| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08838555B2 |
Method, system, and program for an improved enterprise spatial system
Disclosed is a method, system, and program for providing access to spatial data. A request for data is received. Enterprise and third party data are integrated. The integrated data is processed. Spatially referenced results are generated using the processed data. The spatially referenced results are returned in response to the request. |
| US08838545B2 |
Incremental and prioritized restoration of blocks
A first computational platform generates a data structure that indicates a set of blocks, wherein the indicated set of blocks have to be rewritten to revert a logical storage structure stored in the first computational platform to a previous state. An Input/Output (I/O) request that corresponds to a read operation on a selected block of the logical storage structure is received. A determination is made from the data structure that the selected block has to be rewritten to revert the logical storage structure stored in the first computational platform to the previous state. The first computational platform receives the selected block from a second computational platform, in response to a request made by the first computational platform to the second computational platform for the selected block. |
| US08838538B1 |
Techniques for replicating changes to access control lists on investigative analysis data
Techniques for replicating changes to access control lists on investigative analysis data are disclosed. After a change is made in a database to an access control list (ACL) governing access to a secured component of a data object, an exporting nexus sends an ACL change network message to an importing nexus. The ACL change message includes information that importing nexus can use to apply the ACL change to the importing database. Applying the ACL change message includes using the information in the ACL change message to determine which change records for which secured components of the data object in the importing database the ACL change should be applied to. By doing so, user access to all change records in the importing database to which the ACL change is applied is governed by the new ACL, thereby preventing unauthorized access to the change records, including historical change records. |
| US08838536B2 |
Method and apparatus for mobile data collection and management
A method and apparatus for a middleware approach to initializing and updating required data entry fields, pushing such required data entry fields to mobile devices and applications, collecting entered data from such mobile devices, and the synchronizing and integrating of the data is presented. A “form builder” software component of the present invention allows for the creation of easy to read and use data entry forms by company management. A “web application” software component of the present invention allows for the forms to then be distributed via electronic and/or wireless means to mobile client devices, such as PDA's, Tablets, and Laptops, and to Desktop computers. The mobile client devices run applications to utilize the data entry forms and are that into which collected data can be entered. A “synchronization server” software component of the present invention then allows for two-way communication, storage and conflict resolution (versioning) of the collected data. An “integration server” software component of the present invention allows for external access to the collected and versioned data and modeling/mapping of such data. Thus seamless data entry, collection, updating, conflict resolution, versioning, storage, access and utilization is available. |
| US08838531B2 |
Database synchronization and validation
Systems and methods for verifying data in a distributed database using different automated check operations at different times during the database read and update cycles. Various functions may be performed including executing a first check during update operations of the database. A second check may also be executed during the update operation of the database, and be implemented as an execution thread of an update daemon. A third check may be executed at a time interval between update functions of the update daemon. A fourth check may be executed during a time that the database is not being updated. Integrity of data in the database may be verified by a computer processor based on the first, second, third, and fourth checks. |
| US08838530B2 |
Method and system for directory management
System and method for extracting, retrieving and managing data in a computer or network of computers through an enhancement of the power of the directory management system and email management system by enabling users to superimpose a hierarchy of descriptors on top of the system, to share, import and export the hierarchy of descriptors between computers with controlled access for data objects. The method and system is defined particularly for selecting individual references from search engine results and saving them along with descriptors. The method and system automatically generate reports of work done in the computer or network of computers, including creation, modification, copying, moving and deletion of files and folders. The method and system reduces the clutter of information while ensuring that the system is automatically backed up in different modes and with complete flexibility to back up. |
| US08838527B2 |
Virtual environment spanning desktop and cloud
A method and system are given for providing a virtual environment spanning a desktop and a cloud. In one example, the method includes receiving a query template over a data set that resides in the cloud, optimizing the query template to segment the query template into an offline phase and an online phase, executing the offline phase on the cloud to build one or more indexes, and sending the one or more indexes to the desktop. |
| US08838525B2 |
Method for communicating data in xDSL using data retransmission
In one embodiment, a method for communicating data is provided. The method includes defining a data transmission unit (DTU) to be sent in an xDSL data stream, defining a retransmit container as a time slot that corresponds to the DTU, maintaining, in a retransmit container, a copy of the DTU and an index corresponding to the retransmit container, the retransmit container being maintained at the second device independently of the first device, transmitting the DTU in the xDSL data stream, determining whether the DTU should be retransmitted, and if the DTU should be retransmitted: identifying the DTU by the retransmit container and retransmitting a copy of the DTU as identified by the retransmit container when the DTU reaches a predetermined position in the retransmission buffer. |
| US08838523B2 |
Compression threshold analysis of binary decision diagrams
In particular embodiments, a method includes receiving data sets, constructing a first binary decision diagram (BDD) representing the data sets, iteratively adding data from the data sets to the first BDD until a compression rate of the first BDD reaches a threshold compression rate, constructing a second BDD representing data from the data sets received after the compression rate of the first BDD equals a threshold compression rate, and iteratively adding data from the data sets to the second BDD. |
| US08838520B2 |
Sequence detection methods, devices, and systems for spectrum sensing in dynamic spectrum access networks
In one embodiment, a cognitive radio dynamic spectrum access sensing system is configured to incorporate a hidden Markov model and a risk function to determine the primary user state sequence with the minimum amount of associated risk. The system comprises one or more weighted cost factors that can be used to handle a missed detection sensing error differently from a false alarm sensing error. The system further comprises a complete forward partial backward computation designed to increase sensing accuracy with limited effect on sensing delay and complexity. |
| US08838519B2 |
Graph-theoretic analysis of discrete-phase-space states for condition change detection and quantification of information
Data collected from devices and human condition may be used to forewarn of critical events such as machine/structural failure or events from brain/heart wave data stroke. By monitoring the data, and determining what values are indicative of a failure forewarning, one can provide adequate notice of the impending failure in order to take preventive measures. This disclosure teaches a computer-based method to convert dynamical numeric data representing physical objects (unstructured data) into discrete-phase-space states, and hence into a graph (structured data) for extraction of condition change. |
| US08838517B2 |
Personal taste assessment method and system
A personal taste assessment system receives a person's ratings for various rated items, such as wines or other beverages, and it develops a preference model for the person based on the received ratings. When developing the preference model, the system accesses a database of candidate items, wherein each candidate item is associated with at least one trait value. The system retrieves from the database a value for at least one trait for each of the rated items, identifies at least one pattern of dependency between at least one of the retrieved trait values and at least one of the received ratings, and determines a preference model based on the at least one pattern of dependency. The system may use the preference model to develop a preference profile for the person, make recommendations, and/or make predictions as to items that the person and/or a group that includes the person may enjoy. |
| US08838516B2 |
Near real-time analysis of dynamic social and sensor data to interpret user situation
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method of interpreting a situation of a user of an electronic device is provided, comprising: gathering social data related to the user; monitoring one or more physical sensors on the electronic device in order to gather physical data related to the user; mapping structured data in the social data and the physical data to internal data types; extracting features from unstructured social data; identifying attributes related to the features; obtaining values for the identified attributes; interpreting movement of the user by examining the physical data; and detecting a situation of the user by fusing the movement of the user with the identified attributes of the features of the unstructured social data and features of structured social data. |
| US08838515B2 |
Method for predicting pirate attack risk in a geographical area based on intel regarding pirates and pirate behavior coupled with METOC conditions
A method for predicting the risk of a pirate attack in a geographical area and for generating a distribution of probabilities of a pirate attack based on intelligence (INTEL) information regarding the pirates and pirate behavior combined with information regarding environmental and meteorological (METOC) conditions and information regarding shipping activity and shipping vulnerabilities. The method can also be used to predict the probability of other activities that are subject to METOC conditions, such as anti-narcotics efforts, undersea warfare operations, mine warfare operations, and human trafficking interdiction. |
| US08838511B2 |
System and method to enable training a machine learning network in the presence of weak or absent training exemplars
Described is a system and method for training a machine learning network. The method comprises initializing at least one of nodes in a machine learning network and connections between the nodes to a predetermined strength value, wherein the nodes represent factors determining an output of the network, providing a first set of questions to a plurality of users, the first set of questions relating to at least one of the factors, receiving at least one of choices and guesstimates from the users in response to the first set of questions and adjusting the predetermined strength value as a function of the choices/guesstimates. The real and simulated examples presented demonstrate that synthetic training sets derived from expert or non-expert human guesstimates can replace or augment training data sets comprised of actual training exemplars that are too limited in size, scope, or quality to otherwise generate accurate predictions. |
| US08838508B2 |
Two-stage multiple kernel learning method
Disclosed are methods and structures of Multiple Kernel learning framed as a standard binary classification problem with additional constraints that ensure the positive definiteness of the learned kernel. Advantageously, the disclosed methods and structures permit the use of binary classification technologies to develop better performing, and more scalable Multiple Kernel Learning methods that are conceptually simpler. |
| US08838502B2 |
Method of using personal device with internal biometric in conducting transactions over a network
A method of authorizing a commercial transaction between a customer and a provider of goods or services over a network, wherein the provider of goods or services requests that the customer provide authentication by activating a fingerprint identification device, and the provider of goods or services receives at least an authentication code of the customer over the network from the fingerprint identification device, the method comprising the steps of: providing the customer with the fingerprint identification device which produces the authentication code when a fingerprint of the customer matches a stored fingerprint within the fingerprint identification device; receiving at least the authentication code from the provider of goods or services over the network; and authorizing the transaction if at least the authentication code is valid. |
| US08838498B2 |
Social network platform for underwriting
A social networking platform for peer-to-peer underwriting is disclosed. A user's social network acquaintances may be contacted or otherwise polled to determine their agreeability with serving as an underwriter for the user's desired financial services in order to reduce (or eliminate) the financial risk of providing the financial services to the user by the financial services provider. With a plurality of acquaintances willing to underwrite, the financial risk may be substantially dispersed among numerous acquaintances while the user is granted their desired financial services (or a reduced rate for the financial services). |
| US08838497B2 |
Systems and methods for an online credit derivative trading system
A credit derivative trading system comprises a credit derivative authority configured to receive defined positions for credit derivatives and update a plurality of trade clients in real-time whenever there is movement in the market for a particular credit derivative. |
| US08838495B2 |
Method and system for monitoring market data to identify user defined market conditions
A method and system for monitoring market data are disclosed. The method includes collecting real time data that is related to conditions of a trading market. Collection occurs at an edge server associated with a liquidity destination trading at least one financial article of trade. In addition, the real time data that is collected is also normalized into a standard form. A user defined criteria is received from a centralized hub. The user defined criteria defines a particular event in the condition. It is then determined when a condition in the trading market matches the event. A response is generated providing notification of the occurrence of the event. The response is sent to the centralized hub for distribution to a user associated with the user defined criteria. |
| US08838490B2 |
Associate memory learning for analyzing financial transactions
A method for analyzing transaction information that involves storing each one of a plurality of transactions in an associative memory with an associated cluster identification number. A given one of the transactions is selected for analysis, the given one of the transactions having a specific cluster identification number. An entity analytics engine is used to search and obtain a first subplurality of transactions from the associative memory that are similar to the given transaction by having a common attribute or entity and assigning each of the transactions a similarity score. Each one of the transactions is further analyzed to determine if it would be beneficial to form a formal transaction relationship with an organization involved with at least one of the transactions of the cluster. |
| US08838478B2 |
Targeted advertising in mobile devices
A system may identify selected device users of multiple device users as members of a virtual group. The system may identify attributes, characteristics or actions that a sub-set of members of the virtual group may have in common that may be related to goods and/or services for sale. The system may send advertisements related to the goods or services to devices associated with other members of the group not included in the sub-set of members. |
| US08838470B2 |
Display management
Technologies are generally described for managing display of data on a display. In some examples, the display includes a display area. In some examples, a method for managing display of data on the display includes receiving a first request from a first user, to display first data in the display area. In some examples, the method includes determining a first price for the first user, to display the first data in a first display sub-area in the display area and allocating in a memory the first data to the first display sub-area. In some examples, the method includes receiving a second request from a second user, to display second data in the display area. In some examples, the method includes determining a second price for the second user, to display the second data in a second display sub-area in the display area and allocating in the memory the second data to the second display sub-area. |
| US08838465B2 |
Concise communication of real-time business information in an enterprise network
A method, system, computer program product, and related business methods for concisely communicating real-time business information to end users in an enterprise network is described. An integrated business system having at least ERP and CRM functionality is accessed via browser-based user interface. A plurality of portlet windows are simultaneously displayed within a browser window, each portlet window occupying a relatively small area therein. The portlet windows are selected and arranged according to a customizable user profile for each user, and include reporting portlets displaying up-to-date business results retrieved from the integrated business system. Each reporting portlet further comprises report access links associated with at least one of the business results that, when selected by the user, invoke browser-based displays of up-to-date business data underlying those business results. Preferably, in accordance with a user-customizable alert setting stored in the user profile, regular electronic mail messages are sent to the user communicating up-to-date versions of those business results. Preferably, data labels that identify business items within the browser-based user interface and on the electronic mails are expressed in a business vernacular tuned to each user according to customizable business vernacular settings in their user profiles. |
| US08838464B1 |
Prescription medication monitoring system
A prescription medication monitoring system includes a card having a microprocessor and an RFID chip embedded therein. The chip and microprocessor are electrically connected to a text display and multi-digit display on the front surface of the card. The card operates in conjunction with a base terminal located at a participating pharmacy. The base terminal initially uploads a patient's prescription and personal information via a designated server. The terminal also scans the patient's finger to create a fingerprint image, and then records the uploaded information, including the scanned fingerprint image, onto the chip. Pertinent information relating to the prescription, such as medication name, dosage amount, dosage frequency and remaining authorized refills can be readily depicted on the displays. Each time the patient refills a prescription, the process is repeated and the pertinent prescription data, including any remaining authorized refills, is automatically updated and can be accessed via the text display. |
| US08838460B2 |
Apparatus for playing and producing realistic object audio
Disclosed is an apparatus for playing and producing realistic object audio. The apparatus for playing realistic object audio includes: a deformatter unit individually separating scene description (SD) compression data and object audio compression data from inputted audio files; an SD decoding unit decoding the SD compression data to restore SD information; an object audio decoding unit decoding the object audio compression data to restore object audio signals which are respective audio signals of a plurality of objects; and an object audio effect unit adding an audio effect for each object to the object audio signals according to SD information for each object corresponding to the object audio signals among the SD information to produce a realistic object audio signal corresponding to each of the object audio signals. |
| US08838457B2 |
Using results of unstructured language model based speech recognition to control a system-level function of a mobile communications facility
A user may control a mobile communication facility through recognized speech provided to the mobile communication facility. Speech that is recorded by a user using a mobile communication facility resident capture facility. A speech recognition facility generates results of the recorded speech using an unstructured language model based at least in part on information relating to the recording. A function of the operating system of the mobile communication facility is controlled based on the results. |
| US08838456B2 |
Image processing apparatus and control method thereof and image processing system
An image processing apparatus including: image processor which processes broadcasting signal, to display image based on processed broadcasting signal; communication unit which is connected to a server; a voice input unit which receives a user's speech; a voice processor which processes a performance of a preset corresponding operation according to a voice command corresponding to the speech; and a controller which processes the voice command corresponding to the speech through one of the voice processor and the server if the speech is input through the voice input unit. If the voice command includes a keyword relating to a call sign of a broadcasting channel, the controller controls one of the voice processor and the server to select a recommended call sign corresponding to the keyword according to a predetermined selection condition, and performs a corresponding operation under the voice command with respect to the broadcasting channel of the recommended call sign. |
| US08838455B1 |
VoiceXML browser and supporting components for mobile devices
A system and method for facilitating user interaction with a voice application. A VoiceXML browser runs locally on a mobile device. Supporting components, such as a Resource Manager, a Call Data Manager, and a MRCP Gateway Client support operation of the VoiceXML browser. The Resource Manager servers either those files stored locally on the mobile device, or files accessible via a network connection using the wireless or mobile broadband capabilities of the mobile device. The Call Data Manager communicates call-specific data back to the application's system of origin or another configured target system. The MRCP Gateway Client provides the VoiceXML browser with access to media resources via a MRCP Gateway Client. |
| US08838449B2 |
Word-dependent language model
This document describes word-dependent language models, as well as their creation and use. A word-dependent language model can permit a speech-recognition engine to accurately verify that a speech utterance matches a multi-word phrase. This is useful in many contexts, including those where one or more letters of the expected phrase are known to the speaker. |
| US08838448B2 |
Forced/predictable adaptation for speech recognition
A method is described for use with automatic speech recognition using discriminative criteria for speaker adaptation. An adaptation evaluation is performed of speech recognition performance data for speech recognition system users. Adaptation candidate users are identified based on the adaptation evaluation for whom an adaptation process is likely to improve system performance. |
| US08838439B2 |
Entity recognition
The invention relates to a method of querying technical domains that recognizes the concepts represented by strings of characters, rather than merely comparing strings. It can be used to compute conceptual similarity between terms, The method employs string distance metrics and a cyclic progression of lexical processing to recognize constituent term concepts that are then combined to form full-term concepts by means of a grammar. Terms can be extracted and identified as being conceptually similar (or dissimilar) to other terms even if they have never previously been encountered. A key advantage is the ability to extract terms from documents based on the combination of a limited number of sub-concepts, This avoids the need for the prior identification of all possible terms that current methods require. A second key advantage is the ability to introduce or remove concepts and synonyms individually without the need to alter terms which the concept or synonym constitutes. |
| US08838438B2 |
System and method for determining sentiment from text content
A system and method for determining sentiment from user-generated text content is provided. A sentiment score is determined for one or more terms in a user-generated text content. A sentiment value is determined for the text content that is based at least in part on the sentiment score for the one or more terms. |
| US08838436B2 |
Labeling context slices to produce a storyline from mobile device data
Embodiments create and label context slices from observation data that together define a storyline of a user's movements. A context is a (possibly partial) specification of what a user was doing in the dimensions of time, place, and activity. Contexts can vary in their specificity, their semantic content, and their likelihood. A storyline is composed of a time-ordered sequence of contexts that partition a given span of time. A storyline is created through a process of data collection, slicing and labeling. Raw context data can be collected from a variety of observation sources with various error characteristics. Slicing refines the chaotic collection of contexts produced by data collection into a single consistent storyline composed of a sequence of contexts representing homogeneous time intervals. Labeling adds more specific and semantically meaningful data (e.g., geography, venue, activity) to the storyline produced by slicing. |
| US08838432B2 |
Image annotations on web pages
An image in a web page may be annotated after deriving information about an image when the image may be displayed on multiple web pages. The web pages that show the image may be analyzed in light of each other to determine metadata about the image, then various additional content may be added to the image. The additional content may be hyperlinks to other webpages. The additional content may be displayed as annotations on top of the images and in other manners. Many embodiments may perform searching, analysis, and classification of images prior to the web page being served. |
| US08838428B2 |
Methods and systems to volumetrically conceptualize hydrocarbon plays
Methods for identifying hydrocarbon plays include applying predictive models to sediment fill volume(s) to provide play-element volume(s) representing at least one play element. Each play-element volume represents at least 1) qualities of the at least one play element and 2) a probability that the at least one play element satisfies determined criteria for each of a plurality of locations within a basin. The methods further include analyzing the play-element volume(s) to define play-concept volume(s) representing hydrocarbon play(s). Each of a plurality of locations within the play-concept volume(s) is attributed with: 1) an identification of each play element associated with the location, 2) the qualities of each play element, 3) the probability for each play element that it satisfies determined criteria, and 4) a composite likelihood that the location represents a hydrocarbon play. At least one of the volumes may be used to identify hydrocarbon play(s). |
| US08838427B2 |
Method for determining the closure pressure of a hydraulic fracture
The method relates to the field of hydraulic fracturing of subsurface formations. A mathematical simulation model of a pressure pulse propagation inside a wellbore and inside a fracture is created. Pressure pulses are sent to the wellbore, and the response of the well to the pressure pulses is registered. Then, a bottom-hole pressure corresponding to each pulse is determined. An average fracture width is derived by using the mathematical simulation model of pressure pulse propagation inside the wellbore and inside the fracture, and a ratio between the simulated average fracture width and the determined bottom-hole pressure is determined. The said ratio is extrapolated to a zero-width point, and the closure pressure is determined as the bottom-hole pressure corresponding to the zero width. |
| US08838426B2 |
System and method for online automation
A changepoint detector for modeling data received from at least one sensor in a process in the hydrocarbon industry. The data is segmented into a plurality of segments and for each segment a model is assigned and the data corresponding to the segment fit to that model. A plurality of segmentations are thus provided and these segmentations ar evaluated and assigned weights indicative of the fit of the models of the segmentation t the underlying data. The segmentation models are further used to calculate a result that may be input to a process control program. |
| US08838425B2 |
Generating facies probablity cubes
A method for generating one or more geological models for oil field exploration. The method includes receiving one or more well facies logs, a vertical facies proportion curve, a lateral proportion map, a variogram model and a global target histogram. The method then includes generating a facies probability cube using a modified Sequential Gaussian Simulation (SGSIM) algorithm, the well facies logs, the vertical facies proportion curve, the lateral proportion map and the variogram model. After generating the facies probability cube, the method includes matching the facies probability cube to the global histogram and generating the geological models based on the matched facies probability cube. |
| US08838421B2 |
Method and circuit for calculating sensor modelling coefficients
A method of calculating sensor modelling coefficients includes determining a preliminary coefficient value for a first sensor modelling coefficient, calculating a coefficient value for a further sensor modelling coefficient using the preliminary coefficient value for the first sensor modelling coefficient and a data measurement value, and calculating a refined coefficient value for the first sensor modelling coefficient using the calculated coefficient value for the further sensor modelling coefficient and the data measurement value. |
| US08838417B2 |
Cycle decomposition analysis for remote machine monitoring
Methods for decomposing event information for a machine are described. In one aspect, a method includes receiving event data identifying events associated with a machine on a first communications channel, and receiving trend data for the machine associated with the identified events on a second communications channel separate from the first communications channel. Systems and machine-readable media are also described. |
| US08838416B2 |
Air conditioning system diagnostic apparatus
An air conditioning system diagnosis apparatus is obtained in which a refrigerating cycle is automatically analyzed and waveform data in messages flowing in a general-purpose network is acquired and automatically analyzed according to the analysis result of the refrigerating cycle, thereby achieving, with a single apparatus, diagnosis and monitoring of errors in the refrigerating cycle and in the general-purpose network. A trigger output portion creates a trigger on the basis of a waveform analysis condition and the analysis result of a packet received from a message analyzing portion; when receiving the trigger, a waveform input portion reads out waveform data stored in a buffer; waveform analyzing portion notifies a synchronization determining portion of the analysis result of the waveform data; the synchronization determining portion searches for the analysis result of a packet synchronized with the received analysis result of the waveform data. |
| US08838415B2 |
Rejection sampling of a complex distribution including bound and proposal distribution refinement
Iterative rejection sampling is performed on a domain in accordance with a target distribution. The domain is partitioned to define a partition comprising partition elements, and each iteration of the rejection sampling includes selecting a partition element from the partition in accordance with partition element selection probabilities. A sample of the domain is acquired in the selected partition element according to a normalized proposal distribution that is associated with and normalized over the selected partition element. The acquired sample is accepted or rejected based on the target distribution and a bound associated with the selected partition element. During the iterative rejection sampling, the partition is adapted by replacing a partition element of the partition with two or more split partition elements, associating bounds with the split partition elements, and computing partition element selection probabilities for the split partition elements. |
| US08838409B2 |
Installation error estimating device and installation error estimating method
An installation error estimating device has a predicted pattern acquirer which obtains a predicted positioning distribution pattern, which is obtained by computing a characteristic pattern of a predicted positioning distribution obtained by predicting a logical positioning distribution, at each observation point where a wireless tag is installed for positioning; and an observation data inputter to which positioning results obtained from the wireless tags by a tag reader are input as observation data. A dispersion pattern analyzer computes a characteristic pattern of a measured positioning distribution, which is obtained by statistical analysis of the applicable positioning result, as a measured positioning distribution pattern at each observation point based on the observation. An installation error estimator computes the installation error for the tag reader using the predicted positioning distribution patterns obtained and the measured positioning distribution patterns computed. |
| US08838400B2 |
Operational status determination device and operational status determination method
An operation status determination device includes: a receiving unit which receives a value, as power consumption data, from which power consumption of an appliance is derivable, the power consumption being measured at predetermined time intervals; a specification unit which specifies operation start times of the appliance, based on the power consumption data received by the receiving unit; and a determination unit which determines whether or not the appliance starts operating automatically, based on each of occurrence frequencies of the operation start times specified by the specification unit. |
| US08838398B2 |
Turbine-generator hydrogen seal oil system diagnosis
A hydrogen cooled generator having a system for diagnosing problems associated with a seal oil system. Included is a shaft having a turbine end and a collector end; a first shaft seal located about the shaft at the turbine end; a second shaft seal located about the shaft at the collector end; a first set of sensors for measuring seal oil pressure differentials across both shaft seals; a second set of sensors for measuring seal oil temperature differentials across both shaft seals; a third sensor for measuring a hydrogen side seal oil flow rate; and a system for analyzing data collected from at least two sensors to diagnose the shaft seals. |
| US08838386B2 |
Method for transmitting location information on a digital map, apparatus for implementing the method, and traffic information provision/reception system
Location information transmission apparatus for exchanging information about the on-road location on a digital map, characterized in that apparatus at an information provider comprises a location information converter for converting transmit on-road location information to road shape data including the on-road location consisting of a string of coordinates representing the road shape of a road section having a length that depends on the situation and relative data indicating the on-road location in the road section, and that apparatus at a party receiving the on-road location information comprises a shape matching section for performing shape matching by using the road shape data, identifying the road section on a digital map and identifying the on-road location in the road section by using the relative data. This makes it possible to correctly exchange information about the location on a digital map without defining node numbers or link numbers on a road network. |
| US08838381B1 |
Automatic video generation for navigation and object finding
Described is a system for conveying the spatial location of an object with respect to a user's current location utilizing a video rendering following an automatically generated path from the user's location to the location of the object of interest initiated from the user's current perspective. The system comprises a display device; a virtual three-dimensional model of the user's environment; a visualization creation module; a route planner; and a video rendering following an automatically generated path from the user's location to the location of the object of interest utilizing the visualization creation module, wherein the video rendering displayed on the display device is from a first-person view. Also described is a method of utilizing the system. |
| US08838379B2 |
Probalistic reverse geocoding
The accuracy of a reverse geocode for a GPS fix in a mobile phone navigation device is improved significantly by considering together the user's last known location on an original route, the elapsed time between the last known location on the original route and the latest GPS fix, and the likelihood that the user could have travelled from the last known location on the original route to one of numerous candidate locations (generated from the reverse geocode) in the elapsed time. The navigation server relies only on a GPS fix, timestamps, and a back-end routing database to provide improved or superior accuracy of reverse geocoding a GPS fix (selection of a point on a road) when a relevant user has deviated from the intended route. The reverse geocoding allows for accurate and functional re-routing capabilities. |
| US08838378B2 |
System and method for controlling the transmission of traffic information to a vehicle navigation system
Systems and methods for improved vehicle navigation using mobile communication device (e.g., phone) technology as a means for transmitting vehicle route data that has been updated as a result of changed or changing traffic conditions. A mobile communication device is connected between a vehicle and a remote server. Traffic information from both broadcast and mobile network sources is analyzed by the server, a difference(s) therebetween is detected, and the difference(s) is compared to a predetermined difference value. If the detected difference exceeds the predetermined difference value, difference information is extracted and used to produce updated route data, which is then transmitted via the mobile communication device to the vehicle. The transmission of updated route data is limited to only situations where there is a sufficient change in traffic conditions, and the data transmitted is preferably limited to only difference data so as to avoid exceeding mobile communication device plan limits. |
| US08838367B1 |
Rotational sensor and controller
Engine control systems having rotational sensors and controllers, and associated methods and systems, are disclosed herein. An engine control system in accordance with a particular embodiment can include a drum operably coupled to a rotating shaft of an engine. The drum can include a pattern positioned on its surface and a sensor can be positioned proximate to the drum to read the pattern and/or write a new pattern. A rod can operably couple the drum to an engine input mechanism and operate to axially move the drum. The axial movement of the drum can shift the pattern to different portions, resulting in a change in the timing for an engine event. |
| US08838365B2 |
Method and system for pre-ignition control
Methods and systems are provided for addressing cylinder pre-ignition. Each cylinder of an engine may be operated in either a split injection mode or a single injection mode based on the pre-ignition history of the cylinder. The timing and number of injections in the split injection mode is adjusted based on the pre-ignition count of the cylinder. |
| US08838364B2 |
Control device of spark-ignition gasoline engine
A control device of a spark-ignition gasoline engine is provided. The control device includes a controller for operating the engine body by controlling at least a fuel injection valve, an ignition plug, and a fuel pressure variable mechanism. Depending on the engine load range, the controller sets the combustion mode to a compression-ignition mode or a spark-ignition mode. In each mode, the controller also controls the fuel pressure, and the timing of fuel injection and ignition. The controller may also performs external EGR control in each mode. |
| US08838363B2 |
Method for injecting fuel
Embodiments for adjusting fuel injection are provided. In one example, a method comprises adjusting fuel injection based on fuel concentration in an engine intake manifold, and during idle and when EGR is disabled, adjusting fuel injection based on the fuel concentration and a fuel pushback amount. In this way, fuel injection may be adjusted based on fuel concentration in the intake manifold. |
| US08838353B2 |
Trailer sway mitigation using measured distance between a trailer and a tow vehicle
A method of controlling a vehicle and a trailer. The vehicle has a front and a rear end, and the trailer is coupled to the rear end. The method includes sensing a plurality of vehicle characteristics, sensing a distance between the vehicle and the trailer with at least one sensor positioned on the rear end of the vehicle, determining an oscillatory action of the trailer based on the sensed distance, and applying a braking force on at least one wheel of the vehicle in response to the oscillatory action. |
| US08838352B2 |
Method and device for selecting a starting gear in a vehicle
A method and a vehicle transmission for selecting a starting gear in a vehicle are provided, the method including steps of measuring a starting gear selection parameter, and selecting a starting gear for the next coming vehicle take-off in dependence of the measured starting gear selection parameter, wherein the starting gear selection parameter is the number of vehicle take offs per time unit. Additionally the parameter can be acceleration in movement of an accelerator pedal being depressed by a driver, accelerator pedal position and clutch wear. Benefits are increased clutch endurance for a vehicle that during at least a period has to perform frequent take-offs and at the same time enhancing take-off comfort for a vehicle that during at least a period goes long-distance. |
| US08838351B2 |
Vehicle drive control device
When a driver attempts to hurriedly start driving a stopped vehicle, for example, the driver may, without realizing it, begin operating an accelerator pedal before shifting a shift lever from a non-drive position to a drive position. In such a situation, when the shift lever is shifted from a non-drive position to a drive position while the accelerator pedal is being operated, a drive power limiting process is implemented for limiting the drive power when the drive power is output from a drive source in accordance with the amount that the accelerator is being operated. As a result, when the shift lever is shifted from a non-drive position to a drive position in the abovementioned manner, it is possible to restrict starting of the vehicle, which is caused by the transmission of drive power from the drive source to the wheels. This reduces the strange sensation experienced by the driver. |
| US08838344B2 |
Apparatus for high capacity stone delivery with concentric flow and enhanced nosecone for soil improvement
An apparatus for forming a column of compacted material in soil to increase load bearing capabilities and to provide drainage through a system having: a hopper, a stone chamber, a transition splitter pipe having at least two outlet chutes, a vibratory probe mechanism having a tip, a nosecone, and a control system; the vibratory probe mechanism has same number of chutes as the transition splitter pipe; the additional chutes are positioned along the side of the vibratory probe mechanism to increasing the flow rate of a material being discharged into a soil; the hopper is connected to the stone chamber which in turn is connected to the transition splitter pipe, the transition splitter pipe has chutes that are connected to the chutes of the vibratory probe mechanism, wherein the vibratory probe mechanism is connected to the nosecone; the control system constantly monitors the pressure of the air in the system to ensure that the chutes continuously and uniformly discharge the material; wherein the control system has one or more valves, and one or more sensors, which are interlocked together to create a pressurized air system which is necessary in order to assist the material to travel down the pipes and into the chutes and out at the tip of the vibratory probe mechanism. |
| US08838341B2 |
Electric drive steering locking apparatus
An electric drive steering locking apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes an electric motor, a motor driving control unit that allows the motor to perform locking actuation or unlocking actuation, a lower-level microcomputer that outputs an unlocking actuation signal and a locking actuation signal to the motor driving control unit, a first switching unit that electrically connects and disconnects a power supply route from the motor driving control unit to the motor, a checking power supply that applies a predetermined voltage to the electric motor; a switch unit that electrically connects and disconnects the checking power supply and the motor; a first diagnostic unit that outputs a voltage corresponding to an internal resistance of the electric motor; and a motor breakdown determination unit (lower-level microcomputer) that determines a breakdown of the electric motor by the voltage input from the first diagnostic unit. |
| US08838333B2 |
Power split tailgate system and method
A power, split tailgate system is provided that allows each of an upper and a lower tailgate door to be simultaneously or independently driven between open and closed positions. The tailgate system may be operated in a chauffer mode where the lower tailgate door is opened to allow for the storage of luggage and other materials and in a manner that limits exposure of the passenger compartment. |
| US08838328B2 |
Automotive diagnostic system
A system and method is presented for diagnosing problems in a sensor, a vehicle computer and a vehicle sensor wiring harness. The diagnostic system comprises a sensor simulator configured to be selectively coupled to the vehicle computer via a wiring harness during a diagnostic mode, and to eliminate and simulate a known good sensor to the vehicle computer by way of the vehicle sensor wiring harness directly connected therebetween. The system includes an external computer adapted to selectively couple the sensor simulator to the vehicle computer, and a user keypad and memory to receive and store user commands of a selected manufacturer's make, model, year of vehicle, and the function type of the selected sensor, and to enable the user to select or adjust a typical operational value comprising one or more of a voltage, current or resistance operational range values of the selected sensor. |
