| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08973488B2 |
Cartridge extraction device
A device (1) for receiving an ingredient cartridge (2) and extracting the ingredient by passing heated liquid through the cartridge, has a cartridge seat (10) and a liquid injection arrangement (50, 60, 61, 70, 80, 81) for injecting heated liquid into the cartridge seat. The cartridge seat comprises a first cartridge support (20) and a second cartridge support (30) facing the first support. The first and second cartridge supports are arranged to be movable relative to one another from an open position for insertion or removal of a cartridge into the seat to a closed position for passing heated liquid through such a cartridge. At least one support (20) of the cartridge supports (20, 30) is hydraulically actuatable and movable into the closed position by the liquid injection arrangement. The liquid injection arrangement is configured to: pressurize and circulate unheated liquid to the at least one support (20) for actuating and moving said at least one support (20) by the circulating unheated pressurized liquid; and guide this circulating unheated pressurized liquid under pressure from the at least one support (20) via a heater (70) into the cartridge seat (10) for extracting the ingredient contained in the cartridge (2). |
| US08973483B2 |
Gas regulator system
A gas regulator block can be configured to mount to a barrel of a firearm. A gas regulator can be disposed substantially within the gas regulator block and can be configured to adjustably vary an amount of gas flow through the gas regulator block. A cover may be configured to cover a portion of the gas regulator block to inhibit inadvertent adjustment of the amount of gas flow and configured to uncover the portion of the gas regulator block to facilitate intentional adjustment of the amount of gas flow. A gas passage can be formed in the gas regulator block in a forward location and the gas port can be configured to communicate gas from the barrel to the gas regulator. |
| US08973481B2 |
Firearm sound suppressor
In one example, a firearm sound suppressor includes a housing, a baffle, and an inner sleeve adapted to be disposed within the housing and to substantially surround the baffle. The inner sleeve includes a sidewall adapted to slide against the housing to permit the inner sleeve with the baffle to be selectively inserted into and removed from the housing without the baffle contacting the housing, and a longitudinal split extending through the sidewall and between front and rear ends of the inner sleeve to permit the sidewall to flex to permit removal of the baffle from the inner sleeve. Other embodiments are also contemplated. |
| US08973478B2 |
Saw blade and a method of manufacturing a saw blade
A saw blade (4) for a machine operating with adjacent saw teeth traveling in two opposite and parallel directions comprises a blade substrate, teeth (16), and tooth necks (30) formed at the periphery of the substrate for holding the teeth (16) in place. Each tooth neck (30) has a protection surface (34), which is located in a plane that is parallel to the plane of the blade substrate (8), for protecting the tooth (16) against impact with any part of said adjacent saw blade. Each tooth (16) is located on the respective neck (30) in such a way that the tooth (16) is displaced from the protection surface (34) and from the adjacent saw blade in a direction normal to the plane of the protection surface (34). |
| US08973461B2 |
Jointed limb comprising fibres, and jointed structure and robot or haptic interface comprising such a jointed limb
The primary object of the present invention is a jointed and instrumented limb for robot or haptic interface comprising at least first (2) and second (4) rigid segments and a joint (6), said joint (6) comprising fibers and at least one measurement element (101, 102) and being fixed in each of the rigid segments (2, 4).The present invention also has for object a robot or a haptic interface comprising at least one such jointed limb. |
| US08973456B2 |
Fitting structure
A fitting structure includes: a power transmission member circumferentially provided with first and second spaced teeth and receiving power transmitted; and a fitting member surrounding the power transmission member and having a first recess and a second recess receiving the first tooth and the second tooth respectively, to fit to the power transmission member. There is a larger distance between an external surface of the first tooth and an internal surface of the first recess than that between an external surface of the second tooth and an internal surface of the second recess. An elastically deformable buffer member is provided between the external surface of the first tooth and the internal surface of the first recess. |
| US08973451B2 |
Subsea electric actuators and latches for them
A subsea electric actuator comprises an electric motor and a telescopic drive connection (8) from the motor to a drive unit (10, 11, 12) which can be moved to and fro and converts rotary motion of the connection to linear motion of an actuating stem (5). A return spring (14) is operable on the drive unit to urge the actuating stem towards a datum state. An electromagnetic latch (15) is operative when set to maintain the drive unit in a predetermined position so as to decouple the action of the return spring whereby the stem can be advanced and retracted relative to the drive unit free from the action of the return spring. De-energization of the latch allows the return spring to operate on the drive unit to return the actuating stem to the datum state. Various forms of electromagnetic latch are described. |
| US08973445B2 |
Multi-mode holographic pressure sensor
A holographic pressure sensing apparatus includes a first optical fiber with a diffractive element at its end face, and a light-coupling component for receiving from the first optical fiber end face first and second images respectively formed by interaction with the diffractive element of a first light of a first wavelength and a second light of a second wavelength. Displacement of the light-coupling component, toward or away from the first optical fiber end face, will adjust an overlap of the first and second images, such that a change in a measurement of said overlap will indicate a change of the pressure in the fluid surrounding the casing. |
| US08973443B2 |
Ultrasound probe
The present invention relates to an ultrasound therapy system using high-intensity focused ultrasound. The ultrasound therapy improves ultrasound and heat release characteristics and provides an ultrasound probe which easily performs manufacturing and maintenance processes. According to the present invention, a housing is recessed on the inward side around the upper-part edge. A plurality of mounting holes is uniformly formed from the outside at a constant radius to the edge in the center of the upper part. A plurality of probe units is respectively installed in the plurality of mounting holes to form a sphere on the upper part of the housing. And a grounding film covers the sphere which the plurality of probe units forms. |
| US08973441B1 |
Ultrasonic method to verify the interference fit of fasteners
Embodiments of techniques and technologies to verify the interference fit of fasteners are disclosed. In one embodiment, a transducer is positioned to transmit a shear ultrasonic signal through a region of a fastener which is subject to stress when the fastener experiences an interference fit. The shear ultrasonic signal is transmitted through a region of the fastener subject to the stress. As the transmitted ultrasonic signal encounters the region, it is mode converted corresponding to a degree of interference which the fastener is experiencing. A return ultrasonic signal from the fastener is received with the transducer. From the return ultrasonic signal, a processor determines the degree of interference fit which the fastener is experience and outputs an indication of the same. |
| US08973438B2 |
Inertial sensor and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed herein are an inertial sensor and a method of manufacturing the same. The inertial sensor 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a plate-shaped membrane 110, a mass body 120 disposed under a central portion 113 of the membrane 110, a post 130 disposed under an edge 115 of the membrane 110 so as to support the membrane 110, and a bottom cap 150 of which the edge 153 is provided with the first cavity 155 into which an adhesive 140 is introduced, wherein the adhesive 140 bonds an edge 153 to a bottom surface of the post, whereby the edge 153 of the bottom cap 150 is provided with the first cavity 155 to introduce the adhesive 140 into the first cavity 155, thereby preventing the adhesive 140 from being permeated into the post 130. |
| US08973437B2 |
Condensate sensing device
A condensate sensing device to generate a condensate signal when condensate within a condensate collector reaches a predetermined level comprising a hollow shell and overmold integrally formed to form a water tight enclosure to operatively house a signal generator including electronic components to selectively generate the condensate signal when the condensate within the predetermined level reaches the predetermined level to control the operation of equipment and/or energize an alarm. |
| US08973435B2 |
Espresso machine method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for measuring a resultant flow delivered by a pump coupled to an over pressure valve, the method comprising the steps of: measuring, using a first flow meter, feed flow to the pump; measuring, using a second flow meter, return flow from the over pressure valve; and calculating resultant flow, at least in part, by subtracting measured return flow from measured feed flow. A pump power modification module can further modifying the pump output pressure to enable pressure profiling. |
| US08973426B2 |
Alcohol detector and method
An alcohol detector for detecting high concentrations of alcohol in a fuel tank and for providing evidence that the alcohol was present even after it has been removed. In one aspect, the alcohol detector includes a cathode and an anode of different materials and spaced from one another. The anode experiences galvanic corrosion at a faster rate when exposed to high concentrations of alcohol than it does when exposed to unleaded gasoline. Thus, the amount of corrosion present on the anode provides evidence of the past presence of an improper fuel in the fuel tank. In another aspect, the alcohol detector is a dye printed on a fuel pump. The dye visually changes color intensity in the presence of high concentrations of alcohol to provide evidence of the past presence of alcohol. |
| US08973423B2 |
Measuring device for determining the fill quantity of an SF6 gas in an isolated chamber or a switchgear, and corresponding method
A measuring device according to the invention for determining the fill quantity of SF6 gas in an insulating chamber comprises a pressure transducer, a temperature measuring element and a processing device for determining the fill quantity of the SF6 gas from the pressure measurement value and the pertinent temperature measurement value, wherein the measuring device seals a corresponding opening of the insulating chamber and the SF6 gas to be measured acts directly upon both the pressure transducer and the temperature measuring element. |
| US08973420B2 |
Corrugated fin manufacturing apparatus
A corrugate fin manufacturing apparatus includes: a die; a machining punch inserted into a concave in the die to form a rib, wherein on entering the concave, the machining punch does not contact a part of a plate-like body that has not been machined into ribs or does not cause resistance to drawing in of the unmachined part during formation of a rib even when there is contact; a mounting portion provided on the die; and a flat punch provided upstream of the machining punch, wherein when a rib is being formed, the flat punch is positioned to not contact the unmachined part or shaped to not cause resistance to drawing in of the machined part even when there is contact, and wherein after formation of a rib, the flat punch presses down the unmachined part and flattens the unmachined part in combination with the mounting portion. |
| US08973415B2 |
Padlock storage system
In one example, a padlock storage system includes a central portion including a padlock body having a shackle and a key for opening the padlock body. The system includes an upper end having a chamber for accommodating the shackle and a lower end having a chamber for placement of a key. Additionally, a coupling system between the central portion and the lower end allows for rotation of the lower end in relation to the central portion and promotes the unlocking of the shackle, where the key activates the unlocking. The padlock system is operable in two operating positions, where the upper and lower ends are able to attach to each other by removal of the central portion or where the central portion is attached to both ends. When the central portion is removed, a retention capsule for containing the key is formed, and which can be held in an apparatus. |
| US08973412B2 |
Plastic liquor container for a washing machine or a clothes dryer, and method for the production of a liquor container
A plastic liquor container for a washing machine, the plastic liquor container including a laundry drum with a shaft journal and a rear wall that is made of at least two plastic components of different strengths. The rear wall has reinforced regions and a bearing receptacle for the shaft journal of the laundry drum, and the bearing receptacle is made of a high-strength material. The rear wall is manufactured as a single piece by injecting the at least two plastic components into an injection molding mold with a time offset. The reinforced regions of the rear wall are structured as a sandwich component having an inner edge layer and an outer edge layer. The inner edge layer and the outer edge layer of the sandwich component are made of high-strength plastic and enclose a region made of plastic that is less strong than the high-strength plastic. |
| US08973409B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for cooling optical fibers
Methods and apparatuses for cooling optical fibers are disclosed. In one embodiment, In some embodiments, a cooling apparatus for cooling an optical fiber in a production process includes a channel defined by at least one sidewall assembly and a plurality of interior cavities positioned along the interior of the sidewall assembly. The interior cavities include at least one plenum, a first plurality of fluid supply cavities in fluid communication with the at least one plenum, and a second plurality of fluid supply cavities in fluid communication with the at least one plenum. Cooling fluid is supplied from the at least one plenum to the first plurality of fluid supply cavities in a first direction and the second plurality of fluid supply cavities in a second direction opposite the first direction. |
| US08973408B2 |
Method for producing optical fiber using linear non-contact fiber centering
An optical fiber production system and method are provided for producing optical fiber. An optical fiber is drawn from a preform in a furnace and passes through a treatment device under a controlled reduced pressure or partial vacuum in the range of 0.01 to 0.8 atm. The treatment device cools the bare optical fiber as it cools to a temperature range of at least 1,600° C. to 1,300° C. A non-contact fiber centering device is located near an exit of the treatment device to provide linear centering of the optical fiber as it exits the treatment device. |
| US08973404B2 |
Manufacturing method of glass substrate for magnetic disk, manufacturing method of glass blank, glass substrate for magnetic disk, and glass blank
There are provided, a method for efficiently manufacturing a glass substrate for magnetic disk in which the degree of surface irregularity of the principal surface is suppressed, and the glass substrate for magnetic disk. When manufacturing a glass substrate for magnetic disk including a pair of principal surfaces, a glass blank is formed by pressing molten glass or softened glass with planar press forming surfaces of dies in such a way that the molten glass or the softened glass is sandwiched from the both sides. Temperature condition is equalized around the pair of principal surfaces of the glass blank during the pressing. |
| US08973399B2 |
Latch mechanism for a timepiece
A charm for a chain and/or ribbon and/or belt in the form of a necklace, a bracelet or the like, characterized in that this charm is provided with a time-rendering device and optionally an insert to facilitate securement of the charm to the chain. |
| US08973397B2 |
Helium-recovery plant
A helium recovery plant adapted to filter, compress, and purify helium gas collected from one or more helium-using instruments, as well as to liquefy and redistribute the purified gas within a closed system. The recovery plant is adapted to match the purification and liquefaction rate of the system with the consumption rate of the coupled instruments. Additionally, the recovery plant is adapted to match the liquefaction rate of a liquefaction module with a boil-off rate of liquid helium within a Dewar thereof. The recovery plant is further adapted to recycle helium therein in an effort to achieve zero loss. |
| US08973394B2 |
Dual evaporator unit with integrated ejector having refrigerant flow adjustability
In an evaporator unit, a first evaporator is coupled to an ejector to evaporate refrigerant flowing out of the ejector, a second evaporator is coupled to a refrigerant suction port of the ejector to evaporate the refrigerant to be drawn into the refrigerant suction port, a flow amount distributor is located to adjust a flow amount of the refrigerant distributed to the nozzle portion and a flow amount of the refrigerant distributed to the second evaporator, and a throttle mechanism is provided between the flow amount distributor and the second evaporator to decompress the refrigerant flowing into the second evaporator. The flow amount distributor is adapted as a gas-liquid separation portion and as a refrigerant distribution portion for distributing separated refrigerant into the nozzle portion and the second evaporator. Furthermore, the flow amount distributor and the ejector are arranged in line in a longitudinal direction of the ejector. |
| US08973390B2 |
Indoor unit of air-conditioning apparatus and air-conditioning apparatus
An indoor unit includes a heat exchanger provided on the downstream side of a fan and formed with a plurality of lower end portions in a vertical cross section from the front side to the back side of a casing, a plurality of drain pans provided below the lower end portions of the heat exchanger and configured to collect drain water occurring on the heat exchanger, and a drain channel provided between the drain pans and configured to be a flow channel of the drain, and a connecting port to which a drain hose configured to drain the drain water collected by the drain pans to the outside of the casing, and one of the drain pans is arranged to a level equal to or higher than the level of the other drain pan, and the drain channel is provided on the drain pan arranged on the back side of the casing. |
| US08973386B2 |
Electric traction vehicle with cooling by refrigeration cycle
An electric traction vehicle having: at least one pair of driving wheels; at least one reversible electric machine which can be mechanically connected to the driving wheels; an electronic power converter which pilots the electric machine; a storage system, which is aimed at storing electric energy, is connected to the electronic power converter and comprises at least one storage device; a passenger compartment; an air conditioning system of the passenger compartment which fulfills the function of regulating the temperature inside the passenger compartment; and a cooling system, which is completely independent and separate from the air conditioning system of the passenger compartment and uses a compression refrigeration cycle to cool at least one of the electric components, i.e. the electric machine, the electronic power converter and the storage system. |
| US08973382B2 |
Energy efficient air heating, air conditioning and water heating system
An air heating, air conditioning and water heating system includes a multi-communicative valve unit, a compressor arranged for compressing the refrigerant in a state of superheated vapor, a condenser communicated with the compressor through the multi-communicative valve unit, a heat exchanger communicated with the condenser through the multi-communicative valve unit, an expansion valve, and a water heater communicated with the heat exchanger and the compressor through the multi-communicative valve unit, wherein the multi-communicative valve unit is arranged to be operated to selectively establish at least an air conditioning route, an air heating route, and a water heating route for the refrigerant so that the air heating, air conditioning and water heating system is capable of selectively providing air conditioning, heating and delivering hot water for a predetermined premises. |
| US08973372B2 |
Combustor shell air recirculation system in a gas turbine engine
A shell air recirculation system for use in a gas turbine engine includes one or more outlet ports located at a bottom wall section of an engine casing wall and one or more inlet ports located at a top wall section of the engine casing wall. The system further includes a piping system that provides fluid communication between the outlet port(s) and the inlet port(s), a blower for extracting air from a combustor shell through the outlet port(s) and for conveying the extracted air to the inlet port(s), and a valve system for selectively allowing and preventing air from passing through the piping system. The system operates during less than full load operation of the engine to circulate air within the combustor shell but is not operational during full load operation of the engine. |
| US08973371B2 |
Gas turbine engine with turbine cooling arrangement
A gas turbine engine comprising a turbine section cooling system and a method of cooling a turbine section of a gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine comprises in flow series a compressor section, a combustor, and a turbine section, the engine further comprising a turbine section cooling system. The turbine section cooling system including a first compressed air bleed arrangement and a second compressed air bleed arrangement. The first compressed air bleed arrangement bleeds a first flow of compressed air from a high pressure stage of the compressor section. The first flow of compressed air bypasses the combustor and arrives at the turbine section to form a sealing and/or cooling flow at a row of stator vanes upstream of an adjacent rotor disc. The second compressed air bleed arrangement bleeds a second flow of compressed air from one or more lower pressure stages of the compressor section. The second flow of compressed air bypasses the combustor and arrives at the turbine section to form a cooling flow. A first portion of the cooling flow is routed to a front face of the rotor disc and a second portion of the cooling flow is routed to a rear face of the rotor disc. |
| US08973370B2 |
Low shock strength propulsion system
A supersonic nacelle design employing a bypass flow path internal to the nacelle and around the engine is disclosed herein. A set of aerodynamic vanes may be used to shape a supersonic airflow within a bypass around an engine. The vanes may be capable of compressing the supersonic airflow into a subsonic airflow, direct the subsonic airflow around the engine, and then expand the subsonic airflow into a supersonic exhaust. The vanes may shape the airflow by reducing sonic boom strength, cowl drag, and airframe interference drag. |
| US08973367B2 |
Fuel lance for A burner
Disclosed is a fuel lance for a burner, in particular a gas turbine burner, including a tip that has a nozzle surface including at least two fuel nozzles. The nozzle surface is provided with slots between the fuel nozzles. As a rule, the lance is provided for operation with a liquid fuel. |
| US08973366B2 |
Integrated fuel and water mixing assembly for use in conjunction with a combustor
A system includes a mixing assembly configured to mix a liquid fuel and a water to generate a fuel mixture. The fuel mixture is configured to combust in a combustor of a gas turbine. The mixing assembly includes a liquid fuel passage disposed in an integrated housing. The liquid fuel passage is configured to flow the liquid fuel and to exclude liquid traps. The mixing assembly also includes a water passage disposed in the integrated housing. The water passage is configured to flow the water and to exclude liquid traps. The mixing assembly also includes a mixer disposed in the integrated housing and coupled to the liquid fuel passage and the water passage. The mixer is configured to mix the liquid fuel and the water to form the fuel mixture. |
| US08973360B2 |
Pressure cylinder having a hidden loop design
A pressure cylinder includes a pressure-boosting member set, an actuation member set, and a cylinder body, which defines two transversely extending air inlets, two transversely extending air outlets and two air passages respectively axially connected between the two air inlets and the two air outlets for allowing an applied compressed gas to flow through the two air inlets and the two air passages and the two air outlets into an air chamber in the cylinder body to move the pressure-boosting member set and the actuation member set in an oil accumulation chamber in the cylinder body. The hidden loop design for guiding the applied compressed gas does not require any extra pipelines and connectors, avoiding pipeline deterioration or connector loosening problems. |
| US08973355B2 |
Multi-layer liquid-cooled mount
An exhaust after-treatment system for treating an exhaust produced by an engine. The exhaust after-treatment system may include an exhaust passageway in communication with the engine, and an exhaust treatment component provided in the exhaust passageway. A dosing module for dispensing an exhaust treatment fluid into the exhaust passageway can be located between the engine and the exhaust treatment component. A coolant source and a modular liquid-cooled mount for supporting and cooling the dosing module is also provided. The liquid-cooled mount communicates with the coolant source and includes an inlet sub-mount including a first coolant passageway, a base sub-mount including a second coolant passageway, and at least one intermediate mount disposed between the inlet sub-mount and the base sub-mount that includes a third coolant passageway, wherein each of the first, second, and third coolant passageways are in communication with each other. |
| US08973353B2 |
Exhaust gas post-treatment unit and construction vehicle carrying same
An exhaust gas post-treatment unit includes a diesel particulate filtering device that treats engine exhaust gas, a selective catalyst reduction device that treats the engine exhaust gas, a connecting pipe, an injection device, a cooling water supply pipe and a cooling water return pipe. The connecting pipe connects the diesel particulate filtering device and the selective catalyst reduction device. The injection device is disposed on the connecting pipe and injects a reducing agent into the exhaust gas supplied to the selective catalyst reduction device. The a cooling water supply pipe guides cooling water to the injection device to cool the injection device. The cooling water return pipe discharges the cooling water from the injection device. At least one of the cooling water supply pipe and the cooling water return pipe has a convection section extending upward along the connecting pipe from a connecting portion with the injection device. |
| US08973350B2 |
Control method of exhaust gas purification system and exhaust gas purification system
In forced regeneration control of an exhaust gas purification device 12, data for control such as the number of meshes of a data map and the number of data maps for forced regeneration control is reduced and occurrence of torque shock is avoided by smoothly changing a fuel pressure. In the forced regeneration control of the exhaust gas purification device, when an operation state of an internal combustion engine is in a high-load operation state, normal injection control by stopping multi injection is carried out and according to a rotation speed and a load of the internal combustion engine, a region for control is divided into a multi-injection control region, a transition region, and a normal injection control region, and in the transition region, data for fuel pressure control obtained by interpolation of data for fuel pressure control on the multi-injection control region side and data for fuel pressure control on the normal injection control region side is used. |
| US08973343B2 |
Mower deck trimmer assembly
A trimmer assembly for attachment onto the mower deck of a riding mower. The assembly comprises an L-shaped attachment and a height adjustment assembly. The L-shaped attachment is connected to the trim blade spindle of a riding mower, and comprises a pulley surface and a downwardly extending trim shaft holding surface. A series of pulleys within the L-shaped attachment are connected together by a trimmer drive belt that facilitates the movement of the trimmer shaft when the trim blade spindle rotates. The height adjustment comprises an upstanding shaft with a lever attached thereon. The lever is pivotally attached onto the top of the upstanding shaft, and comprises a foot actuatable handle, whereby the movement of the handle alters the height of the L-shaped attachment. The device further includes a pair of wheels that enable side-to-side movement, and a spring loaded mount that provides protection against damages from impacts. |
| US08973342B2 |
Load control system and method for an agricultural harvester
A system and method for controlling a load on an agricultural harvester (100) comprising a first sensor (124, 126, 128, 130) to sense a first load, a second sensor (132, 134, 136, 138) to sense a second load, an electronic control unit (200) coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor, the electronic control unit (200) being configured to determine a difference between the first load and the second load, and to either (a) raise a harvesting head (102) or (b) stop the agricultural harvester (100), or (c) both, when the difference exceeds a threshold load. |
| US08973336B2 |
Systems and methods for providing rounded vault forming structures
Rounded vault forming structures and the systems and methods for making the same are disclosed. Such structures include a monolithic building having one or more arches, one or more integrated hip structures, and a non-circular outer circumferential shaped base. At least some of the structures result in zero to extremely low amounts of waste material from building such structures. |
| US08973335B2 |
Modular assembly shelter
Apparatus manually configurable from a portable unit configuration into an assembled configuration provides a rigid shelter including a solar powered electricity supply circuit. The rigid shelter including the solar powered electrical supply circuit is manually configurable into reusable disassembled parts. Wall elements are releasably connectable between a base element and a roof element. Corner elements are used to define a unit. A plurality of units may be arranged as a single storey shelter or as a multi-storey shelter. External shelter elements have solar energy collector cells that may form part of an external element. A shipping container arrangement includes a plurality of stacked portable unit configurations. |
| US08973332B2 |
Framework connecting device of prefabricated building structure
Disclosed is a framework connecting device of a prefabricated building structure. Each connection portion of frameworks, which are formed in the shape of a square pipe so as to form columns, rafters or the like, is connected and fixed by front and rear connection pieces and a plurality of bolts and nuts which penetrate the same, wherein, during assembly, the frameworks and the front and rear connection pieces are coupled by indented groves and protrusion portions. Base protrusions of the front and rear connection pieces are supported by the frameworks. One or more support pipes which are respectively connected and fixed by bolts and the nuts are provided between the front and rear connection pieces. Therefore, the assembling work may be readily and easily carried out while the strength of the connection portions is being reinforced. |
| US08973331B2 |
Building panel with a mechanical locking system
Building panels 1, 1′ provided with a mechanical locking system including a tongue 30, at an edge of a first panel 1, cooperating with a tongue groove 20, at an edge of an adjacent second panel 1′, for vertical locking of the building panels. The edge of the first panel is provided with a displacement groove 60, which is downwardly open, and includes an inner wall 61, an outer wall 62, and an upper wall 67. The tongue 30 is formed out of the edge of the first panel. A resilient and displaceable and part 66 of the tongue 30 is displaceable into the displacement groove 60. |
| US08973324B2 |
Basement sump system and method
A sump system for use in basement waterproofing systems. A sump liner may be generally rectangular in geometry, and may include two side elements with apertures to exchange groundwater while blocking debris. An adjustable inlet may be provided in another side element to fluidly connect other elements of a basement waterproofing system to the sump liner. The sump liner may further include a base configured to provide a built-in stand for a sump pump. The pump stand may contain a lip with notches to allow debris to fall and collect in a trough around a periphery of the base. The base may further provide an underside cavity for accommodating an obstruction in the floor of a sump hole. A removable lid may facilitate access to the sump liner interior, and may contain a break-away feature to accommodate discharge piping, as well as a groove to lodge a pump power cord. The sump liner may be strategically oriented within the sump hole to protect the basement foundation from erosion. |
| US08973323B1 |
Rebar cap
A rebar cap assembly, for use in connection with a rebar rod with a free end includes a metal casing and a circular metal disc independent of the casing. The casing has a side wall with a cylindrical shape extending between an open end and a closed end with a top wall for receiving the free end of the rebar rod. A shoulder extends annularly about and radially from the side wall into the closed end. The side wall has an outer surface with a plurality of retaining tabs to secure the rebar cap to the rebar rod. The disc extends to a circular perimeter in a cantilevered fashion radially outwardly from the closed end of the casing. A bond is sandwiched between the top wall of the casing and the disc for securing to the disc to the casing. |
| US08973322B2 |
Masonry units and structures formed therefrom
A masonry unit for constructing built structures includes a rectangular shaped base having a front edge and a rear edge. The front edge and the rear edge each include a recess formed therein configured for disposal of a vertically disposed reinforcing material. A pair of spaced apart sidewalls extends perpendicularly from the base and along a length of the base. The sidewalls and the base together define a cavity configured for disposal of a fill material. A pair of spaced apart bridges is supported on the base configured for disposal of lengths of a horizontally disposed reinforcing material. The bridges extend transversely between the sidewalls and each have a height less than a height of the sidewalls. The base defines a hole therethrough disposed adjacent one bridge of the pair of spaced apart bridges. |
| US08973319B2 |
Two-piece track system
A fire-rated receiver channel includes at least one intumescent or other fire-resistant material strip. The receiver channel can nest with a framing member, such as metal tracks, headers, header tracks, sill plates, bottom tracks, metal studs, wood studs or wall partitions, and placed at a perimeter of a wall assembly to create a fire block arrangement. In other arrangements, a track assembly includes two nested tracks, an inner track and outer track. The assembly is designed so that the outside width of the outer track is equal to or less than the outside width of the inner track to present a substantially flush external surface for attachment of exterior sheathing elements when the assembly is used in an external wall. |
| US08973318B2 |
Modular slab and modular surface system
A removable modular slab for use in the construction industry includes upper, lower, and first and second opposing end surfaces, and a conduit extending from the upper surface to an end surface. The slab is abuttable with a second removable modular slab, having: (i) a conduit extending from the upper surface to an end surface, and/or (ii) a cavity extending from an end surface into the slab, whereby the conduits mate to form an elongate conduit through the two slabs. By access through apertures in each slab, a first joining structure is removably locatable to join the two slabs. Cavities may terminate within the second slab and only be accessible through the upper surface of the first slab. A modular surface system includes two such slabs and a joining structure to join the two slabs together. |
| US08973309B2 |
Tower structure
A tower structure including a central, vertical mast and a plurality of tensioned elongate elements arranged to support the mast against buckling, the plurality of tensioned elements together defining a generally hyperboloid structure and including a first plurality of elongate elements which define a multiplicity of junctions therebetween, a second plurality of junction-to-mast joining elongate elements which join at least some of the multiplicity of junctions to the central, vertical mast; and a third plurality of junction-to-junction joining elongate elements which are connected at a plurality of mutually spaced fixed locations therealong to the at least some of the multiplicity of junctions. |
| US08973307B2 |
Door weather strip having upper extrusion molded part, molded part, and lower extrusion molded part
A door weather strip includes an upper extrusion molded part installed on a door sash on a roof side; a molded part without a slit thereon, connected to the upper extrusion molded part on a door corner part; and a lower extrusion molded part installed on a vertical part of the door sash and detachably inserted into the molded part; the upper and lower extrusion molded parts and the molded part having a base bottom part and a hollow seal member formed thereon, in which: a seal bead is formed on the molded part, the seal bead extending from an inner-cabin side toward an outer-cabin side relative to the base bottom part of the molded part on the roof side and descending along an outer-cabin side of a part of the molded part on the vertical part side of the door sash. |
| US08973296B1 |
Accessory rail adaptor
An accessory rail adaptor includes an adaptor body having a first attachment surface and a second attachment surface; an adaptor rail carried by the first attachment surface of the adaptor body; an adaptor roller carried by the adaptor body adjacent to the second attachment surface; and an adaptor flange carried by the adaptor body adjacent to the second attachment surface and in spaced-apart relationship to the adaptor roller, the adaptor flange selectively moveable relative to the adaptor roller. |
| US08973294B2 |
Cartridge counter
Box type ammunition clip that can be totally or partially fitted to an automatic and/or semiautomatic firearm 11, including a distance detection mechanism 25 that measures the distance between the ammunition push tile 22 and the base 28 of the rounds 21 clip 29. |
| US08973292B1 |
Greeting card with pull string curtain
An interactive greeting card which contains a moveable object attached to a motor and a sound module operative to store and playback at least one pre-recorded audio file. The moveable object is contained on an inside panel of the greeting card concealed beneath a curtain. The curtain contains a pull string cord which when pulled, opens the curtain revealing the moveable object while also triggering playback of the pre-recorded audio and triggering activation of the motor module, causing movement of the mobile object. |
| US08973286B1 |
Vacuum assisted dryer systems and methods
Dryers and methods of using dryers are described herein. The dryer includes a housing, a drying chamber disposed within the housing, and a heating element. The dryer further includes an intake configured to supply intake air to the drying chamber. The dryer includes an exhaust configured to vent exhaust air out of the drying chamber. The dryer includes a pump coupled to the housing. The dryer further includes an energy recovery system coupled to the housing. The pump is configured to reduce the air pressure within the drying chamber. The energy recovery system includes a heat transfer fluid and is configured to use the heat transfer fluid to transfer thermal energy from the exhaust air to the drying chamber. |
| US08973280B2 |
Method for determining a twist structure
Method for determining a twist structure in the surface roughness of a workpiece which is cylindrical at least in part includes that multiple sampling segments which extend in the axial direction of the workpiece and which are mutually spaced apart in the circumferential direction are carried out in a surface region of interest on the workpiece, and the value of at least one parameter of the twist structure is determined based on the measured values obtained using the sampling segments. An estimated value of at least one parameter of the twist structure is determined based on the measured values associated with a first sampling segment, the estimated value being corrected based on the measured values associated with at least one second sampling segment. |
| US08973278B2 |
Alignment system and method for radar apparatus
Disclosed are an alignment system and an alignment method for aligning a radar apparatus such that the alignment is not significantly influenced by tolerances in an assembly process of a bumper rail, a front end module, and a vehicle body. |
| US08973276B2 |
Handguard for chainsaw
The invention relates to a chainsaw having a front hand guard (20) including a protective structure (21), projecting in front of the front handle (5), pivotally attached to the engine housing (2) by at least one lever (25, 26) for activating a brake to brake the movement of the saw chain when being pivoted. The protective structure (21) includes see through means (24) enabling at least partial visibility through the protective structure (21), and twig preventing means for limiting the risk of objects such as twigs to get stuck in the protective structure (21). |
| US08973274B2 |
Fixed line head for flexible line rotary trimmers
A trimmer head for use with a plurality of lengths of flexible cutting line in a flexible line rotary trimmer having a plurality of line holders rotatably mounted thereon. Each line holder defines a pair of laterally spaced apertures in an upper surface thereof, a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough, terminating in an extended end thereof and communicating with the laterally spaced apertures. An interior guide surface extends along a curvilinear path from the spaced apertures to the passageway and a web extends between the apertures whereby end portions of lengths of cutting line can be extended into and through the spaced openings, along the guide surfaces into and through the passageway and outwardly therefrom, whereupon lengths of line extend about and are held against the web with portions of the line projecting from the passageways in the line holders for the cutting of vegetation. |
| US08973267B2 |
Embossing roller and method for the manufacturing thereof
A method for obtaining an incision in an embossing roller using a hob to provide protuberances that are rounded on top and which improve the quality of the embossed material and reduce the wear of the mechanical components of the embossing units. The shape of the protuberances is obtained by machining the cylindrical surface of the roller placed between the tailstocks of the lathe using a hob that has teeth, the profile thereof being complementary to the cross-section of the protuberances. A portion of the hob with the teeth generates the grooves that define the side faces of the protuberances. The grooves between the teeth of the hob have a profile that is curvilinear in a cross-sectional view. With a double pass at two different inclinations of the surface of the roller, the protuberances of FIGS. 5 and 6 are generated. |
| US08973266B2 |
Air turbine starter matched set gear cage alignment feature
A gear cage assembly configured to support a plurality of planet gear in an air turbine starter is provided including a main plate and a back plate. The main plate includes a plurality of legs that extend from a first surface. A pin protrudes from a one of the plurality of legs. A plurality of shallow openings formed in the first surface extends over only a portion of a depth of the main plate. The back plate includes a plurality of bearing holes substantially identical to the plurality of shallow openings. A biasing mechanism and at least one alignment feature protrude from the back plate. The at least one alignment feature and the biasing mechanism are configured to contact at least one of the plurality of legs. A bushing mounted within the back plate is configured to receive the pin. |
| US08973263B2 |
Composite duct assembly
A method of manufacturing a carbon composite duct assembly includes providing a first carbon composite fabric layer having a first section. The first section is formed into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is separately moveable relative to the second portion. The first portion overlaps the second portion to define a first corner of the first carbon composite fabric layer. The first carbon composite fabric layer is formed into at least a portion of a duct extending along an axis. |
| US08973261B2 |
Manufacturing method of object having conductive line
A manufacturing method of an object having a conductive line includes the following steps. A hardening layer and a conductive line layer are formed in an in-mold roller (IMR) material in sequence. The conductive line layer is formed on a non-conductive substrate by an IMR process. A carrier sheet is then separated to expose the hardening layer. A connecting piece is formed on the hardening layer. The connecting piece runs through the hardening layer by a connection process, and the connecting piece is electrically connected to the conductive line layer. Therefore, an object structure having the conductive line is formed. |
| US08973258B2 |
Manufacturing method of substrate structure
A manufacturing method of substrate structure is provided. A base material having a core layer, a first patterned copper layer, a second patterned copper layer and at least one conductive via is provided. The first and second patterned copper layers are respectively located on a first surface and a second surface of the core layer. The conductive via passes through the core layer and connects the first and second patterned copper layers. A first and a second solder mask layers are respectively formed on the first and second surfaces. Portions of the first and second patterned copper layers are exposed by the first and second solder mask layers, respectively. A first gold layer is formed on the first and second patterned copper layers exposed by the first and second solder mask layers. A nickel layer and a second gold layer are successively formed on the first gold layer. |
| US08973256B2 |
Quick release feed guide and tool support for terminal applicator
An electrical terminal applicator system includes a die connected to a press. A one-piece member includes a stock guide portion homogeneously connected to a tool receiving portion. The one-piece member is releasably secured to the die using only a single fastener. A male member extends from either one of the one-piece member or the die, and a female slot is created in the other one of the one-piece member or the die slidably receiving the male member to permit the one-piece member to be horizontally positioned on the die prior to securing the one-piece member using the single fastener. |
| US08973254B2 |
System and method for rapid battery exchange in electric vehicles
A system and method for the rapid exchange of batteries in an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle contains a removable battery housed in the vehicle's undercarriage. The electric vehicle moves through the exchange system either by propelling itself or by being propelled by the system. As the vehicle is propelled forward, the removable battery within the vehicle is unlocked from the vehicle and replaced with a charged battery. The charged battery forces the removable battery out of the rear of the vehicle as the vehicle moves forward through the exchange. The vehicle remains powered throughout the exchange process. Once the charged battery is aligned in position under the vehicle and connected to the vehicle through corresponding contacts, the charged battery is located into place in the vehicle's undercarriage and the vehicle is ready for additional driving. |
