| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08978161B2 |
Targeted sequencing of biomolecules by pulling through a liquid-liquid interface with an atomic force microscope
A mechanism is provided for sequencing a biopolymer. The biopolymer is traversed from a first medium to a second medium. The biopolymer includes bases. As the biopolymer traverses from the first medium to the second medium, different forces are measured corresponding to each of the bases. The bases are distinguished from one another according to the different measured forces which are measured for each of the bases. |
| US08978158B2 |
Privacy management across multiple devices
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, and including a method for managing privacy rights of a user related to the delivery of content. The method comprises providing a global privacy management interface that presents a selection tool for enabling a user to review privacy options and interests. The privacy options and interests include controls for presenting a list of identifiers that are associated with the user and interests associated with those identifiers. Each identifier is associated with a requesting source having been used by the user to access content. The interface enables de-selection of individual interests on a per-identifier or global basis. The method further comprises determining, in a server system, content to deliver to the user in view of the privacy selections. |
| US08978152B1 |
Decentralized token table generation
New tokenization tables are derived at intervals in order to increase the security of tokenized data that is transferred between two endpoints. Generation of the new tokenization tables is based on previous tokenization tables, which advantageously allows the generation process to be performed locally at the two endpoints independently of an external tokenization table provider. New tokenization tables can periodically be distributed to the endpoints as a new starting point for derivation. |
| US08978149B2 |
Media content device, system and method
Media content is provided using metric-apportioning. In accordance with one or more embodiments, remote-user interface circuits are authenticated and remote access is provided to different sets of media content via the interface. For each authenticated interface and a time-based period during which the interface accesses the media content, time-stamped usage data that characterizes use of the media content at the interface is communicated therewith. A usage metric characterizing usage of the media content is apportioned based upon the time-stamped usage data and stored weighting factor data for the media content. |
| US08978146B2 |
Wireless communications system communicating secyre SIM and IMEI between processors
An electronic circuit includes a more-secure processor having hardware based security for storing data. A less-secure processor eventually utilizes the data. By a data transfer request-response arrangement between the more-secure processor and the less-secure processor, the more-secure processor confers greater security of the data on the less-secure processor. A manufacturing process makes a handheld device having a storage space, a less-secure processor for executing modem software and a more-secure processor having a protected application and a secure storage. A manufacturing process involves generating a per-device private key and public key pair, storing the private key in a secure storage where it can be accessed by the protected application, combining the public key with the modem software to produce a combined software, signing the combined software; and storing the signed combined software into the storage space. Other processes of manufacture, processes of operation, circuits, devices, wireless and wireline communications products, wireless handsets and systems are disclosed and claimed. |
| US08978143B2 |
Reverse authorized SYN cookie
Techniques for providing a service to registered users over a network such as the internet are disclosed. The techniques can be used to hide the service from unregistered entities. Further, the techniques can thwart certain types of so-called denial-of-service attacks. |
| US08978141B2 |
System and method for detecting malicious software using malware trigger scenarios
Disclosed system and methods for detecting malware by performing behavioral malware analysis using malware trigger scenarios. In one aspect, a method for malware detection includes providing a plurality of malware trigger scenarios specifying different sets of malware trigger events known to trigger malicious behavior in malicious software. The method further includes executing a software program in a computer environment and creating one more malware trigger events as specified in the malware trigger scenarios. The method further includes monitoring execution events of the software program in the computer environment and determining based on the analysis of the monitored execution events whether the software program exhibits malicious behavior. When the software program exhibits malicious behavior, performing remedial actions on the software program. When the software program does not exhibit malicious behavior, selecting another scenario from the plurality of malware trigger scenarios for malware testing of the software program. |
| US08978131B2 |
Deterministic serialization of access to shared resources in a multi-processor system for code instructions accessing resources in a non-deterministic order
Managing access to resources shared among multiple processes within a computer system. Multiple program instances of an application are almost simultaneously executed on multiple processors for fault tolerance. The replication solution supports the recording and subsequent replay of reservation events granting the shared resources exclusive access rights to the processes, when one program code instruction may request access to a set of shared resources in a non-deterministic order. |
| US08978129B2 |
Apparatus, methods, and computer program products for entering secure passwords
Apparatus, methods and/or computer program products are provided that facilitate entering secure passwords into a user device. A user requested image is displayed via a display or monitor of a user device. The image is zoomable to one or more higher resolution levels beyond an initial display resolution, and the image is displayed at higher resolution levels in response to a user activating a zoom function via the user device. The coordinates of a user selected feature within a displayed higher resolution level image are obtained and translated into a password. The password is then entered into the requesting application. |
| US08978125B2 |
Identity controlled data center
Techniques for identity controlled data centers are provided. Remote processing environments are authenticated via identity associations. Virtual remote processing environments are subsequently installed and authenticated on the remote processing environments on which they are deployed and they receive unique virtual remote processing environment identities, which are locally and independently assigned within their remote processing environments. Applications deployed to the virtual remote processing environments are also authenticated and acquire identities for the virtual remote processing environments in which they are deployed. The processing of the remote virtual processing environments and the applications are circumscribed by independently acquired policies within the remote processing environments. |
| US08978124B2 |
Service oriented secure collaborative system for compartmented networks
A system receives a request to store a document in a database, receives a user security token, analyzes the document to determine an adjudicated security level for the document, compares the user security token to the adjudicated security level, stores the document when the user security token is equal to the adjudicated security level, when the user security token is not equal to the adjudicated security level, queries the user as to whether the document should be stored with the adjudicated security level, receives a response to the query from the user, stores the document when the user agrees to store the document with the adjudicated security level, and when the user does not agree to store the document with the adjudicated security level, transmits a message to a security officer and quarantine the document. |
| US08978121B2 |
Cognitive-based CAPTCHA system
Systems and methods for verifying human users through cognitive processes that computers cannot imitate are described herein. Human cognitive language processing techniques may be used to verify human users. Visual patterns and tests may be used to distinguish between humans and computers because computer-based visual recognition is fundamentally different from human visual processing. Persistent plugins and tests may be used to continuously verify human users. |
| US08978120B2 |
Communication control system and method, and communication device and method
A communication control system pairs a first communication device with a second communication device, the first communication device includes a first image editing unit that edits an input image in accordance with a predetermined rule to generate a first authentication image, and a first transmission unit that transmits first authentication data representing the first authentication image and a first identifier for identifying the first communication device to a server device, the second communication device includes a second transmission unit that transmits second authentication data representing the second authentication image and a second identifier for identifying the second communication device to the server device, and the server device includes a pairing unit that pairs the first communication device with the second communication device in the case where it is determined that the first authentication data matches the second authentication data. |
| US08978116B1 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring an online identity of a user on a network
Method for monitoring an online identity of a user on a network is described. In one example, data exchanged between a browser client on a device associated with the user and the network is monitored. Creation or use of an online identity by the user is detected within the data. The online identity is associated with a host site. The host site may be any of a plurality of point of presence sites. A notification of the online identity is generated for presentation to a custodian of the user. The notification may then be sent to the custodian. |
| US08978114B1 |
Recommendation engine for unified identity management across internal and shared computing applications
A recommendation engine for identity management is disclosed. A data store including an identity management access database is provided. Suggested access entitlement operations for potential identities of a listing of identities on which to perform access entitlement operations are generated. Suggested access entitlement operations for the potential identities of the listing of identities on which to perform access entitlement operations are offered through a user interface. In some embodiments, the generating suggested access entitlement operations includes analyzing a requesting user and one or more identities with connection to the requesting user to identify the potential identities of the listing of identities on which to perform access entitlement operations, and based at least in part on the patterns of access entitlement in the identity management access database, selecting the suggested access entitlement operations for each of the potential identities of the listing of identities on which to perform access entitlement operations. |
| US08978113B2 |
Allocation of identifiers for application discovery
An apparatus, a method, and a computer program product of a wireless device are provided in which a first device identifier of a wireless device is provided. An allocation record is received that includes an expression used for discovery, a second device identifier, and at least one of a digital signature of a first server that delegates the expression or a digital signature of a second server that manages the expression. The allocation record is verified. An apparatus, a method, and a computer program product of a first server are provided in which a device identifier is received from a wireless device. An allocation record is generated that includes an expression used for discovery, the device identifier, and at least one of a digital signature of the first server or a digital signature of a second server that manages the expression. The allocation record is sent. |
| US08978105B2 |
Affirming network relationships and resource access via related networks
A technique for providing a prediction as to whether a resource will be accessible to a user is described. The technique can involve comparing asserted membership in a wireless realm with membership records. Advantageously, a user can be made aware of the likelihood of access to a resource before attempting to reach the resource. |
| US08978102B2 |
Network stimulation engine
Methods, devices, and systems are disclosed for simulating a large, realistic computer network. Virtual actors statistically emulate the behaviors of humans using networked devices or responses and automatic functions of networked equipment, and their stochastic actions are queued in buffer pools by a behavioral engine. An abstract machine engine creates the minimal interfaces needed for each actor, and the interfaces then communicate persistently over a network with each other and real and virtual network resources to form realistic network traffic. The network can respond to outside stimuli, such as a network mapping application, by responding with false views of the network in order to spoof hackers, and the actors can respond by altering a software defined network upon which they operate. |
| US08978101B2 |
Systems and methods for security tiering in peer-to-peer networking
A method may also include receiving from each of one or more of potential peer information handling systems a connection request comprising a peer minimum acceptable security level for the peer information handling system. The method may additionally include comparing the peer minimum acceptable security level to a security level of the information handling system. The method may further include completing a peer-to-peer connection between the information handling system and the peer information handling system if the minimum acceptable security level is not higher than that of the security level of the information handling system. |
| US08978099B2 |
Methods and devices for detecting an IP address
A method for detecting an IP address. An access router releases the routes of a detected IP address via a first interface and a second interface, and sets the priority of the route released via said first interface lower than that of the route released via said second interface. After having received by said access router a WEB request by the user via said first interface, the method comprises searching a session record corresponding to said WEB request; establishing by said access router the session record corresponding to said WEB request when the corresponding session record is not found, and returning a redirecting message taking said detected IP address as the re-directed destination IP address; and after having received by said access router via said second interface the message taking said detected IP address as the destination IP address, determining that the user who sent said message is an illegal user. |
| US08978094B2 |
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. |
| US08978091B2 |
Protecting content from third party using client-side security protection
Architecture that employs encryption and storage of encryption keys to protect trusted client message content from an untrusted third-party hosted service. Each trusted user machine is configured to optionally apply security to messages. Rules determine when automatic protection is applied and the level of protection to apply. The trusted client automatically downloads the rules (or rules policies) from a trusted rules service and caches the rules locally. During composition, the rules analyze the message and automatically apply security template(s) to the message. The security template(s) encrypt the body of the message, but not the headers or subject. The untrusted message service processes the header and delivers the message to the correct recipient. The hosted service cannot view the contents of the message body, and only intended recipients of the protected message can view the message body. Offline protection is supported, and the user can override protection by the rules. |
| US08978090B2 |
Multimedia transcoding proxy server for wireless telecommunication system
Digital multimedia is broadcast by a wireless provider by first decoding incoming multimedia streams and then encoding each stream using one of at least two encoding parameter sets as appropriate for the particular user or groups of users to receive the stream. |
| US08978088B2 |
Systems and methods for displaying media content and media guidance information
A system comprises television equipment and a number of portable electronic devices. The television equipment includes a large display and control circuitry. The control circuitry receives media content and media guidance data for display on the display. The control circuitry also includes communication components for communicating with the portable electronic devices. The portable electronic devices are operable for displaying video and communicating with the television equipment. A method comprises the steps of receiving media guidance information with a first portable electronic device; transmitting at least some of the media guidance information from the first portable electronic device to the control circuitry of the television equipment; and displaying the media guidance information from the first portable electronic device on the display of the television equipment while simultaneously displaying media content or media guidance information received from a source other than the first portable electronic device. |
| US08978086B2 |
Media content based advertising survey platform apparatuses and systems
The MEDIA CONTENT BASED ADVERTISING SURVEY PLATFORM APPARATUSES AND SYSTEMS (“AD-SURVEY”) transforms user advertisement exposure data via AD-SURVEY components, into ad effects data including user responses to survey questions. A system is disclosed, comprising: a memory; a processor disposed in communication with said memory, and configured to issue a plurality of processing instructions executable by a processor for obtaining TV program schedule listing data including a plurality of ad tags at a server; providing the obtained TV program schedule listing data to a user mobile device, receiving a user media program selection message from the user mobile device; retrieving an ad tag associated with the user selected media program from the TV program schedule listing data; querying a survey question list based on key terms extracted from ad contents; generating and sending a survey question to the user mobile device; and obtaining a user reaction to the survey question. |
| US08978085B2 |
Return data path in an HFC network
Described herein are devices and methods for facilitating the transmission of an upstream data signal from at least one subscriber in a communications network. The device is operable to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal from one or more subscribers. The RF signal includes at least one upstream data signal. The RF signal is demodulated into the upstream data signal by a RF demodulator in the device, which is then converted into an optical signal by an optical transducer in the device for transmission over a fiber optic link in the network. |
| US08978079B2 |
Apparatus and methods for managing delivery of content in a network with limited bandwidth using pre-caching
Apparatus and methods for managing provision of content to devices in a content delivery network. In one exemplary embodiment, content with a high probability of viewership is sent to consumer premises equipment (CPE) during off-peak periods and stored prior to viewing. An application is utilized to manage decisions related to content provision. The computer program will identify content that is likely to be of interest users associated with respective CPE, and schedule provision of that content in advance of viewing. Then, the system will develop a plan for optimal scheduling of transmission of content to CPEs, often including the use of trickle downloads. The scheduling plan is based collected statistical and historical data on network resource demand to make scheduling decisions. The system allows for the shifting of bandwidth utilization from periods of high demand to those of low demand, and increased performance with regard to user experienced latency. |
| US08978078B2 |
System and method of selecting a multimedia stream
A particular method includes detecting a channel change request at a set-top box. The channel change request specifies a requested channel that is associated with a plurality of multimedia streams, where each multimedia stream has a corresponding content format. A particular multimedia stream is selected based on an available bandwidth of a service to a premises of the set-top box. Alternately, or in addition, the particular multimedia stream may be selected based on an output setting of the set-top box, scheduled recordings at a digital video recorder associated with the set-top box, available storage space at the digital video recorder, and other factors. In one example, the method may implement channel proxy functionality, reducing redundancy and complexity at an electronic program guide and simplifying a channel selection process for a user. |
| US08978075B1 |
Associating media using metadata and controlling multiple-device synchronization and rendering
A computer-implemented method comprises determining, at a companion device separate from a television, a current time point of a video program playing at the television, wherein the current time point of the video program is a time point currently being displayed at the television; identifying, based on said determination of the current time point of the video program and based on metadata defining a cue point associated with the determined current time point and an operation associated with the cue point, an operation to be performed; performing, at the companion device, the identified operation; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices. |
| US08978074B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing wireless digital television service
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method for receiving one or more wireless digital television signals, wherein each of the one or more wireless digital television signals comprise a plurality of data segments for presenting media content, buffering the plurality of data segments of each of the one or more wireless digital television signals to generate one or more buffered data segments to cause a presentation delay of the media content, and detecting a missing data segment in the one or more buffered data segments. The method can further include transmitting a first request to a cellular communication system to provide the missing data segment, and receiving from the cellular communication system the missing data segment prior to an expiration of the presentation delay to continue a presentation of the media content without interruption. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08978062B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing audio and/or video data
An apparatus and a method are provided for processing audio and/or video data comprising a module for displaying an element comprising at least one absolute time or at least one time indicator, wherein a sector or portion associated with the element indicates a duration or a length of the audio and/or video data, wherein time marks are displayed that are set automatically or by user interaction. |
| US08978052B1 |
System and methods for inter-driver communication
In certain embodiments host system drivers communicate with one another via messages posted to mailbox registers in a network adapter. Executable code within the network adapter's memory notifies host system drivers of posted messages, waits for acknowledgments from the drivers and sends a completion notification to the host system drivers. |
| US08978046B2 |
Interaction between applications built on different user interface technologies
Various embodiments of systems and methods for interaction between applications built on different technologies are described herein. In one aspect, at least one action handler of a number of action handlers is associated with at least one application from a number of applications participating in the integrated scenario. In another aspect, at a first action handler that is associated with a source application, a request to access a target application is received. An identifier of the target application is retrieved and based on that identifier a second action handler associated with the target application is invoked, where the identifier of the target application is registered with the second action handler. The target application is launched by the second action handler in response to the received request. |
| US08978045B2 |
Per-station start time constraint
A per-station start time scheduler identifies a station that is unavailable to perform a task over a time interval. The scheduler identifies a plurality of stations and a start time of a task. The scheduler monitors each of the plurality of stations using a station time constraint corresponding to the task. Upon detecting that a station is unavailable to perform a task over a time interval, the scheduler sends a notification specifying the station that is unavailable to perform the task. |
| US08978042B2 |
Method and system for maintaining game functionality for a plurality of game instances running on a computer system
A container layer for allowing a plurality of game instances running on an operating system to maintain full game functionality is configured to intercept a communication from a game instance of the plurality of game instances to the operating system and provide an appropriate response to the intercepted communication. |
| US08978040B2 |
Method and system enabling co-operating of web apparatus and flash apparatus
Embodiments of the present invention relate to network communications, and provide a method and a system enabling co-operating of a web apparatus and a flash apparatus. The method includes: a web apparatus sends an instruction of calling a flash apparatus to a client, where the instruction includes information of the flash apparatus to be called; after receiving the instruction, the client makes a flash control perform an operation based on information of the flash apparatus to be called in the instruction. The system includes a web apparatus, a flash apparatus and a client. The flash apparatus and the web apparatus are capable of calling each other and are at the same status in the client, thus respective functions can be fully utilized. The flash apparatus and the web apparatus are capable of accessing resources of the client directly, which improves the access efficiency. |
| US08978038B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method for processing a received workload in order to generate result data
A thread group generator generates from a received workload a plurality of thread groups. Each thread group consists of a plurality of threads, and at least one thread group has an interthread dependency existing between the plurality of threads. Each thread may be either an active thread whose output is required to form the result data, or a dummy thread required to resolve the inter-thread dependency for one of the active threads but whose output is not required to form the result data. A thread execution unit then executes each thread within a thread group received from the generator by executing a predetermined program. Execution flow modification circuitry is responsive to the received thread group having at least one dummy thread, to cause the unit to selectively omit at least part of the execution of at least one of the plurality of instructions when executing each dummy thread. |
| US08978033B2 |
Automatic method and system for formulating and transforming representations of context used by information services
An information retrieval system for automatically retrieving information related to the context of an active task being manipulated by a user. The system observes the operation of the active task and user interactions, and utilizes predetermined criteria to generate a context representation of the active task that are relevant to the context of the active task. The information retrieval system then processes the context representation to generate queries or search terms for conducting an information search. The information retrieval system reorders the terms in a query so that they occur in a meaningful order as they naturally occur in a document or active task being manipulated by the user. Furthermore, the information retrieval system may access a user profile to retrieve information related to the user, and the select information sources or transform search terms based on attributes related to the user, such as the user's occupation, position in a company, major in school, etc. |
| US08978027B2 |
Method of disseminating updated drivers to mobile computing devices and a dissemination system therefor
Disclosed herein are methods and systems that provide compatible device drivers to mobile computing devices. In one embodiment, a method of determining compatibility between different versions of device drivers and operating systems of a mobile computing device is disclosed that includes: (1) establishing a test environment employing a current operating system of a mobile computing device, (2) applying an updated driver to the test environment and (3) determining system compatibility of the updated driver with the current operating system employing the test environment, wherein the determining is based on both direct and implied compatibility of the updated driver with the current operating system. |
| US08978025B2 |
Server and method for updating firmware of server
The disclosure provides a server including a baseboard management controller (BMC), a programmable logic device (PLD) and a blocking unit. The BMC receives an update instruction, and according to the update instruction, generates a firmware update data. The BMC generates an update signal according to on a reception state of the update instruction. The PLD is coupled to the BMC, receives the firmware update data to update a firmware. When the firmware is updated, the PLD generates a restart signal. The blocking unit is coupled to the BMC and the PLD, receives the update signal and the restart signal, and according to the update signal, determines whether to block the restart signal. |
| US08978021B2 |
System and method for pervasive software platform-based model driven architecture transaction aware application generator
In developing applications for a plurality of node types, a meta-data definition of the application can be captured into an application definition module. The meta-data definition can describe the application for the plurality of node types. A code generation module can then automatically generate the application code for the plurality of node types, including transaction aware code. The code can be compiled per node type and the packaging necessary to deploy the application to the plurality of node types can also be automatically generated. |
| US08978017B2 |
Profiling operating context
At least some of the illustrative embodiments are a computer-readable medium storing a program that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to obtain values indicative of a state of an operating context parameter during execution of a traced program on a target processor, and display an indication of a proportion of time during a trace period of the traced program that the target processor operated with the operating context parameter in a particular state. |
| US08978014B1 |
Mobile application testing platform
Embodiments are directed towards testing mobile applications for a plurality of mobile computers. A server computer may be provided a mobile application, a test script, and mobile computer criteria. One or more mobile computers may be filtered from a larger set on the mobile computer criteria. The server computer may install the mobile application on each determined mobile computer. Next, each portion of the test script for the mobile application may be performed and/or executed on each determined mobile computer, wherein a result for each performed portion may be stored. During the test run at least one screenshot may be generated based on at least one performed portion of the test script, wherein the screenshots may be stored. The server computer may generate a displayable report that may include each screenshot and a result for each performed portion of the test script. |
| US08978013B1 |
Autonomous media version testing
Autonomous media version testing is described. A method may include testing, by a processing device of a server and without human interaction, a plurality of versions of a game, each having a different set of test conditions, using information received from play of the plurality of versions of the game after a first game move has been made in the game. The method may also include determining, by the processing device and without human interaction, which of the plurality of versions of the game to publicly release based on the testing. |
| US08978012B1 |
Method and system for error reporting and correction in transaction-based applications
A system, apparatus and method for reporting a failure in execution of a software transaction (e.g., scripts and executables to install software on a computer) to a network resource that can then store the error-related information and automatically provide a previously determined solution to the error or links to resources to which the customer can refer for help in resolving the problem is provided. Automatically searching a database of reported errors and their solutions for a variety of products and providing a found solution to a customer experiencing an error (e.g., an installation error) is further provided. In the event that a solution to a customer-experienced error is not found by the network resource, alternate sites for information such as a customer support website can also be provided. |
| US08978005B2 |
Network reconfiguration in a data converter for improved electrical characteristics
A process of optimizing a resistor-2 resistor (R-2R) digital-to-analog converter (DAC) by partial resistor network reconfiguration is disclosed. The method includes analyzing a circuit to determine whether any specifications are outside predetermined limits. The method further includes determining one or more addresses that cause the circuit to be outside of the predetermined limits. The method further includes defining logic to detect address information and control function to alter the circuit to improve the specifications. The method further includes installing the control function into the circuit to improve the specifications. |
| US08978003B1 |
Method of making semiconductor device and a control system for performing the same
A method of making a semiconductor device includes arranging a first cell and a second cell, determining, by a processor, a first pattern density of a first cell, determining a second pattern density of a second cell, determining a pattern density gradient from the first pattern density to the second pattern density, determining whether the pattern density gradient exceeds a pattern density gradient threshold, and indicating a design change if the pattern density gradient exceeds than the pattern density gradient threshold. |
| US08978001B1 |
Enhanced case-splitting based property checking
An approach is provided in which a model verification system partitions one of a design specification's circuit design properties into multiple unsolved cases. The model verification system then performs property checking on one of the unsolved cases against a corresponding circuit design model, which results in a property checked solved case and a subset of unsolved cases. In turn, the model verification system performs sequential equivalence checking on one or more of the subset of unsolved cases by checking their sequential equivalence against the property checked solved case. As a result, the model verification system stores the cases as sequentially equivalent solved cases and verifies of a portion of the design specification against a portion of the circuit design model. |
| US08977995B1 |
Timing budgeting of nested partitions for hierarchical integrated circuit designs
In one embodiment, a method of designing an integrated circuit is disclosed, including receiving a plurality of top level timing constraints and a description of the integrated circuit design defining a hierarchy of partitions having multiple levels with one or more nested partitions; generating timing models for each partition of the plurality of partitions in response to the description of the integrated circuit design; and concurrently generating timing budgets level by level for all partitions at each level, beginning with the lowest level to each next upper level of the hierarchy of the partitions in response to the description of the integrated circuit design, the timing models, and the plurality of top level timing constraints. Please see the detailed description and claims for other embodiments that are respectively disclosed and claimed. |
| US08977987B1 |
Motion-based interface control on computing device
A computer-implemented user interface method include displaying an image on a graphical user interface of a mobile computing device, receiving a first user input indicating an intent to perform a zooming operation on the graphical user interface, transitioning the mobile computing device into a zooming mode in response to the user input, sensing motion of the mobile computing device in one or more of a plurality of directions, correlating the sensed motion in one or more of a plurality of directions with either a zooming in or a zooming out zooming direction, and changing a zoom level of the display of the image on the graphical user interface to correspond to the correlated zooming direction. |
| US08977986B2 |
Control panel and ring interface for computing systems
In a system including a display and a selection device, a method of providing and selecting multiple control panels on the display includes providing a user interface on the display. The user interface includes an object that has an axis and is user-scrollable about the axis to selectively bring each of the multiple control panels into and out of view. |
| US08977984B2 |
Mobile electronic device, screen control method and additional display program
According to another aspect, a mobile electronic device includes a display unit and a control unit. The display unit displays thereon additional information associated with an application program. Upon accepting a first operation performed with respect to the additional information, the control unit display a screen provided by the application program as a background of the additional information. |
| US08977983B2 |
Text entry method and display apparatus using the same
A text entry method and a display apparatus applying the same are provided. In the text entry method, one emoticon is selected from an emoticon set, and a text string corresponding to the selected emoticon is then entered. Therefore, it is possible for a user to enter text more conveniently. |
| US08977982B1 |
Techniques for navigating information
Techniques described and suggested herein include systems and methods for navigating content in the form of a scrollable information sets. In an embodiment, a portion of a scrollable information set is displayed on a user device. As the user navigates through the information set, one or more location indicators are modified. The location indicators each correspond to a position within the information set and are configured to facilitate user input for navigating to a corresponding position within the information set. |
| US08977981B2 |
System and method for demarcating a location on a display screen during a scrolling or touch/flicking content moving operation
A display unit enables content to be displayed in a human readable form. The display unit displays a portion of the content to be displayed wherein some of the content to be displayed is non-viewable on the display unit. The display unit, in response to a user-originating directional content moving action, determines a location within the portion of the content being displayed the determined location corresponding to a directional characteristic of the user-originating directional content moving action. The display unit causes a visual indicia to be displayed at the determined location within the portion of the content being displayed, the visual indicia providing a user orientation marker for the portion of the content being displayed. The display unit causes the visual indicia to visually move in a direction corresponding to the directional movement of the content. |
| US08977977B2 |
Method for fanning pages of an electronic book on a handheld apparatus for consuming electronic books
There is provided a method for fanning pages of an electronic book on a touch panel display of an electronic apparatus for consuming electronic books. The method replicates a user experience similar to fanning pages of a physical book. |
| US08977973B2 |
Online logo tool
An online tool allows a user, such as an online merchant, to access a page of a service provider, select a format, customize funding sources and designs, and copy and paste the code to the merchant page to quickly and easily create a customized funding source graphic. |
| US08977972B2 |
Using multi-modal input to control multiple objects on a display
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and machine-readable mediums for implementing gesture-based signature authentication. In one embodiment, a system may include several modal input devices. Each modal input device is capable of retrieving a stream of modal input data from a user. The system also includes modal interpretation logic that can interpret each of the retrieved modal input data streams into a corresponding of set of actions. The system additionally includes modal pairing logic to assign each corresponding set of actions to control one of the displayed objects. Furthermore, the system has modal control logic which causes each displayed object to be controlled by its assigned set of actions. |
| US08977970B2 |
Method and system for handling media in an instant messaging environment
A method and system for handling media at a communication entity, wherein the media is associated with a communication session that is capable of entering an active state and an inactive state. The method comprises determining when the communication session is in an inactive state, causing the media associated with the communication session to be stored when the communication session has entered an inactive state, and causing the stored media to be conveyed to a user of the communication entity upon determination that the communication session has re-entered an active state. |
| US08977968B2 |
Pseudo-remote terminal IOTA mobile diagnostics and electronic customer care
A system is provided that includes a portable electronic device and a customer care system. The customer care system is configured to remotely communicate with the portable electronic device. The customer care system is operable to receive an indication of content displayed on a display of the portable electronic device. The customer care system is operable to communicate a signal to the portable electronic device that the portable electronic device interprets as input to keys on the portable electronic device by a user of the portable electronic device. |
| US08977966B1 |
Keyboard navigation
Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure enable use of a keyboard to navigate a webpage presented in a web browser. According to an embodiment, a two-dimensional grid is placed over a webpage and elements of the webpage are assigned to the nearest cells of the grid. The grid specifies the directional and distance relations among the various elements of the webpage. Functionality is provided that enables users to quickly navigate the elements of the webpage using arrow keys of a keyboard. For example, if a selection indicator is currently focused on a webpage element that is assigned to a particular cell of the grid, a press of the left-arrow key moves the selection indicator leftward along the grid to the element that is assigned to the nearest leftward cell. The same functionality is applied to up-arrow, down-arrow, and right-arrow keys. Further, functionality is provided that enables users to quickly navigate the elements of the webpage using hotkeys. |
| US08977965B1 |
System and method for controlling presentations using a multimodal interface
The invention provides for a system, method, and computer readable medium storing instructions related to controlling a presentation in a multimodal system. The method embodiment of the invention is a method for the retrieval of information on the basis of its content for real-time incorporation into an electronic presentation. The method comprises receiving from a presenter a content-based request for at least one segment of a first plurality of segments within a media presentation and while displaying the media presentation to an audience, displaying to the presenter a second plurality of segments in response to the content-based request. The computing device practicing the method receives a selection from the presenter of a segment from the second plurality of segments and displays to the audience the selected segment. |
| US08977963B1 |
In place expansion of aggregated views
A method includes outputting a first graphical representation corresponding to a first group of one or more audio files and a second graphical representation corresponding to a second group of one or more audio files, wherein the first group is defined based on a respective first metadata attribute value for each audio file from the first group; receiving a user selection of the first graphical representation; and, in response to the user selection, moving the second graphical representation, thereby defining an expansion area, and outputting, within the expansion area, at least one additional graphical representation corresponding to a subgroup of the first group, wherein the subgroup is defined based at least in part on a respective second metadata attribute value for each audio file from the subgroup. |
| US08977957B2 |
Image processing apparatus for displaying a preview image including first and second objects analyzed with different degrees of analysis precision and method of controlling the apparatus
An image processing apparatus displays a preview image of an input job and a method controls the apparatus. The apparatus determines an attribute of an object included in an input job, analyzes the job while switching the degree of the precision of analysis of the job based on a user-specified display size and the attribute of the object, and generates and displays a preview image of the job based on the analysis results. |
| US08977955B2 |
Sequential layout builder architecture
Layout processing techniques have been described that allow processing of structured documents to be conducted, and for associated layout to be accomplished in a sequential manner. The layout process is split into multiple, smaller steps that can be executed sequentially. In at least some embodiments, a layout builder is utilized in conjunction with a stack to control layout execution on respective levels of the structural hierarchy of a structured document. Immutable data structures are utilized and allow for parallel execution of sequential layout operations. In at least some embodiments, partial execution of the layout sequence can be performed to produce usable data. |
| US08977945B2 |
Techniques for transmitting video content to a wirelessly docked device having a display
Examples are disclosed for transmitting video content. In some examples, cyclic redundancy check (CRC) values may be added to video content for video frames to be presented or displayed in a given region of a display. Results of CRC functions for consecutive video frames that use the added CRC values may be compared to determine whether the video content for the consecutive video frames is static video content. Video content for at least one of the consecutive video frames may be withheld from being transmitted if the video content for the consecutive video frames is characterized as static video content. Multiple CRC values or different CRC values may be added to further determine whether video content for the consecutive video frames or for subsequent consecutive video frames is also characterized as static video content. Other examples are described and claimed. |
| US08977941B2 |
Iterative decoder systems and methods