| US08838326B2 |
Method and device for processing faults
A device for processing faults, that detects and identifies faults, including, for at least part of the identified faults: a mechanism storing a log of occurrences of faults having a same identification, in a course of a plurality of flights; a mechanism determining an impact of each identified fault, on availability of aircraft in a predetermined duration, a mechanism associating a hierarchical attribute with each fault detected in a course of a flight, the hierarchical attribute being dependent on the log and on the impact; and a mechanism displaying identified faults associated with part of the hierarchical attributes. The device enables, in particular, maintenance operations or operations preparatory to maintenance to be better scheduled by virtue of hierarchization of faults displayed. |
| US08838319B2 |
Vehicle and control method for vehicle
An ECU executes a program including the steps of carrying out fuel cut control when an IG OFF operation is performed and when a vehicle is running, setting a target value Net for an engine rotation speed Ne, carrying out control of a first MG, and ending control of the first MG when a vehicle speed becomes lower than a prescribed vehicle speed. |
| US08838318B2 |
Route planning device
A route planning device plans plural routes from a current location to a destination, calculates an amount of electricity consumed by a motor during driving to the destination along each planned route in each of plural drive modes, calculates an amount of electricity consumed by electric equipment during driving to the destination along each planned route for each of plural operational settings of the electric equipment, calculates an estimated amount of charge remaining in a battery on arrival at the destination, calculates, for each of the planned routes, a total comfort level score for each of the drive modes and/or each of the operational settings of the electrical equipment, selects plural operation plans each formed from a combination of the route, drive mode, and operational setting on the basis of the calculated total comfort level score, and displays the selected operation plans on a display. |
| US08838316B2 |
Method of controlling catalyst light-off of a hybrid vehicle
A method of warming a catalyst of an exhaust gas treatment system of a hybrid vehicle includes transitioning a rotational speed of an engine to within a pre-defined speed range with an electric motor, and reducing an engine manifold pressure to within a pre-defined pressure range. The engine is fueled after the rotational speed of the engine is within the pre-defined speed range, and the engine manifold pressure is within the pre-defined pressure range. While the engine is being fueled, the engine manifold pressure is increased to within a catalyst light-off pressure range, and the torque output of the engine is increased to within a catalyst light-off operating torque range. The exhaust gas produced from the operation of the engine within the pre-defined speed range, within the catalyst light-off pressure range, and within the catalyst light-off operating torque range heats the catalyst while minimizing emissions. |
| US08838312B2 |
Electric vehicle
An electric vehicle that includes a hydrocarbon engine coupled with a generator, the generator comprising a positive source connection and a neutral source connection. The electric vehicle further includes a plurality of interconnected electrical energy storage devices, each electrical energy storage device comprising a positive terminal and a neutral terminal. Also included is a switching subsystem configured to successively electrically connect each electrical energy storage device to the generator for a selected time interval in a repeating cycle by electrically connecting the positive source connection of the generator to the positive terminal of an electrical energy storage device and electrically connecting the neutral source connection of the generator to the neutral terminal of the electrical energy storage device. The electric vehicle also includes a motor for propelling the vehicle. |
| US08838307B2 |
Motor vehicle
A motor vehicle has two drive units that can be operated jointly or individually to generate drive torque. The motor vehicle also has a device for predefining a driver's request. The device for predefining the driver's request is embodied so that a force level (K) with an increased restoring force is present within an adjustment range of the device. A control unit processes the driver's request and generates a control signal for actuating the drive units. The control unit operates so that, starting from a driving mode in which only one drive unit for generating a positive drive torque is active, switching over occurs from one drive unit to the other or the other drive unit also is activated when the force level is exceeded. At least one feature that characterizes the force level (K) can be varied based peripheral conditions. |
| US08838303B2 |
Vehicle system control device
A diesel-hybrid control device according to the present invention generates an instruction signal for instructing about a driving force of a storage battery car constituting a vehicle system of a train and driven by a motor, and includes a driving-force instruction unit that generates an instruction signal for instructing about a driving force of a railcar constituting the vehicle system and driven by a diesel engine. The driving-force instruction unit generates an instruction signal for instructing to start driving the storage battery car and generates an instruction signal for instructing to be on standby for driving the railcar at a time of starting the train. |
| US08838300B2 |
Standby aircraft management system
A method and apparatus for operating an aircraft. An aircraft system comprises a housing, a standby aircraft management system, and a backup power system. The standby aircraft management system is associated with the housing and is configured to provide communications, navigation, and control of a number of aircraft systems needed for safe flight and landing of an aircraft in which the standby aircraft management system is located. The backup power system is configured to supply power to the standby aircraft management system when the power is unavailable from the aircraft. |
| US08838299B2 |
Method of decoupling the mode of automatic following of the lateral profile and the mode of automatic following of the vertical profile
The present invention relates to a method of decoupling the mode of automatic following of the lateral profile and the mode of automatic following of the vertical profile of an automatic guidance system of an aircraft (A) flying on a reference trajectory (T). The mode of automatic following of the vertical profile is not disengaged immediately on disengaging the mode of automatic following of the lateral profile. After disengaging the mode of automatic following of the lateral profile, the mode of automatic following of the vertical profile is disengaged automatically only if at least one criterion of lateral separation between the current or short-term position of the aircraft and the lateral profile corresponding to the reference trajectory is satisfied, having regard to the position error. |
| US08838298B2 |
Methods and systems for active wing and lift surface control using integrated aeroelasticity measurements
An active wing and lift surface control system for an aircraft is described. The wing and lift surface control system includes an aeroelasticity measurement system configured to provide at least one of real time wing twist measurements and real time measurements of aircraft body bending, at least one actuator mechanically coupled to a control surface of the aircraft, and a control system communicatively coupled to the aeroelasticity measurement system and to the at least one actuator. The control system is operable to receive the measurements from the aeroelasticity measurement system and generate control signals, based on the real time measurements, to operate the at least one actuator to adjust a drag associated with one or more of the wing and the aircraft body. |
| US08838294B2 |
Methods and systems for briefing aircraft procedures
Methods and systems are provided for providing procedure information associated with an aircraft procedure onboard an aircraft. An exemplary method involves obtaining a briefing sequence for the aircraft procedure and providing the procedure information via the output device, wherein the procedure information is provided in accordance with the briefing sequence. When the output device is realized as an audio output device, the procedure information is sequentially provided auditorily via the audio output device. In one or more embodiments, the procedure information is sequentially indicated on a display device onboard the aircraft in concert with the auditorily provided procedure information. |
| US08838292B2 |
Collision avoiding method and associated system
A collisions avoiding method for avoiding collisions between vehicles (10; 12) moving in a predetermined area (14), wherein said vehicles may include unmanned vehicles (10) and manned vehicles (12). The method includes storing a map covering at least said predetermined area, said map including possible routes used by said vehicles (10;12). Vehicles moving in said predetermined area continuously transfer data relating to their present positions to a collision avoidance calculation module (20). Also included is continuously predicting specific paths of vehicles based on present positions and possible routes of said vehicles (10;12), preventing collisions between vehicles (10;12) by continuously comparing said predicted paths and possible routes to detect overlapping positions of different vehicles (10; 12) and forwarding interrupting commands to vehicles (10;12) heading to an overlapping position. The apparatus comprises a collision avoidance calculation module (20) and a processing unit (25), said processing unit (25) being arranged to continuously compare said predicted paths of each pair of the vehicles moving in said predetermined area (14) to detect overlapping positions. |
| US08838288B2 |
Rollover detection apparatus for vehicle
A rollover detection apparatus for a vehicle includes a first vertical acceleration sensor, a second vertical acceleration sensor, and a rollover determining section. The first vertical acceleration sensor is mounted on the vehicle and outputs a first vertical acceleration signal indicative of vertical acceleration of the vehicle. The second vertical acceleration sensor is mounted on the vehicle and outputs a second vertical acceleration signal indicative of the vertical acceleration of the vehicle. The second vertical acceleration sensor is spaced away from the first vertical acceleration sensor in a lateral direction of the vehicle. The rollover determining section determines whether a rollover of the vehicle occurs based on a difference between the first and second vertical acceleration signals. |
| US08838277B2 |
Systems and methods involving heating and cooling system control
A method for controlling a system comprising, receiving system demand data (402), processing the system demand data (404), defining a first system operating parameter (404), receiving system condition data (406), associating the system condition data with an operating map function (406), determining whether the system condition data exceeds a threshold of the operating map function (408), and changing the first system operating parameter responsive to determining that the system condition data exceeds the threshold of the operating map function (411). |
| US08838276B1 |
Methods and systems for providing functionality of an interface to control orientations of a camera on a device
Methods and systems for providing functionality of an interface to control orientations of a camera on a device are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving an input on an interface indicating a command for an orientation of a camera on a robotic device, and the interface may be provided on a device remote from the robotic device. An indicator may be provided on the interface representing a location of the input, and the indicator may be representative of the command for the orientation of the camera on the robotic device. The method may also include determining that the location of the input on the interface is within a distance threshold to a pre-set location on the interface, and repositioning the indicator on the interface to be at the pre-set location. |
| US08838273B2 |
System for autonomously dispensing media on large scale surfaces
The present disclosure relates to a system, method and article which may be configured to autonomously dispense a medium onto a relatively large surface relatively accurately. |
| US08838267B2 |
Computer-controlled conveyor system and conveying method
In a computer-controlled conveying system (3), virtual markers (K1-K10) are generated and are stored in association with a conveying element (31, 32, 33, 34). The virtual markers (K1-K10) each comprise a marker position which is based on the current position of the conveying element (31, 32, 33, 34) at the time of generation. A search is carried out for stored virtual markers (K1, K5, K6, K9) which have a relative position with respect to the associated conveying element (31, 32, 33, 34) that lies within a defined sector (T1, T2, T3) at the search time. Actuators of the conveying system (3) are driven depending on whether virtual markers (K1, K5, K6, K9) were found in the defined sector (T1, T2, T3) during searching. The virtual markers (K1-K10) may be applied to the conveying elements (31, 32, 33, 34) with dynamically changing distances, for example, and make it possible to drive actuators in a flexible manner independently of a fixedly defined clock rate. |
| US08838266B2 |
Insert machine
The present invention discloses an improved insert machine for inserting flat material into an open pocket and, more particularly, to a straight line insert machine employed for printed matter such as newspapers. The machine includes an all-electronic control system for controlling machine functions. The control system includes at least one central control computer running under software control and a plurality of network controllers, all coupled together via a controller area network (CAN) bus. Electronic control messages for controlling machine elements are sent among the computers and controllers using a novel message protocol to enable both broadcast messages and individual messages to be employed. |
| US08838262B2 |
Synchronization and switch over methods and systems for an adaptive audio system
Embodiments are described for a synchronization and switchover mechanism for an adaptive audio system in which multi-channel (e.g., surround sound) audio is provided along with object-based adaptive audio content. A synchronization signal is embedded in the multi-channel audio stream and contains a track identifier and frame count for the adaptive audio stream to play out. The track identifier and frame count of a received adaptive audio frame is compared to the track identifier and frame count contained in the synchronization signal. If either the track identifier or frame count does not match the synchronization signal, a switchover process fades out the adaptive audio track and fades in the multi-channel audio track. The system plays the multi-channel audio track until the synchronization signal track identifier and frame count and adaptive audio track identifier and frame count match, at which point the adaptive audio content will be faded back in. |
| US08838260B2 |
Animal-machine audio interaction system
An animal-machine audio interaction system includes a sound monitor for monitoring the sounds made by one or more animals, a sound segmenter for identifying coherent sound segments within the sounds made by the animal(s), a sound analyzer for analyzing and assigning a category to each sound segment, an output sound selector for selecting an output sound appropriate to the category assigned by the sound analyzer, and a sound output unit for outputting the selected output sound to the animal(s). A different control protocol may be used to define the categories assigned to the animal sounds and to determine the respective audio responses that are appropriate to the different sound categories. During operation of the system, a closed-loop audio interaction is set up between the animal(s) and the system. This interaction may be used for various purposes, such as investigating animal behavior, entertaining the animal(s) and controlling animal behavior. |
| US08838258B2 |
In-vehicle apparatus and front panel
An in-vehicle apparatus includes a reproduction apparatus main body to be mounted in a vehicle, and a front panel which is detachable with respect to the reproduction apparatus main body. The front panel includes a first connecting unit that is connected to the reproduction apparatus main body, a memory that is connected to the first connecting unit, a second connecting unit that is connected to the memory, and is connected to a signal input/output apparatus, and a control unit that is arranged between the memory and the second connecting unit, and controls inputting and outputting of a signal in the second connecting unit with respect to the memory. |
| US08838254B2 |
Implantable medical device with an electronic prescription
This disclosure describes techniques for configuring an IMD into the exposure operating mode. Prior to a medical procedure that generates a disruptive energy field, such as an MRI scan, an electronic prescription is configured to indicate that the IMD is authorized for the medical procedure that includes a disruptive energy field. The electronic prescription includes one or more designated bits within a storage element of the IMD. When the patient in which the IMD is implanted arrives for the medical procedure, a user (such as an MRI operator) interacts with a telemetry device to determine whether the electronic prescription is configured. Upon determining that the electronic prescription is configured, the IMD transitions into the exposure operating mode designed for operation in the disruptive energy field. In this manner, the electronic prescription confirms to the user that that the IMD has been checked for suitability for operation during the medical procedure. |
| US08838253B2 |
Nerve stimulating device
A vagus nerve is efficiently stimulated while preventing wasteful energy consumption. Provided is a nerve stimulating device (1) including a stimulation-signal outputting portion (3) that outputs a stimulation signal to a vagus nerve (B); a heart-event detecting portion (2) that detects a heart event; and a control portion (4) that makes a judgment regarding the responsiveness of a heart (A) based on the heart event detected by the heart-event detecting portion (2) in response to the stimulation signal output from the stimulation-signal outputting portion (3), and that controls the stimulation-signal outputting portion (3) so that an intensity of the stimulation signal is decreased when the responsiveness of the heart (A) is decreased. |
| US08838252B2 |
Method and apparatus for the treatment of spasmodic dysphonia
A method and apparatus for using low levels of electrical stimulation to treat spasmodic dysphonia by stimulating the afferent nervous system and/or altering the function of gamma motor neurons innervating muscles which experience symptomatic spasms. |
| US08838250B2 |
Configuring a hearing prosthesis with a reduced quantity of parameters
A method for determining a first set of one or more parameters for configuring a system, the method including evaluating a behavior of the system over a predetermined selection of parameter values for a second set of parameters, and deriving a first set of one or more parameters to configure the system based on the evaluated behavior of the system, wherein the number of parameters in the first set is less than the number of parameters in the second set. |
| US08838246B2 |
Devices and methods for cardiovascular reflex treatments
Devices, systems and methods are described which control blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity by activating baroreceptors. By selectively and controllably activating baroreceptors, the present invention reduces excessive blood pressure, sympathetic nervous system activity and neurohormonal activity, thereby minimizing their deleterious effects on a heart, vasculature and other organs and tissues. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a low-pressure baroreceptor, preferably in the venous system, heart, or pulmonary vasculature. |
| US08838245B2 |
Respiratory stimulation for treating periodic breathing
A system and method for treating and/or preventing is described for treating periodic breathing characterized by cyclical hyperventilation and hypoventilation, examples of which include Cheyne-Stokes respiration and central sleep apnea. The system could also be used in the treatment of other conditions involving an impairment of respiratory drive. |
| US08838243B2 |
System and method for programming an implantable pulse generator
In one embodiment, a method of programming an IPG comprises providing one or several GUI screens on the programmer device, the GUI screens comprising a master amplitude GUI control for controlling amplitudes for stimsets of a stimulation program and one or several balancing GUI controls for controlling amplitudes of each stimset of the stimulation program; communicating one or several commands from the programmer device to the IPG to change the amplitude of all stimsets of the stimulation program in response to manipulation of the master amplitude GUI control, wherein the amplitude of each stimulation set is automatically calculated by a level selected through the master amplitude GUI control and one or several calibration parameters for the respective stimulation set; and automatically recalculating the one or several calibration parameters for a respective stimulation set in response to manipulation of one of the balancing GUI controls and storing the recalculated calibration parameters. |
| US08838242B2 |
Pre-configuration of electrode measurement of an implantable medical device, system and method therefore
Method, controller and system for an implantable medical device having a plurality of electrodes, the implantable medical device capable of delivering therapeutic stimulation to a patient, comprising a control module, a user interface operatively coupled to the control module, the user interface providing control of the control module by a medical professional or other user, and an electrode interface operatively coupled between the plurality of electrodes and the control module. The control module uses the electrode interface to obtain a plurality of measurements of integrity metrics for a plurality of selected pairs of individual ones of the plurality of electrodes. The control module determines a prescriptive analysis using the plurality of measurements of integrity metrics of the selected pairs of individual ones of the plurality of electrodes comparative to a range, and the user interface displays the prescriptive analysis. |
| US08838240B2 |
Hemodynamic status assessment during tachycardia
Systems and methods provide for sensing, during an event of tachycardia, hemodynamic signals concurrently from at least two spatially separated locations within a patient, and quantifying a spatial relationship between the hemodynamic signals. Hemodynamic stability or state of the patient during the tachycardia event is determined based at least in part on the quantified spatial relationship. One or more anti-tachycardia therapies to treat the tachycardia may be selected based at least in part on the determined stability or state of patient hemodynamics, and the selected one or more anti-tachycardia therapies may be delivered to treat the tachycardia. The hemodynamic signals may comprise at least two, or a mixed combination, of cardiac impedance signals, cardiac chamber pressure signals, arterial pressure signals, heart sounds; and acceleration signals. |
| US08838238B2 |
Ventricular pacing
A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating a condition of a patient's heart includes placing a first electrode and/or a second electrode in a right ventricle of the heart. In one example, a reference electrode is placed within the patient and internal or external to the heart. A pacing signal is generated including a first signal component, a second signal component and a reference component with the first and second signal components having opposite polarity and with both of the first and second components having a potential relative to the reference component. The pacing signal and the placement of the electrodes are selected to alter a contraction of a left ventricle of the heart. |
| US08838235B2 |
Wearable defibrillator system communicating via mobile communication device
A wearable defibrillation system can establish a local comlink with a mobile communication device, such as a smartphone, tablet-type computer and the like. The mobile communication device can in turn establish a remote comlink with other devices in a network such as the internet. Accordingly, communication tasks relating to the wearable defibrillation system can be performed via the local and the remote comlinks, with or without the participation of the patient, who is wearing the system. The wearer can thus use the familiar interface of a mobile communication device for interacting with his defibrillator system. Moreover, he can do so while keeping on his regular clothes, which could conceal completely the wearable defibrillator system. The patient can thus preserve his dignity and privacy. |
| US08838232B1 |
Multifunction electric razor having an electrical stimulator
An electric razor having an electrical stimulator is provided. The razor may be used to both shave and tighten muscles, especially in the face while shaving. The article may be configured as a hand held electric razor comprising a plurality of cutting features that may be configured as electrodes. The cutting features may be configured in any suitable way, including discrete substantially circular cutting features, such as a three blade razor. A user mode feature may be configured on the razor or control device to allow a user to use the razor alone, the stimulator alone, or the razor and stimulator in combination. |
| US08838230B2 |
System for altering motional response to music
A system for altering a user's motional response to music is generally described. The system includes a current source and a music source including at least one musical piece. The system also includes an information source including information associated with at least one characteristic of the at least one musical piece. Further, the system includes a sound delivering device configured with a sound producing structure and in communication with the music source. A feedback sensor device is configured to detect motions associated with the user. A control unit is configured to receive signals from the feedback sensor and receive the information, the control unit generating control signals based on the signals and the information. Further, electrical contacts are configured to contact flesh of the user and deliver current from the current source to the vestibular system of the user in response to the control signals. |
| US08838229B2 |
Method and device for electromotive delivery of macromolecules into tissue
Electromotive delivery of macromolecules can be provided using a delivery device including a first chamber for contacting a macromolecule delivery medium to a surface of a tissue or other anatomy of a patient; and a second chamber for contacting a receiving medium to the patient. A first electrode can be disposed in the first chamber so as to not directly contact the macromolecule delivery medium. A second medium having a buffering agent can be used to keep the first electrode from coming into direct contact with the macromolecule delivery medium. A second electrode can be disposed within the receiving medium in the second chamber such that the second electrode does not directly contact the patient. An electric field can be generated using the first and second electrodes in order to cause the macromolecule delivery medium to move into the tissue of interest from the first chamber of the delivery device. |
| US08838226B2 |
Multi-channel brain or cortical activity monitoring and method
The present invention relates to a quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) monitor and system capable of monitoring and displaying simultaneously neuropathological characteristic and activity of both sides of a subject's brain. The methods include various indices and examination of differences in these indices by which neurophysiological conditions or problems can be identified and treated. These methods, and the systems and devices using these methods preferably can be used for identifying these neurophysiological conditions or brain dysfunction with monitors and methods for seizure detection, for sedation monitoring, for anesthesia monitoring, and the like. These bilateral brain monitoring methods and systems, and the devices using these methods can be used by individuals or clinicians with little or no training in signal analysis or processing. These bilateral monitoring methods can also be used in a range of applications. |
| US08838220B2 |
System and method for correlation of patient health information and implant device data
A system and method for correlating health related data for display. The system includes a medical device recording data and a display producing device which correlates the data and simultaneously displays different types of data or displays two sets of the same type of data along with the circumstances at which the two sets of data were recorded. Such displays aid a physician in prescribing and ascertaining the efficacy of cardiac therapies. |
| US08838219B2 |
Pregnancy test system
A pregnancy test system (10) includes a carrier (14) carrying a plurality of (sensors 12) arranged in a fixed relationship relative to one another. A signal processing (circuit 42) processes data sensed by the sensors (12) and outputs a data signal representative of the pregnancy status of an animal being examined. A support arrangement (24) supports the carrier (14) in a desired position relative to the animal. A positioning mechanism (26) is associated with the carrier (14) for positioning the carrier (14) at the desired position relative to the animal. |
| US08838218B2 |
Leadless wireless ECG measurement system for measuring of bio-potential electrical activity of the heart
A leadless wireless ECG measurement system for measuring of bio-potential electrical activity of the heart in a patient's body includes at least one multi-contact bio-potential electrode assembly adapted for attachment to the patient's body. The electrode assembly is formed of an electronic patch layer and a disposable electrode layer. The disposable electrode layer has a plurality of contact points for engagement with the surface of the patient's body and is configured to measure short-lead ECG signals in response to electrical activity in the heart. A processing unit is provided and is configured to produce a transfer function which computes estimated long-lead ECG signals based on the measured short-lead ECG signals from the plurality of contact points. |
| US08838216B2 |
Method of and apparatus for generating a model of a cardiac surface having a plurality of images representing electrogram voltages
A method of generating a model of a cardiac surface having a plurality of images representing electrogram voltages for a plurality of measured points within a heart comprises measuring an electrogram voltage at a plurality of points within a heart, generating a first model of a cardiac surface of the heart, generating an image representing each electrogram voltage, each image having a characteristic representative of the electrogram voltage, and generating a further model of a cardiac surface. The images representing the electrogram voltages protrude from the further model of the cardiac surface at points on the further model corresponding to the points at which the electrogram voltages were measured. There is also disclosed an apparatus for generating a model of a cardiac surface. |
| US08838215B2 |
Systems and methods of medical monitoring according to patient state
A system for the detection of cardiac events occurring in a human patient. At least two electrodes are included in the system for obtaining an electrical signal from a patient's heart. An electrical signal processor is electrically coupled to the electrodes for processing the electrical signal. The system receives data regarding the patient's state (e.g. asleep, exercising). Patient state information is stored in a patient state array, thereby enabling the system to track the patient's state over time, and to select an appropriate test for detecting a cardiac event based on both past and present data regarding the patient's state. |
| US08838213B2 |
Apparatus and method for obtaining and providing imaging information associated with at least one portion of a sample, and effecting such portion(s)
Exemplary apparatus and process can be provided for imaging information associated with at least one portion of a sample. For example, (i) at least two first different wavelengths of at least one first electro-magnetic radiation can be provided within a first wavelength range provided on the portion of the sample so as to determine at least one first transverse location of the portion, and (ii) at least two second different wavelengths of at least one second electro-magnetic radiation are provided within a second wavelength range provided on the portion so as to determine at least one second transverse location of the portion. The first and second ranges can east partially overlap on the portion. Further, a relative phase between at least one third electro-magnetic radiation electro-magnetic radiation being returned from the sample and at least one fourth electro-magnetic radiation returned from a reference can be obtained to determine a relative depth location of the portion. First information of the portion based on the first transverse location and the relative depth location, and second information of the portion based on the second transverse location and the relative depth location can be obtained. The imaging information may include the first and second information. |
| US08838212B2 |
Apparatus and methods for illuminating substances using color to achieve visual contrast
An illumination system for illuminating a first biologic substance and a second biologic substance, comprising a first light output device capable of outputting polychromatic first light, a second light output device capable of outputting polychromatic second light, the first light output device and the second light output device selected such that (i) a first apparent color results when the first light is scattered from the first biologic substance and a second apparent color results when the second light is scattered from the first biologic substance, the first apparent color and the second apparent color being substantially the same as one another and (ii) a third apparent color results when the first light is scattered from the second biologic substance and a fourth apparent color results when the second light is scattered from the second biologic substance, the third apparent color and the fourth apparent color being substantially different than one another, and means for temporally modulating amounts of the first light and amounts of the second light in a light output from the system. |
| US08838209B2 |
Deriving arterial pulse transit time from a source video image
What is disclosed is a system and method for determining an arterial pulse transit time of a subject of interest in a remote sensing environment. A video imaging system is used to capture a time varying source images of a proximal and distal region of a subject intended to be analyzed for arterial pulse transit time. A time series signal for each of the proximal and distal regions is extracted from the source images and a phase of each of the extracted time series signals is computed. A difference is then computed between these phases. This phase difference is a monotonic function of frequencies in the signals. From the monotonic function, an arterial pulse transit time of the subject is extracted. The subject's arterial pulse transit time is then communicated to a computer system. The computer system determines blood pressure, blood vessel blockage, blood flow velocity, or a peripheral neuropathy. |
| US08838208B2 |
Fiducial deployment needle system
Embodiments include a fiducial deployment system. A fiducial may include dimples to enhance echogenicity and/or to provide for engagement with a delivery cannula or stylet. The needle system may be configured to deliver a plurality of fiducials to a target location in serial fashion, one at a time, when the fiducials are coaxially disposed around a central deployment member that may be embodied as a delivery cannula or stylet. In certain embodiments, echogenic placement of fiducials may present certain advantages. An elongate structure may be included that is configured to distally advance fiducials along the deployment member. |
| US08838203B2 |
Inverse imaging of electrical activity of a heart muscle
A method for providing a representation of the distribution, fluctuation and/or movement of electrical activity through heart tissue, said method comprising: obtaining an ECG of the heart comprising said tissue; obtaining a model of the heart geometry; obtaining a model of the torso geometry; relating the measurements per electrode of the ECG to the heart and torso geometry and estimating the distribution, fluctuation and/or movement of electrical activity through heart tissue based upon a fastest route algorithm, shortest path algorithm and/or fast marching algorithm. |
| US08838199B2 |
Method and apparatus for virtual digital subtraction angiography
A method and apparatus for allowing determination of patient position change relative to an imaging device and/or allowing digital subtraction in an operative position. The system can include devices for determining a position of a patient at various times and comparing the various positions of the patient. Further, a digital subtraction may be performed if the patient change is not above a threshold value and/or if motion correction can occur. |
| US08838198B2 |
Electrode system
An electrode system comprises electrode modules, flexible connectors, and sensors. Each electrode module defines a substantially central opening and has circuitry that includes an amplifier. A conductive ring is exposed in the opening of each electrode module. The flexible connectors include flexible circuitry coupled with the circuitry of the electrode modules. Each sensor includes an electrolytic hydrogel portion that is configured to contact a test subject and outwardly extending tabs that are in communication with the hydrogel portion. The tabs are configured to contact the conductive ring of an electrode module with the sensor is inserted in the opening of the electrode module. The system may thus sense evoked response potentials (ERPs) from the test subject through the electrolytic hydrogel portions, amplify those potentials, and communicate the amplified potentials through the circuitry of the flexible connectors. A control box may initiate ERP testing and store the test results. |
| US08838197B2 |
Micro probe and manufacturing method thereof
The micro probe according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a probe portion made of a rigid material and serving as a portion inserted into the brain; a flexible portion connected to a distal end of the probe portion and made of a flexible material; a soluble portion coated on at least one surface of the flexible portion and made of a material which is dissolved by a solution in the cranium; and a body portion connected to the other end of the flexible portion whose one end is connected to the probe portion. |
| US08838192B2 |
Superconducting switch
This invention is a high voltage superconductor switch comprising: a length of superconductor having a switching portion located within an air gap; a magnetic circuit including at least one flux guide having ferrite pole pieces defining an air gap in which a switching portion of a superconductor can reside in use and at least one primary magnetic flux source located within the circuit so as to provide a quenching magnetic field across the air gap via the ferrite pole pieces. |
| US08838190B2 |
Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device (10) includes a first housing (20), an electronic module (32), a first cover (30), a circuit board module (33), and a second cover (35). The electronic module (32) is secured on to one of faces of the first housing (20). The first cover (30) is watertightly attached to the first housing (20) via a waterproof adhesive member (31) to cover the electronic module (32). The circuit board module (33) is secured on another face of the first housing (20). The second cover (35) is watertightly attached to the first housing (20) via a waterproof adhesive member (34) to cover the circuit board module (33). |
| US08838184B2 |
Wireless conference call telephone
A wireless conference call telephone system uses body-worn wired or wireless audio endpoints comprising microphone arrays and, optionally, speakers. These audio-endpoints, which include headsets, pendants, and clip-on microphones to name a few, are used to capture the user's voice and the resulting data may be used to remove echo and environmental acoustic noise. Each audio-endpoint transmits its audio to the telephony gateway, where noise and echo suppression can take place if not already performed on the audio-endpoint, and where each audio-endpoint's output can be labeled, integrated with the output of other audio-endpoints, and transmitted over one or more telephony channels of a telephone network. The noise and echo suppression can also be done on the audio-endpoint. The labeling of each user's output can be used by the outside caller's phone to spatially locate each user in space, increasing intelligibility. |
| US08838174B2 |
Device initiated card provisioning via bearer independent protocol
A processor in a mobile wireless device provisions a user identity module (UIM) card in the mobile wireless device in response to a user command. The processor detects a user command to provision the UIM card and reads a provisioning status of the UIM card from a UIM card provisioning status file in the UIM card. When the provisioning status is “not provisioned”, the processor establishes a bearer independent protocol (BIP) data connection to a server in a wireless network and exchanges provisioning data between the server and the UIM card until the UIM card commands the processor to close the BIP data connection. In representative embodiments, the UIM card provisioning status file includes fields for a UIM card provisioning status, a UIM card software version and a UIM card provisioning date/time, and the processor updates the fields during provisioning. |
| US08838168B2 |
Method for data communication, system for communication and related devices
A data communication method, a communication system, and related devices are configured to establish a transaction identifier (TI) in a user equipment (UE). The data communication method includes the following steps. A mobility management entity (MME) receives a request message and obtains ability information of the UE. If the UE has an ability to access a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network/GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network (UTRAN/GERAN), the MME generates the TI. A communication system and related devices are also provided. Thus, the TI is effectively established in the UE, so as to ensure normal processing of the UE. |
| US08838162B2 |
Power control method in cognitive radio communication, cognitive radio communication system, and radio communication device
Provided is a power control method, etc., in cognitive radio communication, by which power control can be effectively performed without a large indirect cost. In the power control method, a target value of SNR is estimated on the basis of the control information relating to interference. Subsequently, communication power used for the cognitive radio communication is adjusted on the basis of the estimated target value of SNR. Thereby, power control can be effectively performed without a large indirect cost. |
| US08838161B2 |
Uplink power control method for mobile communication system
A per-layer and per-antenna uplink power control method for MIMO transmission of PUSCH in a Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) system is provided. A transmit power for a plurality of transmit antennas is calculated based on a power control parameter received in a downlink. Uplink data is transmitted through the plurality of transmit antennas by applying the transmit power to each of a plurality of codewords. |
| US08838158B2 |
System and method for enabling messages to be sent while a mobile device is out-of-coverage
A system and method are provided that enable a mobile device when out-of-coverage and thus unable to send or receive messages to rely on other mobile devices which are also out-of-coverage as “hosts” for their outgoing messages such that when one of the hosts comes back into coverage the host mobile device (HMD) can send the outgoing messages on behalf of the originating or “source” mobile device (SMD). The system and method may comprise a pairing procedure to determine the suitability of a mobile device being an HMD according to criteria such as battery power, memory availability and whether the device is also out of coverage. When coming back into coverage, information is obtained from the data communication system to determine whether others have already sent messages that have been provided to host mobile devices. |
| US08838157B2 |
Mobile terminal and incoming screen display method thereof
Disclosed are a mobile terminal, and an incoming screen display method thereof. The mobile terminal comprises: a communication unit configured to perform a communication with a transmitting terminal and/or a community server; and a controller configured to download a sender's content by requesting search for the sender's content from the community server when a call request is received from the transmitting terminal, and configured to display the downloaded content. |
| US08838154B1 |
Method and system of paging an access terminal
An access network may receive an incoming communication for an idle access terminal having a last-known location in a first service area of the access network. In response to receiving the incoming communication, the access network may determine whether the last-known location is proximate to a border between the first service area and a second service area of the access network. If so, the access network may define a border paging area encompassing one or more coverage areas within the second service area that are proximate to the last-known location. In turn, the access network may determine a representative paging-channel occupancy of the border paging area. Based on the representative paging-channel occupancy, the access network may then select a time at which to initiate a border page of the access terminal in the border paging area and then perhaps initiate the border page at the selected time. |
| US08838153B2 |
Network providing geo-tagged data
A method includes receiving geo-tagged data by a user device, wherein the geo-tagged data includes information tagged with geographic data; determining a geographic location of the user device; comparing the geographic data with the geographic location; determining whether the information is to be provided to a user associated with the user device based on the comparing; and providing the information to the user when the geographic location is within a geographic region indicated by the geographic data. |
| US08838150B2 |
