| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08960053B2 |
Manual driving device having functions of turning input direction and generating identification sound
A manpower-driven device has a bi-directional rotational input for providing output to the input end of a constant rotating direction output transmission device, which is used to drive a loading wheel train, wherein the direction of the driving input can be freely selected by the user. The manpower-driven device includes a rotation direction detection device and a sound generator whose sound output depends on the detected rotation direction. |
| US08960052B2 |
Device for exposing an opening in a housing part of a steering gear
A device for exposing at least one opening in a housing part of a steering gear in a vehicle steering system is provided with a closure element, which closes the opening, and an operating element. At least one of the properties of the operating element changes when coming in contact with a liquid so that the opening can be exposed by the closure element after cooperation of the operating element with the closure element. The closure element is at least partially covered by a cover part and is designed as a buoyant body, or is provided with one or more buoyant bodies, wherein the cover part completely exposes the opening when liquid makes contact with the cover part. |
| US08960043B2 |
Steering device
A steering device that is enabled to move and operate in multiple directions and has a simple configuration. A steering device is equipped with a steering member and a guide member, and the guide member is attached to an input shaft. The steering member is provided with left and right grips, and a movement direction changing mechanism is provided between the guide member and the left and right grips. If the left and right grips are operated by a small steering angle, the movement direction of the left and right grips is changed to the direction around the input shaft through the movement direction changing mechanism. When the left and right grips are operated by a large steering angle, the movement direction of the left and right grips is the direction around the input shaft. |
| US08960041B2 |
Shifting arrangement for displacing a selector fork
The disclosure relates to a shifting arrangement for displacing a selector fork of a multispeed transmission assembly along a selector rod. The shifting arrangement has a positioning element which is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis. The positioning element is connected to the selector fork, which is movably mounted on the selector rod, via a driving mechanism designed for converting the rotational movement of the positioning element into a sliding movement of the selector fork along the selector rod. The shifting arrangement further comprises also has a locking device for locking the selector fork in selected operating positions. The locking device is designed for establishing a locking connection between the positioning element and the selector fork. |
| US08960034B2 |
Vehicle drive device
In a vehicle drive device, a response to a range change request, during which the drive wheels are rotated in a low or high range, can be smoothly and quickly completed without using a synchronous engaging mechanism. When the range change is requested when the drive wheels are rotated in the low range or in the high range, the control devices disengage a clutch sleeve from a currently engaged gear piece so as to establish a neutral range, and control an output rotational speed of the motor generator such that a difference between an input rotational speed and an output rotational speed of the transmission mechanism is set to be zero, or be equal to or less than a predetermined value. After that, the control devices cause a connection processor to slide the clutch sleeve to be connected to a connection target gear piece. |
| US08960030B2 |
Steering lock device
An actuator (A) of a steering lock device includes a tubular member (17) that is fitted around an outer periphery of a lock pin (14) and is rotated by an electric motor (19), a helical cam groove (14e) is provided, among an inner peripheral face of the tubular member (17) and an outer peripheral face of the lock pin (14), in the outer peripheral face of the lock pin (14), a ball (21) is disposed between the cam groove (14e) and a ball retaining groove (17a, 17a) of the tubular member (17), and a guide pin (23) implanted in the lock pin (14) opposes a cam face (17d) formed on the inner peripheral face of the tubular member (17). Even when a bottom part of the ball retaining groove (17a, 17a) is worn and the lock pin (14) cannot be pulled out from a recess (12a) by the cam groove (14e), the lock pin (14) can be pulled out completely from the recess (12a) by the cam face (17d) and the guide pin (23) and, moreover, since the cam groove (14e) and the cam face (17d) are provided so as to be divided between the tubular member (17) and the lock pin (14), it is possible to achieve a reduction in the size of the actuator (A). |
| US08960027B2 |
Method for classifying powder
Provided is a method for classifying a powder using a classifier, wherein the method comprises: a mixing step for mixing a powder and an auxiliary agent formed from an alcohol aqueous solution containing 10 to 50 mass % of an alcohol; an introduction step for introducing the powder mixed in the mixing step to the classifier; a heating step for heating a gas; a feed step for feeding the gas heated in the heating step to the classifier; and a classifying step for classifying the powder in the classifier on the basis of grain size. |
| US08960026B2 |
Sample collection device
Provided herein is technology relating to collecting samples of soft matter compositions, and particularly, but not exclusively, to devices and methods for collecting stool samples. |
| US08960024B2 |
Diaphragm type displacement sensor detecting moment
A displacement sensor having a sensing body, a strain gauge, and a signal processing unit. The sensing body having a diaphragm positioned at a lower surface of the sensing body and an input bar orthogonally fixed at a center of an upper surface of the sensing body. The strain gauge attaches to the diaphragm. The signal processing unit generates an electrical signal based on an output value of the strain gauge corresponding to strain of the diaphragm caused by moment of the input bar. |
| US08960019B1 |
Fuel dispenser time synchronization and geotracking
A fuel dispenser has internal fuel flow piping, a flow meter located along the internal fuel flow piping, and a displacement sensor operatively connected to the flow meter to generate information representative of an amount of fuel passing through the flow meter. The fuel dispenser also has a control system comprising a memory. In embodiments, however, the control system does not comprise a real-time clock. The fuel dispenser also comprises a synchronization module in electronic communication with the control system. The synchronization module comprises at least one antenna configured to receive a carrier wave modulated with synchronization information. Methods for obtaining accurate time information at the fuel dispenser are also disclosed. |
| US08960015B2 |
Load test stand
A load test stand includes a frame, a flange, and a spring mechanism. The spring mechanism is mounted on the frame and includes a symmetrical arrangement of at least four spring elements. The spring mechanism also includes frame points connecting the spring mechanism and the frame and articulation points connecting the spring mechanism and the flange. The flange can be coupled, by an adapter, to the output shaft of a servo system that is to be tested. |
| US08960008B1 |
System for measuring vibrations occuring on a surface
A device and system is provided for amplifying vibrations resulting from underwater acoustic signals. In operation, a laser interrogation beam is directed along an axis at the retro-reflector device and is responsive to reflections directed along the axis of the interrogation beam. The retro-reflector device reflects a signal back to a source and a tracking signal superimposed on an interrogation beam enables continuous sensing of the reflected signal to reduce signal dropout. A glint tracker is provided for steering the tracking beam on the surface. A tracker system superimposes the tracking and interrogation beams and is responsive to reflected glints in order to establish a directional location. An interferometer responsive to the reflected interrogation beam produces an interference signal for enabling continuous measurement of surface vibrations. |
| US08960005B2 |
Frequency-steered acoustic transducer (FSAT) using a spiral array
Frequency-steerable acoustic transducers (FSATs) that allow directional generation or sensing of waves propagating in two-dimensional domains. Directionality is the result of the spatial filtering effect produced by the characteristic shape of the sensing surface. A wavenumber spiral FSAT (WS-FSAT) maps the direction of wave sensing in the [0°, 180°] range to a specific frequency component in the spectrum of the received signal. The use of a wavenumber spiral FSAT operating in sensing mode can be used for the localization of broadband acoustic events. One configuration includes a broadband source generating guided elastic waves in an isotropic plate. The WS-FSAT records the plate response and defines the source location through a time-frequency analysis of the received signal. The frequency selective response of the WS-FSAT directly maps the dominant component of the received signal to the direction of arrival of the incoming wave, thus greatly facilitating the source localization procedure. |
| US08960000B2 |
Sensor device, and electronic apparatus
A sensor device includes a mounting member having fixation surfaces inside, and at least one electronic component directly or indirectly fixed to the fixation surfaces of the mounting member, and the mounting member constitutes a part of a casing for housing the electronic component. Further, the fixation surfaces are perpendicular to each other. |
| US08959994B2 |
Thermal sensor with temperature control
In a thermal sensor. a capacitor voltage of a capacitor is compared with a reference voltage, and an output voltage is generated based on the comparison. The output voltage has a pulse density indicative of a temperature detected by the thermal sensor. The capacitor is charged or discharged using at least one of a first current signal or a second current signal based on a logic level of the output voltage. The first current signal is a temperature-independent signal, and the second current signal is a temperature-dependent signal dependent on the temperature detected by the thermal sensor. In some embodiments, a clock rate of a clock signal is varied in accordance with the detected temperature to control a timing operation for supplying the first current signal to the capacitor and/or the reference voltage is varied in accordance with the detected temperature. |
| US08959990B2 |
Arrangement of a tire pressure sensor unit
An arrangement of a tire pressure sensor unit on the inner wall of the tread of a vehicle tire in a retaining device for the sensor unit is provided. The retaining device is connected to the inner wall, wherein a sealing compound is applied to the inner wall, or in the case of a retaining device having a closed bottom section which is connected to the inner wall, the sealing compound is applied to the bottom section facing the sensor unit. In the event that a foreign object punctures the inner wall, or punctures the inner wall and the bottom section, the sealing compound prevents at least a short-term loss of pressure caused by the hole resulting therefrom in that the sealing compound at least almost tightly seals the hole. |
| US08959988B2 |
Oxygen sensor control apparatus
In an oxygen sensor control apparatus, a CPU obtains a correction coefficient for calibrating the relation between output value of an oxygen sensor and oxygen concentration when a fuel cut operation is performed. When the amount of scavenging air (total supply amount of air) becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined amount in each fuel cut period, the CPU calculates an average output value Ipav from a plurality of output values (concentration corresponding values) Ipr of the oxygen sensor, from which values deviating from a predetermined range R1 have been removed. Subsequently, the CPU averages the values obtained in a plurality of fuel cut periods to thereby obtain a plural-time average output value Ipavf. The CPU obtains a correction coefficient for correcting the actual output value Ip of the oxygen sensor 20 on the basis of the Ipavf value and a previously set reference output value. |
| US08959985B2 |
Microparticle detecting apparatus
A microparticle detecting apparatus is disclosed and includes at least one detection unit, each of which includes: a first sieve having at least a first mesh, a separator stacked on one side of the first sieve and having a separator hole, and a second sieve stacked on one side of the separator and having several second meshes. The diameter of the second mesh is smaller than that of the first mesh, and the first and second meshes are misaligned with each other in a vertical direction of the first and second sieves. The detection unit further includes at least a sensor aligned with the first or second mesh for detecting microparticles trapping into the first mesh or passing through the second mesh. Therefore, the microparticle detecting apparatus is suitably used for detecting or counting any microparticles with different size, to effectively shorten the detection processes of sample fluids. |
| US08959984B2 |
Proteome-wide quantification of small molecule binding to cellular target proteins
This invention relates to methods for the evaluation and/or quantification of the binding affinity of small molecules or other compounds to target components contained within an analyte, such as target proteins contained within the proteome of a cell or tissue. |
| US08959980B2 |
Nanomechanical testing system
An automated testing system includes systems and methods to facilitate inline production testing of samples at a micro (multiple microns) or less scale with a mechanical testing instrument. In an example, the system includes a probe changing assembly for coupling and decoupling a probe of the instrument. The probe changing assembly includes a probe change unit configured to grasp one of a plurality of probes in a probe magazine and couple one of the probes with an instrument probe receptacle. An actuator is coupled with the probe change unit, and the actuator is configured to move and align the probe change unit with the probe magazine and the instrument probe receptacle. In another example, the automated testing system includes a multiple degree of freedom stage for aligning a sample testing location with the instrument. The stage includes a sample stage and a stage actuator assembly including translational and rotational actuators. |
| US08959976B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing a metal plate for a duct, including mesh-type beads
The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a metal plate for a duct. The apparatus includes a frame (F) constituted by connecting metal pieces in a form of a box; roll stands (F2) vertically installed on a top surface of the frame (F); upper and lower bead processing rolls (2 and 4) provided at both ends thereof with shafts (S1 and S2) and formed on outer surfaces thereof with embossments and intaglios; a feeding part (100) including idle rollers (110) to stably feed metal plates from a rear of the upper and lower bead processing rolls (2 and 4); first and second gears (S1-1 and S2-2) coupled to the shafts (S1 and S2) of the upper and lower bead processing rolls (2 and 4); a pulley (76) coupled to the second gear (S2-2); and a driving unit (7) including a driving motor (72). |
| US08959973B2 |
Method and device for the coreless forming of hollow profiles
A method for the production of a hollow section from a blank, wherein the blank is introduced between two coreless halves of a die which have a desired section shape and can be displaced relative to one another and the blank is formed into a slotted hollow section by a closing movement of the halves of the die, includes preventing edges of the blank from sliding ahead during the closing movement of the die. A device for the production of hollow sections, which device has two coreless halves of a die which are positioned displaceably relative to one another and optionally a base plate, the halves of the die having the desired section shape of the hollow section which is to be formed includes means which, when the coreless halves are closing, prevent edges of a blank from sliding ahead to produce a slotted hollow section. |
| US08959972B2 |
Top cap of bicycle handlebar stem tube and method for manufacturing same
A top cap is provided for a bicycle handlebar stem. The top cap includes a cap body, which has a lower portion forming a fitting cylinder of a reduced diameter and a radially expanding circumferential shoulder atop the fitting cylinder. A barrel extends from a bottom of the fitting cylinder. The barrel forms a downward-facing hollow blind hole. The cap body forms a bolt head hole extending therethrough and coaxial with and communicating the blind hole. The barrel forms slits, which define a tightening section. |
| US08959969B2 |
Method and device for manufacturing separator for polymer electrolyte fuel cell
Elimination of play between rolls 13 and main bearings 12 in a non-forming area and forming of material to be formed in a forming area are repeated while play between a housing 10 for the rolls 13 and main bearing axle boxes 11 is always eliminated. |
| US08959967B1 |
Controlled flattening of sheet materials
Controlling a flatness of a first surface of a sheet material can include: (a) determining a first surface contour of the first surface of the sheet; (b) applying compressive stresses to one or more portions of the first surface of the sheet after the determination of the first surface contour of the sheet; (c) annealing compressive stresses in one or more portions of the first surface of the sheet after the determination of the first surface contour of the sheet; (d) determining a second surface contour of the first surface of the sheet after the compressive stresses have been applied to, and annealed from, the sheet; (e) comparing the second surface contour to a threshold flatness; and (f) performing (b)-(e) one or more times until the determined second surface contour is less than the threshold flatness. |
| US08959966B2 |
Magnetic gate latch
A latch has a magnet in one unit and an attracted element (e.g. ferromagnetic structure or another magnet) in second unit with a latching mechanism which operate under magnetic attraction. The latch has an actuator connected to a linkage to cause displacement of the magnet or the attracted element in a direction substantially normal to the axis of pivoting. |
| US08959960B2 |
Appliance door prop mechanism
A latch plate and striker assembly serve also to prop open the door of a front load laundry washer or other washing or laundry appliance, so as to releasably maintain the door in an open, chamber venting position (regardless of whether the appliance installation is perfectly level). The latch plate also includes a ramped receptacle, and the strike structure includes a prong designed to be guided into the receptacle by the ramp, to align (as necessary) the door strike with the door latch/lock as the door is closed. |
| US08959956B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling moisture in the manufacture of glass fiber insulation
Apparatus, systems and methods for making a fibrous products form molten material into fibers. The fibers are sprayed with a coolant liquid to cool the fibers. A flow rate of the sprayed coolant liquid is controllable. The fibers are also sprayed with a binder dispersion. The fibers are directed toward a conveyor to form an uncured fibrous pack. A thickness of the uncured pack is measured and the flow rate of the sprayed coolant liquid is controlled based on the measured thickness of the uncured pack. |
| US08959954B2 |
Proppants from mineralogical material
A process for producing proppants from waste mineralogical material. The process can include providing the waste mineralogical material in a form such as particles, fines, dust, powders, and the like, and forming a plurality of “green” pellets from the waste mineralogical material. Thereafter, the plurality of green pellets are fed into a provided flame drop tower that has a combustion flame, a hot zone, and a collection basin located downstream from the hot zone. The plurality of green pellets pass through the hot zone, are melted and subsequently solidified in the shape of a sphere downstream from the hot zone to form vitrified glass spheres. In some instances, the vitrified glass spheres are subjected to a devitrification step. |
| US08959953B2 |
Method for making strengthened glass
There is a method for making. The method includes providing an untreated alkali aluminosilicate glass having an annealing point temperature that is at least about 580° C. The method also includes providing a mixed potassium and sodium salt bath having greater than about 50 mole % potassium salt and less than about 50 mole % sodium salt. The method also includes immersing the untreated glass in the mixed salt bath and maintaining the mixed salt bath with the immersed untreated glass within a temperature range from about 450° C. to less than the annealing point temperature of the untreated glass for a period greater than about 2 hours to produce a strengthened glass. The produced strengthened glass has a surface compression of at least about 100,000 psi and a compression case depth of at least about 600 microns. |
| US08959952B2 |
Method for separating a mixture of carbon monoxide, methane, hydrogen and optionally nitrogen by cryogenic distillation
The invention relates to a method for separating a mixture comprising at least carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane. According to said method, the mixture is separated by a first separating means, at least one liquid fraction of the chamber of the separating means is sent to a product stripper, and at least part of the liquid fraction is sent from the product stripper to a CO/CH4 separating column in order to produce a methane-enriched liquid flow and a gaseous flow enriched with carbon monoxide. The process is carried out under cold conditions at least partially as a result of a carbon monoxide cycle, said cycle at least partially ensuring the condensation at the top of the CO/CH4 separating column and/or the reboiling in the chamber of the product stripper and/or the reboiling in the chamber of the CO/CH4 separating column and/or the cooling of the mixture for the first separating means. |
| US08959951B2 |
Refrigeration apparatus controlling opening degree of a second expansion mechanism based on air temperature at the evaporator or refergerant temperature at the outlet of a two stage compression element
A refrigerating apparatus, where refrigerant reaches a supercritical state in at least part of a refrigeration cycle, includes at least one expansion mechanism, an evaporator connected to the expansion mechanism, first and second sequential compression elements, a radiator connected to the discharge side of the second compression element, a first refrigerant pipe interconnecting the radiator and the expansion mechanism, a heat exchanger arranged to cause heat exchange between the first refrigerant pipe and another refrigerant pipe. Preferably, a heat exchanger switching mechanism is switchable so that refrigerant flows in the first refrigerant pipe through the first heat exchanger or in a heat exchange bypass pipe connected to the first refrigerant pipe. Alternatively, a heat exchanger switching mechanism increases refrigerant flowing through a second expansion mechanism when an air temperature at the evaporator and/or a compressed refrigerant temperature detected is higher and/or lower than predetermined values. |
| US08959949B2 |
Turbo compressor
Provided is a drive shaft structure including: a drive shaft which transmits the drive force; and a seal member which is provided to come into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft. In the drive shaft structure, the drive shaft includes a second surface located closer to the inner side of the radial direction than the outer peripheral surface, and the second surface includes an index mark used to confirm information on the rotation of the drive shaft or information on the displacement thereof in the axial direction. |
| US08959946B2 |
Refrigerator having an insulated cool air duct
A refrigerator is provided having an outer housing and an inner housing which is at a distance from the outer housing and is surrounded by the latter, with the hollow space produced between the outer housing and the inner housing being filled with foam for insulation purposes. An inner chamber is surrounded by the inner housing and is cooled by the circulation of cooling air supplied to the inner chamber by means of a cooling-air duct and is arranged between the outer housing and the inner housing. A method is provided for forming the cooling-air duct from a shaped part that has insulating material and a closed rear-wall element and rests on an outer face of the inner housing. |
| US08959944B2 |
Centrifugal Air Cycle Air Conditioner
The air conditioning system uses an air cycle thermodynamic process. The system comprises a centrifuge. This centrifuge includes at one of its ends, an axial inlet that funnels air into a centrifugal compressor rotating in unison with the centrifuge. The air is compressed, adiabatically heated and directed to a heat exchanger mounted in the rim of, and rotating with the centrifuge. The air is accelerated with respect the centrifuge by varying the centrifuge radius or by using forward leaning impeller blades. The air is cooled by the heat exchanger and directed to an expander also rotating with the centrifuge. The air is expanded and adiabatically further cooled. The cold air exits the centrifuge through an axial outlet located at the second end of the centrifuge. |
| US08959943B2 |
Ice agitator
An ice agitation system includes an adaptor and an ice agitator. The adaptor includes a disk portion and an auger mounting channel. The auger mounting channel is configured to mount to a shaft of an auger such that the adaptor rotates with the shaft of the auger. The auger mounting channel extends in a direction parallel to and offset from a center axis of a disk formed by the disk portion. The ice agitator includes a hook and an arm that extends from the hook away from the center axis of the disk. The hook is mounted to the disk. |
| US08959942B2 |
Outdoor unit for air conditioner
The present invention aims to prevent freezing of water droplets, etc. between a fan and a bell mouth. An outdoor unit for an air conditioner includes an eaves member that is placed above an air outlet formed by a bell mouth in close adherence with a front panel, and that protrudes toward a side of an outlet grille. Particularly, the eaves member is placed with a space from the outlet grille. |
| US08959939B2 |
Refrigerator and ice maker with optical sensor to detect ice level
An ice detecting apparatus for a refrigerator the apparatus includes an ice maker, an ice container to collect ice made by the ice maker, and an ice detecting sensor to detect an amount of ice stored in the ice container. The ice detecting sensor has a transmitter module provided on one side of the ice maker and a receiver module provided on another side of the ice maker. The transmitter module is separated by a prescribed distance from the receiver module. At least one of the transmitter module or receiver module includes at least one optical element and at least one heater, and the heater is made of an electroconductive heating material. |
| US08959935B2 |
Freezing microtome and method for producing microscopable thin sections
A freezing microtome for the production of microscopable thin sections of tissue samples (60), comprising a cooling device (24, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 46, 48, 50, 52) for freezing the tissue samples (60), a cutting device for cutting the frozen tissue samples (60) and a working chamber, in which the cutting device and at least a part of the cooling device (24, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 46, 48, 50, 52) are arranged is described. The part of the cooling device (24, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 46, 48, 50, 52) arranged in the working chamber contains a liquid coolant (70), in which the tissue samples (60) can be inserted for freezing. |
| US08959931B2 |
Transporting and managing liquefied natural gas
The present application is directed to methods and systems for transporting or importing LNG via vessels. Under the present techniques, SRTs, which are equipped with regasification equipment, LNG offloading equipment (e.g. marinized mechanical loading arms), LNG storage tanks, and equipment to transfer natural gas to an import terminal are utilized as temporary interchangeable FSRUs (TIFs). Two or more TIFs in conjunction with transport vessels (e.g. LNGCs) are utilized to transfer LNG between an export terminal and an import terminal. A first of the TIFs is utilized at an import terminal to offload LNG from LNGCs, while the second of the TIFs is utilized as a LNGC, carrying LNG between the export terminal and import terminal. The first of the TIFs may be replaced by the second of the TIFs to maintain operations for the import terminal. The use of multiple TIFs in combination with LNGCs provides an alterative LNG delivery approach in comparison to having a permanently moored FSRU located at the import terminal or using a fleet of SRT vessels to transport LNG between an export terminal and an import terminal. |
| US08959928B2 |
Positioning arrangement for components of a pressure vessel and method
The positioning arrangement comprises at least one pair of complimentary rounded recesses, each recess being provided on the mating face of the corresponding component. One ball is positioned between each pair of complementary recesses. |
| US08959926B2 |
Gas turbine high pressure compressor fluid return and reinjection including an annular air bleeding manifold
A turbomachine including an intermediate casing including, fastened to the end thereof, an outer casing of a high pressure compressor, and an air bleed mechanism bleeding air downstream from the stream through the compressor and including an outlet connected to an air reinjection mechanism reinjecting air upstream from the compressor via an annular manifold surrounding the inner wall of the intermediate casing and situated radially between the inner wall and an outer wall defining a secondary flow stream of the turbomachine. |
| US08959925B2 |
Combustor recovery method and system
A method is disclosed for controlling gas turbine operation in response to lean blowout of a combustion can. The gas turbine comprises a pair of combustion cans. The method includes sensing that a first combustion can is extinguished during a full load operation of the gas turbine, adjusting a fuel ratio between the fuel nozzles in each can, delivering a richer fuel mixture to the fuel nozzles nearest to the cross-fire tubes, generating a cross-fire from the second combustion can to the first combustion can, detecting a recovery of the turbine load, and adjusting the fuel ratio to the normal balanced fuel distribution between the fuel nozzles in each can. |
| US08959924B2 |
Aircraft turbofan engine
Disclosed is a turbofan engine for an aircraft. An inner fan cowl of the turbofan engine bounds an annular cold-stream duct proximate to the engine's central hot-stream generator, and an outer fan cowl bounds the annular cold-stream duct proximate to an outer nacelle cowl. An annular boss is provided along the inner fan cowl, with the annular boss having a rounded cross section that projects with respect to a smooth shape configuration of the inner fan cowl. The annular boss is configured to locally change speed of a cold stream flow in the annular cold-stream duct from a subsonic range to a supersonic range and to originate a first shockwave characteristic in a succession of shockwave characteristics, with the first shockwave characteristic being inclined from its origin toward the rear portion of the turbofan engine. |
| US08959923B2 |
Arrangement for preparation of a fuel for combustion
An arrangement for preparation of a fuel for combustion including a burner is provided. The arrangement includes a combustion chamber associated with the burner and in which combustion of a fuel is to take place, as well as means for supplying liquid fuel to the arrangement through an internal passage in the burner for the combustion, solid portions of the burner body being heated by the combustion, wherein the internal passage is located inside the solid portions of the burner body for receiving heat energy evaporating the fuel from these body portions, and that it includes means for conveying vaporized fuel to the combustion chamber to take part in the combustion. |
| US08959920B2 |
Aircraft engine fuel pump bearing flow and associated system and method
An assembly or system is provided for selectively regulating journal bearing lubrication between at least first and second levels in an aircraft engine. A high pressure pump includes movable portions at least in part supported by a journal bearing. A selector valve is configured to selectively supply lubrication flow to the journal bearing. In addition, a relief valve is configured to receive a signal from the selector valve defining a pressure level at which the relief valve should relieve pressure. |
| US08959916B2 |
Thermal power plant
A thermal power plant is proposed for achieving high reliability, low material cost, and low construction cost by devising the arrangement and structures of a boiler, steam turbines, and a flue gas treatment apparatus to reduce a usage amount of high-temperature resistance material and further to reduce a thermal elongation of piping. In a thermal power plant including a 2 pass-type boiler having a furnace for burning fuel, a rear heat recovery area for recovering heat from combustion gas exhausted from the furnace, steam turbines are arranged near the rear heat recovery area. |
| US08959915B2 |
Waste heat steam generator
A waste heat steam generator for a gas and steam turbine power plant is provided. The generator has economizer, evaporator and superheater heating surfaces which form a flow path and through which a flow medium flows. An overflow line branches off from the flow path and leads to injection valves arranged downstream at a flow side of a superheater heating surface in the flow path. The overflow line permits a brief power increase of a downstream steam turbine without resulting in an excessive loss in efficiency of the steam process. The brief power increase is permitted independently of the type of waste heat steam generator. The branch location of the overflow line is arranged upstream of an evaporator heating surface at the flow medium side and downstream of an economizer heating surface. |
| US08959914B2 |
Waste heat utilization device for internal combustion engine
A waste heat utilization device (2) for an internal combustion engine has a Rankine cycle (8) that recovers waste heat from an internal combustion engine (4), a generator (30) that is rotationally driven by an expander (14) and converts a rotational drive force into electric power, a converter (32) that controls the rotational speed of the expander (14) through the generator (30), refrigerant-condition detecting means (22, 24, 26, 28) that detects the pressure and temperature of a refrigerant passing through the expander (14), and a controller (34) that calculates pressure ratio Rp of the refrigerant in the immediate upstream and downstream of the expander (14) and specific heat ratio K of the refrigerant passing through the expander (14) on the basis of the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant, which have been detected by the refrigerant-condition detecting means (22, 24, 26, 28), calculates a preset pressure ratio Rps of the pressure ratio Rp by multiplying predetermined volume ratio Rv of the expander (14) by the specific heat ratio K, and specifies rotational speed N of the expander (14) to the converter (32) on the basis of the pressure ratio Rp and the preset pressure ratio Rps. |
| US08959905B2 |
Hydrostatic drive system
A hydrostatic drive system has a motor-driven hydraulic pump (1) connected to at least one hydraulic drive unit (7) by a first working line (19) and a second working line (21) forming a hydraulic circuit. The drive unit is connected to a gear set (1, 3). A first hydraulic accumulator (53) for accumulating pressure energy can be connected to one of the working lines (19, 21). A second hydraulic accumulator (55) can be connected to the other working line (19, 21). A valve device (V1, V2) permits the segment (23, 25) of each working line (19 or 21) extending to the drive unit (7) to be separated to separate an accumulator part (33) from the part of the circuit with the hydraulic pump (13). The accumulator part includes the hydraulic accumulators (53, 55) and at least one drive unit. |
| US08959903B2 |
Systems and techniques for heating urea injection systems
A reductant delivery system is provided for delivery of reductant to an engine exhaust aftertreatment system that is heated during cold temperature conditions. A heat exchange fluid flows through a heat exchange circuit that provides a flow path from the heat source to the doser, from the doser to the reductant storage tank, and from the reductant storage tank to the heat source. A control valve controls the flow of the heat exchange fluid in the heat exchange circuit so that at least one heat exchange cycle includes a circulation period that increases the temperature of the reductant in the doser and storage tank and a termination period where circulation is stopped until reductant temperature in the doser reaches a lower limit. |
| US08959900B2 |
Exhaust aftertreatment system for internal combustion engine
A mixing plenum for exhaust gas comprises a canister with an inlet and an outlet. A bulkhead is located downstream from the inlet to define an exhaust gas consolidation chamber. An opening in the bulkhead allows exhaust gas to enter a u-shape conduit configured to direct the exhaust gas from a downstream direction to an upstream direction before releasing the exhaust gas back into the plenum downstream of the bulkhead. An injector is configured to inject fluid into the exhaust gas entering the conduit. A conduit exit located a distance “E” from the downstream side of the bulkhead allows the exhaust gas/fluid mixture to exit the conduit into a larger exit volume of the compact mixing can, in the manner of an expansion chamber, where its velocity slows and further mixing of the fluid/exhaust gas occurs and exits the compact mixing can through the outlet flange. |
| US08959895B2 |
Exhaust-gas aftertreatment device
An exhaust-gas aftertreatment device is provided, comprising a control unit for controlling a diaphragm pump that draws a urea/water solution out of a circuit and pumps it, via a pressure filter, to a metering unit comprising an atomizing nozzle for atomizing the urea/water solution into an exhaust-gas stream. The metering unit may also comprise a metering valve, including an atomizing nozzle, a pressure and temperature sensor, a heating means and a return baffle. |
| US08959892B2 |
Exhaust system having sensor placement detection
An exhaust control system for use with a combustion engine is disclosed. The system may have an exhaust passage, an exhaust sensor located within the exhaust passage and configured to generate a first signal indicative of an exhaust parameter, and an operational sensor associated with the combustion engine and configured to generate a second signal indicative of an operational parameter. The system may have a controller associated with the combustion engine, the exhaust sensor, and the operational sensor. The controller may be configured to detect a change in the operational parameter based on the second signal and to detect a change in the exhaust parameter based on the first signal. The controller may measure an elapsed time between detection of the change in the operational parameter and the change in the exhaust parameter, and determine a placement-related parameter of the exhaust sensor based on the elapsed time. |
| US08959891B2 |
Selective catalytic reduction system
A selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system that can detect whether or not a float is stuck even where a water level sensor that detects a liquid level in a stepwise manner is used, including: an urea injection quantity integrating unit that integrates an injected quantity of urea to calculate an urea injection quantity integrated value; an integrated value resetting unit that, if a detected value from detection means changes, resets the urea injection quantity integrated value; and an abnormality determination unit that, if the urea injection quantity integrated value exceeds a predetermined threshold value for determination, determines a level sensor as having an abnormality. |
| US08959888B2 |
Device to lower NOx in a gas turbine engine combustion system
An emissions control system for a gas turbine engine including a flow-directing structure (24) that delivers combustion gases (22) from a burner (32) to a turbine. The emissions control system includes: a conduit (48) configured to establish fluid communication between compressed air (22) and the combustion gases within the flow-directing structure (24). The compressed air (22) is disposed at a location upstream of a combustor head-end and exhibits an intermediate static pressure less than a static pressure of the combustion gases within the combustor (14). During operation of the gas turbine engine a pressure difference between the intermediate static pressure and a static pressure of the combustion gases within the flow-directing structure (24) is effective to generate a fluid flow through the conduit (48). |
| US08959886B2 |
Mesh cooled conduit for conveying combustion gases
A conduit through which hot combustion gases pass in a gas turbine engine. The conduit includes a wall structure having an inner surface, an outer surface, a region, an inlet, and an outlet. The inner surface defines an inner volume of the conduit. The region extends between the inner and outer surfaces and includes cooling fluid structure defining a plurality of cooling passageways. The inlet extends inwardly from the outer surface and provides fluid communication between the inlet and the passageways. The outlet extends from the passageways to the inner surface to provide fluid communication between the passageways and the inner volume. At least one first cooling passageway intersects with at least one second cooling passageway such that cooling fluid flowing through the first cooling passageway interacts with cooling fluid flowing through the second cooling passageway. |
| US08959885B2 |
Heat recovery from a gasification system
A heat recovery system for use with a gasification system is provided. One system includes a gasification system and an organic Rankine cycle system coupled to the gasification system. The organic Rankine cycle system is configured to receive heated fluid from the gasification system and to deliver cooled fluid to the gasification system. The organic Rankine cycle system is configured to produce power by converting heat energy in the heated fluid. |
| US08959884B2 |
Power plant with CO2 capture and compression
CO2 compression is a main step in carbon capture and storage, which is essential to control global warming. CO2 compressors are powered by electric motors, which increase operational flexibility but require much energy leading to additional expenses, power and efficiency losses. A method is provided for optimized operation of a plant including a power generation unit with a CO2 capture system and compressor with minimum losses during normal operation, allowing flexible part load. The method allows steam from the power unit to drive a steam turbine, which drives the CO2 compressor via an engaged overrunning clutch if a sufficient amount of steam is available from the power unit, and to drive it by the generator, which is used as motor when insufficient steam is available from the power unit. When no or insufficient steam is available the clutch is disengaged and the steam turbine may be at standstill or idling. |
| US08959880B2 |
Film-dispensing cassette and rimmed bag for waste-disposal unit
A film-supporting device is used with a waste-disposal unit. The device comprises an annular body. The annular body has an annular wall. The inward radial surface of the wall defines a central opening of the body. The outline of the central opening in a transverse plane of the device has variable diametrical dimensions with a first diameter of greater dimension than the second diameter. The outline has two of the first diameter of generally equal dimension and two of the second diameter of generally equal dimension. The device has tubular film about an outward radial surface of the annular body. A free annular end is dispensed outwardly from the annular wall. The free annular end is closed to form a bag. The opening of the bag is accessible through the central opening and is of optimized shape via the central opening for the disposal of waste. A method for disposing of waste on a scooping tool is also provided. |
| US08959877B2 |
Food packaging carton and method of making packaging carton
A packaging carton for a food product is disclosed, where the carton includes a front face, a back face, two side faces, a top face and a bottom face, where these faces define an interior storage cavity, at least the back face of the packaging carton includes a perforation defining an opening flap and the opening flap may be permanently removed by separating the opening flap from a face or faces of the carton along the perforation to define an access opening that allows access to the interior storage cavity. A method of making a packaging carton for a food product is also disclosed. |
| US08959875B2 |
Shingle with reinforcement layer
A shingle, a method of making it, and a roof embodying the shingle is provided, in which an exterior surface of the shingle is provided with an attached reinforcement layer through which fasteners may be applied when the shingle is applied to a roof. |
| US08959872B2 |
Systems, methods, and components for the construction and disassembly of raised panel assemblies
Systems, methods, and components for the construction and disassembly of raised panel assemblies. These systems, methods, and components may include a flow-limiting structure that is configured to define at least one boundary of a channel that includes at least a portion of a gap between adjacent raised panels and is configured to receive a sealant material. The flow-limiting structure may limit a flow of the sealant material therepast, thereby decreasing an overall volume of sealant material needed for construction of the raised panel assembly and/or limiting undesired adhesion of the raised panels to other structures. These systems, methods, and components also may include an elongate disassembly aid that is configured to sever at least a portion of the sealant material from between adjacent raised panels upon removal from the raised panel assembly, such as to decrease a time needed for disassembly and/or repair of the raised panel assembly. |
| US08959870B2 |
Fluid-actuated telescoping tower for supporting heavy loads
A fluid-actuated telescoping tower supporting an associated load at a height above an associated foundation includes a fluid barrier, first and second telescoping tubular tower sections, a fluid port configured to receive compressed fluid from an associated source into an interior space of the tower defined by the first and second tubular sections, and a fastening system for holding the first and second tubular sections in the extended position with the compressed fluid received in the interior space of the tower and for mechanically connecting the first and second tubular sections in the extended position with the compressed fluid exhausted from the interior space of the tower by the fluid port. A method of erecting a tower includes inflating nested first and second telescoping tubular tower sections, fastening the sections in an extended position, and depressurizing the tower. A method of collapsing uses a reversal of the erecting process. |
| US08959867B2 |
Systems and methods for constructing a building structure
A post-and-beam type structure includes: a connector having four plate portions forming a cruciform cross-section for the connector, the cruciform cross-section extending in a vertical direction, wherein the four plate portions define four quadrants; a first column configured for detachably coupling to a bottom portion of the connector; and a first beam with a first end configured for detachably coupling to a first one of the plate portions; wherein the first beam comprises a first beam member and a second beam member that are coupled to each other, and wherein the first end of the first beam is configured for placement in a first quadrant of the four quadrants. |
| US08959862B1 |
Thixotropic concrete forming system