Systems and methods are provided for improved designs and performance for iterative decoder systems. In some embodiments, the iterative decoder may be decoupled from FIR samples through an FIR RAM, thus resulting in a less complex design and shorter processing times. In some embodiments, an intermediate memory may be used when passing information between the SOVA and LDPC of the iterative decoder. In some embodiments, the SOVA-required information may be continuously serialized from information received from the LDPC during each LDPC iteration. In some embodiments, the 1/(1+D2) precoder of the HR RLL encoder may be split into two serial, 1/(1+D) precoders. One 1/(1+D) precoder may be pulled outside of the HR RLL encoder and used in conjunction with the iterative decoder. A 1/(1+D) precoder may be used with the iterative decoder while maintaining the RLL constraints imposed upon the encoded information by the HR RLL encoder. |
| US08977940B1 |
Error event processing methods and systems
Circuitry and methods can be provided to correct errors in decision bits. A plurality of error event syndromes can be computed for a first plurality of error events. For each of a plurality of error event syndromes, two best error events can be selected. A cross-syndrome second best error event can be selected from among the first plurality of error events. A global second best error event can be selected from among the cross-syndrome second best error event and the second best per-syndrome error events. A second plurality of error events can be selected from among the global second best error event and the best per-syndrome error events. The second plurality of error events can be used for data post-processing. |
| US08977939B2 |
Majority-tabular post processing of quasi-cyclic low-density parity-check codes
A method for finding a valid codeword based on a near codeword trapping in a low-density parity-check decoding process includes identifying trapping set configurations and applying corrections to produce trapping sets with a limited number of invalid checks. Trapping set configurations are corrected in order to produce a trapping set in a table of trapping sets, the table associating each corrected trapping set with a valid codeword. |
| US08977937B2 |
Systems and methods for compression driven variable rate decoding in a data processing system
The present inventions are related to systems and methods for data processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for variable rate encoding and/or decoding in a data processing system. In some cases, embodiments include a variable length data decoder circuit that is operable to apply a decode algorithm to the encoded input based upon a first selected H-Matrix to yield a first decoded output and apply the decode algorithm to the encoded input based upon a second selected H-Matrix to yield a second decoded output. |
| US08977935B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving an application layer-forward error correction packet in multimedia communication system
An apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving an Application Layer-Forward Error Correction (AL-FEC) packet in a multimedia communication system are provided. In the AL-FEC packet transmission method, an AL-FEC packet transmission apparatus generates AL-FEC packets, and transmits the AL-FEC packets to an AL-FEC packet reception apparatus, wherein each of the AL-FEC packets includes an AL-FEC codeword symbol and an AL-FEC header, the AL-FEC codeword symbol is one of AL-FEC codeword symbols included in an AL-FEC codeword block, and the AL-FEC header includes order information indicating an order of an AL-FEC codeword symbol into which the AL-FEC header is inserted among the AL-FEC codeword symbols included in the AL-FEC codeword block. |
| US08977934B2 |
Method of early termination of channel decoding by re-encoding
A system providing early termination for channel decoding by re-encoding including a decoding unit, an encoding unit connected to the decoding unit, and a checking unit connected to the decoding unit and to the encoding unit. Via the system, decoded message words produced from the decoding unit are sent back to the encoding unit for re-encoding. Re-encoded words are compared to the decoded codewords by the checking unit and, if they are completely the same, the decoding action of the decoding unit is terminated. The system reduces power consumption and offers a simplified structure, improved decoding throughput, and reduced hardware complexity. |
| US08977933B2 |
Method for providing data protection for data stored within a memory element and integrated circuit device therefor
A method for providing data protection for data stored within a Random Access Memory element. The method comprises receiving data to be written to memory, dividing the received data into a plurality of data sections, applying error correction codes to the data sections to form codeword sections, interleaving the codeword sections to form an interleaved data codeword, and writing within a single clock cycle the interleaved data codeword to memory. |
| US08977929B2 |
Rearranging write data to avoid hard errors
This disclosure relates to avoiding a hard error in memory during write time by shifting data to be programmed to memory to mask the hard error. In one implementation, a method of programming data to a memory array includes obtaining error data corresponding to a selected memory cell, shifting a data pattern such that a value to be stored by the selected memory cell matches a value associated with a hard error, and programming the shifted data pattern to memory array such that the value programmed to the selected memory cell matches the value associated with the hard error. |
| US08977924B2 |
Optimized mechanism to simplify the circulant shifter and the P/Q kick out for layered LDPC decoder
A layered LDPC decoder architecture includes a single MUX and a single shifter element for processing an optimized LDPC parity check matrix. The optimized LDPC parity check matrix may be a K×L sub-matrix having zero elements, non-zero elements defined by a circulant matrix or zero matrices, and identity matrixes. |
| US08977918B2 |
IC with connections between linking module and test access ports
An architecture for testing a plurality of circuits on an integrated circuit is described. The architecture includes a TAP Linking Module located between test pins on the integrated circuit and 1149.1 Test Access Ports (TAP) of the plurality of circuits to be tested. The TAP Linking Module operates in response to 1149.1 scan operations from a tester connected to the test pins to selectively switch between 1149.1 TAPs to enable test access between the tester and plurality of circuits. The TAP Linking Module's 1149.1 TAP switching operation is based upon augmenting 1149.1 instruction patterns to affix an additional bit or bits of information which is used by the TAP Linking Module for performing the TAP switching operation. |
| US08977909B2 |
Large log file diagnostics system
An information handling system (IHS) diagnostic system includes a user IHS that is coupled to a network and operable to generate a log file that is associated with a user IHS error. A distributed processing IHS is coupled to the user IHS through the network and operable to receive the log file generated by the user IHS over the network. That log file is then stored on a plurality of node IHS's in the distributed processing IHS. When a job request is received from the user IHS over the network, a job associated with the job request is performed on the log file using the plurality of node IHS's to create a job result. The job result that includes at least one cause of the user IHS error is then provided to the user IHS. |
| US08977907B2 |
Control system to identify faulty code modules
The present disclosure is directed to a control system for a machine. The control system has an electronic module containing at least one programmable controller. The at least one programmable controller stores a plurality of code modules, and be configured to identify from the plurality of code modules a module that contains a code fault. The at least one programmable controller identifies the code fault by executing, with the at least one programmable controller, the code module, writing a code execution status to a designated memory location on the electronic module, and identifying, based on the code module execution status, the code module that contains the code fault. |
| US08977899B1 |
Assisted device recovery
A system for assisted device recovery is provided. The system includes a CMTS connected to a cable modem over a network. The system also includes database including a plurality of cable modem fingerprints and associated recovery actions and an assisted device recovery module. The assisted device recovery module includes one or more processors and a memory. The assisted device recovery module also includes a cable modem identifier configured to identify the make and model of the cable modem using a fingerprint, wherein the fingerprint includes a hardware version and a software version of the cable modem, a recovery determiner configured to query the database with the cable modem fingerprint and determine an associated recovery action, and a recovery performer configured to perform the associated recovery action on the cable modem. |
| US08977896B1 |
Maintaining data integrity in data migration operations using per-migration device error flags
A data migration operation uses an error flag to protect against data corruption. During write cloning states, the error flag is set and only allowed state transitions are performed, including a non-error transition to a committed state when no device fault is recorded for a target storage device and an error transition to a setup state when a device fault is recorded for the target storage device. In a clean system shutdown, a shutdown procedure records a detected target storage device fault and clears the error flag; the recorded device fault later forces the error transition of the migration operation. During the system startup, if the error flag is set then a target storage device fault is recorded to likewise later force the error transition of the migration operation, on the assumption that a detected fault may exist but be unrecorded because the shutdown procedure did not complete during shutdown. |
| US08977892B2 |
Disk control apparatus, method of detecting failure of disk apparatus, and recording medium for disk diagnosis program
A disk control apparatus includes a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor in which executes a process as follows. The process includes diagnosing whether or not a failure has occurred on each of a plurality of disk apparatuses, determining, when the failure has occurred, whether or not the failure is a pre-defined failure, and excluding from diagnosis targets, when the failure is the pre-defined failure, a disk apparatus group included in a RAID together with a failed disk apparatus that is determined to have the pre-defined failure in the plurality of disk apparatuses. |
| US08977888B1 |
Supporting live migration of virtual machine components with SCSI-3 persistent reservation fencing enabled
Reservation conflicts are resolved in a clustering and storage system with SCSI-3 PR fencing enabled. For each specific node, all paths to shared storage are registered with a unique key. Only registered nodes can access the shared storage, and only one reservation can exist amidst multiple registrations. A command failure with a reservation conflict resulting from an attempt to access the shared storage is detected. In response, it is determined whether the specific node is registered with its unique key. If so, it is determined that the node is not fenced off from the shared storage, and the reservation conflict is to be resolved. To do so, the node is re-registered for all paths to the shared storage with the node's unique key. The failed command is then re-started. If the node is not registered, it is determined that the node is fenced off. |
| US08977886B2 |
Method and apparatus for rapid disaster recovery preparation in a cloud network
Various embodiments provide a method and apparatus of providing a rapid disaster recovery preparation in cloud networks that proactively detects disaster events and rapidly allocates cloud resources. Rapid disaster recovery preparation may shorten the recovery time objective (RTO) by proactively growing capacity on the recovery application(s)/resource(s) before the surge of recovery traffic hits the recovery application(s)/resource(s). Furthermore, rapid disaster recovery preparation may shorten RTO by growing capacity more rapidly than during “normal operation” where the capacity is increased by modest growth after the load has exceeded a utilization threshold for a period of time. |
| US08977882B2 |
System for data transfer between asynchronous clock domains
A system for transferring data between asynchronous domains in an SOC includes a slave request generation and data latch circuit, a busy signal generator, a positive edge detector, and a cascaded synchronizer. A host device transmits a host request signal and host data to the slave request generation and data latch circuit for execution by a slave device, which operates at a different frequency than the host device. The slave request generation and data latch circuit stores the host data and transmits it to the slave device based on a synchronized slave clock signal. The host device can perform other tasks while the slave device executes the host request. |
| US08977874B2 |
System and method for battery load management in a portable computing device
Various embodiments of methods and systems for managing battery load in a portable computing device (“PCD”) are disclosed. One such method includes tracking an active load on a battery attributable to one or more active power consuming components. Measurements associated with the battery and indicative of the battery's state of health may also be monitored. When a call for additional load on the battery is recognized, such as a user request for provision of additional functionality in the PCD, a future load on the battery that considers the newly called load can be calculated. Based on an analysis of the impact on the battery's state of health, existing, lower priority loads may be scaled or suspended to create battery load capacity for the newly called load. In this way, quality of service and user experience may be optimized while minimizing conditions that could be detrimental to the battery. |
| US08977872B2 |
Information processing apparatus having power saving mode, and control method and storage medium therefor
An information processing apparatus in which a first waiting time is set, if a job interval is longer than a reference time and a predetermined condition is not satisfied, and a second waiting time longer than the first waiting time is set, if a job interval is longer than the reference time and the predetermined condition is satisfied. In a case that the job interval is longer than the first reference time, a control unit causes a multi-function peripheral to shift from a normal mode to a power saving mode when the first waiting time has elapsed after a job having been processed, if the predetermined condition is not satisfied, and causes the multi-function peripheral to shift to the power saving mode when the second waiting time has elapsed after the job having been processed, if the predetermined condition is satisfied. |
| US08977870B2 |
Apparatus for determining a USB compatible device, and supplying corresponding power thereafter
An electronic apparatus includes: a DC-DC converter for supplying power to an external device connected via a USB 3.0 host connector; and a device determination section for determining, via one terminal of the USB 3.0 host connector, the external device connected to the USB 3.0 host connector. Upon determination by the device determination section that a USB compatible device is connected, the DC-DC converter supplies power to the USB compatible device. |
| US08977869B2 |
Method and system for controlling power of an IC chip based on reception of signal pulse from a neighboring chip
While an IC chip is in idle mode with no power being supplied to the IC chip, the IC chip may be operable to detect a signal pulse received by the IC chip using energy associated with the signal pulse. The IC chip may be operable to control a control signal for a power switch using the energy associated with the signal pulse. The power switch may allow power to be provided to the IC chip based on the control signal. The IC chip may comprise a pulse detector, a latch circuit and an ON/OFF logic circuit within the IC chip. While the IC chip is fully powered and communication with a partner chip is finished, the IC chip may be operable to control the control signal to turn off the power switch for powering down the IC chip based on a turn-off signal. |
| US08977868B2 |
Flexible printed cable and information processing device
It is an object of this invention to provide an FPC capable of improving tamper resistance. An FPC (1) of this invention includes: a signal line pattern (2) for inputting a communication signal; and signal protective line patterns (3, 4) provided to be opposed to an upper surface and a lower surface of the signal line pattern and having the same width as a width of the signal line pattern (2) or a larger width than the width of the signal line pattern (2). The signal protective line patterns are provided along the signal line pattern within a region that requires tamper resistance. |
| US08977866B2 |
Security mechanism for increased personal data protection
Apparatus, systems, and methods provide a mechanism to enhance the management of data security in a system for users of the systems. Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to manage security of data in an electronic system on an application-by-application basis. Managing security of data may include an apparatus, system, or method structured to determine that a status of a feature in the electronic device satisfies a specified criterion, and to automatically activate a portion of a security mechanism in the electronic device to lock down an application that is open in the electronic device after determining that the status has satisfied the specified criterion. Such application-by-application basis can be applied in addition to managing data security globally in the electronic system. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US08977865B2 |
Data encryption conversion for independent agents
The re-encryption of data can be performed with independent cryptographic agents that can automatically encrypt and decrypt data in accordance with cryptographic regions, such that data within a single cryptographic region is encrypted and decrypted with the same cryptographic key. An “in-place” re-encryption can be performed by reading data from a chunk in an existing cryptographic region, shrinking the existing cryptographic region past the chunk, expanding a replacement cryptographic region over the chunk, and then writing the data back to the same location, which is now part of the replacement cryptographic region. An “out-of-place” re-encryption can be performed by reading data from a chunk in an existing cryptographic region and then writing the data back to a location immediately adjacent that is part of a replacement cryptographic region. After the re-encrypted data is “shifted”, the cryptographic regions can be expanded and contracted appropriately, and another chunk can be selected. |
| US08977862B2 |
Low-level code signing mechanism
Before an application is allowed to execute a secure function, code signing keys associated with the application are analyzed for correspondence with the class that contains the secure function as well as correspondence with the secure function. Optionally, code signing keys associated with the application are analyzed for correspondence with the input parameters to the function. |
| US08977859B2 |
Systems and methods for data compression and decompression
In one aspect, the present invention comprises one or more processors that generate a first checksum value for a data block and a second checksum value for the data block, wherein the first checksum value is generated by applying a first checksum algorithm to the data block and the second checksum value is generated by applying a second checksum algorithm, different from the first checksum algorithm, to the data block; one or more processors operable to create a data entry comprising data identifying: the first and second checksum values, the first and second checksum algorithms, and at least one of the identified attributes of the data block, the data entry not comprising the data block, and wherein the data block can be recovered using the data entry; and one or more processors that store the data entry in a computer-readable medium. Other aspects comprise related systems, methods, and software. |
| US08977858B1 |
Using space-filling curves to fingerprint data
A file is received. Contents of the file are transformed using a space-filling curve. One example of a space-filling curve that can be used for the transformation is a Hilbert curve. The result of the transformation is down-sampled. One example way of down-sampling is using a blur operation with anti-aliasing. A hashing operation is performed on the down-sampled result. One example of a hashing operation is locality sensitive hashing. |
| US08977857B1 |
System and method for granting access to protected information on a remote server
A client device has one or more processors and memory. An application running on the device obtains a client certificate from a system service running on the device. The certificate includes a public key for the device. The device is authenticated to a remote server using the certificate. The application receives encrypted application identification information and an encrypted access token from the server. The application is authenticated to the device by comparing the received application identification information with corresponding application identification information from the application. The application invokes the system service to unencrypt the access token using the private key corresponding to the public key. The application sends a request for protected information to the server. The request includes the unencrypted access token. The application receives at least a portion of the protected information from the server, and stores the information in the memory on the device |
| US08977856B2 |
Methods and apparatus for use in sharing credentials amongst a plurality of mobile communication devices
Techniques for use in sharing a plurality of credential objects of a user account amongst a plurality of mobile devices operative in a wireless network are described. In one illustrative example, a network infrastructure (e.g. a cloud) stores a plurality of encrypted credential objects in association with the user account. Each encrypted credential object is encrypted with a credential key. The network infrastructure also stores a plurality of encrypted forms of the credential key in association with the user account. Each encrypted form of the credential key is encrypted with a respective one of a plurality of device keys. Each device key is stored at respective one of the mobile devices. The network infrastructure provides, to the mobile devices, access to the encrypted credential key and the encrypted credential objects. |
| US08977851B2 |
Removable security modules and related methods
Example removable security modules for use with process control devices and related methods are disclosed. An example removable security module includes a body configured to be removably coupled to the process control device and a memory disposed in the body with a shared secret stored in the memory. The example removable security module also includes a processing unit disposed in the body, coupled to the memory and configured to read information from the process control device, compare the information to the shared secret and authenticate the process control device based on the comparison. |
| US08977838B1 |
Architecture for cooperating hierarchical microcoded compute engines
A nested hierarchical plurality of microcoded compute engines where each successive compute engine is coupled to a source bus and a sink bus of another microcoded computed engine at a different hierarchical level, where one microcoded compute engine may be a replacement of a scratchpad memory or FIFO from a pre-existing design. A communication scheme for communicating between and within various hierarchical layers of microcoded compute engines and a piano roll of bitmapped barrier objects for synchronizing activities of various microcomputer engines. |
| US08977837B2 |
Apparatus and method for early issue and recovery for a conditional load instruction having multiple outcomes
At least one instruction of a sequence of program instructions has a plurality of alternative outcomes including at least a first outcome that is independent of at least one operand and a second outcome that is dependent on the at least one operand. The at least one operand is a value generated by a preceding instruction in the sequence. The at least one instruction is issued for execution independently of when the at least one operand is generated by the preceding instruction. Recovery circuitry is provided to perform a recovery operation in the event that the second outcome is to be executed for the at least one instruction and the at least one operand has not been generated by the preceding instruction when the at least one instruction is to be executed by said instruction execution circuitry. |
| US08977833B2 |
Memory system
According to one embodiment, a memory system has a data transfer device which includes a first command generating unit, a second command generating unit, a first storage unit, a second storage unit, and a nonvolatile memory managing unit. The first command generator generates a first command for reading out data from a nonvolatile memory to a host apparatus. The second command generator generates a second command for internal processing of the memory system associated with a temporary memory and the nonvolatile memory. The first memory has a queue structure configured to store the first command. The second memory has a queue structure configured to store the second command. The memory manager is configured to read out the first command stored in the first memory in priority to the second command stored in the second memory and to transmit read-out command to the nonvolatile memory. |
| US08977832B2 |
Memory system having a plurality of types of memory chips and a memory controller for controlling the memory chips
A memory controller converts controller output signals output from a controller into memory input signals according to the operation specifications of memory chips to operate, and outputs the resultant to the memory chips through a common bus. The memory controller also receives memory output signals output from the memory chips through the common bus, and converts the received signals into controller input signals receivable to the controller. This allows the single memory controller to access the plurality of types of memory chips. As a result, the memory controller can be reduced in chip size, lowering the cost of the memory system. |
| US08977825B1 |
Techniques for abstract profile definition to support information hiding
A method performed by a storage management computer includes (a) receiving a set of storage profile definitions (SPDs) from an administrator of a data storage system over a user interface, each SPD of the set of SPDs including (1) a storage profile name and (2) a set of storage policies assigned to that SPD, (b) providing the storage profile names from the set of SPDs to an environment management application, the environment management application being configured to manage environments that use storage from the data storage system, (c) in response to providing, receiving a selection of a particular SPD from the environment management application to be used in connection with a particular environment, and (d) provisioning a unit of storage from the data storage system to the particular environment in accordance with the set of storage policies assigned to the particular SPD. |
| US08977824B2 |
Portable electronic apparatus and method of controlling a portable electronic apparatus
According to one embodiment, a portable electronic apparatus executing performing process based on command input from an external apparatus, and storing a plurality of TLV data objects, the apparatus includes, a storage unit configured to store the data class and data character of each TLV data object, respectively in two storage areas spaced apart from each other, and to store addresses of a fixed length, representing the positions of the data characters, in association with the each data classes. |
| US08977819B2 |
Prefetch stream filter with FIFO allocation and stream direction prediction
A prefetch filter receives a memory read request having an associated address for accessing data that is stored in a line of memory. An address window is determined that has an address range that encompasses an address space that is twice as large as the line of memory. In response to a determination of in which half the address window includes the requested line of memory, a prefetch direction is to a first direction or to an opposite direction. The prefetch filter can include an array of slots for storing a portion of a next predicted access and determine a memory stream in response to a hit on the array by a subsequent memory request. The prefetch filter FIFO counter cycles through the slots of the array before wrapping around to a first slot of the array for storing a next predicted address portion. |
| US08977817B2 |
System cache with fine grain power management
Methods and apparatuses for reducing leakage power in a system cache within a memory controller. The system cache is divided into multiple small sections, and each section is supplied with power from a separately controllable power supply. When a section is not being accessed, the voltage supplied to the section is reduced to a voltage sufficient for retention of data but not for access. Incoming requests are grouped together based on which section of the system cache they target. When enough requests that target a given section have accumulated, the voltage supplied to the given section is increased to a voltage sufficient for access. Then, once the given section has enough time to ramp-up and stabilize at the higher voltage, the waiting requests may access the given section in a burst of operations. |
| US08977813B2 |
Implementing RAID in solid state memory
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to implementing fault tolerant data storage in solid state memory. In some implementations, a method includes receiving a data request for a solid state memory; identifying a logical block grouping corresponding to the data request, wherein the logical block grouping indicates physical data storage blocks spanning at least two distinct memory units of the solid state memory; reading stored data and parity information from at least a portion of the physical data storage blocks spanning the at least two distinct memory units; and recovering data of at least one block of the logical block grouping based on the stored data and the parity information. |
| US08977812B1 |
Iterating in parallel for deduplication
A method is used in iterating in parallel for deduplication. Based on an iteration scheme, a collection of sections is selected from a set of storage extents. Each section of the collection of sections includes subset of the contents of a storage extent of the set of storage extents. Based on the iteration scheme, each section of the collection of sections is arranged in an ordered arrangement. Based on the ordered arrangement, a deduplicating technique is applied in parallel to each section of the collection of sections. |
| US08977805B2 |
Host-assisted compaction of memory blocks
In a system that includes a host and a memory controller that is separate from the host and stores data for the host in a non-volatile memory, a method for data storage includes transferring from the memory controller to the host one or more source blocks from the non-volatile memory for compaction. The source blocks are compacted in the host by copying valid data from the source blocks into one or more destination blocks. The destination blocks are transferred from the host to the memory controller, and the destination blocks are stored by the memory controller in the non-volatile memory. |
| US08977795B1 |
Method and apparatus for preventing multiple threads of a processor from accessing, in parallel, predetermined sections of source code
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with managing access to critical sections in a multithread processor are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a register configured to store i) respective resource identifiers that identify respective resources and ii) respective priorities for respective resource identifiers. The apparatus includes a managing module logic configured to receive a blocking instruction for a first resource having a first resource identifier that is associated with a first task, access the register to determine a priority associated with the first resource identifier, select one or more dependent resources based, at least in part on the priority associated with first resource identifier, and block the first resource and the dependent resources. In this manner the first task is granted access to the first resource and the dependent resources while other tasks are prevented from accessing the first resource and the dependent resources. |
| US08977793B2 |
Determining extended capability of a channel path
A computer program product includes a tangible storage storing instructions for performing a method. The method includes: receiving a request at a channel subsystem in a host computer system to provide a channel path description for a channel path, the channel subsystem including a channel configured to be coupled to a control unit via the channel path, the channel configured to control information transfer over the channel path; and outputting a channel path description block from the channel subsystem to the operating system in response to the request, the channel path description block including channel path identification and description information, the channel path description block specifying whether the channel path supports a Fiber Channel protocol for commanding an I/O operation, the channel path description block specifying whether the channel path supports an extension to the Fiber Channel protocol based on the channel path supporting the Fiber Channel protocol. |
| US08977792B2 |
Audio signal receiving device, audio signal adapter device and system for transmitting audio signal
An audio signal adapter device, an audio signal receiving device and a system for transmitting an audio signal are provided. The audio signal adapter device comprises an audio interface and an adapter end interface. The audio interface is connected with an audio signal sending device, has a ground pin and at least one audio pin. The adapter end interface is connected with the audio signal receiving device, has an audio signal pin and a reference signal pin. The audio pin of the audio interface is configured to receive an audio signal output from the audio signal sending device, connected with the audio signal pin of the adapter end interface, the ground pin of the audio interface is connected with the reference signal pin of the adapter end interface. The audio signal pin and the reference signal pin are configured to output the audio signal to the audio signal receiving device. |
| US08977791B2 |
Modular control system and method for a water heater
A water heater having a modular control system. The water heater includes a tank, a heating element, a first controller, and a second controller. The heating element is coupled to the tank. The first controller is supported by the tank and includes a housing, a first communication port, a processor, and a first memory storing executable instructions that are executed by the processor. The first controller determines whether the first controller is connected to the second controller through the communication port. The first controller controls an operation of the water heater according to a first algorithm when the first controller is not connected to the second controller. The operation of the water heater is controlled based on an algorithm stored on the second controller when the first controller is connected to the second controller. |
| US08977788B2 |
Observing an internal link via an existing port for system on chip devices
Methods and apparatus relating to observing an internal link via an existing port for System On Chip (SOC) devices are described. In one embodiment, a logic within an SOC device may allow an external logic analyzer to observe communication between a first and second component of the SOC through an existing (e.g., shared and/or non-dedicated) interface. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08977786B1 |
Method and system for processing information at peripheral devices
Methods and device coupled to a computing device and a network device are provided. A first module receives a first packet and a second packet via a same single data path from the computing device. A second module receives the first packet at a first buffer via a first path and the second packet at a second buffer via a second path. The first module uses a steering mechanism to steer the first packet in the first path and the second packet in the second path. The second module uses an arbitration module to select the first packet and the second packet for maintaining an order in which the first packet and the second packet are received and for sending the first packet and the second packet to a third module for further processing. |
| US08977785B2 |
Machine to machine development environment
A wireless memory device may include logic configured to detect that first data has been written by a microcontroller to a first address of a memory space of the wireless memory device; incorporate the first data into a first packet, in response to detecting that the first data has been written to the memory space, wherein the first packet includes the first address; and provide the first packet to a wireless chipset to wirelessly transmit the first packet to a destination device. The logic may be further configured to receive a second packet from the wireless chip set, wherein the second packet was received wirelessly from the destination device; retrieve a second memory address from the second packet; retrieve second data from the second packet; and write the second data to the retrieved second memory address in the memory space of the wireless memory device. |
| US08977784B2 |
Port teaming
An embodiment may include circuitry to be comprised at least in part in a first host, and at least one process to be executed, at least in part, by the circuitry. The circuitry may comprise a first port and a second port. The at least one process may detect, at least in part, a first bandwidth condition of the first port, and may associate, at least in part, in response at least in part to the first bandwidth condition, the first port and the second port with a port team. The second port may have been, prior to being associated, at least in part, with the port team, in a relatively lower power state compared to a relatively higher power state. The second port may be in the relatively higher power state after the second port is associated, at least in part, with the port team. |
| US08977780B2 |
Distributed node network adapted to tolerate a given number of network node breakdowns
A network having a plurality of electronic equipments and a plurality of network nodes is disclosed. The nodes are connected and form a reference ring, according to which ring the nodes are ordered by successive ranks. Each node is connected by a direct receiving connection to an upstream node and via a direct transmission connection to a downstream node. The network is adapted to tolerate a number of network node breakdowns, n being greater than 1. Each node is connected by a direct receiving connection to all of the other nodes placed, in the reference ring, up to: 2 ranks downstream and 1 rank upstream or 1 rank downstream and 2 ranks upstream if n is 2; n−1 ranks downstream and n−1 ranks upstream, if n is odd; or n−1 ranks downstream and n−2 ranks upstream, or n−2 ranks downstream and n−1 ranks upstream, if n is even and greater than 2. |
| US08977779B2 |
Augmentative and alternative communication system with personalized user interface and content
The disclosed methods and systems allow individuals with speech challenges to convey personalized expressive content to others. Implementation is performed on widely available and popular wireless handheld multimedia devices, which may help foster acceptance of the individuals and minimize any perceived differences. Users may easily create and add personalized content to the devices and may quickly customize the content selection interfaces of the devices. These tasks may be accomplished using either the devices themselves via a device-based content authoring tool running locally on the device, or using a Web-based authoring tool on a network server. The Web-based authoring tool allows users to create, capture, and store personalized content and customized content selection interfaces on the network server from virtually any location in the world with network access. The personalized content and customized interfaces may then be downloaded and synchronized automatically on the devices from time to time or as needed. |
| US08977778B2 |
Compressing, transcoding, sending, and retrieving video and audio files in a server-based system and related systems and methods
A method, system and computer readable medium compress and send media files. The method includes sending a computer program for compressing and sending media files to a client computer. The computer program comprises program code for identifying information about a media file in response to receiving a request to send a media file, determining whether the media file is compressible based on the identified information, identifying a compression algorithm based on the identified information, compressing the media file using the compression algorithm, and sending the compressed media file to one or more server computers. The method further includes receiving the compressed media file sent from the client computer. |
| US08977776B1 |
Content streaming with bandwidth management
Described herein are systems and methods for content streaming with bandwidth management. Partial content is generated from source content at a server and distributed to a streaming device, such as during periods when network bandwidth is available. This partial content is incomplete relative to the source content and is unusable. During presentation of the content, remaining content is streamed from the server and combined with the partial content to generate complete content suitable for presentation. |
| US08977770B2 |
Skip feature for a broadcast or multicast media station
A skip function for a broadcast or multicast media station is disclosed. In one embodiment, two content streams are simultaneously transmitted for a single radio station. A receiving device simultaneously receives the two content streams transmitted for the radio station. The receiving device provides playback of a first content stream of the two content streams. During playback of the first content stream, the receiving device buffers one or more most recently received content items from the second content stream. When a user of the receiving device initiates a skip, the receiving device performs a skip function by switching playback from the first content stream to the second content stream beginning at the start of the one or more most recently received content items from the second content stream that have been buffered at the receiving device. |
| US08977769B2 |
System for managing lossless failover in an audio-bridging (AVB) network
A network communication system includes a listener that receives a plurality of data streams from a talker. The data in the data streams may be identical. The listener identifies one of the data streams as a primary data stream and another of the plurality of data streams as a non-primary data stream. The listener may process data in the primary data stream, and may buffer a minimal amount of data in the non-primary data stream. In the event of a failure or disruption in reception of the primary data stream, the listener may switch over to processing the data in the non-primary data stream. The switch over to processing the non-primary data may be performed in a manner that ensures lossless failover. |
| US08977768B2 |
Video distribution system including progressive playback
A receiver driven approach for playback of remote content is described. One embodiment includes obtaining information concerning the content of the media file from the remote server, identifying a starting location within the media sequence, identifying byte ranges of the media file corresponding to media required to play the media sequence from the starting location, requesting the byte ranges required to play the media sequence from the starting location, buffering received bytes of information pending commencement of playback, playing back the buffered bytes of information, receiving a user instruction, identifying byte ranges of the media file corresponding to media required to play the media sequence in accordance with the user instruction, flushing previous byte range requests, and requesting the byte ranges required to play the media in accordance with the user instruction. |
| US08977766B2 |
Scalability and redundancy enhancements for content streaming
Some embodiments provide methods and systems for improving the scalability and redundancy of a distributed content streaming system. Such scalability and redundancy is provided with zero configuration changes to the addressing used by content providers to publish content and zero configuration changes to existing servers of the system. The system includes ingest servers and edge servers. Content providers supply content streams to the ingest servers using a virtual or load balanced address that distributes the content streams across the ingest servers. Accordingly, ingest servers can be added or removed without changing content provider configurations. The ingest servers are configured to notify the edge servers of which content streams are available for streaming at which ingest server. When an ingest server is added to the system, its functionality may be assimilated without modifying the configurations of the other servers. Some embodiments also provide multiple caching layers. |
| US08977765B1 |
Method and apparatus for streaming applications to a plurality of clients within a peer to-peer network
A method and apparatus for streaming applications to a plurality of clients within a peer-to-peer network is provided. In one embodiment, a method for distributing application blocks to facilitate application streaming within a peer-to-peer network includes processing location information regarding a plurality of data chunks amongst a plurality of clients, wherein the plurality of data chunks form at least a portion of an application block and communicating the location information amongst the plurality of clients, wherein the location information is used to request at least one data chunk of the plurality of data chunks. |
| US08977763B1 |
Systems and methods for distributing streams and stream metadata
A broadcaster may be configured to use a media protocol to provide a distribution point with a stream. The broadcaster uses a controller configured to implement the media protocol that includes a message class indicating an applicability of a message to a distribution point. The media protocol includes an authentication message structured and arranged to authenticate an establishment of a stream for distribution on the distribution point, a stream configuration message structured and arranged to configure the stream being distributed on the distribution point, a connection message structured and arranged to distribute the stream, and a stream session termination message structured and arranged to terminate a streaming session that has been established. |
| US08977762B2 |
Managed services platform
A managed services platform. An applications management server is provided for managing relationships with application service providers and others over a wide area network such as the Internet. The applications management server interfaces with a master database server and the servers of one or more application service providers, or other entities, to facilitate selection and deselection of applications, services, and capabilities that may be available for use by the information technology network of a company. |
| US08977761B2 |
System and method for enabling product development
A comprehensive platform for developing digital products. A standardized process is applied to a product development effort and an online portal provides tools to aid the product development, assessment, funding and commercializing products. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between users. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards. |
| US08977757B2 |
Method of discovering operator-provided network services using IMS