| US08973253B2 |
Method and apparatus for manufacturing metal plate chip resistors
The object of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus that allow production of metal plate chip resistors having a relatively low resistance with high accuracy and yield through simple process. The object is achieved by apparatus for manufacturing metal plate chip resistors including cutting mold for cutting intermediate product strip transversely to obtain worked product chip, ohm meter for measuring the resistance of the worked product chip, control device having a calculating part for performing a calculation using the resistance measured by the ohm meter to work out a width in which the strip is to be cut transversely so as to obtain a worked product chip of a desired resistance, and cutting width adjustor for making an adjustment so that the strip is to be cut transversely in the width obtained from the calculating part. |
| US08973251B2 |
Method for manufacturing stator
A method of manufacturing a stator wherein a stator core is fixed by a centering jig, and in this state, a fixing hole is formed in a flange portion provided on a fastening ring for the stator core, using a central position as a reference for position, by drilling with a drill. The fixing hole is opened to be located at a distance relative to the central position. In a plan view, the fixing hole is opened at a predetermined central angle interval (for example, intervals of 120°) relative to the central position. |
| US08973248B2 |
Connection assembly for connecting metallic and plastic components and method of connecting plastic and metallic components
A connection assembly for attaching metallic and plastic components by a heat staking operation includes a first component, a second component, a compressible protrusion, an annular collar, and a deformable stud. The first component is formed of a metallic material and includes an inner surface. The second component includes an interior surface facing the inner surface of the first component and an opposite exterior surface. The second component includes a plurality of apertures which extend between the interior surface and the exterior surface. During the heat staking operation the deformable stud is deformed so as to restrain relative movement between the first and second components. The compressible protrusion plastically deforms to absorb pressure to prevent cracking of the second component and the annular collar absorbs heat to prevent the second component adjacent the aperture from melting. |
| US08973246B2 |
Ultrasonic welding assembly and method of attaching an anvil to a bracket of the assembly
An ultrasonic welding assembly having an ultrasonic horn and an anvil having first, second, and third plate portions is provided. The third plate portion is coupled between the first and second plate portions. The first plate portion has a first knurled region on a first side disposed proximate to the ultrasonic horn, and the second plate portion has a second knurled region on the first side. The third plate portion has a first aperture extending therethrough. The assembly further includes a bracket that receives the second side of the anvil for holding the anvil thereon. The bracket has a second aperture extending therethrough that aligns with the first aperture, such that a coupling member extending through the first and second apertures removably couples the anvil to the bracket. |
| US08973245B2 |
Method of manufacturing flat panel detector
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a flat panel detector such that the surface on the side of a fluorescent body layer of a scintillator panel which has the fluorescent body layer comprising a column crystal on the supporting body, is coupled to the planar light receiving element surface of a light-receiving element, comprising: a step of manufacturing the scintillator panel which has a larger area than that of the planar light receiving element surface; a step of trimming the edges of the scintillator panel, obtained by the step of manufacturing the scintillator panel, to correspond to the area of the planar light receiving element surface; and a step of coupling the edge-trimmed scintillator panel to the planar light receiving element surface, thus providing a flat panel detector which has an excellent productivity and that can be made small in size without non-image area. |
| US08973244B2 |
Pipe processing tool with pipe deformation members
A pipe processing tool that is configured to deform the end of a pipe so that the circumferential shape of the end of the pipe generally matches the circumferential shape of an adjacent pipe end. Matching the circumferential shapes of the pipe ends is advantageous during a pipe attachment process. The pipe processing tool can include a deformation ring with a plurality of pipe deformation members. Each pipe deformation member faces radially inward and is actuatable in a radial direction toward and away from the center of the deformation ring in order to permit engagement with the pipe. Each pipe deformation member is individually and separately actuatable from the other pipe deformation members so that the circumferential shapes of the pipes can be altered by controlling suitable ones of the pipe deformation members. |
| US08973239B2 |
Catheter having an ultra soft tip and methods for making the same
An intravascular balloon catheter having an ultra soft tip. The catheter includes a braided reinforcement member extending substantially the length of the elongate shaft. A balloon is disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft. An ultra soft tip is formed from a distal portion of balloon material extending distal of the distal end of the elongate shaft. |
| US08973238B2 |
Medical device components and processes
Medical device components and processes are disclosed. For example, tube-shaped catheter components and processes of making tube-shaped catheter components are disclosed. Devices and systems, including medical devices and systems, such as catheters, containing tube-shaped catheter components are also disclosed. |
| US08973233B2 |
Propellant actuated hinge remover
A hinge remover has a thick cylindrical base with a central opening and a flange, a hollow cylindrical wall upon a yoke, and two spaced apart shoulders upon the yoke. The shoulders receive a door pin. The wall receives a head upon a spring and has two diametrically opposed recesses for ball bearings. The central opening admits the head extending opposite the yoke. The central opening narrows and forms a chamber for a propellant. The base has a radial aperture that opens for an igniter that contacts the propellant. During assembly, the head compresses upon the spring against the yoke revealing the recesses to receive the ball bearings as the head eases inwardly. Upon combustion of the propellant, the head retreats towards the yoke, the ball bearings fall, and the yoke separates from the base. |
| US08973230B2 |
Polling method of piezoelectric element and method of manufacturing inertial sensor
Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing an inertial sensor using a polling method of a piezoelectric element performing a polling after packaging the piezoelectric element, the method of manufacturing an inertial sensor including: forming a driving electrode and a sensing electrode on a flexible substrate on which a piezoelectric material is deposited; electrically connection the driving electrode and the sensing electrode; packaging the flexible substrate; polling by applying voltage and heat to the driving electrode and the sensing electrode; and electrically separating the driving electrode from the sensing electrode by applying heat to the driving electrode and the sensing electrode. |
| US08973225B2 |
Structured surface with multiple-post caps and method of making the same
A structured surface, which includes a thermoplastic backing sheet and a first upstanding element, is disclosed. The first upstanding element includes multiple, spaced-apart posts and a single cap at the distal ends of the multiple, spaced-apart posts. The structured surface furthermore typically includes a plurality of spaced-apart, upstanding posts with caps on their distal ends, where the ratio of the caps to the posts is less than one-to-one. Also disclosed is a method of making a structured surface. The method includes providing a thermoplastic backing sheet with a plurality of spaced-apart, upstanding posts; and deforming the distal ends to form caps on at least some of the spaced-apart, upstanding posts. At least some of the caps upon forming touch at least one adjacent cap to form a conjoined cap at the distal ends of multiple posts. |
| US08973223B2 |
Weather resistant slide fasteners
Embodiments provide a weather resistant slide fastener with a modified slider body including a top control rib and tightly controlled inner dimensions. In embodiments, a water-resistant coating and/or an adhesive may be applied to the zipper tape, resulting in a highly water-resistant zipper and finished garment. Embodiments further provide a slider body that may accommodate longitudinal edge portions of the outer layer of fabric, allowing the edges of the fabric to be brought into close proximity/contact, substantially covering the zipper teeth and minimizing ingress of water and/or wind through the zipper tape. Additional embodiments provide methods of manufacturing and installing weather resistant slide fasteners. |
| US08973222B2 |
Retractable ratcheting tie down
A retractable ratcheting tie down apparatus is provided, including a frame and a hub rotatably mounted within the frame. A ratchet wheel is mounted to the hub and interfaces with a pawl to selectably prevent motion of the hub relative to the frame. A single tie down strap extends between two attachment members and winds around the hub. An operable means for rotating the hub and ratchet wheel is included to wind the single tie down strap around the hub. Tension between the two attachment members is transmitted directly through the single tie down strap and transitions between segments of the single tie down strap at the windings of the single tie down strap about the hub. In further examples, the operable means for rotating the hub and ratchet wheel is removable. The tie down apparatus can also move freely along the single tie down strap. |
| US08973217B2 |
Steering caster
A brake for a steering caster which is actuatable with small shifting forces and small shifting travel and creates less noise during shifting. The steering caster includes a head portion; a support portion including at least one arm; and a foot lever for actuating a directional fixation device and for actuating a brake device for at least one wheel including a rim, wherein the rim is covered with a thread protector. The brake device includes at least one rim brake locking element that is actuatable through a foot lever and arranged laterally between the at least one arm and the thread protector connected with the at least one arm, wherein at least one actuation contour is arranged at an inside of the at least one arm and/or at an outside of the thread protector within a movement range of the at least one rim brake locking element. |
| US08973214B2 |
Cyclone chamber and dirt collection assembly for a surface cleaning apparatus
A cyclone bin assembly comprises a cyclone chamber having an air inlet, an air outlet, a dirt outlet and first and second opposed ends. The cyclone bin assembly may comprise a dirt collection chamber in communication with the dirt outlet. The dirt bin may surround at least a portion of the cyclone chamber and comprising first and second portions. The first and second portions may comprise discrete chambers that are separated from each other by a passage extending between the dirt outlet and a wall of the dirt collection chamber. A portion of the wall facing the dirt outlet may extend inwardly towards the dirt outlet. |
| US08973203B2 |
Toothbrush
Conventional toothbrushes must be destroyed and incinerated as refuse after use, resulting in a waste of resources and generating carbon dioxide. A toothbrush is provided with: a toothbrush body having a head formed in an oval-ring shape, the head having a female part or male part being aligned with the toothbrush body and disposed at a connection region connecting to the toothbrush body; and a replaceable bristle part having a male or female part being releasably coupled to the male part or female part of the head. Thus, after an appropriate period of use, the replaceable bristle part can be easily exchanged. The coupling of the female part or male part prevents the fore-end of the toothbrush from shaking laterally during tooth brushing. The toothbrush provides a toothbrush body for repeated reuse, and contributes significantly to the reduction of carbon dioxide by a reduction in refuse. |
| US08973202B2 |
Oral hygiene device, particularly a toothbrush, and method for the production thereof
The oral hygiene device, particularly a toothbrush, has in the neck part, a cavity, which is closed off from the surroundings and in which a snap dome is arranged. This snap dome produces an acoustic warning signal when a limiting bending of the neck part is exceeded as a result of a limiting pressing force with which the head part is pressed, for example, against the teeth and gums is exceeded. On the one hand, this has the effect of protecting the snap dome, usually produced from metal, from corrosion and, on the other hand, the cavity serves as a resonance chamber to amplify the warning signal. |
| US08973197B2 |
Sanitizing floor mat
The present invention is comprised of an antibacterial door mat system for cleaning, disinfecting and detection of bacteria and other organisms on footwear to control spread of biological infections and contamination. The present invention is further comprised of an antibacterial door mat that cleans footwear, detects the presence of bacteria and a bio detection clearance door entry system that controls the entry into sterile areas. |
| US08973195B2 |
Pipeline crossing bridge
A combination of a buried pipeline and a pipeline crossing bridge, the pipeline crossing bridge comprising: a first ground contacting pad and a second ground contacting pad spaced apart from one another; plural ribs with lateral stabilizing elements between adjacent ribs of the plural ribs, in which each rib of the plural ribs is supported on the first ground contacting pad and the second ground contacting pad and the ribs collectively form a raised arch extending between the first ground contacting pad and the second ground contacting pad; an upper crossing surface supported by the plural ribs, in which the pipeline crossing bridge is positioned over the buried pipeline, and in which the buried pipeline has a diameter, and the first ground contacting pad and the second ground contacting pad are spaced apart wider than the diameter of the buried pipeline. |
| US08973194B1 |
Food skewer tool
A food skewer tool for removal of a food article from a skewer includes a flat elongated main body having a head portion disposed at a first end and a handle portion disposed at a second end opposite of the first end. The head portion and the handle portion are generally co-planar with one another. The tool further includes a notch extending inward into the head portion of the main body. The tool optionally includes a grip covering at least part of the handle portion of the main body. The tool further optionally includes an accessory disposed at the second end. |
| US08973189B2 |
Patient positioning device for stereotactic radiosurgery
A device for positioning and immobilizing the head of patient on a treatment table is disclosed. The device comprises a bridge member, a longitudinal arm, and two transverse arms. The bridge member is releasably mounted on the treatment table. The longitudinal arm is pivotably coupled to the upper portion of the bridge member and is arranged to be pivoted from one side of the bridge member to the other side of it, and vice versa, above the patient's head. The transverse arms are releasably secured to the longitudinal arm and are positionable along a portion of the length of the longitudinal arm. Each transverse arm is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and mounts an anatomy engagement component, e.g., a nasion pad or a bite tray, thereon which can be moved into engagement with the patient's head. |
| US08973187B2 |
Bed frame assembly with a lift system having a translatable carriage
A bed frame assembly includes a base frame 32, an elevatable frame 40 and a lift system 80. The lift system includes a carriage 82 longitudinally translatably mounted on the base frame and a lift arm 84 having a crank end 86 and a remote end 88. The crank end of the lift arm is mounted to the carriage at a pivotable joint A for pivoting about a laterally extending crank axis 100. The remote end of the lift arm is connected to the elevatable frame by a lift arm connector 102, which may take various forms. The lift system also includes an actuator 120 mounted on the carriage at a juncture B and connected to the lift arm such that operation of the actuator rotates the lift arm about the crank axis. The lift system also includes a part span connector 130 pivotably connected to the lift arm at a joint D and pivotably connected to the base frame at a joint C. In one embodiment the lift arm connector is a single link 132. In another embodiment the lift arm connector comprises multiple links such as first and second links 144, 146. |
| US08973186B2 |
Optimization of the operation of a patient-support apparatus based on patient response
A patient-support apparatus according the present disclosure includes a source of pressurized air, a plurality of bladders, a plurality of pressure sensors, and a controller. The controller is configured to execute instructions to adjust pressures in the bladders based on information from the plurality of pressure sensors. |
| US08973176B1 |
Control of heat transfer in spa or pool water flow system
In a spa or pool water temperature control system, the combination comprising, a water flow pump, having a motor, the pump operating to transfer heat generated by the pump motor to the water flowing through the pump, and to the spa or pool, a hi-limit temperature sensor located to detect the temperature of the pumped water, a temperature sensor operatively connected in controlling relation with the pump, in close proximity to the aforementioned hi-limit sensor to effect accurate sensing of the pumped water temperature, a control system that monitors said sensors and provides for manual pump activation as well as thermostatic control of the water temperature. |
| US08973175B2 |
Biodegradable toiletry apparatus and method
A seat cover comprises a sheet of biodegradable material wound about itself so as to define a hollow core, with the hollow core having an interior perimeter sufficiently large so as to fully encompass a toilet seat about a trans-axial perimeter thereof when inserted thereover. A seat cover also may comprise a plurality of biodegradable balls connectedly associated with a substrate, wherein the substrate has substantially the shape of a toilet seat. A method of making a seat cover comprises winding a sheet of biodegradable material about an object having a trans-axial perimeter about the same size as a toilet seat, wherein a wind partially overlaps a preceding wind such that winding progresses in an axial direction along the object with each successive wind, and removing the wound sheet from the object. A method of making a seat cover also comprises connectedly associating a plurality of biodegradable balls to a substrate along an exterior surface thereof, wherein the substrate has the shape of a toilet seat. |
| US08973174B2 |
Vented toilet
A vented toilet system for use in a residential or commercial building. The vented toilet system comprises a toilet bowl and a vent cavity arranged adjacent to a top surface of the bowl. The system also comprises a water cavity arranged adjacent to and directly below the vent cavity. The system comprises a seat arranged on a top surface of the bowl and a toilet tank connected to the bowl. The system also comprises a wireless motion detection unit arranged adjacent to the toilet bowl, such that the operation of the vacuum pump is automatic. The wireless motion sensor may allow the vacuum pump to turn on immediately and remain on during duration of use of the toilet by the user. The vented toilet system also comprises a pipe or tube connected to the vent cavity, the pipe passes through either an existing wall or other structure to a vacuum pump and then to the outside of the structure in which the toilet is located. |
| US08973165B1 |
Adjustable collar stay
An adjustable collar stay having a lower member engaged with an upper member, wherein the upper member can be extendable and retractable from the lower member for use with a variety of collar sizes and styles. The lower member and upper member can have locking mechanisms for retaining a position of extension or retraction. The adjustable collar stay can maintain a position of a shirt collar. |
| US08973163B1 |
Infant caregiver protective garment having an athletic shoulder pad appearance
Protective garments for use by an infant caregiver are shown and described. In an embodiment, a protective garment includes a body for wearing over a caregiver's shoulders and upper torso and at least two soft epaulets on shoulder regions of the body. Exemplary protective garments very generally have an appearance creating the impression of an athletic shoulder pad and can be worn by a sports-enthusiast caregiver while viewing a sporting event and holding an infant. An infant's head may rest against the epaulets proving comfort for both the infant and caregiver. The epaulets and protective garment generally protect a caregiver from contact by any material which may be discharged from the infant, for example during burping of the infant. It is preferred that a pair of epaulets are provided for each left and right shoulder region in embodiments in which the protective garments generally have an appearance of football-type athletic shoulder pads. |
| US08978160B2 |
Method for selective software rollback
A system and method for validating a software file to be installed into a controller. The method includes preparing the software file including assigning a software version code to the software file, assigning a security version code to the software file, and signing the software file with the software file version code and the security version code. The signed software file is presented to the controller for installing on the controller and the controller verifies the software file signature to determine if the software file is valid and the security version code is valid. The controller allows the software file to be installed in the controller if both the signed software file is valid and the security version code is valid. |
| US08978155B2 |
Apparatus, methods, and computer program products providing dynamic provable data possession
In one exemplary embodiment, a method includes: storing data for a file, organized as blocks, each having a portion of the file; and maintaining a skip list for the data. The skip list is an ordered tree structure having a root node, internal nodes and leaf nodes. Each leaf node corresponds to a block. Each node has a rank value corresponding to size of a subtree rooted at the node. The skip list employs a hashing scheme. The hash value of the root node and internal nodes is computed from a level of the node, the rank value and an interval between the node and another linked node to the right of or below the node. The hash value of the leaf nodes is computed from a level of the node, the rank value and an interval associated with the node. |
| US08978154B2 |
Method and apparatus for importing content having plurality of parts
A digital content protection apparatus and method for digital rights management (DRM) are provided in which a content file including a plurality of content parts is imported such that a header is included which stores location information required for decoding each of the content parts. Therefore, the number of content parts constituting the content file can be recognized, and a license that is required for the use of each of the content parts can be acquired by analyzing header information without necessitating the parsing of the transport packets of the content file. Accordingly, preparation time for using content can be reduced. |
| US08978151B1 |
Removable drive security monitoring method and system
A method of detecting the unauthorized use of removable storage drives to obtain data from a computer network. An automated software process periodically polls the various logical disks in a computer or computer network for removable data drives, determines which are high risk removable data drives, and monitors these removable drives every few seconds. The process checks for security problems by file name, or mismatch in privileges, or suspicious file write, copy or copy-delete patterns of usage. If a preset risk threshold is exceeded, the system then alerts system administrators. In a preferred embodiment, the method may be implemented on network administration systems such as Windows management instrumentation (WMI) using default scripting or process tools such as VBscript. |
| US08978150B1 |
Data recovery service with automated identification and response to compromised user credentials
A data recovery service protects against unauthorized use of a computer system. The service includes a data feed that contains data recovered from online repositories known to be used by malicious software or individuals, the recovered data identifying a compromised credential of an authorized user of the computer system. Based on this data, a protective action is automatically performed to limit or prevent use of the credential of the authorized user to access the computer system. Protective action may include disabling user account access privileges, etc. |
| US08978145B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling digital rights object in portable terminal
An apparatus and method for controlling a rights object in Digital Rights Management in a portable terminal are provided. In the method, a first time zone information of network is detected when the rights object for content is provided. A second time zone information of network is detected when the content is used. An absolute time difference between the time zone informations is computed when the first time zone information is not equal to the second time zone information. As such, use authority for the content is managed by controlling the rights object according to the absolute time difference. |
| US08978144B2 |
Automatic construction of human interaction proof engines
Human Interaction Proofs (“HIPs”, sometimes referred to as “captchas”), may be generated automatically. An captcha specification language may be defined, which allows a captcha scheme to be defined in terms of how symbols are to be chosen and drawn, and how those symbols are obscured. The language may provide mechanisms to specify the various ways in which to obscure symbols. New captcha schemes may be generated from existing specifications, by using genetic algorithms that combine features from existing captcha schemes that have been successful. Moreover, the likelihood that a captcha scheme has been broken by attackers may be estimated by collecting data on the time that it takes existing captcha schemes to be broken, and using regression to estimate the time to breakage as a function of either the captcha's features or its measured quality. |
| US08978142B2 |
System and method for detection of malware using behavior model scripts of security rating rules
Disclosed are systems, methods and computer program products for detecting computer malware using security rating rules. In one example, the system identifies at least one problematic security rating rule that was activated during antivirus analysis of both safe and malicious programs. The system then selects a group of programs for which said problematic rule was activated. The system then identifies in the selected group of programs a plurality of only malicious programs or the plurality of only safe programs based on the problematic security rating rule and at least one different security rating rule. The system then generates a behavior model script based on the problematic security rating rule and the at least one different security rating rule and executes said behavior model script during antivirus analysis of said analyzed program to detect a computer malware in said analyzed program. |
| US08978139B1 |
Method and apparatus for detecting malicious software activity based on an internet resource information database
A method and apparatus for detecting malicious software activity, using at least one processor, based on an Internet resource information database in memory is described. In one embodiment, a method for detecting malicious software activity, using at least one processor, based on an Internet resource information database in memory includes processing Internet activity to determine source and time information associated with at least one application download, comparing the Internet resource information database with the source and time information associated with the at least one application download to identify at least one suspicious application, and monitoring execution of the at least one suspicious application. |
| US08978136B2 |
Systems and methods for detection and suppression of abnormal conditions within a networked environment
Systems and methods are provided for handling a malicious computer-related security event that occurs at central network access points of the Internet involving networks of autonomous and different internet service providers. A system includes a non-signature based security event detection software system operating on a first computer connected to a first network of a first internet service provider, where the non-signature based security event detection software system detects the security event by examining runtime state of the first computer. A security event management software system operates on a processor-based platform and has access to security event detection results generated by the non-signature based security event detection software system. |
| US08978134B2 |
Security configuration verification device and method and network system employing the same
The invention discloses a security configuration verification device for performing a security configuration verification on a network device, which comprises: one or more preconfigured scanning policies; a scanning policy generator, which selects a scanning policy from the one or more preconfigured scanning policies to generate a new scanning policy corresponding to the network device; and a scanner, which performs the security scanning on the network device with the generated new scanning policy and thereby performs the security configuration verification. The invention also discloses a corresponding security configuration verification method and a network system employing the verification device. |
| US08978132B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing a microprocessor providing for a secure execution mode
An apparatus providing for a secure execution environment including a microprocessor and a secure non-volatile memory. The microprocessor executes non-secure application programs and a secure application program. The non-secure application programs are accessed from a system memory via a system bus. The secure application program executes in a secure execution mode. The microprocessor has secure execution mode logic that monitors conditions corresponding to the microprocessor associated with tampering, and causes the microprocessor to transition to a degraded operating mode from the secure execution mode following detection of a first one or more of the conditions. The degraded operating mode exclusively provides for execution of BIOS instructions. The secure non-volatile memory is coupled to the microprocessor via a private bus, stores the secure application program. Transactions over the private bus are isolated from the system bus and corresponding system bus resources within the microprocessor. |
| US08978126B2 |
Method and system for TCP turn operation behind a restrictive firewall
A method at a computing client located behind a NAT and restrictive-access firewall, including establishing a control connection with a TCP TURN server utilizing a port capable of traversing the restrictive-access firewall; requesting an allocation of an client service identity from the TCP TURN server; and receiving, from the TCP TURN server, a response containing the client service identity, the client service identity being independent of any port used to communicate with the TCP TURN server. Further a method at a TCP TURN server, including listening on a first port for communications from a computing client, the computing client being behind a restrictive access firewall and the first port capable of traversing the restrictive-access firewall; establishing a control connection with the client on the first port; receiving a request for an allocation of an client service identity from the computing client; and sending a response containing the client service identity. |
| US08978123B2 |
Web based system that allows users to log into websites without entering username and password information
Internet user passwords are securely managed. A formation component can enable a user to create a master account on a web server, the master account comprising a master username and password. An access component can enable the user to access a plurality of password protected websites from a web browser or non-browser software application resident on the user's computing device when the user logs into the master account by entering the valid master username and password. A selection component can log the user into a website of the plurality of password protected websites when the user selects a hyperlink associated with the website, selects a linked image associated with the website, or selects the website from a pulldown list contained in a toolbar of a web browser. A display component can open a web browser or tab associated with the website. |
| US08978118B2 |
Pseudonymized authentication
An OT or Oblivious Transfer protocol is used to output pseudonym tokens from a list of pseudonym tokens to user entities such that it is possible to obtain pseudonymized authentication by a preceding verification of proof of identity of the respective user entities and marking pseudonym tokens as used as soon as the same are used for authentication by means of the OT protocol after the output. |
| US08978115B2 |
Home realm discovery in mixed-mode federated realms
The authentication of identities within a realm in which some identities are authenticated using direct authentication, and some identities are authenticated using federated authentication. Requests for service from valid identities in the realm that are to be authenticated by direct authentication are responded to with a direct authentication interface. Requests for service from valid identities in the realm that are to be authenticated by federated authentication are responded to with a federated authentication interface. Requests for service from invalid identities are responded to pseudo-randomly with either the direct authentication interface or the federated authentication interface. |
| US08978112B2 |
Methods, devices, and systems for remotely controlling a plurality of communication devices
Systems and methods for controlling communication systems for the hearing impaired are disclosed. A portable communication device requests control over a plurality of communication devices. The portable communication device connects to and controls the plurality of communication devices. The portable communication device includes a user interface that enables a user to transfer a call from a first communication device to a second communication device. |
| US08978111B2 |
Method and apparatus for using sensors on a portable electronic device to verify transactions
The present disclosure involves a system. The system includes a computer memory storage module configured to store executable computer programming code. The system includes a computer processor module operatively coupled to the computer memory storage module. The computer processor module is configured to execute the computer programming code to perform the following operations: detecting, from a mobile electronic device, a request to engage in an activity electronically; receiving sensor data gathered by one or more sensors of the mobile electronic device; determining, based on the sensor data received from the mobile electronic device, whether the request to engage in the activity is authorized by a user of the mobile electronic device; and alerting the user if it has been determined that the request to engage in the activity is unauthorized. |
| US08978110B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling email access
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to identifying email resources associated with client devices, identifying resource rules, determining whether the email resources satisfy the resource rules, and modifying the email resources as well as the ability to access the email resources based on the resource rules if the resource rules are not satisfied by the email resources. |
| US08978106B2 |
Programming, verifying, visualizing, and deploying browser extensions with fine-grained security policies
An environment is described which enables the generation, analysis, and use of secure browser extensions. Each browser extension includes an extension body and a policy expressed in a logic-based specification language. The policy specifies the access control and dataflow privileges associated with the extension body in a fine-grained manner by leveraging the structure and content of resources that are accessible to the browser extension. A suite of analysis tools for testing the safety of the browser extension includes a visualization module identifies features of a resource that are accessible to the policy. A static analysis module uses a static analysis technique to determine whether the extension body satisfies the policy. The environment also includes a conversion module for converting the browser extension, once deemed safe, into a form for use by a particular type of browser. The browser can execute that extension without performing runtime safety checks. |
| US08978100B2 |
Policy-based authentication
A device receives a request to authenticate an end user of a user device based on a requested use of an application by the user device, and communicates with an authentication client, provided in the user device, to perform an authentication requested by the request. The device also generates a response to the request based on the communication with the authentication client, where the response indicates that the end user is or is not authenticated to use the application. The device further provides the response to an application server device hosting the application. |
| US08978098B2 |
Centralized user authentication system apparatus and method
An identification module receives a password request for a specified user and communicates an encrypted password field in response thereto, wherein the encrypted password field references a directory object corresponding to the specified user. The present invention also teaches an authentication module that communicates the password request to the identification module and receives the encrypted password field therefrom. Upon receiving the encrypted password field, the authentication module authenticates the specified user against the referenced directory object. In some embodiments, the encrypted password field is stored in an identification data store of an identification server and the directory object is stored in an authentication data store of an authentication server. |
| US08978097B2 |
Method and system for authentication based on wireless identification, wireless identification and server
The invention discloses a method and a system for authentication based on a wireless identification, and a wireless identification. The method comprises steps of: obtaining, by a mobile device, wireless tag information and connection configuration information from the wireless identification; establishing, by the mobile device, a connection with the server according to the connection configuration information, and transmitting, by the mobile device, the wireless tag information to the server; authenticating, by the server, the validity of the wireless tag information, and determining, by the server, an access right of the mobile device after the authentication is successful; generating, by the wireless identification, device signature information and forwarding it, by the mobile device, to the server; and authenticating, by the server, the validity of the device signature information, and canceling, by the server, the access right of the mobile device. The present invention provides an authentication system based on the wireless identification, wherein the server authenticates not only the wireless tag information, but also the device signature information generated by the wireless identification, thereby the system is of a higher security. |
| US08978096B2 |
System and method for facilitating the transfer of information relating to quality of an organization
A system and method transfers information relating to quality or standards of an organization from a server to a wireless handheld computing device and from the wireless handheld computing device to the server in real-time or near real-time. Each member of an organization can have the same policies and procedures as soon as any of the policies and procedures are updated. The inventive system can allow an organization to also measure compliance and conformance with the distributed policies and procedures. With the handheld computing devices, each member of an organization can complete tests that are closely tied to the distributed policies and procedures. The results of these tests can be transmitted in real-time or near real-time from the handheld computing devices to a central computer server so that an organization can track current performance of all its members relative to the policies and procedures and relative to each other. |
| US08978084B2 |
Presentation modes for various format bit streams
A system, method, and apparatus for processing media content for display on a monitor. A home media center (HMC), that includes a server receiver, acts as a central location for recording, distribution, and scheduling of tasks and system resources. The HMC receives a client request from a first client receiver and a legacy request or informs the receiver that the request cannot be fulfilled. Different coding technologies are used to provide video, audio, and data services to the client receiver and the legacy receiver. |
| US08978082B2 |
Method of switching digital TV application
A method of switching a digital TV application is disclosed. In accordance with the method of the present invention, a channel changing event corresponding to a changing of a channel is used to minimize a time required for providing the digital TV application suitable for a changed channel. |
| US08978081B2 |
Testing apparatus and method
A test apparatus for testing a video processing apparatus comprises means for receiving from the video processing apparatus a video output representative of a test sequence, the test sequence comprising a plurality of frames, each frame comprising an image of a respective different one of a plurality of frame identifiers; means for obtaining a sequence of sets of frame data from the video output, each set of frame data representative of a frame; and means for processing each set of frame data to determine the frame identifier for that frame. |
| US08978077B2 |
Video content presentation
Systems and methods to present video content are disclosed. According to an embodiment, a method of processing video data is disclosed. The method includes receiving timing information associated with the video data. The received timing information is indicative of a start time to start presentation of video content corresponding to the video data. The method includes starting presentation of the video content at a time prior to the start time. The method also includes increasing a presentation rate of the video content. |
| US08978076B2 |
Methods and systems for content control
Methods and system for providing content are disclosed. One method can comprise receiving a request for data at a first time, wherein the data comprises a first time duration, determining a buffer size based upon the first time duration, and determining a playback window based upon the determined buffer size and the first time. The method can also comprise synchronizing presentation of content on a plurality of devices. |
| US08978072B2 |
Method and system for the provision of packet mobile digital broadcast services
A method for enabling a broadcast/cellular device within a coverage area of a cellular network to access packet mobile digital broadcast services offered by a cellular operator of the cellular network, includes: a) obtaining a first identifier identifying the cellular operator; and b) accessing a storage area in order to retrieve a second identifier identifying and enabling access to the packet mobile digital broadcast services offered by the cellular operator, based on the first identifier obtained in a). |
| US08978071B2 |
Multi-purpose display device having a channel scan interface and method for controlling the same
A multi-functional display device having a channel scan interface and a method of controlling the same are disclosed herein. The method may include registering a first individual at the multi-functional display device to create an account that is associated with at least one first social network service (SNS) account for the first individual. A menu may be displayed for selecting among a plurality of channel scan modes for scanning channels of the multi-functional display device, including a channel scan mode for broadcast content and SNS content. For channel scan mode for SNS content, information for at least one second SNS account for a second individual associated with the at least one first SNS account may be retrieved, and a channel number assigned to the at least one second SNS account. |
| US08978068B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for providing multimedia data customized marketing
A method for providing customized marketing associated to multimedia broadcasting, comprising: receiving multimedia broadcast data at a multimedia broadcast receiver apparatus; determining user information of the multimedia broadcast receiver apparatus; transmitting the user information to a service server; defining customized marketing information associated to the received multimedia broadcast data based on the user information; transmitting the customized marketing information to a user apparatus; determining, by the user apparatus, marketing information presentation settings defined by a user; and providing the customized marketing information via a user interface of the user apparatus based on the marketing information presentation settings. |
| US08978067B2 |
System for adding or updating video content from internet sources to existing video-on-demand application of a digital TV services provider system
A video-on-demand (VOD) content delivery system has a VOD Application Server which manages a database of templates ordered in a hierarchy for presentation of video content elements of different selected types categorized in hierarchical order. The templates include those for higher-order displays which have one or more links to lower-order displays of specific content. The VOD Application Server, in response to viewer request, displays a high-order templatized display, and in response to viewer selection of a link, displays the lower-order display of specific content. The hierarchical templatized displays enable viewers to navigate to an end subject of interest while having a unique visual experience of moving through a series of displays to the end subject of interest. For example, the higher-order display may be a product ad and the lower-order display may be an ad for a local retailer of the product. Similarly, a viewer can navigate from national product to local product ad, or classified ad category to specific classified ad, or bulletin board topic category to specific posting. In another embodiment, the VOD content delivery system is used to deliver consumer-generated classified ads on TV. A web-based Content Management System receives consumer-generated content uploaded online in industry-standard file formats with metadata for title and topical area, and automatically converts it into video data format compatible with the VOD content delivery system indexed by title and topical area. A User Interface for the system delivers listings data to the viewer's TV indexed by title and topical area, and displays a requested classified ad in response to viewer selection. |