Information management system, mobile terminal device, server device, information management method, control program and computer-readable recording medium on which same has been recorded
An information management system includes a mobile telephone and a server device. The mobile telephone includes: an image sensing section; an operation control section for controlling an operation of the image sensing section on the basis of an operation control signal (operation disabling signal; disablement canceling signal) received from the server device; and a questionnaire information transmitting/receiving section for transmitting information about a user of the mobile telephone to the server device. The operation control section, upon receipt of the operation disabling signal, disables the operation of the image sensing section. The server device includes: an operation control signal transmitting section for transmitting the operation disabling signal; and a work information transmitting section for, upon receipt of the user information from the mobile telephone, transmitting, to the mobile telephone, work information inputted by the image sensing section. |
| US08838149B2 |
Apparatus and methods for ensuring delivery of geographically relevant content
Apparatus and methods for ensuring delivery of geographically relevant content to IP-enabled user devices associated with a content distribution network. In one embodiment, the network (or designated content source) determines a geographic context or location of the user device, and uses this information to manage the packaging and delivery of content thereto so as to obey blackout restrictions and/or provide content which is relevant to the geographic context/location. In one variant, the user device comprises a mobile device such as a tablet computer or smartphone, and the content is delivered thereto over either a managed or unmanaged network infrastructure. |
| US08838145B2 |
Accessing navigation information via a global positioning group support server
A client device transmits a GNSS address to gain navigation information such as map data from a global positioning group support server. The global positioning group support server may provide navigation information of global positioning groups in the vicinity of the client device based on the received GNSS address. The GNSS address of the client device may be an inherent GNSS address or a GNSS address of a neighboring client device. Client devices are registered and divided into global positioning groups at a global positioning group support server based on corresponding GNSS addresses. A particular client device may be added or removed to or from a given global positioning group. Uni- and bi-directional association tracking within a determined time window is enabled based on corresponding GNSS addresses. Phantom GNSS moving is enabled via the association tracking. |
| US08838141B2 |
Signalling measurements for positioning in a wireless network
A method in a signalling device for assisting in positioning of user equipment based on time measurements is provided. The signalling device is associated with an s-cell, which is recognized by the first network node as having limited functionality and is, therefore, not considerable for the user equipment as a candidate cell for serving the user equipment (for data transmission. The signalling device associated s-cell is part of a positioning neighbor list of neighbor cells. The neighbor cells in the list are configured to have time measurements performed thereon by the user equipment for enabling positioning. The signalling device is configured to transmit predefined reference signals in predefined subframes and according to a predefined pattern relating to preselected subcarriers and preselected time slots within a subframe. The signalling device obtains synchronization information and transmits reference signals according to the configuration and synchronized according to the obtained synchronization information. This enables the user equipment to receive and perform time measurements on the transmitted reference signals for positioning when the signalling device associated s-cell is in the positioning neighbor list. |
| US08838139B2 |
Advanced triggers for location-based service applications in a wireless location system
Methods and systems are employed by a wireless location system (WLS) for locating a wireless device operating in a geographic area served by a wireless communications system. An exemplary method includes monitoring a set of signaling links of the wireless communications system, and detecting at least one predefined signaling transaction occurring on at least one of the predefined signaling links. Then, in response to the detection of the at least one predefined network transaction, at least one predefined location service is triggered. |
| US08838133B2 |
Mobile communication apparatus, position information acquiring method, and computer-readable storage medium
A mobile communication apparatus may receive a first direction from a reference target to an external apparatus and a first distance from the reference target to a position of the external apparatus. A direction acquiring unit acquires a second direction from the reference target to the position, and a distance acquiring unit acquires a second distance between the reference target and the position. A computing unit computes a direction and a distance from the position to the external apparatus based on the first direction, the first distance, the second direction and the second distance, in order to output a computation result from an output unit. |
| US08838126B2 |
Base station, radio communications system, base station control method, radio communications method and base station control program
[Problems] Because it is not possible to reduce sufficiently the number of base stations that starts uselessly in spite of being in low traffic state, it is not possible to lower interference between adjacent cells and power consumption sufficiently.[Measures] A base station starts transmission of a control signal with predetermined power when communication between other base station and a mobile station is started and a first predetermined condition is satisfied. |
| US08838117B2 |
Active macro-femto hand-in with help from out-of-band proxy
Systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are described for supporting macrocell-to-femtocell hand-ins of active macro communications for mobile access terminals. A femto-proxy system is provided including a femtocell and an out-of-band (OOB) proxy. While the femtocell may be addressed by the macro network according to a potentially non-unique identifier (e.g., its PN offset), the OOB proxy is addressable according to a unique OOB identifier (e.g., a Bluetooth device address, BD_ADDR). When the mobile access terminal is in proximity to the femto-proxy system, it detects the OOB proxy and communicates the unique OOB identifier to the core network via the macro network (e.g., as part of a measurement report). The OOB identifier is mapped (e.g., in the core network) to the femtocell, allowing the core network to uniquely identify the appropriate target femtocell for active hand-in. |
| US08838116B2 |
Minimizing interference to non-associated users
A method for reducing interference to wireless communication devices is described. It is determined that a base station is deployed with a first coverage area that overlaps a second coverage area of a femto access point. The base station uses a first carrier for wireless communications. The femto access point uses a second carrier for wireless communications. Transmissions by the femto access point interfere with transmissions by the base station. An amount of radio frequency (RF) leakage experienced by wireless communication devices communicating with the base station is estimated. Interference experienced by the wireless communication devices is minimized. |
| US08838113B2 |
Method and apparatus for open loop power control in frequency division multiple access system
A method and apparatus for efficient open loop power control in a packet data mobile communication system using Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) is provided. The method includes receiving pilot signals from a scheduling cell that schedules a mobile station and neighboring cells located adjacent to the mobile station; calculating a number of neighboring cells having pathlosses that are less than a threshold; calculating a target Signal-to-Interference Ratio (SIR) of the mobile station using the number of neighboring cells having pathlosses that are less than the threshold; measuring a pathloss of the scheduling cell and calculating uplink transmission power using the measured pathloss of the scheduling cell and the calculated target SIR; and transmitting data with the calculated transmission power. |
| US08838112B2 |
Method and system for managing neighboring cell information
The present disclosure discloses a method and a system for managing neighboring cell information. The method includes: a radio network controller sends a notification message to user equipment (UE), wherein the notification message includes an indication which notifies the UE to measure inter-frequency cells which are not in an inter-frequency neighboring cell list or inter-system cells which are not in an inter-system neighboring cell list; after receiving the notification message, the UE measures the inter-frequency cells, which are not in the inter-frequency neighboring cell list, indicated in the notification message, or measures the inter-system cells, which are not in the inter-system neighboring cell list, indicated in the notification message, and reports the measurement result. In the present disclosure, the UE reports a measurement result to the network side after measuring the cells which are not in the neighboring cell list, to improve the capability of the network side to obtain neighboring cell information. Based on the measurement result reported by the UE, the network side decides inter-frequency handover or inter-system handover, so that the UE performs handover in time and the call drop is prevented effectually. |
| US08838108B2 |
Techniques to optimize the interaction between C2K idle handoff and C2K-LTE reselection
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus initiates a process for reselection from a first network (e.g., C2K) to a second network (e.g., LTE) by performing a measurement on a frequency indicated in a neighbor list received from a first cell in the first network. The neighbor list includes information indicating at least one frequency associated with the second network. The apparatus creates a state (e.g., starts an EUTRAReselect timer) associated with the frequency based on the measurement. The apparatus moves (e.g., performs an idle HO) from the first cell to a second cell in the first network. The apparatus determines whether to maintain the state upon the move from the first cell to the second cell. |
| US08838105B2 |
Forwarding learnt state information to target node at mobility
A method for handover in a telecommunication system is disclosed. The method determines a traffic time pattern in a handover situation where a user equipment is handed over from a source cell to a target cell in the telecommunication system. History information relating to a traffic time pattern used in the source cell by the user equipment being handed over is forwarded from a controller node of said source cell to a controller node of said target cell. In the target cell, a traffic time pattern to be used by said user equipment in said target cell after the handover is estimated by taking into consideration at least said history information. |
| US08838103B2 |
Method for performing handoff in wireless network
A method for minimizing handoff latencies when a handoff is performed in a wireless network. An access point (AP) or base station associated to a current wireless station (STA) allows information required for a reassociation to the STA to be propagated to handoff-capable neighboring APs or base stations. When the STA moves, a neighboring AP or base station performs the reassociation to the STA on the basis of context. When a handoff procedure is performed, the time taken to receive context of a corresponding STA is reduced, such that a fast handoff can be implemented. |
| US08838102B2 |
Selecting a cell associated with a radio access technology
Embodiments herein include a method in a base station serving a cell for assisting a user equipment to select a cell. The method comprises the step of sending a message comprising a reference to a service class and a priority level associated with a radio access technology used by the cell that the base station serves. Embodiments herein also include a corresponding arrangement in a base station. Embodiments herein further include a method in a core network node for configuring service classes in a network. The method comprises associating a radio access technology with a service class and a priority level. The method further comprises sending to a base station a reference to the service class and the priority level associated with the radio access technology used by the base station. Embodiments herein finally include a corresponding arrangement in a core network node. |
| US08838098B2 |
Reducing service acquisition time when a user device is powered up
Methods and systems for reducing service acquisition time of a user device are disclosed. A method includes receiving a request to turn off the user device, obtaining network information for a future destination of the user device, and powering off the user device. The method further includes utilizing the network information for the future destination of the user device to reduce service acquisition time when the user device is powered on. |
| US08838097B2 |
System for better service reselection when on other than the most preferred system
System for better service reselection when on other than the Most Preferred system. In various aspects, methods and corresponding apparatus are provided for a service reselection system that operates on a device to provide better service reselection during idle mode, origination mode and active traffic mode. A method includes detecting entry into slotted mode operation on a Less Preferred system, waiting for page monitoring to complete at selected slot cycle wakeup times, performing a service reselection scan at the selected slot cycle wakeup times to find More Preferred systems, wherein the service reselection scan is performed after the page monitoring has completed, and limiting a time duration of the service reselection scan so as to avoid interference with the page monitoring to be performed at slot cycle wakeup times that follow the selected slot cycle wakeup times. |
| US08838096B2 |
Non-macro cell search integrated with macro-cellular RF carrier monitoring
Embodiments include access terminals, computer readable media, and wireless communication systems. These sample a wireless spectrum portion that includes macro cell carrier and at least one other target carrier where non-macro cells are deployed, using a receive chain, a signal processor, and a controller. The wireless spectrum portion is processed to resolve portions corresponding to macro cell carrier and at least one additional carrier where target non-macro cells are deployed. The processed signal is searched for at least one target non-macro cell pilot and the macro carrier portion is used for a paging monitoring operation. |
| US08838092B2 |
Method and apparatus for deriving pathloss estimation values
A method for deriving pathloss estimation values within a cellular communication network. The method comprises receiving pathloss data obtained from a plurality of wireless communication units located within the cellular communication network, receiving location information corresponding to the plurality of wireless communications units, associating received pathloss data with individual sectors within a coverage area of the cellular communication network based at least partly on the location information for the respective wireless communications unit, and deriving pathloss estimation values for individual sectors within the cellular communication network based at least partly on the received pathloss data. |
| US08838091B2 |
Method of reporting an aggregated measurement in wireless communication system
Disclosed is the radio (wireless) communication system providing a radio communication service and the terminal, and more particularly, to a method of transmitting an aggregated measurement report to a network in an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (E-UMTS) evolved from the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) or a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system. |
| US08838090B2 |
Automatic detection and correction of physical cell identity conflicts
A PCID conflict resolution procedure is implemented with the aid of a user terminal that is capable of detecting and reporting PCID conflicts between two neighboring neighbor cells. A base station in a serving cell configures measurement reporting by user terminals within the cell capable of reporting PCID conflicts. Once measurement reporting by one or more user terminals is configured, the base station will receive measurement reports from the capable user terminals. If a capable user terminal detects a PCID conflict, the user terminal will include an indication of the PCID conflict in the measurement report. When the base station receives a measurement report with an indication of a PCID conflict, the base station implements an autonomous PCID conflict resolution to resolve the PCID conflict. |
| US08838089B2 |
Method of improving radio resource control connenction establishment in a wireless communication system and related communication device
A method of improving Radio Resource Control, abbreviated to RRC, connection establishment for an RRC layer of a user equipment in a wireless communication system, the method including when a specific event occurs during an RRC connection establishment procedure, initiating the RRC connection establishment procedure based on completion of the specific event. |
| US08838087B1 |
Provisioning system and methods for interfaceless phone
A portable electronic device is provided comprising a processor, a memory, and a provisioning application that detects that the portable electronic device has powered on and received activation for wireless services. The portable electronic device receives a first input selecting installation of an interface pack on the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device receives the interface pack from a remote software distribution site, wherein the interface pack comprises a software installer, a first user application, and a second user application. The portable electronic device also executes the software installer wherein the software installer installs the first user application and installs the second user application on the portable electronic device. |
| US08838086B2 |
Systems and methods for management of background application events
Systems, methods, and devices for implementing a communication access policy are described herein. In some aspects, a wireless device is configured to execute a plurality of applications and to communicate with a communication network. The wireless device comprises a receiver configured to receive a plurality of rules specifying how one or more of the plurality of applications should communicate with the communication network. The wireless device comprises a processor configured to delay communication by one or more of the plurality of applications in compliance with the rules. The processor is further configured to allow transmission of the communication by one or more of the plurality of applications after termination of the delay. In one aspect, the processor is configured to separately record communication statistics based on whether the device is in a background or foreground state. |
| US08838082B2 |
Centralized status server for call management of location-aware mobile devices
Systems, methods and computer program products for utilizing location information in a virtual private branch exchange (vPBX) system are described. In some implementations, the vPBX system can use the location information to determine an availability status of a user of a mobile device (e.g., out of the office, in the office, at home, busy, and the like). The vPBX system can obtain the geographic coordinates of the mobile device and correlate these coordinates with known coordinates for locations associated with the user (e.g., the user's office, home, or other predefined locations). An inference of the user's availability can then be determined based on the correlation (e.g., whether the user is currently out of the user's office, at the user's home, or at another location). The user's availability can be made available to other users associated with the vPBX system, and can be used for call management (e.g., routing). |
| US08838080B2 |
Methods and apparatus for context-based communications through visualization
Apparatus and methods for providing visualization, which may be provided with Augmented Reality, illustrating information for a procedure on a wireless device include identifying and presenting a visualization scenario, such as a video and/or an animation illustrating the desired procedure to educate an user or provide guidance to an user to help him deal with his current context. The apparatus and methods also include revising the visualization scenario based upon an occurrence of an event that changes and/or alters the visualization scenario in a dynamic and adaptive manner. |
| US08838073B2 |
Systems and methods for pairing bluetooth devices
Embodiments of software-supervised pairing processes are provided. The processes enable a user to pair a mouse and keyboard with a Bluetooth transceiver without having to use a second mouse and keyboard. At least two separate processes are provided, including a long transition for initial pairing or re-pairing and a short transition for re-establishing a connection after devices have already been paired. |
| US08838072B2 |
Apparatus and method for mobile personal assistant
An apparatus and method for providing a mobile personal assistant are provided. The method includes receiving a telephone call at a mobile terminal, determining whether a user of the mobile terminal is available to take the call based on a current context of the mobile terminal; and when the user of the mobile terminal is not available to take the call, handling the call by a mobile personal assistant on behalf of the user. |
| US08838069B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods for sharing network services
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to mobile communication device users sharing their subscribed network services with other mobile communication device users. A borrowing mobile communication device is provided with the ability to remotely connect to a lending mobile communication device and use the subscribed network services of the lending mobile communication device when needed. This method allows the user of the lending mobile communication device to share subscribed network services. Besides using network services, it is possible to share displays between two mobile communication devices. A user of a lending mobile communication device shares the current display with a borrowing mobile communication device and vice-versa. This allows sharing among people who are not family members. Any registered user may subscribe to this network service sharing service and create a peer network. Users have the option to turn sharing on or off in the lending preferences. |
| US08838067B2 |
Account and asset loader tool
A system that enables reconciliation of accounts between a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and a mobile host operator (MHO) includes an asset loader server that receives data that defines a user event. The asset loader server generates a wholesale bill associated with the user event. The rate charged in the generated wholesale bill is based on a negotiated rate between the MVNO and the MHO that is different that the may be different than the rate at which the MVNO charges the user. The asset loader communicates the generated wholesale bill to a billing interface of the MNVO that is configured to receive an extensible markup language (XML) file that defines a wholesale bill associated with the MHO. The format of the generated wholesale bill is substantially the same as the format of the XML file associated with the MHO. |
| US08838064B2 |
Systems and methods for localized wireless notification
Implementations relate to systems and methods for localized notification that provide localized information to one or more mobile devices in a wireless communication system that are located in one or more geographical regions. The wireless communication system includes a localized notification server that responds to geographically-targeted broadcast requests and localized service or information requests. The localized notification server localizes components of the wireless communication system into sets of localized components that provide wireless communication service to mobile devices in the specific geographical regions.In response to a request to broadcast to a target geographical region, the localized notification server identifies a set of localized components associated with the target geographical region. The localized notification server then broadcasts information to mobile devices actively serviced by the set of localized components. |
| US08838063B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing emergency communication service in a wireless communication system
A method and apparatus providing an emergency communication service in a wireless communication system. A mobile station (MS) transmits a message requesting the emergency communication service to a base station (BS), receives a connection setup request message from the BS, the connection setup request message including a Service Flow Identifier (SFID) indicating that a service flow corresponding to the emergency communication service has been generated, a Flow Identifier (FID) between the BS and the MS for providing the emergency communication service, and an indicator indicating a connection request for the emergency communication service, performs a setup procedure for using the service flow based on the SFID, the FID, and the indicator and, upon completion of the setup procedure, transmits a data packet for the emergency communication service to the BS. |
| US08838062B2 |
Mobile communication terminal, emergency notice reception method, and non-transitory computer readable medium storing emergency notice reception program
The present invention provides a mobile communication terminal that enables notification of some kind of information regarding an emergency notice to a user when a part of data composing the emergency notice message can be received. The mobile communication terminal operates in compliance with a wireless system of 3GPP standard, and includes a channel evaluation unit 5 or a message evaluation unit 6 that, when a part of a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) is received from a base station among the PDU necessary for generating a Service Data Unit, evaluates at least one of a channel type and a message type of the part of received PDU, and a control unit 7 that notifies the user that the emergency notice is generated when the channel type or the message type evaluated by the channel evaluation unit 5 or the message evaluation unit 6 indicates information regarding the emergency notice. |
| US08838052B2 |
System and method for providing automatic tuning of a radio receiver and for providing automatic control of a CD/tape player
A sound system with a radio receiver having the ability to automatically tune to a new radio station if (a) the current radio station is broadcasting a song, program or other content that the user dislikes and/or (b) one of one or more predetermined radio stations is broadcasting content that the listener likes. In one embodiment, the sound system includes a tuner for tuning to a frequency of a radio station and for converting a radio signal transmitted by the radio station to an audio signal; a memory unit for storing a first set of templates, wherein the first set of templates correspond to a to a set of songs, programs, commercials, or other content disliked by the user of the sound system; and a recognition processor, coupled to the tuner and to the memory unit, for receiving the audio signal, generating templates from the audio signal, and comparing the generated templates to at least one of the templates within the first set of templates. If one of the generated templates matches one of the templates within the first set of templates, the tuner is automatically tuned to a new radio station. In this manner, the sound system automatically tunes to a new radio station when the current radio station broadcasts content that the user of the sound system has indicated a dislike thereof. |
| US08838051B1 |
Transmitter beamforming power control
A mechanism for controlling transmit power associated with a plurality of transmit chains of a beamforming transceiver system. A plurality of beamforming steering matrices associated with a plurality of subcarriers of an RF signal received at the transceiver system are generated. A maximum transmit power associated with each of the plurality of transmit chains of the transceiver system is calculated. A power scaling factor for each of the plurality of transmit chains is determined based, at least in part, on the beamforming steering matrices and the maximum transmit power associated with each transmit chain. At least one of the power scaling factors is applied to the plurality of transmit chains to control the transmit power associated with each transmit chain. |
| US08838042B2 |
RF front-end with integrated T/R switch
Disclosed is a transmit/receive circuit arrangement wherein a transceiver circuit including a transmit/receive switch is fabricated on an integrated circuit chip. A matching network is wholly disposed off-chip relative to the integrated circuit chip. In embodiments, at least a portion of the matching network is formed off-chip and a portion of the matching network is formed on-chip. |
| US08838040B2 |
System and method for link adaptation for variable link conditions
Systems, apparatus, methods, and manufactures for performing link adaptation in a communications system are described. The methods may employ an error rate table that has a channel condition value dimension and a transmission parameter dimension. The elements of the error rate table include expected error rates for data transmitted at various channel conditions according to various transmission parameters. Also, the various transmission parameters may each be associated with a data transmission rate. For a given channel condition value, the methods may determine expected throughputs for each of the transmission parameters according to the associated expected error rates and data transmission rates. A transmission parameter may be selected according to the expected throughputs. |
| US08838037B2 |
Mobile phone with humidity sensor
A mobile phone comprises a casing and a cavity in the casing. A humidity sensor is arranged for measuring a humidity in the cavity. In response to a trigger, a control unit analyzes a humidity signal supplied by the humidity sensor. A result of the analysis is presented via an output unit. Such device allows for measuring a humidity of a user's skin in case the user covers a window in the casing connected to the cavity by a body part. |
| US08838035B2 |
Apparatus and method to control idle-mode radio measurements
An apparatus and method for controlling idle mode radio measurements comprising: determining if a radio measurement is less than a radio threshold; determining a time duration in which the radio measurement is less than the radio threshold; determining if the time duration is greater than a time measurement threshold; and obtaining at least one other radio measurement from at least one base station which is not a serving cell. |
| US08838033B2 |
System and method for signal amplification
Methods and systems for processing a signal with a corresponding noise profile are disclosed. Aspects of the method may comprise analyzing spectral content of the noise profile. At least one noise harmonic within the signal may be filtered based on said analyzed spectral content. The filtered signal may be amplified. The noise profile may comprise a phase noise profile. The signal may comprise at least one of a sinusoidal signal and a noise signal. At least one filter coefficient that is used to filter the at least one noise harmonic may be determined. The filtering may comprise low pass filtering. The signal may be modulated prior to filtering. The amplifying may comprise buffering. A non-linearity characteristic of the signal may be determined and a noise harmonic may be low-pass filtered within the signal based on the determined non-linearity characteristic. |
| US08838030B2 |
Bluetooth earphone
A Bluetooth earphone includes a main body, an earpiece disposed at one side of the main body, an ear hanger, a power unit, and first and second rotating shafts. The ear hanger includes a first end portion disposed on the earpiece, a bent-back portion bent from the first end portion, and a second end portion extending from the bent-back portion. The power unit includes a battery set disposed removably on the second end portion of the ear hanger, and a transmission cable electrically connected to the main body and the battery set. The first rotating shaft unit connects the earpiece pivotally to the main body. The second rotating shaft unit connects the ear hanger pivotally to the earpiece. The Bluetooth earphone is adjustable to be worn on the left or right ear of a user, and is convenient to replace the battery set. |
| US08838028B2 |
Multi-mode cellular IC for multi-mode communications
An RFIC includes an RF section, a memory interface, a display interface, an audio codec, a bus matrix, and a processing unit. The RF section converts a first inbound RF signal into a first inbound symbol stream and converts a second inbound RF signal into a second inbound symbol stream. The memory interface is operably coupled to retrieve a video file from memory and the display interface is operable to provide video data to a display. The audio codec converts an output digital signal into an output voice signal. The processing unit converts the first inbound symbol stream into streaming video data; converts the second inbound symbol stream into the output digital signal; and facilitates providing, via the bus matrix, at least one of: the video file to the display interface as the video data; the streaming video data to the display interface as the video data; and the digital output signal to the audio codec. |
| US08838025B2 |
Method of protecting the execution of an NFC application loaded in a secure element forming an integral part of a mobile terminal
The invention relates to a method for securing the execution of an onboard NFC application in a secure element which does not include a native OTA application. The secure element interacts with a mobile terminal including a removable card. According to the invention, the method includes recording an identifier of the removable card in the secure element no later than when the NFC application is loaded onto the secure element. When an event occurs, a verification is made, in the secure element, whether or not the identifier of the removable card present in the mobile terminal corresponds to the identifier previously stored in the secure element, in order to detect a possible change of the removable card. |
| US08838024B2 |
Near field communication apparatus, display control method, and program
An information processing apparatus including a housing having a first surface and a second surface; a display disposed on the first surface of the housing; a near-field communication interface disposed at a first position on or beneath the second surface; and a processor configured to control the display to display a graphic indication corresponding to the near-field communication interface at a second position opposing the first position. |
| US08838020B2 |
Method for relaying data in a communication network
Example embodiments may include a method for transmitting a first transmit signal to a first relay. The first transmit signal may include a first data with a first direction and a second data with a second direction. The method may further include transmitting a second transmit signal to a second relay. The second transmit signal may include a third data with the first direction and a fourth data with the second direction. |
| US08838017B2 |
Wideband jammer detector
Techniques for detecting jammer signals in a received signal are described. In one aspect, high-speed current mirror resistive compensation circuits and output impedance boosting circuits are utilized to increase amplifier bandwidth in an improved wideband amplifier circuit. In another aspect, a dual transistor configuration including common source topology, averaging capacitors and a comparator circuit is utilized to improve the sensing of signal peaks in a peak detector block, which can be used together with the wideband amplifier circuit and a digital jammer detection circuit to detect jammer signals. The digital jammer detection circuit aids in the determination of the presence of jammer signals within the received signal, the determination of which may be variable due to programmability of the digital jammer detection circuit as described. |
| US08838013B2 |
Image elimination apparatus, image eliminating method and image forming apparatus
An image elimination apparatus includes a first reader configured to read a status of a sheet, a first judgment portion configured to judge whether the read sheet is reusable or not, an image eliminator configured to eliminate an image formed on the sheet, a second reader configured to read the sheet passing through the image eliminator, a second judgment portion configured to judge whether the image formed on the sheet is eliminated or not, and a controller configured to control the first reader and the second reader so as to read with different reading precision. |
| US08838011B2 |
Sheet size detecting apparatus
An image forming apparatus has a sheet size detecting unit with first and second arms each moved by contact with a moving sheet, the arms disposed at differing locations in a direction orthogonal to sheet movement. An actuator which acts on the sensor is not moved when only one arm is moved by sheet contact, but is moved when both arms are moved by sheet contact so that the sensor output level when only one arm is moved is the same as when neither arm is moved, and the output level of the sensor when both of arms have moved differs from when neither arm moves. The first and second arms have first and second regulating portions, respectively, for regulating actuator movement, and the actuator is moved only when both regulating portions are moved from contact of both arms with the moving sheet. |
| US08838009B2 |
Roller mechanism with support member and image forming apparatus having the roller
A roller mechanism includes a roller and a support member that supports the rotation shaft. Herein, the support member includes a bearing having an outer ring and inner ring which rotate relatively to each other, and a sleeve that is fittingly fixed to the inner ring, wherein the sleeve and rotation shaft are fitted to each other by clearance fitting and further engaged with each other with respect to a rotation direction. |
| US08838002B2 |
Image heating apparatus
There is disclosed a fixing apparatus capable of correcting inclined movement of an external heating belt 105 which heats a fixing roller 101 from the outside, in an axial direction of support rollers 103 and 104. A rotary shaft 209 is disposed as a rotation center, and the external heating belt 105 is configured to intersect a generating line of the fixing roller 101. Moreover, the turning shaft 209 is disposed at a position which is offset on an upstream side in a rotating direction of the fixing roller 101. Furthermore, the support roller 104 is positioned on a downstream side in the rotating direction of the fixing roller 101, and both ends of the support roller 104 in the axial direction are movably held, respectively, so that a distance between the centers of the rollers can be variable with respect to the support roller 103. |
| US08837997B2 |
Belt driving device
A belt driving device includes an endless belt, a tension roller, a shaft member, deviation transfer members, and biasing members. The deviation transfer members are fitted over the shaft member in such a manner as to adjoin respective of opposite ends of the tension roller in an axial direction of the tension roller. Of the deviation transfer members, at least that deviation transfer member which is located on a downstream side in a deviation direction along the axial direction is movable together with the endless belt along the shaft member. Each of the biasing members has an acting end pivotally supported on an associated one of the deviation transfer members and a base end pivotally supported on an associated one of apparatus frames at a predetermined position. |
| US08837996B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a transfer belt, a pressure receiving roller, a secondary transfer roller, and a belt movement restricting section. The belt movement restricting section is disposed close to the back of the belt. When pressing the belt between the pressure receiving roller and the secondary transfer roller, and nipping paper between the belt and the secondary transfer roller, an angle defined by the portion, upstream from the secondary transfer roller, of the belt and an imaginary line connecting the pressure-receiving-roller axis with the secondary-transfer-roller axis is less than 90 degrees. During non-secondary-transfer mode, the belt movement restricting section is separated from the belt. During secondary transfer, the belt movement restricting section holds the belt not to let the belt pushed by the paper move toward the pressure receiving roller. |
| US08837993B2 |
Developing device capable of precisely positioning thickness-regulating member
A developing device includes: a first frame; a second frame; a developer-carrying member; and a thickness-regulating member. The first frame includes: a pair of first walls opposed with each other; and a second wall connecting the pair of first walls and having a first fixing part. The second frame includes a third wall opposed to the second wall and attached to the pair of first walls when assembled to the first frame. The developer-carrying member has an axis extending in a first direction, is configured to rotate about the axis, and is disposed between the pair of first walls. The thickness-regulating member is fixed to the first fixing part and is configured to regulate a thickness of developer carried on the developer-carrying member. The third wall is disposed between the second wall and the thickness-regulating member. |
| US08837990B2 |
Liquid electrophotography ink developer
A developer flows ink from the ink inlet chamber along a first side of a first electrode, through a gap between the first electrode and a developer roller and back to the inlet chamber. |
| US08837987B2 |
Image forming apparatus with first and second interlocking doors
An image forming apparatus having: a guide that is a component of a conveyance route for a print medium; a first door that incorporates the guide, an inside of the conveyance route being exposed to an outside of a main body of the image forming apparatus when the first door is open; a functional component fixed to the first door, the functional component being placed in a specified position by contact with a component located inside the main body when the first door is closed; a first lock mechanism for keeping the first door closed; a second door that covers the first door when the second door is closed and that exposes the first door to the outside of the main body when the second door is open; and a second lock mechanism for keeping the second door closed. |
| US08837983B2 |
Process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A process cartridge attachable to and detachable from an image forming device includes a photosensitive drum that is configured to form an electrostatic latent image, a flange that is arranged to the photosensitive drum, including a cylindrical attachment part, a frame that rotatably holds the flange, and a load member that is slidably press-fitted to the attachment part of the flange. The frame includes an engagement part that is configured to engage with a part of the load member, and a rotation of an end part of the load member is regulated by a regulation surface of the engagement part. |
| US08837978B2 |
Slide rail assembly and image forming apparatus with the same
A slide rail assembly includes a fixed rail, a movable rail, and a lever member engageable to the fixed rail. In a state where the movable rail is fully removed from the fixed rail, the lever member locks a ball retainer against sliding movement relative to the fixed rail. In a state where the movable rail is assembled to the fixed rail, the lever member releases the locking of the ball retainer. The lever member includes a pressure receiving portion projectable through a window portion of the ball retainer. During reassembly of the movable rail to the fixed rail, the pressure receiving portion is pressed by a pressing portion of the movable rail, so that the locking of the ball retainer by the lever member is released. |
| US08837974B2 |
Image forming apparatus, output control method, and program for outputting carbonless copy paper for the purpose of checking printing
An image forming apparatus includes a specifying unit configured to, when a user operation for instructing checking of printing is performed during printing, specify, according to a type of carbonless copy paper of a page being printed, carbonless copy paper for checking corresponding to the carbonless copy paper being printed, and an output unit configured to output the carbonless copy paper being printed and the carbonless copy paper for checking specified by the specifying unit. |
| US08837973B2 |
Image processing apparatus, control method thereof, and storage medium
The present invention provides an image processing apparatus for performing a process of transiting to a power-off state or sleep state in accordance with the connected state of an interface, a control method thereof, and a storage medium. To accomplish this, if a condition for changing the power state of this image processing apparatus is satisfied, the image processing apparatus confirms an interface which is able to communicate with an external apparatus, and determines whether the image processing apparatus can transit to the sleep state based on the confirmation result. If it is determined that the image processing apparatus transits to the sleep state, the image processing apparatus is transited to the sleep state. If it is determined that the image processing apparatus does not transit to the sleep state, the image processing apparatus is turned off. |
| US08837965B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus and a control method thereof are provided that determine a final contrast potential taking into consideration not only the relationship between the contrast potential of an electrostatic latent image and the density value of a developed image but also a toner charge amount for developing the electrostatic latent image. To accomplish this, the image forming apparatus of the present invention predicts, in advance, the contrast potential of the electrostatic latent image and the density of the toner image at the contrast potential for a predetermined toner charge amount. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus forms an image by adjusting the relationship between the contrast potential and density measured in advance based on a current toner charge amount and a saturation toner charge amount when forming the image. |
| US08837962B2 |
Image forming apparatus with function for correcting deviation of image forming position
When an input image is to be formed on a sheet conveyed to a transfer roller, the exposure section is controlled and deviation correction is performed to offset the image forming position across the width of the sheet in response to the result of detection by a deviation sensor. By contrast, when pattern images are to be formed on a sheet in response to the instruction of the main control section, the image forming control section does not perform deviation correction in the process of forming a pattern image. |
