first interleaver parameter value, receives a flag signal, and changes to receiving using a second interleaver parameter value that is different than the first interleaver parameter value, wherein the second interleaver parameter value is used for reception on a pre-defined forward error correction codeword boundary following reception of the flag signal. |
| US08743930B2 |
Suppressing intra-cell interference
Various embodiments are directed towards suppressing inter-cell and intra-cell interference. In some embodiments, an intra-cell interference signal for a specified rake finger is received. An inter-cell interference signal is received. The intra-cell interference signals upstream of a chip-level equalizer are suppressed. The inter-cell interference signals upstream of the chip-level equalizer are suppressed. |
| US08743929B2 |
Division of bit streams to produce spatial paths for multicarrier transmission
A device for bit-demultiplexing in a multicarrier MIMO communication system (e.g. precoded spatial multiplexing MIMO communication systems using adaptive OFDM), including a multicarrier MIMO transmitter and a multicarrier MIMO receiver. The multicarrier MIMO transmitter includes a demultiplexer and symbol mapper unit receiving an input bit stream and generating a plurality of symbol streams, each symbol stream being associated with a different transmission channel and including a plurality of data symbols, each data symbol being attributed to a different carrier; one or more multicarrier modulators generating at least two multicarrier modulated signals based on the symbol streams; and at least two transmit ports respectively transmitting the at least two multicarrier modulated signals, wherein a data throughput rate of each transmission channel is separately variable. |
| US08743924B2 |
Surface-emission laser diode and fabrication process thereof
In a surface-emission laser diode, there is provided, between an active layer and a semiconductor layer that contains Al, Ga and As as major components, a semiconductor layer containing Al, In and P as major components such that the semiconductor layer containing Al, In and P as major components is provided adjacent to the semiconductor layer that contains Al, Ga and As as major components. Further, an interface between the semiconductor layer containing Al, Ga and As as major components and the semiconductor layer containing Al, In and P as major components is coincident to a location of a node of electric field strength distribution. |
| US08743923B2 |
Multi-wavelength VCSEL array to reduce speckle
Embodiments of the invention describe an illuminator having a light source to originate an illumination beam, wherein the light source further comprises a set of vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs), including a first VCSEL having a first laser emission wavelength, and a second VCSEL having a second laser emission wavelength different than the first laser emission wavelength. Thus, by varying laser emission wavelengths of VCSELs in a VCSEL array, embodiments of the invention produce low-contrast speckle, and do not limit the imaging capabilities of the host illumination system. In some embodiments of the invention, vertical external cavity surface emitting lasers (VECSELs) are utilized to produce the above described varying laser emission wavelengths. |
| US08743921B2 |
Light emitting module and thermal protection method
Proposed is a light emitting module (1), comprising a semiconductor light emitting device (10) and a thermal switch (20). The thermal switch (20) is arranged to protect the device (10) from over heating. At elevated temperatures the junction of the device (10) may reach a critical level causing catastrophic breakdown of the device. According to the invention, the thermal switch is arranged to shunt the semiconductor light emitting device. This is especially advantageous as the thermal protection offered by the switch (20) correlates directly to the (junction) temperature of the device (10). |
| US08743920B2 |
Wavelength variable light source system
There is provided a wavelength variable light source system capable of changing wavelength and intensity of output signal light and of improving preset accuracy and stability of the wavelength and strength of the output signal light. The system determines the both or either one of a target value for controlling wavelength and a target value for controlling intensity of output signal light of a wavelength variable light source by correlating a combination of the target wavelength and the target light output intensity specified from a higher-level device and controls operation states of the wavelength variable light source so that output values of monitoring circuits for monitoring the operation state of the wavelength variable light source converge to the target values. |
| US08743915B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting packet in optical transport network
A method of transmitting a packet in an optical transport network includes: generating a GFP frame by GFP encapsulating a packet client signal; mapping the GFP frame to a dynamic data unit; multiplexing to a high order data unit in an order higher than that of the dynamic data unit using at least one dynamic data unit; generating a high order transport unit using the multiplexed high order data unit; and transmitting the high order transport unit. |
| US08743913B2 |
Distributed digital subscriber line access multiplexer
A distributed DSLAM, which comprises a head end subsystem located within a switching facility and a remote subsystem located outside of the switching facility. The head end subsystem is operative for routing streams of data from a data network to the remote subsystem over a communication link, while the remote subsystem is operative for transmitting over a set of local loops analog signals comprising digitally modulated versions of the data. Separating the routing and modem functionality between inside and outside plant facilities reduces heat dissipation in the outside plant, leading to increased reliability. Flow control can be performed in the upstream and downstream directions by transmitting portions of individual packets and withholding other portions of individual packets. This is done instead of withholding the transmission of entire packets. As a result, the perceived impact on video quality, for example, is lessened. |
| US08743911B2 |
Synchronization method and device
A synchronization method is disclosed, including: obtaining a synchronization symbol position {circumflex over (d)}0 of one time slot of an initial update period; taking Ntrack frames as an update period to adjust the synchronization symbol position, and the step of adjusting the synchronization symbol position including: obtaining a synchronization symbol position {circumflex over ({circumflex over (d)}k+1=dk+Ntrack{circumflex over (T)}k of a corresponding time slot of a (k+1)th update period according to a synchronization symbol position {circumflex over (d)}k of a corresponding time slot of a kth update period and an inter-frame sampling derivation estimation value {circumflex over (T)}k of said kth update period; obtaining synchronization symbol positions of other time slots in said kth update period according to the synchronization symbol position {circumflex over (d)}k of the corresponding time slot of the kth update period and the inter-frame sampling derivation estimation value {circumflex over (T)}k of said kth update period. A synchronization apparatus is also disclosed. The method and apparatus reduces synchronization calculation amount. |
| US08743909B2 |
Frame termination
Techniques to increase capacity in a wireless communications system. In an aspect, systematic non-transmission, or “blanking,” of minimal-rate frames transmitted in a communications system is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, eighth rate frames in a cdma2000 voice communications system are systematically substituted with null-rate frames carrying zero traffic bits. Provisions are nevertheless made for the transmission of certain designated as “critical” by, e.g., a vocoder. The receiver detects the presence of null rate or non-null rate transmissions and processes the received frames accordingly, including updating an outer loop power control only in response to non-null rate frames. Further techniques for changing the pilot transmission gating pattern to assist the receiver in detecting null rate frames are provided. In another aspect, early termination of a signal transmission over a wireless communications link is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a base station (BS) transmits power control groups (PCG's) for a frame over a forward link (FL) to a mobile station (MS) until accurate reception of the frame is acknowledged by the MS over a reverse link (RL), possibly before all PCG's of the frame are received over the FL. Possible ACK signaling methods are defined for channels associated with a cdma2000 wireless communications system. In another exemplary embodiment, techniques for reverse link early termination are also provided. |
| US08743906B2 |
Scalable seamless digital video stream splicing
Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for scalable seamless digital video stream splicing. Data packets in a first video stream of bits are rearranged. Placeholder packets are created in a second video stream of bits. The first video stream of bits and the second video stream of bits are combined to generate a spliced stream by inserting data packets from the first video stream of bits into the placeholder packets in the second video stream of bits. |
| US08743905B2 |
Method and apparatus for bundling and ciphering data
Techniques for bundling and ciphering data prior to transmission are described. In an exemplary design, a transmitting entity receives a plurality of service data units (SDUs) from an upper layer, assigns sequential sequence numbers to the SDUs, and bundles the SDUs into a single protocol data unit (PDU). In one design, the transmitting entity generates a single count value based on a sequence number of a designated SDU (e.g., the first SDU) in the PDU and ciphers all SDUs based on the single count value. In another design, the transmitting entity ciphers each segment of at least two SDUs in the PDU based on a count value for that segment. The transmitting entity generates a header with at least one sequence number and possibly length and/or other information for the SDUs. The transmitting entity forms the PDU with the header and the SDUs and passes the PDU to a lower layer. |
| US08743901B2 |
Remoting of user/callee presence information in a UPNP network
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method for remoting user/callee presence information in a home network is provided, the method comprising: subscribing, from a home network presence client, to one or more home network presence servers, for presence information relating to one or more users; receiving, from one of the home network presence servers, a change in presence information relating to one of said one or more users; and notifying a user of a device associated with the home network presence client of the change in presence information. |
| US08743898B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving multicast broadcast service data
An MBS transmitting apparatus allocates a plurality of time intervals of an MBS transmission carrier to an MBS region and a non-MBS region and generates region allocation information of the MBS region and the non-MBS region. The MBS transmitting apparatus allocates the time intervals, allocated to the MBS region, to one or more MBS zones and generates MBS zone allocation information of the one or more MBS zones. The MBS transmitting apparatus transmits the region allocation information and the MBS zone allocation information and transmits the MBS data through the time intervals allocated to the MBS region. |
| US08743896B2 |
Method and related communication device for radio link control reconfiguration in a wireless communications system
A method of RLC reconfiguration for a communication device of a wireless communication system includes receiving a dedicated signaling including a reconfiguration value corresponding to a RLC-related parameter when the RLC-related parameter is in-use, and not immediately starting to use the reconfiguration value on the in-use RLC-related parameter when the reconfiguration value is extracted from the dedicated signaling. |
| US08743894B2 |
Bridge port between hardware LAN and virtual switch
