| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08893177B1 |
Signal processing apparatus and methods
A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming. |
| US08893169B2 |
Systems and methods for selectively obscuring portions of media content using a widget
A widget running on user equipment selectively obscures portions of media content according to user and/or service provider defined criteria. Information regarding potentially objectionable content in media content may be stored in databases. Based on the information regarding potentially objectionable content and the defined criteria, the database may provide censor instructions. The instructions may be executed by the widget to obscure the potentially objectionable content in media content that is accessed by the user equipment. |
| US08893167B2 |
Method and system for automatic content recognition based on customized user preferences
An automatic content recognition (ACR)-enabled connected TV device may be operable to identify, utilizing an ACR system, content in a presented program. An event category related to the identified content may be identified by the ACR-enabled connected device utilizing the ACR system. The ACR-enabled connected device may determine, utilizing the ACR system, whether to present an overlay associated with the event category, based on a user profile associated with the ACR-enabled connected device. The overlay for viewer interaction may be presented, based on the determination, by the ACR-enabled connected device utilizing the ACR system. The user profile may comprise information on categories of events that may be preferred by the viewer. The user profile may be determined based on input from the viewer. The user profile may also be determined based on viewing history and/or behavior associated with the ACR-enabled connected device. |
| US08893165B2 |
Systems and methods compensating for set top box overflow
A system and method for cleaning television viewing behavior data collected from set top boxes by detecting and correcting various problems that can occur in the viewing data. Three problems that may be detected and corrected by the system include: overflows of memory buffers; inclusion of non-human generated tuning events; and presence of clock offsets. After cleaning the television viewing behavior data, the cleaned data may be used to analyze audience viewing behavior in a manner that achieves a higher degree of accuracy than can be achieved by using uncleaned television viewing behavior data. |
| US08893164B1 |
Audio system
Methods and systems for providing audio information based on gaze information are described. In an example, a computing device may be configured to receive gaze information indicative of a wearer-view associated with the computing device. Based on the gaze information, the computing device may be configured to determine content displayed in the wearer-view. Further, the computing device may be configured to determine audio information relating to the content and cause an audio stream associated with the audio information to be played at the computing device. |
| US08893163B2 |
Method and system for viewing movies
Techniques are presented herein for delivering multimedia content to members of an audience. At a content delivery device, an activation event is detected that causes the content delivery device to operate in a first mode to detect a presence of one or more of members of an audience in a viewing area. A number of members of the audience in the viewing area is determined. The content delivery device switches to a second mode to initiate a payment request event. The payment request event requests payment for the multimedia content based on the number of members of the audience. A determination is made as to whether an appropriate payment has been received based on the number of members of the audience. When the appropriate payment has been received, the content delivery device switches to a third mode to deliver the multimedia content to the members of the audience in the viewing area. |
| US08893161B2 |
Information processing system, information processing method and computer-readable storage medium
A technique to suppress a remote procedure call from a client by a server is provided. An information processing system is provided that includes a client component and a server component, wherein a program of the client component makes an RPC for a function of the server component. The client component includes a holding unit that holds return value information of the function, and a calling unit that receives an RPC request for the function from the program. The server component includes an execution unit that returns a return value of the function to set return value information. When the return value information has not been set in the holding unit, the calling unit makes an RPC for the function. When the return value information has been set in the holding unit, the calling unit returns the return value included in the return value information without making an RPC. |
| US08893160B2 |
Block storage interface for virtual memory
A mechanism for interfacing block storage devices is disclosed. The mechanism performs operations including receiving communications from an initiator at a block storage device interface, translating the received communications, transmitting the translated communications to a native storage device driver, forwarding the translated communication to a physical adapter, and controlling physical storage devices in response to the communications received from the initiator. |
| US08893157B2 |
Administering incident pools for event and alert analysis
Administering incident pools including assigning an incident received from one or more components of the distributed processing system to a pool of incidents; assigning to each incident a particular combined minimum time for inclusion of the incident in the pool; in response to the pool closing, determining for each incident in the pool whether the incident has met its combined minimum time for inclusion in the pool; if the incident has been in the pool for its combined minimum time, including the incident in the closed pool; if the incident has not been in the pool for its combined minimum time, moving the incident from the closed pool to a next pool; applying incident suppression rules using the incidents assigned to the next pool; and applying incident creation rules to the incidents that were assigned to the next pool, while omitting any duplicate incidents caused by the assignment. |
| US08893147B2 |
Providing a virtualized replication and high availability environment including a replication and high availability engine
The system and method described herein may provide a virtualized replication and high availability environment. In particular, a virtualized production server may run one or more virtual machines in one or more child partitions and have a replication and high availability engine installed in a parent partition. The replication and high availability engine may automatically discover the virtual machines running in the child partitions and automatically synchronize all files associated with the virtual machines to a virtualized replica server. Furthermore, the replication and high availability engine may continuously replicate subsequent changes to the files associated with the virtual machines running in the child partitions to the virtualized replica server, which may then create on-demand virtual machines from the synchronized and replicated files to handle switchover, failover, switchback, and failback events associated with the virtualized production server or the virtual machines running in the child partitions associated therewith. |
| US08893143B2 |
Hardware virtualization for media processing
Methods and systems for implementing virtual processors are disclosed. For example, in an embodiment a processing apparatus configured to act as a plurality of virtual processors includes a first virtual program space that includes a first program execution memory, the first program execution memory including code to run a non-real-time operating system capable of supporting a one or more non-real-time applications, a second virtual program space that includes a second program execution memory, the second program execution memory including code to run one or more real-time processes, and a central processing unit (CPU) configured to operate in a first operating mode and a second operating mode, the CPU being configured to perform operating system and application activities using the first virtual program space for the first operating mode without using the second virtual program space and without appreciably interfering with the one or more real-time processes that are running in the second operating mode. |
| US08893139B2 |
System and method for time-aware run-time to guarantee timeliness in component-oriented distributed systems
A method and system for achieving time-awareness in the highly available, fault-tolerant execution of components in a distributed computing system, without requiring the writer of these components to explicitly write code (such as entity beans or database transactions) to make component state persistent. It is achieved by converting the intrinsically non-deterministic behavior of the distributed system to a deterministic behavior, thus enabling state recovery to be achieved by advantageously efficient checkpoint-replay techniques. The system is deterministic by repeating the execution of the receiving component by processing the messages in the same order as their associated timestamps and time-aware by allowing adjustment of message execution based on time. |
| US08893138B2 |
Dynamic test scheduling by ordering tasks for performance based on similarities between the tasks
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system dynamically schedules performance of tasks, and comprises a computer system including at least one processor. The system determines resources required or utilized by each task for performance of that task on a target system, and compares the determined resources of the tasks to identify tasks with similar resource requirements. The identified tasks with similar resource requirements are scheduled to be successively performed on the target system. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and computer program product for dynamically scheduling performance of tasks in substantially the same manner described above. |
| US08893136B2 |
Automated operation list generation device, method and program
Selection of operations in a desired order and, as necessary, input of processing parameters by the user are received. Based on each operation corresponding to the received input, operation information, which classifies the operation corresponding to the input into a non-routine operation, which requires input of a processing parameter during execution of an automated operation list, or a routine operation other than the non-routine operation in advance, is obtained. Then, an automated operation list is generated based on the obtained operation information by registering, if the operation corresponding to the input is a routine operation, the operation corresponding to the input in the automated operation list with associating, as necessary, a necessary processing parameter for the operation with the operation, and registering, if the operation corresponding to the input is a non-routine operation, the operation corresponding to the input in the automated operation list. |
| US08893134B2 |
Locating bottleneck threads in multi-thread applications
A method for identifying a consumer-producer pattern in a multi-threaded application includes obtaining synchronization event data of the multi-threaded application, and identifying the consumer-producer communication pattern from the synchronization event data. |
| US08893127B2 |
Method and system for loading application to a local memory of a co-processor system by using position independent loader
A co-processor system and a method for loading an application to a local memory of a co-processor system. In the method, re-locatable code and descriptive data are copied from a loading region to a non-loading region. An executable image to be loaded is loaded using the re-locatable code copied to the non-loading region according to the descriptive data. The local memory includes a loading region and a non-loading region, the loading region stories a loader and descriptive data of an executable image to be loaded of the application, and the loader includes re-locatable code. A system is provided for carrying out the steps of the method. In accordance with the system and method of the present invention, flexibility of co-processor system application development is improved without occupying additional storage space. |
| US08893125B2 |
Network port profile deployment in a pre-provisioned or dynamically provisioned network infrastructure
A system for an open virtualization format includes a virtualization platform to run a virtual machine and a network infrastructure to accommodate the virtualization platform. The network infrastructure includes a deployed network port profile associated with the virtual machine. |
| US08893124B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for limiting access to virtualization information in a memory
Techniques for limiting access to virtualization information which is stored in a memory region allocated to a virtual machine instance. In an embodiment, virtualization information is written over in response to an indication of a close event which is to change an allocation of the memory region to the virtual machine instance. In another embodiment, the virtualization information is written over before the memory region is made available for a subsequent allocation. |
| US08893115B2 |
Apparatus having data installed and method of upgrading data
In an apparatus having data installed therein, the apparatus includes a data storage part for storing a (n+1)th-order file obtained by bundling an nth-order file and (n+1)th data corresponding to an (n+1)th function level into one file, wherein n is an integer, an identifier storage part for storing an identifier indicating a function level of data to be installed in the apparatus, and a controller for detecting the function level based on the identifier stored in the identifier storage part, de-bundling the (n+1)th-order file stored in the data storage unit as many as times corresponding to the function level, and applying the de-bundled data to the apparatus. |
| US08893114B1 |
Systems and methods for executing a software package from within random access memory
A computer-implemented method for executing a software package from within random access memory may include (1) identifying a computing device that contains both random access memory and firmware updatable read only memory, (2) providing a network accessible software package repository, (3) providing a download agent within the firmware updateable read only memory, the download agent being programmed to, (4) create a working area within the random access memory by emulating persistent storage, (5) access the software package repository through a network connection to extract a software package, and (6) execute the software package in the working area of the random access memory that emulates persistent storage. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08893113B1 |
Simultaneous operation of a networked device using multiptle disparate networks
In a typical network setup, a networked capable device interfaces to either one wired network hub or to a wireless network hub. The networked capable device will send and receive data packets to and from the wired or wireless hub it is connected to. The invention provides a system, method and a computer program to send and receive data packets to and from multiple wired and/or wireless network hubs in order to, for example, increase the number of data packets the networked capable device can receive to multiple applications run on the networked capable device. |
| US08893110B2 |
Device management in a network
Methods and devices supporting the management of a plurality of electronic devices and processing of update information for updating software and/or firmware in the electronic devices. Prompting of users may be made using a language associated with the electronic device, and authorization to update an electronic device may be secured using a subscriber identity module. |
| US08893109B2 |
Software distribution amongst medical devices taking into account dependencies between devices
A computer-implemented method is provided for distributing product updates from a configuration device to one or more handheld medical device. The method includes: receiving a request to download a product update to a requesting medical device; determining dependencies that must be met before the product update can be downloaded to the requesting medical device, where at least one of the dependencies specifies a version of software that resides on a device which is interoperable with the requesting medical device; receiving a listing of peer devices from the requesting medical device; determining software residing on a given peer device for each peer device in the listing of peer devices; comparing the at least one dependency with the software residing on each peer device in the listing of peer devices; and distributing the product update to the requesting medical device when the at least one dependency is met. |
| US08893107B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program for updating a data set
An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit to store data set including version information; an acquiring unit to acquire update-use data set including version information; a providing unit to provide the version information read from the storage unit; a updating management unit to determine whether updating of the data set stored in the storage unit is required, when determined that updating is required based on the acquired version information and the provided version information, updating the data set stored in the storage unit using the update-use data set; and a updating completion determination unit to determine whether the updating of data set by the updating management unit is completed, when determined that the updating of the data set is not completed correctly, the providing unit provides specific version information indicating the updating is not completed correctly instead of the version information stored in the storage unit. |
| US08893104B2 |
Method and apparatus for register spill minimization
The aspects enable a computing device to allocate memory space to variables during runtime compilation of a software application. A compiler may be modified to identify operations that can be performed on either a main pipe or an alternative pipe, identify chains of related operations that can be performed on either the main pipe or the alternative pipe, identify points in the execution of code at which the number of live values will exceed the number of registers, and choosing a chain of operations as a candidate to be moved to the alternative pipe in order to reduce the number of live values at identified points in the execution of code. The entire chosen chain of operations may be moved to the alternative pipe. The alternative pipe may perform the computations and return the results to the main pipe for execution. |
| US08893102B2 |
Method and system for performing backward-driven path-sensitive dataflow analysis
In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method for static analysis. The method includes: obtaining source code; constructing a control flow graph (CFG) corresponding to the source code, by identifying control structures within the source code, creating a set of graph nodes of the CFG, and creating a set of directed graph edges of the CFG connecting the set of graph nodes; assigning a first Boolean flow value to a selected node of the set of graph nodes; backward traversing the CFG from the selected node to a target node; computing, by a computer processor and while backward traversing the CFG, disjoint predicate expressions representing flow values at the set of directed graph edges; computing, based on the disjoint predicate expressions, a resulting disjoint predicate expression; and identifying, based on the resulting disjoint predicate expression, a potential program property in the source code. |
| US08893099B1 |
Inner function local variable name shadowing
A system of one or more processors, method, and computer readable storage medium, by which a source program having at least one inner scope is processed by identifying variable names in the source program that are upward referencing and storing the upward referencing variable names with an identifier for the associated scope. A candidate shadow variable in a current scope of the source program is determined from variable names that are not among the identified upward referencing variable names. The determined candidate shadow variable is renamed to a variable name that is in an outer scope relative to the current scope. The source program is stored with the renamed variable. The stored source program can be compressed to a size smaller than the original source program in order to require less bandwidth during transmission over a network. |
| US08893098B2 |
Deferred type inference of generic type parameters in function calls to overloaded functions
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates the development and execution of a software program. During runtime of the software program, the system delays type inference on a generic type parameter of an implementation of an overloaded function, wherein the generic type parameter is associated with a type interval containing an unbounded lower limit and one or more self-typed constraints. Upon detecting a type query for a dynamic type of the generic type parameter, the system compares a queried type from the type query with a set of inference choices for the generic type parameter. If the queried type matches an inference choice from the set of inference choices, the system uses the inference choice to perform type inference on the generic type parameter. |
| US08893096B1 |
File migration in distributed systems
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for file migration in distributed systems. A data structure definition is added to a programming language source code and initialized. Initialization values include contents of a first data file that is external to the source code file. The source code file is compiled with one or more other source code files to create an executable program that includes the initialization values as part of the program's image. During execution, the executable program creates a different second data file external to the executable program by reading the initialization values from the initialized data structure and writing the values to the second data file. This second data file is accessible by a library linked to the executable program. |
| US08893093B2 |
Method and system for automated performance testing in a multi-tenant environment
In application testing and debugging processes, it is necessary to change, rebuild and test code. Thus, to speed the testing and debugging process, the process of retrieving application change lists, rebuilding the application, executing the application and recording application performance metrics may be automated. Additionally, through the use of environment independent metrics 110, application performance can be better evaluated for a wider range of hypothetical hardware configurations than tradition metrics which are highly dependent on the environment in which the test is running. |
| US08893092B1 |
Using hints to direct the exploration of interleavings in a multithreaded program
A program code data structure is described. The data structure contains substantive code of a multithreaded computer program that includes a plurality of communicating instructions that effect communication between threads. The data structure further contains, at each of one or more points in the substantive code, an indication that, when the computer program is being executed, one or more communicating instructions that are in a selected relationship with the indication should be executed by any thread that reaches the point in a particular order relative to execution of one or more other communicating instructions by other threads. The contents of the data structure may be used to determine an order in which to execute communicating instructions. |
| US08893089B2 |
Fast business process test case composition
Methods and apparatuses enable fast business process test case composition. Instead of the labor intensive and error-prone manual test case composition of previous systems, a group of one or more test agents enables creation of a business process test based on monitoring a business process application. The test agents monitor a backend interface of the business process application that interfaces the application with a backend enterprise system. The test agents generate business process test components and an ordering for the business process test components based on the monitoring. From the test components and the monitoring, the test agents create a business process test. The entire creation process can be performed with little to no user interaction. |
| US08893088B2 |
Dynamic program evaluation for system adaptation
A method and apparatus to maintain a plurality of executables for a task in a device are described. Each executable may be capable of performing the task in response to a change in an operating environment of the device. Each executable may be executed to perform a test run of the task. Each execution can consume an amount of power under the changed operating environment in the device. One of the executables may be selected to perform the task in the future based on the amounts of power consumed for the test runs of the task. The selected one executable may require no more power than each of remaining ones of the executables. |
| US08893085B2 |
System and method for providing a parameter for an application operating on an electronic device
A system and method of activating a set up application operating on an electronic device are provided. The method comprises: upon activation of the electronic device, determining a state of initial configuration for the electronic device from configuration data stored in the electronic device; when the state of initial configuration of the electronic device indicates that the set up application had previously been initiated, presenting a GUI screen on the electronic device where an application operating on the electronic device and the set up application are displayed; and upon activation of the set up application, activating the set up application at a point in its operation based on the operation history. |
| US08893082B2 |
Type inference of generic type parameters in overloaded functions using type intervals and inference directions
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates the development and execution of a software program. During operation, the system obtains a type interval for a generic type parameter of an implementation of an overloaded function. Next, the system selects an inference direction for the generic type parameter based on a variance of the generic type parameter, wherein the inference direction is an upward inference direction or a downward inference direction. Finally, the system uses the type interval and the inference direction to perform type inference on the generic type parameter. |
| US08893081B2 |
Selectively enabling runtime editing of an application
A particular method includes receiving credentials during execution of an application at a computing device. The credentials are evaluated to determine whether a user associated with the credentials is authorized to edit the application while the application is being executed. Upon determining that the user is authorized, an editing control is enabled during the execution of the application. The editing control is associated with a graphical user interface (GUI) element of the application and is operable to update the GUI element during execution of the application. |
| US08893080B2 |
Parallelization of dataflow actors with local state
Processing a dataflow program by a program development tool includes analyzing an actor defined by the dataflow program to identify original sequences of actions that can be reformulated to achieve greater execution parallelism while maintaining the same functionality as the original sequences. A processed dataflow program is produced comprising processed dataflow program instructions and decision point program instructions. The processed dataflow program instructions comprise alternative sequences of reformulated actions that achieve greater execution parallelism while maintaining the same functionality as the identified one or more original sequences. The decision point program instructions direct processing equipment to select and execute one or more of the alternative sequences of reformulated actions, wherein selection is based on state and token information in existence at the time of selection. When more than one alternative sequence can be selected, selection of sequence with highest parallelism is preferred. |
| US08893078B2 |
Simplified business object model for a user interface
A streamlined, dynamic definition of a customized user interface that presents content from a variety of service providers or sources can be provided. A server can retrieve a list of underlying business object nodes required for presentation of an organization-specific user interface corresponding to an organization from which a call for an instance of the organization-specific user interface is received at the server. A portal business object that matches a structure of the organization-specific user interface can be created that includes one portal business object node corresponding to each user interface element of a structure of the organization-specific user interface. Access to the portal business object can be provided for a user interface model that creates the organization-specific user interface by calling the underlying business object nodes according to the portal business object. Related articles, systems, and the like are disclosed as well. |
| US08893077B1 |
Service to generate API libraries from a description
A system and method provided as a Web service for on-demand generation of libraries, as well as working samples, for a specified API, target programming language and target platform. The system is accessed through an interface and includes a Web application, a data store, and a compile server. The Web application is configured to receive a request for code generation from the user interface, to retrieve a description of an API, determine if code artifacts have been previously generated for the API description, and generating a source library in a programming language and target platform of choice based on the API description. The data store stores generated code artifacts, and stores the generated source library for the API description. The compile server is configured to generate compiled libraries and documentation, and store compiled libraries and documentation in the data store. |
| US08893075B2 |
Screen use diagram-based representation, development and testing system and method
A graphical editor or the like, and methods thereof, may be provided that can represent actors associated with use cases via screens, screen flows. The actors, use cases and intermediary screens, screen flows may be all simultaneously and explicitly represented in a diagram referred to as a screen-use diagram. |
| US08893074B2 |
Software development requirements recording
User interactions with an existing software product are recorded so as to generate a list of actions performed by or triggered by the interaction. The list of actions is then used to generate requirements for a new software product under development. |
| US08893060B2 |
Optimization of source, mask and projection optics
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for optimizing a lithographic projection apparatus including optimizing projection optics therein, and preferably including optimizing a source, a mask, and the projection optics. The projection optics is sometimes broadly referred to as “lens”, and therefore the joint optimization process may be termed source mask lens optimization (SMLO). SMLO is desirable over existing source mask optimization process (SMO), partially because including the projection optics in the optimization can lead to a larger process window by introducing a plurality of adjustable characteristics of the projection optics. The projection optics can be used to shape wavefront in the lithographic projection apparatus, enabling aberration control of the overall imaging process. According to the embodiments herein, the optimization can be accelerated by iteratively using linear fitting algorithm or using Taylor series expansion using partial derivatives of transmission cross coefficients (TCCs). |
| US08893059B2 |
Pattern data system for high-performance maskless electron beam lithography
One embodiment relates to a pattern data system for maskless electron beam lithography. The system includes a renderer that receives pre-exposure die image data, performs rendering of the pre-exposure die image data to generate raster data. The system further includes a plurality of data distributors communicatively coupled to the renderer. Each data distributor adapts the raster data to characteristics of an associated pattern writer. Other embodiments, aspects and feature are also disclosed. |
| US08893053B1 |
Method and apparatus for altering mobile device functionality
A method to help restrict operation of a mobile device in a situation where a user of the device may be distracted, such as when the user is driving a motor vehicle. The device presents the user with a test and reveals the solution to the test, and the user must then enter into the device the revealed solution within a predefined period of time. If the user enters the revealed solution within the predefined period of time, then a fair assumption is that the user is not distracted. On the other hand, if the user does not enter the revealed solution within the predefined period of time, then a fair assumption is that the user is distracted (e.g., is driving), in which case the device will responsively change an operational characteristic of the device so as to restrict the user's interaction with and operation of the device. |
| US08893052B2 |
System and method for controlling mobile terminal application using gesture
A system and a method for controlling a mobile terminal application using a gesture may identify a gesture corresponding to a contact signal input to a display screen. The gesture may then be verified in an event table as corresponding to a command event for one of many possible different applications, and command event may be performed by an application associated with the gesture. The application may be running in the background of the mobile terminal, and may not be displayed on the mobile terminal display screen when the command event is executed. The method may include executing a first application, executing a second application while executing the first application, identifying a gesture corresponding to a contact signal, verifying a command event corresponding to the gesture, and controlling the first application to perform the command event. |
| US08893049B2 |
Creation and prioritization of multiple virtual universe teleports in response to an event
Useful work or services can be automated or otherwise facilitated or solutions to real world events developed by emulation of a real-world environment (which can contain objects representing virtual objects) with a virtual environment and generating a prioritized sequence of locations and associated tasks in accordance with resources related to the event in a virtual universe. Performance of the prioritized tasks at the prioritized locations is facilitated in the virtual universe by locally generating teleportation invitations corresponding to locations in the ordered sequence of locations. |
| US08893048B2 |
System and method for virtual object placement
A computer system and method according to the present invention can receive multi-modal inputs such as natural language, gesture, text, sketch and other inputs in order to manipulate graphical objects in a virtual world. The components of an agent as provided in accordance with the present invention can include one or more sensors, actuators, and cognition elements, such as interpreters, executive function elements, working memory, long term memory and reasoners for object placement approach. In one embodiment, the present invention can transform a user input into an object placement output. Further, the present invention provides, in part, an object placement algorithm, along with the command structure, vocabulary, and the dialog that an agent is designed to support in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. |
| US08893043B2 |
Method and system for predictive browsing
In a method for automatically navigating potential websites for predictive browsing based on user activities along with efficiency of verifying content updates, a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of websites and its associated attributes that a user visits can be recorded and stored in a storage engine. The potential sites can be predicted by a predictive engine component based upon a past browsing history and various environmental factors that are recorded in the storage engine. A dynamic content detection engine component examines each potential websites and detects if the site has been updated. The predictive engine component enables the user to navigate to the potential websites thereby permitting faster website browsing. |
| US08893042B2 |
Determination and display of relevant websites
Various embodiments utilize certain events that occur within a Web browser to recognize an imminent intent, on the part of the user, to navigate to a website. Given such events, in combination with a user's past browsing patterns and history, an automated and personalized navigation solution can be provided to expedite navigation. |
| US08893036B1 |
Display region scrolling
Methods and apparatus provide for a Region Scroller. The Region Scroller renders a view of at least a portion of a set of headers, where each header is associated with a respective, expandable-collapsible (E-C) display region The Region Scroller identifies a newly-selected header based on an extent of directional input and modifies the view to include concurrent presentation of (i) the newly-selected header and (ii) an E-C display region in an expanded state, where the E-C display region is associated with the newly-selected header. |
| US08893035B2 |
Method, system and graphical user interface for configuring a simulator to simulate a plurality of devices
A method, system and graphical user interface for configuring a simulator. A graphical user interface may be used to define a configurable device profile, where a large number of devices for simulation by a simulator may be created based upon the configurable device profile. Once created, the devices may be individually configured and/or configured in groups. Additionally, the configuration of the devices may determine how the simulator generates and/or outputs simulated device data for the devices. For example, an attribute may be associated with a device which defines a format of the simulated device data, a rate at which the simulated device data is output, a range of values for the simulated device data, or an operating parameter of the device. An attribute specifying the communicative coupling of the devices may also be defined. Further, the simulated device data may include a data value. |
| US08893029B2 |
System and method for providing a portable and interactive storefront
In an example embodiment, a method for providing a portable and interactive storefront is provided. The method may comprise receiving information associated with a product to be placed in electronic commerce. Content is therefore generated based on the received information, in which the content may provide an interactive storefront. A link to the content is generated and then provided. |
| US08893025B2 |
Generating group based information displays via template information
A system, method and computer-readable medium are provided for the generation of group-based information processing service utilizes one or more group-based information templates and contact processing information to determine a set of available contacts and applications or other executable components for inclusion in group-based information. The determination of the contacts or applications or other executable components may be completed automatically without requiring user interaction. Alternatively, at least some portion of the process may require, or provide for, at least some user interaction for the selection or management of the contacts or applications or other executable components included in group-based information. |
| US08893024B2 |
User evaluation in a collaborative online forum
Users of a collaborative online forum may be evaluated automatically with the results made available to a supervisor. In an example embodiment, a method involves accessing multiple posts that are associated with multiple users, with each post of the multiple posts including content. Post scores for the multiple posts are ascertained based on one or more features. User interactions are analyzed with regard to the multiple posts to identify relationships among the multiple users and the content included in the multiple posts. The post scores and the user interactions are evaluated to determine respective collaboration scores for respective users of the multiple users. A user interface that provides access to the collaboration scores is presented to a supervisor. |
| US08893023B2 |
Method and system for predicting text
A method for an electronic messager to predict text while composing a reply message, including receiving an incoming message for a user, parsing the incoming message to identify questions, phone numbers and special phrases therein, and presenting, by an electronic messager having a memory and a processor, possible responses that the user may choose from while the user replies to the incoming message, based on the questions, phone numbers and special phrases identified by the parsing. |
| US08893022B2 |
Interactive and shared viewing experience
A shared environment is provided for electronic media devices such as game consoles which have Internet connectivity for receiving streaming video content. The shared environment is a virtual world which includes the video content as well as avatars which represent a group of users who have agreed to watch the content together, and scene elements which provide a realistic and eye-catching appearance. The users can enter commands to cause their avatars to emote, such as by cheering. The users can also explore the shared environment from different camera angles. A voice and/or video chat channel can also be enabled to allow the users to speak to and see one another. The video content is synchronized among the electronic media devices of the users so that the users' interactions are more meaningful as they can react to the same portion of the video content in real time. |
| US08893014B1 |
Deferred loading of a web page
A system and method for deferring the loading of user interface (UI) components of a web page. A processing module receives data describing user activities and generates user behavior data for a user in a social network. A component engine generates the data for loading different UI components of the web page. A user behavior module receives the user behavior data and determines an order in which each UI component of the web page is loaded. A loading engine transmits data to a user's browser for loading a static version of the web page and then loads the different UI components according to the order. |
| US08893013B1 |
Method and apparatus for providing a hybrid computing environment
Method and apparatus for computing resources. One embodiment of the method comprises executing a first application on a computer CPU sub-system during CPU sub-system operation; controlling execution of the first application by an interface coupled to the computer and selectively coupled to the CPU sub-system; generating, by the first application and in response to an event from a user device of the interface, a first image for display; controlling, by the user device and during suspension of the CPU sub-system operation, execution of a second application, on a server coupled to the computer, that generates a second image compressed and transmitted as a compressed image by the server, the interface coupled to the server by a resource selector of the computer, a remote bridge of the computer and the IP network; receiving and decoding, via the remote bridge and during the suspension, the compressed image to generate a display image. |
| US08893010B1 |
Experience sharing in location-based social networking
An exemplary computer-implemented method involves a computing device: (a) causing a graphic display to display a user-interface for accessing one or more experience-sharing sessions, wherein the user-interface is associated with a first user-account; (b) determining a location; (c) initiating a location-based search for one or more associated experience-sharing sessions, wherein each associated experience sharing session involves at least one second user-account that has a confirmed association with the first user-account, and wherein the location-based search is based on the determined location; and (d) causing the graphic display to display at least a portion of each of one or more associated experience-sharing sessions that result from the location-based search. |
| US08893009B2 |
End user device that secures an association of application to service policy with an application certificate check
Network service provisioning is described. Network service provisioning to a device includes a mechanism for ensuring that network services are available based upon one or more of appropriate traffic control, billing, and notification policies. Ensuring that the policies are properly enforced on a device is a focus of this paper. The enforcement policies can be on the device or in the network. |
| US08893007B2 |
Managing network usage per application via policies
Defining and applying policies to manage data traffic including data transmitted and/or received by each of a plurality of applications executing on a computing device. The data traffic is monitored per application and attributes are defined for the monitored data traffic to enable the user to evaluate the data traffic for each application. Usage patterns are determined based on the monitored data traffic and the attributes to create one or more policies. The policies are applied to prevent each application from exceeding a corresponding data usage limit defined by the policies. |
| US08893006B2 |
Method and system for obtaining operational data and service information for a building site
A method and system is disclosed for providing information about operational data from a plurality of building systems and service and maintenance information for a plurality of building sites. A customer web portal is provided with a database for storing the operational data and the service information allowing users to more readily generate reports and obtain service related information for a plurality of sites without having to maintain separate database systems at remote locations. |
| US08893004B2 |
User interface proxy method and system
A user interface proxy method and system. The method includes presenting by a computer processor, an application user interface request from a client computing system. The application user interface request includes parameters associated with an application user interface. The computer processor enables a proxy user interface instance within a first cloud instance associated with the parameters. The computer processor transmits the application user interface request to the proxy user interface instance. The computer processor transmits results associated with the application user interface request to the client computing system. The computer processor receives messages associated with interactions between the client computing system and a user. The computer processor transmits the messages to the proxy user interface instance. The computer processor transmits feedback data associated with the messages to the client computing system. |
| US08893003B2 |
Multi-media center for computing systems
