| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08903943B2 |
Integrating cloud applications and remote jobs
Disclosed herein are techniques for integrating cloud applications and remote jobs. In some implementations, a request to initiate a remote execution procedure may be received at a first computing system. The first computing system may be controlled by a first entity and may be configured to provide on-demand computing services to a plurality of entities including a second entity. The remote execution procedure may include an instruction to perform a remote computing task capable of being performed by a second computing system. A request message may be transmitted from the first computing system to the second computing system, which may be controlled by the second entity. The request message may include an instruction to perform the remote computing task. A response message indicating a result of performing the remote computing task may be received from the second computing system. |
| US08903940B2 |
System and method for intelligently distributing content to a mobile device based on a detected location of the mobile device and context data defining characteristics of the location at a particular date and time
A system and method are described for intelligently distributing content to an end user based on both a particular location of the user and a date/time at which the user is at, or scheduled to be at, the particular location. For example, a system is described for intelligently distributing content to a mobile device based on context comprising: a location database to store a plurality of different locations including event facilities and points of interest, the location database associating each of the different locations with a Global Positioning System (GPS) location or range of GPS locations; a context database to store context data for particular locations within the location database, the context data specifying event information for the particular locations including a date, time, and event information for each of the particular locations; a user database to store a set of user preferences; and a content selection module for selecting a set of targeted content to be distributed to a user's mobile device based on the user's location, the date and time of an event at the location, the event information, and the user preferences, the content selection module detecting a current location of the user and causing the selected set of targeted content to be distributed to the user's mobile device when the user arrives at the location of the event at the specified date and time. |
| US08903939B2 |
Communication control
A method of controlling a connection, comprising the steps of forming an indicator at an originating device, transmitting the indicator to an intermediate device, receiving from the intermediate device one or more destination addresses formed on the basis of the indicator, and connecting the originating device to the one or more destination addresses. |
| US08903936B2 |
Sharing user defined location based zones
A method is provided for sharing data, stored on a central data store, between a first user and a secondary user. The method comprises the following steps. A share request message is received from the first user. The share request message includes a data identifier for identifying which of the data stored on the central data store is to be shared with the secondary user, and a user identifier for identifying the secondary user. The data to be shared is associated with an account of the secondary user for subsequent access by the secondary user. A system and computer readable medium configured to implement the method are also described. |
| US08903927B2 |
Increasing engagement of low engagement users in a social network
Techniques to increase engagement with a social networking system. In one embodiment, an engagement level of a user with a social networking system is monitored. A low engagement user type associated with the user is identified from a plurality of low engagement user types. It is determined whether the engagement level of the user is less than a threshold. If so, a communication is provided for the user based on the low engagement user type associated with the user. The communication may be a notification or a digest communication. |
| US08903925B2 |
Scheduled messages in a scalable messaging system
Techniques are provided for scheduled and non-scheduled delivery of messages. A message directed to at least one consumer is received at a message entity. The message is determined to include a scheduled delivery time. The received message is stored in a scheduled sub-queue of the message entity. Activation metadata is retrieved and stored for any messages stored in the scheduled sub-queue that include a scheduled delivery time within a predetermined upcoming time period. If when the message is received, the scheduled delivery time of the message is within a current activation window, the activation metadata for the message may be extracted and stored immediately. The stored activation metadata is analyzed to determine a batch of messages in the scheduled sub-queue ready for delivery. The determined batch of messages is stored in an active sub-queue of the message entity, to be ready for delivery at the request of a consumer. |
| US08903921B1 |
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for analyzing behavior of internet forum participants
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for analyzing behavior of Internet forum participants. Various embodiments comprise receiving or retrieving information or data of a particular post of interest and other information or data relating to the first post or the Internet forum; analyzing the data or information received or retrieved to determine the behavior of the user who initiated or created the post; determining whether the particular post is of interest; and determining user behavior patterns. Some embodiments may also comprise determining or identifying one or more actions for the behavior of the user or determining or predicting likely effects of the particular post on the Internet forum. In some embodiments, the method or the system presents a report or recommendation to a moderation team for review, approval, or decision. |
| US08903919B2 |
Dynamic integration of application input and output in an instant messaging/chat session
A method, system and apparatus for integrating dynamic application input and output in an instant messaging/chat system. In this regard, a method for integrating dynamically produced application input and output into instant messaging/chat content in an established instant messaging/chat session can include receiving application input from a remote instant messaging/chat client as a posting to an established instant messaging/chat session and forwarding the received application input to a designated external application. Finally, the application output from the external application can be posted as content in the established instant messaging/chat session. Additionally, the application input can be pre-processed before performing the forwarding step, and the application output can be post-processed before performing the posting step. |
| US08903918B2 |
Application acceleration as a service system and method
Disclosed are systems and methods to provide application acceleration as a service. In one embodiment, a system includes a head office to serve an enterprise application comprised of a collaborative document. The system also includes a branch office to request the collaborative document from the head office. The enterprise application may also include a computed document and/or a static document. In addition, the system also includes a set of Point of Presence (POP) locations between the head office and the branch office to communicate the collaborative document, the computed document and the static document on behalf of the head office from a closest POP location to the head office to a closest POP location to the branch office and then onward to the branch office. |
| US08903917B2 |
System and method for implementing a cluster token registry for business continuity
Method and system for implementing a cluster token registry (“CTR”) process in a cluster comprising a plurality of interconnected nodes each having a CTR associated therewith are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises, responsive to a client signing in at one of the nodes, the client registering a cluster-wide token with the CTR of the node, thereby casting a vote in connection with the token; determining whether prerequisites for granting the token have been met; and, responsive to a determination that the prerequisites have been met, granting the token. The method further comprises periodically determining whether the vote in connection with the token vote has been refreshed by the client and, responsive to a determination that the vote in connection with the token has not been refreshed by the client, de-registering the client. |
| US08903916B2 |
Method, system, and computer-readable medium to render repeatable data objects streamed over a network
A system, method, and computer-readable medium that provides a streamed presentation to multiple clients over a network utilizing a presentation server that produces and streams audio, video, and uniquely identified auxiliary data objects (e.g., slides, 3D image models, sound bytes, web page, etc.) in separate sessions or channels over a network; a transmit queue associated with the presentation server to store uniquely identified repeatable auxiliary data objects; and a client that renders all data objects and stores the auxiliary data objects in a local memory cache so that they may be recalled according to their unique ID tags. The presentation server sends unique ID tags rather than the auxiliary data object content when repeated during the presentation. The client is responsive to unique ID tags to obtain an auxiliary data object from a local memory cache to render auxiliary content that is repeatedly presented during the presentation. A secondary network session may be made available to clients that join after the start of the presentation in order to obtain current auxiliary content. |
| US08903912B2 |
Social content management
A method includes, in a server residing in a network of interconnected computers, populating a repository with content, each one of the content categorized by at least one community designation, one topic designation, one tag and/or one company designation, receiving registration information for users, the registration information including a username and at least one community designation, one topic designation, one tag and/or one company designation, receiving content from a first user, the content including at least one community designation, one topic designation, one tag and/or one company designation, storing the received content in the repository, and notifying a subset of users of the received content, the community designation, topic designation, tag and/or company designation of each of the subset of users matching the community designation, topic designation, tag and/or company designation of received content. |
| US08903911B2 |
Using text summaries of images to conduct bandwidth sensitive status updates
Systems and methods of conducting status updates may incorporating a text summary of an image into a status update message, and determining whether to incorporate the image into the status update message based on a network condition associated with a network. In addition, the status update message can be sent via the network wherein, in one example, the status message is sent only to remote parties having a status that satisfies a relevance condition with respect to the content of the text summary. |
| US08903907B2 |
Relationship support apparatus, relationship support method, and storage medium
Provided is a relationship support apparatus capable of preventing a user from inconsistently applying for relationships. An receiving section (32) receives an input of identification information of a desired relationship partner user, and further receives an input of identification information of the relationship-seeking user. A determination section (38) determines, based on the identification information of the relationship-seeking user and the identification information of the desired relationship partner user, whether or not an agreement has been reached on the relationship between the relationship-seeking user and the desired relationship partner user. A suspension section (40) suspends, based on a result of the determining performed by the determination section (38), the relationship-seeking user and the desired relationship partner user from carrying out a relationship-seeking activity with respect to another user. |
| US08903900B2 |
Managing map elements using aggregate feature identifiers
Multiple individually renderable map elements, each representing a respective physical entity in a geographic area, are rendered to generate a digital map of the geographic area. A description of an aggregate map feature that includes several but not all of the multiple map elements is received. The several map elements represent physical entities that form a common administrative unit. A selection of one of the several map elements is received via the user interface. In response to receiving the selection, the several map elements included in the aggregate map feature are automatically selected, and an indication that the aggregate map feature has been selected is provided on the user interface. |
| US08903896B2 |
Client terminal, content utilizing system, and data transmitting/receiving method
A client terminal comprises a first application unit which transmits and receives data to and from a server, and a second application unit which transmits and receives data to and from the first application unit. An instruction transmitting unit in the second application unit transmits a user's instruction to the first application unit, and a state holding and transmitting unit transmits state information of the second application unit to the first application unit. A request generation unit in the first application unit generates a request command for the server based on the instruction received from the instruction transmitting unit, a state addition unit adds the state information received from the state holding and transmitting unit to the request command, and a request transmitting unit transmits the request command to which the state information is added to the server. |
| US08903891B2 |
User interface communication utilizing service request identification to manage service requests
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive a first service request for data from a user application executing on at least one first machine and, in response to the receiving, synchronously transmit a service request identification to the user application in reply to the first service request, as well as dispatching the first service request as an additional request to an application layer executing on at least one second machine. Further activities may include notifying the user application that a second response, including the data, is available for consumption (after receiving a response to the additional request), receiving a second service request from the user application, along with the service request identification, and synchronously transmitting the second response to the user application in reply to the second service request. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US08903889B2 |
Method, system and article for mobile metadata software agent in a data-centric computing environment
An event management system that plays a central role in handling varying loads of metadata events from each of a large number of touch-points or data servers that come into a Data Centric computing environment. As a matter of distinction when compared to conventional method-centric computing environments, there is broadly contemplated herein the concept not of physically installing a software agent on a designated system as stationary entity, but of launching it in a distributed computing environment and permitting it to “roam” around the numerous data servers to ensure consistency, accuracy and currency between the data entities managed by multiple data servers and the metadata servers in a data-centric computing environment. |
| US08903887B2 |
Extracting web services from resources using a web services resources programming model
A programming model allows application programmers to extract Web services from various types of resources. The programming model defines relationships between various resource types and methods for each resource type to extract a Web service or another linked resource. The programming model also provides caching capability to store previously extract resources for future requests. |
| US08903886B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for processing workflow
In an embodiment, a workflow processing apparatus is connected to a network and obtains a file over the network. The workflow processing apparatus includes: a file analyzing unit, a workflow selecting unit, and a workflow processing unit. The file analyzing that extracts information for use in classification of the file from a file name assigned to the file as bibliographic data and stores the bibliographic data as being associated with the file in a temporary storage area. The workflow selecting unit obtains the file and the bibliographic data stored in the temporary storage area, determines an operation to be performed according to the bibliographic data, and selects a workflow for performing the determined operation from preset multiple workflows. The workflow processing unit processes the file according to the selected workflow. |
| US08903885B2 |
Information communication system, node device, information processing method and computer-readable storage medium
An information communication system comprising a plurality of node devices connected to a network, in which data to be distributed and stored in the plurality of node devices, and the data is divided into a plurality of items of division data, and the other node device acquires the division data from the node device storing the division data. The node device comprises a controlling unit configured to permit the node device indicated by a second identification information contained in the request information to acquire the division data indicated by a first identification information contained in the request information, in early order of the time when the request information is received based on the time information stored in the second storing unit. |
| US08903884B2 |
Multi-tenant services gateway
A system and method for providing services to multiple tenants. A system provides a gateway that acts as an intermediary between the tenants and multiple subsystems that provide resources. A management gateway handles requests to manage resources. A runtime gateway handles requests to perform operations related to the resources. A set of protocol handlers isolates the subsystems from protocols used by the tenants. A pipeline of components provides processing, such as authorization, of requests from tenants. Identification of resources is performed using a mechanism that enables multiple namespaces, which may be designated by tenants. |
| US08903880B2 |
Trajectory generation system and trajectory generation method
A specified function p is generated to satisfy a first condition that an integral value of an evaluation function over a specified period is minimal. The evaluation function denotes a magnitude of an absolute value of a third order specified function p(3)(t). Moreover, the specified function p is generated to satisfy a second condition that a value of a second order specified function p(2)(t) is limited within a limiter range [p(2)min_c, p(2)max_c]. |
| US08903874B2 |
File system directory attribute correction
Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for facilitating file attribute correction. A computer system may receive a request to enumerate a first directory stored on a data storage. For a first file in the first directory, the computer system may determine that the first file has a corresponding first entry in an attribute cache, determine that the first entry for the first file indicates native file attributes that match the first file, and return for the first file at least one logical attribute indicated by the first entry. |
| US08903872B1 |
NoSql online analytical processing architecture
A breadth-first join module receives, at a runtime, a query for travel data, wherein the travel data is stored in a data store, the data store comprising parent and child data structures arranged in a hierarchy. The breadth-first join module identifies a first child data structure associated with the travel data, the first child data structure comprising a plurality of pointers, wherein each of the plurality of pointers is associated with one of a plurality of first level parent data structures in the data store and queries each of the plurality of first level parent data structures to resolve the plurality of pointers in the first child data structure, wherein the plurality of first level parent data structures comprise travel data objects associated with the plurality of pointers, and wherein at least one of the plurality of first level parent data structures comprises a pointer to a second level parent data structure. The breadth-first join module queries the second level parent data structure to resolve the pointer in the at least one first level parent data structure, wherein all of the plurality of pointers in the first child data structure are resolved prior to querying the second level parent data structure. |
| US08903870B2 |
System for managing risk in employee travel
A system for managing risk in employee travel may track a location of users of the travel risk management system during travel. Travel itinerary information for a user may be input into the travel risk management system, including user identification information, travel date information and geographic location information for travel destinations. During the travel period, the system may communicate with a portable computing device to determine the user's actual location, and update the stored travel itinerary information if the user's actual location is different than the user's expected location. The system may transmit a location request message to the user's portable computing device, or a mobile application may cause the portable computing device to transmit the user's location without prompting. |
| US08903867B2 |
Method for exploring a catalog of digital information contents
A method for exploring a catalog of digital information contents through a user apparatus is provided with a display screen, in which the catalog of digital information contents is structured according to at least two hierarchical tree structures, each including a respective hierarchy of nodes, each node corresponding to a respective category of digital information contents. The method includes: selecting a first sub-hierarchy of nodes of a first one of the at least two hierarchical tree structures, the first sub-hierarchy of nodes being built beginning from a selected category of the first hierarchical structure by selecting at least one among a first number of categories at immediately higher hierarchical levels in comparison to the selected category and a second number of categories at immediately lower hierarchical levels in comparison to the selected category; selecting a second sub-hierarchy of nodes of a second one of said at least two hierarchical tree structures, the second sub-hierarchy of nodes being built beginning from a destination category of the second hierarchical structure, the destination category being in relationship with the selected category, by selecting at least one among a first number of categories at immediately higher hierarchical levels in comparison to the destination category and a second number of categories at immediately lower hierarchical levels in comparison to the destination category; displaying on the screen icons representative of the categories of the first and of the second sub-hierarchy and respective relationships between the categories; and exploring the categories of the first and of the second sub-hierarchy reacting to commands imparted by the user through said user apparatus. |
| US08903866B2 |
Handling out-of-sequence data in a streaming environment
Computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product for processing data in an out-of-order manner in a streams computing environment. A windowing condition is defined such that incoming data tuples are processed within a specified time or count of each other. Additionally, the windowing condition may be based on a specified attribute of the data tuples. If the tuples are not processed within the constraints specified by the windowing condition, the unprocessed tuples may be discarded, i.e., not processed, to optimize operator performance. |
| US08903864B2 |
Methods and apparatus to obtain anonymous audience measurement data from network server data for particular demographic and usage profiles
Methods and apparatus to obtain anonymous audience measurement data from network server data for particular demographic and usage profiles are disclosed. An example method to provide anonymous audience measurement data to an audience measurement entity disclosed herein comprises obtaining a demographic profile and a network usage profile, sampling customer data stored in a customer database not accessible by the audience measurement entity to generate a customer sample representative of the demographic profile and the network usage profile without customer intervention, the customer sample including customer identification information, processing log data obtained from a network server not accessible by the audience measurement entity using the customer identification information to determine audience measurement data associated with customers in the customer sample, and removing the customer identification information from the audience measurement data to prepare the anonymous audience measurement data for the audience measurement entity. |
| US08903862B2 |
Apparatus, method and computer program product for processing resource description framework statements
A method is provided that includes receiving a first triple including a subject, predicate and object, where the object is of a literal-type. For the first triple, then, the method includes identifying a subtype of the object; semantically marking the object with the identified subtype, including generating second and third triples; and storing the second and third triples in a triple store. In this regard, the second triple includes the subject and predicate of the first RDF triple as the subject and predicate thereof, and the third RDF triple includes the object of the first RDF triple or a representation of the object of the first RDF triple as the object thereof. |
| US08903854B2 |
Systems and methods for formlet generation and presentation
Certain examples provide systems and methods for formlet generation and presentation. Certain examples provide one or more formlets to be used to construct a clinical application. Certain examples leverage a content-based system, clinical element queries and clinical element transforms to generate a formlet to be used in a clinical application. |
| US08903845B2 |
Systems and methods for providing search assistance technologies based on user self-efficacy and search frustration
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for providing search assistance technologies based on a user's search self-efficacy and search frustration. The method according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises receiving a search query from a user. The method then calculates the user's search self-efficacy and calculates the user's frustration with the current information task. The method then identifies a plurality of search assistance technologies based on the user's search self-efficacy and frustration. Finally, the method provides a search engine results page comprising a plurality of search results and the identified plurality of search assistance technologies. |
| US08903843B2 |
Historical media recommendation service
A media recommendation system for recommending media content that is historically related to seed media content is provided. The recommended media content may be songs, television programs, movies, or a combination thereof, and the seed media content may be a song, television program, or movie. |
| US08903838B2 |
System and method for preventing duplicate file uploads in a synchronized content management system
A method and system for preventing duplicate file uploads in a remote content management system is described. The user device receives a hash value list associated with the files stored in the remote content management system. The user device calculates a hash value associated with new files to be uploaded. The system then compares the hash value(s) associated with the new file(s) to be uploaded with the hash value list received from the remote file storage system. If the hash values of any of the new files to be uploaded match a hash value on the hash value list, then the system prevents the new files from being uploaded to the remote file storage system. |
| US08903836B2 |
System and method for parsing, summarizing and reporting log data
A system and method is disclosed which enables network administrators and the like to quickly analyze the data produced by log-producing devices such as network firewalls and routers. Unlike systems of the prior art, the system disclosed herein automatically parses and summarizes log data before inserting it into one or more databases. This greatly reduces the volume of data stored in the database and permits database queries to be run and reports generated while many types of attempted breaches of network security are still in progress. Database maintenance may also be accomplished automatically by the system to delete or archive old log data. |
| US08903835B2 |
Information device and information presentation method for selected object information corresponding to device location
An information device is provided that includes a first acquisition unit, a second acquisition unit, a search unit, a first display unit, a determining unit, and a second display unit. The first acquisition unit acquires situation data indicating a situation of the information device. The second acquisition unit acquires object information in accordance with the situation data. The search unit searches a database for related words related to the object information. The first display unit displays the related words to allow any one of the related words to be selected, while the determining unit determines whether any one of the related words is selected. The second display unit displays the object information acquired by the second acquisition unit for the selected related words. |
| US08903833B2 |
Object identification by elector
Techniques for identifying an object are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an object identification system includes a reference to an object acted on at a first time, an elector, and a elector manager. The elector is configured to provide an appraisal, at a second time, of whether a candidate object is the objected acted on. The elector manager is configured to determine whether the candidate object is object acted on based on a value of the appraisal. |
| US08903832B2 |
Method and system for providing a virtual job market
The present invention relates to a method for providing a virtual job market on a network comprising an application server and clients and/or electronic message systems allowing to input and output information, wherein the method comprises the following steps: providing primary dimensions information on industries, career levels and functional areas; providing secondary dimensions information on salary ranges and/or geo-data and/or educational information and/or languages and/or special expertises, entering the primary and secondary dimensions information in a three dimensional data base on the application server; collecting information chunks of open jobs and candidate profiles, and placing the information chunks in a distinct cell or number of cells in the three dimensional database. Further, the present invention relates to a system for providing a virtual job market on a network comprising an application server and clients and/or electronic message systems including at least a first database comprising candidate profiles, a second database comprising salary information and a third database comprising job information, wherein the information available in the three databases is matched in a three dimensional database model. |
| US08903824B2 |
Vertex-proximity query processing
A method, an apparatus and an article of manufacture for processing a random-walk based vertex-proximity query on a graph. The method includes computing at least one vertex cluster and corresponding meta-information from a graph, dynamically updating the clustering and corresponding meta-information upon modification of the graph, and identifying a vertex cluster relevant to at least one query vertex and aggregating corresponding meta-information of the cluster to process the query. |
| US08903823B1 |
Coverage-based bug clustering
Embodiments provide tools and techniques for clustering failing runs in a design verification environment to aid in determining causes of the failing runs. Embodiments may include determining multiple failing runs of the design verification environment. Multiple partitions of the multiple failing runs may be generated. Each respective partition may partition one or more subsets of the multiple failing runs into one or more non-overlapping clusters of failing runs. The multiple partitions of the subsets of multiple failing runs may be merged into a hierarchical structure that includes at least one of the clusters. One or more clusters of failing runs from the merged hierarchical structure may be selected; these may be referred to as core clusters. Core clusters may be presented to a user based on the size and distance between the clusters. |
| US08903822B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring contents similarity based on feedback information of ranked user and computer readable recording medium storing program thereof
An apparatus for measuring contents similarity based on feedback information from ranked users includes: a user ranking unit for receiving from a database information on users as contents creators and feedback information on contents and ranking the users based on the received information; and a user grouping unit for classifying the users into a plurality of groups based on the ranking result. The apparatus further includes: a sequence modeling unit for receiving from the database the contents and the feedback information and modeling the number of feedbacks as sequences based on the ranked user groups; and a post similarity calculation unit for measuring similarity between the modeled sequences. |
| US08903819B2 |
Systems and methods for sharing profile information using user preference tag clouds
Systems and methods for sharing user profile information using tag clouds are provided in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. A first tag cloud may be generated from attributes stored in a first user profile and a second tag cloud may be generated from attributes stored in a second user profile. A user may drag-and-drop attributes between the two tag clouds and, in response, the underlying user profiles may be updated. Tag clouds may thus present a user's media preferences in an attractive and compelling visual arrangement that, in some embodiments, also functions as an intuitive interface for copying preferences between user profiles. |
| US08903818B2 |
Method and system for providing targeted searching and browsing
A server constituted a processor and a server memory, the processor arranged to: provide a selectable plurality of attributes, the plurality of attributes stored on the server memory; provide, for each selected one of the plurality of attributes, a selectable plurality of values, the plurality of values stored on the server memory; and generate an archetype responsive to the selected values of the selected attributes. Preferably, a system exhibiting the server and a user computing station in communication with the server, is provided, the user computing station comprising a user input device, wherein each of the selected one of the plurality of attributes is selected responsive to the user input device, and wherein each of the selected one of the plurality of values for each of the selected one of the plurality of attributes is selected responsive to the user input device. |
| US08903816B2 |
Methods and systems for deriving a score with which item listings are ordered when presented in search results
Methods and systems for analyzing, ordering and presenting item listings are described. In one example embodiment, a search query is processed to identify item listings satisfying the search query. Then, for each item listing that satisfies the search query, a ranking score is derived and assigned to the item listing. The ranking score is based in part on a relevance score, a listing quality score and a business rules score (or, adjustment factor). Finally, the item listings are ordered, based on their corresponding ranking score, and presented in order in a search results page. |
| US08903815B2 |
Enterprise architecture system and method
A method for operating a web service to search one or more data sources, the method including receiving a query directed to a first data source, wherein the first data source defines at least one characteristic of at least one first data object returned by the query, receiving at least one first data object from the first data source in response to querying the first data source, retrieving linked relationships between the at least one first data object and one or more second data objects from a second data source, receiving the one or more second data objects from the second data source in response to querying the second data source, generating a composite data object in response to the received query, the composite data object including the at least one first data object and the one or more second data objects formatted as markup language. |
| US08903814B2 |
Indexing timestamp with time zone value
Techniques are described for processing a query to produce query results, the query specifying at least a first timestamp value. Embodiments receive the query for processing and access a database index containing a plurality of database keys. The database index contains one or more database index keys, each of which includes at least a timestamp value and a time zone value. Embodiments compare the first timestamp value specified in the query with a portion of one the database index keys to locate at least a portion of the query results. More specifically, the compared portion of the database index key excludes the time zone value. The located portion of the query results is then retrieved. |
| US08903813B2 |
Context-based electronic document search using a synthetic event
A computer hardware-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product identifies non-synthetic event elements in electronic files. A first set of binary data that describes a synthetic event is received from a requesting computer. The synthetic event is a non-executable descriptor of a set of context-related factors. A processor performs a context-based search of a database of electronic files to identify a relevant electronic file, which includes the synthetic event. The processor then searches the relevant electronic file for at least one non-synthetic event element, which is absent from the synthetic event. In response to determining that the relevant electronic file comprises the non-synthetic event element, the processor transmits a second set of binary data to the requesting computer. This second set of binary data includes the relevant electronic file and a description of an identified non-synthetic event element in the relevant electronic file. |
| US08903812B1 |
Query independent quality signals
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for processing video searches using query-independent quality scores. |
| US08903807B2 |
Validating database table partitioning schemes using stratified random sampling
A method, system, and computer program product for validating database table partitioning from partition advisors. The method commences by receiving a workload comprising a plurality of queries, then analyzes the queries to determine stratification buckets based on the usage of tables in the queries. Further analysis of the queries results in assigning the queries into one or more of the stratification buckets from which buckets a number n of queries (n being smaller than the total number of queries in the received workload) are drawn from the stratification buckets to form a representative workload having a confidence interval C and a margin of error M. Now, having a representative workload that is smaller, yet statistically representative of the received workload, a computer evaluates each of a plurality of partition schemes using the representative workload to determine an optimal partitioning scheme. The confidence interval C can be increased or decreased. |
| US08903803B1 |
Horizontal interval-based data partitioning and indexing for large clusters
Current data records having a start and end time are transformed into a 2D space having a first dimension for each data record's start time and a second dimension for each data record's end time. Historical queries specifying data ranges are obtained. A response was previously sent for each historical query and specifying a sub-portion of data records that overlap with such historical query's specified data range. Partitioning schemes for the current data records in the 2D space are generated. An optimum partitioning scheme having a lowest cost is selected based on costs of executing the historical queries with respect to each of the partitioning schemes. The optimum partitioning scheme is applied on the current data records, including newly received data records, in the 2D space so that any subsequently received queries are applied against the current data records as partitioned by the optimum partitioning scheme in the 2D space. |
| US08903802B2 |
Systems and methods for managing queries
A streaming database management system may provide support for creating a new continuous query operator for on-the-fly addition of a new query, e.g., a new SQL query and/or new continuous query operator, into a shared continuous query plan. Alternatively, the streaming database management system may associate the new query on-the-fly with an existing continuous query operator, such as a relational operator and expression evaluator, to reuse the existing continuous query operator. In some embodiments, multiple operators are grouped for on-the-fly addition to the shared continuous query plan. Alternatively, the streaming database management system may identify a group of multiple operators in the shared continuous query plan for reuse by the new query. |
| US08903796B2 |
Web advertising management method
The invention relates to a method, system and computer program for management of paid advertisements displayed in response to a search query entered into a search engine. A vendor's inventory is discovered by reading from an inventory database. Search terms are determined for item categories in the inventory database, reading from fields of the inventory database. A user can specify additional or replacement search terms to be associated with a particular item. Advertisement sets are then created for items which are currently available or “in stock,” each set containing an advertisement corresponding to an item, the associated search terms, and a landing page identifier. The landing page displays search results from the vendor's inventory database, relating to the corresponding item category for that advertisement. |
| US08903795B1 |
System for automating the creation of an episode of an interactive show
Systems and methods for automating the creation of an episode of a show, such as an interactive video production, are described. In some embodiments, the systems and methods facilitate the creation of an episode of an interactive, music video show. |
| US08903794B2 |
Generating and presenting lateral concepts
Systems, methods, and computer-storage media for generating lateral concepts are provided. The system includes a search engine to receive user queries, a storage to store content and its associated categories, and a lateral concept generator. The lateral concept generator is connected to both the search engine and storage. The lateral concept generator selects lateral concepts from categories associated with the content based on similarity scores for the stored content. |
| US08903791B2 |
Statistical information generation system and statistical information generation method
A statistical information generation system includes a condition input section, an extracting section that extracts unidentifiable location data and unidentifiable attribute data, a magnification factor adding section that adds a magnification factor to the unidentifiable attribute data, a statistics section that calculates statistical data by using the unidentifiable location data, the unidentifiable attribute data, and the magnification factor, a counting section that counts the unidentifiable location data, a determining section that determines a magnitude of the number of pieces of data, and an output section that hides the statistical data to output the statistical data. |
| US08903788B2 |
Synchronizing distributed work through document logs
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for synchronizing distributed work. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving first and second metadata entries, adding the first and second metadata entries to a set corresponding to a digital object, and providing access to first and second unique identifiers used for referencing the first and second metadata entries respectively, where the first and second unique identifiers are based on contents of the first and second metadata entries respectively. |
| US08903783B2 |
System and method for publishing and displaying digital materials
The present invention provides a system for publishing and displaying digital materials, comprising an ePub publishing module comprising a mechanism for publishers to upload ePub files, a user management module providing a means to add, edit and remove end users from the system, a bookshelf module for organizing the user's content in order to create a logical grouping of content, a reading content module for reading content after the user has been mapped to the content, and an annotating content module for annotating user selected text. |
| US08903779B1 |
Methods for returning a corrupted database to a known, correct state
A corrupted database is returned to a correct state by rolling forward or backward through a change queue and applying changes to the database in a selective manner. Changes that did not cause the corruption are applied without modification when rolling forward or are skipped when rolling backward. Changes that caused corruption are addressed when rolling forward, such as by being ignored or modified and then applied. Changes that caused corruption are corrected when rolling backward. |
| US08903778B2 |
Visible personalization
A system for effectively rating and/or dynamically generating one or more electronic media files with respect to information associated with a user, the user's preferences, and/or the user's past behavior with respect to electronic media. |
| US08903777B1 |
Application backup using unified backup methodologies
A computer system and methods. The computer system includes a host that hosts applications and includes storage volumes. The host identifies an application and associated first files to be protected. The first files are stored on a first volume. The host performs a file-by-file backup of the first files to a first backup medium. The host identifies a second volume to be protected and performs a volume image backup of the second volume to a second backup medium. The host identifies second files that are associated with the identified application and stored on the second volume and stores metadata in a third backup medium including application-specific references to data objects that correspond to the second files. Third files not associated with the identified application are stored on the first volume and not included in the file-by-file backup. The second files are not included in the file-by-file backup. |
| US08903773B2 |
Computer file storage, backup, restore and retrieval
Computer file storage, backup, restore and retrieval is disclosed. A method includes providing a restore file interface allowing a user to restore a plurality of files based on a plurality of filter options, the files stored on multiple local and/or remote storage devices, computing devices, servers, and clouds. A filter option selection is received from the user, and filter details may also be received from the user. An available file list may be prepared based on the filter option selection and, if received, the filter details. A user selection from the available file list may be received. The user selected files are retrieved from one or more appropriate storage devices, computing devices, servers, and clouds. The method may be performed by software executing on a computing device. |
| US08903770B2 |
Methods and apparatus for discontinuing the following of records in an on-demand database service environment