A method of operating a computer system comprising a bridge port between a hardware local area network (LAN) and a virtual switch includes providing a first hash table by the hardware LAN to the virtual switch via the bridge port, wherein the first hash table comprises addresses of a first plurality of VMs that comprise the hardware LAN, wherein the first plurality of VMs communicate with the hardware LAN via respective hardware network interface cards (NICs); and updating a second hash table in the virtual switch to include the addresses of the first hash table, wherein the second hash table further comprises addresses of a second plurality of VMs of the virtual switch, wherein the second plurality of VMs communicate with the virtual switch via respective virtual NICs. |
| US08743893B2 |
Path reconstruction and interconnection modeling (PRIM)
Internet data such as Border Gateway Protocol routing information and traceroute measurements are processed to create realistic predictive models of the paths IP traffic is likely to take between any two points on the Internet, even when direct measurements of the paths is not feasible. The prediction includes three categories: topology (what paths may exist), weighting (which paths are more or less likely to be taken under varying operational circumstances), and performance (latency, loss, jitter, etc. across the predicted paths). |
| US08743884B2 |
TCP acknowledge for aggregated packet
A method and apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention are operable to detect the accumulation of redundant ACKs (acknowledgment signals) in a queue for streaming data packet units, and to delete a portion of the redundant ACKs to improve transmission efficiencies. In one embodiment, only the most relevant ACK is kept before the ACKs are processed for transmission. In an alternate embodiment, a ratio of defined that limits the maximum number of redundant ACKs that may be deleted. This ratio is based upon a transmission window size. The teachings of the present disclosure may also be applied to flow control in a more general sense in which a plurality of redundant signals responses are being transmitted after being aggregated. |
| US08743883B2 |
Apparatus and method for parallel processing data flow
Provided is a data flow parallel processing apparatus and method. The data flow parallel processing apparatus may include a flow discriminating unit to discriminate a flow of input first data, a processor allocating unit to allocate, to the first data, a processor that is not operating among a plurality of processors, a sequence determining unit to determine a sequence number of the first data when a second data having the same flow as the discriminated flow is being processed by any one processor composing the plurality of processors, and an alignment unit to receive the first data processed by the allocated processor and to output the received first data based on the determined sequence number. |
| US08743876B2 |
Equipment in a data network and methods for monitoring, configuring and/or managing the equipment
There is provided a multicast router comprising a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) agent and an SNMP database and a method of monitoring the router. In some embodiments the method comprises the multicast router receiving, via a downstream network interface, multicast data requests made by one or more hosts; the multicast router reading data contained in the multicast data request; the multicast router storing first data in the SNMP database for a downstream network interface, a multicast group address and a first host that requests multicast data, wherein the first data comprises information of the multicast groups and multicast channels requested by the first host; and the SNMP agent of the multicast router transmitting to an SNMP control station, using a version of the SNMP protocol, at least a part of the first data stored in the SNMP database. |
| US08743869B2 |
Provision of telephony Caller ID service via common instant communications clients
An approach is provided for supporting telephony services over a data network. A communication network establishes a voice session from a calling station to a called station associated with a user. A service platform, in communication with the communication network, obtains Caller ID information corresponding to the voice session, and determines an instant communication client of the user. The Caller ID information is transmitted over the data network to the instant communication client for display of the Caller ID information. |
| US08743866B2 |
Method and apparatus to reduce cumulative effect of dynamic metric advertisement in smart grid/sensor networks
In one embodiment, a node in a computer network represented by a directed acyclic graph (DAG) may receive advertisements of smoothed path costs to a root node of the DAG, where the advertisements contain a field for a virtual gain factor (VGF) indicative of a difference between the smoothed path cost and an actual best path cost to the root. The node may then determine a local smoothed path cost from itself to the root, and also a local VGF for each link of the node (for the path as a whole including the particular link) based on all of the received advertisements and VGFs, as well as corresponding actual link costs (e.g., based on selecting alternative parents or actual link costs being smoothed within a dual threshold). The node may then compute a resulting smoothed path cost to the root along with an associated (cumulative) VGF based on the locally determined cost and VGF. Accordingly, the node may then advertise the resulting smoothed path cost along with the associated (cumulative) VGF on each link such that, for example, any node receiving a resulting smoothed path cost and/or VGF that surpasses a threshold may request a rebuild of the DAG (e.g., a portion or in its entirety). |
| US08743863B2 |
Method for ranging devices using code sequences in WLANs
Methods and apparatus for using code-division multiple access (CDMA) to transmit information via orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) to convey information from user terminals to an access point (AP) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) are provided. By using CDMA to convey information, a propagation delay between an access point (AP) and a user terminal may be determined by the AP, and timing adjustment information based on the delay may be sent to the user terminal. In this manner, subsequent uplink (UL) transmissions from multiple user terminals may be received simultaneously by the AP, despite the multiple user terminals having potentially different propagation delays. |
| US08743862B2 |
High speed overlay mode for burst data and real time streaming (audio) applications
In a wireless 802.15.4 communication system (300), a high-speed data frame structure (340) is provided which uses the 802.15.4 SHR structure that is spread modulated to obtain the synchronization benefits of the 802.15.4 protocol, but which uses a modified data frame structure for the payload portion without using spreading to thereby improve its transmission efficiency. The transmission efficiency can be further increased by increasing the size of the data payload (and correspondingly, the frame length size). |
| US08743861B2 |
Multiplexing and feedback support for wireless communication systems
A control scheme using packet headers allows GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) systems to increase spectral efficiency through multiplexing techniques, such as superposition coding, multi-user packet transmission, joint detection, and/or joint decoding. A fast feedback scheme for GERAN allows Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) frames to be transmitted over GERAN air interfaces without excessive feedback latency. As a result, Hybrid Automatic Repeat-reQuest (H-ARQ) acknowledgements may be timely provided for end-to-end VoIP calls that traverse GERAN air interfaces. Additionally, Incremental Redundancy H-ARQ and link quality feedback latencies are decreased. |
| US08743856B2 |
Wireless charging of mobile device
Systems, circuits, and devices for wirelessly charging a mobile device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system of a mobile device comprises a low power PAN module and a controller for the low power PAN module configured to monitor a connection request signal communicated from an external device while the mobile device is in a sleep mode, where the controller is supplied with quiescent current from a battery of the mobile device during the sleep mode. In addition, the system comprises an AP of the mobile device configured to wake up from the sleep mode when the connection request signal is validated by the controller, forward to the external device an equipment identity data of the mobile device and a charging status of the battery, and charge the battery of the mobile device with energy received from a wireless charging module associated with the external device. |
| US08743855B2 |
Method of generating data and transmitting synchronization channel in mobile communication system
A method for a transmitting side to transmit a sync channel in a wireless communication system using a multicarrier is disclosed. The present invention includes the steps of generating one synchronization channel including a plurality of sub-synchronization channels and the generated multicarrier symbol to a receiving side via the synchronization channel. Accordingly, the present invention enables the transmitting side to efficiently use a radio resource, thereby raising data transmission efficiency of synchronization channel. |
| US08743853B2 |
Techniques to include virtual private networks in a universal services interface
An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a mobile station (MS) operable to communicate in a wireless network, the wireless network including a Universal Services Interface (USI) and wherein the MS includes a USI client adapted to monitor external IP addresses of the MS and if the MS enters a virtual private network (VPN) via a VPN tunnel, the external IP address of the VPN tunnel is cached. |
| US08743850B2 |
Wireless communication station and methods for communicating station-capability information
Embodiments of a wireless communication station and methods for communication station-capability information are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a first wireless communications station is configured to wirelessly communicate a station-capability information element (IE). The station-capability IE included in at least one item selected from a list of items consisting of an association between the first station and a second station, an information-request action frame, and an information-response action frame. |
| US08743849B2 |
Access method and data frame structure for use in body area networks
A method for performing, for a plurality of applications, data communication on a wireless medium accessible for a plurality of nodes used by the applications is disclosed. Each application is assigned to one of a plurality of application classes. In one aspect, the method includes sending, at one of the plurality of nodes, a resource request for an application via a control channel dedicated to the application class which the application is assigned to, wherein the resource request is sent employing an access method available for the application class. The method also includes taking a decision on allocating resource on the wireless medium for the application. The method also includes performing data communication for the application via a conflict-free data channel, the data channel being separated in time from the dedicated control channel. |
| US08743848B2 |
Hybrid location determination for wireless communication device
Hybrid location determination for wireless communication device. Various services that may be used by a wireless communication device within a particular location may be referred to as location based services (LBS). As such, means by which the location of a wireless communication device that may use such available services, within such a locale, is made by using more than one type of location determination approach. For example, a wireless communication device includes communication capability (e.g., RX and TX) in accordance with a first communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth) and also includes a communication capability (e.g., RX only) in accordance with a second communication protocol (e.g., WiFi/WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)). The RX capability is operative to assist in location determination for the wireless communication device based on knowledge of at least one wireless communication device that communicates with the wireless communication device. |
| US08743847B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmission opportunity in mesh network