The present invention discloses a method and a forming system that reduces the hydrostatic pressure caused by casting freshly mixed concrete or other cementicious material into vertical forms. Reducing the hydrostatic pressure in forms enables relatively weak materials to be used as form boards and minimizes the amount of bracing necessary to support the form boards—both of which lead to lower construction costs. The method uses the highly thixotropic properties of no-slump or low-slump concrete which enable the concrete to be quickly changed from a semi-solid state to a liquid and back to a semi-solid state numerous times before it hardens and without affecting the concrete's quality. Since hydrostatic pressure is only present when a liquid state exists, minimizing the amount of liquid concrete in vertical forms will also minimize the hydrostatic pressure present. |
| US08959859B2 |
Floor-to-ceiling partition wall assembly
A panel wall system includes a frame assembly adapted to support a plurality of skin assemblies in a floor-to-ceiling relationship, wherein the skin assemblies include solid panel assemblies as well as captured glass skin assemblies. The solid panel assemblies are coupled to the frame assembly with seal members disposed between the panel assemblies and the frame assembly. The seal members are unitary seal members able to seal adjacent panel assemblies on the frame assembly. |
| US08959855B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a window wall with flush slab edge covers
Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for providing a window wall with flush slab edge covers. A window wall system can include a sill receptor configured to fixably attach to a top surface of a slab. The window wall system may include a head receptor configured to fixably attach to an underside surface of the slab. The window wall system can include a window wall panel including panel infill and a panel sill configured to detachably couple to the sill receptor. The window wall system may include a slab edge cover including cover infill. The slab edge cover can be configured to detachably couple to the window wall panel and the head receptor. In various embodiments, an exterior surface of the panel infill and an exterior surface of the cover infill are configured to flushly align when the slab edge cover is detachably coupled to the window wall panel. |
| US08959853B2 |
Mounting system for a gasket which prevents water and moisture infiltration of the fascia region of a roof
A gasket for use on a drip edge flashing and a fascia board on a roof overhang is provided. The gasket is mounted intermediate the fascia of the sidewalls of a structure and the drip edge flashing which overhangs a portion of the perimeter of the roof. The drip edge flashing has a u-shaped element which is adapted to receive a bracket which is attached to the gasket. The gasket may also be affixed to the fascia board by an adhesive. The gasket prevents ice, water and humidity from entering any of the sub-roof structure, which inhibits rot, molds or insect infestation. The gasket may be placed on new structures or retrofit. In the retrofit embodiment, a support flashing with a u-shaped element is interfit between the drip edge flashing and the gasket. In this case the u-shaped element on the support flashing receives the gasket bracket therein. |
| US08959849B1 |
Light steel frame structure for deck
A metal deck kit for erecting a metal deck appurtenant a residential structure. The kit includes a plurality of metal components including support posts, girders, joists, bridging elements, rim tracks, ledgers, along with various connectors, stiffeners, adapters, and brackets for connecting the components together to form a metal deck. Vibration or shock absorbing pads are included for use between various components to reduce shock and vibration transmission through portions of the metal deck. A method of forming a metal deck using these components is also provided. |
| US08959846B2 |
Granular material storage capacity increasing device and system
A granular material storage capacity increasing device and system includes a housing including a first and second side walls each having an upper edge. A roof structure is attached to and extends between the first and second side walls. The roof structure includes roof trusses each having an inner chord. A plurality of curtain assemblies is attached to the roof structure to define an auxiliary storage capacity. At least one of the curtain assemblies is mounted adjacent to and associated with the first side wall and at least one of the curtain assemblies is mounted adjacent to and associated with the second side wall. Each of the curtain assemblies a flexible panel extending between and is attached to two inner chords. A top edge attached to the inner chords and bottom edge attached to one of the first or second side walls. |
| US08959845B2 |
System and method for structure design
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides complex curved structures and methods of making the same without requiring specially made frames or the like. These structures may include complex multi-axis, spherical, semi-spherical, twisted, or other like curves, for example. In this illustrative embodiment, individually sized boxes are stacked or assembled to form the structure. |
| US08959844B2 |
Cantilevered structure
A deck for positioning adjacent a structure may include a foundation configured for positioning relatively proximate to the structure, a frame extending from the foundation, and a deck system arranged about and supported by the frame, wherein the deck is adapted for positioning adjacent the structure and for cantilevering away from the structure. |
| US08959842B2 |
Prefabricated flashing product
A prefabricated flashing product for an opening in an exterior surface of a structure includes a generally planar flange shaped to conform to the exterior surface, the flange extending outwardly from an entire perimeter of an aperture therein that corresponds to the opening, and a return that seals to the flange about the aperture and extends substantially perpendicularly therefrom toward an inward direction of the opening. The flange and the return are monolithically formed of a waterproof material. A method of integrating a fenestration product into an opening of an exterior surface of a structure includes inserting the flashing product described above into the opening, and inserting the fenestration product at least partially into the aperture of the flashing product. |
| US08959839B1 |
Foam-filled, membrane-covered barrier for raising flat roof low areas
A low cost method for constructing barriers to eliminate a flat or low pitch roof's low spots. Puddles, if allowed to stand there, shorten the roof's life and can do structural damage to the roof deck. Each barrier includes a flexible membrane initially sized and shaped and then positioned to cover at least one low spot and substantially overlap the latter's edges. So positioned, the membrane is heat welded or otherwise joined to form a continuous watertight seal, along its outer periphery, between the membrane and an existing roof deck covering and, when the low spot is next to a parapet, the existing parapet covering as well. Filled with a solidified plastic foam sandwiched between the membrane and the existing covering(s), such barriers, once they have been mechanically fastened to the roof deck and, if necessary, to the parapet, permanently direct storm water away from each of the roof's barrier-covered low spots. |
| US08959835B2 |
Window unit
A window unit (102), comprising: a first sheet (301); a second sheet portion (304); a third sheet portion (308); and an actuation means. The first sheet (301) defines first high transmittance regions (302A, 302B) and first low transmittance regions (303A, 303B). The second sheet portion (304) is positioned substantially parallel to the first sheet, and defines second high transmittance regions (306A, 306B) and second low transmittance regions (307A, 307B). The third sheet portion (308) is positioned substantially parallel to the second sheet portion, and defines third high transmittance regions (309A, 309B) and third low transmittance regions (310A, 310B). The actuation means (507, 523, 524) is configured to simultaneously move the second sheet portion and the third sheet portion from an open configuration, to a closed configuration. In the open configuration the second and third high transmittance regions are aligned with the first high transmittance regions. In the closed configuration, the second high transmittance regions are not aligned with the first high transmittance regions and the third high transmittance regions are not aligned with the first or second high transmittance regions. |
| US08959830B2 |
Flying insect trap
The present invention relates to fly and insect traps and more particularly to a trap capable of suctionally engaging a substantially flat non-porous surface that selectively traps insects. The trap is preferably constructed from a top vessel member, a bottom vessel member and a hollow frustum providing point of entry about the bottom vessel member. |
| US08959829B2 |
Rodent trap mounting member and method
A rodent trap mounting platform is provided to which a snap trap can be attached. The platform in turn includes at least one attaching member for attaching the platform, with attached snap trap, to another surface, such as the surface of a dumpster, trash can, or other surface. In one embodiment, the platform is integrally molded into the wall of a bait box. |
| US08959822B2 |
Methods and apparatus to support and stabilize equipment
Methods and apparatus to support and stabilize equipment according to various aspects of the present invention include a conformable support surface mounted to a rigid base. The rigid base may comprise a connector suitably configured to attach the rigid base to a secondary supportive device or stand. The conformable support surface may be configured to receive and support a piece of equipment such as a rifle or camera without a permanent or semi-permanent connection between the cushioned support surface and the equipment. |
| US08959816B1 |
Sign and display systems
A sign and display system including a faceplate, lens, backing plate, and at least one magnet is described. The faceplate includes a viewing aperture and the back of the faceplate includes a recess in which the at least one magnet is mounted. The recess in the faceplate is configured to receive the lens and backing plate. The lens may include one or more edge protrusions configured to enter one or more small recesses in the side of the faceplate recess to secure the lens to the faceplate. When the lens and backing plate are positioned in the recess of the faceplate, the one or more magnets exert a force on the backing plate to secure the faceplate and lens to the backing plate. An insert capable of displaying text and/or graphics can also be positioned between the lens and backing plate in the recess of the faceplate. |
| US08959815B2 |
Adhesive casualty and triage card
A casualty and triage information collection form and record sheet of flexible plastic film including a writing surface and backed by a layer of an adhesive by which the record sheet can be attached to a patient's clothing or skin. The flexible plastic film is strong enough and elastic enough to serve as a wound dressing. The adhesive is protected before use by a release liner sheet. |
| US08959809B2 |
License plate frame spacer unit and system
A pre-measured license plate frame spacer unit used in conjunction with a license plate frame will prevent the license plate frame from coming into contact with the vehicle mounting surface. |
| US08959806B2 |
Rolled steel lip for an excavator bucket
A lip for excavator buckets that is manufactured of rolled steel which gives it better mechanical properties than cast lips, achieving a better weight and decreasing manufacturing times. The lip has a machined slot formed in each nose. The slots allow the deformity and wear of the noses to be verified, facilitating repair operations. |
| US08959802B2 |
Article of footwear with a stretchable upper and an articulated sole structure
An article of footwear is disclosed that includes at least one of a stretchable upper and an articulated sole structure. The upper may include an exterior layer and an interior layer. The exterior layer forms at least a portion of an exterior of the upper, and the exterior layer includes a plurality of incisions that extend through the exterior layer. The interior layer is located adjacent an inner surface of the exterior layer, and the interior layer is exposed through the incisions. The sole structure may include a connecting portion and a plurality of discrete sole elements. The connecting portion is positioned adjacent the upper and may extend along a longitudinal length of the upper. The sole elements extend from the connecting portion, and the sole elements are separated by a plurality of sipes that extend upward into the sole structure. |
| US08959800B2 |
Article of footwear having a flat knit upper construction or other upper construction
An article of footwear may include an upper with a knitted element formed through a flat knitting process. In one configuration, the knitted element has an area with a first layer and a second layer at least partially coextensive with the first layer. The first layer is formed of unitary construction with the second layer, and the second layer is joined to the first layer at opposite sides of the second layer. In another configuration, a knitted element for footwear includes a foot-receiving portion and one or more straps formed of unitary construction with the foot-receiving portion. The foot-receiving portion defines a void for receiving the foot, and the strap(s) extend outward from sides of the foot-receiving portion. |
| US08959794B2 |
Process and apparatus to control the airflow in dehumidifying dryers
A control system for dryers in which the rotation speed of the motors are changed through frequent on/off connections to the electric power line. In accordance with the invention this task is solved by interrupting the electric power driving the electric motor for short periods in such a way that the motor does not come to a complete standstill or remains at a constant speed below the maximum speed. The motor power interruption or application is based upon readings of sensors reading dryer parameters other than the actual speed of the motor being controlled. |
| US08959793B2 |
Pin oven with a continuous U-shaped duct
An oven configured for drying a container. The oven includes a housing defining an interior space including a supply chamber and a return chamber. A conveyor is configured for movement within a portion of the interior space of the housing defined by a plurality of semi-circular shaped duct sections connected at each end of the semi-circular shaped duct sections to a straight duct section. Each duct section includes two side walls coupled to a back wall defining a continuous U-shaped duct path through which the conveyor moves. The oven is further configured to provide a temperature difference between any two points within the interior space of the oven housing controlled to plus or minus two degrees Fahrenheit, by a uniform air flow throughout the oven. The uniform air flow is facilitated by the sizing and spacing of various circular orifices and slotted orifices in the continuous duct path. |
| US08959790B2 |
Positioning device for a drain pipe in a drying cylinder
A device for positioning a drain pipe (6) of a draining system in a drying cylinder (1), the jacket (2) of which has inner circumferential grooves (3) for condensate which is formed as a result of heat transfer, said draining system comprising an outlet means and a plurality of drain pipes which are connected to the outlet means, wherein the draining system removes the condensate from the grooves via the drain pipes and the outlet means, wherein the device has a pipe positioner (14) which is disposed in an end portion (12) of the drain pipe located closest to the outlet means, said pipe positioner comprising a mounting device (15) for mounting the drain pipe onto the outlet means, and a lockable connection (16) that connects the drain pipe to the mounting device (15). According to the invention, the lockable connection is a joint connection, which defines a fulcrum for pivoting of the drainpipe in a plane to enable positioning of the drain pipe relative to the bottom surface of the groove. |
| US08959788B2 |
Hair dryer and smoother
Apparatus (10) for drying and smoothing hair is provided. The apparatus (10) generally comprises a hair-treatment device (16), a vacuum assembly (20) and a blower assembly (22). The hair-treatment device (16) includes a passage (64) for directing a drying-air stream (66) generated by the blower assembly (22) toward the hair of a subject, and a passageway (76) for directing a return-air stream (74) away from the subject's hair under a motive force supplied by the vacuum assembly (20). The device (16) further includes a smoothing element (42) having a surface (52) against which the hair may be contacted to achieve smoothing of the hair. |
| US08959783B2 |
Laser surveying system
A laser surveying system comprises a leveling unit (3) having a motor for leveling, a light source unit (14) for emitting a laser beam, a light projecting optical system installed on the leveling unit and for projecting the laser beam, a power supply unit for supplying electric power to each of component sites, a control unit (7) for driving and controlling each of the component sites, a storage unit (26), a tilt detecting means (11) installed on the leveling unit and used for detecting leveling conditions, a rotation number detecting means (13) for detecting number of rotations of the motor, a light source detecting means (16a and 16b) for detecting light emitting condition of the light source unit, a voltage detecting means (24) for detecting output voltage of the power source unit, and an abnormality detecting means for detecting operational abnormality, and in the laser surveying system, the control unit monitors whether there is abnormality or not by the abnormality detecting means, samples a detection signal from each of the detecting means at a predetermined time interval, and stores signal groups thus detected in the storage unit in time series as sampling data, and when the stored sampling data exceeds a predetermined amount, older data are deleted, and new sampling data are sequentially overwritten, and when at least one of the detection signals for monitoring indicates abnormality, using a point to indicate the abnormality as a base point, the sampling data in a range of a predetermined time period are exempted from the objects of deletion and are preserved as data for analysis of the cause of abnormality. |
| US08959772B2 |
Multipoint injector for turbomachine
A multipoint injector for a turbomachine according to which any risk of fuel coking is eliminated is disclosed. The multipoint fuel which is liable to stagnate inside the circuit thereof is cooled uniformly, due to the formation of continuous baffles which each communicate with at least one separate circulation channel and of which the peripheral baffles open out into a fuel admission chamber arranged in a zone diametrically opposing the circulation channels and which communicates with the injection nozzle for pilot fuel in order to achieve uniform supply and cooling of the injector. |
| US08959771B2 |
Method of constructing a shell for a room air conditioner/heat pump with lateral strength
A method of manufacturing a shell from sheet metal for a room air conditioner/heat pump is shown. The sheet metal is stamped and formed to a U-shaped rectangular shell with open ends and a shell brace. Flanges on the outer edge of the U-shaped rectangular shell overlap at corners with (a) adjacent flanges or (b) the shell brace. Both the U-shaped rectangular shell and shell brace are inserted into an assembly machine where the corners are clinched and punched. The outermost flange at each corner is punched to a fixed diameter, but the innermost flange or the shell brace is only punched to a conical shape. Screws are inserted at each corner that pass through the fixed diameter to threadably engage only the conical shape of the innermost flange or shell brace. |
| US08959763B2 |
Electrical jack connector and fabrication method thereof
An electrical jack connector and fabrication method thereof. The connector includes an resilient conductive leaf spring roll (1) which mates with a plug, a conductive inner sleeve (2) and a conductive outer sleeve (3) sleeved outside of the roll from inside to outside. Bending and protruding terminals of the resilient conductive leaf spring roll (1), which protrude out of two ends of the conductive inner sleeve (2), are fixedly clamped between a through-hole in the conductive outer sleeve (3) and the outside surface of the conductive inner sleeve (2). |
| US08959760B2 |
Printed wiring board and method for manufacturing same
A method for manufacturing a printed wiring board, including providing a support board having a metal foil secured to the support board, forming a resin insulation layer on the metal foil, forming openings in the resin insulation layer, forming a conductive circuit on the resin insulation layer, forming in the openings via conductors to electrically connect the conductive circuit and the metal foil, separating the support board and the metal foil, and forming from the metal foil external terminals to electrically connect to another substrate or electronic component. |
| US08959758B2 |
Method of manufacturing circuit board, method of manufacturing electronic device, and electronic device
A method of manufacturing a circuit board includes forming a first electrode on a support substrate, covering the support substrate and the first electrode with a first insulating layer, polishing the first insulating layer to expose a first surface of the first electrode, forming a first wiring on the first insulating layer after exposing the first surface of the first electrode, the first wiring being connected to the first electrode, and removing the support substrate to expose a second surface of the first electrode after forming the first wiring. |
| US08959756B2 |
Method of manufacturing a printed circuit board having an embedded electronic component
A method of manufacturing a core substrate having an electronic component, including providing a core substrate having a first surface and a second surface on an opposite side of the first surface, forming a through hole extending from the first surface to the second surface in the core substrate, attaching an adhesive tape to the second surface of the core substrate such that the through hole formed in the core substrate is closed on the second surface, attaching an electronic component to the adhesive tape inside the through hole, filling the through hole with a filler, and removing the adhesive tape from the second surface of the core substrate. |
| US08959754B2 |
Method and apparatus for removing a coil from a slot of a dynamoelectric machine
An apparatus is provided comprising a base frame having a turntable, and a vertical section configured to be mounted on the turntable via a slidable mounting platform. The vertical section has a tapered wedge configured to move up and down the vertical section. The turntable is configured to rotate at least 360 degrees, and the vertical section is configured to move in a radial direction with respect to a center of rotation of the turntable. |
| US08959753B2 |
Markers for a medical ultrasound imaging catheter
A catheter is provided for medical ultrasound imaging that can be effectively used in combination with other imaging modalities to detect medical structures of interest as well as the catheter. Markers are added to the catheter which allow more precise location identification of the catheter in the merging of the images from different modalities. Using a template, apertures for marker placement are formed in the catheter after creating the catheter housing. The ultrasound array may be used for accurate positioning of the template. Alternatively or additionally, a rigid insert with markers connects with the array. The insert holds the markers in place and may reduce artifacts in ultrasound scanning due to flexing of the array. |
| US08959752B2 |
Transformer core manufacturing apparatus and method
A transformer core manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an annular transformer core having thin plates formed of magnetic materials laminated includes an uncoiler unit which allows a plurality of uncoilers each having a thin plate magnetic material coiled hoop-like to uncoil the magnetic material, a carrier unit for guiding a plurality of the magnetic materials uncoiled from the plurality of the uncoilers as a single group of magnetic body, a first alignment unit for aligning the carried group of the single magnetic body in a width direction, a cut-off unit for cutting the magnetic body aligned by the first alignment unit in a predetermined dimension, a laminating unit for laminating a plurality of the groups of the magnetic body cut by the cut-off unit, a second alignment unit for aligning the magnetic body laminated on the laminating unit, and a control unit for controlling operations of the above cited units. |
| US08959747B2 |
Structural coupler
In the present disclosure, a structural coupler is disclosed for coupling together structural members, such as trusses. The structural coupler is dimensioned such that it can be installed at an end and within an inner channel of the structural member. The structural member includes a gusset member, a face member and a reinforcing member. The face member is connected to the gusset member and the reinforcing member is connected to both the gusset member and the face member. To couple structural members together, the face member of the structural member installed at an end of a first structural member is mated with the face member of the structural member installed at an end of a second structural member. The structural couplers are then joined together using a coupling mechanism. |
| US08959739B1 |
Pool cleaning system with incremental partial rotating head and aiming tool
An alignment kit for aiming a variable rotating pool cleaning nozzle assembly in a pool is disclosed. The alignment kit includes an aiming tool and a locking tool. The aiming tool includes a tray that includes a plurality of aiming reference figures, a cleaning arc indicator coupled to the tray, and a base rotatably coupled to the tray. The cleaning arc indicator includes an adjustable visual area representing a cleaning arc of a variably rotating pool cleaning nozzle assembly. The cleaning arc indicator may include a first ring and a second ring interleaved together and the adjustable visual area may include an area of the second ring not covered by the first ring. The base includes an aiming reference marker adjacent the tray and one or more indexing lugs. The locking tool includes a plurality of aiming symbols and one or more locking lugs. |
| US08959736B2 |
System and method for inserting ripple springs
A system is provided for inserting a ripple spring includes a compression board having at least one groove, and the compression board has a ramped section at one end thereof. A driver board has at least one guide rail configured to fit inside the at least one groove. An impact tool is configured to engage the driver board and apply a driving force to the driver board. The compression board is configured to at least partially retain the ripple spring and the ramped section is configured to apply a compressive force to the ripple spring as the impact tool and driver board push the ripple spring over the ramped section. |
| US08959728B2 |
Slider for slide fastener
A slider for slide fasteners having a slider body with the leading end of the upper and lower plates connected by a connecting bar and a y-shaped element guiding path disposed between the upper and lower plates, a pull with one end rotatably held on the upper plate, and a stopping hook disposed on the upper plate and having a hook at one end; the upper plate having an insertion groove for inserting the stopping hook, a locking part for locking the other end of the stopping hook, and a hook eyelet drilled so that the hook can be inserted; and the stopping hook is disposed so that by tilting/erecting manipulations of the pull, the hook can be inserted/withdrawn from the element guiding path through the hook eyelet; wherein the corners of the stopping hook that contact the locking part, at least during locking operation, form beveled parts. |
| US08959725B2 |
Fashion accessory tool
A fashion accessory tool that can transform a piece of fabric. The fashion accessory tool allows a piece of fabric to be secured to a garment and adjusted after it has been secured to the garment. The piece of fabric can be woven through the fashion accessory tool and then secured in the tool with deformable features. The fashion accessory tool can be pinned to a garment and the fabric can be adjusted and styled after the fashion accessory tool is pinned. |
| US08959723B2 |
Adjustable and vented apparel closure assembly
A closure assembly that is infinitely adjustable within an operating range of the closure assembly and includes a vent port therethrough. The closure assembly includes a housing and an operator that rotationally cooperates with the housing. A flexible member is movably supported by the housing and cooperates with the operator so that manipulation of the operator alters the amount of the flexible member that extends beyond the housing. A biasing means cooperates with the operator and interacts with the housing to maintain a desired orientation of the operator, and thereby a desired orientation of the flexible member, relative to the housing to define a shape of a closure of the item of apparel. A vent port is formed through the housing and the operator and mitigates heat collection therebehind. |
| US08959722B2 |
Apparatus for comfortably hanging keys and other key-ring accessories within a slash-type clothing pocket
A key-hook comfortably hangs keys and other key-ring accessories within a clothing pocket, which prevents the keys and other key-ring accessories from contacting and wearing out the bottom of the clothing pocket. The key-hook includes a key-ring loop, a curved bridge, and a hook. The hook is connected to the key-ring loop by the curved bridge, which allows the edge of the clothing pocket to smoothly move against the key-ring loop and into the hook. The hook has a shank section, a bend section, a point section, and a gap. The edge of the clothing pocket is positioned within the gap and is embraced by the shank section, the bend section, and the point section. The shank section has a first concave portion, and the point section has a second concave portion, a convex portion, and a rounded tip. The gap also has a wide opening and a narrow space. |
| US08959718B2 |
Parallel opening hinge
A parallel opening hinge includes a pair of parallel hinges, each parallel hinge having a moveable pivot within a track of the parallel opening hinge, wherein a connector joins the two movable pivots in the track such that the movable pivots move together. |
| US08959715B2 |
Dual-shaft synchronous movement device and assembling method thereof
A dual-shaft synchronous movement device and an assembling method thereof. The dual-shaft synchronous movement device includes a first shaft and a second shaft, which are assembled with each other and synchronously rotatable. The invention includes providing an assembling device and arranging on the assembling device a first rotor and a second rotor (or a third rotor and a fourth rotor) between which a drive section is wound; winding the drive section onto the first and second rotors (or the third and fourth rotors) in a tensioned state; and pushing the first and second rotors (or the third and fourth rotors) onto the first and second shafts. Through the first and second rotors (or the third and fourth rotors) and the drive section, when the first shaft is rotated, the second shaft is synchronously rotated. |
| US08959713B2 |
Driving carriage for a sliding curtain
This driving carriage for a sliding curtain comprises a body that can move along a rail by virtue of two pairs of carrier wheels supported by the carriage, this body being provided, between the two pairs of carrier wheels along the longitudinal axis of the carriage, with at least one opening designed to receive a part of an inner curved edge of the rail without the rail striking the carriage. This eliminates or greatly limits the risks of the carriage becoming jammed along the rail. |
| US08959712B2 |
Door arrester for vehicle doors of motor vehicles
A door arrester for vehicle doors of motor vehicles, comprising a retaining part for fastening to a door or door pillar and a housing. A door retaining bar passes through a through-opening in the housing in a longitudinally displaceable manner. The door retaining bar is pivotably fastened to the door or door pillar and has a contact surface which comprises at least one first contact portion and at least one ramp-shaped second contact portion. At least one retaining body is pretensioned in the direction of the door retaining bar by a spring element and guided in the housing. The retaining body comprises at least two contact elements, wherein the contact elements have different coefficients of friction relative to the operative connection with the contact surface of the door retaining bar. |
| US08959708B2 |
Handle for a wand of a vacuum cleaning appliance
A handle for a wand of a vacuum cleaning appliance includes a handgrip portion and a conduit for receiving an air flow. The handle includes an aperture for admitting ambient air into the conduit. A first valve occludes a first portion of the aperture, and a second valve occludes a second portion of the aperture. A control mechanism moves the first and second valves away from the aperture to admit ambient air into the conduit. The second valve is supported at least partially by the first valve to occlude the second portion of the aperture. |
| US08959704B1 |
Debris collection devices
Provided herein are devices which facilitate collection of debris from various locations, such as roads, driveways, and fields. An article provided in accordance with some embodiments includes a receiver with an opening suitable for admitting debris, and also having panels connected thereto which assist in directing debris into the opening of the receiver. An adapter body having a proximal end attached to the receiver permits debris to pass through the adapter body to the distal end of the adapter body, and the distal end is fitted with a collection receptacle, which receptacle comprises a sack, bag or the like that contains perforations or holes sufficiently dimensioned to enable air to pass through the wall of the sack, bag, or the like, while retaining debris within the interior volume of the sack, bag, or the like. |
| US08959703B2 |
Wiper blade
A wiper blade 11 linked to a wiper arm 14 has a blade rubber 16 and a rubber holder 15 with a U-shaped section, wherein the rubber holder 15 is formed shorter in axial length than the blade rubber 16 and surrounds an intermediate portion of the blade rubber 16. Both end portions in a longitudinal direction of the rubber holder 15 are provided with a pair of holding portions 31 and 32, wherein the holding portion 31 has a holding claw 33 engaged with a stopper portion 36 provided in a holding groove 35 of the blade rubber 16 and the holding portion 32 has a holding claw 37 engaged slidably with the holding groove 35 of the blade rubber 16 and the rubber holder 15 is linked to the blade rubber 16 by two position of these holding portions 31 and 32. |
| US08959702B2 |
Wiper blade
An arm piece of a wiper arm, which has a connecting portion connected to a connecting pin through a connecting member received in an opening of a main lever, extends from the connecting portion toward a base end side portion of the main lever such that the arm piece overlaps with an upper surface of the main lever. The main lever is formed by runnerless injection molding. A gate trace, which is left on the main lever in the runnerless injection molding, is formed in an arm accommodation portion of the main lever, which is opposed to the arm piece in a top-to-bottom direction. |
| US08959701B2 |
Multi-adapter for a vehicle wiper
A multi-adaptor for a vehicle wiper, which interconnects an arm and a blade for wiping window glass, wherein both side walls of the arm have stopper pieces and a free end, wherein a selective hook protrudes from the free end. The multi-adaptor for a vehicle wiper includes: a main body, a coupling portion formed at one end of the main body so as to enable the free end of the arm to be coupled thereto, and support portions formed at both side walls of the other end of the main body to support the stopper pieces of the arm. Accordingly, the multi-adaptor significantly increases arm-coupling force as compared to conventional adaptors, and thus preemptively prevents the arm from being separated from the adaptor. |
| US08959699B2 |
Mop head fixation device and method
Various embodiments of a mop include a user-manipulatable control operable by a user to generate attachment of a mop pad to a mop head and/or release of the mop pad from the mop head. The user-manipulatable control can be located on a handle of the mop in some embodiments, and on the mop head in other embodiments. Also, an actuator coupled to the user-manipulatable control can be used to move one or more grips, magnet-carrying elements, slides, wings, or clamping members to releasably secure the mop pad to the mop head, or to selectively magnetize one or more magnets for release and/or attachment of the mop pad. |
| US08959698B2 |
Adjustable holder assembly for painting tools
An adjustable holder assembly for removably holding, articulating, and rotating painting tools may include a handle assembly. An articulating arm may be pivotally coupled to a proximal end of the handle assembly and may be configured to allow both the articulating arm and a tool handle housing to be simultaneously angularly adjusted from a longitudinal axis of the holder assembly to any position from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. The tool handle housing may be configured to removably secure a handle of a painting tool at least partially therein. The tool handle housing may be removably coupled to the articulating arm such that the tool handle housing can be rotationally adjusted around a longitudinal axis of the holder assembly to any position from 0 degrees to 90 degrees; and a receiver end defining a channel. |
| US08959695B2 |
Micro filament cleaning tool for emerging optical connectors
A cleaning tool for cleaning internal optical components of a fiber optic connector includes a cleaning strip that is advanced past one or more optical surfaces of the connector to wipe the connector free of contaminants. The cleaning tool includes a drive mechanism that is operated by rotating a drive, thereby advancing the cleaning strip along a cleaning strip path and into contact with the one or more optical surfaces. The cleaning tool comprises a cleaning tip that functions to place the cleaning strip in proper alignment within the connector in order to clean the optical surfaces that are not available for cleaning at the endface of the connector. Alignment features are provided in the cleaning tip to properly position the cleaning strip relative the optical surfaces. |
| US08959691B2 |
Weaving method of three-dimensional vamp
A weaving method of a three-dimensional vamp includes the steps of: weaving yarn by a warp-knitting machine to form a top vamp by a first part needle bar of the warp-knitting machine which is interactively woven with a bottom vamp formed by a second part needle bar of the warp-knitting machine so as to form a tube-shaped fabric; cutting the tube-shaped fabric to form a sock-shaped fabric; disposing the sock-shaped fabric on a shoe last; and heating the sock-shaped fabric to tighten the sock-shaped fabric in order to seal the shoe last and consequently obtain the three-dimensional vamp. The heat shrinkable and irreversible properties of a high shrinkage yarn or hot melt yarn are used to seal the sock-shaped fabric with the shoe last, thereby achieving the substantial physical properties. The turner cost and the fabric flotsam can be reduced by the process of manufacturing the integrally formed vamp. |
| US08959686B2 |
Tunable spring mattress and method of making same
A mattress includes a spring extending between first and second points to provide a first spring rate in a first direction. A polymer fiber structure is provided between the first and second points and adjoins the spring. The polymer fiber structure includes fibers interlinked with one another to provide the second spring rate in the first direction. An example method of manufacturing a mattress is provided that includes arranging springs to provide a mattress innerspring. A polymer fiber structure is introduced in a first state to the innerspring to provide an assembly. The assembly is further processed and the polymer fiber structure is simultaneously altered from the first state to a second state. |
| US08959685B2 |
Cushion cell and cushion body using the same
The objective of the present invention is to provide: a cushion cell with a new structure which is designed to disperse stresses when the cushion cell is in an inflated state such that excellent durability is achieved and in which a large support area for the human body can be obtained with excellent space efficiency relative to a square shaped space for disposal in an inflated state; and a cushion body with a new structure using the same. The cushion cell is formed with a fluid chamber inside and the height of the cushion cell can be changed by adjusting the pressure in the fluid chamber. The planar shape of the cushion cell in a deflated state is a square shape, and each side part has a curved shape protruding outwards. |
| US08959684B2 |
Wall hung slipcover headboard to incorporate art into a bed
A wall-mounted slipcover headboard for a bed combines comfort of an upholstered headboard with the ease of removable covers while it solves the problem of hanging art above the bed by incorporating art into the bed. The headboard has a modular, frame, a cushioning pad and a removable slipcover. For example, the removable slipcover features printed art. The headboard's back side has horizontal dowels that slide on to a hanging medium, allowing for flexibility in mounting the hanging medium in the strongest place on a wall with the least amount of damage to the wall, while allowing the headboard to slide horizontally to be centered above a bed. |
| US08959680B2 |
Positioning mechanism of a bed
A positioning mechanism of a bed is disclosed. In one such embodiment, a bed can comprise an undercarriage frame, a patient surface frame, a plurality of lifters, and at least one load cell in communication with the patient surface frame. Such a load cell can be adapted to communicate a signal associated with a force exerted from the patient surface frame. The force exerted from the patient surface frame is perpendicular to the load cell when the patient surface frame is oblique to the undercarriage frame. |
| US08959679B1 |
Beach blanket assembly
A beach blanket assembly facilitates comfortable relaxation while also providing secure storage of items. The assembly includes a sheet having a first face, a second face, and a perimeter edge extending around the first face and the second face. A pillow is coupled to the sheet and extends from the first face. A first pocket is coupled to the first face. An aperture extends through the first pocket wherein the first pocket is configured for holding a device therein. A wire may extend from the device through the aperture. |
| US08959672B2 |
Toilet seat hinge with sliding keyway
A toilet seat hinge includes a lock feature to releasably attach the hinge to a bolt head fastened to a toilet bowl. The hinge includes a hinge base, a key plate, and a grip. The hinge base includes a mounting structure to which a toilet seat can be pivotally mounted, as well as an aperture in a bottom surface thereof through which the bolt head can pass. The key plate includes a keyway having a large end that can be aligned with the aperture for insertion of the bolt head and can be slid into a locking position where the small end is aligned with the aperture to retain the bolt head within the hinge base. The user-movable grip includes a guide which travels in an L-shaped slot to restrain movement of the grip to an L-shape (two-movement) for moving the keyway into and out of locking position. |
| US08959671B1 |
Apparatus and methods for preventing commotio cordis and other traumatic chest and bodily injuries
A protective device and methods for protecting a selected portion of a mammal's body from an impact is disclosed. In some embodiments, the protective device is placed adjacent to or in close proximity to the selected portion of the mammal's body, and the protective device acts to reflect, deflect, and/or otherwise divert impact energy that has been transferred to the protective device to areas of the mammal's body that are not within the selected portion thereof. |
| US08959669B2 |
Goggles
Goggles include a frame, a lens and a pair of left and right belt arms. On the frame a first stop hole is provided each left and right of a middle of each of an upper frame and a lower frame of the frame. The lens has an upper side and a lower side each of which is provided with a second stop hole at a position corresponding to each first stop hole in the frame. Each of the pair of left and right belt arms has bifurcated portions, and each end of the bifurcated portions is provided with a lock mechanism. The frame and the lens are placed on each other and the respective first and second stop holes are aligned. By the mechanisms of the belt arms, the first and second stop holes are brought into either a lock state to secure the frame, the lens and the pair of left and right belt arms, or an unlock state where the lock state is released to separate them. |
| US08959664B2 |
Harness webbing protection system
A webbing protection system is provided. The webbing protection system includes at least one pad portion and at least one protective member. The at least one pad portion has a first pad surface and a second pad surface. The first pad surface of each pad portion is configured to engage a portion of a body of a user. The second pad surface of each pad portion has at least one pad channel guide. Each protective member has at least one raised portion. Each protective member is coupled to an associated pad portion such that the raised portion of the protective member is aligned with an associated pad channel guide of the associated pad portion to provide a first guide path for the first webbing. Each protective member provides wear and abrasion protection for the first webbing proximate the guide path. |
| US08959663B2 |
Glove with non-bunching palm construction
The present invention is a glove formed with a palm portion having a section of the material forming the palm portion cut out or away from the palm portion and replaced by a replacement section formed of a stretchable material. The replacement stretchable material section has an area or shape significantly different from that of the cutout section removed from the palm portion, but has an outer periphery that corresponds in length to the length of the cut out portion. Thus, the replacement section, when attached to the periphery of the cut out portion of the palm portion, is attached thereto in a tensioned or stretched configuration to provide contouring to the palm portion of the glove in conformance with the shape of a hand of the individual. This significantly reduces wrinkling and/or bunching of the palm portion when the hand is extended or contracted from the relaxed position. |
| US08959662B2 |
Grinding mode selector switch for welding masks
A grinding mode selector switch for welding masks which controls an anti-glare device blocking hazardous light during a welding operation or an operation using a cutting torch and protecting eyes of a worker during a grinding operation without taking off a welding mask during the welding operation and the grinding operation is disclosed. The grinding mode selector switch for welding masks is installed on the outer surface of the welding mask and is not touched by an external object, and the protruding height of a button protective cap is equal to or greater than the height of a button so as to prevent the button from being touched by an external object when the worker performs an operation. |
| US08966659B2 |
Automatic fraudulent digital certificate detection
A computing device analyzes digital certificates received from various different sites (e.g., accessed via the Internet or other network) in order to automatically detect fraudulent digital certificates. The computing device maintains a record of the digital certificates it receives from these various different sites. A certificate screening service operating remotely from the computing device also accesses these various different sites and maintains a record of the digital certificates that the service receives from these sites. In response to a request to access a target site the computing device receives a current digital certificate from the target site. The computing device determines whether the current digital certificate is genuine or fraudulent based on one or more of previously received digital certificates for the target site, confirmation certificates received from the certificate screening service, and additional characteristics of the digital certificates and/or the target site. |