| US08978066B2 |
Method, computer program product, and apparatus for providing communications with at least one media provider
Methods, computer program products, and apparatuses are provided for allowing a user to communicate with a set top box and a media content server through a mobile communication device, such as a cellular phone. The user may be able to request and receive a customer specific interactive programming guide through the mobile communication device. The interactive programming guide may allow the user to search and record media programs, including sending recording commands to a set top box to record a particular media program. The interactive programming guide may also allow the user to order and receive media programs to the mobile communication device. Embodiments may provide a personal video recorder proxy server as an interface between the mobile communication device and the set top box and the media content server. |
| US08978065B1 |
Method and system to combine broadcast television and internet television
Provided is a method and system for receiving and displaying video from both an Internet and a broadcast video source. Also provided is a frame controller for receiving video data from an Internet video stream and from a cable broadcast video stream, the frame controller further in communication with a television display and causing the Internet video stream and the cable broadcast video stream to each be displayed in a separate frame on the television display. |
| US08978058B2 |
Methods and apparatus for managing interfaces in a placeshifting device
A placeshifting device handles content from a media source (e.g., a set-top box) that might incorporate a form of copy-protection such as HDCP. In one case, when a placeshifting mode is entered (as opposed to a pass-through mode), the copy-protection capability of the interface (e.g., an HDMI interface) is simply disabled. In another case in which the media source includes a copy protection “flag” or the like that can be interrogated by the placeshifting device, the placeshifting device determines whether the media source copy-protection is enabled, and only then disables the copy-protection capability of the interface. In another case in which selectable output control (SOC) is available in the media source, the placeshifting device determines whether alternate interfaces are available (e.g., component video, composite video, and the like), and if so, disables the interface having copy-protection capability. |
| US08978057B2 |
Interoperability of set top box through smart card
The concept of profiling the STB (01) through the Smart Cards (02) as per the service provider specific requirements makes towards interoperability. Smart cards (02) are embedded with greater operator specific intelligence. The scheme used in the present invention mainly focuses on downloading of profiling data from smart card (02) to the STB (01) and pushing CAS implementation fully from STB to Smart card (02). |
| US08978056B2 |
Video loading control
The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software related product (e.g., a computer readable memory) for controlling loading (e.g., pre-filling) of video data to a user equipment by a wireless network (e.g., from internet) while the video is played by the user equipment using an additional pre-filling based on predicted degradation of connectivity of the user equipment with the wireless network to avoid interruption or deterioration of playing the video and/or to reduce video data loading cost. |
| US08978054B2 |
Cartridge for accomodating a disc-shaped recording medium
There is provided a cartridge including a running portion which causes both end portions of a disc-shaped recording medium to run, and a pressing portion which presses one end portion of the disc-shaped recording medium to press the other end portion against the running portion. Static friction coefficients of a portion of the pressing portion coming in contact with the one end portion and a portion of the running portion coming in contact with the other end portion are different. |
| US08978050B2 |
Program calling method, and mobile device
A program calling method is to be implemented by a control module, which uses a first channel during execution of a first Java applet, and includes creating a virtual channel that corresponds to a second channel when the first Java applet intends to call a second Java applet which is to be executed using the second channel, in response to a channel management instruction associated with the virtual channel, opening the second channel for allowing execution of the second Java applet, determining whether the virtual channel is still open, and receiving an output from the second Java applet for use by the first Java applet when it is determined that the virtual channel is still open. |
| US08978047B2 |
Method and system for invoking an application in response to a trigger event
A method for invoking a software application comprising: executing a first application on a user device; detecting a trigger event on the user device, the trigger event is non-specific and external to the first application and a second application; invoking the second application in response to the trigger event; sending metadata from the first application to the second application; and performing an action in the second application based at least partially on the metadata received from the first application, wherein, the first application and the second application are not operating system processes, and the second application is separate and independent from the first application. |
| US08978044B2 |
Storage-system-based driver distribution apparatus and method
A method for distributing drivers from a storage system to one or more host systems includes maintaining, in a storage system, a driver database containing drivers for different host systems. The drivers enable the different host systems to effectively communicate with the storage system. The method further determines whether a specific host system is configured with an appropriate driver. In the event the specific host system is not configured with the appropriate driver, the method retrieves the appropriate driver from the driver database. The method then transmits the appropriate driver from the storage system to the specific host system for installation thereon. By using the storage system as a central repository for the latest device drivers, the method ensures that connected host systems are always configured with the latest drivers. A corresponding apparatus, system, and computer program product are also disclosed herein. |
| US08978043B1 |
Balancing a load on a multiple consumer queue
Disclosed are various embodiments for balancing a load on a queue among multiple consumers. A target polling hit rate is derived for at least one queue from a consumer load. The consumer load dictates a read rate of the at least one queue. The consumer load on the at least one queue is adjusted responsive to a difference between the target polling hit rate and an observed polling hit rate for the at least one queue. |
| US08978041B2 |
Service virtualization container
Service virtualization containers to aggregate service functionality from a plurality of services into an apparent service exhibiting the aggregated functionality. A plurality of service implementations is assigned to a service virtualization container. The container selects some of the service operations from the service implementations. One or more message characteristics are assigned to the service operations in one or more routing tables. A message is received at a service endpoint different from the service endpoints of any of the service implementations. A determination is made of one or more message characteristics. The one or more routing tables are consulted to select a determined service operation based on the message characteristics. The message is routed to the selected service implementation. Embodiments may also include functionality for aggregating metadata from service implementations and providing metadata based on the aggregated metadata to clients requesting metadata from a service virtualization container. |
| US08978039B2 |
Communication device and method for coherent updating of collated message listings
A device, system and method are provided for presenting message threads in a device display where messages may have a persistent or intermediate status. A list of message threads is displayed, collated according to a given message thread attribute, is displayed. When a new message is detected belonging to one of the message threads, if the message has a persistent status it is added to the message thread and the collating message thread attribute for that thread is updated. If the message has an intermediate status, it may be added to the message thread but the collating message thread attribute for that message is deferred until the intermediate status is changed to a persistent status. The collated list of message threads is then updated. By deferring updates to the collating message thread attribute when a message has an intermediate status, disruption to the order of the collated list is mitigated. |
| US08978035B2 |
Scaling of application resources in a multi-tenant platform-as-a-service environment in a cloud computing system
A mechanism for automatic scaling of application resources in a multi-tenant Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) environment in a cloud computing system is disclosed. A method includes monitoring, by a load balancer executing on a computing device, an overall load measurement of containers associated with an application executed on virtual machines (VMs) in a multi-tenant Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) system, wherein the overall load measurement is a summation of individual current loads at the containers, comparing, by the load balancer, the overall load measurement to an overall load threshold for the containers, and when the overall load measurement exceeds the overall load threshold, causing resources to be added to execute functionality of the application in the VMs of the multi-tenant PaaS system. |
| US08978034B1 |
System for dynamic batching at varying granularities using micro-batching to achieve both near real-time and batch processing characteristics
This disclosure relates generally to automated workflow for data management, and specifically to efficient data manipulation and information extraction techniques used by a versatile data analytics platform. The information extraction techniques include micro-batching and provenance tracking, as well as integration of provenance-driven policies to improve the efficacy of the analytics. Embodiments disclosed here integrate the concept of real-time or near-real-time data stream processing and event/batch processing into one data processing layer, allowing a single processing definition to be applied at different granularities. |
| US08978032B2 |
Host naming application programming interface
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for providing a unique naming framework for a plurality of virtual machines attached to a network. The invention may include receiving a service request for a platform build from a requester and receiving a plurality of build parameters associated with the platform build from the requester. Then, the invention may apply a set of naming rules to one or more attributes (that may be based on the received build parameters) associated with one or more virtual machines, assign a unique name to each individual virtual machine based on the set of naming rules and publish at least one of the assigned unique names over the network, thereby providing access to the virtual machine associated with the unique assigned name in response to an internet protocol network request or request to resolve a host name. |
| US08978029B2 |
Automated template deployment to computing platforms
Various embodiments include at least one of systems, methods, and software for automated deployment of a deployment template to computing systems. Some embodiments include receiving a selection of a deployment template from an entity via a network, identifying platforms of the entity compatible with the compatibility information, receiving a selection of a target platform, validating the selected deployment template for deployment to the selected platform, and deploying the selected deployment template to the selected platform. The validation of the selected deployment template for deployment to the selected platform may include transmitting a validation data request to an agent that executes on the selected platform to obtain validation data related to at least one validation rule, receiving validation data in response to the validation data request, and applying the at least one validation rule to the received validation data to determine validation success or failure. |
| US08978024B2 |
Federated system automatic update communication to enable selective update of critical firmware elements
A method for firmware update coordination in a federated computing system can include receiving in a host one of different computers coupled to one another in a federated computing system, different version levels of firmware versions in peer ones of the different computers. The method additionally can include recording in a compatibility list in the host computer, different version levels of firmware versions for respectively different peer ones of the computers. The method yet further can include selecting a firmware update to be applied to the host computer and comparing a version level of the selected firmware update to the different version levels in the compatibility list. Finally, the firmware update can be applied to the host computer only if the version level of the selected firmware update is present in the compatibility list, but otherwise rejecting the firmware update. |
| US08978022B2 |
Reducing instruction miss penalties in applications
Embodiments include systems and methods for reducing instruction cache miss penalties during application execution. Application code is profiled to determine “hot” code regions likely to experience instruction cache miss penalties. The application code can be linearized into a set of traces that include the hot code regions. Embodiments traverse the traces in reverse, keeping track of instruction scheduling information, to determine where an accumulated instruction latency covered by the code blocks exceeds an amount of latency that can be covered by prefetching. Each time the accumulated latency exceeds the amount of latency that can be covered by prefetching, a prefetch instruction can be scheduled in the application code. Some embodiments insert additional prefetches, merge prefetches, and/or adjust placement of prefetches to account for scenarios, such as loops, merging or forking branches, edge confidence values, etc. |
| US08978016B2 |
Error list and bug report analysis for configuring an application tracer
Error logs, bug reports, and other databases identifying problems with a tracer system may be mined to determine how a tracer may interact with a given function, module, or other group of functions. Based on such reports, a tracer may be configured to avoid certain functions or to trace such functions in a specific manner. In some cases, tracer may be configured to limit tracing to certain parameters or with other limitations to avoid any known conditions under which errors occur. |
| US08978006B2 |
Systems and methods for a mobile business application development and deployment platform
Systems and methods for developing, customizing, and deploying mobile device business applications are provided through a mobile application development and deployment platform. Preferably, these systems and methods are implemented in an Internet based environment that allows non-technical users to build highly-customizable cross-platform mobile applications. The platform allows users to select, input, create, customize, and combine various content, design characteristics, database structure, and application components, such as modules, some of which allow an end user to store and access data in an end user database for business applications. In certain embodiments, the platform allows users to compile and generate a configuration file for the mobile application that can be distributed to end users for execution on various mobile devices and mobile operating systems. When the mobile application is installed on, or executed by the mobile device, the configuration file may enable the retrieval of data associated with the mobile application. |
| US08978002B1 |
Rapid expression coverage
This application discloses simulating a circuit design with a test bench and determining an expression coverage in the circuit design by the test bench with a rapid expression coverage process. The rapid expression coverage process can include dividing an expression in the circuit design into multiple sub-expressions, and separately evaluating each of the multiple sub-expressions during simulation of the circuit design to detect whether first operands in the corresponding sub-expressions receive each available input state, while second operands in the corresponding sub-expressions are in a non-masking state. The rapid expression coverage can generate an expression coverage metric to indicate whether expressions in the circuit design were covered by the test bench during the simulation of the circuit, for example, without having to generate truth-tables that include each possible input vector for each expression. |
| US08977998B1 |
Timing analysis with end-of-life pessimism removal
A method for using computing equipment to perform timing analysis on an integrated circuit design includes identifying a timing arc of the integrated circuit design. The timing arc may be a clock path or a data path in the integrated circuit design. A probability of the timing arc may be obtained and an aging effect for the timing arc may be calculated. The aging effect of the timing arc is calculated based on the probability. The timing arc may include maximum and minimum delays that are adjusted based at least partly on the calculated aging effect on the timing arc. |
| US08977996B2 |
Method, design apparatus, and program product for incremental design space exploration
A design apparatus generates an optimal design condition by design space exploration. The apparatus including a source code parsing (301) which parses source code and generates a parse tree, a cluster generation task (302) which generates clusters based on the parse tree, each of the clusters including a group of source codes which can operate independently, a log file task (303) which generates a log file based on a structure of the cluster, and a comparison task (304) which compares a first log file of a previous cluster with a second log file of a current cluster and re-uses previous exploration result based on a comparison result, the first log file being obtained from a previous design space exploration, the second log file being generated from a current operation. |
| US08977990B2 |
Exposure monitoring key to determine misalignment between blind and reticle
A reticle including exposure monitoring keys. The reticle includes an exposure region that is to be exposed to light during an exposure process, and a non-exposure region surrounding the exposure region and not to be exposed to the light. The exposure monitoring keys are disposed across a boundary between the exposure region and the non-exposure region. |
| US08977985B2 |
Computer-readable storage medium having activation control program stored therein and activation control apparatus
A system is disclosed including a first display control section 218 for selectively displaying, in a first display area, a second predetermined number of first objects among first objects, corresponding to a first predetermined number of game programs, for which an order is set, a second display control section for displaying a position designation image at a position corresponding to a position, of subject software, in an order set for the first predetermined number of pieces of software; a display change section for designating a first object to be displayed in the first display area, based on an operation input received by using the position designation image; and an activation execution section for activating software corresponding to one first object which is selected from among the second predetermined number of first objects displayed in the first display area, based on the operation input. |
| US08977979B2 |
Social network relationship mapping
Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for social network relationship mapping. In an embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes identifying one or more terms within content displayed to a user; for each identified term: transmitting the identified term to one or more social networking servers supporting a social networking application, in response to transmitting the identified term to the social networking servers, receiving from the social networking servers a list of people that correspond with the identified term, directing a display device to display the list of people that correspond with the identified term, and in response to user input, adding an identification of a person from the list of people to a mapping clipboard; directing the display device to display a relationship graph that indicates how people identified in the mapping clipboard are connected to each other in the social networking application. |
| US08977978B2 |
Outline view
Disclosed in some examples are methods, systems, and machine readable mediums for creating and presenting an outline view, the outline view including a first user navigable graphical panel, the first panel displaying first organizational elements corresponding to a first outline level of an electronic content work; a second user navigable graphical panel, the second panel displaying one or more child organizational elements of a selected first organizational element, the child organizational elements corresponding to a second outline level of the electronic content work; and one or more content previews of content within the electronic content work in the first or second panel, the content previews corresponding to the first or second outline levels of the electronic content work, respectively. |
| US08977964B2 |
Media content device, system and method
Access is provided for different types of media content provided by disparate publishers, and in formats corresponding to operating characteristics of respective user devices. As consistent with one or more example embodiments herein, media content access is filtered for users requesting access via different user devices, based upon characteristics of the device to which the access is provided, user subscription data and publisher-specific criteria. A user-specific storefront interface is generated for each of a multitude of users, based upon the filtering. Each storefront interface indicates media content that can be displayed at the device to which access is requested, and identifies media content to which the user does and does not have subscription access. The user-specific storefront interfaces are presented at respective user devices, and media content is delivered to each device in response to selections made via the user-specific storefront interfaces. |
| US08977962B2 |
Reference waveforms
A method for displaying reference waveforms to facilitate visual identification of different points such as maximum points and minimum points of an audio clip is provided. The reference waveform includes points that correspond to points on the original audio waveform, except that some or all points on the reference waveform are accentuated to easily identify the positions of the corresponding points on the audio waveform. The reference waveforms are especially useful when an audio waveform (or at least a portion of the clip) has low volume which makes the visual identification of the maximums and minimums of the waveform difficult. Displaying the reference waveform which accentuates the peaks and valleys of the original waveform facilitates the identification of these maximums and minimums. |
| US08977959B2 |
Visualization of medical conditions in a virtual universe
This disclosure provides a system and method to enable the diagnosis, prognosis and emulation of medical conditions using virtual world environments. The system and method combines probabilistic and pattern recognition mechanisms for both real and virtual world applications to increase health care reach and presence within computational environments. The disclosure describes a system and method that uses physiological measurements and behaviors to diagnose a medical condition. Experimental data, either gathered or generated, provide points for emulation. An emulation algorithm increases the feeling of user presence within a virtual world. Avatar behaviors are mapped to scripts which describe the output of the medical diagnosis and prognosis algorithm. Based on proposed treatment plans, emulations can be run, and the appearance of the avatar altered based on the outcome (e.g., improvement, worsening, etc.). |
| US08977953B1 |
Customizing information by combining pair of annotations from at least two different documents
A system and method for obtaining information embedded in unstructured text is provided. The method comprising generating computer-readable annotations based on the unstructured text, at least one of the computer-readable annotations comprising an indication of a linguistic feature. A pair of the computer-readable annotations may be used to generate at least one computer-readable relation between the pair. The annotations and/or relations may be stored as characteristic data structures in a database. A query comprising at least one criterion may be received. In response to the query, an information result may be generated based on at least one of the characteristic data structures stored in the database. |
| US08977952B2 |
Electronic book version and annotation maintenance
Techniques are disclosed for maintaining multiple versions of electronic books on an access device and for carrying over annotations between the multiple versions. In one embodiment, an annotation to be carried over between multiple versions may include both a document file indicator and a surrounding text indicator associated with a document file in a version. The document file indicator may be used to determine whether a corresponding document file exists in a differing version. If the document file exists in the differing version, the surrounding text indicator may be used to determine whether the surrounding text exists within the differing version. If the surrounding text exists, the annotation may be inserted at the corresponding location in the differing version. Differing versions may be maintained on the access device based on whether each of the differing versions is a major or minor version. Versions of the electronic book and related annotations may be stored on or off-device. |
| US08977950B2 |
Techniques for selection and manipulation of table boarders
Techniques to select and manipulate table borders as discrete objects are described. In particular, a table border may be selected without having to select a cell that includes the desired border. In one embodiment, for example, a technique may include detecting a selector in proximity to a border in a table. The border in proximity to the selector may be highlighted visually on a display to show which part of the table border may be selected. A selection may cause the highlighted border to be selected. The now-selected border may then be manipulated. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08977949B2 |
Electronic document equivalence determination system and equivalence determination method
An equivalence determination system (10) according to this invention includes a specifying means (11) and determination means (12). The specifying means (11) specifies parts of respective electronic documents in a document database that are rarely modified manually. The determination means (12) determines whether the parts specified by the specifying means (11) match each other between a plurality of electronic documents, and when determining that the parts match each other, specifies that these documents are a plurality of similar electronic documents. An electronic document which cites part or all of another electronic document and is slightly modified can be quickly specified in the document database. |
| US08977948B1 |
System, method, and computer program for determining information associated with an extracted portion of content
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for determining information associated with an extracted portion of content. In use, a user is identified. Additionally, content generated by the user is identified. Additionally, a portion of the content is extracted. Further, information associated with the extracted portion of the content is determined. Further still, the determined information is added to a profile of the user. Also, an action is initiated, based on the profile of the user. |
| US08977946B2 |
Presentation apparatus and presentation control method
A presentation apparatus stores parts data that includes parts data that includes type, location, and size of component parts that are displayed within a selected screen area, together with a selection rule that depicts the type of the component part that is to change a drawing state when the presentation apparatus is running in a presentation mode. When executing a presentation process, the apparatus selects a component part from the parts data, according to the selection rule, processes the selected screen area by changing an image of the selected component part, and generates the image to be used in the presentation. |
| US08977938B2 |
Parallel decomposition of Reed Solomon umbrella codes
Systems, methods, apparatus, and techniques are presented for processing a codeword. A Reed-Solomon mother codeword n symbols in length and having k check symbols is received, and the n symbols of the received Reed-Solomon mother codeword are separated into v Reed-Solomon daughter codewords, where v is a decomposition factor associated with the Reed-Solomon mother codeword. The v Reed-Solomon daughter codewords are processed in a respective set of v parallel processes to output v decoded codewords. |
| US08977931B2 |
Method and apparatus for nested dispersed storage
A method begins by a DS processing module generating a plurality of encoded slices from a data segment using an error encoding function. The method continues with the DS processing module identifying a plurality of DS storage units for storing the plurality of encoded slices. The method continues with the DS processing module selecting an encoded slice of the plurality of encoded slices for sub-slicing using a sub-slicing encoding function to produce a selected encoded slice. The method continues with the DS processing module outputting the plurality of encoded slices to the plurality of DS storage units. The method continues with the DS processing module outputting a command to a DS storage unit of the plurality of DS storage units corresponding to the selected encoded slice, wherein the command includes an instruction to sub-slice the selected encoded slice. |
| US08977930B1 |
Memory architecture optimized for random access
In an embodiment, a plurality of memory dies is coupled as a memory block. The memory block has an access width defined as a system word length divided by a burst length associated with the plurality of memory dies. The burst length is greater than one. A single word having the system word length is written or read in a write operation or a read operation, respectively, through a write burst or a read burst, respectively, for random access memory operation with a granularity of the single word. |
| US08977927B2 |
Error-correction coding method, error-correction decoding method, error-correction coding apparatus, and error-correction decoding apparatus
An error-correction coding method that includes outer coding of performing a coding process for an outer code; and inner coding of performing a coding process for an inner code that has an error correction capability adjusted based on an error correction capability of the outer code. |
| US08977925B2 |
Efficient way to construct LDPC code by comparing error events using a voting based method
A method for ordering trapping sets to find one or more dominant trapping sets includes analyzing a trapping set and a random set of codewords to generate a distance value for each trapping set, and ordering the trapping sets by the distance value. Distance values may be determined for each trapping set by tracking a vote count wherein a correct decode at a certain noise level produces a “right” vote and an incorrect decode at a certain noise level produces a “left” vote. A certain threshold number of “left” votes terminates processing at that noise level. |
| US08977923B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting HARQ
A method of supporting Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) includes receiving an initial uplink grant on a downlink channel, transmitting uplink data on an uplink channel using the initial uplink grant, receiving a request for retransmission of the uplink data, determining at least one transmission parameter of a channel quality indicator (CQI) from the initial uplink grant, multiplexing retransmission data of the uplink data with the CQI, and transmitting the multiplexed data on the uplink channel. Amount of resources for transmission of the CQI is determined based on the at least one transmission parameter. |
| US08977920B2 |
DDR circuitry data and control buses connected to test circuitry
A device test architecture and a reduced device test interface are provided to enable efficient testing of embedded cores and other circuits within devices. The reduced device test interface is achieved using a double data rate (DDR) signaling technique between the tester and the device. The DDR test interface allows the tester to interface to test circuits within the device, such as IEEE 1500 and/or IEEE 1149.1 test circuits, to provide high test data bandwidth to the test circuits using a minimum of test interface signals. The test architecture includes compare circuits that allow for comparison of test response data to be performed within the device. The test architecture further includes a memory for storing the results of the test response comparisons. The test architecture includes a programmable test controller to allow for various test control operations by simply inputting an instruction to the programmable test controller from the external tester. Additional features and embodiments of the device test architecture and reduced test interface are also disclosed. |
| US08977919B2 |
Scan, test, and control circuits coupled to IC surfaces contacts
A test control port (TCP) includes a state machine SM, an instruction register IR, data registers DRs, a gating circuit and a TDO MX. The SM inputs TCI signals and outputs control signals to the IR and to the DR. During instruction or data scans, the IR or DRs are enabled to input data from TDI and output data to the TDO MX and the top surface TDO signal. The bottom surface TCI inputs may be coupled to the top surface TCO signals via the gating circuit. The top surface TDI signal may be coupled to the bottom surface TDO signal via TDO MX. This allows concatenating or daisy-chaining the IR and DR of a TCP of a lower die with an IR and DR of a TCP of a die stacked on top of the lower die. |
| US08977917B2 |
Highly secure and extensive scan testing of integrated circuits
In one embodiment, an integrated circuit chip has an input/output (I/O) interface and programmable fabric. The I/O interface restricts access to scan testing of the chip by requiring (1) a specific scan-testing instruction, (2) a specific manufacturing key, and (3) a specific fabric pattern value from a specific set of registers in the programmed fabric. In addition or alternatively, the I/O interface has circuitry that enables scan testing of most of the logic of the I/O interface itself, including the logic being driven by the JTAG TAP state register. |
| US08977916B2 |
Using data watchpoints to detect unitialized memory reads
A method of detecting uninitialized memory reads is shown where either all or a subset of a random access memory system is initialized to a know value. One or more watch points are implemented where after a memory read is detected the value read is compared to the value written during initialization. If the values match debug information is captured and appropriate corrective action is taken. |
| US08977915B2 |
pBIST engine with reduced SRAM testing bus width
A programmable Built In Self Test (pBIST) system used to test embedded memories where the memories under test are incorporated in a plurality of sub chips not integrated with the pBIST module. Test data comparison is performed in a distributed data logging architecture to minimize the number of interconnections between the distributed data loggers and the pBIST. |
| US08977914B2 |
Stress-based techniques for detecting an imminent read failure in a non-volatile memory array
A technique for detecting an imminent read failure in a non-volatile memory array includes applying a bulk read stress to a plurality of cells of the non-volatile memory array and determining whether the plurality of cells exhibit an uncorrectable error correcting code (ECC) read during an array integrity check at a margin read verify voltage level subsequent to the bulk read stress. The technique also includes providing an indication of an imminent read failure for the plurality of cells when the plurality of cells exhibit the uncorrectable ECC read during the array integrity check. In this case, the margin read verify voltage level is different from a normal read verify voltage level. |
| US08977910B2 |
Leveraging chip variability
Embodiments are described that leverage variability of a chip. Different areas of a chip vary in terms of reliability under a same operating condition. The variability may be captured by measuring errors over different areas of the chip. A physical factor that affects or controls the likelihood of an error on the chip can be varied. For example, the voltage supplied to a chip may be provided at different levels. At each level of the physical factor, the chip is tested for errors within the regions. Some indication of the error statistics for the regions is stored and then used to adjust power used by the chip, to adjust reliability behavior of the chip, to allow applications to control how the chip is used, to compute a signature uniquely identifying the chip, etc. |
| US08977908B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting a suspect memory leak
A method for determining a suspect memory leak, including: sampling the throughput and memory usage of an application server; based on the sampled throughput, monitoring whether the throughput decrease continually, and based on the sampled memory usage, monitoring whether the memory usage remains stable within a predefined range; in response to a continual decrease of the throughput and the memory usage remaining stable within the predetermined range, determining that the application server is suspected of having a memory leak. Using the solution of the present invention can free an administrator of the burden of artificially identifying suspect servers, can identify a suspect server during runtime and further determine whether it actually has a memory leak. |
| US08977906B2 |
Checkpoint debugging using mirrored virtual machines
A computer-implemented method of debugging computer code includes: obtaining state information corresponding to a first machine at a checkpoint initiated during execution of the computer code on the first machine; and configuring the second machine to a same operating state as the first machine at the checkpoint to create a mirrored version of the first machine. The method also includes receiving a notification that execution of the program on a first machine has failed, and in response to receiving the notification: triggering a processor of the second machine to initiate execution of a copy of the code from a specific code execution point at which the checkpoint was; activating a debugger module to run concurrently with the execution of the program on the second machine and collect and store the debug data as corresponding to execution failure of the computer code at the first machine. |
| US08977905B2 |
Method and system for detecting abnormality of network processor
The disclosure discloses a method and a system for detecting an abnormality of a network processor. The method comprises the following steps: an abnormality detection operation code is added into an execution flow of each thread in a network processor, and the network processor sets a flag bit corresponding to a current thread in an abnormality protection flag data area in a shared memory to a first flag when executing the abnormality detection operation code in the current thread; and when a period of a timer is expire, a coprocessor detects all the flag bits in the abnormality protection flag data area in the shared memory, determines that a thread corresponding to a flag bit which is not the first flag is abnormal when detecting that not all the flag bits are the first flag, and sets all the flag bits to a second flag when detecting that all the flag bits are the first flag. Through the disclosure, the abnormality of a thread can be detected timely and efficiently, so that the failure detection capability of the network device using the network processor as a core unit at run time is improved without influencing the forwarding performance and service processing flow of the network processor. |
| US08977903B1 |
Scalable testing in a production system with autoshutdown
A network-based production service is configured to process client requests for the production service via a network, capture production request data defining the requests and store the production request data in a data store. A test system comprising one or more controllers creates test jobs according to a test plan for testing the production service. The test plan creates a test profile for using specified production request data to simulate a load on the production service. Each job created by the test plan specifies a portion of production request data. A job queue receives and queues test jobs from one or more controllers configured to add test jobs to the job queue according to the test plan. Workers access jobs from the job queue and the production request data from the data store as specified in each job and replay the production request data to the production service. |
| US08977902B2 |
Integrity checking including side channel monitoring
A method for integrity checking for a cryptographic engine in a computing system includes monitoring a state of a side channel of the cryptographic engine during operation of the cryptographic engine by a side channel monitor; comparing the state of the side channel to a side channel model of the cryptographic engine to determine whether a mismatch exists between the state of the side channel and the side channel model; and based on a mismatch between the state of the side channel and the model of the side channel, indicating an error in the cryptographic engine. |
| US08977897B2 |
Computer-readable recording medium, data management method, and storage device
An internode put requesting unit detects a time-out with respect to a put request issued to the next node in the order of a multiplexing chain and notifies a put/get executing unit of the time-out. The put/get executing unit sends an error to the previous node in the order of the multiplexing chain or a client and instructs a put-failed-data synchronizing unit to synchronize data failed to be put, and the put-failed-data synchronizing unit performs a synchronization process. A primary makes other put requests wait until completion of the synchronization process. Furthermore, when having received the error, the client issues a get request to the tail end of the multiplexing chain. |
| US08977891B2 |
Optimized recovery
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for restoring data. In some embodiments, this includes determining an object to be recovered, determining a representation of the object, and requesting the representation of the object from a data resource system. In some embodiments, the representation of the object is a hash value of the object. In some embodiments, the representation of the object is a segment of the object. |
| US08977890B2 |
Memory system and control method
According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a first memory, a second memory, and a control unit. The first memory includes a volatile first register retaining a first operation parameter. The control unit performs a first operation of retaining the first operation parameter in the second memory. Then, the control unit turns OFF the first memory while retaining the first operation parameter in the second memory when an operation mode is switched from a first mode to a power saving second mode. Then, the control unit performs a second operation of turning on the first memory, and transferring the first operation parameter retained in the second memory to the first register when the operation mode is switched from the second mode to the first mode. |
| US08977884B2 |
Shared-PLL audio clock recovery in multimedia interfaces
A bit stream includes playback data having an associated clock rate and a variable reference clock that is synchronized to the bit stream. A playback clock recovery signal and a data recovery signal are generated in response to the received reference clock. A playback clock frequency signal is generated in response to the playback clock recovery signal. A recovered playback clock is generated by using a divide by M divider, wherein the value of M used by the divide by M divider is determined in response to a programmable multiple of the clock rate associated with the playback information. |
| US08977881B2 |
Controller core time base synchronization
A system and method for efficiently synchronizing multiple processing cores on a system-on-a-chip (SOC). A SOC includes an interrupt controller and multiple processing cores. The interrupt controller includes a main time base counter. The SOC includes multiple local time base counters, each coupled to a respective one of the processing cores. Synchronization logic blocks are used to update the local counters. These blocks receive a subset of bits from the interrupt controller. The subset of bits represents a number of least significant bits of the main counter less than a total number of bits for the main counter. The logic blocks update an associated local counter according to changes to the received subset of bits. A difference may exist between values of the main counter in the interrupt controller and the local counter in the processing core. However, this difference may be a constant value. |
| US08977880B2 |
Method for managing power supply of multi-core processor system involves powering off main and slave cores when master bus is in idle state
A multi-core processor system, a dynamic power management method thereof and a control apparatus thereof are provided. In the method, a workload of a multi-core processor during a runtime stage is obtained. Next, a hot-plug operation is respectively performed on a plurality of slave cores according to the workload and a working state of each slave core. Then, a bus master status and the working state of a boot core are monitored to determine whether to power off the boot core, in which the bus master status is generated by combining a plurality of device statuses reflected by a plurality of peripheral devices. Finally, when the bus master status is determined as idle, the boot core is powered off. |
| US08977879B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhancing a multi-stage hibernate and resume process
Before hibernating a computing device (102), system software components (116) are notified of an upcoming hibernation process. The notifications are conveyed through an application program interface (API) (114). At least a portion of the system software components (116) can perform one or more pre-hibernation activities to place that system software component (116) in a ready-to-resume state. Each system software component indicates when it is ready for hibernation. Responsive to receiving the indication from each of the system software components (116), the hibernation process can complete. The completed hibernation process creates a snapshot (122) in nonvolatile memory. The snapshot (122) saves state information (124) for each of the system software components (116). The state information (124) is for the ready-to-resume state of the system software components (116). The computing device (102) can be restored after hibernation using a resume process (130), which reads the state (124) information from the snapshot (122). |
| US08977877B2 |
Image processing apparatus, communication method therefor, and recording medium