A method, session managing node and arrangement for providing a network service address of at least one network service of a first operator IMS network to a third party service provider (3PSP) are disclosed, wherein the 3PSP has no business agreement with the first operator. A first application of a mobile station communicates with a second application via a first network, resulting in the setup of an IMS session between the mobile station and the 3PSP. A network service address of at least one network service, provided by the first operator IMS network, is inserted into a SIP message of the IMS session in a session managing node of the first operator IMS network and delivered to the 3PSP, where it is forwarded to the second application. If required, the second application may access the one or more network services via the first network, using the retrieved network address. |
| US08977745B2 |
Methods, communication networks, and computer program products for monitoring, examining, and/or blocking traffic associated with a network element based on whether the network element can be trusted
A communication network is operated by determining whether a network element can be trusted and monitoring traffic associated with the network element based on whether the network element can be trusted. At least some of the monitored traffic may be selected for examination based on the degree of trust for the network element. At least some of the monitored and/or examined traffic is selected to be blocked based on the degree of trust for the network element. |
| US08977740B2 |
Portable terminal receiving remote support, remote support method, program, operator system, operator server, and operator terminal for remote support
When not the target device accessed by an operator terminal but other devices communicatably connected therewith have problems, the setting operation and the status viewing of the device with a problem are enabled through the target device accessed by an operator terminal. The portable terminal detects the electric appliance connected with a local area network connected with the portable terminal, in response to an instruction from the operator terminal. The portable terminal enables the setting operation and the status viewing of the electric appliance from the operator terminal based on the determined model related information, so that the problem of the electric appliance can be solved. |
| US08977736B2 |
Virtual machine migration
A source virtual machine (VM) hosted on a source server is migrated to a destination VM on a destination server without first powering down the source VM. After optional pre-copying of the source VM's memory to the destination VM, the source VM is suspended and its non-memory state is transferred to the destination VM; the destination VM is then resumed from the transferred state. The source VM memory is either paged into the destination VM on demand, or is transferred asynchronously by pre-copying and write-protecting the source VM memory, and then later transferring only the modified pages after the destination VM is resumed. The source and destination servers preferably share common storage, in which the source VM's virtual disk is stored; this avoids the need to transfer the virtual disk contents. |
| US08977734B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting data
In a method for transmitting data of various traffic types an xDSL modem is utilized. Detectors are used to detect the traffic types of the data which are to be transmitted and the detected traffic types are taken as a basis for dynamically adjusting a data transmission rate for the xDSL modem. |
| US08977733B1 |
Configuring host network parameters without powering on a host server
Techniques are provided to adjust network settings for network connectivity resources used by a host server. A network card device, coupled to the host server, receives instructions to adjust network settings associated with the host server. Power is received from the host server at the network card device in order to allow the network card device to configure the network settings while the host server is in a standby mode. The network card device receives commands to adjust the network settings while the host server is in the standby mode. |
| US08977732B2 |
Service usage terminal, service providing terminal, control method of service providing terminal, control method of service providing terminal and service providing system
A communication control section according to the invention receives communication data on a transport layer from a service providing terminal which provides service in a higher layer than the transport layer, and a CPU performs a stopping process of a session layer relating to the service, when the communication data on the transport layer which is received by the communication control section relates to a stop request of the service. The CPU receives a trigger relating to the stop of the service, and the communication control section transmits the communication data on the transport layer including a request to the higher layer relating to the stop request of the service, to the service providing terminal, when the CPU receives the trigger. |
| US08977728B1 |
Maintaining IP tables
Data including a set of one or more resources and one or more associated IP addresses is updated based on monitored DNS responses. A request is received from a client device for a resource identified by an IP address. The IP address is matched to one of the IP addresses in the set of one or more IP addresses. A particular resource associated with the matched IP address is identified. A particular network policy that applies is identified. The identified particular network policy is applied to the received request. |
| US08977726B2 |
Logical networks
An invention is provided for creating logical network abstractions of physical networks, and deploying computer services to physical networks based on a specified logical network. In an embodiment, a physical network is divided into one or more logical networks. Upon receiving an indication to deploy a computer service to a logical network, a mapping from that logical network to a sub-network of the physical network is determined, the service is configured to execute on the sub-network of the physical network, and an indication of this configuration of the service is stored. |
| US08977721B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamic prioritization of content listings
A method for presenting content to a client device through a platform server includes detecting a selection of current content at the platform server. An attribute of the current content is identified. Additional content based on the attribute is identified. A representation of the additional content configured to be displayed at the client device is transmitted. A selection of the additional content is detected at the platform server. The attribute is revised based on the selection of the additional content. A representation of revised content configured to be displayed at the client device is transmitted. The revised content is based on revising the attribute. |
| US08977719B1 |
Content oriented copyright display
A server supporting mapping applications serves map data to a client device. The map data includes one or more references to copyright information about a feature or image in the map data. The reference may be used to locate the copyright data when the feature is requested and the copyright information is also served to the client device. Alternatively, copyright information can be associated with a tile that includes some or all of the features. When map data contains copyrighted content, a size threshold of the feature or zoom level can be used to determine if the copyright information is to be displayed. |
| US08977716B2 |
Information processing device, method, and program
The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program for easily acquiring information. A television receiver accesses an application server and acquires an application list therefrom. When an application is selected from the application list, the television receiver again accesses the application server and acquires the selected application therefrom. While executing a process based on the acquired application, the television receiver accesses a content server as needed and acquires content data therefrom. The acquired application and content data are deleted from a storage unit when an end of the process based on the application is designated. The present invention applies to television receivers which acquire data via a network. |
| US08977710B2 |
Remote selection and authorization of collected media transmission
A personal media system implemented as a tuple service allows remote access, selection, authorization, and transmission of personal media stored in a collection on a home network across a network to a guest network. A mobile client device enables browsing/searching for content, shows media players within a domain, finds a media player within a domain for a given media type, gets a media object, and renders a media object on a given media player within a domain. Each gateway has an agent that registers to the server and responds to commands from the server. The server acts as a hub for moving digital content objects between domains, provides media services on behalf of domains (e.g., transcoding, proxy streaming, etc.), provides a web interface to mobile client devices for control over user domains, sends commands to the personal media agents, and creates an accessible set of domains for a user. |
| US08977707B2 |
Delivering offers
A method and system for delivering offers is provided. The method includes enabling for a user via a device, a Web browser and an associated URL. A processor determines a manufacturer and model of the device and that the device is associated with a shared device list. A user agent receives the manufacturer and model of the device and the processor transmits the user agent, the manufacturer and model of the device, and the associated URL. The manufacturer and model of the hardware device is extracted from the user agent and a rules engine is evaluated with respect to the manufacturer and model of the device. Specified content associated with the device is determined based on results of the evaluation. The specified content is transmitted to the Web browser. |
| US08977703B2 |
Clustering without shared storage
One embodiment involves communicatively connecting a master node and a plurality of slave nodes in a cluster without shared storage where each node has a separate repository. Each node in the cluster without shared storage can be configured to exclusively update its repository. The method may include receiving a lock request from a first slave node in the cluster without shared storage. The lock request may be associated with an update request received by the first slave node. The lock request can indicate that the first slave node requires exclusive write access to a data item in the repository of the first slave node. The method includes sending a response to the first slave node granting the lock request based at least in part on data in the repository of the master node. The response may authorize the first slave node to append data to the data item in the repository of the first slave node. |
| US08977701B2 |
Portfolio optimization for media merchandizing
Embodiments are directed towards modifying when to publish content to a channel for distribution based on monitored actions associated with previously published content. A plurality of publishing slots may be determined from a plurality of time slots. Each publishing slot may indicate a time to publish content to the channel. Content may be published to the channel at each of the plurality of publishing slots. User actions associated with the published content may be monitored. The plurality of publishing slots may be ranked based on these monitored actions. At least one of the plurality of publishing slots may be modified to a different time slot based on the rankings of the publishing slots. The publication of content at a publishing slot may be delayed based on a success of other content published at a previous publishing slot being above a threshold. |
| US08977698B2 |
Tagging content within a networking environment based upon recipients receiving the content
A networking environment accessible by a plurality of computing devices is established to facilitate communications between participants associated with the computing devices, where content is generated and shared by participants via the networking environment. An item of content is shared with a group of recipients associated with computing devices via the networking environment, where the shared item of content includes one or more tags associated with the content, and each tag includes an initial weight value associated with the tag. A relevance factor associated with the group is determined, where the relevance factor is based upon information obtained from profiles of recipients from the group, and the initial weight value of each tag associated with the shared item of content is adjusted based at least in part upon the collective relevance factor associated with the group. |
| US08977696B2 |
Declassifying of suspicious messages
Handling a message comprises: classifying an incoming message for a recipient, storing the classified message and providing a notification to the recipient, wherein the notification includes summary information about the classified message and an interface that allows the recipient to operate on the classified message. |
| US08977695B2 |
System and method for message recall in a unified messaging system
A method and system for managing messages in a unified messaging (UM) platform to enable message recall is disclosed. The UM platform deposits a message from a sender into a UM mailbox of a recipient. It is then determined whether the sender of the message is a UM subscriber. If the sender is a UM subscriber, a copy of the message or a link to the message is deposited into a UM mailbox of the sender. The UM platform then provides a message recall option with the copy of the message or the link to the message in the UM mailbox of the sender. If the sender is not a UM subscriber, a recall message including a randomly generated message recall URL is sent to the sender. This allows the sender to select the randomly generated message recall URL to send a message recall request to the UM platform. |
| US08977694B2 |
Methods and apparatus to identify session users with cookie information
Methods and apparatus are disclosed to identify session users with cookie information. An example method includes identifying activity associated with a first cookie having a first type, in response to identifying the first, parsing the first cookie to identify a first panelist, when the first cookie includes an identifier associated with a first panelist, associating current usage activity of the computing device with the first panelist, and when the first cookie includes an identifier unassociated with the first panelist, associating current usage activity of the computing device with a guest. |
| US08977692B1 |
Automated handling of electronic bankruptcy notifications
Automated handling of a notification from a federal court is provided in which its disposition is determined responsively to data contained in the notification, or to data that relates to a matter referred to in the notification. In an illustrative example, an email application identifies an email as a bankruptcy notification. An automated notification handling system enhances the data in the notification email by supplementing the notification email data with related data that is matched from a case management system database, and further follows links in the notification email to download documents that are filed with the court. The documents are copied to storage or appended to the enhanced notification email data. The disposition of the notification is determined by invoking rules responsively to the enhanced notification email data which is then sent, using rules-based routing, to an appropriate destination to be handled, stored or deleted as required. |
| US08977685B2 |
Moderating content in an online forum
Users of social networking system are provided with user interface elements permitting the user to post comments on pages within the social networking system. Pages may be provided for any non-user entity, including for example, pages for businesses, products, concepts, etc. Embodiments provided herein permit page moderators to ban certain content from being displayed on a page. For example, the social networking system may receive a list of proscribed content and block comments containing the proscribed content by reducing the distribution of those comments to other viewing users. However, the social networking system may display the blocked content to the commenting user such that the commenting user is not made aware that his or her comment was blocked, thereby providing fewer incentives to the commenting user to spam the page or attempt to circumvent the social networking system filters. |
| US08977680B2 |
Systems and methods for shared access to gaming accounts
A web server provides a host website to receive user profile and financial information to establish user gaming accounts that are shared by a plurality of on-line gaming venues. Each gaming venue, operated by different entities, provides gaming activities on a respective website. The host website provides a plurality of links to the participating on-line gaming venues and each gaming venue has shared access to the same user gaming account to facilitate user participation. |
| US08977679B2 |
Launching an instance in a virtual computing infrastructure
Launching an instance in cloud computing environment having a plurality of computing nodes is described. At a user's home cloud system, a request is received from the user to launch an instance of an object. At the home cloud system, a designated remote cloud system is determined from a federated plurality of remote cloud systems based on the request. The request is translated into a format suitable for the designated remote cloud system. The translated request is communicated to the designated remote cloud system. The instance of the object is launched at the designated remote cloud. |
| US08977674B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing bookmark information for content stored in a networked media server
A method and apparatus for managing bookmark information of a media server through a network based on the UPnP AV standard is disclosed. If a request for bookmarking a content item is made, a bookmark item is created and the created bookmark item is linked to the content item by adding the ID of the created bookmark item to the property information of the content item and recording the ID of the content item to be bookmarked in the created bookmark item. |
| US08977673B2 |
Information on availability of services provided by publish-subscribe service
A request pertaining to a category of service is received from a client by an enterprise service bus. One or more status updates are received from a publish-subscribe service by the enterprise service bus, the status updates identifying services of the requested category that are available, wherein each service of the requested class publishes a status update to a syndication feed that is associated with at least one of the service or the category of service. Information concerning at least one service from the requested category is sent to the client. |
| US08977670B2 |
Processor pipeline which implements fused and unfused multiply-add instructions
Implementing an unfused multiply-add instruction within a fused multiply-add pipeline. The system may include an aligner having an input for receiving an addition term, a multiplier tree having two inputs for receiving a first value and a second value for multiplication, and a first carry save adder (CSA), wherein the first CSA may receive partial products from the multiplier tree and an aligned addition term from the aligner. The system may include a fused/unfused multiply add (FUMA) block which may receive the first partial product, the second partial product, and the aligned addition term, wherein the first partial product and the second partial product are not truncated. The FUMA block may perform an unfused multiply add operation or a fused multiply add operation using the first partial product, the second partial product, and the aligned addition term, e.g., depending on an opcode or mode bit. |
| US08977650B2 |
Scalable summarization of data graphs
Keyword searching is used to explore and search large Resource Description Framework datasets having unknown or constantly changing structures. A succinct and effective summarization is built from the underlying resource description framework data. Given a keyword query, the summarization lends significant pruning powers to exploratory keyword searches and leads to much better efficiency compared to previous work. The summarization returns exact results and can be updated incrementally and efficiently. |
| US08977649B1 |
Generating suggestions for user groups in social networks
Implementations of the present disclosure include providing a suggested social circle includes generating a list of contacts who, based on first predetermined criteria, are to be considered for potential inclusion in a social circle to be suggested to a particular user and generating an edge and vertex-weighted graph representation that indicates a strength of the particular user's affinity to each of the contacts. A set of vertices in the graph that has a high overall score based on predetermined factors is identified. After determining that the contacts corresponding to the identified set of vertices should be presented as a suggested social circle to the particular user, social circle data corresponding to the suggested social circle is transmitted, to a client device associated with the particular user, to display a representation of the suggested social circle on the client device. |
| US08977645B2 |
Accessing a search interface in a structured presentation
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs stored on computer storage media, for accessing a search interface from a structured presentation. One aspect can be embodied in machine-implemented methods that include the actions of displaying a structured presentation on a display device, receiving data characterizing a user interaction with the displayed structured presentation, the data including a specification of a first instance and a first attribute of the structured presentation, and displaying a formerly concealed search interface on the display device in response to receiving the data. |
| US08977644B2 |
Collaborative search results
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing alternative search results for a query. In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a set of one or more search results for a query to a client device for presentation to a user, where each search result refers to a respective resource, receiving from the client device an alternative search result submitted by the user for the query, associating the alternative search result with the query, and storing in a repository the query and the alternative search result, where the alternative search result is transmitted with the set of one or more search results for a new search of the query. |
| US08977643B2 |
Dynamic asset monitoring and management using a continuous event processing platform
The disclosed architecture leverages realtime continuous event processing (CEP) to address using a general input interface framework to import a dynamic set of event types (e.g., assets), and using a declarative, expressive query model to implement monitoring and management tasks on an asset level. This is in contrast to looking separately at single values from static databases and/or realtime streams as is common conventionally. The architecture uses the CEP data model to model assets as realtime event types. Thus, queries can be formulated per asset and not just per single stream. The architecture uses the query capabilities of CEP to formulate asset management and monitoring tasks as standing, declarative queries, and uses the input interface of a CEP platform to correlate data from different data sources with different dynamic properties. |
| US08977642B2 |
Recommending relevant and personalized content accessing keywords for users of a text messaging service based global textsite platform
A method and system for recommending relevant and personalized content retrieving keywords to users of a text messaging service (TMS) based content platform. Embodiments of the invention provide a discovery mechanism for introducing registered keywords identifying published information in the TMS based content platform that may be of interest to the user. In particular, the solution is hybrid in nature combining various sources of recommendations (e.g., based on past usage patterns, emerging trends, expert suggestions, etc.) to select recommended keywords. Based on this keyword discovery/recommendation mechanism, users with a basic phone and without smartphone data plans can discover contents through a TMS based content platform. |
| US08977640B2 |
System for processing complex queries
A method of processing a supply query is described. The method includes receiving a first supply query comprising a first set of attributes. A size of the first set of attributes is compared to a threshold value. A second supply query comprising a second set of attributes is generated when the comparison indicates that the size of the first set of attributes is greater than the threshold value. |
| US08977635B2 |
Device, method of processing data, and computer-readable recording medium
A device includes a memory configured to store a program; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute a process based on the program. The process includes: for input data made of a combination of pieces of unit data and including a plurality of consecutive records each including data of a plurality of items, when a sequence of type information indicating a kind of each piece of the unit data in the input data is divided into partial sequences each having a certain length, analyzing a break position of the records in the input data by determining, as a length of each of the records, the length of each of the partial sequences when sequences of type information in all the partial sequences correspond to each other. |
| US08977625B2 |
Inference indexing
Methods, systems, and media are provided for facilitating generation of an inference index. In embodiments, a canonical entity is referenced. The canonical entity is associated with web documents. One or more queries that, when input, result in a selection of at least one of the web documents are identified. An entity document is generated for the canonical entity. The entity document includes the identified queries and/or associated text from the content of a document or from an entity title that result in the selection of the at least one of the web documents. The entity document and corresponding canonical entity can be combined with additional related entity documents and canonical entities to generate an inference index. |
| US08977623B2 |
Method and system for search engine indexing and searching using the index
Data indexing includes receiving data from a data source; classifying the data into one of a plurality of categories according to a predetermined data classification criteria; establishing a corresponding relationship between the data and an index associated with the data, the index having a preset maximum capacity; and recording the relationship between the data and the index. The index is one of a plurality of indices, and each of the plurality of indices is exclusively written by an index writing device. |
| US08977621B1 |
Search engine optimizer
A search engine optimizer that works independently and in parallel with a browser and search engine supercomputer to gather, analyze, and distill input information interactively. The optimizer reorganizes the input, and provides an optimized version as an output. The optimized version of the input (e.g. output) is sent to the search engine, which responds to the end user with search results. The optimizer recognizes each request as a pattern and stores the pattern in an advanced Glyph format. This permits the optimizer to identify a left and right side human brain checkmate combination required to achieve certitude. |
| US08977620B1 |
Method and system for document classification
A method and system of classifying documents is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of documents from at least one user, wherein each document includes information relating to a customer support issue or sentiment and identifying at least one customer support issue or sentiment contained within each document. The method also includes classifying the documents satisfying a confidence threshold using a classifier, clustering the remainder of the plurality of documents into groups using a clustering engine, the clustering engine applying a word analysis, and outputting a frequency of each identified customer support issue or sentiment, the frequency based on the classifying or the clustering. |
| US08977614B2 |
Associative search engine
This invention relates to an advertisement machine which provides advertisements to a user searching for desired information within a data network. The machine receives, from a user, a search request including a search argument corresponding to the desired information and searches, based upon the received search argument, a first database having data network related information to generate search results. It also correlates the received search argument to a particular advertisement in a second database having advertisement related information. The search results together with the particular advertisement are provided by the machine to the user. |
| US08977613B1 |
Generation of recurring searches
Some embodiments provide a method for generating a recurring search for a research system that identifies documents as relevant to particular categories. The method generates a set of categories to include in the recurring search based on an identified user objective and an initial category by using relationship data that defines several different types of relationships between several different categories. The recurring search identifies documents from a particular period of time identified as relevant to the set of categories. The method identifies an optimal set of filters for removing specific types of documents that are relevant to the set of categories from the recurring search. |
| US08977609B1 |
Providing a search result based on an input including a time specification
Systems and methods for providing a search result are provided. In some aspects, a method includes receiving a query. The method also includes providing a first set of search results responsive to the query. The method also includes receiving a selected search result in the first set of search results. The method also includes determining a time specification based on the selected search result. The method also includes providing a second set of search results responsive to the query and the time specification. |
| US08977605B2 |
Structured match in a directory sponsored search system
A method for processing structured search queries received at an internet search includes receiving at the internet search site a structured search query containing a user's search intent and other pertinent information about the user and the site. The structured search query is constructed as a conforming structured search string. The method further includes parsing the structured search query based on a grammar published for affiliates or partners to construct the structured search query. Still further, the method includes extracting individual breadcrumbs from the structured search query that were used to build the structured search query. This includes decoding the position and meaning of each respective breadcrumb in the structured search query. The method further includes forming match tokens from the identified individual breadcrumbs and combinations of breadcrumbs. Still further the method includes matching listings stored in a search listing database with the formed match token strings, forming a search result list, and ranking elements of the search result list according to strength of match tokens to the original user search intent. |
| US08977600B2 |
System and method for continuous analytics run against a combination of static and real-time data
A system for continuous analytics comprises an in-memory storage and a processor. The processor receives a query that indicates an analytic function to be performed on a combination of static data and real-time data. The processor loads the in-memory storage from a first source external to the processor with data that was stored as the static data. At the same time that the in-memory storage is already loaded with the static data, the processor continuously receives ephemeral real-time data as it is being generated by a second source external to the processor. The processor runs the analytic function from the query against the in-memory storage loaded with the first data and the real-time data that is being continuously received, in combination, to produce a result of the analytic function. The result is stored and time-stamped in the in-memory storage as an analytic cube. |
| US08977598B2 |
Systems and methods for on-line backup and disaster recovery with local copy
Systems and methods are disclosed for rapidly restoring client data set for a computer by storing the client data and one or more pat sets required to revert to one or more version of the client data on a remote server; storing a local copy of the replicated client data on a local data storage device coupled to the computer; receiving a request to revert to a predetermined version of the client data; using the local copy as a seed, receiving a patch set corresponding to a predetermined version; and updating the local copy using the patch set to generated the predetermined version. |
| US08977595B1 |
Message-recovery file log locating and monitoring
A method, system, and medium are provided for monitoring the data volume in a file log associated with a program (e.g., a queue manager) in a failover computing environment. A failover computing environment includes pairs of programs capable of performing the same functions. One program in the pair is the primary program and the other is the backup program. Only one of the two programs is active at any given time. Embodiments of the present invention may identify the file directory for each program installed on a computing device. The location of each file log may be determined by accessing a core-configuration file in the file directory associated with the program. The program only has access to the core-configuration file when the program is active. Once the file log is located, the file usage may be ascertained and compared with a threshold usage. |
| US08977589B2 |
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. |
| US08977587B2 |
Sampling transactions from multi-level log file records
A log file contains operation records, each operation record is of a certain type, and each operation record is associated with a transaction. A plurality of operation records is read from the log file into a record store. Records of the plurality of operation records of each operation record type are sampled at a predefined sampling rate. Operation records in the plurality of operations records are identified that are associated with completed transactions of which the sampled operation records are associated. The identified operation records are then extracted from the record store into a data store. |
| US08977584B2 |
Apparatuses, methods and systems for a digital conversation management platform
The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A DIGITAL CONVERSATION MANAGEMENT PLATFORM (“DCM-Platform”) transforms digital dialogue from consumers, client demands and, Internet search inputs via DCM-Platform components into tradable digital assets, and client needs based artificial intelligence campaign plan outputs. In one implementation, The DCM-Platform may capture and examine conversations between individuals and artificial intelligence conversation agents. These agents may be viewed as assets. One can measure the value and performance of these agents by assessing their performance and ability to generate revenue from prolonging conversations and/or ability to effect sales through conversations with individuals. |
| US08977579B2 |
Latent factor dependency structure determination
Disclosed is a general learning framework for computer implementation that induces sparsity on the undirected graphical model imposed on the vector of latent factors. A latent factor model SLFA is disclosed as a matrix factorization problem with a special regularization term that encourages collaborative reconstruction. Advantageously, the model may simultaneously learn the lower-dimensional representation for data and model the pairwise relationships between latent factors explicitly. An on-line learning algorithm is disclosed to make the model amenable to large-scale learning problems. Experimental results on two synthetic data and two real-world data sets demonstrate that pairwise relationships and latent factors learned by the model provide a more structured way of exploring high-dimensional data, and the learned representations achieve the state-of-the-art classification performance. |
| US08977572B2 |
Systems and methods for patient-controlled, encrypted, consolidated medical records
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for managing medical information. Certain embodiments provide a system for managing medical information. The system includes a data center for centrally storing patient medical data as unstructured encrypted data. The system also includes a patient interface providing storage and retrieval of patient medical data at the data center. The patient interface communicates with the data center to transmit encrypted patient medical data to the data center. The encrypted patient medical data is encrypted at the patient interface using a patient encryption key assigned to a patient. The patient interface is further configured to receive encrypted patient medical data from the data center and decrypt the patient medical data using the patient encryption key assigned to the patient. |
| US08977570B2 |
System and method including chip-based device processing for transaction
Present embodiments are directed to a server computer. The server computer establishes a first channel of communication to receive payment device data in a first format (e.g., chip type) and establishes a second channel to receive the payment device data in a second format (e.g., legacy type). The server computer receives an authorization request message in the second format from a merchant and generates a new authorization request message in the first format. The server computer then forwards the new authorization request to the issuer for approval. |
| US08977565B2 |
Interprogram communication using messages related to groups of orders
A trading platform and trading method that allows access to additional pools of liquidity is described. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08977562B2 |
System and method for detecting digital media status in a sorter
The present invention provides for automation of the process of ensuring that the contents of the return mailed digital media, comprising a disc enclosed in a sleeve, is correct for redistribution. A camera on a sorting machine is used to scan a first code on a hub of the disc through a sleeve opening. The camera also scans a second code printed on the sleeve. The sorter computer compares the first and second codes to determine whether the first and second codes correspond. If the first and second codes do not correspond, the sorter outsorts the mailed digital media so that the mismatch problem can be corrected. In a further embodiment, the system detects whether there are more or less than a single disk in the mail package. In the preferred embodiment, the mailed digital media is further composed of an envelope that receives and encloses the sleeve. The sorter scanner scans first code is further comprised of scanning the first code through an envelope opening, preferably the same envelope opening used for scanning of the first code. |
| US08977561B2 |
Caching item information in a cloud-based point of sale system
Mechanisms are provided, in a data processing system, for retrieving and utilizing item information to perform a transaction. The mechanisms receive an identification of an item present in a detection field of the item identification system. A determination is made as to whether valid item information for the item is present in a cache of the data processing system in response to detecting the item as being present in the detection field of the item identification system. If valid item information is present in the cache, the valid item information is retrieved from the cache. If valid item information is not present in the cache, the valid item information is retrieved from a remotely located cloud computing system. The transaction is performed based on the valid item information. |
| US08977560B2 |
Cross-browser, cross-machine recoverable user identifiers
Methods and systems to identify a user across multiple browsers and machines are described. In some embodiments, a web request is received at a retrieval service from a browser. The web request may include a request to access a retrieval service website of the retrieval service and may be initiated by a redirection of the browser from a requesting service to the retrieval service. A unique identifier associated with a user logged in to an account of the retrieval service may be determined. The user may be logged in to the account via the browser. A redirect request is sent from the retrieval service to the browser. The redirect may include the unique identifier and may redirect the browser from the retrieval service website to the requesting service. The unique identifier may be used by the requesting service to perform additional functionality specific to the user. |
| US08977559B2 |
Interactive marketing system
An interactive direct response system combines the use of short text message systems transmitted via GSM-SMS enabled cell phones with a database and website to enable advertisers to view in real time customer responses to a direct response campaign. Customers are invited to respond to a defined advertisement on for example a billboard by responding to a single telephone number associated with the website by sending a text message linked to that particular advertisement, i.e. a single word. A computer receives and analysis the responses and sends an acknowledgement message to the customer. |
| US08977558B2 |
Methods, apparatus and systems for facilitating generation and assessment of engineering plans
Electronically generating an engineering plan for installation of equipment, such as cable system equipment, at a work site. First geographic information relating to a first location of the work site is compared with second geographic information representing a second location of an engineer generating the engineering plan (or of a plan generating tool being used by the engineer to generate the plan) to verify that the engineer/tool is sufficiently near to the work site. A digital image of a geographic area including the work site is displayed on the plan generating tool, and user input is acquired from the engineer (e.g., via a user input device associated with the plan generating tool) relating to at least one first position, relative to the displayed digital image, representing a first equipment location of at least a first piece of the equipment to be installed at the work site. A marked-up digital image including at least one first digital representation of the first piece of the equipment placed on the displayed digital image is generated, based at least in part on the user input, and information relating to the marked-up digital image is electronically transmitted and/or electronically stored so as to generate the engineering plan. |
| US08977556B2 |
Voice detector and a method for suppressing sub-bands in a voice detector
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a voice detector receiving an input signal that is divided into sub-signals that represent a frequency sub-band. The voice detector calculates, for each sub-band, a signal-to-noise (SNR) value based on a corresponding sub-signal for each sub-band and a background signal for each sub-band. The voice detector also calculates a power SNR value for each sub-band, where at least one of the power SNR values is calculated based on a non-linear function. The voice detector forms a single value based on the calculated power SNR values and compares the single value and a given threshold value to make a voice activity decision presented on an output port. |
| US08977553B2 |
Dynamic adjustment of text input system components
Dynamic adjustment of text input system components is provided. An indication of user activity with respect to a text input system of an electronic device is received. One or more activity indicators are determined based on at least the user activity. One or more components of the text input system are identified, each component providing a typing assistance functionality to a user and being associated with a set of parameters. For each of the one or more components, a determination is made whether the component should be adjusted based on the one or more activity indicators, and the component is dynamically adjusted when it is determined that the component should be adjusted based on the one or more activity indicators. Dynamically adjusting the component includes at least one of activating the component, deactivating the component or adjusting the set of parameters associated with the component. |
| US08977551B2 |
Parametric speech synthesis method and system
The present invention provides a parametric speech synthesis method and a parametric speech synthesis system. The method comprises sequentially processing each frame of speech of each phone in a phone sequence of an input text as follows: for a current phone, extracting a corresponding statistic model from a statistic model library and using model parameters of the statistic model that correspond to the current frame of the current phone as rough values of currently predicted speech parameters; according to the rough values and information about a predetermined number of speech frames occurring before the current time point, obtaining smoothed values of the currently predicted speech parameters; according to global mean values and global standard deviation ratios of the speech parameters obtained through statistics, performing global optimization on the smoothed values of the speech parameters to generate necessary speech parameters; and synthesizing the generated speech parameters to obtain a frame of speech synthesized for the current frame of the current phone. With this solution, the capacity of an RAM needed by speech synthesis will not increase with the length of the synthesized speech, and the time length of the synthesized speech is no longer limited by the RAM. |
| US08977547B2 |
Voice recognition system for registration of stable utterances
A voice recognition system includes: a voice input unit 11 for inputting a voice uttered a plurality of times; a registering voice data storage unit 12 for storing voice data uttered the plurality of times and input into the voice input unit 11; an utterance stability verification unit 13 for determining a similarity between the voice data uttered the plurality of times that are read from the registering voice data storage unit 12, and determining that registration of the voice data is acceptable when the similarity is greater than a threshold Tl; and a standard pattern creation unit 14 for creating a standard pattern by using the voice data where the utterance stability verification unit 13 determines that registration is acceptable. |
| US08977544B2 |
Method of quantizing linear predictive coding coefficients, sound encoding method, method of de-quantizing linear predictive coding coefficients, sound decoding method, and recording medium and electronic device therefor
A quantizing method is provided that includes quantizing an input signal by selecting one of a first quantization scheme not using an inter-frame prediction and a second quantization scheme using the inter-frame prediction, in consideration of one or more of a prediction mode, a predictive error and a transmission channel state. |
| US08977542B2 |
Audio encoder and decoder and methods for encoding and decoding an audio signal
The present invention relates to a frequency domain based method of encoding and decoding an audio signal, wherein an adaptive spectral code book is updated with synthesized frequency domain representations of a time domain signal segment. A frequency analysis is performed of a received time domain signal segment in order to obtain a frequency domain representation, and the adaptive spectral code book is searched for a first approximation of the frequency domain representation. A fixed spectral code book is searched for an approximation of the residual frequency representation. A synthesized frequency domain representation may be generated from the two approximations. |