| US08837955B2 |
Phase modulation apparatus, transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus, and phase modulation method
It is aimed to provide a phase modulation apparatus that realizes high-precision phase modulation in high-speed phase modulation of dual optical pulses. A phase modulator 105 included in the phase modulation apparatus, when a dual optical pulse with a time difference composed of a signal optical pulse SP and a reference optical pulse RP passes therethrough, phase-modulates this dual optical pulse in proportion to an applied voltage of an electrical pulse. As a result, a phase-modulated SP′ and a phase-modulated RP′ are output. A modulation signal generator 106 outputs an electrical pulse of a predetermined bias at an input timing of a trigger signal, according to an input of a four-valued data signal, for example. The modulation signal generator 106 outputs, for one input of the trigger signal, a dual electrical pulse having a time difference and having opposite polarities. The time difference of this dual electrical pulse corresponds to the time difference of the dual optical pulse that passes through the phase modulator 105. |
| US08837953B2 |
Mitigating noise and OBI in RFoG networks
A bi-directional optical transceiver includes multiple single mode optical ports and a multi-mode optical port. A multi-mode optical combiner combines single mode optical signals received at the single mode optical ports into a multi-mode optical signal at the multi-mode optical port. Each single mode optical signal having a distinct optical mode that does not interfere with the optical mode of the other single mode optical signals. A photo detector coupled to the multi-mode optical combiner detects a total optical power of the single mode optical signals in the multi-mode optical signal. |
| US08837948B2 |
Multimode optical amplifier as a receiver pre-amplifier for free-space optical communications
In the method for processing a signal light from free-space by amplifying said signal for free-space optical communications, wherein the improvement includes the steps of (a) pre-amplifying said signal light with low noise; and (b) coupling said signal light into a multimode filter which reduces coupling losses compared to single mode filters. |
| US08837947B2 |
Apparatus for pseudo-return-to-zero modulation
A Pseudo-Return-to-Zero modulator is provided with a narrow pulse clock generator, a modulator driver, and an optical modulator. The narrow pulse clock generator generates a narrow pulse clock of order n, where one of levels occupies half a symbol period and the other level occupies (n−1) plus half a symbol period, n being equal to or more than two. The modulator driver generates an electrical signal in response to binary data and the narrow pulse clock. The optical modulator modulates an optical carrier in response to the electrical signal so that the modulated optical carrier is in a PRZ(n) format. |
| US08837946B2 |
Data transmission apparatus and method for use in separate-type base station
A data transmission apparatus for use in a separate-type base station is provided. The data transmission apparatus includes: a digital unit configured to generate first data that includes transmission method information indicating a selected transmission method and data to be transmitted; a time-division synchronization control unit configured to, in response to the selected transmission method being time-division multiplexing (TDM), generate second data by including synchronization information for transmitting the first data using TDM in the first data; and a wavelength conversion unit configured to convert at least one of the first data and the second data into one or more wavelength optical signals using a predefined wavelength or a predefined group of wavelengths and transmit the wavelength optical signals to one or more radio stations. |
| US08837943B2 |
Communication system and method for directly transmitting signals between nodes of a communication system
A communication system has a plurality of nodes adapted to provide for a communication with one or more devices, a central node, a passive optical network having a multiplexer/demultiplexer device adapted to demultiplex a first optical signal from the central node to the plurality of nodes, and to multiplex second optical signals from one or more of the nodes, each node having allocated a wavelength for generating its optical signal, wherein for directly transmitting signals from one node to at least one of the other nodes, the one node is adapted to generate an optical signal at the wavelength allocated to the at least one of the other nodes, the optical signal including the signal to be transmitted, and wherein the multiplexer/demultiplexer device of the passive optical network is adapted to combine the optical signal from the one node with the first optical signal. |
| US08837942B2 |
Apparatus and method for packet-optical integrated transport
A packet-optical integrated transport apparatus includes a packet transmitter for outputting single-wavelength signal multiplexed to a preset channel on the basis of packet traffic or circuit traffic input from a metro access region, and an optical transmitter for multiplexing the single-wavelength signal output from the packet transmitter to a multi-channel wavelength signal and adding or dropping the multiplexed multi-channel wavelength signal to or from a node. The apparatus further includes a system controller for transmitting constituent element initialization information to the packet transmitter and the optical transmitter and receiving constituent element operation status information. |
| US08837938B2 |
Method and device for monitoring submarine cable system
A method and a device for monitoring a cable system in the field of communications are provided. An optical signal emitted by an optical source to a transmission link of the cable system is divided into two paths of optical signals, in which one path of optical signals serve as local coherent light, and the other path of optical signals are transformed by multipath frequency shift to multiple paths of detection optical signals of different frequencies. A monitoring result is obtained by performing coherent detection, with the local coherent light, on the returned optical signals of the multiple paths of detection optical signals of different frequencies. The device includes an optical source, a multipath frequency shift module, and a coherency module. |
| US08837937B2 |
Detecting device for detecting insertion loss and return loss of individual events in an optical fiber network
A detecting device that detects insertion loss of fiber route and return loss of individual events in an optical fiber network based on signals from dual paths to obtain various kinds of reference information of the optical fiber network. When the first path is selected, a detection signal produced using frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) technique is output to the optical fiber network. A return signal of the detection signal is used to analyze the position and return loss of various events in the optical fiber network. When the second path is selected, a common detection light is output to the optical fiber network. Based on the return signal of the common detection light, the insertion loss and total return loss of the entire network are obtained. |
| US08837935B2 |
Technique for monitoring optical networks
A technique for monitoring at least a network portion of an optical communication network, by monitoring changes of a decision threshold used for discriminating a digital optical signal being propagated via the network portion. |
| US08837933B2 |
Shutter control device
A shutter control device that uses an imaging device provided in a camera body to operate a shutter housed in a lens barrel to perform photography. The shutter control device comprises a communication port and a shutter control unit. The communication port is provided for transmitting and receiving signals between the camera body and the lens barrel. The shutter control unit is provided in the camera body, and outputs a shutter control signal to operate the shutter. The shutter control signal is transmitted to the lens barrel through the communication port. |
| US08837931B2 |
Trend-based temperature compensation for a monitoring device
A method, performed by a monitoring device, may include detecting a temperature change, greater than a temperature change threshold, from a previous temperature to a current temperature; retrieving a trend-based motor position setting for a focus motor from a trend statistics memory based on the current temperature; and selecting a starting motor position setting for the focus motor based on the retrieved trend-based motor position setting or a current motor position setting. The method may further include performing a just noticeable difference modification on the focus motor using the selected starting motor position setting, wherein the just noticeable difference corresponds to a change in a motor position setting that results in a perceivable change in a focus level of the monitoring device, and selecting a temperature adjusted motor position setting for the focus motor based on a result of the just noticeable difference modification. |
| US08837929B2 |
Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus includes a front lens group including a front lens element and a prism, a prism holder which supports the prism, a movable frame which supports the front lens element and is supported by the prism holder to be movable along a plane orthogonal to the optical axis, and a driver which drives the movable frame to reduce image shake. The driver includes a permanent magnet and a coil positioned in a magnetic field of the permanent magnet, wherein one of the permanent magnet and the coil is a movable element which is fixed to the movable frame to move with the movable frame, the other of the permanent magnet and the coil is a fixed element, which does not move with the movable frame, and a position of the fixed element is determined by the prism holder. |
| US08837928B1 |
Camera housing
A camera housing comprises a four-sided frame. A first side of the four-sided frame includes a first segment, a second segment, and a latch mechanism with a first latch component and a second latch component. The first latch component and the second latch component are pivotally coupled such that in a closed position, the frame securely encloses a camera and in an open position, the first segment and the second segment are separable. |
| US08837923B2 |
Pulsed processing semiconductor heating methods using combinations of heating sources
Pulsed processing methods and systems for heating objects such as semiconductor substrates feature process control for multi-pulse processing of a single substrate, or single or multi-pulse processing of different substrates having different physical properties. Heat is applied a controllable way to the object during a background heating mode, thereby selectively heating the object to at least generally produce a temperature rise throughout the object during background heating. A first surface of the object is heated in a pulsed heating mode by subjecting it to at least a first pulse of energy. Background heating is controlled in timed relation to the first pulse. A first temperature response of the object to the first energy pulse may be sensed and used to establish at least a second set of pulse parameters for at least a second energy pulse to at least partially produce a target condition. |
| US08837922B2 |
In-line duct supplemental heating and cooling device and method
A method of heating or cooling a room of a building includes providing supplemental warmer or cooler air to the room with an inline duct supplemental heating and cooling device mounted along an air duct that 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. |
| US08837919B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
An information processing apparatus that includes a processor that reproduces video data, and an interface that receives an instruction to perform a fast forward operation or a rewind operation on the reproduced video data. The processor, upon receiving the instruction, controls a display to display a first line of thumbnail images each corresponding to a frame of the video data selected at a first time interval, and subsequently controls the display to display a second line of thumbnail images each corresponding to a frame of the video data selected at a second time interval. |
| US08837917B2 |
Randomly accessible visual information recording medium and recording method, and reproducing device and reproducing method
Access point pictures designated as randomly accessible positions are I pictures or P pictures. Information indicating the decoding sequence (I1, P1, B1, B2, B3, B4, P2, . . . ) of pictures functioning as access points and attribute information (picture_type) indicating whether a picture functions as an access point or is necessary for decoding of the access point following a given access point are recorded on the video information recording medium. Random access is possible even if the GOP interval is lengthened. |
| US08837916B2 |
Apparatus and method to provide adaptive recording
An apparatus and a method to provide adaptive recording, in which a group of pictures (GOP) is selectively recorded in a multi-media apparatus having a recording function. The recording method includes decoding content data and analyzing the content data in GOPs of the content data, and selectively storing an analyzed GOP according to recording settings. |
| US08837915B2 |
Personalized recordings including bookmarks
Personalized recordings may be provided. A first request to record an asset may be received. The first request may be associated with a first user and may include at least one first option. Next, a second request to record the asset may be received. The second request may be associated with a second user and may include at least one second option. Then the asset may be recorded consistent with the at least one first option and the least one second option. Next, a “my recordings list” associated with the first user may be displayed. In response to the displayed “my recordings” list associated with the first user, a request to play the asset may then be received. Next, in response to the received request to play the asset, the asset may be played consistent with the at least one first option. |
| US08837914B2 |
Digital multimedia playback method and apparatus
A digital multimedia playback method and apparatus is provided, in which a user interface is used for allowing a user to conveniently play various multimedia contents. The digital multimedia playback method includes navigating contents stored in an external device connected to a digital multimedia playback apparatus through a communication line and providing a list of the found contents through a user interface, playing first found contents that have been first found among the found contents, analyzing a user input signal input through the user interface, and controlling playback, providing an additional function, or stopping playback and providing a navigation screen based on the analyzed user input signal. When a playback stop signal is consecutively input through the user interface, a message requesting removal of the communication line is displayed on the user interface. |
| US08837912B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a control unit controlling playback of an image of an edit target, and a generation unit generating edit information including information indicating multiple edit effects applied in combination with the image of an edit interval and information indicating the edit interval, where, in a playback interval of the image, the edit interval is an interval from a playback position at a time an instruction is given during the playback of the image to a position a predetermined time after the playback position. |
| US08837911B2 |
Generating transitions for remapping video playback time
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to generating transitions for remapping video playback time. The subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a method that includes providing a digital video editing user interface that includes a variable rate speed control configured to define associated keyframe elements including a begin element, an end element and an intermediate time element; receiving input defining at least one of the keyframe elements in relation to a sequence of digital video; and generating a time transition function for remapping playback time of the video based on the input, wherein the time transition function maintains predefined speed for video frames leading into the begin element, maintains predefined speed for video frames leading away from the end element, and changes video speed from a begin speed value to an end speed value in accordance with one or more intermediate time element values. |
| US08837900B2 |
Unintended video recording detection in a video recording device
Techniques are provided for determining occurrence of an unintended video recording in a device. One or more features of a video recording are analyzed in the video recording device to determine whether at least a portion of the video recording is unintended. If one or more portions are determined to be unintended, one or more actions are initiated in the video recording device. |
| US08837899B2 |
Image recording apparatus and image playback apparatus
An image recording playback apparatus which, when recording moving image data, performs image capture at high-speed read time Dt, records all the captured images, and records a playback rate Ft (Vt), the read time Dt and image valid time St, with the image data, on a recording medium. Then upon playback of moving image data, the image recording playback apparatus plays back the recorded image data within the image valid time St in accordance with the playback rate. The image recording playback apparatus having this configuration can perform playback intended by a user. Further, when sharpness is to be changed, a playback image with different sharpness can be obtained by changing the image valid time St upon playback. |
| US08837898B2 |
Proximity-based video playback synchronization
A method and apparatus for video playback includes coordinating a display of a video playback on a first device so as to be synchronized to a display of the video at a second device in response to the first device departing a control territory associated with the second device. |
| US08837882B2 |
Light-based touch surface with curved borders
A light-based touch-sensitive surface, including a housing, a surface attached to the housing for receiving touch input, a plurality of light sources in the housing for emitting light that crosses the surface, a plurality of light receivers in the housing for detecting the light emitted by the light sources, a curved lens adjacent to the surface through which the light emitted by the light sources passes, including two substantially similarly curved exterior panels, one of which forms a curved rim for the surface, and a calculating unit in said housing, connected to the light receivers, for calculating a touch location based on an absence of light expected to be received by the receivers. |
| US08837881B2 |
Optical connector having high coupling precision
An optical connector includes a jumper, optical fibers and an optical-electric coupling element. The jumper includes a lower surface and an upper surface. The jumper defines a first receiving hole and a second receiving hole. A flange perpendicularly extends upward from a periphery of the upper surface. The flange defines a locating opening. The optical-electric coupling element includes a bottom surface and a top surface. The bottom surface forms at least two first coupling lenses. The bottom surface defines a cutout spatially corresponds with the flange of the jumper. The cutout includes a bottom portion. A locating projector extends upward from the bottom portion. The locating projector is inserted into the locating opening to attach the jumper into the optical-electric coupling element, with each of the first coupling lens being received in the first receiving hole or the second receiving hole. The flange being received in the cutout. |
| US08837874B2 |
Opto-electric hybrid board and method of manufacturing same
An opto-electric hybrid board capable of suppressing the increase in light propagation losses and excellent in flexibility, and a method of manufacturing the same, are provided. The opto-electric hybrid board includes an electric circuit board, an optical waveguide, and a metal layer. The electric circuit board includes an insulative layer having front and back surfaces, and electrical interconnect lines formed on the front surface of the insulative layer. The optical waveguide is formed on the back surface of the insulative layer. The metal layer is formed between the cladding layer and the insulative layer. At least part of the metal layer is formed in one of first and second patterns. The first pattern includes a distribution of dot-shaped protrusions, and the second pattern includes a distribution of dot-shaped recesses. A first cladding layer fills a site where the metal layer is removed by the patterning. |
| US08837873B2 |
Opto-electric hybrid board and manufacturing method therefor
Provided are an opto-electric hybrid board and a manufacturing method therefor. An optical waveguide unit includes protruding portions which are extendingly provided at portions of at least one of an undercladding layer and an overcladding layer, and the protruding portions are located and formed at predetermined locations with respect to a light transmitting surface of a core. An electric circuit unit includes a bent portion having fitting holes into which the protruding portions fit and having an optical element. The fitting holes are located and formed at predetermined locations with respect to the optical element. The optical waveguide unit and the electric circuit unit are coupled to each other in a state in which the protruding portions fit into the fitting holes to form an opto-electric hybrid board. |
| US08837872B2 |
Waveguide structures for signal and/or power transmission in a semiconductor device
A device is described which includes a waveguide structure for signal transmission and power/ground delivery The waveguide structure includes a signal transmission part for transmitting an optical signal from an illuminant device to a detector. The signal transmission part may include transparent polymer, diamond or glass. The signal transmission part is used for a waveguide. The waveguide structure further includes a power/ground delivery part surrounding the signal transmission part. The power/ground delivery part is composed of at least one metal layer. Thus, the waveguide structure can provide an optical-signal transmission with high speed and high volume through the signal transmission part, while a stable power or ground reference can be provided to multiple units through the power/ground delivery part. |
| US08837869B2 |
SOA-PLC hybrid integrated polarization diversity circuit and method for manufacturing the same
The invention of the present application provides an SOA-PLC hybrid integrated polarization diversity circuit including a PLC-PBS chip and an SOA-COS whose respective waveguides are coupled to each other. The PLC-PBS chip includes: first and second optical waveguides; a Mach-Zehnder interferometer circuit; and a half-wave plate placed in the first optical waveguide which TM mode light is split into. The SOA-COS includes: a third optical waveguide connected to the first optical waveguide; a fourth optical waveguide connected to the second optical waveguide; and an SOA formed in at least one of the third and fourth optical waveguides. One end of the third optical waveguide and one end of the fourth optical waveguide are connected to a U-turn optical waveguide, the one ends being not connected to the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide, respectively. |
| US08837868B2 |
Image capture and identification system and process
A digital image of the object is captured and the object is recognized from plurality of objects in a database. An information address corresponding to the object is then used to access information and initiate communication pertinent to the object. |
| US08837865B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image capturing apparatus, and method of controlling the same
The present invention provides an image processing apparatus for performing image processing of image data in which information specifying, on a first coordinate system, a position of a portion of interest in an image is recorded, including an image processing unit configured to perform rotation processing of the image data using a second coordinate system having an origin different from that of the first coordinate system, and a change unit configured to change the information specifying the position of the portion of interest in accordance with a rotation amount of the image data by the rotation processing such that an image of the portion of interest specified by the information specifying the position of the portion of interest after the rotation processing matches that before the rotation processing. |
| US08837862B2 |
Image stitching method and camera system
An image stitching method adapted to stitch a plurality of fundus images of an animal is provided. The image stitching method includes following steps. A plurality of fundus images of the animal are captured, where the fundus images partially overlap. The fundus images are respectively converted into a plurality of grayscale images. The contrasts of the grayscale images are enhanced. The grayscale images with enhanced contrasts are compared to obtain a plurality of stitching data. The fundus images are stitched according to the stitching data. Additionally, a camera system is also provided. |
| US08837856B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer readable medium
An image processing apparatus includes the following elements. A receiving device receives an image. An extracting device extracts regions from the image received by the receiving device. A selecting device selects a region from among the regions extracted by the extracting device in accordance with a predetermined rule. A measuring device measures luminance values of pixels contained in the region selected by the selecting device. An estimating device estimates a function representing a degree of fog in the image received by the receiving device from the luminance values of the pixels measured by the measuring device. An eliminating device eliminates fog from the image received by the receiving device on the basis of the function estimated by the estimating device. |
| US08837853B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, information recording medium, and program providing image blur correction
There is provided an image processing apparatus including an image signal correction unit for performing a blur correction process on an image. The image signal correction unit includes a blur correction processing section configured to perform a blend process for a default filter and a coordinate position-corresponding high pass filter, which is generated according to an image height of a pixel to be subjected to blur correction, using a blend coefficient determined according to the image height of the pixel to be subjected to blur correction, and to perform a blur correction process using a filter generated through the blend process. |
| US08837850B2 |
Method for reducing noise for coding of noisy images or image sequences
A prediction error (eq[x,y]) is added to a predicted frame ({circumflex over (f)}[x,y]) or a predicted block for receiving a decoded frame (gq[x,y]) or a decoded block to be further used in a prediction loop by an encoder or to be sent to the output of a decoder. The reference frame (gq[x,y]) or the reference block includes a useful signal part and a noise signal part. The reference frame (gq[x,y]) or reference block pass through a dedicated noise reducing filter to reduce or eliminate the noise signal part of the reference frame (gq[x,y]) or reference block. |
| US08837848B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method
In the printer, the correction content setting portion sets equal to or more than one correction contents, the decimation rate setting portion sets decimation rates for respective planes of Y, Cb, and Cr of JPEG data (compressed data) based on the set correction contents. Pixels are decimated at the set decimation rates and the decompression processing unit decompresses the JPEG data so as to generate image data. In this manner, decimation processing is performed in accordance with the plurality of correction contents. Therefore, for example, inverse quantization processing, inverse DCT operation processing, and the like, can be omitted in accordance with the correction contents. The decompression processing may be executed on a sampling image to be used for sampling when the contents of correction to be performed on the image data are determined and on a print image to be used for printing. |
| US08837847B2 |
Determining focal lengths of photographs
A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium are disclosed for determining focal lengths of photographs. Image content is displayed in a graphical user interface. The image content is derived from a photograph taken with a lens having a focal length. The focal length is unknown when the image content is initially displayed. A user interface control is displayed in the graphical user interface. The user interface control is displayed on or proximate to the image content. User input comprising a change in position of the user interface control is received. The focal length is determined based on the change in position of the user interface control. |
| US08837843B2 |
Motion estimation device to manage encoding time and associated method
A motion estimation device includes a memory to store a reference image, a bus connected to the memory; and a motion estimator to control a size of data of a reference image block depending on an available bandwidth of the bus when extracting at least one reference image block for motion estimation from the reference image through the bus. |
| US08837839B1 |
Method for recognition and pose estimation of multiple occurrences of multiple objects in visual images
Described is a system for multiple-object recognition in visual images. The system is configured to receive an input test image comprising at least one object. Keypoints representing the object are extracted using a local feature algorithm. The keypoints from the input test image are matched with keypoints from at least one training image stored in a training database, resulting in a set of matching keypoints. A clustering algorithm is applied to the set of matching keypoints to detect inliers among the set of matching keypoints. The inliers and neighboring keypoints in a vicinity of the inliers are removed from the input test image. An object label and an object boundary for the object are generated, and the object in the input test image is identified and segmented. Also described is a method and computer program product for multiple-object recognition in visual images. |
| US08837834B2 |
Method and device for identifying an image acquisition feature of a digital image and apparatus for implementing such a device
The invention particularly relates to a method for identifying an image acquisition feature of a digital image oriented in a coordinate system having a reference axis. According to the invention, this method comprises the steps of: (A) detecting the contours of each distinctive element of the image; -(B) forming a list including each contour constituted by a rectilinear segment; (C) searching, in the list of rectilinear contours, a pair of significant rectilinear segments; (D) in the case where step (C) is successful, checking for a condition of relative symmetry of the significant rectilinear segments with respect to the reference axis; and (E) producing, respectively in the case where step (D) is successful and in the case where one of steps (C) and (D) fails, a data respectively representative of the presence and absence of perspective in the image acquisition, with respect to the reference axis. |
| US08837827B2 |
Red-eye removal using multiple recognition channels
This disclosure pertains to apparatuses, methods, and computer readable media for red-eye removal techniques using multiple recognition channels. In the following examples, red, golden, and white recognition channels are used. A recognition channel is the monochrome extraction from a color photograph in a manner designed to make one kind of red-eye artifact glow with maximum contrast. Once the red-eye artifact has been characterized by, e.g., size and location, the techniques disclosed herein may then discern whether the red-eye artifact is, for example, a red-, golden-, or white-eye case by examining the configuration and characteristics of prominence bitmasks created for the various recognition channels. Once the type of red-eye case has been discerned, the techniques disclosed herein may then replace the artifact with a photographically reasonable result based on the type of red-eye case being repaired. Specular reflection may also be re-added to the photograph. |
| US08837821B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer readable recording medium
An image processing apparatus includes: a first judging unit that determines an unnecessary candidate region, on a basis of first feature data based on color information of an intraluminal image; and a second judging unit that judges whether the unnecessary candidate region is an unnecessary region, based on second feature data, which is different from the first feature data, of the unnecessary candidate region. |
| US08837818B2 |
Document image processing apparatus, document image processing method, and computer-readable recording medium having recorded document image processing program
A feature section including a feature of a candidate region but not including a feature of a related large region is set as for a style type different in feature from the related large region among a plurality of style types, with respect to each index candidate region. At least one or both of the large regions and the candidate regions having the feature included in the set feature section are grouped. An index evaluation degree is calculated, based on the grouped result, with respect to each candidate region. It is determined whether or not a logical element of each candidate region is an index, based on the calculated index evaluation degree. |
| US08837815B2 |
Method of filtering a disparity mesh obtained from pixel images
A method of filtering a disparity mesh from pixel images according to the invention, where the disparity mesh comprises a plurality of points, where each point is associated with values of two planar coordinates (X, Y) and a disparity value (D) and where the values are quantization pitches, comprises the step: filtering planes by filtering 2D-lines in 2D-spaces (X-D, Y-D) of the planar coordinates (X,Y) and the disparity (D). |
| US08837804B2 |
Method and device for testing value documents
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for recognizing forged value documents, for example composed forgeries which are assembled from parts of different value documents. In the inventive method, the signal intensity of a measuring signal is determined at a plurality of measuring points on a value document. For one or more selected groups of measuring points which are disposed in particular along certain directions on the value document there are determined gradient values of the signal intensities. The gradient values of a group are subsequently linked to form a connection strength of the group which provides a quantitative statement about the extent to which a large gradient value exists consistently within the particular group. From a relatively great connection strength there can be inferred the presence of a separating line in the area of the selected group of measuring points. |
| US08837802B2 |
Image analysis system and method for determining cancerous cells
An image analysis system for determining cancerous cells includes an acquisition module, an image capturing module and a multi-spectral image reproduction module. A method for determining cancerous cells includes a spectral database establishing procedure of cancerous cells and a cell determining procedure of multi-spectral image reproduction. The spectral database establishing procedure includes a penetration spectrum analysis step and a database establishing step. The cell determining procedure is based on the cancerous spectrum database and includes an image capturing step, a cell location contouring step, a penetration spectrum analyzing step, a classifying step, a color gaining step, an image reproduction step and a cell determining step. |
| US08837801B2 |
Multi-energy X-ray system, image processing apparatus for discriminating multi-energy X-ray material, and image processing method for material discrimination of multi-energy X-ray system
Disclosed are a multi-energy x-ray system, an image processing apparatus for discriminating a multi-energy x-ray material, and an image processing method for material discrimination of a multi-energy x-ray system. The image processing apparatus for discriminating a multi-energy x-ray material according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a table for recording attenuation information and multi-energy x-ray spectrum information which correspond to one or more materials; an initial image estimating portion for estimating an initial image of each of the materials with respect to a projection image of each of the energy bands generated when a multi-energy x-ray spectrum passes through a detecting target formed with one or more materials; and an image update portion for updating the initial image as the material discrimination image using the estimated initial image and the spectrum information recorded in the table and the attenuation information recorded in the table. |
| US08837796B1 |
Systems and methods for monitoring a dermatologic condition
A system for monitoring a dermatologic condition is provided. The system may include a processor configured to receive an image depicting a dermatologic condition and a swatch adjacent to the dermatologic condition, normalize the image to receive a normalized image, and detect one or more parameters associated with the dermatologic condition based on the normalized image. The system may then perform a search of previously taken images of the same dermatologic condition, compare them with a newly taken image, and advise a user whether any changes were detected. |
| US08837795B2 |
Microscopy of several samples using optical microscopy and particle beam microscopy
A method for the microscopy of samples using optical microscopy and particle beam microscopy provides that the samples are divided into a partial quantity and a residual quantity and the samples of the partial quantity are prepared to contain registration marks. The samples of the partial quantity are imaged using optical microscopy and particle beam microscopy, with the result that a pair of optical microscopy images and particle beam microscopy images is obtained for each sample of the partial quantity. The pairs are position-registered relative to each other using the registration marks. The images of the position-registered pairs are modified by removing the registration marks. A registration algorithm is trained which evaluates the image contents and issues a quality measure for a position registration of each pair. The objects of the residual quantity are imaged. These pairs are position-registered by the trained registration algorithm to maximize the quality measure. |
| US08837793B2 |
Reconstruction stabilizer and active vision
A method for stabilizing the reconstruction of an imaged volume is presented. The method includes the steps of performing an analysis of the reliability of reconstruction of a radioactive-emission density distribution of the volume from radiation detected over a specified set of views, and defining modifications to the reconstruction process and/or data collection process to improve the reliability of reconstruction, in accordance with the analysis. |
| US08837791B2 |
Feature location method and system
A method of locating anatomical features in a medical imaging dataset comprises obtaining a medical imaging measurement dataset that comprises image data for a subject body as a function of position; and performing a registration procedure that comprises:—providing a mapping between positions in the measurement dataset and positions in a reference dataset, wherein the reference dataset comprises reference image data for a reference body as a function of position, the reference dataset comprises at least one anatomical landmark, and the or each anatomical landmark is indicative of the position of a respective anatomical feature of the reference body; matching image data in the measurement dataset with image data for corresponding positions in the reference dataset, wherein the corresponding positions are determined according to the mapping; determining a measure of the match between the image data of the measurement dataset and the image data of the reference dataset; varying the mapping to improve the match between the image data of the measurement dataset and the image data of the reference dataset, thereby to obtain a registration mapping; and using the registration mapping to map the positions of the anatomical landmarks to positions in the measurement dataset, thereby to assign positions to anatomical features in the measurement dataset. |
| US08837790B2 |
Medical diagnosis support device
The present invention provides a medical diagnosis support device which enables a user to acquire the most appropriate information to support medical diagnosis without causing the user so much trouble. Specifically, the medical diagnosis support device comprises: an image processing method storage portion 152 for memorizing plural types of image processing methods; a photographing method storage portion 153 for memorizing plural types of photographing methods; an identification information acquisition portion 160 for acquiring identification information of a specimen S; an image processing method selection portion 141 for selecting, based on identification information thus acquired, a corresponding image processing method from the image processing method storage portion 152; a photographing method selection portion 142 for selecting, based on the acquired identification information or the image processing method thus selected, a corresponding photographing method from the photographing method storage portion 153; a specimen photographing portion 110 for photographing the specimen S according to the selected photographing method to acquire a specimen image; and an image processing portion 145 for subjecting the specimen image acquired by the specimen photographing portion 110, to image processing, according to the image processing method selected by the image processing method selection portion 141. |
| US08837789B2 |
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for computer aided lung nodule detection in chest tomosynthesis images
A procedure for image segmentation of a lung in tomosynthesis images includes determining a focal plane image of a lung from among a plurality of tomosynthesis images, determining boundaries of the lung in the focal plane image based on a sequence of best-path algorithms cascaded together, assembling the tomosynthesis images to obtain a 3D image of the lung, determining a boundary of a rib in the 3D image of the lung, and segmenting the lung based on the boundaries of the lung and the boundary of the rib. A procedure for detecting nodules in tomosynthesis images includes generating a blurred nodule template, generating a blurred vessel template and a blurred rib template, determining, based on the blurred nodule template, a nodule candidate in 3D image of a lung, and determining, based on the blurred vessel template and a blurred rib template, that the nodule candidate is a nodule. |
| US08837786B2 |
Face recognition apparatus and method
A face recognition apparatus and method. Sub-images having different face sizes are generated using a received face image of a person to be identified. Feature vectors of the sub-images are generated and observation nodes are generated based on the feature vectors. The observation nodes corresponding to the sub-images are compared with stored reference nodes of sub-images of a registered person on a face size by face size basis to calculate similarity scores between the observation nodes and the reference nodes. State nodes are generated based on the respective similarity scores of the face sizes, the observation and state nodes are compared, and the state nodes are compared to perform face recognition. This improves face recognition performance and face recognition speed. Face recognition performance robust to facial expression variation or type information is achieved by performing I-shaped curvature Gabor filtering on a plurality of sub-images based on the eye distance. |
| US08837785B2 |
Red-eye removal using multiple recognition channels
This disclosure pertains to apparatuses, methods, and computer readable media for red-eye removal techniques using multiple recognition channels. In the following examples, red, golden, and white recognition channels are used. A recognition channel is the monochrome extraction from a color photograph in a manner designed to make one kind of red-eye artifact glow with maximum contrast. Once the red-eye artifact has been characterized by, e.g., size and location, the techniques disclosed herein may then discern whether the red-eye artifact is, for example, a red-, golden-, or white-eye case by examining the configuration and characteristics of prominence bitmasks created for the various recognition channels. Once the type of red-eye case has been discerned, the techniques disclosed herein may then replace the artifact with a photographically reasonable result based on the type of red-eye case being repaired. Specular reflection may also be re-added to the photograph. |
| US08837776B2 |
Rule-based combination of a hierarchy of classifiers for occlusion detection
A person detection system includes a face detector configured to detect a face in an input video sequence, the face detector outputting a face keyframe to be stored if a face is detected; and a person detector configured to detect a person in the input video sequence if the face detector fails to detect a face, the person detector outputting a person keyframe to be stored, if a person is detected in the input video sequence. |
| US08837774B2 |
Inverse stereo image matching for change detection
A system and method for finding real terrain matches in a stereo image pair is presented. A method for finding differences of underlying terrain between a first stereo image and a second stereo image includes performing epipolar rectification on a stereo image pair to produce rectified image data. The method performs a hybrid stereo image matching on the rectified image data to produce image matching data. A digital surface model (DSM) is generated based on the image matching data. Next, the method identifies areas in the DSM where the stereo image matching should fail based on the image matching data and the DSM to generate predicted failures. The method can then determine real terrain changes based on the predicted failures and the image matching data. |
| US08837772B2 |
Image detecting method and system thereof
An image detecting method and a system thereof are provided. The image detecting method includes the following steps. An original image is captured. A moving-object image of the original image is created. An edge-straight-line image of the original image is created, wherein the edge-straight-line image comprises a plurality of edge-straight-lines. Whether the original image has a mechanical moving-object image is detected according to the length, the parallelism and the gap of the part of the edge-straight-lines corresponding to the moving-object image. |
| US08837771B2 |
Method and system for joint multi-organ segmentation in medical image data using local and global context
