| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08788338B1 |
Unified marketplace for advertisements and content in an online system
A server system of an online information system displays advertising items and content items retrieved from storage devices as a stream viewable by a user on a user device. The advertisement items and the content items are ordered in the stream by a ranking score computed for each of the advertisement items and each of the content items. The server system transmits a web page including the stream to a user device over a network. In this manner, advertising items and content items compete in a unified marketplace for inclusion in the stream for viewing by the end user. |
| US08788335B2 |
Content distribution system including cost-per-engagement based advertising
Content distribution systems that support Cost-Per-Engagement (CPE) based advertising are disclosed. One embodiment includes a server connected to a network and a plurality of user computers connected to the network. In addition, the server is configured to host an interactive web site that enables the uploading of pieces of content in response to the online marketing campaign and the distribution of pieces of uploaded content, each user computer is configured to interact with the web site, the server is configured to track the number of pieces of content uploaded to the website in response to the online marketing campaign, the number of pieces of uploaded content distributed to user computers and the number of other interactions between the user computers and the website, and the server is configured to determine a cost to charge for hosting the marketing campaign based upon at least the number of pieces of content uploaded to the website in response to the online marketing campaign, the number of pieces of uploaded content distributed to user computers and the number of other interactions between the user computers and the website. |
| US08788332B2 |
Mutually supportive social networking and online advertising
Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to methods, apparatuses, and articles associated with mutually supportive social networking and online advertising. In embodiments, a method may include facilitating a user of a social network in interacting with social media contributed by other users. The user's interaction may be monitored, and the user may be credited with participation credits. The method may further include facilitating setting up a product sample offering program on the social network, by an online advertiser, to offer samples of a product for redemption by users of the social network, using participation credits, and administering the product sample offering program accordingly. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08788328B1 |
Location affinity based content delivery systems and methods
Provided is a method for providing content. The method includes obtaining historical geographic location data indicative of one or more geographic locations visited by a user in the past, identifying a location affinity associating the user with one or more of the geographic locations visited by a user in the past, identifying affinity content corresponding to the location affinity, receiving, from a client computer system, a current request to provide content to the user, and providing, to the client computer system in response to the current request, the identified affinity content. |
| US08788327B2 |
Local ad serving
In general, this specification relates to content presentation. The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, methods that include the actions of receiving a group of content items at a user device, the content items configured for presentation to a user in association with other content, each content item of the group of content items including metadata associated with the content item; identifying a request from an application of the user device to present a content item in association with particular content; selecting, using one or more processors, a content item from the group of content items using the metadata for the content items along with local targeting information; and presenting the selected content item. |
| US08788324B1 |
Preferred payment type
Creation and placement of rewards associated with preferred payment types enables a merchant to incentivize a customer for selecting the preferred payment types. A number of payment types may be presented to a customer, where at least one payment type is a preferred payment type with an associated reward. The reward may be transmitted to the customer if the customer satisfies conditions for obtaining the reward. The conditions may include using the preferred payment type, applying for the preferred payment type, or making the preferred payment type the default payment type, among other possibilities. |
| US08788323B2 |
Method and system for providing consumer defined coupons
A method and system for providing consumer defined coupons includes a process for providing consumer defined coupons whereby a consumer proposes/defines the parameters or “terms” of a proposed coupon and/or marketing offer that the consumer feels would compel the consumer to purchase a product and/or service, shop at a defined store, or perform some other defined action. The consumer defined coupon terms are then provided to a potential coupon provider. The potential coupon provider is then provided the opportunity to review the consumer defined coupon terms. The potential coupon provider is then provided the opportunity to accept the consumer defined coupon terms, reject the consumer defined coupon terms, and/or propose alternative coupon terms. If the potential coupon provider accepts the consumer defined coupon terms, a coupon is then created and provided to the consumer. |
| US08788318B1 |
Methods and systems for consolidating, distributing and integrating issuer information for a voting entity
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for consolidating, distributing and integrating issuer information for a voting entity. More particularly, in one embodiment of the present invention a computer implemented voting method is provided, comprising: consolidating vote request information relating to a security owned by a beneficial owner and held by at least two custodians for the beneficial owner; generating at least a first computer file including the consolidated vote request information; electronically transmitting the first computer file to a computer system of a voting entity; integrating the first computer file into a database associated with the computer system of the voting entity; receiving, at the computer system of the voting entity, at least one beneficial owner vote instruction sent from the beneficial owner; and generating at least one voting entity vote instruction responsive to the consolidated vote request information, wherein the voting entity vote instruction is generated by the computer system of the voting entity based at least in part upon the integrated first computer file and the beneficial owner vote instruction from the beneficial owner. |
| US08788310B2 |
Methods and apparatus for managing computing resources based on yield management framework
Yield management techniques are provided. In one aspect of the invention, a technique for managing one or more computing resources comprises the following steps/operations. Data associated with at least one potential demand for use of the one or more computing resources is obtained. Then, a management model (e.g., a yield management model or a revenue management model) is generated in accordance with at least a portion of the obtained data, wherein the management model is operative to determine an allocation of the one or more computing resources based on combinations of price levels and service levels that may be offered to one or more users of the one or more computing resources so as to attempt to satisfy at least one management goal. |
| US08788304B2 |
Digital rights management provision apparatus, system, and method
Provided is digital rights management (DRM) provision technology, and more particularly, are an apparatus, system, and method which can easily provide content using one or more DRM systems. A DRM provision apparatus includes a content download unit which downloads encrypted real content and dummy content from a download server and which manages the downloaded real content and dummy content; a license management unit which manages a license issued by a license server; and a processing unit which manages the downloaded real content and dummy content and the issued license. |
| US08788303B1 |
Fare availability calendar
A method and system for displaying fare availability involves receiving an identification of an origination location and a destination location for generating a travel itinerary. An availability for each of multiple fare classes is determined for each of multiple time periods. The availability corresponds to the origination location and the destination location. A calendar having a representation of the multiple time periods is displayed. The calendar includes a visual indication of one or more available fare classes for each of the multiple time periods. The calendar can display real time or substantially real time availability information for one or more fare classes. |
| US08788298B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a safe driving and vehicle related electronic community
An online safe driver community having driving and vehicle related information and services made available to members of the community. A method for covering costs associated with an insurance deductible. |
| US08788297B2 |
Systems and methods for automobile total loss calculations
Described are computer systems, methods, apparatus, and computer-readable data storage media storing instructions for performing a vehicle total loss calculation. In an embodiment, a computer system for performing total loss calculations includes a total loss engine computer and a storage device operatively coupled to the total loss engine computer. The storage device includes a total loss application program having instructions operative to instruct the total loss engine computer to receive a valid claim number and a state selection entered on a main menu of a total loss calculator application by a user for a vehicle that has been totaled. The instructions also instruct the total loss engine computer to provide access to the user to a plurality of total loss calculator data input fields, selection buttons, and a state guidelines viewer on the main menu, to receive an instruction to calculate a total loss amount based on data entered by the user in the main menu, to determine that all required data has been entered, to calculate a net total amount for the totaled vehicle, and to provide the net total amount to the user. |
| US08788292B2 |
System and method of remote reporting of radiation dose usage in image acquisition
A system and method to manage direction of an ionizing radiation toward an exposed subject is provided. The system can perform receiving a request from a customer to establish an internet connection to communicate between a remote office and the system directing the ionizing radiation toward the exposed subject; automatically communicating a status information and individual dose data associated with an event where direction of ionizing radiation that exceeds a threshold; automatically creating and communicating a report via the internet connection to the customer. The report can include an indication of the event where direction of ionizing radiation exceeds the threshold and a comparison of the individual radiation dose data and an individual status operation of system at time of the event relative to a benchmark defined by radiation dose data and status information acquired from a population of other systems. |
| US08788289B2 |
Methods and apparatus for linking extracted clinical facts to text
A plurality of clinical facts may be extracted from a free-form narration of a patient encounter provided by a clinician. The plurality of clinical facts may include a first fact and a second fact. The first fact may be extracted from a first portion of the free-form narration, and the second fact may be extracted from a second portion of the free-form narration. A first indicator that indicates a first linkage between the first fact and the first portion of the free-form narration may be provided to a user. A second indicator, different from the first indicator, that indicates a second linkage between the second fact and the second portion of the free-form narration may also be provided to the user. |
| US08788284B2 |
Method and system using combined healthcare-payment device and web portal for receiving patient medical information
Embodiments of systems and methods in accordance with the present invention relate to a centralized portal for making healthcare information of a patient accessible to a plurality of entities, including but not limited to the patient himself/herself, healthcare providers authorized by the patient, and healthcare payers (insurance carriers) authorized by the patient. In one embodiment, the portal comprises a website associated with a portable consumer device (such as a HSA magnetic stripe credit/debit card) of the patient, and hosted on a server accessible over the world wide web or another computer network. The patient sets a privacy level associated with his or her medical record on the host site, the privacy level granting certain entities (for example healthcare providers or insurance carriers) access to particular medical records of the patient. Upon presenting the portable consumer device to an authorized healthcare provider, medical information previously transmitted through a payment processing network may be received at the authorized healthcare provider. |
| US08788281B1 |
System and method for processing qualified healthcare account related financial transactions
This invention relates to a system and method for processing qualified healthcare account transactions (e.g., HFA, Health FSA, and HRA) and non-qualified credit card transactions within a transaction processing system. In particular, this invention relates to a multi-purse payment device associated with a transaction processing system for auto-substantiating qualified healthcare transactions. |
| US08788280B2 |
Converting medication claims to active medications
Systems and methods are provided for accessing medication claims data and converting medication claims to active medications. In one method, medication claims data corresponding with a number of medication claims is accessed. The medication claims may then be presented to a clinician, who may manually review and determine the claims that a patient may currently be taking. Accordingly, a medication claim may be selected and converted to an active medication. A clinician may wish to convert a medication claim to an active medication for record purposes, such as for interaction checking, for example, and/or may wish to convert a medication claim to an active medication to manage the medication for the patient. |
| US08788277B2 |
Apparatus and methods for processing a signal using a fixed-point operation
Apparatus and methods for processing compression encoded signals are provided. In some embodiments, a signal processing method is provided that includes receiving a subband of a compression encoded signal at a subband processor, generating envelope information regarding the subband of the compression encoded signal to provide changes in the dynamic range of the compression encoded signal for fixed-point digital signal processing, processing the compression encoded signal with a fixed-point companding digital signal processor using the envelope information, and producing a processed compression encoded signal at the output of the subband processor. |
| US08788276B2 |
Apparatus and method for calculating bandwidth extension data using a spectral tilt controlled framing
An apparatus for calculating bandwidth extension data of an audio signal in a bandwidth extension system, in which a first spectral band is encoded with a first number of bits and a second spectral band different from the first spectral band is encoded with a second number of bits, the second number of bits being smaller than the first number of bits, has a controllable bandwidth extension parameter calculator for calculating bandwidth extension parameters for the second frequency band in a frame-wise manner for a sequence of frames of the audio signal. Each frame has a controllable start time instant. The apparatus additionally includes a spectral tilt detector for detecting a spectral tilt in a time portion of the audio signal and for signaling the start time instant for the individual frames of the audio signal depending on spectral tilt. |
| US08788271B2 |
Controlling user interfaces with contextual voice commands
One or more voice-enabled user interfaces include a user interface, and a voice extension module associated with the user interface. The voice extension module is configured to voice-enable the user interface and includes a speech recognition engine, a preprocessor, and an input handler. The preprocessor registers with the speech recognition engine one or more voice commands for signaling for execution of one or more semantic operations that may be performed using a first user interface. The input handler receives a first voice command and communicates with the preprocessor to execute a semantic operation that is indicated by the first voice command. The first voice command is one of the voice commands registered with the speech recognition engine by the preprocessor. |
| US08788269B2 |
Satisfying specified intent(s) based on multimodal request(s)
Techniques are described herein that are capable of satisfying specified intent(s) based on multimodal request(s). A multimodal request is a request that includes at least one request of a first type and at least one request of a second type that is different from the first type. Example types of request include but are not limited to a speech request, a text command, a tactile command, and a visual command. A determination is made that one or more entities in visual content are selected in accordance with an explicit scoping command from a user. In response, speech understanding functionality is automatically activated, and audio signals are automatically monitored for speech requests from the user to be processed using the speech understanding functionality. |
| US08788267B2 |
Multi-purpose contextual control
A method and a system for activating functions including a first function and a second function, wherein the system is embedded in an apparatus, are disclosed. The system includes a control configured to be activated by a plurality of activation styles, wherein the control generates a signal indicative of a particular activation style from multiple activation styles; and controller configured to activate either the first function or the second function based on the particular activation style, wherein the first function is configured to be executed based only on the activation style, and wherein the second function is further configured to be executed based on a speech input. |
| US08788265B2 |
System and method for babble noise detection
A method, device, system, and computer program product calculate a gradient index as a sum of magnitudes of gradients of speech signals from a received frame at each change of direction; and provide an indication that the frame contains babble noise if the gradient index, energy information, and background noise level exceed pre-determined thresholds or a voice activity detector algorithm and sound level indicate babble noise. |
| US08788264B2 |
Audio encoding method, audio decoding method, audio encoding device, audio decoding device, program, and audio encoding/decoding system
An audio encoding device (1A) corrects initial gain information calculated for an arbitrary frame, based on gain information of a stored past frame, thereby calculating gain information to be used in the frame. The audio encoding device (1A) encodes the calculated gain information as a difference from the gain information of the past frame. An audio decoding device (3A) receives the differential gain, and calculates the gain of the arbitrary frame based on the gain used in the past frame, thereby generating a decoded audio signal. |
| US08788261B2 |
Method and system for analyzing text
An apparatus for providing a control input signal for an industrial process or technical system having one or more controllable elements includes elements for generating a semantic space for a text corpus, and elements for generating a norm from one or more reference words or texts, the or each reference word or text being associated with a defined respective value on a scale, and the norm being calculated as a reference point or set of reference points in the semantic space for the or each reference word or text with its associated respective scale value. Elements for reading at least one target word included in the text corpus, elements for predicting a value of a variable associated with the target word based on the semantic space and the norm, and elements for providing the predicted value in a control input signal to the industrial process or technical system. A method for predicting a value of a variable associated with a target word is also disclosed together with an associated system and computer readable medium. |
| US08788260B2 |
Generating snippets based on content features
Systems, methods, and computer storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that facilitate generation of snippets. In embodiments, text features within a keyword-sentence window are identified. The text features are utilized to determine break features that indicate favorability of breaking at a particular location of the keyword-sentence window. The break features are used to recognize features of partial snippets such that a snippet score to indicate the strength of the partial snippet can be calculated. Snippet scores associated with partial snippets are compared to select an optimal snippet, that is, the snippet having the highest snippet score. |
| US08788256B2 |
Multiple language voice recognition
Computer implemented speech processing generates one or more pronunciations of an input word in a first language by a non-native speaker of the first language who is a native speaker of a second language. The input word is converted into one or more pronunciations. Each pronunciation includes one or more phonemes selected from a set of phonemes associated with the second language. Each pronunciation is associated with the input word in an entry in a computer database. Each pronunciation in the database is associated with information identifying a pronunciation language and/or a phoneme language. |
| US08788253B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing haptic feedback in interacting with virtual pets
Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for providing haptic feedback to a user interacting with a simulated (or “virtual”) pet, so as to enhance the realism of the user's relationship with the virtual pet. In one embodiment, a method of providing haptic feedback to a user interacting with a virtual pet comprises: receiving a signal relating to a biological status of the virtual pet, and outputting a haptic effect based on the received signal on a user. |
| US08788249B2 |
Gyrocompass modeling and simulation system (GMSS) and method thereof
A Modeling, Design, Analysis, Simulation, and Evaluation (MDASE) aspects of gyrocompassing in relation to Far-Target Location (FTL) systems include a Gyrocompass Modeling and Simulation System (GMSS). The GMSS has four major components: the 6 degree-of-freedom (6DOF) Motion Simulator, the IMU Sensor Simulator, the Gyrocompass System and Calibration Process Simulator, and the Gyrocompass System Evaluation and Analysis Module. The modular architecture of GMSS makes it very flexible for programming, testing, and system maintenance. The realization of the GMSS can be based on any computer platforms for the GMSS software is written in high level language and is portable. The stochastic signal analysis and sensor testing and modeling tools comprise a suite of generic statistical analysis software, including Allan Variance and power spectral density (PSD) analysis tools, which are available to every GMSS module and greatly enhanced the system functionality. |
| US08788245B2 |
Systems and methods for actively biasing a loadpin
Systems and methods for actively biasing a loadpin. The systems include, for example, a power shovel positioning module, a loadpin bias module, and an active bias determination module. The power shovel positioning module is configured to determine the position of one or more components of an industrial machine. The loadpin bias module is configured to generate a signal associated with a vector quantity (e.g., having a magnitude and a direction) which can be used to describe the force applied to the loadpin in both an x-direction and a y-direction. The active bias determination module is configured to determine whether the industrial machine is in a proper state or condition to actively bias the loadpin, and determine loadpin bias values during the operation of the industrial machine when the industrial machine is in the proper condition for loadpin biasing. |
| US08788244B2 |
Systems and methods for global voltage security assessment in power systems
Systems and methods for global voltage security assessment in power systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for assessing voltage security in a power system having a number (i) of buses includes capturing a change in bus voltage and a change in line reactive power for at least some of the buses in the power system, for each of the i number of buses, calculating a voltage assessment index) (Γi) for as follows: Γ i = ∑ j Δ Q ij Δ V i where ΔVi is the change in bus voltage and ΔQij is the change in line reactive power from a connection j over a predetermined period of time. The method further includes assessing a current voltage security status of the power system based on the calculated voltage assessment index (Γi). |
| US08788240B2 |
Monitoring method of vertical displacement and vertical deflection change of building construction elements, especially of the roof, and a system for realization of this method
The invention relates to a monitoring method of vertical displacement of selected points of building construction elements, especially roof construction elements or their parts, and vertical deflection change in these points, wherein a distance, preferably vertical, between each of monitored points of construction elements and the stable elements or stable floor is measured, and then a value of vertical displacement of each monitored point, which occurred from the moment of monitoring initiation, is calculated, and then for each monitored construction element the value of vertical deflection change in the monitored point is calculated. The invention relates also to a system for monitoring of vertical displacement of monitored points as well as vertical deflection change in these points of building construction elements. |
| US08788239B2 |
Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to test batch configurations
Example methods, apparatus and articles to test batch configurations are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes identifying, using a processor, an execution path through a batch configuration of a process control system, generating a test plan for the execution path, stimulating the process control system to execute the test plan, and recording a result of the test plan. |
| US08788237B2 |
Methods and apparatus for hybrid outlier detection
Methods and apparatus for data analysis according to various aspects of the present invention are configured to identify statistical outliers in test data for components, including hybrid outliers representing outliers within subsets of larger data populations. A method and apparatus according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a test system having a tester, such as automatic test equipment (ATE) for testing semiconductors. |
| US08788236B2 |
Systems and methods for medical device testing
The systems and methods for testing a medical device, as described herein, provide a novel approach for determining if the medical device is functioning properly without having to connect the medical device to a patient. For example, these systems and methods test the functionality of a medical device without utilizing an artificial lung or controlling pressure and flow monitored by the medical device and without making any hardware changes to the medical device. |
| US08788235B2 |
Method for diagnosing an actuator for a boost pressure system of an internal combustion engine
A method for diagnosing an actuator for a boost pressure system of an internal combustion engine, in which the actuator is controlled using a triggering signal, and a state variable of the boost pressure system which is at least an indirect function of the triggering signal is detected. The triggering signal is periodic, and a curve of the values of the state variable is analyzed with regard to at least one periodic characteristic. |
| US08788233B2 |
Diagnostic system and method for a thermistor amplifier circuit
A diagnostic system and a diagnostic method for a thermistor amplifier circuit are provided. The system includes a transistor electrically coupled to a controllable variable resistor having a predetermined resistance. The transistor applies a test voltage signal to the circuit indicative of a first temperature value. An amplitude of the test voltage value is indicative of a simulated thermistor temperature value. The microprocessor determines a test temperature value based on the amplitude of an output voltage of the circuit. The microprocessor also determines an inaccuracy value based on the test temperature value and the simulated thermistor temperature value. |
| US08788232B2 |
Altitude estimation apparatus, altitude estimation method, and program
An information processing apparatus that acquires estimated altitude data corresponding to a position based on detection information detected by a sensor at or near the position, and corrects altitude data associated with the position based on the estimated altitude data. |
| US08788224B2 |
Virtual machine placement for minimizing total energy cost in a datacenter
Techniques for virtual machine placement in a datacenter are provided. The techniques include using one or more server power characteristics to determine a power cost for any given virtual machine placement in the datacenter, using a heat profile of one or more datacenter components in relation to one or more cooling resources in the datacenter to determine cooling cost for any given virtual machine placement in the datacenter, and using the power cost and cooling cost to apply integrated energy cost minimization at one or more levels of hierarchy in the datacenter to determine placement of a virtual machine in the datacenter such that the integrated energy cost of the datacenter is minimized. |
| US08788222B2 |
Detection of pipeline contaminants
A computer-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product detects contaminants in a pipe that is transporting a known fluid. A baseline vibration pattern is established from readings generated by a smart sensor that is affixed to the pipe. This baseline vibration pattern is caused by a flow of the known fluid as the known fluid travels through the pipe in an unadulterated form. Subsequent readings from the smart sensor are taken to generate a new vibration pattern. In response to the new vibration pattern being different, beyond a predefined range, from the baseline vibration pattern, the new vibration pattern is matched to a known vibration pattern in order to identify a specific contaminant of the known fluid. |
| US08788221B2 |
Cable pull calculator
A cable pull calculator may be provided. First, wire number data, a wire type, and size data may be received. Next, a minimum conduit size for the conduit maybe calculated based upon the received wire number data indicating the number of wires to be placed in the conduit and the received size data corresponding to each of the wires to be placed in the conduit. Then, the calculated minimum conduit size may be displayed. Next, a first desired conduit size, a conduit type, and pull information indicating a course of the conduit may be received. Then, for each of the plurality of segments, a tension value and a sidewall pressure value may be calculated based at least on the conduit type, the first desired conduit size, the received wire type, and the received size data. The calculated tension value and the calculated sidewall pressure value may then be displayed. |
| US08788211B2 |
Method and system for comparing tissue ablation or abrasion data to data related to administration of a frozen particle composition
Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to compositions, methods, devices, systems, and products regarding frozen particles. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles include materials at low temperatures. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles provide vehicles for delivery of particular agents. In certain embodiments, the frozen particles are administered to at least one biological tissue. |
| US08788209B2 |
Determining fluid rate and phase information for a hydrocarbon well using predictive models
A method of determining rate and phase of fluid produced from or injected into a hydrocarbon well includes obtaining first temperature and pressure measurements from sensors at the well. The first temperature and pressure measurements are applied to a plurality of predictive well models to calculate an estimated value of fluid rate and phase composition from each of the predictive well models responsive to the temperature and pressure measurements. A first fluid rate and phase composition result is derived from the estimate value of fluid rate and phase composition from each of the predictive well models. |
| US08788207B2 |
Precise borehole geometry and BHA lateral motion based on real time caliper measurements
Disclosed is a method for estimating a geometry of a borehole penetrating the earth. The method includes: performing a plurality of borehole caliper measurements with N transducers at a plurality of times, wherein for each time a measurement set comprises measurements made by the N transducers at that time; dividing a cross-section of the borehole into S sectors; obtaining an estimate of the borehole geometry by connecting representative radius points in adjacent sectors; displacing each measurement set according to a displacement vector related to an offset of each measurement set from the estimated geometry if the displacement vector exceeds a selection criterion; iterating the obtaining an estimate of the borehole geometry and the displacing each measurement set based on a latest displacement vector; and providing a latest obtained estimate as the geometry of the borehole when all of the displacement vectors no longer exceed the selection criterion for the displacing. |
| US08788204B2 |
Information communication system, data providing device and in-vehicle device
An information communication system includes: an in-vehicle device for displaying a region information map, which includes a branch point, regions ahead of the branch point, and routes connecting to each region; and a data providing device for supplying a region information map display data to the in-vehicle device. The data providing device includes: a data retrieving device for retrieving the region information map display data from a data storage device; a recommended route drawing data generation device for providing a recommended route; a drawing execution element display data generation device for providing a drawing execution element; and a data transmission device. The in-vehicle device includes: a display for displaying the region information map and the drawing execution element; and a recommended route drawing device for drawing the recommended route when a user operates the drawing execution element. |
| US08788203B2 |
User-driven navigation in a map navigation tool
A map navigation tool presents directions using a map navigation user interface that simplifies navigation in various ways. In particular, a user-driven navigation model simplifies user interaction with the map navigation tool. For example, the map navigation tool identifies an upcoming list item among multiple list items of a list of directions for a route. The map navigation tool receives a user input event. For example, the user input event represents a tap on a touchscreen of the computing device, voice input to a microphone of the computing device, or button or keystroke input to the computing device. Responsive to the user input event, the map navigation tool outputs an indication of the upcoming list item. |
| US08788202B2 |
Navigation devices
A method of creating map data including search acceleration data arranged to increase the speed at which a route can be planned across an electronic map comprising a plurality of navigable segments, each navigable segment representing a segment of a navigable route in the area covered by the map. |
| US08788199B2 |
Transport using geolocation
A system comprises a delivery application executing on a processor of a delivery device. The application communicates a message indicating a problem associated with locating a destination site for a user. The system further comprises a user application executing on a processor of a user device. The user application communicates a message confirming that the user device is located at the destination site, and communicates geocoordinates of the destination site. The system further comprises a vendor server communicatively coupled to the processor of the delivery device and the processor of the user device. The vendor server communicates with the user application to receive the geocoordinates of the destination site. The vendor server further communicates the geocoordinates of the destination site to the delivery application. |
| US08788198B2 |
Data management system and method for updating data
Systems and methods store information data in an information data frame, including retrieval keys, and store pertinent data specifying the information data in a pertinent data frame for each individual category specified by the retrieval keys. The systems and methods receive an updating file containing updating information data for updating information data subject to update. The systems and methods extract the information data subject to update from the information data frame and update the extracted information data with the updating information data contained in the received updating file. The systems and methods extract the pertinent data in a category specified by a retrieval key contained in the information data subject to update from the pertinent data frame and update the extracted pertinent data with the updating information data contained in the updating file. |
| US08788194B2 |
Navigation server and navigation system
Disclosed is a navigation system which creates “environment contribution information” in accordance with a deviation (δ(k)) between the total cost (C1(k)) of a first route (RT1(k)) which is searched by using a traffic information indicating the amount of cost required to pass through each link and the total cost (C2(k)) of a second route (RT2(k)) which is searched without using the traffic information. The traffic information used in searching the first route (RT1(k)) to a target position (TP(k)) of a vehicle (2) is used in searching a route to a shared target position by a navigation device (200). |
| US08788193B2 |
Tracking activity, velocity, and heading using sensors in mobile devices or other systems
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for tracking a mobile device using sensors within the device and without using external signals to determine location, velocity, or heading. According to one embodiment, locating and tracking a mobile device can comprise reading sensor data from each of a plurality of sensors within the mobile device. The sensors can provide the sensor data without relying on a signal from a device external to the mobile device. For example, the plurality of sensors can comprise a compass, a gyroscope, and an accelerometer. Motion, velocity, and heading of the mobile device can be determined based on the sensor data. |
| US08788191B1 |
Method and apparatus for using in-home power lines to support low power wireless sensors and to extend the range of low-power wireless devices
Disclosed is a system that uses existing power line infrastructure in a building as a distributed reception antenna capable of receiving signals from very low-power wireless sensors, thus allowing these sensors to be detected at ranges that are otherwise impractical with over-the-air reception. Also disclosed is a wireless sensor platform that is able to be sensed throughout a building with very low current draw. The disclosed technique may also be utilized to extend the range of mid-frequency consumer electronic devices by leveraging the power line as a reception antenna. |
| US08788187B2 |
Airport taxiway navigation system
A method and system for providing taxiway navigational information to a crewmember of an airplane taxiing at an airport. An airport taxiway navigation system (“ATNS”) that executes on an onboard computer system that displays a map of the taxiways of an airport, receives the name of each taxiway of the taxi route specified by the taxi clearance, and highlights the taxiways on a displayed map to provide a visual indication of the cleared taxi route for the crewmembers. |
| US08788185B2 |
Method and system for estimating traffic information by using integration of location update events and call events
A method and system for estimating traffic information by using integration of location update events and call events uses a sample capturing and analyzing device to associate location area update (LAU) and call sample data of a plurality of mobile users. The sample data at least includes at least one LAU event of at least one mobile user of the plurality of mobile users, and call arrival (CA) or call completion (CC) events of at least one call. Based on the sample data, a computation device is used to determine the location information and time information of the at least one LAU event and the CA or CC event of the at least one call, and estimate traffic information of one or more designated roads according to the location information and time information. |
| US08788183B2 |
Engine idle speed control system and method for vehicular gear
An engine idle speed control system and a method for a vehicular gear are provided. The system includes an electronic controller, an engine connected to an ignition unit and a fuel supply unit, a battery, a starter switch connected to the battery, and a starter motor connected to the starter switch. The engine has a gear mechanism and a clutch which is connected to a clutch lever. The electronic controller is connected to a vehicle speed sensor, a throttle position sensor, and an engine revolution speed sensor. The clutch lever with a node switch provides a lever node control signal, the gear mechanism with a gear node switch provides a gear node control signal, and the electronic controller is connected to the node switch of the clutch lever and the gear node switch of the gear mechanism, so as to control automatic idle speed stop and start of the engine. |
| US08788181B2 |
Bi-fuel and dual-fuel automotive combustible gas detection apparatus and method
An apparatus and method are disclosed for detecting a combustible fuel leakage into the cabin of a bi-fuel or dual-fuel vehicle. The apparatus comprises a box affixed inside the cabin of a bi-fuel vehicle which alerts a driver to the presence of a combustible fuel inside the cabin using an audible alarm and flashing lights, and which then either disables the vehicle or switches the fuel powering the vehicle's engine to gasoline. Certain embodiments of the present invention include substitute means of generating and transmitting alerts to drivers, as well as of manipulating vehicle function. |
| US08788179B2 |
Emission deterioration informing device
An emission deterioration informing device senses actual injection timing, at which fuel injection is actually performed from an injector. The device calculates a deviation amount of the sensed actual injection timing from target injection timing. The device has a warning light for informing deterioration of exhaust emission when the calculated deviation amount is larger than a predetermined threshold value. The device determines whether an operation state of an internal combustion engine is an impact state, in which the exhaust emission receives a predetermined influence or more from the deviation of the actual injection timing from the target injection timing. The device allows lighting of the warning light when the operation state is determined to be the impact state. The device prohibits the lighting of the warning light when the operation state is not determined to be the impact state. |
| US08788178B2 |
Engine auto stop and auto start strategies
An automotive vehicle includes an engine and at least one controller. The at least one controller receives information about steering angle velocity or steering input torque during an engine auto stop event, and determines whether to allow the engine to auto stop based on the received information. |
| US08788174B2 |
Method for increasing active duration time of an automatic freewheeling function in a vehicle
A method for increasing active duration time of an automatic freewheeling function in a vehicle with cruise control and during a cruise control active period is provided. The function includes an arrangement for determining a vehicle set speed (Vset speed) for when the function is allowed to be activated and arrangement for calculating a predetermined allowable vehicle speed drop to a first under speed value (Vunderspeed) below the vehicle set speed (Vset speed). The function is controlled based on said under speed value, in order to extend active duration time of the function. |
| US08788173B2 |
Fuel saver speed control
Embodiments of the invention are used to provide a Fuel Saver Speed Control (FSSC) system that facilitates vehicle speed control while maximizing fuel economy. For instance, when the vehicle traverses an uphill section of the road, the Fuel Saver Speed Control reduces the vehicle's fuel consumption by controllably reducing engine power output within the boundaries of activated FSSC settings. |
| US08788166B1 |
Downshift controls using measured output torque
A downshift control method during a coasting drive condition includes computing changes in output torque and input speed from initial output torque and initial input speed; reducing offgoing element pressure, provided a change in input speed exceeds a reference input speed change; using closed loop control based on output torque and a change in measured output torque to adjust oncoming element pressure such that output torque remains between predetermined maximum and minimum torques; and fully engaging the oncoming element. |
| US08788159B1 |
Transmission gear shift control
A method for controlling pressure applied to a displaceable piston in a cylinder, piston displacement actuating a control element of an automatic transmission during a gearshift, includes determining whether piston displacement exceeds a free length of an isolation spring located between the piston and a friction plate of the control element; calculating the pressure using A the cross-sectional area of the piston; K a coefficient of a return spring extending between the piston and a reference position in the cylinder; x the piston displacement; F0 a pre-load of the return spring; xfree the free length of the isolation spring; and Kis a coefficient of the isolation spring; and applying the calculated pressure to the piston. |
| US08788158B2 |
Shifting device for vehicle and shifting system using the same
A shifting device for a vehicle and a shifting system using the same are provided. The shifting device for a vehicle may be connected to a transmission of the vehicle via a cable to operate the transmission. More specifically, the shifting device may include an interface module which receives an input of a shift signal, and an actuator which is connected to one end of the cable, and operates the cable according to the shift signal inputted to the interface module to operate the transmission connected to the other end of the cable. |
| US08788155B2 |
Optimized bank penetration system
A method of optimizing machine performance in a plurality of load cases may involve the steps of: Determining a maximum load case for the machine, the maximum load case involving the application of a maximum force to at least one member of the machine; determining, for each of a plurality of member joints of the machine, a maximum member joint load for the maximum load case for the machine; and operating the machine by applying a force to the at least one member of the machine in each of the plurality of load cases so as not to exceed the maximum member joint load, the applied force exceeding the maximum force during at least one of the plurality of load cases. |
| US08788154B2 |
Construction machine control method and construction machine control system
A construction machine control system comprises a laser surveying instrument for projecting N-shaped beams in rotary irradiation, a construction machine operated within a predetermined range of the N-shaped beams, and an elevation angle detecting unit. The construction machine comprises a working mechanical unit for carrying out construction operation, a machine control device for controlling the working mechanical unit, and at least three beam detectors disposed at known positions with respect to reference position of the construction machine. The beam detectors detect the three fan beams and output result of photodetection. The elevation angle detecting unit obtains elevation angles of each of the beam detectors with respect to the laser surveying instrument based on result of photodetection of three fan beams from the beam detectors. The machine control device is configured to control tilting of the working mechanical unit based on the elevation angle obtained. |