| US08966655B2 |
Electronic license management
In one aspect, this application describes a method for determining a license status of a software application. The method includes receiving a license status request to obtain an indication of whether a software application is licensed for use on a client computing device. The method also includes identifying identity information that corresponds to user identity information, device identity information, or both. The method also includes sending a communication generated from the license status request and the identity information to a licensing service, the communication being used by the licensing service to generate the indication based at least in part on the identity information and licensing information associated with the software application. The method also includes receiving a license status response from the licensing service that includes the indication. The method also includes sending the license status response to the software application for processing by the software application. |
| US08966649B2 |
Systems and methods for providing anonymized user profile data
Embodiments facilitate confidential and secure sharing of anonymous user profile data to improve the delivery of customized content. Embodiments of the invention provide a data appliance to an entity such as a business to convert profile data about the business's customers into anonymous identifiers. A similar data appliance is provided to a content provider in one embodiment to generate identifiers for its user profile data. Because the anonymous identifiers are generated with the same anonymization method, identical identifiers are likely generated from profile data of the same users. Therefore, the identifiers can be used to anonymously match the customers of the business to the users of the content provider. Therefore, data can be shared to improve customized content such as advertisements that the business wishes to place with the content provider without requiring the business to disclose customer data in an unencrypted form, and any non-matched data can remain confidential. |
| US08966645B2 |
Prevention of accidental password disclosure in application windows
Text entry context information associated with text entry within an inter-user communication application is evaluated. A determination is made as to whether the evaluated text entry context information identifies a text string entered by a user as a potential password inadvertently entered into the inter-user communication application by the user. In response to determining that the text string is identified as the potential password, the user is prompted to confirm that the user intends to send the text string using the inter-user communication application. The text string is transmitted using the inter-user communication application in response to a confirmation from the user to send the text string. |
| US08966643B2 |
Content security in a social network
Members of a social network (SNET) circle can share content with other members of SNET circle, members of the same SNET that are not members of the same circle, or send content to people or devices outside of SNET. Different levels of content security can be applied to the shared content, depending on who requests the content, the destination of the content, user preferences, content type, SNET, SNET circle, or other security parameters. Content can be tagged to limit the number of times it can be accessed, the length of time access is allowed, and to otherwise control redistribution. Content can also be protected by limiting host network access to the content, implementing SNET circle firewalls and virtual private networks, or transcoding content before allowing transmission to non-SNET circle or SNET members. Docking of devices into an SNET security circle can be restricted to properly secured devices. |
| US08966642B2 |
Trust verification of a computing platform using a peripheral device
Verification of trustworthiness of a computing platform is provided. The trustworthiness of the computing platform is dynamically assessed to determine whether a root of trust exists on the computing platform. Responsive to determining existence of the root of trust, data is unsealed from a sealed storage facility. The sealed storage facility is unsealed responsive to a root of trust being determined to exist on the computing platform. The data can be used to attest to the trustworthiness of the computing platform to other device on a network. |
| US08966640B1 |
Security risk aggregation and analysis
Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for transaction-based security risk aggregation and analysis. A server computing device receives security risk data elements from a plurality of data sources. The security risk data elements correspond to a transaction submitted by a remote computing device to the server computing device for execution. The server computing device aggregates the security risk data elements into a weighted risk matrix and generates a risk score for the submitted transaction based upon the weighted risk matrix. The server computing device determines a business-level context and an execution priority of the submitted transaction, the business-level context and the execution priority based upon the security risk data elements. The server computing device adjusts the risk score for the submitted transaction based upon the business-level context and the execution priority and determines whether to allow execution of the transaction based upon the adjusted risk score. |
| US08966639B1 |
Internet breach correlation
Techniques for ranking a set of vulnerabilities of a computing asset and set of remediations for a computing asset, and determining a risk score for one or more computing assets are provided. In one technique, vulnerabilities of computing assets in a customer network are received at a vulnerability intelligence platform. Breach data indicating set of breaches that occurred outside customer network is also received. A subset of the set of vulnerabilities that are most vulnerable to a breach is identified based on the breach data. In another technique, multiple vulnerabilities of a computing asset are determined. A risk score is generated for the computing asset based on the vulnerabilities. In another technique, multiple remediations associated with a risk score and multiple vulnerabilities are identified. The remediations are ordered based on the remediations that would reduce the risk score the most if those remediations were applied to remove the corresponding vulnerabilities. |
| US08966638B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for selecting a wireless network based on security information
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for selecting a wireless network based on security information. In use, a plurality of wireless networks is identified. Further, security information associated with each of the wireless networks is collected, such that one of the wireless networks is selected based on the security information. |
| US08966632B1 |
In-the-cloud sandbox for inspecting mobile applications for malicious content
A low resource mobile device, such as a smart phone or a tablet running a mobile operating system, requests a cloud computer system to inspect a mobile application for malicious content. The cloud computer system downloads the mobile application from a mobile application source, and installs the mobile application in a virtual machine sandbox. The cloud computer system inspects the mobile application for malicious content while the mobile application executes in the virtual machines sandbox. The result of the inspection is sent to the user in accordance with a setting that may be indicated in a cloud sandbox agent running on the mobile device. |
| US08966624B2 |
System and method for securing an input/output path of an application against malware with a below-operating system security agent
A system for securing an electronic device may include a memory, a processor, one or more operating systems residing in the memory for execution by the processor, an input-output (I/O) device of the electronic device coupled to the operating system; and a security agent configured to execute on the electronic device at a level below all of the operating systems of the electronic device accessing the I/O device. The security agent may be further configured to: (i) trap, at a level below all of the operating systems of the electronic device accessing an input/output (I/O) device, an attempted access of a facility for I/O operation with the I/O device; and (ii) using one or more security rules, analyze the attempted access to determine whether the attempted access is indicative of malware. |
| US08966623B2 |
Managing execution of a running-page in a virtual machine
Computer implemented methods, system and apparatus for managing execution of a running-page in a virtual machine include associating an execution trace code with the running page by a security virtual machine. The execution trace code generates a notification upon initiation of the execution of the running page by the virtual machine. The notification is received by the security virtual machine running independent of the virtual machine executing the running-page. The running page associated with the execution trace code is validated by the security virtual machine as authorized for execution. An exception is generated if the running-page is not authorized for execution. The generated exception is to prevent the execution of the running page in the virtual machine. |
| US08966622B2 |
Techniques for protecting against denial of service attacks near the source
Systems and methods protect against denial of service attacks. Remotely originated network traffic addressed to one or more network destinations is routed through one or more locations. One or more of the locations may be geographically proximate to a source of a denial of service attack. One or more denial of service attack mitigation strategies is applied to portions of the network traffic received at the one or more locations. Network traffic not blocked pursuant to the one or more denial of service attack mitigation strategies is dispatched to its intended recipient. Dispatching the unblocked network traffic to its intended recipient may include the use of one or more private channels and/or one or more additional denial of service attack mitigation strategies. |
| US08966620B2 |
Campaign detection
Campaign detection techniques are described. In implementations, a signature is computed for each of a plurality of emails to be communicated by a service provider to respective intended recipients. A determination is made that two or more of the plurality of emails is similar based on the respective signatures. Responsive to a finding that a number of similar emails exceeds a threshold, an indication is output that the similar emails have a likelihood of being involved in a spam campaign. |
| US08966614B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer program products for providing video-passwords for user authentication
This invention is related to authentication schemes utilizing advertising video-passwords, which require the user to watch and remember parts of a given advertisement video. Different embodiments of the invention can utilize just time reference point information, or can optionally include grid element, click point, tag phrase, or a combination of both click point and tag phrase information. A reference video-password is defined based on the time reference point information, and optionally with grid element, click point, or tag phrase information. Subsequently, the user will attempt authentication and the candidate video-password will be defined with the associated time reference point determined from the user's input, and optionally with grid element, click point, or tag phrase information received from the user. The system would then authenticate the user based on the comparison result between the reference video-password and the candidate video-password. |
| US08966604B2 |
Method of preventing sequential unauthorized logins
One object is to restrain unauthorized logins without significantly reducing usability. In accordance with one aspect, a server device according to an embodiment includes: an information storage unit for storing information; a setting unit for setting a value conversion rule used for login authentication; an information generating unit for generating login authentication information in response to a display request for a login screen sent from a terminal device; a sending unit for sending login screen data for displaying the login screen on the terminal device; a receiving unit for receiving login information from the terminal device; a determination unit for determining whether a login is permitted based on the received login information; a monitoring unit for monitoring the situation of unauthorized logins to the server device; and a selection unit for selecting a candidate for a new value conversion rule in accordance with the situation of unauthorized logins. |
| US08966603B2 |
Systems and methods for intercepting and automatically filling in forms by the appliance for single-sign on
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for form-based single sign-on by a user desiring access to one or more protected resources, e.g., protected web pages, protected web-served applications, etc. In various embodiments, a single sign-on (SSO) module is in operation on an intermediary device, which is disposed in a network to manage internet traffic between a plurality of clients and a plurality of servers. The intermediary device can identify an authentication response from a server and forward the authentication response to the SSO module. The SSO module can complete a login form in the authentication response with a client's authentication data, return the completed login form to the server and forward cookies associated with the authentication response to the client. In various embodiments, multiple login forms can be completed, transparently to the client, by the SSO module on a client's behalf and reduce time expended by a client in obtaining access to protected resources. |
| US08966598B2 |
System and method for group video messaging service
A group video messaging method stores user information identifying authorized users of a video messaging system, and provides a user interface to the video messaging system. The user interface permits authorized users to transfer video files to the video messaging system for storage and retrieval, and to identify criteria for other authorized users to access each transferred video file. The method also stores in the video messaging system the video files transferred to the system by the authorized users; stores information identifying the user that transferred each stored video file to the video messaging system, and the criteria for authorized users to access the stored video files; and stores information identifying different groups of the authorized users and which of the stored video files are to be accessible to each of the authorized users or authorized user groups. |
| US08966597B1 |
Electronic signatures
A method, comprising: storing, at a server device, an electronic resource; receiving, at the server device and from a client device associated with a first user, a request on behalf of the first user to access the electronic resource; responsive to receiving the request on behalf of the first user to access the electronic resource, enabling the client device associated with the first user to access the electronic resource; while the client device associated with the first user is accessing the electronic resource, receiving, at the server device and from the client device associated with the first user, a request to validate a representation of a credential purported to represent another user received by the client device; validating the received representation of the credential as representing a second user; and responsive to validating the received representation of the credential, enabling the first user to electronically sign the electronic resource. |
| US08966595B1 |
Techniques for peer-to-peer communication using a “shared secret”
Techniques for peer-binding are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for peer-binding includes receiving a security sequence submission entered through a trusted script provided with the content from a first client computing device, rendered on the first client computing device. In response to receiving the security sequence submission from a second client computing device and entered through the trusted script, a common communication channel between the first and second client computing devices is established such that an event generated on one of the first and second client computing devices is sent to another of the first and second client computing devices. The submission results from a user action on one or more content elements included in the content. The trusted script is configured, when executed, to detect user actions and determine security sequences resulting from the user actions. |
| US08966589B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for exception handling of interactive communications privileges governing interactive communications with entities outside a domain
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for exception handling of interactive communications privileges governing interactive communications with entities outside a domain are disclosed. The interactive communications privileges may have been learned through domain administrator configuration or may have been self-learned without domain administrator input. The interactive communications privileges can be used to process interactive communications requests between entities inside a domain and entities outside the domain. Exceptions to the interactive communications privileges can be requested by user entities inside the domain for interactive communications with entities outside the domain. In this manner, if the interactive communications privileges are not sufficient according to user entities inside the domain, the user entities inside the domain can request exceptions for other interactive communications privileges with entities outside the domain. Approved exception requests can also be configured as part of the interactive communications privileges for interactive communications with entities outside the domain. |
| US08966584B2 |
Dynamic authentication gateway
A dynamic authentication broker is configured to process authentication requests received from a network access server formatted in any of a plurality of protocols and received over any of a plurality of ports. Processing authentication requests may include authenticating and/or authorizing a particular user, user device and/or network access server. |
| US08966583B2 |
Method, apparatus and server for user verification
The present disclosure discloses a method, apparatus, and server for user verification to store a plurality of pictures in a database and define a plurality of rotational directions. The method includes: when receiving from a client a request for a checkcode, rotating a picture retrieved from a database according to a defined rotational direction; after storing a correlation between an identification of the client and the rotational direction of the retrieved picture, outputting the rotated picture to the client; receiving a rotational direction of the picture from the client; finding the stored correlation between the identification of the client and the stored rotational direction of the retrieved picture according to the identification of the client; determining whether or not the rotational direction of the picture returned from the client matches the stored rotational direction. If they match, user verification is passed; otherwise, the user verification is failed. The large number of pictures in the database makes it difficult for enumeration. In addition, by using the rotational direction as identification information to verify user, the safety and accuracy of user verification can be enhanced. |
| US08966576B2 |
Provisioning access control using SDDL on the basis of a XACML policy
A method is disclosed, and a corresponding data carrier and policy converter, for producing at least one Security Descriptor Definition Language, SDDL, rule from an eXtensible Access Control Markup Language, XACML, policy (P), wherein said at least one SDDL rule is enforceable for controlling access to one or more resources in a computer network. A reverse query is produced indicating a given decision (d), which is one of permit access and deny access, and a set (R) of admissible access requests. Based on the reverse query, the XACML policy (P) and the given decision (d) are translated into a satisfiable logic proposition in Boolean variables (vi, i=1, 2, . . . ) From said ROBDD, variable assignments (RCj=[ARCj1: v1=xj1, ARCj2: v2=xj2, . . . ], j=1, 2, . . . ) satisfying the logic proposition are derived and at least one SDDL rule is created based on said variable assignments (RCj=[ARCj1: v1=xj1, ARCj2: v2=xj2, . . . ], j=1, 2, . . . ) satisfying the logic proposition. |
| US08966574B2 |
Centralized operation management
A novel security framework that is part of an operating system of a device is provided. The framework includes a security assessor that performs security policy assessments for different operations that need to be performed with respect to an application executing on the device. Examples of such operations include the installation of the application, execution of the application, and the opening of content files (e.g., opening of documents) by the application. |
| US08966571B2 |
Detection of potentially copyrighted content in user-initiated live streams
Systems and methods modifying a presentation of media content in response to a detected violation are provided. In particular, media content such as a media stream broadcasted by a user to other users can be monitored. The broadcasted media stream can be fingerprinted and compared to a fingerprint repository that includes entries associated with media content that is copyrighted or otherwise considered a violation. If the fingerprint matches entries included in the fingerprint repository, then the media stream can be modified such as modified to terminate. |
| US08966570B1 |
Entity to authorize delegation of permissions
Systems and methods are described for delegating permissions to enable account access. The systems utilize a delegation profile that can be created within a secured account of at least one user. The delegation profile includes a name, a validation policy that specifies principals which may be external to the account and which are permitted to assume the delegation profile, and an authorization policy that indicates the permitted actions within the account for those principals which are acting within the delegation profile. Once the delegation profile is created, it can be provided to external principals or services. These external principals or services can use the delegation profile to obtain credentials for performing various actions in the account using the credentials of the delegation profile. |
| US08966568B2 |
Method and device for data processing and communication system comprising such device
A method and a device for data processing are provided comprising a first instance comprising at least one local trusted unit (LTU) and a local trust manager (LTM), the method comprising the step: The local trust manager provides a policy related information to the at least one local trusted unit and/or to a second instance. |
| US08966565B2 |
Mitigating potential video traffic interference
A method includes detecting, at a video head-end of a video distribution network, a signal populating an ultra high frequency white space frequency. The method includes determining that the ultra high frequency white space frequency is one of a plurality of ultra high frequency white space frequencies with a potential to interfere with video traffic at the video head-end. The method also includes sending an alert from the video head-end to a network management system. The alert indicates the potential of the signal to interfere with video traffic delivered via the video head-end. |
| US08966563B2 |
System and method to provide a unified video signal for diverse receiving platforms
A system includes a signal-processing engine configured to generate a video data stream including a plurality of data packets based on a received video signal. A first subset of the plurality of data packets is usable to generate a video display of content having a first quality and all of the plurality of data packets are usable to generate a second video display of the content having a second quality. The second quality is higher than the first quality. The signal-processing engine is further configured to distinguish the first subset of the plurality of data packets from other data packets of the plurality of data packets by applying a tag to particular data packets to form tagged data packets. The system also includes a transmitter coupled to the signal-processing engine and configured to transmit the plurality of data packets of the video data stream. |
| US08966561B2 |
Controlling application devices simultaneously
A method and a system of controlling application devices simultaneously. The application devices can be a Web tablet, a set-top box, a VCR, a TV, and PDA, a lamp, a coffee machine, a radio, a telephone, a background wall, a DVD player or an electronic information panel. The method includes four steps controlled by a server: retrieving first documents (501) from a first set of application devices; retrieving identification (502) of a user; generating (505) second documents, each comprising an instruction, on the basis of at least a part of the retrieved identification of the user and at least a part of the first documents; simultaneously sending (506) at least one of the second documents to each device of a second set of the application devices; and performing (507) for a given device of the second set one instruction from at least one of the second documents received in the given device. The step of retrieving identification by the server includes the steps of retrieving user profile (503) information based on the user identification, and retrieving context profile information (504) relating to present surroundings of the user. The said documents include Hyper Text Markup Language, Scalable Vector Graphics, Resource Description Framework and Extensible Markup Language (XML). |
| US08966560B2 |
Method and apparatus for uploading data
A method and apparatus for uploading data is provided herein. During operation vehicles in the field will upload their digital multimedia evidence (DME) to a mobile/intermediary upload point(s). These mobile/intermediary upload points preferably comprise computers existing in other vehicles that are not currently connected to a central repository. A mobile recorder (mDVR) will choose a particular mobile/intermediary upload point(s) based on a probability that the mobile upload point(s) will return to a connected upload point to upload the transferred DME. |
| US08966556B2 |
Real-time multi-media streaming bandwidth management
A multi-media method, system and apparatus are provided to optimize a network bandwidth and enhanced video experience. Each of a plurality of environmental views are encoded and the encoded multi-media streams are subsequently transcoded in accordance with respective encoding characteristics. The resulting video streams are then provided to a user for selecting preferred views. The user's multi-media preferential attributes are determined from the viewer's feedback. In response to the viewers' feedback, a video manager communicates to the cameras/encoders encoding characteristics and to the transcoders transcoding characteristics associated with corresponding encoded multi-media streams. A transport processor encodes for transport each of a plurality of the transcoded video streams and communicate towards viewers the transcoded video streams. |
| US08966549B2 |
Providing and receiving wireless broadcasts
Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for wirelessly providing transcoded broadcasts to mobile devices and receiving content wirelessly via mobile devices. For example, in one embodiment, a distribution device can receive an over-the-air broadcast, transcode the over-the-air broadcast, and broadcast the transcoded broadcast to mobile devices within range. |
| US08966545B2 |
Connecting a legacy device into a home entertainment system using a wireless home entertainment hub
A method of connecting a legacy device in a home entertainment system containing a wireless home entertainment hub utilizing a home theatre network interface box includes obtaining a registration with the wireless home entertainment hub for the home theatre network interface box. The home theatre network interface box is connected to the legacy device and the home theatre network interface device is identified at the wireless home entertainment hub according to the functionality of the legacy device. An instruction from the wireless home entertainment hub to transmit data produced by the legacy device to at least one sink device in the home entertainment system is received, where the legacy device is a source device. Representation of the data produced by the legacy device from the home theatre network interface box to the at least one sink device is transmitted. |
| US08966544B2 |
Providing and receiving wireless broadcasts
Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for wirelessly providing transcoded broadcasts to mobile devices and receiving content wirelessly via mobile devices. For example, in one embodiment, a distribution device can receive an over-the-air broadcast, transcode the over-the-air broadcast, and broadcast the transcoded broadcast to mobile devices within range. |
| US08966536B2 |
Display control system, display control device, and display control method
Provided is a display control device including a display control unit that, when display information of one content among a plurality of contents is selected on a display screen, creates a next display screen containing display information of at least any of a plurality of contents relevant to the one content, wherein the display information contained in the next display screen is display information of contents according to a selection sequence of a plurality of display information having been selected before among the plurality of contents relevant to the one content. |
| US08966533B2 |
Receiving apparatus, information processing method, program, transmitting apparatus, and application interlocking system for acquiring and executing an application in conjunction with reproduction of content
Disclosed herein is a receiving apparatus including: an extracting part configured to extract signature data representing a feature of reproduced content from the content; a profile generating part configured to generate user profile data; a query generating part configured to generate a query containing the signature data and the user profile data, transmit the query thus generated to a transmitting apparatus, and receive a response that is sent back from the transmitting apparatus in accordance with the query and that has been caused to match with the user profile data in the transmitting apparatus; and an application executing part configured to acquire and execute an application in conjunction with reproduction of the content based on the response thus received. |
| US08966532B2 |
Display apparatus and method for scheduling broadcast using the same
A display apparatus and a method for scheduling a broadcast using the same. The broadcast scheduling method includes generating a program information table, in which broadcast information is arranged, if a broadcast program selected by a user in the program information table is moved into an area adjacent to an icon, displaying the broadcast program being added to an item folder, and scheduling the broadcast program. |
| US08966531B2 |
Computer program product and device for displaying advertising on a television
A method of providing advertising from a central database server connected to a global computer network to distributed sites via interactive television. A representative icon is presented to a subscriber on a television screen indicating an advertisement. When a the icon is selected, an advertisement information detail is retrieved from storage in a local memory, or from the central database server and presented to the subscriber on the television screen. |
| US08966530B2 |
Systems and methods for presenting multiple assets in an interactive media guidance application
Systems and methods for presenting multiple assets in an interactive media guidance application are provided. A guidance display containing media guidance application listings is provided, where non-linear media assets are extracted from the media guidance application listings and the guidance display is divided into different portions to present media guidance application listings of non-on-demand media assets and non-linear media assets. One portion of the guidance display may include media guidance application listings of non-on-demand assets and may indicate the non-linear media assets extracted from the portion of the guidance display. Another portion may include media guidance application listings of non-linear media assets that were extracted from the media guidance application listings. This portion may also include additional non-linear assets that are available for retrieval and playback. |
| US08966529B2 |
Virtual channel table for a broadcast protocol and method of broadcasting and receiving broadcast signals using the same
A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. |
| US08966527B1 |
System and method for media inserts in a media distribution system
A predefined advertising service identifier, or trigger code, is broadcast along with the digital media in a media distribution system, to give explicit insert triggers to re-distributors in a multi-tiered distribution system. These service identifiers are encrypted so that other parties without access to the triggers that are receiving the broadcast cannot identify ad insert time slots and therefore cannot insert ads without prior agreement. In one embodiment, the triggers are contained within pre-existing conditional access control word packets. |
| US08966524B2 |
Method of associating program content data in a digital television network
There is provided a method of associating program content data in a peer-to-peer digital television network. The network comprises a program content source, a network comprising a plurality of network nodes operable to receive data blocks corresponding to program content propagated from the program content source, and at least one user node coupled to the network. The method includes steps of: (a) receiving one or more user profiles of the at least one user node; (b) matching the one or more user profiles with the program content for determining preferential program content for presentation to the at least one user; (c) including identifiers of the preferential program content in the one or more program content lists for receipt at the at least one user node; (d) procuring for the at least one user node the preferential program content using the identifiers from the plurality of network nodes; and (e) selectively presenting at least part of the preferential program content to the at least one user node. |
| US08966523B1 |
Advertisement insertion into media content for streaming
Methods and systems for advertisement insertion into streaming media content are described. In one method, an advertisement insertion tool receives a first indication of a start time of where an advertisement is to be inserted into media content and a second indication comprising at least one of an end time of the advertisement or a duration of the advertisement. The advertisement insertion tool inspects a first original slice of the media content that contains the media content at the start time to locate a first preceding key frame at or prior to the start time and a last frame before the start time. The advertisement insertion tool creates a first new slice comprising the media content of the first original slice up to the start time. The first new slice comprises the first preceding key frame, the last frame and any intervening delta frames between the first preceding key frame and the last frame. The advertisement insertion tool inspects a second original slice of the media content that contains the media content at the end time to locate a second preceding key frame at or prior to the end time, a last frame corresponding to the media content at the end time, and a first frame after the end time. The advertisement insertion tool creates a subsequent key frame with the first frame and creates a second new slice comprising the subsequent key frame and the media content of the second original slice after the first frame until an end of the second original slice. The advertisement insertion tool stores the first new slice and second new slice at a content server for streaming the media content with the advertisement inserted to a media player executing on a client computing system. |
| US08966521B2 |
Methods and apparatus to present supplemental media on a second screen
Methods and apparatus to present supplemental media on a second screen are disclosed. An example method includes obtaining, at a digital media device, media identifying data from audio data of a portion of first media being presented via the digital media device; determining that the portion of the first media is an advertisement based on the media identifying data; detecting, at the digital media device, a command to cause the digital media device to skip the portion of the first media; and providing an indication to a second device in response to detecting the command, the indication to cause the second device to present second media. |
| US08966520B2 |
Video ad swapping in a video streaming system
Configuration of advertisements in a streaming video segment works in cooperation with a client device. Using a selection algorithm, a server selects a first number of default video advertisements for a video streaming session, and a second number of alternative video ads greater than the first number. The server provides identifiers for the alternative video advertisements and transmits the identifiers to the client device prior to a corresponding ad break in the streaming video. During or before streaming of one of the default video advertisements to the client device, the server detects a signal from the client device requesting that one of the alternative video advertisements be swapped for the one of the default video advertisements, interrupts streaming of the default video, and initiates streaming of the one of the alternative video advertisements, in response to detecting the signal. Corresponding operations may be performed by the client device. |
| US08966518B2 |
Method for validating access to a product by means of a security module
A method for validating access to a product by a security module associated with a user unit unidirectionally connected to a managing center MC transmitting management messages being generated following the receipt of a request for an access right to the product, said method comprises the steps of purchasing a product, determining a code representing the product, displaying said code on a display device, transmitting to the MC, a request comprising said code and an security module identifier, transmitting a right confirmation message addressed to the user unit associated with said security module, wherein, at purchasing of the product, a temporary right is registered in the security module, said temporary right being replaced by a definitive right by the right confirmation message received from the MC, said definitive right authorizing the access to the purchased product by debiting the value amount associated with said product. |
| US08966516B2 |
Determining automatically generated channel tunes based on channel tune dwell times
Set top box logs are received from a television provider and processed to identify channel tunes and channel tune times. The channel tunes and channel tune times of the log data can be compared to expected air times of television advertisements on channels, and an impression values, e.g., projected viewers, can be generated for each television advertisement. |
| US08966515B2 |
Adaptable videolens media engine
A system, method, and computer program product for automatically analyzing multimedia data are disclosed. Embodiments receive multimedia data, detect portions having specified features, and output a corresponding subset of the multimedia data. Content features from downloaded or streaming movies or video clips are identified as a human probably would do, but in essentially real time. Embodiments then generate an index or menu based on individual consumer preferences. Consumers can peruse the index, or produce customized trailers, or edit and tag content with metadata as desired. The tool can categorize and cluster content by feature, to assemble a library of scenes or scene clusters according to user-selected criteria. The results may be sent to visual search engines so that further related content may be identified for use as a customized trailer, replacement content for advertisements, or as material to be shared with others. |
| US08966513B2 |
System and method for processing media highlights
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for processing media highlights. A first method includes displaying a real-time media event to a user, and, upon receiving a first indication from the user at a first time, generating a highlight of the real-time media event based on the first time, the highlight being associated with a portion of the real-time media event at the first time, and associating, in a highlight database, the highlight with an individual profile of the user. The highlight can include parameters for media content and/or duration. The highlight duration can be based on an analysis of content of the real-time media event. Highlights can be assigned to specific highlight categories. Other aspects disclosed herein apply to playback of media highlights during playback of a recorded media event, and managing stored highlights. |
| US08966512B2 |
Inserting advertisement content in video stream
A system and method for inserting advertising content in a video stream are provided. A screen layout includes a plurality of sections is determined with reference to user-designated parameters or with reference to pre-set rules. An output video stream is generated, in which an input video stream received through an input port is shown in one of the sections of the screen layout and supplemental content comprising advertising received through a content port is shown one or more other sections of the screen layout. The output video signal is then output to a display device through a video output port. |
| US08966510B2 |
Kernel execution for hybrid systems
A method for executing kernels in a hybrid system includes running a program on a host computer and identifying in an instruction stream of the program a first instruction including a function of a target classification. The method includes generating a first kernel including the function and transmitting the first kernel to a client system to execute the first kernel based on identifying the first instruction as being of the target classification. The method also includes determining whether to store results of executing the first kernel in a read-only buffer of the client system based on determining whether a subsequent instruction of the target classification relies upon results of the first instruction. |
| US08966503B1 |
System and method for correlating anomalous events
The method includes monitoring a plurality of information handling systems. The method further includes receiving an anomalous event with respect to at least one information handling system of the plurality of information handling systems. In addition, the method includes performing, via at least one correlation handler, at least one correlation algorithm on the anomalous event. Further, the method includes, responsive to the performing, creating, via the correlation handler, at least one composite event. Additionally, the method includes sending the at least one composite event to an event handler. The method also includes issuing, via the event handler, an alert for the at least one composite event. |
| US08966499B2 |
Virtual switch extensibility
An extensible virtual switch allows virtual machines to communicate with one another and optionally with other physical devices via a network. The extensible virtual switch includes an extensibility protocol binding, allowing different extensions to be added to the extensible virtual switch. The extensible virtual switch also includes a miniport driver on which the extensions are loaded, tying the lifetimes of the extensions to the lifetime of the extensible virtual switch. |
| US08966498B2 |
Integrating operational and business support systems with a service delivery platform
A service-oriented approach provides for an integration of components that would otherwise be considered different and unrelated components, such as runtime, business support systems (BSS), operational support systems (OSS), and third party components. Such integration allows messages to be transformed and passed between components as necessary to perform a particular task. For example, a BPEL workflow can be initiated upon receiving a user request through a network and gateway layer which will direct provisioning, activation, and processing via these various components. Identities can be managed across these various layers to provide for seamless end-to-end integration. |
| US08966494B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing threads requiring resources
A data processing apparatus has processing circuitry for processing threads using resources accessible to the processing circuitry. Thread handling circuitry handles pending threads which are waiting for resources required for processing. When a request is made for a resource which is not available, a lock is set to ensure that once the resource becomes available, the resource remains available until the lock is removed. This prevents other threads reallocating the resource. When a subsequent pending thread requests access to the same locked unavailable resource, the lock is transferred to that subsequent thread so that the latest thread accessing that resource is considered the lock owning thread. The lock is removed once the lock owning thread is ready for processing. |
| US08966492B2 |
Service provision quality control device
A service provision quality control device according to the present invention includes a simulation processing unit which predicts a group of state predicting vector values on the basis of vector values of a current state and a past state of measurement statistic, a judging unit which judges whether a control operation is necessary or not on the basis of the state predicting vector value and a target state vector value whose control target is agreed service level, and an adjusting unit which adjusts evaluation condition of an execution environment repeatedly until control deviation becomes not larger than a predetermined value under the condition that iteration number is not larger than a predetermined value which is corresponding to an upper limit value. |
| US08966488B2 |
Synchronising groups of threads with dedicated hardware logic
The invention provides a processor comprising an execution unit arranged to execute multiple program threads, each thread comprising a sequence of instructions, and a plurality of synchronisers for synchronising threads. Each synchroniser is operable, in response to execution by the execution unit of one or more synchroniser association instructions, to associate with a group of at least two threads. Each synchroniser is also operable, when thus associated, to synchronise the threads of the group by pausing execution of a thread in the group pending a synchronisation point in another thread of that group. |
| US08966487B1 |
Application transaction wait time dynamic adjustment
A transaction server. The transaction server comprises a processor, a non-transitory memory, and an application stored in the non-transitory memory. When executed by the processor, the application transmits a plurality of transaction requests to at least one backend server, where the backend server performs processing on the transaction, determines that a transaction request timeout occurs when a transaction response has not been received from the at least one backend server within a timeout time period after transmitting the associated transaction request, and adjusts the timeout time period based on the transaction request timeouts without restarting. |
| US08966481B2 |
Computer program code and method for delivering external data to a process running on a virtual machine