An apparatus and method of transmission opportunity in a mesh network is disclosed. A beacon timing from a receiver MP is received. The beacon timing includes a beacon reception timing of a received beacon frame that is received by the receiver MP from a neighboring MP of the receiver MP. A transmission opportunity is determined in order not to be extended across the beacon reception timing. |
| US08743845B2 |
Methods and systems for user selection in wireless communication networks
A method of scheduling data transmission in a wireless network is disclosed. The wireless network includes an access router and a plurality of access terminals connectable to the base station. The method includes determining a number of the access terminals that are connected to the base station, and comparing the number with a threshold. The method further includes determining, based on the comparison between the number of connected access terminals and the threshold, whether to send a dedicated control signal or a shared control signal from the base station, in order indicate which ones of the plurality of access terminals are scheduled to transmit data during a slot. |
| US08743842B2 |
Method and device for maintaining the performance quality of a communication system in the presence of narrow band interference
A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for analyzing a wide frequency band with respect to signal power levels in specified narrow frequency bands, detecting narrow band signal power levels received in the specified narrow frequency bands, determining an average composite wideband power level from the narrow band signal power levels, determining an adaptive threshold, scanning a known narrow band channel of the wide frequency band having a history of causing interference in the wide frequency band, and detecting according to one of the adaptive threshold, the average composite wideband power level, or both, interference in the wide frequency band caused by signals transmitted in the known narrow band channel. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08743841B2 |
Mobile station apparatus and mobile communication method using respective feedback schemes for transmission of multiple pre-coding indicators
A mobile station transmits to a base station a plurality of pre-coding indicators using respective feedback schemes of a plurality of kinds of feedback schemes that can be set simultaneously by the base station. The mobile station receives from the base station a downlink signal on which pre-coders corresponding to one of the transmitted pre-coding indicators have been applied, and a pre-coder confirmation representing whether the corresponding pre-coders have been applied. The pre-coders represented by the pre-coder confirmation are associated with one of the plural feedback schemes. |
| US08743840B2 |
Radiotelephony network with multi-carrier packet data transmission
The present invention relates to a radio telephony network supporting at least one link of a radio channel for a packet data transmission service. The radio telephony network comprises a plurality of network controllers (RNC). Each network controller (RNC) is connected, via an interface Iub, to at least one base radio station (B-node) supervising at least one macrocell. The radio telephony network additionally comprises at least one base radio microstation (B1-micronode) connected to the network controller (RNC) via an interface Iub of the same type as that connecting the base radio station (B-node) to said controller. The base radio microstation (B1-micronode) supervises at least one microcell incorporated in at least one macrocell. The base radio microstation (B1-micronode) provides the packet data transmission service in the microcell on the link of the radio channel, preferably using multicarrier radio access. The multi-carrier radio access is preferably of the OFDM type. |
| US08743839B2 |
Scheduling different types of receivers in a radio base station
The invention relates to a method in a radio base station (110) of a radio telecommunications network (100), wherein the radio base station (110) comprises at least two different types of receivers; a first type of receivers and a second type of receivers. The first type of receivers comprises a different receiving sensitivity than the second type of receivers. The method is for scheduling a first type of receiver to a user equipment (120) within a radio cell (115) served by the radio base station (110). The radio base station determines a distance (125) between the user equipment (120) and a radio cell boundary (127) of the radio cell (115), and schedules the first type of receiver to the user equipment (120) when the distance is determined to be within a distance range. |
| US08743835B2 |
Communication system of selectively feeding back information about interference channels for interference alignment and method for operating the system
A communication system may include a serving base station and neighboring base stations. Each of the serving base station and the neighboring base stations may have a corresponding user group. Terminals belonging to a particular user group may feed back information associated with interference channels, and reasonably generate a precoding matrix. Through this, it is possible to perform an accurate interference alignment and to enhance a throughput. In this instance, terminals belonging to the other user groups may feed back information associated with a throughput, and a corresponding base station may perform the interference alignment using a user selection resulting in decreased overhead. |
| US08743831B2 |
Method for acquiring packet data convergence protocol status report and packet data convergence protocol entity
The present invention discloses a method for acquiring a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) status report and a packet data convergence protocol entity. The method comprises the steps of: a PDCP entity transmitting to an opposite PDCP entity a PDCP Protocol Data Unit (PDU) used to request the transmission of a PDCP status report; and the PDCP entity receiving the PDCP status report which is transmitted from the opposite PDCP entity according to the PDCP PDU. By the present invention, the quality of service and the performance of the wireless communication system are improved. |
| US08743830B2 |
Mobile communication system, gateway device, base station device, control method of gateway device, and computer-readable medium
A H(e)NB (1A) includes a radio IF (10) that performs radio communication with a UE (2), a LAN-IF (11) connectable to a LAN (34), and an address management unit (15) capable of storing a MAC address of the UE (2) different from a MAC address of the H(e)NB (1A) assigned to the LAN-IF (11). The H(e)NB (1A) is configured to transmit, to the LAN (34), a MAC frame having the MAC address of the UE (2) as a source address in response to receiving transmission data to the LAN (34) from the UE (2). |
| US08743829B2 |
Method and device for establishing or modifying local IP access bearer
A method and device for establishing or modifying a local IP access bearer are provided by the embodiments of the present invention, said method includes: a handover request message transmitted by an evolved Node Base station is received, said handover request message carries an evolved Node Base station identifier, said evolved Node Base station identifier is the same as the local packet data network gateway identifier; the local breakout ability of said evolved Node Base station is obtained; according to said evolved Node Base station identifier, the local breakout ability of said evolved Node Base station and the local IP access point name, the local IP access bearer is established or modified between a serving gateway and the local packet data network gateway, said serving gateway is located in the core network or the evolved Node Base station. |
| US08743828B2 |
Systems and methods for non-optimized handoff
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for non-optimized handoffs for wireless communication. For example, the disclosure may be applied to enhance non-optimized handoff from a long-term evolution (LTE) network to an evolved high rate packet data (eHRPD) network. Systems, methods, and apparatus for reducing the interruption gap during handoffs from an LTE radio access network to an eHRPD network are also discussed. In one aspect, a method is provided for communicating information associated with a handoff of a wireless device from a source network to a target network. The method includes fetching a context for a device communicating via a first radio access system of a first network based in part on a unique identifier from a second radio access system of a second network. |
| US08743824B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving a signal in a wireless communication system that supports multi-user MIMO transmission
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and discloses a method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving a signal in a wireless communication system that supports multi-user MIMO transmission. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method in which a mobile station receives a signal in a wireless communication system that supports multi-user MIMO transmission, comprises: a step of receiving information on the entirety of the transmission rank of the multi-user MIMO transmission; a step of receiving a reference signal and data for demodulation for the mobile station on the basis of the information on the entirety of the transmission rank; a step of acquiring channel information on the mobile station from the reference signal for demodulation; and a step of demodulating said data on the basis of the acquired channel information. |
| US08743822B2 |
Dynamic channel and transmission rate selection
Dynamic channel and transmission rate selection is described. In an example, a communication resource for transmitting data to a receiver is selected from several channels, each having several associated rates. The selection comprises storing a weighting factor for each channel/rate combination, monitoring transmission performance on a selected channel and rate, and inferring performance for other rates on the selected channel from the monitored performance. Each weighting factor is then updated using the monitored and inferred performances, and used to select a channel/rate combination for subsequent transmission. In another example, a communication device comprises a transmitter, a processor, and a memory arranged to store a weighting factor associated with each receiver, channel and rate combination. The transmitter sends data to a receiver using one channel and rate, and the processor monitors the performance, updates the weighting factors accordingly, and selects a receiver, channel and rate combination for subsequent transmission. |
| US08743820B2 |
PUCCH resource allocation with enhanced PDCCH
Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods, apparatuses, and instructions for receiving at a user equipment (UE) of a third generation partnership project (3GPP) network an offset value selected from a plurality of offset values in downlink control information. The UE also receives one or more enhanced control channel elements (eCCEs) of an enhanced physical downlink control channel (ePDCCH). The UE may then determine an allocation of an uplink resource for a transmission on a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) based at least in part on the index of a first eCCE and the offset value. |
| US08743818B2 |
Method for random access in wireless communication system, wireless communication system, wireless terminal, and base station unit
A method for random access in a wireless communication system communicating between a base station and a wireless terminal, the method consists of: at the wireless terminal, selecting first information used for first random access or second information used for second random access and performing a data communication with the base station during or after the completion of random access using selected information. |
| US08743817B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling transmit power
A radio communication system is disclosed. The method for transmitting a signal by a user equipment in a radio communication system includes generating a plurality of uplink signals, reducing maximum transmit power of the user equipment in consideration of a signal configuration for the plurality of uplink signals, and transmitting the plurality of uplink signals to a network within the range of the reduced maximum transmit power of the user equipment. |
| US08743813B2 |
Method for transmitting reference signals
