| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08769399B2 |
Aiding search-result selection using visually branded elements
Computer-storage media, methods, and systems for formatting and surfacing a badge are provided. The badge represents a graphical region presented in visual association with a search result on a web-results page. The format of the badge is initially dictated by a template that is automatically generated. Upon collecting performance information, a website owner is granted permission to alter the template and appearance of the badge, via a publisher portal. During interaction with the publisher portal, the website owner is prompted to provide feedback in order to manage parameters of the badge, such as uploading a visual representation of a logo, trademark, or other branded element, or specifying a type of metadata to be imported to the graphical region. Accordingly, the badge operates to improve a users' ability to distinguish between search results on the web-results page and assists users in confidently deciding upon and selecting a relevant search result. |
| US08769393B1 |
Private neighborhood social network, systems, and methods
Disclosed are a method and system of private neighborhood social networks, according to one embodiment. In one aspect, a method of providing users of information with timely information about a news story related to the geographic locations of the users includes receiving a submission of a news story from the Internet via a computer network interface device. A contact database is searched to select users whose geographic locations indicate a proximity to the geographic location of the news story. The selected users are provided with the geographic location of the news story, the description of the details of the news story, and the information related to items associated with the news story. An interested user is enabled to form an immediate communication in the form of an online interview with a neighboring user surrounding the specific geographic location of the news story. |
| US08769392B2 |
Searching and selecting content from multiple source documents having a plurality of native formats, indexing and aggregating the selected content into customized reports
A computer implemented system and method in a client-server environment, is provided for document research, aggregation, and compilation. The system and method includes a server having a search module configured to generate a search interface displayable to a client communicably coupled to the server, and responsive to instructions received via the search interface, to search and sort selections of interest within a plurality of source documents. A customized report module is configured to generate a custom report interface displayable to the client, and responsive to user selection instructions received via the custom report interface, to extract and aggregate the selections of interest into a customized report. PDF, PPT, and XLS modules are configured to respectively enable source documents in the PDF, PPT, and XLS formats to be searched, sorted, and aggregated by the search module and customized report module. |
| US08769391B2 |
Application broker
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, provide a broker for client applications. In one aspect, a method includes providing an electronic document that has a document format compatible with a document reader application. The electronic document includes a broker application and a client application. The broker application can be loaded into a virtual machine running in the document reader application on a client device. The loaded broker application loads the client application into the virtual machine, and the loaded client application provides a graphical user interface for display. In some instances, the loaded broker application receives data from the loaded client application and stores the received data as a data set in the electronic document. In some instances, the loaded broker application retrieves a data set from the electronic document and provides the retrieved data set to the loaded client application. |
| US08769386B2 |
Performing a cyclic redundancy checksum operation responsive to a user-level instruction
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for receiving incoming data in a processor and performing a checksum operation on the incoming data in the processor pursuant to a user-level instruction for the checksum operation. For example, a cyclic redundancy checksum may be computed in the processor itself responsive to the user-level instruction. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08769385B2 |
Performing a cyclic redundancy checksum operation responsive to a user-level instruction
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for receiving incoming data in a processor and performing a checksum operation on the incoming data in the processor pursuant to a user-level instruction for the checksum operation. For example, a cyclic redundancy checksum may be computed in the processor itself responsive to the user-level instruction. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08769383B2 |
Method for protecting multimedia data using additional network abstraction layers (NAL)
A method for protecting multimedia data encoded by the H.264 standard, the data being encapsulated in a structure of the network abstraction layer or NAL type, characterized in that the user inserts at least one redundancy NAL containing the error-correcting code used for transmitting the data. |
| US08769381B2 |
Efficient re-read operations in analog memory cell arrays
A method for data storage includes storing data, which is encoded with an Error Correction Code (ECC), in a group of analog memory cells by writing respective first storage values to the memory cells in the group. After storing the data, respective second storage values are read from the memory cells in the group, and the read second storage values are processed so as to decode the ECC. Responsively to a failure in decoding the ECC, one or more of the second storage values that potentially caused the failure are identified as suspect storage values. Respective third storage values are re-read from a subset of the memory cells that includes the memory cells holding the suspect storage values. The ECC is re-decoded using the third storage values so as to reconstruct the stored data. |
| US08769379B2 |
Identifying a storage error of a data slice
A method begins by a processing module obtaining common storage name information regarding data that is stored in storage units of a distributed storage network (DSN) as a set of data slices. Each data slice of the set of data slices has a unique storage name, where each of the unique storage names for the set of data slices has common naming information regarding the data. The method continues where the processing module interprets the common storage name information to determine whether a difference exists between the common naming information of a data slice of the set of data slices and the common naming information of other data slices of the set of data slices. When the difference exists, the method continues where the processing module indicates a potential storage error of the data slice and implements a storage error process regarding the potential storage error of the data slice. |
| US08769378B2 |
Controller, a method of operating the controller and a memory system
The present disclosure provides a controller which comprises a command generator configured to generate a command to non volatile memory, and buffer configured to receive a first data and a second data and configured to combine the first data and the second data, an ECC unit configured to perform the ECC decoding. And the first page data may include at least one error bit corresponding to an error location table and the second page data may include at least one original bit which can be replaced with the error bit. The buffer may replace the at least one error bit with the said at least one original bit. The error location table may save information of location for the repeated error bit. |
| US08769375B2 |
Data storage device related method of operation
A method is provided for operating a data storage device comprising a storage medium and a controller configured to control operations of the storage medium. The method comprises determining whether a read-requested data strip is an error data strip, reading a plurality of data strips in a stripe comprising the read-requested data strip when the read-requested data strip is the error data strip, outputting a data strip recovered using the other data strip except the error data strip among the plurality of data strips, and writing the recovered data strip and the other data strips into the storage medium. |
| US08769374B2 |
Multi-write endurance and error control coding of non-volatile memories
Multi-write endurance and error control coding of non-volatile memories including a method for receiving write data and a write address of a memory page in a memory. The write data is partitioned into a plurality of sub-blocks, each sub-block including q bits of the write data. Error correction bits are generated at the computer in response to the sub-blocks and to an error correction code (ECC). At least one additional sub-block containing the error correction bits are appended to the partitioned write data and a write word is generated. The write word is generated by performing for each of the sub-blocks: selecting a codeword such that the codeword encodes the sub-block and is consistent with current electrical charge levels of the plurality of memory cells associated with the memory page; concatenating the selected codewords to form the write word; and writing the write word to the memory page. |
| US08769373B2 |
Method of identifying and protecting the integrity of a set of source data
A method of identifying and protecting the integrity of a set of source data which produces and combines an identification signature with a detection and correction remainder and extends the existing capability of some information assurance methods. |
| US08769364B2 |
System and method for digital gain error correction
A method for correcting digital gain error for a digital code includes receiving the digital code, generating a random number, adding a first dither to the digital code, in which a magnitude of the first dither is determined based on the random number, performing an operation on the digital code including the added dither with a factor to generate a scaled digital code, and subtracting a second dither corresponding to the first dither from the scaled digital code. |
| US08769352B1 |
Methods and apparatus for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) successive interference cancellation (SIC) with retransmissions
Systems and methods are provided for determining a successive interference cancellation (SIC) decoding ordering in a multiple input multiple output transmission (MIMO) system with retransmissions. A plurality of codewords is transmitted in a current transmission time. Some of the codewords may have been previously transmitted in previous transmission attempts according to a retransmission protocol. The plurality of codewords is received and an ordering metric is computed for a received codeword based on channels associated with multiple transmission attempts of the codeword. A decoding ordering of the codewords is determined based on the computed ordering metric. Performance parameters such as Packet Error Rate (PER), channel gain, and/or equalizer-output Signal-to-Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR) may be used to evaluate a channel quality for each one of the transmission attempts of the codeword. The ordering metric may be updated recursively with each transmission attempt. |
| US08769351B2 |
Mobile device and method for correcting errors occurring in attention commands of the mobile device
In a method for correcting errors occurring in attention (AT) commands of a mobile device, the mobile device includes a first user identity module (UIM) chipset, a second UIM chipset, a buffer and a timer. The method sets a response time for a communication between the first UIM chipset and the second chipset according to an AT command, backups the AT command into the buffer, and counts a communication time using the timer. When the communication time exceeds the response time, the method restarts the first UIM chipset using a watchdog timer and restarts the second UIM chipset by resetting voltage levels of I/O pins of the second UIM chipset. The method further clears the communication data stored in the buffer, reads the AT command from the buffer and resends the AT command to control the first UIM chipset to communicate with the UIM second chipset normally. |
| US08769348B2 |
Electronic device and method for protecting servers against vibration damage
An electronic device capable of communicating with a plurality of servers includes a storage unit, a vibration unit, a control unit, and a communication unit. The storage unit stores a vibration threshold value. The vibration sensor senses a vibration magnitude of the electronic device. The control unit generates control signals and transmits the control signals to the servers via the communication unit to direct the servers to take certain actions to protect data when the vibration magnitude sensed by the vibration sensor is equal to or greater than the vibration threshold value. |
| US08769344B2 |
Tracing speculatively executed instructions
A trace unit for generating items of trace data indicative of processing activities of a processor executing a stream of instructions, The unit includes trace circuitry for monitoring a behavior of the processor; storage circuitry for storing current trace control data for controlling the trace circuitry; a data store for storing at least some of the trace control data; the trace circuitry being configured to store the trace control data in the data store in response to detection of execution of the group of instructions; wherein the trace circuitry is responsive to detecting the at least one processor cancelling at least one group of the speculatively executed instructions to retrieve at least some of the trace control data stored in the data store for the group of instructions executed before the cancelled speculatively executed instructions and to store the retrieved trace control data in the storage circuitry. |
| US08769341B2 |
System and method for transmitting data using incremental remediation
A system and method for recovering from a failure is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises downloading a first patch into a base station, installing the first patch, loading the first patch, and validating the first patch. Once the first patch has been validated, a second patch may be downloaded, installed, loaded, and verified. This incremental remediation approach allows for the conservation of resources if the system is non-recoverable, as this will become evident prior to a complete download and install is performed. |
| US08769339B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing network system
An apparatus for managing a network system including a plurality of components, the apparatus includes a memory that stores component type data of each component of the plurality of components, component relation data including relation information indicating a pair of components related to each other in the network system and error history data including error information of respective error components in the plurality of components. The apparatus includes a processor that executes a procedure including extracting a pair of component type data as a relation class candidate on the basis of the component type data of a pair of error components indicated by the error information in the error history data, the pair of error components being indicated by the relation information. |
| US08769336B1 |
Method and apparatus for preventing journal loss on failover in symmetric continuous data protection replication
In traditional journal based replication environments, the journal is lost on failover. However, example embodiments of the present invention overcome this and other deficiencies by preserving a journal in a symmetric continuous data protection environment. Therefore, example embodiments of the present invention provide a method, an apparatus, and a computer program production for preserving a journal in a symmetric continuous data protection environment. The method comprises maintaining a journal in a journal-based replication environment comprising a production volume at a production site and a replication volume at a replication site and, after detecting a failover event, symmetrically preserving the journal after failover. |
| US08769335B2 |
Homogeneous recovery in a redundant memory system
A computer implemented method for providing homogeneous recovery in a redundant memory system. The method includes receiving a notification that a memory channel has failed, where the memory channel is one of a plurality of memory channels in a memory system. New operations are blocked from starting on the memory channels in response to the notification, and any pending operations on the memory channels are completed in response to the notification. A recovery operation is performed on the memory channels in response to the completing. The new operations are started on at least a first subset of the memory channels in response to the recovery operation completing. The memory system is configured to operate with the first subset of the memory channels. |
| US08769334B1 |
Techniques for providing instant disaster recovery
Techniques for providing instant disaster recovery are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for providing instant disaster recovery comprising, maintaining, in a data store, data associated with a first host system, wherein the data comprises a first data portion and a second data portion, storing, in the first data portion, a disaster recovery agent, and exposing, to a second host system, the first data portion and the second data portion, wherein the disaster recovery agent is configured to initiate, on the second host system, a disaster recovery process, boot the second host system using the first data portion, and copy, from the data store, the second data portion in accordance with a first copy procedure and a second copy procedure. |
| US08769332B2 |
Regional clock gating and dithering
A system and method for dithering a clock signal during idle times is disclosed. An integrated circuit (IC) includes a number of functional units and a clock tree. The clock tree includes a root level clock-gating circuit, a number of regional clock-gating circuits, and a number of leaf level clock-gating circuits. The root level clock-gating circuit is coupled to distribute an operating clock signal to the regional clock-gating circuits, while the regional clock-gating circuits are each configured to distribute the operating clock signal to correspondingly coupled ones of the leaf level clock-gating circuits. The IC may further include a control unit configured to monitor activity levels and indications from each of the functional units. The control unit may cause the root clock-gating circuit to dither the clock signal if the IC is idle, wherein dithering includes reducing the duty cycle and the effective frequency of the operating clock signal. |
| US08769323B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for optimizing frequency and performance in a multidie microprocessor
With the progress toward multi-core processors, each core is can not readily ascertain the status of the other dies with respect to an idle or active status. A proposal for utilizing an interface to transmit core status among multiple cores in a multi-die microprocessor is discussed. Consequently, this facilitates thermal management by allowing an optimal setting for setting performance and frequency based on utilizing each core status. |
| US08769313B2 |
Server with an embedded management board having a power controlling unit for controlling a plurality of power supplies and motherboards independently
The present invention provides a server including a plurality of power supplies independent from each other, a management backplane, a first embedded management board (first EMB) and a plurality of motherboards independent from each other. The power supplies are turned on or off according to a first control signal. The management backplane is coupled to the power supplies, the first EMB and the motherboards. The first EMB has a power-controlling unit and produces the first control signal and an acknowledgement signal according to the load status, the quantity of a plurality of turned on power supplies and a power-on demand command. The motherboards respectively send out the power-on demand command and decide whether or not to power on according to the acknowledgement signal, wherein when the first EMB works, a polling mode is used to sequentially switch the connections between the first EMB and the motherboards through the management backplane. |
| US08769312B2 |
Tampering monitoring system, protection control module, and detection module
Tampering monitoring system can detect whether protection control module is tampered with even if some of detection modules are tampered with. Tampering monitoring system includes protection control module detection modules, and management device. Protection control module includes: generation unit generating d pieces of distribution data from computer program, n and d being positive integers, d smaller than n; selection unit selecting d detection modules; and distribution unit distributing d pieces of distribution data to d detection modules. Each detection module judges whether received piece of distribution data is authentic to detect whether protection control module is tampered with, and transmits judgment result indicating whether protection control module is tampered with. Management device receives judgment results from d detection modules and manages protection control module with regard to tampering by using received judgment results. |
| US08769305B2 |
Secure execution of unsecured apps on a device
An app is secured on a mobile device by being deconstructed or unbundled into multiple modules, where a module is a segment of app code that performs a particular function. It is then determined which modules from the multiple modules perform some type of security function, for example, a function dealing with confidential or security-related data. These modules, forming a group of modules, are loaded into a trusted execution environment. The app is then re-bundled so that it has the first plurality of modules and the second plurality of modules. The app executes in a manner where the high security functions execute so that break points cannot be inserted into the app code. The re-bundling is done automatically in an app security wrapping process. Security constraints are added to the app. |
| US08769304B2 |
Method and system for fully encrypted repository
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for using information in conjunction with a data repository includes encrypting data associated with the information with an encryption key, sending at least the encrypted data to the data repository, and possibly deleting the information. The method also includes receiving a request for the information from a remote device, and sending a request for the encrypted data to the data repository. The method further includes receiving the encrypted data from the data repository, decrypting the encrypted data using the encryption key, and sending the information to the remote device. |
| US08769298B2 |
Digital rights management using trusted processing techniques
The present invention discloses several methods to strengthen the integrity of entities, messages, and processing related to content distribution as defined by the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Digital Rights Management (DRM). The methods use techniques related to the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) specifications. A first embodiment uses TCG techniques to verify platform and DRM software integrity or trustworthiness, both with and without modifications to the DRM rights object acquisition protocol (ROAP) and DRM content format specifications. A second embodiment uses TCG techniques to strengthen the integrity of ROAP messages, constituent information, and processing without changing the existing ROAP protocol. A third embodiment uses TCG techniques to strengthen the integrity of the ROAP messages, information, and processing with some changes to the existing ROAP protocol. |
| US08769291B2 |
Certificate generation for a network appliance
A method and system for generating identity certificates. The method may include receiving a user request to activate a network appliance, and causing a network appliance identifier and a transaction identifier of an activation transaction associated with the user request to be transmitted to the network appliance. A certificate signing request (CSR) and the transaction identifier may be received from the network appliance, the CSR including the network appliance identifier. A certificate may be generated for the network appliance if the activation transaction is valid. |
| US08769287B2 |
Method, system, and device for obtaining keys
A communication system that obtains a key includes: a server that confirms support of Identity Based Encryption (IBE) authentication; the server obtains public parameters and a private key for IBE; and the server receives a PreMasterSecret key encrypted through the IBE, and obtains a plain text of the PreMasterSecret key according to the public parameters and the private key. The system includes a client and a server. The client includes an IBE negotiating module, a public parameter obtaining module, a server identifier obtaining module, and a processing module. The server includes an IBE negotiating module, a public parameter obtaining module, a private key obtaining module, and a processing module. Through combination of the IBE technology and the SSL/TLS technology, the modes of encrypting a PreMasterSecret key in the existing SSL/TLS protocol are diversified, and the use scope of the existing SSL/TLS protocol is extended substantially. |
| US08769285B2 |
Methods and apparatus for deriving, communicating and/or verifying ownership of expressions
Methods and apparatus for generating, communicating, and/or verifying ownership of expressions are described. Various embodiments are well suited for use in a wireless peer to peer communications systems in which expressions are communicated, e.g., broadcast, in discovery intervals. A first communications device generates an expression from a first public key and an additional input, said first public key corresponding to a private key known to said first communications device. The first device transmits the generated expression on a communications channel used for discovery. A second communications device receives the transmitted expression from the first device. The second device transmits a request signal to the first device associated with the expression; and receives from the first device a signed communication signed using a private key known to said first communications device. The second device uses information from the signed communication to determine if said first communication device owns said expression. |
| US08769283B2 |
MTC device authentication method, MTC gateway, and related device
Embodiments of the present invention provide an MTC device authentication method, an MTC gateway, and a related device, which are used to solve a problem that direct interaction between a large quantity of MTC devices and a network side brings a heavy load to a network when the MTC devices are authenticated in the prior art. The method includes: performing, by an MTC gateway, mutual authentication with a core network node; performing, by the MTC gateway, mutual authentication with an MTC device; reporting, by the MTC gateway, a result of the mutual authentication with the MTC device to the core network node; and providing, by the MTC gateway, a non access stratum link protection key K between the MTC device and the core network node according to a key K1 or a key K2. |
| US08769276B2 |
Method and system for transmitting and receiving user's personal information using agent
A method and system for transmitting and receiving user's personal information using an agent are provided. An information management server managing user's personal information provides an agent including user's personal information in response to a user's personal information request message from a client. A client receives the agent and requests user's personal information from the agent. Then, the agent determines whether the client is authorized and provides the user's personal information to the client when it is determined that the client is authorized. Accordingly, the user's personal information is safely managed and transmitted. |
| US08769275B2 |
Batch settlement transactions system and method
Systems and methods for performing settlement of token access transactions are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides for batch processing bank card transactions, including receiving transaction records for a plurality of bank card transactions, wherein at least some of the transaction records include encrypted token information; determining whether the transaction records contain encrypted token information; decrypting the encrypted token information for a transaction record that is determined to have encrypted token information; and providing clear text token information obtained by decrypting the encrypted token information for a transaction record for transaction settlement. |
| US08769272B2 |
Differential encryption utilizing trust modes
Systems and methods are provided for data protection across connected, disconnected, attended, and unattended environments. Embodiments of the inventions may include differential encryption based on network connectivity, attended/unattended status, or a combination thereof. Additional embodiments of the invention incorporate “trust windows” that provide granular and flexible data access as function of the parameters under which sensitive data is accessed. Further embodiments refine the trust windows concept by incorporating dynamic intrusion detection techniques. |
| US08769270B2 |
Systems and methods for secure data sharing
Systems and methods are provided for creating and using a sharable file-level key to secure data files. The sharable file-level key is generated based on a workgroup key associated with the data file, as well as unique information associated with the data file. The sharable file-level key may be used to encrypt and split data using a Secure Parser. Systems and methods are also provided for sharing data without replicating the data on the machine of the end user. Data is encrypted and split across an external/consumer network and an enterprise/producer network. Access to the data is provided using a computing image generated by a server in the enterprise/producer network and then distributed to end users of the external/consumer network. This computing image may include preloaded files that provide pointers to the data that was encrypted and split. No access or replication of the data on the enterprise/producer network is needed in order for a user of the external/consumer network to access the data. |
| US08769268B2 |
System and methods providing secure workspace sessions
System and methods providing secure workspace sessions is described. In one embodiment a method for providing multiple workspace sessions for securely running applications comprises steps of: initiating a first workspace session on an existing operating system instance running on the computer system, the first workspace session having a first set of privileges for running applications under that session; while the first workspace session remains active, initiating a second workspace session on the existing operating system instance running on the computer system, the second workspace session having a second set of privileges for running applications under the second workplace session; and securing the second workspace session so that applications running under the second workplace session are protected from applications running outside the second workspace session. |
| US08769265B1 |
Method and system for providing persistence in a secure network access
A system and method for providing persistence in a secure network access by using a client certificate sent by a client device to maintain the identity of a target. A security handshake is performed with a client device to establish a secure session. A target is determined. A client certificate is associated with the target. During subsequent secure sessions, the client certificate is used to maintain persistent communications between the client and a target. A session ID can be used in combination with the client certificate, by identifying the target based on the session ID or the client certificate, depending on which one is available in a client message. |
| US08769260B1 |
Messaging system with user-friendly encryption and decryption
Encryption of message content of an e-mail sent by way of a webmail service may be performed in response to activation of a user interface element. The message content may be encrypted using a symmetric key. A public key of a recipient of the e-mail is received from a backend service and employed to encrypt the symmetric key. The encrypted symmetric key and encrypted message content are sent to a recipient by way of the webmail service. Decryption of the encrypted message content may be performed in response to activation of another user interface element. A private key of the recipient is received from the backend service and employed to decrypt the encrypted symmetric key. The symmetric key is thereafter employed to decrypt the encrypted message content. |
| US08769258B2 |
Computer virus protection
A network is protected from e-mail viruses through the use of a sacrificial server. Any executable programs or other suspicious parts of incoming e-mail messages are forwarded to a sacrificial server, where they are converted to non-executable format such as Adobe Acrobat PDF and sent to the recipient. The sacrificial server is then checked for virus activity. After the execution is completed, the sacrificial server is rebooted. |
| US08769256B2 |
Fast switching between multiple operating systems using standby state
An operating system switching method is provided. The operating system switching method is for a computer system comprising a control unit, a memory unit, and a storage unit, wherein the storage unit comprises a first operating system and a second operating system. The steps of the method include: loading the first operating system and the second operating system into a first memory space and a second memory space of the memory unit, respectively, and setting the first memory space and the second memory space to a working state and a standby state, respectively; and performing a first switching of the operating systems, and setting the first memory space and the second memory space to the standby state and the working state. |
| US08769254B2 |
System and method for downloading electronic information to a video lottery
This invention relates to reprogramming of in-circuit programmable chips installed in video lottery terminals (VLTs) by downloading electronic information (software) to such chips. Encrypted electronic information is downloaded from a host device to a gaming terminal through a communications link. The terminal comprises a decryption component configured for decrypting the encrypted electronic information using at least two security keys, at least one said key being resident in the terminal and at least another said key being delivered to the terminal at the time of the downloading (the downloading facilitating a replacement of existing software in terminal with corresponding decrypted software obtained from decrypting the encrypted information). The encrypted information transmitted to the terminal comprises at least one next version key for later use by the decryption component in decrypting a next version of encrypted electronic information. The non-resident key may be provided to the terminal by means of an electronic plug-in security key or provided through a secure network. |
| US08769253B2 |
Fibre channel input/output data routing system and method
A method of performing an input/output (I/O) processing operation includes: generating an address control structure for each of a plurality of consecutive data transfer requests, each address control structure specifying a local channel memory location of a corresponding address control word (ACW); receiving a data transfer request from a network interface that includes addressing information specified by a corresponding address control structure; comparing, by a data router in the channel, an Offset field of an address control structure and an Expected Offset field of an ACW to determine whether the data transfer request has been received in the correct order; and based on determining that the data transfer request has been received in the correct order, accessing the ACW by the data router and routing the data transfer request to a host memory location specified in the ACW. |
| US08769251B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method for converting data values between endian formats
A data processing apparatus and method are provided for converting data values from a first endian format to a second endian format. Swizzle circuitry is provided for receiving a block of data containing at least one data value, and for converting each data value from the first endian format to the second endian format. The swizzle circuitry comprises first swizzle circuitry for performing a re-ordering operation on the block of data assuming the at least one data value contained therein is of a first size, in order to produce re-ordered data. Second swizzle circuitry is provided which is responsive to an indication that the at least one data value is of a size different to the first size to perform an additional re-ordering operation on the re-ordered data having regard to the size of the at least one data value in order to convert each data value to the second endian format. |
| US08769247B2 |
Processor with increased efficiency via early instruction completion
Methods and apparatuses are provided for increased efficiency in a processor via early instruction completion. An apparatus is provided for increased efficiency in a processor via early instruction completion. The apparatus comprises an execution unit for processing instructions and determining whether a later issued instruction is ready for completion or an earlier issued instruction is ready for completion and a retire unit for retiring the later issued instruction when the later instruction is ready for completion or to retire the earlier instruction when later instruction is not ready for completion and the earlier issued instruction has a known good completion status. A method is provided for increased efficiency in a processor via early instruction completion. The method comprises completing an earlier issued instruction having a known good completion status ahead of a later issued instruction when the later issued instruction is not ready for completion. |
| US08769241B2 |
Virtualization of non-volatile memory and hard disk drive as a single logical drive
Systems and techniques relating to storage technologies are described. A described technique includes operating drives such as a solid state drive (SSD) and a disk drive, where the SSD and the disk drive are virtualized as a single logical drive having a logical address space, where the logical drive maps logical block addresses to the SSD and to the disk drive. The technique includes determining, based on a file to be written to the logical drive, a target logical address that corresponds to one of the SSD and the disk drive, and writing the file to the logical drive at the target logical address to effect storage on one of the SSD and the disk drive. |
| US08769234B2 |
Memory modules and devices supporting configurable data widths
Described are memory apparatus organized in physical banks and including configurable data control circuit to support multiple data-width configurations. Relatively narrow width configurations load fewer sense amplifiers, resulting in reduced power usage for relatively narrow memory configurations. Also described are memory controllers that convey configuration value to configurable memory apparatus and support point-to-point data buffers for multiple width configurations. |
| US08769232B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory module enabling out of order host command chunk media access
A non-volatile semiconductor memory module is disclosed comprising a memory device and memory controller operably coupled to the memory device, wherein the memory controller is operable to receive a host command, split the host command into one or more chunks comprising a first chunk comprising at least one logical block address (LBA), and check the first chunk against an active chunk coherency list comprising one or more active chunks to determine whether the first chunk is an independent chunk, and ready to be submitted for access to the memory device, or a dependent chunk, and deferred access to the memory device until an associated dependency is cleared. |
| US08769230B2 |
Parallel, single-pass compaction in a region-based garbage collector
A method to implement parallel, single-pass compaction in a garbage collector is described. In one embodiment, such a method includes conducting a planning phase for multiple regions to be compacted. During the planning phase, the method determines new locations for data entities in the multiple regions. The method then performs a move phase for the multiple regions to move the data entities to their new locations. During the move phase, the method initiates multiple compaction threads to move the data entities to their new locations. While executing, the compaction threads dynamically build a dependency graph of the regions being compacted. The dependency graph guarantees that no data entity is moved to its new location until all data entities that it overwrites have been moved to their new locations. A corresponding computer program product and apparatus are also disclosed herein. |
| US08769228B2 |
Storage drive based antimalware methods and apparatuses
An anti-malware approach uses a storage drive with the capability to lock selected memory areas. Platform assets such as OS objects are stored in the locked areas and thus, unauthorized changes to them may not be made by an anti-malware entity. |
| US08769227B2 |
Storage controller and data management method
This storage controller providing a volume for storing data transmitted from a host system includes a management unit for managing the data written in the volume with a first block area, or a second block area in the first block area which is smaller than the first block area; a snapshot acquisition unit for acquiring a snapshot of the volume at a prescribed timing; and a transfer unit for transferring the data of the volume acquired with the snapshot of the snapshot acquisition unit to an external device with the first block area or the second block area. |
| US08769225B2 |
Optimization of data migration between storage mediums
In one embodiment, pursuant to migrating the data from the first to the second storage medium, the data is allocated to the second storage medium while retaining an allocation of the data in the first storage medium. If the data is migrated from the second storage medium back to the first storage medium, the data is pointed to the allocation of the data in the first storage medium to alleviate data movement from the second storage medium to the first storage medium. If the allocation of the data in the first storage medium is determined to be needed for other data, the allocation of the data in the first storage medium is freed. |
| US08769224B1 |
Discovering new physical machines for physical to virtual conversion
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for protecting data. In some embodiments, this includes connecting a new physical machine to a router, detecting the new physical machine, with a virtual appliance, based on the connection adding the new physical machine to a database, and backing up the new physical machine to a deduplicated virtual storage device, wherein the backup is in a virtual format. |
| US08769222B2 |
Method for creating consistent backup image of a storage volume without requiring a snapshot
Method for creating a consistent image, on a destination volume, of a target volume that remains in production use while the image is being created, without requiring the use of a snapshot. |
| US08769219B2 |
Disk controller configured to perform out of order execution of write operations
A storage controller including a processor and a memory controller. The processor is configured to generate a command corresponding to a first write operation and a second write operation, in which the first write operation is contiguous to the second write operation, and the first write operation is received prior to the second write operation. The command arranges the second write operation prior to the first write operation. The memory controller is configured to, in response to the command, execute each of the first write operation and the second write operation. The second write operation is executed by the memory controller prior to the first write operation. |
| US08769218B2 |
System and apparatus for flash memory data management
The system and apparatus for managing flash memory data includes a host transmitting data, wherein when the data transmitted from the host have a first time transmission trait and the address for the data indicates a temporary address, temporary data are retrieved from the temporary address to an external buffer. A writing command is then executed and the temporary data having a destination address are written to a flash memory buffer. When the flash memory buffer is not full, the buffer data are written into a temporary block of the flash memory. The writing of buffer data into the temporary block includes using an address changing command, or executing a writing command to rewrite the external buffer data to the flash memory buffer so that the data are written into the temporary block. |
| US08769207B2 |
Caching method and apparatus for a vertex shader and geometry shader
Systems and methods for sharing a physical cache among one or more clients in a stream data processing pipeline are described. One embodiment is directed to a system for sharing caches between two or more clients. The system comprises a physical cache memory having a memory portion accessed through a cache index. The system further comprises at least two virtual cache spaces mapping to the memory portion, each of the virtual cache spaces has an active window which has a different size than the memory portion. Further, the system comprises at least one virtual cache controller configured to perform a hit-miss test on the active window of the virtual cache space in response to a request from one of the clients for accessing the physical cache memory. Furthermore, data is accessed from the corresponding location of the memory portion when the hit-miss test of the cache index returns a hit. |
| US08769203B2 |
System and method for managing an object cache
In order to optimize efficiency of deserialization, a serialization cache is maintained at an object server. The serialization cache is maintained in conjunction with an object cache and stores serialized forms of objects cached within the object cache. When an inbound request is received, a serialized object received in the request is compared to the serialization cache. If the serialized byte stream is present in the serialization cache, then the equivalent object is retrieved from the object cache, thereby avoiding deserialization of the received serialized object. If the serialized byte stream is not present in the serialization cache, then the serialized byte stream is deserialized, the deserialized object is cached in the object cache, and the serialized object is cached in the serialization cache. |
| US08769202B1 |
Systems and methods for tracking working-set estimates with a limited resource budget