A method and system for delivering external data to a process running on a virtual machine, the virtual machine running on an operating system. The method includes the steps of executing instructions on the virtual machine that obtain state data related to the process; querying the virtual machine to obtain component data related to the state data; and manipulating the component data to deliver the external data to the process. In one example, the system provides a single sign-on application that passes user credentials to a Java applet running on a Java virtual machine. |
| US08966480B2 |
System for migrating a virtual machine between computers
An I/O device performs data input and data output between the I/O device and first and second computers. An I/O switch relays input and output data between the I/O device and each of the first and second computers. A device emulator emulates the I/O device when a virtual machine running on the first computer and directly accessing the I/O device is migrated from the first computer to the second computer. A connection controller controls switching connection between any one of the first and second computers and any one of the I/O device and the device emulator. The first computer is connected to the I/O device and the second computer is connected to the device emulator until the virtual machine running on the first computer is stopped, and the second computer is connected to the I/O device after the virtual machine running on the first computer is stopped. |
| US08966475B2 |
Workload management for heterogeneous hosts in a computing system environment
Methods and apparatus involve managing workload migration to host devices in a data center having heterogeneously arranged computing platforms. Fully virtualized images include drivers compatible with varieties of host devices. The images also include an agent that detects a platform type of a specific host device upon deployment. If the specific host is a physical platform type, the agent provisions native drivers. If the specific host is a virtual platform type, the agent also detects a hypervisor. The agent then provisions front-end drivers that are most compatible with the detected hypervisor. Upon decommissioning of the image, the image is returned to its pristine state and saved for later re-use. In other embodiments, detection methods of the agent are disclosed as are computing systems, data centers, and computer program products, to name a few. |
| US08966474B2 |
Managing virtual machines using shared image
A method for managing a computing system comprises identifying read-only portions of a file system, sharing the read-only portions of the file system among a plurality of virtual machines, and managing the shared read-only portions of the file system as a single unit. |
| US08966472B2 |
Image forming apparatus, method of preinstalling application, and non-transitory computer-readable medium
An image forming apparatus, which is configured to install application software that runs on an operation environment, comprises: a storage unit which stores a data file of system software, a data file of application software required to extend a function of the image forming apparatus, a license file required to install the application software, and a control file which defines a state after preinstall with respect to the application software; a preinstall unit which preinstalls application software stored in the storage unit using the license file upon activation of the image forming apparatus; and a changing unit which changes the preinstalled application software to a state defined by the control file. |
| US08966470B2 |
Remote content updates for portable media devices
Improved techniques for interaction between a host device (e.g., host computer) and a portable media device (e.g., media player) are disclosed. According to one embodiment, interaction between the host device and the portable media device can be performed over a network. The network can include wired and/or wireless components. The network can also be local, regional or global in geographic coverage. The interaction over the network can be initiated by the portable media device, manually or automatically, so as to request a content update from the host device. In response to the requested content update, updated content is received at the portable media device from the host device, provided a network connection between the portable media device and the host device is available through the network. |
| US08966466B2 |
System for performing firmware updates on a number of drives in an array with minimum interruption to drive I/O operations
The present invention concerns an apparatus comprising a management utility and a processing utility. The management utility may be implemented on a host computer and be configured to initiate a request to apply a firmware update to a plurality of drives in an array. The processing utility may be implemented on a drive controller and may be configured to (i) determine which of the plurality of drives are in an idle state, (ii) send the firmware update to the drives determined to be in the idle state and (iii) repeat (i) and (ii) until all of the drives have been updated. |
| US08966463B2 |
Eliminating redundant function calls
A computer-implemented method for removing redundant function calls in a computer program includes identifying a first set of equivalent function calls appearing in the computer program. For each of the equivalent function calls, the method identifies whether the function call is partially available or partially anticipable. When a function call is identified as being partially anticipable, a result of the function call is stored in a temporary variable. When a function call is identified as being partially available, the function call is removed and replaced with use of the temporary variable. |
| US08966453B1 |
Automatic generation of program execution that reaches a given failure point
An execution of a target software program that causes a particular bug to manifest itself is generated. A target software program is received. A bug report generated by an execution of the target software program is received. The bug report describes a particular bug within the target software program. A bug type of the particular bug is received. A synthesized execution file is generated based on the target software program, the bug report, and the bug type. The synthesized execution file specifies an execution of the target software program that causes the particular bug to manifest itself. |
| US08966449B2 |
Test case pattern matching
A method of providing feedback on source code being created includes receiving source code and processing the received source code according to a predefined rule set to create a representation of the received source code. A source code repository is accessed that includes source code fragments. Each source code fragment in the repository has been processed according to the predefined rule set to create representations of the respective source code fragments. The representation of the received source code is compared to each representation of the source code fragments. A matching score is calculated for the representation of the received source code with respect to each representation of the source code fragments based upon an output of the comparison step. An output derived from the calculated matching scores is presented. |
| US08966446B1 |
Systems and methods of live experimentation on content provided by a web site
Techniques for experimentation on live content in a production environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for live experimentation comprises receiving a first request from a client computing device for an instance of content, sending a second request for an instance of content to a content provider, receiving the instance of content from the content provider in response to the second request, associating a test script with the received instance of content, and sending the instance of content with the associated test script to the client computing device. The client computing device is configured to execute the test script on the instance of content without modifying content executed by the content provider. |
| US08966444B2 |
Method and apparatus for programming software components
Methods and systems are disclosed for programming software components that treats software components as the basic unit of abstraction and computation. A software component is encapsulated and classes and other program entities, such as data fields and methods, within a given component do not exist beyond a component boundary. A component interacts with other components only by means of a defined set of input and output ports. A component can inherit and implement ports declared in a template and can declare and implement new ports. A component can only access the external environment through its output ports. An output port of one component can only be connected to a conforming input port of another component. A connect statement is an explicit plumbing operation for connecting components together. Interactions between components are loosely coupled. A related set of templates can be grouped to form a group. |
| US08966441B2 |
Dynamic scripts to extend static applications
One or more processors receive (a) first software written in a first computer language, (b) user input identifying a first name of a first method in a plurality of methods defined in the first software, and (c) user input identifying a location within a second software that is written in a second computer language different from the first computer language. In response, the one or more processors automatically prepare and store at the user-identified location in the second software, a new instruction formatted in a syntax of the second computer language that invokes the first method identified in the first software by the first name. The second software may be initially created with a first instruction to include at least a first additional name (e.g. “main”) used to invoke execution of the second software, and as a parameter thereof a second additional name identifying the first software. |
| US08966440B2 |
Custom application creation in multi-tenant systems
Methods and systems are provided for creating custom applications that integrate custom objects in a multi-tenant system. One exemplary method for creating a custom application involves an application server providing a graphical user interface on a client device. The graphical user interface includes a graphical user interface element for receiving an input value for an attribute of the custom application, wherein the application server generates the custom application having the attribute equal to the input value indicated by the graphical user interface element to a client device. |
| US08966437B2 |
Method and apparatus of specifying the concrete syntax of graphical modeling languages
A computer based method, system and apparatus specify graphical concrete syntax in a modeling language. The invention system declaratively describes the graphical concrete syntax of a diagram of a subject model. A mapping engine maps between (i) the graphical concrete syntax and (ii) the abstract syntax and corresponding diagram interchange syntax of the subject model. The declarative descriptions define structure of the graphical concrete syntax rather than a rendering (painting) logic of the graphical concrete syntax. |
| US08966436B2 |
Systems and methods for providing and customizing a virtual event platform
Systems and methods for customizing the functionalities and content of virtual event platform are disclosed. Content is received from a user using a template. Within the template the user defines and/or implements calls to an application programming interface to access various functionalities existing within the virtual event platform, as well as system variables exposed by the existing virtual event platform. The user uses the API system variables to define the customizations. |
| US08966435B2 |
Methods for software mass production
A model-oriented programming method for computer-based software system development and management. The method includes (a) obtaining the program problem specifications, (b) building a model of the software system, (c) segmenting the model into model segments, wherein each of the model segments is assigned to a programmer, (d) writing a code for each of the model segments, wherein the code implements the assigned model segment, (e) running a model-driven dry-run and upon detection of a model error fixing the error and proceeding with step (c), (f) debugging the code by each of the programmers and upon detection of a model error fixing the error and proceeding with step (c), (g) integrating the code corresponding to each of the model segments into a computer-based software system, and upon detection of a model error fixing the error and proceeding with step (c), and (h) delivering the integrated computer-based software to the client. |
| US08966432B1 |
Reduction of jitter in an integrated circuit
Reducing jitter in a circuit design includes selecting a plurality of circuit elements of a circuit design clocked using a first clock signal and assigning, using a processor, the plurality of circuit elements to different ones of a plurality of groups according to a balancing criterion. The circuit elements assigned to a first group of the plurality of groups are clocked using the first clock signal. The circuit elements assigned to a second group of the plurality of groups are clocked using a second clock signal different from the first clock signal. |
| US08966429B2 |
Bit slice elements utilizing through device routing
A method for the identification and implementation of a logic function includes determining logic gates connected to a control signal that is common among the logic gates of the identified logic function. Standard cells may be created and characterized in order to implement the identified logic function. Creating the standard cell includes aligning respective portions of the logic devices included in the logic gates that are coupled to the control signal. In addition, creating the standard cell may also include routing the control signal using a single layer conductive material uni-directionally to interconnect the logic devices. |
| US08966424B2 |
Methods for cell phasing and placement in dynamic array architecture and implementation of the same
A semiconductor chip is defined to include a logic block area having a first chip level in which layout features are placed according to a first virtual grate, and a second chip level in which layout features are placed according to a second virtual grate. A rational spatial relationship exists between the first and second virtual grates. A number of cells are placed within the logic block area. Each of the number of cells is defined according to an appropriate one of a number of cell phases. The appropriate one of the number of cell phases causes layout features in the first and second chip levels of a given placed cell to be aligned with the first and second virtual grates as positioned within the given placed cell. |
| US08966413B2 |
System and method for a chip generator
A chip generator according to an embodiment of the present invention codifies designer knowledge and design trade-offs into a template that can be used to create many different chips. Like reconfigurable designs, an embodiment of the present invention fixes the top level system architecture, amortizes software and validation and design costs, and enables a rich system simulation environment for application developers. Meanwhile, below the top level, the developer can “program” the individual inner components of the architecture. Unlike reconfigurable chips, a chip generator according to an embodiment of the present invention, compiles the program to create a customized chip. This compilation process occurs at elaboration time—long before silicon is fabricated. The result is a framework that enables more customization of the generated chip at the architectural level because additional components and logic can be added if the customization process requires it. |
| US08966412B1 |
Methods of generating circuit layouts that are to be manufactured using SADP techniques
One method disclosed herein involves, among other things, identifying a plurality of features within an overall pattern layout that cannot be decomposed using the SADP process, wherein at least first and second adjacent features are required to be same-color features, decreasing a spacing between the first and second adjacent features such that the first feature and the second feature become different-color features so as to thereby render the plurality of features decomposable using the SADP process, decomposing the overall pattern layout into a mandrel mask pattern and a block mask pattern, and generating mask data sets corresponding to the mandrel mask pattern and the block mask pattern. |
| US08966411B2 |
Standardized topographical arrangements for template regions that orient self-assembly
This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods of providing standardized topographical configurations for template regions. In one embodiment, a set of array arrangements is selected. Arrays of template structures are then formed on at least one substrate. Each of the arrays is arranged in accordance with an array arrangement in the set of array arrangements such that the arrays correspond surjectively onto the set of array arrangements. After the arrays are formed, a self-assembly material is provided on the arrays. Self-assembly patterns formed by self-assembling material as a result of the arrays may be empirically observed and used to map a set of self-assembly pattern arrangements surjectively onto the set of array arrangements. Using this mapping, a combination of the self-assembly pattern arrangements that match a target pattern arrangement can be used to select a combination of array arrangements from the set of array arrangements for a template region. |
| US08966410B2 |
Semiconductor structure and method for fabricating semiconductor layout
A method for fabricating a semiconductor layout includes providing a first layout having a plurality of line patterns and a second layout having a plurality of connection patterns, defining at least a first to-be-split pattern overlapping with the connection pattern among the line patterns, splitting the first to-be-split pattern at where the first to-be-split pattern overlapping with the connection pattern, decomposing the first layout to form a third layout and a fourth layout, and outputting the third layout and the further layout to a first mask and a second mask respectively. |
| US08966408B2 |
Removable clip with user interface
Various embodiments of removable user interfaces, electronic computing devices, and systems are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a body having a bend and a user interface area, a connector adapted to couple to a corresponding connector on an electronic device, and a plurality of conductive elements. The bend enables the user interface area to wrap around a portion of the electronic device when the connector is coupled to the corresponding connector on the electronic device. In another embodiment, a portable electronic system includes a removable user interface and an electronic computing device having a display surface, where the removable user interface is couplable to the electronic computing device such that the removable user interface is disposed over at least a part of the display surface. |
| US08966392B2 |
Event management apparatus, systems, and methods
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to generate a reference statistical model of an operating system, such as a computer system, and display the reference statistical model as a hierarchical, segmented time series event stream graph, along with a graph representing current behavior of the system. The event stream graph may be derived from one or more streams of security events. Additional operations may include receiving requests to display further detail respecting discrepancies between the reference statistical model and the current behavior. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US08966389B2 |
Visual interface for identifying positions of interest within a sequentially ordered information encoding
Embodiments of the present invention provide intuitive, easily used, and efficient visual representation of positions of interest to a user within a sequentially ordered information encoding. In particular, various embodiments of the present invention provide a heat-map-like representation of the relatedness, at each location or position within a sequentially ordered information encoding, of the contents of the information encoding at or near the position to a specified search criterion. The heat-map visual representation allows a user to identify positions of particular interest, with respect to the specified search criterion, and to directly access the information at those positions, allowing the user to avoid time-consuming and inefficient hit-or-miss searching techniques. |
| US08966386B2 |
Method for enabling a mobile user equipment to drag and drop data objects between distributed applications
The invention concerns a system and a method for enabling a mobile User Equipment (81) to drag and drop data objects between at least two remote applications (7, 9) or between a local application (2) and a remote application (7, 9), the system including a Drag Source (10), a Drag Target (12), a Drop Source (14), and a Drop Target (16). In the system according to the invention, the Drag Source (10) is configured for negotiating with the Drag Target (12) a transmission protocol (38, 32, 100, 102, 104) for exchanging said data object between said Drop Source (14) and said Drop Target (16). |
| US08966382B1 |
Managing production and replica copies dynamically
In one aspect, a method includes rendering a user interface enabling a user to dynamically configure a production copy and a replica of the production copy. The user interface further enables a user to dynamically configure a replica of a replica copy. The method also includes receiving a first set of inputs selected by a user using the user interface to configure the production copy, receiving a second set of inputs selected by the user using the user interface to configure the replica copy and configuring a data protection system to replicate the production copy at the replica based on the first and second set of inputs. |
| US08966378B2 |
Community interest network
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer program products for providing a community interest network that is developed on a societal relationship platform. In various embodiments, the platform is based on a collection of online, virtualized social communities oriented around interests. Further, in various embodiments, the community interest network includes a directory structure that is hierarchical and is built on a number of interest accounts tied to a specific tier structure (e.g., tier classification). |
| US08966377B2 |
Method and apparatus for a virtual desktop
An approach is provided for managing desktop components. A device determines to facilitate access to at least one interface for subscribing to one or more inputs of one or more desktop components, advertising the availability of one or more subscriptions to one or more outputs of the one or more desktop components, publishing the one or more outputs of the one or more desktop components, or a combination thereof. The one or more desktop components generate the one or more outputs based, at least in part, on the one or more inputs. |
| US08966376B2 |
Methods and systems for remote desktop session redrawing via HTTP headers
Examples of methods, systems, apparatus, and machine-readable storage media are provided to facilitate access and control of a remote desktop of a remote machine by a web browser at a client device through a transcoding server without installing proprietary plug-ins or protocols on the client device. A transcoding server may translate user input requests from a web browser into input calls compatible with a remote desktop display protocol. The transcoding server may receive remote desktop drawing commands from the remote machine and translate the remote desktop drawing commands into web browser drawing updates compatible with the web browser. A transcoding server may communicate with a web browser via HTTP and communicate with a remote machine via a remote desktop display protocol. A web browser may be an HTML5 browser. A transcoding server may send drawing coordinates to the web browser via an HTTP header and may use long polling. |
| US08966374B1 |
Method and apparatus for enabling participants to assume control over a presentation in a remote viewing session
Control of the display computer that is the source of display information on a remote viewing session may be passed between the display participant and one or more of the viewer participants using simplified and intuitive controls rather than a more complicated menu-driven system. In one embodiment, the display participant may elect to provide control to a particular viewer participant or to any viewer participant on the session. When a viewer participant has the ability to control the display computer, the pointer shown to the display participant will be changed to notify the display participant. Likewise, color of the mouse pointer shown to the viewer participant will be changed to allow the viewer participant to know that he has the ability to assume control. Tooltips may be used as well to instruct the participants how to assume control. The color of the mouse pointer is thus determined for each participant individually according to the state of that participant relative to the remote control option of the remote viewing software. |
| US08966369B2 |
High quality semi-automatic production of customized rich media video clips
A method and system for the high quality semi-automatic production of customized rich media video clips is disclosed. Media source material, such as text, graphics, pictures, and video clips can be submitted by a customer. A computerized content aggregator utilizing an automated production assistant can locate additional source material by searching available information libraries and databases. The computerized content aggregator may be programmed to organize and assemble the various source materials to create suggested video elements and a suggested voice-over script or recording. A human video producer can then quickly and efficiently create a rich media video clip from the suggested video elements and the voice-over script or recording. |
| US08966364B2 |
Image editing apparatus allowing easy edition of page arrangement order on a scrollable preview display of page images
An image editing apparatus allowing easy edition of page arrangement order on the preview display of page images includes a display device having a display screen and a preview display device configured to display image data in a scrollable manner. If any page is selected from the images of preview display, the selected page is displayed as a reduced image at a position different from the preview images. By drag-and-dropping the reduced image to an arrangement of preview images, the selected page moves to the drag-and-dropped position in the image data. |
| US08966362B2 |
Method and system for in-document markup in support of information sharing
A system is provided to facilitate content dissemination. During operation, the system allows a user to add a tag to a first document, wherein the tag indicates an operation to be performed on a portion of the document. The system then processes the tag and performs the operation on the document portion based on the tag. |
| US08966361B2 |
Providing summary view of documents
As part of a document summary view system, a miniaturized version of a document is provided that presents a summary overview of the document over a user interface, enabling a user to easily read and distinguish the contents of the document. The summary view may preserve a basic format and/or layout of a document and may retain the core elements within the document including headings, bulleted lists, tables, images, and/or the first sentence of each paragraph, and obscure any remaining text and elements. |
| US08966357B2 |
User interface for establishing mappings from internal metadata to external metadata
A solution is provided that allows a user to provide an alternate set of metadata for any number of data points within a report, while in a report design environment. They may lay down a grid on the work area and specify the data by placing the relevant dimensional metadata, extracted from the source, in the grid as row headings and column headings. The user may then select either a column or a row from the grid and upon doing so may be provided with a mechanism to define alternate metadata that can describe all data points that are in the column or row in the target system. This allows for a much more user-friendly environment in which to specify metadata mappings between internal sources and external sources. |
| US08966355B2 |
Apparatus and method for comparing pairs of binary words
An apparatus for comparing pairs of binary words includes an intermediate value determiner and an error detector. The intermediate value determiner determines an intermediate binary word so that the intermediate binary word is equal to a reference binary word for a first pair of equal or inverted binary words, so that the intermediate binary word is equal to the inverted reference binary word for a second pair of equal or inverted binary words and so that the intermediate binary word is unequal to the reference binary word and the inverted reference binary word for a pair of unequal and uninverted binary words, if the intermediate value determiner works faultlessly. Further, the error detector provides an error signal based on the intermediate binary word so that the error signal indicates whether or not the binary words of a pair of binary words are equal or inverted. |
| US08966352B2 |
Memory controller supporting rate-compatible punctured codes and supporting block codes
Apparatus and methods store data in a non-volatile solid state memory device according to a rate-compatible code, such as a rate-compatible convolutional code (RPCC). An example of such a memory device is a flash memory device. Data can initially be block encoded for error correction and detection. The block-coded data can be further convolutionally encoded. Convolutional-coded data can be punctured and stored in the memory device. The puncturing decreases the amount of memory used to store the data. Depending on conditions, the amount of puncturing can vary from no puncturing to a relatively high amount of puncturing to vary the amount of additional error correction provided and memory used. The punctured data can be decoded when data is to be read from the memory device. |
| US08966350B2 |
Providing reliability metrics for decoding data in non-volatile storage
A set of reliability metrics is provided for use by an iterative probabilistic decoding process for non-volatile storage. A plurality of sense operations are performed on at least one set of non-volatile storage elements which are programmed to a plurality of programming states. A set of reliability metrics such as logarithmic likelihood ratios is provided based on the sense operations. The set of reliability metrics is can be used by an iterative probabilistic decoding process in determining a programming state of at least one non-volatile storage element based on at least one subsequent sense operation involving the at least one non-volatile storage element. The plurality of sense operations can be performed at different ages (e.g., number of program/erase cycles) of the at least one set of non-volatile storage elements and the set of reliability metrics can be based on an average over the different ages. |
| US08966340B2 |
System and method for fault tolerant computing using generic hardware
A dual redundant process controller is provided. The controller comprises a process control application that executes on a first and a second module. When executed by the first module, a first application instance writes a first synchronization information to the second module, reads a second synchronization information from the first module, and, when the second disagrees with the first synchronization information after passage of a time-out interval, performs a resynchronization function; and wherein, when executed by the second module, the second application instance writes the second synchronization information to the first module, reads the first synchronization information from the second module, and, when the first disagrees with the second synchronization information after passage of the time-out interval, performs the resynchronization function. The first application instance calls the synchronization function provided by the multitasking real-time operating system before invoking a set events function provided by a multitasking real-time operating system. |
| US08966339B1 |
Decoder supporting multiple code rates and code lengths for data storage systems
Embodiments of decoders supporting multiple code rates and code lengths for data storage systems are disclosed. The decoders can provide for flexible and scalable decoding, particularly when quasi-cyclic low-density parity-check code (QC-LDPC) decoding is used. The decoder can be scaled in size based on, for example, the desired decoding throughput and/or computational cycle duration. In one embodiment, a rotate-left/right shifter is configured to support data having processing units of one of multiple matrix sizes and independently shift portions of the data. In another embodiment, one or more decoding modules are configured to share with one or more other decoding modules an output value from a layer decoding operation. This sharing can facilitate parallel decoding of data by the decoding modules. As a result, decoding speed, efficiency, and system performance can be improved. |
| US08966338B2 |
Cyclic redundancy check code generating circuit, semiconductor memory device, and method of driving semiconductor memory device
Disclosed are a semiconductor memory device, and a method of driving the same, and a cyclic redundancy check code generating circuit capable of performing cyclic redundancy check. A semiconductor memory device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a memory cell array, a data processing unit receiving data that is read from the memory cell array and selectively outputting at least some of the data according to ordering information, bit structure information, and burst length information, and a check code generating unit generating a cyclic redundancy check code to detect an error in the data being output, the check code generating unit generating and outputting the cyclic redundancy check code by using the read data, the ordering information, the bit structure information, and the burst length information. |
| US08966337B2 |
Powerline communication frames having CRC within header
A method of powerline communications including a first node and at least a second node on a powerline communications (PLC) channel in a PLC network. The first node sends a physical layer (PHY) data frame on the PLC channel including a preamble, a PHY header, a MAC header and a MAC payload. The MAC header includes a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) field (MH-CRC field). The second node receives the data frame, parses the MAC header to reach the MH-CRC field, and performs CRC verification using the MH-CRC field to verify the MAC header. If the CRC verification is successful, (i) the second node parses another portion of the MAC header to identify a destination address of the data frame and (ii) to determine whether the data frame is intended for the second node from the destination address. |
| US08966334B2 |
Automatic repeat request (ARQ) protocol employing a first information element indicating whether to perform retransmission of an uplink data packet and a second information element indicates a transport format for the retransmission
A transmission apparatus controls a transport format for retransmission of data packets transmitted uplink to a receiving apparatus via at least one data channel using an automatic repeat request (ARQ) protocol. A transmitter transmits an uplink data packet via the data channel to the receiving apparatus, and a receiver receives a first information element along with a second information element from the receiving apparatus. The first information element indicates whether to perform a retransmission of the uplink data packet at the transmission apparatus, and the second information element indicates a transport format for the retransmission. The transmitter transmits the retransmission from the transmission apparatus to the receiving apparatus according to the transport format indicated in the second information element using a transmission timing based on the ARQ protocol. |
| US08966333B2 |
Method and arrangement for retransmission using HARQ
The present invention relates to a method and device for enhancing coverage of a power-limited mobile terminal by sending information relating to a single Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) process from the mobile terminal to a base station using several transmission time intervals. |
| US08966332B2 |
Apparatus and method for self-testing a component for signal recovery
A circuit having a component for signal recovery, such as an adaptive equalizer, may be tested in order to ensure that the component operates properly. Unfortunately, external test equipment may be expensive and prone to being damaged. According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a circuit including BIST (Built-in Self-Test) circuitry for testing a component for signal recovery with a stress signal that simulates an imperfect signal received over a communication channel. The circuit also has a detector for determining whether the component is operating properly with the stress signal. Thus, no external test equipment is needed for testing the component. In some implementations, the BIST circuitry includes a low-pass filter for filtering a transmit signal into the stress signal. Thus, the amount of circuitry involved in generating the stress signal can be reduced. |
| US08966331B2 |
Test circuit of semiconductor memory apparatus and semiconductor memory system including the same
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a test circuit configured to receive a plurality of sequentially-changing test input patterns, compress the received test input patterns at each clock signal, and output the compressed patterns as variable test data. |
| US08966329B2 |
Fast parallel test of SRAM arrays
In general, each parallel test operation on Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cells is a test operation performed on a block of the SRAM cells in parallel, or simultaneously. In one embodiment, the SRAM cells are arranged into multiple rows and multiple columns where the columns are further arranged into one or more column groups. The block of the SRAM cells for each parallel test operation includes SRAM cells in two or more of the rows, SRAM cells in two or more columns in the same column group, or both SRAM cells in two or more rows and SRAM cells in two or more columns in the same column group. |
| US08966323B2 |
Monitoring multiple data transfers
Trace circuitry for monitoring a behavior of at least one processor and for generating items of trace data indicative of processing activities of said at least one processor executing a stream of instructions is disclosed. The stream of instructions comprises different types of instructions, each type specifying a different operation, at least one type of instruction comprising a multiple transfer instruction specifying a plurality of data transfers. The trace circuitry is responsive to detection of the at least one processor executing at least one of the multiple transfer instructions and to an indication that at least one of the plurality of data transfers is to be traced: to output for each of the data transfers to be traced a value indicative of a predetermined index value associated with the data transfer, the at least one multiple transfer instruction having predetermined index values associated with each of the plurality of data transfers, such that the predetermined index value provides individual identification of each of the data transfers. |
| US08966322B2 |
Automated testing of hot swap scenarios of field replaceable units in a storage system
System and method for automated testing of hot swap scenarios of field replaceable units (FRUs) in a storage system comprises an external automation server that distributes control signals to actuation systems within a number of FRUs. Power for the actuation systems may be provided by the external automation server or by self-contained power supplies with each actuation system. The actuation systems are responsive to the control signals to move the storage devices back-and-forth thereby electrically and physically disconnecting the storage device's mating connector from the backplane connector. This approach provides a high degree of automation while closely emulating customer hot swap scenarios. |
| US08966317B2 |
Identifying software responsible for changes in system stability
A computer-implemented method detects a stability change in a computer system, and identifies a first set of at least one capability of the computer system that is affected by the stability change. In response to detecting the stability change, the method identifies a software application that was installed prior to the stability change, and identifies a second set of at least one capability of the computer system that is utilized by the identified software application. The method compares the first and second capability sets to determine a degree of similarity, and compares the time that the stability change was detected to the time that the identified software application was installed to determine a temporal proximity. The method then identifies the likelihood that the identified software application is the cause of the stability change, wherein the identified likelihood is a function of the degree of similarity and the temporal proximity. |
| US08966313B2 |
Systems and methods for a shared debug pin
In some examples, a computer system includes a first component associated with a first power domain and a second component associated with a second power domain. The computer system also includes a debug port with a debug port pin shared by a debug operation pin of the first component and a corresponding debug operation pin of the second component. The computer system also includes a switch associated with the debug port pin to selectively isolate the debug operation pin of the first component from leakage current of the corresponding debug operation pin of the second component. |
| US08966311B2 |
Maintenance free storage container storage module access
A method begins by a processing module determining failure mode information for a plurality of storage modules of a maintenance-free storage container. The method continues with the processing module managing storage mapping information of data content within the plurality of storage modules based on the failure mode information and receiving a data access request. The method continues with the processing module interpreting the data access request based on the storage mapping information to identify one or more of the plurality of storage modules to produce one or more identified storage modules and generating an in-container data access request based on the data access request and the one or more identified storage modules. The method continues with the processing module sending the in-container data access request to the one or more identified storage modules. |
| US08966309B2 |
Distribution of an incrementing count value
Circuitry is disclosed that comprises: at least one element located within the circuitry and configured to hold an increasing count value; an encoder for receiving the increasing count value from a source of the increasing count value and configured to encode the increasing count value into encoded values, the encoded values each indicating an exponential amount to be applied to the count value held in the at least one element; interconnect circuitry for receiving the encoded value and transmitting the encoded value to the at least one element; wherein the at least one element comprises a decoder for decoding the encoded values and for increasing the count value in dependence upon the exponential amount. |
| US08966307B2 |
Multiple-speed interface
The present invention provides a security module having a communication interface being capable of operating according to any from a selection from a plurality of predetermined operation modes or communication protocols. The security module further comprises a voltage detector to detect the voltage on the module's power supply connection. Depending on the value of the detected voltage or to which of a plurality of predetermined voltage ranges the detected voltage may be categorized, the security module is made to function according to one from the plurality of predetermined communication protocols. According to an embodiment of the present invention the plurality of communication protocols require that the security module operate at a plurality of different frequencies. |
| US08966306B2 |
System and method for operating an electronic device having an HDMI port that is shared between HDMI source function and an HDMI sink function of the electronic device
A system and method for operating an electronic device having a High-Definition Multimedia Interface port that is shared between an HDMI source function and an HDMI sink function of the electronic device utilizes detecting whether an external HDMI device that is attached to the HDMI port is one of an HDMI source and an HDMI sink. If the external HDMI device is detected as being an HDMI source, the HDMI sink function of the electronic device is enabled. If the external HDMI device is detected as being an HDMI sink, the HDMI source function of the electronic device is enabled. |
| US08966305B2 |
Managing processor-state transitions
Techniques are disclosed relating to managing power consumption and latencies for entry and exit of idle power states. In one embodiment, a processor includes a processing core configured to operate in a plurality of power states (e.g., C-states) that includes an operating power state and at least one idle power state. The processing core is also configured to operate in a plurality of performance states. The processor further includes a power management unit configured to receive a request from the processing core to enter the at least one idle power state. The power management unit is configured to select a first of the plurality of performance states (e.g., P-states) based on the requested idle power state. In one embodiment, the power management unit is further configured to cause the processing core to transition into the selected first performance state prior to entering the requested idle power state. |
| US08966304B1 |
Periodic system wakeup to update state
Methods and apparatus for updating state of computing devices are disclosed. An example method includes automatically scheduling, in a computing device, an update-process trigger. In the example method, occurrence of the update-process trigger causes the computing device to transition from a low power state to a first active power state and perform an update process. The update-process trigger may be scheduled based on one or more heuristics association with a given computing device. The example method further includes initiating, after scheduling the update-process trigger, a transition of the computing device from a second active power state to the low power state. In response to occurrence of the update-process trigger, the example method includes initiating the transition of the computing device from the low power state to the first active power state and performing the update process after the transition from the low power state to the first active power state. |
| US08966303B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method for saving energy in an image processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive a packet via a communication line, an operating processor configured to suspend an operation thereof when the information processing apparatus is in an energy saving mode, a first storage configured to store the packet received by the receiver, a determining unit including a table in which different operations of the operating processor are recorded in association with different patterns of packets and configured to determine whether to restart the operating processor when the information processing apparatus is in the energy saving mode based on a pattern of the packet stored in the first storage and the patterns of the packets in association with the operations of the operating processor recorded in the table, and a power manager configured to supply power to the operating processor based on a result determined by the determining unit to restart the operating processor. |
| US08966302B2 |
Method for power management of data buses in electronic devices