A method and system for segmenting multiple organs in medical image data is disclosed. A plurality of landmarks of a plurality of organs are detected in a medical image using an integrated local and global context detector. A global posterior integrates evidence of a plurality of image patches to generate location predictions for the landmarks. For each landmark, a trained discriminative classifier for that landmark evaluates the location predictions for that landmark based on local context. A segmentation of each of the plurality of organs is then generated based on the detected landmarks. |
| US08837769B2 |
Video signature based on image hashing and shot detection
In accordance with an embodiment, a method of comparing a first group of frames to a second group of frames includes electronically receiving the first group of frames, selecting a group of frames from the first group of frames as a first key frame set, calculating a hash distance between an image hash for each frame in the first key frame set to an image hash of each frame of a second key frame set taken from second group of frames, and choosing frames in the first group of frames with a minimum hash distances to respective reference frames to form a series of minimum hash distances. |
| US08837768B2 |
Electro-acoustic transducer enclosure
An apparatus that has an electro-acoustic transducer, a frame supporting the transducer, and an enclosure made from two enclosure members that are each coupled to the frame. At least one of the enclosure members is made partially or entirely of foam. |
| US08837765B2 |
Tunable earphone
A tunable earphone includes a speaker for making sound, a shell receiving the speaker and defining a resonance cavity therein, and a tunable element rotatably and removably mounted on the shell. The shell has a top thereof recessed downward to form a receiving cavity. A supporting plate is formed at a bottom of the receiving cavity. A damping vent is opened in the supporting plate to connect the resonance cavity with the receiving cavity. The tunable element defines a through hole passing therethrough and aligned with the damping vent of the shell. A damping plate is integrally molded on a bottom of the tunable element. The damping plate is located in the receiving cavity and against the supporting plate to separate between the damping vent and the through hole for smoothening the frequency response of the sound pressure level in the resonance cavity while the speaker making sound. |
| US08837760B2 |
Bone conduction device having a multilayer piezoelectric element
A bone conduction device comprising a multilayer piezoelectric element. The multilayer piezoelectric element comprises two stacked piezoelectric layers, and a flexible passive layer disposed between the piezoelectric layers. The device also comprises a mass component attached to the multilayer piezoelectric element; and a coupling attached to the multilayer piezoelectric element configured to transfer mechanical forces generated by the multilayer piezoelectric element and the mass component to a recipient's skull. |
| US08837757B2 |
System, method and hearing aids for in situ occlusion effect measurement
A hearing aid (1) adapted for operation in a sound amplification mode and for operation in an occlusion measurement mode, has a microphone (10) adapted for transforming an acoustic sound level external to a hearing aid users ear canal (4) into a first electrical signal which is guided to an A/D converter forming a first digitized electrical signal. The hearing aid has signal processing means with a filter bank (41, 42) with means for splitting an electrical signal into frequency bands, and a receiver (20) adapted for generating acoustic sounds in the ear canal of a user when in said amplification mode, and for transforming the acoustic sound level in the ear canal into a second electrical signal, when in occlusion measurement mode. The invention also provides a system and a method for measuring the occlusion effect. |
| US08837750B2 |
Device and method for manipulating an audio signal
A device and method for manipulating an audio signal includes a windower for generating a plurality of consecutive blocks of audio samples, the plurality of consecutive blocks including at least one padded block of audio samples, the padded block having padded values and audio signal values, a first converter for converting the padded block into a spectral representation having spectral values, a phase modifier for modifying phases of the spectral values to obtain a modified spectral representation and a second converter for converting the modified spectral representation into a modified time domain audio signal. |
| US08837745B2 |
Electro-acoustic audio reverberation device and method
Disclosed is an audio reverberation apparatus. The audio reverberation apparatus interacts with or may include a mechanical or acoustic reverberation element. An audio signal is pitch transposing upward and applied to the mechanical or acoustic reverberation element. The resulting audio reverberant signal retrieved from the mechanical or acoustic reverberation element is pitch-transposed downward by the same factor as the upward pitch transposing. This results in the mechanical or acoustic reverberation element requiring smaller dimensions in comparison to a mechanical or acoustic reverberation element where a non-pitch-transposed audio signal is applied. |
| US08837743B2 |
Surround sound system and method therefor
A surround sound system comprises a receiver (301) for receiving a multichannel spatial signal that comprises at least one surround channel. A directional ultrasound transducer (305) is used for emitting ultrasound towards a surface to reach a listening position (111) via a reflection of the surface. The ultrasound signal may specifically reach the listening position from the side, above or behind of a nominal listener. A first drive unit (303) generates a drive signal for the directional ultrasound transducer (301) from the surround channel. The use of an ultrasound transducer for providing the surround sound signal provides an improved spatial experience while allowing the speaker to be located e.g. to the front of the user. In particular, an ultrasound beam is much narrower and well defined than conventional audio beams and can accordingly better be directed to provide the desired reflections. In some scenarios, the ultrasound transducer (305) may be supplemented by an audio range loudspeaker (309). |
| US08837741B2 |
Systems and methods for encoding exchanges with a set of shared ephemeral key data
A method includes generating a shared master secret. The method also includes generating a set of shared ephemeral key data. The set of shared ephemeral key data is generated independent of the shared master secret. A validity duration of the set of shared ephemeral key data is less than a validity duration of the shared master secret. The method further includes encrypting at least one message that is to be transmitted to at least one station based on at least the shared master secret and the set of shared ephemeral key data. |
| US08837740B2 |
Device and method for securing a negotiation of at least one cryptographic key between units
A private key and a public key are provided during manufacture of a device and are stored in the device. At least one cryptographic key is subsequently negotiated, the negotiation being security-protected as a function of the generated private key and/or the public key. This method can find application in building automation. |
| US08837739B1 |
Encryption messaging system
This invention provides a user friendly, email encryption system allowing users to send and receive encrypted messages for registered and unregistered users. Encrypted messages can be sent to registered or non-registered users by transmitting the encrypted message to cloud system servers. The cloud system servers acquire certificates from certificate authorities or any end-to-end exchange of keys between the sender and the recipient of the encrypted message. For registered users, messages sent by senders are encrypted by the sender and sent to the cloud system servers which decrypt the message and re-encrypt the message with the recipient's key. For non-registered users, once the encrypted message is decrypted at the cloud system servers, another message is sent to the non-registered informing them that an encrypted message awaits them if they select a link in the message which allows them to log into the cloud system servers and view the original message. |
| US08837738B2 |
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for optimal group key management for secure multicast communication
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for optimal group key (OGK) management that may achieve non-colluding and/or the storage-communication optimality are disclosed. In some embodiments, a group controller (GC) is responsible for key generation and distribution and the group data are encrypted by a group key. When joining the group, in some embodiments, each group member (GM) is assigned a unique n-bit ID and a set of secrets, in which each bit is one-to-one mapped to a unique secret. Whenever GMs are revoked from the group, in some embodiments, the GC will multicast an encrypted key-update message. Only the remaining GMs may be able to recover the message and update GK as well as their private keys. The disclosed OGK scheme can achieve storage-communication optimality with constant message size and immune to collusion attack and also may outperform existing group key management schemes in terms of communication and storage efficiency. |
| US08837737B2 |
Key management in a communication network
A method and apparatus for key management in a communication network. A Key Management Terminal KMS Terminal Server (KMS) receives from a first device a request for a token associated with a user identity, the user identity being associated with a second device. The KMS then sends the requested token and a user key associated with the user to the first device. The KMS subsequently receives the token from the second device. A second device key is generated using the user key and a modifying parameter associated with the second device. The modifying parameter is available to the first device for generating the second device key. The second device key is then sent from the KMS to the second device. The second device key can be used by the second device to authenticate itself to the first device, or for the first device to secure communications to the second device. |
| US08837733B2 |
System for protection and authentication of location services with distributed security
Generally, this disclosure provides methods and apparatus for the protection and authentication of location services based on a distributed security system. The method may include exchanging security keys between a secure location processor (SLP) and a location requesting entity, the location requesting entity external to the SLP; obtaining location determination measurements, the obtaining performed by the SLP; determining a location based on the location determination measurements, the determining performed by the SLP; encrypting the location based on the security keys, the encrypting performed by the SLP; and transmitting the encrypted location from the SLP to the location requesting entity. |
| US08837729B2 |
Method and apparatus for ensuring privacy in communications between parties
A method of improving privacy by hiding, in an ordered sequence of messages M[x(1), D(1)], M[x(2), D(2)], etc, communicated between a first and at least one second party sharing a key k, metadata x(i) descriptive of message processing, wherein D(i) denotes payload data. The method comprises the first and the second party agreeing on a pseudo random mapping depending on a shared key k, Fk, mapping at least x(i) to y(i), and the first party modifying the messages by replacing x(i) by y(i) in each message M(x(i), D(i)). The first party then transmits the modified messages maintaining their original order, and on reception of a message M(y(m), D), the second party uses a mapping Gk to retrieve position m of received value and the original value x(m). |
| US08837725B2 |
Communication system and communication method
An information processing apparatus that performs a communication with a device includes a storage unit that stores one or more keys. The information processing apparatus also includes a polling-request generating unit that generates a polling request in which a first identifier identifying a key of the one of more keys is included. The key is identified by the first identifier and a second identifier subordinate to the first identifier. Further, the information processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit that identifies the key from the first identifier included in the polling request and the second identifier, that reads the key from the storage unit, and that decrypts encrypted data by the key to obtain a random number. The encrypted data and the second identifier are included in a polling response supplied to the information processing apparatus in response to the polling request. |
| US08837723B2 |
Method and apparatus for use in a downloadable conditional access system
In a downloadable conditional access system (DCAS), preferably all DCAS-specific code is implemented in a configurable secure (CS) processor that is in communication with the host processor. Preferably, no DCAS-specific code is executed in the host processor. The host processor delivers commands to the CS processor, which the CS processor performs to configure itself in accordance with the particular DCAS encryption scheme used by the DCAS. Once configured, the CS processor executes a DCAS software module that has been downloaded to the CS processor, which looks for the corresponding EMMs and ECMs, processes them to obtain the CW, and then uses the CW to decrypt the content stream. |
| US08837722B2 |
Secure content distribution with distributed hardware
This document describes tools capable of securely distributing entertainment content among and using distributed hardware. These tools may do so robustly by rebinding entertainment content between distributed hardware units. The tools, for example, may distribute content protection in hardware between a policy unit, a transcryption unit, a graphics processing unit, and a playback unit. By so doing the tools enable, among other things, users to select from many graphics cards rather than rely on the graphics capabilities of an integrated (e.g., SOC) hardware solution. |
| US08837720B2 |
Cryptographically secure pseudorandom number generator
A hardware- and software-efficient class of cryptanalytically-safe pseudorandom number generators is disclosed. Embodiments of the class can be implemented with only a modest use of program space and as few as 512 bytes of non-volatile data space, such embodiments suitable to a wide range of computer architectures, ranging from resource-constrained microcontrollers to high-end, multi-core processors. |
| US08837718B2 |
User-specified sharing of data via policy and/or inference from a hierarchical cryptographic store
The claimed subject matter relates to architectures that can construct a hierarchical set of decryption keys for facilitating user-controlled encrypted data storage with diverse accessibility and hosting of that encrypted data. In particular, a root key can be employed to derive a hierarchical set of decryption keys and a corresponding hierarchical set of encryption keys. Each key derived can conform to a hierarchy associated with encrypted data of the user, and the decryption capabilities of the decryption keys can be configured based upon a location or assignment of the decryption key within the hierarchy. The cryptographic methods can be joined with a policy language that specifies sets of keys for capturing preferences about patterns of sharing. These policies about sharing can themselves require keys for access and the policies can provide additional keys for other aspects of policy and or base-level accesses. |
| US08837717B1 |
Non-retained message system
A system and method for non-retained electronic messaging is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a message receiver module, a message storing and identifier generation module, a message retrieval module and an expunging module. The message receiver module receives a message. The message storing and identifier generation module stores the message in a non-transitory, non-persistent memory of one or more computing devices, generates a message identifier and sends the message identifier to a recipient device. The message retrieval module receives a selection of the message identifier from the recipient device, retrieves the message from the non-transitory, non-persistent memory, and sends the message to the recipient device for presentation. The expunging module expunges the message from the one or more devices responsive to sending the message to the recipient device for presentation. |
| US08837711B2 |
Dynamic update of skills database
A device may include a communication interface to receive messages, a skills database that includes a skills schedule table, and one or more processors. The one or more processors may detect an event based on one of the messages, determine whether the event satisfies a condition for changing a schedule associated with a skill of a call agent of a call center, modify the schedule in the skills schedule table when the event satisfies the condition for changing the schedule associated with the skill of the call agent, and send a request, based on the modified schedule associated with the skill of the call agent, to an automatic call distribution (ACD) device to change the skill of the call agent from a database of the ACD device. |
| US08837703B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a network device
A personal communications device may be placed in, or removed from, a docking station. In response, a predetermined command may be selected from a plurality of predetermined commands and transmitted from the docking station to at least one of a plurality of network devices. Each predetermined command may include the address of the network device and may be configured to cause the network device to respond. In this way, a user's communication infrastructure may be reconfigured in a simple and intuitive manner. |
| US08837700B2 |
Dialed string matching and call cost minimization in dial plan
A method for processing dialed outgoing calls in a contact center includes a method for matching a dialed string and a method for translating the dialed string. A method for matching includes identifying a set of available number categories based on a calling profile with which the dialing agent device is configured, matching the dialed string against each of a set of patterns in each of the categories, and translating the dialed string according to the category, if any category matches and if no blocked category matches the dialed string. The number may then be translated to a translated number including a PSTN telephone number and routing characters specifying how the call is to be routed from an IP network to the PSTN. The routing may be selected to minimize the cost of the call. |
| US08837698B2 |
Systems and methods to collect information just in time for connecting people for real time communications
Systems and methods to collect information over a connection with a caller just in time for further connecting the caller to a callee. In one embodiment, a connection server is configured to provide to a caller a reference associated with the first criterion, to identify the first criterion based on the reference used to establish a connection with the caller for real time communications, to obtain a second criterion from the caller over the connection established for real time communications, to identifying a callee based at least in part on the first criterion and the second criterion, and to connect the caller from the established connection to the callee for real time communications. |
| US08837695B1 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring shifts in call patterns
A method and apparatus for measuring pattern shifts in call patterns, e.g., call volumes and/or feature usage in a packet network, e.g., a VoIP network is disclosed. The present method collects performance data over a set period of time and constantly compares each periodic sample with the previous periodic sample on a rolling window basis. Changes of a pre-defined percentage threshold, e.g., approximately 30%, or more in a current sampled period are alarmed and monitored to preclude potential service disruptions. In one embodiment, upon receipt of these alarms, network elements that are vulnerable to discontinuities due to overload can be automatically reset or cleared of hung processes. |
| US08837689B2 |
Method and system for combining text and voice messages in a communications dialogue
A method for delivering messages in a telecommunications network where the first text-form message of the session N is delivered to the user of the service such that the sender address (the A number) is converted to correspond to the session number N and the session stage J, in stages 2-n of the session N, a text-form message is received from the user of the message service at the sender address defined in the message in the previous stage, and the session proceeds according to the contents of the message such that the sender address (the A number) is converted to correspond to the session number N and the new session stage J, and the next text-form message of session N is sent to the user of the message service. |
| US08837684B2 |
Method for handling emergency service in network communication
The present invention discloses a method for handling an emergency service in a network communication, including: sending, by an emergency service initiating side, an emergency service identifier together with an emergency service to a network side; and allocating, by the network side, resource to the emergency service with a priority higher than those of normal services. With the present invention, a corresponding emergency service may be identified effectively in a network provided with an independent bearer-control-layer entity, and a resource may be allocated to the emergency service in accordance with a special resource allocation policy. Therefore, it is possible to guarantee the connectivity and the resource for the emergency service as requested in the network, and hence to reduce an unexpected and unnecessary loss. |
| US08837681B2 |
Method and device for adjusting a collimator radiation field in an X-ray imaging system
A method and device for adjusting a collimator radiation field and an X-ray imaging system including the device are disclosed. |
| US08837679B2 |
Supply of a liquid-metal target in X-ray generation
Closed-loop circulation for providing liquid metal to an interaction region at which an electron beam is to impact upon the liquid metal to produce X-rays is presented. In a method according to the invention, the pressure of the liquid metal is raised to at least 10 bar using a high-pressure pump. The pressurized liquid metal is then conducted to a nozzle and ejected into a vacuum chamber in the form of a spatially continuous jet. After passage through the vacuum chamber, the liquid metal is collected in a collection reservoir, and the pressure of the liquid metal is raised to an inlet pressure, e.g. using a primer pump, suitable for the inlet of the high-pressure pump. The invention also relates to a corresponding circulation system and an X-ray source provided with such circulation system. |
| US08837678B2 |
Long-lasting pulseable compact X-ray tube with optically illuminated photocathode
Systems and methods are described for a compact x-ray system that uses optical energy for triggering x-ray generation rather than a traditional filament. A photocathode is illuminated and the ensuing electrons are directed to an anode resulting in x-ray generation, resulting in increased x-ray source durability. Pulsing, beam forming, scanning, varying x-ray characteristics, longevity of source and other desirable attributes not currently available in the state of the art are achievable, through the use of shaped, multi-materialed photocathodes, shaped, multi-materialed anodes, arrays of optical lines, and so forth, as some examples. Inexpensive, highly controllable sources such as solid-state lasers can be used, permitting a wide variety of applications and power levels. |
| US08837675B2 |
Ocular radiosurgery
A radiosurgery system is described that delivers a therapeutic dose of radiation to a target structure in a patient. In some embodiments, inflammatory ocular disorders are treated, specifically macular degeneration. In some embodiments, ocular structures are placed in a global coordinate system, based on ocular imaging, which leads to direction of an automated positioning system. In some embodiments, the position of an ocular structure is tracked and related to a radiosurgery system. In some embodiments, a treatment plan is utilized for a specific disease to be treated and/or structures to be avoided. In some embodiments, a fiducial aids in positioning the system. In some embodiments, a reflection off the eye is used to aid in positioning. In some embodiments, radiodynamic therapy is described in which radiosurgery is used in combination with other treatments and can be delivered concomitant with, prior to, or following other treatments. |
| US08837668B2 |
Movement mechanism for dental X-ray apparatus
A movement mechanism joins an X-ray source and X-ray detector unit, adapted to rotate about the subject of the imaging. The movement mechanism comprises at least two parts adapted to be mutually turnable. In addition, the X-ray source and X-ray detector unit are located in different parts in the movement mechanism. |
| US08837663B2 |
Resonance calculation program and analyzing apparatus
[Solving Means] A resonance calculation program is configured to calculate an effective cross section including Step S4 of setting a calculation point in the gray range in the resonance region; Step S5 of calculating a neutron flux set at the calculation point and corresponding to a macroscopic cross section based on Method of Characteristics; Step S6 of fitting a fitting equation to the calculated macroscopic cross section and the calculated neutron flux, and calculating first and second rational coefficients; Step S7 of calculating a background cross section based on the first rational coefficient; Step S8 of interpolating the effective cross section, with the background cross section used as an argument; Step S9 of calculating the neutron flux based on the background cross section; and Step S10 of calculating the effective cross section based on the effective cross section, the neutron flux, and the second rational coefficient obtained at the coefficient calculation step. |
| US08837656B2 |
Phase detection method and circuit
Phase detection methods are provided. According to a first embodiment, a signal is sampled in order to obtain an amplitude sample. Then an absolute value of the difference of the amplitude sample minus an average of amplitude samples is calculated. According to a second embodiment, the signal is sampled at a first and second phase. This results in first and second amplitude samples which are compared to a first and second plurality of thresholds, respectively, in order to assign first and second weighting values to each first and second amplitude sample, respectively, depending on to which range between two adjacent thresholds the first and second amplitude sample belong. Then the sum or difference of said first and second weighting values is calculated. |
| US08837655B2 |
Memory controller with flexible data alignment to clock
A system includes a memory controller and a plurality of memory devices that are connected in-series to the memory controller. The system operation is synchronous with clock that is provided in a fashion of source synchronous clock structure. The source synchronous clock structure includes a PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) that reshapes an incoming clock and a reshaped clock is provided. The PLL provides a shifted clock in phase of 90°. The phase-shifted clock and data are transmitted from the first device to the second device. Clock phase shift provides a center-edge clock with data to be transmitted. The devices are assigned with unique IDs. The least significant bit of the ID number of the last device is used for determination of clock alignment: edge- or center-aligned clock with data produced by the memory controller. |
| US08837652B2 |
Receiver synchronization in radio communication systems employing transmit diversity
According to one or more embodiments, multiple transmitters may simultaneously transmit orthogonal acquisition sequences with certain frequencies zeroed out, such that receivers receiving a signal (waveform) may separate the signal into the orthogonal sequences based on which frequencies are zeroed out to perform acquisition processes. For example, each transmitter may simultaneously transmit an orthogonal acquisition sequence with certain tones zeroed out depending upon which transmitter transmits the symbol. A particular receiver may then receive a signal, and filter it to produce a plurality of filtered signals that distinguish orthogonal acquisition sequence symbols based on which tones are zeroed out within the symbols. The particular receiver may synchronize with a particular transmitter in response to detecting an orthogonal acquisition sequence within one of the filtered signals and correlating the detected sequence to the particular transmitter based on from which of the plurality of filtered signals the orthogonal acquisition sequence is detected. |
| US08837647B2 |
Antenna amplifier, receiving system, operating method, and use of a receiving system
An antenna amplifier, receiving system, operating method, and use of a receiving system, is provided. The antenna amplifier includes a first signal input and a second signal input for connecting antennas, a first amplifier circuit connected to the first signal input and having a first digital control signal input for receiving a first digital control signal for setting an amplification of the first amplifier circuit and a first signal output, a second amplifier circuit connected to the second signal input and having a second digital control signal input for receiving a second digital control signal for setting an amplification of the second amplifier circuit and a second signal output, a summator connected to the first signal output and the second signal output for outputting a sum signal to a sum signal output, and a digital gain controller with a digital command signal input for receiving a digital command signal and a digital control signal output for outputting the first digital control signal and the second digital control signal. |
| US08837646B2 |
Receiver having a scalable intermediate frequency
A technique includes using a receiver to process a radio frequency (RF) signal to downconvert spectral content from a first frequency band to a second frequency band to generate an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. The technique includes controlling a location of the second frequency band based at least in part on a selectable channel bandwidth of the receiver. |
| US08837642B2 |
Methods and devices for estimating channel quality
The invention relates to a method performed in a user equipment for estimating channel quality. The user equipment is adapted to operate in a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) mode in a communication system comprising a base station node supporting MIMO and serving the user equipment. The method comprises: receiving, from the base station node, a reference signal; performing joint demodulation of the reference signal, thereby obtaining soft values; and generating the channel quality using the soft values. The invention also relates to a user equipment, computer programs and computer program products. |
| US08837641B2 |
Digital broadcast receiver
The present invention provides a digital broadcast receiver which reduces the time needed for channel scans by performing efficient channel scanning when broadcasts in a plurality of broadcast protocols are received. As a first phase channel scan, a first controller and a second controller divide a plurality of channels included in an overlapping frequency band of a first broadcast protocol and a second broadcast protocol, and execute parallel channel scans. After the first phase channel scan, the first controller scans channels in which electrical signals generated from electromagnetic waves received by a second tuner in the first phase channel scan could not be demodulated by a second demodulator, and the second controller scans channels in which electrical signals generated from electromagnetic waves received by a first tuner could not be demodulated by a first demodulator. |
| US08837640B2 |
Multiple protocol receiver
Implementation and operation of a multiple protocol receiver are described herein. In one example, a multiple protocol receiver in a node may alternate between first and second states. In a first state, the multiple protocol receiver listens simultaneously for a plurality of differently modulated signals. Such listening may be performed in a parallel manner, wherein a plurality of preamble detection processes each listens for a specific preamble. The listening may result in detection of a preamble of a packet, which triggers transition to the second state. The detected preamble may indicate a protocol used in transmission of the packet. The received packet may then be demodulated according to, for example, a data rate, synchronization, redundancy and/or other factors indicated by the protocol. The received packet may be utilized by the node or retransmitted. The multiple protocol receiver may return to the first state to repeat and continue the procedure. |
| US08837634B2 |
Methods and apparatus for signal filtering
Systems and techniques for signal filtering are described. A bandpass filter is defined so as to provide for a reduced rolloff region so as to avoid interference with an adjacent carrier. Definition of the bandpass filter provides for a frequency response that compensates for loss of signal components in the rolloff region. Definition of the bandpass filter may be based at least in part on characteristics of a specified legacy filter used by devices from which signals may be received or to which signals may be transmitted. |
| US08837632B2 |
Vector generator using octant symmetry
In various embodiments, an active vector generator may comprise a vector component switch and a first amplitude adjustment component in parallel with a second amplitude adjustment component. The first and second amplitude adjustment components may operate with different ranges of amplitude. For example, the first amplitude adjustment component may have a full range of amplitude and the second amplitude adjustment component may have a partial range of amplitude. The vector component switch may operate to receive two signals and route the signals to the various amplitude adjustment components based on the relative magnitudes of the two signals. A benefit of having two amplitude adjustment components with selectable signal pathways is that the all the phase states may be obtained but using less robust and expensive amplitude adjustment components. |
| US08837631B2 |
Adaptive two-dimensional channel interpolation
A method and apparatus for improving channel estimation within an OFDM communication system. Channel estimation in OFDM is usually performed with the aid of pilot symbols. The pilot symbols are typically spaced in time and frequency. The set of frequencies and times at which pilot symbols are inserted is referred to as a pilot pattern. In some cases, the pilot pattern is a diagonal-shaped lattice, either regular or irregular. The method first interpolates in the direction of larger coherence (time or frequency). Using these measurements, the density of pilot symbols in the direction of faster change will be increased thereby improving channel estimation without increasing overhead. As such, the results of the first interpolating step can then be used to assist the interpolation in the dimension of smaller coherence (time or frequency). |
| US08837628B2 |
Method of transmission through single wire
The invention provides a method of transmission through single wire. The method includes receiving a single-wire signal through a single wire; identifying a start code of the single-wire signal; after identifying the start code, counting a rising edge, a falling edge, or both rising edge and falling edge of the single-wire signal in at least one bit transmission period having a fixed length, to generate a count code; and decoding the count code to generate transmitted information. |
| US08837614B2 |
Pilot-based time offset estimation apparatus and method
The present invention provides a pilot-based timing offset estimation apparatus and method. The timing offset estimation apparatus includes: a pilot bit channel estimation module, configured to acquire pilot bit frequency-domain channel estimation values of target users through calculation on respective sub-carriers of the target users according to received frequency-domain demodulation reference symbols and local frequency-domain demodulation reference symbols; and a timing offset estimation module, configured to respectively perform timing offset estimation for each target user by using phase differences among the pilot bit frequency-domain channel estimation values on the respective sub-carriers. The present invention performs timing offset estimation for multiple users on the basis of the received pilot sequences, therefore provides more accurate measurement values for timing offset compensation and timing offset reporting, so as to reduce the influence of the timing offset on the receiver performance. |
| US08837609B2 |
Guard independent signal mapping
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate guard bandwidth independent mapping and de-mapping of bandwidth in a wireless communication system. Broadcast signals can be created as if all bandwidth were available, and guard bandwidth can be initialized over the utilized bandwidth such to puncture the data existing in the guard bandwidth. Upon decoding the broadcast signal, size of the guard bandwidth can be predetermined or estimated allowing a center portion of the signal to be decoded without decoding the guard bandwidth. In this regard, the decoder of the signal need not find exact positions of the guard bandwidth as transforming and decoding the center portion can provide a substantial portion of the signal to interpret the signal. |
| US08837606B2 |
Powerline communication device noise timing based operations
A Power Line Communications (PLC) device includes a processing module, memory, and a communication interface. The PLC device determines, at a PLC Physical Layer (PHY), a noise cycle of a power main coupled to the PLC interface. Based upon the noise cycle, the PLC device determines a higher noise period and a lower noise period of the noise cycle and then allocates, by a PLC Media Access Control (MAC) layer, first communication operations in the higher noise period and differing second communication operations in the lower noise period. Such operations may include adjusting framing of PLC MAC layer frames to have a first frame construct during the higher noise period and second frame construct during the lower noise period. Other differences in operations may be coding operations, either block or channel codes, QoS operations, restricting communications, redundant Acknowledgement (ACK) operations, or differing PLC standardized operations during the differing periods. |
| US08837604B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring audiovisual synchronization
There is provided a method of measuring audiovisual synchronization between at least one encoded audio stream and at least one encoded video stream, comprising measuring the time of input into an audio encoder of source audio data to be encoded into said encoded audio stream, measuring the time of input into a video encoder of source video data to be encoded into said encoded video stream, determining a Presentation Time Stamp value, indicative of a time of presentation, for each of the respective at least one encoded audio stream and at least one encoded video stream, and transmitting a measured audio input time, a measured video input time and presentation time stamp values to a downstream component. There is also provided an apparatus and system for measuring audiovisual synchronization between at least one encoded audio stream and at least one encoded video stream. |
| US08837600B2 |
Reducing latency in video encoding and decoding
Techniques and tools for reducing latency in video encoding and decoding by constraining latency due to reordering of video frames, and by indicating the constraint on frame reordering latency with one or more syntax elements that accompany encoded data for the video frames. For example, a real-time communication tool with a video encoder sets a syntax element that indicates a constraint on frame reordering latency, which is consistent with inter-frame dependencies between multiple frames of a video sequence, then outputs the syntax element. A corresponding real-time communication tool with a video decoder receives the syntax element that indicates the constraint on frame reordering latency, determines the constraint on frame reordering latency based on the syntax element, and uses the constraint on frame reordering latency to determine when a reconstructed frame is ready for output (in terms of output order). |
| US08837594B2 |
Moving picture encoding method and decoding method considering motion vectors of blocks adjacent to target block
Moving picture decoding arrangements where the motion vector for the target block of decoding is calculated on a decoding side. A reference frame is selected dependent on whether candidate blocks adjacent to the target block of decoding have a motion vector for forward prediction or backward prediction. In calculating the motion vector, a median of motion vectors of the adjacent blocks is set as the motion vector. Decoding of a moving picture is performed by using information of the selected reference frame and the calculated motion vector. |
| US08837593B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus for processing an input moving image including a plurality of access units arranged every first period. The image processing apparatus includes a motion vector calculation unit which calculates a motion vector of an object included in the input moving image every second period, a motion vector conversion unit which converts the motion vector by multiplying the calculated motion vector by a predetermined gain, and a gain calculation unit which calculates the predetermined gain in accordance with a brightness in a user environment and supplies the predetermined gain to the motion vector conversion unit. |
| US08837592B2 |
Method for performing local motion vector derivation during video coding of a coding unit, and associated apparatus
A method for performing local motion vector derivation during video coding of a coding unit includes: processing a plurality of sub-coding units in the coding unit; and performing motion vector prediction of each of the sub-coding units. More particularly, the step of performing motion vector prediction of each of the sub-coding units further includes: deriving a motion vector of a specific sub-coding unit of the sub-coding units by utilizing at least one motion vector of at least one other sub-coding/coding unit. Thus, the method performs motion compensation on the specific sub-coding unit according to the motion vector of the specific sub-coding unit. An associated apparatus is also provided. |
| US08837591B2 |
Image block classification
An image processing method involves determining a global motion between a reference frame and a current frame in a frame sequence. A reference block is identified in the reference frame for a current block based on the global motion. A classification parameter is calculated based on the pixel values of the current block and the reference block. The parameter can be used for classifying the block as belonging to the background or foreground of the current frame. The parameter is preferably also utilized in frame rate-up conversion when extrapolating or interpolating new frames. |
| US08837590B2 |
Image decoding device which obtains predicted value of coding unit using weighted average
A video encoding method and apparatus and a video decoding method and apparatus. In the video encoding method, a first predicted coding unit of a current coding unit that is to be encoded is produced, a second predicted coding unit is produced by changing a value of each pixel of the first predicted coding unit by using each pixel of the first predicted coding unit and at least one neighboring pixel of each pixel, and the difference between the current coding unit and the second predicted coding unit is encoded, thereby improving video prediction efficiency. |
| US08837588B2 |
Moving picture coding method, moving picture decoding method, moving picture coding apparatus, moving picture decoding apparatus, and moving picture coding and decoding apparatus
A moving picture coding method includes (i) transforming, for each of one or more second processing units included in the first processing unit, a moving picture signal in a spatial domain into a frequency domain coefficient and quantizing the frequency domain coefficient, and (ii) performing arithmetic coding on a luminance CBF flag indicating whether or not a quantized coefficient is included in the second processing unit in which transform and quantization are performed, wherein, in the arithmetic coding, a probability table for use in arithmetic coding is determined according to whether or not the size of the first processing unit is identical to the size of the second processing unit and whether or not the second processing unit has a predetermined maximum size. |
| US08837583B2 |
Method of removing a blocking artifact using quantization information in a filtering system
In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining quantization information related to at least one of a first block and an adjacent second block, comparing the quantization information with a predefined constant value, and performing a filtering process based on a result from the comparing step. The filtering process includes calculating a value of at least one pixel in the first block based on pixel values of at least two pixels in the first block, and calculating a value of at least one pixel in the second block based on pixel values of at least two pixels in the second block. |
| US08837582B2 |
Compressing image data
Methods, systems, and computer programs for encoding and decoding image are described. In some aspects, an input data block and a prediction data block are accessed. A projection factor is generated based on a projection of the input data block onto the prediction data block. A scaled prediction data block is generated by multiplying the projection factor by the prediction data block. A residual data block is generated based on a difference between the input data block and the scaled prediction data block. In some aspects, a prediction data block, a residual data block, and a projection factor associated with the residual data block are accessed. A scaled prediction data block is generated by multiplying the projection factor by the prediction data block. An output data block is generated by summing the residual data block and the scaled prediction data block. |
| US08837576B2 |
Camera parameter-assisted video encoding
This disclosure describes techniques for improving functionalities of a back-end device, e.g., a video encoder, using parameters detected by a front-end device, e.g., a video camera. The techniques may involve detecting a scene change in a captured frame, based on one or more parameters of auto exposure (AE), auto white balance (AWB), and auto focus (AF) functions. If a scene change is detected in a captured frame, a video processing device, which may be a stand-alone device, or may be integrated into one of the front-end or back-end devices, provides an indication of the scene change. The video encoder interprets the signal as a trigger to encode the frame indicated as the frame where a scene change occurred as a reference I frame. |
| US08837575B2 |
Video processing architecture