| US08788152B2 |
Method and device for actuating a door or a flap of a vehicle
In a method and a device (12) for actuating a door or flap (1) of a vehicle (10), the door or flap (1), if it is closed, is automatically opened or, if it is open, is automatically closed if a movement of an object with at least one change in direction is detected outside the vehicle (10) and at the same time a key (6) assigned to the vehicle (10) is detected. |
| US08788148B2 |
Driver assistance system and driver assistance method
Risk and/or control status are presented in such a way that the vehicle driver can easily comprehend the fact. Upon detecting risk during driving a vehicle, the vehicle is controlled and information of at least one of the risk and the status of the vehicle being controlled is presented in visual form. In addition, the driver's initiative (D) in driving the vehicle is calculated (step S2), and the visual form, in which the information is presented, is altered depending on the calculated driver's initiative (step S3). When, for example, a lane departure prevention control works, the status of restraining lane departure is presented by arrow(s) in an anti-lane-departure direction opposite to the direction of lane departure. The size (including the length and the width) and color of the arrow(s) are altered depending on the initiative (D). Here, when the initiative (D) is at a low level, the arrow(s) is set in color, for example, ‘red’ and increased in size because the risk that the tendency of lane departure may increase becomes high. |
| US08788147B2 |
Method for determining a toothed rack force for a steering device in a vehicle
Disclosed is a method for determining a toothed rack force on a steering device in a vehicle, wherein the toothed rack force (forZS) is determined as a function of a plurality of models, and wherein a component (forESM) of the toothed rack force (forZS) which relates to a driving process is generated by means of a first model, and a component of the toothed rack force (forZS) which relates to a parking process is generated by means of a second model. |
| US08788146B1 |
Adaptive active suspension system with road preview
A method for controlling an active suspension includes steps of determining a dimension of a road abnormality ahead of the vehicle and comparing the dimension with a vehicle dimension. Responsive to the comparison, the abnormality is classified as one type of a plurality of predetermined types. Responsive to a height dimension of the abnormality, the abnormality is further classified as having one of a small, medium, or large severity. The suspension is controlled responsive to the type and severity. |
| US08788144B2 |
Braking torque adjustments based on wheel slip
A method for adjusting braking in a vehicle having wheels and a regenerative braking system is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing regenerative braking torque for the vehicle via the regenerative braking system at a first level if a wheel slip of the vehicle is not present, and providing regenerative braking torque for the vehicle via the regenerative braking system at one of a plurality of modulated levels if the wheel slip is present. Each of the plurality of modulated levels is dependent on a magnitude, a location, or both, of the wheel slip. Each of the modulated levels is less than the first level. |
| US08788143B2 |
Method for testing hydraulic braking systems in vehicles
A method for testing a hydraulic braking system. The method includes activating a brake master cylinder of the braking system mechatronically, and measuring a set of measured decision ratios pertaining to the distance travelled by the piston of the brake master cylinder to the corresponding pressure developed in the brake fluid. The measured decision ratios are then compared with a set of reference decision ratios. In a case where the measured decision ratios lie within a predetermined range, it is detected that the braking system is correctly filled with the brake fluid. However, in a case where the measured decision ratios lie outside the predetermined range, it is determined that the braking system has not been correctly filled with the brake fluid and some air is present in the brake fluid flow circuit of the braking system. |
| US08788142B2 |
Method for the continuous measurement of the efficiency of a battery, especially a battery installed in motor vehicles, and a device utilizing this method
A method for the continuous measurement of the efficiency of a battery, especially a battery installed in motor vehicles, comprising the following phases: —determination of the state of charge SOC % of the battery installed in the vehicle, both during key-off phase and key-on phase, without the direct measurement of current through progressive readings of battery voltage, both in the absence and in the presence of electrical load and considering the time elapsed since the beginning of each discharge phase; —determination of the state of health SOH of the same battery through the application of a controlled current load and the comparison of the resulting voltage drop compared to predetermined parameters; —determination of the state of function SOF of said battery through an estimation of its residual autonomy in function of the discharge rate or current rate and of the evolution of SOC %; —correlation and normalization of the above described parameters (SOC, SOH, and SOF) depending on the battery operating temperature;—memorization of at least the values of initial SOC % and SOH detected during the key—off phase. |
| US08788141B2 |
Systems and methods for remote monitoring of vehicle inspections
Systems and methods for remote monitoring of vehicle inspections are provided. Using a wireless, network-enabled device, an inspection monitor may access a centralized vehicle inspection database, such as a motor vehicle administration and/or transportation department computer system tied into all the vehicle inspection stations in a jurisdiction. The inspection monitor may access the real time inspection records for a particular station and analyze the data for suspicion of fraudulent inspection practices. |
| US08788139B2 |
Multi-protocol vehicle diagnostic interface device and method
An interface device includes a processor, a memory communicating with the processor and containing indicators of vehicle operational parameters from which a user may select to set up filters, a communication module communicating with the processor, and a plurality of protocol bus modules supporting different multiple vehicle diagnostic protocols and have multiple filters for set up in correspondence with the indicators of user-selected parameters. The processor is configured to control the memory and modules to cooperate with one another to find the correct protocol out of multiple supported protocols, define the indicators of user-selected parameters by saving user-initiated filter setups, read data regarding user-selected parameters from a vehicle diagnostic communication port according to the filter setups, and output messages regarding the user-selected parameters. |
| US08788135B2 |
System, method, and computer software code for providing real time optimization of a mission plan for a powered system
A method for operating a powered system, the method including determining whether a mission plan of the powered system is correct to satisfy at least one mission objective of the powered system, if not, updating information used to establish the mission plan, revising the mission plan based on the updated information to satisfy the at least one mission objective, and operating the powered system based on the revised mission plan. A system and a computer software code for operating a powered system are also disclosed. |
| US08788134B1 |
Autonomous driving merge management system
An autonomous driving merge management system includes an autonomous driving control device and an intention decision management system. The management system includes a candidate strategy subsystem generating a plurality of candidate driving strategies, a merging vehicle behavior recognition subsystem predicting a merging intention of a merging vehicle; an intention-based interactive prediction subsystem predicting future merging scenarios between the host vehicle and merging vehicle as a function of inputs by the merging vehicle behavior recognition subsystem and inputs by the candidate strategy subsystem, and a cost function-based evaluation subsystem determining a cost for each future merging scenario generated by the intention-based interactive prediction subsystem. A processor selects a merge strategy of the host vehicle based on intention-based prediction results and cost function-based evaluation results. The autonomous driving control device applies the merge strategy to the host vehicle for allowing the merging vehicle to cooperatively merge with the host vehicle. |
| US08788132B2 |
Control device and control method for hybrid vehicle
A control system for a hybrid vehicle is provided with an abnormality detection unit, a start determination unit, and a start control unit. The abnormality detection unit detects abnormality in at least one of an engine, a first clutch, and an automatic transmission. The start determination unit determines whether or not to allow the engine to be started, and the start control unit controls to start the engine. If an abnormality has been detected by the abnormality detection unit, the start determination unit inhibits the start control unit from starting the engine, and maintains the inhibition even when the abnormality has been eliminated, when the accelerator pedal opening is larger than a predetermined value. |
| US08788126B1 |
Object symbology generating system, device, and method
A present novel and non-trivial system, device, and method for generating object symbology are disclosed. A system may be comprised one or more aircraft systems and a cockpit display system comprised of a system configuration file, a plurality of definition files, and a windows generator (“WG”). The WG may be configured to perform initialization and run-time operations. The initialization operation may be comprised of retrieving a system configuration file; retrieving a first definition file comprised of a first layer; and retrieving one or more second definition files comprised of one or more second layers. The run-time operation may be comprised of receiving a first-layer widget data set; receiving one or more second-layer widget data sets; determining the screen position of each object located within a view frustum; and generating a pixel data set in response to the determination. |
| US08788124B2 |
System and method for the calculation of the approach speed during air to air refuelling operations
Systems and methods for the calculation of the approach speed during air to air refueling maneuvers. The systems comprise: a) capturing means of a sequence of digital photograms of the approach operation scenario calibrated in order to determine the real distance corresponding to a pixel of a photogram; b) computational means configured for obtaining the coordinates of the relative trajectory of the receiver aircraft with respect of the tanker aircraft, by means of a sequence of photograms of the approach operation obtained by said capturing means and calculating the speed difference between receiver aircraft and tanker aircraft based on the trajectory defined by the coordinates recorded in said process b1). The invention also refers to the methods for calculating the approach speed. |
| US08788123B2 |
Method of assisted piloting of a rotary wing aircraft having at least one propulsion propeller, an assisted piloting device, and an aircraft
A device (10) for assisted piloting of an aircraft having a rotary wing with a plurality of second blades (3′) and a propulsion unit with a plurality of first blades (2′). The device includes control means (30, 40) for delivering a movement order (O) for moving in a direction, said device (10) having a processor unit (20) for transforming said order (O) into an acceleration setpoint (C) along said direction, and then for transforming said acceleration setpoint (C) into at least one required longitudinal attitude setpoint (θ*) that is transmitted to a first automatic system (26) for maintaining longitudinal attitude by controlling a longitudinal cyclic pitch of the second blades (3′), and into a first required load factor setpoint (Nx*) in a longitudinal direction that is transmitted to a second automatic system (25) for maintaining load factor by controlling the collective pitch of the first blades. |
| US08788119B2 |
Unmanned vehicle and system
An unmanned vehicle is provided. The unmanned vehicle includes a navigation system configured to navigate the unmanned vehicle relative to a beam of energy emitted from a beam source, a power receiver configured to receive energy from the beam, and an energy storage system configured to store received energy for use in selectively powering the unmanned vehicle. |
| US08788114B2 |
Navigation system with compliance reporting and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a navigation system includes: collecting a driving behavior for determining a driving profile of a vehicle; acquiring a compliance indicator for measuring a total usage of the vehicle; calculating a compliance level based on a monitoring usage level and the compliance indicator; generating a driving score based on the driving profile having an assessment event detected based on the driving behavior; and calculating a driving rating based on the driving score and the compliance level for displaying on a device. |
| US08788113B2 |
Vehicle driver advisory system and method
An automotive vehicle may include at least one controller configured to monitor a plurality of parameters representing a driver's dynamic control of the vehicle and to establish a reference range based on values of the monitored parameters during a first time period. The at least one controller may be further configured to detect a change in driver behavior condition when, during a second time period, a parameter derived from the monitored parameters falls outside of the reference range, and in response to detecting the change in driver behavior condition, to alter a response of the vehicle to driver inputs or to generate output representing a recommendation to alter a response of the vehicle to driver inputs. |
| US08788110B2 |
Electric power visualization method and electric power visualization device
A house uses solar light generated electric power and external commercial electric power and consumes the electric power with a household electronics load or the like. The house includes an electricity storage device and an electric power management device. The electric power management device further has a function to calculate transition of the load electric power, transition of the solar battery generated electric power, and transition of a leveled external commercial electric power during one day, classify the electric power by the power generation methods, apply a green index serving as a standardized index which is defined in advance to each power generation method to calculate an electric power green index, and display a result thereof on a display unit. |
| US08788108B2 |
Method and system for distributed power management
A method and system for distributed power management with individual IEDs in a substation are disclosed. An exemplary technique can include providing multiple IEDs in a power network in the substation and integrating an intrinsic load shedding function in each IED. The technique can include identifying a power imbalance state at an individual IED and load shedding the individual IED using an intrinsic load shedding function when a power imbalance state is identified in a coordinated manner to achieve distributed power management in the substation. |
| US08788104B2 |
Heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system with an auxiliary controller
The disclosure provides a method of starting a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, a method of manufacturing a HVAC system, a HVAC system, and an integrated controller thereof. In one embodiment, the method of starting includes: (1) receiving an initiation signal at a main system controller of the HVAC system, (2) determining if main controller application information associated with the main system controller is stored thereon, (3) querying an auxiliary controller of the HVAC system when determining the main controller application information is not stored on the main system controller, (4) sending the main controller application information to the main system controller from the auxiliary controller when the auxiliary controller includes the main controller application information and (5) initiating the HVAC system based on the initiation signal and employing the main controller application information sent to the main system controller from the auxiliary controller. |
| US08788100B2 |
System and method for zoning a distributed-architecture heating, ventilation and air conditioning network
The disclosure provides an HVAC data processing and communication network and a method of manufacturing the same. In an embodiment, the HVAC data processing and communication network includes at least one environmental sensor, at least one subnet and a subnet controller. The subnet controller is configured to discover the at least one environmental sensor, the at least one subnet and at least one damper controller. The subnet controller is further configured to set up the network for zoned operation in the event that at least two of the at least one environmental sensor are discovered. |
| US08788099B2 |
Position-based step control algorithm for a motion control system
A motion control interface device includes an FPGA configured to implement a step generation algorithm that generates step control signals for a motion device. The signals are not determined based directly on time, but instead are determined from the position of the motion device. More particularly, the step generation algorithm operates to keep track of a position fraction based on the position. The position fraction is incremented (or decremented) at each clock tick of the FPGA. The algorithm generates rising edge signals when the position fraction crosses a particular threshold value, referred to as the rising edge threshold value. Similarly, the algorithm signals direction changes when the position fraction crosses a threshold referred to as the direction change threshold value. |
| US08788098B2 |
Stochastic dynamic atmosphere
The invention concerns a lighting device for creating dynamic atmospheres, the lighting device comprising: a light source adapted to operate in a plurality of color states, the light source emitting differing colors for each color state; a controller for controlling the color state of the light source; the controller comprising a random generator to provide a transition between a previous and a subsequent state, wherein the controller is adapted to provide the transition based on probabilistic output provided by the random generator implementing a stochastic model, the probabilistic output depending on the previous color state. In addition, a method is provided for generating the stochastic model; and a method for creating dynamic atmospheres based on probabilistic output provided by the stochastic model. |
| US08788093B2 |
Human robot interactive system
A human-robot interactive system in which a robot and a human share an area for performing interactive work, the human-robot interactive system including a force sensor which is set at an end effector attached to a front end of the robot or which is set at the robot and, when a detected value of the force sensor exceeds a predetermined value, is configured to stop the robot or controlling operation of the robot so that a detected value of the force sensor becomes smaller, the system further including a limiter which limits a work area of said human so as to prevent contact by the human with the first robot portion of the robot that is positioned further from the human than a set position of the force sensor during operation even when the robot approaches the human. |
| US08788089B2 |
Unloading system
A unloading system for unloading a first workpiece and a second workpiece hanged on different sides of a rack from the rack, the unloading system includes a transferring mechanism, a sliding rod, a rotating assembly, at least two robot arms, at least two unloading mechanisms, and a controller. The transferring mechanism includes a worktable, a transferring assembly mounted on the worktable; and a clamping assembly movably mounted on the transferring assembly. The sliding rod is arranged parallel to a transferring direction of the transferring assembly. The rotating assembly is slidably hanged on the sliding rod and connected to the rack. The at least two robot arms are separately arranged adjacent to the worktable and equipped with sensors. The at least two unloading mechanisms are respectively assembled to the at least two robot arms. |
| US08788088B2 |
Production system, processed object manufacturing method, and container transferring method
The production system includes: an item feeding device having transfer mechanisms provided alongside and respectively transferring containers each storing an item to item feeding positions; a carrier device holding and carrying the container and the item at the feeding position; and a control device making: the item feeding device operate to select only one of the transfer mechanisms and to transfer the container of the selected transfer mechanism to the feeding position; the carrier device operate to hold the item from the container transferred to the feeding position and to carry the item to a transfer position; and the carrier device operate to hold the container transferred to the feeding position and to carry the container from the feeding position to a transfer position over an item feeding position for a different one of the transfer mechanisms. |
| US08788083B2 |
Compensation for process variables in a numerically-controlled machining operation
A method of machining a work part in a numerically-controlled machining process with a selected tool, includes steps of inspecting actual geometric parameters of the selected tool and predicting cutting forces and this tool deflections based on given tool/part engagement conditions and pre-measured static stiffness of the selected tool, then modifying a tool path of the numerically-controlled machining process to compensate for the predicted tool deflections, and finally machining the work part to a desired profile by use of the selected tool to follow the modified tool path. |
| US08788082B2 |
Method and a system for executing a scheduled production process
A method and a system execute a scheduled production process having an execution duration within a production schedule executed by a manufacturing execution system. The method includes defining within the production process a resource required for the execution of the production process and defining for the resource a sequence-dependent setup sub-process having a setup duration, a productive sub-process and a sequence-dependent teardown sub-process. The production process is scheduled with a start-time. At a predetermined period at the start-time of the production process, the production process for dispatching and subsequent executing is confirmed. In response to the confirmation, individual production processes are created for the sequence-dependent setup sub-process, the production sub-process and the teardown sub-process. The created individual production processes are linked together by precedence constraints defining a sequence of the created individual production processes. The production schedule is rescheduled through replacing the production process by the created individual production processes. |
| US08788078B2 |
Ratings switch for portable media players
A dedicated ratings input is presented for a portable media player. The input may take the form of a physical switch or pre-identified movements recorded by an accelerometer. Movement of the switch into one of the two positions sets a rating for the currently playing media file. The physical ratings switch is not used during the playing of media files for any purpose other than the rating of media files. This allows the user to alter the rating by moving the switch without requiring any visual interaction with the portable media player. Audio feedback is provided when the switch is used to change the ratings of the media files. |
| US08788073B2 |
Athlete service platform supporting augmented views
An athlete service platform implemented by a server system receives a request for athletic performance information from a client computing device via a communications network. The request is initiated at an athlete-user interface of the client computing device. The server system attributes an athlete-user account of the plurality of athlete-user accounts to the request for the athletic performance information. The server system generates an augmented view of the athletic performance information based on the athlete-user account. The augmented view includes a first indicator defining a first sub-set of the performance information associated with the athlete-user account. The augmented view further includes a second indicator defining a second sub-set of the performance information associated with one or more related athlete-user accounts of the plurality of athlete user accounts. The one or more related athlete user accounts have a predefined relationship to the athlete-user account attributed to the request. |
| US08788070B2 |
Automatic field device service adviser
A field device resident algorithm receives one or more diagnostic inputs and generates actionable service information. The algorithm(s) can be changed or updated after the manufacture of the field device. The actionable service information can be displayed locally or sent over a process control loop. A prediction engine can be employed to determine a period within which such service should be completed. |
| US08788065B2 |
Method and apparatus for renal neuromodulation
A method is provided for renal neuromodulation. One step of the method includes providing an expandable support member having a cuff-like configuration and including a main body portion (MBP). The MBP includes a lumen for engaging a wall of a blood vessel including a portion of a renal vasculature. At least one electrode connected with the MBP is arranged to selectively deliver electric current to a desired location. An insulative material is attached to at least a portion of the MBP. Next, the MBP is implanted extravascularly so that the MBP is in direct contact with a portion of the renal vasculature. At least one electrode is positioned substantially adjacent a desired location where modulation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is effective to alter renal function. Electric current is then delivered to the at least one electrode to effect a change in the SNS. |
| US08788062B2 |
Polymer compression joining in implantable lead
Implantable medical leads and methods of forming such leads are disclosed. An implantable medical lead includes a lead body, a swage base coupled to the lead body, and a polymeric member interposed at least in part between the swage base and at least one rigid component of the lead such as an electrode or annular ring. The swage base includes an annular-shaped body including a flange having a number of protrusions that extend radially outward from the flange. During a swaging process, the protrusions on the flange are compressed against the polymeric member, forming a number of channels in the member that mechanically bond the member to the swage base. |
| US08788060B2 |
Tissue treatment systems with high powered functional electrical stimulation and methods for reducing pain during tissue treatments
Methods, apparatus, and systems for transcutaneously treating tissue located beneath a skin surface with electromagnetic energy delivered from a treatment electrode. A portion of the treatment electrode is contacted with the skin surface. While maintaining the contact between the portion of the treatment electrode and the skin surface, the electromagnetic energy is delivered from the treatment electrode in a plurality of power pulses through the skin surface to the tissue over a treatment time with a time gap between each consecutive pair of the pulses to lower a level of pain perceived by a patient. |
| US08788056B2 |
Neural stimulation system providing auto adjustment of stimulus output as a function of sensed impedance
A neural stimulation system automatically corrects or adjusts the stimulus magnitude (stimulation energy) in order to maintain a comfortable and effective stimulation therapy. Because the changes in impedance associated with the electrode-tissue interface can indicate obstruction of current flow and positional lead displacement, lead impedance can indicate the quantity of electrical stimulation energy that should be delivered to the target neural tissue to provide corrective adjustment. Hence, a change in impedance or morphology of an impedance curve may be used in a feedback loop to indicate that the stimulation energy needs to be adjusted and the system can effectively auto correct the magnitude of stimulation energy to maintain a desired therapeutic effect. |
| US08788053B2 |
Programmer for biostimulator system
A biostimulator system comprises one or more implantable devices and an external programmer configured for communicating with the implantable device or devices via bidirectional communication pathways comprising a receiving pathway that decodes information encoded on stimulation pulses generated by ones of the implantable device or devices and conducted through body tissue to the external programmer. |
| US08788050B2 |
Hearing prosthesis system having interchangeable housings
There is disclosed a hearing prosthesis comprising a first housing (11) containing a primary signal processor that receives signals output by a microphone; and a second housing (13) removably connectable to the first housing (11); wherein a user interface (14) is provided on the second housing (13) that provides control of one or more features of the operation of the primary signal processor. |
| US08788047B2 |
Systems and methods for the treatment of pain through neural fiber stimulation
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for the treatment of pain through activation of select neural fibers. The neural fibers may comprise one or more afferent neural fibers and/or one or more efferent neural fibers. If afferent fibers are stimulated, alone or in combination with efferent fibers, a therapeutically effective amount of electrical stimulation is applied to activate afferent pathways in a manner approximating natural afferent activity. The afferent fibers may be associated with primary receptors of muscle spindles, golgi tendon organs, secondary receptors of muscle spindles, joint receptors, touch receptors, and other types of mechanoreceptors and/or proprioceptors. If efferent fibers are stimulated, alone or in combination with afferent fibers, a therapeutically effective amount of electrical stimulation is applied to activate intrafusal and/or extrafusal muscle fibers, which results in an indirect activation of afferent fibers associated therewith. |
| US08788045B2 |
Tibial nerve stimulation
Apparatus and methods are described, including identifying a subject as suffering from polyneuropathy. In response to the identifying, electrodes are placed within 1 mm of a tibial nerve of the subject, the electrodes being disposed on a housing that is at least partially flexible. The electrodes are driven to treat the polyneuropathy by driving a current into the tibial nerve. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08788043B2 |
Minimally invasive methods for locating an optimal location for deep brain stimulation
Methods of locating an optimal site within a brain of a patient for deep brain stimulation include positioning a guiding cannula in a lumen of a main cannula, passing a microelectrode through a lumen of the guiding cannula into the brain, adjusting an insertion depth and a longitudinal angle of the guiding cannula such that the microelectrode locates the optimal site for the deep brain stimulation, and passing a distal end of a macroelectrode or a deep brain stimulation lead through the lumen of the main cannula and into the brain at the optimal site. |
| US08788042B2 |
Apparatus and method for optimized stimulation of a neurological target
A preferred frequency is identified, being usable to stimulate a neurological target within a mammalian body using at least one microelectrode positioned at or near the target. To establish efficient and effective stimulation, an impedance analyzer is provided for measuring electrical impedance values indicative of a microelectrode-tissue interface across a range of different frequencies. A preferred one of the measured electrical impedance values is identified as being closest to a pure resistance. The neurological target can then be stimulated at or near the frequency associated with the preferred impedance value (peak resistance frequency), thereby promoting desirable traits, such as optimum charge transfer, minimum signal distortion, increased stimulation efficiency, and prevention of microelectrode corrosion. The peak resistance frequency can be used to determine an preferred pulse shape. A target can be identified by microelectrode measurements of neuronal activity and/or impedance magnitude at peak resistance frequency. |
| US08788041B2 |
Methods and compositions for treating a disease condition in a subject
Methods for treating a disease condition in a subject are provided. The subject methods are characterizing by enhancing at least one symptom of the disease condition in a manner effective to cause the subject to mount a compensatory response effective to treat the disease condition. Also provided are compositions, kits and systems for practicing the subject methods. |
| US08788037B2 |
Device, method, and system for neural modulation as vaccine adjuvant in a vertebrate subject
A method for enhancing an immune response in a vertebrate subject is described. The method includes providing at least one energy stimulus configured to modulate one or more nervous system components of the vertebrate subject, and administering one or more immunogen to the vertebrate subject, wherein the at least one energy stimulus and the one or more immunogen are provided in a combination and in a temporal sequence sufficient to enhance an immune response in the vertebrate subject. |
| US08788035B2 |
Leadless cardiac pacemaker triggered by conductive communication
A leadless cardiac pacemaker configured for implantation in electrical contact with a left ventricular cardiac chamber and configured for leadless triggered left-ventricular pacing for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in response to conducted signals from a pulse generator. |
| US08788032B2 |
Method and circuitry for measurement of stimulation current
A method and device for measuring and controlling stimulation current, for example in an implantable device, are disclosed. A series capacitor (Cb) is disposed along the conduction path, and the voltage (Uc) across the capacitor measured, so as to provide a direct measurement of the delivered stimulation current. |
| US08788027B2 |
Method and system for detecting and treating junctional rhythms
An implantable medical device is provided for detecting transportless ventricular rhythm of a heart lacking atrial transport and comprises a housing, sensors configured to be located proximate to a heart, a sensing module to sense cardiac signals representative of a rhythm originating from the heart and a rhythm detection module. The rhythm detection module determines a change in AV association and identifies a potential ventricular complex with loss of atrial transport (VCLAT) based on the change in AV association. |
| US08788021B1 |
Live being optical analysis system and approach
Analysis of live beings is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a light-directing arrangement such as an endoscope is mounted to a live being. Optics in the light-directing arrangement are implemented to pass source light (e.g., laser excitation light) into the live being, and to pass light from the live being for detection thereof. The light from the live being may include, for example, photons emitted in response to the laser excitation light (i.e., fluoresced). The detected light is then used to detect a characteristic of the live being. |
| US08788015B2 |
Method of rapidly visualizing essential neural pathways
A method of optimizing pre-operative procedures in the field of neurosurgery. The method facilitates the identification of essential fiber tract pathways that must be avoided when planning and performing an operation, thereby increasing surgical safety and avoiding complications. The method includes the combined use of four variables in Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)-Fiber Tracking (FT) of projection fibers in the brain. These variables include Jain-Brem™ fractional anisotropy constant for tractography (JB-FACT), Jain-Brem™ fiber length (JB-FL), subcentimeter size placement of regions of interest (ROI), and the placement of ROIs to cover the anatomical pathway of projection fibers. JB-FACT and JB-FL provide rapid, reproducible tracking for projection fibers in the brain. |
| US08788014B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, bed device for magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and table top of bed device for magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
A number of C-FRP molded material sections that are elongated and made from a carbon fiber reinforced plastic are placed parallel to each other. The C-FRP molded material sections are insulated from each other by honeycomb material sections that are made from an insulating and nonmagnetic material. The C-FRP molded material sections and the honeycomb material sections are maintained by a glass fiber layer into a sheet plate shape. |
| US08788007B2 |
Transcutaneous analyte sensor
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host. |
| US08788006B2 |
System and methods for processing analyte sensor data
Systems and methods for processing sensor analyte data, including initiating calibration, updating calibration, evaluating clinical acceptability of reference and sensor analyte data, and evaluating the quality of sensor calibration. During initial calibration, the analyte sensor data is evaluated over a period of time to determine stability of the sensor. The sensor may be calibrated using a calibration set of one or more matched sensor and reference analyte data pairs. The calibration may be updated after evaluating the calibration set for best calibration based on inclusion criteria with newly received reference analyte data. Fail-safe mechanisms are provided based on clinical acceptability of reference and analyte data and quality of sensor calibration. Algorithms provide for optimized prospective and retrospective analysis of estimated blood analyte data from an analyte sensor. |
| US08788005B1 |
System and method for non-invasive monitoring of cerebral tissue hemodynamics
A method and system are provided which are useful for the non-invasive determination and monitoring of cerebral blood oxygenation in a patient. The system comprises a first module for optically generating at least first and second internal jugular venous output signals against time at at least first and second wavelengths of light; and a second module for generating first and second cardiac arterial output signals at the first and second wavelengths of light, respectively. The system may additionally include a third module for optically generating at least first and second external jugular venous output signals against time at at least first and second wavelengths of light, and one or more cerebral modules for optically generating at least first and second local cerebral output signals against time at at least first and second wavelengths of light. The system includes a signal processing means adapted to calculate average cerebral, arterial, venous scalp and local cerebral blood oxygenation values based on the output from each of the modules. |
| US08788004B2 |
Method for spectrophotometric blood oxygenation monitoring
A method and apparatus for non-invasively determining the blood oxygenation within a subject's tissue is provided that utilizes a near infrared spectrophotometric (NIRS) sensor capable of transmitting a light signal into the tissue of a subject and sensing the light signal once it has passed through the tissue via transmittance or reflectance. |
| US08787995B2 |
Portable device
A portable device according to the present invention includes a first unit including a guide member extending in a sliding direction, and a second unit including a sliding member that slides in a groove of the guide member. The first unit includes a protruding section in a second unit side, the protruding section extending in the sliding direction, and the second unit includes a hollow section in a place corresponding to the protruding section of the first unit. Further, at least part of the guide member is formed in the protruding section and formed in such a manner that the part of the guide member gets into the hollow section formed in the second unit. As a result, the thickness of the portable device can be reduced even when the portable device includes a sliding mechanism. |
| US08787988B2 |
Power management for wireless direct link
Disclosed herein are exemplary techniques for managing power in a direct wireless link between two wireless devices. The present invention provides at least three direct link power management techniques: Fast Resumption Mode (FRM) wherein the direct link is resumed automatically at a specified timing synchronization function (TSF); Slow Resumption Mode (SRM) wherein the direct link may be resumed by sending a Resume-Request via the access point; and Reverse Polling (RP), wherein one peer station of the direct link is continually awake and the other peer station uses reverse polling to start a service period. Thus, a method for power management of a direct wireless link between two wireless devices is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of establishing a direct wireless link between the first wireless device and the second wireless device; transmitting, from a first wireless device, a frame having a time value; receiving, at the second wireless device, the frame from the first wireless device; suspending the direct wireless link a duration determined based on the time value; and resuming the direct wireless link at a time determined based on the time value. |
| US08787985B2 |
Screen capture method of mobile communication terminal
Disclosed is a method of extracting and processing screen information outputted through a display of a mobile communication terminal, in which an output screen of the mobile communication terminal is extracted and merged with a previously stored device image, and an image data synthesizing the outer appearance of the mobile communication terminal and an output image is created and stored. An image combining an output screen and an outer appearance of the mobile communication terminal is created and stored in capturing a display screen of the mobile communication terminal. |
| US08787983B2 |
Mobile terminal and control method thereof
A mobile terminal and a method of controlling the mobile terminal are provided. The mobile terminal includes a display configured to display a display area including one or more items, and a controller configured to set one or more virtual areas adjacent to the display area, wherein the one or more virtual areas have different attributes from an attribute of the display area, and configured to change and display at least one item selected from the one or more items depending on an attribute of at least one virtual area of the one or more virtual areas. |
| US08787980B2 |
Glass substrate of cover glass for portable electronic device, image display unit for portable electronic device, portable electronic device and method of manufacturing glass substrate of cover glass for portable electronic device
The present invention provides a glass substrate of a cover glass for a portable electronic device. The glass substrate includes a front face, a back face and an edge face. The edge face is at least partially formed by means of an etching treatment. A compressive stress layer, formed by means of an ion-exchanging method, is disposed on each of the front and back faces of the glass substrate. The compressive stress layer has the same thickness both in a planar-directional center part thereof and in a planar-directional end part thereof on each of the front and back faces of the glass substrate. |
| US08787977B2 |
Method of controlling dialing modes in a vehicle
A dialing mode of a telematics unit in a vehicle is controlled by monitoring for dialing digits from a vehicle occupant, determining whether the type of dialing digits are continuous dialing digits or discrete dialing digits, establishing a continuous mode for receiving continuous dialing digits or a discrete mode for receiving discrete dialing digits based on the determination, and if the type of dialing digits changes, switching the established mode. |
| US08787975B2 |
Antenna system with individually addressable elements in dense array
A method and system for capturing, storing, and streaming over the air broadcasts based on user requests is disclosed. The system and method utilize subarrays of antenna elements for receiving over the air broadcasts. Processing pipelines are used to demodulate, transcode and index the content transmissions to produce content data that are streamed to users. In this way, the feeds from antennas can be accessed by users over a network connection. |
| US08787972B2 |
Electronic device and method for managing commands
In a method for managing commands of an electronic device, a command queue is generated at a radio interface layer (RIL) of the electronic device. The method sets a buffer storage to store an identifier and command contents of each command. A received command from a telephony framework layer is stored in the command queue when the electronic device is establishing a communication link. An identifier of each command in the command queue is determined when the command queue has a command. Command contents corresponding to the determined identifier is determined when the buffer storage stores the determined identifier. The method creates first response information according to the determined command contents, and sends the first response information to the telephony framework layer. |
| US08787966B2 |
Multi-modem communication using virtual identity modules
Communication apparatus (22) includes an interface (41) to a plurality of wireless modems (42) and bonding circuitry (39), which is configured to receive multiple virtual identities in the apparatus, to load respective ones of the received virtual identities into one or more of the wireless modems, and to communicate over the air by simultaneously transmitting or receiving a data stream over at least the two or more of the wireless modems. Systems and methods for such communication are provided, as well. |
| US08787965B2 |
Service discovery in a wireless communication system
The invention relates to a method for discovering services for a wireless multimode terminal with a plurality of radio interfaces. In order to improve the efficiency of a wireless multimode terminal in terms of power consumption and user-friendliness, an indication is sent to a multimode terminal in the mobile network, the indication indicating that services may be locally available for the multimode terminal via at least one short-range wireless network. The indication is received in the multimode terminal, and information is collected, based on the indication, about services available via at least one short-range wireless network. Based on the information collected, a service list is then compiled, the list describing at least one service available locally in one or more short-range wireless networks. |
| US08787963B2 |
Mobile wireless terminal apparatus and base station search method
According to one embodiment, a mobile wireless terminal apparatus includes a first communication module, a second communication module, and a controller. The first communication module is configured to detect a beacon signal from a wireless signal transmitted from the base station to a service area, and to determine movement into a new service area and movement to an outside of the service area, based on a variation of a reception timing of the beacon signal. The second communication module is configured to receive a wireless signal transmitted from the base station and to communicate with the base station by acquiring identification information of the base station from the wireless signal. The controller is configured to activate the second communication module and cause the second communication module to acquire the identification information, when the movement to the new service area is determined by the first communication module. |
| US08787956B2 |
Timing adjustment method, user equipment, base station, and mobile communication system
In response to receiving second transmission timing adjustment information during connection processing while the user equipment is performing the connection processing to the base station based on first transmission timing adjustment information, the first transmission timing adjustment information is applied to transmission timing adjustment for transmission processing until a valid term of the first transmission timing adjustment information; and the second transmission timing adjustment information is applied to transmission timing adjustment for transmission processing after the valid term of the first transmission timing adjustment information. |
| US08787951B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting message in the communication system