Provided are systems and methods for execution by a core of a peripheral component to provide power management for a data bus in a electronic device, such as a mobile electronic device. One method comprises determining whether a device in the peripheral component is inactive, transmitting a request for deactivation of at least one data channel to the device, receiving a command to deactivate the at least one data channel, determining whether any remaining devices in the peripheral component are active, and placing the peripheral component in a first low power mode wherein the core remains active in order to monitor a data bus clock. |
| US08966301B2 |
Method and apparatus for thermal sensitivity based dynamic power control of a processor
A method and system provides dynamic power control based on thermal sensitivity of a processor system. The method and system includes a circuit that reduces the clock frequency for the processor system in response to thermal characteristics satisfying a pre-determined threshold that allows maximal thermal temperature limit utilization without substantially degrading processor performance. |
| US08966291B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing dynamic power within system-on-a-chip routing resources
A method for saving power in transmission of data across buses. By knowing the power characteristics of a bus and characteristics of data to be transmitted across the bus, the data can be encoded in such a fashion as to conserve system power over transmitting the same data in an unencoded format across the bus. The encoding method may be selected before transmission of the data across the bus, and may change depending on the data to be transmitted across the bus. |
| US08966290B2 |
Wireless communication terminal and control method thereof
In a wireless communication terminal 103 that is supplied with power through an external device connection terminal to be power-supplied from a PC (electronic apparatus) 101 and performs a processing according to a schedule, a power supply state of the PC and a power consumption state in the wireless communication terminal are compared with each other, and when the comparison result exceeds a prescribed threshold value, the schedule is changed to control such that the comparison result does not exceed the threshold value. |
| US08966288B2 |
System and method for providing encryption in storage operations in a storage network, such as for use by application service providers that provide data storage services
In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a method is provided for performing a storage operation in a pipeline storage system in which one or more data streams containing data to be stored are written into data chunks. The method includes generating an encryption key associated with a first archive file to be stored when encryption is requested for the storage operation, encrypting the archive data from the data stream using the encryption key to create an encrypted data chunk when a data stream containing the archive file is processed in the pipeline storage system, storing the encrypted data chunk on a storage medium, and storing the encryption key in a manner accessible during a restore operation of the encrypted data chunk. |
| US08966287B2 |
Systems and methods for secure third-party data storage
A computer-implemented method for secure third-party data storage may include 1) identifying, at a server-side computing device, a request from a client system to access an encrypted file stored under a user account, 2) identifying, in response to the request, an asymmetric key pair designated for the user account that includes an encryption key and a decryption key that has been encrypted with a client-side key, 3) receiving, from the client system, the client-side key, 4) decrypting the decryption key with the client-side key, and 5) using the decryption key to access an unencrypted version of the encrypted file. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08966282B2 |
Cryptographic support instructions
A data processing system 2 includes a single instruction multiple data register file 12 and single instruction multiple processing circuitry 14. The single instruction multiple data processing circuitry 14 supports execution of cryptographic processing instructions for performing parts of a hash algorithm. The operands are stored within the single instruction multiple data register file 12. The cryptographic support instructions do not follow normal lane-based processing and generate output operands in which the different portions of the output operand depend upon multiple different elements within the input operand. |
| US08966277B2 |
Method for authenticating an encryption of biometric data
A method authenticates an encryption of a probe vector of biometric data based on an encryption of an enrollment vector of the biometric data using consistency of discriminative elements of the biometric data. The method determines an encryption of a first distance between discriminative elements of an enrollment vector stored at a server and a probe vector presented for an authentication. The method also determines an encryption of a second distance between discriminative elements of a first consistency vector stored at the server and a second consistency vector presented for the authentication. Next, the biometric data is authenticated based on encryptions of the first and the second distances. |
| US08966276B2 |
System and method providing disconnected authentication
In a system for disconnected authentication, verification records corresponding to given authentication token outputs over a predetermined period of time, sequence of events, and/or set of challenges are downloaded to a verifier. The records include encrypted or hashed information for the given authentication token outputs. In one embodiment using time intervals, for each time interval, token output data, a salt value, and a pepper value, are hashed and compared with the verification record for the time interval. After a successful comparison, a user can access the computer. A PIN value can also be provided as an input the hash function. A portion of the hash function output can be used as a key to decrypt an encrypted (Windows) password, or other sensitive information. |
| US08966275B2 |
Method for authenticating a portable data carrier
A method for authenticating a portable data carrier (10) to a terminal device by the following steps: In the data carrier (10) a public session key (PKSession) is derived (S5) from a public key individual to the data carrier (PKi) which has in its turn been derived (TS32; S1) from a public group key (PK). Further, a secret session key (SKSession) is derived (S4) from a secret key individual to the data carrier (SKi) which has in turn been derived (TS31) from a secret group key (SK). Subsequently, a secret communication key (KK) is agreed on (S7) between the data carrier (10) and the terminal device. Finally, the terminal verifies (S8) the public session key (PKSession) of the data carrier (10). |
| US08966271B2 |
Data card verification system
To verify a pair of correspondents in an electronic transaction, each of the correspondents utilizes respective parts of first and second signature schemes. The first signature scheme is computationally more difficult in signing than verifying and the second signature scheme is computationally more difficult in verifying than signing. The first correspondent signs information according to the first signature scheme, the second correspondent verifies the first signature received from the first correspondent, using the first signature scheme. The second correspondent then signs information according to the second signature scheme and the first correspondent verifies the second signature received from the second correspondent, according to the second signature algorithm. The method thereby allows one of the correspondents in participate with relatively little computing power while maintaining security of the transaction. |
| US08966267B1 |
Secure session capability using public-key cryptography without access to the private key
A server establishes a secure session with a client device where a private key used in the handshake when establishing the secure session is stored in a different server. During the handshake procedure, the server proxies messages to/from the different server including a set of signed cryptographic parameters signed using the private key on the different server. The different server generates the master secret, and generates and transmits the session keys to the server that are to be used in the secure session for encrypting and decrypting communication between the client device and the server. |
| US08966263B2 |
System and method of network equipment remote access authentication in a communications network
A system and method are provided for key-based network equipment remote access authentication. A remote client machine and a piece of network equipment perform client-server authentication while the network equipment employs an access validation server to perform access validation for key-based authentication. |
| US08966258B2 |
Method for securely downloading from distributed download sources
The present invention deals with a method for securely downloading from distributed download sources. The greatest possible download security with a simultaneously minimized server load is achieved in this case. The object of the present invention was to provide an improved download method which also allows simple servers, without the possibility of setting up a secure connection, to be used as download servers and allows the total CPU load on the servers involved to be minimized, wherein the data transmission security can be kept the same, in comparison with a download from a single server, via a secure connection. This object is achieved by the method according to the invention for securely downloading from distributed download sources according to the main claim with the aid of a secure database server, a secure main server and 1 to n non-secure download servers, wherein the non-secure download servers newly encrypt the symmetrically encrypted download packets at predefined intervals of time independently of the secure main server. |
| US08966256B2 |
Transmitting a document
A method of transmitting a document from a computing device to a printing device using a document server comprising, at the server, receiving user credentials from a user of an authorized computing device, receiving encrypted data defining the document from the authorized computing device, receiving information indicating the intended recipients of the data, receiving user credentials from an authorized printing device, and delivering the encrypted data to an authorized recipient. |
| US08966252B2 |
Private entity authentication for pervasive computing environments
A method is provided for authenticating an entity having a plurality of keys in a digital form residing on a claimant computing device. The method comprises: generating a first code word by applying a hash function to a first key residing on the claimant computing device; encoding the first code word into an array of bits having a Bloom filter format; generating a second code word by applying a hash function to a second key residing on the claimant computing device; encoding the second code word into the array of bits; and broadcasting an authentication message having the array of bits therein from the claimant computing device. |
| US08966242B1 |
Systems and methods for empowering IP practitioners
A browser application has at least two web browser objects for browsing Private PAIR while hiding multi-page navigation from a user. The browser application is configured to automatically download XML data from Private PAIR, and generate one or more reports therefrom, including a Daily Updates report, a Cross Checker report, and a Docket Listing report. The browser application is preferably configured to selectively provide limited access to Private PAIR by restricting user navigation to programmatic navigation. |
| US08966234B1 |
Pluggable module subcomponent reset
Techniques are provided for resetting a microprocessor-based subcomponent of a pluggable module. Specifically, a host device connected to the pluggable module determines that the microprocessor-based subcomponent needs to be reset. The host device resets the microprocessor-based subcomponent without the need for a module level reset of the pluggable module. |
| US08966221B2 |
Translating translation requests having associated priorities
A lookup operation is performed in a translation look aside buffer based on a first translation request as current translation request, wherein a respective absolute address is returned to a corresponding requestor for the first translation request as translation result in case of a hit. A translation engine is activated to perform at least one translation table fetch in case the current translation request does not hit an entry in the translation look aside buffer, wherein the translation engine is idle waiting for the at least one translation table fetch to return data, reporting the idle state of the translation engine as lookup under miss condition and accepting a currently pending translation request as second translation request, wherein a lookup under miss sequence is performed in the translation look aside buffer based on said second translation request. |
| US08966210B2 |
Zone group connectivity indicator
A method for allocating storage space is provided. The method includes receiving an assignment of an interconnect bay port to a zone group, wherein the interconnect bay port corresponds to a switch that operatively couples a storage controller to the zone group. The method also includes sending a command to the switch to determine whether the storage controller is operatively coupled to the interconnect bay port. The method also includes generating a display that indicates whether the storage controller is operatively coupled to the interconnect bay port. |
| US08966208B2 |
Semiconductor memory device with plural memory die and controller die
A semiconductor memory device including a plurality of memory die and a controller die. The controller die is connected to an internal control bus. The controller die is configured to provide to a selected one of the memory die an internal read command responsive to an external read command. The selected memory die is configured to provide read data to the controller in response to the internal read command; wherein latency between receipt by the controller die of the external read command and receipt of the read data from the selected memory die differs for at least two of the memory die when selected as the selected memory die. |
| US08966205B1 |
System data management using garbage collection and hybrid self mapping
A data storage system is disclosed that utilizes garbage collection and hybrid self-mapping for managing system data. In one embodiment, a system data region having an amount of valid system data that is below a threshold is freed. Write amplification associated with managing and storing system data can be reduced at least in part because only valid system data can be copied during garbage collection of the selected region. Mapping information associating system data with physical locations in non-volatile storage where system data is stored can be generated, which can reduce system data reconstruction time during start-up of the data storage system. Increase in efficiency and reduction in startup and initialization time can be attained. |
| US08966198B1 |
Providing snapshots of virtual storage devices
In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include receiving, at a computer system, a request to create a snapshot of a virtual storage device, wherein the virtual storage device virtually stores data at virtual addresses, the data being physically stored at a plurality of physical storage locations that are managed by an underlying storage system associated with virtual storage device; the methods can further include identifying, by the computer system, one or more regions of the virtual storage device that have been written to since a previous snapshot of the virtual storage device was created; the methods can additionally include generating a unique identifier for the requested snapshot; and creating the requested snapshot using the identified one more regions and the unique identifier. |
| US08966195B2 |
Direct memory access and super page swapping optimizations for a memory blade
A system and method is illustrated for identifying an Input/Output (I/O) driver module, using a hypervisor, to receive a read command to read a virtual memory page from a remote memory location. Further, the system and method includes reading the remote virtual memory page, using the I/O driver module, into a memory buffer managed by the I/O driver module. Additionally, the system and method includes storing the virtual memory page in the memory buffer to a persistent storage device. The system and method also includes identifying a remote super page, using a hypervisor, the remote super page including a remote sub page. Additionally, the system and method includes identifying a local super page, using the hypervisor, the local super page including a local sub page. Further, the system and method includes swapping the local sub page for the remote sub page, using the hypervisor, the swapping occurring over a network. |
| US08966193B2 |
Addressing, command protocol, and electrical interface for non-volatile memories utilized in recording usage counts sensor
Electrical interfaces, addressing schemes, and command protocols allow for communications with memory modules in computing devices such as imaging and printing devices. Memory modules may be assigned an address through a set of discrete voltages. One, multiple, or all of the memory modules may be addressed with a single command, which may be an increment counter command, a write command, a punch out bit field, or a cryptographic command. The commands may be transmitted using a broadcast scheme or a split transaction scheme. The status of the memory modules may be determined by sampling a single signal that may be at a low, high, or intermediate voltage level. |
| US08966191B2 |
Logical interface for contextual storage
A storage layer presents logical address space of a non-volatile storage device. The storage layer maintains logical interfaces to the non-volatile storage device, which may include arbitrary, any-to-any mappings between logical identifiers and storage resources. Data may be stored on the non-volatile storage device in a contextual format, which includes persistent metadata that defines the logical interface of the data. The storage layer may modify the logical interface of data that is stored in the contextual format. The modified logical interface may be inconsistent with the existing contextual format of the data on the non-volatile storage media. The storage layer may provide access to the data in the inconsistent contextual format through the modified logical interface. The contextual format of the data may be updated to be consistent with the modified logical interface in a write out-of-place storage operation. |
| US08966190B1 |
System and method for assigning control of a logical unit number
A method, computer program product, and computing system for receiving a first write request from a first host concerning a logical unit number (“LUN”). Exclusive control of the LUN is assigned to the first host. A write operation is performed on the LUN in response to the first write request. A second write request is received from a second host concerning the LUN. A second portion of the LUN that was exclusively controlled by the first host is reassigned so that the second portion of the LUN is exclusively controlled by the second host. |
| US08966189B2 |
Managing integrity of shared data in a manner permitting delayed updates
To provide delayed updating of shared data, a concept of dualistic sequence information is introduced. In the concept, if during local modification of data, a modification to the data is published by another user, a local deviation is created, and when the modification is published, it is associated with an unambiguous sequence reference and the local deviation. |
| US08966186B2 |
Cache memory prefetching
According to exemplary embodiments, a computer program product, system, and method for prefetching in memory include determining a missed access request for a first line in a first cache level and accessing an entry in a prefetch table, wherein the entry corresponds to a memory block, wherein the entry includes segments of the memory block. Further, the embodiment includes determining a demand segment of the segments in the entry, the demand segment corresponding to a segment of the memory block that includes the first line, reading a first field in the demand segment to determine if a second line in the demand segment is spatially related with respect to accesses of the demand segment and reading a second field in the demand segment to determine if a second segment in the entry is temporally related to the demand segment. |
| US08966185B2 |
Cache memory prefetching
According to exemplary embodiments, a computer program product, system, and method for prefetching in memory include determining a missed access request for a first line in a first cache level and accessing an entry in a prefetch table, wherein the entry corresponds to a memory block, wherein the entry includes segments of the memory block. Further, the embodiment includes determining a demand segment of the segments in the entry, the demand segment corresponding to a segment of the memory block that includes the first line, reading a first field in the demand segment to determine if a second line in the demand segment is spatially related with respect to accesses of the demand segment and reading a second field in the demand segment to determine if a second segment in the entry is temporally related to the demand segment. |
| US08966183B2 |
Opportunistic cache replacement policy
A cache management system employs a replacement policy in a manner that manages concurrent accesses to cache. The cache management system comprises a cache, a replacement policy storage for storing replacement statuses of cache lines of the cache, and an update module. The update module, comprising access filtering and a concurrent update handling, determines how updates to the replacement policy storage are handled. In a multi-threaded compute environment, a concurrent access to shared cache causes a selective update to the replacement policy storage. |
| US08966181B2 |
Memory hierarchy with non-volatile filter and victim caches
Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an apparatus and method for non-volatile caching of data in a memory hierarchy of a data storage device. In accordance with some embodiments, a pipeline memory structure is provided to store data for use by a controller. The pipeline has a plurality of hierarchical cache levels each with an associated non-volatile filter cache and a non-volatile victim cache. Data retrieved from each cache level are respectively promoted to the associated non-volatile filter cache. Data replaced in each cache level are respectively demoted to the associated non-volatile victim cache. |
| US08966180B2 |
Scatter-gather intelligent memory architecture for unstructured streaming data on multiprocessor systems
A scatter/gather technique optimizes unstructured streaming memory accesses, providing off-chip bandwidth efficiency by accessing only useful data at a fine granularity, and off-loading memory access overhead by supporting address calculation, data shuffling, and format conversion. |
| US08966172B2 |
Processor agnostic data storage in a PCIE based shared storage enviroment
Disclosed are a system, a method and/or an apparatus of processor agnostic data storage in a PCIE based shared storage environment. In one aspect, a method includes processing a storage based request received at an adapter circuit of a controller device associated with a disk array to direct the storage based request to at least one of a processor of the disk array and a plurality of storage devices of the disk array. The method also includes routing, through an interface circuit of the controller device, the data request in the other format compatible with the storage device directly to at least one storage device of the plurality of storage devices of the disk array coupled to the controller device agnostic to a processor of the disk array to store a data associated with the data request based on a mapping table. |
| US08966167B1 |
Content search system having multiple pipelines
A content addressable memory (CAM)-based search engine is disclosed that reduces power consumption during a plurality of different search operations concurrently performed in a plurality of device pipelines by selectively applying one of a number of different power reduction techniques for each pipeline in response to configuration data indicating the type of search operation that is being performed in the pipeline. |
| US08966166B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
There is provided with an information processing apparatus comprising a DRAM, a memory controller configured to access the DRAM, and a bus master configured to send, to the memory controller, an access request to the DRAM, the bus master comprises a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the memory controller, using a signal indicating a type of burst access which is requested of the memory controller by the bus master, an instruction to designate that an auto-precharge operation is not to be performed after accessing the first address, and an instruction to designate that an auto-precharge operation is to be performed after accessing the first address. |
| US08966165B2 |
Translation layer in a solid state storage device
Solid state storage devices and methods for flash translation layers are disclosed. In one such translation layer, a sector indication is translated to a memory location by a parallel unit look-up table is populated by memory device enumeration at initialization. Each table entry is comprised of communication channel, chip enable, logical unit, and plane for each operating memory device found. When the sector indication is received, a modulo function operates on entries of the look-up table in order to determine the memory location associated with the sector indication. |
| US08966161B2 |
Memory storage device and restoring method thereof
A memory storage device and a repairing method thereof are provided. The memory storage device has a rewritable non-volatile memory module having multiple physical units. The physical units include at least one backup physical unit which is configured to be accessed only by a specific command set and stored with at least one customized data. The method includes receiving a specific read command from a host system for reading the backup physical unit and transmitting the customized data therein to the host system when the memory storage device is capable of receiving and processing commands from the host system, the specific read command belongs to the specific command set; and writing the customized data from the host system into a corresponding physical unit to restore the memory storage device to a factory setting when receiving the writing command from the host system for writing the customized data. |
| US08966159B2 |
Flash storage device and data writing method thereof
A flash storage device comprises a flash memory and a controller. The flash memory comprises a plurality of blocks comprising a plurality of ordinary pages and a plurality of reserved pages. The controller receives a current write command and write data from a host, determines a mother block and an FAT block corresponding to the write command, divides data of the mother block and data of the FAT block into a plurality of original data segments and a plurality of updating data segments, integrates the original data segments with the updating data segments to obtain integrated data segments, writes the integrated data segments to an integrated block respectively in a plurality of processing periods of a plurality of subsequent write commands, and writes the subsequent write data to the reserved pages of a plurality of subsequent blocks. |
| US08966158B2 |
Data protection technique that protects illicit copying of data maintained in data storage
A data protection program for protecting data to be processed by an application, and a computer including volatile storage means and nonvolatile storage means performs a volatile file unpack function of writing, to the nonvolatile storage means, data corresponding to a data file to be read or written by the application so that the data is associated with the data file; and a volatile file repackage function of outputting the data file corresponding to the data written to the volatile storage means. |
| US08966157B2 |
Data management method, memory controller and memory storage apparatus
A data management method, a memory controller and a memory storage apparatus are provided. The method includes grouping a plurality of physical units of a rewritable non-volatile memory module into at least a data area and a free area. The method also includes configuring a plurality of logical units for mapping a part of the physical units. The method further includes receiving at least two pieces of update data, which are corresponding to different logical pages of the logical units. The method further includes getting a physical unit from the physical units. The method further includes writing the at least two pieces of update data into the same one physical page of the gotten physical unit. Accordingly, the use efficiency of the physical units could be improved. |
| US08966155B1 |
System and method for implementing a high performance data storage system
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for implementing a high-performance data storage device using block-access memory devices are disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a storage device includes a block-access memory device configured to stored data in one or more physical sector addresses and a random-access memory device storing a logical-to-physical (L2P) sector address translation data structure. Also, the storage device includes a device manager, coupled to both the block-access memory device and the random-access memory. The device manager is configured to determine a physical sector address in the block-access memory device, in response to a data access request, wherein the data access request includes a logical sector address by mapping the logical sector address to a physical sector address using the L2P sector address translation data structure. |
| US08966153B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and information data processing apparatus including the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a plural number of data input/output pins, a plural number of banks, in each of which a plural number of the information data is stored, a selector and a control circuit. In a first access mode, the control circuit simultaneously accesses the multiple banks in response to a single read-out command or to a single write-in command from outside. In the first access mode, the selector coordinates a plurality of data input/output pins with the multiple banks in a predetermined relationship. |
| US08966147B2 |
Lock leasing method for solving deadlock
A method for resolving deadlock in a multi-threaded computing system using a novel lock lease is disclosed. A first thread leases a lock held by the first thread to a second thread different from the first thread. The leasing transfers control of the lock to the second thread while the first thread retains ownership of the lock. To lease the lock: (1) the second thread applies for the lease from the first thread; (2) the first thread grants the lease; (3) the first thread waits for the second thread to complete a task; (4) the second thread terminates the lease; (5) the first thread confirms termination of the lease. The first thread receives control of the lock back from the second thread after the second thread has finished using resources controlled by the lock. The second thread also can sublease the lock to a third thread. |
| US08966145B2 |
Data conversion apparatus and method
A data processing apparatus may include: a data conversion unit configured to designate one-transfer data as one transfer unit and designate a predetermined number of transfer units as one conversion unit when a plurality of input data sequentially input is converted into transfer data of which the number of bits is the same as that of a data bus having a predetermined number of bits, and the transfer data is sequentially transferred, and arrange the input data in the transfer data within the conversion unit. The data conversion unit may include: a data generation unit, a first data arrangement change unit, and a first data selection unit configured to sequentially select the changed data in which the position of the input data is changed by the first data arrangement change unit and output the selected changed data as the transfer data in the data conversion unit. |
| US08966143B2 |
Method for controlling storages and storage control apparatus
A method, executed by a computer, for controlling storages includes obtaining time elapsed since data to be moved in a source storage in three or more storages whose performance for response to an access request is different is accessed in accordance with the access request, identifying, from the storages, a destination storage that meets condition under which the data to be moved in the source storage is moved, based on the obtained elapsed time by referring to a storage unit that stores the condition under which data is moved to each of the storages, and moving the data to be moved in the source storage to the identified destination storage. |
| US08966138B2 |
Communication between a host device and an accessory using multiple-endpoint identification
Techniques for facilitating communication between a portable media device (PMD) and an accessory via multiple communication paths. The accessory has a unique accessory identifier that it can send to the PMD upon establishing a connection via each communication path. The PMD can determine whether the same accessory is connected via multiple communication paths based on the accessory identifier received via each communication path. The PMD can route information to the accessory and control routing of information from the accessory based on the set of communication paths that are currently connected and can dynamically change the routing as communication paths are connected and disconnected. |
| US08966135B2 |
Methods of providing access to I/O devices
A method of providing one or more computing devices with access to a plurality of resources. The plurality of resources are provided by at least one physical device. The method comprises, at a first control element receiving a data packet transmitted by one of said one or more computing devices, and determining whether said data packet comprises a command including a first logical identifier identifying one of said resources. If it is determined that said data packet comprises a command including a first logical identifier a second logical identifier is obtained, the second logical identifier being associated with said first logical identifier and identifying said one of said resources. A request including said second logical identifier is transmitted to a second control element, the second control element being arranged to identify a physical device associated with said second logical identifier and to forward said request to the identified physical device. |
| US08966133B2 |
Determining a mapping mode for a DMA data transfer
According to embodiments of the invention, methods, computer readable storage medium, and a computer system for determining a mapping mode for a DMA data transfer are disclosed. The method may include receiving a request for a DMA data transfer within a computer system. The method may also include determining a mapping mode for the DMA data transfer based on available system profile data in response to receiving the request. The method may also include mapping the memory using the determined mapping mode. |
| US08966132B2 |
Determining a mapping mode for a DMA data transfer
According to embodiments of the invention, methods, computer readable storage medium, and a computer system for determining a mapping mode for a DMA data transfer are disclosed. The method may include receiving a request for a DMA data transfer within a computer system. The method may also include determining a mapping mode for the DMA data transfer based on available system profile data in response to receiving the request. The method may also include mapping the memory using the determined mapping mode. |
| US08966118B2 |
Unauthenticated redirection requests with protection
A redirection object may be obtained, based on a current request of a current requestor. The redirection object request may be associated with a response to a previous request for a redirection to a destination network location, the previous request associated with a previous requestor. A current transmission origination location associated with a current requestor transmission of the current request may be determined. It may be determined whether the current transmission origination location includes a similarity to a previous transmission origination location associated with a previous transmission of the previous request, based on identification information included in the redirection object. It may be determined whether to initiate a redirect operation of the current requestor to the destination network location, based on a result of the determining of the similarity between the current transmission origination location and the previous transmission origination location. |
| US08966117B1 |
System for discovering routers in a communication path of a supervisory control and data acquisition system
A supervisory control and data acquisition system for controlling data acquisition, wherein the system can include an enterprise server. The enterprise server can include an online configurable communication server software, a configurable server interface, a configurable protocol interface, and a configurable connection interface. The system can discover at least one router in a communication path between a communication server and at least one remote device being monitored and controlled with the supervisory control and data acquisition system and calculate latencies incurred by each hop of at least one tracer packet deployed by the communication server, to determine bandwidth restrictions. |
| US08966116B2 |
Managing streamed communication
Methods, apparatus and systems are disclosed for managing streamed communication (such as video, audio, or audio-visual communication) between client devices and remote devices via a digital data communication network in situations where the data communication network comprises one or more routers operable to receive streamed data from one or more client devices and/or from one or more other routers, and to forward such streamed data to one or more remote devices and/or to one or more other routers such as to enable the client device and potentially-varying subsets of the one or more remote devices to participate in a communication session. |
| US08966112B1 |
Network protocol proxy
A network proxy can be provided as a layer between an application layer protocol (such as the Remote Desktop Protocol) and a transport layer protocol (such as TCP). The network proxy can intercept communications between the application layer protocol and the transport layer protocol. The network proxy can transmit communications on multiple connections, without the application layer or transport layer protocols being aware of the parallelization. |
| US08966111B2 |
Methods and apparatus for service planning and analysis
Methods and apparatus for service planning and analysis. In an aspect, a method is provided for scheduling a presentation for delivery over a distribution network. The method comprises generating a contact window that comprises a selected time duration, performing an allocation cycle to allocate the presentation to the contact window, determining whether the presentation can be allocated, adjusting the selected time duration of the contact window if the presentation cannot be allocated, and repeating said performing, determining and adjusting until the presentation can be allocated. |
| US08966110B2 |
Dynamic bandwidth throttling
An approximation of the bandwidth of the narrowest link in a network is determined by watching how fast data gets to the other end and then back again. The rate of data transmission is limited according to this approximation. Dynamic capacity of the link, i.e. the amount of data that can be in-flight at the same time, neglecting any buffers, is also tracked. The technique looks at how much data is in-flight and, if there is more data in flight than the dynamic capacity of the network, the data transmission rate is slowed down. |
| US08966109B2 |
Systems, methods and computer-readable media for configuring receiver latency
The present disclosure is related to transmitting and receiving media channels, such as audio and video channels. These channels may be transmitted as packets from one or more transmitting devices to one or more receiving devices for playout. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure include systems, methods, and computer-readable media for determining latency of a data network for synchronized playout of received signals. Additionally, certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a systems, methods, and computer-readable media for synchronizing playout among devices connected to a data network. |
| US08966105B2 |
Sending secure media streams
A method and apparatus for sending a first secured media stream having a payload via an intermediate node. The intermediate node receives from a sender the first secured media stream. An end-to-end context identifier and a hop-by-hop context identifier are determined for the first secured media stream, where the hop-by-hop context identifier relates to the intermediate node and the end-to-end identifier relates to the sender. A second secured media stream is generated, which includes at least the payload of the first secured media stream and the context identifiers to identify the first secured media stream. The second secured media stream is sent to a receiving node, and the context identifiers are also sent to the receiving node. The context identifiers are usable by the receiving node to recover the first secured media stream. |
| US08966103B2 |
Methods and system for processing time-based content
A method of processing time-based content includes streaming the time-based content to a receiving device in a normal mode, evaluating a numerical difference between a program clock reference timestamp and a decode timestamp in the content at a transition out of said normal mode, streaming the content to the receiving device in a trick play mode, and altering the content during the trick play mode such that a numerical difference between the timestamps at a transition back into the normal mode is substantially equal to the numerical difference between the timestamps at the transition out of said normal mode. |
| US08966102B2 |
Interactive property communication system
Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for interactive property communication. In various embodiments, an interactive property communication system includes two or more property communication nodes (PCNs) each adapted for coupling to an electrical service. PCNs include a radio transceiver for communications with a broker service adapted for controlling communications with one or more PCNs. |
| US08966100B1 |
System, device, and method for distributing access control information in a communication system
A system, device, and method for distributing access control information in a communication system uses a reliable multicast mechanism for distributing access control information by a main server to multiple access control devices. A dedicated multicast group is established for distributing the access control information, and each access control device joins the dedicated multicast group. A reliable multicast mechanism is used to distribute the access control information to the multicast group members. Each access la control device obtains the access control information using the reliable multicast mechanism, and stores the access control information in a database for later use in making receiver access control decisions. |
| US08966097B1 |
Fractional redundant distribution of media content
A method and system for a client device to download media content directly from a group of other client devices which play a role of edge servers placed by a content service provider. According to some embodiments, an end user can use his/her client device to stream or download media content from the source client devices selected based on the geographic locality, network topology, etc. The fractions of data corresponding to a portion of media content are stored on the source client devices such that only a subset of the fractions of data are needed to recreate the corresponding portion. That is, by using the first received of the minimum number of fractions to reconstruct each portion of media content, the system does not need to wait for the slowest fractions to arrive, which contributes in reducing latency. |
| US08966096B2 |
Device-pairing by reading an address provided in device-readable form
A system is described for allowing a user, operating a trusted device, to remotely log into a server via a potentially untrustworthy client. A first secure connection is established between the client and the server. A second secure connection is established between the device and the server through the client. The user then remotely logs into the server over the second secure connection using the device. The second secure connection is tunneled within the first secure connection, preventing the untrustworthy client from discovering personal information associated with the user. According to one feature, prior to forming the second secure connection, the user establishes a pairing relationship with the client by reading an address of the client using a reading mechanism. According to another feature, the device can receive marketing information in the course of a transaction. |
| US08966095B2 |
Negotiate multi-stream continuous presence
Described are embodiments for allowing the negotiation of a continuous presence layout. Specifically, in embodiments, an offer is generated by a client that includes attributes for displaying continuous presence video information. The attributes include, in some embodiments, one or more window identifiers, one or more bandwidth limit identifiers, one or more group numbers, and/or one or more ranks. The offer is sent to a server which transmits an answer to the offer. Once the attributes for the continuous presence layout has been negotiated, the server uses the attributes to format video content sent to the client. |
| US08966092B2 |
System and method for information sharing using near proximity communication
Source data stored on a source device may be shared with one or more devices. Sharing the source data may include facilitating receiving, at a first device, a first token associated with the source data, from a second device, using a near proximity communication (NPC) protocol. The NPC protocol may support generation of the first token based on detection of presence of the first device within five feet of the second device. The first token may be encoded for NPC communication and may be non-public. The first token may be based on the source data and the receipt of the first token may be based on the detection. The first token may be decoded and communicated, based on a first communication protocol, to a third device to download the source data using the decoded first token. The second device may be an NPC-enabled device. |
| US08966090B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program product for providing an indication of device to device communication availability
An apparatus for providing an indication of device to device communication capability may include a processor and a memory storing executable instructions. In response to execution of the instructions by the processor, the apparatus may perform at least receiving an indication with respect to status of an application or a request by the application, determining availability of a device to device connection associated with peer communication, and providing a notification to the application indicative of the availability of the device to device connection to the peer. A corresponding method and computer program product are also provided. |
| US08966088B2 |
Detecting relayed communications
Methods, apparatus and computer readable code for determining whether a potential relay device is a relay device are provided herein. In some embodiments, first and second information elements are received from a potential relay device, which is an original source of the second information element. In order to determine whether the potential relay device is a relay device, it is determined whether a feature of an original source of the first information element and a feature of the potential relay device are features unlikely to relate to a single device, wherein a positive result of the determining is indicative that the potential relay device is a relay device. In an exemplary embodiment, a disclosed system includes an information element receiver and a feature incompatibility analyzer. Optionally, the disclosed system includes a feature discovery module, a parameter obtainer and a feature database. |