| US08977541B2 |
Speech processing apparatus, speech processing method and program
The present invention relates to a speech processing apparatus, a speech processing method and a program which, when multichannel audio signals are downmixed and coded, prevent delay and an increase in the computation amount upon decoding of the audio signals. An inverse multiplexing unit (101) acquires coded data on which a BC parameter is multiplexed. An uncorrelated frequency-time transform unit (102) performs IMDCT transform and IMDST transform of frequency spectrum coefficients of a monaural signal (XM) obtained from this coded data to generate the monaural signal XM) which is a time domain signal and a signal (XD′) which is substantially uncorrelated with this monaural signal (XM). The stereo synthesis unit (103) generates a stereo signal by synthesizing the monaural signal (XM) and the signal (XD′) using the BC parameter. The present invention is applicable to, for example, a speech processing apparatus which decodes a downmixed and coded stereo signal. |
| US08977537B2 |
Hierarchical models for language modeling
The described implementations relate to natural language processing, and more particularly to training a language prior model using a model structure. The language prior model can be trained using parameterized representations of lexical structures such as training sentences, as well as parameterized representations of lexical units such as words or n-grams. During training, the parameterized representations of the lexical structures and the lexical units can be adjusted using the model structure. When the language prior model is trained, the parameterized representations of the lexical structures can reflect how the lexical units were used in the lexical structures. |
| US08977536B2 |
Method and system for translating information with a higher probability of a correct translation
A system with a nonstatistical translation component integrated with a statistical translation component engine. The same corpus may be used for training the statistical engine and also for determining when to use the statistical engine and when to use the translation component. This training may use probabilistic techniques. Both the statistical engine and the translation components may be capable of translating the same information, however the system determines which component to use based on the training. Retraining can be carried out to add additional components, or when after additional translator training. |
| US08977533B2 |
System and method for detecting unreachable states in a statemate statechart model
The present invention provides a system and method for detecting unreachable states in a large commercial Statemate Statechart model. A system for checking the reachability of any given state in a Statemate Model, the said system comprises: an input means for receiving an Original Statemate Model (OSM), output means for displaying the result to a user, and a processor, wherein the processor is capable of executing the programmed instructions to: transform the OSM into First Statemate Model (FSM) by using translator; transform the OSM into Second Statemate Model (SSM) based on the determined length of the super step such that the set of all initial configurations of the SSM is a superset of all the stable configurations of the OSM by using translator; check the reachability of states of the OSM in the SSM by using bounded model checker (BMC); and send the result to the output means. |
| US08977528B2 |
Bonded rework simulation tool
A method and apparatus may be present for managing rework. A section in a platform having a number of composite materials needing a rework may be identified to form an identified section. A selected rework process to perform the rework of the identified section may be identified. The selected rework process may comprise a process to bond a patch to the identified section. A computer system may perform a simulation of the selected rework process to determine whether the selected rework process provides the rework for the identified section. The simulation may include a thermal analysis. The thermal analysis may take into account a number of structures associated with the identified section. The number of structures associated with the identified section may be located within a distance of the identified section such that the number of structures affect or are affected by bonding of the patch to the identified section. |
| US08977521B2 |
Creating and linking 3D spatial objects with dynamic data, and visualizing said objects in geographic information systems
A method and system of creating and linking 3D spatial objects with dynamic data, and visualizing said objects in geographic information systems (GIS) that includes a front end for a user interface, a database at the back end, and an application layer which processes the data sent between interface and database. A method of generating and uploading Keyhole Markup Language (KML) rings is disclosed. Furthermore, a user specifies a search location, and is shown a view of the available space indicated on the buildings by KML code which is assembled from the database by the system. A method for creating, linking and displaying a three-dimensional spatial object is also disclosed, as well as a method of generating a visual flight between several geographical points, showing the KML structures during the flight. Lastly, a method of showing a cardinal view from a floor of a building in a GIS is disclosed. |
| US08977518B2 |
Device and method for performing a functional test on a control element of a turbo engine
A turbomachine has a first process control element, a second process control element, and a test system for testing the first process control element. The first process control element and the second process control element influence the same process variable. To test the first process control element, the test system changes the process variable by means of the second process control element. This change in the process variable caused by the second process control element is compensated again by means of the first process control element. |
| US08977516B2 |
Encoder system, signal processing method, and transmission signal generation and output device
An encoder system includes: a first single-rotation absolute encoder that outputs a first signal corresponding to an angular position of a first rotatable shaft; a power transmission device that transmits the power of the first shaft to a second rotatable shaft with a predetermined transmission ratio; a second single-rotation absolute encoder that outputs a second signal corresponding to an angular position of the second shaft; and a signal processing section that generates data related to the rotation count of the first shaft based on at least the first signal and the second signal. |
| US08977514B2 |
Thermal activity detection and response
A device may receive thermal event data corresponding to thermal activity. The thermal event data may be received from a sensor device corresponding to a detection zone. The device may determine whether the thermal event data exceeds a detection threshold. The device may create a response to the thermal event data when the thermal event data exceeds the detection threshold. When the thermal event data does not exceed the detection threshold, the device may disregard the thermal event data. |
| US08977506B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting biological features
A computer having a memory stores instructions for receiving data. The data comprises one or more characteristics for each cellular constituent in a plurality of cellular constituents that have been measured in a test organism of a species or a test biological specimen from an organism of the species. The memory further stores instructions for computing a model in a plurality of models, wherein the model is characterized by a model score that represents the likelihood of a biological feature in the test organism or the test biological specimen. Computation of the model comprises determining the model score using one or more characteristics for one or more cellular constituents in the plurality of cellular constituents. The memory also stores instructions for repeating the instructions for computing one or more times, thereby computing the plurality of models. The memory also stores instructions for communicating computed model scores. |
| US08977504B2 |
Substance monitoring and control in human or animal bodies
Apparatus for monitoring a substance in human or animal in real time, the apparatus comprising a sensor providing a time series of measurements of substance level, said measurements being indicative of an inferred level of said substance in a part of said human or animal and a processor which applies an interacting multiple model strategy to a system model to provide a combined estimate of the inferred substance level from the substance level measurements. The substance may be glucose. The apparatus may also be adapted to control said substance using said interacting multiple model strategy to a system model to provide a combined estimate of a dose to be applied. |
| US08977500B2 |
Dielectric spectroscopy for downhole fluid analysis during formation testing
An apparatus for estimating a property of a downhole fluid, the apparatus includes: a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating the Earth; a downhole fluid extraction device disposed at the carrier and configured to extract the downhole fluid; and a dielectric spectrometer disposed at the carrier and configured to transmit electromagnetic energy into the extracted downhole fluid at a plurality of frequencies and to measure a plurality of responses to determine a permittivity of the extracted downhole fluid as a function of frequency; wherein the permittivity is used to estimate the property. |
| US08977497B2 |
Presenting a travel route
Techniques are provided for presenting a route using a route presentation that provides both a context map and one or more detail route maps. Narrative instructions for the route also may be presented. The presentation of the context map and the one or more detail route maps may be interactive. The route presentation also may be user controllable such that a user may control the portions of a route that are printed. The route presentation also may include a re-routing feature that allows a user to request that a new route be identified that avoids a particular maneuver or maneuvers in a route. |
| US08977493B2 |
Self-position measuring terminal
An information processing apparatus including a positioning unit that determines a position of the information processing apparatus based on an external signal; a sensor unit that detects a change in position of the information processing apparatus; and a processing unit that measures, according to a change in position detected at the sensor unit, an amount of displacement of the information processing apparatus from a first time when the positioning unit starts to determine the position of the information processing apparatus to a second time when the positioning unit completes determining the position of the information processing apparatus; and identifies a position of the information processing apparatus at the first time by compensating the position of the information processing apparatus determined by the positioning unit at the second time with the amount of displacement of the information processing apparatus. |
| US08977492B1 |
Temporary, location-dependent clock presentation system, device, and method
Present novel and non-trivial system, device, and method for generating a temporary, pop-up, location-dependent clock to the pilot of an aircraft. A clock generator may be configured to retrieve approach procedure data representative of waypoint location such as the location of a final approach fix; receive navigation data representative aircraft location information; determine the passing of the waypoint inbound to the applicable airport; and perform one repetitive clock operation of a plurality of repetitive clock operations upon the passing of the waypoint, wherein an image data set is generated and provided to one or more display units. The image data set could be representative of (1) a pop-up timer displaying a counting down of time from the manually-initialized, estimated time, or (2) a pop-up stopwatch displaying a counting up of time when the estimated time is not manually initialized. |
| US08977482B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating flight-optimizing trajectories
An apparatus for generating flight-optimizing trajectories for a first aircraft includes a receiver capable of receiving second trajectory information associated with at least one second aircraft. The apparatus also includes a traffic aware planner (TAP) module operably connected to the receiver to receive the second trajectory information. The apparatus also includes at least one internal input device on board the first aircraft to receive first trajectory information associated with the first aircraft and a TAP application capable of calculating an optimal trajectory for the first aircraft based at least on the first trajectory information and the second trajectory information. The optimal trajectory at least avoids conflicts between the first trajectory information and the second trajectory information. |
| US08977481B1 |
Unmanned aircraft navigation system
A method and apparatus for assisting in management of a number of unmanned aerial vehicles. Symbols used to display a number of pre-planned routes for the number of unmanned aerial vehicles are identified on a top-down view of the number of pre-planned routes. Flight information with respect to time for the number of unmanned aerial vehicles on a number of timelines is displayed using the symbols identified as being used to display the number of pre-planned routes for the number of unmanned aerial vehicles on the top-down view of the number of pre-planned routes. |
| US08977480B2 |
Detecting location, timetable and travel time estimations for barrier crossing in a digital map
A method for determining barrier crossing information for convoyed objects (22) using historic trajectory data (28). Trajectories (28) having similar geographical and directional properties are bundled so that trajectory density can be measured as a function of position and time (s, t). Visual presentation of the trajectory information can be used to determine certain types of barrier crossing information useful in a digital map. Frequency analysis on a number of trajectory density time series may be performed to determine specific barrier crossing locations (26) through the detection of vehicle bursts. Such frequency analysis may also indicate barrier crossing times and schedules in the case of crossing patterns. |
| US08977479B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining traffic conditions
A system includes a vehicle processor configured to detect one or more brake presses. The processor is also configured to detect one or more accelerator presses. Further, the processor is configured to add values related to the brake presses and accelerator presses to aggregate an index value based on detected brake and acceleration presses. The processor is additionally configured to enact a safety and convenience related measure based on the index value passing at least a first predetermined threshold. |
| US08977478B2 |
Method of setting a control parameter for emissions robustness
A method of verifying a default state of a control parameter in an automobile engine includes checking engine controller performance with the control parameter in both a default state and an alternate state. The results of the tests are then compared to verify which state is the appropriate state for the particular engine being tested. A third engine controller performance check can be made to ensure that the controller and engine perform in a repeatable manner prior to setting the state of the control parameter. |
| US08977472B2 |
Fuel injection control system for direct-injection engine
In an engine of a direct-injection type, a split injection (a fuel injection in an intake stroke and a fuel injection in a compression stroke) is carried out. A compression-stroke injection amount is gradually decreased or increased when the split injection is carried out. Engine rotational speed, which varies by combustion of such injected fuel, is detected for respective fuel injection amounts, which are varied (decreased or increased) as above. Such a fuel injection amount, with which the engine rotational speed becomes maximum, is calculated and set as a basic injection amount for the compression-stroke injection. The fuel injection in the compression stroke is then controlled based on the basic injection amount. |
| US08977471B2 |
Controller for internal combustion engine
A multicylinder engine is provided with a fuel injector for each cylinder. An ECU defines a fuel injection condition of the fuel injector based on an engine driving condition and executes a fuel injection control for each cylinder based on the defined fuel injection condition. The ECU computes an engine speed with respect to each cylinder. While the engine is running, the fuel injection condition is operated in an operation cylinder. A fuel property is determined based on the engine speed of the operation cylinder and an engine speed of a non-operation cylinder. |
| US08977470B2 |
Method and system for sampling intake manifold pressure
An engine system and method for improving sampling of a port throttle pressure sensor. In one example, the port throttle pressure sensor is sampled a plurality of times during a cylinder cycle and different engine operating conditions are determined from selected samples. The system and method may improve engine air-fuel control as well as engine diagnostics. |
| US08977464B1 |
Method and apparatus for performing driving assistance
The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for performing driving assistance for a controlled vehicle, involving determining a longitudinal acceleration target value on the basis of a lateral acceleration of the controlled vehicle and one or more setting parameters, and controlling a longitudinal acceleration of the controlled vehicle on the basis of the calculated longitudinal acceleration target value. According to the invention, a lateral acceleration acting, during cornering, on a proceeding vehicle, which moves in the longitudinal direction on the road ahead of the controlled vehicle, is estimated, and the one or more setting parameters for the calculation of the longitudinal acceleration target value are set based on the estimated lateral acceleration acting on the proceeding vehicle during cornering. |
| US08977461B2 |
Vehicle control system
When the operating speed of an accelerator pedal is higher than a given operating speed, a target acceleration as a target output value is multiplied by a gain so that an absolute value of the target acceleration is increased; therefore, a large acceleration requested by the driver can be achieved. The gain by which the target acceleration is multiplied is set to 1 when the target acceleration is about zero, so as to resume a condition where the absolute value of the target acceleration is not increased. Thus, when the control of increasing the absolute value of the target acceleration with the gain is stopped, an elevation change is less likely or unlikely to occur in the actual acceleration. Consequently, a desired acceleration is generated without causing the driver to feel uncomfortable during driving of the vehicle. |
| US08977452B2 |
Controller and control method for vehicle
In a vehicle control, an automatic transmission is shifted using a predetermined shift model, which determines control operation amounts for achieving shift target values, by setting the shift target values on the basis of a torque on an output shaft-side rotating member and a speed variation amount of an input shaft-side rotating member, setting the control operation amounts on the basis of a torque on the input shaft-side rotating member, a torque capacity of an engaged-side engagement device during shifting and a torque capacity of a released-side engagement device during shifting and setting torque shares of a transmission torque between the engaged-side engagement device and the released-side engagement device during shifting when the transmission torque is converted to the torque on the input shaft-side rotating member, and timing at which the torque shares are varied is changed on the basis of a shift pattern. |
| US08977450B2 |
Automatic gear-shifting bicycle with optimal shift timing
An automatic gear-shifting bicycle includes: a bicycle body provided with two cranks, two pedals and a derailleur, a power supply module, a microcomputer, a gear shifting control driver, and a pedal position sensor module installed in the bicycle body corresponding to the cranks and electrically coupled to the microcomputer for enabling the microcomputer to determine the angular position and forward/backward pedaling of the cranks. The microcomputer calculates the optimal shift timing subject to the time point the crank to be moved over the pedaling dead point in the next time, the pedaling speed to be below a predetermined speed value or the cranks are been pedaling backwardly. |
| US08977446B2 |
Driving support device
Provided is a driving support device that allows a driver to confirm the travelling routes of the wheels of a vehicle from an image indicating the circumference of the vehicle.The driving support device includes: an imaging unit which takes a travelling direction image by shooting in the travelling direction of a vehicle; a steering angle detection unit which detects the steering angle of the vehicle; a route image generation unit which predicts travelling routes of wheels provided on the travelling direction side of the vehicle, and generates a route image that indicates the travelling routes of the wheels as seen from the viewpoint of the imaging unit; a superimposed image generation unit which generates a superimposed image by superimposing the route image on the travelling direction image; and an image display unit which displays the superimposed image. |
| US08977445B2 |
System and method for dig detection
A system for determining an operational state of a machine is provided. The system includes an implement position sensor configured to generate a position signal indicative of a position of an implement. The system further includes a pressure sensor configured to generate a pressure signal indicative of a pressure of a cylinder of the machine. The system also includes a controller communicably coupled to the implement position sensor and the pressure sensor. The controller is configured to receive the position signal and the pressure signal. The controller is further configured to determine a weight of a payload of the machine based on the received signals. Further, the controller is configured to determine a dig status of the machine based, at least in part, on a rate of change of the weight of the payload and the position of the implement. |
| US08977439B2 |
Vehicle imaging system providing multi-stage aiming stability indication
A system is provided for controlling equipment of a controlled vehicle, including: an imaging system including an image sensor configured to acquire images of a scene external of the controlled vehicle and to generate image data corresponding to the acquired images; and a controller in communication with the imaging system. The controller is configured to receive and analyze the image data, to generate a control signal that is used to control the equipment, and to automatically aim the image sensor. The controller may analyze the image data to determine a stability state for the aim of the image sensor. The control signal may include an aim stability indication. |
| US08977438B2 |
Vehicle steering apparatus, method and non-transitory computer readable medium
According to a relaxation length compensation torque computation section 54 of a vehicle steering apparatus 100, a relaxation length compensation torque is computed based on (1) a front wheel actual steering angular velocity computed from a motor rotation angular velocity input by a front wheel actual steering angular velocity computation section 52, and based on (2) a transfer function that is (a) expressed using a difference between a road surface reaction torque model and a referential reaction torque model and that is (b) determined according to a vehicle velocity input by a vehicle velocity sensor 20. A power steering controller 58 adds the relaxation length compensation torque to an assistance torque, and controls an EPS motor 3 so as to generate the assistance torque to which the relaxation length compensation torque has been added. The relaxation length compensation torque is thereby computed with good precision, enabling high handling performance to be achieved. |
| US08977432B2 |
Vehicular steering control apparatus
An ECU executes steering control in a vehicle including an electronic control power steering apparatus. In the steering control, it is determined that an assist motor is in a power generating state when a motor rotation speed ω which is the rotation speed of the assist motor is greater than an upper limit rotation speed ω1 set according to a motor command voltage Vq that is the driving voltage of the assist motor. When the assist motor is in the power generating state, the ECU interrupts the supply of current to the assist motor by controlling a relay portion of a drive apparatus that drives the assist motor so that it is open, thereby reducing the amount of power that is generated to zero. Also, when returning to an assist possible state, assist torque Tm is changed gradually with zero as the initial value in order to prevent it from changing suddenly. |
| US08977431B2 |
Method and apparatus for setting or modifying programmable parameter in power driven wheelchair
A method and apparatus for setting or modifying a programmable operating parameter associated with a power driven wheelchair is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) operating a user interface device associated with a power driven wheelchair in a programming mode, b) selecting a programmable operating parameter associated with operation of the power driven wheelchair using the user interface device, c) selecting a value for the programmable operating parameter using the user interface device, and d) saving the selected value for the programmable operating parameter in a portion of a storage device associated with the power driven wheelchair using the user interface device. A method and apparatus for selecting one or more programmable parameter sets from a portable storage medium and saving the selected sets to a local storage device associated with a power driven wheelchair and vice versa is also provided. |
| US08977428B2 |
Vehicle drive support device
A GPS and a map information database acquire information regarding an arrow light which displays a signal for prohibiting travel in a particular direction, such as a red arrow light. A display and a loudspeaker supply information to a motorist of a host vehicle based on the information acquired by the GPS and the map information database, or a brake ECU and a brake actuator brake the host vehicle without depending on the manipulation by the motorist based on the information acquired by the GPS and the map information database. As a result, it is possible to correctly support driving even when a red arrow light or the like for prohibiting travel in a right turn direction. |
| US08977416B2 |
Electric vehicle and method for controlling emergency thereof
An electric vehicle includes a sensor unit for measuring a vehicle state, an interface unit for receiving vehicle control setting parameters from a vehicle driver, a main controller for operating and controlling the electric vehicle in response to input data from the sensor unit and the interface unit, and a sub controller for diagnosing the main controller in response to state information and driving information received from the main controller, and performing emergency control of the vehicle when a malfunction occurs in the main controller, instead of the main controller, The sub controller, under the emergency control, controls acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle, establishes a limit range of speed and torque of the vehicle, and controls the vehicle to be driven within the limit range. |
| US08977414B2 |
Train control system
A train control system of the present invention includes: an on-board device 1 that is mounted on a train and has an vehicle radio set VRS1 capable of performing wireless communication; fixed radio sets (WRS1 to WRS7, and SRS1) that are disposed along the railroad track R and capable of performing wireless communication by a time division multiple access method with the vehicle radio set VRS1; and a ground device 2 that calculates distance from a train A to a stop point before a preceding train B on the basis of the location information of the train A obtained by the wireless communication between the vehicle radio set VRS1 and the fixed radio set. The on-board device 1 generates a stop pattern on the basis of the distance, and performs a travel control so that the train A travels at a speed equal to or less than the stop pattern. |
| US08977412B2 |
Automatic flight control method for a rotorcraft enabling the rotorcraft to maintain a path by tracking manual flight controls
A method of enabling an autopilot (9) to cause a rotorcraft (1) to follow a path. At least one guide mode (G) relative to at least one progression axis (P, R, V, Y) of the rotorcraft (1) is selected by the rotorcraft pilot. Said selection causes the selected guide mode (G) to be inhibited (19) and causes a path setpoint (C) to be acquired (20) from the pilot of the rotorcraft (1) operating a manual control member (4) for controlling the progression of the rotorcraft (1). The path setpoints (C) relating to other guide modes (G) of the rotorcraft (1) that continue to be engaged are conserved in their initial states and the autopilot (9) adapts the commands relating to the progression axes (P, R, V, Y) relating to these other guide modes (G). |
| US08977406B2 |
Power supply system, power supply control method, power supply control device and program
A power supply system includes: a plurality of power supply devices; a battery device; an abnormal state detection unit that detects a state of a first power supply device is an abnormal state; and a switching control unit that, when it is detected the state of the first power supply device is the abnormal state, switches a state from an electric power input forbidding state in which electric power is not inputted into a second power supply device to an electric power input permitting state in which electric power is inputted into the second power supply device, and switches the state from an electric power supply forbidding state of not supplying the electric power stored by the battery device to the external load to an electric power supply permitting state of supplying the electric power stored by the battery device to the external load. |
| US08977402B2 |
Method and system for operating a wind power plant comprising a number of wind turbine generators
This invention relates to a method and a system for operating a wind power plant (1) connected to a power grid (2), the wind power plant comprising a number of wind turbine generators. The method comprises the steps of: setting up (101) a number of different models, each model emulating an electrical behavior of an electrical system, such as a load or a power generating unit, connected to the power grid; detecting (102) value(s) of a number of power grid parameters; selecting (103) one of the number of models, based on a number of values out of a set comprising the detected power grid parameter value(s) and ambient parameter value(s), or based on an external command signal; in the selected model, calculating (104) electrical output values of the model, based on the detected grid parameter values; calculating (105) electrical reference values for the wind power plant, based on the calculated electrical output values of the model; and calculating (106) electrical reference values for each wind turbine generator based on the calculated electrical reference values for the wind power plant. The method may further comprise controlling (107) the wind turbine generators according to the calculated electrical reference values for each wind turbine generator. |
| US08977401B2 |
Lifetime optimization of a wind turbine generator by controlling the generator temperature
A wind turbine and a method for controlling the temperature of a wind turbine generator are disclosed, the wind turbine comprising a generator, generator temperature control means and means for providing input representative of at least one temperature of the generator to the generator temperature control means, the generator temperature control means including a closed-loop regulation arranged to determine a deviation of the input from at least one desired value, compute the magnitude of at least one control output in dependency of the determined deviation, and feed the control output to at least one controller of the wind turbine in order to reduce the deviation, the controller comprising control means for controlling the operation of the wind turbine in response to the at least one control output by changing one or more operational parameters of the wind turbine, which parameters influence the at least one temperature of the generator. |
| US08977400B1 |
Landscape controller with feature module
A landscape controller includes a housing and a control panel in the housing. The control panel includes a display and at least one manual control that enables a user to enter and/or select a watering schedule. A memory is provided for storing an operational program for carrying out the watering schedule. A processor is connected to the memory and is capable of executing the operational program. A connecting device in the control panel operatively connects at least one feature module to the processor. The controller further includes station control circuitry controlled by the processor that enables the processor to selectively energize a plurality of valves to deliver water to sprinklers in accordance with the watering schedule. |
| US08977399B2 |
Staggered start-up HVAC system, a method for starting an HVAC unit and an HVAC controller configured for the same
An HVAC controller, a method of starting a HVAC unit and a HVAC system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) an interface configured to receive a delay originating signal and (2) a processor configured to automatically generate an offset delay value for the HVAC unit upon receipt of the delay originating signal and delay starting identified components of the HVAC unit based on the offset delay value. |
| US08977398B2 |
Multi-degree of freedom torso support for a robotic agile lift system
A controllable robotic arm system comprises a base unit and a moveable torso coupled to the base unit. The moveable torso is capable of moving in at least one degree of freedom independently of movement of the base unit. At least one robotic slave arm is moveably coupled to the torso. A master control system is operable to control the robotic slave arm and the moveable torso. The master control system includes an input interface by which a user can cause control signals to be communicated to the robotic slave arm and the moveable torso. |
| US08977393B1 |
Methods and systems for charging a robotic device
Methods and systems for robotic device charging are described. Within examples, a robotic device may be any device that has a computing ability and interacts with its surroundings with an actuation capability (e.g., electromechanical capabilities). In some examples, a robotic device may be configured to receive a second device, such as a mobile phone, that may be configured to function as necessary as an accessory or a “brain” of the robotic device. A power source apparatus may be any apparatus able to distribute charge in some form in any method to a device wanting charge, including robotic devices. |
| US08977387B2 |
System and method for overhead cross-system transportation
A system for managing semiconductor production includes a conveyor to convey a wafer carrier to or from an overhead hoist transfer system. The system also includes a cross-system transport apparatus to transfer the wafer carrier between the conveyor and an overhead shuttle system. |
| US08977385B2 |
System and method for tracking a mail item through a document processing system
Processing and tracking of individual mail items processed through a document processing system such as a sorter or inserter utilize a mail item identifier that is unique with respect to each individual mail item. A mail item may have a postal authority approved code representing or containing its associated unique identifier. If not, an identifier is generated and a corresponding postal authority approved code is applied to the mail item. Processing entails associating the unique mail item identifier for each respective mail item with collected metadata for the respective mail item and storing the identifier and associated the metadata. In a sorter example, each mail item is sorted into a postal sort group, and the processing entails identifying the sort group to which each item is sorted and storing the identified sort in association with the unique mail item identifier. |
| US08977384B2 |
Method for crane control and stock management
The invention relates to a method for crane control and stock management, the method includes attaching to the goods to be stored an identifier associated with a code, such as number or name, given to the goods in stock accounting or the like; reading the identifier with a reader, when the goods are being transferred by a crane; transmitting the identifier information from the reader to the memory of the crane control; transferring the goods with the crane to a selected location in the warehouse; and storing the coordinates of the goods to the memory of the crane control so that they are associated with the identifier; and when the goods are removed from the warehouse, reading with the reader from a work order or the like the identifier information associated with the goods; and transmitting the identifier information from the reader to the memory of the crane control; and activating the crane control with the identifier information, whereby the crane moves to the location of the earlier stored goods. |
| US08977383B2 |
Modular storage system
A modular system for storage of cargo units in a designated space. The modular system includes: a plurality of interconnected active cell units, each cell unit including a cell transporting mechanism with at least one active shuttle unit moveable between the plurality of cell units. Each shuttle unit includes a shuttle transporting mechanism adapted to transport at least one pallet of the plurality of pallets to and from one of the plurality of cell units and also to and from at least one shuttle unit. The system also includes a central controller adapted to control the operation of the cell and the shuttle transporting mechanisms, the operation of which is performed in an independent manner via the central controller such that a construction of any arrangement of the cell units is performed to effectively exploit a designated space. |
| US08977380B2 |
Sewing machine, computer-readable medium storing sewing program, and sewing method
The memory stores computer-readable instructions causing the sewing machine to perform operations including: extracting feature points of a design based on a captured image; extracting feature points of a unit design; generating feature points of a symmetrical design; cross-checking the extracted feature points of the design and the generated feature points of the symmetrical design; determining an arrangement of an embroidery pattern with respect to the symmetrical design; and causing a sewing portion to sew the embroidery pattern. |
| US08977378B2 |
Systems and methods of using a hieroglyphic machine interface language for communication with auxiliary robotics in rapid fabrication environments
Disclosed are methods and systems for using hieroglyphs for communication in a rapid fabrication environment. The method includes receiving, by a control system for an articulated robotic arm, one or more images of a fabrication machine build space. The method includes identifying, by the control system, a hieroglyph present in the one or more images and translating the identified hieroglyph into one or more instructions for manipulation of the articulated robotic arm. The method includes causing the articulated robotic arm to carry out the instructions translated from the identified hieroglyph. Accordingly foreign objects are inserted into fabricated objects during an automated rapid fabrication process without extensive redesign of the rapid fabrication machine. In some implementations, an unmodified third-party stereolithographic rapid fabrication machine can be used. |
| US08977373B2 |
Systems and methods for extending physical sensor range using virtual sensors
A control system is disclosed. The control system may have a physical sensor that may output a physical output value, and a virtual sensor network that may output a virtual output value. The control system may also have an electronic control module that may be configured to receive the physical output value from the physical sensor and receive the virtual output value from the virtual sensor. The electronic control module may be further configured to determine a trust level of the physical sensor based on the physical output value, and determine that the trust level of the physical sensor is below a first threshold trust value. The electronic control module may control a machine based on the virtual output value responsive to determining that the trust level of the physical sensor is below the first threshold trust value. |
| US08977368B2 |
Implantable device
An implantable medical device having at least one first and one second longitudinally extended electrical functional conductor to transmit therapeutic signals or diagnostic signals or both. The implantable medical device includes one electrode pole connected to the functional conductor, wherein electrical current is delivered to the surrounded bodily tissue using the electrode pole. Electrical potentials may be sensed in the surrounding tissue using the electrode pole, such that the two electrical functional conductors are inductively coupled for defined resonant frequencies and such that RF energy of a first functional conductor is diverted to the second functional conductor. The RF energy is delivered to the surrounding tissue via the second functional conductor and via an electrode pole connected to the second functional conductor. |
| US08977367B2 |
Stimulation probe
A stimulation probe comprises a lead having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the lead has a plurality of electrodes configured to stimulate tissue. A protective tubing element extends over a portion of the lead proximate the proximal end of the lead. An advanced lead can element includes a switch matrix. The advanced lead can element is coupled to the proximal end of the lead and configured to couple the lead to an implantable pulse generator. |
| US08977364B2 |
External, head-worn electrical stimulator for treating headache conditions
An external, head worn electrical nerve stimulation device, including a power source and a head band configured to fit around a patient's head, the patient's head including a front portion, a rear portion opposite the front portion, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side. The device further includes a plurality of electrical electrodes circumferentially disposed along the head band, wherein the plurality of electrodes contacts each of the front portion, the rear portion, the first lateral side, and the second lateral side. The plurality of electrical electrodes is configured to stimulate, with electrical current, at least one of the greater occipital nerve, the lesser occipital nerve, the supraorbital nerve, the supratrochlear nerve, zygomatotemporal nerve, and the auriculotemporal nerve when the electrodes are energized by the power source. |
| US08977360B2 |
Neurostimulation system with on-effector programmer control
An external control device for use with a programmable implantable medical device coupled to an operative element. The external control device comprises a user interface comprising a control element and a display screen configured for displaying a graphical representation of the operative element. The external control device further comprises control circuitry configured for prompting the display screen to superimpose a graphical programmer control over the graphical representation of the operative element when the control element is actuated, and modifying an operational parameter for the operative element in response to actuation of the graphical programmer control. The external control device further comprises output circuitry configured for transmitting the modified operational parameter to the programmable implantable medical device. |
| US08977355B2 |
EMI filter employing a capacitor and an inductor tank circuit having optimum component values
A bandstop filter having optimum component values is provided for a lead of an active implantable medical device (AIMD). The bandstop filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the implantable lead of the AIMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the bandstop filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the bandstop filter to attenuate current flow through the implantable lead along a range of selected frequencies. |
| US08977354B2 |
Interface apparatus for stimulation of biological tissue
An apparatus for interfacing between tissues being stimulated is provided. The apparatus includes an electric source capable of generating an applied electric field across a region of tissue and/or a means for altering at least one electromagnetic characteristic of the region of tissue relative to the applied electric field and an interface component, such interface component creating an interface between the region of tissue and the applied electric field or the means for altering at least one electromagnetic characteristic of the region of tissue. |
| US08977350B2 |
Methods for ectopy rejection for atrial fibrillation detection based on ventricular cycle lengths
A medical device performs a method to classify a cardiac rhythm. Differences between cycle lengths in a first heart chamber are determined during an established time interval. Evidence of ectopy associated with irregular coupling intervals is detected from the signal during the established time interval. A rhythm classification output corresponding to a second heart chamber at the expiration of the established time interval is provided in response to the consecutive cycle length differences and the evidence of ectopy associated with irregular coupling intervals. |
| US08977345B2 |
Monitoring urodynamics by trans-vaginal NIRS
The invention relate to the demonstration herein that it is feasible to use a transvaginal NIRS probe to interrogate functioning urological tissues, such as the urethral sphincter, the bladder detrusor muscle, and pelvic floor musculature, to obtain clinically relevant information. The present invention accordingly provides methods and devices for transvaginal monitoring or imaging of the urological tissues, such as the urethral sphincter and/or the bladder, and/or pelvic floor musculature, using NIRS. |
| US08977342B2 |
Medical intervention device
The invention relates to a device for a medical intervention in or on moving tissue of a living being, said device having a medical instrument provided for the intervention, a position detection system by means of which the position of the medical instrument in the body of the living being can be determined, and at least one acceleration sensor for recording at least one movement of the instrument caused by the moving tissue. The invention also relates to a medical instrument for a medical intervention in or on moving tissue of a living being, said medical instrument having at least one acceleration sensor and a sensor of a position detection system, as well as to an operating method for the device. |
| US08977341B2 |
Measuring device and a magnetic resonance device with the measuring device
A measuring device for a magnetic resonance device is provided. The measuring device has a sensor unit. The sensor unit includes at least one acoustic sensor element for detecting heart sounds of a patient. The sensor unit also includes a resonating body unit. The resonating body unit has a hollow space for filtering interfering signals emitted by the magnetic resonance device from the heart sounds of the patient. |
| US08977339B1 |
Method for assessing stenosis severity through stenosis mapping
A method of assessing stenosis severity for a patient includes obtaining patient information relevant to assessing severity of a stenosis, including anatomical imaging data of the patient. Based on the anatomical imaging data, the existence of any lesions of concerns may be identified. A three dimensional image can be generated of any irregular shaped lesion of concern and a surrounding area from the patient anatomical imaging data. A plurality of comparative two dimensional lesion specific models may be created that have conditions that correspond to the three dimensional model. The comparative two dimensional models may represent vessels having regular shaped lesions with each of the comparative two dimensional models represents a different stenosis severity. The three dimensional model can then be mapped to one of the plurality of comparative two dimensional models. After this mapping, a diagnosis of whether the patient has coronary artery disease may be made. |