An apparatus and method for transmitting a message in a mobile communication system is disclosed. The apparatus for transmitting a message in a portable terminal comprises a message generation unit for generating a message including contents corresponding to at least two recipients and for selectively selecting an intended user for the respective content, and a controller for controlling to transmit the message to the at least two recipients. |
| US08787950B2 |
Mobile terminal and method for transmitting message thereof
A mobile terminal and a method for transmitting a message thereof are provided. The method for transmitting a message in a mobile terminal including at least two communication units capable of communicating with different communication networks, includes, identifying circuits connected through the at least two communication units when at least two identification information of other mobile terminals to which the message is to be transmitted is input, and simultaneously transmitting the message to the at least two other mobile terminals according to the identification information through the identified circuits. Through the method, a message can be simultaneously transmitted to a plurality of other mobile terminals using characteristics of a multi-standby mobile terminal. In addition, the message transmission method can reduce a time required to transmit a message. |
| US08787945B1 |
Correction of timing errors to enable long sleep times
A mobile user equipment includes a user equipment clock and a dual mode time tracker. The clock periodically wakes up the user equipment. The dual mode time tracker uses a serving cell reference signal to correct timing errors of the user equipment clock with respect to a network clock while timing errors remain minimal and otherwise uses a serving cell synchronization signal to correct timing errors of the user equipment clock. The dual mode time tracker also sets a next wakeup time as a function at least of the size of the timing errors. |
| US08787944B2 |
Method and system for providing enhanced location based information for wireless handsets
Methods, devices and systems for generating enhanced location information on or about a mobile device may include hybrid lateration and/or trilateration solutions in which the mobile device performs location determination calculations with or without the aid or support of network components or global positioning systems (GPS). Mobile devices may automatically form groups based on proximity and/or may be grouped together via a network server. Mobile devices in a group may share computed location information and/or information collected from internal sensors with other grouped mobile devices. Information shared between grouped mobile devices may be used to enhance the location information computed on each mobile device. For example, each mobile device may supplement and/or augment previously computed location information based on the received location information and/or relative positions of other mobile devices in the same group. Each mobile device may also utilize local sensors to further enhance their location information. |
| US08787941B2 |
Prohibiting electronic device usage based on geographical location
A system and method for prohibiting electronic device usage based on geographical location are provided herein. In examples, a geographical location of the electronic device is determined. Any policies associated with the geographical location of the electronic device are determined, and the policy may be obtained from a remote location. The functions of the electronic device are disabled based on the policy. |
| US08787936B2 |
Method and system for controlling a mobile communication device in a moving vehicle
A method and system is disclosed for performing a wireless location of a mobile communication device for detecting, monitoring and/or controlling one or more interactive mobile services capable of being activated by a user of the mobile device. When the mobile device is operated by the user, a wireless location is performed for determining whether such an interactive service, requested by the user, can be provided to the user. In one embodiment, a determination is made as to whether the mobile device resides in a container, e.g., a vehicle, for determining whether the interactive mobile service can be accessed by the user. |
| US08787933B1 |
Apparatus and method for providing product location information to customers in a store
A system and method are disclosed for providing product location information within a store. The system comprises a first user interface fixed within the store and an inventory information unit coupled to the first user interface. The first user interface is configured to receive an input signal from a user related to the identity of a product within the store, to process the input signal and to provide a product inquiry signal in response to the input signal. The first user interface is further configured to receive a location information signal, and to provide an output signal in response to the location information signal. The inventory information unit comprises a database containing product location information and is configured to provide the location information signal to the first user interface after receiving the product inquiry signal from the first user interface. |
| US08787927B2 |
Apparatus and method for frequency-selective occupancy detection
An apparatus for frequency-selective occupancy detection of a channel in a frequency band includes a detector for detecting a receive spectrum in the frequency band, a provider for providing node frequencies, a determiner for determining node level values, a determiner for determining the threshold curve and a comparer. The provider provides the node frequencies for a threshold curve with respect to a noise floor in the frequency band. The determiner determines the node level values at the node frequencies based on receive level values of the receive spectrum. The determiner determines the threshold curve in the frequency band based on the provided node frequencies and the node level values at the node frequencies. The comparer compares a current power of the receive level values in the channel with a reference power in the channel predetermined by the threshold curve to detect occupancy or non-occupancy of the channel depending on the comparison. |
| US08787919B1 |
Location based contact routing
The location of a mobile terminal associated with a user is determined using GPS or by monitoring signals generated and received by the mobile terminal, etc. Coordinates for at least one hot spot defined by the user are accessed to determine whether the location of the mobile terminal is within the hot spot. When an incoming contact is received for the user, a determination is made as to whether there are any contact routing rules associates with the user. If so, the record of contact routing rules associated with the user is accessed and the contact is routed to at least two designated devices simultaneously, each designated device associated with a different telephone number. |
| US08787918B2 |
Transmitting data over a mobile telecommunication network
A network is configured to charge fees at a first rate for transmitting data of a first type and fees at a second, less expensive, rate for transmitting data of a second type. In a first embodiment, at least a portion of the original data transmitted is converted from the first type into the second type before sending the processed data to the network. A corresponding conversion from the second type into the first type is performed at the receiver's side to obtain re-created data from the received data. In a second embodiment, the original data is processed to obtain at least a first portion of data having the first type and a second portion of data having the second type. The at least two portions are sent to the network via different channels ensuring that at least the second portion will be billed at the second, lower rate. |
| US08787917B1 |
Selection of wireless network travel paths
Mobile telephone user route mapping services and coverage area warning services and systems for providing such services are provided. Origination location and destination location information is entered, and a route between the locations along which wireless telephone system coverage is available is returned. If the returned route is less preferable than another possible route along which there are areas of poor coverage or no coverage, the provider of the wireless telephone system is informed, and this information can be used to identify areas in which improved coverage would most benefit mobile telephone users. A warning may also be provided to inform the parties to a call that a participant using a mobile telephone is about to enter an area of poor coverage or of no coverage. The described services may be offered in return for a fee paid to the service provider. |
| US08787912B2 |
Method and apparatus for coordination of handoff among MMSS and RAT priorities
A method is provided whereby wireless system operators broadcast each other's carriers in an inter-RAT neighbor list according to protocols that minimize conflicts with carrier-selection algorithms provisioned in served mobile terminals. According to the method of the invention, Access Networks (ANs) broadcast neighbor lists for their own carriers and carriers of different operators serving the same geographical area, the neighbor list being used for inter RAT reselection. The carrier-selection priorities broadcast in the neighbor list are established to be consistent with the priority policy respecting home network and non-home networks as provisioned in the mobiles by their operator. In case of conflict, the cross-RAT priority broadcast by the AN shall take precedence over the cross-RAT priority provisioned in the mobiles. A network ID, such as PLMN_ID, may be broadcast for each carrier in the neighbor list to support reselection precedence followed by the mobile terminal between home network carriers and the carriers of a non-home network. |
| US08787911B2 |
Load balancing in a mobile communication network
A cellular access point, amongst a plurality of interconnected cellular access points receives from a first user equipment a connection attempt that would cause the access point to exceed a first predetermined capacity threshold. The cellular access point selects one of the previously connected user equipments and an associated one of the plurality of interconnected cellular access points. The cellular access point initiates a handover of the selected one of the previously connected user equipments to the associated one of the plurality of interconnected cellular access points and establishes a connection with the first user equipment. |
| US08787910B2 |
Apparatus and method for terminal handover between systems using different frequency allocations
An apparatus and a method for a terminal handover between systems using different Frequency Allocations (FAs) are provided. The method includes broadcasting an indication signal to inform of existence of the terminal in a coverage of a macro base station to which an indoor base station is registered; and when receiving a handover command message of the indoor base station, from the macro base station, performing a handover procedure to the indoor base station. The base station can efficiently utilize the control channel resource and the user terminal needs not to conduct the unnecessary scanning procedure. Thus, the time and the power required for the scanning can be spared. |
| US08787904B1 |
Aircraft based wireless communication system
An aircraft may include an onboard wireless communication network. The network may include an access point disposed on the aircraft and at least one repeater station disposed spaced apart from the access point and capable of wireless communication with the access point or at least one remote sensor configured to wirelessly transmit information for delivery to the access point via a first wireless communication link. The at least one remote sensor may monitor at least one remote component of the aircraft and generating the information based on data indicative of an operational parameter or a status of the at least one remote component. |
| US08787903B2 |
High capacity hybrid terrestrial/satellite cellular radio communication system
A hybrid cellular radiocommunication system includes base stations defining terrestrial cells covered by satellite umbrella cells. The base stations are distributed so as to be distinguishable by the satellite cell according to a time-invariant distribution function, and the system includes a device for maintaining, permanently and in the same link direction, congruence of the coverage of each satellite cell with respect to coverage of the terrestrial cells associated with the base stations contained in the satellite cell, with coverage of a satellite cell being congruent with a predetermined terrestrial coverage set when the predetermined coverage set is included in the satellite coverage. |
| US08787902B2 |
Method for mobile-key service
Disclosed is a method for mobile-key service, in which user authentication is performed through NFC between an SE and a door lock. Herein, a mobile phone periodically checks a call service areas of a mobile radio communication network, and the mobile phone enables the NFC function based on a result of the call service area checking operation, and if the mobile phone approaches the door lock, the mobile-key is transmitted to the door lock through the NFC function, and thus the user authentication can be performed. |
| US08787897B2 |
Call note management on communication device
Displaying call note information on a communication device having stored thereon telephone call log information identifying telephone calls made to or from the communications device, the telephone call log information including the time and date of the telephone calls, wherein associated call note data is stored on the communications device for at least some of the telephone calls, including: detecting an input at the communication device requesting display of a call note history; and displaying on a display of the communication device, after detecting the input, a call note history list that lists telephone calls from the telephone call log information that have associated call note data stored on the communications device, wherein the telephone calls in the call note history list are listed according to the time and date of the telephone calls. |
| US08787896B2 |
Remote site telecom equipment communication
The present invention provides for a system, method and apparatus for monitoring telecommunication components. The invention provides a switch placed at a remote location, wherein the switch includes a converter that converts power from a first voltage to a second voltage, a plurality of communication lines for a connection to a plurality of end users; and an interface that establishes a communication link with a central office. A transmitter is associated with the converter or other switch component; the transmitter transmits a wireless signal relating to a converter or other switch component operating condition. A receiving device receives wireless signals from the transmitter and provides the signals to a serving area interface for processing and/or transmission of the signals to a Central Office for monitoring. A transmitter may initiate transmission upon the occurrence of a change in operating condition. |
| US08787894B2 |
Handling of applications of mobile terminals in a serving node
A method of supporting a communication between a mobile terminal UE and a serving node of a telecommunication network, the serving node comprising an application interface, a programming module and a basic code module storing and processing basic functions. The serving node receives an initialization message from the UE and determines a call reference number for the incoming call. An incoming call listener is activated to listen to incoming calls that are related to the call reference number. A signal is created which listens for a trigger-signal in basic functions in the basic code module. After the incoming call, related to the call reference number is detected, the signal listener is allocated to the incoming call, wherein an application in the programming module is executed after the signal listener detects the trigger signal related to the call reference number. |
| US08787893B2 |
Processing decision method and mobile communication terminal
A wireless communication processing decision unit 33 acquires, from a wireless communication specific information storage unit 52, wireless communication specific information which specifies regions in which utilization of its frequency bandwidth is permitted by law. Next, registered position information which specifies the region in which this mobile communication terminal is position registered is acquired from a registered position information storage unit 34. Next, if the region specified by the registered position information is included in the regions shown by the wireless communication specific information, then the wireless communication processing decision unit 33 makes a decision to the effect that communication is possible, and notifies a communication processing unit 53 of this permission of communication. Upon receipt of this communication permission, the communication processing unit 53 starts communication processing. |
| US08787886B2 |
Visitor detector
A method for a user, with a mobile communication device, to receive and display, in the mobile communication device, owner information coupled to a second user, having a second mobile communication device, at said user. The method comprising receiving, in the communication device, a local connectivity ID broadcasted from said second communication device, transmitting said received local connectivity ID from said communication device to an ID server, receiving, in the communication device, an owner ID from said ID server, wherein said owner ID is coupled to said second user, transmitting said received owner ID from said communication device to an public profile service server, receiving, in the communication device, owner information from said public profile service server, wherein said owner information is coupled to said second user and displaying said received owner information coupled to said second user on a display in said communication device. |
| US08787884B2 |
Advertisements for mobile communications devices via pre-positioned advertisement components
Mobile communications devices output advertisements such as by visually displaying them in accordance with an advertisement recipe. The advertisement recipe specifies advertisement components to include in the constructed advertisement and a configuration of those advertisement components. The mobile communications device stores a plurality of advertisement components in advance of receiving the advertisement recipe. An advertisement schedule may be provided that includes timing information to specify when each advertisement of the advertisement recipes is to be provided as output by the mobile communications device. The advertisement recipes may be provided based on a current context such as location of the mobile communications device so that the resulting advertisement being provided as output is relevant to the current context. |
| US08787880B2 |
Wireless device caching data proxy
A wireless device is provided to act as a caching data proxy for a first device, which may or may not be wireless. In particular, a cellular telephone is associated as a caching data proxy for a wireless portable computing device. The cellular telephone caches data as a proxy for the portable computing device when the portable computing device is either out of network coverage, powered down, or the like. |
| US08787876B1 |
Parental control of mobile message content
An adult associated with a mobile station of a minor is allowed to monitor and control the multimedia content, such as multimedia messaging service (MMS) message content, that is accessible via the minor's mobile station. A mobile station of the minor may be identified as such in the network information associated with that station's mobile number. The information for the minor's mobile station also identifies a mobile station of an associated adult. An MMS message addressed for delivery to the mobile station of the minor is first sent to the mobile station of the associated adult. This enables the adult to determine if the content of the MMS message is approved for delivery to the minor. If the adult approves the MMS content, the MMS message is forwarded to the minor's mobile station, but the MMS message is not forwarded to the minor if the adult disapproves of the content. |
| US08787875B2 |
Aggregating multiple functions into a single platform
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for aggregating multiple functions into a single platform. A communications system includes at least one processor, at least one computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, implement components including a workflow module comprising sets of workflow instructions for processing different types of information packets, and selectable communication function modules, the workflow module coordinating processing of a received packet using selected ones of the selectable communication function modules. |
| US08787872B2 |
Ingress/egress call module
A system monitors calls for a service provider. A number of simultaneous communications of a given technology type is monitored for either inbound communications and/or outbound communications associated with at least one service provider. A determination is made if the number of simultaneous communications from the service provider is in excess of a adjustable but set number of simultaneous communications of a given technology type that are permissible. A predetermined action is taken if the number of simultaneous calls or text messages (e.g., SMS, IM, email) is in excess of the set limit, e.g., the call may be terminated or other action taken. Both voice communications and/or non-voice communications (such as SMS, IM, Email, or MMS) can be monitored and throttled. |
| US08787869B2 |
Wireless emergency call (ECALL) devices and ECALL service subscription management
We disclose a new type of wireless telecommunications subscription service and related methods. In some embodiments, the new subscription service may be used by an eCall only MS, or by any other suitable wireless access device (NAD), in order to operate in a restricted access and mobility management (RAMM) mode (304). The RAMM service limits usage of network resources, while enabling utilization for certain limited kinds of calls. The service may be used for eCall, in the case of motor vehicles (FIG. 1), for example, or for machine to machine communications and remote alarms (FIG. 6). The new subscription service may be used to avoid an eCall only MS being denied access to a network due to non-use of a prepaid (USIM) subscription (314). |
| US08787867B2 |
Emergency call handling
A user terminal for use with a communications system. The user terminal comprises a non-volatile memory and a subscriber identity authentication unit configured in use to communicate with a removable subscriber identity module and with said communications system in order to authenticate a subscriber identity stored in said subscriber identity module. A recording unit is provided for recording a used and authenticated subscriber identity in said non-volatile memory, while an emergency call initiation unit is configured to initiate an unauthenticated emergency call in the absence of a subscriber identity module, and to retrieve said used and authenticated subscriber identity from said non-volatile memory and to provide the retrieved subscriber identity to the communications system during the initiation. |
| US08787866B2 |
System, method and program for controlling mute function on telephone
System, method and program for controlling a mute function on a telephone device. While the mute function is active, sound reaching a telephone or other communication device is sensed, and a determination is made if the sound includes a word. If so, an alarm is activated to alert a user that the mute function is active. If not, the alarm is not activated. In accordance with an optional feature of the present invention, speech recognition software is trained to recognize the voice or speech pattern of a specific user, and the alarm is activated only if the word was spoken by the specific user. |
| US08787865B2 |
System and method for activating an electronic device
The disclosure provides a circuit and method for activating an electronic device from a low power state. The activation circuit comprises: a first accelerometer in the device; a second accelerometer which is activated upon receiving a movement signal from the first accelerometer; an input device; and a circuit to provide power to the input device when a series of connected movements signals from at least one of the first and the second accelerometers match a predetermined movement gesture. |
| US08787864B2 |
Receiver IIP2 analog calibration
Techniques for performing analog calibration of a receiver to optimize a second-order input intercept point (IIP2). In an aspect, a signal generator modeling an interferer is coupled to an adjustable input of a receiver, e.g., a gate bias voltage of a mixer. For example, the signal generator output may be a single-tone on-off keying (OOK) modulated signal. The mixer mixes the signal down to baseband, wherein an analog correlator correlates the down-converted signal with the known sequence of bits used to perform the OOK modulation. The analog correlation output is then provided to drive the bias voltage in the mixer, e.g., one or more gate voltages of transistors in the differential mixer, to optimize the overall receiver IIP2. Further aspects of the disclosure provide for calibrating receivers having multiple LNA's, and also dual or diversity receivers having multiple receive paths. |
| US08787863B2 |
Unidirectional sampling mixer
A unidirectional sampling mixer utilizes a stepped phase modulation to shift the frequency of an RF input signal supplied to an RF input switch. An ordered set of phase shift values to be applied to the RF input signal and a set of times each element of which corresponds to a time at which a phase shift value is be applied to the RF signal are determined. For each phase shift value, a controller controls the RF input switch to select an input of a phase shifting device and controls an RF output switch to select an output of the phasing shifting device. The input and the output of the phase shifting device are selected to apply the phase shift value at its corresponding time to the RF input signal. A frequency shifted signal is supplied to an RF output port from an output of the RF output switch. |
| US08787861B1 |
Method and apparatus for reducing echo and crosstalk in a communication system
In some implementations, an apparatus includes an echo canceller that generates an echo interference compensation signal that compensates for an echo interference signal in a communication signal, a crosstalk canceller that generates a crosstalk interference compensation signal that compensates for a crosstalk interference signal in the communication signal, and a combiner that generates a combined interference compensation signal based on the echo interference compensation signal and the crosstalk interference compensation signal. |
| US08787859B2 |
Automatic gain control apparatus and method
An automatic gain control apparatus for a wireless receiver, including multiple variable gain amplifiers, one variable gain amplifier provided for each one of multiple receive chains and a gain controller to control a gain of the variable gain amplifiers provided for the plurality of receive chains. The gain controller includes multiple output level measurement units to measure an output level of a corresponding receive chain; a common gain determination unit to determine a common gain for each of the variable gain amplifiers based on a statistical value obtained from the output levels; multiple adjusted gain determination units, each adjusted gain determination unit determining an adjusted gain independently for each variable gain amplifier within a range narrower than the range of the common; and a gain setting unit to set a gain to each of the variable gain amplifiers based on the common gain and the adjusted gain. |
| US08787857B2 |
Receiving apparatus, frequency deviation calculating method, and medium storing computer program therein
A receiving apparatus includes a memory that stores parameters corresponding to lines based on a first time interval and a second time interval in a coordinate space in which first phase rotation in a reception signal is defined as a first axis and second phase rotation in a reception signal is defined as a second axis; a selecting device that selects a line that is closest to a coordinate point in the solution space, the coordinate point being represented by a first observation value of the first phase rotation and a second observation value of the second phase rotation; an acquiring device that acquires the parameters corresponding to the line from the memory; and an estimating device that estimates, based on the parameters, the first observation value, and the first time interval or the parameters, the second observation value, and the second time interval, frequency deviations of the reception signals. |
| US08787851B2 |
System and method for quickly power amplifier control
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for power amplifier control. Before a fixed gain amplifier is disabled and after an automatic gain controller adjusts gain for the last time, a reference transmit power value is read from the automatic gain controller. A gain level is read from the fixed gain amplifier. The reference transmit power value and the gain level are saved in a storage module. Before the fixed gain amplifier is enabled and after the automatic gain controller adjusts gain for the last time, the reference transmit power value saved in the storage module is written into the automatic gain controller and the gain level saved in the storage module is written into the fixed gain amplifier. |
| US08787848B2 |
RF adapter for field device with low voltage intrinsic safety clamping
An adapter for coupling to a process control transmitter of the type used to monitor a process variable in an industrial process includes a first connection configured to couple to a first side of a two wire process control loop, a second connection configured to couple to a second side of the two wire process control loop and in series with a first connection to a process control transmitter, and a third connection configured to couple to a second connection of the process control transmitter. Wireless communication circuitry is coupled to at least the third connection and is configured to provide wireless communication for the process control transmitter. Intrinsic safety circuitry coupled to at least one of the first, second and third connections is configured to limit transfer of electrical energy to a value which is less than an intrinsic safety value. |
| US08787845B2 |
Method and apparatus for calibrating a communication device
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computer-readable storage medium having computer instructions to perform actual measurements of one or more performance parameters of a communication device according to a subset of tuning states of a tunable matching network operable in a communication device, determine estimated measurements of the one or more performance parameters of the communication device for a portion of the tuning states not included in the subset of tuning states according to the actual measurements, identify a data set for each of the one or more performance parameters from at least portions of the tuning states and the actual and estimated measurements, and determine from at least a portion of the date sets one or more tuning states that achieve at least one desirable performance characteristic of the communication device. Additional embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08787843B2 |
Wake up procedure for a base station in a communications network
A mobile apparatus transmits a message for waking up an apparatus of a communications network in order to achieve access to the communications network. An apparatus of the communications network receives the message, determines whether the apparatus is in a standby mode in which the transmitter is deactivated, and shifts to a wake up mode, in which the transmitter is kept deactivated, for at most an apparatus-specific offset time in response to receipt of the message in case the apparatus is in the standby mode. The apparatus detects whether an acknowledgment message acknowledging that a successful access to the communications network has been achieved based on the message is received in the wake up mode of the apparatus, and the apparatus shifts to an active mode in which the transmitter is activated and provides access to the communications network for the mobile apparatus based on the message using the transmitter in case no acknowledgment message has been received in the wake up mode when the apparatus-specific offset time elapses. Otherwise, the apparatus shifts to the standby mode when the acknowledgement message is received in the wake up mode. The acknowledgment message may be received from the mobile apparatus or from an apparatus of the communications network. |
| US08787829B2 |
Method and device for establishing communication link by selecting object from screen
A method for establishing a communication link of a first communication device includes: selecting a second communication device for establishing a communication link on a screen of the first communication device; transmitting a request for a communication link to the selected second communication device; receiving a communication link response from the second communication device; and establishing a communication link between the first communication device and the second communication device. |
| US08787825B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling the activation of an amplifier arrangement in a repeater device disposed in a radio communication system
A repeater device (R) for use in a radio communication system comprises a detector (44), arranged for detecting any existence of radio signaling to and/or from a user terminal being situated in a vicinity of the repeater device (R). The repeater device (R) further comprises an amplifier arrangement (46), arranged for amplifying uplink and/or downlink traffic and means (48) for activating the amplifier arrangement. The means (48) for activating the amplifier arrangement is arranged for activating the amplifier arrangement (46) as a response to an existence of the radio signaling. A method for controlling operation of a repeater in radio communication system comprises detecting, in the repeater, of radio signaling to and/or from a user terminal being situated in a vicinity of the repeater. Amplification in the repeater is activated as a response to an existence of the radio signaling and uplink and/or downlink traffic is amplified. |
| US08787819B2 |
Collaborative and interactive learning
The present invention helps generate connected communities of students and educators through access to an increased pool of granular learning resources that benefit from standardization of formats for creating and utilizing individual discussions on individual topics. The present invention also circumvents the complexity of existing repository systems by creating a standard platform format. Because this format is de facto implemented for any educator using the platform, standardized question types (e.g., discussion types or topic types) become functionally interchangeable notwithstanding any particular individuals utilizing the invention. The interchangeability of individual topics allows for creation of a global “topic library,” which may be made available to any educator using the system. This global topic library contains the standardized questions or discussion topics thereby allowing for quick review, selection, and incorporation into the individual teaching environment of any teacher utilizing the invention. |
| US08787812B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a member (drum), a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a cleaning blade, a selecting device for selecting an execution mode from an image forming mode and a recovery mode, and a controller for controlling a peak-to-peak voltage applied to the charging device in the operation in the recovery mode. When the recovery mode is selected, the controller effects control so that a band-like toner image is formed on the drum and is supplied to the cleaning blade and so that a peak-to-peak voltage of the AC voltage larger than that of the AC voltage applied to the charging device in the operation in the image forming mode is applied to the charging device in a predetermined period after a leading end of the band-like toner image subjected to removal by the cleaning blade passes through the charging device. |
| US08787810B2 |
Fixing rotating member and fixing device equipped with the same
A fixing rotating member configured to, together with a pressure member, pinch and transport a recording material carrying an image includes a base material and a releasing layer, wherein the releasing layer is made of at least one fluorine resin selected from among tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, and tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, the fluorine resin containing at least one type of polymer selected from among polyvinylidene fluoride, polyacrylonitrile, and polymethyl methacrylate, and monomer electrolyte. |
| US08787805B2 |
Image forming apparatus having an intermediate transfer belt
An area in which a sheet member and an intermediate transfer belt are in contact with each other is provided between an intersection between a guide surface of the second guide portion configured to guide a recording material toward the intermediate transfer belt and the intermediate transfer belt and a nip portion. |
| US08787804B2 |
Developing device including a developer container with toner particles and magnetic carrier particles (Rz=0.5−3.0 gm) and a developer bearing member (Rz=10−30 gm), and an image forming apparatus and process cartridge containing the same
A developing device including a developer container and a developer bearing member is provided. The developer container contains a two-component developer comprising toner particles and magnetic carrier particles having a ten-point average surface roughness Rz of 0.5 to 3.0 μm. The developer bearing member is a cylindrical member containing a magnetic field generator having multiple magnetic poles. The developer bearing member is adapted to bear the two-component developer on a surface thereof and to convey the two-component developer as the surface rotates. The developer bearing member has a ten-point average surface roughness Rz of 10 to 30 μm. The multiple magnetic poles include three developer bearing poles each adapted to generate a magnetic field having a strength enough for retaining the two-component developer on a surface of the developer bearing member. The three developer bearing poles consist of a developing pole, a pre-developing pole, and a post-developing pole. |
| US08787803B2 |
Developing device, image forming unit and image forming apparatus
A developing device includes a developing device main body and a developer cartridge detachably mounted to the developing device main body and storing a developer. The developer cartridge includes a case member that stores a developer, a supplying opening provided on the case member, and a first shutter that opens and closes the supplying opening. The developing device main body includes a housing that stores the developer supplied by the developer cartridge, a receiving opening provided on the housing, and a second shutter that opens and closes the receiving opening. The first shutter and the second shutter are configured to move in conjunction with each other. |
| US08787802B2 |
Developing device, process cartridge, and image-forming apparatus
Developing devices, process cartridges and image-forming apparatuses, having a chamber for conveying recovered developer on the top of another chamber for conveying supplying developer, where the developer is conveyed by screws inside the chambers respectively, when mixing and conveying the developing agent, a shielding member which separates the chambers, a guide section is provided in the shielding member to guide a developing agent which has left a developing roller toward the screw in the upper chamber, and a third communication section is provided next to the guide section, at the back of where the guided developer contacts the screw wings in the upper chamber, and the third communication section communicates the chambers with each other, and the third communication section is provided from center to downstream in the conveyance direction of the developer by the screw upper. |
| US08787797B2 |
Photoconductive foil sheet applicator
A photoconductive foil sheet applicator applies a photoconductive foil sheet about a circumference of a drum. |
| US08787795B2 |
Image reproduction apparatus including a waste toner assembly
What is provided is an image formation apparatus including: an image formation part provided inside a main body so that the image formation part may be attached to the main body and detached from the main body; a plurality of opening-closing parts which may be opened and closed to attach the image formation part to the main body or detach the image formation part from the main body; and a plurality of locking parts latching each of the plurality of opening-closing parts to the main body, wherein when one of the plurality of locking parts undergoes a releasing operation, an other one of the plurality of locking parts also undergoes a releasing operation. |
| US08787794B2 |
Cartridge, image forming apparatus, and drum attaching method
A cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes a photosensitive drum having a shaft provided adjacent one axial end; a frame; the frame being provided with a first bearing portion supporting a circumference of the shaft; the frame being provided with a second bearing portion supporting a circumference of the shaft, the second bearing portion being spaced from the first bearing portion with respect to the axial direction and being disposed in a side opposite from the first bearing portion with respect to a plane including an axis of the shaft at the time when the shaft is supported by the first bearing portion; a first clearance space, provided in a position opposite the first bearing portion with respect to the plane, wherein when causing the shaft to be supported by the first bearing portion, the shaft is capable of entering the first clearance space; and a second clearance space, provided in a position opposite the second bearing portion with respect to the plane, wherein when causing the shaft to be supported by the second bearing portion, the shaft is capable of entering the second clearance space. |
| US08787791B2 |
Packaging arrangement for image formation apparatus accommodating process cartridge
A packaging arrangement of an image formation apparatus and a process cartridge includes a main body formed with an accommodation chamber configured to accommodate a process cartridge containing toner used for image formation. The main body is formed with an opening through which the process cartridge is detachably attached. The image formation apparatus is configured to be packaged with the process cartridge attached in the accommodation chamber. An openable cover configured to openably cover the opening is provided, and a drying agent is detachably arranged in a clearance formed between an inner face of the accommodation chamber and the process cartridge attached in the accommodation chamber. A part of the drying agent is exposed to outside through the opening of the clearance when the cover is opened, while the process cartridge and the drying agent are covered when the cover is closed. |
| US08787785B2 |
Image forming device and control method thereof
An image forming device includes: an image forming section, a fixing unit, an oscillation mechanism and a controller. The image forming section forms an image on paper. The fixing unit thermally fixes the image on the paper by using a fixing rotating member to pinch and convey the paper. The oscillation mechanism oscillates at least the entire fixing rotating member of the fixing unit in an axis direction thereof. The controller determines an oscillation quantity of the fixing rotating member based on rigidity of the paper in a state where the paper is pinched and conveyed by the fixing rotating member and another rotating member at the same time, and oscillates the fixing rotating member using the oscillation mechanism with the determined oscillation quantity. The controller determines the oscillation quantity of the fixing rotating member to be reduced as rigidity of the paper becomes lower. |
| US08787784B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method for adjusting voltage applied to a transfer unit
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a transfer unit, an applying unit, a detector, an acquisition unit, and an adjusting unit. The image carrier carries a toner image obtained by developing an electrostatic latent image using toner. The transfer unit transfers the toner image from the image carrier to a recording medium. The applying unit applies a voltage to the transfer unit. The detector detects a current being made to flow in the transfer unit. The acquisition unit acquires the image density of the toner image to be transferred in the transfer unit. The adjusting unit adjusts a voltage to be applied to the applying unit on the basis of a change in the relationship between the current detected by the detector and the image density acquired by the acquisition unit. |
| US08787783B2 |
Image forming apparatus having voltage control
An image forming apparatus including a rotatable photosensitive member, a first charging member for electrically charging the photosensitive member at a first charging portion by applying thereto a first DC voltage, and a second charging member, provided downstream of the first charging portion with respect to a rotational direction of the photosensitive member, for electrically charging the photosensitive member charged by the first charging member, at a second charging portion by applying thereto an oscillating voltage in the form of a second DC voltage superposed with an AC voltage. In addition, a toner image forming portion, provided downstream of the second charging portion and upstream of the first charging portion, forms a toner image on a surface of the charged photosensitive member, a current detecting portion detects a DC current passing through the second charging member, and a controller controls a voltage value of the first DC voltage on the basis of the detected DC current when the first DC voltage is applied to the first charging member and the oscillating voltage is applied to the second charging member. The controller controls the voltage value of the first DC voltage so that an absolute value of the detected DC current is smaller than a predetermined value. |
| US08787782B2 |
Toner-density calculating method, reflective optical sensor, reflective optical sensor device, and image forming apparatus
A toner density is calculated from outputs of light-receiving elements based on a difference between a reflection property of a supporting member and a reflection property of a toner pattern. Light-emitting elements aligned in one direction that is inclined to a sub-direction emit a detection light in such a manner that a distance between adjacent spots falling on the supporting member in a second direction is equal to or smaller than a width of the toner pattern in the second direction. The light-receiving elements receive a reflected light reflected from the supporting member and/or the toner pattern. The light-receiving elements are aligned, opposed to the supporting member, in a one direction corresponding to the light-emitting elements. |
| US08787779B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus which has an improved follow-up property indicating how a toner supply amount follows a toner consumption amount to prevent a defective image, including: a photosensitive drum; a developing device; a toner replenishing device; a toner sensor configured to detect a toner amount inside the developing device; and a controller configured to drive the toner replenishing device to replenish the developing device with toner based on a detection result of the sensor during a developing device driving time and to stop the toner replenishing device during a non-image forming period to stop replenishing the developing device with toner, wherein if the toner amount inside the developing device detected by the sensor is reduced to a level equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value, the controller drives the developing device and the toner replenishing device even during the non-image forming period. |
| US08787775B2 |
Opto-electronic assembly for a line card
In one embodiment, the opto-electronic assembly is a hybrid integrated circuit having an array of avalanche photodiodes (APDs) that are electrically coupled to a corresponding array of transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs), with both the APDs and TIAs being mounted on a common ceramic substrate. The opto-electronic assembly further has an optical subassembly comprising an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) and an array of turning mirrors, both attached to a temperature-control unit in a side-by-side arrangement and flip-chip mounted on the substrate over the APDs. The opto-electronic assembly employs a silicon-based submount inserted between the APDs and the substrate to accommodate the height difference between the APDs and the TIAs. The submount advantageously enables the placement of APDs in relatively close proximity to the turning mirrors while providing good control of the APD's tilt and offset distance with respect to the substrate. The temperature-control unit enables independent temperature control of the AWG and of the array of turning mirrors, which helps to achieve good optical-coupling efficiency between the AWG and the APDs even when the turning mirrors have a relatively small size. |