An image processing apparatus being configured to support a power-saving mode which allows achieving low power consumption while keeping an idle connection without communication between the image processing apparatus and a communication device in a network environment, comprises: a first judgment portion which judges whether or not the communication device supports the power-saving mode; and a communicator which establishes a connection to the communication device at a first communication rate if the first judgment portion judges that the communication device does not support the power-saving mode, at a second communication rate which is faster than the first communication rate if the first judgment portion judges that the communication device supports the power-saving mode. |
| US08977871B2 |
System and method for power management using a basic input output system
A system comprises a plurality of processor cores. The processor cores may comprise one or more application processor (AP) cores and a boot strap processor (BSP) core. A basic input/output system (BIOS) comprises an I/O device module to call a stall function in response to an I/O operation, a power management module that couples to the I/O device and a timer module that couples to the power management module. The power management module is to adjust a timer period of the timer module based on a stall delay of the stall function. The power management module may hook the stall function and compare the stall delay with a predetermined threshold and set the timer period to the stall delay in response to determining that the stall delay is longer. The power management module may put the BSP in a sleep mode during the timer period to save power. |
| US08977867B2 |
Corralling virtual machines with encryption keys
A virtual machine comprises a unique identifier that is associated with one or more encryption keys. A management server encrypts the virtual machine's virtual hard disk(s) using the one or more associated encryption keys. The management server further provides the one or more encryption keys to a limited number of one or more servers in a system. Only those one or more servers that have been provided the one or more encryption keys can be used to load, access, and/or operate the virtual machine. The management server can thus differentiate which virtual machines can be operated on which servers by differentiating which servers can receive which encryption keys. In one implementation, a management server encrypts all virtual machines in the system, but encrypts virtual machines with sensitive data with a limited set of encryption keys, and further provides those encryption keys to a limited set of trusted servers. |
| US08977863B1 |
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for dynamic protection of intellectual property in electronic circuit designs
Various embodiments describe methods and systems for dynamic IP protection in electronic circuit designs. The methods or systems determine one or more levels of access or encryption and identify design data that should be made available for each level. For each level, a pcell instance is created to hide actual design data, and the design data that should be made available are moved to an instance of the corresponding sub-master in memory. The design data in this instance are encrypted in memory and are persisted in a side file in a non-volatile computer accessible storage medium. An authorized user is provided with a key, the side file, and a decrypting scheme to retrieve the actual design data with an appropriate level of details from the side file during a pcell evaluation process. |
| US08977861B2 |
Method and system for biometric authentication
A method of authentication is provided that includes capturing biometric data for a desired biometric type from an individual, determining an algorithm for converting the biometric data into authentication words, converting the captured biometric data into authentication words in accordance with the determined algorithm, including the authentication words in a probe, and comparing the probe against identity records stored in a server system. Each of the identity records includes enrollment biometric words of an individual obtained during enrollment. Moreover, the method includes identifying at least one of the identity records as a potential matching identity record when at least one of the authentication words included in the probe matches at least one of the enrollment biometric words included in the at least one identity record, and generating a list of potential matching identity records. |
| US08977852B2 |
Security for software defined radio terminals
A module (2) for integrity protection of messages transmitted from a mobile software defined radio (SDR) terminal (1), the module provided with a confined cryptographic key K and arranged to receive loaded SDR-code. The module derives an integrity protecting key Rk from at least said cryptographic key K, and provides a periodic integrity protection on-line of generated messages using said key integrity protecting key Rk, and the integrity of said messages is verified by an integrity checking node (10) of the access network. |
| US08977850B2 |
Content data, transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus and decoding method
A transmitting apparatus comprises an initialization vector generating unit for generating an initialization vector, an encryption unit for initializing a stream encryption module using the generated initialization vector and performing stream encryption on stream data using the initialized stream encryption module, an encryption packet generating unit for generating an encryption packet containing encrypted stream-encrypted data, an initialization packet generating unit for generating an initialization packet containing an initialization vector and time information indicating when a next initialization vector subsequent to the initialization vector will be sent, and a transmission unit for transmitting the initialization packet and the encryption packet by broadcast/multicast. |
| US08977849B1 |
Systems and methods for creating a rights management system (RMS) with superior layers and subordinate layers
A computer-implemented method for creating a rights management system (RMS) with superior layers and subordinate layers is described. A separate trust network for one or more layers of the RMS is established. The trust network includes one or more computing nodes within the one or more layers. A data object is created on a computing node that is a member of trust network in a superior layer. The data object is encrypted to a ciphertext data object. A publishing license is created for each of the one or more layers of the RMS. Access rights and attributes associated with the ciphertext data object are controlled within each layer based on the publishing license of each of the one or more layers of the RMS. |
| US08977848B1 |
Method and system for reconciling safety-critical and high assurance security functional requirements between safety and security domains
Systems and methods for providing safety and security functions are disclosed. The system includes a computing device that provides at least a first partition and a second partition. The computing device implements time and space partitioning to isolate resources available to the first partition and the second partition. The system also includes a safety module that operates in the first partition for providing safety functions for the system. The system further includes a security module that operates in the second partition for providing security functions for the system. A predefined communication interface is utilized to facilitate communications between the safety module and the security module. The communication interface defines a set of communications allowable between the safety module and the security module, wherein information sharing between the safety module and the security module is restricted to only the set of communications allowed through the communication interface. |
| US08977847B1 |
Distributed challenge-response authentication
A distributed challenge-response protocol is carried out between a verifier and a prover. The verifier comprises servers storing respective shares of a set of challenge-response pairs. A particular challenge of one of the challenge-response pairs is sent to the prover, and a response to the challenge is received from the prover. The received response is authenticated as an appropriate response to the particular challenge based on indications from respective ones of at least a subset of the servers as to whether or not the received response matches respective reconstructed responses computed by those servers. A given one of the servers may be configured to reconstruct the particular challenge using information associated with the share stored in the given server and information associated with at least one other share stored in at least one other server, with the reconstructed challenge being to be sent to the prover as the particular challenge. |
| US08977846B2 |
Method and device for the secure transfer of data
A method for the secure transfer of a digital file from a first computerized system to one second computerized system, the method comprising the following steps: writing the digital file on a first file-management module of a secure transfer device, transferring the digital file to an internal verification module of the secure transfer device, verifying one portion of the transferred digital file in the verification module, and transferring the partially verified digital file to a second file-management module of the secure transfer device according to the result of the verification, in order to allow the file to be read by the one second computerized system according to the result of the verification. |
| US08977845B2 |
Methods and apparatus for access control in service-oriented computing environments
Improved access control techniques for use in a service-oriented computing environment are disclosed. For example, one method for authenticating a client in a service-oriented environment, wherein the service-oriented environment includes a plurality of services, includes the following steps. At least one service of the plurality of services is invoked. State information is associated with the at least one service invoked. The state information is used to authenticate a client with at least one service. Further, a method for access control in a service-oriented environment, wherein the service-oriented environment includes a plurality of services, includes the following steps. A rule specification language is provided. At least one rule is specified using the rule specification language. A verification is performed to determine whether or not the client satisfies the at least one rule. The client is granted access to a service when the client satisfies the at least one rule. |
| US08977840B2 |
Failover to a standby system calculator in the loss of communication between currently-used system calculator and standby system calculator
A standby system calculator communicates with a currently-used system calculator for retaining data about a service, providing the service by using the data, and updating the data along with provision of the service. The standby system calculator includes a retainer that retains a copy of the data and a provider that provides the service by using the copy of the data while restricting an updating operation for updating the copy of the data in the retainer when a predetermined signal that indicates that the currently-used system calculator is operating and that has been transmitted from the currently-used system calculator to the standby system calculator, cannot be received for a predetermined period of time. |
| US08977835B2 |
Reversing processing order in half-pumped SIMD execution units to achieve K cycle issue-to-issue latency
Techniques for reducing issue-to-issue latency by reversing processing order in half-pumped single instruction multiple data (SIMD) execution units are described. In one embodiment a processor functional unit is provided comprising a frontend unit, and execution core unit, a backend unit, an execution order control signal unit, a first interconnect coupled between and output and an input of the execution core unit and a second interconnect coupled between an output of the backend unit and an input of the frontend unit. In operation, the execution order control signal unit generates a forwarding order control signal based on the parity of an applied clock signal on reception of a first vector instruction. This control signal is in turn used to selectively forward first and second portions of an execution result of the first vector instruction via the interconnects for use in the execution of a dependent second vector instruction. |
| US08977827B1 |
System, method and computer program product for recovering stub files
A read cache may include portions of files stored on media of a media library. Embodiments described herein may include systems and methods for restoring a read cache, including restoring stub files to a read cache on an ad hoc basis. |
| US08977826B1 |
Extent commands in replication
A method, system, and computer program product for ordering a plurality of data IO captured at a primary site to be applied at a secondary site, comprising removing the one or more extent level portions from the captured data IO, determining if the one or more extent level portions are time sequenced to overwrite a portion of data of the data IO, based on a determination that the portion data is to be overwritten, removing the overwritten portion of data from the plurality of the data IO and ordering the one or more extent level portions to be applied at the secondary site before the captured data IO. |
| US08977823B2 |
Store buffer for transactional memory
Provided are techniques for handling a store buffer in conjunction with a processor, the store buffer comprising a free list; a merge window; and an evict list; and logic, for, upon receipt of a T_STORE operation, comparing a first address associated with the T_STORE operation with a plurality of addresses associated with previous T_STORE operations, wherein the previous T_STORE operations are part of the same transaction as the T_STORE operation and the entries corresponding to the previous T_STORE operations are stored in the merge window; in response to a match between the first address and a second address, associated with a second T_STORE operation, of the plurality of addresses, merging a first entry corresponding to the first T_STORE operation with a second entry corresponding to the second T_STORE operation; and consolidating results associated with the first T_STORE operation with results associated with the second T_STORE operation. |
| US08977820B2 |
Handling of hard errors in a cache of a data processing apparatus
A data processing apparatus and method are provided for handling hard errors occurring in a cache of the data processing apparatus. Cache location avoid storage is provided having at least one record, with each record being used to store a cache line identifier identifying a specific cache line. On detection of an error condition, one of the records in the cache location avoid storage is allocated to store the cache line identifier for the specific cache line associated with the entry for which the error condition was detected. A clean and invalidate operation is performed in respect of the specific cache line, and the access request is then re-performed. Cache access circuitry is arranged to exclude any specific cache line identified in the cache location avoid storage from a lookup procedure. |
| US08977818B2 |
Combined transparent/non-transparent cache
In one embodiment, a memory that is delineated into transparent and non-transparent portions. The transparent portion may be controlled by a control unit coupled to the memory, along with a corresponding tag memory. The non-transparent portion may be software controlled by directly accessing the non-transparent portion via an input address. In an embodiment, the memory may include a decoder configured to decode the address and select a location in either the transparent or non-transparent portion. Each request may include a non-transparent attribute identifying the request as either transparent or non-transparent. In an embodiment, the size of the transparent portion may be programmable. Based on the non-transparent attribute indicating transparent, the decoder may selectively mask bits of the address based on the size to ensure that the decoder only selects a location in the transparent portion. |
| US08977811B2 |
Scalable schedulers for memory controllers
Methods and apparatus to improve throughput and efficiency in memory devices are described. In one embodiment, a memory controller may include scheduler logic to issue read or write requests to a memory device in an optimal fashion, e.g., to maximize bandwidth and/or reduce latency. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US08977810B2 |
Systems and methods for using memory commands
Systems and methods for using memory commands are described. The systems include a memory controller. The memory controller receives a plurality of user transactions. The memory controller converts each user transaction into one or more row and column memory commands. The memory controller reorders the memory commands associated with the plurality of user transactions before sending the memory commands to a memory device. |
| US08977808B2 |
Mapping between program states and data patterns
The present disclosure includes methods and apparatuses for mapping between program states and data patterns. One method includes: programming a group of G memory cells such that a combination of respective program states of the group maps to a constellation point corresponding to a received N unit data pattern, the group used to store N/G units of data per memory cell; wherein the constellation point is one of a number of constellation points of a constellation associated with mapping respective program state combinations of the group of memory cells to N unit data patterns; and wherein the constellation comprises a first mapping shell and a second mapping shell, the constellation points corresponding to the respective first and second mapping shells determined, at least partially, based on a polynomial expression of order equal to G. |
| US08977804B1 |
Varying data redundancy in storage systems
A disk drive is disclosed that varies its data redundancy policy for caching data in non-volatile solid-state memory as the memory degrades. As the non-volatile memory degrades, the redundancy of data stored in the non-volatile memory can be increased to counteract the effects of such degradation. Redundant data can be used to recover data stored in the non-volatile memory in case of a data corruption. Performance improvements and reduced costs of disk drives can thereby be attained. |
| US08977803B2 |
Disk drive data caching using a multi-tiered memory
A disk drive is disclosed that utilizes multi-tiered solid state memory for caching data received from a host. Data can be stored in a memory tier that can provide the required performance at a low cost. For example, multi-level cell (MLC) memory can be used to store data that is frequently read but infrequently written. As another example, single-level cell (SLC) memory can be used to store data that is frequently written. Improved performance, reduced costs, and improved power consumption can thereby be attained. |
| US08977799B2 |
Storage caching/tiering acceleration through staggered asymmetric caching
A multi-tiered system of data storage includes a plurality of data storage solutions. The data storage solutions are organized such that the each progressively faster, more expensive solution serves as a cache for the previous solution, and each solution includes a dedicated data block to store individual data sets, newly written in a plurality of write operations, for later migration to slower data storage solutions in a single write operation. |
| US08977798B2 |
Integrated electronic system mounted on aircraft
The present invention provides an electronic system mounted on an aircraft which can effectively reduce electronic devices and wires by integration of control systems. Specifically, a fuselage (80) of an aircraft (100) is divided into a nose part (80a), a center part (80b), and an aft part (80c), and two IMAs (integrated modular avionics units) (50a to 50c) are provided in each of these parts. The IMA units (50a to 50c) are interconnected via an integrated data bus (53) to construct an integrated electronic system mounted on the aircraft. The system is suitably used for integrating utility systems except for avionics systems, among a plurality of control systems mounted on the aircraft, and is also applicable to integration of the avionics systems. |
| US08977797B2 |
Method of improving peripheral component interface communications utilizing a low voltage differential signal channel
A computer system for multi-processing purposes. The computer system has a console comprising a first coupling site and a second coupling site. Each coupling site comprises a connector. The console is an enclosure that is capable of housing each coupling site. The system also has a plurality of computer modules, where each of the computer modules is coupled to a connector. Each of the computer modules has a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a graphics controller coupled to the processing unit, and a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit. Each of the computer modules is substantially similar in design to each other to provide independent processing of each of the computer modules in the computer system. |
| US08977794B2 |
Communication protocol system and method for a distributed-architecture heating, ventilation and air conditioning network
The disclosure provides an HVAC data processing and communication network and a method of manufacturing the same. In an embodiment, the network includes a first subnet controller and a system device. The first subnet controller is coupled to a data bus and configured to arbitrate with a second subnet controller for control of the subnet. The system device is configured to transition from a reset state to a first state that includes pre-startup tasks, and transition from the first state to a second state that includes waiting for the subnet controller to provide configuration parameters to the system device. |
| US08977790B2 |
Peripheral module register access methods and apparatus
An embodiment of an electronic system includes a processing element, a bus controller, and a peripheral module. The processing element executes machine readable code for performing a data transfer of an x-bit wide data value between the processing element and the peripheral module. Performing the data transfer includes providing a processing element-provided address corresponding to a y-bit wide data register of the peripheral module, where y is less than x. The bus controller receives the processing element-provided address, and in response, performs a series of multiple data transfers with the peripheral module. This includes providing a first peripheral address for a first data transfer of the series, and providing at least one different peripheral address for at least one other data transfer of the series. The peripheral module maps the first peripheral address and the at least one different peripheral address to the y-bit wide data register. |
| US08977787B1 |
Management of path operating mode transitions in multipathing host computer
A host computer accesses a storage volume via multiple paths and maintains path mode information identifying either an active or standby operating mode. An active-mode path is generally usable, and a standby-mode path is usable under exceptional conditions such as non-availability of an active-mode path. A reason identifier identifies a first operating condition causing the path to be placed in the standby mode. Upon a path-activating event for a standby-mode path, if there is a second operating condition indicating that the path should be maintained in the standby operating mode, then the path is maintained in the standby operating mode and the path mode information is set to identify the second operating condition, and otherwise the operating mode is set to active. A path-activating event can be a manual action by a user or automatic action such as expiration of an aging timer to re-attempt use of a standby path. |
| US08977782B2 |
Electronic device and control method thereof
An electronic device is connectable to an external device. An interface substrate is detachably connected to a main substrate. A first interface is installed on the interface substrate, and the first interface is connectable to the external device. A second interface is installed on the main substrate, and the second interface is connectable to the external device. A selection unit selects one interface of the first interface on the interface substrate and the second interface on the main substrate. A communication unit communicates information with the external device through the interface selected by the selection unit. At least one of the first interface and the second interface is configured to detect a connection state to the external device. The selection unit selects an interface which is designated or preferentially selects an interface which detects a connection to the external device. |
| US08977781B1 |
Computer system
A computer system includes a first storage control module and at least one server module. The first storage control module includes plural storage processors. Each server module includes a server processor and a server I/F connected to the server processor and at least two of the plurality of storage processors. The sever I/F of an issuance server which is any one of the at least one server module specifies the storage processor by referring to sorting information in which identification information of the issuance server of an I/O request issued by the server processor of the issuance server, identification information of a destination storage area of the I/O request, and identification information of the storage processor in charge of the destination storage area are correlated with each other, and sends a command based on the I/O request to the specified storage processor. |
| US08977775B2 |
Techniques for identity and policy based routing
Techniques for identity and policy based routing are presented. A resource is initiated on a device with a resource identity and role assignments along with policies are obtained for the resource. A customized network is created for the resource using a device address for the device, the resource identity, the role assignments, and the policies. |
| US08977773B2 |
System and method for a rate control technique for a lightweight directory access protocol over MQSeries (LoM) server
A system and method for controlling rates for a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) over MQSeries (LoM) server. The system includes a health metrics engine that calculates an actual delay value, a LoM server that asynchronously obtains the actual delay value from the health metrics engine and place the delay value between one or more requests, and a LDAP master that accepts the one or more requests and send information in the one or more requests to a LDAP replica. |
| US08977772B2 |
Method and system for facilitating one-to-many data transmissions with reduced network overhead
A method and system for facilitating one-to-many data transmissions with reduced network overhead includes conducting a round of data transmissions from a source computing device to a plurality of sink computing devices. Each of the sink computing devices generates a bucket list of lost data blocks for the round of data transmissions and transmits the bucket list to the source computing device. The source computing device conducts a subsequent round of data transmissions based on the bucket lists. One or more additional subsequent rounds may be conducted until the bucket list of each sink computing device is empty. |
| US08977767B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for affecting programming of content for transmission over a multicast network
Methods and apparatuses are provided that may be implemented in various electronic devices to identify at least one current interest topic associated with message content transmitted over a wireless communication network, and affect programming of at least a portion of content for transmission over a multicast network based, at least in part, on the current interest topic. |
| US08977764B1 |
Profiling application usage from application streaming
Application usage is profiled based on application streaming. Code pages of multiple applications are streamed from a server to multiple client computers (endpoints) for execution. The streaming of the code pages is monitored, and usage data is collected such as which pages are streamed to which endpoints, under what circumstances and when. By referencing the streamed code pages and the underlying source code, the code pages are mapped (at least approximately) to corresponding application features. The collected usage data usage and the relevant mapping are analyzed, to create application usage profile data for streamed applications. The application usage profile data can include such information as how often, when, where and by whom application components are being executed, as well as which components cause errors, are most popular, confuse users, etc. |
| US08977760B2 |
System and method for routing SUPL proxy-mode traffice when multiple nodes are deployed in a network
A system and method for connecting a mobile device to a node in a wireless network. A query may be received for a mobile device from a location based application. In response to the query a first message may be transmitted to the mobile device from a first node, the first message being populated with at least one predetermined parameter. At a second node, it may then be determined whether to forward a second message from the mobile device to the first node via the second node as a function of the availability of the first node or the at least one predetermined parameter. |
| US08977758B2 |
Service bus system, service bus device, and method for assuring connection uniqueness
A service bus system includes: a plurality of first devices each coupled with a client; a plurality of second devices each to perform a service; a first service bus device through which sequences of a session between the first and second devices are communicated, including: a prediction unit to predict one or more other service bus devices through which connection between the first and second devices in a second or later sequence of the session is established; and a transmission unit to transmit information indicating the connection in the first sequence of the session to the one or more other service bus devices predicted; and a second service bus device including: a storage unit to hold the information transmitted from the first service bus device; and a connection unit to establish the connection in the second or later sequence of the session by using the connection information held. |
| US08977755B2 |
Mobile device and method to utilize the failover mechanism for fault tolerance provided for mobile traffic management and network/device resource conservation
A mobile device and method to utilize the failover mechanism for fault tolerance provided for mobile traffic management are disclosed. One embodiment includes a method, which may be implemented on a system or a mobile device which responsive to detecting a failed attempt to connect to a proxy server, determines whether the proxy server is reachable. In one embodiment, in response to determining that the proxy server is reachable, initiates a failover process by reconfiguring DNS routing rules. |
| US08977754B2 |
Composite public cloud, method and system
A composite public cloud enables an automated marketplace system for, selling and trading of computational resources by aggregating available compute resources so that buyers are automatically matched with sellers. A listing of compute resources available on a prospective seller's system and bids by prospective buyers for resources offered is maintained. A seller uses a series of attributes to characterize an available resource for prospective buyers. Compute resources are presented in a form which can be easily quantified or compartmentalized. Prospective buyers search the marketplace system based on desired resource criteria. The marketplace continually evaluates the attributes of resources available for sale and the desired criteria of prospective buyers. The system attempts to match buyers and sellers, optimizing for the needs of both parties. If a desirable match is found, the marketplace system facilitates a transaction between both parties, making the purchased resource available to the buyer. |
| US08977753B1 |
System and method for router keep-alive control
The real-time aspects of keep-alive generation are removed from the dynamic routing protocol (DRP) application and are embedded within a Unix-based operating system, which is programmed by DRP. A keep-alive control provides the ability to create a keep-alive message and a timeout interval on a TCP socket. Each socket can have an independent keep-alive message and timeout interval. A keep-alive message is sent whenever the TCP socket sends no normal user output for a duration exceeding the timeout interval. A timeout interval is normally specific in seconds and a keep-alive message is user definable and must not exceed a predetermined length in bytes. System calls are used to set the timeout interval and keep-alive message independently. Both a timeout and a keep-alive message must be set before the timeout becomes active. |
| US08977751B2 |
Network usage throttling systems and methods
Systems and methods for throttling network usage are disclosed. An exemplary method includes an access device maintaining throttling command interpretation data, receiving a throttling command broadcast over a wide area network, interpreting the throttling command based on the throttling command interpretation data, and conforming at least one operation of the access device to a network usage throttling level in accordance with the interpretation of the throttling command. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed. |
| US08977750B2 |
Extending security platforms to cloud-based networks
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for extending a network security platform to a cloud-based network. A set of managed machines, such as personal computers or servers, can be managed by a network security engine. The network security engine can govern access to and operation of the set of managed machines through a set of security policies. According to embodiments, the set of security policies can be sub-divided into a partitioned security class corresponding to a subset of the managed network which is intended to be deployed as a cloud-accessible subset of the overall managed network. The partitioned security class can specify access restrictions for the cloud-accessible subset to receive resources from or provide resources to the external cloud environment. A corporate campus network or other managed network can therefore permit access of the cloud to some or all of its machines, while still maintaining desired local security conditions. |
| US08977749B1 |
Allocating buffer for TCP proxy session based on dynamic network conditions
Allocation of buffers for a TCP proxy session between a client and a server by a service gateway includes: monitoring dynamic network behaviors for server and client side sessions of the TCP proxy session; and allocating capacity for a server side buffer and capacity for a client side buffer in a memory buffer based on the dynamic server side network behaviors, the dynamic client side network behaviors, and a weighted average of a capacity of the memory buffer. In one approach to the allocation, the gateway determines whether an available capacity of the server or client side buffer is sufficient to store a data packet. If not sufficient, the allocated capacity of the server or client side buffer is increased based on measurements of the dynamic network behaviors and the weighted average, and the available capacity of the server or client side buffer is adjusted accordingly. |
| US08977748B1 |
System and method for providing location reporting services
A method and system for reporting a user location are described. Aspects of the invention minimize the need to report a current location of a user device to a remote server by attempting to predict a most likely location or most likely destination of the user device. As long as the user device does not leave a certain area defined in relation to the predetermined location or destination, the user device refrains from reporting to the remote server. The likely location or likely destination may be determined using a schedule generated from heat map information stored on the remote server. The schedule is used to determine where the user is likely to be traveling based upon the user's current location and/or the time of day. |
| US08977741B1 |
Method and system for cloud computing service transparency
A cloud computing service stores customer data on a server that is located outside of a network security system of the customer. The cloud computing service automatically monitors the customer data to identify one or more access events that originate from a resource within the cloud computing service. For each access event, the service identifies a resource and a data set. The resource may include an identifier associated with a human operator or a software application that performed the access event, and the data set may include customer data that the resource accessed during the access event. The service may create a report of each access event and the information corresponding to the data set for each access event, and it may cause the report to be transmitted to the customer. |
| US08977738B2 |
Automated discovery of monitoring devices on a network
A system and method are disclosed for the automated discovery of devices on a network, such as a TCP/IP network using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“DHCP”) and Domain Name System (“DNS”) servers. Devices on the network may be discovered, identified, and tracked by a monitoring server. Communications with the monitoring server may include identification information for each device. The identification information may be stored in DHCP option fields, transmitted with DHCP messages, and used to identify whether the device is new to the network. |
| US08977737B2 |
Detecting legacy bridges in an audio video bridging network
In a network having one or more Audio Video Bridging (AVB) devices, non-AVB bridges are detected by transmitting a maintenance message, such as a unicast linktrace message, from one AVB device such as a residential gateway to another AVB device such as a set-top box or IPTV. AVB devices in the path provide replies indicating whether the port on which the linktrace message was received is connected to a non-AVB bridge. The disclosure has utility in diagnostics problems with IPTV in a network. |
| US08977731B2 |
Low cost and flexible energy management system providing user control arrangement in a plurality of modes
An energy data management control system is configured to allow a user to control operation of the data management among a plurality of modes. |
| US08977729B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling error reporting and resolution
Various system and method embodiments are disclosed that include using a first node to receive messages including error information from a plurality of client computers via a computer network. Recommendations for resolving errors associated with the error information are made available to the client computers via the computer network. |
| US08977727B2 |
Remote configuration and selective distribution of product content to medical devices
A distribution server for distributing updates for medical devices is disclosed. The distribution server can provide an update to a configuration device which configures a device to be updated. The distribution server includes a portal that allows an update provider to provide an update package including an update file and update package data relating to the update file. The update package data includes dependency data indicating a condition that must be satisfied by the configuration device or a second device so that the update file can be installed on the device to be updated. The distribution server further includes a database that is configured to store package data of a plurality of update packages and locations of update files of the plurality of update packages. The server further includes a distribution module that receives an inquiry on behalf of a medical device and provides a list of available update packages. |
| US08977724B2 |
Method and system for automated operating system image loading
A method, system, and article for dynamic management of two or more operating system images for at least two client machines operating in a computer system sub-network. Different physical areas of the sub-network support separate image of the operating system images. As the client machines may be individually subject to movement within the sub-network, an appropriate operating system image is dynamically selected and uploaded to one or more of the individual client machines based upon the physical location thereof. |
| US08977723B2 |
Cloud based application fragmentation
Technology is disclosed for decomposing an application into fragments and streaming the application fragments for execution on a mobile computing device. A fragment presents a user interface of the application and needs a set of resources, e.g., images, icons, etc. to be executed. A server determines a set of fragments for the application and streams them to the device as and when the device needs a particular fragment. The server determines the set of fragments in various ways. For example, the server executes an emulator that simulates the execution of the application by the user and determines fragment data including the set of fragments, resources needed by each of the fragments, and various possible navigations between the fragments. In another example, the server receives such fragment data from various users executing the application on various devices, and aggregates them based on aggregating policy to obtain an aggregated fragment data. |
| US08977722B2 |
Method and apparatus for information exchange over a web based environment
Exchanging information via web is a way of life in modern society. Present invention utilizes dynamic workspace technology to allow people much efficiently and flexibly to exchanging information across global environment. |
| US08977720B2 |
Internet based hosted system and computer readable medium for modeling analysis
A Internet based system and computer readable medium comprising code for determining multiple modeling analysis tasks associated with a received data set, wherein the received data set is received via Internet, receiving a specification of multiple modeling analysis tasks, collecting a specification of the modeling analysis tasks via Internet, conducting a modeling analysis the received data set based on the determined multiple modeling analysis tasks and the received specification of the modeling analysis tasks and delivering a result of the modeling analysis via Internet. |
| US08977718B2 |
Website redevelopment wrapper
Existing network-based services can be reused by a new network service providing an updated interface to the existing services. A client request directed to the new network service triggers a back-end request from the new network service to the existing network service. The back-end request comprises aspects of the client's request and additional formatting rules and other information to override specific aspects of the existing network service. The existing network service generates a back-end response with its existing functionality that is being reused, and applies the specified overrides. Additional information to be utilized by the new network service in responding to the client can be added to the back-end response. The new network service can then form and transmit a response to the client by utilizing the central portion of the back-end response and appending additional information to it, including the information specified by the existing network-service. |
| US08977717B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing applications with shared scalable caching
An approach is provided for initiating sending a request message indicating a parameter for an application to an index of parameter values stored in a database for a plurality of related applications. A value for the parameter is received in response to sending the request. Performing a function of the application based on the value received for the parameter is initiated. The value for the parameter is used by a different mobile application of the plurality of related applications. |
| US08977715B2 |
Method for communicating data between locally networked heterogeneous processing systems and communication system using said method
A method for communicating data in an aircraft between at least a first data processing system and a second data processing system locally networked, each processing system being capable of executing at least one application, wherein the data to be exchanged are organized in messages, the aforementioned messages as well as the processing systems and the applications being defined in files stored in a backup unit connected to the network and accessible by the data processing systems. |
| US08977711B2 |
System and method for implementing application functionality within a network infrastructure including wirelessly coupled devices
A system and method for implementing functionality within a network on behalf of first and second devices communicating with each other through the network. A front-end device is provided within the network that communicates data traffic with the first device. A back-end device is also implemented within the network and communicates data traffic with the second device. A communication channel couples the front-end device and the back-end device. Data traffic may be encoded into a different type or protocol for transport through the communication channel by the front-end device and back-end device. The front-end device and back-end device exchange quality of service information and may alter characteristics of the data traffic through the communication channel according to the quality of service information. |
| US08977709B2 |
Using an interactivity object to facilitate web-based aggregation
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that uses an interactivity object to facilitate interactivity during automated web site accesses. During operation, the system examines a web page on the web site to determine a data type for an interactivity request associated with the web page. Next, the system creates an interactivity object, which includes the interactivity request along with the determined data type for the interactivity request. Finally, the system sends the interactivity object to the user to solicit a response from the user. |
| US08977705B2 |
Method and system for data logging and analysis
A method of logging internet requests includes defining a plurality of field types of interest and receiving a request from the internet including one or more fields. The method also includes determining that a first field type of a first field of the one or more fields matches one of the plurality of field types of interest and caching at least a portion of the first field in a cache. The method further includes determining that a second field type of a second field of the one or more fields matches one of the plurality of field types of interest caching at least a portion of the second field in the cache. The method includes transmitting the cache to a server, determining, a number of occurrences of a field value of at least one of the first field type or the second field type, and providing a report including the number of occurrences of the field value. |
| US08977702B2 |
Selecting a master node using a suitability value
Selecting a master node in a group of computing nodes. Computing nodes exchange suitability messages, candidate messages, and master messages to indicate the state of each node. A deterministic algorithm based on scores and timings is executed by each computing node to encourage each node to select the same master node. |
| US08977700B2 |
System and method for e-mail notification
A method includes receiving, from a set-top box device, an e-mail notification request including a set-top box identifier associated with the set-top box device and linked to an internet protocol television account identifier. The method includes accessing stored information that includes a plurality of set-top box identifiers and that links respective set-top box identifiers with corresponding e-mail accounts. The method further includes determining, based on the stored information and the set-top box identifier, an e-mail account of a first user maintained at a mail server, where the determination includes associating the internet protocol television account identifier with the e-mail account. The method further includes determining whether an e-mail has been received for the e-mail account at the mail server. When the e-mail has been received, the method includes generating an e-mail delivery notification and transmitting the e-mail delivery notification to the set-top box device associated with the e-mail notification request. |