A method and apparatus for transmitting reference signals in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method and apparatus includes reference signal, RS, transmission in resource blocks supporting multiple antenna port transmission, at least one broadcast channel being provided in resource blocks belonging to a first set of resource blocks, a first number of reference signals being transmitted in at least one resource block supporting multiple antenna port transmission and a second number of reference signals being transmitted in at least one resource block belonging to a second set of resource blocks. Preferably, different resource elements, REs, are used for each reference signal in resource blocks. An example embodiment of reference signal support of, e.g., eight antenna ports is provided. |
| US08743807B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting reference signal
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more specifically, to a method and an apparatus for transmitting an RS (Reference Signal) from a transmission end. The present invention relates to an RS transmission method and an apparatus therefore, comprising the steps of: confirming RS resources which are defined according to each layer; and transmitting the precoded RS for the layers to a receiving end through a multiple antenna, wherein the RS resource includes a 1st index for indicating an RS resource pattern group in which the precoded RS is mapped within a resource block and a 2nd index for indicating a code resource for multiplexing the precoded RSs within the RS resource pattern group. |
| US08743803B2 |
Spectrum allocation system and method for multi-band wireless RF data communications
A dual band spectrum allocation system and method for wireless data communications uses discrete bands for upstream and downstream data communications. A preferred embodiment uses unlicensed UNII bands for license-free data transmissions from a subscriber to a hub, and uses relatively interference free licensed bands for data transmissions from a hub to subscribers, thereby allowing use of greater bandwidth, simplifying system licensing and reducing filtering requirements for subscribers. |
| US08743800B2 |
Method of multimedia broadcast multicast service content aware scheduling and receiving in a wireless communication system and related communication device
A method of multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) content aware scheduling and receiving for network of a wireless communication system includes receiving data of different resolutions generated from a data source from an MBMS content provider, and scheduling a plurality of MBMS services of different resolution levels formed with the received data on a plurality of multicast traffic channels overlapping in time, wherein data of an MBMS service of a first resolution level on a first multicast traffic channel are shared with another multicast traffic channel corresponding to an MBMS service of a second resolution higher than the first resolution. |
| US08743797B2 |
Method of allocating radio resouces in a wireless communication system
A method of allocating radio resources in a wireless communication system is disclosed. In one aspect of the present invention, in a wireless communication system, a user equipment requests a base station to allocate radio resources for uplink data transmission of at least one time in accordance with a first radio resource allocation request mode. The user equipment requests the base station to allocate the radio resources for uplink data transmission in accordance with a second radio resource allocation request mode if a predetermined condition is satisfied. |
| US08743795B2 |
Detection time of semi-persistent scheduling activation/reconfiguration signaling
A method is provided for improving reliability in detection of an identifier for a user agent is provided. The method includes the user agent attempting to decode semi-persistent scheduling activation/reconfiguration signaling over a physical downlink control channel only during a discontinuous reception (DRX) on-duration. |
| US08743787B2 |
Prohibition of sounding reference signal transmission on newly activated secondary cells
In a wireless network supporting aggregation of uplink component carriers, sounding reference signals, SRS, are transmitted (62) on an uplink, UL, primary component carrier. An activation command corresponding to an UL secondary component carrier, SCC, is received (64), in response to which the receiving transceiver determines (65) whether it has valid timing information for the UL SCC, wherein valid timing information for the UL SCC indicates that the UL SCC is UL synchronized. In response to this determination, transmission of SRS on the UL SCC is enabled (66) if the UL SCC is synchronized, when SRS is configured for the UL SCC. Otherwise, transmission of SRS on the UL SCC is prohibited (68) until the UL SCC is UL synchronized. |
| US08743783B2 |
Method and apparatus for information transmission in wireless communication system
Provided are a method and an apparatus for information transmission that is performed by a transmitter in a wireless communication system. The method comprises the steps of: acquiring a first resource index and a second resource index; generating information sequences based on the first resource index and the second resource index; and transmitting the information sequences via a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein the second resource index is acquired from the first resource index and the offset. |
| US08743778B2 |
Systems and methods for obtaining network credentials
Systems and methods for obtaining network credentials are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving, with a digital device, a network identifier from a network device, providing a first credential request including the network identifier to another digital device on a network, receiving a request for additional network information from the other digital device, providing a second credential request including additional network information to the other digital device, receiving a credential request response including network credentials from the other digital device, and providing the network credentials from the credential request response to a network device. |
| US08743772B2 |
Mobility load balancing and resource status report for scenarios with relay nodes
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and apparatuses for wireless communications. The techniques generally include intercepting a report message from a relay node destined for a target base station, modifying the report message based on information not available at the relay node, and sending the modified report message to the target base station. |
| US08743769B2 |
Radio communication device and radio communication system
Disclosed is a radio communication device capable of improving the usage efficiency of resources in multi-stage relay to reduce the amount of delay of a relay signal and improving the reception quality of signals by a relay station or a base station. A transmission determining unit 16 determines whether to transmit the relay signal and whether to transmit ACK/NACK on the basis of whether there is an error in the relay signal, and on the basis of ACK/NACK received from a one-hop-downstream radio communication device. An MCS determining unit 17 provided in the transmission determining unit 16 determines an MCS for the relay signal. A transmission instruction generated by the transmission determining unit 16 is output to a buffer 11 and an ACK/NACK generating unit 19. The determined MCS is output to an error correction coding unit 12 and a modulation unit 13. The ACK/NACK generating unit 19 generates ACK when there is no error in the relay signal, and generates NACK when there is an error in the relay signal. |
| US08743765B2 |
Power save mechanism for wireless communication devices
Method, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed to enable power save modes of operation between mobile wireless devices for direct data transfer in an infrastructure BSS. An example embodiment inserts in a message that is transmitted by the transmitting mobile wireless device, a specified time when a next active direct data transfer period will start so that the devices can remain in power save mode in a direct data transfer link until that time. Then, when the next active direct data transfer period is about to start, the receiving device sends a trigger signal based on the specified time, the trigger signal indicating that the next period is about to start. This confirms to the transmitting device that the receiving device has awakened, so that the transmitting device may start transmitting the data to the receiving device via the direct data transfer link. |
| US08743762B2 |
Partial DMM reception to reduce standby power
Methods and systems to receive a multiple-carrier signal having periodic control packets, wherein each bit of a control packet is redundant on a plurality of the carrier signals, and to recover the control packet from a subset of the carrier signals in a standby mode. In an operational mode, a full bandwidth of the multiple-carrier signal digitized and processed. In a standby mode, the digitized signal may be digitally low pass filtered and decimated to obtain sample points corresponding to the subset of the carrier signals, and the samples may be processed with a reduced-bandwidth FFT and a reduced-bandwidth equalizer. Standby mode parameters corresponding to the subset of carrier signals may be selected based on signal to noise ratios (SNRs) of the signal sub-carriers. A minimum set of carrier signals needed to recover a control packet, and corresponding bit locations, may be determined from bit loading information and SNR. |
| US08743761B2 |
Implement method for power control of the high speed shared control channel and the high speed shared information channel
The present invention discloses a method for implementing power control of the high speed shared control channel and the high speed shared information channel, including: Node B independently setting the initial transmit power of the HS-SCCH with reference to the maximum power of HS-SCCH configured by higher layer and completing the open-loop power control; performing the close-loop power control based on transmit power control TPC command; UE calculating the initial transmit power based on a series of parameters configured by the higher layer and completing the open-loop power control; UE adjusting the close-loop transmit power based on the TPC command carried on HS-SCCH and completing the close-loop power control. Wherein, Node B generates the TPC by taking the high speed shared information channel SNR generated by itself as the target value and the high speed shared information channel SNR measured as the actual value. The present invention can achieve the power control of HS-SCCH and HS-SICH based on the TPC parameters for HS-SICH close-loop control calculated by Node B. |
| US08743760B2 |
Method and apparatus utilizing protocols
A method including receiving data in at least one link layer message from a first access node at a second access node, the first access node being associated with the second node; determining if said data is to be sent to a third access node; and, sending the data in at least one internet protocol message to the third access node. The first access node may be a relay node. |
| US08743754B2 |
Transmitter having multiple antennas
The present invention is directed to a wireless communication system, more specifically, a transmitter used for wireless communication and a method for the same. The transmitter used for wireless communication comprises a plurality of transmitting antennas; a plurality of radio frequency (RF) chains configured for each of the transmitting antennas; a signal generator generating one or more transmitting signals at a base band; and an RF switch mapping the one or more transmitting signals into the plurality of RF chains. |
| US08743753B2 |
Digital signage system
A digital signage system, includes: a gateway device, coupled to a network; at least one first hot spot, including: an adaptor box, coupled to the gateway device, downloading a content transmitted through the network via the gateway device; a first access point device, coupled to the gateway device, downloading a service on the network via the gateway device; and a display device, coupled to the adaptor box, displaying the content through the adaptor box, and at least one second hot spot, including: a second access point device, coupled to the gateway device, downloading the service via the gateway device, wherein the first access point device and the second access point device provide the service to at least one mobile terminal through wireless communication. |
| US08743752B2 |
Method and apparatus for status transition