| US08787773B2 |
Electronic dispersion correction circuit for optical transmission system
A dispersion correction circuit is provided for use with an input driving signal. The dispersion correction circuit includes an input portion an output portion and a filter portion. The input portion is arranged to receive the input driving signal. The output portion can output an output signal based on the input driving signal. The filter portion is disposed between the input portion and the output portion. The filter portion includes a first varactor, a DC bias portion, and a second varactor. The DC bias portion provides a DC bias to the first varactor. The first varactor is arranged in a first polarity direction, and the second varactor is arranged in a second polarity direction that is the same as the first direction. |
| US08787772B2 |
Laser package including semiconductor laser and memory device for storing laser parameters
A laser package may include a semiconductor laser and a memory device integrated into the laser package for storing parameters associated with the laser. The parameters may include laser manufacturing, operational and/or user parameters. For example, the semiconductor laser may be tunable and the memory device may store tuning parameter data. One example of the laser package is a tunable transmitter optical sub-assembly (TOSA) package. |
| US08787771B2 |
All-optical regenerator and optical network incorporating same
The present invention provides an optical networking device for re-amplifying, re-shaping, and re-timing an optical signal, as well as providing distortion compensation and performance monitoring of the optical signal. The optical networking device includes an all-optical regenerator device for one or more of re-amplifying, re-shaping, and re-timing the optical signal; a distortion compensator device for compensating for distortion associated with the optical signal; and a quality-of-signal monitoring device for measuring the quality of the optical signal. Preferably, the all-optical regenerator device, the distortion compensator device, and the quality-of-signal monitoring device are disposed within a single module. The quality-of-signal monitoring device measures the optical signal subsequent to distortion compensation. Alternatively, the quality-of-signal monitoring device measures the optical signal subsequent to distortion compensation and all-optical regeneration. In various embodiments, the quality-of-signal monitoring device provides feedback to the distortion compensator device, a distortion compensator device disposed along a line system, one or more of an optical amplifier and a distortion compensator device disposed along the line system, and a transmitter device disposed along the line system. |
| US08787769B2 |
Chromatic dispersion value calculating apparatus, optical signal receiving apparatus, optical signal transmitting apparatus, and chromatic dispersion value calculation method
In order to compensate for chromatic dispersion caused by optical fiber transmission in a communication system with coherent detection using optical signals, specific frequency band signals are used to enable estimation of a chromatic dispersion value. The chromatic dispersion value calculating apparatus is provided with: a signal distributing circuit which distributes, into a plurality of signal sequences, an electrical digital signal converted from received optical signals of an optical signal transmitted by an optical signal transmitting apparatus, in which a known signal with concentrated frequency components of a plurality of specific frequencies is appended to a signal generated from a transmission data sequence; a plurality of frequency band pass filter circuits, each of which separating only each of a plurality of specific frequency components in which the known signal is included from each of the signal sequences distributed by the signal distributing circuit, and passing each of the specific frequency components therethrough; a plurality of power calculating circuits which are provided so as to correspond respectively to the plurality of frequency band pass filter circuits and which calculate power values of signals output from the corresponding frequency band pass filter circuits; a delay time calculating circuit which detects times at which power has the maximum value or times at which the power exceeds a predetermined threshold value, respectively from signal sequences of the power values output from the plurality of power calculating circuits, and which compares the detected times; and a chromatic dispersion value calculating circuit which calculates a chromatic dispersion value based on a comparison result of the times by the delay time calculating circuit. |
| US08787764B2 |
Photoelectric composite wiring component and electronic apparatus using the photoelectric composite wiring component
To provide a photoelectric composite wiring component combining both characteristics of low power consumption of transmission over electrical wiring and large transmission capacity of optical transmission over optical wiring, and exhibiting a high power efficiency for the transmission capacity. A mechanism for switching between transmission of a transmission signal over an electrical transmission path and that over an optical transmission path depending on the modulation rate or the transmission rate of the transmission signal is provided. When the modulation rate or the transmission rate of the transmission signal is low, power supply to an optical transmitting/receiving section is stopped and the signal is transmitted over the electrical transmission path, thus achieving low power consumption. When the modulation rate or the transmission rate of the transmission signal is high, the signal is transmitted over the optical transmission path, thus achieving a large transmission capacity. |
| US08787759B2 |
Dynamic bandwidth allocation apparatus and method and optical line terminal in PON system
A dynamic bandwidth allocation apparatus 12 of the present invention is mounted on, for example, an optical line terminal 1 in a PON system that relays upstream frames F1 and F2 received from optical network units 2, to upper networks 6. The dynamic bandwidth allocation apparatus 12 calculates, based on the reception rates of the upstream frames F1 and F2 from the optical network units 2, the sending rates of relay destinations of the upstream frames F1 and F2, and changes in the amounts of data occurring upon relaying the upstream frames F1 and F2, allocated bandwidth upper limits (max_bw) at which even when the amounts of data increase, the upstream frames F1 and F2 can be relayed; and dynamically allocates amounts of upstream transmission for the respective optical network units 2 in the range of the calculated allocated bandwidth upper limits (max_bw). |
| US08787757B2 |
Optical communication network and supervisory control device
An optical communication network includes a plurality of optical transmission devices, a communication path, an optical repeater, and a supervisory controller that includes a supervisory control information sender which is installed on at least one of one of the optical transmission devices and the optical repeater and controls a drive signal supplied to a semiconductor optical amplifier that amplifies and outputs input signal light onto the communication path on the basis of the supervisory control information, and a supervisory control information receiver that receives the light which has been output from a semiconductor optical amplifier and transmitted through the communication path, converts the received light to an electric signal and identifies the supervisory control information on the basis of an intensity-modulated component of the total power of the electric signal in at least the other of one of the optical transmission devices and the optical repeater. |
| US08787755B1 |
Monitoring polarization-mode dispersion and signal-to-noise ratio in optical signals based on polarization analysis
Techniques, devices and applications are provided for monitoring a polarization mode dispersion (PMD) effect in an optical signal. |
| US08787750B2 |
Information processing method in optical network, optical communication apparatus and system
An information processing method is disclosed according to the embodiments of the present invention. The method includes: A node receives a first message from overhead of a first dimension; the node searches for local configuration information, where the local configuration information includes the overhead of the first dimension of a protection path, a protection resource of the first dimension of the protection path, overhead of a second dimension of the protection path, and a protection resource of the second dimension of the protection path; according to the local configuration information and the first message, the node determines a protection path correlated with the first message and determines overhead of the second dimension correlated with the first message; and the node sends a second message to a node adjacent to the second dimension through the overhead of the second dimension correlated with the first message, according to the first message. |
| US08787747B1 |
Image stabilizer device, interchangeable lens, and camera system
The disclosure herein aims to provide an image stabilizer device that generates a more appropriate shake signal. The image stabilizer device for a camera system in the present disclosure includes a detection unit that detects an angular speed of the camera system, and outputs a shake signal associated with the detected angular speed, an acquiring unit that acquires information indicating a set shutter speed, an adjusting unit that advances a phase of the shake signal to generate an adjusted signal, and outputs the adjusted signal, when the set shutter speed is faster than a predetermined speed, and a correction unit that corrects an influence on an output of the image stabilizer device due to the shake associated with the angular speed, based on the shake signal or the adjusted signal. |
| US08787745B2 |
Multi-directional pad for an underwater camera housing
The invention comprises an underwater camera housing having a body and handles on the body. The body also carries a pad positioned on the body so that the pad is accessible for use by a user substantially without the user being required to remove a hand from the most adjacent handle. The pad is able to be pressed at any point of its periphery and links mounted on the body between the pad and, in use, a position adjacent the controls of a camera are such that by pressing the pad the camera controls can be operated. The links comprise a compound lever system which in use extend between the pad and the multi selector of the camera when positioned within the housing. |
| US08787742B2 |
On-demand water heating system
An on-demand, closed-loop fluid heating system with a control system for providing fluid on-demand at consistent desired precise temperatures. The closed loop assembly may include a heating system, an air separation chamber with an air vent valve, a circulation pump, a small fluid accumulation tank, and plumbing forming the closed loop. Various sensors related to flow and temperature of fluids provide input to the combined feed forward and feed back temperature control system, such as a Programmable Logic Controller that precisely adjusts intermittently outgoing fluid temperature by immediately controlling the amount of heating to the fluid at precisely near usage temperature. Output from the control system can regulate various aspects of the system. A check valve in the closed loop between the system inlet and the system outlet avoids incoming fluid from being mixed with heated outlet fluid. |
| US08787740B2 |
Superheated-steam heating nozzle
A superheated-steam heating nozzle is provided that includes: first-fourth steam pipes concentrically disposed from inside to outside; an outlet connection is provided to the outlet side of the superheated-steam heating nozzle and receives steam from the first steam pipe; a blow-out nozzle is connected to the outlet connection; multiple electric heaters disposed in the gap between the second steam pipe and the third steam pipe and whose sealed sections at the tips traverse a temperature-rise-prevention section and protrude towards the superheated-steam heating nozzle; a first loop-back section on the outlet side connects the gap between the third steam pipe and the fourth steam pipe with the gap between the first steam pipe and the second steam pipe; and a second loop-back section on the inlet side connects the gap between the first steam pipe and the second steam pipe with the inside of the first steam pipe. |
| US08787738B2 |
In-line duct supplemental heating and cooling device and method
An inline duct supplemental heating and cooling device is mounted along an air duct that supplies a room of a building with supplemental warmer or cooler air to the room. The air duct also supplies the room with air from a main furnace and/or cooling unit associated with the building. A thermostat is used to set a desired temperature for the room, and a controller of the supplemental heating and cooling device is in communication with the thermostat, and activates an electric heater and/or fan as appropriate to warm or cool the room as needed. When the device is used to cool the room, the fan may be operated to draw cooled air through the duct from the main cooling unit and/or from other areas in the building that are linked via ductwork. |
| US08787736B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a scan
Systems and methods for a video scan are provided. The scan may be dynamically interactive and a function of characteristics of the programs in the scan (e.g., commercial breaks or the end of a program approaching) The scan may simultaneously display multiple scan windows for a plurality of programs, for example in a scan wizard. The scan wizard allows the user to simultaneously view a scan window and an information panel, select criteria for the scan from a criteria panel, and control the scan using a scan control panel. The scan may allow the user to record a program displayed in the scan without interrupting the scan (e.g., by using an additional tuner). The scan may display, within the scan interface, trick-play functions for appropriate scanned programs (e.g., recorded, cached and on-demand programs). The user may select and perform trick-play functions for a scanned program without exiting the scan mode. |
| US08787733B2 |
Systems and methods for preventing duplicative media content recordings
Exemplary systems and methods for preventing duplicative media content recordings are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a media content access subsystem detecting that a media content instance is scheduled to be recorded, determining, based on an operations log of one or more past operations of the media access subsystem, that the scheduled recording of the media content instance is duplicative of a past recording, and selectively canceling the scheduled recording of the media content instance in response to the determination that the scheduled recording is duplicative of the past recording. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed. |
| US08787730B2 |
Creating video synopsis for use in playback
Implementing a video synopsis includes using a playback device configured to: receive a video for playing on the playback device; generating a synopsis index of video clips from the video; playing the video until the play is suspending before reaching an end of the video; checkpointing the location in the video timeline at which the video play was suspended; and storing the checkpointed location. |
| US08787727B2 |
Method and apparatus for reproducing content
Provided are method and apparatus for displaying a message relating to a service received from a server while a multi-function device reproduces content, the multi-function device including a function of reproducing content stored in an information storage medium and a function of receiving a service provided from a remote server. |
| US08787724B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program
An information processing apparatus which presents a viewing schedule of a video content to a user is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a first acquiring means for acquiring a broadcast schedule of a broadcast content to be broadcast; a second acquiring means for acquiring information about a recorded content that has been recorded and an on-demand content that has been downloaded; a generating means for arranging the broadcast content, the recorded content, and the on-demand content on a same time axis as these contents are mixed, and generating the viewing schedule; and a display control means for displaying the generated viewing schedule. |
| US08787723B2 |
Resin composition for forming optical waveguide, resin film for forming optical waveguide, and optical waveguide
A resin composition for forming an optical waveguide, containing (A) a polyhydroxy polyether having an ethylenically unsaturated group on a side chain and an aromatic ring on a main chain, (B) a polymerizable compound having an ethylenically unsaturated group, and (C) a radical polymerization initiator; a resin film for forming an optical waveguide; and an optical waveguide having a core part formed by using the resin film for forming an optical waveguide. |
| US08787722B2 |
Optical waveguide
An optical waveguide contains a lower cladding layer, a patterned core layer, an upper cladding layer and an upper low elasticity layer, which are laminated in this order, in which a film formed by curing a resin composition for forming the upper low elasticity layer has a tensile elastic modulus of from 1 to 2,000 MPa at 25° C., and a cured film having a thickness of 110 μm formed by curing a resin composition for forming the upper cladding layer has a total light transmittance of 90% or more. An optical waveguide that has good flexural resistance and good optical characteristics can be provided. |
| US08787719B2 |
Bend insensitive fiber
Provided is an extreme bending insensitive optical fiber. The optical fiber includes a core comprising a maximum refractive index difference Δn1 in the optical fiber, an inner layer comprising a refractive index difference Δn2 that is smaller than the maximum refractive index of the core and decreases in a direction away from the core, the inner layer being positioned outside the core, and a trench layer comprising an inner-circumference refractive index difference Δn3 that is smaller than the refractive index difference of the inner layer and an outer-circumference refractive index difference Δn4 that is a minimum refractive index difference in the optical fiber. |
| US08787716B2 |
Fibre coupler
A fiber coupler with an inner tube, an inner fiber arranged within the inner tube and several outer fibers arranged around the inner fiber, is disclosed, wherein said fiber coupler tapers in the longitudinal direction of the inner fiber from a main section to a terminal section and the inner cross section on the inner tube corresponds to the diameter of the inner fiber along the tapering section of the fiber coupler. |
| US08787715B2 |
Optical coupling lens
An optical coupling lens includes a light incident surface, a light output surface perpendicular to the light incident surface, a reflection surface interconnected between the light incident surface and the light output surface, a first converging lens and a second converging lens formed on the light incident surface, and third converging lens formed on the light output surface and has a semi-cylindrical shape. Optical axes of the first converging lens and the second converging lens are perpendicular to the light incident surface and located on a common imaginary plane. A central axial plane of the third converging lens is perpendicular to the light output surface. An intersecting line between the central axial plane and the common imaginary plane is located on the reflection surface. A width of the third converging lens is equal to a diameter of each of the first converging lens and the second converging lens. |
| US08787706B2 |
Acquisition of a user expression and an environment of the expression
Embodiments include an apparatus, device, system, and method. In an embodiment, a human wearable apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an annotation environment capture device operable to generate information indicative of a recognizable aspect of an item and an annotating device operable to generate information indicative of a user expression associated with the recognizable aspect of the item. |
| US08787704B2 |
Information storage medium storing graphic data and apparatus and method of processing the graphic data
An information storage medium including graphic data and presentation information, and an apparatus and method of processing the graphic data are provided. The information storage medium includes the graphic data, page composition information which defines page composition of the graphic data, and the presentation information indicating when graphic screen data, which is composed with reference to the page composition information of the graphic data, is output to a display screen. Therefore, a graphic object is reusable in graphic data processing, and accordingly, a time taken to process the graphic data is reducible and memory area may be saved. |
| US08787700B1 |
Automatic pose estimation from uncalibrated unordered spherical panoramas
Methods and systems for automatically generating pose estimates from uncalibrated unordered panoramas are provided. An exemplary method of automatically generating pose estimates includes receiving a plurality of uncalibrated and unordered panoramic images that include at least one interior building image, and extracting, for each panoramic image, feature points. The method includes generating a match matrix for all the panoramic images based on the one or more feature points, constructing a minimal spanning tree based on the match matrix, identifying a first and second panoramic image, based on the minimal spanning tree, wherein the second panoramic image is associated with the first panoramic image providing a navigation from the first panoramic image to the second panoramic image. |
| US08787697B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method, and program
A normal-phase candidate position selection unit designates a pixel on a horizontal or vertical line in a position separated by two lines from a target position of an input image as a normal-phase candidate pixel, which is a candidate for a pixel at which jaggies are in the same phase as a pixel of the target position. A reverse-phase candidate position selection unit designates a pixel between the target position in the input image and the normal-phase candidate pixel as a reverse-phase candidate pixel. The weight value calculation unit calculates a weight value based on a degree of similarity between an image adjacent to the target position and an image adjacent to the normal-phase candidate pixel. The weighted expected value calculation unit performs weighted addition of reverse-phase candidate pixels using the weight value and generates a reverse-phase image by reversing only the phase of the jaggies in the input image. |
| US08787696B1 |
Method and apparatus for replacing a block of pixels in a digital image frame to conceal an error associated with the block of pixels
In one embodiment the present invention includes a digital image processing method for concealing errors. The method includes determining error pixel locations based on motion vectors and determining if the error pixel locations in a current frame are on an edge of an object in the current frame. If an error pixel location is on an edge, then a search of pixel values is performed in the current frame along the edge for a replacement pixel value. If the error pixel location is not on an edge, then a search of pixel values is performed in a region adjacent to the edge for the replacement pixel value. |
| US08787694B2 |
System and method for encoding and decoding using texture replacement
The invention provides devices and methods that process images. The invention processes a received signal representing information of texture and information of an image, which has the texture removed from at least one region. The image information is encoded to obtain encoded information of the image. An output signal is generated representing the texture information and the encoded image information. In another embodiment, the invention synthesizes texture based on the received texture information, decodes received image information, which is encoded, to obtain a decoded image, and then maps the synthesized texture onto the decoded image. |
| US08787692B1 |
Image compression using exemplar dictionary based on hierarchical clustering
An exemplar dictionary is built from example image blocks for determining predictor blocks for encoding and decoding images. The exemplar dictionary comprises a hierarchical organization of example image blocks. The hierarchical organization of image blocks is obtained by clustering a set of example image blocks, for example, based on k-means clustering. Performance of clustering is improved by transforming feature vectors representing the image blocks to fewer dimensions. Principal component analysis is used for determining feature vectors with fewer dimensions. The clustering performed at higher levels of the hierarchy uses fewer dimensions of feature vectors compared to lower levels of hierarchy. Performance of clustering is improved by processing only a sample of the image blocks of a cluster. The clustering performed at higher levels of the hierarchy uses lower sampling rates as compared to lower levels of hierarchy. |
| US08787687B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method
Provided is an image processing device including a selection section configured to select, from a plurality of transform units with different sizes, a transform unit used for inverse orthogonal transformation of image data to be decoded, a generation section configured to generate, from a first quantization matrix corresponding to a transform unit for a first size, a second quantization matrix corresponding to a transform unit for a second size from a first quantization matrix corresponding to a transform unit for a first size, and an inverse quantization section configured to inversely quantize transform coefficient data for the image data using the second quantization matrix generated by the generation section when the selection section selects the transform unit for the second size. |
| US08787685B2 |
Encoding and decoding an image or image sequence divided into pixel blocks
A method and apparatus are provided for coding an image or a sequence of images, generating a data stream including data representative of pixel groups, referred to as blocks, in one of the images. The method includes: grouping blocks in a cluster of blocks according to the proximity of their respective values corresponding to at least one block parameter to be coded; determining a value of the parameter, the value being characteristic of said group of blocks; coding blocks of the cluster, where the values of the blocks for the parameter are coded implicitly by inheritance of the characteristic value or are coded as refinements relative to the characteristic value, and coding a data structure associated with the cluster of blocks, the data structure including data associated with the characteristic value. |
| US08787679B1 |
Shape-based search of a collection of content
Shape-based search of a collection of content associated with one or more images of inventory items (“inventory images”) is enabled at least in part by associating the collection of content and/or its associated inventory images with representative refinement shapes. Inventory items may be grouped into categories and at least one refinement shape may be created for each of the categories. A refinement-shape hierarchy may be created by arranging the refinement shapes into parent and child refinement shapes. Inventory images may be associated to at least one of the refinement shapes of the refinement-shape hierarchy based at least in part on similarities between the refinement shapes and shapes of the inventory items reflected in the inventory images. |
| US08787675B2 |
Image pickup device, image processing method, and storage medium storing program
A method includes specifying an image area which is contained in the subject-present image taken and in which nonflatness is less than or equal to a predetermined value, determining whether or not a range of the specified image area in the subject-present image in which the nonflatness is less than or equal to a predetermined value is greater than or equal to a predetermined range, generating an extraction background image used to extract a subject area in the subject-present image containing the subject, from the image area when the range of the image area in which the nonflatness is less than or equal to a predetermined value is determined to be greater than or equal to the predetermined range, and extracting the subject area from the subject-present image based on information on a difference between each pixel in the extraction background image and a corresponding pixel in the subject-present image. |
| US08787673B2 |
System and method of determining building numbers
A system and method is provided for automatically recognizing building numbers in street level images. In one aspect, a processor selects a street level image that is likely to be near an address of interest. The processor identifies those portions of the image that are visually similar to street numbers, and then extracts the numeric values of the characters displayed in such portions. If an extracted value corresponds with the building number of the address of interest such as being substantially equal to the address of interest, the extracted value and the image portion are displayed to a human operator. The human operator confirms, by looking at the image portion, whether the image portion appears to be a building number that matches the extracted value. If so, the processor stores a value that associates that building number with the street level image. |
| US08787669B2 |
Compound object separation
Representations of an object can comprise two or more separate sub-objects, producing a compound object. Compound objects can affect the quality of object visualization and threat identification. As provided herein, a compound object can be separated into sub-objects based on object morphological properties (e.g., an object's shape, surface area). Further, a potential compound object can be split into sub-objects, for example, eroding one or more outer layers of volume space (e.g., voxels) from the potential compound object. Additionally, a volume of a representation of the sub-objects in an image can be reconstructed, for example, by generating sub-objects that have a combined volume approximate to that of the compound object. Furthermore, sub-objects, which can be parts of a same physical object, but may have been erroneously split, can be identified and merged using connectivity and compactness based techniques. |
| US08787668B2 |
Computing device and method for isolating and cutting out figures in design patent document
A method for isolating and cutting out figures in a design patent document divides each page of a figure section of the design patent document into a multiplicity of areas according to histograms, which are created based on information of black pixels and white pixels in a black-and-white image of the page. The method selects the areas that include the figures of the design patent, and displays the selected areas on a display device. |
| US08787664B2 |
Automatically matching colors in stereoscopic image pairs
A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium are disclosed for automatically matching colors in stereoscopic image pairs. A stereoscopic image pair is converted from a first color space to a second color space, comprising mapping color values in the first color space to color values in the second color space. The second color space is more perceptually uniform than the first color space. A color-matched stereoscopic image pair is generated in the second color space, comprising applying a respective transformation for each of a plurality of luminance ranges in each image of the stereoscopic image pair. The transformations are applied to the color values in the second color space dependent upon a contribution of each of the color values to each of the luminance ranges. The color-matched stereoscopic image pair is converted from the second color space to the first color space. |
| US08787659B2 |
Automatic adaptation to image processing pipeline
Techniques are disclosed relating to generating generic labels, translating generic labels to image pipeline-specific labels, and automatically adjusting images. In one embodiment, generic labels may be generated. Generic algorithm parameters may be generated based on training a regression algorithm with the generic labels. The generic labels may be translated to pipeline-specific labels, which may be usable to automatically adjust an image. |
| US08787658B2 |
Image segmentation using reduced foreground training data
Methods of image segmentation using reduced foreground training data are described. In an embodiment, the foreground and background training data for use in segmentation of an image is determined by optimization of a modified energy function. The modified energy function is the energy function used in image segmentation with an additional term comprising a scalar value. The optimization is performed for different values of the scalar to produce multiple initial segmentations and one of these segmentations is selected based on pre-defined criteria. The training data is then used in segmenting the image. In other embodiments further methods are described: one places an ellipse inside the user-defined bounding box to define the background training data and another uses a comparison of properties of neighboring image elements, where one is outside the user-defined bounding box, to reduce the foreground training data. |
| US08787653B2 |
Determining an orientation direction of a color edge at a pixel location in a color image
What is disclosed is a system and method for determining an orientation direction of a color edge at a given pixel location in a binary color image. The orientation direction of the color edge is determined from eight pixel counts with each pixel count being a total number of pixels in each of eight regions of a window centered about a candidate pixel which resides along the color edge. The eight regions are associated with 8 compass points. The orientation of the edge is determined by a 1st, 2nd and 3rd tier control bits which are based upon the pixel counts of each region. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd tier control bits collectively form a 3-bit word. The 3-bit word defines the orientation direction. The teachings hereof provide an efficient way of performing binary edge orientation detection by making uses of intermediate results to simultaneously encode the edge orientation. |
| US08787647B2 |
Image matching device and patient positioning device using the same
An image matching device in which, in automatic positioning calculation using an ICP method, a solution is converged to an optimal solution while avoiding reaching a local solution, and a patient positioning device using this matching device. The device includes a CT image data reading unit reading first and second CT image data, a point group data generation unit generating first and second point group data in a three-dimensional space by binarization processing and edge-extraction processing on sliced images of the first and second CT image data, respectively, a point group data resolution conversion unit thinning-out point group data so as to extend a point-group-data array pitch, and an ICP calculation unit obtaining, using an ICP method, a conversion amount for the second point group data so that an error function of the first point group data and the second point group data outputted from the point group data resolution conversion unit is minimized. |
| US08787646B2 |
Method and apparatus for computed tomography image reconstruction
A method and apparatus are provided to reconstruct projection data obtained from CT imaging devices with offset detector geometries. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided to reconstruct projection data obtained from CT imaging devices with offset detector geometries that includes the following steps: (i) matching projection data measured at opposing sides of the acquisition trajectory and splicing them together to generate a full, non-truncated projection data set; (ii) differentiation of the projection data; (iii) filtering the differentiated projection data with a filter, such as for example a Hilbert filter; (iv) applying redundancy weighting to the filtered projection data; and (v) back-projecting the redundancy weighted projection data to generate image data. |
| US08787642B2 |
Method, device and computer-readable recording medium containing program for extracting object region of interest
An object region extracting process for extracting an object region of interest from an image is automated to the maximum possible extent to improve user-friendliness. In this process, an arbitrary point is set in the object region of interest, and a presence area, which is likely to contain the entire object region of interest, is determined in the image using the set arbitrary point and a possible size of the object region of interest. Then, the object region of interest is extracted from the image based on the set arbitrary point and at least one point outside the determined presence area. |
| US08787639B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging device
Water/fat separation imaging is performed by an MRI device, even if the measurement is not performed with such echo times that the phases of water and fat signals become in-phase or out-of-phase. A determination is made as to which of two obtained separation images is a water image or a fat image. Two water/fat ratio maps are calculated from two original images obtained with such two echo times that phase differences of water and fat signals do not become positive and negative values, and do not becomes integral multiples of π. Two phase maps are calculated from the two water/fat ratio maps and are combined to calculate two minimum phase difference maps showing minimum spatial phase difference. From dispersion in differential maps obtained by spatially differentiating the minimum phase difference maps, a correct minimum phase difference map is determined, and is used to perform phase correction of the original image. |
| US08787637B2 |
Method for developing an information prediction device, use thereof, and corresponding storage medium and apparatus
A method for developing a prediction device for predicting a phenotype of a person from imaging data of the person is provided. The method includes determining imaging descriptors, the determining imaging descriptors including acquiring multidimensional images of people with an imaging apparatus and extracting multidimensional image elements from the acquired multidimensional images to serve as descriptors The method also includes classifying the predetermined descriptors on the basis of the capability thereof to predict the phenotype, selecting, from among the classified descriptors, a relevant number of the best-classified descriptors that is sufficient to predict the phenotype and constructing the prediction device from the selected descriptors. |
| US08787634B2 |
Apparatus and method for indicating likely computer-detected false positives in medical imaging data
A data structure for use by a computer system for processing medical image data and representing at least one first region of a patient includes at least one computer-detected feature of interest. The data structure includes a first computer code that is executable to detect first data representing at least one second region included within a respective first region. At least one said feature of interest in said second region has a significant likelihood of representing a computer-detected false positive. The second computer code is executable to provide second data for enabling at least one said first region to be displayed on a display device, such that at least one said second region is displayed on the display apparatus differently from part of said first region not containing features of interest having a significant likelihood of representing computer-detected false positives. |
| US08787625B2 |
Use of relatively permanent pigmented or vascular skin mark patterns in images for personal identification
Embodiments include methods, devices, software, and systems for identifying a person based on relatively permanent pigmented or vascular skin mark (RPPVSM) patterns in images. Locations of RPPVSMs in different images of people are point matched, and a correspondence probability that the point matched RPPVSMs are from different people is calculated. Other embodiments are also described. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08787620B2 |
Automated crystal identification achieved via watershed segmentation
A nuclear imaging system includes a crystal identification system which receives a flood image which includes a plurality of peaks, each peak responsive to radiation detected by a corresponding scintillator crystal. A crystal identification processor partitions the flood image into a plurality of candidate regions with a watershed segmentator implementing a watershed algorithm. The candidate regions are linked in an adjacency graph, and then classified as background or relevant, where relevant regions contain a peak within the watershed lines. The regions are then assigned to a crystal according to an objective function and an assignability score. A calibration processor maps the peaks to a rectangular grid. |
| US08787619B2 |
Temporal thermal imaging method for detecting subsurface objects and voids
A temporal thermal survey method to locate at a given area whether or not there is a subsurface object or void site. The method uses thermal inertia change detection. It locates temporal heat flows from naturally heated subsurface objects or faulty structures such as corrosion damage. The added value over earlier methods is the use of empirical methods to specify the optimum times for locating subsurface objects or voids amidst clutter and undisturbed host materials. Thermal inertia, or thermal effusivity, is the bulk material resistance to temperature change. Surface temperature highs and lows are shifted in time at the subsurface object or void site relative to the undisturbed host material sites. The Dual-band Infra-Red Effusivity Computed Tomography (DIRECT) method verifies the optimum two times to detect thermal inertia outliers at the subsurface object or void border with undisturbed host materials. |
| US08787618B2 |
Content information processing device, content information processing method, content information processing program, and personal digital assistant
An information processing apparatus comprising that includes a reproduction unit to reproduce video content comprising a plurality of frames; a memory to store a table including object identification information identifying an object image, and frame identification information identifying a frame of the plurality of frames that includes the object image; and a processor to extract the frame including the object image from the video content and generate display data of a reduced image corresponding to the frame for display. |
| US08787617B2 |
Imaging apparatus, mobile body detecting method, mobile body detecting circuit and program
An imaging apparatus includes: a moving body detecting section that detects if an object in an image is a moving body which makes a motion between frames; and an attribute determining section that determines a similarity indicating whether or not the object detected as the moving body is similar among a plurality of frames, and a change in luminance of the object based on a texture and luminance of the object, and, when determining that the object is a light/shadow-originated change in luminance, adds attribute information indicating the light/shadow-originated change in luminance to the object detected as the moving body. |
| US08787614B2 |
System and method building a map
A system building a map while an image sensor is moving, the system including the image sensor configured to capture images while the image sensor moves relative to one or more different locations, a sub-map building unit configured to recognize a relative location for at least the image sensor of the system using the captured images, build up a sub-map, and if a condition for stopping a building of the sub-map is met, store the sub-map which has been so far built up, an operation determining unit configured to determine whether the condition for stopping building the sub-map, an image group storing unit configured to store an image group including images that are newly captured from the image sensor after the storing of the sub-map when the condition for the stopping of the building of the sub-map is satisfied, and an overall map building unit configured to build an overall map based on the built sub-map and the stored image group when a current relative location for at least the image sensor of the system is determined to be same as a previous relative location for at least the image sensor of the system. |
| US08787613B2 |
Forensic mark insertion apparatus and method
A forensic mark insertion apparatus includes: an original content segment storage unit for storing multiple original contents; and a service control unit for, in response to a request for a content from a user, retrieving an original content corresponding to the request for the content from the original content segment storage unit, separating the retrieved original content into plurality of content segments, selectively inserting a forensic mark into some of the content segments, and assembling the content segments to produce an forensic-mark inserted content to be provided to the user. |
| US08787610B2 |
Ergonomic system for compact winding and storage of earphone set/headphones used with digital media devices
A case stores an earphone set proximate to a digital media device (DMD). The case includes a storage compartment for storing the earphone set proximate a rear side of the DMD. The earphone set may be wound onto a retaining clip that is formed to receive ear-pieces of the earphone set and has a pair of notches, disposed on opposite edges of the clip, about which the two wires are wound. A distance between inner segments of the notches is a function of the length of the wires such that an inline control panel and a junction splitter of the earphone set are positioned within a periphery of the retaining clip. The earpieces and a jack plug of the earphone set may be retained by the clip to facilitate retention of the cable and wires. |
| US08787608B2 |
Vibration isolation in a bone conduction device
A bone conduction device, including a bone fixture adapted to be fixed to bone, a vibratory element adapted to be attached to the bone fixture and configured to vibrate in response to sound signals, and a vibration isolator adapted to be disposed between the vibratory element and the bone. |
| US08787607B2 |
Percutaneous bone conduction implant
One embodiment relates to a percutaneous bone conduction implant. The implant includes a fixture configured to be anchored in the recipient's skull, and a skin-penetrating abutment configured to interface with the fixture and to permit the abutment to be removably attached to the fixture to form a fixture-abutment assembly. In an embodiment, at least one anti-microbial surface forms one or more surfaces of the formed fixture-abutment assembly located in an interior of the formed fixture-abutment assembly when the fixture is removably attached to the abutment with an abutment screw. The interior is substantially isolated from a surrounding environment of the fixture-abutment assembly. |
| US08787595B2 |
Audio signal adjustment device and audio signal adjustment method having long and short term gain adjustment
To perform volume control matching the actual auditory sensation level of a human so as to improve the control accuracy. As shown in FIG. 1, an audio gain adjustment device 10 includes: an audio signal input section 12 that acquires an audio signal to be adjusted; a long-term gain reflection section 14 that reflects the adjustment of long-term gain in the acquired audio signal; a frequency division section 20 that divides the audio signal from the long-term gain reflection section 14 into three frequency bands; a short-term gain reflection section 30 that reflects the adjustment of short-term gain in each frequency band; a synthesis section 40 that synthesizes audio signals output from the short-term gain reflection section 30; and an audio signal output section 42 that outputs the synthesized audio signal. |
| US08787594B1 |
Multi-stream audio level controller
A volume level and crossfade controller with programmable fades and audio stream priority controls saturation for a multiple audio stream mixer. Start of fade and end of fade events trigger updates of relative volume level targets and volume ramps. |
| US08787593B1 |
State feedback for single-valued devices with multiple inputs
An apparatus for controlling a target device including a first input device configured to provide a first input to the target device, a second input device configured to provide a second input to the target device, and a control mixer configured to generate an output using a policy, the first input and the second input, wherein the output comprises a feedback and a target device output, wherein the feedback comprises some function of the state of the target device, the policy, and the state of each input device connected to the control mixer. |