Various “media-components” are provided in a “multi-media center.” In modular architecture, a module-controller communicates with media-modules provided for various media-components. A media-module can include or obtain data pertaining to a particular media-component, identify media-player(s), and access information related to their media. However, the media-modules are isolated from each other, and the module-controller effectively controls output generated in response to user input. A user interface library is provided for the media-modules. Media-modules can obtain a template or other tools from the library and construct their user interface (e.g., menus). Media-modules can also identify a media-player that can be initiated in response to user input. Subsequently, the media-controller forwards user input to the media-player. |
| US08892999B2 |
Interactive avatar for social network services
An embodiment is an avatar or avatar environment to visualize data within an athletic performance system or service and/or a social network system or service, for example as part of the Internet. The avatar may further evolve or alter its appearance, animation, or other visual or audio characteristics in response to the data or other input. In particular, the avatar of an embodiment may respond to and provide visualization of athletic or sport performance data. According to one or more aspects, an avatar may be placed on other network sites and updated based on athletic performance data. The avatar may be awarded for goals achieved by a user. The awards or gifts may further include non-avatar related items such as apparel, gift cards and the like. |
| US08892996B2 |
Spell-check for a keyboard system with automatic correction
User input is received, specifying a continuous traced path across a keyboard presented on a touch sensitive display. An input sequence is resolved, including traced keys and auxiliary keys proximate to the traced keys by prescribed criteria. For each of one or more candidate entries of a prescribed vocabulary, a set-edit-distance metric is computed between said input sequence and the candidate entry. Various rules specify when penalties are imposed, or not, in computing the set-edit-distance metric. Candidate entries are ranked and displayed according to the computed metric. |
| US08892990B2 |
Automatic creation of a table and query tools
An Image Based Document Management (IBDM) server includes a table generator, a query engine and a user interface engine. The table generator generates a table that includes a label image and at least one field image in a column. The label image represents a column header for the at least one field image. A query engine receives requests to modify the table and in response generates queries to query the table. A user interface engine provides the table for display and modifies the table in response to user input. |
| US08892985B2 |
Decoding and optimized implementation of SECDED codes over GF(q)
A plurality of columns for a check matrix that implements a distance d linear error correcting code are populated by providing a set of vectors from which to populate the columns, and applying to the set of vectors a filter operation that reduces the set by eliminating therefrom all vectors that would, if used to populate the columns, prevent the check matrix from satisfying a column-wise linear independence requirement associated with check matrices of distance d linear codes. One of the vectors from the reduced set may then be selected to populate one of the columns. The filtering and selecting repeats iteratively until either all of the columns are populated or the number of currently unpopulated columns exceeds the number of vectors in the reduced set. Columns for the check matrix may be processed to reduce the amount of logic needed to implement the check matrix in circuit logic. |
| US08892984B2 |
Convolutional code encoding method
An encoder and decoder using LDPC-CC (Low Density Parity Check-Convolutional Codes) is disclosed. In the encoder (200), an encoding rate setting unit (250) sets an encoding rate (s−1)/s (s=z), and an information creating unit (210) sets information including from information Xs,i to information Xz−1,i to zero. A first information computing unit (220-1) receives information X1,i at time point i to compute the X1(D) term of formula (1). A second information computing unit (220-2) receives information X2,i at time point i to compute the X2(D) term of formula (1). A third information computing unit (220-3) receives information X3,i at time point i to compute the X3(D) term of formula (1). A parity computing unit (230) receives parity Pi−1 at time point i−1 to compute the P(D) of formula (1). The exclusive OR of the results of the computation is obtained as parity Pi at time i. Ax. |
| US08892983B2 |
Method and apparatus for error detection in a communication system
A method processes a data packet in a first sequence of disjoint original segments of the same length. The method includes modifying a first of the original segments of the first sequence by modifying one or more symbols therein. A start of the data packet is located in the first of the original segments and is positioned after a first digital data symbol therein. The method also includes modifying a last of the original segments of the first sequence by modifying one or more digital data symbols therein. An end of the data packet is located in the last of the original segments and is located before the last digital data symbol therein. The method also includes determining a remainder sequence by effectively performing a polynomial division on a second sequence of disjoint segments that are derived from the first sequence. Each segment of the second sequence corresponds to and is derived from one of the original segments of the first sequence. The segments of the second sequence have the length of the original segments of the first sequence. A first of the derived segments of the second sequence is the modified first of the original segments. A last of the derived segments of the second sequence is derived from the modified last of the original segments. |
| US08892971B2 |
Output control scan flip-flop, semiconductor integrated circuit including the same, and design method for semiconductor integrated circuit
An output control scan flip-flop according to the present invention includes a first scan flip-flop that captures first data in a first mode and second data in a second mode in synchronization with a clock signal to output the data that is captured, a second scan flip-flop that captures the data output from the first scan flip-flop in the second mode in synchronization with a clock signal to output the data that is captured, and a gating circuit that generates the data output from the first scan flip-flop in the first mode as output data, and generates output data having a change rate of a logic value lower than a change rate of a logic value of the data output from the first scan flip-flop based on the data output from each of the first scan flip-flop and the second scan flip-flop in the second mode. |
| US08892970B2 |
Address and instruction controller with TCK, TMS, address match inputs
This disclosure describes a reduced pin bus that can be used on integrated circuits or embedded cores within integrated circuits. The bus may be used for serial access to circuits where the availability of pins on ICs or terminals on cores is limited. The bus may be used for a variety of serial communication operations such as, but not limited to, serial communication related test, emulation, debug, and/or trace operations of an IC or core design. Other aspects of the disclosure include the use of reduced pin buses for emulation, debug, and trace operations and for functional operations. |
| US08892963B2 |
Error detection in high-speed asymmetric interfaces utilizing dedicated interface lines
A system and method for detecting errors in high-speed asymmetric interfaces are described. Embodiments include transmitting digital data between a first system component and a second system component over a bidirectional interface, wherein the first component is significantly more intelligent than the second component. The first component receives a signature from the second component over a line of the interface concurrent with READ and WRITE operations over the interface. The latency associated with transmission of a signature from the second component to the first component is the time taken for the second component to compute a signature. The signature received is compared to a signature stored by the first component. Both signatures correspond to a particular READ or WRITE command. Based on the comparison, the first component determines whether the READ or WRITE operation was successful, and directs the second component as necessary. |
| US08892962B2 |
Virtual computer system having SR-IOV compliant device mounted thereon and failure detection method
A failure detection method including: detecting, by a virtual computer, occurrence of the failure in a virtual function of an I/O device; acquiring, a virtual device name corresponding to the virtual function in which the failure has occurred; referring, to device information retaining a virtual device name of the I/O device assigned to the virtual computer and VF specific information on the I/O device, thereby acquiring the VF specific information based on the acquired virtual device name; transmitting, the acquired VF specific information to the host; referring, by the host, to I/O correspondence information retaining a slot number of a slot in which the I/O device is mounted, and VF specific information, thereby acquiring the slot number corresponding to the VF specific information received from the virtual computer; and identifying, the acquired slot number as the slot number of the I/O device on which the failure has occurred. |
| US08892960B2 |
System and method for determining causes of performance problems within middleware systems
A method of determining a root cause of a performance problem is provided. The method comprises analyzing a plurality of performance indicators/metrics in a first time period and determining that at least one performance indicators/metric is exhibiting abnormal behavior. The method further comprises analyzing the plurality of performance indicators/metrics over a second time period, the second time period is longer than the first time period, and determining trend information for each performance indicators/metric over the second time period. The method further comprises correlating the trend information for each performance indicators/metric with performance problem information stored in a knowledge base, identifying a potential cause of the abnormal behavior based on the correlation, and alerting a user of the potential cause. |
| US08892959B2 |
Automatic problem diagnosis
For automatic problem diagnosis, a data collector module collects log data comprising code sets from a plurality of components in a data processing system. An analysis module translates the log data into at least one predefined symptom. Each symptom is associated with at least one code set of the log data. The analysis module selects from a knowledge base at least one problem that includes each symptom. The analysis module further calculates an influence factor for each problem, and ranks each problem from most likely to least likely based on the influence factor of the problem. |
| US08892957B2 |
Memory correctness checking in distributed computer systems
A remote data memory access method for use in a computer system having a plurality of nodes, each node using a respective memory and remote data memory access between nodes being performed by transferring user data from the memory used by one node to the memory used by another node, the method comprising: maintaining memory correctness information of the user data at a subunit level; selecting subunits of user data for transfer in dependence upon memory correctness information of each subunit; and selectively transferring the subunits so selected. The method preferably involves transferring the memory correctness information of at least the selected subunits of user data, in addition to the selected subunits of user data. The memory correctness information may be compressed prior to transfer. |
| US08892951B2 |
Fault localization for data-centric programs
Methods and arrangements for localizing faults in programs. A program is assimilated, the program comprising statements. Output behavior of the statements is modeled, and statement occurrences are annotated. Passing and failing spectra are differenced to yield a difference, and a fault is located via employing the difference. |
| US08892948B2 |
Configuration device for the graphical creation of a test sequence
A configuration device for the graphical creation of at least one test sequence for controlling a test device having at least one electronic computer. The test device is controllable according to the created test sequence. The configuration device has at least one display device, graphical library functional elements being displayed with the display device in a library field. The test sequence can be created by placing at least one instance of a library functional element in a configuration field. The instance of a library functional element is placed in the configuration field. The graphical library functional element can be provided with a function placeholder, whereby the function placeholder in the instance of the library functional element can be provided with an instance functionality, whereby the reference of the instance of the library functional element to the library functional element is retained. |
| US08892947B1 |
Method and system for automation framework for multi-node environments
An automation framework for a multi-node environment is described. A first host computer executes a parser, a first execution engine, a first communication component, and a first logger. A second host computer executes a second execution engine, a second communication component, and a second logger. The parser parses a test case suite to identify multiple script instructions to test an application. The first execution engine executes the first script instruction to locally execute the first script instruction. The first communication component communicates an execution request to the second communication component to remotely execute the first script instruction. The second communication component instructs the second execution engine to execute the first script instruction. The first and the second logger log a first and a second result of executing the first script instruction on the first and the second host computer. The first logger outputs the first result and/or the second result. |
| US08892945B2 |
Efficient application management in a cloud with failures
A semiconductor device includes a first layer, first and second active areas disposed on the first layer; a trench disposed between the first and second active areas, an insulating oxide that fills the trench to a level below a surface of the first and second active layers, and a nitride cap disposed on top of the insulating oxide so that the first and second active areas can be cleaned without damaging the insulating oxide. A top surface of the nitride cap in regions adjacent to the first and second active areas in aligned with a top surface of the first and second active areas, a top surface of the nitride cap in a center region of the nitride cap is stepped below the top surface of the adjacent regions, and a void is formed between the top surface regions adjacent to the first and second active areas. |
| US08892943B2 |
Electronic device and method for verifying correct program execution
An electronic device is provided which comprises a microprocessor for executing a program code and a first hardware code path verifying (CPV) stage coupled to the microprocessor. The hardware CPV stage comprises a first error detection code (EDC) generator configured to continuously determine an error detection code on a continuous sequence of code relating to an actually executed portion of the program code and to compare the actual error detection code with a predetermined error code so as to verify correct execution of the program code and to indicate an error. |
| US08892942B2 |
Rank sparing system and method
A system, and a corresponding method, are used to implement rank sparing. The system includes a memory controller and one or more DIMM channels coupled to the memory controller, where each DIMM channel includes one or more DIMMS, and where each of the one or more DIMMs includes at least one rank of DRAM devices. The memory controller is loaded with programming to test the DIMMs to designate at least one specific rank of DRAM devices as a spare rank. |
| US08892937B2 |
Parallel computer system, control device, and controlling method
The control device detects a failed node in which a failure has occurred from a plurality of computation nodes included in a plurality of computation units included in the parallel computer. The control device chooses execution nodes for executing the program from the computation nodes of the parallel computer except the detected failed nodes based on the number of computation nodes needed to execute the program. The control device selects a paths to connect the computation nodes from a plurality of links each connecting two computation units adjacent to each other through a plurality of paths configured to connect computation nodes included in two computation units adjacent to each other in a one-to-one manner included in the links connecting two computation units adjacent to each other in the plurality of computation units including the choosed execution nodes except the path connected to the detected failed node. |
| US08892936B2 |
Cluster wide consistent detection of interconnect failures
The failure of a specific link of a specific node of a cluster is detected, for example through the operating system of the specific node. A notification of the failure of the specific link is disseminated to the nodes of the cluster, such that the nodes receive the notification prior to learning of the link-down event from the expiration of corresponding heartbeats, and process the event in parallel. The notification of the link failure can be disseminated by broadcasting a message notifying the nodes of the failure of the specific link. The notification of the link failure can also be disseminated by transmitting the notification to a centralized computing device which is polled by the nodes of the cluster at a specific frequency for notifications of link failures. |
| US08892935B2 |
Dynamic bus clock rate adjusting method and device
A dynamic bus clock rate adjusting method is to be executed by a bus controller and a CPU. The bus controller is coupled with a bus that is coupled with a plurality of slave devices. The method comprises the steps of: configuring the bus controller to generate, upon receipt of a request signal from one of the slave devices, an access instruction including an address from which the request signal is sent; and configuring the CPU to determine which of the slave devices the address of the access instruction corresponds so as to obtain a working clock rate thereof, and to set the bus controller to adjust an operating clock rate of the bus according to the working clock rate, and to perform the access instruction on the slave device via the bus. |
| US08892931B2 |
Power channel monitor for a multicore processor
Technologies are generally described for power channel monitoring in multicore processors. A power management system can be configured to monitor the power channels supplying individual cores within a multicore processor. A power channel monitor can provide a direct measurement of power consumption for each core. The power consumption of individual cores can indicate which cores are encountering higher or lower usage. The usage determination can be made without sending any data messages to, or from, the cores being measured. The determined usage load being serviced by each processor core may be used to adjust power and/or clock signals supplied to the cores. |
| US08892927B2 |
Controlling power states of a peripheral device in response to user proximity
In a method of controlling the power state of a peripheral device, the peripheral is changed from a first power state to a second power state in response to communications across a network connected to the peripheral indicating that a user is proximately located to the peripheral. A user may be determined to be proximately located to the peripheral by monitoring communications across the network to detect traffic that is associated with a user logging onto a computer that can utilize the peripheral, by discovering a wireless terminal that is associated with a user and which is proximately located to the peripheral, by receiving information from a cellular communication network across the network that indicates that a user of the peripheral is proximately located to the peripheral, and/or in response to a time of day and/or day of week/month schedule. |
| US08892926B2 |
System and method for providing power-save operation in an in-home communication network
A first device of a multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) network may grant a second device of the MoCA network permission to enter a power-saving state. While the second device is in the power-saving mode, the first device may grant bandwidth to the second device during one or more predetermined timeslots. The bandwidth may be granted without a corresponding reservation request from the second device. While the second device is in the power-saving state, it may track time utilizing a clock that is synchronized to the system time of the MoCA network, and transmit during one or more of the predetermined timeslots without first transmitting a corresponding reservation request. The second device may utilize a first modulation profile when not operating in the power-saving state, and utilize a second modulation profile when operating in the power-saving state. |
| US08892924B2 |
Reducing power consumption of uncore circuitry of a processor
In one embodiment, a multi-core processor includes multiple cores and an uncore, where the uncore includes various logic units including a cache memory, a router, and a power control unit (PCU). The PCU can clock gate at least one of the logic units and the cache memory when the multi-core processor is in a low power state to thus reduce dynamic power consumption. |
| US08892913B2 |
Load control device having a low-power mode
A load control device for control of the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load comprises a power supply and a microprocessor that is able to operate the load control device in a low-power mode. The load control device may further comprise at least one visual indicator controlled by the microprocessor to provide visual feedback, where the microprocessor illuminates the visual indicator when the load is on and to turns the visual indicator off when the load is off during the low-power mode. The load control device may comprise a communication circuit coupled to the microprocessor for transmitting and/or receiving digital messages the microprocessor cause the communication circuit to draw less current from the power supply during the low-power mode. The microprocessor may operate in the low-power mode if the magnitude of a voltage of the power supply drops below a predetermined threshold. |
| US08892911B2 |
Variable power systems for computers
Arrangements which provide a degree of flexible power allocation among multiple power rails in computer systems, in a manner to permit the sharing and exchange of power across multiple rails. The rails involved in such sharing could be of similar or dissimilar voltage. By way of an advantageous refinement, a “shopping cart” approach for system configuration is permitted, based on subsystem or component power capability. |
| US08892904B2 |
Hardware enforced security governing access to an operating system
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods related to hardware-enforced access protection. An example device may comprise a login agent module (LAM), an operating system login authentication module (OSLAM) and a secure user authentication module (SUAM). The LAM may be configured to cause a prompt requesting login information to be presented by the device. The LAM may then provide the login information to the OSLAM, which may be configured to authenticate the login information using known user information. If authenticated, the OSLAM may generate and transmit a signed login success message to the SUAM using a private key. The SUAM may be secure/trusted software loaded by device firmware, and may be configured to authenticate the signed login success message. If authenticated, the SUAM may transmit an encrypted authentication message to the OSLAM. If the encrypted authentication message is authenticated, the OSLAM may grant access to the device. |
| US08892903B1 |
Detection of power analysis attacks
A circuit for detecting power analysis attacks includes at least one load circuit, a power supply line, and a switch coupled to the load circuit and to the power supply line. The switch is configured to enable and disable the at least one load circuit, and a voltage monitor is configured to sample voltage levels of the supply voltage. A detection circuit is coupled to the switch and to the voltage monitor. The detection circuit is configured to generate control signals for enabling and disabling the at least one load circuit, compare a first voltage level sampled when the at least one load circuit is disabled to a second voltage level sampled when the at least one load circuit is enabled, and generate an attack-detection signal in response to a difference between the sampled first voltage level and the sampled second voltage level being greater than a threshold voltage level. |
| US08892902B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An information processing apparatus has a request determining part determining a request type for streaming contents from a communicating apparatus, a copy number managing part managing the number of copies permissible for the communicating apparatus, a stream number managing part managing the number of streams now in communication, a key-selection processing part selecting a first key corresponding to transfer of streaming contents permissible for one or more of copies or a second key corresponding to transfer of streaming contents for copies with generation management restriction or not permissible for copies, an encryption processing part generating encrypted streaming contents using the first or the second key, and a packet processing part generating a packet that includes the encrypted streaming contents and key information selected by the key-selection processing part and to include information on the number of copies to the packet when the first key is selected. |
| US08892901B2 |
Method and apparatus for encrypting user data
A mobile terminal is capable of performing message encryption. The mobile terminal includes a display unit that can display contents of a message and an input unit that can receive a selection input for a portion of the displayed content. A portion of the displayed content can be selected for encryption. The selected portion of the displayed content is encrypted. The mobile terminal can store the message containing the encrypted content and information regarding the password. |
| US08892896B2 |
Capability and behavior signatures
Techniques for capability and behavior signatures are described. In one or more embodiments, various data describing the capabilities and behaviors of a client is collected. The collected data is analyzed to generate a signature that is indicative of whether the client is operated by a human or a non-human. Selective access to resources is provided to the client based at least in part on the signature that is generated. |
| US08892893B2 |
Systems and methods for watermarking software and other media
Systems and methods are disclosed for embedding information in software and/or other electronic content such that the information is difficult for an unauthorized party to detect, remove, insert, forge, and/or corrupt. The embedded information can be used to protect electronic content by identifying the content's source, thus enabling unauthorized copies or derivatives to be reliably traced, and thus facilitating effective legal recourse by the content owner. Systems and methods are also disclosed for protecting, detecting, removing, and decoding information embedded in electronic content, and for using the embedded information to protect software or other media from unauthorized analysis, attack, and/or modification. |
| US08892890B2 |
Key agreement and transport protocol
A key establishment protocol includes the generation of a value of cryptographic function, typically a hash, of a session key and public information. This value is transferred between correspondents together with the information necessary to generate the session key. Provided the session key has not been compromised, the value of the cryptographic function will be the same at each of the correspondents. The value of the cryptographic function cannot be compromised or modified without access to the session key. |
| US08892881B2 |
Split key secure access system
The present invention is a secure access system whereby the key that facilitates entrance to electronic data is split into at least two segments. Electronic data may be accessed by the application of the key segments in combination. A server may be used to derive key segments by way of algorithms, in a manner that improves the bit security of the key. Bit strings generated by the present invention may be concatenated to form data blocks whereby plaintext may be encrypted or ciphertext decrypted. The concatenation of the unique bit string variables and the generation of bit strings of specific sizes, as may occur through padding of blocks, work to provide a secure means of encrypting a key. A different bit string may be generated for each encryption/decryption transmission which limits the opportunity for an adversary to decrypt the plaintext. |
| US08892879B2 |
System and method for securing and tracking files
A method, system and computer program product for securing and tracking restricted files stored in a data processing system is provided. The data processing system is connected to a server for sharing information. An entity requesting to access a restricted file is authenticated, based on certain policies defined by a system administrator. Further, the system maintains a log of operations executed on the restricted file, and sends a record of the log to the server. |
| US08892878B2 |
Fine-grained privileges in operating system partitions
In one embodiment, the present invention provides techniques for managing activities of processes using a fine grained privilege model in an operating system environment partitioned into a global zone and one or more non-global zones for isolating processes from processes executing in association with other non-global zones under control of a single operating kernel instance. |
| US08892875B1 |
Methods and apparatus for controlling access to encrypted computer files
A server computer provides centralized key management services to several computers having encrypted files or file systems. The server computer receives key requests from the computers. The server computer issues a key to a computer that passes an integrity check. The key is used to unlock an encrypted file or file system in the computer. When the computer fails another integrity check after receiving the key, indicating a change in the security posture of the computer, the server computer may revoke the key automatically or upon receipt of an instruction from a key administrator. |
| US08892874B2 |
Enhanced security for direct link communications
A method for secure direct link communications between multiple wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs). The WTRUs exchange nonces that are used for generating a common nonce. A group identification information element (GIIE) is generated from at least the common nonce and is forwarded to an authentication server. The authentication server generates a group direct link master key (GDLMK) from the GIIE to match WTRUs as part of a key agreement group. Group key encryption key (GKEK) and a group key confirmation key (GKCK) are also generated based on the common nonce and are used to encrypt and sign the GDLMK so that base stations do not have access to the GDLMK. Also disclosed is a method for selecting a key management suite (KMS) to generate temporal keys. A KMS index (KMSI) may be set according to a selected KMS, transmitted to another WTRU and used to establish a direct link. |
| US08892873B1 |
Verification of user communication addresses
Disclosed are various embodiments for performing stateless verification of communication addresses. Encrypted verification data is generated for a user, including a communication address, an identifier of the user, a verification code, and a timestamp. The encrypted verification data is sent to the user, and the verification code is transmitted to the communication address. The encrypted verification data and the verification code are received from the user. The communication address is verified based at least in part on the verification code received from the user and the encrypted verification data received from the user. |
| US08892871B2 |
System and method for issuing digital certificate using encrypted image
The disclosure relates to a system and method for issuing a digital certificate using an encrypted image, in which a digital certificate is sealed in a digital envelope image so as to protect a digital certificate user from damages caused by hacking, phishing attacks and the like in the course of issuance, update and re-issuance of the digital certificate, and the method for issuing a digital certificate comprises the steps of: storing a user select image for issuing the digital certificate, by a proxy server or a certificate server; and requesting the certificate server to issue the digital certificate and, if the digital certificate is issued, creating a sealed digital envelope image by combining the digital certificate with the user select image and transmitting the digital envelope image to a user terminal. |
| US08892870B2 |
Digital rights management for live streaming based on trusted relationships
Managing digital rights of content based on trusted relationships including: tagging the content as using encryption and specifying a retrieval method that is used to request a decryption key so that the content is live streamed to a client device a client device; transmitting an affiliation token to a trusted agent, wherein the trusted agent relays the affiliation token onto the client device based on requirement and identifier of the client device; receiving a request from the client device for the decryption key, which includes a value from the affiliation token to identify the trusted relationships; and verifying the request and providing the decryption key to the client device, wherein the client device uses the decryption key to decrypt the live streaming content for playback. Keywords include digital rights management and trusted relationship. |
| US08892866B2 |
Secure cloud storage and synchronization systems and methods
A secure cloud storage and synchronization system and method is described that provides, among other things: (1) local password recovery, including a mechanism by which the user of the system can recover their password without having stored it on a remote server; (2) secure, private versioning of files, including a mechanism to privately store a version history of files on one or more remote servers in such a way that it is technically infeasible for anyone other than the legitimate owner to access any component of the file history; (3) secure, private de-duplication of files stored on one or more remote servers that reduces storage requirements by allowing for the storage of a single file when there are duplicates, even across users; and (4) secure, private sharing of files between users of the system that allows one user to share a file on the “cloud” with another user without deciphering or transporting the file. |
| US08892864B2 |
Method for separating a dividable computer device into multiple sub-computers with predetermined features and functionality loaded before the separation upon user's selection
A method for separating a dividable computer device into multiple sub-computers may include receiving, by the dividable computer device, a command to separate a sub-computer from the dividable computer device. The method may also include detecting by the dividable computer device separation of the sub-computer and reconfiguring the dividable computer device for operation without the separated sub-computer in response to each sub-computer being separated. |
| US08892863B2 |
System and method for automated network configuration
A method of configuring a data network with a controller, the data network including a plurality of hosts each associated with at least one of a plurality of switches, the method including receiving a request to boot an operating system image on one of the plurality of hosts, the operating system image having network connectivity requirements. Further, the method includes selecting a host out of the plurality of hosts on which to boot the operating system image. The method also includes booting the operating system image on the host, and configuring a switch out of the plurality of switches associated with the host based upon the network connectively requirements of the operating system image. Additionally, the method includes configuring networking attributes of a network interface in the host based upon the network connectivity requirements of the operating system image. |
| US08892860B2 |
Clearing secure system resources in a computing device
Systems and methods of clearing system resources are disclosed. One example method includes the step of detecting a failure to clear a secure portion of a system resource in a device. The method also includes the step of powering off the system resource for a period of power-off time that is sufficient to clear data from the system resource, where the power off is responsive to the failure detection. The method also includes the step of unlocking the secure portion of the system resource, where the unlock is responsive to the period of power-off time having elapsed. |
| US08892859B1 |
Hardware based detection of factory reset request
A hardware based detection approach for detecting a CPU reset request and a CPU boot process that resets control parameters that control operation of the CPU are described. Described embodiments of the hardware based detection approach store a count of clock cycles that elapse while a CPU reset request switch is actuated. As part of the reset process, the CPU retrieves the stored clock cycle count and based on the value of the retrieved clock cycle count, i.e., based on the duration that the CPU reset switch was physically actuated, the CPU boot process resets one or more sets of CPU control parameters to original factory settings. |
| US08892856B2 |
Firmware flashing method and related computer system
A firmware flashing method for a computer system is disclosed. The firmware flashing method comprises establishing a list, wherein the list comprise a plurality of identities individually corresponding to a plurality of firmwares, checking a plurality devices of the computer system and obtaining corresponding identities of the plurality of devices of the computer system, determining whether the corresponding identities of the plurality of devices of the computer system exist in the list, selecting corresponding firmwares of the plurality of devices of the computer system when the corresponding identities of the plurality of devices of the computer system exist in the list, and merging the corresponding firmwares of the plurality of devices of the computer system and writing the corresponding firmwares of the plurality of devices of the computer system in a memory. |
| US08892855B2 |
Encryption keys distribution for conditional access software in TV receiver SOC
A method for securely generating and distributing encryption keys includes generating, by a secured server, a pair of keys including a first key and a second key and providing, by a key distributing unit, the first key to a first recipient and a second key to a second recipient. The first recipient may use the first key to encrypt a data file and send the encrypted data file via a non-volatile memory device to a target subscriber. The second recipient may program the second key into an one-time-programmable register contained in a secure element during a manufacturing process. The secure element may further include a random access memory configured to store an image of the encrypted data file, a read-only memory containing a boot code, and a processing unit coupled to the random-access memory and the read-only memory and operative to decrypt the encrypted data file. |
| US08892848B2 |
Processor and system using a mask register to track progress of gathering and prefetching elements from memory
A device, system and method for assigning values to elements in a first register, where each data field in a first register corresponds to a data element to be written into a second register, and where for each data field in the first register, a first value may indicate that the corresponding data element has not been written into the second register and a second value indicates that the corresponding data element has been written into the second register, reading the values of each of the data fields in the first register, and for each data field in the first register having the first value, gathering the corresponding data element and writing the corresponding data element into the second register, and changing the value of the data field in the first register from the first value to the second value. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08892844B2 |
Methods of accessing memory cells, methods of distributing memory requests, systems, and memory controllers
Methods of accessing memory cells, methods of distributing memory requests, systems, and memory controllers are described. In one such method, where memory cells are divided into at least a first region of memory cells and a second region of memory cells, memory cells in the first region are accessed according to a first address definition and memory cells in the second region are accessed according to a second address definition that is different from the first address definition. Additional embodiments are described. |
| US08892843B2 |
Creation of logical units via borrowing of alternative storage and subsequent movement of the logical units to desired storage
A computational device receives a request to create a logical unit. In response to determining that adequate space is not available to create the logical unit in a first type of storage pool, a determination is made as to whether a first indicator is configured to allow borrowing of storage space from a second type of storage pool. In response to determining that the first indicator is configured to allow borrowing of storage space from the second type of storage pool, the logical unit is created in the second type of storage pool The logical unit is moved from the second type of storage pool to the first type of storage pool, in response to determining that free space that is adequate to store the logical unit has become available in the first type of storage pool. |
| US08892841B2 |
Store handling in a processor
In one embodiment, a processor may be configured to write ECC granular stores into the data cache, while non-ECC granular stores may be merged with cache data in a memory request buffer. In one embodiment, a processor may be configured to detect that a victim block writeback hits one or more stores in a memory request buffer (or vice versa) and may convert the victim block writeback to a fill. In one embodiment, a processor may speculatively issue stores that are subsequent to a load from a load/store queue, but prevent the update for the stores in response to a snoop hit on the load. |
| US08892838B2 |
Point-in-time copying of virtual storage and point-in-time dumping
A method includes copying a first virtual storage by making, a point-in-time copy of a first page content stored in a first structure by creating a second page content in a second structure, the second page content pointing to actual data pointed to by the first page content, storing the second page content in the second data structure, marking the first page content in the first structure with a bit, copying the virtual page in the event the first page content in the first structure is marked with the bit, storing the copied virtual page in a second virtual storage, altering the second page content to point to the stored virtual page, and using the second virtual storage to perform the core dump process, wherein the second virtual storage is referenced via the second page content stored in the real storage. |
| US08892833B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer program products providing snapshot data replication in a distributed analytic computing system
A computer program product having a computer readable medium tangibly recording computer program logic for performing analytics on data at a data node, the computer program product including code to instruct a storage array to create a snapshot of the data, code to access the snapshot, by the data node, as an independent virtual volume, code to receive, at the data node, a command mapping a processing task to the data node, in which the processing task includes analysis on the data, and code to perform the processing task on the data by accessing the data through the snapshot. |
| US08892831B2 |
Memory subsystem hibernation
In a managed memory subsystem, information associated with the memory subsystem is copied from volatile memory in the memory subsystem to host system memory. The copying can be over a standard interface. Responsive to memory subsystem power up from a powered down state or power loss, the information is copied from the host system memory back to the volatile memory in the memory subsystem, where the information can be used by the memory subsystem to perform memory operations. Transferring information from host system memory to volatile memory in a memory subsystem is faster and more power efficient than transferring the same information from non-volatile memory to volatile memory in the memory subsystem. |
| US08892830B2 |
Changing ownership of cartridges
Exemplary method, system, and computer program product embodiments for changing ownership of cartridges, such as virtual cartridges between remotely located virtual tape libraries, are provided. In one embodiment, by way of example only, processes and protocols for the changing ownership of the cartridges are controlled from a primary location to a secondary location. The production site is moved for the cartridges. The ownership of the cartridges is waived. Access is allowed to the cartridges. Additional data is written and replicated using resources of the cartridges. |
| US08892826B2 |
Systems and methods for performing storage operations in a computer network
Methods and systems are described for performing storage operations on electronic data in a network. In response to the initiation of a storage operation and according to a first set of selection logic, a media management component is selected to manage the storage operation. In response to the initiation of a storage operation and according to a second set of selection logic, a network storage device to associate with the storage operation. The selected media management component and the selected network storage device perform the storage operation on the electronic data. |
| US08892823B2 |
Data bus efficiency via cache line usurpation
Embodiments of the current invention permit a user to allocate cache memory to main memory more efficiently. The processor or a user allocates the cache memory and associates the cache memory to the main memory location, but suppresses or bypassing reading the main memory data into the cache memory. Some embodiments of the present invention permit the user to specify how many cache lines are allocated at a given time. Further, embodiments of the present invention may initialize the cache memory to a specified pattern. The cache memory may be zeroed or set to some desired pattern, such as all ones. Alternatively, a user may determine the initialization pattern through the processor. |
| US08892819B2 |
Multi-core system and external input/output bus control method
A multi-core system includes processor cores having caches; an external input/output bus connected to the processor cores; memory accessed by the processor cores via the external input/output bus; profile information indicating the volume of a write access to the memory by tasks concurrently allocated to the processor cores and whether a cache miss will occur in a read access to the caches; and an operating system that controls clock frequency of the external input/output bus to be a first frequency, based on the volume of the write access to the memory by the tasks and the bus width of the external input/output bus when a cache miss in read access is judged to not occur in executing the tasks and that controls the clock frequency of the external input/output bus to be a second frequency higher than the first frequency when a cache miss in read access is judged. |