Disclosed are systems, apparatus, methods, and computer readable media for discontinuing the following of records in an on-demand database service environment. In one embodiment, one or more records are identified according to one or more designated criteria. The records are stored in a database. The records are being followed by one or more users in an on-demand database service environment such that updates to the records are capable of being stored as feed items in one or more feed tables in the database. The feed items are capable of being published in an information feed displayed on one or more devices associated with the one or more users. The following of the identified one or more records by the one or more users is discontinued. |
| US08903768B2 |
Method and system for synchronization and management of system activities with locally installed applications
The present invention will enable the user to follow a presentation while waiting for presentation files to download to the user's local machine. This invention provides a dynamic cloud based approach to local hand-off. It will enable users to view a cloud or other remotely-based (found via a URL) or screen-shared version of the presentation until source material has downloaded. |
| US08903766B2 |
Data mirroring using a virtual connection
In a storage system, at least three storage sites are arranged in a full mirroring relationship using a virtual connection between instances of a storage group on two of the sites whereby no user data is transmitted. |
| US08903762B2 |
Modeling data exchange in a data flow of an extract, transform, and load (ETL) process
Methods, systems, and computer program products for generating code from a data flow associated with an extract, transform, and load (ETL) process. In one implementation, the method includes identifying a data exchange requirement between a first operator and a second operator in the data flow. The first operator is a graphical object that represents a first data transformation step in the data flow and is associated with a first type of runtime engine, and the second operator is a graphical object that represents a second data transformation step in the data flow and is associated with a second type of runtime engine. The method further includes generating code to manage data staging between the first operator and the second operator in the data flow. The code exchanges data from a format associated with the first type of runtime engine to a format associated with the second type of runtime engine. |
| US08903761B1 |
System and method for maintaining mappings from data containers to their parent directories
A system and method maintains mappings from data containers to their parent directories within a file system of a storage system. Each inode is modified to include a primary name data structure comprising a parent directory inode and a parent directory cookie value. The parent directory cookie value identifies a particular directory entry within a specified block of a directory identified by parent directory inode. An alternate name file is utilized to store alternate names, such as those associated with hard links. |
| US08903758B2 |
Generating navigable readable personal accounts from computer interview related applications
A system for using a rules based, dynamic, non-linear computer interview to capture a user's subjective human experience and storing those experiences in a highly structured manner in the form of a computer based bi-directional graph and using that graph and a computer system to generate navigable readable personal accounts tailored to an intended audience is presented. |
| US08903756B2 |
System and method for knowledge pattern search from networked agents
One or more systems and methods for knowledge pattern search from networked agents are disclosed in various embodiments of the invention. A system and a related method can utilizes a knowledge pattern discovery process, which involves analyzing historical data, contextualizing, conceptualizing, clustering, and modeling of data to pattern and discover information of interest. This process may involve constructing a pattern-identifying model using a computer system by applying a context-concept-cluster (CCC) data analysis method, and visualizing that information using a computer system interface. In one embodiment of the invention, once the pattern-identifying model is constructed, the real-time data can be gathered using multiple learning agent devices, and then analyzed by the pattern-identifying model to identify various patterns for gains analysis and derivation of an anomalousness score. This system can be useful for knowledge discovery applications in various industries, including business, competitive intelligence, and academic research. |
| US08903743B2 |
Cryptographic prescription system
A method, computer program product, and data processing system for secure automated dispensing of prescription medications are disclosed. A preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes broadcast encryption to encrypt a prescription for storage on a machine-readable medium that is pre-written with a key management block (KMB). The KMB encodes a session key needed to read from or write to the medium. Each prescription-writing device and medication dispensing device is assigned a unique set of device keys, which are used to recover the session key from the medium. Only authorized devices are able to recover the session key from a medium's KMB. Thus, only authorized devices may read or validly write prescriptions from/to the machine-readable medium. Hence, only authorized providers can write fillable prescriptions and only authorized dispensers can dispense medications to fill those prescriptions. |
| US08903742B2 |
Rapid identification of message authentication
Techniques are presented for uniquely identifying authentication associated with messages. A message is inspected for sender or domain identifying information associated with a sender of the message or a sender's domain. The identifying information is authenticated, and if authentication, then distinctive metadata is associated with the message. The distinctive metadata is presented or played in connection with the message for purposes of readily identifying the authentication. |
| US08903741B2 |
Dynamic credit score alteration
A method for providing credit score information for a user to the user is provided. The method comprises offering the user an option to obtain information related to a credit score via a computer networking arrangement. The method further determines credit score information once the option is selected by the user, and providing the credit score information determined to the user via the computer networking arrangement. |
| US08903740B2 |
System architecture and methods for composing and directing participant experiences
The present invention contemplates a variety of improved methods and systems for providing an experience platform, as well as sentio or experience codecs, and experience agents for supporting the experience platform. The experience platform may be provided by a service provider to enable an experience provider to compose and direct a participant experience. The service provider monetizes the experience by charging the experience provider and/or the participants for services. The participant experience can involve one or more experience participants. The experience provider can create an experience with a variety of dimensions and features. As will be appreciated, the following description provides one paradigm for understanding the multi-dimensional experience available to the participants. There are many suitable ways of describing, characterizing and implementing the experience platform contemplated herein. |
| US08903732B2 |
System and method for processing opinion data
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to solicit an appraisal for each of a plurality of media programs presented by the media processor for composing a proposal to update one or more operational features of the media processor according to one or more consumer preferences determined from one or more supplied appraisals. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08903731B1 |
System and method for incentivizing and coordinating meetings
A computer based machine system and method for coordinating a meeting between a meeting requester and a meeting prospect are described. The invention includes a meeting requester interface that allows a meeting requester to submit a meeting request. A computer readable identification code associated with a complementary article set, including at least two functionally complementary articles, is stored in a database and cross-referenced with the meeting request. A complementary article of the complementary article set is shipped to the meeting requester and a second complementary article of the complementary article set is shipped to the meeting prospect. If the meeting prospect accepts the meeting, the complementary articles may be united at the meeting and a corresponding donation to charity made. |
| US08903730B2 |
Content feature-preserving and complexity-scalable system and method to modify time scaling of digital audio signals
A time-domain system and method of modifying the time scale of digital audio signals includes a pre-processor. The pre-processor forms a synthesized signal for processing with minimum computation and that has optional features to give preference to certain audio channels and/or frequency bands, a mechanism of adaptively characterizing the temporal features of the synthesized signal by its normalized power and zero-crossing count, and a mechanism of identifying a segment of the synthesized signal where the time scale can be modified without introducing artifacts or losing content. |
| US08903729B2 |
System and method for non-destructively normalizing loudness of audio signals within portable devices
Many portable playback devices cannot decode and playback encoded audio content having wide bandwidth and wide dynamic range with consistent loudness and intelligibility unless the encoded audio content has been prepared specially for these devices. This problem can be overcome by including with the encoded content some metadata that specifies a suitable dynamic range compression profile by either absolute values or differential values relative to another known compression profile. A playback device may also adaptively apply gain and limiting to the playback audio. Implementations in encoders, in transcoders and in decoders are disclosed. |
| US08903728B2 |
System for endoscopic surgery having a function of controlling through voice recognition
In a system for endoscopic surgery, a storage unit stores a command for controlling a peripheral device and whether or not the command is valid or invalid in an associated manner for each operator and each procedure of an endoscopic surgery. A specification unit receives specification of an operator and a procedure. A conversion unit recognizes an input voice, and converts the voice into a voice command. A determination unit refers to the storage unit, and determines whether or not the voice command obtained by the conversion unit is identical to a command that has been set to be valid for the operator and the procedure specified by the specification unit. A transmission unit halts a transmission process to a peripheral device that corresponds to a command that has been determined to be invalid by the determination unit. |
| US08903725B2 |
Method and arrangement for controlling user access
Method for controlling user access to a service available in a data network and/or to information stored in a user database, in order to protect stored user data from unauthorized access, such that the method comprises the following: input of a user's speech sample to a user data terminal, processing of the user's speech sample in order to obtain a prepared speech sample as well as a current voice profile of the user, comparison of the current voice profile with an initial voice profile stored in an authorization database, and output of an access-control signal to either permit or refuse access, taking into account the result of the comparison step, such that the comparison step includes a quantitative similarity evaluation of the current and the stored voice profiles as well as a threshold-value discrimination of a similarity measure thereby derived, and an access-control signal that initiates permission of access is generated only if a prespecified similarity measure is not exceeded. |
| US08903723B2 |
Audio synchronization for document narration with user-selected playback
Disclosed are techniques and systems to provide a narration of a text. In some aspects, the techniques and systems described herein include generating a timing file that includes elapsed time information for expected portions of text that provides an elapsed time period from a reference time in an audio recording to each portion of text in recognized portions of text. |
| US08903721B1 |
Smart auto mute
A mute setting is automatically set based on a speech detection result for acoustic signals received by a device. A device detects the speech based on a variety of cues from acoustic signals received using one or more microphones. If speech is detected within one or more frames, a mute setting may be automatically turned off. If speech is not detected, a mute setting may be automatically turned on. A mute setting may remain on as long as speech is not detected within the received acoustic signals. A varying delay may be implemented to help avoid false detections. The delay may be utilized during a mute-on state, and gradually removed during a transition from a mute-on state to a mute-off state. |
| US08903715B2 |
High bandwidth parsing of data encoding languages
A mechanism is provided for accelerating data exchange language parsing. An input data stream is loaded into a first in, first out (FIFO) memory. A tokenization bit corresponding to a next byte to be read is extracted from a FIFO. A determination is made as to whether the tokenization bit corresponding to the next byte to be read from the FIFO indicates a control character or a non-control character located in an associated FIFO memory location in the FIFO. Responsive to the tokenization bit indicating the control character, the control character that causes a state change in a state machine is processed. Responsive to the tokenization bit indicating the non-control character, a length associated with the tokenized bit is identified and a set of non-control characters that do not cause a state change in the state machine are processed based on the length associated with the tokenized bit. |
| US08903712B1 |
Call steering data tagging interface with automatic semantic clustering
A system and method for providing an easy-to-use interface for verifying semantic tags in a steering application in order to generate a natural language grammar. The method includes obtaining user responses to open-ended steering questions, automatically grouping the user responses into groups based on their semantic meaning, and automatically assigning preliminary semantic tags to each of the groups. The user interface enables the user to validate the content of the groups to ensure that all responses within a group have the same semantic meaning and to add or edit semantic tags associated with the groups. The system and method may be applied to interactive voice response (IVR) systems, as well as customer service systems that can communicate with a user via a text or written interface. |
| US08903711B2 |
System and methods for semiautomatic generation and tuning of natural language interaction applications
A system for supervised automatic code generation and tuning for natural language interaction applications, comprising a build environment comprising a developer user interface, automated coding tools, automated testing tools, and automated optimization tools, and an analytics framework software module. Text samples are imported into the build environment and automated clustering is performed to assign them to a plurality of input groups, each input group comprising a plurality of semantically related inputs. Language recognition rules are generated by automated coding tools. Automated testing tools carry out automated testing of language recognition rules and generate recommendations for tuning language recognition rules. The analytics framework performs analysis of interaction log files to identify problems in a candidate natural language interaction application. Optimizations to the candidate natural language interaction application are carried out and an optimized natural language interaction application is deployed into production and stored in the solution data repository. |
| US08903710B2 |
Synchro translation verification test for software applications
Verifying text translation in a program including obtaining a first program integrated information (PII) file and a second PII file of text in the program. An original page is generated by using the first PII file. Document object model (DOM) tree information of the original page is obtained. For each text unit in the original page: identification information corresponding to a first text unit in the first PII file is extracted; a second text unit is identified in the second PII file using the extracted identification information and a relationship between the identification information and the second text unit; and the first text unit is replaced in the DOM tree with the second text unit. A new page is generated using the text units from the second PII file. |
| US08903709B2 |
Revising translated documents in a document storage system
A method includes creating a first document in a first language and translating the first document into a second language. The translated document is revised directly in the second language. A document storage system stores the three documents and stores data about the three documents. |
| US08903706B2 |
System for embedded microcontroller and method
The invention is system for emulating a target application comprises a computer, and a capsular including a microcontroller, a programmable non-volatile memory, a numeric display, a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data, a real time clock and at least one input device interacting with a program run on the microcontroller. The capsular is couplable to the computer and adapted to fit in a housing. The input device is operable both when the capsular is inside the housing and when the capsular is outside the housing. |
| US08903700B2 |
Concretization of abstracted traces
An abstract trace may be defined based on a coverage goal. An execution of a System Under Test (SUT) is guided in accordance with the coverage goal. Non-deterministic decision, which correlates to receiving a stimulus to the SUT, is decided based on a probability function. After one or more executions, the probability function is modified based on a measurement of similarity between the abstract trace and each of the one or more executions. The modification of the probability function may be performed using on Cross-Entropy method. The modification is performed in order to cause determination of non-deterministic decisions in executions to better correlate with the abstract trace. In some exemplary embodiments, a determination whether the abstract trace is reachable is determined based on a rate of convergence of the executions to the abstract trace. |
| US08903696B2 |
System and method for controlling granularity of transaction recording in discrete event simulation
A method and system for controlling granularity of transaction recording and visualizing system performance and behavior in a discrete functional verification software simulation environment is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a simulation of a model is run in a discrete event simulation system for a period of time. During the simulation, statistical values of attribute for a plurality of transactions occurring during the period of time are monitored. Based on a granularity setting, a group of consecutive transactions is grouped into a super transaction, and the statistical values representing the super transaction are recorded to represent the group of transactions. The super transactions are visualized in a visualization tool for analyzing the performance of the model. |
| US08903692B2 |
Method for the detection of failures in a turbomachine by means of a theoretical model of the thermodynamic cycle of the said turbomachine
A method for the detection of failure in a turbomachine by monitoring the performance of the turbomachine is provided. The method includes measuring at least one performance parameter of the turbomachine in order to obtain an actual signature for the performance of the turbomachine; comparing the actual signature of the turbomachine with a database of failures associating reference signatures for the performance of the turbomachine with identifiers of failure, the database of failures being obtained by the simulation of failures on the basis of a theoretical model of the thermodynamic cycle of the turbomachine; and determining the identifier of failure of the turbomachine for the actual signature. |
| US08903690B2 |
Linking graphical user interface testing tools and human performance modeling to enable usability assessment
Methods of providing usability predictions are set forth herein. A method includes obtaining test cases for analyzing usability of a graphical user interface of a given software application. The method further includes automatically generating, using a processor, a human performance model based on the test cases. The method also includes generating the usability predictions based on the human performance model. At least some of the test cases are generated automatically from an analysis of the given software application. |
| US08903686B1 |
Partitioning electronic circuits for simulation on multicore processors
A circuit is simulated by using distributed computing to obtain a real solution. The circuit may be an entire integrated circuit, portion of an integrated circuit, or a circuit block. A circuit simulation technique of the invention generates a system graph, finds a tree, and partitions the tree into two or more subtrees. The technique identifies global links and local links in the graph. Each subtree may be solved individually using distributed, parallel computing (e.g., using multiple processor cores or multiple processors). Using the results for the subtrees, the technique obtains a real solution, branch voltages and currents, for the circuit. |
| US08903685B2 |
Variable step-size least mean square method for estimation in adaptive networks
The variable step-size least mean square method for estimation in adaptive networks uses a variable step-size to provide estimation for each node in the adaptive network, where the step-size at each node is determined by the error calculated for each node, as opposed to conventional least mean square algorithms used in adaptive filters and the like, where the choice of step-size reflects a tradeoff between misadjustment and the speed of adaptation. |
| US08903680B2 |
Apparatus and method for evaluating layers in a multi-layer structure
An apparatus for evaluating layers, including interlayer gaps, in a multi-layer structure; the multi-layer structure presenting a plurality of edges generally aligned athwart an axis; the apparatus includes: (a) a sensing unit configured for sensing at least one parameter; (b) a positioning unit coupled with the sensing unit; the positioning unit being configured to effect moving the sensing unit generally along the axis; and (c) a control unit coupled with at least one of the positioning unit and the sensing unit. The control unit provides an electrical signal to the sensing unit. The control unit monitors changes in the at least one parameter as the sensing unit moves past the plurality of edges. The control unit employs the changes in the at least one parameter to effect the evaluating. |
| US08903679B2 |
Accuracy in a capacitive sense array
A capacitive sense array configured to improve accuracy in detecting a presence of a conductive object is described. In one embodiment the capacitive sense array includes a first set of sense elements including a plurality of sub-sections and a second set of sense elements including a plurality of sub-sections such that the plurality of sub-sections of one sense element of the first set straddle at least one of the plurality of sub-sections of at least two of the sense elements of the second set. The straddle as defined in the present invention includes shifting and interleaving sub-section of one sense element with the sub-sections of at least two sense elements adjacent to the one sense element. |
| US08903678B2 |
Sensing device and electronic apparatus
A sensing device with lower power consumption by controlling a rate for generating output data is to be provided. A sensing device includes: a sensor module including a group of sensors, at least one of which is set as a motion sensor; and a data generating unit that generates output data on the basis of outputs from the group of sensors. The data generating unit switches, on the basis of an output from the motion sensor, a rate for generating the output data. |
| US08903677B2 |
Inertial navigation units, systems, and methods
Navigation units, systems, and methods for use in the context of personal navigation, and associated methods for initialization, navigation, assistance, and correction, all in the field of inertial navigation and related applications. The inertial navigation units, systems, and methods of the invention utilize multiple accelerometers to gather specific force data for improvement of the initialization, navigation, assistance, or corrective processes. |
| US08903668B2 |
Alternator speed estimation using spectrum analysis
A system and method for determining the speed of an alternator, for example, a vehicle alternator. The method includes measuring the current or voltage of a vehicle battery for a predetermined period of time, and then notch filtering the measured current or voltage signal to remove known harmonics. A limited data point Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) spectrum analysis operation is performed to identify the frequency peaks in the filtered signal, where the highest peak represents a ripple current on the DC alternator signal. The highest peak in the FFT signal is identified, and an interpolation process is performed between that peak and an adjacent peak in the data to identify the actual frequency of the ripple current. The ripple current is then converted to the speed of the alternator. |
| US08903661B2 |
Chemical sensors based on cubic nanoparticles capped with an organic coating for detecting explosives
The present application describes a sensor apparatus, especially an electronic nose, based on 2D films or 3D assemblies of cubic nanoparticles capped with an organic coating. The organic coating is modified with unique compositions of functional moieties, e.g. cyclodextrins, to provide the detection of volatile and non-volatile compounds derived from explosive materials, e.g. PETN, RDX, TNT etc. with very high sensitivity. The nose employs pattern recognition algorithms and methods, e.g. PCA, for detecting and quantifying specific explosive compounds. |
| US08903660B2 |
Rejuvenation or preservation of germ cells
Certain embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, at least one of compositions, methods, devices, systems, kits, or products regarding rejuvenation or preservation of germ cells or gametes. Certain embodiments disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, methods of modifying germ cells or gametes, or methods of administering modified germ cells or gametes to at least one biological tissue. |
| US08903659B2 |
Method for analysis seismic data with attribute functions
A method for stratigraphic analysis of seismic data comprises: selecting a seismic data volume comprising a plurality of samples; selecting a number of horizons within the seismic data volume; selecting a scale of interest within the seismic data volume, which ranges from 500 m up to the size of the entire seismic data volume; applying an attribute function to at least one of the selected number of horizons at the selected scale of interest; and displaying a stratigraphic attribute, which represents a geologic feature, such as a seismic facies attribute, an unconformity attribute and/or a thinning attribute that highlights a rate of thickness change of a formation layer between adjacent horizons, as a result of applying the attribute function at the selected scale of interest. These attributes facilitate understanding of moderate to large-scale seismic geometries (500 m to 50 Km) and basin development over geologic time. |
| US08903653B2 |
System and method for locating network nodes
As system for locating a network node may be implemented as a static network device for determining location of a mobile node. The system includes a transceiver for receiving a device identifier over a public network from the mobile node, the device identifier based on a user-configurable parameter and a non-user-configurable parameter of the mobile node, and a processor coupled to the transceiver and to memory containing executable code. When executed, the code effects method steps for: accessing, in response to the transceiver receiving the device identifier, a database of authorized device identifiers corresponding to known mobile nodes, establishing, in response to the device identifier matching one of the authorized device identifiers, a secure private network with the mobile node, and communicating with two additional static network devices, the three static network devices implementing triangulation to determine a location of the mobile node. |
| US08903652B2 |
Navigation device positioning system
A navigation system may determine an approximate position of a navigation device and determine a geographical area in which the navigation device is located based on the approximate position. The determined geographical area may be one of a plurality of geographical areas included in a routing area. Each geographical area may be associated with one of a plurality of positioning procedures each associated with a predetermined parameter set. The navigation system may select the positioning procedure associated with the determined geographical area and determine the position of the navigation device according to the selected positioning procedure and the associated predefined parameter set. |
| US08903649B2 |
Method and system for navigation
A method for navigation of a vehicle using a navigation system with stored map data having road segments comprising determining a current road segment and a current position of the vehicle in the current road segment and receiving a user input command. The method determines a destination in the current road segment or in another road segment of a parallel lane of the current road segment, the determining being initiated by the input. A route from the current position to the destination is calculated in the absence of a turn-around maneuver within the current road segment. |
| US08903645B2 |
System and apparatus for processing information, image display apparatus, control method and computer program
An information processing apparatus includes a three-dimensional map data storage unit for storing three-dimensional map data for use in projecting a three-dimensional space on a map onto a plane, a location information storage unit for storing location information including a type of geographical objects at points spaced at predetermined intervals on the map, a present position storage unit for storing a present position on the map, an operation input receiving unit for receiving an operation input, a collision determination unit for determining the possibility of occurrence of collision in a course from the present position to an end point, a correction unit for correcting the end point based on the determined possibility of occurrence of collision and shifting the present position to the corrected end point, and a drawing unit for drawing a three-dimensional image, the three-dimensional image produced by projecting onto the plane the three-dimensional space on the map. |
| US08903642B2 |
Mobile body position information transmitting device for navigation system, and mobile body position information transmission method and program for navigation system
A vehicle (12) starts from the front of a home (11a) and moves to a destination (11b). An area (area—1) with the home (11a) at the center is an area where the position of the home (11a) is estimated to be easily specified, and a road (13a) to be searched is a road required for searching a moving route of the vehicle (12). An in-vehicle device (200) does not transmit position information or the like acquired in the area (area—1) in response to a request of position information from a road side device (100). The in-vehicle device (200) transmits the position information or the like on the vehicle (12) acquired after the vehicle (12) moves out of the area (area—1) to the road side device (100). The position information on the vehicle is transmitted to the road side device by protecting personal information. |
| US08903640B2 |
Communication based vehicle-pedestrian collision warning system
A system for detecting a pedestrian is provided. The system includes a base and a mast extending from the base, and a plurality of sensors mounted on the mast, the plurality of sensors for detecting objects and pedestrians within a predetermined range, and wherein the sensors include a GPS antenna, at least one camera, an alert mechanism, a radio with an integrated directional antenna, and a short range communication antenna. A path predicting circuit is in communication with a system vehicle and the pedestrian detection system. The path predicting circuit processes information from the system vehicle and pedestrian detection system to predict the path of the system vehicle and detected objects. The path predicting circuit is in communication with a path collision circuit and the predicted paths are mapped on the path collision circuit so as to determine if the system vehicle may possibly collide with a detected object. |
| US08903637B2 |
System and method for calculating an instantaneous fuel economy for a vehicle
A system for calculating an instantaneous fuel economy for a vehicle is disclosed herein. The system includes, but is not limited to, a speed sensor that is configured to determine a current speed of the vehicle, an acceleration sensor that is configured to determine a current acceleration of the vehicle, a fuel sensor that is configured to determine a current fuel consumption rate of an internal combustion engine of the vehicle, a display unit, and a processor. The processor is communicatively coupled with the speed sensor, the acceleration sensor, and the fuel sensor, and is operatively coupled with the display unit. The processor is configured to determine the instantaneous fuel economy of the vehicle based on information obtained from the speed sensor, the acceleration sensor, and the fuel sensor. The processor is further configured to instruct the display unit to display the instantaneous fuel economy. |
| US08903634B2 |
Engine control apparatus
The engine control apparatus includes a governor control mechanism for keeping the engine frequency constant, decides the “presence” or “absence” of the engine load by the throttle aperture and forcibly changes the engine frequency to a predetermined frequency depending on the presence or absence of the load, the engine control apparatus includes an engine controlling unit (10) for controlling fuel supply to an engine (1), an engine temperature detecting unit (4) for detecting an engine temperature of the engine (1), and a threshold changing unit (10a) for changing each throttle aperture as a threshold for deciding the “presence” or “absence” of an engine load depending on the engine temperature detected by the engine temperature detecting unit (4). |
| US08903633B2 |
Control system for internal combustion engine
A control system for an internal combustion engine, wherein in the control system, an in-cylinder oxygen amount is calculated and a compression end temperature, which is a temperature of the pressurized air-fuel mixture, is calculated according to an intake air temperature. A fuel injection parameter is determined according to the compression end temperature, the in-cylinder oxygen amount, and an engine rotational speed. The fuel injector is controlled based on the determined fuel injection parameter. By determining the fuel injection parameter according to the compression end temperature in addition to the in-cylinder oxygen amount, the combustion state is adjusted when the compression end temperature is low, thereby maintaining a stable combustion state. |
| US08903629B2 |
Method for adapting a fuel/air mixture for an internal combustion engine
A method for adapting a mixture for a pilot control process for setting a fuel/air mixture for operating an internal combustion engine. The method includes determining a current measuring point from an air and fuel quantity in which a predefined lambda is achieved, determining a current operating range in which the measuring point lies, determining a deviation of the measuring point from the operating point lying in the current operating range, determining a corrected operating point between the operating point and the measuring point, and determining corrected parameters of a parameterized relationship from the corrected operating point and the operating points and parameter values of the preceding adaptation step not lying in the current operating range, and permits adaptation of a mixture without separation of load/rotational speed ranges for adaptation of the offset and of the factor of the linear relationship of air quantity and fuel quantity. |
| US08903627B2 |
Control device of internal combustion engine
When alcohol mixing fuel is supplied to an internal combustion engine, an intake air flow rate is detected and a basic amplitude amount α of an upstream target air-fuel ratio abyfr corresponding to this detected intake air flow rate is calculated. Next, alcohol concentration in the fuel (in more detail, ethanol concentration Cetha) and a cooling water temperature (or an intake air temperature) are detected, hydrogen concentration Ch in a mixing exhaust gas is calculated based on the detected ethanol concentration Cetha and the detected cooling water temperature (or the detected intake air temperature) amplitude gain β corresponding to the calculated hydrogen concentration is calculated and finally, an amplitude amount (α×β) of the upstream target air-fuel ratio is calculated. |
| US08903621B2 |
Method and system for controlling braking of vehicle
Disclosed is a system and method for controlling braking of a vehicle equipped with an electronic wedge brake on a driving wheel thereof that receives a torque of a driving motor. The method includes obtaining a driver request to decelerate when a driver engages a brake pedal. A regenerative braking torque, a frictional braking torque of the driving wheel, and a friction braking torque of a coupled driving wheel are obtained from the request in a regenerative braking entrance state. An allowable frictional braking torque is obtained from wheel speed data, and is compared with the frictional braking torque. A compensation frictional braking torque is calculated from the friction braking torque and the allowable frictional braking torque when the frictional braking torque is greater than the allowable frictional braking torque. Braking control of the coupled driving wheel is performed using a torque as a final target torque. |
| US08903617B2 |
Absolute acceleration sensor for use within moving vehicles
A communication system for a vehicle comprises a receiver to receive a signal corresponding to a traveling speed of a lead vehicle, a response device that generates an alert to warn of a change in the traveling speed of the lead vehicle, and a control device coupled to the receiver and the response device, wherein the receiver sends a signal to the control device corresponding to the traveling speed of the lead vehicle and the control device operates the response device in a manner dependent on the traveling speed of the lead vehicle. In some embodiments, the signal comprises one or more of infrared, radio frequency, wireless, WiFi, and Bluetooth®. In some embodiments, the communication system further comprises a speed control system coupled to the control device, wherein the control device operates the speed control system in a manner dependent on the traveling speed of the lead vehicle. |
| US08903615B2 |
Speed ratio control device and control method for continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission (4) comprises an endless torque transmission member (13) looped around a pair of pulleys (11, 12). At least one of the pulleys changes a winding radius of the endless torque transmission member (13) in accordance with an applied pulley thrust. A controller (22) estimates a stretch amount of the endless torque transmission member (13) based on an operating state of the continuously variable transmission (4), sets a slip limit thrust based on the stretch amount, and controls the pulley thrusts based on the slip limit thrust. In this manner, appropriate pulley thrust control in accordance with whether or not the endless torque transmission member (13) stretches is realized. |
| US08903614B1 |
Apparatus and method for determining short-term driving tendency
An apparatus and a method determines a short-term driving tendency. The apparatus may include a driving information collecting unit configured to collect driving information including a vehicle speed, and an inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle of the driver and a forward vehicle, a short-term driving tendency calculating module configured to receive a plurality of input variables for determining the short-term driving tendency and calculate a short-term driving tendency index using a fuzzy control theory, and a calculation prohibition control module configured to check the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle of the driver and the forward vehicle and prohibit calculation of the short-term driving tendency index when the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value. |
| US08903611B2 |
Vehicle-occupant protection system
A vehicle-occupant protection system in a vehicle has a first sensor and a second sensor on a lateral side closer to a seat of an occupant. The first sensor is either forward of or lateral to the seat of the occupant in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The second sensor is rearward of the first sensor. The system further includes a collision determination section, which concludes an occurrence of a collision when a signal of the first sensor exceeds a determination threshold value in a situation where a signal of the second sensor has not exceeded a determination threshold value. Upon concluding the occurrence of the collision, the collision determination section activates a movement restraint device to restrain the occupant from moving away from the seat. |
| US08903610B2 |
System for providing assist torque based on a vehicle state
A control system for providing an assist torque is provided. The control system includes a control algorithm module and a comfort limit module. The control algorithm module calculates a corrective steering torque based on a target vehicle state and an estimated vehicle state. The comfort limit module receives a handwheel torque. The comfort limit module calculates a limited corrective steering torque based on the corrective steering torque and the handwheel torque. The limited steering torque represents an allowable amount of the assist torque provided by the control system. |
| US08903608B2 |
Method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle
A method for assisting a driver of a vehicle in a driving maneuver in which the vehicle is guided automatically along a previously calculated trajectory, or the lateral guidance for travel along the trajectory is carried out automatically, and after the driving maneuver is completed, the steering of the vehicle is returned to the driver, information being provided to the driver concerning the vehicle's surroundings and suitable steering settings before and/or during the transfer of the steering to the driver. Also described is a device for carrying out the method, including a steering arrangement for steering the vehicle along a previously calculated trajectory as well as an output arrangement for outputting information concerning the vehicle's surroundings and suitable steering settings to the driver before and/or during the transfer of the steering to the driver. |
| US08903607B2 |
Lane tracking system with active rear-steer
A lane tracking system for a vehicle includes a front steering controller, a rear steering controller, and a lane tracking processor. The front steering controller is configured to rotate a front wheel of the vehicle through a front steering angle in response to a front steering torque command, and the rear steering controller is configured to rotate a rear wheel of the vehicle through a rear steering angle in response to a rear steering torque command. The lane tracking processor is configured to determine a desired course of the vehicle along a roadway, estimate a trajectory of the vehicle based on sensed vehicle motion, compute an error between the determined desired course and the estimated trajectory, and provide a front steering torque command to the front steering controller, and a rear steering torque command to the rear steering controller to minimize the computed error. |
| US08903605B2 |
System to remotely unlatch a pickup box tailgate
A pickup truck includes a tailgate that is movable between open and closed positions. A powered latch provides for remote release of the latches of the tailgate. The tailgate is biased from the closed position towards the open position such that release of the latch causes the tailgate to shift automatically from the closed position to the open position. |
| US08903604B2 |
Display system in hydraulic shovel and control method therefor
A calculation unit of a hydraulic shovel display system sets a predetermined display range displayed as a guidance picture for land shape data. The guidance picture shows a cross section of a target surface included in a display range as seen from a side of a main vehicle body, and a current position of the hydraulic shovel. The calculation unit calculates a position of a start point nearest the main vehicle body and a position of an end point set apart from the start point by a maximum reach length of the work machine in the cross section of the target surface as seen from the side based on land shape data, work machine data and a current position of the main vehicle body. The calculation unit calculates a predetermined reference point of the display range based on the positions of the start point and the end point. |
| US08903599B2 |
Failure determination device for shutter device of vehicle
A failure determination device capable of performing failure determination for a shutter device of a vehicle with accuracy in a short time period. In an engine room of a vehicle, a condenser for a refrigeration cycle for an aircon is provided and at a front grille of the vehicle, a grille shutter device is provided for introducing ambient air for cooling the condenser into the engine room by opening a grille shutter. According to the failure determination device of the shutter device, a pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the condenser is detected as a refrigerant pressure. A failure of the grille shutter device is determined based on the refrigerant pressure, which changes at a large rate according to the opening/closing of the grille shutter, enabling failure determination with accuracy in a short time period. |
| US08903597B2 |
Multipurpose in-vehicle diagnostic II adapter
The present invention is directed to an extension connector. The extension connector may include a first connector communicatively coupled to an in-vehicle connector associated with an automobile. The extension connector may further include a second connector that may be communicatively coupled to the first connector. The extension connector may further include a third connector that may be communicatively coupled to the first connector and the second connector. |
| US08903595B2 |
Alternator and starter tester with increased load and cable identification
An alternator and starter tester system capable of generating a warranty claim code. The warranty claim code can contain information regarding a diagnostic test and the tested components. The alternator and starter tester system can also encode and transmit the warranty claim code to a supplier or a manufacturer to verify warranty credit. |
| US08903593B1 |
System and method for analyzing vehicular behavior in a network environment
A method in one example embodiment includes receiving a set of data in real time from a plurality of machine devices associated with at least one vehicle, providing a set of reference data corresponding to a machine device of the plurality of machine devices, comparing the set of data with the set of reference data, and detecting a deviation within the set of data from the set of reference data. The method further includes initiating an operation associated with the deviation. The set of reference data could be a trend of previous data received from the machine device or a common trend based on a previous set of data of the machine device. More specific embodiments include receiving a plurality of data containing the set of data from the plurality of machine devices and identifying a state of the machine device using the set of data. |
| US08903589B2 |
Method and apparatus for simultaneous localization and mapping of mobile robot environment