A video-processing architecture. In a specific embodiment, the architecture includes a first set of modules that accommodate certain functional traffic flowing between each module thereof. A broadcast module broadcasts video traffic to one or more of the first set of modules. In a more specific embodiment, the first set of modules and the broadcast module are configured to facilitate isolation of video traffic from functional traffic. The first set of modules includes plural modules having similar module architecture. The similar module of architecture includes a local memory in each of the plural modules, wherein the local memory stores video data associated with the video traffic. The local, memory includes a first memory bank for storing input pixel data and a second memory bank for storing reconstructed pixel data. |
| US08837571B1 |
Apparatus and methods for on-die instrumentation
One embodiment relates to a receiver with both decision feedback equalization and on-die instrumentation. A clock data recovery loop obtains a recovered clock signal from an input signal, and a first sampler, which is triggered by the recovered clock signal, generates a recovered data signal from the input signal. A phase interpolator receives the recovered clock signal and generates a phase-interpolated clock signal. A second sampler is triggered by the recovered clock signal in a decision feedback equalization mode and by the phase-interpolated clock signal in an on-die instrumentation mode. Other embodiments and features are also disclosed. |
| US08837566B1 |
System and method for detection of noise in sparse data sets with edge-corrected measurements
A signal processing system and method includes a transducer for receiving an analog signal having a random component and possibly an information component. The analog signal is converted into a digital signal having sample points. A nearest-neighbor calculation component calculates the expected average nearest neighbor distance between the sample points, the actual average distance and an error value. These values are corrected for edge effects. A first randomness assessment compares the actual average distance against the expected average distance with the standard error value. A second randomness assessment compares actual repeated values in the digital signal against expected repeated values. An information processing system continues processing the signal if the assessments indicate the possibility of an information component. |
| US08837564B2 |
Multi gigabit modem for mmWave point to point links
A millimeter wave modem assembly, which includes an input/output interface module configured to receive and transmit standardized data streams in accordance with dedicated interface specifications, and includes an encoder module configured to encode the standardized data streams to form coded digital bits, and also includes a physical layer module configured to convert the coded digital bits into digital symbols and into digital samples, and to convert the digital samples into the digital symbols and then into the coded digital bits; and further includes a data conversion module configured to perform a high rate conversion of the digital samples to form an analog signal suitable for wireless transmission over a link in accordance with the dedicated interface specifications. |
| US08837563B2 |
Systems methods circuits and apparatus for calibrating wireless communication systems
Disclosed are wireless communication systems and methods for calibrating same. The communication systems may include first wireless transceivers having: (a) a modem, and (b) one or more Radio Frequency (RF) chain pairs. There may also be included a sounding circuit block. A calibrated switchable bridging block (CSBB) may switchably couple signals between the first transceivers and the sounding circuit block. Calibration control logic may regulate signal flow through said CSBB during a sounding sequence of said first wireless transceiver and may apply compensation coefficients to RF compensation circuits functionally associated with said the wireless transceiver RF chain pairs. |
| US08837559B2 |
Reducing distortion in repeaters for OFDM signals
Certain aspects and features are directed to determining characteristics such as phase margin and gain margin of signals such as standardized orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (“OFDM”) signals. In one aspect, a processing system can identify multiple carriers in an OFDM signal communicated by a repeater. The carriers include carriers from frequency guard band other than those used for communicating payload data or pilot data. The processing system can generate dynamic characteristic data to be sent via the carriers. The processing system can generate modulate the carriers with the dynamic characteristic data. The modulated power level of the carriers is less than a maximum level of noise filtered by a device receiving the OFDM signal. |
| US08837558B1 |
Systems, methods, and devices for improving signal detection in communication systems
Systems, devices, and methods to improve signal detection of a receiver in communication systems, including receiving a signal having one or more distorted versions of a predetermined waveform as well as processing the received signal with a plurality of eigenfilters generated from eigenvectors of a covariance matrix of the predetermined waveform. Further a correlation output is generated by further processing the received signal with at least one matched filter formed from an eigenfiltered version of the predetermined waveform and identifying at least one peak in the correlator output. The peak may be used to improve performance of the receiver. |
| US08837551B2 |
Method for generating high power electromagnetic radiation based on double-negative metamaterial
A method for generating high power electromagnetic radiation based on double-negative metamaterial (DNM), includes providing electrons of an electron beam moving in a vacuum close to an interface between the DNM and the vacuum at a predetermined average speed larger than a phase velocity of an electromagnetic wave propagating in the DNM so as to generate coherent high power radiation. The method can be applied but not limited to high power and compact Terahertz radiation sources and Cherenkov particle detectors and emitters. |
| US08837550B2 |
Continuous-wave organic dye lasers and methods
An organic dye laser produces a continuous-wave (cw) output without any moving parts (e.g., without using flowing dye streams or spinning discs of solid-state dye media to prevent photobleaching) and with a pump beam that is stationary with respect to the organic dye medium. The laser's resonant cavity, organic dye medium, and pump beam are configured to excite a lasing transition over a time scale longer than the associated decay lifetimes in the organic dye medium without photobleaching the organic dye medium. Because the organic dye medium does not photobleach when operating in this manner, it may be pumped continuously so as to emit a cw output beam. In some examples, operation in this manner lowers the lasing threshold (e.g., to only a few Watts per square centimeter), thereby facilitating electrical pumping for cw operation. |
| US08837549B2 |
Continuous mass flow gas replenishment for gas lasing devices
Continuous mass flow gas replenishment may be implemented in a gas lasing device, such as a gas laser or amplifier, by using a restrictive orifice to bleed one or more gases into a reservoir and/or discharge chamber of the gas laser or amplifier at a predefined mass flow rate. The mass flow rate is a function of the pressure drop across the restrictive orifice resulting from the pressure differential between the depleted gas and the source gas. Thus, gases may be added as needed such that the gas total pressure, as well as the constituent partial pressures, is maintained within a desired range throughout the laser or amplifier fill lifetime. The continuous mass flow gas replenishment may thus make up the lost partial pressure of reactive gases in gas lasing devices in a manner that is less complicated and is less expensive than other continuous flow methodologies. |
| US08837548B2 |
Semiconductor optical element
Two or more first reflectors are formed on a substrate. Each of the first reflectors reflects the light input to its input port and returns it there, while exhibiting a reflection spectrum featuring a peak at the target wavelength. A first optical coupler is formed on the substrate to divide the light output from an optical amplifier and output the divided lights to the input ports of the two or more first reflectors, as well as combining the reflected lights from the first reflector and re-inputting the combined light to the optical amplifier. Each of the first reflectors contains a ring resonator of the same size, and the delay for the light input to the input port of a first reflector to return there after being reflected is the same for all first reflectors. |
| US08837545B2 |
Optical device structure using GaN substrates and growth structures for laser applications
Optical devices having a structured active region configured for selected wavelengths of light emissions are disclosed. |
| US08837543B2 |
Inhibiting unauthorized access to a laser source
The invention relates to the field of laser sources (3), and for specifically to inhibiting damage due to misuse of a laser source (3), in particular of a high-power laser source (3) provided in a consumer product (1). The proposed device (1) includes at least a laser source (3) and a safety unit (2), wherein by means of the arrangement of the safety unit (2) it is provided that potential harm caused by misuse of the laser source (3) based on an unauthorized access to the laser source (3) is confined or even prevented by reducing the power level of the output of the laser source (3) or by even completely stopping any laser output therefrom. A corresponding method of providing a laser source (3) and a further method of preventing misuse of a laser source (3) are also proposed. |
| US08837542B1 |
Laser diode driving apparatus for optical communication
A laser diode driving apparatus for optical communication is provided so as to prepare a low-price and low-power optical transmission and reception apparatus by realizing the high performance laser diode driving apparatus for optical communication with a structure appropriate for a multichannel array that can easily and effectively provide stable bandwidths and high gains of the optical communication laser diode at a transmission end of the optical transmission and reception apparatus. |
| US08837539B1 |
Optical power stabilizing device
An optical power stabilizing device is adapted to stabilize optical power of a light emitting device having a forward voltage, and includes a current generating circuit that generates a pulse-wave driving current to drive light emission of the light emitting device, an optical-type feedback circuit that outputs a first feedback voltage according to detected optical power of the light emitting device, an electrical-type feedback circuit that outputs a second feedback voltage according to the forward voltage, and a pulse wave generating circuit that generates a pulse-wave signal to control the current generating circuit according to one of the first feedback voltage and the second feedback voltage. |
| US08837537B2 |
Laser diode for controlling spatial hole burning and optical pulse generating method
A high-efficiency laser diode is provided. Since a λ/4 phase-shifted distributed feedback (DFB) laser diode has a great coupling coefficient, mode stability is poor due to spatial hole burning when multiplication of the coupling coefficient by length of a resonator is equal to or greater than 2. In the inventive concept, a region capable of controlling spatial hole burning is inserted into a semiconductor laser diode structure. Thus, an ultrahigh-speed pulse laser diode having a repetition rate in the band ranging from 100 GHz to 300 GHz is obtained. In addition, a single-mode laser diode with improved energy use efficiency is implemented by changing the configuration of a laser diode. |
| US08837536B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling light bandwidth
An apparatus includes a light source that produces a light beam, a bandwidth measurement system, a plurality of bandwidth actuation systems, and a control system. Each bandwidth actuation system includes one or more bandwidth actuators and each bandwidth actuation system is connected to an optical feature that is optically coupled to the produced light beam and operable to modify the connected optical feature to select a bandwidth within a bandwidth range of the produced light beam. The control system is connected to the bandwidth measurement system and to the plurality of bandwidth actuation systems. The control system is configured to switch between activating and operating a first bandwidth actuation system and activating and operating a second bandwidth actuation system independently and separately of activating and operating the first bandwidth actuation system based on a provided bandwidth measurement and a selected target bandwidth. |
| US08837533B2 |
Transmission system
The present invention provide a transmission system comprising a transmission apparatus for transmitting audio data of multi channels and auxiliary data required for playback of the audio data, and a receiving apparatus for receiving the audio data and the auxiliary data which are transmitted by the transmission apparatus. A multiplexer of the transmission apparatus creates block data that is composed of 8 frames, and first 1 byte of each frame is allocated to a header having Sync, OE and the like, the second byte is allocated to the auxiliary data including AUX data and copyright protect information, and remaining bytes are used to transmit the audio data. An encryptor carries out an encryption process for the second and later bytes of each frame, and a communication means outputs encrypted data. A communication means of the receiving apparatus receives the encrypted data from the transmission apparatus, a decoder decodes the encrypted data, and a demultiplexer demultiplexes the audio data and the auxiliary data. Therefore, this transmission system transmits multi-channel audio data of the DVD-Audio or the like efficiently on a transmission line using fixed length frames according to the MOST method, and takes measures for copyright protection of audio data. |
| US08837532B2 |
Frame transmission device and synchronization method
A frame transmission device includes: a clock section; a path control section to switch a plurality of transmission paths for exchanging a time synchronization frame with a node device that measures a reference time; a fluctuation estimation section to set a fluctuation estimate of a transmission delay of the time synchronization frame on each of the plurality of transmission paths; and a time synchronization section to synchronize the clock section to the reference time in accordance with a time synchronization frame exchanged on a selected transmission path selected from among the plurality of transmission paths based on the fluctuation estimate. |
| US08837529B2 |
Digital audio distribution
A master transmitter distributes a plurality of audio channels to one or more expansion receivers as a multiplexed audio stream. Control information is also transmitted between the master transmitter and the expansion receivers. Both the control information and the multiplexed audio stream are transmitted on the same cable allowing for reduced clutter and cheaper material and installation costs. |
| US08837528B2 |
Data distribution by proxy
A communication device communicates with an originating device during an originating session and receives originating data from the originating device over a wireless communication link and then communicates with a receiving device during a receiving session and sends the originating data to the receiving device over a wireless communication link, such that the originating session and the receiving session occur at different times, and at least one of the sessions is an ad hoc communication session. |
| US08837526B2 |
Carrier indication method for wireless communication system and related communication device
A carrier indication method for a carrier aggregation function, which aggregates a plurality of carriers for a transmission between a network and a user equipment of a wireless communication system, includes indicating a first control signal in a first carrier of the plurality of carriers to control a second carrier of the plurality of carriers, wherein the second carrier is different from the first carrier. |
| US08837525B2 |
Carrier-phase difference detection and tracking in multipoint broadcast channels
Methods and apparatus are described that provide carrier-phase difference (CPD) acquisition via signaling protocols between communicating devices. The random CPD between two disjoint devices can be measured by the signaling protocols described herein. With the availability of the CPD, a device is also able to acquire its outgoing channel (transmit channel) information, thus avoiding the channel information feedback that is being considered and/or practiced in some wireless communications systems. Also described are methods and apparatus that use the CPD to synchronize the clocks of two or more devices and that track the time-variations of the CPD for reliable CPD measurement and tracking loop operations. Applications of the described methods and apparatus include wireless multipoint broadcast systems, also known as coordinated multipoint transmission, or CoMP, in LTE (long-term evolution)-advanced systems, point-to-point wireless MIMO systems, and general wireless device networks. |
| US08837524B2 |
Coexistence of a normal-rate physical layer and a low-rate physical layer in a wireless network
A system including a physical layer module and a processing module. The physical layer module is configured to communicate at a first data rate via a channel, where the channel includes (i) a first sub-channel and (ii) a second sub-channel of the channel, to receive a first packet including a first preamble transmitted at the first data rate via (i) the first sub-channel and (ii) the second sub-channel, and to receive a second packet including a second preamble transmitted at a second data rate via (i) the first sub-channel or (ii) the second sub-channel, where the second data rate is less than the first data rate. The processing module is configured to process (i) the first preamble transmitted at the first data rate and (ii) at least a portion of the second preamble transmitted at the second data rate. |
| US08837522B2 |
System and method of encoding and decoding control information in a medium access control protocol data unit
Methods and apparatuses are provided for transmitting and receiving a MAC PDU. The MAC PDU including a MAC header, an extended header group and a payload is generated. The MAC PDU is transmitted to a receiving device. The extended header group includes a first field that indicates whether at least one extended header is included in the extended header group, and a second field that indicates a length of the extended header group. |
| US08837521B2 |
Ethernet network within MPLS network
Creating an Ethernet network, within an existing MPLS network, for one or more specified traffic services by selecting in the MPLS network one or more bidirectional non-disjoint LSPs between dual-enabled nodes, presenting these LSPs as Ethernet-enabled links, deploying over them an Ethernet protocol and forwarding there-along dedicated Ethernet over MPLS packets according to Ethernet forwarding rules regardless any MPLS labels except for a predetermined dedicated LSP label. |
| US08837515B1 |
System and method for collision resolution
A method embodiment includes receiving, by a network device, collided first and second transmissions, signaling a retransmission request to a first source of the collided first transmission, receiving a retransmitted first transmission, and recovering the collided second transmission using the collided first and second transmissions and the retransmitted first transmission. |
| US08837514B2 |
Broadband multi-drop local network, interface and method for multimedia access
A broadband multi-drop local network, interface and method for multimedia access. A local network architecture include a wired bus coupleable directly to an external data network terminal and configured for carrying broadband packetized data traffic over a frequency spectrum uninterrupted by other defined data channels or services; and one or a plurality of network transceivers operable individually for coupling an addressable network device processing a defined class of information to the bus wherein each network appliance is configured for and further operable for providing communication interfacing of the class of information of each addressable network appliance with the packetized IP data traffic on the wired bus. |
| US08837511B2 |
Seamless mobility schemes in names-data networking using multi-path routing and content caching
A content-centric-network (CCN)/named-data networking (NDN) system to support seamless mobility for a mobile node (MN) comprising a first point of attachment (PoA) configured to indicate to the MN that attaches to the first PoA one or more neighbor PoAs and to multicast an interest for content from the MN to the neighbor PoAs in a CCN or NDN when the MN starts a handoff procedure, and a second PoA from the one or more neighbor PoAs of the first PoA configured to receive the multicast interest from the first PoA, forward the interest to the CCN or NDN, receive content data from the CCN or NDN, and forward the content data to the MN. |
| US08837507B2 |
Communications method
A computer-implemented method for establishing a communications link between a source and a target comprises: a) receiving, at a server, data identifying the source and the target; b) for each of the source and the target, retrieving a respective communication profile identifying one or more communications systems by which the respective one of the source or target may be communicated with; c) comparing the profiles to identify one or more common communications systems; and d) opening a communications link between the source and the target using one or more of the common communication systems. |
| US08837501B2 |
Shared task parameters in a scheduler of a network processor
Described embodiments provide sharing data between nodes in a scheduling hierarchy of a network processor. A traffic manager generates a tree scheduling hierarchy having a root scheduler and N scheduler levels. The network processor generates tasks corresponding to received packets, each task having a shared parameter ID. The traffic manager determines the shared parameter ID value of the received task and queues the received task in a queue of the scheduling hierarchy. The queue has a scheduler level M and a parent scheduler at each of M−1 levels in the scheduling hierarchy. The traffic manager determines a shared parameter ID value of the queue. The traffic manager loads, from a shared memory to a corresponding level one cache, one or more shared parameter values corresponding to at least one of the determined shared parameter ID value of the received task and the determined shared parameter ID value of the queue. |
| US08837496B2 |
IGMP querier down detection using PIM neighborship cache
In one embodiment, a method including identifying, by a network device, a first PIM-enabled device that is communicatively coupled to the network device via a network. A determination is made that the first PIM-enabled device is designated as an IGMP querier for the network. Additionally, the method includes initiating a timer configured to expire after a predetermined period of time for the first PIM-enabled device. The method further includes, upon determining that the initiated timer has expired and that a PIM hello network message has not yet been received from the first PIM-enabled device, determining that the IGMP querier for the network is unavailable. |
| US08837495B2 |
Mobile communication system, relay node, radio base station, and gateway device
A mobile communication system according to the present invention comprising a plurality of Un radio bearers set between the plurality of mobile stations UE and the relay node RN, each of Un radio bearers for a predetermined QoS set for different mobile stations UE is configured to be mapped to a Un radio bearer for the predetermined QoS set between the relay node RN and the radio base station DeNB. |
| US08837489B2 |
Method and apparatus for securely establishing L3-SVC connections
A system and method are provided for securely establishing Layer-3 SVCs or SPVCs across an ATM network. An originating multiservice switch that generates the connection setup message for the Layer-3 connection includes security information within the setup message, such as a Closed User Group Interlock Code. When the destination multiservice switch receives the setup message, it extracts the embedded security information and compares it with stored security information corresponding to the connection. The correspondence may be determined from the destination user. If the embedded security information matches the stored security information, the destination multiservice switch allows the connection to be established. |
| US08837487B2 |
Cascaded memory tables for searching
Devices, systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with cascaded memory tables for searching are described. In one embodiment, an integrated chip is implemented with two or more address tables. The two or more address tables are implemented with separate memory tables to store addresses. The two or more address tables are comprised of a first address table and a second address table. Connection lines connect the first address table and the second address table to create a cascaded address table. Search logic initiates a search of the first address table for an address. If the address is not found, the search logic initiates a search of the second address table through the connection lines. |
| US08837484B2 |
Methods and devices for a client node to access an information object located at a node of a secured network via a network of information
A method for a client node (D100) to access an information object (102) located at a node (D500) of a secured network (120) via a network of information (100) wherein information objects (102) are identified by information object identities (IDObj, ID′Obj) and wherein nodes are identified by locators (LGW, LObj), wherein the following is performed at a routing node (D102): —receiving from the client node (D100) an information object identity related to the information object (102), —sending the information object identity to a resolving node (D400) of the network of information (100), the resolving node (D400) being capable of initiating a procedure for sending to the routing node (D102) a locator of a gateway node (D200) interfacing the network of information (100) and the secured network (120), —receiving the locator of the gateway node (D200), —sending a request for the information object (102) to the gateway node (D200) according to the locator, —receiving the requested information object (102) from the gateway node (D200), and —sending the information object (102) to the client node (D100). |
| US08837481B2 |
Inline packet replication in network devices
In general, techniques are described for inline packet replication in network devices. A network device referred to as an optical line terminal (OLT) may implement the techniques. The OLT comprises a customer interface that supports different logical interfaces to which couple a plurality of optical network terminals (ONTs) and a network interface that receives a data unit. The OLT further comprises a conversion unit, such as a media access control (MAC) module, located in a data path of the optical line terminal that determines whether the received data unit is a candidate for replication. The conversion unit includes an inline packet processing module that performs replication to generate at least one copy of the data unit based on the determination that the received packet is a candidate for packet replication. The customer interface outputs the at least one copy of the data unit to the ONTs. |
| US08837478B1 |
System and method for interference protection in downlink multi-user multiple-input, multiple-output communication
An access point includes a packet generation module, a packet detection module, and a downlink control module. The packet generation module is configured to generate a multi-user request-to-send (MU-RTS) packet for transmission to each of N remote nodes, wherein N is an integer greater than one. The packet detection module is configured to detect clear-to-send (CTS) packets received from ones of the N remote nodes. The downlink control module is configured to control a downlink to M of the N remote nodes after M CTS packets are detected, wherein M is based on the MU-RTS packet, and wherein M is an integer less than or equal to N. |
| US08837476B2 |
Overlay network capable of supporting storage area network (SAN) traffic
In one embodiment, a system includes a server having a hypervisor layer that includes an overlay-capable virtual switch and a Fiber Channel (FC) virtual switch; at least one processor adapted for executing logic; and a converge network adapter (CNA) coupled to the hypervisor, the CNA being adapted for communicating with the overlay-capable virtual switch and the FC virtual switch, wherein the CNA is adapted for communicating with a FC forwarder (FCF), and the overlay-capable virtual switch includes logic adapted for communicating with a central controller. |
| US08837475B2 |
Method for controlling area boundary, method and system for establishing connection in multilayer network
A method for controlling area boundary, and a method and system for establishing connection in a multilayer network are provided. With a Path Computation Element (PCE) computing a network path and sending response message carrying layer boundary information to a Path Computation Client (PCC), in the present invention, a multilayer network connection can be established rapidly, thereby reducing the time for establishing the multilayer network connection. |
| US08837474B2 |
Apparatus and methods for efficient network address translation and application level gateway processing
Apparatus and methods for efficient NAT and ALG processing is disclosed. An exemplary method includes the operations of deep scanning a packet received over a connection to determine an application level gateway (ALG) process to be performed on the packet, associating the connection with the ALG process, and forwarding additional packets received over the connection to receive the ALG process based on said associating so that deep scanning of the additional packets is bypassed. An exemplary apparatus includes a processor to deep scan a packet received over a connection to determine an ALG process to be performed on the packet, a database to associate the connection with the ALG process, and a packet transmitter to forward additional packets received over the connection to receive the ALG process based on said associating so that deep scanning of the additional packets is bypassed. |
| US08837470B1 |
Multi-stage switching topology
The present technology considers multi-stage network topologies where it is not possible to evenly stripe uplinks from a lower stage of the network topology to switching units in an upper stage of the topology. This technology proposes techniques to both improve overall throughput and to deliver uniform performance to all end hosts with uneven connectivity among the different stages while delivering uniform performance to all hosts. To achieve improved network performance in case of asymmetric connectivity, more flows may be sent to some egress ports than to others, thus weighting some ports more than others, resulting in Weighted Cost Multi Path (WCMP) flow distribution. |
| US08837469B2 |
Content using method, content using apparatus, content recording method, content recording apparatus, content providing system, content receiving method, content receiving apparatus, and content data format
A method of using contents includes the steps of setting public time information and private time information, the public time information being associated with each content and defined universally for use by a large number of unspecified users, the private time being associated with the content and defined for use by a small number of particular persons, and searching for a content according to the public time information and/or the private time information and using the content detected in the searching. |
| US08837464B2 |
Packet data service with circuit-switched call notification
Systems and techniques are disclosed relating to wireless communications. The systems and techniques involve wireless communications wherein a packet data session may be established between a wireless communications device and a packet data serving node to support a network connection to a packet-switched network. The wireless communications device may be configured to receive a notification of an incoming call from a circuit-switched network even when the network connection is active. |
| US08837461B2 |
Telephony system
In IP telephony systems, it has become impossible to detect the location of installation of a telephone terminal from the telephone number, since an IP telephone terminal can be installed in an arbitrary location. Also, even if one observes the calling party number presentation at the time of an incoming call, it has become impossible to grasp from where the calling party is placing the outgoing call. It is possible that, within an IP telephony system, a terminal location detection means is configured and the installation location of a telephone terminal is detected simultaneously with the registration of the telephone terminal. In addition, the problem can be solved by configuring, in an IP telephony server, a device of reporting location information about the correspondent to the telephone terminal and by configuring, in the telephone terminal, a device of displaying the received positional information. |
| US08837454B2 |
Simultaneous multiband operation of a MIMO communication device
A system and method is presented to support simultaneous connections to multiple network connections. For example, a wireless radio of a communication device may be used to transmit or receive data from two network channels, each associated with a network connection. The communication device may allocate a first set of resources from the wireless radio to be used to communicate across a first network channel and allocate a second set of communication resources from the wireless radio to be used to simultaneously communicate a cross a second network channel. |
| US08837449B2 |
Universal integrated circuit card updates in a hybrid network
A universal integrated circuit card (UICC) may include a universal subscriber identity module (USIM); a code division multiple access (CDMA) subscriber identity module (CSIM); a memory to store instructions; and a processor. The processor may execute instructions to determine a type of wireless access network available to a user equipment (UE) associated with the UICC; perform updates of the UICC using the USIM, in response to detecting a CDMA enhanced High Rate Packet Data (eHRPD) network, a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) access network, or a Long Term Evolution (LTE) access network; and perform updates of the UICC using the CSIM, in response to detecting an available CDMA access network other than a CDMA eHRPD access network. |
| US08837448B2 |
Communication method, communication device, and computer program
An electronic device forming part of a communication system includes first processing circuitry configured to receive a beacon from a counterpart device. The communication system also includes second processing circuitry that causes the counterpart device to set a transmitting and receiving operation as active state for a first operating period. |
| US08837447B2 |
Communications and systems utilizing common designation networking
A method of forming ad hoc RSI hierarchical communication networks among pluralities of wireless transceivers includes assigning to each of the transceivers one or more common designations. A network organization routine of the transceivers operates to establish hierarchical networks based on the transceivers' common designations, resulting in a logical network organization that provides efficiencies for acquiring information from particular transceivers that share a common designation. Each transceiver's common designation is used by a digital processor of the transceiver to selectively receive data packets that are intended for receipt by transceivers sharing the particular common designation. Such a “common designation” network reduces power consumption and signal interference thereby increasing battery life. Each transceiver may include a sensor interface a query handling routine in communication with a memory of the transceiver for serving as a dynamic distributed hierarchical database system of information such as, for example, sensor-derived information and time-sensitive information. |
| US08837446B2 |
Mobile router network with rate limiting
A method of operating a mobile router network in one embodiment comprises: providing a plurality of wireless mobile routers, each of the mobile routers comprises a wireless wide area network interface to access a cellular network, and each mobile router is operable to upload data and to download data via the cellular network; providing at least one server coupleable to the plurality of wireless mobile routers via the cellular network; operating each mobile router to determine, on an ongoing basis during a predetermined period, its corresponding accumulated quantity of downloaded data; and operating each mobile router to control its download data rate based on its corresponding the accumulated quantity of downloaded data. |
| US08837441B2 |
Versatile system for WLAN/CDMA2000 interworking
A system for providing architecture and signaling, by which a mobile communications device—active within a WLAN environment—may be effectively and efficiently interfaced with a CDMA2000 network to provide cooperative and concurrent VoIP and over-the-air (OTA) communications, is disclosed. A wireless communications system comprises a mobile station, operating in a wireless LAN environment. The mobile station access the Internet through a wireless LAN access point. The area is also provided service by a CDMA2000-based over-the-air network. A provisioning server, within the CDMA2000-based network, is accessible via the Internet. A mobile switching center is also within the CDMA2000-based network. An interface construct is communicatively coupled to the mobile switching center and to the wireless LAN, and is adapted to facilitate call traffic between the CDMA2000 network and the mobile station over the wireless LAN. |
| US08837438B2 |
Method of performing random access procedure in wireless communication system
A method and device for performing contention resolution between a mobile communication terminal and a base station. The method according to an embodiment includes initiating a random access procedure by a medium access control (MAC) layer of the mobile communication terminal, including starting a contention resolution timer; and stopping the contention resolution timer and determining that the random access procedure was successfully completed upon receipt from the base station of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission addressed to a cell-radio network temporary identity (C-RNTI) of the mobile communication terminal and containing a UL grant. |
| US08837433B2 |
Prioritizing inter-frequency/inter-RAT measurements and eMBMS in LTE
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided for prioritizing the performance of measurements during measurement gaps and the reception of multicast/broadcast content. The apparatus receives a configuration from a serving cell to perform a measurement during a measurement gap of a unicast service while in a connected mode. In addition, the apparatus determines whether to refrain from leaving the serving cell on a first frequency and performing the measurement on a second frequency of a neighboring cell in order to receive multicast/broadcast content associated with a multicast/broadcast service during the measurement gap. |
| US08837432B2 |
Mobile node registration
A method is disclosed for a mobile node to register with a home agent on a home network when the mobile node is located near a border between two or more foreign domains. A buffer zone is defined that includes the border between the foreign domains and overlapping portions of the foreign domains. When the mobile node is located inside the buffer zone, mobile node re-registration with either foreign agent is limited to once for each registration lifetime rather than each time the mobile node crosses from one foreign domain to another foreign domain. |
| US08837430B2 |
Method and apparatus for power correction in uplink synchronization during a TD-SCDMA handover
A method and apparatus for adjusting and offsetting a power level of uplink transmissions from user equipment in a wireless communication system. In an aspect of the disclosure, a handoff from a source base station to a target base station includes the target base station determining a suitable power offset value and communicating this offset to the source base station. The source base station transmits a handover instruction including the offset to the user equipment (UE), and the UE transmits a synchronization code. The target base station then calculates a further power correction and transmits the correction with an acknowledgment of the synchronization code. The UE then sets the power for future transmissions based in part on the offset and correction values. |
| US08837425B2 |
Network station identifiers in a wireless communication system
A wireless communication system allowing transmission of identifiers of network stations, the system including: a first network station, such as a femto cell basestation, with an identifier and a first transmission coverage area; a second network station, such as a macro cell basestation, with an identifier and a second transmission coverage area, which is larger than and overlaps with the first transmission coverage area; and storage means storing a unit of time defined in the system, along with a first ID window defined within the unit of time allocated to the first network station for transmission of its own identifier and a subsequent second ID window defined within the unit of time allocated for transmission of the second network station identifier. |
| US08837424B2 |
Mobile communication system and method for processing handover procedure thereof
A method for processing a handover procedure in a mobile communication system is disclosed. After a type of handover is recognized based on information included in a handover command, a radio resource reconfiguration operation is selectively performed or a data transmission start point is adjusted, to thereby minimize an unnecessary operation occurring in the handover process and optimize a data transmission between a user equipment and a base station. |
| US08837421B2 |
Channelization procedure for implementing persistent ACK/NACK and scheduling request
In one exemplary embodiment, a method includes: configuring a common resource space having a plurality of time-frequency resources and code resources, where the common resource space includes a first portion for a first type of signaling and a second portion for a second type of signaling, where the first type of signaling includes at least one of persistent acknowledgement signaling and scheduling request signaling, where the second type of signaling includes dynamic acknowledgement signaling; and allocating, based on the configured common resource space, resources of the common resource space for the at least one of persistent acknowledgement signaling and scheduling request signaling. |
| US08837415B1 |
Assignment of air-interface spreading codes in a cellular wireless communication system
A method, system, and apparatus for managing spreading codes used in communication over a radio frequency air interface. When a radio access network (RAN) is to assign a spreading code to a mobile station in the coverage area, the RAN may determine which mobile station currently having an assigned traffic channel in the coverage area has a highest forward-link signal quality, and the RAN may select a spreading code based on the spreading code of that determined mobile station's assigned traffic channel. For instance, the RAN may select a spreading code that is quasi-orthogonal to the spreading code of the determined mobile station's assigned traffic channel. |
| US08837414B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting control information in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for transmitting acknowledgement/negative ACK (ACK/NACK) in a wireless communication system which supports carrier aggregation, and to an apparatus for the method. A method in which a terminal transmits ACK/NACK in a wireless communication system that supports carrier aggregation comprises the following steps: receiving one or more physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs); and transmitting ACK/NACK for said one or more PDSCHs via a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). A PUCCH format for transmitting ACK/NACK is selected by taking the type of the carrier in which said one or more PDSCHs are received into account. |
| US08837406B2 |
Transmit power control method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for controlling transmit power of a User Equipment (UE) in a mobile communication system is provided. The transmit power control method of the present invention includes determining, when the terminal's required transmit power exceeds the terminal's maximum transmit power, whether a plurality of Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) processes are running and reducing, when the plurality of HARQ processes are running, a transmit power of at least one of the plurality of HARQ processes which has not experienced transmit power reduction previously. The UE transmit power control method and apparatus of the present invention is advantageous to control the transmit power in transmit power reduction mode. |
| US08837401B2 |
Interference control mechanism in multi-band communication
There is provided a mechanism for controlling communications conducted in multiple frequency bands so as to decrease an interference level between the communications. When an interference situation caused between a first set UL communications performed on at least two different frequency bands and a DL communication performed on another frequency band is determined, a frequency carrier deactivation processing is conducted so as to deactivate either one of carriers of the at least two frequency bands of the set of UL communications. The deactivation processing includes for example an autonomous denial on the UE side or an interference reporting with deactivation on the eNB side. |
| US08837397B2 |
Apparatus and method for co-existence between different radio access technologies
Apparatuses and methods are provided for co-existence between different first and second radio access technologies (RATs). The apparatus is configured or caused to perform operations, which the method may include. The operations may include selecting parameter(s) of a frame structure of the first RAT so as to facilitate its co-existence with the second RAT. These parameters may include a given length of a cyclic prefix of subframe(s) of the first frame structure, or the types of subframes of which the first frame structure is composed. The operations may additionally or alternatively include selecting, for the first RAT, the uplink and/or downlink duration(s) and/or transmit transition gap therebetween so as to satisfy a number of conditions that may define co-existence between the first and second RATs. Further, the operations may additionally or alternatively include structuring cyclic prefixes of the frame structures of the first RAT to reduce network search complexity. |
| US08837396B2 |
Mapping user data onto a time-frequency resource grid in a coordinated multi-point wireless communication sytem