| US08892816B1 |
System and method for writing data to a memory
In first and second memories, respectively, data cannot and can be overwritten on prewritten locations without first erasing the prewritten locations. A selection module selects memory blocks of first memory, which are partially written with first data, in response to receiving a write command to write second data to the memory blocks. A control module, prior to erasing the first data from the memory blocks, writes the first data in a portion of second memory instead of writing the first data in first memory. A location description module generates a description table indicating whether data in memory locations in the portion of second memory are valid or invalid. A rate of adding data to the portion becomes equal to a rate at which data in memory locations in the portion becomes invalid so that the first data is written in the portion without first merging the first data. |
| US08892809B2 |
Data compression and encoding in a memory system
Embodiments provide a method comprising receiving input data comprising a plurality of data sectors; compressing the plurality of data sectors to generate a corresponding plurality of compressed data sectors; splitting a compressed data sector of the plurality of compressed data sectors to generate a plurality of split compressed data sectors; and storing the plurality of compressed data sectors, including the plurality of split compressed data sectors, in a plurality of memory pages of a memory. |
| US08892808B2 |
Retention-value associated memory
A memory component or subsystem is provided. The memory comprises one or more memory devices and one or more write controllers within each of the one or more memory devices that each controls memory-device components to write input data values into a plurality of memory cells within a memory device that represents a unit of stored data addressed by a logical-address-space address, the write controller applying a current to the plurality of memory cells during a WRITE operation with a magnitude that corresponds to a retention value associated with the logical-address-space address. |
| US08892806B2 |
Integrated circuit, memory device, method of operating an integrated circuit, and method of designing an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit, a memory device, a method of operating an integrated circuit and a method of designing an integrated circuit are provided. An integrated circuit comprises a plurality of logical elements and a bus carrying signals for said plurality of logical elements. The integrated circuit also comprises a routing unit having an input coupled to said bus and a plurality of outputs to route signals received at said input to at least one of said outputs. The integrated circuit also comprises a plurality of lines coupled to said plurality of outputs to conduct said signals from said routing unit to at least one of said plurality of logical elements, wherein at least one of said plurality of lines couples said routing unit to only one of said logical elements. |
| US08892804B2 |
Internal BUS bridge architecture and method in multi-processor systems
An internal bus bridge architecture and method is described. Embodiments include a system with multiple bus endpoints coupled to a bus root via a host bus bridge that is internal to at least one bus endpoint. In addition, the bus endpoints are directly coupled to each other. Embodiments are usable with known bus protocols. |
| US08892801B2 |
Arbitration circuity and method for arbitrating between a plurality of requests for access to a shared resource
Arbitration circuitry for arbitrating between a plurality W of requests R for access to a shared resource. Included are state bits storage storing I state bits Q and generating 2I output bits comprising the true and compliment values of each stored state bit and routing circuitry for generating a set of mask signals M from the output bits. Grant circuitry receives the set of mask signals and the plurality of requests, and grants access to the shared resource to an asserted request having regard to the priority ordering encoded by the set of mask signals. State bit update circuitry is responsive to a trigger condition to perform an update causing a change in the priority ordering encoded by the set of mask signals. The routing circuitry provides a pattern of connections such that each mask signal in the set is directly connected to one of said output bits. |
| US08892797B2 |
Communication protocol system and method for a distributed-architecture heating, ventilation and air conditioning network
The disclosure provides an HVAC data processing and communication network and a method of manufacturing the same. In an embodiment, the network includes a system device coupled to a data bus. The system device includes a functional block adapted to respond to a message received via the data bus. The system device is configured to thereby enter a disabled state in which the system device does not provide a service or broadcast messages via the data bus, but may continue to receive messages via the data bus. |
| US08892796B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method thereof
In a case where an application whose setting value is required to be operated cannot be suspended, a setting value operation service of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) stores requested operation content in a temporary region of a hard disk drive (HDD)/flash memory. The setting value operation service stores in the HDD/flash memory an execution instruction file for executing the requested operation at a restart of the MFP, and reserves the operation to be executed after a restart. When the MFP is restarted, an application management unit changes start-up order of programs according to the execution instruction file so that start-up of the setting value operation service is performed before start-up of the operation target application, and starts the programs according to the changed start-up order. Further, in start-up processing, the restarted setting value operation service operates the setting value of the operation target application according to the setting information. |
| US08892789B2 |
Accelerating internet small computer system interface (iSCSI) proxy input/output (I/O)
The present invention is a method for accelerating proxy Input/Output (proxy I/O). The method includes the step of receiving a command at a primary target storage system. The primary target storage system may be part of a clustered storage array. The command may be a command which was transmitted by an initiator system via a storage area network, and may include a request for data. The method further includes the step of forwarding the command to a session layer of the primary target storage system. Further, when a virtualization layer of the primary target storage system determines that a portion of the data requested in the data request is not stored by the primary target storage system, but is stored by a proxy target storage system included in the plurality of storage systems, the method further includes providing a proxyIO request to a proxy initiator of the primary target storage system. Further, the method may further include, based on the proxyIO request, generating a proxyDataIn request and providing the proxyDataIn request to an I/O controller for the primary target storage system. |
| US08892787B2 |
Methods and apparatus for packing received frames in buffers in a serial attached SCSI (SAS) device
Methods and apparatus for packing received Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) frames in buffers for transmission to a host system memory. SAS frames are received from another SAS device and stored in a frame buffer memory. User data in the received frames has appended SCSI Data Integrity Fields (DIF information) to enhance reliability. Features and aspects hereof use the DIF information to validate the user data and then strip the DIF information to densely pack the validated user data in a DMA staging buffer for transmission to a host's system buffer memory using DMA features of the SAS device. The DMA circuit is programmed and started when the staging buffer is filled to at least a threshold amount of data to thereby improve efficacy of the DMA transfer performance. Other criteria may also be employed to determine when to start the DMA circuit. |
| US08892773B2 |
Path control apparatus, path control method, path control program, and network system
A path control apparatus of the present invention includes: a status change detecting unit that detects a status change of a network; a path calculating unit that decides a path in accordance with the status of the network; and a calculation execution node deciding unit that compares a shortest path tree, which is established before occurrence of a change in the status of the network calculated by the path calculating unit, with a shortest path tree, which is established after the occurrence of the change in the status of the network calculated by the path calculating unit, and creates information required for determining whether a node apparatus in the network needs a path update, when the change occurs in the status of the network. |
| US08892770B2 |
System of distributing content data over a computer network and method of arranging nodes for distribution of data over a computer network
Described is a method for improving both the bandwidth efficiency and bit rate of data streams flowing through binary tree networks. In an embodiment, the invention provides a method for efficiently utilizing end-consumer computers possessing a variety of upstream bandwidth capabilities to deliver online streaming video in a distributed manner. |
| US08892767B1 |
Method and apparatus for communication of a target over point-to-point interface with a host managing wireless LAN services and target resources
This discloses a host system and a target configured to communicate via a point-to-point coupling a Host Target Communication (HTC) protocol for sharing the host system's wireless interface using endpoints to optimize messaging and with the host system managing the buffer resources of the target to minimize target requirements, latency and so on. The HTC integrates into a large number of point-to-point communications protocols. The program systems for the host and the target, installation packages, computer readable memories including program systems and/or installation packages, and a download server are also disclosed. |
| US08892766B1 |
Application-based network traffic redirection for cloud security service
A cloud security service is made available to endpoint computers. Network traffic from originating application programs running on endpoint computers are redirected to the cloud security service based on characteristics of the originating application programs. Network traffic from an originating application program may be redirected to the cloud security service by way of a virtual private network (VPN) tunnel or generic routing encapsulation (GRE) tunnel between an endpoint computer and a cloud computing system hosting the cloud security service, for example. Network traffic from an originating application program may also be routed from an endpoint computer to a gateway system, and then redirected from the gateway system to the cloud computing system. The cloud security service may drop or forward network packets of the network traffic depending on a result of scanning the network packets. |
| US08892758B2 |
Plug and play device redirection for remote systems
A remote access system connects a server computer with one or more client computers, where devices are connected locally at the client computers. The devices are recognized by the client computers and a device driver is provided for each connected and recognized device. A virtual driver is created at the server computer from information specific to the device, such that the virtual driver acts as an actual driver to an application on the server computer. The application through the virtual driver is able to recognize and provide commands to the connected device. |
| US08892755B2 |
System and method for single sign-on session management without central server
A method and system for single-session sign-on management are provided. Multiple servers may be provided. The servers may have both log-in plug-in modules and session management plug-in modules. Providing the plug-ins on individual servers reduces network traffic generally required in order to grand a validate user credentials. Thus, a second server may validate a user credential created by a first server and may additionally create a user credential if it cannot validate the credential created by the first server. |
| US08892751B2 |
Method, system and network entity for negotiating the session description protocol version and obtaining the session description protocol version information
A method, system and network entity for negotiating a session description protocol (SDP) version improve a negotiation process where two communication parties negotiate an SDP version supported by both applications. Especially when the H.248 protocol is applied, by extending of a property parameter, the negotiation process between a media gateway controller and a media gateway can be achieved easily. A method, system and network entity for obtaining information of an SDP version allow one communication party to obtain information of an SDP version supported by the other party from the other party. Especially when the H.248 protocol is applied, by extending the property parameter, the media gateway controller may obtain the information of the SDP version supported by the media gateway easily. |
| US08892747B2 |
Management of dynamic groups in a communication system
A communication system in which a communication service client terminal specifies a criterion, with further communication service client terminals which meet the criterion being able to be participants in a communication service which is provided. A server computer is configured to produce a list of the further communication service client units which meet the criterion and to transmit the list. |
| US08892746B2 |
Asynchronous invocation mechanism in session initiation protocol (SIP) server clusters
Providing SIP application server interoperability, including detecting at a first SIP application server an event necessitating that work be performed in relation to a SIP application session that is managed by a second SIP application server, creating a SIP message object carrying a set of instructions representing the work, and sending the SIP message object for delivery to the second SIP application server and performance of the instructions at the second SIP application server in relation to the SIP application session. |
| US08892743B2 |
System for managing resources accessible to a mobile device server
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium operating in a mobile device server having computer instructions to execute a web server application in the mobile device server. The web server application can be operable to detect a resource control manager while roaming in a communication zone of the resource control manager, and to transmit a pairing key to the resource control manager. The web server application can also be operable to receive from the resource control manager authorization to pair with one or more resources selected by the resource control manager according to the pairing key, and to establish communications with the one or more resources selected by the resource control manager. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08892742B2 |
Concurrent web based multi-task support for computing system
The traditional file transferring between multiple computing devices in a computer network requires multiple login. In addition, traditional file transferring in a web based environment is lack of web multitasking support. Therefore, when transfer of a file with a larger size, the problem of lacking of web multitasking support will be escalated and become much more apparent and severe. For example to transfer a Giga-bytes sized file could cause a displaying of web based user interface to be blocked and hanged. Present invention has successfully solves both issues by introducing the central controlled distributed scalable virtual machine and a web multitasking mechanism. |
| US08892740B2 |
Dynamic application provisioning in cloud computing environments
A method for dynamically provisioning a machine with applications to assist with work is a cloud computing environment is described. In one embodiment, such a method includes identifying a machine available for provisioning with at least one application. The method identifies work associated with a cloud computing environment. Responsive to identifying the work, the method determines how the machine can most optimally assist with the work. The method then dynamically provisions the machine with at least one application selected to enable the machine to most optimally assist with the work. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed. |
| US08892729B2 |
Service design center for device assisted services
A technique involves modular storage of network service plan components and provisioning of same. A subset of the capabilities of a service design system can be granted to a sandbox system to enable customization of service plan offerings or other controls. |
| US08892727B2 |
Funnel analysis of the adoption of an application
A funnel approach is used to analyze the behavior of users in adopting a software application offered through an electronic store. The electronic store may include an electronic store client module that provides a virtual electronic store front to users interested in licensing software applications offered by the electronic store. The electronic store may utilize a server that stores the applications store as well as collect instrumentation data representing user's actions in progressing through the various stages of adoption. |
| US08892726B2 |
Apparatus and method for tracking requests in a multi threaded multi tier computerized environment
The subject matter discloses a method and apparatus for associating requests and responses in a multi-tier computerized environment, comprising for each tier, detecting incoming and outgoing data flow; sending the detected data to a processing module; for each two neighboring tiers, comparing incoming data of one tier and outgoing data of the other tier; associating incoming requests of one tier to outgoing requests of the other tier. The association may use an ad-hoc ID. The subject matter also discloses a computerized apparatus detecting data and sending the data to a central storage outside the multi-tier environment when the data is used to match requests and responses.Another object of the subject matter is a method for associating an incoming request and outgoing response or outgoing requests in a multi-threaded computerized environment. |
| US08892724B1 |
Assigning a type of address based on expected port utilization
An address assignment device may support assigning either a public address or a private address to a client device. In order to increase the number of client devices that can share a public address via network address translation, the client device may be assigned a public address when the client device's expected port utilization is at or above a port utilization threshold. However, the client device may be assigned a private address when the client device's expected port utilization is below the port utilization threshold. |
| US08892722B1 |
Peer-to-peer discovery systems and methods
A discovery control system of a first device includes a mode selection module. The module selection module is configured to select a listen mode and a search mode. A discovery control module includes a probe request module. The probe request module is configured to generate a probe request signal within the first device and receive a probe response signal generated by a second device during the search mode. A probe response module is configured to generate a probe response signal within the first device during the listen mode and the search mode and based on a probe request signal generated by the second device. |
| US08892720B2 |
System and method for network optimization through predictive downloading
As more internet service providers have more customers with high-speed internet access accounts and these customers access more multi-media rich data (such as videos), the network infrastructure of internet service providers becomes saturated. Thus, internet service providers are facing pressure to upgrade their networks. Thus, internet service providers need to optimize the usage of their existing networks. To optimize the usage of existing networks, a system of performing predictive downloading for data caches is proposed. The system for performing predictive downloading examines network traffic conditions and does not issue predictive download requests if the network is busy. By restricting predictive downloads to times when the network is not busy, the system utilizes an under used resource. Accurate predictions will reduce future network traffic. Incorrect predictions cause no harm since the transfers only occur when free network bandwidth is available. |
| US08892718B2 |
Monitoring web service transactions
Systems and methods for monitoring web service transactions include a monitoring server that is configured to monitor a web service transaction. The monitoring server allows a user to describe a sequence of web service requests that in combination define a web service transaction. The monitoring server sends out the web service requests in sequence to remote agents that are deployed in geographically diverse locations. The agents send the requests to the target web service and the results are provided back to the monitoring server. The monitoring server receives the results and then dynamically constructs the next request in the series based on the sequence of requests from the user and data from the response to a prior request. The dynamically constructed next request is then sent to remote agents for execution and the results are provided to the monitoring server. |
| US08892710B2 |
Keep alive management
Keep alive management techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a keep alive interval is calculated by an operating system of the computing device. The keep alive interval is used to maintain one or more notification channels between one or more applications of the computing device and a network. |
| US08892705B2 |
Information processing system, operation management method for computer systems, and program in a distributed network environment
An operation management system capable of simultaneously detecting and managing, in a computer distributed processing environment, employs physical location information about locations where computers are located and logical location information of software programs running on the computers. Physical location information of a network connection device, such as a network switch, is described in a master data library or the like in advance, and is created as configuration items and discovered by a software dependency discovery unit. Configuration items stored in a configuration management database are associated with the configuration items for the physical location information. Preferably, the physical location information is configured as structured data. This makes it possible to establish hierarchical associations between configuration items for the physical location information. |
| US08892701B2 |
Web publishing pipeline
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to publishing applications from a source environment to a target environment. In aspects, a publishing pipeline has multiple segments in which work related to the publishing is performed. In the pipeline, file data associated with an application is collected. Settings that need to be created and/or changed in target environment are also determined. Transformation actions may also occur to determine and prepare files to be published to the target environment. After the files and settings to publish are determined and the transformation actions occur, the application may then be published to the target environment. |
| US08892697B2 |
System and digital token for personal identity verification
A system and a digital token for user identity verification comprise a control device for communicating over a network. The control device executes program applications and displays outputs to a user. A server communicates over the network to the control device and to other devices. The server comprises a personal identity model, a personal identity engine and a personal identity controller. The personal identity model collects and stores user information comprising personal information, personality, and biometric information. The personal identity engine processes the stored user information to produce the digital token. The personal identity controller manages exchange of the digital token in a user identity verification process. A claim point exchanges the digital token with the server in the user identity verification process in which upon verification the user's identity, the claim point provides a service to the user. |
| US08892695B2 |
Remote input devices
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating a user agent on a first device is provided, comprising: discovering, using a home networking protocol, a second device, wherein the second device includes a user input mechanism; retrieving information regarding the user input mechanism from the second device using the home networking protocol; determining whether to accept the connection based on the information regarding the user input mechanism; when it is determined to accept the connection, negotiating an out-of-band connection in a protocol other than the home networking protocol with the second device; receiving input command events from the second device via the out-of-band connection; and executing the input command events at the user agent to control an aspect of the first device. |
| US08892694B2 |
Declarative system configurations
A declarative approach is used for system configuration. The declarative approach improves a system's integrity which makes the system more dependable. An overall system model is defined that describes the system as a whole. The models are hierarchical and can reference and incorporate any number of sub-models. The models within the system model are used to define the programs within the system. The system model is applied to a collection of system parameters that produces a statically typed, fully configured system instance. Each system instance may then be checked against established system policies that can express a variety of additional ad hoc rules defining which system instances are acceptable. |
| US08892684B2 |
Dynamic selection of resources for compression in a content delivery network
Embodiments provide a compression proxy service that dynamically selects resources or other content for compression and delivery to user devices. The resources are selected based on evaluation of compression characteristics relating to the resources. A manifest is defined to identify the selected resources, or to identify the resources not selected for processing by the compression proxy service. The user devices employ the manifest to determine whether to send requests for the resources to the compression proxy service or to another source (e.g., an origin web site). Some embodiments provide a reduction in network traffic while making efficient use of the compression proxy service. |
| US08892683B2 |
Website object dependency file creation and use thereof
A mobile computing device comprising a wireless transmitter/receiver, processing components, memory components, and a web browser. The web browser is adapted to, initiate a first request to view a website comprising a plurality of objects, and, receive the plurality of objects in a first order. The web browser is further adapted to, determine a new order for requesting the plurality of objects, and, initiate a request to view the website comprising the plurality of objects in the new order. The web browser is also adapted to receive the plurality of objects in the new order. |
| US08892682B2 |
Download system, information processing terminal, management device, and method and program used therefor
A terminal includes: a call relationship transmission means for transmitting call relationship information, which indicates a call relationship regarding an application or content data executed in the terminal, to a management device; and a download means for downloading the application or content data on the basis of call relationship statistical information held in a call relationship statistic holding means. The management device includes the call relationship statistic holding means, which holds the call relationship statistical information indicating the statistic of the call relationship regarding the application or content data indicated by the call relationship information received from each terminal. |
| US08892676B2 |
Thin import for a data storage system
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for migrating data from one data storage system to another data storage system. A method can include copying data from one data storage system to another data storage system wherein data stored in data address locations of the first data storage system containing a NULL or zero is excluded from being written to the second data storage system. |
| US08892675B2 |
Providing remote access to segments of a transmitted program
A method for providing remote access to segments of a transmitted program is presented. The program is recorded, and then stored at a communication server. Information specifying a segment of the stored program is transferred from a communication device to the communication server. Also, a request for access to the specified segment of the stored program is transferred from another communication device to the communication server. In response to the request, the specified segment of the program is transferred from the communication server to the requesting communication device. |
| US08892670B2 |
Collaborative, contextual enterprise networking systems and methods
Described is an enterprise-based, contextual network system and method to keep employees connected with one another, as well as to external resources. Current media offers a great way to stay in touch with others but is not cohesive and contextual for businesses or generally productive for businesses. The enterprise media disclosed in this application presents a way for businesses to keep all of their employees and outside resources connected, but in a professional and efficient manner for the workplace. This enterprise media adapts to its users to create an interface that will help the user complete work, connect with others, and use various applications all in one place. |
| US08892666B1 |
Integration system providing conversation messages and social network posts by conversation message authors to client
A server system having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors receives from a client device a request, the request comprising a request for message content from one or more email messages in a conversation thread. The server system responds to the request by identifying the message content, identifying candidate authors, and obtaining qualifying posts by the candidate authors, the qualifying posts satisfying predefined criteria. The server system furthermore selects a subset of the qualifying posts, and prepares the selected subset of the qualifying posts and the message content for concurrent display at the client device. |
| US08892662B2 |
Call completion via instant communications client
A system is disclosed for achieving completion of a telephone call by way of an instant communications client. |
| US08892657B2 |
Motivating and demotivating message responses
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to message response management and provide a method, system and computer program product for motivating and de-motivating message responses. In one embodiment of the invention, a message reply motivation and de-motivation method can be provided. The method can include composing a message, addressing the message to at least one addressee, associating a reply preference specifying whether or not a recipient is to reply to the message, and forwarding the reply preference to the addressee. Upon receipt, the message can be displayed in a message viewer, and any reply preference for the message can be analyzed to determine if the reply preference specifies whether or not to reply to the message. Thereafter, the reply preference can be applied in the message viewer. |
| US08892655B2 |
Network scanner
A network scanner for transmitting image data as read from a document, which has been stored in a predetermined memory includes: a transmission part specifying means for specifying a part of the image data to be transmitted to said terminal(s); and specified data transmission means for transmitting the part of the image data as specified by the transmission part specifying means to the terminal(s). According to the foregoing structure, the load on communicating can be significantly reduced. |
| US08892648B1 |
Media player social network integration
A media player user interface on behalf of a user associated with a user account is generated that has a social network module that includes media updates associated with other users to which the user is linked. Media player actions associated with the user occurring in the media player user interface are also captured, updates are generated and provided to social network modules in a media player user interface associated with other linked users. |
| US08892647B1 |
System and method for associating a cookie with a device identifier
A system and method for cookie association is disclosed. The system is communicatively coupled to a client via a network. The client has a first user and a second user. The system receives a first set of login information for the first user from the client. The first set of login information is for the first user. The system determines a first user identifier for the first user and a device identifier. The system associates the device identifier with the first user identifier. The system determines a cookie that includes a device identifier. The system receives logout information for the first user, and disassociates the device identifier from the first user identifier. The system receives a second set of login information for the second user from the client. The system associates a second user identifier with the device identifier. |
| US08892646B2 |
System and method for shared session appearance in a hybrid peer-to-peer environment
An improved system and method are disclosed for peer-to-peer communications. In one example, the method enables the joining and/or recording of an ongoing peer-to-peer communication session in real time. |
| US08892644B2 |
Method of enabling access to data structure
A method of enabling access to a data structure is provided. The method includes designating e-mail addresses of users with respective sections of the data structure. The method also includes enabling access to the respective sections to users corresponding to the designated e-mail addresses. |
| US08892637B2 |
Method and apparatus for establishing grouping container and finding grouping container for user
A method and apparatus for finding a grouping container for a user and a method and apparatus for establishing a grouping container are provided. The method for finding a grouping container for a user includes: obtaining tag information of a user which includes a key word identifying characteristics of the user; finding a grouping container for the user based on the key word in the tag information and key words of a grouping container; presenting information of the grouping container found to the user, and receiving a confirmation from the user for joining the grouping container. Therefore, it is more convenient for a user to join a grouping container. |
| US08892631B2 |
System and method of optimizing digital media processing in a carrier grade web portal environment
A computer implemented method includes storing generated digital media created by each portal server of a plurality of portal servers in a destination accessible by at least one of a plurality of HTTPD servers in response to a request for web content including the generated digital media. Additionally, the method includes determining that a subsequent request for digital media received by an HTTPD server of the plurality of HTTPD servers is for generated digital media created by any of the plurality of portal servers in the destination and accessible by the HTTPD server. Furthermore, the method includes serving the generated digital media from the HTTPD server to a browser. |
| US08892628B2 |
Administrative interface for managing shared resources
A shared resource computing (SRC) system that provides a mechanism for creating a shared session among individual sessions is described. In an ad hoc peer model, a session is created by individual users. One individual session assumes an administrative session role and invites other user sessions to join the shared session. Local environments from the individual sessions are published and the resources of the individual sessions form linked device groups that allow the resources to be aggregated for the shared session. |
| US08892627B2 |
Computers or microchips with a primary internal hardware firewall and with multiple internal harware compartments protected by multiple secondary interior hardware firewalls
A computer or microchip configured for communication with a network of computers and including a microprocessor configured to be a master controlling device, and a primary internal hardware firewall separating a protected side from a network side configured for connection to a network of computers including the Internet. One or more microprocessors, at least a volatile memory and network communications components are located within the network side. The network side microprocessors, network communications components and the primary firewall are separate components. The primary firewall by its location does not restrict access by the network to the network side, thereby not restricting network operations conducted in the network side. One or more secondary internal hardware firewalls form one or more separate hardware protected compartments. The primary firewall keeps the protected side accessible only to a personal user. The computer or microchip can be a personal computer. |
| US08892616B2 |
Device and method for generating a random bit sequence
A device generates a random bit sequence with a digital ring oscillator circuit comprising logic components. The circuit has an input node and an output node, wherein the digital ring oscillator circuit is designed such that oscillation occurs during a change of state of a logic start signal coupled on the input node, said oscillation having a fixed point, and wherein on the output node a random signal can be tapped having an arbitrary level curve. |
| US08892615B2 |
Arithmetic operation circuit and method of converting binary number
An arithmetic operation circuit includes: an extractor circuit that extracts one or a plurality of bits consecutive from a most significant bit or from a least significant bit of a binary number; a sum register that stores an X-adic sum, where X is an integer more than two; and an update circuit that updates the stored X-adic sum with a value obtained by adding a first X-adic number to be cyclically multiplied by a certain coefficient to the X-adic sum in accordance with the extracted one or plurality of bits. |
| US08892614B2 |
Calculator with dynamic computation environment
A dynamic computational environment may create, in response to user input, a plurality of mathematical expressions. In the dynamic computational environment, a change made to any one of the plurality of mathematical expressions will be propagated to all of the mathematical expressions, such that each of the plurality of mathematical expressions affected by the change is updated. |
| US08892612B2 |
Exploitation of correlation between original and desired data sequences during run generation
A computer executed method of exploiting correlations between original and desired data sequences during run generation comprises, with a processor, adding a number of data values from a data source to a first memory device, the first memory device defining a workspace, determining whether the data values within the workspace should be output in ascending or descending order for a number of runs, and writing a number of the data values as a run to a second memory device in the determined order. |
| US08892602B2 |
Secure configuration of authentication servers
Embodiments of the invention are directed to automatically populating a database of names and secrets in an authentication server by sending one or more lists of one or more names and secrets by a network management software to an authentication server. Furthermore, some embodiments provide that the lists being sent are encrypted and/or embedded in otherwise inconspicuous files. |
| US08892599B2 |
Apparatus and method for securing preliminary information about database fragments for utilization in mapreduce processing
A method of processing a query in a distributed database implemented across a set of nodes includes receiving a query. The query is divided into split characterization queries. The split characterization queries are distributed to worker nodes. Each worker node stores a partition of the distributed database with encoded textual objects and pre-defined indices characterizing encoded textual object fragments. The split characterization queries are executed at the worker nodes to obtain preliminary information about query results. Executing the split characterization queries includes matching query fragments associated with the split characterization queries with encoded textual object fragments of the pre-defined indices to produce fragment matches representative of the size of the query results. For each split characterization query the preliminary information about query results includes a fragment count, a database partition identification, and a database host name. |
| US08892597B1 |
Selecting data collections to search based on the query
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for receiving a new query that is not in a query cache, the new query including one or more query terms; determining that the new query is a variant of a cached query in the query cache; in response to determining that the new query is a variant of the cached query, obtaining a first probability, the first probability indicating a likelihood that a collection of resources includes resources that satisfy the cached query; calculating a second probability, the second probability being a probability that the one or more query terms in the new query name an entity or are a phrase; calculating a third probability, the third probability being a probability that the cached query is a specific query; and determining, based on the first, second, and third probabilities, whether to search the collection of resources. |
| US08892591B1 |
Presenting search results
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for presenting search results. One of the methods includes receiving a first content request, the first content request comprises one or more search terms received within a social networking application. The method includes determining a first level of popularity of the first content request, the first level of popularity based on the frequency with which the first content request has been previously submitted. The method includes comparing the first level of popularity to a second level of popularity, the second level of popularity based on the frequency with which a second query has been previously submitted. The method includes determining that the second level of popularity exceeds the first level of popularity. The method includes determining search results responsive to the second content request. The method includes providing at least one of the search results. |
| US08892590B2 |
Search prediction using context modeling
A method and apparatus for predicting search queries for a user on a search-based system is described. A search engine tracks search queries from a user received at the search engine. A prediction engine compares a search query history from the user with search query histories from other users on the search engine. The search query histories are stored in a storage device of the search-based system. A prediction of a search query for the user is generated based on the comparison. Search query histories from other users having greater similarities with the search query history from the user have a greater computation weight than search query histories from other users with less similarities with the search query history from the user. |
| US08892584B1 |
Systems and methods for identifying new words from a meta tag
A computer-implemented method to identify new words from a meta tag is described. A Hyper-Text Markup Language (HTML) page is analyzed to identify a meta tag associated with the HTML page. At least one separator included in content of the meta tag is identified. The content of the meta tag is divided using the identified separator. A portion of the divided content is compared to content stored in a database. Upon determining that the portion of the divided content does not exist in the database, the portion of the divided content is added to the database. |
| US08892583B2 |
Map data, navigation device having map data, and method for generating map data
A map data provides a road network, which is defined by multiple unit links and multiple link connection relationships. Each unit link represents a part of a road. The map data includes: an attribution data relating to each unit link, which defines a link connection relationship of a subject unit link at one end of the subject unit link. Each attribution data includes link connection information defining only one object unit link as a connection object of the subject unit link. The only one object unit link is selected from a group of one or more object unit links, which are coupled with the one end of the subject unit link. |
| US08892582B2 |
Method and system for identifying objects of service
A method and system and related computer program products are described for identifying an object of service comprising the initial step of generating and storing a static composite identifier representing a state of the object of service. Then, whenever it is desired to identify the object of service, the steps are carried out of: generating a dynamic composite identifier representing a current state of the object of service; locating and retrieving the stored static composite identifier, and searching a database for a match with an object of service recorded therein using either the static or the dynamic composite identifiers, or both. |
| US08892580B2 |
Transformation of regular expressions
Techniques to transform regular expressions are described. An apparatus may comprise a processor circuit and a key terms identifying module operative on the processor circuit to generate a set of one or more regular expression key terms from enabled features of a regular expression based on a set of configuration parameters, and filter one or more electronic messages using the set of regular expression key terms. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08892578B2 |
Visual preview of search results
Many software applications allow users to consume and interact with a variety of data, such as files, photos, web pages, emails, and/or other content. Because the amount of content may be cumbersome to sift through, software applications may provide filtering and searching capabilities to aid users in finding desired content. However, the trial and error involved in current searching techniques may be time consuming and/or diminish the user's experience. Accordingly, one or more systems and/or techniques for presenting visual previews of search results are disclosed herein. In particular, a user may reference an identifier (e.g., “Bill”) that may be used as search criteria to retrieve corresponding objects (e.g., photos of Bill). A visual preview of the retrieved objects may be presented to the user. The user may quickly view visual previews of search results by referencing various identifiers without committing to a particular search result set. |
| US08892575B2 |
Dictionary entry name generator