| US08787586B2 |
Information processor and controller device
A controller device is provided whereby players can experience realistic sounds. The controller device is connected to the main body of an information processing apparatus, wherein the controller device comprises a first speaker for emitting a sound signal in a low frequency range, and a second speaker for emitting a sound signal in a frequency range that is higher in comparison with the first speaker. |
| US08787583B2 |
Systems and methods for distributing and securing data
A robust computational secret sharing scheme that provides for the efficient distribution and subsequent recovery of a private data is disclosed. A cryptographic key may be randomly generated and then shared using a secret sharing algorithm to generate a collection of key shares. The private data may be encrypted using the key, resulting in a ciphertext. The ciphertext may then be broken into ciphertext fragments using an Information Dispersal Algorithm. Each key share and a corresponding ciphertext fragment are provided as input to a committal method of a probabilistic commitment scheme, resulting in a committal value and a decommittal value. The share for the robust computational secret sharing scheme may be obtained by combining the key share, the ciphertext fragment, the decommittal value, and the vector of committal values. |
| US08787580B2 |
Distribution of keys for encryption/decryption
Methods of encryption and decryption are described which use a key associated with an event to encrypt/decrypt data associated with the event. The method of encryption comprises identifying a key associated with an event and encrypting data using the identified key. The encrypted data is then published along with details of the event. |
| US08787577B2 |
Method and system for wireless transmission of content
The invention discloses a method and a system for wireless transmission of content. The present invention relates generally to wireless network technology, Problems solved by the invention is that, the method for manually entering the shared key is neither convenient nor secure, while the method for transmitting the shared key over the wireless network also makes the shared key exposed to an unsafe environment. Embodiments of the invention provide the program as follows: a method and a system for wireless transmission of content, wherein, capturing shared key, using the shared key to encrypt the content, and then transmitting the encrypted content over the wireless network. Embodiments of the invention are suitable for terminals and devices wirelessly connected, and so on. |
| US08787574B2 |
Multicast key negotiation method suitable for group calling system and a system thereof
The present invention discloses a multicast key negotiation method suitable for group calling system and a system thereof. The method includes that: a user terminal (UT) negotiates about a unicast key with a base station (BS), derives an information encryption key and an integrity verifying key according to the unicast key, and registers a service group identifier that the UT belongs to at the BS; the BS notifies the UT the multicast key of the service group that the UT needs to apply, constructs a multicast key notification packet, and sends it to the UT; after receiving the multicast key notification packet sent by the BS, the UT obtains the multicast key of the service group that the UT needs to apply by decrypting a service group key application list, constructs a multicast key confirmation packet, and sends it to the BS; the BS confirms that the multicast key of the UT service group is built successfully according to the multicast key confirmation packet sent by the UT. |
| US08787570B2 |
Systems and methods for automatically genenrating top level index files
Systems and methods for automatically generating top level index files for use in adaptive bitrate streaming in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the method of the invention includes receiving a request from a playback device at a playback server, where the request identifies a piece of content, retrieving a list of assets associated with the identified piece of content using the playback server, filtering the list of assets using at least one predetermined criterion using the playback server, generating a top level index file describing each asset in the filtered list of assets using the playback server, and sending the top level index file to the playback device using the playback server. |
| US08787568B2 |
Data transformation apparatus, data transformation method, and computer program
A non-linear transformation processing structure having a high implementation efficiency and a high security is realized. Data transformation is performed using a first non-linear transformation part performing non-linear transformation using a plurality of small S-boxes; a linear transformation part receiving all the outputs from the first non-linear transformation part and performing data transformation using a matrix for performing optimal diffusion mappings; and a second non-linear transformation part including a plurality of small non-linear transformation parts that perform non-linear transformation on individual data units into which output data from the linear transformation part is divided. With this structure, appropriate data diffusion can be achieved without excessively increasing a critical path, and a structure with a high implementation efficiency and a high security can be achieved. |
| US08787567B2 |
System and method for decrypting files
In accordance with particular embodiments, a computer-implemented method for execution by one or more processors includes intercepting a communication comprising a message. The method also includes identifying words from within the message. The method further includes storing in a dictionary words from within the message of the communication and one or more parameters of the communication for each of the words. The dictionary comprises a plurality of words from a plurality of intercepted text-based communications. The method also includes receiving an encrypted file that is configured to be decrypted using a password. The method additionally includes identifying words from the dictionary to be used to attempt to decrypt the encrypted file. The identified words are identified based on at least one parameter associated with the encrypted file and the one or more parameters stored in the dictionary. The method further includes attempting to decrypt the encrypted file using at least a portion of the identified words from the dictionary as the password for decrypting the encrypted attachment. |
| US08787563B2 |
Data converter, data conversion method and program
A data converter for generating a hash value for message data is disclosed. The data converter executes a data conversion process, which includes compression-function execution sections and process sequences in which divided data blocks constituting message data are processed in parallel. Each compression-function execution section performs a process, using a message scheduling section and a chaining variable processing section. The message scheduling section receives a corresponding divided data block of the message data and performs a message scheduling process. The chaining variable processing section receives an output from the message scheduling section and an intermediate value output from a preceding processing section, and generates output data, which has the same number of bits as in the intermediate value. The compression-function execution sections may use one or more message scheduling sections and chaining variable processing sections. |
| US08787561B2 |
Techniques for implementing adaptation control of an echo canceller to facilitate detection of in-band signals
A technique for detecting in-band signaling tones in a communication system includes performing a first adaptation of an adaptive filter of an echo canceller in response to detection of a far-end harmonic signal. In this case, the adaptive filter provides an echo estimation signal. The technique also includes subtracting the echo estimation signal from a near-end signal that includes one or more in-band signaling tones to provide an error signal. The technique further includes detecting, using a tone detector, the one or more in-band signaling tones in the error signal. |
| US08787560B2 |
Method for determining a set of filter coefficients for an acoustic echo compensator
The invention provides a method for determining a set of filter coefficients for an acoustic echo compensator in a beamformer arrangement. The acoustic echo compensator compensates for echoes within the beamformed signal. A plurality of sets of filter coefficients for the acoustic echo compensator is provided. Each set of filter coefficients corresponds to one of a predetermined number of steering directions of the beamformer arrangement. The predetermined number of steering directions is equal to or greater than the number of microphones in the microphone array. For a current steering direction, a current set of filter coefficients for the acoustic echo compensator is determined based on the provided sets of filter coefficients. |
| US08787559B2 |
Codec circuit for POTS system
A CODEC circuit for POTS system comprises a digital circuit for outputting a digital control signal having a first bit width, the digital control signal being indicative of a voltage to be applied to a POTS subscriber line pair. Further, the CODEC comprises a noise shaper coupled to an output of the digital circuit for generating a noise-shaped control signal and a digital-to-analog converter coupled to an output of the noise shaper, the input of the digital-to-analog converter having a second bit width being larger than 1 and smaller than the first bit width. |
| US08787556B1 |
Systems and methods for a provider initialized real-time chat based on detection of a pattern
In one example, a method provides at least one service to a web-enabled user by detecting a stalled web session related to the user accessing the at least one service and providing a stall alert to a computer telephony interface, the stall alert based on the stalled web session. In response to the stall alert, the method includes using a computer telephony interface to automatically query availability of an agent. If the query determines an agent is available, the method includes automatically communicating instructions from a real-time chat module in communication with the computer telephony interface to a computing device operated by the user, the instructions to initialize a real-time chat application executed on the computing device. The method includes providing the agent with outbound call specifications related to the user and disabling the stall alert when the stalled web session is no longer detected. |
| US08787554B1 |
System and method for a digital network for switching web service messages
The present system and method comprises an improved marketplace for providing and consuming services. Using the present system, generally via one or more APIs, comprises a method for integrating value added services within a network of participants, for instance, a payment network. The network can use service switching capabilities to route service calls to and from the service consumers and providers using routing elements defined in a message specification. Network participants can be both consumers and providers of services. The network can route service messages to the appropriate provider depending on details in the message. |
| US08787548B2 |
System and method for distributed communication control within an enterprise
Systems and methods for providing distributed call control are provided. In exemplary embodiments, a communication user interface is provided on a client device associated with an individual. The communication user interface comprises a plurality of selectable communication control operations configured to provide control over communications of users within an enterprise. A selection of one of the plurality of communication control operations is received from the individual. Permissions associated with the individual are reviewed to determine if the individual is allowed to perform the communication control operation. If the individual is allowed, the communication control operation is performed. If the individual is not allowed, a denial indicator may be provided. |
| US08787542B2 |
Customized caller ID based upon called party number
A “customized” caller ID service platform is utilized within a telecommunications network (which may be the PSTN, an IP network, or any other network for supporting voice communication) to allow for the caller ID information transmitted to a called party to be tailored to the specific called party. A database within the platform is configured to store a listing of registered subscribers and a set of “pre-defined called numbers” associated with each subscriber. For each listed number, the subscriber provides the specific customized information (for example, an account number) that is to be transmitted to that specific called number as the caller ID information. A registered subscriber is able to gain access to the platform and modify the entries as need be. |
| US08787541B1 |
System and method for quality auto-blending in call routing
A system and method blend particular quality considerations into the process of expanding the route choices in a route table, such that more calls can be successfully routed while maximizing certain objectives. The quality considerations drive how additional routes are chosen for the route table and how call volumes are allocated to the chosen routes so that overall profitability can be maximized within the governing constraints of quality targets, route quality, predicted traffic, and route capacity. |
| US08787538B2 |
Automated communication techniques
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing an autoresponder that allows subscribers to opt-in to one or more autoresponder campaigns using their spoken voice. Voice input is received from a subscriber and converted to text. The subscriber is added to at least one campaign. A contact communication identifier is stored in a subscriber contact record from the text that was converted from the voice input. One or more messages are sent to the subscriber using the contact communication identifier, and according to a schedule specified in the campaign. A virtual seminar playback system is described that simulates a live virtual seminar and allows subscribers to access a playback of a media recording over a communication connection at a specified time. An autoresponder system is described that delivers messages to subscribers in multiple available formats, based upon selections received by the subscribers. |
| US08787537B2 |
IVR communication session routing and recording
A method may include receiving, by a computing device, a communication session invitation from a user device and determining, by the computing device, whether a communication session, corresponding to the communication session invitation, is to be recorded. The method may also include, when the communication session is to be recorded, identifying, by the computing device, a record mode, corresponding to the communication session, from a group of record modes. The method may further include establishing, by the computing device, recording services corresponding to the record mode, and establishing, by the computing device, the communication session with the user device. The method may also include, when the communication session is not to be recorded, establishing, by the computing device, the communication session with the user device. |
| US08787535B2 |
Caller authentication system
A disclosed method of authenticating a telephone caller includes receiving an authentication request for the telephone caller that includes a voice recording of the caller and household information indicative of a household, creating a first voice pattern based on the voice recording of the caller, retrieving a second voice pattern using at least some of the household information, comparing the two voice patterns, and transmitting information indicative of the results of the comparison. The transmitted information may include information that the telephone caller is authenticated, is not authenticated, or that the comparison results were inconclusive. The method may include monitoring telephone calls with the household, and if it is determined that a voice on at least some of the telephone calls is associated with the household, creating the second voice pattern based on the voice, and associating the second voice pattern to the household. The method may further include disassociating the second voice pattern from the household if it is determined that a change of household has occurred. |
| US08787533B2 |
System and method for placing a phone call through a selected telecommunications network
A system and method for placing a phone call through a selected telephone network is disclosed. A member submits a source phone number and a destination phone number to an application server in the selected telephone network. The member's class of service (COS) is determined. A first phone call is placed to the source phone number, if it is within the member's COS. A second phone call is placed to the destination phone number if it is within the member's COS. Caller ID information associated with the member's phone in the selected telephone network is communicated to the destination phone. The phone calls are connected to enable communication between the source and destination phones. |
| US08787527B2 |
Mammography apparatus
A mammography apparatus includes a detector that detects X-rays transmitted through a breast, and an optically transparent or semitransparent pressing panel for pressing the breast. The apparatus further includes a near infrared ray source that provided between the X-ray source and the pressing panel and arranged in a two-dimensional shape in alignment with the pressing panel, and that is movable between a first position in close contact with the pressing panel and a second position outside an X-ray image capture region. Near infrared image capture is carried out using the near infrared ray source by causing the near infrared ray source to be in the first position, and the near infrared ray source is caused to retract to the second position when carrying out X-ray image capture using the X-ray source. |
| US08787523B2 |
X-ray analysis apparatus with radiation monitoring feature
An XRF analysis apparatus includes a housing with a source of penetrating radiation to be directed at a sample and a detector for detecting fluoresced radiation from the sample. A shield is attachable to the housing to protect the user from radiation and a safety interlock is configured to detect whether or not the shield is attached to the housing. A controller is responsive to the safety interlock, and configured to monitor usage of the source of radiation at or above a predetermined power level when the shield is not attached to the housing and provide an output signal when the monitored usage of the source of penetrating radiation at or above the predetermined power level without the shield attached to the housing exceeds one or more predetermined thresholds. |
| US08787520B2 |
Radiation imaging device
Disclosed is an X-ray imaging apparatus in which a correction function used to correct scattered X-rays and a correction function used to correct beam hardening can be simply and precisely determined so that the correcting operations are performed in an appropriate sequence using the correction functions thus determined to enhance the precision in the correction and improve the image quality. The scattered X-rays and the beam hardening are corrected sequentially in this order, using the scattered X-ray correction function and the beam hardening correction function, both calculated using measured data for calculating the correction functions. The scattered X-ray correction function approximates as to each transmission distance, the data measured with changes in the transmission distance and with changes in the scattered X-ray amount, and associates the correction value thus obtained with transmittance data. Upon calculation of the beam hardening correction function, data measured with changes in the transmission distance is converted into projection data and is linearly approximated to obtain an ideal amount of beam hardening. |
| US08787519B2 |
System and method of optimizing a representation of dual energy spectral CT images
An imaging system includes an x-ray source, a detector, a data acquisition system (DAS) operably connected to the detector, and a computer operably connected to the DAS. The computer is programmed to obtain CT scan data with two or more incident energy spectra, decompose the obtained CT scan data into projection CT data of a first basis material and a second basis material, generate a first basis material image and a second basis material image using the decomposed projection CT data, generate a first monochromatic image from the first basis material image and the second basis material image at a first energy that is selected based on an amount of correlated noise at the first energy, noise-reduce the first monochromatic image to generate a noise-reduced first monochromatic image, and generate a final monochromatic image based at least on the noise-reduced first monochromatic image. |
| US08787517B2 |
Absorber tube for BWR control rods
In a control rod having a plurality of elongated members for absorbing neutrons within a nuclear reactor to control a nuclear reaction, each elongated member may include a cylindrical inner capsule configured to contain neutron absorbing material therein. The elongated member may also include an absorber tube enclosing the cylindrical inner capsule, the absorber tube having an outer surface configured with a plurality of generally flat, planar sides between adjacent rounded corners. |
| US08787516B2 |
Thermoelectric power converter support structure
An apparatus is provided and includes a reactor core, a boom and a shield assembly supportively interposed between the reactor core and the boom, a heat pipe disposed in thermal communication with the reactor core, a thermoelectric power converter operably coupled to the heat pipe, struts supportively coupled to the heat pipe at opposite ends of the power converter and hinge joints to rotatably couple the struts to the boom, at least one of the hinge joints being spring-loaded. |
| US08787515B2 |
Clock data recovery circuit
A clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit having a phase locked module and a frequency locked module is provided. A phase detector of the phase locked module compares a phase of an input data stream with a phase of a data-recovery clock to output an adjusting signal. The frequency locked module performs a first-order integration process and a second-order integration process on the adjusting signal to generate a first integration error and a frequency control signal. The phase locked module generates a phase control signal according to the first integration error and the adjusting signal. An oscillation circuit of the frequency locked module generates at least one reference clock according to the frequency control signal. A phase converter of the phase locked module outputs the data-recovery clock to the phase detector according to the phase control signal and the reference clock. |
| US08787511B2 |
Frequency and Q-factor tunable filters using frequency translatable impedance structures
A system including a filter and a downconverter. The filter is configured to receive, from a node, (i) a first signal and (ii) a second signal, and filter the second signal. The filter includes a first input impedance. The filter comprises a first plurality of switches and a first circuit. The first plurality of switches is configured to communicate with the node. The first plurality of switches is clocked at a first frequency. The first frequency is based on a frequency of the first signal. The first circuit is configured to communicate with an output of the plurality of switches. The first circuit includes a second input impedance. The second input impedance is different than the first input impedance. The downconverter is configured to (i) receive the first signal and (ii) downconvert the first signal. The filter and the downconverter are connected in parallel to the node. |
| US08787505B1 |
Preamble detection with multiple receive antennas
A system including a differential demodulation module that generates differentially demodulated signals based on having differentially demodulated received signals. A first summing module generates a combined signal, including a plurality of symbols, by adding the differentially demodulated signals. A second summing module generates a plurality of sums for each of a plurality of derived preamble sequences, which are derived from preamble sequences. Each of the derived preamble sequences includes a plurality of derived symbols. One of the plurality of sums generated for one of the derived preamble sequences is a sum of a first portion of one of the plurality of symbols of the combined signal and a second portion of one of the derived symbols of the one of the derived preamble sequences. |
| US08787504B2 |
Enhancing channel estimates made in digital communications receivers
Schemes for combining channel-estimates from different OFDM frames after compensating for changes in receiver-transmitter characteristics. |
| US08787502B2 |
Capacitive isolated voltage domains
In one embodiment, a method of communicating data values over a three conductor interface is provided. Different data values are transmitted by generating and transmitting three respective signals to a receiver using three conductors. The first signal is maintained as a set voltage level. The second signal is alternated between a high voltage and a low voltage according to a carrier frequency. The third signal is alternated between the high and low voltages and is out of phased with the second signal. To transmit a first data value, the first signal is generated on a first conductor, the second signal is generated on a second conductor, and the third signal is generated on a third conductor. To transmit a second data value, the second signal is generated on the first conductor, the first signal is generated on the second conductor, and the third signal is generated on the third conductor. |
| US08787500B2 |
Multi-transport stream (TS) generating apparatus and method, and digital broadcasting transmission and reception apparatuses and methods
A multi-transport stream (TS) generating apparatus and method, and digital broadcasting transmission and reception apparatuses and method are provided. The multi-TS generating apparatus includes an adaptor to generate an adaptation field in some packets of a normal stream; an interleaver to interleave the normal stream; a turbo processor to turbo-code a plurality of turbo streams; a stuffer to generate a multi-TS by stuffing the plurality of the turbo streams into the adaptation field; and a deinterleaver to deinterleave the multi-TS. Accordingly, the plurality of the turbo streams can be transmitted far more easily. |
| US08787497B2 |
Apparatus for transmitting and receiving a signal and method of transmitting and receiving a signal
The present invention relates to a method of transmitting and a method of receiving signals and corresponding apparatus. One aspect of the present invention relates to an efficient L1 signaling method for an efficient transmitter and an efficient receiver using the efficient L1 signaling method for an efficient cable broadcasting. |
| US08787494B2 |
Modeling digital predistorter
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for predistorting an input signal to compensate for non-linear distortions introduced by an electronic device, for example, a power amplifier. The non-linear effects of a power amplifier can be modeled using different behavior models. Coefficients for one behavior model can be converted into coefficients for a different behavior model using a conversion function. A conversion circuit implementing the conversion function can be used in between a predistorter and an adaptation circuit that use different models. |
| US08787490B2 |
Transmitting data in a communication system
A signal to be transmitted from a terminal via a channel in a communication network is encoded by receiving the signal at the terminal; determining characteristics of the channel; encoding a first portion of the signal in accordance with a first encoding method to produce a first encoded signal portion; and encoding a second portion of the signal in accordance with a second encoding method to produce a second encoded signal portion. The first portion of the signal is encoded in accordance with the first encoding method depending on the determined characteristics of the channel. The first encoded signal portion and the second encoded signal portion are transmitted via the channel. |
| US08787488B2 |
System, method and apparatus for crosstalk cancellation
The present invention effectively cancels echo, near-end crosstalk and far-end crosstalk. A FEXT canceller is placed at the transmitter rather than at the receiver according to an aspect of the invention. In some embodiment, a FEXT canceller can be placed at the receiver only or the combination of both ends. The FEXT canceller is continuously adapted with information sent back from a remote receiver and with data from a neighbor transmitter that causes the crosstalk at the remote receiver. This allows the FEXT canceller to quickly adapt to a change in crosstalk function or conditions with the surrounding environment, for example, aging, temperature, humidity, physical pressure, etc. In some embodiments, an adaptation control signal is sent back from the receiver to the transmitter by using an overhead bit in the frame format. In some embodiments, part of the FEXT canceller is built-in at the remote receiver. |
| US08787483B1 |
Method and apparatus for detecting a desired signal in the presence of an interfering signal
In accordance with an embodiment, there is provided a method comprising receiving, at a receiver, a desired signal and an interfering signal, wherein the interfering signal was transmitted with a modulation unknown to the receiver; identifying a likely modulation corresponding to the modulation with which the interfering signal was transmitted; and decoding the desired signal using a modulation dependent multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) detection, wherein the modulation dependent MIMO detection is based at least in part on the identified likely modulation corresponding to the modulation with which the interfering signal was transmitted, wherein the modulation dependent MIMO detection includes maximum likelihood (ML) detection. |
| US08787481B2 |
Method and arrangement for adapting a multi-antenna transmission
A method in a first node for adapting a multi-antenna transmission to a second node over a wireless channel is provided. The wireless channel has at least three inputs and at least one output. The first node and the second node are comprised in a wireless communication system. The method includes obtaining at least one symbol stream, determining a precoding matrix having a product structure created by a block diagonal matrix being multiplied from the left with a block diagonalizing unitary matrix, precoding the at least one symbol stream with the determined precoding matrix, and transmitting the precoded at least one symbol stream over a wireless channel to the second node. |
| US08787480B2 |
Method of determining channel state information
A method for estimating channel state information (CSI) for a communication channel is disclosed. Theoretical channel capacities are calculated using combinations of rank indicator (RI) and precoding matrix index (PMI) values. A number of these theoretical channel capacities are selected and used for determining an optimum combination of channel quality indicator (CQI) values, RI values and PMI values. This combination of values is subsequently transmitted as CSI. |
| US08787478B2 |
Wireless communication system, receiving apparatus, transmitting apparatus, wireless communication method, receiving method, and transmitting method
The wireless communication system is a MIMO communication system that uses a plurality of antennas to form a plurality of fixed transmission channels, and includes a transmitting section and a receiving section. The transmitting section performs MIMO spatial multiplexing as well as dual polarization transmission of transmitting two independent signals in the same band by using two mutually orthogonal polarizations of radio waves as signals to be transmitted from respective antennas on a transmitting side. The receiving section includes an inference canceller and a MIMO signal processing circuit that is connected to the interference canceller. The interference canceller performs signal processing for eliminating an interference component between the polarizations by adaptive control on signals received by respective antennas on a receiving side. The MIMO signal processing circuit performs signal processing for MIMO spatial demultiplexing independent of the signal processing of the interference canceller. |
| US08787472B2 |
Wireless communication unit and method for channel estimation
A method is provided for estimating at least one offset of a communication in a multicarrier communication system. The method comprises receiving a plurality of subcarriers wherein the plurality of subcarriers contain the subcarrier that is subject to the distortion; and generating a plurality of first channel estimates for a respective plurality of received subcarriers that are not subject to the distortion. The method further comprises processing a number of the plurality of first channel estimates for the respective plurality of received subcarriers that are not subject to the distortion to generate a second channel estimate for the subcarrier that is subject to the distortion; and estimating an offset associated with the subcarrier that is subject to the distortion. |
| US08787471B1 |
Alignment of DigRF4 lane
A method includes receiving, over multiple serial interfaces arranged in parallel to couple between a transmitter and a receiver, a data burst which includes start-of-frame markers and is transmitted over the serial interfaces as multiple respective partial bursts such that each start-of-frame marker is transmitted over the multiple serial interfaces. A relative symbol offset between two or more start-of-frame markers on respective two or more of the serial interfaces is detected at the receiver. The data burst is decoded based on the detected relative symbol offset. |
| US08787470B2 |
Data encoding
The receiver portion of a UWB wireless device is altered by replacing analog-to-digital circuitry with a simple energy detection circuit. In embodiments, the coding methodology of a transmitter is altered to support the simplified receiver configuration. For example, instead of coding the data to be sent in the phase of the UWB signal, the data is encoded in a binary fashion in discrete frequency subbands of the UWB signal. Although this may reduce the usable bandwidth of the channel, it also decreases the complexity and power consumption of UWB devices. In one or more embodiments, a UWB device is able to select a transmission mode (BPSK or Energy Coding) based on its environment. Moreover, in one or more embodiments, receiving devices may switch between coding modes based on the capabilities of a remote transmitter and/or a peer receiver. |
| US08787463B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding motion vector
Provided are methods and apparatuses for encoding and decoding a motion vector. The method of encoding the motion vector includes: selecting, as a mode of encoding information about a motion vector predictor of the current block, a first mode in which information indicating the motion vector predictor from among at least one motion vector predictor is encoded or a second mode in which information indicating generation of the motion vector predictor based on blocks or pixels included in a previously encoded area adjacent to the current block is encoded; determining the motion vector predictor of the current block according to the selected mode and encoding the information about the motion vector predictor of the current block; and encoding a difference vector between the motion vector of the current block and the motion vector predictor of the current block. |
| US08787462B2 |
Video signal processing apparatus and video signal processing method
A frame rate conversion apparatus compares a first frame image and a second frame image, detects a motion vector for each of blocks obtained by dividing a frame image into blocks, detects a scroll vector which indicates a uniform motion in an entire frame image based on the detected motion vector, and determines whether frame interpolation using the scroll vector is possible or not for each block in the first frame image, based on a correlation value in block matching of the block in the first frame image with an area obtained by shifting the block in the second frame image by an amount of the scroll vector, and a correlation value in block matching of the block in the first frame image with an area obtained by shifting the block in the second frame image by an amount of the motion vector. |
| US08787458B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding video, and method and apparatus for decoding video
Disclosed are a method and a apparatus for encoding a video, and a method and apparatus for decoding a video, in which neighboring pixels used to perform intra prediction on a current block to be encoded are filtered and intra prediction is performed by using the filtered neighboring pixels. |
| US08787454B1 |
Method and apparatus for data compression using content-based features
Disclosed herein are methods and apparatuses for compressing a video signal. In one embodiment, the method includes storing a function derived from a set of human ratings in a memory, identifying within at least a portion of the video signal at least one content-based feature, inputting the at least one identified content-based feature into the stored function, determining a compression ratio based on the function using a processor and generating a compressed video signal at the determined compression ratio. |
| US08787434B2 |
Sampling phase selection method for a stream of data bits
A sampling phase selection method for a data stream is provided, wherein the data stream has a variable data rate in a fixed time period. The method comprises generating a calibration signal, wherein the time interval of the calibration signal is longer than the fixed time period of the data stream, generating a first clock sequence and a subsequent second clock sequence, wherein the first and the second clock sequence are composed of a plurality of continuous clock phases and the number of the clock phases of the first clock sequence are the same as that of the clock phases of the second clock sequence, selecting one of the phases of the first and the second clock sequence, in turn, to provide a sampling phase, performing a plurality of samplings on the data stream to generate a flag signal, and selecting a final sampling phase according to the flag signals with different sampling phases. |
| US08787431B2 |
Transmitter and communication device
A transmitter compensates for AM/PM distortion and operates with low distortion and high efficiency. A compensation section calculates an amplitude signal M representing the magnitude of a vector consisting of IPL and QPL signals which pass through LPFs, respectively, thereby predicting variation of the envelope of a radio frequency signal Pi, which variation occurs due to Ip′ and Qp′ signals passing through LPFs, respectively. The compensation section calculates a phase compensation amount θcomp, based on the calculated amplitude signal M, and adds the phase compensation amount θcomp to a phase signal θ. |
| US08787429B2 |
Communication system with channel compensating equalizer
A communication system and method for extending coverage of a base transceiver station. The communication system includes processing circuitry that receives a communication signal over a wireless channel. The received communication signal is processed through an adaptable equalizer to reduce noise, distortion, interference, and frequency errors. In another aspect of the invention, a frequency of a reference signal in the communication system is adjusted to compensate for frequency errors between the communication system and the source of the communication signal. The equalized and frequency adjusted communication signal is then retransmitted into an extended coverage area. Wireless coverage is thereby provided between a base transceiver station and a mobile device in the extended coverage area. |
| US08787423B1 |
Agile frequency synthesizer scheme for fast-hopping, low phase noise applications
A system and method for frequency hopping precalibrates a subset of a plurality of channels, storing the channels' associated curves in a computer readable medium. Before hopping to a new channel, decision making circuitry can access the precalibrated curves. If the destination channel has an associated curve, then the system can use the values from that curve when hopping to a new channel. If the destination channel does not have an associated precalibrated curve, then the system can identify a closely situated channel with a precalibrated curve and use an offset value to settle at the destination channel. According to another aspect of the present invention, the offsets can be updated. According to a further aspect of the invention, the updated can be done dynamically. |
| US08787420B2 |
Integrated semiconductor laser element
Integrated are: semiconductor lasers of distributed feedback type that oscillate in single mode at emission wavelengths different from one another; a coupler that has as many input ports as the semiconductor lasers, the input ports to which output light from the semiconductor lasers are input, the coupler guiding and outputting the output light; and an amplifier that amplifies the output light from the coupler, and a predetermined relation holds true, where “N” is the number of the semiconductor lasers, “Ldfb” is a cavity length of each of the semiconductor lasers, “Δν0” is a spectral linewidth of laser light output therefrom, “Lsoa” is an amplifier length of the amplifier, “A” is an amplification factor of the amplifier, “Δν” is a spectral linewidth of amplified laser light output therefrom, and “R” is Δν/Δν0. |
| US08787416B2 |
Laser diode using zinc oxide nanorods and manufacturing method thereof
Provided are a laser diode using zinc oxide nanorods and a manufacturing method thereof. The laser diode using zinc oxide nanorods according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a wafer; an electrode layer formed on the wafer; a nanorod layer including a plurality of n-doped zinc oxide nanorods grown on the electrode layer; and a p-doped single crystal semiconductor layer that is physically in contact with the ends of the zinc oxide nanorods. |
| US08787415B1 |
Bias current control of laser diode instrument to reduce power consumption of the instrument
Embodiments for driving a laser diode includes generating a bias current having a duty cycle that is less than 100%. The current level of the bias current is insufficient to turn on the laser diode. A drive current is generated and combined with the bias current to turn on the laser diode almost instantly. |
| US08787414B1 |
Methods and systems for providing a low stress electrode connection
Systems and methods for providing a low stress electrode connection capable of carrying a high electrical current to an edge-emitting device, such as a laser diode are described. Systems and methods for providing mechanisms to allow precise adjustment of the relative position of one heat-sink for an optical edge emitting device relative to an adjacent heat-sink in a stack of heat-sinks are also provided herein. |
| US08787409B2 |
Method for discontinuously transferring data in a point-to-multipoint access network, central unit, and network termination unit
An exemplary method and apparatus are provided for transferring data from a central unit in a network to a subscriber-sided network termination unit via a distribution network that connects the central unit with the subscriber-sided network termination unit and multiple of other subscriber-sided network termination units. Measures for providing correct data transmissions, such as scrambling or forward error correction, are applied to the data for the single subscriber-sided network termination unit before the data are combined with data for other subscriber-sided network termination units. As a consequence, there is no longer a need to completely process the transferred data at each and every subscriber-sided network termination unit. |
| US08787406B2 |
Method and apparatus for distributing and receiving high-speed ethernet media independent interface blocks
A method and apparatus for distributing and receiving high-speed Ethernet Media Independent Interface (MII) blocks are provided to moderate the increase of control lines with the increase of the bit width and to simplify the block types in the coding process of the Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS). The technical solution disclosed herein includes: processing received Media Access Control (MAC) layer data, and adjusting distribution of control characters to generate a 64-bit block; obtaining a control signal code of the 64-bit block according to the relation between the form of the 64-bit block and the control signal code; and binding each 64-bit block to the corresponding control signal code respectively, and sending bound data over a separate channel. |
| US08787404B2 |
Event-based keep alive times in communication networks
A method of communicating in a network having a plurality of nodes including a base node (BN), and a plurality of service nodes (SNs) having at least one switch node (SW) and at least one terminal node (TN). The method includes at least one of a) a first SN from the plurality of SNs receiving (i) a data/ALV_B/ACK frame from the BN or (ii) a beacon from the BN or SW, and restarting a first KA timer at the first SN upon (i) or (ii), and b) restarting an ALV_S timer at the BN for the first SN upon receiving a data/ALV_S/ACK frame from the first SN. |
| US08787400B1 |
Weighted equal-cost multipath
Routers balance network traffic among multiple paths through a network according to an amount of bandwidth that can be sent on an outgoing interface computed for each of the paths. For example, a router receives a link bandwidth for network links that are positioned between the first router and a second router of the network, and selects a plurality of forwarding paths from the first router to the second router. Upon determining that one of the network links is shared by multiple of the plurality of forwarding paths, the router computes a path bandwidth for each of the plurality of outgoing interfaces so as to account for splitting of link bandwidth of the shared network link across the multiple forwarding paths that share the network link. The router assigns packet flows to the forwarding paths based at least on the computed amount of bandwidth for each of the outgoing interfaces. |
| US08787399B2 |
Controlling packet filter installation in a user equipment
A communication system includes a user equipment (UE) 10 and a gateway 26. The UE (10) sends data packets on one or more bearers (52, 54) to the gateway 26. One or more packet filters (62, 64) are installed in the UE (10) for associating the data packets with the bearers (52, 54). A decision is performed if installation of a new packet filter (62, 64) in the UE (10) is required to map the data packets of indicated data traffic to a particular bearer (52, 54). The result of the decision may then be indicated from a policy controller (30) to a gateway (26) and/or from the gateway (26) to the UE (10). Depending on the result of the decision, the gateway may initiate signaling of the new packet filter (62, 64) to the UE (10) and/or the UE (10) may install the new packet filter (62, 64). |
| US08787394B2 |
Separate ethernet forwarding and control plane systems and methods with interior gateway route reflector for a link state routing system
The present disclosure provides a separate Ethernet forwarding and control plane system, method, network, and architecture with a Link State Interior Gateway route reflector for the control plan system and a layer two network architecture for the forwarding system. The present invention optionally utilizes a cloud implementation for the Designated Router (DR) or designated peering node reducing peering requirements and distributing the functionality. Through the architecture of the present invention, the Provider router is obviated by the application of layer two switches and servers. Such an architecture provides improved scaling, performance, and cost reduction. |
| US08787393B2 |
Preventing duplicate sources from clients served by a network address port translator
Preventing duplicate sources on a protocol connection that uses network addresses, protocols and port numbers to identify connections that include port number translation. In response to an inbound IPsec packet from a remote source client, a determination is made as to whether or not a port number is available within a range of port numbers that comply with a security association governing the connection. If so, an available port number is assigned to the connection, thereby avoiding a possibility of a duplicate source. If a port number is not available, the packet is rejected. |
| US08787389B2 |
Low power media access control protocol
A method of transmitting data from a transmitter to a receiver in an unsynchronized, ad-hoc, low-power, wireless network including: creating a packet including a header and data; and retransmitting the same created packet a plurality of times in succession. |
| US08787382B2 |
Per-peer request delivery timeouts