| US08966087B2 |
Load characteristic estimation system, load characteristic estimation method, and program
A load characteristic estimation system includes: a program input unit into which a program that runs on a prescribed computer system is inputted; a program feature information acquisition unit that obtains features from the inputted program; and a load characteristic estimation unit that estimates a load characteristic of the inputted program by reading load characteristic information of another program having a feature similar to the inputted program, from a load characteristic recording unit that records a load characteristic produced in the prescribed computer system when the other program was run on the computer system in the past. |
| US08966084B2 |
Virtual machine load balancing
A method for load balancing virtual machines includes accessing current consumption data and historical consumption data for a first virtual machine running on a host hardware platform, wherein the host hardware platform is coupled to a network and accessing specification and utilization information for networked hardware platforms published on the network by each networked hardware platform, wherein the networked hardware platforms each include a hardware platform configured to run virtual machines. The method also includes selecting a target platform from the networked hardware platforms to receive the first virtual machine based on the published specification and utilization information for the networked hardware platforms and consumption data for the first virtual machine, wherein the first virtual machine will operate on the target platform in a condition that is not over-constrained. |
| US08966081B1 |
Method for device security in a heterogeneous storage network environment
An automated, policy-based system and method provides information security at various levels in the network, including at the baseline inventory, device, network frame, and command level. This approach improves over the conventional distributed security model by centralizing security in one multi-level management structure. Embodiments of the present invention may also provide a scheme for mapping vendor-unique opcodes to access rights. |
| US08966070B1 |
System and method of reducing network latency
Aspects of the invention provide systems and methods for reducing latency in TCP connections. A client computer may send a request for information to a server computer using TCP. In response, the server may transmit the information to the client device according to default TCP connection assumptions. The server may re-configure the TCP connection based on various network statistics identified by the characteristics of the exchange between the server and the client. The server may periodically provide the network statistics concerning the speed of the network connection between the server and the client to the client. This information may be stored in cache memory by the client device for later use. For example, the next time the client device requests information from the server, the server may request the cached network statistics. The server may use this information to determine how information should be transmitted to the client. |
| US08966069B2 |
System, method and program for detecting anomalous events in a utility network
A communication device detects whether anomalous events occur with respect to at least one node in a utility network. The communication device has recorded therein threshold operating information and situational operating information. The threshold operating information includes data indicative of configured acceptable operating parameters of nodes in the network based on respective locational information of the nodes. The situational information includes data indicative of configured operation data expected to be received from nodes in the network during a predetermined time period, based on a condition and/or event occurring during the time period. The communication device receives operation data from nodes in the network, and determines whether the operation data from a node constitutes an anomalous event based on a comparison of the received operation data with (i) the threshold operating information defined for the node and (ii) the situational information. The communication device outputs notification of any determined anomalous event. |
| US08966063B2 |
Operating a sleep management service
The claimed subject matter provides a method for operating a sleep management service. The method include identifying a set of guardians based on a local state for each of a plurality of compute nodes. The method also includes sending a wake request to all sleeping compute nodes in the identified set. The method further includes sending a request to become a guardian to all compute nodes in the identified set. Additionally, the method includes stopping a current guardian from being a guardian if the current guardian is less suitable than a threshold number of current guardians. |
| US08966059B2 |
Cached data detection
A service assigns session identifiers to usage sessions of a program on a computing device, and maintains records in a log of received page requests and associated session identifiers, as well as received cached data detection requests and associated session identifiers. This log can be used to determine how many usage sessions existed over a particular amount of time, and how many of the usage sessions used data from a local cache rather than from the service. The service also returns, in response to a received cached data detection request, a response including an indication that the response is from the service. The program can determine that the response was received from the service if the indication is included in the response, and that the response was received from a local cache of the computing device if the indication is not included in the response. |
| US08966043B2 |
Frequency capping of content across multiple devices
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, and including a method for delivering content. The method comprises identifying impressions of content to a user accessing resources using different requesting sources. The method further comprises storing impression data for the identified impressions in association with the user and requesting source. The method further comprises storing requesting source characteristic information with the impression data and identifying parameters that require limits on a number of impressions that are to occur in a time period and type of requesting source. The method further comprises receiving a request for content from a particular requesting source associated with the user, and determining when impressions available for that type of requesting source have been satisfied, and when not, enabling delivery of a content item associated with a campaign to the requesting source responsive to the received request. |
| US08966042B2 |
Differentiating bookmarks in content access lists shared among multiple content player devices
A content player accesses content via a content access list shared by a network of players. The content is stored by one or more of the players. One or more of the players may be thin clients that can access content stored by other players but cannot themselves store content. The content access list lists available stored content. The content player associates a bookmark with the content and includes identification information that identifies the requestor related to generation of the bookmark. When the content player presents the content access list, bookmarks associated with content included in list are also be along with the identification information. In some implementations, the requestor related to generation of the respective bookmark may be the content player that generated the bookmark, the specific user that entered input that prompted generation of the bookmark, and/or a combination thereof. |
| US08966034B1 |
Managing subscriptions for an out-of-network mobile device
Methods are disclosed for managing the subscription of a mobile device to various applications that are accessible by the mobile device. A registration message is received at a home network indicating that the mobile device is currently registered with a foreign network. Applications that are accessible to the mobile device are identified. A subscribe message is sent to an application associated with the foreign network, such that the home network and the foreign network have an established relationship that allows a subscription manager to manage the subscription of the application on behalf of the mobile device. |
| US08966032B2 |
System and method for propagating personal identification information to communication devices
A system and method for propagating identification information among a communication device and a server, through an agent installed on the device. Such process optionally and preferably comprises synchronization between the server and the device, through the agent, such that one or both of the agent and the server may optionally “push” or “pull” information. |
| US08966031B2 |
Method for addressing management object in management tree and associated device management system
A method for addressing a management object in a management tree of a device management (DM) client and an associated DM system are disclosed to solve the issues encountered in the relative universal resource identifier (URI) addressing of the OMA DM protocol. The method comprises receiving a relative URI including a first part from a DM server, and identifying a root node of the management object according to the first part. The first part comprises a URI parameter for specifying a root node of a sub-tree of the management tree for finding the management object, a management object identifier, and a plurality of attribute conditions for specifying values of a plurality of leaf nodes directly under the root node of the management object. |
| US08966029B2 |
Network control system for configuring middleboxes
Some embodiments provide a method for configuring a logical middlebox in a hosting system that includes a set of nodes. The logical middlebox is part of a logical network that includes a set of logical forwarding elements that connect a set of end machines. The method receives a set of configuration data for the logical middlebox. The method uses a stored set of tables describing physical locations of the end machines to identify a set of nodes at which to implement the logical middlebox. The method provides the logical middlebox configuration for distribution to the identified nodes. |
| US08966028B2 |
Virtual placeholder configuration for distributed input/output modules
A modular distributed I/O system for an industrial automation network that allows one or more modules of an island to be omitted without requiring reconfiguration of the system by maintaining a consistent I/O image representation of the distributed I/O network for various physical distributed I/O configurations, and managing reconfiguration changes using Virtual Placeholder objects. |
| US08966021B1 |
Composable machine image
A computer system image is executed on a computing node over a network. A system specification file transmitted over the network specifies the computer system image by specifying components of the computer system image. The components include an operating system and at least one resource. The system specification file also contains a signature associated with the resource. A resource is determined to be authorized to be incorporated into the computer system image by verifying the signature. A computer system image can then be formed based on the components specified by the system specification file and executed locally. |
| US08966019B2 |
Application server for mainframe computer systems
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for running software on an adapter. In response to a connection of a hardware interface for the adapter with a current host computer, a processor unit in the adapter determines whether a set of protocols for communicating with the current host computer to access resources is present on the adapter. In response to the set of protocols being absent on the adapter, the processor unit obtains the set of protocols from the current host computer. The processor unit identifies a set of available resources in the current host computer for use by the adapter using the set of protocols. The processor unit runs software stored on a set of storage devices in the adapter using the set of available resources identified for use by the adapter. |
| US08966018B2 |
Automated network device configuration and network deployment
Automatically configuring network device, network system architecture, and method for configuring one or a plurality of devices on a network. Device and network system architectures and methods for automatically self-initiating and configuring one, a plurality, or hundreds of wired or wireless network devices. Autoconfiguring wireless Local Area Network switch and access point devices connected to the switch. Method for accessing remote server by a device to acquire device configuration information. Method for deploying a network including at least one network device at a facility without the participation of a person having knowledge of networks or network devices at the facility. Computer program and computer program product. |
| US08966014B2 |
Parallel streaming
Embodiments of the present invention set forth techniques for a content player to stream a media file using multiple network connections. To stream the media file, the content player downloads metadata associated with a requested media file, establishes a network connection with multiple content servers (or multiple network connections with a single content server or both) and begins requesting portions of the media file. In response, the requested portions are transmitted to the content player. The content player may employ a predictive multi-connection scheduling approach to determine which network connection to use in downloading a given chunk. |
| US08966013B2 |
Unified device management method and system
A unified device management method and system for unified management of a fixed and mobile device includes a command execution controller which receives a device management command, sends a query message to the device, receives a response message transmitted by the device, creates a command execution policy based on the settings contained in the response message, and executes the device management command according to a policy, the device which generates and sends the response message to the command execution controller according to user inputs, and a remote access server which connects the device and the command execution controller by using a remote access protocol. |
| US08966010B1 |
Scalable transaction system for a network environment
Techniques for performing services in a secure and scalable manner in a network environment. Code modules and data used for performing a service and that contain proprietary, confidential, or trade secret information, are stored and executed by service provider systems that are not exposed to user systems used to configure the service requests. The techniques are scalable as the number of service provider systems performing the services can be scaled, either up or down, in proportion to the demand for the services. |
| US08966001B2 |
Deployment and distribution model for improved content delivery system
A deployment and distribution model improves content delivery with a business incentive for placement of kiosks with one or more wireless access points in public locations so that portable media players (PMPs) can receive media content (e.g., audio, video, text, haptic content, etc.). In addition, coordination between subscribing users of PMPs, vendors who provide kiosks, and a network central controller of a content distribution system allow for prepositioning of video content at the kiosks through economically desirable low data rate communication links from the network (e.g., dial-up modem, DSL, etc.); coordinated queuing of downloads (e.g., partial downloads) between kiosk to PMP, peer-to-peer (P2P) downloading between PMPs, and uploads from PMP to kiosk; billing/crediting to correspond with such participation in the distribution; and changing priority/selection of prepositioning of content at kiosks to reflect a clientele profile. |
| US08965999B1 |
Distribution scheme for subscriber-created content, wherein the subscriber-created content is rendered for a recipient device by the service provider network based on a device characteristic and a connection characteristic of the recipient device
Distribution schemes for subscriber-created content are described. Subscribers create and upload content for distribution to communities of recipients. The recipients join the communities in response to invitations from the subscribers. When connections to devices associated with the recipients are detected, any content due for delivery to the recipients is distributed. Systems supporting these distribution schemes may include content distribution modules that receive the content from the subscribers, and that provide corresponding content notifications. Content storage modules store the uploaded subscriber content. In response to the content notifications, notification modules notify the recipients that the content is available. Presence modules detect the connections to the devices, and provide corresponding device notifications. In response to the device notifications, device management modules provide recipient notifications, which associate recipients with the detected devices. Content distribution modules receive the recipient notifications and distribute the content to the recipients. |
| US08965997B2 |
Content delivery network cache grouping
Content delivery networks (CDNs) deliver content objects for others is disclosed. End user computers are directed to an edge server for delivery of a requested content object by a universal resource indicator (URI). When an edge server does not have a copy of the content object from the URI, information is successively passed to ancestor servers within a hierarchy until the content object is found. There can be different hierarchies designated for different URIs or times at which requests are received. Once the content object is located in the hierarchical chain, the content object is passed back down the chain to the edge server for delivery. |
| US08965995B2 |
Wireless storage management system
A wireless storage management system adapted for being used in an electronic product for wirelessly communicating with a plurality of wireless storage devices includes an identity module assigning master and slave roles to the wireless storage devices, a hard disk manage module controlling the master device to obtain disk information about the wireless storage devices and further set an archive order for the slave devices, and a file manage module managing file access according to the archive order. The electronic product is only directly connected with the master device to make the hard disk manage module and the file manage module manage the slave devices via the master device. So the electronic product can conveniently view the disk information of all of the wireless storage devices and further realize the file access to all of the devices only by being directly connected with the master device. |
| US08965992B2 |
Apparatus and methods for coordination of wireless systems
Apparatus and methods for wireless systems provide a mechanism to enhance the communication capabilities of wireless users. In an embodiment, data associated with information acquired in wireless entities is synced among the wireless entities based on a privacy status and verification of identities corresponding to the privacy status. The wireless entities include a wireless server and a set of mobile wireless clients of the wireless server. In an embodiment, a mobile wireless client is configured to browse files in a wireless server. In an embodiment, a wireless server is configured to provide views of its file content to a mobile wireless client authorized to view the file content of the wireless server. |
| US08965988B1 |
System and method for providing an event-based and shared page connectivity platform
The invention relates providing an event-based connectivity platform that creates and communicates shared pages based on location and other information obtained from devices that automatically provide the location and other information. A system may include a page server that creates an event-centric shared page responsive to a single button press or other indication. Once created, the page server may invite other users to access the shared page. User devices that have access to the shared page, including the user device that cause the shared page to be created and/or other user devices, may automatically provide updates to the page server. The devices may automatically provide the updates at various times without intervention by the user. The automatically provided updates may include location information. Users may also provide other information such as image, audio, and text for updating the event-centric shared page. |
| US08965979B2 |
Methods and systems for semantically managing offers and requests over a network
Among other disclosure, a knowledge network and semcards enabling intelligent matching of offers and requests, involving all types of information and knowledge, including information such as classified ads, data about products and services, or knowledge, expertise, ideas, suggestions, opinions, and other forms of tacit knowledge is described. |
| US08965976B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing user chat experiences with businesses
A computer-implemented method of managing a chat experience of a user desiring to chat with a selected one of a plurality of businesses or chat hosts utilizes in various aspects a chat management server running computer processes for communicating with user devices. In another aspect, a computer-implemented method of providing a chat experience to a user having a user device and desiring to chat with a selected one of a plurality of businesses utilizes computer processes running on the user device. Corresponding embodiments similarly provide an apparatus performing any of the foregoing methods. Other corresponding embodiments similarly provide a computer readable medium storing instructions, which when loaded into a computer, perform processes corresponding to any of the foregoing methods. |
| US08965974B2 |
Systems and methods for determining user attribute values by mining user network data and information
Systems and methods for determining one or more attributes and their associated values for a user, by mining the user's social network profiles. The systems and methods determine if the value of an attribute of interest for a user is specified on one or more social networking websites. If so, the systems and methods set the attribute value for the user to the specified attribute value. If not, the systems and methods retrieve, from the social networking websites, attribute values for the attribute of interest for friends of the user to form a group of possible attribute values for the user. The method, selects a value from the group of possible attribute values, and then sets the selected value as the attribute value for the user. |
| US08965970B2 |
Determining a community page for a concept in a social networking system
Equivalent concepts expressed across multiple domains are matched and associated with a metapage generated by a social networking system. User preferences expressed on multiple domains, represented as pages in a social networking system, may be organized by concept and shared with advertisers, third-party developers, and other users of the social networking system using the metapages generated for the concepts. Aggregated social information may be presented to users of the social networking system viewing a page associated with a metapage. Information presented on external websites may be used to link pages across multiple domains with a metapage generated on the social networking system, presenting the information on other external websites associated with the metapage as links on the pages associated with the metapage. Feedback from users may be used to include or exclude pages from being associated with a generated metapage. |
| US08965967B2 |
Tie strength prediction and social media filtration
A computer-implemented method of predicting tie strength between persons within a social media network includes: modeling tie strengths between a user of the social media network and connected persons in the network as a combination of: a plurality of predictive variables, interactions between dimensions of the predictive variables, and network structure of the social media network; altering or filtering a stream of social media content from the connected persons using the tie strength as associated with the respective connected persons according to the modeling; and delivering the altered or filtered stream of social media content to a communications device of the user. |
| US08965961B1 |
System and method of reducing latency using adaptive retransmission timeouts
In one aspect, a system and method are provided whereby latency in network communication protocols such as the TCP/IP suite of protocols is reduced by transmitting a new and second connection request from a sending device to a receiving device over a network based upon adaptively determined dynamic initial timeout values, where the dynamic initial timeout values are adaptively determined based upon data associated with one or more historical requests transmitted over the network by the sending device. |
| US08965960B2 |
Client device with video player and client-side proxy and methods for use therewith
A client device includes a video player that generates a program request for a selected video program. A client-side proxy passes the program request from the video player to the streaming video server for the video program. The client-side proxy identifies that the selected video program has been previously bookmarked by the video player at a bookmark position, intercepts a request from the video player to the streaming video server for at least one first segment of the selected video program, and in response, sending at least one corresponding fixed segment to the video player. The client-side proxy passes a request from the video player to the streaming video server for a plurality of second segments of the selected video program, wherein the plurality of second segments commence at a position corresponding to the bookmark position. |
| US08965955B2 |
Systems and methods for policy based integration to horizontally deployed WAN optimization appliances
The present disclosure presents systems and methods for policy based redirection of network traffic, by an intermediary device, to a horizontally deployed WAN device. An intermediary receives a request from a client to access a server. The request was previously modified by a first WAN device to include information in a first option field of a transport layer. The intermediary may determine, responsive to a redirection policy, to send the request to a second WAN optimization device deployed horizontally from the intermediary, instead of the server. The intermediary transmits the request to the second WAN optimization device, while maintaining the information from the first option field. The intermediary device receives the request including the information in the first option field identifying the first WAN optimization device to the second WAN optimization device. The intermediary receives a modified request from the second WAN device, the modified request determined by the intermediary to be sent to the destination server. |
| US08965952B1 |
Processing service requests of multiple types on a common communication port for a service that accepts only one type
Web service requests, received through a common communication port in a server or network device from a variety of client applications, are analyzed to determine whether to convert one communication type request into another type. Any necessary conversions are performed, and converted and unconverted service requests of one type only are routed to a web service application that accepts only a desired communication type as input. In some circumstances, the response to the client application making the original service request is converted back into the communication type initially used although other response formats may be supported. |
| US08965949B2 |
System and method for applying computational knowledge to device data
A system and method are provided for acquiring and processing device usage data and applying a computational knowledge thereto for proactively determining customer state, including inferring device usage patterns, and accordingly proposing at least one action, if any, to be undertaken. In particular, computational knowledge represented by a set of rules is applied to the processed device data for analyzing the processed data and describing at least one feature or characteristic relating to the processed data using keywords. A rules database is accessed and at least one rule is selected from a set of rules. The at least one selected rule includes keywords which substantially match the keywords used to describe the feature or characteristic of the processed data. The at least one selected rule is then correlated to at least one proposed action using the rules database. The at least one determined rule and/or at least one proposed action are then outputted. |
| US08965946B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method for performing a reciprocal operation on an input value to produce a result value
A data processing apparatus and method are provided for performing a reciprocal operation on an input value d to produce a result value X. The reciprocal operation involves iterative execution of a refinement step to converge on the result value, the refinement step performing the computation: Xi=Xi-1*M, where Xi is an estimate of the result value for the i-th iteration of the refinement step, and M is a value determined by a portion of the refinement step. The data processing apparatus comprises a register data store having a plurality of registers operable to store data, and processing logic operable to execute instructions to perform data processing operations on data held in the register data store. The processing logic is responsive to a single refinement instruction to implement the portion of the refinement step by performing at least a multiply-accumulate operation in which the input value, a value derived from the previous estimate of the result value, and a constant are used as inputs of the multiply-accumulate operation. The constant is determined from the single refinement instruction without reference to the register data store. Such an approach improves code density, and improves efficiency of use of registers of the register data store. |
| US08965943B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing computations using residue arithmetic
The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for performing computations using residue arithmetic. The subject method and apparatus can utilize logic gates for performing calculations such as multiplication by a constant, computing a number theoretic logarithm of a residue for a given base αi and modulus pi, and computing the product of two residues, modulo pi. The use of logic gates can offer advantages when compared with the use of ROMs for table look-up functions in integrated RNS digital signal processor implementations. |
| US08965940B2 |
Imitation of file embedding in a document
A container document can include a file node indicating a file and pointing to a location for the file that is separate from the container document on a server. An embedded relationship between the file and the container document can be imitated. The imitation can include responding to user input by performing the update on the file node, and by requesting that the server perform an update on the file that reflects the update performed on the file node. A request for an update to be performed on the file node can be received from a client at the server. In response to the request, the update can be performed on the file node at the server. A corresponding update, which reflects the update performed on the file node, can also be performed on the file at the server. |
| US08965939B2 |
Storing portions of data in a dispersed storage network
A method begins, in accordance with a segmentation approach, dividing large data to be stored into regions and dividing a region into segments. The method continues by generating preliminary DSN storage information for one or more regions. The method continues by identifying other large data stored in the DSN that has a relationship with the large data to be stored in the DSN and retrieving DSN storage information for the other large data. The method continues by comparing, at a region level, the preliminary DSN storage information with the retrieved DSN storage information. When a region of the large data to be stored has substantially similar DSN storage information as a region of the other large data, the method continues by utilizing the DSN storage information for the region of the other large data for the DSN storage information of the region of the large data. |
| US08965935B2 |
Sequence matching algorithm
Sequence alignment techniques are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sparse data structure is constructed that represents respective character positions of matching character sets in input sequences. This sparse data structure may take a variety of forms, including a “tree of trees.” Once constructed, each match is linked to at most one other match using a local application of a predetermined algorithm (e.g., a Smith-Waterman-type scoring algorithm). The links between matches are analyzed and a possible alignment or set of alignments is produced. |
| US08965931B2 |
Distributed historian architecture
A distributed historian framework is provided where historical data is collected in accordance with an organizational model of a hierarchical system that is distributed across various elements of an enterprise. A directory service operates with the organizational model to enable configuration of historian components within the organization and to enable data to be located within the organization. In one aspect, an industrial automation system is provided. The system includes at least one historian component to archive data within an organization. A common data model then exposes functionality and data of the organization to the historian component. |
| US08965929B2 |
Manipulating electronic backups
Systems and methods are provided for storing and restoring digital data. In some implementations, a method is provided. The method includes initiating a backup operation of data including a plurality of items, interrupting the backup operation, where interrupting occurs after a portion of the data has been completed, receiving an input to resume the backup operation, identifying a previously completed portion of the backup data, and performing a backup of a remaining uncompleted portion of the backup data. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, computer program products, and computer readable media. |
| US08965928B2 |
Searching for computer resources based on associations between these resources and external events
The invention provides a method and system for searching based on association of system resources a user was working on with external devices such as user's PDA, mobile phone, or printer and the system's interaction with such external devices. In one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided comprising a person using a resource on the computer and, during said using, engaging in another event; sending data to the computer related to said another event; and the computer creating an association between said another event and said resource. This embodiment also comprises sending a request to the computer to identify the resource that was being used by said person at the time of said another event; and the computer, acting in response to said request, using said association to identify said resource. |
| US08965925B2 |
Access controls
Systems and methods for controlling access to objects within a file system utilizing data associated with those objects are disclosed. In one embodiment, access controls pertaining to a user may be specified in terms of tags which may be associated with an object, and a user's access to objects may be controlled based upon these tags. These tags may reflect the content of the object, or a grouping, category or another type of classification of the object and may be determined through the processing of the object. In one embodiment, metadata associated with an object may be classified and associated with classification tags associated with those classifications. A user's access to objects may then be specified through a set of classification tags, where the user may access objects associated with those classification tags. |
| US08965924B2 |
Method for providing node targeted content in an addressable network
Advertising, entertainment or other content is targeted to a particular node of an addressable network based on user information. Such addressable networks may include the Internet, certain television networks or other networks where content can be addressed to specific nodes. The user information may include financial information, product or service preference information, and user contact information regarding a user of the targeted node. In one implementation, targeted content is presented during waiting time of an Internet session. The corresponding process involves monitoring (416) a user node to identify a website access request, accessing (418) a previously stored message said, selecting (432) a message from the message set and displaying or playing back (434) the selected message. |
| US08965919B1 |
Locating meaningful stopwords or stop-phrases in keyword-based retrieval systems
A stopword detection component detects stopwords (also stop-phrases) in search queries input to keyword-based information retrieval systems. Potential stopwords are initially identified by comparing the terms in the search query to a list of known stopwords. Context data is then retrieved based on the search query and the identified stopwords. In one implementation, the context data includes documents retrieved from a document index. In another implementation, the context data includes categories relevant to the search query. Sets of retrieved context data are compared to one another to determine if they are substantially similar. If the sets of context data are substantially similar, this fact may be used to infer that the removal of the potential stopword(s) is not material to the search. If the sets of context data are not substantially similar, the potential stopword can be considered material to the search and should not be removed from the query. |
| US08965915B2 |
Assisted query formation, validation, and result previewing in a database having a complex schema
Disclosed are a method, a device and/or a system of assisted query formation, validation, and result previewing in a database having a complex schema. In one aspect, a method of a query editor includes generating a data profile which includes a set of characteristics captured at various granularities of an initial result set generated from an initial query using a processor and a memory. The method determines what a user expects in the initial result set of the initial query and/or a subsequent result set of a subsequent query based on the data profile and/or a heuristically estimated data profile. The method includes enabling the user to evaluate a semantic accuracy of the subsequent query based on the likely expectation of the user as determined through the set of characteristics of the data profile. The set of characteristics may include metadata of the initial query. |
| US08965914B2 |
Grouping identity records to generate candidate lists to use in an entity and relationship resolution process
Provided are a method, system, and computer program product for determining entity relationship information for identity records to add to an entity database. For each selected identity record of a plurality of identity records, an individual query on selected attribute values of the selected identity record is applied against at least one set of entity records to determine a candidate list of the entity records in the at least one set determined to be related to the selected identity record based on the selected attribute values of the selected identity record. Entity relationship information on entity records from the candidate list that are determined to be related to the selected identity record are stored in the entity database. |
| US08965913B2 |
Dynamic menus for multi-prefix interactive mobile searches
The present invention includes systems and methods for retrieving information via a flexible and consistent targeted search model that employs interactive multi-prefix, multi-tier and dynamic menu information retrieval techniques that provide context-specific functionality tailored to particular information channels, as well as to records within or across such channels, and other known state information. Users are presented with a consistent search interface among multiple tiers across and within a large domain of information sources, and need not learn different or special search syntax. A thin-client server-controlled architecture enables users of resource-constrained mobile communications devices to locate targeted information more quickly by entering fewer keystrokes and performing fewer query iterations and web page refreshes, which in turn reduces required network bandwidth. |
| US08965910B2 |
Apparatus and method of searching for instance path based on ontology schema
An apparatus and method of searching for an instance path based on an ontology schema are provided. The method of searching for an instance path based on an ontology schema, which is performed by an instance path search apparatus, includes (a) receiving two or more keywords from a user and generating a pair of instances with respect to the keywords, respectively, (b) extracting a pair of classes corresponding to each of the pairs of instances from an ontology instance database, respectively, (c) obtaining an ontology schema path with respect to each of the pairs of classes from an ontology schema path database, respectively, and (d) replacing start and end classes with corresponding first and second instances in each of the ontology schema paths and searching for an instance path connected between the first instance and the second instance, respectively. |
| US08965908B1 |
Methods and systems for identifying and accessing multimedia content
Methods, systems, and subsystems for identifying and accessing multimedia content are provided. One system for identifying and accessing multimedia content from a network includes an encyclopedic database, a user library content file having data distilled from the encyclopedic database, a user local settings file having personal profile settings relating to filtering content, and a similarity file having data associating together the multimedia content. A local device is in data communication with the user library content file, the user local settings file, and the similarity file. Instructions stored on computer-readable media perform steps (when executed by a processor) for allowing: (a) the user library content file to be searched to obtain search results, the search results having been filtered using the personal profile settings; and (b) the similarity file to be accessed to obtain supplementary search results, the supplementary search results having been filtered using the personal profile settings. |
| US08965903B2 |
Automatic selection of media representations
Technologies for selecting a media representation out of a plurality of representations of the same media offered by a media provider wherein the selected representation is a preferred representation and the selecting is based on metadata of the media representations evaluated against scoring criteria. |
| US08965902B2 |
Intelligent event query publish and subscribe system
Indexing and routing to event data is described. Event data is assigned an identifier that identifies the data type and the contents of event data within an enterprise system. The event data may be real-time event data. With the identifier, a source of the event data is determined, and the source can be queried for the event data in real-time. The identifier is indexed along with other event data identifiers. Based on the location of the event data, the system sends out a query toward the data source to obtain the information, but also to route the query to the data source, rather than attempting to pull data towards the query source and process it at the query source. |
| US08965895B2 |
Relationship discovery in business analytics
A subset of (k−1)-dimensional tables are received, wherein k is greater than 1. A set of k-dimensional tables is created by combining each of the (k−1)-dimensional tables with a non-included dimension corresponding to a 1-dimensional table. Significance of interaction and interaction effect size is computed for the created set of k-dimensional tables to determine dimension and measure interactions. |
| US08965890B2 |
Context sensitive media and information
Systems and methods for creating and processing context sensitive media objects are disclosed. One method is directed to processing a context sensitive media object in a target context. The method includes receiving an object with one or more object rules embedded within the object such that the one or more object rules are propagated with the object. Further, a determination of whether the object is context sensitive is made. If the object is context sensitive, the method prioritizes between the one or more object rules and one or more context rules related to a target context. In addition, a determination of which method or methods should be executed to process the object in the target context is made based on the prioritization. |
| US08965888B2 |
Evaluating appropriateness of content
Evaluating content, comprising: setting threshold levels for desired categories of attributes which are to be used to evaluate the content, wherein the content has a set of attributes; comparing the set of attributes of the content to the threshold levels for desired categories; and allowing access to the content when the set of attributes of the content is within the threshold levels. |
| US08965887B2 |
Software system test case creation
A test case generation method includes in a processor, extracting descriptions from document artifacts, extracting a first set of keywords from the descriptions, categorizing the descriptions to a first set and a second set, extracting a second set of keywords that occur in the second set and generating a test case from the second set of keywords. |
| US08965886B2 |
System and method for providing information navigation and filtration
A system and method for information navigation and filtration is provided. One or more query terms are received from a user. A preliminary relevance of one or more objects associated with an enterprise system is determined based on the query terms. The preliminary relevance may be propagated between objects. At least one rating is assigned to the one or more objects based on the preliminary relevance. An overall relevance of the one or more objects is established based on the at least one rating. The one or more objects are ranked according to the overall relevance. Data is provided as search results comprised of the one or more objects according to the ranking to the user. The search results may then be filtered based on at least one selected, dynamically generated filter. The filtered search results may be dynamically generated and provided to the user. |
| US08965882B1 |
Click or skip evaluation of synonym rules
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for click or skip evaluation of synonyms. In one aspect, a method includes accessing query log data that identifies, for an initial search query, a revised search query that includes one or more synonyms, and search results provided to a user. An indication that the user has selected a particular search result is received. A determination is made that the particular search result includes a particular synonym for a query term that occurs in the revised search query, and not (i) the query term or (ii) any other synonym for the query term that occurs in the revised search query. A crucial click count is assigned to a synonym rule that corresponds to the particular synonym. |
| US08965878B2 |
Qualifier set creation for work assignment engine
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, define, in real-time, qualifier set combinations for work items. Thus, the contact center can create a dictionary of combinations of work item attributes that may be defined as work items are introduced to the system. The definition of the combinations allows for large qualifier sets without the large expenditure of resources to define all possible combinations of attributes for the contact center. |