A method for building dictionary entry names for data elements of a canonical data model includes identifying candidate terms for the dictionary entry name of a node or equivalence class of the canonical data model. The method includes counting a frequency of occurrence of candidate terms in use and based on the use counts creating a candidate ordering of terms for the complete ordered dictionary entry name of the node or equivalence class. The method further includes validating the candidate ordering of terms for the complete ordered dictionary entry name of the node or equivalence class by comparison of the ordering with reliable dictionary entry name entries in a database and/or by usage counts in search engine results. |
| US08892572B2 |
Video search system and method of use
A system and method identifies a video file in response to a video based search query. A video imaging device in a mobile device captures a video file, and sends the video file to a search engine. A database associated with the search engine stores pre-indexed metadata of pre-indexed frames of video. A video analyzer separates the received video file into individual frames, analyzes the individual frames received from the mobile device by converting the individual frames into metadata, and compares the metadata to the pre-indexed metadata of the pre-indexed frames stored in the database. The video analyzer then sends a message containing information about the identified pre-existing video back to the mobile device based on the comparison of metadata. The metadata of the file and/or the metadata in the database may include one or more of pixel information, histogram information, image recognition information and audio information for each individual frame. |
| US08892570B2 |
Method to dynamically design and configure multimedia fingerprint databases
Techniques are provided for dynamic configuration of search parameters for multimedia fingerprint databases that use weak bits. A multimedia fingerprint database, which stores reference fingerprints and uses weak bits, is maintained. Maintaining the database includes dynamically configuring one or more of the following parameters: a fingerprint length of those portions of the reference fingerprints that are used to identify multimedia objects; an index length of the index used to index those portions of the reference fingerprints that are used to identify multimedia objects; a threshold that is used to determine whether multimedia objects are correctly identified; and a number of the weak bits in the reference fingerprints. |
| US08892567B2 |
Distributed system
A distributed system having a plurality of nodes, wherein the system comprises a set of index nodes for providing a searchable index which comprises metadata for locating data in the system, the set of index nodes is divided into read zones comprising a group of index nodes containing the complete searchable index, and the read zones are subdivided in write zones, each write zone comprising at least one index node containing a partition of said searchable index; and includes a master index node maintaining an index structure of said searchable index by collecting from each index node measures of the current read and write throughput of the respective index node dependent on a current load of the respective index node, where the master index node re-configures the read zones and the corresponding write zones in response to the measured read and write throughputs and the measured loads of the index nodes. |
| US08892561B2 |
Refinement and calibration mechanism for improving classification of information assets
Techniques are described for refining the manual classification of assets classified or categorized using the terms of a business glossary. A semantic refinement mechanism is used to refine the manual classification of such assets, as well as subsequently evaluate the refined asset classifications. Further, the refined asset classifications may be used as a training set for a machine learning classifier. That is, should the classification of an asset contributing to a refinement change, the refinement based on that classification may be undone, at least in some cases. |
| US08892558B2 |
Inserting data into an in-memory distributed nodal database
A method and apparatus loads data to an in-memory database across multiple nodes in a parallel computing system. A database loader uses SQL flags, historical information gained from monitoring prior query execution times and patterns, and node and network configuration to determine how to effectively cluster data attributes across multiple nodes. The database loader may also allow a system administrator to force placement of database structures in particular nodes. |
| US08892556B2 |
Optimisation
There is described a method for implementing a system for authentication of an article based upon a signature generated from a set comprising groups of data points collected when a plurality of regions of an intrinsic surface structure of an article are sequentially subjected to coherent light and the light scattered by the intrinsic surface structure is collected. For a given system implementation, the method comprises: determining a set of parameters which influence the performance of the system; determining a definition of system performance which can be affected by the set of parameters; producing an initial population of parameter value sets, each parameter set including a value for each parameter to be used in achieving a desired system performance; determining for each parameter value set a fitness value in terms of the system performance definition; identifying mating pairs of the population in accordance with the determined fitnesses; producing a new population by crossing the mating pairs; repeating the determining of a fitness value for each parameter value set, identifying of mating pairs and producing a new population until an end criterion is satisfied; and configuring the system in accordance with a selected one of the parameter sets from the final population. Thereby, a flexible and appropriate approach to system implementation can be followed which provides high efficiency in terms of the human time input and which provides high quality reliable setup parameter values to enable a reliable and efficient system implementation to result. |
| US08892553B2 |
Auto-generation of events with annotation and indexing
Recording of various events in a video format that facilitates viewing and selective editing are provided. The video can be presented in a wiki-format that allows a multitude of subsequent users to add, modify and/or delete content to the original recorded event or a revision of that event. As edits and annotations are applied, either automatically or manually, such edits can be indexed based on criteria such as identification of an annotator, a time stamp associated with the edit, a revision number, or combinations thereof. The edits or annotations can be provided in various formats including video, audio, text, and so forth. |
| US08892551B2 |
Method and system of location-based content organization and content suggestions
A method of location-based data organization is provided. The method includes obtaining a graph that includes nodes, each node connected to at least one other node with an arc. The nodes include a geography nodes associated with geographical locations, and activity nodes. The method also includes dynamically assigning weights to the nodes, and finding, for a first activity node, a suggested set of one or more activity nodes. |
| US08892548B2 |
Ordering search-engine results
A method, process, and associated systems for ranking elements of an answer set retrieved by a conceptual search engine in response to a set of queried concepts submitted as a conceptual query. A processor of a computer system orders by relevance the semantic schemas that make up the retrieved answer set by first identifying a weight of each concept in a retrieved schema as a function of relationships among the concepts in that schema, then by identifying a semantic value of each queried concept in the retrieved schema as a function of the weights, and finally by identifying a semantic value of the query in the schema as a function of the semantic values of all queried concepts. The relative relevance of each schema may then be identified as a function of the semantic value of the query in that schema. |
| US08892545B2 |
Generating a compiler infrastructure
In an embodiment, the compiler infrastructure allows execution of multidimensional analytical metadata from various databases by providing a generic transformation. A compilation request to execute a multidimensional analytical metadata is received. A type of the compilation request is determined to identify an associated transformation and corresponding transformation rules. Based upon the type of compilation request, a database of an application server is queried to retrieve the corresponding multidimensional analytical metadata. Based upon the identified transformation rules, the multidimensional analytical metadata is transformed into a generic metadata that is executable by any desired engine. An instance of a calculation scenario is generated based upon the transformation. The compiler infrastructure is generated by deploying the instance of the calculation scenario in the desired engine (e.g. in-memory computing engine.) |
| US08892544B2 |
Testing efficiency and stability of a database query engine
Systems, methods and computer program products for testing the stability and efficiency of a database query engine are described herein. In an embodiment, all possible query execution plans considered by a query optimizer are retained in the form of abstract plans (APs). Each AP is then subsequently supplied with a query to test for stack traces and incorrect results that may occur during the execution of the query. An embodiment includes determining an optimizer efficiency index (OEI) by comparing each AP with a query execution plan chosen by the query optimizer and classifying the APs into various performance buckets based on the degree of improvement or degradation in performance with respect to the query execution plan chosen by the query optimizer. In another embodiment to determine the optimizer efficiency index, APs are ranked based on estimated cost and classified into a plurality of categories based on query optimizer estimates and actual execution behavior. |
| US08892543B1 |
Iterative off-line rendering process
System and method for indexing rendered web page images. A web crawling engine stores the content and crawl time of a web page. A scheduling engine sends the content and crawl time to a rendering engine, and processes requests for embedded objects. If a requested object has been crawled, it sends the contents to the rendering engine. Otherwise it schedules the crawl of the object, and once the object is crawled, it resends the content and crawl time of the web page to the rendering engine. The rendering engine receives the content and crawl time of a web page, requests all embedded objects, and renders the web page to an image once all embedded objects are received. |
| US08892540B2 |
Dynamic sustainability search engine
The innovation relates to systems and/or methodologies for facilitating dynamic sustainability searches. A sustainability search component executes a query, and returns one or more results that satisfy a set of search criteria and a set of sustainability factors. The search criteria can include keywords, such as product types, process types, and additional features related to the keywords, such as price, location, brand, and so forth. The sustainability factors are alternative cost measures for a given process, product, or plant element. The sustainability search component can analyze the returned results, and rank the results based on sustainability. |
| US08892536B2 |
Methods for resolving a hang in a database system
A method for resolving a hang in a database system includes receiving a symbolic graph having a plurality of nodes, where each node represents a database session involved in the hang during a specified time interval. The blocking time associated with each node in the symbolic graph is recursively determined. The node that has the longest blocking time is output to a display for review by the database administrator. Alternatively, the database session represented by the node having the longest blocking time may be automatically eliminated. |
| US08892534B2 |
System and method for integrating data quality metrics into enterprise data management processes
A method and system for assessing data quality stored in an enterprise database is provided. In response to a request by a user, a pre-determined event, or other event, a profile is chosen from a list of profiles stored in a profile database based on the request, wherein the profile includes a set of rules for calculating data quality metrics and for triggering workflow processes. One or more data records are received from one or more enterprise databases. The data quality metrics of the one or more data records based on the set of rules for calculating data quality metrics is calculated. Based on the calculated data quality metrics and rules for triggering workflow, a determination is made regarding whether to trigger one or more workflow processes: and, if so, triggering the one or more workflow processes; and/or converting the calculated data quality metrics to a representation for display. |
| US08892532B2 |
Document management with verifiable time-of-archive capability
A document archiving and retrieval system enables third parties to verify that an electronic document had been archived on a particular date and time. For each document to be archived, a hash function generates a digital fingerprint of the document, and inserts it into a hash list file, together with an indicator of the location of the file in the archive. The hash list file is submitted to an electronic time stamping authority to obtain a corresponding digital time stamp. Upon request, authentication of the hash list file with the digital time stamp, and verification that the current hash of the file matches that in the hash list file proves that the document was archived on the date indicated by the digital time stamp, and had not subsequently been altered. |
| US08892531B2 |
Scalable file management for a shared file system
Managing a shared file system comprising a directory and files stored on a multiple storage devices shared by plural processing nodes, is provided. A plurality of parallel directory traversal records are partitioned into a plurality of ranges to allow for the records in each range to be written independently in parallel by plural processing nodes during parallel directory traversal. Parallel operations are performed comprising parallel directory traversal of all directory paths and files in the shared file system. |
| US08892530B1 |
Policy configuration user interface
A flexible, modifiable, and sophisticated rules processing engine includes a user interface through which customers may design and modify a wide range of rules. The customer may thereby setup rules that determine any action, template, or other resultant appropriate to or for their input data. Consequently, the customer may develop sophisticated processing patterns tailored to their own input data, without the time and expense associated with obtaining a custom solution from a software vendor. |
| US08892526B2 |
Deduplication seeding
Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with de-duplication seeding are described. One example method includes re-configuring a data de-duplication repository with a blocklet from a data de-duplication seed corpus. Reconfiguring the repository may include adding a blocklet from the seed corpus to the repository, activating a blocklet identified with the seed corpus in the repository, removing a blocklet from the repository, and de-activating a blocklet in the repository. The example method may also include re-configuring a data de-duplication index associated with the data de-duplication repository with information about the blocklet. Reconfiguring the repository and the index increases the likelihood that a blocklet ingested by a data de-duplication apparatus that relies on the repository and the index will be treated as a duplicate blocklet by the data de-duplication apparatus. |
| US08892520B2 |
Storage device including a file system manager for managing multiple storage media
A computing system and a storage device are provided. A computing system includes a first storage media, a second storage media having an input/output speed slower than that of the first storage media, and a hybrid file system management unit to manage a first physical file system and second physical file system, and provide a virtual file system manager with a virtual file system converted from the first physical file system and second physical file system. The first physical file system controls the first storage media and the second physical file system controls the second storage media. |
| US08892519B2 |
Command interpreter
A system includes a first computer configured to store and run a computer program. The computer program includes an internal interface with tangible machine-readable instructions stored on the first computer, to provide communications between the computer program and external computers and our computer processes. The system also includes a command interpreter configured to interface with the computer program through the internal interface. The command interpreter includes tangible machine-readable instructions to detect a script file; generate one or more command objects, interpretable by the internal interface, representative of a functionality defined in the script file; generate a command script comprising the generated command objects; and execute the command script by executing at least a portion of the machine-readable instructions in the internal interface. |
| US08892518B1 |
System and method of intelligent log agents
A computing system. The system comprises enterprise computers, each enterprise computer executing at least one instance of an enterprise application and executing one logging agent associated with each instance of the enterprise application; logging computers each executing at least one instance of a logging distribution application that is configured to receive logs from the logging agent application instances; and a centralized log repository computer that executes a log file manager. Each of the logging agent applications analyze a processing load of the logging computers and transmit logs to a logging computer that the logging agent application adaptively selects based on the analysis by the logging agent application of the processing load of the logging computers, wherein each logging distribution application is configured to forward logs received from logging agent applications to the centralized log repository computer, and wherein the log file manager writes the logs into log files. |
| US08892513B2 |
Method, process and system to atomically structure varied data and transform into context associated data
A novel method, system and process for the enterprise software are described. The data is created, captured, ingested, stored, atomized, monitored, separated, analyzed, enriched, correlated, managed, automated, processed, isolated, secured and synthesized (for example published or automatically pushed to user). The data is recreated using automated contextual delivery methods and processes. This process enables a user to regulate the industry wide leading practices and constantly enrich data. Task allocation is automated. This SaaS and/or Cloud computing system may be installed and distributed across users' device, public cloud, behind a company's firewall and/or additional security may be provided using privacy vault. This method, system and process for this software may be implemented on a machine readable media. |
| US08892511B2 |
Apparatus and method for synchronizing data in connected devices
A network-connectable terminal can synchronize data in connected devices. The network-connectable terminal includes a memory unit and a synchronization unit. The memory unit stores metadata updated according to update of data. The synchronization unit updates the metadata, creates version information indicating whether the metadata are updated, and exchanges version information with peripheral devices to determine a peripheral device and data requiring synchronization. |
| US08892508B2 |
Mining of user event data to identify users with common interests
A computer-implemented matching service matches users to other users, and/or to user communities, based at least in part on a computer analysis of event data reflective of user behaviors. The event data may, for example, evidence user affinities for particular items represented in an electronic catalog, such as book titles, music titles, movie titles, and/or other types of items that tend to reflect the traits of users. Event data reflective of other types of user actions, such as item-detail-page viewing events, browse node visits, search query submissions, and/or web browsing patterns may additionally or alternatively be considered. By taking such event data into consideration, the matching service reduces the burden on users to explicitly supply personal profile information, and reduces poor results caused by exaggerations and other inaccuracies in such profile information. |
| US08892506B2 |
Service for accepting and selectively exposing user-generated lists
An interactive system enables users to generate and submit lists of items (e.g., products selected from an electronic catalog) for viewing by other users. The user-generated lists are selectively suggested to users of the system based (or based in part) on ratings of the user-generated lists. These ratings may, for example, be based on explicit ratings of the lists by users, and/or measures of how effective the respective lists are at driving purchases of items. In some contexts, the system may select one or more user-generated lists to present to a user based on a set of items purchased, viewed, or otherwise selected by the user, or based on the results of a search query submitted by the user. |
| US08892501B2 |
Capturing OLAP analysis thread as refreshable business intelligence data
Described herein are methods and systems for capturing OLAP analysis thread and transferring the data into a data visualization tool. According to one aspect, OLAP analysis step queries and the corresponding results are recorded and transferred to a data visualization tool. In another aspect, the data in the data visualization tool may be refreshed without affecting the data format. |
| US08892499B2 |
Life cycle management of rule sets
Life cycle management of rule sets, each rule set including rules for managing the operation of a computing system, including: identifying, by a life cycle management module, a rule life cycle state for each rule in the rule set, wherein the rule life cycle state specifies the current deployment status of the rule; identifying, by the life cycle management module, a linkage set for each rule in the rule set, wherein the linkage set identifies versions of the rule that are in a different rule life cycle state; and updating, by the life cycle management module, the rule set, including: updating the rule life cycle state for one or more rules in the rule set; and updating the linkage set for one or more rules in the rule set. |
| US08892498B2 |
Forecasting a future event in an event stream
Methods and systems for forecasting a future event in an event stream are provided herein. The event stream includes a number of events, wherein each of the events includes an event label and an associated time stamp. The system includes a processor that is adapted to execute stored instructions and a system memory. The system memory includes code configured to generate one or more decision graphs for predicting events with event labels chosen from a number of event labels based on the events within the event stream, wherein the decision graph includes decision nodes and leaf nodes, and wherein each of the decision nodes includes a question. The system memory also includes code configured to analyze event stream data using the decision graph and forecast a future event in the event stream based on the analysis of the event stream data. |
| US08892496B2 |
Fuzzy inference apparatus and methods, systems and apparatuses using such inference apparatus
A health monitoring system for complex networked apparatus includes a number of neuro-fuzzy inference apparatuses feeding inference results into a data fusion hierarchy. At each level in the hierarchy, fuzzy inference is applied to generate a desired output signal by processing selected input signals in accordance with a knowledge base defining fuzzy membership functions and fuzzy inference rules defined in advance. The knowledge base includes alternative definitions of membership functions and/or inference rules. The apparatus selects which definition to use according to environmental or other conditions, and predetermined selection criteria. |
| US08892493B2 |
Compatibility testing using traces, linear temporal rules, and behavioral models
A “Compatibility Tester” extracts observable behaviors from different system implementations (e.g., software, operating systems, device drivers, hardware interfaces, etc.), then performs compatibility testing via comparisons of the extracted behaviors. Traces (e.g., bus level signals between controllers and hardware devices or commands between software components) representing observable behaviors of different implementations of a system are captured. Temporal and structural rules are then mined from these traces. The mined rules (or a model constructed from those rules) are used by a “Rule Checking” process that determines whether reference rules (mined from a known compatible system) are compatible with rules mined from test traces of a second system. Invalid rules are flagged as behavioral compatibility bugs. Alternately, the mined rules are used by a “Rule Diffing” process that performs set differencing of the behavioral and structural rules mined from the different system implementations, with differences between the systems flagged as behavioral compatibility bugs. |
| US08892489B2 |
System for generating digital event material and event-based updating of user profiles to create new communities
System and method for event-based updating of user profiles UP of users U in a social network and formation of new communities based on a resonance condition. A database of user profiles UP with profile domains D based on self-reports as well as observed network behaviors is deployed. The user profiles UP of users U in groups G attending an event are re-compiled by an event-based updating module based on event responses ER. Further, the event-based updating module identifies a profile change ΔP* in at least one of the profile domains D of user profiles UP, and the new community is formed by the event-based updating module from a subgroup SG whose profile change ΔP* indicates a mutual resonance or consensus in their event responses ER. |
| US08892487B2 |
Electronic synapses for reinforcement learning
Embodiments of the invention provide electronic synapse devices for reinforcement learning. An electronic synapse is configured for interconnecting a pre-synaptic electronic neuron and a post-synaptic electronic neuron. The electronic synapse comprises memory elements configured for storing a state of the electronic synapse and storing meta information for updating the state of the electronic synapse. The electronic synapse further comprises an update module configured for updating the state of the electronic synapse based on the meta information in response to an update signal for reinforcement learning. The update module is configured for updating the state of the electronic synapse based on the meta information, in response to a delayed update signal for reinforcement learning based on a learning rule. |
| US08892486B2 |
Processor node, artificial neural network and method operation of an artificial neural network
There is provided a temporal processor node for use as an input node in the input layer of a class network in an artificial neural network, the class network being operable to generate an output signal based on a network input vector component received by the input layer, the temporal processor node being operable to receive observation data representing the observed state of a monitored entity as a component of the network input vector. The temporal processor node comprises a memory module operable to store a most recently observed state of the monitored entity in the memory module as a current state, a modification module having a timer, the timer being operable to output a value representing time elapsed since observation of the current state, the modification module being operable to modify the current state with a modification factor dependent on the value output by the timer, wherein when triggered, the temporal processor node is operable to output the modified current state as a representation of the current state. |
| US08892485B2 |
Methods and systems for neural processor training by encouragement of correct output
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure support implementation of a neural processor with synaptic weights, wherein training of the synapse weights is based on encouraging a specific output neuron to generate a spike. The implemented neural processor can be applied for classification of images and other patterns. |
| US08892480B2 |
Contextual information provider
A user's context history is used to help select contextual information to provide to the user. Context data describing the user's current context is received and a plurality of information items corresponding to the user's current context are identified from a contextual information corpus. A personalized user behavior model for the user is applied to determine the likelihood that each of the identified information items will be of value to the user. One or more of the information items are selected based on the corresponding likelihoods and the selected information items are provided for presentation to the user. |
| US08892470B2 |
Pre-sale data broadcast system and method
In one embodiment, a method for promoting the sale of a substitute product at the point of sale (POS). Upon the presentation of an original product for purchase by a consumer at a POS terminal, various manufacturers may decide to offer a substitute product to the consumer, prior to completing the purchase of the original product. If the customer accepts the offer, the point of sale terminal completes the sale of the substitute product. |
| US08892468B1 |
Customer refunds by a merchant agent
A customer can obtain a refund for a credit card purchase by interacting with an agent of the merchant. The existing payment infrastructure is used, but without the direct participation of the merchant and without generating a chargeback against the merchant. A customer request for a refund is received and validated against multiple data streams including sales data and/or fraud screening databases. For a validated refund request, refund data is stored in a refund database and communicated over the payment processing network to create the refund from the merchant to the customer credit card. |
| US08892462B1 |
Proxy card payment with digital receipt delivery
Disclosed herein are techniques for providing a digital receipt to a consumer upon tender of payment to a merchant through the use of a proxy payment card in a financial transaction. The proxy payment card can be associated with multiple financial accounts (e.g., accounts associated with credit cards, debit cards, or gift cards). The digital receipt is automatically received at a personal computing device of the consumer in response to the financial transaction being charged to a financial account associated with the proxy payment card. The digital receipt includes information indicative of the financial transaction. The digital receipt can also include one or more interactive components that allow the consumer to interact with the transaction (and/or merchant) subsequent to transmission of the receipt, such as adding a tip, providing feedback, redeeming a promotion reward, tracking loyalty reward points, or reviewing transaction records of past and present transactions. |
| US08892458B2 |
Broadcast response method and system
A system and method for broadcast response generally employing RDS, DARC, or similar technology is provided, including a method for responding to a broadcast comprising extracting an event identifier from a broadcast signal; detecting a response by a user to the broadcast signal; polling a communications device to determine a user identifier; and communicating the event identifier and the user identifier when the user response is detected. |
| US08892456B2 |
Computer methods and computer systems for voting
In one embodiment, a mobile electronic device at least having a processor programmed to acquire an access instruction to allow a voter to access vote issues; and execute the following code: to provide, to the voter, information identifying vote issues; to enable the mobile electronic device to transmit at least one vote of the voter, where the enabling is based on: a first software instruction that instructs the mobile electronic device to present a first vote issue, a second software instruction that instructs the mobile electronic device to receive a first vote from the voter, where the voter submits the first vote by a first single action performed immediately after the presentation of the first vote issue and without any intervening action, a third software instruction that instructs the mobile electronic device of the voter to transmit the received first vote from the voter to the computer system. |
| US08892455B2 |
Systems, techniques, and methods for providing location assessments
Methods and systems for providing location assessments are provided. Example embodiments provide a Location Assessment Provider System, which generates and provides assessments of various characteristics of specified locations. In one embodiment, the Location Assessment Provider System receives a specified location, determines a location assessment for the specified location, generates a visual representation of the determined location assessment, and provides the generated visual representation to a client system. Determining a location assessment may be based on geographic-related information about, or associated with, the specified location, such as the presence and location of geographic-related features associated with the specified location. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US08892450B2 |
Signal clipping protection using pre-existing audio gain metadata
The application describes a method and an apparatus to prevent clipping of an audio signal when protection against signal clipping by received audio metadata is not guaranteed. The method may be used to prevent clipping for the case of downmixing a multichannel signal to a stereo audio signal. According to the method, it is determined whether first gain values (4) based on received audio metadata are sufficient for protection against clipping of the audio signal. The audio metadata is embedded in a first audio stream (1). In case a first gain value (4) is not sufficient for protection, the respective first gain value (4) is replaced with a gain value sufficient for protection against clipping of the audio signal. Preferably, in case no metadata related to dynamic range control is present in the first audio stream (1), the method may add gain values sufficient for protection against signal clipping. |
| US08892449B2 |
Audio encoder/decoder with switching between first and second encoders/decoders using first and second framing rules
An audio encoder for encoding audio samples has a first time domain aliasing introducing encoder configured to decode audio samples in a first encoding domain and having a first framing rule, a start window and a stop window. The audio encoder further has a second encoder configured to encode samples in a second encoding domain and having a predetermined frame size number of audio samples, and a coding warm-up period number of audio samples, the second encoder having a different second framing rule, a frame of the second encoder being an encoded representation of a number of successive audio samples that is equal to the predetermined frame size number of audio samples. The audio encoder further has a controller switching from the first to the second encoder and for modifying the second framing rule or for modifying the start or the stop window of the first encoder. |
| US08892448B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for gain factor smoothing
In one embodiment, a method of signal processing includes calculating an envelope of a first signal that is based on a low-frequency portion of a speech signal, calculating an envelope of a second signal that is based on a high-frequency portion of the speech signal, and calculating a first plurality of gain factor values according to a time-varying relation between the envelopes of the first and second signals. The method includes, based on the first plurality of gain factor values, calculating a plurality of smoothed gain factor values. In one example, each of the plurality of smoothed gain factor values is based on a weighted sum of at least one of the first plurality of gain factor values and at least one smoothed gain factor value. In another example, the sum is adaptively weighted based on at least one distance among the plurality of gain factor values. |
| US08892447B1 |
Quality assessment of text derived from an audio signal
According to example configurations, a translation quality assessment application (e.g., system) receives a set of text derived from a translation of an audio signal. The translation quality assessment application aligns and compares the received set of text to reference text to identify occurrence of speech-to-text translation errors in the set of text. For each of the errors, the translation quality assessment application identifies a type associated with the error and retrieves an appropriate weighted coefficient. For example, the translation quality assessment application produces a respective weighted value for each error based on the weighted coefficients. A magnitude of each of the weighted values varies depending on a type of the error that occurred during the translation. The translation quality assessment application utilizes the weighted values to generate a metric indicating a level of quality of the set of captioned text with respect to the set of reference text. |
| US08892445B2 |
Quality of user generated audio content in voice applications
Methods and arrangements for improving quality of content in voice applications. A specification is provided for acceptable content for a voice application, and user generated audio content for the voice application is inputted. At least one test is applied to the user generated audio content, and it is thereupon determined as to whether the user generated audio content meets the provided specification. |
| US08892443B2 |
System and method for combining geographic metadata in automatic speech recognition language and acoustic models
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for a speech recognition application for directory assistance that is based on a user's spoken search query. The spoken search query is received by a portable device and portable device then determines its present location. Upon determining the location of the portable device, that information is incorporated into a local language model that is used to process the search query. Finally, the portable device outputs the results of the search query based on the local language model. |
| US08892427B2 |
Method and an apparatus for processing an audio signal
An apparatus for processing an audio signal and method thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes receiving, by an audio processing apparatus, an audio signal including a first data of a first block encoded with rectangular coding scheme and a second data of a second block encoded with non-rectangular coding scheme; receiving a compensation signal corresponding to the second block; estimating a prediction of an aliasing part using the first data; and, obtaining a reconstructed signal for the second block based on the second data, the compensation signal and the prediction of aliasing part. |
| US08892426B2 |
Audio signal loudness determination and modification in the frequency domain
Methods of, apparatuses for, and computer readable media having instructions thereon that when executed cause carrying out methods of determining and modifying the perceived loudness of a frequency domain audio signal where the frequency resolution, and corresponding temporal coverage of the frequency domain information is not constant. The frequency (and thus temporal) resolution of the perceived loudness processing is maintained constant at the longest block size. One method includes a block combiner and a loudness modification interpolator. |
| US08892423B1 |
Method and system to automatically create content for dictionaries
Embodiments of the present invention disclose computer-implemented method for generating examples for electronic dictionaries to serve as an aid to translation between languages, comprising: for at least one dictionary entry comprising a headword Wj in a source language and at least one translation Tj1, Tj2, . . . Tjn for the headword Wj in a target language: generating a first set comprising possible forms for the headword Wj in the source language and a second set comprising possible forms for each translation Tj1, Tj2, . . . Tjn in the target language; searching a corpus of translations for at least one translation sentence pair that includes the headword Wj, or one of its generated forms, in a first part of the pair, and a translation Tjn or one of its generated forms, in a second part of the pair; and providing each translation sentence pair to a user. |
| US08892418B2 |
Translating sentences between languages
A method and computer system for translating sentences between languages from an intermediate language-independent semantic representation is provided. On the basis of comprehensive understanding about languages and semantics, exhaustive linguistic descriptions are used to analyze sentences, to build syntactic structures and language independent semantic structures and representations, and to synthesize one or more sentences in a natural or artificial language. A computer system is also provided to analyze and synthesize various linguistic structures and to perform translation of a wide spectrum of various sentence types. As result, a generalized data structure, such as a semantic structure, is generated from a sentence of an input language and can be transformed into a natural sentence expressing its meaning correctly in an output language. The method and computer system can be applied to in automated abstracting, machine translation, natural language processing, control systems, Internet information retrieval, etc. |
| US08892409B2 |
Project economics analysis tool
The present invention is applicable in the field of corporate finance, corporate capital investments, economics, math, risk analysis, simulation, decision analysis, and business statistics, and relates to the modeling and valuation of investment decisions under uncertainty and risk within all companies, allowing these firms to properly identify, assess, quantify, value, diversify, and hedge their corporate capital investment decisions and their associated risks. |
| US08892408B2 |
Generating inviscid and viscous fluid flow simulations over a surface using a quasi-simultaneous technique
A fluid-flow simulation over a computer-generated surface is generated using a quasi-simultaneous technique. The simulation includes a fluid-flow mesh of inviscid and boundary-layer fluid cells. An initial fluid property for an inviscid fluid cell is determined using an inviscid fluid simulation that does not simulate fluid viscous effects. An initial boundary-layer fluid property a boundary-layer fluid cell is determined using the initial fluid property and a viscous fluid simulation that simulates fluid viscous effects. An updated boundary-layer fluid property is determined for the boundary-layer fluid cell using the initial fluid property, initial boundary-layer fluid property, and an interaction law. The interaction law approximates the inviscid fluid simulation using a matrix of aerodynamic influence coefficients computed using a two-dimensional surface panel technique and a fluid-property vector. An updated fluid property is determined for the inviscid fluid cell using the updated boundary-layer fluid property. |
| US08892406B2 |
Geometric modeling of composite parts
A composite part including a ply stack-up and resin is modeled. The modeling includes performing a convolution on a representation of the stack-up to approximate smoothed ramps between different plies of the stack-up. |
| US08892403B1 |
Determining sensor information based on events associated with a mobile device
Methods and systems for enabling a mobile device to batch sensor data based on events associated with the mobile device and without utilizing one or more main application processors are disclosed. In one example, a system is provided. The system may include one or more sensors, a memory, one or more main application processors, and one or more sensor processors. The one or more main application processors may be configured to, based on an event associated with the mobile device, send data indicating a request for sensor data to the one or more sensor processors. In response, the one or more sensor processors may be configured to determine sensor data using the one or more sensors while the one or more main application processors of the mobile device is in the inactive state. Once the sensor data has been determined, the one or more sensor processors may store the sensor data into one or more first in, first out (FIFO) queues in the memory. |
| US08892402B2 |
Method and apparatus to provide a data interface between equipment to be temporarily monitored and diagnostic data gathering apparatus
A channel (500) is configured and arranged to be fixedly mounted (401) to equipment (100) to be temporarily monitored. At least one sensor-engagement member (800) is movably captivated (402) within this channel and a sensor assembly (1000), comprising a plurality of photosensitive receptors (1001) that are disposed in a pattern that corresponds to signal lights as comprise a part of the monitored equipment, is biased (404) towards the sensor-engagement member by an affixment member (1200) to thereby retain the sensor assembly in place with respect to the monitored equipment. By this approach, the sensor assembly, in combination with the sensor-engagement member, can be moved (403) along the channel to a selected position with respect to at least one of the signals lights and then retained in that selected position by the affixment member. |
| US08892401B2 |
Methods and systems for metrics analysis and interactive rendering, including events having combined activity and location information
A method includes receiving location data of a monitoring device when carried by a user and receiving motion data of the monitoring device. The motion data is associated with a time of occurrence and the location data. The method includes processing the received motion data to identify a group of the motion data having a substantially common characteristic and processing the location data for the group of the motion data. The group of motion data by way of processing the location data provides an activity identifier. The motion data includes metric data that identifies characteristics of the motion data. The method includes transferring the activity identifier and the characteristics of the motion data to a screen of a device for display. The activity identifier being a graphical user interface that receives an input for rendering more or less of the characteristics of the motion data. |
| US08892399B2 |
Sensing apparatus and method
A method of detecting one or more blocked sampling holes in a pipe of an aspirated smoke detector system. The method includes ascertaining the base flow of fluid through a particle detector using a flow sensor; monitoring subsequent flow through the particle detector; comparing the subsequent flow with the base flow; and indicating a fault if the difference between the base flow and the subsequent flow exceeds a predetermined threshold. |
| US08892395B2 |
Detecting angular position of a rotating device
An angular position of a rotating device is detected by sensing and counting high-resolution transitions of high-resolution digital sensors in response to the rotating device rotating; sensing low-resolution transitions of a low-resolution digital sensor in response to the rotating device rotating, the low-resolutions transitions being unevenly spaced apart; determining an angular position of the rotating device in response to determining a number of high-resolution transitions between pairs of low-resolution transitions. |