| US08977338B2 |
Biological optical measurement apparatus, measurement probe, and biological optical measurement system
A biological optical measurement apparatus includes a connector unit to which a measurement probe is detachably connected, a supply unit configured to supply air to the connector unit, a pipe that connects the connector unit and the supply unit, a pressure detection unit configured to detect a pressure value in the pipe, and an abrasion determination unit configured to determine abrasion of the connector unit based on the pressure value detected by the pressure detection unit under conditions that the measurement probe is connected to the connector unit. |
| US08977337B2 |
Photoacoustic diagnostic apparatus
A photoacoustic diagnostic apparatus having a light source, a probe which receives an acoustic wave generated when light is directed onto an object from a light source and which converts the acoustic wave into an electrical signal, a memory unit which records the electrical signal and a memory control unit which controls whether or not to cause the memory unit to record the electrical signal. The memory control unit controls the memory unit on the basis of a timing at which the probe receives an acoustic wave generated from a portion other than a light absorbing material inside an object. |
| US08977335B2 |
Intracranial sensing and monitoring device with macro and micro electrodes
A cortical sensing device for contact with the surface of the brain is provided that includes a support member, at least one macroelectrode sensing element secured with respect to the support member and at least one microelectrode sensing element secured with respect to the macroelectrode. The support member is substantially thin and made from flexibly-conformable material to accurately and safely place the sensing device upon the brain surface. The microelectrode sensing element is surrounded by the macroelectrode brain-contact surface of the macroelectrode sensing element. The first surface of the support member, the macroelectrode brain-contact surface and the microelectrode brain-contact surface are substantially co-planar to abut the surface of the brain for sensing and monitoring. |
| US08977334B2 |
Catheter systems for measuring electrical properties of tissue and methods of use
Catheter systems for measuring at least one electrical property, e.g., impedance, of cardiac tissue of a living being are disclosed. The system includes a catheter having a tip with a sensing electrode, a guard electrode and an electrical shield. The sensing electrode is arranged to engage the cardiac tissue and is coupled to circuitry for measuring the at least one electrical property of the cardiac tissue, shielding the sensing electrode from bulk blood adjacent the cardiac tissue. The measurement can gated to the cardiac cycle. Additional embodiments include multi-electrode sensor catheter tips for high density mapping. Moreover, such tips may be dynamically configurable, i.e., their electrodes can be variably assigned as sensor electrodes or guard electrodes by associated circuitry. Such multi-electrode configuration and reconfiguration can be gated to the cardiac cycle. |
| US08977331B2 |
Systems and methods for nerve imaging
Systems and methods for imaging are presented. The method includes producing excitation light configured to induce fluorescence in an imaging agent that selectively binds to a target species in a region of interest (ROI) of a subject that also includes a background species. A first and a second spectral region are selected such that a determined difference between fluorescence corresponding to the target and the background species in the first spectral region differs from a corresponding difference in the second spectral region. First and second fluorescence images are generated from the fluorescence corresponding to the first and second spectral regions. Additionally, a fluorescence ratio for the background species in the first and second fluorescence image is determined. The first fluorescence image is then multiplied or divided with the determined ratio to generate an intermediate image that is subtracted from the second fluorescent image to reconstruct a background-subtracted image. |
| US08977326B2 |
Human stimulus activation and deactivation of a screensaver
Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to an electronic device having a human stimulus receptor which, when activated, suspends activation of a screensaver. The screensaver is activated to conserve the power and life of the electronic device. When latently viewing the electronic device, however, the human stimulus receptor is activated. A countdown starts counting down a pre-determined amount of time once the human stimulus receptor is inactive. At the expiration of the countdown, the screensaver is activated. The human stimulus receptor responds to skin conductivity, natural muscular twitch, pulse, skin temperature, and/or eye movement. Only when the electronic device no longer detects any of these human stimuli will the countdown begin. A user may set the predetermined amount of time. |
| US08977324B2 |
Automatic emergency call language provisioning
A computer-implemented method includes receiving coordinates, at a vehicle associated computing system (VACS), corresponding to a vehicle's location. The method also includes using the VACS to compare the coordinates to a predetermined set of geographic borders, wherein the geographic borders determine at least language boundaries. The method further includes using the VACS to determine a local language based at least in part on the coordinate comparison. The method additionally includes using the VACS to transmit an emergency message in at least the determined local language. |
| US08977317B2 |
Method of configuring modules for identifying users of a telecommunication network
A method of configuring modules for identifying users of a telecommunication network able to cover a service area, each identification module including an identification code stored in the identification module, the identification code including: an operator identifier; a user identification number; the method includes assigning a same operator identifier to a plurality of modules for identifying users belonging to a same organization or international mission. |
| US08977316B2 |
Mechanism to backup and restore the configuration of a communication device using a portable security device
The invention relates to a portable security device (SIM) for authenticating a user (USR) of a communication device (MP1, MP2) to a server (SRV), the portable security device (SIM) comprising means for configuring said communication device (MP1, MP2). The portable security device (SIM) further comprises means for filtering the configuration of a first communication device (MP1), creating a backup of the filtered configuration of the communication device (MP1), detecting that the user (USR) changed a first communication device (MP1) for a second communication device (MP2), filtering the backup of the filtered configuration, and restoring the filtered backup of the filtered configuration of the first communication device (MP1) on the second communication device (MP2). The invention also relates to systems comprising a portable security device (SIM) according to the invention, and to a method for a user (USR) to backup the configuration of a first communication device (MP1) and restore it on a second communication device (MP2), with a portable security device (SIM) according to the invention. |
| US08977315B2 |
Method and system for a compact and power efficient local oscillator generation architecture
Certain aspects of a method and system for a compact and power efficient local oscillator generation architecture in multi-standard systems may include selection of an input frequency range of operation at a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) based on a particular wireless band of operation. An image rejection mixer may be enabled to mix a plurality of generated local oscillator signals. An inductive buffer may be enabled to generate an output signal by buffering the mixed plurality of generated local oscillator signals in a single backend stage. An in-phase (I) component and a quadrature (Q) component of the generated output signal may be generated by utilizing an RC-CR quadrature network. |
| US08977312B2 |
Method and device for controlling transmission power in uplink transmission
A user equipment in wireless communication system is provided. The user equipment includes an antenna unit including a plurality of antennas, a control unit for grouping the plurality of antennas into a predetermined number of antenna groups and controlling separately transmission power of each of the predetermined number of antenna groups, and a transmitting unit, connected to the control unit, for transmitting at least one of data and control information to a base station via at least one of the predetermined number of antenna groups. |
| US08977309B2 |
Antenna array, network planning system, communication network and method for relaying radio signals with independently configurable beam pattern shapes using a local knowledge
The present disclosure provides an antenna array (1) for relaying radio signals into a cell (10) of a communication network (500). The antenna array (1) comprises a plurality of uplink beam forming vectors (20u) selectable as an uplink beam shape for an uplink relaying and a plurality of downlink beam forming vectors (20d) selectable as a down link beam shape for a down link relaying. The plurality of uplink beam forming vectors (20u) and/or the plurality of the downlink beam forming vectors (20d) may be adjusted at a digital radio interface and forwarded from the digital radio interface to the antenna array (1). An individual one (22u) of the plurality of uplink beam forming vectors (20u) and an individual one (22d) of the plurality of downlink beam forming vectors (20d) are independently selectable using a local knowledge (60) about the cell 10. The present disclosure further provides a communication network (500) comprising a plurality of the antenna arrays (1-1, 1-2, . . . , 1-N) for relaying radio signals into the communication network (500). The communication network (500) further comprises a network playing system (200) adapted to independently select an individual one (22u-1, 22u-2, . . . , 22u-N) of the plurality of uplink beam forming vectors (20u-1, 20u-2, . . . , 20u-N) and an individual one (22d-1, 22d-2, . . . , 22d-N) of the plurality of downlink beam forming vectors (20d-1, 20d-2, . . . , 20d-N) for at least one of the antenna arrays (1-1, 1-2, . . . , 1-N) using a local knowledge (600) about the communication network (500). The present disclosure further provides a method for relaying radio signals into a cell (10) of the communication network (500), a method (2000) for planning the communication network (500), and a method (5000) for relaying radio signals into cells (10-1, 10-2, . . . , 10-N) of the communication network (500); all methods (1000, 2000, 5000) using a knowledge (600) about the communications network (500). |
| US08977306B2 |
Permission based text messaging
A user may receive one or more text messages after the user is authorized. The potential user can opt in through a web page in one embodiment. Once the potential user sends an initial request, the user may receive a first text message containing an authorization code on their mobile phone. The user may enter the authorization code back to a web page. Receipt of the authorization code may trigger the phone number of the potential user to be added to a list of authorized text message receivers. One or more text messages may then be sent to authorized phone numbers on the list. |
| US08977297B2 |
Providing navigation guidance by activating a plurality of active elements of an information processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus that detects a first location of the information processing apparatus; receives information representing a target location from a target information processing apparatus; detects a target direction from the first location toward the target location; detects an orientation of a casing of the information processing apparatus; calculates an angular difference between the target direction and the orientation of the casing; determines a perceptual strength of each of a plurality of active elements disposed in different locations on or within the casing based on the angular difference; and controls each of the plurality of active elements based on the perceptual strengths. |
| US08977296B1 |
Methods and systems for setting up geo fences and delivering digital media content based on such geo fences
Provided are methods and systems for setting up geo fences and dynamically delivering particular digital media content based on these geo fences. A method may involve providing information corresponding to a specific geographic location and identifying a virtual geographical boundary around that location, for example, by adjusting position of the sliding bar. An interactive map may be used to illustrate location and boundary of the created geo fence and to specify some characteristics of that geo fence right on the map. Multiple common geo fences may be simultaneously created for different locations. Each geo fence may be associated with a token, which is incorporated into each subset of digital media content. Such tokens allow selecting and sending a particular subset to a subscriber device when the device enters a geographic area associated with a certain geo fence. Therefore, a subscriber device receives dynamically updated information based on its location. |
| US08977287B1 |
Method and system for indoor RF mapping
A method for determining a location of a mobile electronic device includes receiving from said device, at a first electronic device, a first RF signal comprising a wireless signal according to a first standard other than a GPS standard. First RF fingerprint data is provided based on the first RF signal. A second RF signal comprising a wireless signal according to a second standard other than a GPS standard is received from said device at a second electronic device. Second RF fingerprint data is provided based on the second RF signal. Device specific RF signal fingerprint data is determined in dependence upon each of the first and second RF fingerprint data. The location of the device is determined using the first RF signal, the device specific RF signal fingerprint data for the first standard, the second wireless signal, and the device specific RF signal fingerprint data for the second standard. |
| US08977281B2 |
Filter arrangement dependent on occupation of an adjacent band
In a method for communication by radio afrequency band that is subdivided into a plurality of subbands is used. Subbands are occupied by radio stations for sending signals. Before sending a signal, a radio station carries out a filtering operation by using a filter function and sends the signal on at least one subband. A parameter of the filter function depends on the occupation of at least one subband adjacent to the at least one subband. |
| US08977280B2 |
Node and method for determining link adaptation parameters
The present invention relates to a method for determining link adaptation parameters for a wireless device. The method is performed in a first radio network node of a wireless communication system. The first radio network node hosts a first cell serving the wireless device. The wireless device is interfered by a second cell. The method comprises predicting (410) a future position of the wireless device. The method also comprises estimating (420) a first radio channel quality value for the wireless device in the predicted future position, based on: pathloss values related to the wireless device in the predicted future position for the first and the second cell respectively; and a transmission power of the second cell. The method further comprises determining (430) link adaptation parameters for the scheduling of the wireless device in the future position using the estimated first radio channel quality value. |
| US08977274B2 |
Geo-location aided sensing
There lies a challenge to develop a technique of accurately and efficiently determining an available communication channel. In accordance with some embodiments disclosed herein, techniques for sensing a primary user of a particular communication channel are performed more efficiently. In some implementations, a geo-location of a communication device is combined with a sensing algorithm in order to more efficiently perform spectrum sensing. In some implementations, a geo-location and an accuracy determination may be used to determine all required sample regions in order to ensure that a primary user is not present in a particular location. |
| US08977273B2 |
Method for selecting a mobile radio area, mobile radio communication device, method for transmitting signals into a mobile radio area, and mobile radio network unit
A method for selecting a mobile radio area includes a mobile radio communication device, which is in a state without having a signaling communication connection and a data communication connection with a mobile radio network unit in a first mobile radio area, leaving the first mobile radio area. The mobile radio communication device enters a second mobile radio area and receives in the mobile radio communication device first signals from the mobile radio network unit of the first mobile radio area and second signals from a mobile radio network unit of the second mobile radio area. Furthermore, the mobile radio communication device stores temporarily first mobile radio resource data about the first mobile radio area for a predetermined time period, wherein the first mobile radio resource data are used for receiving the first signals from the mobile radio network unit of the first mobile radio area and the mobile radio communication device storing at least partially at the same time second mobile radio resource data about the second mobile radio area, wherein the second mobile radio resource data are used for receiving the second signals from the mobile radio network unit of the second mobile radio area. |
| US08977269B2 |
Extending use of a cellular communication capabilities in a wireless device to another device
Extending cellular telecommunication service from a first UE to another device. The first UE may register for cellular telecommunication service with a cellular network using a first cellular service account, using a cellular communication link via a cellular radio. A second device may be discovered and a communication link may be established between the first UE and the second device. The second device may be registered to use cellular telecommunication capability provided by the first UE. Communications between the second device and the cellular network may be conveyed via the communication link between the first UE and the second device and the cellular communication link. Conveying communications between the second device and the cellular network may provide use of the first cellular service account for cellular telecommunication service to the second device. |
| US08977266B2 |
Mobile communication system
A radio base station includes a mobile communication system, a relay node and a radio base station connected via a radio bearer. A mobile station is configured to perform a handover process between a state in which a radio bearer is set with the relay node so as to communicate via the relay node and the radio base station, and a state in which a radio bearer is set with the radio base station so as to communicate via the radio base station. The handover process is configured such that a data signal is transferred via the radio bearer between the relay node and the radio base station. |
| US08977263B2 |
Overall system selection for user equipment with multiple international mobile subscriber identities
Wireless communication in a radio access network may be implemented in a manner where a user equipment (UE) with multiple Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs) selects a system based on the system's preference status among the USIMs of the UE. A system that is home to all the UE's USIMs is selected over one that is home to some USIMs but roaming for others. A system that is home to some USIMs but not provisioned for other USIMs is selected over one that is roaming to all USIMs. A system that is roaming to all USIMs is selected over one that is roaming to some USIMs but not provisioned for other USIMs. Ranking of systems may be done independently by USIM or may be done using a combined ranking method that considers other USIMs prior to an individual USIM indicating a system priority. Manual system selection may also be used. |
| US08977262B2 |
Method, apparatus and computer program product for providing closed subscriber group access control
An apparatus for providing closed subscriber group access control may include a processor. The processor may be configured to maintain a non-access register including an identifier of a communication cell associated with a closed subscriber group to which a communication device associated with the non-access register does not have access rights, and enable subsequent communication with another communication cell based on the other communication cell not being identified in the non-access register. A corresponding method and computer program product are also provided. |
| US08977260B1 |
Preventing clone device registration in a wireless communication system
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods that prevent clone devices from registering with a wireless communication network. In a particular embodiment, a wireless device exchanges communications with a wireless communication network during an initial period of time. The wireless device transfers an initial location of the wireless device during the initial period of time to an authorization system for the wireless communication network. During a second period of time, the wireless device transfers a registration request indicating a confirmation location and a location of the wireless device during the second period of time to the authorization system. The authorization system processes the registration request to validate the confirmation location based on the initial location. If the confirmation location is validated based on the initial location, then the authorization system allows the wireless device to access the wireless communication network during the second period of time. |
| US08977259B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating radio control system operation with an ICS-capable wireless device
An apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating communication operations with a wireless device that is ICS or DTM capable. Signaling protocols and apparatus are provided for operation of the wireless device when an ICS with the wireless device is ongoing, and the device leaves an area that provides for ICS as well as when the ICS can be provided using circuit-switched connections. |
| US08977256B2 |
Apparatus and method for subscribing to international roaming plan for communication device
A computerized method for subscribing an international roaming plan for a communication device, the communication device includes an electronic map. At least one border checkpoint of a predetermined country can be determined on the electronic map. A distance between a current location of the communication device and the location of the at least one border checkpoint is calculated. When the calculated distance is less than a predetermined distance and the current location of the communication device is within the home country, a user may be prompted to select whether to subscribe to an international roaming plan for a particular period of time. A preset message is sent to a predetermined service terminal provided by a telecommunication company to subscribe to the international roaming plan for the communication device when the user makes a selection to subscribe to the international roaming plan for the communication device. |
| US08977255B2 |
Method and system for operating a multi-function portable electronic device using voice-activation
Methods and systems in which a portable electronic device can be voice activated are disclosed. The portable electronic device can be a multi-function electronic device. The voice activation can be robust and context sensitive. The voice activation can also be utilized without any preparatory user action with respect to the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device can also interact with a media system. |
| US08977254B2 |
Method for device configuration, database, mobile communication device and network entity
A method for device configuration is described comprising storing information about whether a mobile communication system comprising a mobile communication device operates correctly when a configuration is applied in a context of a configuration history to the mobile communication device; receiving a request for a configuration to be applied to mobile communication devices; and determining a configuration to be applied to the mobile communication devices based on the stored information. |
| US08977253B2 |
Method for sending auxiliary detection signaling
The present invention discloses a method for sending auxiliary detection signaling, comprising: for each base station in a base station group, that is, a first base station, the other base stations in the base station group except the first base station respectively send auxiliary detection signaling at the carrier frequency of the first base station. The technical solution saves both signaling overhead and power and reduces the complexity of a search carried out by an MS. |
| US08977252B1 |
System and method for automatic detection and recovery of malfunction in mobile devices
System and method for automatic detection and recovery of malfunction in mobile devices are provided. A mobile device is described, that comprises one or more resources operatively coupled to at least one sensor directly or indirectly coupled to a recovery block. The sensor is configured to monitor at least one of the resources for information, possibly indicative of at least one affected resource, and to report, directly or indirectly this information and/or derivative thereof to the recovery block. In addition, the recovery block is configured to initiate at least one recovery-related action in respect of at least one of the resources in case the received information and/or derivative thereof meets a certain criterion. |
| US08977251B2 |
Transferring content to a mobile device
In general, apparatuses, methods and computer program products for transferring content to a mobile device are disclosed. Particularly, a system is disclosed that provides for pushing content from an external apparatus such as an automated teller machine (ATM), smart poster, contactless payment terminal, etc. to a mobile device or allowing the mobile device to pull such content from the external apparatus. The content may include one or more coupons, ads, or offers, images, financial receipts, account-related documentation, a reissued card, a new card, a prepaid card, or the like. |
| US08977247B2 |
Exclusive delivery of content within geographic areas
Application developers can request to have their applications registered for use with a content delivery platform. The operator of the content delivery platform establishes perimeters defining geographic areas, and maintains records reserving particular areas for delivery of content associated with particular sponsors. Registered applications running on mobile devices can request content from the content delivery platform. Based at least in part on the request, the content delivery platform can identify a target location, which may be the location of the mobile device, or some other location indicated in the request. A mobile device can be provided content based on the relationship of the target location to the geographic areas, so that a registered application running on a mobile device with a target location contained within a geographic area assigned to a particular sponsor will receive content related to that sponsor. |
| US08977245B2 |
Agent-based system for call verification
An information-processing apparatus includes a communication unit that receives a telephone call from a telephone number of a calling party. The communication unit transmits a transmission of the telephone number to a search engine when the communication unit receives the telephone call. Further, the communication unit receives a result from the search engine after the transmission of the telephone number. The information-processing apparatus also includes a processing unit that determines whether a communication should be conducted with the calling party, by performing a textual search of the result for a plurality of predetermined words. |
| US08977244B2 |
Extensible phone application
The present invention provides an extensible phone application that uses extensions to interact with other applications executing in a mobile communication device. The extensible phone application is operable to handle wireless communication for the mobile communication device. Another application may interact with the extensible phone application by incorporating an extension. The extensible phone application enables the extension to register with the phone application for receiving a notification associated with an event. In response to the event, the extensible phone application sends the notification to the extension. |
| US08977243B2 |
Electronic business/personal card and method of use thereof
The present invention includes a wireless communication method and device comprising a one-to-one exchange of wireless electronic device identifications or unique profile IDs between a sending and a receiving party who are both registered users of the electronic business/personal card service and further comprising upload of the wireless electronic identifications to a data server computer system wherein said system matches said identifications with those of registered users and said computer system displays information about the user associated with each identification. |
| US08977242B1 |
Method and apparatus for content presentation in association with a telephone call
A method and apparatus are provided for presenting multimedia content to caller and/or a called party in association with a telephone call. Content may be presented pre-ring (before the called party's telephone rings), in-call and/or post-call. Content presented to a party may be related to or selected by another party participating in the call, or may be related to a third party (e.g., an advertiser that paid for the ability to have its content presented). Presented content may be actuable, and allow a caller to change the destination of a call, take advantage of an offer presented to him, redeem a coupon, schedule or queue a subsequent call, etc. To find a desired destination party, a caller may initiate a manual or automatic search of his local contacts (on his telephone) and/or a central or global directory or contact list. |
| US08977241B2 |
Voicemail forwarding functionality for communications networks
A voicemail system includes a memory and a processor. The memory can store data relating to one or more users. An incoming communication can be handled by the voicemail system and provided with functionality based upon a user's preferences, for example. The voicemail system can include functionality to allow a user to convert a voicemail message to a desired format and forward voicemail message, for example as a file, to one or more designated destinations. Methods for forwarding one or messages are also disclosed. |
| US08977237B1 |
Safety notification service
An automated safety notification system is proposed herein in which one or more safe zone access points may be physically deployed to one or more safe zones associated with a disaster area. If a person with a mobile phone or other mobile device enters the safe zone, the safe zone access point may detect the presence of the mobile device and perform certain functions in response to the detection. For example, the safe zone access point may initiate contact of a predetermined plurality of contacts that the person may have already designated before the disaster. The safe zone access point may also be used to initiate an insurance claim. |
| US08977231B2 |
Tracking data usage under a schematized data plan
Embodiments provide a schema for representing data usage plans and data usage statistics. The data usage plan describes threshold values associated with network connections of computing devices of the user. A web service dynamically generates data usage statistics for the computing devices to represent data consumed by the computing devices under the data usage plan. The schema is updated with the data usage statistics and distributed to the computing devices for presentation to the user. |
| US08977230B2 |
Interactive personal surveillance and security (IPSS) systems and methods
Embodiments relating to an interactive personal surveillance and security (IPSS) system are provided for one or more users carrying one or more respective wireless personal communication devices (WCDs) that are capable of capturing and sending surveillance information (e.g., video, images, audio, sensor data, etc.) to one or more remotely located servers (RLSs). From the information, the RLSs can identify and secure dangerous environments, encounters, etc., and log events or take other actions. In some embodiments, the RLS is designed to follow user-definable parameters that establish the level or type of interactivity and that determine when alarms or messages to third parties are needed. |
| US08977224B2 |
Transceiver and noise cancellation method for radio-frequency identification
A transceiver for radio-frequency identification (RFID) is provided. The transceiver includes a transmitter, a receiver and a noise canceller. The transmitter transmits a carrier signal to an antenna. The receiver receives a wireless signal from the antenna. The noise canceller generates a feedback current according to a part of the carrier signal, and feeds the feedback current to an input of the receiver to cancel noises in the wireless signal. Further, the noise canceller adjusts the feedback current according to the signal strength of the noises in the wireless signal. |
| US08977223B1 |
Two stage radio frequency interference cancellation system and method
A radio frequency receiver subject to a large in-band interferor employs active cancellation with coarse and at least one cancellation signals, each with a respective radio frequency combiner, in order to increase the effective dynamic range of the receiver for weak signals of interest. One or both can be digitally synthesized. This is particularly applicable for co-site interference, whereby the interfering transmit signal is directly accessible. A similar system and method may also be applied to external interferors such as those produced by deliberate or unintentional jamming signals, or by strong multipath signals. An adaptive algorithm may be used for dynamic delay and gain matching. In a preferred embodiment, a hybrid technology hybrid temperature system incorporates both superconducting and semiconducting components to achieve enhanced broadband performance. |
| US08977222B2 |
Phase-noise reduction technique using frequency-to-current conversion with baseband integration
A circuit for measurement of a phase noise of an oscillator may include the oscillator to generate a first signal having the same oscillation frequency as an instantaneous oscillation frequency of the oscillator. The circuit may include a first circuit that is configured to generate a second signal from the first signal. An instantaneous amplitude of the second signal may be related to the oscillation frequency of the first signal. A second circuit may be configured to integrate the second signal to generate a third signal. The third signal can be a measure of the phase noise of the oscillator. The third signal can be used to cancel some or all of the phase noise of the oscillator. |
| US08977220B2 |
Delivering content associated with a unique identifier
A preference related to the broadcast of a work, for example a song or advertisement, is obtained from a subscriber. The work is associated with one of a plurality of unique identifiers, and the particular identifier with which the work is associated can be identified in some instances by using information included with the subscriber preference. In response to determining which unique identifier is associated with the work, content associated with that identifier can be delivered to the subscriber according to his preference. |
| US08977218B2 |
Multi-mode wireless transceiver and multi-mode switching method thereof
A multi-mode wireless transceiver and a multi-mode switching method thereof are disclosed to provide at least one wireless transceiving interface capable of dynamically switching between multiple frequency bands. The wireless transceiver comprises: a first RF transceiving circuit for transceiving RF signals of a first frequency band; a second RF transceiving circuit for transceiving RF signals of a second frequency band; a first frequency synthesizer and a second frequency synthesizer for generating a first carrier of the first frequency band and a second carrier of the second frequency band respectively; and a switching circuit for outputting the first carrier to the first RF transceiving circuit, and for determining to output one of the first and second carriers to the second RF transceiving circuit according to a control signal. |
| US08977216B2 |
Limited Q factor tunable front end using tunable circuits and microelectromechanical system (MEMS)
A wireless device is described. The wireless device includes a tunable front end module. The tunable front end module includes a Tx microelectromechanical system bandpass filter. The tunable front end module also includes a first Rx microelectromechanical system bandpass filter. The wireless device also includes a power amplifier. The wireless device further includes a low noise amplifier. |
| US08977215B2 |
Frequency translation device and wireless communication system using the same
A frequency translation device includes a transmit circuit including a first frequency converter configured to convert a signal at a first frequency into a signal at a second frequency. A receive circuit includes a second frequency converter configured to convert a signal at the second frequency into a signal at the first frequency. A detector circuit is configured to determine when the frequency translation device is receiving a signal, and to route the signal to the transmit circuit or to the receive circuit. |
| US08977208B2 |
Reflective beamforming for performing chip-to-chip and other communications
A transmitter front-end for wireless chip-to-chip communication, and for other, longer-range (e.g., several meters or several tens of meters) device-to-device communication is disclosed. The transmitter front-end can include a plurality of reflector power amplifiers implemented on an IC chip and an on-chip or on-package antenna for wireless transmitting a signal to another IC chip or device. The plurality of reflector power amplifiers can reflect the radiation of the on-chip or on-package antenna in a particular pattern such that the effective radiation pattern is reinforced in a desired direction and suppressed in an undesired direction. This helps to reduce the required output power of the transmitter front-end and mitigate interference with other potential wireless chip-to-chip or longer-range communications. |
| US08977207B2 |
Methods, apparatuses and computer program products for providing automatic maintenance of a geoposition system
An apparatus for augmenting associations between places and fingerprints may include a processor and memory storing executable computer code causing the apparatus to at least perform operations including detecting items of fingerprint data from one or more beacon devices, as the apparatus traverses one or more physical places. The fingerprint data may correspond to generated summaries of radio information corresponding to the physical places. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to detect that the apparatus is stationary in at least one of the physical places for a predetermined time period and determine a location of the apparatus in the physical place based in part on determining fingerprint data, detected from a subset of the beacon devices which are in the physical place, that most accurately resembles canonical fingerprint data corresponding to one of a plurality of physical places. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided. |
| US08977206B2 |
Data transmission device, system and method using the same
A data transmission device connected to a monitor includes a wireless transmission module, a multimedia processing unit and an output interface. The wireless transmission module wirelessly receives a multimedia data transmitted by an electronic apparatus. The multimedia processing unit receives and decompresses and decodes the multimedia data, and the output interface transmits the multimedia data to the monitor for displaying the multimedia data. The display area of the monitor is larger than the display area of the display unit of the electronic apparatus. A user is allowed to watch the multimedia data generated from the electronic apparatus executing a multimedia file on the monitor with a large display area. A data transmission system and method based on the data transmission device is also disclosed. |
| US08977197B2 |
Circuit tuning for device detection in near-field communications
A near-field communications (NFC) device includes an NFC antenna, a matching network coupled to the NFC antenna, and a transmitter coupled to the matching network. The transmitter applies a signal to the matching network and a capacitance of the matching network is varied. A parameter is measured while varying the capacitance of the matching network and while applying the signal. A peak value of the parameter is identified and compared to a threshold. A communication protocol is initiated in response to a determination that the peak value satisfies the threshold. |
| US08977196B2 |
Near field communication antenna device of mobile terminal
A near field communication antenna device of a mobile terminal is provided. The near field communication antenna device includes a window including a display region for transmitting an image displayed by a display and a black mark region formed around the display region, a multi-layer Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) on which a plurality of layers are laminated on the lower side of the black mark region of the window, and a spiral loop-shaped antenna pattern in which conductive lines are formed on respective layers of the multi-layer FPCB and are connected to each other. Accordingly, a near field communication antenna is not disposed in a separated installation space, an antenna pattern width can be reduced, and performance of the near field communication antenna may be prevented from being degraded when a battery cover is made of metal or has a curved shape. |
| US08977185B2 |
Configuration for an image forming apparatus having an upright recording medium storage unit
An image forming apparatus includes a recording sheet storage unit for storing recording sheets substantially in an upright position, an image forming unit which forms an image on a recording sheet conveyed from the recording sheet storage unit, and a recording sheet receiving unit for storing the recording sheet conveyed from the image forming unit substantially in an upright position. In this image forming apparatus, a paper conveyance passage extends upward from a lower portion of the recording sheet storage unit toward the recording sheet receiving unit. The image forming unit positioned on the paper conveyance passage comprises a fixing device and a developer unit at least including a developer carrier, and the fixing device is arranged above the developer unit. Further, a developer receptacle for storing developer that is supplied to the image forming unit is arranged adjacent to one longitudinal end of the developer carrier. |
| US08977184B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a conveyance path configured to guide a recording sheet conveyed from a sheet placement portion, passing through a sheet feeder unit, a nip portion between a photoconductor and transfer member, a fixing device, and a sheet ejection unit in this order; and a re-conveyance path configured to guide the sheet conveyed from the fixing device to an upstream-side path which constitutes part of the conveyance path extending upstream from the photoconductor. The re-conveyance path branches off from the conveyance path at a position downstream from the fixing device and extends to pass through a space between the photoconductor and the exposure device. The re-conveyance path includes a switchback mechanism configured to reverse a traveling direction of a sheet conveyed along the re-conveyance path after passing through the space between the photoconductor and the exposure device and to convey the sheet toward the upstream-side path. |
| US08977181B2 |
Image forming apparatus
According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, an image erasing unit, and a control unit. The image forming unit performs an image forming process of forming an image on an image bearing body by a toner and transferring the toner image from the image bearing body onto a recording medium, and a refresh process of forming an image on the image bearing body by a toner and removing the toner image from the image bearing body. The control unit controls the image forming unit such that the image forming unit performs the refresh process together with the erasing process performed by the erasing unit. |
| US08977176B2 |
Fixing apparatus provided with cleaning unit using cleaning fabric
A fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image formed on a recording material includes a rotatable member; a cleaning unit for cleaning the rotatable member, the cleaning unit including a cleaning fabric for cleaning the rotatable member, a feeding roller on which the cleaning fabric is wound, and a winding-up roller for winding up the cleaning fabric fed from the feeding roller; and a load applying mechanism for applying a retarding force against a winding-up operation of the winding-up roller such that when a frictional force between the rotatable member and the cleaning fabric which is in a standstill state and which is in contact with the rotatable member which is rotating exceeds the retarding force of the load applying mechanism, the winding-up roller rotates to wind up the cleaning fabric. |
| US08977173B2 |
Fixing apparatus having cover member and image forming apparatus
A fixing apparatus includes a fixing unit configured to heat and fix an unfixed image, which is formed on a recording material, on the recording material, a rotating member provided with a metal shaft and configured to convey the recording material that has passed through the fixing unit, a cover member made of injection-molded resin and configured to cover the shaft of the rotating member from a recording material conveyance path side so that a portion of the rotating member in contact with the recording material is exposed, the cover member including a portion that has a U-shaped cross-section when viewed from one end side of the shaft, and a sheet member configured to cover an opening of the U-shaped portion of the cover member. |
| US08977169B2 |
Toner supply system for image forming apparatus development device
A development device includes a developer introduction port, a developer conveyance portion, a first conveyance ability suppressing portion, and a connecting conveyance portion. The conveyance ability suppressing portion is disposed on a downstream side of the developer introduction port in a first direction in which the developer is conveyed in order to partially suppress a developer conveyance ability of the developer conveyance portion such that a developer accumulation portion is formed in a position opposing the developer introduction port. A first direction downstream side of the first conveyance ability suppressing portion opposes a first connecting passage in a third direction that intersects the first direction. The connecting conveyance portion is joined to the first direction downstream side of the conveyance ability suppressing portion and opposes the first connecting passage in the third direction in order to pass the developer from a first conveyance passage to a second conveyance passage. |