Embodiments of the systems and techniques described here can leverage several insights into the nature of workload access patterns and the working-set behavior to reduce the memory overheads. As a result, various embodiments make it feasible to maintain running estimates of a workload's cacheability in current storage systems with limited resources. For example, some embodiments provide for a method comprising estimating cacheability of a workload based on a first working-set size estimate generated from the workload over a first monitoring interval. Then, based on the cacheability of the workload, a workload cache size can be determined. A cache then can be dynamically allocated (e.g., change, possibly frequently, the cache allocation for the workload when the current allocation and the desired workload cache size differ), within a storage system for example, in accordance with the workload cache size. |
| US08769201B2 |
Technique for controlling computing resources
A technique to enable resource allocation optimization within a computer system. In one embodiment, a gradient partition algorithm (GPA) module is used to continually measure performance and adjust allocation to shared resources among a plurality of data classes in order to achieve optimal performance. |
| US08769199B2 |
Methods and systems of distributing RAID IO load across multiple processors
A method for distributing IO load in a RAID storage system is disclosed. The RAID storage system may include a plurality of RAID volumes and a plurality of processors. The IO load distribution method may include determining whether the RAID storage system is operating in a write-through mode or a write-back mode; distributing the IO load to a particular processor selected among the plurality of processors when the RAID storage system is operating in the write-through mode, the particular processor being selected based on a number of available resources associated with the particular processor; and distributing the IO load among the plurality of processors when the RAID storage system is operating in the write-back mode, the distribution being determined based on: an index of a data stripe, and a number of processors in the plurality of processors. |
| US08769198B1 |
System and method for out-of-band cache coherency
A method and computer program product for receiving a data read request on a first array for requested data stored on a multi-array storage network that includes the first array and at least a second array. The data read request is processed to determine if the requested data is resident on the first array. If the requested data is resident on the first array, the requested data is obtained from a storage device included within the first array. If the requested data is not resident on the first array, the requested data is obtained from a storage device included within the at least a second array via an out-of-band cache control process. |
| US08769197B2 |
Grid storage system and method of operating thereof
A method of operating a storage system includes: configuring the address space so that each LBA is assigned to at least two servers among a plurality of at least three servers in a control grid: to a primary server with a primary responsibility for handling requests corresponding to said LBA, and to a secondary server with a secondary responsibility for handling requests corresponding to said LBA. In response to a request corresponding to a certain LBA range, generating by a data server having primary responsibility over the certain LBA range, a primary cache object; identifying a data server configured as a secondary data server with regard to the certain LBA range; and generating a redundancy cache object corresponding to the primary cache object only at the identified secondary data server, the redundancy cache object to be used by the identified secondary data server when taking the primary responsibility. |
| US08769196B1 |
Configuring I/O cache
A method is used for configuring I/O cache. A file system and a disk volume are identified. The file system is mounted on the disk volume. A cache mapper logical volume is created in response to a cache creation request. A cache volume is dynamically created from an existing cache storage unit, where the cache mapper logical volume is mounted on the disk volume and the cache volume. |
| US08769195B2 |
Storage apparatus and storage apparatus control method
A save control section included in a storage apparatus continuously performs writeback by which a data group is read out from a plurality of storage sections of the storage apparatus and by which the data group is saved in a data group storage section of the storage apparatus, or staging by which a data group saved in the data group storage section is distributed and stored in the plurality of storage sections according to storage areas of the data group storage section which store a plurality of data groups. An output section of the storage apparatus outputs in block a data group including the data stored in each of the plurality of storage sections. The data group storage section has the storage areas for storing a data group. |
| US08769193B2 |
Numeric representation to improve life of solid state storage devices
Technologies and implementations for improving life of a solid state storage device are generally disclosed. |
| US08769190B1 |
System and method for reducing contentions in solid-state memory access
Embodiments of the invention are directed to enabling concurrent commands from command requesters in a non-volatile solid-state storage subsystem in a manner that reduces contentions among the commands. Embodiments group blocks of memory into multiple sets of superblocks and associate a command requester to each superblock set. In one embodiment, the superblock sets are dynamically associated with a requester. In one embodiment, the superblock sets are dynamically associated with requesters based in part on at least one of internal memory management needs and host command throughput. In one embodiment, an erase command is executed on a superblock within a set and a simultaneous write command is executed on a superblock within another set. |
| US08769189B2 |
Method and apparatus for byte-access in block-based flash memory
Techniques are described herein for managing data in a block-based flash memory device which avoid the need to perform sector erase operations each time data stored in the flash memory device is updated. As a result, a large number of write operations can be performed before a sector erase operation is needed. In addition, the block-based flash memory can emulate both programming and erasing on a byte-by-byte basis, like that provided by an EEPROM. |
| US08769179B2 |
Method for performing distributed administration
A master defines properties for a resource. The master assigns the properties to an owner. The owner associates the properties to an administrator object, the administrator object being an administrator of a company. The administrator can then associate the property to other objects associated with the company, thereby granting other company users access to the resource property. |
| US08769177B1 |
Interrupt latency reduction
A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention can include detecting an interrupt request during execution of an instruction by a processor of an integrated circuit. Additionally, a clock signal frequency can be changed that is received by the processor. An interrupt service routine can be executed that corresponds to the interrupt request. |
| US08769174B2 |
Method of balancing workloads in object storage system
The storage system exports logical storage volumes that are provisioned as storage objects. These storage objects are accessed on demand by connected computer systems using standard protocols, such as SCSI and NFS, through logical endpoints for the protocol traffic that are configured in the storage system. When traffic through a particular protocol endpoint is busy, the logical storage volume undergoes a rebind process pursuant to which the logical storage volume is bound to a new protocol endpoint, and the binding to the old protocol endpoint is removed upon completion of all pending input-output commands issued through the old protocol endpoint. |
| US08769172B2 |
Secure KVM device ensuring isolation of host computers
The present invention presents apparatuses and systems for operating multiple computers from a single console using a secured KVM device, while preventing information leakage between the computers. The system comprises several hosts connected through a secured KVM device to keyboard and mouse and one or more user displays. Secured KVM enables standard bi-directional communication between Secured KVM and user keyboard and mouse and between hosts peripheral ports and Secured KVM. Secured KVM physically enforces unidirectional data flow from attached keyboard and mouse to attached hosts peripheral ports to avoid potential leakages between hosts. |
| US08769171B2 |
Electrical device with electrical interface that is compatible with integrated optical cable receptacle
A device having a plug that is configured to mechanically interface with a receptacle external to the device. The plug also has an electrical interface that electrically interfaces with the receptacle even though the external receptacle has a mechanical and electrical interface shaped to interface with an integrated cable that includes an optical communication mechanism for communicating over most of the length of the integrated cable, and even though the device itself has a full electrical communication channel communicatively coupling a data communication endpoint of the device with the electrical interface of the plug. |
| US08769169B2 |
Assistive buffer usage techniques
Assistive buffer usage techniques are described. In one or more implementations, audio generated through text-to-speech conversion is output, the audio corresponding to text portioned in one of a plurality of buffers from an item of content. An input is received to rewind or fast forward the output of the audio. Responsive to the input, additional audio is output that was generated through text-to-speech conversion from text portioned in another one of the plurality of buffers. |
| US08769167B2 |
Channel device, information processing system and data transfer method
A channel device equipped with a data buffer unit storing data transferred between a storage device and an input-output device, a transfer controller transferring continuous data between the storage device and the data buffer unit using channel startup information. The storage device transfer controller transfers first data between the storage device and the data buffer unit using first transfer information stored in the address list and transfers the second data using second transfer information and total transfer amount information stored in the address list after the first data is transferred and an input-output device transfer controller transfers the continuous data between the data buffer unit and the input-output device. |
| US08769163B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling operating conditions of a peripheral device based on mode of interconnection
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the operating condition of a peripheral device based on the mode of interconnection of the peripheral device of a host device. The apparatus includes a first connector for connecting the peripheral device, a second connector for connecting the host device and a coupling system operatively interconnecting contacts of the first connector and contacts of the second connector. The coupling system is further configured to provide a supply signal to the peripheral device via the first connector, wherein the supply signal is at least in part indicative of one or more characteristics of the power available to the peripheral device from the host device. The supply signal may provide a means for the peripheral device to control operation thereof in light of the characteristics of the power available. |
| US08769162B2 |
Multiple path load distribution for host communication with a tape storage device
A multiple port host communicates with multiple tape drives by requesting information associated with a particular tape. Information of availability status of a plurality of host ports is provided. Traversing all host initiator ports finds a host port with no or the least traffic load for a tape reservation request. A host port's traffic load calculation uses instant and the updated historical traffic as primary and secondary factors. Every host port's traffic load is updated for every read/write command, and is used for path selection of reservation requests. The instant load is relatively sensitive but will be zero under light load. The historical load is aware of the light load though it is not sensitive enough when a burst I/O occurs. With the traffic load calculated from instant and historical loads, the distribution of tape tasks is spread evenly among host initiator ports under light load and burst I/O scenarios. |
| US08769161B2 |
Device management apparatus, device management system, and device management method
A device management apparatus connected to a plurality of devices via a network includes a collecting unit that receives usage data indicating a status of use of each of the devices from each of the devices and that stores the received usage data in a storage device, and a common data acquiring unit that acquires common data that is common to the devices from the usage data of each of the devices stored in the storage device. |
| US08769158B2 |
High availability device level ring backplane
A modular, high-availability network for an industrial control system employs a plurality of base modules having backplane and using network ring topology. Base modules may include I/O base modules for communicating with industrial processes or machines, an adapter base module for communicating with a programmable logic controller (PLC) and/or a bus expansion base module for providing additional I/O base modules. Base modules may be arranged side-by-side, having a backplane in a bank. Another embodiment may include having plurality of banks. The network ring topology used by the base modules is normally opened by a ring supervisor at the ring supervisor location. Upon failure of the network, the ring supervisor reconnects the ring to provide an alternative transmission path around the failure point. |
| US08769157B2 |
Communication apparatus, interface card, and failure handling method
A communication apparatus of the embodiment is provided with a first IF card that performs a relay process of a data frame in a first direction of a ring network, a second IF card that performs a relay process of a data frame in a second direction of the ring network, a communication-status determination unit that monitors the communication status from the first IF card to the second IF card, a block control unit that sets a new block point to either the first IF card or the second IF card when the communication status is abnormal, and a ring protocol processor that notifies other communication apparatuses that constitute the ring network of information for notifying the switching of a block point in the ring network, which indicates that the new block point has been set. |
| US08769151B2 |
Adding advertising content to media content
Content may be inserted at a duplicating device by inserting advertising content into a duplicated feed, and transmitting the duplicated feed to the terminal. The transmission of the duplicated feed is performed in response to a state of the terminal. |
| US08769148B1 |
Traffic distribution over multiple paths in a network
System and methods for efficiently distributing data packets in a multi-path network having a plurality of equal cost paths each having the same number of hops are provided. In one aspect, a system and method includes reordering the entries in the routing table of one or more peer routing devices, such that succeeding equal cost next hop routing devices that are interconnected in a Clos formation to the peer routing devices received unbiased traffic from each of the peer routing devices, thus enabling the succeeding next hop routing devices to distribute data traffic evenly over additional equal cost multiple hops further into the network. |
| US08769139B2 |
Efficient streaming server
Providing media content includes receiving a request from a client for a portion of a selected media file in a streaming server at a streaming tier in a multi-tiered architecture for media content storage and streaming; streaming the requested portion of the selected media file to the client directly from the streaming server if the selected media file is stored on the streaming server; and streaming the requested portion of the selected media file to the client from the streaming server by reverse proxy to at least one server of a storage tier in the multi-tiered architecture if the media file is not stored on the streaming server. |
| US08769138B2 |
Method for data retrieval from a distributed data storage system
There is provided a method and server for retrieving data from a data storage system including a plurality of storage nodes. The method may include sending a multicast message to at least a subset of the storage nodes. The multicast message may include a request for the subset of storage nodes to send the data. The multicast message may further include a data identifier, indicating the data to be retrieved. Moreover, the method may include receiving data from a first storage node of the subset of storage nodes. The data received from the first storage node may correspond to the requested data. At least the act of sending a multicast message or the act of receiving data from the first storage node may be performed on a condition that an estimated size of the data is less than a predetermined value. |
| US08769136B2 |
Load balancing of data transmissions
In an embodiment, a method is provided for transmitting data. In this method, a number from a sequence of numbers is identified, and each number from the sequence is associated with a time interval. A random number is generated and it is compared with the identified number. In reference to the time interval associated with the identified number, transmission of the data to the electronic device is initiated based on the comparison. |
| US08769123B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating QoS and bearer setup in an IP-based communication system
Apparatus, and an associated method, for generating a bearer setup request in a mobile, or other, communication system. An application-level bearer setup request generator is positioned at the application level of the communication system. A request is forwarded to a transport level. And a bearer setup request signal generator, located at the transport level, generates a transport-level bearer setup request that is routed to the bearer manager. Bearer setup is performed by the bearer manager and a response is provided through the transport layer to the application level, and back to a communication node when the bearer setup is performed. |
| US08769116B2 |
Full-duplex bi-directional communication over a remote procedure call based communications protocol, and applications thereof
Systems and methods for reducing the cost but increasing the performance caused in streaming data between a client and a server are described herein. Embodiments of the present invention relate to reducing the cost but increasing the performance by the traditional data streaming where two TCP connections, one for each direction of traffic is used. Further embodiments allow a server in communication with one or more clients using a RPC based communication protocol to bi-directional stream not on two TCP connections but a single TCP connection. In one embodiment, this is achieved by transmitting from the client to the server an initial handshake. If the server receives the handshake, then the client streams a request stream to the server and the server streams a response stream to the client simultaneously over the same single TCP connection establishing full-duplex streaming. |
| US08769112B2 |
Method and system for policy and charging control based on time period
The disclosure discloses a method for Policy and Charging Control (PCC) based on a time period, which comprises: when a Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF) entity provides Quality of Service (QoS) rules to a Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Function (BBERF) entity, a time indication of activation and/or deactivation of the QoS rules is provided at the same time. The disclosure also discloses a system for PCC based on a time period, which comprises: a providing unit located in the PCRF entity and configured to provide QoS rules and a time indication of activation and/or deactivation of the QoS rules to the BBERF entity at the same time. The disclosure ensures the consistency between the time of activating the QoS rules by the BBERF entity and the time of activating the PCC rules by the Policy and Control Enforcement Function (PCEF) entity, and the technical scheme is simple and practical. |
| US08769100B2 |
Method and apparatus for cluster data processing
A cluster data processing method and system based on a unique identity control without requiring continuous network connection between the servers in the cluster and an external computer. The cluster sends a first data containing a controlling identity record to the external computer. The controlling identity record includes a unique identity and a control information. A load-balancing device of the cluster receives from the external computer a second data, which contains a controlling identity record corresponding to that of the first data. The cluster routes the second data according to the control information in the controlling identity record of the second data. The disclosed method and system may help avoid the overload problem of server resources and prevent low performance caused by continuous network connection that has to be maintained between the cluster and external server 190 in existing technology. |
| US08769089B2 |
Distributed application using diagnostic heartbeating
A method, system, and computer program product for improving a distributed application using diagnostic heartbeating are provided in the illustrative embodiments. An application, executing using a processor and a memory in a first data processing system, sends a registration to a component in the first data processing system. The registration requests state information for a set of member components in a distributed domain. After the application sends the registration to the component, the application receives the state information from the component. The state information includes current status and diagnostic information relating to the set of member components obtained from diagnostic attributes of diagnostic heartbeat packets received by the component. A diagnostic heartbeat packet is a packet comprising a header, a set of heartbeat parameters, and a set of diagnostic attributes. |
| US08769082B2 |
Method and system for PHY initiated wake-up in energy efficient ethernet networks
One or both link partners coupled via an Ethernet link may comprise a PHY device operable to initiate a wake-up interval. The PHY device may monitor parameters that may indicate Ethernet link status. Exemplary parameters may comprise a timer, communication performance metrics and/or configuration parameters. From a low power mode, the PHY device may generate a wake state idle symbol based on the monitoring and may communicate it to a local and/or a remote MAC. The local and/or remote MAC may establish a wake-up interval. The wake-up interval may comprise synchronization, circuit adaption and updating of communication parameters, which may enable control of noise cancellation functions and/or equalization functions. One or both of the link partners may transition to a low power mode after the wake-up interval and/or to an active state after the wake-up interval. |
| US08769079B1 |
Determination and management of click values associated with visitors to web sites
Tools and techniques for determining click values are described herein. A method for determining click values may include processing transaction history records. These records may be related to transactions that are conducted between visitors and a website. The method may also include computing respective click values associated with different visitors, based on the transaction history records involving those visitors. These click values indicate a likelihood that the visitors may transact for particular goods or services offered through the website. |
| US08769078B2 |
Metrology device for the automatic monitoring of a digital signal broadcast network and a broadcast network comprising one such metrology device
The metrological device, for example for a broadcasting network, for monitoring an upline broadcast signal includes a main component and upline control data. The metrological device includes an extraction circuit for extracting the upline control data from the upline broadcast signal and delivering an upline instruction, and a measuring circuit for measuring a parameter of the upline broadcast signal according to the upline instruction and delivering a measurement result. A control circuit produces a downline instruction from the measurement results and an upline result produced by the extraction circuit from the upline control data, and an insertion circuit produces a downline signal to broadcast comprising firstly the main component of the upline broadcast signal and secondly the downline control data containing the downline instruction. |
| US08769075B2 |
Use of a systems management tool to manage an integrated solution appliance
An embodiment of the invention comprises a method for use with an integrated solution appliance under control of a management tool, the appliance having at least a console and a plurality of servers. The method includes providing the management tool with a CAM configured to participate in managing the appliance when used to implement a deployed solution. The CAM is furnished with a CTM for use in acquiring appliance level information, which includes specified metadata pertaining to each server. The CAM is also furnished with a COM, wherein the COM is operable to interact with components of the management tool, and is further operable to use information acquired by the CTM to selectively modify one or more commands issued by the management tool, which respectively affect operation of the appliance. |
| US08769073B2 |
Intelligent offline caching of non-navigated content based on usage metrics
A request for a navigated content associated with a browsing session can be received. The navigated content can be an electronic artifact which can be presented within an interface during the browsing session. The navigated content can be associated with a data source. The interface can be associated with a computing device. A usage metric associated with the navigated content can be collected. The usage metric can be a frequency and/or a duration measurement. The usage metric can be determined to be equivalent to a threshold value of a usage ruleset and can automatically persist within an offline cache the navigated content. A non-navigated content within the offline cache can be programmatically stored. The non-navigated content can be an electronic artifact linked to the navigated content wherein the non-navigated content is not presented within the interface during the browsing session. |
| US08769066B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing content
An apparatus and method for providing content is provided, which performs a web service initialization through a provided local offline web server and manages a plurality of content provided through a multithreaded web service. The apparatus for providing content includes a communication unit receiving one or more sets of content; a thread creation unit creating one or more threads that are given to the content to process a work; and a page creation unit having a frame per thread and creating an image page for playing the content on a web browser. |
| US08769063B2 |
Policy-based application management
Improved techniques for managing enterprise applications on mobile devices are described herein. Each enterprise mobile application running on the mobile device has an associated policy through which it interacts with its environment. The policy selectively blocks or allows activities involving the enterprise application in accordance with rules established by the enterprise. Together, the enterprise applications running on the mobile device form a set of managed applications. Managed applications are typically allowed to exchange data with other managed applications, but are blocked from exchanging data with other applications, such as the user's own personal applications. Policies may be defined to manage data sharing, mobile resource management, application specific information, networking and data access solutions, device cloud and transfer, dual mode application software, enterprise app store access, and virtualized application and resources, among other things. |
| US08769061B2 |
System and method of configuring a network
Methods and systems for configuring a network are described. A method may include detecting, during installation of a software program on a computing device, a router coupled to the computing device. The software program may be executable by a processor to selectively initiate a connection to a network via the router based on a security level of the router The method may also include modifying the security level of the router to satisfy a threshold security level. The threshold security level may be specified by a service provider of the network. |
| US08769059B1 |
Best practice analysis, third-party plug-ins
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to, among other things, providing resource allocation advice, configuration recommendations, and/or migration advice regarding data storage, access, placement, and/or related web services. In some examples, a web service may utilize or otherwise control a client instance to control, access, or otherwise manage resources of a distributed system. Based at least in part on one or more resource usage checks and/or configuration checks, resource usage information and/or configuration information of an account utilizing a web service, and/or user preferences and/or settings, resource allocation advice, system configuration recommendations, and/or migration advice may be provided to a user of an account. Additionally, in some examples, one or more remediation operations may be performed automatically. |
| US08769056B2 |
Method and arrangement for configuring a device in a data network
Methods for the configuration of a device in a data network are provided. According to one method, a domain name is first stored in the device. The device then transfers an inquiry message comprising the domain name to an addressing server that serves for the conversion between the domain name and the associated internet addresses. In a further step, the addressing server transmits an address information of a parameter server associated with said device to the device as a response to said inquiry message. The device establishes a link to the parameter server on the basis of said address information. The parameter server transmits via this link parameters to the device which serve to configure the device. |
| US08769055B2 |
Distributed backup and versioning
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates distributed backup and versioning techniques for network-based backup architectures. When data is committed to a backup system, a backup version can be created. The generated backup version can be a complete rendition of data or the generated backup version can be a differential between the data and backup information previously committed to the system. The generated backup version can be replicated across a distributed network of peers. Replication can be based upon a desire level of redundancy of versions, location of peers, network topology of peers, storage capacity of peers, health of peers, type of peer, and the like. In addition, versions can be retained based upon a configurable number of desired versions. |
| US08769054B2 |
Pairing a media server and a media client
A system for use in presenting media content includes a media server configured to provide media content and a media client configured to obtain the media content from the media server and to present the media content on a device. The media client is configured to generate a first code and to transmit information to the media server. The information identifies the media client and the information indicates that the media client is available for pairing. The media server is configured to reply to the information with a second code that corresponds to the first code in order to enable pairing between the media server and the media client. |
| US08769053B2 |
Containerized software for virally copying from one endpoint to another
A method, system and computer readable medium include objects with media content. The method includes receiving, at one or more servers, a request for the media content to be displayed at an endpoint. The method includes identifying information about an environment associated with the endpoint. The method includes identifying a set of objects to include in a container for the media content based on the information identified about the environment. At least one of the objects includes program code for completing a transaction during display of the media content. Additionally, the method includes sending, by one or more servers, the set of objects to the endpoint. |
| US08769051B2 |
Method and system for prediction of software data consumption patterns
A method including downloading a streaming model file and at least one initial execution file from a server via a conventional download protocol without using a specialized streaming protocol. When executed, the initial execution file only partially implements an application. The model file stores information identifying additional portions of the application file to be downloaded from the server. Data is read from the initial execution file, and stored in a local copy of the application file. Then, the application is executed by executing the local copy. Until the entire application file has been downloaded and as the application is executing, the information is read from the model file to identify a next file to download, the next file is downloaded via the conventional download protocol without using a specialized streaming protocol, next data is read from the next file, and the next data is stored in the local copy. |
| US08769049B2 |
Intelligent tiers of backup data
The claimed subject matter relates to systems and/or methodologies that facilitate intelligent distribution of backup information across storage locations in network-based backup architectures. A virtual layering of backup information across storage locations in the backup architecture can be implemented. Statistical models are utilized to dynamically re-allocate backup information among storage locations and/or layers to ensure availability of data, minimum latency upon restore, and minimum bandwidth utilization upon restore. In addition, heuristics or machine learning techniques can be applied to proactively detect failures or other changes in storage locations such that backup information can be reallocated accordingly prior to a failure. |
| US08769048B2 |
Data protection scheduling, such as providing a flexible backup window in a data protection system
A data protection scheduling system provides a flexible or rolling data protection window that analyzes various criteria to determine an optimal or near optimal time for performing data protection or secondary copy operations. While prior systems may have scheduled backups at an exact time (e.g., 2:00 a.m.), the system described herein dynamically determines when to perform the backups and other data protection storage operations, such as based on network load, CPU load, expected duration of the storage operation, rate of change of user activities, frequency of use of affected computer systems, trends, and so on. |
| US08769043B2 |
Computer implemented system and method for enhancing web browsing
The discloses method and apparatus (“system”) enables users to: generate a map of computer servers visited while browsing, calculate the total distance travelled on the web, earn “Goosemiles” or travel points for the distance surfed on the web, earn bonus points for being the first member to access a specific site or web-page, leave an electronic flag or message for other users or specific users who visit the site later, set-up guided annotated tours of the web or “Goose hunts” for specific members or group of members where messages are left on a series of sites with each providing a clue to the next link in the chain until they reach the final site or prize. Also, phishing attacks are spotted by alerting them if a familiar site is located in a different location. |
| US08769039B2 |
Method and apparatus of performing remote computer file exchange
Disclosed are an apparatus and method of exchanging data between a first computing device and a second computing device using a customized data transfer protocol. One example of operation may include establishing a control channel between the first computing device and the second computing device to exchange control information, negotiating a data transfer between the first and second computing devices, establishing a data channel between the first and second computing devices to transfer data, and transferring data from the first computing device to the second computing device over the data channel in parallel with control information being transferred over the control channel. The client devices may be a client and server configuration transferring data via a point-to-point data connection. |
| US08769032B2 |
Method and system for suggesting an optimal communication mode
A method for communicating information includes ranking, by a central processing server, one or more available communication modes according to a context of a recipient of a communication and one or more rules. The ranked available communication modes may be communicated to a sender of the communication. The context of the recipient corresponds to the availability of the recipient and/or the location of the recipient. The available communication modes correspond to capabilities associated with devices that are in proximity with the recipient. Whether devices are in proximity with the recipient is accomplished by locating the devices via a device location server. The communication modes may be ranked according to a cost and/or appropriateness of the available communication modes. |
| US08769031B1 |
System and method for implementing a subscription-based social media platform
Systems and methods for implementing a subscription-based social media or fan club platform are provided. A content creator generates live content on a mobile device and sends requests to a server for initializing a live stream from the mobile device. The server sends requests to encoding service providers. The encoded live content is send to a content storage server. Subscribers of the social media or fan club platform can access the live content on their mobile devices from the content storage server. |
| US08769030B2 |
Device event notification registration through direct interaction with mobile device
A method for registering for an appliance event notification comprises scanning a machine-readable code by a device and sending a request to register for an event notification to an appliance. A user interface corresponding to the appliance is displayed and the user interface includes an identification of at least one appliance specific event. A selection of an appliance specific event is received and a request to register for an event notification corresponding to the selected appliance specific event is sent to the appliance. An event notification is received upon occurrence of the event at the appliance. Additionally, the user interface includes an identification of at least one appliance specific control function. A request to register for control of the appliance corresponding to a selected appliance specific control function is sent to the appliance. Accordingly, instructions for control of the appliance are sent from the mobile device. |
| US08769026B2 |
Servicing requests that are issued in a protocol other than the protocol expected by the service
Techniques are provided for servicing requests that are issued in a protocol other than the protocol expected by the service. For example, many people want to use their mobile devices to interact with services, which require the ability to have multiple related messages in a session. However, their mobile devices do not have protocols that support interacting with such services. One technique provided herein is to interpose an intermediary between the mobile devices and the services to provide session capabilities on behalf of the mobile devices. |
| US08769024B2 |
Generating and/or providing access to a message based on portions of the message indicated by a sending user
Message processing is disclosed that includes detecting an action by a sending user selecting at least one portion of a message. An indication of the selected portion of the message is stored in the message, and the message transmitted to at least one message recipient. Contextually related content from the message for the selected portion may also be indicated in the message. The selected portion or portions of the message may be displayed to a recipient user, and selection by the recipient user of a portion of the message selected by said sending user may be detected. Contextually related content may be retrieved from the message in response detecting the recipient user's selection of the portion of the message selected by said sending user, and the contextually related content displayed to the recipient together with the portion of the message selected by said sending user. |
| US08769023B2 |
Disaster response system
A disaster response system receives location data and status data from participating devices in an area affected by a disaster. The disaster response system provides data to client devices outside the affected area. The data indicate statuses of people within the affected area. Disaster response system also instructs routers to perform actions to adjust bandwidth available for a particular use during and after the disaster. |
| US08769021B2 |
Method and system for light-weight SOAP transport for web services based management
Certain aspects of the present invention provide a method and system for light-weight simple object access protocol (SOAP) transport for web services based management. Aspects of a method may include managing a system using a simple object access protocol (SOAP) message that is mapped over one or both of: a remote management and control protocol (RMCP) and a RMCP security extensions protocol (RSP) to enable remote management of systems using Web services in out-of-band (OOB) management devices. |
| US08769016B2 |
Collaborative web browsing system
The present invention is directed towards to computerized social networks and e-commerce and facilitating ad-hoc screen sharing and co-browsing between users of a social network. The collaborative browsing method comprises a server computer having a Shopping With A Friend (SWAF) server engine coupled to a database, a SWAF client engine coupled to the SWAF server engine and a plurality of client computers each having a web browser program that runs the SWAF client engine. The web browser program does not include a collaboration plug-in. |
| US08769000B2 |
Adaptive network communication techniques
Adaptive network communication techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a determination is made by a client device that a request, which is to be communicated to a content provider via a network, is for content that is accessible via the content provider upon authentication of credentials transmitted to the content provider from the client device. Responsive to the determination, an initial communication is formed by the client device for receipt by the content provider that includes the credentials without waiting for the content provider to request the credentials from the client device. |
| US08768999B2 |
System and method of acquiring contents
A method of acquiring contents between a client terminal and a local server, the method including the client terminal photographing or recording partial information of predetermined contents according to an input of a user, the client terminal transmitting the partial information of contents to a predetermined local server, the local server analyzing the partial information of contents and retrieving contents or content-related information corresponding to the partial information of contents, and the local server transmitting the retrieved contents or content-related information to the client terminal. |
| US08768993B2 |
Direct current compensation system and method for scattering parameter rational functions
A direct current compensation method for S-parameter rational functions reads S-parameters f(sk), which are generated at given frequency sk, from a storage unit. An S-parameter, which is generated at frequency sk=0 is supplemented into the S-parameters f(sk), upon the condition that there is no S-parameter which is generated at the frequency sk=0. An S-parameter ration function is generated according to the S-parameters f(sk). A DC level of the S-parameter rational function is compensated to generate a compensated S-parameter rational function. |
| US08768991B2 |
Mechanism to find first two values
An integrated circuit includes a search unit configured to access an input vector including a number of bits, and to find a first and a second instance of a predetermined bit value such as a logic zero or a logic one, for example. The search unit may be further configured to generate an output that includes an indication of a bit position of the first instance of the predetermined bit value within the input vector, and an indication of a bit position of the second instance of the predetermined bit value within the input vector. |
| US08768985B2 |
Automated file relocation
A processor-implemented method, system and/or computer program product for managing computer file storage is presented. A file, which is designated for storage, is received. Upon determining that the file exceeds a pre-determined size, the file is stored in a pre-designated folder that is reserved for oversized files. This pre-designated folder is protected such that any file stored within the pre-designated folder is prevented from being moved into archival storage. |
| US08768983B2 |
Dynamic configuration of multiple sources and source types in a business process
A computer implemented method, data processing system, computer usable program code, and apparatus are provided for dynamically configuring a document sharing system. A document sharing system receives a first request to add a new image file type to the document sharing system. A configuration file is identified for the new image file type to form an identified configuration file. The new image file type is added to the identified configuration file and the identified configuration file is saved as a new configuration file. The new configuration file is used to access files without restarting or recoding the document sharing system. |
| US08768981B1 |
System and method for distributing and accessing files in a distributed storage system
A system and method for distributing and accessing files in a distributed storage system uses an ordered list of the storage nodes in the system to determine the storage node on which a file is stored. The distributed storage system includes a cluster of storage nodes and may also include one or more client nodes that participate in the system as storage resources. Each node (client and storage) stores an ordered list of the storage nodes in the system, allowing any of the nodes to access the file. The list is updated whenever a new storage node is added to the system, an existing storage node is removed from the system, or a new storage node is swapped with an existing storage node. Each one of the nodes may independently compute a new mapping of files to the storage nodes when the ordered list is changed. |
| US08768980B2 |
Process for optimizing file storage systems
A system includes a selection module, a file module, a storage cache, and an access module. The selection module organizes small files into groups according to a selection function, which organizes the small files based on at least one of related content of the small files, related filenames of the small files, and related access patterns of the small files. The file module uses a predetermined block size and stores, for each group, a large file containing all the small files of the group. The access module receives an access request for one of the small files from a client device and determines a large file corresponding to the one of the small files based on input from the selection module. The access module selectively reads the corresponding large file from the file module into the storage cache, and accesses the one of the small files from the large file. |