| US08892393B2 |
Method and system for object location detection in a space
A method and system for object location detection in a space, the method including the steps of: configuring the resolution of a multi dimensional sensing apparatus to divide a multi dimensional space into M first sub spaces; scanning the multi dimensional space to generate M first sensed data and at least one first locked space; configuring the resolution of the multi dimensional sensing apparatus to divide each of the at least one first locked space into N second sub spaces; scanning the at least one first locked space to generate at least one group of second sensed data and at least one second locked space; and combining at least one of the M first sensed data that corresponds to the at least one first locked space, with the at least one group of second sensed data to form a set of output sensed data. |
| US08892392B2 |
State vector estimation using a constraint derived from a map
It is disclosed to estimate a state vector of an object, wherein the state vector comprises a state variable related to a position or an orientation of the object, based on at least one of a probability density function of the state vector truncated under consideration of a constraint for the state variable, wherein the constraint is derived from a map, and properties of the truncated probability density function. |
| US08892387B2 |
Driving circuit of a test access port
A driving circuit of a test access port is disclosed. The driving circuit includes an input terminal for receiving a first test data signal when the driving circuit is operating in an external test mode. The driving circuit is configured to receive a second test data signal (BS) carrying a test command to be executed on the test access port when the driving circuit is operating in an internal test mode. The driving circuit comprises a control logic circuit configured for processing the test command and generating therefrom an internal test data signal carrying the processed test command when the driving circuit is operating in the internal test mode. The driving circuit includes a selector configured for generating a selected test data signal, the selected test data signal being selected from the first test data signal when the driving circuit is operating in the external test mode. |
| US08892386B2 |
Method and apparatus for post-silicon testing
An apparatus and a computer-implemented method performed by a computerized device, comprising: generating a collection of test data for testing one or more domains, wherein the test data is useful for post-silicon verification of hardware devices; selecting a subset of the collection of test data in accordance with a hardware device to be tested and at least one of the domains to be tested with respect to the hardware device; and indexing the subset of the collection of test data to obtain an indexed collection. |
| US08892381B2 |
Test apparatus and manufacturing method
A test apparatus that tests a plurality of devices under test formed on a wafer under test includes a test substrate that faces the wafer under test and is electrically connected to the devices under test, a programmable device that is provided on the test substrate and changes a logic relationship of output logic data with respect to input logic data, according to program data supplied thereto, a plurality of input/output circuits that are provided on the test substrate to correspond to the devices under test and that each supply the corresponding device under test with a test signal corresponding to the output logic data of the programmable device, and a judging section that judges pass/fail of each device under test, based on operation results of each device under test according to the test signal. |
| US08892377B2 |
Digital programmable load measurement device
A digital programmable load measurement device provides a controllable and variable load unit in a system. The variable load unit is connected to a voltage follower and a current follower to measure and figure out dynamic load voltage and load current of a device under test. Selected loads can be switched in a short period to measure the voltage and current values thereof, sampled for saving, and an I-V curve of the system can be depicted. |
| US08892375B2 |
Power grid outage and fault condition management
An outage intelligence application receives event messages indicative of occurrences associated with various devices within a power grid. The outage intelligence application determines a state of the various devices based on the event messages. Based on the event messages, the outage intelligence application can determine can determine and confirm an outage condition associate with a particular device. A fault intelligence application receives synchrophasor data for each phase in a multi-phase power grid. The synchrophasor includes phasor magnitude and phasor angle information for each phased. Based on the synchrophasor data, the fault intelligence application determines the presence of a fault involving one or more of the phases and identifies a particular fault type. |
| US08892368B2 |
Method for applying extensometric sensors in railway tracks
The invention relates to a method for applying extensometric sensors in railway tracks, in combination with electronic equipment and a post-processing of the signals and data obtained to measure the stresses on railway tracks and the like, as well as to measure contact forces between the wheel of the vehicle or train and the actual rail on which it is travelling. According to the method, the following is performed: capturing micro-deformations in a known point of the track; analyzing these micro-deformations; identifying the element corresponding to the micro-deformation signal peaks coinciding with the passage of the train over one of the cross members of the track; analyzing the micro-deformation signal peaks previously identified; obtaining signals by means of sensors (5) arranged in plates (6) screwed to the rail (7); and finally calibrating each detected micro-deformation peak and the relationship thereof with the magnitudes to be measured. |
| US08892364B2 |
Stabilized polypeptide compositions
The invention is based, at least in part, on the development of stabilized binding molecules that consist of or comprise a stabilized scFv and methods for making such stabilized molecules. |
| US08892344B2 |
Solving traffic congestion using vehicle grouping
A method, system, and computer program product for solving a traffic congestion problem are provided in the illustrative embodiments. Using an application executing using a processor and a memory in a data processing system, a congested route section is selected from a set of congested route sections. A set of congesting vehicles is selected, where the set of congesting vehicles cause congestion in the selected congested route sections by being positioned on the selected congested route section. A vacancy data structure corresponding to the selected congested route section is populated. A subset of the set of the congesting vehicles is selected. The subset of the set of the congesting vehicles is rerouted to a candidate route section identified in the vacancy data structure. |
| US08892343B2 |
Determining a spatiotemporal impact of a planned event on traffic
Systems and methods are provided for determining an impact of a planned event. Traffic flow velocity is measured at each of a plurality of traffic sensors over a period of time before the planned event, with each traffic sensor having an associated geographical location. A plurality of measured traffic flow velocities for each traffic sensor are stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium. A traffic flow velocity at each traffic sensor is measured at each of a plurality of representative times within a defined time period including a known start time and an expected end time of the event. A threshold velocity is calculated from the stored traffic flow velocities for each traffic sensor corresponding to each representative time. For each representative time, a set of traffic sensors is determined at which the measured traffic flow velocity during the defined time period is less than the threshold velocity. |
| US08892340B2 |
Engine controller and engine control method
The engine controller includes: an engine-rpm increase amount computing section for computing an amount of increase in an engine rpm, generated by first ignition of an engine after a restart condition is satisfied; a start failure determination crank-angle change amount determination value setting section for setting a restart failure determination threshold value based on the amount of increase in the engine rpm; and a restart failure determination section for determining a restart failure when a crank-angle change amount from a first ignition timing of the engine after the satisfaction of the restart condition becomes larger than the restart failure determination threshold value although a complete combustion of the engine is not determined, interrupting a restart operation of the engine, and restarting the restart operation of the engine after elapse of a predetermined period of time. |
| US08892323B2 |
Control device and method for stepped transmission ensuring smooth transition in engine idle stop and resumption cycle
A control device controls a transmission mechanism which includes a first clutch to be engaged at startup and a second clutch, and is interlocked when hydraulic pressure is supplied to the first and second clutches and when the first and second clutches are completely engaged. The control device includes a hydraulic pressure control unit controlling hydraulic pressure supplied to the transmission mechanism so that the first clutch is set in a completely engaged state and the second clutch is set in a slip interlock state where the second clutch is not completely engaged in the case of a return from an idle stop control in which an engine is automatically stopped. The hydraulic pressure control unit starts reducing hydraulic pressure supplied to the second clutch when an increased amount of an engine rotation speed per unit time becomes smaller than a predetermined value. |
| US08892320B2 |
DCT control method for vehicle
The noise caused by the coupling and decoupling of the gear generated when ignition on and off of a dual-clutch mounted vehicle in the P range are switched to each other, and the merchantability of the vehicle can be increased by improving the noise performance of the vehicle by preventing the noise generated by the coupling of the gear as possible from being remarkable in other shift ranges. |
| US08892309B2 |
Vehicle steering control apparatus
A vehicle steering control apparatus is provided with: a first setting device for setting a first target steering angle of rear wheels according to a steering wheel operation of a driver; a second setting device for setting a second target steering angle of the rear wheels which does not work with the steering wheel operation by the driver and which is associated with automatic steering; a controlling device for controlling a steering angle of the rear wheels on the basis of the set first and second target steering angles; and a limiting device for limiting an influence of the first target steering angle on the steering angle of the rear wheels in accordance with a driving condition of the vehicle if the set first and second target steering angles have a mutually anti-phase relation, the limiting device limiting an influence of the second target steering angle on the steering angle of the rear wheels in accordance with the driving condition of the vehicle in preference to the first target steering angle if the automatic steering associated with the setting of the second target steering angle suppresses a change in the vehicle state quantity produced in a process of controlling a state controlled variable which is different front the steering angle of the rear wheels. |
| US08892308B2 |
Vehicle guidance system
A vehicle guidance system is disclosed where the vehicle includes a steering wheel assembly including a steering wheel and a hub, the hub connected to a steering shaft rotatable about a steering wheel axis within a steering column for steering the vehicle. The vehicle guidance system includes a receiver for receiving a position indication signal, a steering controller for generating a steering control signal based on the position indication signal and a drive assembly to directly drive the steering wheel assembly responsive to the steering control signal. The drive assembly generates a torque about a drive axis to rotate the steering wheel assembly, wherein the drive axis of the drive assembly is coaxial to the steering wheel axis. |
| US08892305B2 |
Motion control device for vehicle
A motion control device for a vehicle, including a braking means for applying a brake torque to a wheel of the vehicle and maintaining a traveling stability of the vehicle by controlling the braking means, the motion control device for the vehicle, includes a steering angular velocity obtaining means for obtaining a steering angular velocity of the vehicle, a yaw angular acceleration obtaining means for obtaining a yaw angular acceleration of the vehicle, and a control means for controlling the brake torque on the basis of the steering angular velocity and the yaw angular acceleration. |
| US08892294B2 |
Vehicle control limits
Included are embodiments for providing vehicle control limits. One embodiment of a system includes a navigation system and a vehicle that includes a memory component that stores a program. Embodiments of the system are configured to receive an indication for automatic control of the vehicle, receive a route for the vehicle to reach a destination for completing a work order from the navigation system, and determine a vehicle limit, wherein the vehicle limit is based on a current state of the vehicle. Some embodiments are configured to communicate the vehicle limit from a vehicle control module (VCM) to a navigation control module (NCM), determine, via the NCM, an automatic command based on the destination and the vehicle limit and send the automatic command to a motor of the vehicle. |
| US08892293B2 |
Transport facility for autonomous navigation and method for determining damage to a motor vehicle
Damage caused by accidents that occur during autonomous driving of a motor vehicle should be reliably detected. For this purpose, a transport facility with a driving area which can be autonomously driven by a motor vehicle, has a detection device for detecting a first state of the motor vehicle in an entrance area outside the driving area and for detecting a second state in an exit area located within the driving area. In addition, transport facility has an evaluation device for determining a possible difference between the second state and the first state relating to damage of the motor vehicle. |
| US08892289B2 |
Methods and systems for operating a vehicle driveline
Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is accelerated to a speed of a driveline integrated starter/generator before the engine is coupled to the driveline integrated starter/generator. |
| US08892281B2 |
Torque control system for suppressing vibration in an electric vehicle
A control system for an electric vehicle has a vehicle speed calculation section that calculates a speed of the electric vehicle and a control unit that controls an inverter of an electric motor to provide road wheels with a predetermined reference torque in accordance with a manipulated value of an accelerator pedal, wherein the unit has a reference torque correction section that changes the reference torque from an original value and then returns the changed reference torque to the original value when a calculated speed of the electric vehicle is in a given speed range. |
| US08892280B2 |
Sprung mass damping control system of vehicle
A sprung mass damping control system of a vehicle, which aims to suppress sprung mass vibration generated in a vehicle body of a vehicle provided with at least a motor-generator (first and second motor-generators) as a drive source, includes a sprung mass damping control amount calculating device that sets a sprung mass damping control amount for suppressing the sprung mass vibration, and a drive source control device (a motor-generator control device) that executes sprung mass damping control by controlling a motor-generator control amount of the motor-generator to realize the sprung mass damping control amount. |
| US08892279B2 |
Control apparatus for motor-assisted bicycle
A control apparatus for a motor-assisted bicycle detects a pedaling torque applied to a crankshaft with a pedaling force sensor, controls a motor unit in a regenerative control process to charge a battery if the torque value of the detected pedaling torque is equal to or smaller than a predetermined level, and controls the motor unit in an assistive control process if the torque value is greater than the predetermined level. The control apparatus controls the motor unit in the regenerative control process at a crankshaft angular position in which the torque value detected by the pedaling force sensor is equal to or smaller than the predetermined level, and switches from the regenerative control process to the assistive control process for controlling the motor unit at a crankshaft angular position in which the torque value detected by the pedaling force sensor becomes higher than the predetermined level. |
| US08892278B2 |
Overhead rail guided transport system and implementation method thereof
A method for implementing an overhead rail guided transport system includes the following steps: a vehicle transport system is provided, which includes an upper rail guided transport system, a lower rail guided transport system, a vehicle exchange equipment, and a plurality of vehicles operating in the upper and lower rail guided transport system; respective vehicle utilizing rates in the upper and lower rail guided transport systems are provided; the vehicle exchange equipment is used to interchange the vehicles respectively operating in the upper and lower rail guided transport systems in order to equilibrate the respective vehicle utilizing rates. |
| US08892277B2 |
Vehicle air-conditioning control method
A vehicle air-conditioning control method includes: calculating an air-conditioning reference temperature for an interior of a vehicle on the basis of an in-vehicle temperature measured by an in-vehicle temperature sensor provided inside a vehicle that runs between stations, an outside air temperature measured by an outside air temperature sensor provided on the exterior of the vehicle, an in-vehicle humidity measured by a humidity sensor provided inside the vehicle, and a vehicle occupancy rate measured by a load-compensating sensor provided in the vehicle; determining an air-conditioning control pattern for performing air-conditioning of the inside of the vehicle on the basis of the air-conditioning reference temperature; and controlling a vehicle air-conditioning apparatus on the basis of the air-conditioning control pattern, wherein the data of a preceding vehicle is received, and is used in air-conditioning control of a following vehicle. |
| US08892276B1 |
Model train control system
A model train control system providing a more realistic modeling of the movement, sound, smoke, and lighting effects of a model train is disclosed. A number of dynamic inputs are used to control such effects. Novel features include providing a dynamic variable speed compensator, a dynamic engine load calculator, automatic dynamic momentum, an adjustable train brake, spectrum control, a velocity controller, pressure sensitive effects, a voice activated dispatcher system, a train location and information reporter network, two digit addressing, a traffic control system, accessory control, a model train Central Control Module, and removable memory modules. |
| US08892266B2 |
Active monitoring and controlling of home loads
A load control arrangement includes a communication channel configured to transmit information. A controller unit is coupled to the communication channel and configured to at least one of send and receive information via the communication channel. A load control device is coupled to the communication channel, comprising a disconnect switch configured to be coupled to a power line. The load control device is further configured to determine a power consumption of a load connected to the power line. The load control device provides measurement data representing the determined power consumption via the communication channel to the controller unit. The load control device drives the disconnect switch depending on drive information received via the communication channel or depending on the determined power consumption. |
| US08892265B2 |
Automatic ram air turbine deployment
A method of deploying a ram air turbine for an aircraft only during flight that deploys the ram air turbine only when a predetermined number of aeronautical power generation contactor signals are in an engaged state, an external power generation contactor is in a disengaged state, wheels for the aircraft are in an airborne state and all of multiple primary electric buses are in a fault state that represents electric potential below a predetermined level. |
| US08892264B2 |
Methods, apparatus and systems for managing energy assets
The apparatuses and methods herein facilitate generation of energy-related revenue for an energy customer of an electricity supplier, for a system that includes an energy storage asset. The apparatuses and methods herein can be used to generate operating schedules for a controller of the energy storage asset. When implemented, the generated operating schedules facilitates derivation of the energy-related revenue, over a time period T, associated with operation of the at least one energy storage asset according to the generated operating schedule. The energy-related revenue available to the energy customer over the time period T is based at least in part on a wholesale electricity market. |
| US08892262B2 |
Programmable wall station for automated window and door coverings
A programmable wall station system for controlling automated coverings includes at least one automated covering adapted to receive command signals, and a computer which includes a processor and a computer connection port. The processor is programmed to receive location input, position input for the automated coverings, schedule input, and generate scheduled events based on any of the received input. A wall station includes a controller and a station connection port that is linkable to the computer connection port. The controller is programmed to receive scheduled events from the processor when the station connection port and computer connection port are linked to one another and generate command signals based on the scheduled events for receipt by the automated covering to control its operation. |
| US08892261B2 |
System and method for automatically creating a specific atmosphere by controlling contributions of sensorial perceptible stimulus means
The invention relates to the automatic creation of a specific atmosphere by controlling contributions of sensorial perceptible stimulus means such as lights, sounds, and scents. The invention provides atmosphere settings containing data adapted for controlling the sensorial perceptible stimulus means in order to create at least one specific atmosphere, and atmosphere creation means adapted for automatically controlling the contributions of the sensorial perceptible stimulus means depending on the data contained in the atmosphere settings. Thus, a specific atmosphere may be created automatically without requiring a tedious adjusting of individual contributions of sensorial perceptible stimulus means to the specific atmosphere. |
| US08892259B2 |
Robotic surgical system with mechanomyography feedback
A robotic surgical system for performing a surgical procedure within the body of a subject includes an elongate surgical instrument, a robotic controller configured to control the motion of the distal end portion of the surgical instrument, and a mechanomyography feedback system in communication with the robotic controller. The mechanomyography feedback system includes an elongate sphincter contraction sensor configured to monitor a physical response of a sphincter of the subject and to provide a mechanomyography signal corresponding to the monitored response. Additionally, the feedback system includes a processor configured to receive the mechanomyography signal, to determine if the received signal is indicative of an induced sphincter response, and to provide a control signal to the robotic controller if an induced sphincter response is detected. |
| US08892257B2 |
Walking robot and method of controlling the same
Disclosed is a method of absorbing an impact generated when a foot of a walking robot lands on the ground to perform the walking of the walking robot. When the foot of the walking robot lands on the ground, an F/T sensor installed on the sole or the ankle of the foot measures external force and the posture of the sole of the foot is adjusted in a direction of complying with the external force, and thus an impact transmitted to the walking robot in landing is absorbed. Further, the posture adjusting speed of the sole of the foot is adjusted according to walking speeds (stopped, walking, running). |
| US08892256B2 |
Methods for real-time and near real-time interactions with robots that service a facility
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a service robot and methods for controlling such a robot are provided. In particular, the robot is configured to sense the presence of a person and to take a next action in response to sensing the presence of the person. As examples, the robot could leave the area, await commands from the person, or enter an idle or sleep state or mode until the person leaves. |
| US08892255B2 |
Method for the automated programming and optimization of robotic work sequences
A method for the automated control of a process robot with a controller performing movement and work sequences and with one or more sensors that record a work progress. A planning tool compares a recorded progress of work with an aimed-for processing objective and determines, from a difference between the processing objective and an actual value of the process that corresponds to the recorded progress of work, movement and work sequences with which the aimed-for processing objective is achieved. Then the determined movement and work sequences are converted into robot-executable control commands in real time or in-step with the process, and the process robot is controlled in such a way as to achieve the aimed-for processing objective. |
| US08892254B2 |
Robot controller and robot system
A robot controller includes queues, a storage unit, and an execution control unit. The queues are provided for respective controlled groups serving as controlled units. The storage unit stores therein instructions directed to the respective controlled groups, one at a time, from a bottom end of each of the queues. When having accepted a predetermined operation request, the execution control unit simultaneously fetches the instructions directed to the controlled groups, one for each of the controlled groups at a time, from tops of the queues, and makes all of the controlled groups simultaneously start the operations based on such instructions. If there is any controlled group to which no corresponding instruction exists, the storage unit stores therein a no-operation instruction. If the fetched instruction is the no-operation instruction, the execution control unit keeps the controlled group from operating until an instruction is fetched next time. |
| US08892251B1 |
System and method for autonomous mopping of a floor surface
A mobile robot configured to travel across a residential floor or other surface while cleaning the surface with a cleaning pad and cleaning solvent is disclosed. The robot includes a controller for managing the movement of the robot as well as the treatment of the surface with a cleaning solvent. The movement of the robot can be characterized by a class of trajectories that achieve effective cleaning. The trajectories include sequences of steps that are repeated, the sequences including forward and backward motion and optional left and right motion along arcuate paths. |
| US08892245B2 |
Systems and methods for sorting
Method and systems for sorting are described. In one embodiment, a container is released into a pocket section, with the pocket section being at a first alignment stage. The pocket section is rotated with the container away from the first alignment stage to a second alignment stage. Attributes of the container are acquired at the second alignment stage. An order to which the container belongs is identified with the acquired attributes. The pocket section with the container is rotated to a third alignment stage. The location of the third alignment stage is selected based on the identified order. The container is received to group with one or more containers in the identified order. Additional methods and systems are disclosed. |
| US08892242B2 |
Robot system
A robot system includes a robot hand for transferring substrates stored within a storage unit in multiple stages along a vertical direction, and a position detecting unit for detecting storage positions of the substrates stored within the storage unit. The robot system further includes a clearance calculating unit for calculating a clearance between the adjoining substrates on the basis of the storage positions of the substrates detected by the position detecting unit, and an entry permission/prohibition determining unit for determining permission or prohibition of entry of the robot hand into a space between the substrates on the basis of the clearance calculated by the clearance calculating unit. |
| US08892240B1 |
Modular material handling system for order fulfillment
Methods and apparatus for material handling in an order fulfillment center. An order fulfillment system may include inventory storage, a processing area, and a control system. The inventory storage may in some instances include two storage areas, and in some cases the processing area may be disposed between the two storage areas. The processing area may include a router module that is configured to receive inventory items that have been picked from the inventory storage. Inventory items may be received by the router module via conveyance receptacles (e.g., totes, bins) that are conveyed using a conveyor mechanism. The processing area may also include a plurality of processing modules that may be configured to receive inventory items from the router module. In some instances, the processing modules may receive the inventory items via conveyance receptacles that are conveyed using the conveyor mechanism. |
| US08892237B2 |
Systems and methods for fabricating semiconductor device structures using different metrology tools
Methods and systems are provided for fabricating and measuring physical features of a semiconductor device structure. An exemplary method of fabricating a semiconductor device structure involves obtaining a first measurement of a first attribute of the semiconductor device structure from a first metrology tool, obtaining process information pertaining to fabrication of one or more features of the semiconductor device structure by a first processing tool, and determining an adjusted measurement for the first attribute based at least in part on the first measurement in a manner that is influenced by the process information. |
| US08892233B1 |
Methods and devices for creating and modifying sound profiles for audio reproduction devices
Method and devices for processing audio signals based on sound profiles are provided. A reproduction device can request a sound profile based on user information, device information, media metadata or a combination. The sound profiles can be customized and shared across multiple devices. User interfaces allow for the input of information that allows the reproduction device or a server in the cloud to select, modify, store, and analyze sound profiles. Deeper analysis allows for the improvement of sound profiles for individuals and groups. Intensity scoring of a music library can also be conducted. |
| US08892230B2 |
Multicore system, control method of multicore system, and non-transitory readable medium storing program
A multicore system 2 includes a main system program 610 that operates on a first processor core 61 and stores synthesized audio data, which is mixed audio data, to a buffer for DMA transfer 63, a standby program 620 that operates on a second processor 62, and an audio output unit 64 that sequentially stores the synthesized audio data transferred from the buffer for DMA transfer 63 and plays the stored synthesized audio data. When an amount of storage of the synthesized audio data stored to the buffer for DMA transfer 63 has not reached a predetermined amount of data determined according to the amount of storage of the synthesized audio data stored to the audio output unit 64, the standby system program 620 takes over and executes the mixing and the storage of the synthesized audio data that is executed by the main system program 610. |
| US08892229B2 |
Audio apparatus
An audio apparatus according to an embodiment includes an audio signal receiving unit, a music gap signal receiving unit, a playback unit, and a determining unit. The audio signal receiving unit receives an audio signal in which successive multiple music data are contained in a single block of data. The determining unit determines a boundary of the music data on the basis of the time at which the music gap signal that indicates the boundary of the music data by the music gap signal receiving unit and the duration of a silent period in the audio signal that is played back by the playback unit. |
| US08892225B2 |
Wideband personal-radio recorder
Methods and apparatuses for concurrently recording multiple radio channels. A recorder includes a wideband tuner having a complex mixer for converting a received wideband RF signal to a complex signal that is then digitized. A digital front end module applies a number of complex down-mixers to the digital complex signal to generate the multiple radio channels in the baseband. Each one of the multiple radio channels in the baseband is further filtered, decimated and demodulated. A digital signal processing unit encodes each demodulated channel according to an audio compression format and stores the then encoded audio content to a storage unit. An RBDS decoder parses radio data service information associated with the stored audio content. The radio data service information is stored in a first section of the storage unit while the encoded audio content is stored in a second section of the storage unit. |
| US08892224B2 |
Method for graphically providing continuous change of state directions to a user of a medical robotic system
Continuous change of state directions are graphically provided on a display screen to assist a user in performing necessary action(s) for transitioning between operating modes in a medical robotic system or performing corrective action. A graphical representation of a target state of an element of the medical robotic system is displayed on a display screen viewable by the user. Current states of the element and indications directing the user to manipulate the element towards the target state are continuously determined and graphical representations of the continuously determined current states and indications are displayed on the display screen along with that of the target state. |
| US08892223B2 |
HVAC controller including user interaction log
An HVAC controller is configured to log one more user interactions into a user interaction log stored in its memory such that at least some of the user interactions may be recalled from the user interaction log and displayed on the user interface of the HVAC controller in response to a request by a user. The user may use the information contained in the user interaction log as an aid in troubleshooting an HVAC system. |
| US08892222B2 |
Fume extraction system with automatic fume hood positioning
The fume extraction system (10) includes a fume hood (12) located at the end of an articulated exhaust duct robotic arm (14) Three pairs of photoelectric sensors (34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44) are provided on the fume hood (12) to sense the presence of an electric welding arc (64) The system (10) includes a control unit (50) that generates command signals for the arm (14) based on signals received from the sensors so as to automatically position the hood (12) over the arc (64) and maintain a predetermined height distance between them A method of automatically positioning a fume hood is also disclosed The system and the method can provide a more dependable operation than ever before without the need of a complex construction. |
| US08892220B2 |
Self-contained, wearable light controller with wireless communication interface
A system for controlling a plurality of wearable wireless light-bearing units is disclosed. The light-bearing units may comprise lighting elements coupled to garments such as those used in the performing arts and entertainment. The system comprises a control unit wirelessly communicating with light-bearing units. The light-bearing units comprise a control box coupled to a plurality of lights. Operators can control one or more of the light-bearing units in synchrony with each other and with other audio-visual elements using standard protocols. The device also provides a library of preprogrammed effects and can perform self-diagnostic functions. |
| US08892218B2 |
Multiple boolean inputs and outputs for device function blocks
The present invention provides techniques for splitting bundled inputs and outputs into separated Boolean inputs and outputs for function blocks of automation devices. More specifically, previously-defined bundled inputs and outputs may be used, whereas separated Boolean inputs and outputs may be used as well. In other words, the newly added Boolean inputs and outputs do not replace, but rather compliment, the previously defined bundled inputs and outputs. |
| US08892217B2 |
Implantable medical lead with proximal retrieval wire
The disclosure describes a medical lead with a retrieval wire that extends from the proximal end of the lead. The retrieval wire allows a physician to insert the medical lead into a patient and grab the retrieval wire to pull the proximal end of the lead away from the implant site. Upon gaining access to a lead connector on the proximal end of the medical lead, the physician may remove the retrieval wire and couple the lead connector to an implantable medical device that provides stimulation therapy. In this manner the physician may avoid damaging the lead connector when retrieving the medical lead. In addition, the retrieval wire may be used to provide test stimulation to verify correct electrode location. The medical lead may be used to stimulate tissue such as the stomach, small intestine, and the large intestine. |
| US08892208B2 |
Closed-loop neural stimulation
A system and method for conducting closed loop deep brain stimulation on an individual, and more specifically, for receiving local field potential neural signals, encoding and filtering the signals into the logarithmic domain, processing the signals, and determining optimal stimulation parameters for deep brain stimulation based on the processed neural signals. The system and method may also include an RF-DC converter such that the system may be powered in whole or in part based on radio frequency signals. The system and method may also include an RF transceiver such that the system may transmit data wirelessly to an external receiver, or may receive stimulation parameters wirelessly from an external transceiver. |
| US08892205B2 |
Sleep apnea control device
Disclosed herein are various methods, systems, an apparatuses for determining appropriate situations to treat conditions such as sleep apnea. At appropriate times, treatment can be applied such as through electrical stimulation to a person (e.g., an electrical stimulation of a person's genioglossus muscle in response to detecting that the person is undergoing an obstructive sleep apnea precursor event). In exemplary embodiments, a sensor such as a microphone and/or motion sensor can be used to provide a processor with data to facilitate a determination by the processor as to whether an electrical stimulus should be applied. |
| US08892204B2 |
Aortic pacing to control cardiac afterload
A chronically implanted medical device, connected to a medical electrical lead that includes a sensor, is used to detect cardiac afterload. Electrical stimulation is delivered proximate to aortic arch tissue of a patient in order to reduce a patient's cardiac afterload. Electrical stimulation is terminated after a termination condition is met. |
| US08892203B2 |
Emergency response backboard with integrated scale
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for weighing an individual on a backboard. The backboard is configured to support a supine individual during transportation. An upper surface of the backboard is configured to receive the supine individual. A scale is embedded within the backboard beneath the upper surface. The embedded scale is configured to determine a weight of the supine individual in response to the upper surface receiving the supine individual. |
| US08892202B2 |
Current stimulator
The disclosure relates to a current stimulator, which comprises a high voltage output module, a voltage control module and a charge pump module. The high voltage output module includes a plurality of stacked transistors, and receives an input control signal able to turn on/off the current stimulator and a first voltage. A second voltage is generated by adding the voltages output by all the transistors to the first voltage and then output to the voltage control module. The voltage control module outputs a voltage control signal able to stabilize the stimulus current for the load according to the second voltage and the load impedance variation. The charge pump regulates the first voltage according to the voltage control signal, and outputs the regulated first voltage to the high voltage output module. Thereby, the current stimulator can adaptively stabilize the stimulus current, responding to load impedance variation. |
| US08892195B2 |
Physiological signal detection system
The present invention provides a handy remote physiological signal detection system, comprising a sensing unit, a stimulation unit and a control unit. The sensing unit includes a detecting electrode, a first surface detection electrode, a second surface detection electrode and a sensing module. The sensing modules is used to detect the signals between the detection electrode and the first surface detection electrode to get an epicardial detection signal, and is also used to detect the signals between the second surface detection electrode and the first detection electrode to get a surface-ECG signal. The stimulus unit includes a stimulating electrode and a stimulus module used to provide a stimulus signal to the stimulating electrode. The control unit includes a user interface and a processing module used to convert the epicardial detection signal and the surface-ECG signal to digital signals and display the digital signals in the user interface. All systems were controlled through the remote system and are small and handy. |
| US08892186B2 |
Method and system for detection and tracking of coronary sinus catheter electrodes in fluoroscopic images
A method and system for detecting and tracking coronary sinus (CS) catheter electrodes in a fluoroscopic image sequence is disclosed. An electrode model is initialized in a first frame of the fluoroscopic image sequence based on input locations of CS sinus catheter electrodes in the first frame. The electrode model is tracked in subsequent frames of the fluoroscopic image sequence by detecting electrode position candidates in the subsequent frames of the fluoroscopic image sequence using at least one trained electrode detector, generating electrode model candidates in the subsequent frames based on the detected electrode position candidates, calculating a probability score for each of the electrode model candidates, and selecting an electrode model candidate based on the probability score. |
| US08892182B2 |
Double balloon isolation catheters and methods therefor
A system for examining a colon includes a catheter, such as a rectal catheter, having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the catheter, and a flexible tube coupled with the catheter. The system includes a first balloon located adjacent a distal end of the flexible tube, and a second balloon extending around the catheter and being located between the distal and proximal ends of the catheter, whereby the distance between the first and second balloons is adjustable by sliding the flexible tube through the central lumen of the catheter. The first and second balloons are inflatable for isolating a section of a colon, and a gas or contrast agent may be introduced into the isolated colon section for conducting the examination. |
| US08892180B2 |
Sine saturation transform
A transform for determining a physiological measurement is disclosed. The transform determines a basis function index from a physiological signal obtained through a physiological sensor. A basis function waveform is generated based on basis function index. The basis function waveform is then used to determine an optimized basis function waveform. The optimized basis function waveform is used to calculate a physiological measurement. |
| US08892179B2 |
Coupling of housings of an electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing and a coupling portion movably coupling the first housing and the second housing to each other. The first housing includes a guide groove formed in a surface of the first housing facing the second housing that restricts a direction of movement of the first housing and the second housing with respect to each other. The guide groove includes a bottom portion. The coupling portion includes a coupling main body fixed to a surface of the second housing facing the first housing, a guide pin protruding from the coupling main body so as to be able to advance and retreat within the guide groove and including a tip portion, the tip portion being housed in the guide groove, and an urging member urging the guide pin toward the bottom portion of the guide groove. |
| US08892176B2 |
Apparatus and method for reducing power consumption in multi antenna system
An apparatus and method for reducing the power consumption of a Base Station (BS) in a multi antenna system are provided. The method for reducing the power consumption of the BS includes identifying an amount of resources being in use for communication, determining whether to convert at least one Radio Frequency (RF) unit into a power saving mode considering the amount of resources, if converting at least one RF unit into the power saving mode, turning OFF a power supply of a power amplifier of at least one of at least two antenna paths constituting the at least one RF unit converted into the power saving mode, and increasing a gain of at least one antenna path turning ON a power supply such that a transmission Power Spectral Density (PSD) is not changed according to the power saving mode conversion. |
| US08892174B2 |
Loudspeaker
A loudspeaker comprises a voice coil and a diaphragm attached to the voice coil. The diaphragm has a generally rectangular outer shape, and comprises an outer rim (A1) having an outer edge at which the diaphragm is fixed in position and an inner section (A0) within the outer rim. The inner section (A0) comprises: an outermost area (A00) which is coupled to the voice coil and having the same generally rectangular outer shape; and an inner area (A01) comprising a periodic rib structure (A01p), with the ribs running parallel to the shorter side of the rectangular outer shape, and two lateral transition areas (A01c) between the edges of the periodic rib structure (A01p) and the shorter side edges of outermost area (A00). |
| US08892167B2 |
Wireless terminal and method for processing contact information
A method for processing contact information includes setting a contact information list on a display; selecting a piece of contact information from the contact information list; binding the selected contact information to a specific area of the display; obtaining service information corresponding to the contact information, and displaying the service information on the specific area of the display. |
| US08892164B2 |
Modular cell phone for laptop computers