| US08977167B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearing member provided with a mark; a driving portion for rotationally driving the image bearing member; a first detecting portion for detecting speed information of the image bearing member by detecting the mark moved in a predetermined first distance; a second detecting portion for detecting speed information of the image bearing member by detecting the mark moved in a second distance shorter than the predetermined first distance; a filter circuit for suppressing a high-frequency part of an output from the detecting portion and a low-frequency part of an output from the second detecting portion; a calculating portion for calculating a speed of the image bearing member detected from an output from the filter circuit; and a controller for controlling the driving portion so that the calculated speed of the image bearing member is a set speed. |
| US08977162B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus including the same
A developing device that attaches/detaches to/from a main body of an image forming apparatus includes a first frame that supports a photosensitive member, a second frame that supports a developing roller, and a connecting bracket in which a fixed supporter couples to a side portion of the first frame, a flexible supporter that couples to a side portion of the second frame, and an elastic arm connecting the fixed supporter and the flexible supporter to each other to provide an elastic force that may elastically bias the developing roller toward the photosensitive member, are integrally formed. |
| US08977160B2 |
Overmolded shutter for use in toner containing supply items of an imaging apparatus
An shutter having an overmolded seal for use in controlling the flow of toner through a port in a toner containing supply items for an imaging apparatus. In one form the shutter is overmolded with a seal comprised of a sleeve and one or more integrally molded angled endless ribs projecting outwardly from the sleeve. With the shutter installed in the supply item, the ribs deflect creating an sealing interface with the housing of the supply item to prevent toner leakage between the shutter and the housing of the supply item. |
| US08977145B2 |
Detection device for detecting state of waste toner container and image forming apparatus using such detection device
A detection device for detecting a state of a waste toner container comprises an optical sensor and an actuation member. The optical sensor comprises an emitting unit emitting an optical signal and a receiving unit receiving the optical signal. A space is provided between the emitting and receiving units, and the optical signal travels along an optical path from the emitting unit to the receiving unit. The actuation member is movably disposed between the emitting and receiving units. The actuation member in a first position interrupts the optical path of the optical signal; and the actuation member is moved by the waste toner container to a second position when at least a part of the waste toner container is placed in the space. The actuation member in the second position allows a passage of the optical signal. An image forming apparatus using such a detection device is also provided. |
| US08977141B2 |
Digital signal processing apparatus
A parameter of an adaptive filter is optimized so that inter-symbol interference having an amount corresponding to an inserted fixed filter remains. A digital signal processing apparatus which is included in an optical signal receiver and processes a digital signal converted from an optical signal is provided with: a linear adaptive filter which applies a dynamically controllable linear transfer function to the digital signal; a maximum likelihood sequence decoder which applies a transfer function of a transmission-path model to a plurality of signal sequence candidates to generate a plurality of reference signals, and decodes a reception signal using maximum likelihood sequence estimation which evaluates the differences between an output signal of the linear adaptive filter and the reference signals to estimate the most likely transmission time sequence; a signal regenerator which generates a signal corresponding to decoded data from the maximum likelihood sequence decoder; a feedback distortion adding filter which adds distortion that is equivalent to the transmission-path model used in the maximum likelihood sequence decoder to an output signal of the signal regenerator; and an adaptive equalization filter control block which updates a tap coefficient of the linear adaptive filter in accordance with an LMS algorithm using the difference between a target signal that is an output signal of the feedback distortion adding filter and the digital signal as an error signal. |
| US08977139B2 |
Integrated circuits in optical receivers
A circuit may include a photodiode configured to receive an optical signal and convert the optical signal to a current signal. The circuit may also include a transimpedance amplifier coupled to the photodiode and configured to convert the current signal to a voltage signal. The circuit may also include an equalizer coupled to the transimpedance amplifier and configured to equalize the voltage signal to at least partially compensate for a loss of a high frequency component of the optical signal. The equalizer and the transimpedance amplifier may be housed within a single integrated circuit. |
| US08977135B2 |
Free space optics broadband home network
A system comprises a transmitter including a laser configured to generate a laser beam directed at a spot on a surface, and a laser driver connected to the laser and configured to modulate input data onto the laser beam. The system may further comprise a receiver including an optical detector configured to decode received light into raw data, a signal processor configured to decode the raw data into the original input data, and telescope optics configured to receive light reflected from the spot on the surface, collimate the light and converge the light onto the optical detector. |
| US08977133B2 |
Distributed communications system employing free-space-optical link(S), and related components and methods
Distributed communications systems employing one or more free-space-optics (FSO) links, and related components and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a distributed communications system is provided in which one or more links of a communications path located between a central unit and a remote unit include FSO provided by one or more FSO components. The FSO component(s) can replace optical fiber (or copper) cable assembly and the associated electrical/optical and optical/electrical converter circuitry. Note that FSO and fiber cable links may be used in a mixed fashion depending on the particular requirements of a given installation project for a distributed communications system. Use of such FSO components may allow temporary installations to be effectuated with greater ease and more economically since physical cable is not required for the FSO portion of the communications path. Likewise, installation obstacles associated with physical cable may be eliminated for portion of the communications paths that employ FSO. |
| US08977126B2 |
Unified network management of hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network
Embodiments enable a network operator to use any (and a single) network management system (NMS) that it desires to manage a network having mixed fiber to the home optical network units (ONUs) and coaxial connected cable modems. For example, embodiments enable a cable company operator to use a DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) NMS (which the cable company already uses to manage its DOCSIS network) to manage such mixed network, by a simple addition of a DOCSIS Mediation Layer (DML) module between the NMS and the optical line terminal (OLT). On the other hand, embodiments enable a telephone company operator to use a standard EPON (Ethernet Passive Optical Network) OLT NMS with minor OLT and OAM (Operations, Administration, and Maintenance) protocol modifications to manage the same mixed network. |
| US08977120B2 |
Client signal accommodating multiplexing apparatus and method
In an apparatus for accommodating and multiplexing asynchronous client signals in which an idle signal is defined, the transmission side transmits client signals after synchronizing the client signals by inserting or removing, with reference to a specific client signal, an idle signal to/from the same type of another client signal, and in the receiving side, a PLL part is shared by recovering a clock from a client signal and distributing the clock for another client signal. |
| US08977119B2 |
Automatic bias control method and apparatus for optical transmitter
The embodiments provide an automatic bias control method and apparatus for an optical transmitter. The apparatus includes: a detecting unit configured to monitor output optical power of an I/Q modulator of the optical transmitter; a calculating unit configured to calculate bias voltage indicating values of the I modulator, Q modulator and phase modulator of the I/Q modulator according to the output optical power and known modulation data; and an adjusting unit configured to adjust respectively Direct-Current (DC) bias voltages of the I modulator, Q modulator and phase modulator according to the bias voltage indicating values of the I modulator, Q modulator and phase modulator. With the embodiments, known modulation data are used to realize automatic bias control by monitoring the evenness of distribution of the power of output optical signals of the transmitter in the four quadrants of an I/Q plane. |
| US08977117B2 |
Renewable energy hot water heating elements
Provided herein is a supplemental heating element that may be inserted into a tank of a residential or commercial hot water heater. A collar of the supplemental heating element engages a threaded inlet or outlet of the hot water heater and provides a flow path into or out of the hot water heater while the supplement element is suspended within a tank of the hot water heater. |
| US08977115B2 |
Vaporizer with secondary flow path
A vaporizer for generating a vaporized chemical decontaminating agent. The vaporizer includes a primary flow path and a blower for conveying a carrier gas along the primary flow path. A secondary flow path has a first end fluidly connected to the primary flow path at a location upstream of the blower and a second end fluidly connected to the primary flow path at a location downstream of the blower. A heating element is disposed along the secondary flow path. A liquid flow path has a first end fluidly connected to a source of liquid chemical decontaminating agent and a second end fluidly connected to the secondary flow path. The liquid flow path injects the liquid chemical decontaminating agent into the secondary flow path at a location upstream of the heating element. The heating element vaporizes the liquid chemical decontaminating agent to form the vaporized chemical decontaminating agent. |
| US08977110B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing video with embedded media
Methods and apparatus for providing video with embedded media are disclosed. An example method includes dividing an image comprising a number of pixels into a number of portions, each portion including less than all of the pixels of the image, and blending respective ones of the portions with different video frames of a stream of video frames comprising a host presentation, wherein the media reaches a discernibility threshold when the host presentation is played at an accelerated rate. |
| US08977106B2 |
Methods and apparatus for filtering content in a video stream using closed captioning data
Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for skipping and/or filtering content from a video stream using closed captioning data associated with the video stream. The closed captioning data is parsed using metadata to identify portions of the video stream to skip during presentation, and/or to identify portions of the video stream to output to a user. The portions of the video stream that are to be skipped are filtered from the video stream, and the filtered video stream is presented to a user. |
| US08977105B2 |
Personal media system and method of obtaining content playback information of device
A personal media system and method that obtain content playback information of an end device is provided. The personal media system including: an end device reader to, when an end device that collects playback information about content playback is connected, obtain the collected playback information and content information about content stored in the end device; and a mapping unit to map the playback information and the content information, to determine playback information for each content in the end device, and to generate playback information for each content of a user based on the playback information for each content in the end device. |
| US08977094B2 |
Optical fiber
An optical fiber comprising a first core, a second core, a third core, and a cladding, wherein with a refractive index of the cladding as a reference, Δ1 is a maximum value of a relative refractive index difference of the first core, Δ2 is a maximum value of a relative refractive index difference of the second core, Δ3 is a minimum value of a relative refractive index difference of the third core, “a” is a half-value radial width for the relative refractive index difference (Δ1−Δ2) of the first core, “b” is a radius of a second core/third core boundary, and “c” is a radius of a third core/cladding boundary, the expressions 0.30%≦Δ1≦0.45%, −0.05%≦Δ2≦0.05%, −0.6%≦Δ3≦−0.3%, 2.85≦b/a, 10 μm≦b≦15 μm, and 3 μm≦c−b≦5.5 μm are satisfied, and transmission loss for a wavelength of 1550 nm when the optical fiber is wound around a mandrel with a diameter of 10 mm is no greater than 0.2 dB/turn. |
| US08977092B2 |
Multimode optical fiber and system comprising such fiber
One exemplary multimode optical fiber includes a graded index glass core having a diameter in the range of 41 microns to 80 microns, a graded index having an alpha less than 2.04 and a maximum relative refractive index in the range between 0.6% and 1.8%. The cladding includes a depressed-index annular portion. The fiber has an overfilled bandwidth greater than 2.5 GHz-km at at least one wavelength between 1200 nm and 1700 nm. |
| US08977090B2 |
Contoured display
A contoured display that includes a faceplate configured to propagate an image in a collimated manner from an interface surface of the faceplate configured to receive the image from a display device to a display surface of the faceplate. The display surface is contoured to provide a three-dimensional (3D) contoured surface that provides designers with artistic freedom when designing a display shape, and a convenient way to contour a display surface to reduce the effects of glare on the display surface. |
| US08977086B2 |
Tapered waveguide coupler and spectrometer
A method of forming a waveguide, the method comprising the steps of: forming a multilayer stack of light guiding layers; and delaminating the multilayer stack between at least two of the light guiding layers to form a waveguide between the light guiding layers; in which the patterned region has converging sides and the waveguide is tapered, the multilayer stack having increased transmissivity at a region corresponding to a selected thickness of the waveguide. A tapered waveguide is also disclosed, comprising: a multilayer stack of light guiding layers; the multilayer stack defining a channel between at least a first waveguiding layer and a second waveguiding layer; the channel having a diminishing thickness in a first direction; and at least one of the first waveguiding layer and the second waveguiding layer having a region of increased transmissivity adjacent a selected thickness of the core. Methods for the use of the tapered waveguide as an optical coupler or spectrometer are also disclosed. Methods for enhancing the optical resolution of the taper waveguide when operated as a spectrometer are also disclosed. |
| US08977085B2 |
Surface structure modification
A method of forming an optical fiber tip, the method including, roughening at least part of an end portion of the optical fiber; and, etching the roughed end portion to thereby form an optical fiber tip. |
| US08977082B2 |
Optical spectral filter, angular filter and polariser
A filter and fabrication process for a thin film filter that is based on frustrated total internal reflection and multiple waveguide layers, in which the waveguide modes are resonantly coupled. The physics of the design is related to prism coupling of light into planar waveguides, and waveguide coupling between planar waveguides in close proximity. Embodiments include a filter that acts as a bandpass filter and polarizer, a filter that acts as a bandpass filter, polarizer and angle filter (spatial filter), a filter that is widely tunable, and a filter that is widely tunable in both peak transmission wavelength and width. Methods of fabrication are disclosed, and methods to correct for manufacturing errors in thin film deposition are described. The filter embodiments can also be used in reflection as notch filters in wavelength and angle, for a particular polarization component. |
| US08977080B2 |
Compact multiplexer/demultiplexer
The present invention relates to a multiplexer/demultiplexer with a connection for inputting and/or outputting an optical signal which has signal components of different wavelengths, a carrier plate (8) with at least one wavelength-sensitive element (11), a focussing member (13) with at least two focussing elements (14, 14′) as well as a detector or signal-generator plate (1), on which at least two detectors (4) or signal generators are arranged. To achieve this object, it is proposed according to the invention that both carrier plate (8) and focussing member (13) are connected to the detector or signal-generator plate (1). |
| US08977079B2 |
WSS with high port isolation and close spaced ports
By steering wanted diffraction orders within a concentrated angular region and steering all unwanted diffraction orders outside that region, a wavelength selective switch achieves high port isolation and densely spaced ports. N inputs receive an optical signal. Optics spatially separate and direct wavelength channels from the signal. A phased array switching engine comprising cells steers a wanted diffraction order of each spatially separated wavelength channel from each cell at an angle within a concentrated angular region relative to the PASE, and steers all unwanted diffraction orders of spatially separated wavelength channels from cells outside the concentrated angular region. Optics direct each wanted diffraction order to one of N outputs in accordance with the steering of the wanted diffraction orders by the PASE. The concentrated angular region is defined by a largest and smallest steering angle wherein the largest steering angle is a margin less than the smallest steering angle. |
| US08977075B2 |
Method for determining the relative position of a first and a second imaging device and devices therefore
A method for determining the relative position and orientation of a first and a second imaging device by comparing the image of a commonly depicted object in a first and a second image of the first and the second imaging device respectively, wherein the first and the second imaging devices are adapted for providing first and second depth information respectively for the respective images and in which at least the first and the second depth information is used for the determination. Corresponding device are also disclosed. |
| US08977073B2 |
Apparatus and method for blending multiple images
Disclosed is an apparatus to blend a high dynamic range (HDR) image or a plurality of images captured with different exposure settings to multiple images, and a method thereof. A multiple image blender receives a high dynamic range (HDR) image or a plurality of images captured with different exposure settings, and controls setting of one or more areas of interest or setting of one or more gradation levels, and combines and blends the HDR image or the plurality of images captured with different exposure settings corresponding to each area of interest or at each gradation level, and generates at least one multi-exposure image. |
| US08977072B1 |
Method and system for detecting and recognizing text in images
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a method, system and computer program product for detecting and recognizing text in the images captured by cameras and scanners. First, a series of image-processing techniques is applied to detect text regions in the image. Subsequently, the detected text regions pass through different processing stages that reduce blurring and the negative effects of variable lighting. This results in the creation of multiple images that are versions of the same text region. Some of these multiple versions are sent to a character-recognition system. The resulting texts from each of the versions of the image sent to the character-recognition system are then combined to a single result, wherein the single result is detected text. |
| US08977068B2 |
Transform space difference compression
An invention is disclosed for performing differencing of graphical data in post-transform space for a remote presentation session. Graphical data is transformed from a first representation to a second representation (e.g. with a DWT), and then a difference is taken of the post-transform data and the post-transform data of the frame that preceded the current frame. This difference is then encoded and transmitted to a client, which decodes it, and creates a representation of the graphical data using the delta, and a previously determined representation of the previous frame. By performing differencing in post-transform space, fidelity of the remote presentation session is retained while it may decrease bandwidth. This may occur because the entropy of the delta representation is usually lower than a non-delta representation while the scheme retains the identical data of the final decoded image of the non-delta version of the same compression scheme. |
| US08977066B2 |
Image compression using sub-resolution images
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for image compression and decompression using sub-resolution images are disclosed. Compressing of images includes, determining a plurality of entropy code sets based upon statistically similar regions in the input image, generating one or more sub-resolution images including a first sub-resolution image comprising the plurality of entropy code sets, encoding the input image using the generated one or more sub-resolution images to control one or more compression parameters including an entropy code, and outputting the encoded input image and the generated one or more sub-resolution images as a compressed entropy coded image file. Decompressing of images include, decomposing an image file to access the encoded compressed input image and respective sub-resolution images for each of a plurality of compression parameters, and decoding the encoded compressed input image using the respective sub-resolution images to control each of the plurality of compression parameters. |
| US08977061B2 |
Merging face clusters
A method for merging face clusters includes analyzing a set of digital images, grouping instances of faces within the set of digital images into a set of face clusters, each of the face clusters corresponding to a particular person, and determining a probability that a person associated with a first face cluster from the set of face clusters is the same person associated with a second face cluster of the set of face clusters. The probability is based on both a social similarity between the first face cluster and the second face cluster in addition to a facial similarity between the first face cluster and the second face cluster. |
| US08977059B2 |
Integrating feature extraction via local sequential embedding for automatic handwriting recognition
Integrating features is disclosed, including: determining a value associated with a temporal feature for a point; determining a value associated with a spatial feature associated with the temporal feature; including the value associated with a spatial feature and the value associated with the temporal feature into a feature vector; and using the feature vector to decode for a character. Determining a transform is also disclosed, including: determining, for a point associated with a sequence of points, a set of points including: the point, a first subset of points of the sequence preceding a sequence position associated with the point, and a second subset of points following the sequence position associated with the point; and determining the transform associated with the point based at least in part on the set of points. |
| US08977057B1 |
Detection of diacritics in OCR systems with assignment to the correct text line
A system and method of assigning diacritics in an electronic image using optical character recognition (OCR) is disclosed. In one example, the method comprises analyzing, by a computer system, the electronic image to generate a plurality of bounding blocks associated with text lines within the electronic image. The method further comprises establishing a plurality of bounding boxes for diacritics and base text with the electronic image. The method also comprises determining a distance from a diacritic to a nearest base text character and a nearest text line. The method also comprises evaluating a base box distance and the nearest text line distance to assign the diacritic to a correct text line in the electronic image. |
| US08977055B2 |
Information processing device, object recognition method, program, and terminal device
There is provided an information processing device including a database that stores feature quantities of two or more images, the database being configured such that identification information for identifying an object in each image and an attribute value related to a lighting condition under which the object was imaged are associated with a feature quantity of each image, an acquisition unit configured to acquire an input image captured by an imaging device, and a recognition unit configured to recognize an object in the input image by checking a feature quantity determined from the input image against the feature quantity of each image stored in the database. The feature quantities stored in the database include feature quantities of a plurality of images of an identical object captured under different lighting conditions. |
| US08977054B2 |
Candidate identification by image fingerprinting and model matching
Candidate identification utilizing fingerprint identification is disclosed. The method includes receiving a candidate image comprising a plurality of constituent elements arranged in a content pattern, compensating for rotation variation in the content pattern of the received candidate, analyzing each of the plurality of constituent elements comprising the content pattern of the received candidate image to define a bounded area about each of the plurality of constituent elements, building a candidate fingerprint representative of the content pattern wherein the candidate fingerprint is based on the defined bounded area, comparing the candidate fingerprint to a plurality of fingerprints wherein each of the plurality of fingerprints represents one of a plurality of exemplars, identifying one of the plurality of fingerprints that corresponds to the candidate fingerprint, and evaluating the candidate and one or more identified exemplars to determine the best match there between, wherein the identified exemplar corresponds to the one of the plurality of fingerprints. |
| US08977043B2 |
Method of image depth estimation and apparatus thereof
A method and an apparatus of image depth estimation are provided. The method includes the following steps. First, a hue value of each pixel in an image is calculated by comparing all color components of each pixel in the image. The hue value of each pixel in the image is associated with a corresponding value, wherein the corresponding value is a first numerical value or a second numerical value. Then, according to the corresponding value of each pixel in the image, a depth value of each pixel in the image is calculated, in which the depth value is used to convert the image into a three-dimensional (3D) image to be displayed on a 3D display apparatus. |
| US08977039B2 |
Pulling keys from color segmented images
Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for pulling keys from color segmented images. Data indicative of a two dimensional image is stored in a data storage device, the two dimensional image comprising a plurality of pixels. A plurality of color segmented frames are generated based on the two dimensional image, wherein each color segmented frame comprises one or more objects. For each of the color segmented frames, a key is generated based on the one or more objects. A depth map is calculated for the two dimensional image based on the keys, wherein the depth map comprises data indicative of three dimensional information for each pixel of the two dimensional image. |
| US08977037B1 |
Methods and systems of creating a stereoscopic image
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for creating stereoscopic images. A left-eye view image for a stereoscopic image and an imperfect right-eye view image may be received. A smooth optical flow may be generated from the received image representing the left-eye view to the imperfect image representing the right-eye view to produce a first candidate right-eye view. Objects are identified in the imperfect image, and merged into the first candidate right-eye view image to create a right-eye view image. A stereoscopic image is created from the left-eye view image and right-eye view image. |
| US08977035B2 |
System, method and computer program product for detection of defects within inspection images
An analysis system for detection of defects within an inspection image of an inspected object, the inspection image comprising a plurality of pixels, the system including: a computerized segmentation module configured to segmentize the inspection image based on multiple anchor locations and on a mask which defines multiple mask-segments, by assigning each part out of multiple parts of the inspection image to a respective image-segment selected out of a multiple image segments, wherein the multiple image segments correspond to at least one mask-segment of said multiple mask-segments; and a defect detection processor configured to determine a presence of a defect in the inspection image based on the segmentation at least by assessing each pixel out of a plurality of pixels of the inspection image. |
| US08977034B2 |
Pattern shape evaluation method and pattern shape evaluation apparatus
An image of the joint portion of circuit patterns manufactured using a design pattern for double patterning is read out. Target boundary lines and evaluation regions are set on the image. In the evaluation regions, image processing is performed along the directions of the target boundary lines. Furthermore, binarization processing is performed. A decision is made based on an image obtained in this way as to whether the patterns have defects. |
| US08977029B2 |
Method and system for multi-atlas segmentation of brain computed tomography image data
A method and system for multi-atlas segmentation brain structures and vessel territories in a brain computed tomography (CT) image is disclosed. Each of a plurality of atlas images is individually registered to an input brain CT image, resulting in a plurality of warped atlas images. A region of interest is defined based on labeled brain structures in each of the plurality of warped atlas images. For each atlas image, a respective sum of squared difference (SSD) value is calculated between the corresponding warped atlas image and the brain CT image within the region of interest defined for the corresponding warped atlas image. A number of the atlas images are selected based on the SSD values calculated for the atlas images. The brain structures and vessel territories are segmented in the brain CT image using only the selected atlas images. |
| US08977026B2 |
Methods and systems for locating a region of interest in an object
Methods and systems for locating a region of interest in an object are provided. One method includes acquiring planar nuclear medicine (NM) images of a subject from an NM system, wherein the planar NM images include at least one identified region of interest. The method also includes acquiring a three-dimensional (3D) x-ray Computed Tomography (CT) volume image of the subject from an x-ray CT system and locating the region of interest within the 3D CT volume image using the planar NM images. |
| US08977021B2 |
Systems and methods for customizing interactive haptic boundaries
A method for customizing an interactive haptic boundary based on a patient-specific feature comprises identifying a reference feature associated with a virtual implant model. The method also comprises determining an intersection between the identified reference feature and a virtual model associated with an anatomy of the patient. A virtual haptic boundary is generated based on the determined intersection between the identified reference feature associated with the virtual implant model and the virtual model associated with the anatomy of the patient. |
| US08977019B2 |
Methods for microcalcification detection of breast cancer on digital tomosynthesis mammograms
A computer-aided detection system to detect clustered microcalcifications in digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is disclosed. The system performs detection in 2D images and a reconstructed 3D volume. The system may include an initial prescreening of potential microcalcifications by using one or more 3D calcification response function (CRF) values modulated by an enhancement method to identify high response locations in the DBT volume as potential signals. Microcalcifications may be enhanced using a Multi-Channel Enhancement method. Locations detected using these methods can be identified and the potential microcalcifications may be extracted. The system may include object segmentation that uses region growing guided by the enhancement-modulated CRF values, gray level voxel values relative to a local background level, or the original DBT voxel values. False positives may be reduced by descriptors of characteristics of microcalcifications. Detected locations of clusters and a cluster significance rating of each cluster may be output and displayed. |
| US08977017B2 |
System and method for support of medical diagnosis
A system and method supporting medical diagnosis made based on evaluation of images of a histopathology sample. The method includes automated generation and evaluation of a digitally-stained image (emulating the effect produced on the sample by a chosen specific dye) based at least on one of data representing an image of the HE-stained sample and empirical testing data representing samples stained with specific dyes. The system is adapted to acquire a multispectral image of the sample, to implement the digital staining of the sample's image, and to evaluate automatically the digitally-stained image contemporaneously with multispectral image acquisition. The system generates an output indicative of need to request a preparation of an actual specimen stained with chosen specific dye for further evaluation, reducing the number of samples prepared in anticipation of such request and reducing time lapsed prior to the evaluation by a histopathologist. |
| US08977012B2 |
Image denoising system and method
A method, computer program product, and computer system for identifying a first portion of a facial image in a first image, wherein the first portion includes noise. A corresponding portion of the facial image is identified in a second image, wherein the corresponding portion includes less noise than the first portion. One or more filter parameters of the first portion are determined based upon, at least in part, the first portion and the corresponding portion. At least a portion of the noise from the first portion is smoothed based upon, at least in part, the one or more filter parameters. At least a portion of face specific details from the corresponding portion is added to the first portion. |
| US08977011B2 |
Face recognition using face tracker classifier data
A method of determining face recognition profiles for a group persons includes determining with a multi-classifier face detector that a face region within a digital image has above a threshold probability of corresponding to a first person of the group, and recording probability scores which are analyzed for each classifier, including determining a mean and variance for each classifier for the first person. The process is repeated for one or more other persons of the group. A sub-set of classifiers is determined which best differentiates between the first person and the one or more other persons. The sub-set of classifiers is stored in association with the first person as a recognition profile. |
| US08977009B2 |
Biometric authentication device, biometric authentication program, and biometric authentication method
A biometric authentication device that authenticates a user using biological features of the user, the biometric authentication device includes: an illumination unit configured to illuminate a target which represents the biological features; an image sensor configured to obtain a first captured image by capturing the target illuminated by the illumination unit, and obtain a second captured image by capturing the target not illuminated by the illumination unit; an acquisition unit configured to acquire from a storage unit a mask which has a target area approximating the shape of the target in the first and second captured images obtained by the image sensor; and a detection unit configured to detect light other than illumination light illuminated by the illumination unit based on the mask acquired by the acquisition unit and at least one of the first and second images. |
| US08977008B2 |
Driver assistance system for vehicle
A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes an imager disposed in the vehicle and viewing forward of the vehicle through the vehicle windshield. The imager has a field of view exterior the vehicle and is operable to capture image data. The imager includes (i) a lens, (ii) a spectral filter and (iii) a CMOS photosensor array of photosensor elements. The system includes a control that may be operable to process captured image data for at least a first application and a second application, with the first application including lane departure warning and the second application selected from the group consisting of (i) headlamp control, (ii) vehicle detection and (iii) rain sensing. The control may be operable to adjust a parameter or setting of the imager. |
| US08977005B2 |
Carried item region extraction device, carried item region extraction method, and computer readable medium
Provided is a carried item region extraction device for accurately extracting a carried item region from an image.This carried item region extraction device has: a string region processing unit for extracting a string region including a string of a carried item from image information; and a carried item region processing unit for extracting a carried item region including a carried item from the image information on the basis of the string region. |
| US08977003B1 |
Detecting objects in a sequence of images
The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a computer-implemented method for object detection. The method includes detecting at least one initial position of an object of a specific type in at least one initial image within an ordered sequence of images stored in a memory. The method further includes detecting at least one subsequent position of the object in at least one subsequent image within the ordered sequence of images. The method further includes estimating one or more intermediate positions of the object in one or more intermediate images within the ordered sequence of images between the initial image and the subsequent image based on the initial position and the subsequent position. |
| US08976996B2 |
Array speaker structure for audio/video device
An array speaker structure for audio/video device includes a slide contact assembly by means of which an array speaker unit is movable out of the audio/video device from a retracted position to an extended position. The slide contact assembly is connected with a connector. By means of operating and 180-degree rotating the connector, the speakers of the array speaker unit can be rotatable to a front side of the audio/video device. Then the array speaker unit is lifted and attached to a lateral side of the audio/video device, whereby the speakers can emit sound from the front side of the audio/video device. |
| US08976994B2 |
Earphone having an acoustic tuning mechanism
An earphone comprising an earphone housing having a body portion acoustically coupled to a tube portion extending from the body portion, the body portion having an acoustic output opening to output sound from a driver positioned therein into an ear canal of a wearer. An acoustic tuning member is positioned within the body portion for acoustically coupling the driver to the tube portion. The acoustic tuning member defines a back volume chamber of the driver and includes an acoustic output port for outputting sound from the back volume chamber of the driver to the tube portion to improve an acoustic performance of the earphone. |
| US08976990B2 |
Diminishing tinnitus loudness by hearing instrument treatment
A listening device comprises an input transducer providing an electric input signal comprising audio and a detector coupled to the input transducer, for determining whether the electric input signal is a broadband signal or not and providing a detection signal in response. The listening device furthermore comprises a controllable filter for filtering the electric input signal being coupled to the detector and the input transducer and for outputting a filtered electric input signal such that a component of the electric input signal in the tinnitus frequency range is dampened, if the detection signal indicates that the electric input signal is a broadband signal, and outputting an unfiltered electric input signal such that a component of the electric input signal in the tinnitus frequency range is not dampened, if the detection signal indicates that the electric input signal is not a broadband signal. |
| US08976989B2 |
Method for operating a hearing apparatus
A method operates a hearing apparatus in which an operating parameter of the hearing apparatus is determined and smoothed by a filter. The smoothing includes, for each input value, to classify the input value in accordance with its association with a plurality of predetermined classes and increase a counter assigned to the respective class which is associated with the input value. The counter with the greatest counter value is determined and the operating parameter value assigned to the counter with the greatest counter value is output as an output variable of the filter. |
| US08976988B2 |
Audio processing device, system, use and method
An audio processing device includes a) an input unit for converting a time domain input signal to a number NI of input frequency bands and b) an output unit for converting a number NO of output frequency bands to a time domain output signal. A signal processing unit processes the input signal in a number NP of processing channels, smaller than the number NI of input frequency bands. A frequency band allocation unit allocates input frequency bands to processing channels. A frequency band redistribution unit redistributes processing channels to output frequency bands, and a control unit dynamically controls the allocation of input frequency bands to processing channels and the redistribution of processing channels to output frequency bands. |
| US08976981B2 |
Circuit, system and method for isolating a transducer from an amplifier in an electronic device
A circuit, device and method for controlling an output signal of an amplifier are provided. The output signal may be controlled through a first stage located before a digital to analog converter and/or a second stage located after it. The first stage boosts the digital signal to match with the full signal range of the converter. For the second stage, the circuit comprises: a first resistor coupled to an output of the amplifier in series, the first resistor having a resistance value Rs; a second resistor coupled to the first resistor in series, the second resistor having a resistance value Rp; and an output terminal for a transducer connected to the electronic device, the output terminal connected in parallel to the second resistor. In the circuit, the resistance values Rs and Rp are related by an inversely proportional relationship. The circuit provides an output signal at the output terminal having a noise floor that varies with an output level of the amplifier and a constant output impedance as seen from the transducer. |
| US08976974B2 |
Sound tuning system
The invention relates to a method for automated tuning of a sound system, the sound system comprising delay lines, equalizing filters, and at least two loudspeakers, the method comprising the steps of reproducing a useful sound signal through the loudspeakers, measuring sound pressure values at least one location, providing a target transfer function for tuning the delay lines and the equalizing filters of the sound system, the target transfer function representing a desired transfer characteristics of the sound system, adjusting the delay of the delay lines, and adjusting amplitude responses of the equalizing filters such, that the actual transfer characteristics of the sound system approximates the target function. |
| US08976969B2 |
Delaying analog sourced audio in a radio simulcast
A method and apparatus is disclosed in which delay is applied to analog-sourced audio in a radio simulcast when the analog signal initially leads the digital signal. A radio receiver is configured to receive a simulcast radio program broadcast with an analog signal and a digital signal. The program content can be extracted from either the analog or digital signals, with the audio source eventually being blended to the digital signal. Audio is initially provided based on the analog signal. If the analog signal is initially leading the digital signal, delay is applied a data stream corresponding to the analog signal relative to a data stream corresponding to the digital signal. Delay applied to the data stream corresponding to the analog signal is increased at a rate that avoids audio artifacts of the output audio. The blend is performed when the data streams are aligned in time. |
| US08976966B2 |
Information processor, information processing method and system
To prevent falsification of an attribute of data, a mechanism is provided, which encrypt document/image data while holding the attribute contained in electronic document data as a plain text and make it extremely difficult to decrypt the document/image data if the attribute is falsified. A transmitter receives a public key set including a plurality of public keys from a receiver, encrypts the document/image data using a common key, selects a public key from the public key set based on an attribute of the data, encrypts the common key using the selected public key, and transmits the data including the encrypted document/image data, the encrypted common key, and the attribute to the receiver. |
| US08976961B2 |
Encryption topology for transporting multiple AV streams over a unified medium
A system architecture allows for the transmission of multiple HDCP encrypted audio/video streams over a single unified cable to multiple receivers using a daisy chain topology. Each individual audio/video stream is first encrypted and then combined into a uniform stream, and the uniform stream is transmitted to each of the receivers. Each receiver contains a decryption engine that operates independently of the engines in the other receivers, therefore allowing each receiver to select to a unique channel and decrypt and display one of the audio/video streams. |
| US08976956B2 |
Speaker phone noise suppression method and apparatus
Systems and methods for removing noise from an audible signal are provided. More particularly, a vibration sensor is used to obtain a vibration signal from an environment including a communication device. The signal from the vibration sensor is combined with a signal from a microphone associated with the communication device, to create a modified audible signal. More particularly, a filtering or subtraction process can be performed with respect to the audible signal, at a time corresponding to an event detected as part of the vibration signal. The resulting modified audible signal can have reduced noise as compared to the original audible signal. |
| US08976953B2 |
Systems and methods of controlling confidential communication in contact handling systems
Methods and apparatus for improving confidentiality of sensitive information received from a customer in a contact handling system including an agent are disclosed. The method can include opening a first connection path between the customer and the contact handling system. The method can include making communication sent by the customer through the first connection path available to the agent. The method can include opening a second connection path between the customer and the contact handling system as the agent and customer communicate over the first connection path. The method can include preventing the agent from accessing communication sent over the second communication path. The method can include receiving sensitive information through the second communication path. |