A method for per-peer request delivery timeouts includes receiving a DIAMETER message at a DIAMETER Routing Agent, testing if the DIAMETER message is a request message destined for an associated peer, and if said test is affirmative, then retrieving a preset timeout associated with that peer; initiating a timeout timer with said preset timeout; and forwarding the DIAMETER request message to said peer. The disclosure provides additional steps with respect to stopping the timer in the event that a response message is received prior to the timer expiring; or alternatively, either resending the request or providing an unable_to_deliver response in the event the timer does expire. The method for per-peer request delivery timeouts provides for fine tuning timeout periods according to the networks to which the DIAMETER peers are connected. The method is particularly useful for reducing the amount of time waiting for response messages which will not be forthcoming. |
| US08787381B2 |
Quality of service, battery lifetime, and latency in wireless communication devices
Embodiments for processing media over Internet Protocol (IP) packets in a wireless device are provided. Embodiments enable downlink and uplink media over IP flows within the wireless device that reduce the load on the application processor (AP) of the wireless device. In an embodiment, media over IP flows bypass the AP entirely allowing the AP to enter a power saving mode during media over IP sessions. This results in increased battery lifetime and reduced power consumption of the wireless device. In addition, the media over IP session quality is improved by the reduced latency resulting from bypassing the AP. |
| US08787378B2 |
Systems and methods to improve performance of TCP over large bandwidth-delay-product networks
The apparatus, systems, and methods described herein may operate to receive at least one data packet from a transmitter connected to a first network. A packet forwarding time may be scheduled for the at least one data packet. The at least one data packet may be forwarded to a receiver connected to a second network based on the packet forwarding time such that transmission of the at least one data packet prevents a buffer overflow at the receiver. |
| US08787371B2 |
Providing session initiation protocol request contents method and system
An embodiment provides a user equipment that includes a processor configured to receive a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) NOTIFY message transmitted by a network component as a result of a registration event. The SIP NOTIFY message contains at least a portion of information included in a first SIP message sent between a first user equipment and the network component. Another embodiment provides method and apparatus for a network node to determine whether filter criteria include one or more indicators that specify the need for information, and including in a second SIP message the information specified by the one or more indicators. |
| US08787369B2 |
Apparatus for transmitting MAC PDU with a fragmentation and packing extended header and method thereof
A method of transmitting data in a transmitting stage is disclosed. The present invention includes configuring a MAC PDU (medium access control protocol data unit) including fragmented data and a fragmentation extended header (FEH) and a packing extended header (PEH) for transmitting the fragmented data and transmitting the configured MAC PDU to a receiving stage. Preferably, the FEH or the PEH includes an extended header type field indicating a type of an extended header and a fragmentation control field including information on the fragmented data. |
| US08787357B2 |
Method to identify voice over packet device capability and use it to make appropriate calls with other client devices
A system provides push-to-talk (PTT) or similar communication service via a radio access network providing wireless mobile packet data communications for mobile stations. A server distributes packets of digitized audio received from a broadcasting mobile station to one or more client devices of other parties. The called client device(s), however, may not all have the same communications capabilities as the broadcasting mobile station. Signaling procedures are adapted to inform the broadcasting station of the capabilities of the other client device(s). This enables the broadcasting mobile station to configure its transmissions of digitized audio through the network for compatibility with the capabilities of the other client device(s). Proper configuration avoids loss of data at the destination, particularly at the start of a PTT transmission, due to transmission in a form or configuration that may be incompatible with one or more of the receiving stations. |
| US08787356B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing other service in IP multimedia subsystem (IMS)
An apparatus and a method for providing other Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services (e.g., Skype, Google talk, and the like) using a terminal which supports an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network are provided. The apparatus includes an interworking apparatus for converting information received from a VoIP service network to information supportable by an IMS terminal to interwork the IMS terminal and other VoIP services not supported by the IMS terminal, and converting information received from the IMS terminal to information supportable by a VoIP service network. |
| US08787350B2 |
System and method to facilitate the use of multiple radios to increase the capacity of a wireless communication network
A system and method for increasing the capacity of a wireless network (100, 300) including a plurality of access points (APs) (106, 305) and a plurality of nodes (200), at least one of said nodes (200) and at least one of said APs (106, 305) including multiple radios (310), the method comprising: (i) determining the routing metrics to one of said APs through each radio interface that is common between one of the nodes and that AP; (ii) selecting the radio interface whose routing metrics meet a desired criteria for packet stream transmission between the at least one node and the AP; and (iii) transmitting at least one packet stream from the node to the AP through the selected radio interface. |
| US08787344B2 |
Method and apparatus for ACKCH with repetition in orthogonal systems
A method and apparatus for a wireless communication system, using a repetition factor to determine how many times a acknowledgement should be repeated in response to receiving a first data transmission, selecting an acknowledgement transmission (ACK TX) pattern, wherein the ACK TX pattern comprises of resources information of a plurality of blocks used for transmitting the first acknowledgement, and transmitting, repeatedly, the acknowledgement according to the ACK TX pattern. |
| US08787337B2 |
Techniques for managing mobility management signaling in a wireless network
Techniques are described that can be used for efficient mobility management signaling. In some cases, a network can specify an extended timer used for a machine to machine (M2M) type device to communicate with a network. The extended timer can be transmitted in connection with an attachment acceptance message, Location Updating Accept message, Tracking Area Update Accept, or Routing Area Update Accept message. In some cases, a timer can be adjusted using a multiplier in order to increase a period at which communications with the network occur. The network can transmit an indication to change a timer by multiplying the timer with the multiplier. |
| US08787335B2 |
Intellegent delivery agent for short message distribution center
A message distribution center (MDC) and Intelligent Delivery Agent are implemented in a wireless Internet gateway interposed between content providers and a wireless carrier to subjectively examine and direct messages via simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) based on desired rules (e.g., non-peak hours, paying subscribers only, etc.) using standard SMTP Gateway and other well-known protocols. The MDC includes an individual queue for each subscriber, and the provider is informed through conventional SMTP protocol messages that the short message has been accepted. If the carrier has specifically disallowed service for a particular mobile identification number (MIN) (e.g., in the case of churning), then the content provider is informed through an SMTP interchange that the recipient is invalid. |
| US08787334B2 |
System and method for handling simple IP to mobile IP transition
Methods are provided for transitioning between SIP and MIP. Mobile devices, upon detecting a new system, automatically attempt a MIP session to avoid the default position of SIP. A history is maintained of systems visited, and for systems that did not support MIP in the past, a MIP session is not attempted, but rather SIP is initiated from the start. |
| US08787332B2 |
Biological signal sensor apparatus, wireless sensor network, and user interface system using biological signal sensor apparatus
A biological signal sensor apparatus worn on a user's body includes: a sensor unit for sensing physical states or movements of a user to generate biological signal data; a wireless communications unit for performing wireless data communications with a wireless sensor network to transmit the biological signal data; a sensor network protocol processing unit for processing protocols for end-to-end communications between the wireless communications unit and the wireless sensor network and for performing a mobility support procedure for the biological signal sensor apparatus; a processor for controlling the wireless data communications, the end-to-end communications, and the mobility support procedure to allow the biological signal sensor apparatus to serve as a mobile wireless sensor node; and a connection unit for connecting the sensor unit and the processor. The biological signal sensor apparatus serves as a mobile wireless sensor node in the wireless sensor network. |
| US08787322B2 |
Method for a telecommunication system having a plurality of transport channels that transforms at least one data block size based on a rate matching ratio and a maximum percentage of bits to be punctured
Entities implement a phase of communicating data conveyed by a plurality of transport channels, the data of the transport channels being multiplexed into at least one multiplexing frame. The data is rate-matched by transforming an input data block of an initial size into an output data block of a final size. A method includes calculating, by one of the entities, the final size, according to the initial size, a first parameter, a second parameter and a maximum payload of the multiplexing frame. The first parameter is an integer relating to a rate matching ratio of the final size to the initial size. The second parameter is a non-dimensional number corresponding to a maximum percentage of bits to be punctured and is predefined before the calculating. The method further includes executing, by the one of the entities, a transformation of the input data block into the output data block. |
| US08787315B2 |
Method and device for handing off between base stations
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for handoff between base stations. A target base station bears its PILOT_INC information into a handoff request acknowledge message to inform a source base station when sending a handoff request acknowledge message to the source base station after receiving a handoff request from the source base station, thus, even if a UE requesting handoff reports PILOT_PN_PHASE under the target BS in a residual set, the source BS can determine PILOT_PN corresponding to the PILOT_PN_PHASE through the PILOT_INC information of the target base station, thereby completing cell handoff between the base stations successfully. The present invention is a supplement to the existing handoff between the base stations with configurations of the PILOT_INC information being different, and augments the success rate of handoff between the base stations of the UE, thereby improving the traffic service quality of a CDMA system. |
| US08787314B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for registration processing
A registration processing method and an apparatus are disclosed herein to enable the network to distinguish between different registration processing types. The method includes: identifying, by a user equipment, UE, a registration type when registering into a network; reporting, by the UE, a registration processing type information corresponding to the identified registration type to a network-side network element during registering into the network. The UE reports the registration processing type information to the network in the process of registering into the network, and therefore, the network distinguishes between different registration processing types accordingly. |
| US08787310B2 |
Mobile station device and transmission power control method
A mobile station which performs a handover from a base station to a base station calculates the transmission loss of a broadcast control channel sent from the target base station, and corrects the transmission power of an uplink ANCH to the target base station, based on a known base station desired receive power and the calculated transmission loss. Alternatively, the mobile station may correct the transmission power of the uplink ANCH to the target base station, based on the transmission power of an uplink signal to the serving base station, the transmission loss of a downlink signal sent from the serving base station, and the transmission loss of a broadcast control channel sent from the target base station. |
| US08787309B1 |
Seamless mobility in wireless networks
AP's associated with a communication network and any wireless devices desiring contact, operated according to a protocol in which each wireless device selects AP's with which to communicate. A system coordinator causes the AP's to operate so as to guide each wireless device to an AP selected by the system coordinator. This has the effect that, notwithstanding that the protocol involves having the wireless device make the selection of AP, functionally, the AP's make the selection for it. In a 1st technique, multiple AP's share an identifier, with the system coordinator directing one particular AP to respond to the wireless device, thus appearing to wireless devices as a “personal cell”. In a 2nd technique, AP's each maintain identifiers substantially unique to each wireless device, with the system coordinator directing only one particular AP to maintain any particular wireless device's identifier, thus appearing to wireless devices as a “personal AP”. |
| US08787308B2 |
IMS femtocell for voice, data and video
An Internet Protocol Multimedia System (IMS) femtocell serves as a base station and base station controller in a wireless/wireline service provider's macro network and a Wi-Fi access point to seamlessly support cellular and packet user devices and deliver both circuit switched and packet switched services inside a building. |
| US08787307B2 |
Mobile terminal and method of moving network thereof
A mobile terminal and method of moving network thereof are disclosed. The mobile terminal includes a first communication module configured to set a link with a first network, to receive second network-associated information from the first network, and to output the received second network-associated information, a second communication module configured to set a receive-only mode with respect to the second network, to receive signal strength information of one or more neighbor cells belonging to the second network from the second network using the second network-associated information output from the first communication module, and to output the received signal strength information and a controller configured to control a signal input/output operation between the first and second communication modules and a signal transmission/reception operation between the first communication module and the first network, and the second communication module and the second network, respectively. |
| US08787306B2 |
Centralized mobile access point acquisition
Providing for centralized access management to diverse types of mobile network access points is described herein. By way of example, network components can generate a system determination list (SDL) for a user terminal (UT) that is customized to access capabilities of the UT and/or current position of the UT. The SDL can be employed by the UT to determine which network access points to camp on, handoff to, or the like. The network components can include a network database that maintains UT subscriber and related home Femto cell information, or such information can be maintained at a network operator's home location register. In some aspects, the information can be obtained over the air from the UT or from a base station serving the UT. |
| US08787305B2 |
Method and apparatus for scheduling peer-to-peer communication links
An evolved Node B creates or updates peer sets from measured performance information received from one or more stations. The measured performance information includes at least one quality metric associated with a downlink signal sent from the evolved Node B to the one or more stations. The evolved Node B determines excluded timeslots and preferred timeslots based on current resource assignments in each timeslot and based on the peer sets, marks potential resources in an uplink portion of a resource allocation map, and allocates one of the potential resources for peer-to-peer communication between a transmitter station and one or more receiver stations. |
| US08787303B2 |
Methods and apparatus for data traffic offloading at a router
This disclosure relates to a system and method for offloading selected data traffic in logical tunnels to the Internet. The offloading provides another data path for selected data traffic that can relieve the burden on a mobile operator's network, such as the backhaul and core networks. As the proliferation of data rich content and increasingly more capable mobile devices has continued, the amount of data communicated over mobile operator's networks has increased. Upgrading the existing network that was designed for voice calls is not desirable or practical for many mobile operators. This disclosure provides systems and methods for offloading data to the Internet at a router to relieve congestion on the mobile operator's network. |
| US08787302B2 |
Architecture to support network-wide multiple-in-multiple-out wireless communication over a downlink
The present invention provides a method of coordinating the downlink transmissions from a plurality of base stations to at least one mobile unit. The method is implemented in a control plane entity and includes receiving, at the control plane entity and from each of the plurality of base stations, channel state information for a plurality of wireless communication channels between the plurality of base stations and one or more mobile units. The method also includes determining, at the control plane entity and based on the channel state information, transmission formats for downlink transmissions from the plurality of base stations to the mobile unit(s). The method further includes providing the transmission formats to the plurality of base stations. |
| US08787301B2 |
Method and device for interference mitigation using redundant transmission in separate ISM bands
A device for transmitting data packets over a data link, including an interference signal detector adapted to continually detect a frequency of interference signals on the data link, designator adapted to assign a first frequency channel and a first time slot on the data link, wherein the first frequency channels lies within a 2.4 GHz industrial scientific and medical (ISM) band, and adapted to assign a second frequency channel and a second time slot on the data link, wherein the second frequency channel lies within a 5.8 GHz ISM Band, transmitter adapted to transmit each data packet within the first time slot and the first frequency channel and within the second time slot and the second frequency channel, if the frequency of the interference signals lies within the 2.4 GHz or the 5.8 GHz band. |
| US08787299B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting control information in a wireless communication system
A method for transmitting a signal via physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) in a wireless communication system and an apparatus for performing the method are provided. Control information bits are modulated to generate N1 modulation symbols, wherein N1 is twice a number of subcarriers in one resource block (RB). The modulation symbols are spread by using various orthogonal codes to generate a plurality of sequences and the generated plurality of sequences are transmitted using different slots of a subframe through different antenna ports, each sequence of the plurality of sequences being mapped on a corresponding single carrier frequency division multiple access symbol in a corresponding slot. |
| US08787296B2 |
Method for allowing a UICC to manage the PDP context parameters
A method for allowing a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) to set up data bearer parameters for wireless communication between a User Equipment (UE) and a remote server in a telecommunication network, the UE including the UICC and a mobile equipment, the method including the UICC sending to the mobile equipment Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context parameters within a specific command defined for activating a PDP context, on reception of the specific command, the mobile equipment transmitting a PDP context activation request, including an access point name and the parameters received in the specific command, to the telecommunication network, on reception of the PDP context activation request, the telecommunication network transmitting to the mobile equipment a confirmation for a PDP context activation, and the mobile equipment, on receipt of the confirmation, sending a response message to the UICC for confirming a successful command performance. |
| US08787295B2 |
Channel quality signaling for persistent/semi-persistent radio resource allocations
A persistent or a semi-persistent uplink resource allocation also comprises an indication for a user equipment UE to send channel quality reports. The format for the channel quality report is determined (based on a transmission mode for which the UE receives a downlink shared channel). In at least first transmissions of user data for instances of the persistently allocated uplink resource the UE sends user data and a channel quality report according to the determined format. For the case that a NACK is received in reply to one of those sent user data with channel quality reports, four options are detailed: re-send the NACK'd user data on a next instance of the persistently allocated UL resource with or without a channel quality report, and re-send the NACK'd user data on a dynamically allocated uplink resource with or without a channel quality report. |
| US08787293B2 |
Packet type spoofing for coexistence among multiple wireless communication technologies
Methods having corresponding apparatus and computer-readable media comprise: transmitting and receiving wireless Long Term Evolution (LTE) signals according to an LTE schedule; transmitting and receiving wireless Bluetooth signals according to a Bluetooth schedule having a plurality of Bluetooth schedule slots, wherein the wireless Bluetooth signals represent Bluetooth Asynchronous Connection-oriented (ACL) logical transport packets; generating a Bluetooth ACL packet; selecting a spoofed number M of the Bluetooth schedule slots for the Bluetooth ACL packet based on information representing the LTE schedule, wherein M is a positive integer; selecting a Bluetooth ACL packet type based on the spoofed number M of the Bluetooth schedule slots; and indicating the selected Bluetooth ACL packet type in a type field of the Bluetooth ACL packet prior to transmitting the wireless Bluetooth signals representing the Bluetooth ACL packet. |
| US08787284B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting frame in WLAN system
A method of transmitting a frame in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system, and which includes receiving, by a first station, information about an association identifier (AID) from an access point, the AID identifying the first station in the WLAN system; transmitting, by the first station, a DLS request frame to a second station; receiving, by the first station, a DLS response frame from the second station; generating, by the first station, a PPDU including a VHT-SIG field and a PSDU; and transmitting, by the first station, the PPDU to the second station via the direct link. Further, the VHT-SIG field includes identity information indicating a partial AID that is formed from the AID of the second station and has a length shorter than the length of the AID of the second station. |
| US08787282B2 |
Feedback resource mapping in wireless communications
A feedback radio resource in a license-exempt frequency band maps from a data radio resource to at least one frequency sub-band which the data resource excludes. The feedback resource is also spaced in time from the data resource by a predetermined interval. Feedback (ACK/NACK) for data received in the data resource is then sent in the feedback resource. In various embodiments the sub-band is one or more edges of the data resource channel, or of a license-exempt component carrier. The predetermined interval may be a function of how much of the data resource is occupied by data. The data transmitting device delays sending its data by a time offset from the end of a previous transmission on that channel, or if it does not know the end time it delays until the predetermined interval plus the length of the feedback resource have lapsed. Various synchronization aspects are also disclosed. |
| US08787280B2 |
Methods and apparatus for WAN assisted contention detection and resolution in peer to peer networks
Various methods and apparatus are directed to collision detection and/or avoidance regarding peer to peer connection identifiers. A wireless communications device broadcasts a signal indicating its acquired connection identifier in one of two alternative blocks. A base station monitors peer to peer signaling in its coverage area and tracks the usage of peer to peer connection identifiers by pairs of devices. The base station detects when multiple pairs of devices are using the same peer to peer connection identifier. The base station provides assistance to the peer to peer network to avoid a collision or facilitate rapid collision detection by the peer to peer devices. In one approach the base station sends an instruction for a connection to switch its connection identifier. In another approach the base station sends a connection a message to bias its selection as to which of the two alternative blocks to use for transmission. |
| US08787274B2 |
Communication system
A communication system which can automatically construct a network, as well as reducing power consumption of each node in the network is provided.A child node calculates a timing of next receiving broadcast information based on timing information included in broadcast information. It then accepts input of broadcast information transmitted from a management node and transmits a registration request. It further accepts input of broadcast information transmitted from the management node and determines whether or not it is registered in the network based on slot assignment information included in the broadcast information. If the child node determines that it is registered in the network, it calculates a timing for receiving a reply request transmitted from the management node. |
| US08787273B2 |
Base station apparatus and communication control method
To avoid a collision between transmission timing of a data signal by SPS and transmission timing of an uplink control signal or a sounding reference signal, the base station apparatus has a DRX On-duration setting processing section configured to set reception duration of DRX control so as to minimize the total resource usage amount in the reception duration of DRX, and a control signal resource allocation section that allocates radio resources for a first signal in uplink for user equipment to transmit during On-duration of discontinuous reception to within predetermined time duration from the beginning of the ON-duration of discontinuous reception. The control signal resource allocation section allocates radio resources for an uplink control signal of CQI, scheduling request, etc. or sounding reference signal to the time duration (4 ms) between PDCCH for SPS and SPS PUSCH from the beginning of the reception duration of DRX control. |
| US08787267B2 |
Technique for providing access to a media resource attached to a network-registered device
A technique for accessing a media resource (114) controllably attachable to a network-registered device (104) via a multimedia-enabled network (102) is proposed. The technique comprises determining a resource capability information indicating a capability of the media resource; transforming the resource capability information into service capability information indicating a capability related to a service accessible at the network-registered device via the network; and providing the service capability information to an access-requesting entity (106). |
| US08787266B2 |
Medium access control in industrial and automotive wireless with combined wired and wireless sensor networks
An embodiment of the invention relates to a local area sensor network including a central unit configured to receive a resource allocation request from a priority network sensor in a reserved timeslot and in response to designate a shared timeslot allocation. The priority network sensor transmits a resource allocation request in a reserved timeslot, and the sensor transmits data in the allocated shared timeslot. A sensor network can be formed with multiple gateways that each communicate over wired and wireless portions of the network. The central unit communicates with the gateways over the wired portion of the network. Wireless nodes communicate wirelessly with the gateways. The central unit receives a plurality of link quality indicators from the gateways for respective wireless paths to the wireless sensors, and selects a gateway for relaying a message from the central unit to a wireless sensor based on the link quality indicators. |
| US08787263B2 |
Apparatus and method for estimating channel based on weather data
In a satellite communication system, a central station receives a message including channel measurement information that is provided from a terminal and calculates a channel estimating value based on the received channel measurement information and weather data of a region corresponding to a location of the terminal. The central station determines encoding and modulation methods of data to transmit based on the calculated channel estimating value. |
| US08787262B2 |
Receiving cell broadcast (CB) messages
A method for receiving cell broadcast messages is described. The method includes communicating with a first cell. The method also includes switching to communicating with a second cell. A cell broadcast channel is read after switching cells. The method further includes switching from a dedicated mode to a packet idle mode. The cell broadcast channel is reread once after switching from a dedicated mode to a packet idle mode. Other aspects, embodiments and features are also claimed and described. |
| US08787261B2 |
Base station apparatus, mobile station apparatus and transmission power control method
To suppress deterioration of throughput characteristics in the entire system even when a plurality of transmission antennas is placed in an indoor environment, a base station apparatus (eNode B) is provided with a power control matrix generating section (508b) that generates a power control matrix (Sx) reflecting average reception power of each of transmission signals from a plurality of transmission antennas (TX#1 to TX#NTX), a codebook update section (508c) that updates a codebook which beforehand defines a plurality of precoding weights corresponding to the power control matrix (Sx), a precoding weight selecting section (508d) that selects precoding weights that maximize throughput or reception SINR obtained after combining the transmission signals from the updated codebook, and a precoding multiplying section (transmission power control section) (507) that controls transmission power of each of the transmission signals corresponding to the selected precoding weights. |
| US08787260B2 |
Adaptively controlling prefix length
Provided are apparatus and method for setting a cyclic prefix length according to a type of a base station. The apparatus may include a memory, a receiver, a selector, and an inserter. The receiver may be configured to store and to manage a plurality of prefix lengths associated with base station types. The receiver may be configured to receive base station information from a base station. The selector may be configured to select a prefix length from the plurality of prefix length based on the received base station information. The inserter may be configured to insert a cyclic prefix having the determined prefix length in a guard interval of a transmission frame. |
| US08787259B2 |
Method for efficient MU-MIMO transmission by joint assignments of transmission architecture, and interference alignment schemes using optimized user-code assignments and power-allocation
A method, apparatus, and wireless communication system is disclosed herein for operating a BIA code structure in a system. In one embodiment, the wireless communication system comprises a plurality of receivers, wherein each receiver in the plurality having a multi-mode antenna with a single radio frequency (RF) chain that is operable in a plurality of antenna modes, and further wherein each receiver shifts between the plurality of antenna modes in a predetermined manner. The wireless communication system also includes a plurality of base stations in a cell topology to perform downlink transmissions to the plurality of receivers, each base station in the plurality of base stations having one or more transmitters having a transmit antenna and being operable to communicate with one or more of receivers in the plurality of receivers using a multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO)-based blind interference alignment (BIA) scheme, wherein each active base station in the plurality of base stations operates an identical BIA code structure in a given transmission resource. |
| US08787257B2 |
Network communication system, node device, routing method and routing program
Each of nodes A through Z calculates delivery predictability for a destination node and exchanges the delivery predictability as an SV message with an adjacent node. At this time, the delivery predictability calculated in each of the nodes A through Z is transmitted together with a next hop node for the destination node. Upon receiving the delivery predictability for the destination node and the next hop node for the destination node, each of the nodes A through Z checks whether or not the next hop node matches the local node itself, wherein whey they match with each other, the delivery predictability is not registered with a delivery predictability database. Since the node transmitting the delivery predictability is not selected as the next hop node for the destination node, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a routing loop between nodes. |
| US08787256B2 |
Method and apparatus for ensuring transmission of critical data through a wireless adapter
In embodiments a host reserves capacity of a wireless adapter for critical data transmission. Critical data is injected into a transport interface of the host, which passes the critical data to the wireless adapter for wireless transmission to a destination device. |
| US08787254B2 |
Method for operating a mobile wireless network
A method of operating a mobile wireless network is described to ensure proper function of protocol entities during the transmission of data units between two wireless stations of the mobile wireless network. In this case, user data is assembled by a first convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station into at least one first data unit, particularly a packet data unit, before transmission to a second convergence protocol layer of a second wireless station, particularly on the same protocol level, with the user data being supplied to the first convergence protocol layer by at least one user in a network layer. At least one protocol entity of the first convergence protocol layer is configured as a function of a configuration request received by the second wireless station, in order to form the at least one first data unit from the data received from the at least one user and to transmit it through a carrier to a link control layer. |
| US08787253B2 |
Gateway apparatus, communication method and program
A gateway apparatus that interconnects a mobile circuit switched network and a mobile IMS network to implement the video phone includes a conversion unit. The conversion unit demultiplexes a multiplexed bit stream signal output from a mobile terminal connected to the mobile circuit switched network to take out one or more of a control signal, a compression-encoded speech signal, and a compression-encoded video signal. The conversion unit converts the control signal into one or more of a MEGACO signal, a SIP signal and a SDP signal, while converting the speech signal and the video signal, if necessary. The conversion unit also packetizes the speech signal and the video signal to transmit resulting packets to the IMS network. |
| US08787244B2 |
Method and device for user cooperative communication
A wireless network system and corresponding methodologies that operate in a user cooperative communication system are provided. In operation, the system either combines packets transmitted from a direct channel with packets transmitted from and a relay channel, or uses erroneously relayed packets to assist decoding a direct packet. |
| US08787236B2 |
Method and system for sending and transmitting MBMS paging indication signaling
A method and system for sending and transmitting a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) paging indicating signaling are disclosed. A network side assigns bit resource which bearing an Multipoint Control Channel (MCCH) modification indication for each MCCH according to the available resource of paging indicating signaling and the maximum number of MCCHs supported by a cell, and configures mapping information of each MCCH modification indication on the paging indicating signaling; the network side makes the MCCH modification indication corresponding to the configured MCCH included in the paging indicating signaling before transmitting the paging indicating signaling. The subject application can be applied to a cell having a plurality of MCCHs and is not suffered from the number change of the MCCHs. The application can be easily carried out. The application can be easily carried out, and the UE determines whether the content of the MCCH has changed only according to the MCCH modification indication corresponding to the MCCH concerned by the UE. |
| US08787235B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting data in a wireless communication system
A data transmission method and apparatus in a wireless communication system is provided. The data transmission method include dividing a multicast broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) zone including a plurality of cells into at least one sub-zone including at least one cell, enabling a plurality of cells belonging to the MBSFN zone to transmit first multicast broadcast service (MBS) data, and enabling the cell belonging to the at least one sub-zone to transmit sub-zone data superposed with the first MBS data, wherein the sub-zone data is second MBS data. |
| US08787234B2 |
Multicasting within a wireless communications system
An access network determines to transmit multicast messages on a downlink shared channel. The access network receives a multicast registration message and a traffic channel request from at least one access terminal. The access network assigns a traffic channel to the at least one access terminal, and transmits the multicast messages on the downlink shared channel. In another example, the access network can determine a channel type upon which the support a multicast session, can indicate the channel type selection to the at least one access terminal in an announce message and can then transmit the multicast messages for the multicast session on the selected channel type. The at least one access terminal receives the announce message, requests a traffic channel and receives a traffic channel assignment, registers to the multicast session and monitors the downlink shared channel for multicast messages. |
| US08787228B2 |
Method apparatus and system for reducing power consumption of a wireless device
A method, apparatus and a wireless communication system to reduce power consumption of a wireless Multicomm device by using a location-aware scanning for detecting WLAN networks. The location awareness is obtained from a base station identifier of a wireless wide area network (WWAN) and is based on a preconfigured database that associates WWAN BS IDs with potential WLAN networks. |
| US08787227B2 |
Discontinuous reception with user equipment based mobility
A new RRC Connected (mobility) state in which a UE utilizes a temporary identifier to monitor a downlink control channel in accordance with a discontinuous reception cycle; and maintains the new connected state, the discontinuous reception cycle and the temporary identifier while the UE re-selects to a second/serving access node which lies within a same designated reselection area as a first/source access node. The DRX cycle is maintained but re-aligned with a system frame number of the second access node; the temporary identifier is a CRNTI and the designated re-selection area is defined by all contiguous cells in which respective access nodes broadcast the CRNTI in system information; the UE re-selects to the second access node; and the UE enters the new connected mobility state automatically upon expiry of a time alignment timer or upon explicit network signaling while in a different connected state. |
| US08787225B2 |
Phase-rotated reference signals for multiple antennas
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for phase-rotated reference signals are provided. In accordance with one implementation, phase-rotated reference signals are transmitted from multiple transmit antennas on the same reference signal (RS) resource elements. The receiver may determine channel coefficients for links corresponding to the multiple antennas, based on the received signals at the RS resource elements. Time-domain filtering or frequency-domain orthogonal codes may be used to determine the channel coefficients for links corresponding to the multiple antennas. The phase-rotation information may be broadcasted in a system information block (SIB) message or signaled in a radio resource control (RRC) message. |
| US08787220B2 |
Digital broadcast transmitter, digital broadcast receiver, and methods for configuring and processing digital transport streams thereof
A method for processing a stream of a digital broadcast receiver is provided. The method which processes a stream that is divided into a first area allocated to first mobile data and a second area allocated to normal data, includes: receiving a transport stream including second mobile data in at least a part of the second area separately from the first mobile data, demodulating the transport stream, equalizing the demodulated transport stream, and decoding at least one of the first mobile data and the second mobile data from the equalized transport stream. Accordingly, mobile data services may be provided in various ways. |
| US08787218B2 |
Dynamic establishment of virtual circuits multisegment pseudowires
The present invention provides a technique for automatically establishing a virtual circuit from one edge device to another through a core network. The virtual circuit may comprise one or more pseudowire segments. These pseudowire segments extend between adjacent edge and core devices within the core network. Pseudowire segments through the core network are automatically stitched together as a setup message is forwarded from a first edge device to a second edge device through the core network. A virtual circuit is established in one direction, and packets are forwarded in an opposite direction. With the present invention, a virtual circuit comprising any number of pseudowire segments, as well as two attachment circuits, may be established in an automatic and efficient manner upon being initiated by the first edge device. |
| US08787211B2 |
Methods and arrangements for configuring the L2GPs in a first STP domain connected towards a second STP domain
Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and arrangements for configuring the L2GPs in a first STP domain connected towards a second STP domain such that L2GPs in the first STP domain are assigned with the same Pseudo Root identity. Thus the Pseudo Root identity does not have to be changed if one of the L2GPs goes down, which implies that count-to-infinity loops may be avoided. It should be noted that only one L2GP is allowed to be open towards the second STP domain. The root path costs are assigned to the L2GPs towards the pseudo root and the value of the root path cost controls which of the L2GPs that should be open. The most preferred L2GP will be given a root path cost=0, the second best L2GP will have a path cost which is high enough so the two ports never will be open at the same time if there is connectivity between the Ethernet switches having the L2GPs. |
| US08787209B2 |
Interface module and controller network
An interface module is provided for connecting a device to a controller within a controller network. The controller is adapted to supply and/or receive data according to a network protocol, and the device is adapted to supply and/or receive data according to a device protocol. The interface module comprises: a network connector supporting a plurality of network channels for connecting the interface module to the controller via the controller network; a device connector supporting a plurality of device channels for connecting the interface module to the device; a conversion unit arranged to receive the plurality of network channels from the network connector, and adapted to convert data between the network protocol and the device protocol, the conversion unit having one or more signal terminals for supplying and/or receiving signals to or from the device; and a configuration unit between the conversion unit and the device connector, adapted to configure the interface module to the device by routing selected device channels to selected signal terminals of the conversion unit. The configuration unit is separable from and removably coupled to the conversion unit such that the interface module may be configured for use with a different device by replacement of the configuration unit. Also provided is a controller network comprising one or more devices and a controller for control of the devices, each of the devices being connected to the controller via an interface module. |
| US08787203B2 |
Virtual network control method and system based on fluctuations
A virtual network control method, for adaptively controlling a topology of a virtual network formed on a physical network in response to environmental changes in the virtual network, is provided with: a step of storing the Langevin equation, as a fluctuation equation, which models the dynamics of the topology of the virtual network as a variable for controlling the number of wavelength paths on the physical network; a step of designing control parameters included in the fluctuation equation; and a step of controlling the topology of the virtual network by applying the control parameters to the fluctuation equation to change an order parameter included in the fluctuation equation when environmental changes occur in the virtual network, and by transitioning the solution of the fluctuation equation between attractors determined by the deterministic term of the fluctuation equation due to the fluctuation term of the fluctuation equation. |
| US08787202B2 |
Method and system using wireless packet data networks architecture for remote process control and process monitoring applications
A system for error avoidance and automatic recovery is combined with the accurate and reliable transmission system. The present invention provides a multi-variable control system using remote control with a wireless communication system. A plurality of closed loop control systems are connected through the wireless communication system. A master controller monitors the closing of each of the loops in the system and stores information for the status of the control loops in a control table at a control center. When a state variable is transmitted to the control center, a master controller notes that the initial value of the closed loop control system has been set. When the control center sends a control action to equipment or a process this closes the loop, the master controller notes that the closed loop control system has been closed for a particular time. If the closed loop control system does not get a loop closed, the control center immediately detects it. Thereafter, an alternative control action can be performed by the system. |
| US08787201B2 |
System and methods for designing network surveillance systems
Systems and methods for efficiently configuring network surveillance systems are disclosed. A network surveillance system is designed by selecting a first component for the network surveillance system. The surveillance performance index for the first component is determined. A second component for the network surveillance system is then selected based on the surveillance performance index of the first component. |
| US08787200B2 |
Device, system, and method for automatically configuring application terminals in home network