A communication system including a wireless communicator including a baseband modem for connecting to the Internet via a cellular network, and a connector for physically connecting the wireless communicator to a laptop computer port, and a laptop computer including a wireless modem for communicating in a wireless mode with the wireless communicator, a port for physically connecting the wireless communicator to the laptop computer and for communicating in a wired mode with the wireless communicator, and a connection wedge, wherein the laptop computer connects to the Internet via a link between the laptop computer and the wireless communicator, and wherein the connection wedge selectively uses the wired mode or the wireless mode for the link according to whether or not the wireless communicator is physically connected to the laptop computer, respectively. A method is also described and claimed. |
| US08892162B2 |
Vibration sensing system and method for categorizing portable device context and modifying device operation
A portable device includes: an enclosure, one or more processors for executing one or more programs; one or more actuators in or on the enclosure for generating mechanical vibrations; one or more sensors in or on the enclosure for detecting mechanical vibrations; and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The device analyzes one or more signals produced by the one or more sensors with respect to mechanical vibrations to determine a holding state of the portable device, and conditionally modifies operation of at least one application executed by the one or more processors in accordance with the determined holding state. |
| US08892161B2 |
Radio communication system and method using spatial diversity and spatial multiplexing modes
A radio communication system includes transmission/reception devices which perform communication by dynamically switching a first transmission mode and a second transmission mode having a lower quality than the first transmission mode, wherein the transmission/reception devices have a transmission mode decision means which fixes a transmission mode upon communication to the first transmission mode for a given period of time. |
| US08892159B2 |
Multi-standard transceiver architecture with common balun and mixer
A multi-standard transceiver comprises a common balun, a controller, at least one first switch, and at least one second switch. The common balun comprises a primary coil and a secondary coil. The at least one first switch connects the primary coil of the balun to a first signal path associated with a first communication standard, or to a second signal path associated with a second communication standard responsive to a control signal provided by the controller. The at least one second switch connects the secondary coil of the balun to a first amplification path associated with the first communication standard, or to a second amplification path associated with the second communication standard responsive to a control signal provided by the controller. A common mixer is configured to provide upconverted signals to one of the signal paths depending on which communication standard has been selected. |
| US08892157B2 |
Integrated passive device with electrostatic discharge protection mechanism
An integrated passive device with electrostatic discharge protection mechanism includes an antenna terminal for receiving and transmitting a wireless signals, a first frequency terminal for receiving and transmitting a signal with a first frequency, a first filtering circuit for filtering the wireless signal, and an electrostatic discharge protection element for conducting static electricity to ground. The first filtering circuit includes a first filtering element with a first end electrically connected to the antenna terminal, a second filtering element with a first end electrically connected to a second end of the first filtering element and a second end electrically connected to the first frequency terminal, and a third filtering element with a first end electrically connected to the second end of the first filtering element and a second end electrically connected to ground. The electrostatic discharge protection element is coupled between the second end of the first filtering element and ground. |
| US08892151B2 |
Autonomous user equipment transmission power control in communication systems
Apparatus and method for adjusting at a user equipment a power level of a first signal type transmitted over a set of resource elements (REs). The method includes transmitting the first signal type with a first power level over a first set of REs, and transmitting the first signal type with a second power level over a second set of REs, wherein the second power level is higher than the first power level and the second set of REs is a sub-set of the first set of REs. |
| US08892146B2 |
Selectively buffering voice data at a server during a voice communication session
Systems and methods for selectively replaying voice data. Voice data received in a communication session is both buffered by the device and played by the device. When input is received from a recipient, the voice data currently being received is no longer played and buffered voice data is replayed to the recipient. While the buffered voice data is replayed, the device continues to buffer any voice data received by the device to ensure that the recipient can listen to all of the voice data in the communication session. By only storing voice data in the buffer, replaying the buffered voice data can catch the real-time voice data. At this point, the device reverts to playing voice data being received while continuing to buffer the voice data. |
| US08892144B2 |
Dynamic bearer management
An MME may request QoS and/or APN parameters from an HSS that may determine whether the MME is approaching or exceeds a threshold number of requested or supportable bearers. The HSS may adjust the QoS/APN parameters based on the threshold determination. The number of bearer requests or established bearers and the total number of supportable bearers may be calculated by the HSS or provided by the MME. The HSS may also take into account the status of other MMEs in the network in adjusting QoS/APN parameters. Upon detecting heavy signaling traffic from a UE, an HSS may take steps, or instruct a policy manager, to reduce or prevent traffic from the UE. |
| US08892140B2 |
Bi-directional training in dual networks system
A method and apparatus for bi-direction training in D2D/cellular networks. An embodiment method includes sending training symbols to sense interference from the cellular UEs, calculating an interference subspace from the cellular UE to each of the D2D UEs, calculating an orthogonal projection matrix based on the interference subspace calculated, and iteratively updating receive filters through forward training and transmit beamformers through backward training after the orthogonal projection matrix is calculated to align the D2D UEs. In an embodiment, training symbols are sent to sense interference from the cellular UE. |
| US08892138B2 |
Transferring messages in a communications network
A method and apparatus for transferring a message from a wireless communication device to another communication device. A communications device generates a message using the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device determines a geographical location and an orientation of the wireless communication device. A geographical region is determined using the geographical location and orientation, and a remote server determines the presence of an entity associated with the other communication device in the selected geographical region. The message is then transferred to the other communication device. |
| US08892135B2 |
Method and apparatus for wireless communication in a mesh network using frequency schedule
A method and apparatus for communication in a wireless sensor network. In one embodiment, one or more routers in a network may be available for communication with one or more star nodes at a randomized time and/or frequency. A connectivity assessment, which may be performed at several different frequencies and/or times, may be performed to evaluate the quality of communications between devices in the network. Primary and secondary communication relationships may be formed between devices to provide for system redundancy. One or more proxies may be maintained where each proxy includes a status of one or more devices in the network, e.g., one or more star nodes or routers. Proxies may be used to handle information requests and/or status change requests, e.g., a proxy may be requested to change a communication relationship between devices in the network and may generate command signals to cause the corresponding devices to make the change. |
| US08892131B2 |
Mobile location and map acquisition
Providing a map and/or directions to a visitor to a facility may include and/or involve a wireless communication device signaling its presence at a location in a facility, and communicating to the wireless communication device a map of the facility indicating the location. This may include and/or involve communicating to the wireless device directions to and/or from the location to a destination within the facility. |
| US08892129B1 |
Method and apparatus of providing location based device modifications
Disclosed are examples of performing mobile station modifications. According to one example a method may include transmitting a notification from a mobile station to an advertisement server and receiving at least one advertisement parameter at the mobile station responsive to the transmitted notification. The method may also include performing a modification to a current state of the mobile device based on the at least one advertisement parameter and a distance between the mobile station and at least one establishment registered with the advertisement server. |
| US08892128B2 |
Location based geo-reminders
Location based geo-reminding system retrieves, from a location based geo-reminder physical server, a current location of wireless client devices within a given area. The method accesses, from the location based geo-reminder physical server, a physical location based geo-reminder database comprising an identity of a trigger identifier and a limits of trigger identifier. Transmission of a location based geo-reminder message is initiated if the current location of a particular wireless client device is within a limits of restriction distance from a location of the identity of the trigger. |
| US08892125B2 |
Receiver utilizing multiple radiation patterns to determine angular position
A receiver includes an antenna array, an angular positioning module, a low noise amplifier module, and a down conversion module. The antenna array is operable to receive an inbound wireless signal. The angular positioning module is operable to: receive a plurality of received inbound wireless signals from the antenna array. An angular position of a source of the inbound wireless signal is determined from at least some of the plurality of received inbound wireless signals based on a first radiation pattern and a second radiation pattern of the plurality of received inbound wireless signals; and output a representation of the inbound wireless signal. The low noise amplifier module is operably coupled to amplify the representation of the inbound wireless signal to produce an amplified inbound wireless signal. The down conversion module is operably coupled to convert the amplified inbound wireless signal into a baseband or near baseband signal. |
| US08892124B2 |
Method and devices for positioning information reporting
A method, performed in a positioning node of a wireless communication system, for positioning reporting in the wireless communication system comprises providing (210) of first positioning data of a first format in three dimensions. The first format represents a polygon with corner points. The corner points have coordinates in three dimensions. The first positioning data is transformed (220) into second positioning data of a second format. The second format represents the first positioning data as a representation of an elliptic cylinder that is centered around a center point and has an elliptic base in a base plane. The second positioning data is reported (230) over an interface of the wireless communication system. |
| US08892120B2 |
Methods in a wireless communication system for crime investigation, evidence generation and analysis
Crime investigation methods, evidence generation methods, and wireless communications system analysis methods are described. According to one aspect, a crime investigation method includes receiving information regarding a commission of a crime at a time period of interest and at a geographic location of interest, after the receiving and using wireless communications analysis equipment, measuring cellular signals in a geographic area which includes the geographic location of interest during the time period of interest, as a result of the measuring, generating measurement data which is indicative of a parameter of the cellular signals in the geographic area, using the measurement data, calculating a wireless coverage representation for the geographic area and which includes the geographic location of interest, accessing cellular communications records which are indicative of communications via the cellular signals in the geographic area, and using the cellular communications records and the wireless coverage representation, providing information regarding the crime. |
| US08892119B2 |
Automatic position information transmission system and method using wireless data network
Disclosed are an automatic position information transmission system and a method using a wireless data network capable of improving convenience of search by registering icons associated with keywords on search screens of corresponding mobile phones and registering icons representing a search position range on the search screens while improving convenience of use by automatically transmitting position information regarding the corresponding mobile phones during a call attempt to a pre-authorized specific mobile phone through a wireless Internet network and automatically transmitting the position information regarding the corresponding mobile phones for each predetermined period or at the time of a call connection failure. The automatic position information transmission system and the method using the wireless data network can automatically transmit the moving routes or positions of children to the mobile phones of a parent as being previously set without performing the separate operations on the mobile phones. |
| US08892116B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhanced privacy while tracking mobile workers
A wireless communication device transmits location information associated with a mobile worker at a first interval when the worker is assigned to a work task. When the worker is not working on the work task, the wireless communication device does not transmit location information, or transmits the location information less persistently. In this manner, business value of tracking mobile worker location is achieved while also allowing for enhanced privacy for the mobile worker when not working on a work task. |
| US08892111B2 |
Method and system for performing service admission control
The invention concerns a method at a base station device for performing service admission control, the base station device comprising an interface to a cellular network, and an interface to connect to a broadband device, the base station device being adapted to provide service access to devices of the cellular network, the service being provided through the broadband network.To this end the method comprises the steps of receiving a service admission request from a device of the cellular network, sending a resource reservation request to the broadband device for enabling said service on the broadband network, receiving a resource reservation response from the broadband device and responding to the device of the cellular network on the availability of the service, the availability depending on the service admission response received from the broadband device. |
| US08892105B2 |
Network node, user equipment and methods therein for configuring cells for downlink operations
A method in a network node (110) for configuring cells for downlink operations in a telecommunications system (100) is provided. The network node (110) is configured to support non-contiguous downlink operations on more than one cell (f1, f2, f3, f4) in at least one frequency band. The network node (110) receives a signal from a user equipment (121) in the telecommunications system (100). The signal comprises information about radio access capability of the user equipment (121). Information about radio access capability of the user equipment (121) comprises a first indication which indicates the maximum number of cells that is supported by the user equipment (121) in the non-contiguous downlink operation. Furthermore, the information about radio access capability of the user equipment (121) comprises a second indication which indicates the maximum gap bandwidth between cells (f1, f2, f3, f4) that is supported by the user equipment (121) in the non-contiguous downlink operation. Then, the network node (110) configures more than one cell (f1, f2, f3, f4) for a non-contiguous downlink operation supported by the user equipment (121) based on the first and second indication in the information about radio access capability of the user equipment (121).A network node (110), a method in user equipment and a user equipment (121) are also provided. |
| US08892102B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling a frequency band of operation of a base station
The present disclosure relates to controlling a frequency band of operation of one or more base stations in a cellular communication network based on associated parameters of air interfaces of the one or more base stations. In one embodiment, a control element of the cellular communication network obtains parameters for an air interface of a base station. In addition, in some embodiments, the control element obtains one or more parameters for air interfaces of one or more additional base stations. Using the one or more parameters, the control element obtains a decision to switch a frequency band of operation of the base station from a first frequency band to a second frequency band. In response, the control element sends a command to the base station to switch the frequency band of operation of the base station from the first frequency band to the second frequency band. |
| US08892098B2 |
Communication apparatus and method for dual-mode mobile terminal
A communication apparatus and method for a dual-mode mobile terminal provides supporting communications through a wireless local area network and a cellular network, simultaneously. The communication apparatus includes a first communication unit for supporting a wireless local area network communication; a second communication unit for supporting a cellular communication; and a control unit for controlling the second communication unit to set up a media session with another terminal and for controlling the first communication unit to retrieve a preferred channel among a plurality of channels provided by an Access Point. |
| US08892096B2 |
Discontinuous transmission scheme
A base station transmits signals on a frequency (f1) in an active transmission interval (TI) having a starting time and being part of a transmission cycle (TC) including other active transmission intervals for other frequencies (f0, f1, f2, f3) appearing in a predetermined discontinuous transmission scheme that specifies the relationship (Δ1, A2, A3) between the starting times of the active transmission intervals of the frequencies of the set. The mobile station scans the set of frequencies during a scanning cycle (SC) corresponding to the transmission cycle (TC) and determines the frequencies at which the base stations transmit. The start of each scanning is made at a point in time that is specified for the corresponding frequency by the discontinuous transmission scheme and the scanning of one frequency involves ending scanning of this frequency at the end of a time range (TR) of pre-determined length if no signal is detected within this time range. |
| US08892095B2 |
Enabling enhanced paging of stationary terminal devices in a cellular mobile communication network
To distinguish between stationary and free-to-move terminal devices in a mobile communication network in order to reduce paging interference, a stationary terminal device chooses a surrounding radio cell as a home cell, which remains associated to the stationary terminal device, as long as the home cell fulfills a suitable-cell-requirement. Therefore, the communication network can be operated such that a paging request is only distributed through one base station/NodeB, if that paging request is to be forwarded to a stationary terminal device being associated to a home cell. According to another aspect of the present invention, stationary terminal devices are grouped in separate paging group that is stored in an operation unit of the mobile communication network. If a paging request is to be distributed, it is firstly checked, whether the paging request is to be forwarded to one of the terminal devices of the separate paging group. |
| US08892094B2 |
Cell search and measurement in heterogeneous networks
An extended cell search procedure enables more inclusive measurement reports by mobile terminals operating in a heterogeneous network. The mobile terminal may be configured to conduct an extended cell search to enable better detection of signals transmitted from weaker cells. For mobile terminal with extended cell search capabilities, the network sends an extended cell search message to the mobile terminal when there is a need for an extended cell search. In response to the extended cell search message, the mobile terminal uses an extended cell search procedure rather than the normal cell search procedure (as specified in Rel-8 of the LTE standard) when performing cell searches. |
| US08892092B2 |
Setup of device to device connection
Disclosed are apparatus, methods and computer programs to establish device-to-device communications in a wireless network. A method includes sending an initiation message from a first device to initiate device-to-device communication with a second device; receiving a message indicating a request for setting up radio resources for device-to-device communication; sending a message to the second device, the message including a request to set up resources for device-to-device communication and, in response to establishing device-to-device communication with the second device using the resources, sending an acknowledgment that device-to-device communication is established. |
| US08892086B2 |
Mobile equipment customization using a single manufacturing configuration
Personalization of a mobile device, including receiving at the mobile device a unique code; selecting, from a plurality of personalization policies stored on the mobile device a personalization policy that corresponds to the unique code; and storing the selected personalization policy in a persistent protected storage element of the mobile device. Customizing a mobile device, including determining at the mobile device a unique code; selecting, from a plurality of customized data sets stored on the mobile device a data set that corresponds to the unique code; and activating the selected data set on the mobile device. |
| US08892083B2 |
System and method for locking and branding a mobile communication device to a network
There is disclosed a system and method for locking and branding a generic mobile communication device to a carrier network. In an embodiment, the method comprises: inserting in the device a subscriber or user identification module specifying a selection of a carrier network to which the mobile communication device is to be wirelessly connected; issuing from the device a request to lock and brand the device to the selected carrier network; in response to the request, receiving a customized configuration file for the selected network containing a device locking command, and one or more branding commands to brand the device to the selected carrier network; executing the device locking command to lock the device to the selected carrier network; and executing the one or more branding commands to brand the device to the selected carrier network with one or more customized features specific to the selected carrier network. |
| US08892078B2 |
Method and system for representing multimedia ring tone for IM
A method and system for presenting an MRT for an IM is provided. In an Instant Messaging Application Server (IM-AS), an MRT presenting rule of the IM is set for a user; when the IM-AS receives an IM from the user, the IM-AS determines, according to the MRT presenting rule of the IM, whether an MRT is to be presented for a receiver of the IM, selects an MRT to be presented from MRT resources of the user when the MRT needs to be presented, and sends address information of the MRT to be presenting in a Resource Server (RS) along with the IM to the IM receiver; and the IM receiver downloads the MRT from the RS according to the address information and presents the MRT. |
| US08892073B2 |
Mobile apparatus
After mount judging unit (110) transits from a state wherein it decides that earphone (200) is not mounted in an ear to a state wherein it decides that earphone (200) is mounted in the ear, if operating unit (120) accepts a preset unlocking operation, then valid/invalid setter (130) makes a setting for validating operations which will subsequently be accepted by operating unit (120). Valid/invalid setter (130) will keep the setting until mount judging unit (110) decides that earphone (200) is not mounted in the ear. If valid/invalid setter (130) makes the validating setting, controller (140) controls mobile device (100) depending on operations accepted by operating unit (120). |
| US08892069B2 |
Method for automatically configuring addresses and/or security data between evolved node Bs (eNBs) of a long term evolution (LTE) access network, and associated mobility management entities (MME) and evolved node B (eNB)
A method is intended for automatically configuring address(es) between eNBs (NBi) of an LTE access network. This method comprises i) transmitting a chosen message to at least one Mobility Management Entity (MME) of a core network connected to the LTE access network, this chosen message including at least one transport layer address of a first eNB (NB1) and/or authentication and/or security data of this first eNB (NB1) for connection to the latter, and ii) relaying within a downlink message an identifier of this first eNB (NB1) and the at least one transport layer address and/or the authentication and/or security data for the connection of this first eNB (NB1) to a set of at least one chosen eNB (NBi). |
| US08892066B2 |
Method and system for providing tiered priority access to communication network resources
Methods and systems automatically allocate cellular communication network resources to emergency response personnel during emergency situations which are detected by call volumes exceeding a predetermined maximum. Access to cellular communication network resources is provided by dedicating a portion of communication channels to emergency response personnel use. By reserving whole communication channels for emergency communication purposes, emergency personnel are able to both initiate and receive calls from both other mobile devices as well as conventional landline telephone stations. Qualified emergency response personnel can preregistered their phones and be assigned personal identification numbers to enable access to allocated network resources. Users can also be registered “on the fly.” |
| US08892062B2 |
Closed-loop efficiency modulation for use in network powered applications
Methods for reducing power dissipation from an input power source in a telecommunications system are disclosed. In one embodiment the method includes: utilizing a first I2C device to monitor an input voltage and input current to a remote unit; providing the input voltage and input current to a main microprocessor for calculating an input power; utilizing a second I2C device to monitor an output voltage and output current from the remote unit; providing the output voltage and output current to the main microprocessor for calculating an output power; calculating a power efficiency of the remote unit at the main microprocessor based on the input power and the output power; utilizing a third I2C device to provide the power efficiency of the remote unit to a digital power manager; and utilizing the digital power manager to control the DA trim output to a DC/DC converter. |
| US08892061B2 |
Methods, devices, and computer program products for tracking receipt and determining effectiveness of radio broadcast signals
Receipt of a radio broadcast signal by a mobile communication device is tracked based on a signal strength measurement signal and location information. The signal strength measurement signal indicate a signal strength of the radio broadcast signal, received via a communication channel and measured at the mobile communication device, over a particular time period. The location information indicates a location of the mobile communication device within a geographic area over the particular time period. Effectiveness of the radio broadcast signal is determined with respect to receipt of the radio broadcast signal by a plurality of mobile communication devices within the geographic area over the particular time period. |
| US08892059B2 |
Wireless communication circuit capable of adaptively adjusting circuit configuration thereof according to change in surroundings and related wireless communication method
A wireless communication circuit includes a sensing unit, a control unit and a wireless communication unit. The sensing unit is for detecting existence of a surrounding object, to generate a sensing signal. The control unit is coupled to the sensing unit, for generating a control signal according to the sensing signal. The wireless communication unit is coupled to the control unit, for adaptively adjusting a circuit configuration of the wireless communication unit according to the control signal. |
| US08892056B2 |
Protocol adaptation layer for wireless communications
Protocol adaptation layer for wireless communications. Communication devices that include one or more radio modules operable in accordance with multiple communication protocols establish communications using one communication protocol and then switch to another communication protocol. This switching to another communication protocol may be performed based on a variety of factors including effectuating communications of higher throughput, supporting uni-directional communications vs. bi-directional communications, or any other desired factor. In some embodiments, various communication devices include two radio modules that are each implemented to operate in accordance with one particular communication protocol. Alternatively, a multi-protocol capable radio module may support and operate in accordance with more than one communication protocol. Examples of possible communication protocols include those compliant with Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, and/or 802.15.3c. |
| US08892055B2 |
Wireless user interface system performance monitoring
What is disclosed is a wireless push button device. The wireless push button device includes a user interface configured to receive user input to control a process of a machine system. The wireless push button device also includes a first transceiver coupled to the user interface and configured to wirelessly receive input power from a second transceiver, provide user power to the user interface, and wirelessly transfer communications related to the user input to the second transceiver. The wireless push button device also includes a processing system configured to determine when a power transfer problem exists between the second transceiver and the first transceiver, and transfer an alert in response to the power transfer problem. |
| US08892054B2 |
Facilitation of delay error correction in timing-based location systems
Systems and methods that facilitate computation of delay error offset information are provided. In one embodiment, a method can include: receiving, by a system including a processor, measurement information indicative of a location of a mobile device; calibrating, by the system, the measurement information resulting in calibrated measurement information; comparing, by the system, the calibrated measurement information and historical calibrated measurement information; and computing, by the system, a measurement error based, at least, on the comparing, wherein the measurement error includes delay error offset information. |
| US08892052B2 |
Methods for determining whether a signal includes a wanted signal and apparatuses configured to determine whether a signal includes a wanted signal
In various embodiments, a method for determining whether a signal includes a wanted signal may be provided. The method may include determining a frequency at which the signal has a signal energy above a first pre-defined signal energy threshold and determining whether the signal includes a wanted signal, based on whether the signal has a signal energy above a second pre-defined signal energy threshold in a pre-defined frequency range in a frequency neighborhood of the determined frequency. |
| US08892048B1 |
Transparent multi-element antenna
An urban environment having many subscribers in close proximity is interconnected by a line of sight wireless network such that individual subscribers connect to an ISP backbone or hub directly or indirectly through other subscribers in the wireless network. A set of subscribers therefore form a multi-node mesh network of line-of-sight adjacency. In an urban environment, line-of-sight adjacency between buildings is facilitated by window placement of transparent directional antennas. High density, high capacity, networks are formed using the transparent directional antennas where transparency facilitates window mounting and directionality reduces received interference and increases capacity. Each subscriber employs a configuration for communication “upstream” towards the ISP and “downstream” to other subscriber nodes. Each subscriber node includes one or more radios for communication upstream and downstream, a router, and a transparent directional antenna for communication with adjacent nodes. |
| US08892046B2 |
Automobile communication system
In an aspect, in general, an automobile communication system includes a first signal input for receiving an input signal from a sensor, a second signal input for receiving a first signal representing a rotational frequency associated with a portion of an engine of the automobile, an engine noise estimation module, and a transmitter. The engine noise estimation module is configured to determine an estimate of an engine-related component of the input signal based on the input signal and the first signal and to form a modified input signal. The engine noise estimation module includes a signal combination module configured to form the modified input signal, including combining the estimate of the engine-related component with the input signal. The transmitter is configured to transmit the modified input signal as part of an outgoing communication. |
| US08892044B2 |
Reception apparatus and transmission apparatus for supporting scalable bandwidth in carrier aggregation environment
Provided are a reception apparatus and transmission apparatus for supporting a scalable bandwidth in a carrier aggregation environment. The reception apparatus and transmission apparatus can link carrier aggregation technology and scalable bandwidth technology by supporting a scalable bandwidth having different bandwidths in size in a carrier aggregation environment, thereby enhancing compatibility between different wireless communication systems. |
| US08892038B2 |
Method for searching and connecting Bluetooth devices and apparatus using the same
A Bluetooth master device is capable of performing search and connection method for Bluetooth devices. The Bluetooth master device receives device information from at least one Bluetooth device in response to a Bluetooth device search request made by a user. A responding Bluetooth device that is capable of providing a Bluetooth service in a preset service list is selected. The Bluetooth master device sends a name request signal to the selected Bluetooth device and displays a device name received from the selected Bluetooth device. |
| US08892036B1 |
Providing an indication of a wireless accessory status
A communications device is configured to alert its user when the status of a wireless accessory meets certain conditions. In an example embodiment, when the wireless accessory is removed beyond the proximate area where the communications device is located, the communications device issues an alert to indicate that the communications device may be moving away from the wireless accessory or the wireless accessory may be moving away from the communications device. An exemplary situation includes the user of a mobile phone and a wireless headset accessory. In the example, the user keeps the mobile phone on his or her person. If the user puts down the wireless headset and walks away from the wireless headset, the mobile phone alerts the user. |
| US08892032B2 |
Method and system for managing data in a near field communication network
A method and system for managing data between a plurality of electronic devices in a Near Field Communication (NFC) network are provided. The method is performed at a first electronic device. A request is received from a second electronic device to send context data. The context data is then represented in accordance with a context Record Type Definition (RTD). The context RTD is used for defining context data in the NFC network. The context data that is represented in accordance with the context RTD is exchanged with the second electronic device. |
| US08892029B2 |
Method for buffer status report reporting, relay node, E-UTRAN NodeEB, and system
The present invention discloses a method for BSR reporting, a relay node, an E-UTRAN NodeB, and a system, which are applied in the field of communications. In the present invention, a BSR reporting manner of an RN is configured according to the number of UEs managed by the RN, and a BSR is sent to a D-eNB Donor eNB according to the configured BSR reporting manner. The present invention effectively solves the problem that currently the existing BSR mechanism is not applicable to an interface between an RN and a D-eNB. |
| US08892026B2 |
Satellite signal frequency translation and stacking
An outdoor satellite receiving unit (ODU) receives several independent satellite signals, selects two signals with a switch matrix, downconverts the two signals to a bandstacked signal with a high and a low band signal, and outputs the bandstacked signal on the same cable to receiver units. Several satellite signals can be selected in groups of two or more and output to independent receiver units. Signal selecting is performed at the received radio frequency (RF) and bandstacking is performed with a single downconversion step to an intermediate frequency (IF). Channel stacking on the same cable of more than two channels from several satellites can be achieved by using frequency agile downconverters and bandpass filters prior to combining at the IF output. A slow transitioning switch minimizes signal disturbances when switching and maintains input impedance at a constant value. |
| US08892025B2 |
Radio receiver and method for receiving and playing signals from multiple broadcast channels
A radio receiver may comprise a receiver adaptable for receiving a plurality of broadcast streams over a plurality of broadcast channels, wherein the receiver will attempt to receive a selected broadcast stream on a selected broadcast channel, and if the selected broadcast stream is not receivable on the selected broadcast channel, the receiver will attempt to receive the selected broadcast stream on an alternative broadcast channel. A computer readable medium may allow a user of a receiver to create a composite stream comprising at least one portion selected from each of at least two of a plurality of broadcast streams. A method of open interface merge replication may involve comparing data between first and second databases, and if a conflict exists, updating one of the first and second databases with at least a portion of data from the other of the first and second databases to resolve the conflict. |
| US08892024B2 |
Image forming apparatus and cartridge
An image forming apparatus or cartridge is provided that includes an image carrier configured to be rotated while carrying a developer and transfer the developer onto a recording sheet at a transfer position. The image forming apparatus or cartridge may include a separating member disposed downstream from the transfer position in a rotating direction of the image carrier. The separating member may include a contact portion configured to contact the image carrier to separate the recording sheet from the image carrier, and an aperture configured to allow the developer to pass through the separating member from a first side of the separating member to a second side of the separating member opposite the first side, wherein the aperture is positioned farther away from the image carrier than the contact portion. |
| US08892021B2 |
Image forming apparatus, protective agent supplying member and protective layer forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes at least: an image bearing member; a protective layer forming unit including at least a protective agent supplying member and an image bearing member protective agent; and a rotational speed controlling unit. In at least one embodiment, the protective agent supplying member includes a core material and a foam layer including a plurality of cells, and a number of cells n existing at a contact portion between a surface of the image bearing member and the protective agent supplying member is greater than 9 and less than 23. Further, a traveling speed V of the cells with respect to the surface of the image bearing member at the contact portion is greater than 837 cells/mm2/s and less than 4,670 cells/mm2/s. |
| US08892019B2 |
Image forming apparatus and gloss control method
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium includes a fixing unit configured to fix on a recording medium, a toner image formed on the recording medium, through heating and pressurization and a gloss control unit configured to lower gloss of a surface of the toner image by charging the surface of the toner image fixed onto the recording medium and heating the toner image such that toner contained in the toner image reaches a softening point or higher thereof. |
| US08892017B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a magnetic-field generating unit that generates a magnetic field; a substantially cylindrical fixing rotational body that faces the magnetic-field generating unit, generates heat by electromagnetic induction of the magnetic field, and melts and fixes a developer image to a recording medium; a temperature-sensitive contact part that contacts an inner side of the fixing rotational body, and faces the magnetic-field generating unit, its permeability decreasing if its temperature becomes a permeability-change start temperature or higher; and a temperature-sensitive non-contact part arranged at the inner side of the fixing rotational body to face the magnetic-field generating unit in a range different from the contact part, and spaced from the fixing rotational body. An angle defined by the contact part and the center of the fixing rotational body is 60° or larger. |
| US08892014B2 |
Fixing device including movable peeling plate
According to one embodiment, a fixing device includes: an image-side rotating section to come into contact with an unfixed image on a recording medium; a pressing section to form a nip between the pressing section and the image-side rotating section; a pressing adjusting section to adjust pressing force between the image-side rotating section and the pressing section; and a peeling plate to move to a position during jam treatment if the pressing force is pressing force during the jam treatment and peel the recording medium off the image-side rotating section. |
| US08892009B2 |
Developing device, image forming apparatus and image forming method
Provided is a developing device including a pair of developer holding members that include a pair of cylinder members, which are disposed close to each other and rotate in the same direction at an adjacent gap at which both cylinder members are in close proximity, and a pair of magnetic force generation sections which are provided inside the pair of cylinder members respectively and generate magnetic forces for holding a developer on the cylinder members, and a pair of developing magnetic poles that are provided in the pair of magnetic force generation sections respectively, are disposed to be opposed to a latent image holding member, and are set to have the same polarity. |
| US08892006B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus including the same
Provided is a developing device including: a first helical blade; a second helical blade formed at the same blade pitch as a blade pitch of the first helical blade; a developer discharge port for discharging surplus developer; and a regulating member formed in a reverse phase with respect to the first helical blade. When a proximity portion is at a position facing a communication portion, a blade apex portion of the second helical blade is arranged to fall within a range of from a position facing an end surface portion of the communication portion on a downstream side of the second conveyance path to a position immediately before a position facing the proximity portion, which is reached in accordance with a phase shift of the second helical blade. A first stirring member and a second stirring member are driven at the same rotational speed. |
| US08892005B2 |
Printer charging blades and printers
Printer charging blades and printers are disclosed. An example charging blade for a printer includes an insulating layer to contact a photo imaging surface at an angle to apply pressure to the photo imaging surface, the pressure to control an amount of material present on the photo imaging surface, and a conductive layer attached to a side of the insulating layer, the conductive layer to be charged and to apply a first charge to the photo imaging surface. |
| US08892003B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus 100 includes: a common voltage-applying unit 8 that applies a voltage to charging-assistant members 7Y, 7M, and 7C of a plurality of image forming portions PY, PM, and PC; and a control unit 110, at the start of applying a voltage to the charging-assistant members of the plurality of image forming portions by the voltage-applying unit 8, switches the absolute value of the applied voltage from a smaller first value to a larger second value when images are formed by the plurality of image forming portions. |
| US08892002B2 |
Image forming apparatus having photosensitive drum moving mechanism
A holder is movable in a horizontal direction between an internal position within the main casing and an external position outside of a main casing. The holder has a first opening extending in the horizontal direction. A drum unit is configured to be held by the holder and is movable in a vertical direction with respect to the holder. The drum unit includes a photosensitive drum having an axis extending in an axial direction, a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion in the axial direction. A particular pressure member is positioned in confrontation with the drum unit and urges the first end portion upward through the first opening to permit the photosensitive drum to be in contact with an endless belt when the holder is in the internal position. |
| US08892000B2 |
Image forming device capable of easily detaching and attaching developer cartridge relative to main casing
An image forming device includes a permitting unit and a moving unit. The permitting unit selectively establishes a first positional relationship in which photosensitive members contact an endless belt and a second positional relationship in which the photosensitive members separate from the endless belt. The moving unit moves a charger between a first position confronting the corresponding photosensitive member at a rear side thereof in a juxtaposed direction and a second position moved away from the first position. The endless belt confronts the photosensitive members at a top side thereof in an orthogonal direction. Each developer cartridge confronts the corresponding photosensitive member at a bottom side thereof. The developer cartridge is attachable to and detachable from a main casing while moved past a front side of the corresponding photosensitive member when the second positional relationship is established and the neighboring charger is in the second position. |
| US08891999B2 |