| US08768979B2 |
In-memory data grid hash scheme optimization
Systems and methods of managing an in-memory data grid (IMDG) may involve conducting a data distribution analysis of the IMDG on a periodic basis, and selecting a hash scheme from a plurality of hash schemes based on the data distribution analysis. In one example, the selected hash scheme is used to conduct a repopulation of the IMDG, wherein the repopulation increases the distribution evenness of database records across the IMDG. |
| US08768975B2 |
Presenting intelligent tagging suggestions for a photograph
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for presenting intelligent tagging suggestions for a photograph are provided. Embodiments include identifying, by a tagging module, contextual information indicating circumstances in which the photograph was taken; based on the contextual information, selecting, by the tagging module, candidate profiles from a plurality of friend profiles associated with a profile of a user; and suggesting, by the tagging module to the user, the selected candidate profiles as potential friends to tag in the photograph. |
| US08768971B2 |
Distributed data storage
In one example, data may be divided into blocks, and the blocks may be stored in various storage resources. Data to be stored may be provided to a data divider. The data divider may divide the data into blocks. Redundancy may be introduced into the blocks to allow the original data to be reconstructed at some point in the future, even if fewer than all of the original blocks are available. The blocks may be sent to a data shuffler, which may shuffle the blocks, and may provide a key that describes how to reconstruct the original data from the blocks. The key may be provided to the owner of the data. When the original data is to be retrieved, the key may be provided to a reassembler, which retrieves the blocks from the various storage resources and reconstructs the data using the key. |
| US08768969B2 |
Method and system for efficient representation, manipulation, communication, and search of hierarchical composite named entities
A method for managing dialogue interaction includes generating a hierarchical tree representation of a set of hierarchical data entities, and identifying a leaf node in the hierarchical tree representation. A system for managing dialogue interaction includes a hierarchical data format having a plurality of hierarchical data entities, and a dialogue interaction manager that manages a dialogue with a user based upon the hierarchical data format. |
| US08768967B2 |
Data export/import from multiple data sources to a destination data repository using corresponding data exporters and an importer
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for exporting data from a number of data sources using a number of corresponding data exporters, and importing the exported data into a destination data repository using a data importer. In various embodiments, the data exporters may be automatically generated using a data exporter generator adapted to generate the data exporters in view of data schemas of the data sources. |
| US08768963B2 |
Methods and systems for detecting skewed data in a multitenant database environment
Detection of skew in an on-demand database services environment is provided. A request is generated to scan a multitenant database for skew indicated by relationship depth exceeding an expected limit. A database crawler calculates skew for tenant identifier for a particular table in the database. Any skew that is detected is identified for later resolution. |
| US08768962B2 |
Revision control system and method
There is provided a file revision-control system, method and apparatus configured for storing and managing a revision history log, and for enabling to track and manage, compare and retrieve revisions including, current-revisions stored on a designated reference area, past-revisions stored in a predefined storage area and also past-revisions which were previously on a reference area. According to certain embodiments of the invention, each revision of a file is represented by a revision entry in a revision history log, which can be stored and managed in a designated data-repository. A revision entry stores data corresponding to at least one revision, while the revisions themselves may be stored on a designated data-repository. A progression path refers to one or more revision entries which represent the progression of a file over time. In case that a revision is branched into more than one revisions, each such revision will constitute a different progression path. |
| US08768961B2 |
System and method of processing database queries
Systems and methods of processing database search queries are provided. A method of processing database search queries includes receiving a database query from a query source. The method also includes determining location information associated with the query source based at least partially on an Internet Protocol (IP) address associated with the database query. The method further includes determining, based at least partially on the location information, whether the query source satisfies a required source attribute. The method also includes withholding information requested by the database query when the required source attribute is not satisfied. |
| US08768959B1 |
Dynamic rules based query rewriting engine
An elastic parallel database system where metadata is specified out-of-band during database operations via a set of augmentation rules. The rules are used to augment or modify commands received, and indicate whether they are to be used for specific connections on which they are received, for all client connections, or some other scope. |
| US08768958B1 |
Predictive information retrieval
A computer-implemented method for generating results for a client-requested query involves receiving a query produced by a client communication device, generating a result for the query in response to reception of the query, determining one or more predictive follow-up requests before receiving an actual follow-up request from the client device, and initiating retrieval of information associated with the one or more predictive follow-up requests, and transmitting at least part of the result to the client device, and then transmitting to the client device at least part of the information associated with the one or more predictive follow-up requests. |
| US08768957B2 |
Consolidating related task data in process management solutions
A computer program product and apparatus are disclosed for managing task data. A task identifier that identifies a task is sent from a task processing portlet to a mapping engine, and then to a process server. A task type is identified by the process server based on the task identifier. The task type is sent from the process server to the mapping engine, which uses a mapping entry database that includes mapping entries to identify a set of queries and a set of data sources that are mapped to the task type. Data received from the set of data sources is aggregated in response to the set of queries to form aggregated data. The aggregated data is used by the human user to complete the selected task. The mapping entry is changed at runtime by changing the set of data sources that are mapped to the task type. |
| US08768956B2 |
Stream data processing method with multiple windows on single stream
Exemplary embodiments are directed to a combination of real time processing functions and batch time processing functions to process stream data. When a query is received with a target function, the target function is processed based on the utilization of both a real-time processing function and a batch time processing function. The real time processing functions may be executed by a sliding window, and the batch processing function may be executed by a jumping window. |
| US08768951B2 |
Method for populating a location information database used in the delivery of emergency and other location-based services in a VoIP environment
A method of populating a location information database for use in providing a location-based service to a host device that is an endpoint of a logical connection between the host device and a network access server. The method comprises receiving from the host device over the logical connection a request for network access; assigning a logical identifier to the host device in response to the receiving; determining a physical location associated with the endpoint of the logical connection; creating an association between the logical identifier and the physical location; and storing the association in the location information database. |
| US08768949B2 |
Document management user interface with user customized application functionalities
Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for accessing a document management application through a network, wherein for each application user, application functionalities in the application user interface are customized for that application user by means of a registration user interface through which specific application functionalities can be selected and registered for the application user. |
| US08768947B2 |
System and method for implementing unique primary keys across enterprise databases
A method and system for implementing virtual primary keys in databases of an enterprise network system includes generating virtual primary keys indexed to respective native primary keys. An enterprise application may reference a virtual primary key in a database query. The virtual primary key may be translated to a native primary key for a database that the database query was intended for. The translated database query may be sent to the database. The query response may be translated from the native primary key to the virtual primary key, before sending back to the enterprise application. |
| US08768941B2 |
Document data processing device
There is provided a technique for automatically acquiring metadata with respect to various organizations which significantly reduces the man-hours required to prepare models for metadata extraction. With a pair comprising a document and metadata appearing therein as input, using a layout feature, and proximate text string and partial text string features with respect to metadata and a text string that is not metadata, the use of the layout feature, the proximate text string and the partial text string with respect to the automatic acquisition of metadata is automatically configured (see FIG. 1). |
| US08768939B2 |
Method for classifying information elements
A method for displaying on a user's device display and selecting categorized information elements, comprising: grouping said information elements into one or several categories among one or several groups of categories, displaying said categories together with a list of information elements of said categories, making said information elements selectable, wherein the selection of one information element initiates a computer code to carry out a process with said information element, wherein said categories are based on a predefined dictionary thesaurus. |
| US08768936B2 |
Method and apparatus for recommending information to users within a social network
A method and an apparatus for recommending information to users within a social network. The method builds a recommendation list with at least one two-tuple, where each two-tuple comprises a target user name and an information item and ranks the recommendation list by using two-tuples in the recommendation list as a basic unit. By selecting a two-tuple in the recommendation list, the user can recommend a corresponding information item to a user represented by a target user name. An apparatus is also provided by using a builder for building for a user a recommendation list comprising at least one two-tuple and a sorter for ranking the recommendation list by using two-tuples in the recommendation list as a basic unit, such that, by selecting a two-tuple in the recommendation list. |
| US08768931B2 |
Representing and manipulating RDF data in a relational database management system
Techniques for generating hash values for instances of distinct data values. In the techniques, each distinct data value is mapped to hash value generation information which describes how to generate a unique hash value for instances of the distinct data value. The hash value generation information for a distinct data value is then used to generate the hash value for an instance of the distinct data value. The hash value generation information may indicate whether a collision has occurred in generating the hash values for instances of the distinct data values and if so, how the collision is to be resolved. The techniques are employed to normalize RDF triples by generating the UIDS employed in the normalization from the triples' lexical values. |
| US08768929B2 |
Clustering streaming graphs
A system for clustering vertices in a streaming graph includes a structural sampler configured to receive a stream of edges. The structural sampler includes a reservoir manager configured to receive the stream of edges and create a structural reservoir and a support reservoir and a graph manager configured to receive the structural reservoir from the reservoir manager and to create a sampled graph from the structural reservoir, wherein the sampled graph includes one or more clusters that each include one or more connected vertices. |
| US08768921B2 |
Computer-implemented information reuse
Embodiments of the present invention relate to an approach for reusing information/knowledge. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for retrieving previously stored data to satisfy queries (e.g., jobs/tickets) for solutions to problems while maintaining privacy/security of the data as well as ensuring the quality of the results. In a typical embodiment, a query for a solution to a problem is received and details are extracted therefrom. Using the details, a search is performed on a set of data stored in at least one computer storage device. Based on the search, a set of results will be generated and classified into a set of categories. In any event, the quality of each of the set of results will be assessed based on the usefulness of the set of results. |
| US08768920B1 |
Posting questions from search queries
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for posting questions from search queries. In some implementations, a method includes identifying a plurality of different questions previously searched. The previously-searched questions each include a word indicating a question. The previously-searched questions are filtered to remove one or more specified words included with the question word. At least a subset of the plurality of previously-searched questions that can be used to generate a canonical form after removing the one or more specified words are determined. The subset of previously-searched questions are ranked based, at least in part, on a frequency of submission of each previously-submitted search query in the subset. A particular one of the previously-submitted search queries in the subset is identified as representative of the subset of previously-submitted search queries based on the ranking. |
| US08768919B2 |
Web searching
A human or hand-labeled ranking of URL results for a search query is compared against actual click data for the respective query/URL pairs (e.g., which URLs were actually clicked on by users when the URLs were presented to users when the search query was run in the real world). The human ranking or ordering of the URL results (e.g., pre-existing relevance ranking) for the query can then be adjusted, if necessary, based upon the real world click data (e.g., click relevance ranking). The modified pre-existing relevance ranking can be used in providing future search results. |
| US08768917B1 |
Method and apparatus for automatically identifying compounds
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that automatically identifies compounds, such as bigrams or n-grams. During operation, the system obtains selections of search results which were selected by one or more users, wherein the search results were previously generated by a search engine in response to queries containing search terms. Next, the system forms a set of candidate compounds from the queries, wherein each candidate compound comprises n consecutive terms from a query. Then, for each candidate compound in the set, the system analyzes the selections of search results to calculate a likelihood that the candidate compound is a compound. |
| US08768914B2 |
System and method for searching and matching databases
There is provided a method for searching a database to obtain data. The method includes (a) prioritizing a set of keys that are derived from a match inquiry, thus yielding a prioritized set of keys, wherein the prioritizing is based on, for each key of the set, an efficacy of using the key, (b) determining a subset of the prioritized set, and (c) retrieving, using the subset, a set of candidates for satisfying the match inquiry. |
| US08768909B2 |
Dynamic menus for multi-prefix interactive mobile searches using predictive text to yield targeted advertisements
The present invention includes systems and methods for retrieving information via a flexible and consistent targeted search model that employs interactive multi-prefix, multi-tier and dynamic menu information retrieval techniques (including predictive text techniques to facilitate the generation of targeted ads) that provide context-specific functionality tailored to particular information channels, as well as to records within or across such channels, and other known state information. Users are presented with a consistent search interface among multiple tiers across and within a large domain of information sources, and need not learn different or special search syntax. A thin-client server-controlled architecture enables users of resource-constrained mobile communications devices to locate targeted information more quickly by entering fewer keystrokes and performing fewer query iterations and web page refreshes, which in turn reduces required network bandwidth. |
| US08768908B2 |
Query disambiguation
A search query is resolved prior to being submitted to one or more search engines. The query is resolved such that the query unambiguously corresponds to a category included in a query ontology that relates search queries to query categories. The query may be resolved by supplementing the query with additional information corresponding to the category. For example, the query may be formatted into a canonical form of the query for the category. Alternatively or additionally, the query may be supplemented with one or more keywords that are associated with the category and that represent words or phrases that appear in a high percentage of search results for queries from the category. Resolving the query yields search results that more closely reflect search results desired by a user submitting the query. |
| US08768904B2 |
Intelligent open query cursor management
An enhanced mechanism for intelligently managing an open query cursor built from a query access plan (AP) by a query optimizer of a database management system (DBMS). In an embodiment, a cursor management system (CMS) detects whether an open query cursor was previously requested for use within another job. If the open query cursor was previously requested, the CMS intelligently manages the query cursor for subsequent use within a different job. For example, the open query cursor may be recycled for subsequent use within the different job. Hence, system resources are not wasted in building and destroying the same cursors for multiple jobs. Alternatively, the query cursor may be pre-built before the cursor is requested for subsequent use within the different job. The CMS may also obtain, release and re-obtain locks for cursors being managed. Alternatively, the job that uses the cursor may obtain the lock. |
| US08768903B2 |
Database management method
A lower-level master node sends, to a higher-level master node, a write set expanded in its own memory including a shadow copy of its own database and a heap_tuple map, and the higher-level master node that received the write set verifies whether the update has already been executed and sends the record of this update to the lower-level master node as a transaction log, whereby the database can be updated efficiently and consistently from the lower-level master node to the higher-level master node, and from the higher-level master node to the lower-level master node under its control. |
| US08768902B2 |
Unified concurrent changes to data, schema, and application
Changes are managed in a multi-user database application environment. Proposed changes are collected, including changes to data, schema, and/or application descriptions. A user may specify foreign key relationships between items belonging to one or more of these categories. A view is produced showing the impact proposed changes would have on the environment if successfully committed. The user's proposed changes are ordered according to their dependencies, and submitted for committal together in a single transaction, subject to optimistic concurrency and consistency checks. For example, a proposed change to a data value may be inconsistent with a change which removed a data element containing the data value. The commitment operation may return identifiers and other return values, in addition to indicating whether the commitment was successful. |
| US08768900B2 |
Method and device for compressing, decompressing and querying document
A method for processing an XML document with a schema includes extracting structure content and data content of an XML document, determining path coding of a node in the structure content, and determining data content corresponding to the node according to a pre-stored preorder of the node, wherein the path coding of the node identifies a storage position of the node in the structure content through the node and other nodes in the structure content, and compressing respectively the node, the path coding of the node and the data content. |
| US08768898B1 |
Performing direct data manipulation on a storage device
A method and system for performing data manipulation on a storage device is disclosed. A data manipulation command is created on a computing device, wherein the computing device is separate from the storage device. The computing device is a client or a server that requests services of a storage system to store data on a storage medium. The computing device and the storage device are connected over a network. The computing device executes a host application, and its data is stored on the medium. The computing device issues a command to the storage device to be performed on the data. The storage device executes the command and sends the result to the computing device. As a result, the data is not sent to the computing device for manipulation. |
| US08768897B2 |
Method for producing and managing a large-volume long-term archive
The present invention relates to a method for producing and managing a large-volume long-term archive which comprises an archive data memory and a management file, and to a corresponding long-term archive. The method according to the invention involves relocating archive data in a container file so that the legal validity of the data is maintained by virtue of qualified signing. |
| US08768896B2 |
Setting information database management
Computer programs, methods and systems for managing a setting information database of a computer system are described. The computer system includes an original setting information database and an administrative database which store setting information of the system. Each time a write request to write data to the setting information database is received from a requester, a write processing portion writes the requested data to the administrative database. When a read processing portion receives a read request to read data from the setting information database, if the data is included in the administrative database, the read processing portion passes the data from the administrative database to the program that issued the read request. An editing portion cleans up the administrative database using a white list to ensure that only a trusted program can write data. |
| US08768894B2 |
Information management inventory
An information management inventory in which information is managed electronically in a network of distributed servers including a structured data environment. Agent software may be loaded on a first server, which may be a local server, and the first server may be scanned with the agent software to identify data stores located on the first server. The information related to a first data store may be compiled with the agent software, and the information may be provided to a second server, which may be a data accumulation server. The information may be metadata about the first data store, and histories of changes to the data stores may be tracked in the second data store. Apparatus, computer readable medium systems, and computer program products are also provided. |
| US08768891B2 |
Ensuring database log recovery consistency
A plurality of transactions are executed in a data storage application. Thereafter, log entries are sequentially stored according to the plurality of transactions in at least one log. Each log segment has a first globally unique identifier (GUID) uniquely identifying the log segment and includes a second GUID uniquely identifying an immediately preceding log segment in the sequence. In addition, the current position in the at least one log is stored along with the current log segment GUID together with data pages during data backup. Subsequently, a position in the at least one log from which to initiate replay of the log segments and a GUID for a corresponding log segment at the determined position at database recovery time is determined based on information stored during data backup. Replay of the log segments is then initiated starting at the determined position. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described. |
| US08768889B1 |
Method and apparatus for performing lock-free updates in a linked list
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that performs a lock-free update to one or more fields in an existing node in a linked list. To perform the update, the system first obtains a new node to be added to the linked list, wherein other processes do not possess references to the new node and therefore cannot initially access the new node. Next, the system copies a snapshot of the existing node to the new node, and then updates one or more fields in the new node that correspond to the one or more fields in the existing node. Next, in a single atomic operation the system modifies a next pointer of the existing node to point to the new node and also marks the next pointer to indicate that the existing node is deleted. In this way, the new node becomes part of the linked list and the existing node is deleted in a single atomic operation. |
| US08768881B2 |
RSS data-processing object
Various embodiments utilize a special object referred to as an rsshttp object to acquire an RSS feed, process the feed and expose an object model to a web page or application. In at least some embodiments, the rsshttp object can parse through the feed's associated RSS data, normalize the feed data to a standard format, sanitize the feed data if necessary, and then present a standardized object model for interaction with web pages and applications. |
| US08768879B2 |
Method of storing and analysing data produced from interactions between external agents and a system
Methods of storing data records produced from monitoring interactions between external agents and a system are described. The method defines specific interactions that occur between the external agents and the system as events of interest. A chain of interactions occurring during respective interaction sessions between a respective external agent and the system are monitored and events of interest occurring in the chain are determined. Data records from the monitored chain are produced, the respective data record including data identifying determined events of interest and data associated therewith. A profile identity, representative of the external agent, is assigned to each data record produced during an interaction session. Data records of individual events of interest are stored in a way ordered according to the type of event of interest and data records of events of interest occurring during an interaction session are stored in a way ordered according to assigned profile identity. |
| US08768872B2 |
Performing constraint compliant crossovers in population-based optimization
An example system and process with some operations that include determining a plurality of constraint compliant values and determining that a candidate solution, which was created from two or more of a plurality of candidate solutions via a crossover operation, fails to comply with a constraint condition for an optimization problem, wherein the two or more of the plurality of candidate solutions comply with the constraint condition. In some examples, the operations further include assigning a value from the plurality of constraint compliant values to a constrained variable of the candidate solution in response to the determining that the candidate solution fails to comply with the constraint condition, wherein the value assigned from the plurality of constraint compliant values is randomly selected from the plurality of constraint compliant values, and wherein the at least one constrained variable is constrained to comply with the constraint condition. |
| US08768870B1 |
Training a model using parameter server shards
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for training a model using parameter server shards. One of the methods includes receiving, at a parameter server shard configured to maintain values of a disjoint partition of the parameters of the model, a succession of respective requests for parameter values from each of a plurality of replicas of the model; in response to each request, downloading a current value of each requested parameter to the replica from which the request was received; receiving a succession of uploads, each upload including respective delta values for each of the parameters in the partition maintained by the shard; and updating values of the parameters in the partition maintained by the parameter server shard repeatedly based on the uploads of delta values to generate current parameter values. |
| US08768869B1 |
BRIAN: a basic regimen for intelligent analysis using networks
A method for machine-learning by analogy, comprising: providing a network of component computer systems, each component having sequential layers, each layer having parallel segments, each segment comprises a processor and a memory store, each memory store is configured to store a domain-specific case base, which is defined by a situation-action pair; stochastically transforming cases in each case base through automatic deterministic generalization and analogy when the corresponding processor is in a dream mode to create transformed cases; providing a user-entered situation; modifying the user-entered situation by expanding its contextual mnemonics; searching each case base for cases and transformed cases that include contextual subsets of the modified, user-entered situation; for a given case base, mapping the modified, user-entered situation to a matched action within the given case base; creating a new case comprising the user-entered situation and the matched action. |
| US08768867B1 |
Crowd Prediction and attendance forecasting
Systems and methods for crowed prediction and attendance forecasting are described. In some embodiments, a method may include generating an initial attendance forecast for a venue (e.g., a retail store, a restaurant, a bar, a nightclub, a museum, a theater, a stadium, an airport, a hotel, a park, etc.) using a historical attendance prediction model and historical data (e.g., historical point-of-sale data, weather data, geo-position data, satellite image data, or traffic data, etc.). The method may also include creating a dynamic attendance prediction model for the venue based, at least in part, upon the initial attendance forecast and real-time data (e.g., real-time point-of-sale data, utility usage data, employee attendance data, audio or visual equipment usage data, number of detected internet-enabled devices, reservation data, arrivals and departures data, social network data, etc.). The method may further include generating an updated attendance forecast for the venue using the dynamic attendance prediction model. |
| US08768862B2 |
Device and method for the partially or completely automatic commissioning of packs
A method for the partially or completely automatic commissioning of packs of one or several articles, in particular beverage articles, including receiving a commissioning order for preparing a target unit which comprises a target carrier and target packs of one or several articles, holding ready a source unit which comprises a source carrier and source packs of a predetermined article, automatically determining whether the source unit is suited for negative commissioning based on the commissioning order, and if the source unit is suited for negative commissioning, use of the source unit as target unit. |
| US08768860B2 |
Method and system for presenting rates for travel services
A method and system are provided for presenting rates for travel services using dynamic pricing bands. The dynamic pricing bands represent approximate rates for travel services relative to available rates during or close to the proposed dates of travel, or at or near the proposed travel destination. Each dynamic pricing band is keyed to a particular color, intensity, pattern, sound, or other graphical and/or audio characteristic, thereby providing the consumer a sense of the seasonal, regional, day of week, or other variability of rates for travel services without having to compare actual numbers. The dynamic pricing bands are applied to an interactive presentation of rates for travel services to allow the consumer to explore possible rate variations for particular travel services in a manner that provides a birds-eye view, is intuitive and user-friendly. |
| US08768857B1 |
Postal shipping label
The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for the computerized generation and printing of a U.S. Postal Service Shipping Label over the Internet that provides postage, shipping address, delivery address, and shipment and delivery tracking indicia. According to the invention, human-readable postage payment indicia is formatted in such a way that the actual price of shipping postage is obscured; postage payment can only be translated from the postage payment indicia by someone who knows the format template. The present invention further provides a United States Postal Service shipping label comprising a representation of paid postage, said representation of paid postage comprising a human-readable character string, said character string comprising imbedded postage price information. The present invention further provides a United States Postal Service shipping label, comprising a machine-readable representation of paid postage and a ship to address. |
| US08768851B2 |
Visually distinguishing paid messages
Electronic messages may be processed using a stamp authority by receiving an electronic message, identifying a stamp associated the message, determining if the stamp is valid, and, if the stamp is determined to be valid, distinguishing the message from messages with which a valid stamp is not identified. |
| US08768847B2 |
Privacy enhancing personal data brokerage service
The subject disclosure is directed towards a technology by which access to a protected entity's data is controlled by a data brokerage service. The service determines whether a requesting entity has appropriate access rights to requested information, and if so, the service returns a response corresponding to the protected data. In one aspect, the protected data may be location data of a protected entity that is maintained independent of a payment instrument. The location data is used to compute feasibility information as to whether the protected entity is authorized to perform a transaction using the payment instrument. |
| US08768846B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for management of media objects
A computer program product that includes a computer useable storage medium to store a computer readable program for tracking media object data that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform operations. The operations include storing usage data for a media object which is used in a first message. The usage data indicates historical usage of the media object by a user. The operations also include recalling the stored usage data for the media object in response to associating the media object with a second message. The operations also include communicating to the user the stored usage data corresponding to the media object prior to sending the second message with the media object to a recipient. |
| US08768845B1 |
Electronic wallet removal from mobile electronic devices
A system for removing an electronic wallet application from a mobile electronic device is provided. The system comprises a first server executing an authentication, authorization, and accounting application and a second server executing a trusted service manager application. The first server grants data network access to the mobile electronic device when a special pass has been provisioned to the first server, wherein the special pass is associated with the mobile electronic device. The second server sends the special pass associated with the mobile electronic device to the first server in response to a triggering event, establishes a data communication session with the mobile electronic device, and sends instructions to the mobile electronic device to remove the electronic wallet application from the mobile electronic device, wherein the establishment of the data communication session is mediated by the authentication, authorization, and accounting application. |
| US08768844B2 |
Method and system for content sharing and authentication between multiple devices
A personal video recorder (PVR) enables delivery of audio-visual content and associated metadata to storage devices. The PVR is configured to access a plurality of services using a plurality of storage modules. Each storage module is dedicated to a single designated content provider. One or more of the storage modules are removably coupled to the PVR. A disconnected storage module can be reconnected to another PVR different from the PVR from which the storage module was disconnected. Where authorization is required to access content stored on the storage module, authentication is performed each time the removable storage module is reconnected to a PVR. |
| US08768841B2 |
Information processing system, information processing apparatus, method and program
The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus and method, and a program in which the purchase of content can be facilitated. When a device to which content data is downloaded and a device for giving an instruction to purchase the content data are different, a purchase form for purchasing the content data is sent to the device for giving an instruction to purchase the content data. The user ID and password are input into the purchase form, and the device to which the content data is downloaded is determined by the user ID. If the device to which the content data is downloaded cannot be specified because the user registers a plurality of devices, a destination determination form for specifying the device to which the content data is downloaded is sent. The content data is then distributed to the device indicated in the destination determination form. The present invention is applicable to a server for executing processing concerning content data. |
| US08768837B2 |
Method and system for controlling risk in a payment transaction
Example embodiments of the presently described subject matter are described that require a customer to use a secure payment token if, during a payment transaction, it is determined that the payment transaction poses a risk. A risk analysis may be performed based at least in part on data related to the payment transaction, such as data related to the customer, the transaction itself, the merchant, etc. If the results of the risk analysis indicate that an unacceptable amount of risk exists, the merchant or any interested party may require the customer to use a secure payment token, for example, a smart card, to conduct the transaction. Otherwise, the customer may proceed by using a static payment token, for example a credit card or PIN/password-based payment token. |
| US08768828B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing on-line donations
A computer-implemented method and apparatus for processing on-line donations is disclosed. An example embodiment includes elements to generate a donation badge for display on a web page; link the donation badge with an account on a payment site; receive a donation from a donor via the donation badge; and credit the donation to the account linked to the donation badge. |
| US08768818B2 |
Identifying teaser surfers with time series credit history
Initially the amount of data is checked to determine whether a sufficient history is present for the method. Credit card accounts are classified as new, relatively new, and old cards, i.e. opened within six months, within twelve months, and over twelve months ago. The balances for each of the three categories are calculated for each month. The average balance percentages of cards opened within six months and twelve months for the last twenty-four months is calculated and teaser surfers are defined as either having average percentages within the last twenty-four months for all credit cards opened within six and twelve months are greater than predefined percentages. |
| US08768809B1 |
Methods and systems for managing financial data
Methods and systems for managing financial data to measure the liquidity risk for a client involve, for example, implementing, using a computer having a processor coupled to memory, client-defined templates for a cash flow forecasting module. Also using the computer, forecast data for the client may be received via the client-defined templates by the cash flow forecasting module. Likewise using the computer, a real-time predictive aggregated measure of available cash flow for the client by currency by value date is generated by the cash flow forecasting module. In addition, a real time measure of forecast variance is computed by the cash flow forecasting module through pseudo logic matching of the actual cash flows at transaction level against the likely much higher level at which the forecasting process is operating. |
| US08768804B2 |
Data analysis system
A data analysis system (1) for displaying data facilitating visual analysis of financial transaction is disclosed. The system includes a transactions database (3) operable to store transaction records (5) defining financial transactions and a processing module (11) operable to determine a hierarchy having a tree structure wherein leaf nodes in the lowest level of the hierarchy correspond to sources and destinations associated with financial transactions represented by transaction records 5) stored in the transactions database (5). The processing module (11) then causes representations of the financial transactions to be displayed on a display screen (13) by determining for each transaction a first set of control co-ordinates comprising co-ordinates associated with elements in a path in the tree structure connecting the source and destination associated with a financial transaction via the closest common parent in the hierarchy common to the source and destination; determining for each transaction a second set of control co-ordinates for drawing a straight line between co-ordinates associated with the source and destination associated with the financial transaction; calculating as a set of control co-ordinates for representing a transaction weighted averages of corresponding co-ordinates in the first and second set, weighted by a bundling factor; and representing each of the financial transactions as a line drawn utilizing the calculated control co-ordinates for each transaction. |
| US08768802B2 |
System and method of matching financial transaction records to merchant records of a merchant profile database
A system and method for matching transaction records to merchant records of a merchant profile database is provided, the transaction records containing transaction data of financial presentation devices that are presentable to a plurality of merchants, the transaction data including merchant identifying data that identifies the merchant for the transaction. The system includes a memory storing a plurality of transaction records, a merchant profile database storing a plurality of merchant profile records, a processor, and a match logic module executable by the processor and adapted to recognize a plurality of variations in the merchant identifying data contained in the transaction records, the match logic module operable to match each of the transaction records to an associated merchant profile record in the merchant profile database according to the recognized variations in the merchant identifying data. |
| US08768797B2 |
Systems, methods and computer program products that facilitate matching of debtor payments to collection authority accounts
A method includes retrieving a debtor payment voucher file from a third party repository of bankruptcy trustee data, such as the National Data Center, wherein the debtor payment voucher file comprises information regarding debtor payments to a bankruptcy trustee; identifying a first set of debtor payment transaction information contained within the debtor payment voucher file that can be associated with one or more bankruptcy accounts of a collection authority; identifying a second set of debtor payment transaction information contained within the debtor payment voucher file that cannot be associated with one or more bankruptcy accounts of the collection authority; and combining the first set of debtor payment transaction information into a batch file. General ledger account entries for debtor payment transaction information in the batch file are generated and these general ledger account entries are then posted to an accounting system. |
| US08768793B2 |
Method of reposting transactional documents
A method of modifying an original transaction document of a computerized accounting system that includes a general ledger having original transaction postings corresponding to transactions contained in the original transaction document, a new transaction document is generated in response to a command to edit the original transaction document. Next, the new transaction document is modified and saved as a modified new transaction document. The original transaction postings in the general ledger are then nullified. Finally, transactions of the modified new transaction document are posted in the general ledger. |
| US08768792B2 |
Ad-bearing bookmarks for electronic media documents
An electronic bookmark can be used to render an advertisement at a bookmark insertion point (e.g., a stopping point) determined by a user when reading an electronic media document, such as an electronic book, newspaper, magazine, audiobook, and video, among others. Some of the variations provided herein include providing notice to an outside source providing the advertisement when user interaction with the bookmark occurs, as well as selecting advertisements based upon one or more criteria, including criteria related to the electronic media document and demographic information of the user. |
| US08768787B2 |
Systems and methods for electronic gifting