Techniques that optimize performance of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) processes for mobile devices, typically a mobile robot. In one embodiment, erroneous particles are introduced to the particle filtering process of localization. Monitoring the weights of the erroneous particles relative to the particles maintained for SLAM provides a verification that the robot is localized and detection that it is no longer localized. In another embodiment, cell-based grid mapping of a mobile robot's environment also monitors cells for changes in their probability of occupancy. Cells with a changing occupancy probability are marked as dynamic and updating of such cells to the map is suspended or modified until their individual occupancy probabilities have stabilized. In another embodiment, mapping is suspended when it is determined that the device is acquiring data regarding its physical environment in such a way that use of the data for mapping will incorporate distortions into the map, as for example when the robotic device is tilted. |
| US08903588B2 |
Method and system for predicting movement behavior of a target traffic object
A method for computationally predicting future movement behaviors of at least one target object can have the steps of producing sensor data by at least one sensor physically sensing the environment of a host vehicle, and computing a plurality of movement behavior alternatives of a target object sensed by the sensor(s). The context based prediction step uses a set of classifiers, each classifier estimating a probability that said sensed target object will execute a movement behavior at a time. The method can also include validating the movement behavior alternatives by a physical prediction comparing measured points with trajectories of situation models and determining at least one trajectory indicating at least one possible behavior of the traffic participant, estimating at least one future position of the traffic participant based on the at least one trajectory, and outputting a signal representing the estimate future position. |
| US08903586B2 |
Electric vehicle power regulating control method with manual-assist hybrid modes
We disclose a method for controlling power to a human electric hybrid vehicle that creates a superior ride compared to electric vehicles of the prior art. The present invention employs a large motor that can assist a rider at slower speeds but limits the amount of power that the motor can produce at greater speeds. We also disclose a controller and a human electric hybrid bicycle capable of utilizing the claimed method. |
| US08903585B2 |
Control device and control method for hybrid vehicle
A control system for a hybrid vehicle includes a mode selection unit for start request of an engine; a slip determination unit for determining whether or not a second clutch is allowed to slip; and a start determination unit for determining whether or not to allow the engine to start. The start determination unit prevents the engine from starting when an input rotation speed or an output rotation speed of an automatic transmission is less than a predetermined value in the presence of the start request of the engine from the mode selection unit and the slip determination unit determines that the second clutch is not allowed to slip. |
| US08903583B2 |
Vehicle, control method, and computer program
The occurrence of shock and the occurrence of the feeling of losing speed can be prevented. When the clutch is engaged from the state in which the clutch is disengaged and a vehicle is being driven by only the power of an electric motor, an electric motor control unit controls the electric motor so that the torque of the electric motor is decreased at a rate determined according to the torque requested by the driver. During the period in which the torque of the electric motor is decreased at the above rate, a clutch control unit controls the engagement of the clutch so that the clutch is engaged after being set to a half-engaged clutch state in which part of the power is transmitted. The present invention is applicable to hybrid vehicles. |
| US08903580B2 |
Hybrid vehicle with dynamically-allocated high-voltage electrical power
A vehicle includes a high-voltage (HV) battery pack, an HV electric traction motor, an additional HV system such as suspension motors of an active suspension system, sensors, and a controller in communication with the sensors. The controller dynamically allocates HV power from the battery pack between the traction motor(s) and the additional HV system using signals from the sensors. Signals may include steering angle, acceleration, and throttle request. A method includes measuring input signals using sensor(s) and processing the measured input signals, including comparing each of the measured input signals to a corresponding threshold. The method also includes allocating some of the HV power from the battery pack via between the traction motor(s) and the additional HV system when the values of any one of the input signals exceeds a corresponding threshold. |
| US08903578B2 |
Hybrid vehicle control utilizing grade data
A method of controlling a hybrid vehicle having a step ratio transmission is disclosed. The method utilizes terrain data to reduce the number of shift events. The method comprises receiving data indicative of a grade profile of an anticipated route, identifying a forecast shift sequence comprising a forecast downshift event and an adjacent forecast upshift event, and adjusting the shift criteria based on the time between the forecast shift events, the road grade between the forecast shift events, and the state of a storage battery. |
| US08903573B2 |
Method and computer software code for determining a mission plan for a powered system when a desired mission parameter appears unobtainable
A method for determining a mission plan for a powered system having at least one primary power generating unit when a desired parameter of the mission plan unobtainable and/or exceeds a predefined limit, the method includes identifying a desired parameter prior to creating a mission plan which may be unobtainable and/or in violation of a predefined limit, and notifying an operator of the powered system and/or a remote monitoring facility of the desired parameter. |
| US08903571B2 |
Systems and methods for generation of comprehensive airspace weather condition display from shared aircraft sensor data
Systems and methods communicate sensor data pertaining to detected weather between aircraft. An exemplary system has at least one sensor on a transmitting aircraft, wherein the sensor is configured to detect weather and configured to output sensor data. The system has a first transceiver on the transmitting aircraft that is configured to transmit a signal with the sensor data. And the system has a second transceiver on a receiving aircraft that is configured to receive the signal containing the sensor data transmitted by the first transceiver. The sensor data of the transmitting aircraft is fused with sensor data of the receiving aircraft for a geographic region of interest to extend the effective sensor coverage and to resolve at least one of a location conflict and a severity conflict between the sensor data of the transmitting aircraft and the receiving aircraft. |
| US08903569B2 |
Method for controlling a high-lift device or a flight control surface, system and aircraft or spacecraft
The present invention discloses a method for controlling a high-lift device or a flight control surface of an aircraft or spacecraft, especially with a system according to the present invention, comprising the steps of receiving, at least one first control unit, a command signal from a commander unit via a data network, providing a primary control signal to at least one secondary control unit via the data network, wherein the primary control signal depends on the received command signal, receiving, at the at least one second control unit, a sensor signal of one or more sensors of the high-lift device or flight control surface, and providing a secondary control signal to one or more actuators of the high-lift device or flight control surface, wherein the secondary control signal depends on the received sensor signal. Furthermore, the present invention discloses a system and an aircraft or spacecraft. |
| US08903567B2 |
Vehicle remote operating system and in-vehicle device
In a vehicle remote operating system remotely operating a host vehicle VM from a portable terminal 200, a main control unit 112 of an ECU 110 of an in-vehicle device 100 determines an dispatch position of the host vehicle VM on the basis of a parking position of the host vehicle VM and a position of a user U who intends to board the host vehicle VM. Due to this, it becomes possible to dispatch the host vehicle VM according to the parking position of the host vehicle VM and the position of the user U, and convenience is improved in dispatch operation and boarding of the host vehicle VM. |
| US08903564B2 |
Electric device and power management apparatus for changing demand response (DR) control level
An electric device for changing a DR control level and a power management apparatus for the same are disclosed. An electric device for changing a demand response (DR) control level includes a memory unit to store a plurality of DR control levels classified according to power rates, a communication unit to receive a current power rate and a current power rate level related to the current power rate from a power provider in real time, a user interface which, upon receiving a request for changing a DR control level from a user, displays a list of pre-stored DR control levels and receives a DR control level to be changed from the user, and a controller to compare the current power rate level with the changed DR control level, and determine whether to perform a power saving operation. As a result, the electric device can decide whether to increase the usage of the electric device or to consider the power saving aspect using current power status information transmitted in real time, thereby adaptively adjusting a start level of the DR control. |
| US08903561B1 |
Method for thermal energy dispatch
A system and computer-implemented method for dispatching thermal energy and generating power in a solar power generating plant. The system includes a computer processor, computer readable medium, and control logic stored on the computer readable medium to direct the operation of the processor. The processor generates an optimized thermal energy dispatch schedule which controls operation of the generating plant by performing a combination of direct thermal energy and indirect thermal energy storage simulations to maximize operating revenues. |
| US08903558B2 |
Monitoring pipeline integrity
A method of detecting and responding to a threat condition includes receiving, at a sensing module, an input acquired in proximity to a pipeline of a fluid distribution system, the input including data associated with a vibration measurement of the pipeline acquired by a sensor exterior of the pipeline. The method also includes determining whether the input indicates a threat condition by comparing the data to a previously recorded baseline vibration measurement. The method further includes automatically closing a first fluid transmission valve in response to a determined threat condition, thereby restricting flow of fluid through the pipeline in a vicinity of the first fluid transmission valve, and wirelessly transmitting a message for receipt by a control module that is remote from the sensing module, the message including indications of the determined threat condition, the first fluid transmission valve, and an identifier associated with the sensing module. |
| US08903557B2 |
Managing waste water discharge of a computing system
Managing waste water discharge of a computing system, the computing system including one or more evaporative coolers, including: determining, by a waste water management module, a waste water discharge limit, wherein the waste water discharge limit specifies the amount of waste water that can be discharged within a period of time; determining, by the waste water management module, the amount of waste water that has been discharged during a current measurement period; and updating, by the waste water management module, operating parameters for the computing system in dependence upon the amount of waste water that has been discharged during the current measurement period and the waste water discharge limit. |
| US08903551B2 |
Sensor-swarm environmental event detection
Data center environmental sensing is provided by a measurement system that detects environmental events from inputs received from a plurality of movable sensors. The sensors are moved in response to detection of an event to a region of the data center associated with the event, providing increased spatial resolution of the measurement in the region of the event. Events such as leakage between hot and cold aisles of a data center can be detected by the system, which may use one or more movable devices that can be moved around, between and over equipment, to carry multiple sensors toward the source of the event, providing both diagnostic and detailed environmental information. |
| US08903549B2 |
Ratcheting for master alignment of a teleoperated minimally invasive surgical instrument
A minimally-invasive surgical system includes a slave surgical instrument having a slave surgical instrument tip and a master grip. The slave surgical instrument tip has an alignment in a common frame of reference and the master grip, which is coupled to the slave surgical instrument, has an alignment in the common frame of reference. An alignment error, in the common frame of reference, is a difference in alignment between the alignment of the slave surgical instrument tip and the alignment of the master grip. A ratcheting system (i) coupled to the master grip to receive the alignment of the master grip and (ii) coupled to the slave surgical instrument, to control motion of the slave by continuously reducing the alignment error, as the master grip moves, without autonomous motion of the slave surgical instrument tip and without autonomous motion of the master grip. |
| US08903547B2 |
Working device and working method
A working device and a working method wherein an articulated robot controls vertical movement of a balancer arm by commanding vertical movement for a balancer, and moves the balancer arm horizontally by applying an external force to the balancer arm in the horizontal direction by means of a robot arm. |
| US08903545B2 |
Agricultural implement having hopper weighing system
An agricultural seeding implement has a seed hopper that is weighed continuously during field operations as the seed volume in the hopper progressively diminishes. The weight information is used to perform ongoing control functions on the implement. One embodiment uses the weight information to reduce the down pressure on compaction wheels of a wing section of the machine as a function of the diminishing weight of the hopper on the main section. |
| US08903544B2 |
Sheet handling apparatus and sheet handling method
A sheet handling apparatus includes pickup unit which picks up a plurality of sheets loaded in a loading unit, a first determining unit which determines a type or a state of the sheet picked up by the pickup unit, a data collecting unit which collects handling amount data for respective types of the sheets or respective states of the sheets, a second determining unit which determines a distribution destination of the sheet based on the handling amount data for the respective types or the respective states of the sheets which are determined by the first determining unit, a distributing unit which distributes the sheet based on a determination result of the distribution destination of the sheet by the second determining unit, and a stacking unit composed of a plurality of cassettes to stack the distributed sheets. |
| US08903541B2 |
Method and arrangement for positioning electronic devices into compartments of an input medium and output medium
A method for positioning electronic devices into compartments of an input medium is disclosed. At least one electronic device is packable in a single compartment of the input medium. Known positions on an upper side of the input medium are imaged by an inspection device. Actual position data of the compartments of the input medium are calculated on the basis of images of the known positions, given target position data of the known positions, and given target position data of the compartments of the input medium. A pick and place device for the electronic devices is controlled on the basis of the calculated actual position data of the compartments of the input medium. A method for determining the actual positions of compartments of an output medium is disclosed with analogous steps, whereby the electronic devices are picked-up from compartments of the input medium, transferred to compartments of the output medium, and placed into the compartments of the output medium. Arrangements for positioning a plurality of electronic devices into compartments of an input medium and compartments of an output medium are also disclosed. |
| US08903539B2 |
Efficient distribution and selection of storage media in a storage medium library
An apparatus includes a network interface, a processor and a computer readable storage medium. The processor is coupled with the computer readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium has computer readable program code embodied therewith. The computer readable program code, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to determine the state of a storage medium library and determine distribution for a plurality of distributable components within the storage medium library based, at least in part, on the state of the storage medium library. The computer readable program code also causes the processor to, responsive to a determination of the distribution for the plurality of distributable components within the storage medium library, issue commands distributing the plurality of distributable components within the storage medium library in accordance with the distribution. |
| US08903538B2 |
Efficient movement of storage media in a storage media library
An apparatus comprises a network interface, a processor and a computer readable storage medium coupled with the processor. The computer readable storage medium includes computer usable program code. The computer usable program code, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to receive a request for a first storage medium located in a first library unit in a storage medium library. The processor is caused to determine that the first storage medium is to be moved by a transportation component. The processor is caused to, responsive to said determination, determine that the transportation component is located in a second library unit. The processor is caused to, responsive to said determination, determine that a second storage medium located in the second library unit can be transported to the first library unit. Responsive to said determination, the processor is caused to transport the second storage medium to the first library unit. |
| US08903532B2 |
Litho cluster and modulization to enhance productivity
The present disclosure relates to a lithographic tool arrangement for semiconductor workpiece processing. The lithographic tool arrangement groups lithographic tools into clusters, and selectively transfers a semiconductor workpiece between a plurality of lithographic tools of a first type in a first cluster to a plurality of lithographic tools of a second type in a second cluster. The selective transfer is achieved though a transfer assembly, which is coupled to a defect scan tool that identifies defects generated in the lithographic tool of the first type. The disclosed lithographic tool arrangement also utilizes shared structural elements such as a housing assembly, and shared functional elements such as gases and chemicals. The lithographic tool arrangement may consist of baking, coating, exposure, and development units configured to provide a modularization of these various components in order to optimize throughput and efficiency for a given lithographic fabrication process. |
| US08903531B2 |
Characterizing laminate shape
A method of sorting laminates includes characterizing first shapes of laminates from measurements taken of each, assembling the laminates to derive a first relationship between the first shapes and yield loss, characterizing second shapes of the laminates from a reduced number of the measurements to derive a second relationship between the second shapes and yield loss, analyzing a change in the derived relationships to determine a least number of the measurements necessary for achieving the yield loss and sorting supplied laminates in accordance with a characterized shape of each, which is obtained from the least number of the measurements taken for each supplied laminate. |
| US08903528B2 |
Remote control and management of a vessel forming production line
An embodiment of the present invention is a method of remotely managing a vessel forming production line, the method comprising communicating from a remote data processing resource a plurality of consumer or event data to a controller, the controller controls a plurality of vessel forming stations having a plurality of shape forming operations and a plurality of non-shape forming operations, configuring each of the plurality of shape forming operations and the plurality of non-shape forming operations based in part on the plurality of consumer or event data to manufacture the shaped vessel, and manufacturing the shaped vessel. Other embodiments include completing a sales transaction resulting in generation of the plurality of consumer or event data, generating the plurality of consumer or event data based in part on the current status of an event, and decorating the shaped vessel based in part on the plurality of consumer or event data. |
| US08903525B2 |
Sound processing device, sound data selecting method and sound data selecting program
An information processing apparatus that stores a plurality of pieces of audio data, displays information corresponding to each of the plurality of pieces of audio data, receives an input selecting at least one of the plurality of pieces of audio data, reproduces a first piece of the plurality of pieces of audio data, and initiates simultaneous reproduction of a second piece of the plurality of pieces of audio data based on an input received at the interface, processes the first and second pieces of the audio data such that the first and second pieces of the audio data are separately audible by the user, and outputs the processed first and second pieces of the audio data. |
| US08903523B2 |
Audio processing device, audio processing method, and program
An audio processing device includes an audio input selecting unit configured to select a predetermined audio input from among a plurality of audio inputs; a signal processing unit configured to give a predetermined sound field characteristic to audio signals of the audio input selected by the audio input selecting unit; a signal output unit configured to output the audio signals obtained in the signal processing unit; a genre information receiving unit configured to receive genre information transmitted from any of audio signal output devices; and a sound field control unit configured to control the signal processing unit to give a sound field characteristic corresponding to the genre information if the genre information received by the genre information receiving unit is determined to be the genre information corresponding to the audio input selected by the audio input selecting unit. |
| US08903522B1 |
Online platform for maintaining multidisciplinary sport performance statistics and computing performance forecasts
The present disclosure describes a platform that allows individual users to maintain personal performance statistics, which, collectively, are used to determine and update difficulty ratings for various multi-stage sport courses. Ratings are determined for each leg of a given course. The platform enables a user to predict his or her performance on an unfamiliar course based on course ratings and the user's historical performance on other courses. |
| US08903518B2 |
Motor control apparatus equipped with dead-zone processing unit
A control apparatus for a motor includes, a position detection unit which detects the position of a driven body, a positional error acquiring unit which acquires for each sampling cycle a positional error representing a deviation between the position command given to the motor and the position of the driven body detected by the position detection unit, a dead-zone processing unit which outputs the positional error by replacing the positional error with zero if the positional error acquired by the positional error acquiring unit lies within a predetermined dead-zone range, and a repetitive control unit which calculates an amount of correction such that the positional error output from the dead-zone processing unit is reduced to zero, and wherein: the motor is controlled based on the positional error acquired by the positional error acquiring unit and the amount of correction calculated by the repetitive control unit. |
| US08903508B2 |
Flexible paddle lead body with scored surfaces
An implantable stimulation system including an epidural lead for spinal cord stimulation that includes a paddle having an array of electrodes coupled to conductors within the lead body. The paddle includes score lines that extend along the length and width of either the front or back facets of the paddle portion. The score lines increase the flexibility of the paddle in both the length and width directions which facilitate the implantation of the paddle within the epidural space of the spinal cord, and further permits the paddle to conform more uniformly to the target area of implantation to minimize the gap between the electrodes and targeted fibers. |
| US08903507B2 |
Polyisobutylene urethane, urea and urethane/urea copolymers and medical leads containing the same
The present invention provides medical devices that contain polyisobutylene urethane copolymers, polyisobutylene urea copolymers and polyisobutylene urethane/urea copolymers. More particularly, the present invention provides medical leads that contain such copolymer. |
| US08903506B2 |
Method for coating devices using electrospinning and melt blowing
A medical electrical lead may include an insulative lead body, a conductor disposed within the insulative lead body, an electrode disposed on the insulative lead body and in electrical contact with the conductor and a fibrous matrix disposed at least partially over the electrode. The fibrous matrix may be formed from a non-conductive polymer. |
| US08903502B2 |
Methods and devices for modulating excitable tissue of the exiting spinal nerves
A method for modulating nerve tissue in a body of a patient includes implanting a wireless stimulation device in proximity to a dorsal root ganglion or an exiting nerve root such that an electrode, circuitry and a receiving antenna are positioned completely within the body of the patient. An input signal containing electrical energy and waveform parameters is transmitted to the receiving antenna(s) from a control device located outside of the patient's body via radiative coupling. The circuitry within the stimulation device generates one or more electrical impulses and applies the electrical impulses to the dorsal root ganglion or the exiting nerve roots through the electrode. |
| US08903501B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for control of pancreatic beta cell function to improve glucose homeostasis and insulin production
The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatuses for effecting excitation or inhibition of small sensory nerve fibers, such as C-afferent fibers, by electrical stimulation of nerves innervating the pancreas in diabetic subjects. In an aspect the methods are directed to effecting insulin production and for the treatment of diabetes. This invention includes a closed or open loop feedback control system in which biomarker levels are monitored in order to direct electrical stimulation. An implantable or external neural stimulation device is also provided. |
| US08903499B2 |
Neurostimulator system apparatus and method
An apparatus (10) for applying stimulation therapy to a patient includes an implantable medical device (20) and a remote controller (50a) for inductively powering the medical device and communicating with the medical device. The remote controller (50a) includes an improved coil configuration to improve communication performance between the remote controller (50a) and an implanted medical device (20). |
| US08903494B2 |
Wearable transdermal electrical stimulation devices and methods of using them
Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for transdermal electrical stimulation. Devices described herein can include self-contained, lightweight, and wearable components. The devices include a primary unit including a first transdermal electrode and a secondary unit including a second transdermal electrode. The device can be capable of wireless communication. The primary unit and secondary unit are placed at two locations on the skin of a user, for example on the head or neck of a user. The first and second transdermal electrodes are electrically connected. Electrical stimulation is driven between the two electrodes. The electrical stimulation induces a cognitive effect in a user of the device. |
| US08903493B2 |
Antenna providing variable communication with an implant
A device may include a primary antenna configured to be located external to a subject and at least one processor in electrical communication with the primary antenna. The at least one processor may be configured to cause transmission of a primary signal from the primary antenna to an implantable device, wherein the implantable device includes at least one pair of modulation electrodes. The at least one processor may be further configured to adjust one or more characteristics of the primary signal to generate a sub-modulation control signal adapted so as not to cause a neuromuscular modulation inducing current at the at least one pair of modulation electrodes when received by the implantable device and to generate a modulation control signal adapted so as to cause a neuromuscular modulation inducing current at the at least one pair of modulation electrodes when received by the implantable device. |
| US08903488B2 |
System and method for synchronizing energy delivery to the cardiac rhythm
A system for synchronizing application of treatment signals with a cardiac rhythm is provided. The system includes a memory that receives and stores a synchronization signal indicating that a predetermined phase such as R-wave of a cardiac rhythm of a patient has started. A synchronization module analyzes whether the stored synchronization signal is erroneous and if so, prevents a medical treatment device from applying a treatment energy signal such as an IRE pulse to a patient to take into account an irregular heart beat and noise in the synchronization signal in order to maximize safety of the patient. |
| US08903484B2 |
Method and apparatus to measure bioelectric impedance of patient tissue
A device to measure tissue impedance comprises drive circuitry coupled to calibration circuitry, such that a calibration signal from the calibration circuitry corresponds to the current delivered through the tissue. Measurement circuitry can be coupled to measurement electrodes and the calibration circuitry, such that the tissue impedance can be determined in response to the measured calibration signal from the calibration circuitry and the measured tissue impedance signal from the measurement electrodes. Processor circuitry comprising a tangible medium can be configured to determine a complex tissue impedance in response to the calibration signal and the tissue impedance signal. The processor can be configured to select a frequency for the drive current, and the amount of drive current at increased frequencies may exceed a safety threshold for the drive current at lower frequencies. |
| US08903480B2 |
System for cardiac condition detection using heart waveform area associated analysis
A system for heart performance characterization uses an interface to receive waveform signal data representing electrical activity of a patient heart over at least one heart beat cycle. The signal processor uses a signal peak and amplitude detector for, identifying a first signal portion of a first heart cycle of the signal data, identifying multiple different amplitude levels within the first signal portion, determining a first area under the waveform in the first signal portion corresponding to at least one particular amplitude level and deriving a parameter in response to the determined first area. The output processor generates an alert message if at least one of, (a) the derived parameter and (b) a difference between the derived parameter and a corresponding derived parameter for a different heart cycle for the same patient, exceeds a predetermined threshold value. |
| US08903472B2 |
Applications of scaling laws of tree structures
In at least one embodiment, a method for diagnosing vascular disease is provided, the method comprising the steps of obtaining a vessel image showing a vasculature of a vessel, identifying at least two measurements from the vasculature of the vessel, the measurements relating to at least two parameters, calculating a relationship between the at least two parameters from the at least two measurements to generate one or more vasculature data points, and comparing the one or more vasculature data points to data relative to a model vasculature to determine the extent of vascular disease. In an another embodiment, a method for diagnosing vascular disease in a patient's vascular tree is provided, the method comprising the steps of generating a model vascular tree from a minimum energy hypothesis calculation, and comparing the patient's vascular tree with the model vascular tree to determine the extent of vascular disease. |
| US08903471B2 |
Beam deflection arrangement within a combined radiation therapy and magnetic resonance unit
In a radiation therapy and magnetic resonance unit, a magnetic resonance diagnosis part is provided. A radiation therapy part is provided for irradiation of an irradiation area within an interior of the diagnosis part. The radiation therapy part comprises a beam deflection enclosure for deflecting an electron beam toward an axis of the diagnosis part from an initial trajectory parallel to the axis. The beam deflection enclosure comprises a first magnetic field in a region of the beam deflection enclosure but of opposite direction and effective to cancel a main magnet field of the diagnosis part. A second magnet field is directed perpendicular to a trajectory of the electron beam to cause the electron beam to be deflected inward towards the axis. |
| US08903467B2 |
Single use pulse oximeter
A single use, self-contained, self-powered disposable oximeter, in the form of a patch or a bandage strip, has mounted thereto a light emitter and a light sensor to measure the SpO2 of the patient. Mounted to an electronics layer of the patch is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that has electronics integrated thereto that controls the operation of the light emitter and light sensor, and the algorithm for calculating from the data collected by the sensor at least the SpO2 of the patient. The patch oximeter may also be equipped with a transceiver, and the appropriate electronics, for wirelessly transceiving information to/from a remote device or another wireless patch oximeter. |
| US08903466B2 |
Apparatus and method for non-invasive measurement of a substance within a body
A system for non-invasive measurement of a substance, such as glucose, includes a detector configured to sense radiation and an optical subsystem configured to focus the radiation on a sensitive area of the detector. The system includes one or more temperature sensors attached to one or more of a plurality of elements of the optical subsystem and to the detector and two or more temperature sensors configured to measure two or more respective ambient temperatures. The one or more temperature sensors are configured to measure the temperature of the one or more elements of the optical subsystem and the temperature of the detector. A method of measuring a concentration includes detecting an infrared radiation value, measuring the temperature of the detector, one or more components of the optical system, and two or more ambient temperatures, and correlating the temperatures with calibration parameters to correct the detected infrared radiation value. |
| US08903462B2 |
Folder type mobile telephone and operating method thereof
A folder type mobile telephone and control method therefor are provided which utilize an auxiliary display unit viewable whether the folder is opened or closed. The folder type mobile telephone includes an auxiliary display unit and a main body having a main display unit. The folder type mobile telephone includes an opening at a position corresponding to the auxiliary display unit. The folder type mobile telephone may include a wheel button formed at one side of the main body to input user commands to the auxiliary display unit. A transparent window may be formed at the opening to protect the auxiliary display unit. Regardless of whether the folder is opened or closed, a user can view, and control the auxiliary display unit via wheel button inputs. Since the auxiliary display unit is formed on the main body, the relative thickness of the folder can be reduced to make the folder type mobile telephone compact. |
| US08903461B2 |
Handheld electronic device
A handheld electronic device including a first body, a second body and a transmission mechanism is provided. The second body is stacked with the first body. The second body has a recess at a side facing the first body. The transmission mechanism includes a first plate, a second plate and a rotating member. The first plate is fixed on the first body. The second plate is slidingly coupled to the first plate. An end of the rotating member is pivoted on the second body, and another end of the rotating member is pivoted on the second plate. When the first body slides with respect to the second body toward the recess, the rotating member rotates and drives the first body enters the recess. |
| US08903460B2 |
Method and system of Bluetooth communication
A Bluetooth communication system includes a remote device, having a first Bluetooth module, and a user device, having a second Bluetooth module, and communicating with the remote device through the first Bluetooth module and the second Bluetooth module in a link state. When the remote device and the user device are over a communication range, the remote device enters an access state. In the access state, the first Bluetooth module re-communicates with the second Bluetooth module by a link back mode in a first time interval and a standby mode in a second time interval and when the remote device comes back with the communication range, the communication with the user device is recovered. |
| US08903459B2 |
Connecting terminal for a battery of a mobile terminal
A mobile terminal including a main body having an accommodating chamber; a circuit board mounted at the main body; and connecting terminals disposed on the circuit board to be electrically connected to a battery having terminals. Further, when the battery is mounted in the accommodation chamber, the connecting terminals are pressed by the battery terminals to be elastically deformed. In addition, each of the connecting terminals includes a base portion electrically connected to the circuit board; an elastic portion having a first section extending from the base portion and a second section curved from the first section to have an inclination; and first and second contact portions extending from the second section to be contactable with the battery terminals. |
| US08903457B2 |
Wireless data apparatus, system and method
In accordance with various example embodiments, a vehicle base station wirelessly communicates data with a remote transceiver circuit. The remote transceiver circuit intermittently transitions a data-receiving circuit of the remote transceiver circuit between on and off states. The vehicle base station intermittently polls the remote transceiver circuit with a series of data packets, at least one of which the data-receiving circuit of the remote transceiver circuit will receive while in the on state. The remote transceiver circuit, upon receiving the data packet, will reset a state counter to enable the remote transceiver circuit to receive a wake-up data packet while operating in the on state; in response, transmitting response data to the vehicle base station. The data communication is carried out to facilitate authentication of the remote transceiver. Exemplary embodiments include a system for passive keyless go and passive keyless entry in a vehicle. |
| US08903456B2 |
Wireless charging method and apparatus
A terminal can include a wireless charger configured to wirelessly receive a power signal from a charging pad to charge power; and a controller configured to control an incoming call notification mode to be changed from a vibration mode to a bell sound mode or silent mode when an event is generated on the charging pad. |
| US08903455B2 |
Apparatus for transceiving a signal in a distributed antenna system
The present invention relates to a signal-transceiving apparatus for a base station in a distributed antenna system (DAS), comprising: a transmitting module for transmitting a signal; an antenna module which includes a plurality of antennas, and in which a predetermined number of pilot patterns are used in accordance with the size of the coverage area, which is a signal-transmitting range for each of the plurality of antennas, and in accordance with the number of overlapping antenna coverage areas; and a processor which transmits, via the transmitting module, a signal to a terminal using a pilot pattern corresponding to a portion of the plurality of antennas. The same pilot pattern is used for the antennas, the antenna coverage areas of which do not overlap, from among the plurality of antennas. |
| US08903450B2 |
Portable electronic device with distance measuring device
A portable electronic device includes a main body, a display and a distance measuring device. The distance measuring device includes a first distance measuring member and a second distance measuring member. The first distance measuring member includes a first signal emitting/receiving module and an arithmetic module. The second distance measuring member includes a second signal emitting/receiving module and a control module. The first signal emitting/receiving module is for receiving an alignment signal, emitting a measuring signal, and receiving a feedback of a measuring signal. The arithmetic module is for calculating the distance between the first distance measuring member and the second distance measuring member. The distance is displayed. The second signal emitting/receiving module is for emitting the alignment signal, receiving the measuring signal, and emitting the feedback of the measuring signal. The present disclosure further provides a distance measuring method for a device. |
| US08903447B2 |
Channel sounding techniques for a wireless communication system
A technique of operating a wireless communication system includes determining respective geometries of multiple subscriber stations, which include a first subscriber station and a second subscriber station, with respect to a serving base station. Respective channel sounding bandwidths for sounding the channel between the multiple subscriber stations and the serving base station are then scheduled, based on the respective geometries. The respective channel sounding bandwidths include a first channel sounding bandwidth (associated with the first subscriber station) and a second channel sounding bandwidth (associated with the second subscriber station). The first channel sounding bandwidth is greater than or equal to the second channel sounding bandwidth and the first subscriber station has a lower geometry than the second subscriber station. |
| US08903445B2 |
PoC server and a mobile terminal comprising a PoC client for providing PoC communication services
The present invention relates to a Push to talk Over Cellular [PoC] Server for providing PoC communication services in mobile radio communications system, the PoC Server being arranged to perform at least one Controlling PoC Function for a PoC Session between PoC Clients in mobile terminals. The PoC Server is characterized in that it is arranged to: receive a first information indicating the PoC Session priority order for the PoC Session for each of the PoC Clients participating in the PoC Session; receive a second information, if any one of the PoC Clients is also participating in other simultaneous PoC Sessions, indicating the PoC Session priority order for the other simultaneous PoC Sessions for each of the PoC Clients participating in the other simultaneous PoC Sessions; store the first and second information for enabling control of the transmission of Media in the PoC Session based on the first and second information. The present invention also relates to a method, a mobile terminal comprising a PoC Client and a method thereof, a mobile radio communications system and a computer program product. |
| US08903436B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for short message service/multimedia message service policy control
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for SMS or MMS policy control are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for controlling short message service SMS or MMS resources in a telecommunications network includes, at a policy node, generating a message that includes an SMS or MMS policy rule and communicating the message to a network element that performs SMS or MMS routing or processing, and, at the network element, enforcing the SMS or MMS policy rule. In one embodiment, the SMS or MMS policy rule applies to SMS or MMS messages that are associated with a particular subscriber, a particular class of subscribers, and/or a particular network provider or set of network providers. |
| US08903435B2 |
Method and system for short message termination traffic control
The present invention discloses a method for controlling short message terminated flow, including: a process that a SMS message center setting a terminated flow control threshold of a mobile switching center and controlling the terminated flow according to the threshold; the process including a step of the SMS message center dynamically setting the terminated flow control threshold according to the operation blocking level of short message service of the mobile switching center. The present invention also discloses a system for controlling short message terminated flow. With the SMS message center dynamically adjusting the terminated flow control threshold according to the load condition of the short message service of the mobile switching center, the present invention achieves adaptive terminated flow control of the mobile switching center and improves effectiveness of the flow control. |
| US08903434B2 |
System and method for message-based conversations
Leveraging the ubiquitous nature of wireless devices and the popularity of (Short Message Service, Multimedia Message Service, etc.) messaging, an infrastructure that supports message-based conversations (with for example the maintenance or preservation of state, context, etc. across or during the message exchanges) allowing users of wireless devices to employ their wireless devices to engage in and complete increasingly more complicated activities. The infrastructure may optionally leverage the capabilities of a centrally-located Messaging Inter-Carrier Vendor. |
| US08903433B2 |
Paging method and apparatus considering carrier aggregation environment in mobile communication system
Provided is a paging method and apparatus considering a carrier aggregation (CA) environment in a mobile communication system. A paging method of a user equipment may include: selecting a component carrier (CC) set of the user equipment by selecting a CC for each component carrier element (CCE); receiving, from an evolved Node-B (eNB), a paging message containing a CC set; setting up a connection with the eNB through the CC set of the user equipment when the received CC set is the same as the CC set of the user equipment, or when all the CCs are included in the received CC set; and changing the CC set of the user equipment to the received CC set and setting up the connection with the eNB through the changed CC set when the received CC set is different from the CC set of the user equipment. |
| US08903431B2 |
Location stamping and logging of electronic events and habitat generation
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for the detection, location stamping, and logging of electronic events and subsequent generation of habitat information. According to implementations, electronic events are detected and location stamped. Associated descriptions and other data corresponding to the electronic events is retrieved and stored along with the geographic locations of the electronic events in an activity log. The information in the activity log is used to generate visual representations of one or more geographic areas in which electronic events that meet user-defined or default criteria occurred within a predetermined frequency. |
| US08903428B2 |
Modular data processing system for mobile communications system call data
A modular data processing system (200) for processing communication session data from a cellular mobile communications system (210) comprises at least two autonomous data processing units (340). The autonomous data processing units (340) are arranged in parallel, and are operable simultaneously. Each data processing unit (340) receives and processes raw communication session data from an associated set of controllers of the cellular mobile communications system (210). At least one data collection subsystem (215) supplies the raw communication session data to the at least two autonomous data processing units (340), for calls made within the coverage area of the set of controllers associated with the data processing unit. Processed data may be available more rapidly with the invention. The invention is scalable, and the system may expand as a cellular mobile communications system grows. |