| US08977697B2 |
Methods and systems for removing metadata from an electronic document attached to a message sent from a mobile electronic device
A method and system for removing metadata from email attachments sent from mobile devices includes receiving an email with an attached document. The attached document has metadata removed to create a cleansed version of the attached document. The attached document is replaced by the cleansed version of the attached document, and the email is sent according to the address or addresses included in the email. |
| US08977693B2 |
Browser based application development framework
A system, method, and/or machine readable medium including a set of stored instructions that, if executed by a processor, may cause one or more computers to receive user input via a platform independent web-based interface, wherein the user input is to identify application logic and one or more data repositories. The instructions can also cause one or more computers to generate a reusable web service based at least in part on the user input, and construct an application workflow based at least in part on the reusable web service. As a result of usage of such a web-based application development platform, users can create/assemble/generate both traditional & non-traditional software applications/services to perform a specific business functions or operations. Moreover, non-traditional software components are sharable web services, which can be used to create/generate a composite application. |
| US08977690B2 |
Distribution of XML documents/messages to XML appliances/routers
XML appliances/routers may be organized to implement one or more XML distribution rings to enable XML documents/messages to be distributed efficiently. The rings may be logical or physical. The XML distribution rings enable the XML documents/messages to be exchanged without requiring the XML appliances/routers to run a routing protocol to determine how XML documents/messages should be distributed through the network. Documents may be transmitted in one way on the ring or may be transmitted in both directions around the ring to enable the ring to tolerate failure of an XML appliance/router. Each XML appliance/router will receive all XML documents/messages and will make routing decisions for those clients that have provided the XML appliance/router with XML subscriptions. The subscriptions may be formed according to the XPath standard or in another manner. |
| US08977689B2 |
Managing collaborative activity
A system facilitates collaborative communications and information sharing in a network defined by a model. The model and a portion of the system are stored on a storage component coupled to a terminal. The system captures context information and user-defined data, the user-defined data provided during user interaction of the user in a first domain of the network, and dynamically stores the context information as metadata associated with the user-defined data, the user-defined data and the metadata stored on the storage component; a tracking component for tracking a change of the user from the first domain to a second domain of the network and dynamically updating the stored metadata based on the change, where the user accesses the user-defined data from the second domain; and an interface to the system that permits the user to create and view the user-defined data according to the model of the network. |
| US08977688B2 |
Methods and systems for pausing and resuming a meeting session
Presented are systems and methods for presenting, creating, and pausing a meeting session. The systems and methods create meeting-session data based at least in pan on one or more applications running on one or more devices connected to a meeting session. The systems and methods store muting-session data in a database. The systems and methods pause a meeting session such that the one or more devices are disconnected from the meeting session. The systems and methods resume a meeting session by configuring devices to run at least one of the one or more applications using the meeting-session data and joining configured devices to the resumed meeting session. |
| US08977682B2 |
Rebuild system for a storage network
One rebuild system includes a client device including an event handler and an indication listener associated with the event handler and a server device in communication with the client device. The server device includes an indication subscription associated with the event handler and a self-registration trigger (SRT) module in communication with the indication subscription for rebuilding the event handler and the indication listener. Also provided are physical computer storage mediums including a computer program product rebuild method for a network. |
| US08977681B2 |
Pre-fetching data
A pre-fetching request is received by a server from a client. The pre-fetching request is performed to pre-fetch data from a data source connected to the server according to an indication of the pre-fetching request. The pre-fetched data is sent from the server to the client upon receiving an actual request for the pre-fetched data. As such, an integrated capability of a server and a client can be employed to perform data pre-fetch, to improve overall performance of the server and the client. |
| US08977677B2 |
Throttling usage of resources
A computing device provides a first server. The first server receives a primary request associated with a client. In response to receiving the primary request, the first server processes the primary request to generate a response message. As part of processing the primary request, the first server sends a secondary request to a second server after a delay period expires. The second server accesses a resource as part of processing of the secondary request. The duration of the delay period depends at least in part on a recent latency level of the client with regard to the resource. In this way, the first server throttles access to the resource. |
| US08977676B2 |
Numerical value management system and method for managing numerical value
There is provided a numerical value management system which includes a server device and a plurality of user terminals. Each user terminal generates title data to send to the server device when the title name is inputted, the server counts a number of users who create the title data for each title name based on the title data group to generate title compilation data indicating a relationship between the title name and a number of creating users. Further, a high-order title screen data is generated and sent to the user terminal when the server device obtains the high-order title reference request and the high-order title screen data is displayed on a screen in the user terminal. |
| US08977672B2 |
Intelligent scheduling for remote computers
A method of protecting data on a mobile computing device using a storage network by deploying to the mobile computing device, a synchronization agent and then associating a synchronization policy with the synchronization agent. The mobile computing device is monitored for at least one threshold event. Its determined that the threshold event has occurred which causes a request to initiate a data synchronization event to be transmitted. The response to the request is synchronizing the mobile computing device with the storage network. |
| US08977664B2 |
System for storing and transmitting compressed integer data
A method is disclosed for encoding and decoding integer values ranging over a known gamut of values used by a data system. By noting that a data system may store and/or transmit integer values over a predefined gamut having a minimum and a maximum limit, integer values at or near the maximum may be compressed to a greater degree than in conventional systems without any loss of data resolution. |
| US08977663B2 |
Converting binary values into binary-coded-centimal values
The disclosed embodiments facilitate converting binary values into the BCC format. One technique facilitates the direct conversion of binary numbers into BCC. A second variation first converts a binary number into an intermediate BCD value, and then converts that BCD value into a BCC value. Look-ahead comparators can further improve conversion performance by decreasing the latency of the conversion operation. By speeding up the conversion of binary values to decimal-format values, the disclosed techniques facilitate leveraging dedicated binary-format hardware for decimal-format operations, and thus improve the performance of decimal-format operations. |
| US08977662B1 |
Storing data objects from a flat namespace in a hierarchical directory structured file system
Storing and retrieving user data files includes, in a file storing operation, applying a first mapping (e.g. hash function) to a file identifier to originate a content address in a flat content address space; applying a second mapping (e.g., grouping of digits/characters) to the content address to originate a multi-level directory name usable in a file system; invoking the file system to store the user data file in the named directory. A file retrieving operation includes applying the first mapping to the file identifier to regenerate the content address; applying the second mapping to the regenerated content address to regenerate the directory name; invoking the file system using the regenerated directory name to retrieve the user data file. The method enables a general-purpose network attached storage (NAS) system to store files organized according to a legacy content-addressed storage (CAS) model of existing applications. |
| US08977661B2 |
System, method and computer readable medium for file management
A method for file management, the method may include: calculating, by a management server that is located within a cloud computing environment, signatures of multiple files that are stored at multiple storage entities; and finding, by the management server, groups of similar files out of the multiple files, wherein the finding is in response to similarities between signatures of the multiple files; wherein the multiple storage entities comprise at least a first storage entity that is managed by a first management entity and a second storage entity that is managed by a second management entity that differs from the first management entity. |
| US08977660B1 |
Multi-level distributed hash table for data storage in a hierarchically arranged network
An improved technique for distributed data storage employs multiple DHT (distributed hash table) rings provided at different levels of a network hierarchy. A computing node is identified for data storage by performing multiple hashing operations, one for each DHT ring. The hashing operations for the different rings are distinct in that they are performed using different hashing functions and/or are performed on different data sources. In one example, a 2-level DHT is formed from a group of LANs forming a first DHT ring and a group of computing nodes, within each LAN, forming a second DHT ring. |
| US08977656B2 |
Inline tree data structure for high-speed searching and filtering of large datasets
A data structure comprises a clump header table and an inline tree data structure. The inline tree, representing filterable data fields of hierarchically organized data records, comprises an alternating sequence of first-level binary string segments, each followed by one or more corresponding second-level binary string segments. Each clump header record includes an indicator of a location in the inline tree of corresponding binary string segments. A dedicated, specifically adapted conversion program generates the clump header file and the inline tree for storage on any computer-readable medium, and the inline tree can be read entirely into RAM to be searched or filtered. A dedicated, specifically adapted search and filter program is employed to list or enumerate retrieved data records. Run-time computer code generation can reduce time required for searching and filtering. One example includes spatial searching and filtering of data records that include spatial coordinates as data fields. |
| US08977654B1 |
Assigning classes to users of an online community
This technology is directed to determining a character or personality characteristic for users of an online community, for example, a social network, and assigning a character or personality class to the users. In some instances, the systems and methods may determine the character or personality characteristic either implicitly from user data or actions etc., or explicitly, by providing users with a personality survey or questionnaire to solicit responses. The system and methods assign a suitable character or personality class to the users based on the character and personality characteristic determined for the users, and generate at least one of a class description, a career profile, and a relationship profile for the users, and provide data including the class description, career profile, and the relationship profile capable of being displayed on a user interface. |
| US08977652B2 |
Client-side API framework for uniform resource identifier (URI) manipulations
Techniques for manipulating URIs that have been rewritten for XmlHttpRequests (XHRs) and/or Web Services for Remote Portlets (WSRP). In one set of embodiments, a URI rewriter factory module is provided that is configured to determine and select a URI rewriter module based upon an input URI string. The input URI string may be, for example, in the form of a Javascript pseudo-protocol link, a remote proxy URI, or both. The selected URI rewriter module can then parse the input URI string to generate a URI object that has methods for manipulating the input URI string and for outputting the resulting manipulated URI as a string. |
| US08977648B2 |
Fast and robust classification algorithm for vein recognition using infrared images
A specific item within an item class is identified by defining sets of descriptor data from a training library. The collected descriptor data is grouped and organized into a hierarchical tree, where each leaf node is defined by relations between corresponding parts of the descriptor data. Registrable sets of descriptor data are then identified from a collection of registrable samples. The registrable sets of descriptors are sorted into the hierarchical tree. When an input sample to be identified is received, a test set of descriptor data is generated from the input sample. The test set is then sorted into the hierarchical tree. Each leaf node that receives a part of the test set provides a vote for the registered samples it contains. The registered sample with the most votes is deemed a match for the input sample. |
| US08977637B2 |
Facilitating field programmable gate array accelerations of database functions
Methods and arrangements for facilitating accelerations of database functions. A field programmable gate array is incorporated. At least one query control block is incorporated in the field programmable gate array, and database management system operations are accelerated via the field programmable gate array. The accelerating includes employing the at least one query control block to execute a query without reconfiguring the field programmable gate array. |
| US08977636B2 |
Synthesizing aggregate data of disparate data types into data of a uniform data type
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for synthesizing the aggregated data of disparate data types into data of a uniform data type which includes receiving aggregated data of disparate data types and translating each of the aggregated data of disparate data types into text content and markup associated with the text content. Synthesizing the aggregated data of disparate data types into data of a uniform data type may also include dynamically creating grammar sets for the text content and associating the grammar sets with the text content. Associating the grammar sets with the text content includes inserting markup in the translated data. |
| US08977634B2 |
Software method to create a music playlist and a video playlist from upcoming concerts
The present invention is a software application that is capable of producing a music playlist or a video playlist according to upcoming concerts and a plurality of narrowing criteria. The software application can be accessed through a web browser. A concert database is searched to find all related concerts according to inputted concert narrowing criteria. A music playlist is generated by retrieving all artist tracks within a music database matching a plurality of music narrowing criteria. A video playlist is generated by retrieving all artist videos within a video database matching a plurality of video narrowing criteria. Music playing software and video playing software are provided to play the music playlist and the video playlist. The music playlist and the video playlist can continuously update according to updating criteria. Comedy and other non-music related acts at a concert can also be implemented into the music playlist and the video playlist. |
| US08977633B2 |
System and method for generating a pool of matched content
A method of generating a pool of matched content pieces from an available pool of content pieces based on a selected sample, including providing at least one consumer database containing a plurality of consumer profiles with consumer preference identifying data stored on a data storage device, providing at least one brand database containing details of brand clients, each having one or more branding parameters stored on a data storage device, providing at least one content database containing a plurality of pieces of content provided by at least one content provider with each piece of content having one or more content profile identifiers stored on a data storage device, selecting a number of representative content pieces based on one or more branding parameters of a brand client to convey a brand identity, testing the representative content pieces against a set of constraints based on one or more content profile identifiers to establish that a minimum number of content piece identifiers are chosen using a data processor, and generating a pool of matched content pieces by selecting a plurality of content pieces from the available pool based on comparing the one or more content profile identifiers of the representative content pieces with one or more content profile identifiers of each content piece in the available pool of content pieces and including matches in the matched content pool using a data processor. |
| US08977629B2 |
Image-based popularity prediction
A machine may be configured to access an image of an item described by a description of the item. The machine may determine an image quality score of the image based on an analysis of the image. A request for search results that pertain to the description may be received by the machine, and the machine may present a search result that references the item's image, based on its image quality score. Also, the machine may access images of items and descriptions of items and generate a set of most frequent text tokens included in the item descriptions. The machine may identify an image feature exhibited by an item's image and determine that a text token from the corresponding item description matches one of the most frequent text tokens. A data structure may be generated by the machine to correlate the identified image feature with the text token. |
| US08977628B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for innovation farming
Systems, methods, and computer-readable code stored on a non-transitory media for assessing an entity's innovation level by one or more computing devices include gathering information relating to an entity's performance in plural disciplines; capturing strengths and opportunities of the entity based on the gathered information; generating an innovation score of the entity; analyzing the innovation score to generate an innovation report; and returning the innovation report to the entity. |
| US08977627B1 |
Filter based object detection using hash functions
This disclosure relates to filter based object detection using hash functions. A hashing component can compute respective hash values for a set of object windows that are associated with an image to be scanned. The hashing component can employ various hash functions in connection with computing the hash values, such as a winner takes all (WTA) hash function. A filter selection component can compare the respective hash values of the object windows against a hash table of object filters, and can select one or more object filters for recognizing or localizing at least one of an object within the image as a function of the comparison. |
| US08977626B2 |
Indexing and searching a data collection
A system searches a data collection using a bloom filter index to reduce the search scope to improve search efficiency, while at the same time allowing more flexible searches of the data collection using search terms containing any arbitrary string of data. |
| US08977624B2 |
Enhancing search-result relevance ranking using uniform resource locators for queries containing non-encoding characters
Computer-readable media, computer systems, and computing devices facilitate enhancing a web index with uniform resource locator (URL)/non-encoding character (NEC) word pairs to facilitate relevance ranking of search results provided in response to a search query that includes NEC words. URLs are received from web pages and substrings extracted therefrom. Additional elements are received from the web page, word-broken into sequences of NEC words, and the NEC words are converted into encoding-language representations which are matched against the URL substrings to identify candidate URL/NEC pairs for utilization in relevance ranking. |
| US08977622B1 |
Evaluation of nodes
Disclosed are various embodiments for assessing the quality of a node that comprises a collection of items containing textual data. The homogeneity of the node can be related to its quality. Highly ranked descriptive terms used in the node are identified and quality score is calculated that provides a measure of the quality of the node. Additionally, a node can be examined for outliers to improve node quality. |
| US08977619B2 |
Satellite scheduling system using crowd-sourced data
Examples of satellite scheduling systems are provided that use crowd-sourced data to generate image acquisition events for a network of imaging satellites. A crowd-sourcing system may utilize crowd-sourced data (e.g., messages generated by users of social network services) to determine events of interest and geographic locations of such events. Event data may then be used to create or update image acquisition tasks and/or task priorities which are automatically provided to a scheduling system to facilitate timely and responsive acquisition of overhead images of the geographic location of the event. The scheduling system can utilize a directed acyclic graph to increase or maximize a utilization function, which can lead to determination of optimal or near-optimal schedules in a relatively quick and efficient manner. |
| US08977618B2 |
Intelligent job matching system and method
A job searching and matching system and method is disclosed that gathers job seeker information in the form of job seeker parameters from one or more job seekers, gathers job information in the form of job parameters from prospective employers and/or recruiters, correlates the information with past job seeker behavior, parameters and behavior from other job seekers, and job parameters and, in response to a job seeker's query, provides matching job results based on common parameters between the job seeker and jobs along with suggested alternative jobs based on the co-relationships. In addition, the system correlates employer/recruiter behavior information with past employer/recruiter behavior, parameters and information concerning other job seekers, which are candidates to the employer, and resume parameters, and, in response to a Employer's query, provides matching job seeker results based on common parameters between the job seeker resumes and jobs along with suggested alternative job seeker candidates based on the identified co-relationships. |
| US08977612B1 |
Generating a related set of documents for an initial set of documents
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for identifying one or more second documents related to one or more first documents. Strength of relationship scores between candidate documents in a group of candidate documents and each first document are determined by aggregating user selection data for users, the user selection data indicating, for each user, whether the user viewed the candidate document during a window of time after the first document is presented to the user on a search results web page in response to a query. An aggregate strength of relationship score is calculated for each candidate document from the strength of relationship scores for the candidate document. Second documents are selected from the candidate documents according to the aggregate strength of relationship scores for the candidate documents. |
| US08977611B2 |
Ranking objects by social relevance
In one embodiment, a system includes one or more computing systems that implement a social networking environment and are operable to access stored information including a plurality of nodes including a first set of user nodes that each correspond to a respective user and a second set of concept nodes that each correspond to a respective concept. The system may generate a match coefficient for the user and concept, representing the degree of relevance of a particular concept node to a particular user node. |
| US08977610B2 |
Automatic detection of patterns and inference in a dataset
Techniques allow automatic identification of statistically significant attribute combinations in a dataset, and provide users with an understanding thereof including starting points for further analysis. Statistically significant combinations may be obtained from large data sets by limiting combinations to four or fewer attributes. The combinations obtained may be ranked to differentiate patterns, e.g. according to factors such as error ratio, decision tree depth, occurrences, and number of attributes. Still further insights may be achieved by ranking attributes according to the number of statistically significant combinations in which they appear. For useful visualization of statistically significant information within the patterns, only those having at least one measure/numeric may analyzed for further insight (e.g. by an outlier algorithm) and presented as output in a chart (e.g. pie, bar) form. The decision tree approach of various embodiments may facilitate ‘What if’ analysis of the data, as well as obtaining the reverse inference. |
| US08977608B2 |
View life cycle management
The subject matter disclosed herein provides, methods and apparatus, including computer program products for the management of a view of a data structure. In one aspect, there is provided a method that may include generating a view of a data structure. The data structure and the view may include a plurality of nodes and at least one association. This method may further include determining, at run time, whether the generated view is invalid based on an indicator. The indicator may represent whether a change has occurred to a system including the view. This method may further include deleting, at run time, the view based on the results of the determining. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described. |
| US08977607B1 |
System and method for threading electronic messages
A system and method includes a network interface device to receive and retransmit electronic messages between a first user and a second user, an electronic data storage configured to store database entries related to electronic messages as received and retransmitted by the network interface device, at least some of the database entries including a latest message in thread flag identifying a latest electronic message in a thread of multiple electronic messages, and a processor. The processor may create a database entry corresponding to a first electronic message, the database entry including the latest message in thread flag indicating that the first electronic message is a latest electronic message of a thread, and change a status of a latest message in thread flag of a database entry corresponding to a second electronic message of the thread to indicate that the second electronic message is not a latest message in the thread. |
| US08977601B2 |
Disappearing index for more efficient processing of a database query
A disappearing index allows faster processing of a database query without the startup time of a prior art sparse index. The disappearing index starts as a full index but is trimmed of index values that point to a row in the table that is not selected by the query. Thus the traditional index disappears as it becomes a sparse index tailored to the query. The query is able to execute faster using the now sparse index since the target database table is not accessed for duplicate values in the base table of the query. The query optimizer may determine to use a disappearing index based on estimates of the number of duplicate values in the base table. When the query is complete, the created disappearing table may be discarded or used for other queries that match the selection of the query that created the disappearing index. |
| US08977596B2 |
Back up using locally distributed change detection
Systems and methods for replicating a client data set on a computer includes replicating the client data set using an application software on the computer; generating a manifest of a target data set during replication containing state of target data reflecting post-update state; and determining differences between the local data and manifest to determine required backup operations. |
| US08977586B2 |
System and method for prioritizing resumes based on a job description
A method for prioritizing one or more of resumes based on a job description is provided. The method includes (i) processing the job description to extract one or more keywords and a first period, (ii) extracting, from a first resume and a second resume of the one or more resumes, one or more section, one or more events, a first date range, and a second date range, (iii) obtaining a second period and a third period, (iv) comparing, is the first resume and the second resume, the one or more keywords with the one or more events and the first period with the third period to obtain a relevant event and a relevant section, (v) computing a first weight for the first resume and a second weight for the second resume, and (vi) prioritizing the first resume and the second resume based on the first weight and the second weight. |
| US08977585B2 |
Simulation system
A simulation system is proposed that makes use of historical and live data sensed for one or more objects (e.g., people, cars, balls, rackets, etc.). An event will include one or more decision points. A choice of an action to take at a decision point is made. That chosen action will be simulated based on the historical and live data. The simulation can be compared to the actual action taken in the event as a way to judge the choice. Although the choice of action to take at the decision point is simulated, the real event is not altered by the choice. |
| US08977578B1 |
Synaptic time multiplexing neuromorphic network that forms subsets of connections during different time slots
A synaptic time-multiplexed (STM) neuromorphic network includes a neural fabric that includes nodes and switches to define inter-nodal connections between selected nodes of the neural fabric. The STM neuromorphic network further includes a neuromorphic controller to form subsets of a set of the inter-nodal connections representing a fully connected neural network. Each subset is formed during a different time slot of a plurality of time slots of a time multiplexing cycle of the STM neuromorphic network. In combination, the inter-nodal connection subsets implement the fully connected neural network. A method of synaptic time multiplexing a neuromorphic network includes providing the neural fabric and forming the subsets of the set of inter-nodal connections. |
| US08977577B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for recommending applications based on user interaction patterns
A method for recommending an application includes obtaining an input model representing user interaction patterns during execution of a first application. The input model is compared to a reference model representing user interaction patterns during execution of a second application. A similarity is determined between the input model and the reference model. A recommendation of the second application is generated in response to the similarity. |
| US08977575B2 |
Confidence level generator for bayesian network
A system includes a computer implemented Bayesian diagnostic system. The diagnostic system includes an inferencing engine and a conditional probability table that forms the basis for Bayesian inferences once the diagnostic system is trained. Each inference includes a diagnosis and associated probability of the diagnosis. A confidence generator receives the inferences, and generates a confidence measure for each inference. |
| US08977574B2 |
System for providing graphical illustration of possible outcomes and side effects of the use of treatment parameters with respect to at least one body portion based on datasets associated with predictive bases
An apparatus, device, methods, computer program product, and system are described that provide a graphical illustration of a first possible outcome of a use of a treatment parameter with respect to at least one body portion, based on a first dataset associated with a first predictive basis, and that modify the graphical illustration to illustrate a second possible outcome of the use of the treatment parameter, based on a second dataset associated with a second predictive basis. |
| US08977573B2 |
System and method for identifying customers in social media
A system and method for identifying an author of a social media interaction. A social media profile may be received for a user interacting in a social media interaction in a social media environment. The social media profile may include identification parameter(s) defining personal information registered to the user in the social media environment and content parameter(s) defining content of the user's social media interaction. For each of a plurality of customers registered in a contact center environment, a contact center profile may be received for the customer including identification parameter(s) defining personal information registered to the customer in the contact center environment and content parameter(s) defining content of the customer's past contact center interactions. The user's social media profile and customer's contact center profile may be compared to determine if the social media user and contact center customer have the same identity. |
| US08977569B2 |
System and method for providing smart electronic wallet and reconfigurable transaction card thereof
A smart electronic wallet with reconfigurable multiple-account transaction card is provided. The system and method provide measures for storing a plurality of account identifiers from a plurality of traditional single-use transaction cards into a storage memory in a smart wallet. The system and method also provide for storing a reconfigurable multiple-account transaction card within the smart electronic wallet and allowing for it to be dynamically and selectively reconfigured for any one of the plurality of account identifiers stored within the smart electronic wallet. Additionally, a consumer is able to initiate a transfer or trade of transaction cards across different smart electronic wallet devices. |
| US08977566B2 |
Virtual world reversion rights
A method and system provides transactions and arrangements in virtual world environments. A user can participate in transactions to acquire virtual property and related virtual rights. In some implementations, real-world and virtual parties can be involved in possible transfers and/or transfer revocations involving various types of virtual objects and virtual rights. |
| US08977564B2 |
Billing account reject solution
Apparatus for coordinating a rule-based relationship between a bank, a vendor and a merchant is provided. The apparatus may include a first receiver configured to receive an employee identification number input into a graphical user interface (“GUI”). The apparatus may additionally include the first receiver being configured to receive a billing account number input into the GUI. The apparatus may also include a processor configured to determine if the billing account number includes a number of consecutive, identical digits. The processor may further be configured to determine if the number of consecutive, identical digits is equal to or greater than a threshold number of consecutive, identical digits. |
| US08977555B2 |
Identification of utterance subjects
Features are disclosed for generating markers for elements or other portions of an audio presentation so that a speech processing system may determine which portion of the audio presentation a user utterance refers to. For example, an utterance may include a pronoun with no explicit antecedent. The marker may be used to associate the utterance with the corresponding content portion for processing. The markers can be provided to a client device with a text-to-speech (“TTS”) presentation. The markers may then be provided to a speech processing system along with a user utterance captured by the client device. The speech processing system, which may include automatic speech recognition (“ASR”) modules and/or natural language understanding (“NLU”) modules, can generate hints based on the marker. The hints can be provided to the ASR and/or NLU modules in order to aid in processing the meaning or intent of a user utterance. |
| US08977554B1 |
Assisted shopping server
Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating an assisted shopping experience. A speech input can be captured and transcribed. The transcribed speech input can be transmitted to a customer service agent in a data session that is contemporaneous with a voice session. The customer service agent can then facilitate an assisted shopping experience via the voice session and data session. |
| US08977552B2 |
Method and system for enhancing a speech database
A system, method and computer readable medium that enhances a speech database for speech synthesis is disclosed. The method may include labeling audio files in a primary speech database, identifying segments in the labeled audio files that have varying pronunciations based on language differences, identifying replacement segments in a secondary speech database, enhancing the primary speech database by substituting the identified secondary speech database segments for the corresponding identified segments in the primary speech database, and storing the enhanced primary speech database for use in speech synthesis. |
| US08977549B2 |
Natural language system and method based on unisolated performance metric
A natural language business system and method is developed to understand the underlying meaning of a person's speech, such as during a transaction with the business system. The system includes a speech recognition engine, and action classification engine, and a control module. The control module causes the system to execute an inventive method wherein the speech recognition and action classification models may be recursively optimized on an unisolated performance metric that is pertinent to the overall performance of the natural language business system, as opposed to the isolated model-specific criteria previously employed. |
| US08977540B2 |
Self-learning methods for automatically generating a summary of a document, knowledge extraction and contextual mapping
Advance Machine Learning or Unsupervized Machine Learning Techniques are provided that relate to Self-learning processes by which a machine generates a sensible automated summary, extracts knowledge, and extracts contextually related Topics along with the justification that explains “why they are related” automatically without any human intervention or guidance (backed ontology's) during the process. Such processes also relate to generating a 360-Degree Contextual Result (360-DCR) using Auto-summary, Knowledge Extraction and Contextual Mapping. |
| US08977539B2 |
Language analysis apparatus, language analysis method, and language analysis program
A language analysis apparatus of the invention includes division rules, each of which is classified into one of levels according to the degree of risk of causing analysis accuracy problems when applied; a division point candidate generation unit 21 which, when a character string whose length is greater than the predetermined maximum input length is input, generates division point candidates for the input character string by applying the division rules sequentially one by one in the ascending order of the level of risk of causing problems; a division point adjustment unit 22 which, when the length of a division unit candidate obtained by the division point candidate generated by the division point candidate generation unit 21 is less than the maximum input length, selects a combination of division points from among the division point candidates obtained by applying division rules of the same level while ensuring that each division unit is not greater in length than the maximum input length; and a division unit 23 which divides an input character string at the division point determined by the division point adjustment unit. |
| US08977534B2 |
Controller support apparatus, controller support program executed on the apparatus, storage medium storing the program, and method of estimating execution time of control program
A controller support program causes a processor to acquire a first control execution time which is an execution time of a first control program which is an object program generated from a control source program, which is a source program of a control program generated in accordance with an object of control of a user, and operating at the simulator, the first control execution time being measured at the simulator. The processor also calculates an estimated execution time which is an estimated value of an execution time, at the controller, of a second control program which is an object program generated from the control source program and operating at the controller, by converting the first control execution time using the calibration data. Data representing the estimated execution time is output. |
| US08977531B1 |
Apparatus and methods for importing hardware design and generating circuit interfaces
A system for designing a circuit, which includes a module, uses a computer. A user may program or adapt the computer to perform computer-aided design functions. The computer obtains a description of the module from the user. The computer parses the description of the module to identify a port of the module, and to obtain information about the port. The computer presents to the user the information that it has obtained about the port. |
| US08977529B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing on-board diagnostics
On-board diagnostics for fleet maintenance is improved by embedding a microprocessor programmed with a prognostication algorithm on a vehicle. |
| US08977527B2 |
System and method for autogenerating simulations for process control system checkout and operator training
A method and system for automatically generating simulations for a distributed control system is disclosed herein. A programmed process model generator automatically incorporates a variety of process model data from pre-defined model libraries into descriptions of process equipment including control devices to render simulation models of various degrees of fidelity. |
| US08977525B2 |
Non-variational changes in a variational system
Methods for product data management and corresponding systems and computer-readable mediums. A method includes receiving a three-dimensional CAD model in the data processing system, the CAD model including a plurality of features. The method includes receiving a selection of a non-variational function to be applied to the CAD model, including a selection of at least one feature to which the function is to be applied. The method includes creating a copy of the selected feature as a second body to produce a modified feature and adding the modified feature to a solver configuration of the CAD model. The method includes solving the CAD model according to the solver configuration to produce a modified CAD model, and storing the modified CAD model. |
| US08977524B2 |
Interior point method for reformulated optimal power flow model
A method for approximating an optimal power flow of a smart electric power grid includes providing a cost function that models a smart electric power grid having buses connected by branches, deriving a set of linear equations that minimize the cost function subject to constraints from an expression of an extremum of the cost function with respect to all arguments, reducing a dimension of the linear equations by solving for a subset of the linear equations, re-organizing the reduced dimension linear equations into primal and dual parts, and decomposing the re-organized reduced dimensional linear equations into two systems of block matrix equations which can be solved by a series of back substitutions. A solution of the two systems of block matrix equations yields conditions for a lowest cost per kilowatthour delivered through the smart electric power grid. |
| US08977523B2 |
Methods to estimate downhole drilling vibration amplitude from surface measurement
Method to estimate severity of downhole vibration for a drill tool assembly, including: identifying a dataset comprising selected drill tool assembly parameters; selecting a reference level of downhole vibration amplitude for the drill tool assembly; identifying a surface drilling parameter and calculating a reference surface vibration attribute for the selected reference level of downhole vibration amplitude; determining a surface parameter vibration attribute derived from at least one surface measurement or observation obtained in a drilling operation, the determined surface parameter vibration attribute corresponding to the identified surface drilling parameter; and estimating a downhole vibration severity indicator by evaluating the determined surface parameter vibration attribute with respect to the identified reference surface vibration attribute. |
| US08977520B2 |
Computer system for automatically classifying roof elements
A set of instructions stored on at least one computer readable medium for running on a computer system. The set of instructions includes instructions for identifying line segments of a roof that is preferably displayed within a geo-referenced image, instructions for determining three-dimensional information of the line segments including position, orientation and length of the line segments preferably utilizing the geo-referenced image, and instructions for classifying, automatically, at least one of the line segments as one of a plurality of predefined roof elements utilizing at least one of the relative position and orientation of the line segments. |
| US08977515B2 |
Alternative balanced drumstick system
A balanced drumstick system and method permanently reposition the longitudinal center of gravity of a plurality of wood drumsticks to common new specified location to create custom sets of balanced wood drumsticks. The system and method automate the repositioning of the longitudinal center of gravity of wood drumsticks to increase accuracy and to decrease time to create sets of custom wood drumsticks. |
| US08977513B2 |
Reliability test with monitoring of the results
An electronic device for executing a reliability test. Such an electronic device includes a circuit for implementing a functionality of the electronic device, and testing circuit for executing a test of the functional circuit including a plurality of test operations on the functional circuit. The testing circuit returns an indication of a result of each test operation. In an embodiment, the electronic device further includes control circuit for causing the testing circuit to reiterate the test, monitoring circuit for monitoring the result of each test operation to detect a failure of the test operation, and storage circuit for storing failure information indicative of temporal characteristics of each failure. |
| US08977512B1 |
Method and apparatus for alignment harmonization