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for electronic gifting. In an exemplary gift purchasing method, a control system receives from a purchasing system a gift purchase request that includes a mobile telephone number (or other unique telephonic identifier) associated with a wireless gift recipient system, sends to a payment authorization system a payment authorization request, receives a payment authorization, and notifies the wireless gift recipient system of an electronic gift certificate. In an exemplary gift redemption method, the control system receives a gift redemption request for goods/services from a point-of-sale (POS) system, sends an authentication request addressed to the wireless gift recipient system by way of text message or other format, receives an authentication confirmation originating from the wireless gift recipient, and sends a redemption authorization to the vendor POS system. The control system has modules for conducting a targeted marketing campaign utilizing purchase and/or redemption information. |
| US08768780B2 |
Electronic product registration system with customizable return/warranty programs
An electronic product registration (ER) system which enables a retailer, preferable in cooperation with its vendors, to provide a customized return/warranty program for customers on a product-by product basis. The original policy(ies) in the ER system can be modified for a particular product and the modified policy is stored in the ER system so that the modified policy can be accessed if the product is again presented for a return/warranty transaction. |
| US08768779B2 |
Network layer integration for supporting internet access, voice over internet protocol, and internet protocol television services
A system and method for automatically provisioning a composite telecommunications product comprising a plurality of sub-products or services in response to a single customer order are provided. A composite telecommunications product may comprise, for example, Internet Access (IA), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services bundled together as a single product. The present invention allows all three sub-products to be automatically provisioned in response to a single customer order for the composite product. |
| US08768778B2 |
Effecting an electronic payment
Effecting an electronic payment from customers to vendors over the Internet is disclosed. A vendor offers a product to potential customer over the Internet. A customer browsers the Internet and the customer has a mobile cellular phone configured to receive premium rate mobile terminating text messages. Transaction details are transmitted from the vendor to the browsing customer. Order details are then transmitted from the browsing customer to the vendor that require a payment to be made by the customer. In order to effect payment, a plurality of premium rate text messages are transmitted to the mobile cellular phone. |
| US08768776B2 |
Verification of a transactor's identity
A system for facilitating a financial transaction between a prospective transactor and a transactee has an identity and account verifying facility for verifying the identity of the prospective transactor and an account that the prospective transactor has with a financial institution, the identity and account verifying facility being operated by an independent verifier. The identity and account verifying facility includes a storage means for storing an identifier of the prospective transactor and details of at least one account held by the transactor at the financial institution. An identifier input means is provided whereby the transactor enters his identifier when he subscribes to the service. An account details obtaining means for obtaining details of the transactor's account with the financial institution, an identifier input means whereby the transactor enters his identifier; and a communicating means for communicating with the independent verifier are located at the transactee, for furnishing the account details and the identifier to the verifier and for receiving a verification confirmation or rejection from the verifier, prior to the transactor conducting the financial transaction with the transactee. |
| US08768775B1 |
Methods and systems for automated product registration
Systems, methods and articles for automating the process of registering a product purchased by a consumer from a merchant in a purchase transaction. Product data including product identification data is obtained from a merchant electronic point of sale system as the consumer checks out. The product data is then automatically transmitted to a product registration system, such as via a consumer's mobile communication device having a product registration app. An auto-registration database is accessed to see if auto-registration is available for the product. If auto-registration is available for the product, then a request is made to the consumer to authorize auto-registration for the product. If the consumer accepts the auto-registration, then consumer data, such as the consumer name and contact information, is sent to the product registration system. The product registration system then creates a product registration record using the product data and the consumer data. |
| US08768771B2 |
Personal Casting System
A profit redistribution device, profit redistribution method, program storage medium, profit redistribution system, content providing device, content providing method, program storage media, and content providing system are disclosed. Profit redistribution processing is performed according to the accumulated points proportionate to the number of times the content with a commercial video is provided to a client PC. Thus, a fair profit redistribution can be easily performed. A preset content with a commercial video is provided to a user when requested from the client PC, and it is possible to provide advertisement information without the user being aware of the commercial. |
| US08768770B2 |
System and method for attributing multi-channel conversion events and subsequent activity to multi-channel media sources
This paper presents a practical method for measuring the impact of multiple marketing events on sales, including marketing events that are not traditionally trackable. The technique infers which of several competing media events are likely to have caused a given conversion. The method is tested using hold-out sets, and also a live media experiment for determining whether the method can accurately predict television-generated web conversions. |
| US08768764B1 |
Method and system for embedding a portable and customizable incentive application on a website
An embodiment of the present invention is described that includes an incentive application for providing incentives to a visitor of a site. The incentive application is both portable onto other sites and is customizable on each site to the information provided on the site. |
| US08768748B2 |
Resource manager
A method may include receiving an order associated with processing a media file and generating a workflow associated with fulfilling the order. The method may also include identifying tasks associated with the workflow and generating an estimate associated with executing the tasks. The method may further include allocating resources associated with executing the tasks and scheduling execution of the order. |
| US08768745B2 |
System and method of forecasting print job related demand
There is provided a print demand forecasting system and method for use with a print production system in which print demand data is collected for each print job processed during a selected time interval. The collected print demand data is stored in memory and then processed to obtain a first time series component and a second time series component. The first and second time series components are corresponded respectively with first and second forecast models. One of the first and second forecast models is selected with an S process, and the selected one of the first and second forecast models is used to obtain forecast data. |
| US08768737B1 |
Schedule management interface
Embodiments are directed towards generating schedules for managing team members that may be responsible to be on-call for responding to incidents. Schedules may be configured to schedule team members and manage the rotation of one or more team members assigned to one or more schedule layers. Also, schedules may be employed to determine which team member may be responsible to respond and/or resolve incidents that may be reported and/or detected. If a team member is determined to be the on-call or responsible team member, a notification engine may determine the methods for notify the responsible of the incidents. Further, the notification engine may monitor whether the responsible team has received the notification. The notification engine may employ one or more other notification methods to ensure that the responsible team member may be notified. |
| US08768736B1 |
Tracking customer spending
Methods for tracking customer spending: the methods may comprise receiving from the customer a first threshold amount and a period length; receiving a transaction indication for each debit transaction made by the customer during a first period; and alerting the customer if the sum of the amounts of debit transactions during the first period exceeds the first threshold amount. The methods may also comprise receiving a transaction indication for each debit transaction made by the customer during a second period; and alerting the customer if the sum of the amounts of debit transactions during the second period exceeds a second threshold amount. |
| US08768733B2 |
System and method using insurance for risk transference
Disclosed herein is a system and method for eliminating or transferring the non-economic risk of financial securities. The system and method serves to avoid non-economic losses in the first instance, and to counter the adverse capital impact of prior non-economic gap losses by providing capital relief consistent with a determined protected amount. A second party provides to a first party a policy covering potential losses in value for a fixed income securities (FIS) Portfolio, particularly losses between an upper attachment value and a lower exit value. The second party provides capital to the first party as a policy security in the event that the aggregate principle payments (APP) of the FIS Portfolio are less than the attachment value and the first party makes a claim under the policy. The first party pledges policyholder security for its future obligation to return all or a portion of the policy security should no claims arise under the policy or if the policy security exceeds the amount sought by any claims. The policyholder security may be the FIS Portfolio or other agreed upon assets, or some combination thereof. |
| US08768732B2 |
System and method of managing an insurance scheme
A method of managing an insurance scheme includes defining a plurality of categories of living expenses. Defining a plurality of life changing events. On the occurrence of a life changing event for an insured person of the scheme, at least partially subsidising expenses in the category of living expenses for the insured person or a nominated beneficiary of the insured person. |
| US08768731B2 |
Syndicating ultrasound echo data in a healthcare environment
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for syndication and management of structured and unstructured data to assist institutional healthcare delivery, healthcare providers' practices, healthcare providers' group practices, collaborative academic research and decision making in healthcare, including through the utilization of medical devices and healthcare pools. |
| US08768723B2 |
Methods and apparatus for formatting text for clinical fact extraction
An original text that is a representation of a narration of a patient encounter provided by a clinician may be received and re-formatted to produce a formatted text. One or more clinical facts may be extracted from the formatted text. A first fact of the clinical facts may be extracted from a first portion of the formatted text, and the first portion of the formatted text may be a formatted version of a first portion of the original text. A linkage may be maintained between the first fact and the first portion of the original text. |
| US08768720B2 |
Location limited check-in kiosk method and apparatus
A method and system for helping a client check in for a scheduled activity wherein at least first and second subsets of activities occur proximate first and second locations, respectively, the method comprising the steps of providing a check in resource at the second location for checking clients in for the second subset of activities, associating at least a first electronic kiosk with the first subset activities, positioning the first kiosk at the first location for use by clients to check in for first subset activities, via the first kiosk, receiving identifying information from a first client, identifying at least a first currently scheduled activity for the first client, determining that the first currently scheduled activity is one of the second subset activities and via the first kiosk, indicating that the first client cannot check in for the first currently scheduled activity via the first kiosk. |
| US08768717B2 |
Processing program data for medical pumps
An apparatus for maintaining a library of program data for medical pumps, the apparatus comprising: memory loaded with a database, the database including a plurality of program data records and a plurality of data key records, each program data record containing a set of program data items, at least some of the program data items included in the database for controlling operation of a medical pump, each data key record containing a data key and each data key identifying one of the data program records; a database management system programmed to link a data key to a set of program data; and a scanner in data communication with the database management system, the database management system being further programmed to receive a code scanned by the scanner, save the code in a data key record, and link the code to a set of program data, the code being a data key. |
| US08768716B2 |
Database system and method for industrial automation services
A host system generates and manages databases incorporating data gathered from a plurality of client automation systems, such as CNC machine tools. The data may include real-time data, and is captured from the client systems under supervision of software downloaded over a network from the host system to the client systems. The captured data is transmitted over the network to the host, which creates the databases. The databases preferably include a commercial database comprising data associated with customer owners or operators of the client automation system, as well as a technical database, comprising captured data, administrative and other data, organized by customer and client system. Captured data is preferably associated with the date of capture, providing for the creation of a historical database for given client equipment. With customer authorization, others, such as original equipment manufacturers, may access the captured data, for which they may be charged a fee. |
| US08768713B2 |
Set-top-box with integrated encoder/decoder for audience measurement
Systems and methods are disclosed for encoding audio in a set-top box that is invoked by a user when listening to a broadcast audio signal from a radio, TV, streaming or other audio device. A detection and identification system comprising an audio encoder is integrated in a set-top box, where detection and identification of media is realized. The encoding automatically identifies characteristics of the media (e.g., the source of a particular piece of material) by embedding an inaudible code within the content. This code contains information about the content that can be decoded by a machine, but is not detectable by human hearing. The embedded code may be used to provide programming information to the view or audience measurement date to the provider. |
| US08768706B2 |
Content-based audio playback emphasis
Techniques are disclosed for facilitating the process of proofreading draft transcripts of spoken audio streams. In general, proofreading of a draft transcript is facilitated by playing back the corresponding spoken audio stream with an emphasis on those regions in the audio stream that are highly relevant or likely to have been transcribed incorrectly. Regions may be emphasized by, for example, playing them back more slowly than regions that are of low relevance and likely to have been transcribed correctly. Emphasizing those regions of the audio stream that are most important to transcribe correctly and those regions that are most likely to have been transcribed incorrectly increases the likelihood that the proofreader will accurately correct any errors in those regions, thereby improving the overall accuracy of the transcript. |
| US08768705B2 |
Automated and enhanced note taking for online collaborative computing sessions
In one embodiment, during participation in an online collaborative computing session, a computer process associated with the session may monitor an audio stream of the session for a predefined action-inducing phrase. In response to the phrase, a subsequent segment of the session is recorded, such that a report may be generated containing any recorded segments of the session (e.g., and dynamically sent to participants of the session). |
| US08768697B2 |
Method for measuring speech characteristics
In some embodiments, a method includes measuring a disparity between two speech samples by segmenting both a reference speech sample and a student speech sample into speech units. A duration disparity can be determined for units that are not adjacent to each other in the reference speech sample. A duration disparity can also be determined for the corresponding units in the student speech sample. A difference can then be calculated between the student speech sample duration disparity and the reference speech sample duration disparity. |
| US08768694B2 |
Verification of extracted data
Facts are extracted from speech and recorded in a document using codings. Each coding represents an extracted fact and includes a code and a datum. The code may represent a type of the extracted fact and the datum may represent a value of the extracted fact. The datum in a coding is rendered based on a specified feature of the coding. For example, the datum may be rendered as boldface text to indicate that the coding has been designated as an “allergy.” In this way, the specified feature of the coding (e.g., “allergy”-ness) is used to modify the manner in which the datum is rendered. A user inspects the rendering and provides, based on the rendering, an indication of whether the coding was accurately designated as having the specified feature. A record of the user's indication may be stored, such as within the coding itself. |
| US08768693B2 |
Automatic tag extraction from audio annotated photos
A system and method for assigning one or more tags to an image file. In one aspect, a server computer receives an image file captured by a client device. In one embodiment, the image file includes an audio component embedded therein by the client device, where the audio component was spoken by a user of the client device as a tag of the image file. The server computer determines metadata associated with the image file and identifies a dictionary of potential textual tags from the metadata. The server computer determines a textual tag from the audio component and from the dictionary of potential textual tags. The server computer then associates the textual tag with the image file as additional metadata. |
| US08768689B2 |
Method and system for translation management of source language text phrases
A computer system for implementing a method for managing translations of text phrases is disclosed. The system stores text phrases in a source language as individual entries within a database. The system also stores any imported text phrases in a target language as individual entries within the database. For each text phrase in the source language stored within the database, the system is operable to communicate a notification of an exclusion of a corresponding text phrase in the target language within the database. Also for each stored text phrase stored in the source language within the database, the system is operable to communicate a notification of a modification of a text phrase in the source language as stored within the database after a storage of a corresponding text phrase in the target language within the database. |
| US08768688B2 |
Method of using visual separators to indicate additional character combinations on a handheld electronic device and associated apparatus
A method and associated apparatus for using visual separators to indicate additional character combination choices from a disambiguation function on a handheld electronic device. |
| US08768685B2 |
Handheld electronic device with text disambiguation
Methods, handheld electronic devices, and computer-readable media for disambiguating an input into a handheld electronic device, are disclosed. The method includes, for example, detecting an ambiguous input including one or more selections of one or more input characters, generating one or more prefix objects corresponding with the ambiguous input, generating an output set comprising at least some of the one or more prefix objects, each of the at least some of the one or more prefix objects associated with an identified corresponding word object, determining the quantity of prefix objects in the output set is fewer than a predetermined quantity, and, based on the determination, adding as an orphan prefix object to the output set at a position corresponding with a relatively low frequency an additional prefix object of the one or more of prefix objects for which a corresponding word object was not identified, and outputting the output set. |
| US08768684B2 |
Apparatus, method and program for processing information
Apparatus and method for processing information may determine whether a migration condition exists by a source information processing unit executing a program. When a migration condition is determined to exist by the source information processing unit, a destination information processing unit may determine whether an instruction to be executed of the program is a predetermined instruction. The instruction to be executed is converted by an instruction emulator, when a result of a determination by the destination information processing unit is the predetermined instruction. |
| US08768682B2 |
ISA bridging including support for call to overidding virtual functions
Methods, apparatuses and storage medium associated with ISA bridging with support for virtual functions, are disclosed. In embodiments, at least one computer-readable storage medium may include instructions configured to enable a target device with a target ISA, in response to execution, to provide an ISA bridging layer to the target device to facilitate a library service of a library of the target device to call a virtual function of the library, while servicing an application operating on the target device, where the application has an overriding implementation. The ISA bridging layer may include a loader configured to load the application for execution, and as part of loading the application, detect the virtual function and modify a virtual function table of the application to enable the call. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed. |
| US08768681B2 |
Control unit simulation method, system, and program
A method, system, and computer readable article of manufacture for simulating a mechanism system controlled by a plurality of electronic control units operating at different clock rates. The simulation system includes a mechanism system simulator; a plurality of electronic control unit emulators for electronically emulating the respective plurality of electronic control units, each thereby receiving an input signal with a time and giving an output signal with a time; and a scheduler for receiving and storing the output signals with the times from the plurality of electronic control unit emulators, and for providing, in response to a change in the output signal coming from the electronic control unit emulator and having a relatively late time, the output signal with a time preceding the relatively late time to the mechanism system simulator. |
| US08768680B2 |
Simulator of multi-core system employing reconfigurable processor cores and method of simulating multi-core system employing reconfigurable processor cores
Provided are a simulator of a multi-core system employing reconfigurable processor (RP) cores and a method of simulating a multi-core system employing RP cores. The simulator includes a structure builder to receive a structure definition file defining a structure of a system, select components described in the structure definition file from a component library, and fill a data structure with the selected components to generate a structure model of a multi-core system, and a simulation engine to execute an application program according to the structure model and output the result. |
| US08768677B2 |
Coupled analysis simulation apparatus and coupled analysis simulation method
A coupled analysis simulation apparatus includes a coupled analysis processing unit configured to perform coupled analysis by performing electromagnetic field analysis and circuit analysis in coordination with each other, the electromagnetic field analysis being performed on a space including conductive layers to which an electronic circuit module is connected, the circuit analysis being performed on the electronic circuit module; a first generating unit configured to generate a virtual conductive part in a section or a region including connection parts connecting the electronic circuit module with the conductive layers; and a second generating unit configured to generate virtual connection parts that virtually connect the virtual conductive part with the conductive layers at positions where the connection parts are connected to the conductive layers. |
| US08768672B2 |
Method for predicting time-lapse seismic timeshifts by computer simulation
A method for predicting time-lapse seismic timeshifts in a three-dimensional geomechanical system including defining physical boundaries for the geomechanical system. In addition, one or more reservoir characteristics such as pore pressure and/or temperature history are acquired from multiple wells within the physical boundaries. The method also includes determining whether a formation in the geomechanical system is in an elastic regime or a plastic regime. The method also includes obtaining first and second seismic data sets for the geomechanical system, taken at first and second times. The method also includes running a geomechanical simulation to simulate the effects of changes in pore pressure or other reservoir characteristic on time-lapse seismic timeshifts in the formation. |
| US08768666B2 |
Method and system for controlling thermal load distribution in a portable computing device
Methods and systems for managing thermal load distribution on a portable computing device (“PCD”) include storing on a PCD a plurality of thermal load steering scenarios which identify simulated thermal load conditions for the PCD, corresponding simulated workloads that produced the simulated thermal load conditions, and thermal load steering parameters for steering the simulated thermal load to a predetermined spatial location on the PCD. A scheduled workload for the PCD is monitored to identify a match with one of the thermal load steering scenarios so that the workload may be scheduled according to a thermal load steering parameter. Another method includes initiating a thermal mitigation technique on a PCD and determining a current graphical load being processed by the PCD. A graphics feature associated with the current graphical load is identified. The graphics feature is then disabled while maintaining a frame rate to reduce temperature of the PCD. |
| US08768662B2 |
Predicting shrinkage of injection molded products with viscoelastic characteristic
A computer-implemented method and non-transitory computer medium for calculating a shrinkage of a molding product comprises a step of using a computer processor to calculate a molding pressure of a molding fluid in a molding cavity by taking into consideration an increase of a shear viscosity of the molding fluid by a decrease of a shear rate, and a step of calculating the shrinkage of the molding products by taking into consideration a variation of a specific volume of the molding fluid as the molding pressure and a molding temperature decrease. |
| US08768661B2 |
Method for creating finite element model of rubber composite
A computerized method for creating a 2D or 3D finite element model of a rubber composite of a rubber matrix and fillers is disclosed. In the case of the 2D finite element model, a primary finite element model of the rubber composite is first created by defining a rubber matrix model of the rubber matrix and filler models of the fillers by the use of rectangular elements. Then, a second finite element model as the target 2D finite element model is created by moving boundary nodes positioned at boundaries between the rubber matrix model and filler models in the primary finite element model so that concavity and convexity of the surface of each filler model becomes less, whereby, in the second finite element model, some of the rectangular elements including the moved boundary nodes are deformed, but the rest of the rectangular elements are not deformed. |
| US08768660B2 |
Numerically simulating structural behaviors of embedded bi-materials using meshfree method
Methods and systems for numerically simulating structural behaviors of embedded bi-materials are disclosed. At least first and second grid models are created independently for an embedded bi-material that contains an immersed material embedded entirely within a base material. First group of meshfree nodes represents the entire domain (i.e., base plus immersed materials). Second group of meshfree nodes represents the immersed or embedded material, which includes all interface nodes and nodes located within a space bordered by the material interface. Numerical structural behaviors of the embedded bi-material are simulated using the first and second set of meshfree nodes with a meshfree method that combines two meshfree approximations. The first meshfree approximation covers the first set of meshfree nodes and is based on properties of the base material, while the second meshfree approximation covers the second set of meshfree nodes and is based on a differential between the immersed and base materials. |
| US08768656B2 |
Process for evaluating candidate designs based upon constraints
The invention is a method and apparatus for automatically generating an optimal configuration of a product, using logic implemented on a digital computer processing system. A general configuration will be broken down into a hierarchy of subdesigns by a designer of an artifact type. A particular instance of the type must satisfy user-specified external parametric constraints. Constraints may take the form of a range of values for some performance characteristic or to satisfy laws or business requirements. Hierarchical decomposition facilitates solution of complex problems. Criteria for a best solution may be specified for a given subdesign, a collection of subdesigns, or globally. Tentative selection of a particular subdesign may impose internally generated constraints upon a subsequent subdesign. If no acceptable solution is found for a subdesign, the candidate overall configuration rolls back to the most complete viable partial collection of subdesigns. The method transforms constraints into a concrete design. |
| US08768654B2 |
Interactive configuration-management-based diagramming tool
Product data management systems, methods, and mediums. A method includes receiving PDM model and applying a template to the model. The method includes creating a description file based on the application of the template to the model. The method includes transferring the description file to a diagramming application. A diagram corresponding to the description file is created. |
| US08768652B1 |
Managing dynamic state of a physical system
In an embodiment, a network may represent a physical system. The network may have an element that represents an entity of the physical system. A value of a state associated with the network may be identified (e.g., generated) using various techniques. The state may be a low-level state associated with the network. The techniques may include, but are not limited to, for example, generating the value based on a scaffold defined for the network, generating the value based on a target value for the state, and/or generating the value based on applying an operation to various values of the state. The identified value may be associated with an identifier. The identifier may distinguish the value, for example, from other values of other states in the network and/or other values of states in other networks. |
| US08768644B2 |
Particle distribution analysis method for computer readable storage medium for storing program for executing the method
There is provided a support method for a particle distribution analysis for a substrate. In the support method, histogram data of inter-particle distances are created for all particles on a target substrate subjected to the particle distribution analysis from particle coordinate data of the target substrate. Further, histogram data of inter-particle distances are created for multiple virtual substrates each having the same number of randomly distributed particles as the particles on the target substrate. Based on a difference between the histogram data of the target substrate and the histogram data of each of the virtual substrates, determination data are created by quantifying a distance between the histogram data of the target substrate and the histogram data of the multiple virtual substrates, and the determination data are displayed on a display unit. |
| US08768643B2 |
Method and apparatus for parallel testing of semiconductor devices
Method and apparatus for parallel testing of multiple regions on a substrate used in high performance combinatorial development of new materials and processes are described. The apparatus comprises dedicated hardware for each probe assembly with multiple PC controllers networked using a master/slave configuration. |
| US08768638B2 |
Method and device for performing spectrum analysis of a wanted signal or noise signal
A method and device for performing spectrum analysis of a signal in a plurality of frequency bands with respective different frequency resolutions. The method includes a data acquisition step and a subsequent data evaluation step for every frequency band. The data acquisition step and the subsequent data evaluation step proceeds cyclically and continuously for every frequency band of the spectrum analysis. The corresponding device for performing spectrum analysis of a signal cyclically stores a scanning sequence of the signal for every frequency band in one circular buffer each. A discrete Fourier transformer uses the cyclically stored scanning sequences to calculate the spectral values pertaining to the respective frequency band. |
| US08768636B2 |
System and method for detecting impaired electric power equipment
A system and method for detecting impaired electric power equipment. An exemplary embodiment may receive electromagnetic radiation and process the resulting signal. For example, signal processing may be used to identify electromagnetic radiation having a particular pattern that is characteristic of electric power equipment. Furthermore, an embodiment may determine the time and/or location during testing. As a result, an exemplary embodiment may be useful for stationary and/or mobile testing of an electrical system. |
| US08768635B2 |
Systems and methods for determining electrical faults
Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for determining electrical faults. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for determining electrical faults. One method can include providing switch circuitry including at least one first switch detector resistor in parallel communication with at least one switch; providing terminal board circuitry including at least one terminal board resistor in parallel communication with the switch circuitry and in communication with a power source; receiving a power source reference; comparing a field voltage value to a generated reference voltage value, generating a comparison value output based at least in part on the comparison of the field voltage value and the generated reference voltage; and determining one of a plurality of field conditions based at least in part on the comparison value output. |
| US08768634B2 |
Diagnosis method of defects in a motor and diagnosis device thereof
A diagnosis method of defects in a motor and a diagnosis device thereof are described. A vibration sensing module can generate a vibration signal corresponding to a vibration of a motor during operation of the motor. Then, a data pre-processing procedure is performed to eliminate noises of the vibration signal. After the data pre-processing procedure, an analyzing procedure is performed to determine a first harmonic of spectrum features in the spectrum of the pre-processed vibration signal. And, other spectrum feature(s) is(/are) retrieved from the spectrum of the pre-processed vibration signal according to the first harmonic. Finally, a comparison procedure is performed with a defect spectrum feature database according to the retrieved spectrum features, so as to determine a defect type of the motor. |
| US08768632B2 |
Method and apparatus for the filling of target containers
A container is filled to a predetermined target mass of a free-flowing substance with the help of a device that dispenses measured doses of the substance. The device has a valve for variably adjusting the mass flow rate of the substance from a reservoir into the container. The device further includes a means for measuring the elapsed time from the beginning of the filling process, a balance for determining the mass of the substance in the container, and a controller unit for controlling the valve. The controller unit includes an adjustment module, and a memory unit wherein a desired mass flow rate is stored. At an elapsed time, if the mass flow rate is smaller or larger than the desired mass flow rate the flow rate is respectively increased or decreased by a flow rate adjustment. |
| US08768626B1 |
Calculating walking directions based on a user'S walking attributes and location history
The disclosed subject matter relates to computer implemented methods for calculating walking directions based on walking attributes and location history of a user. In one aspect, a method includes accessing a user profile and location history of a user. The user profile of the user includes the user's walking attributes. The location history of the user includes the user's location data from respective dates and times. The location data is received from a location-aware device associated with the user. The method further includes receiving a request for walking directions for the user, the walking directions being from a first location to a second location. The method further includes calculating, in response to the received request, walking directions from the first location to the second location, based on the walking attributes of the user and the location history of the user. |
| US08768624B2 |
Vehicle operation support system and vehicle operation support method
A vehicle drive support system, and its method, includes a storage apparatus for storing charging station information to manage attribute information containing position information of charging stations, a communication apparatus for receiving a route search request containing an origin, a destination, and a residual quantity in a battery from a mobile and transmitting a response to the route search request, and a route search processing unit for searching a route passing through the charging stations while maintaining a state in which the residual quantity in the battery is greater than 0 between the origin and the destination by using position information of the charging stations contained in the charging station information in response to the route search request received by the communication apparatus, and giving the searched route as the response to the route search request. |
| US08768623B2 |
Route selection
A request is received to compute a route from a start point to an end point. The route is computed using map data that includes a plurality of map elements, and route data that includes rules associated with the map elements, each of the rules being triggered by a condition flag that specifies a condition according to which the rule should be applied. The route data is based inputs related to driver experience in a geographic area associated with the route, and the inputs are based on stored data and not real-time or near-real-time data. |
| US08768621B2 |
Signal processing module, navigation device with the signal processing module, vehicle provided with a navigation device and method of providing navigation data
A signal processing module (50) comprises a difference signal generating module (60) for generating at least one difference signal (Δ) from a first and a second acceleration measurement vector signal (S1, S2), the first and the second acceleration measurement vector signal (S1, S2) respectively comprising a first and a second sequence of vector signal samples, the vector signal samples comprising at least a first and a second linearly independent acceleration measurement signal component, wherein the vector signal samples represent a measurement result of an acceleration sensor having a variable orientation as a function of time, wherein samples in the first sequence have a corresponding sample in the second sequence. The signal processing module (50) further comprises an inverse calculation module (70) with a matrix inversion facility (71) for providing inverted matrix data (M−1) by inverting a matrix derived from at least one angle of rotation signal, matrix (M) being indicative for a difference in orientation at which the sample of the first sequence and the corresponding sample of the second sequence were obtained, and with a matrix multiplication facility (72) for estimating from the at least one difference signal and the inverted matrix data a bias signal (b1, b2) and/or an object state signal corrected for bias. |
| US08768619B2 |
Road side data exchange net and method thereof
A road side data exchange net and method thereof is provided. The road side data exchange net includes a plurality of road side data exchange devices set on neighboring roads separately. The road side data exchange device includes a positioning system for receiving satellite data regularly, a calculator for calculating a calibration value of the satellite data to generate an analyzed result data, and a database for storing the analyzed result data. Further, each of the road side data exchange devices broadcasts the analyzed result data from its database to all of neighboring road side data exchange devices to provide the analyzed result data to an electronic device. |
| US08768618B1 |
Determining a location of a mobile device using a multi-modal kalman filter
Methods and systems for determining a location of a mobile device using a multi-modal Kalman filter are described. According to an example method, a mobile device may maintain multiple approximations of a location of a mobile device. Each approximation includes an estimated geographic location of the mobile device that is determined by filtering a respective subset of location estimates received by the mobile device using a respective Kalman filter, and one of the multiple approximations is designated as an active approximation. The method also involves receiving data indicating an estimate of a geographic location of the mobile device and, based on a distance between the estimate of the geographic location and a given approximation of the multiple approximations, updating the given approximation using the estimate of the geographic location. Additionally, the method involves providing for display a visual indication of an estimated geographic location associated with the active approximation. |
| US08768616B2 |
Adaptive method for trip prediction
A method for predicting a final destination of a vehicle comprises the steps of acquiring a start location of the vehicle, providing a predetermined waypoint distance from the start location, determining a current waypoint location once the vehicle travels the predetermined waypoint distance, receiving historical destination data from a database, including previous destinations associated with the current waypoint location. Then, making a prediction at the current waypoint location of the final destination based on the historical destination data. |
| US08768614B2 |
Increasing throughput for carpool assignment matching
Distances between locations traveled by a carpool driver in a carpooling system may be initially estimated by calculating direct, straight line distances between each of the location points. Travel speeds may also be initially estimated using an expected maximum vehicle speed, which may be a maximum speed limit. An estimated travel time may then be calculated from this data to initially designate passengers as eligible or ineligible for carpooling with a carpool driver. |
| US08768608B2 |
Method, device and computer program product for monitoring loading and unloading procedures in the cargo holds of an aircraft
A method for monitoring loading and unloading procedures in the cargo holds of an aircraft, in which method the actual states that are present in each cargo hold are acquired. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device as well as to a computer program product for implementing the method according to the invention. |
| US08768605B2 |
Rush hour modeling for routing and scheduling
A rush hour modeling system that is configured for modifying existing travel time/distance data to reflect special traffic conditions, such as rush hour traffic conditions. The system is configured to receive information defining one or more time windows, geographic areas, and road segments in which special traffic conditions occur. The system is also configured to receive travel rules that reflect the special traffic conditions. The travel rules are used to modify a travel time/distance matrix to reflect the effect of the special traffic conditions on “normal” travel times and distances. Existing routing and scheduling systems can then use the modified travel matrix to plan and schedule routes for delivery vehicles more accurately. Additionally, the modified travel matrix can be used to model traffic conditions through a particular geographic area or on a particular road segment. |
| US08768599B2 |
System and method for engine and fuel system maintenance
A control system for a vehicle includes a time determination module, a fuel age determination module, and an engine control module. The time determination module determines an engine off time, wherein the engine off time indicates an amount of time that an engine is off. The fuel age determination module determines an age of fuel in a fuel system of the engine. The engine control module starts the engine when one of the engine off time is greater than a predetermined time threshold and the age of the fuel is greater than a predetermined age threshold. |
| US08768594B2 |
Vehicle stability control method
A method of controlling travel of a vehicle equipped with an antilock braking system, including the steps of determining potential for one or more wheels to lift off the ground, deactivating the system in respect of the wheels with the lift off potential so the speed of these wheels is not taken into consideration when determining if anti-lock braking is required, applying a low-level test braking force to one or more of the wheels that has the lift off potential, monitoring the speed of the one or more wheels, and if the test braking force causes the wheel speed to fall below a predetermined percentage of the vehicle speed, triggering a stability alarm signal and/or applying a controlled braking force to reduce the vehicle speed. |
| US08768592B2 |
Reducing the steering torque during braking maneuvers
A method for reducing the steering torque in a motor vehicle in a driving situation in which the vehicle is being braked and steered at the same time. By shifting the brake force to the rear wheels, the front wheels become easier to steer compared to a standard brake force distribution. The maximum required power of an electric steering assistance system is thus greatly reduced. |
| US08768589B2 |
Control device for dual clutch transmission and control method for dual clutch transmission