A method and apparatus for status transition are provided in the disclosure, which enable a wireless side network element to judge that a service request message is a paging response message after receiving the service request message, transmit an initial user equipment message to a mobility management entity, and indicate that the service request message is valid in the initial user equipment message. The method and apparatus of the disclosure solve the problem that the mobility management entity is unable to make a correct judgment and corresponding logical processing, and improve processing efficiency of the mobile communication system effectively. |
| US08743749B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing flexible usage of unpaired frequencies
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in which it is determined, by a first device, if a transmission using a second frequency band to a second device will result in a parameter exceeding a threshold value, and content is either transmitted using a first frequency band upon a determination that the transmission to the second device will result in the parameter exceeding the threshold, or transmitted using the first frequency band and a second frequency band upon a determination that the transmission to the second device will result in the parameter not exceeding the threshold, wherein the first and second frequency bands are different. |
| US08743744B2 |
Method and apparatus for multiplexing an antenna element, and antenna component
A method and an apparatus for multiplexing an antenna element, and an antenna component can reduce power loss caused by multiplexing of the antenna element. The apparatus includes an antenna element, a filter, and a DUP. The antenna element is connected to the filter and the DUP separately, and a suppression band of the filter includes a bandpass band of the DUP. The filter is configured to filter the signals sent by the antenna element and the DUP and/or the signals to be sent to the antenna element and the DUP to make signals of a first band pass through. The DUP is configured to filter the signals sent by the antenna element and the filter and/or the signals to be sent to the antenna element and the filter to make signals of a second band pass through. |
| US08743741B2 |
Network reconfiguration method
A method of reconfiguring a data unit communication network that comprises bridge nodes is described. Each bridge node comprises two or more ports for receiving and sending data units, a controller for controlling said bridge node and for handling received data units, and a record for associating data unit address information with port identification information. The controller is capable of querying said record for determining which one or more ports to forward a received data unit to. The method comprises performing a topology reconfiguration procedure for said data unit communication network when detecting an occurrence of any one of one or more topology reconfiguration conditions, and performing a purge procedure of the records of the bridge nodes when detecting an occurrence of an indication of an upcoming topology reconfiguration of the data unit communication network, the indication being different from any of said topology reconfiguration conditions, and continuing to handle data units in the bridge nodes during the purge procedure. |
| US08743733B2 |
Switching frame and router cluster
A switching chassis includes more than one cascade unit and more than one switching unit, where: the cascade units have cascade interfaces to connect line processing chassis; the switching units have switching ports to connect the cascade interfaces; and any cascade interface of any cascade unit is connected to one switching port of any switching unit. A router cluster with the above switching chassis includes switching chassis and line processing chassis interconnected via optical fibers, where: any optical interface of any line processing chassis is connected to one cascade interface of any cascade unit; and any cascade interface of any cascade unit is connected to one switching port of any switching unit. With the present invention, the capacity of a router cluster can be expanded without the need to replace any component of the router cluster so that the expansion cost is lower. |
| US08743731B2 |
Discovery for fibre channel over ethernet devices
Techniques are provided for performing discovery in a Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) network. An FCF discovers other FCoE Forwarders (FCFs) connected to its network segment by transmitting a solicitation message to the multicast MAC address “All-FCF-MACs”. All FCFs receive packets with this multicast MAC address including the solicitation message that announces the presence of the FCF. Each FCF replies with a unicast advertisement message that provides the new FCF with a MAC address of the responding FCF. The FCF builds a list of the FCFs available on its network segment and may then establish a virtual link with one or more of the FCFs through an exchange link parameter (ELP) exchange. |
| US08743728B2 |
Radio base station and mobile communication method
A radio base station eNB according to the present invention includes: a CQI reception unit 11 configured to receive CQI in PDSCH from a mobile station UE; a CQI adjustment unit 13 configured to adjust the received CQI based on a transmission acknowledgement result for a downlink data signal transmitted via the PDSCH; a selectable TF number calculation unit 22 configured to calculate a selectable maximum transport block size based on the number of mobile stations UE in each scheduling unit period; and an MCS selection unit 15 configured to select a modulation scheme and a coding rate, which are to be applied to each resource blocks in the PDSCH, based on the adjusted CQI and a transmission format corresponding to the calculated selectable maximum transport block size. |
| US08743726B2 |
System and method for unbalanced relay-based wireless communications
A method and system for wireless communication with a mobile device in which wireless communication is established with the mobile device. A base station is used to transmit directly to the mobile device in a downlink direction. A relay node is used to transmit to the base station communications received in an uplink direction from the mobile station. The relay node relays at least a portion of the uplink traffic received from the mobile station to the base station. |
| US08743725B2 |
Method and arrangement for positioning a wireless device
The present invention relates to a method in a network node 40 and a network node 40 with positioning functionality in a wireless communications network in a multi-carrier system. The network node 40 enables UTDOA, Uplink Time Difference of Arrival, positioning measurements for a wireless device in the multi-carrier system. The network node (40) being configured to receive interference or load related information for carriers available for UTDOA positioning measurements and to select at least one carrier for UTDOA positioning measurements based on the interference or load related information. |
| US08743722B2 |
Radio terminal, radio communication system, and radio base station
A radio terminal (1100A) comprises a communication unit (1120), a measurement unit (1140A), a measurement unit (1140B), and a control unit (1160A). The communication unit (1120) selects one of the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) scheme and the OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) scheme as a communication scheme to be used in a cell formed by a radio base station and performs radio communication. The measurement unit (1140A) measures the receiving quality relating to the time difference between the preceding wave of a received signal and the delayed wave thereof in the OFDM scheme. The measurement unit (1140B) measures the receiving quality of a received signal in the CDMA scheme. In the case where the OFDM scheme is selected as the communication scheme to be used in an idle state, when the receiving quality relating to the time difference which is obtained by the measurement unit (1140A) is deteriorated below a threshold value corresponding to a guard interval used in the OFDM scheme, the control unit (1160A) causes the measurement unit (1140B) to measure the receiving quality of the received signal in the CDMA scheme. |
| US08743717B2 |
Multi-carrier communications with adaptive cluster configuration and switching
A method and apparatus for allocating subcarriers in an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises allocating at least one diversity cluster of subcarriers to a first subscriber and allocating at least one coherence cluster to a second subscriber. |
| US08743716B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for identifying invalid nodes within a mesh network
Systems, methods, and apparatus for identifying, invalid nodes within a mesh network are provided. A routing table may be maintained by a utility meter. The routing table may include information associated with one or more devices in communication with the utility meter via a mesh network. A change in the routing table may be identified by the utility meter, and an alert message associated with the identified change may be generated by the utility meter. The generated alert may then be output by the utility meter for communication to a central controller configured to process the alert message to identify an invalid node within the mesh network. |
| US08743715B1 |
Methods and systems for calibrating a network switch
A network switch includes first and second clock-and-data-recovery (CDR) circuits, a cross-bar switch to couple the first and second CDR circuits, and a first test pattern generation circuit electrically coupled with the first CDR circuit. The first test pattern generation circuit is configured to generate a test pattern and transmit the test pattern from the first CDR circuit to the second CDR circuit via the cross-bar switch. The network switch also includes a first test pattern checking circuit, electrically coupled with the second CDR circuit, to verify the test pattern received at the second CDR circuit. |
| US08743709B1 |
Providing a signaling interface between a circuit-switched domain and a packet-switched domain to enable provision of services to a multi-mode mobile station
Services are provided to a multi-mode mobile station that is attachable to a packet-switched access network and a circuit-switched access network. A first message indicating a service relating to the multi-mode mobile station is received, and in response to the first message, a control message is sent over a signaling interface from a first node in a circuit-switched domain to a second node in a packet-switched domain. The control message contains a circuit-switched control indication to enable the service to be performed. |
| US08743699B1 |
RFID tag assisted GPS receiver system
A system and method are disclosed for improving the speed of operation and accuracy of GPS receivers. The system comprises a RFID assisted GPS (RAGPS) receiver and geographically dispersed RFID assistance tags. The RAGPS receiver and the RFID assistance tags store location data comprising current location estimate, almanac, and ephemeris data. The location data is time stamped. The RFID assisted GPS (RAGPS) receiver comprises a GPS receiver, a RFID tag reader, a RFID transmitter and a controller. The controller comprises software that transfers the location data to and from the RAGPS receiver and a RFID assistance tag. The method discloses the RAGPS receivers reading up-to-date location data from a nearby RFID assistance tags and similarly if the RAGPS receivers have up-to-date location data already, the RAGPS receivers may write that location data to a nearby assistance tags that lacks up-to-date location data. |
| US08743695B1 |
Transmission channel feedback in a wireless network
The present invention relates to a method to improve the communication performance of a network of transceivers stations. The method comprises of a plurality of transceiver stations transmitting signals to each other, calculating the channel for the signal received at one station, and then conveying the information about the channel to the transmitting station. |
| US08743693B2 |
Method for dynamically adjusting token bucket sizes
The invention includes a method for determining a maximum size of a token bucket. One method includes detecting a condition and determining the maximum token bucket size in response to the condition. The condition may include one of a packet drop and a reduction of a current token bucket size, an actual information rate satisfying a rate threshold, or a current token bucket size satisfying a size threshold. Another method includes detecting a packet drop, detecting a reduction of a current token bucket size, and determining the maximum token bucket size in response to the packet drop and the reduction of the current token bucket size. Another method includes detecting a condition and performing an initial bucket size adaptation in response to the condition where the initial bucket size adaptation has an initial adaptation rate greater than a subsequent adaptation rate associated with a subsequent bucket size adaptation. |