| US08976952B2 |
Intelligent presence management in a communication routing system
Systems and methods for intelligent presence management in a communication routing system are provided. In exemplary embodiments, an inbound communication may be received for a user. The user's presence status is determined and a profile associated with the user is reviewed. Based on rules contained within the profile, appropriate instructions may be generated for routing the inbound communication in accordance with some embodiments. In other embodiments, instructions may be generated to log the user in or out with the communication routing system. |
| US08976951B1 |
Methods and systems for telephony call-back processing
The present invention provides flexible call processing. In one embodiment, a first call from a calling party intended for a called party is received at a call processing system. The call processing system places a second call to a telephonic device associated with the called party. The calling party and called party communicate via the first and second calls. A determination is made that the first call has been terminated. A call-back instruction is received from the called party while the second call is still in place. At least partly in response to receiving the call-back instruction, a third call is placed to a terminal associated with the calling party. The calling party and the called party can communicate via the second call and the third call. |
| US08976946B2 |
Communication apparatus
A communication apparatus includes a communication portion for communicating with an external device, a transmitter information acquiring portion for acquiring predetermined transmitter information for identifying the transmitter at a time of an incoming call of communication, a storage portion for storing a registered name in association with the transmitter information in advance, a registered name retrieval portion for, retrieving the registered name stored in the storage portion so as to be associated with the acquired transmitter information, a common part extraction portion for, in a case where a plurality of registered names are retrieved with respect to the acquired transmitter information when the registered name is retrieved by the registered name retrieval portion, extracting a common part among the plurality of registered names, and an output portion for outputting the common part of the registered names which is extracted by the common part extraction portion, in a predetermined system. |
| US08976944B2 |
Mass-scale, user-independent, device-independent voice messaging system
A mass-scale, user-independent, device-independent, voice messaging system that converts unstructured voice messages into text for display on a screen is disclosed. The system comprises (i) computer implemented sub-systems and also (ii) a network connection to human operators providing transcription and quality control; the system being adapted to optimize the effectiveness of the human operators by further comprising 3 core sub-systems, namely (i) a pre-processing front end that determines an appropriate conversion strategy; (ii) one or more conversion resources; and (iii) a quality control sub-system. |
| US08976943B2 |
Voice phone-based method and system to authenticate users
Provided is a method and a telephone-based system with voice-verification capabilities that enable a user to safely and securely conduct transactions with his or her online financial transaction program account over the phone in a convenient and user-friendly fashion, without having to depend on an internet connection. |
| US08976941B2 |
Apparatus and method for reporting speech recognition failures
Provided are an apparatus and method for reporting speech recognition failures. The method includes detecting pure speech data from input speech data and outputting the detected pure speech data; checking at least one speech recognition failure for the pure speech data; and ascertaining speech recognition failure reasons from a check-result for the speech recognition failures and outputting the ascertained speech recognition failure reasons. |
| US08976926B2 |
Portable 3-dimensional X-ray imaging system
An x-ray imaging system and method for providing three-dimensional data representing the contents of an object. An x-ray source and x-ray screen are used to acquire multiple x-ray images of the object from different perspectives. The different perspectives are obtained by placing the x-ray source at one end of a moveable arm. These images are processed by back-projecting each perspective image at known distances between the object and the x-ray source, and superimposing the back-projected images at each distance, thereby providing a set of image slices of the object along the z-axis. |
| US08976925B2 |
Method and apparatus of cone beam CT dynamic imaging
A cone-beam scanning system scans along a half circle. The reconstruction uses a weighting function which decreases for rows farther from the scan plane to take the redundancy of the projection data into account. Another embodiment uses a circle plus sparse helical scan geometry. Image data can be taken in real time. |
| US08976924B2 |
X-ray CT apparatus and X-ray detector
An X-ray detector of an X-ray CT apparatus has a collimator, a plurality of scintillators, a light reflector and a plurality of photodiodes. The collimator has a threshold plate with a thickness Wc to eliminate scattered radiation from an X-ray. The plurality of scintillators emit light based on the X-ray. The light reflector is provided in a gap between adjacent scintillators of the plurality of scintillators. The plurality of photodiodes convert the light of each of the plurality of scintillators into the electric signal. The thickness Wc of the threshold plate mounted on the X-ray incident side of the adjacent scintillators, and a thickness Ws of the gap has a relationship shown in a following expression: Wc≧Ws. |
| US08976920B2 |
Nuclear power plant using nanoparticles in emergency systems and related method
A nuclear power plant with an improved cooling system using nanoparticles in solid or fluid form is provided. The nanoparticles are delivered in locations such as the cold leg accumulator and high and low pressure pumps of an emergency core cooling system. Motor driven valves and pressurization can aid in the delivery. Methods for providing the nanoparticles are also provided. |
| US08976902B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving control information in a broadcasting/communication system
A method and an apparatus for encoding, transmitting, and receiving signaling information in a broadcasting/communication system are provided. The method includes generating the signaling information which comprises a plurality of pieces; determining a number of coded blocks to which the signaling information is to be encoded, based on a number of bits of the signaling information and a number of encoder input information bit; segmenting each piece of the signaling information based on the number of the coded blocks; constructing input information bits of each coded block to include segmented parts of each piece of the signaling information; encoding the input information bits to each coded block; and transmitting each coded block. |
| US08976896B2 |
Transmitter linearized in response to derivative signal and method therefor
A transmitter (50) includes a low power nonlinear predistorter (58) that inserts predistortion configured to compensate for a memoryless nonlinearity (146) corresponding to gain droop and another memoryless nonlinearity (148) corresponding to a video signal. When efforts are taken to reduce memory effects, such as configuring a network of components (138) that couple to an HPA (114) to avoid resonance frequencies substantially throughout a video bandwidth (140), high performance linearization at low power results without extending linearization beyond that provided by the memoryless nonlinear predistorter (58). A look-up table (282) has address inputs responsive to a magnitude parameter (152) of a communication signal (54). A pre-distorted communication signal (60) is responsive to the output of the look-up table, a derivative signal (204), and possibly one or more variable bias parameters (85). The look-up table (282) is updated in response to an LMS control loop. |
| US08976894B2 |
Digital broadcasting transmitter, digital broadcasting receiver, and stream configuration and method for processing same
Provided are a digital broadcast transmitter, a digital broadcast receiver, a stream-processing method for the digital broadcasting transmitter, and a stream-processing method for the digital broadcast receiver. The stream-processing method for the digital broadcasting transmitter includes: configuring a stream in which slots including a plurality of blocks are continuously disposed; and encoding and interleaving the stream to be output as a transport stream, wherein the configuring the stream includes, if slots of a block extension mode 00 are continuously placed, connecting known data placed in predetermined locations of adjacent slots to each other in order to generate a long training sequence. |
| US08976893B2 |
Predistortion according to an artificial neural network (ANN)-based model
Embodiments include a method for predistorting an input signal at a predistorter to compensate for distortion introduced by a non-linear electronic device operating on the input signal to produce an output signal. The method entails generating first and second signal samples for each of a plurality of sampling time instances. The first and second signal samples represent the input and output signals, and are spaced at unit-delay intervals. The method further entails calculating, from the first and second signal samples, parameters for an ANN-based model. The ANN-based model includes a tapped delay line configured to dynamically model memory effects of the distortion introduced by the device, or of the response of the predistorter, with a multi-unit delay interval between at least one pair of adjacent delays. The method also includes predistorting the input signal according to the ANN-based model, to produce a predistorted input signal for input to the device. |
| US08976891B2 |
Modulation signals for a satellite navigation system
Techniques for controlling a power spectrum of a navigation transmission signal in a navigation system are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method of controlling a power spectrum of a navigation transmission signal in a navigation system, the navigation transmission signal comprising a carrier signal, a ranging code, a data signal, and at least one stepped subcarrier modulation signal. The method may comprise modulating the canier signal by the at least one stepped subcarrier modulation signal, the data signal, and the ranging code to generate the navigation transmission ranging signal, wherein the at least one stepped subcarrier modulation signal may comprise a number, m, of amplitude levels, where m>2. The amplitude levels may be arranged to constrain the power spectrum of the navigation transmission signal in a predetermined manner. |
| US08976890B2 |
Multilevel amplitude modulation device, multilevel amplitude demodulation device, transmission system including these, multilevel amplitude modulation method, and multilevel amplitude demodulation method
A multilevel amplitude modulation device for generating, from digital data, a multilevel amplitude modulation signal having four or more signal levels and outputting the generated signal, including: an average level calculator that selects one of a plurality of preliminarily prepared different candidates for a code word building method such that average level of a symbol array, obtained by adding a symbol for a code word of digital data to be transmitted to one or more already outputted symbols included in a multilevel amplitude modulation signal already outputted, is most approximate to voltage center of the four or more signal levels, and outputs a selection signal indicating the selected method; a signal converter that forms a codeword of the digital data in accordance with the method indicated by the selection signal; and a multilevel modulator that generates a multilevel amplitude modulation signal using the codeword and outputs the generated signal. |
| US08976889B2 |
Wireless wide area network test method and test system
The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a WWAN test method and a test system related to the communication field, which is suitable for the product research and development stage and can derive a quantitative data relationship between a NFS test result and an OTA test result. The WWAN test method comprises: measuring a power value of noises, denoted by D(NFS), received by an antenna of a terminal to be tested in a NFS test manner; measuring a power attenuation value, denoted by D-sense, of a path from a WWAN module to the antenna of the terminal; obtaining an antenna efficiency value, denoted by AE, of the terminal; and obtaining a TIS value of an OTA test result by TIS=D(NFS)+D-sense−AE. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be used in the NFS test. |
| US08976886B2 |
Method and apparatus for jointly performing channel estimation and interference estimation in a wireless communication system
Systems and methods for estimating characteristics of a channel are provided. A transmission of known reference data is received at a receiving device. The reference data is transmitted over the channel that includes one or more desired layers and one or more interfering layers. Characteristics of the channel are determined based on the known reference data, where the determining includes a joint estimation of the one or more desired layers and the one or more interfering layers. The determining includes selecting certain of the layers to be estimated at each of the known reference data and selecting certain of the layers to be estimated over a range of the known reference data. The determining includes solving an equation to jointly estimate the one or more desired layers and the one or more interfering layers based on the selections. The selections reduce a number of unknown values in the equation. |
| US08976883B2 |
Deciding the order of SIC detection by adjusting MCS
Method, receiver and computer program product for processing a signal, wherein the signal is received over a wireless network from a transmitter, the signal comprising a plurality of data streams. A selected one of the data streams is preferentially treated by reporting an adjusted value of a characteristic of the selected data stream to the transmitter and the received signal is decoded using a technique of successively decoding data streams in which the selected data stream is the first data stream to be decoded, a signal corresponding to the selected data stream being removed from the received signal prior to decoding at least one of the unselected data streams in the received signal. |
| US08976877B2 |
Techniques for multi-user MIMO sounding in wireless networks
An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a transceiver operable as an access point and capable of communicating in a wireless network, the AP adapted to perform a down link multi user-multiple input multiple output (DL MU-MIMO) transmission and further adapted to transmit a null data packet (NDP) to sound channels between intended recipient wireless stations (STAs), and wherein following a DL MU-MIMO transmission of the NDP, the AP polls each of the STAs in turn for channel state information. |
| US08976872B2 |
Picture-in-picture processing for video telephony
The disclosure is directed to techniques for picture-in-picture (PIP) processing for video telephony (VT). According to the disclosed techniques, a local video communication device transmits PIP information to a remote video communication device. Using the PIP information, the remote video communication device applies preferential encoding to non-PIP regions of video transmitted to the local video communication device. |
| US08976871B2 |
Media extractor tracks for file format track selection
A video coding apparatus may be configured to utilize media extractors in a media extractor track that reference two or more non-consecutive network access layer (NAL) units of a separate track. An example apparatus includes a multiplexer to construct a first track including a video sample comprising NAL units, based on encoded video data, wherein the video sample is included in an access unit, construct a second track including an extractor that identifies at least first one of the NAL units in the video sample of the first track, and wherein the extractor identifies a second NAL unit of the access unit, wherein the first identified NAL unit and the second identified NAL unit are non-consecutive, and include the first track and the second track in a video file conforming at least in part to ISO base media file format. The identified NAL units may be in separate tracks. |
| US08976868B2 |
Motion picture encoding device and motion picture decoding device
When a prediction is made between fields with different parity, the predicative efficiency of a chrominance vector is improved by adaptively switching the generation of a chrominance motion vector depending on a encoding/decoding field parity (top/bottom) and a reference field parity (top/bottom), and the coding efficiency is improved accordingly. |
| US08976865B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing video signal
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing a video signal, which can increase the accuracy of the motion vector prediction through motion vector scaling which takes a difference in the temporal distance between reference pictures into consideration. To this end, the present invention provides a video signal processing method and a video signal processing apparatus using the same, and the method comprises the steps of: scaling at least one neighboring partition motion vector for a motion vector prediction of the current partition; scaling the neighboring partition motion vector, which has been selected, when the reference picture of the neighboring partition motion vector is different from the reference picture of the current partition; acquiring a motion vector prediction value of the current partition using the scaled motion vector; and acquiring a motion vector of the current partition using the motion vector prediction value. |
| US08976855B2 |
Power and area efficient receiver equalization architecture with relaxed DFE timing constraint
An exemplary receiver equalizer includes a first decision feedback equalizer (DFE) sampler coupled to a summer, the first DFE to latch an equalized output of the summer. The first branch includes a second DFE sampler coupled to the first DFE sampler, the second DFE to latch an output of the first DFE sampler. The first branch includes a third DFE sampler coupled to the second DFE sampler, the third DFE to latch an output of the second DFE sampler. The summer coupled to the first, second, and third DFE samplers of the first branch, the summer to integrate the output of said DFE samplers, the received signal, and equalized outputs from one or more other branches, wherein the integrating occurs over a plurality of unit intervals (UIs). |
| US08976852B2 |
Inter symbol interference reduction by applying turbo equalization mode
The present disclosure relates to a receiving node, and to a related method for determining when to apply a turbo equalization mode to compensate for Inter-Symbol Interference in a radio signal received over a radio channel from a transmitting node. The method comprises decoding the received radio signal into a decoded signal, determining a current error level in the decoded signal, predicting a turbo equalization gain based on instantaneous channel information of the radio channel and deciding whether to apply the turbo equalization mode depending on the predicted turbo equalization gain and the determined current error level in the decoded signal. |
| US08976851B2 |
Modulation and equalization in an orthonormal time-frequency shifting communications system
A method which includes receiving a first modulated signal from a first user device, the first modulated signal being generated based upon a time-frequency transformation of first user data. The method further includes receiving a second modulated signal from a second user device, the second modulated signal being generated based upon a time-frequency transformation of second user data. The first modulated signal and the second modulated signal are then processed. |
| US08976846B2 |
Wireless transmission system and wireless transmitter, wireless receiver, wireless transmission method, wireless reception method and wireless communication method used with same
A wireless transmission system includes a wireless HDMI transmitter and a wireless HDMI receiver. The wireless HDMI transmitter includes a carrier oscillator provided for each channel of an HDMI transmission path to output a carrier signal in a millimeter band, an OOK modulator provided for each carrier oscillator to perform on-off keying modulation on a carrier signal outputted by its corresponding carrier oscillator, and an input circuit provided for each channel of the HDMI transmission path to input a digital signal outputted by a source device to the OOK modulator. Radio signals have different planes of polarization from their adjacent channels. |
| US08976845B2 |
Communication system, network element and method for antenna array calibration
A network element for a wireless communication system is locatable to couple at least one base station to an antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements. The network element comprises a plurality of independent transceiver circuits coupled to at least one of a plurality of respective antenna elements of the antenna array; and logic arranged to apply at least one complex digital signal to at least one transceiver signal path of a transceiver circuit of the plurality of independent transceiver circuits. A feedback path is arranged to provide feedback of the at least one complex digital signal such that it is capable of facilitating determination of latency mismatch error response between at least two transceiver signal paths. Adjustment means comprises delay logic arranged to receive a complex digital signal and provide a modified representation of the received complex digital signal in response to the latency mismatch error response of the at least two transceiver signal path. |
| US08976843B2 |
Method and systems for OFDM using code division multiplexing
In some embodiments of the invention, OFDM symbols are transmitted as a plurality of clusters. A cluster includes a plurality of OFDM sub-carriers in frequency, over a plurality of OFDM symbol durations in time. Each cluster includes data as well as pilot information as a reference signal for channel estimation. In some embodiments, a plurality of clusters collectively occupy the available sub-carrier set in the frequency domain that is used for transmission. In some embodiments of the invention data and/or pilots are spread within each cluster using code division multiplexing (CDM). In some embodiments pilots and data are separated by distributing data on a particular number of the plurality of OFDM symbol durations and pilots on a remainder of the OFDM symbol durations. CDM spreading can be performed in time and/or frequency directions. |
| US08976839B2 |
Method, device and system for configuring codebook
The present invention discloses a method, device and system for configuring codebooks. The method comprises a transmitting end selecting a code word restricted sub-set and informing a receiving end of the code word restricted sub-set, the code word restricted sub-set containing part or all of code words in a first codebook and/or a second codebook; and the receiving end selecting an optimal pre-coded code word from the code word restricted sub-set and informing the transmitting end of an index of the optimal pre-coded code word. By the present invention, code word restriction is implemented in the case of dual codebooks in the LTE-A system such that the calculation complexity is reduced when the receiving end selects the code word, occurrences of the case where the receiving end selects the code word wrongly are decreased, and the signaling structure in the LTE system can be inherited very well. |
| US08976836B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmission of sounding reference signal in uplink wireless communication systems with multiple antennas and sounding reference signal hopping
A sounding reference signal transmission method which is efficient in an uplink wireless telecommunications system using a multiple antenna technique and sounding reference signal hopping. A terminal using the multiple antenna technique is equipped with a plurality of antennas, and a base station receives the sounding reference signal transmitted from these antennas and estimates the uplink channel state of each antenna. Moreover, the sounding reference signal performs frequency hopping so that the base station determines the channel condition for the entire bandwidth to which data is transmitted in the uplink system. The sounding reference signal is transmitted through an antenna pattern in which the sounding reference signal can be transmitted through the entire data transmission bandwidth of the uplink system for each antenna of the terminal without additional overhead in this environment. |
| US08976835B2 |
System and method for interference triggered frequency hopping
Systems and methods of interference-triggered frequency hopping in a wireless communication system. A master is provided in the wireless communication system in wireless communication with slave nodes each configured to use different preselected communication frequencies to permit frequency hopping. A current channel is selected from among multiple channels in the wireless communication system in which the master and at least some of the slave nodes send and receive wireless communications. Each of the channels uses different ones of the preselected communication frequencies. In the current channel, interference with communications between the master and a selected one of the slave nodes that use the current channel is detected. A new channel is selected only in response to detecting the interference. The system switches from the current channel to the new channel such that communications between the master and the selected slave node use the new channel. |
| US08976832B2 |
Multi-wavelength semiconductor laser device
A multi-wavelength semiconductor laser device includes: first and second device sections monolithically formed on a substrate; and a rear end face film formed together on a rear end face of each of the first and second device sections. The first device section is a light-emitting device section having an oscillation wavelength of λ1. The second device section is a light-emitting device section having an oscillation wavelength of λ2 (λ1<λ2). The rear end face film includes a layer in which N sets (N≧2) of layers each having the combination of a low refractive index layer having a refractive index of n1 and a high refractive index layer having a refractive index of n3 (n1 |
| US08976828B1 |
Driving circuit of a laser diode and driving method of a laser diode
A driving method of a laser diode includes setting a bias current, a modulation current, a first target corresponding to a predetermined average power, and a second target corresponding to a predetermined average modulation power; executing a first adjusting current step group; generating a temporary modulation current according to the modulation current; executing a second adjusting current step group; and executing the first adjusting current step group again. |
| US08976827B2 |
Driving device and light-emitting unit
A driving device includes: a driving circuit configured to provide a drive current; a first detecting circuit; a second detecting circuit configured to detect a first reference current or a physical quantity corresponding thereto, as well as a second reference current or a physical quantity corresponding thereto; a first generating circuit configured to generate an additive voltage as a control voltage at a light-emission time of a light-emitting element, and further to generate a second voltage as a control voltage at a non-light-emission time of the light-emitting element; and a second generating circuit configured to generate a third reference current. The second detecting circuit has a first adder circuit that generates the first reference current by adding the second reference current and the third reference current with each other. |
| US08976825B1 |
Heat sink mount for laser diode
A heat sink mount for a laser diode comprises three main components, a diode ring, a diode bed and a diode container. The diode ring comprises an inner hole that matches a metal stem part of the laser diode. The diode bed comprises a first part and a second part. The diode ring is fitted into the first part of the diode bed. The inner surface of the first part is tightly contacting the outer surface of the diode ring. The diode container comprises a part a and a part b. The diode bed is fitted into the part a of the diode container, via the gripping contact between the thread on the inner surface of the part a and the thread on the outer surface of the second part of diode bed. This heat sink mount has lower costs and higher heat dissipation efficiency. |
| US08976824B2 |
Heat-swap device and method
A TOSA can include: a light emitting element; and one or more heating elements thermally coupled to the light emitting element so as to provide a substantially constant heat generation profile and/or temperature profile across the TOSA during a light emitting element dormant period and a light emitting element firing period. The TOSA can include a controller operably coupled with the one or more heating elements so as to control the substantially constant heat generation profile and/or temperature profile. In one aspect, the one or more heating elements can include one or more dedicated heating elements. In one aspect, the one or more of the dedicated heating elements can include a resistor element or coil. |
| US08976823B2 |
Controllable multi-wavelength laser source
In at least one embodiment a laser system includes a fiber laser source, a polarization controller and a wavelength converter. The relative power distribution between a pump wavelength and a signal wavelength is controllable using the polarization controller. An optional phase compensator is used to control polarization state of the output laser beam. In various embodiments the relative power distribution among multiple wavelengths may be controlled over a range of at least about 100:1. |
| US08976822B2 |
Tunable opto-electronic oscillator having optical resonator filter operating at selected modulation sideband
Opto-electronic oscillator (OEO) devices include an optical resonator filter to block the strong laser light at the laser carrier frequency from entering the optical resonator filter and to select one of the weak modulation sidebands, which is in resonance with the optical resonator filter, to be coupled into the optical resonator filter. The laser light at the laser carrier frequency and other modulation sidebands bypass the optical resonator filter to reach a fast photodetector. The laser light in the selected modulation sideband in the optical resonator filter is then coupled out to mix with the laser light at the laser carrier frequency and other modulation sidebands at the fast photodetector to produce the detector output as the input to the electrical part of the opto-electronic loop to produce the OEO oscillation. |
| US08976821B2 |
Anisotropic beam pumping of a Kerr lens modelocked laser
Apparatus and methods for anisotropic pumping of a Kerr lens modelocked laser. Direct diode laser pumping of an ultrafast Kerr lens modelocked laser oscillator is accomplished. Diode lasers generate severely anisotropic beams, meaning the pump beam has a higher-beam-quality dimension and a lower-beam-quality dimension. By spatially overlap of the pump beam higher-beam-quality dimension and the KLM laser mode, KLM operation is accomplished. Multiple laser diode pump beams are combined in counterpropagating and same-side configurations. |
| US08976819B2 |
Circuit and method for metering electricity
A current detection module generates a first current detection signal of a first current flowing through a first power line and a second current detection signal of a second current flowing through a second power line. A multiplexer periodically switches between the two current detection signals in response to a control signal so as to output the first current detection signal within a first duration of each cycle of the control signal and the second current detection signal within a second duration of each cycle of the control signal. A signal processing module generates an energy accumulation signal according to the output of the multiplexer and a voltage detection signal of the voltage of a phase line. A control module provides the control signal to the multiplexer, and generates an effective value of the second current during the second duration. |
| US08976818B2 |
Communication device, a control device, and a non-transitory computer readable medium
A communication device transmits a first packet to a first device via a network device, and receives a second packet from the first device. A transmission time between the communication device and the first device is calculated using time indicated by the communication device when the communication device transmitted the first packet, time indicated by the first device when the first device received the first packet, time indicated by the first device when the first device transmitted the second packet, time indicated by the communication device when the communication device received the second packet. A size of the first packet is set so that wait time of the first packet at the network device is within predetermined period. The wait time is calculated by assuming that a third packet transmitted from a second device is inputted to the network device before the first packet is inputted to the network device. |
| US08976816B1 |
Self-synchronous scrambler/descrambler and method for operating same
A self-synchronous scrambler/descrambler and method for operating same are disclosed. A self-synchronous scrambler/descrambler comprises an M-bit Scrambler State memory for retaining M previously scrambled/descrambled bits, a SOP/EOP Zero Inserter for receiving replacing certain bytes of the bus word with a value of zero, a Mid-Packet Word Logic for scrambling/descrambling the received bits using the previously scrambled/descrambled bits from the M-bit Scrambler State memory; and a Barrel Shifter for rotating the M-bit Scrambler State memory backwards. The method for scrambling/descrambling bits, comprising receiving a bus word, replacing certain bytes of the bus word, scrambling/descrambling bits of the bus word by exclusive-ORing with previously scrambled/descrambled bits, retaining the scrambled/descrambled bits of the bus word; and rotating the scrambled/descrambled bits of the bus word backwards an amount. |
| US08976815B2 |
Method and apparatus for sharing contents between devices
A method and apparatus for shortening a time for a contents receiving device to reproduce contents provided from a contents providing device. The method includes receiving headers of respective contents in advance from a contents providing device, verifying whether a header of selected contents is already received when the corresponding contents are selected, receiving contents data of the selected contents from the contents providing device when the header of the selected contents is already received, and reproducing the selected contents using the received corresponding header and contents data. |
| US08976813B2 |
Secure quality of service
Methods and apparatus are provided for communicating a flow of packets with a requested quality of service. An exemplary method involves receiving a first packet of a flow, determining a first reference value for the packet flow identification field of the first packet using a key value, and facilitating the requested quality of service for the first packet when the received value of the packet flow identification field of the first packet matches the first reference value. The method continues by receiving a second packet of the flow, determining a second reference value for the packet flow identification field using the key value, and facilitating the requested quality of service for the second packet when the received value of the packet flow identification field of the second packet matches the second reference value. |
| US08976810B2 |
Wireless communication system and method, and wireless access point device
A wireless communication system in which wireless communication can be performed via a wireless communication network, the wireless communication system comprising: a wireless access point device configured to operate by using power supplied via a two-wire cable, to perform wireless communication with wireless field devices via the wireless communication network, and to perform communication via the two-wire cable; and a conversion device connected to the two-wire cable and to a control unit configured to control the wireless field devices, the conversion device being configured to supply power to the wireless access point device via the two-wire cable, and to perform conversions between signals, which are input and output from the control unit, and signals, which are transmitted and received via the two-wire cable. |
| US08976801B2 |
Short packet transmission
Disclosed are various embodiments that provide short packet transmission by a network interface controller (NIC). The NIC may receive a signal indicating that a set of buffer descriptors is available for fetching from a host device. The NIC is configured to fetch the set of buffer descriptors from the host device, the set of buffer descriptors comprising a control flag, the control flag indicating whether the set of buffer descriptors comprises immediate packet data; and the NIC may transmit the immediate packet data as a transmit packet if the control flag indicates that the set of buffer descriptors comprises immediate packet data. |
| US08976799B1 |
Converged computer I/O system and bridging mechanism for peer-to-peer communication
A high-speed I/O interface that allows a number of native I/O formats to be encapsulated into PCIe Vendor Defined Messages (“VDMs”) for transfer over a single physical medium, preferably optical, and is thus referred to as the converged I/O (“CIO”) interface. The devices can be designed to provide synchronization (time value, frequency, and phase) among a network of routers, with signal paths of several meters, thereby providing an accurate time base suitable for exacting audiovisual applications. |
| US08976796B2 |
Bandwidth reuse in multiplexed data stream
A network component comprising a processor configured to implement a method comprising promoting the communication of a frame within a synchronization window, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of data types carried in a plurality of timeslots, and wherein each timeslot is assigned to carry one of the data types, identifying an idle timeslot that is assigned to carry a first data type, and inserting a second data type into the idle timeslot. Also disclosed is a method comprising receiving a data stream comprising a plurality of timeslots, wherein each timeslot is assigned to carry one of a plurality of data types, and determining whether one of the timeslots assigned to carry a first data type contains a second data type. |
| US08976790B2 |
Disjoint data path routing for integrity and availability augmentation
A method comprises transmitting a plurality of copies of a message from each of a first transmission node and a second transmission node, each copy having a respective identification and forwarding each of the plurality of copies of the message among other nodes in the network based, at least in part, on the respective identification of each copy such that each copy of the message traverses a predetermined communication path among the other nodes. A respective first received copy is compared to a respective second received copy at each of the other nodes. The integrity of the respective first and second copies is validated at each of the other nodes if the copies match and the copies traversed disjoint communication paths. |
| US08976789B2 |
Communication transport protocol for distributed information technology architectures
A communication protocol in a layer two (L2) network switch comprises, in response to a service request by a source node, registering the source node for packet communication service. The protocol further comprises forwarding one or more packets from the registered source node to one or more destination nodes. The protocol further comprises receiving packets from one or more destination nodes and forwarding each received packet to a corresponding registered node. |
| US08976786B2 |
Broadcast interactive television system
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to deliver broadcast channels by way of interactive TV (iTV) edge routers using multicast virtual private networks, share a same multicast state for the broadcast channels and share a same multicast delivery tree for the broadcast channels. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08976784B2 |
Method and apparatus for provisioning a scalable communications network
A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining at a first directory server of a first regional call processing system whether a new name authority pointer associated with a telephone number is within a first geographic region of the first regional call processing system, transmitting the new name authority pointer to a first name server of the first regional call processing system for provisioning the name authority pointer to the first name server responsive to determining that the telephone number is located within the first geographic region, and transmitting the new name authority pointer to a second directory server for provisioning the new name authority pointer to a second name server of a second regional call processing system responsive to determining that the telephone number is not located within the first geographic region. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08976783B2 |
Method and apparatus for assuring voice over internet protocol service
In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for assuring Voice over Internet Protocol service. In one embodiment, a system for assuring Voice over Internet Protocol service includes a performance management platform for collecting performance management data from a plurality of sources in a Voice over Internet Protocol network, for detecting at least one abnormal event in accordance with the collected performance management data, and for reporting a volume of traffic in the Voice over Internet Protocol network and a trouble ticketing system for generating a ticket identifying a root cause of the abnormal event(s). |
| US08976781B1 |
Apparatus and method for calibrating a component of a transceiver via a calibration circuit operating in different calibration modes
A system including a component of a transceiver, a comparator, a counter, and a calibration circuit. The component receives an input signal comprising packets and based on the input signal, generates output signals to transmit the packets. The comparator compares the output signals to generate a comparison signal. The counter counts cycles of a clock signal to provide a count value. The control device, based on the comparison signal, transitions the counter between incrementing the count value and decrementing the count value. The calibration circuit operates in first and second calibration modes; during the first calibration mode, calibrates the component until the counter transitions a predetermined number of times between incrementing the count value and decrementing the count value; and during the second calibration mode, calibrates the component until (i) the counter transitions between incrementing and decrementing the count value, or (ii) counts a predetermined number of cycles. |
| US08976779B2 |
Method for differential precoding and base station supporting same
Provided is a differential precoding method for reducing inter-user interference and increasing the sum rate. The differential precoding method comprises initializing a precoding matrix with a first (Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI) for a channel between a mobile station and a base station; and updating the precoding matrix with a second PMI for the channel and side information for adaptively updating the precoding matrix according to a change speed of a state of the channel, wherein the side information has a quantized scalar value. |
| US08976778B2 |
Time synchronization using packet-layer and physical-layer protocols
In certain embodiments, a slave clock node in a wireless packet network achieves time synchronization with a master clock node by implementing a packet-layer synchronization procedure, such as the IEEE1588 precision timing protocol (PTP), to set the slave's local time based on the master's time. The slave's local time is then maintained by implementing a physical-layer syntonization procedure, such as synchronous Ethernet, without relying on the packet-layer synchronization procedure. The packet-layer synchronization procedure may be selectively employed to adjust the slave's local time (if needed) after significant periods of time (e.g., substantially greater than one second). Both the packet-layer synchronization procedure and the physical-layer syntonization procedure are traceable to a common reference timescale (e.g., UTC). Depending on the implementation, the packet-layer synchronization procedure can be, but does not have to be, terminated when not being employed to adjust the slave's local time. |
| US08976777B2 |
IP communication device and single-oscillator radio and oscillator control method
The invention relates to the field of radio communication devices and, more specifically, gateways connected firstly to a cellular radio communication network via a packet data communication network, such as an IP network, and secondly to cellular mobile communication terminals. The invention proposes to use the same oscillator to provide both the reference clock of the radio subsystem and the reference clock of the general processor of the device. The fact that the same oscillator is used for these two components also allows embodiments in which some of the functions that have hitherto been devolved to a hardware control component, itself operating by means of a clock derived from the radio oscillator and being involved in the control of said oscillator, can now be devolved to a software component that is executed on the general processor of the gateway. |
| US08976775B2 |
Transmission of an information sequence
A method implemented in a mobile communications system for data transmission is disclosed. The method includes selecting a set of parallel channels, determining transmission rank, and determining a precoding matrix of the transmission rank for the set of parallel channels, wherein the precoding matrix is formed by applying householder transformation to a vector to make a matrix and selecting one or more columns from the matrix. Other methods and apparatuses also are disclosed. |
| US08976774B2 |
Radio link performance prediction in wireless communication terminal
A method for predicting performance of a radio link in a wireless communication terminal including hypothesizing a second codeword including information associated with a hypothesized first codeword, obtaining channel state information from a received signal, and estimating a decoder error rate of the first codeword under a condition that the second codeword may not be decoded correctly, wherein the decoder error rate is estimated using the channel state information. |
| US08976768B2 |
Peer setup of predefined modulation transmission
Described herein are systems and techniques related to maintaining wireless connections between stations (STAs). A message is communicated between the STAs to anticipate modulation type that may be used in transmitting a packet under the Wireless Gigabit alliance (WiGig) specification and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11ad standard. The message may be used in disabling or enabling automatic gain control (AGC) at a receiving STA end. |
| US08976761B2 |
High density deployment using transmit or transmit-receive interference suppression with selective channel dimension reduction/attenuation and other parameters
In a wireless local are network, each of multiple access points, in a high density deployment, are configured to suppress co-channel interference. A first access point having a plurality of antennas beamforms a transmission to a wireless client device within a null-space or with the weakest singular eigenmodes of a wireless channel between the first access point and at least one co-channel second access point. Techniques are presented herein for situations in which any given access point has two or more co-channel access points. In addition, an access point may perform receive side suppression with respect to a transmission (made by a co-channel access point to one of its associated wireless client devices) that is received from that co-channel access point. |