A dual clutch transmission includes a transmission control unit that controls action of a first clutch actuator, a second clutch actuator, and a shift mechanism; determines whether or not a clutch torque capacity for an engaging-side clutch has increased to a determination value during a clutch change period; and, if the clutch torque capacity for the engaging-side clutch has increased to the determination value, changes the torque transmission path by reducing the clutch torque capacity of a release-side clutch. |
| US08768588B2 |
Transmission and method of shift control for transmission
A transmission includes a controller being provided with a change-speed stage anticipator. The controller adopts a time, which one of the transmission's gear-mechanism selectors requires in shifting a current change-speed stage to another change-speed stage, as a pre-shift time for selecting the latter change-speed stage. The change-speed stage anticipator operates the one of the gear-mechanism selectors while adopting a temporary change-speed stage as a subsequent change-speed stage when the temporary change-speed stage, which is estimated from a state of vehicle after the pre-shift time, the state of vehicle being relevant to each element of an anticipated change-speed stage group that is made up of one or more of the change-speed stages that can be selected by the one of the gear-mechanism selectors being set on one of the transmission's input shafts that is disconnected from a power source, coincides with an anticipated change-speed stage that corresponds to the pre-shift time. |
| US08768586B2 |
Method of controlling a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine with a stop and start system
A method of controlling a vehicle equipped with an internal-combustion engine with a “stop and start” system. The method provides, during vehicle running, for learning the “duty cycle” values associated with the odd gears and even gears, determining the “maximum duty cycle” value for the odd gears and “minimum duty cycle” value for the even gears, determining a duty-cycle band to which the “neutral gear” condition corresponds on the basis of the “minimum duty cycle” value for the even gears and “maximum duty cycle” value for the odd gears, and controlling the “stop and start” system on the basis of the duty-cycle band to which the “neutral gear” condition corresponds. |
| US08768580B2 |
Operation machine
Disclosed is a working machine that computes and displays moment by moment its dynamic stability and its state of contact with a ground in view of an inertia force and an external force applied to the working machine. Specifically, a working machine is provided with an undercarriage, a working machine main body mounted on the undercarriage, a front working mechanism attached pivotally in an up-and-down direction to the working machine main body, and a working attachment connected to a free end of the front working mechanism. The working machine includes a ZMP computing means for calculating coordinates of a ZMP by using position information, acceleration information and external force information on respective movable portions of the main body, which includes the front working mechanism, and undercarriage, and a stability computing means for calculating a support polygon formed by plural ground points of the working machine with a ground, and, when the ZMP is included in a warning region formed inside a perimeter of the support polygon, producing a tipping warning sound. The ZMP and the support polygon, which includes the warning region, is computed, and a display or warning is produced. |
| US08768577B2 |
Implement interface display
A power machine having an operator interface is disclosed. The power machine has a frame, an engine supported by the frame, and a cab supported that defines an operator compartment. The power machine provides an auxiliary power source capable of providing auxiliary power to an implement that is operably coupled to the power machine. Control input devices that are actuable by an operator provide signals indicative of actuation thereof. The implement is in communication with the power machine. The operator interface is accessible within the operator compartment for providing operational information related to control of the implement to the operator. The operator interface receives signals related to the provided operational information that are communicated by the implement. |
| US08768568B2 |
Driver assistance system for vehicle
A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an information display screen viewable by a driver of the vehicle when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle. At least one camera is mounted at the vehicle and has a field of view exterior of the vehicle and is operable to capture image data. The information display screen is operable to display video images derived from image data captured by the at least one camera and the information display screen is operable to display other information. A capacitive touch sensor is actuatable by the driver of the vehicle, and the information display screen is operable to display at least the other information responsive to actuation by the driver of the vehicle of the capacitive touch sensor. |
| US08768566B2 |
Vehicle having active blind spot lighting and method
In order to provide better monitoring for the side environment of a vehicle a lighting unit to light up a vehicle environment and a detection unit for detecting an object in the vehicle environment are provided. The lighting unit is automatically switched on if the detection unit has detected an object in the vehicle environment. |
| US08768565B2 |
Rental/car-share vehicle access and management system and method
A rental/car-share (RCS) vehicle access and management system and method, in some embodiments, utilizes barcodes, QR codes (or NFC/RFID), GPS, and a mobile app coupled with a wireless network to enable customers to bypass the reservation desk and pickup and drop off reserved RCS vehicles using a mobile phone, tablet or laptop. The QR code, RFID, or NFC communication with the mobile application allows for identification of the vehicle by a mobile application, which, if authorized, can access the vehicle via a temporary access code issued by remote servers. The remote servers and/or mobile application communicates with a control module that plugs into the on-board diagnostics module of the rental/car-share (RCS) vehicle and includes a host processing unit with a processor, an accelerometer, data storage, a GPS with internal GPS antenna; a wireless modem with internal antenna, and CAN bus transceivers connected with the processor, and a USB programmable interface. |
| US08768557B2 |
Horizontal order-picker
A horizontal order picker with an operating platform and a load section which is provided for accommodating at least one order-picking container, wherein an operational control is provided in the operating platform, upon actuation of which the horizontal order picker moves for a predetermined distance (D) automatically, the length of the distance (D) corresponding to the offset between the operating platform and one of the order-picking containers. |
| US08768549B2 |
Battery maintenance system
A battery-powered vehicle and a vehicle battery maintenance system that includes a battery charger that monitors energy consumption data from the vehicle battery to generate charging instructions to a charger. A central data unit (CDU) can determine whether if a vehicle electrical load is consuming too much energy and then generate instructions to the vehicle controller to limit the energy consumption. The CDU can notify an offsite central computer if the battery has not been charged according to charging instructions. |
| US08768548B2 |
Spherical infrared robotic vehicle
A spherical infrared robotic vehicle (SIRV) is provided for remote reconnaissance. The SIRV includes a spherical shell, a chassis within the shell, an infrared sensor within the chassis and a set of wheels between the shell and chassis. The spherical shell has inner and outer surfaces. The chassis contains a platform, an electric motor and a power supply, and includes an infrared aperture. The infrared sensor mounts to the platform and is disposed to receive an infrared signal through the aperture as infrared images. The sensor can be a plurality of infrared cameras mounted in separate directions. The wheels are driven by the motor and supported by the chassis. The wheels engage the inner surface and turn in response to the motor. The shell rolls by turning the wheels to propel the SIRV. |
| US08768539B1 |
Automatic device mode based on physical location or user in a vehicle
One aspect of the disclosure provides a control device that is located inside the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The control device may include a portable computing device configured to execute software that effectively enables passengers to use a touch screen (or another input device) to perform control actions for the vehicle that would otherwise take a flip of a switch, turning of a knob, or pressing of a pedal. For example, the portable computing device may be used to steer the vehicle or apply the brakes of the vehicle. The capabilities of the portable computing device are subject to location-specific permissions. The portable computing device, for example, may be allowed to steer the vehicle only when it is located in the area of the vehicle's driver seat. |
| US08768537B2 |
System and method for updating vehicle information using wireless access point connected to telematics server
A technique for updating vehicle information using a wireless access point connected to a telematics server is described. More specifically, the system includes a wireless communication unit configured to connect to the wireless access point through, e.g., Wi-Fi network, to automatically receive an update data container(s), when the update data container(s) regarding the vehicle information is present in the telematics server; a control unit configured to store the update data container(s) received through the wireless communication unit and control the vehicle information and one or more devices corresponding to the vehicle information; and an update unit configured to update the vehicle information by using the update data container(s). |
| US08768535B2 |
Method and apparatus for the recognition of a trailer of a motor vehicle
A method and device for the recognition of a trailer (2) of a motor vehicle (1), wherein the trailer (2) is connected to the motor vehicle (1) via a coupling device (3), wherein a control device (4) collects and stores data relating to the currently connected trailer (2) during an operating phase of the motor vehicle, and a device for identification (5) of the trailer (2) is able to ascertain, by means of a test signal, a separation of the connected trailer (2) from the motor vehicle (1) during the shutdown phase of the motor vehicle (1). |
| US08768534B2 |
Method and apparatus for using electronic flight bag (EFB) to enable flight operations quality assurance (FOQA)
A method for using an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) located on an aircraft to communicate Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) data to a remote aircraft flight data collection unit is provided. The method is directed to receiving FOQA data from one or more aircraft systems with an EFB on an aircraft while the aircraft is in-flight, and automatically transmitting the received FOQA data from the EFB to a remote aircraft flight data collection unit for analysis. |
| US08768532B2 |
Indirect thermal fan control
Indirect thermal fan control is described. In one or more implementations, a speed of a fan may be adjusted based on indirect measurements of temperature. For example, a temperature of air entering an enclosure and a current draw of an electrical component within the enclosure may be determined. A speed of a fan may then be adjusted based on the temperature of the air and the current draw of the component to change a flow of the air over the electrical component. |
| US08768527B2 |
Power demand-supply management server and power demand-supply management system
A power demand/supply management server (10) obtains information defining restraint contents to a comfort and an electricity bill from a consumer power operating device (2). An individual-consumer control optimizing unit of the power demand/supply management server (10) calculates control contents to an electrical equipment having a minimum cost evaluation value based on a simulation result of cost evaluation values which are barometers for evaluating a comfort and an electricity bill excessiveness, and transmits the calculated control contents to the consumer power operating device (2). Also, a whole-consumer optimizing unit of the power demand/supply management server (10) calculates the most appropriate electricity unit meter-charge that ensures a necessary demand suppression plan level throughout the whole power system based on an electricity daily load curve for each consumer. |
| US08768526B2 |
Water heater demand side management system
A system for shifting energy demand from on-peak time windows to off-peak time windows by using hot water heater load shifting, while providing the end user with the level of service (i.e., availability of hot water) according to the user's customary use described by service quality criteria. The shift is accomplished by a controller located at the end user establishment and in communication with a central control server. The controller monitors local water heater upper and/or lower temperature and controls upper and/or lower water heater heating elements in accordance with a demand shift process commanded by the central control server. The controller may determine usage and remaining capacity for reporting back to the central control server. A volumetric capacity and usage determination is disclosed. The control server may select water heaters according to use patterns and/or measured capacity. One embodiment is adapted for use with existing water heaters without disrupting safety features of the existing water heater. |
| US08768518B2 |
Method of setting exclusive controller for water heater
A method of setting an exclusive controller for a water heater, wherein a plurality of controllers are provided for user to operate to control a water heater, includes the steps of: a) Provide each controller an identification code, and saving the identification codes of the controllers in a processor of a water heater; b) Input a command through a controller, and sending the command to the processor of the water heater, wherein the command includes the identification code of the controller; c) Make a recording that the controller is an exclusive controller when the identification code in the command is identical to the identification code in the processor; d) Execute the command from the exclusive controller to control the water heater, and rejecting commands from the other controllers; and e) Repeat the step d until the recording of the exclusive controller is canceled. |
| US08768517B2 |
Methods and systems for control of microfluidic devices
The present invention provides control methods, control systems, and control software for microfluidic devices that operate by moving discrete micro-droplets through a sequence of determined configurations. Such microfluidic devices are preferably constructed in a hierarchical and modular fashion which is reflected in the preferred structure of the provided methods and systems. In particular, the methods are structured into low-level device component control functions, middle-level actuator control functions, and high-level micro-droplet control functions. Advantageously, a microfluidic device may thereby be instructed to perform an intended reaction or analysis by invoking micro-droplet control function that perform intuitive tasks like measuring, mixing, heating, and so forth. The systems are preferably programmable and capable of accommodating microfluidic devices controlled by low voltages and constructed in standardized configurations. Advantageously, a single control system can thereby control numerous different reactions in numerous different microfluidic devices simply by loading different easily understood micro-droplet programs. |
| US08768512B2 |
Robot and control method thereof
A robot and a control method thereof. The control method includes generating and storing plural grasping motions corresponding to data of a target object, selecting a grasping motion corresponding to a grasping purpose of the target object among the plural grasping motions, generating a path of arms corresponding to the selected grasping motion, calculating torques to track the path of the arms, and outputting the torques toward the arms so as to perform movement of the arms and grasping of the target object. The grasping motion path corresponding to the grasping purpose is generated and the path of arms is generated, thereby reducing overall calculation time during grasping of the target object to increase calculating efficiency, minimizing generation of the path of the arms, and allowing an arm path calculating process to be performed at the late stage of a grasping control process to improve grasping performance. |
| US08768509B2 |
Snaking robotic arm with movable shapers
Presented is a method and apparatus comprising one or more robotic members which are curvaceous or snake-like; having movable shapers through which may pass an articulable column having successive joints formed of alternating ball and socket members. The shapers can be directed up and down the articulable column, to create virtually any radius of curvature, in any direction. The robotic member may also include discrete microelectronic mechanical devices (MEMS) shapers with embedded addressable controllers. Thus the device, with computerized control is capable of negotiating a tortuous path to access the site of a given operation and to retreat along the same path, without injury to the body in which the arm is directed. Once at the work site, the articulating columns, or parts of them, may be put in compression, causing them to become rigid. |
| US08768508B2 |
Robot-position detecting device and robot system
A robot-position detecting device includes: a position-data acquiring unit that acquires position data indicating actual positions of a robot; a position-data input unit that receives the position data output from the position-data acquiring unit; and a position calculating unit that calculates a computational position of the robot through linear interpolation using first and second position data input to the position-data input unit at different times. |
| US08768503B2 |
Method for the designing of tools
The invention concerns a method for the creation of addendums (4) of tools for sheet metal formed parts (2). In the case of this method, fill surfaces (7) for the smoothing of irregular zones of a component edge (3) are generated. Initial directions (31) of sectional profiles (10) are determined in such a manner, that sectional profiles (10) at a distance from one another are arranged along a component (3, 8) with utilization of these initial directions (31) and that an addendum (4) is creatable by the connection of these sectional profiles (10). |
| US08768501B2 |
Magnetic nanostructured propellers
Methods and systems for the fabrication and application of Magnetically Actuated Propellers (MAPs) are described. MAPs are structures with typical feature sizes in the range of 20 nanometers up to 100 microns in one spatial dimension. MAPs are propellers that can be obtained from nano-structured surfaces and that can be produced in large numbers. MAPs are propelled and controlled by magnetic fields. The MAPs are optimized for low Reynolds number propulsion and can be moved in fluids and biological tissues. MAPs are useful for measurements, quantification, imaging and sensing purposes e.g. detecting biomolecules and for the controlled transportation of (drug- and bio-) molecules and the delivery of microscopic and nanoscale objects and/or materials or systems of therapeutic value. The MAPs are formed on a substrate and the released from the substrate using sonication, vibration, agitation, dissolution or etching which allows the MAPs to be produced in large numbers. |
| US08768500B2 |
Manufacturing design and process analysis system
Methods, apparatuses and systems that facilitate the design, production and/or measurement tasks associated with manufacturing and other processes. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an understanding of how the multiple characteristics of a given process output are related to each other and to process inputs. This knowledge facilitates a reduction in measurement costs. It also facilitates an understanding of the sometimes complex interrelationships between design targets, design tolerances, process inputs, process control variables, average process output and variation in the process output. As discussed in more detail below, embodiments of the present invention facilitate 1.) determination of design target values, 2.) determination of design specification limits, 3.) design of process inputs, 4.) determination of process control variable settings, and/or 5.) reduction of measurement costs. |
| US08768498B2 |
Method for operating an industrial system
The present invention relates to a method for operating an industrial system, wherein the system comprises at least one line (1, 2, 3, 4), wherein each line (1, 2, 3, 4) comprises at least one machine (10, 12, 14, 16), and wherein each machine (10, 12, 14, 16) comprises at least one component (110, 112, 114, 116), comprising the steps of detecting state data of each component (110, 112, 114, 116), of each machine (10, 12, 14, 16), and of each line (1, 2, 3, 4), transmitting the state data to at least one user unit, and displaying the state data by means of the at least one user unit. The present invention further relates to an industrial system for performing the method, and a computer program. |
| US08768497B2 |
Treating cleft palate
The present application describes, inter alia, methods, devices, and systems for modeling and fabricating corrective appliances and methods of treating cleft palate using same. |
| US08768495B2 |
System and method for media recognition
Automatic recognition of sample media content is provided. A spectrogram is generated for successive time slices of audio signal. One or more sample hash vectors are generated for a time slice by calculating ratios of magnitudes of respective frequency bins from a column for the time slice. In a primary evaluation stage an exact match of bits of the sample hash vector is performed to entries in a look-up table to identify a group of one or more reference hash vectors. In a secondary evaluation stage a degree of similarity between the sample hash vector and each of the group of reference hash vectors is performed to identify any reference hash vectors that are candidates for matching the sample media content, each reference hash vector representing a time slice of reference media content. |
| US08768492B2 |
Automation and motion control system
An automation and motion control system for theatrical objects, such as theatrical props, cameras, stunt persons, lighting, scenery, drapery or other similar types of devices or items, is provided to coordinate the movement of the objects on a large scale and/or to control the operation of the objects. |
| US08768491B2 |
Method for axis correction in a processing machine and processing machine
A method for axis correction in a processing machine, in particular a shaftless printing machine, has at least one axis for processing and/or transporting a material, at least one detection device for detecting a processing parameter and at least one controller device for calculating a controller output variable for axis correction of the at least one axis using the detected processing parameter. The method is implemented iteratively, with the result that feedforward control output values for the feedforward control of the axis correction are determined during an (n+1)-th change in rotation speed of the at least one axis using observation of the controller output variable and/or the processing parameter during an n-th change in rotation speed of the at least one axis. |
| US08768487B2 |
Devices, methods and systems for establishing supplemental blood flow in the circulatory system
A cannula for insertion through a biologic tissue. The cannula includes a shaft having proximal and distal end portions with a lumen therebetween. The cannula further includes a tip having a proximal end portion, a distal tip end, and a lumen therebetween. The proximal end portion of the tip is secured to the distal end portion of the shaft so that the lumen of the tip is in fluid communication with the lumen of the shaft. The tip includes an opening that extends proximally relative to the distal tip end to permit the flow of fluid into the lumen of the tip even in the event that the distal tip end becomes obstructed. |
| US08768486B2 |
Medical leads with frequency independent magnetic resonance imaging protection
A medical device having a frequency independent circuit that substantially reduces induced currents in a lead assembly and at a tissue interface. The frequency independent circuit configures an electrical path such that a stimulation pulse travels from the medical device to a selected tissue, and a current induced by an external changing electromagnetic signal is prevented from travelling the electrical path from the selected tissue to the medical device. |
| US08768482B2 |
Neural prosthesis
A neural prosthesis includes a centralized device that can provide power, data, and clock signals to one or more individual neural prosthesis subsystems. Each subsystem may include a number of individually addressable, programmable modules that can be dynamically allocated or shared among neural prosthetic networks to achieve complex, coordinated functions or to operate in autonomous groups. |
| US08768470B2 |
Methods for monitoring renal neuromodulation
Methods and apparatus are provided for renal neuromodulation using a pulsed electric field to effectuate electroporation or electrofusion. It is expected that renal neuromodulation (e.g., denervation) may, among other things, reduce expansion of an acute myocardial infarction, reduce or prevent the onset of morphological changes that are affiliated with congestive heart failure, and/or be efficacious in the treatment of end stage renal disease. Embodiments of the present invention are configured for percutaneous intravascular delivery of pulsed electric fields to achieve such neuromodulation. |
| US08768469B2 |
Systems for regulation of blood pressure and heart rate
A method and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired blood pressure and/or heart rate in a subject comprising applying an electrical treatment signal, wherein the electrical treatment signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses, or in some embodiments, to augment nerve impulses. |
| US08768468B2 |
Device for neuro-physiologic stimulation
An apparatus for the electro-physiologic stimulation of the human nervous system includes a positive electrical assembly having an integrated circuit (IC) producing a sequence of physiologically compatible and acceptable electromagnetic waveforms, the IC having ungrounded positive and negative outputs of the waveforms, a battery substantially in electrical communication with the IC board, a positive treatment pad at a bottom of the positive assembly in electrical communication with the positive output of the waveforms. An upper and middle housing is in swivel contact with a lower housing. Also included is a flexible housing for the electrical cable. Further included is a negative assembly in electrical communication with an opposite end of the cable, carrying the negative side of the waveforms, a negative treatment pad in axial electrical communication with a bottom of a housing secured about the cable. |
| US08768466B2 |
Method and apparatus to trend and optimize an implantable medical device using a patient management system
A remote external interface for an implantable cardiac function management device is configured to be communicatively coupled to the implantable cardiac function management device via a network to a local external interface and via telemetry between the local external interface and the implantable cardiac function management device. The remote external interface includes a communication circuit and a processor circuit. The communication circuit is configured to communicate with the implantable cardiac function management device. The processor circuit is configured to perform an analysis of physiologic data received from the implantable cardiac function management device in response to operation of the implantable cardiac function management device using a plurality of therapy control parameter sets. The processor circuit can be further configured to select a particular therapy control parameter set using the analysis. |
| US08768463B2 |
Method of defining continuous heart rate vs AV delay values and sensed to paced AV delay offset in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy
A method of data management for optimizing the patient outcome from the provision of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is described. A regression equation is constructed using 3 data points on a plot of AV delay vs. HR. The x-axis consist of the three points consist of resting HR, HR at the optimal AV delay value during light exercise, and the upper tracking or paced HR. The y-values associated with the three points consist of the AV delay values computed using an equation for ventricular filling time and the optimally determined AV delay value. Also described is a process for determining the sensed to paced AV delay offset. The combined processes yield 4 (the three constant values in the polynomial regression equation Y=b2X2+b1X+a and the sensed to paced AV delay offset) which can be stored on the patient's pacemaker for determining dynamically the AV delay value which is physiologically fine-tuned for each patient from resting HR to the upper tracking or paced HR. In combination with visual observation and computer-assisted ranking of the dependent variables, a physician can utilize the resulting information to render decisions on the optimal choice of the programming biventricular pacemakers/ICDs and DDDR pacemakers for individual patients. |
| US08768458B2 |
Unitary subcutaneous only implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
A unitary subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator that contains a source of electrical energy, a capacitor, and operational circuitry for sensing the presence of potentially fatal heart rhythms. Provided on the housing are cardioversion/defibrillation electrodes located to deliver electrical cardioversion-defibrillation energy when the operational circuitry senses a potentially fatal heart rhythm. The unitary subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator does not have a transvenous, intracardiac, epicardial, or subcutaneous electrode. |
| US08768456B2 |
Implantable neural stimulator with mode switching
Various aspects of the present subject matter relate to an implantable device. Various device embodiments comprise at least one port to connect to at least one lead with at least electrode, stimulation circuitry connected to the at least one port and adapted to provide at least one neural stimulation therapy to at least one neural stimulation target using the at least one electrode, sensing circuitry connected to the at least one port and adapted to provide a sensed signal, and a controller connected to the stimulation circuitry to provide the at least one neural stimulation therapy and to the sensing circuitry to receive the sensed signal. In response to a triggering event, the controller is adapted to switch between at least two modes. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein. |
| US08768454B2 |
Electromagnetic thermal therapy
A portable, non-invasive device for providing therapeutic treatment to a joint to promote healing of the joint includes a cuff positionable around the joint. The cuff includes an electromagnetic stimulator configured to provide an electromagnetic field within the joint and a single-use thermal exchange component configured to provide temperature-based therapy to the joint. |
| US08768453B2 |
Monitoring electrode voltages in an implantable medical device system having daisy-chained electrode-driver integrated circuits
Electrode voltage monitoring circuitry for an implantable neurostimulator system having a plurality of electrode-driver integrated circuits (ICs) in provided. Electrodes from either or both ICs can be chosen to provide stimulation, and one of the IC acts as the master while the other acts as the slave. Electrodes voltages on the slave IC are routed to the master IC, and thus the master IC can monitor both electrode voltages on the slave as well as electrode voltages on the master. Such voltages can be monitored for a variety of purposes, and in particular use of such voltage is disclosed for determining the resistance between electrodes and to set a compliance voltage for stimulation. |
| US08768449B2 |
Prosthetic devices and methods and systems related thereto
Prosthetic devices, methods and systems are disclosed. Eye position and/or neural activity of a primate are recorded and combined. The combination signal is compared with a predetermined signal. The result of the comparison step is used to actuate the prosthetic device. |
| US08768447B2 |
Processing of physiological signal data in patient monitoring
The invention relates to processing of physiological signal data in patient monitoring. In order to alleviate the problems caused by suppression waveforms in the analysis of physiological signal data, measurement data is derived from a segment of the time series of physiological signal data and valid measurement data is collected from the derived measurement data, thereby to form a set of valid measurement data. The collecting includes selecting measurement data that fulfills at least one predetermined threshold condition. Furthermore, at least a portion of the set of valid measurement data is supplied to a further processing stage when the amount of collected measurement data in the set is at least at a predetermined level. The deriving and collecting may be repeated for consecutive segments of the time series, in which case the supplying is performed for at least some of the consecutive segments of the time series. |
| US08768439B2 |
Physiological monitoring using an ocular probing system and method
A method and system perform physiological monitoring. The system includes a first light source and a plurality of optical waveguide couplers, each of the plurality of optical waveguide couplers being arranged at a different predetermined spatial location on an ocular insert to be placed on an eye. The system also includes a plurality of optical waveguides. Each optical waveguide carries light from a second light source to a respective one of the plurality of optical waveguide couplers and carries a received signal from the respective one of the plurality of optical waveguide couplers. A processor receives the received signal from each of the plurality of optical waveguides and monitors a parameter based on the received signal. |
| US08768438B2 |
Determining cardiac arrhythmia from a video of a subject being monitored for cardiac function
What is disclosed is a system and method for processing a time-series signal generated by video images captured of a subject of interest in a non-contact, remote sensing environment such that the existence of a cardiac arrhythmia can be determined for that subject. In one embodiment, a time-series signal generated is received. The time-series signal was generated from video images captured of a region of exposed skin where photoplethysmographic (PPG) signals of a subject of interest can be registered. Signal separation is performed on the time-series signal to extract a photoplethysmographic signal for the subject. Peak-to-peak pulse points are detected in the PPG signal using an adaptive threshold technique with successive thresholds being based on variations detected in previous magnitudes of the pulse peaks. The pulse points are then analyzed to obtain peak-to-peak pulse dynamics. The existence of cardiac arrhythmias is determined for the subject based on the pulse dynamics. |
| US08768437B2 |
Fluoroscopic image guided surgery system with intraoperative registration
A system and apparatus allows the tracking of a selected body portion, instrument, or both. A tracking device can be interconnected to a body portion at a mounting site. A procedure can be performed at a location remote from the mounting site of the tracking device. The tracking device can be interconnected with the body in a low invasive manner. |
| US08768431B2 |
Systems and methods for tissue imaging
The present invention provides systems and methods for monitoring tissue regions. In particular, the present invention provides systems and methods for detecting changes in tissue regions over a period of time. In some embodiments, the systems and methods of the present invention are used to evaluate the effectiveness of a particular treatment of a tissue region. In some embodiments, the systems and methods employ functional diffusion map algorithms for imaging changes in tissue regions over time and/or in response to therapeutic interventions. |
| US08768426B2 |
Y-shaped ear sensor with strain relief
The present disclosure relates to sensors for use on a patient's ear. The sensors as provided may be Y-shaped and configured to be retained on an ear with the forks of the Y-shape positioned below the main branch of the Y. In particular embodiments, the Y-shaped sensors may be affixed to the patient at locations on the head or neck to relieve strain and reduce the effects of motion on the optical components of the sensor. |
| US08768421B2 |
Electronic device and antenna reception tuning method thereof
An electronic device and an antenna reception tuning method thereof are provided. The electronic device includes a first main body, a second main body, a sensing unit, and a processing unit. The second main body, including an antenna and a matching unit, is disposed on the first main body through a hinge and adapted for being opened or closed relative to the first main body. The sensing unit is disposed on the electronic device, adapted for detecting a distance between the first main body and the second main body, and generates a control signal according to the distance, wherein the distance includes an angle and an open/close state between the first and the second main bodies. The processing unit is electrically connected to the sensing unit and the matching unit, and adjusts the matching unit according to the received control signal. |
| US08768420B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal includes a first antenna configured to receive power from the first circuit board housed in the first housing, a second antenna configured to receive power from the second circuit board housed in the second housing, a first signal cable configured to electrically connect the first circuit board to the second circuit board and transmit a signal between the first circuit board and the second circuit board, and a second signal cable configured to electrically connect the first circuit board to the second circuit board and bypasses a board current flowing through the first signal cable from the first circuit board to the second antenna during operation of the second antenna. |
| US08768418B2 |
Method and apparatus for allocating a beacon signal in a wireless communications network
A method and apparatus for transmitting beacon signals in a wireless communications network. For a given cell site, a single frequency may be used for the beacon signal by assigning different beacon signal time slots to different sectors of the cell site. During one time slot, the beacon signal is transmitted to one of the sectors, and during another one of the time slots, the beacon signal is transmitted to a different one of the sectors. Because a single frequency can be used for all of the sectors of a cell site, more frequencies are available for other purposes, such as for user traffic, for example. The invention improves spectral efficiency, reduces adjacent channel interference and co-channel interference and allows power consumption to be controlled. |
| US08768416B2 |
Communication system, apparatus and method
A communication system, apparatus and method are provided according to embodiments of the present invention. The communication system includes: a base band unit (BBU), at least two antennas and at least two radio-frequency (RF) units, where the at least two RF units are connected with the BBU respectively; and each of the antennas is connected with at least two RF units respectively, so that a signal received from a same sector by an antenna is sent to the BBU via different RF units. With the embodiments of the present invention, the reliability of RF units may be improved without increasing the hardware cost of the base station. |
| US08768413B2 |
Location information erase on SIM card
Methods and systems including non-transitory computer-readable storage media, for selectively erasing data stored at a wireless device are disclosed. The media include instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method including comparing a particular service provider identified by the data stored at the wireless device to at least one favored service provider selected from a group of favored service providers consisting of a home service provider and a preferred service provider other than the home service provider. The instructions further, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to erase, if the particular service provider is not one of the favored service providers, the data stored at the wireless device. |
| US08768409B2 |
Method and apparatus for interfacing among mobile terminal, base station and core network in mobile telecommunications system
A method, apparatus and a computer readable record media storing instructions for executing the same method for interfacing among a hybrid type synchronous or asynchronous terminal to a core network in a next generation mobile telecommunications system. The hybrid type synchronous or asynchronous radio network determines the operating type of the core network when the core network has a connection thereto, and sends the determined core network operating type information and information related to the core network to the hybrid type synchronous or asynchronous terminal, thereby allowing the synchronous or asynchronous terminal to smoothly perform a data interfacing operation with the core network. |
| US08768404B2 |
Mobile radio terminal
When active software makes a request for measuring position information, during roaming, a control unit does not execute GPS measurement, but notifies the software of an error indicating that, for example, measurement is failed, and thereby prevents establishment of communication for a function which cannot be executed by the software. |
| US08768402B1 |
Method and system for controlling transmit power levels
A mobile station stores power-limit data that identifies one or more defined locations and associates each defined location with a respective transmit power limit. The one or more defined locations may, for example, correspond to locations of high-priority signal transmitters, such as transmitters that transmit signals used for public safety communications. In response to a trigger condition, the mobile station determines whether its current location is proximate to any of the one or more defined locations in the power-limit data. The trigger condition may occur when a current transmit power level of the mobile station is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. If the mobile station's current location is proximate to a defined location in the power-limit data, the mobile station controls its transmit power level so that it does not exceed a transmit power limit associated with the defined location. |
| US08768398B2 |
Measurement aggregation in wireless communications systems
Systems, devices, and methods for adjusting a transmission power at a femto node are described herein. According to the systems, devices, and methods herein, a measurement of a signal transmitted from a transmitting node may be communicated to the femto node, for example from a user equipment or a neighboring femto node, for use in adjusting the power. The transmitting node may comprise the femto node, a macro node, or a neighboring femto node. In addition, statistics regarding such measurements may be communicated to the femto node for use in adjusting the power. The femto node may also adjust the power based on unsuccessful registration attempts or interference communications received at the femto node. |
| US08768393B2 |
Method and apparatus for interference mitigation in wireless systems
A method is disclosed to eliminate inter-cluster interference of user equipment located at the edge of a cluster of cells. The method operates by employing fractional frequency reuse (FFR) principles on clusters or combinations of cells in a wireless neighborhood, in which base stations in the cells coordinate their operations in a scheme known as coordinated multi-point transmission (CoMP). By using the FFR principles to single out edge users of the CoMP cluster, the method mitigates interference and increases throughput for the edge users. |
| US08768392B2 |
Timing adjustment method, user equipment, base station, and mobile communication system
A timing adjustment method in a mobile communication system having a user equipment and a base station, that performs transmission processing based on transmission timing adjustment information in the user equipment and allocates a plurality of parameters related to a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource used for transmission processing, between the user equipment and the base station. Additionally, if a valid term of first transmission timing adjustment information expires before transmission processing of a signal including identification information of the user equipment is performed during connection processing while the user equipment is performing the connection processing to the base station based on the first transmission timing adjustment information, aborting the connection processing and releasing at least one of the allocated plurality of parameters related to the PUCCH resource. |
| US08768391B2 |
Localised and distributed scheduling control method and apparatus
The present invention provides for a method of controlling selection of a localised scheduling scheme or a distributed scheduling scheme within an OFDMA downlink and including the step of estimating a fading characteristic and initiating switching between the scheduling schemes responsive to the result of the said estimation, wherein the fading characteristic can comprise one of fading rate or fading type, and wherein the invention can provide for such estimating functionality within a mobile radio communications device. |
| US08768386B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for processing short message
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and apparatus for processing a short message, and a system, and relate to the field of communications technologies, which enable a terminal to receive a short message in time on the premise of not interrupting a current PS service, enhance user experience, reduce resource consumption of a short message service, and optimizes a utilization rate of a network resource. A method for processing a short message provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes: determining, by a network element in 2G or 3G, that a current service type is short message; receiving, by the network element, a short message sent by an MME; and delivering, by the network element, the short message to a terminal through an established PS connection. |
| US08768384B1 |
Methods and devices for efficient use of multiple paging channels
Methods and systems for efficiently using multiple paging channels in a wireless communication network are proposed. In particular, a radio access network (RAN) may determine that a wireless communication device (WCD), such as a cell phone, has not been responding to paging messages transmitted on a secondary paging channel. In response to this determination, the RAN may instruct the WCD to listen only to a primary paging channel, while the RAN will only use the primary paging channel to page the WCD. This, in turn, may increase the likelihood that the WCD is able to properly receive and respond to paging messages, and reduce the power consumption and battery drain of neighboring WCDs. |
| US08768383B2 |
Method for providing control information using the paging procedure