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for receiving user data in a wireless communication system (300) that employs coordinated multi-point transmission of the user data from a first cell serving a wireless terminal (635) and a second cell site neighboring the first cell site. In an exemplary system, the first cell site maps control signals (110, 230, 240) and user data to a time-frequency resources (220) according to a first mapping pattern, while the second cell site maps control data (110, 230, 240) and traffic data to the time-frequency resources (220) according to a second mapping pattern. An exemplary method comprises extracting (520) user data, according to the first mapping pattern, from time-frequency resources (220) of a first transmission for the wireless terminal (635) transmitted from the first cell site; detecting (540) a control element transmitted by one of the first and second cell sites, the control element indicating that user data associated with the control element is mapped to the time-frequency resources (220) according to the second mapping pattern; and, responsive to said detecting, extracting (550) user data according to the second mapping pattern from time-frequency resources (220) of a second transmission for the wireless terminal (635) transmitted from the second cell site. |
| US08837390B2 |
Network entry apparatus and method for relay station using full duplex in mobile communication system
A network entry apparatus and method for a Radio Station (RS) using full duplex in a mobile communication system are provided. The method includes performing a capability negotiation procedure including a full duplex function with a BS, performing an authentication and registration procedure with the BS, and performing an operation parameter configuration procedure including a full duplex function with the BS. |
| US08837389B2 |
Method and apparatus for handling semi-persistent transmission resources in wireless communication system
A method for handling semi-persistent transmission resources in a network terminal of a wireless communication system is disclosed. The wireless communication system supports carrier aggregation and semi-persistent scheduling (SPS). Carrier aggregation enables a user equipment (UE) of the wireless communication system to perform transmission and/or reception using multiple carriers. The method includes steps of establishing an RRC connection via a cell containing an uplink carrier and a downlink carrier, configuring at least one downlink carrier to the UE via a first RRC message, and transmitting a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) signaling addressed to an SPS cell radio network temporary identifier of the UE, to configure or reconfigure a semi-persistent transmission resource to the UE or to trigger an SPS retransmission. |
| US08837384B2 |
Physical channel communication method for random access in wireless communication system
A physical channel communication method and apparatus for random access in a cellular communication system including a plurality of relay nodes and user equipments using the same system information is provided. The physical channel communication method for random access in a wireless communication system according to the present invention includes receiving, by at least two relay nodes connected to a base station, system information containing a Physical Random Access CHannel (PRACH) region allocation information for identifying user equipments attached to the relay nodes; receiving PRACHs for random accesses transmitted by the user equipments; and transmitting the PRACHs to the base station on relay node-specific resource regions according to the PRACH region allocation information. |
| US08837380B2 |
Method and apparatus for cell search in an orthogonal wireless communication system
Systems and methodologies are described that provide techniques for efficient cell search in a wireless communication system. In one aspect, a frequency reuse pattern can be generated by applying frequency shifts to reference signals transmitted from cells that provide coverage for a NodeB based on cell IDs or cell group IDs for the cells. The frequency shifts applied to reference signals can then be utilized as a basis for multiplexing reference signals from different cells using frequency division multiplexing (FDM) or a combination of FDM and other multiplexing techniques. Other adjustments to reference signals transmitted from respective cells, such as transmit power adjustments, can further be made to improve detection performance. |
| US08837375B2 |
Support for voice over flexible bandwidth carrier systems
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for providing data, such as voice data for a voice service, over flexible bandwidth carriers. Some embodiments include support for 12.2 kbps and/or 7.95 kbps AMR CS voice over flexible bandwidth UMTS (F-UMTS) in particular. Some embodiments provide for keeping the information data rate for a flexible bandwidth carrier at least the same as that of a normal bandwidth carrier. For example, one voice frame may still be mapped to a 20 ms time window upon transmission, irrespective of a flexible bandwidth scaling factor N or chip rate divider Dcr in F-UMTS. The tools and techniques provided may be implemented on mobile devices and/or base stations. Flexible bandwidths carriers may utilize portions of spectrum that may be too big or too small to fit a normal bandwidth waveform for a normal bandwidth carrier. |
| US08837374B2 |
Subscriber database for services at the edge of a mobile data network
Mobile network services are performed at the edge of a mobile data network in a way that is transparent to most of the existing equipment in the mobile data network. The mobile data network includes a radio access network and a core network. A service mechanism in the radio access network breaks out data coming from a basestation, and performs one or more mobile network services at the edge of the mobile data network based on the broken out data. A subscriber database is dynamically built to support authorization, authentication and accounting for the services performed at the edge of the mobile data network for the broken out data. The core network thus has a subscriber database that is used for non-broken out data, while a separate subscriber database that is not in the core network is used for broken out data. |
| US08837371B2 |
Method of and apparatus for mapping to demodulation reference signal port
A demodulation reference signal port mapping method is disclosed. The method includes: a base station communicates with a User Equipment (UE), and allocates corresponding data stream to the UE according to the attribution of the UE; the base station maps the corresponding data stream from a layer to a corresponding demodulation reference signal port; the base station transmits the corresponding data stream to the UE via demodulation reference signal port. By restricting the demodulation reference signal port mapping solution of rank=1 to rank=8 and the demodulation reference signal port mapping solution when the retransmission occurs, the technical solution enables the demodulation reference signal port mapping solution to be compatible with the present system and to keep lower overhead of the demodulation reference signal. |
| US08837369B2 |
System and method for indicating local IP access support via NAS signaling
A method of providing Local IP Access (LIPA) indication is proposed. In one novel aspect, an enhanced cell selection method is proposed using LIPA capability information. Based on LIPA capability related information, a UE is able to prioritize LIPA-capable cells and establish a corresponding packet data network (PDN) connection accordingly. In one embodiment, LIPA information is informed to the UE via Non Access Stratum (NAS) signaling. The UE stores LIPA capability information when receiving a NAS message from a mobility management entity (MME). Later on, when the UE performs cell selection or reselection in idle mode, the UE can use the stored LIPA capability information to prioritize LIPA-capable cells. |
| US08837367B2 |
Method of enhancing zone-based service
A method of enhancing a zone-based service for a personal network entity (PNE) is disclosed. The method comprises sending PNE related information to a personal network gateway (PN-GW); and receiving specific information from the person network gateway; wherein, the specific information is provided based on the PNE related information. |
| US08837366B2 |
Method to use network measurements to optimize mobile wireless device performance
Method and apparatus for managing connections and state transitions between a mobile wireless device and a wireless network are described. The mobile wireless device measures network characteristics of radio sectors in the wireless network and saves the measured network characteristics in a database, later retrieving the network characteristics and determining data inactivity timeout values for the radio sector. The mobile wireless device manages connections and state transitions based on the determined data inactivity timeout values. The database of network characteristics is organized by geographic location. |
| US08837359B2 |
Location intercept method and apparatus
The present disclosure discloses a location monitoring method and apparatus. The method includes: creating a tracking area (TA) list for user equipment (UE) according to a monitoring precision indication and sending the TA list to the UE; and obtaining location information of the UE when the UE executes a location update according to the TA List and reporting the location information to a monitoring center. With the present disclosure, the monitoring location precision of a monitoring target may be set so that more accurate location information of the monitoring target can be obtained and that the needs of various monitoring tasks can be satisfied. |
| US08837358B2 |
UL ACK/NACK for inter-radio access technology carrier aggregation
A method is disclosed that includes, for each of a multiplicity of subframes to be communicated using a first radio access technology, determining a first number of bits used for first feedback information corresponding to a first communication effected using the first radio access technology and a second number of bits used for second feedback information corresponding to a second communication effected using a second radio access technology. The method further includes, using only the first radio access technology, communicating the multiplicity of subframes, wherein for each of the multiplicity of subframes, included in the subframe are the first feedback information using the determined first number of bits and the second feedback information using the determined second number of bits. Apparatus, program products, and computer programs are also disclosed. |
| US08837357B2 |
Methods and apparatus for mobile voice service management
Methods and apparatus for mobile voice service management are described. An example method includes receiving a mobile network request for registering with a mobile network and responsive to the mobile network request, sending a response including an area identity list and an identifier indicating whether an area identified in the tracking area identity list supports a service. |
| US08837356B2 |
Method for identifying connection, mobile station and base station
Disclosed are a method for identifying a connection, mobile station and base station. The method comprises the steps of: assigning a MS ID to the mobile station when the mobile station enters into the coverage area of the base station; and assigning a connection ID to a connection when the connection is established between the base station and the mobile station. With the proposed solution, the data overhead could be reduced due to short Connection ID instead of 16-bit CID in 802.16e, especially for VoIP traffic. In addition, due to adjustable bit-length of Connection ID, the tuple |
| US08837354B2 |
Apparatus and method for supporting wireless actuators and other devices in process control systems
A system includes a wireless leaf node configured to modify operation of an industrial process. The system also includes a plurality of wireless access points configured to transmit data to the wireless leaf node in specified time slots and to receive an acknowledgement from the wireless leaf node in response to successful receipt of the data by the wireless leaf node. Various communication schemes are disclosed for supporting communications between the wireless leaf node and the access points. Each access point could also include a local slot manager configured to assign the specified time slots for that access point to communicate with the wireless leaf node. The wireless leaf node could represent a wireless actuator. |
| US08837353B2 |
Method and operation for operation between WPAN and WLAN for a network interface card
A wireless network adapter may provide an absence indicator to devices in a first network to alert such devices to a time period when the wireless network adapter is not available in the first network. The wireless network adapter may operate in multiple networks, wherein the multiple networks are time division multiplexed on a same transmission channel. The absence indicator may be provided as a Notice Of Absence (NOA) Information Element (IE). |
| US08837352B2 |
Method for allocating resources in a broadband wireless access system
The present invention relates to a broadband wireless access system, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for efficiently allocating resources to terminals in a random access system. The method for performing such a random access procedure of a terminal in a broadband wireless system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: transmitting a preamble sequence to a random access region in a base station; and receiving from the base station ACK information indicative of a received state of the preamble sequence. The ACK information receiving step is preferably a step of decoding a map information element that is masked as an identifier of the random access region. |
| US08837348B2 |
Relay transmission method and device
A relay transmission method, cell base station and relay station, for improving the average spectrum efficiency and throughput of a cell, are provided by the present invention. Said relay transmission method includes that when data transmission is performed between Access Points APs and each user, AP identification set groups which consist of the AP identification sets without intersection, are determined from the AP identification sets corresponding to the users, wherein the AP identification set comprises AP identifications of the APs which can provide services for the user; according to the determined AP identification set groups, same resources are allocated to the users corresponding to the AP identification sets in the same AP identification set group, and different resources are allocated to the users corresponding to the AP identification sets in the different AP identification set groups; and each AP in the AP identification set corresponding to each user is informed to provide services for the user by using the resources allocated to the user. |
| US08837340B2 |
Method and system for transmitting/receiving data in a wireless communication system
The present specification relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, discloses a method and system for discontinuous reception for data transmission/reception in a wireless communication system. The present specification discloses a scheme in which a terminal checks a parameter for controlling the discontinuous reception (DRX) of a second component carrier, said parameter being different from the parameter for controlling the discontinuous reception (DRX) of a first component carrier used by a base station, and receives data through the discontinuous reception of the first component carrier and of the second component carrier. |
| US08837339B2 |
Access point and control method thereof
A communication apparatus confirms a connection state with a terminal apparatus, the information about which is stored in a storage unit, when the communication apparatus is switched from a power saving communication mode to a normal communication mode. When the communication apparatus confirms that all of the terminal apparatuses have disengaged from a network, the communication apparatus ends its operations as a base station, and notifies a user of the disengagement. |
| US08837336B2 |
Antenna arrangement
An antenna arrangement has a first signal path connected to a first antenna. A second signal path is connected to a second antenna. A third signal path includes a device that measures the signal strength. Directional couplers couple the first and second signal paths to the third signal path. Filters filter out signal components that are coupled by one antenna into the other antenna. |
| US08837334B2 |
Method for receiving control information and control information signaling and mobile station apparatus using the same
A method for receiving control information and a control information signaling receiving method are disclosed. If A-MAP information is allocated and transmitted, signaling overhead is greatly reduced, resulting in improved system performance. In addition, the method increases the number of data transmission areas in inverse proportion to control signaling overhead. In accordance with the method for receiving control information signaling, a mobile station correctly recognizes a location to which A-MAP information is allocated and transmitted, resulting in increased control information decoding efficiency. |
| US08837330B1 |
Methods, systems, and media for combining conferencing signals
Methods, systems, and media for combining conferencing signals are provided. In some embodiments, methods for combining conferencing signals are provided, wherein the methods include: selecting first selected signals from a plurality of first input signals; combining the first selected signals to provide first combined signals; sending the first combined signals to at least one of an audio mixer and a video composer; receiving second combined signals from the at least one of an audio mixer and a video composer; separating a second input signal from the second combined signals; selecting second selected signals from the plurality of first input signals and the second input signal; combining the second selected signals to provide an output signal; and outputting the output signal. |
| US08837325B2 |
Paging method, location update method and device
A paging method may reduce signaling overhead of system paging and save system paging resources. The method includes: receiving, by an eNodeB, a paging message, where the paging message carries a tracking area identity; paging a user equipment if the tracking area identity in the paging message is the tracking area identity of the eNodeB; and instructing a relay to page. A location update method is also disclosed, which reduces signaling load produced by location update. The method includes: generating, by a relay, a system message, where the system message includes a tracking area identity of the relay; and broadcasting the system message, and triggering a user equipment in a cell of the relay to initiate a location update request. The embodiments of the present invention disclose an eNodeB, a relay, a communication system. |
| US08837324B2 |
Methods for accessing end-to-end broadband network via network access server platform
A system is described for providing personalized network access and services in a distributed end-to-end broadband transport network having a telecommunication device used by a user having a unique personal identifier, a premises-based broadband access agent (BAA), the BAA connected to and in communication with the telecommunication device, a switch specific to an underlying transport medium, the switch connected to and in communication with the distributed end-to-end broadband transport network, a network access server platform (NASP), the NASP connected to and in communication with the BAA and the switch, the NASP provides personalized network access and services on demand and a call connection agent (CCA) to complete a call placed by the user to a terminating user. |
| US08837319B2 |
Method and system for integrated link adaptation and power control to improve error and throughput performance in wireless packet networks
The invention provides a system that implements an algorithm for integrated link adaptation and power control to achieve specified error rates and to improve an overall throughput for real-time applications in wireless packet networks. The system initially divides wireless terminals into groups according to their signal path gains. Afterwards, the system can periodically adapt transmissions (i.e., link adaptations) based on the required error rates, actual error statistics and average transmission power for each wireless terminal group. Furthermore, transmission power can be adjusted by an enhanced Kalman-filter method to ensure successful reception. |
| US08837318B2 |
Mobile network services in a mobile data network
Mobile network services are performed in a mobile data network in a way that is transparent to most of the existing equipment in the mobile data network. The mobile data network includes a radio access network and a core network. A first service mechanism in the radio access network breaks out data coming from a basestation, and performs one or more mobile network services based on the broken out data. A second service mechanism in the core network performs one or more mobile network services based on the network traffic remaining after the first service mechanism performs its breakout. An optional third service mechanism coupled to the core network provides one or more mobile network services in the mobile data network. An overlay network allows the first, second and third service mechanisms to communicate with each other. The overlay network is preferably a private virtual network. |
| US08837317B1 |
Managing codec consistency across a communication session
A method and system is disclosed for maintaining codec consistency across a communication session. When a communication session is set up for an access terminal (AT) operating in a wireless communication system, a network device, such a base station, can determine a coding rate to assign the AT for its air interface in a manner that accounts for network capacity variations across the session. If the AT is predicted to handoff to multiple sectors during the session, then a coding rate that best accommodates the air interfaces of all the predicted handoff sectors, but that does not result in consistently low coding rates for the AT, may be used. |
| US08837308B2 |
Power efficient link group communication apparatus and method
A power-efficient link group-based communication system is provided. In link group-based communication, according to the amount of transmitted traffic, an appropriate number of links in a link group are set to active mode to be used for traffic transmission, and the rest of the links in the link group are set to power save mode, thereby not transmitting traffic. Thus, efficient power reduction in the link group-based communication can be realized. |
| US08837307B2 |
Two-way ranging messaging scheme
In a two-way ranging scheme where a first apparatus (e.g., device) determines a distance to a second apparatus (e.g., device), specified packets are sent between these apparatuses at specified times to facilitate the determination of the distance. In some aspects, these packets may be defined and/or sent in a manner that enables the apparatuses to detect a leading edge of a received packet with a high degree of accuracy. For example, an apparatus may transmit a packet a defined period of time after transmitting or receiving another packet. In addition, a packet may comprise a defined symbol sequence that is used by an apparatus that receives the packet to identify a leading edge of the packet. |
| US08837303B2 |
System and method for multi-user multiplexing
A relay node is described herein, the relay node comprising a network connectivity device configured to receive a plurality of medium access control layer (MAC) packet data units (PDUs) from a plurality of user agents; a processor configured to multiplex the plurality of MAC PDUs to form a Super-MAC PDU; and wherein the network connectivity device is further configured to transmit the Super-MAC PDU to an access node. |
| US08837301B2 |
Interference measurements in enhanced inter-cell interference coordination capable wireless terminals
A wireless communication terminal is disclose. The terminal includes a transceiver coupled to a processor configured to determine that a subset of a plurality of REs must be excluded from demodulation, the plurality of resource elements (REs) received in a signal from a first base station, to estimate a hypothetical block error rate (BLER) based on the signal received from the first base station by excluding the subset of the plurality of Res, and to estimate channel state information based on the hypothetical block error rate (BLER). |
| US08837299B2 |
Connectivity fault management in a provider backbone bridge traffic engineering (PBB-TE) domain
A system and method for providing Connectivity Fault Management, CFM, in a Provider Backbone Bridge Traffic Engineering, PBB-TE, telecommunication network utilizing Ethernet-based packet transport. PBB-TE point-to-point and point-to-multipoint services are identified, and PBB-TE maintenance points (31, 41) associated with the identified PBB-TE services are addressed. The addressed PBB-TE maintenance points are modified by adding a PBB-TE Service Demultiplexer (32, 42) to each PBB-TE maintenance point for identifying independent PBB-TE service instances. Basic CFM protocols are enhanced to duplicate the behavior of CFM protocols on virtual local area network, VLAN, based maintenance associations. The PBB-TE maintenance points may be Maintenance association End Points, MEPs, and Maintenance association Intermediate Points, MIPs. |
| US08837298B2 |
Voice quality probe for communication networks
Embodiments emulate agents in a contact center, or enterprise, that initiate communication sessions to each other over communication networks and measure data quality using one or more metrics. That data measured can include voice and video data. Examples of communication networks used to place the voice calls include Internet Protocol (IP) networks and hybrid networks including more traditional telephony components. The data collected by the emulated agents is sent to a monitoring server. The monitoring server and the emulated agent behavior can be configured and scheduled via a web interface. In addition, the web interface provides the user with detailed reports, performance summaries, and visualizations of data collected, further enabling the user to troubleshoot a contact center or enterprise over a variety of communication networks. |
| US08837296B2 |
Method and apparatus of transaction determination for non-TCP protocols
Method and apparatus of transaction determination for non-tcp protocols employs a network analyzer to observe network traffic. Non-TCP protocol sequential traffic from a client to a server and sequential traffic following from a server to the client are considered to be one transaction for test and measurement analysis purposes. |
| US08837295B2 |
Diagnostic tool and method for retrieving subscriber information from nodes located within a layer 2 aggregation network
An in-band diagnostic tool and method are described herein that are capable of retrieving subscriber information from one or more nodes located within a layer 2 aggregation network. In one application, the diagnostic tool and method can be used by a customer service representative to retrieve subscriber information (e.g., user privileges, current bandwidth usage, available bandwidth) related to a customer that receives television, Internet etc. from an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network (which is an application-specific layer 2 aggregation network). |
| US08837294B2 |
Schematic display of protocol-specific information
A test and measurement instrument for displaying data including an acquisition system configured to receive an input signal, a processor coupled to the acquisition system and configured to generate a schematic from protocol-specific information within the input signal, and a display coupled to the processor and configured to display the schematic. |
| US08837288B2 |
Flow-based network switching system
A flow-based network switching system includes a memory having a flow table and a packet processor coupled to the memory. The packet processor includes a user-programmable flow-based rule storage that includes a plurality of flow-based rules. A flow-based handler and session manager in the packet processor is operable to retrieve application layer metadata from a first packet received over a network, determine a first flow session associated with the first packet using the application layer metadata from the first packet and the flow table, and retrieve at least one of the plurality of flow-based rules from the programmable flow-based rule storage using the application layer metadata from the first packet. A flow-based rule processing engine in the packet processor is operable to apply the at least one flow-based rule to the first packet. Packets with applied flow-based rules are forwarded through the network. |
| US08837287B2 |
Application-specific management of high-bandwidth transfers
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a system and related method for transmission of content over a telecommunications network. The system may include a deep packet inspection (DPI) device configured to perform DPI to identify an application associated with the new flow, determine an amount of bandwidth required for the application, and determine a current amount of bandwidth used by the subscriber. The DPI device may then determine a total amount of bandwidth used by the subscriber. When the total amount of bandwidth exceeds an amount of bandwidth guaranteed to the subscriber, the DPI device may perform a traffic management action on packets belonging to the new flow, such that the total amount of bandwidth used by the subscriber does not exceed the amount of bandwidth guaranteed to the subscriber. |
| US08837285B2 |
Method and apparatus for initializing, preserving, and reconfiguring token buckets
A method and an apparatus are provided for initializing token buckets to a non-zero value, preserving the token buckets during a medium access control (MAC) reset or handover, resetting the token buckets based on a minimum bucket size or ratio of sizes, and transmitting a token status report. |
| US08837280B2 |
Path control system, path control device, communication device, path control method, and program
A path control system according to the present invention includes: a network including a communication device that communicates via a wireless link using adaptive modulation; and a path control device (201) that obtains bandwidth probability that corresponds to a bandwidth and that indicates a stability of the bandwidth with respect to the wireless link, preferentially sets a communication path whose bandwidth probability is higher than a predetermined threshold to the network, and prepares an alternate path for a communication path whose bandwidth probability is lower than the predetermined threshold. |
| US08837274B2 |
Methods and apparatus for multi-dimensional data permutation in wireless networks
Methods and apparatus that seek to increase the diversity seen in wireless communication systems by intelligently implementing a joint multi-dimensional permutation approach. In an exemplary embodiment, this is accomplished by combining the permutation of various transmitter antennas, various data streams (for example, in a MIMO configuration) and various constellation-bit mappings into a coherent multi-dimensional permutation scheme. Subsequent retransmissions in combination with an initial transmission are utilized to obtain substantial signal flattening at a receiver which increases the likelihood that retransmissions that follow detected errors will successfully convey the transmitted data to the receiver. Both open and closed-loop approaches are contemplated which take advantage of the multi-dimensional permutation schemes. In addition, embodiments utilized in the context of retransmission mechanisms such as HARQ are also contemplated. |
| US08837271B1 |
Method and system for sharing a downlink resource block among multiple users
A downlink resource block in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication system can be shared among multiple wireless communication devices (WCDs) by assigning one or more orthogonal codes to each WCD. To transmit data to the WCDs using the downlink resource block, a base station may receive a data stream that includes respective data for each of the WCDs and encode each WCD's respective data with a respective orthogonal code assigned to that WCD to generate an encoded data stream. An OFDM transmitter in the base station may receive the encoded data stream and transmit the encoded data in the form of OFDM symbols in the downlink resource block. A WCD can receive the downlink resource block, recover the encoded data from the OFDM symbols, and use the one or more orthogonal codes assigned to it to recover the data for that WCD from the encoded data. |
| US08837269B2 |
Process for inter-cell interference cancellation in a synchronized OFDM system, and apparatus for the same
A process for cancelling inter-cell interference between neighboring cells in a synchronized OFDM communication system allowing communication between one User Equipment (UE) fitted with at least two antennas and one serving base station is provided. The process allows multi-antenna mobile receiver in a UE to receive downlink information from a base station that includes both information relating to proper communication with the base station and additional information that was received by the base station from a neighboring base station that provides interference data about another UE. The multi-antenna UE is adapted to use the downlink information in its receiver circuitry to cancel the interference from the other UE. |
| US08837262B2 |
Voice control of optical disk drive
A control circuit for an optical disk drive includes a microphone, an analog-to-digital (A/D conversion) module, a control module, and a processing module configured to compare a digital representation of a spoken command from a user against the operation representation of the control module. If the processing module determines that a spoken command in the analog form, is equal to the digital signal, the control module acts on the command and controls the optical disk drive to change its status. |
| US08837260B2 |
Quick correction device for a display system
The invention relates to a mechanism (5) comprising a measuring system (11, 13) mechanically connected to a display system (9) for displaying a time-related or other piece of information (2, 14). According to the invention, the display system (9) includes a quick correction device (10, 12) with an epicycloidal gear train for correcting said display of time-related or other information (2, 14) at any time while maintaining the relationship between the display system (9) and the measuring system (11, 13) during the correction phase.The invention particularly concerns the field of timepieces. |
| US08837258B1 |
Method and apparatus for determining acoustic communication rate in micro-devices
The invention provides devices and methods for using acoustics to communicate between a macro-scale transceiver and a micro-device or between multiple micro-devices. The micro-devices may passively scatter sound from a transceiver or actively generate sound. Acoustic waves can also provide power to a micro-device. |
| US08837254B2 |
Data output control circuit of semiconductor apparatus
A data output circuit includes an output control signal generation unit configured to generate output control signals in response to an output enable bar signal and a delay locked clock signal and a register configured to output stored data in response to the output control signals. |
| US08837253B2 |
Programming pulse generation circuit and non-volatile memory apparatus having the same
A program pulse generation circuit includes: a set pulse generator configured to apply a set pulse to an output node in response to a driving signal, a set pulse control signal, and a first switching signal, and a current controller configured to control step reductions forming the set pulse in response to the driving signal and a second switching signal. |
| US08837252B2 |
Memory decoder circuit
A decoder circuit includes high voltage and low voltage transistors. The decoder circuit uses the high voltage transistors during modify operations to provide a high voltage, e.g., a boosted voltage, to memory cells to change memory cell status or perform other operations. The decoder circuit uses the low voltage transistors during read operations. |
| US08837250B2 |
Method and apparatus for word line decoder layout
A word line decoder comprises a plurality of driver circuits, a plurality of word lines provided at respective outputs of the driver circuits, and a plurality of primary input lines coupled to the driver circuits and oriented in a first direction. The word line decoder also comprises a plurality of secondary input lines coupled to the driver circuits and oriented in the first direction. The word line decoder also comprises a local decode line coupled to each of the primary input lines. The word line decoder also comprises a decode line coupled to the local decode line and oriented in the first direction. A cluster decode line is coupled to the decode line. The word line decoder is configured to select at least one of the word lines based on signals provided by the cluster decode line and the secondary input lines. |
| US08837248B2 |
Non-volatile memory storage apparatus, memory controller and data storing method
A non-volatile memory storage apparatus having a connector, an energy storage circuit, a power regulator and supply circuit, a non-volatile memory module, a memory controller and a buffer memory is provided. The power regulator and supply circuit is configured for transforming an output voltage from the energy storage circuit into a first voltage used for the non-volatile memory module and a second voltage used for the memory controller and the buffer memory. The memory controller is configured for writing data stored temporarily in the buffer memory into the non-volatile memory module with a special writing mode when receiving a detecting signal indicating that an input voltage is continuously smaller than a predetermined voltage for a predetermined period or receiving a detecting signal indicating that an inactive status of the connector or receiving a suspend mode signal, a warm reset signal or a hot reset signal from a host system. |
| US08837241B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
Disclosed is a semiconductor memory device that includes a late write register for temporarily storing a late write address and late write data. When a write command is input, the semiconductor memory device performs a dummy read, creates a data set having a predetermined bit width from data read by the dummy read and write data, and generates a correction bit from the data set. In parallel with the generation of the data set and the generation of the correction bit, the semiconductor memory device not only performs a late write to write the late write data at the late write address in the memory core, but also stores a write address in the late write register as a new late write address and stores the data set and the correction bit in the late write register as new late write data. |
| US08837240B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and defective cell relieving method
A memory cell array of a first semiconductor chip includes a normal cell array and a spare cell array. A first defect address data storage circuit outputs first defect address data indicating an address of a defective memory cell in the memory cell array. A first comparison circuit compares address data with the first defect address data and outputs a first match signal in case of matching. A second defect address data storage circuit outputs second defect address data indicating an address of a defective memory cell in the memory cell array. A second comparison circuit compares the address data with the second defect address data and outputs a second match signal in case of matching. |
| US08837239B2 |
Latency control circuit and semiconductor device including the circuit
A latency control circuit includes a clock delay configured to output a plurality of serial delay signals obtained by serially delaying an input clock signal with the same intervals, a deviation information generating unit configured to generate a deviation information on the basis of a delay value, which the clock signal undergoes in a chip, and latency information, a clock selector configured to output a plurality of clock selection signals based on the plurality of serial delay signals and the deviation information, a command signal processing unit configured to generate a read signal based on an input command signal, and output a variable delay duplication signal by variably delaying the read signal, and a latency shifter configured to output a latency signal by combining the plurality of clock selection signals with the variable delay duplication signal. |
| US08837236B2 |
Hybrid nonvolatile shadowed DRAM with an overlapping region between a volatile storage die and a nonvolatile storage die
A composite, hybrid memory device including a first storage die having an array of volatile storage cells and a second storage die having an array of non-volatile storage cells disposed within an integrated circuit package. The hybrid memory device includes a shared interface circuit to receive memory access commands directed to the first storage die and the second storage die and to convey read and write data between an external data path and the first and second storage dice. |
| US08837228B2 |
Nonvolatile memory and erasing method thereof
An erase method of a nonvolatile memory includes supplying an erase voltage to a substrate, supplying a selection word line voltage to word lines connected with a selected sub-block within a memory block of the nonvolatile memory, supplying a non-selection word line voltage to word lines connected with an unselected sub-block within the memory block during a first delay time from a point of time when the erase voltage is supplied, and thereafter floating the word lines connected with the unselected sub-block. |
| US08837219B2 |
Method of programming nonvolatile memory
Each memory cell of a plurality of memory cells of a memory has a well, source and drain regions, a storage layer, and a gate. The memory cells are in a matrix. Same column drain regions connect to the same bit line, same row gates connect to the same word line, and same column source regions connect to the same source line. The memory is programmed by applying a first voltage to a word line electrically connected to a memory cell of the plurality of memory cells, applying a second voltage different from the first voltage by at least a programming threshold to a bit line electrically connected to the memory cell, applying a third voltage different from the first voltage by at least the programming threshold to a source line electrically connected to the memory cell, and applying a substrate voltage to the plurality of memory cells. |
| US08837216B2 |
Non-volatile storage system with shared bit lines connected to a single selection device
A non-volatile storage system is disclosed that includes pairs of NAND strings (or other groupings of memory cells) in the same block being connected to and sharing a common bit line. To operate the system, two selection lines are used so that the NAND strings (or other groupings of memory cells) sharing a bit line can be selected at the block level. Both selection lines are connected to a selection gate for each of the NAND strings (or other groupings of memory cells) sharing the bit line. |
| US08837213B2 |
Semiconductor memory device which stores multilevel data
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell, a flag memory cell for a flag, a dummy cell and a controller. The flag memory cell is selected at the same time as the memory cell. The dummy cell is selected at the same time as the memory cell and the flag memory cell. The controller controls write and read of the memory cell, the flag memory cell and the dummy cell. Data is written also in the dummy cell which neighbors the flag cell. |
| US08837206B2 |
Memory device
A memory device includes first and second inverters cross-coupled between first and second nodes. The first inverter is configured to be supplied by a first supply voltage via a first transistor and the second inverter is configured to be supplied by the first supply voltage via a second transistor. A first control circuit is configured to control a gate node of the first transistor based on the voltage at the second node and at a gate node of the second transistor. A second control circuit is configured to control the gate node of the second transistor based on the voltage at the first node and at the gate node of the first transistor. |
| US08837203B2 |
Semiconductor device
The data in a volatile memory may conventionally be lost even in case of a very short time power down or supply voltage drop such as an outage or sag. In view of the foregoing, an object is to extend data retention time even with a volatile memory for high-speed data processing. Data retention time can be extended by backing up the data content stored in the volatile memory in a memory including a capacitor and an oxide semiconductor transistor. |
| US08837197B2 |
Circuit for generating write signal, variable resistance memory device, and method for programming variable resistance memory
A circuit for generating a write signal includes a pre-emphasis signal generator that receives location information of a to-be-programmed memory cell and generates a pre-emphasis signal depending on the location information of the to-be-programmed memory cell, and a write driver that generates a program signal corresponding to data to be programmed in the to-be-programmed memory cell. A write signal is generated by combining the program signal with the pre-emphasis signal supplied from the pre-emphasis signal generator, and the write signal output to the to-be-programmed memory cell. |
| US08837196B2 |
Single layer complementary memory cell
A single layer complementary memory cell includes a conductive base layer, a memristive matrix layer disposed onto the base layer, the memristive matrix comprising distinct memristive devices formed within. The memory cell further includes conductive lines disposed onto the memristive matrix that connect to the distinct memristive devices such that the distinct memristive devices form a mutually complementary relation to each other. |
| US08837189B2 |
Content addressable memory
NAND architecture non-volatile content addressable (CAM) memory devices and methods are described that allows for high density, low cost CAM devices. In addition, the NAND architecture non-volatile CAM memory operates with reduced power consumption characteristics for low power and portable applications. In one NAND architecture non-volatile CAM memory embodiment a wired NOR match line array is utilized. In another embodiment a NAND match line array is shown. In yet other embodiments, hierarchal addressing, hash addressing, tree search and algorithmic/hardware engine based search is detailed utilizing both conventional NAND architecture non-volatile Flash memory arrays and dedicated NAND architecture CAM arrays utilizing wired NOR and wired NAND match lines. |
| US08837188B1 |
Content addressable memory row having virtual ground and charge sharing
A content addressable memory (CAM) row is disclosed. The CAM row includes one or more compare circuits coupled between a match line and a virtual-ground line. The compare circuits are configured to compare a search key with CAM cell data words. The CAM row also includes a pre-charge circuit controlled by a pre-charge signal, and includes a tank capacitor. The pre-charge circuit is configured to pre-charge the match line to a supply voltage in response to assertion of the pre-charge signal. A pull-down transistor dynamically discharges the virtual-ground line to ground potential. |
| US08837178B2 |
Method and apparatus for single-path control and monitoring of an H-bridge