| US08903426B2 |
Geotargeted news and advertisement delivery system
A system that provides content and/or ad publishers the ability to sell and target content, including “deals,” to mobile devices of users when those users and their mobile devices are located within the defined geographic zone. The content may be targeted and mass distributed to all mobile devices having a registered address within the defined geographic area. The content creator and/or content distributor can manually define the regions where they desire to distribute content by plotting vertices on a map to form a polygon enclosing a geographic region. Regions may be defined by population, retail locations, content and/or ad categories and other relevant criteria. The System User can manage the type of message delivered based upon the time of day and day of the week. Such options provide the content creator with granular management of its content based upon the defined regions established by the content creator and/or content distributor. |
| US08903425B2 |
Method and system for accessing places
A method for automatic access to a pre-reserved place may operate on a hotel reservation system, which can communicate with a user smart phone application. The method includes receiving a request from the user smart phone application to effect entry into the pre-reserved place. The request includes user data relating to the user and location data relating to the place. The location data relating to the place is obtainable by the user using the smart phone to scan a code on or in the vicinity of the place and decode the code to identify the location data relating to the place. The user data and the location data are compared with a list of pre-reserved places to identify a matching pre-reserved place. If a matching pre-reserved place is identified, a signal is automatically sent to cause the pre-reserved place to be opened to allow access by the user. |
| US08903424B2 |
System and method for dynamically monitoring status in location services
A method and system for reporting a location of an asset. The method includes: receiving a location tracking request for the asset; dynamically determining a status of the asset; and allowing acquisition of the location of the asset based on the determined status. The method further includes: obtaining the location of the asset responsive to the received request and said allowing; and reporting the obtained location of the asset. The system includes: a reporting module for receiving a location tracking request for the asset; a status module for dynamically determining a status of the asset; and a tracking module for obtaining the location of the asset responsive to the determined status. The reporting module reports the location of the asset responsive to the received location tracking request. |
| US08903422B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, for estimating a time zone at which a device is positioned
An apparatus, and an associated method, estimates a time zone at which an electronic device, such as a wireless device, is positioned. Parameters, such as a mobile country code, a GMT offset, a daylight savings time parameter, and geo location parameters are all candidate parameters from which to make an estimate. Received parameters are identified, and selectably used to obtain an estimate that is matched or verified to ensure likely accuracy. |
| US08903418B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
Provided is an information processing apparatus including a position sensor for detecting position information, and a detection times control unit for acquiring detection accuracy information regarding detection accuracy of the position sensor based on a detection result of the position sensor, and controlling the number of detection times of the position sensor based on the acquired detection accuracy information. |
| US08903415B2 |
User equipment, a positioning node and methods therein
Embodiments relate to positioning of a user equipment in a communications network. A method in a user equipment for performing positioning measurement comprises receiving positioning assistance data from a positioning node. The positioning assistance data comprises a plurality of reference cells, wherein each reference cell may be associated with at least one respective frequency, and a set of neighbor cells comprising at least one neighbor cell. The method further comprises, for each reference cell comprised in the plurality of reference cells, identifying a respective associated set of neighbor cells, wherein the reference cell and the respective associated set of neighbor cells define a group. Furthermore, the method comprises performing at least one positioning measurement using the positioning assistance data for each respective identified group. |
| US08903412B2 |
Data transmission and power control in a multihop relay communication system
Techniques for transmitting data with distributed and centralized scheduling in a multihop relay communication system are described. For distributed scheduling, a relay station may generate and send first channel quality information (CQI) to a base station and receive second CQI from a subscriber station. The relay station may receive data sent by the base station based on the first CQI and may resend the data to the subscriber station based on the second CQI. For centralized scheduling, the relay station may generate first CQI for the base station, receive second CQI from the subscriber station, and send both CQIs to the base station. The relay station may receive data sent by the base station based on the first CQI and may resend the data to the subscriber station based on a scheduling decision determined based on the second CQI. Techniques for distributed and centralized power control are also described. |
| US08903411B1 |
Applying call events in association with user devices based on priority levels
A method, system, and medium are provided for applying call events in association with user devices based on priority levels is provided. One embodiment of the method includes referencing an active event level associated with a user device. The active event level indicates an extent of call events, such as dropped calls and/or blocked calls, in association with the user device. When it is determined that the active event level is unacceptable, a priority level associated with the user device is adjusted based on the active event level to reconcile the unacceptable active event level. |
| US08903409B2 |
Transceiver arrangement
An arrangement for a transmitter and/or receiver which is adapted to allow carrier aggregation in a wireless communication system, comprising a plurality of radio frequency (RF) blocks, each of which is inherently adapted to operate substantially across (in the region of) one of the particular groups of frequency ranges. The number of groups may be 5 or less. |
| US08903408B2 |
Coordinated scheduling method and system in coordinated multi-point transmission
The present disclosure provides a coordinated scheduling method and system in coordinated multi-point transmission. The method includes: a central control cell of a region determines priorities of users to be scheduled in all coordinated cells according to user information from other coordinated cells in the region; the central control cell schedules users in each coordinated cell according to the determined priorities and informs a corresponding coordinated cell of the information on a user that is finally determined to be scheduled; and after receiving the scheduling information from the central control cell, the corresponding coordinated cell schedules a user in corresponding time and frequency resources. The present disclosure ensures performance of a user with the highest priority, further, considering the performance of the whole system, scheduling is performed in a scheduling stage according to a principle that the subsequent users to be scheduled should cause as little interference on the scheduled users as possible, therefore, the interference between scheduled users is effectively reduced, and the capacity of the system is greatly increased. |
| US08903407B2 |
System and method for adaptable multimedia download resulting in efficient airlink usage
Apparatus and methods provide for a way to intelligently maximizing capability for a media download service over a wireless network. An available bandwidth of the wireless network is estimated and compared against a threshold. If the available bandwidth is above a predetermined threshold, the service is operated in a high bandwidth mode. If the bandwidth is not above a predetermined threshold, the service is operated in a low bandwidth mode. |
| US08903405B2 |
Communication method of macro base station and micro base station for interference control
A communication method of a micro base station for interference control is provided. The communication method includes determining whether to perform a handover of macro user equipment from a macro base station to a micro base station based on interference from the macro user equipment served by the macro base station to micro user equipment served by the micro base station, searching for an index of a resource allocable to the macro user equipment, and transmitting, to the macro base station, a handover request message including the index of the resource allocable to the macro user equipment. |
| US08903399B2 |
Methods and network nodes for detecting short stay handover
Embodiments herein relate to a method in a second network node (13,14) for detecting a short stay handover of a user equipment (11) in a second cell (16) in a telecommunication system (10). The user equipment (11) is handed over from a first cell (15) to the second cell (16) and from the second cell (16) to a third cell (17) in the telecommunication system (10). The second network node sends, to a first network node (12,18), an indication in a message that a short stay handover has occurred when determined that the user equipment (11) is handed over to the third cell (17) before a time threshold, thereby enabling the first network node (12,18) to detect the short stay handover. |
| US08903395B2 |
Mobile station reattaching method, system, gateway and base station
A mobile station (MS) reattaching method, an MS reattaching system, a gateway, and a base station (BS) are provided. The method includes: determining, according to mobility restriction information, whether an MS is allowed to access a target BS; and if the MS is allowed to access the target BS, returning a handover response (HO_Rsp) indicating that MS reattachment is allowed to the MS. An MS reattaching system, a gateway, and a BS are further provided. An access service network-gateway (ASN-GW) or a serving BS determines, according to mobility restriction information, whether a current target BS is an appropriate target BS to allow the MS to access, so as to satisfy the mobility restriction. |
| US08903393B2 |
Wireless communication device for maintaining minimum quality of service (QoS) communication sessions during hard handoffs
The disclosure relates to techniques for maintaining minimum quality of service (QoS) communication sessions with a wireless communication device (WCD) over a data-based communication network during a hard handoff between access networks for the WCD. More specifically, the techniques determine whether a closed connection between the WCD and a first access network during a minimum QoS communication session is due to a hard handoff between the first access network and a second access network. In the case of a hard handoff, the techniques maintain open QoS reservations associated with data flows included in the minimum QoS communication session for a predetermined period of time to enable a new connection to be established between the WCD and a second access network. The techniques described herein may especially useful when performing a voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call over an Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO) communication network. |
| US08903392B2 |
Service status display on a handheld communication device
A method, device and system for indicating availability of services to a communication device is provided. The method comprises: receiving a service indication of availability of a communication service from a first communications network and a second communications network via a non-traffic channel of each of the first and the second communications networks; when the communication service is available to the communication device from both the second communications network and the first communications network, issuing a service information request to the second communications network over the non-traffic channel of the second communications network; and flashing an indicator on the communication device at a first rate when the communication device roams from a first geographic region into a second geographic region and the second geographic region provides a communication mode for the communication device that is not available to the communication device in the first geographic region. |
| US08903391B2 |
Adaptive data communication control method and portable device for supporting the same
A method and a portable device for supporting an adaptive data communication control are provided. The device includes a memory unit, a control unit, and a radio frequency unit. The memory unit stores a table that contains data communication setting information corresponding to each service operator network. The control unit performs a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) selection after entering into a service area of specific service operator network, and receives Mobile Country Code/Mobile Network Code (MCC/MNC) information from the specific service operator network while the PLMN selection is being performed. The control unit extracts the data communication setting information corresponding to the MCC/MNC information from the table, and establishes a data communication connection with the specific service operator network according to the extracted data communication setting information. The radio frequency unit performs the established data communication with the specific service operator network under the control of the control unit. |
| US08903389B2 |
Method and apparatus for identifying user equipment, and method for transmitting and allocating a temporary identifier
A method and an apparatus for identifying a UE in an SAE network, and an MME are provided herein. The method includes: receiving an SAE-TMSI which is allocated to a UE that accesses an SAE network and includes at least: a pool-ID, an MME-ID, and a UE temporary identifier; using the SAE-TMSI to temporarily identify the UE in the SAE network. The apparatus includes: a receiving unit and a temporary identifying unit. The MME includes a temporary identifier allocating unit. Moreover, a method for transmitting and allocating a temporary identifier, and a method for receiving and transmitting information according to the temporary identifier are disclosed herein. |
| US08903386B2 |
MME name in MAP Insert Subscriber Data operation
Embodiments of the invention include a method, apparatus, and computer readable medium related to mobility management. The method, apparatus, and computer readable medium may include, at least, receiving, at a network node, a terminating request from a user equipment. The method, apparatus and computer readable medium may further include, in response to receiving the terminating request, performing a restore data procedure, receiving a mobility management entity (MME) name from another network element in response to the restore data procedure, and registering the MME name to the subscriber data associated with the user equipment. The method, apparatus and computer readable medium may then include sending a paging request to the MME indicated by the MME name received from the other network element. |
| US08903384B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining a time interval at an access node for radio measurements
A method includes determining at least one time interval for an access node of a group of neighboring access nodes. The at least one time interval is one in which said access node has substantially no transmission and one or more other access nodes of said group transmit. The method further includes performing, by said access node, radio measurements in said at least one determined time interval of said one or more other access nodes of said group which transmit and configuring radio resources in dependence on said radio measurements. |
| US08903378B2 |
Object navigation
The present disclosure provides a system for locating objects. The system includes a set of passive tags such that each tag is being exclusively associated with each object. The system further employs an identification module and a mobile device. Configuration of the identification module allows communication between the module and the passive tags. Further, the mobile device selectively and/or continuously processes the communication between the identification module and the passive tags. |
| US08903374B2 |
System for calibrating wireless communications devices
A wireless electronic device such as a portable electronic device may contain a baseband module. Power amplifier circuitry in the device may amplify radio-frequency signals for transmission. During calibration measurements, a computer directs the baseband module to generate control signals that adjust the gain of the power amplifier circuitry. The computer may also direct the baseband module to generate a series of modulated or unmodulated test tones at one or more communications channel frequencies. A power sensor may be connected to the output of the power amplifier circuitry using a transmission line path. The computer and power sensor may be used in making power measurements on radio-frequency signals at the output of the power amplifier while power amplifier gain and test tone frequency adjustments are being made. Power amplifier calibration data may be produced and stored in the electronic device based on the power measurements. |
| US08903372B1 |
Performing neighbor cell activities in a multi-stack device
Systems, methods, and devices providing a framework which reduces the amount of switching required by single transceiver hardware chain mobile devices operating multiple cellular technology and/or service stacks. The various embodiments enable two or more service stacks on the mobile device of various cellular technologies (e.g., 3GPP GSM, UMTS, LTE, WCDMA, etc), to share information, such as network measurements. The various embodiments may also enable one service stack to perform procedures for and provide information to another service stack. |
| US08903371B2 |
Cellular telephone system and method
A cellular telephone system that includes a wireless handset that connects to a stationary (or mobile) data center, data station or home station remote from the wireless handset. The wireless handset and stationary data center communicate bi-directionally over an exclusive communication link such that commands entered by a user to the wireless handset are relayed to the stationary data center via the exclusive data communication link, and results from executing the commands are relayed from the home station to the wireless handset also via the exclusive data communication link and displayed on said screen. The processor at the data center or home station accesses the Internet and sends screens back to the handset for display. The handset appears smart to the user, but according to the present invention, most of the actual processing and Internet access is performed at the home station. |
| US08903368B2 |
Techniques for database updates
Techniques for updating databases stored on mobile devices. |
| US08903365B2 |
Mobile device management
The invention provides systems and methods for managing mobile devices of supported by different platforms. In some embodiments, the invention provides this management capability by utilizing one or more agents or modules native to the platforms themselves to provide interaction with individual mobile. In some embodiments, the invention provides an abstraction layer by which management tasks or other functions relating to mobile devices of different types may be generally defined and translated for application to mobile devices supported by different platforms. In some embodiments, the invention utilizes existing organizational structure of an enterprise or organization to define management permission for mobile device administrators and end users as well as to define policy configuration schemes for mobile devices. In some embodiments, the invention tracks the lifecycle of mobile devices within an enterprise or organization as assets within the organization. |
| US08903362B2 |
Rule-based device timeout and security access
Devices, methods and computer-readable media for controlling a device timeout parameter are disclosed. For example, a device receives a condition for modifying a timeout parameter and a modification. The device then detects the condition for modifying the timeout parameter and applies the modification to the timeout parameter in response to detecting the condition. A method determines a maximum time for a timeout parameter of a device and transmits a message to the device indicating the maximum time for the timeout parameter. A further method determines a condition for modifying a timeout parameter of a device and a modification. The method then transmits a message to the device indicating the condition for modifying the timeout parameter of the device and the modification. |
| US08903361B2 |
Network locking method and apparatus for terminal
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a network locking method and apparatus for a terminal. The method mainly includes: utilizing an IMSI number carried on a SIM card of the terminal to register the SIM card with a network, and obtaining a PLMN number of the network; comparing a PLMN number segment of the network with a valid PLMN number segment pre-stored on the terminal, and allowing or limiting, according to a comparison result, use of the SIM card by the terminal. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the SIM card is registered with the network by utilizing the IMSI number carried on the SIM card and a data card is verified in the terminal and network combined verification manner, which may ensure security of network locking for the terminal. |
| US08903360B2 |
Mobile device validation
The illustrative embodiments provide a method, apparatus, and computer program product for validating a mobile device. Voice data is received from the mobile device. The voice data comprises a recording of a pass phrase spoken by a user at the mobile device. A determination is made as to whether the mobile device is a valid mobile device using the voice data. An access code to the mobile device is sent in response to a determination that the mobile device is the valid mobile device. |
| US08903356B1 |
Method and system for suggesting individual payments for a common billing account
In a shared communication service plan in which multiple subscribers operate under a common billing account, a method and system is provided for more equitably allocating service costs among the subscribers in the group, by allocating overage costs based on the extent to which each subscriber used base services available to the group. For instance, if the group plan includes a designated number of base minutes of service per month and defines a per-minute overage cost for minutes used beyond the base number, the method and system may allocate to a given subscriber a portion of the group's overage cost, with the portion being determined based on the portion of the group's base minutes used by the subscriber. Advantageously, an invoice may then be generated setting forth the equitable allocation among the subscribers in the group, thus allowing the group to more readily determine how much each subscriber should pay. |
| US08903355B2 |
Answering or releasing emergency calls from a map display for an emergency services platform
A method and system of emergency call management is provided. Emergency calls received at an emergency service platform (ESP) through one or more communication networks are associated with location information. The location information is identified to a map server through an i3 event logging protocol to be displayed on graphical map displays at operator positions. An operator of an operator position can then select a call from the graphical map display and an associated responder client will request that the emergency call be routed by the ESP to the operator. The operator position are associated with a public safety access point (PSAP) associated with the incoming emergency calls. |
| US08903353B2 |
Method and system for processing prior services
The disclosure discloses a method and a system for processing prior services, the method includes that: an eNB and/or an MME carries a service priority indication in a message sent to a UE in mobile terminating call procedures for CSFB; and the UE sends a GERAN or a UTRAN a priority indication corresponding to a service when the GERAN or the UTRAN initiates the service. With the disclosure, a source network E-UTRAN can take full advantage of an existing message to carry service information to notify a UE, the UE forwards the information to a target network GERAN/UTRAN, so as to avoid failure of a high priority service in the target network. |
| US08903351B2 |
Method and system for emergency call handling
A vehicle communication system includes a computer processor in communication with persistent and non-persistent memory. The system also includes a local wireless transceiver in communication with the computer processor and configured to communicate wirelessly with a cellular telephone located at the vehicle. The system further includes a backup power circuit comprising a charge storage device such as a local battery or capacitor having enough charge to power the computer processor and local wireless transceiver long enough to send an emergency call signal to the cellular telephone, and an emergency call command signal is sent from the local wireless transceiver to the cellular telephone in the event a vehicle emergency is detected at the computer processor and vehicle power is lost. The signal causes the cellular telephone to place or continue an emergency call to an emergency responder or agency over the cellular telephone network. |
| US08903349B2 |
Receiver apparatus and method
A receiver is operated in a first power mode, for example a high power mode, during a first portion of a particular connection state (for example, a RRC_CONNECTED state in LTE when the UE receiver is on) of a communication protocol being used by the telecommunications network, and a second power mode during a second portion of the particular connection state, for example a low power mode. |
| US08903348B2 |
Serial radio frequency to baseband interface with power control
An interface between an RF processing section and a baseband processing section supports general purpose message transmission as well as satellite positioning system signal sample transmission between the RF processing section and the baseband processing section. The interface includes a bi-directional message interface and a data interface. The message interface supports transmission of power control messages to the RF processing section to provide detailed control over activation or de-activation of individual blocks of hardware circuitry in the RF processing section. |
| US08903344B2 |
Programmable attenuator
Disclosed are circuits, techniques and methods for implementing an attenuator in a signal transmission path. In one particular implementation, an attenuation may be adjusted based, at least in part, on a control signal. In another implementation, such an attenuation may be adjusted in coarse increments by varying one or more gate voltages applied one or more transistors. In yet another implementation, adjusting said attenuation in fine increments by varying a bias voltage applied to at least one level shifter. |
| US08903340B2 |
Low noise amplifier protection using a peak detector
Embodiments of a radio frequency (RF) receiver implementing one or more forms of protection to protect devices of the RF receiver from in-band interferers is provided. The RF receiver includes an integrated circuit terminal configured to couple a RF signal received at an antenna to a RF signal path, and a low noise amplifier (LNA) coupled to the RF signal path and configured to amplify the RF signal to provide an amplified RF signal. To protect the LNA from in-band interferers, the RF receiver can further include one or more clamping circuits and/or an over-voltage detector to determine if a peak of the RF signal exceeds an acceptable level. |
| US08903338B2 |
Linearization of power amplifiers through digital in-band predistortion followed by analog predistortion
A system for implementing linearization of a radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA) in a base station, as well as various component circuitry for implementing said system. By means of a smart partitioning of the signal processing for predistortion between the analog domain and the digital domain, a more linear relationship between the digital input data and the output RF signal is achieved. Linearization of the PA's output signal is obtained using a mixed-signal apparatus. The digital baseband signal enters the RF signal source. The RF signal source comprises an in-band predistortion circuit, a micro-controller and digital modulator. The output of the digital modulator is an RF signal that enters the PA module. The PA module is composed of the PA and the RF power amplifier linearizer (RFPAL). The RFPAL comprises an RF predistortion circuit, and RF signal analyzer and a microcontroller. In addition, a backward data interface connects the RF signal source with the RFPAL. |
| US08903332B2 |
Circuit device and method of coupling to an antenna
In an embodiment, a circuit device for coupling to an antenna includes a first impedance matching circuit configured to couple to the antenna and a second impedance matching circuit configured to couple to the antenna. The circuit device further includes a power amplifier coupled to the first impedance matching circuit and includes a low-noise amplifier coupled to the second impedance matching circuit. Additionally, the circuit device includes a selectable impedance adjustment circuit coupled between the low-noise amplifier and the second impedance matching circuit, which selectable impedance adjustment circuit is configured to selectively adjust an impedance associated with the low-noise amplifier when the power amplifier is transmitting a signal through the antenna. |
| US08903329B2 |
Switchable antenna elements for a wireless communications device
A wireless communications device includes multiple switchable antenna elements that may be used to improve interfacing of the wireless communications device with other devices, such as for interfacing of an RFID-equipped mobile communications device with other RFID devices (e.g., to better ensure power delivery to and/or communication with such other RFID devices) and/or may be used to characterize various aspects of the environment around the wireless communications device, such as for proximity-based functionality. |
| US08903317B2 |
System and method for controlling an infrared camera using a mobile phone
The present application provides a system and method for controlling an infrared camera by using a mobile phone. The system includes a client and an infrared camera used as a server and connected to the client through a communication network. The infrared camera is mounted in a location to perform infrared measuring and/or monitoring, so as to provide infrared image videos of a monitored object and temperature data of the points contained in an infrared image. The client is mounted in a position far away from the location of the infrared camera to provide a remote control for the infrared camera. The present application allows monitoring personnel or a user to remotely monitor and control an infrared camera by using a mobile phone. |
| US08903315B2 |
Secure context-based computing
An embodiment of the invention includes an article with instructions that enable a first unit to: (a) sense the first unit's local surroundings to determine sensed data; (b) receive and decrypt encrypted context data directly from a second unit (the second unit located nearby the first unit and the context data corresponding to the first unit's local surroundings); and (c) based on the sensed data and the decrypted context data, communicate directly with the second unit. Other embodiments are described herein. |
| US08903314B2 |
Bluetooth introduction sequence that replaces frequencies unusable due to other wireless technology co-resident on a bluetooth-capable device
Interference from other wireless technology co-resident on a Bluetooth-capable device may render one or more Bluetooth frequencies unusable for a Bluetooth introduction sequence. In this case, one or more usable frequencies may be substituted for the one or more unusable frequencies to permit the introduction sequence to proceed. The one or more usable frequencies may be selected from a known set of usable frequencies in the current Bluetooth frequency train. Alternatively, a frequency re-mapping process may be used to select the one or more usable frequencies from the current Bluetooth frequency train. |
| US08903311B1 |
Method of signal transmission using fiber composite sandwich panel
A method of wireless communication uses a fiber composite structure including a first conductive fiber composite layer comprising carbon fiber, a second conductive fiber composite layer comprising carbon fiber, and an insulating layer electrically isolating the first composite layer from the second composite layer. Communication devices such as transceivers are connected to the first and second composite layers and signals may be communicated to and from the communication devices through the composite layers. An AC or DC voltage may be applied to the first and second composite layers to conduct electrical power to the electrical devices without the requirement of separate wires. |
| US08903309B2 |
True stereo wireless headset and method
A headset is disclosed having a transmitting unit for each ear. Each unit (2) mounts a first bone vibration sensor (3) in the external auditory canal and a second bone vibration sensor (7) next to the jawbone/skull. Controls on a housing module (4) activate either sensor. The first sensor is moveable outside the auditory canal by a flexible support attached to the module. A digital speech processor shared by both sensors is mounted within the module. Two-way communication is maintained between the user and an external source (40), such as a cellular telephone which has a multi-task processor with memory and applications stored therein for receiving and transmitting user voice commands and text messages. A recently developed Bluetooth® protocol transmitter (50) and antenna used with the external source permits digital wireless simultaneous synchronization signals to be sent to both units for true stereo sound. |
| US08903295B2 |
Induction heated fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a fixing member that fixes toner on a recording material; a magnetic-field-producing unit including an exciting member that produces an alternating-current magnetic field, and first magnetic-circuit-producing members that each produce a magnetic circuit of the alternating-current magnetic field and are provided at a predetermined first interval and a second interval, smaller than the first interval, in a longitudinal direction of the fixing member; a temperature measuring device that measures the temperature of the fixing member; and a second magnetic-circuit-producing member having a cut portion in which the temperature measuring device is provided and that produces a magnetic circuit of the alternating-current magnetic field while conducting heat to the fixing member by being induction-heated. |
| US08903289B2 |
Belt moving unit and image forming apparatus
A belt moving unit includes an endless belt member and plural support rolls supporting the belt member movably and rotating, wherein the support rolls include one or more follower rolls rotating to follow the movement of the belt member and at least one of the follower rolls is used as an inertial roll to which inertia is applied, wherein the inertial roll includes a rotation shaft, a rotational inertial member rotating with the rotation shaft and applying inertia, and a roll body disposed along a peripheral surface of the rotation shaft and including plural roll-divided members, and wherein the plural roll-divided members include a fixed divided member fixed to the rotation shaft and rotating along with the rotation shaft to follow the movement of the belt member and a rotating divided member rotating independently of the rotation of the rotation shaft. |
| US08903280B2 |
Image forming apparatus and process cartridge
The image forming apparatus includes a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a drum drive input member; a developing cartridge configured to be movably mounted to the drum cartridge, the developing cartridge comprising a developing roller disposed so as to face the photosensitive drum and a developing drive input member; a drum drive transmission member configured to engage with the drum drive input member and configured to transmit drum driving force to the drum drive input member while permitting a positional gap of the drum drive input member within a predetermined range; and a developing drive transmission member configured to engage with the developing drive input member and configured to transmit developing driving force to the developing drive input member while permitting a positional gap of the developing drive input member within a predetermined range. |
| US08903277B2 |
Drive transmitter and image forming apparatus
A drive transmitter, including a first rotational axis transmitting a drive force of a drive source to a first rotator, a second rotational axis transmitting a drive force of the drive source to a second rotator, and an idler gear configured to transmit a drive force to the second rotational axis; wherein the first rotational axis penetrates the idler gear with a gap therebetween. |
| US08903272B2 |
Image forming apparatus including charging unit positioning
An image forming apparatus includes a latent-image forming member including a latent-image carrier and support members disposed at both ends of the latent-image carrier to support the latent-image carrier, a charging member including a discharge electrode that supplies an electric charge to the latent-image carrier and a control electrode that is disposed between the discharge electrode and the latent-image carrier and controls a potential of the latent-image carrier, a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion that are respectively formed on the latent-image forming member and the charging member and that are connected to each other to connect the latent-image forming member and the charging member to each other, and an urging member that is disposed between the latent-image forming member and the charging member to urge them away from each other. |
| US08903268B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes vertically connected units, first and second fitting portions, and first and second fitted portions. These fitting portions are provided at a lower portion of an upper unit. These fitted portions are provided at an upper portion of a lower unit downwardly adjacent to the upper unit. The first fitted portion corresponds to the first fitting portion and the second fitted portion corresponds to the second fitting portion. The upper unit is restricted from displacing vertically relative to the lower unit when the first fitting portion engages with the first fitted portion. The second fitting portion engages with the second fitted portion such that the upper unit is restricted from moving horizontally relative to the lower unit, when a user pivots the upper unit downwardly about the first fitting portion while the first fitting portion is engaged with the first fitted portion. |
| US08903267B2 |
Developing device
A developing device including a first frame including a first welding surface and a second frame including a second welding surface, wherein the first frame and the second frame are welded so that the first welding surface and the second welding surface are opposite to each other, and wherein the developing device further includes: a seal member that is adhered to a first adhesion surface of the first frame and a second adhesion surface of the second frame, wherein the seal member covers a first side end portion from a first side in an orthogonal direction at an opposite part, where the first welding surface and the second welding surface are disposed opposite one another; and a filling agent that is filled between the seal member and the first side end portion in the orthogonal direction at the opposite part. |
| US08903259B2 |
Image forming apparatus preventing failure of recording material detachment from conveyance belt
A method controls the timing of conveying a recording material to a conveyance belt so that a leading edge position of the recording material overlaps with a separation assisting toner image transferred on the conveyance belt in advance to prevent failure of recording material detachment from the conveyance belt. |
| US08903254B2 |
Low power consumption, long range, pluggable transceiver, circuits and devices therefor, and method(s) of using the same
The present disclosure relates to an optical transceiver for use in optical fiber communications and/or telecommunications systems and, more specifically, a low power consumption, long range pluggable transceiver. The transceiver generally comprises a photodiode with a transimpedance amplifier (PIN-TIA); an electro-absorption modulated laser (EML); an optical detector; and a directly modulated laser (DML) driving module connected between the PIN-TIA and EML laser configured to drive the EML laser. A low power-consumption DML driving module is utilized to drive the EML laser, so as to further reduce power consumption. An impedance matching circuit can be applied to modulate an electro-absorption (EA) modulator of the EML laser with maximum efficiency. |
| US08903252B2 |
Apparatus for visible light communication providing intuitive information and method using the same
There is disclosed a visible light communication technology capable of intuitively recognizing a transmission speed, an alignment status, a communication status, or a transmission rate. A visible light communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a light source selecting unit selecting at least one light source of a plurality of light sources generating lights having different wavelengths by considering intuitive information distinguished depending on a wavelength in a visible light band; and a visible light communication unit performing visible light communication by at least one selected light source to allow the intuitive information to be recognized by a color corresponding to at least one selected light source. Accordingly, a user using the visible light communication can intuitively know an optimal communication status or transmission speed. |
| US08903250B2 |
Cost-effective multi-rate upstream for 10GEPON based on high efficiency coding
Systems and methods are disclosed to provide an upstream rate between 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps in a cost effective manner in a 10 GEPON. In an embodiment, an optical network unit (ONU) transmitter includes a burst transceiver and a physical layer (PHY) including a high performance digital to analog converter (DAC), a pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) module configured to encode end user data using a modulation scheme having more than two levels, and a laser. The ONU transmitter transmits the encoded end user data to an optical line terminal (OLT) receiver, which demodulates the data using a PAM demodulator and sends it to a service provider. |
| US08903248B2 |
Transmission apparatus and method for controlling the transmission apparatus
A transmission apparatus includes: a data signal processor to add first data of a control signal to a data signal received, and transmit the data signal; a first signal output module to output second data of the control signal; an update controller to control an update of a function included in the first signal output module; and a second signal output module, when receiving a notice of an instruction for updating the function from the update controller, to output the first data that is the second data held therein when the notice thereof is received, wherein the second signal output module, when receiving a notice of a completion for updating the function from the update controller, outputs the first data that is the second data received from the first signal output module updated by the update controller. |
| US08903246B2 |
Flexibly configurable optical sub-assembly
Multiple pins extend from the outside to the inside of an optical sub-assembly. A light receiver or a light transmitter is arranged inside the optical sub-assembly. A receiver circuit and transmitter circuit (TX) are arranged inside the optical sub-assembly and connected between the multiple pins and the light receiver and the light transmitter. The receiver circuit comprises a receiver communication interface in order to transform an output signal of the light receiver into a communication signal, and wherein the transmitter circuit comprises a transmitter communication interface to transform a communication signal into an input signal of the light transmitter. A control interface is connected with the receiver circuit and the transmitter circuit arranged inside the optical sub-assembly, wherein the control interface is connectable to two of the multiple pins. |
| US08903239B2 |
Optical modulator and optical modulation control method
An optical modulator includes: a modulator including an optical waveguide provided in a semiconductor substrate having an electro-optical effect and an electrode to apply an electric field depending on a bias voltage and a modulation signal to the optical waveguide; a driver circuit to generate a modulation signal in accordance with an input signal; a superimposer to superimpose a reference signal on the bias voltage, the reference signal having lower frequency than the modulation signal; and a controller to control a bias voltage in a direction orthogonal to a modulation direction of the modulator based on the frequency component of the reference signal extracted from a modulated optical signal generated by the modulator. |
| US08903238B2 |
Ultra dense WDM with agile and flexible DSP add-drop
A system, e.g. for optical communication, includes an I-Q modulator and a transmission signal processor. The I-Q modulator is configured to modulate a first light source in response to first I and Q modulation signals. The transmission signal processor is configured to receive a data stream including data corresponding to a first data subchannel. The processor maps the data subchannel to an optical transmission subchannel and outputs the first I and Q modulation signals. The I and Q modulation signals modulate the light source to produce an optical transmission signal that includes wavelength components corresponding to the optical transmission subchannel. |
| US08903237B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining a signal transfer characteristic along a light path in an optical network
There is provided a method for determining a signal transfer characteristic along a light path between a first point and a second point in an optical network. The optical network comprises at least one optical element situated in the light path. The method comprises transmitting a plurality of optical test signals of different bandwidths from the first point along the light path. Each signal has a known bandwidth and a known power. The method further comprises receiving the optical test signals at the second point after they have travelled along the light path and measuring the power of each received optical test signal. The method also comprises determining the signal transfer characteristic along the light path from the power measurements. |
| US08903233B1 |
Auto-focus system using multiple lenses and method thereof
The present disclosure illustrates an auto-focus system using multiple lenses and method thereof. The system is characterized in using multiple lenses and combining a focus depth based approach and a contrast value based approach to improve focus speed and precision. In particular, the system can avoid the impairment caused by the repeat pattern in the focus depth based approach. |
| US08903232B1 |
Optical attachment for reducing the focal length of an objective lens
An optical attachment having five or six elements and configured to be operably arranged on the image side of an objective lens to reduce the focal length and focal ratio of the objective lens is disclosed. The optical attachment is particularly suitable for adapting objective lenses designed with a relatively large working distance for a large format size to cameras having a smaller format size and relatively small permissible working distance. The optical attachments disclosed herein have high image quality at large aperture over a large field of view, and can be well-corrected for all major aberrations. |