A device, a system, and a method for automatically configuring application terminals in a home network are disclosed. The method is as follows. A home gateway receives identifier information of an application terminal sent by the application terminal through a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). The identifier information of the application terminal is sent to a public network through a DHCP message, so as to determine a DHCP server corresponding to an automatic configuration server (ACS) of the application terminal. Address information of the ACS of the application terminal is obtained from the DHCP server on the public network through a DHCP message. The address information is transmitted to the application terminal, so that the application terminal obtains configuration information from the ACS according to the address information to perform an auto-configuration. Thus, a problem that the application terminal in a home network cannot directly obtain an ACS Universal Resource Locator (URL) through a DHCP message is solved, so that an auto-configuration of the application terminal is realized. |
| US08787199B1 |
Mechanism for data diffusion and evaporation across networks
In one embodiment, a method and apparatus for a mechanism for data diffusion and evaporation across networks is disclosed. The method includes maintaining event data of a data management network at individual agents in the data management network without utilizing a central management server and diffusing event data between the individual agents by randomly selecting an event data entity from a local cache of an agent of the individual agents, and transmitting a copy of the randomly selected event data entity into a cache of another agent of the individual agents via a random connection created between the agent and the another agent. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08787193B2 |
Wireless communication system applied to aviation industry and airband interference detection method
Provided is a wireless communication system capable of increasing safety in the aviation industry, and applicable to the aviation industry.The wireless communication system comprises a control device and a spectrum sensor. The spectrum sensor performs spectrum sensing using a measurement SAP, receives a signal from a wireless communication device, and transmits information relating to the received signal as sensing information through a communication SAP. On the other hand, the control device receives the sensing information from the spectrum sensor through the communication SAP. Subsequently, the sensing information is analyzed using an application SAP. Thereby, whether or not the signal from the wireless communication device interferes with the radio waves of the airband used in the aviation industry is specified. |
| US08787185B2 |
Base station, wireless communication system, method for controlling base station, wireless communication method, control program, and mobile station
[Problem] The number of the base stations that are activated uselessly cannot be sufficiently reduced even in a light traffic state. As a result, interference between adjacent cells and power consumption cannot be sufficiently reduced.[Means For Solving the Problems] The base station controls transmission of a control signal according to communication quality in a wireless link between a mobile station and another base station. |
| US08787180B2 |
System and method for rate assignment
A method and apparatus for determining the data rate of a reverse link communication. An embodiment includes transmitting at a null rate on the communication channel only when the station is not transmitting voice, signaling, or data. An embodiment includes determining a maximum requested rate based on the normalized average pilot transmit power and the pilot reference value, and determining the timing of the rate request. An embodiment involves determining a maximum transmission rate. An embodiment involves determining sufficient power and a power-control set point. |
| US08787179B2 |
Method for a telecommunication system, a telecommunication system, a base station for communicating and a communication method of a base station having a plurality of transport channels and using a first parameter relating to a rate matching ratio and a second parameter corresponding to a maximum percentage of bits punctured
A method is for entities implementing a phase of communicating data conveyed by a plurality of transport channels, the data being multiplexed into at least one multiplexing frame. The data is rate-matched by transforming an input data block of an initial size into an output data block of a final size. The method includes determining a first parameter, which is an integer, and transmitting the first parameter from one of the entities to another of the entities. The method also includes calculating the final size, according to the initial size, the first parameter, a second parameter and a maximum payload of the multiplexing frame. The second parameter is a non-dimensional number corresponding to a maximum percentage of bits to be punctured. The first parameter is selected from a first range, and the second parameter is selected from a second range that is different from the first range. |
| US08787176B2 |
Switch that monitors for fingerprinted packets
A switch comprises a switching module coupled to a plurality of ports. The switching module receives and forwards a plurality of packets through the ports. The switch also comprises a management unit comprising a processor and an agent executable by the processor. The agent causes the processor to monitor each packet received by the switching module and determine whether each such packet contains a predetermined fingerprint. Upon determining that a packet contains the predetermined fingerprint, the processor causes additional information to be included in a copy of the fingerprinted packet and forwarded to a predetermined address. The switching module also forwards the packet containing the predetermined fingerprint, but without the additional information, to an address corresponding to a destination address contained in the packet. A method of programming the switches is also described as well as a management workstation used to program the switches and analyze the fingerprinted packets. |
| US08787172B2 |
Method and apparatus for QoS context transfer during inter radio access technology handover in a wireless communication system
Systems and methodologies are described herein that facilitate efficient transfer of quality of service (QoS) context during inter-radio access technology (RAT) handovers. In particular, techniques are described herein for establishing rules for whether a user equipment unit (UE) or an associated network should establish QoS for a mixed-mode application, identifying flow to bearer mappings when translating QoS across an inter-RAT handover, mapping QoS parameters of respective RATs, mitigating QoS depreciation upon multiple handovers, performing one or more actions if QoS is not acceptable in a new RAT, maintaining QoS during tunnel mode, and handling scenarios in which a UE moves between a RAT using network-initiated QoS and a RAT using UE-initiated QoS. |
| US08787170B2 |
Methods and systems for existential provisioning of flexible line modules using distributed control
The present invention utilizes control plane signaling to dynamically configure flexible, existential ports. The ports are referred to as existential as their nature can change over time depending on the present need of the network, and because the ports are flexible and reconfigurable to a plurality of bit rates and protocols. The present invention removes the constraints of provisioning individual ports and connections, such as from a network management system, and integrates the concept of flexible ports with signaling and control plane methods utilized for routing in modern networks. Advantageously, the present invention extends service providers' investments in equipment, and reduces operating expenses in providing systems that are able to dynamically deal with various network configurations and with low touch by automatically performing provisioning. The methods and systems of the present invention can be extended to other networks utilizing flexible ports, such as wireless radios and the like. |
| US08787167B2 |
System and method for balancing uplink bandwidth utilization in a relay assisted cellular network
A system and method for balancing uplink (UL) bandwidth utilization in a relay assisted cellular network are disclosed. In one embodiment, scheduler context data associated with one or more mobile users/devices connected to the relay assisted cellular network is obtained. Further, static and dynamic load values of data packets coming from the one or more mobile users or devices are computed using the obtained scheduler context data. Furthermore, UL bandwidth utilization between the one or more mobile users or devices and a base station in the relay assisted cellular network is balanced using the computed static and dynamic load values. |
| US08787165B2 |
Parameterized quality of service for multimedia in a coaxial network
Parameterized Quality of Service (QoS) may be provided. In response to receiving a registration request from a device, a determination of resource availability may be made. If resources are available to satisfy data flows to the device, a flow priority may be established and the device may be added to the priority queue configuration. If the device later requests establishment of a data flow, the data flow may be transmitted at the established flow priority. |
| US08787163B1 |
Method and apparatus for adjusting the size of a buffer in a network node based on latency
Systems and methods associated with controlling buffer size based on latency are described. In one embodiment, a method includes determining a transmission latency for a data item exiting a transmission buffer and selectively manipulating a size of the transmission buffer based on the transmission latency for the data item. |
| US08787159B2 |
Mechanism for wireless access networks to throttle traffic during congestion
Exemplary methods and apparatuses are provided for throttling wireless traffic during congestion in radio access networks. Embodiments are provided that may assist service providers to reduce new requests for network resources during congestion and allow existing lower priority traffic to be pre-empted with a backoff time to allow a new request with higher priority traffic to be served. In response to a request for an additional connection to a radio access network from a terminal device that has one or more existing connections in the radio access network, an access network controller will compare a priority level of a requested connection to a priority level of other existing connections in the radio access network. The access network controller may reject or grant the request based on the comparison and send the terminal device a backoff time value and a congestion indicator. |
| US08787157B2 |
Multi-streaming multi-homing delay tolerant network protocol
One exemplary embodiment is directed to a method for deep space communication. The method comprises generating a first packet, assigning a first priority level to the first packet, and selecting at least one communication link from a plurality of communication links for transmission of the first packet. Selecting is a function of a rule specifying which one or more communication links a packet of the first priority level is to be transmitted over. The method also includes transmitting the first packet over the at least one communication link. |
| US08787153B2 |
Forward error correction based data recovery with path diversity
A media source sends media packets over a first media path. Repair packets are encoded from the media source packets and sent over a second different media path. Sending the source packets and repair packet over different media paths is referred to as Forward Error Correction (FEC) spatial diversity and reduces the amount of repair packet overhead required for repairing the media source packets in case of a network outage or packet loss. To provide load balancing, a first set of media streams may be sent over the first media path and a second set of media streams may be sent over the second media path. If a fault is detected on one of the media paths, then the repair packets may no longer be transmitted and the one or more media streams from the disabled media path are transmitted over the working media path. |
| US08787151B2 |
N+N protection switching
A communication system comprises a plurality of DSL links comprising a first group and second group of DSL links, each group comprising more than one DSL link. The communication system also comprises a first node and a second node each having at least one application port and a plurality of DSL ports. Each DSL port is coupled to a respective one of the DSL links such that the first and second nodes are communicatively coupled via the DSL links. Each of the first and second nodes is configured to interleave a first copy of data received over the respective application port across the first group and to interleave a second copy of the data across the second group. When a failure is detected on a DSL link in the first group, each of the first and second nodes is configured to switch from the first group to the second group. |
| US08787144B2 |
Interleaved signaling
Signal interleaving of multiple signals, such as those associated with transmissions within a high-speed data network from subscribers to the Internet or other locations, is contemplated. The transmitted signals may be interleaved by adding signals from one subscriber with those transmitted from another subscriber. The transmitted signals may include spectral holes such that when one or more spectral holes of the signal sent from one subscriber add together with signals from another subscriber, or other simultaneously transmitting device, it fills spectral holes in a manner that maximizes transmission capabilities. |
| US08787142B2 |
Transmission and reception of a wideband signal with narrowband interference
It is disclosed a method including accommodating, in frequency domain, a first bandwidth of a first carrier signal with respect to a second bandwidth of a second carrier signal such that the first bandwidth adjoins to or overlaps the second bandwidth, the first bandwidth being greater than the second bandwidth. In a further aspect, prior to the transmission, the interference of the modulated second carrier signal is subtracted from each of the plurality of subcarrier signals of the first carrier signal. |
| US08787140B2 |
Frame and data pattern structure for multi-carrier systems
A transmitting apparatus for transmitting signals in a multi carrier system on the basis of a frame structure, each frame including at least one signalling pattern and one or more data patterns, the transmitting apparatus including frame forming means for arranging signalling data in the at least one signalling pattern in a frame, and for arranging data and at least one pilot signal in the one or more data patterns in a frame, whereby the length of each of the one or more data patterns in the frequency direction is equal to or a multiple of a minimum data pattern length, transforming means for transforming the at least one signalling pattern the one or more data patterns from the frequency domain into the time domain in order to generate a time domain transmission signal, and transmitting means for transmitting the time domain transmission signal. |
| US08787135B2 |
Signal processing device, signal processing method, and optical disc apparatus
Provided is a signal processing device including: an adaptive filter; a PRML circuit for sequentially generating binarized data from a filtered reproduced waveform by sampling at sampling points in a period based on a clock signal and sequentially generating a partial response waveform which is to be the target waveform from the binarized data; a calculating unit for sequentially calculating first phase errors from a difference between the target waveform and the filtered reproduced waveform; a limiting unit for outputting second phase errors by excluding a specific phase error from the first phase errors; and a clock generating unit for generating the clock signal of a frequency corresponding to the second phase errors; wherein the specific phase error includes a phase error at a time when the partial response waveform reaches a specific level which excludes at least a level not less than a predetermined amplitude level. |
| US08787132B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspecting thermal assist type magnetic head
An apparatus for inspecting a thermal assist type magnetic head is configured to include a scanning probe microscope unit comprising a cantilever having a probe with a magnetic film formed on the surface of a tip portion thereof; a prober unit which provides an alternating current to a terminal formed on the thermal assist type magnetic head element; a scattered light detection unit which detects scattered light generated from the probe; and a signal process unit which detects defect by using an output signal from the scanning probe microscope unit by scanning the surface of the thermal assist type magnetic head element with the probe in a state that the magnetic field is generated and the near-field light is stopped, and an output signal from the scattered light detection unit by scanning the surface with the probe while near-field light is generated and the magnetic field is off. |
| US08787130B1 |
Systems and methods for providing heat assisted magnetic recording media configured to couple energy from a near field transducer
Systems and methods for providing heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) media configured to couple energy from a near field transducer (NFT) are provided. One such method includes providing a magnetic recording layer including an L10 ordered FePt or an L10 ordered CoPt, selecting a plurality of preselected parameters for a coupling layer, the preselected parameters including a material, a preselected deposition temperature, and a preselected thickness, and depositing the coupling layer directly on the magnetic recording layer using the preselected parameters such that the coupling layer has an extinction coefficient greater than 0.1. |
| US08787127B2 |
Near-field light generating element, method of manufacturing near-field light generating element, near-field light head, method of manufacturing near-field light head, and information recording and playback device
A near-field light generating element has a core that propagates light flux from a light incident side to a light emission side while focusing the propagating light flux. A near-field light generating portion in the form of a metal film generates near-field light from the light flux. The core includes a first core, and a second core covering a side surface of the first core, and the core is formed in a polygonal shape when viewed from a Z direction. The metal film is placed on a side surface in the core, and is formed so that a width of an interface between the metal film and the core is narrower than a width of the side surface of the core. |
| US08787120B2 |
Exterior element for a wristwatch
An external element for a wristwatch, containing an electronic device and a power source for powering the electronic device with electric energy, wherein the electronic device and power source are integrated in the exterior element, to form an autonomous electronic module, which is completely independent of the wristwatch movement. |
| US08787119B2 |
Watch assembly with a spare battery for readily powering an external mobile electronic device
A watch assembly is provided with a watch housing, a watch movement, a watch display, as well as a special compartment holding a spare battery assembly and a standardized charging plug which enables the watch assembly to be connected to an auxiliary mobile device, such as a telephone, to be temporarily charged via the spare battery. Thus, a telephone can be a mobile device, such as a telephone, can be tethered to the watch assembly and utilize the mobile device while holding it in the palm of his or her hand. |
| US08787118B2 |
Universal watch
A universal watch including a movement driving a main display means cooperating with a complementary main display means, a means for adjusting the main display means to set the time of a determined place, a secondary display means which is moveable relative to the complementary main display means, and comprises geographical reference points of different time zones. This movement drives synchronously with the main display means the secondary display means, and a structure carrying first screens, each superposed on a geographical reference point and, according to the time of day, changing position under the action of a drive torque from drive means which is greater than the resistant torque imparted thereon by friction means connected to the structure. |
| US08787114B1 |
Audio surveillance system
A method and apparatus are provided for detecting objects of interest using sounds. Sounds are monitored for using a sensor array. A number of beams are formed. Each beam in the number of beams is formed for a selected direction in which the selected direction for each beam is relative to a line of sight for the sensor array. A presence of a number of objects of interest is identified using the number of beams and the sounds detected by the sensor array. |
| US08787112B2 |
Seismic data apparatus and methods
Methods and apparatus are provided related to seismic sensor data. Seismic sensor signaling is digitally sampled in accordance with a local clock and without synchronization to standardized time. Timestamp data is used to synthesize data correspondent to an artificial stimulus waveform. Cross-correlation of the synthesized data with the seismic sensor data yields a correlation result. The correlation result can be scaled to an original starting time for the seismic data sampling. The scaled correlation result can be stored in computer-accessible media and subject to further processing or interpretation. |
| US08787110B2 |
Realignment of command slots after clock stop exit
Described herein are embodiments of dynamic command slot realignment after clock stop exit. An apparatus configured for dynamic command slot realignment after clock stop exit may include memory including a first memory module configured to receive commands over a first channel via a first command slot and a second memory module configured to receive commands over a second channel via a second command slot, and a memory buffer configured to receive a clock sync command targeting the first command slot, and perform a write pointer exchange in response to detecting the clock sync command in the second command slot to realign the first command slot and the second command slot. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US08787102B2 |
Memory device and signal processing circuit
A memory device which can keep a stored logic state even when the power is off is provided. A signal processing circuit including the memory device, which achieves low power consumption by stopping supply of power, is provided. A memory device includes a logic circuit including a first node and a second node, a first memory circuit connected to the first node, a second memory circuit connected to the second node, and a precharge circuit connected to the first node, the second node, the first memory circuit, and the second memory circuit. When reading data is performed, the precharge circuit outputs a precharge potential to the first node and the second node. The first memory circuit and the second memory circuit each include a transistor in which a channel is formed in an oxide semiconductor film. |
| US08787101B2 |
Stacked device remapping and repair
Various embodiments include apparatus, systems, and methods having multiple dice arranged in a stack in which a defective cell may be replaced by a spare cell on the same die or a different die. Other embodiments are described. |
| US08787095B2 |
Systems, and devices, and methods for programming a resistive memory cell
Embodiments disclosed herein may relate to programming a memory cell with a programming pulse that includes a quenching period. The quenching period includes an initial portion and a subsequent portion, with the subsequent portion different than the initial portion. During the initial portion, the amplitude of the programming pulse may be reduced to a first target amplitude level, and during the subsequent portion, the amplitude of the programming pulse may be further reduced to a second target amplitude level. |
| US08787092B2 |
Programming inhibit method of nonvolatile memory apparatus for reducing leakage current
The invention provides a nonvolatile memory apparatus. The nonvolatile memory apparatus comprises a plurality of memory cells and a signal generator. The memory cells are arranged in an array, and each of the memory cells has a control gate terminal, a floating gate, a source line terminal, a bit-line terminal, a selected gate terminal and a word-line terminal. The signal generator is coupled to the memory cells. When the nonvolatile memory apparatus executes a programming operation, the signal generator provides a programming signal to the control gate terminals of a plurality of inhibited memory cells among the memory cells. Wherein, the programming signal is a pulse signal with a direct-current (DC) offset voltage. |
| US08787089B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of controlling the same
An embodiment of the invention provides a semiconductor device that includes: a memory cell array that includes non-volatile memory cells; a first selecting circuit that connects or disconnects a source and a drain of a transistor that forms one of the memory cells, to or from a data line DATAB connected to a first power supply; and a second selecting circuit that connects or disconnects the source and drain to or from a ground line ARVSS connected to a second power supply. In this semiconductor device, the first selecting circuit and the second selecting circuit are arranged on the opposite sides of the memory cell array. One embodiment of the invention also provides a method of controlling the semiconductor device. |
| US08787086B1 |
Inhibiting address transitions in unselected memory banks of solid state memory circuits
The present disclosure relates to inhibiting address transitions in unselected memory banks of solid state memory circuits. Bank selection and address gating circuitry may be used to provide a set of gated address signals to decode circuitry for each memory bank, such that the gated address signals associated with unselected memory banks are prevented from transitioning and the gated address signals associated with a selected memory bank are based on clocking in the status of address signals provided by memory control circuitry. |
| US08787083B2 |
Memory circuit
While the supply of power is stopped, a data signal that has been held in a volatile memory section can be held in a nonvolatile memory section. In the nonvolatile memory section, a transistor having an extremely low off-state current allows a data signal to be held in the capacitor for a long period of time. Thus, the nonvolatile memory section can hold the logic state even while the supply of power is stopped. When the supply of power is started again, the data signal that has been held in the capacitor while the supply of power has been stopped is set at such a potential that malfunction does not occur by turning on the reset circuit. |
| US08787080B2 |
Selective re-programming of analog memory cells
A method for data storage includes defining, in a memory that includes multiple analog memory cells, an erased state, a set of non-erased programming states and a partial subset of the non-erased programming states. Data is initially stored in a first group of the analog memory cells by programming each of at least some of the memory cells in the first group from the erased state to a respective non-erased programming state selected from the set of non-erased programming states. After initially storing the data, a second group of the analog memory cells, which potentially cause interference to the first group, is programmed. After programming the second group, the first group is selectively re-programmed with the data by repeating programming of only the memory cells in the first group whose respective programming states belong to the partial subset. |
| US08787074B2 |
Static random access memory test structure
A static random access memory (SRAM) test structure includes a p-type source/drain implant region comprising contacts (CAs), wherein the CAs in the p-type source/drain implant region comprise a first plurality of bit line, ground, and node CAs, and wherein the CAs in the p-type source/drain implant region are grounded during an inspection of the SRAM test structure; and an ungrounded region, the ungrounded region being distinct from the p-type source/drain implant region and being ungrounded during the inspection of the SRAM test structure, the ungrounded region comprising contacts (CAs) and rectangular contacts (CArecs) comprising a second plurality of bit line, ground, and node CAs, and further comprising a first plurality of Vdd CAs and rectangular contacts (CArecs), and wherein a CA or CArec in the ungrounded region is grounded during the inspection in the event of a short to a CA in the p-type source/drain implant region. |
| US08787071B2 |
Nonvolatile storage device and method for writing into the same
The nonvolatile storage device includes a variable resistance element and a write circuit which writes data into the variable resistance element, wherein the variable resistance element has a property of changing from a first resistance state to a second resistance state when a pulse of a first voltage is applied to the variable resistance element, and changing from the second resistance state to the first resistance state when a pulse of a second voltage is applied to the variable resistance element, and the write circuit applies, to the variable resistance element, at least the pulse of the first voltage, a pulse of a third voltage, and the pulse of the first voltage in this order, when the variable resistance element is caused to change from the first resistance state to the second resistance state. |
| US08787067B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of controlling semiconductor device
Provided is a semiconductor device including: a memory cell having a variable resistance device; and a control unit that controls a voltage applied to the memory cell, wherein the variable resistance device includes a lower electrode contains a first metal material, an upper electrode containing a second metal material, and an insulating film containing oxygen, the first metal material has a normalized oxide formation energy higher than that of the second metal material, and the control unit applies a positive voltage to the upper electrode at the time of an operation of increasing a resistance value of the insulating film and an operation of decreasing the resistance value thereof, and applies a positive voltage to the lower electrode at the time of an operation of reading out the resistance value of the insulating film. |
| US08787065B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for determining stability of a memory cell
Examples described include apparatuses and methods for determining stability of memory cells. Resistance variable memory cells may be used. Once a memory cell is placed in a low or high resistance state responsive to set or reset pulses, the stability of the state may be determined, such as by providing another pulse to the memory cell or otherwise stressing the cell. The another pulse may be of an opposite polarity to the set or reset pulses already applied. If the memory cell is no longer in the target state after providing the another pulse, additional set or reset pulses may be applied to achieve a stable state. |
| US08787064B2 |
Programmable bipolar electronic device
A configurable memristive device (300) for regulating an electrical signal includes a memristive matrix (350) containing a first dopant species; emitter (320), collector (310), and a base electrodes (330, 340) which are in contact with the memristive matrix (350); and a mobile dopant species contained within a central region (360) contiguous with the base electrodes (330, 340), the mobile dopant species moving within the memristive matrix (350) in response to a programming electrical field. A method of configuring and using a memristive device (300) includes: applying a programming electrical field across a memristive matrix (350) such that a mobile dopant species creates a central doped region (360) which bisects the memristive matrix (350); and applying a control voltage to the central doped region (360) to regulate current flow between an emitter electrode (320) and a collector electrode (310). |
| US08787063B2 |
Analog memories utilizing ferroelectric capacitors
A ferroelectric memory having a plurality of ferroelectric memory cells, each ferroelectric memory cell including a ferroelectric capacitor is disclosed. The ferroelectric memory includes read and write lines and a plurality of ferroelectric memory cell select buses, one select bus corresponding to each of the ferroelectric memory cells. Each of the ferroelectric memory cells includes first and second gates for connecting the ferroelectric memory cell to the read line and the write line, respectively, in response to signals on the ferroelectric memory cell select bus corresponding to that ferroelectric memory cell. A write circuit causes a value determined by a data value having at least three states to be stored in the ferroelectric memory cell currently connected to the write line. A read circuit measures the charge stored in the ferroelectric memory cell currently connected to the read line. |
| US08787055B2 |
Inverter device
An inverter device includes a DC positive input line and a DC negative input line, a main bridge which includes a pair of series-connected switching elements with diodes being connected in reverse parallel with the switching elements respectively, an auxiliary bridge which includes a pair of series-connected switching elements with diodes being connected in reverse parallel with the switching elements respectively and a current-limiting reactor. A plurality of sets each one of which includes the main bridge and the auxiliary bridge is connected between the DC positive and negative input lines. Each set constitutes a phase. The current-limiting reactor is connected between a common connection point of both switching elements of the main bridge and a common connection point of both switching elements of the auxiliary bridge in each set. |
| US08787051B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling the equivalent resistance of a converter
The disclosure provides a method for controlling an equivalent resistance of a converter. The method includes receiving a power source input signal, generating a first control signal according to a voltage level and a state of the power source input signal to adjust an equivalent resistance of the voltage conversion module and cause the voltage conversion module to operate in the damper mode or the converter mode, when the voltage conversion module operates in the converter mode converting the power source input signal to an output signal, and when the voltage conversion module operates in the damper mode detecting the voltage level or the current level of the power source input signal, and adjusting the equivalent resistance so that the voltage conversion module could operate in the bleeder mode or the converter mode to convert the power source input signal to the output signal. |
| US08787047B2 |
System and method for dissipating energy on the primary side of a bi-directional switching power supply
A system for dissipating energy in a power supply includes a bidirectional switching power output stage coupled to a primary power supply side and a secondary power supply side, the bi-directional switching power output stage configured to provide a positive voltage and a positive current, the bi-directional switching power output stage also configured to provide a positive voltage and to receive a current. The system for dissipating energy in a power supply also includes a current sinking circuit coupled to the primary power supply side, the current sinking circuit configured to dissipate energy when the secondary power supply side of the switching power supply is receiving current. |
| US08787043B2 |
Controller for a power converter and method of operating the same
A controller for a power converter and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the controller includes a primary peak current circuit configured to produce a reference voltage corresponding to a primary peak current through a primary winding of a transformer of a power converter, and an offset corrector configured to provide an offset voltage to compensate for delays in the power converter. The controller also includes a summer configured to provide an offset reference voltage as a function of the reference voltage and the offset voltage, and a comparator configured to produce a signal to turn off a power switch coupled to the primary winding of the transformer as a function of the offset reference voltage. |
| US08787042B2 |
DC power supply including arrangement to reduce switching loss and a snubber circuit to suppress surge voltages
In a DC power supply in which a DC power source and a transformer are connected via a power conversion circuit and a secondary winding of the transformer is connected to a load via a rectifier diode bridge and a filter circuit to supply power to the load, a resonance reactor is provided on an output side of the transformer, a resonant switch circuit including a parallel circuit of a diode and a semiconductor switch and a resonant capacitor is connected in parallel to the rectifier diode bridge and a snubber circuit including a snubber capacitor, a snubber diode and a diode for discharge is connected to a serial resonant circuit including the resonance reactor and the resonant capacitor in the resonant switch circuit to absorb a surge voltage. |
| US08787041B2 |
Power converter integrated with flyback converter
There is provided a power converter integrated with an auxiliary converter. The power converter includes: a flyback converter converting an input power of a power supply input terminal into a standby power through a primary side circuit connected to the power supply input terminal and a secondary side circuit magnetically coupled to the primary side circuit to supply the standby power; and a main converter converting the input power of the power supply input terminal into a main power to supply the main power, and converting the input power of the power supply input terminal into the standby power through the secondary side circuit of the flyback converter to supply the standby power, whereby the efficiency of the power converter may be improved. |
| US08787040B2 |
Voltage-regulating circuit with input voltage detecting circuit and parallel voltage-regulating circuit system using the same
A voltage-regulating circuit according to the present invention includes a power conversion circuit, an input voltage detecting circuit and a feedback circuit. The power conversion circuit includes at least one switch element, wherein during operation of the at least one switch element, an input voltage is converted into a transition voltage. The input voltage detecting circuit is connected to the power conversion circuit for outputting a detected voltage signal corresponding to the input voltage. The feedback circuit is connected to the power conversion circuit and the input voltage detecting circuit for generating a feedback control signal. In such way, as the input voltage is changed, the feedback circuit will adjust to make the transition voltage changed as with the change of the detected voltage signal corresponding to the input voltage. |
| US08787039B2 |
Hybrid adaptive power factor correction schemes for switching power converters
A method of a controller of a switching power converter that provides a configurable power factor control method for the switching power converter. The controller combines power regulation control methods of constant on-time control and constant power control to adjust the power factor of the switching power converter. The controller switches between constant on-time control and constant power control based on an input voltage of the power converter. |
| US08787037B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a shielding member, an electric circuit, and a filter capacitor. The electric circuit has an output line and is arranged inside the shielding member. The filter capacitor is arranged outside the shielding member to be connected to the output line. |
| US08787036B2 |
Back frame and backlight system
The present invention provides a back frame of flat panel display device, which includes primary assembling pieces, secondary assembling pieces, and an adjustable bracing piece. The primary assembling pieces have a number of at least two, and the at least two primary assembling pieces are connected through joining to form a main frame structure of the back frame. The secondary assembling pieces are joined to the primary assembling pieces. According to practical needs of the main frame structure, different materials are used for primary assembling pieces at different locations. The back frame further includes the bracing piece that is mounted to the primary assembling pieces or the secondary assembling pieces. The available mounting points between the bracing piece and the primary assembling pieces or the secondary assembling pieces are of a number of at least two so that the bracing piece is selectively mounted to the back frame at different positions. The present invention also provides a backlight system. The back frame and the backlight system of the present invention have a simple back frame structure, reduce the expenditure of the back frame mold, and also save the material used for back frame so as to lower down the cost of flat panel display device and meet different requirements for mounting. |
| US08787033B2 |
Electronic component and electronic device
An electronic component to be mounted on a substrate, including an electronic component-side land that faces a substrate-side land provided on the substrate when the electronic component is mounted on the substrate. A non-soldered region is provided on a surface of the electronic component-side land, facing the substrate-side land, so that a shape of the substrate-side land is different from a shape of the electronic component-side land facing the substrate-side land. |
| US08787029B2 |
Button module and electronic device
A button module includes a body, a switch fixed to the body, a light member electrically connected to the switch, a button located opposite to the light member and an elastic member. The elastic member comprising a pressing portion, a fixing end extended from one end of the pressing portion and a fastening end extending from the opposite end of the pressing portion. The pressing portion is contacted with the switch, the fixing end is fixed to the body, the fastening end is fastened to the button, the light member lights the button when pressing the button to drive the pressing portion to trigger the switch. |
| US08787028B2 |
Terminal structure, printed circuit board, module board, electronic device, and method for manufacturing terminal structure
The electronic device includes a terminal structure and a printed circuit board including the terminal structure. The terminal structure includes a solder-joint conductor region placed on a wiring conductor, an intermediate layer contacting with the conductor region, and a solder region contacting with the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer includes an intermetallic compound including tin and at least one of copper and nickel as principal components. When the indentation elastic modulus of the conductor region is E1 and the indentation elastic modulus of the intermediate layer is E2, the ratio of E1 to E2 is equal to or more than 0.8 and equal to or less than 1.5. |
| US08787026B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes a housing, a printed substrate and a holder. The housing includes a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface which connects between the front surface and the back surface. The side surface includes an opening. The printed substrate includes a first surface on which a switch is mounted and a second surface which is on the reverse side of the first surface. The holder includes a holding portion and an operating portion, the holding portion is configured to hold the printed substrate under the first surface of the printed substrate facing the side surface of the housing, the operating portion is integrally formed in the holder and is exposed from the opening. |
| US08787021B2 |
Memory cooler
A cooler for a memory module includes heat plates on the sides of the memory module and heat fins extending from the top of the heat plates. The heat fins are optimized according to simulated or actual airflow about the memory module inside an enclosure. The heat fins may curve diagonally outward from the memory module and their free ends may be arranged substantially parallel to the airflow so air flows over their larger lateral surfaces down to the memory module. |
| US08787018B2 |
Power converting apparatus and capacitor cover thereof
A power converting apparatus includes a housing, a cylindrical capacitor, and a cylindrical capacitor cover. The housing includes a housing base, a main body, and an air duct. The main body includes a plurality of electronic components on a first surface of the housing base. The air duct is disposed on a second surface of the housing base. The capacitor penetrates through the housing base so that a part of the capacitor is disposed in the main body while a rest part of the capacitor is disposed in the air duct. The capacitor cover is disposed on the housing base and covers the rest part of the capacitor. The capacitor cover includes an elastic material and an inner surface. The capacitor cover includes a groove disposed on the inner surface in an axial direction of the capacitor cover. |
| US08787016B2 |
Flexible display devices
Electronic devices may be provided that contain multiple housing portions. The housing portions may be coupled together using hinges. The hinges may include hinges based on a three-bar linkage, hinges based on a four-bar linkage, hinges with slotted members, hinges formed from flexible support structures, and hinges based on flexible housing structures. Flexible displays may be mounted to the housing portions overlapping the hinges. When the housing portions in a device are rotated relative to each other, the flexible display may bend. The hinge may be configured to allow the flexible display to be placed in a front-to-front configuration in which an active side of the display faces itself or a back-to-back configuration. Engagement structures may be used to help the housing grip external objects and to hold the housing portions together. The hinges may be provided with rotational detents to help hold the flexible display in desired positions. |
| US08787013B1 |
Carrier with adjustable heat removal elements
A system for removing heat from a computing device includes a carrier and one or more heat removal elements. The carrier includes a carrier surface having a carrier surface pattern. The carrier surface pattern includes coupling portions. The coupling portions of the carrier surface pattern selectively couple, at different locations on the pattern, the heat removal elements to the carrier. The heat removal elements conduct heat from heat producing components of the computing device to the carrier. The carrier conducts heat away from the heat removal elements. |
| US08787011B2 |
Mounting apparatus for expansion card
A mounting apparatus includes a chassis and a mounting piece. The chassis includes a rear plate. An expansion slot is defined in the rear plate, and a clipping portion extends from an edge of the expansion slot. The mounting piece includes a main body, an engaging piece extending from a first end of the main body, and an inserting portion extending from a second opposite end of the main body. The engaging piece defines a clipping slot, and two blocking portions are located on the opposite side of entrance of the clipping slot. The clipping portion is engaged in the clipping slot, and the two blocking portions prevent the clipping portion from being disengaged from the clipping slot. |
| US08787008B2 |
Electronic device with at least one extendable display section
An electronic device (1) is described that comprises a flexible display (9) with at least two extendable display sections (6,7), each display section being movable to an extended position and supported by an associated hold out mechanism (3,4). The electronic device comprises a further display section (9a) and a main body (2), with a window area (5) supporting part of the display (9), in the extended position. The display sections (6,7) extend outwardly from the main body (2) from different sides of the window area (5) and form one continuous wide screen display panel (9) with the further section (9a). |
| US08787006B2 |
Wrist-worn electronic device and methods therefor
Embodiments of electronic wristwatches are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an electronic wristband can provide additional electrical circuitry or devices that can be made available for use as or with an electronic device. In one embodiment, the electronic device can be a mobile electronic device that can be removably coupled to the electronic wristband which provides the additional circuitry or devices. Advantageously, the electronic device can utilize the additional electrical circuitry or devices provided within the electronic wristband to augment the capabilities of the electronic device. In another embodiment, the electronic device can be integrally formed with the electronic wristband which provides the additional circuitry or devices. |
| US08786998B2 |
Electro-magnetic contactor and monitoring system of the same