| US08965871B2 |
System and method for providing targeted content to a user based on user characteristics
A system and method for providing a personalized advertisement for a good or service for display to a user is described. The system includes a communications device operated by the user; a virtual person database comprising information about the user; and a search engine useful for finding advertisements of interest to the user and generating personalized advertisements for display on the communications device. |
| US08965870B2 |
Method and apparatus for exchanging media service queries
A user accessing a media service desires to find out more information about the media service by formulating a query, by operation of an input device, where a region of interest of said media service is selected by the user. The query is submitted to other users who are defined by various tiers defined by different types of criteria. The users belonging to such tiers respond back to the query with new information, which is rendered on the media device being used by the user. Such responses are then rendered on the media device of the user. Optionally, a computer assistance mode is operated where keywords are extracted from said communications between users, and such keywords a used to obtain additional results from a resource such as a search engine. |
| US08965865B2 |
Method and system for adaptive discovery of content on a network
A method is provided for identifying documents that include a searchable form relevant to a topic. A document is received. If the received document comprises a form is determined. A form includes a field presented to a user requesting information from the user. If the received document is determined to comprise a form, a determination is made concerning whether or not the form is a searchable form. A searchable form returns non-trivial information to a requester in response to a submission of the form. If the form is determined to be a searchable form, a determination is made concerning whether or not the form is relevant to an identified topic. If the form is determined to be relevant to the identified topic, the document is identified as a searchable form relevant to the identified topic. |
| US08965864B2 |
Method and system for efficient execution and rendering of client/server interactive applications
A method and apparatus for reducing network and processor bandwidth overhead when a client device fetches a Web page from a server. Presentation code is provided to mark view identifiers as well as indicate target areas of the Web page to be updated upon occurrence of selected events. The presentation code is further marked to indicate the target areas. Upon an event at the client the associated view identifier is located as well as the target areas for the event retrieved utilizing the marking information. Only the selected target areas are updated on the current Web page. A server-side optimization causes only the target areas to be rendered upon a request for the Web page. |
| US08965863B1 |
Scalable, adaptable, and manageable system for multimedia identification
An architecture for a multimedia search system is described. To perform similarity matching of multimedia query frames against reference content, reference database comprising of a cluster index using cluster keys to perform similarity matching and a multimedia index to perform sequence matching is built. Methods to update and maintain the reference database that enables addition and removal of the multimedia contents, including portions of multimedia content, from the reference database in a running system are described. Hierarchical multi-level partitioning methods to organize the reference database are presented. Smart partitioning of the reference multimedia content according to the nature of the multimedia content, and according to the popularity among the social media, that supports scalable fast multimedia identification is also presented. A caching mechanism for multimedia search queries in a centralized or in a decentralized distributed system and a client based local multimedia search system enabling multimedia tracking are described. |
| US08965862B2 |
Directory oplock
Current file systems may implement opportunistic locks on files that allow clients to locally cache file data, while promoting data consistency when multiple clients read/write the same file. Unfortunately, when a client locally caches directory content of a directory, the file system may lack a mechanism for notifying the client of changes to the directory that would render the cached directory content “stale”. Accordingly, one or more systems and/or techniques for managing a directory oplock are disclosed herein. A directory oplock may be generated based upon an oplock request comprising a first target key and a first parent key. Subsequent access requests for access to the directory or objects therein may be compared with the directory oplock to determine whether to break the directory oplock, and notify the client (e.g., directory oplock is broken if the client submitting the access request is different than the client owning the directory oplock). |
| US08965858B2 |
Methods and systems for automated processing of fallout orders
A system and method may include receiving an order and an error identifier, indexing a database based on the error identifier to identify a rule identifier, and indexing the database based on the rule identifier to identify a rule. The system and method may further include applying the rule to modify the order to generate a modified order, and submitting the modified order for processing. |
| US08965853B2 |
Distributed system having a shared central database
A method for converting a distributed system includes providing a central database in communication with a database, in which the central database includes central schema information for accessing data stored in the central database. The method further includes transferring content data and schema information from the database to the central database for storage. The method further includes connecting schema information stored in the database to the central schema information such that each database is configured to receive a request for information, redirect the request from the database to the central database based on the referenced schema information, and receive, from the central database, the requested information. |
| US08965849B1 |
Static sorted index replication
Static sorted index replication is described. A method may include receiving data to store in a memory tree of a replica in a partitioned distributed data store. The method may also include storing the received data in the respective memory tree of one of a plurality of replicas. The method may further include storing the received data sequentially in a static sorted index. |
| US08965848B2 |
Entity resolution based on relationships to a common entity
Techniques are disclosed for resolving entities based on relationships to a common entity. In one embodiment, two entities are compared to determine that an entity resolution threshold is not satisfied. One or more entities commonly related to the two entities are determined. The two entities are determined to satisfy the entity resolution threshold on the basis of the one or more commonly-related entities. The two entities are then resolved into a single entity. |
| US08965843B2 |
Prioritized replication paths
A method of updating data at one or more nodes and a corresponding system are described. The method comprises determining a node to which a data update is to be transmitted, wherein the node has a node priority. The method also comprises determining a version of data to be provided to the determined node based on a comparison of the version of data at the determined node with another node having a higher node priority and transmitting the determined version of data to the node. |
| US08965842B2 |
Virtual environment spanning desktop and cloud
A method and system are given for providing a virtual environment spanning a desktop and a cloud. In one example, the method includes receiving a query template over a data set that resides in the cloud, optimizing the query template to segment the query template into an offline phase and an online phase, executing the offline phase on the cloud to build one or more indexes, and sending the one or more indexes to the desktop. |
| US08965839B2 |
On the fly data binning
A computer-implemented method, a computer-implemented system, and a computer program product for data binning are disclosed. In a first aspect, the computer-implemented method comprises in response to a determination that a data value is greater than an estimated maximum data value, calculating a new bin position for the data value by adding multiples of a bin width to the estimated maximum data value until a bin where the data value belongs is found. |
| US08965834B2 |
Particle methods for nonlinear control
Aspects herein describe new methods of determining optimal actions to achieve high-level goals with minimum total future cost. At least one high-level goal is inputted into a user device along with various observational data about the world, and a computational unit determines, through particle methods, an optimal course of action as well as emotions. The particle method comprises alternating backward and forward sweeps and tests for convergence to determine said optimal course of action. In one embodiment a user inputs a high-level goal into a cell phone which senses observational data. The cell phone communicates with a server that provides instructions. The server determines an optimal course of action via the particle method, and the cell phone then displays the instructions and emotions to the user. |
| US08965833B2 |
Generating a set of solutions to a multi-objective problem
A method of generating a set of solutions to a route-planning problem includes iteratively applying a Probability Collective (PC) method, each iteration including sampling from a probability distribution defined over a set of decision variables relating to a route-planning problem and using an archive set of decision variables and a set of the sampled decision variables to update the probability distribution for use in a subsequent PC method iteration. A set of solutions, each including at least one decision variable with an associated objective function result evaluated by the PC method iterations, is output. |
| US08965832B2 |
Feature estimation in sound sources
A sound mixture may be received that includes a plurality of sources. A model may be received for one of the source that includes a dictionary of spectral basis vectors corresponding to that one source. At least one feature of the one source in the sound mixture may be estimated based on the model. In some examples, the estimation may be constrained according to temporal data. |
| US08965830B2 |
Systems and methods for self-adaptive episode mining under the threshold using delay estimation and temporal division
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for self-adaptive episode mining under time threshold using delay estimation and temporal division. An episode mining engine can analyze a set of episodes captured from a set of network resources to detect all sequences of user-specified frequency within a supplied runtime budget or time threshold. The engine can achieve desired levels of completeness in the results by mining the input log file in multiple stages or steps, each having successively longer lengths of event sequences. After completion of each stage, the engine calculates a remaining amount of runtime budget, and updates the amount of time to be allocated for each of the remaining stages up to a generated maximum stage (or sequence length). The engine thus corrects the estimated remaining time in the runtime budget (or threshold) after each stage, and continues to the next stage until the runtime budget is consumed. |
| US08965828B2 |
Inferring user mood based on user and group characteristic data
An individual's responsiveness to targeted content delivery can be affected by a number of factors, such as an interest in the content, other content the user is currently interacting with, the user's current location, or even the time of day. A way of improving targeted content delivery can be to infer a user's current mood and then deliver content that is selected, at least in part, based on the inferred mood. The present technology analyzes mood-associated characteristic data collected over a period of time to produce at least one baseline mood profile for a user. The user's current mood can then be inferred by applying one or more mood rules to compare current mood-associated data to at least one baseline mood profile for the user. |
| US08965823B2 |
Insider threat detection device and method
The present invention relates to an insider threat detection device and method which collects and analyzes a variety of information generated by insiders working for an organization, such as behaviors, events, and states of the insider, and detects an abnormal insider who may become a potential threat. According to the present invention, the insider threat detection method and apparatus analyzes information related to insiders using the correlation analysis method, and previously detects an abnormal sign of an insider who may become a potential threat to an organization, which makes it possible to protect the organization from attacks on systems inside the organization or seizure of important information inside the organization. |
| US08965816B2 |
Non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program, search apparatus, search method, and clustering device
Provided is a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program causing a computer to function as a learning data acquiring unit that acquires learning data, a memory unit that performs machine learning using the learning data about cluster division where Markov chains of transition via a link from a node to a node on a network formed from plural nodes are divided into plural clusters each of which is indicated by a biased Markov chain and calculates a steady state of each biased Markov chain, a search condition receiving unit that receives a search condition from a user, a cluster extracting unit that extracts clusters suitable for the search condition, a partial network cutting unit that cuts a partial network formed by a node group belonging to the clusters, and an importance calculating unit that calculates importance of each node on the partial network. |
| US08965813B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method therefor, and computer-readable storage medium for displaying inference results for plural inference conditions
An information processing apparatus includes a display control unit adapted to, with respect to each of a plurality of predetermined attributes, display on a display unit, for each of a plurality of inference conditions, inference results obtained by inferring a probability that input data belongs to the attribute under the inference condition; and a receiving unit adapted to receive selection of one of a plurality of parameters for specifying an inference condition from a user, wherein the display control unit highlights, with respect to each of the plurality of inference conditions, the inference results according to values of the selected parameter of the inference condition. |
| US08965811B2 |
Methods and systems for using physical payment cards in secure E-commerce transactions
Pursuant to some embodiments, methods, systems, apparatus, computer program code and means for conducting an online transaction by a user operating a computer are provided which include identifying, at the computer, that the user has selected a secure payment option during a transaction with a merchant. The computer is caused to enter a private session. During the private session, payment card data from a physical payment card held by the user is received, and the payment card data is forwarded to a payment provider to cause the payment provider to provide substitute payment card details to the merchant to complete the transaction. |
| US08965810B2 |
Coupon bearing sponsor account transaction authorization
A transaction handler receives, for forwarding to a sponsor account's issuer, a coupon authorization request message from a merchant's acquirer that identifies the sponsor account and a coupon for an item being purchased by a consumer in a transaction with the merchant. The issuer determines eligibility of the coupon for use by the consumer, and sends an authorization response message to the merchant via its acquirer and the transaction handler for the application of a corresponding discount for the item when the coupon is eligible. One or more coupon eligibilities for the purchase of the item by the consumer from the merchant can be derived from comparisons of the transaction to predetermined times, geographies, jurisdictions, sets of merchants, and/or the number of times that coupons have been used in other transactions. The transaction handler can further process the transaction for authorization the consumer's account to pay of the transaction. |
| US08965806B2 |
Image imaging apparatus, image managing method, and computer readable recording medium
An image managing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores image data, a receive unit that receives an image transmission request, and a controller. Herein, the controller adds security information to the image data and transmits the image data from the storage unit to an external apparatus in response to the image transmission request. Moreover, the controller determines whether to add the security information to the image data on the basis of a value of a security addition flag for the box in which the image data is stored or a value of a security addition flag for the image data. |
| US08965794B2 |
Retail identification and inventory system
An interactive retail identification system for identifying a retail object based upon known or identified features of master object is disclosed, wherein the system utilizes a graphical user interface having a computer display screen for displaying a plurality of input fields related to a retail object and an input device for selecting variables based upon a physical inspection of a known master object having known or identifiable features. The graphical user interface is electronically connected to a database which identifies a specific retail object equivalent to the master object through comparison of the retail object variables. The systems includes a plurality of compartments for holding retail objects based upon the retail object variables and an indicator for identifying the compartment having the retail object is provided. |
| US08965788B2 |
Search page topology
In one embodiment, a search page portal can include two search controls capable of controlling content within a set of customizable merchandizing tiles and product tiles. The merchandizing tiles and product tiles may be interspersed throughout a central region. The merchandizing tiles and product tiles can be populated with webpage content based on user-entered data. In this example, populated webpage content can be selected from multiple databases based on user-entered data. |
| US08965785B2 |
System for providing advertisement information
A system for providing advertisement information is disclosed. The system includes a display device, at least one near field communication (NFC) antenna and a control for controlling the display device for displaying advertisement contents and NFC antenna for providing data related to the advertisement contents displayed on the display device. The system may include as advertisement management server to supply the advertisement contents and data related to the advertisement contents. |
| US08965781B2 |
Online pay-per-use system and method
Aspects of the invention may involve systems, methods, and computer readable medium. In an embodiment of the invention, a computer-implemented method for paying for usage of a pay per use device may be provided. The method may transmit device identification information from the device to a server. Device setup information and vend price may be received and the vend price may be displayed. User identification may be received and transmitted to the server. An account balance value may be received and displayed on the display. A start request may be received and transmitted to the server. The device may start and an updated account balance may be displayed. |
| US08965779B1 |
Fulfilling staffing requirements via an interactive voice response system
Various embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and computer program products for fulfilling a portion of staffing requirements using an interactive voice response system (“IVR”). In particular embodiments, staffing requirements for a business activity are forecasted and a portion of the staffing requirements are identified that require fulfillment using the IVR. This portion of the staffing requirements includes one or more staff member positions required to be performed for the business activity. Eligible staff members that may fulfill the staff member positions are identified and a first member of the eligible staff members is contacted. Upon contacting the first member, the member is requested to fulfill a staff member position by the IVR and if the member accepts fulfilling the staff member position, an acceptance is sent from the IVR and the first member is scheduled based on his acceptance to fulfill the staff member position. |
| US08965778B2 |
Benefit Management
Methods, devices and systems are provided for benefit management. One system includes a server including an application interface and access to a data store having one or more client files. A client file can include a definable set of business rules for managing and administering benefits and can include fund use rules for accessing and applying funds to claims from one or more accounts. The system includes a program operable on the server to apply the definable set of business rules in connection with processing a claim. |
| US08965777B2 |
Communications system for articles of care furniture
Communications system for exchanging data between a patient in an article of care furniture and a nursing staff or service personnel which manages a nursing task for the patient or a service function of the article of care furniture, where the control communicationwise is connected to a gateway, which comprises a modem for communication between a patient and the nursing staff or service personnel via the mobile telephone network where the communication is carried out by exchanging data in the form of text strings. The patient may with his actions or by activating a switch initiate the transmittal of a text string. When receiving a text string on a mobile receiver, the nursing staff may, based on the contents of the text string, determine whether the visiting route should be changed so that a more acute nursing task may be given a higher priority. |
| US08965776B2 |
Iterative forward error correction (FEC) on segmented words using a soft-metric arithmetic scheme
A system is to receive a word on which to perform error correction; obtain segments, from the word, each segment including a respective subset of samples; update, on a per segment basis, the word based on extrinsic information associated with a previous word; identify sets of least reliable positions (LRPs) associated with the segments; create a subset of LRPs based on a subset of samples within the sets of LRPs; generate candidate words based on the subset of LRPs; identify errors within the word or the candidate words; update, using the extrinsic information, a segment of the word that includes an error; determine distances between the candidate words and the updated word that includes the updated segment; identify best words associated with shortest distances; and perform error correction, on a next word, using other extrinsic information that is based on the best words. |
| US08965775B2 |
Allocation of bits in an enhancement coding/decoding for improving a hierarchical coding/decoding of digital audio signals
A method of binary allocation in an enhancement coding/decoding for improving a hierarchical coding/decoding of digital audio signals, including a core coding/decoding in a first frequency band and a band extension coding/decoding in a second frequency band. For a predetermined number of bits to be allocated for the enhancement coding/decoding, a first number of bits is allocated to a coding/decoding for correcting the core coding/decoding in the first frequency band and according to a first mode of coding/decoding and a second number of bits is allocated to an enhancement coding/decoding for improving the extension coding/decoding in the second frequency band and according to a second mode of coding/decoding. Also provided are an allocation module implementing the method and a coder and decoder including this module. |
| US08965774B2 |
Automatic detection of audio compression parameters
For a media clip that includes audio content, a novel method for performing dynamic range compression of the audio content is presented. The method performs an analysis of the audio content. Based on the analysis of the audio content, the method generates a setting for an audio compressor that compresses the dynamic range of the audio content. The generated setting includes a set of audio compression parameters that include a noise gating threshold parameter (“noise gate”), a dynamic range compression threshold parameter (“threshold”), and a dynamic range compression ratio parameter (“ratio”). |
| US08965772B2 |
Displaying speech command input state information in a multimodal browser
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for displaying speech command input state information in a multimodal browser including displaying an icon representing a speech command type and displaying an icon representing the input state of the speech command. In typical embodiments, the icon representing a speech command type and the icon representing the input state of the speech command also includes attributes of a single icon. Typical embodiments include accepting from a user a speech command of the speech command type, changing the input state of the speech command, and displaying another icon representing the changed input state of the speech command. Typical embodiments also include displaying the text of the speech command in association with the icon representing the speech command type. |
| US08965771B2 |
Use of avatar with event processing
Conducting commerce over a network, e.g., the Internet includes receiving a transaction request from a user as text input, using natural programming language to analysis the text input to build conversations with the user based on the transaction request. The technique also includes generating a voice-synthesized response in accordance with the transaction through an avatar and tracking the transaction by storing the transaction in the database. |
| US08965770B2 |
Detecting emotion in voice signals in a call center
A computer system monitors a conversation between an agent and a customer. The system extracts a voice signal from the conversation and analyzes the voice signal to detect a voice characteristic of the customer. The system identifies an emotion corresponding to the voice characteristic and initiates an action based on the emotion. The action may include communicating the emotion to an emergency response team, or communicating feedback to a manager of the agent, as examples. |
| US08965768B2 |
System and method for automatic detection of abnormal stress patterns in unit selection synthesis
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for detecting and correcting abnormal stress patterns in unit-selection speech synthesis. A system practicing the method detects incorrect stress patterns in selected acoustic units representing speech to be synthesized, and corrects the incorrect stress patterns in the selected acoustic units to yield corrected stress patterns. The system can further synthesize speech based on the corrected stress patterns. In one aspect, the system also classifies the incorrect stress patterns using a machine learning algorithm such as a classification and regression tree, adaptive boosting, support vector machine, and maximum entropy. In this way a text-to-speech unit selection speech synthesizer can produce more natural sounding speech with suitable stress patterns regardless of the stress of units in a unit selection database. |
| US08965767B2 |
System and method for synthetic voice generation and modification
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for generating a synthetic voice. A system configured to practice the method combines a first database of a first text-to-speech voice and a second database of a second text-to-speech voice to generate a combined database, selects from the combined database, based on a policy, voice units of a phonetic category for the synthetic voice to yield selected voice units, and synthesizes speech based on the selected voice units. The system can synthesize speech without parameterizing the first text-to-speech voice and the second text-to-speech voice. A policy can define, for a particular phonetic category, from which text-to-speech voice to select voice units. The combined database can include multiple text-to-speech voices from different speakers. The combined database can include voices of a single speaker speaking in different styles. The combined database can include voices of different languages. |
| US08965766B1 |
Systems and methods for identifying music in a noisy environment
Systems and methods for identifying music in a noisy environment are described. One of the methods includes receiving audio segment data. The audio segment data is generated from the portion that is captured in the noisy environment. The method further includes generating feature vectors from the audio segment data, identifying phonemes from the feature vectors, and comparing the identified phonemes with pre-assigned phoneme sequences. Each pre-assigned phoneme sequence identifies a known music piece. The method further includes determining an identity of the music based on the comparison. |
| US08965763B1 |
Discriminative language modeling for automatic speech recognition with a weak acoustic model and distributed training
Training data from a plurality of utterance-to-text-string mappings of an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system may be selected. Parameters of the ASR system that characterize the utterances and their respective mappings may be determined through application of a first acoustic model and a language model. A second acoustic model and the language model may be applied to the selected training data utterances to determine a second set of utterance-to-text-string mappings. The first set of utterance-to-text-string mappings may be compared to the second set of utterance-to-text-string mappings, and the parameters of the ASR system may be updated based on the comparison. |
| US08965762B2 |
Bimodal emotion recognition method and system utilizing a support vector machine
A method is disclosed in the present disclosure for recognizing emotion by setting different weights to at least of two kinds of unknown information, such as image and audio information, based on their recognition reliability respectively. The weights are determined by the distance between test data and hyperplane and the standard deviation of training data and normalized by the mean distance between training data and hyperplane, representing the classification reliability of different information. The method recognizes the emotion according to the unidentified information having higher weights while the at least two kinds of unidentified information have different result classified by the hyperplane and correcting wrong classification result of the other unidentified information so as to raise the accuracy while emotion recognition. Meanwhile, the present disclosure also provides a learning step with a characteristic of higher learning speed through an algorithm of iteration. |
| US08965760B2 |
Communication device, method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and system of a remote conference
A communication device may acquire material data to share with a particular communication device, when one or more of first image data and first audio data is outputted. The communication device may determine whether the acquired material data includes audio data. Additionally, the communication device may change a first sound volume setting to a second sound volume setting, in response to determining that the acquired material data includes audio data. The communication device may output, through an audio output device, received first audio data according to the second sound volume setting and the material data according to a third sound volume setting. |
| US08965757B2 |
System and method for multi-channel noise suppression based on closed-form solutions and estimation of time-varying complex statistics
Multi-channel noise suppression systems and methods are described that omit the traditional delay-and-sum fixed beamformer in devices that include a primary speech microphone and at least one noise reference microphone with the desired speech being in the near-field of the device. The multi-channel noise suppression systems and methods use a blocking matrix (BM) to remove desired speech in the input speech signal received by the noise reference microphone to get a “cleaner” background noise component. Then, an adaptive noise canceler (ANC) is used to remove the background noise in the input speech signal received by the primary speech microphone based on the “cleaner” background noise component to achieve noise suppression. The filters implemented by the BM and ANC are derived using closed-form solutions that require calculation of time-varying statistics of complex frequency domain signals in the noise suppression system. |
| US08965756B2 |
Automatic equalization of coloration in speech recordings
Systems and methods to automatically equalize coloration in speech recordings is provided. In example embodiments, a reference spectral shape based on a reference signal is determined. An estimated spectral shape for an input signal is derived. Using the estimated spectral shape and the reference spectral shape a comparison is performed to determine gain settings. The gain settings comprise a gain value for each filter of a filter system. Using gain values associated with the gain setting, automatic equalization is performed on the input signal. |
| US08965753B2 |
Method to assign word class information
An assignment device (1) assigns word class information (WKI) to one or more words of text information (ETI). Based on word-class sequence information (WK-AI) formed from this assigned word class information (WKI), actions (A) are executed in order to notify the user of conflicts or to provide the user with background information (HI) relating to words in the text information (TT). |
| US08965748B2 |
Data center efficiency analyses and optimization
Method, system and computer program product for estimating the overall energy efficiency of a data center over a period of time. In one embodiment, a computer processor coupled to computer readable memory is configured to receive time parameters indicating the period of time over which the overall energy efficiency of the data center is to be estimated, receive component parameters indicating the performance characteristics of data center components and the operational interactions between the data center components, simulate the operation and interaction of the data center components based, at least in part, on the component parameters for the period of time over which the energy efficiency is estimated, and output results of the simulation to estimate the overall energy efficiency of the data center. |
| US08965745B2 |
Grid from depositional space
A method can include providing, in a geological domain, a conformal mesh, conformal to geological discontinuities of a geological model, that includes depositional domain coordinates associated with a depositional domain; providing, in the depositional domain, an initial, at least vertically structured, multidimensional grid that includes initial nodes that define grid cells; referencing the conformal mesh to identify a set of grid cells of the initial grid traversed by the geological discontinuities; splitting each of the grid cells in the set to form sub cells, each of the sub cells defined at least in part by one or more new nodes; and assigning geological domain coordinates associated with the geological domain to at least the new nodes to generate a final grid that includes the initial nodes, the new nodes and geological domain coordinates associated with the geological domain. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US08965742B1 |
Hierarchically scoped resettable variables in graphical modeling environments
The illustrative embodiments of this invention are directed to a method, a medium and a system for realizing resettable hierarchically scoped variables in a graphical modeling environment on a computing device. The method includes creating at least one resettable variable in a model within the graphical modeling environment, wherein the resettable variable is hierarchically scoped. The resettable variable is reset to a preset value before or during a subsequent invocation of a part of the model that contains the resettable variable. The graphical modeling environment may be a state diagramming environment or the graphical modeling environment may be a time-based graphical modeling environment. |
| US08965736B2 |
High accuracy and high dynamic range MEMS inertial measurement unit with automatic dynamic range control
Embodiments relate to a MEMS IMU having an automatic gain control. The dynamic measurement range of the MEMS IMU is controlled by controlling the gain of a signal amplifier before the analog to digital converter (ADC) to make full use of the ADC range. In one embodiment, two or more MEMS inertial sensor sets are installed in the IMU. One of the sensor sets is for high accuracy with low dynamic range, and the other set or sets is for higher dynamic range with less resolution or accuracy. In one implementation, a digital processor determines which of the sensor sets to be used according to the system dynamic estimation. In another implementation, the system weights the sensor outputs from the sensor sets according to the system dynamics. |
| US08965734B2 |
Diagnostic method for an engine-generator set
A diagnostic test is conducted by operating an engine-generator set at a plurality of reduced speeds. At each of those speeds, operating parameters of the engine are sensed and analyzed to detect an unsatisfactory operating condition. For example, such operating parameters may include speed of the engine-generator set, engine oil pressure and level, engine temperature, coolant level, and battery voltage. When a transition in engine speed occurs, a throttle test also may be conducted to measure how quickly and smoothly the engine reaches the new speed. After the engine reaches the normal operating speed, the generator is activated to produce electricity. One or more characteristic of that electricity, such as voltage, current and frequency, are sensed and evaluated to detect an unsatisfactory operating condition. |
| US08965732B2 |
Athletic or other performance sensing systems
A wearable device has a carrier having an aperture. A device has a USB connection and a protrusion wherein the protrusion is received in the aperture to connect the device to a wristband. The device is a USB type device having athletic functionality. The device may further be configured to receive calibration data such that a measured distance may be converted to a known distance based on athletic activity performed by a user. |
| US08965731B2 |
Methods and devices to determine a mobile device housing position
Methods and devices to determine a mobile device housing position are described. An example device disclosed herein includes a housing having a first portion movably coupled to a second portion, the second portion to have a first position, a second position, and at least one intermediate position relative to the first portion, wherein the intermediate position is between the first and second positions; a position detector in the first portion, the position detector to measure a transitional magnetic field when the second portion is in the intermediate position and to measure a second magnetic field; and a processor to determine that the second portion is in the first position or the second position based on the transitional magnetic field and the second magnetic field. |
| US08965721B2 |
Determining battery DC impedance
A method and apparatus for measuring battery cell DC impedance by controlling charging of the battery cell. The method includes real-time characterization of a battery, (a) measuring periodically a DC impedance of the battery to determine a measured DC impedance; (b) ratioing the measured DC impedance to a reference DC impedance for the battery to establish an impedance degradation factor; (c) obtaining, during use of the battery and responsive to a set of attributes of the battery, an operational reference impedance for the battery; and (d) applying the impedance degradation factor to the operational reference impedance to obtain a real-time effective impedance for the battery. |
| US08965711B2 |
Method and system for determining the accuracy of DNA base identifications
A system for determining the quality of predicted DNA base identifications is disclosed, the system comprising a processor configured to receive a training data set, the training data set comprising a plurality of predicted DNA base identifications, define a group of subsets, compare the predicted DNA base identifications with actual DNA base identifications for training data within each subset of the group, determine a sampling characteristic for each subset of the group based on training data within the respective subset, and determine a quality characterization for predicted DNA base identifications within at least one of subset of the group based on the comparison and determined sampling characteristic, wherein the sampling characteristic comprises a confidence value comprising a binomial proportion confidence interval value. |
| US08965710B2 |
Automated sample-to-microarray apparatus and method
An apparatus having within or as part of a housing; a sample port; a microarray port; a lysis module; a purification module for containing a solid phase for binding of oligonucleotides; a thermocycling module for containing a polymerase chain reaction; a fragmentation module; and a microarray module for holding a microarray and a liquid in contact with the microarray. The apparatus is configured to be coupled to a device for: pumping a liquid through, in order, the lysis, purification, thermocycling, fragmentation, and microarray modules; sonicating any contents of the lysis module; thermocycling the thermocycling module to perform the polymerase chain reaction; heating the fragmentation module to fragment any oligonucleotides contained therein; circulating a fluid over the surface of the microarray; and performing one or more washing or staining steps on the microarray. |
| US08965707B2 |
Interface for medical infusion pump
An apparatus and method for generating a prescription form is disclosed. The method includes displaying a first menu containing a plurality of therapy menu items. The method also includes displaying a second menu containing at least one qualifier menu item. The method further includes displaying a third menu containing at least one drug menu item. The method includes, upon selection of a therapy menu item, a qualifier menu item, and a drug menu item, selecting a protocol including one or more patient specific pump parameters corresponding to the therapy menu item, the qualifier menu item, and the drug menu item. The method also includes displaying a prescription form including at least one of the one or more patient specific pump parameters. |
| US08965706B2 |
Noise filtering of seismit data
Adaptive filtering method to remove ground roll from seismic data. In an M channel adaptive filter, weights Wi are set using an adaptive algorithm based on seeking the minimum in the partial differential of cost function J. The cost function includes an expansion of the primary trace d into d=dg+Δd (where: dg is ground roll contribution and Δd=dsig+dran, where dsig is the reflected signal component and dran is a random noise component) and a corresponding expansion of the reference x into x=xg+Δx (where xg is ground roll contribution and Δx=xsig+xran; where xsig is a reflected signal component and xran is a random noise component). The delta components are included in the denominator of cost function J to provide an optimal solution of the filter coefficients biased by the reflection signal and random noise is removed. |
| US08965704B2 |
Apparatus and method for formation resistivity measurements in oil-based mud using a floating reference signal
Disclosed is an apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole containing an oil-based drilling fluid. The apparatus includes an electrode disposed at a carrier and configured to inject alternating current into the formation. An electrically conductive plate is disposed between the first electrode and a borehole wall. An electrical insulator is disposed between and contacts the first electrode and the conductive plate. The apparatus is configured to prevent the drilling fluid from being disposed between the first electrode and the conductive plate. A first sensor is used to measure an electric field established between the first electrode and the conductive plate. A processor is configured to receive a measurement of the electric field to use as a floating reference signal to determine a phase difference with respect to a measured electrical quantity related to the injected electrical current in order to estimate the property. |
| US08965703B2 |
Applications based on fluid properties measured downhole
Downhole drilling fluid measurements are made as a function of time or as a function of depth. A change in the downhole drilling fluid measurements is correlated to a feature of a formation penetrated by a drill bit or to a feature of fluids in the formation. The downhole drilling fluid measurements may include density, photoelectric factor, hydrogen index, salinity, thermal neutron capture cross section (Sigma), resistivity, slowness, slowing down time, sound velocity, and elemental composition. The feature may include fluid balance, hole-cleaning, a kick, a shallow water flow, a formation fluid property, formation fluid typing, geosteering, geostopping, or an environmental correction. A downhole system has a measurement-while-drilling tool or a logging-while-drilling tool and a processor capable of obtaining the downhole drilling fluid measurements and correlating the change in the downhole drilling fluid measurements. |
| US08965700B2 |
Methods and apparatus for generating an electronic record of environmental landmarks based on marking device actuations
Methods and apparatus for generating electronic records of marking operations and/or environmental landmarks for underground facilities/utilities. Marking information and/or landmark information may be logged/stored in local memory of a marking device, formatted in various manners, processed and/or analyzed at the marking device itself, and/or transmitted to another device (e.g., a remote computer/server) for storage, processing and/or analysis. In one example, a marking device may be configured to operate in both a marking mode and a landmark mode, and information relating to one or more environmental landmarks in a vicinity of the marking operation may be collected and logged with actuation of a marking device in the landmark mode. A computer-generated image or other visual representation may be electronically rendered in a display field based on logged marking information and/or landmark information, essentially in real time as the information is collected, and/or recreated thereafter based on one or more stored electronic records. |
| US08965697B2 |
Navigation device and method
A navigation device or method is configured to identify location information and a route setting method from a recognition result obtained by constantly recognizing user's utterance contents, and set a route based on the location information and the route setting method. |
| US08965694B2 |
Route search method
A route search method includes: a step in which the computer generates a first network by, for each of nodes and each of links, generating a plurality of duplicates thereof; a step in which the computer generates a second network by adding first additional links to the first network; and a step in which the computer searches for a route from a duplicate of a node corresponding to the departure point to a duplicate of a node corresponding to the destination point, using the second network. The first additional links are links for which predetermined non negative link costs are set, and in each of which a node of an end point of a duplicate of each of the links is changed to a node of an end point of another duplicate of the each of the links. |
| US08965692B2 |
Follow me navigation system