A method for a user equipment (UE) to receive control information from a network in a wireless mobile communication system is provided. In the method, the UE receives a paging identifier indicating whether or not a paging message to be transmitted to the user equipment is present and receives the paging message including a type indicator indicating a paging type, according to the paging identifier. |
| US08768376B2 |
Method for acquiring adjacent eNB information and mobile management entity
A method and system for acquiring information of a neighbor eNB are disclosed. The method includes: in a process of an evolved node B (eNB) establishing an S1 interface connection with a Mobility Management Entity (MME), the MME sends information of a global eNB ID and a tracking area identity (TAI) of the neighbor eNB of the eNB to the eNB; the eNB receives and acquires the information of the global eNB ID and the TAI of the neighbor eNB. With the present invention, the operators are free from the tedious work of manually configuring the information of the neighbor eNB, and frequent interactions between the UE and the eNB for the neighbor cell detection can be reduced. |
| US08768373B2 |
Adaptive flexible bandwidth wireless systems
Methods, systems, and devices are described for providing flexible bandwidth waveforms and channels for wireless communication. Embodiments may utilize portions of spectrum that may not be large enough to fit a standard or normal waveform. Chip rates may be adapted dynamically to generate and/or to receive flexible bandwidth waveforms to fit these portions of spectrum. Scaling factors and/or center frequencies may also be utilized to generate flexible waveforms. A mobile device may receive adjustment information from a base station so that the mobile device may dynamically adjust its chip rate to utilize a flexible bandwidth channel. A base station may simultaneously transmit on a normal bandwidth channel and a flexible bandwidth channel in some cases. Some flexible bandwidth waveforms may be utilized that are larger, or take more bandwidth, than a normal waveform. Flexible bandwidth may also be utilized to split and/or combine frequency channels. |
| US08768372B2 |
Sector interference management based on inter-sector performance
Providing fairness-based metrics for managing inter-sector interference of a mobile AN is described herein. By way of example, accumulation of resource utilization messages (RUMs) at a sector of the mobile AN can be based at least in part on a performance metric of that sector as compared with one or more neighboring sectors. In at least one aspect, performance metrics of multiple sectors of the mobile AN can be aggregated and a RUM accumulation rate of each sector is determined based on the aggregated metric. Accumulation rates can further be updated periodically as sector and/or aggregated metrics of the mobile AN change. Accordingly, accumulation and utilization of RUMs is based on inter-sector fairness to optimize overall wireless communication quality of service for the mobile AN. |
| US08768368B2 |
Method and arrangement for improved radio network planning, simulation and analyzing in telecommunications
In a method of enabling improved radio network planning for a predetermined geographical area in a telecommunication network, providing a plurality of data sampled at irregularly distributed measurement points, each data sample being represented by at least two geographical coordinates and at least one parameter value representative of a physical quantity associated with a radio network planning procedure, and providing a regular grid comprising a plurality of grid bins. For each such measurement point locating a subset of said grid bins within a predetermined distance from the measurement point and determining a respective contribution from the measurement point at each located grid bin in the subset, based at least on a respective distance between the data point and each grid bin and the at least one parameter value of the measurement point, wherein at least a subset of the grid bins each receive contributions from at least three associated measurement points referred to as contributing measurement points, and wherein each such grid bin is referred to as an active or triggered grid bin. Finally, determining, for each active or triggered grid bin a value of the parameter based on the determined respective contributions from the associated contributing measurement points. |
| US08768367B2 |
Method and apparatus of supporting wireless femtocell communications
A method and apparatus of routing a call in a femtocell network are disclosed. In one example call routing method, a call is originated from the mobile station via a femtocell access point and the call is transmitted to a femtocell gateway, a mobile switching center and a carrier gateway server and onto an enterprise gateway server to obtain policy information. A routing policy is determined based on the obtained policy information and the call is routed to its destination based on the routing policy. The call may be routed via local media from a femtocell access point directly to the enterprise gateway server. The call routing procedures may implement the Iuh protocol and/or the session initiation protocol (SIP) for call signaling in the femtocell network. Call routing may be performed in a wireless cellular communications network or an enterprise network environment. |
| US08768364B2 |
Femto cell system and method of achieving mobility with macro/micro cell in femto cell system
A node that manages a plurality of femto cells identifies the femto cells that use an identical scrambling code, transfers a relocation request from the macro/micro network of a moving source to the femto cells and obtains information from a correct moving destination to achieve inter-network mobility of the mobile station. |
| US08768363B1 |
Resource allocation based on wireless device motion specified in connection request
A method and corresponding system is disclosed for enhanced resource allocation in a wireless communication system. According to the method, when an idle wireless device seeks to initiate a call in a given coverage area, the device will provide with its initiation request to the serving radio network a motion specification indicating an extent of movement of the device, based on the device's tracking of its own movement. The network will then use that motion specification provided with the initiation request as a basis to determine whether to select a resource to allocate for the call in the given coverage area based on resource implementation in at least one neighboring coverage area or whether to instead select the resource to allocate without regard to resource allocation in the at least one neighboring coverage area. |
| US08768356B2 |
Dual mode device with MAC address capture and pairing
Seamless connectivity by a user device between a licensed and an unlicensed network is provided through capturing of MAC address information relating to one or more access points servicing the licensed and/or the unlicensed networks. One or more access points can be chosen as a designated access point. If the access point is available for communication with the device and other device criteria is met, the access point is designated. If designated, when the device is in vicinity of the access point seamless and transparent connectivity is automatically established with that access point. |
| US08768353B2 |
Method of transmitting and receiving control information in a wireless communication system
A method of transmitting and receiving control information for a specific service in a wireless communication system is discussed. The method of transmitting control information for a specific service in a wireless communication system which uses multiple carriers includes transmitting notification indication information to at least one user equipment, the notification indication information including information related to a channel resource region through which control information for the specific service is transmitted, and transmitting a notification message to the at least one user equipment through the channel resource region indicated by the information related to the channel resource region, the notification including control information. |
| US08768352B2 |
Predefined roaming and idle channels
In various embodiments, only a few selected channels are available to be used for scanning for a network controller in a wireless network. In various other embodiments, only a few selected channels are available to be used as an idle channel in a wireless network. In both cases, the channels available for such purposes are fewer in number than the channels available for operational communications. In some embodiments, these channels are in a different industry band than the channels used for operational communications. |
| US08768349B1 |
Real-time subscriber profile consolidation system
A method, system, and medium are provided for consolidating subscriber information from one or more data stored located within a mobile telecommunications network. The subscriber information may include, for example, a subscriber's service attributes or identifying information. As each data store may use a different protocol to communicate with the network, the system has the capability to identify the protocol used by each data store to allow for communication between each data store and the network. In addition, as each data store may store the subscriber information in a different format, the system identifies the schema used by each data store so that the subscriber information may be consolidated into a single schema to generate a unified subscriber profile, thus providing for efficient and effective customer service by a service provider. |
| US08768348B2 |
Method and device for providing a mobile station with network identity and timezone (NTZ) information
The present invention relates to a method and a device—unit (11)—capable of performing the method for providing a mobile station (18) engaged with a telecommunications network (10) with data that is not identical throughout the whole network (10), where a table (27) is maintained in at least one unit (11) of the network (10) associating location dependent data (29) indicative of a location of the mobile station (18) to data that is valid for the mobile station (18). |
| US08768347B2 |
Wireless communication system for establishing communication between a base station in a moving vehicle and a wireless terminal
The present invention is a wireless communication system for establishing wireless communication between a wireless base station installed at the upper part of a communication area in a moving vehicle and a wireless terminal in the communication area, comprising a space surrounded by wall surfaces rising vertically in the communication area, wherein the space has an opening opened by specified width in a plane direction, and the wireless base station is installed in a region extended from the opening of the space by specified width outwardly of the wall surface. |
| US08768340B2 |
Mobile communication terminal testing apparatus and method of testing mobile communication terminal
There are provided a mobile communication terminal testing apparatus and a method of testing a mobile communication terminal capable of displaying an EVM for each slot. A mobile communication terminal testing apparatus 1 includes a reception unit 12 that receives a transmission signal of a radio frequency from a mobile communication terminal 2, converts the transmission signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal as a reception signal having a digital value, an EVM measuring circuit 22 that measures the modulation accuracy of each symbol included in the reception signal, a slot selecting section 32 that selects at least one of a plurality of slots, and a display unit 43 that displays the EVM of each symbol included in the slot selected by the slot selecting section 32. |
| US08768338B2 |
Base station power control in a mobile network
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of base station power control in a mobile network. In various examples, base station power control in a mobile network may be implemented in the form of systems, methods and/or algorithms. |
| US08768337B2 |
Base station power control in a mobile network
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of base station power control in a mobile network. In various examples, base station power control in a mobile network may be implemented in the form of systems, methods and/or algorithms. |
| US08768334B2 |
Method of configuring a small cell radio base station
In a method and a device a detection mechanism enabling a cellular radio system to detect deployment of two or more radio base stations having a small coverage area close to each other and configured to use the same scrambling code is provided. The detected information can be used as a trigger to automatically reconfigure one of the radio base stations having a small coverage area. |
| US08768328B2 |
Switching method and system of multiple input multiple output mode
A switching method and system for a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) mode are provided by the disclosure. The method comprises that: a NodeB determines to perform MIMO mode switching for a cell (S302); through a NodeB Application Part (NBAP) layer of an lub port, the NodeB sends a message which carries the cell identifier of the cell and the MIMO mode status information of the cell (S304) to a Radio Network Controller (RNC); the RNC updates the MIMO mode status of the cell by using the cell identifier and the MIMO mode status information (S306). The disclosure ensures normal communication between a piece of User Equipment (UE) and a NodeB. |
| US08768327B2 |
Feature based management
The present invention relates to feature based management in which a request to activate or deactivate a service in a telecommunication network. The at least one prerequisite features necessary to activate or deactivate the requested service are identified and it is determined if each of the at least one prerequisite features are fulfilled such that the requested service in the telecommunication network is activated or deactivated in the event that all of the prerequisite features are fulfilled. |
| US08768323B2 |
Service discovery in a wireless network
Embodiments of service discovery in a wireless network involve an Access Point (AP) proxy service to represent service providers. The AP manages service provider information, which is provided in response to service requests from service consumers. The AP proxy capability is advertised as a broadcast message in the wireless network. |
| US08768322B2 |
Method and system for triggering events in a radio network
A mobile station communicating with a first radio network, such as a WLAN, may detect that it is communicating with an access point located at a perimeter of a coverage area of the first radio network rather than communicating with an access point located within an interior of the coverage area. The mobile station might further detect one or both of first and second directional signals transmitted from the access point. In response, the mobile station might perform one or more predetermined actions, such as checking the availability of a radio network other than the WLAN, performing a handoff, sounding an alarm or some other action. |
| US08768318B2 |
Enhanced interface for mobile phone
A docking station may provide an enhanced user interface for mobile communication devices. In one particular implementation, a device may include a base unit configured to provide connections to one or more user interface devices and an interface for connecting to a mobile phone, where the base unit connects the mobile phone to the one or more user interface devices to provide an enhanced interface for the mobile phone. |
| US08768316B2 |
Customizable keypress tones and method of installing
A method for loading a customizable keypress tone package on a desired electronic device includes defining a customizable keypress tone package. The customizable keypress tone package can include one or more customizable keypress tones and can optionally include one or more customizable visual aids. A user requests installation of the defined customizable keypress tone package on the electronic device and the network sends the defined customizable keypress tone package to the electronic device. Once the device receives the package, the device installs the defined customizable keypress tone package on the electronic device. |
| US08768315B2 |
Method and apparatus for identifying a suspect through multiple correlated device identities
A method and apparatus for identifying a suspect through location and time events is provided herein. During operation a central server continuously receives updates from multiple networks regarding device identifiers and associated access points. When an event (e.g., a crime) occurs at a certain location, an access point(s) near the event are identified and devices associated with the access point(s) at the time of the event are determined. The identified devices are then utilized to determine potential suspects. |
| US08768314B2 |
Methods and apparatus for anonymous user identification and content personalization in wireless communication
Methods and apparatus for providing personalized content to a user of a wireless network include establishing an anonymous user identifier and delivering the user identifier to a content provider are disclosed. Based on the user identifier, communication with a predetermined data source is established or predetermined data content is selected. In some embodiments, a device identifier is provided in addition to the user identifier and device specific personalized content is delivered to the user. In one example, a device identifier and a user identifier are based on a mobile station serial number and a subscriber identity module (SIM) and are used in an HTTP header. The anonymous user identifier can be based on a SIM serial number, or a hash of the SIM serial number so that user information such as a user phone numbers is not available to content providers. |
| US08768309B2 |
Reminders based on device presence
The disclosed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate and/or transmit reminders based upon device presence techniques in connection with a wireless communications network. For example, when certain mobile devices register with a particular network entity (e.g., a femtocell) that services a particular target location (e.g., place of residence), then such registration can be leveraged to indicate presence at the target location. Accordingly, reminders can be configured by custodian devices and delivered to subservient devices if certain predetermined conditions or criteria are satisfied in connection with the presence information. |
| US08768308B2 |
Apparatus and method for creating and managing personal schedules via context-sensing and actuation
An apparatus and method for schedule management includes storing at least one schedule for a user. The current activity of the user is determined. At a remind time for each schedule, the user is reminded of the schedule according to a reminder method. The reminder method selection is based on at least the determined current activity of the user. Some of the reminder methods selected between may include, for example, voice, ring, vibration, light, and/or text. |
| US08768305B1 |
Reestablishing a mobile device radio resource control connection
Methods and systems for reestablishing a mobile device RRC connection based on eNodeB messaging. An RRC (Radio Resource Control) connection reestablishment request for the mobile device is received at a first eNodeB (Evolved NodeB). It is determined that the RRC connection reestablishment request requires mobile device context data that is unavailable at the first eNodeB. The first eNodeB communicates an initial mobile device service request message to an MME (Mobility Management Entity) based on a determination that the RRC connection request requires the mobile device context data that is unavailable at the first eNodeB. Upon communicating the initial mobile device service request message, the first eNodeB receives the mobile device context data in order to reestablish the mobile device RRC connection. |
| US08768302B2 |
Abuse-resistant method of providing invitation codes for registering user accounts with an online service
A server system having one or more processors and memory receives, from a client, an invitation-code request from a user of the client for an invitation code enabling a new user account to be registered, where the invitation-code request includes identifying information and determines whether the invitation-code request exceeds registration limit criteria based on the identifying information. In accordance with a determination that the invitation-code request exceeds the registration limit criteria, the invitation-code request is rejected. In accordance with a determination that the invitation-code request does not exceed the registration limit criteria, an invitation code is provided to the user, enabling a new user account to be registered. |
| US08768301B2 |
Femtocell location
In a telecommunications network a technique of identifying unauthorised movement of an Access Point, also often described as a micro base station or a femto-cell, uses a velocity check to determine if the Access Point has been moved from its intended location to a remote, unauthorised location. In an embodiment, the system described herein determines the cell ID of the cell used before the access point was used and/or after the access point is used. The differences in location between the cell IDs and the expected location of the Access Point is then determined to see if the Access Point is in its correct position. |
| US08768296B2 |
Method and apparatus for random access of voice mail messages
A method and apparatus for allowing a telephone service subscriber to receive an email notification, e.g., a SMS notification, at an endpoint device that a new voice mail message has been received. The SMS notification comprises a voice mailbox access phone number, selected from a pool of unassigned access phone numbers, which can be used to provide direct access to the new voice mail message in the telephone service subscriber's voice mailbox. Thus, a different voice mailbox access phone number is sent in each SMS notification to the telephone service subscriber for each new voice mail message, thereby providing direct access to specific voice mail messages via different voice mailbox access phone numbers. |
| US08768294B2 |
Notification and tracking system for mobile devices
An notification and tracking system for a mobile device. The system includes a mobile device application that is adapted to be stored in memory on the mobile device. The application, upon activation, determines the GPS coordinates of the mobile device, records digital images over a period of time, sends a preset message from the mobile device to at least one recipient, preferably an emergency responder, such as a security monitoring station, and sends the GPS coordinates and the digital images. The coordinates and images may be sent to a remote server for storage and which can be accessed by the emergency responder. The coordinates and images are periodically updated and sent while the program is activated. |
| US08768293B1 |
Automatically establishing a telephonic connection between devices
Various aspects of this disclosure are directed to determining, with a computing device, an amount of time that has elapsed since the computing device was last utilized for processing an outgoing or an incoming phone call. The computing device may determine that the amount of time that has elapsed exceeds a threshold time value. Responsive to the determination, the computing device may identify a phone number to call with the computing device, may establish a voice connection using the identified phone number, and may output a message using the voice connection. |
| US08768292B2 |
Portable wireless automobile and personal emergency responder and messenger system and method
Devices, systems, and methods for responding to emergency situations of infants, children and pets left unattended in a vehicle. The device comprises a control module for short range RF transmission housed in a lightweight, portable unit plugged into a vehicle accessory power outlet. The system may additionally comprise sensors in communication with the module to detect and trigger alarms, including: when a vehicle has been in a collision; whether a child has climbed out of a car seat while the vehicle is in motion; when the temperature within the vehicle is unsafe; whether an infant has been left unattended in a vehicle; and whether children are playing in a parked vehicle (e.g. trunk) in unsafe temperatures. The portable device may also be configured with an “SOS” button housed within a key fob, wristband, or necklace, to transmit GPS coordinates of the wearer in emergency situations (such as kidnappings). |
| US08768290B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for handling of an equivalent public land mobile network (PLMN) list
A mobile communication device with a wireless module and a controller module is provided. The wireless module performs wireless transmissions and receptions to and from a service network. The controller module obtains a list of Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs) equivalent to each other when attached to the service network for emergency bearer services via the wireless module, and not stores the list in response to a power-off of the mobile communication device. |
| US08768289B2 |
Signaling support enabling QoS discrimination for positioning, location and location-based services in LTE
One aspect of the present invention extends the number of client and/or service types used in location-based services. The extension provides richer definitions for use in selecting the optimal or otherwise best suited positioning sequences to be used in fulfilling given positioning requests. For example, some types of commercial-related positioning requests are better satisfied with quicker-but-lower-accuracy position determinations, while other types benefit from more-accurate-but-slower position determinations. These and other benefits are provided by extending the type definitions used to identify commercial positioning requests. For example, a UE may be configured to send positioning requests that indicate the extended client or service types. As another example, the network node(s) involved in generating or processing such requests are configured to understand the extended type definitions and/or to map the extended definitions to QoS requirements, or to particular positioning sequences, for requesting that a positioning node carry out that particular positioning sequence. |
| US08768284B2 |
Radio frequency integrated circuit with noise immunity border
An integrated circuit includes an analog module, digital circuitry, and a border section. The analog module is susceptible to noise and is on a substrate of the integrated circuit. The digital circuitry generates the noise and is on the substrate. The border section is on the substrate and physically separates the analog module from the digital circuitry. |
| US08768282B2 |
Apparatus generating subcarrier for transmission between ultra-high frequency channels and method generating of the same
Apparatus for generating a plurality of radio-frequency RF subcarrier signals for transmission between two adjacent ultra-high frequency UHF broadcast channels comprises a signal generator for generating a plurality of local oscillator LO signals, and a plurality of mixers each arranged to mix one of the LO signals with one of a plurality of input signals to generate one of the RF subcarrier signals, said input signal including information to be transmitted by said RF subcarrier signal. Variable gain amplifiers can be provided to independently amplify the RF subcarrier signals before they are combined. The LO signals can have the same frequency and the input signals can have different frequencies, or the LO signals can have different frequencies and the input signals can have the same frequency. A second LO signal with a different frequency to a first LO signal can be obtained by dividing a reference frequency by a predetermined value and mixing with the first LO signal. Methods of generating a plurality of RF subcarrier signals are also disclosed. |
| US08768278B2 |
Switching a PLL clock source to reduce wireless communication interference
Adjusting a phase locked loop (PLL) clock source to reduce wireless communication (e.g., radio frequency (RF)) interference within a device. The PLL may be included in a high speed serial interface, e.g., coupled to a display, and may be initially driven by a first clock. Later, when a second clock is available and aligned with the first clock, the PLL may be driven by the second clock. The second clock may be configured to change its frequency over time such that the PLL does not lose lock and also does not interfere (or reduces interference) with wireless communication of the device. For example, the second clock may be programmable or may dynamically vary its operating frequency, thereby reducing its interference with the wireless communication of the device. |
| US08768277B1 |
Automatic gain control of a receiver circuit
The present invention relates to a receiver circuit for processing of electrical signals, and comprising: an antenna (12), at least one amplifier (14) coupled to the output of the antenna (12), an automatic gain control circuit (30) coupled to the at least one amplifier (14) to modify a gain thereof, and at least one voltage offset-compensating circuit (50) embedded in the automatic gain control circuit (30) and comprising a clock generator (40) and at least one capacitor (42, 44) to effectively compensate an offset voltage. |
| US08768270B2 |
High linearity TX/RX switch
A TX/RX switch includes a first switching device connectable with a power amplifier and a second switching device connectable with a low noise amplifier. Both the first switching device and the second switching device are operating in an ON state in transmit mode to provide substantial linearity including no significant alternating current signal swing across any two nodes of the first switching device and the second switching device in the ON state. |
| US08768262B2 |
Method and detector for detecting a possible transmission of data
A detector for detecting a possible transmission of data according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a receiver adapted to the determine a spectral density in the frequency range of an electromagnetic spectrum and an evaluating circuit coupled to the receiver and adapted to determine an effective channel capacity based on the determined spectral density. The evaluating circuit is further adapted to compare the determined effective channel capacity with a threshold value and adapted to generate an evaluation signal indicating a possible presence of the transmission of data based on a result of the comparison. |
| US08768258B2 |
Receiver and a method for mobile communications
In a method and a mobile communications receiver for processing signals from a first cell and a second cell a timing of the signal from the first cell and the second cell is obtained. A timing difference (δ) between the timings of signals from the first and the second cell is determined and based on that a timing (κ) for a window for discrete Fourier transform, DFT, processing is adjusted. DFT processing of the signals using the timing (κ) of the DFT window is then performed. |
| US08768257B2 |
Method and apparatus for releasing blank zone by macro base station in wireless communication system
Provided are a method and an apparatus for releasing a blank zone by a macro base station in a wireless communication system. The macro base station: receives channel information from a macro terminal that is serviced therefrom; determines based on the channel information whether or not a downlink blank zone allocated to a resource zone of a femto bas station is released; and transmits downlink blank zone release information to the femto base station if the downlink blank zone is supposed to be released. The downlink blank zone is a resource zone which restricts the downlink transmission, among all the resource zones used by the femto base station. The channel information may be the information about the distance between the femto base station and the macro terminal. |
| US08768253B2 |
Synchronized UWB piconets for SOP (simultaneously operating piconet) performance
Synchronized UWB piconets for SOP (Simultaneously Operating Piconet) performance. A common backbone (either wired or wireless) is employed that provides a common CLK (clock signal) to all of the various PNCs (piconet coordinators) of various piconets that may operate within a sufficiently close region such that interference could undesirably occur. By providing a very reliable CLK signal from a common backbone to all of the PNCs of the various piconets operating within a substantially close proximity to one another, very precise synchronization may be ensured for all of the communications performed therein. The various piconets may then even operate using TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)—whose performance would be substantially compromised without effective synchronization. In addition, combined TFC (time frequency code) and TDMA may also be employed to support the communications therein thereby providing even another degree of orthogonality that provided by TDMA alone. |
| US08768252B2 |
Un-tethered wireless audio system
A wireless audio system configured to receive audio information wirelessly transmitted by an audio source including first and second wireless transceivers. The first wireless transceiver establishes a bidirectional secondary wireless link with the audio source for receiving and acknowledging receipt of the audio information. The first and second wireless transceivers communicate with each other via a primary wireless link. A wireless audio system including an audio source and first and second wireless transceivers. The first and second wireless transceivers communicate via a primary wireless link. The audio source communicates audio information to the first wireless transceiver via a secondary wireless link which is configured according to a standard wireless protocol. The first wireless transceiver is configured to acknowledge successful reception of audio information via the secondary wireless link. |
| US08768244B2 |
Content delivery coordinator apparatus and method
Apparatus and method for managing and coordinating the delivery of information content in a manner that makes efficient use of the bandwidth of satellite based transponders being used to relay the information content to the mobile platforms. The apparatus makes use of a content management coordinator system having a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI interfaces with one or more mobile platform operators to allow each of the operators to define the criteria by which various types of information content to be supplied to the mobile platforms. The apparatus further includes a file spaced storage monitoring subsystem which allows the file storage space available on each mobile platform to be monitored, and files deleted therefrom if necessary, to ensure that newly requested information content can be stored by the mobile platform. Information content is coordinated and aggregated as needed to ensure that transponder bandwidth is used most effectively for delivering various types of information content to each mobile platform requesting the content within each coverage region being controlled by the apparatus. |
| US08768239B2 |
Methods and systems for clustering students based on their performance
Methods and systems of clustering a plurality of students are disclosed. A computing device may receive assessment data for each of a plurality of students. The assessment data includes information pertaining to each of a plurality of questions in an assessment. The computing device may also receive a number of clusters into which to organize the plurality of students. The computing device may determine a similarity value between each pair of students in the plurality of students based on the assessment data associated with each student. The computing device may organize the plurality of students into the number of clusters based on the similarity values. |
| US08768231B2 |
Image forming method and image forming apparatus
The image forming method including steps of forming a clear toner layer on a photoreceptor, transferring the clear toner layer onto a transfer member, transferring the clear toner layer on the transfer member onto an image support, heating the image support having the clear toner layer, bringing the clear toner layer into close contact with a belt to cool the image support, and separating the image support from the belt are provided, in this order; and the clear toner layer is formed with a plurality of independent linear protrusion portions and the independent linear protrusion portions are formed parallel or diagonally to the conveyance direction of an image support. |
| US08768229B2 |
Fixing device with mechanism capable of minimizing damage to toner image and recording medium and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes at least one separator including a pawl separatably contacting a fixing rotary body to separate a recording medium discharged from a fixing nip formed between the fixing rotary body and a pressing rotary body from the fixing rotary body; at least one first rotary body rotatably supported by the at least one separator to contact and guide the recording medium separated by the pawl in a recording medium conveyance direction; at least one second rotary body disposed downstream from the first rotary body in the recording medium conveyance direction to contact and guide the recording medium guided by the first rotary body in the recording medium conveyance direction; and at least one brush mounted on an outer circumferential surface of at least one of the first rotary body and the second rotary body. |
| US08768227B2 |
Developing member including elastic member containing cured product of addition-curing silicone rubber mixture, processing cartridge including the developing member, and electrophotographic apparatus including the developing member
A developing roller includes: a mandrel; an elastic layer provided for an outer periphery of the mandrel, the elastic layer including an addition-curing silicone rubber; and a surface layer provided for an outer periphery of the elastic layer, in which: the elastic layer includes a compound represented by the following formula (1); when the content of such a compound that n in the formula (1) represents an integer of 3 to 12 in the elastic layer is represented by P1, and the content of such a compound that n in the formula (1) represents an integer of 13 to 20 in the elastic layer is represented by P2, P1+P2 is 5,000 ppm by mass to 12,000 ppm by mass; and P1 is 1,500 ppm by mass to 6,000 ppm by mass (In the formula (1), n represents an integer of 3 to 20): |
| US08768224B2 |
Developing device, image forming apparatus, and developing method
A developing device includes: a first developer carrier that is moved in a same direction as a moving direction of a latent image carrier at a faster linear speed than the latent image carrier; a second developer carrier that further develops the obtained toner image and that is moved in a same direction at a faster linear speed than the latent image carrier; and a bias output unit that outputs a developing bias to be applied to the second developer carrier. The developing bias includes a direct-current component and a non-rectangular alternating-current component whose waveform has a gentle edge at which a direction of an electric field between the second developer carrier and a background portion of the latent image carrier is changed to a direction in which the toner is moved from the background portion toward the second developer carrier. |
| US08768223B2 |
Imaging apparatus assembly with pressure equalization
An assembly in an imaging apparatus including a developer unit and a toner cartridge having a pressure equalization system for equalizing a pressure differential between a toner reservoir in the toner cartridge and a toner sump of a developer unit containing ingested air. A ducted shutter that opens and closes an exit port on the housing of the toner cartridge in combination with a passageway in fluid communication with a duct in the shutter and the toner reservoir forms an airway, and when the toner cartridge is mated with a developer unit of the imaging apparatus and the shutter is in the open position, exiting toner leaves the cartridge through the exit port and enters the developer unit while air entrained within the developer unit enters the toner reservoir via the exit port and airway equalizing pressure between the toner cartridge and the developer unit. |
| US08768218B2 |
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. |
| US08768215B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an supporting an image bearing member; a developing unit including first and second developer carrying members for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the image baring member; first and second gap regulating members for regulating gaps between the image bearing member and the first and second developer carrying members, respectively; an urging member for urging the developing unit toward the image forming unit; and a positioning member for positioning the developing unit relative to the image forming unit. The positioning member includes a preventing portion for preventing, while permitting movement of the developing unit in a circumferential direction of the image bearing member at one longitudinal end of the developing unit, movement of the developing unit in the circumferential direction of the image bearing member at the other longitudinal end of the developing unit. |
| US08768207B2 |
Image-forming device having a removable drawer and a stopper
An image forming device is provided. The image forming device includes a main casing having a guide and a drawer configured to be installed in and withdrawn from the main casing along the guide in a first direction for installation and in a second direction for withdrawal opposite the first direction. The drawer may include a plurality of photosensitive drums arranged along the first direction and an engagement portion disposed closer to a rear edge of the drawer than to a front edge of the drawer. The main casing may include a stopper disposed below the guide and closer to the front edge of the drawer than to the rear edge of the drawer. The stopper may include a hook which the engagement portion engages when the drawer is withdrawn from the main casing. |
| US08768203B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of effectively utilizing interior space
An image forming apparatus includes an exposure device as a light source, a developer container storing developer and attached to a main body of the image forming apparatus perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the photoconductor, a developing unit and a photoconductor unit having a photoconductor for bearing a latent image thereon each detachably attached to the main body substantially in the same direction as the developer container. An exposure device displacing mechanism displaces the exposure device between a first position enabling the exposure device to function as the light source and a second position disabling the exposure device to function as the light source. The photoconductor unit is detached when the developer container is either displaced from an initially attached position or is removed from the main body and the exposure device displacing device has displaced the exposure device to the second position. |
| US08768200B2 |
Transfer unit and image forming apparatus employing the transfer unit
A transfer unit includes a belt member, a bending roller, a transfer section, and a bias application unit. The belt member is extended between rollers and has a movable surface on which a toner image is transferred from an image carrier. The bending roller externally contacts the surface of the belt member to bend the belt member and rotates in conjunction with the belt member. The transfer section includes one of the rollers and a surface moving member. The surface moving member rotates at least one full turn while cleaning is performed on the surface moving member and the bending roller. A surface moving speed of the bending roller is equal to or greater than a surface moving speed of the surface moving member. A circumferential length L1 of the surface moving member and a circumferential length L2 of the bending roller satisfy L1≧L2. |
| US08768197B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming cartridge supporter, and image forming unit
An image forming apparatus has a body frame and a slide frame. The slide frame is configured to be pulled out from the body frame along a sliding direction. A plurality of image forming cartridges is detachably mounted on the slide frame. A plurality of electrode members is mounted on the slide frame and aligned along the sliding direction so as to correspond to the image forming cartridges. A body-side contact portion of each of the electrode members is electrically connected to the body frame. A cartridge-side contact portion of the electrode member is electrically connected to the image forming cartridge. The image forming cartridge is connected to the body via the corresponding electrode member when the slide frame mounting the image forming cartridges is inserted to the body frame. |
| US08768187B2 |
Image forming apparatus and power supply device
A power supply device includes a first switch section that can disconnect a 24-V power supply from a commercial alternating-current (AC) power supply and that operates with the voltage of 3.3 V, and a second switch section that can disconnect a voltage detection circuit from the commercial AC power supply and that operates with the voltage of 3.3 V. When a power saving mode is on, the 24-V power supply and the voltage detection circuit are disconnected from the commercial AC power supply by using the first and second switch sections, whereby the power supply device can be used in areas where different supply voltages are used, and at the same time reduction in power consumption in the power saving mode is achieved. |
| US08768182B2 |
Cartridge detection
A cartridge which may include a housing, a driving input member provided at the housing and configured to be rotated by an externally supplied rotation driving force, and a rotational member configured to receive the rotation driving force, which is transmitted from the driving input member, and be rotated thereby. The cartridge may also include a detection protrusion including an elastic body and which is disposed at a position away from a rotational center of the rotational member. The detection protrusion may protrude from the rotational member away from the housing. The cartridge may also include a cover attached to the housing, the cover having an opposite part that faces a portion of the rotational member from which the detection protrusion protrudes. At an initial position, which is a position before the rotational member is rotated, the detection protrusion may abut the opposite part of the cover. |
| US08768181B2 |
Differential code optical transmission and reception device
A differential code optical transmission and reception device including: a digital signal processing optical transceiver that converts information data into an optical signal and transmits it to a communication channel, a reception front end part that receives the optical signal from the communication channel, an O/E conversion part that converts the optical signal received from the communication channel into an electrical signal, a skew correction part that regulates or correct a skew between lanes contained in the electrical signal, a differential decoder that decodes a differential code of the skew corrected electrical signal, and a lane exchange/rotation part that rearranges the electrical signal having passed through the differential decoder into a lane state thereof at the time of transmission in cases where lane exchange has occurred in the communication channel. |
| US08768180B2 |
All-optical, phase sensitive optical signal sampling