| US08743689B2 |
Method and apparatus for SMS termination overload protection
In order to ameliorate the overload at an overloaded network node that is discarding some of the SMSs it is receiving, when a node is overloaded with received SMSs, it sends a message to the nodes from which it is receiving SMSs of that fact and includes a parameter indicating the extent to which it is overloaded. That parameter, for instance, may be the percentage of SMSs that it is receiving that are being discarded. With this information, the sending node can determine a percentage of the pending SMSs during such conditions that will help remove the overloaded node from the overload condition more quickly. Furthermore, the network protocol may be adapted to include a priority parameter in SMSs. Then, when an SMS sending node knows that a node to which it is sending SMSs is overloaded, the sending node may decide which SMSs to send to the overloaded node based on such priority information. |
| US08743688B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically controlling internet protocol packet handling in a voice over internet protocol network
In one embodiment, the present disclosure is a method and apparatus for dynamically controlling Internet Protocol packet flows in a Voice over Internet Protocol network. In one embodiment, a method for controlling flows of packets in a network includes obtaining a list identifying at least one user element that is authorized to register with the network and dynamically configuring a manner in which at least one border element handles the packets in accordance with the list. |
| US08743684B2 |
GPRS default bearer tracking
The invention is directed to providing a method and apparatus for managing and tracking default bearers in an Internet Protocol Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) session of a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network while observing the requirements of the GPRS specifications. |
| US08743681B2 |
Fault-tolerance and resource management in a network
A method including receiving network topology and resource management information; generating a mapping between the network topology of a network and resource reservation paths associated with flows using the network based on the network topology and resource management information; generating a failure recovery plan (FRP) based on the mapping, wherein the FRP instructs one or more other network devices on how to manage a failure such that one or more resource reservation paths associated with flows impacted by the failure are not deleted; and loading the FRP on the one or more other network devices. |
| US08743680B2 |
Hierarchical network failure handling in a clustered node environment
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method and technique for hierarchical network failure handling in a clustered node environment is disclosed. The method includes: detecting a network failure by a node in a cluster, the cluster having plural nodes arranged in a hierarchy, wherein the network failure is associated with a subordinate node in the hierarchy to the detecting node; communicating the network failure from the detecting node to a superior node in the hierarchy; determining whether the network failure affects nodes higher than the detecting node in the hierarchy; and responsive to determining that the network failure does not affect nodes higher than the detecting node in the hierarchy, the detecting node initiating a protocol to expel the subordinate node from the cluster. |
| US08743677B2 |
VPLS N-PE redundancy with STP isolation
In one embodiment, a system includes a first network, a second network, and a core network connecting the first network to the second network. The first network includes a first set of two or more network devices, wherein the first network has a first spanning tree associated therewith. Similarly, the second network includes a second set of two or more network devices, wherein the second network has a second spanning tree associated therewith, wherein the second spanning tree is separate from the first spanning tree. |
| US08743674B2 |
Frequency domain echo and next cancellation
A cancellation system is disclosed for processing incoming and outgoing signals in a transform domain to create a cancellation signal for reducing or removing unwanted interference. Data is ordered based on Good-Thomas indexing into a two dimensional array in a buffer. The two dimensional array may have lr rows and lw columns. From the buffer, the columns of data undergo a Winograd small transform. The rows of data undergo a Cooley-Tukey operation to complete the transform operation into the frequency domain. Multipliers scale the transformed data to generate a cancellation signal in the frequency domain. Inverse (Cooley-Tukey) and Winograd transforms perform inverse processing on the cancellation signal to return the cancellation signal or data to the time domain. Re-ordering the data and combination of the cancellation signal or data with incoming or outgoing signals achieve interference cancellation. |
| US08743672B2 |
Optical disk manufacturing apparatus and optical disk manufacturing method
In an optical disk manufacturing apparatus, a movement mechanism changes the movement speed of a laser beam irradiation component from a first to a second speed at a first radial position located within where the laser beam irradiation component moves from an inner peripheral region of the optical disk to an identification information recording region of the optical disk, and changes the movement speed from the second to a third speed at a second radial position at which the laser beam irradiation component has reached the identification information recording region at the second speed. The second speed is lower than the first speed and the third speed. The laser beam irradiation component records the identification information by irradiating with a laser beam while alternating between a first power level and a second power level low enough not to crystallize the recording layer, when moving through the identification information recording region. |
| US08743669B2 |
Optical disc drive and method of accessing optical disc
An optical disc drive and a method of reading an optical disc are disclosed. The drive includes an I/O port, an optical pickup module and a format conversion unit. The I/O port couples a host to receive a read command of a host terminal file system format. The optical pickup module accesses the optical disc which contains data of a first file system format. The format conversion unit coupled between the I/O port and the optical pickup module includes a mapping information generation module, a memory module and a read-command processing module. The mapping information generation module controls the optical pickup module to access data and thereby to generate mapping information. The memory module stores the mapping information. The read-command processing module controls the optical pickup module to access the optical disc according to the read command by referring to the mapping information. |
| US08743665B2 |
Light source chip and a thermally assisted head with the same, and manufacturing methods thereof
A manufacturing method of a light source chip for a thermally assisted head comprises steps of (a) providing a light source bar with a surface coating formed thereon; (b) forming several blind holes on the predetermined positions of the light source bar by etching, the blind hole having a top hollowed on the surface coating and a bottom hollowed on the light source bar, and the blind hole having a first biggest width at its top; (c) cutting the light source bar along every two adjacent blind holes by a cutting machine. The cutting machine has a cutting means with a second biggest width that is smaller than the first biggest width of the blind hole, thereby cutting down an individual light source chip without contacting the side edges of the blind hole. Thus a light source chip with a smooth edge and without cracks on the surface can be obtained; and the surface coating formed thereon is hard to be peeled off. |
| US08743659B1 |
Systems and methods for communicating in a multi-device environment
The invention provides devices and methods for using acoustics to communicate between a macro-scale transceiver and a micro-device or between multiple micro-devices. The micro-devices may passively scatter sound from a transceiver or actively generate sound. Acoustic waves can also provide power to a micro-device. |
| US08743657B1 |
Resolution analysis using vector components of a scattered acoustic intensity field
A target analysis method that includes the steps of: illuminating a target with acoustic waves; positioning a device at multiple acoustic vector sensing positions about the target in a scattered acoustic field of reflected waves to simultaneously measure acoustic pressure and particle velocity at each vector sensing position; converting using a Hilbert transform the measured acoustic pressures and particle velocities into a complex signal having active real and reactive imaginary vector component; computing respective active and reactive acoustic intensities at each vector components; and mapping field structure nulls being zero crossings of the active and reactive intensities to a bitmap representation of decomposed scattered target acoustic intensities of the target. |
| US08743650B2 |
Block repair scheme
Systems, memory arrays and methods (e.g., methods of block repair) are provided. One such system includes a memory array including a memory bank including a plurality of sections, wherein each of the plurality of sections includes at least one redundant row. Further embodiments provide for mapping non-redundant rows associated with a section associated with a block failure to distributed redundant rows. |
| US08743645B2 |
Semiconductor memory device for stably reading and writing data
In a semiconductor memory device, static memory cells are arranged in rows and columns, word lines correspond to respective memory cell rows, and word line drivers drive correspond to word lines. Cell power supply lines correspond to respective memory cell columns and are coupled to cell power supply nodes of a memory cell in a corresponding column. Down power supply lines are arranged corresponding to respective memory cell columns, maintained at ground voltage in data reading and rendered electrically floating in data writing. Write assist elements are arranged corresponding to the cell power supply lines, and according to a write column instruction signal for stopping supply of a cell power supply voltage to the cell power supply line in a selected column, and for coupling the cell power supply line arranged corresponding to the selected column at least to the down power supply line on the corresponding column. |
| US08743636B2 |
Memory module having a write-timing calibration mode
In memory module populated by memory components having a write-timing calibration mode, control information that specifies a write operation is received via an address/control signal path and write data corresponding to the write operation is received via a data signal path. Each memory component receives multiple delayed versions of a timing signal used to indicate that the write data is valid, and outputs signals corresponding to the multiple delayed versions of the timing signal to enable determination, in a memory controller, of a delay interval between outputting the control information on the address/control signal path and outputting the write data on the data signal path. |
| US08743633B2 |
Integrated semiconductor device
An integrated semiconductor device including: a first semiconductor device having a clock generation section, first data storage sections storing input data as transfer data, data output terminals provided, one for each of the first data storage sections, and a clock output terminal adapted to output a transfer clock; and a second semiconductor device having data input terminals which receive the transfer data, a clock input terminal adapted to receive the transfer clock, second data storage sections associated with the data input terminals respectively to store input data, and selection sections associated with the second data storage sections respectively to select either the transfer data or data shifted and output to the associated second data storage section in a first series circuit which is formed by connecting the second data storage sections in series, the selection sections supplying the selected data to the associated second data storage section. |