| US08903229B2 |
Universal underwater enclosure for cameras and camcorders
A universal underwater enclosure has a spherical shell having a hollow in which a camera, camcorder, or other device can be inserted, a lens attached to the shell that can be opened to insert a device, and glove assemblies extending into the hollow for manipulation of a device placed therein. The glove assemblies have fingers and not full gloves, reducing the dimensions of the enclosure—thereby minimizing buoyancy. A mounting system attaches to a device's tripod mount receptor, fixes the device, and allows it to be adjusted in three dimensions. A pressure equalization system relieves stress on the enclosure, which exhibits neutral buoyancy. A flash mounted on the shell operates independently of any device. Modular lens pods replace the lens to accommodate various other lenses. The glove assemblies have perimeter lips secured to the shell by fasteners and a bezel around teardrop-shaped cut-out holes in the shell. The fingers allow access to all of a device's controls. |
| US08903225B2 |
Video editing device, video editing method, program, and medium in which the program is recorded
A video editing device includes a storage unit, a detection unit and an composite unit. The storage unit stores a detection target, a similarity determination condition for determining a similarity of an original video content to the detection target, and a message in association with one another. The detection unit determines in accordance with the similarity determination condition whether or not the detection target is included in the original video content. The composite unit adds the message to the original video content in a case where a determination result by the detection unit indicates that the detection target is included in the original video content. |
| US08903223B1 |
Video driver over a network
It is determined at a display driver level that a video is being played. A frame processing rate at a local frame buffer is measured, wherein the frame processing rate is dependent on a performance condition. A video frame is dropped from the local frame buffer based at least in part on the frame processing rate. Frames are output from the local frame buffer for video playback. |
| US08903221B2 |
Means for protecting against non-authorised readings of a recording support
An especially multimedia work is stored on an information support accessible by reading, said work to be read by an appliance comprising a control unit provided with navigation means associated with a representation, on a visualization screen, of the navigation actions carried out. The support stores a composition (authoring) comprising pages to be displayed on the screen and links between said pages according to navigation actions carried out therein. According to the invention, the composition contains a set of pages of choices, each enabling a user to carry out, by means of the navigation means, one of a plurality of choices for forming a combination of choices, the links between said pages being such that the work can only be read if the different choices carried out correspond to a pre-determined combination. In this way, the reading can only be carrier out, due to a simple authoring process, when a pre-determined code is introduced. |
| US08903214B2 |
Large core area single mode optical fiber
A single-mode optical fiber for guiding an optical signal, wherein the core region is capable of guiding an optical signal in a fundamental core mode at an optical signal wavelength. A cladding region is arranged to surround the core region and includes an inner cladding region and an outer cladding region. The inner cladding region includes a background material and a plurality of inner cladding features arranged in the background material, wherein a plurality of the plurality of inner cladding features are of a first type of feature that includes an air hole surrounded by a high-index region comprising a high-index material that is larger than the refractive index of the inner cladding background material. |
| US08903212B2 |
Fiber optic cable
A fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber, a strength layer surrounding the optical fiber, and an outer jacket surrounding the strength layer. The strength layer includes a matrix material in which is integrated a plurality of reinforcing fibers. A fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber, a strength layer, a first electrical conductor affixed to an outer surface of the strength layer, a second electrical conductor affixed to the outer surface of the strength layer, and an outer jacket. The strength layer includes a polymeric material in which is embedded a plurality of reinforcing fibers. A method of manufacturing a fiber optic cable includes mixing a base material in an extruder. A strength layer is formed about an optical fiber. The strength layer includes a polymeric film with embedded reinforcing fibers disposed in the film. The base material is extruded through an extrusion die to form an outer jacket. |
| US08903211B2 |
Pump-combining systems and techniques for multicore fiber transmissions
An optical fiber coupler connects transmission multicore optical fiber (TMCF) with an amplifier multicore optical fiber (AMCF) and a plurality of optical pump fibers. The coupler includes a plurality of signal cores extending between a multicore input endface and a coupler output endface, and a plurality of pump cores extending between a pump input and the coupler output endface. The multicore input endface is connectable to the TMCF, and the pump input is connectable to the optical pump fibers. Each pump core is paired with a corresponding signal core to form a core pair that is adiabatically tapered such that signal light carried by the signal core is combined with pump light carried by the pump core. The coupler output endface is connectable to the AMCF such that the combined light output of each core pair is provided as an input to a respective AMCF core. |
| US08903209B2 |
Spectral beam combining and wavelength multiplexing with an optical redirecting element
A method of spectral beam combining comprising the steps of projecting a plurality of laser beamlets of different wavelengths onto a first spectrally dispersive element, spatially chirping the plurality of beamlets via the first spectrally dispersive element, rearranging the spatially chirped beamlets with a beam redirecting element, and combining the beamlets into a single output beam via a second spectrally dispersive element. |
| US08903202B1 |
Mach-Zehnder optical modulator having a travelling wave electrode with a distributed ground bridging structure
A Mach-Zehnder optical modulator with a travelling wave electrode having one or more signal transmission line conductors and one or more ground transmission line conductors is provided. The modulator includes a ground strip conductor extending substantially in parallel to the ground transmission line conductors, and a distributed bridging structure electrically connecting the ground strip conductor and at least one of the ground transmission line conductors along a substantial portion of a length thereof. The distributed bridging structure may be embodied by a plurality of electrical connections at disposed regularly spaced intervals. |
| US08903201B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhanced document capture
A system and method for processing an image of a document is disclosed. The method includes receiving at least one predetermined document parameter of the document. An image of the document is previewed on a display using a camera. The display provides a visual indication of a defect in the image based on the preview. A processor proposes a procedure to minimize the defect in the image. A user adjusts the camera in response to the proposal. The processor processes the image of the document. |
| US08903193B2 |
Reducing memory bandwidth consumption when executing a program that uses integral images
Methods and apparatuses to reduce memory bandwidth consumption when executing a program that uses integral images are provided. A first integral image representation of a grayscale image may be computed using a first number of bits per pixel. A second integral image representation of the grayscale image may be computed using a second number of bits per pixel. Additionally, an image processing algorithm may be executed on the grayscale image, wherein the size of a rectangle to be used by the image processing algorithm can be determined. Based on the size of the rectangle to be used by the image processing algorithm, it may be determined whether to use the first integral image representation or second integral image representation for the image processing algorithm. |
| US08903189B2 |
Image processing method
The present disclosure relates to a method for improving the perception of an image. The method may include subjecting an original image to a series of independent processes, each producing a pixel calculated using a respective reference kernel. The reference kernels each may comprise pixels from the original image. |
| US08903185B2 |
Device and method for embedding watermark into image
A method of embedding a binary watermark into an image and a computer applied such are disclosed. The binary watermark is transformed to a watermark sequence consisting of K binary numbers and the image is converted into a grayscale image, being segmented into several sections. K sections are selected randomly while each selected section corresponds to one of the binary numbers of the watermark sequence. In relation to each selected section, a sum of a first part of the pixels and a sum of a second part of the pixels is compared. Each of the selected sections having their result of comparison being made to correspond to corresponding binary number in accordance with a predefined correlation results in the binary watermark being embedded into the image. |
| US08903184B2 |
Image-encoding method, image-encoding device, and computer-readable recording medium storing image-encoding program
A method for encoding an image having a resolution that is not a multiple of a size of a block to be encoded, includes adding, by a processor, an extension image to the image to generate an image to be encoded, the extension image being an image to be added to the image and being an image in which a boundary pixel that is present at a boundary between the extension image and the image, and an adjacent pixel that is adjacent to the boundary pixel have a difference in pixel value therebetween that has an absolute value that is equal to or greater than a certain value; and disabling a deblocking filter process at the boundary between the extension image and the image in a locally decoded image that corresponds to the image to be encoded. |
| US08903183B2 |
Image recognition device, image recognizing method, storage medium that stores computer program for image recognition
An image identifying device includes: a setting unit which sets a section having at least one image in a video; a first recognizing unit which calculates a plurality of feature amounts related to at least the one image and which acquires a plurality of identification results corresponding to each of the feature amounts from an identifier which may identify a plurality of objects belonging to a first category; a selecting unit which selects, based on the identification results, a second category of a third category; and a second recognizing unit which calculates another feature amount related to an image included in another section and acquires another identification result corresponding to the feature amount from another identifier which may identify the objects included in the second category. |
| US08903181B2 |
Low cost unique identification generation using combination of patterns and unique code images
The embodiments disclosed herein relates to a method and system for authentication of an object by forming a unique ID for the object. An authentication server identifies a unique natural pattern associated with the object to be verified. For the identified pattern, the authentication server assigns a unique ID. The pattern and unique ID are then stored in a database. The unique ID is then pasted on the object. For authentication, an image of the object with unique ID is captured and is sent to the authentication server for authentication. The authentication server first extracts from the received second image the unique ID, which is then used to retrieve from the database the stored pattern corresponding to it. The pattern in the received second image is then compared with the original pattern retrieved from the database. Based on the comparison, the system confirms authenticity of the object. |
| US08903171B2 |
Detection and suppression of flicker in a sequence of images
The invention relates to a method, device and computer-program product for detection of undesired temporal variations (flicker) in a sequence of video frames. In one embodiment, frame-wise luminance means are compared with a reference level and the crossing frequency is compared with expected variation frequencies, such as frequencies associated with an illumination frequency through aliasing. The crossings count can be refined by introducing a latency zone around the reference level. In case of a positive detection of an undesired temporal variation, there is further provided a correction method, device and computer-program product using cumulated distribution functions. The visual detriment of flicker-induced saturation of pixels is alleviated either by brightening non-saturated pixels or by replacing the saturated pixels by randomly sampled values in accordance with a reference cumulated distribution function. The invention provides embodiments suitable for real-time processing of streamed video sequences. |
| US08903168B2 |
Method and device for selecting transform matrices for down-sampling DCT image using learning with forgetting algorithm
Down-sampling of an image may be performed in the DCT domain. A multiple layered network is used to select transform matrices for down-sampling a DCT image of size M×N to a DCT image of size I×J. A spatial domain down-sampling method is selected and applied to the DCT image to produce a down-sampled DCT reference image. A learning with forgetting algorithm is used to apply a decay to the elements of the transform matrix and select a transform matrices which solve an optimization problem. The optimization problem is a function of the visual quality of images obtained using the transform matrices and the computational complexity associated with using the transform matrices. The visual quality is a measure of the difference between the down-sampled DCT image obtained using the transform matrices and the visual quality of the DCT reference image obtained using a spatial domain down-sampling method. |
| US08903165B2 |
Image editing method, image editing apparatus, computer program, and memory product
In the case where a three-dimensional image including a plurality of element figures, such as a quadrangular plane, a curved surface including a ridgeline, and a cylinder, is edited using an image editing apparatus such as a three-dimensional CAD apparatus, when one element figure in the three-dimensional image is specified, other element figures connected to the specified one element figure, or other element figures included in the same three-dimensional image in which the one element figure is included are retrieved, and other element figure in the retrieved other element figures, which was determined as having a specific relationship to the one element figure is related to the one element figure. Then, the specified element figure and the element figures related to the specified element figure are edited collectively based on an operation received by the image editing apparatus. |
| US08903159B2 |
Method and apparatus for tracking image patch considering scale
A method and apparatus for tracking an image considering scale are provided. A registered image patch may be divided into a scale-invariant image patch and a scale-variant image patch according to a predetermined scale invariance index (SII). If a registered image patch within an image is a scale-invariant image patch, the scale-invariant image patch is tracked by adjusting its position, while if the registered image patch is a scale-variant image patch, the scale-invariant image patch is tracked by adjusting its position and scale. |
| US08903155B2 |
Optical waveform generation and use based on print characteristics for MICR data of paper documents
A method and system for determining an optical waveform based on a plurality of print features of a selected marking of a document. The method and system comprise obtaining optical image data representing the print features of the selected marking. The optical image data is corrected for at least one of print contrast or reflectance of the print features in the optical image data using respective print contrast thresholds or reflectance thresholds to produce a converted pixel map of the selected marking, the pixel map containing an ordered sequence of values. Also included is a generation module to transform the print features represented in the converted pixel map to a plurality of corresponding waveform features to produce the optical waveform of the selected marking, the corresponding waveform features including a plurality of spaced apart peaks representing respective optical signal levels of the print features. |
| US08903153B2 |
Bone suppression in x-ray radiograms
The invention relates to a system (100) for extracting an object (Ob) from a source image, said object being delineated by a contour (C), the system (100) comprising a gradient unit (110) for computing the source image gradient field, based on the source image, a smoothing unit (120) for smoothing the source image gradient field, and an integration unit (130) for calculating an object image by integrating the smoothed source image gradient field, thereby extracting the object (Ob) from the source image. At each point of the source image, the smoothing is defined by a 2-dimensional convolution kernel which is a product of a first 1-dimensional convolution kernel in the first direction substantially parallel to the contour (C), and a second 1-dimensional convolution kernel in the second direction substantially normal to the contour (C). The first 1-dimensional convolution kernel defines smoothing within each region separated by the contour, while the second 1-dimensional convolution kernel defines smoothing across the contour separating two regions, independently of the orientation of the object and the contour curvature. |
| US08903152B2 |
Methods and systems for enhanced tomographic imaging
Embodiments of methods, systems and non-transitory computer readable media for tomographic imaging are presented. 3D TOF projection data is processed to generate corresponding data in a designated format that allows for computationally cheaper image reconstruction than the 3D TOF projection data. Further, one or more preliminary images are reconstructed from the processed data using a particular image reconstruction technique for one or more iterations. To that end, one or more imaging parameters are iteratively varied every one or more iterations. The imaging parameters, for example, include the designated format, the image reconstruction technique and one or more image quality characteristics. One or more intermediate images are reconstructed from the one or more preliminary images using the iteratively varying imaging parameters. Further, 3D TOF images having the one or more designated image quality characteristics are generated using the one or more intermediate images and the iteratively varying imaging parameters. |
| US08903148B2 |
X-ray imaging apparatus and method of updating a pixel map
An X-ray imaging apparatus and a method of updating a pixel map correct a bad pixel of an X-ray transmission image. An X-ray transmission image is generated by detecting an X-ray penetrating an object, and it is determined whether a difference between a value of each one of the pixels forming the X-ray transmission image and a value of a nearby pixel adjacent to the each one of the pixels is equal to or greater than a reference value. A pixel having a value representing a difference equal to or greater than the reference value is determined as a candidate for a bad pixel. A message is displayed which requests a selection of whether to determine if the candidate is a bad pixel. The pixel map is updated by reflecting the determined bad pixel on the pixel map. |
| US08903145B2 |
Method and apparatus for image processing for computer-aided eye surgery
Image processing for computer-aided eye-surgery includes acquiring a reference image of the eye and enriching said reference image by inserting additional context information which are helpful for a surgeon when performing the eye surgery. The reference image is registered with a real time image of the eye. The context information is overlayed over the real time image of the eye based on a tracking of the eye movement such that the context information is displayed at the same position despite a movement of the eye. |
| US08903140B2 |
Fingerprint indentifying system
A fingerprint identifying system includes a finger press plate, an image-capturing unit, a light-diffusion member, at least one microstructure layer, and a light source. The light-diffusion member is disposed below the finger press plate and above the image-capturing unit, and has a through hole in alignment with the image-capturing unit. The microstructure layer is disposed on the light-diffusion member. The light source is disposed below the light-diffusion member and around the image-capturing unit. |
| US08903139B2 |
Method of reconstructing three-dimensional facial shape
A method of reconstructing a three-dimensional (3D) facial shape with super resolution even from a short moving picture having a front facial image by acquiring a super-resolution facial image by applying, as a weighting factor, a per-unit-patch similarity between a target frame and frames remaining after excluding the target frame from among a plurality of continuous frames including the front facial image, and reconstructing the 3D facial shape based on the acquired super-resolution facial image. |
| US08903136B1 |
Client side filtering of card OCR images
The technology of the present disclosure includes computer-implemented methods, computer program products, and systems to filter images before transmitting to a system for optical character recognition (“OCR”). A user computing device obtains a first image of the card from the digital scan of a physical card and analyzes features of the first image, the analysis being sufficient to determine if the first image is likely to be usable by an OCR algorithm. If the user computing device determines that the first image is likely to be usable, then the first image is transmitted to an OCR system associated with the OCR algorithm. Upon a determination that the first image is unlikely to be usable, a second image of the card from the digital scan of the physical card is analyzed. The optical character recognition system performs an optical character recognition algorithm on the filtered card. |
| US08903134B2 |
Methods for mapping depth and surface current
Systems and methods for acquiring accurate maps of near-shore depth and surface currents are disclosed. An imaging platform is provided which is able to obtain a time series of overhead images of an area of a body of water having pixel intensity correlated with wave height. The platform may be on a tower, or may be airborne, space-borne, or ship-borne. The imaging modality may be optical, radar, or LIDAR. Image processing corrects the images, as and if needed, such they are mapped onto a grid of fixed coordinates, and the pixel intensities have a near linear relationship to wave height. A two-dimensional Fourier transform of each image is obtained, then the extremum of an objective function is found, wherein the objective function is a function of the depth and surface current (velocity) vector at each pixel location, and the extremum is sharply peaked at a particular set of depth and a particular set of surface current vector values. A pixel-by-pixel map of depths and or currents can be produced. |
| US08903125B2 |
Method and device for identifying objects and for tracking objects in a production process
An object (1) is identified based on the unique, characteristic, optical properties (10) before the object is processed in a facility (3). In addition, a clear identification is assigned to the object (1). All production data and process parameters for all facilities (3) through which the object (1) passes are stored together with the identification in an electronic data processing means (6). After the object (1) has passed through a facility (3), the object (1) can be identified again based on its unique, characteristic, optical properties (10). Thus, it can be examined whether the system for tracking the object (1) within a production facility (3) functions without errors. Alternatively, the new identification can also be used to assign a new identification to an object (1) for which the unique, characteristic, optical properties (10) have changed during the production process. |
| US08903117B1 |
Speaker assembly
A speaker assembly includes a frame and a surround that suspends a diaphragm from the frame. An outer portion of the surround is disposed, dimensioned, and configured to permit the mounting of the surround to the frame such that the surround, itself, does not need to include an outwardly extending flange and/or clamp. Rather, the outer portion of the surround is generally disposed on the frame, with the mounting surface of the outer portion of the surround extending inward relative to the outer periphery of the surround. |
| US08903113B2 |
Inflatable ear mold with protected inflation air inlet
An ear piece is formed for insertion and placement in an external auditory canal. The ear piece has an inflatable which, when it is inflated, expands and braces against the walls of the auditory canal. When it is deflated, it may be withdrawn from the auditory canal. The ear piece may be used in connection with a hearing aid, an MP3 player, a cell phone, or the like. A pump is provided for inflating the balloon and a valve may be controlled for selectively deflating the balloon. The air intake to the pump is disposed so as to be protected against contamination from inside the auditory canal. For that purpose it is formed inside a housing the air inlet of which is as far outside the ear canal as possible. In the case of a behind-the-ear application, the intake opening is formed in the housing that is to be placed behind the user's ear. |
| US08903111B2 |
Device for controlling at least one audio signal and corresponding electronic mixing console
A device (20) for controlling an audio signal comprising at least: means for commanding, rotationally mobile around an axis of rotation (A) relatively to a footing, first means for detecting a movement in rotation of the commanding means, capable of delivering a first signal, second means for detecting a movement in translation along an axis (z) substantially parallel to the said axis of rotation (A), capable of delivering a second signal. According to the invention, the said second means for detecting comprise at least one pressure sensor (210) delivering said second signal and comprising at least a upper part (210A), a lower part (210C), and a central part (210B) located between the upper part and the lower part, at least one of these parts being rigid, and at least one of these parts being elastic and deformable along an axis substantially parallel to the said axis of rotation (A). |
| US08903110B2 |
Digital audio mixer and method thereof
In a digital audio mixer and a method thereof, three effecter group lists corresponding to effecter group switches can be stored in a current memory. The first effecter group list can include member data identifying a plurality of effecters that constitute an effecter group. Each of the member data can include an effecter ID (eID) identifying an effecter (internal effecter, external effecter or default effecter) inserted in a desired insertion point of a desired channel. In response to operation of any one of the effecter group switches, a CPU can collectively set ON/OFF states of all of the effecters of the effecter group to a same state on the basis of the first effecter group list. |
| US08903107B2 |
Wideband noise reduction system and a method thereof
Systems and methods improve audio signals and include means and methods of reducing stochastic noise in wideband audio signals. Multiple microphones may acquire near and far end audio signals, the audio signals may undergo transformations via a general or specialized digital signal processor. |
| US08903102B2 |
Integrated earbud antenna for receiving television broadcasts
A method and apparatus for adapting an electronic device to receive digital television broadcast signals is disclosed. The device comprises a switch commandable to interpose one or more matching networks as in the RF signal path according to a channel command to match an integrated headset antenna to the tuner receiving the RF signals. |
| US08903098B2 |
Signal processing apparatus and method, program, and data recording medium
The present invention relates to a signal processing apparatus and method, a program, and a data recording medium configured such that the playback level of an audio signal can be easily and effectively enhanced without requiring prior analysis.An analyzer 21 generates mapping control information in the form of the root mean square of samples in a given segment of a supplied audio signal. A mapping processor 22 takes a nonlinear function determined by the mapping control information taken as a mapping function, and conducts amplitude conversion on a supplied audio signal using the mapping function. In this way, by conducting amplitude conversion of an audio signal using a nonlinear function that changes according to the characteristics in respective segments of an audio signal, the playback level of an audio signal can be easily and effectively enhanced without requiring prior analysis. The present invention may be applied to portable playback apparatus. |
| US08903095B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for avoiding damage in network attacks
Methods and apparatuses in a client terminal (400) and a web server (402) for enabling safe communication between said terminal and server. When the terminal obtains a web page from the server in a session, the terminal creates a context-specific key, Ks_NAF′, based on one or more context parameters, P1, . . . Pn, pertaining to said session and/or web page. The terminal then indicates the context-specific key in a login request to the server, and the server determines a context-specific key, Ks_NAF′, in the same manner to verify the client if the context-specific key determined in the web server matches the context-specific key received from the client terminal. The context-specific key is thus bound to and valid for the present context or session only and cannot be used in other contexts or sessions. |
| US08903086B2 |
Enabling/disabling display data channel access to enable/disable high-bandwidth digital content protection
A switcher device comprises a multiplexer coupled in-between at least one input and output cards. The multiplexer detects the presence of an event signal from an activated sink. In response to the detection of the event signal, a processor changes an address of an HDCP receiver from a first address to a second address for enabling the at least one source to authenticate with the input card and enabling the output card to authenticate with the at least one sink for security protocol encryption. In response to the non-detection of the event signal, the processor changes the address of an HDCP receiver from the second address to the first address for disabling the at least one source from initiating a first authentication with the input card, therefore the output card also does not attempt to initiate a second authentication with the at least one sink for security protocol encryption. |
| US08903081B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for controlling storage of user input information
When receiving Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) information, we provide a way to determine whether to store such, which may include sensitive user input information. More specifically, a media gateway (MG) obtains DTMF digit mask control information, which indicates whether DTMF digit information may include sensitive user input information not suitable for storage. Based thereon, it decides, whether to store the received DTMF digit information. In this way, the DTMF digit mask control information controls whether to store the user input information on the DTMF digit information processing device in the architecture with the service function being separated from the bearing function; thus, avoiding information security risks brought by indiscriminate storage of sensitive contents in the user input information. |
| US08903080B2 |
Goal-based estimated wait time
A contact center is described along with various methods and mechanisms for administering the same. The contact center proposed herein provides the ability to, among other things, determine an estimated wait time for contacts waiting to be serviced by resources of the contact center without relying on the traditional First-In-First-Out behavior of contact centers. |
| US08903079B2 |
Routing callers from a set of callers based on caller data
Methods and systems are provided for routing callers to agents in a call-center routing environment. An exemplary method includes pooling incoming callers, and causing a caller from the pool of callers to be routed. The caller may be routed from the pool of callers to an agent, placed in another pool of callers, or placed in a queue of callers. The caller data may include demographic or psychographic data. The caller may be routed from the pool of callers based on comparing the caller data with agent data associated with an agent via a pattern matching algorithm and/or computer model for predicting a caller-agent pair outcome. Additionally, if a caller is held beyond a hold threshold (e.g., a time, “cost” function, or the like) the caller may be routed to the next available agent. |
| US08903078B2 |
Communication session assessment
A communication session analyzer is integrated or otherwise coupled to an audio player to generate a system for analyzing voice-based communication sessions. Embodiments of the system also include a data store and an output device, respectively. The analyzer identifies a communication session attribute. An automated or human reviewer of a stored communication session forwards an assessment for an observed communication session. The data store receives and stores the communication session attribute with the assessment in a common format. Alternatively, an output device generates a representation that includes the communication session attribute and the assessment. When customer feedback is available for a particular communication session, the system identifies the communication session as one that should be reviewed. Once an internal reviewer indicates that the review/assessment is complete, the system presents communication session attributes together with the session assessments from both the internal reviewer and the customer. |
| US08903075B2 |
Customer/subscriber/user identification via utilized service node/point
Management of call center call routing is provided. Service calls directed to a call center may be routed for processing based on an identification of a service node of a caller. The service node may be identified by parsing a database for a calling customer's node ID, determining a format of the node ID, and converting the node ID into a numeric value that represents the node ID associated with the calling customer. If the numeric node ID value meets a predetermined criterion, the service call may be processed according to a priority call routing instruction. |
| US08903074B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for congestion-based routing of telecommunications signaling messages
Methods, systems, and computer program products for congestion-based routing of telecommunications signaling messages are disclosed. One method includes determining whether congestion exists on a primary SS7 signaling route to a destination. In response to determining that congestion exists on the primary SS7 signaling route, the method includes redirecting messages to be sent over the primary SS7 signaling route to an alternate SS7 signaling route to the destination independently of whether the primary route is in a failed state. |
| US08903073B2 |
Systems and methods for visual presentation and selection of IVR menu
Embodiments of the invention provide a system for generating an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) database, the system comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory comprising a list of telephone numbers associated with one or more destinations implementing IVR menus, wherein the one or more destinations are grouped based on a plurality of categories of the IVR menus. Further the memory includes instructions executable by said processor for automatically communicating with the one of more destinations, and receiving at least one customization record from said at least one destination to store in the IVR database. |
| US08903070B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing incoming and outgoing call information in a mobile communication terminal
Methods and apparatus are provided for providing information, performed by an electronic device. Phone numbers are stored in an address book in a memory of the electronic device. Call history information for a phone number together with an option that when selected enables editing of information associated with the phone number are displayed on a screen of a display of the electronic device, if the phone number is in the address book. Call history information for a phone number together with an option that when selected enables adding the phone number to the address book are displayed on a screen of the display, if the phone number is not in the address book. |
| US08903069B2 |
Interactive content for click-to-call calls
In a click-to-call (C2C) communication environment, a web client of a computing terminal is configured to initiate a C2C call when a user selects a call tag provided in a web page being presented to the user. The call is intended to be established between a remote endpoint associated with the call tag and one of either the computing terminal or another terminal associated with the user. If the C2C call is directed to an automated system and placed in a queue or on hold, the present invention allows supplemental content intended for the user to be delivered to the web client from which the C2C call was initiated. The web client may present the supplemental content to the user. |
| US08903068B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing personal mobility features in a telecommunications environment
Personal mobility, multiparty control, and device augmentation features are provided within a voice-over-Internet protocol environment, such as a distributed feature composition (DFC) telecommunications architecture. The personal mobility features allow a caller to be identified to a callee using a desired identifier in place of an identifier of the device from which a call is made. Such personal mobility features are made available in multiparty calling environments and after mid-call moves. Device augmentation features provide enhanced calling options to a device that may otherwise be unequipped to provide such options, thus enabling personal mobility and multiparty control features across a wide variety of telecommunications devices. |
| US08903067B2 |
Apparatus and method for automatically refreshing a display of a telephone
Methods and apparatus for refreshing a display of a telephone. A telephone apparatus includes a telephone having a display panel and function by which a user can access a plurality of communication services provided over a communication network. The function may represent a given set of conditions associated with a user, such as static and variable conditions. The function is typically associated with one or more commonly used communication services that would be used by a user under a given set of conditions. A method for automatically refreshing a screen on a display panel of a telephone based on a function change includes displaying on a telephone display a first screen based on a function, the display representing a commonly used communication service associated with the function, and selecting a function based on information. |
| US08903066B1 |
Portable system for institutional telephone service provision
One exemplary embodiment provides a device comprising: a connection panel configured to accept a removable connection to a telephone of a controlled access residential institution; a network router connected to the connection panel and configured to connect to a remote network; and an access and security module connected to the network router and configured to control access by the telephone to telephone services provided by accessing a remote call processing center via the remote network. The connection panel, the network router, and access and security module can be at least partially enclosed within a portable enclosure. The device may further comprise a power distribution unit within the enclosure and connected to provide power to the network router and to the access and security module. |
| US08903063B2 |
Destination device billing according to call recipient
A method, system, and program for billing for service provided to destination device according to the calling plan of the individual receiving the call. An authenticated identity for a callee answering a call placed to a destination device is received at an intermediary device. The intermediary device then accesses a billing plan for the authenticated identity of the callee and loads the billing plan for specifying charges for the call, such that telephone service billed to the callee is accessible at multiple destination devices. |
| US08903062B2 |
Telecommunications least cost routing system
Methods, systems and apparatus for populating a least cost routing database. In one aspect, a method includes receiving from a carrier a bid for routing a telephone call to a destination; automatically loading the received bid into a least cost routing database to generate an updated least cost routing database; and making the updated least cost routing database accessible for use in determining one or more least cost routes. Further, the received bid can be analyzed to generate a projected business result and the projected business result can be presented to the carrier before loading the received bid into the least cost routing database. Additionally, input can be received from the carrier specifying an historical period and the projected business result can be generated based on data associated with the specified historical period. |
| US08903058B2 |
Conveying call subject matter with voice data
Embodiments are configured to provide information associated with a communication event to a communication party. In an embodiment, components of a communication system operate to provide a recorded call subject to a receiving party as part of a communication event. In one embodiment, a communication device can be used to record, package, and transmit subject matter as part of a communication event, wherein the recorded subject matter can be used to inform a receiving party of a communication subject. |
| US08903054B2 |
Methods and apparatus to provide a telephone system configuration interface
Methods and apparatus for a telephone customer to configure telephone service for multiple users at a single location associated with the customer. The location has at least two telephones, at least two phone numbers and a voice mail box. The telephone customer is visually provided an option to assign one of the phone numbers to one of the telephones. The telephone customer is visually provided an option to assign each of the multiple users exclusive access to at least one of the telephone numbers via their account identifier. The telephone customer is visually provided the option to, for each of the multiple users, allow access or deny access via their account identifier to the voicemail box. |
| US08903050B2 |
Network analysis based on ambient electromagnetic signals
A particular method includes receiving first data indicating a measured strength of an ambient electromagnetic signal in a particular frequency range during a particular time period and at a particular location. The method also includes receiving second data indicating a bit loading within a portion of a wireline network in the particular frequency range during the particular time period. The portion of the wireline network provides service within a service area proximate to the particular location. The method also includes determining a correlation of changes in the second data during the particular time period to changes in the first data during the particular time period. The method further includes identifying at least one issue associated with the wireline network based on the correlation. |
| US08903048B2 |
Radiographic imaging apparatus and control method for the same
An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an FPD and short-circuited pixels. The FPD has pixels arranged in arrays for detecting an X-ray image. The short-circuited pixels detect a radiation dose of X-rays in the FPD. The X-ray imaging apparatus is changed over between first and second operating modes. The first operating mode is selected in case of combining with an X-ray generating apparatus with communication compatibility, and performs an exposure control for controlling a total radiation dose according to a detection signal from the short-circuited pixels. The second operating mode is selected in case of combining with an X-ray generating apparatus with communication incompatibility, and performs control of start synchronization for synchronizing operation of the FPD with the emission start of X-rays according to a detection signal from the short-circuited pixels. Thus, control of the X-ray imaging apparatus is changed over appropriately. |
| US08903047B1 |
High voltage circuit with arc protection
A high voltage circuit with arc protection comprises a circuit board, having a top surface and a bottom surface, and includes at least two electronic components in a circuit. An enclosure substantially surrounds the circuit board. A voltage differential of at least 5000 volts can exist between the enclosure and at least one of the electronic components. At least one electrically conductive plate is disposed between the top surface of the circuit board and the enclosure, disposed between the bottom surface of the circuit board and the enclosure, electrically insulated from the circuit board and the enclosure, and provides arc protection between at least one electronic component on the circuit board and the enclosure. |
| US08903046B2 |
Covert surveillance using multi-modality sensing
The present specification discloses a covert mobile inspection vehicle with a backscatter X-ray scanning system that has an X-ray source and detectors for obtaining a radiographic image of an object outside the vehicle. The systems preferably include at least one sensor for determining a distance from at least one of the detectors to points on the surface of the object being scanned, a processor for processing the obtained radiographic image by using the determined distance of the object to obtain an atomic number of each material contained in the object, and one or more sensors to obtain surveillance data from a predefined area surrounding the vehicle. |
| US08903045B2 |
Backscatter system with variable size of detector array
A variable-geometry backscatter inspection system has a radiation detector array including one or more backscatter radiation detectors. The position of a second backscatter radiation detector is variable with respect to the position of a first backscatter radiation detector, so that the size of the detector array may be varied by moving the second radiation detector into or out of a predefined alignment with the first radiation detector. The system may include a movable base, and at least one of the detectors is movable with respect to the base. Methods of inspecting an object include forming a detector array by moving a second radiation detector into a predefined alignment with a first radiation detector, illuminating the object with a pencil beam of penetrating radiation, and detecting backscattered radiation with the detector array. |
| US08903044B2 |
X-ray diffraction apparatus
An X-ray shielding member is provided so as to confront an X-ray incident face of a sample, and a gap through which an X-ray emitted from an X-ray source is passed and irradiated to an X-ray incident face of the sample is formed between the X-ray shielding member and the X-ray incident face of the sample. A gap adjusting mechanism for moving the X-ray shielding member is further provided to move the X-ray shielding member in accordance with change of an X-ray incident angle to the sample by a goniometer, whereby the breadth of the gap formed between the X-ray shielding member and the X-ray incident face of the sample can be adjusted. |
| US08903042B2 |
Radiographic system and radiographic image generating method
In a radiographic system and a radiographic image generating method that generate a phase contrast image and an absorption image of an subject, the absorption image in which density irregularity is removed or reduced is generated on the basis of a plurality of pieces of image data obtained for generating the phase contrast image. |
| US08903041B2 |