Cleaning member and charging device, unit for image forming apparatus and process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A cleaning member includes a core member, a foamed elastic layer in which fillers are filled in bubbles of a foamed elastic layer that are present at a surface of a side opposing to an outer circumferential surface of the core member in at least one side or both sides of ends in a longitudinal direction in the foamed elastic layer that is disposed so as to helically wind a strip shaped foamed elastic member from one end of the core member to the other end thereof in the outer circumferential surface of the core member, and a bonding layer that bonds the core member and the foamed elastic layer. |
| US08891998B2 |
Image forming apparatus including louvers for directing airflow
An image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a fan, a first louver, and a second louver. The first louver includes first rectifier vanes that direct airflow produced by the fan. The second louver is located on an inner side of an apparatus body with respect to the first louver and faces the first louver in such a manner as to overlap the first louver in a direction of an axis of rotation of the fan. The second louver includes second rectifier vanes that direct the airflow produced by the fan. Each of the first rectifier vanes and a corresponding one of the second rectifier vanes that is adjacent thereto extend in one plane inclining at a specific angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the fan. |
| US08891996B2 |
Power supply module and image forming apparatus including same
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer unit, a control circuit board, and a power supply module detachably attachable relative to the image forming apparatus. The image bearing member bears a toner image on a surface thereof. The transfer unit includes a transfer device to transfer the toner image onto a recording medium and is disposed opposite the image bearing member. The control circuit board controls the transfer unit. The power supply module is disposed in the transfer unit and includes a power source to apply, between the image bearing member and the transfer device, an AC-DC superimposed bias in which an alternating voltage (AC) is superimposed on a direct current (DC) voltage to form a transfer electric field to transfer the toner image from the image bearing member onto the recording medium. |
| US08891994B2 |
Image forming apparatus forming toner patch image on image carrier
An image forming apparatus includes a secondary transfer belt that rotates, an imaging unit for forming a patch image of toner on the secondary transfer belt, and an upstream brush and a downstream brush coming into contact with the secondary transfer belt in a rotating state to remove the patch image from on the secondary transfer belt. A length p of the patch image formed by the imaging unit along a rotational direction of the secondary transfer belt, a distance b1 over which the secondary transfer belt rotates while the upstream brush makes one turn, and a distance b2 over which the secondary transfer belt rotates while the downstream brush makes one turn satisfy an expression: p≦|b1−b2|. |
| US08891993B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of reducing a toner consumption amount by performing toner supply control
In an image forming apparatus, to provide a lubrication effect for an abutment portion of a transfer belt and a belt cleaning blade, when a control toner image is supplied, the control toner image is supplied to the abutment portion even when it is not necessary, thereby consuming a large amount of toner. In the image forming apparatus, the control unit changes a toner amount of the control toner image reaching the abutment portion of a photosensitive member and a photosensitive member cleaning blade and the toner amount thereof reaching the abutment portion of a transfer belt and a belt cleaning blade, based on a detection result of an environment detection unit. |
| US08891991B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus
A developing device includes first and second magnet members respectively including first and second transfer magnetic poles that have different polarities, that generate a magnetic force for transferring a developer from a first developer-transporting member to a second developer-transporting member, and that are located at positions where the developer-transporting members come close to each other, wherein (B1×B2)/L2 is less than about 400 where L represents a distance (mm) between an outer peripheral surface portion of the first developer-transporting member, the portion facing the first transfer magnetic pole, and an outer peripheral surface portion of the second developer-transporting member, the portion facing the second transfer magnetic pole, and B1 and B2 (mT) respectively represent maximum magnetic flux densities of the first and second transfer magnetic poles in a normal line direction on outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second developer-transporting members. |
| US08891984B2 |
Color image forming apparatus
The image forming apparatus includes process units that are closely arranged around respective photosensitive members and act on the photosensitive members, a light emission section that forms an electrostatic latent image for detection on the photosensitive member and a detection section that detects that the electrostatic latent image passes through a position facing the process unit, and a control section that performs misregistration correction control based on the detection result. |
| US08891982B2 |
Network printer system
Electronic systems, such as printing systems, often use components that have integral memory. The integral memory can be used to store information about the component. In some printing systems this memory includes a portion that stores a value indicative of a print yield. Disclosed is a method and system for allowing the memory to have data indicative of an increased print yield. |
| US08891980B2 |
Digital demodulator architecture
Methods, systems, and devices are described for a digital demodulator device for processing received optical signals. The device may include a quadrature error filter that receives a digitized version of an optical signal, and removes quadrature errors to generate a filtered series of data samples. The device may also include a frequency offset removal module for performing frequency rotation on the filtered series of data samples. The device may include a chromatic dispersion compensation module which removes chromatic dispersion from horizontal and vertical polarization channels. The device may include a polarization mode dispersion (PMD)/polarization dependent loss (PDL) compensation module which compensates for interference caused by PMD and PDL. The device may also include a phase recovery module configured to track and correct phase. |
| US08891975B2 |
Optical receiver and optical transmitter
There is provided an optical receiver. The optical receiver includes a board to be coupled with an optical transmission line array, an optical diode array disposed on the board, and the optical diode array including a plurality of photo diodes each of which receives light from a corresponding optical transmission line in the optical transmission array. Further bias suppliers, conversion circuits, and capacitors are provided on the board or a real side of the board. Each of the photo diodes includes a first electrode and second electrodes, the first electrode receives a bias voltage supplied by a bias supplier, a current signal flowing through the second electrode is converted by a conversion circuit into a voltage signal, and one end of a capacitor is coupled to the first electrode and the other is grounded. |
| US08891974B2 |
Distortion compensation circuit including tunable phase path
A distortion compensation circuit compensates for distortion generated by one or more non-linear elements such as a laser device and/or an optical fiber and may include a primary signal path for carrying an input signal and a secondary signal paths for generating distortion. The distortion compensation circuit may also include a controllable phase inverters and a tunable filter. For example, the secondary signal path may include a distortion generator to produce distortion products from the input signal and a signal controlled phase inverter that inverts the phase of the distortion products and a tunable filter that adjusts the phase of the frequency dependent distortion. The phase inversion and tunable filter may be controlled in response to control signals generated based on one or more parameters such as, for example, laser power, input RF channel loading, temperature, and fiber length. |
| US08891971B1 |
Signal quality in bi-directional optical links using optical circulators
Implementations of an apparatus including an optical circuit switch (OCS) having a plurality of OCS input/output ports, at least one optical circulator having a port optically coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of OCS input/output ports and a reflection mitigation positioned in the optical path between each optical circulator port and its corresponding OCS input/output port and/or in the optical path inside the OCS. A corresponding optical transceiver is optically coupled to each of the at least one optical circulators. Each optical transceiver includes a transmitter optically coupled to one port of the optical circulator and a receiver optically coupled to another port of the optical circulator. |
| US08891970B2 |
Modular optical device with mixed signal interface
A controller for optical components. A controller includes mixed signal interface that is configured to connect to an optical component external to the controller. The mixed signal interface is able to deliver and/or receive signals to and/or from the optical component. The controller includes a digital interface that is able to connect to a memory external to the controller. The digital interface may receive a digital representation of operating characteristics of the optical component. The controller is configured to deliver and/or receive signals to and/or from the optical component based on the digital representation of operating characteristics. |
| US08891967B2 |
Method for energy efficient reoptimization of optical networks
In optical networks new links are added between nodes over time to satisfy the increasing traffic demands of the network. Existing links are normally not changed, resulting in a network that does not have the lowest energy consumption. A method provides a way to reduce the energy consumption of the overall network while supporting the required traffic demands at all times. The network includes a multiple source nodes, and multiple destination nodes. The network is represented by a graph of nodes connected by edges, wherein each node represents an optical network element and each edge represents a path connecting two optical network elements. Each edge is labeled with a demand. The non-bridge edge with a lowest demand is removed from the graph, and the lowest demand is added to the non-bridge edge with a highest demand. These steps are repeated until a termination condition is reached. |
| US08891962B2 |
Optical switching apparatus and method for an eNB
The present invention provides an optical switching apparatus and method of an eNB. The above apparatus includes: a fiber transceiver module (102), configured to receive an optical signal which carries transmission address information from the source input end (101) and transmit the optical signal; a transmission address module (103), configured to receive the above optical signal, query routing, and manage and maintain transmission address(s); a switching control module (104), configured to obtain the transmission address information of the optical signal, analyze and select an optical switching mode, and transmit a routing control signal which carries the transmission address information and the optical switching mode; and an optical switching and routing module (105), configured to receive the above optical signal and transmit the same to a destination output end (106) by the fiber transceiver module (102), receive the routing control signal of the switching control module (104), select a routing and transmit the optical signal to the destination output end (106). According to the present invention, the RRU and the BBU of the eNB can communicate with devices of the BBU and the RRU of the different manufacturers, can be applied to the multi-mode base station, and can adapt to the different mode; therefore the transmission distance is enlarged. |
| US08891961B2 |
Optical communication device, wavelength number measurement device, optical repeater, and wavelength number measurement method
In an optical communication device, a light source is capable of varying the wavelength of light to be output. An optical multiplexer multiplexes light output from the light source with signal light received from a transmission path. To an optical medium, light output from the optical multiplexer is input. A monitor monitors light having a predetermined wavelength output from the optical medium. A wavelength number measuring unit measures the number of wavelengths of signal light transmitted through the transmission path based on the result of monitoring by the monitor. |
| US08891957B2 |
Method and system for fault recovery in an optical network
A method of managing fault recovery in a trunk-branched OADM network may include determining that an optical power level over data channels of a first communications link between a first and a second terminal of the branched optical network exceeds an optical power limit. The method may further include increasing optical power sent over spare channels of the first communications link to a first level at which the optical power level over the data channels decreases to a second level below the optical power limit. |
| US08891950B2 |
Moving body photographing system, moving body photographing apparatus, moving body photographing method and moving body photographing program
A moving body photographing system, apparatus, method and program wherein an individual can easily take a photograph while operating the moving body. A portable terminal moves together with a moving body and includes a moving body photographing module for inputting a condition when the moving body is to be photographed to reserve photographing. A wireless communication section and a moving body communication section transmit information representing the inputted condition and representing a position of the portable terminal to a management apparatus and a photographing apparatus. The management apparatus and the photographing apparatus include a wireless position measurement section for measuring a position of the moving body moving together with the portable terminal. A camera apparatus is provided for photographing the moving body in accordance with a condition inputted to the portable terminal based on the position information of the moving body measured by the moving body position measurement means. |
| US08891947B2 |
Fragrance dispenser
A fragrance dispenser includes a housing and a plurality of heating elements disposed in the housing. A controller is disposed in the housing to control an amount and temporal distribution of power distributed to each heating element. Prongs extend from the housing to provide power to the controller. A volatile material holder is held within the housing and includes a plurality of reservoirs adapted to align with the corresponding plurality of heating elements, wherein each of the plurality of reservoirs includes a volatile material. A mode selector switch is disposed on the housing. A setting of the mode selector switch at least partly determines the amount and temporal distribution of power distributed by the controller to each heating element. The setting includes at least one of a sequential setting, a concurrent setting, and a combined sequential and concurrent setting. |
| US08891944B2 |
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. |
| US08891942B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatically generating a tilt-shift effect in a video
A computer implemented method and apparatus for automatically generating a tilt-shift effect in a video. The method comprises detecting one or more objects within a sequence of frames; determining a movement of the one or more objects; determining a direction of the determined movement of the one or more objects; generating a polygon around the one or more moving objects; and applying a blur effect to areas of the frame that are outside of each generated polygon. |
| US08891938B2 |
Methods of playing/recording moving picture using caption search and image processing apparatuses employing the method
Provided are image processing methods and apparatuses for playing/recording a moving picture using caption search, which are capable of easily playing and recording the moving picture from a desired location by searching through captions of the moving picture. The method searches for a caption corresponding to a search key word among captions of the moving picture based on the search key word, displays a search-result list, and records at least one item included in the displayed search-result list according to a selected recording mode. Accordingly, a desired location of the moving picture can be played and/or recorded through caption search. Because the moving picture can be played from a predetermined location using caption search and a user's voice can be recorded and output, efficient foreign-language learning may be possible. |
| US08891936B2 |
Method and device for optimal playback positioning in digital content
A method and device for optimal playback positioning in video content are provided. The present disclosure relates to a mechanism of tagging scenes or significant points in content in a prioritized way, and defines a mechanism to utilize this tagging associated with the content to facilitate stopping or starting at appropriate points for playback, e.g., when pressing a scene skip button to jump forward or back to another scene, or when pressing Play after inputting a fast-forward or rewind instruction. The method and device provide for displaying video content at a playback speed for viewing, receiving a first navigation instruction to navigate the video content at a speed faster than the playback speed for viewing, receiving a second navigation instruction to displaying of the video content, and determining a playback position of the video content based on at least one tagged frame of the video content. |
| US08891935B2 |
Multi-video rendering for enhancing user interface usability and user experience
In a user interface a plurality of videos are simultaneously played for the purpose of allowing a user to select the desired video on the basis of a plurality of played frames. |
| US08891932B2 |
Amplification module for an optical printed circuit board and an optical printed circuit board
The invention provides an amplification module for an optical printed circuit board, the optical printed circuit board including plural polymer waveguide sections from independent waveguides, each of the sections being doped with an amplifying dopant, wherein the plural waveguide sections are routed so as to pass through an amplification zone in which the plural polymer waveguide sections are arranged close or adjacent to one another, the amplification module including: a pump source including plural light sources arranged to provide independently controllable levels of pump radiation to each of the plural waveguide sections. In an embodiment, the amplification module also includes plural polymer waveguide sections corresponding to the plural polymer waveguides of the printed circuit board on which in use the amplification module is to be arranged, each of the sections being doped with an amplifying dopant. |
| US08891930B2 |
Fiber management frames having modular tray holder
A fiber management frame for a fiber optic closure having a removable tray holder configured to mount a fiber optic tray offset from a fiber management interface. The tray holder has optical fibers mounted thereon and can be mounted and/or removed from the fiber management interface without interfering with optical fibers mounted on the fiber management interface. The fiber management interface defines a first slack storage area for a first group of optical fibers. The removable tray holder defines a second slack storage area for a second group of optical fibers offset from the fiber management interface. The fiber optic tray can be mounted to or removed from the fiber management interface without interfering with the first group of optical fibers. |
| US08891929B2 |
Sliding holder having flexible cable support
A device includes a support, a first slide element slidably mounted on the support and shiftable in a first direction from a retracted position to an extended position relative to the support, and a flexible member having first and second ends and a central portion. The first end is attached to the first slide element, the second end is fixedly mounted to the support, and the central portion projects away from the first and second ends in the second direction. The second end remains fixed to the support and the first end moves with the first slide element when the first slide element is shifted from the retracted position to the extended position. |
| US08891924B2 |
Magnetic-anchored robotic system
A surgical system includes an external anchor, an internal anchor and an instrument. The external anchor is adapted to be positioned outside a body. The internal anchor is adapted to be inserted into the body via a single entrance port, positioned inside the body and magnetically coupled with the external anchor. The instrument is adapted to be inserted into the body via the single entrance port and secured to the internal anchor. The instrument includes an end-effector that has multiple degrees of movement via multiple axes. |
| US08891923B2 |
Perforated water-blocking element
The present invention provides optical-fiber communication cables with an improved water-blocking element that reduces or eliminates microbending caused by the water-swellable particulate powders by employing such water-swellable powders in conjunction with a smooth but perforated compression-resistant carrier tape. The water-blocking element is deployed within optical-fiber buffer tubes to water-block the buffer tubes and to minimize microbending that can occur when water-swellable particulate powders press against optical fibers. |
| US08891922B2 |
Scalable reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer
A system and methods are disclosed for a hybrid silicon-organic scalable reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer. An embodiment of a scalable reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) includes an optical bus for optical signals of different wavelengths, a plurality of add/drop optical waveguides, and a plurality of ring resonators, each being optically coupled to the optical bus and to one of the add/drop optical waveguides. The ring resonators are coated with an organic electro-optic cladding layer and are configured to switch wavelength selected optical signals between the optical bus and the add/drop optical waveguides in response to control voltages applied to the organic electro-optic cladding layer. The individual ring resonators of the ROADM can be independently modulated and tuned to filter specific wavelengths. |
| US08891920B2 |
Method and device for optically coupling optical fibres
An optical assembly comprising (10) an optical coupler (12) defining a coupler first end section (18), a substantially opposed coupler second end section (20) and a coupler intermediate section (22) therebetween; a coupler passageway (24) extending in the coupler intermediate section (22) and also through at least a portion of the coupler second end section (20) and defining a passageway second end aperture (30) leading into the coupler passageway (24); a coupler peripheral surface (26) extending peripherally to the coupler passageway (24) in the coupler intermediate section (22); and a coupler lateral aperture (28) extending between the coupler passageway (24) and the coupler peripheral surface (26) in the coupler intermediate section (22). A first end optical fiber (14) is optically coupled to the optical coupler (12) in the coupler first end section (18) for allowing propagation of light between the optical coupler (12) and the first end optical fiber (14). An inside optical fiber (16) extends through the coupler lateral aperture (28) and at least part of the coupler passageway (24) in a direction leading toward the passageway second end aperture (30). |
| US08891913B1 |
Heterogeneous semiconductor photonic integrated circuit with multiple offset heights
Embodiments of the invention describe heterogeneous photonic integrated circuits (PIC) wherein a first silicon region is separated from the heterogeneous semiconductor material by a first distance, and a second silicon region is separated from the heterogeneous semiconductor material by a second distance greater than the first distance.Thus embodiments of the invention may be described as, in heterogeneous regions of a heterogeneous PIC, silicon waveguides using multiple heights of the silicon waveguide, or other structures with multiple offset heights between silicon and heterogeneous materials (as described herein). |
| US08891912B2 |
Optical ribbon and method of forming same
An optical ribbon (20) includes at least one optical fiber and a conformal coating at least substantially encapsulating said at least one optical fiber. The optical ribbon is flat and has a generally curved section (42) which can be routed around components (40) on a printed wiring board (22) or can be used as a built-in ferrule retermination loop. |
| US08891908B2 |
Semantic-aware co-indexing for near-duplicate image retrieval
An image retrieval method includes learning multiple object category classifiers with a processor offline and generating classifications scores of images as the semantic attributes; performing vocabulary tree based image retrieval using local features with semantic-aware co-indexing to jointly embed two distinct cues offline for near-duplicate image retrieval; and identifying top similar or dissimilar images using multiple semantic attributes. |
| US08891907B2 |
System and method of identifying visual objects
A system and method of identifying objects is provided. In one aspect, the system and method includes a hand-held device with a display, camera and processor. As the camera captures images and displays them on the display, the processor compares the information retrieved in connection with one image with information retrieved in connection with subsequent images. The processor uses the result of such comparison to determine the object that is likely to be of greatest interest to the user. The display simultaneously displays the images the images as they are captured, the location of the object in an image, and information retrieved for the object. |
| US08891906B2 |
Pixel-adaptive interpolation algorithm for image upscaling
Methods and apparatuses use a pixel-adaptive interpolation algorithm to provide image upscaling. For each pixel location, the algorithm determines whether to use a high quality scaler algorithm (such as a polyphase filter, for example) or a directional interpolator to determine the pixel value. The determination of the appropriate interpolation algorithm is based on whether the pixel is determined to be an edge. If the pixel is determined to be an edge, the pixel-adaptive interpolation algorithm may use the directional interpolator to process the pixel; otherwise, the pixel is processed using a scaler algorithm. |
| US08891905B2 |
Boundary-based high resolution depth mapping
Systems and methods which provide generation of high resolution depth maps from low resolution depth information using boundary-based processing techniques are disclosed. Boundary-based depth processing provided by embodiments implements boundary detection and boundary-based interpolation algorithms for providing high resolution depth information from low resolution depth information and high resolution image information. Boundary detection algorithms are implemented according to embodiments to detect object boundaries (e.g., depth discontinuities), where the low resolution depth samples are typically inaccurate and generally in need of refining. Boundary-based interpolation algorithms are implemented according to embodiments of the invention to refine intermediate upsampled depth information (e.g., spatially interpolated low resolution depth information), using the boundary information provided by a boundary detection algorithm, and provide high resolution depth information. |
| US08891904B2 |
System and method for scaling digital images
Methods, computer devices, and computer readable media containing instructions for executing such methods are provided for the modification of digital images having a plurality of visual elements. |
| US08891900B2 |
Frame-based coordinate space transformations of graphical image data in an image processing system
What is disclosed are a novel system and method for transforming coordinates in an image processing system. In one embodiment, image data is received in a first coordinate space and second coordinate space information is received. A first selection is made, based on a set of relative coordinate space mappings, to select at least a first transformation for mapping of the image data in the first coordinate space to an intermediate image canonical coordinate space using at least a first coordinate change matrix. The intermediate image canonical coordinate space has coordinates which are independent of the image processing system. A second selection is made, based on the set of relative coordinate space mappings, to select at least a second transformation for mapping from the intermediate image canonical coordinate space to the second coordinate space using at least a second coordinate change matrix to transform the intermediate image canonical coordinate space. |
| US08891899B2 |
Methods, systems and apparatuses for pixel value correction using multiple vertical and/or horizontal correction curves
Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for approximating vertical and horizontal correction values in a pixel value correction calculation. Multiple vertical and/or horizontal correction curves are used and may be employed for one or more color channels of the imager. The use of multiple correction curves allows for a more accurate approximation of the correction curves for image pixels. |
| US08891893B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding image by using large transform unit
An apparatus for decoding an image, the apparatus including an entropy decoder that performs entropy-decoding to obtain quantized transformation coefficients of at least one transformation unit in a coding unit of the image, a decoder that determines a prediction mode of at least one prediction unit in the coding unit from information indicating the prediction mode for the at least one prediction unit, when the prediction mode is determined to be an inter prediction mode, not in an intra prediction mode, determines a size of the at least one transformation unit in the coding unit regardless of a size of the at least one prediction unit in the coding unit, and performs inverse-quantization and inverse-transformation on the quantized transformation coefficients of the at least one transformation unit to obtain residuals, and a restorer that performs inter prediction for at least one prediction unit in the coding unit to generate a predictor and restores the image by using the residuals and the predictor. |
| US08891892B2 |
Image encoding method using adaptive preprocessing scheme
The present invention relates to an image encoding method using an adaptive preprocessing scheme, including loading an input image for each frame, determining an encoding type of each of the frames, determining the size of a block to be encoded in each frame according to the determined encoding type, determining blocks that can be replicated from the blocks having the determined size and performing an intra-picture replication preprocessing or inter-picture replication preprocessing procedure on the determined blocks according to the encoding types of the frames, and encoding the frames on which the preprocessing procedure has been performed. |
| US08891891B2 |
Coding structure
Apparatuses and techniques relating to encoding a video are provided. An encoding device includes a motion coding module configured to determine a coding block level for processing an image data, and further configured to determine a block formation for a motion coding of the image data according to the coding block level; and a texture coding module configured to determine a block size for a texture coding of the image data according to the block formation to thereby generate a coded bit stream. |
| US08891890B2 |
Recording medium having recorded thereon coded information using plus and/or minus rounding of images
A method of decoding images including: extracting motion vector information from input information to be decoded; synthesizing a prediction image by performing motion compensation using the motion vector information and a reference image which is a previously decoded image; and synthesizing a decoded image by adding the prediction image to an error image, wherein the motion compensation includes specifying either a positive rounding method or a negative rounding method for interpolating intensity values of pixels in performing the motion compensation. |
| US08891886B2 |
Method of and apparatus for encoding data
A graphics texture data encoding arrangement in which the texels in a texel block 30 to be encoded are divided into different partitions within the block. A reference partitioning pattern for a texel block to be encoded is generated by using a partitioning function 32 to partition the data values for the texels into a number of data value partitions, and then sorting the individual texels in the texel block into respective partitions 33 based on their values. A set of predefined partitioning patterns 35 that the encoding scheme supports is then compared 36 to the generated reference partitioning pattern. The predefined partitioning pattern that best matches 39 the generated reference partitioning pattern is then used 42 to encode the block of texels. |
| US08891882B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method
There is provided an image processing apparatus including a zero class detecting unit that detects a zero class in which an appearance frequency of a pixel value is zero from among a plurality of classes into which pixel values of an image are classified according to pixel value magnitude, and a non-zero class converting unit that converts the zero class into a non-zero class in which the appearance frequency of the pixel value is one or more, without updating a total number of the classes, by updating a range of the zero class detected by the zero class detecting unit. The present disclosure can be applied to an image processing apparatus. |
| US08891880B2 |
Person clothing feature extraction device, person search device, and processing method thereof
A person's region is detected from input video of a surveillance camera; a person's direction in the person's region is determined; the separability of person's clothes is determined to generate clothing segment separation information; furthermore, clothing features representing visual features of person's clothes in the person's region are extracted in consideration of the person's direction and the clothing segment separation information. The person's direction is determined based on a person's face direction, person's motion, and clothing symmetry. The clothing segment separation information is generated based on analysis information regarding a geometrical shape of the person's region and visual segment information representing person's clothing segments which are visible based on the person's region and background prior information. A person is searched out based on a result of matching between a clothing query text, representing a type and a color of person's clothes, and the extracted person's clothing features. |
| US08891874B1 |
Legibility analysis of text in an electronic document
Legibility of text in an electronic document is analyzed. The analysis involves no more than the following three parameters: tracking between letters in the text; leading between lines of the text; and visual luminance contrast between the letters and text background. |
| US08891870B2 |
Substance subtraction in a scene based on hyperspectral characteristics
A method of removing a hyperspectral signature from at least one hyperspectral image, includes among other things, selecting a hyperspectral signature and determining a dissimilarity value between each pixel in the at least one hyperspectral image and the selected at least one hyperspectral signature. If the dissimilarity value between the signature of a given pixel in the at least one hyperspectral image and the selected at least one hyperspectral signature is less than a predetermined threshold value then the value of the signature for the given pixel is set to zero to create a signature-subtracted hyperspectral image. |
| US08891865B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, and storage medium for performing a gradation correction operation in a color space
An image processing device (100) includes a gradation correction value acquiring unit (12) that acquires a gradation correction value representing a ratio of a luminance component of an input image and a luminance component of an output image, a chroma analyzing unit (13) that calculates a chroma correction value, in which the total sum of degrees of chroma discrepancy between an analysis image equal to or different from the input image and a corrected image obtained by correcting a luminance component of the analysis image on the basis of one or more gradation correction values is the minimum, in correspondence with the gradation correction value, and an image output unit (14) that outputs as the output image an image obtained by correcting the input image received by the image input unit (11) on the basis of the gradation correction value acquired by the gradation correction value acquiring unit (12) and the chroma correction value correlated with the gradation correction value. |
| US08891864B2 |
User-aided image segmentation
Some embodiments provide a program that provides a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI includes a display area for displaying an image that includes several pixels. Each pixel includes a set of pixel values in a three-dimensional color space. The GUI includes a first selectable GUI item for activating a color masking tool (1) for selecting a set of pixels in the image and (2) for defining a three-dimensional volume to encompass the pixel values of the set of pixels in the three-dimensional color space. The three-dimensional volume serves as an approximation of a rectangular cuboid that has at least one rounded corner. The GUI includes a second selectable GUI item for applying a color correction operation to the image by modifying pixels in the image that have pixel values encompassed by the three-dimensional volume in the three-dimensional color space. |
| US08891863B2 |
High dynamic range, backwards-compatible, digital cinema
HDR images are coded and distributed. An initial HDR image is received. Processing the received HDR image creates a JPEG-2000 DCI-compliant coded baseline image and an HDR-enhancement image. The coded baseline image has one or more color components, each of which provide enhancement information that allows reconstruction of an instance of the initial HDR image using the baseline image and the HDR-enhancement images. A data packet is computed, which has a first and a second data set. The first data set relates to the baseline image color components, each of which has an application marker that relates to the HDR-enhancement images. The second data set relates to the HDR-enhancement image. The data packets are sent in a DCI-compliant bit stream. |
| US08891861B2 |
Image classification
Images are classified as photos (e.g., natural photographs) or graphics (e.g., cartoons, synthetically generated images), such that when searched (online) with a filter, an image database returns images corresponding to the filter criteria (e.g., either photos or graphics will be returned). A set of image statistics pertaining to various visual cues (e.g., color, texture, shape) are identified in classifying the images. These image statistics, combined with pre-tagged image metadata defining an image as either a graphic or a photo, may be used to train a boosting decision tree. The trained boosting decision tree may be used to classify additional images as graphics or photos based on image statistics determined for the additional images. |
| US08891859B2 |
Method and apparatus for spawning specialist belief propagation networks based upon data classification
A method and apparatus for processing image data is provided. The method includes the steps of employing a main processing network for classifying one or more features of the image data, employing a monitor processing network for determining one or more confusing classifications of the image data, and spawning a specialist processing network to process image data associated with the one or more confusing classifications. |
| US08891857B2 |
Concave surface modeling in image-based visual hull
Apparatus and methods disclosed herein provide for a set of reference images obtained from a camera and a reference image obtained from a viewpoint to capture an entire concave region of an object; a silhouette processing module for obtaining a silhouette image of the concave region of the object; and a virtual-image synthesis module connected to the silhouette processing module for synthesizing a virtual inside-out image of the concave region from the computed silhouette images and for generating a visual hull of the object having the concave region. |
| US08891852B2 |
Method and apparatus for configuring and testing a machine vision detector
Disclosed are systems and methods for configuring a vision detector, wherein a training image is obtained from a production line operating in continuous motion so as to provide conditions substantially identical to those that will apply during actual manufacturing and inspection of objects. A training image can be obtained without any need for a trigger signal, whether or not the vision detector might use such a signal for inspecting the objects. Further disclosed are systems and methods for testing a vision detector by selecting, storing, and displaying a limited number of images from a production run, where those images correspond to objects likely to represent incorrect decisions. |
| US08891847B2 |
Automatic implant detection from image artifacts
A computer-implemented method of implant detection includes receiving a three-dimensional (3D) image of an anatomy portion of a patient from computed tomography (CT) projections of the patient in an image processing computing system. A cluster of voxels forming an implant candidate is identified on a CT slice of the 3D image and the identified implant candidate is compared with artifacts of implants from an implant database stored in a memory of the computing system. A best-fit implant is selected from the implant database and a graphical image of the best-fit implant is overlaid on the CT slice on a display of the computing system. |
| US08891845B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
A panoramic imaging apparatus functionally includes an image processing apparatus. In this apparatus, two planar images are produced, which are subjected to registration. A registration process is applied to overall areas of two planar images based on curves decided from positions designated on the two planar images respectively. The positions on each of the planar images are aligned along a straight line, both straight lines corresponding to each other in a horizontal direction, and a scale factor for the registration is changed position by position on the straight lines. One of the two planar images is searched for a match of each local region of the other planar image, to any of regions of the one planar image, and images of the matched regions are re-produced to produce a planar image. The difference information is calculated between the planar images. |
| US08891843B2 |
Medical image diagnosis apparatus
According to one embodiment, a medical image diagnosis apparatus includes a volume rendering image generation part, mask image-storage, real time fluoroscopic image generation part, subtraction image generation part, coil image generation part, and image composition part. The volume rendering image generation part generates, from volume data, a volume rendering image representing blood vessel information. The mask image-storage stores fluoroscopic mask images. The real time fluoroscopic image generation part acquires real time fluoroscopic images for each chronological sequence accompanying device insertion. The subtraction image generation part generates a subtraction image by subtraction processing on the fluoroscopic mask image stored in the mask image storage and the real time fluoroscopic image acquired for each chronological sequence. The coil image generation part generates a coil image from the fluoroscopic mask image. The image composition part generates a composite image of the volume rendering image, the subtraction image, and the coil image. |
| US08891842B2 |
Functional imaging
A method includes obtaining a first image of first contrast agent uptake in non tissue of interest of a patient. The first image is generated based on data from first data from a first imaging modality. The method further includes obtaining a second image of second contrast agent uptake in tissue of interest and the non tissue of interest of the patient. The second image is generated based on second data from a second different imaging modality. The method further includes generating a first image mask based on the first image and generating a first feature image based on the second image and the first image mask. The method further includes displaying at least the first feature image. |
| US08891838B2 |
System and method for 3D imaging using structured light illumination
A biometrics system captures and processes a handprint image using a structured light illumination to create a 2D representation equivalent of a rolled inked handprint. A processing unit calculates 3D coordinates of the hand from the plurality of images and maps the 3D coordinates to a 2D flat surface to create a 2D representation equivalent of a rolled inked handprint. |
| US08891836B2 |
Stripe pattern image analysis device, stripe pattern image analysis method, and program thereof
Provided is a stripe pattern image analysis device by which a burden of an appraiser regarding a new charting point searching designation operation can be reduced. The device includes a charting point modification element obtaining or modifying a first point located on a first stripe pattern image displayed in a first window, and a second point which is corresponding to the first point and located on a second stripe pattern image displayed in a second window; a nonlinear coordinate transformation element transforming the first stripe pattern image using a nonlinear coordinate transformation so that a first coordinate of the first point in the first window matches a second coordinate of the second point in the second window; and a charting figure edit and display element displaying the first stripe pattern image, transformed by the nonlinear coordinate transformation element by use of the nonlinear coordinate transformation, in the first window. |
| US08891830B2 |
Method, system and processing software for distance measurement using speckle patterns
A distance measurement system and method are provided. The distance measurement method first projects a light beam with a speckle pattern to reference planes and an object to allow the reference planes and a surface of the object each have an image of the speckle pattern, the speckle pattern having a plurality of speckles. Next, images of the speckle pattern reflected by the reference planes are captured to generate reference image information, and an image of the speckle pattern reflected by the surface of the object is captured to generate an object image information. A processing module which may be a processing software can compare the object image information with the reference image information to obtain several similarity scores. If the most the most similarity score is greater than a threshold value, the processing module identifies the corresponding reference plane, thereby computing the position of the object. |
| US08891827B2 |
Systems and methods for tracking a model