An optical sampling arrangement for high-speed measurement of the time-varying electric field of an optical input signal utilizes coherent mixing of the optical input signal with a reference laser source in a phase-diverse optical hybrid solution, followed by optical sampling of the coherently-mixed fields at the output of the optical hybrid. The generated streams of optical samples are then detected and signal processed in order to reconstruct a sampled version of the electric field of the original optical input signal. |
| US08768175B2 |
Four-dimensional optical multiband-OFDM for beyond 1.4Tb/s serial optical transmission
Systems and methods are disclosed to perform four-dimensional optical multiband OFDM communication by organizing an N-dimensional (ND) signal constellation points as a signal matrix; performing 2D-inverse FFT and 2D-FFT to perform modulation and demodulation, respectively; and applying both orthogonal polarizations in the OFDM communication to deal with chromatic dispersion, PMD and PDL effects, and multidimensional signal constellation to improve optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) sensitivity. |
| US08768173B2 |
Optical receiver and optical transmission system
An optical receiver includes: a first generator to generate, from an optical signal to which a reference signal is inserted, a first digital signal representing a signal component of a first partial band including the reference signal, using a first local oscillation light of a first frequency; a second generator to generate, from the optical signal, a second digital signal representing a signal component of a second partial band including the reference signal, using a second local oscillation light of a second frequency being different from the first frequency; a frequency compensator to adjust a frequency of the signal component of the first partial band and a frequency of the signal component of the second partial band according to a frequency of the reference signal; and a combiner to combine the first and second partial bands adjusted by the frequency compensator. |
| US08768172B2 |
Methods and systems for block alignment in a communication system
A method may include receiving a stream of datagrams, the datagrams having a first bit length. The method may also include selecting a block of bits from consecutively-received datagrams, the block having a second bit length greater than the first bit length. The method may additionally include determining whether a particular data field is present at a particular bit position within the block. The method may further include outputting the block as a valid block in response to determining that the particular data field is present at the particular bit position. The method may additionally include, in response to determining that the particular data field is not present at the particular bit position: discarding a received datagram from the stream of datagrams; and repeating the receiving, selecting, determining, and discarding steps until a determination is made that the particular data field is present at the particular bit position. |
| US08768169B2 |
Time synchronization method and system for a passive optical network system
The invention discloses a time synchronization method and system for a passive optical network (PON) system to solve the problem that an ONU cannot be synchronized with an OLT accurately in the PON. The invention implements the time information synchronization between the ONU and the OLT by using a management path. The time information includes an information transmission delay between the ONU and the OLT and the sending time identifier information of the time information. The invention avoids the technical defect of the unfixed delay for an upper layer protocol data message in a GPON by using the characteristic that a PLOAM message or an OMCI message is not segmented during the transmission thereof in the PON, thus ensuring every ONU can be synchronized with the OLT accurately. |
| US08768163B2 |
Detecting rogue ONU, OLT and PON system
A method and apparatus of detecting a rogue optical network unit (ONU) is provided. An optical line terminal (OLT) detects an abnormal upstream transmission to determine a plurality of rogue ONU candidates, and transmits a sleep allow message instructing a transition to a sleep mode to each of the plurality of rogue ONU candidates. The OLT detects the rogue ONU among the plurality of rogue ONU candidates based on upstream transmissions from the plurality of rogue ONU candidates in the sleep mode. Since the detection of the rogue ONU is performed in the sleep mode, the remaining ONUs can transition from the sleep mode to the normal mode after the detection of the rogue ONU is completed, thereby making it possible to rapidly resume upstream communication. |
| US08768160B2 |
Flicker band automated detection system and method
A flicker band automated detection system and method are presented. In one embodiment an incidental motion mitigation exposure setting method includes receiving image input information; performing a motion mitigating flicker band automatic detection process; and implementing exposure settings based upon results of the motion mitigating flicker band automatic detection process. The auto flicker band detection process includes performing a motion mitigating process on an illumination intensity indication. Content impacts on an the motion mitigated illumination intensity indication are minimized. The motion mitigated illumination intensity indication is binarized. A correlation of the motion mitigated illumination intensity and a reference illumination intensity frequency is established. |
| US08768159B2 |
Combination dark field and bright field illuminator
Embodiments are disclosed of an apparatus including a curved reflector having an interior and an open end; a light module positioned around a perimeter of the open end of the reflector, the light module including a first side having one or more interior light sources thereon to direct light toward the interior of the reflector and a second side having one or more exterior light sources thereon to direct light away from the reflector; and a light pipe coupled to the light module and aligned so that light from the one or more exterior light sources is launched into the light pipe. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US08768156B2 |
Camera system and camera body
This camera system includes: a vibration compensation unit including a vibration compensation optical system and an image-capturing unit; a drive unit that drives the vibration compensation unit; a detection unit that detects vibration; a position detection unit that detects the position of the vibration compensation unit; a target position determination unit that determines a target position for the vibration compensation unit according to the vibration of the camera; a calculation unit that calculates a drive amount for the drive unit; a range of movement limitation unit that limits the position of the vibration compensation unit within a range; a range setting unit that sets a movement permitted range that is within the range in which the vibration compensation unit can be positioned; and a centering unit that controls the drive unit so that the vibration compensation unit is centered in the center of the movement permitted range. |
| US08768155B2 |
System and method for obtaining photographic and/or videographic images
A photographic system and integrated methods thereof that makes use of four frames and light heads on robotic brackets, which can be positioned automatically using a mechanical gantry device. The lights can be positioned, rotated and adjusted automatically in response to a user input selection based on a desired photographic result selected at a user interface. |
| US08768154B2 |
Fixed and selectively fixed bypass pumpless instantaneous / storage water heater system
A representatively pumpless water heater system has an instantaneous water heater coupled in series with a storage water heater by piping circuitry incorporating a fixed (and selectively fixed) bypass useable to route pressurized incoming cold water sequentially through the instantaneous and storage type heaters. The fixed bypass can also route pressurized incoming cold water to mix with the heated water exiting the instantaneous heater for delivery to the storage heater. |
| US08768145B2 |
Content reproducing apparatus, method, and program
A content reproducing apparatus includes: a content control unit that controls reproduction of a content by reading a program from a BD and executing the program; a reproduction information recording unit that records reproduction information including a reproduction position within the content during the reproduction; a reproduction information acquiring unit that acquires, upon a start of the reproduction of the BD, the reproduction information recorded at a time of previous reproduction; and a resume-reproduction control unit that starts to reproduce the BD from the reproduction position identified based on the acquired reproduction information or from a vicinity thereof, wherein the content control unit controls the reproduction if the reproduction information has not been acquired by the reproduction information acquiring unit, and the resume-reproduction control unit controls the reproduction if the reproduction information has been acquired by the reproduction information acquiring unit. |
| US08768140B2 |
Data processing unit and data encoding device
Disclosed in a technique for performing data transmission between units efficiently in an imaging device, in which a camera unit and the other units (particularly a display unit) are separated and connected wirelessly, to improve convenience. According to this technique, video content data imaged by an imaging section is encoded, by means of hierarchical coding, into checking content coded data of a core layer and saving content coded data of an enhancement layer. The checking content coded data is sent immediately from a checking content transmission section 906 to a display unit 950 through wireless communication, and a display thereof is output. On the other hand, the saving content coded data is stored in a recording section 907 together with the checking content coded data. Thus, both a rapid display of video content data and storage thereof while keeping the quality are achieved. |
| US08768135B2 |
Optical cable exit trough
A cable exit trough is mountable to a lateral trough section either during initial assembly of the cable routing system, or at a later date. The exit trough includes a bracket portion mountable to the top edge of one of the sides of the lateral trough section. Two lead-ins are provided to lead the cable in an upward direction from the lateral trough section to the exit trough. The exit trough includes an exit trough portion extending from the bracket portion upwardly away from the lateral trough section. The exit trough portion includes a convexly curved bottom trough surface, and two convexly curved upstanding sides. The exit trough portion and the lead-ins define a cable pathway from the lateral trough section to an exit point of the exit trough portion which can either lead downwardly relative to the lateral trough section, or horizontally. |
| US08768131B2 |
Multimode fiber with at least dual cladding
Multimode optical fiber is disclosed herein having a core surrounded by first and second annular cladding regions. The second annular cladding region has a maximum relative refractive index that is at least 0.05% higher than the minimum relative refractive index of the first annular cladding region. |
| US08768129B2 |
Optimized ultra large area optical fibers
Certain embodiments of the invention may include optimized trench-assisted ultra large area (ULA) optical fibers. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a trench-assisted optical fiber, optimized for figure-of-merit (FOM) performance, is provided. The optical fiber includes a core region having a longitudinal axis, a shelf region surrounding said core region, a cladding region surrounding said shelf region, said core and shelf and cladding regions configured to support and guide the propagation of signal light in a fundamental transverse mode in said core and shelf regions in the direction of said axis. The optical fiber further includes a core effective area (Aeff) of between 135 μm2 and about 170 μm2; and an index profile having a figure of merit (FOM) frontier distance less than about 0.7 dB. |
| US08768125B2 |
Guide pin for aligning ferrules with enhanced alignment feature
A guide pin for mating multi-fiber optical ferrules includes a first end, a second end and a flexile feature adjacent to the second end. The first end has a first end width and the second end has a first engagement width and may change to a second engagement width while engaging a guide pin bore in a ferrule. The change in width permits the guide pin to engage and axially align with guide pin bores of varying diameters to achieve reliable optical mating of optical wave guides. |
| US08768122B2 |
Optical module
Disclosed is an optical module which improves optical coupling efficiency either when configured to receive an optical signal from an optical fiber with a light receiving element or when configured to receive an optical signal from a light emitting element with an optical fiber. The optical module includes: a substrate (1) having in the surface thereof a first groove (1a) and a second groove (1b) formed, with this second groove (1b) being configured to have a substantially V-shaped cross section formed deeper than the first groove and being formed in continuation from the first groove; and an internal waveguide (16) provided within the first groove (1a) of the substrate (1). The optical further modules a mirror portion (15) for changing an optical path, provided at the front end of the first groove (1a); an optical element (12a) mounted on the surface of the substrate (1) so as to face the mirror portion (15), and configured to emit an optical signal to a core (17) of the internal waveguide (16) via the mirror portion (15). Moreover, the optical module further includes an optical fiber (2) having a fiber cladding (22) placed within the second groove (1b) and a fiber core (21) optically connected to the core (17) of the internal waveguide (16). |
| US08768119B2 |
Micromechanically aligned optical assembly
An optical assembly includes a combination of laser sources emitting radiation, focused by a combination of lenses into optical waveguides. The optical waveguide and the laser source are permanently attached to a common carrier, while at least one of the lenses is attached to a holder that is an integral part of the carrier, but is free to move initially. Micromechanical techniques are used to adjust the position of the lens and holder, and then fix the holder it into place permanently using integrated heaters with solder. |
| US08768115B2 |
Terahertz interaction circuit with open cavity portion
A terahertz interaction circuit includes a waveguide through which electromagnetic waves pass, the waveguide having a folded shape and including a narrow open cavity portion; and an electron beam tunnel through which an electron beam passes, the electron beam tunnel penetrating through the waveguide. |
| US08768109B2 |
Low power electro-optic modulator
An electro-optic modulator includes a substrate, a pair of transmission lines, a first strip-shaped electrode, and a pair of second strip-shaped electrodes. The substrate includes a surface and a reversely-polarized portion. The transmission lines are formed in the surface and extend substantially in parallel with each other. One of the transmission lines is formed within the reversely-polarized portion and the other is out of the reversely-polarized portion. The first strip-shaped electrode is formed on the surface and covers the transmission lines. The second strip-shaped electrodes are positioned at two sides of the first strip-shaped electrodes and parallel with the first strip-shaped electrode. |
| US08768108B2 |
Solid state light source based on hybrid waveguide-down-converter-diffuser
A solid state light source comprising a light pump outputting light energy; a waveguide optically coupled to the light pump source for receiving the light energy; and a down-converter for converting the light energy from the waveguide to a lesser light energy. |
| US08768107B2 |
Matching an approximately located query image against a reference image set
Aspects of the invention pertain to matching a selected image/photograph against a database of reference images having location information. The image of interest may include some location information itself, such as latitude/longitude coordinates and orientation. However, the location information provided by a user's device may be inaccurate or incomplete. The image of interest is provided to a front end server, which selects one or more cells to match the image against. Each cell may have multiple images and an index. One or more cell match servers compare the image against specific cells based on information provided by the front end server. An index storage server maintains index data for the cells and provides them to the cell match servers. If a match is found, the front end server identifies the correct location and orientation of the received image, and may correct errors in an estimated location of the user device. |
| US08768104B2 |
High volume earth observation image processing
The present invention is related to the processing of data, and more particularly to a method of and system for processing large volumes of Earth observation imagery data. A system for processing a large volume of Earth observation imaging data is described, comprising a computer including a visual display and a user interface, a plurality of servers, an image database storing said Earth observation imaging data as a plurality of separate image data files, and a network for interconnecting the computer, plurality of servers and image database. The plurality of servers is operable to process the separate data files in a distributed manner, at least one of the plurality of servers is operable to process the separate data files in a multiprocessing environment and at least one of the plurality of servers is operable to collate the processed separate data files into a single imaging result. |
| US08768100B2 |
Optimal gradient pursuit for image alignment
A method for image alignment is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes acquiring a facial image of a person and using a discriminative face alignment model to fit a generic facial mesh to the facial image to facilitate locating of facial features. The discriminative face alignment model may include a generative shape model component and a discriminative appearance model component. Further, the discriminative appearance model component may have been trained to estimate a score function that minimizes the angle between a gradient direction and a vector pointing toward a ground-truth shape parameter. Additional methods, systems, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed. |
| US08768099B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for alternate image/video insertion
The present invention provides a method, apparatus and system of content creation, content post processing, new image capture and image composition whereby alternate images or video content may be selectively integrated into an original video in real time. In the present invention, sufficient metadata is created at the time of the creation of the original video content to both describe objects/areas in the original video that are available for integration of alternate images/video and to provide a means of controlling the alternate video capture and processing to fit the alternate image/video into the areas in the original video defined as available for integration of alternate image/video. The result is a mechanism whereby personal/alternate video/images may be integrated with existing video content, such as in one embodiment, music videos (e.g., video Karaoke), games, broadcast video, DVD videos, and the like, in real time. |
| US08768097B2 |
Image processing apparatus, moving image reproducing apparatus, and processing method and program therefor
To easily understand the contents of a moving image taken by an image taking apparatus. An image conversion block 150 converts a taken image on the basis of conversion information. A transparency conversion block 160 converts the transparency in the converted taken image. A image synthesis block 170 synthesizes the taken image with the transparency converted with a log image and holds a resultant new log image in an image memory 180. An index image extraction block 190 extracts a new index image from among the converted taken images on the basis of the coordinate position and size of an index image in an image taking space. A selection block 270 selects an index image on the basis of the position of a selected representative image when the position of a panorama image displayed on a display block 292 is selected. A display control block 291 displays a panorama image on the display block 292 and displays the selected index image, overlapped on the panorama image. |
| US08768093B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing noise
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing noise. A method of reducing noise according to an aspect of the present invention includes calculating a noise level of a reference pixel forming an input image, determining a weighted value to be allocated to the reference pixel based on similarity of a reference window including the reference pixel with respect to at least one comparative window existing in a comparative region of the input image and having the same size as the reference window, and the calculated noise level of the reference pixel, and filtering the input image using the determined weighted value. |
| US08768092B2 |
Method for minimizing scintillation in dynamic images
A method for reducing scintillation in an image of a scene includes receiving an input sequence of images of the scene and grouping a first plurality of images of the sequence of images into a first subset of images comprising a first number of images that occur in sequence within the input sequence of images of the scene. The method also includes grouping a second plurality of images of the sequence of images into a second subset of images comprising a second number of images that occur in sequence within the input sequence of images of the scene. The method further includes generating a set of averaged images comprising an averaged image for the first subset of images and an averaged image for the second subset of image and outputting a composite image based at least the set of averaged images. |
| US08768084B2 |
Region-of-interest coding in video telephony using RHO domain bit allocation
The disclosure is directed to techniques for region-of-interest (ROI) coding for video telephony (VT). The disclosed techniques also include techniques for allocation of bits to ROI and non-ROI areas using weighted bit allocation models at the macroblock (MB) level within the ρ domain. |
| US08768083B2 |
Apparatus and method for encoding images, and apparatus and method for decoding images
Image encoding/decoding apparatus and method are disclosed. The image encoding apparatus includes: a target block splitter for splitting a target block of an input image to be encoded into a plurality of subblocks according to positions of pixels; a key block encoding unit for selecting a random key block, the size of which is larger than a pixel size of at least one of the plurality of subblocks split by the target block splitter, and performing an intra-prediction or inter-prediction encoding process on the selected key block; and a non-key block encoding unit for designating the rest of the subblocks, except for the selected key block, as a non-key block, and performing a spatial prediction process on the designated non-key block by using a key block reconstructed by the key block encoding unit and values of peripheral pixels of a current block. |
| US08768082B2 |
Compressing image data
Methods, systems, and computer programs for encoding and decoding image are described. In some aspects, an input data block and a prediction data block are accessed. A projection factor is generated based on a projection of the input data block onto the prediction data block. A scaled prediction data block is generated by multiplying the projection factor by the prediction data block. A residual data block is generated based on a difference between the input data block and the scaled prediction data block. In some aspects, a prediction data block, a residual data block, and a projection factor associated with the residual data block are accessed. A scaled prediction data block is generated by multiplying the projection factor by the prediction data block. An output data block is generated by summing the residual data block and the scaled prediction data block. |
| US08768081B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding images and method and apparatus for decoding images
Provided are methods and apparatuses for encoding and decoding an image. The method of encoding an image includes: splitting a current picture into at least one maximum coding unit; determining a split structure of the at least one maximum coding unit and a prediction mode and partitions of each coding unit by encoding image data of the at least one maximum coding unit based on depths of deeper coding units; setting skip information and split information about a split of a coding unit of an upper depth including each coding unit, according to the each coding unit; and encoding the split information and skip information, which are set according to each coding unit. |
| US08768080B2 |
Coding of residual data in predictive compression
Encoding input data includes: generating a first block of coefficients based on a transform performed on a residual block of data for multiple pixels; generating reference information based on a reference block of data corresponding to the residual block of data; and determining losslessly decodable code values representing the first block of coefficients based on the reference information. |
| US08768079B2 |
Tracking a reference picture on an electronic device
A method for tracking a reference picture on an electronic device is described. The method includes receiving a bitstream. The method also includes decoding a portion of the bitstream to produce a decoded reference picture. The method further includes tracking the decoded reference picture in a decoded picture buffer (DPB) with reduced overhead referencing. The method additionally includes decoding a picture based on the decoded reference picture. |
| US08768074B2 |
Identification and analysis of cadence pattern in video
A system and method for the identification and analysis of cadence pattern is disclosed. The method uses previous and current fields to generate the difference between the field values. The difference of these values along with the field relations is passed to the state machine to generate the state of the top and bottom fields. Based on the top and bottom state the cadence signature is generated and by using the Fourier analysis the principle frequency of repeated cadence pattern signature sequence is identified. Each of the cadence signatures present in the cadence pattern signature sequence is decoded to calculate the pull-down value of the cadence pattern. The pull down value then gives the actual cadence pattern. |
| US08768073B2 |
Method, system and computer program product for coding a region of interest within an image of multiple views
For coding at least one region of interest within an image of multiple views, disparities are identified between the multiple views. In response to the disparities, the at least one region of interest is identified. The at least one region of interest is encoded at lower quantization relative to a remainder of the image. The remainder of the image is encoded at higher quantization relative to the at least one region of interest. |
| US08768072B2 |
Apparatus and methods to compress still images
A digital image processing apparatus for significantly reducing an image file size in order to store a large number of image files, a method of controlling the same, a recording medium storing a program for executing the method, and a digital image compressing method. The digital image processing apparatus comprises a sub-image generator for generating a plurality of sub-images from a still image, and a moving image compressor for considering the still image as a moving image by using each of the sub-images as a frame image and compressing the moving image having the frame images. |
| US08768069B2 |
Image enhancement apparatus and method
The present invention relates to an image enhancement apparatus for enhancing an input image of a sequence of input images. To provide the ability to increase the resolution of an input image and/or to temporally reduce artifacts and/or noise in an input image, the apparatus comprises a motion compensation unit, a weighted selection unit, a feature analysis unit, an image model unit configured to generate a modelled image by applying an image model on said input image and/or said weighted selection image, a spatio-temporal detail signal generation unit configured to generate a detail signal from said input image and said weighted selection image, and a combination unit configured to generate said enhanced output image from said input image, said detail signal and said modelled image. |
| US08768064B2 |
Image feature extraction device
This image feature extraction device extracts, from an image, an image feature that makes it possible to adjust the balance between identification capability and robustness, which are the scales of the capability of determining identity of images. This image feature extraction device executes hierarchical quantization to calculate quantization indexes of a plurality of hierarchies in accordance with a previously defined hierarchical quantization method for each quantization target region of an image, and outputs a hierarchical quantization index code, which is an encoding allowing unique specification of the quantization indexes of the respective hierarchies of each quantization target region. |
| US08768062B2 |
Online script independent recognition of handwritten sub-word units and words
The present invention relates to a method and system for online script independent recognition of handwritten sub-word unit and words. More particularly the present invention relates to a system and method which enables online recognition of script independent sub-word unit and words by recognizing the written individual strokes prior to recognition of sub-word unit and words. The present invention provides an easy and natural to use method for handwritten sub-word unit and word recognition, wherein the application can be deployed on the existing communication means. |
| US08768059B2 |
Segmentation of textual lines in an image that include western characters and hieroglyphic characters
An image processing apparatus segments Western and hieroglyphic portions of textual lines. The apparatus includes an input component that receives an input image having at least one textual line. The apparatus also includes an inter-character break identifier component that identifies candidate inter-character breaks along a textual line and an inter-character break classifier component. The inter-character break classifier component classifies each of the candidate inter-character breaks as an actual break, a non-break or an indeterminate break based at least in part on the geometrical properties of each respective candidate inter-character break and the bounding boxes adjacent thereto. A character recognition component recognizes the candidate characters based at least in part on a feature set extracted from each respective candidate character that can be histogram features, Gabor features or any other feature set applicable to character recognition. A Western and hieroglyphic text classifier component finds and classifies textual line segments as Western text segments or hieroglyphic text segments and further passes the recognition results to an output component. |
| US08768054B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, and computer-readable storage medium storing image processing program
An image processing device separates an original image signal into a plurality of components including a first component serving as a skeleton component and a second component obtained after the first component is separated from the original image signal, obtains a signal level of the first component or the original image signal, sets a tone conversion coefficient to be applied during tone conversion based on the signal level of the first component or the original image signal, performs tone conversion processing on the first component using the tone conversion coefficient, obtains the signal level of the first component, sets a noise reduction processing parameter on the basis of the signal level of the first component, and reduces a noise of the second component using the noise reduction processing parameter and the tone conversion coefficient. |
| US08768053B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method of providing high sensitive color images
An image processing apparatus and method for generating high-sensitive, high-brightness color images are disclosed. A second image having a wider band and higher-sensitivity than those of a first image which includes color information may be acquired, wherein the first and second images are images captured from a scene. A first transformed image having high brightness may be generated by performing binning on the first image, and edge information being a high-frequency component may be extracted from the second image. A high-brightness, high-sensitive color image may be generated using the first transformed image and the edge information. |
| US08768052B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and non-transitory computer readable medium
An image processing apparatus includes a feature point extraction unit that extracts feature points which are pixels located at the corner of a region within an image and directions indicating a positional relationship of the feature points in the region, a selection unit that selects the feature point and a set of feature points corresponding to the feature point, based on a color of the feature point, a position of the feature point, and a direction in the feature point, a representative point determination unit that determines a representative point representing a region, based on the set of feature points, a vector calculation unit that calculates a vector composed of two representative points, on the basis of the representative points, and a screen line number and angle extraction unit that extracts the number of screen lines and an angle used in the image, based on a distribution of the vectors. |
| US08768048B1 |
System and method for exploiting segment co-occurrence relationships to identify object location in images
A computing device segments an image into a plurality of segments, wherein each segment of the plurality of segments comprises a set of pixels that share visual characteristics. The computing device then determines expected contexts for the segments, wherein an expected context for a segment comprises at least one of additional segments or features expected to occur in the image together with the segment. The computing device then identifies a probable object based on the expected contexts. |
| US08768043B2 |
Image display apparatus, image display method, and program
An image display apparatus may include a display section for presenting an image. The apparatus may also include a viewing angle calculation section for determining a viewing angle of a user relative to the display section. Additionally, the apparatus may include an image generation section for generating first image data representing a first image, and for supplying the first image data to the display section for presentation of the first image. The image generation section may generate the first image data based on the user's viewing angle, second image data representing a second image, and third image data representing a third image. The second image may include an object viewed from a first viewing angle and the third image may include the object viewed from a second viewing angle, the first viewing angle and the second viewing angle being different from each other and from the user's viewing angle. |
| US08768042B2 |
Radiographic image capturing system and method of displaying radiographic images
A radiographic image capturing system includes an image reconstructor for processing a plurality of radiographic images of a subject in order to reconstruct a radiographic tomographic image of the subject, and a monitor for displaying at least the radiographic tomographic image. The radiographic image capturing system also includes a region-of-interest setter for setting a region of interest of the subject on the radiographic images or the radiographic tomographic image, a radiographic image extractor for extracting, from among the radiographic images, two radiographic images for viewing the region of interest by way of stereographic vision, and a first stereographic vision display controller or a second stereographic vision display controller for controlling the monitor to display the extracted two radiographic images for stereographic vision. |
| US08768038B1 |
System and method for mobile check deposit
Machine-readable storage media having instructions stored therein that, when executed by a processor of a mobile device, configure the mobile device to capture a check image for funds to be deposited into a recipient account. The mobile device configured to display a request to a user of the mobile device to provide one or more portions of a MICR line for the received check image and receive user inputs from the user specifying the one or more portions of the MICR line. The mobile device configured to transmit a message to a bank account computer system associated with the recipient account, the message including data specifying the one or more portions of the MICR line. |
| US08768033B2 |
System and method of increasing temporal resolution of an X-ray image
A system, method, and apparatus includes a computed tomography (CT) system having a rotatable gantry, an x-ray source, a generator, a detector having pixels and positioned to receive x-rays, and a computer. The computer is programmed to acquire CT data representative of an object, determine a first subset of the CT data, determine a second subset of the CT data, and determine a difference between the first and second subsets of the CT data to identify a motion region in the object. The computer is also programmed to update image data reconstructed from a first portion of the first subset of the CT data and corresponding to the region and reconstruct an image based on the updated image data and non-updated image data. The non-updated image data is reconstructed from a second portion the first subset of the CT data. |
| US08768029B2 |
Selected image acquisition technique to optimize patient model construction
A system and a method are disclosed that allow for generation of a model or reconstruction of a model of a subject based upon acquired image data. The image data can be acquired in a substantially mobile system that can be moved relative to a subject to allow for image acquisition from a plurality of orientations relative to the subject. The plurality of orientations can include a first and final orientation and a predetermined path along which an image data collector or detector can move to acquire an appropriate image data set to allow for the model of construction. |
| US08768026B2 |
X-ray imaging with x-ray markers that provide adjunct information but preserve image quality
A method and an apparatus for estimating a geometric thickness of a breast in mammography/tomosynthesis or in other x-ray procedures, by imaging markers that are in the path of x-rays passing through the imaged object. The markings can be selected to be visible or to be invisible when the composite markings/breast image is viewed in clinical settings. If desired, the contribution of the markers to the image can be removed through further processing. The resulting information can be used determining the geometric thickness of the body being x-rayed and thus setting imaging parameters that are thickness-related, and for other purposes. The method and apparatus also have application in other types of x-ray imaging. |
| US08768024B1 |
System and method for real time detection of villi texture in an image stream of the gastrointestinal tract
A method and system for automatically detecting villi texture in in-vivo images. In-vivo images may be received from an in vivo imaging capsule, and at least one image may be selected for analysis. Textural details may be extracted, for example using morphological top hat transforms. The image may be divided into segments or patches. The patches may be pruned using a set of threshold conditions, which are calculated based on grayscale or color statistics of the patches. The patches may be classified as containing villi texture or not based for example on rotation-invariant textural features computed in the Fourier domain. A sum, score or rating for the image may be calculated based on the classification of each patch. The final score of the image may be averaged over a number of, for example, consecutive images, and the score may be used for detecting entry into the small bowel and segmenting the image stream to anatomical regions. |
| US08768023B2 |
Method for determining axial direction of bore of bone fixator
A method for determining an axial direction of a bore of a bone fixator includes the following steps: obtaining X-ray images of the bore, calculating perpendicular bisectors, determining spatial planes, and obtaining the axial direction of the bore. After X-ray images of the bore are taken from two X-ray source positions, two overlapping images of the bore are obtained for calculating two perpendicular bisectors therein respectively. Each perpendicular bisector and its corresponding X-ray source position define one spatial plane. The intersection of the two spatial planes defines the axial direction of the bore. Now that the axial direction of the bore can be derived from only two X-ray images of the bore taken during an orthopedic surgery, radiation exposure of the patient and of the medical personnel involved can be significantly reduced. |
| US08768021B2 |
Lesion feature calculating device and method utilizing border sharpness
Provided is a device and method for calculating a lesion feature. The device includes a border discriminator configured to discriminate a border of a lesion on an image of an image signal, a border sharpness normalizer configured to normalize a border sharpness based on the border determined by the border discriminator and output the normalized border sharpness as a feature, and a vector generator configured to generate a vector having the feature outputted from the border discriminator as a component. Therefore, by using the lesion feature calculating device and method according to embodiments of the present invention, types of lesions on ultrasonic images are classified based on the borders of the lesions. |
| US08768020B2 |
Method of detecting visual stress and photosensitive epilepsy triggers in video and mitigation device
Embodiments of the invention include a method for detecting visual stress scenes in a video. First, a video that includes scenes that may cause visual stress in some viewers is received. Then, a signal representing human perceptual response from scenes in the video is generated. An envelope follower is applied to the perceptual response, from which indications that the video contains visual stress scenes may be generated. The output may also be used to control a contrast limiting circuit, which modifies the original video to remove or minimize those scenes that may cause visual stress. Additionally, output from the envelope follower may be converted to a simulated EEG signal and used to verify accurate modeling by comparing the simulated EEG signal to one measured directly from a viewer watching the same video. |
| US08768012B2 |
Road estimation device and method for estimating road
A road estimation device receives data including core points assigned along a road and assigned with attributes for identifying the road. An input unit inputs map data including links in a unit of a divided region being one of divided areas. When the core points cross a boundary of an indicated divided region to be indicated, a selection unit selects a processing object core point inside the indicated divided region from the core points in the map data. An extraction unit extracts candidate links being candidate of a road represented by the processing object core point from the map data according to attributes of the links and the attribute of the processing object core point for estimating the road on a map. |
| US08768008B2 |
Method for controlling a headlamp system for a vehicle, and headlamp system
In a method for controlling a headlamp system for a vehicle, the headlamp system having two headlamps, set apart from each other, road users are detected in front of the vehicle in the driving direction, and a first total light pattern is able to be produced, in which the illumination range on a first side of a center axis is greater than on the other, second side of this center axis, and a second total light pattern is able to be produced, in which the total light pattern is controllable such that it has an illumination range in the direction of at least one detected road user that is less than the distance to the detected road user, and which has an illumination range in another direction that is greater than the distance to the detected road user. During the switch from the first total light pattern to the second total light pattern, the illumination range of at least one headlamp on the first side of the center axis is first reduced to at least such an extent that it is less than the distance to the detected road user, the second total light pattern being produced subsequently. |
| US08767995B2 |
Earphone with open-close type enclosure
Provided is an earphone with an open-close type enclosure in which it is possible to open or close the communicating hole of the enclosure so as to reinforce the high-pitched tones or low-pitched tones of the sound being listened to. The earphone includes a sound wave generation means 150 that generates sound waves depending on electric signals, a body 100 including an enclosure which encloses the back of the sound wave generation means, and a worn portion 200 in which a sound wave path for transmitting a sound wave to the external auditory canal is formed, and which is worn in the external auditory canal. |
| US08767990B2 |
Hearing aid with a child-proof battery compartment
A hearing aid with a child-proof battery compartment includes a shell and a battery door mounted in the shell for rotational movement between an open position and a closed position. A latch mechanism between a pivotal latch of the battery door and a corresponding arrest part is at an internal side of an arrest wall. The battery door in the closed position includes external wall parts facing away from the hearing aid and all of the external wall parts are flush with or recessed with respect to adjacent wall parts of the hearing aid shell, such that an opening force cannot be applied to the external wall parts. The arrest wall includes a narrow gap opening which grants access to the pivotal latch and allows an opening force to be applied to the pivotal latch through the opening to release the battery door. |
| US08767989B2 |
Method and apparatus for a hearing assistance device using MEMS sensors
The present subject application relates to hearing assistance systems and in particular to a method and apparatus for detecting user activities from within a hearing assistance system using micro electro-mechanical structure sensors. Such benefits include the reduction of the ampclusion effect and other excessive sound pressure buildup in the residual air volume of the ear canal for a person wearing a hearing assistance device with an earmold. |
| US08767985B2 |
Ambiophonic headrest
A headrest provided with several loudspeakers which normally reproduce an ambiophonic sound experience. The headrest generally includes a central section provided with at least one loudspeaker, one side section provided with at least one loudspeaker and a second side section provided with at least one loudspeaker. The side sections are arranged on either side of the center section, and extend substantially perpendicularly towards the top relative to the center section. The headrest is arranged in a way so it can be connected to an audio signal source capable of generating several different audio signals. |