Techniques and architecture are disclosed for performing alignment harmonization of a collection of electro-optical and/or gimbaled componentry that is to operate within a common coordinate frame. In some cases, the techniques and architecture can provide a cost- and time-efficient approach to achieving alignment harmonization that is compatible, for example, with field-test and/or operational environments. In some instances, the techniques and architecture can be used in concert with error calibration techniques to further improve the accuracy of the alignment harmonization. The techniques and architecture can be utilized with a wide range of components (e.g., sensors, armaments, targeting systems, weapons systems, countermeasure systems, navigational systems, surveillance systems, etc.) on a wide variety of platforms. Numerous configurations and variations will be apparent in light of this disclosure. |
| US08977508B2 |
Method and system for determining a force acting on a body
The present invention provides a method and a system for determining forces which act on a body with a controlled volume which is provided inside the flow tunnel and in which the body is arranged. A first measuring means is used to measure a pressure distribution for each surface defining the controlled volume. A second measuring means measures a velocity field for each defining surface of the controlled volume. Furthermore, a calculation unit is provided for calculating the forces acting on the body as a function of the pressure distributions and velocity fields measured for the defining surfaces of the controlled volume. |
| US08977507B2 |
Event detection system user interface system coupled to multiple sensors including an impact detection system
A damage detection and remediation system includes a sensing device for detecting damage events related to a structure of interest. Such damage events may include impact from a ballistic object, a tamper event, a physical impact, or other events that may affect structural integrity or cause failure. Illustratively, the sensing device is in communication with a measurement system to determine damage criteria, and a processing system which is configured to use the damage criteria to determine, for example, a direction of the initiation point of a ballistic causing the damage event. |
| US08977502B2 |
Predicting steam assisted gravity drainage steam chamber front velocity and location
The invention relates to the development of an analytical model to predict the velocity of the continuously expanding front of the steam chamber in a steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) hydrocarbon production system. The developed analytical model has advantages over reservoir simulation tool in that it is very fast and can be easily calibrated with field observation well data before making good prediction. One field study shows that the developed model can achieve excellent prediction for a field SAGD performance. A better understanding of the size of the steam chamber and the velocity of the front should provide better time, cost and energy efficiency for the production of high viscosity hydrocarbons. |
| US08977501B2 |
System and method for formation detection and evaluation
Provided are a system and method for identifying planned markers while drilling a borehole. In one example, the method includes obtaining a plan containing planned markers that each corresponds to a baseline marker from an existing well. Each of the baseline markers corresponds to a waveform from a log file obtained from the existing well and is associated with a waveform representation of the corresponding waveform. Each of the planned markers is associated with an estimated true vertical depth (TVD) value. A second log file corresponding to the borehole is obtained that contains waveforms representing formation information detected within the borehole. The second log file is scanned for a planned marker based on the estimated TVD value and the waveform representation of the baseline marker corresponding to the planned marker. At least one match may be identified and reported for the planned marker. |
| US08977494B2 |
Method and apparatus for identification of points of interest within a predefined area
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system and method for identification of points of interest within a predefined area. Location estimates for substantially stationary mobile devices may be utilized to determine locations of one or more points of interest. Location estimates for mobile devices in motion may be utilized to determine locations of one or more corridors. |
| US08977491B1 |
System and method for verifying displayed terrain information
An apparatus for use with a weather radar system having a radar antenna, the apparatus for mounting to an aircraft and for verifying terrain features shown on an electronic display, the terrain features based on terrain data from a terrain database. The apparatus includes processing electronics configured to receive radar return data from the weather radar system and configured to correlate the radar return data with the terrain data. The processing electronics using the correlation to provide an indication as to whether the terrain features displayed on the electronic display are correct or incorrect. |
| US08977490B2 |
Path information providing server, method of providing path information, and terminal
Provided are an apparatus and method of providing path information based on a status of a path and/or a purpose of the use of the path. A path information providing server collects environmental information from a sensing device. The path information providing server receives a path information request including a departure and a destination from a terminal device, and provides path information generated by mapping environmental data to a searched path. |
| US08977489B2 |
Turn by turn graphical navigation on full windshield head-up display
A system to display graphical images upon a windscreen of a vehicle including navigational aids includes the windscreen having a transparent windscreen head up display, an enhanced vision system manager monitoring a planned travel route, and generating display requirements based upon the planned travel route. The system further includes a graphics system generating the graphical images to be displayed based upon the display requirements, and a graphics projection system communicating with the graphics system and displaying the graphical images. |
| US08977488B2 |
Systems, methods and vehicles for providing route guidance
In one embodiment, a navigation system may include one or more processors, a display, a satellite antenna, one or more memory devices, and map data. A route distance icon can be presented on the display, automatically, when the current location is not coincident with the route and the start offset distance is less than a predetermined distance. The route distance icon can provide the on-the-route distance. A geodesic distance icon can be presented on the display, automatically, when the current location is not coincident with the route and the start offset distance is greater than the predetermined distance. The geodesic distance icon can provide a geodesic distance from the current location to the destination. |
| US08977487B2 |
Navigation device and guide route search method
A navigation device and a guide route search method prevents searching for a detour route, and shortens the time required for setting an eventual guide route. A first partial route is extracted from a first guide route found in accordance with map data divided into three hierarchical levels, based on information about a road network. The first guide route is the route from the current location to a destination. A second partial route is obtained by performing a route search between the nodes at opposite ends of the first partial route, based on the map data containing the lowest level. A second guide route is obtained by replacing the first partial route in the first guide route with the second partial route, and is set as the eventual guide route. |
| US08977486B2 |
Navigation system and displaying method thereof
Disclosed is a navigation system and displaying method thereof, which controls the level of protrusion for each piece of indication data displayed on a 3-D screen of the navigation system based on its criticality so as to maximize the legibility of the driver. More specifically, the navigation system includes a GPS receiving member which receives GPS location information, a map data storage member which stores map data including a plurality of indication data, a controlling member which requests a display scope of the map data, corresponding to the received GPS location information, and at least one set of indication data within the display scope, and 3-D data-processes said indication data so that it can be displayed so that the most important data is protruding the most to the driver, and a display member which displays the map data containing the 3-D data-processed indication data. |
| US08977485B2 |
Methods for robotic self-righting
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of autonomously self-righting a maneuverable robot. In one embodiment, an autonomous method for self-righting a maneuverable robot to affect recovery from an overturned state to its nominal upright configuration may include: defining a convex hull and center of mass of each link of the robot; determining the convex hull and overall robot center of mass for each joint configuration of the robot; analyzing each convex hull face to determine its stability or instability; grouping continuously stable orientations of the robot and joint configurations together defining nodes and transitions there between; assigning a cost to transitions between nodes; computing an overall cost for each potential set of transition costs resulting in achievement of the goal; and determining a sequence of one or more actions to self-right the robot such that the sequence of actions minimizes the overall cost of self-righting the robot. |
| US08977476B2 |
Automatic shutdown system for automobiles
A system for automatically shutting down an engine of a motor vehicle includes a plurality of status indicators, each providing status data in response to an operational parameter of the vehicle, wherein the status data from each of the status indicators has a predetermined status value. A controller is responsive to the status data and is configured to (1) sum the status values of the status data received by the controller to determine an aggregated status value, (2) compare the aggregated status value to a predetermined shutdown threshold value, and (3) provide a shutdown signal if the aggregated status value is at least equal to the shutdown threshold value for a predetermined time interval. An engine control unit in signal communication with the controller is operable to shut down the engine in response to the shutdown signal. |
| US08977475B2 |
Control system for a model-based knock suppression system using a multiple actuation strategy
The present invention provides for predicting peak cylinder temperatures above which knock in an engine may become more frequent and then provides one or more actuation approaches to reduce the knock of the engine while maintaining engine performance. The actuation approaches of the present invention include one or more of direct injection, engine gas recirculation, and spark retarding, where the application of one or more the actuation approaches is determined based upon using operational and engine characteristic inputs as well as modeling and estimation values as inputs in a feedforward control methodology. |
| US08977473B2 |
Pressure control strategy for dual fuel compression ignition engine and machine using same
A method of operating a dual fuel compression ignition engine includes controlling a liquid fuel pressure within the liquid fuel common rail toward a desired liquid fuel pressure, and controlling a gaseous fuel pressure within the gaseous fuel common rail toward a desired gaseous fuel pressure that is less than the desired liquid fuel pressure. The method also includes commanding a change in the liquid fuel pressure to a decreased liquid fuel pressure that is less than both the desired liquid fuel pressure and a current gaseous fuel pressure. The liquid fuel pressure is maintained above the gaseous fuel pressure during a transition of the liquid fuel pressure toward the decreased liquid fuel pressure by executing the pressure control algorithm. |
| US08977469B2 |
Multi-fuel control system and method
A system includes a controller operable to control an engine in an operating mode. The controller operation is based at least in part on a first parameter set and on a second parameter set. The first parameter set is associated with an engine fuel supply and includes information regarding characteristics of a first fuel and a second fuel. The first fuel and second fuel are not the same type of fuel. The second parameter set is associated with one or more engine operation threshold values. |
| US08977467B2 |
Vehicle having a brake device which transfers a braking torque from rear wheels to the front wheels, with brake slip control
A control unit for brake-slip-controlled operation of the brake device in a state in which braking torque is transferred from the rear to the front wheels by the coupling arrangement, at least one rotational speed sensor in a drive train of the vehicle for inputting into the control unit rotational speed signals representing the rotational behavior of the coupled front wheels and rear wheels, at least one acceleration sensor for inputting into the control unit acceleration signals representing the vehicle longitudinal acceleration, and/or a vehicle GPS device for inputting into the control unit position signals representing positions of the vehicle, the control unit determining at least one first variable, which is characteristic of a vehicle reference speed and/or a vehicle reference acceleration, based on the acceleration and/or position signals, and so as to determine a second variable, which is characteristic of the rotational behavior of the coupled front and rear wheels, based on the rotational speed signals, and to calculate the brake slip of the coupled front and rear wheels based on the first and second variables. |
| US08977465B2 |
Vehicle braking system and control method thereof
Disclosed herein is a vehicle braking system and control method. The vehicle braking control method includes detecting velocities of respective wheels provided at a vehicle, calculating a vehicle velocity based on the velocities of the respective wheels, calculating slip amounts of the respective wheels by comparing the vehicle velocity and the velocities of the respective wheels, calculating change rates of the slip amounts of the respective wheels, obtaining regenerative braking force corresponding to one of the slip amounts and the slip change rates of the respective wheels, and controlling regenerative braking using the obtained regenerative braking force. |
| US08977462B2 |
Accelerator pedal depression force setting method for accelerator pedal depression force control device
When a depression force of an accelerator pedal is increased than a base depression force by a predetermined increase amount when an accelerator opening degree becomes greater than an accelerator opening degree threshold value, an overshoot control is performed so that a depression force increase command is once increased than a depression force increase target command value which increases the depression force of the accelerator pedal than the base depression force by the predetermined amount, and returned to the depression force increase target command value. In this overshoot control, an overshoot controlled variable of the overshoot control is set based on a magnitude of a hysteresis of the base depression force of the accelerator pedal. |
| US08977460B2 |
Method of managing a device for distributing engine torque upon a failure of its selection button
A method managing a device distributing engine torque between main and secondary wheel sets of a motor vehicle, the distributing device including an actuator distributing engine torque, a control unit exhibiting plural distribution modes of the engine torque and adopting one distribution mode as a function of a variable and a button selecting a distribution mode delivering an information item representative of the button position, the control unit determining, in regular operation, the variable, as a function of the information item; the method includes: detecting potential failure of the selection button, including verifying consistency of the information item; activation of degraded mode of operation, when a failure of the button is detected, in which a constant value is allocated to the variable; during degraded operation, monitoring end of failure, including verifying consistency of the information item; activation of regular mode of operation, when end of failure is detected. |
| US08977456B2 |
Method of predicting transfer torque of dry clutch in vehicle
A method predicts transfer torque of a dry clutch in a vehicle, in which a characteristic of transfer torque of the dry clutch caused by a stroke of a clutch actuator is accurately detected in a process of detecting a characteristic of a transmission when the vehicle is finished in an assembly line, and is applied to the control of the dry clutch using the clutch actuator, thereby previously preventing a phenomenon in which an excessive slip and an impact occur at the dry clutch and thus improving shift performance, for instance, securing durability of the dry clutch, or obtaining smooth shift feeling. |
| US08977455B2 |
Power transmission apparatus and method for controlling power transmission apparatus
A power transmission apparatus includes a drive shaft, a driven shaft, a first transmission device, a first one-way power transmission mechanism, a second transmission device, a second one-way power transmission mechanism, and a controller. The first transmission device is to change power of the drive shaft. The first one-way power transmission mechanism is to transmit power changed by the first transmission device only in one direction to the driven shaft. The second transmission device is to change power of the driven shaft. The second one-way power transmission mechanism is to transmit power changed by the second transmission device only in one direction to the drive shaft. The controller is configured to change ratios of the first transmission device and the second transmission device. The controller is configured to make the ratio of the first transmission device larger than the ratio of the second transmission device. |
| US08977454B2 |
Grade-based anti-hunt timer
A system and method are provided for grade-based anti-hunt shift control of an automatic transmission powering a machine. A shift controller determines a recommended gear in which to operate the transmission and sets an anti-hunt timer upon recommending a shift from a first gear to a second gear. The anti-hunt timer prevents a subsequent shift back to the first gear while the anti-hunt timer is running. A grade-based controller is configured to track machine operation and to determine when the machine operational factors change such that an estimated steady state gear differs from the second gear. When such a change is encountered, the grade-based controller clears the anti-hunt timer and sets a secondary timer. The clearing of the anti-hunt timer allows a downshift to accommodate the detected grade while the setting of the secondary timer prevents a subsequent clearing of the anti-hunt timer while the secondary timer is running. |
| US08977449B2 |
Methods and systems for holding a vehicle stopped on a hill
Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a holding force of a vehicle parked on a hill is adjusted depending on a grade of the hill. |
| US08977443B2 |
Hybrid construction machine control system
[Object] When total power required by a hybrid construction machine increases above output power available from a driving source, power supplied to a rotation motor is restricted.[Means to Realize Object] Driving power from an engine 2 is distributed to a hydraulic pump 6 and a generator 4. Electric power generated by the generator 4 is used to drive a rotation motor 12, and pressurized oil provided by the hydraulic pump 6 is used to drive a hydraulic machine 14. When both of the hydraulic machine 14 and the rotation motor 12 are simultaneously manipulated, the output power outputted by the engine 2 and the required power required by the hydraulic machine 14 and the rotation motor 12 are detected. When the required power exceeds the output power, the torque or acceleration of the rotation motor 12 is restricted to preferentially provide output power to the hydraulic machine 14. |
| US08977442B2 |
Self-propelled civil engineering machine
A civil engineering machine includes an arrangement for assisting the driver of the machine when reversing which has a calculating unit to determine data which defines at least one trajectory of the civil engineering machine as a function of the position of the front and rear running gear, both as a function of a steering angle and as a function of a mode of steering. The arrangement for assisting the driver of the machine when reversing also has an image detecting unit for detecting an image of the rear part of the civil engineering machine and a display unit for displaying the detected image of the rear part of the civil engineering machine. An image processing unit superimposes a representation of the at least one trajectory on the image of the rear part of the civil engineering machine which is displayed on the display unit. |
| US08977441B2 |
Method and system for calculating and displaying work tool orientation and machine using same
A machine includes a plurality of ground engaging elements and an operator control station supported on a frame. A work tool is pivotably attached to the frame using a lift arm assembly and a tilt linkage. At least one device measures a quantity associated with at least one of the lift arm assembly, the tilt linkage, and the work tool. An electronic controller, in communication with an operator display and the at least one device. The electronic controller is configured to store an operator selected orientation of the work tool, calculate a current orientation of the work tool based on the quantity, and calculate a deviation of the current orientation from the operator selected orientation. A visual representation of the deviation is displayed on the operator display. |
| US08977440B2 |
Body movement mitigation in earth-moving vehicles
A heavy-duty vehicle including a movable arm, an operator control unit, an inertial measurement device, and a controller. The operator control unit directs movement of the movable arm. The inertial measurement device measures a pitch motion and a heave motion of the heavy-duty vehicle. The controller mitigates pitch motion and heave motion by adjusting a movement of the movable arm. The inertial measurement device detects a motion in one of a first direction and a second direction. The controller determines a direction of movement of the arm in one of a third direction and a fourth direction. The controller increases the speed of motion of the arm when the motion is in the first direction and the movement is in the third direction or when the motion is in the second direction and the movement is in the fourth direction. |
| US08977436B2 |
Electric power steering system
An electric power steering system includes steering a torque detector that detects steering torque, and a motor that provides assist torque based on the detected steering torque, wherein for the purpose of estimating, without detecting motor rotation angular information and rotation angular velocity information, the road reaction torque in which the influence of the motor inertia torque is eliminated, a value corresponding to rotation velocity of a steering shaft is calculated based on the steering torque and the assist torque, to calculate road reaction torque based on the value corresponding to the rotation velocity of the steering shaft. |
| US08977435B2 |
Vehicle control apparatus
A determination processing ECU of a vehicle control apparatus which stops a vehicle regardless of whether a driver operates a brake pedal operation stops the vehicle while changing the steering angle of the vehicle based on an environment surrounding a vehicle stop position. |
| US08977434B2 |
Vehicle attitude control system
A target sideslip angle computing unit calculates a target sideslip angle used when a vehicle makes a turn, based on a steering angle and a vehicle speed. A target sideslip angle correcting unit corrects the target sideslip angle calculated by the target sideslip angle computing unit using a sideslip angle correction amount calculated based on at least one of a steering angular velocity, a depression amount of an accelerator pedal, a depression velocity of the accelerator pedal and a depression amount of a brake pedal. Vehicle attitude control is executed using the target sideslip angle corrected by the target sideslip angle correcting unit. |
| US08977426B2 |
VIN based accelerometer threshold
A method and apparatus in a vehicular telemetry system for determining accelerometer thresholds based upon decoding a vehicle identification number (VIN). |
| US08977423B2 |
Methods and systems for providing vehicle repair information
Methods and systems for providing. In an example, the computing device may be configured to receive vehicle information including identification information of a vehicle and/or information describing condition of the vehicle. The computing device also may be configured to match the vehicle information to content of a vehicle repair database so as to identify repair information relating to the vehicle. The computing device further may be configured to receive geographic information identifying a geographic location relating to the vehicle. The computing device also may be configured to provide, to a communication network, a subset of the identified repair information based on the geographic information. The service advisor may be able to access the subset of the identified repair information on a display device coupled to the computing device. |
| US08977422B1 |
Accoustic/vibration sensor and tire assembly and method of construction thereof
A system maintains integrity of a vehicle, a wheel, and/or a tire. The system includes a sensor mounted to the wheel or the tire and a processor for receiving data from the sensor. The processor analyzes the data and forms a status estimation of the vehicle, the wheel, and the tire. The processor further transmits the status estimation and a recommendation for repair to an appropriate party. |
| US08977421B2 |
System and method for determining a lubricant discard interval
A system, a method and a computer program to determine the usability of a lubricant such as, e.g., engine oil, and when to replace the lubricant in a particular engine. The system, method, and computer program are further configured to generate a lubricant discard interval for each engine in, e.g., a company's fleet of vehicles. The system, method, and computer program are configured to generate lubricant discard interval schedule for each of the vehicles in the company's fleet based on the lubricant discard intervals. |
| US08977420B2 |
Vehicle procession control through a traffic intersection
A method for controlling vehicle procession through an intersection includes monitoring movement of a first vehicle through the intersection, and synchronizing movement of a second vehicle following the first vehicle through the intersection to the first vehicle movement through the intersection. |
| US08977419B2 |
Driving-based lane offset control for lane centering
A system and method for providing adaptive lane centering in an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle driving system includes activating a lane centering control system, detecting a driver steering override of the lane centering control system, monitoring a lane centering offset when a driver override condition is detected, determining if the lane centering offset represents a driver bias and adjusting the lane centering offset in the lane centering control system to compensate for the driver bias. |
| US08977413B2 |
Methods for derated thrust visualization
Methods of illustrating one or more derated takeoffs of an aircraft on a runway where such illustrations are on a flight display in a cockpit of the aircraft and are based on various information and may allow pilots to make more accurate decisions related to derated takeoffs and full thrust takeoffs of the aircraft. |
| US08977411B2 |
Providing a description of aircraft intent
The present disclosure provides a computer-implemented method of generating a description of aircraft intent expressed in a formal language that provides an unambiguous description of an aircraft's intended motion and configuration during a period of flight. A description of flight intent is parsed to provide instances of flight intent, each instance of flight intent spanning a flight segment. For each flight segment, an associated flight segment description is generated that comprises one or more instances of flight intent that describe the aircraft's motion in at least one degree of freedom of motion. One or more instances of flight intent are added to flight segments to close all degrees of freedom of motion. The flight segment descriptions are collated thereby providing a description of aircraft intent for the period of flight expressed in a formal language. |
| US08977410B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling an unmanned vehicle
In one or more embodiments, an apparatus and method for operating an unmanned and autonomous vehicle includes a sensor management module configured to direct sensors as to what function they are to provide; a mission management module configured to provide execute function capabilities; an effects management module configured to provide launching and directing weapons to their target capabilities; a vehicle management module; a situation awareness management module configured to provide correlate sensor data of objects, threats, targets, geographic points of interest that the pilot requires in the immediate environment; a communications management module; an information management module configured to provide a database of intelligence-related data; a middleware module configured to interface with the sensor management module, the mission management module, the effects management module, the vehicle management module, the situation awareness management module, the communications management module, and the information management module. |
| US08977409B2 |
Apparatus and method for unmanned surveillance, and robot control device for unmanned surveillance
An unmanned surveillance device includes a robot control terminal configured to be loaded within a remote control robot under a surveillance environment, collect state information and surrounding circumstance information, operate the remote control robot in driving mode or surveillance mode according to a remote control command corresponding to the state information and surrounding circumstance information. Further, the unmanned surveillance device includes a remote control system configured to receive the state information and the surrounding circumstance information of the remote control robot from the robot control terminal, output the received state information and surrounding circumstance information of the remote control robot, and provide the remote control command to the robot control terminal. |
| US08977408B1 |
Vehicle settings profile system
A system for transferring driver profile settings has a communication interface, processor, storage device, and program in the storage device. The communication interface allows for network communications. The processor couples to the interface. Execution of the program from storage by the processor configures the system to perform functions. The system allows for transfer of a driver profile from the storage device to a vehicle for application on the vehicle. The driver profile specifies one or more preference settings for one or more configurable components of a vehicle. |
| US08977407B2 |
Adaptive user interface for semi-automatic operation
A method is provided for semi-automatic operation of a portable control device for a remote-controlled, unmanned vehicle. The method includes the steps of monitoring parameters of an operational environment of the portable control device, switching from a manual operation mode to a semi-automatic operation mode in response to occurrence of predetermined criteria within the operational environment, and presenting a semi-automatic operation graphical user interface to a user of the portable control device. The semi-automatic operation graphical user interface includes a reduced set of user interfaces for the semi-automatic operation mode presented by the portable control device. |
| US08977405B2 |
Continuous optimization energy reduction process in commercial buildings
The invention provides a method for optimizing energy usage in commercial buildings. Energy consumption data is used, along with occupant data, to determine appropriate adjustments in energy, and for ongoing monitoring and reporting of energy savings. According to the inventive method, the building of interest is characterized, including calculation of lag parameters—temperature lag, solar gain lag, solar strength lag, and, in some instances, humidity lag, which inform a thermal energy equation particular to the building of interest. Mechanical heating lag and mechanical cooling lag are used for on-going energy use optimization. An outside temperature index may also be used. The resulting accuracy of the thermal energy equation is over 90% for both heat and chilling input, once the building has been optimized according to the inventive method. |
| US08977403B2 |
Remote monitoring apparatus, wind turbine generator system, and method of controlling remote monitoring apparatus
A SCADA system includes a main switching hub and a backup switching hub that relay transmission data between a wind turbine generator and terminals provided in another SCADA system and client terminals, and a network switch for performing switching between the main switching hub and the backup switching hub for relaying transmission data between the wind turbine generator and the terminals. A backup remote I/O connected to the backup switching hub causes the network switch to perform switching based on a switching command from a SCADA terminal input via the backup switching hub. This serves to solve a data transmission problem caused by a problem in a switching hub on the wind turbine generator side from a remote location. |
| US08977395B2 |
Robot control apparatus, robot control method, program, and recording medium
A first coordinate system CA of the hand unit, a second coordinate system CB of the first workpiece, and a third coordinate system CC of a second workpiece in a camera coordinate system are calculated (S2, S3, and S4). First and second coordinate transformation matrices ATB and ATC are calculated (S5 and S6). Coordinate data of a target point is set in the coordinate system of the first workpiece (S7). Coordinate data of an instruction point is set in the coordinate system of the second workpiece (S8). The coordinate data of the target point is subjected to coordinate transformation using the first coordinate transformation matrix ATB (S9). The coordinate data of the instruction point is subjected to coordinate transformation using the second coordinate transformation matrix ATC (S10). Operation instructions are generated using the converted coordinate data (S11). |
| US08977394B2 |
Control method for mobile parallel manipulators
In the control method for mobile parallel manipulators, kinematic singularity and redundancy are solved through joint limits avoidance and manipulability criteria. By taking the MPM self-motion into consideration due to its redundancy, the inverse kinematic is derived using a hybrid neuro-fuzzy system, such as NeFIK. The discrete augmented Lagrangian (AL) technique is used to solve the highly nonlinear constrained multi-objective optimal control problem. An adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS)-based structure (based on the result of the AL solution) is used to solve the online trajectory planning of the MPM. |
| US08977392B2 |
Robot control device, robot control method, robot control program, and robot system
A robot control device of a vertical articulated robot having seven axes and an offset structure includes: a storage unit which stores a condition of a status of the vertical articulated robot including a position of an elbow in the vertical articulated robot and control information for controlling the vertical articulated robot such that the condition is satisfied to match each other; an input unit to which the condition of the status of the vertical articulated robot including the position of the elbow is input; and a robot control unit which controls the vertical articulated robot such that the input condition is satisfied on the basis of the control information stored in the storage unit to match the same condition as the condition input to the input unit. |
| US08977391B2 |
Spacecraft development testbed system
A method and apparatus comprising a location reference system and a control module. The location reference system is configured to generate location information for a number of mobile platforms in an environment. The control module is configured to receive the location information for the number of mobile platforms from the location reference system. The control module is further configured to generate command signals for the number of mobile platforms using the location information. The control module is further configured to send the command signals to the number of mobile platforms to operate the number of mobile platforms in the environment such that operation of the number of mobile platforms emulates the operation of a number of spacecraft systems in a non-Earth terrestrial environment. |
| US08977389B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for dispensing products for a personal care service, instructing on providing a personal care treatment service, and selecting a personal care service
A method, system and apparatus for delivery of custom blended dispensing custom blended personal care beauty products for a beauty service, wherein one or more components of a beauty product are stored where they may be supplied as needed to a dispenser, and where a control mechanism regulates the dosage of beauty components to provide a desired selected personal care beauty product with the characteristics selected. A selection screen display provides an image of a person and the person's hair that may be manipulated to simulate modifications that may include cut or styling and color or other effects. The selections are processed and stored and a formula is generated and communicating to a dispensing device to deliver the product components to produce the formula. |
| US08977386B1 |
Systems and methods for sorting
Method and systems for sorting are described. In one embodiment, a container is released into a pocket section, with the pocket section being at a first alignment stage. The pocket section is rotated with the container away from the first alignment stage to a second alignment stage. Attributes of the container are acquired at the second alignment stage. An order to which the container belongs is identified with the acquired attributes. The pocket section with the container is rotated to a third alignment stage. The location of the third alignment stage is selected based on the identified order. The container is received to group with one or more containers in the identified order. Additional methods and systems are disclosed. |
| US08977382B2 |
Automatic method for milling complex channel-shaped cavities
Methods and devices for milling a channel-shaped cavity by a five-axis computer numerical control (CNC) machine by selecting a workpiece to be machined, determining cutting tool flow along the channel-shaped cavity, determining cutting tool in-depth penetration, determining a trochoid path, and determining auxiliary movements. |
| US08977379B2 |
Endpoint method using peak location of spectra contour plots versus time
In one aspect, a method of polishing includes polishing a substrate, and receiving an identification of a selected spectral feature and a characteristic of the selected spectral feature to monitor during polishing. The method includes measuring a sequence of spectra of light reflected from the substrate while the substrate is being polished, where at least some of the spectra of the sequence differ due to material being removed during the polishing. The method of polishing includes determining a value of a characteristic of the selected spectral feature for each of the spectra in the sequence of spectra to generate a sequence of values for the characteristic, fitting a function to the sequence of values, and determining either a polishing endpoint or an adjustment for a polishing rate based on the function. |
| US08977377B2 |
Method for digital manufacturing of jewelry items
In various embodiments, digital manufacturing of jewelry items is provided, including a physical process and software automation for implementing the physical process. Further, models formed during the process, as well as the resultant jewelry items, are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises forming a digital model of the jewelry item, forming a physical model of the jewelry item based on the digital model, and manufacturing the jewelry item in a lost wax process using the physical model. |
| US08977376B1 |
Reproducing audio signals with a haptic apparatus on acoustic headphones and their calibration and measurement
Method and devices for testing a headphone with increased sensation are provided. The headphone can filter and amplify low frequency audio signals, which are then sent to a haptic device in the headphone. The haptic device can cause bass sensations at the top of the skull and at both ear cups. The testing system can evaluate the haptic and acoustic sensations produced by the headphone to evaluate if they have been properly assembled and calibrate the headphones if necessary. |
| US08977375B2 |
Interactive sound reproducing
An audio system attachable to a computer includes a sound reproduction device for producing audible sound from audio signals. The sound reproduction device includes a radio tuner and a powered speaker. The audio system further includes a connector for connecting the sound reproduction device with a computer. The computer provides audio signals from a plurality of sources, the sources including a computer CD player, digitally encoded computer files stored on the computer, and a computer network connected to the computer. The sound reproduction device further includes control buttons for controlling at least one of the computer CD player, the digitally encoded computer files and the computer network. |
| US08977371B2 |
Lighting control system responsive to ambient lighting conditions
A controller, method and system, for controlling lighting responsive to ambient lighting conditions are described. In particular, disclosed is illumination controller (110) for controlling illumination of a workspace near a display (253). The illumination controller includes a memory device (113) storing a user's preference for illumination of the workspace; a processor (111) accessing the user's preference in the memory device; and an interface (112) between the processor and an electronic sensor (231) located proximate to the display, which collects a reading from the electronic sensor. The processor compares the reading with the user's preference, and sends a command to at least one luminaire (241) to adjust the illumination of the workspace. The electronic sensor can be, for example, a photosensor, an occupancy sensor, an orientation sensor, or a location sensor. In some embodiments, the interface collects the reading from the electronic sensor via a wireless communication link. |
| US08977370B2 |
Treatment patch electrode for applying electrical impulses to the body of a patient
A handheld treatment device is for applying electrical impulses to a living body through the surface of the body, for treating a variety of clinical conditions. The device comprises first and second electrodes for contact with the skin; a waveform generator for repeatedly generating an AC waveform for applying electrical impulses through the electrodes to the skin; a detector for detecting changes in the skin impedance and for generating output signals representing the skin impedance; means responsive to the output signals from the detector for monitoring the responsivity of the skin; and indicator means for generating a first indication when a predetermined level of responsivity is reached and a second indication when a pre-determined treatment has been administered. The device is characterised by a treatment patch comprising a flexible sheet having on one surface said first and second electrodes separated by insulation; a pair of leads connected respectively to said first and second electrodes; and a connection arrangement attached to the first and second leads for connecting the electrodes with said waveform generator. Each electrode comprises at least one elongate strip, with the, or each, strip of the first electrode being separated from the, or each adjacent, strip of the second electrode by a, or a respective, line of said insulation. |
| US08977365B2 |
Electronic system for influencing cellular functions in a warm-blooded mammalian subject
An electronic system activatable by electrical power is described. The system is useful for influencing cellular functions or malfunctions in a warm-blooded mammalian subject. The system includes one or more controllable low energy HF (High Frequency) carrier signal generator circuits, one or more data processors for receiving control information, one or more amplitude modulation control generators and one or more amplitude modulation frequency control generators. The amplitude modulation frequency control generators are adapted to accurately control the frequency of the amplitude modulations to within an accuracy of at least 1000 ppm, most preferably to within about 1 ppm, relative to one or more determined or predetermined reference amplitude modulation frequencies. |
| US08977361B2 |
Apparatus for the treatment of brain affections and method implementing thereof
The present invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of a brain affection, which comprises at least one implantable generator (4) made of non-ferromagnetic material comprising a casing (7), an ultrasound generating treating device (11) positioned into said casing to induce brain affection treatment by emission of ultrasound waves, and means for fastening the implantable casing into the skull. The apparatus further comprises a power controller (PwC) to supply electricity to the treating device of the implantable generator and to set and control its working parameters, and connecting means (6) to connect the power controller and the treating device of the implantable generator. A method for treating a brain affection with such an apparatus is also disclosed. |
| US08977359B2 |
System for setting programmable parameters for an implantable hypertension treatment device
A real time, heart rate monitor and a hemodynamic monitoring system are operably integrated with the programmer system for an implantable hypertension treatment device. A series of tests are automatically performed to set programmable parameters for the implantable hypertension treatment device without clinician intervention. In one embodiment, a predetermined level of a dose-response evaluation is initiated for each test in the series. Preferably, the programmer system monitors the heart rate to determine whether a hemodynamic measurement should be initiated at all for a given test, as well as whether the hemodynamic measurement should be initiated earlier or later than a predetermined settling period for assessing the sympathetic nervous response to the test dose. In one embodiment, this determination is based on heart rate stability/instability. Alternatively, other indicators of sympathetic/parasympathetic tone, such as heart rate variability, may be used to trigger/delay the timing of the hemodynamic measurement. |
| US08977356B2 |
Systems and methods for providing arrhythmia therapy in MRI environments
Systems and methods for arrhythmia therapy in MRI environments are disclosed. Various systems disclosed utilize ATP therapy rather than ventricular shocks when patients are subjected to electromagnetic fields in an MRI scanner bore and shock therapy is not available. As the patient is moved out from within the scanner bore and away from the MRI scanner, the magnetic fields diminish in strength eventually allowing a high voltage capacitor within the IMD to charge if necessary. The system may detect when the electromagnetic fields no longer interfere with the shock therapy and will transition the IMD back to a normal operational mode where shock therapy can be delivered. Then, if the arrhythmia still exists, the system will carry out all of the system's prescribed operations, including the delivery of electric shocks to treat the arrhythmia. |
| US08977349B2 |
Collection and analysis of vital signs