| US08743632B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device, operating method thereof, and data storage device having the same
A nonvolatile memory device including a plurality of memory cells arranged at a region where a word line and a bit line cross each other, a voltage generator configured to generate a program voltage to apply to the word line by increasing the program voltage by an increment whenever a program loop is repeated, a current sensing check unit configured to compare a number of failed memory cells among the memory cells to first and second reference values, and a control logic configured to control the voltage generator to change the increment according to the comparison result of the current sensing check unit. |
| US08743629B2 |
Preloading data into a flash storage device
Programmer's data that is transferred from a programming device (160) to a storage device (100) is initially stored in a memory device (120) of the storage device (100) by using a durable data-retention storage setup (210). After the storage device is embedded in a host device (170), the programmer's data is internally (i.e., in the storage device) read from the memory device and rewritten into the memory device by using a conventional storage setup (220). Using a durable data-retention storage setup may include temporarily (i.e., before the storage device is embedded in a host) operating selected memory cells (124) of the memory device as conventional single-bit per cell (SBC) cells or as unconventional multi-bit per cell (MBC) cells. After the storage device (100) is embedded in a host device (170), the programmer's data, or selected parts thereof, is read from the memory device (120) and rewritten into it by operating selected memory cells (126, 128) of the memory device as conventional MBC cells. |
| US08743628B2 |
Line driver circuits, methods, and apparatuses
Described embodiments are directed to line drivers, such as those for providing reduced gate induced drain leakage in a memory array. Corresponding methods of operation of line drivers are also disclosed. |
| US08743627B2 |
Memory device and voltage interpreting method for read bit line
A memory device comprises a memory cell array, a first and a second pre-charging switch circuits, a selecting circuit, an auxiliary memory cell array, a dynamic voltage controller and a sense amplifier. The auxiliary memory cell array comprises an auxiliary read bit line and a plurality of memory cells arranged in a column and electrically connected to the auxiliary read bit line. The second pre-charging switch circuit determines whether or not to supply a reference voltage to each of the aforementioned memory cells according to a pre-charging control signal. The dynamic voltage controller determines whether or not to supply a voltage to the auxiliary read bit line according to the voltage level of the output signal of the selecting circuit. The sense amplifier compares the voltage levels of the output signal of the selecting circuit and the voltage on the auxiliary read bit line to output a sensing result accordingly. |
| US08743626B2 |
Controlling a non-volatile memory
Controlling a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory includes a plurality of memory cells in an integrated circuit substrate. The non-volatile memory also includes a high-voltage node in power-transmissive communication with the plurality of memory cells. Further, the non-volatile memory includes an intermediate-voltage node in power-transmissive communication with the plurality of memory cells. Moreover, the non-volatile memory includes a counter-doped-gate device, coupled within the integrated circuit substrate, in power-transmissive communication between the high-voltage node and the intermediate-voltage node. |
| US08743625B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit adapted to output pass/fail results of internal operations
In a semiconductor integrated circuit, an internal circuit is capable of executing a first operation and a second operation concurrently, and an output circuit outputs to the outside of the semiconductor integrated circuit information indicating whether or not the first operation is being executed and information indicating whether or not the second operation is executable. |
| US08743624B2 |
Programming and selectively erasing non-volatile storage
A non-volatile storage system performs programming for a plurality of non-volatile storage elements and selectively performs re-erasing of at least a subset of the non-volatile storage elements that were supposed to remain erased, without intentionally erasing programmed data. |
| US08743623B2 |
Apparatus and methods of bit line setup
Methods and apparatus are disclosed, including an apparatus that has a memory cell array with a memory cell selectively coupled to a bit line. A control circuit is configured to provide a control signal. A voltage generator is configured to provide a sense signal and a precharge signal in response to the control signal. The apparatus further includes a page buffer configured to provide a bit line voltage to the bit line based on the sense signal and the precharge signal, to thereby control a programming of the memory cell. |
| US08743621B2 |
Operating method in a non-volatile memory device
A method of verifying a non-volatile memory device includes precharging a bit line to a high level through a sensing node by applying a first voltage to a bit line select transistor coupled between the bit line and the sensing node; applying a verifying voltage to a plurality of word lines; disconnecting the bit line from the sensing node; and coupling the bit line to the sensing node by applying a second voltage to the bit line select transistor so as to detect a level of the bit line, the second voltage being smaller than the first voltage, wherein, a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage in a verifying operation is higher than a difference between a first voltage and a second voltage that are used in a read operation. |
| US08743620B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and program verify method thereof
A program verify method of the nonvolatile memory device includes supplying a first program verify voltage to a word line coupled to memory cells of a memory cell array, sensing a voltage of a bit line coupled to the memory cells in response to a first sense signal, supplying a second program verify voltage higher than the first program verify voltage to the word line, and sensing a voltage of the bit line in response to a second sense signal having a lower voltage level than the first sense signal. |
| US08743614B2 |
Vertically-integrated nonvolatile memory devices having laterally-integrated ground select transistors
Nonvolatile memory devices utilize vertically-stacked strings of nonvolatile memory cells (e.g., NAND-type strings) that can be selectively coupled to common source lines within a substrate. This selective coupling may be provided by lateral ground select transistors having different threshold voltages that account for different lateral spacings between the vertically-stacked strings of nonvolatile memory cells and the common source lines. |
| US08743611B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory device
A first capacitor includes a plurality of first conductive layers and second conductive layers. The first conductive layers function as a first electrode of the first capacitor, the second conductive layers function as a second electrode of the first capacitor. The first conductive layers and the second conductive layers are arranged alternately in the direction substantially perpendicular to a semiconductor substrate. A control circuit is configured to control a voltage applied to each of first conductive layers and the second conductive layers according to voltages of gates of a plurality of memory transistors, thereby changing a capacitance of the first capacitor. |
| US08743609B1 |
Method and apparatus for increasing data retention capability of a non-volatile memory
Semi-volatile NAND flash memory systems, apparatuses, and methods for use are described herein. According to various embodiments, a semi-volatile NAND flash memory may be partitioned into various retention regions. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08743606B2 |
Natural threshold voltage distribution compaction in non-volatile memory
In a non-volatile memory system, a programming operation applies programming pulses to a target word line, determines when a specified number of the non-volatile storage elements reach a defined verify level, and counts a specified number of the programming pulses after the specified number of the non-volatile storage elements reach the defined verify level. Upon completion of the counting, faster-programming storage elements are distinguished from slower-programming storage elements. Programming continues for of at least some of the faster-programming non-volatile storage elements, with an associated programming speed-based slow down measure imposed thereon, and for at least some of the slower-programming non-volatile storage elements without imposing a programming speed-based slow down measure. |
| US08743602B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device
Embodiments of present invention relate to a nonvolatile memory device that includes a first page buffer controlling any one of a first even bit line and a first odd bit line; a second page buffer controlling any one of a second even bit line and a second odd bit line; wherein the second page buffer operates the second odd bit line according to program when the first page buffer operates the first even bit line according to program, and the second page buffer operates the second even bit line according to program when the first page buffer operates the first odd bit line according to program. |
| US08743599B2 |
Approach for phase change memory cells targeting different device specifications
A memory chip and methods of fabricating a memory device with different programming performance and retention characteristics on a single wafer. One method includes depositing a first bounded area of phase change material on the wafer and depositing a second bounded area of phase change material on the wafer. The method includes modifying the chemical composition of a switching volume of the first bounded area of phase change material. The method includes forming a first memory cell in the first bounded area of phase change material with a modified switching volume of phase change material and a second memory cell in the second bounded area of phase change material with an unmodified switching volume of phase change material such that the first memory cell has a first retention property and the second memory cell has a second retention property. The first retention property is different from the second retention property. |
| US08743598B2 |
Reversing a potential polarity for reading phase-change cells to shorten a recovery delay after programming
A potential supplied to selected cells in a Phase Change Memory (PCM) is reversed in polarity following a program operation to suppress a recovery time and provide device stabilization for a read operation. |
| US08743596B2 |
Magnetoresistive random access memory
A method of forming a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) apparatus includes forming a first conductive line on a first insulating layer, forming a second insulating layer on the first conductive line and forming a magnetic tunnel junction through the second insulating layer to contact the first conductive line. The method also includes forming a cavity adjacent to the magnetic tunnel junction in the second insulating layer and forming a second conductive line on the second insulating layer to contact the magnetic tunnel junction. |
| US08743592B2 |
Memory circuit properly workable under low working voltage
A memory circuit properly workable under low working voltage includes a plurality of write word lines, a plurality of write bit lines, a plurality of read/write word lines, a plurality of read/write bit lines, a plurality of read/write inverted word lines, a plurality of virtual voltage source circuits, a plurality of virtual ground circuits, and a plurality of asymmetrical RAM cells constituting a cell array. The asymmetrical RAM cells are formed of seven transistors, five of which are NMOS transistors and two of which are PMOS transistors. The virtual voltage power source circuit and the virtual ground circuit can reinforce the write-in and read abilities under low working voltage to make the write-in and read actions more stable, decrease leakage current, and lower power consumption. |