X-ray diagnostic apparatus
According to one embodiment, an image generation unit generates a first image during a large aperture period and a second image during a small aperture period. An image combining unit generates a composite image based on the latest second image and the specific first image. A display unit displays the composite image in real time. A determination unit determines whether to update the first image based on an index associated with the anatomical positional shift between the first image and the second image. A driving control unit enlarges a aperture to the large aperture, when the determination unit determines to update, and maintains the aperture at the small aperture, when the determination unit determines not to update. |
| US08903038B2 |
X-ray CT device
According to one embodiment of the present invention, an X-ray CT device includes: a front dome cover and rear dome cover that include a fixed cover and a plurality of segmented movable covers; a slide mechanism that enables the movable covers to slide relative to the fixed cover; and a dome-diameter driving unit that controls the slide mechanism to change a dome diameter of a gantry dome. |
| US08903034B2 |
Fuel rod internal pressure measurement
A method for determining a leaking nuclear fuel rod that remotely measures the internal pressure in the plenum region of the fuel rod by remotely measuring the thermal response of the rod when a localized heating is imposed on the outside of the rod in the plenum region. The temperature of the cladding at two symmetrically spaced points on either side of the location where the heating is imposed is remotely monitored as a function of time and compared to a standard to determine the internal pressure of the plenum. |
| US08903033B2 |
High resolution digital rod position indication system for nuclear power plants
A high resolution digital rod position indication (high resolution DRPI) system having improved resolution. The high resolution DRPI system monitors the rod control cluster and provides an indication of the rod position with precision to a single step. In addition, the high resolution DRPI system is capable of producing a rod position output compatible with existing rod control systems. The improved resolution of the high resolution DRPI system allows the actual position of the control rods to be continuously monitored and eliminates the need for or reduces the frequency of offline re-initialization of the step counters. |
| US08903032B2 |
Structure for suppressing flow vibration of instrumentation guide tube
An upper hole 37A and a lower hole 37B are provided at two positions, namely, upper and lower portions, of a side surface of a guide tube 27, and a thimble tube 22 is pressed against an inner circumferential surface of the guide tube 27, by a differential pressure between coolant inside and outside the upper hole 37A and the lower hole 37B. It is preferable that an upper pressure adjustment hole and a lower pressure adjustment hole are provided at two positions, namely, upper and lower portions, of a side surface of an upper core support column 21, and a coolant flowing into the guide tube from an upper end of the guide tube flows out to the outside from inside the guide tube through a gap between the thimble tube and the upper hole, and also flows out to the outside from inside the upper core support column through the upper pressure adjustment hole, and a coolant flowing into the guide tube from a lower end of the guide tube flows out to the outside from inside the guide tube through a gap between the thimble tube and the lower hole, and also flows out to the outside from inside the upper core support column through the lower pressure adjustment hole. |
| US08903031B2 |
Low jitter clock recovery circuit
A clock recovery circuit includes a first phase detector for measuring the phase difference between a first clock signal from a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and a data signal. A phase shifter responsive to a control signal based on this phase difference adjusts the phase of an incoming clock signal to yield a second clock signal. The phase difference between the first clock signal and the second clock signal is measured and the resulting signal is low-pass filtered to derive a control signal for controlling the VCO. The phase locked loop including the VCO filters out jitter. |
| US08903030B2 |
Clock data recovery circuit with hybrid second order digital filter having distinct phase and frequency correction latencies
A clock data recovery circuit (CDR) extracts bit data values from a serial bit stream without reference to a transmitter clock. A controllable oscillator produces a regenerated clock signal controlled to match the frequency and phase of transitions between bits and the serial data is sampled at an optimal phase. A phase detector generates early-or-late indication bits for clock versus data transition times, which are accumulated and applied to a second order feedback control with two distinct feedback paths for frequency and phase, combined for correcting the controllable oscillator, selecting a sub-phase and/or determining an optimal phase at which the bit stream data values are sampled. The second order filter is operated at distinct rates such that the phase correction has a latency as short as one clock cycle and the frequency correction latency occurs over plural cycles. |
| US08903029B2 |
Monobit receiver spurious harmonics control method and system
A method for minimizing unwanted signal harmonics from at least one signal in a channel received through a monobit receiver, comprising: conditioning (312) the channel, determining (318, 320) relative strength between two frequency components of a signal within the channel, and using that relative strength (322) to control (324) how the channel is conditioned. In other embodiments, a system for receiving signals in a channel and minimizing unwanted harmonics from those signals has a monobit receiver (104, 204), a channel conditioner (124, 228, 230), and a feedback driver (114, 118, 208, 216, 218, 224) determining relative strength (116, 122, 220, 222, 226) between two frequency components of a received signal and using that determination to control the channel conditioner in a way that urges the relative strength toward a desired value. |
| US08903028B2 |
Timing recovery for low roll-off factor signals
A method includes receiving a signal, which carries data in a sequence of symbols that are modulated in accordance with a pulse shape and transmitted in accordance with a timing clock. The received signal is filtered with a matched filter whose response is matched to the pulse shape of the symbols, to produce a filtered signal. The timing clock is initially recovered from the received signal prior to filtering with the matched filter. Upon meeting a predefined condition, a switch is made to recover the timing clock from the filtered signal after filtering with the matched filter. The symbols are demodulated using the recovered timing clock, so as to reconstruct the data. |
| US08903022B2 |
Dual channel reception
There is provided a solution for simultaneous reception of dual channel transmission. The solution is based on applying a first and a second oscillating signals, mixing and adding in order to separate the in-phase and quadrature components of first and second signals from a combined radio frequency signal received as input. |
| US08903018B2 |
Communication system and control circuit therein
A communication system includes a baseband processor, an RF (Radio Frequency) transceiver, a power amplifier, an antenna, and a control circuit. The power amplifier generates an amplified signal. The control circuit includes a coupler, an AC-to-DC (Alternating Current to Direct Current) converter, a comparator, and an attenuator. The coupler generates a transmission signal and a coupling signal according to the amplified signal. The AC-to-DC converter is coupled to the coupler, and converts the coupling signal into a DC (Direct Current) signal. The comparator compares a DC voltage of the DC signal with a reference voltage so as to generate a control signal. The attenuator is coupled between the coupler and the antenna, and attenuates or does not attenuate the transmission signal according to the control signal. |
| US08903016B2 |
Spatial spreading in a multi-antenna communication system
Spatial spreading is performed in a multi-antenna system to randomize an “effective” channel observed by a receiving entity for each transmitted data symbol block. For a MIMO system, at a transmitting entity, data is processed (e.g., encoded, interleaved, and modulated) to obtain ND data symbol blocks to be transmitted in NM transmission spans, where ND≧1 and NM>1. The ND blocks are partitioned into NM data symbol subblocks, one subblock for each transmission span. A steering matrix is selected (e.g., in a deterministic or pseudo-random manner from among a set of L steering matrices, where L>1) for each subblock. Each data symbol subblock is spatially processed with the steering matrix selected for that subblock to obtain transmit symbols, which are further processed and transmitted via NT transmit antennas in one transmission span. The ND data symbol blocks are thus spatially processed with NM steering matrices and observe an ensemble of channels. |
| US08903013B2 |
Method for sending pulses in a transmission channel
A method and apparatus are provided for sending pulses from a sender device to a receiver device in a transmission channel. The pulses represent information symbols, with each of these pulses being associated with a time slot in a symbol time. The method includes a training step that is carried out before sending payload information and that includes sending a training sequence made up of two parts. A first part of the training sequence includes at least one pulse of energy that is greater than the energy of a pulse carrying payload information. There are a large number of time slots between the sending of the pulse and the sending of the next pulse. A second part of the training sequence includes a set of pulses known in advance and similar to the pulses used for carrying payload information, the energy of each of these pulses being equivalent to the energy of a pulse carrying payload information. |
| US08903012B2 |
Continuous phase modulation for satellite communications
A new coded continuous phase modulation (CPM) scheme is proposed to enhance physical layer performance of the current DVB-RCS standard for a satellite communication system. The proposed CPM scheme uses a phase pulse design and combination of modulation parameters to shape the power spectrum of CPM signal in order to improve resilience to adjacent channel interference (ACI). Additionally, it uses a low complexity binary convolutional codes and S-random bit interleaving. Phase response using the proposed CPM scheme is a weighted average of the conventional rectangular and raised-cosine responses and provides optimum response to minimize frame error rate for a given data rate. |
| US08903010B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for low power multimode interconnect for lossy and tightly coupled multi-channel
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for low power multimode interconnect for lossy and tightly coupled multi-channel are disclosed. According to one aspect, a system for low power multimode interconnect includes a receiver for receiving a plurality of input signals that have been encoded by a multimode encoding equation to have voltage levels according to the multimode encoding equation and for decoding the received signals according to a multimode decoding equation to produce binary data as output, wherein the receiver includes a set of frequency-compensated amplifiers for emphasizing high-frequency components of the received input signals and a set of latches for receiving amplified signals from the frequency-compensated amplifiers and for decoding the amplified signals according to the multimode decoding equation to produce binary data as output. |
| US08903009B2 |
Common-mode termination within communication systems
Common-mode termination within communication systems. Termination is implemented with respect to two respective portions of a system: the intentional signaling within a communication system as well as any unintentional signaling which may be coupled into the system. Such unintentional signaling may be incurred in a variety of ways including via interference which may be generated by the system itself or by other devices or components external to the system. In addition, such unintentional signaling made be characterized as common-mode (CM) signaling, in that, it generally affects different respective portions of the system similarly or in the same manner. Various communication systems may include two or more devices implemented therein, that effectuate signaling via one or more communication links there between. Appropriate termination is made with respect to both the intentional and unintentional signaling portion of the system using any of a variety of impedance types (e.g., resistors, capacitors, inductors, etc.). |
| US08903007B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining precoding matrix
Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a method and an apparatus for determining a precoding matrix, which relate to the field of communications technologies and may improve throughput of a MIMO system and optimize overall system performance, including: determining a rank constraint of a jth transmitting end, where j=1, 2, . . . , K, and K is the total number of transmitting ends in a MIMO system; iteratively calculating an optimal precoding matrix of the jth transmitting end according to a channel matrix from the jth transmitting end to a jth receiving end, an autocorrelation matrix of interference and noise of the jth receiving end, and the rank constraint of the jth transmitting end, where the optimal precoding matrix maximizes channel capacity of a link from the jth transmitting end to the jth receiving end under a circumstance that precoding matrices of other transmitting ends do not change. |
| US08903006B2 |
Method and device for efficient feedback in wireless communication system that supports multiple antennas
The present invention relates to a method for allowing a terminal to transmit CSI for downlink transmission from a base station through an uplink comprises the steps of: receiving a downlink signal through a downlink channel; generating CSI that contains one or more indicators among an RI, a PMI, and CQI for the downlink channel; and transmitting the CSI through an uplink channel, wherein the CSI can contain one or more pieces of information among a first type of CSI which is determined on the basis of a rank N that is determined by the terminal and a second type of CSI which is determined on the basis of a rank that is restricted by a reference value M. |
| US08903004B2 |
Precoding processing method and user equipment
A precoding processing method and user equipment are disclosed. The precoding processing method includes: selecting a codebook vector for performing precoding processing for data among a codebook set of Nt antennas, where the codebook set includes a first codebook vector [ A B ] of a uniform linear array and a second codebook vector [ A - B ] generated according to the first codebook vector, where A is a (Nt/2)×1 vector composed of a first half of elements of the first codebook vector, B is a (Nt/2)×1 vector composed of a last half of elements of the first codebook vector, and Nt is a positive even number; and sending an index number of the codebook vector to a base station, whereupon the base station uses the codebook vector corresponding to the index number to perform precoding processing for the data to be transmitted by the antennas. Embodiments of the present invention make the codebook set compatible with two types of antenna configuration modes. |
| US08903003B2 |
Communication station and method for transmitting OFDM symbols with cyclic-delay diversity (CDD)
A communication station uses a plurality of antennas for transmission of orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) symbols. The communication station includes an interleaver to interleave a block of encoded bits of an associated input bit stream for use in generating an output bit stream having a desired code rate. The communication station also includes circuitry to modulate the bits of the output bit stream to generate complex-valued modulation symbols, circuitry to map the modulation symbols for transmit diversity to layers for each of the antennas based on a number of antennas used and to further map the modulation symbols for each antenna onto resource elements, circuitry to cyclically shift the mapped modulation elements, circuitry to provide the cyclically-shifted modulation symbols for transmission by an associated one of the antennas, and circuitry to add a cyclic prefix to the modulation symbols prior to transmission. |
| US08903001B2 |
Channel estimation with decision feedback
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with a method for estimating a channel between a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver are described. According to one embodiment, a method includes receiving a signal that includes non-pilot data that is not known to a receiver of the signal; determining an estimated channel for the signal based, at least in part, on the non-pilot data; processing the signal based, at least in part, on the estimated channel to produce an equalized signal; and decoding the equalized signal to produce output data. |
| US08902999B2 |
Isolation interface circuit for power management
An isolation interface circuit is disclosed. The isolation interface circuit comprising a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit. The transmitting circuit configured to receive a first serial interface signal and a second serial interface signal for generating a differential polarity pulse signal. The receiving circuit configured to receive the differential polarity pulse signal for generating the first serial interface signal and the second serial interface signal. The differential polarity pulse signal are generated in response to the first serial interface signal and the second serial interface signal. The first serial interface signal and the second serial interface signal are generated in accordance with the differential polarity pulse signal. In a period, only one of the transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit can be enabled. |
| US08902995B2 |
Transmitter quieting and reduced rate encoding
A method includes defining an encoding rate for encoding a set of frames of multimedia data over a period of time, encoding the set of frames at a reduced encoding rate over the period of time such that encoding the set of frames at the reduced encoding rate defines one or more null intervals when data associated with the set of frames is not present during the period of time, transmitting the encoded set of frames via a transmitter, and blanking the transmitter during the one or more null intervals. |
| US08902993B2 |
Signal transmission apparatus and signal transmission method
A signal transmission apparatus includes: a multiplex unit generating B/Rch by multiplexing image signals read from B, R pixels arranged in the same sample alternately on active regions corresponding to Cch in HD-SDI with a start code similar to SAV or EAV, in which image signals sequentially read in a line direction and inputted with a given number of samples from an imaging device having an RGB full pixel structure in which R, G and B pixels disposed in one sample respectively output R, G and B image signals, as well as generating Gch by sequentially multiplexing image signals read from samples of G pixels adjacent in the line direction on active regions corresponding to Ych in HD-SDI with the start code; and an 8B/10B encoder outputting serial digital data obtained by 8B/10B encoding and converting active regions in the B/R ch and the Gch having the data structure corresponding to HD-SDI as well as auxiliary data regions including SAV, EAV, LN and CRCC. |
| US08902987B2 |
Motion vector coding method and motion vector decoding method
A motion vector coding unit executes processing including a neighboring block specification step of specifying a neighboring block which is located in the neighborhood of a current block; a judgment step of judging whether or not the neighboring block has been coded using a motion vector of another block; a prediction step of deriving a predictive motion vector of the current block using a motion vector calculated from the motion vector of the other block as a motion vector of the neighboring block; and a coding step of coding the motion vector of the current block using the predictive motion vector. |
| US08902982B2 |
Depth map coding and decoding apparatus and method
An apparatus and method for coding and decoding a depth image are provided. The depth image coding apparatus predicts directivity of a current macro block using coded adjacent macro blocks. An intra-prediction mode that intra-codes the current macro block using the predicted directivity is included in intra-candidate coding modes. Priorities of intra-candidate coding modes and inter-candidate coding modes are arranged according to characteristics of a color image and coded. As a result, coding efficiency for a depth image may be increased. |
| US08902973B2 |
Perceptual processing techniques for video transcoding
Systems and methods of video transcoding that employ perceptual processing techniques for enhancing the perceptual quality of transcoded video information, communications, entertainment, and other video content. Such systems and methods of video transcoding are operative to perform perceptual processing of an input video bitstream using predetermined information carried by the input bitstream. Having performed such perceptual processing of the input bitstream, the perceptual quality of transcoded video delivered to an end user is significantly improved. |
| US08902972B2 |
Rate-distortion quantization for context-adaptive variable length coding (CAVLC)
In general, this disclosure provides techniques for quantization of the coefficients of video blocks in a manner that can achieve a desirable balance of rate and distortion. The described techniques may analyze a plurality of quantization levels associated with each individual coefficient to select the quantization level for the individual coefficients that results in a lowest coding cost. Since CAVLC does not encode each coefficient independently, the techniques may compute the coding costs for each of the candidate quantization levels associated with the individual coefficients based on quantization levels selected for previously quantized coefficients and estimated (or predicted) quantization levels for subsequent coefficients of a coefficient vector. The quantization levels for each of the coefficients are selected based on computed coding costs to obtain a set of quantized coefficients that minimize a rate-distortion model. |
| US08902971B2 |
Video compression repository and model reuse
Systems and methods of improving video encoding/decoding efficiency may be provided. A feature-based processing stream is applied to video data having a series of video frames. Computer-vision-based feature and object detection algorithms identify regions of interest throughout the video datacube. The detected features and objects are modeled with a compact set of parameters, and similar feature/object instances are associated across frames. Associated features/objects are formed into tracks, and each track is given a representative, characteristic feature. Similar characteristic features are clustered and then stored in a model library, for reuse in the compression of other videos. A model-based compression framework makes use of the preserved model data by detecting features in a new video to be encoded, relating those features to specific blocks of data, and accessing similar model information from the model library. The formation of model libraries can be specialized to include personal, “smart” model libraries, differential libraries, and predictive libraries. Predictive model libraries can be modified to handle a variety of demand scenarios. |
| US08902970B1 |
Altering streaming video encoding based on user attention
Disclosed are various embodiments for adjusting the encoding of a video signal into a video stream based on user attention. A video signal generated by an interactive application is encoded into a video stream. A temporary lapse of attention by a user of the interactive application is predicted. The encoding of the video signal into the video stream is adjusted from an initial state to a conservation state in response to predicting the temporary lapse of attention by the user. The conservation state is configured to conserve one or more resources used for the video stream relative to the initial state. |
| US08902968B2 |
Apparatus and method to accommodate changes in communication quality
A transmission apparatus which may include an image encoder, a transmitter, and a controller. The apparatus may encode image data, wirelessly transmit the encoded image data, detect a quality of a wireless transmission of the encoded image data and control an image transmission rate based on the detected quality. The image transmission rate may be controlled within a first response time when being lowered and controlled within a second response time longer than the first response time when being raised. |
| US08902965B2 |
Pulse shaping for generating NFC initiator transmit waveform
The present systems and methods may shape signals to meet emission mask requirements, current consumption requirements, and overshoot/undershoot requirements relating to the interaction that, for example, occurs when a near field communications (NFC) target comes within range of an NFC initiator, and the initiator generates and transmits an NFC waveform. In some implementations, a pair of bit patterns are defined whose differential output from an amplifier is a shaped pulse width modulated waveform. Varying individual bits of the bit patterns can vary the shaped pulse waveform with predictability. The pulse width modulated waveform may be filtered using a matching network that reduces higher order harmonics, thereby reducing out-of-band emissions. |
| US08902962B2 |
Method and device for compensating frequency response of a filter unit in remote radio unit in real time
A method for compensating frequency response of a filter unit in remote radio unit in real time, said remote radio unit comprises filter unit equalizer, transmitter observation receiver and antenna calibration receiver, said method comprising the steps of: receiving input signal of said filter unit by transmitter observation receiver; receiving output signal of said filter unit by antenna calibration receiver; calculating coefficients of filter unit equalizer in real time based on said input signal and said output signal; updating said filter unit equalizer based on said calculated coefficients in order to compensate frequency response of said filter unit. A device to carry out the above method, remote radio unit comprising said device and a telecommunication system comprising said remote radio unit are also provided. |
| US08902957B2 |
Power line communication modem, power line communication system, power line communication method
A power line communication modem is provided, including a connection element configured to connect the power line communication modem to at least three wires of a power line network; a transmitter configured to transmit a first signal via a first combination of at least two wires of the at least three wires and to transmit a second signal via a second combination of at least two wires of the at least three wires; a controller adapted to individually control a transmit power of the first signal and the second signal. A corresponding power line communication system and a power line communication method are provided as well. |
| US08902956B2 |
On-package input/output clustered interface having full and half-duplex modes
An apparatus and system for controlling traffic on an on-chip network. Embodiments of the apparatus comprise single-ended transmission circuitry and single-ended receiving circuitry on a first chip for coupling with a second chip, the transmission circuitry having impedance matching and lacking equalization, the receiving circuitry lacking equalization, the transmission circuitry and the receiving circuitry having statically configurable features and organized in clusters, wherein the clusters have the same physical layer circuitry design for different configurations of the configurable features, the configurable features including half-duplex mode and full-duplex mode, wherein the first chip and the second chip are on the same package, and wherein a plurality of conductive lines for coupling the first chip with the second chip are matched. |
| US08902953B2 |
RF digital spur reduction
Digital spur reduction in which spurs are kept outside selected channels of interest. An integrated radiofrequency transceiver circuit has digital and analogue components, the circuit includes a radiofrequency signal receiver having a local oscillator signal generator configured to provide a local oscillator signal at a frequency fLO and a mixer configured to combine an input radiofrequency signal with the local oscillator signal to produce an intermediate frequency signal; and a clock signal generator configured to generate a digital clock signal at a frequency fDIG for operation of the digital components, where the local oscillator signal and/or a reference signal from which the local oscillator signal is derived are generated such that digital spurs lie outside a band selected by the receiver. |
| US08902952B2 |
Method and device for acquiring a code phase shift between an input sequence and a reference sequence
A method for acquiring a code phase shift between an input sequence and a reference sequence is provided. The method is to be implemented using an acquisition device that includes a mapping unit configured to transform the input sequence and the reference sequence respectively into an input signal and a reference signal each with a complex phase, a comparison unit configured to compare the input signal with the reference signal so as to obtain a phase coherent indicator, and calculating unit configured to obtain the code phase shift between the input sequence and the reference sequence based on a phase of the phase coherent indicator and a number of bits of the input sequence. |
| US08902950B2 |
Apparatus and method for pilot estimation
Methods and apparatus for wireless communication in a wireless communication network that includes receiving a synchronization channel (SCH) signal (including a primary synchronization channel (PSCH) signal, a secondary synchronization channel (SSCH) signal, and a primary scrambling code (PCH) signal) and a part of a common pilot channel (CPICH) signal in the same portion of the slot of the frame. The aspects include determining and summing the PSCH signal, SSCH signal, and PCH signal corresponding to the portion of the slot of the frame. The aspects also include de-spreading the pilot symbol over the portion of the slot of the frame based on the summed PSCH signal, the SSCH signal, and the PCH signal and estimating an estimated pilot symbol for the portion of the slot of the frame, where the estimated pilot symbol is a sum of the de-spread PSCH signal, de-spread SSCH signal, and de-spread PCH signal. |
| US08902946B2 |
Photonic crystal surface-emitting lasers enabled by an accidental Dirac point
A photonic-crystal surface-emitting laser (PCSEL) includes a gain medium electromagnetically coupled to a photonic crystal whose energy band structure exhibits a Dirac cone of linear dispersion at the center of the photonic crystal's Brillouin zone. This Dirac cone's vertex is called a Dirac point; because it is at the Brillouin zone center, it is called an accidental Dirac point. Tuning the photonic crystal's band structure (e.g., by changing the photonic crystal's dimensions or refractive index) to exhibit an accidental Dirac point increases the photonic crystal's mode spacing by orders of magnitudes and reduces or eliminates the photonic crystal's distributed in-plane feedback. Thus, the photonic crystal can act as a resonator that supports single-mode output from the PCSEL over a larger area than is possible with conventional PCSELs, which have quadratic band edge dispersion. Because output power generally scales with output area, this increase in output area results in higher possible output powers. |
| US08902939B2 |
Broadly tunable optical parametric oscillator
A novel broadly tunable optical parametric oscillator is described for use in numerous applications including multi-photon microscopy. The optical parametric oscillator includes at least one sub-picosecond laser pump source configured to output a pump signal having a wavelength of about 650 nm or less and at least one type II optical parametric oscillator in optical communication with the pump source and configured to generate a single widely tunable pulsed optical signal. In one application, an optical system is in optical communication with the optical parametric oscillator and configured to direct at least a portion of the optical signal to a specimen, and at least one analyzing device is configured to receive a signal from the specimen in response to the optical signal. |
| US08902937B2 |
Compact external cavity tunable laser apparatus
The present disclosure relates to a compact external cavity tunable laser apparatus. The laser apparatus includes a substrate, an external cavity tunable reflecting unit that reflects laser light entering from the outside on the substrate and selects and varies a wavelength of the reflected laser light, an optical fiber that outputs the laser light on the substrate; and an highly integrated light source that integrates the laser light input from the external cavity tunable reflecting unit using inclined input and output waveguides, a curved waveguide, and a straight waveguide to output the integrated laser light to the optical fiber in order to match an optical axis formed with the external cavity tunable reflecting unit with an optical axis formed with an optical fiber. |
| US08902936B2 |
Sensor event assessor input/output controller
A sensor event assessor input/output controller is disclosed. In one embodiment, a multi-channel sensor input configuration provides two-way communication with a plurality of sensors, each of the plurality of sensors having its own channel. An electronic signal receiver receives electronic signals from one or more of the plurality of sensors at a pre-defined sample rate. A signal combiner bundles the electronic signals from one or more of the plurality of sensors into a single electronic signal. A single channel output is used to provide the single electronic signal to the sensor event assessor. |
| US08902933B2 |
Wireless communication system
A method for communication includes transmitting a first uplink message from a first remote node (200, 300, 400) to a central node (100) in a wireless communication system according to a first frequency hopping scheme, and transmitting a second uplink message from a second remote node to the central node in the wireless communication system according to a second frequency hopping scheme, different from the first scheme. Both the first and the second uplink messages are received and processed at the central node. |
| US08902932B2 |
Systems and methods for a network device to update timing packets to reflect delay
Systems and methods for a network device to update timing packets to reflect delay are provided. A timing packet processor is externally connected to the network device. All timing packets are processed by the timing packet processor. The timing packets are updated to reflect an estimate of delay introduced by the network device. |
| US08902931B2 |
Track circuit apparatus for train
A track circuit apparatus for a train, the track circuit apparatus includes: a ground-based transmitter that is installed corresponding to each of a plurality of block sections divided from a track circuit formed by rails, digitally modulates transmission data by a carrier frequency predetermined and common for each of the block sections, assigns different pseudo random noise (PN) codes to adjacent block sections, and modulates and transmits the data; and a ground-based receiver or an on-train receiver that demodulates received data corresponding to a block section based on the carrier frequency of one of reception signals received from the block section and the PN code assigned to the block section. |
| US08902925B2 |
Forward error correction decoder
A method for determining an initial alignment for a frame of input data is provided. A frame for the input data is set, and the frame is synchronized. Specifically, a syndrome check of the frame is performed using a first predetermined number of bits, and a slip of a second predetermined number of bits is requested following the syndrome check. Evaluation of the syndrome check to determine whether the frame is aligned can then be performed in parallel with the slipping. The evaluation and slipping can then be repeated if the frame is misaligned. When the frame is aligned, a lock condition can be indicated, and the slip performed in parallel with the evaluation indicating that the frame is aligned can be deasserted. In addition, when the frame is aligned, error correction on the frame can be performed, and the error corrected frame can be formatted. |
| US08902924B2 |
Network remote control
A network of devices with remote control includes a network interconnecting two or more networked devices and a wireless remote control unit for communicating with one or more of the networked devices. The remote control unit stores an interface for one or more of the networked devices so that the networked devices can be controlled with the remote control unit. |
| US08902921B2 |
Methods for inter-user interference indication feedback and usage in MU-MIMO wireless systems
The present invention proposes methods for facilitating and improving the performance of MU-MIMO transmission in wireless communication systems. Each user within a MU group inserts an inter-user interference indication field in its acknowledgement packet. The inter-user interference indication field includes signal-to-interference-noise-ratio (SINR) and interference source information. The MU-MIMO transmitter extracts inter-user interference indication feedback and improves subsequent MU-MIMO transmission. Feedback of the inter-user interference information such as SINR and interference source allows efficient link adaptation, smarter user selection, channel re-sounding selection, and fine-tuning of precoding matrix. |
| US08902911B2 |
System and method for interconnecting ethernet and fibre channel
A system and method for interconnecting Ethernet and fiber channel is provided. The system includes a port containing an optical receiver, a port control module, a route determination module, and a connectivity module. The port control module is operably connected to the port and may perform 8B/10B encoding and decoding. The route determination module selects a route between the port control module and the Ethernet link. The connectivity module is operably connected to the port control module and to the route determination module. The connectivity apparatus may switch frames between the port control module and the Ethernet link under control of the route determination module in order to transfer Fiber Channel frames to the Ethernet link. |
| US08902909B2 |
Method, system, and device for implementing service forwarding
In the field of communications, a method, a system, and a device for implementing service forwarding are disclosed. The method includes: establishing an optical network tunnel between data communication devices; triggering physical interfaces of the data communication devices directly connected to an optical network to start a link layer protocol after the optical network tunnel is successfully established; performing, by the data communication devices, link layer negotiation through the optical network tunnel according to the link layer protocol; setting a link layer state between the data communication devices and a physical state of the physical interfaces to be valid after the link layer negotiation is performed successfully; and implementing, service forwarding, by the data communication devices through the optical network tunnel after the link layer state and the physical state of the physical interfaces are set to be valid. In this way, Internet Protocol (IP)/Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) service forwarding of the data communication devices is implemented, implementation complexity of bearing the IP/MPLS service over a Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching User-Network Interface (GMPLS UNI) tunnel is reduced, reconstruction on an IP/MPLS control plane and a forwarding plane is decreased, and forwarding performance is improved. |
| US08902905B2 |
Area update procedures for a multiple USIM mobile terminal
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for improving location area and routing area update procedures in a multiple-USIM mobile terminal. A technique is provided for allowing the mobile terminal to reduce update procedures by using a message for multiple USIMs. The discussed technique reduces the number of messages exchanged and CPU processing. |
| US08902904B2 |
Network assignment based on priority
Systems and methods for network assignment based on priority are described in this application. In one aspect, a technique for network assignment based on priority relates to establishing a connection between a client and a virtual local area network (VLAN), based on an explicit or implicit network priority preference of the client. In an embodiment, multiple VLANs can be combined into one network bundle, the network bundle being a unit network for priority specification. In addition, multiple network bundles may be available for network assignment on a particular network controller (e.g., network switch). For example, the preferred network of a client may be comprised of several individual VLANs. Thus, the client can be assigned to any of the constituent VLANs included in the preferred network bundle. |
| US08902903B2 |
Assigning slots in a mesh network
Assigning slots to nodes in a mesh network. Slot numbers are assigned to nodes in a wireless mesh network using a depth-first search combined with information on 2-hop neighborhoods for each node. Assigning slots using 2-hop neighborhood information allows slots to be safely reused. The slot assignment process may take process in parallel using different wireless channels for different subtrees rooted to a controller. Slot assignment may be repeated when the mesh topology changes. Reporting using the slot numbers allows for information from child nodes to be aggregated or filtered at parent nodes. |
| US08902901B2 |
Communication packet conversion
Techniques for converting communication packets in a network having multiple nodes are described herein. A node may receive communication packets from one or more neighboring nodes. Each communication packet may include control data and payload data. The node may extract the payload data and store the payload data for a time period. The node may determine whether to concatenate the extracted payload data of the communication packets (e.g., based on destinations to where each of the extracted payload data are to be sent, a supported data rate, an application type associated with the extracted payload data, etc.). The node may concatenate the extracted payload data of the communication packets and send the concatenated payload data to another node in a communication packet. |
| US08902900B2 |
Predictive synchronization for clustered devices
A method and system is provided for a scalable clustered system. The method and system may handle asynchronous traffic as well as session backup. In the method and system, a home cluster member having ownership of a local session predicts designation of a an other cluster member to receive a packet associated with the local session and sends appropriate state information or forwarding instruction to the other network member. |
| US08902898B2 |
Apparatus and method for transferring a data signal by bypassing a power-saving segment in a communication network
An apparatus transfers a data signal along a transmission route that is set by a route determination device. The apparatus includes a data transmission unit and a controller. The data transmission unit receives the data signal from an upstream node adjacent to the apparatus in an upstream direction of the data signal along the transmission route, and transfers the data signal to a downstream node adjacent to the apparatus in a downstream direction of the data signal along the transmission route. The controller controls power supply to the data transmission unit, and transmits a route-reconfiguration instruction for reconfiguring the transmission route, to the route determination device, upon receiving, when power supply to the data transmission unit is stopped, from the route determination device, a path-creation request for requesting creation of a path on the transmission route. |
| US08902896B2 |
Packet switching without look-up table for ethernet switches
In one embodiment, a system includes a switching processor that includes logic configured for receiving a packet having a header and a payload, logic configured for determining, without using a look-up table, a destination port based on a destination address stored in the header, and logic configured for sending the packet to the destination port. In another embodiment, a system includes a processor adapted for executing logic, logic configured for creating an address allocation table having a plurality of values, each value being associated with a plurality of interne protocol (IP) addresses which, when an algorithm is applied thereto, result in the associated value, logic configured for receiving a request for an IP address from a device electrically connected to a switch, and logic configured for determining a port to which the device is electrically connected to the switch based on the port on which the request is received. |
| US08902895B2 |
Automatic filter overlap processing and related systems and methods
Systems and methods are disclosed that allow for improved management and control of packet forwarding in network systems. Network devices and tool optimizers and a related systems and methods are disclosed for improved packet forwarding between input ports and output ports. The input ports and output ports are configured to be connected to source devices and destination devices, for example, network sources and destination tools in a network monitoring environment. The network devices and tool optimizers disclosed can use a packet processing system whereby forwarding behavior is governed by matching packets in parallel against multiple user-specified packet filtering criteria, and by performing forwarding actions associated with all such matching filter criteria. The multi-action packet forwarding can be implemented using hardware configured to directly provide multi-action packet forwarding and/or hardware configured to provide single-packet-forwarding that has been subsequently configured using filter engines to provide multi-action packet forwarding. |
| US08902893B2 |
Packet processing apparatus and method capable of generating modified packets by modifying payloads of specific packets identified from received packets
A packet processing apparatus includes a packet identifying unit and a packet modifying unit. The packet identifying unit is utilized for receiving a plurality of packets and checking identification information and data length information which are derived from the received packets to identify first packets from the received packets. The packet modifying unit is coupled to the packet identifying unit, and is utilized for checking payloads of the first packets to identify second packets from the first packets, where each of the second packets has specific data included in a payload thereof, and for modifying at least the payload of each of the second packets. |
| US08902888B2 |
Two-stage port-channel resolution in a multistage fabric switch
In some embodiments, a data packet may be received at a leaf switch. A port-channel associated with a destination port for the data packet may be identified, and the data packet may be transmitted to the destination port via the identified port-channel. |
| US08902886B2 |
Canonicalization of network protocol headers
A method for generating network traffic includes receiving packet header information and an optional packet payload. The received packet header information is arranged in accordance with a predetermined format. A packet of data including the packet payload and a packet header is formatted in accordance with the arranged header information. The predetermined format specifies a particular order in which packet headers are to be arranged. |
| US08902882B2 |
Systems and methods for providing customer support
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing sales or customer support using a telephone having a camera to capture at least a partial image of a product or service; wherein the at least partial image is used to select a database updated by one or more knowledgeable persons on the product or service. |
| US08902880B2 |
Local terminal device and method for exchanging VoIP signaling
A local terminal device receives a local mail address of a local user, and converts the local mail address into a local domain name. The local terminal device transmits the local domain name and a local Internet protocol (IP) address to a dynamic domain name serve (DDNS) server to register with the DDNS server. The local terminal device receives a remote mail address of a remote user, and converts the remote mail address into a remote domain name. The local terminal device queries the DDNS server for a remote IP address corresponding to the remote domain name. The local terminal device exchanges VoIP signaling with a remote terminal device according to the remote IP address. |