| US08976760B2 |
Communication control system and communication control method
To provide a communication control system and a communication control method, in which call connection delay can be reduced even in a case where a resource capable of continuing an established communication bearer in a radio communication system in a transition destination cannot be captured when a mobile station transitions to another radio communication system. An eNB 110 includes a handover control unit 115 configured to determine whether a handover of a PS bearer to a 3G system 20 is performed based on the priority of the PS bearer to the CS bearer when a connection destination of a mobile station 300 being in connection with an LTE system 10 using the PS bearer is switched to the 3G system 20. |
| US08976759B2 |
Multi-user downlink linear MIMO precoding system
A method implemented in a base station used for a downlink multi-user (MU) multi-input multi-output (MIMO) system is disclosed. The method includes receiving an indication of a quantized matrix from each of a plurality of scheduled user equipments, precoding data streams for the plurality of scheduled user equipments, transmitting the precoded data to the plurality of scheduled user equipments. Other methods and some apparatuses for wireless communications also are disclosed. |
| US08976755B2 |
Method of controlling connection between nodes in digital interface
A method of controlling connection between nodes in a digital interface whereby a first node that is a master node determines a second node to be the master and controls a point-to-point connection or a broadcast connection to another node. The first node having the display device determines the second node to be the master in accordance with a user selection, and transmits a connection command of a predetermined format for transmitting a data stream to the second node. The second node determined as the master in accordance with the transmitted connection command of the predetermined format is allocated with a channel and a bandwidth from an isochronous resource manager (IRM), and performs a point-to-point connection between the second node and the first node to transit the data stream. Thus, the transmission/reception, reproduction, and control of the data stream of the program can be smoothly performed. |
| US08976754B2 |
Feedback information relating to a mobile communications system using carrier aggregation
The invention relates to a method for encoding a number of feedback information messages in a mobile radio communications system using carrier aggregation, the method comprising: encoding the number of feedback information messages by a set of codewords, where each feedback information message can be of at least a first kind or a second kind. The method is distinguished by that for at least one feedback information message there is at least one codeword corresponding to information of the first kind and at least one codeword corresponding to information of the second kind, wherein the modulation symbol of one of said at least one codeword corresponding to information of the first kind and the modulation symbol of one of said at least one codeword corresponding to information of the second kind have a maximum distance. The invention also relates to a mobile terminal and radio basestation for a communications system. |
| US08976750B1 |
Delivering precision time protocol frequency and phase synchronization over a network without on-path support
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for precision time protocol (PTP) frequency and phase synchronization to unanchored sites over non on-path supported networks are provided. In embodiments, the method includes continuously measuring one-way delay (OWD) and delay offset from a host site to an anchored site to determine a dynamic corrective offset (DCO). One of a plurality of unanchored sites is identified. In embodiments, the DCO is applied to PTP sync or PTP follow-up messages communicated from the host site to the identified unanchored site. The clocks associated with the unanchored sites are synchronized to the host clock. |
| US08976749B2 |
Method and base station for dynamic adjustment of carrier resource
A method and base station for dynamic adjustment of a carrier resource are disclosed. First, a cell-edge traffic volume of a local cell is detected; then, if the cell-edge traffic volume of the local cell is reduced, an idle primary subcarrier resource in the cell is released as a secondary subcarrier according to a degree of reduction of the cell-edge traffic volume and according to a multiple of a predetermined minimum granularity. With it, when the cell-edge traffic volume of the local cell is changed, the allocation of a primary subcarrier and a secondary subcarrier may be adjusted dynamically, which increases a utilization rate of a spectrum and ensures that carrier resources can be utilized properly and adequately. |
| US08976748B2 |
Mobile station apparatus, base station apparatus, communication system, communication method, integrated circuit, and mobile station apparatus control program
When a mobile station apparatus capable of being connected to a base station apparatus by using a plurality of frequency bands performs an uplink transmission, the mobile station apparatus selects the optimum combination among the combinations of a plurality of frequency bands and uplink transmission methods, and performs the uplink transmission. The mobile station apparatus aggregates a plurality of cells to connect the same to a base station apparatus and requests, from the base station apparatus, an uplink radio resource required to transmit uplink data. The mobile station apparatus selects, based on a first condition, an uplink for making a radio resource request using a random access channel from the plurality of cells, and selects, based on a second condition, either the radio resource request using the random access channel or the transmission of uplink data using an uplink radio resource common to other mobile station apparatuses. |
| US08976744B2 |
Vehicle communication network including wireless communications
A wired and wireless vehicle communication network includes network node modules, switch modules, bridge-routing modules, and a network manager. The network manager is operable to determine a wired packet communication mode and/or a wireless packet communication mode. When the network is in the wireless packet communication mode, the network manager coordinates wireless communication of packets among the network node modules, the switch modules, and the bridge-routing modules based on individual content of the packets and wireless channel mapping. When the network is in the wired packet communication mode, the network manager coordinates wired communication of packets among the network node modules, the switch modules, and the bridge-routing modules based on the individual content of the packets and in accordance with a global vehicle network communication protocol. |
| US08976740B2 |
System information acquisition in connected mode
A method of wireless communication includes acquiring at least one non-required system information from a cell while in a radio resource control connected state. The non-required system information is system information that is not required in the radio resource control connected state. The method includes transitioning from the radio resource control connected state to a radio resource control idle state on the cell without acquiring the at least one non-required system information. |
| US08976739B2 |
Method for operating radio communication in multi-radio link communications system
An item of network information pertaining to available resources, which are available for transmitting radio communication data in a multi-radio link communications system, is transmitted to network devices and/or subscriber stations by a coordination device. The item of network information assigns the available resources to groups, and the resources of different groups are assigned according to at least one common group feature. |
| US08976730B2 |
Enhanced capabilities and efficient bandwidth utilization for ISSI-based push-to-talk over LTE
For voice traffic over-the-air in LTE, persistent schedule (PS) or semi-persistent (SPS) scheduling would be the preferred method as they minimize signaling messages. In PS or SPS, resources are pre-allocated to the UE 402 at regular intervals (e.g., every 20 milliseconds). At each time slot, the UE will generally transmit an IMBE frames which are encoded in ISSI packet. In ISSI, other data streams are multiplexed with the IMBE frame and thus the packet size varies depending on its position within a super-frame. For PS or SPS, eNodeB must allocated sufficient resources to support the largest packet that. Therefore, there is spare capacity when the packet is not of the largest size. The exemplary embodiments specify ways to use spare capacity to transfer data. |
| US08976728B2 |
Distributed medium access control (DMAC) for mobile ad hoc networks
Message or traffic data is transmitted from a given radio or node for reception by one or more other nodes in a communications network, by arranging the node for transmitting the data according to a selected one of a number of different medium access protocols. The medium access protocol selected for a given message or traffic is determined according to one or more of (a) the size of the traffic, (b) the priority of the traffic, (c) the periodicity of the traffic, and (d) whether the traffic is broadcast or unicast to the other nodes in the network. Each radio includes one or more processor and memory modules configured to output messages or traffic for transmission from the radio according to the selected medium access protocol. By using distributed scheduling and traffic control to protect against hidden nodes, the radios can maintain agile portability in tactical urban environments. |
| US08976726B2 |
Identification, alignment and cross polarization optimization for orthogonal polarized transmission and relay systems
A method of and system for distinguishing polarizations and information about the carrier signals transmitted from a repeating relay comprising encoding, using an encoder, a first data stream and a second data stream at a repeating relay, modulating, using a modulator, the first and second encoded data streams at the repeating relay, spreading, using a spreader, the first modulated data stream such that a first spread waveform results having first spreading characteristics and the second modulated data stream such that a second spread waveform results having second spreading characteristics, wherein the first spreading characteristics and the second spreading characteristics are different and differentiate the first spread waveform from the second spread waveform, and transmitting the first spread waveform as a first spread spectrum carrier signal on a first electromagnetic polarization and the second spread waveform as a second spread spectrum carrier signal on a second EM polarization. |
| US08976725B2 |
Communication system, relay device, communication terminal, and base station
Provided is a communication system including a plurality of base stations, a plurality of communication terminals that communicates with one of the plurality of base stations, and a relay device, the relay device including a selection unit that selects a communication terminal to be relayed from among the plurality of communication terminals on the basis of communication quality information received from each of the plurality of communication terminals, and a relay unit that relays communication between the communication terminal selected by the selection unit and the corresponding base station. |
| US08976721B1 |
Beacon miss prevention in power save modes using timing synchronization function
A clock generator generates a first clock. A receiver transitions, based on the first clock, from a power save mode to an active mode to receive a DTIM beacon from an access point. The DTIM beacon is transmitted at a DTIM beacon interval based on a second clock of the access point. A beacon sensing module determines a number of times the DTIM beacon is missed by the receiver during a predetermined time period subsequent to the receiver transitioning from the power save mode to the active mode. A transmit module transmits a number of requests to the access point during a given DTIM beacon interval. The number of requests is based on the number of times the DTIM beacon is missed. A synchronization module receives information about the second clock from the access point and synchronizes the first clock to the second clock based on the information. |
| US08976718B2 |
Automatic detection apparatus for UL/DL configuration in LTE-TDD signal and the method thereby
This invention relates to an automatic detection apparatus for UL/DL configuration in LTE-TDD signal and the method thereby for automatically detecting the UL/DL configuration number of an LTE-TDD signal without a decoder by using a simple structure. An automatic detection apparatus for UL/DL configuration in LTE-TDD signal comprises: a signal receiving unit for receiving an LTE-TDD RF signal and converting the LTE-TDD RF signal into a LTE-TDD baseband signal; a signal extracting unit for extracting a cell-specific reference signal for each subframe length in one frame length of the LTE-TDD baseband signal received from the signal receiving unit; a signal power measurement unit for measuring the power of the corresponding subframe reference signal according to the cell-specific reference signal received from the signal extracting unit; and an UL/DL configuration determination unit for determining whether the corresponding subframe is a DL subframe or an UL subframe according to the comparison result of the power of the corresponding subframe reference signal measured in the signal power measurement unit with a predetermined reference value, and determining the UL/DL configuration number for the corresponding frame based on the subframe number determined as described above. In the above configuration, it is characterized in that the predetermined reference value is the noise power without any LTE-TDD signal. |
| US08976715B2 |
System and method for operating a packet voice far-end echo cancellation system
A packet voice transceiver adapted to reside at a first end of a communication network and to send an ingress communication signal comprising voice packets to, and receive an egress communication signal comprising voice packets from, a second packet voice transceiver residing at a second end of the communication network. The packet voice transceiver includes a far-end echo canceller that reduces echo that is present in the egress communication signal. The far-end communicates with other functional components of the transceiver system and adapts its behavior based on the activity of the other functional components. |
| US08976712B2 |
Speakerphone and conference bridge which request and perform polling operations
Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for improved audio, video, and data conferencing. The present invention provides a conferencing system comprising a plurality of endpoints communicating data including audio data and control data according to a communication protocol. A local conference endpoint may control or be controlled by a remote conference endpoint. Data comprising control signals may be exchanged between the local endpoint and remote endpoint via various communication protocols. In other embodiments, the present invention provides for improved bridge architecture for controlling functions of conference endpoints including controlling functions of the bridge. |
| US08976711B2 |
Simple topology transparent zoning in network communications
An autonomous system (AS) comprising a topology transparent zone (TTZ) comprising a plurality of TTZ nodes, wherein the plurality of TTZ nodes includes an edge node and an internal node, wherein each of the plurality of TTZ nodes is configured to connect to another TTZ node via an internal link, and a plurality of neighboring external nodes connected to the TTZ edge nodes via a plurality of external links, wherein no link state advertisements (LSAs) describing the internal links are distributed to the neighboring external nodes. |
| US08976706B2 |
Load balancing method and system for peer-to-peer networks
System and method for balancing a number of incoming connections of nodes connected to a peer-to-peer network. The method includes receiving at a selecting node information about out-finger candidates. The information includes at least a quantifiable parameter for the out-finger candidates and the out-finger candidates are possible nodes to be connected to the selecting node. The method includes calculating in the selecting node, for each node of the out-finger candidates, a probability value by using a predetermined probability function that uses as input the corresponding quantifiable parameter; and selecting one node from the out-finger candidates to be an out-finger node for the selection node based on the probability value. The probability value is associated with a number of in-finger connections to the selected out-finger node. |
| US08976705B2 |
System and method for providing configuration data in a mesh network
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving packets from a group of nodes configured to operate in a mesh network; referencing geographic information associated with the group of nodes; evaluating a subset of the group of nodes within a particular geographic area; determining a global positioning system (GPS) location and a relative location associated with the subset of the group of nodes; determining configuration data for the subset of the group of the nodes; and communicating the configuration data to the subset of the group of nodes. |
| US08976698B2 |
Methods and apparatus for radio link monitoring in new carrier type (NCT) in a long term evolution (LTE) system
Certain aspects provide methods and apparatus for performing radio link monitoring (RLM) based on channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs). Such RLM may be performed for certain carriers, such as New Carrier Type (NCT) in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, for example, in which reference signals conventionally used for RLM (e.g., common reference signals (CRSs) in LTE Rel-8/9/10) are not available in every subframe. Radio link failure (RLF) may be declared based on the RLM. One example method generally includes determining at least one of a first set of CSI-RS resources for use in channel estimation to perform RLM measurements or a second set of CSI-RS resources for use in interference estimation to perform the RLM measurements and performing the RLM measurements based on the one or more determined sets of CSI-RS resources. Certain aspects provide methods and apparatus for performing radio resource management (RRM) based on CSI-RSs. |
| US08976695B2 |
Wireless communications system having selective wireless communications network and related methods
A wireless communications system may include different wireless communications networks, an application server, and an intermediate server configured to communicate with the application server. The wireless communications system may also include a mobile wireless communications device configured to communicate with the intermediate server over each of the different wireless communications networks to determine a selected wireless communications network. The mobile wireless communications device may also be configured to communicate with the application server via the intermediate server over the selected wireless communications network. |
| US08976688B2 |
Grant scheduler for optical network devices
In general, techniques are described for performing grant scheduling in optical networks. An optical line terminal (OLT) comprising a control unit may implement the techniques. The control unit determines an amount of upstream data associated with a category of service that is waiting at a first one of a plurality of ONTs to be transmitted upstream to the OLT and computes a number of GCPs for each of the ONTs based on a determined amount of data associated with the category of service that is waiting to be transmitted upstream to the OLT for each of the ONTs. After computing the number of GCPs, the control unit then grants time slots to the one or more of the ONTs based on the number of GCPs computed for each of the ONTs, wherein the time slots comprise time slots for upstream communication form the ONTs to the OLT. |
| US08976686B2 |
TCM path search method, TCM path creaetion method, path search management system, and path creation management system
A Tandem connection monitoring (TCM) path search method, a TCM path creation method, a path search management system, and a path creation management system are provided. The source end TCM mode and the sink end TCM mode at a single level of each node in an Optical Channel Data Unit-k (ODUk) path are acquired; and a TCM path at the single level between nodes in the ODUk path is calculated according to the source end TCM mode and the sink end TCM mode at the single level of each node that are acquired. TCM level information and the sink end TCM mode of a second node for TCM path creation between a first node and the second node are acquired by specifying the first node and the second node; and a TCM path between the first node and the second node that are specified is created and stored. |
| US08976684B2 |
Intelligent video, data streaming and access to distributed resources in a wireless network
The invention provides a method of operating a network which comprises a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit data directly, or indirectly via one or more intermediate stations, between a requesting station and potential resource providing stations. The method comprises monitoring, at each station, the activity and/or resources of other stations on the network to establish the availability of resources at the other stations, and transmitting, from a requesting station requiring a specified resource, resource request probe signals identifying the specified resource. The resource may be data, connectivity, memory/storage, or another resource. At each station receiving the resource request probe signals, the availability of the specified resource or a portion thereof is determined, and hence whether said station is a potential resource providing station. If such a potential resource providing station has the specified resource or a portion thereof, response data is transmitted directly, or indirectly via one or more intermediate stations, to the requesting station indicating the availability of the specified resource or portion thereof to the requesting station. The requesting station is then given access to the specified resource or portion thereof from at least one resource providing station selected from one or more potential resource providing stations. The invention extends to a network for implementing the method. |
| US08976682B2 |
Connection verification for MPLS label switched paths and pseudowires
In one embodiment, a maintenance intermediate point (MIP) receives a packet traveling along a multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) label switched path (LSP) that extends from a first maintenance end point (MEP) to a second MEP. The receiving MIP decrements a time-to-live (TTL) value in a header of the packet. In response the TTL value in the header of the packet equaling a particular value, the receiving MIP examines an associated channel header (ACH) field in an operations, administration, and maintenance (OAM) message stored in a payload of the packet, and determines a particular OAM function to perform based on a code in the ACH field. The receiving MIP performs the particular OAM function. |
| US08976679B2 |
Method and communication network node for improving communication performance
The present solution relates to enabling improved performance for a user equipment UE (205) in a communication network (200). A network node (210) detects (301, 401) that wireless performance between the UE (205) and a base station (201) is poor. Then, it identifies (302,402) a location of the UE (205) where the poor performance is detected, obtains (303,403) an identity associated with the UE (205), obtains (304,404) an address associated with the UE (205) and identifies (305,405) that the location of the UE (205) is residential and that the address corresponds to the location. The node (210) searches (306,406) for a wireline connection (219) located within a distance from the UE (205). The node (210) establishes (307,407) whether the performance for the UE (205) would be improved by providing services from a core network (209) to the UE (205) via the wireline connection (219) using the home base station (215). |
| US08976678B2 |
Multiple line communications for locomotive consist
A method for controlling data communication within a locomotive consist is disclosed. The method may include monitoring an effect of a first interference generated by a first pair of wires on a second pair of wires during a communication. The method may also include monitoring an effect of a second interference generated by the second pair of wires on the first pair of wires during the communication. The method may further include dividing data packets to he sent from the first access point to the second access point such that a first subset of the data packets are designated for the first pair of wires and a second subset of the data packets are designated for the second pair of wires and modifying the first subset of the data packets to reduce the effect of the first interference. |
| US08976675B2 |
Automatic modification of VOIP packet retransmission level based on the psycho-acoustic value of the packet
An exemplary technique disclosed herein is that the transmitter of a VOIP stream can assess the psycho-acoustic importance of each packet, and then use a protocol that supports redundant transmission to retransmit only the packets that are judged to be important for voice quality and intelligibility. Illustratively, a packet containing a plosive might be retransmitted redundantly because of its disproportionate contribution to intelligibility, but a packet that occurs entirely within a long-duration fricative transmitted only once. An exemplary aspect may also support multiple levels of transmission redundancy based on multiple levels of packet importance, with the levels varying based on the relative psycho-acoustic importance of each packet and/or the degree of network congestion. |
| US08976673B2 |
Implementing OSPF in split-architecture networks
A method is implemented in a network element that functions as one of a plurality of controllers for one of a plurality of areas of a split architecture network. The controller provides a control plane for the area of the split architecture network where the controller is remote from a plurality of switches providing a data plane for the area of split architecture network. The controller facilitates optimized routing across the plurality of areas of the split architecture network by providing limited intra-area link cost data to other controllers of other areas of the split architecture network and to traditional routers of a network including the split architecture network. The limited intra-area link cost data provides costs of each possible shortest path traversal of the area of the controller without providing all internal link cost data. |
| US08976666B2 |
Load balancing network adapter
Methods and systems for providing device-specific authentication are described. One example method includes receiving, by an input port of a network adapter within the computer system, a stream of network traffic; dividing, by load balancing logic within the network adapter, the received stream of network traffic into a plurality of substreams; and presenting the plurality of substreams to respective interfaces of the network adapter, each network adapter interface being accessible by an operating system executing on the computer system. |
| US08976665B2 |
System and method for re-routing calls
The disclosed embodiments include a system, computer program product, and method for routing a call over a packet network. A call request may be received from a calling party to call a called party at a network address. At least one potential call path over a packet network may be determined to connect the calling party to the called party at the network address. Network performance information associated with each potential call path may be accessed and a determination may be made that each of the call paths are impaired or congested. In response to determining that each of the call paths are impaired or congested, the call may be routed over a call path other than one of the at least one potential call paths to enable the calling party to communicate with the called party. |
| US08976661B2 |
Network self-protection
A device used in a network is disclosed. The device includes a network monitor to monitor a network state and to collect statistics for flows going through the network, a flow aggregation unit to aggregate flows into clusters and identify flows that can cause a network problem, and an adaptive control unit to adaptively regulate the identified flow according to network feedback. Other methods and systems also are disclosed. |
| US08976660B2 |
Method for transmitting ACK/NACK signals, and base station and user equipment for the method
According to one aspect of the present invention, values which are specifically defined for each user equipment are reflected when resource allocation/mapping of downlink/uplink ACK/NACK channels is performed, so as to vary uplink/downlink ACK/NACK information transmitting resources for each user equipment allocated to the same downlink/uplink resource. According to another aspect of the present invention, nodes for transmitting uplink/downlink ACK/NACK information vary for each user equipment allocated to the same downlink/uplink resource. According to the present invention, even when downlink/uplink signals for a plurality of user equipment are transmitted from the same resource, uplink/downlink ACK/NACK signals of the plurality of user equipment are transmitted from different resources, thereby reducing interferences among ACK/NACK signals of the plurality of user equipment. |
| US08976659B2 |
Intelligent layer-2 forwarding
One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch includes a port management module and a notification module. During operation, the port management module identifies a local port selected to be in a blocking state associated with a spanning tree. The notification module constructs a notification message associated with the blocking state. |
| US08976655B2 |
Evaluating a capacity of a cell of a radio access network
A method, a computer readable media and a device, the method is for evaluating a capacity of a cell of a radio access network (RAN), and may include monitoring, by a monitor, (a) downstream traffic that is directed towards the cell and (b) responses from the cell to the downstream traffic, to provide monitoring results; calculating, in response to the monitoring results, round trip time (RTT) statistics; and generating an estimate of the capacity of the cell in response to the RTT statistics. |
| US08976652B2 |
Relay device, method of controlling relay device, and relay system
An L2 switch includes a storage unit, a detection unit, a selection unit, and a notification unit. The storage unit stores a plurality of relay paths connecting a source device and a destination device that receives information from the source device. The detection unit detects occurrence of congestion between the host L2 switch and an adjacent L2 switch in a first path among the plurality of relay paths. The selection unit selects a second path from among the plurality of relay paths in the case where the occurrence of congestion has been detected. The notification unit notifies, through an L2 switch adjacent to the host L2 switch in the second path, an L2 switch adjacent to the source device that the second path is to be used as a detour path. |
| US08976645B2 |
Dynamic protection against failure of a head-end node of one or more TE-LSPS
In one embodiment, a repair label switched path (LSP) is established for a primary LSP having a head-end node. The repair LSP extends from a neighboring upstream node of the head-end node to a downstream neighboring node of the head-end node. When a failure of the head-end node is detected, the neighboring upstream node reroutes traffic onto the repair LSP. The rerouted traffic rejoins the primary LSP at the downstream neighboring node. The neighboring upstream node refreshes state of the primary LSP to maintain the primary LSP after failure of the head-end node. |
| US08976643B2 |
Wireless communication method and transmission apparatus
A wireless communication method for a transmission apparatus that transmits an OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) signal using a communication band, which comprises a plurality of subcarrier groups each including a plurality of subcarriers. The method includes specifying which subcarrier group and how many subcarriers are to be used to transmit the OFDM signal, determining a configuration of a transmission frame, generating the OFDM signal by mapping data symbols according to the determined configuration of the transmission frame, and transmitting the generated OFDM signal. |
| US08976633B1 |
Data storage device calibrating fly height actuator based on laser power for heat assisted magnetic recording
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a disk, a head comprising a laser configured to heat the disk while writing data to the disk, and a fly height actuator (FHA) configured to actuate the head vertically over the disk based on an FHA setting. A write laser power applied to the laser during a write operation is calibrated, a first fly height of the head is measured at a first laser power setting, and a second fly height of the head is measured at a second laser power setting different from the first laser power setting. A FHA write setting is generated based on the calibrated write laser power and the first and second fly height measurements, where the FHA write setting is applied to the FHA during the write operation. |
| US08976626B2 |
Seismic wave emitting device for marine seismic acquisition and method for implementation thereof
The invention concerns a device for emitting seismic waves designed to operate by being towed by a vessel. The device of the invention comprises a support of elongated shape; at least one seismic source connected to the support; means to tow the support while holding it in a substantially vertical position. |
| US08976622B2 |
Methods for controlling towed marine sensor array geometry
A method for towing a streamer array includes moving a vessel along a body of water. Streamers are towed by vessel. A relative position is determined at selected points along each streamer with respect to the vessel. At least one of the streamers is deflected at least one longitudinal position along the streamer in response to the determined positions to maintain the streamers in a selected geometry. The selected geometry is related to one of survey vessel heading, energy source trajectory, previously plotted sensor trajectory and a lateral separation related to distance from the towing vessel. |
| US08976621B2 |
Continuous page read for memory
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to techniques to read memory in a continuous fashion. |
| US08976620B2 |
Apparatus and method to adjust clock duty cycle of memory
An embodiment of the invention provides a memory controller for controlling a memory. The memory controller comprises a pulse width modulation module, a voltage comparator and a duty cycle calibration device. The pulse width modulation module is suitable for receiving a clock signal to generate a first voltage. The voltage comparator is suitable for receiving and comparing a reference voltage with the first voltage to output a comparison signal. The duty cycle calibration device is suitable for adjusting a duty cycle of the clock signal according to the comparison signal. |
| US08976614B2 |
Tracking scheme for memory
A memory has a tracking circuit for a read tracking operation. The memory includes a memory bit cell array, a tracking column, a tracking row, a sense amplifier row coupled to the memory bit cell array and the tracking row, and a sense amplifier enable logic. The memory further includes a tracking bit line coupled to the tracking column and the sense amplifier enable logic, and a tracking word line coupled to the tracking row and the sense amplifier enable logic. The tracking circuit is configured to track a column time delay along the tracking column before a row time delay along the tracking row. |
| US08976610B2 |
Memory device with timing overlap mode
In some examples, a memory device is configured to receive a precharge command and an activate command. The memory device performs a first series of events related to the precharge command in response to receiving the precharge command and a second series of events related to the activate command in response to receiving the activate command. The memory device delays the start of the second series of events until the first series of events completes. |
| US08976609B1 |
Low-test memory stack for non-volatile storage
The various embodiments described herein include systems, methods and/or devices used to packaging non-volatile memory. In one aspect, the method includes, selecting, from a set of non-volatile memory die, a plurality of non-volatile memory die on which predefined die-level and sub-die level tests have been deferred until after packaging, in accordance with predefined criteria and predefined statistical die performance information corresponding to the set of non-volatile memory die. The method further includes packaging the selected plurality of non-volatile memory die into a memory device. After said packaging, the method further includes performing a set of tests on the plurality of non-volatile memory die in the memory device to identify respective units of memory within the non-volatile memory die in the memory device that meet predefined validity criteria, wherein the set of tests performed include the deferred predefined die-level and sub-die level tests. |
| US08976602B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor device
A non-volatile semiconductor device includes first and second selecting transistors; multiple memory cells that are stacked above the substrate; multiple word lines that are connected to control gates of the multiple memory cells; selecting gate lines that are each connected to a gate of one of the selecting transistors; a bit line connected to the first selecting transistor; a source line connected to the second selecting transistor; and a control circuit configured to execute an erasing loop that includes an erase operation and a verifying operation. The control circuit increases an erasing voltage in accordance with the number of times the erasing loop is repeated. |
| US08976598B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of operating the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory block comprising cell strings each of which includes a plurality of memory cells, a current measurement circuit measure a current flowing through a selected bit line coupled to a selected cell string when a data read operation or a program verification operation is performed, and a logic group configured to change a read voltage, a program verification voltage, or a pass voltage in response to the measured current. |
| US08976593B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor device
A nonvolatile memory device includes a plurality of global word lines, a voltage pump configured to generate a plurality of voltages, a control unit configured to divide the plurality of global word lines into a first group and a second group in response to an input row address and generate control signals, a first selection unit configured to output at least two different voltages that are to be applied to global word lines of the first group, a second selection unit configured to output a voltage that is to be applied to global word lines of the second group, and a third selection unit configured to apply output voltages of the first selection unit to the global word lines of the first group, and apply an output voltage of the second selection unit to the global word lines of the second group. |
| US08976581B2 |
Non-volatile memory capable of programming cells by hot carrier injection based on a threshold voltage of a control cell
A non-volatile memory system includes a bit line and a plurality of memory cells associated with the bit line and coupled in a serial manner. The system further has a control circuitry in communication with the memory cells, wherein the control circuitry programs a target cell selected from the memory cells by applying a bit line voltage on the bit line in order to promote hot carrier injection into the target cell. The circuit also applies a programming voltage on the target cell under a hot carrier injection mechanism. Moreover, the circuit also applies a control voltage on a control cell, which is adjacent to the target cell when programming the target cell, wherein the control voltage is dependent on the threshold voltage of the control cell and the control voltage is less than the programming voltage. |
| US08976578B2 |
Memory element and memory apparatus
A memory element has a layered configuration, including a memory layer in which a magnetization direction is changed corresponding to information; the magnetization direction being changed by applying a current in a lamination direction of the layered configuration to record the information in the memory layer, a magnetization-fixed layer in which a magnetization direction is fixed, an intermediate layer that is formed of a non-magnetic material and is provided between the memory layer and the magnetization-fixed layer, and a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy inducing layer, the memory layer including a first ferromagnetic layer, a first bonding layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, a second bonding layer and a third ferromagnetic layer laminated in the stated order. |
| US08976577B2 |
High density magnetic random access memory
One embodiment of a magnetic memory device comprises a substrate and a plurality of planar memory arrays stacked on the substrate, each memory array includes a plurality of parallel first conductive lines, each first conductive line includes a ferromagnetic cladding, a plurality of parallel second conductive lines overlapping the first conductive lines at a plurality of intersection regions, a plurality of magnetic tunnel junctions, each magnetic tunnel junction has a controllable electrical resistance, is disposed at an intersection region and electrically coupled to one of the first conductive lines at its first end and to one of the second conductive lines at its second end. The electrical resistance of the magnetic tunnel junction is controlled by a joint effect of a spin-polarized current running between the first and second ends and a bias magnetic field applied simultaneously to said each magnetic tunnel junction. Other embodiments are described and shown. |
| US08976572B2 |
DRAM security erase
A memory includes a DRAM array having memory cells, wordlines and bitlines coupled to the memory cells, and sense amplifiers. The memory can be configured to perform a method in which a wordline of the DRAM array is set to an active state. While the wordline is active, signals develop on the respective bitlines according to the flows of charge between the memory cells coupled to the wordline and the respective bitlines. The sense amplifiers connected to the respective bitlines can remain inactive such that the sense amplifiers do not amplify the signals to storable signal levels. Then, when the wordline is set again to the inactive state, insufficient charge remains in the memory cells coupled to the wordline such that the data stored in memory cells coupled to the wordline are erased. These steps can be repeated using each of a remaining number of wordlines of all or a selected range of the DRAM array so as to erase the data stored in all of the DRAM array or a selected range. |
| US08976571B2 |
Method for driving semiconductor device
It is an object to obtain a memory element (DRAM) storing multilevel data easily. The amount of charge accumulated in a capacitor of a memory element (DRAM) is controlled by changing the potential of a wiring (a bit line), which is used for writing data to the memory element (DRAM), in a period in which a transistor included in the memory element (DRAM) is on. Thus, multilevel data stored in the memory element (DRAM) can be obtained without a complex configuration of a semiconductor device including the memory element (DRAM). |
| US08976569B2 |
Mitigation of inoperable low resistance elements in programable crossbar arrays
A programmable crossbar array includes a layer of row conductors and a layer of column conductors with the row conductors crossing over the column conductors to form junctions. Programmable crosspoint devices are sandwiched between a row conductor and a column conductor at a junction. Each programmable crosspoint device includes a data element with a first programming threshold and a control element with a second programming threshold, in which the second programming threshold is greater than the first programming threshold. A method for mitigating shorts in a programmable crossbar array is also provided. |
| US08976567B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus
A semiconductor apparatus includes: a first bank group comprising a plurality of first banks; a second bank group comprising a plurality of second banks arranged adjacent to the first bank group; a write operation controller arranged between the first and second bank groups so as to be adjacent to the first and second bank groups, and configured to control write operations of the first and second bank groups; and a read operation controller arranged adjacent to any one of the first and second bank groups and configured to control read operations of the first and second bank groups. |
| US08976564B2 |
Anti-fuse circuit and semiconductor device having the same
A memory device includes an anti-fuse cell array including a plurality of anti-fuse cells. Each anti-fuse cell includes a first cell transistor connected to a common node, a second cell transistor connected to the common node, and an access transistor connected to the common node. The first cell transistor is configured to store data and the second cell transistor is configured to store data when the first cell transistor has defect data. |
| US08976561B2 |
Switch mode power converters using magnetically coupled galvanically isolated lead frame communication
An integrated circuit package for use in a switch mode power converter comprises an encapsulation and a lead frame. A portion of the lead frame is disposed within the encapsulation. The lead frame includes a first conductor having a first conductive loop disposed substantially within the encapsulation. The lead frame also includes a second conductor galvanically isolated from the first conductor. The second conductor includes a second conductive loop disposed substantially within the encapsulation proximate to and magnetically coupled to the first conductive loop to provide a communication link between the first and second conductors. A first control die including a first control circuit is coupled to the first conductor. A second control die including a second control circuit is coupled to the second conductor. One or more control signals are communicated between the first and second control dice through the communication link. |
| US08976558B2 |
Power supply device with smoothing capacitor and falling voltage chopper circuit
According to one embodiment, a power supply device includes a rectifying circuit configured to rectify an alternating-current power supply, a first capacitor configured to smooth a voltage after rectification, and a falling voltage chopper circuit configured to supply electric power to a load. The first capacitor is set to a capacity in which a section where a voltage after smoothing drops to an output voltage to the load is provided in a rectified half period of the alternating-current power supply. The falling voltage chopper circuit includes at least one switching element configured to receive an input of the voltage after smoothing, operate in a section where the voltage after smoothing exceeds the output voltage, and pause in a section of the output voltage and a second capacitor provided on an output side and having a capacity larger than the capacity of the first capacitor. |
| US08976554B2 |
Control for fault-bypass of cascaded multi-level inverter
A cascaded multi-level inverter is controlled in fault bypass operation. Rather than relying on approximations or feedback forms, the reference voltages are generated as an analytic solution. The analytic solution and its implementation are not affected by the output frequency of the inverter and it is able to provide maximum possible balanced line-line voltage to a three-phase motor. In addition, the analytic solution provides exact limits for the allowable operation region of the motor power factor in order to prevent overvoltage conditions of the cell inverter. |