A first navigation device records first direction information as the first navigation device traverses a route from a first location to a second location, and transmits the first direction information to a second navigation device while the second navigation device is following the first navigation along the route. After recording the first direction information and while transmitting the first direction information, the first navigation device records second direction information as the first navigation device traverses the route from the second location to a third location. The first navigation device transmits the second direction information to the second navigation device. The first direction information and the second direction information include information that allows the second navigation device to follow the route traversed by the first navigation device. |
| US08965691B1 |
Position and direction determination using multiple single-channel encoders
A system for an autonomous vehicle is disclosed that combines information from single-channel encoders serving as wheel speed sensors on multiple wheels of the vehicle. A pattern of the outputs from the single-channel encoders is characterized while the vehicle is traveling in a first direction. A shift in the characterized pattern is associated with a change in direction of the autonomous vehicle. Such detection of changes in direction can be used to determine the position of the vehicle at low speeds or while starting and/or stopping where the vehicle can potentially rock back and forth. |
| US08965689B1 |
Map display configurations for wireless communication devices
Systems, methods, and software for a map display configuration system are provided herein. In one example, a method of operating a map display configuration system is provided. The method includes receiving a search request transferred by a wireless communication device, where the search request indicates at least one search term and a wireless access node identifier for a wireless access node presently serving the wireless communication device. The method also includes processing at least the search request to identify a map display configuration based on the search term and the wireless access node identifier, and transferring the map display configuration for delivery to the wireless communication device, where the wireless communication device generates a geographic map display based on the map display configuration. |
| US08965688B2 |
System and method for locating, tracking, and/or monitoring the status of personnel and/or assets both indoors and outdoors
A system and method for locating, tracking, and/or monitoring the status of personnel and/or assets (collectively “trackees”), both indoors and outdoors, is provided. Tracking data obtained from any number of sources utilizing any number of tracking methods may be provided as input to a mapping application. The mapping application generates position estimates for trackees using a suite of mapping tools to make corrections to the tracking data. The mapping application further uses information from building data, when available, to enhance position estimates. Indoor tracking methods including sensor fusion methods, map matching methods, and map building methods may be implemented compute a more accurate tracking estimate for trackees. Outdoor tracking methods may be implemented to enhance outdoor tracking data by combining tracking estimates such as inertial tracks with magnetic and/or compass data if and when available, and with GPS, if and when available. |
| US08965685B1 |
Method and system for enabling precautionary actions in a vehicle
A feature for a motor vehicle that takes precautionary actions in response to conditions on the road network in the vicinity ahead of the vehicle. The feature uses a data representation of the road network extending from the current vehicle position out to an extent. The data representation of the road network is used to identify conditions, if any, that warrant taking a precautionary action. The type of conditions about which actions are to be taken may be identified in a data file. A precautionary action is taken as the vehicle approaches the location of the condition. The precautionary action may be a message provided to the vehicle driver to alert the driver about the condition. Alternatively, the action may be a modification of the vehicle operation, such as slowing down or stopping the vehicle, speeding up the vehicle, changing direction, and so on. |
| US08965683B2 |
Vehicle navigation system
A vehicle navigation system disposed in a vehicle executes a route guidance function that calculates a first route by prioritizing a special lane over a normal lane as a route calculation condition and performs route guidance when a special lane use option is turned on. A determination unit determines whether the vehicle is traveling in a parallel route section in which the special lane and normal lane are in parallel. If the vehicle is traveling in the parallel route section, a second route calculation unit calculates a second route towards the destination based on an assumption that the vehicle is traveling in the normal lane. In addition, a second route guidance unit outputs a second guidance phrase at a second guidance point, such that the second guidance phrase includes a conditional phrase that conveys that the vehicle is not in the special lane. |
| US08965682B2 |
Estimating position and orientation of an underwater vehicle based on correlated sensor data
A method and system are described that can be used for combining two sources of position and orientation (pose) information where the information from one source is correlated with the information from the other and the sources produce information at differing rates. For example, the method and system allow for estimating position and orientation (pose) of an underwater vehicle relative to underwater structures by combining pose information computed from a 3D imaging sonar with pose information from a vehicle navigation system. To combine the information from the two sources, a determination is made as to whether to generate a forward prediction of the pose estimate of one of the sources relative to the other, and generating the forward prediction if needed. An updated pose of the underwater vehicle is determined based on the fused pose estimate, and which is used for vehicle guidance and control. |
| US08965679B2 |
Systems and methods for unmanned aircraft system collision avoidance
Systems and methods are operable maintain a proscribed Self Separation distance between an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and an object. In an example system, consecutive intruder aircraft locations relative to corresponding locations of a self aircraft are determined, wherein the determining is based on current velocities of the intruder aircraft and the self aircraft, and wherein the determining is based on current flight paths of the intruder aircraft and the self aircraft. At least one evasive maneuver for the self aircraft is computed using a processing system based on the determined consecutive intruder aircraft locations relative to the corresponding locations of the self aircraft. |
| US08965677B2 |
Intra-vehicle information conveyance system and method
System and method for conveying data between vehicles includes a data generating system arranged on a first vehicle to obtain or generate information about the first vehicle or conditions around the first vehicle, a first communications system arranged on the first vehicle and coupled to the data generating system for communicating with a wireless Internet service provider (ISP) and a second communications system arranged on a second vehicle and communicating with an ISP. The first communications system enables the information obtained or generated by the data generating system to be transmitted via the Internet to the second communications system. The first and second communications systems can communicate with the same ISP or different ISPs linked to one another. |
| US08965673B2 |
Conflict detection and resolution using predicted aircraft trajectories
This disclosure is concerned with a method of detecting conflicts between aircraft passing through managed airspace, and to resolving the detected conflicts strategically. The method may include obtaining intended trajectories of aircraft through the airspace, detecting conflicts in the intended trajectories, forming a set of the conflicted aircraft, calculating one or more revised trajectories for the conflicted aircraft such that the conflicts are resolved, and advising the conflicted aircraft subject to revised trajectories of the revised trajectories. |
| US08965672B2 |
System and method for planning, disruption management, and optimization of networked, scheduled or on-demand air transport fleet trajectory operations
Disclosed are algorithms and agent-based structures for a system and technique for analyzing and managing the airspace. The technique includes managing bulk properties of large numbers of heterogeneous multidimensional aircraft trajectories in an airspace, for the purpose of maintaining or increasing system safety, and to identify possible phase transition structures to predict when an airspace will approach the limits of its capacity. The paths of the multidimensional aircraft trajectories are continuously recalculated in the presence of changing conditions (traffic, exclusionary airspace, weather, for example) while optimizing performance measures and performing trajectory conflict detection and resolution. Such trajectories are represented as extended objects endowed with pseudo-potential, maintaining objectives for time, acceleration limits, and fuel-efficient paths by bending just enough to accommodate separation. |
| US08965671B2 |
Aircraft taxiing system
An aircraft taxiing system is provided, comprising a flight control system, an electric taxi system having controls, a flight management system (FMS), at least one data input source coupled to the FMS, and a traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS). The FMS is programmed with instructions to calculate guidance speed and heading commands, augment the guidance commands to avoid runway incursions, and transmit the guidance commands to the flight control system. The TCAS is programmed with instructions to receive Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data from ground traffic, generate collision avoidance alerts; and transmit the collision avoidance alerts to the flight control system. The flight control system is programmed with instructions to receive guidance commands from the FMS, receive the traffic collision avoidance alerts from the TCAS, and compute the steering commands, and transmit the commands to the electric taxi system to taxi the aircraft along a calculated taxi route. |
| US08965661B2 |
Method and device for controlling an internal combustion engine
A method is described for monitoring a camshaft adjustment of an internal combustion engine in a first operating mode, in which, depending on a time characteristic of an actual value of the angular position of the camshaft adjustment and a time characteristic of a first setpoint value of the angular position of the camshaft adjustment, a decision is made that there are errors in the camshaft adjustment, the decision also depending on a time characteristic of a second setpoint value of the angular position of the camshaft adjustment, the first setpoint value and the second setpoint value each being ascertained at the same operating point of the internal combustion engine, and the first setpoint value for operating the internal combustion engine being ascertained in the first operating mode and the second setpoint value for operating the internal combustion engine being ascertained in a second operating mode. |
| US08965658B2 |
Vehicle controller and method for controlling vehicle
A vehicle controller includes a wheel speed sensor, a skid sensor, an upper limit calculator, and a motive power controller. The wheel speed sensor is configured to detect rotational speed of driving wheels. The skid sensor is configured to determine whether or not the driving wheels are skidding based on an output of the wheel speed sensor. The upper limit calculator is configured to calculate an upper limit of rotational speed of the driving wheels if the skid sensor determines that the driving wheels are skidding. The motive power controller is configured to control motive power output from the driving source so that rotational speed of the driving wheels is equal to or smaller than the upper limit calculated by the upper limit calculator. |
| US08965657B2 |
System and method for detecting an on ground condition of an aircraft
Systems and methods for detecting an on ground condition of an aircraft are disclosed. A weight on wheel system may determine that an aircraft is on the ground. Wheel speed sensors may measure the speed of the aircraft wheels. Axle reference speeds may be calculated for each landing gear based on the speed of the aircraft wheels. A brake control unit may determine that the axle reference speed for each axle of the landing gears is above an on ground threshold speed, and the brake control unit may allow braking to be applied. |
| US08965656B2 |
Motor-driven booster type brake system and method thereof
The present disclosure provides a motor-driven booster type brake system and method thereof. The brake system includes a pedal force sensor for detecting pedal force of a driver applied to a brake pedal, a master cylinder delivering hydraulic pressure to wheel brakes, a booster delivering multiplied force to the master cylinder using a motor, and an ECU controlling the motor based on a detection value of the pedal force. In the brake system, the ECU controls the motor based on hydraulic pressure delivered from the master cylinder to the wheel brakes if an ABS mode is not activated, and controls the motor by maintaining an electric current input to the motor to be within a preset range of electric current if the ABS mode is activated. |
| US08965654B2 |
Vehicle control device
A vehicle control device includes an engine and a clutch configured to connect and disconnect a power transmission path between the engine and a drive wheel according to a supplied hydraulic pressure. The vehicle control device is configured to carry out neutral control that controls the hydraulic pressure supplied to the clutch to an N control study value for placing the clutch in a semi-engaged state while a vehicle stops and inertia control (free-run control, deceleration eco-run control, and N inertia control) that carries out an inertia travelling by releasing the clutch while the vehicle travels. At the time that the inertia control is executed, the vehicle control device controls the hydraulic pressure supplied to the clutch to the same value as the N control study value. |
| US08965652B2 |
Adaptive control of a flow control solenoid
A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, and a controller which executes a method. The transmission includes a clutch having an actuator which applies the clutch using position-based control logic. The transmission also includes a fluid pump and a variable-force or other solenoid valve positioned downstream of the pump and upstream of the clutch. The valve outputs a flow rate (Q) for a corresponding solenoid control current (I). The controller adapts a calibrated Q vs. I characteristic table of the valve for different transmission temperatures by applying closed-loop position control signals to the actuator at the different transmission temperatures and recording a null point(s) describing the corresponding solenoid control current (I) at a zero flow rate condition. The controller calculates an offset value for solenoid control current (I) using the recorded null point(s), applies the offset value to the characteristic table, and controls the clutch using the adapted characteristic table. |
| US08965650B1 |
System and method for controlling an automatic transmission
The method can control an automatic transmission and includes the following steps: (a) determining, via a controller, an initial gear ratio of the automatic transmission based on a gear shift map while the vehicle is solely driven by an electric motor-generator; (b) identifying a plurality of potential clutches of the automatic transmission based on the initial gear ratio; (c) determining a temperature of a transmission fluid; (d) determining which of the potential clutches has a largest fill time in order to identify at least one of a plurality of target clutches; (e) determining, via the controller, a target gear ratio of the automatic transmission based on at least one identified target clutch; (f) transferring sufficient transmission fluid to at least one identified target clutch to reach a pressure threshold in the target clutches. |
| US08965647B2 |
Control apparatus for continuously variable transmission
A control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission is capable of continuously changing an output of an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle and allowing a transmission mode to be switchable between a continuous transmission mode in which a transmission ratio is set continuously and a stepped transmission mode in which the transmission ratio is set stepwise. A transmission mode selector is configured to change the transmission mode in such a manner that in a case where the stepped transmission mode is selected, when a engine rotation speed reaches a first predetermined rotation speed, then falls below a second predetermined rotation speed which is lower than the first predetermined rotation speed, and further falls below a third predetermined rotation speed, the transmission mode is switched from the stepped transmission mode to the continuous transmission mode. |
| US08965640B2 |
Conditioning a performance metric for an operator display
Real time determination of current vs. optimum performance in a track-type tractor is complex and requires information about both a state of the tractor and the operating environment, such as soil conditions. Presenting such data to an operator creates a problem of conveying sufficient information without undue complexity. A three part display for an operator shows a full range of performance, a subset range of performance associated with peak performance that is overlaid on the full range of performance, and a current performance indicator also overlaid on the full range of performance, such that peak performance is achieved when the current performance indicator is centered on the subset range of performance. The subset range of performance may move over the full range of performance to indicate operating conditions favoring a particular condition, e.g., low slip. An operator may then effect a change by adjusting, for example, speed or load. |
| US08965636B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting jack contact with ground
A method for determining when at least one jack on a vehicle has contacted the ground, in which the vehicle includes a first jack mounted to a first end of the vehicle and a pair of jacks mounted to a second end of the vehicle. The method includes the steps of: determining an initial pitch angle of the vehicle before any of the jacks have contacted the ground; combining the initial pitch angle with a pitch setpoint value to create a resultant pitch value; sensing a pitch angle and a roll angle of the vehicle; extending the first jack mounted at the first end of the vehicle while monitoring the pitch angle of the vehicle; and determining that the first jack has contacted the ground by comparing the monitored pitch angle of the vehicle with the resultant pitch value. |
| US08965634B2 |
Vehicle with a controllable wheel route
A vehicle with a controllable wheel route includes a vehicle body, a first pair of wheels, which are individually suspended on both sides of the vehicle body to roll on the ground and can rotate around the vertical axis, a second pair of wheels, which are individually suspended on both sides of the vehicle body to roll on the ground, can rotate around the vertical axis, and are placed in the back of the first wheels, a regulator, which regulates each steering angle on the vertical axis of the first and second wheels, a mode selector, which is configured to select a first mode and a second mode, and a controller, which receives the first mode signal or the second mode signal from the mode selector and controls the regulator according to the received signal. The second wheel route is regulated to be identical to the first wheel route in the first mode, and the second wheel route is regulated to be different from the first wheel route in the second mode. |
| US08965628B2 |
Powertrain thermal management system for a dry-clutch transmission
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling a flow regulator, such as a diverter valve, that is configured to guide air through a transmission housing before entering an engine intake manifold. In certain arrangements, the flow regulator operates according to predetermined conditions, e.g., meeting an engine intake manifold air temperature threshold. |
| US08965626B2 |
Event data recording for vehicles
In accordance with some embodiments, in response to the detection of a particular event, an event data recorder may enter a secure mode. In the secure mode, data from various peripherals is collected over a secure channel and stored in a secure memory within the event data recorder. That data may subsequently be read out under secure conditions with an assurance of reliability while the system is in a secure mode, it may continue to collect data in a non-secure mode in parallel. |
| US08965625B2 |
System and method for extending a lubricant discard interval
A system, a method and a computer program to predict a portion of used lubricant in an engine that is to be drained and replaced by fresh lubricant based on an analysis parameter value that is measured in a sample of used engine lubricant from the engine. The system includes a first input that receives the analysis parameter value from the used lubricant and stores the analysis parameter value in a memory of a processor. A second input receives an analysis parameter threshold value for the used lubricant at the end of a service interval and stores the analysis parameter threshold value in a memory of the processor. A determiner predicts a future analysis parameter value of the used lubricant at the end of the service interval based on the analysis parameter value, and the analysis parameter threshold value. |
| US08965624B2 |
Method and system of vehicle tracking portal
An apparatus is provided including a processor, a memory, and a vehicle tracking portal. The vehicle tracking portal is configured to obtain vehicle identification information regarding a vehicle. Then diagnostic information regarding the vehicle can be obtained. Then, based on the vehicle identification and the diagnostic information, a recommended service for the vehicle can be determined. A user can then be alerted to the recommended service. |
| US08965623B2 |
Automated cleaning in a sensor network
A system, method and computer program product for attending to an environmental condition by an electronic cleaning device. A computer receives one or more data signals from one or more sensors through a network, with each of the one or more sensors associated with a physical location. The computer determines that due to an environmental condition a signal strength of the one or more data signals received from the one or more sensors is out of a threshold value range. The computer determines an optimal route from a current location of the electronic cleaning device to the one or more physical locations of the one or more sensors associated with the one or more data signals experiencing signal strength out of the threshold value range. |
| US08965618B2 |
Control strategy for an electric machine in a vehicle
A system and method for controlling an electric vehicle include at least one controller configured to detect an over-voltage condition when an electric-machine voltage exceeds an over-voltage threshold. In response to the over-voltage condition, the electric machine and a variable voltage controller (VVC) are disabled. Upon determining the electric-machine voltage is decreased to at least a second threshold being less than the over-voltage threshold, the controller is configured to set the VVC to a limited-operation mode. Upon determining the electric-machine voltage is decreased to at least a third threshold being less than the second threshold and the over-voltage threshold, the controller is configured to re-enable the electric machine and set the VVC to a normal-operation mode. The limited operation-mode enables the vehicle to maintain vehicle propulsion during the drive-cycle as the electric machine is recovered from a transient condition causing the over-voltage condition. |
| US08965617B2 |
Driving support system, driving support method and computer program
Various sensors, such as a GPS and a vehicle speed sensor, are used to detect a current position and direction of a vehicle. A normal running direction, which is a running direction specified for a road on which the vehicle runs, is acquired. In a state where a vehicle speed pulse is acquired at the predetermined intervals, it is detected whether the vehicle is placed in a wrong-way driving situation on the basis of the detected current direction of the vehicle and the normal running direction; whereas, in a state where a vehicle speed pulse is not acquired, it is not detected whether the vehicle is placed in the wrong-way driving situation on the basis of the detected current direction of the vehicle. |
| US08965606B2 |
Watercraft including operating devices to adjust an amount and a direction of a propulsive force of the watercraft
A watercraft includes a plurality of watercraft operating devices arranged to adjust an amount and/or a direction of a propulsive force or a resistance provided to a prescribed position of the watercraft, operation devices arranged to operate the plurality of watercraft operating devices, actuators arranged to actuate the respective watercraft operating devices, and a control unit arranged to control an operation amount of each of the actuators based on an operational state of the operation devices. The control unit preferably includes a traveling state detecting device arranged to detect a traveling state of the watercraft, an operational state detecting device arranged to detect an operational state of the operation devices, a traveling plan estimating device arranged to estimate a traveling plan of an operator of the watercraft based on the traveling state and the operational state, and a watercraft operating device controlling device arranged to select one of the watercraft operating devices to be controlled from the plurality of watercraft operating devices, and arranged to control an operating amount of the actuator operating the watercraft operating device. |
| US08965605B2 |
System and method for vehicle movement modeling in a railway network
The present disclosure relates to a system and a method for vehicle movement modeling in a network. The modeling may be characterized by vehicle related intelligence gathering, processing and dissemination thereof for an adaptive rescheduling of the vehicle movement in the railway network. Predefined data associated with the vehicle in the railway network is acquired and is further processed to resolve one or more conflicts associated with the vehicle movement. The processing may include allocating resources, developing plans for voyages, and continuously gathering deviation data. The vehicle movement modeling may also include generating detailed layouts of vehicle movements for particular time-periods over the railway network. |
| US08965601B1 |
System, module, and method for presenting a flight director-dependent hits pathway on an aircraft display unit
A present novel and non-trivial system, apparatus, and method is disclosed for presenting a flight director-dependent highway in the sky (“HITS”) pathway on an aircraft display unit. A processor receives flight plan data and flight director data, generates HITS data set representative of a flight director-dependent HITS pathway using flight plan data and flight director data, and provides the HITS data set to a display system for presentation of the flight director-dependent HITS pathway on a tactical display unit. Flight plan data provided to the processor may comprise of data sourced by a navigation system or HITS pathway data generated independently of flight director data. When presented on a tactical display unit, the flight director-dependent HITS pathway may be depicted with the flight director, where the proximal end of the HITS pathway aligns with the flight director. |
| US08965600B2 |
Method for displaying a flight plan
A method for displaying a flight plan having at least one waypoint on a flight display of a flight deck of an aircraft having known flight constraints, including receiving a user input for a user-inputted waypoint and generating an alternative waypoint when the user-inputted waypoint is not suitable and displaying same. |
| US08965598B2 |
Automatic flight control for UAV based solid modeling
Technologies are generally described for controlling a flight path of a UAV based image capture system for solid modeling. Upon determining an initial movement path based on an estimate of a structure to be modeled, images of the structure to be modeled may be captured and surface hypotheses formed for unobserved surfaces based on the captured images. A normal vector and a viewing cone may be computed for each hypothesized surface. A set of desired locations may be determined based on the viewing cones for the entire structure to be modeled and a least impact path for the UAV determined based on the desired locations and desired flight parameters. |
| US08965597B2 |
Road grade auto-mapping
Road grade is modeled over a region in which a vehicle is driven on roadways having a grade that varies over a plurality of predetermined grade ranges. A succession of grade values are generated while operating the vehicle at a predetermined rate, wherein each grade value identifies a respective grade range then being encountered. A Markov chain road-grade model is updated in response to the succession of grade values, wherein the model represents respective elements of probability in a matrix of transition events from each predetermined grade range to a respective next-in-succession grade range. Each element of the matrix has a value πi,j representing a weighted frequency of transition events from a first respective grade value to a second respective grade value divided by a weighted frequency of transition events initiating from the first respective grade value, so that the matrix successively approximates the road grade of the region. |
| US08965596B2 |
Solar array with electrical transmission line communication
A solar string includes first and second solar modules coupled to first and second filters by an electric transmission line. The second solar module includes a solar panel including a plurality of photovoltaic cells configured to convert photon energy to electrical energy. A processor is coupled to the solar panel and is in communication with the first solar module. The processor is configured to monitor an output of the solar panel and to transmit a status signal including an environmental condition of the second solar module to the first solar module by way of the electric transmission line. The first and second filters are configured to pass electrical power to a central inverter of a solar array in which the solar string is disposed and to prevent the status signal transmitted from the second solar module to the first solar module from being transmitted to the central inverter. |
| US08965594B2 |
System and method for conserving energy resources through storage and delivery of renewable energy
A system for encouraging the use of renewable energy sources and suitable for the conservation of energy resources through the efficient management of energy storage and delivery includes connections to a power source, an energy storage subsystem, and a power grid. The system includes a power routing subsystem coupled to the source and grid, and adapted to operate in a bypass mode, in which energy is transferred from the source to the grid. The system includes a conversion subsystem coupled to the routing and storage subsystems, and switchable in substantially real-time between a storage mode, in which energy is transferred from the routing to the storage subsystem, and a generation mode, in which energy is transferred from the storage to the routing subsystem for delivery to the grid. The system also includes a controller for directing the modes based at least in part on a market factor. |
| US08965588B2 |
Devices and methods for decentralized voltage control
Devices and methods for the decentralized, coordinated control of the voltage of an electrical distribution system are provided. For example, a controller may include a network interface and data processing circuitry. The network interface may receive first measurements associated with a segment of an electrical distribution system and transmit a control signal configured to control equipment of the segment of the electrical distribution system. The data processing circuitry may run digital simulations of the segment of the electrical distribution system in various equipment configurations, selecting from among the various equipment configurations an equipment configuration that is expected to cause the voltage deviation of the segment to approach a desired value. The data processing circuitry then may generate the control signal, which may cause the equipment of the segment of the electrical distribution system to conform to the equipment configuration. |
| US08965586B2 |
Energy reducing retrofit method and apparatus for a constant volume HVAC system
An energy-reducing method and apparatus for retrofitting a constant volume HVAC system, with or without an economizer, that provides heating, cooling, and ventilation to occupants within a building space. The present invention includes the introduction of a programmable logic controller and variable frequency drive (VFD) that takes control of the existing fan, heating, cooling, and optional economizer operation. The controller is programmed fault detection of fan fault, heat/cool (temperature-based) fault, and energy consumption fault. The reduction of the fan speed in the ventilation mode when the 100% operation is not needed saves significant energy of the existing constant volume HVAC system where the fan motor is designed to run 100% of the time. |
| US08965581B2 |
Robot apparatus, assembling method, and recording medium
A robot apparatus includes a gripping unit configured to grip a first component, a force sensor configured to detect, as detection values, a force and a moment acting on the gripping unit, a storing unit having stored therein contact states of the first component and a second component and transition information in association with each other, a selecting unit configured to discriminate, on the basis of the detection values, a contact state of the first component and the second component and select, on the basis of a result of the discrimination, the transition state stored in the storing unit, and a control unit configured to control the gripping unit on the basis of the transition information selected by the selecting unit. |
| US08965578B2 |
Real time explosive hazard information sensing, processing, and communication for autonomous operation
Methods, computer readable media, and apparatuses provide robotic explosive hazard detection. A robot intelligence kernel (RIK) includes a dynamic autonomy structure with two or more autonomy levels between operator intervention and robot initiative A mine sensor and processing module (ESPM) operating separately from the RIK perceives environmental variables indicative of a mine using subsurface perceptors. The ESPM processes mine information to determine a likelihood of a presence of a mine. A robot can autonomously modify behavior responsive to an indication of a detected mine. The behavior is modified between detection of mines, detailed scanning and characterization of the mine, developing mine indication parameters, and resuming detection. Real time messages are passed between the RIK and the ESPM. A combination of ESPM bound messages and RIK bound messages cause the robot platform to switch between modes including a calibration mode, the mine detection mode, and the mine characterization mode. |
| US08965572B2 |
Frame feeding system and frame feeding method
In recent years, frames have gotten larger in size and thinner, and warping of the frames has posed a problem. If a warp of a frame is large, there is a high possibility that fetching the frame may fail. If fetching the frame fails, that is, if the frame cannot be fetched, the lead time of mounting gets longer. Further, the frame that cannot be fetched has to be manually removed by an operator. Therefore, a man-hour increases. According to the present invention, before a loader feeder fetches a frame from a frame magazine, a loader lifter is moved in a Y direction. Thereafter, the loader feeder fetches the frame from the frame magazine. |
| US08965568B2 |
Feed station for feeding flat items to a processing apparatus
A feed station has a pre-separation region, a separation region and a transport region in succession along a transport path. A first sensor is at the start of the separation region and a second sensor is at the start of the transport region. A control unit processes signals from the sensors and encoders to determine the position of the flat item, and is connected with a separation motor to drive the separation device, so that a flat item is separated from a stack with a predetermined separation velocity. If unacceptably small gaps exist between the flat items, the separation process is stopped when the leading edge of a subsequent flat item reaches the second sensor and is continued when the preceding separated flat item achieves a predetermined clearance from the leading edge of the aforementioned flat item due to its transport. |
| US08965566B2 |
Device and method for sorting by means of a storage region and a sorting region
Objects are sorted according to predetermined groups of sorting feature values. In particular, postal items are sorted according to groups of delivery addresses. A sorting system sorts the objects into a sequence so that all objects with sorting feature values belonging to the same predetermined value group are situated one directly behind another in this sequence. The sorting system has x1 storage subregions, x2 sorting subregions and a sorting plan. The objects are apportioned to the x1 storage subregions. For each storage subregion, an apportionment step is then carried out, in which the objects from this storage subregion are apportioned to the x2 sorting subregions. The apportionment steps are performed one after the other. Each apportionment step, is followed by a sorting and output step for each sorting subregion, in which the objects from this sorting subregion are brought into a sequence in accordance with the sorting feature values and this sequence is output. |
| US08965565B2 |
Method and device for sorting plastic, and method for manufacturing recyclable plastic
A sorting method for plastics, including: sorting a predetermined plastic piece from a mixed plastic piece group including plastic pieces of a plurality of types; identifying the plurality of types of the plastic pieces; and calculating mixing rates of the plurality of types in the mixed plastic piece group based on a result obtained in the identifying, the identifying is performed on the mixed plastic piece group prior to the sorting, a sorting condition of the sorting is set based on an identification result obtained in the identifying, the identifying includes identifying the plurality of types of the plastic pieces with a beam. |
| US08965562B1 |
Efficient shuffling of mobile drive units for inventory holders
An inventory system has mobile drive units that freely and independently move about a facility to transport inventory holders. The mobile drive units may operate through communications with other drive units, or under a more centralized control of a management module. For various operating scenarios, the mobile drive units are directed to shuffle the inventory holders in a manner that minimizes travel of the mobile drive units, thereby improving overall system efficiency. One or more single mobile drive units may be used to transport inventory holders to and from a region, and to sequentially reposition or slide each of the inventory holders within the region according to a priority ordering. |
| US08965560B2 |
Storage and picking system
A method for order picking products in an order picking facility having at least one rack for storing products and an assigned warehouse transport system for collecting and storing the products and for transferring the collected products to a transport system, by means of which the collected products are transported to a good-to-picker order picking station, at which the quantity of the collected products that is determined in a picking order is order-picked manually or automatically by a robot, into one order transport unit for each picking order. Product types corresponding to the picking order are collected, order-picked at the good-to-picker order picking station, one after the other, and the remaining products of the product type are stored via the transport system again in the rack. The warehouse transport system further transfers collected products via at least one through-channel to an intermediate storage site of a order picking station, from where collected products are manually or automatically by robot, supplied to a central belt assembly on a central belt. Irrespective of whether a product is to be order picked at the good-to-picker order picking station or at the order picking station, the product is collected from the same storage site of the rack. |
| US08965559B2 |
Pallet building system
An automated palletizer includes an automated package pick device capable of moving packages from a package deposit section to a pallet to form a pallet load from packages. A controller is operably connected to the automated pick device, the controller having a pallet load generator configured to determine a pallet load structure of mixed packages. The pallet load generator is programmed so that it determines the load structure from mixed package layers overlaid over each other at least one of the mixed package layers being formed of stacks of mixed packages. Top and bottom surfaces of the stacks corresponding to the at least one mixed package layer respectively form top and bottom surfaces of the at least one mixed package layer that are substantially flat. The controller generates commands for the pick device to build the pallet load from the load structure determined by the pallet load generator. |
| US08965558B2 |
Modular robotic system and method for sample processing
A reconfigurable automated system is provided. The system comprises a backbone including a plurality of docking ports, at least one module including a connector for releasably coupling the module to the backbone, and a motion unit, connected to the backbone, for providing an object to the module when the module is coupled to the backbone. The module connector and one of the docking ports form a connection interface, including a mechanical alignment device and an electrical connection, when the module is operationally coupled to the backbone. |
| US08965555B2 |
Dressing method, method of determining dressing conditions, program for determining dressing conditions, and polishing apparatus
A method dresses a polishing member with a diamond dresser having diamond particles arranged on a surface thereof. The method includes determining dressing conditions by performing a simulation of a distribution of a sliding distance of the diamond dresser on a surface of the polishing member, and dressing the polishing member with the diamond dresser under the determined dressing conditions. The simulation includes calculating the sliding distance corrected in accordance with a depth of the diamond particles thrusting into the polishing member. |
| US08965554B2 |
Press-forming device, press-forming method, computer program/software arrangement and storage medium
Exemplary embodiments of a press-forming device, press-forming method, computer program/software arrangement and storage medium can be provided. The exemplary press-forming device can include a material characteristic input configured to input material characteristics. A state variable detector can be configured to measure a state variable comprising a metal mold distortion amount. A processing condition computer arrangement can be configured to determine from a first moment to a second moment at least one particular processing condition. Further, a processing condition controller can be configured to control the at least one processing condition from processing conditions. |
| US08965552B2 |
Method and a device for titling
The present disclosure provides a method and a device for titling, which can achieve automatic correction when deviation occurs between a real titling position of a product to be titled and a preset titling position, so as to avoid an ID shift phenomenon, and thus ensure accuracy of titling positions and improve titling efficiency. The titling method provided in the present disclosure comprises: determining a real titling position of a product to be titled; comparing the real titling position with a preset titling position; and titling the product to be titled in accordance with the comparison result. |
| US08965549B2 |
Continuous production planning using a transition matrix
A method for continuous production planning includes identifying a forbidden transition associated with production of first and second end products. The forbidden transition indicates that a manufacturer should not produce the first and second end products consecutively. The method also includes identifying a bridge product associated with the forbidden transition. The bridge product represents a product that the manufacturer could produce between production of the first and second end products. The method further includes determining a quantity of the bridge product that could be produced by the manufacturer. In addition, the method includes scheduling production of the first and second end products and the bridge product. At least a portion of the quantity of the bridge product is scheduled for production between the production of the first and second end products. |
| US08965547B2 |
Watermark signal provision and watermark embedding
A watermark signal provider provides a watermark signal suitable for being hidden in an audio signal when the watermark signal is added to the audio signal, such that the watermark signal represents watermark data. The watermark signal provider includes a psychoacoustical processor for determining a masking threshold of the audio signal; and a modulator for generating the watermark signal from a superposition of sample-shaping functions spaced apart from each other at a sample time interval of a time-discrete representation of the watermark data, each sample-shaping function being amplitude-weighted with a respective sample of the time-discrete representation, multiplied by a respective amplitude weight depending on the masking threshold, the modulator being configured such that the sample time interval is shorter than a time extension of the sample-shaping functions; and the respective amplitude weight also depends on samples of the time-discrete representation neighboring the respective sample in time. |
| US08965546B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for enhanced acoustic imaging
Methods, systems, and apparatus for using a psychoacoustic-bass-enhanced signal to drive an array of loudspeakers are disclosed. |
| US08965544B2 |
Systems and methods for providing zone functionality in networked media systems
A Zone Control service is disclosed which provides for hierarchically managing a plurality of networked media subsystems. This can provide a layer of abstraction for the collection in the form of a single Renderer zone interface represented by a delegated zone controller. This hierarchy establishes a virtual super-system. Although a Zone Control services can be advertised on all networked media devices, the services will typically be unavailable while a device is subservient to, or equivalently under the control of, a zone controller. A single instance of the Zone Control service can reside in a Services Device, co-existing with a Group Control service. |
| US08965540B2 |
Electronic apparatus and data output method
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a receiver, a generator, an output module, a reception module, and a controller. The receiver is configured to receive power information associated with power consumption of respective external apparatuses from the respective external apparatuses. The generator is configured to generate display data to relatively display power consumption of the respective external apparatuses based on the power information. The output module is configured to output the display data. The reception module is configured to accept a selection of a first external apparatus from the respective external apparatuses. The controller is configured to control the first external apparatus. |