A system is disclosed having a storage, a communications module for interacting with a medical measurement device, an analysis controller, and a test module that allows for the testing and evaluating of decision-support algorithms. A method for testing decision-support algorithms is disclosed having the steps of receiving into storage of a ruggedized, compact computer at least one decision-support algorithm; detecting with a communications module the initiation of a vital-sign monitoring session; receiving and storing vital-sign information into storage by the communications module; pushing the stored vital-sign information by an analysis controller to a test module running the stored at least one decision-support algorithm; and providing at least one output from the decision-support algorithm to at least one of a database and a display. |
| US08977348B2 |
Systems and methods for determining cardiac output
A system is provided including a thoracic bio-impedance or bio-reactance (TBIR) analysis module, a photoplethysmograph (PPG) analysis module, and a cardiac output module. The TBIR module is configured to obtain TBIR information from a TBIR detector, and the PPG analysis module is configured to obtain PPG information from a PPG detector. The cardiac output module is configured to determine the cardiac output of a patient using the TBIR information and the PPG information. |
| US08977333B2 |
Shape-imparting mechanisms for catheter assemblies
A shape-imparting mechanism for a catheter that includes an elongate element dimensioned to fit within a lumen of an electrode sheath of a catheter. An insertion facilitating arrangement is carried at a distal end of the elongate element for facilitating insertion of the distal end of the elongate element into the lumen of the electrode sheath of the catheter. |
| US08977330B2 |
In-vehicle apparatus
An in-vehicle apparatus links up with a mobile device that executes an application. A memory of the in-vehicle apparatus stores acoustic data of a sound relevant to the application, and a receiver receives a direction signal transmitted from the mobile device at a timing specified by the application. An output part of the in-vehicle apparatus outputs the sound based on the acoustic data stored in the memory via a speaker in response to the direction signal received by the receiver. |
| US08977328B2 |
Wrapping device for a cell phone
A wrapping device for a cell phone has a holder and a wrapping sticker. The holder has a paper recess and a cell phone chamber. The paper recess is formed in a front surface of the holder. The cell phone chamber is formed through a bottom face of the paper recess. The wrapping sticker is mounted in the holder and has a backing paper and a protective film. The backing paper is mounted in the paper recess and has two tearing lines, a tear-off paper and a cutting line. The tearing lines are formed in an external surface of the backing paper beside a midline of the backing paper. The tear-off paper is formed on the backing paper between the tearing lines. The cutting line is formed in the external surface of the backing paper. The protective film is detachably mounted on the external surface of the backing paper. |
| US08977327B2 |
Communication apparatus and air-cooling method for the same
A communication apparatus and an air-cooling method for the same utilizes an air-cooling mode that can be easily changed to reduce the cost to increase the number of transceiver units and space for the housing. The communication apparatus includes transceiver units installed in a housing and attachable onto and detachable from the communication apparatus and fan units for forcibly air-cooling heat generated from the transceiver units. The fan units are installed in the housing and are attachable onto and detachable from the communication apparatus. Each transceiver unit includes a transceiver function section; a forced air-cooling radiator fixedly mounted in the transceiver function section for forcibly air-cooling heat generated from the transceiver function section; and a natural air-cooling radiator mounted in the transceiver function section for naturally air-cooling heat generated from the transceiver function section. The natural air-cooling radiator is attachable onto and detachable from the main transceiver section. |
| US08977325B2 |
Method and system for processing cell sleeping
The present invention provides a method and a system for processing cell sleeping. The method comprises: a cell sending a sleeping request message to a neighbor cell (S102); according to the sleeping request message, the neighbor cell sends a corresponding sleeping response message to the cell (S104); according to the sleeping response message, the cell decides to perform sleeping or not (S106). The present invention ensures the continuity of user communication. |
| US08977323B1 |
Recording a signature on a touch screen enabled wireless phone and mobile device with stylus
A cellular phone and mobile device is configured with the ability to accept a signature. A user may write a signature on a touch sensitive display of a mobile device using touch or a pen. A user may be further authenticated by using voice or password. The signature may be viewed on a second mobile device in real time. The signature may be synchronized with a server or an Internet device. The system may allow for multiple parties to sign an electronic document using mobile devices and Internet servers. |
| US08977322B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying an image of a device based on radio waves
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, and a program in which information can be reliably exchanged when performing wireless communication by allowing a user to know a communication distance at which devices can be connected. A communication unit 28 performs Bluetooth communication with a communication unit, which serves as a Bluetooth module, provided for a cellular telephone. A CPU 21 displays an image corresponding to the cellular telephone based on the input level of Bluetooth radio waves transmitted from the cellular telephone. For example, when the input level of the radio waves transmitted from the cellular telephone is equal to the maximum input, the CPU 21 sets the level of transparency to be 0, and displays the image corresponding to the cellular telephone on an LCD 32 so that a background image is not transmitted at all. When the input level of the radio waves is almost equal to the reception sensitivity, the CPU 21 displays the image corresponding to the cellular telephone on the LCD 32 by setting the level of transparency to be 90% so as to transmit the background image. The present invention can be applied to an information processing apparatus, for example, a personal computer, a PDA, or a cellular telephone. |
| US08977321B2 |
Device, methods, and user interface for providing optimized entry of alphanumeric text
The present invention includes a device, method, and user interface for providing optimized entry of alphanumeric text. In one form, a method for providing selectable characters within a user interface includes determining an operating mode of a communication device and receiving an input associated with a selected input key. The method determines a group of characters associated with the selected key based on the operating mode and displays the group of characters within the user interface. The user interface may display a first character of the group of characters within a first portion of the user interface and the group of characters proximal to the first character within a second portion of the user interface. |
| US08977318B2 |
Mobile terminal and method for controlling the same in consideration of communication environment
A mobile terminal and a method for controlling the same in consideration of communication environment are provided. The mobile terminal includes a grip sensor unit for generating sensing signals corresponding to user grip, a control unit for identifying a grip pattern on the basis of sensing signals from the grip sensor unit, for extracting communication control information associated with the identified grip pattern, and for performing at least one of power control and antenna tuning control; and a communication means to which power control and antenna tuning are applied under control of the control unit. |
| US08977314B2 |
Smart AGC for wideband multi-standard RFIC
One embodiment of the present invention provides an automatic gain control (AGC) module for a wireless communication system that includes a plurality of amplifiers. The AGC module includes a receiving mechanism configured to receive an input that indicates a total amount of gain adjustment; a collecting mechanism configured to collect a number of parameters associated with the amplifiers; a determining mechanism configured to determine a desired performance requirement; a gain-control engine configured to generate a gain profile for the amplifiers based on the collected parameters, the total amount of gain, and the desired performance requirement; and an output mechanism configured to output a plurality of control signals based on the generated gain profile, wherein a respective control signal independently controls gain of a corresponding amplifier, thereby enabling the wireless communication system to achieve the total amount of gain adjustment while meeting the desired performance requirement. |
| US08977313B2 |
Method for optimizing uplink power-control parameters in LTE
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for setting uplink power-control parameters for a cell within a wireless network. During operation, the system receives parameters associated with uplink power for a plurality of user devices within the cell over a predetermined time interval, and averages the received parameters over the user devices and the predetermined time interval to obtain an averaged parameter. The system then determines a set of power-control parameters for the cell based on the averaged parameter, and sends the set of power-control parameters to the user devices to allow the user devices to control transmission power using the set of power-control parameters. |
| US08977310B2 |
Methods for coordinating wireless coverage between different wireless networks for members of a communication group
A method for coordinating wireless coverage between a first wireless network and a second wireless network for a communication device, wherein the communication device performs the method, which includes: detecting wireless coverage by the first wireless network; affiliating to a communication group to become a member of the communication group; receiving, from an infrastructure device coupled to the first wireless network, a set of channels on the second wireless network for the communication group, wherein the set of channels is determined based on the location of members of the communication group; detecting a loss of coverage in the first wireless network of at least one member of the communication group; and, responsive to detecting the loss of coverage, switching to a channel in the set of channels on the second wireless network for communications for the communication group. |
| US08977307B2 |
Beamforming coordination in heterogeneous networks
Technology for spatial domain beamforming coordination at a low power node (LPN) in a heterogeneous network (HetNet) is disclosed. One method can include the LPN collecting spatial feedback information of macro node interference from a plurality of wireless devices in a LPN cell. The LPN can compile the spatial feedback information into a spatial feedback report. The LPN can send the spatial feedback report from the LPN to a macro node for calculating a beamforming vector to reduce the macro node interference for the plurality of wireless devices in the LPN cell. |
| US08977305B1 |
Initiation of wireless service
Disclosed are various embodiments for implementing wireless service for a wireless device. In a representative embodiment, a service initiation system is executed in a computing device that communicates with a service provider system over a network to activate a wireless service associated with a newly purchased wireless device. The service initiation system also generates a network page to send to a client over the network, where the network page has a component that initiates a porting of a contact designation associated with a prior wireless device to the newly purchased wireless device separate from the activation of the wireless service for the newly purchased wireless device. |
| US08977303B2 |
Interworking circuit service fall back
Techniques, apparatuses, and systems include mechanisms for interworking circuit service fallback. In one implementation, a system for wireless communications can include one or more first base stations forming a first radio access network to provide wireless communications based on a first wireless technology; one or more second base stations forming a second radio access network to provide wireless communications based on a second wireless technology which is different from the first wireless technology, and an interworking service (IWS) module that is configured to provide the interworking between the first and second radio access networks for communications to a wireless device served by the system via either the first wireless technology or the second wireless technology, and uses a signal adaptation protocol to encapsulate messages in communicating with a wireless device served by the system. Other implementations are also provided in this document. |
| US08977302B1 |
Providing a voice message page in a wireless communication system
At least one call paging message is sent to a wireless device to establish a call session with the wireless device, and it is determined whether a response is received from the wireless device to any of the at least one call paging message. When the call session is not established and a voice message is received which is intended for the wireless device, a timer comprising a timer value is initiated, wherein the timer value is based on a number of the at least one call paging message sent to the wireless device and whether a response is received from the wireless device to any of the at least one call paging message. A voice message page is sent to the wireless device when the timer expires, and a channel is established with the wireless device to provide the voice message to the wireless device. |
| US08977300B2 |
Location-aware multimodal communication system
A system and method for providing a multimodal list of transceiver devices to a remote terminal is disclosed. A positioning unit determines a location of a remote terminal. A processor identifies transceivers for communicating in at least a first communication mode and a second communication mode according to the location of the remote terminal. The processor retrieves information about the identified transceivers from a database and generates a multimodal list. The processor causes a transceiver to transmit the multimodal list of transceiver devices to the remote terminal using a communication mode of the remote terminal. |
| US08977299B2 |
Mobile terminal device having settable and releasable function restriction and method thereof
A mobile terminal device includes: a memory that stores a restriction on a predetermined function or a release condition of the restriction as initial setting information; a determining unit that determines whether a condition of the setting information of the memory is satisfied; a generation unit that generates a restriction change request signal, which changes the initial setting information by a setting information change signal under a condition to change the initial setting information of the memory, and which requests the restriction on a function stored in the memory or the change of the release condition of the restriction when the determining unit determines that the condition of the changed setting information is satisfied; and a restriction release unit which, when detecting the restriction change request signal generated by the generation unit, performs the use restriction on the function or the restriction release based on the changed setting information. |
| US08977295B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating real-time map and location-based data
An approach is provided for generating accurate and substantially real-time map and location-based data in a cost-effective manner. Specifically, one or more communications within one or more social networks are monitored, processed, and mined to determine map-related information (e.g., maps, traffic, points of interest). The map-related information is then subjected to one or more threshold criteria (e.g., a correctness probability, a level of confidence, a degree of trust, an author's influence, a rating, or a combination thereof) to better ensure its accuracy before being made available to mapping and/or location-based services that can use the map-related information to develop better quality maps and/or location-based mobile applications (e.g., improved routing guidance, location recommendations, etc.). By providing mapping and location-based services with accurate and real-time map and location-based data, the services can fulfill user's increasing expectation and demand for up-to-the-minute information. |
| US08977294B2 |
Securely locating a device
Methods, systems, and computer-readable medium for securely locating a mobile device. In one implementation, a method is provided. The method includes receiving first information from a first device, where the first information is usable to identify a geographic location of the first device. The first information is verified as originating from the first device. A first request for the geographic location of the first device is received, where the first request includes second information associated with a user associated with the first device. The geographic location of the first device is provided to the user at a second device. |
| US08977292B2 |
Positioning accuracy estimation
A method for fingerprinting positioning decision support includes obtaining a geographic distribution probability of positions of measurement. A first collection of simulated measurements according to a signal model is generated, wherein each simulated measurement is associated with a respective pixel. The signal model is based on base stations located in the area. Fingerprinting positioning reference data is computed from the first collection and positions of the selected pixels. A second collection of simulated measurements is generated, which is statistically independent to the first collection. These simulated measurements are associated with a respective intended position within the area. Fingerprinting positioning is performed by the second collection utilizing the computed fingerprinting positioning reference data. An estimated accuracy of the fingerprinting positioning is calculated using a comparison between the intended position and the estimated position. This is made to evaluate positioning capabilities of fingerprinting positioning based on the measurement strategy. |
| US08977291B1 |
Method and apparatus of modifying a device according to acquaintance information
Disclosed are examples of modifying a current state of a mobile station based on the location of the mobile station with respect to a nearby acquaintance. The method may include detecting a presence of a mobile station in a predefined domain area identified by an application, the predefined domain area being associated with at least one acquaintance, and performing a modification to a current state of the mobile station based on a level associated with the at least one acquaintance. |
| US08977288B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing low-power geo-fence operations
A geo-fence capable device is disclosed that is capable of performing an accurate geo-fence operation while minimizing power consumption. The device includes sensors, Wi-Fi connectability and GNSS. Sensors intermittently detect whether the device is in motion. When determined to be in motion, Wi-Fi is used to acquire a wireless access point list and to compare the access point list to previously-stored access points in order to determine whether the device is still within a particular region. GNSS is used to confirm exit from a region and to intermittently monitor whether the device has entered a new region. GNSS and application processor use can be minimized by utilizing sensor and Wi-Fi functionality as preliminary region monitors. |
| US08977285B2 |
Methods and apparatus for use in establishing a data session via an ad hoc wireless network for a scheduled meeting
In one illustrative example, data for an appointment is saved in memory. The data include start data corresponding to a start date and time of the appointment, an identifier or address of at least one other mobile device, and at least one of a session ID or key. When a current date and time matches the start date and time, the mobile device grants permission to share, with another mobile device, location information indicating a location of the mobile device. The mobile device also receives location information indicating a location of the other mobile device. When the location information indicates that the locations are within a predetermined range of each other, the mobile device connects in an ad hoc wireless network with the other mobile device with use of the session ID or key, for the communication of one or more files in a secure data session. |
| US08977284B2 |
Machine for providing a dynamic data base of geographic location information for a plurality of wireless devices and process for making same
For a wireless network, a tuning system in which mobile phones using the network are routinely located. With the location of the mobile phones identified, load adjustments for the system are easily accomplished so that the wireless network is not subject to an overload situation. Ideally the location of the mobile phones is accomplished whether the mobile phones are transmitting voice data or not. |
| US08977279B2 |
Apparatus and method of prioritizing RRC signaling messages
Apparatus and methods of communicating in a communication network include the actions of and components for receiving one or more radio resource control (RRC) messages in a radio link control (RLC) queue, determining a RRC message type of the one or more RRC messages located in the RLC queue, prioritizing the one or more RRC messages located in the RLC queue according to the corresponding RRC message type, and transmitting the prioritized one or more of RRC messages in order of priority. |
| US08977276B2 |
Method and apparatus for device initiated offloading to unlicensed bands
A method comprises communicating, by a first device, with a second device, using a device-to-device communication on licensed band, determining, by the first device, whether unlicensed band resources are available, and if the unlicensed band resources are available, initiating, by the first device, a set up of a device-to-device communication on unlicensed band. |
| US08977275B2 |
In-vehicle pico-cell system and methods therefor
An apparatus (100) generates a preferred roaming list (108) for a wireless mobile station (404) that includes area identification data (such as GEO GROUP_ID) (200) corresponding to an area serviced by at least one wireless wide area network, such as a ground based CDMA system and an area services by at least one in-vehicle wireless pico-cell (402), such as a wireless CDMA pico-cell located on an aircraft or any other suitable vehicle. The area identification data (200) is associated with a wireless in-vehicle pico-cell system identification data (205) and in the case of a CDMA pico cell system, a system identification data SID) and network identification (NID) data pair (206) associated with the in-vehicle wireless pico-cell (402). |
| US08977272B2 |
Mobile communication system, and mobile communication method and radio control device used in mobile communication system
A mobile communication system includes a first radio control device that manages a first cell, a second radio control device that manages a second cell, and a third radio control device. The second cell is set as a handover destination cell of the first cell. The third radio control device manages the second cell as a redundant configuration of the second radio control device. The third radio control device notifies the first radio control device of the third radio control device managing the second cell as the redundant configuration of the second radio control device. The first radio control device sets so that the third radio control device manages the second cell as the redundant configuration of the second radio control device. |
| US08977271B2 |
Computer-aided mapping of system information medium access control protocol messages
A method for computer-aided mapping of system information medium access control protocol messages onto a plurality of transport channels for transmission using an orthogonal frequency division multiple access method, wherein a scheduling of system information data packets information in the context of the mapping on a transport channel of the plurality of transport channels is carried out dependent on the type of the system information. |
| US08977267B2 |
Communication control method and radio base station
A communication control method executed in a multi-hop cellular network including at least one gateway and a plurality of radio base stations includes: a first radio base station performing radio resource management and movement management concerning a radio mobile station requesting, when the first radio base station determines it is necessary to switch a connection destination of the radio mobile station, a second radio base station at a handover destination to perform handover processing and instructing the radio mobile station (a handover execution mobile station) to perform handover to the second radio base station; and the second radio base station determining, based on the number of times of transfer until a signal transmitted from the first radio base station reaches the own station, whether to change the radio base station that performs the radio resource management and the movement management concerning the handover execution mobile station. |
| US08977265B2 |
Method for performing handoff in wireless network
A method for minimizing handoff latencies when a handoff is performed in a wireless network. An access point (AP) or base station associated to a current wireless station (STA) allows information required for a reassociation to the STA to be propagated to handoff-capable neighboring APs or base stations. When the STA moves, a neighboring AP or base station performs the reassociation to the STA on the basis of context. When a handoff procedure is performed, the time taken to receive context of a corresponding STA is reduced, such that a fast handoff can be implemented. |
| US08977250B2 |
Context-aware filter for participants in persistent communication
A processing device local context is determined, and a communication of the processing device is filtered at least in part according to the local context. |
| US08977248B1 |
Methods and systems for managing telecommunications and for translating voice messages to text messages
Systems and methods that can be utilized to convert a voice communication received over a telecommunication network to text are described. In an illustrative embodiment, a call processing system coupled to a telecommunications network receives a call from a caller intended for a first party, wherein the call is associated with call signaling information. At least a portion of the call signaling information is stored in a computer readable medium. A greeting is played the caller, and a voice communication from the caller is recorded. At least a portion of the voice communication is converted to text, which is analyzed to identify portions that are inferred to be relatively more important to communicate to the first party. A text communication is generated including at least some of the identified portions and including fewer words than the recorded voice communication. At least a portion of the text communication is made available to the first party over a data network. |
| US08977246B2 |
Method and system for providing seamless service
There is provided a method and a system of providing a seamless service. The method includes receiving seamless service application information from a first device; receiving, from a second device, history information of at least one application executed by the second device; receiving a seamless service request from the first device; generating seamless service data for the first device, in response to the request, based on the received seamless service application information and the received history information; and transmitting the generated seamless service data to the first device, wherein the first device executes at least one seamless service application based on the transmitted seamless service data. |
| US08977240B2 |
Method for the control and evaluation of a message traffic of a communication unit by means of a first network unit within a mobile radio system, pertaining communication unit and first network unit
A method for controlling and evaluating message traffic of a communication unit uses a first network unit within a mobile radio system for forwarding all the messages of the message traffic. The first network unit decides, using one or more useful information items of the communication unit, whether one or more messages are forwarded to a second network unit for processing or whether they are blocked. The first network unit is also used to determine, using one or more useful information items of the communication unit, whether the respective message of the message traffic is logged by the first network unit in a logfile. |
| US08977239B2 |
System, method, and computer-readable medium for user equipment registration and authentication processing by a femtocell system
A system, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium for processing registration and authentication procedures by an IP-based femtocell system are provided. In one embodiment, the femtocell system includes a base transceiver station and a Session Initiation Protocol to Internet Operating System adapter. The femtocell system issues a location update request on behalf of a user equipment, transmits a register message to a core network, receives an authentication request from the core network, and transmits an authentication challenge to the user equipment. |
| US08977235B2 |
Establishment of secure communication
An exemplary method and apparatus are provided for establishing a communication between a first communication terminal and a second communication terminal over a network. A server dynamically generates a first single-use key and a second single-use key respectively associated with the first and second communication terminals as a function of time data related to at least one previous communication between the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal, during a request to establish a call from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal. The server compares the first and second keys that were generated, and authorizes the establishment of the communication if the compared keys are identical. |
| US08977234B2 |
Using low-cost tags to facilitate mobile transactions
Systems, methods and computer program products for facilitating payments using low-cost barcode or RFID tags are disclosed. Such tags can be attached or affixed to physical, real-world objects thus allowing the objects to be purchased using a customer mobile device, without the need for a dedicated, on-site point-of-sale system. The tags may be constructed from paper, metal, leather, plastic or some other low-cost material. The tag allows a unique visual identifier such as a tag code to be imprinted so that it can be read using a mobile camera or other sensor enabled telephone. |
| US08977232B2 |
Certified device-based accounting
Providing for secure tracking and reporting of wireless resources utilized by a mobile device is described herein. By way of example, resources utilized in conjunction with network-facilitated or peer-to-peer wireless data exchange can be tracked in secure, tamper-resistant components of the mobile device. Further, a report can be compiled from the tracked information and digitally signed with a secret data/material specific to the mobile device. The signed report can be submitted to a network server in conjunction with accounting, billing or like functions. By validating the signature of a mobile device, the network server can trust that information collected and submitted by user devices has not been tampered with or spoofed with an ID of another such device. |
| US08977228B2 |
System and apparatus for alerting user of theft or loss, or whereabouts, of objects, people or pets
A personal security system for automatically warning a user when an item is lost, or after being so lost is then found, wherein when the first and second transceivers are separated by a distance exceeding the predetermined operating range for a predetermined duration, the first transceiver and second transceiver each generates the predetermined signal (which may include vibration of the first and second transceivers and playing a predetermined alarm sound) for a predetermined duration; and when after being so separated, the first and second transceivers are brought back within a defined distance or operating range, the first transceiver and second transceiver each generates the predetermined signal once again for a predetermined duration. The system may include a single, second transceiver, or multiple second transceivers, each being identical except with respect to their digital signatures and settings such as range, sound, volume and duration of alarms. |
| US08977227B2 |
Method of handling signaling in congested core network
A method of handling signaling in a congested core network for a mobile device is disclosed. The method comprises initiating a first service request procedure for an emergency bearer service when a back-off timer is running on the mobile device; and not deactivating non-emergency Evolved Packet System (EPS) context locally and keeping the non-emergency EPS context during the first service request procedure for the emergency bearer service, wherein the non-emergency EPS context corresponds to user plane radio bearers which was not established, locally or with signaling. |
| US08977219B2 |
Method and system for mitigating leakage of a 60 GHz transmitted signal back into an RF input of a 60 GHz device
Methods and systems for antenna switching for mitigating leakage of a 60 GHz transmitted signal back into an RF input of a 60 GHz device are disclosed and may include configuring one or more antennas in the plurality of remote RF modules based on a measured signal characteristic, wherein the RF modules receive IF signals via coaxial lines. In-phase (I) and quadrature phase (Q) signals may be generated from the received IF signals. The generated I and Q signals may be summed before being transmitted via the antennas. The received IF signals may be up-converted into first I and Q signals, filtered, and up-converted a second time into the generated I and Q signals. Control signals for the RF modules may be communicated utilizing the coaxial lines. A local oscillator frequency may be configured for the up-conversion of signals via the communicated control signals. |
| US08977217B1 |
Switching device with negative bias circuit
Embodiments provide a switching device including one or more field-effect transistors (FETs). In embodiments, a negative bias circuit is configured to generate a negative voltage signal based on a radio frequency (RF) signal applied to the circuit. When the FET is in an off state, the negative voltage signal is provided to a gate terminal of the FET. |
| US08977214B2 |
Integrated circuit for sequence reporting and sequence generation
Disclosed are a sequence report method and a sequence report device for reducing a signaling amount for reporting a Zadoff-Chu sequence or a GCL sequence allocated for a cell. Indexes starting at 1 are correlated to different ZC sequences and are allocated for cells so that the indexes are continuous. When such ZC sequences are reported from BS to UE, a start index indicating the start of the continuous indexes is combined with the number of allocated sequences and they are reported as allocation sequence information by a report channel. The UE and the BS share the correlation between the ZC sequences and the indexes and the UE identifies a usable sequence number according to the correlation and the allocation sequence information reported from the BS. |
| US08977213B2 |
Receiving a message identifying neighbor cells
While a mobile station is in a reduced power state, the mobile station determines whether the mobile station has up-to-date neighbor cell information. In response to determining that the mobile station does not have up-to-date neighbor cell information, the mobile station transitions from the reduced power state to a higher power state, so that the mobile station can receive a message identifying neighbor cells. |
| US08977211B1 |
Systems and methods for calibrating harmonic rejection in switching mixers
A system includes a radio frequency (RF) signal path configured to receive an input signal that includes at least one of a test signal and an RF signal. A local oscillator (LO) signal path is configured to supply a LO signal. A mixer includes a first input in communication with the RF signal path and a second input in communication with the LO signal path. A calibration control module is configured to receive an output of the mixer in response to the test signal and to adjust an effective duty cycle of the LO signal in the LO signal path based on the output of the mixer. |
| US08977209B2 |
Method and system for detecting an RF transmitter or transmitter type using a network of programmable RF receivers
One or more of the programmable RF receivers or other devices in the network may be programmed to determine whether one or more defining characteristics associated with a particular RF transmitter or transmitter type are present in RF data. The one or more defining characteristics are used to detect the use of an RF transmitter or transmitter type. |
| US08977203B2 |
Semiconductor device
Of a wireless communication system, an RF tag which can operate normally even when a communication distance is extremely short, like the case where the RF tag is in contact with a reader/writer, whereby the reliability is improved. The RF tag which communicates data by wireless communication includes a comparison circuit which compares electric power supplied from outside with reference electric power and a protection circuit portion which is operated when the electric power supplied from outside is higher than the reference electric power in the comparison circuit. |
| US08977202B2 |
Communication apparatus having a unit to determine whether a profile is operating
To enable an appropriate steaming transfer of audio data in an environment where a plurality of profiles can be operated. In a communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, a short distance wireless communication unit receives a remote controller command transmitted from a head set which is connected with a short distance wireless communication, via the wireless communication. An operation profile determination unit refers to a use status of each profile previously managed by a Bluetooth profile use status management unit when the remote controller command is received and determines whether a predetermined profile used upon the wireless communication is operated. When it is determined that the predetermined profile is operated, a remote controller control unit performs a control such that a response corresponding to the remote controller command is transmitted to the opposite device and the remote controller command is discarded. |
| US08977200B2 |
Communication device performing medium detection by near field communication, external device, and external medium communication system
In an external medium communication system including a non-contact card 300, which is an external medium, and a card communication device 400, which is a communication device, the non-contact card 300 includes a conductive unit 320, and the card communication device 400 includes a detection antenna unit 420 including a detection output antenna 421 and a detection input antenna 422. When the external medium 300 is mounted in a predetermined position, the card communication device 400 detects that the non-contact card 300 is in the predetermined position by detecting that the detection output antenna 421 and the detection input antenna 422 are coupled by electromagnetic induction across the conducting unit 320. |
| US08977198B2 |
Communication method between electronic appliances, and corresponding appliances
A communication method for the communication between two appliances which are set up for communication in a first communication mode is provided. The method includes sending an activation sequence in a second communication mode from the first to the second appliance in order to initiate communication based on the first communication mode; sending data from the second appliance to the first appliance based on the first communication mode. The activation sequence sent to the second appliance includes an initialization sequence and a request for data communication in the first communication mode. In addition, a corresponding electronic appliance and system are provided. |
| US08977192B2 |
Fast data
A fast data method is contemplated to speed data processing and/or transmission times associated with sensor devices desiring to report or otherwise communicate electronic data over wireless or wireline communications mediums to a processing entity. The fast data method may be achieved by scheduling transmission windows/intervals for the sensor devices and adjusting the scheduled intervals in a manner aimed at increasing processing/polling speeds and/or in a manner aimed at facilitating transmission of data built-up over time due to a prior inability to transmit the data. |
| US08977187B2 |
Post-processing device and image forming apparatus
A post-processing device supplies a recoding medium when a punching unit is determined to have failed. The post-processing device allows the recording medium to be supplied to a stapling unit if passage of the recording medium supplied to the punching unit through an arrangement position of a second sensor is detected within a first time period after detection of passage of the recoding medium through an arrangement position of a first sensor. |
| US08977180B2 |
Fixing device, and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a curved member that supports a recording medium on which an image is formed by an image forming material that absorbs light and is fixed, and an irradiating portion that irradiates the curved member with light from the recording medium side, wherein the light axis of the light does not intersect with a center axis of the curved member, and is substantially perpendicular to a tangential line in a middle point in a transporting direction of the recording medium in a region of the curved member supporting the recording medium. |
| US08977178B2 |
Fixing device
A fixing device including: a flexible cylindrical member; a heater that is disposed inside the cylindrical member; a nip plate configured to be in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member and is configured to be heated by the heater; and a roller configured to pinch the cylindrical member between the roller and the nip plate, wherein, at least during fixing, the nip plate has a curved shape where a central portion thereof in an axial direction of the cylindrical member is more spaced from the roller than both end portions thereof in the axial direction, and wherein the roller is a concave roller where a diameter of a central portion thereof in the axial direction is smaller than diameters of both end portions thereof respectively. |
| US08977174B2 |
Apparatus, method and system for controlling strip radius in a printing system
An apparatus, system and method are provided for controlling one or more strip radii in a fuser. The fuser has a first member having a first surface. The fuser also has a belt having a first portion that contacts the first surface of the first member. The fuser further has a second member having a second surface that contacts a second portion of the belt in a region defining a nip. The fuser additionally has a stripping apparatus, positioned downstream of the nip in a process direction, comprising one or more adjustable blades configured to selectively exert one or more variable predetermined pressures on one or more selected sections of the first portion of the belt causing one or more selectable strip radii. |
| US08977171B2 |
Image forming apparatus
The image forming apparatus is capable of changing a state between a first state in which only a first image bearing member and transfer belt contact each other, and a second state in which respective image bearing members are separated from the transfer belt. A second transfer member is located at a first separating portion at which the second transfer member is separated from the image bearing member in the first state, and is located at a second separating position closer to the second image bearing member than the first separating position in the second state to regulate the position of the transfer belt. |
| US08977166B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive drum configured to rotate about a rotational axis extending in an axial direction; and a charger that charges the photosensitive drum. The charger includes: a wire electrode; a grid electrode having a grid surface that faces the photosensitive drum between the wire electrode and the photosensitive drum; and a pair of shield electrodes, which faces each other with interposing the wire electrode therebetween, and which extends in a substantially orthogonal direction to the grid electrode. The grid surface is inclined to a second plane such that the grid electrode and the shield electrode come close to the photosensitive drum at a more downstream side in a rotating direction of the photosensitive drum than a first plane, wherein the first plane includes the wire electrode and the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum, and the second plane is orthogonal to the first plane. |
| US08977164B2 |
Fixing element for fixing covers, cover device and multifunction printer
A fixing element, a cover device and a multifunction printer are provided. The multifunction printer includes a machine body, the cover device and the fixing element. The cover device is disposed on the machine body and includes a first cover, a second cover and a third cover, wherein the second cover is between the first cover and the third cover. The fixing element passes through and is fixed on the second cover. The first cover and the second cover open relative to the third cover when the fixing element locks the first cover and the second cover, and the first cover opens relative to the second cover and the third cover when the fixing element locks the second cover and the third cover. |
| US08977163B2 |
Developing cartridge
A developing cartridge includes: a housing having first and second sidewalls through which respective end portions of a developing roller shaft are rotatably inserted; a developing gear, which is arranged outside of the first sidewall, and which is fixed to the end portion of the developing roller shaft; a transmission gear, which is arranged outside of the first sidewall, and which transmits driving force to the developing gear; a first cover member, which is attached to the first sidewall, and which covers the transmission gear; and a second cover member, which is attached to the first sidewall, and which covers the developing gear from an outer side in the axis line direction. The second cover member is formed separately from the first cover member and is arranged side by side with the first cover member outside of the first sidewall. |
| US08977161B2 |
Image forming apparatus and light scanning device
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an exposure unit, and a main housing. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the image bearing member. The exposure unit includes an optical device that irradiates the image bearing member with light to form the electrostatic latent image, and a housing that defines a storage space in which the optical device is located. The main housing includes a partition wall that divides an inner space of the main housing into a first space in which the image bearing member is located and a second space in which the exposure unit is located. The housing includes a first opening wall having a first opening through which the storage space communicates with the second space. The optical device irradiates the image bearing member with light through the first opening. |
| US08977156B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus including same