| US08902878B2 |
Synchronizing data transmission between a wireless network and a wired network
Methods, systems and computer program products to synchronize timing of data transmissions between wireless and wired networks using a combined wireless gateway and cable modem are provided herein. The method includes the step of generating an indicator prior to a look-ahead time period and transmitting a poll to a wireless device upon sending the indicator. The look-ahead time period is a time period from transmitting the indicator to transmitting the DOCSIS frame. The method further includes the step of receiving data from the wireless device and encapsulating the data in a DOCSIS format to generate a DOCSIS frame. The method also includes transmitting the DOCSIS frame at a start of a next transmit opportunity to a cable modem termination system (CMTS). |
| US08902876B2 |
Method of transmitting sounding reference signal
A method of transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) includes receiving SRS operation information including a sounding indicator, the sounding indicator indicating whether SRS transmission takes place at a subframe; generating the SRS according to the SRS operation information, and if the sounding indicator indicates occurrence of SRS transmission, transmitting the SRS at the subframe. Multiplexing can be achieved without collision between data and a sounding reference signal and single carrier characteristics required in uplink transmission can be preserved. |
| US08902873B2 |
Efficient signaling for closed-loop transmit diversity
Techniques for encoding a phase adjustment for a feedback signal in a closed-loop transmit diversity system. In an aspect, codewords for the phase adjustments are chosen according to a variable-length prefix code. The prefix code aspect allows the codewords to be transmitted in sequence on the feedback channel without being separated by “commas” or demarcation symbols. The variable-length aspect provides a variety of coarse and fine phase adjustment quantization step sizes to accommodate multiple different channel scenarios. In an aspect, the length of the codewords may be further optimized according to the Huffman encoding algorithm. |
| US08902870B2 |
Wireless access point service coverage area management
A wireless station within a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) includes a processor, a radio and a directional antenna. The radio gathers participatory data based on communications involving the wireless station and non-participatory data based on communications the wireless station listens to, but does not participate in. The processor produces an operational report based on the participatory data and the non-participatory data and provides the operational report to the WLAN. The processor further alters a gain vector of the directional antenna based on instructions received from the WLAN in response to the operational report. |
| US08902869B2 |
Low bandwidth PHY for WLAN
A method, in a communication system utilizing channels for transmitting first PHY mode data units, includes generating first and second data units conforming to first and second PHY modes, respectively, causing the first data unit to be transmitted via a channel, determining a frequency band for transmitting the second data unit, and causing the second data unit to be transmitted via the frequency band. Generating the first and second data units includes generating first and second series of OFDM symbols, respectively. At least a portion of the second OFDM symbols includes more upper-edge than lower-edge guard tones, or vice versa. The frequency band has a bandwidth equal to the channel bandwidth divided by n≧2, and either a lowest or highest sub-band of one or more channels is excluded from the frequency band when the second OFDM symbols include more upper-edge or more lower-edge guard tones, respectively. |
| US08902866B2 |
Communication methods and apparatus which may be used in the absence or presence of beacon signals
Wireless devices, e.g., in a cognitive radio network, discover and use locally available usable spectrum for communication. Beacon signaling facilitates available spectrum discovery, spectrum usage coordination, and device identification. A wireless terminal, which may have entered a new area and powered up, monitors to detect for the presence of beacon signals in a communications band. When the wireless terminal fails to detect a beacon, the wireless terminal assumes that the spectrum is available and transmits its user beacon signal thereby providing notification of its presence in the area to other wireless terminals. The wireless terminal maintains a coordinated timing relationship between its beacon transmit interval and beacon detect interval, which are performed on an ongoing basis. The combination of beacon TX interval and beacon monitoring interval represents a small fraction of total time, allowing for power conservation. The coordinated timing relationship, known to peers, facilitates efficient peer-peer communications session establishment. |
| US08902865B2 |
Wireless communication methods and apparatus supporting multiple modes
Wireless terminal operation is coordinated to be responsive to dynamic communications frequency spectrum reallocation between infrastructure based communications usage and peer to peer communications usage. Methods and apparatus in which mobile nodes switch between cellular and peer to peer communication modes of operation are described. Broadcast signals, e.g., beacon signals, are monitored and detected by the mobile node to ascertain a current spectrum usage designation, and the mobile node switches operational modes in response to detected changes in the broadcast signals. |
| US08902862B2 |
Method and apparatus for sharing signals on a single channel
A method and apparatus for transmitting two signals on a single channel comprising a single frequency and a single time slot are disclosed. The method includes: generating a first training sequence from a first set of training sequences; generating a second training sequence from a second set of training sequences. The first and second training sequences have a low cross-correlation ratio with respect to each other; and the second set of training sequences is different from the first set of training sequences. First and second data are generated. The first data is combined with the first training sequence to produce first combined data and the second data is combined with the second training sequence to produce second combined data. The first and second combined data are transmitted on the single channel by a single transmitting apparatus. |
| US08902861B2 |
Method and apparatus for sending signaling for data transmission in a wireless communication system
Techniques for sending signaling for data transmission in a wireless communication system are described. A transmitter may process signaling for a data transmission based on a block code, a convolutional code, a transformation, etc. The signaling may comprise an identifier of an intended receiver for the data transmission and/or other information such as data rate, resource assignment, etc. The signaling for the data transmission may be mapped to a first set of tones in a time slot. Data for the data transmission may be mapped to a second set of tones in the time slot. The entire signaling may be sent on the first set of tones. Alternatively, the first set of tones may be selected from among multiple sets of tones or pseudo-randomly selected from among available tones based on a first part of the signaling. A second part of the signaling may be sent on the first set of tones. |
| US08902860B2 |
Wireless communication methods and apparatus using beacon signals
Methods and apparatus supporting peer to peer communications are discussed. A base station serving as an access node for wireless terminals also communicates information supporting peer to peer communications. A base station transmits a beacon signal conveying information about a peer to peer frequency band and also receives user data from a plurality of wireless terminals, using the base station as a current point of network attachment. In some embodiments, the beacon signal is transmitted into the same frequency band being used for access node based communications and identifies a different frequency band which is to be used as a peer to peer frequency band. Alternatively, or in addition, in support of peer to peer communications, a beacon signal transmission apparatus, a free standing device which doesn't transmit user data, transmits a sequence of beacon signal bursts, each beacon signal burst including at least one high power beacon symbol. |
| US08902857B2 |
Method of performing handoffs in wireless local area networks
In the method, communication is established between a mobile device and access points in a wireless local area network by first connecting to a first access point on a first channel. After the first connection is established, the method determines whether a second access point is available before disconnecting from the first connection. If a signal strength of the first connection drops below a signal strength threshold, the method second connects to the second access point on a second channel. The above-described method is an example of a make-before-break or soft handoff methodology. |
| US08902856B2 |
Assisting return to a first network from a second network after performance of a circuit switched fallback procedure
A method for assisting a wireless communication device to return to a first network from a second network subsequent to termination of a voice call for which a Circuit Switched Fallback procedure was performed to transition from the first network to the second network for servicing of the voice call is provided. The method can include preventing transmission of a data flow for a data service after termination of the voice call. The method can further include searching for the first network while transmission of the data flow is prevented. If the first network is found, the method can additionally include reverting to the first network and servicing the data service on the first network. If the first network is not found, the method can also include remaining on the second network and servicing the data service on the second network. |
| US08902853B2 |
Maintaining service priority for mobile devices during network handoffs
Implementations and techniques for maintaining service priority for mobile devices during network handoffs are generally discussed. |
| US08902851B2 |
Support for continuity of single radio voice call communications in a transition to a circuit switched communications network
The present invention establishes a new protocol that supports the continuity of a single radio voice call onto a circuit switched communications system through the use of a special addressing identifier. This special identifier is called the single radio voice call identifier, and it designates the use of a single radio voice call continuity procedure for the transition to the circuit switched communication system. The applications server receives the single radio identifier and performs the transfer of the single radio voice session without the need for other address or identifier information, and also uses the single radio identifier or a new message type to initiate the correlation of parameters related to service control session establishment in later steps. |
| US08902850B2 |
Selection of packet data protocol context for handover from cellular network to femto cell
System(s) and method(s) are provided to manage packet data protocol (PDP) contexts upon cellular-to-femto handover, wherein femto network has disparate capabilities to support applications with distinct access point names (APNs) and quality of service (QoS) profiles. Based at least on activity factors of applications associated with PDP contexts, a QoS-based ranking of PDP contexts, and subscriber input, cellular network platform selects active PDP contexts to retain and suspend upon handover. A group of active PDP contexts is handed off in accordance with femto coverage capability, with remaining active PDP contexts suspended during handover. When a suspended PDP context, and application associated therewith, is resumed through femto coverage, a PDP context modification is conducted with a new APN and the application is routed to a corresponding femto gateway node and application server. Additionally, femto network platform performs a radio access bearer reconfiguration to meet QoS requirements of the resumed PDP context. |
| US08902845B2 |
Communication control method, base station apparatus and mobile station apparatus
To notify the control information necessary for uplink MIMO transmission while reducing overhead, generated is a UL grant having the PMI/RI field and non-transmission/swap flag field of 1 bit indicative of a transport block made non-transmission and the presence or absence of a swap of control information between two transport blocks corresponding to a value of the PMI/RI field, a downlink control channel signal including the UL grant is transmitted to a mobile station apparatus, and the transport block made non-transmission and the presence or absence of a swap of control information between two transport blocks is determined from the non-transmission/swap flag of the UL grant. |
| US08902842B1 |
Control signaling and resource mapping for coordinated transmission
A method includes receiving in a mobile communication terminal signals from a group of cells that cooperate in a Coordinated Multipoint (CoMP) transmission scheme. Signaling information is received from a first cell in the group. The signaling information is indicative of a first pattern of time-frequency Resource Elements (REs) used by the first cell for transmitting reference signals, and is further indicative of a second pattern of the REs used by a second cell in the group for transmitting the reference signals. A third pattern of the REs, which are available for receiving data from the cells, is derived in the terminal from the signaling information that is indicative of the first and second patterns. The data from the cells is received in the terminal in one or more of the REs in the third pattern. |
| US08902839B2 |
Service/mobility domain with handover for private short-range wireless networks
A system manages the integration of a private short-range wireless network into a service/mobility domain with handover of a wireless terminal device between access points registered with a domain server. The server maintains information specifying rules for responding to first wireless terminal devices authorized for private network access and to second wireless terminal devices authorized for shared network access, in response to requests for information on resources available from one or more access points registered with the server. |
| US08902826B2 |
Physical random access channel resource selection
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitates managing assignment of available random access resources in order to minimize delay and random access load. A number of available random access resources can be defined by a network or a base station, wherein a user equipment can access the number of available random access resources via an information block. The user equipment can be randomly assigned or uniformly assigned to at least one of the number of available random access resources. Additionally, the network can adjust the defined number of available random access resources based upon reported delay, base station load, or historic load data for a base station. |
| US08902822B2 |
Arrangements for association and re-association in a wireless network
A method is disclosed for associating network devices to a network. The method can include receiving a beacon from a source by an antenna array, allocating resources to beamform and beamforming after receiving at least a portion of the beacon. The beamforming can be accomplished prior to completion of an association request and prior to receipt of an acceptance signal in response to the association request. Accordingly directional transmissions can be utilized transmit at least part of an association request and to transmit an acceptance signal corresponding to the association request. |
| US08902814B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling multimedia broadcast and multicast service based on user location
Provided is a multimedia broadcast and multicast service controlling apparatus and method based on a user location. The multimedia broadcast and multicast service controlling apparatus may receive MCCH information, may periodically update a service list of a mobile terminal based on the received MCCH information, the service list listing services that are providable, may register a service in a pending list when the service is not included in the updated service list and is requested to be provided, and may provide the service registered in the pending list when the mobile terminal reaches a location where the mobile terminal may provide the service registered in the pending list. |
| US08902813B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling discontinuous reception in mobile communication system
A method and apparatus is configured to control a discontinuous reception (DRX) in a mobile communication system. The method includes: interrupting the DRX operation when a radio resource control (RRC) connection reestablishment procedure is initiated; transmitting an RRC connection reestablishment request message from the user equipment to an evolved node B (ENB); receiving an RRC connection reestablishment message from the ENB to the user equipment; and resuming, if the received RRC connection reestablishment message contains new DRX setting information, the interrupted DRX operation according to the new DRX setting information. The DRX operation can be interrupted or resumed at a proper time point when an RRC connection is reestablished or reconfigured or a handover is performed, thereby reducing power consumption in the user equipment. |
| US08902808B2 |
Interference mitigation with scheduling and dynamic power spectrum allocation for wireless networks
Systems, methods and apparatuses are provided for mitigating interference in wireless networks, and particularly in an advanced backhaul wireless network comprising several hubs, each hub serving its own remote backhaul modules (RBMs). Preferred embodiments provide practical power spectrum adaptation methods for the management of interhub interference. These methods are shown to improve the overall network throughput significantly compared to a conventional network with fixed transmit power spectrum. Optionally, joint scheduling and power control are used to optimize the network utility. Also provided are methods which evoke the channel average gains generated by measurements for managed adaptive resource allocation (MARA). The proposed methods are computationally feasible and fast in convergence. They can be implemented in a distributed fashion across all hubs. Some of the proposed methods can be implemented asynchronously at each hub. |
| US08902805B2 |
Cell relay packet routing
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate packet routing among relay eNBs in a wireless network. A donor eNB can create at least a portion of a tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID) for a relay eNB communicating with a UE or other device. In addition, the relay eNB communicating with the UE can create a portion of the TEID. Upon receiving packets with a TEID, the donor eNB can route the packets to downstream eNBs based on the portion of the TEID that it created. Other downstream eNBs can continue to route packets to next hop eNBs based on the portion of the TEID created by the donor eNB or the downstream eNBs themselves. The relay eNB communicating with the UE can route packets to the UE based on the portion of the TEID it created and/or the portion created by the donor eNB. |
| US08902803B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing collisions after traffic indication map paging
Systems, methods, and devices for reducing collisions in a wireless communications network are described herein. In some aspects, a receiver receives a paging message. The paging message includes an ordering and a multiplier. A processor determines a first wake-up time based on the ordering and the multiplier. The wireless device wakes up at the determined wake-up time. The wireless device receives data via the receiver. |
| US08902800B2 |
Methods and apparatus for communicating information
Methods and apparatus for efficiently communicating small amounts of information relatively frequently in a wireless communications system are described. An access point's uplink timing frequency structure includes a set of dedicated uplink communications resources, e.g., expression advertisement interval air link resources, which may be in addition to regular traffic channel resources. The set of dedicated uplink communications resources comprises a small fraction of the total uplink communications resources. An individual one of the set of dedicated uplink communications resources can carry a small amount of information bits. An expression advertisement interval occurs relatively frequently. A wireless communications device, registered with the access point, is allocated one of the set of dedicated uplink resources. The wireless communications device can transmit information using its allocated resource in both a sleep state and an active state. |
| US08902799B2 |
Power reduction with multiple receive paths
Methods and apparatus for power reduction in a wireless device having multiple receive paths are described herein. A wireless device configured for any one of multiple operating modes may utilize multiple receive signal paths to improve the receive signal quality in each of the operating modes. The wireless device may be configured to dynamically reconfigure a modulation coding scheme to compensate for varying signal qualities in some modes. The wireless receiver may be configured in other operating modes where the modulation coding scheme is fixed for a duration of the operating mode. The wireless device can conserve power when it is operating in a mode supporting a constant modulation coding scheme. The wireless device can determine a signal metric value of the received signals and can selectively power down or deactivate a receive signal path based on the value of the signal metric. |
| US08902797B2 |
Approach for optimizing energy consumption of multiple-input multiple-output system
The present disclosure generally relates to techniques to reduce energy consumption in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system. Some example embodiments may include collecting a set of information associated with one or more of an energy consumption, a network traffic condition, an environmental condition, and/or quality of a communication link associated with the first wireless communication device and/or the MIMO system, configuring the first wireless communication device to operate at a first reduced energy consumption level based on the collected set of information, identifying operation information associated with the first wireless communication device based upon at least the configuration of the first wireless communication device, and transmitting the operation information for reception by the second wireless communication device so that the second wireless communication device can be configured to operate at a second reduced energy consumption level based on the operation information. |
| US08902795B2 |
System and method for improving service subscription or unsubscription speed for Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) roaming users
The present invention discloses a system and a method for improving service subscription or unsubscription speed for Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) roaming users, wherein the system comprises a national WAP portal protocol conversion module and provincial WAP portal protocol conversion modules. The national WAP portal protocol conversion module and each provincial WAP portal protocol conversion module are configured to, through performing conversion between a synchronous message and an asynchronous message, inform a corresponding provincial WAP portal of a subscription or unsubscription request sent by a national WAP portal through a long connection link between the national WAP portal protocol conversion module and the provincial WAP portal protocol conversion module, and inform the national WAP portal of a processing result of subscription or unsubscription performed by the provincial WAP portal through the long connection link. The present invention accomplishes the conversion transmission of the synchronous message and asynchronous message through protocol conversion modules, reduces the load of the national WAP portal greatly, and makes it quite obvious that the service subscription or unsubscription speed for users is improved. |
| US08902793B2 |
Method and system for a low-complexity spanning tree algorithm in communication networks
Aspects of a method and system for a low-complexity spanning tree algorithm in communication networks may comprise preventing loops in a communications network utilizing a distributed sequential algorithm in which there is a single token. Only a network node in possession of this single token may disable a network port. A spanning tree may be generated based on loop prevention. The network ports that may be disabled may be chosen from a port map, where the port map may be obtained by combining a port map identifying ports that are connected to loops with a port map indicating network ports that are to remain enabled. The loop prevention may be initiated by a root node and a token may be generated by the root node when completing the prevention. Network nodes may reduce ingress data rate during loop prevention. |
| US08902792B2 |
Forming a convex polygon of mobile sensors
Forming a convex polygon of a plurality of mobile sensors in an area is provided. Sensor output data received from the plurality of mobile sensors in the area is analyzed using an optimization problem. It is determined whether the plurality of mobile sensors forms the convex polygon in the area. In response to determining that the plurality of mobile sensors does form the convex polygon in the area, an objective function and a set of constraints corresponding to the optimization problem are generated. Then, a sparse solution of the optimization problem is calculated using the objective function and the set of constraints to determine vector weight values for each of the plurality of mobile sensors. |
| US08902790B2 |
Method and apparatus for operating a network mapping tool to perform host discovery
In accordance with one aspect of the embodiments of this invention there is a method to operate a network mapping tool. The method includes performing a network mapping operation over a first set of ports to generate a list of hosts that are found to be alive; performing a sequential scan on only those hosts in the list to detect the operating system of each host in the list; and performing a parallel port scan to detect characteristics of only those hosts in the list. The characteristics can include an identification of at least applications and services running on the hosts in the list. The second set of ports can be a full set of ports. |
| US08902789B2 |
Network management system and internetworking unit
A network management system which can easily rebuild the system even when a switch in the configuration of cars occurs. A monitor apparatus including monitor cameras (1-1˜1-4, . . . ) and recording devices (1-5, . . . ) in each car (21a, 21b, . . . ) is networked. Each intra-car network is constructed as a LAN, a router (1-10 (RT1), . . . ) is connected to the LAN in each car, and an inter-car network is constructed as a WAN. The same apparatus in each car and apparatuses provided at the same positions are connected to a port of the same port number and the same LAN address is allocated to such an apparatus. As for an access from a WAN side, which apparatus is accessed is defined only by a difference in port number. Network information of the car switched car can be set merely by switching the setting of the WAN address of the router, . . . . |
| US08902788B2 |
Method and system for energy efficient routing of IP packets over optical backbone networks
A method and system for energy-efficient routing of IP packets in which ingress traffic is forward from ingress nodes directly to source dominator nodes without address destination processing such that related address processing elements may be avoided in the ingress nodes. The source dominator nodes perform address destination processing and forward the packets to destination dominator nodes proximate the destination node. |
| US08902784B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting ACK/NACK feedback information
Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for transmitting ACK/NACK feedback information. By applying the technical solution of the present invention, when ACK/NACK feedback information is transmitted based on an ACK/NACK mapping table with a PUCCH format 1b with channel selection scheme, the problem of inconsistent detection results due to inconformity of the transmission scheme by a base station and a user equipment (UE) in the process of feeding back the ACK/NACK feedback information can be avoided, so as to implement a rollback of LTE Rel-8 PUCCH format 1a/1b. |
| US08902780B1 |
Forwarding detection for point-to-multipoint label switched paths
Techniques are described for verifying the connectivity status of multiple paths through a computer network. The techniques may be useful in testing the connectivity of label switched paths (LSPs), and particularly useful point-to-multipoint (P2MP) LSPs. In some embodiments, a P2MP label switched path (LSP) ping protocol may be used a first connectivity verification protocol for the P2MP LSP and a Multipoint Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (MP BFD) protocol may be used as a second connectivity verification protocol. In addition, use of the LSP ping protocol for connectivity testing of the P2MP LSP may be used to boot-strap session information for MP BFD sessions with egress devices of the P2MP LSP. |
| US08902775B2 |
Including in the uplink grant an indication of specific amount of CQI to be reported
The present invention relates to a method, user equipment and a base station adapted to handle channel state feed-back reports in a more flexible way. More specifically, a channel state feedback procedure is provided which utilizes the resources available for transmission of channel state feedback more efficiently. This is achieved by including uplink grant availability into the channel state feedback reporting triggers used for determining when and how to send channel state feedback from a UE, i.e. a channel state feedback reporting request may be sent by a base station in an uplink grant to a UE comprising an indication of an expected amount of information to be returned. |
| US08902774B1 |
System, method, and computer program for distributing telecommunications resources
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for distributing telecommunications resources. In use, a plurality of bids is received from a plurality of users, where each of the plurality of bids is associated with telecommunications resources allotted to one of the plurality of users. Additionally, one or more recipients are determined from the plurality of users. Further, at least a portion of the telecommunications resources is distributed to the one or more recipients. |
| US08902770B2 |
Carrier indicator field usage and configuration in carrier aggregation
Format of a downlink control channel for a user equipment UE is changed in conjunction with switching the UE between being enabled for cross carrier scheduling and being disabled for cross carrier scheduling. The changed format is used on at least one serving cell of the UE's configured set of component carriers CCs. In one embodiment the changed format comprises an explicit carrier indicator field CIF for the case in which the switching is from disabled to enabled; and the changed format has no explicit CIF when the switching is from enabled to disabled. In another embodiment switching from disabled to enabled comprises the UE's configured set of CCs being changed from one to multiple cells; and switching from enabled to disabled comprises the UE's configured set of CCs being changed from multiple cells to one cell. In one embodiment the changed format is implicit. |
| US08902768B2 |
Apparatus and method of reporting measurement result in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus of reporting measurement results in a wireless communication system is provided. A user equipment receives a measurement con figuration which configures a plurality of serving cells as measurement objects and performs measurements for the plurality of serving cells based on the measurement configuration to determine measurement results for the plurality of serving cells. The user equipment reports the measurement results for the plurality of serving cells. |
| US08902765B1 |
Method and apparatus for congestion and fault management with time-to-live
A method and apparatus for congestion and fault management with time-to-live (TTL) have been disclosed. Each time a packet is transferred into an Egress Port's Final Buffer, an associated TTL Timeout Counter will be loaded with a value. If the packet cannot be transferred out of the Egress Port before TTL timeout, it will be purged by removing a memory buffer pointer from the corresponding Virtual Output Queue (VOQ) entry. |
| US08902764B2 |
Base station device, terminal device, and closed loop control method
Provided is a base station device capable of reducing a DL-CSI feedback amount in a TDD type radio communication system in which a DL bandwidth is different from a UL bandwidth. In this device, a demultiplexing unit (133) separates an UL pilot, a DL-CQI, and a DL-CSI fed back from a plurality of UEs as communication partners; a channel estimation unit (134) performs channel sounding by using a UL pilot from a UE in which a DL channel and a UL channel are allocated by overlapping a part of the bandwidth so as to obtain UL-CSI; a control DL-CSI acquisition unit (135) performs interpolation of DL-CSI by using the DL-CSI of some RB contained in the bandwidth where the DL channel and the UL channel fed back from the UE are not overlapped; and a DL close loop control unit (104) combines the estimated UL-CSI and the interpolated DL-CSI so as to use them as DL-CSI for controlling the DL close loop. |
| US08902760B2 |
Network system and optional tethers
A BaseT Ethernet system having a piece of central network equipment, a piece of BaseT Ethernet terminal equipment, and data signaling pairs of conductors having first and second pairs used to carry BaseT Ethernet communication signals between the piece of central network equipment and the piece of BaseT Ethernet terminal equipment. The first and second pairs physically connect between the piece of BaseT Ethernet terminal equipment and the piece of central network equipment. The piece of central network equipment having at least one DC supply. The piece of BaseT Ethernet terminal equipment having at least one path to draw different magnitudes of current flow from the DC supply through a loop formed over at least one of the conductors of the first pair and at least one of the conductors of the second pair. The piece of central network equipment to detect at least two different magnitudes of the current flow through the loop. |
| US08902758B2 |
Light path priority in dense wavelength division multiplexed networks
Techniques are provided for using light path priority of service information in an optical network. At a node in the optical network, priority of service information is stored for a plurality of light paths used in the optical network. The node serves traffic in the optical network using the plurality of light paths based on the priority of service information. These techniques provide for prioritizing light paths (wavelengths) for scenarios such as restoration, congestion and resource contention. |
| US08902755B2 |
Discovering network topology from routing information
A method for inferring network link topology includes receiving an address of a seed node in a network, initializing a set of links and monitors of the network, refining, iteratively beginning at the seed node, the set of links and monitors of the network, wherein a local topology of links is inferred from routing information of a current node and a remote topology of links is inferred from routing information of the set of monitors, wherein the set of monitors is created from the local topology of links, and outputting the topology of links including the local and remote topology of links as a topology of the network. |
| US08902752B2 |
Cell processing method, source line card, and network card in switching network
The present invention provides a source line card. The source line card segments a data packet in a data stream into cells first, then inserts Time Stamps and Flow Identifications into cell headers, and sends the marked cell headers and cell payloads to the network card. The network card sends the cells to a destination line card or a lower-level network card in sequence according to the Time Stamps and the Flow Identifications, where the Time Stamps and the Flow Identifications are in the cell headers of the received cells. By inserting the Time Stamps and the Flow Identifications into the cell headers, it is ensured that an output sequence and an input sequence of cells that belong to a stream in the switching network are the same, so that the destination line card may reassembles a data packet easily according to a sequence in which the cells are received. |
| US08902747B2 |
Minimizing power consumption in a network device
A network interface device (NID) may determine whether the received data units of the computer system are to be compressed before transmitting the data units. The NID may determine the compression energy value consumed to compress the first K1 data units and a second transmission energy value to transmit the compressed first K1 data units. The NID may then estimate a first transmission energy value that may be consumed by the NID to transmit uncompressed first K1 data units using the second transmission energy value. The NID may then use the first and second transmission energy value and the compression energy value to determine if the remaining (N-K1) data units of the first data stream. |
| US08902746B2 |
Controlling a packet flow from a user equipment
A method and User Equipment (UE) for limiting excessive packet flow from the UE to a communication network. The UE receives from the network, an instruction to activate a logic parameter for controlling the packet flow from the UE to the network. In response to receiving the instruction, the UE requests configuration of a network connection for transmitting packets to the network according to the logic parameter. The UE then requests deactivation of all other network connections upon successful configuration of the network connection for transmitting packets to the network according to the logic parameter. |
| US08902744B2 |
Bandwidth advertisement model for shared mesh protection
Methods and nodes are disclosed. In the methods, circuitry of a first node generates a link state advertising message including bandwidth information indicative of unreserved aggregate bandwidth for multiple priority connections where aggregate bandwidth is greater than available bandwidth. The link state advertising message is transmitted from the first node to a plurality of second nodes within a mesh network. Node bandwidth constraints may be established that contain some designated allocated bandwidth which is not shared with any other Class Types (CT); however, the bandwidth constraints may also allow segregation of other CTs so that within those CTs allocation of designated bandwidth is guaranteed for high priority traffic and low priority traffic is left with the remaining bandwidth in the CT's allocation. |
| US08902741B2 |
User equipment and method for reducing delay in a radio access network
Embodiments of user equipment and methods for reducing delay in a radio-access network (RAN) are generally described herein. Embodiments disclosed herein provide enhancements that may be applicable to a 3GPP LTE RAN for reducing delay that may be particularly beneficial for real-time over-the-top (OTT) applications. Some embodiments provide for an uplink delayed buffer status report. Some embodiments provide for a downlink congestion and buffer report. Some embodiments provide for traffic characteristic based inter-UE prioritization. |
| US08902738B2 |
Dynamically adjusting active members in multichassis link bundle
In one embodiment, active links are added to, and removed from, a multichassis link bundle with one side of the multichassis link bundle terminated on multiple devices of a multichassis device. In one embodiment, adding active links includes selecting which particular device to which to add an active link to the multichassis link bundle based on a device priority of each of the multiple devices, with a device priority of a given device being based on a current number of active links associated with the given device. |
| US08902735B2 |
Gigabits zero-delay tap and methods thereof
A gigabits zero-delay arrangement for enabling continuous monitoring of data traversing through a network in a high-speed Ethernet environment is provided. The arrangement includes a high-speed network device configured for monitoring the data flowing through the network. The arrangement also includes a primary power source for providing a first power to circuitry of the gigabits zero-delay arrangement. The arrangement further includes a sensor controller configured for monitoring power flowing into the high-speed network device and for establishing an alternative communication link. |
| US08902734B2 |
System and method for providing communication connection resilience
A system and method for providing communication connection resilience between a mobile subscriber device and a network, such as the Internet. In one aspect, the invention provides improved communication connection resilience by using multiple nodes in multiple chassis to create redundant communication routes and to provide redundancy for control data relating to a mobile subscriber device. In one embodiment, a first node resides in a first chassis and a second node resides in a second chassis, and when an active communication link between the mobile subscriber device and the network via the first node becomes disrupted, the active communication link is rerouted such that data is communicated between the mobile subscriber device and the network via both of the first and second nodes. |
| US08902731B2 |
Method, network card, and communication system for binding physical network ports
A method for binding physical network ports for network communications creates in an application layer virtual ports that correspond to virtual network cards. Each virtual port is capable of being bound in the application layer with other created virtual ports. Multiple physical network ports, which need to be bound, are added to the created virtual ports. To receive or transmit a packet, one or more available physical network ports are selected according to a configured mode for receiving or transmitting the packet. If the configured mode is a server load balancing mode, a physical network port that corresponds to a quintuple of the packet is identified, and the packet is received or transmitted through the identified physical network port. When no corresponding physical port is found, a physical network port with minimum traffic is selected for receiving or transmitting the packet. |
| US08902730B2 |
Redundant pseudowires for border gateway patrol-based virtual private local area network service multi-homing environments
A method performed by a provider edge device includes generating pseudo-wire tables based on virtual private local area network service advertisements from other provider edge devices, where the provider edge device services customer edge devices, and establishing pseudo-wires with respect to the other provider edge devices, based on the pseudo-wire tables, where the pseudo-wires include an active pseudo-wire and at least one standby pseudo-wire with respect to each of the other provider edge devices. The method also includes generating and advertising VPLS advertisement to the other provider edge devices, detecting a communication link failure associated with one of the customer edge devices in which the provider edge device services, and determining whether the at least one standby pseudo-wire needs to be utilized because of the communication link failure. |
| US08902729B2 |
Method for fast-re-routing (FRR) in communication networks
A method is described to enable carrying out a fast reroute protection technique which provides both link and node protection without traffic duplication, without the need to distinguish between link and node failures, and without replicating traffic. The technique covers concurrent Working and backup logical path failures, and in particular LSP logical paths. The method is adapted to provide a “Dual Failure Protection” (DFP), and is expandable to various multi-failure scenarios. |
| US08902727B2 |
OFDM system and method employing OFDM symbols with known or information-containing prefixes
Systems and methods for transmitting and receiving OFDM symbols are provided which enable the otherwise wasted transmission time normally used as a prefix for each OFDM symbol to contain useful information. At the receiver, the received signal is processed to convert received OFDM symbols from a linear convolution with the channel to a cyclic convolution. |
| US08902726B1 |
Frame synchronization techniques
Frame synchronization techniques are described. In an implementation, a method implemented by a device includes using an objective function to form a list of values for a plurality of time trials, the time trials taken from a scan of a wireless signal having a plurality of channels. A single one of the values is selected for each of the plurality of channels to detect a preamble of a frame in the wireless signal. If the preamble is not detected as a result of the selecting, at least one additional value is chosen from the list for a respective channel to detect the preamble of the frame in the wireless signal. |
| US08902725B2 |
Adaptive modulation scheme for multipath wireless channels
A modulation method for data packets transmitted on a mobile communication channel, the method comprising a first linear modulation mode, to be used when the radio conditions are good, and a second constant envelop modulation mode, to be used when the radio conditions are poor. Since a constant envelope-modulated signal is degraded more when time dispersion occurs, the first linear modulation mode is also used when the time dispersion is severe. |
| US08902720B1 |
Heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write head with protective film for near-field transducer
A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) head has a protective film confined to a window of the disk-facing surface of the slider than surrounds the near-field transducer (NFT) and write pole end. Materials for the protective film include TiO2, ZrO2, HfO2, Nb2O5, Ta2O5, Sc2O3, Y2O3, MgO SiN, BN, SiBN and SiBNC. The slider overcoat is located in the non-window region on the slider's disk-facing surface and optionally also on the window region, with the outer surface of the overcoat forming the slider's ABS. An optional recess may be formed on the disk-facing surface of the slider in the window region, with the protective film located in the recess. |
| US08902719B2 |
Heat assisted magnetic recording heads having bilayer heat sinks
Disclosed herein is an apparatus that includes a near field transducer positioned adjacent to an air bearing surface of the apparatus; a first magnetic pole; and a heat sink positioned between the first magnetic pole and the near field transducer, wherein the heat sink includes a first and second portion, with the first portion being adjacent the near field transducer and the second portion being adjacent the first magnetic pole, the first portion including a plasmonic material, and the second portion including a diffusion blocking material. |
| US08902718B1 |
Disk drive calibrating dynamic fly height write profile for fly height actuator
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk and a head actuated over the disk, the head comprising a fly height actuator (FHA). The disk drive further comprises control circuitry including disk access circuitry, wherein during a calibration operation, the disk access circuitry is configured into a calibration mode that increases a heating of the head, and a fly height of the head is measured periodically to generate periodic fly height measurements that vary due to the heating of the head. A dynamic fly height (DFH) write profile is generated based on the periodic fly height measurements. During a write operation, the disk access circuitry is configured into a write mode and a DFH control signal is generated and applied to the FHA based on the DFH write profile. |
| US08902717B1 |
Clockwork mechanism that enables a second hand to be positioned below the hour hand and the minute hand on a clock face