A method and apparatus for controlling and monitoring an H-bridge via a single communication path. The apparatus comprises a first control and monitor module coupled to a first switch within the H-bridge; and a first pulse transformer coupled to a first control signal to the first control and monitor module, wherein the first control and monitor module (i) generates, based on the first control signal, a first driver signal for operating a first switch of the H-bridge during DC/AC power conversion, (ii) monitors at least a portion of the H-bridge for at least one fault, and (iii) communicates, upon detecting the at least one fault, a first fault indication to a main controller of the H-bridge via the first pulse transformer. |
| US08837170B2 |
Passive resonant bidirectional converter with galvanic barrier
A passive resonant bidirectional converter system that transports energy across a galvanic barrier includes a converter using at least first and second converter sections, each section including a pair of transfer terminals, a center tapped winding; a chopper circuit interconnected between the center tapped winding and one of the transfer terminals; an inductance feed winding interconnected between the other of the transfer terminals and the center tap and a resonant tank circuit including at least the inductance of the center tap winding and the parasitic capacitance of the chopper circuit for operating the converter section at resonance; the center tapped windings of the first and second converter sections being disposed on a first common winding core and the inductance feed windings of the first and second converter sections being disposed on a second common winding core for automatically synchronizing the resonant oscillation of the first and second converter sections and transferring energy between the converter sections until the voltage across the pairs of transfer terminals achieves the turns ratio of the center tapped windings. |
| US08837167B2 |
Electronic device with card holder
An electronic device includes a card holder for receiving a chip card, and a housing defining a receiving groove for receiving the card holder. The card holder includes a fixing member and a receiving base positioned on the fixing member. The fixing member includes a base plate and a side wall substantially perpendicularly extending from an end of the base plate. The base plate forms a first positioning bar and a second positioning bar substantially parallel to each other, and the second positioning bar defines a positioning cutout. The receiving base is positioned on the fixing member. The receiving base forms a positioning hook, and the positioning hook has a locking protrusion engaging in the positioning cutout of the second positioning bar. The positioning hook is capable of being deformed to make the locking portion disengage from the positioning cutout. |
| US08837166B2 |
Vertically mounted capacitor assembly
A capacitor assembly comprises a plurality of capacitor elements, a clamping assembly, and a conductive path. The clamping assembly retains the plurality of capacitor elements longitudinally perpendicular to an adjacent mounting surface. The conductive path electrically connects the plurality of capacitor elements to one or more circuit elements disposed proximate the adjacent mounting surface. |
| US08837164B2 |
Substrate for mounting device and package for housing device employing the same
There are provided a substrate for mounting a device and a package for housing the device employing the same in which a power semiconductor device can be readily set for a temperature suitable for operation and can thus function in a proper fashion.The substrate for mounting the device includes a support body having, on one main surface of the support body, a device mounting portion for mounting a power semiconductor device, the support body having a plurality of columnar parts that are spaced apart in a thickness direction with respect to the device mounting portion and are arranged apart from each other; and a heat accumulating region which is disposed between the columnar parts and is lower in thermal conductivity than the support body. |
| US08837162B2 |
Circuit board socket with support structure
Various circuit board sockets and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes forming a socket that is operable to receive a circuit board. The socket includes a surface for seating a first portion of a circuit board, a floor and a first support structure projecting away from the floor to support a second portion of the circuit board. The support structure includes a plurality of nested frames. |
| US08837153B2 |
Power electronic device having high heat dissipation and stability
An insulating body embeds at least one integrated circuit chip and a first and second exposed heat sink exposed on a free surface opposite a mounting surface of the body. An external heat-sink extends above the free surface. The external heat-sink includes a first dissipative portion and a second dissipative portion for contacting the first and second heat-sinks on the free surface, respectively, as well as an insulating portion for electrically insulating the first dissipative portion from the second dissipative portion. The first dissipative portion and the second dissipative portion are symmetrical with respect to the insulating portion. An extension of the external heat-sink may provide a stabilizing element. The extension of the external heat-sink may alternatively thermally and electrically interconnect two insulating bodies, each body embedding at least one integrated circuit chip. |
| US08837150B2 |
Electronic device for switching currents and method for producing the same
The present invention relates to an electronic device for switching currents and a method for producing such a device that is reliable and durable. Such an electronic device comprises a power semiconductor that can be actuated for switching between at least two states; a substrate having thermomechanical properties compatible with the power semiconductor on which the power semiconductor is disposed on one side; a bus bar disposed on the other side of the substrate for conducting the current, wherein the substrate and the bus bar are coupled to each other such that a heat-conductive connection is provided so that heat can be dissipated from the power semiconductor to the bus bar. |
| US08837146B2 |
Foldable electronic device
A foldable electronic device includes a main body defining a through hole. A cover is rotatably connected to the main body and includes a hook corresponding to the through hole. A slidable member is slidably connected to the main body, and includes hook receiver and a wedged portion. The hook receiver includes an engaging projection that is able to engage with the hook that passes through the through hole, thereby locking the cover on the main body. A button is movably connected to the main body, and includes a protruding tab to push the wedged portion to cause the slidable member to move, thereby allowing the hook to disengage from the engaging projection. |
| US08837145B2 |
Battery ejecting structure with pad function for portable electronic device
A battery ejecting structure with the pad function is applied to a portable electronic device which comprises a housing and a battery. The battery ejecting structure of the present invention comprises a pad, a pushing element and a blocking element. The pad is located movably in a container of the housing and comprises a fixed member. The pushing element is located in the housing, and the fixed member of the pad is connected to the pushing element through the housing. The pushing element comprises a lock structure for locking the battery in an initial position. The blocking element is located movably in the container next to the pad. While the blocking element is disengaged from the container, the pushing element is moved from the initial position to a release position by the movement of the pad to unlock the battery. |
| US08837144B1 |
Locking assembly for electronic tablet and other devices
A method for securing a portable electronic device having a housing to a substantially immovable object utilizing a locking assembly having a security rod or spike formed with an anchoring end separated axially by a protruding end, a locking device with an internal locking mechanism and a cable permanently attached to the locking device at one end, includes several steps. The steps include securely fixing the anchoring end of the security rod or spike to the portable electronic device upon or through the housing, attaching an other end of the cable to the substantially immovable object and inserting the protruding end of the security rod into an opening in the locking device to actuate the internal locking mechanism and lock the locking device to the captive security rod. Locking the security rod to the locking device concurrently locks the portable electronic device to which it is anchored to the substantially immovable object. |
| US08837143B2 |
Handheld electronic device
A handheld electronic device including a housing, a display module, a partition, a plurality of position posts, a plurality of first cushions and an actuator is provided. The housing has a first opening. The display module is located at the first opening of the housing and separated from the housing. The partition is located in and connected to the housing. The partition has a plurality of position holes. The position posts are connected with the display module and respectively located in the position hole. The first cushions are located in the position holes, and each of the fist cushions leans against the corresponding position post and the position hole. The actuator is disposed between the display module and the housing for forcing the display module to move relatively to the housing. |
| US08837141B2 |
Electronic module with heat spreading enclosure
An electronic module comprises: a multilayer circuit board having a bifurcated area along one edge and a plurality of electronic components mounted on at least one surface; a plurality of electrode pads functionally connected to the electronic components and positioned on the inner surfaces of the bifurcated area so that when the two legs of the bifurcated area are spread apart by about 180° the electrode pads align with respective contacts on a motherboard, and are connectable thereto, so that a secure connection may be created between the circuit board and the motherboard; and, two metal, heat spreading covers lockably enclosing the circuit board, one on either side, the covers further providing mating surfaces upon which a mechanical clamping device can engage and secure the module to a motherboard. |
| US08837140B2 |
Closed and internal cooling system for car radio
A vehicle audio apparatus such as a car radio includes a casing defined by external walls and electrical components mounted on a printed circuit board. The radio also includes a cooling system having a fan arranged in a first external wall of the casing, an opening arranged in a second opposite external wall, and a cooling plate which forms a heat sink and which is adjacent to at least one electrical component producing heat. The cooling plate and an associated internal cover plate have a combined shape optimized for guiding the air flow between the fan and the cooling opening. |
| US08837137B2 |
Electronic device having accessiable tray
An electronic device includes a chassis and a tray installed in the chassis. The tray includes a base plate which defines an opening. A limiting standoff protrudes from an inner surface of the chassis and extends through the opening of the base plate. A locking module includes a pivotable member pivotally attached to the base plate which rotates about an axis perpendicular to the base plate. When the pivotable member is rotated to a first position, the limiting standoff locks the pivotable member to prevent the tray from sliding out from the chassis. When the pivotable member is rotated to a second position, the limiting standoff unlocks the pivotable member to allow the tray sliding out from the chassis. |
| US08837131B1 |
Keyboard and folio with size adjustment for tablet computer
A folio for use with a tablet computer comprises a pair of leafs pivotally coupled together at a hinge with a keyboard carried by one of the pair of leafs, and another of the pair of leafs carrying the tablet computer and defining a cover for the keyboard in the closed configuration. A fixed top stop is fixed to the cover opposite the hinge and extends outwardly from the cover configured to abut to the tablet computer. A sliding shelf is movably coupled to the cover adjacent the hinge and opposite the fixed top stop to receive the tablet computer thereon in the open configuration. Bias means is coupled to the sliding shelf for biasing the sliding shelf towards the fixed top stop. |
| US08837130B2 |
Display device
The present invention relates to a display device. According to the present invention, the display device comprises: a display body from which an image is outputted; and a flip hinge assembly which is coupled with the display body, wherein the flip hinge assembly comprises: a fixing unit that is fixed to the display body; a rotation unit that is coupled with the fixing unit to allow rotation thereon; a first elastic member that is coupled with the rotation unit and the fixing unit; and a second elastic member that has one end coupled with the fixing unit, and has the other end selectively contacted with the rotation unit, wherein said second elastic member provides, to the rotation unit, an elastic force which is opposite to an elastic force provided to the rotation unit by the first elastic member. Thus, according to the present invention, an initial tilting angle of the display body is automatically set, thereby increasing user convenience. |
| US08837128B2 |
Electrical component for portable computing device
The present application describes various embodiments regarding an apparatus and method for providing an electrical component for a portable computing device. More specifically a method and apparatus are disclosed for mounting the electrical component to machined mounts extending from an interior sidewall of the portable computing device housing. The machined mounts allow the electrical component to be suspended above an inner surface of the portable computing device so that the electrical component does not interfere with audio output or aesthetics of a speaker grill drilled into the portable computing device housing. |
| US08837124B2 |
Holding device for holding mobile products
A holding device for mobile products includes a first holding frame and a second holding frame, and the first holding frame is provided for holding a first mobile product and the second holding frame is provided for holding a second mobile product. The first holding frame and the second holding frame are configured to be electrically connected by a wire connection or a wireless connection. When the first holding frame and the second holding frame are holding the first and second mobile products respectively, the mobile products can be electrically connected through the first holding frame and the second holding frame to add functionality to each of the mobile products. |
| US08837123B2 |
Metallic housing, method for making the same and electronic device using the same
A metallic housing for an electronic device, the metallic housing includes a main body defining a receiving chamber for receiving electronic components and an opening communicating with the receiving chamber, and a covering plate positioned on the main body adjacent to a side of the main body. The covering plate is welded to the main body by friction stir welding and a welded region is formed on a side surface of the metallic housing such that the welded region is smooth with the main body and the covering plate. A method for making the metallic housing and an electronic device using the metallic housing is also disclosed. |
| US08837122B2 |
Front panel apparatus
A front panel apparatus improves aesthetic qualities while avoiding interference between a display panel and a surrounding member. The front panel apparatus includes a display panel capable of pivoting in opening and closing directions, power transmission mechanisms that operate in tandem with the opening and closing operations of the display panel, and a lock mechanism that locks the display panel in a closed state and unlocks the display panel. Each power transmission mechanism includes a biasing lever linked to the rear surface of the display panel and capable of advancing and withdrawing, a driving gear, a pivot lever provided on a driving gear and linked to the biasing lever, an intermediate gear that interlocks with the driving gear, and a rack member that interlocks with the intermediate gear and is capable of ascending and descending. The rack members support corresponding pivot support shafts of the display panel. When the driving gears rotate in tandem with the opening and closing operations of the display panel, the intermediate gears rotate and drive the rack members, and the pivot support shafts ascend and descend as a result. |
| US08837121B2 |
Hinge mechanism and image forming apparatus
A hinge mechanism, which connects a first member and a second member, comprising: a plurality of bases, a plurality of shafts, which are provided at the plurality of bases one by one, and protrude from the bases, a plurality of shaft receiving units, which are provided in the second member, and include shaft holes into which the shafts are rotatably fitted, respectively, and a regulating stopper, wherein when a force is applied at the regulating stopper, the regulating stopper is bent from a position where the regulating stopper contacts with a regulated unit to a position where the regulating stopper does not contact with the regulated unit. |
| US08837120B2 |
Transparent display for home appliances
A home appliance includes a front surface having an appearance. A transparent display is disposed on the front surface, and the display has an appearance that matches the appearance of portions of the front surface of the home appliance that are adjacent to the display. The display may be disposed (e.g., mounted) on the exterior of the front surface such that the front surface is visible through the transparent display. Alternatively, the transparent display may be disposed in or behind an aperture in the front surface of the home appliance. In this instance, a trim plate having an appearance that matches the front surface of the home appliance is mounted behind the transparent display, and the trim plate is visible through the transparent display. |
| US08837117B2 |
Modular electrical card for power components
The electrical card has power modules constituted by power components and by control components that are carried by strips fastened on a support plate comprising an electrical ground plate. The power components are connected firstly to control buses, and secondly to power buses carried by the support plate and extending in a layer adjacent to the electrical ground plate. |
| US08837116B2 |
Power switchgear cabinet of a device for producing electric energy
The invention relates to a power switch cabinet of a device for producing electric energy. The technical object of obtaining optimum scalability and cooling of a power switch cabinet despite little space being required is achieved according to the invention in that the power switch cabinet has a machine connection, a power module and a mains connection, wherein the power module has a machine converter, a mains converter, a direct voltage intermediate circuit and a chopper, and the arrangement of the components substantially corresponds to the direction of the power flow. |
| US08837115B2 |
Electrolytic capacitor
An electrolytic capacitor includes an electrolytic capacitor element, anode terminals as a pair, and a conductive member. The capacitor element has an anode body formed by placing an anode foil and a cathode foil one above the other and by winding the anode and cathode foils, anode leads as a pair electrically connected to the anode foil, and a cathode lead electrically connected to the cathode foil. A dielectric layer is formed on a surface of the anode foil. A electrolyte layer is placed between the dielectric layer and the cathode foil. The anode terminals as a pair are each electrically connected to corresponding one of anode leads as a pair of the capacitor element. The conductive member electrically connects the anode terminals to each other outside the capacitor element. |
| US08837107B2 |
Systems and methods for weaponry with lower tip current electrode
An electronic weapon has an installed deployment unit, from which at least one tethered electrode is launched, provides a stimulus current through a target to inhibit locomotion by the target. The wire tether, also called a filament, conducts the stimulus current. The one or more electrodes, according to various aspects of the present invention, perform one or more of the following functions in any combination: binding the filament to the electrode, deploying the filament from the deployment unit, coupling the electrode to the target, and distributing a current density with respect to a volume of target tissue. An electrode may include conductive material and insulative material. Relatively high electric field flux density at a tip of the electrode may be reduced or avoided by practice of the invention. |
| US08837102B2 |
Snubber circuit
A circuit comprising a first transistor group configured to electrically isolate, at least in part, a second transistor group from an input voltage; the second transistor group configured to provide voltage protection to a third transistor group; and the third transistor group configured to switch on and off. |
| US08837098B2 |
Method for limiting the generator voltage of a photovoltaic installation in case of danger and photovoltaic installation
A protection system configured to couple between a generator that has a number of partial strings and an inverter includes a control device, and a series-connection switching device configured to selectively connect the partial strings together in series. The system also includes a parallel-connection switching device configured to selectively connect the partial strings together in parallel, wherein the series-connection switching device is actuated by the control device such that it interrupts the series connection of the partial strings in case of a hazard, and the parallel-connection switching device is actuated by the control device such that it connects the partial strings together in parallel in case of a hazard. |
| US08837096B2 |
Fault monitor for fault tolerant implantable pump
A implantable pump system comprises an implantable pump motor and an external unit. An inverter comprises respective phases with redundant legs connected in parallel, and respective current sensors in series with each leg generating a respective measured current. A cable redundantly couples the inverter to the motor. The cable includes a respective conductor coupling each redundant leg to a respective phase of the motor. The controller receives the measured currents, monitors for a fault in the conductors by comparing the measured currents in the respective redundant legs. A fault in a pair of redundant conductors is detected if a ratio of the respective measured currents is not within a predetermined range. |
| US08837090B2 |
Gimbal limiter for suspension with lift tab
A head suspension for a disk drive with a load beam having continuous rails and a distal lift tab. A dimple is positioned proximal to the lift tab, either on the load beam or the gimbal, the dimple providing a pitch axis and a roll axis for the slider. The suspension also includes at least one tab member fixed in relation to the load beam, where each of the at least one tab member is aligned with or is distal to the dimple. The at least one tab and a portion of the gimbal define a gimbal limiter that is aligned with or distal to the dimple. The at least one tab member extends either longitudinally or laterally from the load beam at or distal to the dimple. |
| US08837084B2 |
Perpendicular magnetic write head having a hull shaped stitched pole
A magnetic write head having a stitched magnetic pole (also referred to as a shaping layer) for conducting magnetic flux to the pole tip portion of a magnetic write pole. The stitched magnetic pole has a shape so as to be thicker in a central region that is aligned with the pole tip of the write pole and is thinner a its outer sides. This shape helps to channel magnetic flux to the pole tip portion of the write pole while maintaining sufficient pole surface area for high data rate recording. |
| US08837083B1 |
Magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording including a heater
A magnetic head includes a main pole, a return path section, a heater for heating the main pole, and a metal portion. The metal portion is isolated from the return path section and disposed such that the heater is interposed between the main pole and the metal portion. The return path section has a contact surface in contact with the main pole. The metal portion is located farther from the medium facing surface than is the contact surface. The main pole and the metal portion define therebetween a receiving space for receiving at least part of the heater. The at least part of the heater is received in the receiving space. |
| US08837081B1 |
Laminated touchdown sensor for hard disk drives
A method and system provide a touchdown sensor for use in disk drive. The touchdown sensor includes a sensor layer including a plurality of magnetic layers interleaved with at least one nonmagnetic layer. The plurality of magnetic layers are magnetically coupled and single domain. Further, the sensor has a temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR) of at least 0.15%/° C. |
| US08837080B2 |
Hard disk drives with composite housings and related methods
Improved hard disk drives of the invention comprise a composite housing, wherein the composite housing comprises a base and a cover, wherein at least a portion of the composite housing comprises a laminate of at least one rigid plastic layer and at least one metal coating. Methods for forming the same are also disclosed. |
| US08837076B1 |
In situ sensor based contact detection
Apparatus and method for positional sensing and control. In accordance with some embodiments, a transducer is positioned adjacent a recording medium. The transducer includes a write element, a read element, a heater and a thermally responsive sensor. Power is applied to the heater to establish a selected fly height of the transducer relative to the medium. A contact event between the transducer and the medium is detected responsive to an accumulated plural count of pulses in a bias signal obtained from the thermally responsive sensor. |
| US08837070B1 |
Capacitive clearance detection for a magnetic head
A modulated signal of a predetermined frequency is applied to a capacitive sensor of a magnetic head. The capacitive sensor is located proximate to a media-facing surface of the magnetic head. A clearance between the magnetic head and a magnetic medium is determined using a response to the modulated signal at the predetermined frequency. |
| US08837069B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing read or write errors
Methods and apparatuses for managing read or write errors are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method may comprise receiving a command to perform an operation associated with first data and a first address of a data storage medium, performing the operation at the first address, retrying the operation when the operation did not complete successfully, and storing the first data to a second address when a first threshold is exceeded. In another embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a processor configured to: receive a command to perform an operation associated with first data and a first address of a data storage medium, perform the operation at the first address, retry the operation when the operation did not complete successfully, and store the first data to a second address when a first threshold is exceeded. |
| US08837068B1 |
Two dimensional magnetic recording servo system adaptive combination
A servo system includes multiple interpolators operable to interpolate equalized data for multiple signal paths in a two dimensional magnetic recording system to yield interpolated signals at different phases, scaling circuits operable to scale the interpolated signals by adaptive scaling factors, a signal combining circuit operable to combine the scaled signals, a phase tracking circuit operable to select one of the phases of the combined signal, and an error gradient circuit operable to adapt the adaptive scaling factors. |
| US08837067B2 |
Method and apparatus for contiguous data address management
Methods and apparatuses for contiguous data address management are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a processor configured to receive a write command including data to be written to a plurality of logical block addresses (LBAs); determine if the plurality of LBAs includes LBAs from a plurality of logical bands; and when the plurality of LBAs includes LBAs from a plurality of logical bands, combine the plurality of logical bands into a single logical band and write the data to the single logical band. In another embodiment, the processor may be further configured to separate the single logical band into the plurality of logical bands when the data written to the plurality of LBAs becomes invalid. |
| US08837066B1 |
Adaptive baseline correction involving estimation of filter parameter using a least mean squares algorithm
An apparatus comprises an alternating current coupling stage comprising a first filter configured to filter an analog signal to remove relatively low-frequency energy and read channel circuitry coupled to the alternating current coupling stage. The read channel circuitry comprises an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the filtered analog signal to a digital signal, a detector configured to obtain a recovered signal using the digital signal, and a baseline correction module comprising a second filter and being configured to estimate a parameter of the first filter using a least mean squares algorithm based at least in part on the analog signal and an output of the second filter, adjust a parameter of the second filter based on the estimated parameter and add at least a portion of the removed relatively low-frequency energy to the digital signal by combining the output of the second filter and the digital signal. |
| US08837064B1 |
Systems and methods for quality based bit error rate prediction
The present inventions are related to systems and methods for data processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for bit error rate prediction in a data processing system. |
| US08837062B2 |
Lens unit
A lens unit includes an operating member to be operated by a user, an area configured to switch the operating member between an operable state and an inoperable state, and an urging member configured to urge the operation locking member toward the position at which the operating member is brought into the inoperable state. |
| US08837060B2 |
Image capture lens module and wafer level packaged image capture devices
Image capture lens modules and wafer level packaged image capture devices are presented. The image capture lens module includes a compound lens with a first lens element and a second lens element molded on both sides of a substrate, and a field stop disposed at an interface between the first lens element and the substrate or at an interface between the second lens element and the substrate, wherein the field stop is a coating layer with a polygonal transparent area. |
| US08837058B2 |
Emitting and negatively-refractive focusing apparatus, methods, and systems
Apparatus, methods, and systems provide emitting and negatively-refractive focusing of electromagnetic energy. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes negatively-refractive focusing from an interior field region with an axial magnification substantially less than one. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes negatively-refractive focusing with a transformation medium, where the transformation medium may include an artificially-structured material such as a metamaterial. |
| US08837057B2 |
Optical unit, method of producing the same, and image pickup apparatus
An optical unit includes a plurality of lenses arranged along an optical path from an object side toward an image side, the plurality of lenses including at least one lens including an image side surface and an object side surface, one of which is formed to be an aspheric surface at wafer level, the aspheric surface of the at least one lens being formed to serve as one of an aperture stop surface having an aperture stop function and a light-shielding surface having a light-shielding function. |
| US08837055B2 |
Zoom lens system, interchangeable lens apparatus and camera system
A zoom lens system comprising a plurality of movable lens units which individually move along an optical axis at the time of zooming, wherein a lens unit located closest to an object side is fixed relative to an image surface at the time of zooming, at least two of the movable lens units are focusing lens units which move along the optical axis at the time of focusing in at least one zooming position, and the condition: 0.1 |
| US08837047B2 |
Chip-scale slow-light buffers fashioned with leaky-mode resonant elements and methods of using leaky-mode resonant elements for delaying light
A method for delaying transmitted light. The method may include illuminating a leaky-mode resonant element with light pulses of short duration and sequences of such pulses. The leaky-mode resonant element may include a spatially modulated periodic layer and may be configured so that at least some of the light is transmitted in a delayed manner. |
| US08837046B2 |
Projection screen and projection system thereof
A projection screen includes a substrate having a projection area for a projection device to project an image onto the projection area. The projection area includes a plurality of arrayed optical regions, and each pixel of the image corresponding to the at least one optical region. Each of the optical regions includes a first optical sub-region and a second optical sub-region with different optical characteristics, such as reflective scattering, transmissive scattering, simple transmission or specular reflection. The above-mentioned projection screen with the optical characteristics of two or more, for example, can be at the same time as the front projection screen and the rear projection screen, or allows the user to watch background image behind the projection screen. A projection system including the above-mentioned projection screen is also disclosed. |
| US08837040B2 |
Coated article with low-E coating having absorbing layer over functional layer designed to increase outside reflectance
A coated article includes a low-E coating having an absorbing layer located over a functional layer (IR reflecting layer) and designed to cause the coating to have an increased outside reflectance (e.g., in an IG window unit) and good selectivity. In certain embodiments, the absorbing layer is metallic, or substantially metallic, and is provided directly over and contacting a lower of two IR reflecting layers. In certain example embodiments, a nitride based layer (e.g., silicon nitride or the like) may be located directly over and contacting the absorbing layer in order to reduce or prevent oxidation thereof during heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering, heat bending, and/or heat strengthening) thereby permitting predictable coloration, high outside reflectance values, and/or good selectivity to be achieved. Coated articles according to certain example embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, vehicle windows, other types of windows, or in any other suitable application. |
| US08837039B2 |
Multiscale light amplification structures for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy
A method, system and article of manufacture for amplification of light for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The method and system include a source of input light, a grating with grooves therein, a nanoparticle array disposed in the grooves with the nanoparticles and grating having a variety of selectable parameters. The combination of the nanoparticles and selected characteristics, including generating hot spots, and the features of the grating enable enhanced amplification of the input light signal to provide an output Raman signal of greatly increased intensity for Raman spectroscopy. |
| US08837037B2 |
Optical delay device, optical circuit, and optical delay method
An optical delay device includes an optical path in which an input optical signal travels the same path recursively; an optical switch that switches between an output state of outputting the optical signal input to the optical path, and a non-output state of not outputting the optical signal input to the optical path; and a controller that sets the optical switch to the non-output state until a point in time when a given delay time elapses since input of the optical signal to the optical path and at the point in time when the given delay time elapses, switches the optical switch to the output state. |
| US08837036B2 |
Dynamic terahertz switch using periodic corrugated structures
A subwavelength terahertz switch using an artificially designed conductor metamaterial is discussed in this invention. Slow-light EM Wave propagating at THZ speed imitates the strongly localized surface plasmon modes and henceforth is called Spoof Surface Plasmon Polariton (SSPP) in this invention. The SSPP mode of slow-light EM propagation can be easily tailored by changing the refractive index of the dielectric materials inside the metallic gap structure engineered as a periodic array of grooves. Thus, the incorporation of electro-optical material which has birefringence such as a nematic liquid crystal (N-LC) or multiple refractive indices into the metallic gap leads to a highly compact and efficient terahertz switch being controlled by a low voltage signal. The THZ dynamic switches can be used to construct linear switches, Y junction switches and Mach Zehnder interferometers. |
| US08837032B2 |
Variable transmittance optical filter and uses thereof
Variable transmittance optical filters capable of transitioning from a light state to a dark state on exposure to UV radiation and from a dark state to a light state with application of an electric voltage are provided. The optical filters comprise a switching material that comprises one or more chromophores that have electrochromic and photochromic properties. |
| US08837031B2 |
Finite-embedded coordinate designed transformation-optical devices
The design method for complex electromagnetic materials is expanded from form-invariant coordinate transformations of Maxwell's equations to finite embedded coordinate transformations. Embedded transformations allow the transfer of electromagnetic field manipulations from the transformation-optical medium to another medium, thereby allowing the design of structures that are not exclusively invisible. A topological criterion for the reflectionless design of complex media is also disclosed and is illustrated in conjunction with the topological criterion to design a parallel beam shifter and a beam splitter with unconventional electromagnetic behavior. |
| US08837026B2 |
Adaptive 3D scanning
The present invention relates to adaptive 3D scanning wherein a scan sequence for obtaining full geometrical coverage of a physical object are created automatically and specifically for the physical object, by using a method and a system for producing a 3D computer model of a physical object, wherein the method comprises the following steps providing a scanner system, said scanner system comprising a scanner, and a computer connectable to and/or integrated in said scanner, said computer comprising a virtual model of said scanner, entering shape information of the physical object into the computer, creating in said computer a visibility function based on said virtual model and the shape information, said visibility function being capable of evaluating the coverage of areas of interest of the physical object by at least one predetermined scan sequence, establishing at least one scan sequence based on the evaluation of the visibility function, performing a scan of the physical object using said at least one scan sequence, and obtaining a 3D computer model of the physical object. |
| US08837018B2 |
Image scanning apparatus scanning document image and image forming apparatus including image scanning apparatus
An image scanning apparatus scanning a document image includes a document conveying unit, an image scanning unit, a foreign object detecting unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The document conveying unit feeds pages of a document loaded on a document feed tray one at a time. The image scanning unit scans each fed page of the document on a scanning face. The foreign object detecting unit detects whether a foreign object exists on the scanning face based on the image data on the page of the document scanned on the scanning face. The control unit causes the display unit to display the detection of a foreign object if a last page of the document loaded on the document feed tray is scanned and the foreign object on the scanning face is detected based on the image data on the last page of the document. |
| US08837017B2 |
Image reading apparatus
An image reading apparatus includes a control unit that is configured to suspend an operation of a separation-feeding unit in a feeding operation when the control unit determines, based on a signal from a leading edge detecting unit, that an inclined amount of the leading edge of a fed document is larger than a setting value. The control unit is also configured to set, when a mixture of different widths is set to the setting unit, the setting value larger in comparison to a case where a mixture of different widths is not set. |
| US08837016B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method for adding an additional pixel to image data
An image forming apparatus includes a resolution converting unit, an address generating unit, a density determining unit, and an image path selector. The resolution converting unit converts a resolution of image data into a higher resolution. The address generating unit performs a position determining process of determining a position of an additional pixel on the basis of main-scanning directional positions of pixels composing the converted image data and respective shift amounts of the pixels shifted to a sub-scanning direction. The density determining unit determines a density of the additional pixel on the basis of a density of a pixel located at a position corresponding to the determined position in the image data. The image path selector scales the image data up or down by controlling the address generating unit while adding the additional pixel having the determined density to the determined position. |
| US08837014B1 |
Method and apparatus for reducing color in a fringe
This disclosure describes techniques and apparatuses for reducing color fringes. In some embodiments, inaccuracies from color-insensitive sensors are corrected. Inaccuracies can be corrected in part by shortening a first illumination made temporally proximate a second illumination. By so doing, a center of the image captured for a first illumination is moved toward the image captured for a second illumination, which reduces a color fringe. |
| US08837013B2 |
Image reader
An image reader is provided, which includes a first image reading unit configured to read an image on a first side of a first document sheet being conveyed on a feeding path, and output an analog signal corresponding to the read image of the first side, a second image reading unit configured to read an image on a second side opposite to the first side of the first document sheet being conveyed on the feeding path, and output a digital signal corresponding to the read image of the second side in a differential transmission method, and a control board configured to process the analog signal output from the first reading unit and the digital signal output from the second image reading unit. |
| US08837004B2 |
Computer program product, print processing method, and printing system
A computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-usable medium having computer-readable program codes embodied in the medium. The program codes when executed cause a computer to function as: an instruction module that instructs each of a plurality of printer drivers to generate an image pattern to be embedded in print image data; an acquisition module that acquires the plurality of image patterns generated by the printer drivers; an embedding module that embeds the acquired plurality of image patterns in the print image data; and a print instruction module that transmits the print image data in which the plurality of image patterns are embedded, to an image forming apparatus. |
| US08837001B2 |
Image forming apparatus and gradation correction method for the same
An image forming apparatus and a gradation correction method for the same are provided. An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section that forms a plurality of patch bands in a plurality of positions in a main scanning direction on an image bearing member, each of the plurality of patch bands having a plurality of gradation patches disposed in a sub-scanning direction; a density detection section that detects densities of the plurality of patch bands; and a control section that performs gradation correction based on detection results from the density detection section. The plurality of patch bands differs from each other. |
| US08836999B2 |
Image correction apparatus, overhead image reading apparatus, image correction method, and program
An image correction apparatus includes a read image acquiring unit that acquires read image data generated by an imaging device that moves in a sub-scanning direction with respect to a reading medium irradiated with an environmental light to read the reading medium; a selecting unit that selects a correction filter for correcting a pixel of interest in the acquired read image data based on brightness or luminance component of a pixel in a determination filter including the pixel of interest; and a correction unit that corrects tone data of the pixel of interest based on the correction filter selected by the selecting unit. The determination filter includes a plurality of determination filters in which a number of pixels to be used in the sub-scanning direction differs. |
| US08836998B2 |
Method of printing a panoramic print
A method of making a panoramic image includes capturing a first image (30) defining a first overlap region (115) capturing a second image (40), and defining a second overlap region (215). Two points (150, 151) in the first overlap region are identified and a first vector (175) overlap region connecting the two points is defined. Two points (250, 251) in the second overlap region which correspond to the two points in the first overlap region are identified and a second vector (275) the two points is defined. If points in the first vector match points in the second vector, determine if the first and second vectors are parallel. If the vectors are not parallel, rotate the second vector image until the second vector is parallel to the first vector. |
| US08836994B2 |
Data processing system and data processing method forming a high-quality image on a printing medium by selecting a mask pattern data group based on a frequency characteristic of the input image data and mask pattern data group
The present invention has an objective of providing an image formation apparatus that can output binary image data on a printing medium with a favorable quality. According to the present invention, a plurality of different pieces of mask data stored in a storage unit is used to generate a plurality of different pieces of divided data. Then, the frequency characteristic information of the respective plurality of generated thinned images is calculated. Thereafter, the pieces of frequency characteristic information of the respective plurality of generated thinned images are compared to select, from among the plurality of pieces of mask data stored in the storage unit, a divided mask pattern to be used for the input image data. Then, the selected divided mask pattern is used to form the image. |