| US08767973B2 |
Adaptive filter in a sensor array system
Disclosed is a steerable sensor array that receives input from a target and applies an averaging filter. An adaptive filter is then used if the SNR of the output of the averaging filter reaches a threshold. |
| US08767972B2 |
Auto-fit hearing aid and fitting process therefor
Improved approaches of designing and fitting hearing aids to make hearing aids more accessible to people with hearing loss are disclosed. The hearing aids can be capable of being fitted by users themselves or by other non-hearing specialists. In one embodiment a hearing aid can be self-calibrating. In another embodiment, hearing aids can be fitted, i.e., configured, for individuals with hearing loss using a simplified procedure that hearing aid users or non-hearing specialists can easily follow. |
| US08767969B1 |
Process for removing voice from stereo recordings
A system (200) for processing a sound signal (212) that allows dynamic customization of perceived spatial positions and sound qualities of sound components associated with the sound signal (212). The system provides apparatus for processing a sound signal (212) that includes an input to receive the sound signal (212), a sound unmixer (204) coupled to the input to receive the sound signal (212) and unmix at least one sound stream (216) from the sound signal (212) based on at least one unmixing instruction (214), and an output coupled to the sound unmixer (214) to output the at least one sound stream (216). |
| US08767964B2 |
Secure communications in computer cluster systems
A system to improve communication security in cluster machine processing may include interconnected computers that can jointly process data. The system may also include a shared secret key used by each of the interconnected computers to encrypt, decrypt, and/or authenticate data being sent, or received, from one of the interconnected computers to another of the interconnected computers. The system may further include a new shared secret key used by each of the interconnected computers to encrypt, decrypt, and/or authenticate data being sent, or received, from one of the interconnected computers to another of the interconnected computers. In addition, the new shared secret key may coexist with the shared secret key without adversely affecting the joint processing of data performed by the plurality of interconnected computers. |
| US08767962B2 |
System and methods for permitting open access to data objects and for securing data within the data objects
A system and methods for permitting open access to data objects and for securing data within the data objects is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for securing a data object is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for securing a data object is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (1) providing a data object comprising digital data and file format information; (2) embedding independent data into a data object; and (3) scrambling the data object to degrade the data object to a predetermined signal quality level. The steps of embedding and scrambling may be performed until a predetermined condition is met. The method may also include the steps of descrambling the data object to upgrade the data object to a predetermined signal quality level, and decoding the embedded independent data. |
| US08767959B2 |
Block encryption
Methods and systems for encrypting and decrypting data are described. In one embodiment, a computing system determines a first initialization vector (IV) from another IV and a sequence number of a block of information, and hashes the first IV to create a hash. The computing system then determines a first block from the first block of information and the first hash and enciphers the first block to generate a block of ciphertext. In another embodiment, the computing system deciphers the block of ciphertext to generate the first block, and determines the first IV from the other IV and a sequence number of a block of information. The computing system hashes the first IV to create a hash and determines a block of information corresponding to the first block of ciphertext from the first block and the hash. |
| US08767957B1 |
Communication encryption method and device
An encryption method and device employing a modified low-resource AES algorithm. The algorithm in one embodiment has a 128-bit key and a 16-bit data type, along with optimization functions including function inlining, memory move reduction via multiple transformations on a given state during a given iteration of a main loop of the algorithm, pointer-based accessing of the state from a transformation function, and a global key schedule. Another embodiment of the invention is a low-power secure communication device comprising a ZigBee-compliant transceiver having a maximum over-the-air data rate of 250 kbps, and a 16-bit RISC encryption processor configured to implement an AES algorithm adapted to encrypt data at a faster rate than 250 kbps. The AES algorithm only requires about 5000 bytes of ROM and about 250 bytes of RAM. The disclosed implementation of AES in a high-level language (C in this case) is believed to be the first software-based solution for 16-bit microcontrollers capable of matching the communication rate of 250 kbps specified by the Zigbee protocol, while also minimizing RAM and ROM usage. |
| US08767954B2 |
Methods and systems for deriving a cryptographic framework
A cryptographic framework embodies modular methods for securing data, both at rest and in motion, via an extensible encryption method. Key derivation and synchronization methods are defined. Using a small set of initialization values (keys), a multi-dimensional geometric form from which two or more entities (participants) may derive the same discrete set of public and secret keys. Participants can initialize a random number generation method of practically infinite non-repeating length. Furthermore, the random number generator can be used as a One Time Pad synchronized between participants, without ever exchanging said One Time Pad. Furthermore, a method for ciphering and deciphering data including a method for splitting the encrypted data into multiple files or streams and for recombining the original data back. Finally, a method for extending the encryption to include a practically unlimited number of external authentication factors without negatively impacting encryption performance while simultaneously increasing cryptographic strength. |
| US08767953B2 |
System and method for providing particularized audible alerts
A system and method of generating at least two distinctive auditory alerts upon receiving a transmission or telephone call at a device is described. Data indicative of a first plurality of sounds corresponding to a user of a device configured to receive the transmission or telephone call is accessed, such as from a memory. The first plurality of sounds is played at the device so as to identify a received transmission or telephone call being directed to the user. A telephone number, subscriber name or identifier associated with a transmitting or calling party of the transmission or telephone call is accessed. Data indicative of a second plurality of sounds designating the transmitting or calling party based on the subscriber name, telephone number or identifier is retrieved, such as from a data structure, and the second plurality of sounds is played at the device so as to identify the transmitting or calling party. |
| US08767952B2 |
Method and system for utilizing a single connection for efficient delivery of power and multimedia information
Aspects of a method and system for utilizing a single connection for efficient delivery of power and multimedia information are provided. In this regard, power supplied and/or received over a network link may be controlled based on multimedia content communicated over the network link. The multimedia content may be converted to and/or from Ethernet frames for communication over the network link utilizing audio video bridging. The multimedia content may be raw video or may be formatted according to, for example, HDMI or DisplayPort specifications. The power supplied may be controlled by selecting one of a plurality of power classes. The selection of power class may be based on resolution of the multimedia content, whether the multimedia comprises audio and/or video, and/or based on latency targets. |
| US08767947B1 |
System and method for testing and deploying rules
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for assessing impact of a rule change in a contact center. The method includes configuring one or more parameters of the rule; receiving a command to assess the rule; retrieving a log of past interactions between end users and the contact center, wherein the log of past interactions reflects interactions prior to deployment of the rule; processing one or more of the past interactions based on the rule; simulating an outcome of the one or more past interactions; and deploying the rule or not to a rules engine based on the simulating. |
| US08767945B2 |
IM to phone escalation for customer support
System and method to change a mode of communication used by an agent at a contact center for customer service, the method including: receiving, from a customer, a customer contact via a first mode of communication; establishing a first communication link, using the first mode of communication, between the customer and the agent; communicating by use of the first mode of communication between the customer and the agent; receiving an instruction, via an instant message, to change the mode of communication to a second mode of customer service; interpreting, by the contact center, the instruction from the agent; establishing a second communication link, using the second mode of communication, between the customer and the agent; and communicating by use of the second mode of communication between the customer and the agent. |
| US08767944B1 |
Mechanism for status and control communication over SIP using CODEC tunneling
A distributed contact center and method of managing data transfers between the distributed parts of the contact center is provided. Distributed parts of the contact center are joined together through a known communications initiation protocol such as SIP, then status information and/or control signals are transferred between the distributed parts using lossless communication protocols. |
| US08767940B2 |
System, method and apparatus for placing a telephone call
In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect an identity of a caller; receive an assigned incoming telephone number; identify a recipient associated with the assigned incoming telephone number and the identity; and connect the caller and the recipient. |
| US08767936B2 |
Dynamic reporting tool for conferencing customers
A dynamic reporting tool presents conferencing data to customers in a useful and flexible manner. Customers may customize standard reports using dynamic, comprehensive search criteria. Customers may also create custom ad hoc reports as needed. Furthermore, customers may access unbilled usage data and conduct searches on the unbilled usage data. |
| US08767935B2 |
Teleconference monitoring and alerting method
A method is disclosed which allows an invitee to a conference call, who is not present on at least part of the call, to have the call monitored in his or her absence. The invitee is offered the opportunity to review, ahead of the call, one or more electronic documents that are pertinent to the call. The invitee can specify one or more pointers for the purpose of identifying positions that correspond to portions of the document that are relevant to the invitee. When a relevant portion of an electronic document has been reached or is soon to be reached during the call, a message is transmitted to the absent invitee. Additionally, the invitee can annotate slides or portions of an electronic document with comments that he or she wants addressed during the conference call. A message is subsequently transmitted to the invitee, providing responses to the comments left earlier. |
| US08767934B2 |
Associating a topic with a telecommunications address
A topic is associated with a temporary communications address such as a temporary telephone number. This assignment may be effected by the user when the temporary address is obtained by the user. Illustratively, a user who simultaneously uses a plurality of temporary addresses associates a different topic with each of those addresses. When a caller calls the temporary address, the call is redirected to the user's real address and the user receives the topic that is associated with that temporary address, and preferably also the called temporary address itself, along with the redirected call, and this information is either displayed or announced to the user. The information provides context for the call to the user, and may optionally be captured in call logs. Illustratively, when the user initiates a call via the temporary address or the topic, the temporary address or the topic is provided to the called party as the caller ID information. The user's identity is thus kept secret. The user may select the calling topic or temporary address from a display of the call logs of past calls that involved the topics and temporary addresses associated with the user's real address. |
| US08767930B2 |
System and method for amplifying attenuated DTMF signals in a packet based network
A network interface device may include an I/O unit configured to receive data packets from a packet network. A processing unit may be in communication with the I/O unit and be configured to identify data packets including data representative of DTMF signals, convert the data in the data packets into analog DTMF tone signals, and determine if power of the analog DTMF tone signals is below a threshold value. A digital to analog converter may be in communication with the processing unit and be configured to generate the analog DTMF tone signals based on the data in the data packets. A DTMF amplifier may be in communication with the processing unit and the digital to analog converter, where the processing unit may cause the DTMF amplifier to amplify the power of the analog DTMF tone signals in response to determining that the power of the analog DTMF tone signals are below the threshold value. |
| US08767928B2 |
System and method for servicing a call
A call from a caller to an interactive voice response (IVR) system may be serviced based on behavior by the caller in one or more prior calls to the IVR system. The call may be serviced by predicting information to be used in servicing the call. Predicting such information may include analyzing data reflecting behavior by the caller in one or more prior calls to the IVR system. |
| US08767927B2 |
System and method for servicing a call
A call from a caller to an interactive voice response (IVR) system may be serviced based on behavior by the caller in one or more prior calls to the IVR system. The call may be serviced by predicting information to be used in servicing the call. Predicting such information may include analyzing data reflecting behavior by the caller in one or more prior calls to the IVR system. |
| US08767924B2 |
Method for recording telephone conversations
In a method for recording telephone conversations between a subscriber to a service provider and a telephone conversation partner, the subscriber dials the number of the service provider and interacts with a menu-driven IVR user interface, entering his subscriber number as well as a corresponding PIN-number to authenticate himself. After the verification, the subscriber can chose one or more of the following options: (a) listen to one or more of his previously recorded telephone conversations, (b) delete one or more of his previously recorded telephone conversations, (c) arrange that all incoming and outgoing calls are to be automatically recorded, (d) deactivate the setting that all incoming and outgoing calls are automatically recorded, and/or (e) record the next telephone conversation. At the beginning of each conversation to be recorded, the service provider informs the telephone conversation partner, via a warning voice message, that the telephone conversation will be recorded. |
| US08767920B2 |
Medical imaging system and anti-collision method with a controllable arm
The invention relates to a medical imaging system as well as an anti-collision method for the like. With this, the movement of a moveable part, e.g. a C-arm is stopped or slowed down if the part approaches the patient, i.e. falls below a predeterminable minimal distance to specific surface areas of the patient or approaches these. These distances are detected by means of at least one sensor. |
| US08767918B2 |
X-ray scattering measurement device and X-ray scattering measurement method
A X-ray scattering measurement device and measurement method can measure, with high resolution, the intensity of X-rays which have undergone small-angle scattering and diffraction with reflection geometry and can easily and accurately measure a microstructure on the surface of a sample. The X-ray scattering measurement device is suitable for microstructural measurement on the surface of a sample includes an X-ray source that generates an X-ray; a first mirror and a second mirror that continuously reflect the generated X-ray; a sample stage that supports the sample; and a two-dimensional detector that detects the X-ray scattered on the surface of the sample. The first mirror focuses the generated X-ray onto the two-dimensional detector within a plane parallel to the surface of the sample, and the second mirror focuses the X-ray reflected by the first mirror onto the surface of the sample within a plane perpendicular to the surface of the sample. |
| US08767915B2 |
Differential phase contrast X-ray imaging system and components
A differential phase contrast X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray illumination system, a beam splitter arranged in an optical path of the X-ray illumination system, and a detection system arranged in an optical path to detect X-rays after passing through the beam splitter. |
| US08767912B1 |
System for inspection and imaging of insulated pipes and vessels using backscattered radiation and X-ray fluorescence
The system for the inspection and imaging of insulated pipes and vessels using backscattered gamma radiation and X-ray fluorescence includes a frame having a pair of coaxial rings adapted for coaxial mounting about the insulated pipe, vessel or the like. A pair of rotating supports are rotatably mounted within the pair rings for driven rotation thereof. A plurality of horizontal supports are secured to, and extend between, the pair of rotating supports such that each of the horizontal supports extends along a direction parallel to an axis of the insulated pipe. A plurality of inspection modules are slidably mounted to the horizontal supports. Each inspection module includes at least one radiation source, an X-ray fluorescence detector and a backscattered gamma radiation detector. The plurality of inspection modules are linearly translated along the axial direction of the pipe, and also circumferentially rotated therearound for simultaneous, three-dimensional inspection of the pipe body. |
| US08767908B2 |
Exact and approximate rebinning of time-of-flight PET positron emission tomography data
A technique for processing of data from time-of-flight (TOF) PET scanners. The size of TOF PET data may be reduced without significant loss of information through a process called rebinning. The rebinning may use the Fourier transform properties of the measured PET data, taken with respect to the time-of-flight variable, to perform data reduction. Through this rebinning process, TOF PET data may be converted to any of the following reduced representations: 2D TOF PET data, 3D non-TOF PET data, and 2D non-TOF PET data. Mappings may be exact or approximate. Approximate mappings may not require a Fourier transform in the axial direction which may have advantages when used with PET scanners of limited axial extent. Once TOF PET data is reduced in size using this rebinning, PET images may be reconstructed with hardware and/or software that is substantially less complex and that may run substantially faster in comparison to reconstruction from the original non-rebinned data. |
| US08767904B2 |
Method of operating a pressurized-water nuclear reactor for reaching a plutonium equilibrium cycle
A method is provided for operating a nuclear reactor. The method includes operating the nuclear reactor for an initial cycle during which a core contains initial nuclear fuel assemblies; then operating the nuclear reactor for transition cycles, at least some of the initial nuclear fuel assemblies being progressively replaced, during the replacement steps preceding the transition cycles, with transition nuclear fuel assemblies or with plutonium-equilibrium nuclear fuel assemblies; and then operating the nuclear reactor for at least one plutonium equilibrium cycle during which the core contains only plutonium-equilibrium nuclear fuel assemblies. |
| US08767899B2 |
Sampling phase selection method for a stream of data bits
The current disclosure discloses a sampling phase selection method for a data stream, wherein the data stream has a variable data rate in a fixed time period. The method comprises the following steps: generating M section signals with the same time interval during the fixed time period of the data stream, generating N continuous clock phases according to a rising edge of each of the section signals, selecting one of the continuous clock phases corresponding to the different section signals in turn to provide a sampling phase, performing a plurality of samplings on the data stream to generate a flag signal, repeating the selecting and the sampling steps to generate N flag signals corresponding to the different section signals, and selecting a final sampling phase according to the N flag signals corresponding to the different section signals. |
| US08767892B1 |
Synchronization system for a wireless receiver
A synchronization system for initial setup of phases of local oscillators in a wireless receiver of a communication system characterized by transmission of data packets having a predetermined preamble consisting of M identical sections of L symbols followed by a single section of the same kind, multiplied by −1, and wherein the wireless receiver is operative to perform decimation in an RF demodulator. The synchronization system includes a twofold correlator, an accumulator, a multipler, a threshold comparator, a carrier phase former and a clock phase former, and operates at a decimated symbols frequency, and performs not only preamble detection, but also symbols clock phase detection together with carrier phase detection, while enabling the theoretically possible noise immunity. |
| US08767891B2 |
Reception signal integrating method and receiver
A reception signal integrating method includes: calculating, in receiving a satellite signal, when a reception signal of the satellite signal is time-divided at an assumed period obtained by estimating code period time of a spread code of the satellite signal, a coefficient representing a period shift between a true period and the assumed period of the spread code using first portions and second portions having an assumed period different from that of the first portions in the reception signal; and integrating the reception signal using the coefficient. |
| US08767888B2 |
Efficient square-root free 2 symbol max-log receiver
The present invention employs a look up table based implementation for the metric computations which eliminate redundancy and substantially reduce the number of multiplications. Moreover, inventive method exploits the fact that the un-normalized constellation symbols are complex integers so that the product of a real-number and an un-normalized constellation symbol can be implemented by only additions. The inventive method also enables a greater efficiency for whitening colored noise prior to demodulation, one of which involves no square-root operation. The invention results in less complexity, faster operation, lower power consumption, without sacrificing performance. |
| US08767887B1 |
L1-norm transformation in soft-output MIMO detector
A method of processing a signal within a receiver can include generating, using the receiver, a candidate list including at least one entry for a signal. Each entry can include a candidate symbol vector and an L1-Norm error metric. The method can include, for each entry, generating an L1-Norm transformation from the L1-Norm error metric, wherein the L1-Norm transformation depends upon a function of a number of receiving antennas of the receiver. The signal can be decoded using the candidate list including the L1-Norm transformations. |
| US08767885B2 |
CQI and rank prediction for list sphere decoding and ML MIMO receivers
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate integrating a list-sphere decoding design in a multiple input-multiple output (MIMO wireless communication environment. According to various aspects, optimal rank selection and CQI computation for an optimal rank can be performed in conjunction with a non-linear receiver, such as a maximum life (ML) MMSE receiver, a non-linear receiver with a list-sphere decoder, and the like. Optimal rank selection can be performed using a maximum rank selection protocol, a channel capacity-based protocol, or any other suitable protocol that facilitates rank selection, and CQI information can be generated based in part on effective SNRs determined with regard to a selected optimal rank. |
| US08767883B2 |
Recoverable Ethernet receiver
The present invention is directed to a recoverable Ethernet receiver. A joint decision feedback equalizer (DFE) and Trellis decoder is configured to decode a receiving signal to result in a received symbol, and configured to generate a check-idle value which is used to indicate an idle mode. A physical coding sublayer (PCS) block is configured to generate a seed value and a polarity characterization according to the received symbol, with the joint DFE and Trellis decoder generating the check-idle value according to the seed value and the polarity characterization. |
| US08767879B1 |
Compensation for residual frequency offset, phase noise and sampling phase offset in wireless networks
A transceiver includes a channel estimator configured to generate, based on a packet received over a channel, an initial channel estimate for the channel. A compensator is configured to compensate a phase of the initial channel estimate to adjust for a carrier frequency offset associated with the channel, and ii) selectively compensate the initial channel estimate for sampling phase jitter. The selectively compensating the initial channel estimate for sampling phase jitter includes compensating the initial channel estimate for sampling phase jitter responsive to the packet having been received at a data rate greater than a first predetermined data rate, and not compensating the initial channel estimate for sampling phase jitter responsive to the packet having been received at a data rate less than or equal to the first predetermined data rate. |
| US08767876B2 |
Filter offset compensation
Problems arising from a pre-emphasis filter, particularly an infinite-impulse-response filter, in a signal modulator are solved by detecting sequences of the same bit or symbol in a modulation signal and compensating the corresponding d.c. offset in the signal generated by the pre-emphasis filter without real-time feedback. The amount of offset compensation can be defined during design of the modulator or adjusted or calibrated during production. It is not necessary to change the transfer function of the pre-emphasis filter, but only to correct the d.c. offset of the filter output signal. |
| US08767875B2 |
Multi-layer beam forming method and User Equipment (UE) for implementing multi-layer beam forming
The disclosure provides a multi-layer beam forming method. The method includes: according to an obtained transmitting weight value of each space channel layer, obtaining a signal-to-noise ratio of a data stream, arriving at a receiving side, of each layer; according the obtained signal-to-noise ratio of the data stream, arriving at the receiving side, of each layer, determining a data stream which is able to be transmitted; performing beam forming for the data stream which is able to be transmitted and transmitting the data stream subjected to the beam forming to the receiving side. The disclosure further provides User Equipment (UE) for implementing multi-layer beam forming. Only a data stream, which can be decoded by a receiving side, of each layer is transmitted, thereby utilizing channel capacity to the most extent while adequately and reasonably utilizing space channel resources. |
| US08767874B2 |
Transmitter diversity technique for wireless communications
A simple block coding arrangement is created with symbols transmitted over a plurality of transmit channels, in connection with coding that comprises only simple arithmetic operations, such as negation and conjugation. The diversity created by the transmitter utilizes space diversity and either time or frequency diversity. Space diversity is effected by redundantly transmitting over a plurality of antennas, time diversity is effected by redundantly transmitting at different times, and frequency diversity is effected by redundantly transmitting at different frequencies: Illustratively, using two transmit antennas and a single receive antenna, one of the disclosed embodiments provides the same diversity gain as the maximal-ratio receiver combining (MRRC) scheme with one transmit antenna and two receive antennas. The principles of this invention are applicable to arrangements with more than two antennas, and an illustrative embodiment is disclosed using the same space block code with two transmit and two receive antennas. |
| US08767872B2 |
Pilot structures for ACK and CQI in a wireless communication system
Techniques for transmitting data and pilot for control information are described. In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) may spread a reference signal sequence with a first orthogonal sequence to obtain multiple pilot sequences. The UE may then send the multiple pilot sequences on multiple subcarriers in multiple symbol periods, one pilot sequence in each symbol period. The UE may modulate the reference signal sequence with control information (e.g., ACK information) to obtain a modulated sequence. The UE may spread the modulated sequence with a second orthogonal sequence to obtain multiple data sequences. The UE may then send the multiple data sequences on the multiple subcarrier in multiple symbol periods for data. In another aspect, the UE may send multiple pilot sequences on multiple subcarriers in multiple symbol periods separated by at least one symbol period, one pilot sequence in each symbol period. |
| US08767871B2 |
Antenna tuning using the ratio of complex forward and reflected signals
An antenna tuner is placed between a Power Amplifier (PA) and an antenna. The antenna tuner includes programmable components that can be tuned in order to effect an impedance translation between the antenna and the PA output. In an embodiment, the antenna tuner is adapted dynamically based on changes in the impedance of the antenna. In another embodiment, the antenna tuner is controlled based on measurement of the voltage reflection coefficient S11. |
| US08767870B2 |
Dynamic variable inter-symbol interference (IS) stress impairment system
Embodiments of the present invention provide a variable inter symbol interference generator that generates a data signal having a variable amount of inter symbol interference by passing a data signal through (1) a programmable filter having an adjustable frequency response, and through (2) a fixed filter having a fixed frequency response such as a PCB trace, a length of cable, a discrete filter, or the like. By adjusting the parameters and therefore the insertion gain or loss of the programmable filter, and combining this with one or more fixed filters, a large range of continuously variable and finely tunable inter symbol interference amounts can be easily generated. |
| US08767869B2 |
Joint linear and non-linear cancellation of transmit self-jamming interference
Certain aspects of the present disclosure propose an adaptive joint linear and non-linear digital filter that can adaptively estimate and reconstruct cascaded effects of linear and non-linear self-jamming distortions introduced by non-linearities in the transmit and/or receive chains. The proposed digital filter may be used to cancel second-order inter-modulation distortion (IM2) generated in the receive chain and/or harmonic distortion generated in the transmit chain, as well as other distortions introduced by the transmit/and or receive chains. |
| US08767868B2 |
Signal processing circuit and method
A signal processing circuit for providing a modulated analog transmit signal on the basis of a digital transmit data signal is configured to vary a resolution in dependence on a detected or predefined parameter when providing the modulated analog transmit signal. |
| US08767867B1 |
Integrated control of power supply and power line communications
Apparatuses and methods of integrating power supply unit (PSU) control and power line communication (PLC) to transmit data on a power line in a transmitting node. One method modulates a switching frequency of the PSU between multiple spread frequencies to transmit the data. |
| US08767865B2 |
Wireless station, an interference estimation method, a wireless communication system and a computer program
A wireless station of the present invention includes: a synchronization unit configured to synchronize with a transmission suspension period of a transmitting station of a wireless system, a measurement unit configured to measure a reception level of a wireless signal of said transmitting station in a transmission period and a reception level in the transmission suspension period, and an interference estimation unit configured to estimate an amount of interference to another wireless system according to the measured reception level in the transmission suspension period and reception level in the transmission period. |
| US08767862B2 |
Beamformer phase optimization for a multi-layer MIMO system augmented by radio distribution network
A system for selecting optimal phase combinations for RF beamformers in a MIMO hybrid receiving systems augmented by RF Distribution Network. The system addresses the issue of providing beamforming gains for a plurality of layers using one common set of weights for each beamformer. The specification may be based on channel estimation of all layers as viewed by all receiving antennas, and maximizing metrics that capture the total received power. |
| US08767859B2 |
High-frequency circuit, high-frequency device, and communications apparatus
A high-frequency circuit comprising first and second antenna terminals, a transmitting terminal and first and second receiving terminals for first and second communications systems, and first and second switch circuits each having a common terminal and at least first and second switching terminals; the first antenna terminal being connected to a common terminal of the first switch circuit, the transmitting terminal for the first communications system being connected to the first switching terminal of the first switch circuit, the second antenna terminal being connected to a common terminal of the second switch circuit, the transmitting terminal for the second communications system being connected to the first switching terminal of the second switch circuit, each first receiving terminal for the first and second communications systems being connected to the second switching terminal of the first switch circuit via a first receiving-side multiplexer circuit, each second receiving terminal for the first and second communications systems being connected to the second switching terminal of the second switch circuit via a second receiving-side multiplexer circuit. |
| US08767858B2 |
Communication system and method using space division multi-user multiple input multiple output (SD-MIMO) communication method
Provided is a communication system using a space division multi-user multiple input multiple output (SD-MIMO) communication method. A transmission apparatus may transmit, to each of terminals included within a coverage, common control information commonly transmitted to the terminals and individual control information individually transmitted to each of the terminals. The transmission apparatus does not precode the common control information and transmits the non-precoded common control information. The transmission apparatus precodes the individual control information and transmits the precoded individual control information. |
| US08767857B2 |
Multi-cell processing architectures for modeling and impairment compensation in multi-input multi-output systems
The present invention relates to a method for multiple-input multiple-output impairment pre-compensation comprising: receiving a multiple-input signal; generating a pre-distorted multiple-input signal from the received multiple-input signal; generating a multiple-output signal by feeding the pre-distorted multiple-input signal into a multiple-input and multiple-output transmitter; estimating impairments generated by the multiple-input and multiple-output transmitter; and adjusting the pre-distorted multiple-input signal to compensate for the estimated impairments. The present invention also relates to a pre-compensator for use with a multiple-input and multiple-output transmitter, comprising: a multiple-input for receiving a multiple-input signal; a matrix of pre-processing cells for generating a pre-distorted multiple-input signal from the received multiple-input signal; and a multiple-output for feeding the pre-distorted multiple-input signal to the multiple-input and multiple-output transmitter. The pre-processing cells are configured so as to estimate impairments generated by the multiple-input and multiple-output transmitter and adjust the pre-distorted multiple-input signal to compensate for the estimated impairments. |
| US08767855B2 |
Method of estimating sampling clock offset, a sampling clock offset estimator and a receiver comprising the same
A SCO estimator comprises the following units. A module obtains a first data output by a first unit and copies the first data to obtain copied data. A QAM unit quadrature modulates the copied data into each sub-carrier of each OFDM symbol to regenerate transmitted modulated data. A first phase unit obtains a first phase of each sub-carrier of each OFDM symbol of the modulated data. A second phase unit obtains a second data from a second unit, and obtains a second phase of each sub-carrier of each OFDM symbol of the second data. A comparator generates a comparing result according to the first phase and the second phase of each sub-carrier of each OFDM symbol. A divider divides the comparing result of each sub-carrier by the subcarrier index within each OFDM symbol and the OFDM symbol index of each OFDM symbol. An averaging unit averages the divided comparing result over number of sub-carriers and number of OFDM symbols. |
| US08767853B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling distortion signal and system by using the same
Disclosed are a signal distortion component adjusting apparatus and method capable of adjusting error vector magnitude of subcarriers of a predetermined position by adjusting a signal distortion component occurring while decreasing a peak to average power ratio (PAPR) in a communication system of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technology or an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) scheme, and a system using the same. The present invention includes a signal distortion component adjusting unit to add an additional signal distortion component Pe((n+N/2) % N) to a signal distortion component e(n) that is obtained by subtracting a threshold Th value, set to decrease peak power, from an absolute value of a time domain signal x(n) of an input signal, and to thereby adjust the signal distortion component. The present invention may transmit a highly reliable signal by adjusting error vector magnitude of subcarrier of a frequency domain. |
| US08767850B2 |
Apparatus and method for encoding/decoding a multichannel signal
An apparatus for encoding/decoding a multichannel signal. The apparatus for encoding/decoding a multichannel signal processes phase parameters for phase information among a plurality of channels constituting the multichannel signal in consideration of the characteristics of the multichannel signal. The apparatus generates an encoded bit stream for the multichannel signal using the processed phase parameters and the mono signal extracted from the multichannel signal. |
| US08767849B2 |
Method and device for inter-chip and inter-antenna interference cancellation
A wireless receiver is constructed to equalize a time-domain received signal, detect a plurality of symbols of the equalized time-domain received signal, and perform interference cancellation on the time-domain received signal. The interference cancellation can be performed using a partial result produced by an IDFT, and may use only neighboring symbols in a detected plurality of symbols. The resulting wireless receiver can be constructed to operate efficiently under a plurality of wireless standards. |
| US08767847B2 |
Time-deinterleaver and method for input signal processing and computer program products using the same
A method for processing input data for use in a time-deinterleaver of a receiver is provided. Input data is first received, wherein the input data is data inputted to the time-deinterleaver and includes a plurality of symbols and each symbol includes a plurality of samples and each sample includes a signal quality (SQ) data corresponding thereto. A down sampling ratio is then determined according to a channel condition. The input data is down-sampled in the time and/or the frequency domain with the down sampling ratio according to whether a modulation mode is a single carrier mode or a multi-carrier mode and outputting the down-sampled data. Thereafter, the outputted down-sampled data is stored in a data buffer of the time-deinterleaver for further signal processing. |
| US08767845B2 |
Increased capacity communication links with spectrum sharing
Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for processing signals comprising a first component and a second component. A bandwidth of the first component may be centered at a center frequency. A bandwidth of the second component may be offset from the center frequency by an offset frequency such that at least a portion of the bandwidth of the second component overlaps a skirt of the first component. In various embodiments, a transmitter may split a single signal to generate the first and second components, shift the frequency of the second component, recombine and transmit the two components. Also, in various embodiments, a receiver may receive the signal and derive the first and second components by correcting for cross-interference. |
| US08767844B2 |
Method and apparatus for multicarrier communications
A data processing device (100, 300) is described forming part of a receiver for a multicarrier communications system. The data processing device is configured to process at least one observed symbol to generate an information bit estimate for the symbol, and includes a channel prediction stage configured to receive an observed symbol and at least one feedback signal representing an estimate of a transmitted symbol and to generate a channel prediction. At least one initial processing stream (104) is configured to process the observed symbol on the basis of a channel prediction calculated at a respective time by the channel prediction stage and to output a signal representing an estimate of a transmitted symbol corresponding to the observed symbol for feed back into the channel prediction stage. A subsequent processing stream (102) is configured to process the observed symbol on the basis of a channel prediction calculated at a second time by the channel prediction stage at least partly on the basis of an output of at least one initial processing stream in respect of the observed symbol, to generate an information bit estimate corresponding to the observed symbol. |
| US08767839B2 |
Error filter to differentiate between reverse link and forward link video data errors
One technique for implementing error control in response to a video data error comprises receiving an indication of a video data error from a video decoder, determining whether the video data error occurred on a reverse link of a wireless network between a video encoder and a network device, and applying error control in response to the video data error if the video data error did not occur on the reverse link. For example, the indication of the video data error may include a first sequence number (SN) of a packet comprising lost data, and determining whether the video data error occurred on the reverse link may include comparing first SN with a second SN of a packet associated with a most recent RL error. |
| US08767831B2 |
Method and system for motion compensated picture rate up-conversion using information extracted from a compressed video stream
Certain aspects of a method and system for motion-compensated picture rate up-conversion (PRUC) using information extracted from a compressed video stream may include extracting PRUC data from a compressed video data stream while the compressed video data stream is being decompressed by a video decompression engine. The PRUC data may comprise, for example, local block motion vectors, block coding modes, quantization levels, quantized residual data and decoded pictures. A plurality of interpolated pictures may be generated based on extracting the PRUC data. |
| US08767828B2 |
System for low resolution power reduction with compressed image
A system for encoding and decoding video that uses power reduction techniques. |
| US08767823B2 |
Method and apparatus for frame memory compression
A method for frame memory compression divides each of a plurality of image frames in a frame memory into a plurality of blocks and quantizes a plurality of pixel values inside each block according to a predefined parameter, thereby generating a quantized block and a plurality of removed bits from the binary representation of the plurality of pixel values. A predictor is used to produce a residual block for the quantized block. A variable length encoder takes the residual block as an input and produces a coded bitstream. A packing unit is used to take the coded bitstream and the number of removed bits generated by the quantizer as inputs, so as to produce an entire codeword sequence of the block that meets a target bit rate by using a structure called group of blocks (GOB) to flexibly share available spaces of the blocks in the same GOB. |
| US08767820B2 |
Adaptive display compression for wireless transmission of rendered pixel data
A system employs adaptive data rate reduction of rendered pixel data for wireless transmission between a source device and a display device. The source device determines the display properties of the display device and the current available bandwidth of a wireless channel connecting the source device to the display device. The source device adjusts a data rate reduction process that is applied to the rendered pixel data before the resulting pixel data is wirelessly transmitted based on these parameters. In response to a change in the data rate reduction process, the source device further can transmit to the display device an indicator that identifies the current data rate reduction type and effective compression ratio being applied by the source device. The display device can use this indicator to configure the processing of the rendered pixel data at the display device so as to mirror or otherwise comply with the particular data rate reduction process applied by the source device. |
| US08767817B1 |
Apparatus and method for coding using parameterized equation
Disclosed herein is a method for encoding a video signal having at least one frame with at least one block of pixels. The method includes selecting a parameterized equation corresponding to a coding mode for a current block of pixels to be encoded in the at least one frame, determining at least one parameter for use in the selected parameterized equation, generating, for at least a first pixel in the current block, a predicted value using the parameterized equation; a position value for the first pixel using a processor; and the determined at least one parameter and encoding the block using the predicted value. |