A fixing device includes a rotatable, endless fixing belt; a rotatable contact member configured to contact a circumferential surface of the fixing belt to form a nip in association with the fixing belt; and a heating member disposed at an interior surface of the fixing belt, configured to heat the fixing belt. The heating member includes a multiple heat sources arranged along the width of a sheet of recording media in a direction perpendicular to a sheet conveyance direction. A controller changes an area to be heated by each heat source based on image data and corresponding to an unfixed image on the sheet. The fixing belt is heated by the heating member so that the unfixed image on the sheet that has been conveyed to the nip is fixed onto the sheet at least with heat. The heating member is disposed at a portion other than the fixing nip. |
| US08977155B2 |
Image forming apparatus
The image forming apparatus can be used in areas having different power supply voltages, in which a failure of the apparatus can be detected so that reliability of the apparatus is improved. The apparatus includes a connection state switching part which switches connection of a first heat generating member and a second heat generating member, which generate heat by electric power supplied from a commercial power supply through a power supply path, between a serial connection state and a parallel connection state, and a current detection part which detects current flowing in the power supply path. The current detection part is disposed in the power supply path after branching toward the first heat generating member and the second heat generating member in the parallel connection state. |
| US08977152B2 |
Image forming apparatus having developer stirring control
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing an electrostatic latent image, and a developing device including a container for accommodating the developer, a developer carrying member for carrying the developer and for developing the electrostatic latent image with the developer, a developer supplying member for supplying the developer to the developer carrying member, and stirring member for stirring the developer and for feeding the developer to the developer supplying member. In addition, a controller controls, before image formation, a stirring operation by the stirring member on the basis of information on electrostatic capacity between the developer carrying member and the developer supplying member. |
| US08977149B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit configured to form an image on the image bearing member, a transfer unit configured to transfer the image on the image bearing member to a recording material, a conveyance unit configured to convey the recording material to the transfer unit, a controller configured to form a test sheet by causing a test image to be formed on the image bearing member such that the test image has a predetermined density and causing the test image to be transferred to the recording material, and a determination unit configured to determine a conveyance speed of the recording material such that a density difference between a density of the test image on the test sheet and the predetermined density is less than or equal to a threshold value. |
| US08977148B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image carrier that carries a toner image having a length corresponding to at least a circumferential length of the carrier; an image density detector that detects a density of the image; a potential detector that detects, over at least the circumferential length, a surface potential of the carrier before toner adheres thereto; a first image forming device that adjusts the density with a first factor, and forms an image based on a first condition of the first factor; a second image forming device that adjusts the density with a second factor, and forms an image based on a second condition of the second factor; a first determining device that determines the first condition based on uneven density; and a second determining device that determines the second condition based on uneven density and a potential distribution of the surface potential. |
| US08977140B2 |
Optical receiver and optical reception method
An optical receiver includes: an interference unit generating a first interference light signal (ILS1) and a second interference light signal (ILS2) with an approximately inverse phase to that of the first interference light signal, by causing a received light signal to interfere with local oscillator light; a first interference light subtraction unit generating a first interference light subtraction signal (ILSS1) representing the difference between signals obtained by photoelectric conversion of ILS1 and a local oscillator light proportional signal having light intensity based on the light intensity of the local oscillator light; a second interference light subtraction unit generating a second interference light subtraction signal (ILSS2) representing the difference between a signal obtained by photoelectric conversion of ILS2 and the signal obtained by photoelectric conversion of the local oscillator light proportional signal; and a difference output unit outputting a signal representing the difference between ILSS1 and ILSS2. |
| US08977134B2 |
Apparatus for visible light communication providing intuitive information and method using the same
There is disclosed a visible light communication technology capable of intuitively recognizing a transmission speed, an alignment status, a communication status, or a transmission rate. A visible light communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a light source selecting unit selecting at least one light source of a plurality of light sources generating lights having different wavelengths by considering intuitive information distinguished depending on a wavelength in a visible light band; and a visible light communication unit performing visible light communication by at least one selected light source to allow the intuitive information to be recognized by a color corresponding to at least one selected light source. Accordingly, a user using the visible light communication can intuitively know an optimal communication status or transmission speed. |
| US08977132B2 |
Ingress-mitigated RF cable plants and ingress mitigation methods for same
An RF hardline coaxial cable plant to facilitate voice and/or data services to subscriber premises in one or more neighborhood nodes of a cable communication system by conveying upstream information over an upstream path bandwidth. One or more upstream radio frequency (RF) signals have a carrier frequency of between approximately 5 MHz and 19.6 MHz and are modulated using quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) with voice and/or data information constituting at least some of the upstream information. An example RF signal defines a channel having an average channel power, and a highest value for an average noise power between 5 MHz and 19.6 MHz in the upstream path bandwidth of a given neighborhood node, as measured over at least a 24 hour period, is at least 25 decibels (dB) below the average channel power and/or less than 20 decibels (dB) above a noise floor associated with the neighborhood node. |
| US08977131B2 |
Optical apparatus and use method thereof for passive optical network system
An optical apparatus receives an upward signal light from a plurality of subscriber units, where the upward signal light is composed of a plurality of time slots corresponding to the plurality of optical subscriber units. The optical apparatus includes a driving unit configured to determine a respective required gain for light from each of the plurality of optical subscriber units, an amplifying section configured to amplify the upward signal light with the required gain corresponding to the time slots of the upward signal light, and a receiver configured to receive the amplified upward signal light. |
| US08977129B2 |
Multi-degree reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexing
Various architectures of a multi-degree reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer with reduced contention are provided. These architectures allow the degree of contention reduction to be managed in a flexible and modular way. The degree of the node and the amount of add/drop at the node can also be managed in a flexible and modular way. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US08977128B2 |
Encoding of wavelength converter systems
An apparatus comprising a path computation element (PCE) configured to perform a path computation using a wavelength converter (WC) pool information based on a dynamic WC pool model, wherein the dynamic WC pool model comprises information regarding WC pool usage state represented using a WC pool usage state vector, and wherein the information regarding WC pool usage state is communicated to the PCE using a WC usage state Type-Length-Value (TLV) that indicates an available WC in a WC pool, a used WC in the WC pool, or both. Also disclosed is a network component comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising receiving a WC usage state TLV comprising information regarding WC pool usage state, establishing a WC pool usage state vector using the information in the WC usage state TLV, and calculating a WC pool connectivity matrix based on the WC usage state vector. |
| US08977125B2 |
Low power optical transceiver using orthogonal polarization detection technique
A method and apparatus for simultaneous processing of signals impressed on a horizontal polarization of a light wave and on a vertical polarization of the light wave is provided. In one embodiment, a horizontal polarization pilot tone is impressed on a data signal carried by the horizontal polarization and a vertical polarization pilot tone is impressed on a data signal carried by the vertical polarization. A receiver processes the dual-polarized light wave and converts it to an X channel signal and a Y channel signal. The X and Y channel signals are processed in separate channels to recover a phase and frequency offset between them and a local oscillator. The phase and frequency recovered and frequency de-multiplexed signals are further processed to polarization de-multiplex the data signal carried by the horizontal polarization and the data signal carried by the vertical polarization. |
| US08977123B2 |
2-step-optimization procedure for routing and wavelength assignment with combined dedicated shared protections in multi-cable multi-fiber optical WDM networks
The inventive 2-step-optimization procedure that addresses the generalized routing and wavelength assignment problem with variable number of combined 1+1 dedicated and shared connections for the first time. The proposed procedure results a solution in time that is polynomial of the input size. Thus, the time complexity of the 2-step-optimization procedure is significantly less than that of existing methods. |
| US08977122B2 |
Route search and wavelength allocation method in optical network and device thereof
The present invention provides a method and device for routing and wavelength assignment in an optical network. The method comprises: a topology step in which a topology network of the optical network is obtained; a route calculation step in which at least one route in the topology network is calculated, a first node and a last node of the route being predetermined, and the at least one route being part of all routes from the first node to the last node; and a wavelength assignment determination step in which for each node on the route, it is determined whether link attribute information of the node meets a predetermined constraint condition, if the predetermined constraint condition is met, the route is selected as a working route, and the method ends; if the predetermined constraint condition is not met, the method returns to the route calculation step. |
| US08977121B2 |
Spatial domain based multi dimensional coded modulation for multi Tb per second serial optical transport networks
An optical transport network based on multimode/multicore fibers includes a mode-multiplexer to multiplex independent data streams from one or more transmitters; a multimode erbium-doped fiber amplifier (MM EDFA) to compensate for MMF loss; a multimode optical add-drop multiplexer (MM OADM) to add and/or drop multimode channels in multimode networks; a multimode optical cross-connect; and a mode-demultiplexer to separate various mode streams to one or more receivers. |
| US08977118B2 |
Variable magnification viewfinder device and method for changing luminance of displayed information
In a variable magnification viewfinder device, information displayed on a liquid crystal panel and a viewfinder image are combined with each other through a prism. When a variable power lens is inserted in a viewfinder optical path, viewfinder magnification is changed. Based on the change in the viewfinder magnification, brightness of a backlight unit is changed and luminance of the information displayed on the liquid crystal panel is changed. In a viewfinder field of view, the information and the viewfinder image are displayed at substantially the same brightness. |
| US08977114B2 |
Device and method for the thermal treatment of corrosive gases
A device for thermal treatment of corrosive gases includes a chamber for heating gases in which there are at least four heating elements or four groups of heating elements including an electrically conductive material, wherein each heating element or group is connected to a separately regulatable and/or controllable subsystem of an electrical energy network and can thereby be heated by direct current flow, wherein each heating element or group can be controlled or regulated with respect to at least one either identical or different value of a parameter selected from the group consisting of temperature, heating power, current, voltage and resistance, or with respect to another heating element process variable, which can be influenced by the device, and wherein at least four regulatable and/or controllable subsystems are DC-isolated from ground potential. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for the thermal treatment of corrosive gases. |
| US08977113B1 |
Mobile device video decision tree
An example method for managing a plurality of media is provided. The method includes providing a composite media file with a plurality of scenes and a plurality of events; playing a scene of the media on a display with at least one event of the plurality of events positioned over the scene; determining if an event of the at least one event has been selected while the scene is playing; and responsive to the event being selected, taking an action. |
| US08977109B2 |
Human interaction trajectory-based system
A method and associated apparatus for using a trajectory-based technique to detect a moving object in a video sequence at incorporates human interaction through a user interface. The method comprises steps of identifying and evaluating sets of connected components in a video frame, filtering the list of connected components by comparing features of the connected components to predetermined criteria, identifying candidate trajectories across multiple frames, evaluating the candidate trajectories to determine a selected trajectory, eliminating incorrect trajectories through use of the interface and processing images in said video sequence responsive to the evaluating and eliminating steps. |
| US08977108B2 |
Digital media asset management system and method for supporting multiple users
An approach provides editing of digital media. A platform, as maintained by a service provider, provides a remote proxy editing capability of a plurality of media streams. A first one of the media streams is transmitted to a player of a first customer of the service provider. Further, the method comprises transmitting a second one of the media streams to a player of a second customer of the service provider. |
| US08977107B2 |
Storage device and method for resuming playback of content
A storage device and method for resuming playback of content are provided. In one embodiment, a storage device comprises a memory operative to store a plurality of versions of content. The storage device receives a request for one of the versions of the content from a host, provides the requested version of the content to the host, and provides bookmark information from which the host can determine a location where to resume playback of the content, wherein the bookmark information indicates where playback ended for a different version of the content. |
| US08977103B2 |
Video data processing apparatus and video data processing method
A video data processing apparatus includes a reading unit reading video data from a video data file recorded on a randomly accessible storage medium in response to a first control signal, and reading position data indicating a frame position of the video data in the video data file from the video data file recorded on the storage medium in response to a second control signal, a memory storing the position data read by the reading unit, and a controller controlling the reading unit by outputting the second control signal before the outputting of the first control signal, and controlling the reading unit by outputting the first control signal with a designation of particular video data to be read indicated by the position data stored in the memory, in response to a request to execute a process to the video data file. |
| US08977100B2 |
Video server and controlling method for video server
According to one embodiment, a video server reads a first type of video signal for one screen from a memory address related to a screen based on a clock pulse if first information in order to read the first type of video signal from the memory device with the first predetermined time interval and the clock pulse are received, and reads a second type of video signal for integral multiple screens from the playback controller in order to read the second type of video signal from the memory device with a changing point of the clock pulse level if the second information from the playback controller in order to read the second type of video signal from the memory device with the first predetermined time interval and the clock pulse are received. |
| US08977096B2 |
Optical fibers
An optical fiber suitable for high-capacity transmission having a large effective core area, a low bending loss, and capable of single mode operation at 1550 nm is provided. The optical fiber 10 has an effective core area ≧175 μm2 at 1550 nm, a bending loss ≦10 dB/m at a bending diameter of 20 mm at 1550 nm, and a cut-off wavelength λc≦1550 nm. The optical fiber has a first core 11 at the center, which has a refractive index higher than that of the cladding 13; and a second core 12 around the first core 11, which has a refractive index lower than that of the cladding 13; a primary medium portion; and secondary medium portions, which have a refractive index lower than that of the primary medium portion and the secondary medium portions have a plurality of first secondary medium portions 15 around the first core 11 and a plurality of second secondary medium portions 16 around the first core 11 and outside of the first secondary medium portions 15. |
| US08977095B2 |
Polarization maintaining optical fibers with intracore stress mechanisms
Polarization maintaining optical fibers and methods for making the same are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, a polarization maintaining optical fiber includes a cladding portion and a core portion disposed in the cladding portion. The core portion includes a first core region having a first coefficient of thermal expansion CTE1 and a second core region having a second coefficient of thermal expansion CTE2. The first coefficient of thermal expansion CTE1 is not equal to the second coefficient of thermal expansion CTE2. At least one of the first core region and the second core region is non-circular symmetric with respect to a centerline of the polarization maintaining optical fiber. |
| US08977093B2 |
Multimode optical fiber
The present invention relates to a multimode optical fiber having a structure for stably reducing eccentricity relative to an insert hole of a connector ferrule to be mounted at an end thereof, wherein a fiber outer diameter of the multimode optical fiber along its longitudinal direction varies periodically in a range of ±0.5 μm with respect to a target fiber outer diameter. |
| US08977091B2 |
Multimode optical fiber systems with adjustable chromatic modal dispersion compensation
Multimode optical fiber systems with adjustable chromatic modal dispersion compensation are disclosed, wherein the system includes a VCSEL light source and primary and secondary optically coupled multimode optical fibers. Because the VCSEL light source has a wavelength spectrum that radially varies, its use with the primary multimode optical fiber creates chromatic modal dispersion that reduces bandwidth. The compensating multimode optical fiber is designed to have a difference in alpha parameter relative to the primary multimode optical fiber of −0.1≦Δα≦−0.9. This serves to create a modal delay opposite to the chromatic modal dispersion. The compensation is achieved by using a select length of the compensating multimode optical fiber optically coupled to an output end of the primary multimode optical fiber. The compensating multimode optical fiber can be configured to be bend insensitive. |
| US08977089B2 |
Cable connection housing providing multiple methods for waterproofing main cables
The present invention relates to a communication cable splice box that is capable of different ways to waterproof the main cable, the cable splice box comprises a protective cover and at least a cable entry place, the cable entry space has at least three hollow cylindrical columns, one of the hollow cylindrical columns can provide entry for two main cables that are preparing for heat shrink tube waterproofing into the cable splice box, the two remaining hollow cylindrical columns each provides entry for one main cable that is preparing for elastic rubber shrinkable pipe waterproofing into the cable splice box. This can improve in the prior art and solve the array of waterproofing problems encountered in the entry opening of the main cable of the telecommunication cable splice box. |
| US08977088B2 |
Interposer with alignment features
An optical interposer for optically coupling light between an OED supported on a substrate and an optical fiber, the interposer comprising: (a) an interposer of an optically-clear moldable material comprising at least the following features: (b) a port for receiving a ferrule containing at least one optical fiber, the port comprising an interface surface positioned to optically couple with an end face of the optical fiber; (c) an active lens adapted to optically couple with an OED, the active lens and the interface surface optically coupled along an optical path in the interposer; (d) a protrusion extending backward from the port, the protrusion defining a first register surface, the first register surface being a certain distance from the optical path such that, when a second register surface of a ferrule containing the optical fiber contacts the first register surface, the ferrule is aligned with the port such that the port can receive a front portion of the ferrule if the ferrule is pushed forward. |
| US08977087B2 |
Tapered optical fiber for supercontinuum generation
The invention relates to a tapered optical fiber and a method and drawing tower for producing such an optical fiber. The tapered optical fiber comprising a core region that is capable of guiding light along a longitudinal axis of said optical fiber and a cladding region surrounding said core region. The optical fiber comprises a tapered section arranged between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position, said tapered section comprising a first taper section having a first length, L1, over which the optical fiber is tapered down to a taper waist, and a second taper section having a second length, L2, over which said optical fiber is tapered up. |
| US08977084B2 |
Optical antenna and methods for optical beam steering
An optical antenna and methods for optical beam steering are provided. One optical planar antenna includes a linear waveguide within a substrate and having a fiber interface. The optical planar antenna also includes a planar waveguide within the substrate, a first diffractive optical element configured to couple the linear waveguide to the planar waveguide and a second diffractive optical element configured to couple the planar waveguide to free space. |
| US08977081B2 |
Polarization splitter of high polarization extinction ratio
A polarization splitter includes a substrate, an asymmetric Y-shaped waveguide, and a pair of strip-shaped electrodes. The substrate is made of a birefringence crystal and includes a surface. The Y-shaped waveguide is formed into the surface and includes an input section for transmitting both transverse electric wave and transverse magnetic wave, a first branch for only transmitting the transverse electric wave, and a second branch for only transmitting the transverse magnetic wave. The first branch and the second branch branch off the input section. The electrodes are positioned on the surface, arranged at two opposite sides of the input section and substantially parallel with a central axis of the input section. |
| US08977078B2 |
Optical printed circuit board and method for manufacturing the same
An optical printed circuit board according to the embodiment includes an insulating layer; an optical wave guide buried in the insulating layer to transmit an optical signal; and an optical path converting part provided on at least one end of the optical wave guide to convert a transmission path of the optical signal defined by the optical wave guide such that the transmission path has a predetermined curvature. |
| US08977070B2 |
Correction of blotches in component images
Blotches may be identified and processed to reduce or eliminate the blotch. The blotch may be in just one of several separations and multiple separations may be used, for example, to identify the blotch. An implementation (i) compares a first component image of an image with a first component image of a reference image, (ii) compares a second component image of the image with a second component image of the reference image, and (iii) determines based on these comparisons whether the first component image of the image includes a blotch. Multiple image separations also, or alternatively, may be used, for example, to modify the blotch, as well as to evaluate whether a modification is beneficial. |
| US08977067B1 |
Audio identification using wavelet-based signatures
A method is described that includes producing an audio spectrogram from a target sample, generating a number of fingerprints based on the audio spectrogram, comparing the series of fingerprints to samples in a data repository using wavelet coefficients, and identifying the target sample based on the matches found in the data repository. |
| US08977065B2 |
Inheritance in a tiered signal quality hierarchy
A first set of reconstruction data includes a symbol specifying an attribute setting of a parent element in a rendition of the signal at a first level of quality. The attribute setting can be one of multiple attribute settings of the parent element indicating how to configure the parent element for the rendition of the signal at a first level of quality. A signal processor divides the parent element into multiple sub-elements to reconstruct the signal at a second, higher level of quality. The signal processor utilizes the rendition of the signal at the first level of quality and the attribute setting of the parent element as specified by the symbol (at the first level of quality) to produce a default attribute setting for one or more respective sub-elements (into which the parent element is divided) unless reconstruction data to reconstruct the signal at a higher level of quality specifies a different attribute setting for the respective sub-elements. |
| US08977063B2 |
Region-of-interest extraction for video telephony
The disclosure is directed to techniques for region-of-interest (ROI) processing for video telephony (VT) applications. According to the disclosed techniques, a recipient device defines ROI information for video information transmitted by a sender device, i.e., far-end video information. The recipient device transmits the ROI information to the sender device. Using the ROI information transmitted by the recipient device, the sender device applies preferential encoding to an ROI within a video scene. ROI extraction may be applied to process a user description of a region of interest (ROI) to generate information specifying the ROI based on the description. The user description may be textual, graphical, or speech-based. An extraction module applies appropriate processing to generated the ROI information from the user description. The extraction module may locally reside with a video communication device, or reside in a distinct intermediate server configured for ROI extraction. |
| US08977062B2 |
Reduction of CFAR false alarms via classification and segmentation of SAR image clutter
The classification and segmentation system of the current invention makes use of information from pixels of an image, namely the magnitude of the pixels, to run specific analytics to classify and segment the image pixels into different groups. This invention includes a system for processing an image, the system including an input device, a processor, a memory and a monitor. The input device is configured to receive image data, where the image data includes pixels and each pixel has a magnitude. The memory has instructions stored in it that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to run calculations. The calculations include: calculating the log-magnitudes from the magnitudes of at least a plurality of the pixels, calculating standard deviations of the log-magnitudes for subsets of the plurality of pixels and compute an integral of the standard deviations over a desired range. The pixels are classified into different groups based on a value of the integral relative to one or more integral values. In one embodiment, a monitor is configured to display a threshold image, wherein the threshold image includes the different groups of pixels. |
| US08977060B2 |
Motion stabilization and detection of articulated objects
The techniques and systems described herein are directed to isolating part-centric motion in a visual scene and stabilizing (e.g., removing) motion in the visual scene that is associated with camera-centric motion and/or object-centric motion. By removing the motion that is associated with the camera-centric motion and/or the object-centric motion, the techniques are able to focus motion feature extraction mechanisms (e.g., temporal differencing) on the isolated part-centric motion. The extracted motion features may then be used to recognize and/or detect the particular type of object and/or estimate a pose or position of a particular type of object. |
| US08977058B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method
According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes following units. The correlation calculation unit calculates correlations between a first region and predetermined first basis vectors. The distance calculation unit calculates distances between the first region and second regions on a subspace generated by the second basis vectors selected from the first basis vectors. The feature quantity calculation unit calculates a feature quantity based on the correlations. The weight calculation unit calculates weights based on the distances and the feature quantity. The pixel value calculation unit calculates a weighted average of pixel values according to the weights to generate an output pixel value. |
| US08977056B2 |
Face detection using division-generated Haar-like features for illumination invariance
Faces in images are quickly detected with minimal memory resource usage. Instead of calculating a Haar-like feature value by subtracting the average pixel intensity value in one rectangular region from the average pixel intensity value in another, adjacent rectangular region, a face-detection system calculates that Haar-like feature value by dividing the average pixel intensity value in one rectangular region by the average pixel intensity value in another adjacent rectangular region. Thus, each Haar-like value is calculated as a ratio of average pixel intensity values rather than as a difference between such average pixel intensity values. The feature values are calculated using this ratio-based technique both during the machine-learning procedure, in which the numerical ranges for features in known face-containing images are learned based on labeled training data, and during the classifier-applying procedure, in which an unlabeled image's feature values are calculated and compared to the previously machine-learned numerical ranges. |
| US08977048B2 |
Method medium system encoding and/or decoding an image using image slices
An encoding method, medium, and system encoding an image, with an image being encoded by generating a plurality of image slices as images of each color component of the image and encoding the image slices in parallel with each other and independently of each other. Accordingly, although an image to be encoded has a large number of color components, the image can be compressed promptly. In addition, a decoding method, medium, and system are also provided decoding an image, with a plurality of encoded image slices being included in a corresponding bitstream, which are images of each color component of the image to be restored, are decoded in parallel with each other and independently of each other so as to restore the image using the decoded image slices. Accordingly, although an image to be decoded has a large number of color components, the image can be restored promptly. |
| US08977047B2 |
Systems and methods for note content extraction and management using segmented notes
Techniques for creating and manipulating software notes representative of physical notes are described. A note management system comprises a note recognition module configured to receive image data capturing a note having a plurality of color segments, wherein the note recognition module is further configured to generate a plurality of indicators, each indicator indicative of a color class of a pixel or group of pixels within the image data and based on color values of the pixel or group of pixels; and a note extraction module configured to determine general boundaries of the color segments of the note based on the plurality of indicators and extract content using the general boundaries, the content comprising a plurality of content pieces, each of the content pieces corresponding to one of the color segments of the note. |
| US08977045B2 |
Recognition method and system for component images
A recognition method includes: retrieving a component image from an image source; utilizing SVD (singular value decomposition) to decompose the component image; and utilizing the decomposed component image for image recognition. In an embodiment, the recognition method further includes: utilizing a light compensation method to calculate at least one light compensation coefficient; utilizing the light compensation coefficient to process the component image to obtain a light-compensated component image; and utilizing the light-compensated component image for image recognition. |
| US08977044B2 |
Image processing apparatus for area separation of images, image processing method, and computer readable medium
An image processing apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives an image; a separating unit that separates a first area from the received image; an extracting unit that extracts a second area of a color having a predetermined relationship in the separated first area; an acquiring unit that acquires the characteristic relating to the shape of the extracted second area; a first determining unit that determines whether or not the second area is plain, on the basis of the acquired characteristic; and a second determining unit that determines, as the property of the first area, whether the first area is a continuous-tone area, a plain area, or a composite area including a continuous-tone area and a plain area, on the basis of the ratio of the second area determined to be plain to the separated first area. |
| US08977041B2 |
Systems and methods for creating a visual vocabulary
Systems and methods for generating a visual vocabulary build a plurality of visual words via unsupervised learning on set of features of a given type; decompose one or more visual words to a collection of lower-dimensional buckets; generate labeled image representations based on the collection of lower dimensional buckets and labeled images, wherein labels associated with an image are associated with a respective representation of the image; and iteratively select a sub-collection of buckets from the collection of lower-dimensional buckets based on the labeled image representations, wherein bucket selection during any iteration after an initial iteration is based at least in part on feedback from previously selected buckets. |
| US08977038B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing three dimensional media content
A system that incorporates teachings of the exemplary embodiments may include, for example, means for generating a disparity map based on a depth map, means for determining accuracy of pixels in the depth map where the determining means identifies the pixels as either accurate or inaccurate based on a confidence map and the disparity map, and means for providing an adjusted depth map where the providing means adjusts inaccurate pixels of the depth map using a cost function associated with the inaccurate pixels. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08977036B2 |
Apparatus and method for 3D image conversion and a storage medium thereof
An apparatus and method for converting a two-dimensional (2D) input image into a three-dimensional (3D) image, and a storage medium thereof are provided, the method being implemented by the 3D-image conversion apparatus including receiving an input image including a plurality of frames; selecting a first frame corresponding to a preset condition among the plurality of frames; extracting a first object from the selected first frame; inputting selection for one depth information setting mode among a plurality of depth information setting modes with regard to the first object; generating first depth information corresponding to the selected setting mode with regard to the first object; and rendering the input image based on the generated first depth information. |
| US08977033B1 |
System and method for automatically measuring the dimensions of and identifying the type of exterior siding
Methods, systems, and computer readable media are disclosed for determining a pixel-to-length ratio between a number of pixels disposed over a predetermined length of a reference object within an image of a siding sample and the predetermined length of the reference object. A first and second distance between respective first and second pairs of points within the image corresponding to respective first and second length measurements of the siding sample are determined, as well as a first and second number of pixels disposed between the first and second pair of points, respectively. Furthermore, the method, system, and computer readable medium disclose determining the first length measurement based on the pixel-to-length ratio and the first number of pixels, determining the second length measurement based on the pixel-to-length ratio and the second number of pixels, and identifying a siding product associated with the first and second length measurements. |
| US08977030B2 |
Blood cell image display apparatus, specimen analyzing system, blood cell image display method and computer program product
A blood cell image display apparatus comprising: a classifier for classifying blood cell images, which are obtained by imaging a blood smear prepared from a blood specimen, in accordance with types of blood cells in the blood cell images; an information receiver for receiving information relating to the blood specimen; a display section; and a display controller for determining a type of blood cell as a display object on the basis of the information relating to the blood specimen, and displaying a blood cell image classified as the determined type on the display section, is disclosed. A specimen analyzing system, a blood cell image display method, and a computer program product are also disclosed. |
| US08977028B2 |
Method of displaying virtual ruler on separate image or medical image of object, medical image obtaining apparatus, and method and apparatus for displaying separate image or medical image with virtual ruler
A method of displaying a virtual ruler on separate images of an object includes: dividing the object into imaging areas in a predetermined direction and obtaining the separate images corresponding to the imaging areas; obtaining a first distance value for each respective separate image, as a distance from a reference point to a first side of the respective separate image, and a second distance value for each respective separate image, as a distance from the reference point to a second side of the respective separate image, the first side being opposite to the second side along the predetermined direction; and displaying the virtual ruler, which indicates distance values between the first distance value and the second distance value of each respective separate image, on each of the respective separate images. |
| US08977025B2 |
System for frame selection for optimal registration of a multi-frame dataset
A system and method includes data representing a sequence of X-ray images of a portion of patient anatomy acquired over a time interval and signal data representing electrical activity of the heart of the patient over the time interval, determination of a score value for each image of said sequence of X-ray images, selection of a set of images from said sequence of X-ray images based on the determined score values, the set of images excluding one or more images of said sequence of X-ray images, and generation of an averaged image from said set of images. |
| US08977023B2 |
Methods, systems and computer program products for processing images generated using Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FDOCT)
Methods, systems and computer program products for managing frequency domain optical coherence tomography (FDOCT) image resolution. A spectrum used to acquire an image of a subject is calibrated and default dispersion correction parameters are set. Default dispersion management parameters associated with a region of the image of the subject are also set. The image of the subject is acquires after setting the default dispersion correction parameters and the default dispersion management parameters. A quality of the acquired image is compared to a quality metric for the acquired image. The dispersion correction parameters are adjusted if the quality of the acquired image does not meet or exceed the quality metric for the acquired image. The acquired image is reprocesses based on the adjusted dispersion correction parameters. The steps of comparing, adjusting and reprocessing are repeated until the acquired image meets or exceeds the quality metric for the acquired image. |
| US08977022B2 |
Computed tomography method, and system
A computed tomography method for determining a volumetric representation of a sample comprising reconstruction initial volume data of the sample from x-ray projections of the sample taken by an x-ray system, determining a part of the reconstructed initial volume data to be updated, and executing an iterative update process configured to generate, using an iterative reconstruction method, updated volume data only for the part of the volume data determined to be updated. Determining the part of the sample volume to be updated comprises individually evaluating every single voxel in the reconstructed initial volume data, based on available quality information for the reconstructed initial volume data, whether or not the voxel fulfils a predetermined condition indicating that an update is required for the voxel, and the iterative update process generates the updated volume data only for the voxels which have been determined that an update is required. |
| US08977018B2 |
Multi-modality breast imaging
A system for multi-modality breast imaging comprises a first shape model constructing sub-system (1) for constructing a first shape model of the breast as represented in a first image (9), in which the breast has its natural shape, a second shape model constructing sub-system (2) for constructing a second shape model of the breast as represented in a second image (10), in which the breast is compressed by using a compression paddle, and a deformation estimating sub-system (3) for estimating a volumetric deformation field (12) defining a mapping between the first image (9) and the second image (10) on the basis of the shape models and an elastic deformation model (11) of the breast, the deformation estimating sub-system (3) being arranged to estimate the volumetric deformation field (12) on the basis of a first tissue surface of the breast in the first image (9) and a second tissue surface of the breast in the second image (10). |
| US08977015B2 |
Method for determining a position for at least one semi-transparent diaphragm and associated facility
The invention relates to a method for determining a position for at least one semi-transparent diaphragm during a radiological observation of a body region of a patient by means of a radiological facility, in particular during an observation accompanying an interventional measure, comprising: producing at least one radiological image recording and/or a sequence of image recordings by means of the radiological facility; analyzing the image recording and/or the sequence of image recordings by means of automatic image processing by a computing facility for identifying less absorbent image regions which may be present; and automatically determining the position for the at least one semi-transparent diaphragm as a function of the image analysis result by means of the computing facility. |
| US08977014B2 |
Methods for stimulating the effect of distortion on representations of markers and methods for analyzing representations of markers using simulations of distortion
A method of simulating the effect of distortion on a representation of a marker, such as a fingerprint is provided. The method is useful for generating data for use in various processes concerned with fingerprints and particularly avoids the need to manually generate and collect such data. The method includes obtaining a plurality of representations from an individual, the representations being subject to different distortions relative to one another. A function, such as a thin plate spline function, is then used to describe the effects of the different distortions on the plurality of representations obtained. This generic model of the effects of distortion can then be used to generate distortions for a further representation from an individual, preferably another individual. The simulated distorted representations can be used in a variety of ways. |
| US08977013B2 |
Biometric sensor and method for generating a three-dimensional representation of a portion of a finger
One embodiment includes a biometric sensor for generating a three-dimensional representation of a portion of a finger, the finger comprising a three-dimensional structure including a surface tissue layer and a subsurface tissue layer, the biometric sensor comprising: a platen; a first transducer; a drive system; a controller; and a software module. The platen is configured to receive the finger. The first transducer is arranged about the platen, configured to scan at least a portion of the finger by transmitting ultrasound waves toward the finger and receiving the ultrasound waves after the waves reflect off of the finger, and further configured to output signals based upon the received ultrasound waves. The drive system is configured to motivate the set of transducers accurately about a central axis substantially parallel to the length of the finger to be scanned. The controller is configured to control the motion of the drive system. The software module is configured to receive a form of the signals from the first transducer and to compose the form of the signals into a three-dimensional representation of at least a portion of the surface tissue layer of the finger. |
| US08977010B2 |
Method for discriminating between a real face and a two-dimensional image of the face in a biometric detection process
A method for discriminating between a real face and a two-dimensional reproduction of the face, in a biometric detection process, the method comprising: (a) making at least two digital recordings of the face or its reproduction in time sequence, one after the other; (b) dividing each of the recordings into a number of image components wherein each image component comprises a number of pixels; (c) determining the displacement of the individual image components from the first recording to the second recording by correlation and generating a displacement vector field therefrom; and (d) analyzing the displacement vector field for determining whether the recording has been made from a real face or from its reproduction. |