| US08743590B2 |
Memory device and semiconductor device using the same
A memory device whose speed at the time of operation such as writing or reading is high and whose number of semiconductor elements per memory cell is small is provided. The memory device includes a control unit, an arithmetic unit, and a buffer memory device. The buffer memory device stores data sent from a main memory device and/or the arithmetic unit, in accordance with an instruction from the control unit. The buffer memory device includes a plurality of memory cells. The memory cells each include a transistor including a channel formation region including an oxide semiconductor, and a memory element to which charge with an amount in accordance with a value of the data is supplied through the transistor. Further, a data retention time of the memory cell corresponding to a valid bit is shorter than a data retention time of the memory cell corresponding to a data field. |
| US08743589B2 |
Arrays of vertically stacked tiers of non-volatile cross point memory cells and methods of reading a data value stored by an array of vertically stacked tiers of non-volatile cross point memory cells
An array of vertically stacked tiers of non-volatile cross point memory cells includes a plurality of horizontally oriented word lines within individual tiers of memory cells. A plurality of horizontally oriented global bit lines having local vertical bit line extensions extend through multiple of the tiers. Individual of the memory cells comprise multi-resistive state material received between one of the horizontally oriented word lines and one of the local vertical bit line extensions where such cross, with such ones comprising opposing conductive electrodes of individual memory cells where such cross. A plurality of bit line select circuits individually electrically and physically connects to individual of the local vertical bit line extensions and are configured to supply a voltage potential to an individual of the global horizontal bit lines. Other embodiments and aspects are disclosed. |
| US08743588B2 |
Resistance-change memory device and method of operating the same
Disclosed herein is a resistance-change memory device including a bit line; a voltage supplying layer; a memory element connected between the bit line and the voltage supplying layer, a resistance value of the memory element being changed in accordance with an applied voltage; and a drive controlling circuit causing a first current to flow through the bit line and causing a second current smaller than the first current to flow through the bit line, thereby controlling a resistance decreasing operation in which the memory element is made to transit from a high resistance state to a low resistance state by using the second current. |
| US08743587B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes first cells, first lines, second lines, a first cell array, and a signal driver. The first cell has in either a first state or a second state. Retention time in the second state is longer than in the first state. The first cell array has the first cells formed in a matrix the individuals. The first cells are electrically connected by the first, second lines. The signal driver drives the first cells. The signal driver causes the first cells to transition to either the first state or the second state by controlling any one of a voltage, a current, and a charge amount applied to the first cells, or a combination of these, and waveforms of the voltage, current, and charge amount and/or the length of transfer time of at least one of the voltage, current, and charge amount. |
| US08743586B2 |
Method and structure for ultra-high density, high data rate ferroelectric storage disk technology using stabilization by a surface conducting layer
A electrometric access head includes a supporting substrate and a plurality of read elements mounted on the supporting substrate. Each read element includes an electrometric sensor for detection of a sign of polarization of domains within a ferroelectric data layer of a ferroelectric storage medium. The ferroelectric data layer serves as a layer for storing information as bits defined by the signs of polarization of domains within the ferroelectric data layer, each polarized domain including a volume dipole polarization within the ferroelectric data layer and including an area of bound charge on and adjacent to a surface of the ferroelectric data layer. |
| US08743582B2 |
3D semiconductor device
A three-dimensional (3D) semiconductor device may include a stack of chips, including a master chip and one or more slave chips. I/O connections of slave chips need not be connected to channels on a motherboard, and only electrode pads of a master chip may be connected to the channels. Only the master chip may provide a load to the channels. A through-substrate via (TSV) boundary may be set on a data input path, a data output path, an address/command path, and/or a clock path of a semiconductor device in which the same type of semiconductor chips are stacked. |
| US08743581B2 |
Memory devices having break cells
A representative memory device includes a cell array, at least one break cell that subdivides the cell array into bit cell arrays, and one or more power switches that are electrically coupled to the bit cell. In one embodiment, the break cell separates a connectivity of a first voltage and a second voltage between at least two bit cell arrays so that the bit cell arrays can be selectively coupled to either the first voltage or the second voltage using the power switches. The power switches control the connection of each separated bit cell array of the cell array to either the first voltage or second voltage. |
| US08743578B2 |
Use of hydrocarbon nanorings for data storage
Hydro-carbon nanorings may be used in storage. Sufficiently cooled, an externally hydrogen doped carbon nanoring may be used to create a radial dipole field to contain streams of electrons. Similarly, an internally hydrogen doped carbon nanoring may be used to create a radial dipole field to contain streams of positrons. When matched streams of positrons and electrons are sufficiently compressed they may form Cooper pairs with magnetic moments aligned to the movement of the stream. Matched adjacent Cooper pairs of electrons and positrons may contain information within their magnetic moments, and as such, may transmit and store information with little or no energy loss. |
| US08743567B2 |
Multi-output voltage converter with switching arrangement and method for voltage conversion
A voltage converter (10) comprises an input (11) for receiving an input voltage (VIN), a first output (12) for providing a first output voltage (VPOS) and a second output (13) for providing a second output voltage (VNEG). The first output voltage (VPOS) and the second output voltage (VNEG) have opposite polarities. A switching arrangement (14) of the voltage converter (10) is designed to provide energy to an inductor (15) in a charging phase (A) of operation and to provide energy from the inductor (15) to the first output (12) and, via a flying capacitor (16), to the second output (13) in a discharging phase of operation. The first duration (t1) of the charging phase (A) of operation is controlled such that the difference between a first predetermined value and the sum of the absolute value of the first output voltage (VPOS) and of the second output voltage (VNEG) is minimized. |
| US08743563B2 |
Electronic device with an apparatus for fixing a power supply
An electronic device includes a chassis having a sidewall, a power supply detachably received in the chassis, a latching member, and a handle pivotably connected to the power supply. A first end of the latching member is fixed to the power supply, and a second end of the latching member detachably latches the handle. Two latching holes are defined in the sidewall of the chassis. The latching member includes two latching tabs engaging in the latching holes in response to the second end of the latching member latching the handle. |
| US08743561B2 |
Wafer-level molded structure for package assembly
An integrated circuit structure includes a bottom die; a top die bonded to the bottom die with the top die having a size smaller than the bottom die; and a molding compound over the bottom die and the top die. The molding compound contacts edges of the top die. The edges of the bottom die are vertically aligned to respective edges of the molding compound. |
| US08743560B2 |
Circuit board and semiconductor module including the same
In one embodiment, a circuit board is disclosed. The circuit board includes a first metal core; a second metal core spaced apart from the first metal core in a first direction when viewed as a cross section, such that a first side of the first metal core faces a first side of the second metal core; a first electrode electrically connected to the first side of the first metal core; a second electrode electrically connected to the first side of the second metal core facing the first metal core; and a dielectric layer between the first and second electrodes. |
| US08743558B2 |
Reduced wiring requirements with signal slope manipulation
An information handling system device includes a plurality of electronic components; an electric circuit including at least one trace for connecting two or more of the plurality of electronic components and transmitting data between the plurality of electronic components via at least one electric signal; and a substrate including an insulating material for serving as a base for the electric circuit, wherein each of the at least one electric signal transmitted between the plurality of electronic components is transmitted utilizing slope manipulation by manipulating each of the at least one electric signal to provide a slope substantially proportional to a discrete integer data value of n discrete integer data values, n being a positive integer greater than or equal to 3, said discrete integer data value represented by using one of n distinct slopes transmitted utilizing a particular reference voltage of n predetermined reference voltages. |
| US08743557B2 |
Printed wiring board
A printed wiring board has a packaging substrate having multiple pads, and a transmission substrate mounted on the multiple pads of the packaging substrate. The packaging substrate has a pad group constituted of pads which mount an electronic component, the multiple pads mounting the transmission substrate includes a first pad positioned in a peripheral portion of the packaging substrate and a second pad positioned between the first pad and the pad group, the second pad is electrically connected to a signal pad of the pads in the pad group, and the transmission substrate includes a horizontal wiring which electrically connects the second pad and the first pad and which transmits a signal between the second pad and the first pad. |
| US08743550B2 |
Interface device for electronic equipment and electronic equipment including the same
An interface device for electronic equipment including at least one port electronically connected to an external device; a housing disposed in the electronic equipment and includes an opening through which the port is drawn in and out; a door which accommodates the port and performs a first motion and a second motion, the first motion being rotation between an open position, in which the opening of the housing is open, and a close position, in which the opening is closed, the second motion being sliding between the open position and a projecting position, in which the door projects from the open position in a transverse direction to a rotation axis of the first motion parallel with an installation surface of the electronic equipment; and a driving unit which provides driving force to the door in the close position of the first motion of the door and in the second motion. |
| US08743548B2 |
Electric circuit device, electric circuit module, and power converter
The present invention provides an electric circuit device in which it is possible to achieve simultaneously the improvement of cooling performance and reduction in operating loss due to line inductance. The above object can be attained by constructing multiple plate-like conductors so that each of these conductors electrically connected to multiple semiconductor chips is also thermally connected to both chip surfaces of each such semiconductor chip to release heat from the chip surfaces of each semiconductor chip, and so that among the above conductors, a DC positive-polarity plate-like conductor and a DC negative-polarity plate-like conductor are opposed to each other at the respective conductor surfaces. |