Disclosed herein is an electro-magnetic contactor and an electro-magnetic contactor monitoring system. The present disclosure may sense and display the status of input power that supplies electric energy to a power input end of the electro-magnetic contactor in real time, and when a failure occurs to generate a low voltage or over voltage, it may be sensed in real time to notify it to a user or the like, thereby allowing the user to monitor the status from a remote location. According to the present disclosure, it may be possible to prevent a load from being damaged by a fire due to a phenomenon of chattering in the electro-magnetic contactor, and eradicating a phenomenon that a coil of the contactor is damaged by a fire due to the over voltage, and minimizing losses that can be caused in a factory management system. |
| US08786993B2 |
Cabling of an aircraft circuit breaker panel
A distribution panel aboard an aircraft includes sites intended for the installation of functional electrical circuit breakers of which at least one of the sites is not occupied by a functional circuit breaker. The functional circuit breakers are wired up to a monitoring system via monitoring cabling so as to monitor a state of the circuit breakers. The at least one site not occupied by a functional circuit breaker is occupied by a nonfunctional circuit breaker, termed a false circuit breaker. The false circuit breaker is able to deliver a state signal and is wired up to the monitoring system by the monitoring cabling in a manner identical to that of a functional circuit breaker. |
| US08786988B2 |
Read sensor having a structure for reducing magnetic coupling between a magnetic bias layer and an upper magnetic shield
A magnetic sensor having reduced read gap thickness, reduced signal noise and improved signal to noise ratio. The sensor includes a sensor stack and hard bias structures formed at either side of the sensor stack for biasing the free layer of the sensor. A protective layer is formed over a portion of the hard bias structure, however a portion of the hard bias structure extends upward toward the upper shield and is disposed between the protective layer and the sensor stack as a result of the process used to form the magnetic bias structure. This portion of the hard bias structure that extends toward the upper shield has a reduced magnetization relative to the rest of the hard bias structure so that it will not magnetically couple with the upper shield. |
| US08786986B2 |
Head-slider including thin-film magnetic-recording head having reduced thermal protrusion
A head-slider. The head-slider includes a slider, and a thin-film magnetic-recording head. The thin-film magnetic-recording head includes: a read element; a write element; a non-magnetic insulating protective layer disposed around both read and write elements; a resist disposed at a position further away from an air-bearing surface than the read element; and, a hard-material member including a material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide and tungsten, which is disposed at a position further away from the air-bearing surface than the read element and the write element. Both an end of the resist and an end of the hard-material member overlap the write element when viewed in a stacking direction. A ratio of a distance from the air-bearing surface to a deepest end of the hard-material member to a distance from the air-bearing surface to a deepest end of the resist is at least 0.9. |
| US08786984B2 |
Perpendicular magnetic write head having a current carrying element for in-plane field assisted magnetic recording
In one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a main pole configured to produce a magnetic writing field applied to a magnetic medium at an overall angle with respect to a magnetic anisotropy axis which is oriented in a direction perpendicular to a plane of a surface of the magnetic medium, and at least one current carrying element positioned near a media facing surface of the main pole configured to produce an assisting magnetic field applied in a cross-track direction parallel to the plane of the surface of the magnetic medium. In another embodiment, a method includes applying a writing magnetic field to write data to a magnetic medium and applying an assisting magnetic field to the magnetic medium for assisting the writing magnetic field, the assisting magnetic field being applied in a cross-track direction of the magnetic medium and parallel to a plane of a surface of the magnetic medium. |
| US08786983B1 |
Magnetic writer having a low aspect ratio two layer coil
A method and system provide a magnetic transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS). The magnetic transducer includes a write pole and at least one coil. The write pole has a pole tip and a yoke. The coil(s) energize the write pole. The coil(s) include a plurality of turns a first distance from the pole and at least one additional turn a second distance from the pole. The first distance is different from the second distance. The at least one additional turn extends over at least part of two of the plurality of turns, has a length in a stripe height direction perpendicular to the ABS and has a height in a down track direction. The length is greater than the height. |
| US08786975B2 |
Thin-femto magnetic head slider and method for producing the same
In one embodiment, a magnetic head slider includes a substrate, at least two elements (read element, write element, and/or heater element) positioned adjacent to the substrate, a resistance detection element positioned near the two elements, a pair of conductive terminals in an accessible position and coupled to each of the two elements, a protective film surrounding the two elements and the resistance detection element, a first and a second thin conductive wire extending from the resistance detection element and terminating at an edge of the protective film, a third thin conductive wire extending from one of the pair of conductive terminals for a first of the two elements and terminating at an edge of the protective film, and a fourth thin conductive wire extending from one of the pair of conductive terminals for a second of the two elements and terminating at an edge of the protective film. |
| US08786973B2 |
Thermally assisted magnetic recording medium and thermally assisted magnetic recording apparatus
According to one embodiment, a thermally assisted magnetic recording method performs heating at a temperature higher than the ambient temperature of the perpendicular recording medium and lower than a temperature at which a nucleation magnetic field Hn of the recording portion is 0, decreases a coercive force Hc of a recording portion by heating a perpendicular recording medium, and records magnetic information by applying a recording magnetic field from a recording magnetic pole to the recording portion having the decreased coercive force. |
| US08786971B2 |
Magnetic recording apparatus having variable-width tracks and method of testing same
According to one embodiment, there is provided a magnetic recording apparatus including a head slider including read and write elements, and a magnetic recording medium including magnetically recordable recording tracks with a width L1, a wide land track with a width L2 larger than the width L1 of the recording track, and non-recording sections with a width G1 each provided between adjacent recording tracks. The width L1 of the recording track is smaller than a bottom read width BRW of the read and write elements, and the width L2 of the wide land track is larger than the bottom read width BRW of the read and write elements. |
| US08786969B2 |
Shingled recording systems using multiple pass write, single pass read architecture
In one embodiment, a magnetic data storage system includes a bit patterned magnetic medium, wherein centers of bits in adjacent data tracks do not lie on a common line in a cross-track direction, a magnetic head having a writer element having a width greater than a width of a data track in a track width direction adapted for writing data successively to at least two adjacent data tracks of the magnetic medium, and a reader element having a width larger than the width of a data track in the track width direction adapted for reading data concurrently from the at least two adjacent data tracks of the magnetic medium in a single pass, a drive mechanism for passing the magnetic medium over the magnetic head, and a controller electrically coupled to the magnetic head for controlling operation of the magnetic head. |
| US08786967B2 |
MEMS snubber systems and methods
Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide concomitant mechanical motion inhibition and electrical distribution for actuator modules, such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based optical actuators adapted to move and/or orient one or more lenses and/or optical devices of a camera module. A mechanical motion inhibition and electrical distribution system may include one or more flexible snubber structures disposed substantially adjacent a MEMS structure and between the MEMS structure and another component of a camera module. Each flexible snubber structure may be implemented with one or more electrical traces, flexible films, snubber films, and/or mechanical stabilizers adapted to route electrical signals to or from the MEMS structure and/or to inhibit mechanical motion of at least a portion of the MEMS structure. |
| US08786966B2 |
Imaging lens unit
Disclosed herein is an imaging lens unit, including: a first lens having a positive (+) power; a second lens having a negative (−) power; a third lens selectively having one of a positive (+) and negative (−) power; a fourth lens having a negative (−) power; and a fifth lens having a negative (−) power, wherein the first lens, the second lens, the third lens, the fourth lens, and fifth lens are arranged in order from an object to be formed as an image, and the fourth lens is concave toward an image side. |
| US08786965B2 |
Die processing method, die, objective lens, and optical pick-up device
A method for processing a material for a die for molding an objective lens which is formed with a multilevel structure on the curved surface thereof, wherein the transfer surface of the objective lens is cut by a tool having a cutting face, the outline of which includes a linear first edge portion, a linear second edge portion extending in a direction which intersects the first edge portion at an acute angle thereto, and a third edge portion which joins the ends of the first and second edge portions, while the die material is rotated around the axis thereof, in a state in which at least the first edge portion and the second edge portion of the tool is inclined with respect to the axis and while the tool is moved only in the axial direction and in the direction which intersects the axis. |
| US08786963B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus
An imaging lens including: in order from an object side thereof, a first lens having a positive refractive power; a second lens formed in a meniscus shape having a negative refractive power with a concave surface faced to an image side; a third lens formed in a biconvex shape having a positive refractive power near an optical axis; a fourth lens formed in a meniscus shape having a positive refractive power with a concave surface faced to the object side near the optical axis; and a fifth lens having a negative refractive power near the optical axis and a positive refractive power in a peripheral portion, the imaging lens satisfying the following conditional expression (a), 3.0≦f3/f4≦30.0 (a) where f3 is a focal length of the third lens, and f4 is a focal length of the fourth lens. |
| US08786951B2 |
Composite optical film
A composite optical film is provided. The composite optical film sequentially includes a substrate, a light diffusion layer, and a light-gathering layer. The light diffusion layer includes a binder and plural micro beads dispersed therein. The thickness of the light diffusion layer is 2-6 times of the average diameter of the micro beads, and the distance between adjacent micro beads is smaller than the average diameter of the micro beads. The light-gathering layer has plural light-gathering micro structures. |
| US08786947B2 |
Far-optical device
A far-optical device comprising a reversal system and an adjustable optical magnification means with more than fourfold magnification, wherein the far-optical device has an optical beam deflection means which at all magnifications ensures a subjective field of view of the far-optical device of at least 22° at least for light of a wavelength of about 550 nm. |
| US08786945B2 |
Laser scan confocal microscope
Fluorescence is generated from an irradiated point on an inspection surface of a sample and the fluorescence is collected by an objective lens. Here, because of the magnification chromatic aberration of the objective lens, the fluorescence going out from the objective lens travels along a path shifted from the irradiation light and changed substantially into a non-scan light by a galvano-scanner. The fluorescence passes through a dichroic mirror into a plane-parallel plate after light of unnecessary wavelength is removed by a filter. The plane-parallel plate is driven in synchronization with the galvano-scanner by a computer and corrects the shift and inclination of the optical axis generated by the magnification chromatic aberration of the objective lens. Then, the fluorescence forms an image of the irradiation point of the inspection surface of the sample on a pin hole of a pin hole plate by using a collective lens. |
| US08786944B2 |
Device for holding filters for microscopes
A device for holding filters for a microscope includes a filter wheel (20) rotatable about an axis of rotation (16) and a drive unit (14) for rotating the filter wheel (20). The filter wheel (20) comprises a basic body (44) rotatable about the axis of rotation (16) and at least one segment (46-54) selectively connectable to the basic body. The segment (46-54) comprises at least two housing areas (58, 59) each holding at least one filter (11). Another housing area may provide a transmission range (36, 59) for unfiltered transmission of light. A second rotatable filter wheel may be arranged at a location displaced along the axis of rotation relative to the filter wheel, and may have its own respective transmission range for unfiltered transmission of light, whereby a filter on either filter wheel may be aligned with the transmission range on the other filter wheel. |
| US08786943B2 |
Low thermal stress catadioptric imaging system
An imaging system having reduced susceptibility to thermally-induced stress birefringence comprising relay optics and projection optics. One of either the relay optics or the projection optics is a reflective optical system that includes reflective optical elements, and the other is a refractive optical system having a negligible or low susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence. The refractive optical system includes: a first group of refractive lens elements located upstream from an aperture stop, and a second group of refractive lens elements located downstream from the aperture stop. The refractive lens elements in the first and second groups that are immediately adjacent to the aperture stop are fabricated using optical materials having a negligible susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence, and the other refractive lens elements in the first and second groups are fabricated using optical materials having at most a moderate susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence. |
| US08786941B2 |
Semiconductor optical amplifier
A semiconductor optical amplifier includes: a laminated structure sequentially including a first compound semiconductor layer composed of GaN compound semiconductor and having a first conductivity type, a third compound semiconductor layer having a light amplification region composed of GaN compound semiconductor, and a second compound semiconductor layer composed of GaN compound semiconductor and having a second conductivity type; a second electrode formed on the second compound semiconductor layer; and a first electrode electrically connected to the first compound semiconductor layer. The laminated structure has a ridge stripe structure. When widths of the ridge stripe structure in a light output end face and the ridge stripe structure in a light incident end face are respectively Wout, and Win, Wout>Win is satisfied. A carrier non-injection region is provided in an internal region of the laminated structure from the light output end face along an axis line of the semiconductor optical amplifier. |
| US08786940B2 |
Despeckling apparatus and method
An apparatus and method that reduces laser speckle by using stimulated Raman scattering in an optical fiber. The fiber core diameter and length are selected to achieve a desired output color. An adjustable despeckler is formed by combining two optical fibers in parallel and adjusting the amount of light in each path. |
| US08786939B1 |
Spectral sensing demodulator
A spectral sensing demodulator can include a programmable filter bank and a reconfigurable processor coupled to the programmable filter bank. The programmable filter bank can frequency demultiplex a plurality of frequency division multiplexed channels from a frequency band into a plurality of demultiplexed channels. The reconfigurable processor can include a plurality of reconfigurable resources. Each resource can be alternatively be configured to demodulate a demultiplexed channel and to monitor a demultiplexed channel. |
| US08786936B2 |
Ink compositions, methods of preparing ink compositions and display panels including ink compositions
Core-shell coated pigment particles are prepared by core-shell coating using pigment particles, at least one hydrophilic organometallic compound, at least one hydrophobic organometallic compound, distilled water and a solvent. Ink particles coated with an ionized organometallic compound are prepared by using the core-shell coated pigment particles, the solvent and a halogen compound. The ink particles, a dispersing agent and a dielectric liquid are mixed to prepare an ink composition. The ink composition has an electrophoresis property to exhibit an electric movement and has a good dispersibility in a dielectric liquid. The ink composition may be applied in a reflective type color display device. |
| US08786932B2 |
Advanced electrode structures and electrochromic devices
The present invention provides for a display device and a method to manufacture the display device. The display device includes: a transparent layer; a coloring electrode; a separator; a second electrode; an electrolyte permeating throughout the display device; and a back layer positioned on the back side of the display. The transparent layer, which has a top surface and a bottom surface, is positioned at the viewer side of the display. The coloring electrode is positioned on the transparent layer bottom surface and includes: a connected conductor system formed from one or more heterogeneous conductive layers and a coloring layer, with the proviso that the heterogeneous conductive layers are not positioned between the transparent layer bottom surface and the coloring layer. The conductor heterogeneity includes variations in one or more of: conductor material composition; conductor layer dimension; conductor layer pattern; conductor layer grid design, and combinations thereof. The separator layer is positioned between the coloring electrode and the second electrode. |
| US08786929B2 |
Components and methods for use in electro-optic displays
A front plane laminate useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays comprises, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer, a layer of an electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer, an adhesive layer and a release sheet. This front plane laminate can be prepared as a continuous web, cut to size, the release sheet removed and the laminate laminated to a backplane to form a display. Methods for providing conductive vias through the electro-optic medium and for testing the front plane laminate are also described. |
| US08786927B2 |
Optical scanning apparatus
The optical scanning apparatus including a light source unit having plurality laser light sources for emitting laser light and one lens in which the laser light emitted from the plurality laser light sources is transmitted, a deflect device that deflects and scans the laser light on an image bearing member, an optical member that images the laser light on the image bearing member, a housing that internally includes the deflect device and the optical member, the housing forms an opening portion that passes through the laser light emitted from the plurality of the laser light sources, and an elastic member that blocks a gap between the lens and the opening portion, the elastic member being pinched between the lens and the housing. It achieves sealing of the flow-in path and sealing of the gap between the light source unit and the housing with a simple configuration. |
| US08786926B2 |
Driver for optical deflector using two asyncronous saw-tooth drive voltages and method for setting the same
An optical deflector includes a mirror, a movable frame for supporting the mirror, a support body surrounding the movable frame, and a first group of piezoelectric actuators and a second group of piezoelectric actuators alternating with the first group of piezoelectric actuators. A driver applies a first drive voltage having first saw-tooth waves to the first group of piezoelectric actuators, and applies a second drive voltage having second saw-tooth waves opposite in phase with the first saw-tooth waves to the second group of piezoelectric actuators. A difference in phase between the first and second saw-tooth waves is a predetermined value to suppress resonation of harmonic frequency components of the first and second drive voltages with a natural frequency of a mechanically-vibrating system of the mirror with respect to the axis thereof depending upon the piezoelectric actuators. |
| US08786925B2 |
System and method for color motion holography
A method for producing and replaying a color holographic image. The method includes multiple hologram films, each film containing content replayed at a viewing angle or range of viewing angle in primarily one or more replay color(s), replay being caused by reference beam(s) of substantially the film's replay color(s) incident upon the film at reference angle(s) outside the viewing angle(s). The method also includes angularly-dependent color filters between the hologram films. Each filter substantially transmits the replay color(s) of preceding hologram film(s) within the viewing angles, blocks the replay color(s) of succeeding hologram film(s) within the viewing angles, transmits the replay color(s) of succeeding hologram film(s) at angle(s) close to the replay angle(s) of succeeding hologram film(s), and blocks the replay color(s) of the immediately preceding hologram film at angle(s) close to the replay angle(s) of the immediately preceding hologram film. |
| US08786924B1 |
Grating for tuning a light source
A system includes a light source and a grating cube. The grating cube includes a transmission volume holographic grating positioned between two prisms. The transmission volume holographic grating diffracts part of a light source emission toward a reflective surface, producing diffracted light. At least some of the diffracted light is reflected off of the reflective surface, producing feedback light. The feedback light is fed back to the light source, thereby causing the light source emission to have the same wavelength as the feedback light. |
| US08786922B2 |
Print color management
In one embodiment, computer readable instructions for: displaying together in a single display a group of user selectable icons each representing a discrete color scheme for printing an image; and then, in direct response to a user selecting one of the icons, displaying a color preview of the image as the image will appear when printed with the selected color scheme. In another embodiment, computer readable instructions for: allowing a user to select a color scheme, which selects a first color profile; allowing the user to select a printer, which selects a second color profile; identifying a third color profile for a display device; transforming image source data into image print data using the first and second color profiles; transforming the image print data into image display data using the second and third color profiles; and displaying the image on the display device using the image display data. |
| US08786921B2 |
Image forming apparatus and system configured to perform color correction based on medium type
Upon receiving information that indicates the type of printing medium from an information processing apparatus, a printing apparatus determines whether a parameter corresponding to the type of printing medium indicated by the information is stored. When it is determined that the parameter is stored, the printing apparatus transmits the parameter to the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus performs color correction for image data using the parameter received from the printing apparatus. The information processing apparatus transmits the color-corrected image data to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus prints an image based on the color-corrected image data. |
| US08786920B2 |
Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes: a light source to illuminate an original; a color sensor and a monochrome sensor to receive light reflected from the original illuminated by the light source to output an image signal; an amplifier to amplify the image signal from the color and monochrome sensors; a reflective reference member; and a control circuit to adjust a gain of the amplifier amplifying the image signal from the color sensor that receives light reflected from the reflective member illuminated by the light source, and holds the adjusted gain as a gain setting value for the color sensor, and the control circuit obtains a gain setting value for the monochrome sensor by calculation based on the gain setting value for the color sensor. |
| US08786919B2 |
Image scanning apparatus
An image scanning apparatus comprising a feeding unit and a scanning unit is provided. The feeding unit comprises a separation unit configured to separate the document sheet and a discharge unit configured to discharge the document sheet to a discharge tray. The feeding path includes a curved path formed to change the feeding direction with respect to the image scanning apparatus, and a length of the feeding path from a downstream side end of the scanning unit in the feeding direction to a position of the discharge unit is shorter than a length of the feeding path from a position of the separation unit to the downstream side end of the scanning unit. |
| US08786918B2 |
Autonomous portable scanners
Battery-powered portable scanner, comprising: a scanning unit for scanning documents and forming digital representations thereof; a processor, communicatively connected to the scanning unit and provided for controlling the scanning operation; at least a first embedded storage capabilities, each of which is communicatively connected to the processor and each of which comprises either an internal memory for internally storing the digital representations or a communication link to an external storage medium for externally storing the digital representations. The processor is provided for enabling autonomous operation without connection to a terminal. The processor may be provided with an embedded routing application which is provided for routing the digital representations to a predetermined selection among the embedded storage capabilities. |
| US08786917B2 |
Image reading method and image reading apparatus
A method includes a first step, a second step, and a third step. In the first step, a fed document is returned to an upstream side of a reading unit by reversing the document after a first passage through the reading unit. In the second step, the document returned in the first step is returned to the upstream side of the reading unit by reversing the document after a second passage through the reading unit. In the third step, the document returned in the second step is passed through the reading unit, and then the document is discharged. |
| US08786916B2 |
Method and device for driving light source, image reader, and image forming apparatus
A light-source driving device includes a driving unit configured to drive a light source unit that emits light onto an object; and a driving control unit configured to control the driving unit to drive the light source unit in a first driving mode and a second driving mode. A light emission time of the light source unit is controlled in the first driving mode. An instantaneous value of a quantity of light of the light source unit being controlled in the second driving mode. |
| US08786915B2 |
Image sensor unit and image reading apparatus using the same
An image sensor unit includes: a light source including a light emitting element on a light emitting surface; a light guide that causes light from the light source to be incident on a light incident surface facing to the light emitting surface, ejects the light from a light ejecting surface and illuminates a document; a rod lens array that images reflected light from the document; a sensor substrate on which a photoelectric conversion element is mounted, the photoelectric conversion element converting the reflected light imaged by the rod lens array into an electric signal; and a frame that supports the light source, the light guide, the rod lens array and the sensor substrate, wherein positioning sections are provided on an opposite side of the light emitting surface of the light source and at a part of the frame which is disposed at the opposite side of the light emitting surface. |
| US08786914B1 |
Scanner
A scanner is disclosed. The scanner has only one calibration strip. |
| US08786913B2 |
Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image reading apparatus configured to read an image of an original, including: a light source configured to irradiate the original with light; an optical system configured to condense and image a light beam from the light source reflected from the original; a substrate member having a photoelectric conversion unit; a fixing member fixed to the substrate member; a support member configured to support the optical system; and an adhesive bonding the fixing member and the support member together, wherein one of the support member and the fixing member has a protruding portion which protrudes toward the other of the support member and the fixing member, the other has a recessed portion opposed to the protruding portion, the protruding portion protrudes in the recessed portion in a non-contact state to maintain a gap between the protruding portion and the recessed portion, and the adhesive is applied to the gap. |
| US08786912B2 |
Information input device
There is provided an information input device including: a chassis made of a non-metallic material; an antenna mounted to an upper portion of the chassis; and a fluctuation easing member which is mounted to a lower portion of the chassis to ease fluctuations in magnetic field intensity caused by a surface on which the information input device is mounted. |
| US08786907B2 |
Image processing apparatus, control method of image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and storage medium
When an image processing apparatus of one aspect of this invention corrects input image data using correction values (misregistration correction amounts Δy), it determines whether or not image data to be corrected using amounts Δy includes a specific pattern which may cause density unevenness in an image to be formed. When the image processing apparatus determines that the image data includes the specific pattern, it modifies amounts Δy corresponding to pixels including the specific pattern of the amounts Δy using any of a plurality of different predetermined modulation amounts (modification values). Furthermore, the image processing apparatus corrects the image data for respective pixels using either the amounts Δy before modification, or the modified amounts Δy when the modification is done. |
| US08786903B2 |
Image data processing apparatuses, boundary detection devices, boundary detection methods, and computer-readable storage media for detecting boundaries in an image
Image boundary detection devices and methods include processes. Processes include setting an image recording mode to a second recording mode. First and second recording modes utilize first and second density values, respectively. Second density values are less than corresponding first density values. Processes include reducing first density values to second density values when the second recording mode is set. Processes include setting an image boundary determination threshold to one of a first and second threshold value when a respective one of the first and second recording mode is set. The second threshold value is less than the first threshold value. Processes include calculating density gradient values based on one of the first and second density value when the respective one of the first and second recording mode is set. Processes include determining whether pixels are image boundaries using density gradient values and the image boundary determination threshold. |
| US08786900B2 |
Printing device and method of controlling printing device
A printing device includes a printing unit that prints printing image data of a plurality of colors on a printing medium, a plurality of data storage units that receive and store the image data. The image data is transferred from the upper level device through a plurality of first transfer paths corresponding to the image data of the plurality of colors. The printing device further includes a control unit that controls the plurality of data storage units to receive control information for controlling a printing of the image data from the upper level device through a second transfer path, and send a request of transferring the image data to the upper level device on the basis of the control information, and to receive and store the image data transferred from the upper level device, and a conveyance control unit that controls a conveyance unit conveying the printing medium. |
| US08786898B2 |
Color selecting method, image processing method, image processing apparatus, and computer-readable recording medium storing program
It is determined whether an entered designated color is a color within a gamut of a printing machine or not. If the designated color is judged as being not a color within the gamut, then the designated color is mapped to converted colors within the gamut according to a plurality of gamut mapping processes. One of the gamut mapping processes which corresponds to one of the converted colors is selected. If the designated color is judged as being a color within the gamut, the designated color is set as a reference color. If the designated color is judged as being not a color within the gamut, then the selected one of the converted colors is set as the reference color. |
| US08786897B2 |
Image capture unit and computer readable medium used in combination with same
An image capture unit and computer readable medium used in combination therewith is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the image capture unit includes an image capturing sensor, a visual display, an instance of the computer readable medium, and circuitry for integrating functionalities thereof. The computer readable medium causes sensor data received from the image capturing sensor to be processed. The sensor data includes a plurality of image tiles and position indicating data defining a respective relative position of each one of each image tiles. Each one of each image tiles includes data representing a discrete portion of visual content. The computer readable medium causes a feedback image be displayed on the visual display. Displaying the feedback image includes correlate the relative position of each one of each image tiles with at least one other image tile that has been previously generated and displayed. |
| US08786896B2 |
Image processing method and image processing apparatus for reducing the bad effects of seam lines that appear at the boundary portions for each printing scan in a serial type printer
Provided is an image processing apparatus and image processing method that are capable of outputting an image wherein seam lines caused by sudden conveyance error are difficult to notice even for a small number of multi passes printing. In order to achieve this, the number of dots that are printed in pixels is adjusted according to the density level so that the number of dots that are printed in pixels corresponding to boundary portions is larger than in pixels corresponding to areas that are not boundary portions, and so that the number of dots that are printed in pixels corresponding to boundary portions increases the higher the density level of the pixels is. As a result, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of white stripes in high-density areas without emphasizing black stripes in low-density areas. |
| US08786893B2 |
Printing apparatus, method and system for previewing printing
A printing apparatus, a method, and a system for previewing printing are provided. The provided method includes receiving a printing job; determining whether the printing job includes a preview printing command; storing a printing data when the printing job includes the preview printing command; printing the printing data; when the printing job is determined to include the preview printing command, determining whether to continue executing the printing job; and when it is determined to continue executing the printing job, continuing to print the printing data. Thus, after the printing data is printed, a user can directly review the printing quality when he or she is beside the printing apparatus, and the user can continue to execute the printing job. |
| US08786887B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method of log management, and recording medium storing log management program
A log management system stores association data indicating association between program identification information for identifying a program that requests execution of one or more functions at an information processing apparatus, and function identification information for identifying each one of the one or more functions to be executed by the program, receives program identification information for identifying a program that requests the information processing apparatus to execute one or more functions from the information processing terminal on which the program is installed through the network, and obtains function identification information that is associated with the program identification information received from the information processing terminal using the association data. |
| US08786886B2 |
Image forming apparatus, method for controlling image forming apparatus, and program
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of controlling an image forming unit and operating in any one of a plurality of power modes including a first power mode and a second power mode which consumes less power than the first power mode. The image forming apparatus includes an activation unit configured to activate the image forming apparatus, an adjustment unit configured to adjust the image forming unit when the activation unit activates the image forming apparatus, a shift unit configured to shift the image forming apparatus to the first power mode or the second power mode after the activation unit completes the activation of the image forming apparatus, and a control unit configured to control the adjustment unit not to adjust the image forming unit when the shift unit shifts the image forming apparatus to the second power mode. |
| US08786884B2 |
Printing system, printing system control method, and storage medium
When a user sets a paper attribute to a sheet holding unit, the user can recognize the existence of another sheet holding unit to which the same paper attribute as the paper attribute to be set has been set. |
| US08786883B2 |
Devices and methods for print job tracking using assignable mobile devices
Devices and methods for tracking a print job using an assignable electronic device on a print service provider (PSP) production floor are provided. One such method includes scanning a barcode-enabled job ticket assigned to a print job using a mobile electronic device assigned to a location on a print service provider production floor and sending barcode data from the barcode-enabled job ticket from to a PSP controller. The mobile electronic device may receive workflow instructions associated with the print job from the PSP controller. In addition, the mobile electronic device may display a representation of the workflow instructions. |
| US08786882B2 |
Image processing apparatus, control method for controlling image processing apparatus, and storage medium to execute a process defined in a job ticket
An image processing apparatus may execute a process defined in a job ticket. The image processing apparatus includes a holding unit to hold a job ticket defining a plurality of processes. A display control unit of the image processing apparatus performs control to display, on a display unit, pieces of information about the plurality of processes defined in the job ticket held in the holding unit. |
| US08786881B2 |
Printing apparatus to determine correction on suspended image data
A printing apparatus comprising: a printing unit configured to print an image based on expanded data; a measuring unit configured to measure a deviation amount of at least one of a position and a density of the image printed by the printing unit when a correction execution condition is satisfied; an expanding unit configured to expand print data based on the measurement by the measuring unit, so as to produce the expanded data; and a control unit, wherein when the correction execution condition is satisfied during the expanding of current print data which corresponds to a current page being expanded, the control unit is configured to control the expanding unit to suspend the expanding of the current print data, the measuring unit to measure the deviation amount, and the expanding unit to restart expanding an unexpanded portion of the current print data based on the measurement. |
| US08786879B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium to reselect image data
An information processing apparatus includes a first acquisition unit, a storage unit, a second acquisition unit, and an identification unit. The first acquisition unit acquires first identification information for identifying first image data selected as a print target. The storage unit causes a storage device to store the first identification information acquired by the first acquisition unit. The second acquisition unit acquires second image data when print processing is resumed after the print processing is once suspended and acquire second identification information for identifying the second image data. The identification unit identifies image data that matches the first image data from the second image data based on the first identification information and the second identification information. |
| US08786876B2 |
Peripheral apparatus control system, peripheral apparatus, information processing apparatus, peripheral apparatus control method, and program
In a network printing system utilizing WSD Print Service, a highly operable peripheral apparatus control system that utilizes a mass storage device and a low-cost shared printer that does not include a function for requesting print data to an information processing apparatus is provided. The peripheral apparatus control system includes an information processing apparatus and a peripheral apparatus mutually connected via a network. The information processing apparatus inputs a job request and a reservation request to the peripheral apparatus. The peripheral apparatus includes a first measurement unit that measures the difference between reception timings of the job request and the reservation request. If the difference between the reception timings is equal to or less than a first predetermined time, a reservation ID is input and a reservation of the job request is accepted. |
| US08786874B2 |
Program delivery server, program delivery method and computer-readable storage medium for printing an image on a recording medium based on input data
A program delivery server includes a collection unit configured to collect log information including actual use records of functions of an image forming apparatus, via a network, a selection unit configured to select at least one program, from among a plurality of control programs, using the log information that the collection unit collected, and a transmission unit configured to transmit a control program selected by the selection unit to the network. |
| US08786872B2 |
Image forming apparatus controlling power supply state to processing members
Provided is an image forming apparatus including: a print unit; an instruction unit for giving an instruction to start a printing operation; and a print control unit for controlling the printing operation according to the instruction to start the printing operation from the instruction unit, in which, when there is no instruction to start a subsequent printing operation after the executing of the printing operation to the recording medium according to the instruction to start the printing operation from the instruction unit, the print control unit executes a first post-processing operation for completing the printing operation, and the print control unit determines an operation to be performed after the executing of the first post-processing operation based on whether or not the instruction to start the subsequent printing operation is received during the executing of the first post-processing operation. |
| US08786869B2 |
Updateable printer driver, information processing apparatus, and computer-readable recording medium recording therein printer driver
A printer driver includes: a core driver performing a constraining process to a print setting based on function information containing a constraint for the print setting and stored in a storage unit, and being enabled to accept an addition of a plug-in, wherein the core driver expands basic function information corresponding to the core driver onto a memory as information having a tree structure, when plug-in function information corresponding to the plug-in is stored in the storage unit, the core driver expands the plug-in function information on the memory as information having a tree structure, the core driver merges the information expanded from the plug-in function information into the information expanded from the basic function information, and the core driver performs the constraining process to a print setting based on a parent-and-child relation in a tree structure of the information thus merged. |
| US08786867B2 |
Inspection device and inspection method for boiler furnace water wall tubes
An inspection device and an inspection method for boiler furnace water wall tubes. The inspection device includes a scanner including columns placed upright and fixed by magnets onto the surfaces of multiple water wall tubes extending in the up-down direction on the inner wall surfaces of the boiler furnace, a support frame fixed to the columns to support a displacement sensor producing laser light to be irradiated onto the surface of a water wall tube, and a moving mechanism for moving the displacement sensor in the axial direction of the water wall tube relative to the support frame. A signal processing unit calculates the amount of reduced wall thickness of the water wall tube from a difference between the cross-sectional surface shape of the water wall tube based on a signal from the displacement sensor and a reference shape without reduction in wall thickness. |
| US08786865B2 |
Asperity detection device for can
Provided is an asperity detection device for a can which does not need an additional conveyance device for inspection, reduces increased inspection costs, and allows for quick detection of defective merchandise while conveying the can.The asperity detection device for a can is provided with: first lighting devices (30) which irradiate a first light substantially horizontal to a top surface (21a) of a mouth section (21) from a side of a can (20); a second lighting device (40) which irradiates a second light substantially vertical to the top surface (21a) of the mouth section (21) from above the can (20); and an imaging device (50) which is arranged above the can (20), photographs the top surface (21a) of the mouth section (21), and detects reflection at the top surface (21a), in which at least three or more first lighting devices (30) are arranged with substantially even intervals in a circumferential direction around a periphery of the mouth section (21), the first light which is irradiated from each of the first lighting devices (30) is irradiated to the top surface (21a) from a side of the mouth section (21) along a tangent line of a cylindrical surface of the mouth section (21) substantially horizontal so that an optical axis is not coincide with the optical axes of the other first lights. |
| US08786860B2 |
Measurement of liquid fraction dropout using micropatterned surfaces
Accurate, real-time detection of dew point of a gaseous sample can be accomplished using the systems and techniques described herein. A gaseous sampling chamber defining an interior volume includes a patterned structure having a roughened surface exposed to the gaseous sampling chamber. The patterned structure includes an open volume accessible by the roughened surface, for example, representing at least about 10% of the interior volume of the gaseous sampling chamber. An illumination source is configured to illuminate at least a portion of the patterned structure. A light detector is configured to receive at least a portion of illumination returned from the patterned structure. A condensate detector is configured to determine a presence of a condensate on the roughened surface in response to an optical property of the patterned surface as modified by the presence of dew. |