A clock assembly containing a specialized clockwork. The clockwork contains a hub of three concentric posts upon which are mounted the second hand, minute hand, and hour hand of the clock. The post that connects to the second hand is the widest and shortest post on the hub. Consequently, when a second hand is connected to this outer-most post, the second hand can rotate under the minute hand and the hour hand closest to the clock face. By positioning the second hand post on the exterior of the hub, a 1:1 ratio can be maintained between the rotations of the clock motor and the rotations of the second hand post. This enables the full power of the motor to be transferred to the second hand post. Accordingly, the clockwork is capable of move, large, heavy, and unbalanced second hands. |
| US08902716B2 |
Sensitivity adjustment device, radio wave communication device and watch
A sensitivity adjustment device adjusts radio wave sensitivity of an antenna which wirelessly transmits/receives a signal to/from an external device. The sensitivity adjustment device includes a case and a ring-shaped rotating member. The case houses the antenna. The rotating member is disposed on the outside of the case in such a way as to be rotatable. The rotating member includes (a) a shielding part which shields a radio wave and (b) a penetration part which allows penetration of a radio wave. A positional relationship between (a) the antenna and (b) the shielding part and the penetration part is changed by rotation of the rotating member so that the radio wave sensitivity of the antenna is adjusted. |
| US08902713B2 |
Wearable device with acoustic user input and method for same
An electronic device (100) includes a component portion (101) and a strap (102). The strap defines an air chamber (402) therein having a corresponding volume. A driver (403) is disposed in the component portion at a first port (404) between the component portion and the strap. A frequency detector (405) is disposed in the component portion at a second port (406) between the component portion and the strap. A control circuit (407) is operable with the driver and the frequency detector and is configured to determine a peak of a resonant frequency over a frequency range in the air chamber with the frequency detector that are a function of the corresponding volume and are responsive to signals produced by the driver, correlate the frequency of pressure variations determined with a user input, and perform an operation based upon the user input. |
| US08902711B2 |
System and method for analyzing and transforming geophysical and petrophysical data
A computer system and a computer-implemented method for analyzing input data from a geological volume of interest in a subterranean formation. The method includes processing the input data using a first subterranean interpretation model, the first subterranean interpretation model being configured to provide first output data that are representative of characteristics of the geological volume of interest. The method further includes processing the input data using a second subterranean interpretation model, the second subterranean interpretation model being configured to provide second output data that are representative of the characteristics of the geological volume of interest. The method further includes determining a relationship between the first output data and the second output data, and transforming the second output data into the first output data using the relationship to obtain a transformed second output data. |
| US08902709B2 |
Methods for concurrent generation of velocity models and depth images from seismic data
In various embodiments, the present disclosure describes methods for processing seismic data to concurrently produce a velocity model and a depth image. Various embodiments of the methods include: a) acquiring seismic data; b) generating a shallow velocity model from the seismic data; c) generating a stacking velocity model using the shallow velocity model as a guide; d) generating an initial interval velocity model from the stacking velocity model; and e) generating an initial depth image using the initial interval velocity model. The methods also include iterative improvement of the initial depth image and the initial interval velocity model to produce improved depth images and improved interval velocity models. Improvement of the depth images and the interval velocity models is evaluated by using a congruency test. |
| US08902708B2 |
System and method for seismic beam formation that accounts for equipment misalignment
Seismic data representing the propagation of seismic energy through a geologic volume of interest is processed. The seismic energy propagates through the geologic volume of interest from one or more source locations at or near the geologic volume of interest to one or more detector locations at or near the geologic volume of interest. In processing the seismic data, the seismic energy is modeled as beams (e.g., Gaussian beams). The processing performed (i) corrects for misalignment of the one or more source locations and/or the one or more detector locations with a regular, predetermined mesh, and (ii) steers the seismic data based on the modeled beams. |
| US08902706B2 |
Technique and apparatus for seismic data quality control using non-linear regression analysis
A technique includes receiving seismic data acquired in a seismic survey. The technique includes determining a geophysical trend of trace amplitudes indicated by the seismic data based on non-linear regression and performing quality control analysis on the seismic data based on the determined trend. |
| US08902705B2 |
Regularisation of irregularly sampled seismic data
There is provided a method of spatially shifting seismic signals acquired through a seismic survey using the steps of identifying within the signals a set of N actual locations of seismic receivers and corresponding N seismic signals received by the set of seismic receivers; identifying a set of N′ desired locations of seismic receivers; and determining a set of N′ signal values at said N′ desired locations by evaluating for each of said N′ signal values a weighted sum of the N seismic signals, wherein the weights are at least partly determined by the relative distance between pairs of locations selected from said set of N actual locations of seismic receivers. |
| US08902704B2 |
Method and device for logging the fluid depth in a wellbore
In a method for logging the location of a fluid depth in a wellbore, an acoustic event is allowed to take place in a specific manner at the ground surface. This acoustic event generates pressure waves. The pressure waves travel in the wellbore downward. The pressure waves traveling in the wellbore are reflected at least also at the fluid depth. At the ground surface, the pressure waves traveling there out of the wellbore are picked up and the time of travel since the acoustic event is measured. The picked-up and measured pressure waves are analyzed and, together with the associated time of travel, the location of the fluid depth is deduced. The acoustic event generates a signal pattern having a predetermined, time-variable frequency spectrum. The signal pattern is emitted as vibration event into the wellbore, travels downward, and is reflected. At the ground surface, the picked-up signals originating from the wellbore are analyzed. During the analysis, vibration events that do not correlate with the emitted signal pattern are filtered out. From the vibration events that are among the picked-up signals and correlate with the emitted signal pattern and from the time of travel since the radiation of the signal pattern, the location of the fluid depth is deduced. |
| US08902701B2 |
Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to determine anisotropy indicators for subterranean formations
Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to determine anisotropy indicators for subterranean formations are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes computing a first shear slowness value from measured quadrupole waves, computing a second shear slowness value from measured Stoneley waves, and comparing the first and second shear slowness values to determine an anisotropy indicator representative of anisotropy of a subterranean formation. |
| US08902700B2 |
Borehole seismic acquisition system
A borehole seismic acquisition system is described with a plurality of sensors arranged so as to identify within the data measured by the pressure sensors P- and S-wave related signals converted at the boundary of the borehole into pressure waves, the sensors being best arranged in groups or clusters sensitive to pressure gradients in one or more directions. |
| US08902697B2 |
Removing seismic interference using simultaneous or near simultaneous source separation
A technique includes providing seismic data that is indicative of energy that is sensed in response to a first operation of at least one seismic source in a first seismic survey and a second operation of at least one seismic source in a second seismic survey. The technique includes processing the seismic data to determine a timing of the second operation relative to the first operation, and the technique includes based at least in part of the determined timing, processing the seismic data to generate a dataset, which is indicative of the sensed energy that is attributable to the first operation and is not attributable to the second operation. |
| US08902695B2 |
Apparatus and method for clock shift correction for measurement-while-drilling measurements
The disclosure provides a method which includes transmitting signals over a time period between a downhole location and a surface location during drilling of a wellbore; recording the time of each signal at the surface using a surface clock and the time of each signal downhole using a downhole clock; and correcting the downhole measurements using the recorded times. |
| US08902692B2 |
Dynamic random access memory device with improved control circuitry for the word lines
A dynamic random access memory device may include DRAM memory cells including several lines of memory cells, and line selection circuitry associated with each line. The line selection circuitry may include a first voltage-elevator stage configured to receive two initial control logic signals each having an initial voltage level corresponding to a first logic state, and to deliver two intermediate control logic signals each having an intermediate voltage level above the initial level and corresponding to the first logic state. The line selection circuitry may also include a control circuit to be supplied by PMOS transistors with a supply voltage having a second voltage level greater than the intermediate voltage level, and configured to, in the presence of the two intermediate control logic signals have their first logic state deliver to the gates of the memory cell transistors, a selection logic signal having the second voltage level. |
| US08902687B2 |
Semiconductor device enabling refreshing of redundant memory cell instead of defective memory cell
A semiconductor device includes memory blocks MB1 and MB2 and redundancy determination circuit 25 that can enter a normal operation mode that accesses either memory block MB1 or memory block MB2 and a refresh mode that simultaneously accesses both memory block MB1 and memory block MB2. In response to normal memory cell NMC that belongs to at least one of memory blocks MB1 and MB2 being replaced by redundant memory cell RMC in the refresh mode, redundancy determination circuit 25 deactivates normal cell area NCA to which normal memory cell NMC that is a source of replacement belongs, and activates redundant cell area RCA to which redundant memory cell RMC that is to be replaced belongs and normal cell area NCA to which normal memory cell NMC that is not being replaced belongs. |
| US08902681B2 |
Setting a reference voltage in a memory controller trained to a memory device
Systems and methods to set a voltage value associated with a memory controller coupled to a memory device are disclosed. A particular method includes comparing test data of a test path to functional data of a functional path. The functional data may be generated based on device data received at a memory controller from a memory device. The test data may be affected by a voltage value applied to a resistor arrangement in electronic communication with the test path. The voltage value may be applied to the resistor arrangement based on the comparison. |
| US08902680B2 |
Identifying stacked dice
Various embodiments comprise apparatuses to assign unique device identifier values to addressable devices in a stacked package. In one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed including a stacked package with at least two addressable devices. Each of the addressable devices includes data input and switch path circuitry, a shift register coupled to the data input and switch path circuitry, and a single through-substrate via (TSV) through which the unique device identifier values can be assigned. The single TSV is coupled to the data input and switch path circuitry and between adjacent ones of the at least two addressable devices. Additional apparatuses, systems, and methods are described. |
| US08902677B2 |
Reducing the power consumption of memory devices
Systems and methods for reducing the power consumption of memory devices. A method of operating a memory device may include monitoring a plurality of sense amplifiers, each sense amplifier configured to evaluate a logic value stored in a memory cell, determining whether each of the plurality of sense amplifiers has completed its evaluation, and stopping a reference current from being provided to the sense amplifiers in response to all of the sense amplifiers having completed their evaluations. An electronic circuit may include memory cells, sense amplifiers coupled to the memory cells, transition detection circuits coupled to the sense amplifiers, and control circuitry coupled to the transition detection circuits, the transition detection circuits configured to stop a reference current from being provided to the sense amplifiers if each transition detection circuit determines that its respective sense amplifier has identified a logic value stored in a respective memory cell. |
| US08902676B2 |
Wordline coupling reduction technique
A semiconductor memory includes a memory array having memory cells coupled to wordlines and bitlines. Each wordline has a left end and an opposing right end. A first wordline in every two adjacent wordlines has its left end connected to a left row driver and its right end connected to a right clamp circuit, and a second wordline in every two adjacent wordlines has its right end connected to a right row driver and its left end connected to a left clamp circuit, such that when the right clamp circuits are activated, the right clamp circuits clamp the corresponding wordline ends to a predetermined potential, and when the left clamp circuits are activated, the left clamp circuits clamp the corresponding wordline ends to the predetermined potential. |
| US08902672B2 |
Methods and apparatus for designing and constructing multi-port memory circuits
Static random access memory (SRAM) circuits are used in most digital integrated circuits to store data. To handle multiple memory users, an efficient dual port six transistor (6T) SRAM memory cell is proposed. The dual port 6T SRAM cell uses independent word lines and bit lines such that the true side and the false side of the SRAM cell may be accessed independently. Single-ended reads allow the two independent word lines and bit lines to handle two reads in a single cycle using spatial domain multiplexing. Writes can be handled faster that read operations such that two writes can be handled in a single cycle using time division multiplexing. To further improve the operation of the dual port 6T SRAM cell a number of algorithmic techniques are used to improve the operation of the memory system. |
| US08902668B1 |
Double verify method with soft programming to suppress read noise
Memory cells which have read noise are identified during a programming pass and an amount of programming is increased for noisy memory cells compared to non-noisy cells. The read noise is indicated by a decrease in the threshold voltage of a cell when the cell is repeatedly read. During the programming pass, a cell enters a temporary lockout state when it passes a first verify test. In this state, the cell is subject to one or more additional verify tests. If the one or more additional verify tests indicate that the threshold voltage of a cell has decreased, the cell is noisy and is soft programmed before being permanently locked out. In contrast, programming of a non-noisy cell is concluded after the first verify test without further programming. |
| US08902667B2 |
Methods and systems for adjusting NVM cell bias conditions for program/erase operations to reduce performance degradation
Non-volatile memory (NVM) systems and related methods adjust program/erase bias conditions for non-volatile memory (NVM) cells to improve performance and product lifetime of NVM systems. System embodiments include integrated NVM systems having an NVM controller, a bias voltage generator, and an NVM cell array. Further, the NVM systems can store performance degradation information and program/erase bias condition information within storage circuitry. The disclosed embodiments adjust program/erase bias conditions for the NVM cells based upon performance degradation determinations, for example, temperature-based performance degradation determinations and interim verify based performance degradation determinations. |
| US08902666B2 |
Programming method for nonvolatile memory device
A method of programming memory cells (transistors) of a nonvolatile memory device from a first set of (previous) logic states to a second set of (final) logic states. The method includes applying program voltages to selected memory transistors; and applying a pre-verification voltage and a target verification voltage for verifying the current logic state of the selected memory transistors. The voltage interval between logic states of the second set of logic states is less than the voltage interval between logic states of the first set of logic states. A target verification voltage for verifying a first memory transistor is at one logic state of the second set is used as a pre-verification voltage for verifying that a second memory transistor to be programmed to higher logic state of the second set. |
| US08902661B1 |
Block structure profiling in three dimensional memory
Memory hole diameter in a three dimensional memory array may be calculated from characteristics that are observed during programming. Suitable operating parameters may be selected for operating a block based on memory hole diameters. Hot counts of blocks may be adjusted according to memory hole size so that blocks that are expected to fail earlier because of small memory holes are more lightly used than blocks with larger memory holes. |
| US08902658B1 |
Three-dimensional NAND memory with adaptive erase
Erasing memory cells in certain 3-D NAND charge-storage memory arrays is achieved by rapidly charging vertical conductors using Gate Induced Drain Leakage (GIDL) current generated in select transistors. When bit line voltage drops below its nominal value, select line voltage is controlled to maintain a constant voltage difference between bit line voltage and select line voltage thus maintaining a gate-drain voltage difference in select transistors that provides sufficient GIDL current for erase. |
| US08902657B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and controller
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of blocks. The blocks includes a first selection transistor, a second selection transistor, a plurality of memory cell transistors, a first selection gate line and a second selection gate line, and word lines. One of the blocks holds information on a word line, a first selection gate line and/or a second selection gate line including a short-circuiting defect. |
| US08902656B2 |
Plural operation of memory device
An integrated circuit device comprises a semiconductor substrate, a first memory block on the substrate comprising NAND memory cells, a second memory block on the substrate comprising NAND memory cells, and controller circuitry. The first and second memory blocks are configurable to store data for a first pattern of data usage in response to a first operation algorithm to read, program and erase data, and for a second pattern of data usage in response to a second operation algorithm to read, program and erase data, respectively. The controller circuitry is coupled to the first and second memory blocks, and is configured to execute the first and second operation algorithms, wherein a word line pass voltage for read operations applied in the first operation algorithm is at a lower voltage level than a second word line pass voltage for read operations applied in the second operation algorithm. |
| US08902654B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
In a writing operation, a control circuit raises the voltage of a writing-prohibited bit line among a plurality of bit lines to a first voltage, and thereafter brings the writing-prohibited bit line into a floating state. Then, the control circuit raises the voltage of a writing bit line other than the writing-prohibited bit line to a second voltage. In this way, the control circuit prohibits writing into a memory transistor corresponding to the writing-prohibited bit line. On the other hand, the control circuit executes writing into a memory transistor corresponding to the writing bit line. |
| US08902651B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device, programming method of nonvolatile memory device and memory system including nonvolatile memory device
Disclosed are a program method and a nonvolatile memory device. The method includes receiving program data to be programmed in memory cells; reading the memory cells to judge an erase state and at least one program state; performing a state read operation in which the at least one program state is read using a plurality of state read voltages; and programming the program data in the memory cells using a plurality of verification voltages having different levels according to a result of the state read operation. Also disclosed are methods using a plurality of verification voltages selected based on factors which may affect a threshold voltage shift or other characteristic representing the data of a memory cell after programming. |
| US08902649B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and related method of operation
A memory device comprises a nonvolatile memory device and a controller. The nonvolatile memory comprises a first memory area comprising single-bit memory cells and a second memory area comprising multi-bit memory cells. The controller is configured to receive a first unit of write data, determine a type of the first unit of write data, and based on the type, temporarily store the first unit of write data in the first memory area and subsequently migrate the temporarily stored first unit of write data to the second memory area or to directly store the first unit of write data in the second memory area, and is further configured to migrate a second unit of write data temporarily stored in the first memory area to the second memory area where the first unit of write data is directly stored in the second memory area. |
| US08902646B2 |
Memory and method for operating the same
A memory includes a first memory cell, a bit line corresponding to the first memory cell, at least one second memory cell adjacent to the first memory cell, and a page buffer configured to read data of the first memory cell by precharging the bit line to a voltage level which is decided in response to data of the at least one second memory cell. |
| US08902639B2 |
Cross-point memory cells, non-volatile memory arrays, methods of reading a memory cell, methods of programming a memory cell, methods of writing to and reading from a memory cell, and computer systems
Cross-point memory cells, non-volatile memory arrays, methods of reading a memory cell, methods of programming a memory cell, and methods of writing to and reading from a memory cell are described. In one embodiment, a cross-point memory cell includes a word line extending in a first direction, a bit line extending in a second direction different from the first direction, the bit line and the word line crossing without physically contacting each other, and a capacitor formed between the word line and the bit line where such cross. The capacitor comprises a dielectric material configured to prevent DC current from flowing from the word line to the bit line and from the bit line to the word line. |
| US08902638B2 |
Replacement of a faulty memory cell with a spare cell for a memory circuit
A memory integrated circuit device is provided. The device includes a plurality of regular address inputs and at least one spare address input configured for a selected mode or an unselected mode. The device includes a plurality of control inputs, a plurality of data inputs, and a plurality of data outputs. The device has a plurality of memory arrays. Each of the memory arrays comprises a plurality of memory cells. Each of the plurality of memory cells is coupled to a data input/output. The device has a spare group of memory cells comprising a plurality of spare memory cells. Each of the plurality of spare memory cells is externally (or internally) addressable using the address match table and configured with the spare address input; whereupon the spare address input is coupled to the address match table to access the spare memory cells. |
| US08902637B2 |
Semiconductor memory device comprising inverting amplifier circuit and driving method thereof
A novel semiconductor memory device whose power consumption is low is provided. A source of a writing transistor WTr_n_m, a gate of a reading transistor RTr_n_m, and one electrode of a capacitor CS_n_m are connected to each other. A gate and a drain of the writing transistor WTr_n_m are connected to a writing word line WWL_n and a writing bit line WBL_m, respectively. The other electrode of the capacitor CS_n_m is connected to a reading word line RWL_n. A drain of the reading transistor RTr_n_m is connected to a reading bit line RBL_m. Here, the potential of the reading bit line RBL_m is input to an inverting amplifier circuit such as a flip-flop circuit FF_m to be inverted by the inverting amplifier circuit. This inverted potential is output to the writing bit line WBL_m. |
| US08902636B2 |
Resistance change memory
According to one embodiment, a memory includes a resistance change element connected between first and second conductive lines, a write buffer which writes data in the resistance change element by flowing a write current to the resistance change element through the first and second conductive lines in a writing, a current/voltage converter which converts the write current into a sense voltage, the converter provided in the write buffer, the write buffer being non-activated when the sense voltage is larger than a first threshold value. |
| US08902632B2 |
Hybrid resistive memory devices and methods of operating and manufacturing the same
Hybrid resistive memory devices and methods of operating and manufacturing the same, include at least two resistive memory units. At least one of the at least two resistive memory units is a resistive memory unit configured to operate in a long-term plasticity state. |
| US08902626B2 |
Pinning magnetic domain walls in a magnetic domain shift register memory device
A method of pinning magnetic domain walls in magnetic domain shift registers includes pinning the magnetic domain walls at a plurality of pinning sites in a nanowire, reducing an energy of the pinning of the magnetic domain walls and shifting the magnetic domain walls in the nanowire by applying a shift current in a control wire adjacent the nanowire. |
| US08902620B2 |
Power conditioner
A power conditioner that suppresses distortion in a waveform of a sinusoidal generated voltage includes a first and second group including two switches each connected in inverse parallel and in series. The power conditioner alternately turns on and off both switches in the first group at a prescribed chopping frequency and alternately turns on and off both switches in the second group at a PWM frequency higher than the chopping frequency. If control is performed with a dead-time provided in the on/off timing for both switches in each group, the power conditioner adjusts and controls the on/off duty for the second group switches to correspond to the effective on drive in one switch by each diode during the dead-time for each switch in the first group. |
| US08902618B2 |
Method of operating an inverter and inverter control arrangement
A method of operating an inverter for converting a DC power into AC power by use of a pulse width modulation switching scheme is provided is disclosed. The inverter is controlled by use of the pulse width modulation switching scheme to provide an alternating current based on a current demand signal defining an alternating current provided by the inverter. An upper current threshold and a lower current threshold are provided. An instantaneous value of the alternating current is measured. When the instantaneous value of the alternating current overshoots the upper current threshold or undershoots the lower current threshold, the pulse width modulation switching scheme is replaced by an amended switching scheme which controls the instantaneous value of the alternating current to be between the upper current threshold and the lower current threshold. The upper current threshold and the lower current threshold oscillate with at least one alternating phase. |
| US08902616B2 |
Active front end power converter with diagnostic and failure prevention using peak detector with decay
Active front end power conversion systems are presented having a peak detector with adjustable decay providing a signal to an overload protection component to selectively discontinue rectifier switching control signals for protection of active rectifier switches during unbalanced line voltage conditions. |
| US08902608B2 |
Securing device
A securing device for securing an electric device having a groove is disclosed. The securing device includes a base and a buckle-hook module. The base covers a portion of the electric device and has a connecting part corresponding to the groove. An operating unit and a buckle-hook unit of the buckle-hook module are rotatably disposed in the connecting part. The operating unit has a first position and a second position. The buckle-hook unit has an insert part. A resetting unit of tile buckle-hook module is disposed between the buckle-hook unit and the connecting part, so that the buckle-hook unit is rotated to and from. When the operating unit is moved from the first position to the second position, the insert part inserts into the groove, for securing the electric device. |
| US08902607B1 |
Modular electronic testing apparatus and methods
A testing apparatus and method of extending the life of a testing apparatus may comprise a chassis including a case having a testing module receptacle receiving a plurality of testing modules comprising at least one processor module and a plurality of test modules, each having the same physical footprint, including respective racking mechanisms and inter-module interface connectors; and a backplane with connectors connecting with a respective inter-module connector, and bus-work interconnecting the respective modules through the inter-module interface connectors and the backplane connectors. The backplane may comprise a battery and display connector. The chassis may comprise a display mounting receptacle configured to receive a display unit having a display connector configured to interface with the backplane display connector. A battery receptacle may receive a battery unit, such as a rechargeable battery. |
| US08902606B2 |
Electronic interconnect system
An electronic interconnect system comprises: a motherboard having electrical contacts on its upper and lower surfaces along a selected edge; an electronic module comprising a circuit board with electronic devices mounted thereon, and further comprising two opposing flexible portions that are openable outwardly from one another, the flexible portions having electrical contact pads on the opposing surfaces, so that when the flexible portions are placed on either side of the edge of the motherboard the pads align with contacts on the respective surfaces of the motherboard and make electrical contact therewith. |
| US08902604B2 |
Component support and assembly having a MEMS component on such a component support
A component support allows cost-effective, space-saving and low-stress packaging of MEMS components having a sensitive structure. The component support is suited, in particular, for MEMS components, which are mounted in the cavity of a housing and are intended to be electrically contacted. The component support is produced as a composite part in the form of a hollow body open on one side, the composite part being made essentially of a three-dimensionally shaped carrier foil flexible in its shaping, and an encasing material. The encasing material is molded onto one side of the carrier foil, so that the carrier foil is situated on the inner wall of the component support. At least one mounting surface for at least one component is formed on the inner wall having the carrier foil. The carrier foil is also provided with contact surfaces and insulated conductive paths for electrically contacting the at least one component. |
| US08902602B2 |
Communication device and ejection mechanism
An ejection mechanism includes a top cover, a bottom cover having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and a sliding assembly. The sliding assembly includes a sliding block and an elastic rod. The sliding block defines a containing groove which is divided into an insertion rail and an ejection rail. The sliding block is configured to move back and force between the first and second sidewalls. A first distal end of the elastic rod is fixed in a fixing hole of the first sidewall. When the card is inserted into the ejection mechanism, the second distal end slides along the insertion rail until the second distal end is locked in a joint of the insertion and ejection rails. When the second distal end of the elastic rod disengages from the locked position by an external force, the second distal end slides in the ejection rail. |
| US08902595B2 |
Reducing possibility of short-circuit in a display device
An image display device which is provided with an image display panel, and a housing which houses the image display panel. In the front wall of the housing, an image display window makes the screen of the image display panel viewable from the outside. In the rear wall of the housing are two housing sections, each being configured by connecting together a recessed section provided in the rear wall, and a cover which covers the opening of the recessed section. On the recessed section-side connecting surface from the surfaces on which the recessed section and the cover of each housing section are connected, screw members are screwed at a plurality of areas along the inner circumference of the connecting surface by penetrating the cover. The distances between the adjacent screw members in the two housing sections are different from each other. |
| US08902587B2 |
Support apparatus and electronic device employing the support apparatus
A support apparatus supports an electronic device on a supporting surface. The support apparatus includes a first support leg and a second support leg. One end of the first support leg is rotatably connected to the electronic device, and the first support leg defines a receiving space therein. One end of the second support leg is rotatably connected to an opposite end of the first support leg. When in a closed state, the support apparatus is completely stowed in the electronic device. When the support apparatus is in a first inclined state, the second support leg is received in the receiving space but the support apparatus is oriented in a position obliquely unfolded from the electronic device. When in a second inclined state, the support apparatus is oriented in the position obliquely unfolded from the electronic device, but the second support leg is unfolded from the receiving space. |
| US08902586B2 |
Electronic device with a volume button
An electronic device includes a housing, a circuit board and a volume button. The housing defining a slot, and includes a fixing block. The fixing block is formed on an inner wall of the housing and positioned adjacent to one end of the slot. A through hole is formed in the fixing block. The circuit board received in the housing includes a volume control module and a mute control module positioned adjacent to the slot. The volume button is movably positioned in the slot and exposed out of the housing. The volume button includes a volume increasing portion and the volume decreasing portion. The volume increasing portion and the volume decreasing portion can be pushed on the volume control module. One end of the volume button passes through the through hole and is capable of triggering the mute control module. |
| US08902585B2 |
Portable computer
A portable computer includes a base, a display module, at least one support element and at least one sliding assembly. The display module comprises a connecting end and a display face. Each support element comprises a first end pivoted on a portion of the display module other than the display face and a second end pivoted on the rear end of the base. Each sliding assembly comprises a slide rail disposed at least in the second area and a sliding element combined with the connecting end and moving along the slide rail. Each sliding element includes at least one sliding auxiliary structure for decreasing friction during sliding. |
| US08902582B2 |
Coldplate for use with a transformer in an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV)
A coldplate for use with a transformer in an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV). The coldplate includes a main portion having a recess formed therein, the recess having a floor configured for contacting a bottom surface of a transformer for dissipating heat generated by the transformer. The main portion includes a raised feature configured for contacting a winding of the transformer for dissipating heat generated by the transformer. The coldplate also includes a bracket member for use in securing the transformer in the recess of the main portion, the bracket member configured for contacting the main portion and the transformer for dissipating heat generated by the transformer. The bracket member includes a contact surface for contacting a top surface of the transformer, the contact surface having an area sufficient to contact substantially all of the top surface of the transformer. |
| US08902580B2 |
Heat dissipation device with fastener
A heat dissipation device includes a base and a fastener. The fastener includes a neck portion, a head portion formed at one end of the neck portion, and an engaging portion formed at another opposite end of the neck portion. The base defines a receiving portion through the base. The receiving portion includes an inserting hole and a mounting hole communicating with the inserting hole. The engaging portion extends through the inserting hole from a top of the base to make the neck portion enter the inserting hole. The neck portion is then crushed into the mounting hole from the inserting hole. The engaging portion abuts the bottom side of the base at a periphery of the mounting hole. The head portion abuts the top side of the base at the periphery of the mounting hole. |
| US08902579B1 |
Drive bias and damping for trayless disk drive enclosures
A disk drive enclosure may comprise a tray-less chassis comprising a backplane and defining an opening configured to receive a disk drive. A door may be coupled to the tray-less chassis and configured to enclose the disk drive within the opening when the door is closed. An elastomeric element may be configured to bias the disk drive against the backplane when the door is closed and may be further configured to provide damping so as to dissipate energy imparted to the tray-less chassis during the operation of the disk drive. |
| US08902577B2 |
Composite card-type structure having an integrated circuit module and a carrier
The present invention relates to a card-type composite interface structure comprising at least an integrated circuit module and a carrier: the carrier's height exactly matches a card reader's height and a composite connector's metal contacts are securely and electrically connected to a card reader when the carrier with the integrated circuit module mounted is inserted into a card reader; a support pad which is removed out of the carrier and toward the carrier's lower surface has its length exactly matching the height of a USB port in one computer in order to reliably sustain a supporting segment and make the composite connector's metal contacts electrically connected to the USB port when a driven structure is shifted to a default direction under effect of a user's force. |
| US08902570B2 |
Panelboard enclosure with improved external power cutoff switch
An electrical panelboard enclosure includes an enclosure housing with an interior equipment chamber accessible by way of a service entrance door. A service panel is configured to receive power from a main power source. A main power breaker has a main power breaker toggle switch and is positionable between a power-on state and a power-off state to selectively activate and deactivate the main power. A power cutoff switch mechanism is operable from outside the service entrance door and is positionable between a power-on state and a power-off state to mechanically engage and deactivate the main power breaker toggle switch and cutoff the main power without opening the service entrance door. A lockout system is operable to prevent the service entrance door from being secured in a closed position unless the main power breaker and the power cutoff switch mechanism are in the same state. |
| US08902569B1 |
Rack power distribution unit with detachable cables
A system includes a rack, computing devices coupled to the rack, a rack PDU, and one or more input power cables. The rack PDU includes an enclosure, two or more power input receptacles on the enclosure, and two or more power output receptacles on the enclosure. The output power receptacles supply power to the computing devices. The input power cables are coupled in one or more of the power input receptacles. The input power cables supply electrical power from an electrical power system to the rack PDU. |
| US08902566B2 |
Capacitor, and method for producing the same
A capacitor has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a solid electrolyte layer arranged between the electrode layers. At least one of the electrode layers of this capacitor has an Al porous body, and an electrode body held in this Al porous body to polarize the electrolyte. The oxygen content in the surface of the Al porous body is 3.1% by mass or less. The matter that the oxygen content in the surface of the Al porous body is 3.1% by mass or less is equal to the matter that a high-resistance oxide film is hardly formed on the surface of the Al porous body. Thus, this Al porous body makes it possible to make the current collector area of the electrode layer large so that the capacitor can be improved in capacity. |
| US08902564B2 |
Multilayer ceramic electronic component
In a multilayer ceramic electronic component, when a region of a ceramic body in layers where neither of a first internal electrode and a second internal electrode is provided as viewed in a direction in which a plurality of ceramic layers are stacked on one another is defined as a non-effective layer region, a dummy lead-through conductor is arranged in the non-effective layer region so as to lead to at least two locations on portions of superficies of the ceramic body and be electrically connected to a second external electrode. When a conductive medium is brought into contact with one of a plurality of exposed edges of the dummy lead-through conductor, a current is also applied to the other exposed edges. |
| US08902558B2 |
Control device for controlling a circuit breaker, and methods
A control device for controlling a circuit breaker. The control device includes a central processing unit and is arranged to communicate with an output module arranged to output operational commands to the circuit breaker. The output module includes processing means arranged to execute an operational command at a point of time received from the central processing unit. The invention also encompasses related methods. |
| US08902557B2 |
Fault protector for opto-electronic devices and associated methods
A fault protector for an opto-electronic device includes a MOSFET having an integral body-diode. A capacitor is connected between a drain and a gate of the MOSFET, and a resistor is connected between the gate and a source of the MOSFET. The drain of the MOSFET is connectable to a first terminal of an opto-electronic device, and the source of the MOSFET is connectable to a second terminal of the opto-electronic device. The device overcomes problems of previously known techniques by preventing a reverse-bias voltage from exceeding an absolute maximum specified by a manufacturer, and also prevents ESD or other power-related faults from exceeding the maximum forward-bias voltage of the laser diode, while not adding significant resistance or capacitance to the laser diode, thereby not complicating the task of driving the laser diode. |
| US08902556B2 |
Protection circuit
A protection circuit includes a surge absorber, a switch device electrically connected to the surge absorber and having a first conductor and a second conductor, and a heat-shrinkable device disposed on an outer periphery of the surge absorber and shrinking in accordance with temperature of the surge absorber. The first conductor has a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The surge absorber is connected to the first connecting portion. When the switch device is in an initial state, the second connecting portion electrically contacts the second conductor, and when the heat-shrinkable device shrinks to separate the second connecting portion from the second conductor, the switch device is switched off. |
| US08902555B2 |
Smart alarm plug, socket, wall-mounted socket or connector
A smart alarm plug, socket, wall-mounted socket or connector includes a casing, a normally-open temperature control switch, a normally-closed temperature control switch and an alarm device. The casing is provided with a live wire pin, a neutral wire pin, an earth wire pin, and connecting core wires. The heat resistance value of the normally-closed temperature control switch is greater than the heat resistance value of the normally-open temperature control switch. When the temperature of the power wire is abnormal, the normally-open temperature control switch will be closed for the alarm device to connect with the power, such that the alarm device sends an alarm signal to warn the user to examine the circuit, providing a warning effect. When the temperature is over the preset value, the normally-closed temperature control switch will be opened to cut off power supply, achieving a fire alarm effect. |
| US08902554B1 |
Over-voltage tolerant circuit and method
Over-voltage tolerant circuits and methods are provided. In one embodiment, the circuit includes a pull-up transistor coupled to an I/O pad, a sensing circuit coupled to the I/O pad and to a voltage supply (Vcc), the sensing circuit configured to sense a voltage applied to the pad (Vpad), a latch coupled to the sensing circuit to retain an output of the sensing circuit, and a selection circuit coupled to the sensing circuit through the latch. The selection circuit includes a first bias circuit to apply Vcc to a well and gate of the pull-up transistor, a second bias circuit to apply Vpad to the gate and the well of the pull-up transistor, and a non-overlap circuit configured to ensure the gate and the well of the pull-up transistor is substantially always driven by either the first or the second bias circuit depending on the output of the sensing circuit. |
| US08902553B2 |
Measuring arrangement for determining a measured quantity
A measuring arrangement for determining at least one measured quantity with a sensor device and a transmitter device that has a control device, a switch device and a signal output setting device. The control device is connected to the signal output setting device in the case in which the switch device is in the first state. The signal output setting device generates a fault signal as an output signal when the switch device is in the second state and/or that the signal output setting device is free of a connection to the control device. The sensor device keeps the switch device in the first state when the sensor device is supplied with energy above a definable minimum value. The control device reduces the power supply of the sensor device to a definable boundary value when it recognizes the presence of a fault state. |
| US08902546B1 |
Head stack assembly with light shielding structure, and disk drive unit with the same
A head stack assembly includes a mounting base, a plurality of drive arms connected with the mounting base, and multiple pairs of head gimbal assemblies connected with the drive arms. Each head gimbal assembly includes a thermal assisted magnetic head, the thermal assisted magnetic head has an air bearing surface, a bottom surface opposite to the air bearing surface, and a laser diode module mounted on the bottom surface and adapted to emit a downward laser light to a write element of the thermal assisted magnetic head and an upward laser light, wherein a light shielding structure is provided to prevent the upward laser light emitting to other laser diode modules to generate light coupling, thereby improving thermal stability of the thermal assisted magnetic head. |