An image such as a depth image of a scene may be received, observed, or captured by a device. A grid of voxels may then be generated based on the depth image such that the depth image may be downsampled. A model may be adjusted based on a location or position of one or more extremities estimated or determined for a human target in the grid of voxels. The model may also be adjusted based on a default location or position of the model in a default pose such as a T-pose, a DaVinci pose, and/or a natural pose. |
| US08891826B2 |
Image processing system, image processing method, and computer program
An image processing system includes: an object detecting unit that detects a moving body object from image data of an image of a predetermined area; an object-occurrence-position detecting unit that detects an occurrence position of the object detected by the object detecting unit; and a valid-object determining unit that determines that the object detected by the object detecting unit is a valid object when the object is present in a mask area set as a non-detection target in the image of the predetermined area and the occurrence position of the object in the mask area detected by the object-occurrence-position detecting unit is outside the mask area. |
| US08891824B2 |
Method and device for detecting fatigue driving and the automobile using the same
The present application discloses a method and device of detecting fatigue driving, comprising: analyzing an eye image in the driver's eye image area with a rectangular feature template to obtain the upper eyelid line; determining the eye closure state according to the curvature or curvature feature value of the upper eyelid line; and collecting statistics on the eye closure state and thereby determining whether the driver is in a fatigue state. The present application determines whether the eyes are opened or closed according to the shape of the upper eyelid, which is more accurate because the upper eyelid line has characteristics of higher relative contrast, anti-interference capacity, and adaptability to the changes in the facial expression. |
| US08891822B2 |
System and method for script and orientation detection of images using artificial neural networks
A system and method for script and orientation detection of images using artificial neural networks (ANNs) are disclosed. In one example, textual content in the image is extracted. Further, a vertical component run (VCR) and horizontal component run (HCR) are obtained by vectorizing each connected component in the extracted textual content. Furthermore, a zonal density run (ZDR) is obtained for each connected component in the extracted textual content. In addition, a concatenated vertical document vector (VDV), horizontal document vector (HDV), and zonal density vector (ZDV) is computed by normalizing the obtained VCR, HCR, and ZDR, respectively, for each connected component. Moreover, the script in the image is determined using a script detection ANN module and the concatenated VDV, HDV, and ZDV of the image. Also, the orientation of the image is determined using an orientation detection ANN module and the concatenated VDV, HDV, and ZDV of the image. |
| US08891820B2 |
Multi-modal sensor fusion
A method and apparatus for processing images. A sequence of images for a scene is received from an imaging system. An object in the scene is detected using the sequence of images. A viewpoint of the imaging system is registered to a model of the scene using a region in the model of the scene in which an expected behavior of the object is expected to occur. |
| US08891819B2 |
Line-of-sight detection apparatus and method thereof
A line-of-sight detection apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect a face from image data, a first extraction unit configured to extract a feature amount corresponding to a direction of the face from the image data, a calculation unit configured to calculate a line-of-sight reliability of each of a right eye and a left eye based on the face, a selection unit configured to select an eye according to the line-of-sight reliability, a second extraction unit configured to extract a feature amount of an eye region of the selected eye from the image data, and an estimation unit configured to estimate a line of sight of the face based on the feature amount corresponding to the face direction and the feature amount of the eye region. |
| US08891818B2 |
Method and apparatus for tracking objects across images
A method and apparatus for tracking objects across images. The method includes retrieving object location in a current frame, determining the appearance and motion signatures of the object in the current frame, predicting the new location of the object based on object dynamics, searching for a location with similar appearance and motion signatures in a next frame, and utilizing the location with similar appearance and motion signatures to determine the final location of the object in the next frame. |
| US08891817B2 |
Systems and methods for audibly presenting textual information included in image data
An apparatus and method are provided for identifying and audibly presenting textual information within captured image data. In one implementation, a method is provided for audibly presenting text retrieved from a captured image. According to the method, at least one image of text is received from an image sensor, and the text may include a first portion and a second portion. The method includes identifying contextual information associated with the text, and accessing at least one rule associating the contextual information with at least one portion of text to be excluded from an audible presentation associated with the text. The method further includes performing an analysis on the at least one image to identify the first portion and the second portion, and causing the audible presentation of the first portion. |
| US08891816B2 |
Interior location identification
A parse module calibrates an interior space by parsing objects and words out of an image of the scene and comparing each parsed object with a plurality of stored objects. The parse module further selects a parsed object that is differentiated from the stored objects as the first object and stores the first object with a location description. A search module can detect the same objects from the scene and use them to determine the location of the scene. |
| US08891814B2 |
Systems and methods for metadata embedding in streaming medical data
Systems and methods for embedding metadata such as personal patient information within actual medical data signals obtained from a patient are provided wherein two watermarks, a robust watermark and a fragile watermark are embedded in a given medical data signal. The robust watermark includes a binary coded representation of the metadata that is incorporated into the frequency domain of the medical data signal using discrete Fourier transformations and additive embedding. Error correcting code can also be added to the binary representation of the metadata using Hamming coding. A given robust watermark can be incorporated multiple times in the medical data signal. The fragile watermark is added on top of the modified medical signal containing the robust watermark in the spatial domain of the modified medical signal. The fragile watermark utilizes hash function to generate random sequences that are incorporated through the medical data signal. |
| US08891810B2 |
Flat diaphragm loudspeaker
The invention relates to a loudspeaker system in which the diaphragm of the speaker has a defined material thickness particularly in the edge region thereof and comprises a suspension which is axially symmetrical about the mechanical rest position of said diaphragm and is formed by one, preferably two identical mirrored components, characterized in that the sound emission towards the rear is performed to at least 50 percent by the inner space of a magnetic system. The invention further relates to the use of the loudspeaker system as loudspeaker boxes or in radios, television screens, radio receivers, hand-held radio devices, measurement receivers, mobile telephones and headphones or the like. |
| US08891807B2 |
Loudspeaker apparatus with light source and cooling device
There is provided a loudspeaker apparatus which has a diaphragm and a magnet system for driving the diaphragm. The loudspeaker apparatus also has a light source and a cooling device (K) having at least one cooling unit for cooling the at least one light source. The light source is thermally coupled to the first cooling unit. The first cooling unit with the at least one light source is arranged in front of the diaphragm. The outside of the diaphragm can have light reflecting properties. |
| US08891803B2 |
Notebook power supply with integrated subwoofer
A portable electrical appliance comprises an audio signal source, a power supply module having a housing external to the portable electrical appliance for providing power to the electronic appliance having, a power converter for providing DC power to at least the portable electrical appliance, a speaker for generating sound and audio processing means for manipulating audio signals from the audio signal source, wherein the power converter, audio processing means and speaker are mounted within the housing, and communication means for coupling the audio signal to the processing means. The communication means is able to be wireless or wired. |
| US08891795B2 |
Transcutaneous bone conduction device vibrator having movable magnetic mass
A passive transcutaneous bone conduction device configured to deliver externally-generated mechanical vibrations to a bone of a recipient's head, the device comprising: an implantable magnetic coupler configured to be rigidly attached to the bone; and an external vibrator including an actuator having a movable magnetic mass; wherein the movable magnetic mass and the magnetic coupler form a transcutaneous magnetic coupling sufficient to retain the vibrator against soft tissue covering the bone with sufficient force to facilitate delivery of mechanical vibrations from the vibrator to the bone. |
| US08891791B2 |
Computing device docking tray for audio mixer
An audio mixer (20) include a chassis (22) adapted to receive a docking tray assembly (24), which in turn is adapted to receive a computing device (26). The computing device functions to operate and control the audio mixer (20), and to this end includes a touch screen display (28). The docking tray assembly (24) includes formed tray (110) and, optionally, an adapter configured as a formed insert (112) that nests with the tray (110) to dock a computing device of a configuration different from the computing device docked directly with the tray (110). |
| US08891788B2 |
Integrated psychoacoustic bass enhancement (PBE) for improved audio
Psychoacoustic Bass Enhancement (PBE) is integrated with one or more other audio processing techniques, such as active noise cancellation (ANC), and/or receive voice enhancement (RVE), leveraging each technique to achieve improved audio output. This approach can be advantageous for improving the performance of headset speakers, which often lack adequate low-frequency response to effectively support ANC. |
| US08891786B1 |
Selective notch filtering for howling suppression
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with selective notch filtering for howling suppression are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a howling detector that detects howling by performing a time domain analysis of speech signals to identify a speech signal that may be exhibiting howling and performing frequency domain analysis to confirm that the speech signal is exhibiting howling. The apparatus also includes a suppression selector configured to select a suppression technique, a signal processor configured to process the speech signal according to a selected suppression technique. The apparatus outputs, without suppression-related processing, speech signals that are not identified based on the time domain analysis. In another embodiment a method includes analyzing a speech signal to detect howling and when howling is detected, selecting, based on the howling analysis, a howling suppression technique from a set of howling suppression techniques that includes at least two different howling suppression techniques. |
| US08891781B2 |
Active vibration noise control device
An active vibration noise control device having a pair of speakers, including: a basic signal generating unit generating a basic signal based on a vibration noise frequency; an adaptive notch filter generating a first control signal provided to one speaker using a first filter coefficient and generating a second control signal provided to the other speaker using a second filter coefficient to cancel the generated vibration noise; a microphone detecting cancellation error between the vibration noise and the control sounds and outputting an error signal; a reference signal generating unit generating a reference signal based on a transfer function from the speakers to the microphone; a filter coefficient updating unit updating first and second filter coefficients, minimize the error signal; and a phase difference limiting unit limiting a phase difference between control sounds generated by different speakers. Therefore, it becomes possible to appropriately ensure a uniform and wide noise-cancelled area. |
| US08891778B2 |
Speech enhancement
A method for enhancing speech includes extracting a center channel of an audio signal, flattening the spectrum of the center channel, and mixing the flattened speech channel with the audio signal, thereby enhancing any speech in the audio signal. Also disclosed are a method for extracting a center channel of sound from an audio signal with multiple channels, a method for flattening the spectrum of an audio signal, and a method for detecting speech in an audio signal. Also disclosed is a speech enhancer that includes a center-channel extract, a spectral flattener, a speech-confidence generator, and a mixer for mixing the flattened speech channel with original audio signal proportionate to the confidence of having detected speech, thereby enhancing any speech in the audio signal. |
| US08891774B2 |
Acoustic signal processing apparatus, processing method therefor, and program
The present invention relates to an acoustic signal processing apparatus that suppresses auditory noise caused in a difference signal generated by acoustic signals of a plurality of channels, a processing method therefor, and a program.A difference spectrum calculation unit 320 calculates, as a difference spectrum, the absolute difference value between frequency spectra of the left and right channels sent from frequency spectrum generation units 311 and 312. A low-level band determination unit 330 determines a difference spectrum corresponding to a low-level band among difference spectra of all the frequency bands. A substitution spectrum generation unit 350 generates a substitution spectrum for which a difference spectrum is substituted, on the basis of the frequency spectrum of the left channel. A spectrum substitution unit 360 substitutes the difference spectrum corresponding to the low-level band for a substitution spectrum corresponding to the difference spectrum. An accompaniment signal generation unit 370 generates an accompaniment signal by converting a frequency spectrum sent from the spectrum substitution unit 360 into a time-domain signal. |
| US08891771B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication method, and computer program
Communication parameters can be appropriately set without deteriorating user operability even if roles are not determined in advance when automatically setting the communication parameters. The invention includes a communication method when apparatus C newly joins a network formed of apparatuses A and B. The method is characterized by including a step of causing apparatus B to determine whether it belongs to the network in response to press of a button, and to operate as a provider and notify apparatus A of it upon determining that it belongs to the network, and a step of causing apparatus A to transmit, upon receiving the notification, a search response signal containing information on apparatus B in response to a search signal from apparatus C. |
| US08891770B2 |
Pair-wise keying for tunneled virtual private networks
In an embodiment, a method for generating and distributing keys retains the scalability of a group VPN, but also provides true pair-wise keying such that an attacker who compromises one of the devices in a VPN cannot use the keys gained to decrypt the packets from the other gateways in the VPN, or spoof one of the communicating gateways. The method is collusion resistant when co-operating attackers overtake several VPN gateways and observe the keys stored in those gateways. In an embodiment, a VPN gateway comprises a cryptographic data processor configured to encrypt and to decrypt data packets; group key management logic; and Key Generation System logic. In one approach a gateway performs, in relation to adding a group member, receiving in a security association message secret data for use in the KGS; and derives keys for secure communication with one or more peer VPN gateways using the secret data. |
| US08891769B2 |
Name encryption device, pseudonymization device, name encryption method, and pseudonymization method
Provided is a name encryption device which suppresses leak and facilities the zero-knowledge proof by making the pseudonymization process to be a simple algebraic calculation. The name encryption device converts an encrypted name text into a pseudonym-encrypted text by dispersing the encrypted name text. The encryption device disperses a name into a plurality of name parts to generate a commitment for each of the parts and encrypts disclosure information and each of the name parts by respective public keys. The encryption device outputs the disclosure information relating to the respective commitments and encrypted texts obtained by the respective public keys of the name parts. |
| US08891768B2 |
Increasing data security in enterprise applications by obfuscating encryption keys
A method, system, and computer program product for using hidden buffer formatting and passing obfuscated encryption key values to detect tampering with and/or prevent unauthorized inspection of a data buffer. The method comprises receiving an unencrypted sequence to be encrypted, selecting a layout version to associate to an encryption method and a checksum method, then encrypting the unencrypted sequence using the encryption method to form an encrypted sequence, and calculating, using the checksum calculation method, an unencrypted sequence checksum. Further, storing the encrypted sequence to form a hidden buffer payload, which hidden buffer has its own hidden buffer payload checksum. Encryption keys are not stored in program data, nor sent in the hidden buffers. Instead obfuscated encryption key values are used to generate keys on the fly. The receiver of a hidden buffer and obfuscated encryption key values can detect tampering or data corruption of the payload for further processing. |
| US08891767B2 |
Method and apparatus for direct counterfactual quantum communication
It has long been assumed in physics that for information to travel in empty space between two parties (the Sender and the Receiver), “physically real” entities have to travel between the parties. The recently discovered technique of interaction-free measurement—wherein the presence of an object is inferred without the object directly interacting with the interrogating light—has caused this basic assumption to be questioned. This technique has found application in quantum key distribution in the form of counterfactual quantum key distribution—albeit with limited efficiency. In the present invention, using the “chained” quantum Zeno effect, this logic is taken to its natural conclusion and, in the ideal limit, information can be transferred between the Sender and the Receiver without any physical particles whatsoever traveling between them. |
| US08891763B2 |
Public key encryption system using error correcting codes
This invention provides improved security and improved throughput of the McEliece public key encryption system and reduces the public key size. Even though the public key is reduced, in some embodiments of the invention the ensemble of cryptograms produced is identical to the ensemble of cryptograms produced by the original system for a given Goppa code, and the same private key. It is possible using this invention that the encrypted message, the cryptogram is a truly random function, not a pseudo random function of the message so that even with the same message and the same public key, a different, unpredictable cryptogram is produced each time. Other embodiments of the invention use a shortened error correcting code allowing the length of the generated cryptogram to match exactly the available transmission or storage media such as is the case of RFID and packet based radio applications. |
| US08891762B2 |
Method for privacy-preserving order selection of encrypted element
A system and a method select an encrypted element in an encrypted vector according to an order of the encrypted element in the encrypted vector. The selecting is performed in a privacy-preserving manner. Values of the elements of the encrypted vector are scaled, such that the order of the elements in the encrypted vector is preserved, and then permuted to produce a scaled permuted vector. Information in the encrypted domain indicative of an order of elements in the scaled permuted vector is provided to a second processor having a private key. The second processor decrypts the information to determine the index of the encrypted element based on the order of the elements. The encrypted element is obliviously selected based on the index. |
| US08891759B2 |
Cryptographic processing device and cryptographic processing method
A cryptographic processing device includes a private key storage unit which stores a private key d for elliptic curve cryptography, a random number generation unit which generates a b-bit random value s, and a processing unit. A bit string D is the private key d or a bit string obtained by modifying the private key d in such a way that a value of a most significant bit is 0, and a relation u=mk+b holds true for a length u of the bit string D, a window size k, and a positive integer m. The processing unit determines a signed k-bit window value w[i] corresponding to each i where 0≦i≦(m−1), a signed b-bit random value s[i] corresponding to each i, and a correction value g. The processing unit determines the above values under a certain constraint condition, while determining each random value s[i] to be +s or −s. |
| US08891753B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing expanded telecommunications service
The present invention provides flexible call processing. For example, a call processor system can receive an inbound call intended for a called party and place an outbound call to the called party. The call processing system can provide the called party with a call transfer option. |
| US08891752B2 |
System for managing scheduling conflicts
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a proactive scheduler having a controller element to determine a scheduling conflict between a called party and a calling party according to calendar information of the called party and presence information of the called party. Additional embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08891745B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for determining targeted content to provide in response to a missed communication
Targeted content is provided to at least one communication device responsive to a notification of a missed communication. Responsive to a notification of the missed communication, a selection of one of a plurality of different pricing options is received for a return communication. Targeted content is provided, in addition to content of the return communication, based on the selected pricing option. |
| US08891739B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing precognitive lawful intercept in group calls
A method and apparatus for performing lawful intercept in a group call is described. A group call for is established and at least one target member device of the group call is identified as corresponding to a subject to be tracked. Call content for communications corresponding to the call is then tracked from the beginning of the call. A query is presented to a law enforcement authority to determine whether the law enforcement authority wishes to receive call data collected before the target joined the call or after the target leaves the call. |
| US08891735B2 |
Auto grid moving device for diagnostic X ray table
An auto grid moving apparatus for an X ray imaging device is provided. The apparatus includes: a grid; a grid holder on which the grid is disposed; a fixing base; and a double sided timing belt geared with at least two timing wheels at the two ends of the timing belt on the inner side face of the timing belt and geared with the grid holder at the outer side face of the timing belt, wherein one of the timing wheels has a motor disposed thereon, the motor being configured to drive the timing wheel to move the timing belt and to drive the grid holder to move. |
| US08891731B2 |
System and method for controlling a portable X-ray system
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to patient imaging systems, and more specifically, to portable X-ray imaging systems. In a first embodiment, a patient imaging system is presented. The patient imaging system includes an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays and a wireless X-ray detector configured to detect the emitted X-rays and acquire patient image data. The patient imaging system also includes an acquisition control system configured to initialize and prepare the patient imaging system for X-ray emission and detection. The acquisition control system is also configured to receive the acquired patient image data from the X-ray detector, and to non-deterministically control the operation of the X-ray source and the wireless X-ray detector. The patient imaging system also includes one or more user interfaces configured to instruct the acquisition control system when a user is ready for the patient imaging system to initialize, to prepare for X-ray emission and detection, and to begin X-ray emission and detection. |
| US08891729B2 |
X-ray analyzer and X-ray analysis method
An X-ray analyzer includes a transmission X-ray inspecting portion having a first X-ray source and a transmission X-ray detector for detecting a transmission X-ray that passed through a sample from the first X-ray source, and a fluorescent X-ray inspecting portion having a second X-ray source and a fluorescent X-ray detector for detecting a fluorescent X-ray output from the sample when the sample is irradiated with an X-ray from the second X-ray source. A movement mechanism moves a sample stage that supports the sample. A foreign matter position calculating unit calculates a position of foreign matter in the sample, and a movement mechanism control unit controls the movement mechanism so that the position of the foreign matter calculated by the foreign matter position calculating unit coincides with an optical axis of the second X-ray source. |
| US08891727B2 |
Radiation imaging apparatus, radiation detecting apparatus and radiation focal-point movement detecting method
A radiation imaging apparatus is provided. The radiation imaging apparatus includes a radiation source configured to emit radiation from a first focal point, a plurality of radiation detecting elements disposed opposite to the radiation source and arranged in a channel direction, a plurality of collimator plates provided along the channel direction so as to separate the radiation detecting elements, the collimator plates including radiation absorption members at surfaces of at least one first collimator plate located on a first end side and at least one second collimator plate located on a second end side such that radiation shielding effects of the first and second collimator plates become substantially equivalent when the surfaces of the first and second collimator plates are located along a radial direction from a second focal point, and a data acquisition unit configured to acquire radiation projection data from the radiation detecting elements. |
| US08891725B2 |
Frequency divider with improved linearity for a fractional-N synthesizer using a multi-modulus prescaler
A frequency divider is disclosed. The frequency divider includes a multi-modulus prescaler to perform a frequency division by a modulus M, wherein M is an integer between N and 2*N−1 and N is a power of 2. The frequency divider also includes a programmable counter to output the digital representation of M and an output clock signal. For the frequency divider, M equals N plus D minus D\N for each edge of the multi-modulus prescaler output clock CKpr wherein the counter samples the digital representation of D and D\N denotes an integer part of D divided by N, and M equals N for each subsequent edge of the prescaler output clock CKpr wherein the counter does not sample the digital representation of D. |
| US08891721B1 |
Neutron generators with size scalability, ease of fabrication and multiple ion source functionalities
A neutron generator is provided with a flat, rectilinear geometry and surface mounted metallizations. This construction provides scalability and ease of fabrication, and permits multiple ion source functionalities. |
| US08891720B2 |
Fission meter and neutron detection using poisson distribution comparison
A neutron detector system and method for discriminating fissile material from non-fissile material wherein a digital data acquisition unit collects data at high rate, and in real-time processes large volumes of data directly into information that a first responder can use to discriminate materials. The system comprises counting neutrons from the unknown source and detecting excess grouped neutrons to identify fission in the unknown source. Comparison of the observed neutron count distribution with a Poisson distribution is performed to distinguish fissile material from non-fissile material. |
| US08891718B2 |
System for simultaneous transmission of morse signalling over a radio communication using digital technology
A system for simultaneous transmission (1) of Morse signaling over a radio communication using digital technology, comprising a signal generator (2) with at least one digital modulation which includes at least one amplitude modulation component; a Morse code generator (3) that generates Morse tones in analog form; and a first attenuator module (4), controlled by the Morse code generator (4). In this way, a signal with digital modulation generated by the signal generator (2) is attenuated in amplitude by the first attenuator module (4), the amplitude attenuation being the function of the amplitude of the waveform generated by the Morse code generator (3). In this way the transmission of information by digital modulation is simultaneous with the transmission of the Morse code by analog amplitude modulation (AM), using one single radiofrequency (RF) carrier signal and without service interruption or information loss. |
| US08891717B1 |
Method and system for comparing digital values
One bit is a smallest increment of binary measurement in first and second digital values. The first digital value is converted into a first analog signal. The second digital value is converted into a second analog signal. The first analog signal is augmented by a first amount that equates to less than the smallest increment of binary measurement, so that the augmented first analog signal by definition does not equal the second analog signal. The second analog signal is augmented by a second amount that equates to less than the smallest increment of binary measurement, so that the augmented second analog signal by definition does not equal the first analog signal. The augmented first analog signal is compared to the second analog signal, and a first signal is output in response thereto. The augmented second analog signal is compared to the first analog signal, and a second signal is output in response thereto. In response to the first and second signals, a determination is made about whether the first digital value is greater than the second digital value, whether the first digital value is less than the second digital value, and whether the first digital value is equal to the second digital value. |
| US08891716B2 |
Node device and method for synchronizing clock times
A node device includes a processor, a wireless RF circuit, a memory, and a timer. The processor measures a clock time. The wireless RF circuit receives a clock time information frame containing clock time information used for correcting the clock time. The memory stores a transmission processing time period, as a fixed value, from when a transmission source node device of the clock time information frame obtains the clock time information until when the transmission source node device transmits the clock time information frame. The timer measures a reception processing time period, which is a period of time from when the clock time information frame is received until when the clock time information is obtained. The node device sets to the processor a value obtained by adding the fixed value and the reception processing time period to the clock time information. |
| US08891712B2 |
Transmitting apparatus and transmitting method
A transmitting apparatus includes a first circuit to which a base clock and a first clock condition are input, the first circuit outputting a first enable signal based on the base clock and the first clock condition; a second circuit to which the base clock and a second clock condition are input, the second circuit outputting a second enable signal based on the base clock and the second clock condition; a first frame processing circuit receiving a first frame input signal and the first enable signal to output a first frame output signal in synchronization with the first enable signal; and a second frame processing circuit receiving a second frame input signal and the second enable signal to output a second frame output signal in synchronization with the second enable signal. |
| US08891711B1 |
Adaptive de-noise filtering
Adaptive de-noise filtering of signals is disclosed. A signal may be identified and a noise level corresponding to noise associated with the signal may be determined. The noise level may be determined by isolating the noise from the signal and generating a metric indicative of the noise level. A threshold noise level may be identified. A cutoff frequency may be determined based at least in part on the noise level and the threshold noise level, and, optionally, based on one or more characteristics associated with a low pass filter. The signal may be low pass filtered based at least in part on the cutoff frequency to generate a filtered signal. Additional signals may be identified and filtered in accordance with respective corresponding cutoff frequencies such that noise levels associated with the additional filtered signals and the filtered signal may be substantially the same and at or below the threshold noise level. |
| US08891710B2 |
Frequency-domain filtering for channel estimation in communications systems
A method of channel estimation includes receiving a signal after transmission over a media having a plurality of sub-carriers in a frequency band. The signal is preprocessed including performing a fast Fourier transform (FFT) to generate a plurality of frequency-domain samples. Channel estimating is applied to the plurality of frequency-domain samples using (i) least squares (LS) estimation, wherein the LS estimation generates intermediate LS channel estimates for each of the sub-carriers, and (ii) frequency-domain filtering and scaling the intermediate LS channel estimates. The frequency-domain filtering uses a common frequency-domain filter consisting of a single filter coefficient vector having a plurality of frequency-domain filter coefficients to generate refined channel estimates for each of the plurality of sub-carriers. |
| US08891708B2 |
Obtaining a desired non-zero phase shift using forward-backward filtering
Forward and backward filters in cascade establish a specified phase shift in audio or video signals. The backward filter applies its filtering in a backward direction to impart a phase shift to its backward-filtered output that is a function of frequency. The forward filter applies its filtering in a forward direction to impart a phase shift to its forward-filtered output that has the specified phase shift relative the phase shift of the backward filter. Preferably, the two filters are recursive and are applied to signals that represent overlapping segments of the audio or video information. The overlap interval is used for filter initialization. |
| US08891706B2 |
System and method for optimizing use of channel state information
The present invention relates to a combiner, channel identifier, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing OFDM receiver and method for optimizing use of channel state information of a received signal. The method comprises analyzing a received signal in a time domain and extracting from the received signal characteristics of a communication channel. The method furthermore comprises determining a dynamic indicator of channel station information accuracy based on the characteristics of the received signal. Additionally, the method comprises applying a weight to the channel state information according to the dynamic indicator. |
| US08891703B2 |
Systems and methods for antenna management using per-packet channel information
A wireless device that operates in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard receives the preamble of a packet with the highest number of receive chains enabled, thereby obtaining the highest gain, detection sensitivity and range. The wireless device determines a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in response to two different short training fields (STFs) in the preamble. The wireless device also determines a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) and a number of spatial streams (Nss) used to transmit the received packet in response to a signal field of the preamble. The wireless device uses these determined parameters to identify a minimum number of the receive chains required to reliably receive the packet. The wireless device uses only the identified minimum number of receive chains to perform channel estimation and receive the data portion of the packet. |
| US08891699B2 |
Characterization and assessment of communication channel average group delay variation
Characterization and assessment of communication channel average group delay variation. A signal having repeated signal components therein is received by a communication device, and that signal undergoes appropriate processing to determine respective amplitude and phase of a number of frequency bins. The phase difference from bin to bin (including respecting unwrapping, and proper normalization) is used to determine the group delay of a communication channel, or portion thereof, as a function of frequency. Multiple respective group delay measurements may be averaged to generate a wideband group delay of the communication channel as a function of frequency. Overlap between different respective band-edge portions of the communication channel may assist in generating a seamless continuous wideband spectrum estimation for use in determining the wideband group delay of the communication channel. |
| US08891698B2 |
First significant path detection
A scheme determines the first significant path (FSP) of a received multipath signal, from data defining the relative delay and the amplitude of the individual signal paths occurring in a series of time frames. The scheme includes filtering the data to spread the signal paths, performing a persistence test between frames to reject spurious signal paths, combining the energy of the signal paths in a frame, applying a test to determine the time at which the combined energy satisfies a criterion, and selecting the FSP dependent on that time. The combined energy may be evaluated within a sliding window, and the position of the window within the frame determined that maximizes the combined energy. Alternatively, the combined energy may be evaluated as the cumulative energy through the frame, and the position determined at which the cumulative energy reaches a threshold. |
| US08891697B2 |
Reception signal processing device
A reception signal processing devices includes a converter which converts an analog signal amplified by an amplifying section to a digital signal, switches respectively provided in post-stages of variable gain amplifiers of the amplifying section, a bypass switch section which sets to open and close a path in which outputs of the variable gain amplifiers go around the variable gain amplifiers of the post-stages and are inputted to the converter, a switch controller which controls the switches and the bypass switch section and a DC offset controller which sets a correction value of a DC offset in accordance with a gain set to the variable gain amplifier as an object to be corrected. |
| US08891695B2 |
Maximizing the viterbi winning path metric to estimate carrier phase offset in continuous phase modulated signals
A system and method for estimating carrier frequency offset Δf and carrier phase offset φ0 inherent in a received CPM signal. Samples of a continuous phase modulated (CPM) signal are received. A maximum of an objective function J is determined over a two-dimensional region parameterized by frequency offset v and phase offset w. The coordinates vmax and wmax of a maximizing point in the region represent estimates of the carrier frequency offset Δf and the carrier phase offset φ0. To evaluate the objective function J at a point (v,w), apply a frequency shift of amount −v and a phase shift of amount −w to the received samples to obtain modified samples, and perform Viterbi demodulation on the modified samples to obtain a winning path metric value at a final time. The winning path metric value is the objective function value J(v,w). |
| US08891694B2 |
Maximizing the viterbi winning path metric to estimate carrier frequency and phase offsets in continuous phase modulated signals
A system and method for estimating carrier frequency offset Δf and carrier phase offset φ0 inherent in a received CPM signal. Samples of a continuous phase modulated (CPM) signal are received. A maximum of an objective function J is determined over a two-dimensional region parameterized by frequency offset v and phase offset w. The coordinates vmax and wmax of a maximizing point in the region represent estimates of the carrier frequency offset Δf and the carrier phase offset φ0. To evaluate the objective function J at a point (v,w), apply a frequency shift of amount −v and a phase shift of amount −w to the received samples to obtain modified samples, and perform Viterbi demodulation on the modified samples to obtain a winning path metric value at a final time. The winning path metric value is the objective function value J(v,w). |
| US08891688B2 |
Receiver circuit and receiver apparatus
A no signal period detecting unit (10) detects a no signal period in which no receiver signal is received. A capture unit (7) captures a synchronous timing of the receiver signal on the basis of a correlation value which is worked out by a delayed correlation computing unit (6). Further, the capture unit (7) cancels the capture of the synchronous timing in the case where this no signal period is detected by the no signal period detecting unit (10). |
| US08891680B2 |
Transmission arrangement and method for modulating useful signals onto a carrier frequency signal
A transmission arrangement for modulating useful signals onto a carrier frequency signal has a frequency generator for generating the carrier frequency signal, a first modulation path for modulating a first useful signal onto the carrier frequency signal, and a second modulation path for modulating a second useful signal onto the carrier frequency signal. The first modulation path has a digital modulator for providing an amplitude signal and a Cartesian signal pair from the first useful signal and a Cartesian modulator for modulating the Cartesian signal pair onto the carrier frequency signal in order to provide an intermediate signal. The first modulation path is configured in such a manner that the amplitude signal is modulated onto the intermediate signal in order to provide an output signal. |
| US08891679B2 |
Polar transmitter suitable for monolithic integration in SoCs
The disclosed polar modulation transmitter circuit is configured to generate an output signal having a transmission frequency that minimizes crosstalk effects between different transmission bands (e.g., Bluetooth, GSM, UMTS, etc.). In particular, a polar modulation transceiver circuit, having an amplitude modulated (AM) signal and a phase modulated (PM) signal, comprises a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) configured to generate a DCO signal having a DCO frequency. The DCO signal is provided to one or more frequency dividers that are configured to selectively divide the DCO signal to generate various lower frequency signals, used to select a sampling rate for a DAC operating on the AM signal and an RF carrier signal frequency, which result in an output signal having a frequency that does not interfere with other RF systems on the same IC (e.g., that falls outside of the downlink frequency of other RF systems). Other systems and methods are also disclosed. |
| US08891678B2 |
Receiving apparatus and receiving method
A receiver receives, using a plurality of antennas, a multiplexed signal that includes (i) a first OFDM modulation signal with a subcarrier carrying a symbol including multiplex information and a subcarrier carrying a pilot symbol and a subcarrier carrying a data symbol and (ii) a second OFDM modulation signal with a subcarrier carrying a symbol including multiplex information and a subcarrier carrying the pilot symbol and a subcarrier carrying the data symbol. A decoder uses the symbol including multiplex information and decodes the data symbol. |
| US08891669B2 |
Nonlinear compensating apparatus and method and transmitter
The present invention provides a nonlinear compensating apparatus and method and a transmitter. The nonlinear compensating apparatus includes: an information sequence acquiring unit, configured to acquire a symbol information sequence of the pulse signal; a perturbation quantity acquiring unit, configured to calculate the weighted sum of interaction items of pulses on one or more moments relative to the current moment, to obtain the perturbation quantity produced on a transmission link with a certain length, and rotate the obtained perturbation quantity by a predetermined phase; and an information compensating unit, configured to calculate the difference between the symbol information sequence and the perturbation quantity to obtain a compensated symbol information sequence. With the embodiments of the present invention, the performance of the system, especially the performance of NRZ (Not Return to Zero) code, may be further improved. |
| US08891668B2 |
System and method for estimating and correcting phase shift in a wireless communication device
In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for estimating and correcting phase shift in a wireless communication device, may include converting a digital signal output by digital circuitry of the wireless communication device into a compensated digital signal based on a calculated phase error. The method may also include converting the compensated digital signal into a wireless communication signal. The method may additionally include calculating an estimated instantaneous reference phase of the digital signal output by the digital circuitry. The method may further include calculating an estimated transmit phase of the wireless communication signal. Moreover, the method may include calculating a phase error based on a difference between the estimated instantaneous reference phase and the estimated transmit phase of the wireless communication signal. |
| US08891666B2 |
Method and apparatus of transmitting a spatial stream for MU-MIMO in a wireless local area network system
A method of transmitting a spatial stream for multi user (MU)-multiple input multiple output (MIMO) in a wireless local area network system, performed by a transmitter is provided. the method includes transmitting, to a receiver, a management frame including group information to assign or change a position of a plurality of spatial streams corresponding to each of a plurality of groups, and transmitting, to the receiver, a frame including at least one spatial stream, wherein the group information includes a plurality of group indicators and a plurality of spatial stream (SS) indicators, each of the plurality of group indicators indicating whether or not the receiver is a member of each of the plurality of groups, each of the plurality of SS indicators indicating a position of the plurality of spatial streams corresponding to each of the plurality of groups. |